by Cindy Kirk
Michelle wished she could be honest. But if she told him having a teenage child was a deal breaker, he’d argue. Tell her not all kids are the same. Insist there were many kids out there—like his daughter—who were terrific. All possibly valid statements.
But each time Michelle was tempted to get sucked in by such logic, she remembered Ed’s daughters and how nice they’d seemed...at first. She couldn’t allow herself to care for Finley or to start really liking her, only to discover the teenager was an enemy in disguise.
“C’mon, Michi,” he said in a low, teasing tone that somehow managed to sound seductive.
She gave her hormones a good hard shake and him a dark glance. “My name is Michelle.”
Okay, so maybe she sounded a tad cross, but he wasn’t making this easy. And when he took her hand, lightly caressing her palm with his thumb, she realized he had no intention of letting up until he got what he wanted.
“Michelle, give me something to work with here.”
“If he likes clothes more than I do,” she blurted out, snatching back her hand.
“What?”
“If a guy likes clothes more than I do, it’s a deal breaker.”
For a second Gabe appeared thrown off guard. He glanced down at his T-shirt and jeans. His lips twitched. “What else?”
“That’s it for tonight.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “I can’t believe you’re shutting me off.”
“Believe it.”
“You know what this means?” He picked up her hand once again, but this time resisted her attempts to pull away.
The touch of his fingers caused a ripple of sensation to run up her arm. Michelle drew air slowly into her lungs. “No. Tell me. What does it mean?”
“We’re going to have to do this again.” A devilish gleam filled his eyes. “If I get only one deal breaker at a time, you and I are going to have to eat a whole lot of meals together before I have enough information to play matchmaker.”
She thought about telling him she hadn’t asked him to play matchmaker, didn’t want him to play matchmaker, but she was afraid if she was that blunt, the banter would stop. She’d enjoyed laughing and talking with him over meatloaf, scalloped potatoes and cherry pie. She wouldn’t even mind having dinner with him again. Just as friends, of course.
Despite his protests, when the bill came, Michelle insisted on paying for her own dinner. After all, she reminded him, this wasn’t a date.
“Where did you park?” He cupped her elbow as they made their way through the crowded café to the outside sidewalk.
Michelle pointed to the right in a vague gesture. “A couple blocks that way. How about you?”
“Right there.”
His red truck sat parked almost directly in front of the café. She wasn’t sure how she’d missed it.
“Well.” She held out her hand. “Good night.”
Gabe responded with a long stare and ignored her outstretched hand. “I’m not letting you walk to your car alone.”
“It’s two blocks away, three at the most.” Michelle gave a little laugh. “This is Jackson Hole, not Philly. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
“I’m walking with you.” He took her arm and his eyes took on an impish gleam. “Maybe I’ll be lucky and you’ll share another deal breaker on the way.”
* * *
Michelle drove into her garage. She was ready to lower the door when she realized she owed Finley for the extra time she’d spent with Sasha.
While payment could easily wait until tomorrow, she knew how much the girl looked forward to the money. She was still debating whether to go over and ring the bell when Gabe pulled into his driveway. He parked the truck in the garage, then immediately came out to greet her.
“Decided to share another deal breaker with me?” he said by way of greeting.
“Shut up.” She held out several bills.
Gabe lifted a brow, looking amused. “You’re paying me to shut up?”
“Of course not.” Michelle felt herself melting under the glow of his boyish grin. “This is for Finley. It’s her payment for watching Sasha this evening.”
“In that case...”
He reached out. She expected him to pluck the money from her fingers. Instead, his hand closed over hers and he tugged her close.
“What are you doing?” she stammered.
A glint entered his eyes. “Thanking you properly for a very pleasant evening.”
The air had turned chilly, but when Gabe pulled her tight against his body, heat flowed through Michelle’s veins like an awakened river.
He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me. He’s going to kiss me.
There was time for her to pull back. To walk inside. To go to bed. Alone.
His gaze searched hers, dark and intense.
“Well, if you’re going to say thank you, go ahead and do it, I mean, say it.”
His lips curved up. Without another word, his mouth closed over hers.
* * *
Finley had been on the phone with Addie for about twenty minutes when she heard Michelle’s garage door go up.
“I don’t think there’s anything between them,” she told Addie.
“Really? You don’t think we need to test her?”
Finley didn’t know why Addie even bothered to ask, because before she had a chance to reply, Addie went on to give all the reasons she thought they should still move forward with their plan.
When Finley had been at Addie’s yesterday they’d come up a whole list of possible “tests” designed to bring out Michelle’s true self. But now that she’d had more time to think about it, Finley decided they’d overreacted. Michelle and her dad had never even been on a date. Even tonight had been purely business.
Trying to think of a good response, Finley idly glanced outside where her dad and Michelle stood talking on the driveway. Was it only her imagination or were they now standing closer together? Finley narrowed her gaze, then gasped as her dad pulled Michelle to him. When he kissed their neighbor, a tiny squeak slipped past her lips.
“What is it?” she heard her friend say. “Is something wrong?”
“My dad and Michelle just got home from their meeting and he’s—” Finley swallowed hard “—kissing her.”
“A friendly peck on the cheek? Or a Jersey Shore kind of kiss?”
“Yuck.” With her stomach churning, Finley turned away from the window. “I can’t watch anymore.”
“Jersey Shore,” she heard Addie murmur.
Finley pressed her lips together. “I’ve reconsidered.”
“You’re going to take another look?”
“Absolutely not.” Finley drew a deep breath, keeping her eyes away from the window. She knew her dad had probably kissed other women, but thankfully she’d never had to witness such grossness before. “I’m talking about the tests. We need to find out what Michelle is really like...and soon.”
Chapter Nine
When Gabe thought about the kiss he and Michelle had shared, he reluctantly admitted there was a thousand other ways he could have thanked her for a nice evening. But he didn’t regret his action. There’d been a spark between them that was hard to resist.
Still, he was convinced that Michelle would tell him he needed to keep his hands—and his mouth—to himself. But days passed and that never happened.
Yet, he noticed a subtle shift in their relationship after that night. It wasn’t anything big, but rather a series of small things: a casual call now and then, an offer to pick up stuff at the store, bringing a plate of cookies over one night. By all indications, their friendship had deepened.
Gabe didn’t spend a lot of time analyzing the situation or even thinking about it. He was too busy. The construction season was in full swing and Stone Craft Builders was on target to have its best year ever.
Two weeks later he was at a job site in the mountains when his phone buzzed indicating a new text message. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at t
he screen.
“Is that the lumberyard?” Joel took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow.
They’d been at the job site of a new home in the mountains since early that morning. Although the pine trees provided some relief from the sun, at eleven-fifteen it was already unseasonably warm.
A smile lifted Gabe’s lips and he held up the phone so Joel could see the readout.
The text from Michelle was simple and to the point: Lunch?
Joel grinned. “I thought at the party there was something going on between you and our star basketball player.”
“There’s not,” Gabe protested but without much force. “We’re just neighbors.”
Joel rubbed his chin. “You know, I can’t recall the last time I texted one of my neighbors about having lunch.”
“Michelle and I like the same kinds of food.” Gabe went on to tell his boss about the meatloaf dinner they’d shared a couple weeks earlier at The Coffee Pot. “It seems like most women nowadays are into sushi and tofu. But Michelle is a real meat-and-potatoes kind of gal.”
“I’m sure her love of meatloaf is the attraction,” Joel murmured.
“What?” Gabe cocked his head. The framers had been yelling to each other and he hadn’t been able to hear clearly.
“I said, have lunch with her,” Joel replied, this time in a loud booming voice. “While you’re in town you can pick up those extra supplies the lumberyard forgot to deliver.”
Even though Gabe had been ready to text his regrets, having lunch with Michelle was definitely a step up from the sandwich and apple he’d brought for lunch.
“Go now,” Joel urged. “It’s not good to keep a neighbor waiting.”
Something about the way Joel emphasized “neighbor” made Gabe pause. “There’s nothing going on between me and Michelle.”
“I understand. You simply like the same kind of food,” Joel reminded him, the look in his eyes turning into a twinkle.
Gabe lifted his hands, one still holding the phone. “I’m serious.”
“I believe you.” Joel shifted his gaze down to his tool belt and picked up a hammer, suddenly all business. “I’ve got everything under control here, so there’s no need to rush back.”
Gabe stood there for a second before deciding there was no reason to say more. He’d just reached the door to his truck when he heard Joel call his name. He turned back.
“Enjoy the meatloaf,” his boss called out, a smirk on his lips.
* * *
“I can’t believe we wasted an afternoon coming up with those tests and haven’t done a single one,” Addie grumbled.
A shopping bag swung from each girl’s hand. Lexi had dropped them off in downtown Jackson this morning and would pick them up after lunch.
“Her kiss must have turned off my dad.” Finley smiled at the thought. “I know he hasn’t kissed her again.”
Addie paused in front of a shoe store window, her eyes taking on a gleam as she studied a pair of sandals decorated with brightly colored stones.
“How can you be so sure?” Addie asked, pulling her gaze from the shoes.
“All he does lately is work.” Finley thought for a moment. “I bet I see Michelle more than he does.”
“So you’re still watching Sasha?”
“Every day.” Warmth flowed through Finley. She adored Sasha. Taking the golden retriever for a walk was the highlight of her day. And her short talks with Michelle were nice, too. It turned out they shared a common interest in basketball and Sasha. “I can see why Michelle loves her. She’s a super-sweet dog.”
“That’s why that test we came up with where Sasha goes missing is pure genius. Talk about stressing Michelle to the max.”
Actually it was Addie who’d come up with the idea. Just the thought of dog-napping Sasha made Finley sick to her stomach.
“We’re not doing that unless it’s absolutely necessary,” Finley said, then promptly changed the subject. She glanced down the street. Because Jackson catered to the tourist trade, the small town had lots of restaurants. “What sounds good for lunch?”
Addie thought for a moment. “How about pizza? Sound good to you?”
Finley nodded and sniffed the air. “I smell pepperoni.”
Her friend smirked. “Perfect Pizza is just around the corner.”
In a matter of minutes, the girls had reached the restaurant and placed their order at the counter. Finley picked up the table flag and plastic utensils. Addie carried the glasses of soda. The dining room was only about half full, which Finley guessed was fairly typical for a Monday.
“Let’s sit in a booth,” Addie turned to the left where a series of wooden booths with high backs lined the wall. “It’s more private. We can talk about Justin and Zac without anyone overhearing.”
Justin and Zac were Justin Bieber and Zac Efron. While their parents might think they were too young to date, that didn’t mean they weren’t interested in boys. They’d decided a week ago that Justin would be Addie’s out-of-state “boyfriend” while Zac belonged to Finley.
Finley had to admit—but only to herself—that seeing her dad kiss Michelle had made her begin to wonder what it would be like to kiss Zac....
“Ohmigod,” Addie squeaked.
Finley looked up. Her heart plummeted to the tips of her royal blue ballet flats.
“Hi, honey.” Her dad slipped from the booth where he’d been sitting with Michelle. He rocked back on his bootheels. “What a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Finley lifted her chin, her jaw so tightly clenched that it ached. Hurt and a sense of betrayal welled inside her. “I thought you were at work.”
“I was, I mean, I am. I came into Jackson to have lunch with Michelle.”
Her dad seemed to stumble over the words, which told Finley he had something to hide.
“I made your lunch last night,” Finley reminded him. She’d gone to a lot of work making that ham-and-cheese sandwich. And she’d even washed the apple—and wrapped it in a paper towel—before she’d dropped it into the brown sack. She couldn’t help wondering how many other lunches he’d shared with Michelle that he never bothered to mention.
“Yes, and I’m planning on eating it tomorrow.” Her dad’s eyes flashed a warning. “Today, I’m enjoying pizza.”
“Hi, Finley,” Michelle greeted her, then shifted her gaze to Addie and smiled. “Is your mom with you?”
Addie shook her head. “She’s working this morning.”
“Mrs. Delacourt dropped us off so we could do some shopping,” Finley explained. “She’s picking us up during her lunch hour and taking us to my place.”
“Why don’t you girls join us?” Gabe smiled and gestured to the booth.
“Thank you, but Finley and I—” Addie glanced at her friend, appearing to have lost her voice midexcuse.
“We don’t want to disturb you,” Finley continued and her friend nodded.
“Besides, we can’t stay long,” Addie added. “My mom will be at the Antler Arch to pick us up real soon.”
“If you’re sure...” Gabe said.
“We’re sure.” Knowing her dad would be upset if she continued to ignore Michelle, Finley plastered a smile on her face and shifted her gaze back to the doctor. “Nice to see you again. Enjoy the pizza.”
“C’mon, Addie.” Finley grabbed her friend’s arm, careful not to tip the sodas in her hands. “Let’s find a table by the window.”
She chose a wooden table with thick sturdy bench seats way across the room from where her dad and Michelle sat. Shortly after their pizza arrived, Finley turned to Addie. “It’s time for a test.”
Addie’s eyes never left her friend’s face. “When?”
Finley glanced in the direction of the booths. “I say the sooner the better.”
* * *
“I’m sorry if this is awkward for you.” Michelle waited to speak until the girls were out of earshot. She’d recognized the look in Finley’s eyes. His daughter had not been
pleased. “I didn’t think our having lunch would be such a big deal.”
Gabe had resumed his seat across from her. He grabbed another slice of pizza. “It’s not.”
“Finley didn’t seem happy about it.”
“She was surprised to see me here. Like I was surprised to see her and Addie.”
Michelle forced a bite of pizza past the sudden lump in her throat. Just like Ed, Gabe couldn’t see what was right under his nose.
Finley didn’t like her. The sharp pain in her heart surprised Michelle. She’d been close to letting down her guard around the girl. Their lively conversations about basketball had felt natural.
“I’m glad you invited me to lunch.” Gabe smiled across the table at her. “Made my day.”
“We hadn’t seen much of each other recently.” Michelle kept her tone light and breezy. She decided there was no reason to address her concerns about Gabe having his head in the sand regarding his daughter because they didn’t matter. She and Gabe were friends. Nothing more.
Michelle still wasn’t sure what had possessed her to text him and ask him to lunch. A momentary bit of craziness, that’s for sure.
Until Finley’s arrival and sudden coldness toward her, she and Gabe had been having a nice time. He was an interesting guy and fun to be around. With him, she could relax and be herself.
He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. His amber eyes took on a familiar gleam. “Are you ready to share another deal breaker with me?”
“Nope.” Michelle chopped the word. It was beginning to annoy her that he seemed so focused on finding her a man.
“C’mon, Michi. Help me help you.”
Michelle used to adore that nickname. But then her former stepdaughter had taken it up and made it almost a slur. She couldn’t hear it without thinking of them.
She grasped the edge of the table with both hands and pinned Gabe with her gaze. “If and when I decide to jump into dating again, I am fully capable of making my own matches. And it’s not Michi. My name is Michelle.”
Gabe just grinned and took another bite of pizza.
Michelle decided the man was incorrigible. “Because you seem so interested in the topic, why don’t you tell me your deal breakers, Gabe?”