Guy Next Door (9781460341179)

by Tippens, Missy

  Darcy was off-limits. Was too deserving and sweet for someone like him who’d never before committed to long-term.

  How could he have risked blowing their friendship for a kiss? Granted, a life changing, mind-shattering kiss. But a kiss, nonetheless.

  He turned to her, forcing himself to make eye contact. “We’re here. Thanks for helping get the house ready.”

  She smiled, but the devastation in her eyes nearly broke his heart. She probably couldn’t stand the thought that she was attracted to him of all people. She saw him as superficial when it came to dating relationships. Had always chided him, acted disapproving when he broke up with girlfriend after girlfriend. She’d be mortified to think she could be lumped in with that list of women.

  “Anything for the kids.” Her hand fluttered to the door handle. “Well, gotta go.”

  He needed to stay away from her to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid, but he couldn’t be rude. “I’ll walk you home.”

  She held up her hand to stop him. “No, thanks. I’m good.”

  As she climbed out of the passenger side, he exited the car. Then he watched as she hurried home.

  What have we done?

  Had they ruined everything? Surely not. They’d spoken civilly, agreed that the kiss had been a mistake. And they still needed to cooperate with each other on the auction.

  Everything would turn out fine, as long as he pushed the day’s events out of his mind and resolved not to give in to the temptation to kiss her again.

  Now that he’d seen the slippery slope of giving in to attraction, he knew he needed to warn his dad about doing the same thing with Noreen.

  Luke went inside and found his dad in his home office, sitting at the desk, still in his shirt and tie with the tie loosened.

  “I’m glad I caught you at home,” Luke said.

  “Productive day?”

  Depended on the definition of productive. He had certainly produced a disaster. “Yeah, the house was in good shape. Someone must’ve already been up there this season.”

  A guilty flush colored Burt’s cheeks. “Uh, yeah. Maybe so.”

  Had their parents played matchmaker, then? “Look, Dad. I need to talk to you. And it’s not easy.”

  He shut his laptop. “Have a seat.”

  “I’ve probably been a little too outspoken with my opinion of you and Noreen dating. Now I’ve had time to calm down some and see you together.”

  Burt nodded. “I knew you’d come around.”

  “I still feel I need to warn you about moving too quickly. Mom’s only been gone six months. We’re still grieving.”

  “Six months is a short time. But I was here with your mom all along, had more time to prepare for losing her. Noreen has been a widow for over two years and has helped me work through my grief. I’ve had help healing that you haven’t had.”

  “Dad, I’m worried about Noreen, too. I see how attached she is to you. What if this attraction you’ve had for her is simply out of grief and loneliness?”

  “It’s not.”

  “What if, down the road, you find it is? She’ll be crushed.”

  Burt’s brows drew together. Was Luke finally getting through to him?

  “I don’t take your concerns lightly,” Burt said. “I promise you I’ll be careful.”

  Encouraged, Luke scooted to the edge of his seat, leaning forward, forearms on knees. “Dad, I know you don’t want to sell the house, but I’d like to propose something I’ve considered for several weeks. I think the arrangement could be good for both of us.”

  “I’m always open to your ideas.”

  As long as Luke could remember, he’d wanted to make his dad proud. Asking him for help would be difficult. Yet he’d never know his dad’s reaction if he didn’t try.

  “The Nashville practice is thriving, growing faster than either Roger or I dreamed.”

  Burt crossed his arms and smiled. “That’s great news.”

  “Roger will be fully retired in the next few months, and he’s ready to turn the practice over to me. Frankly, I’m concerned clients may feel I don’t have enough experience.”

  “You’ll learn. I think you can do it.”

  The vote of confidence settled inside him, balm for that place of doubt he’d carried for too long. “I appreciate that. But a couple of clients have already left, citing my lack of experience. I need someone I can trust, someone with your experience. I’d like for you to join me as my partner.”

  His dad plunked back in his chair, brows raised. “I didn’t see that coming.”

  “I like to think you’d be happy up there. New challenges, new setting.”

  “Son, I don’t mean to be flippant, but I can’t envision that partnership working.”

  The words pained him, yet wasn’t that what he’d expected from his father? “I hope you can set aside your feelings for Noreen to at least consider the offer. If nothing else, you and I would live closer to each other.”

  “This has nothing to do with Noreen. I wouldn’t want to move and begin again when I’m starting to think of retirement myself. Besides, I think you’d be happier if you settled here in your hometown with Darcy.”

  It was Luke’s turn to plunk back in his chair, blown away by his dad’s keen perception. Or, rather, misperception.

  Who was Luke kidding? His dad wasn’t off base. Were his feelings for Darcy that obvious?

  “I’m committed to Roger, to the practice,” Luke said.

  “I’m proud of you for that. But no one would fault you for leaving an associate position to return to your hometown. Better now than after Roger retires.”

  What did Burt think Luke would do? Move home and open a solo practice down the road? Join another local firm?

  “I closed on the building last week. I’m staying in Nashville.”

  “If that’s your decision, then maybe it’s time to talk with other attorneys in the area about joining you.”

  If his dad wouldn’t consider the offer, then Luke was wasting his time. He needed to get out of Appleton as soon as possible. To keep his friendship with Darcy intact.

  * * *

  Darcy paced the length of the kitchen counter. Where was her mom?

  She glanced at her cell phone for the hundredth time. Was Mom with Burt? She hadn’t answered any of Darcy’s texts since she’d gotten home from the lake.

  Mrs. Johnson, Darcy’s boss at the mall, had certainly answered, though. And she was not happy Darcy had called in sick for the first time ever. The text she sent Darcy as follow-up left no doubt that the manager was disappointed in Darcy and not happy to have to stay late and close the store.

  Darcy was in pain, though, physical and otherwise. Her stomach…her heart. There was no way she could go in and act cheerful around customers, no way she could focus to count a drawer full of money and total out a cash register.

  All Luke’s fault.

  If she were honest, her own fault, as well. She’d known…known…not to let herself fall for him again.

  “Darcy, honey, where are you?” Mom called from the foyer.

  Finally. “In the kitchen.”

  Noreen rushed through the doorway. “Are you okay? I was helping Chloe mark down sale items and just now saw your texts.”

  “I’m fine.” Or she would be.

  With a hand pressed to her chest, Noreen sagged against the counter. “You sounded frantic to find me.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know where you were, and I need to talk to you.”

  Tossing her purse and keys on the counter, Noreen huffed out a breath of relief. “Then let’s go outside and chat.”

  They sat side by side on the glider, and when her mom pushed Darcy’s hair over her shoulder like Luke had done, she wanted to cry.
r />   “What’s wrong, honey?”

  “I’m worried about you,” she blurted to keep from admitting she was worried about herself, as well. Determined to keep her mom from experiencing the same pain of rejection, she decided she had to plow ahead. “I know you’re happy dating Burt. And I truly love to see that. But you have to promise me you’ll avoid falling for him.”

  Noreen’s face glowed with an expression of bliss so sweet and tender Darcy’s eyes stung.

  “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. I love him. I just haven’t told him yet.”

  “Mom, nooo.”

  “You’ve been so supportive. Why the sudden protectiveness?”

  How could she explain that Burt was probably like his son, and that he’d freak when she said she loved him, and would push her away?

  The same as Luke always did. Every girl who ever got close to him and dared mention love—or even seriously dating—sent him in the opposite direction. He had some kind of off switch that emotional closeness tripped, something that kept him from loving them back.

  “You’re a wonderful woman,” Darcy said, “but I’m afraid Burt’s simply lonely and will change his mind once he’s had time to heal.”

  “A risk I’m willing to take. I respect him and truly feel he knows what he’s doing. He understands our relationship has moved very quickly. But, honey, we both feel Joan and your dad would be happy for us.”

  Scared for her mom, yet touched by her sincerity, Darcy grabbed Noreen’s hand and held tight.

  “With their illnesses and deaths, Burt and I have learned a hard lesson about taking life and love for granted. We want to live fully now.”

  How could Darcy argue with that? “Please don’t do anything crazy like get married, okay? Give him time to make sure you’re The One.”

  “Are you sure your fear isn’t colored by something else?”

  Her eyes locked with her mom’s. “What do you mean?”

  “I sense there’s more to your relationship with Luke than longtime friendship.”

  Darcy’s heart pattered against her ribs. “Nope. We learned our lesson when he dated Chloe. In fact, today we mentioned our old mantra about that.”

  Noreen’s expression turned sad. “You can deny it to me if you’re not ready to talk, but you need to at least be honest with yourself.”

  Darcy glanced around the patio at the planters of freshly planted petunias, the neatly trimmed hedges, the comfy chaise longue. Finally her gaze landed back on her mother.

  “I don’t know what to do without ruining everything,” Darcy whispered.

  Noreen pulled her close for a hug. “Oh, honey, just follow your heart.”

  Follow her heart? After that devastating kiss and Luke’s reaction to it? Her heart had led her astray every time before. Had led her to unrequited love and heartbreak.

  No, Darcy needed to get her act together. Had to wrestle back her feelings for Luke and not let them show if she wanted to retain her dignity. Which probably meant an end to their easy friendship. She couldn’t be relaxed around him without giving herself away.

  Lord, is there something You’re teaching me here? At the moment, I sure can’t figure it out.

  No one must know she was falling in love with Luke…especially Luke.

  Chapter Nine

  Out of the corner of his eye, Luke spotted Darcy, a mere blur of khaki and green zipping through the church doorway as soon as the Sunday morning service ended. She was avoiding him all together.

  “Was that Darcy?” his grandmother asked, holding on to his arm.

  “I think that was her.”

  “Hmm. Must be in a hurry.”

  Grace had that right. Apparently, Darcy wasn’t up to acting as if nothing had happened yesterday. He couldn’t say he blamed her. He wasn’t sure he was ready, either.

  Even though his conversation with Burt hadn’t gone well the night before, Luke needed to tell Granny that he’d asked his dad to come to Tennessee. Needed to prepare her, in case Burt mentioned the offer.

  “How about I take you out to lunch, Granny?”

  “I believe your dad said he and Noreen had plans, so that sounds lovely.”

  They walked across the square to the café and got the last available table for two, a small half booth in the very back. The spot was typically used for waitresses to sit and wrap silverware, only used for customers during their busiest hours.

  Once he and Granny had ordered, Luke heard the waitress showing a party to the booth behind him, the same one he and Chloe and Darcy had sat in the week before.

  Though the voices were unfamiliar, one of the occupants spoke his mom’s name.

  Then his dad’s name.

  He glanced at Granny. Either she hadn’t heard, or else she was trying to ignore the conversation, which wasn’t flattering to either Noreen or Burt.

  Luke clenched his teeth and took a deep breath, trying his best to hold his temper. “Granny, I’d like for you to speak at the auction. To tell how Food4Kids started, maybe tell some stats on how many kids have been helped.”

  Granny opened her mouth to reply, but the conversation behind them drew her attention.

  “I can’t believe Noreen would do that,” said the woman in a pseudo-whisper. “I mean, come on. Her best friend’s husband? So soon?”

  Before he thought better of it, Luke slid out of the booth and stepped to where he could see who was talking about Noreen and his dad.

  He recognized one of the three women as the cashier of the local dollar store but didn’t know her name. Her mouth fell open when she saw him.

  “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation,” Luke said in as friendly a tone as he could manage given the fury curling inside him. “Please refrain from speaking about Noreen that way. Gossip about this particular situation­—which, by the way, is a private matter—is hurtful.”

  “I’m sorry,” the stricken woman said. “No harm intended.”

  Yeah, right. He nodded and returned to his seat as she and her friends hustled out of the diner.

  Granny patted his hand then motioned him closer. “Good job, son. Your dad would be proud to hear you taking up for Noreen.” Her brown eyes reflected kindness, reassurance. “I’m glad to see you’re changing your mind about their relationship.”

  “I haven’t, Granny. In fact, last night I asked Dad to relocate to Nashville. I want to bring in a partner with experience, someone I can trust, and invited him to come join the practice.”

  He hated the concerned look on her face as she fiddled with the button at the neck of her blouse. “Did you really?”

  “I’m sorry. I should have told you my plan as soon as I got to town. I’d like for you to come, too.”

  “What did Burt say?”

  “What do you think?” He sighed and shook his head. “He’s not going to leave Noreen unless something changes drastically. Which it could, once he comes to his senses.”

  She speared him with one of her censuring looks. “As much as I think you’d be happier moving back home, I should tell you I believe in you. You’re perfectly capable of running that business on your own.”

  “Thanks, Granny. I’ve lost a couple of clients, but I’ll be fine.” He would have to be to make those mortgage payments.

  Roger had said he’d be available to advise. Luke could find someone local who might like to join the firm. But Luke would have to give up on the chance to prove himself to his dad. It was time to be strong, to stand on his own. Time to prepare to leave Appleton as soon as the auction was over.

  And maybe it was time, too, to move beyond the old friendship with Darcy. To let it go. Somehow, coming home and being around her never failed to stir up thoughts of settling back in Appleton, thoughts of settling for Appleton. It also stirred up thoughts of
wanting to see Jordan & Jordan on that sign. Of wanting to be close by his grandmother. Of wanting to spend every free moment with Darcy.

  And now, heaven help him, it stirred up thoughts of wanting to kiss her again.

  Despite the detour his heart had taken lately, maybe it was time to sever that tie with Darcy. Time for both of them to move on to the lives God had planned for them.

  * * *

  Darcy managed to avoid Luke for three straight days. She knew she would eventually need to contact him about the auction, yet she planned to put it off as long as possible.

  She’d just completed her second night in a row closing Glitzy Glenda’s as penance for calling in sick on Saturday. Her feet ached. Her head pounded. Her stomach growled. Darcy was so tired she wanted to drop in her tracks and go to sleep on a bench in the middle of the mall.

  She locked the gate, tossed the bag of trash into a large portable bin in the middle of the mall, then proceeded to the night deposit.

  Soon, she’d be home.

  Soon, she’d eat the warm vegetable soup her mom had promised to have waiting.

  Soon, she’d— Umpf, she grunted as a hard shove from behind sent her flying toward the bank drop box even as her shoulder wrenched backward. Her hand smacked into the wall, but she caught herself before her head hit the teller machine. She gripped her neck and turned to see if she’d tripped or—

  She hadn’t tripped. Someone had pushed her. Someone who was now running out the door into the parking lot.

  With her purse.

  Stunned, Darcy hollered, “Call security!”

  A woman stuck her head out of the eyeglasses store and waved. “I’ll call. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah.” The shop’s money bag had been hidden inside a FedEx envelope tucked safely under her arm. Had he taken that, too?

  Darcy rushed out the door to chase the guy through the poorly lit parking lot, yelling for him to stop—as if that would really help.

  With a glance over his shoulder, he made a quick cut between cars, banged into the hood of the vehicle, bounced off it like a pinball and then fell to the ground. He struggled to his feet, yanked open the purse and looked inside. In the distance, a mall security vehicle with a yellow flashing light appeared. The guy cursed and slung the purse aside. Then he took off so that she lost sight of him.