by Lisa Jordan
Without another word, Dad let go of him and headed back inside, leaving Tucker alone in the darkness.
He was fine.
Just fine.
He had to be.
Because falling apart wasn’t an option.
He had too much at stake.
And since Bella had come home and walked back into his life, he had someone he trusted to help care for his children. That had to be something, right?
Problem was, so many of those buried feelings had been working their way to the surface the more time he spent with her. As his heart waged war with his head, he battled wanting to cling to the memories of the love he lost and making new memories with the one who had gotten away.
Chapter Eight
They were going as friends, right?
No reason to think otherwise.
So how did one dress for a friend date?
A cute wear-one-last-time-before-cold-weather-sets-in dress would be fine for walking around the farmers market, but not so much for biking around the lake.
Isabella stared at the growing pile of clothes on her bed and the last few hanging in her closet.
Ugh, this was so ridiculous. Just pick something already. She was a grown woman, not some giddy fifteen-year-old going on her first date.
No wonder she felt more comfortable in her chef whites. With a clean, pressed uniform, hair pulled back and her toque in place, she didn’t have to worry about impressing anyone with her appearance...and falling short. Instead, she dazzled with her cooking skills.
Today, though, that was a different story.
This is ridiculous. Tucker didn’t care what she wore—after all, they were just friends.
Tired of the insecurity, she pulled a yellow-and-white-striped tunic over her head, slipped into a pair of fitted jeans, wrapped a white infinity scarf around her neck and grabbed a denim jacket for later. She slid her feet into her favorite tan ankle boots and zipped up the sides.
After securing her hair in a messy bun, she shouldered her purse and headed for the car.
It would have to be good enough.
Five minutes later, she scored a parking spot not far from the market. She scoured the rows of vehicles, searching for Tucker’s silver SUV, but she couldn’t see it.
Maybe he was running late.
With a couple of string market bags tucked in her purse, Isabella strolled to the nearest vendor to wait.
The Briggs’ Bee’s Knees booth offered bottles of honey for sale as well as other honey-based products like lip balms and moisturizers. She was in the middle of listening about the importance of preserving honeybees when her cell phone rang.
“Excuse me.” She fished her phone out of her back pocket and saw Tucker’s face appear on the screen. “Hello?”
“Hey, where are you? I’ve been at your door for the last ten minutes, but everything’s locked up and no one is answering.”
“My door? I thought we were meeting at the farmers market.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Well, because you asked if I wanted to go, and I said yes.”
“Right. And when a guy asks a girl to go someplace with him, he usually picks her up.”
Oh.
So maybe this was a date.
She gripped her stomach. “Sorry. Want me to head back?”
“No, I’ll meet you there, then we can decide what to do about your car when we’re done at the market. See you in five.”
“Okay.” She stayed on the fringes of the park so she could see Tucker when he arrived. She didn’t want to waste any more of their day together with her own stupidity.
Within minutes, Tucker pulled up behind her car and strode across the lawn wearing faded jeans, a light blue V-neck T-shirt and gray sneakers. With the slight breeze toying with the waves in his hair and his dark sunglasses, he looked like he’d walked off a photo shoot.
And she wasn’t the only woman admiring him, either.
Man, the guy knew everyone. His name had been called at least ten times in the short span from the sidewalk to where she waited.
He reached her, a wide smile highlighting his face, and wrapped her in a one-armed hug. “Hey, you. You look terrific.”
“You’re only saying that because I’m your friend.” She smiled up at him and breathed in the scent of his body wash coiling around her.
He looked at her with...hurt in his eyes? He frowned and shook his head. “Bella, why would you doubt my words? If I say something, I mean it.”
“Sorry.”
Oh man. This day was going to be harder than she’d imagined. She wasn’t so great at small talk. “And I apologize for the confusion. If you can’t tell by now, I don’t do a lot of dating.”
“We’re together now, right? And for the record, I haven’t had a first date in fifteen years.”
She nodded and fell in step with him as they moved to one of the fruit vendors lifting boxes of apples off the back of his truck.
“Look at the size of those apples.” Breathing in the sweetness of the fruit, Isabella reached into a bushel basket and grabbed a large yellow Ginger Gold at the same time Tucker did. His warm hand covered hers. She let go of the apple and pulled her hand away. “Sorry.”
“For what?”
She shrugged, hating the way her face blazed. Why did she have to be so socially awkward?
They wandered through the rows of vendors selling fresh herbs, organic produce, farm-fresh eggs and locally sourced meats.
“You know, if the community garden takes off, your family could consider having a booth at the market next summer.”
“Maybe. I know there are a lot of new regulations, so we’d have to look into those. Has your dad mentioned anything about overseeing the garden?”
Isabella shook her head. “I don’t know what’s going on with him. He’s just not himself.”
“You know, diabetes can create problems with more than blood sugar. It affects a person’s mental health, too. Diabetes distress causes mood swings, depression and anxiety. Joe’s been in control of his world for so long that not being able to manage his blood sugar may leave him feeling a bit powerless. Being a proud man, he won’t ask for help.”
“I feel helpless not knowing what I can do to help him.”
“Just talk to him. Remind him you’re there to listen, not judge. Offer to take a walk with him. Ask if he wants you to go to his appointments and hear what his doctor has to say.”
Isabella laughed. “Have you met my dad? He’ll shoot me down with all of those.”
“Be patient. Once his medications start working, you’ll see the same ole Joe returning. And in the meantime, I’m always here if you need someone to talk to.” Tucker brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek.
She captured his hand and squeezed. “Thanks. What would I do without you?”
“Maybe we don’t have to find out.”
Before she had a chance to process what he’d said, Tucker glanced at his watch. “You ready for the next part of our day? I called this morning, and the bike rental at the lake is still open. We can see if they have any left.”
“Sure, let’s go.”
As they crossed the park, a female voice called his name. “Tucker!”
He turned, and a bright smile lit up his face. He held out his arms as a petite brunette ran into them and wrapped her arms around his neck. He dropped a kiss on her cheek and stared down at her. “So great to see you! What are you doing here? When did you get back?”
“I got in last night. I wanted to pick up a few things from the farmers market, then I was going to call you later this afternoon. I wasn’t quite sure of your work schedule.”
“I’m off today. In fact, Bella and I were about to head to the lake.” With an arm still wrapped around the woman’s shoulders, Tucker turne
d toward Isabella. “Sorry. Bella, meet Willow, my sister-in-law. Willow, this is Isabella Bradley. Her dad owns Joe’s All-Star Diner at the bottom of the hill.”
Willow stepped away from Tucker and held out her hand. “You went to school with Rayne and Tucker, didn’t you? You guys worked together at your dad’s place.”
“That’s right. Bella’s a classically trained chef, but she’s just helping her father out for now.”
She was probably reading more into Tucker’s words, but did he feel like she was settling by helping her father? Like it was a step down for her?
“Oh, that’s great to hear. I love Joe’s.” Willow turned back to Tucker. “Hey, listen. I’d love to see my niece and nephew. I’ve missed them terribly. Maybe tomorrow?”
“You know, that may work out well. My nanny quit, so Bella’s been helping me out. But now that the diner’s about to reopen, your timing couldn’t be more perfect. Right, Bella?”
All she could do was smile and nod. And try to repress the rope of jealousy coiling within her.
“Yay.” Willow clapped her hands the way Olivia did when things went her way. “I gotta run, but I will stop by later to get Meno. Great seeing you, and meeting you, Isabella.”
Isabella smiled and lifted her hand in a small wave.
“Man, talk about perfect timing, right?”
Perfect for Tucker, maybe.
She’d known all along their arrangement was temporary, but she hadn’t expected to be dropped so quickly. They’d planned to bake cookies tomorrow before bed. With Tucker’s birthday coming up, she’d wanted to do something to celebrate him, especially since he went out of his way for everyone else.
But now it didn’t seem like she’d get the chance.
As they drove to the lake, Tucker carried most of the conversation, sharing mostly about Willow.
At the lake, they parked in the gravel lot beside a weathered red building advertising bike rentals. Tucker paid for two bikes, then shrugged on a bulging backpack before making sure she was ready to take off.
Seagulls dipped and soared over the water as Tucker and Isabella strapped on their helmets and pedaled down the asphalt path rimming the water. Rays of sunlight burst through long branches laden with changing leaves, stripping the crimson to a pale peach and casting shadows over the path. Gentle waves splashed against the shore. Fresh air tinged with a hint of wet earth and fish breezed over her. Sunshine warmed her face, and Isabella should have been soaking up the relaxing atmosphere.
Instead, her brain continued to rewind Willow flying into Tucker’s arms.
They’d ridden for about a mile, reaching the park at the end of the trail. Tucker’s phone rang, and he braked to answer it. She pedaled over to the edge of the fountain to give him some privacy.
Three little boys close to the twins’ ages played tag between two sturdy oak trees as two women sat on a bench chatting and watching them. An older couple walked a small, white dog that stopped to bark at the boys.
After ending his call, he rode over to her and jerked his head back to the bike trail. “Follow me.”
Tucker pulled over into the grass, parked his bike under a shady poplar tree turning a golden yellow and waited for her. “Hey, slowpoke, what’s taking so long?”
Once she parked her bike next to his, he waved a hand toward the tree. “Care to join me for a picnic?”
After unzipping his backpack, he shook out a rolled-up blanket and spread it out in the shade of the tree, then pulled out a couple of water bottles and a crumpled, oversize paper lunch bag with foil-wrapped packages sticking out.
Isabella sat on the edge of the blanket and pulled her knees to her chest.
“You’re being quiet. What’s going on?”
What could she say? She was jealous of the way he hugged Willow? Or her quickness to take over caring for the twins, essentially pushing her out of the picture?
“Nothing. I’m good.”
He eyed her. “Why don’t I believe you? What gives?”
She picked up a fallen leaf and twirled it between her thumb and forefinger. “I know they’re not my kids or anything, and I don’t have any say about it, but I’m disappointed we won’t have our last couple of days together. I totally get Willow caring for them was the plan all along. I’m just disappointed, that’s all.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t stop to ask how you felt about it. I was so surprised to see Willow and didn’t give her suggestion a thought other than it would help you out. Forgive me?”
He looked at her with such sincerity in his blue eyes that she wanted to smooth down the curls being tagged by the lakeside breezes. Instead she nodded and jerked her chin toward his backpack. “Of course. Now I hope you plan to feed me after that ride.”
“Most definitely.” Tucker reached inside the bag and handed her a foil-wrapped packages. “Before I met you at the farmer’s market, I stopped and grabbed carnitas tacos from Lena’s food truck. They’re much better hot, but I’m sure they’ll still hit the spot. And listen, if you would like to watch the kids as planned, I’ll let Willow know. I’m sorry for deciding on your behalf.”
“It’s fine, Tuck. You make the choice. Just know I’m here if you need me.”
Tucker raised an eyebrow as a slow smile slid across his face. “Oh, there’s no if about it, Bella. I definitely need you. You’re a good friend.”
Her insides quivered as she unwrapped her tacos.
Of course, he meant he needed her to help care for his children. Because they were friends. Reading anything else into it would only lead to heartache.
* * *
Tucker could get used to evenings spent around a crackling campfire with his family and listening to his kids’ laughter as they raced under a black sky scraped with stars.
Not to mention having a beautiful woman sitting next to him, tucked in one of his sweatshirts.
Bella, Tori and Claudia chatted about menus for the upcoming wedding. Tucker glanced at his brother to find Jake watching his fiancée with a grin, bringing joy to his face.
Long overdue joy.
Tucker gave Jake’s foot a little kick. “Hey, man. I wish it was bright enough to take a picture of that cheeseball grin on your face.”
“You’re just jealous of my good looks.”
“Yeah, that must be it.” Dad stood slowly and jerked his head toward the farmhouse. “You boys mind giving me a hand with the s’mores stuff?”
“Not at all, Pops.” Tucker pushed to his feet, but before he followed his dad and his brother, he turned to Bella. “I’m heading into the house. Need another drink? You warm enough?”
She pulled her attention away from Tori and Claudia and, nodding, she reached for his hand, giving it a quick squeeze. “I’m fine, thanks.”
Tucker pulled his hand away from hers reluctantly and hurried to the back deck, taking the steps two at a time.
In the kitchen, Dad and Jake leaned against the counter, arms folded and grins creasing their faces.
“What’s going on?”
“You tell us.”
“Tell you what?”
“You and Isabella seem to be hitting it off.”
“We’ve known each other since kindergarten. Of course we’re hitting it off.”
“But it’s more than that, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know, Jake. Maybe once I sort out my feelings and jot them down at my journal, I can let you read it.”
Jake held up both hands. “Whoa, man. I was just bustin’ on ya. No need to be a jerk.”
Tucker scraped a hand over his face. “Sorry.”
Dad clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You like her.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement spoken by a man who understood what it meant to lose his first love and be offered a second chance at happiness.
He nodded.
; “Have you told her?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
Tucker shrugged. “Timing just doesn’t feel right.”
“Maybe she thinks you see her only as a friend.”
“Well, that’s partially true—she is my friend. When you started dating Claudia, did you feel like you were cheating on Mom?”
Dad pulled out a chair, the wood scraping against the ceramic tile, and straddled it.
“No. Your mother is gone, and nothing is going to bring her back. She was the light of my life, and I’ll always cherish the memories we made together, but I can’t live in the past. Neither can you. You’ll know when it’s time to pocket the memories you’ve made and move forward.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome.” Dad handed the boxes of graham crackers to Jake and tossed the marshmallows to Tucker. He grabbed the basket with chocolate bars and peanut butter cups and headed out the door.
“How many men does it take to carry out stuff for s’mores?” Claudia teased as she took the basket from Dad.
“Is this where I wait for the punchline?” Dad tilted her chin and dropped a kiss on her lips. “We were having some father-son bonding time.”
“We wondered if you were sneaking the chocolate.” Tori stood and wrapped her arms around Jake’s waist.
“No need to sneak when we can have it freely.” He unwrapped a peanut butter cup and popped it in her mouth.
Several months ago, Jake had been the one struggling with his relationship with Tori. Now seeing them together gave Tucker hope for his own future.
If Tucker wanted more, then he needed to be willing to take the first steps in moving forward. So, what was holding him back?
Bella knelt on the grass near the fire between Livie and Landon as she guided them in toasting their marshmallows. She listened intently as they talked and helped turn their long-handled forks so the flames wouldn’t devour their marshmallows.
Yes, he could fall for Isabella Bradley very easily.
He just needed to make sure they were ready. All of them. Because the last thing he wanted was to hurt those he cared about.