Free A Word with the Bachelor by Teresa Southwick Page A

actually got some decent pages written. Although he wasn’t ready yet to admit that his editor had been right to send Erin, the chip on his shoulder was wobbling.
    He glanced at his dog, sitting in the bed and looking long-suffering and loyal. “Walk?”
    Instantly the animal hopped up and eagerly trotted to the door, waiting patiently for Jack to save the work and shut down the computer. He turned the knob and let the dog precede him outside and down the stairs. A view of towering mountains and pristine blue lake was, literally, a sight for sore eyes. And the fresh air felt great.
    He jogged down the path after Harley and saw Brewster Smith outside the marina store. The sixtyish man had a full head of silver hair and a beard to match. Come to think of it, he’d be perfect for a mall Santa. Jack normally walked by but today he stopped.
    He stepped onto the wooden walkway and under the awning over the store’s entrance. The older man was moving racks of sale clothing and summer clearance merchandise back inside. “How’s it going, Brew?”
    â€œGood.” Blue eyes assessed him. “You’re looking better.”
    Jack wanted to ask better than what, but wasn’t sure he’d like the answer. Then curiosity got the best of him. “Better than what?”
    â€œBefore Erin showed up.”
    â€œI have to admit I had a productive day. It feels pretty good.”
    â€œA fruitful day’s work is good for the soul,” the man said. “And that cute little writing coach you got there doesn’t hurt, either. She’s a piece of work.”
    â€œYou’ll get no argument from me.” Jack wondered how the other man knew that she was a piece of work. “Does she come down here?”
    â€œEvery day,” Brew confirmed. “Darn near talks my ear off.”
    â€œThat sounds like her.”
    â€œBut it’s worth it because she makes the best buttermilk spice muffins I ever tasted.” The other man pointed at him. “And if you tell my wife I said that I’ll deny it.”
    â€œI won’t breathe a word of it.” But Jack felt the same way about her cooking. Her muffins were really good. “And you’re right. Erin Riley can be a challenge.”
    The older man’s silver eyebrows drew together as he scratched his beard. “What’s wrong with her?”
    â€œI’m not used to having anyone around. Being alone is more my thing.”
    â€œThat so,” Brew said.
    â€œIt works for me.”
    â€œWhatever blows your skirt off. But for now you should enjoy that little firecracker.” The older man smiled. “And she’s cooking up something special for tonight. If I wasn’t taking the missus out to dinner, I’d have finagled an invite.”
    Jack heard “something special” and got an instant image of Erin after her workout then wondered if she would be wearing those skintight pants tonight. And just like that he was in a hurry to get Harley’s walk over with.
    â€œLater, Brew. Have a good evening.”
    â€œYou do the same.”
    Jack whistled and Harley came running back from wherever he’d disappeared to and the two of them walked the path by the lake. As the sun dropped farther behind the mountain the chill in the air took a firm hold. Labor Day was over and Halloween was just around the corner. Before long it would be winter. Some people dreaded the isolation but he wasn’t one of them. He was okay with his own company.
    In spite of that he found himself rushing the dog through their routine, working him a little harder until Harley plopped at Jack’s feet to be carried home. Jack complied and picked up his pace back to the house, then set the dog down at the foot of the steps leading up to the porch.
    Jack stood there for a few moments, looking at the lights glowing in the window. Someone was waiting for him. The realization stirred memories, not all of them