The Best Man's Bride (6 page)

“Yes. Nick.” Josh pushed a hand through his already tousled hair in a gesture reminiscent of his best friend’s. “He doesn’t understand.”

“I’m sorry. I know he’s your best friend, but…”

“He means well,” Josh defended him. “He may not understand me, but I think I understand him. We go back a long way. He loves me like a brother.” Josh sighed. “That’s why he’s pressuring me to leave Cloverville. He’s worried that I might do something crazy.”

“I thought he considered staying in Cloverville crazy.” Colleen’s pulse quickened, as she thought of their picnic date. She glanced at her watch. She was supposed to meet him in less than an hour. Actually, she’d never agreed. He’d just assumed that no female could say no to Dr. Nick Jameson, one of the
GQ
doctors. The two men were called other nicknames, too—she’d heard Nick referred to as Dr. Yummy and Dr. Hottie.

But she’d never paid much attention to what the staff and volunteers called Josh. She’d only paid attention to Nick—even when he hadn’t noticed she was alive. Or maybe because of that. Because
unrequited
crushes were safe. Picnic dates in the park were not.

“Oh, God,” Josh said with a groan. “I’m not the only one he’s pressuring. I saw the two of you on the dance floor last night. I should have known what he was up to.”

“That he only asked me to dance to find out where my sister is?” She’d known that, of course, but still her face heated with embarrassment and regret dimmed her spirit as, outside the patio doors, clouds rolled across the sun.

“I didn’t mean
that.
” He shook his head, as if in self-disgust. “That didn’t sound right. But you have to know Nick. He’s really single-minded.”

“I know.” He was determined to find her sister.

“No, Colleen, you don’t know him. No matter how many years you’ve been volunteering at the hospital, you don’t know Nick,” Josh insisted. “He lets very few people get close to him.”

“You.”

“Like I said, we go back a long way. I knew him before…” Josh sighed. “I knew him before he got like this.”

Her breath caught. Had Nick been hurt? “Like
this?
”

“Determined to go it alone, to never get involved with
anyone.
”

“I know,” she assured him. “I have been volunteering at the hospital for a few years now. I’ve heard all the gossip about Dr. Jameson.”

Josh nodded. “The sad part is that all the rumors are true. He’s never really had a serious relationship.”

“I understand not wanting to fall in love. The risk is too great.” She didn’t want to wind up like her mother, heartbroken and alone.

Josh laughed. “Yeah, he has a point. Hell, with my divorce—now this—I’m probably part of the reason he keeps his relationships casual.”

“Part of the reason? What’s the other part?” she asked, curiosity overwhelming her good manners. With Nick, she had to pry. “Did he have his heart broken once?”

Josh shook his head. “No. He declared himself a bachelor for life a long time ago.”

She nodded. “I see.” Although she wasn’t sure that she did.

“I know a lot of the nurses and volunteers hope he’ll change his mind and date someone from the hospital.”

“He doesn’t even date?” Then what was the picnic about?

Josh laughed. “He dates. I call it serial dating. Never more than a few times, and never someone he’d risk running into every day.”

Then why had he asked her out? Did he have no idea she volunteered at the hospital, or was finding out where Molly was worth the risk of seeing Colleen again—after he’d dumped her and broken her heart?

His blue eyes soft with concern and his voice gentle as if he spoke to one of his boys, Josh said, “Colleen…”

She understood now how he’d earned his reputation as the doctor with the best bedside manner.

“I would hate to see you get hurt,” he said. “Trust me—it’s no fun.”

“I’m not going to get hurt,” she assured him. “I don’t want to date Nick.” Not that she hadn’t thought about it, dreamed about it. But fantasies were safe, whereas reality was not. She had no intention of meeting Nick Jameson in the park.

“That’s too bad,” he said heavily.

A laugh sputtered out of her in reaction to his disappointment. “But I thought you didn’t want me getting hurt.”

“I don’t.” His blue eyes narrowed as he studied her face.

“But maybe you wouldn’t. Maybe you’d be the one who finally got Nick to fall.”

“But you said he’s determined to never get serious about anyone,” she reminded him.

“He made his decision with all the arrogance,” Josh laughed, “and ignorance of a man who’s never fallen in love. But he will fall one day. And when he does, it’s going to be hard, Colleen.”

She smiled, and then shook her head. “Maybe. But it won’t be for me.”

Josh narrowed his eyes and stared at her. “I think you’re wrong. I think you’re just the kind of woman, sweet and generous, that Nick could finally fall for.”

“I’ve been working at the hospital for so long,” she said, even though he’d made the same point only moments ago,

“but Nick never noticed me until the wedding.”

“Well, yeah, that’s because he never dates anyone from the hospital.”

“Just like he never gets serious about anyone.” She wasn’t going to waste her heart on another playboy. From working for Clayton at the insurance agency, she’d learned plenty about risk. And Nick was too great a risk—for her heart.

“He’s not going to fall for me.”

“But I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at you yesterday.”

Her pulse leaped, but she quelled the excitement. It didn’t matter. “I’m not going to fall for him.”

“Well…”

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“I wish you’d reconsider. Nick’s really a great guy. No one could have a more loyal friend,” Josh insisted with such vehemence that a muscle jumped in his cheek.

“No. I’m sorry that my sister stood you up at the altar,” she explained. “I would have liked having you as my brother-in-law.”

He smiled. “We don’t have to be family to be friends, Colleen. I’d still like to have you as a friend.”

Sadness touched her heart. She hadn’t always been the best friend, but she’d learned from her mistakes. “I’d like that too, Josh.”

“Good,” he said with satisfaction. “I’m going to need friends here. I’ve already bought a house in Cloverville. For me and the boys.”

“You’re staying.”

“Nick’s not happy about it,” he said, with a shrug of his broad shoulders, “but, yes, I’m staying. I’ve closed on the house, but the sellers won’t be out for another two weeks.”

Which was when he was supposed to have returned from his honeymoon with Molly.
Oh, Molly, what were you thinking, to give up one of the few good men left?

“Oh,” she said with a teasing smile. “I understand. You’d just like a backup babysitter, since you’re going to be living in Cloverville now.”

He didn’t deny her allegation. “Buzz and TJ said that when Nick took them to the park this morning they ran into you. They said you read them a story.”

“Yes.”

“Like you read to the children at the hospital.”

Even though pediatrics wasn’t Josh’s specialty, he knew what Colleen did. How was it that Nick had no idea? Because he didn’t care. He was only after one thing. Not her body or her heart but her sister’s whereabouts.

“So it’s not going to matter what Molly says when she comes home?” she asked. “You’re staying?”

He nodded. “It’s not going to matter.”

So Nick would be wasting his charm on Colleen. Even if she gave up Molly’s whereabouts, nothing her sister said would convince Josh to forget about moving to Cloverville.

“Please,” she said, “tell Brenna I stopped by.”

“I’m sure she’ll be down in a minute,” Josh said, gesturing toward the pressed-tin ceiling.

“It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll talk to her later.” She didn’t need Brenna to tell her what she already knew. To stay far, far away from Nick Jameson.

Nick paced the grass around the blanket he’d spread out. The picnic basket anchored one corner of the plaid fleece while the breeze played with the other three. Tree branches swayed as the wind picked up, cooling the Sunday afternoon to such a degree that he found himself left alone in the park. No children playing. No dogs barking.

No Colleen.

No smiling-haughty-laughing-kissing Colleen.

He glanced at his watch. He’d waited almost an hour for her. More than thirty minutes ago he’d decided she wasn’t coming. But still he waited. Because what if she showed and he was gone? Then he’d have missed seeing her.

And he wanted to see her more than he’d ever wanted to see anyone before. He swallowed hard. No, there’d been one person he wanted to see more than her. Bruce. He’d been too young to die. If only…

But could Nick have saved his brother from a broken heart? Hell, he wasn’t all that sure he could save himself.

He pushed his hand through his hair. She wasn’t coming. He was wasting his time. In the park and in Cloverville. He leaned over, reaching for the basket and the blanket.

“Are you always this impatient?” a soft voice asked.

The pressure on his chest eased, and he lifted his head. He’d seen her earlier, of course, in those short shorts and light cotton blouse, with her dark hair thick and loose around her bare shoulders, but still her beauty staggered him. His body tensed, and his breath shortened. How he wanted her. “Yes, I am impatient,” he admitted.

“Then why’d you wait?”

“I don’t know.”

“Liar,” she accused him, and her enormous eyes narrowed.

“I don’t think you ever
not
know what you’re doing.”

“I had to see you.” It was that simple. He didn’t care if she told him where her sister was. He’d only wanted to see her again.

“Liar.” She repeated the accusation, in a breathy whisper this time. She’d been affected by his words despite her obvious resolve to not let him get to her.

His mouth curved into a grin as he observed, “You don’t trust me.”

“I was warned that you can be quite single-minded.”

“Josh?”

She nodded.

He laughed, not surprised that Josh had taken it upon himself to warn her. Like Clayton McClintock, he had a thing about protecting others from pain. Too bad that his best friend wasn’t as vigilant about protecting himself.

“You two have a pretty close friendship,” she observed.

“A close and
honest
friendship.” Josh had been right to warn her. Even though he wouldn’t mean to, Nick would undoubtedly wind up hurting her. And probably he’d hurt himself, as well.

“So, be honest with me,” she implored. “Tell me why you wanted me to come to this picnic.”

“I don’t think you’re going to believe what I
say,
” he said, reasoning with her and himself. She’d left him no choice. “So maybe you’ll believe what I
do.
”

As he stepped close to her, Colleen held her breath. Waiting. As he’d waited for her. She had watched him from behind the shrubs. She hadn’t intended to come to the park at all, but she’d pretty well had to walk past on her way home from the Kellys’. So she’d snuck through the gates, and then she’d found where he’d set out the blanket and the basket—in the shadow of the broken statue. And she’d watched Nick, who’d exchanged his rumpled tux for faded jeans and a dark T-shirt, pace and stare at his watch. She hadn’t intended to talk to him, but he’d waited so long.

For her.
Josh was right—Nick was single-minded. She’d thought he was only concerned with finding her sister. But could he actually be interested in
her?

He reached for her, his hands cupping her face. Then he leaned forward, his mouth so close she could almost taste his lips. But he touched her only with his hands. His thumbs stroked the line of her jaw while his fingers traced her cheekbones. “You’re so beautiful.”

She’d heard the compliment before, from men who wanted something from her. And Nick wanted something from her, too, she reminded herself. Although it probably wasn’t to get her into bed, or he would have proposed a more private picnic spot than the park. However, the threat of a storm had stopped anyone else from coming to the park. The threat of heartache should have stopped
her.

She shook her head, but his hands didn’t slip from her face. “I’m not beautiful.” Not like her sister or Abby or Brenna. She’d always been shaped more like a two-by-four than a woman.

His brow furrowed as he stared down at her. “Haven’t you ever looked in a mirror? You’re gorgeous.” He sighed, and his breath teased her lips. “We already established you’re not going to believe what I
say.
”

So he
did.
Finally. He kissed her. His mouth hot and insistent, he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid over hers, teasing and tempting her.

Passion warmed Colleen’s skin, flushing her face. She’d been kissed before, but she couldn’t remember any man’s lips but Nick’s. He tasted like espresso, dark and dangerous and destined to make her heart skip beats.

“I’m seriously attracted to you, Colleen,” he murmured against her lips. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”

But she reminded herself that he’d never noticed her until yesterday. Until the wedding-that-wasn’t. She pulled away, and his hands fell back at his sides.

“I didn’t come for that,” she said, her voice shaky as she failed to summon the composure she’d sought. Maybe she needed the red dress and the confidence it had inspired in her.

“Why did you come, Colleen?”

“I wish I knew.” She swallowed hard, then admitted, “I wish I were like you.”

His brow furrowed in confusion. “How’s that?”

“I wish I
always
knew what I was doing.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You don’t always know?”

Standing in the shadow of Colonel Clover’s bent and broken body, she shook her head. “Not last night. Not when I kissed you. And definitely not now.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “Don’t think. Just sit down and join me.” He tugged her down onto the soft fleece blanket.

“For lunch.”

“It’s too late for lunch.” She hoped it wasn’t too late for her, that she hadn’t already fallen for a man who’d never be able to love her.

“Then, dinner.”

“It’s too early for dinner.”

“This is Cloverville,” he pointed out. “Don’t you roll up the sidewalks by four o’clock? Heck, what am I saying? There’s nothing open now.”

“It’s Sunday,” she reminded him. “Most of the town shuts down on Sunday.”

“I see that,” he said, gesturing around him. The swings, although empty, swayed. The merry-go-round creaked as it moved in the wind.

“It’s supposed to rain.” Mr. Meisner had told her the forecast that morning, warning of afternoon showers. While the wind blew and the sky darkened with clouds, not a drop fell. Nick’s kiss, clinging yet to Colleen’s lips, threatened more than the weather.

Nick shook his head. “Nope. I won’t allow it to rain.”

A smile at his arrogance teased her mouth. “So you control the weather?”

“I wish.” He opened the basket and pulled out a bottle of wine.

“It’s not the only thing you wish you could control,” she mused.

“I’m not trying to control you,” he insisted.

“No, you’re not,” she agreed. “You’re trying to charm me.” And that was far more dangerous.

He uncorked the bottle and filled a plastic glass with white wine. “How am I doing?”

She accepted the glass and sipped from the rim. “Mmm.” The sauvignon blanc rolled over her tongue, crisp and fruity. “Wonderful.”

“I’m doing better than I thought,” he teased.

“I was talking about the wine,” she explained.

His green eyes sparkled with mischief. “What about me?”

She sighed. “You’ll know how you’re doing.”

“When?” he persisted as he poured himself some wine.

“When you get what you want.” If he kept laying on the charm, she worried that he’d soon have what he wanted. For him, she would betray her sister and herself. But Molly had barely been gone a day, and she undoubtedly needed more time alone to sort out her feelings. She didn’t need Nick pressuring her to talk to Josh before she was ready.

And Colleen didn’t need her heart broken again—as it had broken when she lost her father.

Nick shook his head. “You’re wrong about me.”

Despite her worry, she laughed at his persistence. Josh might have understated his friend’s persistence. “I doubt that.”

“No, you’re wrong,” he insisted. “I don’t always know what I’m doing. Or what I want.”

Skeptically, she studied him over the rim of her plastic glass. “Really?”

He waved his free hand in a wide gesture. “I swear it’s this place.”

“The park?”

His voice thick with bitterness, he clarified his meaning.

“Cloverville.”

He reminded Colleen of Abby, when she’d been a headstrong teen determined to leave her hometown far behind her. Too bad she’d left Colleen behind, too.

“You don’t like it here,” she mused. She’d picked up on his contempt before but thought it had only to do with Josh being humiliated in front of the entire town.

He sighed. “No, I don’t like it.”

“Then what made you agree to open an office here?” she asked, confused about why Nick Jameson, of all people, would consent to do something he didn’t want to do.

“Josh wanted it.”

Of course, friendship motivated his actions, like now, when he attempted to use her to get information for Josh—to find out where Molly was hiding.

His voice and eyes growing cold, he explained, “Josh wanted to move here because of your sister.”

His resentment of Molly, obviously, rivaled his resentment for the town. Colleen could never date, let alone fall for, someone who didn’t like her family. The McClintocks had been through too much, lost too much, when her father died; and Colleen couldn’t lose her connection with any member of her family ever again.

Not calling Molly, not going over to Eric’s and demanding to see her, to talk to her and make certain she was all right, was taking all her restraint. Maybe that was why she’d come to the park—she was weak from fighting. But Molly had asked for time, and Colleen had to respect her sister’s wishes as much as she’d always respected her.

“I didn’t know that Molly asked Josh to move here.” Her older sister had been at college and then med school for so many years now, coming home only for short breaks, that Colleen hadn’t known if Molly even considered Cloverville home anymore. Or if, like Abby, she intended to settle somewhere else. Her heart missed a beat at the thought of Molly living anywhere else. Her mother was right—they needed to persuade Abby to come home, too.

“She didn’t ask him to move,” Nick admitted as he pushed a hand through his golden hair. “Not outright. But she showed him the town.”

“And he fell in love with Cloverville?”

“With
this
town.” He shook his head. “I don’t get it myself, but I think I understand his reasons. He wants a safe small community where he can raise the boys. I don’t know if you noticed, but they’re a handful.”

She couldn’t argue with him on that point, and she smiled. “But they’re adorable.”

“They’re a handful.”

“You were going to have them for two weeks by yourself,” she reminded him.

His mouth curved into a grin and a dimple pierced his cheek. “Like I said earlier, I should really be thanking your sister.”

“You should,” she agreed. Although, after watching him with TJ and Buzz, she doubted he would have had any problems handling them. The way the boys had called him Uncle Nick implied he had a close relationship with them. She suspected he’d helped Josh with them a lot after their mother took off.

“So tell me where she is,” Nick said, his eyes glinting flirtatiously, “and I will personally thank her.”

She set down the glass on the blanket and rolled from her knees to her feet. “I knew that you were just after Molly’s whereabouts.”

He caught her hand and tugged her back down. “Come on, I was kidding.”

She wanted to call him a liar again, but he’d just deny it. There was no point in arguing with him; there was no point in seeing him when she knew what he wanted had nothing to do with her.

“I
T DOESN’T MATTER, YOU KNOW
,” she said.

“What?” Relief eased the pressure on Nick’s chest as she settled back onto the blanket beside him. Not close, and she held her body stiffly as if unwilling to even brush against him, but she stayed.

“It doesn’t matter what Molly says to Josh when she comes back. Whether they get married or not, he’s staying in Cloverville.”

Nick knew she was right. He’d been friends with Josh a long time. Once Josh gave his word, he wouldn’t back out. He’d built an office. He’d bought a house. He wasn’t leaving Cloverville.

But Nick could go. He could drive here to work every day. He didn’t have to move to Cloverville, too. He could leave any time he wanted. But instead of leaving, he reached into the picnic basket and brought out all the little containers from the deli.

“Did you hear me?” she persisted. “It doesn’t matter. Josh wants to live in Cloverville.”

“I know,” he conceded. He only wished his best friend was moving for the right reasons and not because he hoped he still had a chance with Molly. Were the McClintock women that enthralling, that no matter what they did a man couldn’t get over them?

God, he hoped not. And not just because he was worried about Josh. He was worried about himself, too.

“You know he’s staying?” Her dark eyes narrowed. “Then what are you…”

“I told you, Colleen. I don’t always know what I’m doing.”

But only since he’d met her. Before yesterday, he’d always known what he wanted and who he was—a bachelor, not just a man who intended to never marry but also to never give his heart. Because what if he did and he wound up like Josh or, worse yet, Bruce?

A sigh shuddered out along with her admission, “Then that makes two of us.”

“Let’s just eat, okay?” Not that he had an appetite for food. Only for her. For more of her sweet kisses.