Hershey's Choice Read online

  He brushed aside the curtain. “Where’s Ryan? I thought you had another early morning planned.”

  Smooth, Dad. He cleverly dodged an argument. “He was called to work. Something about a complication on a worksite. He should be here soon.”

  “Well, I’m heading out for the day. I’m driving to the cottage again. The workers completed the roof yesterday, and they’re installing the new windows today. I’ll be late returning.” He grabbed his car keys from the shelf. “I’ll understand if you don’t come home tonight.”

  “Dad!” She placed a hand over her open mouth.

  Ignoring her, he opened the front door and left.

  Dad was going through a mid-life crisis. That had to be the reason for his bizarre remarks. Leaving the trucking business? Giving the okay to spend the night with Ryan?

  The thought of snuggling in Ryan’s arms had filtered through her dreams last night, but spending the entire night? Not happening. They hadn’t kissed or gone on an official date. Dad’s wish of being a granddad would have to wait. Producing grandchildren tonight was a definite not-going-to-happen.

  ****

  “Are you okay?” Ryan sensed Britt had a lot on her mind today. She gave her full attention to dragging him from store to store until he purchased every necessary item for the house. Britt had an excellent vision for interior decorating, right down to the smallest pieces of decor. He couldn’t wait for the furniture to be delivered and to place everything in its spot. His dream of living in a beautiful house on Loon Lake was coming true.

  Ryan saw clues behind Britt’s quiet moments. Her blank stares across the lake when they took Hershey for a walk. Her pinched eyebrows when he stepped aside to take a call from work. Something was troubling her.

  “We can go if you’d prefer to call it a night.” After shopping and walking Hershey, Ryan had insisted on taking Britt to the Harbor View Restaurant. Thanks to a cancellation and timing, he scored a reservation. Knowing the owner didn’t hurt either. After Ryan convinced Britt to help with training Hershey the night before, he’d called for Chinese take-out. Sitting on a blanket, on the dining room’s hardwood floor, had been a fun indoor picnic. He had every intention of reimbursing her services, but he also wanted to treat Britt to a special evening.

  “I’m sorry.” Britt smiled, folding a napkin over her lap. “I guess I have been a little distracted today.”

  Britt had answered her buzzing cell phone a few times throughout the day. She claimed all was well, even if one of her quick conversations sounded more like an argument. “Is there a problem with the wedding?”

  A waitress took their order and left the table.

  “The wedding plans are on schedule.” Britt rested her elbows on the table. “I can’t stop thinking about a conversation I had with my dad this morning. He mentioned retiring.”

  Trepidation rested in her gaze. “Is his retirement a bad thing?”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’ve wished for this day. I’ve spent countless hours worrying and waiting by the phone. Waiting to hear my father’s voice. To know he was okay.” She traced the rim of her wine glass with the tip of her finger. “He’d call every few days, but that didn’t remove the fear of not knowing if this would be the trip he didn’t return from.”

  Ryan reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. “I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

  “The winters he spent travelling the ice roads were the worst.”

  Once, he had watched a documentary on truckers who drove over the northern ice roads to make deliveries. The show made Ryan cringe.

  “Dad’s tired of being a trucker.” She glanced down at her handbag hanging from the back of her chair. “I’m happy about his decision to retire. I’m just not sure what his plans are for the future.” Britt withdrew her hand from his, opened her purse, and fished out her cell phone. She checked the caller then tossed the phone back in her purse.

  Ryan raised a brow. He was dying to know who had been calling her all day. “I understand if you need to answer, I don’t mind.”

  “Not important.”

  Ryan opted to let his curiosity sit. “Can your father afford to retire?”

  “He’s been saving money for years.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “When Nathan’s father left the road, he went back to school and continued his culinary training. He then opened the bakery that Nathan now owns.” She gazed into her wine glass. “Dad doesn’t have a back-up plan. I’m afraid he’ll get bored.”

  The waitress arrived at their table and placed two plates of steaming hot Italian dishes on the table.

  Ryan inhaled the tangy scent of tomatoes from his chicken parmesan. “I hope the food tastes as good as it smells.”

  “Mmm.” Britt was already chewing a mouthful of fettuccine alfredo. “I’ll share a spoonful, if you will?” She dabbed her lips with a napkin.

  He stared at her lips. The lips he longed to kiss last night while they were sitting on the dining room floor, and again, when he drove her home last night. “Delicious.”

  She giggled. “You haven’t tasted mine yet.”

  Damn! He had spoken out loud. Ryan pushed his plate forward then twirled his fork around the noodles on her plate. “That was my nose speaking. The cream cheese smells delicious.” Lame cover-up.

  After sharing bites, they returned to their own meals.

  Ryan removed his gaze from the tantalizing drip of sauce on her bottom lip. “Kevin’s father is a car detailer, but wasn’t he a trucker once?” He shoved a piece of chicken in his mouth.

  “Yes, he left the road a few years ago. He turned his car hobby into a business.”

  “I’ve seen his work on Cara’s car. He has a way of making an old car appear brand new.” Ryan swiped at the last bit of tomato sauce with his garlic bread. “Does your father have a hobby?”

  “Dad loves to draw, and he’s very good.” She passed her empty plate to the waitress and declined dessert.

  Ryan agreed, he too had no room for sweets and opted for coffee, as well. “I’m sure your father has thought about retiring for a while. He doesn’t look the type to make hasty decisions. Give him a reason to inspire his drawing.”

  For a brief moment, her eyebrows furrowed. She then raised her hands in the air. “Inspiring his drawing is a brilliant idea, and takes care of another problem.”

  Her smile warmed his stomach more than the coffee.

  Britt sat straight on her chair. “Ryan, I’m sorry for monopolizing the conversation this evening. Thank you for listening.”

  “You’ve spent the last two days of your vacation working your butt off on my house’s interior design. I’ve done my share of talking, and complaining.” He laughed and sipped the last of his coffee. “I’m happy to help you.”

  The waitress returned with their bill.

  Ryan snatched the small, black folder from the table. He slipped some money between the straps and gave it back to the waitress.

  “If I’m to charge you for my services, then why am I not paying my part of the dinner expense?”

  Ryan stood and took her hand. “This evening had nothing to do with work. We’re on an official date. What kind of a man would I be if I let my date pay?”

  “I…” Words failed Britt.

  He chuckled and placed a hand on her back, guiding her to the door. During the drive home, he struggled with how to end the evening. He desperately wanted to kiss Britt, but pinches of indecision made him second-guess moving too fast. Putting himself out there also came with risks. He’d loved before and was tossed aside. His ex-girlfriend, Dawn, had chosen to follow another path. One that didn’t include him. Was he ready to chance heartbreak again?

  He met Britt only a few days ago and yet, he allowed her to consume his thoughts. Even when he dated Dawn, he hadn’t thought about her night and day as he did Britt. He had made a mistake of moving too fast with Dawn. Ryan quickly learned how different they were, and the relationship disint
egrated.

  Was history repeating itself? What if Britt followed her dream to become an interior decorator, and she moved? And she had clearly voiced her thoughts on marriage. Jumping in a relationship with Britt too soon could be disastrous, but Ryan couldn’t dismiss their overwhelming connection.

  He had to take the risk, and did just that as he walked her to the door of her house. When he leaned to kiss her, resting his forehead on hers, he saw hesitation in her gaze. Ryan took her closing eyelids as an invitation. He touched a hand to her cheek and bent forward. A breath locked his chest.

  “You better have a damn good reason for ignoring my calls!” A familiar voice shouted from the now-open doorway.

  Britt jumped forward, bumping Ryan off the front step.

  He grabbed her arms to hold her steady.

  She turned to face the house.

  Ryan glanced over her shoulder, assuming he’d see her father.

  “Nathan?”

  Ryan was thankful for Britt’s surprised tone. Her mystery caller now had an identity.

  She stepped past Nathan and walked inside the house. “Dad’s not home, so what are you doing here?”

  “I let myself in.” Nathan held a key between his fingers.

  Why does this guy have a key to Britt’s place? A knot twisted in Ryan’s stomach.

  “You didn’t answer my calls,” Nathan curtly responded.

  “I told you I was on a date.” Britt waved a hand toward Ryan. “What was so important that couldn’t wait?”

  Ryan smiled. She acknowledged their date.

  “I had a question about the wedding cake.” Her best friend crossed his arms over his chest.

  Britt tossed her handbag on the sofa. “You said the cake was done.”

  “Correct.” Nathan glanced at Ryan then back to Britt. “But, I forgot how many cupcakes you wanted.”

  Ryan guessed, by Britt’s folded arms and raised eyebrow, she didn’t believe her best friend’s tale. As much as he’d love to witness the argument, he sensed the intimacy they shared a few moments ago had lessened. “I’ll go.”

  Wide-eyed, Britt rushed to the door. “I apologize for Nathan’s rudeness.”

  “Don’t apologize for me.” Nathan waved.

  “Nathan!” She held out a hand. “Stop talking.” Britt turned back to Ryan. “Thank you for dinner.”

  Ryan reached for her hand, caressing her knuckles with his thumb. Nathan may have killed the end of Ryan’s date, but the other man couldn’t ruin the past two days. “Thank you for helping me.” He leaned close and kissed her cheek. A soft scent of roses teased his nose. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  “I…umm…I have to take care of wedding details, but I’ll see you at the rehearsal.”

  “I’ll be counting the hours.” Ryan squeezed her hand before releasing it. He glanced over Britt’s shoulder. “Always a pleasure to see you, Nathan.” As he turned, Ryan caught the other man’s glare. He smiled and walked to his truck.

  Chapter Six

  “You’re insufferable.” Britt carried a box through the entry of the church, letting the doors close to block Nathan’s access.

  “Gee, thanks for holding the door.” He set the second box from her trunk on the back row of pews. “I said I was sorry. If you would have answered your phone, last night’s awkward moment could have been avoided.”

  “You knew I was on a date. I told you when you called earlier.” Britt had been hesitant to spend the last two days with Ryan. She wasn’t ready for a serious relationship. Experience led her to shun any involvement. Boyfriends weren’t worth time or trust. She didn’t want another broken heart. Yet, something about Ryan had her looking over the brick wall she placed around her heart. He was fun, sweet, caring, and oh-so handsome. The last two days were the best. Britt not only got to practice her interior decorating skills, but she loved every second spent with Ryan and Hershey.

  “Had I known you’d be on the steps swapping spit with Ryan, I would never have opened the door.”

  She punched his arm. “You’re so gross!” Her voice echoed off the walls of empty church. Thank goodness no one else had arrived for the rehearsal. “We weren’t kissing.” Thanks to you! Britt longed for last night’s kiss. She’d forced herself to remain professional the whole time they were shopping, but the evenings were pure pleasure.

  The first evening, they picnicked on Ryan’s dining room floor, talking for hours. She thought she’d receive a kiss goodnight when he drove her home, but she hadn’t. Yesterday, Ryan acted almost withdrawn. Britt had been afraid he regretted his request to have her help him furnish his house. Then, he asked her out for dinner. His earlier reserve softened. Ryan was going to kiss her at the end of their date. Until Nathan’s interruption. “I’ll take back my key.” She held out a hand.

  “Not happening.” Nathan pushed aside her hand. “You gave me that key for emergencies.”

  “Last night wasn’t an emergency.” Britt crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I didn’t know.” He mimicked her arm gesture and curled his lips in a smirk. “I was worried sick. You didn’t call on Wednesday, and when I didn’t hear from you yesterday, I left work early to drive to the cottage. Imagine my surprise to see your father and not you. He told me you were with Ryan.”

  “So, you called my cell phone non-stop.” She appreciated Nathan’s concern and how he always had her back. Britt rested her hands on his broad shoulders. “I’m sorry. I should have told you I didn’t go to the cottage.”

  “I forgive you.” His gaze narrowed. “Now, tell me what’s going on between you and Ryan.”

  “I’d love to know, too.”

  Britt jumped at the sound of Mrs. Jerome’s voice.

  “Tsk, tsk. Frolicking in the House of God?” Mrs. Jerome shrugged out of her coat and placed it over the bench. “Have you no shame?”

  “I…Nathan. We’re—”

  “Lovers?” The older woman raised an eyebrow. “I promise not to tell Ryan about the cozy little scene I walked in on.”

  What an evil woman! “Nathan and I are best friends.”

  “Keep telling yourself that, dear.” Mrs. Jerome walked down the aisle.

  Britt squeezed her hands together. God probably wouldn’t forgive her for choking someone in His House. No forgiveness even for the evil dragon lady.

  “What’s your problem? Britt is Kevin’s best friend, too. She’s been working very hard planning this wedding.” Nathan entered the aisle.

  Britt grabbed his arm.

  Mrs. Jerome waved him off with a flick of her fingers. She continued down the aisle then turned. “There aren’t any decorations. You couldn’t find anything tacky to place at the end of each pew?”

  “I have decorations.” Britt pointed to the boxes behind her. “Cara asked me to wait until after the rehearsal.”

  “I’m paying for this wedding and haven’t been involved with any of the planning.” Mrs. Jerome gripped the back of a bench. “All because I said Santa and his elves were not proper wedding decor.”

  Somewhere deep, deep down, Britt felt sorry for the dragon lady. Honoring her contract, she had followed Cara’s instructions to keep her mother in the dark. Cara said her mother would take control and make the day hers. Britt understood Cara’s reason, but she was also torn over having to exclude the mother of the bride. As controlling as her own mother was, Britt couldn’t imagine not including her in the wedding plans.

  Mr. Jerome entered the church with the rest of the wedding party following.

  Britt wanted to laugh out loud at seeing Mrs. Jerome’s firmly pressed lips now replaced by a jovial smile. The dragon lady’s aggressive mood was suddenly gone with the entrance of her family. Britt received greetings and hugs from Kevin and Cara, and a lingering squeeze from Dylan.

  Mr. Jerome placed his hand on Dylan’s shoulder, dragging his son toward him. “Easy, my boy.” He smiled at Britt. “The lady is taken.”

  Britt wanted to return Mr. Jerome’s smile, but his las
t statement caused her jaw to drop. Was he referring to Nathan or Ryan?

  Dylan straightened his stance. “Britt is available until Ryan puts a ring on her finger.”

  What? A ring! A buzzing fogged her hearing.

  “There may be another family wedding in the near future.”

  Through the fog, Britt clearly heard Mr. Jerome’s words. He couldn’t be talking about his youngest son. Dylan wasn’t ready for marriage. Or, was Mr. Jerome referring to her and Ryan? I can’t breathe. I think I’m going to pass out. She gripped the bench with white knuckles.

  “Who’s getting married next?” Ryan entered the church and approached his father.

  Mr. Jerome winked then gave Dylan a forward push up the aisle.

  “Hi,” Ryan said. “I missed you today. I wanted to call, but I figured you’d be pretty busy.” He placed a hand over Britt’s—the one holding on for dear-life to the bench.

  Why did Mr. Jerome think there’d be another wedding soon? Had Ryan said something to his father to think such a thing? The thought of Ryan falling for her made her stomach flutter with excitement, but also spiked a fury of panic. “I’ve been…with…Cara and Kevin most of the day.” Get control of yourself. Britt inhaled a breath. “Making sure everything is perfect for tomorrow.”

  “Good to see you again, Nathan.” Ryan held a hand out.

  “You, too.” Nathan shook Ryan’s hand. “I think they’re about to start.” He pointed to the altar and stepped past Britt. “You sure you don’t want to join us?”

  “No, I have decorations to work on.” The last place she wanted to be was anywhere near the altar. For that very reason, she’d refused Cara’s bridesmaid request.

  “Do you need a drive to the rehearsal dinner?”

  Ryan’s sweet offer dragged her from her pessimistic thoughts. “I—”

  “Ryan.” The dragon lady’s voice bellowed from the altar. “Your presence is required. I’m sure the wedding planner can manage a few shoddy decorations on her own.”

  When Britt saw Kevin and Nathan step forward, she sent them both a pleading stare to stay put. She didn’t want Kevin’s relationship with his mother-in-law to be tainted because of the dragon lady’s lack of politeness. She rolled her eyes. Just one more day.