by Tara Randel
Why did he feel like her excuse was just that, an excuse? Frustration made his tone sharp. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Fine,” came her equally short response as she reached into the car for her purse. “Let’s go.”
It was only four blocks to Smitty’s, but it felt like the longest walk of his life. Outside the bar, he tried again and asked, “What’s up?”
“Why does something have to be up? My car won’t start and tonight the kids couldn’t concentrate. You were busy finding a date—”
“Is that what this is about? That I have a date?”
“Don’t be silly. I’m glad you found someone to go with you to the party.”
This was why Reid didn’t get sucked into relationships. Half the time he didn’t understand what was going on.
“But you’d tell me, right?”
She rolled her eyes and opened the door. Laughter and loud music spilled out, effectively ending their conversation.
As soon as they entered Smitty’s, the amazing scent of pub food enveloped them. Heidi hightailed it across the room to a group of people including Serena and Carrie. Clearly something was bothering her, but was it him or something else? He hadn’t done anything wrong—in fact, he’d gone out of his way to let her work at the jobsite, so it didn’t make sense.
He was staring at her when his brother sidled up beside him. “Took your time getting here.”
“Heidi’s car wouldn’t start so I stayed with her while she called a tow truck.”
Following the direction of Reid’s focus, Logan asked, “What’s so interesting?”
“Nothing.”
“Really? Tell that to your face.”
Annoyed, Reid met his brother’s amused gaze. “What?”
“I know you aren’t interested in Serena or Carrie, so that leaves your pensive expression focused on Heidi.”
“Things between us are off tonight.”
Logan nodded.
“Usually she can’t stop talking.”
“Maybe she doesn’t have anything to say.”
“That never happens.”
Logan shrugged. “First time for everything.”
His brother’s comment bugged him. He didn’t like it that Heidi was tense and tonight she seemed overly stressed.
He looked over at his tormentor. “Why are we here?”
“I can’t have a beer with my brother?”
Reid stared at him.
“If you’re going to take my head off...”
Reid ran a hand over the back of his neck. “Sorry.”
Logan paused. “This thing with Heidi is really bothering you?”
It was. More than it should and he couldn’t figure out why. Instead of supplying his brother with more fodder to give him grief, Reid said, “Long day.”
Logan laughed. “Right.”
“So, what? You’re going to give me a hard time all night?”
“I don’t have to. I think Heidi’s already done the job.”
Reid searched for her. She was laughing at something a friend said, the highlights in her brown hair shiny under the lights, a smile brightening her face. It bothered him that she hadn’t smiled at him like that tonight, and it seemed she was in a better mood with anyone but him.
Did she mean it when she said she wasn’t upset about him taking a date to the party? She’d seemed like her old self before he gave her the news. And why should it bother him? Then it dawned on him. Maybe she didn’t have a date of her own.
“I’m dense,” he muttered under his breath.
Of course, Logan heard his brother, chuckling despite the loud music. “Of the two of us, I’ve always thought so.”
Reid elbowed him. “Do you know if Heidi has a date for your engagement party?”
Logan lifted a shoulder. “She doesn’t normally fill me in on her social calendar.”
“I was on the phone with Ainsley earlier and she overheard. She might be upset with me because of that.”
“Why? It’s not like you two have a thing going on.”
Reid frowned.
“Wait. Do you two have a thing going on?”
“No,” Reid rushed to say. They were friends. First and foremost. At least he thought they were. Could he have missed the memo? If he was honest, the idea of them together was...nice.
“Oh, no,” Logan said.
Shaking off his thoughts, Reid looked at his brother.
A slow grin spread over Logan’s lips. “Dude, I recognize that expression. You’re in trouble.”
Reid sought out Heidi again and his chest went tight.
He repeated his brother’s amused words. “You’re right. I’m in so much trouble.”
CHAPTER SIX
“WHY CAN’T I find a dress?” Heidi complained as she browsed through the rack of high-end designs. The colors all blended together in one bright splotch as she listlessly pretended to go through the motions of shopping.
“You aren’t trying hard enough,” Serena teased.
Heidi shot her friend an annoyed look. They’d taken their lunch hour to find Heidi a dress for the upcoming engagement party while another part-time employee at Blue Ridge Cottage filled in. Carrie had to run an errand, then she’d be joining them at Tessa’s, Golden’s fancy clothing store.
“I suppose you already have a dress,” Heidi complained.
“Got it a few days after Logan proposed. I knew I’d be busy with my dad getting remarried. Now that his big day is over, I can concentrate on my own wedding.” Serena pushed the hangers slowly along the rack, the scrape of metal on metal grating Heidi’s nerves. “But I should have a backup.” She glanced at Heidi, panic on her face. “I should have a backup, right?”
“What on earth for? Do you like the dress you picked out?”
“Yes. It’s lovely.”
“Then quit worrying and help me.”
Serena crossed her arms. “The party is three days away. Why haven’t you bought a dress yet?”
“I meant to. Then I picked up two new clients and—”
“Heidi?”
She looked over the rack at her friend, hearing the censure in her voice.
“I thought we talked about this.”
“We did, but I can’t turn down work.”
Serena blew out a breath. “You’re spreading yourself too thin.”
“Maybe, but now my car needs to be repaired, so I have to work overtime.”
Mentioning the car made her think about the uncomfortable ride home with Reid last night. They barely spoke and there was a strained atmosphere in the truck. Once he got to her apartment building, she’d jumped out with a brusque “thanks” and rushed inside. Mr. Whiskers demanded food, then, noticing her mood as she got ready for bed, nudged his nose against her leg. She scooped him up, taking solace in the steady sound of his purring.
At least this male returned her feelings for him.
“You probably have more money squirreled away than Carrie and me put together,” Serena said, unaware of Heidi’s inner turmoil.
Serena might be right. Heidi refused to repeat her past, so sure, she worked too much, but she was financially stable. All other areas of her life were up in the air.
“As soon as the house remodel is finished, I’ll have some extra time in the day.”
“Which you’d better use to relax. When was the last time you went hiking?”
Her favorite pastime. “Um... Just before Christmas?”
“That was four months ago.”
“Really?” The weeks had flown by.
“Are you taking a vacation this year?”
“Can’t. House to buy. Wedding attendant.” Heidi gasped. “I’m still in the wedding, right?”
“Yes. That would never change.”
“Then thi
nk of all the duties I’ll have. First, making sure this engagement party goes off without a hitch—”
“You think there’ll be a hitch?” Serena paled. “I don’t have any more secrets.”
When Serena had come to town, she’d been hiding some heavy secrets. Logan had smoked them out and everything broke loose, but in the end, they’d fallen in love and nothing could destroy that. Heidi wished for the same one day.
“Sorry, poor word choice on my part.” Heidi took a breath and counted using her fingers. “As I was saying, there’s the bridal shower, shopping for your wedding dress, the bachelorette party, making sure you get to the altar on time...”
“Oh, I won’t be late.”
Heidi laughed. “What was I thinking?”
“That you need to find a dress.” Serena gave a cheer and clapped her hands. “Back to it.”
They returned to the hunt. Heidi selected three styles to try on. Serena picked two more. Just before she went to the fitting room to try them all on, Carrie, Serena’s roommate, rushed into the store, her cheeks red as if she’d run the entire way from her appointment.
“I did it,” she said, breathless, fanning her face with her hand. “The interview at the Chamber of Commerce went great. Now I have to wait on the board’s decision.”
Serena hugged her friend. “They’ll hire you, I have no doubt. Then you’ll be in Golden permanently.”
Carrie looked a bit shocked. “I suppose.”
“Don’t change your mind now,” Serena said with a smile.
“I won’t. I need a break and Golden is the best place to regroup.”
Serena slung an arm over Heidi’s shoulders. “Because we’re here.”
Carrie chuckled. “Yes, because you’re both here.”
Heidi slid out from under Serena’s arm, always a little self-conscious when others showed her affection. Her mother had been far from cuddly. Heidi’s raggedy stuffed bear came to mind. Boy, had Heidi squeezed the stuffing out of that thing, especially when it was dark. She’d had a difficult time parting with her best childhood friend, but once she moved in with Alveda, she hadn’t needed the bear any longer.
Serena shooed her into the dressing room. “Let’s get a move on before we need to return to the shop.”
Heidi went into a fitting room and closed the door, still able to hear Serena questioning Carrie about her own dress. “You two are the worst bridesmaids.”
Heidi grinned because, despite the words, she heard the genuine affection in Serena’s tone.
The first two dresses weren’t right. The third was possible and by the time Heidi got to the fifth, she liked the final choice the best. Opening the door, she stepped out to find Serena and Carrie seated by the mirror. Carrie had a dress folded over her arm.
Heidi’s mouth dropped open. “Don’t tell me you found one so quickly.”
“Actually, I stopped by here a few days ago and chose my outfit.” She nodded at Serena. “Just wanted to make my roommate here suffer.”
“Mission accomplished,” Serena said, laughing, then she studied Heidi from head to toe. “I like it.”
Heidi turned around to look in the mirror. The shimmery sheath-style dress hugged her curves. “Is it too tight?”
“No, that’s the style,” Carrie said. Heidi took her word for it, since Carrie had lived in Manhattan for years and had more fashion sense in her little finger than Heidi had in her entire body.
“I like the color,” Serena said. “Apricot looks good with your skin tone.”
Heidi tilted her head back and forth. Her brown hair looked darker and the amber flecks in her eyes popped. She had to admit, this dress was spectacular.
“Do you have shoes to go with?” Carrie asked.
“I think so. They’re a nude heel.”
“Perfect.”
Heidi twisted to get a view of the back, then faced her friends. “Okay. I’m going with this one.”
Serena clasped her hands over her heart. “Finally.”
Heidi removed the dress and returned it to the hanger. She rejoined her friends, who were regarding her with amused expressions. Heidi looked down, making sure she’d put her clothes on correctly. “Am I missing something?”
“No,” Serena said. “We were just chatting about dates and realized you don’t have one for the engagement party.”
Heidi glanced at Carrie. “When did you find a date?”
“Last night. I asked Jamey.”
Heidi blinked. Jamey owned Smitty’s Pub. He was fun loving and as big as a bear, with a long beard to match.
“Why didn’t I think of asking him?” Heidi frowned.
“Because you’ve been too busy with Reid.”
She tried to look innocent. “He has a date.”
“Uh-huh, but you wish it was you,” Carrie crowed with a satisfied grin.
Panic made her knees tremble. How did they know? “Why would you say that?”
“Because you kept sneaking glances at him at the pub last night.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Don’t even,” Serena said. “Carrie and I both saw it.”
She dropped her head. Had Reid noticed? Heidi’s feelings for him had been increasing; she’d been careful to act unaffected, but last night had been rough after finding out he’d asked another woman to the party.
“Seriously, when did this start?” Serena settled into her chair.
Heidi groaned. “Nothing has started. There is nothing.”
Carrie laughed. “Girl, you’ve had your eye on him for a long time.”
“Wha...how...” Heidi stuttered.
Both of her friends laughed.
No point in covering up any longer. Not with her friends, who could apparently read her emotions better than she could. “I thought I was doing a good job not letting it show.”
“Nope,” came Serena’s perky reply.
“Does Reid know?” Carrie asked.
“Not a clue. He only thinks of me as a friend.” Which hurt because, yes, she had been trying, and failing, to ignore her attraction for Reid for some time now.
Serena considered her remark. “Well, you have known each other for years.”
“And nothing has ever come of it. That’s the very reason why it’ll never be anything more than friendship.”
“But you want it to? Become more, that is.”
Heidi bit her lip. Couldn’t deny the longing building inside her heart. “There’s no point.”
“How do you know?” Carrie challenged. “Maybe he has hidden feelings for you too.”
“If he does, he sure has done a better job hiding them,” Heidi scoffed, the hurt welling again.
“So, make him notice you. That dress will do it.”
Heidi stared at the dress in her hands. Could she turn Reid’s head? Make him wonder what if? Maybe pursue her?
“Stupid tool belt,” she muttered.
“Did you say something about a belt?” Carrie asked, then chuckled.
Why did the image of him in his work clothes sporting that darn belt make Heidi’s blood race? “Just ignore me.”
Serena moved beside her. “Falling in love is scary, but so worth it.”
“But you know Logan loves you.”
“I didn’t at first. It took time.”
“How many more years do I need before he notices me?”
“See, this is why I don’t get serious,” Carrie said. “Too much angst.”
Serena lightly poked her friend’s arm. “Not helping.”
“She’s right,” Heidi said. “I don’t want to lose Reid. If all we can ever be is friends, that’s okay with me.”
Neither Carrie nor Serena seemed convinced.
Heidi went to the counter to pay for her dress. She ran her fingers over the gossamer fabric, pictu
ring Reid’s face when he saw her for the first time, dressed to the nines...while he was with another woman.
Her hopes sank.
No. Friendship would have to be the extent of things between them. Her heart couldn’t take anything more.
* * *
GAYLE ANN MASTERSON’S smile had disappeared an hour ago. Reid was not going along with her plan. Every time he went anywhere near Heidi, the girl made sure to move to the opposite side of the living room. What was going on between them?
Making her way through the crowd of guests, Gayle Ann found Alveda filling a plate at the hors d’oeuvres table and tugged her aside. They’d both dressed in their finest, Gayle Ann in a flattering powder blue dress, Alveda in a floral wrap, her hair in a soft flowing style instead of her usual tight bun.
“What is wrong with those two?” Gayle Ann asked in a low voice so as not to be overheard.
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Did you talk to Heidi before the party?”
“No. We kept missing each other.” Alveda looked out across the wide room, then took a bite of a stuffed mushroom. “Now this is just downright good.”
“Alveda,” Gayle Ann huffed.
“I think Heidi’s avoiding me.”
“Whatever for?”
“Beats me.” Alveda shrugged and tried a spicy stuffed pepper that smelled so savory, it made Gayle Ann’s stomach growl.
“You could act a little more concerned,” Gayle Ann told her friend.
Alveda grinned. “Why? Because your grand scheme is going haywire?”
“It’s not haywire, only a bit off the rails.”
“Admit it. You can’t stand that Reid bested you.”
True. Reid seemed to have the upper hand here tonight, and it was getting to her. He’d been the attentive beau, introducing his date to the guests and making sure she had a drink or food. “Ainsley is a lovely young woman, but we need to stick to the original plan—getting Reid and Heidi together.”
“Heidi doesn’t look like she wants his company.”
Gayle Ann had been quick to notice that. Before she could say another word, a tall, distinguished man with thick silver hair and mustache joined them. “You two aren’t very good at being discreet.”
