Every Yesterday (Boot Creek)

by Nancy Naigle

  The last time Noah and the guys had been together was in Vegas for the Barrett-Jackson car show. He had schmoozed the airline attendant and taken her out that night. So, the bet wasn’t a bad one.

  That had been less than two years ago. There’d been plenty of schmoozing hot women on that trip, and although his life hadn’t changed since then, a lot had changed for his friends.

  Back then, they’d all vowed their bachelorhood was the most important thing to maintain, aside from their friendship. And while they used to run four strong, one had gotten married to a girl he’d met on that Sin City trip, and since they were expecting their first child any day now, there’d only be three this time.

  That was one of his biggest beefs with the whole marriage thing. People changed. At least he’d been lucky enough to realize that before he walked down the aisle and ended up losing half his stuff. He liked things just the way they were. Not a thing wrong with being single.

  Noah and Ford had agreed to come in early for the wedding and stay an extra day to help get Angie moved in to Jackson’s house. Noah would bet a hundred bucks that place would look a lot different in just six months. Ruffles here. Girly colors there. Probably all of Jackson’s most prized possessions quarantined in what women liked to call the “man cave,” which was really a place to hide from the world all the good stuff men love.

  The way Noah imagined the man cave, there’d be a turnstile instead of a door. The price of entry? Your man card. Never to be seen again.

  Noah’s teeth ached. He opened his mouth, relieving the pressure on his jaw. Grinding his teeth had become a habit with all the recent talk of weddings. He’d never let a woman come between him and his stuff. She’d probably want to use the precious square footage of his garage as a guest room addition. No, ma’am. Not in this lifetime.

  And now Jackson Washburn, who he’d thought would be the last one of their tightly knit group to marry besides himself, was getting married to a girl from this tiny North Carolina town.

  Noah felt even more tied to his bachelorhood. He had a week to talk his best friend out of this crazy delusional state. Or at least slow him down. What was the hurry anyway? Jackson and Angie hadn’t even been together a year.

  He stepped on the escalator down to the baggage claim area. From here he could see Ford holding a cardboard sign that read: MR. NUDE AMERICA CONTESTANTS.

  And Jackson stood next to him with a fake movie poster with Noah’s face photoshopped onto some guy’s body, running from three women through a city street. One holding a gun, one with a wedding ring, and one carrying a baby. The movie: The Bachelor.

  “Funny.” Noah gave them a chin nod. Just like old times. There was hope. He stepped off the escalator and walked over to his friends. “How’ve y’all been?” Noah and Ford shook hands, and then Noah turned to Jackson. “I know how you’ve been. Brainwashed. What the hell?”

  Jackson grasped Noah’s hand and slapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, don’t knock it until you try it. Not half bad having someone to cook, clean, and tell you you’re the best thing breathing every day.”

  “You drank the Kool-Aid?” Noah fixed his gaze on Jackson. “You have time to come to your senses, ya know.”

  “Shut the hell up, man.” Jackson laughed. “Thanks for being my best man.”

  “Yeah, what was that all about? How did he get to be the best man?” Ford hitched his duffle bag up onto his shoulder.

  “I picked Noah as the best man because I wasn’t sure if you’d even be able to make it all the way from Alaska. Besides, I figured it might be Noah’s only chance to get that close to actually doing the deed.”

  “You’ve got a point,” Noah said. “Can’t argue with you there. But it also better mean I get to escort the hottest lady down the aisle. That is the only reason I’m here.”

  Jackson shook his head. “Why would I waste her on you? Not like you’d make an honest woman out of her.”

  “No. But she just might thank me for trying.”

  Ford elbowed Noah. “Don’t be so sure.”

  “Whatever. One of these days you’ll find the right woman, Noah, and all that smack-talking is going to have been a waste.” Jackson said.

  “One thing that won’t be a waste is the extra days we came in to help you get settled. Or to talk some sense into you,” Noah said.

  “Don’t waste your breath on that,” Jackson said. “I’m marrying Angie, and there’s nothing that would change my mind. As far as I’m concerned, I’m damn lucky to be marrying her. And her son, Billy, is the coolest kid you’ve ever met.”

  Noah’s heart wrenched just a little too tight. Jackson really did seem happy. Not exactly what he’d expected to see and hear two minutes into the trip. He’d figured it would take Jackson all week to bring the hard sell. “You really are happy. I can see it in your face.” Noah extended his hand. “Put her there, man. I’m happy for you.”

  Jackson relaxed into a grin, and his stride took on a more confident casual pace as they headed for the baggage claim.

  “So where is this Podunk town where you found a girl who’s so danged special she’s got you jumping through hoops?”

  “She’s not just any girl, she’s perfect. Damn near a goddess.”

  “You’re a lost cause.” Noah groaned. “Let’s get the hell out of here before her father Zeus strikes us with lightning or something.”

  “Let’s get.” Jackson led the way outside and across to the parking garage to his four-door GMC pickup truck. Jackson tossed his bag and Ford’s luggage into the back seat and then climbed behind the wheel.

  “Nice truck,” Noah said.

  “That’s a compliment coming from you.” Jackson navigated the parking garage and headed for the interstate. “What’s your latest project car? I saw the ’42 Ford coupe. That car was sweet. Angie found a YouTube video of it and showed it to me just last week.”

  “We’ve done six or more cars since that one.” It surprised Noah that Jackson’s gal had been interested enough to look up a car video, though. “Since we’re doing restorations for other people, I don’t get as connected to them as I used to with my own. I sold that Ford coupe for a nice profit, though.”

  “I’m not surprised. It was impressive.”

  “Those videos really pay for themselves,” Noah said. “Just hired the guy that does the videos and social media. He’s working on the video for the latest project—a full-body-off restoration on a 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe.”

  “You have a Bugatti?” Jackson said. “Damn, you are doing good.”

  “It’s not mine. It’ll take us a year to complete. Can’t say I’ll mind having that parked in the shop for a while. It’ll be a beauty. This guy has more money than he could spend in four lifetimes and is sparing no expense in getting that car perfect.”

  “A Bugatti,” Ford said. “Not sure I’ve ever seen one. Sounds impressive.”

  “Oh, it is. And this is the nicest one I’ve ever seen.” Noah pulled out his phone and thumbed through some pictures. “Here. Look at this. I’m telling you this car has some sweet lines. Look at the way that front fender curves. And a throaty engine that’ll make your heart race.”

  “Sounds like you’re dating her.” Ford looked at the picture on the phone, then handed it over to Jackson. “I think you need to start thinking about women instead of cars,” Ford said. “You’re worrying me, man.”

  Noah took the phone back and looked at the picture with a smile. Lately the cars did top his list of favorite things to do. “Hey, I find a girl with curves like that, who can make my heart race . . . then we’ll talk.”

  “You’d probably just ask her to marry you and break it off again.” Ford said, and Jackson nodded right along with him.

  “That’s enough out of you two. Especially you, Jackson. You’re the one jumping in the deep end. Don’t come whining to me if you figure it out too late.” Finding out late would have just put everything he worked so hard for at risk. He’d considered his two broken enga
gements mistakes of the best kind.

  “Just pointing out that you keep giving us hell about getting married when in reality you were the first to even think about it.”

  “I woke up, though. Didn’t I?” He lounged against the window. The last thing he wanted was to be reminded of those mistakes.

  “To put it in car terms,” Jackson said. “If you have one car that breaks down on you all the time, it doesn’t mean you then just walk everywhere the rest of your life. You test-drive a new model.”

  “I find a model like this,” Noah said raising the phone in the air. “She’ll damn sure already be taken. Seriously sexy. Seductive. Elegant. And the leather seats so supple that when you run your hand across them, you don’t want to ever stop.”

  “You’ve been sucking to many exhaust fumes, man,” Ford shook his head. “And you’re in California. Practically a Costco of women. Not like you’re up in Alaska with me. And even I get out more than you, it sounds like. You talk about that car like she’s a woman. The perfect woman.”

  Noah sucked in a breath. It was true, and if a woman ever aroused him like cars did, that would be one fine day. “If I ever meet a woman that fits that description—makes me feel like that car does. I will marry her. On the spot.”

  Jackson glanced at Noah. “Guess your bachelorhood is safe.”

  “Completely,” Noah said. “But cars and women are similar in some ways. Cars can be moody, but they can also make us feel cool. They are sexy as hell. Can even make us look sexy. They can be fast and loud, dangerous and so empowering you don’t even care if the man stops you and writes you a ticket. In fact, if he does, it’s more proof of what she can do.”

  “Okay, that’s just weird,” Ford said. “Maybe you’re a candidate for one of those android girlfriends they were talking about online a few weeks ago.”

  “I heard about that. No emotion. No negative feedback. No bitching if I’m late or spend too much money on another car. Yeah, I’d give it a try,” Noah said.

  “I think I’m glad I’m getting married,” Jackson said. “Not sure I want a bride who can short-circuit.”

  “Trust me. Women short-circuit too. Been there. Done that,” Noah said with a laugh as he leaned forward between the seats. “How long a ride is it?”

  “Hour and a half northwest. Anyone need to grab something to eat before we get there?”

  “No, I’m good,” Noah said.

  “Me too.”

  “Cool. One of the bridesmaids owns a bed and breakfast. That’s where y’all will be staying. She said she’d have some snacks for you when you arrive. For a small town we have lots of great places to eat. We get some good foot traffic at the interstate end of town.”

  “As long as there’s a burger within driving distance, I’m good to go.” Noah watched the sun-drenched landscape zoom by as they sped down the highway.

  “You’re set then, because the Blue Skies Café has about the best burger you’ll ever have. Anywhere. Beefalo. Angie worked there and her boss is throwing us a party. Guy knows how to cook. And those beefalo burgers rock.”

  “Cross between beef and buffalo?” Noah asked.

  Jackson glanced into the rearview mirror, making eye contact with Noah. “Yeah. It’s awesome. The farm I worked for supplies all the meat to the restaurant. I swear that’ll ruin you for any other burger.”

  “Kind of like Boot Creek ruined you for any other town?”

  “Yeah. It’s a good place to be. I wandered in and I guess I never left. But I’m not the only one. I swear the place has a one-way door . . . people come and never leave.”

  Noah turned and looked out the window at the light traffic and wide open spaces. Well, this was one guy who’d be leaving Boot Creek at the end of the week with no regrets.

  Chapter Three

  At the corner of Water Loop Way and Crump Farm Road, lights shone through the glass block windows of what used to be the only gas station in Boot Creek back in the sixties. Of course, that was when Water Loop Way was the main road through town. That hadn’t been the case for a long, long time.

  Now the old Mobil station was Megan Howard’s residence and the home of Balanced Buzz, the beeswax aromatherapy candle company. It was a perk that she was located straight across the street from the post office too. What she couldn’t deliver locally, she shipped out from there.

  Megan pulled her red Karmann Ghia under the cover of what was once the canopy over the gas pump island. Now it was just a convenient carport, especially on nights like tonight when she hadn’t expected rain and didn’t have an umbrella handy. She hated to curse the rain. She knew the farmers had been really hurt by the long dry spell. Maybe the rain would save the crops and finally cool things down a little bit.

  She unlocked the building and headed straight back to the work area she used for Balanced Buzz. One hundred mason jar shot glasses filled the cooling racks. She’d wicked and poured them late last night. Plucking six jars from different places on the rack, she lined them up under the light to check them. The wax was setting right, and the color was consistent. She held the swatch of fabric from her bridesmaid dress next to the candles.

  A perfect match. Just like the bride and groom.

  She went back out to her car and got the bags of craft supplies she’d picked up in town and carried them inside, leaving the front door unlocked for the girls who would arrive shortly. A trip to the craft store was never a cheap one for her. All the things on her list would have fit in a single bag, but those impulse purchases had filled two more. She couldn’t deny herself all the cool stuff she found when she made the trip into the city.

  It felt like the Pretty Woman moment as she walked back inside with all the bags dangling at her sides by their handles.

  Sorting through all of the goodies, she spread out what they’d need tonight on the long worktable in the back of the workshop, and then she tucked the rest of the treasures in the storage closet to go through later.

  She was just arranging all the ribbon, glue, and beads on the table when the old bell that had been a part of the Mobil station sounded. Someone had pulled in front of the building. Not an electronic sensor, but one of those old hoses that kicked the bell when a car crossed over it.

  She poked her head out around the partition as Katy and Flynn walked inside. “We’re here,” Flynn called out.

  “Hey y’all. I was just getting set up.” She and the girls would be working on decorating the candle jars for Angie and Jackson’s wedding this Saturday.

  “I love the feeling of this place. It’s like the history of the old service station still hangs in the air,” Katy said. “It has such a great old vibe to it. I could totally live here.”

  Megan wrinkled her nose, “Right. Because Lonesome Pines is such a shack?” Everyone knew Lonesome Pines was the nicest place in town. Probably in the five neighboring towns too. And now Derek and Katy were working on reopening the creek-side estate as a retreat, breathing new life and purpose into the place.

  Everyone in town was so excited—having highly compensated physicians at the new retreat was sure to boost their quiet little town’s economy.

  “That’s like comparing apples and oranges. And this place is like . . .” Katy seemed to be searching for the word. “A pomegranate. Extra special and unexpected.”

  “I think I like being a pomegranate. Come on back,” Megan said. “I’ve got everything we need.”

  Katy followed Flynn and Megan to the back of the workshop toward a long table. Beyond the large windows that lined the wall to what used to be one of the bays in the original garage, night-lights sparkled like little stars against the shiny paint of the big black and gold car parked there. “Is that your dad’s car? The one Angie and Jackson are using for the wedding? I heard it was a classic car. Not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t that. It’s huge,” Katy said.

  “It sure is,” Megan said. “Kind of like Daddy’s personality.”

  “How are you doing?” Katy asked. “Angie told me how
close you and your dad were.”

  “I miss him like crazy. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

  “Understandable.”

  “He drove me crazy when he was alive. We were so close, until he remarried. I’m sure the last thing I said to him was something snarky. I can’t even remember for sure what it was.”

  “I’m sure he knew you loved him.”

  “I do love him. Did. Whatever. I wish that stupid wife of his had called me as soon as they’d taken him to the hospital. I might have been able to at least talk to him before he died.”

  “Don’t torture yourself with those thoughts.”

  “I do. I can’t help it. But at least she finally gave in and had the car delivered. She didn’t want to, but the lawyer made it pretty clear she didn’t have a leg to stand on.”

  “It’s a whale,” Katy said. “What kind is it?”

  “DeSoto Adventurer.” And even though Daddy had been the one to offer it to Jackson and Angie to drive away in, it was killing Megan inside. She wanted to protect it. It was the only thing she really had of his. She refused to let herself get caught up in that right now. She pasted a smile on her face. “It’s a cool car, from what I understand there aren’t many of this model out there anymore.”

  “You could probably make two cars out of the metal used to make that one,” Katy said.

  Megan hadn’t considered that, but Katy had a point. “It looks bigger in here than it does outside.”

  “It’s big no matter how you slice it,” Flynn said with a laugh. “We needed that car when we were in college. Instead we were stuffing ourselves in your Karmann Ghia. Good thing I was a gymnast.”

  “I had to have very limber friends,” Megan said with a laugh. “I don’t know what I’m going to do when Mom and I need storage space for the holidays. I had to have the guys push all of my shelving against the walls to make room for the car. I guess I’ll have to stack stuff in the work area and in my apartment.”

  Flynn jumped up. “I know. You could just fill up the car!”

  “True. Why didn’t I think of that?” She swept her hands against each other. “Another problem solved. Is there anything we girls can’t do together?”