The Last Man She Expected

by Michelle Major

  Which was fine with Parker.

  Sort of.

  He wasn’t the type of guy who wanted to discuss his feelings for a woman. In fact, if that type of guy existed, Parker had yet to meet him. But he also didn’t like the feeling of being Mara’s secret. When he’d seen her at soccer practice, she’d ignored him almost completely. Although he had been happy to see her talking to a few of the moms without appearing that she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

  He’d wanted to put his arms around her, to swing Evie onto his shoulders after practice and take them both to dinner or pick up carryout and listen to how their days had gone.

  Instead, Mara left with a brisk wave and hadn’t texted him until several hours later, asking if he wanted to stop by since Evie had gone to bed.

  Of course he had, but being relegated to an after-hours booty call cut him in a way he didn’t care to examine. He was a master at casual so couldn’t figure out what had changed.

  He’d convinced her to let him come over for dinner the following evening and he’d loved the normalcy of petting Mr. Paws, playing Go Fish with Evie then listening from the hallway as Mara read her favorite bedtime story.

  Maybe he’d given away his feelings before he even admitted them to himself.

  “What’s the deal?” he asked, placing his glass back on the table.

  “Rudy Marshall is getting ready to retire,” Nick said, his voice pitched low.

  Finn nodded in agreement. “He hasn’t announced it, but my dad confirmed the news. They’ve been friends for years.”

  Parker shrugged. “Are you throwing him a party and need a venue? Because that’s an idea we’ve been considering for one of the outbuildings at the mill. Converting it into a private party room. As far as I know, there isn’t—”

  “The town’s attorney is retiring,” Nick interrupted. “What does that mean to you?”

  “Very little,” Parker answered. “I barely know the guy other than he was one of the few people who didn’t seem to think my dad walked on water back in the day.” He grabbed a handful of pretzels from the dish in the center of the table. “He can’t be the only attorney in town anymore. Someone will take on his clients.”

  Finn tapped a finger on the scuffed wood tabletop. “Someone like you.”

  “Me?” Parker laughed, ignoring the unexpected zing down his spine. “I specialize in divorce.”

  “People in Starlight get divorced.” Finn took a long pull from his beer.

  “Not many,” Nick added. “I think we’re actually quite a bit lower than the national average.”

  Finn tipped his bottle in the other man’s direction. “I like those odds.”

  Nick nodded. “You and Kaitlin are strong. No worries there.”

  “Exactly.” Finn popped a pretzel in his mouth. “Because I wouldn’t be fool enough to mess it up again. I’m damn lucky she gave me a second chance.”

  “She loves you,” Nick said.

  “Damn lucky,” Finn repeated.

  “Hey.” Parker slapped his hand on the table several times to get their attention. Both men turned to stare at him. “You two are the most easily distracted guys I’ve ever known. How the hell have I put up with you for so many years?”

  “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Nick flashed a cheeky grin. “You need to get back here more often.”

  “He needs a reason,” Finn said. “Like a woman.”

  “Name one woman in Starlight who’d give our boy the time of day.”

  “I could name several,” Finn said with a laugh. “But none worth the trouble.”

  Parker’s gut tightened at the thought they might be lumping Mara into that category.

  “You’ve been working pretty closely with Mara Reed.” It felt as if Nick were reading his mind.

  “No way,” Finn said immediately. “She’s friends with Kaitlin and I can guarantee she wouldn’t give Parker the time of day. Hell, he represented her ex-husband in the divorce.”

  “I’m joking.” Nick held up his hands. “Mara makes the best dirty chai I’ve ever had. She’s way too good for Parker.”

  Parker choked on a pretzel. “Excuse me?”

  “No offense, man.” Nick waved a hand in the air. “It’s all conjecture anyway. Mara isn’t even your type.”

  “What’s my type?” Parker asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

  “Not so brainy and broke, typically,” Finn offered. “You don’t exactly love an intellectual challenge.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Not in your dating life anyway.” Nick signaled the waitress for another round of drinks. “Your career is another story.”

  “Which is why Rudy getting ready to retire is such great news.”

  “Are we finally back to the topic at hand?” Parker shook his head, far too frustrated by their easy dismissal of the possibility that he’d date Mara. Granted, this was just what they’d agreed upon—a secret relationship no one else would know about. But still...somehow this judgment from his friends burned a sour hole in his gut.

  “It’s worth setting up a meeting to discuss the potential,” Finn suggested.

  “No,” Parker countered, “It’s not. My life is in Seattle.” He looked at Finn. “Up until Daniel’s death, yours was, too.”

  “Things changed,” Finn explained as if Parker didn’t know the story. “I had a chance with the girl of my dreams and I took it. Look at how awesome my life’s become because I was willing to put my heart on the line.”

  “My life is already awesome.” Parker narrowed his eyes when both of his friends laughed.

  “You need to risk something.” Nick smiled at the pretty waitress who approached the table with a tray of three beers. “Thanks, Juls.”

  The willowy brunette arched a brow. “I had fun last week,” she told Nick. “Any chance you’re free again this Friday? I have the night off.”

  There was a slight stiffening in Nick’s shoulders, and Parker knew what was coming next. He’d seen this routine since high school.

  “I’d love to.” Nick held up his hands, palms up. “But I’m on duty all weekend. I’ll text you and we’ll figure out another time.”

  “Sure,” Juls said, disappointment clear in her tone. “Anything else for you guys?”

  “All good,” Finn replied, keeping his gaze trained forward.

  Parker did the same, afraid of what the woman might read in his expression otherwise. “Nothing for me. Thanks.”

  “We’ll talk soon,” Nick said, picking up his beer.

  She nodded and walked away.

  “You’re a tool,” Finn muttered when they were alone again.

  As alone as they could be in a semicrowded bar. Despite the groups of people joking and laughing at the tables around them, their trio was left alone. Parker liked it that way given the direction the conversation continued to head.

  “What?” Nick feigned innocence. “I have to work.”

  “You’re not on duty all weekend, Chief.” Parker shook his head. “The poor woman doesn’t even realize you’re blowing her off.”

  “It’s not like that,” Nick insisted.

  “I can’t believe you’re getting on my case for taking risks. When was the last time you were in a serious relationship?”

  “Not my thing.” Nick’s mouth thinned.

  “What about Brynn?” Finn asked quietly.

  For a moment, Parker thought Starlight’s police chief might get up and walk out on them.

  “We’ve been through this already,” Nick answered finally. “Brynn and I are friends. She’s still grieving her husband, who happened to be a buddy of mine. Even if I wanted something to change, it isn’t the right time.”

  “She and Mara were talking about some kind of online dating profile yesterday when Brynn stopped by the mill.”r />
  Nick choked on his swallow of beer.

  “Kaitlin asked if I knew of any nice bankers Brynn could date.” Finn patted Nick on the back until the other man knocked away his arm. “Looks like the time might be right for her,” he added.

  Nick opened his mouth as if to argue then gave a harsh shake of his head. “Not going there with either of you right now. If she wants to date, more power to her.”

  “You could lose her a second time around.”

  “I’ve already told you, I can’t lose something that was never mine to start.”

  They sat in silence for several long moments. Parker could see the frustration etched on his friend’s face at the thought of Brynn dating again. Nick and Brynn had been close in high school, although never romantically involved. Everyone had known about her crush on Nick, who was too busy dating cheerleaders and bad girls to pay much attention to the quiet, studious girl next door.

  When Nick finally realized that what he’d wanted had been in front of him the whole time, it had been too late. Brynn was pregnant with Daniel’s baby and the wedding was already planned.

  “So, Parker...” Finn lifted his beer in salute. “It’s clear why we want you to move back to Starlight, right? You must miss these crazy nights on the town.”

  Parker and Nick laughed at the ridiculousness of the statement. Although, he did miss the easy camaraderie of his two friends. He’d spent years building a life in Seattle but still hadn’t cultivated the kind of close-knit friendships Starlight offered.

  “I swore when I left I’d never come back.”

  “That was a long time ago,” Nick reminded him. “Things change. Finn’s a great example.”

  “Community banker at your service,” Finn said with an exaggerated bow.

  “Do you ever think you’ll get bored?” Parker couldn’t help but ask. Before returning to Starlight, Finn had been on the fast track to a vice president position at a multinational bank.

  “I’m helping people that I care about at First Trust,” Finn answered. “My life used to be about margins, growth percentages and the bottom line. Now it’s about making a difference in someone’s life. It might not be glamorous, but it’s a million times more fulfilling than the world of corporate banking.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Parker shrugged. “But it’s not for me.”

  Finn nodded. “If you change your mind, give Rudy a call. I’m sure he’d be glad to talk to you. He’s worried about his legacy and who will step in to take care of his clients.”

  “His wife’s been on him to retire for a couple of years now,” Nick added. “He’s told me he feels like he’s deserting the people who need him.”

  Parker thought about how easy it had been to walk away from his clients in Seattle. Of course, he’d left them in good hands with his new associate and he was still putting in a couple of hours a day via email or with phone calls along with driving to the city once a week.

  But no one, not even his circle of friends, seemed to really notice that he’d left. He didn’t care to examine what that said about the quality of his relationships.

  “I’ve got to go,” he said, checking his watch. He’d promised Evie he’d bring over supplies to make s’mores in the firepit on their back patio.

  “Hot date?” Nick asked with a chuckle.

  “Something like that,” Parker answered, earning a fresh round of ribbing from both his friends.

  “You’re holding out on us,” Finn said as Parker rose from the table.

  But Parker had no intention of sharing anything about Mara at this point. “See you boys later.” He lifted a hand and waved even as he turned to walk away.

  * * *

  Mara tried to keep her expression neutral as Parker patiently helped Evie turn her marshmallow over the fire.

  He’d arrived thirty minutes earlier with a grocery bag of s’mores supplies. Evie had been thrilled at the prospect of roasting her own dessert, and Mara had felt a pang of guilt that she hadn’t introduced her daughter to s’mores before now. Add it to her list of small but meaningful mom failures.

  She shook her head and flashed a reassuring smile when Parker gave her a questioning look across the firepit.

  One thing she was trying to master was the art of giving herself a break. Did any mother in the world really have that skill down? It made her want to reach out to her own mother just to ask the question. Nina Dyar had always seemed so self-assured, never doubting her skill as a mom.

  Maybe Mara’s lack of confidence originated in the fact that she was so different from her mom. She hadn’t been one of those women who knew instinctively how to soothe a baby or what to do when Evie’s diaper rash got severe. The best she could say about herself was that she tried. Could it be enough?

  “Mommy, you’re on fire,” Evie shouted.

  With a start, Mara pulled the charred confection out of the fire and blew out the flame that had consumed her marshmallow.

  “Another one bites the dust,” Parker told her, one thick eyebrow arched. It was the third marshmallow in a row she’d burned. “Luckily, we have an extra.”

  Mara sighed and scraped the gooey mess off the end of the roasting stick. “My hero,” she mumbled, sparks zinging along her skin as his glacier-hued gaze crashed into hers.

  “Hardly.” He gave a strangled laugh. “But I can manage a golden marshmallow.”

  Evie clapped as he pulled the stick from the flames. “It’s perfect.”

  Everything about this night was perfect, and Mara had to remind herself not only that Parker wasn’t her hero, but also that she didn’t need him to be. In the past couple of weeks, handling things while Aunt Nanci was in Texas with Renee, Mara had discovered a kind of courage she hadn’t realized she possessed. Too bad her new boss-lady persona didn’t include managing to conduct an affair while keeping her heart out of the mix.

  She placed a piece of chocolate on a graham cracker square and held it out toward Parker. He lowered the stick until the marshmallow rested on the chocolate, and she closed the other graham cracker square over it and squeezed it shut. It really was a perfect s’more.

  Evie’s brown eyes widened as Mara blew on the sandwich then handed it to her. The girl bit into it, chewing even as she grinned.

  “Next,” Parker said, and Mara repeated the process.

  “I’ll share with you,” she told him, taking a bite then handing the s’more to him. Instead of taking it, he leaned forward and bit down on the graham cracker, winking at Mara as he did.

  She drew in a sharp breath, realizing she had it bad if watching Parker take a bite of a s’more was sexy as hell.

  “How’s it going, sweet girl?” she asked her daughter, needing to remind her brain it was in control of this moment, not her body or her heart.

  “Mommy, can Parker come with us to go apple picking?” Evie licked a bit of marshmallow off the back of her hand. “He can reach the high branches, and then you can teach him how to make apple pie since he taught us how to make s’mores.”

  “He might already know how to make apple pie.” Mara realized she was grasping at straws.

  “Do you?” Evie asked him, taking her last bite.

  “Not yet,” he said, “But I’d love to learn.”

  “Okay.” Evie nodded. “Mommy will teach you. She’s good at baking, just not marshmallow roasting. I’m gonna wash my hands. I don’t like sticky.”

  Mara watched her daughter skip toward the house, then turned to Parker.

  “How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Bond with her.” She bit down into the chewy, chocolaty goodness of the s’more before handing the last bite to him. “My shy kid forgets she’s an introvert when you’re around.”

  “I’m glad.”

  She flipped the switch to cut the propane to the firepit, and the flame disappeared
with a soft whoosh. It cast the corner of the patio into shadow. She zipped up her fleece pullover as a shiver passed through her. Silly, she told herself. The firepit hadn’t given off enough heat to actually warm her. “You don’t want to learn how to make apple pie.”

  “Sure I do,” he countered, stepping closer and cupping her cheeks in his palms. “I’m having visions of you in an apron.”

  Her eyes drifted closed as he kissed her, lips soft and cool from the night air. He tasted like chocolate, and she sighed into him, immediately caught up in the moment and the way her body reacted.

  “Aprons aren’t sexy,” she said against his mouth.

  “They are if that’s all you’re wearing.”

  She broke the embrace with a laugh, gathering the supplies she’d placed on the seat of one of the Adirondack chairs that encircled the fire pit.

  “I’m not that kind of baker.”

  “Teach me anyway,” he said. “I’d like to join you and Evie.”

  “Josh and Anna are coming too,” she said as they walked toward the house. “And a few other of the girls’ friends with their parents.” She nudged his arm. “I invited people.”

  He nudged her back. “Yeah?”

  “It’s the new friendly leaf I’m turning over.”

  “See what a great influence I can be.”

  Mara bit down on her lip because she didn’t trust herself to answer. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been so happy. Even though they’d agreed to keep things both casual and secret, Mara wanted more. The Dennison Lumber Mill would open in a couple of weeks, on schedule and to great acclaim if the plans came together the way she hoped they would. After that, Parker was returning to Seattle for real. Their time together would end, and she knew nothing could stop her heart from breaking.

  Nothing but the thought that maybe he wanted more, in the same way she did. Perhaps he was falling in love in the same way she was.

  Her heart fluttered in her chest as the understanding of her feelings for Parker spread through her body. Love. Was it possible after only being together a week? It didn’t seem like it. Yet her heart refused to be denied.

  “If you’re not comfortable with me being there,” Parker told her as they entered the house, “I get it.”