Seeking Mr. Debonair

by Cami Checketts

  “Who is this?” James snarled. “The lame cowboy from the airport?”

  “I’m her boyfriend,” Crew declared. “And if I ever catch you touching her again, you’ll wish the worst you got was being chucked against your overpriced car.”

  James looked Crew over, then flung open his car door, slid inside, and peeled out of the driveway.

  Crew turned to her, brushing the hair from her face, his eyes sweeping over her. “Are you okay?”

  “Y-yes.” Harley let out a little sob and threw herself against his chest.

  Crew’s arms came around her, strong and sure. She simply held on to him, breathing in his unique musky scent along with the smell of hay and horses. Peace and safety washed over her, a sense of home.

  Her legs trembled. She let herself think what would’ve happened if James had gotten her into his car, and her stomach lurched. He could’ve taken her anywhere, done anything. Her whole body shook.

  “You’re not okay.” Crew tilted up her chin with his palm.

  “Yes, I am. You’re here.” Harley stood on tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. Like the first time she’d kissed him, he seemed too stunned to respond immediately, but he didn’t make her wait very long as he cupped the back of her neck, tilting her head to a different angle and deepening the kiss. Harley sighed as desire and love overwhelmed her. She clung to his strong back and let his mouth work its magic on her.

  When he released her, she felt like she was soaring. “Thank you for rescuing me,” she whispered.

  “I wish I could always rescue you.” He stared down at her with longing and a love she couldn’t deny.

  “Well, why can’t you?” She put a lot of sass into her voice.

  Crew laughed and trailed his fingers along her sensitive neck. She tingled from head to toe. “I would love to, but I can’t watch out for you very well if you’re in England.” His face sobered. “Maybe I’d better follow you there. What if all Englishmen are idiots like that one?”

  Harley rolled her eyes and released her grip on his back. “They aren’t.”

  Crew stared at her. “Harley, I love you.”

  “I know,” she whispered. Misery overtook her as she knew they were back to what would always keep them apart.

  “Do you have to go?”

  “You’d keep me from my dreams?” It was the question at the base of all her issues with her family and Crew. She’d said or thought it too many times, but it was her only defense right now. She wanted nothing more than to stay in Crew’s arms, but that was a wimp’s way out. She couldn’t simply stay in this valley and never make anything of herself. She’d regret it and she didn’t think she’d ever be content. Yet thoughts of not being with Crew seemed more torturous at the moment than not exploring the world.

  “Harley.” He shook his head. “Of course I want you to have your dreams, but please tell me those dreams don’t include marrying an idiotic Englishman.”

  She couldn’t answer him. Her dreams since age twelve had been centered around her debonair Englishman and the places they’d explore together.

  “Please tell me you’ll come back to me.”

  Why did he have to make this so hard? What she wouldn’t give to never leave him. Harley steeled her spine and pulled away from him, stepping up a stair. “I can’t dictate where I’ll end up. What if I do fall in love with an Englishman?” It felt so mean to say it, but she’d planned on finding her own Mr. Darcy for more than half her life. Just because Crew put a wrench in her plans didn’t mean the plan couldn’t veer and then get back on track.

  He jammed a hand through his hair, saying with disgust, “You don’t even know what love is.”

  “Yes, I do.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “You have some skewed vision of love from Jane Austen novels! I read them. They’re stupid.”

  She gasped, partly because of his insult of her favorite author, but mostly because she couldn’t believe he’d read them. “You said you only read part of Pride and Prejudice.”

  “I read every single one of them. Even though I was bored stiff and honestly think Jane Austen loved to vomit silly nonsense all over the page.”

  Harley laughed at that. “She was a little wordy at times.”

  “A little?”

  She couldn’t validate that, even if it was true. “Why’d you read them if you didn’t like them?”

  “Because you liked them.” He jabbed a hand her direction. “And if you think about it, each woman found the right man for her, not some elusive guy she thought she would end up with. The right man for you is not some Englishman, Harley. It’s me.”

  She drew back another step, but he came closer. “Love is about shared values, shared work ethic, shared upbringing, fireworks when you touch, caring about the other person more than you care about yourself.” He shook his head. “If you want to go to England, go. I’ll support you and be cheering you on. But know that the man who loves you more than anything in the world is right here, waiting for you.”

  The words were so touching, so right, but the right guy for her was a debonair Englishman. She glanced over Crew. He was debonair, in his way, but she had to go to England, and no matter how she wanted to be with Crew he’d never pull up his roots and hers weren’t planted here anymore.

  “I’m so sorry, Crew,” she managed. “We’re just not meant to be. Fate’s against us.”

  “To heck with fate,” he muttered. His jaw tightened and his eyes swept over her. “When do you go to Cambridge?”

  “Three weeks.”

  He stepped closer. “Are you going to find at Cambridge what you didn’t find at Yale?”

  “What do you mean?” Her heart thumped at his nearness.

  “You want to experience life and the world, but I see you just buckling down and studying, reading, dreaming of experiences but not taking them.”

  She blinked at him. “But don’t you see, Crew? That’s why I have to go. I’ll never have those experiences here. I really would waste away living through my books.”

  He reached up and traced a hand tenderly down her cheek. Harley couldn’t stop the warm shiver his touch created. “You’re always looking for something out there, Harley. Maybe you need to slow down and experience what’s right in front of you. Savor life, savor the moments.”

  Harley wanted to tell him that the only moments she really savored were when she was with him, but the words stuck in her throat. She cleared it and said, “That’s why I’m going, Crew. To experience it all.”

  He pulled his hand away, studied her for a few seconds, and nodded. “Good luck, Harley. I hope you find what you’re looking for.” He turned and walked toward the barn.

  Harley watched him go. Her stomach felt like it was full of lead and despair blanketed her. But she’d worked for years to go have the experiences that England promised. She was determined to see all there was to see.

  She was going to England. No matter how idiotic that decision seemed right now.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Crew was at a job site near Teton Village the day Harley was scheduled to fly to Cambridge. He’d felt such despair and depression over the past three weeks he was almost numb when this day finally came.

  As his workers were coming back from lunch, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket a couple of times with text messages, but he was trying to explain to the framers how to make a difficult part of the main level work. It was brilliant on the plans and would be amazing if it worked, but they were not happy with all the angles right now, nor with the lack of support for the open second story loft.

  Almost two hours later he walked to his truck and pulled his phone out. There were two texts. One from Ryker. One from Harley. Ryker’s said, Where are you? She’s looking for you. Harley’s had been sent almost two hours ago and simply had her flight number, the departure time, and one word that chilled his blood: Flight 1417. 2:48 p.m. Fate?

  Crew looked at the time and cursed. 2:14. The airport was on the north end
of Jackson Hole, only about ten minutes from his location, but would he get there in time? They loaded planes early and shut the doors, but Jackson Hole Airport was a little more laid-back. Did this mean Harley wanted him? If he got there, would that mean fate was on their side? With how her mind worked and all her Jane Austen fantasies, she might believe if he got there they were meant to be. He already believed that, but sadly she didn’t.

  He jumped in the truck, started it, and floored the gas, praying with everything in him that her flight had been delayed.

  Harley gave Ryker and her mom each a hug, barely holding back the tears and trying not to look around the sparsely populated airport for Crew. Did he get her text? He’d never responded. She had no clue why she’d sent the text and semi-regretted it the second she’d typed the quick message.

  She and Crew had hardly talked the past three weeks. She was bound and determined to go and give England and Englishmen a chance, so why was she so hung up on Crew and why was she letting fate decide?

  She held in a longing sigh. She loved him. That’s why she’d sent the text. If he made it, then she’d know it was fate or her father’s support from heaven and they were truly supposed to be together. She’d go get her master’s, and then they’d work things out. Maybe he could come to England, or maybe she’d come here. They could make a long-distance relationship work too.

  If he didn’t come … She didn’t want to think about it, but maybe that was fate too, or maybe he’d given up on her after the last time he told her he loved her and she rejected him. Oh, that had hurt.

  “You have all your snacks and money for food?” her mom asked.

  Harley lifted up her carry-on bag. “Right here, Mama. Don’t worry, they actually feed you on international flights.”

  “Mama’s snacks will taste better,” Ryker said, winking.

  “For sure.” She was going to miss her mom’s cooking, but she’d miss Ryker and her mom more.

  A voice spoke over the intercom: “Now boarding all seats to flight 1417 to Salt Lake City, Utah.” Harley would change planes in Salt Lake then again in New York, where she’d finally be on to London; then she’d take the train the seventy miles to Cambridge. She could hardly wait to just drink in the English countryside, but she didn’t want to leave without seeing Crew first.

  She glanced at her phone. Twenty minutes until departure—she had to go now to get through security and to her gate. Hefting her carry-on, she searched every part of the airport. No Crew. Her throat felt dry and achy, like she needed a good cry. If Crew didn’t come, crying might be her companion the first leg of her flight.

  Crew didn’t know if his tires touched the road as he flew toward the airport. He had to get to that airport, and even though he hadn’t seen the text until almost too late, he could believe he was going to make it on time.

  The best part was, Harley wanted him there. His heart was pumping fast and he couldn’t stop grinning. Harley wanted him there and he finally realized what he needed to tell her. He loved her and he’d move to England if that’s what it took to prove it. They could have a long-distance relationship. They could live in England or Wyoming; it didn’t matter, as long as he could be with her. He could sell his company here. It might take years to build up a construction and design business in a foreign country with no contacts, but he was young and ambitious. He’d make it work. He’d do anything for Harley.

  He could see the airport half a mile ahead, small planes up to jets lined up, and his future was inside waiting to board a plane.

  He could just imagine pulling her close, kissing her, telling her he’d be here waiting as long as she needed, or that he’d move to England if that’s what she wanted. He kept the gas pedal pinned to the floor, anticipation pulsing through his veins.

  Harley turned toward security, but her mom stopped her. “One more hug,” she begged.

  Ryker chuckled and Harley let out a shaky laugh. Enfolded in her mom’s arms, she wondered how she was going to stay away from these people that she loved so much. Ryker’s broad arms came around both of them. Tears sprang to her eyes and dripped out. This was hard. She thought of her daddy’s final words: Keep them happy. How was this keeping them happy? Was she the most selfish creature on the planet to leave her family like this?

  “Maybe I shouldn’t go,” she forced out.

  Her mom leaned back and Ryker shifted so his arm was around Mom. “You listen to me, sweetheart,” her mom said. “You’ve worked too hard and dreamt too long. Go have your adventure. We’ll be able to visit and talk all the time.” She kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “Love you, baby girl.”

  “Love you.”

  Ryker leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Love you, sis.”

  “Love you, big bro. I’ll see you at Christmas.” Harley broke from their embraces and ran for the security line.

  An older lady in line watched her with a sympathetic gaze. “Hard to leave?”

  “The hardest.”

  The lady nodded with understanding.

  Harley searched the airport one more time before she handed over her I.D. and boarding pass, then walked through security. No Crew. She met her mom’s and Ryker’s gazes and lifted a hand in farewell. Apparently fate didn’t want her and Crew together.

  She walked to the security inspection, lifting her carry-on into a bin, tears pricking her eyes. Everything she loved was behind her. She sniffed and pressed a hand to her nose, straightening her shoulders. Her future was in front of her. A future that wasn’t going to include Crew.

  Crew kept checking the clock on his dashboard. She might be through security already, but he was going to park illegally, pay for a plane ticket to anywhere, and get to Harley before she boarded that plane.

  He didn’t notice the flashing lights in his rearview until he heard a siren. He quickly pulled over, cursing when Highway Patrol pulled over behind him. The airport was right there. He could jump out of his truck and sprint to Harley, if he didn’t get arrested first.

  He banged his head back against the headrest and pulled out his license, registration, and insurance. He’d thought fate was on his side, but fleeing from the law probably wasn’t his best option. If he decided to move to England, he needed a clean record.

  The policeman greeted him coolly. “Do you know why I pulled you over, son?”

  “Speeding,” he muttered.

  “What’s the rush?”

  Crew pointed at the airport. “The love of my life is flying to England in …” He looked at the dash. “Fifteen minutes, and if I don’t get there, she’ll believe it’s fate and never come back to me or give me a chance to be with her.”

  The policeman arched an eyebrow and then laughed. “Wish I could say I’d contributed to true love today, but you were going seventy-five in a thirty-five. That’s reckless driving, son. I could arrest you if I wanted.”

  Crew blew out a breath and nodded. The speed limit must’ve dropped as he approached the airport. He’d thought he was only going twenty over. What could he do? Pull away and hope he could get to Harley before he was in handcuffs?

  The man took his paperwork and sauntered back to his sport utility. Crew watched the minutes tick by. His stomach churned. Sitting here was killing him quickly.

  A jet plane lifted over his head and banked to the south. Harley’s plane. He could feel it. She was gone. Desolation settled in his gut. She was gone. He banged his head against the headrest again. Fate hated him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Harley put her head down and rushed through the biting wind toward her marketing class. Henry held the door for her, and she thanked him and hurried into the warm building. He stayed by her side. “Fancy any plans tonight, love?”

  She smiled. He was tall, dark, and handsome, the perfect Mr. Darcy, with great manners and even greater bloodlines. “Studying, a hike, and then night class,” she said. “Hopefully I’ll fit some food in sometime.”

  “Care to meet me for a jolly good time?”

 
; “No, thank you.”

  “Ah, you’re breaking my heart. What is life without good times?”

  “I’ve actually got a date for the hike, but I didn’t want to break your heart.” She winked.

  “Twist that ice pick.” He grinned. “Is it Branson?”

  Branson was their class clown and super cute. Everyone loved him. He’d made it his quest this year to win Harley over and told her and everyone his plans incessantly. “No,” she admitted. “It’s Juliette.”

  He reared back. “I didn’t realize that was your inclination.”

  Harley giggled. Henry was great. She loved all of her classmates and every minute she spent in England. She’d met some truly debonair men here, but maybe her definition of debonair was changing. The man who now defined debonair in her mind had missed her at the airport—fate hadn’t been on their side, but she’d gotten a text when she reached Salt Lake about him getting pulled over and getting a huge ticket because he was trying to get there. It had meant a lot. They’d exchanged a few tentative texts, but neither of them seemed to want to discuss life plans over the phone.

  They also emailed often. He wanted her advice on house plans, and she wanted to discuss a certain marketing or business idea. She wanted to see him in person so badly, but Christmas would come and then she’d know for sure where they stood. If fate was on track or disillusioned.

  “We’re going on a long hike, and then I’m going to my night class.”

  “You and your hiking.”

  Cambridge was truly beautiful, and though these mountains were nothing compared to the Tetons, she loved all the hikes, walks, bike rides, and exploring adventures she and her roommate Juliette went on. No matter how cold it was or how busy they were, they fit something in most days. That was due to Crew telling her to live life, to savor it. She hadn’t done that in Connecticut and had blamed school, but now she was trying her best to get out there and experience everything she could.