How (Not) to Fall in Love (9 page)

“I still like Darcy better dan Heather.”

Chapter Twelve

October 25

Dear Darcy,

My journey continues. Not sure when I’ll be back. Still following the Stones.

Love,

Dad

T
his one was postmarked Rolla, Missouri. “
Greetings from the Middle of Everywhere.”

Rolla? More like the middle of nowhere.

“The Stones? He’s following the Rolling Stones?” I asked Toby. We leaned against the pillows on my bed. He stretched and yawned, then closed his eyes.

Dad’s card didn’t make any sense. Even if that ancient rock band was touring, they wouldn’t be playing in the middle of nowhere. But just in case, I googled it. Nope, not touring.

What was in Rolla that could possibly interest my dad? I looked at one of the town’s visitor websites. A university. Lots of outdoor activities and an abundance of trout streams. My dad hated fishing. I scrolled down to the bottom of the page and my breath caught.

“Stonehenge revisited.”

I clicked the link. Photos of a partial replica of the original Stonehenge filled the page. I skimmed the description. The henge was on the university campus, built by engineering students back in the 1980s. Holy shiz.
Still following the Stones.
I grabbed my cell and called Mom.

“Darcy, what is it? I’m in the middle of showing a house. I’ll call you back.”

“Mom, I think I know what Dad’s doing. He’s chasing Stonehenge.”

There was a long pause. “What are you talking about?”

“His latest postcard, from Missouri. There’s a henge replica at a university there.” I ran down the stairs, nervous energy shooting through me like fireworks. “I bet we can find him. I’ll look online to see where the other replicas are.” I yanked open the pantry and grabbed a box of crackers.

“Darcy, you’re not making any sense. I need to go. We’ll talk later tonight.”

“But I—”

The call disconnected. Damn it. Why wouldn’t she listen to me? This was a huge freaking clue about what Dad was doing. I tore into the box of crackers. Toby padded into the kitchen and looked up at me with hopeful eyes.

“Fine, you greedy dog.” I grabbed the box of Scooby treats and tossed him a couple. “But this means no skipping our run tomorrow.” I was proud of myself that I’d resumed my goals. For a while I’d slacked off, especially on the mornings I found Mom passed out on the couch. But lately, on days I didn’t want to run, I heard Dad’s voice and his stupid quote about even the slowest runner still crossing the finish line.

Lame. But I still ran.

I spent the next hour scouring websites about Stonehenge replicas. They were all over the country. I found one in Ingram, Texas, which explained Dad’s first postcard. I needed to plot the henges on a map. Dad had a whole shelf full of atlases in his office.

Opening the office door, I looked around the room, feeling his absence more keenly here than anywhere else. I grabbed the biggest atlas and ran upstairs to my room, threw the oversized book on the bed, and opened to the U.S. map. Using a red pen, I starred all the states with henges. Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan. New Hampshire, Virginia, Washington.

How could I possibly figure out where he’d go next?

My phone alarm beeped and I realized I was due at Liz’s in an hour. I needed to leave now to catch the bus, since the Reaper guzzled so much gas and I was trying to save money.

The sleuthing would have to wait until later.

Sal called me as I waited at the bus stop. “You’re working tonight, right?”

“Yeah.” I couldn’t contain my excitement at the first hope I’d had in forever. “Sal, I think I found out something about my dad. I might know what he’s doing.”

“You’re kidding!” she exclaimed. “What?”

Bus exhaust fumes filled my nose. “I’ll have to call you later. It’s a long story.”

“I never see you anymore.” She sounded like she would be pouting, if she were a pouting kind of girl. “There’s a party tonight. You should come after work. You can tell me all about your clue, Dr. Watson.”

“Actually, the correct reference would be Sherlock.”

“Whatever, brainiac. Will you come to the party?”

The bus shuddered to a stop in front of me. “Maybe. Text me later.”

“Ciao.”

L
iz untied her “Kiss me, I’m over-caffeinated” apron and hung it on a hook. She wore the necklace I’d made for her. She wore it often, and had been bugging me to make more jewelry to sell in the coffee shop, claiming that customers kept asking where they could buy a necklace like hers.

“You’re in charge, darling,” she said. “Time for Charlie and me to hit it.”

It was my first night to close the shop by myself. I’d logged enough time with Liz and enough solo afternoons that she’d decided I was ready. Still, she assured me, “Lucas will come over to help you lock up and make sure everything’s okay.”

My stomach tightened. I hadn’t seen him since the bead incident. I still felt a little hurt and embarrassed that he’d laughed at the idea of kissing me. Some tiny part of me still hoped that someday he’d see me in a kissable light, but more likely I was another sister to him, just taller and snarkier than Pickles.

“Do I really need his help?” I asked.

Liz raised an eyebrow. “Trouble in paradise?”

I blinked at her in confusion. “What do you mean?”

She packed up her tote bag, watching me curiously. “You two get along so well. I thought you’d be happy to have him swing by to help.”

“Uh, yeah.” I paused to breathe. Exhale stress. Inhale calm. “It’s fine if he helps. I just…just wanted to do it on my own. You know?”

She smiled at me and tossed a loopy, hand-knitted shawl around her shoulders. “I trust you completely, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“I know you do, Liz. And thanks for asking Lucas to stop by. I’m sure he’ll be…helpful.”

She waved good-bye and zoomed out of the store like a whirlwind. Charlie met her out front and enveloped her in a hug. They waved to me and then disappeared into the night.

Lucas showed up about nine thirty. I glanced at the Eiffel Tower wall clock. “You’re early. We close at ten.” I was irritated that he was such a distraction, much as I tried to ignore his effect on me. I wanted to think about my Dad, and I was anxious to get home to look online for more henges. I’d already texted Sal that I wasn’t coming to the party. She was bummed, but she’d get over it.

Leaning against the counter, Lucas watched while I washed plates and cups. “I know when closing time is, Shaker Girl. But Charlie’s shop closes at nine, so I’ve got time to kill.” He grinned. “I thought I’d grace you with my company.”

I rolled my eyes. “Make yourself useful. Take out the trash. Sweep the floor. I’m still finding beads everywhere.”

His smile faded. “That sucks. You should’ve let me help clean up that day.”

“I’m kidding.” I narrowed my eyes. “But you should let Pickles come see me again for a jewelry lesson. We’d have fun.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you? You realize that little kids are terrorists in disguise? They just wait for the right opportunity, and then wham! They’ll take you right out.”

“Chicken,” I accused. “Afraid of your own sister?”

He wandered behind the counter and grabbed a dishtowel, then took a wet cup from my hand and dried it. I was surprised I wasn’t electrocuted by his fingers touching mine. He, of course, was completely unfazed.

“My sister is going to run her own army someday,” he said. “Meanwhile, she’s got me to boss around.”

I handed him another cup to dry. “You just have to know how to handle little kids,” I said. “They aren’t that complicated. The boys, especially, are easy to manage since they aren’t as smart. Even when they grow up.”

He flicked the towel at me and I jumped out of the way, laughing.

By the time ten o’clock rolled around, I’d forgiven him for not falling in love with me. Maybe it was better being friends. We probably had a lot more fun that way.

Lucas was in the alley taking out the trash when the front door swung open. Damn. I’d forgotten to flip over the
closed
sign and lock the door.

“Good evening.”

I looked up to see an older man in a tweed blazer and matching cap. He brushed snow off his shoulders and smiled at me. “The snow just started and I see you’re about to close. Can you make me a quick double-shot cappuccino, extra dry, and I’ll take it to go.” He looked around the café. “Where’s Liz tonight? She’s the best barista in town.”

“She left early.” I paused. He must be a regular, so I turned on the charm. “I’m Darcy. I started here a few weeks ago.”

“Ah. I’m Herbert. I’m sure you must be a fabulous barista, too, if you’re working for Liz.” He rocked back on his heels and waited for his drink, smiling like a kid at Disneyland.

Thanks to Lucas and his extra dry obsession, I wasn’t freaked out by Herbert’s order. I held the pitcher of milk under the steaming rod and cranked up the frother, releasing more steam. The milk bubbled noisily.

Would I be able to predict Dad’s route, if I mapped all the henge towns? Could I figure out where he was going based on where he’d already been?

The steamer sounded like a train whistle, jarring me back to where I was, but not before the milk boiled over, scalding my hand.

“Damn!” I dropped the pitcher, hot milk spilling all over my shoes and the floor.

“What happened?” Herbert peeked over the counter, alarmed.

Tears burned in my eyes as the hot milk burned my skin. I ran to the sink to put my hand under cold water.

“Darcy? Are you all right?” Lucas was at my side, his hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see his beautiful eyes raking over me with concern.

I shivered at his touch and closed my eyes, dying of embarrassment. “I will be.” So stupid. My first screw-up in weeks and it happened when Lucas was there to witness it.

“She burned her hand,” said Herbert. “I’m not sure what happened. I just heard her yell and then she dropped the pitcher.”

Lucas leaned over the sink to look at my bright red skin. “That’s a bad burn. You might need to see a doctor.”

“What? No. Absolutely not.” This was mortifying. “It’s not a big deal.”

Herbert cleared his throat. “Any chance I could still get my cappuccino? Already paid for it, you know.”

Lucas glanced at Herbert, then at me. He rolled his eyes. “Sure,” he said, “but then we really need to close up.”

“Double shot, extra-dry crappucino,” I muttered to Lucas. His sideways smile stopped my heart.

He zoomed around like Super Barista, cleaning up the mess I’d made, preparing and handing Tweedy his drink in a few efficient moves, then escorting him to the door. Lucas locked the door behind him and flipped the
open
sign to
closed
.

“I can’t believe that guy,” he said, shutting off the overhead lights. Only a dim glow behind the counter remained.

My hand was raw and red. I turned off the faucet and wrapped a towel around it. “Me either. I wonder if he would’ve still wanted his drink if I’d chopped off a finger.”

Lucas laughed. “Probably. ‘Paid for it already, you know.’” He walked behind the counter and took my hand. “Let me see it,” he said softly.

I stood there trembling, whether from the shock of the burn, the embarrassment of my espresso disaster, or my proximity to Lucas, I didn’t know.

He unwrapped the towel and I winced. “I don’t need to go to the ER. It’s not that bad.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” he said, glancing at me from under those disgustingly long eyelashes.

“Oh really? Are you in med school, too?”

He smirked. “No. But I’ve taken first aid classes. And I’ve seen Bella do damage before.”

“On Liz?”

“Yeah. When she first got this machine.” He shook his head.

“The emergency drawer,” I said. Liz had mentioned it before, but I’d never looked inside it. “Maybe there’s a first aid kit in there.”

Lucas frowned. “Emergency drawer?”

I pointed to the red skull and crossbones painted on a drawer under the counter, and was baffled when he dropped my hand and burst out laughing.

“What?” I tingled from his touch and the burn.

Lucas yanked open the drawer and pulled out a hand-lettered sign which read,
“Beautiful Bella is having a time-out. Regular coffee and tea only today. Sorry. Try us again tomorrow. We hope she’ll be in a better mood then.”

“Liz used this a lot when she first opened up.” Lucas slid the sign back in the drawer. He shot me another sexy smile as he headed for the back of the store. “I’ll go to the real emergency drawer and get the first aid kit.”

God, now I felt like a total idiot. I sighed and put away the clean cups with my uninjured hand. I just wanted to get home and talk to Mom about what I’d discovered about Dad, and show her the places I’d already marked on the atlas.

Lucas reappeared quickly with the first aid kit, housed in a vintage jewelry box, not a plastic tub with a giant red cross on the lid.

“What’s that?” I asked, as he removed the cap from a slender silver tube.

“This is some burn gel Liz got when she was first taming Bella. It’s the same stuff chefs use for burns in the kitchen.” He waved a white roll at me. “And this is gauze. Maybe you’ve heard of it?”

“Ha.” I glared at him and muttered, “I’m not in a joking mood.”

He looked up from the gauze as he unwound it. “Why not? Now seems like a good time for a joke. It’ll help take your mind off the pain.”

“The pain is the least of my worries,” I said. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Yeah? Like what?” Lucas took my hand in his and smoothed cool gel over the burn. The sensation blocked out all rational thought for a few seconds, until he reached for the gauze and wrapped it gently around my hand.

“Earth to Darcy,” he said, letting go of my bandaged hand and looking into my eyes. “So what’s on your mind besides the pain, which I just totally eliminated for you?”

He’d taken away the pain, all right, but not in the way he thought. I kept my eyes lowered while I composed myself before answering him.

“It’s some stuff I figured out today. About my dad.” I raised my head, blinking quickly, hoping he couldn’t see any evidence of me swooning over him.