Until Tomorrow (Boot Creek Book 3) Page 6

  He hitched his bag over his shoulder and made his way closer to the continual “buh-bye, buh-bye, thank you for flying with us, buh-bye,” then headed up the jet bridge. Following the signs, he texted Jackson.

  Ford: On My Way To Baggage Claim.

  Jackson: Already Here.

  As Ford rode down the escalator he spotted Jackson. Ford responded with a chin nod.

  “Thanks for coming to pick me up,” Ford said. “Angie didn’t come with you?”

  “No, she’s making dinner. She’s worried to death you’re going to be starving after being in the air all day.” Jackson grabbed his gut. “Girl loves to cook. I swear I’ve put on like twelve pounds since the wedding.”

  “That’s usually a good sign,” Ford said.

  “Not good. Great. I wish I’d found and married her three years earlier, even if I am getting a gut.” Jackson patted his stomach. “I knew she was the one the day I met her. Still can’t believe how lucky I am.”

  Ford didn’t have any trouble meeting girls, but he’d yet to meet one that turned his head and kept his attention the way Angie had done to Jackson. Even Angie’s cute friend.

  “I can’t believe you hadn’t mentioned the glass shop gig sooner. Were you going to try to come to North Carolina without contacting me?”

  “I know you and Angie are still in the honeymoon stage. I didn’t want to be a bother.”

  “There’s always room in my life for friends, and Angie feels the same way.”

  Three short horn blasts rang out from the back wall, and the conveyor started chugging in a circle as luggage spit out of the chute onto the belt. People converged on the baggage area like it was filled with gold coins, practically elbowing one another to get a front spot to hurry and wait for their bag to make its way to the roundabout.

  Ford crossed his arms and hung back as the others rushed by.

  “So, what else is new in Alaska? Still no special someone in your life?”

  “Not yet. Just work, and now there’s really not much of that.”

  “What do you mean? You must be doing something right to get this gig down here at PRIZM. Angie says that’s kind of a big deal to get asked to teach.”

  “Yeah, that’s all good, but the glass shop I was working for back home suddenly shut down.”

  “When did that happen?”

  It still didn’t seem real. “About twenty hours before I headed here.”

  “Whoa. What are you going to do?”

  “Catch up with you. Take a little downtime. Fish or something. I wish I could buy the glass shop, but Winston isn’t sure the bank is going to let him sell. It may go straight to foreclosure.”

  “That might end up a better deal for you anyway.”

  “Maybe.”

  “So how did this opportunity at PRIZM even come about?”

  “I went and visited their shop while I was here for your wedding. You probably don’t remember. You were kind of sidetracked.”

  “Tell me about it.” Jackson shook his head. “The wedding. The surprise room for Billy. Y’all really made me a superstar with that truck bed. He loves that room.”

  “We had a great time working on that. Must’ve been what inspired me to kick things into high gear when I got home. Not that a year is fast, but I did finally finish my house.”

  “Get out! That’s cool. Guess we’ve lost touch a little since the wedding. Sorry.”

  Ford shrugged it off. “I didn’t call you either. We were busy. Nothing new.”

  “True. Hope you brought pictures of your house. You know Angie is going to want to see them.”

  “I did.”

  “So, you’re really going to make a home there?”

  “Didn’t realize that was news.”

  “I thought it might lose its charm after a while. And honestly you never were one to sit around and do nothing, so it’s kind of hard to imagine you stuck inside all winter.”

  “There’s plenty to do. I feel more alive there than anywhere I’ve ever been.” Ford lifted a finger for Jackson to hold his thought, jogged over to the conveyor, and pulled a royal blue backpack off. He lifted the handle and rolled it behind him. “Let’s get out of here.” Ford headed for the big glass doors.

  Jackson dug in his front pants pocket and led the way outside. “I’m parked just across the way.”

  They crossed four lanes in front of the terminal to the parking garage.

  One click of the key fob and Jackson’s brand-new Ford dually blinked a hello with its lights.

  “New truck?”

  “Yep. Needed it to tow the new horse trailer we bought.”

  “Angie is letting you teach Billy how to ride?”

  “And her.”

  “That girl is perfect for you.”

  “Told you, didn’t I? Noah and Megan are doing great. Austin is already married. That only leaves you, my man. And we all thought you’d be the first of all of us to get married.”

  “Maybe I’m the luckiest of all.” But that was total BS. He wanted what Jackson had.

  “I’m here to tell you no one feels luckier than me,” Jackson said.

  The look on Jackson’s face bore out the truth of his words. Ford wasn’t usually the jealous type, but darn if he wasn’t feeling just a little envious right now.

  “Angie told me to let you know that you’re welcome to stay with us while you’re in town.”

  “I couldn’t do that. There’s a dorm across the street from the Art Institute. I didn’t check that out when I was there last year, but it’s supposed to be nice.”

  “Billy can camp out in our room. Angie was already changing the sheets for you when I left.”

  “I couldn’t kick Billy out of that cool pickup truck bed.”

  “Sure you can.”

  “Not because of him, but because of me. I’d leave here wanting one, and I’m afraid it might be a little hard to woo a woman with a pickup truck bed in my master bedroom.”

  “That could be a problem.” Jackson started up the truck and pulled out of the parking garage.

  Ford leapt at the chance to bring up Flynn. “I was going to book a room at the B&B we stayed at last year for the wedding, Flynn’s place, but the online app said there were no vacancies. She must be doing really well.”

  “She’s been doing some remodeling.” He merged onto the interstate and then gunned the engine. “I’m sure she’d be willing to let a friend stay, though.”

  Jackson looked at him across the truck.

  “What?” Ford said.

  “I guess I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t warn you that Angie already invited Flynn over for dinner with us tonight. Hope that doesn’t piss you off.”

  Piss me off? Hardly. Just made the long, tiring day worth it. “Not at all. It’ll be good to see Flynn. She’s a nice gal.”

  “Not bad to look at either.”

  “Oh, I remember.” Ford regretted it as soon as the words left his lips. “She’s not seeing anyone?”

  Jackson shot him that look. The one when a guy knows you’re fishing for information, but he let it go. Which worried Ford.

  “Just broke up with some guy, from what Angie said. I think he was part of the renovation problems.”

  “Too bad,” Ford said.

  When they got to the house in Boot Creek, they hadn’t even gotten out of the truck when Billy ran outside to greet them. “Daddy Jack!” Billy leapt into Jackson’s arms and hugged his neck.

  Ford walked around the front of the truck with his bags. “How are you doing, Sport?”

  “My name’s not Sport. I’m Billy. You don’t remember me?”

  Ford laughed. “Yeah, I think I remember. Aren’t you the really cool guy with the pickup truck bed?”

  Billy did a fist pump. “Yes!”

  “I thought that was you.”

  “Mom’s making her baked spaghetti for you. You’re going to love it.”

  Billy grabbed Jackson’s hand. Ford leaned in. “You let him call you Jack? You
beat the hell out of a few guys for doing that, if I recall.”

  “When he came up with Daddy Jack, it flat-out melted my heart. Don’t you dare try it though. I’m pretty sure I can still kick your ass.”

  Ford had been touched by the enthusiasm of Billy’s greeting too.

  They hadn’t even gotten to the door and he could already smell the garlic and tomato sauce. His stomach growled. He hadn’t had anything but a protein bar, almonds, and a chocolate chip cookie all day long.

  “Something smells like heaven in Italy,” Ford said.

  Angie set the plates she’d been carrying to the table on the counter as they entered and ran over to give him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. At least this time I can treat you like a real guest, since I’m not up to my eyeballs in wedding plans.”

  “Last time was great. Best wedding I’ve ever been in. Guess Noah’s will be next.” He glanced over at Flynn. She looked taller and even prettier, if that was possible. And this time instead of a bridesmaid gown she was in jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt. His kind of girl. “Flynn. It’s great to see you.” His breath hitched a little when he said her name. He hoped she hadn’t noticed. “You look great.”

  “Thank you. It’s good to see you too.”

  Flynn didn’t seem all that excited to see him. Maybe that attraction he’d remembered from last year wasn’t quite as strong as he’d remembered.

  Angie walked over to Billy. “Go wash your hands, Billy. We’re about ready to eat.”

  Billy ran from the room.

  Jackson said, “Ford told me he tried to rent a room at the B&B but the website showed you were booked.”

  “I don’t want to impose,” Ford interjected.

  “I can’t very well rent rooms with all of the bathrooms out of commission.”

  “What happened?” Ford followed Jackson and Flynn into the dining room and took a seat. “Water line break?”

  “Not even something that difficult. The toilets need to be set and I have new fixtures. My handyman took an unexpected exit.”

  Must be that boyfriend. “Oh. That happens. Doesn’t sound like what you need done will take all that long. We can do that while I’m in town,” Ford said, glancing over to Jackson. “Heck, I can do that without Jackson’s help.”

  “Wouldn’t that be nice,” Flynn said with a nervous laugh. She sat down and put her napkin in her lap. Billy climbed into the chair next to her.

  “I always get to sit next to Flynn,” Billy announced. “I’m going to marry her when she’s old enough for me.”

  “I hope everyone is hungry,” Angie said while trying to stifle her giggles over Billy’s claims.

  “I’m hungry enough to eat a bear,” Ford said, swiping his hand in the air like a claw to get a rise out of Billy.

  “A polar bear,” Billy said with his eyes wide.

  Sitting here at this table tonight felt like everything he’d dreamed of. Simple. The family. The home-cooked casserole. The playful banter with Billy. “Polar bears can get to be nine hundred pounds. I might not be able to eat a whole polar bear.”

  “Oh?” Billy’s eyebrows pulled together. “Maybe just a polar bear sandwich then.”

  Ford scratched his head. “With french fries, maybe. There’s always room for french fries, right?”

  “And ketchup.”

  “Oh, heck yeah.” Ford raised his hand for a high five.

  “You’re the coolest guy ever.” Billy tilted his head, as if he was pondering something very important. “Are you an Eskimo?”

  “Nope. I’m just a guy from Tennessee who lives in Alaska.”

  They all laughed.

  “You should have been here the other day. I was a pirate for Halloween. A pirate could eat a whole polar bear.” Billy put a hand over his eye and hooked his other hand. “I even had a patch.”

  Angie reached over and patted Billy’s hand. “Want to say grace for us?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Billy grinned, looked at Flynn, then bowed his head. “For food and health and happy days . . . receive our gratitude and our praise. In serving others Lord may we . . . repay our debt of love to thee.” His head bounced and lowered again. “And thank thee too for Aunt Flynn and Ford. Amen.”

  Jackson passed the casserole dish to Ford, then followed with salad and the garlic bread. Once everyone had their plates full, Ford took a mouthful of baked spaghetti. “This is great.”

  “Thanks, Ford. It’s super easy to make. Billy’s favorite.”

  “I know how to help make it,” Billy said.

  “You’re going to make the best husband ever,” Flynn teased.

  “Yes ma’am.” Billy shoveled another bite into his mouth, slurping the length of a long noodle with a squeak. “Plus now I’m in Cub Scouts, so I’ll be able to do even more stuff.”

  Ford looked over at Jackson. “We had some good times in Boy Scouts back in the day.”

  “Sure did. That and football.”

  “We should get out and toss some while I’m here,” Ford said.

  “Cool. Can we, Daddy Jack?”

  “Sure, buddy.”

  Angie piped up. “I don’t think I’m ready for Billy and football.”

  “Mo-om.” Billy looked toward Jackson with pleading eyes.

  Ford remembered his own mother pacing on game day mornings. “My mom was like yours, Billy. She was always a nervous wreck when I played sports.”

  “Well, dang,” Jackson said. “Maybe my mom didn’t love me as much as I thought. She never seemed worried about me at all.”

  “You were kind of a wild kid. She probably had to pick her battles with you. You’re lucky the poor woman didn’t take up drinking with all the crazy stuff you used to do.”

  “Sounds like there are some stories I might not have heard yet,” Angie said.

  “Don’t know if we have that much time,” Ford said. Jackson seemed to agree by the way he laughed.

  “How long are you going to be in town teaching?” Flynn asked Ford.

  “A month.”

  “I’ve heard those are hard positions to get. Your work is amazing though, so I’m not surprised.”

  Her smile made his heart race. She’d been interested enough to Google him. That was something. The corner of his mouth tugged into a smile. “You’ve seen my work?”

  “On the Internet. You mentioned that award on Facebook, remember?”

  “I do.” He’d messaged her quite a bit those first few months after they’d met.

  “I was curious,” she said with a shrug.

  Great. He’d made her feel awkward. “I figured I’d come out early and grab a few vacation days before I get started. We should do something while I’m in town.” He leveled his gaze on Flynn, who just smiled politely until she realized he was referring to her.

  She looked like she double-swallowed her spaghetti. “Me?”

  “Sure. Why not? We could go dancing. We had fun at the wedding.”

  She lifted her napkin and wiped her mouth, but Ford wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t just stalling. She cleared her throat. “Yes. We did. We had a lot of fun at the wedding. Everyone did.”

  “So how about this weekend?”

  She shrugged, then glanced over at Angie. “Sure. Yes. That would be great.”

  “Are you going to get a chance to visit with your parents while you’re down this way?” Angie asked, as if to give Flynn some cover.

  “I’m planning to see them on my way home. It’s Pop-pop’s ninety-second birthday at the end of the month. My sisters will even be in town. I’m hoping to make it for Thanksgiving and his party.”

  “That’s so neat,” Flynn said, her composure restored.

  “How are your grandparents doing?” he asked.

  “Great. I was just telling Angie that they’re staying in one of those golf cart communities. Rumor has it my grandfather is like Richard Petty behind the wheel of that thing, and I think Gran really likes that. I feel like they might need a curfew.”

  “Noth
ing wrong with going a little wild at any age.”

  “Can we get a golf cart?” Billy said, his eyes full of hope.

  “Yeah, can we, Mom?” Jackson nodded eagerly.

  “I can’t catch a break with these two boys,” Angie said, wagging her fork in their direction.

  “When we get married, I’ll buy you one, Billy,” Flynn said.

  “Those kinds of promises, I’ll get in line to marry you,” Ford teased.

  Her head snapped back in his direction. “Careful. I’ll have you fixing toilets and doing chores.”

  “Not exactly what I’d consider a wild time, but I am good at that kind of stuff. We could work out a trade.”

  She draped her hands over Billy’s ears. “Not in front of my future husband.”

  Jackson and Angie laughed. “Not that kind of trade,” Ford said.

  “I’m not buying you a golf cart either,” Flynn teased.

  “I meant bartering my handyman skills for room and board at your place while I’m in town.”

  “Handymen are not at the top of my list lately,” Flynn said.

  He’d hit a nerve. Her smile had faded as quickly as a politician’s promises. Scrambling to recapture the playful mood before, he said, “I just thought it would be a little more professional than dorming with the students. Plus, I loved your cooking when I stayed last year.”

  Angie leaned forward. “We might need to interview you first, Ford.”

  “I come with good references,” he said. “Jackson. Help a brother out, man.”

  “Oh no, I’m not getting in the middle of this.” Jackson pushed back from the table.

  Flynn glanced over at Angie and then folded her arms on the table. “I do have all of the materials on-site. The way I figure it, all three bathrooms could be back in working order in just a few days. A week tops.”

  “I doubt it would take that long if you have everything we need.” Ford held her gaze. She looked doubtful.

  “If you could do that, I could rent out the other rooms while you’re still in town. I had an email request for two couples to come the week after next.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Then how can you say no?” Please don’t say no.

  “I guess I can’t.”

  He reached across the table and shook her hand. “Deal.” Her grip was tight. Professional. And her skin just as soft as he’d remembered.