Chapter 12
FOX
The sun rises over the strangler figs bordering my property while I pry off and replace the broken boards on the dock. I started work on my property early this morning—after Angelita came to Mom’s house for the early day shift, and I could slip away from Mom.
Although I didn’t mention it to Wren, I saw the sketch of my pond on her coffee table. I don’t want her to think she can’t visit and have the privacy she’s probably seeking, but I want her to be safe if she visits again.
I haven’t been back to my property in months.
Maybe closer to a whole year. I’d been thinking about selling it after I finished expanding the spring-fed creek into a pond, building it out by hand, and then landscaping around it.
The property wasn’t just for me. It was for my family.
My wife, me, maybe a few kids. Or—since I’m not getting any younger—me, my wife, a passel of dogs and a house cat.
Selling the parcel of land would give me a pretty penny even without further repairs or renovations.
And anything around here that isn’t marsh land is snapped up quickly.
I get offers all the time. I don’t need the money, though.
I simply decided I needed to set the dream aside—the wife, the family, the passel of dogs and the house cat.
The wife was the only part of the equation, besides me, that was necessary to make a move from May Ranch.
And it was looking like the wife wasn’t happening.
But then I met Wren, and although it’s only been two days, and I’m not a fool, I’ve been feeling like I might want to wait to sell the land after all.
Maybe I am a fool. But I’m not going to let her slip away before I give us a solid chance to get to know each other. If I haven’t blown it.
After I run home for a quick shower, I follow the same route back to town that Wren would take on her bike. I’m running later than I wanted, but I was hoping to pretend like I just happened to be passing by, so I could cajole her into riding into town with me.
I’ve been kicking myself on not telling Wren that “my date” was with Mom—a last-minute emergency because Carmel’s daughter went into labor.
And even worse than not making it clear that I was spending the night with a woman but it was my mom, I blew my chances even more when I stood there like an idiot after she told me she danced professionally.
I want to tell her I don’t care if she was a stripper or not.
It caught me off guard, and I just didn’t know how to respond.
I want to get to know Wren better. I like being with her.
And I haven’t felt this way about anyone for a long time.
I’m too out of practice.
Who am I kidding? I wouldn’t stand a chance with her even if I did everything right.
As I’m taking the turnoff to skirt past downtown Paradise Springs, my phone jingles. I answer on speaker because it’s Carmel.
“My daughter had a little girl, Mr. Fox.”
“Congratulations! Everything okay?”
“It’s more than okay here. But Angelita and I are shifting the schedule around so someone can be with your mom at all times until you find one more lady to fill in when there’s an emergency.
Angelita said her daughter, Bella, can cover tonight, if you’re okay with that.
Bella’s good, Mr. Fox. She’s young. But she’s patient, and she’ll be good at diverting your mom when she’s getting her mind set on something.
” She pauses. “But neither one of them can come in for the day shift tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry about it. Mom and I did fine last night. I’ll bring her to the ranch tomorrow, if she’s up to it, or we’ll stay at her place. You go spend time with your new granddaughter. I’ll call the other lady you recommended. We’ll miss you here, but stay in Atlanta for as long as you need.”
I hear the smile in her voice when she says, “Thank you, Mr. Fox.”
I park in front of Boots and Bikinis, my first stop. After I purchase what I need, I get back in my pickup and drive downtown.
Wren’s sitting on the bench on the edge of the town square, coffee in hand, wearing her sunhat and enormous sunglasses.
She’s leaning back, her legs stretched out in front of her, and I’m surprised she isn’t stopping traffic with those legs.
I pull into a parking spot nearest to the bench and hop out.
“I hope you don’t think I’m stalking you.” I sit down on the bench next to her, my heart thumping in my chest because she could think that I’m coming on too fast and too hard and maybe she really does consider me an ass now after how I acted yesterday.
“How was your date last night?” she says, her eyes roaming my face. “That good, huh? You look exhausted.”
“I have another date right now.”
“Oh.”
I’m not going to lie—seeing the disappointment in her eyes makes me feel a spark of relief and happiness.
“You want to come with me?”
“That’s not really my thing,” she says.
I slide the hat box from Boots and Bikinis onto her lap.
“What’s this?”
“A hat box.”
“You want me to hold your new hat on my lap for you while you go on your date?”
“That hat doesn’t fit me.”
“So… you’re returning it?”
“Instead of asking me a bunch of annoying questions, you could open the box and look inside. It’s for you. It’s an apology hat… for last night. I should have explained where I was going, and I didn’t.”
“It’s none of my business,” she says, her voice tight.
“I was with my mom last night, Wren. That’s why I had to cancel dinner with you. My mom’s caregiver’s daughter was in labor and had to leave. I should have explained where I was going. My mom can’t be safely left alone.”
She looks up at me, her eyes filled with compassion. “I’m sorry, John.”
“Thank you,” I say gruffly, and she slides a hand over mine.
“Also—” I meet her eyes, so she can see the sincerity on my face. “About your profession… you know, dancing.”
“John—”
“No, let me explain. I like you, Wren. I want to get to know you. I want to spend as much time with you as I can until you leave. I’m hoping I didn’t blow it last night.”
“John—”
“Wait. I want to get to know you, but if you think you can’t talk to me because you think I’m an arrogant, judgmental jerk—”
“John. You didn’t blow it.” She leans over and kisses me on the cheek. “But for the record, I’m… I mean, I was a ballerina.”
I stare at her. “Oh.”
She lets go of my hand and hugs the hat box. “Do I still get to keep this beautiful apology hat box?”
“The gift is inside the box. It’s not the box itself.”
“Yes, but nobody’s ever given me a hat box before, and it’s so lovely. I don’t even need to see what’s inside.”
“You drive me crazy, you know that? Unless you want me to take those damn sunglasses off you, so I can kiss you properly, open the hatbox.”
She pulls the lid off and sets it to the side before peering down at the contents. “This is even more gorgeous than the box.” She fingers the stitching. “Did you secretly measure my head when I wasn’t looking?”
“I eyeballed it. And Skye helped. She’s real good at eyeballing sizes. If it doesn’t fit or you don’t like the design or color, I’ll take you with me to Boots and Bikinis and get you another. You can try it on later, though. No hurry.”
She leans over and gives me another kiss on the cheek then whispers in my ear, “Thank you. I really love it.” She puts the lid on and hugs the hat box, a huge grin on her face.
“I have to stop in real quick at Greene’s to talk to Rena. After that, though, I got a couple free hours and that date I was talking about was with you and a plate of food. Maybe some pie.”
She stares down at her knees for a few moments before looking back up at me. “I don’t know. I’m pretty busy doing nothing.”
I grin down at her. “My pickup’s outside of Seventh Heaven. I can meet you there. Bring your bike, and I’ll throw it in the truck.” I lope away, calling back behind me, “I know you’re looking. You just can’t help it, can you?”