Loving The Country Boy (Barrett's Mill Book 4)

by Mia Ross

  After a quick shower, she pulled on a flowery dress and braided her damp hair so it hung over one shoulder. A quick survey of her shoes reminded her that she still needed to buy some practical footwear, and she made a mental note to invite Paige on a shopping expedition that afternoon. Then she rustled through her still-packed suitcases for a light sweater and hurried downstairs.

  Gram gave her a once-over and a nod of approval. “Very pretty.”

  “Just trying to keep up with you.”

  “Oh, you,” she chided, waving off the compliment with a laugh. “You’re just like your cousins, flattering an old lady to get on my good side.”

  “I didn’t think you had a bad side.”

  As they stood there smiling at each other, Tess was struck by the realization that this was yet another in a long line of pleasant moments she’d had recently. That they’d all taken place in Barrett’s Mill couldn’t be a coincidence, she decided as they linked arms and walked out the front door together.

  Outside they turned and headed up the sidewalk toward the Crossroads Church. Built not long after the mill, the simple white chapel stood at the head of Main Street, like a beacon calling people in to worship. On the way she met Ike and Lila, along with Rachel McCarron and her toddling daughter, Eva.

  Farther up, they were joined by Helen and Fred Morgan, who made the introductions for Tess and then leaned in to murmur, “How’re things going these days?”

  Smiling, she whispered, “Much better, thanks to Heath.”

  “If that changes, you’ll let me know?”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  He winked at her and then dropped back into step beside his wife, who’d been so busy chatting with Gram and Lila she apparently hadn’t noticed his absence.

  “Mama, bird,” Eva piped up in an adorable voice, pointing to a bright yellow finch sitting on a garden post.

  Looking over, Rachel hunkered down and said, “That’s right, Eva bean. What does a bird say?”

  “Cheep, cheep!”

  “Right again.” She rewarded the little girl with a hug. “Good for you.”

  Their sweet exchange made Tess smile, and she felt a twinge of longing. If things had gone right for her, she’d have her own little one now. Someone who gazed up at her with unabashed adoration the way Eva was doing with Rachel. Someone who would treasure her for no reason other than the fact that she was mommy.

  Someday, Tess promised herself, she’d feel that kind of joy. And once she did, she’d make sure her child would never, ever question her love. She’d learned firsthand that was the greatest gift a parent could possibly give their children. Sadly, her own mother and father had never understood how precious it was, or if they had they hadn’t known how to express those feelings to her. In her darker moments, she doubted they ever would.

  Of course, motherhood was on indeterminate hold right now, she admitted with a mental sigh. She’d wasted more than a year with Avery, and varying amounts of time with the men that had come before him. Like her mother, she seemed to have an inborn knack for picking the wrong guys. The question was, how did she go about finding the right one?

  “Now, that’s an awful serious look for such a nice morning.”

  Heath’s now-familiar drawl put a merciful end to her brooding, and Tess was pleasantly surprised by the change from his everyday appearance. His usual look had a rugged kind of charm to it, but today’s gray trousers and crisp white shirt set off his outdoorsy features very nicely. She’d never tell him that, of course. She doubted his male ego needed any boosting from her.

  “Sorry,” she said. “Just thinking.”

  “You seem to do a lot o’ that,” he commented, grinning as he nodded to Gram. “Does it really get you anywhere?”

  He had a point there, and she couldn’t help laughing. “In trouble, mostly. Where did you come from, anyway?”

  “My parents’ house is around the corner on Railroad Avenue. They’re off exploring the lower forty-eight in their RV, so I’m crashing there for now.”

  “Are they on a vacation or have they become permanent gypsies?”

  “They’ll be home for Thanksgiving,” he replied, lifting a hand to acknowledge his boss. “I’ve got a lead on my own place, and I’m hoping to get all the money stuff lined up soon.”

  It must be nice to have a plan, she thought enviously. Pushing the negativity aside, she asked, “Is something wrong with your truck?”

  “No. I always walk to church with Olivia.” Understanding dawned, and he chuckled. “She didn’t tell you that, did she?”

  “Silly me,” Gram chimed in. “It must’ve slipped my mind.”

  “Uh-huh. Didn’t your granddaughter tell you we’re just friends?”

  “Repeatedly,” she retorted with a sour look.

  “Then why don’t you believe me?” Tess demanded in exasperation. Apparently, matchmaking was a common hobby in this close-knit little town. While she appreciated the effort the hens were making on her behalf, she wished they’d leave her be.

  “I do believe you, dear. I just don’t think you’re seeing the big picture.”

  “Which is what?”

  “I think it’s best to let you discover that on your own,” she responded cryptically before striding ahead a few steps to resume her chat with Helen.

  The two of them put their heads together, whispering like a couple of teenage girls sharing a secret. When they started giggling, Tess let out an exasperated sigh. “I love her, but sometimes she drives me bonkers.”

  “Southern women,” Heath added with a wide grin as they reached the church. “Gotta love ’em.”

  Motioning her up the steps ahead of him, he took his time moving through the crowd in the entryway, introducing her to anyone she hadn’t already met. By the time they reached their seats, she felt like she’d met the entire population of Barrett’s Mill in a five-minute whirl.

  “I’m never going to remember all those names,” she muttered, taking a hymnal from the pile at the end of the pew.

  “Don’t worry about it. If you draw a blank on someone, just call ’em honey. My mom’s got a terrible memory for faces, and she’s done that for so long, it’s her nickname.”

  “Honey Weatherby,” Tess said, adding a little smile. “That’s kind of cute.”

  “Suits her right down to the ground, as Dad would say.”

  Tess eyed the tall mechanic with fresh perspective. Her relationship with her own mother and father was dicey, at best. As he continued talking about his parents and their RV adventures, it became obvious that the fondness went both ways.

  Like the Barretts.

  That warmth totally explained why she’d fit into the Virginia clan so seamlessly. They had what she’d been searching for, and they were more than willing to include her in it.

  While she was pondering that, the organist played the opening chords of the first hymn, and Tess absently stood, grateful she’d already opened her book to the right page. A quick glance at Heath, however, showed her that he was watching her with more than mild concern. When he mouthed Okay?, she nodded. He smiled down at her, and for the first time she returned the gesture without worrying how it might be perceived. They liked each other, she reasoned. There wasn’t any harm in that.

  When they finished singing and sat down, she prepared herself for a long-winded, boring lecture about how she should be living her life. To her astonishment, Pastor Griggs came down from the low stage and stood at the head of the aisle. Winging a fatherly look around, he said, “Good morning, everyone.”

  The congregation replied, and Tess quickly followed along. He made a few announcements, including a not-so-subtle pitch for the upcoming Harvest Festival. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you creative folks have come up with for the displays this year. Since my wife volunteered me to judg
e, I wanted to let the contestants know I’m open to any and all attempts at bribery as long as they involve something covered in frosting or whipped cream.”

  Everyone laughed, and Tess found herself warming to the friendly pastor. While he gave a sermon about fresh starts, he struck her as more of an uncle giving them sage advice than a leader giving them orders from on high. He roamed through the chapel, never gazing at her in particular but somehow making her feel as if he’d noticed her and was glad to see her there. Because of her recent experiences, Tess found herself drawn to what he had to say.

  “Life often takes us on a journey we didn’t anticipate making,” he said at one point. “But we need to try to remember that just because we didn’t consciously choose it, doesn’t mean it’s bad. God sees the big picture, and He’ll guide us through the wilderness if we trust Him to do it. That kind of faith is difficult for some of us, but if we continue following that path, eventually we’ll find ourselves where He means for us to be.”

  The pastor went on from there, but that last line hit Tess so hard, she actually lost her breath. Sitting here in this quaint little chapel, she finally understood why she’d felt so lost for so long.

  All this time she’d been heading in the wrong direction, away from the things that were most important to her. Now that she’d been given a chance to alter her course, where should she go from here?

  * * *

  Something was definitely up with Tess.

  Heath had managed to mostly pay attention to the sermon while keeping a casual eye on her. Seeing the variety of emotions playing across her face was more interesting than worrisome, and he couldn’t help wondering what was going through that quick mind of hers.

  Wearing a dress dotted with blue flowers and a crocheted white sweater, she’d never looked prettier than she did today. Her usual outfits were expertly tailored to cut just the right stylish figure for a workday in LA. Today she looked like she was geared up for a picnic instead of a corporate takeover. While she probably wouldn’t appreciate hearing his opinion, he liked the difference. Maybe just a little too much.

  While he was wrestling with those very confusing thoughts, a flurry of activity on the other side of the aisle caught his eye. A blond man in a suit was hugging Paige Donaldson, and she was obviously delighted to see him. When Olivia and another elderly woman shifted around to let him sit next to Paige, Heath assumed the two grandmotherly ladies were doing some Sunday morning matchmaking.

  Nudging Tess, he discreetly pointed out the little drama unfolding one row back. “I thought she had her hands full with us.”

  “Apparently she can multitask,” Tess commented in a tone laced with fondness. “Never underestimate a Barrett with an agenda.”

  Focusing his attention back on her, he grinned. “Is that a warning or a threat?”

  She didn’t answer him, but something like a challenge flared in her eyes. It was a good thing they’d agreed to remain friends, he mused as the organist started up again and everyone stood to sing the final hymn.

  Tess Barrett was by far the most fascinating woman he’d ever met. She was also the most complicated, and it would take someone much smarter than him to solve that beautiful, bewildering puzzle. The man brave enough to take that on and allow himself to fall in love with her would definitely have his work cut out for him.

  When the service was over, everyone lingered for the customary good-byes and plan-making. As much as he enjoyed Pastor Griggs’s commonsense approach to preaching, connecting with his friends and neighbors was actually Heath’s favorite part of coming to church. They were all busy during the week, and he liked the way they still managed to make time for each other. Considering the good vibes that existed inside those four sturdy walls, he was pretty certain God liked it, too.

  Even Tess, who normally bulldozed her way from one task to the next, slowed down enough to chat with several people as he followed her to the exit. When she paused near Paige, though, Heath braced himself for some humiliation. And he wasn’t disappointed.

  “So, there he is,” Paige commented in a snippy tone. “The man who doesn’t know how to use a phone.”

  “I said I was sorry,” he reminded her. “Repeatedly, if I recall.”

  “This one,” she explained to Tess, “emailed me from Alaska last year to say he was coming back for homecoming weekend and asked me to go to the football game with him. He never showed, so I sat there by myself all night. And I hate football,” she added with a shudder.

  Heath chuckled at the melodramatic gesture. “By yourself? I doubt that.”

  “Well, maybe not, but you stood me up, and I won’t ever forget it.”

  “Obviously,” he responded with a grin. “How’re things other than that?”

  “Same old, same old. You know how it is.”

  “I hear you’re shaking up the town council race. Good for you.”

  “Oh, you,” she said, playfully shoving him in the chest. “I never could stay mad at you. Take it from me, Tess. This one’s as aggravating as they come, but he’s still one of the best guys on the planet.”

  Their West Coast visitor gave him a brief once-over, ending with a coy smile. “I have no trouble believing that.”

  All this feminine approval was making him antsy, and out of sheer desperation, Heath focused on the other man hovering near the edge of their conversation. Offering his hand, he said, “Heath Weatherby. I’m hoping you’ll save me here.”

  “Tyler Green. I’m in town for a few days visiting my aunt and uncle on my way to Florida. Paige and I are cousins.”

  The clarification was clearly for Tess’s benefit, and she obliged him with a bright smile. “What a small world. Paige and I are friends.”

  “I have no trouble believing that.” The only thing smoother than his mimicking of her was the way he said it, and Heath fought the urge to roll his eyes.

  “Florida’s nice this time of year,” Tess commented. “Are you headed down for business or a vacation?”

  “I’m a freelance ad executive and graphic designer. For the next couple of weeks, I’ll be working on a media-based promotional campaign for the Miami Dolphins. The previous company made a real mess of their latest campaign, and I’ll be mopping up and seeing what we can do to salvage something for this season.”

  “No kidding.” Realizing that sounded lame, Heath tried to come up with something slightly more intelligent to follow it up. “That sounds like a big job.”

  “It is, but I like a challenge,” Tyler responded confidently, adding a sidelong grin for Tess.

  When she returned the gesture, Heath detected her more-than-casual interest in the Donaldsons’ guest. In his flawless suit and tie, Tyler’s polished look made Heath’s own outfit seem dull by comparison. Not that it mattered to him, he reminded himself sternly. He was perfectly content with his job and the durable clothes that came with it. Of course, Tess had never eyed him with the kind of awareness she was showing Tyler.

  You had to expect that when you told a woman you just wanted to be friends, Heath supposed. That didn’t mean he had to like it.

  Thankfully, he and Tess were headed to the Barrett family’s weekly Sunday lunch so he didn’t have to examine his reaction to Tyler too closely. After saying their good-byes, they filed outside with the rest of the congregation and strolled down the sidewalk that led to Paul and Chelsea’s home on Ingram Street.

  “Tyler seems nice,” Heath began in a conversational tone.

  “Right,” she commented with a quick laugh. “Seeing you guys dance around each other was like watching two boxers in the ring, sizing up their competition.”

  “What? I thought we were polite enough.”

  “For ten rounds. And while we’re on the subject, what’s the deal with you and Paige?”

  For the life of him, he couldn’t imagine why she cared
. “We grew up together. Why?”

  “Just curious. What made you think of going to homecoming with her?”

  Her casual tone sounded forced to him, but he was at a loss for what might be driving this awkward discussion. “’Cause we’re friends and she wouldn’t assume it meant something if I asked her. You wouldn’t believe how often that happens to me around here.”

  “Oh, I’d believe it,” Tess corrected him with a knowing smirk. “But I thought you were set on staying here.”

  “I am.”

  “Since you’re not planning to move away, how do you expect to have that cozy little family of yours unless you settle down with someone from Barrett’s Mill?”

  After considering that for a moment, he sighed. “Got me there. I guess I’ve always figured I’ll know the right woman when I see her.”

  “And so far you haven’t?”

  Any other day, he’d have easily answered that question with a no. But today, for some reason, he hesitated. Was it the blunt way she’d asked him? he wondered. Or was it something else altogether?

  He wasn’t one to lie, but he didn’t want to give her the wrong idea, either. Shaking off his uncertainty, he said, “I guess I’m still looking.”

  “Yeah. Me, too.” Laughter reached them from the playground in the square, and she glanced over, a wistful expression clouding her features. “Actually, I’m looking for a lot of things right now. I just wish I knew where to start finding them.”

  He knew that feeling all too well, and he hunted for a way to encourage her without making her feel like he’d been spying on her. “What’d you think of our little country church?”

  “It’s nice.” Glancing back at him, she added, “I thought it would be just listening to someone talk. I really liked how everyone seemed so happy to see each other. You know, like a family.”

  In those simple words, he heard much more than what she’d said out loud. Like him, this uprooted city girl was searching for a place to belong. At least for him, that had meant coming home. For her, it meant starting over fresh somewhere other than where she’d grown up. Whether that was Barrett’s Mill remained to be seen, but no matter what, it had to be scary for her. “I get what you mean. Knowing I could come back here after my accident made all the difference for me.”