Page 1 of Bringing Home the Bad Boy

Chapter 1

The garland wrapping around the post turns the wooden beam into a cheery, tinseled green. Winter has settled over Bear Ridge, leaving a snow-covered scar that won't heal for a few more months. I banish the burly icy beast with gold and silver, leaving him to howl outside while inside, fairy and tea lights defy his tantrum. Not bad, if I do say so myself. The Old Barn has never looked better. She dresses up mighty fine, as Mee-Maw would say.

A pang tightens in my chest. God, I miss her. What would she think of the work I've put into The Old Barn? We had a testosterone-filled Barkley family fight over what to do with the huge barn. It had become a withered crone who doesn't mind showing the tatters in her dress or the wrinkles on her age-spotted face. But I've always been one to see beauty beneath the surface. It's usually there if you look hard enough—something Mee-Maw taught me. A lesson her son, my father, never learned.

I glance out the window at the snow-covered fields, memories swirling like the flakes outside. How many times has he failed to see my strengths, my accomplishments, my wisdom? Instead,my father keeps a list longer than Santa's of my faults. The thought sends a familiar ache through me, settling like a stone in my stomach.

He was my biggest detractor and puts up the fiercest arguments against my ideas. The Old Barn could be torn down to expand the farm, warehouse crops, or store supplies—all things that are being done by the new barn. My idea of turning it into a place for wedding banquets riled him the most. "Why the hell should people spend that kind of money on something that never lasts and is built on lies?" he'd hurled the words at me, his eyes hard, relishing as usual when I flinched. They lie when they tell you that words don't hurt. Each syllable had struck like a blow, leaving invisible bruises that never quite fade.

But I refused to back down. I continued my campaign, appealing to everyone else with spreadsheets and projections—costs versus expenses. After I wore them down, they patted me on the shoulder, congratulated my victory, and then dumped the entire project in my lap. Fine by me—I took it and ran. Not just ran; I scored and did a backflip victory dance in my mind. The Old Barn is spectacular. It is a popular wedding destination that has spawned our Barkley Farms weekend getaways and tours, consistently ranking five stars for banquet halls with southern charm and rustic elegance.

I adjust a strand of lights. Mee-Maw would be proud. I can almost hear her soft voice praising my efforts, her eyes crinkling at the corners with that secret smile she saved just for me.

Tonight, Bear Ridge High School is hosting its Winter Fest—an annual event that brings together townsfolk, alumni, parents, and students. Everyone in Bear Ridge joins to celebrate Christmas like one big ole happy family. Because that's what we are. Most of the time...

I pull double duty because I am both the assistant principal at Bear Ridge and The Old Barn's manager. Assistant manager,I correct myself with a wry smile. I hired Trudy as the full-time manager when business took off, but it's taking people a while to accept that. Small towns run like trains on the same hundred-year-old tracks. Switching tracks is akin to running the train into a watery grave.

"I think that's the last of it," Trudy says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder as if my thoughts conjured her. Her warmth seeps through my sweater, and I resist the urge to pull away. "It looks amazing. When we open those doors, I expect to be knocked down by their collective 'wow.'"

"You think so? Do we need a little more—"

"Nothing. Noel, it's perfect. You did a fantastic job. I just wish you'd accepted more of my help. Remember, I'm here to assist. Hell, I'm here to do it. But if you're not ready to turn the reins over yet, at least let me help. I want to make your burden lighter. Otherwise, why am I here?"

"You are making it lighter. You're here because I need you." I pick up my clipboard, slipping neatly out of her embrace—never comfortable with affection. How could you be comfortable with something you rarely receive? The thought brings a bitter taste to my mouth, but I push it aside. "Now, about the Sweets for the Sweet auction—is Mayor Stanton still set to emcee?"

"You couldn't pay him to miss it. Free publicity and a chance for him and his wife to live in busybody heaven—he called and begged us to do it."

A quick laugh escapes me, and she joins in. "Okay, good. I guess we're all set. And no matter what happens, we'll be prepared.

"Always," I agree, but a flicker of unease passes through me. Tonight feels like the calm before a storm, and I don't know why.

As if on cue, Danielle bursts into the room, doing a honeybee dance and spinning around. Her light brown skin glows under the fairy lights, and her eyes glint with enough excitement thata blind man could see. "Oh my God, did you hear?" she says, practically vibrating with energy.

"Hey, Danielle," I say with a smile. Danielle and I have been best friends since kindergarten, her wild joy always balancing my more reserved nature. I continue sorting ticket stubs, tearing off the raffle entries for those who've forgotten to put their numbers in the glass bowl. "Hear what?"

"Okay, you know how Arrow Trucking bought out old man Mason's property?" I shrug, still counting, figuring she'll make her way to the point, eventually.

"Well, that eyesore was just abandoned asphalt because he could never get anyone to invest in his strip mall idea. Noel, Arrow Trucking bought the property after signing a distribution deal with Barkley Farms." That makes me pause, a frown creasing my forehead.

"I don't remember this. I wonder when they made the deal?"

"You probably had your head buried in a book, and it was also the start of school. You know how crazy it is for the first few months," she says, waving a dismissive hand.

"True," I admit, straightening up the reception table. A few stragglers still haven't claimed their reserved tables.

"Noel, this is huge. Can you imagine the business coming into town? The truckers..." She shakes me, grabbing my attention and locking it. "The men—do you hear me, girl? Is anybody home? Hello, new men. Fresh meat. When was the last time we had a fresh infusion?" When I shrug again, she answers herself, "Never." She rubs her hands together, eyes gleaming. "We might actually get a chance to work out with something other than our hands and our battery-operated boyfriends."

"Shush," I hiss, glancing around to make sure no one hears her shenanigans. A flush heats my cheeks. "We have students here. Did you forget? And parents..." I lower my voice. "My parent."The last thing I need is another lecture from my father. One more item for his"What's wrong with Noel"list.

"Fine," she whispers, leaning in. "But I talked to Bryan, and I finally got it out of him that the owner is coming today. He wants to show up and meet the community. And I think he's single."

"Why do you think that?" I frown at her assumption.

"Because one, Santa would not do this to us—it's Christmas. And we've been on the good girl list for years." I roll my eyes, but she continues, undeterred. "And two," she adds, ignoring my skepticism, "when I asked Bry, he got all huffy. The way he always does when I ask if someone is single."

"Because he's in love with you. You know that," I say, defending my cousin.

"Please. He had his chance, and he blew it when he slept with that skank."

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