Rebecca James tossed her law book on the counter, and then tied her apron around her waist. The best thing about working the late morning shift at Express-Ohh’s was the time it allowed her to study. The café wouldn’t pick up until the lunch crowd strolled in, giving her at least another hour to master all she needed to know for her upcoming test on employment regulations.
“Hey Becca, thanks for coming in on short notice.” Jennifer, the owner, stepped out of the backroom with a bag of coffee-to-go cups. “I really do appreciate it.”
She loved working for Jennifer, but couldn’t ward away the sting of jealousy. Jennifer was the girl next door, long brown hair and a slim body that held curves in all the right places. She might only be five-foot-five, but she had real spunk. As if she had downed a dozen espressos, she was always running at full steam no matter the hour, not to mention she always had a sarcastic comment handy. Over the last two years of working for Jennifer, Rebecca wasn’t sure she had ever seen her mad.
“No problem, Jennifer. You know anytime you need me I’ll be here.” She took the cups from Jennifer. “When are you leaving?”
“Since you’re here early, I’d like to head out now.”
“Go ahead, I have it covered.” She stacked the to-go cups on the back counter. Having them close by made them handy for when the orders were pouring in.
“You’re a life-saver, thanks.”
Jennifer grabbed her purse from under the counter, and turned back to Rebecca. “Oh, there’s an order for Clearwater Combat and Guns to be picked up at eleven. The sandwiches are already made. You just have to make the coffee. The list is by the phone.”
“Got it. Now get out of here. Your mother’s plane will be landing soon, and there’s no need to come back. I’ll close up. Go and enjoy the visit with your mom.” Another twinge of jealousy pulled at her heart again. This time, for the relationship Jennifer had with her mother. Their closeness and bond was something Rebecca had wanted for years with her own mother, but that was too much to ask.
Years of trying to compete with the bottle for her mother’s attention did nothing for Rebecca’s self-esteem. Having a mother who chose booze over her own daughter left her feeling not good enough. During her teenage years, she suffered with extreme depression until she turned eighteen and left home. She found a safe haven in Clearwater, Wyoming.
For the last two years she had divided her time between working at Express-Ohh’s and her online college classes. There wasn’t a lot of extra time when you were trying to graduate within three years. All of her hard work and dedication was about to pay off. This was the last semester that stood in her way before she’d finish her bachelor’s degree in just over two years.
With Jennifer gone, the quietness of the café settled around her. She reopened her law book, sank onto the swirl-stool by the cash register, and pulled her pen from her ponytail. She jotted notes down into her notebook.
“Excuse me.” A deep, masculine voice caressed her skin like warm water, forcing her to glance up. Her heart skipped a beat. A tall man loomed in front of her. Slightly over six-feet tall, his blue T-shirt clung to his chest, providing a teasing preview to the six-pack abs that lay snug underneath. His long legs were encased in light blue jeans. With his honey brown skin and deep green eyes, he belonged on the West Coast instead of Clearwater. He resembled a surfer, not a winter snowboarder.
“I’m sorry…I didn’t hear the chime of the door. What can I get you?” Rising from the chair, she tossed her pen on the notebook.
“I’m here to pick up an order for Clearwater Combat and Guns. I’m a little early, but things were slow at the shop so Cameron asked me to come over. Would it happen to be ready yet?”
She glanced at the clock behind him.
Ten Thirty.
“Umm, if you could give me a few minutes, I just need to prepare the drinks.” She held out her hand. “By the way, I’m Rebecca.”
Goose-bumps rose over her skin as he shook her hand. “JC.” He released her hand and lowered his bulky frame on one of the bar stools. He then ran his hand through his light, brown hair. The sun’s rays, through the windows, highlighted his hair with streaks of gold. “Take your time.”
She wanted to run her hands on that fine specimen of a man, to feel his tight muscles taut under her fingers. She turned to review the list Jennifer had left on the counter. “Can I get you something while you wait?”
“A cup of coffee would be great.”
She grabbed the pot of coffee and poured it into a cup. “You’re new around here, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.” He paused before sipping the hot coffee. “Ahh, that’s good. Cameron and I were in the Marines together. He called me to help him with the shop.”
“You’re awful young to be retired from the military.” Pouring more coffee into a to-go cup, she sneaked a peek at his dark green eyes.
“An injury cut my career short.” Was that a hint of disappointment lingering in his voice? “Are you from Clearwater?”
“Naw. I’m from all around. Dad was in the Navy, so I grew up at different ports.” She left out the part where her father’s job was the reason her mother turned to the booze. Her mother couldn’t handle the separation, moving, and everything else that went with a military man.
“I moved to Clearwater a little over two years ago, but I love it here. Are you planning to stick around?”
Before he answered, he took another long sip of coffee. He smiled and her knees wobbled. “As long as I’m needed, I’ll stay. Cameron has his hands full with the business and a new baby. I’ll do what I can to help.”
For the next few minutes, she chattered about the weather to fill the awkward silence. She placed the cup holders with the drinks on the counter. “The sandwiches are in the fridge. I’ll grab them and help you…”
“I can manage.” He swallowed the last mouthful of coffee from his cup and stood. He frowned as if irritated by her offer to help.
Reaching into the fridge she glanced over her shoulder. “I doubt it. Jennifer added a little extra to the order for Tessa. They’re very good friends, but Jennifer doesn’t get away from the shop much and Tessa just had Rosalie, so to let Tessa know she’s thinking of her, Jennifer sends some of Tessa’s favorites to her when Cameron places an order.” Inside the refrigerator, eight clear plastic sandwich containers were stacked neatly on top of a large square container that contained the sweet goodies. She turned around, holding the boxes. “Why don’t you grab the drinks and I’ll follow you out.”
He shook his head and reached for the tray of cups. “If I knew the order was this large, I’d have brought one of the boys to help.”
“Boys?” As she carried the boxes around the counter, his gaze met hers for the first time since he’d entered the café.
“Cameron has a few local high school boys at the shop helping finalize preparations for the classes starting in August. We still have a lot to do before we’re ready, but it’s coming along exceptionally well.” He stepped beside her, grabbing the front door with his free hand. “Let me take those.”
“I got them. Where are you parked?”
“Right there.” He nodded to the black pickup truck with the company’s logo on the door. “I appreciate this.”
“It’s all in the service you get here at Express-Ohh’s.” She flashed him her biggest and brightest smile. “Good service keeps our customers coming back.” She wanted him to come back. With dedicating the past few years to school and work, she was out of practice when it came to flirting. Not that she ever mastered the art of flirting like most average girls in their early twenties.
“Oh, so it has nothing to do with the fact that you’re the only coffee shop in town?” He teased, digging his keys out of his pocket. He pushed the small button to unlock the truck.
She laughed. “You tasted our coffee, do you really think another shop stands a chance?” Sliding the food containers onto the passenger’s seat, she could feel his body heat behind her. His cologne teased her senses, imprinting her memories and making her want to turn into his arms.
“Never.” He sat the tray on the floor-mat. Turning to her, he dug money out of his pocket. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope to see you around town again.” She tucked the money in her apron pocket and strolled back to the door. “Hey, will you be at the town’s picnic on Saturday?” Even though she rarely attended the picnics she knew Cameron and Tessa went regularly with Chloe and Jordan, the owners of Winterbloom Bed and Breakfast. Jennifer also planned to close the coffee house early that day. If JC was going then Rebecca would make sure she was there, even to see him from a distance.
“I don’t know. Cameron hasn’t mentioned it. I’m bunking at their place until the manager’s flat is finished above the shop. If they want me to go with them, I guess I’ll be there unless there’s work to be done. Why?”
Butterflies danced in her stomach, playing havoc with her courage. She nudged a pebble with the tip of her shoe. “I just thought…since you’re new in town that I’d introduce you to some of the towns’ people. The picnics are a lot of fun.” At least that’s what Jennifer told her. “You really should come…if you have time.”
“If you’re going to be there, I’ll try to attend, as long as Cameron doesn’t have something he needs me to do.” He shot her one last smile before sliding into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
Her cheeks filled with heat as she watched him drive away. She was acting like a giddy schoolgirl, but for once in her life, she didn’t care, and couldn’t wait to see to JC on Saturday.
Only a week in Clearwater and JC was ready to run for the hills. It was too much of a change in such a short time, especially when he couldn’t get his mind off Rebecca. Agreeing to go to the picnic was the biggest mistake of his life, well at least the second biggest one since coming to Clearwater. He was in no emotional shape to have a romantic interest in anyone. Not even adjusted to the loss of his leg, he didn’t want to drag a sweet woman into his shit-hole life. The phantom pain returned in his leg.
“Hey, JC is here with the grub.” One of the teenage volunteers jogged to the truck, with the other boys only steps behind him.
“It’s about time, I’m starving,” one of the boys hollered.
“Jake, go inside and get the pitcher of iced tea Tessa brought out earlier. The rest of you gather at the table.”
Cameron waved the boys aside and assisted JC with the food. “We’ll eat in the house with Tessa. After lunch we’ve got to go up to Jackson Hole. The boys can finish the work today.”
“The bottom three trays are ours, and the rest are for the boys.” JC pointed to the last tray as Cameron took the sandwich containers from the stack. “Jennifer sent some sweets for Tessa.”
Cameron shook his head, his gaze drifting past JC and toward the house. “That woman of mine has a sweet tooth you can’t image, and it’s only gotten worse since Jennifer’s been indulging her.” Adding the last of the boys’ sandwiches to his stack, he nodded to the house. “You go ahead. I’ll give the boys their lunch, and I’ll be along shortly.”
JC didn’t hesitate. Standing around watching Cameron shout out orders only served to remind JC of his military days. He wasn’t adjusting to civilian life as quickly as his superior. All he ever wanted to do when he was growing up was to join the Marines. On his eighteenth birthday he signed his name on the dotted line, vowing his life to the core. Two months later, he boarded the bus to boot camp, never looking back.
He had been the man of his family, providing for their needs since he was fourteen. His father was a drunk most of JC’s life, but when he was fourteen his father left. He’d return once in a while, and his mother would take him back, but his father never stuck around longer than to get JC’s mother pregnant again, and then leave her and the family again. His mother was pregnant with Kelly when his father died.
The core offered a way for him to help his mother support the other eight children. It also forced his next oldest brother, Lee, to step up and be responsible for the family. There was no longer time for Lee to goof-off with his friends, not when he had to make sure his siblings were cared for. JC’s mother couldn’t do it alone, and when he was in the Marines, the family responsibility fell to Lee and his twin sister, Laya. Laya was like a second mother to their younger siblings, making sure they were washed, fed, and reading them bedtime stories. JC’s mother worked two jobs to support her family, so Laya helped with the chores and children.
After the loss of his leg, JC prayed for an infection to take him. At least with his death, his family would receive his death benefits. How was he supposed to support his family with a missing limb? For months he grew hopeless, unable to get out of the bottomless pit of depression that had sucked him in. When he awoke in the hospital after his surgery, he saw his mother crying by his bedside—not for the loss of the body part that he grieved. She was thankful her son survived and made it home to her and the family. She didn’t care about money or his missing leg. She had told him that
he
was all she cared about.
It took a while for him to realize it too, but he was thankful to be alive. His mother and siblings needed him. Not for material things, but for love and support. He needed theirs as well. If it wasn’t for his family’s strong bond, he may have given up.
Thinking of his family made him homesick. Were Lee and Laya managing the younger children okay, or were their grades falling because of their extra duties around the house? Maybe he could convince his family to move to Clearwater. Cameron was paying him a hefty salary to run the shop, and he was sure his mother could find work in Clearwater or Jackson Hole. With his family closer, it would allow him to help with his younger siblings,
and
still repay the man who saved his life.
“JC, do you want help with those?” The screen door banged shut behind Tessa, pulling him from his thoughts.
He made a mental promise to check into housing for his family, and to find out if any shops were hiring in town before he approached his mother with the possibility of moving. “I’ve got it, but I sure could use a glass of your heavenly sun-brewed tea.” Stepping onto the deck, he smiled and winked.
“Like you even have to ask. I have a glass poured and sitting on the table inside for you.” She opened the screen door, letting him pass with the boxes.
“You’re amazing. If Cameron didn’t snatch you up first, I would have fought him for you.” He teased. There was something about Tessa that made him forget his worries. She had a calming vibe that put him at ease.
“If he doesn’t start getting up with his daughter in the middle of the night, you might not have a hard fight.” She teased back, while suppressing a yawn.
“Maybe Daddy should be on duty tonight?”
The screen door opened. “Hey man. I leave you alone with my wife for two minutes and you’re trying to convince her I should have baby duty all night.” Cameron stood just inside the kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest, and smiling at JC.
“Anything for you, buddy. I’m here to give you more time with your family and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.” JC sat the boxes on the counter and grabbed the tea Tessa made him and a sandwich.
“One day I’ll repay you.” Cameron reached for his black coffee before handing Tessa her cappuccino.
“Not for a
very
long time, my friend.” Caring for his siblings had taught JC the qualities needed in a good father. His mother had said he’d be a perfect dad someday, but he didn’t want to rush it. Actually helping his mother raise his brothers and sisters had acted as its own form of birth control. He was almost afraid to touch a woman for fear he’d end up with nine children he couldn’t afford. Twins ran in his family for generations, and in his family there were three sets of twins, leaving only JC and the youngest two as single births.
“We’ll see,” Tessa mumbled before settling onto the chair next to him.
* * *
With Express-Ohh’s lunch rush dying down, Rebecca’s peace returned as well as the memory of the hunk of man that stood before her only a short time ago. Picturing his solid body in her mind, she wondered what injury cut his career short. He seemed in perfect physical and mental health. Maybe he had an underlying mental issue that left him unfit for duty. Regardless of his injury, he was one hunk of man she’d like to dig her nails into.
Her cell phone’s vibration on the counter pulled her from her fantasy. She leaned forward and read the screen.
Dad.
Hitting the Talk button, she brought the phone to her ear. “Hi, Dad.”
“Becca, how are you, sweetie?” His raspy tone came through the line, reminding her of a strong espresso. Maybe it was the strong, rich, flavor of the coffee that made her compare her father’s strength, to her love of espresso. Her father was still full of life, as long as he was away from her mother.
“I’m good, Dad. What’s going on? You never call in the middle of a work day.” Her suspicion rose.
“Can’t a father call his only child because he misses her?”
“Dad…” Rebecca frowned. Something was up.
“I miss you, and I have a few days off. Why don’t I come for a visit?” There was a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Her father never took time off work. He only travelled to get away from his wife. It was his escape and Rebecca couldn’t fault him for it. After he retired from the Navy he tried to settle down, to be the man her mother wanted, but all the years of him being away had left a wedge between them. Rebecca’s mother was unwilling, or unable, to give up the bottle for her husband, and he couldn’t stand to be around her in a drunken state. Dad had said divorce wasn’t an option because he loved her.
“Are you visiting alone or with Mom? Because you know how I feel about that.”
“Alone. I need to see you Becca. What do you say?”
She nodded as if he could see her. “Okay. When?”
“I’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” She abruptly stood from the chair, nearly knocking it over.
“Yeah, if that’s okay. I’m in Denver for a job so I’ll drive up and get a room at Winterbloom Bed and Breakfast. Are you working tomorrow?”
Her mind raced with everything she’d need to do before her father’s arrival. “No…no, I’m not working. I’m off the next two days. There’s no reason to stay at Winterbloom, I’ve got a guest room. You’ll stay with me. You have my address. What time should I expect you?” She tried to hide the panic from her voice, but her gut was telling her something was amiss. Her father didn’t just drop by for a casual visit, especially not in the middle of a work week, no matter how close he was to Clearwater.
“I’ll leave first thing in the morning and I should be there around two. We can have a late lunch in Jackson Hole and catch up. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you.”
She caught the edge of sadness in his voice. She was accustomed to hearing him miss her. He had been away most of her life with deployments and training. He had been a good father, better than her mother was a mother, even if he had been absent a lot. “Sure, Dad. I look forward to seeing you…but are you sure everything is okay?”
Rebecca heard commotion in the background and her father speaking to someone else. “Okay, I’ll be right there.” There was a long pause of silence before he returned to their conversation. “I just want to see you, but Becca I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow. I love you.”
“Love you too, Dad.” She ended the call and snatched the pen out of her hair to make a list. First, was a spring clean of her apartment, especially the guest bedroom. She tapped the pen on the counter, her mind more on her father than the list. There was something in her father’s words, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. He wasn’t just missing her, he was hiding something.