Big City Bachelor

by Gretchen S. B.

  The Big City Bachelor

  Gretchen S. B.

  The Big City Bachelor

  By

  Gretchen S. B.

  Copyright © 2016 by Gretchen S. B.

  Originally published in Highland's Fourth Anthology 2016

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means without the prior written permission of both the copyright owners and the above publishers of this book.

  Acknowledgments

  I want to say thank you to my readers. I hope you like this story as much as I do. As always, thank you to all my family, friends and ever supportive Hubster because I wouldn't be writing without them.

  Works by Gretchen S. B.

  Night World Series:

  Lady of the Dead

  Viking Sensitivity

  Berman's Wolves Trilogy:

  Berman's Wolves

  Berman's Chosen

  Anthony Hollownton Series

  Hollownton Homicide

  Hollownton Outsiders (Coming Fall 2017)

  Delta House Series

  The Doll Making Delta

  Novellas / Novelettes:

  The Tongue-Tied Hunter

  Poker in Portland

  Big City Bachelor

  Chapter 1

  Of course this would happen! Lila Thomas thought to herself as she stared at the ground in front of her, after tripping on the curb. It had already been a hard morning. First she slept through her first two alarms, then she sped through an icy shower because the house's water heater had gone out on them yesterday. Thankfully their landlord was replacing it at some point today and it was July, which meant cold wasn't always a bad thing, though ice cubes were pushing it, in Lila's opinion. She then forgot to grab her travel mug filled with delicious black coffee. Since she didn't notice its absence until she was in town, Lila quickly parked in front of the library and dashed across the street to Highlander Coffee. How there was a line that long at 9:45 in the morning, she didn’t know, but just as she thought she was going to squeak into work before they opened, clumsiness struck, and by some small miracle she landed on the grass.

  While Lila and her clothes were fine, her Americano was now an over-caffeinated puddle next to her. Letting out an exasperated sigh, Lila pushed herself off the ground and began brushing off her black and red, polka dotted swing dress and black shrug, inspecting for rips and stains as she went. She felt her shoulders slump in relief when she saw the tulle was all still intact. She did not have the time to be mending clothes this weekend.

  "Are you all right?" came a masculine voice from behind her.

  Crap! Of course someone saw me swan dive to kiss grass. I bet he's cute too — wouldn't that make all this so much better! Turning to look at the person attached to the voice, Lila plastered on the same pleasant expression she gave to people walking into the library. "Yeah, I'm fine, ego bruises only." Yup, he's hot, but he bears a strange resemblance to early 90s George Clooney. Weird. If he says his name is George, I am using it as a sign and calling in sick, then not getting out of bed until Monday.

  George's clone watched her a beat and Lila worried there might be something on her face, but resisted the urge to check. I am not going to go the whole day with smeared makeup along with no coffee. He stepped closer before bending down and scooping up her black leather hobo bag. Extending his arm, the bag slid out toward her to dangle on his fingers.

  "Are you sure? Did you lose anything other than your coffee?" the clone asked, as he looked her up and down.

  Lila wasn't sure why but something about this guy she didn't know made her bristle. Highland Lake wasn't a small town, but Lila recognized most people. He is probably here for the Fourth of July festivities that start tonight, she told herself. There is no reason to get worked up. Widening her smile, she grabbed her bag from his outstretched fingers. "Thank you."

  "You are most welcome," he responded. He had a smooth, deep voice that bordered on distracting.

  They both watched each other for a moment before Lila got ahold of herself and turned away. "Well, I have to get to work. Thanks again." She scooped up the now empty coffee cup and strode away. I can't believe I let myself get distracted by a man. What is wrong with me? Awkwardly staring? Smooth, Lila, super smooth.

  Lila deliberately did not look back, but instead bee-lined for the safety of the library. That's not to say he couldn't follow her in — it was a public space and she was probably so late that it was open by now. But something about him did not scream “patron of the library” to her. As she reached for the handle, the door began to open and she jumped back out of the way since the door swung out.

  Juniper Williams, Highland Lake's head librarian, blinked up at Lila over the top of her bifocals. "There you are, Lila; I was getting worried." The older woman did not wait for an answer before looking down at the door as she unlocked it then held it for Lila to grab and follow her inside.

  "I'm sorry, June, it has been a morning." Lila sighed as she veered off to drop her purse in the back office.

  "That's all right dear, not much came in overnight to restock so I've just been puttering around. But don't worry, I left all of the top shelf items for you to do."

  The smile that crept onto her lips couldn't be helped. June sounded so put out by that last statement. It had taken Lila months to convince June to let her put away the taller books. It wasn't that June couldn't do it, but Lila could see the struggle and pain on the older woman's face when she used the step stool. Lila considered it part of her job to make things easier for June.

  Taking a deep breath, Lila shook off all of the nonsense this morning had brought and prepared her brain to go into work mode, even if it would be without coffee.

  Chapter 2

  Dylan watched the interesting beauty go. She was walking to the library doors faster than was strictly necessary. It made him smile to think that was probably because of him. Her reaction to him was refreshing. Dylan had made the top twenty-five most eligible men in Seattle every year for the last three, so normally women went out of their way to bump into him. Some were more obvious than others. Not only had this woman not recognized him, but he didn't recognize her. Dylan lived in Highland Lake from the day he was born to the day he went off to college — he should know all the women around his age. Between him and his two younger brothers, they dated most of them at one time of another. Maybe she was a Seattle transplant.

  Shaking off the brief encounter, Dylan headed across the street to Highlander Coffee, where he’d agreed to meet his youngest brother upon his arrival. Bryce will know who she is. He knows damn near everyone. Not that he could afford more than a passing interest in the retro dressed woman. Despite what his mother may want, Dylan had no interest in moving back to Highland. Seattle was more bustling and full of opportunity. He much preferred big city life to the slower pace of his hometown. Dylan did not understand how his brothers could stay here.

  The coffee shop hadn't changed since it opened seven years ago. At its base it was furnished like most coffee places, but covering the sleek metal and black was a Scottish motif. Tartans hung on the walls; it bordered on kitschy, but it had the best coffee in town so no one, to Dylan's knowledge, ever complained.

  He did not even get halfway through his sweep of the shop before seeing his brother’s blonde-tipped head bent over his phone, paper cup halfway to his mouth, but hovering instead of moving closer. Smiling at his baby brother's absent-mindedness, Dylan walked over and slid into the cushioned chair across from Bryce.

  It did not take long for him to notice Dylan's presence. "Oh hey, bro. Please tell me you haven
't been sitting there long." Bryce grimaced as he set his phone on the table, taking his cup in both hands.

  Shaking his head, Dylan's smile widened. "No, I just got into town. But speaking of which, shouldn't you be at the nursery?"

  Nature and Nurture was Highland's, and the surrounding areas, only place to purchase plants, top soil, and anything needed for the outdoors. Bryce opened it three years ago and from what he told Dylan, he was doing quite well.

  "Nope," Bryce answered, shaking his head. "I have enough employees that my attendance is supplemental at this point. Basically I can spend my whole day in the back doing business-y things if I want."

  Dylan knew how unlikely that was — as long as anyone could remember, Bryce was digging around in the dirt. There was no way he would be content spending an entire day in an office. Unlike himself. Being a lawyer meant he basically lived at his office.

  "So, how are you, anyway? You haven't been home since Christmas. Oh, I saw you made Seattle's prettiest single men list again, congratulations. Though I did notice you slipped down the list. You barely made the top twenty — you are slipping in your old age."

  The snort came out before Dylan could help himself. "You sound like Mother, you know that right?"

  "Well, thirty-three ain't no spring chicken," Bryce responded, laughing.

  "And this is why I only come home three times a year. I love you, little brother, but Dad is letting me use the empty desk in his office to do some work today. Some of us have to work for a living, you know."

  Bryce snorted in reply.

  Dylan stood. Knowing his father's office coffee, he should grab something now or regret it later. Then an idea struck him and he turned back toward his brother. "There was a woman just here, in a polka dot dress."

  His brother's eyebrow rose. "Lila? Black hair, retro makeup?"

  He kept his response to a nod at first, then realized it would only make his brother more curious so he quickly supplied words. "She tripped across the street and her coffee emptied onto the ground. It seemed like she was running late. I just figured it would be a nice gesture if I brought her more."

  Eyes narrowing, Bryce leaned back and folded his arms. "It would be a nice gesture — the kind Dad or our perfect brother, the vet, would do."

  Dylan knew what the unsaid part was — he took after their mother. It was why he was such a good lawyer; he had the reputation to be a bit of a shark. But he couldn't help the tug of curiosity about this Lila. Something about her peaked his interest, something other than how pretty she was. Maybe it was simply because she was the first woman in a while to not throw herself at him. "I'm trying to be nice. She looked like she was having a bad day. I will see you tonight, I am assuming?"

  "You think I would skip out on Mom's primo event of the year? Are you crazy?" Bryce asked, raising his eyebrows.

  Instead of responding, Dylan waved and headed to the counter, where the line seemed to have momentarily died down. He couldn't believe how many people were here for the long weekend. If he wasn't mistaken, it looked like some people were even from King County. Apparently Highland's Fourth of July was becoming the kind of draw the tree lighting was for Leavenworth.

  When he reached the front of the line, Dylan smiled at the cashier and rattled off his order, then took a chance. "Lila, the woman just in here wearing a polka dot dress? She dropped her drink outside. You wouldn't happen to remember what she ordered, would you? I would like to get her a replacement."

  The young man snorted. "Lila has gotten the same drink as far back as this place has been open." He then grabbed a second cup and scribbled on it before spouting off a total.

  Now I am curious as to why everyone else knows this woman. Clearly she has been here for years. Why don't I remember her? She is beautiful and possesses a hard-to-miss style. Those trains of thought carried him all the way to the door of the Highland library.

  Chapter 3

  "Well, that looks precarious."

  Lila gripped the shelf in front of her to prevent from falling. Thankfully, all she did was gasp when that attractively deep voice wafted up to her from where she balanced two shelves up.

  "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Do you need some help?"

  I most certainly do not! I do this all the time, usually without handsome strangers sneaking up behind me and making me almost plummet to the floor. She looked down. Really, she was only around two feet off the floor. But still, who does that? It's a good thing I kicked my heels off before climbing up here. That could have been a disaster! "I am fine, thank you. Can I help you find something?"

  She couldn't help the pride she felt for keeping her voice even and not turning around. Instead she went back to straightening the books that had fallen when a tall college aged guy accidently knocked them all over. I still have no idea how he did that.

  "No, I actually came looking for you," the voice said.

  That did make her turn. "What? Why?"

  The George Clooney clone lifted his left hand. "I figured you could use some more coffee, since yours is caffeinating some earthworms. Don't worry, I will hold on to it until you are done." He smirked up at her.

  The girly part of her sighed at the kindness of the gesture. "Well, thank you. That is very kind of you… I am sorry, I do not actually know your name."

  That attractive smirk grew into a smile. "Dylan Roth."

  Lila felt her eyes widen before she could stop them. The Roth family was as close to famous as you could get in Highland. Dylan Sr. was a prominent lawyer who could very easily take his practice to Seattle if he wished. His wife Elizabeth was the town socialite — she had her hand in everything the city did and could be downright scary when she wanted something. Lila knew from Bryce that the oldest son was a lawyer in Seattle, but he was so much older than her that she never really took notice of him. Dorian, the middle brother, would eventually take over the only veterinary practice within fifteen miles and Bryce, who was only two years ahead of her in school, owned the local nursery. She and Bryce were friends, but that had only started since she came back after college three years ago.

  "Ah, I see my name rings a bell." He laughed.

  Turning away, she busied herself straightening the books again. The Roths were rich and powerful. Knowing he was one of them made her feel more awkward. Especially since she remembered Bryce saying something about his brother making Seattle's most eligible bachelors list every year since turning thirty. With Dylan standing this close, she could see why.

  "I am actually friends with your brother, Bryce. The two of you don't look much alike." Why did I say that last part?

  There was a chuckle. "Of course you are. Funny, he didn't mention that. But yes, he takes more after our mother's side when it comes to looks."

  There was silence for several seconds after that. Please have walked away, please have walked away.

  "Would you be interested in having dinner with me?"

  Dang it, I could only be so lucky. Wait, what?! Did he just ask me out? Like on a date? She took a deep breath and channeled her inner Cry Baby girl before turning around again. He probably had women fawning all over him in Seattle and from what she gleaned he was a bit of a ladies man, which did not make him datable material in her book.

  Lila made sure to look him right in the eyes before speaking. "No, thank you."

  The attractive man before her frowned in confusion. "What? Really?"

  Straightening her shoulders, Lila nodded. Wow, clearly the right choice. He seems unaccustomed to women turning him down.

  "What exactly has my little brother been saying about me?" he asked, continuing to frown.

  She wasn't sure why, but something in his question bothered her. As if she would be falling over herself to have dinner with him if left to her own devices. Lila reached in and channeled her inner Cry Baby girl. "Are you seriously suggesting that simply because you are one of Seattle's most eligible bachelors and because your family is well off that I should be jumping at the chance to have dinner
with you? And the only thing stopping me is something your brother may have said? Is that really what you're getting at? Because that is not helping your case."

  He blinked at her in surprise several times, then he appeared to recover because the smile returned and there was a little bit of sparkle to his eyes. "Are you saying my charm isn't enough to sway you in my direction? I mean, I did bring you coffee and come to check to see how you were doing." His eyes continued to sparkle at her.

  Lila couldn't help it. Part of her was excited by the challenge. It appeared that Dylan was the type of guy who liked to banter back and forth. Lila had been not-so-secret with her female friends that that was exactly what she looked for in men.

  "Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you bringing me coffee, it is very sweet of you. But I don't think I know you well enough to be talking about dinner."

  Dylan chuckled. "Are you saying you are afraid to be alone with me? That I could be some crazy ladies' man? Because if that is the case, I can assure you that we will not be alone anywhere this weekend. Highland is a regular metropolis on the Fourth of July. Plus, I think you would enjoy yourself."

  A smile crept across her face before she could stop it. "Is that so?"

  "Oh yes, it is a regular Mardi Gras out there."

  The laughter bubbled up from her throat. Comparing Highland Lake to Mardi Gras is absurd. "I'm sure your mother would love you comparing her beloved baby parade to the debauchery on Canal Street."

  He shifted his eyes as if looking for his mother. "You're right. I won't tell her if you won't." Then he smiled mischievously at her.

  That smile was like a splash of cold water. There is something about that smile that looks practiced. "Well, I appreciate the assurance, but I am going to have to pass." She then straightened the last book and jumped down to the floor.