The Last Man She Expected Read online

  “Hello?” she called as she walked through the main entrance.

  “In here,” a man answered from a room to one side of the main space, although it didn’t sound like Josh. She moved toward the doorway, trying not to be disappointed at the obvious lack of progress. The interior of the building was airy, with a vaulted ceiling covered in reclaimed wood planks. A few dividing walls had been framed along either side of what would be a wide hallway, and she could see at least the start of electrical wiring. But it certainly didn’t look like the microretail-and-restaurant center she expected.

  “Is Josh around?” she asked as she entered the makeshift office. The small room held an antique desk, a folding table covered with plans and papers and one empty bookshelf.

  Her heart dropped to her toes as Parker turned in the leather chair to face her. “He drove out to pick up a load of framing materials.” To his credit, his features remained neutral. If he was as shocked to see her as she was to find him here, he didn’t let on.

  Mara had no such ability for a poker face. “What are you doing?” she demanded, not bothering to keep the thread of hostility from her tone.

  He ran a hand through his dark blond hair, lighter and more expensively cut than his brother’s. Mara tried—and mostly failed—not to notice the way the muscles of his arm bunched at the movement. Parker wore a faded gray University of Puget Sound T-shirt and jeans, and she forced herself to remember him in his tailored suit and the sanctimonious expression he’d worn as he regurgitated the lies her husband had told about her in divorce court.

  One thick brow rose as his ice-blue eyes pinned her in place. “Right now, it feels like I’m bailing water out of the hull of the Titanic.” He shrugged. “I don’t suppose you brought an extra bucket with you?”

  She shook her head and tried to process his words. “But why are you in Starlight? Josh said you were going back to Seattle.”

  “My plans changed,” he answered simply.

  Placing her hands on her hips, she stared, waiting for him to elaborate. “You don’t belong here,” she said when the invisible strand of tension crackling between them overwhelmed her. She couldn’t seem to keep her mouth shut around this man.

  “You have no idea,” he agreed, far too readily in her opinion. He looked away, out the small window toward the front of the property. “Josh needs my help, and I’m not going to abandon him ag—” He stood abruptly, and Mara took an automatic step back.

  What did he mean by abandoning Josh? She could have sworn he’d been about to add again to that sentence. She knew Josh had grown up in Starlight and his dad had been the mayor for years. Nothing he’d shared about his childhood gave her the impression that he was close to anyone in his family, but he didn’t say much. Their friendship was based on a connection between single parents. Each of them helping the other navigate the rocky waters of handling everything on their own.

  “I’m here until the project opens,” Parker clarified. “Hopefully on schedule, but if you’re the praying type, we’re getting close to the point of needing a miracle.”

  “You’re a divorce attorney,” she told him as if he didn’t realize it.

  “We prefer the term family law and you can call it a sabbatical,” he said with the phoniest smile she’d ever seen. A tingle of awareness zipped along her spine despite her animosity toward him. Apparently her body hadn’t gotten the memo that Parker Johnson was pond scum. “I’m going to take a few weeks and then return to my practice renewed, refreshed and—”

  “Ready to ruin more lives?”

  His smile dimmed but didn’t fade completely. Instead, his eyes crinkled at the corners like he appreciated her attitude, even though it was directed at him.

  “Unfortunately, divorce often brings out the worst in decent people,” he told her.

  “My ex-husband certainly didn’t handle the end of our marriage with any shred of decency,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “I’m not here to argue that point.” Parker shoved his hands into his pockets, dropping his gaze to the floor. Something about his stance gave Mara the impression he didn’t think much of Paul either. “I have a job, and it isn’t to judge. I advocate on behalf of my client while helping them see beyond their own self-interests. Not everyone has an easy time with that.”

  “Especially when your client is a raging narcissist,” Mara snapped then took a breath. Although she knew Parker had only been doing his job during her divorce, the memories were still painful. It wouldn’t do her any good to relive them over and over. She held up a hand when Parker would have spoken. “I’m not sure Paul has ever been capable of seeing anything beyond his own wants and needs. Let’s agree to put aside our past history,” she offered.

  “Gladly.”

  “Fine.”

  An awkward silence descended over the musty office as they tried not to make eye contact.

  After a moment, Parker cleared his throat. “You were looking for Josh. Is there something I can do for you?”

  She arched a brow.

  “I mean, besides go jump in a lake or whatever’s going through your mind at the moment.”

  As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t help the smile that curved her lips at the way he’d read her thoughts. “My aunt sent me out,” she explained. “Aunt Nanci flew to Texas today to be with my pregnant cousin, and I guess she was concerned about the progress of Josh’s renovations. She’s opening a second location of the coffee shop out here.”

  Parker nodded. “I hope your cousin and her baby are okay. Josh told me your aunt stepped in when the owner of the restaurant originally committed to the space backed out.”

  “Um...” Mara glanced over her shoulder. “Where was he planning on putting a restaurant? There’s no kitchen. The coffee shop won’t need one if we bring in pastries from the location downtown, but he’ll eventually need something bigger to anchor the space.”

  “I noticed that, too.” Parker gestured to the door. “Would you like a tour?”

  No, her brain warned. Mara needed to put some distance between herself and the man who should be her sworn enemy.

  “Sure,” she murmured instead.

  He gave a tight smile as they moved into the main area of the mill. “I’m surprised you don’t know more about what’s been going on here since you and Josh are friends.”

  “We’re good friends,” she agreed, following when he headed toward the far end of the building. “But most of our conversations revolve around the girls and school and kindergarten activities. It’s amazing how much you can manage not to share about yourself when you have kids to talk about instead. Do you have kids, Parker?”

  There was a slight stiffening of his shoulders, but he tossed an easy smile over his shoulder. “Nope. No wife or girlfriend either, if you were curious.”

  “I wasn’t,” she lied.

  “This is the area where the restaurant was supposed to go.” He pointed to an unfinished wall framed with two-by-six studs. “He has gas lines, electrical and plumbing run back there for the kitchen, but that’s as far as it’s gotten.”

  “Why?” she asked, more to herself than the man standing next to her.

  Parker answered anyway. “This place holds a lot of memories for Josh, most of them unhappy. According to what he told me, he bought the mill almost impulsively. Clearly he had a plan because he has approval from the town council on his renovations, but I think it’s been more complicated than he expected. He didn’t realize he’d need to spend so much time out here.”

  Mara frowned. “What kind of memories?”

  Suddenly Parker’s expression shifted, and she saw a kind of vulnerability in his blue eyes that she hadn’t expected. Emotion tumbled through her, and she forced herself to step away from him. She was here to make sure the coffee shop opened at Dennison Mill, nothing more.

  “He hasn’t talked to you about
how things were growing up,” Parker said softly.

  “I know your dad died when Josh was sixteen and your mom moved to Spokane after he graduated high school. But I wasn’t joking when I said most of our conversations revolve around the kids.”

  “Did he mention me?”

  “Not really,” Mara admitted with a wince.

  Parker laughed without humor. “Figures. Our dad was a big deal around town back in the years when he was mayor. Everyone loved him, but he wasn’t a kind man, especially to his family. It still surprises me that Josh stayed in Starlight, but he loves it here.”

  “It’s a great town.”

  “I guess.”

  She drew in a breath, unable to resist asking, “When you say he wasn’t a kind man, what does that mean?”

  He turned to her fully and the stark pain in his gaze made her want to reach for him. Of course she wouldn’t, even though she understood how difficult it must be to share these details with her. Maybe that’s why her and Josh’s friendship had been so easy. They had the girls so they didn’t have to scratch beneath the surface and reveal any of their true scars to each other.

  It was strange to be sharing this moment with Parker, but she knew it was important so she forced herself to nod and give him an encouraging half smile.

  “He was abusive. Violent. Mean and petty.” The words rolled off his tongue without emotion.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be, although I’d appreciate if you didn’t mention it to anyone. Josh and I don’t often discuss the past or our dad, especially around Starlight.” He gave a quiet chuckle. “I won’t bore you with the details of why the lumber mill is significant, but it means more than anyone can understand for Josh to make this a success. With everything he dealt with as a child and what he’s been through in the past year, he needs a win. I put my life and my practice on hold to be a part of it. We won’t fail.”

  “I can help,” she blurted then felt color flood her cheeks. She’d told herself she wouldn’t get involved beyond what her aunt had asked her to do. And that was when she thought Josh was handling everything. Josh, her easygoing friend who was no threat to her emotions or tied to memories she didn’t want to revisit. The idea of being near Parker with her conflicted reaction to him—could she even manage it?

  “A coffee shop on this side of town will definitely bring in customers but what we need—”

  “I mean I might be able to offer a few suggestions for the project as a whole. I have some background in architectural design.” She wanted to take back the words as soon as they were out, but in her heart she still loved the process and potential of this kind of project. She also wanted to do something to help Josh. His friendship had made a huge difference in her life. Maybe she could dip her toe in the water without really getting involved. “If you show me the plans, I can possibly come up with some ideas of how to modify them so you get back on track sooner.”

  He inclined his head, scratching his chin with two fingers.

  She should plug her ears. Mara hadn’t dated since her divorce, which had to explain why such an innocuous sound was so sexy to her.

  “Why?” Parker asked. “We can’t pay you. Hell, he can’t pay what he owes to most of the subcontractors at this point.”

  “Josh is my friend and the sooner this place opens, the better it will be for my aunt’s shop. I want to help them both.”

  “And you don’t have a problem with my involvement?”

  The fine hairs at the back of her neck stood on end. “I wish you’d go away, but I can ignore you.”

  He flashed a grin. Darn the man and his handsome face. “We’ll have to talk to Josh, but I’m sure he’ll say yes.”

  “Right,” Mara breathed, the significance of how she’d just put herself out there sinking in. Anxiety crawled along her spine. Her rational mind knew that losing her job and the ruin of her professional reputation had been a calculated move by her ex-husband, but she couldn’t seem to shake the blow her confidence had taken. “I need to go now.”

  “Don’t you want to see the plans?”

  “Josh has my email. Send them over.” She backed up a step. “I need to go,” she repeated, starting to turn.

  “Hey, Mara,” Parker called when she was almost to the building’s entrance.

  She looked over her shoulder at him.

  “I look forward to watching you try to ignore me,” he said, all broad shoulders and cheeky grin.

  Without hesitation, she gave him a one-fingered salute and walked out the door.

  Chapter Four

  Mara was in the zone on Wednesday morning when Sam Sheehan burst into the shop. Main Street Perk had been slammed all morning, and she was busy making coffee drinks. She focused her attention on tamping the ground coffee then pulling the perfect espresso shot. It was exactly what she needed after two nights of restless sleep with dreams that featured a handsome—if hated—divorce attorney.

  Parker had emailed her the plans for the lumber mill renovation, while Josh had followed up with a call to say he had things under control but would still appreciate any insight she could offer. Based on the dichotomy between the plans and the actual progress in the space, her friend used the term control in its loosest sense.

  She’d responded to both men with a generic answer about reviewing things and getting back to them. As enticing as the space was to the designer in her, she’d walked away from Parker having second, third and fourth thoughts about getting involved beyond helping with the coffee shop.

  The thought of spending time with him accounted for a big part of it. The attraction simmering between them was like an itch under her skin that she couldn’t seem to reach. The easiest way to avoid the desire to scratch it would be to stay far away from Parker. Plus, as lame as it made her feel, she liked the boundaries of her friendship with Josh.

  From the bits of detail Parker had shared, the mill project held a lot of painful memories for both brothers, and it scared her to think of being a part of something that meant so much.

  What if her ideas were horrible or messed things up beyond repair? What if she was the untalented hack her husband had claimed? His accusations and lies had pulled the rug from under her and she still couldn’t manage to find her footing when it came to believing in her talent. It would be easier to stick to coffee. Ordering a new espresso machine and stocking a display case were straightforward. She could handle straightforward.

  Sam, who owned an insurance company in town, spoke to the midmorning crowd. “Ya’ll wouldn’t believe the mess. It’s a disaster over there. The roof is basically rubble and the fire alarm set off the sprinkler system. They’re saying the school will be closed at least for the rest of this week.”

  Mara paused in the act of finishing a flat white. She stepped from behind the coffee machine and placed the drink on the counter. “What school?” she called.

  A small group of people had gathered in front of Sam, their faces a mix of shock and curiosity.

  “Was anyone injured?” one of the women asked. “Teachers or children?”

  Shivers of dread skittered along Mara’s spine, and she pulled her phone from the back pocket of the jeans she wore. Two missed calls from the elementary school, three from Josh and a slew of unread texts.

  “Sam!” she shouted even as she untied her apron, the din of conversation filling the coffee shop coming to an abrupt halt. “What happened at the school?”

  “The gymnasium roof collapsed,” he said, throwing up his hands as if she shouldn’t be surprised. “Didn’t you get a notification? They sent out an automated call to all the parents.”

  “I need to go,” she called over her shoulder to Janet, the older woman working the counter along with Mara this morning. The customers in line cleared a path for her, and the understanding and sympathy in their gazes made her heartbeat even faster.

 
“Of course.” Janet was already reaching for the phone on the back wall. “I’ll call in Toby. Take the whole day, Mara. We’ll be fine.”

  “No injuries reported,” Sam said as she rushed by on her way out.

  “Thank you.” Was she speaking to Sam or uttering a prayer of gratitude?

  Starlight Elementary was only about a mile from downtown, but the short drive seemed to take hours. She didn’t bother to look at her phone again, too afraid of distracting herself when anxiety already had her stomach churning and her hands trembling. As the school came into view, she could see the lights of fire trucks, police vehicles and an ambulance. Students and adults gathered in clusters across the street from the one-story building.

  She quickly pulled to the curb, turned off the SUV and jumped out, then ran in the opposite direction of parents and children heading away from the scene.

  No injuries, she repeated to herself to calm the frantic emotions that welled her throat. Evie was fine. Mara just had to find her.

  She wished she’d paid more attention to the email about the school’s evacuation protocol. Suddenly someone shouted her name. Brynn Hale waved from the far end of the crowd.

  “She’s here, Mara,” Brynn called with a wave of her hand, and Mara tried not to burst into tears as she hurried forward. Keep it together for Evie, she told herself.

  “Where?” Mara asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  Brynn shifted to reveal Evie dressed in the polka-dot leggings and matching T-shirt she’d chosen that morning. Mara grabbed the girl and pulled her tight to her chest, breathing deeply as Evie hugged her.

  “Mommy,” Evie whispered. “You’re here.”

  “Of course, sweetheart. I’m sorry it took me so long to reach you.”