Everyone assumed they’d just grown apart. Maybe that was true. His ex had turned into someone he barely recognized the last year of their marriage. Maybe he had, too. He’d been so occupied by school, work and clearing the land for the cabin that they rarely saw each other.
“Thankfully, the job I’d lined up in Denver was still open. I left town and never looked back, and I’ve only rarely been back, for holidays and such.”
“And to work on this amazing place.”
Jonah pulled in a deep breath, feeling better than he had in years. Maybe time did heal all wounds. Or maybe, it was just what he’d thought...the beautiful woman in his arms accounted for him being able to share the worst moment of his life with her.
And come out of it realizing he’d done the best he could’ve back then.
Had he been the perfect husband? No, but who was? He’d done his best by Lisette and it hadn’t been enough for her. But all of that was in the past. It was time to start looking toward the future.
His future.
“Thank you,” he said, gathering her into his arms, loving how easily she fit there.
“For what?”
“For listening.”
“I didn’t mind.” She traced a soapy pattern on his forearm where he held it over her breasts. “But I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”
“Me, too,” he agreed, suddenly wanting to talk about something else. Anything else. “But that’s in the past. I think we need to leave it there and concentrate on the more recent past. And the future.”
Vanessa’s fingers kept moving, but he detected a slight tension in her shoulders.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve got to admit being back in Denver, even for a few days, felt really strange. It was too noisy, too crowded.” Jonah gave her a gentle squeeze. “I found myself missing the wide-open spaces and peace here in Rust Creek Falls. Missing you.”
“Well, maybe you’re just a country boy at heart.”
“I never used to think so, but lately everything I thought I knew, believed, is now upside-down and twisted inside out.” Jonah chuckled again. “I’m finally ready to move forward. Damn, after eight years, it feels good to say that.”
“I bet it does.”
He laid a hand along her cheek and lightly turned her face until she looked at him. “You’re a big part of that, too.”
Her beautiful brown eyes widened. “Part of what?”
“Of some decisions I need to make.” He dropped a kiss to her lips. “Plans for the future.”
She pulled away from his touch, twisting in his arms so she could reach forward to flip the switch that held in the water before she stood, the bubbles sliding off her beautiful curves. “Ah, as interesting as that sounds, my only plans for the future are getting warm and rinsing off these bubbles.”
Jonah sat there, watching as she got out of the tub and tiptoed across the room to the oversize tiled stall shower. Seconds later, the water inside came on and it only took a moment for the glass door to steam over.
The abruptness of her move floored him and all he could do was sit as the water inside of the tub slowly emptied.
Then the door opened again and Vanessa popped her head out. “Hey, sexy. You going to stay over there or join me?”
He smiled, his body relaxing again, and got to his feet. Okay, now this was more like it.
Chapter Thirteen
Vanessa almost made it past the main ranch house when she spotted Rita Dalton in a pretty burgundy dress, perfect for Sunday-morning services, waving at her from her front porch.
When Jonah had left the cabin this morning, he’d asked about her plans for the day—mentioning again his mother’s standing invite for Sunday dinner—but she’d managed to sidestep answering him.
Much like she’d done for most of yesterday.
When he’d shared the reason for his marriage ending during their bath, Vanessa had worked hard to stay composed when all she’d wanted to do was rail against the hurt and injustice his ex-wife had put him through.
But then he started talking about looking forward, about the future. After her own internal battle about being worthy of even being alive an hour before, she’d bolted from the tub using the cooling water as an excuse to change the subject.
And the location. He’d joined her in the shower and after that, she’d kept him too busy to talk.
When his cousin Caleb had called soon afterward and said he and Mallory were looking for company for a late dinner, she’d jumped at the chance to go.
All because she was frightened of what he might say. Or ask.
Which was crazy, of course.
One would think a person would be excited if the man she loved started making plans—especially if those plans included her. But she now knew it wasn’t the unknown when it came to her relationship with Jonah that bothered her as much as the fact she wasn’t sure she had the right to even think about the future.
A belief confirmed by a voice mail left for her while she and Jonah had been making love in the shower.
She’d listened to it while Jonah had been making plans with his cousin, surprised at first when she heard Adele’s mother’s voice, but with Adele’s birthday coming up soon, she guess she shouldn’t have been. What the woman had said left her dumbstruck.
Easing her truck to a stop as Rita hurried down the steps, Vanessa glanced at her own paint-splattered jeans and old sweater. It was obvious she wasn’t heading to church this morning.
No, she was hoping to get lost in her painting.
She’d gotten used to working on the mural with an audience around and the interruptions weren’t too bad. People were genuinely interested in the images that were slowly coming to life and she’d gotten a few requests to turn her simple pen-and-ink sketches into full-color portraits.
Still, she found she missed the solace and peace in being alone with her art.
Vanessa put the truck into Park, but left it running. It was then she noticed the box Jonah’s mother held in her hands as she came down the walkway.
An icy blast roared through Vanessa that had nothing to do with the cool morning air coming from her now open window.
No, not yet. She wasn’t ready.
“Good morning, Vanessa. I’m glad I caught you.”
Rita’s greeting came with a warm smile, but it did nothing to thaw the deep freeze Vanessa was encased in. She tried to speak. Her mouth opened, the words ran through her head, but there was nothing.
“Vanessa?” Jonah’s mother reached through the window and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay, honey?”
She blinked hard and fought though the aching hurt, amazed at the power it still had over her.
Even after all this time.
She’d been so lost for so long in the sorrow that engulfed her when her friend died. To be so easily pulled back into that dark place was frightening.
“Ah, yes, I’m fine.” Vanessa forced out. “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”
“Well, this is yours.” Rita held up the box, the return address from Florida clearly visible. “Marcie dropped it off yesterday afternoon during her postal rounds since she was driving by the ranch.”
Vanessa nodded and reached for the package, surprised at how much it weighed. She held it to her chest for a moment, but when her eyes started to burn she quickly set it on the seat next to her. “Ah, thank you.”
“You know, we do need to get an official address for the cabin, instead of using ours. Not that I mind collecting your mail for you,” Rita quickly added. “But I totally understand a person’s need for privacy. Even if we do think of them as family.”
“Rita, I’m not—”
“Oh, I don’t mean to push, but you should know how
happy we are that you and Jonah have found each other.” The woman cut off her protest. “He’s needed a special someone in his life for a long time. Someone to keep him grounded while supporting his dreams. I think maybe you need that, too, dear.”
Not knowing how to reply to that or if she’d be able to and not break down in tears, Vanessa only thanked Rita again, and drove away.
She made it to the main road, before she reached down and rested one hand lightly on the box.
“Hello again, dear friend.”
* * *
“...and before I knew it, I’d agreed to buy the whole block. Well, not the actual block. Just one section, from street corner to street corner. Can you believe that? Vanessa? Hello?”
Vanessa looked up from the salad she’d been pushing around with her fork instead of eating. The resort’s main dining area was currently being used by the contractors and construction crew as both a meeting place and a lunch room. At least, until the fancy furniture arrived.
The kitchen wasn’t operational yet, but the oversize refrigerators worked so many brought their noontime meal with them to work.
Including Vanessa, when she took the time to eat. Her clothing already felt looser.
She’d refused to take a break from the mural the past couple of days, mainly because she was struggling again. And that scared her.
Her vision for the massive painting wasn’t quite so strong, the colors not as bright and clear in her head as they had been. She was second-guessing the work she’d already completed, both the faint outlines and the finished portraits, and there was still so much—so many important people and places—that needed to be added before the deadline that was less than two months from now.
When Jonah had found her today sitting on the edge of the scaffolding, staring off into space, he’d insisted she join him for lunch. She’d hardly been able to argue, especially when her empty stomach had loudly rumbled in agreement.
Knowing what she had to do later on today, eating had seemed like a good idea at the time.
“Vanessa?” Jonah repeated her name, a look of concern and frustration on his face.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “What did you say?”
“Where are you?” he asked.
Was that a trick question? “I’m right here.”
“No, you’re not.” He dropped the remains of his sandwich to the paper it’d been wrapped it. “You’ve been lost in your own little world for the last three days. What’s going on?”
She looked away, her gaze back to her barely touched food, not wanting to have this conversation. Again. Jonah had picked up that something wasn’t right with her when he’d come by the cabin Sunday evening, but she’d waved off his questions claiming to be tired.
She wasn’t ready to talk about it. Not with him, not with anyone.
And not today of all days.
Her stomach clenched, the lettuce and cut vegetables she’d managed to eat now sitting like rocks deep inside. Coming in today had been a mistake. She should’ve stayed home until she found the strength to complete her task.
“Nothing is going on,” she said, filling the silence between them. “I was just thinking...about work.”
“So much so that you didn’t hear a word I said about buying four houses in town this morning.”
Surprise filled her. “You did what?”
“Yeah, I’ll admit I even shocked myself.” He grinned now. “My meeting with the Realtor was just supposed to be about looking over the properties, getting information. Actually, there was only one house I was really interested in, but the four of them—all on the same side of Falls Street, all empty, built around the same time with good-size yards in between each one—they’re perfect.”
Okay, now she was really confused. “Perfect for what?”
“Model homes. I told you I’ve been looking into ways of taking certain design aspects from my work here at the resort and scaling them down to be used in the private sector, especially the environmental elements. Remember?”
Yes, she remembered. Sort of.
Trying to keep her distance from Jonah was harder than she’d thought. Not physically. That part of their time together was wonderful, but it was the “getting to know you, share your dreams, plans for the future” conversations that were difficult.
Which didn’t make any sense.
Most people would want to have those talks, especially with the man you were in love with, but Vanessa just couldn’t do it.
She couldn’t let herself believe in the future.
“Yes, I remember,” she finally answered him. “But you never said you planned to do that work here in Rust Creek Falls.”
His smile slipped. “Is that a problem?”
“No, but that’s a lot to put on your plate, what with all the work that still needs to be done around here.”
Jonah looked around the room, pride in his gaze. “I know we’re going to be busy right up to the grand opening at Christmas, and afterward, with the expansion plans for phase two I’m working on. And yeah, buying property in town was impulsive, but it’s a good investment for the future. For my future.” He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Dare I hope to say...our future?”
Suddenly unable to breath, Vanessa yanked her hand free and pushed back her chair. She stood, mindful that people were staring, but needing...needing to get away.
Now.
“Vanessa? What’s wrong?”
Ignoring Jonah’s question, she hurried from the room. Never breaking her stride, she marched past the scaffolding and kept on going until she was outside with the fresh air hitting her face. Even then, she didn’t stop until she reached her truck.
“Hey, hold on.”
A strong hand took her arm. Jonah. He’d followed her. Of course, he followed her. Squeezing her eyes shut, she kept her head down as he gently turned her to face him.
“Talk to me, honey,” he pleaded. “Please. Tell me what’s going on.”
She shook her head, her watery gaze focused on the asphalt beneath their feet. “Nothing’s going on.”
Jonah cupped her cheek, his fingers pressing on her jaw until she had to look at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
“What can I do to help? Just tell me and I’ll do it.”
Angry at herself for letting it get this far, Vanessa again shook her head and brushed the wetness from her eyes. “It’s nothing.”
“Don’t say that.” Jonah put his hands on her upper arms, keeping her in place. “You’ve been—I don’t know, pulling back, pulling away...putting distance between us ever since we slept together that first time.”
She should’ve known he’d pick up on what she’d tried to do. “And here I thought you were having a good time in my bed.”
“Being in your bed, or anywhere with you, is great. Wonderful. Perfect. So perfect, I want to be there for a long—”
Vanessa laid her fingers to his mouth, stopping him.
How had she gone from being worried that all he wanted was something causal to being terrified that he wanted more?
“Please. Don’t.”
He pulled her hand from his face, but held tight to her fingers as he now grasped both her hands. “Every time I’ve dared to mention the future—for us—other than what we might be doing in the next day or so, you cut me off. Change the subject. Why?”
“You were the one who was worried about getting involved, remember? You were only going to be in town for a short while. I assured you no demands, no labels and you seemed happy with that.” She took a step back, but he still wouldn’t let go. “We’ve known each other less than a month, Jonah, and here you are making plans for me...for us.”
“Is it too soon?” He finally released her. “Are you saying you’re not thinking about us that way? You’re not
interested in a future—”
“I’m saying it’s not a good day for this discussion. I have to— You don’t understand.”
“I can’t understand if you won’t explain it.”
“It’s not that simple.” She dug into her pocket for her keys. “I have to go.”
“Go where?”
Jamming her key into the lock, she twisted and then yanked the door open and climbed inside. Jonah stepped into the space, crowding her, keeping her from pulling the door shut.
Tunneling his fingers into her curls, he crushed his mouth to hers. She pushed at his chest and he softened the kiss, but it was the slight trembling of his lips against hers that did her in. She fisted his flannel shirt, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss, desperation clogging every pore in her body.
Both of them were now demanding and greedy, giving and taking in a white hot rush of desire that burned deep inside of her. She loved this man, loved him with her entire being—but something was stopping her from taking that next step. From believing, from taking a chance.
The need for air had them finally breaking free, their breathing ragged and hot as he pressed his forehead to hers. “Don’t leave, Vanessa.”
His words came out a harsh whisper, a plea that involved so much more than this single moment in time. He was asking her not to leave...him. She blocked out the inference, shaking her head. He stepped away without another protest. She closed the door, started the truck and pulled out of the parking space.
Driving away, she refused to let her gaze go to the rearview mirror knowing he stood there, watching her do exactly what he’d asked her not to. Leave.
Chapter Fourteen
Forty-two minutes.
Jonah checked his watch again. Vanessa had been gone almost an hour. He had no idea where she’d gone and she wasn’t answering her phone.
Enough. He wasn’t sure where she’d gone, but he’d tear this entire town apart until he found her.
After replaying what happened between them earlier over and over in his head, he still didn’t have any answers, but one.
The Last-Chance Maverick Page 17