It Had to Be Them (An It Had to Be Novel Book 4)

by Tamra Baumann

  He shrugged. “We needed a PE coach, and the pay is five times better here when you factor in the town’s profit-sharing plan for keeping our yaps shut about the celebrities who visit. The board promised me that whatever the school’s money won’t cover for supplies, the town council will. I just have to ask. My equipment is top notch. And all of our teams have winning records.”

  Kline took a sip of water as she processed that. Five times more pay was a lot. “But that’s the athletic department. They always get all the glory and budget. What about the arts and sciences?”

  “It’s all the same. You just gotta ask.” He paused for a drink then set his glass down with a thud. “I was just a glorified babysitter in Denver, but here, the kids know you might run into their parents at the store so they think twice about cutting up too much. This job is so much easier and lots more fun.”

  She’d always had to spend all her free time begging for beakers and Bunsen burners, rather than planning exciting experiments for her students. That’d be a real change from any of her other experiences. “That sounds pretty nice.”

  “I’m not looking forward to taking over one of your cousin’s class periods while she’s out, though. I don’t remember a damn thing about science.”

  “Maybe Barb has good lesson plans all ready to go?”

  Wayne nodded, then his gaze wandered around the diner like he was bored. Maybe because she’d made it clear they weren’t on a date, therefore he wasn’t getting lucky after.

  Looked like it was going to be up to her to keep the conversation going. “Tell me the whole story behind the whiskey. Something about people finding barrels that were hidden during Prohibition?”

  Gloria slipped their meals in front of them and said, “Yeah. Ryan’s girlfriend, Tara, and Eric, Meg’s newly adopted son, found the secret recipe and the whiskey stored in an old mine right before it caved in. So a crew was hired to get the barrels out for the kids who’d gone looking for them and ended up hurt. And Tara’s father, a bigwig businessman from Denver, is going to start making the whiskey again and Eric will be the owner once he turns eighteen. Now you’re up to date.”

  Kline laughed. “Thank you.”

  After Gloria left, Wayne added, “I’m looking forward to the big party next week for the distillery groundbreaking.” Then he attacked his plate like a starving caveman. The guy had no manners whatsoever. She couldn’t watch.

  She hurried and ate so she could get their not-even-close-to-a-date over with. Thankfully he inhaled his food.

  When he was done, Kline pushed her half-empty plate forward. “That was great but I’m full. Ready to go?”

  Wayne leaned closer and smiled. “Why don’t we go back to Brewsters? Play some pool, shoot some darts? Have a few drinks before we head home?”

  That would be way too close to a date. “Thanks, but it’s been a long day. I’d just like to go.”

  “Okay. Going home works too.” Wayne put his meal on his tab and then they bundled back up and started for home.

  As they passed by Wayne’s house, which her mom had mentioned was right next to Ben’s, Wayne stopped walking and breached the boundaries of her personal space. “Since you’re not going to be in town long, I might as well just cut to the chase. The ladies all tell me I’m good in the sack. Why don’t you come inside and I’ll show you just how good?”

  Charming.

  She took a half step back. “Geez, that’s awful tempting when you put it like that, but I think I’d better get home and check on my mom. And put this pie in the fridge. As a matter of fact, you don’t have to walk me the rest of the way. Thanks for having dinner with me.”

  He blinked in confusion. “Oh. Okay.” Then he leaned down for a kiss. She turned her face at the last moment so his lips landed on her cheek. “Night, Kline.”

  “Good night.” She hightailed it away, hoping her mom would refrain from making her any more dates while she was home. As she passed by Ben’s house, she checked to see if there were any lights on. Looked like he was still out. When a big hand slipped around her elbow and stopped her forward progress, she yelped.

  She turned to tell Wayne she still wasn’t interested and was surprised to see Ben standing there, grinning at her. “Oh, it’s just you.”

  “I’ll walk you the rest of the way home.” He still had her elbow so she had no choice but to follow along as he guided her up the street.

  “You don’t have to, Ben. It’s cold and I can manage the mean streets of Anderson Butte on my own.”

  “I’m not letting you walk home alone. Wayne was a jerk to do that.”

  “Well, evidently he’s so good in the sack he never gets turned down. I probably threw him off his game.”

  Ben chuckled. “I heard that. I’ve been behind you guys ever since you passed Brewsters. What an ass.”

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve met worse.”

  He was quiet for a moment, then whispered, “I’m glad you didn’t take him up on his offer.”

  She tucked her arm through his and snuggled closer, telling herself it was to keep him warm, but she’d missed the deep connection she’d always felt when they touched. “You set the bar pretty high right out of the gate for me. It takes a lot for me to decide to sleep with men.”

  He shot her a sideways glance. “It took two long years before you were ready to sleep with me. And then I had to endure the whole senior prom before we could sneak off.”

  “Thank you for being so patient with me.” They walked up her mom’s front steps and stopped under the glowing porch light she must’ve left on for Kline.

  Ben leaned close and whispered, “I waited because I was in love.” He stared so deeply into her eyes it stirred up faint whispers of that sweet first love again in her heart.

  “I was too. You made my first time perfect. That’s something a woman never forgets.” She laid her hand on his ice-cold cheek. “Thank you for that.”

  He took her hand from his face and then laid a soft kiss in her palm. “I’ve never stopped loving you, Kline. I couldn’t figure out how.” He gave her hand a squeeze and then turned and walked down the steps. “But you obviously don’t feel the same, so I’ll keep my distance.”

  She stood on the porch, tears burning her eyes, as he disappeared into the night. He still loved her? Then why did he let her walk out of his life without a fight?

  Bitter memories from that night he’d told her he was breaking up with her clenched her stomach. That he’d changed his mind about all the plans they’d made together for their future. Med school made him realize there were plenty of people to help in their hometown. But that she should go on and do what she’d felt she needed to do since she was ten years old, when she’d vowed she’d never live in Anderson Butte.

  He’d said he realized he wouldn’t make her happy because he wouldn’t be happy without being near his family who still needed him. But what about her? She’d needed him too. More than he knew.

  How hadn’t she seen that big a change occurring in him? It was as if a light switch flipped one day and Ben suddenly wasn’t the person she thought he was. Worse, he hadn’t asked her to come home with him. He’d just decided they were through. Probably because he was tired of having to convince his father that she was good enough for him. The mayor had never liked her and had made no bones about telling her so.

  But then, Ben had always done things like that. Made decisions for her as if he were protecting her, rather than discussing things with her.

  Looking back, part of that might have been her fault for letting him. She was loyal, determined, and always kept her promises, but communicating her feelings had always been hard for her. It had become even worse with all the bullying she’d endured in school, always afraid of the consequences if she spoke up, so maybe their relationship had been doomed to fail. Ben just saw it before she had.

  She sighed and opened the door to her mom’s house.

  Her feelings for him were definitely confusing, but she’d hardened her heart so f
irmly against love after they’d broken up, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to fully give it to a man ever again. Especially one already married—to Anderson Butte.

  While Kline wiped down the kitchen counters after breakfast, her mom came in with a pair of high-powered binoculars and held them out. “Your dad always intended for you to have these. I found them in the hall closet the other day when I was looking for something else.”

  Kline smiled as she ran her fingers over the spots that were worn from so much use. “Dad loved these. You should keep them, Mom.”

  A quick flash of her father’s sweet smile brought a sharp pang to her already tender heart. It conjured up memories of her college days when she’d come home for visits. The thing she’d looked forward to most was bird watching with her dad. He had loved the outdoors and nature as much as she did.

  After he died, knowing her mom was alone had made Kline feel guilty for being so happy living with Ben, free from the shackles of small-town life as they attended school in Denver. It’d been heaven. But Betty Grant was rooted in Anderson Butte as deeply as Ben and had never taken Kline up on her offers to live with her elsewhere.

  “You’d get more use out of them than I would, honey.” She took the rag from Kline and finished wiping the countertop. “As a matter of fact, I can’t believe you haven’t been out tromping through the woods yet. You’ve never lasted two hours before you were off exploring, much less two days.”

  “That’s where I’m headed now. There won’t be many birds this time of year—most have flown south—but I might see some owls, eagles, or a sage grouse. Want to come with me? Might be good for you to get some fresh air.”

  “No.” Mom pursed her lips. “I think I’ll go lie down and read a book while you’re gone. I just don’t have a lot of energy these days. I’ve even given up yoga.”

  Her mother loved yoga. It had been a passion of hers for years. She must have owned twenty workout DVDs. “Mom, seriously. If Ben can’t figure out what’s wrong with you, then let me take you to Denver. We’ll find you a specialist.” She looked closer, searching for physical signs of illness that might be a clue to her mother’s constant fatigue. But her color was good, and her eyes clear.

  Mom shook her head. “You’ve been staying with your teacher friend since you’ve been back in the country. I couldn’t impose.”

  “I’d planned to find a place of my own as soon as I leave here anyway. We can stay in a hotel for a few days until I figure it out. Please? I’m so worried about you.” She laid a hand on her mom’s shoulder and stared into her eyes. “Losing Dad was bad enough. I don’t want to even think about living without you too.” After her prison stay had made her realize how precious life was, she’d vowed to spend as much time with her mother as she could.

  “Such a good girl.” Her mom patted Kline’s cheek. “Maybe this is just part of growing old. How would I know? I’ve never done it before. Go. Have fun. I’ll be fine after I rest a bit.” She started to leave, then said, “Oh, if you think of it while you’re out, will you please stop by the store? Fred has some new books he’s holding for me.”

  “Sure. Be back in a while.” She’d just have to keep nagging until her mom gave in, that’s all. Because Kline couldn’t leave town until she knew her mom was going to be okay on her own. Luckily, that temporary teaching position was open in case it took a while to figure out what was going on with her mom. She could just put off teaching in Denver until next fall if that’s what it would take. Her mom trumped any vows she’d made to stay away from Anderson Butte. And Ben.

  She grabbed her backpack that held her bird guide and a bottle of water, then slipped the binoculars inside. She snatched up her fleece that hung next to Ben’s jacket on the hooks beside the front door.

  Ben was probably missing his coat, but she didn’t relish seeing him again so soon after their painful encounter the evening before. Maybe she’d just drop the jacket off on his front porch after she got back from her trek. He’d made it clear he’d rather not see her anyway.

  She headed down her mom’s drive with thoughts of Ben and worry for her mom warring within her mind. When she caught glimpses of the lake between homes, her dad’s solution for worry popped into her head, and she smiled. She could still hear his voice saying, “To feel truly grounded and peaceful from the inside out, a body needs to be connected to the earth, Kline. Burrow your feet into the sand by the lake, or wrap your arms around a tree and then close your eyes and visualize a positive outcome. You’ll feel better in no time.”

  Pushing her thoughts aside, she looked up and found herself right in front of the store. So she tugged on the door, which set off a loud chime above her head, and stepped inside. Fred’s familiar laugh alerted her to his location in the corner by the cell phone kiosk. He stood watching TV, his white beard having grown even longer and his belly having filled out a bit too. Probably made him look even more authentic in his Santa suit these days.

  When he saw her, his face lit up. “Well, look who finally came back. Great to see you! How are you, Kline?”

  She weaved through the short aisles and joined him in the electronics section. It amused her how Fred actually labeled all the sections of his business as if he owned a Walmart instead of the small general store. “I’m great. Good to see you too, Fred. My mom sent me to pick up some books for her.”

  “Got them right here.” He reached behind the counter and came up with a handful of historical romance novels. “Betty does like to read. She goes through three or four of these a week.”

  “Really? I had no idea.”

  He nodded. “Someone like you would appreciate that it’d save quite a few trees if she had an e-reader or a tablet.”

  “That’s true. Do you have any of those?”

  “Abso-betcha-lootly! Got the latest, greatest one right here.”

  Kline studied the box. She’d wanted the same model to replace her old one and had just mentioned it to her mom the other day when she’d been fishing for birthday gift ideas. “This might be a little too high-tech for my mom. But I’ll take it. Maybe I could talk her into joining the electronic age with mine that’s easier to use, and I’ll buy this one for myself.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Oh, and this just came in for your mom too.” Fred handed over a yoga DVD.

  “When did she order this?” It was odd that her mom would buy a new workout DVD if she didn’t have the energy to do her beloved yoga anymore.

  “’Bout a week ago, I guess.”

  Maybe her mother really was losing it. That made no sense. She needed to get her mom to a doctor in Denver as soon as possible.

  Kline followed behind Fred to the front checkout counter and then realized she didn’t have her purse. “My wallet’s at home. Will you save this for me? I’ll come back and get it this afternoon.”

  Fred bagged up the books and the tablet. “I wasn’t going to charge you anyway. It’ll be my welcome home gift to you.” He popped her favorite candy bar into the bag too. “We’re all glad you’re finally back.”

  “Thanks, Fred, but I’m only here for a few weeks. I insist on paying for this.” She pocketed the candy in her coat and then slipped the bag into her backpack. “I’ll stop by later.”

  “Nope. Don’t want your money. I’m hoping after being home for a while, surrounded by folks who truly care about you, and your mom, you’ll see what you’ve been missing and stay.”

  “Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve made plans to substitute teach in Denver.” Maybe later rather than sooner with her mom ordering yoga DVDs she couldn’t use, but Fred didn’t need to know that.

  “We’ve got a permanent science teacher job open and it’s yours if you want it. I’m on the school board these days and we’re in desperate hiring mode now. There’s no one else interested in the job.”

  That stopped Kline’s retreat. “I thought Barb was only going on maternity leave for a few months.”

  He shook his head. “She gave her notice yesterday. She’s decided to
stay home with the baby.”

  Interesting. Barb had always insisted she’d be a working mom. That she’d go nuts if she had to stay home all day. “Well, I appreciate the offer. Maybe I’ll think about it. And I’ll bring you the money later.” Kline quickly slipped out the door before Fred could argue with her about paying.

  What was up with everyone giving her welcome home gifts? They’d never done that when she’d come home on college breaks. Had they started a bribery campaign to keep the younger people from moving away?

  Kline grabbed the candy bar from her pocket and unwrapped it while she headed to her favorite birding spot. She bit into the gooey, nutty, caramel-and-chocolate treat, and blessed Fred for remembering what her favorite candy bar had been as a kid. Couldn’t get that kind of treatment in the city. On the other hand, no one could buy condoms or hemorrhoid cream without Fred knowing either.

  As Kline passed by the hotel, Ben’s sister Casey power walked up the paved drive. “Hi, Kline.”

  Kline gave Casey a hug. “So good to see you. Heard you’ve snagged a bad-boy rock star. That’s just about every woman’s fantasy.”

  Casey chuckled. “Zane is just a regular guy. You’ll see when you meet him. I was just looking for you. I wanted to give you a keycard to use the hotel gym.”

  She would like to use their fancy gym. From what she’d heard, it rivaled the best she’d ever been in. “Thank you, Casey. That’s the second fantastic gift I’ve gotten today. What’s up with everyone?”

  Casey smiled. “We’re glad to have you back.”

  That was nice, but she probably hadn’t talked to her brother since last night. “I’m going to disappoint everyone by accepting all these gifts when they figure out I’m not staying permanently. And I’m not getting back together with Ben.”

  “They’re simply gifts. Given freely and from the heart. No strings attached.” Casey laid a hand on Kline’s arm and gave a little squeeze. “Everything will work out with Ben the way it’s meant to.”