She nodded. “He didn’t live in Kelly Lakes while he was married and he divorced before he moved back into town, but I remember Uncle Keith saying it was bad.”
“That’s terrible, but I think I make the guy a little uncomfortable. You saw it.”
She cracked up. “I saw you make two men uncomfortable in this yard today for, I would bet, the same reason. You fluster men of all ages.”
I let out a long, frustrated gust of air.
“Who knows how long I’ll be here anyway. He doesn’t need my problems on top of his own.”
“Or maybe you can figure it out together.”
My eyes thinned to slits as I came up to Peyton.
“You’re just so ridiculously happy that you project it onto people. And I’m thrilled for you. Although, please don’t call JakeDaddyagain while I’m here.”
Peyton laughed as she stood. “Sometimes we end up where we’re supposed to be when we’re forced into it. Before you make your next move or assume things, think about that.”
I watched as she shifted toward the screen door.
“Are you trying to guidance counsel me?”
She chuckled. “Maybe. I tend to do that. But what I’m saying is—” she squeezed my arm “—there is no harm in staying put when you aren’t sure where you want to go next. Before you rush home, take some time to read the signs and figure it all out. The country is good for that.” She shot me a smirk and headed back inside.
My grandmother had once told me that sometimes the big decisions in life were made for us. Maybe that was why it didn’t seem like I was supposed to be here, but I couldn’t find it in myself to go back.
5
JUDE
“Hey man,thanks again for your help,” Jake said as he came out to where I was climbing into my truck in his driveway.
“Of course,” I said, stepping out of the truck for a moment to face him. “Renovations are actually relaxing for me, believe it or not.”
He laughed, nodding as he adjusted his daughter on his hip. “I remember when I welcomed a long, complicated job because it gave me a few hours’ break from having to think.”
“It’s helpful,” I agreed, a sad laugh slipping out. “It’s been… It’s been a year. A couple of them, actually. Let’s put it that way.”
“I know it has.” Jake’s smile faded as he stepped closer. “Even though you were away for a while, you have a lot of friends here. You don’t have to take on so much on your own. I’m happy to give you as many renovation jobs as you want on your days off, but you’re always welcome to come visit here with your father. I can put the huge grill I just bought to use so my wife doesn’t give me any more shit for it.”
“We’ll see. He’s still getting used to the new leg, but he did fine at the park. The yard looks pretty level, so maybe,” I said with a shrug. “Thanks for the invite.”
“And listen,” Jake said as I stepped back into my truck. “I know you and Claudia may not have met on the best terms, but please don’t judge her by that night.”
“Who said I was judging her?” I cleared my throat when I realized how defensive my words came out. When I thought back to that night, the immediate pull that drew me to her was what stuck out more than how fast she was going. What I thought about now—a lot—was her body so close to mine as we pretended for Mary in the park. The way she peered up at me, so convincing and so fucking sexy, made me jealous of every guy who didn’t have to play a game to get that close to her.
“This is none of my business, but I’ll say it anyway. Claudia is like family to us. Whenever she comes over to our house, she has a way of making you forget your problems for a little while. If you got to know her, maybe…” He trailed off, bouncing his daughter on his hip when she started to fuss in his arms.
I’d run into Claudia three times, and every time, she messed with my head to the point that I couldn’t concentrate, which, I agreed with Jake, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“My problems aren’t so easy to forget.” I chuckled and shook my head. I hadn’t always been this guy. I’d laughed and had fun as much as anyone else at one time. Time blended together when I looked back, blurring in my mind. My mother became ill, then my father’s doctor started bringing up amputation, and my wife decided in the middle of all of it that it was too inconvenient to stick by me. Work had been the only thing that had brought me any kind of peace.
“I know, man. But maybe a distraction could help.” He shrugged. “Claudia is here for the rest of the summer—at least, I’m pretty sure. I’m not trying to play matchmaker like the older ladies in town always do.”
“You’re not?” I snickered.
“I just see two people who could have better things to do for the summer than babysit.” Jake stepped closer, lifting a brow. I had to laugh when his daughter stretched out her chubby hand and tried to slap my shoulder.
“See? Even my daughter agrees,” he said, kissing her chubby cheek. “Tell him, K.”
