“I told Ben you’d bring the chips.”
He puts the SUV in gear and exits my driveway. “Funny, Anderson. You’re going to like Ben’s house. It sits on top of Panther Mountain overlooking Piseco. Built the whole thing with his grandpa. The deer come near his wraparound porch all the time. Drives me nuts because Ben’s the only guy I know who takes pictures of wildlife and refuses to hunt.”
Ben won’t be wearing blinding orange around town? Another check on the adorable list.
Will stays straight on Maple Lake Road, and it automatically turns to Route 8.
Less than five minutes later, I climb to the back to make room for Noah and Carla.
Noah turns around, studying me for a moment. “You’re the lady from JB’s.”
“Guilty as charged. I hear you’re Ben’s afterschool helper.”
“Got that right.” The almost teen clicks his seatbelt.
Will smiles and glances in the mirror. “Say, Noah, gonna follow the Mets this year?”
The two banter back and forth, trading baseball stats.
Carla interrupts the conversation when she gestures toward the top of Panther Mountain. “Hey, Jenna. See the huge log cabin home up there?”
“The place that looks like a mammoth lodge?”
Noah laughs. “Miss Jenna, that’s Ben’s house.”
Like a tourist, I step out of the vehicle and gawk. The porch looks like a Cracker Barrel restaurant, with Adirondack chairs placed around the perimeter. Bay windows adorn the lower front of the house. In the side yard, Ben stands at the same grill from Memorial Day. About fifty feet behind him is a forest of majestic spruce and pine trees. On the other side of the house, stand a garage and workshop big enough to hold three vehicles and lawn equipment.
Mouth still open, I look to the trio I rode with then take a breath. “We have a saying back in Ohio when we can’t believe what we’re seeing.”
“Tell us.” Will hands me my cookie container.
“Shut. Up.”
Carla rolls her eyes and starts walking toward the house.
Ben raises his grill tongs with one hand and waves with the other. He’s wearing faded Levi’s and an ocean blue polo. “Welcome to the mountains. No boat worries here. Maybe a nosebleed.” He deadpans, putting down the utensil and gesturing me to follow him inside.
“This is a tad different than the Hallmark episodes of Little House on the Prairie. I mean that stone fireplace takes up the entire wall. The windows overlook, well, everything. I can probably see the church from here.”
Will shakes his head and takes the cookies away from me. “City girl.”
Ben gives the full tour, and as captivated as I am by the property, that blue shirt resting on those muscles has my attention.
“As you can see, the walls are all knotty pine.” Ben traces his finger against it as he leads me up a wrought-iron spiral staircase.
We end up in a loft full of bookshelves. I gasp at the quiet beauty, reaching out to touch the bindings of classic titles.
When I pull back my hand, it hits Ben’s firm chest. I didn’t know he was standing that close.
Ben reaches for my wayward arm and keeps a firm hold. “These were my grandpa’s. First editions.”
They could be comic books drawn on toilet paper because my concentration narrows to the man massaging my wrist with his thumb. Can he hear my heartbeat? See the sweat beads forming on my forehead?
“You’re incredibly ripped.” I jerk my arm back to my side with laser speed. “Blessed. You’re incredibly blessed, and, you’re smart to store these books here. Where they won’t get ripped.” My fumbles are worse than the Cleveland Browns.
Ben steps back and chuckles. “C’mon. I have something else I think you’ll enjoy seeing.” He starts for the stairs but turns with a grin. “You know, besides admiring my bulging muscles.”
Busted.
My witty tour guide leads me down the staircase to the floor with three bedrooms. He catches me tracing the quilt pattern on the spare bed. “I know that look. You love the house.”
Guilty as charged. “This home should be in a magazine. I mean, I used to subscribe to rural ones at my old job, but the pictures don’t do this justice. I can’t believe you live here.”
Ben turns to an end table and holds up a magazine. His house is on the cover.
I shake my head. “I’m impressed.”
“I know, right? I’m not sure how to explain it, but this is my castle, the place I can relax.”
“Ben, this place is so peaceful. I gather you feel the complete opposite when it comes to the senior center.”
He looks down for a moment then back at me. “I hate that my center memories contain so much grief, but this is where God heals me. Speaks. Forgives.”
We leave the spare room, and Ben escorts me to the kitchen. We stand next to each other, leaning on the island.
“Were you scared when you held the blueprints to build this?”
His milk chocolate eyes draw me in as much as the knotty pine walls.
“Absolutely. This was the biggest thing I had ever done.”
I’m mesmerized not only by his rugged looks, but his vulnerability. “Don’t you see how well your dream worked here? I think God is big enough to take care of your hopes for the store, too.”
Ben looks away, toward a set of family pictures lining the wall. “The store has higher stakes. My hopes could be the noose that kills everything Grandpa worked for.”
The party doesn’t break up until after ten. Our bellies ache from eating s’mores. I follow Carla’s eyes, which zoom in on Will. He’s having a s’more making-and-eating competition with Noah.
They’re stacking number six when Carla stands up. “All right. I think it’s time to say good night. Noah, you’re going to get sick. Will, remember we came here in your vehicle. You don’t want to end this night by cleaning up a mess.”
“Point taken.” Will closes up the marshmallow bag and puts his arm around the tween. “We’ll try this again. Just us guys.” Will winks.
“Okay, but get ready to lose. Ben lets me eat marshmallows after school,” Noah announces.
Carla folds her arms and clears her throat. “You boys, I think I need to teach you what a healthy snack is.”
I decide to change the subject. “What a great time. Thanks for doing this, Ben.”
Will, Noah, and Carla walk ahead of Ben and me as we meander to the vehicle.
Ben reaches for my arm, and we both stop. Both his hands rest on my forearms as we face each other in the balsam scented night air. “I owe you the thanks. You reminded me how blessed I am. I remember being anxious about building the house, and you’re right, it worked out. I could use your encouragement for my plans to expand the store.” He lets go.
It’s hard to catch my breath. Not because of the cool air, but Ben’s intoxicating presence knocks me off balance. “Absolutely. I mean, that’s what friends are for, right?” My voice is a good octave higher than normal, but Ben doesn’t seem to notice.
His speech sounds far away, despite our physical closeness. “Friends. Right.”
The next morning, I park in the Four Corners lot in hopes of getting another walk in before work. I saunter to the side of the road, ready to cross and make my way past the lake, when I hear footsteps.
“Jenna, wait!” Ben jogs toward me and stops.
“Hey, didn’t I see you last night?” I tease, putting my hands on my hips.
Ben unleashes a slow smile, revealing those twin dimples. “That’s why I’m here. Thought I’d say thanks, again. It was a nice time.”
“You know how to throw a great party.”
We cross the minor intersection with no traffic light, head past Jack Frosty’s and the Giant TeePee Souvenir store.
Ben keeps pace. “You know how I said you encouraged me?”
“I do, seeing how it was only a few hours ago.” I smile.
“Right. I wondered if you’d like to meet with me sometime. You k
now, to help me kick the fear habit.”
I stop, and he does, too.
“Sure. Do you want something specific?”
Ben shoves his hands in his pockets and stares at the ground. “I want your feedback.” He jerks up his gaze. “I, uh, well, I was thinking about going out for dinner. Gaze into those blue eyes of yours while you to listen to me talk about plans for the store. ”
I swallow hard, wishing I’d brought a water bottle. “Of course. When?”
“Would tonight work?”
Chapter Eleven
Ben and I agree to meet at Jack Frosty’s after work.
“Hey, Jenna. He’s already in a booth and ordered milkshakes for both of you.” Wendy gestures to follow her. “By the way, you two look great together.”
“Oh, Wendy. This is just a meeting between friends. It’s not a date.”
She stops at the seat and turns as Ben stands to greet me.
Wendy leans close to my ear. “Sure it isn’t.” With a giggle, she walks away.
Thankfully, Ben misses the exchange in his effort to pull a blank piece of paper out of his back pocket, complete with pencil, as he sits back down.
“Tell me this isn’t how you prepare for meetings.” I pick up his paper and dangle it in front of his face.
Ben grins and grabs the paper back. “You have your system. I have mine. Ready to figure out how I can expand the store and not lose my mind?”
Wendy returns with two chocolate milkshakes. “Enjoy, you two.” She gives my arm a nudge with her elbow before walking away.
That stinker.
Once she leaves, Ben moves my glass toward me. “I hope it’s okay that I ordered for you. I took a guess that you’d want chocolate.” He already knows what I like.
“Perfect choice, thanks. So, how can we take your vision to expand JB’s and make it a reality?” I take a sip of the thick, cool drink.
His eyes widen, and he leans in like a schoolgirl with a secret. We’re close enough that I notice fetching Hollywood bad boy-like chin stubble growing.
“I need to confess something. I’d rather keep the store as is. You know how I am about change. But, for Grandpa’s memory, I know it’s time to update and improve things. I have to reach for something bigger than me.”
His vulnerability is equally as attractive as the chocolate eyes I can’t stop gazing into.
“Did your grandpa want something specific for JB’s?”
“He wanted to tap into serving customers year-round. Although most Speculator Falls business is during the summer months, we have the locals to consider. He created a blueprint expansion for items that most of us have to travel to Indian Lake, Wells, Old Forge, or Lake George to buy.” He pushes his empty glass back. “But another confession.”
He wants this to be a date. He’s going to ask me to be his girlfriend. Okay, time to snap out of the Ben trance that Wendy started with her date remarks.
I switch my attention to my milkshake and take a sip. “What? Is it about the store? Something else?”
“Grandpa’s blueprints. I forgot them. You’re right. I’m unorganized. I think I was so excited to meet you here I walked right out of the store without them.” He winks.
Maybe Wendy’s right.
“Did you want to go get them? I mean, if you want.” Ben plays with his glass, sliding it back and forth.
Yep, this sure feels like a date. And I like it.
Ten minutes later we pay for our drinks and walk 500 feet to JB’s. He takes out his keys and unlocks the back door.
“Is there a security system to unarm?”
Ben chuckles and pushes the staff entrance open. “You’re definitely not from around here. The center doesn’t have one, does it?”
I take a few tentative steps into the mudroom area, waiting for Ben to turn the lights on. “No, but you have a lot more to lose than the center. Have you had break-ins?”
He flips the light switch and reaches for my hand. “Thankfully, never been a problem. Gotta love living in a county so small we don’t need stoplights. C’mon. The blueprints are in my office.”
Ben navigates me past boxes and through a narrow hallway to his office. Once he opens the door, we encounter more darkness. He lets go of my hand but not before giving it a squeeze.
I could light the room with my excitement.
He pushes another button to produce brightness and walks over to his desk. “I know I took the blueprints out of my desk this morning. Gimme a sec to root through the mail on top here.”
His whistle and paper shuffling fills the air. He picks up an envelope and seems to inspect it. The happy tune stops.
“Everything okay?” I take a seat on the other side of his desk.
He pulls out a piece of paper that appears business-like given the watermark I can see. “Swarthmore.” Ben’s reply almost sounds like a profanity.
“Kyle? What does he want?”
Ben drops the letter on the desk and pushes his chair back. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can continue our meeting.” He stands and walks me to his office door.
What did the letter say anyway?
“Okay—so I’m walking back to my car at Jack Frosty’s, alone?” I’m sure my voice rises.
He returns to his desk, not even looking at me. Looks like that envelope and his contents are his date now. “Yeah, sorry.”
“Just to make sure, you want me to walk alone at dusk.”
Ben looks up and sighs. “Jenna, it’s not Youngstown. You’ll be fine.”
“Right.” Hot tears fall on the same hand Ben had been holding. I walk away hoping I can find my way out of the place on my own when I hear his voice call out.
“I’ll call you.”
Whatever.
Even Howard seems chirpy compared to me when we unstack chairs and go through our morning routine.
“Eat two bowls of Wheaties today?” My favorite curmudgeon even nudges my arm.
“No. Sorry. Wrong side of the bed kind of a thing.”
He nods and saunters over to the next table. “Don’t you mean a Ben Regan kind of a thing?”
I drop a chair. “How do you know? Aren’t you the one that barks that you don’t care what people do as long as they let you get some coffee around here?”
Howard chuckles, a beautiful bass sound I could get used to. “Nah, my threats are only to stop Roxy from her constant Rockette yammering. Never works, though.” He continues setting up. “Young lady, don’t let that boy toy with your emotions. He’s built himself a pretty big wall to keep from hurting again, but God’s tearing it down.”
Tears form, but I blink them away. “I wish I believed that.”
“You know what? I think God’s using you to work on him. It’s gonna take time. When I lost my Alice, I didn’t want to interact with anyone. Getting close to people, even John, my friend for years, was too risky. And then he got sick and passed. I get why Ben acts the way he does.” He walks over and picks up the dropped chair. “But I believe you’re the one God has in mind to help him.”
“Howard, I’m the worst person to be around Ben. He misses his grandpa. He hurts over Trish leaving. I work at the place his grandpa loved and in the position she had. He reminds me I don’t belong.”
Another chuckle. “Fear doesn’t belong in Ben’s life. But you do. Don’t forget it, missy.”
A sob escapes and I hug Howard. “Thank you.”
“Anytime. But if you tell anyone I helped, to keep my grumpy old man reputation intact, I’ll deny it.” He winks and returns to his work.
It wasn’t even an hour later when Roxy starts remembering her Rockette days. “Even when we weren’t performing, we always had music. You know, Jenna, I think the center should be all about music.”
“Oh, here we go.” Howard mutters, putting his hands to his ears.
“How so, Roxy?” I take a seat across from her at a table with Janice, retired realtor Mabel Coffey, and Shirley.
She stands and walks over to the cabine
ts, opening the bottom door. “Look at the karaoke machine. It’s collecting dust. We should have an ice cream social and karaoke party some night. Music connects our souls. At least that’s what my—”
Howard puts down his hands. “Your Rockette coach always said.”
And then that so-called curmudgeon turns and winks my way.
Mabel nods. “I like the idea. We had a great start with the Memorial Day events. We need something regular to offer the community.”
“Whatever. Just don’t make me sing.” Howard stands. “Enough chit-chat for me. Giving me a headache. See you hens tomorrow.”
Shirley seems to ignore Howard and picks up where Roxy leaves off. “When Trish started, she had a variety show. That might be the last time we used the machine.”
Janice almost pops out of her chair. “Variety show, yes! Those were so much fun. You know, we could make a fundraiser out of it. Honestly, I think those tattered curtains will disintegrate if we touch them one more time. They need replacing.”
So does the furniture. And equipment. Then there’s the parking lot.
Shirley excuses herself then returns with her clipboard, paper, and pencil. “Roxy’s onto something here. Do you agree, Jenna?”
“Regular entertainment would lend credibility to my reports for the improvements and expansion. Let’s start small and keep improving. Roxy, how would you like to plan a monthly karaoke night, starting this month? Then in August, let’s have a senior center prom. By the holidays, we can have a variety show.”
The ladies respond with silence. I look down to make sure nothing is wrong with my appearance. “What? Will didn’t deliver spinach today, so I can’t have that stuck in my teeth.”
Shirley reaches over and gives an awkward hug. “You really want to keep this place hopping, don’t you?”
“Absolutely. That’s why I’m here.”
Janice smiles. “And we’re so glad. You belong, Jenna. I hope you know that.”
I reach across the table and squeeze her hand.
Take that, Ben.
Chapter Twelve
Entrusted (Adirondack Surrender Series Book 1) Page 7