Groom in Training Read online

  Nick gave it a shake but kept his eyes on Steph. “I held up your dinner. I’m really sorry.”

  “I thought we’d move the stones first, then eat.”

  He nodded. “I know, but…” He hitched his shoulder toward Hal.

  She gave a quick shake of her head, hoping he would let it drop.

  He shrugged and turned to her brother. “Could you help me carry some rocks into the back?”

  Hal shifted, adding his infamous grimace. “Sorry, man, I have a bad back.”

  Nick flashed Steph a helpless expression as she sent him a told-you-so look. “I’ll help you.”

  “It’s a man’s job, Steph. You’re a woman.” He glanced over his shoulder at her brother, then dropped his arms to his sides when he saw no reaction.

  “I’m glad you noticed” slipped through her mind, but lighthearted comments didn’t fit the tension she felt.

  “I’ll get some work gloves and meet you out front.”

  His frustration evident, Nick headed for the front door as Steph turned away.

  Steph stepped into the garage, a place that still held horrible memories. She grabbed the gloves from a bench near the door, slipped them on her hands and hurried back into the fresh air. Fred followed at her feet, and Steph sent him back into the house so he wouldn’t escape with the gate open, then headed around the front, her spirit weighted with concerns about Hal and Nick.

  She liked Nick so much, but at times he seemed thoughtless. His lateness and not calling ahead of time. Yet he was thoughtful in so many other ways. Today stood out as an example. He had an excuse today, but she’d been worried about his safety. Serious accidents happen without warning.

  She remembered Doug’s death, and maybe that’s why she’d become so sensitive.

  On the way to the front, she passed Nick carrying a stone. He grinned, but it looked more like a scowl with the weight he carried. She reached the SUV and searched for a rock she could lift. Hal’s help would have been appreciated, and she could have worked on dinner. The idea ruffled her. She tugged off the gloves and marched into the house.

  The sofa was empty, and she hurried down the hallway to the guest room. No Hal. When she returned to the living room, she noticed his car was gone. She slammed her hand against the storm door handle and marched back outside through the garage. She had to have something there to make moving the stones easier, even a dolly.

  Nick came through the gate and stopped. He set the rock on the driveway, pulled off his gloves and shoved them into his back pocket, then headed toward her.

  “Hal’s gone.”

  He nodded. “He left right after I came out to the car.” He rubbed his hands against his pants. “I suppose he was afraid you’d insist he help.”

  She massaged the back of her neck. “That’s what I’d planned to do.” She shook her head. “I wish I had a wheelbarrow.”

  He shrugged. “Let me get these. You go in and start dinner.”

  When she protested, he grasped her by the shoulders and marched her toward the door. She expected him to head back out, but instead, he turned her around to face him. His eyes searched hers.

  “You don’t deserve being treated like that, Steph.” He pressed his palm against her cheek. “I know you think I’m doing too much for Martin, and you’re right. I am, but—”

  “I’m doing the same with Hal.”

  He gave a single nod and didn’t move.

  The look in his eyes tingled through her chest, a tenderness she had only dreamed about.

  “You’re amazing.” His index finger moved against her cheek, then lowered his hand and traced the line of her lips.

  Steph’s heart swelled and pressed against her lungs. Nick moved in slow motion, his mouth lowering to hers, an urging so gentle, she yielded with no thought to logic or reason. She’d responded from her heart. When he drew back, his face reflected his surprise and his pleasure. His mouth curved to a gentle smile. “I didn’t plan that, but it seemed so natural.”

  She couldn’t speak but let her eyes answer him. He drew her close and held her against his chest as if she belonged there.

  He used his cheek to brush her hair from her ear, then whispered, “We could stay here all day, but it won’t build you a rock garden.”

  His breath tickled her, and she drew back. “Or cook your dinner.”

  He chuckled, and as they parted, the first sense of uneasiness marred the warm feeling she’d experienced. He squeezed her hand, then slipped on his gloves and headed out of the garage.

  Steph caught her breath and made her way to the kitchen. All she could do was lean against the counter and relive the moment. How had it happened? She tried to remember what had been said. Had she given him a look? She rubbed her temples. Stop. It just happened. And she loved it. But why in the garage?

  Fred leaned against her leg, and when she noticed his plaintive look, she laughed. Steph gave him some food to get him away from her feet, then washed her hands in the sink, imagining the idiotic smile she had on her face.

  Trying to focus on dinner, Steph pulled the pork chops from the refrigerator. Though she’d preferred to grill them, time didn’t allow it, and then she’d have to be outside and face Nick again. The more reality settled in the more confused she became.

  She paused a moment, clutching the package of chops, returning to their conversation before the kiss. Brothers. Hal and Martin. Different men but the same problem. The revelation put a damper on her thoughts.

  Instead of grilling, Steph poured a splash of oil in a frying pan, browned the meat, then added a can of mushroom soup and covered the skillet. The chops were always tender that way.

  To give herself more time to get her emotions in check, she set the kitchen table, not a romantic dining room meal. Confident Hal would be back, she laid three place settings. His instinct seemed to alert him when dinner was ready.

  Taking a deep breath, Steph slid open the door and stepped outside. From the patio, Steph watched Nick hoist the rocks and maneuver them into place.

  She wandered closer, noticing two large bags of soil to make the garden. He thought of everything. “How’s it going?”

  Nick tilted his head toward her. Perspiration beaded on his forehead. He straightened and gave her a grin as he swung his arm toward the stones. “What do you think?”

  She gazed at the rock formation he’d constructed. “I like it. It’s functional, and it’ll be really pretty with flowers. I’d like to do that in a couple more spots.”

  He pressed his hands against his waist and leaned back, stretching his muscles. “How many?”

  She laughed at his expression, and it felt amazing. Laughter had faded from her life since Hal arrived, and she shouldn’t have let it. “It can wait.”

  He reached for her with his soiled gloves, and she ducked from his grasp. “Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes or so.”

  “I’ll be finished.” He stood aside, eyeing the stones, then used a pocketknife to slit open one of the sacks of dirt. “I’ll add the dirt, then I’ll be finished.” He looked over and gave her a wink. “The flowers are your job.”

  The wink floated through her chest. “That’s the fun part.” She managed a grin, then paused a moment before she spoke. “I had a revelation when I was inside.”

  He arched his eyebrow, but a playful look lit his eyes. “A revelation. This could be interesting.”

  She hoped he didn’t misunderstand what she was going to say. “You and I really do have the same problem.”

  His grin yielded to a frown. “Which one?”

  That made her chuckle. “Our brothers, as we said earlier.”

  “Ah. Yes. We both have them, and they are problems.” He slit open the next bag.

  She stepped closer. “You know, Nick, the problem is ours. We let them run over us.” She ran her hand down her pant leg. “Hal assumes I’m going to bow to his wishes. Today he asked me for a loan.”

  Nick let the bag slip to the ground and straightened.

>   “I don’t have money to loan, Nick. I struggle sometimes to pay my bills. The new facility has helped, and I have more dogs now, but it’s been hard.”

  He studied her face, compassion flooding his eyes. It was the last thing she wanted to see.

  “I’m not asking for pity. I can manage, but I’m far from rich like your brother or you.”

  His expression changed to surprise. “You have it wrong. I’m not rich. Do you think I’d live in an apartment if I could afford a house?”

  Apartment. She’d forgotten. “They’re easier. No yard work or outside maintenance.” She shook her head. “But if you own a business, I assumed—”

  “It’s a young company, Steph. It’ll be great in a few years, I hope, but now I’m careful how I spend money.” He held up his hand to keep her from talking. “But that’s not the point. If your brother’s not helping himself, then your help is enabling.”

  “You do that with Martin. Not with money but with your time and energy.” She expected him to get defensive, but he didn’t. He only nodded.

  “I told him the other day he needs to find someone else to run his errands.”

  The news caught her off-guard. “What did he say?”

  “Nothing. I walked out of the house.”

  Her chest tightened as she pictured Nick turning his back on Martin and strutting from the house. “Really?”

  His face grew serious. “Really. I haven’t talked to him since that day. I think he knew I meant it.” He stepped closer, pulled off his gloves and drew her to him. “It’s difficult, but maybe that’s what you need to do with Hal.”

  She thought of him when he was a little boy—so cute; she’d adored him. He’d been indulged, and he would never learn if she continued to let him get away with it. “You’re right, but it isn’t easy.”

  “He needs a job. That’s what he needs.”

  He cupped her head with his hand, his eyes riveted to hers—his so close.

  Steph’s pulse skipped, wondering if he was about to kiss her again.

  “I see I haven’t missed dinner.”

  Hal’s voice jerked them apart.

  She looked at Nick, his eyes questioning as her mind filled with her own questions. She drew back, her anxious heart quieting. “Wash up, and we’ll eat.”

  Nick didn’t comment. He turned and headed for the house.

  Chapter Seven

  When Nick closed his car door, he heard Suzette in the backyard. He ambled back, hoping Fred and Steph were out. Instead, the dog sat beneath a tree, yipping at a red squirrel sitting above her in the branches. It looked like a face-off. He grinned, thinking of Fred’s squirrel attack.

  Hal’s car still sat in front of Steph’s, and though he wanted to talk with him about a job idea, he leaned against the fence, hoping to see Steph. So much had changed with the kiss. He’d wanted to kiss her for the past two weeks, but wisdom stopped him. He hadn’t felt ready for romance, and then she hadn’t been a Christian. But seeing her read the Bible, asking his mother questions about God’s meaning in the verses, all these things gave him hope and his concern had subsided.

  Still, kissing her two days ago had startled him. It had happened as naturally as the sun going down in the evening and had been as beautiful. Her amazing smile, her full lips that looked soft—and they were—never left his mind. For a man who’d crossed women off his list for so long, his action didn’t fit his plan, and today his enthusiasm to see her didn’t fit, either. He sensed his plan slipping away. His feelings were real. Now to resolve the pile of problems that insisted on ruining his life. He planned to start now.

  Today, he would apologize to Martin. If his mother learned about their tiff, it would be one more situation that would add to her unhappiness. He and Martin needed to stick together, at least for his mother’s sake. Anyway he knew that repentance and forgiveness went hand in hand, so he wanted to tell Martin he was sorry for his behavior. He still didn’t plan to be Martin’s gofer.

  Then came Hal. Nick had witnessed Steph’s stress with her brother. During dinner, Hal had made a few snide remarks about Nick’s lateness. Nick regretted that, and he observed Steph’s uneasiness with Hal’s comment. But she babied her brother and couldn’t seem to stop.

  Still, breaking old habits took time. He’d mentioned the problem of enabling, and she seemed to understand, but acting on it took more courage than talking. He knew that from his own relationship with Martin.

  From their conversation at dinner, Nick sensed the problem could get worse. Hal made the point that he planned to stay in Michigan and look for work. He obviously assumed he’d stay with Steph.

  Nick had no thought of resolving all his issues in one day, but he and Steph needed to talk about them. And they needed to talk about their relationship. Until their kiss when he showed Steph affection, reticence appeared in her eyes. But her actions didn’t match the look. She seemed to have enjoyed his romantic advances. Who was he to question? He’d acted the same way.

  Nick cut short his thoughts when he noticed Steph’s new rock garden. She’d already planted flowers, colorful ones that would weave around the stones. He smiled, picturing her on her knees, probably fighting off Fred, to place the flowers in the perfect spot.

  The patio door slid open, jarring Nick’s pulse, but instead of Steph, Hal stepped out along with Fred, who bounded to greet Suzette. Hal gave him a suspicious look while he strolled across the grass.

  Nick raised his hand in greeting.

  “She’s not home.” Hal faced him across the fence.

  “You mean, Steph?”

  “Who else?”

  His smugness grated, but he shrugged it off. “I wanted to talk with you anyway.”

  If ever Nick had seen someone’s defenses rise, he saw it today. “About what?”

  “About a job.”

  Hal folded his arms across his chest, a sneer growing on his face. “And?”

  “I own a company that makes parts for tools.”

  Hal’s eyebrow made a subtle arch.

  “I don’t have an opening today, but I’ll have one in a week or so. If you’d like to drop by the office, I’d be happy to have you fill out an application and talk to you about the job.” He pulled out his wallet and extended his business card.

  Hal eyed it with disdain. “What’s the catch?”

  Nick drew back. “Catch? There is none.”

  His stark gaze softening, Hal’s brow lowered. “Is it an office job?”

  Office job? He had to be kidding. “No. It’s in the factory, but the work isn’t heavy so it won’t bother your back.” Why was he trying to convince him? The guy came across as useless.

  Hal finally grasped the card, glanced at it and shoved it in his shirt pocket. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He dropped his hands and turned toward Martin’s house. As he headed inside, he remembered. Steph had the wedding rehearsal. She’d probably be gone all evening.

  He turned and walked backward, clapping his hands. “Suzette.”

  She peered at him, her eyes peeking through her wispy bangs, then turned and trotted away.

  So much for obedience.

  He strode back to the fence and caught her collar and forced her to follow. He and Martin needed to talk but leaving Suzette outside with Fred would just cause another argument. At the back door, he paused. Maybe he should go to the front and ring the bell. Nick tossed the idea around, then decided to do what he always did. He opened the back door and dodged Suzette as she darted in, then stepped inside. His nerves kicked in, and he took a lengthy breath to ready himself for whatever. He never knew what to expect with Martin.

  Hearing the murmur of the television, Nick headed toward the living room, assuming he’d find Martin there. He stopped in the archway, waiting to be acknowledged.

  Martin turned his head, eyed him, then turned back to the news.

  Nick ambled in, his mind tangled in how to proceed. He sat on the edge of the sofa, waiting for his brother to speak
. He didn’t so Nick gave in and broke the silence. “I came to apologize.”

  “I see.” He sat as rigid and unmoving as a statue.

  “I’m sorry about walking out the other day. I don’t want to argue with you. For Mom’s sake, we need to be…on speaking terms.” He’d wanted to say friends but that never would be.

  “You’re the one who walked out. Not me.”

  “That’s right.” He sat, nodding his head. Martin stared at the television. Nick dropped against the cushion and folded his hands.

  “What do you want, Nick?” Martin finally turned to face him.

  “To get along. To be honest. To—”

  “Honest?” Martin’s brows knitted. “I’ve always been honest with you.”

  Nick struggled with what he wanted to say. The topic seemed too complex to put into words. He raised his back from the cushion and rested his palms on his knees. “May I ask you a question?”

  “About what?” He eyed Nick a second, then sank back into the chair.

  “About us. About who we are and why.” Nick’s stomach rolled, and he almost wished he hadn’t pursued the topic.

  Martin’s eyes glazed. “We’re the Davis brothers.”

  “I mean, who we are in here?” He tapped his chest. “I don’t understand me half the time, and I wonder if we put our thoughts together it might help me to understand myself.”

  “You’re not making sense to me at all, Nick. Ask Mother.”

  The dig ripped through Nick’s civility. “Right. Thanks for the great idea.”

  “Sorry.” Martin lowered his gaze. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  The unexpected apology soothed Nick’s irritation. “Thank you.” He rose and wandered toward the window, looking out at the sun glinting off the hood of his car. “I’m serious.” He turned to face him. “I always think of you as the son who could do anything. Me? I bungled along, hoping to make Mom and Dad proud, but I don’t think I ever did.”

  “What?” Martin’s tone raised a decibel. “You were the baby. You made them laugh. You gave them joy. Whatever you wanted they gave you. I worked hard to be the best I could and never felt it was enough. They expected me to be on top.”