Dad's E-Mail Order Bride (19 page)

He was at the pool table with Yanoo now.

The very sight of him took her breath away.

Courtney turned back to the oven, humming along with the country tune the Barlow twins were playing, and peeking through the glass oven door at the pizza she promised Rachel and Tiki she would keep an eye on. The timer buzzed so Courtney turned off the oven. She intended to remind the girls she deserved at least a tiny slice of their pizza for making sure it didn’t burn.

She had just reached for a mitt to remove the pizza when the guy who had made it a point to show up every Friday night—the last guy she wanted to see—walked through the door with a cooler in his hand. She’d told Gil from the time he asked her out she wasn’t interested. But his smiling face kept showing up every Friday night hoping he would eventually catch her at a weak moment and she’d finally give in.

It wasn’t going to happen.

She’d even been outright rude to Gil last week so it irked her that he was here tonight. Especially since Graham was here.

She’d wanted to have the entire night to focus on Graham and only Graham. But the leer on Gil’s face as he walked in her direction told Courtney she’d be fighting him off all evening.

“Hello, beautiful,” Gil said, grinning at her.

“You need a new line,” Courtney said. “That one’s getting old.”

Gil glanced past her at the pool table. “But, darlin’, I thought
old
turned you on.”

It wasn’t the first time he’d made a snide comment about Graham, but Courtney had always ignored him. Just as she was ignoring him now. Gil’s game was getting a rise out of someone. Courtney wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

“Guess I was wrong,” Gil said when Courtney didn’t answer. He blew her a kiss and headed off into the crowd.

Courtney pulled the girls’ pizza out to cool and when she shifted around to place it on the counter, she found Graham standing there.

“Hey, Graham,” Courtney said, smiling at him. “Did you finally beat Yanoo?”

“Was there a problem with Gil just now?”

“No more than usual,” Courtney said. “But I can handle him.”

“Good,” he said, and turned to leave.

“Graham,” Courtney called out. When he turned, Courtney said, “Thanks for asking, though.”

He nodded and headed to the pool table. Courtney happened to look in Gil’s direction. Gil was watching every step Graham made. And the look on his face wasn’t friendly.

Great.

This was the first time Graham had shown up.

And Courtney could already smell disaster.

“Listen up, people.”

Graham looked up from the shot he was ready to make and frowned when he saw the very guy he’d been thinking about standing on the stage with the microphone in his hand. Graham knocked the ball into the side pocket with a loud thud, the same way he would knock Gil out if he laid a hand on Courtney.

“I just wanted to remind everyone the Woodsman contest is next weekend,” Gil said. “The contest is still open for registration, people. And I look forward to seeing if anyone is man enough to take my title this year.”

Gil reached out to place the microphone on the stand. Then he stopped and brought the mike back to his mouth. “I forgot to mention all of the proceeds go to local island charities, folks, and the age limit to enter is from eighteen to eighty. So for all you old rich guys like Graham back there playing pool, just because you no longer have what it takes to enter the contest doesn’t mean we’re not happy to take your donation.”

“Hey, Graham,” someone called out, “The cocky little SOB just singled you out. Enter the contest and make him regret the day he called you old.”

Every eye in the store looked in Graham’s direction.

“I thought Gil’s insult was calling me rich,” Graham yelled back. “He knows I’m still young enough to kick his butt any day of the week.”

The crowd went wild.

When the noise died down, Gil brought the microphone back to his mouth and said, “Care to make a side bet you won’t make it past round one, Graham?”

“As long as the money still goes to charity, you name the bet, Gil.”

“One thousand dollars says you won’t see round two.”

“Deal. As long as you double that amount when I take your title for myself.”

An instant hush fell across the crowd. Then everyone started talking at once.

Gil left the stage with a smug grin on his face. And Graham returned to his pool game. But he definitely wasn’t smiling. Inside, Graham was seething. Gil had made him pay for demanding he leave Courtney alone.

He’d taken their quarrel public.

But he’d picked the wrong guy’s chain to rattle.

Graham finished making a shot and started to line up another when Courtney approached the pool table. The expression on her face matched the fire in her eyes.

“I thought you were drinking beer tonight.”

“I am drinking beer tonight,” Graham said, nodding toward his cooler in the corner. “Want one?”

“It sounded like you’ve been drinking straight testosterone to me.” Now her arms were crossed.

Not
a good sign.

“Just a little harmless bantering.” Graham took aim and made another shot.

“Tell me the truth, Graham. What’s going on?”

Graham walked to the other side of the pool table.

Courtney followed him.

“Why don’t you ask Gil? He started it.”

“I don’t want to ask Gil,” she said. “I’m asking you.”

“Leave it alone, Courtney.”

“I’m waiting for an honest answer, Graham.”

“I am being honest,” Graham said. “Leave it alone.”

“I’m a big girl. I’m sure I can take it.”

“You want to know why I still keep coming on Friday nights even though you won’t go out with me? I’ll tell you why. You’re wasting your time waiting around for Graham, and I was hoping you’d finally realize that. I asked Graham straight up if he was interested in you before I ever asked you out. And you know what the arrogant ass said? Not in a million years.”

Courtney swallowed. “Graham really said that?”

“Those were his exact words. Not in a million years.”

Courtney knew Gil was lying. She could see it in his eyes.

More than that Graham would never say such a thing, especially not to Gil. Graham would never disrespect her by saying
not in a million years.

“That’s why I called Graham out,” Gil said. “I should have kicked his ass before. Now I can do it in front of the whole town.”

“So? Does that mean you’re going to ask me to go out with you again?”

Gil grinned. “Absolutely. Will you please go out with me, Courtney?”

“Not in a million years.”

His eyes turned cold. “Bitch.”

Courtney walked away before she slapped him. She also felt like slapping Graham.

She couldn’t believe Graham had let Gil goad him into entering some macho nonsense contest. But the fact that Graham had told her to leave it alone made Courtney realize there was more to the story than she knew.

If Graham wouldn’t tell her, Courtney knew someone who would. And as soon as she got the opportunity, she would ask Yanoo.

Courtney had just walked back to the grill when Gil marched out the door with his cooler under his arm. She guessed this would be Gil’s last Friday night visit, and for that, Courtney was thankful.

She looked around for Graham.

Now he, too, was headed for the door, although he did wave before he left.

Courtney didn’t even try to stop him. Instead she tracked down Yanoo where he was propped up against the wall, drinking a beer and watching while two of the other locals played pool. When he saw Courtney walking toward him, he met her halfway.

“Are you willing to tell me what’s going on?”

“You need to hear that from Graham,” he said.

“And you just heard Graham tell me to leave it alone. Please, Yanoo. I’m completely baffled why Graham would let Gil goad him into some stupid contest that could get him hurt.”

“It’s a matter of honor,” Yanoo said. “Gil called Graham out in front of the whole town. He can’t let Gil shame him like that.”

“Well, that’s plain stupid,” Courtney said. “Everyone in town knows what an ass Gil is. And bringing himself down to Gil’s level only makes Graham look like an ass, too. And I intend to tell Graham that.”

Courtney started to walk away.

“No,” Yanoo said and grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“It’s deeper than that for Graham,” Yanoo said. “He lost his self-respect over Julia’s death. Let him get it back. Even if Gil is the way he has to do that. Do what Graham told you, Courtney. Leave it alone.”

The first week in August was already here. Three more weeks and Courtney would be making plans to leave for New York. She and Rachel didn’t have much more time to spend together.

After the store closed, Tiki and Hanya were coming over for a girls’ night in to help put finishing touches on the jewelry for their wish baskets.

It had been Rachel’s idea to use glass beads and tiny pearls for their bracelets and their hair combs. According to Rachel it wouldn’t have seemed right unless they decorated their jewelry with the same type of gems their own ancestors had worn.

Courtney had ordered a ton of beads and pearls and jewelry-making supplies from an online craft store, and she hadn’t spared any expense. She hoped Rachel really would wear the jewelry they were making together on her wedding day. And if Courtney had anything to do with it, she would be there, carefully placing those combs in Rachel’s beautiful black hair.

She glanced at Rachel, envisioning what a beautiful bride Rachel would make someday. At the moment, they were busy slicing tomatoes and getting ready for the daily lunch rush that would descend upon them within the hour.

“You know the whole town’s talking about the big fight Dad and Gil had over you, right?”

“Who told you that?”

“Tiki.” Rachel reached across Courtney for another tomato. “Tiki said Gil’s been telling everyone that Dad threatened him over you, telling him to back off and leave you alone. And Gil is saying he hopes he and Dad will be the last men standing when they reach the final round.”

Courtney grimaced.

“Gil’s bragging he’s going to show Dad why an old man shouldn’t let his mouth override his ass.”

“Rachel!” Courtney scolded.

“What? I’m just repeating what Gil said.”

Rachel waited for Courtney to argue.

When Courtney didn’t, Rachel said, “You realize what all of this means, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Courtney said and sighed. “It means someone is going to get hurt.”

“Forget the stupid Woodsman contest, Courtney. It means if Dad won’t even let you have a boyfriend, I don’t need a freaking wish basket. The chance of a guy even getting near me is
zero.
”

Courtney had to laugh. “Don’t ever say you aren’t a normal teenager again, Rachel Morrison. Only normal teenagers have the ability to make everything going on around them all about them.”

Rachel rolled her eyes.

Graham chose that moment to walk into the store.

“Too early to get a burger around here?” he asked as he sat down at the counter.

“Never too early for you, Graham,” Courtney said.

“Courtney’s only saying that because she’s afraid it might be your last burger,” Rachel said.

“Rachel!” Courtney scolded.

“I think I’ll go take Broadway out,” Rachel said.

“I think that’s your best idea today,” Courtney told her.

Rachel walked around the counter, but she frowned at her dad as she walked by him. Graham sent Courtney a puzzled look after his daughter left.

“What was that all about?”

Courtney ignored the question. “You like your burgers well-done, right?” She turned around and took a patty from the freezer and put it on the grill.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I could always tell you to leave it alone.”

“But?”

“Rachel’s been hearing the rumors going around town about you and Gil.”

“Gil has a big mouth,” Graham said. “But Rachel doesn’t have to worry about me.”

Courtney laughed. “Rachel isn’t worried about you. She’s afraid if you won’t let me have a boyfriend, she’s doomed for life.”

“Is that what you think? That I told Gil to back off because I didn’t want you to have a boyfriend?”

“Did you tell Gil to back off?

“Yes, I did.”

“Then maybe I should ask why you would care if I had a boyfriend.” She tried to sound calm even though her heart was pounding. His response shouldn’t mean this much, but it did.

“I didn’t want
Gil
trying to become your boyfriend. That was the problem.”

“You can’t possibly think I would ever be interested in Gil, Graham. If you do, you don’t even know who I am.”

“Of course, I didn’t think you would be interested in Gil. But he isn’t used to women turning him down.”

Courtney blinked. “You mean you think Gil—”

“I don’t know what Gil would have done if you’d turned him down when you were alone. That’s why I told him to back off.”

Courtney thought about what Graham said as she finished assembling his burger. She’d seen Gil’s face when he called her a bitch. And she remembered briefly thinking she was glad the store was filled with people.

“You should be prepared for the rumors to get worse as the week goes on. That’s Gil’s trademark. He likes to talk about women. And none of it is ever flattering.”

Courtney walked to the cooler, grabbed a drink for both of them then sat beside him at the counter. “If that’s true, and you think Gil will spread lies about me, what are we going to do about Rachel?”

Graham put his burger down and looked at her. “I hadn’t thought about that. Maybe you should warn her that might happen.”

Courtney nodded in agreement. She was pleased that Graham trusted her enough to have such a talk with Rachel. She’d given Rachel a lot of advice over the summer. But she was no longer giving Rachel advice she didn’t take herself.

Since the night she’d had her breakdown on Beth and called her mother, she’d been talking with her mother on a regular basis. And although they were only taking baby steps, each step they took brought them closer to having a good mother-daughter relationship instead of having no relationship at all.

That’s what she wanted for Graham and Rachel—a good father-daughter relationship. And if she left with nothing more than knowing she’d had a part in helping them achieve that, it would be enough.

Comforted somewhat by that lie, Courtney got through the lunch hour. After cleaning up she walked to where Rachel was restocking the canned vegetables shelf. “I think we need to talk about these rumors you’ve been hearing about your dad and Gil.”

“What about them?” Rachel bent and picked up two more cans of peas from the box sitting on the floor beside her.

“I just wanted to make sure you knew that your dad isn’t the bad guy in this situation.”

Rachel looked surprised. “But I thought you liked Gil. He’s always flirting with you.”

“I thought I did, too,” Courtney said. “But I was never interested in sleeping with him. And Gil didn’t like being turned down.”

“Wow,” Rachel said. “I can’t believe you said that. We’ve never talked about sex before.”

“Maybe it’s time we did,” Courtney said.

“And that’s all Gil wanted? Sex?”

“That’s the only thing guys like Gil ever want, Rachel.”

“And my dad’s the good guy because…?”

“Because your dad knows who Gil is, and he was trying to protect me.”

Rachel grinned. “And what if my dad wanted to have sex with you? Would that make him the bad guy?”

No, that would be a miracle.

“Sex isn’t the issue, Rachel. A person’s integrity is the issue. Men like Gil have no scruples when it comes to women. They pretend to be interested until they get what they want, then they move on. And sometimes when they don’t get what they want, they lie and say they did. So it’s possible you might hear some other rumors, and they might be ugly. But you have my word right now that none of them will be true. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“And that’s the difference between guys like Gil and guys like your dad. Sex only enters into the situation for a guy like your dad when they are interested in a woman.”

“Then I guess that means my dad will never have sex again. He isn’t interested in anyone but himself.”

“Now, see, that’s where you’re wrong,” Courtney said. “Your dad told Gil to back off because he was interested in protecting me. Your dad is an honorable man. There are a lot worse things than having an honorable man in your life, Rachel. I promise you that.”

Rachel frowned. “Why are you always taking up for my dad?”

“Because I want you to see him for who he really is. He loves you. And even though you think his rules are stupid and his decision to live here is only to punish you, you’re wrong. When you have children of your own one day, you’ll understand why he did a lot of the things he did. He has your best interest at heart.”

“Forget children,” Rachel said. “I’m still waiting for my first boyfriend.”

Me, too.