Small-Town Bachelor

“I have three brothers. In and out of the hospital all the time growing up. I’m also a vet tech.”

Her brothers had been at the rehearsal dinner. They seemed like fun guys. “What’s a vet tech? Something with cats, dogs and computers?”

“Something like that, minus the computers. I’m a veterinary technician at a local clinic now.”

“Is it temporary or something?”

Pink tinted her cheeks. “No, it’s permanent, but ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to work for the zoo. I’ve volunteered there for years. A position is opening up later this summer.”

“Why don’t you work there already?”

She averted her eyes. “I had a chance once. But I turned it down. I won’t again.” She picked at the edge of the gauze on her hand. “Jobs are hard to come by at our zoo. They don’t have a large budget, and when they hire someone, the person tends to stay.”

He shrugged. “Work for a different zoo, then.”

Her blank stare bored into him for a solid three seconds. Why was she looking at him as if he’d turned green?

“What?” he asked. “What did I say?”

“There aren’t any other zoos around here.”

“So? Move.”

“Nope.” She brushed her hands together in a dismissive motion. “Did that once. Lost my dream job and my heart in one fell swoop. I’m staying here, in Lake Endwell, where I belong. But hey, I didn’t come in here to bore you with my life story.”

Boring? Claire? Not possible. There had to be more behind her tale. One he wanted to hear someday.

“What’s next?” she asked. “I mean, what happens now with your leg and all?”

What was next? Dinner, a movie, a good-night kiss? What was it about her that mellowed him? Brought out his playful side?

Her mention of losing her heart must have jarred his brain. Talk about bad timing for getting the urge to flirt. Maybe the painkillers were messing with his head.

“I was supposed to be off to Alaska. Looks like I’m heading back to Chicago instead.”

“Alaska?” Her voice rose on the last syllable. “Why?”

He sighed. It rankled—having to cancel the trip. “I always wanted to explore the wilderness. Get back to nature for a month. Ride the ferries. See whales. Fish.”

“I’m sorry, Reed.” She did look sorry. “Sounds like something you’ve been planning for a long time.”

“Yeah. Well, what do you do?”

Neither spoke as muffled conversations of doctors and nurses in the hallway and beeping sounds filtered through the room. Then she perked up.

“You can stay here. We have wilderness—well, a lake anyway. And Granddad’s cottage is handicap accessible. You can fish off the end of the dock.”

He didn’t mean to grimace, but staying in Lake Endwell? In close proximity to Dad and Barbara? “I’ll take my chances in Chicago.”

She scolded him with her stare. How did women do that? “You’re going to be in a lot of pain. Do you have anyone who can take care of you?”

“I don’t need anyone taking care of me.”

“Men,” she muttered. “Listen, there’s no way the doctor is going to let you get on a plane for at least a week. You can ride it out in this noisy hospital room or relax in a beautiful cabin on the lake. Seems like an easy choice to me.”

She had a point. He waved to his leg. “I can’t sit around here forever.”

“No one said anything about forever. Just until you get back on your feet. Literally.”

He chuckled. Beautiful and funny? Killer combination.

Maybe staying in a cottage on the lake wasn’t such a bad consolation prize. And why worry about being around Dad and Barbara? They would avoid him as usual.

Wouldn’t they?

There was a chance—a slight chance—for him and Dad to work through their problems. If not, it didn’t matter. Reed could spend more time with Jake. He missed him.

“Guess it wouldn’t hurt.” He shrugged. “It’s not like they’re expecting me at work.”

“See?” She beamed. “There you go. What do you do anyway?”

“Commercial construction. Until yesterday, I was the senior project manager, but they’re promoting me to vice president. I’ll take over mid-July when the current VP retires.”

“Wow!” Her whole face lit up. “Vice president. Congratulations. And you work in construction? Lake Endwell could sure use some help with that. I guess the town was hit pretty hard.”

Main Street of Lake Endwell stuck in his head. The historic brick storefronts, bright red and navy awnings, flowers planted everywhere. Had the twister demolished the village? Would be a shame. He’d always had a soft spot for picturesque American towns. But helping them rebuild might give him something to do other than sitting around staring at his cast. “Did your house get damaged?”

“I don’t think so. Trees are still blocking my road, but the reports sound good so far.” Her chipper tone didn’t mask the anxiety in her eyes. Tendrils from her ponytail wrapped around her neck. “If you stay for a while, we’ll be neighbors, so I’ll make sure you’re fed. Wait—let me rephrase that—I’ll bring over Aunt Sally’s delicious food. You don’t want me to cook.”

He laughed but frowned inside. Was she this generous with everyone? This trusting? They’d only met a few hours ago, and she was already treating him like...one of the family.

“You don’t even know me,” Reed said.

“What are you talking about?” Her nose scrunched as she waved her hand. “You’re Jake’s brother. You’re family.”

His hunch was right. The fact that she’d tossed him into that category sobered him more than a bucket of ice water to the face.

“You’re probably tired. I’ll let you get some sleep.” She covered his hand with hers. “Thanks again, for being there during the tornado, for protecting me.”

He slid his hand out from under hers. “I didn’t do much.”

“Didn’t do much?” she said. “I could have—”

“It was nothing.” Too abrupt, his tone, but he couldn’t help it.

“Whatever you say, Reed.” And she padded out of the room.

Yes, if he was staying in Lake Endwell, he needed a powerful distraction from his pretty neighbor.