More Than a Touch: A Snowberry Creek Novel

by Alexis Morgan

  “Damn, Sarge! Nice job.”

  Nick grinned and traded Leif the tool for the camera. “Your turn.”

  He hefted the sledgehammer, liking the heavy feel of it in his hands. Like Nick, he took a couple of trial runs before finally really cutting loose. The impact sent a jolt screaming up his arms, but it felt good. Kind of like hitting a home run back when he played baseball in high school.

  All the other men hooted and hollered while Nick stood next to him and grinned. “I’ve always known you had a real talent for wrecking things, Corporal!”

  Leif handed back the sledgehammer and clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I learned from the best, Sarge.”

  Nick looked around the room at the other men. “We probably shouldn’t bash up any more walls until we get the rest of the furniture out of the way and the carpet ripped up.”

  He handed Leif a clipboard and a mechanical pencil along with a pair of screwdrivers. “Here’s the list of jobs that I’m hoping we can get through today. I’ve already told everyone where they should start and to check in with you when they’re finished.”

  Next, Nick pointed at a separate list on the second piece of paper. “I put you down for taking a bunch of stuff off the walls, including light switch covers and the like. There are boxes and packing tape in the closet over there to put it all in. That should keep your lazy ass busy when you’re not playing supervisor. Any questions?”

  “Yeah, one. As supervisor, does that mean I get to tell you what to do?”

  His friend smiled and shook his head. “You can try, but you might want to remember which one of us has the sledgehammer.”

  Laughing, Leif hung the clipboard on a nail that was sticking out of the wall. “Good point, Sarge. Guess I’ll get started on those light switches now.”

  “You do that, Corporal.”

  • • •

  Zoe parked at Callie’s parents’ house and cut through the woods to deliver the pan of lasagna she’d promised to bring to the potluck dinner. From what she understood, the gathering was in honor of Callie and her fiancé kicking off two new business ventures. Interesting that Callie had decided to stop flitting about the country to stay in Snowberry Creek and turn the old Lang place into a bed-and-breakfast. That should make her parents happy. Nick was going to oversee the necessary renovations to bring the old house up to code and then open his own remodeling business.

  Although Zoe was several years older than Callie, they’d known each other back in high school and had become reacquainted since they’d both moved back to Snowberry Creek. When they’d run into each other at Something’s Brewing earlier in the week, and Callie had mentioned the work party they had planned for today, Zoe had offered to donate a casserole to the cause.

  She could hear the deep rumble of male voices before she had even cleared the woods. Pausing at the edge of the lawn, she studied the scene in front of her. Men were sprawled all over the porch and even on the grass. Evidently, the work party portion of the day’s activities had come to a close. Before she could decide whether to wade through the scattering of bodies to reach the front door or head around to the back of the house, a dog spotted her and sounded the alarm.

  Several of the men sat up long enough to see what had set the dog off, but they immediately resumed their relaxed positions. Only one stood up and made his way toward her, using a cane to support himself as he cut straight across the yard in her direction. She started forward to save him having to come the whole distance.

  When they met in the middle of the yard, she smiled. “I’m sorry if I’m late. Callie told me dinner wouldn’t be until after six.”

  “No problem. You’re not late.” He offered her a reassuring smile. “We got through Nick’s checklist faster than expected and knocked off early. Callie and company are busy out back putting the finishing touches on dinner.”

  That was a relief. Zoe would’ve hated spending a good part of her afternoon putting together her mother’s best recipe for lasagna to find out everyone had already eaten.

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Corporal Leif Brevik.”

  “Zoe Phillips.” She held up her foil-covered casserole dish. “I’d shake hands, but mine are a bit full at the moment. However, it is nice to put a face to the name. Callie has mentioned you.”

  The man’s grin kicked up a couple of notches. “Should I claim everything Callie said is a pack of outrageous lies or take credit for all the marvelous things she said about me?”

  Zoe laughed. “Well, Corporal, I’d hedge your bets and do a little bit of both. She did say you were a good-looking charmer. She got that part right.”

  She suspected Leif normally had a fair dose of the swagger that was second nature to soldiers, but her compliment had him blushing. Cute. She hadn’t been kidding, either. Leif would turn women’s heads in any crowd. A shade under six feet tall, he had nice broad shoulders, although he could stand to put on a few more pounds. He wore his dark hair longer than regulation, so she had to guess he was on leave, maybe something to do with that Velcro and plastic boot on his left leg. His brown eyes were framed with ridiculously long lashes and laugh lines. Like she’d first thought, a good-looking charmer.

  Leif was talking again. “I’ll walk you around back. I was heading that way to grab a couple of beers for me and Nick when I spotted you.”

  She suspected he was making up that last part, but if he wanted to provide escort, she wasn’t going to argue. “Lead on—and I wouldn’t mind a cold drink myself.”

  “You got it.”

  When they reached the backyard, Leif veered off toward a row of coolers lined up along the side of the yard. As soon as Callie spotted Zoe, she set down a giant bowl of salad and headed straight for her. “I’m so glad you could make it! I also really appreciate your bringing something, too. We’ll need it.”

  Zoe stared at the huge array of food arranged down the length of two long tables. “Wow, that’s quite a spread.”

  “It is, but we’ve ended up with a good-sized crowd tonight.” Callie held out her hands. “Why don’t you let me take that for you? Grab a drink and relax. We’ll be eating as soon as we finish reheating the last few casseroles.”

  Zoe surrendered the lasagna. “Careful. I took it out of the oven just before I left, so it’s still hot.”

  While Callie found a spot for the pan on the table, Leif appeared at Zoe’s side with her drink. “I hope you like amber ale; this is one of my favorites. Ever since we got here, Nick and I have been working our way through all of the local microbrews.”

  “This is fine. Thank you.” She took a sip and looked around the yard. “That gazebo looks new. Was that part of the plan for the B and B?”

  “Right on both counts.”

  A catch in his voice hinted that there was more to the story, but she didn’t press for details. Still, it did make her curious. “Mind if I take a closer look?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  He looked hesitant about following her, but then Callie called his name, which settled the matter. Zoe stopped a few feet away from the gazebo to admire the gentle curves of the roof and the lacy look of the latticework that formed the sides of the structure. The design was simple but elegant. She stepped inside and immediately wished it was hers. For sure, Callie’s future guests would love it.

  As she turned back to see if Callie could use a helping hand, she noticed some writing on the back wall. Stepping closer, she read the words written there in black paint. As soon as she did, she almost wished she hadn’t. Leif and Nick had built the place as a memorial for their friend and fellow soldier Spence Lang. It was a lovely gesture, one that also explained the odd note she’d heard in Leif’s voice when she’d asked about it. It was tempting to find the man and give him a big hug.

  Soldiers were a tough lot, but she knew firsthand how much they suffered when they lost a friend in battle. She immediately took a mental step back from the sign and the painful memories it triggered. Now wasn’t the time for any dark tho
ughts. It was an evening for celebrations. She stepped out of the gazebo just as Callie picked up a pan and banged it with a wooden spoon to summon the hungry crowd.

  They came pouring around from the front yard, pushing and jostling one another like a bunch of kids. The women immediately took refuge on the far side of the table. Zoe thought that showed good sense and joined them. Picking up a serving spoon, she began dishing out the food as the line filed by.

  When it was Leif’s turn, he smiled at her. “Can I save you a seat?”

  “I’d appreciate it. I’ll be along as soon as the line dies down.”

  “Want another ale?”

  “That would be great.”

  A pair of teenagers right behind Leif grew restless. “Leif, get a move on. We’re hungry. Besides, we want to get in the dessert line early to make sure we get some of Mom’s pie.”

  Leif rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to hear about it. You two get to eat her pie all the time. Do the decent thing and let the rest of us have first dibs.”

  Bridey joined the conversation. “Leif, I’m disappointed. Here I made a point of bringing my strawberry cheesecake because you like it so much.”

  He gave her a guilty look. “Aw, come on, Bridey. We’re talking blueberry pie here! Besides, I planned on having a piece of your cheesecake, too.”

  Looking disappointed, Bridey shook her head. “Sorry. Too late.”

  Although Zoe was sure Bridey was kidding, she intervened on Leif’s behalf. “Can’t he have both? I’m sure he’s put in a long day doing all kinds of manly things.”

  Leif looked hopeful. “That’s right, I have. I personally took down at least a dozen light switch covers and knocked a big hole in the wall. I also checked things off a list.”

  The other woman wasn’t buying it. “Seriously? You think checking things off a list warrants a piece of my cheesecake AND a piece of pie?”

  The Reed brothers complained again. “Quit holding up the line, Leif. Flirt on your own time.”

  Leif shot his younger companions a dirty look. “Hush, children. To answer your question, Bridey, maybe I don’t deserve both, but I have been known to carry out a strategic raid when the objective is worth the risk. Stealing a piece of your cheesecake definitely falls into that category.”

  Then he winked at Zoe. “I’ll save you that spot.”

  After he continued on down the line, Zoe realized Bridey was giving her an odd look. “What?”

  Bridey whispered, “What do you think of Leif? He’s cute, isn’t he?”

  Zoe’s first instinct was to deny that there was any kind of attraction going on. “I just met the man a few minutes ago!”

  Then it occurred to her that she might be treading on someone else’s territory. “Sorry, Bridey. I didn’t know you were—”

  Realizing that their conversation wasn’t exactly private, she lowered her voice, too. “Interested in him.”

  “I’m not, I’m sad to say. He’s a great guy and a real cutie, but that’s as far as it goes. For one thing, I don’t know how long he’ll be here. No use in getting involved with someone who’s not going to stick around.”

  Bridey immediately turned her attention back to serving the next guy in line. As Zoe waited for him to reach her station, she followed Leif’s slow progress across to where he’d staked out two lawn chairs. Bridey was right. He was a cutie, but Zoe wasn’t one for short-term flings, either.

  Surely one evening of good food and conversation wouldn’t hurt anything, though. With that in mind, she served the last few people in line and then fixed her own plate. As she loaded it up with a variety of salads, Bridey stopped her. “Tell him I’ll cut him pieces of both the cheesecake and the pie and hide the plate in the cabinet over the stove. Never could resist a pair of puppy dog eyes like his.”

  Zoe laughed. “I’ll tell him—well, except for the puppy-dog-eyes part. No use in letting him know we’re both suckers for that kind of thing.”

  She picked up her plate and headed over to deliver the good news.

  • • •

  The potluck turned into a real party as wives and girlfriends joined the men who’d helped kick off the renovations. Leif had been prepared to spend the evening alone in the crowd, but his luck had changed the minute he’d spotted Zoe standing at the edge of the woods. She seemed content to sit next to him rather than mingling with the others. He should feel guilty about hogging her company, but he didn’t. Not really. Besides, other than him, most of the other men were too old, too young, or taken.

  Besides, it felt damn good to spend time laughing and talking with a pretty woman. Zoe’s eyes, which were the exact shade of blue as the sky on a hot summer afternoon, were never still as she watched the shifting crowd in front of them. She wore her dark hair twisted up in the back and held in place with some kind of stick, making him wonder just how long her hair actually was. It was tempting to tug the pin out to find out.

  Callie had dragged out Spence’s old boom box and put on music. As soon as the first song started, Sarge grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out into the center of the yard to start dancing. Funny, Leif didn’t remember Nick being much of a dancer, but the couple looked pretty good out there. Maybe the three bottles of ale he’d had were affecting his vision. More likely, it was just one more side effect of the couple being so in tune with each other.

  A movement off to the left caught Leif’s attention. One of the Reed boys was sidling up to Zoe. What was the little jerk up to now?

  “Zoe, wanna dance?”

  What was the idiot thinking? The boy had to be a good ten years too young for her. Leif waited to see what she’d say. He’d like to tell Jacob to get lost, but it wasn’t as if Leif had any claim on the woman’s time. She seemed reluctant, but she finally set her drink down on the ground.

  “Okay, but just one song.” Before walking away, she glanced back at Leif. “I’m saving the next dance for you.”

  She was? Had she somehow missed seeing the boot on his left leg, the one that pretty much guaranteed he wouldn’t be able to do more than shuffle his feet, especially on an uneven surface like the grass? Maybe that was her way of discouraging Jacob, not to mention his brother, who was lurking nearby. Regardless, Leif would give it his best shot. At least with Jacob keeping her occupied, Leif would have time to push himself back up to his feet and make his way over to where Sydney was playing deejay.

  He shuffled through the stack of CDs that Callie had brought out and settled on a slow ballad by one of his favorite country singers. “Syd, play the third song on this one next for me, and then the fifth one.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “You actually like that kind of music?”

  He tugged on her braid. “I do, and I’ll owe you big-time. How about a chance to play with Mooch at the park?”

  Syd gave him a narrowed-eyed look. “And an ice-cream cone.”

  He didn’t even hesitate. “It’s a deal.”

  The current song was winding down. Leif propped his cane against the table and made his way through the crowd, moving slowly to keep his balance. Jacob had just said something to Zoe that had her laughing. Before he could ask what it was, the song he’d asked Syd to put on started playing. He held out his hand and was glad when Zoe didn’t hesitate.

  “I apologize if I mainly stand in one spot and sway. You might have noticed that my boot isn’t exactly made for dancing.”

  “That’s all right.” She smiled up at him. “Isn’t that what slow dances are all about?”

  Who was he to argue? Especially when everything was going his way. His pain was at a manageable level, and he had a pretty woman willing to dance with him.

  As soon as the first song ended, Syd started the second one. Zoe paused to give him a suspicious look. “How did you get her to play two slow songs in a row?”

  Leif did his best to give Zoe a quick spin and then twirled her right back into his arms. “It would be wrong to bribe a young child.”

  “But you did.”

&nb
sp; “I hate it when my nefarious plots are uncovered. Don’t tell her dad. He carries a gun and handcuffs.”

  Zoe laughed and rested her head against his chest. “Your secret is safe with me, but it’s going to cost you some of that pie that Bridey saved for you.”

  Leif thought about protesting, but all things considered, a piece of pie was a pretty cheap price for two dances with Zoe. “You drive a hard bargain, lady, but it’s a deal.”

  When the song finally ended, Leif retrieved his cane and headed back to his chair while Zoe went inside to get the secret stash Bridey had left for him. She returned with one plate and two forks. That was okay. He liked the idea of sharing his favorite desserts with her. They battled good-naturedly over who was hogging the goodies. When they were down to the last two bites, Zoe set her fork down on the plate.

  “You finish it.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. I’m already going to have to put in some extra hours in the gym to make up for everything I’ve eaten tonight. Besides, I need to get going.”

  Just that quickly, the pie and cheesecake lost their appeal. He set the plate on the ground and started to stand up. “I’ll walk you back to your car.”

  For the first time all night, Zoe gave his leg a pointed look. “There’s no need, Leif. My car is right next door.”

  Which was a hike along a rough path through the trees. The smart thing was to take the out she was offering him, but pride had him insisting on providing escort at least part of the way. Taking a header in the woods wouldn’t help his leg or impress Zoe. “I’ll walk you as far as the trees.”

  At least she didn’t argue. “Okay. I’ll let Callie know I’m leaving.”

  When she came back, they walked in companionable silence across the yard to the start of the trees. “I had a good time tonight. Maybe we can get together again while I’m still in town.”