Sweet Beginnings

by Melissa McClone

  Especially that last one.

  One thing Hope hadn’t been was impressed. That hadn’t stopped her from checking him out, though, which his ego appreciated. He’d been fascinated by her—not in an I-want-to-date-her way, but more of an I-appreciate-her-talent-and-kindness way. He should swing by Sweet Caroline’s to bring pastries and warm beverages for the drive to the airport in Charleston. Bet Hope would like that.

  His phone rang.

  He glanced at the screen—Sam.

  Josh slowed his pace to take the call. “Back on third shift, bro?”

  “For now.” Sam sounded chipper for it being the middle of the night in Seattle. “I got your text. You’re up early.”

  “I wanted to go for a run before taking off.”

  “Flying some chick to Nashville, huh?” Sam’s casual words didn’t mask his concern. “Is that a good idea?”

  “Not some chick.” Josh pictured Hope as he’d left her yesterday afternoon. Her befuddled expression had made him laugh all the way back to the cottage. But he’d gotten what he wanted, and she wouldn’t have two days of driving ahead of her. No harm done. “Hope is an artist doing a favor for two friends. I’m helping her out.”

  “You’ve been helping a lot of people.”

  He settled into a brisk walking speed. “I have a lot to make up for.”

  “Is Hope someone you hurt with your drinking?”

  “No.” But that didn’t mean he had to stop doing nice things. “We met yesterday.”

  “That means Hope must be a tall, leggy brunette.”

  “She’s tall but blonde.” Josh wasn’t about to mention her long legs. “You know I’m not supposed to date for the first twelve months.”

  “Making sure you remember that.”

  “Hard to forget since any time I mention a woman’s name, you guys mention that.” Josh understood why they did, but his family made him feel like a kid who couldn’t cross the street without someone holding his hand. “It’s a flight to Nashville and back. If it were more, do you think I would have told you or Dr. Kettering about it?”

  “You spoke to your therapist?”

  “After I texted you.” Josh hated explaining everything in his life to others, but he wanted to regain his family’s trust. “Hope is pretty, but this isn’t a man-woman thing. Even if that were in the realm of possibilities, it’s Wednesday. I’m here until Sunday. Not a lot of time for anything to happen between then and now. If we get along, she’ll be a new friend like Jenny.”

  “Okay, you do need more friends, even if they live on the other side of the country,” Sam agreed. “I’m not trying to be an annoying younger brother. I’m watching out for you.”

  “I appreciate that, even if you are annoying.”

  “Haha.”

  The voice of a female dispatcher sounded in the background.

  “Is that for you?” Josh asked.

  “Nope.” Sam snickered. “You’re stuck with me for a few more minutes.”

  Josh was glad, but he wouldn’t let Sam know, or he’d never live it down. “Lucky me.”

  “I’m the best brother ever.”

  Typical Sam. The kid didn’t lack confidence. Never had. “You’re my only brother.”

  “Still the best.”

  “And so modest,” Josh teased.

  “I learned humility from you.”

  Josh shook his head. “You might need homework then.”

  “No way,” Sam fired back. “I can be as big of a cocky SOB as you.”

  Josh had that reputation when he’d played football, though he’d backed it up on the field. He’d also been called arrogant by critics of his broadcasting abilities. Now… he had no idea who he would be if he returned to work.

  When, not if, he corrected.

  “What are your plans after you get back from Nashville?” Sam asked.

  “Relaxing.” Sitting in one of the chairs in front of the cottage sounded good. The crashing waves would make for a great soundtrack. He would have dinner delivered. Maybe eat outside if he could stand the heat and humidity. It wasn’t too bad right now. “I’m also attending a meeting. After that, I’ll read. I have two books to finish while I’m here.”

  Dr. Kettering loaned him a self-help book for the trip. He’d also brought Jenny’s newest thriller.

  “Wish I was there, bro.” Sam’s wistful tone surprised Josh. His brother was a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. “I need a vacation.”

  “We’ll do something in July,” Josh said. “Rent another cabin or go camping.”

  “Sounds good.” Silence filled the line. “Keep me posted on your flights and when you’re back in Indigo Bay.”

  Sometimes Sam acted more like the older brother than the younger one. Josh would have to take back that role at some point but now wasn’t the time. “Will do.”

  “Be careful.” The words ‘don’t do anything stupid’ were implied, as usual.

  Josh wasn’t upset given the idiotic things he’d done under the influence. He’d lied enough about his drinking that no one trusted what he said these days, even though he was sober. His family wanted his actions to match his words, which he understood, but he was too far away to show them he was watching out for himself. His assurances would have to be enough for Sam. “I will be.”

  An hour later, Josh stopped by Sweet Caroline’s Cafe for a tea, a coffee, and pastries—he’d asked if they knew Hope’s favorites—they did—then he parked in front of a beach house twice the size of his cottage. She was waiting on the driveway with a large box next to her.

  He pressed the button to open the trunk before sliding out of the car. “Nice place.”

  “It belongs to my brother.” She wore white capris that hugged her hips, a blue T-shirt with an anchor emblem on the front, and a pair of white sandals. A navy tote bag hung off her shoulder. All she needed was a sailor hat to complete the nautical look.

  Josh had to admit the outfit looked good on her. “The way you’re dressed, we should be sailing to our destination.”

  “Yes, but we’d run aground as soon as we got started. We’ll have to fly.”

  Hope picked up the box. “This should fit in your plane, but if not, we’ll figure something else out. I told Dan to wrap the painting for shipping to protect it.”

  After she set the box in the trunk, Josh closed the hatch, circled to the passenger door, and opened it.

  As surprise flashed in her eyes, he bit back a laugh. “Southern men aren’t the only ones with manners.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” she said before getting into the car. A burst of strawberry surrounded him. Must be the scent of her shampoo or shower gel.

  “You didn’t have to.” He kept his tone light. “Your eyes gave you away.”

  “I’m not used to it.”

  “A man being polite?”

  She nodded. “The only guy I spend time with is my brother.”

  Josh hadn’t expected such honesty. “No dates?”

  “Nope.” She fastened her seat belt and stared forward out the windshield.

  He wanted to say more—ask why she didn’t date—but he didn’t want to spook her. Her stiff body language told him to tread carefully, and he would. This day was about helping others, not being a nosy busybody like the gossips back in Berry Lake.

  He closed her door, went to the driver’s side, and slid behind the steering wheel. “There’s a caramel latte and an apple fritter for you.”

  She crossed her arms. “How did you know those are my favorites?”

  “I asked.” Josh pulled onto the road.

  Hope’s mouth quirked. “I’m not sure if that’s a nice-guy move or creepy-stalker behavior.”

  “Nice guy all the way.” He flashed his most charming smile, but she rolled her eyes. Yeah, today would be interesting. “If I hadn’t asked, I would have gotten you what I’d ordered for myself.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Tea and a banana-walnut muffin.”

  She made a face.
“Never mind. I’m glad you asked for my favorites.”

  “Permission to stalk, huh?”

  “To keep me from eating anything with bananas? Yes.”

  “What’s wrong with bananas?”

  “They were my ex-husband’s favorite.” She shivered. “I can’t stomach them now.”

  Ex-husband? That was unexpected, but knowing she’d been married shouldn’t have surprised him. She was a pretty, smart, and kind woman, but Josh wondered what went wrong.

  Maybe Hope wasn’t quite the open book she appeared to be. Josh focused on the road. He couldn’t wait to find out more about her.

  * * *

  This flight was a mistake. Hope sat in the right seat of Josh’s jet while he took the left. She kept her hands on her right knee to keep it from bouncing. The way it had since they took off over thirty minutes ago.

  Her nerves had skyrocketed the minute he’d shown up looking like a model from a photography shoot, and they hadn’t settled. If anything, they’d gotten worse.

  No man had the right to look that gorgeous in a pair of khakis and a button-up shirt—especially Josh Cooper. The short sleeves showed off his strong arms, too. She expected him to wear an expensive cologne, but the minty-woodsy mix of his soap was driving her crazy in the cockpit.

  Yes, flying with him in the fanciest private plane she’d ever seen outside of the movies was a horrible idea. She couldn’t think straight around Josh Cooper. That was why she’d mentioned Adam and his banana obsession.

  Stupid.

  But now sitting in this lightweight jet—whatever that meant—brought back bad memories of Adam’s wealthy lifestyle. She’d never asked Josh what he did for a living. That was something that mattered to her ex, not to her. But seeing the luxurious cabin with four dark leather seats and a lavatory made her wonder how Josh afforded a plane like this.

  He was attractive enough for Hollywood or New York, but she would recognize him if he were an actor or model. He’d said he lived in a small town. Did that make him a businessman or a trust-fund baby? If he were like Ashton Thorpe, the hero in Jenna Ford’s thriller series, then Josh was a wealthy spy extraordinaire.

  “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  He must be finished talking to air-traffic control and fiddling with the instrument panel. “You.”

  A pleased smile spread across his face. “What about me?”

  “This is a nice plane. I was wondering if you’re a professional pilot, wealthy spy, or a trust-fund baby.”

  “Three interesting professions.”

  “Are any close?”

  “Not even warm.”

  Silence filled the cockpit. She wasn’t having any of that. “Aren’t you going to tell me?”

  “What?” He feigned innocence.

  “Your job.”

  He licked his lips slowly as if trying to draw the motion out as long as possible.

  She watched for aesthetic value.

  “No,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll tell you.”

  “You’re annoying.”

  “You thought so yesterday, too.”

  Hope did not have a poker face. “You’re more annoying today, but no worries. I’ll do an internet search when we land to get my answer.”

  A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I’m a football commentator.”

  She didn’t know if being a former athlete was a requirement but given his build, she assumed he might be one. “Radio or TV?”

  “TV.”

  He had the looks for being in front of the camera, but that job must pay more than she thought to afford a plane like this.

  “What’s your favorite sport?”

  “Does Olympic figure skating count? That’s the extent of the sports I watch.”

  “I won’t hold it against you.” He didn’t sound as if he cared, though he appeared to be holding back laughter. Then again, why should he care what sports she liked?

  “Given you’re stuck with me today, that’s good.”

  “I appreciate your honesty. Some people might pretend to be a fan, but then say fourth period instead of the fourth quarter of a football game and lose credibility.”

  “Why would anyone do that?”

  “To suck up.”

  “That’s not me,” she said quickly. “I don’t even know what sport has periods.”

  “Hockey,” he said without missing a beat. “There are three periods during regulation play. Football has four quarters.”

  “I know baseball has innings because my brother played.”

  “Twin brother, right?”

  She nodded. “Von is less than three minutes older than me, but you’d think three years with the way he acts.”

  “Is he an artist like you?”

  “Von remodels homes and sells them,” she explained. “His work is so creative, but he’d never call himself an artist. He views what he does as only part of his job. But I think he’s wrong.”

  Josh glanced her way. “Do you tell him that?”

  “All the time.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  She stuck her tongue out at him before laughing. “But seriously, he’s the best brother ever. I don’t know what I’d do without him.”

  “I feel the same about my sister and brother. We’ve gotten closer recently, and I wish it would have happened sooner.”

  The love for his family filled Hope with warmth. “Better late than never.”

  He nodded. “Football kept me away from home. Now we’re figuring things out and getting along better than when we were kids.”

  “That’s great.” Even when she’d lived in New York, her and Von hadn’t let the distance get in the way. She was grateful for that. “What do your brother and sister do?”

  “Sam is my younger brother. He’s a police officer in Seattle. My older sister, Ava, is a schoolteacher in our hometown.”

  “Honorable professions.”

  Josh nodded. “They’re excellent at what they do.”

  Hope glanced around the cockpit. “You must be also to have a plane like this.”

  “I played football for eight seasons.”

  No wonder he could afford a jet like this. “Is that how you ended up a commentator?”

  “Yes.”

  “I should have done an internet search on you before the flight, so I’d know more about you.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t.”

  She shrugged. “I had too much work to do last night. I’m not a big social media user.”

  “I’m burnt out on social media. On a hiatus for now.”

  “Does that mean you didn’t run a search on me?”

  “I didn’t,” he admitted, to her relief. “Did I miss anything good?”

  “Nothing good.” Thinking about the articles and posts regarding her canceled show and divorce knotted her stomach. As they flew above a smattering of clouds, she stared out of the window.

  “Like your ex-husband?”

  She jerked her gaze to Josh. “How’d you—”

  “Lucky guess.” He held up one of his hands. “You mentioned him earlier. I made an assumption.”

  “A correct one. Adam is temperamental, but he’s respected and rich. Because of that, he gets away with a lot that others wouldn’t.” Hope would leave it at that. “At least that was how things were two years ago when I last saw him.”

  “I’m sorry things didn’t work out.”

  “I’m not.” She lowered her voice. “I’m better away from him.”

  “That’s why they’re called exes.”

  She nodded. “What about you?”

  “No ex-husbands,” he teased. “Or ex-wives. I’ve never been married.”

  “Once was enough for me.”

  “Until you meet the right guy?”

  She shrugged. “Guess I’ll have to see, but I’m of the mindset that happily ever after is a myth.”

  Hope wasn’t planning on saying “I do” again, but only Paula and Von knew how she felt. B
oth said she’d change her mind, but she hadn’t yet.

  “I believe in happy endings, but you have to work for them,” he said to Hope’s surprise. “Nothing comes easy.”

  “I hope you find yours.”

  His gaze met hers. “Me, too.”

  More than a look passed between them. The connection sent her temperature soaring. Hope had never felt anything like that before. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be feeling it now.

  To break the contact, she turned her gaze out the side window. “It’s peaceful flying.”

  “I love being up here.”

  “I see why.” She didn’t understand what was happening with Josh, but flying gave her a rare feeling of contentment. One she wanted to relish. “When I’ve flown before, I was rushing to get somewhere and wanted the flight to go by as quickly as possible. This isn’t like that. It’s so quiet.”

  “That’s one reason I love flying. There’s a calmness that’s hard to replicate.” He glanced at the instrument panel and then at her. “You can leave all your troubles down there and just be up here.”

  “I like it up here.” She smiled at him. “I’m glad I got to see this side of flying.”

  And of him.

  Maybe Josh wasn’t as annoying as she thought.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  On his descent into Nashville, Josh made the final preparations for landing. He and Hope were here to do a good deed, but he regretted the flight wasn’t longer. He would have liked for them to keep talking and getting to know each other without another soul around. This space, this time, had been theirs alone, and he didn’t want to give that up.

  Josh glanced at Hope, who stared at the approaching runway with excitement. That reminded him they were here to pick up a painting. This wasn’t a date.

  The wheels touched down.

  “Smooth landing,” Hope said, seeming impressed.

  “Now you’ll know not to worry about the painting when we land back in Charleston.”

  “I wasn’t worried.” She didn’t hesitate to answer.

  His chest swelled with pride. Not because of the landing but due to her faith in him. One bad decision after another had brought him to this point in his life, but that path had led him to Hope. She was beautiful, inside and out. Trusting others didn’t seem to come easy to her based on how she acted yesterday, yet he’d earned a bit of trust from her today. “Thanks.”