Can't Hurry Love
Chapter 10

"I can't believe you've pulled this together in only a couple of weeks, Paige. It's incredible." Beth turned in a full circle taking in her surroundings.

The community hall, usually used for town council meetings and the occasional fundraiser, even weddings at times, had been transformed in the last couple of weeks. Hundreds of fairy lights had been wrapped around the old wooden beams on the ceiling, and tables had been covered in white cloth with candelabras set in the middle. It was gorgeous; romantic and intimate. Just like a movie set.

"We all helped," Paige answered modestly.

It was true, Beth supposed. She had worked every spare second helping to pull this thing off. But Paige had been the mastermind. She had a talent for organizing. For pulling people together. "I'm so nervous about tonight," Beth said as she straightened cocktail menus that were already perfectly straight.

Joe's Bar & Grill were providing the bar service, and catering was being handled by Bella's with desserts and sweet treats from Beth herself. She'd run herself into the ground baking for it this week, but it had paid well, and if she found love out of it, it would be worth it!

Tonight was officially kicking off their weeklong matchmaking festival. A fun idea that Brooke had come up with. Everyone interested in meeting someone had filled in an anonymous profile and been given a number. Then they had to find their corresponding numbers based on similar interests. Tomorrow, there would be a group hike to one of the lakes and then a speed dating event at the library. Weeknights were reserved for private dates, something the participants were left to their own devices for. And then next weekend everything was wrapping up with a formal night back here in the community center.

Brooke had said it would add a sense of occasion to make it formalwear. And they all agreed that any chance to dress up was a bonus.

All day, Beth had mulled next weekend in her head.

Would she strike gold this week? She could just picture it, walking into the center next week in something long and elegant on the arm of a gorgeous man who'd fallen desperately in love with her.

If the only face she could picture when she thought of this was Josh Larson's... well, that was an inconvenience, but something that she could hopefully ignore after meeting her perfect match this evening.

"Zoe and Beck said they'll get here early to start checking tickets and cover charges for people who haven't pre-registered," she told Paige who was scanning her emails. "Do you think we'll get many? We're not that far off capacity. I can't believe how many people signed up!" Paige sounded worried.

"It's your own fault for putting together such a fabulous festival." Beth grinned. "Don't worry, Paige. I doubt the fire chief will shut us down. Especially since he's registered, so he'll be busy."

Paige laughed and set down her phone.

"And Brooke won't let her big brother ruin our event anyway. I really hope he likes his match. It'll good for him to get back out there after Rose's death."

A few years ago, Cal Winters' wife, Rose, had gotten sick, leaving him alone with their two little girls. Brooke had been a great help to him, as well as their parents, Joe and Sally.

Beth had been surprised to hear that Cal had signed up. That was, until Brooke informed them that she'd done it for him and informed him after the fact. And told him that he'd been assigned a date who'd be stood up if he didn't attend. They had no doubt he'd show up. For one thing, he'd never refuse knowing that a lady would be hurt by his absence. And for another, nobody, not even someone as big and strong as Cal Winters was brave enough to say no to Brooke. "It'll be good for all of us," Beth said with confidence. "I still think you should have signed up yourself."

Paige had refused point blank, which wasn't all that surprising given how shy she was.

"Like I said, someone needs to make sure everything is running smoothly."

"Hmm. And avoid socializing with strangers." Beth raised a brow.

"That too." Paige laughed. She checked her watch while Beth once again fidgeted with the cocktail menus.

"There's not much left to do here," Paige said. "Why don't you get back to Big Sky and get yourself ready?"

Beth had taken the day off from the bakery to help out, but it looked like Paige was right. Everything was under control, and it would be such a luxury to spend ages getting ready...

"Ok, you twisted my arm." She winked. "If you- Paige?"

Paige's face had suddenly turned red, her green eyes narrowing. "What is he doing here? He didn't sign up."

Beth looked around to see Mason Decker walk through the doors. She hadn't seen him since their dinner date, but she felt no awkwardness when he walked in.

They'd both known there was nothing between them. And frankly, Beth had been so preoccupied with her conversation with Josh after the date with Mason that she hadn't even realized they hadn't talked since. "Maybe he's here to ask you out again," Paige said, still sending some seriously angry side-eye Mason's way.

Beth snorted. "Hardly. It wasn't exactly a match made in heaven. We didn't have a lot to talk about."

Actually, now that Beth thought about it, Mason had spent a lot of time asking her about Paige. And there had been that weird moment between the two of them as Beth had come into the lounge that night. "He asked about you, you know," she said casually, watching Paige closely.

Her friend's eyes snapped to her. "He did? What did he say?" She didn't exactly look happy about it.

"Oh, not much." Beth shrugged. "Just asked about the library and your work there." She paused before continuing in the same causal tone. "And if you were seeing anybody. Stuff like that."

Paige's mouth dropped open, and Beth was sure she saw a glimmer of interest in her green eyes. But then the scowl returned.

"He wants to buy the library," she spat now, shocking Beth. "I didn't say anything because we were concentrating on this, but he told me that he's interested in developing the land, whatever the heck that means. And then Brooke told me Damon was asking her about it at the wedding!"

Damon had approached Brooke at the wedding, now that Beth thought about it. Right before she'd run away from Josh...

Ugh. She was hopeless. Even with the shocking news that Mason wanted to destroy the library, still her mind wandered to Josh Larson!

Paige looked so upset though, that Beth was able to push the doctor from her mind.

"Can he do that?” she asked, reaching out and gripping Paige's hand.

"I don't know," Paige answered miserably. "The library is always in trouble. You know that. But it's so important, Beth! And I love it. I love working there, and volunteering. I just-I don't know how I can stop it if he really wants it. He doesn't exactly seem like the type of man who's used to losing."

Beth frowned across at Mason, chatting with Chase, whose band would play tonight.

"We'll figure something out. Don't worry about it." Beth turned back to Paige with a reassuring smile. "Just look at what you did here in only a couple of weeks, for something you're not even that interested in! Imagine what you'll be able to do when you set your mind to saving the library."

Paige looked slightly mollified, and Beth was able to leave her reasonably happy so she could get back to the ranch and get ready for that evening.

Her phone beeped just as she pulled her truck into the garage adjoining the big house. Looking down, she saw a reminder about tonight's party along with her registration number and instructions to look out for her match. Number 107.

She hoped it would be lucky.

He couldn't believe he'd let Beck talk him into this. Josh looked around the room that was starting to fill up with people. It looked like Paige Sallins and Beth had really pulled off something great here.

Beck had called into the surgery earlier with Zoe to see Dr. Beech, and while Zoe and her grandpa caught up, Beck chatted with Josh.

Somehow, he'd talked Josh into coming down to check the place out.

"Come on, man," Beck had said. "It's a beer with the guys.

Nobody is asking you to get married."

Beck clearly had no problem with being married.

Josh observed him steal a kiss from his new bride, watched Zoe's blush as she smiled up at her husband.

Had he and Elaine ever looked that way at each other? Ever been that easily affectionate with each other? The truth was that no, they hadn't. Not even as newlyweds.

Josh nodded and smiled as greetings were called from people swarming around the room. Beck had caught him at a weak moment. That Chicago number had popped up again, and he was about to answer it when Beck and Zoe had arrived, saving him from his damned need to help.

So, now here he was. At a dating event about to watch the one woman he was interested in meet and most likely fall in love, knowing Beth.

He couldn't quite believe that the festival had the turnout it did. That so many people were just willing to put themselves out there. Just like that. No qualms. No hesitations. No fear of getting hurt or betrayed. There were a lot faces he recognised, and a lot he didn't. Paige was chatting to the band, with Jenna Wakefield and Brooke Winters flanking her. Sheriff Callahan was conversing with the fire chief, Cal Winters. Damon and Asher Wakefield were watching the drummer of the band eye up Jenna, identical scowls of displeasure on their faces.

Josh smirked and shook his head. He wondered if he'd have been the same with a younger sister. Though he couldn't imagine Jenna paying much attention to the twins. Same as he didn't think Grayson, Zach, or Seth Carroway would have any influence over what Beth did.

She wasn't here yet. Josh knew because he'd been watching the door like a stalker since he'd gotten here. He was surprised at her lateness, and for a moment, he thought maybe she wouldn't come. That she'd decided not to try to find her soulmate at a speed date, or whatever the hell this thing was. And the relief he felt at that idea scared the crap out of him.

The thought of Beth finding and falling in love with the man of her dreams made him sick, filled him with jealous anger. It was ridiculous. Selfish, too. But he couldn't help it any more than he could help wanting to spend time with her. Being this attracted to Beth when he couldn't commit was a pain in the ass, frankly.

Over the past couple of weeks since that night in her bakery, he'd been tempted to just go for it. Maybe over time he'd be willing to say "I do" again.

Beth was the furthest thing from Elaine. He knew that. But even the thought of it broke him out in a cold sweat. And he liked her too much, respected her too much to pretend.

So, he was stuck here. Frustrated, celibate, and too distracted by the peppy blonde to find any other woman even remotely attractive.

Like he said. Pain in the ass. "Dr. Larson, how's it going?"

Josh turned to see Mason Decker approach him, holding out a beer.

Mason Decker, who'd had one date with Beth and hadn't called since, as far as Josh knew. He couldn't figure out if that made him like or loathe the other man. On the one hand, he was immature enough to be glad nothing had developed between Mason and Beth. On the other, he felt weirdly protective as if he wanted to demand reasons that Decker somehow, weirdly, hadn't fallen hook, line, and sinker for her.

The woman was making him lose his damn mind. "Call me Josh," he said, taking the beer with a nod of thanks. "Didn't think you were the blind-dating type," he continued for want of something else to say.

"I'm not." Mason shuddered. "But I need to talk to Miss Sallins, and she's proving a little difficult to pin down."

Josh followed Mason's gaze to where Paige was still chatting happily with Chase Roberts.

"You working your way through the ladies of Rocky Valley?" he asked, a tinge of bitterness to his tone.

But seriously-Beth wasn't good enough for him? Paige was next on the list? That weird protectiveness surged through him again.

Mason laughed. "Hardly," he scoffed. "I'm not exactly on Paige Sallins' list of favorite people."

Was it Josh's imagination, or did the businessman sound a little upset by that?

"It's strictly business between the lovely Paige and I." Mason continued speaking to Josh, but his eyes stayed fixed across the room. "And as for Beth...let's just say we were both a little distracted by outside influences to enjoy each other's company."

There was something in Mason's tone that made Josh wonder if Beth had said anything about him, but hell would freeze over before he'd ask.

Just then, a movement by the door caught his attention, and there she was, wearing a black dress similar to the one she'd had on that night in her bakery, but shorter; she looked more beautiful than he'd ever seen her. Her blond curls fell loosely around her shoulders, her eyes looked like huge pools of the clearest water, and the excited smile on her face literally took his breath away.

Moving his gaze slowly down to the tips of her killer heels, the slam of desire he felt just looking at her nearly floored him.

"Close your mouth, Josh," Mason's sarcastic drawl wasn't enough to tear Josh's eyes from Beth. He didn't think anything could. "Or at least get over there before someone else does."

"The whole reason she's here is to meet someone else," Josh argued. "I'm not that someone."

"No," Mason said quietly. "But you are that outside influence."

Josh felt rather than saw the other man walk away. His eyes were still on Beth.