* * *
Normally, a morning run prepared Josh for the day ahead. Not today. He struggled to keep moving. Maybe later when he could check in with his family, he’d have more energy because he didn’t want to worry them.
As the waves rolled in, he jogged along the wet sand. His pace was slower than usual due to tiredness, but also because running at his usual speed made no sense when he’d be touring the town later. His leg could only take so much.
A gull flew overhead. Josh dreamed of having freedom again, but his life was all about accountability these days. What he deserved, but he doubted teenagers received as many texts and calls from their parents as Josh did.
He yawned.
Sleep hadn’t come easy. He’d tossed and turned, thinking about kissing Hope. He’d meant to brush his lips over hers, not linger until the kiss turned hot and heavy.
Which it had.
Boiling.
That was why he’d pulled back. Things were getting out of control. He wanted to blame his reaction on thinking about having a woman in his life or on not being physical with anyone in almost a year, but neither was the case. The reason was Hope herself. He’d never connected as deeply to another person as he had with her. He wanted to kiss her again, see if he had the same response. He hoped he’d get the chance today.
A Golden Retriever chased after something in the water. The dog splashed through the waves before dashing back to the sand with a ball in its mouth.
Josh jogged down the beach. As he came closer to Hope’s house, he saw her sitting on a chair. Sunglasses rested on the top of her head. She wore a pair of shorts and an oversized sweater with the sleeves rolled up.
Something fluttered in his stomach.
Hunger. He hadn’t eaten anything because he was meeting Hope at Sweet Caroline’s Cafe.
He squinted to get a better look at her.
The steaming mug on the table seemed all but forgotten as she flicked her gaze from the water to the notebook on her lap, her pencil moving across the paper as she did. The next time she looked up, he waved.
A smile lit up her pretty face. “Good morning. Enjoying your run?”
“It’s more of a jog, but I am.” Especially now he’d seen her. “Are you drawing something?”
“It’s a sketch for wedding favors.” She placed her notebook and pencil on the table, and then picked up her coffee. “I have to send the bride and groom ideas next week.”
“You work ahead.”
“I have a schedule worked out. That way, I have time for commissions, events at the resort, and the Indigo Bay-themed items I sell.”
He marched in place to keep his heart rate up, but he wasn’t ready to jog away. “You mentioned ornaments, and I saw the magnets. What else do you make?”
“Pins, bottles, tin buckets. Anything tourists might want to take home to remind them of their vacation.”
As she stood and walked to the rail, Josh tried not to stare at her long legs. He dropped his gaze to her toenails—painted a sparkly purple. Interesting. She didn’t seem like the glitter type.
“I’ll have to get something for my mom and sister.”
“I’m sure it’s the same type of items you’d find in Berry Lake.”
“You make Bigfoot keychains, too?”
She rolled her eyes, but the laughter in her gaze kicked up his pulse. Or maybe that was from marching.
“I learned how to work with glass last fall,” she added. “I’ll go back to that after the wedding season ends and see what new items I can create.”
No paintings were mentioned, but he understood why.
“Give watercolors a try. Those would make great postcards.” A man exited the French doors of the studio, joining Hope on the deck. He had the same eyes and hair color as Hope, but he was five inches taller and all muscle. The guy eyed Josh suspiciously. “Who’s your friend?”
Hope sighed. “Josh, this is my brother Von. Von, this is Josh Cooper.”
“Nice to meet you,” Josh said. “You have a great house.”
Von’s jaw jutted forward. “You’re the quarterback turned sports announcer.”
The distrustful tone suggested Von recognized Josh and was overprotective of his sister.
“That’s me,” Josh replied. What else could he say? Her brother knew who he was, which meant he likely knew about his past.
“How do you know each other?” Von’s gaze bounced from Hope to Josh.
Interesting. Hope must not have told her brother who flew her to Nashville.
“We met in the multipurpose room at the cottages on Tuesday,” Hope said before he could reply. “Josh delivered that thank-you gift from the bride getting married on Friday. You borrowed the autographed book, remember?”
Von didn’t say anything.
Josh didn’t mind taking up the slack. “Jenny texted last night. She’s in town and loves the resort. I mentioned the panels you painted. She can’t wait to see them.”
Hope’s shoulders shimmied. “I hope she likes them and everything else.”
“She will.” Josh liked seeing Hope excited. “Jenny is meeting with Zoe today.”
Von rubbed his chin. “How long are you in town for, Josh?”
“Until Sunday.” He wouldn’t be surprised if the guy brought out a knife to sharpen or a gun to clean. Von had a marking-my-territory-stay-away-from-my-sister gleam in his eyes.
“Josh is from a small town in Washington state,” Hope said. “They host a Bigfoot Seekers Gathering each year.”
Von laughed. “This is why we live on the East Coast away from all the crazies.”
As Hope’s gaze met Josh’s, a look passed between them and then a smile. He knew she was thinking about their conversation yesterday, the same as him.
Their shared glance didn’t go unnoticed by her brother. Von’s frown deepened.
“Time for me to head back. Nice meeting you, Von.” Josh nodded at Hope. “See you at nine.”
She grinned. “Looking forward to it.”
“What’s going on at nine?” Von asked.
“We’re having breakfast.” She turned toward her brother. “Then I’m giving Josh a tour of Indigo Bay. Any other questions?”
Von started to say something, but then pressed his lips together.
Josh understood. Von was likely trying to protect his sister.
“I’m not in town long, and my younger brother’s vacation didn’t get approved.” Josh wanted to put Von at ease. “I’m glad your sister’s willing to show me around, or I’d be doing it on my own.”
Von’s hard expression didn’t change, but Josh had done what he could. Still, he understood why her brother was acting this way.
Josh had made mistakes. Big ones. Some the public knew about.
Not repeating those was better than the alternative—drinking himself stupid until he ended up hurting himself or someone else. He almost had with Jenny. There wouldn’t be a next time.
He’d led a lonely, miserable life since his injury. Learning about himself, making changes, and getting sober this past year had given him a second chance to be the man he wanted to be—healthy, worthy, loved…
As Josh stared at Hope, a longing unfurled in his heart.
Would he ever be the kind of man a woman like her would want?
* * *
As soon as Josh jogged away, Hope glared at Von. She couldn’t believe him. Talking to Josh had been great until her brother showed up. “Why were you rude to Josh?”
Her brother’s nostrils flared. “Why are you all buddy-buddy with that drunk loser?”
Unbelievable. She squared her shoulders.
Hope loved Von. She didn’t want to fight about this, but the way he acted was embarrassing. “Josh is a recovering alcoholic. He went to rehab and is sober.”
“For now.” Her brother’s vitriol surprised her. “Cooper might be a future Hall of Famer, but even before his injury, he was nothing but bad news. He’ll break your heart.”
“We har
dly know each other.” And shared a hot kiss, but who knew if that would happen again.
“You don’t follow football. You have no idea what Josh Cooper is like.” Von joined her at the railing. “He’s a total player. Always has been. He uses women and then dumps them. One after another.”
“Josh hasn’t dated anyone since he went into rehab.”
“Until you.”
“We’re hanging out,” she countered with no hesitation. “It’s no big deal.”
Von rolled his eyes. “He’s the first man you’ve spent time with since Adam. This is a bigger deal than you’re making it.”
“Yesterday, we spent the day together and got to know each other. I realized how little fun I have in my life. Even when I lived in New York, Adam decided what we did. In the four years I was with him, I don’t remember joking around and laughing until I cried.”
“That happened with Josh?” Suspicion laced each of her brother’s words.
Hope raised her chin. She wouldn’t back down over this. “Yes, and I enjoyed myself.”
Telling Josh what had happened with Adam hadn’t been easy. Few had heard her side of the story, but her counselor had been right about not being afraid to talk about it. Yesterday, Hope had taken a huge step forward after only brief feelings of angst surfaced. No tears, either. Instead of feeling ashamed, she’d discussed the nightmare end of her marriage, laughed, and ate way too much food. Both Von and Paula would be shocked. Hope had been but pleased, too.
“I hope we have as good a time today,” she added.
“He’s still bad news, sis.”
She disagreed. Everything Josh did showed her a man who wanted to change his life and was doing that. “Your ‘bad news’ guy flew the bride’s wedding dress across the country, and he delivered her thank-you gifts. He flew me to Nashville to pick up that painting. Last night, he went to a sobriety meeting while on vacation on the other side of the country. That shows how serious he is about staying sober. Someone’s past shouldn’t define him. I’m willing to give Josh the benefit of the doubt. What I hope others give me. That’s what friends do.”
“You’re defending the guy like you’re his champion.”
“You did the same with me.” Hope hated when people wrongly judged her by Adam’s lies. She wouldn’t do the same to Josh. “I’m paying it forward.”
“Okay, you got me. I’m judging Josh on the same kind of rumors that ruined your reputation.” Von’s expression was contrite. “But you like him.”
“He’s a nice guy.”
“Nothing else?”
Other than him being the most attractive guy she’d ever seen and crush-worthy, but Von didn’t need to know that. “No.”
“Okay, but make sure being friends—” He used two of his fingers on each hand to put imaginary quote marks around the last word. “—doesn’t morph into something else.”
Hope groaned. “Even if it did, which it won’t, he’s leaving on Sunday.”
“Adam swept you away before any of us knew what was going on.”
“I was fresh out of college. Young. Naïve.” And totally overwhelmed by the well-known manager’s attention. He was handsome, charming, and wealthy. He’d built her up. Each compliment made her believe she couldn’t fail, but somehow at the same time, he’d convinced she needed him to succeed. “I’m not the same as I was then.”
“You may not want to date now, but somewhere inside you is that little girl who drew castles and dreamed of her own happily ever after. You’re not as trusting as you were, but you still have a pure heart.” Von’s gaze softened. “I don’t want another guy to break you the way Adam did. I worried I might lose you forever. That’s why I’m not welcoming Josh Cooper with open arms. Any man who enters your life, even as a friend, will have to prove himself worthy of you.”
Whatever anger she’d felt dissolved. She couldn’t be mad at her brother for loving her so much. “Okay, you’re forgiven, but please be nicer if you see Josh again.”
“I will, but you need to promise me you’ll be careful around him.”
“Nothing’s going to—”
“Promise me, sis.”
She sighed. The worst thing that would come of spending time with Josh would be a crush—which she probably had already. That she could handle. Still, if it made Von happy… “I promise.”
CHAPTER TEN
Hope was having as much fun sightseeing in her hometown with Josh as she did flying to Nashville. No serious topics had come up like yesterday. Today was about enjoying themselves, joking and laughing as they made their way around Indigo Bay.
She could have done without other women blatantly checking Josh out. If he noticed, he didn’t let on nor did he flirt back. Honestly, she didn’t blame them. He was gorgeous and dressed for the beach. His bright board shorts brought to mind sunsets streaked with reds hinting of a storm brewing. His vibrant orange T-shirt showed off his tan and white straight teeth.
But his easy smile was what called to Hope the most. A happy face beat a handsome one any day of the week. Josh also seemed more relaxed today. She hoped that meant he was enjoying sightseeing with her.
Two people exited Happy Paws Pet Shop. The man and woman held hands and gazed lovingly into each other’s eyes.
Her ribs squeezed tight. She tried not to stare at the pair, to focus on the display in the nearest window, or to look at Josh, but something about these two brought back a rush of memories from her four-year marriage that she’d pushed aside to get over Adam’s betrayal.
The couple’s arms formed a V with their linked hands and swung back and forth playfully.
Pleasant times with her ex-husband flashed in her brain like a strobe light. A dinner at a rooftop restaurant, watching a parade, strolling through Central Park, cuddling during a movie marathon at their neighborhood cinema.
Had the end been horrible? Yes, but Hope realized she’d been so focused on the bad things she’d forgotten the good times in her marriage. She missed feeling cherished and respected. Missed having someone to share the ups and downs with and to depend on. Missed hearing the words I love you.
Not that she wanted to fall in love again. But she recognized the appeal of being in a relationship. Not everything had been negative.
A lightness spread through her. This was a positive step. Hope had Josh to thank for that.
He sauntered beside her with a wide grin on his face, a baseball cap on his head, and sunglasses covering his eyes. No one had recognized him yet.
“Of all the shops we’ve been to,” Josh said, “the Chocolate Emporium is my favorite.”
“You can never go wrong with chocolate.”
“My second favorite is the art gallery,” he added.
That surprised her. “I didn’t realize you were into art.”
“Art is hit or miss with me,” he replied honestly. “But I like the ornaments they carry.”
Hers were the only ones sold there. Warmth radiated deep inside her. She’d tried hard to continue her work as an artist. Ornaments were her favorite to make. The various surfaces and shapes often required extra creativity. Plus, she loved adding to someone’s tradition whether that was buying an ornament from places they’d visited or having a piece be a part of a family’s holiday decorating.
She swallowed around the emotion thickening her throat. “That’s sweet of you to say.”
“It’s the truth. I put five on hold,” he said, rendering her speechless at the gesture. “One for each member of my family.”
Wait. That didn’t sound right. After clearing her throat, she said, “But you only need four to give to your family.”
Josh grinned as if he had a secret. “One’s for me.”
Her pulse had been racing off and on all day, but now it was in a full-on sprint.
Josh grabbed her hand, yanking her hard against him. “Watch out.”
A kid on a scooter barreled past them.
Tingles erupted where his fingers touched hers. Heat, too. She stood
so close she could hear him breathe, faster and faster. The tourists around them faded into the background. The only thing she saw was Josh.
He licked his lips. “That was close.”
She agreed, realizing he was still holding her hand. One of his arms had slipped around her waist at some point.
“You okay?” he asked.
Hope had no idea what she was feeling other than the certainty she’d be happy to stand here with him all day. Being this close to him made her feel whole, a way she hadn’t felt since returning to Indigo Bay.
You need to promise me you’ll be careful around him.
She hadn’t needed to be careful around Josh until now. Her brother had been correct when he’d said she’d almost lost her entire self, not only her painting, after what happened with Adam. She couldn’t chance that happening again, but she wasn’t ready to back away from Josh yet.
Something was happening to her, but she didn’t know what.
His gaze searched hers. “Hungry?”
For a kiss. She gulped. That probably wasn’t what he had in mind.
Hope nodded. “It has to be close to one o’clock. Let’s grab lunch and eat down at the shore.”
After a stop at the burger joint for a to-go order, Hope sat next to Josh on a bench overlooking the beach. He sipped his milkshake while she separated out their burgers and fries. “Food with a view.”
He placed his drink on the ground, then took his share when she handed it to him. “Can’t beat this.”
“Nope.” The Atlantic wasn’t the only breathtaking sight with Josh next to her.
That explained the butterflies in her stomach, and why she wanted to scoot closer to him until their legs touched. Not that she had or would. But she’d thought about it—twice.
If her heart wasn’t off the market; if he didn’t live on the opposite side of the country; if he wasn’t out of her league… she’d ask him to join her for dinner tonight. But the number of ifs told her appreciating him from afar was the safer option. Von would agree.
See, she could be careful.
Sweet Beginnings Page 9