Unexpected Complications: Feldspar Small Town Romance, #3

By Jo Carey

Welcome to Feldspar—a rock solid place to call home.

Raylene Driggs owns the only coffee shop in Feldspar—Sweet Caffeine, where she serves up a dollop of sass along with the hot beverages and pastries. At her recent 15 year high school reunion someone asked why she was still single. "The path to my happily-ever-after has contained some unexpected complications.

If you look up the strong, silent type you'll find a picture of Reed Adams, Corbett Engineering's Security Director. Women are drawn to Reed, but he seldom meets one worth getting to know. In Feldspar, Ray Driggs is that woman.

Can the smart-mouthed, pixie and the stoic, muscle man uncover the secret to their happily-ever-after?

Unexpected Complications is the third book in the Feldspar small-town romance series.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Jul 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201981501

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

When Mel asked, how things went with Raylene last night, Reed wasn't sure how to answer. Always the strong, silent type, he just chose to remain silent, and she didn't push for anything more.

As far as Reed could tell he and Ray had a nice time at Erin and Cody's wedding. She got a little squirrely when he had to lift her in and out of his SUV. The combination of her petite stature and narrow skirt made it impossible for her to climb up on her own. Reed had no idea why him lifting her into the truck seemed to freak her out, but her irritation was short lived, and the rest of the night was pleasant enough. He held Ray's hand on the drive home, and she didn't pull away. Reed took that as a good sign.

When he walked her to her door, he stepped in to hug her, but she backed away. He didn't push it. If he had to guess, he'd say something in her past was the reason why she seemed afraid of him at times. He intended to find out what that was. He wouldn't push her, but he would be there if she needed a friend to confide in.

If we're really doing this, I'll need fortification, Reed said. I'm making a run to Sweet Caffeine.

Sounds good, Mel said. Hyde should be here by the time you get back.

XXX

The coffee shop was busy for so early on a Saturday. With most of the town attending Erin and Cody's wedding the night before Ray thought it might be a slow start to the day, but it was as busy as ever. She took the next order and started for the espresso machine when the bell over the door rang.

Automatically, her head turned to the door and her eyes met Reed's. He nodded, and she turned her attention back to making coffee for her customers.

Good morning, she said when it was his turn to order. Just your usual today?

The usual for me, Hyde, and Mel plus some pastries and breakfast sandwiches. We're heading out into the desert.

She wrote up the slip and handed it over to another worker who just walked in from the kitchen area.

Can I talk to you for a minute? he asked.

Want me to tell you about the biggest risks you'll encounter out there? she asked as she motioned for him to follow her into her office in the kitchen.

Mel and Hyde know the dangers in the desert.

I hope so.

Look, I just wanted to say I had a nice time last night despite your... quirks. I don't know what happened to you, but if you ever want to talk about it I'm a good listener. I care about you, Ray, and I'd like to help if you'll let me.

Right. Well, thanks for that, she said clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. Come on. Your order should be ready.

He followed her back to the counter and waited while she packed a bag of breakfast sandwiches and filled a box with an assortment of pastries and muffins.

You free for dinner tonight? Reed asked as she handed him the bag of food and reached for his card to ring up the sale.

She looked surprised but agreed to have dinner with him. Maybe while they were exploring the desert he'd have a chance to see if Hyde or Mel knew anything that might explain Ray's strange behavior.

Mel was standing beside Hyde's jeep when Reed walked up with the food from Sweet Caffeine. We didn't know if you needed to go back inside or not, she said with a nod to the CE office behind her.

I just need to grab my pack, Reed said. I'll lock up. He set the food and drinks in the car before heading inside.

A couple of minutes later, Reed climbed into the back seat.

Hyde turned and looked over his shoulder. Are you excited for your first introduction to the Chihuahuan desert?

I am interested in seeing what risks you keep subjecting yourself to without adequate security and protection.

I should have realized, Hyde said. I wondered why you were suddenly interested in seeing where I take off to. You just want to figure out all the reasons you can use to try to talk me out of coming out here.

We grew up out here, Mel said. We know the risks, and we take precautions.

Good, Reed said. Should be an enlightening day.

CHAPTER TWO

No matter how many times Mel planned to talk to Hyde about what was going on between them, the conversation never happened. She certainly wouldn't be bringing up that topic with Reed along.

As they drove deeper into the desert, Mel and Hyde took turns telling stories of some of their more exciting adventures.

There was the time when Lincoln was bit by a snake that slithered off before they could identify it. There was a mad rush to get him to help in case it was life-threatening. It wasn't.

Reed particularly enjoyed the tale of the time Ray led them into an old mine tunnel where she'd found glittering rocks. Hyde told his friends they couldn't be gold or silver, but they weren't convinced. The group went to check it out for themselves and collect samples. A trained gymnast, Ray was not only significantly smaller than the others even then, but she was also amazingly flexible. Ray led the way with Crow right behind her. His shoulders wouldn't fit through the tunnel, but he tried hard enough to get himself stuck. That left Ray trapped on one side by herself. That was something Ray still used against Crow even now. Hyde was convinced if Crow would just let them dislocate his shoulder they could free him, but Crow wouldn't agree. In the end, they used the whole bottle of hand sanitizer gel that Hyde carried in his pack to lubricate Crow's arm enough to pull him free.

How are things going with you and Ray? Hyde asked.

We had fun at the wedding last night, Reed said, but sometimes I get a weird vibe from her almost like she's afraid of me.

That doesn't sound like Ray, Hyde said. I've never known her to be scared of anything.

Unless she's scared because she actually likes you, Mel said. I can totally see that scaring her.

Reed smiled at that. He had to admit he liked that idea, but he was pretty sure the issue he'd seen with Ray was more akin to PTSD than fear of risking her heart.

Mel opened her laptop and reviewed her list of questions and things she wanted to talk to Hyde about. She knew he had his own agenda for their outing and adding Reed to the mix made it unlikely she'd make much progress on her own stuff, but she wanted to be prepared just in case an opportunity presented itself.

First stop of the day is coming up, Hyde said. The rock formation here is called Lost Trail Rocks. Drink some water and grab your pack, and we'll show you why.

You know this isn't my first time in your desert, Reed said. Ray and I had dinner at Tewha Point.

Wait a minute, Hyde said. When did this happen?

Our first date.

How did you even know about Tewha Point? Mel asked.

I didn't. I planned to take her to a restaurant, but she had other ideas. We stopped for drinks and beef jerky and headed to Tewha Point.

Reed had served a great deal of his time in the military in the sandy deserts of the middle east, but his focus was on the task at hand. His only interest in his environment on those missions was what it would take to survive it.

Is your dislike for this environment due to your military service or did Ray disappoint you at the point? Mel asked as they picked their way carefully down a pile of volcanic rock.

No. Reed gave his typical one-word answer.

Mel tried to engage Reed a few more times before Hyde pulled her focus away. How do I get more control of my schedule? If I want to continue to grow the company, I need to be able to focus on innovation. On new development.

Mel asked questions, and the two quickly fell into their old habits nearly forgetting Reed was trailing along behind them. They walked through an arroyo dotted with mesquite trees before scrambling over another rock pile. When they were back on level ground, Hyde turned and said, Welcome to the Lost Trail.

Reed glanced left and right. It's not lost.

Not if you know how to find it, Mel said, leaning around Reed to give Hyde a high-five.

As they followed Lost Trail to the north, Mel shared the story of how a group of prospectors looking for gold got lost in the desert but thought they were saved when they found the trail that headed north. One of them had a hand-drawn map that showed a spring where they could find drinking water to refill their canteens and quench their dry throats. The legend says they lost the trail in the rocks and wandered the desert until they died of dehydration.

Is it true?

Don't know, Hyde said. There's no record of their names, so there's no way to investigate.

Mel and Hyde fell back into their discussion of his schedule and what needed to change to let him make Feldspar his personal home base sooner rather than later.

Mel had been quiet for a while, and Hyde stopped and turned so he could get a look at her face.

You've figured it out, haven't you? he asked.

Maybe, she said.

I'm sure it's advice you've been given before, she said. It might even be advice you've offered to those who work for you.

You're stalling. Why?

Because the answer is simple and obvious and you're going to hate it, she said.

But you're going to tell me anyway, and then you're going to help me accept it, Hyde said.

I suppose I will. She stopped walking and took a deep breath.

Delegate.

CHAPTER THREE

Reed's laughter was so loud it bounced off the rocks and echoed back to them. Mel and Hyde both glared at him.

Why do you find that so funny? Mel asked.

That's management 101, he said. Do you real think the genius doesn't know that.

He might know it intellectually, but he's not doing it. Not embracing the concept.

Hyde walked up and wrapped his arms around her pulling him to him for a hug. This is why I need you in my life, he said. Help me figure out a map to get from here to there.

Reed got his laughter under control and watched Mel and Hyde interact. Hyde didn't dissect her suggestion. He didn't throw up a million reasons why it wouldn't work or why he couldn't do it. Instead of reacting as most people would, Hyde grabbed onto Mel's suggestion like a lifeline.

Mel and Hyde immediately got into discussing details of what positions Hyde needed to hire or promote someone into. They talked and walked without seeming to pay any attention to where they were going.

Finally, they stopped at a small spring. It was well hidden by plants that grew up around the meager water source surrounded by miles of desert. Reed knelt and scooped out a handful of water.

Hyde reached out and put his hand on Reed's shoulder. Don't drink it. It's not safe.

On the hike back the discussion about the changes Hyde needed to make continued.

How are you guys going to remember all of this? Reed asked. I wasn't supposed to be taking notes, was I?

Mel laughed. No worries. We've been doing this since we were what 10 and 12?

Probably, Hyde said. As soon as we get to the car, Mel will be burning up the keyboard on her laptop capturing all this and turning it into a workable roadmap for me to follow.

They stopped in an area with a few scrubby trees to eat the sandwiches they