Page 143 of Save the Date
As soon as he stepped in the door, Poppy pounced, slapping her front paws on his chest, and slathering his neck with her big pink tongue.
“Hey, girl!” he said, ruffling the fur on Poppy’s neck. “Have you missed me?” He looked up at Cara, and it was obvious he was addressing them both.
Jack had obviously come directly from the job site. His work boots were covered in mud and sawdust, and his T-shirt and jeans were grimy.
Cara felt her heart pounding in her chest. Damn Jack Finnerty. He was the only man she’d ever known who looked as good dirty as he did clean. Come to think of it, she couldn’t remember another man who made her palms sweat and her pulse race the way Jack did. Too bad he’d turned out to be such a world-class jerk.
“I’ve started packing, if you’ve come to check up on your investment,” she said coolly. “I move over to Hall Street next week.” She gestured around the small room. “And just in case Sylvia Bradley didn’t mention it, all the shelving and fixtures are mine. And I intend to take them with me.”
Jack’s face flushed under his sunburn. “You know that’s not why I came here. Look. Maybe I didn’t express myself too well the last time. I was pumped, you know? So let me be clear. I bought this building for you. Not to give to you, or hold over your head so I’d have demonical power over you. It’s a great building, and I thought it deserved something better. And you deserve something better, too.”
“I see.”
“Okay, so yeah, maybe I also bought it because I’m a typical competitive male and I wanted to keep that creep Cullen Kane from getting his hands on it. So yeah, my execution was pretty clumsy. But don’t I at least get credit for…”
“What? Having a pure heart?”
“Yeah, that,” he said belligerently.
She felt her spine weaken a little. Damn, she really was such a jellyfish. But his face was so damn earnest, and yes, deep down inside, she did have a sneaking suspicion that his heart was pure.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were thinking of buying the building, instead of all this sneaking around? What is it with you men? Why do you all have to be so…”
“Devious?”
“Exactly! I’m just so sick of all the plotting and power plays and the secrets and the subterfuge. Can’t you just communicate?”
Jack stood with his hands on his hips. “Fine. This is me communicating. Even if you and I are through, I’d really rather not have to find a new tenant. If you feel so strongly about not taking any favors, we can talk about escalating your rent, eventually. What do you say?”
She had to stick to her guns. This was a matter of principle, not a matter of the heart.
“Thanks. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve signed a lease for Hall Street. It’s a bigger space, and when I get it fixed up, Poppy will have more room. Plus, I’ve already started packing.”
He shook his head, then shrugged. “Have it your own way, then.” He was on his way out the door when he noticed her backpack. “What’s up? You’ve taken up hiking?”
She debated whether or not to tell him the truth. But why not?
“I’ll tell you where I’m going, but this is strictly on the low-down, okay? Brooke has disappeared.”
“That explains a lot. Ryan and I were going to get some stuff done at Cabin Creek today, because we’re starting to get down to the wire with the wedding, but Libba just waved us off, which was kind of weird. She’s been out there every day we’ve been working, taking pictures and coming up with things she wants done. So, wow. Brooke—what? Just vanished?”
“She and Harris had a fight Friday, and then sometime Saturday, while he was still in Atlanta for his bachelor’s party, she took off. Skipped her own bachelorette party.”
He whistled softly. “That sucks for Harris. And Libba too, of course. Does this mean the wedding is off?”
“Not if I can help it,” Cara said fiercely.
That took him by surprise. “What? You’re going after her? Cara Kryzik, finder of lost brides?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’m the only one who knows where she’s gone.”
“Cool. Tell Harris. Let him deal with it.”
“Negative. I promised Brooke I wouldn’t tell. Anyway, I don’t want to hurt Harris. He’s a sweet guy. If he went after Brooke this whole wedding thing could blow up in our faces.”
“And why is that?
“I don’t think Brooke is by herself. I think maybe she’s with another guy.”
