by Cindy Kirk
Finley picked up a photo that hadn’t yet made it into a scrapbook.
“Who’s this guy?” The older man—he looked about her dad’s age—had his arm around Addie, which meant he was probably an uncle or something.
Addie sat cross-legged on the bed. A few strands of hair had slipped from her ponytail and now hung loose to her shoulders. She gazed at the picture for several seconds. A tiny smile lifted the corners of her lips. “That’s my father.”
Finley took a longer look at the photo. No way was this Addie’s father. She’d seen her friend’s dad downstairs less than a half hour ago. Even if he’d dyed his hair blond for a prank, the nose and shape of his face was all wrong. “No, really, who is he?”
Addie took the picture from her hand and pointed to the man with a hot pink-tipped fingernail. “My father.”
“Then who’s the guy downstairs?”
“Nick is my stepdad,” Addie announced in a matter-of-fact tone.
“No way.”
“Way.”
“You didn’t tell me your mom was married before.”
“She wasn’t.” Addie’s cheeks took on a pinkish tinge. “They never got married.”
“How long ago did they split?”
“Before I was born.” Addie dropped her gaze. “He didn’t want kids.”
Even though her friend’s tone was light, Finley knew there had to be some pissed-off feelings lurking beneath. “We have that in common.”
Addie frowned. “What do you mean?”
“My mom didn’t want me either.” Finley’s tone sounded flat even to her ears. “Still doesn’t.”
She explained how her mother had stuck around for a couple months, then decided having fun in college was more important than being a mom. Of course, that wasn’t how her father told it, but Finley was smart enough to read between the lines.
“My dad gave my mom a choice, him or me.” Addie’s eyes were solemn. “She chose me.”
“She told you that?” Finley had concluded it was some sort of parent code that they kept such stuff from their kids. But if Lexi had told Addie the truth...
“No,” Addie said, “I overheard her telling one of her friends.”
Finley looked at the picture again. Addie’s dad had his arm around her and they were both smiling. “If he was my dad, I think I’d hate him.”
Actually there was no “think” about it. Finley hated her mom for leaving her.
“I kinda hated him once.” Addie’s eyes took on a faraway look. “I don’t anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I talked to my parents and to a counselor. They helped me figure everything out. Bottom line was my dad was sorry for being stupid back then. I’ve done stupid things, too. How could I not forgive him?”
“I don’t know if I could...forgive him, I mean.”
Addie cocked her head. “Do you hate your mother?”
“I don’t think about her.” It was mostly true. Except on Mother’s Day—when the world seemed to go crazy for moms—and on her birthday, when Finley couldn’t help wondering if this would be the year her mother would send her a card.
“Do you think your dad will ever get married?”
Finley lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug as if it didn’t matter one way or the other. The truth was, it scared the spit out of her.
“Drew doesn’t like it that I call Nick my dad, but I don’t care,” Addie said. “I tell him I’m lucky because I have two dads.”
A sigh slipped past Finley’s lips. Addie had two fathers and she didn’t even have one mother. “You’re very lucky.”
“If your dad married your neighbor,” Addie declared, as if she could read Finley’s mind, “you’d have a mother.”
“Are you talking about Michelle?”
“No, I’m talking about Mrs. McGregor, the crazy old woman on the other side of you.” Addie rolled her eyes. “My dad said he saw your father and Michelle this afternoon playing basketball at Chloe’s house. And didn’t they go to Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s party together?”
Finley blinked. “He—he says they’re just friends.”
Addie stared at her for a long moment, then uncrossed her legs and swung them off the side of the bed. “Don’t you want them to get together? I thought you liked her.”
“She seems nice,” Finley said cautiously. “I don’t know her that well.”
“That’s smart.”
“What is?”
“Wanting to make sure she’s worthy of your dad.”
Finley didn’t remember saying anything about being concerned about Michelle not being worthy. Still, Addie had a point. “How would I know if she is or not?”
“A series of tests.” Addie’s lips curved up. “Designed to bring out the worst in her.”
Finley’s first reaction was to tell Addie she was crazy, but she stopped herself. In the few short weeks since she’d met Addie, she’d discovered that her new friend was super-smart. “Why would we do that?”
“Because if there’s even a chance she could end up being your stepmother, you need to know what you’re up against.”
* * *
“I might be late getting home,” Gabe told his daughter the next morning. “The chamber of commerce committee I was assigned to decided to meet after work instead of over lunch.”
“I’ll make myself a sandwich.” Finley jumped on the news. “Because it’s hard to know when you’ll be home.”
Gabe hid a smile. He knew part of his daughter’s easy acquiescence had to do with the fact that it was her night to cook. “I’m not sure if we’ll stop somewhere for a quick dinner or not, but I’ll call once I know how long I’ll be.”
Finley picked up her cereal bowl and took it to the sink. “Tell me again who’s on the committee.”
Her back was to him, so Gabe couldn’t see his daughter’s face. It was, he told himself, a natural question. Then why did he feel as if there was something more going on?
“Michelle, Adrianna, Tripp and me.” Gabe wondered if Tripp would give Michelle a ride. Last night when he’d left the Denneses’ home, she and Tripp had been talking by her car.
Turning on the water, Finley rinsed out the bowl. “Will you and Michelle be driving together?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You live next door to each other,” she said in a casual tone that gave nothing away. “With the price of gas it only makes sense.”
“I don’t think so,” Gabe said. “Although she may ride with Tripp.”
Finley turned around, the bowl dripping in her hand. “Why would she ride with him?”
Gabe pushed aside his plate, no longer hungry. “I think they may be dating.”
“Really?”
There was a look in Finley’s eyes that Gabe couldn’t quite identify.
“Tripp is a nice guy. They’d make a good couple.” He wondered who he was trying to convince.
“You okay with that?”
Gabe gave a laugh, even though he wasn’t feeling particularly lighthearted at the moment. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I thought you liked her.”
“Michelle is a nice woman. And a good neighbor,” Gabe told his daughter. “But I meant what I told Grandma and Grandpa. This first year in Jackson Hole I’m focusing on my job and on you.”
“So if Michelle wants Tripp—”
“She can date whomever she wants. It’s okay with me,” Gabe spoke decisively, hoping if he said the words aloud and with great gusto, he’d believe them.
Chapter Eight
The committee had agreed to meet at the site being considered for the veterans memorial garden. Gabe had been working in the mountains, so the other three members were already there by the time he arrived.
“Sorry I’m late.” He slammed his truck door and hurried across the grassy lot. “A client unexpectedly stopped by and threw everything behind.”
“I had two lovely ladies to keep me company.” Tripp smiled, gesturing to Michelle and Adrianna.
“I didn’t even notice you weren’t here.”
Gabe still wore his boots, jeans and work shirt, while Michelle looked especially nice in a red dress that wrapped itself around her curves. Simple, yet enticing, it sent his thoughts in a direction he didn’t want to go. Even though she was wearing flat shoes today, his eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to her legs. Shapely and long enough to wrap around a man...
“What do you think?” Tripp asked.
Gabe jerked his gaze upward and saw a twinkle in Tripp’s eyes.
“I think having a groundbreaking ceremony is a good idea,” Michelle saved him by answering.
“It would be a good way to make the community aware of the project.” Adrianna took a step back and looked over the grassy plain as if visualizing the scene.
“We could have the mayor and all the city officials here for the ground breaking and then have a celebration at a bar or a restaurant afterward.” Gabe thought for a moment. “At the celebration we could put up the architect’s drawing of the finished memorial—”
“—and have a place for people to sign up to sponsor a brick,” Michelle added, her voice quivering with excitement.
“Bricks?” Adrianna asked. “I don’t remember a discussion about bricks.”
“According to this drawing—” Michelle held up a sheet of paper and pointed “—there will be a row of bricks on both sides of the walkway leading to the memorial. I assumed we’d want the public to be able to buy those bricks in honor of a veteran. They could have them inscribed with the name of the service member.”
“You’re a genius.” Tripp planted a noisy kiss on her cheek. “Not only would it add to the community buy-in, but the extra money could also be used if the construction costs run over.”
He left his arm looped around Michelle’s shoulder, but a moment later she took a step away, dislodging it.
Adrianna stilled at Gabe’s side, the wind fluttering the papers she held in her hand.
“Let’s adjourn and continue this discussion at the new wine bar on Broadway,” Tripp suggested. “A glass of pinot noir with some pad thai sounds good.”
“Is Finley home tonight?” Michelle pulled out her cell phone. “She took Sasha out at noon, but that was almost six hours ago. I wonder if she’d be interested in walking her again?”
Gabe recalled the pride on his daughter’s face when she’d added up all the money she’d earned so far this summer. “I can’t speak for her, but I’m sure she’ll be happy to help. As far as I know, the only thing on her agenda for the evening was to watch a movie and talk to Addie.”
“That’s why I don’t have any pets,” Tripp announced. “Dogs are a lot of work.”
“I agree.” Adrianna met his gaze and the two shared a smile.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” Michelle retorted as she pulled out her phone and called Finley. As Gabe had anticipated, his daughter immediately agreed. Because Michelle had given her a key when she’d begun watching Sasha, nothing more needed to be done.
While Michelle had been speaking with Finley, Adrianna and Tripp had been raving over items on the wine bar’s menu such as pad thai, which Gabe learned contained tofu. Ugh. And braised pork belly. Not a hamburger in sight.
“I’ve an idea.” Gabe focused on Tripp. “You check out the wine bar. I’m going to head over to The Coffee Pot.”
Adrianna’s brows pulled together and confusion blanketed her face. “Surely you’re not seriously thinking of having the celebration there?”
“No,” Gabe said honestly. “I’m thinking how much I want a hamburger. Or perhaps a hunk of meatloaf with scalloped potatoes. Tofu just won’t cut it tonight.”
He shifted his gaze to Michelle. “But it’s no fun eating alone.”
The beautiful blonde doctor slanted a quick sideways glance at Adrianna and Tripp. “I’m in the mood for a hamburger, too.”
Almost immediately Adrianna turned to Tripp. “If you’d prefer to go with Gabe and Michelle I can check out the wine bar myself.”
Tripp’s hesitation confused Gabe. Was it Adrianna? Was the hospital administrator concerned she might think this was a date? Or did he want to spend the evening with Michelle?
A possessive feeling gripped Gabe at the thought. But something in Tripp’s eyes when he looked at Adrianna told him he had nothing to worry about. If he was worried. Which he wasn’t. Not at all.
“I’ll check out the wine bar with you. We can see if it has enough space for a postgroundbreaking celebration while enjoying some terrific food.” Tripp’s gaze shifted to Gabe and Michelle. “You two can discuss the concept of selling bricks in honor of veterans. That way, when we get back together for our next meeting, we’ll have moved ahead.”
“No worries.” Gabe spoke to Tripp as he shot Michelle a wink. “We’ll get ’er done.”
Because he and Michelle had both driven to the proposed site, they agreed to meet at the café. On the way downtown, Gabe found himself wondering was it the hamburger he wanted? Or Michelle?
* * *
By the time Michelle parked her car and walked to The Coffee Pot she’d had plenty of time to wonder where she’d left her head. Going out to dinner with Gabe? Alone? Whatever had she been thinking?
But I want a burger, she told herself, not Asian cuisine.
Besides, it was obvious—to her at least—that Adrianna would kill for some alone time with Tripp. And that’s exactly what Michelle had given her. In exchange she was getting a nice juicy hamburger and...Gabe.
Speak of the devil.
Michelle’s heart gave a little flutter. Dressed casually in jeans and boots, Gabe stood in front of the café, obviously waiting for her. As she drew close, she grudgingly admitted she found his rugged outdoorsy look appealing. “You could have gone inside.”
“If I had, who’d have done this?” A tanned arm sprinkled with a dusting of dark hair reached around her to pull open the door. He gestured for her to enter ahead of him.
There was no reason for her to pause in the doorway where mere inches separated them. No reason except to savor the scent of soap, sawdust and something else she couldn’t identify. As she moved past him, Michelle felt the gentle brush of his hand on her back. A shiver traveled up her spine.
All through dinner there was something in the air. A curious intensity that made the meatloaf melt in her mouth and the potatoes taste as if they’d been seasoned by a cordon bleu-trained chef.
By the time dessert was on the table, they’d covered a lot of ground, including wrapping up the discussion on the memorial bricks. Michelle would have been hard pressed to recall everything they discussed. All she knew was the conversation flowed as easily as the coffee.
She reflected on all the interesting facts she’d learned about her dinner partner. Such as, from the time he was a little boy, Gabe had liked to build things.
“Is that how you ended up in home building?” Michelle forked off a piece of pie, not hungry but not yet ready for the evening to end.
“After Finley was born I worked construction. I discovered I liked using my hands as well as my mind.” A smile lifted his lips. “By the time she was in school, I was able to start college. It took me a while, but last year I obtained a degree in construction engineering.”
“That’s a difficult course of study.” Michelle felt his eyes follow the cherries and crust to her lips. Her mouth began to tingle and she forced the bite past the sudden tightness in her throat with a sip of coffee.
“It’s hard.” His eyes never left hers.
Michelle’s heart picked up speed. She licked her suddenly dry lips and considered the wisdom of continuing this topic. Reluctantly she changed the subject. “What made you decide to settle in Jackson Hole?”
The slight lift to his lips told her she hadn’t fooled anyone, least of all him.
“I wanted a good place to raise Finley and a job that wouldn’t consume my life.” He spread his hands on the table and leaned forward. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m w
illing to work hard, but I believe in the importance of a balanced life.”
When Michelle had married Ed, a sense of balance between career and home was something she’d wanted, too. Since her divorce, maintaining that equilibrium had become increasingly more difficult. Lately her life had been ninety percent medicine, eight percent Sasha and two percent everything else.
“I’m surprised you haven’t married again,” she heard Gabe say. “You’re smart, beautiful and you have one heckuva jump shot.”
Michelle pulled her thoughts back to the present. “I guess I’ve never found a man who could tempt me to walk down that aisle again.” A smile twisted her lips, although she found no humor in the admission. “Once bitten, twice shy. You know.”
“What are your deal breakers?”
She cocked her head.
“What makes you cross a guy off the possibility list?”
“If I had any ‘deal breakers’—” she lifted her fingers and did the quotes in the air “—what makes you think I’d tell you?”
“Why not?” His amber eyes were surprisingly serious. “We’ve decided it’s best if you and I are simply neighbors. But let’s say I have a guy in mind for you. How do I know if he’d be suitable?”
Even though what Gabe was saying made sense, having him matchmake for her felt wrong on so many levels. Suddenly irritated, Michelle shoved a strand of hair back from her face. “I suppose you have someone in mind?”
Gabe paused as if weighing the consequences of his words. “Tripp Randall?”
Even before the entire name had left his lips, Michelle began shaking her head.
“Why not?”
Although Tripp was a nice guy, he belonged with Adrianna, even if right now he refused to see it. Besides, she didn’t find his sculpted features and mop of blond hair sexy. “I prefer men with dark hair.”
Michelle didn’t realize she’d spoken the words aloud until Gabe smiled.
The glint in Gabe’s eyes drew heat to the surface of her skin. “I have dark hair.”
Michelle cleared her throat. “You’re also my neighbor.”
“Right.” He pushed his empty plate off to the side. “Now about those deal breakers...”