California Dreaming: Four Contemporary Romances by Casey Dawes Page B

Bobby, but I like my time alone, too. I can run my own life and I’m not willing to give that up for twenty-four hours every day with anyone, not even Bobby.”
    “Does he understand that?”
    “I explain, and he nods his head, but I don’t think he’s really listening. We’re good for a few weeks and then he asks again. He’s so stubborn that he figures if he keeps asking I’ll give in.”
    “There’s got to be some way you guys can make this work.”
    “I don’t know. I’m tired of trying.” Elizabeth snapped open her paper and buried her nose in it.

Chapter 8
    John spent his weekend with Beth Brighton, the real estate agent Elizabeth had recommended, looking for a place where there was enough room to stable Starfire and set up his welding equipment, which was still in storage after the move from Montana. He’d tried welding in college, using the class to fulfill an undergraduate requirement. Surprising himself, he’d taken to it, enjoying the process of pulling broken shapes together.
    During his marriage to Jessica, he’d maintained the ranch equipment and structures on their small spread in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. As his wife had become sicker, and even more after she’d died, he’d begun to weld odd sculptures together, using the physical labor to sweat out his sorrow, littering the lawn with angry bits of metal.
    By five o’clock on Sunday, he still hadn’t seen any properties that suited him. The houses were either too close together or too expensive. Brushing off dinner with the Beth, John climbed into his truck and headed back to his temporary home.
    Why in hell did Annie have to leave? She had said she felt safe with him. Truth was, he felt safe with her, too. He was pretty sure that what he saw was the true woman, but there was something she was hiding. The skittishness he’d seen on Friday ran deep. There was more to her story than a bad marriage with Fred. Was that she why she was sticking with a company that was ready to lay her off? What had happened to her that made her afraid to take a risk?
    Could he offer her a job? Would it be enough to keep her close?
    More importantly, could he keep his hands off her if she worked for him?
    He smiled and shook his head. Probably a bad idea.
    It was after eight o’clock when he ran out of chores around the house. He stared at the phone for five more minutes before he picked it up to call her.
    “How are you feeling?” he asked after she answered the phone. “Any soreness from Friday?”
    “A little, but not bad at all.”
    “I was thinking about getting together for coffee. Are you free tomorrow afternoon?”
    “Really, John, I don’t think we should.”
    He began to pace his living room. “No strings, just a cup of coffee. I got the message. You’re intent on leaving. But I’d like to spend time with you while you’re still here. How about it?”
    He could feel her hesitation over the airwaves.
    Finally she answered. “I can make time around three. Shall I meet you at the bookstore?”
    “Getting away from prying eyes would be better for me. How about Peet’s in Soquel?”
    “I’ll see you at three.”
    John got to the coffee shop fifteen minutes early, giving him time to choose a fair-trade, dark-roasted espresso and a Pacific Cookie Company sugar cookie. At the last minute, he made it two. He settled himself outside at a metal table in the sun and kept an eye out for Annie.
    He spotted her as soon as he sat down and waved at her as she approached the coffee shop, admiring her figure as she sauntered toward him. A bright pink tee-shirt accented her blond hair, fuzzed by ocean humidity and the faint spring breeze. Unfolding his body from the low chair, John pulled out a chair for her. “Thanks for coming. Have a seat. Can I get you something?”
    “Medium-sized coffee with milk will do fine.”
    John gestured toward the brown paper bag on the table. “I hope you like sugar cookies.”
    She looked up at him, a