to Lizbet’s for milkshakes. You want to come with us?”
She did, with everything in her. But it was her responsibility to put away the orientation gear and close up the tour company. Trying to keep her disappointment and frustration from echoing in her voice, she said as neutrally as she could, “I’ve got to close up.”
“Okay, then,” Amelia said, with a satisfied smile, before she walked out the door with Veronica following closely behind.
Jake strode over to where Casey stood. Her heart fluttered at his closeness. “Come to Lizbet’s when you’re done,” he said.
Liking that he’d think to make the suggestion, Casey nodded. “I’ll will. Thank you.”
He held the packet of information up. “There’s an awful lot of stuff here. Would you be willing to help Veronica and me purchase everything we need?”
Thrilled by the request, she tried to keep excitement out of her voice. “Of course. I’d love to.”
He grinned. “Great. How about tomorrow morning?”
“Perfect.”
“You’re the best.” He saluted and jogged away.
“The best,” she repeated, though inside her head the refrain “one of the guys” mocked her. Did Jake see her as “one of the guys”?
And did she care?
Jake stirred his melting chocolate milkshake while his daughter and Amelia chatted nonstop about fashion and makeup. He’d long since tuned them out, staring through the front window of Lizbet’s Diner. At least he had a view of the main street through Treasure Creek to occupy his attention.
He wasn’t keeping watch for Casey to join them for milkshakes. He really wasn’t. He’d heard she was a serious loner. Way too independent, too self-sufficient to ever want a family. So not his type.
Behind him the little restaurant buzzed with activity. It was a Friday night, after all. Lots of people were out for a bite to eat, or, like the three of them, here for one of Lizbet’s delicious milkshakes. The rustic eatery, with its wooden tables and benches, plank floors and mason jars filled with flowers as centerpieces, was a popular hangout for the locals. The menu ranged from good old-fashioned hamburgers and fries to more fancy salmon steaks, to basic breakfast fare, which they served all day.
Jake glanced at his watch. Forty-five minutes. Did it really take Casey that long to close up the tour offices?
“Do you have somewhere to be?” Amelia asked.
Jerking his gaze to Amelia’s lively blue eyes, Jake felt heat rise up his neck. He’d made it too obvious that he was bored. “It’s getting late,” he said, inanely.
“Dad, it’s not even nine o’clock,” Veronica whined, with a toss of her long mane. “And tomorrow’s Saturday.”
Old pain rippled through his heart. The way Veronica flipped her hair was so reminiscent of Natalie. Amazing how Veronica shared so many of her mother’s physical gestures, even though she was an infant when Natalie left. Genes were powerful things.
“Yeah, Jake. Tomorrow’s a sleep-in day,” Amelia interjected, with a mocking tone.
“Fine. We can stay a little longer,” Jake said, at a loss as to why he was so antsy.
Amelia gave him a regal smile. She really was a pretty woman, Jake thought. Very polished and striking. He’d watched several male heads turn when they’d entered the diner. His daughter certainly had taken a shine to Amelia, once Veronica discovered their common interest in fashion. He couldn’t believe his luck.
Thank goodness Amelia had elected to join their tour. He thought she’d be a good influence on Veronica. Amelia related well to his daughter, and it seemed like she would be a good role model, considering she actually had a paying job in the fashion industry that fascinated Veronica so much.
A strange sensation pricked the back of his neck and he looked out the window. His gaze collided with Casey’s. The prickle at his neck became a buzz that shot through him. Man, she’d startled him. She was standing on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. He raised his hand to wave her inside, but she was already turning away and hurrying down the street.
Why was she leaving? And what was that odd expression on her lovely face? She looked…upset.
Abruptly, Jake stood, startling Amelia and Veronica. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and rushed out of the diner.
Casey moved down Treasure Creek Lane at a fast clip, passing the carefully designed building façades that created a feel of an era long past. In its heyday, Treasure Creek had been a booming gold-rush town, because its location made a perfect point for prospectors to embark from on their quest for gold up the Chilkoot and White Pass trails.
Tonight however, Casey’s quest was to nurse her wounded pride in the privacy of her own home, before her sister returned. How silly of Casey to think that joining Jake, Amelia and Veronica was a good idea. From the way Jake and Amelia were making moon eyes at each other, Casey knew there was no room for her in the equation. Her heart squeezed tight.
Why that hurt so much she didn’t know. Well, okay maybe she did know. Jake had gone out of his way to make sure she’d been included, and had even asked for her to help in acquiring the appropriate gear for their upcoming tour. She’d let that attention go to her head. She’d let herself believe he was interested in her.
Of course he’d gravitate to Amelia. Everyone did. Casey really shouldn’t be concerned that Jake would get hurt by her twin. The man was an adult. He could take care of himself.
But still…Casey sighed and silently chanted, “Not my problem. Not my problem.”
She would get through this tour by keeping things professional and detached. And by locking her heart up tight. It had always worked in the past.
She veered left and crossed the street, barely slowing to allow a car to pass. She picked up her pace and had made it halfway down the block when someone grabbed her elbow from behind.
“Hey,” she yelped, and wrenched her arm away, preparing to strike out. She blinked in stunned surprise to see Jake standing next to her, bathed in the glow of the streetlamp. Light reflected off his dark hair and kissed the angular planes of his handsome face. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his jeans, stretching the pale yellow-colored pullover across his muscular chest.
“Whew, woman. You can hustle. Didn’t you hear me calling your name?” Jake asked, sounding a bit winded.
“No. I guess I was lost in thought,” she said, relaxing her stance. “What are you doing here? Where’s Amelia and Veronica?”
“They’re still at Lizbet’s. I saw you through the window. Why didn’t you come in?”
Ugh. She’d hoped he hadn’t noticed her standing there, gawking at them. Like an outsider looking in. “It’s late.” She scrambled for a reasonable explanation. “I figured you all were about done anyway.”
“We’d have still welcomed you,” he said, studying her face. “The orientation went well. I’m excited about this trip.
