He should know. His brother’s mistakes were often repeats of his own.
She tilted her head in thought and placed a fingertip to her lips. “But you’re not a soldier anymore.”
“No...no, I’m not.” Admitting to that fact sent a dart through his chest. It had been a bittersweet decision not to reenlist.
“What are you going to do now? You can’t play cupid forever.”
“Is that how you see me? As an ugly little baby shooting people with arrows?”
She tried to suppress a grin. “I’d say you’re about as far away from that as possible. But you’re avoiding my questions again. You’re good at that.”
He chuckled and turned his head to look out over the town. The longer they stayed up in the air, the less he felt afraid. The Town Hall was just to the north, built with an impressive limestone facade and a clock tower that dinged on the hour. In front of him was the library. The same pale limestone blocks made up the exterior walls and created a stark contrast to the yellowing autumn leaves of the deciduous trees planted along the road. They were buildings that had stood the test of time, from the days of their town founders to now. The people who built these knew what their future held. He didn’t.
“I’m helping you because I happen to like you. And despite your taste in men, you seem to be a good person.” He hazarded a glance in her direction. She was chewing on her lower lip and staring at the cart swinging in front of them. “And I’m not sure what I’m going to do now. A lot of people thought I was going to be a career soldier, but when it came time to reenlist, my heart just wasn’t in it.”
She nodded her head. “That’s understandable.”
“As for what comes next, I really can’t answer you. I feel so lost. I’m not sure there’s a place for me in this world.”
He’d never told that to anyone. He was shocked when it came so easily off his tongue. Usually, when he tortured himself about thoughts of the future, shame seemed to accompany it. But not now. Not with her. It was easy to talk with Michelle.
She leaned closer to cover his hand in hers and looked up at him. Heat ascended up his arm, completely derailing his train of thought. All he could think about was the sweet scent of coconut wafting toward him in the slight breeze. Was it her shampoo or a perfume? It didn’t matter. The scent was intoxicating. So was the thrilling touch of her hand on his.
“You’ve got a place in this world, Joseph. Believe me. You’ll find it.”
He managed to smile at her, despite the odd combination of feelings tumbling inside his head at that very moment. “I hope you’re right.”
His gaze flicked to her pink lips and then back up to her eyes. She was staring at his mouth too, with an unreadable expression in her eyes. His gut instantly warmed, a tickling sensation accompanying it. He reached out to pull her hair back from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear. Her gaze trailed up his face to meet his once again and she blushed violently.
“You’re a little too good at that,” she said, swallowing and turning to look at her hands.
“At what?” he asked, wishing he could touch her again.
“At faking a relationship.” She shook her head. “Or faking an almost-relationship. Whatever this is. There’s no question that your brother will think it’s real.”
He sank back into his seat, feeling suddenly deflated. That was right. They were doing this to get his brother’s attention. That’s who Michelle wanted. That’s who she’d always wanted. The guy who didn’t keep a girlfriend longer than a few months because he’d get bored.
But Michelle was different from those other girls. Maybe this time, Garret wouldn’t get bored. Who was he to say they weren’t a good match?
He needed to get his head back in the game and keep his hands to himself. Plain and simple.
“Meet me at the parade tomorrow morning,” he said in a low voice. “Outside the cafe. I’ll bring Garret. We can watch the parade and then take a hayride to the Craft and Activity Fair. We’ll seal the deal there, I promise. Then, our fake almost-relationship will be over.”
She ducked her head and nodded. “Right. Okay. Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow.”
As their cart made its final descent to the landing zone, Joseph couldn’t help but bite hard on his cheek. He’d finish this game in the morning and be done once and for all with helping his brother find his dates. If Garret couldn’t see Michelle for the amazing woman she was, then he didn’t deserve her.
They left the gated arena of the Ferris wheel, where Garret stood waiting with Russel and Todd. Garret’s eyes shone when they fell on Michelle walking beside him. Joseph knew that look all too well. His little brother was definitely interested. The plan was working.
So why did he feel like such a failure?
Chapter Five
Michelle tugged on the cowled neck of her chunky beige sweater and readjusted her winter headband for the twentieth time that morning as she waited for the Smith brothers outside of the Home Again Cafe. The previous day was still a blur. Joseph Smith nearly frightening her to death in his family’s study had been shocking enough. But then he went and jumped aboard her harebrained idea to help her get his younger brother’s attention.
Weirdest of all, it seemed to be working. She’d never had so much attention from Garret in one single day. The excitement of that attention was making her jittery. She’d long ago accepted the fact that she wasn’t Garret’s type. Or any guy’s type, to be honest. Dating during college had been disappointing. The few relationships she’d had kind of fizzled out. Coming back home and seeing her old crush was exhilarating. She’d never felt so nervous.