Jill Kemerer - Her Small-Town Romance

“She passed, then?” When they reached Main Street, he turned left.

“Two months ago.”

Jade paused as Bryan opened the wooden door of a brick storefront. Light spilled onto the sidewalk from the huge window. Lake Endwell Pizza was etched in bold black letters with a traditional font. Not flashy, but good, smart branding. A little round table for two had been centered under the window, and a young couple simultaneously reached for slices, then laughed as cheese stretched from their pizza back to the metal pan.

“You coming?” He swept his hand for her to enter. She savored the aroma of oregano and garlic and enjoyed the warmth of the room. He led her to a rectangular table for four next to an exposed brick wall. Teenagers clad in black tees, jeans and white aprons joked behind the counter. Most of the tables, all wooden, were occupied. No one looked out of place here. Jeans, sweaters and hoodies ruled.

Bryan scrutinized a menu as if it held the secret to world peace. She didn’t bother picking one up. Three women in their fifties laughed at something, and Jade smiled. Their happiness was contagious.

“What toppings do you like?” He peered over the menu.

“Anything but onions. Oh, and no anchovies.”

His lips curved up, and her breath caught in her throat. What a smile. Maybe she would have been better off staying home in her empty apartment. She had a bad habit of falling for a killer smile, then being left to pick up the pieces when its owner vanished.

A scrawny teen with a pen in one hand and a slim pad of paper in the other appeared next to their table. “What can I get you?”

They ordered drinks and the Deluxe minus onions, and the kid disappeared.

She tilted her head to the side. “So is this the best pizza place in town or the only one?”

“The best.”

“Hey, Bryan.” A tall, dark-haired man waved and approached their table. Following him was a stunning young woman with long blond hair, dark skinny jeans and a baby-blue sweater that perfectly matched her cornflower eyes. They made a striking couple. The blondie kept tugging on the man’s arm, shaking her head and whispering something.

The muscle in Bryan’s cheek flickered. “Libby. Jake.”

Jade’s brain went into overdrive. Who was this mystery couple whom Bryan clearly didn’t want to see?

“Jade—” his eyes were all apology “—this is my little sister, Libby, and her husband, Jake.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.” Jade shifted and smiled.

“My pleasure.” Libby backed up a step. “We won’t keep you.”

“You don’t mind, do you?” Jake pulled out the chair next to Bryan and sat.

“We don’t want to interrupt.” Libby gave Jake a pointed glare.

“But, Libby, all the tables are full.” Jake grabbed a menu. “I’m starving.”

“Please, join us.” Jade gestured to the empty chair next to hers. Libby draped her purse over the back of it.

Bryan asked Jake about his job, but his eyes met Jade’s. Questions lurked in there, ones she couldn’t decipher.

“So, Jade, tell me all about yourself.” Libby gave Jade her full attention. She beamed with interest...and hope. Why the hope?

“What do you want to know?”

“How did you meet my brother?”

“Well, I moved here yesterday...”

“Oh! The T-shirt shop, right? You’re in Mrs. Reichert’s building around the corner. I think it’s a fantastic idea.”

Jade didn’t know how to respond. How did Libby know so much?

Bryan’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he said, “No secrets in this town.”

Apparently not. “Yes, I specialize in custom-designed shirts.”

“Embroidered?” Libby splayed hot-pink fingernails on the table. Jade couldn’t help but be charmed.

“Sometimes. Mostly I make standard screen prints, but I enjoy playing around with glitter lettering, rhinestones and shimmer decals.”

“Glitter and sparkles?” Jake snorted. “Sounds right up Libby’s alley.”

Libby’s laugh tinkled. “Exactly. You’ll have to show me some of your designs.”

“I’d love to.”

“So how did you two meet?” Libby’s lips parted slightly as she gestured to Bryan, then to Jade.

“Jade’s from Las Vegas. She’s taking my outdoor course.” The way Bryan said it discouraged additional questions. A point in Bryan’s favor. He was discreet.

“Outdoor class.” Libby made a face and stuck her tongue out. “Don’t tell me you’re a nature nut, too, Jade.”

“No.” She grinned. “I can’t say I am.”

“That’s a relief.” Libby brought her hand to her lips. “Oh, me and my big mouth. What if you were obsessed with the outdoors? My sister, Claire, is always saying I need to think before I speak.”

Jade laughed. “I wouldn’t be offended. I don’t know much about nature.”

“Well, Bryan will help you. He knows everything there is to know about trees, bugs, fishing, making a fire. He’ll go on for hours about soil and worms and how the silver undersides of leaves mean rain’s coming.” Libby turned her attention to Bryan. “I mean that in the nicest possible way.”

His jaw clenched, but he didn’t reply.

Libby continued. “Talk about uncanny. I mean, you moved here yesterday, you want to learn about nature and Bryan just happened to be teaching a class this morning. It’s as if God planned it.”

Jade did a double take. She’d thought the same, but hearing it from a stranger? She stole a peek at Bryan. He frowned as though he, too, pondered Libby’s words.

“What’s Las Vegas like?” Jake asked. “I’ve never been there.”

All the things Jade loved about it bubbled up inside. “It’s hot, loud and over-the-top. A fun place to visit. There’s so much to do—that is, if you can handle the crowds.”

“I’m not much of a crowd person.” Jake grinned.

“Tell me about it.” Libby shook her head. “That leaves you out, too, Bryan.”

Everything Libby was saying didn’t add up to the picture Jade had been painting of Bryan, the one where he was another too-good-to-be-true guy poised to let her down.

It didn’t matter. Jade was not interested.

“How many are in your family?” Jade asked Libby.

“Depends on how you define family,” Libby said. “There are five of us kids. Add Jake, Reed, Stephanie and Macy, plus Dad. And Aunt Sally and Uncle Joe, and...”

Libby listed more names, but the pizza arrived. Bryan dished out the slices. Half an hour later, Jake and Bryan paid the bill, and they all walked Jade back to her apartment.

“It’s so cute.” Libby stopped in front of the store. “If you need help with decorating or anything, call me.”

“Thanks.” Jade liked Libby already. “Do you all want to come up? It’s a disaster, but...”

“Oh, no,” Libby said. “We’ll let you settle in. It was nice to meet you.”

With his arm slung over her shoulders, Jake steered Libby in the opposite direction.

The air had grown even cooler, and Jade shivered under her coat.

“So,” she said. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”

He frowned. “You still want to come to the classes?”

“Yeah, why?” Had he changed his mind during pizza or something? If he told her he wouldn’t teach her anymore, she didn’t know what she’d do. Her backup plan was dicey and not well thought out. Sure, she could try finding another counselor, but would that cure her when past sessions had failed? She was counting on Bryan’s class. Lake Endwell was too important—the key to her dream life. She didn’t want to start over somewhere else.

“More people will be there,” he said. “You might not be ready to go into the woods.”

“Oh, right.” Her good mood disappeared. She’d assumed she’d be the only one to show up, the way she’d been today. But he was correct. If more people came, she wouldn’t be ready to hike in the woods. It might take weeks—months—for her to be prepared. An overwhelming urge to crawl into bed and duck under the covers came over her.