Knee Deep in Love: A Sweet Traveling Romance Novel (All Roads Lead to Love Book 1)

by Vivian Porter

  As he exited through the back door and walked the short distance to the shop, he found several of his coworkers there, including Braxton, loading lumber and other supplies onto one of the company flatbed trucks. Braxton held a clipboard and pen in his hands, and he was busy bellowing orders to the other men while counting what was on the truck to make sure everything was in order.

  If nothing else, at least he knew where he stood with Braxton. The two had formed a close friendship since David’s first day on the job, and it was nice having someone to talk to in a city where he was still practically a stranger. He’d become friends with Braxton’s wife, Lynda, and his eight-year-old daughter, Andrea, too, and he’d spent a few evenings eating dinner at their home. He enjoyed the laughs and conversation, and it certainly beat spending evenings alone at his house where the only thing there to keep him company was his next-door neighbor’s German shepherd, who insisted on using his front porch swing as a bed every night.

  “Free coffee!” he yelled.

  Braxton came running as soon as he saw the familiar green and brown Henning’s Home Brew cups in his hand. David wasn’t thirsty anymore, so he gave his coffee away, too, and it wasn’t long before the cups were gone. He threw the empty carrier in a nearby trashcan before splaying his hands through his hair and letting out a disgruntled groan.

  “I don’t get it,” he exclaimed to Braxton, as soon as the other men left and he couldn’t be overheard. “I keep messing up every time I turn around. I can’t get anything right.”

  Braxton stopped what he was doing and leaned against one of the forklifts for support before taking a sip from his cup. “What’s the matter with you? Did you run over someone’s pet this morning on your way to work?”

  He flashed him a sarcastic grin, which David returned with an eye roll. “Is there something wrong with me, Braxton? I spent all weekend trying to come up with some way I could talk to Candice and win her over. So, I brought her some coffee this morning, and she told me she doesn’t even drink it.”

  Braxton shrugged. “I could’ve told you that. I think she’s the only one around here who doesn’t care for it.”

  David threw his hands in the air. He was beyond frustrated, but at least he had someone to vent to. “I don’t know what to do anymore. I guess she just doesn’t like me. Do I look funny? Do I smell bad?”

  He sniffed his shirt and Braxton chuckled before taking another sip of his coffee. “I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.”

  David gave him a curious look as he walked over and stood beside him. He leaned against the forklift and crossed his arms over his chest. “Then please explain to me what is going on because I’m out of answers.”

  Braxton looked around to make sure none of the other men had wandered back over in their direction. “I didn’t feel like it was my place to mention it, but seeing that your head is about to explode, I guess I’ll go ahead and tell you. Candice was married once, and her husband, Barry, died last year. They have a six-year-old daughter named Sarah.”

  David was stunned, and at first, he didn’t know how to respond. “I had no idea. She’s never mentioned it, and she doesn’t have any photos in her office, so I just assumed she wasn’t married.”

  Braxton nodded. “She rarely talks about the accident or her private life. If I was a gambling man, I would bet that’s the reason why she acts the way she does and why she turned you down when you asked her out. She and Barry started dating when they were sophomores in high school, and they married not long after graduation. As far as I know, she hasn’t dated anyone since he died.”

  David frowned. “That does explain a lot. Now I wish I hadn’t been so pushy.”

  He felt embarrassed again, but this time for an entirely different reason, and he wanted more than anything to start over and do things differently. He’d never lost a loved one, so he had no idea what that must feel like, and he could only imagine the pain she and her daughter must’ve endured.

  “She’s probably worried you’ll run for the hills if you find out she’s a single mother,” Braxton explained.

  David fervently shook his head. “That doesn’t bother me at all. I like kids, and her circumstances don’t change the way I feel about her. Actually, it makes me admire her even more.”

  Braxton took one last sip of coffee and threw his empty cup away. “If I could offer any advice, it would be to not give up. I’ve known Candice since kindergarten, and she’s a very sweet person. You might be just what she needs to help her move on and start dating again.”

  David nodded. “I’m way too stubborn to give up, but I’m glad you told me what’s going on. I just wish Candice felt like she could open up to me about it. Hopefully, that will change with time. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”

  Braxton took out his clipboard again and continued assessing the lumber and supplies on the flatbed trailer. “So, what’s your next move? Are you going to try asking her out again?”

  David thought for a moment. “I will ask her out, but this time I plan on doing things differently. I’d like to get to know Sarah, too, so give me some ideas where I could take her and Candice that both of them would enjoy.”

  Braxton leaned against the trailer and crossed his ankles. He sorted through the papers on his clipboard until he came to an empty page and started writing. “Let’s see. There’s Antelope Island, which is a state park in Salt Lake City. There are a ton of things to do there like pedal boating, hiking, and boat tours. It stays busy year-round, but it’s a lot of fun. There are some parks in Lehi, too, with hiking trails and picnic areas. Of course, you could always go with the usual stuff like taking them to a movie or a museum. Take this home with you and look these places up online. You can find out all the information you need that way.”

  He scribbled down Antelope Island and several other places before handing the sheet of paper to David, who glanced at it briefly before folding it and slipping it inside his shirt pocket. Braxton straightened the papers on his clipboard. “Okay,” he said. “Now that I’ve straightened out your love life, let’s get to work.”

  David laughed. “Whatever you say.”

  Chapter 8

  Candice

  Candice was in a jam that following Friday afternoon when she caught up on her paperwork and decided to rearrange her office. Truth be known, she only did it to keep her mind occupied and off David. She’d worked harder that week than ever before, but it still didn’t help when David walked by her open door and smiled and waved. Every time she saw him, her brain turned to putty and her limbs started shaking.

  He hadn’t made another effort to talk to her since Monday morning, and she worried she may have turned him off completely, which saddened her more than she expected it would. She felt like kicking herself for not accepting the coffee, whether she liked it or not. She could’ve poured it out or given it to someone else. Instead, she’d turned him away and ruined a perfect opportunity to talk to him.

  Candice mumbled to herself as she slipped off her heels and stood on one of the leather chairs in her office to hang a couple of new paintings she’d bought to give the office a bit more color. “I don’t know what your problem is, Candice, but you better get your act together before it’s too late.”

  She measured where she wanted to hang the pictures before hammering a couple of nails in the wall, and she took her time, being careful not to let her frustration over David cause her to whack a humongous hole in the wall. She wished she’d given the redecorating more thought because her office was now a mess and she couldn’t just leave it in shambles over the weekend. She glanced at the clock on the wall and winced when she saw it was almost quitting time.

  Candice hung the paintings and took a step back so she could inspect them, but she didn’t realize she was near the edge of the seat until her right foot slipped off and caught her off balance. She yelped as she tumbled backward off the chair, but a pair of strong arms closed around her waist and kept her from crashing to the floor.

 
“Whoa!” someone yelled. “I gotcha!”

  She would recognize that deep voice anywhere, and Candice cringed as he helped her down and she turned around to find David standing behind her. He kept his arms around her waist, and they stood so close, she could feel his breath in her hair. She was surprised when he didn’t release her right away, but she didn’t mind it either.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  His grip was firm and secure and the heat from his hands seared her clothing and radiated through her entire body. Barry was the last man to hold her in such an intimate way, and she expected a surge of guilt to wash over her, but strangely enough, that didn’t happen. She was actually amazed by how natural it felt being in his arms.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Just as she was getting used to his embrace, David let go and took a step back, and for a moment, Candice worried her wobbly legs wouldn’t keep her upright. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry you had to witness that. Unfortunately, I’ve never been known for my grace.”

  He laughed before turning his attention to her office, and Candice’s gaze was averted to a half-empty box of doughnuts on top of her desk, which David must have brought with him since they didn’t belong to her. She cringed again when she imagined him tossing them on her desk so he could save her from her two left feet.

  “Wow. What in the world do you have going on in here?” he asked.

  He grinned at her, but Candice felt extremely embarrassed when she looked around at the catastrophe otherwise known as her office. Her desk and most of the other pieces of furniture were bunched together in the center of the room to make way for the rug she’d brought from home and intended to put under the desk. The filing cabinet was the only thing still in its place, and that was only because it was too heavy to move.

  “I’m afraid I’m not known for my design skills either. I got the crazy idea to rearrange my office at the last minute. I should’ve started on it this morning or waited until Monday.”

  David put his hands on his hips as he assessed the room. “I’ll help you finish. Just tell me where you want everything to go.”

  She told him that wasn’t necessary, but he wouldn’t be swayed, so he and Candice spent the next hour putting her office back together. Most of that time was spent laughing after several mishaps that included him tripping over the rug and her getting stuck between a wall and the filing cabinet. Five o’clock came and went, and Candice ignored the looks they received from the other employees as they walked past her open door on their way home. When she and David were done, they both grinned as they stood back and admired their work.

  “I think we did pretty good if I do say so myself,” he remarked.

  The brightly colored paintings and rug worked together nicely to give the office a livelier, happier vibe. All she needed now were pillows for the chairs and perhaps a new lamp for her desk to make it feel cozier.

  “I agree,” she replied. “Thank you so much for your help, David. It would’ve taken me forever to do this on my own. I’ll plan my projects better next time and not wait until the last minute.”

  She thought he would be on his way as soon as they finished but he didn’t seem in any hurry to leave. “Before I go, I’d like to talk to you about something.”

  Her heart raced as he shut the door and motioned to the two chairs, and as soon as he sat beside her, he scooted to the edge of his seat so he could be closer to her. He caught her off guard when he reached out and grasped her hands, and the atmosphere in the room changed in an instant. The playfulness from the past hour was gone, and now he wore a serious expression on his handsome face. She didn’t know whether to be scared or thrilled, but feeling his strong hands wrapped around hers made it nearly impossible to concentrate.

  “Candice, I’m not going to beat around the bush about this. I like you, and I want to take you out somewhere special, and I won’t take no for an answer.”

  She bowed her head and closed her eyes. “David, there’s something I need to tell—”

  He squeezed her hands. “And I want Sarah to come too.”

  Candice looked up, astonished. “How … how do you know about Sarah?”

  David smiled as he caressed the back of her hands with his thumbs. “Braxton told me. I made the comment to him a few days ago that I didn’t think you liked me or were interested in going on a date with me, and he told me about your husband and Sarah.”

  The soft circular motions he made on her skin were so soothing, and the tension slowly ebbed from Candice’s body. She leaned forward so she could be closer to him. “David, I do like you, and I apologize if I acted indifferently. I was just nervous you would change your mind about me once you found out I was a widow with a young daughter.”

  David shook his head. “That would never determine how I feel about you. Honestly, it makes me admire you even more. And I like kids. I haven’t mentioned it yet, but I have three nieces and two nephews who think I’m the bomb and the best uncle ever.”

  The way he emphasized his words and the mischievous grin on his face made her laugh out loud. The contrasting aspects of his personality attracted her even more. He could be a serious businessman when the situation called for it, but he also had a playful side that was quite endearing. She rarely saw him without a smile on his face, and his positive attitude was something to be admired.

  “Candice, we can take this as slow as you want to, but I do want to take you and Sarah somewhere special because I’d like to get to know you both.”

  They sat so close to each other, she could almost count the waves in his dark brown hair and the tiny freckles that dotted the bridge of his nose. She wanted more than anything to run her fingers through his hair, but she was also very careful not to rush things.

  “Thank you, David. I haven’t dated anyone since Barry passed away, so I’m a little rusty, and I’m grateful for your patience. It means a lot.”

  She caught the way his glance lingered on her lips, and she panicked for a moment, thinking he might try and kiss her, but she breathed a little easier when he leaned back in the chair and put some space between them. He let go of her hands, and even though she mourned the warmth of his touch, she was thankful he was being such a gentleman.

  “I would love to go out with you tomorrow, and I’m sure Sarah would too. What did you have in mind?”

  His rubbed his hands together and grinned. “Braxton told me about a park in Salt Lake City called Antelope Island. He said there’s a bunch of stuff to do there for kids and adults. How does that sound?”

  Candice nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds great. I’ve heard people talk about Antelope Island my whole life, but I’ve never been there. I think Sarah would enjoy it too.”

  They settled on a time, and she gave him directions to her house along with her phone number, just in case he got lost, which she doubted he would. Lehi was big, but it wasn’t that big, and it was relatively easy to find her house on the outskirts of town.

  “Can I ask about the doughnuts?” she inquired.

  He seemed confused at first as if he’d totally forgotten about bringing them, but he laughed when he glanced at the box on top of her desk. “To be honest, I was trying to think of something else that would get me inside your office to talk to you since the coffee didn’t work, so I stopped by to see if you wanted some of these doughnuts. I’m glad I did or else I may have missed that gracious tumble of yours off the chair.”

  He winked at her, and Candice blushed as the embarrassing moment replayed in her mind.

  “That was so nice of you, David, and I really hate to have to tell you this, but I don’t eat doughnuts.”

  David shook his head and laughed. “You don’t drink coffee. You don’t eat doughnuts. Am I ever going to figure you out, Candice Hollins?”

  She gave him a shy smile. “I hope you don’t stop trying.”

  Chapter 9

  David

  The next morning, David checked the address on the paper one more time before
turning left onto Clear Springs Road. He was so nervous, his hands shook, and as he glanced out the window at the tall oak trees lining the road, he took a couple of deep breaths to try and relax.

  He’d barely slept a wink the night before because he was so anxious about the date going well, and he’d tried on at least five different shirts before throwing his hands in the air and settling on one of his nicer T-shirts and a pair of jeans. Braxton advised him to dress comfortably for Antelope Island, so that’s what he did.

  The weather was exceptional. It was the first week of April, and the daytime temperatures were staying in the low seventies. Today, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and he couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful day for his and Candice’s first date if he tried.

  He shook his head in frustration. “Stop it, David,” he grumbled. “Remember, she wants to take this slowly, so stop calling it a date. Right now, you’re just trying to get to know each other better as friends. That’s all.”

  No matter how many times he’d reprimanded himself for rushing things along, he still couldn’t help getting his hopes up. He had a really good feeling about the road they were on, and he would do whatever it took to help Candice see it too.

  David read the house numbers on the mailboxes out loud and started slowing down when he got closer to Candice’s house. His heart nearly thumped right out of his chest when he saw 1431 on a red mailbox painted with bright pink and yellow daisies. When he turned into her driveway, he saw Candice standing on her front porch and a young girl, who he assumed was Sarah, playing on a swing set beside the house.