CHAPTER THREE
Sun streamed through the thin linen curtains Joey’s mother had hung on his bedroom window. He cursed the brightness that stung his eyes from too little sleep and shoved the pillow over his head. Morning had come way too early. He’d barely slept last night. And not just because he’d had to close. Images of the stunning brunette had filled his mind each time he shut his eyes. He’d known she was different from most of the girls he dated from the moment he saw her stick up for herself on the dance floor. And then she’d winked at him. Flirty, yes? But something more, too.
He’d thought he would have to track her down today to return her purse, but instead she showed up, knocking on the door. He should have just handed her the purse and sent her on her way. Inviting her in hadn’t been smart. Sharing a drink with her really hadn’t been smart. And asking her to dance? Definitely not the brightest move for someone who had sworn off one night stands or flings.
But he hadn’t been able to help himself when she stood outside the door, an expectant look on her face. Almost shy. A bit different from the confident woman who’d stomped on Walt’s foot. Vulnerable. That was what he’d seen in her eyes. That was what had prompted him to ask her to dance. He’d always been a sucker for someone in need.
What he hadn’t expected was the warmth that had flooded his body when she’d stepped into his arms. Her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and he resisted the urge to press into her, to show her exactly what she did to him. She’d been stiff at first, uncomfortable. But then she’d swayed to the music, and he could have sworn she relaxed and gave herself over to him as the song continued. Her breathing grew ragged as they danced, and he found himself matching his breath to hers, each one more difficult to draw.
He hadn’t expected the ache in his gut when he’d stared into her eyes. The depth of the brown color darkened as her gaze locked on his. The struggle was evident in the tensing of her muscles and in the furrowing of her brows. He’d pulled her closer but hadn’t looked away. She’d drawn him in, intrigued him. He wanted to know what was behind the conflict he saw. He couldn’t mistake that desire in her eyes. But she didn’t want to be attracted to him. A woman who didn’t want to want him was incredibly sexy.
She didn’t know how attractive she was. Her long brown hair was silky and smooth beneath his fingers as he stroked her back. A deep breath had filled his senses with a clean, floral, musky scent. A heady smell he didn’t normally associate with women but one that stirred him deep in his gut. Her body was slender and fit. She was a woman who cared about her appearance but didn’t put on airs. A contrast to the city girl image she’d tried to project.
Her smile had been genuine, had lit up her face, when she talked about living in New York. That should have been a clear sign to him to back off, but had he listened? No.
After Shelby, he had no intention of getting involved with someone who lived in the city. No, strike that. Maybe Brittany didn’t know any better. Maybe she’d always lived in New York. He could show her what there was to love about small towns. About his hometown.
As the night proceeded, as he learned more about her, she became more complex to him. He itched to peel back the layers of what made her tick. It had been a long time since he’d felt that way about a woman. Any woman.
But none of that would happen if he didn’t climb out of bed.
He pulled the pillow off his head and shoved it under him. His calf muscles ached from a long night on the floor, but he’d take that kind of pain if it meant J.J.’s was successful. He extended his arms over his head and worked the kinks out of his neck. A double shot of caffeine was a must before he headed out into the woods today, else he might step right off the edge of the path and tumble down a river bank. Especially if he couldn’t keep his mind off Brittany.
He’d planned this solo hike earlier in the week, knowing the activities at the bar for the grand reopening and Memorial Day would be overwhelming. He needed this time to recharge his batteries after putting everything he had into getting the bar ready for the weekend crowds. That was why he’d found his private retreat a couple of years back. Everyone saw him as the happy, nothing-bothers-him ladies’ man image he projected when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Tending bar, being on for his crew and the customers, took everything out of him, and his time in the outdoors—alone—helped to keep him sane.
That was just one of the many things he loved about his hometown—he didn’t have to go far to find nature. After being turned away from the Army due to health-related issues, he’d considered an outdoor job, like a park ranger or adventure guide, but the bar had fallen into his lap at the right time, and he’d leapt at the opportunity to be his own boss. And to show the town there was more to him than what they thought.
But it took its toll.
So, he’d get his caffeine fix and head out. Maybe he’d take the boat out and drop a line for a couple of hours. Or he could just hang out at his cabin and listen to the sounds of nature. A cabin no one knew he had—not even his own family.
After he parked behind the shops on the Town Green, he climbed out of his truck and hustled to Mug ’n Muffin. Residents and visitors alike were beginning to gather on the sidewalk and across the street in the green. Laughter and the sound of happy voices wafted on the air. He even had an unexpected spring in his step. He was right. Time in the fresh air and sunshine was exactly what he needed. As long as he could grab a cup of coffee first.
The strong, delicious scent of coffee and sweets filled his senses as soon as he stepped into the shop. He drew in a deep breath. Dang, he could get a caffeine fix from the aroma alone. Nothing smelled better, except maybe the clean, fresh scent of the outdoors.
Customers rushed around the shop, conversations built on each other, the holiday weekend drawing out many of the residents of Oak Grove and the surrounding areas. He glanced toward the counter where Emma and Karen worked and found himself looking for another dark-haired woman beside them. But he didn’t see her, much to his disappointment.
He had barely taken two steps when he spied his brother, Lucas, with his fiancée and her daughter, tucked at a table in the corner. He’d hoped to grab his coffee and leave undetected, but those hopes were dashed when Sarah spotted him. A smile broke out on her face. She leaned into the table and whispered, and two other heads snapped in his direction. So much for escaping unnoticed. He plastered on a fake smile and prepared for the encounter.
Before he knew it, Lily, Sarah’s five-year-old daughter, had leapt up from the table and run up to Joey, wrapping her arms around his legs and giggling the entire time.
“Mr. Joey, Mr. Joey. Mommy and Mr. Lucas and me are goin’ to the zoo. And I get to see Aunt Jessica and Nicky.”
Joey laughed as he picked up the little girl and flung her over his shoulder. “That sounds great, sweetie.”
He tickled her sides as he carried her back to Lucas and Sarah. Lowering Lily to the ground, he took the hand Lucas extended as he stood.
“Hey, Joey. Great party last night.”
“Thanks.” He turned to Sarah, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and placing a kiss on her temple. “Hey, Sarah.”
“Hey.” Sarah rubbed her hand over the blonde curls of the little girl who had returned to her mother’s side, the spitting image of her mother. Lucas and Sarah both looked down to the girl who had captured the hearts of his entire family, just as she and her mother had captured Lucas’s heart. Joey couldn’t ever remember seeing Lucas so happy.
Sarah had relocated to Oak Grove last fall and had immediately blended in to the tight-knit community. Before long, she was dating Lucas. He’d been in a bad place before meeting Sarah, but she’d helped him move forward, and he’d fallen in love with her. They’d recently gotten engaged and Lucas had moved in with Sarah and Lily. Joey had never imagined he’d see his big brother settle down. But here he was, with a ready-made family.
More power to him. Joey had no interest in a serious girlfriend. He likely wouldn’t be able to sneak away to the cabin, or take a day to himself, if he had a girlfriend nagging him for his time and attention.
“You had a good crowd last night,” Sarah said as they all sat and a cup of coffee appeared in front of him.
“Thanks, man.” He hadn’t even seen Lucas step away. Joey grabbed the mug and inhaled a deep breath of the rich aroma before taking a tentative sip of the hot liquid. “It was a great crowd, wasn’t it? I think we can safely say the grand reopening was a huge success. I’d remind you about the bonfire tonight, but I’ve been told you guys have plans today.” Joey smiled down at Lily.
“We do,” Lucas said. “Hate to miss it, Joey, but you know how it is.
Joey smiled. Yeah, he knew. He was happy for Lucas but glad it wasn’t him.
Sarah stood. “Lily and I are gonna take a quick pit stop and then we’ll be ready to go.” She leaned down as Lucas stretched up to give her a kiss before Lily and Sarah skipped away. His eyes followed them until they stepped out of sight.
“They’re really great, Lucas. Both of them. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, I think so, too. I can’t wait to get married.”
“Wow, who’d have thought.” Joey chuckled.
Lucas laughed with him before his smile fell and his expression grew serious. “I didn’t see Rachel at the bar last night.”
Joey’s heart sank. He no longer counted on his sister to work her shifts but hadn’t stopped worrying about her. “No, she didn’t show. She’s been skipping more and more shifts recently and rarely returns my calls. I’d stop putting her on the schedule, but I don’t want to give her even more reasons to not come see us. I keep hoping she’ll work a shift once in a while, so we can see she’s all right.”
Lucas rubbed his hand across his jaw, the corners of his lips turned down. “I don’t know what to do anymore. Do you think you can talk to Sawyer? Can he help?”
If only it were that simple. If they knew for a fact something was wrong with Rachel, Sawyer would be the first one in line to help… behind Joey and Lucas, of course. But so far, they only had suspicions. “I can talk to him, but I don’t imagine he can do anything. Rachel won’t tell us what’s going on. She just stays holed up with him.”
Joey wasn’t exactly sure how long it had been since Rachel had started dating Shane because she rarely came around anymore. Maybe a year? But from the day she’d met Shane, the light in her eyes had dimmed, and she’d pulled away from their family and her friends. She’d abandoned her own apartment to move in with him, much to their parents’ chagrin. But unless they had proof Shane was hurting Rachel, there wasn’t much they could do.
Sarah and Lily scooted out from the back of the shop. He and Lucas stood, and Joey wrapped his arm around Lily’s shoulder. “Have a good time at the zoo today, little lady.”
“We will, Mr. Joey. Maybe I can bring an animal home.”
They all laughed as Sarah smoothed down Lily’s hair. “She doesn’t quite understand these animals aren’t pets.”
Lucas, Sarah and Lily left the shop, Lucas’s hand resting gently on Sarah’s back and Lily’s shoulder. Always the protector in their family. Joey shook his head. He’d taken a chance on a life like that once and had fallen short. Never again. Not after Shelby.
He had good friends, a cabin in the woods where he could escape from time-to-time, and now, a successfully expanded business. He even had a few extra special enhancements to the bar to introduce on Monday. A project near and dear to his heart. He had a lot going on. He didn’t need to add a woman to the mix.
Joey cleared the table, quickly refilled his coffee cup, and headed to the counter to grab a muffin for the road. As he reached the counter, Emma McKenzie, the owner of Mug ’n Muffin, walked out from the back. The swinging door opened again, and out walked her daughter, Karen… and the woman who had occupied most of his thoughts last night. His stomach jumped and his heart raced. As exciting as it was to see her again, he couldn’t let her derail his plans to get away today.
When she saw him, a huge smile lit her face.
That smile stopped him dead in his tracks, unable to take another step, mesmerized.
Her brown hair hung in a ponytail today, and her deep green T-shirt hugged her curves before tapering down into a pair of faded jeans. Evidently, it didn’t matter what Brittany wore, because she looked sexy in anything. And probably in nothing. Stop it.
“Hey, Joey,” Emma said, shocking him from the direction his thoughts were leading him.
“Oh, hey, Emma. Karen.” He paused. “Brittany.” His eyes lingered on Brittany’s. A faint pink color rose on her cheeks. She lowered her gaze. Interesting. Maybe she’d had a sleepless night thinking about him.
He smiled, intrigued that she may have been as restless as he had been.
“That is one great lookin’ smile on your face this morning. What can I get you?” Karen asked.
“How about two blueberry muffins for the road? I’m heading out for a hike before the bonfire tonight.”
“A hike” Karen’s eyes brightened. “That’s perfect.”
Perfect. Perfect for what? What did Karen have in mind? She didn’t give him any time to mull over her comment or formulate a response to what he knew was going to be a bad idea before she continued.
“I was telling Brittany I need to help my mom today and she would be bored hanging out at the shop. I think a hike would be great—show her the area around Oak Grove. What do you say, Brittany?”
Joey froze. Had Karen just invited her friend to join him on his hike? His alone time. To his cabin no one knew about. ... ... ...
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Turn the page for an excerpt from One Last Chance, book 3 in Nancy’s Oak Grove series. The Oak Grove series features the Bennetts, Rachel’s family!