Catching Cooper

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Cooper Hayes was bored. The itch inside him to take off was craving its next adventure. It was like this invisible rope, relentlessly tugging and refusing to leave him alone.

He had travelled to seventy-four countries over the past seven years, chronicling his experiences and becoming a popular travel blogger and social media sensation. But he had grown tired of the constant on-the-go and being away from his family, so he’d come back home to the small town of Red Maple Falls.

But being home was a reminder of why he’d left. His days were monotonous, and while he loved kayaking with his oldest brother, Matt, and helping his other brother and best friend, Mason, get his brewery up and running, after almost nine months he couldn’t ignore the itch. Which was why he volunteered to man the cash register at his very pregnant sister-in-law’s bakery while she was home on doctor-ordered bedrest—he was desperate to occupy his mind. Even wrote a book after Mason suggested it, putting his travels and experiences onto paper. Even bigger, he managed to snag an agent within a couple months of querying. But now that he had finished the book and was waiting on editors at publishing houses to get back to his agent, he was growing restless again.

The pull to find his next big venture was strong, but he couldn’t leave now. Not when his big brother was about to become a dad. He wanted to meet the little guy who would be arriving any day now. At least they all hoped so; Shay was going to snap, and they’d be dealing with his brother’s murder instead of the birth of Cooper’s nephew.

Shay looked like she was smuggling a beach ball beneath her shirt and was growing impatient while Matt was losing his mind with worry. His constant freak-outs were driving his poor wife insane. While it was entertaining, it still wasn’t enough to scratch the itch, and that made Cooper feel guilty.

Red Maple Falls, the town where he was born and raised and absolutely loved, wasn’t enough. His family wasn’t enough. No matter how many people he met or how many ruins he explored, he was always looking toward what was next. He was looking for the thing that made him feel complete.

The bell above the bakery door chimed, and Cooper pushed off the counter, plastering on his famous smile—the same smile that got him out of countless predicaments and scored him free room and board across the world.

“How can I help you today?” he asked as two perfect onyx stones caught his own eyes. Her lip tilted slightly as she approached the counter, long black hair in waves bouncing on her shoulders. Cooper always had a high appreciation of the opposite s*x, and this woman was no exception.

She pointed a long finger at the display case. He noted the lack of nail polish which made him think either she couldn’t be bothered with the glitz and glam or she simply didn’t have the time. She also wasn’t wearing a ring, which, in his eyes, signified an invitation to flirt.

“I’ll take a blueberry muffin,” she said without hesitation.

“A woman who knows what she wants,” he said, and her eyebrow arched, but not in the way he’d hoped. She looked at him with disdain, like he was a joke and she was waiting for the punch-line. He was usually quick-witted, but he suddenly forgot how to form complete sentences.

“You know... you want...” He mentally smacked himself for losing his cool. He’d seen millions of women around the world, bedded too many to remember, yet this woman with her sinfully dark eyes and silky long hair who barely gave him a second glance had him tongue-tied. He smiled at his idiocy, then took a deep breath and tried again. “Most people come in here and take an hour to decide. You knew exactly what you wanted without even glancing at any of the other pastries or cupcakes.”

“I come here every Monday, and every Monday I get the blueberry muffin. To go, please.”

“Coming right up.” He grabbed one of the light pink paper bags with the bakery logo—a cupcake with a hot pink and black striped baking cup and Sweet Dreams Bakery written in girly font above—and placed the muffin inside. He slid it across the counter to her, and she already had the exact amount due in her hand.

“Why Monday?” he asked as he entered the information into the cash register as slowly as he could.

“It’s my treat for getting through another week.”

He took the money, pausing as their fingers touched. “Why not Friday, then?”

“A week consists of seven days,” she said matter-of-factly. “Wouldn’t want to celebrate prematurely.”

“Yes, but the weekend is for relaxing and having fun. You look like you could use a little fun.”

He smiled, but she didn’t. He imagined his hand would turn to ice if he touched her face right now.

“Some people don’t get days off.”

“That’s no way to live.”

“I don’t remember paying extra for your opinion.” There was venom in her tone, but that had never deterred Cooper before.

He held his hands up in mock surrender. “Sorry. What I was trying to say, and failing miserably at, is I’d love to take you out sometime. Show you there’s nothing wrong with a little fun.”

He waited for the flutter of eyelashes, the slight blush filling her cheeks that all the girls got when he asked them out, but it never came. “No thanks.”

Taken aback, he didn’t hide his shock. “Wow, you don’t beat around the bush.”

Her gaze lifted to his, the two dark stones showing no sign of emotion. “Why would I do that?”

“Because it can soften the blow.”

“I prefer to rip the Band-aid off. No reason to drag it out.”

“I can appreciate that approach.”

Her eyebrow lifted in what he could only assume was doubt. “Can you?”

No matter what he did, she wouldn’t even give him an inch. “I feel like we should start over.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m getting the feeling you don’t like me based on preconceived notions. If you look beyond my devilish good looks and charming personality, I’m not a bad guy.”

“I think you’ve given me plenty to base my opinion on.”

“Ouch.” This woman was insufferable and somehow immune to his charm. He pulled out all the stops and not a single smile. To say he was intrigued would be the understatement of the century.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, her stoic expression softening. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude.”

“Hey, you said it.”

“I can admit when I’m in the wrong. I just can’t have dinner with you. I’m sorry.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Maybe a little of both.” Her voice softened, and he could detect the faintest touch of sorrow.

“Because you don’t have time for fun?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, I’ll keep the invitation open. If you ever find the time, let me know.”

“It’s unlikely.”

“We need to work on your sugarcoating. Don’t say ‘unlikely.’ Say, ‘we’ll see.’”

“Okay then. We’ll see.” She smiled, and the slight curve of her lips brightened up her entire face, transforming her into an entirely different person—someone who looked warm and friendly, who would jump on the chance for a good time.

He handed her the receipt, figuring he’d stalled long enough. “I’m Cooper, by the way. Shay’s world-traveling brother-in-law.”

“The one who showed up late to the wedding?”

He laughed. “The one who wasn’t even going to make the wedding, but flew halfway across the world and made everyone cry by showing up.”

“Do you always like to steal people’s thunder?”

“You go straight for the jugular.”

She shrugged. “How is Shay doing?”

“Good, but I’m more concerned about my brother’s health. I think if he doesn’t lay off a little, she’s going to cause physical harm, and I can’t say I blame her.”

“At least she has someone who cares that much about her. She’s lucky.”

“I’m sure she’ll realize that one day. After she pops the kid out and her ankles don’t look like tree stumps anymore.”

“Please don’t say that to her.”

“Are you crazy? I like everything intact, thank you very much. Besides, one wrong word and she’s either seething or crying.”

“Pregnancy hormones are no joke.”

“Apparently.”

“When you do see her, tell her I asked about her.”

“I could do that, but I would need to know your name.”

“Sarah Kramer.”

“Well, Sarah Kramer, it has been a pleasure. Although, I’m pretty sure you insulted me more than once.”

“More than once,” she said, that rare smile showing up and spreading wider than before.

“I really hope you find time in your busy schedule to let me take you to dinner. I can guarantee you won’t regret it.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” She didn’t elaborate, just took her bag with the blueberry muffin and walked out the door without as much a glance back in his direction.

***

Cooper pulled up to Matt and Shay’s house and grabbed the pastry box filled with a variety of the current offerings at the bakery. As he was about to head to the front door, he spotted his brother out on the deck overlooking the lake, so Cooper detoured.

“Hey,” he said as he walked up the steps, noticing the beer in his brother’s hand. His fingers were wrapped around the bottle tightly, his knuckles practically white. If he held on any tighter, the bottle would shatter into a million pieces just like Matt’s patience. The thought made Cooper laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” Matt asked as he took a swig from the bottle.

“Did Shay put you in time out?”

Matt’s lip curled. “I just asked her if she needed anything, and she told me if I didn’t leave her alone, she would give me something to worry about.”

Cooper stifled a laugh the best he could. “I’d listen to her if I was you.”

“Why the hell do you think I’m out here?” Matt took another swig from his beer. At this rate, Mason would have to make a special delivery.

“Why the hell are you here anyway?”

Cooper held up the pastry box. “Your wife requested a few things. I’m guessing that sweet tooth has really kicked into overdrive.”

Matt shook his head then took another sip of his beer as he settled back into his chair. “She doesn’t want to eat them; she wants to taste them.”

“Not following.”

“She can’t be at the bakery to control everything, so she’s bringing the bakery to her.”

Realization dawned on Cooper, and he had to give Shay credit for her sneaky creativity. “So basically, I’m an accomplice to her spying on how Louise is doing.”

“Exactly. Now let’s just hope the lime to sugar ratio in the key lime pie cupcake is right or I might have to handcuff her to the bed.”

“Sounds kinky.”

“Trust me, there is no kink going on in this house.”

Cooper snorted. “Won’t let you touch her, huh?”

“I’d rather not talk about it.”

“That’s a yes.”

“I tell her she’s beautiful, she tells me I’m a liar because ‘how could I find a whale attractive?’”

“She’s never seen a whale in person. Beautiful creatures.”

“I don’t care about the f*****g whales or if she feels like one. She could be the size of the whole damn state, and I wouldn’t care.” Matt ran a hand through his hair, the tension obvious in the straining veins of his arms. “She’s carrying my child, and while she looks in the mirror and sees the weight gain and the swelling, all I see is the beauty of it.”

“Have you told her that?”

“What’s the point? She won’t listen.”

“Then make her.”

Matt choked on a laugh. “Have you met my wife? Five-foot-nothing brunette who thrives on not listening to me?”

“That’s because you’re usually barking orders. I wouldn’t listen to you either.”

“When have you ever listened to me?”

Cooper spent much of his childhood defying his older brother and refusing to follow his example, preferring to do things his own way, but there were plenty of times when Matt’s past advice came in handy. Cooper might not have listened in the moments they were meant for, but the words had stuck with him and became beneficial at other times.

“A lot actually,” Cooper admitted.

The tension that Matt had been consumed with began to ease, his shoulders relaxing in the midday sun. His lip tilted in a half-smile. “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

Cooper patted Matt on the shoulder. “When you stop barking at people, you actually have some pretty decent advice. So, like you told me when my wallet and phone were stolen in Barcelona and I didn’t have access to my bank account for days, don’t let one bump ruin the whole journey. All this is”—Cooper motioned to Matt— “is a bump. Probably one of many, but once you get to the top, it’s smooth sailing on the way down. Give her space. Let her just be pregnant. She doesn’t need you telling her what to do. I’m sure she knows her body better than you anyway.”

Matt c****d an insinuating eyebrow.

“Bad choice of words,” Cooper said. “This whole advice thing isn’t really my forte. That’s Mason’s department. Just go with it.”

“Funny, because I was just wondering when the hell you got so smart.”

“I think somewhere between Barcelona and Istanbul.”

Matt shook his head, but he couldn’t cover up the smile tugging generously at the edges of his mouth. “Still a smartass.”

“In this family, it’s my only defense.” He held up the box of pastries. “I better get these to her. You going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine. Will you be here for a while?”

“If you need me to be.”

“I just want to go out on the lake for a little. Clear my head.”

“Go.”

“I’m not going far. If anything happens, just yell for me.”

“There you go… being crazy again.”

“One day,” Matt said, his green eyes pinning Cooper in place, “you’re going to be in my shoes, and we’ll see who’s crazy.”

“Nice thought, but we both know that’s never going to happen. Wife and kids are not my thing.”

“We’ll see,” Matt said with a cocky smile before walking toward the edge of the lake where his canoe sat.

Cooper didn’t even bother yelling after him that he was delusional. There was no point. Matt had already had ideas of Cooper’s future in his mind. Too bad his vision couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cooper had no desire to get married, and the thought of kids made his lip curl in disgust. Not that he didn’t like kids, they were cool, but that was only because they weren’t his. If they cried, he could hand them right back to their parents and be done with them. If they got to be too much to handle, he could leave and go home. He wasn’t tied to them in any way, and that’s the life he preferred. Being free of responsibility and having the freedom to come and go as he pleased.

He watched as Matt rowed out across the lake before going into the house to find Shay. She was in the bedroom, propped up on pillows, a stack of books on her nightstand, a tray of food to her left, and a floor fan pointed directly at her.

Cooper knocked lightly on the door. “Special delivery,” he said, holding the box in the doorway before stepping into the room.

“Oh, you’re here!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Come in, come in.” She motioned her hands toward the box, then waved them toward her. “Give me.”

“You’re not going to bite my head off, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Cooper had been scared to come up here after talking to Matt, but now his suspicions were confirmed. Shay’s foul mood had nothing to do with hormones and everything to do with Matt being overbearing.

“You kicked my brother out.”

“Don’t even get me started.” The happy expression on her face dissolved into pure evil.

Cooper gave her the box to try and snuff out the fuse he just lit. Her smile returned as she flipped the lid open and examined the pastries inside. “Not bad,” she said with a nod. “Now for the true test.” She picked up the key lime pie cupcake and took a bite.

Cooper stood back and waited for a response, deciding it was best to keep the fact that he had already tried one today and it was delicious.

“A little too sweet. Could use a little more lime juice, but not bad,” she said as she moved onto the chocolate stout cupcake that she created using a batch of Mason’s beer. “Not sweet enough, but it’ll do.”

Cooper held back a laugh as she took a bite of every single item in the box and had a minor complaint about each one of them. Shay taught Louise everything she knew, and all the recipes Louise was following were created by Shay. But Shay was just like Matt in that nobody could do something better than her. Two micro-managers who hated to ask for help and refused to let go of the reins, it was no wonder they were currently bumping heads.

“Do they pass the test?” Cooper finally asked when Shay closed the lid. “Or do I have to fire Louise?”

“What? Of course not. Louise is the only thing keeping me in business right now.”

“Then why are you having me sneak pastries out of the bakery for you to taste test? And why are you critiquing them like you’re a judge on some baking reality show?”

“I just…”

Cooper crossed his arms over his chest and glanced down at Shay.

“I mean… I… fine. I’m afraid she’s going to get better at baking than me, and when I go back people will be disappointed.”

“That’s impossible. You know that, right?”

She shrugged. “I guess so.”

“Sweet Dreams Bakery is what it is because of you. Nobody can replace you. It’s your bakery and your recipes. Stop obsessing over the things you can’t control and start focusing on this.” He motioned to her ever-growing stomach.

“You sound like your brother.”

“Not my fault we come from the same DNA.”

“So help me,” she said, resting her hands on her belly, but despite the disdain in her tone, a smile spread across her face. “If this little man is anything like his daddy, I’m in for some trouble.”

While she seemed to be in a good mood, Cooper decided to ask her a question that had been on his mind all day.

“You had a customer today. Sarah Kramer.”

Shay’s gaze turned on him with purpose. “Stay away from her.”

“What? Why?”

“She’s not your type.”

“How do you know?”

“Just trust me on this one.”

“Kind of hard to trust you when you won’t give me any information. She seems like a nice girl once you chip away at her hard exterior.”

“She is.”

“Then what is it? Do you not think I’m good enough for her? Because I’d have you know I’m a pretty decent guy.”

“I know that. But you also don’t stay in one place for too long, and you’ve already been home for a lot longer than you planned. Don’t start something with her if you don’t plan on sticking around.”

“I just wanted dinner and a chance to show her a good time. I didn’t say anything about some long-term commitment.”

“Which is exactly why you need to drop it.”

“Do people not go on dates anymore? I know I’ve been out of the country more than I’ve been in it, but I didn’t think that was an outdated concept—”

“Cooper!” Shay’s outburst cut him off, and he looked at her with curiosity. She let out a deep breath, then met his eyes. “She has a kid.”

Shay might as well have sucker-punched him in the gut. “A kid?”

“Tommy, he just turned seven.”

“Seven?”

“Told you she wasn’t your type,” Shay said, and though he agreed with her, he couldn’t help but be disappointed.