Read Online California Dreaming: Four Contemporary Romances by Casey Dawes - Free Book Online
Authors: Casey Dawes
Tags: Romance, Contemporary
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5
John stared at his reflection in the mirror and brushed back his hair. Maybe it was time to get a haircut. The cuffs on his denim shirt were getting frayed, too. Mentally, John went through his closet. His other shirts weren’t much better. He was going to need a serious upgrade to go courting. He smiled at the old-fashioned phrase his mother had been fond of using.
He shook off his memories, popped a slice of sourdough bread in the toaster and grabbed a cup of black coffee. Would Annie agree to a ride? If she did, would he feel the same easy companionship that he had with Jessica? I hope so.
The toast popped and he slathered it with butter and jam. Standing at the counter, he ate his breakfast and remembered rides with Jessica along the banks of the Bitterroot River. It had been one of their favorite outings before she’d gotten sick five years ago. They often rode in silence to encourage birds and small animals that lived near the water to show themselves. Losing her had left a hole in his life.
I miss you, Jessica, but it’s time to fill that hole.
Glancing at his watch, John put the empty plate in the sink, poured the rest of his coffee in his travel mug, and went out the back door to his truck, ignoring the overgrown lawn on his way. He needed to find somewhere of his own to live — or buy a goat. He’d call a realtor today.
“Hi, boss,” Sunshine called out from behind the register when he walked into the store fifteen minutes later. “Glad to see you finally made it.”
“Staff meeting in a half hour,” he snapped and strode to the stairs leading up to his office. He didn’t want to have a long conversation with his store manager. She was too good at figuring out what he was thinking.
A stack of mail sat on his desk. He recognized his handwriting on the top envelope and tossed it in a corner with annoyance — probably another rejection of his novel. He’d been really hopeful this time — the agent had taken a long time to get back to him.
John concentrated on his paperwork, thrusting all thoughts of novels, women, and goats from his head until he heard the clomp of Sunshine’s boots on the stairs.
“I thought you’d want the next week’s schedule before the meeting. Jamie has exams next week and she’s asked for time off. We’ll need to find someone to cover.”
He pawed through his papers and picked up the phone. “Thanks.” He stared at the receiver, not remembering why he’d picked it up.
Sunshine perched on a stool and tossed her gray braid over her shoulder. “So, are you going to ask her out?”
He flicked a glance at her that should have telegraphed, It’s none of your damn business.
She didn’t get the message. “Well?”
He sighed. “I already have.”
“And?”
“She’ll get back to me.”
“Give me a break. That’s polite-woman speak for ‘no.’ You need to call her again.”
“Not everyone is as pushy as you are.” He looked at his watch. “Why don’t you get everyone together for the meeting?”
“Yes, boss.” She paused. “But I still think you should call her again.”
He looked at the phone that was still in his hand. Maybe he should.
• • •
During the commute to work that morning, Annie spotted signs of spring around her. The towering redwoods sported new growth while Scotch broom announced the change of seasons with bright yellow flowers. Lexington Reservoir glinted with the morning sun as scull boats glided effortlessly across its waters.
She divested herself of her computer bag and raincoat when she reached her office. Time to tackle Number 3 on her list — find out the job details from Randy.
His office door was closed. She took a deep breath and rapped.
“Come in.”
She opened the door and gazed at the paper-strewn mess. Sitting down wasn’t an option. “Can you tell me about the job in New Jersey?”
Randy looked up from his computer. “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. I’d really hate for the company to
John stared at his reflection in the mirror and brushed back his hair. Maybe it was time to get a haircut. The cuffs on his denim shirt were getting frayed, too. Mentally, John went through his closet. His other shirts weren’t much better. He was going to need a serious upgrade to go courting. He smiled at the old-fashioned phrase his mother had been fond of using.
He shook off his memories, popped a slice of sourdough bread in the toaster and grabbed a cup of black coffee. Would Annie agree to a ride? If she did, would he feel the same easy companionship that he had with Jessica? I hope so.
The toast popped and he slathered it with butter and jam. Standing at the counter, he ate his breakfast and remembered rides with Jessica along the banks of the Bitterroot River. It had been one of their favorite outings before she’d gotten sick five years ago. They often rode in silence to encourage birds and small animals that lived near the water to show themselves. Losing her had left a hole in his life.
I miss you, Jessica, but it’s time to fill that hole.
Glancing at his watch, John put the empty plate in the sink, poured the rest of his coffee in his travel mug, and went out the back door to his truck, ignoring the overgrown lawn on his way. He needed to find somewhere of his own to live — or buy a goat. He’d call a realtor today.
“Hi, boss,” Sunshine called out from behind the register when he walked into the store fifteen minutes later. “Glad to see you finally made it.”
“Staff meeting in a half hour,” he snapped and strode to the stairs leading up to his office. He didn’t want to have a long conversation with his store manager. She was too good at figuring out what he was thinking.
A stack of mail sat on his desk. He recognized his handwriting on the top envelope and tossed it in a corner with annoyance — probably another rejection of his novel. He’d been really hopeful this time — the agent had taken a long time to get back to him.
John concentrated on his paperwork, thrusting all thoughts of novels, women, and goats from his head until he heard the clomp of Sunshine’s boots on the stairs.
“I thought you’d want the next week’s schedule before the meeting. Jamie has exams next week and she’s asked for time off. We’ll need to find someone to cover.”
He pawed through his papers and picked up the phone. “Thanks.” He stared at the receiver, not remembering why he’d picked it up.
Sunshine perched on a stool and tossed her gray braid over her shoulder. “So, are you going to ask her out?”
He flicked a glance at her that should have telegraphed, It’s none of your damn business.
She didn’t get the message. “Well?”
He sighed. “I already have.”
“And?”
“She’ll get back to me.”
“Give me a break. That’s polite-woman speak for ‘no.’ You need to call her again.”
“Not everyone is as pushy as you are.” He looked at his watch. “Why don’t you get everyone together for the meeting?”
“Yes, boss.” She paused. “But I still think you should call her again.”
He looked at the phone that was still in his hand. Maybe he should.
• • •
During the commute to work that morning, Annie spotted signs of spring around her. The towering redwoods sported new growth while Scotch broom announced the change of seasons with bright yellow flowers. Lexington Reservoir glinted with the morning sun as scull boats glided effortlessly across its waters.
She divested herself of her computer bag and raincoat when she reached her office. Time to tackle Number 3 on her list — find out the job details from Randy.
His office door was closed. She took a deep breath and rapped.
“Come in.”
She opened the door and gazed at the paper-strewn mess. Sitting down wasn’t an option. “Can you tell me about the job in New Jersey?”
Randy looked up from his computer. “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. I’d really hate for the company to
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