As the open house wound up at the barn, Beckett jogged back to his house to grab the cell phone he’d forgotten. It rang as he headed back outside.
He grinned when he saw who it was. “Hey. Long time no see.”
Eli’s laughter came through on the other end, surrounded by the noise of several people talking. “I wanted to check in when I had a minute, but it’s the middle of the month on a Saturday. I figured the family would be busy with an open house.”
“You figured right. I’m heading back over there, actually. Where are you?”
“Uh…some restaurant. Meeting a friend for lunch, but I’m early. Glad I caught you.”
Beckett stopped on the porch, curious. “Something going on?”
“I haven’t heard back from Anna. I wanted to make sure she’s okay. You know, after the date for the wedding passed and everything…”
Beckett walked to the rail on his wide wraparound porch. It was peaceful here. He couldn’t hear any of the noises from the open house. The pine trees moved in the slight breeze and a squirrel scampered across the back of a bench that sat farther down the walkway of the property.
He cleared his throat. “So why are you calling me?”
Eli didn’t answer for a long moment, then finally said, “Poppy emailed me something about a plan—or some project—you two have.”
“Shit.” Beckett dropped his chin to his chest with a heavy sigh. “Poppy has a big mouth.”
Eli’s laughter boomed on the other end. “She does. She really does.”
He jogged down the steps and headed back to the barn. He figured now the entire Keller family knew about his feelings for Anna. He should have guessed that would be the case. They were close and it was hard to keep anything a secret around them. But Eli?
“Are you okay with that?” Beckett asked.
“With you being in love with my sister?”
Love? Damn it. Beckett blew out a breath. “I didn’t say anything about being in love. She doesn’t even know how I feel. I only asked for Poppy’s help because—”
“Whoa. Beckett. You sound defensive. You don’t have to justify your feelings to me. I just want to make sure you’re—you know, in this for the right reasons.”
Beckett still had his back up. This was going way too far. Especially because Anna had no idea what was going on.
“She doesn’t even know how I feel,” Beckett repeated. “But I care about her. I’m not that asshole Tom. I wouldn’t treat her like that.”
Beckett rounded a corner down the wide dirt path and the barn came into view. A few people exited through the front doors, walking to their cars in the lot.
“I know that,” Eli said. “Sorry. I don’t doubt you, I just don’t want to see her hurt again.”
He jerked an agitated hand through his hair. “Me either.”
Neither of them said anything for a moment, and finally Beckett broke the tension by changing the subject. “When are you coming back?”
“A little later than I expected. In time for the Fourth of July, probably. You know Mom and Jillian—they’ll want to have some big celebration. In fact, I’m surprised Jill hasn’t mentioned anything yet. She usually has these things planned out months in advance.”
“She’s been busy.”
“You should do something out at your place. You can see the fireworks over the lake from your front porch and you’ve got enough room for everyone.”
“I don’t—it’s a family thing.”
Eli laughed. “And you’re family. Easy solution. Talk to Jill about it and let me know. I’ve gotta head out.”
“Stay safe. And stop talking to your sisters about my love life.”
“Then tell them to stop emailing me about it,” Eli returned.
Beckett laughed and they said goodbye. He stuffed his phone in his pocket and entered the barn again. A few women still lingered at the tables Jillian had set up with special linens and place settings to simulate how the space could look for an event. They ate cake and paged through brochures. Anna wasn’t anywhere in sight.
But Poppy was.
He went straight to her and plucked a flower from her hand before she could load it back into her bin.
She yelped and then slapped a hand on her chest. “Beckett! What are you doing?”
“Wondering why you have such a big mouth. Eli called.”
Her lips twitched, but she had the courtesy to hold back a smile. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“One of these days, Poppy. You’re going to be in the same situation, and I’m going to email your family all about it.”
She laughed and patted his cheek. “Sure you are, Beckett. Because you email all the time to gossip about my love life.”
“You’re going to make this up to me, you know.”
“Oh yeah?” She took the flower from him. “I guess I owe you. What did you have in mind?”
“Convince Jillian to let me host a Fourth of July barbecue at my house. Everyone’s invited.”
She angled her head. “You want to have a party at your house? Oh…I see. Because then you can help Anna bake something for dessert and really start heating things up in the kitchen.”
“Seriously, Poppy?” He glanced around, worried that Mrs. Keller or Anna might overhear. “Big mouth, like I said.”
“I’m sorry about Eli. He kept asking about Anna and I wanted to assure him she’d gotten over Tom. Then I mentioned how you were distracting her from all that, and…yeah, I have a big mouth.”
He folded his arms with a nod. “Maybe I should just tell her.”
Jillian appeared at his side and bumped his shoulder. “No way. You have to let her fall for you naturally. If you tell Anna how you feel, she’ll freak out. It’ll be too much right now.”
Beckett frowned. Too much? Maybe a relationship in general was too much for her right now. Especially with him. Someone she saw as a brother or a friend.
“No, don’t do that,” Poppy said as if reading his mind. “Don’t get discouraged. That’s not what she meant. You just need to give it time. It needs to feel natural to Anna. That’s all she meant. But don’t take too long. I have an idea.”
Beckett gave her a wary look, but she ignored him to smile at Jillian.
“Beckett should host a Fourth of July party here,” Poppy said. “We can see the fireworks from the porch and we can barbecue…you know, get the two lovebirds together.”
Beckett groaned. “I’m going to kill you, Poppy.” But at least she was trying to get him his barbecue.
“No, she’s right,” Jillian said. “A barbecue at your place would be good.”
She turned when the women stood from their table and hurried over to walk them out.
Poppy curled her arm through Beckett’s with a sly smile. “Do you forgive me now?”
“I’ll think about it. You could have been more subtle.”
She fluttered her lashes. “I’ll ask Anna on a date for you.”
“That’s not subtle.” He pulled away and gestured to her table of flowers. “Maybe you should focus on work before you get yourself into even more trouble.”
She laughed and got to work. “Yes, sir.”
{}{}{}
She’d seen them. All three of them. Poppy and Jillian and Beckett. Talking. No, conspiring.
Anna knew it. But about what?
She spotted Beckett by the cart of chairs and tiptoed over, trying to keep silent before she surprised him. When he leaned down to fold up another chair, she followed his movements and whispered, “I know what you’re up to.”
He jerked straight, eyes whipping to hers. “What?”
She had the pleasure of seeing him flustered, trying to stuff his hands in his pockets and then take them out again. But then Poppy’s words came back to her and it wasn’t as funny anymore. Try dating. Someone you know, even. Someone you trust.
And Beckett was standing in front of her, looking guilty and handsome and completely trustworthy even if he had been conspiring with her sisters.
“I said I know what you’re up to,” Anna repeated, trying to shake her previous thoughts.
He swallowed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you do. You were talking to Jillian and Poppy about it about ten minutes ago.”
“The Fourth of July,” he said quickly, adding a nod. “I asked Jillian if she wanted me to host something at my place. Eli’s coming back and I thought it would be fun. For everyone.”
“Oh.” Why did that disappoint her? She thought he was going to give something away. But this wasn’t a secret at all. “That’s a good idea. That would be fun.”
He nodded again, looking more relaxed as he returned to stacking the chairs. “So you should come. I’ll barbecue and we can light a fire in the pit and spend some time together. I mean, everyone will spend time together.”
“I can make something. Dessert, if you want.”
“That would be great. I’d appreciate it.”
And now he wouldn’t even look at her. What was that all about? Had she hit a nerve? Embarrassed him? It was possible he had absolutely no interest in her at all and he could pick up on how weird she was acting.
Maybe she could ask Poppy or Jillian…and maybe they’d think she was crazy, too. Dating Beckett? That had to be against some sort of friend rule. After all, she’d known him since she was a kid when they both thought the opposite sex had cooties.
Anna turned. “I’m going to clean up.”
He made a noise of agreement but kept working.
Her stomach clenched. What was wrong with her? Even Beckett was avoiding her. Maybe going to France was a good idea. No, a great idea.
She couldn’t very well start over here in Park Creek with everyone she already knew, around the same people she saw every day. Including Beckett.
Propping the back door open for some extra air, she closed her eyes. Focus. She needed to focus on cleaning up and going from there. She promised Poppy she’d give it time before she made a decision and maybe even try dating someone. If she could even meet someone.
When she turned for the table with the cakes on it, something ran across her foot and she shrieked. She spotted the mouse as it dashed under the table and to the wall.
“Shit, shit, shit.” She shuddered and spotted Becket running over.
He gripped her arms. “What happened? Are you okay?”
She pointed. “A mouse.”
Jillian and Poppy hurried over as well, eyes wide.
Beckett blew out a breath and ran his hand through his hair with a laugh. “Damn it. You scared the shit out of me.” He turned to the others. “Just a mouse.”
Jillian wrinkled her nose. “That’s disgusting. And a health code violation.”
“They run around in the trees back there.” Beckett gestured to the wooded area outside the door. “It’s fine, I’ll get it.”
“Damsel in distress,” Poppy said with a grin before walking away.
What was that supposed to mean? Anna frowned at her back, and then rolled her eyes, heat in her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she said to Beckett.
He retrieved a broom from the corner. “Why’s that?”
“I just had a total girl moment. I can handle spiders, but mice…” She gave another exaggerated shiver. “They’re too fast. And it ran across my foot.”
He flashed her a grin and repeated what Jillian had said. “That’s disgusting.”
The mouse ran to the corner and Beckett dashed forward to block it. It froze, and then ran the other way. He raced after it with the broom until it zoomed out the door and disappeared into the trees.
“Thank you,” Anna said. She reached for the broom. “I can put this back.”
He moved at the same time and her hand collided with his, fingers warm and strong, as they both gripped the broom handle.
She pulled back with a strangled laugh. “Sorry.”
They both went in the same direction, trying to get around each other. Back and forth in an awkward dance until Beckett finally reached out, putting one of those strong hands on her arm. He gently pushed her to the left and nodded.
“You go that way, I’ll go this way.”
Her throat dried when he smiled. It was an everyday, normal Beckett smile, but this time it made her heart flutter. She could still feel his hand on her arm, the strength in his grip. And the gentleness, too.
She returned to her table. God, she had to be making him uncomfortable by now. The typical flirty Anna had been replaced by an awkward teenager and it was all Beckett’s fault.
When she glanced at him, he’d gone back to work like nothing had happened. She sighed. Okay, someone to date…maybe she’d have to cross Beckett off her list and find someone else.
{}{}{}
Beckett made sure he was available to help Anna to her car when she was ready to leave, but he’d lost some of his momentum. She wouldn’t even look at him now. It was a broom—a damned broom. And it had been enough to make her nervous. How was he supposed to take it further than that if she couldn’t even touch him without flinching?
It didn’t help that Poppy and Jillian were watching like he was in a soap opera.
“Beckett.” Anna pointed to the table. “You have to take some of this cake.”
Two trays still sat on the surface, holding several pieces. “That’s a lot of cake.”
She flashed a smile that didn’t last long. “You can freeze it. Please take some.”
He couldn’t say no to her. But he wished she’d look at him. “Sure. I’ll take some.”
“Good.” She left one of the trays on the table and hefted the other into her arms.
“Wait. Let me get that for you.”
Anna glanced up, her cheeks flushed. “It’s really not necessary.”
But he took the tray before she could say anything else. She grabbed her purse off the table, caught it on the edge of the chair, and then cursed when the contents spilled all over the floor.
He bent automatically, but she shook her head. “I got it.”
When he looked back at Poppy, her eyes were round. She lifted her hands in a gesture that said she didn’t know what was going on either. He was ruining it. That’s what was going on.
When Anna stood again, he followed her silently out of the barn. The light from the sun hit the highlights in her hair, bringing out the gold in it. He blew out a breath and tried to keep his thoughts from straying.
She opened the van’s back doors. “You can put that in here.”
He settled the tray inside. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s it.” Anna leaned against the side of the van, staring at her shoes. “Thanks.”
“You okay?”
When she looked up, she caught his eye this time and gave a small smile. “I’m sorry.”
“Why?”
“About the purse. And the mouse. And—” She waved her hand and avoided his gaze again. “I’m not normally such a girl about these kinds of things. It’s been a long day…”
Beckett ventured a step closer, hating the tension he saw in her shoulders when there was nothing he could do about it. “Anna.”
“Yeah?”
“You know I’m here for you, right? If you need to talk or anything. Or even if you just want to get out and take a walk or…” Go on a date. Spend some time at his place.
“I know.” She reached for the door handle. “Thanks, Beckett.”
“Sure.” He opened his mouth to say something else, but she hopped inside and shut the door. He stepped back and waited while she pulled out of her space, giving a short wave before she headed down the long road that led away from the barn and his property.
When he walked back inside, Poppy hurried up to him. “Did you ask her out?”
“Excuse me?”
“Ask her out. Or ask her somewhere. Or kiss—”
“No, I didn’t. You should really mind your own business.”
This made her smile. She linked her arm through his. “Right now, you are my business.”
Jillian laughed. She perched against the last standing table, paging through her tablet. “Poppy’s tenacious, Beckett. You know that. She’s made this her personal project.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. I don’t think Anna’s…ready for anything.”
“Oh, yes she is,” Poppy said. “She told me. She’s over Tom. She just—”
When she didn’t continue, Beckett lifted his eyebrows. “What?”
“Nothing. She is ready to move on. But, come on, Beckett, she was engaged for two years. She’s just not sure how to get back into the whole dating thing. That’s why you have to make the first move.”
Great. Not that he didn’t date. He just didn’t date friends. And that’s what he and Anna had been for so long, it was hard to see it from a new perspective.
“Cooking lessons,” Poppy said suddenly.
Beckett frowned. “I’m sorry?”
“That’s it,” Poppy said, releasing him to pace. “That will be perfect. Tell her you want cooking lessons.”
“Why would I do that?”
“So you can spend more time with her. Kiss her. Fall in looove—”
“I mean,” Beckett said, trying to keep his patience, “why would I want cooking lessons?”
Jillian glanced over from her tablet. “So you can cook.”
“That was brilliant, Jillian,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Poppy grinned at him. “So you can bake. Tell her you want to make something for the Fourth of July thing and ask her if she’ll help you. Start there, and then if it works, tell her you had such a good time want to do it again and again—until death do you part.”
Beckett dropped his chin to his chest with a long sigh. “You have it all figured out, don’t you?”
“Yep.”
But he had to admit, it wasn’t a terrible idea.
“Come on,” Poppy said, stepping closer and appealing to him. “Anna deserves someone who cares about her, and who will treat her right. So do you. You’re perfect for each other. Anna just needs time to see that.”
Beckett blew out another breath and forced a nod. He tried to adopt Poppy’s optimism, but it was hard. He’d known Anna his whole life and she’d never once looked at him like she looked at Tom. Or any of the others. If she needed time, he wondered how long it would really take for Anna to see how much he loved her.