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

by Kelly Collins

  She spritzed on her dime-store body spray, picked up her tube of Chapstick, and walked into the living room.

  “Are you ready?” she called to her brother.

  “Coming.”

  She heard him race around his room to gather the stuff he wanted to share. Somehow, he’d gone from owning a few books to having his own collection of Legos, action figures, and games.

  He tottered down the hallway with his arms full. When his prized GI Joe fell from the top, and he leaned over to catch it, the whole mountain of toys fell to the floor.

  She dropped her bag and rushed over to help him pick up the treasures he hoped to share with the Williams kids.

  “Are you sure you need all of this?”

  He looked at the three boxes, two books, and four action figures lying on the wooden floor. “Yes, I do.”

  She laughed. “Last time you were there, an action figure ended up as Barbie’s husband.” She stacked the boxes, books, and boy dolls and placed them back in his arms. She knew Will wasn’t showing off. She got it. He just wanted to fit in, and having things to share helped him achieve his goal. “Why don’t we put those things in a bag?”

  Ten minutes later, they were standing in front of Louise’s door.

  As soon as it opened, Will dashed inside.

  “Hey, aren’t you going to say goodbye?”

  He blushed, tossed his head from side to side, and came back to give her a hug. “It’s not like I’m moving out.”

  Louise looked at the overstuffed grocery bag. “Are you sure? By what you’re bringing in, it appears you might stay forever.”

  Will laughed. “Would you even notice?”

  Louise pointed down the hallway to where Brian waited in front of his room. “Get down the hallway, little critter.” She turned to Natalie. “It would probably take me a few days to realize I had one more.”

  “Thanks for taking him.”

  Louise lifted a brow. “Are you having another date night with Mr. Sexy?”

  Thinking about the night ahead, Natalie’s insides turned warm and gooey. “Maybe,” she said coolly. “He’s making me dinner. Told me to bring an appetite.”

  Louise waggled her brows. “That doesn’t mean he’s cooking dinner.”

  She could feel the heat of the blush rush to her cheeks. “It doesn’t mean he isn’t.”

  With a wave of her hand, Louise dismissed her remark. “Honey, that man has it bad for you. I see it. Maisey sees it. Hell, the whole town sees it. Why can’t you?”

  “Oh, I know he likes me.” She considered his feelings for her. That night they first made love, he told her he could love her. But words said during passion weren’t always true. It could be the voice of hormones fogging the brain. “I think I’m a nice distraction while he waits for his opportunity to open up.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “I might even be a project for him.”

  “I don’t think so. I believe he genuinely cares about you. Whether you want to admit it, you care about him too. I see it in your eyes when you think no one is looking. Do you love him?”

  Her question sent Natalie’s heart racing. That built-in fight-or-flight response took over.

  “This isn’t about love. We’re friends.”

  “With benefits.” Louise looked behind her, and when she saw no one, she leaned in and asked, “Is he generous with those benefits? I mean … a girl needs a solid employment package these days if you know what I’m getting at.”

  “Are you asking me if his package is solid or if it’s comprehensive?” She giggled. “It’s both.”

  “That makes him a keeper right there. Have you ever wondered why I have eight kids?” She rolled her shoulders. “It’s because Bobby offered a solid and comprehensive benefits package too.”

  “I kind of jumped into the parenting role with both feet. If parents started with a pre-teen, there would be a lot of single-child homes.”

  “Nonsense. Every age is trying, but it’s also rewarding. You missed out on the hours of rocking a baby in your arms. The first steps and words. You might raise Will, and you’ll love him to the ends of the earth, but it’s different when you look into the eyes of a child and see yours reflected back. You and Jake would make beautiful babies.”

  “There isn’t a Jake and me. He’s leaving.”

  “Are you sure? Seems to me, he’s staying a lot longer than he planned.”

  The sigh she let loose settled in the air between them. “He’s waiting for the offer.”

  Louise leaned against the doorjamb. “Did you know that Bobby was all ready to go into the Army? He was packed and prepared to head to the recruiter’s office in Denver. They’d scheduled his physical and everything.”

  “Bobby was in the army?”

  “No, that’s my point. He jumped in his truck and got halfway to Denver when he decided I was all he needed. He came right back, rushed me to Copper Creek to get married, and took over his dad’s garage. His parents moved to Texas, and the rest is history.”

  “That’s so romantic.”

  “Or silly. I imagine he thinks about how different his life would be if he’d stayed the course and joined the army.”

  “It’s obvious he made the right decision. All you have to do is see how he looks at you and the kids to know he loves you.”

  “He either loves me or knows that paying child support on eight kids would kill him.”

  A ruckus started down the hallway with the girls fighting over a doll.

  “Looks like you’re needed.”

  Louise glanced over her shoulder. “They’ll figure it out. And you … you will too. That man waiting for you more than likes you. Have fun. Don’t worry. I’ll call if Will needs to come home; otherwise, we’ll see you tomorrow when you’re ready to come get him.”

  Natalie wasn’t affectionate by nature, but she reached for Louise and gave her a hug. “Thank you for everything.”

  “No, thank you.”

  "By the way, Doc wants bigger pieces of pie."

  The two women hugged again before Natalie left for Jake’s. The entire ride up to the cabin, she let herself fantasize about what a life with Jake would look like. Marriage, babies, family dinners. It was right out of a movie. But the realist in her knew that all good movies had an end.

  When she pulled in front of the cabin, she took a deep breath and tried to convince herself that she wasn’t in love with Jake.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  He’d done everything in his power to create a romantic getaway for them. The cabin was a single room that contained everything they needed for the night. He’d set the table with a mish-mash of dishes and glasses. There were wildflowers in a mason jar in the center. He’d found several honey-scented candles on the shelf and placed them around the room to create ambiance.

  Dinner was in the oven, and the smell of his favorite vegetarian lasagna filled the air. A bottle of cabernet sat breathing on the counter.

  He took a final look around to make sure he was ready. Why this date seemed more important, he couldn’t say, but it was. Inside he knew the truth, but he didn’t want to admit it to himself. He was in love with Natalie Keane.

  On paper, they were complete opposites. She was poor, and he was rich. She was closed off, and he was open. She didn’t ask for much, and he wanted everything. But somehow, they were the perfect fit. She fed off his strength, and he settled into her acceptance. He bought things she couldn’t afford, and she gave him things he could never buy. Somehow over the last few weeks, she’d become a necessity in his life.

  He knew she considered him to be her savior, but the opposite was true. She’d shown him that he had more to offer than life advice. The scars that used to run deep were now superficial, and she kissed them like they were the best part of him.

  He hated to admit it, but while he taught people how to navigate life, Natalie had shown him how to actually live.

  The tires on the gravel told him she was here. The pace of his heart picked up. She wasn’t e
ven in the door, and yet his body filled with heat. It wasn’t all passion. Most of it was a warm fuzzy feeling of being with the one person who made a difference in his existence.

  He picked a piece of lint from the shoulder of his shirt—the blue shirt she loved the most—and made his way to the door. When he opened it, she was standing on the porch with a smile and her backpack.

  Dressed in jeans and a soft aqua T-shirt, she was gorgeous.

  “Come in.” He stepped aside to let her pass. “You look beautiful, Natalie.”

  “Not so bad yourself.” Her fingers ran across his chest as she passed him. “I love that shirt.”

  “I love …” He almost said you, but he didn’t. “I love that you’re here.”

  She glanced around the room that held everything from a kitchen to a bed to a living room all in one space.

  “And I thought my tiny house was efficient. This place is …”

  “Small,” he said. He took her bag and tossed it on the sofa before he wrapped his arms around her. “I missed you.”

  “You saw me earlier today in the bookstore.”

  He brushed his palm over her cheek. The soft strands of her hair caught between his fingers.

  “You’re like a Twix. They always put two in a package because one isn’t enough.” He kissed her softly, sensually, slowly.

  When they finished the first kiss, she laid her head against his chest.

  “Eat too many, and you’ll get sick.”

  “I could never get sick of you.” He walked her to the center of the room. “So this is it. Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes. I thought we could enjoy a glass of wine and each other.”

  Her eyes went straight to the bed.

  He hadn’t put rose petals on it, but the sheets were clean, and he’d laid a single daisy on her pillow.

  “What do you want first, the wine or the enjoyment?”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t expect that you’d arrive, and we’d jump straight into bed.”

  “But you wouldn’t mind, right?” She pulled off her shirt and walked to the bed. “I mean … whatever you’re cooking smells great, but why waste thirty minutes chatting when we could build up an appetite?” She reached behind her and unclasped her bra. It fell to the floor next to her feet.

  Natalie was naked from the waist up, asking if he’d rather chat or get on with enjoying her. Was that even a question?

  “I told you to bring an appetite.”

  She kicked off her Keds and tugged at the button of her jeans. “I’m starving.”

  For a woman who didn’t say too much or show her cards too easily, Natalie was laying down her hand tonight.

  He crossed the room to where she stood and gazed into her eyes. “This isn’t about sex.”

  She giggled. “Don’t fool yourself. We both expected and wanted sex.”

  He couldn’t argue. “True.” He couldn’t think straight when her hands were tugging his shirt up and over his head. “But it’s more. This is about two people spending time together, getting to know one another more intimately.”

  She tossed his shirt to the side and started on the button of his jeans.

  “Yes, and that means sex.”

  The denim fell from his hips; he kicked out of his shoes and pulled her onto the bed. She was naked, and he wore socks.

  “It’s more than sex, Natalie. It’s—”

  She cut him off with a kiss. “Let’s start with this and figure the rest out later.”

  The next thirty minutes were filled with sensory overload. She touched his body without reservation. Her fingers tormented him. Her tongue tortured him. She made his heart sing, and his body crave more before they even finished. They lay beside each other with jelly legs and sweat covered bodies until the timer for dinner rang.

  “You hungry?”

  “For food?”

  “You’re insatiable.”

  He unfurled his body from hers and stood. Looking down at her pinkened skin, he could see where his kisses were too rough, and the scruff of his beard too abrasive, but the only word that came to mind wasn’t sorry. It was mine.

  He helped her up and, instead of handing her the shirt she’d arrived in, he gave her the blue one. Pulling it over her head, it settled around her thighs like a dress. He’d never seen anything look so sexy on a woman.

  He rushed to the bathroom to clean up and came back to dress in his jeans and a fresh polo—the green one—her second favorite.

  He pulled out her chair and poured her a glass of wine. Once he served up the lasagna, he took a seat across from her.

  “This is my favorite meal.”

  She lifted a brow. “This?” The look was suggestive.

  And when she glanced back at the bed, he laughed.

  “Okay, my second favorite.”

  When she put the first bite into her mouth and moaned, he was a goner. All the sounds Natalie made were great, but the sound that came out of her mouth right then was like porn.

  “Oh my God, you’re the whole deal. You’re sexy, good in bed, employed, and you can cook.”

  He took a bite and had to admit that it was amazing. “And I make tea.”

  “Yes, that’s the most important aspect.”

  “Right, now hurry up and eat because I’m dying to have dessert.” It was his turn to be suggestive, and his glance at the bed was not misinterpreted.

  She wiggled in her chair. “I love dessert.”

  He kept it to himself, but inside he said, “and I love you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Her body ached in all the right places. Jake had made love to her in ways she could only dream about. It was more than the physical connection; something about him linked with her heart. He’d shown her what love could look like if the person she was with really cared.

  “I wish we could stay here all day,” Jake said, sitting in the corner of the room in the overstuffed chair. They’d started their morning with passion and ended it with oatmeal and email.

  She tied her shoe and shoved her clothes into her backpack, including his blue shirt. He had put it on her, so now it was hers.

  “Me too, but I need to get Will. It wouldn’t be fair to leave him there much longer.”

  He rose from the chair and walked to her. “It’s Sunday. How about a row on the lake and an ice cream? We’ll pick up Will and can come back later to get your car.”

  Butterflies danced in her belly. She’d never had a good look at what a healthy relationship looked like. If she had to guess, this was a prime-time ad.

  “Really, you want to hang with us?”

  He slid his body close, pressing his hips to hers. “I’d rather be in bed, but since that’s not an option, ice cream seems like a good alternative.”

  “Sam’s Scoops?”

  “It’s the only way to go.”

  Like the gentleman he was, he led her to his SUV and helped her inside. He kissed her so thoroughly she almost caved and called Louise to see if they’d keep Will another night, but she couldn’t be selfish. Will would want ice cream and time with Jake too.

  They made the drive down the mountain holding hands.

  “Have you heard anything about the job?” Her heart twisted, thinking about it, but she’d rather prepare than have the news of his departure hit her like a bullet train when it happened.

  “Nope. I’m thinking they might have changed their mind about me.”

  Deep inside, she hoped so, but if she were honest with herself, even if they’d changed their mind, it didn’t mean he’d stay in Aspen Cove. He had a life in Phoenix.

  “They’d be stupid not to want you.”

  “You can’t always know what people think. There have been a lot of times when I thought someone wanted me, and I was wrong. There are lots of things to consider when making such a big decision.”

  She rolled those words around in her brain. The one thing she’d learned lately was that it wasn’t things that needed consideration, but people.

&
nbsp; “Do you think Jenny regrets leaving you?”

  He turned and gave her a sideways look. “What made you think of Jenny?”

  She situated herself, so her leg was bent on the seat, and she faced him as much as the seatbelt would allow.

  “Just thinking about how we make choices. She expected you to die, and you didn’t. Her choice meant she had to live without you. That must feel like a loss.” Before he could say anything, she continued. “Like me. I took in Will, and that choice means that I’m responsible for him forever. I never considered that when I drove down to Los Angeles.”

  “Do you regret taking in Will?”

  “No,” she said a little too vehemently. “I’d do it all again, but what I’m getting at is the choices we make have everlasting effects on our lives.”

  “It’s true. As for Jenny, I think she made the right choice, and it was a gift to me too. Anyone who can leave me when I need them the most isn’t the person I want to be with.”

  He turned on to the highway and headed toward town.

  “Thanks for a great night.”

  He reached over and placed his hand on her knee. “Natalie, the time I spend with you is some of the best moments of my life. You fill me full of …”

  He seemed to struggle for words. “This morning, it was oatmeal.”

  He nodded. “Yes, but last night it was happiness and hope.”

  They were only a few blocks from Louise’s. She’d texted before they left to let her know they were on their way so Will could be ready.

  “Is it hard to be in that cabin when you have such a great place in Phoenix?”

  He turned on to the street and inched toward the house. “Who says my place is great?”

  “It has to be. It’s the penthouse, and you had a designer decorate it.”

  He parked the car but did not try to get out. “It’s a house, not a home. It has all the things a person wants, but none of what I need.”

  He unbuckled and climbed out of the SUV.

  As he rounded it to open her door, she asked herself, “What does a man like Jake Powers need?” Her mind answered for her. Vision Quest. He had money and power, and all the things he could desire. What Jake wanted most of all was the respect of his peers.