If the civilian job Captain Rogers had told her about was still available…maybe that would be a sign. San Diego was far enough away from Matt but still close enough to see her niece and nephew grow up and be part of their lives.
Maybe San Diego would solve her dilemma.
****
Thirty-six hours later, she was back on the road, headed toward Almendra, the San Diego job on hold indefinitely. Colleen chuckled as she pulled into her sister’s driveway. Who would have thought it would take this long to start the next phase of her life? If she’d known she would have started sooner!
Decisiveness spurred her forward. She dropped her suitcase in the hall and followed the smell of coffee to the kitchen.
“Colleen, welcome back.” Rob poured a coffee and set the cup on the counter in front of her. “I was just thinking Bobbi and I can run out to the Almond Festival after you run the marathon. That way both kids can nap.”
Colleen frowned at her brother-in-law. “Thanks,” she took a sip, “but I changed my mind about the race. You guys go on without me.”
Brow furrowed and lips tight, Rob set down his coffee cup and studied Colleen. “Come again?”
“I’m skipping the Almond Festival.” Colleen knew she was in no mental condition to run into Matt.
“I got everyone in my office to pledge money for this cause, Colleen, even the partners. If you don’t run, they don’t pay.” His eyes, red from lack of sleep, glared over the rim of his coffee cup. “Regardless of your issues with Matthew Berk, you have an obligation to the veterans to run this half-marathon.”
Suddenly, the events of the past few weeks bubbled to the surface. “Don’t tell me about my obligations, Rob. I gave twenty-five years to the military. Isn’t that enough?” Heart pounding, she slammed down her coffee cup on the granite counter, the contents splashing everywhere.
She turned in time to see a frazzled Bobbi enter the kitchen in her housecoat. At the sound of the coffee cup hitting the counter, the baby in her arms broke into a lusty squall.
Rob stood up from the table and reached for the baby. “I believe you got paid adequately for your service, Colleen.”
Low blow. Colleen narrowed her eyes at her brother-in-law.
“That’s okay, Rob, I just came down for some coffee.” Bobbi held onto the baby and moved toward the coffeemaker.
“Nonsense.” Rob took the baby and laid him belly down over his forearm. The baby’s sobs settled into a few hiccups. He kissed Bobbi on the forehead and nudged her back into the hallway. “Get a few hours sleep, hon. We’ll be fine. When you wake up, we’ll go out to the groves for dinner…should be just in time to see your sister cross the finish line.” He looked over his shoulder and pinned Colleen with a fierce look as the three disappeared into the hallway.
“No wonder he wins so many cases,” she mumbled into her coffee cup. “So much for the goldfish comparison.”
****
Two hours later, Colleen propped her running shoe on a nearby post and wrapped her fingers over the toe. She looked over each shoulder at the talkative runners gathered at the entrance to Marino’s Vineyard, the Berks’ neighbor to the south. Matt was nowhere in sight, prompting Colleen to let out a breath she wasn’t even aware she had been holding.
Colleen switched and propped her other foot on the post. She leaned into the stretch and felt the pleasant and familiar pull in her hamstring. A warning sound from a horn bleeped twice, signaling the runners to get into position.
As she rotated her head and shrugged her shoulders up and down, Colleen’s neck crunched. Another gorgeous California day with not a cloud in the bright blue sky. As long as she didn’t run into Matt and have a confrontation, she would enjoy a run in the fresh country air. She looked around at the crowd. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the back of a tall, blond man on the opposite side of the road. Only when he turned and she saw a long, scraggly beard did her heart rate return to normal.
Moments before the horn blared, she got into position. The group started off. Colleen maneuvered herself to the edge of the road and settled into a comfortable pace.
Twenty minutes later, the runners had spread out; the faster ones not far ahead, the walkers and joggers to the rear. Colleen looked behind and nodded to the lean couple who followed. The three of them maintained the same pace, their feet pounding the pavement in a companionable rhythm. They passed rows of budding grapevines until they reached the end of the property.
A white board fence encircled the pasture where three mares and their foals grazed peacefully in the morning sun. Colleen smiled at the antics of the babies as they kicked up their heels.
“Beautiful, aren’t they?”
Colleen’s head whipped around at the sound of the familiar voice. Her first emotion was pleasure at seeing Matt, followed quickly by despair. She faced front and focused on calming her sudden erratic breathing.
In through the nose, out through the mouth, in through the nose, out through the mouth…darn it! Not working! She couldn’t believe he was still talking to her after she’d ignored his many cell phone messages.
“You know, you are so easy to read.” Matt kept pace easily. “You were happy to see me, weren’t you? Come on, admit it.”
Her thoughts raced faster than her feet.
Could she outrun him?
Unlikely.
Could she blast him with a few blistering military phrases?
Probably. She certainly used the technique on plenty of young recruits over the years.
Would he care?
Probably not. “I’m no young recruit,” echoed Matt’s voice in her head.
“My sister and her family are here today.” Matt continued. “I want you to meet them. I think you’ll like her.”
His voice was like they were having a pleasant conversation. Their feet hit the wooden boards of a covered bridge. Colleen jerked to a stop and spun to face Matt so quickly the couple behind them split and went around them.
“Stop pretending this is going to work, Matt,” Colleen yelled, her frustration erupting. She propped both hands on her knees and hung her head down, trying in vain to get air into her lungs. She stared at the planks and wondered what had happened to her legendary endurance.
“I don’t need to pretend. Just meet my sister and her family. That’s all I ask. It’s no big deal. No pressure.” He leaned back against the railing. Water burbled and flowed beneath the bridge. Baby birds somewhere high in the rafters chirped for their breakfast.
Colleen straightened and strode to the other side of the bridge. Beneath her, the water sparkled in the morning sun. She looked around at the vineyard, the pastures, and suddenly realized this was the bridge where she had made her heading adjustment…the one that had flown her right into the arms of Matthew Berk. A breeze off the water cooled the sweat on her brow. She strode back across the bridge and stopped in front of Matt, who leaned back against the railing. His eyes were black in the shadows of the bridge. “I like you a lot, Matt.”
“So you’ve said. I like you a lot, too, Colleen,” he replied with the ghost of a smile.
“But there are obstacles I feel, in time, would be insurmountable and when I think about those obstacles, I just feel…” Colleen waved her arms in the air as she searched for the right word.
“Kerflugled?” Matt offered as he stared into her eyes, his lips pressed into a straight line.
“Kerflugled is not a word, Matt.”
“Maybe not, but I’ll bet it describes your feelings.” With a wink, he grinned. “Just meet my sister.”
Colleen grimaced. She heard voices coming from a group of joggers. “Fine.” She wheeled and ran toward the opposite end of the bridge, Matt alongside by the time they broke out into the sunlight.
As they approached the finish line, Colleen saw Rob, Bobbi, and the kids. Her brother-in-law flashed a toothy grin. The red-eyed monster from early morning was gone. “Way to go, sis-in-law. I knew you could do it.” Holding Becky in one arm, he hugg
ed her with his free arm, his hazel eyes twinkling.
Colleen turned just as a young woman the image of Matt’s mother ran up and threw her arms around him. “Matty, I didn’t think you had it in you—” She glanced at Colleen. “—although you took a little longer than usual.”
Matt turned, his gaze hopeful as they met Colleen’s. “Hey, Sis, I want you to meet Colleen. She’s the one who dropped in on us.”
The diminutive blond turned to Colleen and extended a well-manicured hand. She had Matt’s broad smile but her mother’s blue eyes. “I’ve heard so much about you, Colleen. I’m Jane, Matt’s older and wiser sister.” She winked. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Her brows lifted in perfect arcs over wide blue eyes. “I was just on my way for a smoothie. Care to join me?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and led the way through the crowd to a nearby booth run by a local church.
Colleen peered at the sign over the booth. “Almond smoothies?”
Jane nodded. “Made from almond milk, which is actually quite good for you. Strawberry or mango?”
“Strawberry,” Colleen replied.
Jane bounced up to the counter and placed their orders.
“Let me guess, you’re in almond sales?” Colleen teased as Jane handed her a large paper cup and a straw.
”Not even close. I’m a physical therapist. But I do believe good nutrition is an important part of therapy, too.”
“So you’re not part of the family business then?” Colleen’s hopes sunk, convinced she was right Matt was the future of the Berk Family Almond Grove.
“No. I met my husband in college. He’s a physical therapist too. It just made sense to set up practice with his father, who happens to live in Seattle, which was fine with me. I never had much interest in agriculture anyway, not like Matt does. So it worked out, you know?” She pointed to the stage where a man was setting up a microphone. “That’s my daughter Jess up there on the stage. She’s the Almond Princess. I want to hear her speech. Do you mind?” She led them to a nearby picnic table.
Colleen pulled on the straw, surprised at the flavor of the smoothie. She took another taste as she watched Matt’s niece approach the microphone. The young girl was tall and, at eighteen, appeared at ease in front of the crowd—some standing, some having lunch at the tables scattered throughout the field.
Her dark blond hair curled around her face and half-way down her back. Wearing a pale pink satin sheath gown, Matt’s niece approached the microphone. “Good afternoon.” The girl waited as the crowd settled. “Welcome to the Berk Family Almond Ranch and the twentieth annual Almond Festival.” The ranchers, townspeople, and tourists clapped and whistled shrilly.
Colleen looked across the table at her new friend and raised an eyebrow.
Pride showed from Jane’s wide smile and she pressed a hand over her heart. “Isn’t she something?”
”I want to thank each and every one of you for the opportunity to serve Almendra as this year’s Almond Princess. I am truly honored.” The young woman waved an arm to encompass the groves of greening almond trees.
“Who would have thought a tree native to the Middle East allows California to supply eighty percent of the world’s almond crop and would become a two billion dollar industry?” Vigorous applause greeted her statement.
“Isn’t she something?” Jane sipped at her smoothie and shook her head. “Funny how she developed such an interest in agriculture with her father and I both being in health care. Guess it skipped a generation.” Her gaze narrowed and she raised an eyebrow at Colleen. “She’s a senior this year and already accepted to Almond Valley College. She’ll stay here at the ranch and commute with Matt. Jess is the next generation.”
Colleen dabbed at her lips with a napkin. “Did Matt put you up to this, Jane?”
“Maybe.” Jane reached across the table and covered Colleen’s hand with her own. “My brother loves you, Colleen. That’s what matters here, not whether there may or may not be someone to pass the family business to.” She paused. “By the way, Jess wants to be part of the family business. My parents are thrilled, of course.”
Jane’s gaze lifted above Colleen’s head. “She’s all yours.” She winked, grabbed her smoothie, and disappeared toward the stands.
Colleen looked down at her half-empty smoothie and stirred it energetically with the straw, trying to ignore the presence she felt behind her.
“That thing will turn into pink milk if you keep stirring it like that.”
Was the man always right? Colleen stilled the hand holding the straw. “Why didn’t you ever tell me about your niece?” she finally blurted. When there was no answer, she turned and forced herself to look into the chocolate brown eyes.
“You weren’t exactly listening. By the time I realized you were worried to whom we would pass the business, you were gone. I guess we never really talked about that, did we?”
“No, we didn’t,” Colleen responded softly.
“Like I said before…” Matt straddled the bench and took Colleen’s hands in his, “…between the two of us, we have enough nieces and nephews to go around. But if a child is something you want, I’m okay with that, too.”
“Your sister certainly doesn’t waste any time making her point, does she?” Colleen tilted her head and gave Matt a half-smile.
Matt looked over at his sister, who stood on the stage with her arm around her daughter. “She’s a no-nonsense woman. But I figured I needed to call in the cavalry.”
“I’m sorry, Matt.” Colleen couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t know what got into me.” She shook her head, annoyed with herself at her emotional state.
“I do.” Matt tucked a stray curl behind her ear. “You had a ton of change all at once, and then I come into the picture.” He stuck out his chest and smoothed his hair but couldn’t suppress a broad grin. “I have that effect on women…well, on some women, well…” He paused. “…on one particular woman, I hope.”
Colleen placed her hands around his face and pulled it close until they were eye to eye. How she’d missed having him close. “I must admit, you were a bit of a surprise, Professor.” She planted a kiss on his lips.
“Is it safe?” Her dad’s gruff voice boomed behind her.
Despite her father’s words, Colleen shook her head and grinned.
“It’s safe…Dad.” Matt squeezed Colleen’s hand.
Mick sat across from them. “Thank goodness, another man in the family. I’m getting less outnumbered by the day.” He laughed long and hard, prompting several visitors to turn and stare.
Maggie patted his shoulder as she sat next to him. “I told you to be patient.”
“Now that youngest of ours…that’s a whole other story,” added Mick. “She can’t settle into a career much less—”
The throaty roar of a motorcycle interrupted him.
Colleen glanced over and froze.
Wendy dismounted from the back of a Harley.
“Who is she with? Is that…no, it can’t be.” She peered over Matt’s shoulder, recognition increasing her disbelief.
Matt turned and narrowed his gaze. “Looks like Mitch Collins,” he observed, matter of fact.
“How do you know him?” Her body stiffened. “And what is she doing with an attorney? Don’t tell me she’s…”
“What?” Matt’s eyes gleamed.
“…dating him.” Colleen struggled to remember if she had introduced Wendy to Mitch.
“Why not?” Matt inquired. “He’s a nice guy.”
“Isn’t he kind of…”
“What? Old?”
“No, not old.” Unable to keep an indignant tone from her voice, Colleen spoke then shot a sideways look at her father. “He’s kind of boring for her, isn’t he? He’s an attorney for wills and estates, for Pete’s sake.”
“Colleen, there’s something I should—” Matt was cut off as Wendy bounced up to them.
“Hi guys.”
Mitch strolled up behind her. His gray h
air was pulled back in a neat ponytail and tied with a leather thong. He looked…different.
He looked good, Colleen realized. Gone were the faltering steps and hesitation. “Matt, Colleen,” Mitch said with a nod. He wore a pair of dark jeans and black motorcycle boots. A black leather vest hung over a well-worn denim shirt. Mitch’s gaze flicked from Matt to Colleen. “Man, I’m starved. Be right back.” He rushed off.
Suspicion hung to her memories of their date. Colleen eyed her sister. “What are you doing with him?”
“Why? Are you jealous, Colleen? One man not enough for you?” She poked Matt with a purple fingernail.
“Isn’t he kind of…?”
“What? Old?” Wendy elbowed her sister in the ribs. “Honestly, Colleen, you, of all people… Besides, he’s not as old as you think. His hair’s been gray since he was twenty.”
“No, not old.” Colleen couldn’t help but keep pushing for an answer. “What do you have in common with an attorney specializing in wills and estates?”
“What attorney?” Wendy’s brow wrinkled as she placed one finger on her chin. “He’s a professor.” She glanced at Matt. “Oh-h-h yeah, right.” She fiddled with the laces on her leather vest then glanced up at her father. “Anyway, I’m not dating him, I’m getting a master’s in his field and we’ve been going over my course list. He’s my mentor.”
“But how did you meet him?” Colleen was certain she had been alone in the house the night Collins took her on the disastrous date.
“I ran into him at one of my lingerie stores. We got to talking and I found out he knew you and Matt.”
Colleen looked after the leather-clad Harley rider. “Lingerie store?” She paused. “He knows Matt?” She turned back to Matt, who was inspecting a splinter on the picnic table. “Don’t tell me. You were desperate.”
Matt wrapped his arms around Colleen and pulled her close. “I couldn’t bear to lose you, Colleen,” he whispered in her ear. When he brushed her lips with his, her heart raced.
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