She barks out a snort-laugh, and I find myself smiling at the endearing sound.
“I like you, Mason. What’s your last name?”
“Cavanaugh. Mason Cavanaugh. And you’re not so bad yourself, Juliette…”
“Pearson.”
“Juliette Pearson.” She doesn’t move her hand from under mind, but the moment passes, and I slowly pull my hand back. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see.”
“Fair enough. I like surprises. So, a nurse, huh?”
She smiles and shrugs. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s something. Nurses are great.”
“Oh yeah? You married to one?”
I laugh and raise my left hand to show my bare ring finger. “Nope.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Haven’t had time for one.”
“Pity.”
“But maybe now that I’m moving here, that’ll change.”
Juliette doesn’t respond, but a smile touches her lips and light shade of pink colors her cheeks. “Where are you from?”
“San Diego.”
“Wow.” She makes another turn. “Illinois is a far cry from California. What brought you here?”
“Do you want the long story or the short?”
THREE
Juliette
“WE HAVE ABOUT another four minutes in the car,” I tell him. “But I can take the long way. I’m a sucker for a good story.”
Mason seems to like my reply. Maybe he’s enjoying my company as much as I’m enjoying his.
“It’s nothing juicy,” he says. “So wipe the smirk off your face.”
I pretend to wipe the smirk off with the back of my hand and try for a serious face that only causes both of us to laugh.
“My father was a big corporate type. A high-end lawyer. Mom fed into the lifestyle. I was groomed to follow in his footsteps, and I did.”
“I figured. Your suit is very corporate.”
“This is who I was, not who I am,” he says, loosening his tie. He pulls it from his collar and drops it on top of my book still perched on the console. “I went to the college of his choosing and graduated law school at the top of my class. Right after graduation, I took a job at his firm. I lived the high life, and made more money than I knew what to do with. I rubbed elbows with influential people and built my clientele.”
Mason goes quiet, and I nudge him with my elbow. “I feel a but coming on.”
He rests his head on the seat and turns to look at me. It’s hard to concentrate on the road when all I want to do is pull over and give him my undivided attention.
“I wasn’t happy,” he finally says. “I thought I was, but it eventually caught up to me. Mom noticed, and one day when I took her out for lunch, she looked at me and asked what my favorite childhood memory was.”
“And? What is your favorite childhood memory?”
“Coming here, to Benton.”
I frown. “Really?”
“Uh-huh. Every summer we went to Chicago; Dad had a conference he had to attend. While he spent his time in the city, Mom would rent us a cabin down here on the lake, and we would spend a few days alone. We swam and rented paddle boats, and we walked into town to have ice cream at Millie’s diner.”
“They have the best ice cream,” I say.
His face lights up. “It’s still standing?”
“Oh yeah. Millie’s granddaughter runs it now.”
“I’ll have to go back there sometime soon.”
Maybe I could go with you, I think to myself, half hoping he’ll tack the question on to his statement.
He doesn’t.
“So your favorite memory is spending a week here every summer?”
He nods. “From the age of eight to sixteen. The best week of each year. I told Mom that was my best memory, and she told me I needed to find that happiness again. She could tell I was off, but honestly, I was shocked she said that to me. Mom’s always followed Dad’s lead, but now I’m wondering if maybe she wouldn’t be happier living a different lifestyle.”
“Interesting. You should ask her sometime.”
“I think I will. Anyway, a week later, I quit my job at Dad’s firm—”
“I bet he was pissed.”
“That’s an understatement. He was livid—threatened to disown me. I took off, came here, and spent a few weeks out on the lake. I found myself again and knew I couldn’t go back to the life I was living. It’s great for my dad, but it’s not the life I want.”
“What life do you want?”
“Honestly, I’m still trying to figure that out. But I know it’ll be here. I love this town.”
“It is pretty great. There are lots of fun shops and restaurants, and I’m sure you’ll fit right in.”