by Annie Rains
“Only because it’s never a good fit.”
“Well, neither are we. Not romantically, at least. I’m too busy with my café and now planning this event. And considering your dating history, getting involved with you would never last. It would ruin our friendship, which I happen to value.” They’d stopped being friends for a while after he’d stood her up, and she didn’t want to lose him again.
He nodded. “I value what we have too.”
“Then there’s my dad…,” she said, as if she needed any more justification for why this fake relationship of theirs needed to remain that way.
“He hates me,” Jack agreed. “I’ve received that message loud and clear.”
“I wouldn’t say he hates you. I’d say he strongly dislikes the idea of you and me together.”
Jack looked away. “Well, then it’s settled. We only need to pretend in the presence of others. When we’re alone—”
“Which we should keep to a minimum,” she cut in.
He met her eyes. “Right. When we’re alone, we should just be us.”
* * *
The sun was setting behind the distant forest. The rich orange colors in the sky were as vibrant as those in the wildflowers he had given Emma an hour earlier—before her whole spiel on why it was a bad idea for them to be a real couple.
She was right, of course. One hundred percent. About everything. Jack didn’t date anyone for long. He always lost interest. He didn’t have any issues with commitment; it was nothing like that. It was just that he didn’t like to lead women on once he knew there was no long-term potential. It was a waste of energy and emotion, and it felt wrong.
“Sam seems to be fitting in well here in Sweetwater Springs,” Emma commented as they sat on a picnic blanket in the park.
Jack followed her gaze to where Sam was lying back on a large beach towel with several other teens from the area. They were all dressed in various shades of red, white, and blue. All were laughing and seemed to enjoy the celebrations. “Yeah. I’ve tried to get Amanda to move back. The whole reason she moved away was for a job that she no longer has.” That was only partly true. Amanda had also moved to get away from their father.
“Is she working right now? I mean, the treatment she’s getting is probably expensive, and she has Sam to support.”
Jack exhaled softly, running his hand through Barnaby’s fur. The little dog had come along for the night and wedged himself between him and Emma. “Amanda has a job. She works from home. She tells me that her insurance is good, and her job is allowing the leave of absence for her health. I’ll help her in any way I can, of course, but she’s always been stubborn when it comes to asking for or accepting help.” He pulled his gaze from Sam and his friends and looked at Emma. “I was surprised when she asked me to take Sam. That’s a huge deal for her. That’s how I knew something was wrong.”
“Well, hopefully she’s getting the help she needs. She’s really lucky to have a brother like you,” Emma said, reaching for the basket. “Hungry?”
Jack sat up. “Starving.”
This made Emma laugh. “I hope I packed enough food, then.”
They had to lean in close to one another while they spoke to be understood over the bluegrass music playing in the park. The genre of music changed from week to week, but bluegrass was one of Jack’s favorites. The musicians were set to stay onstage until sundown, when the firework display would begin.
“I remember that playing music up there on that stage used to be a dream of yours. Do you still play?” Emma asked as she handed him a sandwich.
“Thanks.” Jack shrugged. “I play a little bit on my porch at night. It keeps me and the fireflies company.”
Emma handed him a bag of chips next. “That sounds nice.”
“It is.” And he’d invite her to join him if she hadn’t established boundaries in their relationship earlier. “My dad used to play for the family at night. He taught me the harmonica first. After that, I got the guitar bug. Then the fiddle.”
“You play it all. You should be up there on that stage,” Emma commented.
“I’m fine right here. Better than fine.” Was that considered flirting? He redirected his attention to the food, opening the baggie with the sandwich and reaching inside. “I guess my dad wasn’t all bad.”
His father had been his hero back then when he’d played nightly lullabies on the porch. Then Jack had gone through a stage where he loathed the very sight of his dad. He’d understood his father a little more when he’d battled his own demons.
“Is this pimento cheese?” he asked, inspecting the filling between the bread.
“It is. It’s my secret recipe. You’ll love it, I promise.” She looked a little nervous as she watched him.
Jack had never been a fan of pimento, but he didn’t want to disappoint Emma. He bit into his sandwich and chewed. “Mmm. That’s good,” he said honestly. “Is that bacon in there?”
She nodded. “Bacon makes everything better.”
Jack looked at her. “A woman after my own heart.”
Emma held his gaze for a moment and then turned away. She pulled a dog biscuit from the basket and gave it to Barnaby.
After they finished off their sandwiches, Jack leaned back on his elbows. He scanned the crowd as he listened to the music. Nearly everyone in town seemed to have come out to celebrate. His gaze landed on Edward and Angel St. James. They were pretty far away and hopefully wouldn’t even see him and Emma tonight.
He also spotted Mitch Hargrove and his new wife, Kaitlyn, who owned the Sweetwater Bed and Breakfast. Tuck Locklear and Josie Kellum sat on a blanket next to them. And beside them were chief of police Alex Baker and his fiancée, Halona Locklear. So many couples in love. When would it be his turn?
“Jack?” Emma asked.
He looked over at her. “Yeah?”
“Tell me the truth. If I don’t join with the Women’s Wellness Fair, will I be able to do the event for my mom this summer?” Emma’s hair fluttered around her face as a breeze seemed to dance with the music from the bluegrass band.
He blew out a breath as he resisted reaching up and swiping the locks away from her face. “Well, there’s always a chance that one of the booked events will be canceled. But it’s slim. You could plan your event on a weeknight evening, but the turnout won’t be as good. If you want your event to be bigger and better, something you can really be proud of, and if you want it to happen this summer, then yeah. I think joining efforts with the Women’s Wellness Center is your best bet.”
Emma looked forward, seemingly lost in her decision.
“But they might not even agree. I haven’t run it by Dr. Rivers yet.”
She nodded her understanding.
“My turn to ask a question. Tell me the truth.” He waited for her to look at him again. “Why are you hesitating on combining events with the WWC?”
Emma looked shocked by the question. She shifted and began to fidget, her gaze bouncing around the field. Then he reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Is there a reason bringing up the WWC makes you nervous?”
Chapter Ten
Emma gulped in a breath, her heart beating out of its normal rhythm for multiple reasons. Her gaze moved to Jack’s hand around hers. It was warm, also rough and calloused. It felt good to her frazzled nerves.
“I guess some part of me is terrified of the Women’s Wellness Center right now,” she admitted, looking away. She laughed softly at herself, but there wasn’t any humor in this situation. “I feel foolish for even saying so.” Jack’s thumb traced over the back of her hand, distracting her in a pleasant way. “The WWC diagnosed my mom. They’re the ones who gave her a death sentence.”
“The Wellness Center also helped her,” he pointed out.
Emma nodded. “I know. I guess some part of me has always feared that I’ll be just like her. Everyone tells me I look like her. I act like her. Everyone says I’m the spitting image of her.”
“You’re afraid
of getting sick like her?” he asked.
She could hear the surprise threading through his voice. He wouldn’t understand. No one would. She didn’t have any sisters, but if she did, they’d likely get it. “Breast cancer can be hereditary. It runs in families.” Just thinking about it made her heart start to race. Fear gripped her. “My grandmother had breast cancer. My mom got it too.”
“But you’re fine, right?” he asked. She heard the worry now. “I mean, everything is checking out okay?”
Emma usually kept her appointments, and she performed her own self-checks religiously. Except this year, she couldn’t bring herself to go. There were too many what-ifs playing in her mind. Too many fears lining up for attack.
She knew there were just as many reasons to keep her appointment and track her health. Her only explanation was that she was a coward. But she wasn’t about to tell Jack that. He’d laugh at her. Or lecture her. Or do one of any number of things. But he wouldn’t understand.
She’d watched her mom grow sicker and never get better. Everyone’s life had changed after the diagnosis, and in Emma’s young mind, it had started at the Women’s Wellness Center. “Yes. I’m fine.” She nodded at Jack. “Of course I am.”
His shoulders rounded as he exhaled, looking relieved. “Good,” he said. “I think you need to change your way of thinking about the center. They helped your mom by diagnosing her,” he said softly. “She was already sick, and they gave her a fighting chance.”
Emma studied him as he spoke. For one, it was hard to hear over the music. Secondly, he was a handsome man. Every feature could be defined as strong. His strong jawline. Strong nose. The strong determination in his blue eyes. His neck and shoulders, chest and arms were thick and hard—also strong. She wanted to curl into him and just be held. “You’re right. In my head, I know the center helps women. I appreciate all the services they provide, and I really like Dr. Rivers. She comes into the café all the time.”
“She’s young to have done so much,” Jack agreed. “My mom sees her.”
“Is she okay?” Emma asked.
“High blood pressure runs in the family. She’s also a borderline diabetic. Dr. Rivers is watching her like a hawk, and so am I. If I see her with anything sweet, I nab it for myself.”
Emma laughed. “Her knight in shining armor.”
“I doubt that’s the way she views it.” He chuckled. Then his gaze dropped to their intertwined hands. “I’m not quite clear on the rules for this arrangement we have going.”
There was only one rule that she hadn’t dared mention. Don’t fall for Jack because…
Her mind stuttered, searching and failing to remember the reasons why that one rule was so important. Don’t fall for Jack because…because he was her friend. Because he’d broken her heart once, a long time ago. Because he’d never shown romantic interest in her again. Until now.
She looked from their hands back to him, her gaze sticking on his and holding. The rest of the people in the park seemed to disappear. Poof. It was just her with him, holding hands and staring deeply into each other’s eyes. “It’s okay,” she said.
“Hey, you two.” Sophie Daniels stepped up in front of them, her gaze moving from one to the other. Barnaby lifted his head to acknowledge Sophie, but for once, he didn’t move or bark to announce her presence. “Looks like you’re having a picnic. Together,” she noted, her smile only faltering a little bit as she looked at their intertwined hands. Her eyes flashed disappointment for a brief second that Emma didn’t miss.
“It’s a good night for a picnic,” Jack agreed, giving her an easy smile.
“Are you two on a…” Sophie whirled a finger, and then let it bounce in the air, pointing first at Emma and then at Jack. “I mean, you’re obviously on a…date. Right?”
“Um, well, this wasn’t exactly planned. Jack just invited me this afternoon. He didn’t want me to miss out on the Fourth of July celebrations,” Emma babbled. She carefully pulled her hand away from Jack’s. “Would you like to join us, Sophie?”
“As a third wheel? No, thanks. You two look cute together,” she said. “Really.”
Guilt swirled in Emma’s stomach. Sophie was so nice. Even though she’d been interested in Jack for herself, she was acting like this was no big deal.
“You really need to come down to my boutique,” she reiterated to Emma. “Every woman needs a seasonal shopping spree every now and then. And my Independence Day sale will continue through Wednesday of next week. Just FYI.”
“I’ll definitely stop in.”
Sophie gestured across the crowd. “I’m meeting a few friends here so I better go find them. It was nice seeing you two.” She looked at Emma and gave her a reassuring smile that only worked to make Emma feel even guiltier. When Sophie walked away, Emma covered her face with one hand.
“What’s wrong?” Jack asked, nudging her softly.
“She likes you, and now she’s probably a little brokenhearted. And I knew she liked you, so it feels like I went behind my friend’s back and started dating her crush.”
“It’s not like that. Sophie is great. She’s beautiful, successful, sweet, smart…”
“Please don’t let me stop you from going to sit with her,” Emma said sarcastically.
The corners of his mouth curled softly, and he reached up to swipe a lock of hair that had blown across her cheek, sweeping it behind her ear. The movement sent shivers down her body. Then his hand returned to her cheek.
“Let me finish. Sophie is great, but I’m not interested in her. I never have been. And I’m pretty sure it’s not me she really wants. She and my buddy Chase have unfinished business.”
Emma remembered that Sophie and Chase had been an item in school. Then Sophie had been in a serious accident, and they’d stopped dating after that.
“I don’t want to sit with Sophie,” Jack added. “The only place I want to be tonight is right here with you. Is it breaking those rules of yours if I say that?”
She shook her head, her gaze still on his, just like a magnet trained on its point of attraction. “No, that’s fine.”
His hand was still lingering on her cheek, the sensation of his fingers on her skin making her body buzz. Barnaby, joining in the moment, lifted his head and lapped a tongue on Jack’s cheek.
Jack laughed as he pulled away. “Wouldn’t you rather kiss Emma? She’s much more kissable than me.” His gaze slid over to meet hers, and butterflies stormed her belly.
Then Jack propped himself on his elbows once more, and they continued listening to the music. Half an hour later, the band stopped playing and the park went quiet.
Emma felt breathless with anticipation, but not from waiting to see the explosive colors that would light up the mountain sky. She’d always found fireworks romantic. It was sitting next to Jack on a picnic blanket beneath the stars that already had her heart in her throat.
A high-pitched squeal penetrated the silence, making Emma jump. It was a solid second before a splash of red covered the sky. Jack reached for Emma’s hand. She didn’t look at him, but she didn’t pull her hand away either. Instead, she leaned in toward him, absorbed in the moment. All her senses were bombarded by the experience, and she let herself get lost in it.
She wasn’t sure how long the display went on, but it ended in a fitting finale with one firework following another in quick succession.
“I never wanted it to end,” Jack finally said.
She looked at him now. “Me neither.” The fireworks were still going off inside her chest though, and her heart was beating too fast.
Jack redirected his attention as Sam headed toward them.
“Jeremy is going to give me a ride home,” Sam said. “We thought we’d go get something from the fudge shop first. Dawanda has some kind of red, white, and blue candy for the occasion. Is that okay?”
Jack nodded. “One hour. If you’re not back, I’m getting in my truck and going looking for you.”
Sam rolled his eyes. “An ho
ur and a half?”
Jack hesitated. “Fine. But don’t be late.”
Emma stood and started packing up the basket and blanket as Sam and Jack haggled.
When Sam was gone, Jack sighed. “Caring for a teenager is harder than I thought.”
Emma laughed softly. “I’m impressed at how good you are with him. You’re a natural at being a parent.”
“You think so?”
She nodded. “Not too strict, but you’re not letting him walk all over you either. You’re just right.”
“Thanks. I guess I’m channeling my mom’s discipline style this summer. That’s how she was with me.”
“And you turned out just fine,” Emma commented, noticing how his jaw tensed. She was around a lot of people during her days at the café. She compared herself to a bartender of sorts. She people-watched, and many of her customers unloaded their worries and cares on her while seated at her tables.
Jack took the basket from her hand, shifting it to his opposite side. Then he offered his free hand for her to hold.
Emma hesitated for a moment. Were they pretending for the crowd? Or was this real? She couldn’t tell. Even so, she took his hand because she wanted to.
They navigated through the crowd toward the parking lot. Then Jack opened the passenger door and waited for her to step inside with Barnaby hopping in at her feet. Jack shut the door behind her and got in on the driver’s side. A moment later, he pulled onto the main road that led to her home on Pine Cone Lane.
“You don’t talk about your dad much,” Emma said, fidgeting with her hands. “How is he?”
Jack tensed some more. “He’s okay. The divorce just made it easier for him to drink whenever he wants to. He stays sober long enough to work with the construction crew, so that’s good.” Jack looked over at her. “I think that makes him what you call a functional alcoholic.”
Emma reached over to squeeze Jack’s forearm. She knew Jack never drank, and she guessed it was because he’d seen what alcohol had done to his dad. His childhood couldn’t have been easy, watching his dad passed out all the time. He’d had rough teenage years too, not just her.