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Rain would wash the slush away in the next day or two, but today was one last gasp of winter. This weather was rare so close to the ocean, which meant only a few plows on an island of high bridges, hills, and hairpin turns. Most businesses closed at the rumor of snow. The farm crews left at lunchtime, but spring was busy in the tulip business, and I stayed to finish a few things.
It was peaceful watching the long fields in the distance slowly turn white. The late-season snow wouldn’t hurt the bulb sprouts breaking through the warming earth and a snow day, like a vacation day, sounded pretty good.
Finn piloted the truck along deserted back roads toward town. As the softening landscape passed, my mind continued to process the revelations from Jo a few days ago. She knew me from that partyandher last night at Hill & Ocean. Cole took advantage of that girl. I would bet on it. The way he treated Jo contributed to her quitting her job, not to mention the shitstorm he brought into my life. That guy was worse than a virus.
Jo had been in my orbit twice. How did I not see her? Because I had my head up my ass, that’s how. Too focused on my career and making money. Even though I met women easily, there were no girlfriends. It wasn’t done in the world I was submerged in. Engineers worked long hours, often unexpectedly, which made any commitment outside of work that much more difficult.
“Earth to Lucas,” Finn said.
“What?”
“I asked about the cooking lessons while you were clearly off somewhere else. They still good?” Finn glanced at me before returning his attention to the road and the silent fall of the snow.
I rubbed my hand over my face to clear my head. “Yeah. The food’s amazing, and I’m not such a hazard in the kitchen anymore. I’ve even cooked on my own.”
“I was thinking we could offer a meal or a happy hour at the bike resort once it opens. Almost like a bed-and-breakfast. Do you think Jo would be interested? She could use the barn kitchen, or we could build something with a dining space closer to the yurts at some point. Maybe we only offer it on weekends.”
“Mornings may be tough. She works early at The Elliot.”
“It’s just an idea,” Finn said.
“If we build a space by the yurts, you could host small gatherings, like your group that builds mountain bike trails. Everyone stays together, and you’d have a meeting place to work on designs.”
“Yeah. That’d be cool. We’re keeping it rustic, though. It’s a mountain biking resort, not glamping, contrary to what Emily thinks. We agree to disagree.” His grin split his face. He and Emily didn’t disagree on much.
“No proposal yet? If it’s cold feet, I could step in.”
“Watch it,” he growled. “I’ll dump your ass out in the snow.”
I chuckled. He was too easy to rile when it came to Emily.
“I’m afraid she’ll think it’s too soon. We’ve only known each other less than a year.”
I gave him a look that saidI call bull shit. Emily was ready months ago to say yes.
“Okay, I’m not sure how to do it. I want it to be special, and I was thinking of a long bike trip up in Canada, but it will be months before the weather is warm enough. With the Tulip Festival next month and the last of the landscaping and decorating still to finish before the bike resort opens soon, I don’t have much time to plan something else.”
“Finn, she doesn’t need that, and you know it.”
“Yeah, but she deserves it, and I want to be the one to make it happen.”
I understood that feeling, maybe for the first time in my life. I sensed Jo didn’t see her beauty, and I had a real desire to be the one to show it to her. Somehow, she decided that being tough and hardworking was all she had to offer. But she was also genuine and caring and thoroughly beautiful.
I rarely referred to women as beautiful. I mostly thought of them as hot or sexy. Beautiful was the tulip fields filled with swaths of color under a clear, cerulean sky. Beauty was magical. Beauty was Carrie’s face when she held her baby girl. Beauty was ReeAnn after teaching a yoga class. Beauty was goodness that came out physically.
Jo was beautiful. I saw it that first night in the bar. I saw it in my kitchen. What would it be like to be the man she loved with food, the man she let wrap himself around her warmth and softness every night? It wouldn’t be just anyone. He’d have to earn it. I wanted to be that man.
“I lost you again. What’s on your mind?” Finn asked.
“What?”
“You’re staring out the window and concentrating.”
“I was thinking about Jo. This afternoon, she was cooking at my house and may still be there.”
“I admit, I’m a little surprised she stuck it out with you, but then you haven’t been quite the jackass lately,” Finn said.
“I was never a jackass.”
