Chapter One

 

 

Ray O’Brien plopped a fry into his mouth and sat back against the red vinyl seat at his favorite burger joint in Seattle. An eighties song played from the jukebox in the corner. Life went on around him as though nothing was about to change, but change was approaching like a speeding train with no one manning the brakes.

He looked across the table at his buddy and confidant, Ian Parker. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. My grandfather’s will is ironclad.” Ray wadded the pieces of the paper napkin he’d been shredding. “There’s no way I’ll retain ownership of the gym if I don’t marry by my twenty-eighth birthday. I can’t meet a woman and fall in love in so little time.”

“I don’t understand how someone can force another person to marry in this day and age.” Ian shook his head. “There ought to be a law against it.”

“No one is forcing me to get married. I only have to marry if I’m going to retain the gym. I’ve worked in my family’s business since I was sixteen. Worked my way to the top. Nothing’s been handed to me. I knew about the will’s requirement but figured getting married by twenty-eight wouldn’t be a problem. What a waste.”

“Come on. Those weren’t wasted years. You learned a lot, and you’ve done a ton of good helping the kids down at the community center. Not many people your age can say they own and operate two businesses and a charity foundation.”

“Shh,” Ray hissed as he looked around to make sure no one was paying attention. Ian’s knowledge of Ray’s ownership of Kids First Community Center was bad enough, but if word got out that he was personally funding it with the Kids and Youth Foundation that he secretly set up, it would change everything. People would hound him for money and treat him differently. He very much enjoyed being treated as a regular guy, and being able to support and run the center anonymously was imperative.

“Sorry. So tell me this. If you don’t marry, what happens to the community center?”

That was the worst part. Too bad Gramps hadn’t been able to predict the consequences of his actions. “It will cease to exist. The gym’s profits support the foundation, which in turn, support the community center,” he whispered.

“What about all the kids? Where will they go after school?”

He shrugged. “Their parents will have to figure it out. It’s not like we’re the only option.”

Ian shook his head. “Maybe it’s for the best.”

A heavy weight sat on Ray now, but if he lost The Ring Athletic Club, and if the foundation closed, then he’d be free to start over. Starting over could be a good thing, except for one problem. He loved the people at the community center. They were like family, and they gave him purpose.

“Maybe what’s for the best?” Brandi, Ian’s fiancée, asked as she slid into the booth beside Ian. Her best friend, Katie Fairchild, scooted in beside him, quiet as usual.

“Ray is going to have to close his athletic club because he’s not married,” Ian said.

“That’s nuts.” Brandi scrunched her nose. “What does one have to do with the other?”

“Exactly!” Ray said. Gramps sure messed up. He explained the stipulation in his grandfather’s will that whoever operated The Ring Athletic Club must be married by their twenty-eighth birthday. If his father hadn’t died from a heart attack fourteen years ago leaving him or his sister next in line to run the gym, they wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Katie’s eyes grew round. “How can an eligible bachelor like you not have any marriage prospects?”

“Thanks, but who would marry me? I have nothing to offer. I make a modest salary, so I’m not wealthy, and I work too much.”

“I’d marry you.”

He whipped around to face her. “Seriously?” He liked Katie, but he could rarely get past the wall she erected around herself.

Katie’s cheeks blossomed red. “I can’t believe I said that. I take it back. Why not sell the business before your birthday and use the profits to open a new one?”

He couldn’t take his gaze off of Katie. Her light blue eyes and pixy style hair were cute in a Tinker Bell kind of way. He didn’t know much about her past, but he knew it had been difficult, and she had overcome a lot. Too bad they weren’t close like their friends. Could he marry someone he didn’t love in order to keep his passion solvent? But she’d recanted the offer, so it didn’t matter.

He shook his head. “Using the profits would be nice, but I’d have to start from scratch. The boxing ring below the athletic club has been there for forty years. It’s still used for matches and the notoriety alone that it generates in income…Let’s just say it’d be hard to make that kind of profit in a new business.” He ran a hand along his neck then rested his elbows on the table. “None of this would even be an issue if my sister had agreed to run The Ring. She married long before her twenty-eighth birthday.” He could have worked out an arrangement with her to fund his foundation, and he wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Katie nodded. “I love your sister, and her daughter is a doll. She’s so tiny for a four-year–old.”

He tilted his head slightly. “I didn’t realize you knew them.”

“We go to the same Bible study, and I watch Emily on occasion. In fact, I’m sitting for them this weekend while they’re away celebrating their anniversary.”

“How could I not know this?”

Ian chuckled. “Sorry, I didn’t think to mention it. Your sister asked a while back if I knew anyone who might be interested in babysitting. I suggested Katie. As it turned out, they already knew each other from church.”

“Small world. I’ve been watching Emily for them ever since,” Katie said.

Her life was more woven into his than he’d realized.

Brandi pointed a finger at her friend. “You know, getting married isn’t a bad idea.”

“Huh?” Ray and Katie said in unison.

“Think about it. I’ve already sold the place where Katie and I live, and she’s moving out in two weeks anyway. So far, the roommate search isn’t going well. This would take care of both your problems. Is there any clause in the will that stipulates how long you must stay married?”

“Uh…I don’t know.”

“You need to find out.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to marry with the intention of divorcing after a set time.”

“It wouldn’t be a real marriage.” Brandi rolled her eyes as if he should understand her crazy brain. “Don’t you have an apartment above your garage?”

He nodded. Although it was a mess and needed a lot of TLC before anyone could live there.

“Your wife,” she made air quotes, “could live in the apartment for however long you’re married. You’d meet the requirement of the will, and everyone would be happy.”

She might be onto something, but as a Christian, he struggled with her plan. Sure, he wanted to keep the center going, and he certainly didn’t want to close The Ring, but he wouldn’t marry for the sole reason of keeping his dream alive. He would find another way to fund the community center.

Brandi looked at her cell phone and gasped. “It’s later than I thought. Come on, Ian. We have a dance lesson tonight.”

Ian groaned. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into those.”

Brandi tugged on Ian’s arm. “Let’s go. And stop your complaining. You’ll thank me on our wedding day when you’re able to waltz flawlessly.” She stood and looped her arm through his. “See you.”

Ray slid from the booth after Katie. “You need a ride home?” He’d never seen her with a car.

Her gaze darted toward the door where Brandi had exited only seconds ago, her brow puckered. “I suppose so.”

“If you’d rather walk or take the bus, that’s fine. I won’t be offended.”

A small smile lifted her lips. “I appreciate the offer. Thanks.”

“No problem.” He held the door for her as they exited. “What do you think I should do?”

“What I think isn’t important,” she mumbled.

“It is to me.”

She shot a look his way. “Why?”

“Because it is.” He respected her opinion. She might not talk much, but it was clear to anyone paying attention she was wise beyond her years.

“Listen to your heart. What I think doesn’t matter.”

He had no idea what his heart was telling him other than he couldn’t marry for the sake of his charity. “Your opinion matters to me.”

She looked at him with surprise in her eyes. “You should do what you think is best. After all, it’s your life, not mine.”

“That’s not helpful.” He pulled the key toggle from his pocket and unlocked the doors to his five-year-old black Honda.

Katie slid into the front seat before he could open the door for her. She was young, twenty-three, if memory served, and had never finished college. He’d once asked her why she’d quit, but she avoided answering the question as well as a politician. He slid behind the wheel and buckled up. “Last I heard you were working at a coffee shop. Are you still there?”

“No. I took a job at the community center down the block from The Ring. I’m hoping it will turn into a fulltime position. I love it there.”

His gaze shot her way.

“What? Did I say something wrong?”

His pulse jumped. “No. You surprised me. That’s all.” He turned his head forward. How could he not know that he employed Katie? His manager had mentioned hiring a new girl, Kaitlyn something. Of course, Katie was short for Kaitlyn, but he’d never made the connection. He cleared his throat. “What do you do there?” There were only three paid staffers—the director and then two part-time workers. He didn’t need to ask the question since he knew what position was filled, but he was still curious about her answer.

“I’m in charge of the elementary age kids’ programs.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it! I only wish it was full time. I never should have quit my job at the coffee shop. It definitely wasn’t one of my smarter decisions, but I hated it there.”

“I’m sorry. Are you trying to find other work?”

“Yes. I even had an interview, but the hours conflicted with my current job, and I didn’t want to give it up.”

“I see. We might have an opening at The Ring. Have you applied there?”

“I didn’t think of it. Thanks for the tip. But if you don’t get married, isn’t it going to close?”

“From what I understand, yes, but I’m not sure. I need to meet with the attorney to know with absolute certainty.” He also wanted to thoroughly read the will for himself once he procured a copy. One thing was certain; he couldn’t let down all the people who depended on him. Somehow he had to save The Ring and the community center. He’d been to Brandi and Katie’s condo a few times, so he knew how to get there, but he deliberately took the long way—Katie’s sweet, soft voice soothed him. “What kind of things do you do with the kids at the community center?”

“I plan outings and activities. Do welfare checks—”

Whoa. “What do you mean welfare checks?” None of the employees were supposed to have contact with the kids outside the center.

She shrugged. “It’s nothing. Once in a while I get concerned about a kid, so I drop a meal or a bag of groceries by their home.”

“Do the families know you do it?”

“Sometimes. Other times, I leave the bag and run.”

“But how? You don’t have a car?”

She grinned. “Brandi helps me. It’s actually fun. But I guess I won’t be able to do that once she moves to England.” Her voice faded off as if she realized for the first time she wouldn’t have her co-conspirator for much longer.

“It’s too bad about Brandi, but I’m curious—how do you know who needs food?”

“I listen more than I talk when I’m at work,” she said simply, as if it were nothing. He could testify to the truth of her words. She was a quiet person, but when she did speak, she made her words count.

He pulled up to her complex. “I’ll walk you to your place.”

“No need.” She hopped out and shut the door.

Before he could even turn off the engine, she’d darted out of sight. He shook his head and drove toward home. She was technically breaking the rules by delivering food to the kids, but he couldn’t fault her. She had a big heart—much like him. He couldn’t shake her earlier offer. Would she be willing to partner with him permanently for the sake of the children?

 

 

Katie leaned against her condo door. Her heart raced. Why did Ray have such an effect on her? She thought she was over him. This schoolgirl crush she had on him must stop. She couldn’t believe she’d been able to carry on a conversation with him after telling him she’d marry him. She bumped the back of her head against the door several times. He probably thought she was pathetic, throwing herself at him like that.

In spite of his claim that no woman would want to marry him, she was sure he must have women calling him all the time. In fact, he was dating someone not all that long ago. Then again she hadn’t seen or heard mention of the woman for at least six months.

Ray was a cool guy who didn’t know he was cool. Even though he was the owner of a fitness club, he wasn’t a complete fitness nut who obsessed over his body constantly. Although he took care of himself, which she and probably every other single woman he knew appreciated, to her way of thinking, his clean-cut, dark hair, and brown eyes were his best features.

“Stop.” She could not keep dreaming about him. He was a nice guy and Ian’s best friend. They would walk down the aisle as best man and maid of honor together—and that was it. There’d be no wedding bells in their future.

Starving since the diner they were at didn’t cater to the gluten-free crowd, she grabbed a gluten-free meal from the freezer and popped it into the microwave. She loved these entrées and since they were organic it eased the guilt of eating a frozen meal rather than making something fresh.

Five minutes later, she moseyed into her tiny bedroom holding a plate containing her dinner. After flipping on the radio, she took a quick bite of the Mexican casserole as she sat at the built-in desk where her computer was. Mmm. She never tired of this dish. She went to her e-mail to check for prospective roommate applicants and devoured her meal while clicking on the single response—a male. She sighed and pressed delete. Couldn’t people read? She specifically stated the opening was for a female.

When Brandi said she was moving to England and selling her condo, Katie never imagined how difficult moving and finding another roommate would be. Maybe she was going about this wrong. Perhaps she should be responding to roommate-needed ads since her low income had been preventing her applications from being accepted.

Then again, if she could land a second job, a roommate might not be an issue. She navigated over to a jobs listing and scrolled down the screen. Nothing looked interesting, but at this point, she couldn’t afford to be picky.

An hour later, the door to the condo opened and clicked shut. “Brandi?”

“Yes. It’s me.” A moment later, her friend stood in her doorway holding a pair of dance shoes.

“How was the lesson?”

“Okay. Don’t tell Ian I said this, but he’s a better dancer than me.”

“Then why the lessons?”

A tiny smile touched her lips. “I love being in his arms.” A dreamy look covered her face then cleared. “Plus it’s good practice.” She came into the room and looked over Katie’s shoulder at the computer screen. “You find anything?”

“I applied to be a maid at a hotel downtown.”

Brandi wrinkled her nose. “You’d hate that job.”

“That’s beside the point. Ray mentioned a position at The Ring. I couldn’t find it listed online, so I’ll drop in there tomorrow. If the hours are right, it could be exactly what I’ve been looking for.” Even if it ended up being temporary, it could buy her some time.

Brandi sat on the edge of Katie’s twin bed. “You and Ray visited after we left?”

“He gave me a ride.”

She bit her lip. “I was supposed to do that. I’m sorry I forgot.”

“It’s fine. He offered.”

“Ray’s a good guy. I hope he can figure something out so he can keep his business open.”

“Me, too, especially if I get a job there and it closes. I’ll be back in the same situation I am now.”

“True. Maybe working at The Ring isn’t a good idea.”

But it might be fun—depending on what she’d be doing. “It’s a job, and that’s all I care about right now.” Thankfully, she’d never shared her crush on Ray with her friend, although sometimes she wondered if Brandi knew but never said anything.

Brandi yawned and stood. “I have an early morning. Good night.”

“’Night.” She shut down the computer and jumped when her phone chimed. She checked the screen.

Can you meet me at The Ring tomorrow at one? Ray.

Why would Ray want to meet with her? Maybe he had a job offer!

“Sure. See you then.”