Those words played over and over in his head. Like the words of a pesky song. Five little words interrupted all thoughts that entered his head as he met with his foreman and architect.
What more could you want? He wanted what had been missing all his life. He wanted to fit in and feel he belonged.
Aaron was the first to notice his distraction and finally left. “We’ll talk about the design plans when you don’t have other things on your mind.”
Taking the hint, J.T. left the Beasley building and drove out to Jensen’s for one last check. Beside him, in the passenger seat, Rascal sat straight and tall.
Turning his glance back to the road, J.T. smiled. The past didn’t bother his dog. Five days a week, they walked along the section of the street where he had found the dog, and Rascal never gave his surroundings a second look.
Thinking about his dog strutting down the street with his nose in the air made J.T. grin. At first, he had wondered if Rascal would run away. Not this dog! When J.T. climbed out of the truck, he could feel Rascal close on his heels.
For his dog, the past didn’t exist.
Pulling in Jensen’s driveway, J.T. admitted he could learn a valuable lesson from this canine. Sam had hinted the same thing this morning.
Let the past go.
Taking a final look at the repairs on the kitchen, realized his mother would echo Sam’s advice if she were here. He knew the suggestion made sense. It was practicing that advice that was difficult.
He had made a start when he returned to Redbud. Now, if he could just convince his brain to co-operate.
It was probably too late.
He had made a mess of things with Edee. He had known her intentions were good when she told him about talking to Sam. But his pride reared its ugly head.
Pride! Stubborn pride, that’s what he had to blame for his headaches. Now he could add heartaches to his claims. He kept people away so they couldn’t see his pain, or add more. But it didn’t work. He had hurt Edee last night and he shared the pain.
She was the closest he had come to having his dreams seem real. But last night, he had pushed her away and hurt her feelings.
He didn’t deserve her kindness…but oh, how he wanted to take all she offered. It was time he admitted he had fallen in love with her the instant he saw her, dressed in her granny’s silly hat and dress, and still cute as a button.
Could she forgive him? Could she love him in return? All his life he had dreamed of a family even as he watched his mother’s happiness shrivel with each passing year when his father didn’t return. Did he dare try to fight the long traditions of the men in his family?
Did he have the courage to tell Edee he loved her?
Turning around in the middle of Mr. Jensen’s kitchen, J.T. released a noisy breath. He could remember Mrs. Jensen standing at that stove in the corner as if it were yesterday.
He shook his head as he remembered the pain in old man Jensen’s eyes when he had talked about losing his wife.
His mother never had that kind of relationship, but he wanted that companionship in his future. He wanted to experience the devotion the Jensens had shared.
And it was about time he admitted it, too.
Locking the door one last time, he felt as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders. At the bottom step, he turned back and stared at the front door.
All this time, he had been in denial.
He had thought he was running from the rumors from his past. But the essence of the Jensen’s house wrapped around him, making him realize he had been looking for something special, all along.
Nodding his head in acceptance of the truth, his face relaxed in a smile. The human brain was a funny thing. All this time he had thought he was running from a bad reputation, but he had been looking for the kind of relationship his mother had missed.
Giving the porch swing one last glance, J.T. turned away, Rascal at his heel. If he were half as lucky in relationships as he was in business, he would be fine. All he had to do was look forward, and let the past go.
***
Much to her shame, Edee’s first inclination the next morning was to pack her bags and leave as her parents had always done. Even after a sleepless night, she still felt the urge to escape, but she wasn’t going to allow that wasn’t going to happen.
If she ran, she would be just like her father. Looking back, she could see he had repeated the same mistake each time something went wrong.
Her grandmother had spoken of her disappointment that her son never had the courage to stay and fight for what he wanted.
Sighing, Edee threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood. Her father hadn’t stayed to fight…but she would!
Pulling her hair back in a ponytail, after a quick shower, she rushed to her laptop. During the long sleepless night after J.T.’s hasty departure, she had decided she would work at being the best Girl Friday, ever.
She knew his problems touched her because she had fallen in love with him. It wasn’t easy to admit since she had avoided involvement all this time. But there was no turning back, now.
As the web design took shape on the screen, tension drained from her body. During the long night, she had reached two decisions.
Whether he liked her design or not, she knew she had done her best work. She would keep on trying, if that’s what it took to gain clients, just as she would keep an open mind where J.T. was concerned.
She wanted to spend her life in Redbud, not for just a year, and not as an onlooker, but as a person totally immersed in her community. That meant running the risk of exposing her heart to J.T.
Could she do it? Could she prevent the past from shaping her future and stay to fight for what she loved?
She needed to adjust her plans, that’s all. And part of that adjustment meant admitting she had failed to save the bookkeeping service. Four of the five customers left on the books had cancelled their contracts since she moved out of the office.
Much as she wanted to cast the blame on J.T. for evicting her, she knew the truth. In this day of home computers and easy access to the internet, bookkeeping services were obsolete. She had failed in her goal, but she wouldn’t quit.
Web designers were still in demand and she would continue to work to gain new clients while she earned a living working for J.T. She hadn’t totally failed as long as she was able to keep this house. She just needed to refocus her energy.
And right on cue, before she was even halfway down the stairs on her way to find something for breakfast, the doorbell chimed.
Edee recognized Pauline’s profile through the lace. Pushing Albert out of the way with her foot, she and opened the door. “Morning, Pauline. What can I do for you?”
“I’m early, but I wanted to be first.” Pauline whirled past Edee, the skirt of her dress making a swishing sound that startled Albert.
“First?”
“For lessons, girl, lessons! Where’s your brain this morning? We only have two weeks to practice our dance steps for the festival.”
“Lessons?” Mouth hanging open, Edee stood there, holding the door wide.
Huffing with impatience, Pauline brushed Edee aside and closed the door. Her piercing gaze raked over Edee’s face. “What you need is a cup of strong coffee.” Pauline tugged Edee toward the dining room. “Now, you sit down. I’ll put the pot on.”
Following the terse instructions like a robot, Edee latched on to the mug of coffee Pauline put in front of her. Sipping the hot brew, she concentrated on Pauline’s voice.
Content with her captive audience, Pauline took dainty sips from her cup as she named every dance she knew…some Edee had never heard of.
“Ummmm, Pauline—”
Blue-gray curls bobbing, Pauline wagged her index finger at the interruption. “What did I tell you? Sit back and enjoy your coffee. You look as if you need it. Pay no mind to J.T.’s temper. Men don’t handle the situation too well when they realize they’re about to lose their freedom.
Edee
sputtered coffee all over her hand, and grabbed at the napkin Pauline pressed in her hand.
After a string of tsks, Pauline gave Edee’s arm a pat. “Now, don’t you worry. Things will work out. When you’re finished with your coffee, we’ll talk about the songs we want the band to play at the ball.”
Edee’s tension eases as she noticed Pauline twitching at the napkin in her lap as she pretended not to notice the color Edee could feel creeping up her neck.
Glancing up, Pauline said. “I’m just reviewing the steps I know, don’t mind me.”
Before Edee could reply, the doorbell chimed.
“Keep your seat, girl. I’ll see who’s here. Maybe we’ll have enough people for a committee meeting after the lesson.”
As if in a trance, Edee turned her head in slow motion to see Albert dart for the front door to inspect the visitor. Pauline’s blue and red dress swished as she followed the cat down the hall. Feeling her head rattle like an empty barrel, Edee blinked.
“I thought the breakfast crowd would never leave.” Stella declared as she waltzed in the kitchen, gum popping. “Pauline said you had a headache, hon. Don’t move a muscle. We’ll just carry on with the dance lessons on our own.”
Pauline plopped another mug of coffee in front of Edee. “You just sip on that, girl. We’ll have you right as rain in no time—there’s that bell. I’ll get it.”
Stella leaned close to Edee and whispered. “Men let their temper fly when they don’t mean to, ya know.” She fiddled with a strand of hair in an uncharacteristic display of nerves. “Temper is a man’s first response. After they mow down the opposition, they finally get to what’s really bothering them.”
Stella turned toward the newcomer walking in the dining room. “Well, here’s Brandy. Come join us, Brandy. Sit beside Edee.”
Edee managed a smile as Brandy sat down, and sighed. She hadn’t had this many people in the house since…since her grandmother died.
By noon, Stella and Pauline had steered a dozen or more women through the proper steps for dancing to their favorite tunes. Much to Edee’s amusement, the two women insisted she just sit and watch.
She enjoyed watching Stella and Pauline demonstrate the proper way to accept an invitation to dance. But the proper way to hold your partner brought everyone to giggles…even the two women standing in the middle of the floor.
By the time her ‘students’ left, Edee felt more like her self and eager to face the rest of the day. Which was a good thing since tonight was the next town council meeting. She had to decide if she would formerly withdraw as a business owner or wait until after the ball.
***
“All in favor of approving Sam’s permit to build a gazebo, say ‘Ah’.” The council chairman’s raspy voice echoed around the room.
A chorus of voices filled the air.
“All in, all done,” Chairman Miller called, hitting the gavel on the table. “Any other new business?”
Chairs scrapped. People turned to neighbors to chat.
“Then we’ll turn to old business.” The chairman banged the gavel again. “Any old business?”
“Mr. Chairman, I’d like to get my permits cleared so I can start remodeling the Beasley building.” J.T.’s voice rose above the noise of various conversations.
“Um,” the chairman fumbled through a stack of papers. “Where are we on that project?”
Standing tall, his shoulders back, J.T. said. “Everything’s been approved except the plans for the loft on the second floor, Mr. Chairman.”
“Ah, yes,” the chairman looked over the top of his glasses. “The loft…ummmm…how are you planning to use the loft?”
Not again? Jaw clenching, J.T. hid his frustration at having to answer the same question at every meeting. Inhaling a deep breath, he stared at the man who had coached him in little league baseball for three years.
“The open floor plan will make it possible to use the loft space as a gallery to showcase art or quilts, since we have quilters in the area. The loft could also be used for receptions or, rented out as a condo.”
“Ah-ha,” the chairman pointed his glasses in J.T.’s direction. “That loft presents us with a lot of questions.”
“How so, Mr. Chairman?” Aaron asked, standing from his seat up front.
“Well, we don’t have a lot of art exhibits in Redbud, now do we?” The chairman tucked his chin and stared at J.T. and Aaron.
“We have the ladies auxiliary and our quilt circle would love a nice place for quilt shows.” Pauline Morgan spoke up.
“We like art.” Stella added, popping her gum as she nodded her blonde curls.
“Well…for the sake of discussion, suppose there are no art shows or quilt exhibits. We could have someone living there in the middle of town.” The chairman gave a satisfied nod of his gray head as if he had squashed the people in favor of J.T.’s plan.
Voices rose. People waved their arms to gain recognition for a chance to speak. The gavel banged, repeatedly.
“What’s the issue here, Mr. Chairman?” J.T. struggled to keep his voice calm. “I’m offering new options for downtown Redbud, but you seem to object.
“We can’t have any ole Tom, Dick or Susie living downtown, now can we.” The chairman rammed his glasses back on his face as if to say the subject was closed. “Next—”
“Mr. Chairman, begging your pardon, but we already have living accommodations in several buildings downtown.” Sam’s voice rang out as he stood from his seat beside Aaron.
“Yeah, and it’s good for business, right, Roy?” Stella elbowed the man at her side.
“Ahhh…It’s a good way to add growth to the town.” Mayor Morgan spoke after Pauline jabbed him in the side with her purse.
“Yes, well…maybe that isn’t the kind of growth this town needs.” The chairman huffed, banging the gavel like a death knell.
Shaking his head, J.T. started to walk out. He knew a brick wall when he saw one. If Chairman Miller wanted to, he could hold up remodeling the project indefinitely. That cost money by the day and put his crew’s jobs at risk. Knowing he couldn’t quit, J.T. opened his mouth…
“Mr. Chairman? I’m new in Redbud, but I want to add my vote in favor of Mr. Knight’s permits.” Edee glanced around at the sea of faces now turned in her direction. Some of these people she hadn’t met yet, but many she knew and liked.
“Mr. Knight is adding new jobs to this town. He’s hired me to design his website and work as his assistant. I need that job.” She waited for her words to sink in. “Mr. Knight needs those permits passed so he can get started on the remodeling.”
“Now, now, Ms. Cutt, we understand your point, but—”
“We can’t sandbag every new business that tries to open in Redbud.” Sam’s voice rose on a note of authority. “If we want this town to grow, we have to be flexible.”
Murmurs filled the room. Heads nodded in agreement.
Glancing at J.T. from her seat a few rows over, Edee saw frustration in his eyes and fought back tears. Despite feeling she should stay quiet since she was new in town, she jumped to her feet.
“I move we vote to issue Mr. Knight’s permits immediately.” Her chin high, Edee risked a glance in J.T.’s direction. There, maybe that would show him she was sorry for digging into his past.
Voices rose all around her.
The chairman banged his gavel. “Now, just a minut—”
“I second that motion.” Sam’s voice rose over the raspy tones of the chairman.
Several voices lifted. ‘Me, too,’ filled the air.
The chairman banged his gavel frantically. His Adam’s apple jumped up and down as he glared over the top of his glasses. “This room will come to order.”
The noise stopped. Heads lifted. Glares aimed toward the chairman.
With a gusty sigh, the chairman banged the gavel again. “A motion has been made that we approve permits for the Beasley building—”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Whew, wee, that
was close.” J.T.’s breath brushed her cheek as he reached to hold the door for her.
Feeling heat radiating from his body, Edee shivered. She wanted to twist around and put her head on his strong chest, but she didn’t dare.
“Whew, wee?” She forced a hint of laughter to her voice as she looked back at him over her shoulder. All day long, she had dreaded facing J.T. and the time had come. “Tell me you didn’t say, ‘Whew, wee’.”
Matching his longer stride to hers as they descended the steps in front of Town Hall, J.T. sent her his trademark grin as their eyes tangled in a quick glance. “I said it and I stand by my word.” Humor sparkled in his eyes as he laughed. “That was a close call, but thanks to you, everything worked out.”
“Just being a good neighbor.” She darted a glance in his direction and lowered her voice. “I owed you.”
“You didn’t, but thanks just the same.” Air whistled through his teeth in a gusty noise. “Man! That was close.” He turned a glance on her as the reached the bottom of the stairs. “I could kiss you for making that motion.”
Edee looked up at him, feeling her lips quiver with humor and nerves. “Go ahead if you insist.”
J.T.’s glance dropped to her lips, and then moved to hold hers for a long painful beat.
She held her breath, and felt like screaming when he turned to look back over his shoulder at the people leaving the town hall. Watching his chin lift in that stubborn angle that was so familiar, she could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.
They were so close. She could feel the heat of his body reaching out to hers. It should be easy to take up where they had left off…before he stormed out of her house.
She wanted his touch, his kisses…all he had to offer her. She wanted the things she had run from in the past…things she had feared, and avoided to protect her heart from being broken.
But none of that mattered, now. Realizing she had fallen in love with J.T. had changed everything…her fears had deflated to the size of gnats…because loving J.T. gave her courage to face life.
In that second, she realized she had been preparing for this moment from the day she returned to Redbud. Everything about her presence in this town had been different from her past. She hadn’t arrived in Redbud wondering how long she would stay. She came to Redbud to look for her roots, and a place to belong.
A Bride For Mr. Right (Redbud Romance Book 2) Page 16