He’d second that statement a thousand times over.
Jamie blushed, ducking her head at the praise. “It’s not that amazing. Just a need I happen to be able to fulfill.”
Tony glanced at the proprietor who tilted his head, conveying the same message he was thinking—Jamie didn’t know the value of her own worth. The truly good people never did.
Tom glanced at the list again. “Well, this all looks doable. Pretty sure I have everything you need right here. You want to haul it away right now? I can have it delivered this afternoon if that would suit you better.”
“That would be great. I still have a few errands to run, and I’d rather not do them with a truck full of supplies.”
She completed the transaction, handing over her credit card for Tom to swipe. Tony held his breath, wondering if the old as dirt register would even recognize the plastic bit of payment. It did and they were off, waving as they made their way to the front door.
“Good to see you two kids back together. You always were a nice couple,” Tom called to them as they left the store.
Stunned at the assumption, he stopped in his tracks at the same time as Jamie.
“What did he just say?” She glanced back at the closed door, but Tom had gone back to his paper.
“I believe he thinks we’re dating again.”
Color rose on her cheeks. “Why the hell would he think that?”
Got him. Why did anyone in Peak Town think anything? The little place was a hotbed of rumors. You could grab the mail in your robe one morning, and by midday, it’d be all over town that you streaked naked through the neighborhood. Small towns liked to gossip. Like their own version of Hollywood tabloids, he guessed.
“Come on.” She hurried ahead toward the truck. “I still have a lot to get done.”
Okay, so it looked like they weren’t going to talk about it.
He drove her around to a few more shops, the grocer for cleaning supplies, the feed store to check her order of hay for the horses coming. Every place they went, people commented on their reunion of love.
And every time, Jamie called out the same response. “We’re not back together.”
It stung a little more with each shout. No idea why. They weren’t back together, but did she have to be so vehemently opposed to the idea? What was he, cow manure?
After a couple hours running around town, his stomach started calling to him.
“Let’s grab a bite to eat.”
“I have a few more things to—”
“Jamie.” He pulled her powerwalk to a stop, tugging her around to face him. “We’ve been going full steam for hours. Let’s stop and refuel.”
She glanced up, brain going a million miles an hour behind those light brown eyes.
“But I still have so much to do. And I wanted to stop by Pete’s and see if he figured out what’s wrong with my dad’s truck. Besides, I’m not hungry.” Her stomach refuted her claim with a long, loud growl.
Rolling in his lips to hold back the laughter, he raised a brow.
“Okay, fine.” She threw up her hands. “I may be a teeny, tiny bit hungry.”
“Merle’s?”
She threw her head back and moaned. “Oh God, yes. I haven’t eaten there in ages.”
He chuckled as they made their way to the popular diner. Peak Town only had a few restaurants, so every place did well, but Merle’s truly served a great meal. Tony had to admit the food there even beat some of the hoity toity places he’d been to in New York.
The second they entered the establishment a loud holler rent the air.
“Jamie Thompson, you get over here and give me a hug, child.”
He laughed at the surprise on Jamie’s face as she was swept up in the arms of Merle, one of the diner’s owners. The old man used surprising strength to squeeze the young woman right off her feet.
“Hi. Merle. Good to see you again, too,” Jamie wheezed like the air had been pressed from her lungs.
“And Tony Ortiz, it’s been years, boy. You get over here.”
Merle released Jamie only to pull him into a one armed, back slapping embrace. The wind rushed out of him as the man grabbed him like a vice grip. Damn, did he pump iron in his old age?
Catching what little breath he could, he returned the back pat and smiled. “Hello, Merle.”
“Merle, you old fool, let the boy go! Can’t you see you’re hurting the poor man?”
The old guy had a firm grip, but he was hardly injured by the enthusiastic greeting. Still, the proprietor let him go as his wife came around to his side. Grateful for the release, Tony stepped back to smile, sucking in a deep breath of blessed air.
“The boy’s not made of china, woman.”
“Get your butt back to the kitchen. You have orders to tend to.”
“I’ll tend to the orders now”—a wrinkled hand reached out to pinch his wife’s plump backside—“and tend to you later.”
Ellen’s face turned pink, but she smiled as Merle headed back to the kitchen. Grabbing him in a hug as fierce as her husband’s, she squeezed. “Good to see you again, Tony. You two sit right over there, and I’ll grab you today’s special. Merle’s making the best damn bacon burgers you’ve ever had.” She lowered her voice. “But don’t tell him I said that. It’ll go straight to his head.”
“I heard that, woman!” The shout came from the kitchen. “And you always get my head big. That’s how you like it…both of them.”
“Merle!” she shouted to the kitchen, but a blush rose on her wrinkled cheeks.
Warmth rose within him. Good to see some things never changed. Ellen and Merle flirted and teased like two schoolyard crushes. Tony had always found it sweet, if slightly embarrassing at times.
“Now, go sit, and I’ll bring you some drinks. Lemonade? I squeezed it fresh this morning.”
After that hug, he’d believe it.
“That sounds wonderful.” Jamie grinned and nodded.
“I’ll want to hear all about what you two have been up to,” Ellen called as she made her way around the counter to the kitchen. “It’s great to see you kids back together. I always knew you were meant for each other.”
“We’re not together,” Jamie called back with a scowl, but it was too late. The diner owner had left through the swinging kitchen door.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her arm. “Let’s sit.”
She plopped down in a chair. “Why does everyone insist we’re dating again?”
He took the one opposite her, sliding in and placing his hands on the table. “Why does it matter so much?”
Jamie shifted, refusing to meet his gaze. “Because we’re…not.”
At her dejected tone, guilt tugged at him again. Choosing to lighten the mood, he sat forward. “Hey, remember that time at the shop when Lizzy tried to help make cupcakes?”
A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Yes, she used baking soda instead of baking powder.” A chuckle escaped. “Those poor things looked awful.”
“Tasted even worse.” He grimaced.
“Oh, that’s right. We didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so we said they looked good and then she called us on our bluff, daring us to eat them.” She covered her mouth as laughter poured out. “Poor you. You were the only one brave enough to try them.”
“Lucky me.” A shiver raced down his spine. He swore he could still taste the disgusting sad, flat cupcake.
“You were so sweet, though. You told Lizzy they were delicious.”
She hadn’t believed him, of course, but he hadn’t wanted to insult his boss.
Mood lightened, they talked about funny stories from their past—he noted they were both cautious to keep it light and away from anything having to do with their relationship.
Ellen came by with their food, which was indeed mouthwateringly good. She quizzed him about his life, having caught up with Jamie on her new business venture earlier it appeared.
The old lady nodded her head. “It’s great
to have you both back. Next date night, you be sure to stop by. I’ll reserve a table for you.”
“We’re not dating,” Jamie stated again, but Ellen just smiled and dropped off the check, heading off to help another table. “Does no one in this town listen?” she asked him, eyes narrowed with frustration.
He shrugged, choosing not to say anything. Truthfully, her constant denial was starting to dig at him. He had no reason to be angry, he knew that. Didn’t change the fact.
Angry with her, himself, at this whole damn situation, he pushed his chair back, standing. “I need to pick up my uncle for his physical therapy.”
“What? Oh, all right.” She reached for the check, but he grabbed it first.
“I got it.”
“Tony, it’s a business lunch. I can write it off—”
“I said I got it.” He threw enough cash down to cover the meal and a hefty tip for Ellen.
“Ooookay.” Rising to her feet, Jamie glanced at him with concern. “Are you all right?”
“Fine.” He was so freaking far from fine it wasn’t even funny.
Proving she still knew him well enough to call him on his bullshit, she took a step, reaching out to place a soft hand on his arm. Jesus, the woman was killing him today.
“Tony, what’s wrong?”
Knowing he was being an ass, but unable to stop it, he shrugged off her touch. It hurt to feel her touch again, knowing the very idea of them ever being a thing again repulsed her. He’d been waging a war with his head and body since he saw her days ago. At times over the past few days, he’d been sure she’d been fighting the same battle, but judging by her attitude today, he’d been wrong. Jamie didn’t want to pick up where they left off. She was too good for him, and she’d finally seen it.
Good, hadn’t that been what he wanted all those years ago? For her to see her true potential, potential far too good for him, hell, for anyone. He didn’t think there was anyone good enough for Jamie Thompson.
“I should go. My uncle needs me.”
“Right.” Empathy entered her eyes at the mention of his uncle. “I’ll just finish the stuff I have to do in town and then head over to Cupcakes Above the Clouds. You can pick me up after you’re done with your uncle, yeah?”
He nodded, afraid if he spoke it would be to beg her to give him another chance.
Heading out the door, he watched her walk down the street, the sweet sway of her hips drawing his gaze to her ass. A perfect, firm ass he’d once had the pleasure of being privy to.
Not anymore. That privilege, and every other amazing part of Jamie, was now denied him. Including her wonderful, kind, big heart.
Dammit!
Tony hightailed it to the truck, anger burning a hole in his gut. But beyond the anger lay an emotion he didn’t want to deal with.
Heartbreak.
He’d been denying it for years now. Yes, he knew he hurt Jamie by breaking up with her, but what she didn’t know, what nobody knew…her pain couldn’t hold a candle to his.
He may have broken her heart, but he’d ripped his clear from his chest that day, and it hadn’t been put back since.
Chapter 14
“Someone serve you a cow pie for lunch, sobrino?”
Tony clenched his jaw as his uncle quietly closed the truck door. The attendant who’d helped the recovering man get into the vehicle gave a small wave before heading back to the hospital, pushing the wheelchair ahead of him. Normally, he would wave back, but the foul mood still hung over him like a storm cloud, and he had no one to blame but himself.
“If you don’t untwist those briefs, you’re going to be choking on them.” His uncle chuckled.
“How was therapy?”
That shut him right up. Such a dick move. He knew the old guy hated being helpless. Working since he was old enough to earn a wage, Juan Ortiz did not do rest and relaxation well, but the doctor had ordered him to take it easy and rest between the biweekly physical therapy.
They drove in silence for a while. He should have asked more about his recovery, but he was too lost in his own thoughts.
Halfway back to Peak Town, his uncle broke their unspoken agreement to stew in silence. “This bee in your bonnet got anything to do with you and Jamie getting back together? What happened, you screw up again?”
Taking his gaze off the road for a brief moment, he glared, mouth dropping wide before he gritted his teeth. “Mierda, why does everyone think we’re back together? We’re not.” As Jamie so adamantly pointed out. All damn day. “Even if we were dating, why would you think I screwed it up? What happened to blood being thicker than water?”
“Tony, you know I love you.”
He did. His uncle never had children, and Tony never knew his father. This man had always taken on the male role model in his life. Teaching him things, making sure his mother had enough money to feed him, and finally helping him get a work visa in America. If it hadn’t been for his uncle, Tony would never have come here. Would never have become a citizen. Would never have realized his talent and potential as a chef and business owner. Never met…Jamie.
“You are my family, and I will always have your back, sobrino. But that girl was over the moon for you. She loved you with her entire being. Everyone could see it.”
The anger inside him cracked, guilt trickling in because—goddammit—he’d seen it, too.
“I know it wasn’t her idea to break up all those years ago.”
“I was doing the right thing.” He gripped the wheel, knuckles turning white.
“The right thing?”
He glanced to the passenger seat again, catching his uncle rubbing a hand over his knee. Concern replaced anger and guilt. “You okay, Tío?”
His uncle grunted. “Fine. Damn exercises that woman has me doing make the knee hurt worse. Can’t imagine how they’re helping. If she wasn’t so pretty, I’d swear she was the devil.”
Happy his uncle was well enough to complain, he chuckled. “She’s pretty, huh? How pretty?”
“She’s as pretty as the sunset after the rain.” The hand massaging his knee shot up into the air, one finger pointing directly at Tony. “And don’t change the subject. We were talking about you and that sweet Thompson girl.”
Yeah, but he’d much rather discuss the pretty physical therapist his uncle obviously had a crush on.
Had Uncle Juan ever had a girlfriend? Tony couldn’t remember one. The man had to have one at some point. He was well over fifty years old. Why had he never gotten involved or married?
“So, you two aren’t together?”
A heavy sigh settled in his chest. There’d be no escaping this discussion. No matter how much he wanted to.
“No. I’m just helping her with her new business. She needed a chef, and I’m filling in until she can find one. I’m also helping fix and clean up the place before the rest of her staff arrives. Nothing more.”
“Good.”
Ouch. Seemed Jamie wasn’t the only one against the idea of them getting back together.
They fell silent again, but his uncle’s words and warnings kept digging at him.
Ten minutes from home, he spoke up. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. Jamie. All those years ago.” His mind wandered back to that terrible night. The joy in her eyes when she first saw him. The devastation when he told her goodbye. “I loved her, too.”
The hum of the engine filled the air until his uncle spoke. “Then why did you end it?”
“To protect her.”
“Protect her?”
Blood began to boil, and he slammed a hand on the steering wheel. “She was in her first year of college and feeling overwhelmed. She had to focus on her studies, not some nobody bakery boy who had nothing to offer her. I was a distraction for her. Holding her back. She would do better without me.” He swore under his breath. “She did do better without me. Look at all she’s accomplished.”
“You think she did all that in spite of you?”
He scoffed. “I know she did. If we
would have stayed together, she would have come home every break. Given up important opportunities just to spend time with me.” God knew he’d have given up anything to spend one more minute with her. “I would have dragged her down.”
“Oh, sobrino.” His uncle sighed. “Do you really think so little of yourself?”
No. He knew who he was and what he’d accomplished. But Jamie, she was so much…more. The woman was a force, a beacon, a damn miracle. He didn’t think little of himself—he thought mountains of her.
“She did do better without me.” By ending things with her, he allowed her to realize her full potential, without him dragging her down. “I was protecting her.”
“Like your mother protected you?”
Pulling up to his uncle’s apartment, he put the truck in park and shifted in his seat to face the man. “What?”
Juan shook his head. “Tu madre never wanted you to worry about her. She didn’t want you to be sad or fearful. That was why she never told you about her illness. She’d hoped to get better and tell you after. Once she recovered.”
But she never got well. She’d died thousands of miles away without him ever knowing she was sick. He never got the chance to see her again. Never got to say goodbye. He clenched his jaw, a deep ache in his chest shuddering his breath. His throat burned with sorrow he refused to give into at the moment.
“She wanted to protect you from all that pain and worry, and so she chose not to tell you. Sometimes when we love people, we do what we think is best for them instead of asking what they really want.”
With those parting words, his uncle opened the truck door and carefully slid out. Tony watched as the only man he’d ever considered a father hobbled into the apartment complex. Completely poleaxed by the man’s words, he couldn’t move to rush to help as he’d done the last few appointments.
He’d been so angry with his mother, for years, because she kept her illness from him. He’d played the what-if game a million times in his head. If he’d known she’d been sick, he would have stayed in Mexico, helped her. Maybe she wouldn’t have died, maybe she would have gotten better. At least he would have had time with her. Time to say goodbye, time to say I love you. She’d deprived him of that, and he still hadn’t forgiven her for it.
Love on the Free Side Page 10