Always the Best Man (12 page)

Anger. Disappointment. Pity.

“He's a liar,” Jase yelled and felt a heavy hand clasp on to his shoulder.

“What's the problem?” Cole Bennett, Crimson's sheriff, stepped between Jase and Aaron.

Aaron winced. “I made an offhand comment about the election to Jase,” he said, holding a hand to one eye. “You know,
may the best man win
and whatever. He went crazy on me.” He looked at the sheriff all righteous indignation. “Must have hit a nerve. My dad can tell you plenty of stories about the Crenshaws going ballistic for no reason.”

Anger radiated through every cell in Jase's body. He shifted, then realized Noah and Liam were still holding him. “I'm fine,” he said, shrugging away.

“You sure?” Noah's voice was concerned.

“Yeah.” He pointed at Aaron. “That's not what went down and you know it.”

Sheriff Bennett stepped closer to him, placing one hand on his chest. “You want to tell me a different side of the story?”

Jase opened his mouth, then snapped it shut again. He caught Aaron's smug gaze over Cole's shoulder and realized tonight was no accident. He'd been set up in this scene and had fallen right into the trap. He couldn't contradict Aaron's story without revealing specifics of the truth, which would humiliate Emily.

“No.” He closed his eyes and tamped down his temper. “I've got nothing to say.”

Cole heaved out a sigh. “Are you sure?”

Jase met the other man's gaze. “I am.”

“What if I want to press charges?” Aaron asked.

Cole gave Jase an apologetic look, then turned to the other man. “Do you?”

“I should. It was a cheap shot.” The bartender handed Aaron a bag of ice and he groaned a little as he pressed it to his eye. “But I guess we can't expect anything else from a Crenshaw.”

Noah took a step forward, anger blazing in his eyes. “Don't be a—”

“It's okay,” Jase interrupted, grabbing hold of his friend. “If he wants to press charges—”

“I don't. My father taught me to be the better man.”

“Okay, then. Let's move on. Everybody back to their regularly scheduled evening.” Cole turned to Jase. “I assume you're heading out?”

Jase nodded.

“I don't know what he did to deserve that punch,” Cole said, “but I can guarantee it wasn't the story he told about the election. You sure you don't want to tell me anything else?”

“Positive.”

With a nod, Cole moved away. Liam and Noah took his place.

“What the hell, Jase?” Noah asked. “I don't think I've ever seen you take a swing at somebody.”

“I've got to get out of here,” Jase muttered. “Sorry about causing a scene during your party.”

Liam placed a hand on his shoulder. “You want company?” When Jase shook his head, Liam nodded and walked back toward their group of friends.

“Come back to our table,” Noah told him. “Don't let this ruin the night.”

“I'm not going to,” Jase answered, “but I need to go now. Give Katie a hug for me. I'll pick you up in the morning to head out to Crimson Ranch.”

Noah looked like he wanted to argue but only said, “No one expects you to be perfect, Jase.”

“I know.” But both of them knew it was a lie. People in this town expected perfection, duty and self-sacrifice from Jase, all of it offered with a smile. He understood that in the way of small towns, the news of the punch would spread like dandelion fuzz on the wind. The news, while inconsequential in its retelling, only needed to be nurtured a bit before it took root and grew into the start of a weed that could derail everything he'd worked to create.

At this moment he couldn't bring himself to care.

He left the bar and kept his head down as he walked to his parking space in the alley behind his office building. Driving out of town, he was tempted to take the turnoff toward the Crawfords' farm. Thoughts of Emily and her reaction to Aaron's taunts consumed him, but he'd promised not to ask her for more than she was willing to give. In his current mood he might drive a wedge between them if he pushed her.

Instead he steered his SUV toward the trailer park and pulled into his father's small lot. The blue-tinted glow from the television was the only thing lighting the inside of the trailer.

Declan hit the mute button on the remote when Jase walked in. “I thought the big party for Noah was tonight?”

“It is,” Jase said, lowering himself to the sofa. “What happened to our family, Dad? Why are we so messed up? Mom leaving with Sierra, you and Uncle Steve drinking, Grandpa in jail. Why does every generation of our family have a sad story to tell?”

His father leaned back against the recliner's worn cushion. “Not every generation. Not you.”

“Not yet,” Jase shot back. “It's like there's a curse on us, and I don't know if I'm strong enough to break it.”

“You already have.”

“I decked Aaron Thompson tonight.”

“Hot damn,” Declan muttered. “That little jerk has been giving you grief since grade school.”

“You noticed?”

“I'm a drunk, not an idiot. Hitting Aaron does not make you cursed. Hell, I've taken a swing or two at Charles over the years.”

“And gotten yourself cuffed for the trouble.”

“Worth it every time.”

“I'm not you.”

Declan laughed. “Praise the Lord.” He leaned forward, placed his elbows on his knees. “In a town like Crimson, people see what they want. Once a reputation is set, it's hard to change it. I don't know how the trouble with our family started, but I do know it's easier to live down to expectations than to try to change them. At least it was for me. Your grandpa went to jail for the first time when I was ten. My brother and I had our first beers when we were eleven. Working in the mine didn't help. Nothing much good comes from sticking a bunch of ornery men inside a mountain.”

Jase asked the question he'd been afraid to discuss with his dad for almost twenty years. “What about Mom?”

“Your mom was right to go. I was a mess back then.”

“Yeah, Dad,” Jase answered, “I know. I was the one taking care of you.”

“You don't remember, do you?”

“Mom leaving?” Jase shrugged. He remembered crying. He remembered being alone at night staring at the empty bed where his sister had slept next to him.

“She wanted you to go with her.”

“No. She took Sierra and left me behind.”

“Because you told her I needed you more.” When Declan met Jase's gaze, his eyes were shining with unshed tears. “She had your little suitcase in the trunk but you refused to get in the car. It killed her but eventually she agreed to let you stay. That's how I know you're not like the rest of us. You've never done a selfish thing in your life. You take care of this town like you've taken care of me all these years. With every ounce of who you are. You're not part of the curse. You're our family's shot at breaking it.”

Jase closed his eyes and tried to remember the details of the night his mom had driven away. All he could see was Sierra's face in the car window and the taillights glowing in the darkness. The days after were a blur of tears and anger and his father going on a major bender.

“One punch doesn't make you a troublemaker, Jase.”

“Tell that to the people who witnessed it.”

“What I should do is talk to the man who's the cause of all your recent stress. This is Charles Thompson's fault. If he—”

“It's fine.” Jase stood, ran a hand over his face. “Don't go after Thompson again. You're right. The Crenshaw curse ends with me.”

He started to walk past his dad, but Declan reached out with a hand on Jase's arm. “It's what you want, Jase. Right?”

“Sure, Dad.” Jase didn't know how else to answer and he was too tired to sort out his muddled emotions, either to his father or himself. “I'm picking up Noah early tomorrow to drive out to the ranch. Call if you need anything, okay?”

“Save me a piece of cake,” his dad said, sitting back in the recliner. Declan had been invited to the wedding but since alcohol was being served, he'd decided to forgo the celebration. Jase appreciated his dad's effort to stay sober but hated that it isolated Declan even more than he already was.

“Are you sure you don't want me to get you for the ceremony?”

“Enjoy yourself tomorrow, son. Don't worry about me.”

Jase gave the smile he knew his dad wanted to see. “Call if you change your mind.”

Chapter Twelve

“A
re you nervous?” Emily paced the guest cabin where she and Katie were waiting for the wedding to start. “You don't look nervous.” She turned to Katie, who was glowing in the ivory gown they'd chosen at the bridal salon in Aspen. “You look beautiful.” The satin gown had a sweetheart neckline and a lace overlay that was both delicate and modern. Katie's dark hair was pulled away from her face in a half-knot, with gentle curls tumbling over her shoulders. “Noah is going to lose his mind when he sees you. But, seriously, shouldn't you be nervous?”

Katie smiled and patted the bed next to her. “I don't need to because you've taken care of everything. It's perfect, Em. My dream day.” As Emily sat down on the patchwork quilt, Katie took her hand. “Thank you for everything.”

“It was easy.” She gave a strangled laugh. “My mother-in-law and I were at the reception hall until two in the morning the night before my wedding redoing seating arrangements. There were so many stupid details to focus on but none of them involved preparing Henry and me to make a life together.” She squeezed Katie's fingers. “You and Noah are doing this right.”

“Unrequited love, fear of commitment, friendship and a baby after a breakup,” Katie said with a laugh. “We might have had the order a little off.”

“The love is what counts,” Emily answered. She stood when Katie sniffed and Emily grabbed the box of tissues from the dresser, handing Katie a wad of them. “No crying. Your makeup is perfect.”

“Then don't say sweet things to me.” Katie dabbed at the edge of her eyes with a tissue. “I asked you for my dream wedding, and you've given it to me.”

“Not quite yet.”

A knock sounded on the door. “Ladies, are you ready?” Sara called.

“Perfect timing,” Emily said with a smile.

Katie stood, her eyes widening as she pressed a hand to her stomach. “Wow. Just got nervous. Major butterflies.”

“You've got this.” Emily opened the door and followed Katie out, smiling as Sara oohed and aahed over the dress. Katie's father was waiting at the edge of the barn, out of sight of the chairs set up in front of the copse of aspens where the ceremony would take place. It was a perfect fall day, cool and sunny with just the slightest breeze.

She knew Katie and her parents weren't close, but her father became visibly emotional at the sight of his daughter. It made Emily's heart ache missing her own dad and all the moments she'd never get to share with him.

But this wasn't a day for sorrow, and she was honored to be Katie's maid of honor. She adjusted Katie's train and then stepped away. When the processional music began, she turned the corner from the barn toward the wedding guests. All Katie's and Noah's closest family and friends were in attendance. Emily's gaze sought Davey first, her son looking so handsome in his suit, standing next to his grandma in the front row. His eyes flicked to hers and she saw the stiffness in his small shoulders ease the tiniest bit.

The knowledge that seeing her gave him some comfort made her heart squeeze. She looked up to her brother standing in front of the grapevine arbor and smiled before her eyes met those of the man standing next to him.

She had to work to control her expression as Jase looked at her, his gaze intense. Her knees went weak and she clutched the bouquet of wildflowers tighter. One foot in front of the other, she reminded herself. Breathing in the warm mountain air, she felt her heart skip as Jase's mouth curved up at one end. As much as she'd tried to avoid him the previous night, now she couldn't break eye contact, even as she took her place in front of the assembled guests.

The music changed and Katie came into view. Emily glanced at the beautiful bride but then watched her brother's face as Katie moved closer. There was so much love in Noah's eyes. It was as if the whole world went still for a moment and there was only her brother and his bride. Emily was suddenly grateful for the tissue she'd stuffed under the ribbon of her bouquet.

She continued to need the tissue as the short ceremony progressed. By the time Noah leaned down to kiss his bride, Emily swore she could hear the whole valley choking back tears. Then there were only smiles and cheers as Noah and Katie walked back down the aisle hand in hand.

Jase offered her his elbow and she tucked her hand in it, blushing as he leaned close to her ear and whispered, “You look beautiful.” She sucked in another breath and smoothed one hand over the pale pink cocktail gown she wore. She felt beautiful and happy and lighter than she had in ages. As they started down the aisle together, Emily was proud to meet the approving gazes of the people she'd come to think of as her community.

But Jase paused before the first row. “You two belong with us,” he said to her mother and Davey.

Emily's heart, already so full, expanded even more at her mother's watery, grateful smile. Jase tucked Meg's arm into his other elbow and nodded at Davey. “Why don't you lead us down, buddy?”

The boy looked at the ground and Emily wanted to curse her own stupidity. She knew her son didn't like people looking at him and was afraid Jase's sweet gesture would backfire.

Davey chewed on his lower lip for a few seconds and finally muttered, “I'll follow you.”

Emily breathed a sigh of relief and saw her mother do the same. Jase nodded and the four of them made their way past the other guests.

* * *

Emily didn't have a chance to speak to Jase alone until the dancing started. Meg and her new beau had taken Davey home after the cake was cut. To Emily's surprise, Davey had seemed to actually enjoy himself at the wedding, running around through the field behind the tables with the other kids.

He stuck close to Brooke Travers and didn't yell or play fight the way the other boys at the reception did, but he was definitely a part of the group and she couldn't have been prouder.

As the sky darkened over the mountain, silhouetting the craggy peaks against the deep blue of evening, a three-piece bluegrass band began to play. Noah pulled Katie onto the makeshift dance floor near the edge of the patio and other couples followed. Emily was just about to head inside to see if the caterers needed help packing up when strong arms slipped around her waist.

“Dance with me?” Jase asked but was already turning her to face him.

“I should check on things,” she said but didn't protest when he lifted her hands to his shoulders.

“It's fine,” he said, beginning to sway with her to the lilting sound of the fiddle drifting toward them. “Better than fine. All of your hard work made this a perfect day.”

“We both worked hard,” she corrected and rested her head against his chest. “You and I make a pretty good team.” She was starting to trust the happiness she felt, to rely on it.

One of Noah's high school friends walked by, then stopped and clapped Jase on the shoulder. “Good to see you've grown a spine, Crenshaw.”

Emily felt Jase tense and lifted her head.

He said a few words to the man, then tried to turn her away.

“Makes me want to vote for you all the more,” the man said with a chuckle. “I like a mayor with a strong right hook.” With another laugh, he walked away.

Emily pulled back enough to look up at Jase. “What was that about?”

He shook his head. “Nothing.”

“A strong right hook isn't nothing,” she argued. “Did you hit someone?” She couldn't imagine a circumstance where Jase would throw a punch.

“Let's just dance.”

“Tell me.”

He blew out a breath. “Aaron Thompson,” he muttered.

“What about him?”

“I saw him talking to you at the bar last night. You were upset when you left, so I asked him about it.”

The happiness filling her moments earlier evaporated like a drop of water in the desert. Shame took its place, hot and heavy, a familiar weight on her chest. She hated that anyone, especially Jase, knew the awful things Aaron had said to her. But even more...

“You hit him?” she asked and several people nearby turned to look at them. She stepped out of Jase's arms and lowered her voice. “I didn't need you to defend me.”

“He was out of line. No one has the right to speak to you that way.” He reached for her, but she jerked back, giving herself a mental headshake. What was between her and Jase was supposed to be casual. Emily had let it turn into something more because he made her happy. But the way Aaron had taken advantage of that was the unwelcome reminder she needed. She couldn't let this go any further.

She caught Noah's gaze and flashed her brother a small smile as she waved. “I'm going to check if the caterers need help.”

“Emily,” Jase whispered, “don't walk away.”

But she hurried into the cabin before Jase could stop her. She told herself it was because she was angry at Jase, although it felt more like fear clawing at her stomach. Panic at the thought of depending on someone and allowing herself to be vulnerable again. Of needing Jase and then having him leave her. It was one thing when they were on equal ground, but if she began to rely on him and truly opened her heart...what was to stop him from breaking it?

April was supervising the last of the cleanup so Emily pitched in where she could. Her hands trembled as she moved vases of flowers to the kitchen's large island but she didn't stop working.

“I think we're almost finished in here,” April said eventually. “I don't have a hot guy waiting to dance with me, so I can handle the rest.”

“It's fine,” Emily muttered. “I'm not in the mood to dance.”

“Uh-oh.” April stepped in front of her as she turned for the sink. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“What kind of nothing?”

Emily sighed and met the redhead's gentle gaze. “Is it really possible to start over?”

April opened her mouth, then shut it again as if she didn't actually know how to answer the question.

“It seems easy in theory,” Emily continued. “Cut out the bad parts from your life and move on. Let go. Tomorrow's a new day. I can spout out greeting-card sentiments until I run out of breath. But is it possible? How can I leave the past behind? Life isn't simple, you know?”

“I do know,” April said with a sad smile. “Maybe it's not about a fresh start as much as it is continuing to try to do better.”

“Learn from your mistakes?” Emily laughed. “Another cliché, but I have plenty to choose from.”

April picked up a flower and twirled the stem between her fingers. “Play it cool as much as you want, but it's obvious you really care for Jase, and he's crazy about you.”

Emily swallowed. “I wasn't looking for...”

“For love?”

“It isn't—”

April tapped Emily on the nose with the wildflower's soft petals. “I have no history in this town, Emily. No expectations of who either of you are supposed to be. You can be honest with me.”

“Which may be easier than being honest with myself.”

“Start with saying the words out loud.”

Emily swallowed then whispered, “I love him.”

“I have a feeling he feels the same.”

“He can't,” Emily said, shaking her head. “We want different things from life. I can't be the woman he needs.”

“Maybe what he needs is the woman you are.”

Emily felt tears clog the back of her throat. A tiny sliver of hope pushed its way through the dark layers of doubt she'd heaped on top of it. “Are you always this good at giving pep talks?”

“To other people,” April told her, “yes.”

The catering manager walked back into the kitchen with the final bill.

“I'll take care of this,” April said. “You find Jase.”

“I can't tell him yet.” Emily fisted her hands until her nails left marks on the center of each palm. “It's too soon. I don't know—”

“You might start with showing him how you feel,” April said and nudged her toward the patio door.

“Right. Show don't tell. I think I can do that.” At the thought of being in Jase's arms again, her stomach buzzed and fluttered like a thousand winged creatures were taking flight inside it. “I think I'd like that very much.”

* * *

As she stepped back outside, she saw that Jase and the other guests had gathered in the center of the patio to say goodbye to Noah and Katie. The newlyweds were staying in one of the guest cabins at Crimson Ranch overnight before driving to the Denver airport tomorrow to fly out for their honeymoon to a Caribbean island.

“I'm so happy to have a sister,” Katie said as Emily hugged her.

“Me, too,” Emily whispered, then turned to her brother. “I'd tell you to get busy making me a little niece or nephew,” she said, punching him lightly on the arm, “but for once in your life, you're an overachiever.”

“Always the clever one.” Noah chuckled and pulled her in for a hug. “Call if you need anything.”

“I absolutely won't,” Emily shot back. “You've earned these two weeks in paradise. Enjoy them.”

“I intend to and thanks again, Em.” Noah tipped up her chin. “You made my bride very happy.”

“Go.” Emily made a shooing motion. “I've laid all the groundwork for you to get lucky tonight.”

Noah leaned in close and kissed Emily on the cheek. “Maybe I'm not the only one,” he whispered with a wink, then turned and scooped Katie off her feet.

Everyone cheered as the couple disappeared down the pathway toward the far cabins. As the music started again, guests drifted back toward the patio. Emily continued to stare into the darkness for several minutes, nerves making her skin tingle as she thought about finding Jase in the crowd.

With a fortifying breath she turned and bumped right into him. She yelped and stumbled back. Jase grabbed hold of her arms to steady her.