Blessed Bouquets: Wed By A PrayerThe Dream ManSmall-Town Wedding Page 10

  “Running from a trail of broken hearts, or just a bunch of mad women?”

  “I’ve never left any woman mad, Lizzie. And the only broken heart I’ve known has been my own.”

  That direct, honest statement caused her to turn to face him. But Jake was staring straight ahead, a dark scowl making his usually jovial face look sad and forlorn for just a minute.

  “Sorry I asked,” she said, her low tone covering the intense need to know what had just gone through his mind.

  “Oh, I don’t mind. Just wanted to set the record straight. You know, you’d like me if you’d relax and get to know me.”

  “Who says I don’t like you?”

  He grinned then, making her heart rev just like the truck’s motor. “Well, if you treat all your clients the way you’ve been treating me, I have to wonder how you win so many awards.”

  Embarrassed at the way she’d been acting, Elizabeth swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “I don’t usually treat people so rudely, Jake. I’m sorry.” She shrugged, hung on to the armrest on the door. “I’ve just been in a mood lately. One of my best friends getting married has left me, well…”

  “Feeling left out?” He said, glancing over at her, his eyes full of understanding.

  “Oh, no!” she exclaimed, shifting in her seat. “I don’t intend to get married myself. It’s just hard to let her go. Hannah and I—we’ve known Jo since high school. Even though she’s a few years younger than us, we’ve all three been so close. We’ve been through a lot together, a whole lot.”

  “You can still have Jo as a friend,” he pointed out. “Her getting married doesn’t have to mean the end of your friendship, does it?”

  She sat silent, then shook her head. “No, but it means the beginning of something else. Something we thought we’d never see.”

  He frowned, turned the truck off the interstate. “You want your friend to be happy, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do,” she said, meaning it with every breath she took. “But we’ve all had disappointments in that area. Enough to make all three of us decide marriage wasn’t for us.”

  “That’s a shame,” Jake said, his eyes going dark and mysterious again. “Me, I kinda want a lifetime commitment. I rank it right up there with a good cup of coffee and a great-fitting pair of boots.”

  Elizabeth glanced down at his shiny custom-made boots. “Don’t you think marriage is a bit more tricky than buying a pair of boots?”

  “Yes, I do. But I also know that in both, you have to find the right fit. Once you get that, everything else pretty much falls right into place.”

  “The right fit.” She gave him a doubtful smile. “Well, I guess I’ve never looked at it that way. And so far, I haven’t found the right fit. Marriage, unlike a pair of shoes, can’t be ordered custom-made, Jake. It takes a lot of time and energy, a lot of compromise and caring. And a lot of love.”

  “I agree on all counts,” he said. “It also takes faith, Lizzie. Faith in God, and faith in yourself and your chosen mate.”

  She slapped a hand on the seat. “Well, you see, that right there knocks me out. My mother was a church-going woman who put all of her faith into making a home for my philandering father. He left her and me high and dry in our perfect house on the hill. So I don’t have any faith left. None at all. Not in marriage and certainly not in God.”

  A look of shock and compassion on his face, Jake stopped the truck on a bumpy dirt road near some trees, then looked over at her. “What if I told you I’m here to change your mind about all that?”

  Chapter Four

  “Okay, turn the truck around,” Elizabeth said, seething with so much anger, her knuckles were turning white as she held on to the door handle. The anger felt good. It covered a multitude of sins.

  “We just got here,” Jake told her, concern marring his face. “What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” She turned to him, lifted her chin a notch, waved her hands in the air. “Did you bring me out here to preach to me, Jake? ’Cause if you did, you can just find yourself another Realtor—”

  “Whoa,” he said, grabbing one of her flailing hands. “Settle down for just a minute, will you?”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath then pulled her hand away from his. “Look, you don’t need to redeem me or save me. Just show me the land.”

  Jake parked the truck on a wooded bluff, then came around to help her out. Elizabeth had no choice but to accept his hand, since the ground below her seemed far away.

  “Thank you,” she said, her tone clipped, her eyes straight ahead. “Let’s go.”

  Jake just stood there, his big body blocking her from the open door. “Not until you hear me out.”

  “I don’t need to hear you out. I just need to get on with the business of looking over this property.”

  “Yes, you do need to hear me,” he responded, one hand on the truck door and the other on the cab. “I didn’t mean to sound superior and sanctimonious back there. I was just trying to tell you that…well, Lizzie, I kinda like you. You intrigue me. I was hoping we might hit it off, that maybe I could bring that pretty smile to your face more often.”

  She stared up at him, her heart racing as her blood pressure shot up another notch. “So you brought me out here to preach to me and hit on me, too?”

  Jake shook his head, groaned. “No, I don’t plan to do either. My mama taught me to be a gentleman, and I don’t intend to do anything to change that. She’d turn over in her grave if I did.”

  That brought Elizabeth’s head up, and caused her to soften her stance. “Your mother’s dead?”

  He took off his hat and brushed a hand through his thick, dark hair. “She died about five years ago. My daddy’s still alive, but he’s in bad shape. I’m the youngest of six.”

  “Six?” She relaxed back against the truck, then glanced up at him, her anger simmering to a slow burn now. “Wow, a big family. That must have been fun growing up.”

  “It was at times,” he said, his tone gentle with memories. “At other times, we barely had enough to eat. My parents went without just so all six of their children could go to college. My brothers and sisters are all successful, but they’re scattered to the four winds. I live near my daddy, so now it’s my turn to take care of him, and pay him back.”

  Elizabeth found herself fascinated and touched, in spite of being mad at him. Her own father had walked out on her mother and Elizabeth a long time ago, so it was hard for her to comprehend that type of family love and loyalty. “Is that why you want to build this rustic retreat? To make more money?”

  “I don’t need any more money,” he said, his tone in no way proud nor braggish. “I just think it’s a good investment and a good idea. And I hope to bring my father up here to live in a safe, pleasant environment.”

  Okay, that was noble, Elizabeth decided. But she had to find his weak spot, the one thing that would rank him in the same category with her wayward father. “How did you make all your money?”

  He sighed, glanced out at the river beyond the hardwood trees. “I worked long and hard, and pretty much ignored everything and everyone around me.”

  “That’s what hard work does,” Elizabeth reasoned, feeling smug that he’d admitted that, at least. And a bit dejected. He didn’t seem the type. “If you want to succeed, you have to sacrifice.”

  Jake backed away then, but not before she saw the dark sadness flaring in his eyes. “Yeah, well, I did sacrifice, a lot. If it hadn’t been for my faith—”

  “Oh, so we’re back to that,” she said, moving past him to stare out at the gurgling water below. “And here I thought the conversation was going so nicely.”

  “Look,” he said, coming to stand beside her, “I’m here for one reason, to buy this land and get it developed. I’m not here to confirm you or to change you. I just need the best person for the job. I was told that person was you, but if you feel uncomfortable in any way—”

  “I’m fine,” she said, dollar signs zinging by on th
e wind. “I’ll be fine, Jake, as long as we stick to business. I like business. I don’t like all this talk about faith and fun.”

  “After what you just told me, I think you might could use a little of both.”

  “I shouldn’t have told you about my father. Forget it. It’s ancient history. My mother has managed to get on with her life, in spite of the fact that the man broke her heart.” She didn’t go into detail there. No need to tell him her mother lived for her church and charity work and stayed busy with both, now that she had retired from being a secretary. Her mother volunteered to fill the emptiness in her life. No husband and no grandchildren, as Phyllis Sinclair so often reminded her only daughter.

  Jake brought her back with his next question. “And how about you, Lizzie? Have you gotten on with you life?”

  Mercy, the man sounded just like her mother! Feeling defensive, Elizabeth held her hands in fists at her side. “I’ve managed just fine, yes.”

  “Then why do you seem so determined to put work ahead of everything else?”

  Elizabeth thought about her bitter, angry mother, sitting in an empty, immaculate house, pretending that she was happy. She thought about how her mother had been forced to find work, any work, just to make ends meet. Elizabeth had worked most of her life, too, to help her mother and to pay for her own education.

  Somehow, they had survived. But that survival had taught Elizabeth a valuable lesson. She would never live like that again. Even now, she worked to keep her mother from having to struggle in her golden years. Because Elizabeth had become so successful, Phyllis had at least been able to retire. A decision they both tended to regret sometimes.

  Not ready to tell Jake that, she said, “Well, unlike you, I haven’t made my complete fortune yet. So I don’t have time for anything but work.”

  “That’s a shame,” he said, his eyes still rich with some unspoken emotion. “But if that’s the way it has to be, then let’s get right to it.”

  Elizabeth watched as he headed down a path toward the water’s edge. Watched and fairly itched to know what he’d had to sacrifice. He looked healthy and happy, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. She supposed when you had money to burn, everything was great and good.

  Jake Clark could rely on his faith, because he’d never been through pain and heartache and disappointment, the way she had. What could he possibly know about those things?

  But when she remembered that distinctive sadness in his quicksilver eyes, she had to wonder if maybe he had suffered at some point in his life.

  And she longed to know just what had happened in his past to put that trace of regret and grief in his eyes.

  Jake stared down at the clear water moving over the rock bed below, wondering how it was that the good Lord had seen fit to hook him up with such a feisty and determined woman. A woman who clearly needed to find her faith again.

  Just stick to business, he told himself as he waited for Elizabeth to follow him. Jake didn’t know why this particular little fireball seemed to be burning a path through his heart. He couldn’t understand why, since Jo and Bram’s wedding, when he’d watched Elizabeth trying so hard to avoid catching that bouquet—he couldn’t get his mind off her. Maybe because she seemed so tough and cool, when inside she must be hurting just like the rest of humanity.

  Just like him.

  Jake refused to think about his own hurts right now. He had a major project to get on with. He wanted this to work, so he could bring his father here to rest and enjoy the beautiful views of the Ouachita Mountains, maybe do some bass fishing along the Caddo River. And he wanted to find some sense of peace here in Arkansas, close to his college buddy, Bram Dixon.

  Bram had encouraged Jake to come up and visit. He’d even suggested the land deal to him. But in his heart, Jake knew his friend was worried about him and only wanted to help him get over his grief and guilt.

  Maybe he could heal here in these gentle, rolling hills. Maybe. But not if he got all tangled up with a curly-headed, pint-sized whirlwind of a woman.

  A woman who wanted nothing to do with a man like him.

  Lord, what’s the plan? Jake silently prayed. What did God have in mind for him, he wondered, as he watched a lone hawk circling high out over the water.

  “What’s the plan, big guy?” Elizabeth asked from behind, causing Jake to start and turn around.

  “Sorry,” Elizabeth said, her eyes going soft with amusement and regret. “I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

  “It’s okay,” Jake replied, glad to see her smiling again. “I was just imagining all the work I’ll have to put into this place.” He gave her a sheepish look. “And I was asking God to help me make the right decisions.” At the skeptical lifting of her brows, he added, “You know, when you go into a project this size, and especially near a body of water, you have to deal with the environmentalists, the county, the state—a whole passel of people. It’s going to take a lot of teamwork to get it right. I intend to protect the land and this river, but I also want to bring jobs to this area and its people, to boost the economy. Tourism is important to this state. I aim to help in that area, too.”

  “Sounds as if you’ve got it all figured out,” Elizabeth said, her gaze moving over the water below.

  Jake should have been proud of that spark of admiration he detected in her words. But he wasn’t so proud. He’d learned to slow down, learned the hard way. He knew how to pace himself now. The work would be there, right where he left it. No rush. Just steady work, to make him tired at night, to banish the nightmares he still suffered through. Work to keep him sane.

  But never again would he let work control his life.

  God did that now. God was in control.

  With that thought in mind, Jake took a deep breath and smiled over at Elizabeth. She sure looked pretty, standing there in her cute little skirt and prim white blouse. Her golden, sun-kissed curls danced around her angular face with an artless beauty. Her skin was sparkling and freckle-dusted, her lips a pure peach color.

  “I have to get this right,” he told her, hoping she’d understand. “But I don’t like to rush things, Lizzie.”

  “Then we’re going to have to learn to work together, I guess,” she said, her tone devoid of any confrontations or accusations. “Let’s just get some things straight, okay?”

  He nodded, tipped his head. “I’m listening.”

  “One, I am the best Realtor around, so you can depend on me to get the job done. Two, I might get in a hurry at times, but it’s only because I like to be thorough and I like to get there first. Three, I think I like you, but I’m not ready for any romantic relationships, especially with a client.” She looked out over the river, then glanced back at him, her smile causing his heart to bubble and gurgle like the water below them. “And four, I’m gonna have to buy some hiking boots, ’cause these pink canvas sneakers aren’t cutting it out here in the duckweed and reeds.”

  “I’ll buy you some boots,” he said, relaxing when he saw that they’d reached a truce of sorts. “And I can agree to all your stipulations, except that part about getting romantic. But then, as I said, I don’t want to hurry things. We’ll just see where the road takes us.”

  “I guess I can live with that,” she said. “Just watch yourself, Mr. Clark. Keep on being that gentleman your mama raised and we’ll get along just fine.”

  “I’m sure we will.”

  She gave him an inquiring look, but Jake didn’t feel the need to elaborate on his words. He figured this would all happen in God’s own time. God had a plan for him. And if that plan included Elizabeth Sinclair, then so be it. Jake wouldn’t rush that, either.

  After all, he’d learned the hard way that some things couldn’t be rushed.

  And no amount of work could bring back the family he’d loved and lost. Ever.

  Chapter Five

  Summer settled over the tiny town of Prescott, Arkansas, like a damp blanket falling across a clothesline. It was humid and still, time moving with a
ll the laziness of a ladybug crawling along a moist leaf.

  Which only made Elizabeth want to move faster. She didn’t particularly enjoy summer. Besides bringing back bad memories of sad times long ago, it was too hot for words, and it just required so much energy.

  “Energy, I’ve got, at least for work,” she said out loud as she mused over the contracts for Jake’s land deal. Everything looked in order for the closing next month. She’d moved this one along pretty fast, since the buyer was anxious to sell. And, she had to admit, she’d moved it along fast because the quicker this deal went through, the sooner she’d be done with working so closely with Jake Clark.

  She had no energy left for that particular man.

  “I can’t give in,” she said, glancing around the cool office to make sure Brandy was still out running errands. True to his word, Jake had treated her to dinner that night a few weeks ago, after they’d looked over the land and checked out a couple of houses. Dinner at the nearest barbecue joint, at least. Not exactly romantic, but good food and an eclectic crowd. That dinner had been fun, safe, interesting. And he hadn’t asked her out since.

  But the man was sure up to something. She could feel it in her bones.

  Getting up, Elizabeth stared out the window to the hot asphalt street. All she saw were the wilted white and pink petunias Brandy had put in two planters by the bench on the corner. She didn’t see any signs of a big black truck anywhere. Maybe Jake would actually let a day pass without badgering her about finding him a house. That was his excuse for showing up here all the time, bearing flowers and candy for Elizabeth (because she was doing such a fine job on helping him to secure this property), bringing Brandy little trinkets (for working so hard to help him get things going on this development.)

  Oh, you’re a smooth one, Jake Clark, she thought, the smell of the lilies and roses he’d brought only yesterday wafting toward her nose with a teasing fragrance.