Chapter 54
“Are we going to talk about tomorrow?”
Jake’s hand tightens around mine as we walk down Martha Street, heading for the path along Great Valley Creek. The first signs of sunset paint the sky in gold and rose, soaking the town in a warm glow, and creating a beautiful backdrop behind the mountains for this walk with the dogs.
It’s a shame to spoil such a moment with talk of the trustee meeting tomorrow, but I can’t stop thinking about it.
Tomorrow, this lovely bubble we’ve been living in will burst, once and for all. There won’t be any more ways to delay the inevitable, our time is finally up as just Jake and Lucy.
“I think we talk about tomorrow when it comes,” he replies calmly.
But I see it in his eyes, the flicker of worry. In a way it’s reassuring that I’m not alone in this feeling, considering how much is out of our control.
“That’s very pragmatic of you.”
Bear tugs on his leash in my hand, but Jake steadies me with his hold on my other. Dragging his thumb back and forth across my skin, he sends a chill up my arm. “Hmm, pragmatic? I was going for—”
We’ve come to the intersection of Martha and Monroe, and Jake digs in his heels to bring us all to an abrupt stop. With our intertwined hands, he tugs me back into his side. As if trying to shield me from something.
The dogs sense his shift in mood, no longer tugging on their leashes to lead the way, but instead doubling back to us.
“What is going on?” I whisper, my eyes darting around for any perceived threat.
But he’s staring straight ahead. To the two men walking out of the vacant brewery.
I recognize the first as a trustee member, Mitchell. The second is a stranger. A man I’ve never seen before. Yet there’s something unnervingly familiar about his appearance.
“What’s going on,” Jake says in a hollow voice, “is that my father has decided to grace us with his presence after all.”
My mouth falls open as I look between the man at my side and the one across the street. Of course, they look similar, but what strikes me the most is that Richard has the same open demeanor. Nothing about him is glaringly mean.
In fact, he looks rather… warm. Like his son. Especially when his head turns our way, notices Jake, and smiles.
I’m not sure what I expected, maybe someone that fits the vision of villain more. But not this.
“Jake!” He lifts his hand in greeting and starts our way.
“Jake?” I echo softer. “Have you gone into shock?”
His jaw loosens, and the corner of his mouth ticks up. “Yes. There’s a very good possibility you need to revive me.”
I wiggle my hand from his grasp to slap his arm, but he quickly catches it once more. “I need this,” he murmurs, lacing our fingers together and holding on for dear life.
Richard’s eyes track the movement with laser focus as he approaches. When the corner of his mouth lifts, I get my first glimpse of his sinister side. This smirk doesn’t remind me of Jake at all.
“I knew you seemed distracted but couldn’t imagine this is what I’d find.”
“Dad,” Jake replies, his voice clipped. “What brings you to town?”
The elder Carpenter scoffs. “Business, obviously. Someone has to put work into this final push, and it clearly isn’t going to be you.”
“Well, no one pushes like you.”
My eyes ping pong between father and son, watching the verbal sparring happenings at an astounding rate. The worst part, though, is that Richard didn’t even seem happy to see his son once the trustee was gone. It had been for show.
I couldn’t imagine going three months without seeing my parents. And then to have a reunion like this?
My hand clutches harder to Jake’s.
“Richard Carpenter,” he says, his attention now focused on me.
“Lucy Hart?” I reply, unsure if he was really looking for an introduction.
Jake’s half smile returns at that, a significant victory all things considered.
“Lucy, if you’ll excuse us, my son and I have serious work to do this evening. I’m sure you understand.”
“I don’t understand,” Jake cuts in.
Richard adjusts his tie in annoyance, and I try to imagine Jake wearing this same charcoal suit and plain red tie to work every day. It’s hard to picture.
“I convinced the board members to have one last individual meeting with each bidder before the public decision tomorrow evening. A chance for me to get in front of them and truly pitch our case.”
“If you’re concerned with my ability to do my job, then you don’t need me to prepare you tonight,” Jake replies calmly. “But it’s good to see you, Dad.”
And without waiting for his father to say another word, he guides us around the stunned man standing in the middle of the sidewalk with a lightness in his step.
I wait until we’re across Monroe and on the path down by the river. And with the coast surely clear by now, I ask, “How bad is it that he’ll be meeting with the board tomorrow?”
Jake lets out a long, strangled sigh. “Well, you know those ordinances I’ve been studying religiously?”
“I do.”
“Let’s just say I have been looking for ways to kill the deal, not seal it.”
My heart sinks like a lead weight. “I don’t think I want to talk about tomorrow anymore,” I mutter.
Lifting our joined hands to his lips, he drops a kiss to my knuckles before turning it upright and pressing another into my palm.
“Tonight,” he says resolutely, “we are still simply Jake and Lucy.”
The problem is, that’s all I ever want to be now.