Her Perfect Man (9 page)

“Spence.” Rebecca rushed up to him. “Did you remember about my book?”

“She’s still here.” He jammed his thumb toward the back of the store. “She was supposed to be done hours ago, but she’s still here.”

Chad had no idea who they were talking about, but he knew one thing. The brother didn’t seem to like him. It was best to make a good first impression, so Chad stuck out his hand. “Good to meet you, sir. I’m Rebecca’s neighbor, Chad Lawson. We work together at the church day camp.”

Spence grabbed his hand and shook. Hard.

Chad stood his ground and didn’t allow himself to wince. “You have a nice bookstore here.”

“We try.” Spence spit out the words. He did seem like a truly unfriendly fellow. “I’ve got calls to make.”

Chad watched the big man stalk off. He could have been a soldier on a mission, he moved with that much determination and discipline.

“That went pretty well, considering.” Rebecca led the way through the stacks. “I think he likes you.”

Okay. It could have gone worse. Chad followed her down the long aisle of Christian fiction to where a blond-haired sunny-looking woman was slipping a handful of books onto a shelf.

“Lucy?” Rebecca called out. “How did the signing go?”

“About ten people showed up, and your brother made the comment that I was taking up space in his bookstore.” The woman shook her head, as if she found it all almost funny. “I thought I would annoy him by staying and signing everything of mine you guys had in stock.”

“He hates that.” Rebecca agreed. “Lucy, this is my friend Chad Lawson. He just met Spence, and it went rather well.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. It’s nice to meet you, Chad. It really was a warm and fuzzy greeting for Spence.”

“I heard that,” a deep baritone boomed from a few aisles over.

Rebecca giggled. She was endearing, with her brown hair framing her heart-shaped face. She looked at home here, as if she belonged. She loved the people here, he realized. Not just her family, but the customers, too, and this woman with the undefeatable smile.

“I thought you were going to your office,” Rebecca called out.

“I was, but I need paperwork from the back room.” His footsteps pounded on the carpet growing closer. “How much longer are you going to torture me, Lucy?”

“Sadly I am almost done here. I have signed and stickered the very last book. Thank you for having me, Spence.”

“Danielle was the one who wanted you here, not me. Excuse me.” He kept going, refusing to look right or left and especially at Lucy.

Interpretation: either he really liked Lucy or he was in a bad mood about something else.

“I signed a book for you,” Lucy was saying. “I left it behind the front desk. Spence remembered to ask for one. Hey, I heard all about you. Congratulations. I’m really happy for you.”

“Uh, what did you hear?” She winced, her mind spinning. What had her hopeful sisters been saying now?

“That you are on a vacation from romance. Sometimes that is the best thing to do. I did that once, and developed a really good friendship. It was with the man I eventually got engaged to long ago and almost married. We were friends, and then we were good friends and then it deepened into this rich and beautiful affection.”

Was God trying to tell her something? Or was this just coincidence?

“You should never settle for anything less, that’s my opinion anyway. But then I’m a romantic.” Lucy slipped the last book on the shelf. “Something is bothering me about your name, Chad. I knew a Chad Lawson when I lived in Lake Oswego.”

“Y-you’re from Oregon?” He took a step back.

“Yes, except the Chad I knew was in his eighties and passed away a few years ago.”

“That was my grandfather. I’m named after him.”

“He was a fine man. I interviewed him for a book I was writing set during World War II. He had a wonderful sense of humor. I’m glad to know you, Chad. You look like you’re a fine man, too.”

Rebecca could read the pain on his face easily, but she could sense more clearly the pain in his heart. She didn’t know how, but it was as if she knew. This had been difficult for him.

“I can’t compare to him, although I would sure like to one day. Maybe when I’m eighty, I’ll be half as good a man as he was.” Chad straightened his shoulders.

It was simple to see the goodness in him and the strength of character. Maybe that’s why she liked him. It struck her then that maybe what she felt was more than like.

She had a crush on her friend. That was a serious violation of her No Man policy. She had to stay a single and independent woman. No crushes were allowed.

Or were they? She considered that question as she waved goodbye to Lucy and helped Chad find the book for their Bible study. That question remained at the back of her mind and in the places in her heart where he had already touched with his kindness, his humor and his understanding.

Yep, she thought as she waited for him at the register, she was in big trouble.

“What did you get?” Chad asked her, leaning over her shoulder to get a look at the two books she’d picked up. “Hey, those are the same book.”

“One is for Katherine. I’m going to drop Lucy’s new book by her house on my way home. She hasn’t been complaining, but I’m sure it has to be hard to stay off her feet all day and night. She’s got three more months to go.”

“You’re a good sister.” He said that like a compliment.

“I’m not so good.” She blushed. “What is it that you said about your grandfather? That you can’t compare?”

“Then I understand that, too.” He took his bag, thanked Maggie the cashier and led the way toward the doors. Spence was straightening books on a shelf and gave him one final intimidating stare.

Message received. Be nice to Rebecca. Chad nodded once in answer, because he didn’t intend to be anything but nice to her. He held the door. “Look at that sunset.”

“It’s gorgeous.” She stepped out into the rosy hue that had fallen across the world. She seemed to drink in the loveliness, somehow making her more wholesome and perfect in his eyes.

His feelings were sort of like that light, soft and subtle and yet it had the power to change everything.

“Y
ou and Chad seem to be getting along,” Marin commented one morning in the church’s multipurpose room. They were setting out watercolors for the younger group. “I hear that you two have been spending a lot of time together.”

“Do I have to go through this again?” Laughing, Rebecca shook her head. “Do you know how many calls I got about this? We’re friends. How many times do I have to say it?”

“Probably a few hundred more,” Marin sympathized. “It was like that with Jeremy and me, too. I had given up all hope and wasn’t going to be fooled into trying to date again, and suddenly we were friends. Then suddenly, we were best friends.”

“I keep hearing that, too.” Really, it was not a sign from above. “I have a friends-only policy with Chad.”

“You wouldn’t think about changing it at all, you know, just to see if he’s the one?” Marin dug a box of watercolor brushes out of the closet.

“Not even. I’m enjoying being single.” That was the truth, but there was more she was still trying to figure out. Now that she could no longer deny having a crush on Chad, did that have to change things? She didn’t want anything serious, so did that mean she should take a step back?

“And while I’ve got you here, let me ask you this.” Marin set the box of brushes onto the nearest table. “How would you like to work for us permanently?”

“What?” Had she heard that right? “You mean a regular job. Something that isn’t just for the summer?”

“Exactly. We are expanding the day care and preschool programs to include after-school care. There is so much need for that, and it looks as if it’s going to be very popular. Schoolkids need a good place to spend their time while their parents are working, or busy with other family obligations. It wouldn’t be a full-time job, at least not to start. But there’s a great chance it will work into one eventually. What do you say?”

“I say yes.” She couldn’t believe it. “Do you really mean this? I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“No chance of that.”

“This is an answered prayer. Thank you, Marin. This is so great.” Down deep, she realized it was exactly what her heart wanted. She loved being around kids and making sure they had a fun and productive day. She loved her church and her family here. God had been leading her all along, why couldn’t she have seen that? Why did she spend all that time worrying about what to do with her life and how things would work out?

What she needed to do was to quit worrying.

“You need to talk with Pastor Michaels to get all the particulars, but I think this is going to be a good fit, don’t you?”

“Absolutely.”

Her phone jingled. She pulled it out of her jeans pocket. Another text message from Chad. She took the box and began distributing brushes around three of the tables.

Where R U? he’d written.

Where R U? she typed back.

“Who is that?” Marin asked with a note of amusement. “That’s not Chad, is it?”

How was she going to answer that? “I’m taking the fifth.”

“Ah, so you don’t have to hear me go on about where deepening friendships can lead. I got it.” Marin winked as she shut the cabinet door. “I’m going to head over for worship. I’ll take care of attendance so you can, well, visit with some of the other counselors.”

Her phone jangled. “I don’t mind helping with attendance.”

“Neither do I. You’re invaluable here, don’t you know that? Go take a few minutes before the service starts and take it easy. We’re going to have another wild and woolly day.”

“Okay, thanks.” She skipped out the door. She wanted to tell herself it was because she had a few free minutes, but really, that wasn’t the truth. No, the truth was as complicated as it could get. She squinted in the bright morning sunshine to read Chad’s message.

In church. Saved U a seat.

Like I would sit next to U, she typed. The parking lot was packed, and there was a line of cars dropping off kids. A few of the kids called out to her and she waved. Her phone trilled again, with Chad’s answer.

Who better?

So he made her laugh. There was nothing wrong with that. There was just something about him that made her spirit lighter than air. That couldn’t be wrong, right? She joined the kids and trooped up the front steps into the shelter of the calm sanctuary. Sunlight blazed through the stained glass windows, gracing the rows of pews with jeweled tones. A shaft of light slanted through the church as if to lead her directly to the spot where Chad was sitting alone, his head bent as he studied his phone and waited for her response.

She pulled over against the wall, well out of the stream of kids and tapped out her answer. Can’t think of anyone better than you. She sent it before she could change her mind and delete it entirely.

She watched him chuckle. He looked to be enjoying this exchange—and their friendship—as much as she did.

If that’s true, U need to get out more.

She liked his depreciating sense of humor most of all, she realized. She leaned against the wall, watching him sit up straight in the bench and look around. As if he felt her gaze, he turned toward her. His slow smile was about as perfect as a smile could be.

He
was about as perfect as a man could be. A real Prince Charming. He was amazingly handsome, inordinately kind, a real gentleman and as wholesome and faithful as a man ought to be. Not to mention he was funny and rich and sensible and real. He was Mr. Dreamy. A hundred on a scale of ten. Was that why he was scaring her so much?

He waved and the distance of the large sanctuary shrunk. The noise and chaos of all those kids getting into their groups and into place faded to silence. Her feet moved toward him. Everything within her stilled until there was complete calm and total peace. His smile made her soul brighten unbearably.

Yes, this was definite trouble. She stumbled in the aisle and his hand caught hers, steadying her, drawing her safely toward him. She gazed into his eyes and saw the kind of man who always stood strong. The kind of man she could always count on.

Not that she wanted a friendship that deep with him. Remembering what Marin, Lucy, Katherine and Ava had told her, she decided right then and there she had to be very careful. Friendship was one thing, but a romance was entirely another. She had to keep the two very separate.

“Thanks,” she told him breathlessly as she slid onto the pew beside him. “I caught my toe.”

“It happened to me earlier.” His confession was low and rumbling with amusement. “It wasn’t fair because I think I distracted you with my dazzling wit.”

“Oh, you mean the text messages? Not at all,” she quipped, doing her best to keep a straight face. “I was laughing over something else entirely.”

Why did that make both of them grin? Maybe because when they were together it was like the perfect day. She muted her phone and stuck it in her pants pocket. How had this happened? She didn’t want to have a crush on anyone. She had a policy. She had plans.

“Have you gotten a hold of Lauren about Saturday yet?”

His innocent question felt like a slap. She had meant to tell Lauren. “Not yet.”

“Just let me know.” Since the pastor had entered, Chad stood.

Rebecca was slow to follow. She had wanted to go out with him more than anything on Saturday night before she realized her true feelings, but what about now? She had to be cautious and careful. She wasn’t ready to accidentally fall into another relationship. She was not ready to trust another man with her heart.

All day long, she was troubled. Every time she spotted Chad across the room leading his group in prayer or outside puffing on the referee whistle during soccer or head bent in earnest conversation with a group of kids, her stomach knotted up. She hadn’t meant for this crush to happen. She really hadn’t. What did she do now? It was a relief at the end of the day to go straight to her car.

Predictably her cell trilled as she was unlocking the door. It was Chad calling this time. She stared at the screen as it rang a second time.

Get real, Rebecca, she told herself. He wasn’t asking to marry her. They were just friends. This was nothing serious. Why was she getting so jumpy? That was one question she couldn’t answer. Or, truthfully, didn’t want to. But she felt better as she answered. “Hi there, buddy.”

“Oh, so you are going to talk to me.” His footsteps padded behind her on the blacktop. “I wanted to catch you before you left.”

She disconnected and turned around. He emerged from the shade of the tree walking with that athletic confidence of his, and he was smiling, but there was something different in his eyes. Something that looked very much like sadness. Had he been watching her debate whether to answer his call or not? Had she hurt him?

“Sorry, I have a lot on my mind,” she explained. That was the complete truth. “We didn’t have plans for tonight, did we?”

“No, but I was hoping we could start—”

“—cooking lessons.” They said the words together.

“It’s okay. We can do it another night,” Chad was quick to add and pocketed his phone.

Now she felt horrible. “No, tonight is fine. How about we make spaghetti?”

“Sounds great to me. You’re sure you don’t mind?”

“Mind? No. I’m looking forward to it.” And that, she discovered, was true, too.

“You seemed a little distant today. I know you were busy. I was busy, too. It was that kind of day.” He shrugged, maybe a little shy and self-conscious.

It only made her like him more. Okay, so she was a little sweet on him. She was just going to have to get used to it and accept it. This wasn’t a serious relationship. This wasn’t even a relationship. This was a friendship—friends, and nothing more, nothing deeper. Just—what had Chad called it?—summer friends. That’s it. They were summer friends.

“It wasn’t anything I did, was it?” A tiny crinkle cut into his forehead.

“No. It’s me. Entirely me.” How did she explain? She didn’t even understand it herself. “I’ll meet you at my place?”

“Deal.” He towered over her for one more moment looking like everything good that a man should be. “I’m going to apologize ahead of time. I don’t have a lick of kitchen experience. We had a kitchen staff when I was growing up, and for the last two years I was eating in the dorms. So if I do something like accidentally burn something or catch something on fire, you won’t end our friendship, right? Or our cooking lessons?”

“No, I promise.” Why was she laughing? And how did this man make her feel as if life was one wonderful, fun adventure? “If you do either of those things, I will see it for the cry for help that it is. I will do my duty and I won’t let you go off to cook on your own until we’re certain you aren’t a danger to yourself or a menace to society.”

“Excellent. You’re a true friend, Rebecca.” He saluted her crisply. “I’ll see you in a few.”

She watched Mr. Dreamy walk away and thought of how good he was with the day camp kids. They all seemed to really like him. He seemed to fit right in with the other counselors. He was excellent at every sport they had played and he seemed faithful to the core. Of course she had developed a crush for him. What girl wouldn’t? Maybe there was nothing wrong with harboring a tiny, harmless crush. After all, it wasn’t as if she was going to amend her No Man policy. A crush was just a strong regard. Why shouldn’t she spend time with him? Even though he is Mr. Perfect, it’s not as if she’s going to fall in love with him. She was in charge of her heart, thank you very much. She had no reason to panic.

She was in her twenties, she rationalized as she unlocked her car and started the engine. It was the time for young adults to explore the positive possibilities for their lives and to have a little harmless fun, right? This was the time in her life to make lasting friendships. There was nothing wrong with that.

Maybe the trouble was that she was being way too serious. She lowered the windows and turned the air-conditioning on high. Heat blasted her, and she couldn’t help noticing that Chad was already backing his truck out of the parking space. He was leaving without her.

She put the car in Reverse—ouch, the gearshift was hot. She touched the steering wheel—double ouch. The tips of her fingers felt as if they were burning off, but did that stop her? No. This was lunacy, she thought as she backed up with two fingers on the wheel, and a measure of how much she was looking forward to spending the evening with him.

She was following him out of the parking lot when her cell rang. She hit the speaker button. “Hi, Chad.”

“Hey, I forgot to ask. Do we need to stop by the grocery store?”

“I think I can scrape enough spaghetti makings out of my cupboards to make do.”

“Okay. Do I need to bring anything else? Iced tea? Paper plates? Dessert?”

“All you need to do is bring yourself.” She checked for traffic and pulled onto the side street. “And Ephraim, if he’s hanging around your kitchen. We don’t want him to starve.”

“That sounds fun. I’ll drag him along. He has an evening class tonight, but he can stay long enough to pick up a few cooking tips. He needs it, believe me. This is a good service you are doing.”

“You make it sound as if I’m performing some noble task, like joining the armed services or volunteering for the peace corps.”