One Hundred Decisions (An Aspen Cove Small Town Romance Book 13)

by Kelly Collins

  “Manners, once learned, will become habit,” Jake replied.

  “Sheesh,” Will said and climbed inside.

  Jake held on to the handle for a moment without pulling the door open. He gazed at her eyes. “How are you today?”

  How was it that a simple question, and the nearness of him, sent her entire body into chaos? Her heart raced. Her core pulsed. Her head grew dizzy.

  “I’m okay.”

  He smiled, and her knees grew weak.

  “Good to hear. I thought about you all night.”

  Her weak knees gave out.

  Jake’s hand left the handle and caught her before she hit the ground.

  She looked down as if the gravel beneath her feet was the problem. “Rolled my ankle on a rock,” she said, trying to cover up the truth: that his words, his voice, his touch, his kisses all had an effect on her.

  “Right.” He reached around, skimming his arm across hers, and pulled open the door. “Let’s get you inside, so you don’t find yourself in a puddle again.”

  Her jaw dropped. How did he know she was reduced to a puddle when he was around? She’d done her best to pretend she was disinterested in Jake. Liar, I kissed him like a love-starved idiot.

  She climbed inside and buckled up. When he rounded the SUV, she ignored him until he handed her a thermal cup.

  “I made you chamomile tea.”

  She was done for. How was she supposed to remain indifferent to a man so thoughtful? “Thank you.” Her fingers grazed his during the exchange. “What’s on your agenda today?”

  He glanced to the cargo section of the SUV. “Helping Will set up his reading corner, and then I’ve got some coaching calls to make. I’m hoping Agatha can help me out today. What about you?” He backed up and turned around to head toward town.

  She sipped her tea and stared straight ahead. “I don’t know. I’ve never had a day off where I didn’t have something to do. I should be looking for a place to live, but with my car in the shop, that will be difficult.” She turned around to look at Will. “If it weren’t for him, I probably would have stayed home to read.”

  Jake turned from Country Road 5 on to the main highway. “Lucky for you, I own a bookstore.”

  “But it’s not a library,” Will piped in.

  Jake chuckled. “Your sister can read what she wants.”

  “Hey,” Will complained. “That’s not fair. How come she gets different rules than me?”

  “Because she doesn’t dogear the books, and she’s prettier.”

  Will laughed. “That’s because you’ve never seen me in a dress.”

  They both chanced a look at him.

  “Teasing,” Will said and went back to his book.

  They drove the rest of the way to town in relative silence with an occasional “No way” or “Cool” coming from the back seat.

  “We’re here,” Jake said as he pulled into the alleyway behind the shop. “Don’t go in empty-handed. There’s a lot to bring in and set up.” He turned to her. “That wasn’t for you. You don’t have to help.”

  “I’m happy to do my share.” She opened the door before he could come around and get it for her. She didn’t need him near her, to smell his cologne, or any other reason to want to take him down a secluded bookstore aisle to get lost in his kisses. She needed a man less than another panic attack. The problem was, she hadn’t had a man in her life for years. The last time she could remember being with anyone was when she was twenty-seven and working at Tipsy’s in Sacramento. She couldn’t remember the guy’s name. Not sure she’d even asked. It was a one-night thing. Kind of like taking a throat lozenge to ease the pain. Once it was gone, it was forgotten.

  She grabbed the crayons and markers along with the cardstock and kids’ scissors. She considered how brave it was to allow scissors and markers in a bookstore. She hoped Jake knew what he was getting himself into.

  They made several trips back and forth until the cargo area was empty, and a sheen of sweat covered their brows.

  Jake looked at his watch and then at her. “Would you mind watching the counter for a few minutes?” He pointed to his watch. “I’ve got a conference call in ten minutes.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Was this your plan all along, your way of getting me to run your register?”

  His eyes shifted to look at the ceiling. “Yep, I caused you to have a panic attack, broke your car, and covered your shifts so you could be here just in case.”

  “Thought so.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

  He stared for several seconds. First at her tongue, then at her lips.

  “Is that a yes, you’ll help?”

  “Show me what to do.”

  He showed her how to scan the book in for inventory and then told her to calculate the discount and ring it up on the old register.

  “Got it. Go change the world.”

  “That’s my plan. World domination—one person at a time.” He leaned in as if he would kiss her, but he caught himself mid lunge and turned the other way.

  She moved around the corner to unlock the door and flip the closed sign to open.

  For a small town, there was consistent traffic to the bookstore. The first person in was Cannon.

  “Hey, Natalie. I didn’t know you worked here.” He moved past her to the self-help section before she could correct him.

  Five minutes later, he peeked his head around the shelf. “Do you know where the book What to Expect When You’re Expecting is?”

  She rounded the counter and considered his question. The bookstore was too small to have a parenting section, but maybe it was in the non-fiction area. Having been down the rows several times, she knew exactly where to look.

  “I’d assume it’s in non-fiction.” She moved through the books until she found what he was looking for. “Here you go.” She considered asking if he and Sage were trying for a baby, but thought it was too personal a question.

  “Sage is convinced she won’t be ready when our little lima bean is born.”

  What the hell? “Are you pregnant or still practicing?”

  He looked at her like she’d grown a third eye. “She’s due around Thanksgiving.” He skimmed through the book. “I guess you weren’t here when we made the announcement.”

  “No, I was probably picking up Will.” She glanced at the shelf and saw a familiar face looking back at her. The book by Jake was called Love the Life You Live. She tucked it to her side and walked Cannon to the register, where she hid it on the ledge below. “Isn’t she a neonatal nurse? I thought for sure she’d have this motherhood stuff down pat.” She took the book from him and scanned it.

  “I guess it’s different when it’s yours.”

  “Do you need anything else?”

  “Nope. That should do it. Unless they have reference material on how to be a supportive husband without wanting to kill your baby mama.”

  She took the twenty and made change. “Maybe you should write that one after you survive. Could be a bestseller.”

  “Maybe I will.” He shoved his change into his front pocket. “If I survive.”

  “You two will be great.”

  Cannon walked out, and she pulled the book from under the counter, opening it to the first chapter, called, “The things we avoid are the things we grow the most from.”

  She read how most people isolate themselves from their past hurts to avoid future pain, but they limit their existence and can’t lead an authentic life.

  She scanned the chapter headings.

  “Negative thoughts—you can’t stop them from entering your head, but you can refuse to let them take up residence in your life.”

  She scrolled down the list, stopping on the ones that jumped out at her like, “Fear regret more than failure,” and “Progress involves risk; you can’t move forward if you don’t take the first step.”

  She was fully engrossed when her phone pinged with an incoming message.

  Hi,

  This is Lydia. Hope it�
�s okay that Doc gave me your number, but I wanted to let you know that Wes has a house that might work for you. It’s on Pansy Lane. Let me know when you’ll be in town to see it.

  Lydia

  She closed the book and placed it back under the counter. She shut her eyes and said a silent prayer of hope before she texted back.

  I’m at the bookstore helping. What are the terms?

  Natalie

  There was no use in getting her hopes up if she couldn’t afford it.

  An answer came back immediately.

  Work, like painting and gardening for rent. It’s not updated yet, but it’s got everything you’ll need.

  She bounced on her toes. Could it be real, or was this another way the universe would give her the finger? She tamped down her excitement and replied.

  Is there any way I can see it today?

  Lydia didn’t text back. Instead, she walked into the bookstore a few minutes later and handed her a set of keys.

  “Wes said to let him know. If you want the place, keep the keys, and start moving your stuff over. If not, bring them back to the clinic. I’ll be there all day.” She turned to leave. “Did you get word on your car?”

  Natalie shook her head. “No, and I’m afraid to ask.”

  “Doc said he’d take care of it and he will. I’ve never seen him promise something and renege.” She looked to where Will was setting up a Lego table in the corner. “Can I borrow him? We had a cancelation today, and I can fit in his physical and immunizations before our next patient.”

  Her first instinct was to say no because as nice as it sounded, it also meant that she’d be in debt to Doc and Lydia. Then again, wasn’t she already? Soon, she’d have to file payback bankruptcy.

  “Will, Doctor Lydia wants to take you for your school physical.”

  He eyed them both with apprehension. “Am I getting shots?”

  “Do you have a shot record that shows your existing shots?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “But I’m sure my old school does.”

  “Good thinking. We’ll start with the physical part. Agatha can call the school so they can fax over his shot records.” She pulled open the door. “Let’s go, buddy. If you’re good, you can steal a candy bar from Doc’s shelf.”

  Will’s eyes nearly popped from his head. “I gave that up. I’ve been a member of shoplifters anonymous since I moved in with my sister, the warden.”

  She raced around the counter to give him a pinch, but Will was too quick and was out the door before she could reach him.

  Another thirty minutes went by before Jake walked out of the office.

  “How did it go?” He looked around. “Where’s my partner?”

  “Lydia picked him up and took him for his school physical and shots.”

  “Ouch.” Jake moved around to the back of the register.

  “Yep, doesn’t sound fun at all.”

  When Jake leaned down, she knew he would see the book she’d been reading. She rushed to grab it before he did but was once again too slow.

  “Can’t get enough of me, huh?” He moved closer. The smell of his cologne filled her nostrils with its intoxicating scent. It wasn’t overwhelming—just the perfect blend of man and sex appeal.

  “Give me that.” She reached for the book.

  He shook his head slowly and moved in closer until he’d pinned her against the wall. “Not a chance. You want to talk about the book, or share another kiss we shouldn’t but know we will? While I know it’s not wise, I can’t resist you, and I don’t think you can resist me either.”

  “You’re confident.” She set her hands on his chest, ready to push him back, but she let her fingers float over the cotton to feel each hill and valley.

  “More like perceptive. I’m great at reading people, and while your body language is primed to push me away, the deeper green of your eyes and the pulse of your artery at the base of your neck says something altogether different.” He ran his fingers from her cheek to the pulse point at the sensitive crook.

  “What you think you see is my excitement over a home for Will and me. If you can watch the register for yourself, I’ll walk over and see if it will do.”

  He set his hand on her shoulders. “Darn, I was hoping you wanted that kiss. I’ve been dreaming about another one since yesterday. Those lips have other skills than spitting out sass.”

  “You’re impossible.” She flattened her hands on his chest, getting ready to shove, but she gripped his shirt and pulled him in for that kiss they’d both been craving. Just as his lips were touching hers, the door opened and in walked Will.

  “Doctors suck. And shots are worse.”

  Jake jumped back. He pulled something from her hair. “There it is. Not a spider but lint.” He dropped nothing into her hand and winked.

  “You were kissing my sister.”

  “He was looking …” She stopped mid-sentence. She would lie, but that was against the rules. In her book, it was all right to lie to herself but not to others.

  “For your tonsils?” Will looked between them and grinned. “Took you long enough. I’m only twelve, and even I see more action than you.”

  Jake ignored Will’s comment. “You ready to go see that house?”

  Will’s demeanor brightened. “There’s a house? Can I go?”

  “We’re all going.” Jake flipped the sign to closed.

  “Everyone will think you’re closed more than you’re open.” She stepped around him and swiped the keys from the counter.

  Jake shrugged. “Until I find an employee, the hours will vary according to my needs. Putting myself first doesn’t mean I’m putting anyone last. Right now, I’m seeing to you and Will because you two are important to me.”

  The heat of his words warmed her chest while the memory of touching him made other parts of her downright sizzle.

  “You are leaving, right?” she asked as she led the way to the back door. “You know, you’re temporary, correct?”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Perfect.”

  She climbed inside the SUV and smiled. Maybe she needed a lozenge named Jake to take care of the ache inside her.

  “What’s the address?” Jake pulled out of the alleyway and turned toward Main Street.

  She looked at the tag on the keys. “Thirty-five Pansy Lane. Take the first right and then a left.” She leaned toward the dash to get the first glimpse of what could be their home. “I could have walked.”

  Jake smiled. “You could have, but I wanted to see it too.”

  “There.” She pointed to the house in the center of a weed garden. The paint was peeling, and the picket fence that surrounded the yard was missing several pickets, but it had a roof, and the porch wasn’t being held up with a wedged-in two by four. On her initial glance, it had windows.

  “It’s a fixer-upper,” Jake said while parking at the curb.

  “It looks haunted,” Will whispered.

  “I’m sure it’s not.” She opened her door and stepped onto the patch of overgrown weeds that lined the street.

  Jake and Will followed her through the squeaky gate and up the front steps. She stomped on the surface to make sure it wouldn’t cave in. Or maybe it was a warning to any rodents living inside to vacate.

  When she put in the key and turned the lock, she held her breath. What would wait on the other side?

  As the door opened, she stood on the threshold, ready to bolt if something skittered her way. She could do spiders, but rats and mice were a no-go in her book.

  When nothing charged forward, she inched inside. The house was dusty and smelled stale, but there weren’t any holes in the living room floor, and the lights were attached to the ceilings.

  She let out a sigh of relief.

  Will brushed past her, wincing when his arm grazed hers. “Holy smokes.” He painfully spread his just immunized arms and turned in a circle. “There’s so much room.”

  She moved through the room while Will ran down a hallway,
no doubt to pick out his bedroom. She walked into the kitchen and stood in front of the sink. The space was galley style with white speckled counters and harvest-gold appliances.

  “Let’s cross our fingers.”

  Jake stood behind her as she reached for the faucet and turned the knob. When clear water rushed out, she giggled with glee.

  She turned around and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s perfect. Oh. My. God. It’s perfect.”

  “I suppose it’s all perspective.”

  “I want it. I need it.”

  He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “You’re saying, yes?”

  “Yes,” she shouted.

  “About the house or our next kiss?”

  He didn’t give her a moment to process the question. Instead, he covered her mouth with his and made her feel things she hadn’t felt in years or since the last kiss he’d given her.

  She told herself that it wasn’t him that made her heart race and her insides smolder; it was the excitement of having a house, but she knew she wasn’t being honest. Jake could be hazardous to her heart if he stayed, but knowing he would leave allowed her to take a risk and be self-indulgent.

  “I picked out my room,” Will said as he raced around the corner and stopped dead beside them.

  Jake didn’t jump back this time. He finished the kiss and then turned around to smile. “That’s awesome.”

  Will tried to keep his grin from growing, but he was twelve and had no self-control.

  “Oh, don’t stop for me. A kid could learn a lot by watching.”

  “Go to your room,” she said and pulled Jake down for another kiss.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jake wanted to toss the phone across the room. “You’re bringing in another candidate?” he asked Matt Steinman.

  “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Out of the three, I like you the best, but sadly we have a board of directors. Since a partnership is a long-term relationship, the board wants to make sure it will last.”

  “Might as well just bring everyone to Vision Quest and have a coach off. Kind of like a Chopped championship for life coaches, just to see what secret techniques and ingredients we have in our basket.”

  “Not a bad idea.”