by Ellie Hall
“Like what?”
“Are you kidding? He’s rude. And, I agree with you, if a real man wants a woman, he needs to step up and marry her. Why would you even date someone like him?” He threw his hands up. “How long have you been dating?”
So many mixed feelings washed through her. “Again, none of your business. From what I recall, it’s been ten years since we last spoke. You don’t get to demand answers from me.”
“You're right.” Oliver raised his hands in surrender. “I have no right to judge anyone or demand answers.”
How could she be face to face with Oliver Browne? She turned to walk away. “I have to go. I can't do this.”
“Wait. Izz, I need to talk to you.”
“No.” She hustled out of the library.
He was hot on her heels. “Come on, Izz. You can't give me five minutes of your time? As you pointed out, I haven't seen you in ten years. We used to be pretty close. Some would say best friends, even.”
“We were not best friends.” She kept walking. “Best friends don’t just stop talking to you.”
“Izz,” he said, moving beside her. “I wanted to apologize to you for the last time I saw you. When we went on that … fake date or whatever.”
She jerked to a stop. It hurt to hear him call it a fake date. He clearly knew he’d hurt her and it still had taken him ten years to apologize.
He bumped into her. “Sorry.”
She was breathing hard. He was too gorgeous and he was too close to her. Kissable close.
She took a step back, trying to clear her head. “What do you want to say?”
“I want to apologize for leaving like that.”
She didn’t respond.
“You know what I’m talking about, right?”
“No,” she said. Denial was her last resort, the only way she could stay composed. “I don’t.”
He tilted his head to the side. “Yes, you do. You and Tess made me go as a ‘fill in’ for that matchmaking business you were doing and when the person didn’t show up, you came and we did the date together. At the planetarium.”
She still didn’t respond.
“You do remember?”
Of course, she remembered. Alas, there would be no giving him the satisfaction of knowing how much he’d hurt her. “Actually, I don’t.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You really don’t remember meeting me at the planetarium and the things we talked about. And—”
She cut him off. “Nope.” The memory was clear as day. How many times had she thought of that day over the last ten years? Too many to count. “Sorry.”
He froze, and then cracked a half smile. “Are you teasing me?”
She crossed her arms. At least she had this moment. This one moment where maybe Oliver Browne felt as stupid as she’d felt the last ten years. “Oliver, I have no idea what you're talking about. I mean, I remember you leaving, but I’m fuzzy on this date thing you’re talking about.”
“Izz,” he said, clearly irritated. “I'm talking about the date where you had set me up with someone, but the person flaked, so you and I did the date together. The one where we were at the planetarium.” He spoke slowly, as if explaining it again would make her remember.
She tapped her chin. “Oh. Maybe. Hmm.”
He pointed at her. “Yes, you do. Your face is turning red and that means you’re lying.”
She would not cave to him.
Oliver's lips curved up. “You do remember.”
She wasn’t a violent person, but she wanted to shove him. Hard. She’d been so hurt that day. Plus, hurt for a long time since then. “Whatever.”
His grin widened. “I also wanted to say that I’m sorry I teased you about having a crush on me that day.”
Again, her nonviolence fled and now she wanted to punch the guy in the nose. “Shut up, Oliver.”
His eyebrows rose. “You do remember.” The look he gave her was like the one he used to give her after he’d won a round of cards.
Horrified, she threw up her hands. “I did not have a crush on you.”
“Uh, yeah, you did. Tess even told me.”
She didn’t believe him. “No.”
“Kidding.” He lightly nudged her. “Tess would never reveal your secrets.” He grinned. “I can still get a rise out of you, though.”
Taken under by a riptide. Years ago she’d gone to the ocean and taken surf lessons. She’d been sixteen and all she remembered was getting caught in a riptide and unable to get her head above water; that was the way she felt with Oliver. “Stop.”
Oliver’s face turned puzzled. “Look, Izz, this is coming out all wrong.”
“Ya think?”
“I just wanted to say—”
“The prodigal son returns.” Someone called out.
They both turned and saw Oliver's father headed down the hall toward them.
“Hey, dad.” Oliver’s voice had turned hard. “I was just going to come look for you.”
Izzy glanced at Oliver. He wore the same face he had growing up when his father caught him doing something he didn't approve of.
His father joined them, looking with disapproval at Oliver. “I'm sure you were. I guess it's not surprising that I would find you with Izzy.” He turned to her and his face immediately softened. He opened his arms and pulled her into a hug.
“Hey, Mr. Browne.” She let herself be hugged. Oliver and his father’s relationship had always been strained, but Mr. Browne had always been kind to her. “Thanks for letting me stay.”
Oliver's dad pulled back and a real smile filled his face. “Of course. You know you’re always welcome in our home. How are your parents doing?”
She nodded. “Good. Just trying to keep from getting mosquito bites.” She missed her parents. They were working with a charity that taught children English in the Congo.
He nodded. “I bet. How is your work in Billings going?”
She thought of little Michael, but pushed away the pain. “Easier, some days more than others.”
Oliver’s father nodded. “I’m sure that’s true. You're a saint.” Gently, he patted her shoulder. “Always have been.”
She glanced at Oliver and noticed he looked sad.
His father turned to him. “Son, we need to talk.”
“Gotta run,” Oliver said, starting to move down the hall. “The sailing is good right now.” He jerked his thumb toward the lake. “The wind is perfect.”
“Oliver.” His father said, starting to follow him down the hall. “We need to talk. We need to talk now.”
A skittering laugh came out of Oliver and he moved away from his father faster. “In Montana you gotta take advantage when you can. I mean, there's a light breeze, but nothing like the ocean.” He snapped. “Wait, I forgot, Dad, you don't want to hear about the ocean, do you?” He didn't even slow down. “Nope, you never wanted to hear about the ocean or my work, but that doesn't matter. I’m here for a wedding.” He rushed down the stairs.
Izzy felt like she was glued to the ground. Oliver's father was halfway down the hallway. He turned back to her and shrugged, looking embarrassed. “My son doesn’t know how precious time is with family, does he?”
She felt bad for Oliver’s father, but she also felt bad for Oliver. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” He disappeared down the stairs.
She thought of how Oliver had accused her of having a crush on him. Anger burned through her. Maybe the problem had always been Oliver.
Jerk!
2
Oliver basked in the sun on the deck of his sailboat. After dealing with Izzy, then his father, it had felt great to go to the boathouse and find the sailboat waiting for him.
Clearly, his mother had someone get the boat ready. He was thankful for that. Only heaven knew how much of a break from being back in Snow Valley would mean to him.
He tried not to focus on his father. Ever since Tess had told him she was getting married, he’d braced himself to come back for thi
s shindig and he’d braced himself for dealing with his father.
Or trying not to deal with him.
The last time he’d visited Snow Valley was two years ago, for his grandfather's funeral. He missed his grandfather terribly. Unable to stop himself, he turned his gaze toward what used to be his grandfather's home.
How many summer days had Oliver sailed his boat to his grandpa's place on the other side of the lake? Every day. He saw a ‘for sale’ sign at the end of his grandfather’s dock. Why would his father sell the place? The thought made him furious. He quickly navigated his sailboat to the dock and got out. He raced to the house. When he got to the back door, he tugged on it, expecting it to open just like all the other times, but it was locked.
If he really would have needed to get into the house he could have gotten in. There was a window on the east side with a broken lock. He could slide it open and hop inside. He pressed his head against the glass window. Nothing. The place was empty. Of course it was. His grandfather was dead. He sucked in a long breath and waited for the pain to recede.
He turned away from the house and stared out at the lake. It was gorgeous here. Many times, when he had told people that he was from Montana, they responded by asking if people still rode horses there. He grinned. There were far less people here than in Miami, Florida, where he had recently sold his home. Truthfully, it was nice to not be around so many people.
He gazed at the mountains on the north side of the lake and was overwhelmed by their beauty. He hadn't really looked at this view since he was a kid. There hadn't been time. After high school, he had followed his father’s wishes; he’d gone to Harvard for two years, and hated every minute of it. Unable to get through to his father, Oliver had been forced to do the only thing he could think of—go to his grandfather and ask him to help fund Oliver’s new business venture.
Of course, his grandfather had agreed to be his partner because he was a true entrepreneur and he’d seen the potential. His grandfather had been the original owner of Browne Company Outdoor and Camping Gear. A company that his father now ran. A company that his father had wanted Oliver to take over. But his father had never wanted to see the vision of having Browne Company Beach Gear.
Oliver had always wanted to open stores next to the ocean with beachwear, surf gear, sailboats and anything needed to enjoy the ocean. He wanted to build those stores up-and-down the coast. Now, his vision was a reality because his grandfather took a chance on him.
His grandfather had fronted the money, but left all the work to Oliver. Oliver busted his butt with twelve to sixteen-hour days for a long time. Oliver enlisted his best friend from Snow Valley, Chad. For two years they’d worked together, but Chad had missed Snow Valley too much. He’d been drawn back to the ranch and his family. That was okay with Oliver. Whatever a person’s dream was, they should do it.
Now, Chad was marrying his sister. The thought made him smile. Good for them. They would have their dream, here in Snow Valley.
His thoughts moved back to his father. His father had acted like his business venture with his grandfather had been a personal affront to him. The last time Oliver had seen his father two years ago, at the funeral, his father had actually tried to talk with him about expansion ideas he had for the beach stores. Too bad it had been too late.
Oliver didn’t want his father in his life. More than anything, Oliver was hurt. Hurt that his father had never believed in him. Hurt that his father hadn't been the one to take a chance on him. Those thoughts were exhausting. Oliver pushed them away, and his mind drifted to daydreams of Izzy.
However, thinking of her did not provide any respite, because all he wanted to do was find this jerk Brian and smash a fist into his face. How dare he treat her like that? And what was wrong with Izzy? Why would she allow that?
A million questions raced through his mind. Did she love him? Would she marry him if he asked? Oliver understood why she didn't want to move in with him. She believed it was wrong. Yet this Brian guy clearly didn’t care about her beliefs.
It made Oliver angry.
He couldn't get the image of Izzy with tears running down her cheeks as she spoke to him on the phone out of his head. She was gorgeous. Long, curly blonde hair. To others, it would seem like she had a perm, but he knew she didn't. She simply had crazy awesome curls. She’d been wearing skinny jeans, with a tight black shirt and wedge heels; she looked hip and very appealing. He reflected she had always had an athletic body type, however now she was slender. Dang, she could be one of his beachwear models. That thought brought a whole other set of images to his mind. Thinking of her in his beach gear… He pushed the thought out of his mind. He shouldn’t be thinking of her like that.
“How did I know I would find you here?”
Tess.
He turned and opened his arms. “Because you know me.”
His sister laughed and collapsed into his bear hug.
For a long time, they just held each other.
Then she looped her arm around his back and they faced the lake together. “I just saw Daddy. I guess you two had a chance to catch up?” There was sarcasm in her voice.
“Yep.”
She sighed softly and tucked her head into his shoulder. “Thanks for coming. I know it's hard for you.”
He released her, but took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Of course I came. No one could keep me away from my favorite sister on her wedding day.”
She grinned and lightly touched the end of his nose. It was something that they had done to each other since they were children. “I'm your only sister.”
“I've missed you.”
She pulled him in for another hug.
He let her hug him for a long time. “I can't believe Grandfather is gone. I mean, I know he’s gone—it’s been almost two years—seeing his place empty stings a little.”
She pulled back. “It wouldn't sting if you ever came home. Do you remember what Grandfather used to say?”
The question felt rigged. “What?”
“Grandfather always said that we should treat those closest to us as precious. He told us to live each day with forgiveness and love in our hearts and never be offended. Do you remember?”
Oliver didn’t want to do this right now. “Sure.”
She hesitated.
He released her and hated the familiar guilt he felt about his family and Snow Valley. He was beginning to regret coming back here.
“Hey,” Tess said, her face turning into a frown. “Dad isn't the only person in Snow Valley. Mom and I are here, too. We miss you. Not to mention your best friend, my fiancé, misses you. Even though he wouldn't tell you, he desperately misses you.”
Oliver grinned. “I'm going to tell Chad you said that.”
She laughed. “Oh, please do.”
Oliver grinned at her. He would describe his best friend as a Bear Grylls type of guy. A total outdoors type. When Chad had come to help Oliver open the beach shop, he had never taken on a surfer look. He had always sported hiking boots, jean shorts, and a beard. When Oliver had complained that he needed to wear some of the beach stuff, the only concession Chad made was to swap out his hat for one with a Browne company logo.
Tess laughed. “I told him that you are going to take him for manicures and pedicures before the wedding and you should have seen his face.”
Oliver laughed. “Chad must have keeled over at the idea of sitting in the spa.”
She nodded.
He had such affection for his sister. He had to repay her guilt trip with one of his own. Lightly, he tugged at a piece of her hair. “You know, the road goes both ways.”
She instantly glared at him. “I have been to see you in Miami.”
He wagged a finger at her. “Yet you haven't been to my new house in South Port.”
Izzy rolled her eyes. “Are you seriously trying to make me feel guilty? You just bought it last week.”
He laughed. “True. And you’re right; I should never play guilt games. I suck at
them.”
She smiled at him and then looked out at the lake. “This view is pretty amazing. I thought of buying this place, but you know Chad has to live near his cows.”
Chad had sent Oliver pictures of the huge house they were almost finished building. “I think you’ll be okay in that mansion of yours.”
“You are always invited to hide at my place when you’re in town.” She winked. “Instead of in the library.”
He laughed. “I guess you saw Izzy then?”
She waved a hand through the air slowly, as if she was waving a wand. “You know that I am all-knowing. I have always been all-knowing. I will always be all-knowing.”
“Why didn't you tell me she's dating a guy who is rude, horrible, and makes her cry?”
Tess's expression turned shocked. “What are you talking about?”
He might have said too much, but he didn’t care. “Did she tell you that I overheard her conversation with that idiot boyfriend?”
“No.”
“The guy talks down to her and acts like she doesn’t count. Plus, she said something about him cheating on her.”
Tess frowned. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Why is she with him? Have you met him? Did you like him? How come he thinks he can get away with that?”
She put her hand up. “Calm down. I've met him a couple of times. Chad and I went to dinner with them in Billings, about six months ago. He seemed like a good guy. But she hasn’t said anything about him cheating on her.”
Oliver nodded. Hopefully his sister would get on Izzy’s case to dismiss that jerk from her life. “Grade-A jerk.”
His sister frowned and then gave him a sweeping look. “It seems like you care a lot about Izzy and her boyfriend.”
A nervous buzz filled him. “You're being asinine.”
“Am I?” Her grin widened. “You always had feelings for her, even if you wouldn't admit it.”
His sister was right, but he wouldn’t admit it now. “She was over at our place a lot because you were best friends, so what?”
“She was both of our best friends, admit it.”