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  Derek said, “I’ll see you at church.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  He tapped the screen to end the call, then slipped the phone into his pocket. As he turned, Miss Trouble appeared through the doggy door. She barked at Boomer, who waited obediently near the trunk of a tall tree. Boomer shivered with excitement, his tail sweeping the ground, but he didn’t move until Nick said, “Free.” Then Boomer darted across the barnyard to the white picket fence, and the two dogs pressed their noses together through the slats. Like old friends, the two of them.

  Nick smiled again. That’s how he felt too. His time in the area had been brief, but he already felt at home in this small town. He’d made good friends—perhaps lifelong friends— Derek Johnson being one of them.

  “Let’s go, Boomer.”

  He walked toward his truck. The dog ran on ahead of him, sailing up onto the lowered tailgate and to his favorite spot near the cab. Once Nick was behind the wheel, he stopped to wonder what to do with the rest of his Friday afternoon. He wasn’t ready to head back to his rental house. There wasn’t anything awaiting him there. Not even breakfast dishes to wash. He was still trying to decide when his phone rang. When he looked at it, his mom smiled back at him from the screen.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hi, hon. Have I caught you at a bad time?”

  “No. I’ve finished work early and was about to leave the jobsite.”

  “That’s good. How are you feeling? You aren’t working too hard, are you?”

  He smiled. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m feeling great and taking care of myself. I promise.” He paused before asking, “What’s on your mind?”

  “It’s about Rudy.”

  Rudy was Nick’s youngest brother. “What about him?”

  “He’s getting married.”

  “What?”

  “Rudy’s getting married. In Boise.”

  Nick felt rising confusion threatening to overwhelm him, and he gripped the steering wheel with his free hand. His mom’s words weren’t making sense. Rudy didn’t live in Idaho. He lived in Denver. Why would he get married in Boise? And to whom?

  “Honey, it’s one of those whirlwind romances. We haven’t even met the girl yet.”

  That made him feel a little less confused. No wonder it didn’t make sense to him.

  “Rudy and Chelsea—that’s her name: Chelsea Lord—met in Las Vegas at a convention about a month ago. She lives in the Phoenix area, but her parents live in Boise, so that’s where they’re having the wedding.”

  “When?” He asked the question with a niggle of fore-boding.

  “Next Saturday. A week from tomorrow.”

  “He’s only known her a month,” he said softly. “And they’re getting married next week?”

  “I know, but he won’t listen to anything your father or I have to say. Anyway, he intends to ask you to be his best man since you’re there in Caldwell and can easily drive to Boise. I thought you should know so it wouldn’t come as a complete surprise when he calls you.”

  Most of the time Nick didn’t like his mother to hover over him, even from a distance. In this case he was thankful for the heads-up. “I’m glad you told me, Mom. I take it you’re coming to the wedding.”

  “Yes, if they go through with it, we’ll be there. We’re still hoping they’ll come to their senses and put it off for another six months at least. We have no reason to object to them getting married. Just to them doing it so soon.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye. After ending the call, Nick stared through the windshield, mulling over the news about his kid brother. Rudy . . . getting married. He couldn’t wrap his head around it. That would make Nick the only bachelor in the family.

  And just like that, he thought of Samantha. Again. Over a week had passed since he’d seen her at Sips and Scentimentals. He’d looked for her at church a few days later—his second Sunday to attend Thunder Creek Community—but she hadn’t been there as she had been the week before. His disappointment had been keen. Unreasonable, even.

  Unreasonable. That was a good word for him to remember. He gave his head a shake, then reached for the key in the ignition.

  Samantha followed her grandmother through the open automatic doors of the medical building. Once outside, Gran stopped her scooter and looked up at the sky. “Thank You, Jesus,” she said with a grin.

  Samantha didn’t have to ask what Gran meant. The cast had been removed by the surgeon, and Dr. Smith had opted not to put on a second cast as Gran had expected. Instead, her grandmother was in a large, black boot. One she would have to wear for another ten weeks at least. The ankle couldn’t bear weight, even with the boot, but at least Gran could scratch when something itched, as she’d said in the examination room.

  “Why don’t you wait here and I’ll drive the car over,” Samantha suggested.

  Before Gran could answer, the doors opened behind them. Samantha glanced over her shoulder, thinking they might be in the way. Her eyes widened when she saw who was exiting the building.

  “Hey, there.” Derek sounded as surprised as Samantha felt. His arm, already around Brooklyn’s shoulders, tightened, slight but noticeable, as his gaze shifted to their grandmother. “Look who’s not wearing a cast.” He grinned. “How does it feel, Gran?”

  “Heavenly. And what a nice surprise to run into you. Or were you looking for us?”

  “No.” Derek glanced at Brooklyn, who nodded. “We were here to see a doctor ourselves.”

  Gran’s smile faded. “Everything all right?”

  “Everything’s perfect. And it’ll be even better in about six and a half months.” His eyes twinkled. “We’re about to make you a great-grandmother again, come December.”

  Gran released a squeal of joy. Samantha gasped in surprise. Then everybody was laughing and hugging and talking over each other.

  When things quieted down, Gran said, “Do you have to go home right away, or can we celebrate? There’s a restaurant down the street that has great pies. I’ll buy.”

  “How can we pass that up?” Derek looked at Brooklyn for confirmation.

  “I’d love to,” she said.

  As Samantha followed Gran toward the car, she realized that her happiness for her cousin and his wife, although real, was mingled with envy. She was ashamed of the feeling. She didn’t begrudge her favorite cousin this additional joy in his life, but Derek and Brooklyn’s happiness left her feeling more alone and unloved than she cared to admit.

  Of course, she was neither of those things, but the feeling persisted all the same.

  Chapter 9

  Nick was drying Boomer after a bath when he got the anticipated call from his younger brother. He dropped the towel on the bathroom floor and picked up his cell phone from the counter. “Hey, Rudy.”

  “Hey, Nick.”

  “What’s up?”

  Rudy laughed. “You aren’t going to pretend that Mom hasn’t called you already.”

  “No. You’re right. That would be a waste of time.”

  “Yeah. That’s what I thought too.”

  Nick motioned for Boomer to come and led the way out-side to the kennel so the dog could finish drying in the sun.

  “Will you do it, bro?” Rudy asked, not bothering to add any details.

  “Do you mean be your best man?”

  “Yes.”

  “Next Saturday?”

  “Yes.”

  He opened the gate to the kennel. “I guess you’re going through with the wedding. Mom and Dad haven’t changed your mind.”

  “Not even for a second. I love Chelsea. I know she’s the girl for me.”

  Nick was eight years older than Rudy. He remembered the day their folks had brought the baby boy home from the hospital—a red-faced, squalling infant wrapped in a pink, blue, and white-striped blanket, a tiny blue knitted cap on his head. He remembered the toddler he’d pushed into a pile of snow beside the driveway, making him laugh. He remembered giving Rudy, a young tee
nager by then, advice about girls. Despite the near decade that separated their ages and the miles that had physically separated them later, they were best friends. And one thing Nick knew for certain about his best friend: Rudy could be as stubborn as the day was long. Good sense be hanged.

  “What do you need me to do?” he asked as he walked back to the house.

  “There’s a rehearsal on Friday at five o’clock, followed by dinner at six thirty. You’ll need to be there for both of those. Mom and Dad will be there too. At least in time for dinner on Friday. They’re driving over.”

  “Yeah. Mom said they’d be there.”

  “Hey, bring a date if you know somebody.”

  He thought of Samantha. It no longer surprised him that he did so.

  “The ceremony’s going to be on Saturday. Late morning. You’ll need to be at the church by nine, I think. I’m hoping Jeff and Peter will make it for the wedding. It would be great if all us brothers could be there.”

  Nick wondered if that was likely. Jeff lived in North Carolina. Peter lived in Connecticut. And they hadn’t had a lot of warning.

  Rudy continued, “I haven’t talked to either of them yet. Maybe Mom has, like she did you. Either way, not much notice for them to make flight reservations.”

  Just what Nick had thought. “What am I supposed to wear for the wedding?”

  “That part’s easy. Nice pair of jeans and some good boots. I’ll have your shirt for you. We’re going with a casual western theme, all the way. No time or desire to wear morning suits or tuxes or whatever. But dress up a bit for the dinner on Friday. You know, a regular suit. Nothing more.”

  Inside the house, Nick grabbed paper and pen and sat down at the kitchen table.

  “Bring a date to the wedding too,” Rudy added. “Not just the rehearsal dinner. There’s gonna be dancing at the reception.”

  Samantha’s image filled Nick’s thoughts a second time since the call had begun. “Tell me where I’m supposed to go and the times I need to be there. I need specifics.”

  Rudy rattled off the information.

  “Okay. I’ve got it.”

  “Hey, Nick.” Rudy’s voice was softer now. “How are you doing? Really. I haven’t seen you since Thanksgiving.”

  “I’m doing good, bro.”

  “I wish there was going to be time to get together, but my future in-laws have us booked from the moment the plane touches down.”

  “It’s okay. It’s gotta be crazy, trying to organize a wedding this fast.”

  Rudy didn’t rise to the bait.

  The call ended a short while later. None of the four brothers in the Chastain family were good communicators when it came to the telephone. They definitely didn’t go in for small talk. Their calls were mostly about checking in: I’m good. You good? Fine. Glad to hear it. Bye.

  As Nick set the phone on the table next to the paper of written directions, Rudy’s voice echoed once more in his head. “Bring a date.” Nick hadn’t been on a date in over two years. He could go alone, of course. Nothing said he had to have a date. And yet having one appealed to him on several levels. First, it would make his mom happy and might stop her from worrying about him. But he didn’t want to ask just any girl to go with him. In the end there was only one he could imagine taking to his brother’s wedding. Would Samantha be his date if he asked her?

  Determination stiffened his jaw. He got up from the chair, grabbed the keys to his truck, and headed out the door.

  Samantha opened the back door and entered the house, carrying a bouquet of cut roses from the garden. She soon had them arranged in a vase, then took them into the living room.

  “Look what I brought you, Gran.”

  “Oh, sweetheart. How beautiful.”

  Samantha set the vase on the coffee table where her grandmother would have easy view of the flowers.

  “I miss being in the garden. Summer will be nearly over by the time I’m able to move about the yard.”

  Samantha was about to comment when her phone announced a text message. A glance told her it was from Daniel Greyson. It was the third one today. Didn’t the man know it was Saturday? For that matter, didn’t he know she was on leave?

  “Is something wrong?” Gran asked.

  Samantha shook her head.

  “Then why are you frowning?”

  “Am I?” Samantha rubbed the furrow between her brows. “I guess I am. But it’s nothing urgent. My boss is looking for some information.” She slipped her phone back into her pocket. “I’ll get back to him in a bit.”

  “Dear, may I ask you something?”

  “Sure. What?”

  But before her grandmother could pose her question, the doorbell rang. “Hold that thought, Gran.” She went to answer it, expecting it to be one of Gran’s friends. Perhaps someone bringing another casserole hot from the oven or a knitted prayer shawl or—

  “Hi, Sam.” Nick stood on the front porch.

  She’d missed him over the last week. Without hardly realizing it, the missing had been there. “Nick.”

  “Is that Nick Chastain?” Gran called. “Bring him in, dear. Don’t leave him standing on the porch.”

  Samantha stepped back, opening the door wide.

  He gave her a nod before moving past her. Once inside, he went straight to the living room and toward Gran’s chair. “You’re looking good, Mrs. Johnson.”

  “I thought we’d settled that. I’m Ruth to my friends.”

  Samantha couldn’t see his expression, but something told her Nick’s smile widened at her grandmother’s words.

  He took Gran’s proffered hand. “Look at that. You don’t have a cast.”

  “It came off yesterday, and I’m so relieved. The boot’s a little more comfortable than the cast.” She motioned to the nearest easy chair. “Derek tells me you’ve joined the men’s group at church.”

  Nick nodded as he sat on the indicated chair.

  “That means you’ll spend more time in Thunder Creek than in Caldwell. Good for us.”

  Samantha’s heart fluttered at the news.

  “I suppose it does,” Nick answered. “I prefer small towns. Not that Caldwell is a metropolis, but it doesn’t compare to Thunder Creek.”

  Gran’s eyes twinkled with civic pride. “Nothing compares to my town, young man.” She turned her gaze toward Samantha. “Come in and join us, Sam.”

  She did so, settling on the far end of the sofa.

  For the next fifteen minutes or so, Gran plied Nick with friendly questions about his hometown and his family and his work. Samantha listened, too, in some ways feeling as if this was the first time she’d heard his answers. But maybe it wasn’t the answers but the listening that was different. Her eyes narrowed as she mulled that uncomfortable thought around in her head. Hadn’t she listened to him before?

  “Sam?” Her grandmother’s voice pulled her back to the present.

  “Yes?”

  “Nick says he’s here to ask you a favor.”

  Her gaze moved from Gran to Nick. “What’s that?”

  “Turns out my kid brother, Rudy, is getting married in Boise next weekend, and I need a date for both Friday night and a good portion of Saturday.”

  A date? Her pulse skittered. “I didn’t know your brother lived in Boise.”

  “He doesn’t. His fiancée’s parents live there.”

  A date? Would that be wise? She glanced at her grandmother again. “I don’t know if I should go. You—”

  “Nonsense,” Gran interrupted. “About the only thing I can’t do for myself now is drive or maneuver steps. I’ll be fine. And you know Camila is never far away.”

  Nick stood. “You would be doing me a favor, Sam. I’d like to go with a friend instead of stag. I won’t know anybody there other than my parents and my brother.”

  Friends. So not really a date. Her pulse settled back to normal. Not a date. That was good to know and better for both of them. It was what she’d wanted, to move from forgiveness to friendship
.

  Gran said, “Weddings are wonderful occasions. Go with him, Sam. You’ll have a good time.”

  Two years ago she’d longed to meet his family. And even though the reason had been different back then, it would still be nice to know the people who had raised him. “All right. I’ll go with you. What time?”

  Ruth shifted from the chair to the knee scooter and then rolled to the living room window, observing her granddaughter as she said good-bye to Nick. She had a good feeling about that young man, especially after their brief visit this afternoon. And from the expression that had flashed across Samantha’s face when Nick had asked her to be his date for the wedding, her granddaughter’s feelings for him were definitely not a thing of the past.

  Samantha was walking back toward the house when Ruth saw Nick open his pickup door again and get out. She thought for a moment he meant to say something more to her granddaughter. But instead, he rounded the cab of his truck and went across the street. That’s when she noticed a young woman, toddler in arms, standing beside a car. Nick spoke to the woman, then reached through the open window.

  What on earth was he doing? She had her answer a short while later after he used the keys to retrieve a spare tire from the trunk of the automobile.

  Ruth hadn’t noticed at first that Samantha had stopped and turned. Now her granddaughter was the one who watched Nick as he helped out a stranger in need. He jacked up the car, removed the flat, replaced it, and then lowered the car again. Samantha’s profile and posture spoke volumes to her grandmother.

  No, Ruth thought with conviction, Samantha’s feelings for Nick aren’t a thing of the past. But what, if anything, should she try to do about it?

  Chapter 10

  Brooklyn insisted on taking Samantha shopping. “It might be casual, but it’s still a wedding,” Brooklyn had replied when Samantha tried to say a trip to the mall wasn’t necessary. Once they were in Brooklyn’s car on the way to Boise, Samantha realized she was glad she’d agreed to go with her. She didn’t want to wear any old thing when she met Nick’s parents and younger brother.