Small-Town Bachelor

by Jill Kemerer

  “Sure.” Her shoulders lifted slightly.

  “When we first met, you said you lost your dream job and wouldn’t leave Lake Endwell again. What happened?”

  “You went for the biggie, didn’t you? Couldn’t have asked me something easy, like why I’m such a terrible cook.” Her lopsided smile teased. “The story is pretty simple. I fell in love my final semester of college. Justin took a job in Atlanta. I was offered a position at the zoo here, and even though everyone told me not to, I turned it down and followed him. Rented a tiny apartment two blocks away from his. It didn’t end well.”

  “This is Lake Endwell, though.” He couldn’t help himself.

  “Ha-ha.” With a fake glare, she propped her sunglasses on top of her head.

  “Hey, I didn’t name the place.” He put his hands up in mock defense. “Don’t get mad at me.”

  “Actually, the Native Americans or the French most likely named it. We think it means Lake Star. The Ojibwe word for star is anang, and the French word is une étoile. Blend the sounds on and twah, mix it with a little English and it sounds like end well. A lot of the towns, rivers and lakes were named by a blend of French and Native American words.”

  He recognized a stalling tactic when he heard one, but he enjoyed the animation playing across her face. “Interesting.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” She settled back against the cushions.

  “But it doesn’t explain why it didn’t end well.”

  Still reclining, she waved a hand in the air. “He kept blowing me off, not coming over. Didn’t take long for me to track him down in a bar with his hands all over some clothing-deficient party girl. He said, ‘I knew you’d be good and wait for me, Claire. You’ve always been my Tuesday girl.’” She let out a disgusted half laugh, half grunt. “A Tuesday girl.”

  “What a jerk.” Mixed emotions roared through him. He wanted to throttle the idiot, but he also wanted to hold Claire’s face in his hands, look her in the eye and tell her he would never hurt her. The back of his neck bristled. He couldn’t promise her that. Reed fisted his hands. “Must be the world’s biggest moron.”

  “Thanks.” A tiny, sad smile lifted her lips. “When I moved back home, the zoo position had been filled, my siblings’ lives were falling apart and I didn’t want to live with my dad. So I prayed. Bought the cabin, helped my brothers and sisters get back on their feet and promised myself I’d never, ever move away again. My life’s purpose is here.”

  “What is it? Your life’s purpose?” He couldn’t help himself. Did he have one of those?

  “I’ve always been the one my brothers and sisters lean on for support. I didn’t fully appreciate it until I left.” She shrugged. “Besides, I’ve said it before—I want a man to put me first. The last guy I dated was Mark, the other vet here in town. He started off okay but proved to be as selfish as Justin.”

  “What category would you put me in?”

  A genuine smile spread across her face. “Not selfish. Not one bit. You’ve done so much to help our town. We’re all grateful. I’m grateful.”

  He nodded, his heart strangely heavy. Her honesty pressed against his chest. Made him want to reveal more. “I’m good at my job. I’m not good at the other stuff.”

  “What other stuff?”

  “Long-term. Getting close.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  He stared at the tree line. “It’s obvious I’m not tight with my family, Claire. And I might never be. My dad sees my dead mom whenever he looks at me.”

  She coughed. “Wh-what?”

  “He and I don’t talk, barely make an effort with each other because of it.”

  “Did he say that?”

  He flicked a bug off his cast. “Didn’t have to.”

  “Then how do you know?”

  He rubbed his chin then met her gaze. “My mom crashed her car into a tree. She was drunk at the time. After the funeral, my whole life changed. We moved within a year. Dad met Barbara, and he avoided me.” He raised his eyes to the sky and shook his head. “I resented Barbara. She made him happy, made him laugh, and I couldn’t even get him to hug me good-night.”

  Claire crossed over and kneeled in front of him. “Oh, Reed. I’m so sorry. My heart hurts for you. I wondered why your dad hasn’t come over.”

  He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “It’s not worth your heart hurting. I’m not cut out for this family stuff.”

  “You were a child. A little boy. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

  “It’s not just that. I practically lived with my best friend in high school. His parents treated me like I was their son. I finally felt wanted again, like I belonged somewhere. We went on family trips. You name it. They washed their hands of me too.”

  “Why?”

  “Doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to me.”

  “I like you. A lot.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “And if my past was different, I would be asking you out right now. I’m glad I could be here to help get the town back on its feet, but as soon as the store owners downtown decide on a construction firm, they’ll have a new project manager. I’ll be heading back to Chicago in a few weeks.”

  The sun’s rays grew longer and less powerful as waves gently lapped at the boat. “I like you too, Reed, and I know you have to leave. But before you go, don’t you want to try to work things out with your dad? Maybe it would change the way you feel.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Just think about it. And no matter what happens, I hope you and I will remain friends.”

  Her tropical scent teased his nostrils, and the understanding in her eyes made him want one thing—to feel, for one brief moment, what it would be like to be more than friends with Claire. He shifted and cupped her chin, never breaking eye contact. She moistened her lips.

  He took it as an invitation.

  Splaying his fingers in her luxurious hair, he slowly dropped his lips to hers. She tasted...better than he had imagined. Like happiness. Like Claire. He pressed her close to him, vaguely aware her arms had wrapped around him. His chest tightened as he savored her softness.

  She was steady, unwavering.

  And he drank her in.

  Finally, he broke off the kiss, keeping his face next to hers. His breath came in raggedy intervals. Playing around with unwavering steadiness wasn’t an option. He could try to work things out with Dad the way she suggested, but it wouldn’t change the fact that he wasn’t cut out for closeness, nor would it change his mind about the vice president position.

  He dared not look in her eyes. A man only had so much willpower, and Claire had blown it away without so much as a poof. “We’d better get back.”

  Two more weeks. He needed to get back to real life. Needed to return to Chicago before Claire cut through all his defenses.

  Chapter Nine

  Avoiding Reed all day yesterday had proved harder than Claire thought.

  Like now, instead of enjoying the lazy Sunday afternoon, Claire still couldn’t get her mind off Reed’s kiss. Libby’s chatter wasn’t helping.

  “And Jake was okay with Pastor Thomas officiating the ceremony Friday night before Labor Day, but I’m not sure how many people could make it...” Libby lounged in a periwinkle-blue Adirondack chair facing the pond. Gretel bounded her way, but Libby snatched her hand back. “Eww, what’s it doing, Claire?”

  “She’s being friendly, Libs. Pet her.”

  Libby tentatively patted Gretel on the head. “There.” The otter sat up on its hind legs and poked its nose in the air. “Now what?”

  Claire rolled her eyes and tossed a baby carrot. Gretel left Libby alone.

  “Where were we? Oh, right. So the food situation might not work...” Libby launched in on wedding planning. Claire tried to p
ay attention, but Reed’s kiss blew her intentions away like dandelion seeds. Concentration? Impossible.

  All his talk about not getting close to families only unleashed her desire to have him here, where she could include him. Everyone deserved a family. Who did he turn to when life threw garbage his way? Who did he rely on in situations like the one he was in now—broken leg, physically vulnerable? The Sheffields could be his family.

  Her stomach dipped and she placed a hand over her abdomen. Why was she mentally forcing Reed into her family when he didn’t want one? She would not pursue the fire lit by his kiss. Sure, he was the most amazing guy she’d ever met. But she’d thought the same about Justin. And this—this sizzle between her and Reed—wasn’t a commitment. It was proximity. Working together. A summer flirtation.

  Claire watched Hansel chase Gretel around the yard until they stopped next to her chair. She stroked their backs, laughing when they rolled over and ran off.

  “Are you even listening to me?” Libby waved her hand in front of Claire’s face.

  “Sorry. Got a lot on my mind. Keep going.”

  Libby launched into the wedding scenarios again, and this time Claire paid attention. When she finished the update, Libby hugged her. “Thanks, Claire. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t talk to you about all this. I’d lose my mind. Jake gets all tense and cloudy eyed when I mention setting a new date. I get the feeling he couldn’t care less.”

  “He’s a guy. They’re not as excited about the plans.” Claire walked her to the back gate. “He wants to be married to you. He loves you.”

  Libby flashed a smile and left. Claire flopped back into her chair as her phone rang.

  “I’m sorry to call on a Sunday.” Tina’s voice rang strong. “But I found out the otter exhibit won’t be open on time. The cement needs to be repoured. Is there any way you could keep the otters an extra week?”

  Claire inhaled and counted to three. As much as she loved Hansel and Gretel, she didn’t love the position she was in. She toyed with telling Tina yes, she would keep the otters if promised the permanent job.

  “Don’t you like them?” Tina asked in her blunt manner.

  “I love the otters. Of course I want to take care of them. I’m a little worried I won’t be given the opportunity to continue working with them when they move to the zoo.”

  “You’ll always be able to work with them. You’ve been volunteering with us for years. That’s not an issue.”

  Claire didn’t want volunteer work. She wanted to be on the zoo payroll. Wanted to work with the otters every day. Did Tina understand how important the job was to her?

  “Claire, if you can’t do it, tell me now. I’ll have to make arrangements.”

  The battle between getting what she wanted and doing what was best for the otters pressed against her skull, giving her a dull headache.

  “You don’t have to make arrangements,” Claire finally said, a weight dropping in her stomach. “They can stay with me.”

  “Thank you. We appreciate it. We’ll get them moved into the quarantine area after the other otters are settled into the exhibit. Sorry to inconvenience you.”

  “It’s not an inconvenience. They’re thriving here.”

  “Good. Good. This will be less disruptive for them. Let me know if they need anything. Thanks again.”

  She said goodbye and hung up.

  Lord, forgive me for my selfishness. I should be grateful for the opportunity to care for these otters, and all I can think about are my own wants. How I want the job. How I want to be their permanent caretaker. How I want Reed to stay. Help me humble myself to do Your will.

  A breeze swished through the trees. Was it okay to want more?

  No. It wasn’t okay. She should be content. She should be happy with her life.

  Help me trust You, Lord.

  She’d trusted before. Trusted the idea of love, of dreams, of her prince charming.

  Trusting in big dreams was hard.

  The phone rang again. “Hello?”

  “I realized we haven’t set up an interview time.” Tina’s voice boomed. “How does Wednesday work for you?”

  “Wednesday is perfect.” The gloom disappeared. Cheer spread through her body. Maybe one of her dreams would come true. Thanks for giving me hope, Lord.

  She flew to the gate, ready to run to Reed’s and tell him. But she stopped, hand on the latch. How would she get him off her mind if she kept racing over there every five minutes?

  The sizzle would never fizzle if she didn’t at least try to keep some distance.

  * * *

  Three minutes later, Claire crossed the driveway and strolled along Reed’s lawn. Distance was good and all, but the man lived next door.

  With a clipboard in hand, Reed sat in a camping chair on the end of Granddad’s dock. Slipping out of her flip-flops, she lowered her body and let her feet drop into the water. “Reports?”

  His eyes gleamed. Was he happy to see her? She rested her hands behind her and lazily swung her legs. The water cooled her ankles, reminding her of childhood worries about what swam below. Minnows? Sharks? Rare sea creatures?

  “Nah,” he said, flipping a sheet of paper over. “I’m trying to figure out if we missed a store. The east side of Main Street should have ten total spots to rebuild, but I only have nine owners listed.”

  Lifting her dripping feet back on the dock, she stood and crossed to Reed. Peering over his shoulder, she studied the digital mock-up of the street the building commissioner sent him. Her cheek almost touched his hair.

  “There.” She pointed to the third spot. “This looks like two separate stores, but it’s really one. Ripley & Sons Hardware occupies both. Dad bought me the ugliest winter boots there when I was nine. I cried all night. He wouldn’t return them.”

  “Boots?” Reed raised one eyebrow. “From a hardware store?”

  “I know, right? Big, brown and heinous.” Claire dragged another chair over to sit next to Reed. “Have you talked to Mike Ripley? The hardware store always felt choppy. Maybe they can redesign it to be more open.”

  He tapped the paper with his pen. “I’m assuming they merged two existing stores. Didn’t they tear down the divider wall?”

  She scrunched her nose, unsure how to describe it. “There wasn’t a wall, but there were big square columns all over the place and the floor wasn’t level. You stepped down in spots. Felt like a fun house at the fair.”

  “Ah, I understand. I’ll give him a call.”

  “Guess what?” She raised her hands near her shoulders. “I have an interview with Tina for the zoo job!”

  “That’s great, Claire. It wouldn’t surprise me if she hired you on the spot.”

  “I hope so.” She reached over to playfully swat at his shoulder but held back, feeling awkward all of a sudden as she remembered their kiss. She didn’t want him to think she’d read more into it than he intended.

  Two Jet Skis zoomed past, water spraying high behind them. What now? She couldn’t think of anything to say. Discussing town business and the zoo? Easy. But what he’d revealed the other night about his dad kept replaying in her mind. “Reed? About the other night—”

  “I’m not apologizing for kissing you.” His eyes burned through her, and the feel of his lips on hers roared back.

  “I’m not either.”

  “Good.”

  She sighed. “I think you should talk to your dad.”

  The muscle in Reed’s cheek flickered. “No.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured. “Do you want to go over there? I can take you.”

  “Nah.”

  “You’re here. Don’t you want to reach out to him? See if anything more is possible?”

  He stared out at the lake.

  “What do you say we s
wing by your dad’s house and invite him and Barbara out for ice cream.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “One cone, Reed. Then we’ll leave.”

  Taking his time, he finally said, “If I agree, then you have to do something for me.”

  Her pulse bolted. “What?”

  “You still haven’t been to the restaurant since the tornado.”

  “I’ve been busy.” Claire wasn’t sure she wanted to. The fear from that night still flooded her brain occasionally.

  “You’re not busy now.”

  She didn’t speak.

  “Why haven’t you been there?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” She crossed one leg over the other. “Uncle Joe’s place has a special spot in my heart.”

  “Is something else going on? Are you afraid another link to your mom will disappear?”

  She hadn’t really thought about it, but he had a point. “Maybe. What if I go back and instead of holding onto the great memories, I relive the roof wrenching off and being trapped there for hours? I’m a little scared to see the restaurant all torn up. I think I’ve spent more time there than my own house.”

  “You don’t have to relive anything. The tornado is over.” His tender smile eased the tension in her shoulders. “It’s torn up, but in a good way. You come with me to the restaurant, and I’ll tag along to JJ’s for ice cream with Dad and Barbara.”

  “JJ’s? No way. We’re going to Tastee Freeze.”

  He grinned. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Restaurant. Then Tastee Freeze. Deal?”

  Dread lingered in the pit of her stomach, but she nodded. “Deal.”

  They slowly made their way up the dock. Claire pulled her car around for Reed.

  Ten minutes later, she parked at Uncle Joe’s Restaurant. From the outside, it appeared the same as ever, but the Dumpster, stacks of lumber and heavy equipment on the side of the parking lot reminded her otherwise.

  “I have the code to the side door. Come on.” Reed swung his crutches to the newly constructed addition, already covered in gray siding, and he opened the door, holding it for Claire to enter.