Chapter 3
Warm Texas nights.An infinite dark sky glittering with stars. With the soft breeze, crickets chirping in the background, and a little sweet tea, there was no better way to spend an evening.
New York was bright and alive and bustling. There was always something to do. When she’d arrived some ten years ago right out of high school, she’d instantly fallen in love.
Sitting on the Turner’s front porch, she was reminded of what she left behind and it suddenly hit her that she’d missed her home. Her mom had tainted her memories of the place, but there really was nothing else like it anywhere in the world.
The swing Ethan and Serenity occupied gave a small groan as they took a seat, and he pushed it into motion with his foot.
Jo had planned to ask them questions during dinner, but she’d quickly realized that she was the focus of the conversation, and it wasn’t shifting. Understandable since she’d been away from home for so long.
“So, I said I came into these interviews blind, and I meant it. If you don’t mind, I’ll probably ask questions you’ve answered a million times.”
Serenity brightened. “That’s okay. Ask away.”
During the next hour, Jo conducted her interview and found she really liked Serenity. The woman was sweet, intelligent, and relatable. She could see people talking to her and leaving as though they’d just made a new best friend, at least, that was how Jo felt by the time the interview was over.
“That was a lovely story.” Jo closed her notebook and laid her hands on top of it. “The proposal was super sweet.”
Serenity nodded. “It wasn’t super fancy, and I think that’s what I liked most about it. It was from the heart and simple, and I loved every bit of it.”
“I don’t think it’s about the plan or the ring,” Jo said. I think it’s about who is asking. The way you look at Ethan, he could have asked you in the middle of his living room, and you would have said yes.”
With a sniff, Serenity brushed her fingers under her eyes and nodded. “I would have.” She looked at Ethan, and there was no denying that the two of them were madly in love. “I’ve never loved anyone more in my life.” They shared a quick peck on the lips, and Serenity returned her attention to Jo. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine.” She smiled. “So, what is your schedule for the wedding?”
“I have a few days before I need to return to L.A. for a press tour, so I have nothing yet. No venue, dress, nothing. The people of this town have been so lovely to me that I want to support the local businesses here. My bridesmaids are arriving tomorrow morning, and we’ll be trying on dresses. I’ve already been in contact with the bridal shop, and she has dresses pulled for us. I’m almost positive I’ve picked my dress, but I need to try it on. Then, we’ll be checking out the church and a potential venue for the reception. I’ve got a meeting with the florist, the baker, and the caterer scheduled for the next three days, and then I’ll fly out on Monday and return in three weeks so we can finalize things. If nothing goes wrong, we’ll be married that Sunday.”
Jo shook her head. “Wow. You’re organized.” She’d text Delia and let her know the schedule, too.
“No, my assistant is organized.” She chuckled. “She helped me get things lined up. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, and most of the details will be hashed out before the weekend, so I have a chance to catch my breath and spend a little time with Ethan that isn’t scheduled. With Wishing Well being such a small town, I wanted to give them as much time as possible to get things ready.”
“I’m sure they’re thrilled to be working with you on your wedding, and they appreciate the support.” She exhaled and wrapped her arms around her notebook, pulling it to her chest. “I think that’s all I need at the moment. Would you mind if I tagged along for the dress fitting tomorrow? I’d love to interview your bridesmaids.”
“Oh, that would be great.”
Standing, Jo smoothed out her skirt. “Okay, text me when you’re on your way to the shop, and I’ll meet you there,” she said moseying over to the steps.
“I will, and thanks.”
Jo waved as she started down the steps.
Jack set his glass of tea down on the table situated between their chairs and stood. “Did you drive here?”
Drive here? She scanned the driveway and noted the single cab pickup. That was far too cozy, and she was entirely too awkward to chance a ride to her grandma’s house with Jack.
She waved him off. “Oh, no, it’s a nice night. I’ll just walk.”
“Well, then, I can walk you.” He smiled. “Just to make sure you get there safely.”
Walk her home? A little safer, but not much. There was tripping on roots, or in her case, air. What if she snorted like a pig? Ran into a tree? Said something stupid? The possibilities of embarrassing herself were endless.
All set to flatly turn him down, she lifted her gaze. Was that hopefulness in his eyes? How could she say no to him? “Sure.” There was a chance she was reading into it, but she was pretty sure her mouth was going to buck against denying herself the opportunity to let him walk her home.
Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she hemmed and hawed a moment as she lowered her gaze to the floor once again. This time, she looked up, and he was gazing into her eyes like she’d done him the favor, which was complete nonsense.
“Well, I’ll get going. Thank you, Serenity and Ethan. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jo trotted down the steps, and Jack followed her. They walked in silence for a few moments. Tree leaves sashayed in the breeze, giving off a sound like rain.
“So, New York. Pretty big city in comparison to Wishing Well. Have you liked living there?” asked Jack.
“Yeah, I’ve loved it the moment I got there. The people, the hustle and bustle.”
Jack stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Sounds hectic.”
She laughed. “Yeah, it can be, but there’s so much to do.” She paused a beat. “Although I have to admit, it’s nice being back. The peace and calm. I didn’t realize how much I missed it.” She glanced at him. “I thought I heard that you were going to California on a scholarship. How did you like it?”
He grunted. “Well, for the short three months I was there, it was great.”
“Three months?”
“We were doing a practice, I lunged for the ball, and landed wrong on my foot and ruptured my Achilles and somehow managed to throw a little permanent nerve damage in there. Ended my career before it really even started.”
She’d had no idea he’d been injured. When she saw him at her grandma’s house, she’d just assumed he hadn’t made it, not that the career was snatched from him.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Jack shrugged. “Eh, it is what it is. I… I love my life. I mean, I was angry at first. Disappointed. Rehab was a bear. I’d banked on football and never thought I’d be facing a life without it.”
She couldn’t begin to imagine the grief. “That must have been so hard.”
“At first, it was. I went from having my life mapped out to wondering what to do with myself.”
“Looks like you’ve done okay.”
“I have. It started with carving wood, making tables and desks, and moved to contracting and renovations.”
She looked at him. “Carving wood?” She had to admit she was a little more than shocked.
Nodding, he replied, “Yeah, I couldn’t do much as far as getting around, but my dad had this rolling stool in his shop. I started teaching myself to have something to do.”
“That’s awesome. Maybe you can show me sometime.”
“Maybe.” Something in his voice made her glance at him. A wrinkle between his eyes and the downturn of his lips gave her the feeling that he’d shown someone, and it hadn’t gone well. It was sad, especially knowing how his football career ended.
“I promise if you show me, I’ll be gentle.”
That elicited a soft laugh. “Still going with maybe for now.”
She smiled. “Okay.” She shrugged. “I felt the same way when I first started taking pictures. I wanted to be a better photographer, but sometimes people were heavy-handed with their criticism. It made it hard to keep pursuing it sometimes.”
He looked at her, and his mouth dropped open. “Now I remember you. You took a bunch of the yearbook photos.”
“Yeah, that was me.”
“You did a good job.”
She gave him a side-eye. “As if you remember that.”
He palmed the spot over his heart. “I… Okay, fine, I don’t remember.”
Bumping him with her shoulder, he stumbled and quickly righted himself.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I was a bit of a wallflower. I took the photos as quickly as I could and jetted.”
“I was probably goofing off with my friends and wasn’t paying attention.”
They reached her front porch, and she turned to face him. “I think we were all like that in our own way. We were kids. Caught up in our own problems. Self-centered and stupid.”
He snorted. “You got the stupid part right.”
They laughed together, and it slowly died to an almost awkward silence. “Well, I guess I better get inside,” Jo said.
His gaze held hers as he shot her a half smile, and her stomach dipped and dived. That was one fantastic smile. “Yeah, I probably need to get back too. I guess… I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah, see you around.” Jo turned and tried not to run up the steps. When she got to the front door, she opened the screen door and paused. “Thanks again for walking me home.”
Jack stopped and turned. “My pleasure, Jo.”
She slipped inside the house, and it was all she could do not to squeal like a high school girl. Jack Turner. Smoking hot, absolutely sweet, Jack Turner.
“Oh, someone had a good night,” her grandma said as she walked into the living room.
Swallowing hard, Jo cleared her throat. “Oh, it was great. The interview went well.”
“Didn’t hurt that Jack walked you home either, huh?”
“Oh, well… he was just being nice.”
A tiny smile appeared on her grandma’s lips. “He is a nice young man.”
Jo pointed to the stairs. “Uh, well, I’d better get to bed. Serenity wants me to meet her and her bridesmaids tomorrow for lunch and then dress shopping.”
“Sure, honey. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Taking the steps two at a time, Jo hoped she did see a little more of Jack before she left. He was just as kind and sweet now as he was in high school. He certainly made Wishing Well infinitely more palatable.
Oh, what was she even thinking? She was there to interview a bride, get the details about the wedding, and then fly home. Jack was great, but so was her life in New York.
Besides, it was better for all involved if she stuck with her assignment and left as unentangled as she was when she arrived.