Chapter Four
Randi stepped into her apartment, ready to unwind after an exhausting day, and she still hadn’t heard from Jack. When her phone buzzed, she pulled it out and smiled; it was a call from Jack. Speak of the devil.
“Hi, Jack.”
“Hi. I managed to snag a reservation for Saturday at six, does that work for you?”
“Yes, that’s perfect.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up around five-thirty.”
“Okay, that sounds good. I’ll be ready.”
“Did you have a good day?”
“It was really busy, but that’s good.”
“Yes, it is.” Jack chuckled.
“And you? Did you have a nice day?”
“Yes, I got to see two old friends. I need to reconnect with some guys I used to hang out with. Some have gotten married. I missed their weddings, and I even missed my sister’s.”
“Why?”
“Because I was on a case. That’s why I’m so glad to be home.”
“I can tell you are.”
“Anyway, I’d better get back to work, I’m still on the clock.”
“Yes, don’t piss off the boss.”
Jack chuckled. “I hope I never do. I’ll see you Saturday.”
“Alright. See you then, Jack. Bye.”
After hanging up, Randi grinned to herself, she couldn’t wait to see him again. Now, she just needed to decide what to wear. Tomorrow, she planned to visit Paige’s.
At lunchtime the next day, she locked the door, crossed the alley, and entered Paige’s. She smiled at the mannequins dressed in lacy bras and panties, then glanced at those in teddies. She thought she could easily spend the whole day in here.
“Hello, welcome to Paige’s. Are you looking for anything in particular?”
Randi turned to face a stunning woman with long, dark, wavy hair, friendly brown eyes, and an inviting smile.
“Hi, I’m Randi Guthrie. I own the shop across the alley. I wanted to thank you for the basket of plants.”
“Oh, it’s so nice to meet you. I’m Paige Richards,” the woman replied as she shook Randi’s hand.
“So, you own this amazing shop?”
“I do,” Paige laughed.
“Well, maybe you can help me. I have a date Saturday evening with a man I just met, and he’s taking me to The Hartland. I’m not sure what to wear.”
“You’re going to love it there; they have the best food around. You can wear anything there. Dress up or down. It doesn’t matter. If you want to impress this new guy, I’d dress up.”
Randi smiled. “I think I’ll do that. He just came back to town, grew up in Clifton, and his name is Jack Lawrence.”
“I don’t know him, but my husband might—” Paige began, then paused as she looked toward the door. A big smile lit up her face before she turned back to Randi. “He must have known I was talking about him. That’s my husband.”
Randi glanced at the approaching man. He was very good-looking, but he didn’t even acknowledge her; his eyes stayed fixed on his wife as he strode over, kissing her on the lips and then her forehead. Good-looking and romantic, Randi thought with an inward sigh.
“I was just talking about you,” Paige said.
“Oh, hell. What did I do now?” the man laughed.
“Nothing… yet, but I’m not holding my breath that you won’t,” Paige replied. “This is Randi Guthrie; she owns the shop across the alley. Randi, this is my husband, Nick Richards.”
“Ma’am, it’s nice to meet you,” Nick said as he shook her hand.
“You too.”
Then, Nick turned to Paige. “So, why were you talking about me?”
“Randi mentioned she’s going on a date with a guy named Jack Lawrence, I thought you might know him.”
“I do. I heard he was back in town, though I haven’t run into him yet,” Nick replied, glancing at Randi. “He’s a good guy. I’ve known him for years.”
“If Nick vouches for him, then you can take him at his word,” Paige said.
“That reassures me a bit. He did seem nice, but you can never be too sure,” Randi said, with a shrug.
“True,” Paige agreed before turning to Nick. “So, what brings you into town?”
“I grabbed lunch with Wilder, and then I thought I’d drop by to see my gorgeous wife,” Nick said with a grin that made Paige blush.
“I’m really glad you did.”
They exchanged looks for a moment until Randi cleared her throat.
“I’ll just browse around,” she announced.
“I’ll join you in just a minute, Randi.”
“That’s fine. Nick, it was nice meeting you.”
“You too. Enjoy your day. I really have to go, Paige. See you at home, sweetheart.”
“Alright.”
Randi watched as Nick left the shop, then noticed Paige walking toward her.
“Let’s see what we can find for you. I also carry clothing here.”
“Great. I’d love to see everything,” Randi replied with a laugh.
As Paige led her through the store, Randi felt tempted to buy one of everything. They soon stopped in front of a skirt that featured a slit running halfway up its side.
“This is gorgeous,” she remarked as she ran her hand over the fabric.
“It comes in red, black, and blue,” Paige explained. “A white blouse would match any of these, or a red blouse would look great with the black…”
“Or even a black blouse with the red skirt,” Randi added with a grin.
Paige laughed. “Exactly. Any combination would work. Add a pair of matching stilettos and he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
“I think I want the black skirt paired with a red blouse, though I might wait until I see if we have more dates. I don’t want to come on too strong.”
“I completely understand. What sizes do you need?” Paige asked.
After Randi provided her sizes, Paige made her way to the back room and returned a few minutes later.
“Would you like to try them on?” Paige inquired.
“I’d love to,” Randi replied.
“Over there are the dressing rooms. Just let me know when you have them on. I’d love to see how they look on you,” said Paige.
“I will.” Randi gathered the skirt and blouse and headed for the dressing room. Once inside, she quickly slipped out of her jeans and T-shirt, putting on the blouse first and then the skirt. A smile spread across her face as she admired herself in the mirror.
Taking a deep breath, she opened the dressing room door and stepped out to find Paige waiting. A big smile broke out on her face.
“You look amazing,” Paige said.
“I feel amazing. I might even pick up a pair of red shoes,” Randi responded.
“I sell those too. I used to specialize only in lingerie, but once my customers started asking for sexier clothing, I expanded my range and naturally, added the shoes to complete the look.”
“That’s clever. I bet you have a bit of everything in stock.”
“I do. Every time a new shipment comes in, I get so excited. I have an idea of what to expect when I order it, but seeing it in person makes all the difference. Besides, who doesn’t want to look sexy for her man?”
“I agree. I’m a little nervous about dating Jack, but I’m hoping it leads to something good. He seems like a really nice guy; and very handsome,” Randi said with a grin. “Much like your husband, Nick; he’s very attractive.”
Paige laughed softly. “Yes, he is, but when we first met, I didn’t like him at all. I’ll have to fill you in on that story sometime, perhaps over lunch one day.”
“I’d love that, Paige. I don’t have any friends here just yet.”
“Well, you do now. Would you like to try on some shoes now or later?”
“Later. I need to get back to my shop, but I’ll return soon.”
“Okay. Once you’re changed, just bring them over and I’ll bag them up for you.”
“I do want to look for something else though. Maybe a nice dress.”
“Sure, change out of those and look around.” Paige smiled.
After leaving Paige’s, Randi headed back to her shop, where she found people waiting to come inside. She’d placed a sign in the window saying she was out to lunch and would be back in an hour, and she couldn’t help but smile as they looked at her.
“I’m here. Sorry, I got caught up with Paige,” she explained while unlocking the door and ushering them in.
A woman remarked, “I stopped by there yesterday and believe me, I spent way too much money, but every penny was worth it. I see you found something too.”
“I did. You could easily spend all day in there. Feel free to look around, and let me know if you need any help.”
“Is that sign true? You can create any fragrance?”
“Yes, any scent you want. I make candles with wicks and some without.”
“How do you light it?” The woman’s eyebrows rose, disappearing under her bangs.
“You set the jar on the warmer. You can use candles with wicks on there too. To me, it’s safer, but I do know that people like to use the wick. I sell the warmers too. The light slowly burns the candle, and it has a timer on it so you won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off,” Randi said as she pointed to a tall bookshelf against a wall.
“That’s amazing. I’m sure I’ll end up buying something.” The woman wandered through the showroom, then turned back. “How long does it take for you to craft something?”
“Just a few hours. It depends on exactly what it is and how many scents are added. I’ll be here on Sunday, making a little bit of everything.”
The woman picked up a bar of soap, held it to her nose, and inhaled deeply.
“Oh, my. This smells just like a bouquet of roses.”
Randi smiled. “It’s one of my favorites.”
“I must have a bar of this,” the woman declared, setting the soap down before picking up another one wrapped in paper.
“I also have bath salts in that very scent.”
“Sold!” The woman laughed, heading toward the display of bath salts.
When Saturday arrived, Randi felt incredibly nervous, even though, as a thirty-eight-year-old woman, she really shouldn’t be. It wasn’t exactly her first date.
“It’s your first date with Jack,” she murmured to herself, sincerely hoping that the night would go well and that he’d want to see her again. If things didn’t work out, she’d keep her distance. She longed for a man in her life, but not merely for the sake of having one.
Making her way to the bathroom, she planned to wash her hair and relax for a few hours before Jack arrived. A long, soothing soak always made her feel better.
****
Jack pulled his truck into the alley, shut it off, and stepped out. He picked up the rose from the seat and climbed the steps, feeling a rush of anxiety about the date. He hadn’t been on one in quite some time. When he reached the stoop, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door. It swung open, and he struggled to keep from groaning.
“You look beautiful,” he said, his eyes lingering over her form in a tight blue dress that clung to her curves. The dress was sleeveless, its hemline settling just above her knees, and she wore white stilettos that accentuated her fantastic legs. Meeting her gaze, he added, “Very beautiful.”
“Thank you, Jack. And you look very handsome. Please, come in.”
With a smirk, Jack removed his hat, wiped his feet on the welcome mat, and handed her the yellow rose as he entered the apartment. He was dressed in dark blue jeans, a red dress shirt, and cowboy boots. While he wasn’t one for fancy attire, he had made an effort for the occasion.
“For you,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you. I love roses. Let me put this in the fridge, and then we can head out.”
“All right.” Jack glanced around the apartment. “This is a nice place.”
“It’s quite convenient. Lydia told me that many of the old buildings on Main Street have apartments above for extra space—some use them for storage.”
“Lydia?” Jack tilted his head.
“She was my real estate agent, Lydia Griffin.”
“I had a different agent when I bought my house, but I think Lydia might be Colson’s wife. If I remember correctly, Piper is Sawyer’s wife.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Lydia never mentioned a husband, although I did notice she wore a gorgeous diamond next to a wedding band, but as for who her husband is, let alone who Piper and Sawyer are, I’m completely lost.”
Jack grinned. “Sawyer and Colson are veterinarian brothers who also run an equine hydrotherapy business.”
“I really don’t know.” Randi laughed.
“Well, maybe someday it’ll all make sense. We should get going if you’re ready; I don’t want to miss our reservation.”
Randi gathered her purse and keys and began walking toward him. Jack opened the door, took her keys to lock it, then returned them. Taking her hand, he led her down the stairs, opened the door for her on the passenger side, and kept hold of her hand until she was seated. Then he closed the door and moved to the driver’s side.
After settling into the seat, he smiled, started the truck, and drove them off toward the restaurant.
“I’m glad you didn’t pick me up in the cruiser,” Randi remarked.
Jack grinned. “I’m not permitted to use it for personal reasons. My truck will have to suffice.”
“It’s a nice truck. It even still smells new.”
“I bought it right before I moved back. My old one was on its last legs.”
“I’ve had my SUV for over five years. I love it and never want to let it go.”
“You do know that eventually it will be time to move on, right?” Jack teased.
Randi chuckled. “Yes, but I’m holding on as long as I can.”
Jack simply shook his head and kept driving until he reached the parking lot. Spotting an empty space, he pulled in before anyone else could grab it. After parking, he turned off the truck, stepped out, and walked around to open her door.
Extending his hand toward her, he felt her place hers into his, and in that moment, he didn’t want to ever let go. He looked deep into her eyes before briefly glancing at her lips. He longed to taste them, but he resolved to wait, not wanting to be forward, after all, it was always up to the woman. If she said no, she meant no.
They entered the restaurant and stopped at the podium, where they were asked if they had a reservation.
“Yes, under Lawrence.”
“Right this way, sir,” replied a young woman as she retrieved two menus and led them to a booth. Once they were seated, she set the menus on the table.
“Your server will be with you shortly. In the meantime, may I get you something to drink?”
After they placed their drink orders, Jack removed his hat, set it on the nearby bench, and ran his fingers through his hair. He noticed Randi staring at him.
“What?”
“I can’t decide which I prefer, you with your hat or without it.”
Jack laughed softly. “I rarely take it off. When I enter a home, sit down for a meal, sleep, or... well, there’s another time I remove it, but we won’t go there. This is our first date.” Randi laughed, causing him to grin. “I do hope it’s the first date of many, Randi, and that it goes well enough for there to be many more.”
“Me too. I like you, Jack. I actually heard a good reference about you.”
Jack raised an eyebrow. “Really? How did that happen?”
“I was at Paige’s. While I was telling Paige about my date, she mentioned she didn’t know you, but maybe her husband did.” Randi laughed. “He walked in at that moment, so she asked him. He said you were a good man and that he’d known you for years.”
“Oh? And who was that?”
“Nick Richards.”
Jack laughed. “Nick. I haven’t seen him in ages. He was always a good friend. I’ll have to thank him when I see him. I heard he got married, though that was another wedding I missed. I’d really like to meet his wife sometime. What kind of business does she own?”
“Paige’s is a lingerie shop,” Randi said with a playful smirk.
“A lingerie shop? And you were there?”
“Sure, I do appreciate lingerie like most women, though she also sells clothing and shoes, basically all sorts of attractive items.”
“Did you buy that dress there?”
“I did.”
“I like it.”
“Thank you. I do too, but I also picked up a black skirt and a red blouse. I plan to wear that the next time we go out.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind we will. Of course, that’s assuming you want to.”
“I’d like that too, but let’s see how dinner goes. What happens if we don’t like each other?” Randi replied.
Jack smirked. “I already know I like you; I’m leaving it in your hands.”
The server returned, took their orders, and walked away. Jack watched as Randi glanced around the restaurant.
“This is a nice place.”
“It is. They serve fantastic food. You’re going to love the shrimp scampi.”
“How often have you been here?”
“Not too many times since I moved, but that’s bound to change. I remember how great the food is.”
“It must be, given how packed it is.”
“That’s why you need a reservation. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?”
“I need to work on some things for the shop; more candles, bath salts, and soap. I’m nearly sold out.”
“How long does that take you?” Jack inquired.
“The soap itself doesn’t take a lot of time to make,” Randi explained, “but it has to be cured for several weeks. I’m not completely out yet, so I usually make it almost every other week. Bath salts can be whipped up in as little as fifteen minutes, depending on the ingredients. As for homemade candles, the time varies based on the wax type, but the active process, melting the wax, adding fragrance, and pouring it into a container, takes around ten to fifteen minutes. However, the entire process, including cooling and curing, can stretch over several hours to a few days. Soy wax candles solidify the fastest, while beeswax candles take the longest to fully cure.”
Intrigued, Jack asked, “How did you get into that?”
Randi smiled. “My grandmother. She used to make soap and candles in her kitchen. I added the bath salts to the mix. There’s not much to making those.”
“It sounds like she taught you a lot,” Jack observed, leaning back in the booth.
“She did,” Randi replied. “She and my grandfather mean the world to me. I hate living so far from them, but I just wanted to get away.”
“I can understand that.” Jack nodded sympathetically. “I hope you’re planning to stay.”
“I am,” she assured him, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Jack grinned. “Good.” He tilted his head playfully. “You’re blushing.”
“Stop,” Randi replied, trying to suppress a smile.
“I will, for now,” Jack teased, his tone light-hearted.
When their dinners arrived, the rich aroma of Jack’s rib-eye steak wafted through the air, making his mouth water. He watched Randi take a bite of her meal, and when she groaned in delight, he chuckled.
“I told you it was good,” he said with a grin.
“Good? This is fantastic,” Randi exclaimed, her eyes wide with appreciation. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome,” Jack replied, cutting into his steak. He speared a juicy piece and placed it in his mouth, savoring the flavor. When he moaned in satisfaction, Randi laughed.
****
Randi was enjoying herself immensely. The food was delicious, but it was the company that made the evening truly wonderful. She found it nearly impossible to take her eyes off Jack; he was incredibly handsome, and Nick had been right about him being a good man.
After dabbing her mouth with her napkin, she met his gaze with a smile, mirroring his raised eyebrow.
“Is your real name John? Or perhaps Jonathan?” she asked.
Setting his fork and knife aside, Jack replied, “John is my first name, but I’ve been called Jack my entire life.” He reached for his drink.
“Just John, no Jonathan?” she probed.
“Yeah, just John,” Jack said with a smirk. “John is actually my dad’s middle name. My full name is John Gregory Lawrence, and my father’s name is Gregory John Lawrence.”
“Was it your dad who began calling you Jack?” Randi inquired.
Jack chuckled, “Yes, my mother wasn’t too thrilled about it. She preferred John, but as you can see, my dad got his way. He explained that since his own father was named John, calling me John would just cause confusion.”
“Is your grandfather still around?” she continued.
“All my grandparents are still with us. They’re remarkably hardy,” Jack answered.
Randi laughed. “How old are they?”
“My paternal grandfather is eighty-four and my grandmother is eighty-three. On my mother’s side, my grandfather is eighty-six and my grandmother is eighty-four. They’re all in fantastic shape. My paternal grandparents even run a ranch, while the other two have been retired for years and now enjoy traveling. What about your other grandparents?” he asked.
“I never knew them. My mother didn’t share any information about my father with my grandparents.” Randi shrugged.
“I see. And do you ever hear from your mother?”
“Never. I constantly have this awful dream that one day she’ll return and try to reclaim me, even though I’m thirty-eight now.” Randi laughed.
Jack grinned, “I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t be able to take you back even if she tried. I wonder, though, if she ever thinks about you.”
Randi shrugged. “I don’t know, and frankly, I don’t care.”
“Your grandparents haven’t been in touch with her either?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Honestly, I have no idea if they’d tell me even if they had. They were so heartbroken by her, and I know they’d never risk upsetting me by mentioning any contact, or whatever it might be. I understand why she ran off; she was only sixteen, but I still wonder how she managed to move on with her life knowing she left a daughter behind. She could be married with children by now and still completely ignore me.”
Placing his hand gently over hers, Jack murmured, “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be, Jack. I’ve come to terms with it long ago. Still, I can’t quite wrap my head around it. It wasn’t only me. She hurt her parents too. They would have helped her,” Randi said as she picked up her fork and resumed eating. It was always a sensitive subject for her, acceptance came with time, but understanding it was an entirely different matter.