“Dorothy won’t ever head the town’s welcoming committee, but she’s sweet in her own way.” Jack winked and reached for a square of butter. For the second time that evening, the back of Livy’s neck heated when Jack winked at her.
“Do you mind if I say a quick prayer over the meal?” The request surprised Livy, his directness somehow comforting without being overconfident. It had been years since Livy had attended church on a regular basis, but she turned to God for strength and comfort daily. In fact, prayer had surely helped get her through these last several weeks. Still, Jack’s request to pray with her—someone he’d just met—caught her off guard.
“Of course.” She returned her spoon to the table.
Jack closed his eyes. “Lord, today I’m thankful Livy made it safely to town. Bless this food and the hands that prepared it. In Your name we pray. Amen.”
“Amen,” Livy echoed. Her eyes didn’t leave Jack’s face while he prayed. Why did she feel like she’d known this man her whole life? Was there a reason he had been the first person she saw when she arrived in town?
Thankfully, the rest of the conversation remained casual. Jack told Livy about the harsh weather the mountains had experienced that winter and how everyone seemed relieved when the earth began to thaw, especially the farmers. She shared anecdotes about metropolitan life and some interesting characters she’d met in the city. He didn’t ask about the phone call with Sam that he may have overheard. Didn’t ask anything too personal. How nice to set aside her shield for at least a short time.
They were the last ones to leave about an hour later. Dorothy, busy wiping down tables, gave a flippant backward wave as Jack said goodnight and held the door open for Livy.
“I forgot how many stars you can see outside of the city. I used to love watching for shooting stars.” Livy broke the comfortable silence between them as they started uphill toward the inn.
“I remember.” His voice was just above a whisper. What did he remember?
The loud muffler of a truck slowly climbing the hill pulled her hands to her ears. Jack’s shoulders shook with laughter, a lamppost revealing lines of amusement around his eyes.
“Bet you didn’t hear that too often in the big city,” he said once the truck had finally crested the hill.
“Horns and diesel engines, sure—but nothing quite like these big pick-ups.” How quickly she’d detoxed her senses from the noisy metropolis.
Just a few minutes later, they reached Jack’s truck parked near the inn. “You be sure and stop in the store anytime.”
“You can count on that. Like I said, I have a feeling I’ll need lots of supplies. Thanks for being so friendly. I’m not used to such courtesy.” Why did she suddenly feel nervous standing here with Jack?
“Obliged, ma’am.” Jack tipped an invisible hat and gave a grand bow.
“Well, my goodness.” Out of habit, she stifled a loud laugh with a hand over her mouth. Sam had told her once she sounded like a fool when she belly laughed. Not anymore, Livy. Not here. Laugh if you want, whenever you want.
“Have a great night, Livy.” Jack’s smile was warm and genuine.
“Same to you, Jack.” She followed the uneven flat stones back to the inn’s front door and waved when she looked back and found him waiting for her to go inside.
Back in her room, Livy stood at the curved bay window. A bright white moon cast just enough silver light over the mountain range. The rise and fall was so much gentler than New York’s jagged skyline. Livy hadn’t anticipated meeting anyone and wasn’t ready to explain why the last few years of her life had worn her so much, leaving her searching for home. Surely, Jack didn’t care to hear a sob story from a perfect stranger. Actually, Livy wasn’t sure she believed that. Something whispered inside her soul that Jack was just the person she needed to tell.
After a warm bath in the antique claw-foot tub, Livy finally settled in to the creaky, comfortable bed in Room 12. She had plenty of time to figure it out.
***
“That ought to do it.” Jack stood, brushed his hands off on his jeans, and patted Rex on the head.
Even though spring was slowly creeping into Laurel Cove, on most evenings the chilled air still begged for extra warmth. He picked up the store’s sales reports from the coffee table, fell back onto the soft couch, and let the heat from the fireplace begin to radiate over his body. The sharp crackling of the wood on the growing fire was interrupted only by Rex’s tags as he circled the rug before settling. This spot, here in front of the fire at his home in the woods, was where Jack did his best work—and his best thinking.
Livy Johnson. He still couldn’t believe she had suddenly reappeared in Laurel Cove. His first childhood crush all grown up. And beautiful. All these years, he’d never forgotten that enchanting girl with a wild imagination, adventurous spirit, and laugh that had resonated in his head for years. Earlier at dinner, Jack had hoped she would laugh like that again. But as a grown woman, her laughter was more subdued.
The fire danced before him, sales reports lying in his lap. It wasn’t looking promising to get much work done this evening. His mother would ask, Where does your mind wander off to when you stare into the fire like that, JB? Did Livy not remember him because he now used his full name?
Or did she? If she did, she never said anything. He wasn’t really sure why he didn’t bring it up. He probably didn’t mean as much to her as she had meant to him. It was only one summer, after all.
Jack jumped when Rex barked at some phantom annoyance outside the sliding glass door that led to the porch. Rex looked over his shoulder at Jack with his tail wagging furiously. “Okay, boy, okay.” The chilly air blasted Jack’s face when he pulled the door open. Less than a minute later, Rex sauntered back through the door and reclaimed his spot near the fire. “Took care of it, did you buddy?”
Surrendering the reports back to the coffee table, Jack leaned into the couch cushion and propped his feet up. The orange flames shifted to memories of the last time Jack had seen Livy. It was the summer after the one they’d spent playing together. She’d come for just one week that year. He’d caught sight of her, wearing a light blue sundress and a thick braid hanging over her shoulder, sitting across the small church sanctuary. She’d smiled and waved. When the preacher finished and the organ’s last note hung in the thick summer air, they had met at the tree stump out front and shared an awkward moment filled with hey and what’s up? When Livy’s grandmother called for her to go, she had darted through the tall grass with a quick goodbye and was gone.
It was the last time he saw Livy—until today. He hadn’t thought much about her since that last summer and their encounter in the church. But just like tuning the radio to the exact song you needed to hear, Livy was in Laurel Cove right when Jack needed something. He just wasn’t sure what.
A log shifted, sending a burst of glowing embers up the chimney. Rex lifted his head, nose hunting the sweet and savory scent of the maturing fire. Jack stretched a foot and scratched the dog’s side.
“It’s just you and me, huh?” Rex let out a big sigh and returned his head to rest on his front paws. For now. The two words echoed in his head, resembling something like hope. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
In the span of two short years, Jack had lost both parents—his mother from cancer and his father from a sudden heart attack—and his wife. Claire hadn’t died, but there had been a death. The life of their marriage had been short, ending before it really began. He was grateful for the loyal companionship of Rex amid all the changes life had thrown him. Though almost a year had passed since the divorce, and he started to feel back to his old self, something was still missing.
He’d never expected to see Livy again, yet here she was, bringing Jack happy memories instead of heartbreak. While he had no idea what God’s plan held for the future, his spirit lifted to have a new, old friend.
CHAPTER
Three
H and me that crescent wrench, will you, Aunt Bea?�
�� Jack reached from underneath the old leaky sink in the inn’s kitchen.
“Sure, darlin’. Which one is that again?” Heavy footsteps followed the sound of a kitchen chair scraping the floor. Soft fabric from her dress brushed Jack’s arm.
“The one that looks like a C at the end.”
“Oh, right. If it were a snake it would’ve bit me. Here you go.” Aunt Bea slapped the end of the wrench into Jack’s hand. “Didn’t expect you this early. It could have waited, you know.”
“I wanted to see if the leak is from a worn washer or maybe the pipe itself before I head over to the store later today. I’ll get what I need and be back this afternoon.” Jack tightened a bolt then relaxed his arms. “Go ahead and turn the water on a little.” He eyed the pipes from a few angles. A little water seeped from around the connection he’d just tightened. “Yeah, looks like the washer. Go ahead and turn it off.” He shimmied out from under the sink and pushed to his feet.
He did, indeed, need to check the sink. But he also hoped to see Livy again.
“D’you hear me, honey?” Aunt Bea’s twangy drawl refocused his attention.
“No, ma’am. My mind was elsewhere.” He hadn’t thought about another woman like this since Claire.
“I was just asking if you had any plans tonight. Maybe a date?” From anyone else, such a relentless interest in his love life would be bothersome. But his aunt only wanted to see him happy.
He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. She knew full well he wasn’t seeing anyone.
A small hand rested on his back. “Well, you know, honey. You’ve got to get back out there sometime. An eligible bachelor like you can’t leave all the single ladies this side of the mountain waiting forever.” She gave him a gentle pat. “I really just want to see you happy. After all that mess. All the talk. It’s just not right.”
“Thanks, Aunt Bea. I’m just trusting in God’s wisdom and timing.” But she was right. Gossip in a small town spread like wildfire on a windy day. Even now, Jack was hard pressed to make it in and out of any establishment without someone suggesting a perfect match with their sister, cousin, teacher, or friend. But he was better off on his own.
Creaking floorboards sounded from the front of the inn.
“Oh, Miss Johnson must be up.” Aunt Bea squealed, turning for the door that led from the kitchen. Jack straightened, something inside him warming. He quickly gathered the tools and smoothed his shirt, reminding himself to take a deep breath on his way to the lobby.
“Thanks, Landry.” Aunt Bea waved a stack of mail in the direction of the departing postman. “He missed these few yesterday, so he stopped by before starting his morning route.” Well, shoot.
He gazed up the empty staircase across the lobby, remembering the look on Livy’s face just before she’d gone in to get her coat. He’d stepped onto the porch just in time to see her staring at her cell phone, mouth gaping, eyes wide. Though the night had ended on a higher note, maybe he should check on her. He lifted a hand to the back of his neck and rubbed away the urge.
“Time to head out if I’m going to have time for coffee before work. I’ll see ya.” He met Aunt Bea in the middle of the lobby on his way out, bending to place a kiss on her cheek.
“You enjoy your day, darlin’.”
“Yes, ma’am. You, too.” He loved that old woman. “Come on, boy.”
Rex ran from the opposite end of the porch where he’d found a spot of sun. They climbed in the truck and rode the short distance to the shop. The town was still sleepy, with few people out. Jack tipped the rim of his baseball cap toward old Mr. Dexter, who sat on a bench outside the drugstore waiting on the day’s paper delivery as he did every morning. The long-retired mayor of Laurel Cove and self-appointed watchdog waved a crooked hand then fixed his eyes back down the street.
Jack paused at the town’s one traffic light that blinked a cautionary red until eight o’clock when most folks were up and about. With the all clear, he steered his truck into the parking lot behind Bowdon’s Supplies.
The windy morning air bit at Jack’s ears and nose, cold for mid-March. Rex pushed past him as he unlocked the back door and rubbed his nose in the dog bed that sat outside Jack’s office. After dropping his bag and turning up the heater, Jack and Rex walked to Brewed, heads low against the wind. As he opened the door, Jack inhaled the familiar aroma of freshly-brewed coffee, ducking to miss the low-hanging antique bell that hung overhead.
“Well, hey there, buddy,” Meredith greeted him from behind the counter as he hung his coat up. To Meredith, everyone was buddy, from little boys with baseballs to grandmothers with crochet needles.
“Morning, Mer. Pretty chilly out there.” He rubbed his hands together and breathed warmth into his fingers.
“Greg’s just pulled some fresh blueberry muffins out in the back. Want one?”
Jack never would have guessed that his two best childhood friends would one day be married, much less work down the street from him. “No, thanks.” He sat at the short counter and reached for the day’s paper. “A hot cup of that coffee will do just fine.”
She poured Jack a to-go cup from the stacks behind the bakery display case. Her back to him, she asked, “So who was that girl in here with you last night?”
“How did you know about that?” Secrets didn’t keep well in Laurel Cove.
“Dorothy mentioned it but said she didn’t recognize her.” Meredith delivered a sly smile with the coffee.
Greg emerged from the kitchen and slid a tray of oversized muffins into display case. “Yeah, let’s hear it. Who is she?”
“Well, first of all, you can both put away the looks.” Jack smiled back before they could tell him for the millionth time to get back out there. “Her name is Livy Johnson. She just arrived in town yesterday and is staying at the inn for a while. She bought Mrs. Johnson’s old house outside of town and plans to fix it up. Livy’s her granddaughter and used to visit during the summers.” Jack paused while Meredith helped Greg place some of the freshly-baked goods in the case.
“Yeah, so?” Greg leaned against the case, munching on a scone.
“Well, we bumped into each other, literally, after she checked in. When she told me her name, I realized we played together almost every day one summer. But I don’t think she remembers.”
“Doesn’t surprise me,” Greg said. “You were pretty scrawny until after college. None of us recognized you when you came all bulked up from playing baseball at State.”
Jack explained how they ended up at dinner together and that it was nice to catch up. End of story. Or was it?
“Well, well. Maybe I can finally hang up my matchmaker hat.” Meredith poked Greg with her elbow, flashing a toothy grin.
“And the single folk of Laurel Cove breathe a collective sigh of relief.” Greg cocked his head to one side and leaned against the back counter.
“Oh, hush, you.” Meredith’s vibrant laugh filled the café.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s just good to have someone new in town, don’t you think?” Jack asked as he started toward the door with his coffee. Rex, who’d been lying by a heating vent under the front bay window, followed Jack. “About time we got the day started. Bye, guys.”
“Bye, Laurel Cove’s most eligible bachelor!” Meredith hollered after him.
Jack and Rex made it back to the store in plenty of time for Jack to set out some sales signs and stock the register before his regular contractor customers arrived. He looked at the clock on the wall. “Time to open shop, boy.” He tossed Rex a treat from the glass jar on the counter and made his way over to the original wooden door. He released the latches at the floor and ceiling then turned the lock and flipped the sign to Open.
For a Monday morning, things picked up pretty fast. Jack had helped about ten customers by the time his brother came in. The midday shift was their busiest time, so Jasper worked for those few hours to help out and make sure Jack had time for a lunch. Around eleven o’clock, Jasper
maneuvered through the congested store to the front register where Jack checked out a customer.
“Hey, it’s my backup.” Jack reached for a high-five. Jasper just grumbled under his breath and kept walking. The wilder of the two brothers and considerably younger at twenty-three, Jasper often came in nursing the effects of a late night out. While he was sometimes moody in the mornings, it wasn’t like him to be downright negative.
Jasper handed the customer her bags then began reviewing the morning’s receipts. When they were alone, Jack pressed. “What’s up, man?”
“Charlotte’s at it again.” He grunted about his on-again-off-again girlfriend.
“What is it this time?”
“We were standing outside just now before she headed to her mom’s. She started in on me about staring at some woman who walked past us and went into Greg and Mer’s.”
“Well, were you?” Jack used his big-brother tone.
“Listen, you live here all your life and you know who everyone is. I’d just never seen this girl before. And, I’m not gonna lie, she’s cute enough to get anyone’s attention with those green eyes.”
Jack perked up. A stranger to town—a cute woman with green eyes. His brother had seen Livy. He smiled. “Well then, I guess you can’t be blamed, can you?”
“Yeah … Charlotte didn’t see it that way.” Jasper sighed. “But you know her.” He picked up a box of work gloves and crossed the store to restock them.
The crowd of customers had thinned out. Could he catch Livy? Jack called over to Jasper. “I think I’ll go grab an early lunch if you think you’ve got it here.”
“Oh, yeah. Sure.” Jasper didn’t even turn around.
Jack shook his head with a chuckle. When would his brother stop wasting time with complicated girls?
Outside, the rising sun had burned off the early-morning mountain fog and had warmed the air considerably. He was rushing. Slow down, man. Deep breaths. Why was he so anxious to see Livy again? Inside the coffee shop, he spotted her sitting at the same table they’d shared last night, reading a book and sipping from a teacup.
Someplace Familiar (Laurel Cove Romance Book 1) Page 3
