Wishes and Stitches by Rachael Herron Read Free Book Online Page A

while he was visiting his brother, who’d introduced him to Dr. Pederson, he was going to be able to stay and work in this small town. It wouldn’t be like working the rigs, not in any way that he could imagine, but he could finally have a stable home. Unpack for real. And he could be with his family.
    Something rough stuck in his throat. It was a moment before he could say, “I’ve missed you guys.”
    Jake looked up from wiping his hands on a napkin, then his gaze dropped to his plate. “We’ve missed you, too. We knew you were busy, though.”
    â€œYeah,” Frank said. “Busy with the ladies.” He waggled a gray eyebrow.
    â€œNah.”
    Frank laughed. “I used to love the girls who weren’t ladies.” He paused and then added politely, “Before your mother, of course, who was always a lady.”
    â€œYou don’t get it. There weren’t any girls out there, period. Well, that’s not quite true. On two of the decks there were a couple of women, but they were spoken for. Big, mean-looking boyfriends. I kept my eyes down and my hands to myself. And I did meet a couple of girls onshore, but I’m just not into anything serious.”
    â€œSo much for a Keller getting any in this century,” mumbled Frank before he got up to wander over to the hammock.
    Jake said, “What, are you waiting for perfect?”
    â€œNo. Just not interested in a relationship. I’ll be a happy bachelor forever. Anyway, you and Dad found perfect and look how you turned out.” He smiled to take the sting from his words.
    â€œWe didn’t have perfect.” Jake’s face stayed drawn.
    â€œNah. You did. And I don’t need that. I’ll just cook burgers with you guys until Milo’s sixty.”
    Milo’s jaw dropped. “That’s old .”
    â€œThat’s idiotic. Why the hell would you want it like that?”
    Rig was surprised by Jake’s sharp tone. “What do you mean? I thought you of all people would understand.”
    â€œI guess I don’t. I’m supposed to be the wreck. You’re the one who’s still supposed to find the love of your life and make everything work out okay. And yeah, how were you supposed to do it on the rigs? And now, how the hell are you going to do it here? There are probably four unmarried women under the age of forty, none of them perfect because this is real life, and lots of single guys to go around. Your odds in Cypress Hollow aren’t that great, I gotta tell you.”
    â€œFine by me,” said Rig easily. He dropped half a pickle into his mouth and enjoyed the crunch. The air was thicker now, and a sudden coolness was dropping into the garden as the first fingers of fog sneaked over the back gate. “If I date, it’ll be casual. Nothing special. And it’s okay if I don’t date at all.” An image of Naomi’s curls flashed in his mind. He ignored it.
    â€œSo you’re just waiting for another Rosie?”
    Rosie had been pretty awful, Rig could admit that. It didn’t help that Rig had actually thought he loved her. He’d almost proposed when she showed up at the bar they hung out at with a new man, a new ring, and a new tattoo that proclaimed JIMMY , all of which had broken his heart. And hell, he’d known that Rosie had her faults. That the heartbreak he felt was one-hundredth the pain his father and brother had gone through in losing their loves. It would take a lot more than just “better than Rosie” to get him thinking seriously about a woman again. If he ever did.
    â€œDon’t worry about me. I’m fine. We’ll be the four swinging bachelors until Milo gets married.”
    â€œYech! No way!” said Milo from under the oleander bush.
    â€œMilo!” yelled Jake. “That’s poisonous! Get out from under there. How many times do I have to tell you?”
    Rig raised an eyebrow. “I think