Yours to Keep by Claudia Burgoa

Chapter Twelve

Darren

It’s been onlya week since I moved to Baker’s Creek, but it feels like I’ve been part of the town for far longer. Since I’ve worked nonstop since Thursday, Hayes gave me the day off yesterday. I wasn’t planning to do much until I realized that I couldn’t live on takeout for the rest of my life. The movers lost a few of my boxes; everything that was marked as kitchen and bathroom. It seemed like a good idea to drive to Portland. Hayes even offered to loan me one of his cars.

The impromptu road trip with Vance, Mills, and Arden wasn’t planned, but I enjoyed every moment of it. It was pleasant to meet Mills, who happens to be a player for my favorite hockey team, The Orcas. Hanging out with his son made me miss my nieces and nephews. Arden reminded me a lot of my niece, Aliyah. They’re the same age. Toddlers are a lot of fun.

Vance. He’s a lot different than I imagined. Still broody, but not as angry with the world as I thought. He’s quiet, observant, and caring. We had a good time. I’m not sure if yesterday was the beginning of a friendship or…there can’t be anything else between us. Which is a shame because I have the feeling that sex with him would be un-fucking-forgettable.

I start my day almost the same way I’ve started the rest of the days since I arrived in Baker’s Creek. I go out for a run at seven. I begin along Main Street until I reach the Aldridge Mansion and run around the property. I’m thankful that they trusted me enough to give me their code. They told me I was welcome to run inside their acreage, which I’m almost sure is as big as the town.

Every time I pass the lake, I want to build a house next to it and move in. I wish I could take a hike on the north side of the lot. Maybe when the weather is warmer and it’s not all covered with snow, I can do it. Instead of going out for my morning run, I’ll go on a hike. I should ask Vance to take me around the trails so I don’t get lost. That could be something we can do together that won’t give me the idea of having sex with him afterward. I shake my head as I imagine the sweat glistening on his skin as he runs—drops gliding down his throat.

Let’s erase the idea of doing any kind of physical activity around Vance Aldridge. I look at my watch. It’s almost eight in the morning. I leave the Aldridge place and walk along Main Street, where most of the businesses are located. I hoped Mom wouldn’t call me, but she does. I could send her to voicemail, but I don’t. It’d be just prolonging the inevitable.

“Morning, Mom,” I greet her.

“You’re running,” she says with an accusatory tone.

“Like every morning,” I remind her.

With a distressed voice, she asks, “Do you think it’s safe to run in that town?”

“It’s a small town. The only crime here is against fashion,” I joke.

Honestly, I didn’t check the crime rate. Who’s going to come all the way to Baker’s Creek to steal? What are they going to steal? I look at the bakery and almost laugh as I think that the most valuable thing they have here are their pastries.

“Your father has been researching Baker’s Creek. Do you know there was an explosion a few weeks ago in that town?”

I cringe. That wasn’t a crime, more like a militia hunting my employer. I’m not going to tell her about it.

“It wasn’t a crime, Mom. It was something about the electric installation and…I can’t remember,” I say.

“Well, then the house where you live isn’t safe.”

“The contractor for that building was from out of town.” Okay, I need to start writing down everything that I’m telling her, or I’m going to mess up my story or tell a different version to her or my sisters.

“I was talking to your father, and we might come and visit you soon.”

I swallow a groan. This can’t be happening so soon. I thought I had at least a few months before she came to invade my new life. “Why don’t you wait until I settle down before you do it?”

“I feel like you’re avoiding me,” she says.

I wish I had a candy wrapper to pretend that the signal is bad and just hang up on her. Since that’s impossible, I say, “Can I call you after my shift at the practice is over?”

“That’ll be lovely. Maybe we can Facetime during dinner.”

“I can’t wait,” I hang up before she scolds me for being sarcastic. I learned it from her, though, so she should be proud of me.

Before heading home, I stop by the coffee shop. The line is so long I decide to walk to the bakery and forget about my latte. If I have to choose one of the two, it’d be the bakery. They make the best chocolate croissants in the country. Probably the world. To prove that point, I’d have to travel more. Maybe one day, when I retire. As I’m about to reach the shop, I spot Vance Aldridge. He’s looking broodier this morning, and I love it.

I’m judging myself.

I can’t help but lust after the bad boys, the broken boys, and straight men. I’m pretty sure he’s all three. Suppose I was into the whole relationship, holding hands, happily ever after shit. In that case, I’m sure he’d break my heart into a million pieces. Thank fuck I don’t believe in any of that shit, or moving here would’ve been a waste of time.

On the other hand, there’s nothing that says I can’t have fun with him.

Unless he’s not up to it.

See, I haven’t been able to assess him. He’s hard to read. However, those times I’ve flirted with him, he hasn’t told me he’s not into guys.

The only single Aldridges are Mills and Vance. Mills is handsome too. He reminds me of Charlie Hunnam. We’re talking Pacific-Rim-King-Arthur-The-Gentlemen look. Not Sons of Anarchy. I wouldn’t care if it was either one, though. I’d eat him anyway. Not that I can. He’s a single dad. I try to avoid men with family because that means they’re into relationships.

“Hey,” I greet Vance once he’s close.

He gives me a look that says I’m a lost puppy but also says, get closer and I’ll bite your head off. Not sure how he can do both at the same time, but I find it cute. This man is an enigma.

“Are you having a bad day?”

He glares at me, literally glares at me.

“I thought we were past this stage.”

“What stage?”

“The one where you pretend to be a guard dog, but deep down, we both know you like belly rubs and playing fetch. You’re like a Labrador Retriever. No. You’re a Labradoodle.”

He glares at me. “What?”

“You’re a yellow lab wearing a wolf’s coat.”

His upper lip trembles slightly. The guy is trying not to laugh. I grin because I’m getting under his skin. Maybe if I try harder, I can get under his belt. Now that’s something I could do while I continue getting acquainted with this town.

“Would you like a chocolate croissant?” I ask, tilting my head toward the bakery. “It’s on me.”

“I have work to do.”

“Really? What do you do other than look hot flying the helicopter?”

“I work at The Lodge.”

“Interesting. I lived there for a couple of days, and I never saw you. So, if I ask for room service, you’ll be the one coming into my room?” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“I work security,” he answers, annoyed. He begins to walk toward The Lodge. “Have a nice day.”

“You can run, but in the end, I’ll know why you hide behind that grumpy face. Or maybe it’s a way to beg for a kiss.”