What If: A Small Town Big Love Novel

by Collins, Kelly

  He rolled his eyes like she had no idea.

  “Do people treat you and Cal and Maya differently because of the Blackwood wealth?”

  “Yes. It’s a weird thing if you have money, people know who you are. I would like to be known for something else.”

  “Are they hoping money will fall off you?” She laughed, imagining people following him with cups, hoping for his pockets to empty into them.

  He looked pained. She touched his arm.

  “I’m sorry for that. Money is a damnable thing. It can fill your head if you have it or if you don’t.”

  “Isn’t that the truth?” His head fell forward. “That’s why Caleb is so concerned about Maya and her situation. He thinks someone is taking advantage of her. Soaking her. We’ll figure it out. Come.”

  He pressed his palm on her back—she loved it when he did that—loved his take-charge nature.

  One hostess took her and one took him, leading them to the dressing rooms that were not co-ed.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t fix that,” she flirted as they parted.

  “I can if you want.” He reached for his wallet.

  “See you in a few,” she said, kissing him lightly.

  She was getting the knack of standing on her tiptoes to kiss him down pat. She honestly didn’t like separating from him even if it was for a few minutes.

  The dressing room was a combination of smooth surface cave, lacquered wood with mirrors, and lighting with wire cage sconces.

  There was a Zen fountain with small, flattish oval rainbow rocks that were common in the streams in or near the Rocky Mountains. Where the streams ran clear, colorful river rocks lined the riverbeds. People collected them like fine jewels.

  While Lucy had disdain for the fact that river rocks left their happy homes to become glued to a base of a knickknack fountain at a chichi spa, she was warmed by their appearance.

  The calm and silent attendant took her clothes and placed them in a locker. She looked to be a member of one of the local tribes. With all the money flowing through this business, Lucy had un-meditative thoughts for being at a spa, like wondering what they paid the local women to make guests feel pampered.

  John and Lucy emerged in towels only. They were led down a smooth, fully-lit tunnel to a cave chamber with two tables. John had arranged for them to get a couple’s massage. They lay so that they could look each other in the eye and talk if they wanted.

  “See? We were on the same page, I just forgot the detail of the dressing room. But I’m learning.”

  Lucy was distracted because they were in a cave. Since the time she was small, her dad had scared the heck out of her with stories of people walking along and falling into the mountain never to be seen again, because of mine shafts and caves.

  “A person could get claustrophobic.” She eyed the walls up and down.

  “Relax.” He reached out and touched her. “You'll be fine.”

  She realized as she rested her head that she was all right. She also remembered that she hadn’t considered Deena and Caleb since they’d arrived. This experience was only John and her. She reached between the tables, holding out her hand for him.

  He took her hand and winked. “That’s my girl.”

  She tracked his eyes as her masseuse kneaded her muscles. They both had women working on them. When her masseuse drew back her sheet, folding it neatly across the curve of her bottom, his eyes glossed over.

  The masseuse spilled oil on her skin and broke out a giant vibrator to work the tight muscles of her shoulders. He turned to look the other way. Lucy almost felt sorry for him. She would definitely tease him later.

  After the massage and the soak in the sulfur springs, she was famished. They appeared at the spa’s five-star restaurant all fresh and crisp from their treatments and ready to eat.

  “Blackwood,” John said to the hostess.

  Lucy shook her head at the way the hostess referred to John like a dignitary. She walked them to a booth. Without giving them a moment to settle into the restaurant, Caleb appeared with Deena. Lucy was disappointed, but she hid it with a smile.

  “Kids,” said Caleb. He leaned over and kissed Lucy on the cheek, making her blush.

  “May we join you?” Caleb looked at his brother then back.

  Lucy noted that both looked slightly buzzed. “That good, huh?”

  “I’m wrecked.” Deena fell into the booth and leaned on Caleb.

  “No menus?” Lucy eyed the empty table.

  “No, they have a fixed menu,” Caleb said. “She'll come and tell us in a minute what’s for lunch.”

  Lucy was disappointed by that. It made her aware of her finicky nature and her affinity for routine. The spa was nice, but it wasn’t for her. When the waitress came by to announce that salmon was on the menu, Lucy tried not to make a face.

  “I’m going to have the big salad.” She looked at the waitress and smiled.

  “We don’t have a big salad. We have salmon with a side salad of mixed greens sprinkled with a tarragon vinaigrette,” said the waitress.

  “Okay, I’ll have that but please hold the salmon. And I’ll have a tall glass of cola on ice.”

  “We don’t serve sugared beverages here at the spa, but we do have some filtered river water brewed organic black tea if you like.”

  Not having a big breakfast put Lucy on the edge of hangry. “Perfect.” It wasn’t what she wanted but definitely what she’d get. “Any honey in the joint?”

  The waitress ignored her question and turned to Deena. “And you, ma’am?”

  John turned to Lucy. “The car has all our stuff in it if you’re ready to go home,” he said gently. “We can grab something more substantial on the way.”

  “I’d hate to do that to you. We can stay.”

  “And we can go. I’ll take you home.”

  The thought nearly broke her heart. How long could she call it that?

  Chapter Seventeen

  John

  After a quick lunch, John headed for his childhood home. Dropping Lucy off at the place that used to be his parents’ was about the hardest thing he’d had to do in his pampered life. As the car crossed into Blackwood, they rolled into reality.

  He grabbed her bags and before she could use her key to the house, he took out his, which he’d kept through all the renters.

  She waited and studied her garden. “I noticed the bee plant at the spa. I missed mine. Pretty, aren’t they? I’m going to make sure that I dig these up before I go.”

  “We can buy more bee plants.” He reached around her, hugging her as he unlocked the door. When he flipped on the lights they didn’t come on.

  “Did we have a storm while we were gone?” She walked across the room and flipped another switch, but nothing happened.

  “Uh, no baby.”

  “Mother of Pearl,” she said dejectedly.

  “What?” he asked, though he had a feeling.

  “I’m not telling you. Don’t worry about it.” She brushed past him. “Thanks for bringing my bags in.”

  John learned that when Lucy was upset, she became super polite or super snarky.

  “Lucy, let me pay the bill.”

  “I have the money, John. I got out of my routine.” She reached into her bag and brought out her phone, lifting it into the air. “I have an app. I’ll have it turned on in a few minutes. You don’t have to wait with me.”

  “I’m not leaving you in the dark.”

  “Well, that would be a first.” She appeared to wince at her words.

  “Lucy, you take that back or explain yourself.” He rushed toward her and set his hands on her shoulders. “I find it kind of adorable you pack a punch when you’re tired or pressed, but it will only be adorable for so long.”

  “I apologize.” She hung her head. “From now on, I’ll try to be self-aware—”

  “Just try not to kneecap someone with that tongue of yours.”

  He wrapped himself around her. Fully aware that she didn’t
want him to say more, he held her the same. He felt her body quake once and then again, and then continuously. She was crying.

  “What?”

  “I won't get to walk into this house too many more times,” she sobbed.

  “Baby, let me help you find something you want.” He lifted her chin and stared into her glassy eyes. “We’ll look at other places.”

  “John, you don’t get it.” She broke from his hold. “I’m not fickle. I already found what I want, and when I want something, it’s usually forever.”

  She wiped her eyes and her nose. Her fingers flew over her phone keypad and soon her lights were back on.

  “See?” She smiled a fake smile, but he was touched that she tried to adopt a cheerful disposition for his benefit. “See? I’m better already. Listen, I had a nice time, especially playing pool. I’ve never been to Idaho Springs or the spa in Indian Springs before and it was a great experience.”

  She sounded like she was giving him a book report.

  “You’re welcome.” He moved toward the door. “See you Monday?”

  “Sure.”

  “What about food and stuff? You’ve been out of the house for—”

  “Two days. I have stuff in the freezer that’s no doubt still frozen. I cook almost all my meals at home.” She walked toward him. “I’m fine. I’ll see you Monday.” She tiptoed and kissed him.

  “Can I give you a ride to work?” With his hands in his pockets, he didn’t seem like a thirty-something billionaire. He felt like an uncertain boy.

  “I think I’ll drive myself. While you do have a cute car, I’m thinking Kevin is going through major withdrawals. He needs to practice his stalking skills. Call me though if you want.”

  “You do the same.”

  He knew it was time for them to have a break. They’d spent almost every second of the past two days together and somehow it felt like it wasn’t enough.

  He drove the twenty minutes outside of town back to his place—a four thousand square foot custom log home outside of Blackwood that he owned. Caleb had a twin a hundred acres away.

  All the way there, alone in the car, a thousand things ran through his head. Things he wanted to say to her, but she wasn’t there.

  She mentioned that she might want to hunt for a place that felt like home. That hunt could take her far from him. He never thought that selling the town would mean finding and losing the woman he loved. He was certain of one thing and that was the day he met Lucy, he’d fallen in love with her.

  * * *

  The two of them didn’t talk over the weekend but on Monday he pulled his truck out of the garage and headed to the meeting alone. Even his brother had abandoned him for Deena. They were inseparable and for that, John was envious.

  The meeting was crowded. It was a tiny town and yet there were so many people present. John made sure Blackwood Corporation used local vendors for the catering. The least he could do was give the people some business before he shut them down.

  Obligated to sit with his other family members, he found Clem and Maya, who’d left rehab on special permission to be there. Caleb and Deena sat at the end of the table canoodling.

  Slowly the Blackwood section filled with family. There was Patrick, who was John and Caleb’s younger brother, along with Maya and Clem and their younger sister Jennifer.

  John nodded to the councilman that everyone was present. He scanned the crowd for Lucy, and the longer it took to find her, the worse he felt. Finally, he spotted her. She looked so fresh, so pretty, her long hair down and beautiful. She had on a flawlessly pressed white shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

  They were none of the things he’d bought her, but then he looked down to her feet and saw that she had on the sneakers. He was warmed and hoped she’d worn them out of sentimentality.

  The councilman called everyone to order and just like that, the Blackwood Corporation attorney and his assistant directed everyone to break out the forms the attorneys had sent. It was basically a formal acknowledgment of the notice they were giving. Everyone signed, and that was that.

  Caleb stood up. “Thank you for coming,” he said. “As our way of extending our appreciation, we are inviting all of you to our home—actually John’s home—to enjoy a party in your honor and to commemorate this occasion.”

  “Your home? Are you flying everyone to your mountain retreat in Aspen or your island in the Bahamas, Mr. Hollywood?” Lucy asked and the entire room roared with her joke.

  “No, we’re talking about our local homes,” Caleb said.

  “Wait, what?” Her face went slack, and she stared. “You live here? Have a home here?” she asked like she didn’t know.

  John flinched. “Live is a loose term but I own a home. I thought you knew.”

  “Why would I? You said things like ‘we’re only in town to give people the message.’ You didn’t sell this town to get out. You sold it to make it the kind of place you want to visit. Right now, it’s not lacquered or painted enough.”

  “Lucy, that’s not why we’re selling.”

  “Sure it is. You just don’t want to do the work. Wasn’t it you that told me you wanted to do something worthwhile? Isn’t Blackwood worth your time?”

  “Lucy, let’s talk about this later.”

  She smiled, “You and I both know that what we do requires little discussion.”

  She hung her head and walked out of the meeting. John was up and out of his seat.

  “Meeting adjourned,” he said as if he were the judge in a court proceeding. He waded through the crowd to catch up with Lucy.

  She crossed the street and went into Blackwood’s Saloon, which was empty except for the bartender.

  “I’m sorry you didn’t know we lived near here.”

  “Well, you failed to mention it. I don’t recall ever seeing you in town because it’s not your kind of place, namesake or not. But it’s my kind of place, and that means you’re not my kind of person. Someone who sees value in the mundane. The simplicity of things. An ancestral home. A longterm resident. A damn bee plant.”

  “Selling doesn’t mean I don’t love the place. I’m allowed to sell, Lucy,” he said. “Just because we inherited a town doesn’t mean we have to keep it. There’s more important work that can be done with the money. I’m serious about the nonprofit work.”

  “Why?”

  John took a seat beside her and leaned forward so she was forced to see him. “When I met you, I was reminded of what matters. I want to create something meaningful.”

  “Yes, like memories of days at the spa and shopping trips to Eldora’s?” She stepped from her stool and looked down at her shoes. “You want to create meaningful? It’s not found in an overpriced shoe or a day soaking in sulfur water. Meaningful is found in the people. It’s appreciating the workmanship of a home. The architecture of a building. It’s held in the heart of a woman who thought you were different or at least hoped she could change your mind.”

  “This is all coming about because you didn’t know I had a house outside of town?”

  “No, it’s coming about because you weren’t forthcoming about any of it. How could you be honest with me when you can’t be honest with yourself? What is you want, John?”

  “You, Lucy. I want you.”

  She slipped off her shoes and placed them on the bar. For a flicker of a moment, her expression held remorse. “I’m not for sale.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “No, and if you were, I’d say buyer beware.”

  “I don’t know why I ever thought I liked you. You’re all lip service.”

  “You liked more than my lips, sweetheart. Each time I—”

  “Shut up and live, but say one more word and I swear—”

  “You’ll throw something at me? You seem to be fresh out of yogurt.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Lucy

  Lucy marched to her faded car in her socks. It wasn’t the Roadster, but it ran—most days.

  As she pulled out on to Main
Street to head home, she saw Kevin shadowing Maya Blackwood. She was pleased that he had someone new to follow. Kevin looked good next to her. Maya was tall, thin, and dark. Kevin was fair and built like a linebacker. Lucy couldn’t think of a nicer person to have Kevin’s undying attention. She hoped Kevin stalked the heck out of that woman.

  She already had it in her head what she was going to do next. She was going to go home and pack a new bag and find the nearest pool game. If she had to return to Idaho Springs, which was now forever tainted for her, she would hold her nose high and do it.

  Once she was home, she tore open an envelope from the Blackwood Corporation attorney. It was a notice of deposit into her account for the money Blackwood Corporation gave her for her trouble. Deena must have given them her bank account information.

  She hadn’t authorized that, and she didn’t like the way her attorney was sitting with the Blackwoods, literally in bed with one of them. That had to be a conflict of interest. As far as she was concerned, Deena was fired. She sent her a text telling her as much.

  Lucy googled pool games and got the same hit at the same brewery and pub that she won at in Idaho Springs. What the heck, she thought. That would do. She hated the place, but she wanted and needed to play more. She wasn’t going to do it in Blackwood. Too many memories. Too many hurts. Too many damn Blackwoods.

  Even though it was within driving distance, she decided she would stay the night. There was a motor lodge close to Tommyknockers, and that was where she would lay her head.

  She wore tight jeans and her highest spiked heels, went heavy on the eye makeup, and tied her wild hair into a high ponytail.

  She folded up the clothes and jewelry John had bought her. Any other thing that remotely reminded her of him was tossed into a bag. On her way out of town, she was going to find a Blackwood and leave the stuff with her or him.

  She didn’t bother to lock her house but left the door ajar and the lights on. There was nothing of value that she wanted. It didn’t matter to her anymore. She had thirty days to come back and if there was anything left after she returned from shooting pool, she would decide what to do with it. She hoped that vandals would come in and destroy the building and then felt awful for that thought.