The Strong Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

She pulled the salmon toward her and took a bite. The rich, savory fish was flaky in her mouth, and the tastes of lemon and butter were complemented by the ginger sauce that had come with it. “Yum. I don’t want to know how much butter is in that, but it’s delicious.”

  Stetson laughed. “The cooks at the lodge aren’t known for their low-calorie dishes.” He cut a piece of the steak, and Teal thought it must be tender if he could cut it with a plastic knife.

  She stood and got them each a glass of ice water. Stetson thanked her, then ate a bite of baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream. Teal tried a bite of the chicken. It had a zesty teriyaki flavor and was also tender enough to cut with the plastic knife and fork. She speared some zucchini and mushrooms on her fork but paused when Stetson said, “I’m sorry if I was closed off last night.”

  She ate her bite, loving the flavorful, salty mushroom. “You don’t know me very well. I don’t blame you for not trusting me with all your secrets.” She wanted him to, but she didn’t blame him.

  He nodded and drank a swallow of water. His dark eyes were warm and expressive with thick dark lashes and brows framing them. As she looked at his handsome face, she wanted to stray from painting landscapes and try her hand at the male face. Her eyes trailed over his full lips and trimmed beard, down to his broad shoulders and muscular arms. Okay, maybe the entire male would be fun to paint. She blushed and looked away.

  As they kept eating out of the containers, sharing and sampling each of the delicious meals, she wondered if he was going to tell her anything. Finally, he said in a low voice, “I’ve kind of been a mess since I came home.” He paused and then admitted, “My dad’s funeral was yesterday.”

  Teal gasped and dropped her fork. “Oh, Stetson, I’m sorry.” She put a hand on his arm.

  His gaze flitted to her fingers on his arm, then back up to her face. “Thanks,” he said grimly.

  She lifted her hand off his arm, not sure if he liked it or not. “Tell me about him.”

  A flicker of a smile crossed his face. He set his fork down, scooted his chair back, and leaned away from the table. “He was great. He loved to tease everyone and loved his family. He would just light up when Mama walked into the room.” Glancing away, he said, “Over twelve years ago, he was paralyzed in a skiing accident. I was almost eleven, so old enough to remember but young enough I have more memories of him in the wheelchair.”

  Teal nodded. “That would be hard.”

  “I feel kind of lost without him. Especially since I’ve graduated and am not sure which direction to go.”

  “Kind of a time you need your parents guiding you?”

  “For sure. Mama’s amazing, but I hate to bug her when she’s going through so much.” He shrugged. “I’m sure a lot of college students graduate unsure of what the next step is, right?”

  There was something in his eyes that she wanted to learn more about. He claimed he was lost, but it looked more like rejection. “What did you graduate in?” she asked.

  He hesitated, then said, “Math and physical education.”

  “So you want to teach?”

  “Maybe.” But he didn’t sound like he wanted to teach. “How old are you?” he suddenly asked.

  “Twenty-five. You?”

  “Twenty-three.” He grinned. “I like the thought of dating an older woman.”

  She laughed. “We’re not dating. You only brought me dinner.”

  “Can I bring it tomorrow too?”

  She looked him over. “Sure. What are we going to do with all of this?”

  “Leave it for you to eat for lunch tomorrow.”

  “I’ll never eat all of that for lunch.”

  “Breakfast too, then. Steak and eggs will taste great.” He stood quickly, shutting the containers and hauling them to the fridge.

  Teal didn’t argue with him, but if he brought this much dinner tomorrow night, she’d have to throw most of this out. She set their glasses in the sink and threw away the plastic silverware and napkins. Now what? She wanted to talk with him about a myriad of things and keep staring in those dark eyes. Yet she didn’t want to pry too deep into yesterday and why he’d been so beat up on his dad’s funeral day. Maybe he’d taken off into the mountains to escape from the emotional pain and ended up falling down that ravine.

  “Can I see your paintings?” he asked. “If you’re comfortable sharing them.”

  Teal’s stomach flip-flopped, but she forced a brave smile and even braver words. “With so many places that have them featured, I had to get used to sharing them with the world. Even the jerks who claim I’m a lame imitation of Thomas Kincaid.” She turned toward the spare bedroom; might as well rip off the Band-Aid. She didn’t want to act insecure, since she was proud of her paintings.

  He followed her. “Jerks,” he agreed as they paused outside the door. “I doubt you’d try to imitate anyone, and you’re the farthest thing from lame.”

  She grinned up at him. “I think Kincaid’s painting are incredible, and I love his use of light, but I have my own style.”

  “Did you graduate in painting?”

  “Fine arts. I went to Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. I loved it.”

  “Good for you.” He tilted his head toward the door, and she knew it was time.

  She opened the door and stepped inside. The paintings were lying flat on the bed, the dressers, and even on the floor. She’d stack them with butcher paper and blankets between them in the back of her Cherokee when she headed back to Denver and then ship them from there. That was the hardest part about traveling like she did. Luckily, she usually could find a good shipping store who would help her.

  Stetson slowly walked around and peered down at each painting in turn, careful not to get too close to any canvases lying on the floor. He didn’t say anything, and Teal felt that familiar knot of worry in her gut. She didn’t need his approval. She had plenty of success and kudos from selling her art and overall had fabulous reviews online. There was always someone who wouldn’t like what you did, but she usually ignored the Negative Nellies, as Jade liked to call them. Why was it so important that Stetson approve of her work?

  He finally turned to her. His eyes were expressive yet soft as they landed on her face. “Incredible.” He shook his head and looked around again. “These are unreal. I feel like I’m in each spot as I stare at them. How do you make them come to life like that?”

  Teal flushed with pleasure. He not only appreciated them; he understood her goal with each painting—make it come to life for the viewer. “Thank you. I love creating them.”

  He glanced at a towering mountain range. “That’s obvious as well. That you truly enjoy it. I had no clue I was in the presence of a genius.”

  She waved a hand. “I’m no genius. I just work hard, and like you said, I enjoy it.”

  “You’re amazing. Thank you for showing me.”

  “Of course.”

  “What are you working on right now?”

  “A sunset next to the ravine you fell down.” She pointed at the almost-finished painting on the floor.

  His face was puzzled as he looked at it. “Doesn’t look quite the same as the view I had.”

  “I bet.” She laughed.

  His eyebrows lifted. “Hopefully you don’t have to paint me into it.” He gave her a cocky grin and flexed his muscles. “But I can pose if you want me to.”

  “Don’t worry. I never paint people.”

  “Oh, good.” He winked and splayed his hands in front of his chest. “I mean, how could even someone as talented as you capture this much beauty?”

  Teal laughed but rolled her eyes. “Exactly why I don’t paint humans. Most of them would be offended by my depiction, and you would be shocked that you’re even more beautiful than you think you are.”

  Stetson chuckled. “I’m sure with all my cuts and bruises I look even better.”

  He acted cocky, but she felt like it was all in jest or maybe even an act to cover some insecurities. He truly
was a beautiful man, though. If she did paint humans, she’d beg him to flex and pose for her.

  He glanced around, then asked, “Do I need to let you go finish your sunset?”

  She nodded, though she didn’t want to admit it. It would take her about half an hour to get all set up; luckily, the ravine was close to the cabin. She hated to have him leave, but she appreciated how thoughtful he was to realize that her work consumed her, and she would’ve been upset if she missed a sunset opportunity.

  They walked out of the bedroom together and toward the front door. Teal was often alone and never minded it. Right now, the thought of Stetson leaving made her lonelier than she could remember being. She almost asked him to come with her to the ravine, but she had no clue how she’d paint with him close by. No. She needed her silence. Her heart should beat slow and steady, and her hand shouldn’t slightly tremble with the anticipation of touching him.

  He swung the door wide, and the late evening sun and clean mountain air filtered in. “Thank you,” he said.

  “Thank me? You were the one who brought dinner. Thank you.”

  He smiled. “Same time tomorrow night?”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you want more food like this, or are you in the mood for pizza or Chinese food or … whatever you like?”

  “This food was delicious, but pizza sounds like a tasty treat.”

  His eyes wandered over her face, and his voice dropped. “I’ll see you tomorrow, bring you a ‘tasty treat.’”

  Teal’s heart was suddenly racing. That look from him was a tasty treat all on its own. How tasty would his lips be? Maybe being a hermit with no man in sight was as boring as Jade always told her. “Th-thank you.”

  He flashed her an appetizing smile and walked across the porch and down the steps. She watched him climb into a gray Range Rover. He lifted a hand as he drove away.

  Teal forced herself to go gather her painting supplies and load up, but her mind was focused on all things Stetson. She was more drawn to him than she’d been drawn to any man, yet she still didn’t know much about him. How had he gotten so beat up yesterday, and why had he been there? How did he drive a Range Rover if he had barely graduated college and he’d said something about his “small savings account”? She did know she wanted to see him again. She set her jaw and determined that she’d work hard and finish this painting tonight. Tomorrow she’d start the new one she’d been scheming about and stay occupied all day. It would be the perfect way to pass the day until she could see him again.

  When Stetson got home, he was greeted by various family members, getting teased for ditching out on family time. He didn’t give them anything. He kissed Mama, making sure she was doing all right. She assured him she was “holding up just fine, sweet boy,” and then she left on a walk with the sisters, the sisters-in-law, and Izzy to go up to the lake. Stetson spent an hour shooting some hoops with the men and boys, enjoying the razzing and easy camaraderie. His body had loosened up throughout the day, and Doc Mullen had confirmed that nothing was broken. As long as he took it easy, he didn’t grimace too much while shooting or running after the ball.

  Nighttime fell, and everyone gathered for dessert. They talked late into the night. Stetson loved sharing memories and creating new ones, but his mind kept coming back to Teal. She was impressive, talented, fun to be around, laid-back, and beautiful.

  When the family dispersed to turn in for the night, he hurried down the stairs, to his room, and pulled out his laptop. Typing in the full name he’d seen in the corner of her paintings, Teal Leah Jardine, he saw photos of her and her work. On the first page of his Google search, there were galleries who featured her and some social media sites of hers that popped up.

  What drew his eye quickly, though, was an image showing a resale Teal Leah Jardine painting with an asking price of forty-two thousand dollars. His eyes bugged. Was that typical? He spent the next hour trying to track down prices on her original paintings. Many of the galleries didn’t list prices on paintings; maybe they assumed that was classier, or they wanted people to contact them rather than just purchase online. Eventually, he was able to find prices on some of the paintings. They ranged from thirty grand to fifty.

  Stetson leaned back against the headboard and clicked on one of her paintings, an amazing depiction of the Colorado mountains. As he stared at it, he felt like even more of a loser. Even if he started out as an assistant college coach instead of high school, he’d be lucky to make per year what one of her paintings sold for. He and his friends used to joke about a girl being “out of their league.” Mama would cuss them up one side and down the other if she heard them talking like that. Yet he’d never felt that expression as deeply as he did right now. Teal was leagues above him. Especially when it came to careers. He passed a hand over his face. If only he’d made it in the NFL. He knew money wasn’t the most important thing, but right now it sure felt like it.

  His phone buzzed, and the message popped up on his computer. Judd. Where are you, man? Ike is about ready to rip me apart.

  Stetson turned his phone ringer off and slid the computer onto the dresser. Ike. He hoped the idiot didn’t hurt Judd, but Stetson wasn’t going to fight him again. He regretted letting Judd talk him into it last night. No way was he going back there. Yet the reminder of his stupidity last night just made the ravine between him and Teal grow. His mistake in going to fight had resulted in meeting Teal, but it was also another reminder that he wasn’t worthy of her. He hadn’t even told her the truth. He also hadn’t shared anything about football with her.

  He said a quick prayer and then slid under the covers. Maybe he shouldn’t go back to see Teal tomorrow night. Why torture himself with what he couldn’t have?

  Chapter Five

  Stetson woke early to work out with most of his family members in Gavin’s gym in his garage. His ribs were a little tender, but he felt pretty good. It was crowded in the garage, but he loved being with all of them. After lifting, they went on a trail run up past the lake, then had breakfast at Mama’s house. He knew most of them would be leaving soon to get back to real life, but this break to be together was a solace for him, even with Papa gone to the other side. He missed Papa, but he felt his presence all the same.

  The day was fun as they went on a mountain bike ride, had lunch together, and then relaxed by Gavin’s backyard pool. Stetson felt his anxiety creep up as the afternoon tapered away, and he was wondering if he should go get pizza in Vail and get to Teal’s cabin. He hated the thought of standing her up. He didn’t want her to feel bad, and he also craved more time with her.

  Austin and Will were trying to do the largest cannonballs into the pool, and Izzy shrieked with laughter when their splashes rocked the tube she was floating in. Stetson decided to give them all a show. He pulled himself from the pool, went to the edge of the concrete, then ran and yelled, “Cannonball!”

  He jumped and wrapped his arms around his knees, slamming into the warm water and creating a huge wave. Surfacing quickly, he saw with satisfaction that Izzy’s tube was bobbing violently in the water and Austin and Will were cheering.

  “Stetson,” Cassie admonished him, grabbing Izzy to steady her.

  “Again!” Izzy begged.

  Everyone laughed, even Cassie.

  Stetson pushed through the water to his niece. He lifted her out of the tube. “Again?”

  “Yes, please,” Izzy begged. Her long, black hair was wet from the splash, and her dark eyes sparkled with anticipation.

  “My girl is braver than me,” Cassie said.

  “I don’t know about that, you did marry a police officer.” He winked at his sister. She was braver than any of them, mild-mannered and yet she’d traveled the world protecting and serving children in third-world countries.

  “Haha,” Cassie laughed.

  “Please,” Izzy asked again.

  Stetson threw her into the air and caught her with a splash.

  Izzy laughed and asked, “Again?” Her English was s
till accented, as she’d only been adopted from Mexico a year and half ago. Stetson loved the way she talked.

  He threw her a few more times, eliciting giggles; then Austin and Will were begging for turns. He handed Izzy off to Cassie, then recruited Nick to help him. Together, they repeatedly launched the boys high in the air; Cassie and Kari cautioned them to be careful, as only moms could do.

  When Nick finally tired of being more than a foot away from Mary, Stetson found himself alone in the pool, tossing a football to the boys as they jumped off the diving board while they caught it. The rest of the adults were lounging in the sun, and Izzy was swinging on the play set next to Ella’s baby, Tate. Ella, Cassie, and Mama were chattering away while they pushed the little ones.

  “Hey, Uncle Stetson.” Austin had caught a pass while jumping into the pool and then swum to his side. “You skipping dinner again tonight?”

  Stetson looked at the sky. It was probably after five. If he was going to clean up and drive to Vail for pizza, he needed to make his excuses and go. He shrugged. “I like being with you.”

  “Were you skipping last night ’cause you were with a hottie?” Austin pumped his eyebrows.

  Stetson took the football from his nephew and chucked it at Will, who leapt off the diving board to catch it in the air. “Maybe,” he admitted.

  “I thought so.” Austin waited for his older cousin to swim over. Will was fourteen and had shot up to be a few inches taller than Austin, but Austin was really tall for a twelve-year-old. “He was with a hottie,” Austin informed Will.

  Will’s dark eyes lit up. “You’re so sic, Uncle Stetson.”

  “No, I’m just your only unmarried uncle.”

  Will shook his head. “You’re the most beastly and cool guy we know. Right, Austin?”

  “For sure.”

  Stetson loved being a hero in these boys’ eyes, yet he didn’t deserve it. “So should I go to dinner with the ‘hottie’ again?” He laughed at himself, asking advice from a teenager and a preteen. Then again, Austin had more “girlfriends” and charm than any of the Strong brothers could ever have bragged about.