The stratus clouds continued to float slowly past, a freeform display of nothing at all. No answers. No assurances that he’d made the right decision and that everything would start looking up.
Luke let out a breath and turned to head back, pausing when he caught sight of a painted wooden sign. It was simple. No fancy graphics. No scrolls or decals. Just letters painted in a bold burgundy on a whitewashed background.
The Bloom Boutique.
He stared at it for a moment. Then stared at the store itself, with the handwritten “Be back by 1:00” note taped to the front door. Luke felt the sudden urge to hang out on the inviting front porch steps until Taycee returned, just to see her smile and hear what she’d have to say. She’d make the day look brighter.
A strange “here’s your answer” feeling washed over him, but Luke shook it off. It was only a coincidence. That’s all.
Over a week of early mornings and late nights had finally brought Taycee past the halfway point of the first two weeks. Her dates with Kent, Miles, and Gavin were now in the past, and Jason—well, almost. Only a doorstep scene to go.
Jason pulled to a stop in front of her apartment. “Stay right there. I’ll get your door.”
As much as Taycee appreciated a guy who’d open the door, Jason was over-the-top. He’d practically pushed the waiter aside to pull out her chair during dinner, and every time the air conditioning kicked on, he’d ask, “Are you too cold? I can ask the waiter to turn that down if you want.”
“Thanks, but no. I’m good.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Are you hot then?”
“No. Really, I’m good. Promise.”
It was a good thing they hadn’t come across any puddles, because Jason probably would have stripped off his yellow polo shirt and thrown it down. Either that or scooped her up and carried her across. He was like a gentleman on a mission. And Taycee, well, she was a girl who liked to jump a puddle every once in a while, maybe even splash in one.
Jason helped her out of the car and kept her hand in his as they sauntered up the walk. On the doorstep, he caught her off guard by pulling her into his arms and trying to kiss her.
Palms on his chest, Taycee pushed him back. “Down boy.”
A teasing glint sparked in his eyes. “Playing hard to get?”
“No. I just don’t kiss on the first date. Never have, never will. Thanks for a fun night.” With that, she left him standing on the doorstep without even a hug goodbye. The door closed between them, and she immediately twisted the deadbolt as if it would somehow keep her from ever having to see him again.
Taycee took a long, relaxing hot bath, and then wrapped herself in a soft terry cloth robe, crawled into bed, and opened her laptop. It had been two days since she’d talked with Missy and still no scandalous stories had surfaced on the Behind-the-Scenes of Shelter’s Bachelorette Blog. Started by an anonymous citizen a few weeks before the show began, the blog was always an entertaining read, especially now that it focused mostly on the new bachelors in town. The writer was skilled in taking a tiny morsel of truth and turning into something outrageous.
Like today.
Taycee’s jaw dropped when she read the title of the post: “Can Poly-dating Go Both Ways?” Below the words was a picture of Missy sidled up next to Luke in line at the diner. Taycee clamped a hand over her mouth as a giggle escaped. Holy cow, Missy had done it—she’d actually done it. And with photographic proof, no less. Taycee scrolled down. Missy and Luke all cozy in a secluded booth. Missy and Luke talking. Missy and Luke—kissing? What?
Her laptop slammed shut with a snap.
Luke had let Missy kiss him? Kiss him! Why would he do that? He’d never fall for someone like Missy, would he? Taycee shoved her laptop aside, hating that she cared enough to regret ever calling Missy Green. Why couldn’t Taycee just let it go? Let him go? Why couldn’t she move on?
She slid down in her bed and yanked up the covers to her chin. She needed to get her mind on something else. Anything. Work. Yes, that would do it. A lily arrangement needed to be done first thing in the morning. Five white Calla lilies and whatever else Taycee wanted to add. Maybe she would mix in some dark pink roses. Or better yet, keep it all white with added roses, snapdragons and salal. Yes.
White. Classic. Romantic. Perfect for a young couple in love.
An image of Luke’s face popped into Taycee’s mind. She grabbed a pillow, mashed it over her face and screamed, long and hard. Then she threw it across the room as the strains of Jessa’s ringtone filled the silence.
She grabbed her phone.
“Wow, Luke’s sure got those discussion boards zinging,” Jessa said. “In one day flat, he’s gone from one of the favorites to the bottom of the barrel. Pretty impressive.”
This was exactly what Taycee had wanted. It was, it was, it was! But the picture of Missy’s lips planted on Luke’s wouldn’t leave her mind. She felt like screaming again. “I’m sure he and Missy will be very happy together.”
“Oh please, like Luke would ever go for someone like her,” said Jessa. “I guarantee this was all Missy’s doing. Her and her giant need for attention.”
“He let her kiss him.”
Jessa laughed. “Is that jealousy I hear in your voice?”
Ugh. Surely there was a better word for what she was feeling. Frustration? Annoyance? Confusion? Anything that sounded less pathetic than jealousy. “More like relief. Hopefully he’ll get voted off now.”
“You keep telling yourself that’s what you really want if it makes you feel better.”
“Believe whatever you want. You always do.”
“Sheesh, someone’s a little testy tonight,” Jessa said. “I wonder why.”
“I’m tired, okay? You try getting up early every morning, being on your feet all day long, and then going out with a different guy every night while two cameras follow you around.”
“Hey, don’t blame me. I told you to take some time off from work.” Jessa sounded completely unrepentant. She was probably more concerned about what color of nail polish she should choose to paint her toes.
Taycee sighed. “You know I can’t afford to do that. Besides, I like work. It’s all the dating I could do without. After this show, I’m taking a long hiatus from all men. Did you know that Jason actually tried to kiss me tonight?”
“Did you punch him?”
“Just about.”
Jessa laughed. “I would have.”
“I have a little more self-control than you do.”
“It’s not called self-control,” said Jessa. “It’s called bottling your emotions. You’re like a shaken can of soda ready to erupt. I honestly pity the guy that finally opens you up. Boy is he going to get it.”
Taycee rolled her eyes. “Look at you, waxing all metaphoric. Maybe you should write that down before you forget it.”
“Maybe I should.”
“Great, I’ll leave you to it then. Night.”
“Night.”
Taycee resisted the urge to throw her phone as she flopped back on her bed. Her lamp lit up her room in a dim glow, forming abstract shadows all over the walls. When the silence became too much, she turned up the volume on her clock radio, letting a despondent melody crackle through the speakers as she stared at the ceiling. Was Jessa right? Had she been bottling up her emotions, especially where Luke was concerned?
Or had she been burying them? Deep underneath, to a place that could never be breached by anyone. A place they might eventually fade away.
DATES #7 AND #8 WITH MILES AND GREG went better than all the other dates combined. Miles took her to a demolition derby and entertained her with hilarious stories from his youth, and Greg took her miniature golfing, making her laugh with the way he sized up every hole and got frustrated when he didn’t make par.
Now Friday loomed before Taycee like her own personal D-day, especially when Jake had an unexpected business emergency and asked to change their date from Thursda
y night to early Friday afternoon, which meant two dates in one day.
Nothing like finishing up round one with a bang.
It had been a bad day from the get-go. Not only had Taycee mixed up an order and needed to make an extra run to Colorado Springs, but she pricked her fingers at least a dozen times and even missed lunch. By the time Jake picked her up at The Bloom Boutique, her head pounded and the skies threatened rain—a perfect match to her current mood.
Please, please say that Jake had something low-key planned. Like popcorn and a movie or a scenic drive through the surrounding mountains.
“I thought it would be fun to go hiking,” he said, killing her hopes. “I hear there’s a great waterfall at the end of a trailhead nearby.”
Taycee’s feet immediately complained, as did her stomach. “Sounds fun. Mind if we stop off at my place so I can change and get some hiking shoes?”
“Sure.”
Back at her place, Jake, Burt, and Megan waited in the car as Taycee slipped on some khaki shorts and a T-shirt. She wolfed down two granola bars as she tied her shoes. When she finally resurfaced, Jake leaned casually against the passenger door of his black Audi, patiently waiting. He smiled and pulled the door open for her.
She hesitated on her doorstep before forcing her feet forward. Honestly, what was wrong with her? She should be giddy at the prospect of a date with Jake Sanford. A normal girl would have left work early. Pampered herself. Dressed carefully. Applied her makeup with care, and then waited impatiently for him to arrive with his adorably mussed hair and light eyes.
“Wow, you deserve an award for the fastest change time ever,” Jake said.
“Keeping nice guys waiting isn’t my style.”
“I seriously doubt anyone would mind waiting for you.”
Taycee smiled as she sat down on a tan leather seat. “Nice car.”
“Thanks. It comes with the job.”
The door shut and Jake walked around to the other side. Taycee did a quick inspection of the car, but it didn’t really tell her anything about Jake—other than he was a neat freak. Or maybe he’d just had the car detailed for the date. There wasn’t a speck of dust anywhere, no gum wrappers, pens, or even coins in the cup holders. Everything was pristine. Perfect. Like Jake. Maybe a bit too perfect.
Was that the problem?
Jake slid in beside her, started the car, and headed out of town.
“What kind of job gives you a car?” Taycee said.
“The family business kind.” He chuckled. “Still impressed?”
“Ah. So you’re one of those kids.”
“Guilty yet grateful,” he said. “What sort of kid are you?”
“Average,” she said.
Jake shot her a doubtful look, but didn’t argue. “What about your parents? Do they live around here?”
“No. They retired to Florida several years ago. They wanted sun and more sun, with no threat of snow ever. That’s what they got.” She smiled, but it wasn’t exactly sincere. In her mind, they’d chosen nice weather over her. It still stung when she thought about it like that.
The car started the climb up the narrow mountain road, next to a grove of Aspen trees that seemed to wave at them. Clustered together like one large family unit with their root system all interconnected, they were a rude reminder of what Taycee no longer had. It had been four years since her parents had left, even longer since her brother had gone, and yet she’d never really reconciled herself to the change. It was like her roots were just hanging out there, floundering around and searching for something new to hold onto.
“What do they think of this bachelorette show?” Jake asked.
Taycee blinked, suddenly remembering why she was with Jake in the first place. Burt and Megan sat quietly behind them while a camera filmed her every move and word. She let out a breath. What had Jake asked? Oh yeah, her parents. The show. “I haven’t told them yet. They’d probably freak out and lecture me about how dating more than one guy at the same time is asking for trouble.”
Jake unrolled his window. “As long as we’re both being honest, my sister signed me up without me knowing. I would never agree to do something like this on purpose.”
“Really?” For some reason, that made Taycee like Jake even more. He was here against his will, too. A pawn, like her. It felt good to know she wasn’t the only one who could be manipulated—other than Luke, that is.
“Yeah.” Jake’s elbow hung out the window while his fingers drummed against the top of the car door. “She interferes like that. All the time. I was mad at first, but when my video made it as a finalist, I figured, hey, why not?” He shot her a quick look. “Besides, I’ve always been a sucker for green-eyed brunettes.”
“Ahhh, thanks.” Even though her eyes were hazel, not green. It made Taycee doubt his sincerity, like he would he have said blue-eyed blondes or brown-eyed redheads if her hair and eyes were a different color. Or maybe Taycee had become too jaded.
Jake pulled to a stop at the trailhead at the same time thunder rattled through the skies. He pulled out a few ponchos to take with them while Burt and Amy worked to waterproof their gear. Then away they all went. A mile later, the skies opened up and rain came pouring down. They quickly donned their ponchos, but it didn’t take long for the dirt path to become a muddy mess, attaching to the soles of Taycee’s shoes like a thick paste that became heavier with every step.
She was about to suggest they turn back when her foot slipped out of her hiking shoe. She grabbed onto Jake to keep from losing her balance and pointed behind her. “The mud ate my shoe.”
“What?” Jake twisted his head back, and then laughed when he saw her shoeless foot dangling behind her. With a firm grip on Taycee’s arm, he reached back and tugged hard on the shoe. With a splack, the shoe dislodged, pitching Jake backwards. Taycee planted her socked foot in the mud to keep from following him to the ground.
Jake sat in the mud, eyeing the shoe with a so-not-worth-it expression.
“Really, that was above and beyond. It was only a shoe.” Taycee tried to swallow the gurgle of laughter in her throat, but it escaped. Followed by more giggles.
His gaze shifted to her as he held out his hand. “Do me a favor and help me up.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. I have an older brother, so I know from experience what will happen if I give you my hand.” She paused. “I’d love my shoe back through.”
Other than slightly raised eyebrows, his expression remained impassive as he dutifully held out the shoe. Taycee hesitated for a second, and then took it from him. It was on the tip of her tongue to say “Thanks” when he lunged for her hand and dragged her down beside him.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jake said. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
“This means war.” Taycee grabbed a handful of mud and slapped it in his face. Jake reciprocated, and before long, they were both covered in mud and laughing. They sat there for several minutes before Jake finally pulled her up. Together they trudged the mile back to the car and stood there, looking through the windows at the clean interior.
“So what’s the plan?” Taycee asked, nudging him from the side. “Let Burt or Megan drive while we ride on top?”
Jake turned his gaze upward, squinting into the rain. “The way I see it, if we stand here long enough, it will be like taking a shower.”
“True.” Taycee started rubbing the mud from her arms and body as best she could. Jake followed suit while Burt and Megan ducked inside the car. Taycee then removed her poncho and turned it inside out so she had something semi-dry to sit on while she peeled off her muddy shoes and socks. Once again, Jake followed her lead and soon they were all shut back inside Jake’s now only partially immaculate car.
“You obviously have experience with this sort of thing,” Jake said.
“My mom’s a neat freak too.”
“I’m not a neat freak,” argued Jake. But the stiff way he sat forward, trying not to touch the back of his seat, told Taycee otherwi
se. She held back a laugh.
On their way back down the mountain, Jake called for take-out from the diner. They picked it up and took it to Taycee’s shop where they ate surrounded by the clutter of flowers, vases, and ribbons. No matter how many times she tried to organize and de-clutter, it never really looked clean—something she became even more aware of now that Jake sat across from her.
They ate and chatted until Taycee finally glanced at the clock. Her eyes went wide when she noticed the time. “Oh shoot, we’ve got to go.” Luke would be at her place any second, and she was a mess. Stringy hair, damp clothes, remnants of mud everywhere. She could already hear Luke’s voice: Did you save some mud for the pigs? or Hey, you really didn’t need to dress up just for me. Or, more likely he’d say something loaded with innuendo. Wow, somebody had a good time. Want me to take off so you two can get back to it?
Jake helped her clean up before they dashed through the rain and back to his car. By the time they arrived, Luke was already there, waiting in his truck.
Crap.
Taycee leaned over and gave Jake a quick hug. “Thanks for a really fun date.” In a matter of a few hours, he’d managed to turn a bad day around for her, making her forget about her aching feet and pounding head—not to mention her upcoming date with Luke.
Well, almost forget.
Jake tugged on a clump of her hair. “Not everyone can pull off this look you know. But somehow, you make mud look good.”
Taycee smiled, and then grabbed her shoes and bolted through the rain to her apartment door. She quickly scrubbed herself off in a real shower, yanked her hair back into a damp ponytail, changed into some dry clothes, and threw on her favorite Bronco’s baseball cap. After shoving her feet into a pair of blue platform sneakers, she raced back outside.
Her shoe landed in a muddy puddle just outside of Luke’s truck. She felt like cursing as she jumped inside and slammed the squeaky door against the downpour.
“Your shoes are muddy,” was the first thing Luke said.
Taycee looked pointedly at the faded and cracked upholstery, old radio, and matt-less floor—a stark contrast to Luke’s Audi. “They fit right in.”
The Reluctant Bachelorette Page 9