Far from Perfect (Perfect, Indiana: Book One)

by Longley, Barbara

  “They’re on the dinette in my apartment. You mess up my truck and the Mustang is mine.”

  “Over my dead body.” Ted turned and followed Paige out of the bay. “If I mess up your truck, I’ll fix it.”

  Noah waited until the two were out of earshot before turning back to his dad. “Why do you do that to her?”

  “Do what?”

  “Paige is brilliant. She graduated from Harvard with honors, and you put her down every chance you get.”

  “I’m not putting her down.” Ed frowned. “I know she’s bright. She’s my daughter.”

  “Then why won’t you put her to work for the family business?”

  “She’s not emotionally equipped for the job.”

  “How can you say that?” Noah shook his head. “Why put her through Harvard if that’s the way you feel?”

  “Plumbing and construction are still predominantly male. Paige is brilliant, but she’s also naive and mostly fluff. She’s led a sheltered, pampered life.” Ed picked up one the chisels and turned it in his hand. “You know as well as I do she wears her own designer brand of rose-tinted glasses.” He set the tool down and leaned back against the edge of the table. “I’m trying to protect her, Noah. If I hired her, she’d be resented. She’d be eaten alive at LPS, more so because she is my daughter.”

  “Have you told her why you won’t hire her, the and her eyes grew brightm s . His part about the resentment she’d face?”

  He grunted and crossed his arms in front of him. “Course not. It’s not open for debate, and I don’t want to start an argument with her she can’t win. Look, I have no doubt Paige will find her own way, and whatever she settles into, I’m certain she’ll be very successful.” He shrugged. “It just isn’t going to be at LPS.”

  “I’m not joining the family business either.” Noah blew out a breath. “The reality is, I have PTSD, and it’s not going away. I don’t handle conflict or stress very well. I don’t like being around people.” He reached out to touch the tracking ball on his laptop, bringing their website back up on the screen. “Working with my hands makes me happy. It brings me peace. I’m going to turn what I love to do into a successful business.”

  “So, fine. Build furniture in your spare time. Maybe the best way to conquer this PTSD thing is to get back into the fray, learn to deal with the stress and the conflict again. You used to be so competitive. Put that to work for you now.”

  “PTSD is not something you conquer, Dad. It’s something you learn how to cope with. I need you to accept that.” Noah recognized the concern and the love in his father’s eyes. Even if his father didn’t understand, Noah had no doubt he meant well. “I have.”

  Ed sighed and pushed himself off the workbench. “You plan to stay here in Perfect?”

  “I’d like to. We’ll see. Ceejay would rather live in a large city, and I plan to be wherever she is.” If only he could convince her to stay here. He loved the old place with its long history and Lovejoy roots. He wanted to continue restoring the house, maybe add some updates.

  The river meandering by, the country roads with no traffic, the peaceful sounds of birdsong in the early mornings, and the sweet scent of green growing things in the summer soothed his fractured mind. Hell, he’d even grown accustomed to the occasional whiff of hog stench.

  Noah could easily see himself spending his life here, building his business and raising a family in the same house that had been home to Ceejay’s ancestors. He even looked forward to getting together with the Offermeyers. Now, that was progress.

  “You really are serious about her?”

  “Yep.” The ring Paige had helped him pick out lay nestled in its leather case, tucked into his dresser drawer. He’d have to plan a romantic night out so he could pop the question. Soon.

  “Allie and I just want you to be happy, son. I hope you know that.” His father rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “If you change your mind, LPS will still be there waiting for you.”

  “You’re nowhere near retiring, Dad. Maybe there will be a grandchild or two who will take over the family business.”

  “Maybe. Speaking of family, I think I’ll go see what my granddaughter is up to this morning.” He chuffed out a laugh. “She’s quite the pistol.”

  Noah nodded, relieved. “That she is. I have a few more things to do here, then I’ll be up to the house for lunch.”

  “Good.” Ed gave Noah’s shoulder another squeeze. “I’m taking my wife and daughter back with me when I leave on Sunday. Paige starts school on W$ have had been ednesday, and we want to give her time to get settled in.”

  “I know. I can handle things from here on in. Jenny is recovering from her surgery, and Harlen’s around most of the time.” He met his father’s gaze. “I appreciate everything you and Mom have done to help out. Ceejay and I are grateful to you both.”

  His dad nodded, stuck his hands back in his pockets, and left. Noah watched him go. Their conversation had gone much better than expected, and a weight lifted from his shoulders. Affection for his dad warmed his heart.

  Noah pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and sat down in front of his laptop to do a search for lumber suppliers. He needed to order a supply of oak, ash, and maple so potential customers had a range of choices. Once the lumber was delivered, he’d stain small samples with the various tints. He’d better have Paige teach him how to upload photos to their website. Everything had to be in place before she left.

  “Noah?”

  Noah’s brow rose. “Jenny, what brings you out here?”

  “Ted told me about his partnership with you. I wanted to see what you’ve done out here.” Her gaze roamed around the bay. “Wow, it’s really something. I want to thank you. I don’t think any of us have ever seen Ted so excited about anything other than that old Mustang.”

  “Turning my hobby into a business was his idea. I couldn’t do it without him.” Noah gestured to his laptop and rose from the stool. “Do you want to see our website?”

  “I do.” She took a seat and navigated around their site. “Did you know Ted has already registered for a couple of night classes? He told me he’s getting his prerequisites at a junior college, and then he’s going to transfer to the University of Southern Indiana. They have a business college there.”

  “Yep. I know.” He’d had a positive influence, been a contributor to something good, and the pride swelling his chest sent a lump to this throat. He was the one who’d gained the most through their partnership.

  “Can I see the original?”

  “Huh?”

  “The cradle pictured here. Can I see it?”

  “Oh, sure.” Noah moved to the corner of the room where he’d covered the cradle with canvas. “I’m working on designing a matching crib and armoire. We should start production next week.” He pulled the canvas off and ran his hand over the walnut. “Here it is.”

  “It’s beautiful.” Jenny set the cradle in motion. “You’re very talented.”

  This feeling pride again would take some getting used to. “Thanks.”

  She sighed and stopped the cradle’s swinging motion. “I came out here to give you a heads-up. I’m afraid I upset Ceejay this morning.”

  “How?”

  “Harlen and I plan to get married.”

  “That’s great news.” He frowned. “Why would that upset her?”

  “I also told her I plan to sell the house.”

  “Oh.” Shock turned his insides into a scrambled mess. “This is the original Lovejoy homestead site, right?” and her eyes grew brightets . His

  “Yes, but it’s too much for me and Harlen. He’s going to retire once his term is up, and we want to do some traveling. He has a nice little place in town. It’s much more manageable for the two of us.”

  Noah’s mind spun. “Have you had a market analysis done? When is it going up for sale?”

  “I’ve spoken with a Realtor in Perfect. The appraisal is going to be done sometime in the next month.�
�� She blinked several times and stared at the cradle. “Ceejay said she didn’t want the place, Noah. I had planned to leave it to her, but she’s always wanted to move away from here. I...it seems like the more I try to do what’s best for her, the more upset she gets.” She bit her lip. “I don’t know what to do anymore.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Noah drew her in for a bear hug. “Do me a favor?”

  “Anything.”

  “Don’t put the house on the market just yet. I might have a buyer for you, and you can save a lot of money if you sell it on your own.”

  She looked up at him, and her brow rose. “Who?”

  “I don’t want to say anything in case it all falls through. Where is Ceejay now?”

  “I think she’s in the orchard. That’s where she headed after we talked.”

  “I’d better go find her.” He’d wanted a romantic night out with just the two of them, not the middle of the morning with Langfords and Lovejoys hanging around. Fate had a mind of its own, though, and he wasn’t going to argue about the timing. Noah passed through his apartment, grabbed the ring from his drawer, and stuffed it into his pocket before heading for the orchard.

  Sweet Pea greeted him at the gate. “Hey, big fella. I suppose you come with the house.” He scratched behind the mutt’s ears and was rewarded with a deep groan of doggy joy and tail-wagging. The minute he let himself through and aimed for the orchard, his heart started a wild rhythm. His mouth turned into a desert, and his hands shook.

  This took more guts than facing an unseen enemy in Iraq. What would he do if she said no? He couldn’t predict the outcome. He and Ceejay hadn’t been a couple long enough to talk about the future, but dammit, time wasn’t going to change his mind. “Ceejay?” he called.

  “Here.”

  She sounded so forlorn. The urge to protect her and to fix everything in her world propelled him through his fear of rejection. He found her lying on her back, staring into the branches of the fruit trees, tear tracks still fresh on her cheeks.

  They’d been here before, only now everything had changed. He loved her, Lucinda, and Perfect. Noah lowered himself beside her. She scooted closer, and he eased his arm under her shoulders and held her close. “You want to talk about what brought you out here?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been all wrong, and now that I realize my mistakes, it’s too late.” She sniffed.

  “What have you been wrong about?” He held his breath.

  “My whole life I’ve wanted to get as far from Perfect as I possibly could. I hated it here, and...and...” She swallowed hard a few times.

  “That’s changed?” She nodded against hi eyes were riveted on her have had been m again, and he had to bite his lip to keep from grinning like a fool.

  “Jenny is going to sell my house.” She sobbed and buried her face against him. “I don’t want to move. I don’t want to leave the orchard, or the river...or...or the Offermeyers.”

  He did have to chuckle at that last part. “The Offermeyers?” He smoothed the curls from her forehead and peered down into her stricken face.

  “You know what I mean.” She blinked up at him. “I’ve never let myself get close to anyone around here because I always thought they pitied me. I don’t think that anymore.”

  “You’ve had quite the summer, haven’t you?” He brushed a kiss against her lips.

  “Ya think?” She sighed. “At least in this economy it will probably take a year or more to sell.” She sniffed. “It’s gotta be worth close to a million—half a million at the very least. Not something I can afford on a nurse’s wages.”

  “Come with me. I have something to show you.” He boosted her to her feet before getting up himself.

  “What does showing me something right this minute have to do with any of this?” She pouted.

  He took her hand and tugged her along behind him. “You’ll see.”

  She didn’t utter another word all the way to the carriage house. Noah placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her into the carriage house bay.

  “I’ve seen your shop already.” She stepped away from him and did a once-over of the space. “It’s great, but—”

  Pressing a few keys, he brought their website up on his laptop and moved back. “Look.” She glanced at the images and the banner and then straightened, giving him a confused look. “What’s this about?”

  “I know what I want to do, honey.” His hand went to the back of his skull. “Ted and I have started a business together. We aren’t even live yet, but we have plans.” His breathing did a shallow, trippy thing, and his heart stuttered away in his chest. What did she think? Would it be enough? “You said I had to have a life before I had a life to share. Do you remember?”

  “Of course I remember.” She bent back to the computer screen. “Langford and Lovejoy Heritage Furniture,” she read aloud. “Are you excited about this?”

  “Yeah, I am.” The hopeful expression he saw when she looked his way gave him courage. “Look, I know it’s not much yet. We’re starting out small, but I intend to put everything I have into growing this business into something I can be proud of. Something we can be proud of.” Her face lit up, sending his head spinning.

  “I’m already proud of you, Noah. You’re an incredible man. I’ve always known you were something special.”

  “That’s good. That’s really good. Come and see the prototype.” He rushed over to the covered cradle and whipped the canvas off with a flourish.

  “Oh,” she gasped as she ran her hands over the first piece of furniture he’d made in years.

  “You inspired me, Ceejay.”

  “It’s beautiful. I can see the care you took with this and her eyes grew bright: c p b. The craftsmanship is outstanding.”

  Excitement sent a buzz of energy through him. “You were right. I forget about everything when I’m working with wood. I get a deep satisfaction I’d forgotten existed. I have all kinds of ideas for things I want to design, and I—”

  She laughed and cupped his face with her good hand. “I’m happy for you.”

  He covered her hand with his. “I have you to thank. You and Ted, that is. He’s my business partner.”

  “Really?” She shot him an incredulous look and went back to the cradle. “It’s such a shame you’re going to sell this. Is the black walnut from the pile here?”

  “Yep. Walnut from this land. Lovejoy land. We aren’t selling it, Ceejay. This cradle is ours.”

  “Ours?” Her brow rose almost to her hairline, and an audible whoosh of air left her lungs. It’s now or never, soldier. Man up. He swallowed hard, turned her to face him, and kissed her first. For courage. “I love you, Ceejay, and it’s the kind of love that grows and lasts. I want a life with you. I want to have a family together. I want to grow my business, and play cards with Gail and Denny once a month, and I’ll even help butcher hogs this fall. What do you think?”

  Tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes. “I think that sounds like heaven, but...”

  “Listen to me.” He cupped her face and stared intently into her eyes. “Making furniture is my passion, and you know I love Lucinda. But you’re my life. You own my heart and always will.”

  She sniffed and swiped at her eyes. “You haven’t asked about—”

  “I know I haven’t. I’m not going to. This is about you and me and everything coming together for us the way it has—the way it was meant to. If you’re pregnant, we’ll fill the cradle sooner rather than later. If you aren’t, we’ll decide together when we want another child. OK?”

  She nodded and sniffed. He took that as a good sign. Noah dropped to his good knee and pulled the ring out of his back pocket. “Ceejay Lovejoy, he was back to

  EPILOGUE

  CEEJAY GLANCED AROUND AT EVERYONE gathered I can’t

  Read on for a sneak peek of Barbara L and her eyes grew bright sedta">ongley’s next novel set in Perfect, Indiana

  THE DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

  Available April 20
13

  “MISS LANGFORD, MR. WEIL WANTS to see you right away,” the receptionist said. “I’m to send you right up.”

  “OK. I’m on my way.” Paige smiled at the young woman. Her boss probably wanted to congratulate her on the way she’d handled Meyer Construction’s latest deal. She’d been pleased to be assigned one of Ramsey & Weil’s largest accounts, especially considering she’d only been with the company a little over two months.

  Better drop her things off in her office before heading to the boss’s suite. Sliding her coat off as she went, Paige walked down the hall to her tiny office. Tiny, yes, but she had a window. Straightening her burgundy gabardine skirt and brushing off a few specs of lint from the jacket, she headed back out for her meeting with Mr. Weil.

  His secretary glanced at her over the rims of her glasses. “Miss Langford. Mr. Weil is waiting for you.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Hadley’s expression was as dour as ever. Apparently she’d worked for Ramsey & Weil from the beginning. She had to be close to seventy. Throwing her shoulders back, Paige knocked on Mr. Weil’s door.

  “Come in,” he barked.

  Smoothing her face into a professional mien, she opened the door and strode in. One look at his expression and she faltered. He looked serious. Seriously unhappy.

  “Have a seat, Langford.” He moved a pile of folders aside.

  She took one of the chairs in front of his desk. “You wanted to see me?”

  He scowled. “Meyer Construction needed our bid five days ago. They never got it. They’ve gone with another supplier.”

  Adrenaline hit her system, and her heart leaped to her throat. She gripped the arms of the chair. “That’s impossible! I sent that bid with a same-day courier two days before it was due.”

  “Like I said—they never got it.” He leaned back in his leather chair and fixed her with another scowl. “I’ve also had two of your other accounts complain that our bids were late. If it weren’t for Anthony Rutger, we would’ve lost those accounts as well.”

  “Anthony?” Her mind spun with the implications. Anthony? No, he wouldn’t purposefully sabotage her. They were a couple.