Gail Martin - Groom in Training

Nick eyed the calendar. Brent Runyan’s wedding. June 6. A jaded feeling settled in his chest. Since Cara had walked out, weddings never seemed the same. The usual joyful occasion left a bad taste in his mouth. How many weddings had he attended since that day? How much self-doubt had he pondered without an answer? What’s more, he hated going to weddings alone. He felt like a drill without a bit. But excuses wouldn’t cut it. He’d be there to celebrate Brent Runyan’s special day. He’d been involved in business dealings with Runyan Industrial Tool Supply since he began his company. He and Brent had become more than acquaintances.

Steph’s image rose in his mind. He could ask her to go to the wedding with him, but it might be too presumptuous on his part. Still…June 6. The date loomed over him, and he needed to make a decision. Wasn’t that the day she already had a wedding to attend? He drew up his shoulders, guessing he wouldn’t have asked her anyway.

He liked Steph. A lot. Might she be a woman who would enjoy his company without a romantic commitment? That was the only way he could handle a relationship now. She seemed receptive to talking and walking the dogs. Maybe she’d go for a casual non-date to a wedding?

A smile stole to his lips, thinking of her quirky humor and her fortitude. Martin hadn’t flattened her with his over-bearing manner. She’d been as strong as Martin. Nick wished he could be as resolute with Martin. And she had a heart for animals. He loved her enthusiasm when she worked with Fred or even talked about dogs.

Steph’s heart was filled with kindness and goodness. The thought locked him to the spot. They’d talked about a number of things, yet he’d never heard her talk about her faith, not even a reference to church attendance or the Bible. He knew that people who didn’t believe could be good people, but what about Steph? He lowered his head, admitting he’d never broached the subject.

His faith certainly wasn’t perfect. His brother’s, either. Martin had a devotion to things he valued—their mother, Suzette, his business. But faith? Nick wasn’t certain. Martin didn’t handle life as Jesus would have him do. He was too quick to anger and too unwilling to forgive. His marriage ended in a disaster, and he’d shied away from women since then. Nick questioned if his own singleness was based on the same fear. Marriage meant forever in God’s eyes. Nick saw no room for a mistake.

No matter where his thoughts strayed, they kept returning to Steph. He wanted to get to know her, but he feared he had little to offer a woman right now. His business took attention, and his finances were tangled in his company. His small apartment couldn’t compare to Steph’s lovely house. And it was paid for, at that.

He winced. Her husband had died, then the house became hers. Not a good way to pay off a mortgage. Loss. He’d had his fill. First he’d lost his dad, and now his mother’s illness left a hole in his heart. Loss didn’t have a timeline. He wondered if Steph still grieved.

Nick pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes. Why even think of getting involved with a woman in any kind of relationship. And definitely not romance. Time is what it took, and he didn’t know how to use his. He’d learned that lesson from Cara. Time? He shook his head. What was he talking about? Every moment he could he found an excuse to visit Steph. Time wasn’t an issue. So if he didn’t want to get involved, why did he continue to pursue a friendship?

Nick drew in a deep breath, fighting his reaction—pounding heart, racing pulse, heat rising up his chest. The sensations made no sense at all. He and Steph were only acquaintances. Real friendships took years.

The phone jarred his thoughts, and he grasped the receiver. When he heard Martin’s voice, his tension doubled. “What’s up?”

“I’m working late. Could you drop by and check on Suzette’s water and let her out before she tears up the house?”

“The dog needs training or a cage.”

“Cage?” Martin’s voice shot through the line. “I’m not putting her in a cage.”

Nick’s shoulders lifted and fell. “I’ll stop by, but obedience training would be good for her. She needs—”

“I’m in a hurry. Will you or won’t you help me out?”

“I said I would. Just think about what I said.”

Martin muttered something and disconnected while Nick stared at the receiver, realizing the only female truly in his life at the moment was Suzette.

Fred let out an excited yip and startled Steph. “What’s up with you?”

The doorbell rang, answering her question. Curious, Steph peeked out the window. No car in the driveway or in front. She shrugged and strode to the door, expecting a neighbor child soliciting for their school’s fundraiser.

She swung it open and faltered.

“Hi.” His broad grin caught her by surprise. “Just dropped by to see how you’re fairing.”

As always, her pulse skipped up her arm, and she pushed open the screen. “Would you like to come in?”

He strode in without a second thought, and she ushered him into the living room.

Steph eyed him a second. “You’re not here with a subpoena, are you?”

“No subpoena.” He gave her a wink. “Martin’s late, and I have to run some errands so I need to let Suzette out for a run before she tears up the house.”

She motioned for him to sit, and he settled into the easy chair. Today he looked amazing. He wore a sport coat—plaid in shades of brown—with khaki pants, dressier than usual, and she couldn’t take her eyes off him. “You’re not forgetting a meeting with someone, are you?”

A faint flush appeared on his cheeks.

“Not today. I checked my calendar.” He folded his hands between his knees, and Fred took it as an invitation to sniff his fingers. Nick let him, then unfolded his hands to pet Fred.

“If he’s bothering you, he’ll stop if I tell him.”

“He’s fine.” He continued stroking Fred’s coat. The dog appeared in ecstasy. “Suzette should be this calm.”

“She would with obedience training.” She studied his face, dark eyes, almost bitter chocolate, canopied by a sweep of dark brows and hair the color of cordovan leather. When his gaze caught hers, her pulse skipped.

Nick tilted his head. “She needs it.” He released a lengthy breath. “I doubt if Martin would bother.”

She rolled her eyes, agreeing.

“I came to look at the fence and see what we could do.” He gave Fred’s head another tousle and rose.

“But Fred hasn’t dug since that day. Hopefully, I won’t have any more conflicts with your brother.”

He grinned and motioned toward the backyard. “Let’s take a look anyway.”

Agreeing was easier. She enjoyed his company. Steph led him to the kitchen, then through the sliding door to the patio, hoping whatever he came up with wouldn’t cost a fortune.

Nick headed to the fence. It looked different than when she’d met him two weeks earlier. The stubbled earth now sprouted colorful tulips and golden daffodils along the chain links. Since that day her life had colored as brightly.

Nick probed the ground with a piece of tree limb he’d found in the yard. “Bricks or concrete might do it. Let me see what I can do.” He eyed his brother’s yard, then strode along the fence to the back.

Steph assumed he was looking for places Fred had dug, but she knew her dog. Suzette had stirred up Fred that day just as Nick had affected her. The admission made her nervous. She gazed at Nick’s broad shoulders as he ambled along the fence. His dark hair picked up a sheen from the sunlight, and she pictured his dark brows arching above his glinting eyes. The man lifted her up like no one had in years.

Doug’s death had weighted her with guilt. What could she have done to cause him to take his own life? What could she have done to save him? Those questions had darkened her life for too long. Today she felt buoyant. Hopeful. Even though Nick could easily walk out of her life tomorrow, he’d helped her make strides. She knew now that if she could convince herself she had nothing to do with Doug’s death, she could find happiness again.