by Eileen Green
The door opened quickly behind Heather. Morgan and Lily rushed through. “What happened?” Morgan asked.
“Looks like this young man got cut by flying glass. He’s bleeding.” Heather held Matthew’s hand, and when she began to press on it, pain shot through him.
“Fuck!” he shouted before remembering who he was with. “I’m sorry, babes.”
Hazel eyes looked up at him, a small quirk of a smile on her lips.
Morgan took his hand from Heather, and Matthew missed the feel of her hand. His brother looked closely at the cut. “We’re going to need a pair of tweezers and a magnifying glass,” Morgan announced.
Lily disappeared into the house in a flash. Matthew knew she was going to retrieve the items, but he was happy Heather remained.
The towel was still held under his hand, collecting any blood that may fall to the floor.
The door opened a few moments later. Kyle stuck his head out the door. “Will you get him in here?” he said, his voice irritated. “Andrew and Jake can take care of him.”
Ah, that’s right. If Heather was here, so was her mother and her two men. Heather, holding Matthew’s hand, led him into the house, into the kitchen. Kyle had followed, and his friends Jake and Andrew were already there.
A first aid kit was laying open on the kitchen counter, next to the bowl of salad Lily had been working on. Jake worked at retrieving items from inside the plastic box, while Andrew was holding the magnifying glass that Morgan had asked for.
Sitting on one of the barstools, Matthew let the others tend to him, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Heather. She took the seat beside him, her hand now resting on his knee.
Concentration was nearly nonexistent while the woman he had been interested in for so long was sitting next to him. There were pricks of pain, and some digging, but Matthew didn’t care.
Whispered voices spoke around him, but he could only take in her beauty.
In a few minutes, his hand was bandaged. On a napkin sitting on the counter were three small pieces of glass. Andrew had to dig to get them out of him, but Matthew didn’t need any antiseptic because watching his woman was all he needed.
“Thank you,” he said, his mind coming back to him. He kept his eyes on Heather, who was watching him through lowered eyes. It was as if she couldn’t keep her eyes off him.
“Matt, you just go out and rest on the patio.” Kyle had ordered him around before, and Matthew never really thought much of it. It was just the man’s dominant nature, for he showed it around Morgan and Lily.
It hadn’t bothered him before, but now that Heather was beside him, it rankled. He just wouldn’t rock the boat tonight.
Bewilderment set in as he went out to the patio and found a seat at the table nearest the grill. He wanted to be near the action where the men were going to be, but Heather had followed him out and sat next to him.
His heart beat wildly in his chest with her so near. He had wanted this for so long, but now he was at a loss for words. He couldn’t find his voice.
Daylight brought out the gold in Heather’s hair, along with tints of red. Her hair was much like her mother’s, but Heather’s was lighter. Her eyes were bright, the color more of blue than the hazel he remembered in the past. It must have been due to the sunlight also.
A smile crossed her full lips, catching his gaze. “You know, it’s not polite to stare.” Her voice was soft, yet broke into his thoughts.
Tearing his eyes away from her, he turned his head, embarrassment reigning. Damn, why can’t I act properly around her?
“I was kidding,” she said with a small laugh.
Heather laid her hand on his, bringing his attention back to her. There was no irritation in her face, just a friendly smile.
“I…” he began. He cleared his throat. “Thank you for helping me.”
“It’s not a problem. I just can’t believe you didn’t feel it.”
“I could only see your beauty.” It was finally out in the open.
Color tinted her cheeks at his words right before she turned her head slightly.
Damn! Matthew placed his other hand on hers and patted it, forgetting about the cut until he felt the pain shoot up his arm. He ignored it, for he didn’t want her to see him as a wimp who couldn’t handle a little bit of pain.
“I’m sorry if I embarrassed you,” he offered. “But I really did mean it.”
Her smile grew larger as she turned back to look at him. “Thank you. But you don’t have to pretend around me that you aren’t in pain.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Matthew moved his injured hand so that it was resting on the towel that seemed to have followed him. He looked back at Heather.
“I’ve always had a crush on you,” he said before he could stop himself.
“How long is always?” she asked, confusion knitting her brows together.
He had to hope he didn’t sound like a stalker. “Since about three years ago. At community college.”
Heather looked shocked by his admission. “Why did you wait so long to say anything?” she asked as she opened two bottles of beer she had brought out with her. She set one beer in front of him and took a swig of the other one.
“At first you were dating that, Roger guy, and then I thought I was so out of your league.”
“Really?” she asked with a small giggle. “I thought you were out of my league.”
Although shocked at her admission, Matthew kept his reaction neutral. He never thought of himself as a ladies’ man, and he had only dated three girls, only two he had slept with. School had been too important, and once he began helping with Kyle, life seemed like it had to take a backseat for a while.
Knowing that Heather had feelings for him boosted his spirits, the ones that deflated when he had gotten hurt. She cared enough to be the first one to come out to see what had happened.
“I never would have guessed you had been eyeing me.” Matthew scooted his chair so that he was looking directly at Heather. He also had to be careful and make sure she didn’t see his hard-on.
“I had, but then when I went over to Helena, I kept myself from getting involved with anyone. I knew I would be coming back to the area, and I would have probably have ended up with someone who wasn’t from the area.” Heather shrugged as she paused. “Of course, once I came back home after graduation, I was too busy looking for a job.”
“What did you major in?”
As they drank beer and got to know each other, Matthew enjoyed her company immensely. She was smart and had taken her education seriously. He had just gotten his general ed out of the way, and that was about as far as he went. A crossroad had been met when he finished watching Kyle.
Matthew began to believe he should have gone to Helena, or one of the other campus’ to get a degree. That wasn’t in the cards for right now though. He was there for the men who had been wrangled into this wedding thing.
Several meetings of the brides had taken place in this house, and Matthew had to be the one to push his feelings behind and help with dress fittings and discussions that needed to be figured out months before the wedding. Now, he wasn’t going to hide his feelings anymore. Everyone else was getting their happily-ever-afters, and now, he might be able to get one also.
The two talked as activity continued around them. Lily, along with Gwen, were busy setting up the bowls and platters of side dishes, while the guys sat around the grill and fixed the meats that were needed for the entire group.
Condiments had been set up on the two long tables set up into one, along with platters piled high with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Kyle and Morgan were grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, along with steak and chicken.
Matthew felt he should be helping, but he couldn’t bring himself to offer, and he wondered if perhaps Lily and Gwen wanted Heather to help.
“Do they mind that you aren’t helping?” he asked Heather quietly as not to point out she wasn’t helping.
“Mom? Do you need me to do anything?�
�� Heather asked, not getting up.
Gwen didn’t turn around from what she was doing at the patio table that had been pushed off to the side. “No, no. Lily and I have it all taken care of. You and Matthew just sit and relax.”
Lily began to giggle and Gwen followed. Matthew wasn’t sure what that was about, but he accepted that Heather was able to remain where she was. Having her near him seemed to be a balm for his soul.
“You have to forgive them,” Heather suggested. “They think that everyone needs to be as happy as them.”
“And you don’t?” Matthew inquired, trying to keep from smiling. He knew what his sister-in-law was doing, and he had to thank her for it when they were alone later.
Full lips turned up at the corners. Heather’s smile was so bright and infectious. She shrugged. “I do,” she admitted coyly. “I just think that people could be a bit subtler about certain things.”
The last part was spoken with a bit more conviction, which drew more giggles from the other two ladies.
Deciding to ignore them, Matthew decided to get a bit more personal. “So, I understand you graduated recently. Have you been able to find a job?”
The stiffness in Heather’s back was all the answer Matthew needed. He knew all about the employment situation in this part of the state. Or, the lack of.
Matthew had gotten a job with a local construction company. Summers were plentiful with work, but the rest of the year was a hit or miss. The weather became an issue and work was based on the weather conditions. Sometimes you’d get a job where the outer walls had been constructed so they were able to work out of the elements in the winter time. Other times, work just wasn’t achievable.
“No, I haven’t,” she answered, her voice a bit tight. “I don’t want to have to move out of the area to get a job, but I might have to.”
“That would be a shame.” When the thought hit him, he smiled. “At least you have this wedding planner thing to keep you busy for the time being.”
Her head nodded in agreement.
Dinner was ready all too soon, however, the two didn’t separate. Heather was attentive and helped get his food for him. When he fumbled with a knife and fork to cut up his steak, she patiently took the utensils from him and cut the perfectly grilled creation into bite-size pieces he could handle.
Small talk was what went on while they all ate. Heather did get up to help clean up, leaving the men alone.
“So, should we count you out of the running for looking for a woman?” Andrew teased.
“You do know you will have to come to us for her hand?” Jake added.
They acted as if they had dated, been engaged, and were ready to get married, all in one evening. Matthew laughed. If the feeling he had for Heather was any indication, Matthew knew he had found his future wife.
Dessert was brought out, a delicious looking strawberry shortcake, and set on the table. Heather resumed her seat beside Matthew, to his delight. Once the sweet concoction had been doled out, Heather opened a manila folder. There were papers with pictures, pages with handwritten notes, and a sheet with questions typed out on it.
The woman was extremely detailed oriented, and he could tell she enjoyed what she was doing.
There was talk about dresses, designs for the wedding and reception, and cakes. With each detail being discussed, Matthew knew what he could do to help.
“I can build the bridge you want across the pool. The altar, too.” He added his input. “Anything else you need built, I’m your man.”
Heather’s gaze slid down to his hand and a small laugh sounded from her. Matthew thought it was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard.
“If you promise not to hurt yourself during all this, you can have the job,” she offered.
Fantastic! I can spend more time with her!
Chapter Two
It had been years since he had seen her. In fact, it had been four years. He had attended her high school graduation. Well, not hers, but the son of one of his board members.
He hadn’t wanted anything to do with his daughter. He didn’t want to pay child support. He didn’t want visitation with her.
Tricking her mother into sleeping with him had been a feat he hadn’t thought he would be able to achieve, but he had learned how to lie well.
It hadn’t bothered him that Gwen Bowers had to raise his child on her own, or that her own parents had shunned her and his brat, as long as she hadn’t sued him for child support. If she had, his own parents would have disowned him.
To this day, his parents didn’t know about Heather Bowers, and that’s how Dale Peters wanted it. He would never hear the end of it, and they would insist he do right by her. Of course, there wasn’t anything she could do about it now.
The front door to the bank opened and a young woman with golden blonde hair walked in. She was a bit on the plump side like her mother. There was no way in hell he would be with Gwen, or someone like his daughter. Too much flesh.
Twenty-two years ago, he had convinced Gwen that he loved her so he could fuck her. His friends had bet him that he wouldn’t be able to get her to have sex with him. It had taken a while, but he had won that hundred bucks. He just didn’t expect there to be residual effects.
Dale was getting ready to enter the conference room on the second floor of the bank for his weekly meeting with the board, but he stopped when he had seen her enter. He did have to admit she was pretty.
Heather didn’t spend long in the bank, conducting her business at the teller. As she was getting ready to leave, she looked around. As if she felt him, she looked up at him, their gazes locking. There was no idea what she was thinking, but the connection was broken when a man stepped up to her.
The man was not quite a half foot taller than Heather, but he had dark blond hair. He was muscular, and he looked at Heather as if she was the last woman on the earth.
Dale had no claim on her, and yet he wanted to go down a pummel the young man for even looking at his daughter. Who the hell did this ass wipe think he was?
He had no idea why he was so territorial suddenly.
“Peters! We have a meeting to conduct!” one of the men in the meeting room exclaimed.
Business was the most important thing to Dale. It was his family’s bank, passed down from generation to generation. His great-grandfather had started the bank back when the town was only a few buildings and dozen families.
Well, the bank was the second most important thing in his life. This first was his wife of five years. She was a platinum blonde with the perfect body. Thin and leggy, yet her rack made her attract attention from men and women both.
She was his Achilles heel. Only eighteen when they met while he wasn’t quite twenty years older than she. She carried herself well, never gossiped with any others. He made sure she belonged to all the right clubs, and when she didn’t behave like she should, he would discipline her in his own way. He had her under his thumb.
Heather looked one last time in his direction before flouncing herself out of the bank, that beautiful blonde hair whirling around with her movements.
After the meeting, he would need to go down and check with the teller to see what his daughter wanted in his bank. He knew that neither she, nor her mother held an account with them.
* * * *
“What was that all about?” Matthew asked once he and Heather were out on the sidewalk. When she didn’t answer right away, he probed further. “Are you all right, babes?”
As if something was crawling on her, Heather’s body shook briefly before she became still. “That was my father,” she announced with a sneer.
Matthew knew that Heather had grown up without a father, but from what everyone told him, she didn’t know who he was. Gwen had spoken very briefly with Jake and Andrew about him early in their relationship, but according to Gwen, the man didn’t want anything to do with his daughter.
Now, he was shocked by her declaration. There was animosity in her words and her demeanor, but as
if a shade had been drawn before her eyes, Heather straightened up, took his good hand, and began to lead him down the street.
“You promised me dinner,” she said quickly. “I’m starving.”
He stopped quickly and whirled her around to face him. “You skipped lunch again, didn’t you?” he asked, already knowing the answer. Sometimes she got so caught up in her work, she forgot to eat. He wanted to make sure her health stood uncompromised so she could continue her work.
Her eyes appeared green today. It always amazed him that her hazel eyes could do that. His were green, but they didn’t change color.
Those lovely eyes rolled at his question and she gave a slight laugh. “Of course I ate.”
“What did you have to eat?”
His challenge surprised her. She shifted from one foot to the other as she thought. Finally, she answered, “I had some crackers and a bit of cake.”
“Crackers and cake?” he asked unbelievingly. “That’s not enough.”
Heather began to lead him down the street again, her feet moving quickly. Matthew had to wonder if it was because she was hungry, or if because she wanted to get away from where her father had been.
They ducked into a small Italian restaurant where the aroma of tomatoes and spices assailed his senses. He had eaten lunch, however, with it being near dinner, Matthew found he was quite hungry.
When the waitress arrived to take their order, they each ordered something different. Heather, he discovered, liked to try whatever he was eating, whether they ate at a restaurant or at a friends’ house.
There had been a lot of meals with different friends as she was in the early stages of planning the wedding. All the ladies had suggestions, wedding dresses to show, and personalities to reveal.
After the dinner at Morgan, Kyles, and Lily’s house two weeks ago, Heather would call Matthew nearly daily to see if he would like to go with her if she went somewhere, or, there were nights he would go out to Gwen, Andrew, and Jake’s house where Heather was living. He was ecstatic that she wanted to spend time with him, and that she seemed to like to be with him also.