“Seriously, the pot’s old,” Carl said. “I wash it every night. It probably needs a good vinegar soak, but I promise, it is clean.”
They waited in silence, enjoying the fresh scent of brewing coffee, and undemanding companionship.
“She’s a puzzle,” Zane blurted.
“Women are. Question is, do you want to solve that puzzle?” Carl dropped into the chair behind his desk and swung his feet onto its cluttered surface. He pinned Zane with an intense stare.
“You don’t take light shots, do you? Straight to the guts.” Zane said, grabbing a couple mugs from the shelf above the coffee pot. He filled them and handed one to Carl, then raised his in a toast. “Here’s to women. May they stop confusing us.”
“No women in my future. I’m damaged goods, but Clara’s one of the good ones. Don’t you hurt her.” Carl’s voice rang with warning.
“Too late for that.” He blurted out his confusion and Clara’s sudden change of attitude. Zane ended his rant with, “The thing is, I think she likes me as much as I like her.”
“Yeah, but do you love her?” Carl slurped his coffee.
Zane didn’t even have to consider his answer. It was right there on his tongue and in his heart. “Yes. I do. More than I ever thought I’d love a woman.”
“So, what’s the issue?”
“Hell if I know. I love solving a puzzle, but I can’t find the key to unlocking Clara.”
“From an outsider’s point of view, why would she risk falling for a guy who is leaving town?”
“I can’t stay. I have a career.” Maybe he could, but what if the office refused to let him work remotely? Then what? “Maybe she’s right. I’m not the right man for her. She needs a local guy. Someone from around here who plans to stay.” Anger fused him in place. No way did he want to imagine another man kissing Clara or putting babies in her belly. Clara’s children should be his!
“Isn’t most of your job on the road? Can’t you work from here? Can’t you change careers. Hell, you’re young. You’ve got an entire life ahead of you. Are you going to mess this up and end up a miserable old man, and leave my cousin weeping alone in her bed? It’s not too late for me to beat the crap out of you.”
Zane understood the threat was real and he’d probably face the same threat from every one of the Flint men. One thing he knew for sure was that the Flints stuck together and put family first. Clara might only be a cousin, but she was also family.
“Answer me this. You say you love Clara, but what’s she worth to you? What would you give up for her?”
The words struck his heart like blows. “Hell yes, I love her. From the first moment I laid eyes on her.” He snapped his mouth shut. He hadn’t meant to bare his feelings.
“And?” Carl smirked.
“And I’d give my life for her. Without hesitation.” The point of Carl’s questions hit him like lightning. “I’d give up my career if I had to.”
“What’s she supposed to give up for you?”
Zane shook his head. The question didn’t make sense. “Nothing. Not a damn thing. She’s perfect as she is, and she’s happy here. Sure, she has self-doubts. We all do. She just needs someone to help her believe in herself.” He paused. “I can do that.”
He slammed his mug down on the desk, slopping coffee everywhere. He ignored the mess and smacked his hand against Carl’s shoulder. “Thanks, man. You’ve knocked some sense into me.”
“And I didn’t even have to punch you.” Carl chuckled. “Take care of my cousin and when you need work, stop by, I’ll hire you as an apprentice.”
“Consider me hired. I’ll start in January. I have some things to wrap up first.”
“The wages are crap, be prepared. Maybe you should talk to Clara first.”
“On it. Right now.” Zane strode out of the garage and headed toward the inn. He was going home. His real home with Clara. First, he had to return to the city, box up his apartment and quit his job. Then, he’d start seriously courting her. Old school. Even if he had to move out of the inn first. He’d figure out how to survive on apprentice wages later. He had enough money in the bank to survive for several years without working. He’d be fine,ifhe had Clara.
