Drawn Through You

by Sarina Rhoads

  “Shaun. So she has a dude’s name? Anything else particularly manly about her?” Jake waggled both caterpillars. “You know, other than the fact that she likes to diddle girls. Fucking hot, by the way.”

  Cole laughed and gave his best friend’s arm a shove. “No, and don’t get me started on the name. Led to a very embarrassing introduction.”

  “Enough with this cryptic shit already. Spill, dammit!” Jessie reappeared with two more beers. Cole made a mental note to slow himself down on this one. He had to get started on the furniture tonight, and anything more than a buzz would render him useless.

  “Nothing all too interesting. I might have asked her if she was Mr. Wright’s secretary on my first day.” Cole wiped a hand down his face at the memory.

  “Seriously?” Jake busted into a fit of laughter, nearly falling off his stool. Cole couldn’t help but crack up along with him. In retrospect, the whole misunderstanding was pretty funny.

  Wiping pretend tears from his eyes, Jake calmed down enough to talk again. “So, this chick with a dude’s name, is she hot?”

  Cole felt the wolfish grin take residence over his face. “Absolutely gorgeous. But it’s not just about looks with her. She’s super smart, confident, and she’s not afraid to stand up to my uncle.”

  “Willing to take on ‘Everyone should kiss my ass’ Jacobson, huh? Shit, I like her already.” They clanked beer mugs, and both took a healthy swallow.

  “Unfortunately, that’s part of the problem. Robert despises her and is trying everything in his power to force her out. Including using me.” Cole muttered the last part before taking another quick swig.

  “Wait, what? What do you mean, using you?” Cole remained silent, not drunk enough to elaborate further. “Do I need to add homicide to my rap sheet?”

  Cole shook his head. “Nah. He’s not worth it. Besides, I can’t afford to have you locked up this weekend. I need your help getting some shit done.”

  “Oh? Back to doing what you love, eh? Did boss lady knock some sense into you?” The caterpillars were on the move again.

  “Maybe.” Cole smiled into his beer. Jake gave his bicep a friendly jab.

  “You sly son of a bitch, you.” They both released a sigh and took a drink. “So, what do you mean Robert’s using you?” Cole knew his friend wouldn’t let him off the hook so easy.

  “Well, I’ll be damned! Cole Jacobson, back in the sticks?” Cole and Jake shared a pained expression as Cooper Haines interrupted them. Cooper, the son in Haines and Son Sanitation, walked around like that gave him keys to the whole damn town. Who knew schlepping garbage equaled celebrity status? “I thought you were gone for good.”

  Cole plastered on a smile and took a drink from his mug, maintaining a tight grip to keep himself from flinging the sucker at Cooper’s head. “Nope, not for good.”

  “Well, that’s a shame. I sure hoped you’d find some success out there in the big city, since you’re an architect and all.”

  Jab number one. Cooper appeared to think there was some competition going down between the two of them, only Cole wasn’t consciously taking part. “Just out there as a favor.”

  “Uh huh.” He glanced at Jake but didn’t acknowledge Cole’s best friend’s presence, which might have had to do with Jake bullying Cooper’s lunch money from him every time pizza had been on the menu for school lunch. No, this special little visit was just for Cole. “How’s Christine?”

  Jab number two. Cooper had always had a sweet spot for Cole’s ex, especially in high school, when she wasn’t yet his ex. Christine had later succumbed to Cooper’s never-ending advances during Cole’s first year away at college, claiming she was lonely. Cole had pretended to be angry, but in truth he hadn’t been all that faithful himself.

  “Don’t know. Haven’t seen her.”

  “Well that’s too bad. I’ve been really busy myself and haven’t had a chance to connect either.” Sure he hasn’t, Cole thought to himself, not believing the lie for one minute. He probably had some sappy-ass song set up as her personal ringtone. “You know she started an online cosmetics thing while she was getting her degree, right? I heard she’ll be selling some of her stuff at the festival this weekend. You are going, aren’t you?”

  Cole found it interesting that his mom hadn’t mentioned any of this, since she always made sure she had the scoop on all things Sweetwater. Especially information pertaining to Christine. Becky Jacobson had always loved Cole’s ex and had taken the news of their split harder than he had.

  “Haven’t decided yet.” He pleaded to Jake with his eyes to interject. Too bad the asshole was having more fun laughing into his beer. Cole stood, finishing the last of his own. “Look, Cooper, it’s been great, but I have to get home.”

  “But I just got here.”

  Cole wrestled a glib response back down his throat. “Sorry. I’m tired, and it’s been a long day.”

  Jake joined in on the disappointment, poking out his bottom lip in a pout. Cole knew the gesture had more to do with him leaving Jake alone with Cooper than anything else. Served him right for not jumping to Cole’s aid when the prick wouldn’t shut up.

  “I’m picking up Shaun at the airport tomorrow, Jake. I don’t think we’ll be too busy, so maybe we can get drinks or something together in the evening.”

  “Who’s Shaun?” Cooper asked.

  Jake grinned. Mentioning Shaun had been a move straight out of high school, but Cole would resort to whatever it took to stop Cooper going on about Christine, a subject he couldn’t care less about.

  “Great, I can’t wait to meet her,” his best friend said, playing along and ignoring Cooper’s question. Cole knew that, once he left, Jake would tell Cooper just enough about Shaun to make the guy seethe with jealousy. Jake had a gift. “We also need to finish our talk. Don’t think I forgot.”

  Of course he didn’t, Cole thought. “Goodnight, you two.” Cole collected the empties and headed toward the front of the bar. He set the glasses down and waved at the bartender, who was unloading glasses from the dishwasher tray. “Goodnight, Jessie.”

  “Night, Cole. Don’t be a stranger while you’re in town.”

  “I won’t,” he replied, and left, collapsing against the brick facade of Charlie’s as soon as he was through the door. Perhaps asking Shaun to visit wasn’t such a great idea after all. His mother would most likely guilt him into taking Shaun to the festival, and now that he knew Christine wasn’t there for her Corn Princess duties alone, they stood an even bigger chance of running into his ex. There was no telling what Cooper would say to her or how she would react. Too late now, he concluded with a sigh. Besides, he couldn’t afford to cancel. Not when every aspect of his life hung in limbo and Shaun might just serve as the safety net once he told her the truth about Robert.

  CHAPTER 19

  Cole worked into the wee hours of the morning and fell asleep in one of the chairs next to his workbench. Luckily for him, he had a head start on most of the pieces he intended to show Shaun – a secret collection that he had worked on in his spare time while filling more conservative custom orders during the hours he wasn’t managing the lumber company. Some of his best customers were loyal patrons of Jacobson’s and bought the wood outright from the beloved family business before paying Cole to create something special out of the purchased supplies. It was a life he’d grown so accustomed to. A life that Robert had screwed over before Cole could set things right and save enough money to pay the debt back in full.

  “Cole?” His mother tsked when she saw him curled up on an Adirondack chair, draped in one of her crocheted throws two sizes too small. Jester kept watch on the floor, surrounded by piles of fresh wood shavings. She carried in her hand a piping hot mug of coffee and gave the much-needed treasure over. She pretended to be put off by finding him like this, but he could see from the twinkle in her eye that she had missed it just as much as he did, if not more. After mussing his hair, which was probably sticking out in all different directions, she bent do
wn and kissed him on the top of his head. “It’s been a while since you’ve been this consumed by a project.”

  Cole blew on the surface of his coffee and dared a sip, enjoying the burn of the molten liquid traveling down his throat. “I know.” He captured a yawn with the palm of his hand.

  “What time are you expecting your boss?”

  “Her plane lands in Ridgecrest at 11:30, so that gives me a couple of hours to clean up here and shower.” Ridgecrest, a twenty-five minute drive southwest, was a town overrun by mansions and home to a private airport.

  “Plane?” His mother raised a dark, questioning brow.

  “Yeah. She’s flying in to save time.” He scratched the scruff flourishing along his jaw. He imagined he resembled a twenty-something Grizzly Adams in his plaid button-down and jeans, asleep among tree litter. He made a mental note to shave.

  “So what is going on with you and this girl?” Cole would never have used the term “girl” to describe Shaun, but didn’t correct his mother as she continued to talk. “Flying in on the only weekend you’ve been home since moving to Mason.” He could see the hurt in her eyes. She missed him, and he missed her as well. He knew he’d been taking a risk by inviting Shaun in more ways than one, not sure how his family would take to her considering she worked with Robert.

  “It’s business, Mom.” Half-truth. “Something that could get me out of Mason a lot faster than I hoped.”

  “You don’t like it much there, huh?” Cole could tell she was attempting to hide a hint of relief. He imagined that Shaun’s unexpected visit this weekend made her worry about him growing roots in the city.

  He lifted his shoulders in a noncommittal gesture. In all honesty, he felt torn. He’d actually enjoyed the past few weeks at the restaurant, away from the office, comfortable in his new role with freedom to make important decisions. All of it was made possible by Shaun, who trusted him enough to allow him the autonomy. Although he suspected that not wanting him in close quarters had a little something to do with the circumstances he found himself in as well. He still didn’t know who had initiated his promotion, but he would have all weekend to find out once he convinced her to stay.

  “How about some breakfast, then? I tried a new waffle recipe with candied pecans this morning.”

  Both Cole and Jester perked up at the mention of waffles. His mother was, of course, being modest. She didn’t try recipes. She mastered them in one go, while making them all her own.

  “Mom, did you know about Christine’s cosmetics company?” Cole sat up and stretched, his back feeling like he’d slept in a chair.

  She was tidying up the small workroom that in most cottages would have functioned as a living room, collecting stray plates caked with dried leftovers from his numerous late-night trips to her kitchen between working. The cottage had a small kitchen of its own, but with Cole away the cupboards and fridge were bare.

  “Of course. All the girls in town rave about her all-natural lipsticks and glosses, including your sister.”

  Cole wasn’t surprised that Lacey supported Christine’s business, since she’d warmed up to his ex after they’d parted ways. Classic Lacey. He ignored the small, childish pang of betrayal that stirred in his gut. Even his sister, who called him frequently to bitch about the socially repressed life she believed she led, didn’t think sharing information about Christine’s business venture important.

  “Too bright and shiny, if you ask me, though,” his mother continued. “I don’t like my lips entering a room before I do.” She shrugged, staring far off as if remembering something. “Besides, I don’t think Carl wants a residual tack on his–”

  “Please, don’t finish that sentence.” Cole got along well with his stepfather and was glad his mom had found her own slice of happiness after the loss of his father. He’d just rather not be privy to any intimate details. He stood and collected a few empty mugs. “Why didn’t you tell me she’d be selling her stuff at the festival?”

  His mom balanced the small stack of china in one hand and used her other to sweep some of the wood shavings from one of the waist-high counters installed along the room’s perimeter. “I didn’t think you’d care.”

  “I don’t,” he lied. Cole had discussed wanting to be a vendor at the festival with Christine on several occasions when they were young and together, but he’d just never got around to applying for the permits and such when he’d grown up and finally created something worth selling. She had every right to take advantage of the choice business opportunity; he just wondered if she would’ve even considered the idea on her own.

  “Mm-hmm.” His mother, far from fooled, whistled at Jester. “Come on, boy. I made bacon.” Cole’s dog didn’t need any more convincing, jumping to his feet and barreling out the cottage door with his mother following. Cole trailed behind, looking over the progress he’d made one last time before answering the call of his stomach.

  “You will behave.” Cole remarked sternly at Jester, who flattened his underside to the pavement and whimpered. His dog was notorious for acting up when he was forced to share the attention of his best friend. “I know you hear me. This one is skittish enough already, with just cause. I don’t need you scaring her off before I have a chance to make amends.” Jester lifted his head and yawned, his tongue a long, pink carpet rolling out of his mouth as Cole’s four-legged friend expressed his boredom with the conversation.

  Before Cole could press the issue further, a small plane touched down on the short runway. He checked his watch; five minutes early. The aircraft taxied its way to where Cole rested against Old Bess, his 1986 Ford F150. The cobalt-blue paint resembled faded denim, weather-worn from good use, but he felt that gave the pickup character.

  When the hatch of the plane opened, an attendant pushed out the stairs, the bottom step tumbling down to the pavement with a thud, and Shaun emerged from the chartered vessel. Dark skinny jeans hugged her legs, disappearing beneath a white t-shirt and black blazer. Cole’s breath caught in his throat. The reality of having Shaun all to himself on his own turf felt too absolute and overwhelmed him at once.

  She descended the stairs, lugging a camel-brown leather duffel over her shoulder. Jester rose up on his back paws looking as if he wanted to speak, seeming just as pleased as Cole with the sight before him. After commanding the dog to stay put, Cole met Shaun halfway between the plane and his truck.

  “Hey.” The one-word greeting was the only sound that could breach the small space around his swollen tongue.

  “Hey,” she replied with a nervous smile, stopping with a foot of space between them.

  He reached for her bag and regained his ability to communicate. “Welcome to my neck of the woods. Is this the only bag you brought?”

  “Thank you.” Shaun shook her head and pointed up at the hatch door. “No, the attendant is bringing down my larger bag.”

  Cole sighed with relief, fighting the ear-to-ear grin from taking free rein over his face. She had brought enough supplies to stay the weekend, or so he hoped. She fidgeted, eyes wandering over the airfield as if looking at him proved too difficult. Cole let her off the hook by turning and striding toward his truck. He tossed her bag in, flinching at the loud smack that rang out when the leather hit the metal. He hadn’t meant to fling the sucker that hard, but the strap had slipped on the sweat collecting on his palms. He spun around to apologize but was cut off by Jester, who had seized the opportunity to lunge at Shaun. Two large paws rested on her shapely thighs, while his tongue embarked on a fact-finding mission regarding the taste of her face when she hunched over from the attack.

  “Jester!” Cole tugged at the light blue collar around the dog’s neck that matched his one blue eye, the other brown. “I’m so sorry.”

  Shaun knelt down, all four paws moved to the asphalt, and she threaded her fingers through his tricolored fur. “That’s okay. I love dogs, and he’s gorgeous.” Her compliment was rewarded with a long swipe of Jester’s tongue up her cheek.

  “Really?�
� Cole asked, not getting an animal-love vibe from her until now.

  “Yeah, I’m just never home enough to actually have one.” She stood and slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, wiping her face dry with her shoulder. Jester circled her legs twice and plopped his rear down next to her feet, his bushy tail sweeping the pavement clean of pebbles.

  “I know what you mean. It’s killing me to be away from him, but my place in Mason is too small. He’d go crazy.” His heart hurt at the thought of leaving Jester behind again once this weekend was over. The attendant appeared with Shaun’s second bag, and Cole gently placed it in the flatbed this time around. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Okay.” Shaun nodded and walked to Bess’s passenger door. Before Cole could tell her the handle didn’t work, she began to tug with no success. He folded his arms, shamefully amused by her struggle. Shaun gave one more hard yank and her grip slipped, landing her back hard against his chest. He cuffed his hands around her arms, steadying her. The memory of her bare skin against his in her office flooded his brain, short-circuiting his senses. His cock stiffened in his jeans at the memory as well, ready for a repeat performance. He brushed his lips over the shell of her ear, voice husky with need. “You have to open it from the inside.”

  Without a glance back, Shaun straightened and reached her hand through the rolled-down window. The door swung open and she pulled away to slide inside. His body grew cold from the loss. She started to tug the door closed, but Jester hopped up on her lap first.

  “Jester!” That damn dog couldn’t keep his paws off Shaun either. Cole braced his forearm on the door frame and leaned in close enough to catch a hint of her fragrance. “Not sure what’s gotten into him. He’s not usually this chummy with new people.”

  She ducked her head behind Jester, hiding her face from him. “It’s fine, really.”

  Cole chuckled and scratched the back of his head. Did he make Ms. Wright nervous? Nervous enough to use his dog as a shield?

  He shut the door and continued to his side of the truck, finding Jester sprawled out on the bench seat between them. He made a note to dock his buddy’s treats for being a pain in the ass, then turned the ignition and shifted Old Bess into gear.