Written in the Stars (23 page)

Thank God I'm a Country Boy

J
IMMY
KNEW
HE
WAS
A
GO
NER
WHEN
THINKING
AB
OUT
Becca made him unable to concentrate on fishing. Usually, when he was out on the lake, he stayed relaxed yet sharply focused, but that sure wasn't the case today. Watching Becca holding and cooing to baby Lily last night was his complete and utter undoing. When Becca looked up and caught him staring, she'd given him a smile that melted his damned heart on the spot.

He loved the woman. There wasn't a shred of doubt in his mind. But that didn't change the fact that Becca was completely wrong for him. And while he got the impression that she intended to spend a great deal of time in Cricket Creek, Jimmy was damned well positive she wouldn't want to live in a plain and simple cabin and ride around in a beat-­up pickup truck. He knew that just wasn't her style, but it was how he preferred to live, and he was too old to change his stubborn ways.

In truth, Jimmy had piles of money; more money than he wanted or knew what to do with. Even though he'd retired from competitive fishing, cash kept pouring in from endorsements and his extensive line of fishing products. Funny, but Jimmy knew that part of his success stemmed from the fact that he never cared about the money end of it, and so when he fished tournaments, winning didn't make him nervous. He just liked to fish, and he was really good at knowing where the big bass were hiding and what kind of bait would catch them.

But because of how hard Jimmy's father had worked to put food on the table and the tragic way his dad died, spending money on anything more than necessities always somehow felt wrong. So, out of guilt, Jimmy wore old boots, drove an ancient truck, and fixed his fishing poles rather than purchase new ones. And he sure as hell didn't see any of that changing. So while he'd fallen hard for Becca, he knew that she liked the finer things in life and enjoyed extensive traveling. When he'd seen pictures of the fancy home she owned in Hyde Park, along with the flat she owned in Notting Hill, which she kept just for her kids to have somewhere to stay while visiting London, he was a little blown away. Becca casually mentioned that she was thinking of putting the house on the market or renting it out for a monthly amount that made his head spin.

Jimmy's own pockets were deeper than most people even suspected. He wasn't impressed by money, nor did he even care about it. Some people thought he was just a cheapskate or that maybe he'd gambled away his fortune. People talked—­he knew it—­but he didn't give a rat's ass what people thought of him. In fact, Jimmy thought it rather amusing when people suspected that he'd pissed away his fortune. The only real joy he felt in spending money had been when he spent it on his mother, and now that she was gone, his money simply sat in the bank and wherever his financial adviser put it. When statements came, he looked at the numbers with mild interest and then filed them away.

With a sigh, Jimmy used his trolling motor to weave his way to some shallow water in a hidden cove. One of the reasons he'd won so many fishing tournaments stemmed from his uncanny ability to troll into shallow water most anglers would end up getting stuck in. He cast his plastic frog over to hop along the lily pads where smallmouth bass liked to feed. But it didn't land where he thought he'd aimed; instead Jimmy ended up snagging his line in a tree branch for the second time that morning. “Well, hell's bells,” he grumbled when he had to cut his line, and decided he might as well call it a day. “And that was my favorite damned frog.”

After easing his way back out of the narrow passage, Jimmy opened the motor up and whizzed down the middle of the lake, hoping the wind in his face would help to clear his head. When he got near the cabins, he slowed down, intending to head over to his dock and button the boat up and maybe go back out and catch the evening bite.

After a cool morning, warm sunshine glinted off the lake, making the water look as if diamonds were dancing around playing tag. The trees were changing colors, turning the shoreline into a gorgeous display of orange, red, and gold leaves.

Jimmy felt the weight of sadness grip him, because he knew that he needed to have a talk with Becca. They'd come close to making love, and he didn't want to cross that bridge and then tell her that they needed to break things off. He inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. No, he needed to be honest and tell her now. Taking their relationship to the next level would only end up in disaster, and he cared way too much about her to inflict any kind of emotional pain. While they enjoyed each other's company and chemistry, they weren't a good fit as a couple, and so they'd be much better off in the end if they broke things off now and could remain friends. He wanted her to know that she could count on him, come to him for anything she ever needed.

Jimmy turned his face up the light blue sky and shook his head, thinking that he had to be out of his ever-­lovin' mind to break off a romantic relationship with the beautiful Becca Gordon. But he needed to give her the let's-­be-­friends speech before it was too late.

Jimmy looked over to her cabin, and as if on cue, Becca walked out onto her back deck and waved to him. He waved back and a moment later his phone pinged. He looked down at the text message from Becca inviting him over for lunch. Jimmy almost declined. The thought of telling the woman who had managed to capture his heart that he wanted to be just friends wasn't something he wanted to do, but he decided that rather than brood about his decision, he might as well face the music. He sent a message back that he'd be right over and drove his boat across the lake.

While Jimmy tied his boat to the cleats on Becca's dock, he rehearsed the let's-­be-­friends-­and-­nothing-­more speech in his head. But when he saw her beautiful smiling face, he dug deep for courage.

“I brought chicken salad sandwiches and fresh fruit home from the bistro. Sophia makes superb chicken salad. She uses yogurt rather than mayonnaise and you'd never know the difference,” Becca said, but when she saw his face, her smile faded. “What's wrong, love?” She gestured toward the wrought-­iron chairs beneath an umbrella table. “Bad day on the water?”

Jimmy nodded and then sat down. The chicken salad sandwiches on marble rye and the dish of fruit should have looked appetizing, but his stomach churned at what he was about to tell her. “I couldn't concentrate. Snagged my line, lost my favorite frog in the process.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry,” Becca said as she poured sweet tea from a pitcher into a tall glass. “So do you have something on your mind? You looked a bit stressed.” She reached over and gave his arm a squeeze. “Want to talk about it?”

Jimmy looked at the pretty cloth napkin and nibbled on the inside of his lip.

“Jimmy?” Becca asked softly. “What is it?”

Jimmy looked at her lovely face. She'd pulled her hair straight back into a ponytail and wore jeans and a button-­down light blue sweater with pearl buttons. She looked soft and sweet, and with her eyes so filled with concern, it hit him hard that she really cared about him. Jimmy had been a loner for such a long time that he'd forgotten how good it felt to have someone give a damn about him. Instead of the speech he needed to give Becca, he longed to tell her that he'd fallen love with her. But where would that get him?

Becca took a sip of her tea and then said, “Let me make this easy for you.”

“Okay.” Jimmy's heart thudded. Was she about to give him the let's-­be-­friends-­speech and beat him to the punch? He sure hoped so.

“I'm in love with you.” Becca tilted her head, waiting for his response, but Jimmy didn't know what the hell to say to her. “This is the part when you say it back,” she prompted with a smile.

“I...” Jimmy cleared his throat while thoughts buzzed around in his head like angry bees. “I'm completely wrong for you, Becca.”

“And why is that, precisely?”

“I'm just a plain ole country boy.”

“Evidently, I like country boys.” She lifted one delicate shoulder and continued to smile. “Who knew?” she asked as she unfolded her napkin and placed it on her lap. She picked up her fork and stabbed a strawberry.

“Won't you be going back to London soon?”

“I've succeeded in renting out my house.” She snapped her fingers. “It happened that quickly, as I knew it would. I'll have to go back now and again for business purposes, and I promised Garret that I'd help out with Lily when they head back to London to film
Sing for Me
.”

“So you'll live in this cabin?” he asked, while his brain tried to process what was going to be a much different conversation than he expected.

“For now.” She chewed the strawberry, but when he remained silent, she put her fork down.

“Becca...”

She pressed her lips together and her smile finally faltered. “So you don't feel the same way about me, then?”

“It would never work.”

“You're avoiding the question.” She toyed with her straw, waiting.

“So would you live in a plain little cabin and ride around in my old truck?”

“Why are you so afraid to spend money?”

“Because I hate it.”

“Money?”

“Being wealthy.”

“How odd.”

He shrugged.

“Why?”

Jimmy felt a muscle jump in his jaw. “Because I grew up dirt-­poor.” He paused to swallow hard. “My father was a landscaper in Florida. He worked for rich folks and was treated like a dog most of the time.”

“I came from humble beginnings, Jimmy. I'm not and never will be like that. I'm so sorry that your father wasn't treated with respect. There's nothing more despic­able.”

“I know you better than that, Becca. You're one of the kindest people I've ever known.”

“Then what's the problem?”

“The problem is, that spoiled, rich—­I'm sorry—­
bitch
insisted that my father get her yard ready for a damned party. Rather than risk being fired, he worked during a storm and was struck dead by lightning while trimming dead leaves from a palm tree.”

Becca sucked in a breath. “I'm so very sorry.”

“Yeah, I was just a kid.” He ran a hand down his face. “And my poor mother...”

“And you've held it against wealthy people for all these years?”

Jimmy nodded. “It's not fair. I know that now. In large part because of getting to know you, Becca. I was wrong to be so judgmental and narrow-­minded. Ironic if you sit back and think about it, you know?”

Becca reached for his hand again. “None of us are perfect.”

“You're pretty damned close,” Jimmy said with a small smile. “Ah, but, Becca, I wouldn't be able to make you happy.”

“Don't you think I should be the judge of that?” She rubbed her thumb over his knuckles, and he felt such a strong pull of attraction that he almost picked up her hand and kissed it.

“Look, you've worked hard for what you've got, and you should live the kind of life that you're accustomed to. Baby, I just can't do it.”

“Spend money?”

He nodded. “I don't expect you to understand.”

“You're wrong. I do understand. I was married to a man who lived for making money and not much else, so I developed my own issues with it. To me, it's just a commodity. I don't even think about it all that much. I've lost lots of money and made it back, and I actually found the challenge of rebuilding more enticing. Other than caring for my children, I didn't think about it all that often. When I stumbled, I picked myself back up and started all over again.”

“A healthy attitude.”

“You still have a lot to learn about me, Jimmy.”

“I could never live the kind of lifestyle that you enjoy. You travel in very different circles. Damn, you're so far out of my league it isn't even funny.”

“That's utter nonsense.”

“Becca...”

“Do you love me, Jimmy?”

He looked away so she couldn't see the answer in his eyes. “It wouldn't work.”

“So what were you going to tell me?”

“That we should just be friends.”

“It's too late for that, and we both know it,” she said with stormy eyes.

Jimmy shook his head. “I just can't stomach riding around in fancy cars and traveling all over the world. We're just too different to fit well together. I've given this some serious thought.”

“Oh, I've thought about how well we'd fit together...,” she said, and slanted him a look that made his toes curl.

“Believe me—­I have too, but you deserve a man who is willing to share your life, not just your bed.”

“Then do both!” She gave him a level look and her eyes widened. “I just had a lightbulb moment.” She smiled and then laughed. “The answer is so bloody simple!” She raised her hands so her palms faced upward.

“Are you going to enlighten me?”

Becca raised her chin a notch. “Admit that you love me first, country boy. I deserve that much, don't you think?”

Joy to the World

B
ECCA
'
S
HE
ART
POUNDED
WHILE
SH
E
WAITED
FOR
J
IMMY
to answer. She'd never told a man she loved him before he'd said it first, and it felt empowering to take her love life into her own hands. Jimmy's story about his father broke her heart, and she could understand why he detested the arrogance of wealth. “Well?”

“Becca, there's no use denying it. I love you,” Jimmy finally said, but with enough regret in his voice to make it hurt rather than feel good.

“Well, I guess since I forced that out of you, I shouldn't be disappointed about how you sounded when you professed...or rather, woefully admitted your feelings for me.”

“Because admitting how I feel about you won't change the sad fact that our lives will never mesh.” He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “Why can't you see that?”

“Are you forgetting that I have the solution to your so-­called problem?”

“Okay, then, lay it on me, sugar.”

“Jimmy.” Becca leaned forward and tapped her fingertip on the table. “Use your money for the greater good. Find some way to give back. Money can do wonderful things too, you know.”

Jimmy lifted one shoulder, clearly not impressed with her lightbulb moment. “I give a lot to charities, Becca.”

“No,” Becca said, really warming up to the idea. “I mean do something that you can get involved with on a personal level, so you can see your money working. Make it part of your everyday life. A nonprofit of some sort,” she said, and felt a sense of excitement when his eyes lit up with interest. “Shall I go on?”

“Is there any stopping you?”

“Absolutely not.”

Jimmy cupped his chin, rubbing his thumb back and forth, while seemingly taking her suggestions seriously. “But I don't know what that might be. Becca, I'm good at fishing. It's really been my whole life. I don't know anything else that I could get involved with.”

Becca mulled his answer over for a moment. “Who taught you to fish?”

“My daddy.” Jimmy's eyes misted over and he swallowed hard. “We had fun fishin' together, but it was to put food on the table, not just for sport. But it bonded us.” He threaded his fingers together. “And fishing is something that, once learned, you can do for life.” He shook his head. “I don't see where I could do ­anything...,” he said, but then trailed off and nibbled on his bottom lip.

“What? You just thought of something. I can see it in your baby blues.” Becca felt a flash of excitement. “Come on and tell me.”

“Well...” Jimmy pointed across the lake to where his cabin sat with other similar small dwellings. “Those cabins are used by the Mayfields for fishing tournaments and summer rentals. But now that Mason has the brewery and Mattie has the bistro, they aren't doing many tournaments and the cabins have mostly been sitting empty. I'm supposed to help Danny out, but we haven't gotten as much interest as in the past.”

“Carry on.”

“Well, if the Mayfields would be willing to sell the cabins to me, I could envision having fishing camps for underprivileged children.”

“Oh, I love it!” Becca nodded firmly. “Fishing requires concentration and patience. I could see how learning to fish would help kids in more ways than just having an affordable hobby.” Becca felt her breath catch. “Oh, Jimmy, your idea is simply brilliant!”

Jimmy grinned, making Becca's heart fill with absolute joy. “I have my moments. They are few and far between, but still,” he said, and looked down as if seeing his lunch for the first time. He popped a chunk of pineapple in his mouth. He seemed lost in thought while he ate more fruit, and then ideas started spilling out of his mouth as if floodgates were opened.

Becca picked up her iPad and started taking notes, adding suggestions here and there when she could manage to get a word in edgewise.

“There are plenty of men over in the Whisper's Edge retirement community who would be great helping out. Instant grandpas for these kids, and they would have plenty of patience.”

“And feeling good about having the ability to help out. Seniors and kids are the perfect combination.”

Jimmy nodded and then took a healthy bite of his sandwich. “Oh wow, this is really good.”

“Mattie's recipe, but Sophia has mastered it, I daresay.” She held her finger and thumb an inch apart. “She's this close to getting the biscuits down pat.”

“You must be so proud of your kids.”

“They are the joy of my life. And now I have little Lily...,” she said, and then felt her eyes tear up. She gave him a watery laugh. “I just adore her. I can't wait until she can call me Nan.”

“I could see the love in your eyes while you held her, Becca. It's when I knew that I'd fallen deeply in love with you.”

“Oh, Jimmy.” She had to use her napkin to dry her eyes, but then she had to laugh. “I remember being so pissed at you at Sully's when you snubbed me. And I was sitting there thinking you were so sexy.”

His eyebrows shot up. “Are you serious?”

“Oh, I sure didn't want you to know it.”

“And now?”

Her heart thudded. “Now I want you to kiss me.”

Jimmy stood up and offered his hand. Once she was on her feet, he pulled her into his arms. Becca melted against him. When he dipped his head and captured her mouth, she felt a thrill of excitement that slid all the way to her toes. It was as if his kiss healed all of the hurt she'd felt in her life, and the broken pieces of her past fell into place.

Jimmy pulled back and cupped her chin in his big, callused hand. “Thank you.”

Becca leaned her cheek into his palm. “For what?”

“For knocking some sense into my fool-­hard head.”

“Anytime.” Becca laughed. “You're quite welcome.”

Jimmy rubbed his thumb back and forth over her chin. “We're gonna do good things together, aren't we?”

Becca nodded. “There's absolutely no doubt in my mind.”

“I'll give Danny Mayfield a call later and see if they're interested in selling the cabins and the surrounding land. If not, I'm sure we can set up a rental from them. To be honest, I think that Danny needs to spend more of his time with his carpentry work anyway.”

“Oh, I agree. The coffee table is gorgeous, and the rocking chair he made for Mattie is so pretty too.” Becca nodded. “And I'll get Gracie involved with the marketing end of this. Hopefully this will be another project to keep her in Cricket Creek. It's hard to keep her in one place for very long before she feels the need to roam.” Becca sighed.

“I thought maybe Mason Mayfield might solve that problem for you.”

“Oh, she's in love with the boy. I have no doubt. She even told me so.”

“Maybe that love will be strong enough to keep her grounded. Keep her here.”

Becca nodded but wasn't so sure. “Let's hope so.”

Jimmy kissed her on the forehead. “You might be able to talk some sense into her. If you can get through my thick head, you can get through to anybody.”

Becca tilted her face up and nodded. “You make a good point, darling, but as much as I would adore having all my children living in the same place, Gracie will have to figure it out on her own. It's my fondest wish that my children find happiness and hold it close to their hearts.” She smiled. “And give me more grandbabies.”

“You are the most gorgeous grandmother on the planet.”

“Thank you.” She put her palms on his cheeks. “I love you so much, Jimmy.”

“And I love you too, Becca. With all my heart.”

“And I didn't have to wrangle it out of you this time.”

“And you never will again.”