“I have not,” he replied. “But we’ll certainly visit you there.”
“You will?”
He smiled. “Of course. All of us. Maybe we’ll get to hear your dad sing somewhere.”
Jake laughed. “Are you forgetting how my guitar made you crazy when you were a kid?”
“It was pretty bad at first,” Sam admitted. “But you got better at it.”
“I’d like to stay here, but just for a little while,” Winter told Aurora. “I’m in no hurry to go to a new school.”
“That’s right,” Aurora said in realization. “You should be in school.”
“I’ll need to take a placement test for seventh grade, but there shouldn’t be any problem. I excelled in everything at Lady Pettigrew’s.”
“Really? Everything?”
“Well,” she said, looking down at the fried chicken on her plate. “Except deportment.”
“Now, that runs in the family,” Jake muttered, glancing toward Sam.
* * *
“DID YOU BRING your shotgun?” Jake thought that was about as good an opening line he’d ever used, but Aurora Jones looked less than impressed.
“Please,” she drawled. “Don’t bother flirting.”
He wasn’t even thinking of flirting, not really. He couldn’t help looking at her, though. And wanting to tease her until she relented a bit and smiled at him. “You’re a beautiful woman. Why isn’t flirting allowed? Are you married? Engaged? In a relationship with the local sheriff? What?”
“You can forget the charm,” she said, waving her hand as if to wave him away. “It’s wasted on me. I’m immune.”
“All right,” was the only reply he could manage. “I’m flattered that you think I’m, uh, charming, but that’s not—”
“And the whole country-singer thing? Forget it. I’m not the groupie type.”
“I didn’t think you—”
“Don’t,” she said.
“Don’t what?”
“You’re doing it again. That smile.”
Jake sighed. “You are a lot of work, you know that?”
She had the gall to look affronted. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”
“Never mind. I just wanted to thank you again for helping Winter this morning.
She looked doubtful, so he continued.
“She told me you thought she was in some kind of trouble, that you’d offered to call the police and protect her from me. I appreciate that.”
She almost smiled. “It could have caused you a lot of trouble.’
“It could have caused you to miss the wedding.”
They both went silent for a long moment.
“Your daughter has been through a lot, am I right?”
“Yes.”
“Is any of it your fault?”
He thought about that. “Technically, no. I didn’t know anything about her,” he said. “But I keep thinking I should have.”
“Maybe,” she said. “But you’re with her now, so don’t screw it up.”
“All right.”
“I meant what I said, about proving yourself. Being a father. You won’t know if you did a good job for a long, long time.”
“Do you have children?”
He caught a flash of pain in those blue eyes. “No,” she said. “But I was eleven once.”
“And you remember how hard it was?”
“It wasn’t hard at all. I was a pampered and adored only child, but I was a natural worrier. Just like your daughter.”
“She’s had a lot to worry about,” he said with a sigh. “Would you like to dance?”
“No.”
“Aw, come on.” He gestured toward his daughter, laughing as she learned to two-step with her uncle Sam. “I promised Winter I’d meet her on the dance floor.”
He held out his hand and she hesitated before taking it. “You’re going to scandalize the entire town,” she said. “Dancing with Aurora Jones just isn’t done.”
“Why not?” He led her through the dancers and stopped close to Sam and Winter. “Is it against the law?”
“No, but I tend to scare people. We had dancing lessons at my bar last fall. To prepare for the television show.” She went into his arms, but reluctantly. “I didn’t dance. I should have taken lessons, but I hid behind the bar.”
“You are a little scary,” he teased. “Beautiful women can be.”
“You’re flirting again?”
“Sorry.” He watched his daughter and his brother dance to “San Antonio Rose.” Sam had lost that permanently haunted and exhausted expression he’d carried around ten years ago. Jake had blamed his brother’s weariness on his jungle life, but now he realized that Sam had been lonely. And now he wasn’t.
“Tell me about Lucia,” he said to his dancing partner.
“She’s the nicest woman I’ve ever known,” Aurora replied. “Your brother is very lucky.”
“They’re good together?”
“Yes.”
Jake believed her, and the relief that swept through him made the whole trip worthwhile.
* * *
“ARE YOU THINKING what I’m thinking?”
“What are you thinking, Jerry?” Meg took a break from dancing and stood next to the mayor. They’d become friends, he realized. Together they’d managed to put the town on the map. Together they’d turned a group of scruffy bachelors into television stars.
“Check it out,” he said, pointing to Aurora dancing with the newest arrival in town. “She almost looks human.”
“She’s a good person,” Meg said. “The two of you really should stop bickering.”
He snorted. “That’ll be the day. The woman was put on earth to annoy me. Look who she’s dancing with.”
“Sam’s brother? He seems nice enough. Do you think they look—”
“For heaven’s sake, Meg. That’s Jake Hove. Jake Hove. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize the name when Sam got here. Hove isn’t exactly a common name.”
“He’s a singer, I heard.”
“I looked him up on Google. He hasn’t had a hit in six years, but he did all right before that. When he was younger.”
“And your point is?” She waved at her husband, who was bouncing around the room with Loralee, his mother-in-law. Jerry shuddered. Owen MacGregor was a brave man.
“We’re attracting celebrities now, Meg. Sam Hove, adventurer and filmmaker. Your husband, descendant of ranching royalty. He doesn’t really count, though, because he lived here before the show. But now we have Jake Hove, Nashville star. Look at him! He’s making Aurora smile!”
“She smiles sometimes,” Meg said, but Jerry noticed she stared at the dancing couple with new intensity. “When she feels like it.”
“Oops, guess I spoke too soon.” Jerry sighed. “We have to find him a nicer woman.”
“Why?”
“So he’ll stay,” Jerry said. “He’ll attract other famous people.”
“I don’t think—”
“And,” Jerry announced, the thought coming to him in a flash of inspiration, “he can write the town a theme song!”
“Have you been drinking? We specifically told everyone that there would be no alcohol except for the toast—”
“No, no.” He waved off her frown. “Who would be a good match? Patsy? She’s outgoing enough. Or Iris. He could stay at the B-and-B and they could get to know each other.”
“Maybe,” Meg said, obviously unconvinced. “Iris is seeing a teacher from Lewiston, I think. I don’t know about Patsy, but if she’s interested she’ll make it known.”
“We do need a theme song. Do you think he’d do it for free?”
“I’m not asking him. And you shouldn’t,
either.”
“All he can say is no.”
“You’ll embarrass Sam. And Lucia.”
Jerry considered that for a long moment. “Sam and I get along just fine. Next time we’re having breakfast at the café, I’ll casually bring up the subject and see what he says. No pressure. Just a man-to-man conversation.”
“I suppose,” she said, smoothing her lace dress. “Lucia will be the next bride in town. Maybe Jake will stay for that wedding.”
“Don’t forget Mike and Cora.” They were the successful Willing to Wed couple. Their romance would be played out on television in just a few short weeks. Jerry expected a busy summer as the show caught on and women around the country realized the appeal of Montana bachelors.
“And you and Tracy?”
“Next time I’m in L.A. I’m going to take her shopping for a ring. I debated about the surprise aspect, but I think she’d prefer to pick it out herself. She’s very particular about her jewelry.”
“Congratulations.”
“Well,” he said, wondering if Tracy would actually agree to marry him, “it’s not a done deal.”
“Does that mean you’ll leave Willing?”
The very question filled him with horror. “No way, Megsy-babe. I’m working my way up to state senate, maybe even governor.”
“Good luck with that. With everything.” She gave him a quick hug before Lucia’s little hellions ran over to ask her for more cake.
CHAPTER FOUR
AURORA DROVE HERSELF home, the way she’d driven herself to the ranch. She’d left quickly, slipping out after dancing with Jake Hove, after giving Meg and Owen quick hugs, after shaking off their thanks for the champagne and wishing them a happy honeymoon.
She’d exchanged her fancy yellow boots for the staid waterproof boots she’d left outside the house, retrieved her vest, waved to Lucia and trudged across a field to find her car parked with dozens of others half a mile away.
She didn’t mind the walk. Or the fresh air. Or the darkness that was fast approaching. The music and laughter faded as she crossed the dirt driveway and searched for her car, but she could still hear the sound of happy people in the distance.
She had to laugh at herself for dancing. Who would have thought such a handsome man would track her out to the wedding and crash the reception? And who would have thought he’d pick her to flirt with?
Oh, those types were dangerous, she knew. All charm and smiles and lingering looks. But it had been fun to dance. He’d laughed when she had given him a hard time about the flirting. Any other man she’d met here in town would have cringed and run away, but not that one.
He was like Jerry, unafraid. But unlike the often pompous and ridiculously ambitious mayor, Jake Hove had a certain appeal. She hadn’t felt that way about a man since Alex walked out, which had been four years, ten months and six days ago.
Aurora didn’t like remembering, and she didn’t like to dwell on the past.
Tonight she would watch the latest episode of The Amazing Race, thanks to her DVR having recorded it while she drove home to her apartment above the bar. She would put on her yoga pants and old Cabela’s T-shirt and she would carefully stuff her new boots with tissue and set them neatly in their box.
She would review her plans for tomorrow and make sure that nothing—absolutely nothing—would hinder her expansion of the Dahl. The men in this town liked things to stay the same, she knew. Even Jerry, with all his bluster and big plans for Willing, expected certain institutions, such as the Dahl and the Willing Café, to never change.
But it was long past time to update the bar, and it was time to do something to attract women to socialize there. The A client base wasn’t being served. The women of Willing had to have a place of their own.
Aurora parked her car behind the bar and climbed the stairs to the second floor. Owning a Montana bar in the middle of nowhere wasn’t the life she’d expected, but she was determined to make the most of what she’d created for herself.
* * *
“TOMORROW,” SAM SAID. “We’ll figure it out tomorrow, but tonight you’ll stay here.”
“I’d planned to stay in a motel,” Jake said, stepping into Lucia Swallow’s well-equipped kitchen. He’d heard she was a baker, but now he understood that the woman took her business seriously. “There’s a Super 8 in Lewiston.”
“Which is filled with the wedding guests from D.C.,” Lucia said. “As are the two B-and-Bs in town.”
Sam frowned. “Who’d have thought there’d be a problem at this time of year?”
Jake looked at his brother. “It’s not a problem. We could drive to Billings. Or Great Falls.”
Winter started tapping at Jake’s cell phone. “I’ll find something,” she said, serious and focused.
“You’ll sleep here tonight,” Lucia said. “Winter, you can have Davey’s room, and, Jake? You have your choice of the couch here or a sleeping bag at Sam’s house.”
“Pick our couch,” Davey whispered. “Sam’s house stinks.”
Sam winced. “It was owned by a reclusive old lady,” he explained. “I’m still filling Dumpsters with junk.”
“I can help with that,” Jake said.
Winter looked up from the phone. “We’re staying here?”
Jake couldn’t tell if his daughter was pleased or horrified. He supposed that was one of those things he’d learn soon enough. He watched her tuck the phone into her pocket and wait for instructions, so he assumed that was a good sign.
“School night,” Lucia said to her boys. “Go upstairs and get ready for bed. Davey, take your blankets and pillow and camp out with your brothers.”
“Okay,” he said, glancing toward Winter. “Do you like to read? I’ve got a lot of books.”
“Thank you,” she said, using her polite British accent again. “Your hospitality is very much appreciated.”
Lucia shot Sam a look, but she managed to hide her smile when she replied, “Go upstairs with Davey, then. He’ll show you his room and I’ll be up in a minute with sheets and blankets.”
The four children ran up the stairs, with the two smaller boys squealing with laughter.
“She does that thing with the accent when she’s nervous,” Jake offered. “She’s a big fan of Downton Abbey. And going to school in England, well, it’s what she’s grown up with.”
“It’s okay,” Lucia said. “I love Mrs. Patmore.”
“She’s the cook at Downton,” Sam explained when Jake did a double take and stared at him. “Come on. I’ll show you my place.”
“I appreciate this,” Jake said. “But I didn’t intend to stay here.”
“You can check out the B-and-B tomorrow,” Lucia said. “Iris only has a few rooms, but it’s lovely.”
“If you like flowers and ancient furniture,” Sam muttered. “It’s like an old bordello in there.”
“It was an old bordello,” Lucia informed him. “It’s a historic building.”
“Yeah,” his brother said, rolling his eyes. “Jake might prefer my living room floor.”
Jake followed Sam outside and across the yard. Lucia’s was the middle house of three identical homes that looked as if they’d been built in the nineteen thirties. The one he was being led to looked as if it needed a fresh coat of paint and new windows.
“The woman who lived here was a recluse,” his brother explained, stepping up to the back door. He swung it open and wiped his feet on a mat. “I’m pretty much gutting it and building an addition to make the two houses into one house. The middle part will be a master bedroom suite, along with a windowed hall that will let in lots of light.”
Jake stepped inside as Sam flicked the lights on to illuminate a dark-paneled kitchen. “You’ve got your work cut out for you.”
“I’ve got a crew fr
om Lewistown coming in a couple of weeks. I’ve spent the winter cleaning stuff out and trying to get the plans right. This and most of the living room will be Lucia’s professional kitchen area. It will look like the one she has now, only with more ovens and counter space. She wants to have a place where she can hold baking classes.”
“You’ll have to show me the plans.” His brother looked happy and proud, two things Jake had seldom seen when they were growing up. “You like this place.”
Sam nodded. “Yeah. I came here because a stranger on a plane told me this was his home.” His eyes darkened. “And now it’s mine.”
There was more to that story, Jake knew, but he didn’t pursue it. His brother would tell him when he felt like talking.
“Come on,” Sam said. “I’ll show you where we’re going to camp out.”
“I’ve got a sleeping bag in the car.” He always traveled with one in the trunk, a habit left over from the days of road trips between gigs. He also had his favorite guitar and a thick, battered notebook of songs. A change of clothes and a road map had been all he’d ever needed.
“Good.” Sam waved at the nearly empty living room that encompassed the front of the house. A new mattress lay in one corner, obviously where Sam spent his nights, and an old couch sat against the far wall. “I’ve got a piece of foam you can use if the couch is too uncomfortable. I got rid of the mattresses that were here.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Jake said. “I can sleep anywhere.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.” And then Jake’s younger brother smiled. “I’m real glad you’re here.”
“I should have given you more notice.”
“No way,” Sam said. “I’d want to see you, anytime, anywhere, but I’m pleased you’re here in town.”
“Well, it looks like an interesting place.”
Sam smiled again. “I like it. Maybe you and your daughter will, too.”
Jake was silent for a moment, then cleared his throat. “This fatherhood thing—”
“Is tough,” his brother said, completing his sentence. “I’m new at it, too.”
The Husband Show Page 6