“Tessa, did you hear me?” Reese asked. “I said you can’t leave me now.”
“I’m not going anywhere, except to White Bear Lake this weekend.”
“This weekend?”
“Sorry.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s a family thing. You’re invited too.”
“We’ll have to see.” He drew in a deep breath. “What’s got you smiling now?”
“Remember what that policeman said to us that first day?”
“He said you were a polecat.” He shot her a lopsided grin. “And he was right. Then he said, ‘She’s all yours.’ Best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her heart warmed, and she could almost feel the roots of their love deepening.
Please, God, let this work.
30
A weekend without work sounded divine. A weekend without Reese sounded dismal.
Tessa rubbed the muscle on her aching arm and took in the view of White Bear Lake. She and Reese had worked hard to get the garden done, and he would be finishing things up in her absence.
Beside her, Aunt Sam fidgeted with her pocketbook in the back of the Cadillac while Henry whistled “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” in the front seat.
Tessa laid her hand on Aunt Sam’s arm. “Are you worried about something?”
“Nothing of any significance, dear.” She stilled her hand and took a deep breath.
“It was kind of Senator Ferrell to invite us up to his cabin for the weekend, but I admit it surprised me.”
“Oh?”
“Well, I knew the two of you have been friends for quite some time, but I didn’t know you’d seen him lately.”
“You don’t know everything about me, dear, any more than I do you.”
“There it is.” Henry pointed to a spacious two-story home with a wraparound front porch and a gabled roof.
Tessa sucked in her breath. Calling it a cottage hardly seemed accurate. Behind it, the azure waters of White Bear Lake stretched for miles.
Henry pulled into the driveway while Lincoln and Joel parked each of their cars on the street. Everyone tumbled from the vehicles, excitement in the air. Before they’d removed the last suitcase from the vehicles, Senator Ferrell arrived in his Packard with Edward in tow.
The family stopped and stared, first at him, then at Aunt Sam.
“Oh, did I not mention James and Edward will be joining us this weekend?” Aunt Sam smiled at the senator. “Pardon me. I must have forgotten.”
Forgotten, my eye! For some reason, Aunt Sam had purposely omitted this fact.
“But don’t worry.” Senator Ferrell moved to stand next to Aunt Sam. “I’m staying at my son’s cottage next door, so all of you will have full run of my house.” He turned to Alice Ann. “And maybe you can even convince your mommy and daddy to take you to the fun house at Wildwood. We have quite a nice amusement park there, missy.”
Tessa cocked her head to the side. Why was Senator Ferrell suddenly interested in making Aunt Sam’s family so comfortable? Could he and Aunt Sam be . . .
No, she’d know about it. Then again, what had Aunt Sam said? That she didn’t know everything about her?
The hair on the back of her neck tingled. A mystery to uncover? Perfect.
Where would Allan Pinkerton suggest she start? Observation? Tessa studied her aunt and the senator. As he swept his arm toward his home, he placed his other hand on Aunt Sam’s back. A clue? Perhaps. Still, they were old friends. She’d need more.
Suddenly, this Reese-less weekend didn’t seem quite so bleak. She’d dig up the dirt on her aunt’s relationship with the senator before the end of the day.
Tessa eyed the shore of White Bear Lake. The gentle, lapping waves taunted her, begging her to dip a toe in.
“I dare you.” Edward took three steps down onto the beach.
“Excuse me?”
“You were thinking about stepping into the water, so I said, ‘I dare you.’” He sat down on the wooden deck chair beside her. “The water will be frigid this early. It doesn’t get warm until July, but if you’re afraid—”
“Hardly.” Tessa moved her index finger in a circle. “Turn around.”
“Why?”
“I can’t very well remove my stockings with you watching.” She clapped his shoulder. “So move it.”
After he complied, she moved to the edge of her deck chair and eased her shoes and stockings off. She sank her toes into the cool sand and pulled her skirt down to cover them. “All right, you can turn around.”
He glanced at her discarded accessories and grinned. “Change your mind?”
“No.” She padded down the beach. When she reached the water’s edge, she paused and hiked up her skirt.
“It’s okay to turn back.”
“I don’t turn back, Mr. Ferrell. I’m a go-ahead girl. No risk too big.” The wind whipped at her straw hat. She held it in place and submerged first one toe in the frigid surf, then her whole foot. She shivered and lowered the other foot into the water.
“Cold?”
“Not so much.” Her voice quivered.
“Liar.” He chuckled and moved down to the shoreline. “Okay, you proved you could do it. Come on out. There’s something I want to ask you about.”
Was Edward wondering about his grandfather and her aunt too? When he held out his hand, she took it, then followed him back up the beach. She longed for the warmth of her stockings, but the sand stuck to her chilled feet, so she’d have to let them dry.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked as they returned to their chairs.
“I doubt it.”
“I’m serious, Edward. Haven’t you noticed how your grandfather and Aunt Sam are looking at each other?” She glanced toward the house. “Look at them now. It’s like the rest of us aren’t even here.”
“Good for them.” Edward shifted in his chair. “Listen, before we get anyone else joining us down here, I want to ask you something.”
“Okay.”
“Do you remember when I agreed to give you motorcycle lessons?” He waited for her to nod. “You promised you’d do something for me in return someday.”
“What do you need? Help in planning something for your girl back at college?” She giggled. “I have some excellent romantic ideas I’m sure she would love.”
“That’s not it.” He stood and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Tessa, you know Joe and I still need the funds for the motorcycle company—”
“I told you I wouldn’t ask Aunt Sam.”
“I know.” His gaze shifted toward the house, then back to her. “I’ve been approached by a client who owns a building and glass company. They’d like to secure the bid on the conservatory.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure Mr. Nussbaumer would love to grant the contract to a local business.”
He sighed. “Tessa, if they are to win the bid, they’d have to submit the lowest figure. The park commission wants to know who will complete the conservatory for the best price. The only way my friends can win the bid is to know what other companies have submitted.”
“How could they possibly know that?” Edward was acting quite strangely. What was he getting at?
“That’s where the favor comes in.” He sat down on the chair again and leaned close. “If you sneak into Mr. Nussbaumer’s office, you can see what the lowest bid is and let me know.”
Her back stiffened. “I couldn’t do that.”
“You could.” His voice turned firm. “And you owe me.”
She owed him? Her chest constricted and her breath came hard. She had to make him understand. “This wasn’t what I thought you meant when I agreed to help you in the future. It’s breaking the rules, and it’s wrong, Edward.”
“It’s bending them, and you said yourself that you’re the go-ahead girl. No risk too big, right?” He sat back.
“I won’t do it. Figure out another way.”
“If you don’t, I may have to tell your family about what happened at
the end of your college term.”
Tessa’s stomach lurched. “How did you find out about that?”
“Does the name Everett Ingersol mean anything to you?” Edward flashed her a checkmate grin. “I can tell it does. I believe he’s a classmate of yours now. Well, he’s an old friend of mine from high school. He told me all about your expulsion. I’m sure you’ve not said anything to your family. What would they think of the youngest Gregory girl getting herself in trouble once again? And what about Reese? What would a fine fellow like him think if he knew the truth about his girl?”
“I thought we were friends, Edward.”
“We are, but a deal’s a deal. Don’t take it personally. This is business.” He stood. “I’ll need that information by next Friday.”
Tessa wrapped her arms around herself as the cold vined from her feet through her body and wrapped around her heart. What was she going to do?
Soon.
Sam would tell her family about James and her at the first opportunity, but so far, no such time seemed to present itself. During the afternoon, James had taken various family members out on his sailboat. After dinner, the adults tucked the children in bed and gathered in the parlor around the fireplace for a rousing game of cards.
She laid her cards on the table with a flourish. “Gin.”
“Again?” Edward chuckled. “Tessa, I think you should come join your sisters and me in this game. You’re the only one who could possibly figure out your aunt’s secret.”
Tessa glanced up from the sketchbook in her hands. “I’m no match for her.”
Something was amiss with her youngest niece. Had she figured out the reason for this visit to the lake? She’d been down on the beach with Edward. Perhaps the young man had shared something personal with her. She prayed that hadn’t happened.
“You can come take my place.” Hannah moved from the table to the davenport to sit between Lincoln and Joel. “I’m not feeling up to it anymore.”
“It appears you’ve chased the competition away.” James covered Sam’s hand with his own.
Tessa seemed to eye the intimate gesture. She slapped her sketchbook shut. “How long are you and he going to keep this from us? Don’t you realize what kind of damage secrets will do?”
“Tessa,” Hannah snapped. “Hold your tongue.”
“You’re lecturing me? Of all people, you should be thinking about what you’re keeping hidden.”
Hannah visibly paled, and Charlotte laid a hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “What’s gotten into you?”
“It’s not her fault.” Sam locked eyes with Tessa. “I believe Tessa’s detective abilities have helped her sniff out the truth.” She steeled herself. Soon had become now. “Everyone, James and I have been keeping something from you.” She shared a slight smile with the senator. “We’ve been seeing one another.”
Lincoln withdrew his arm from Hannah’s shoulders and leaned forward. “For how long?”
“A couple of months.” James leaned back in his chair, apparently ready to be questioned. “As you know, we’ve been dear friends for years, but we’ve only recently let our feelings grow beyond friendship.”
Grateful for his carefully chosen words, Sam squeezed his hand. “We’ve no plans for the future, but we didn’t want to keep this from you any longer.”
Hannah walked to the decanter of water on the table, hands trembling, and poured herself a glass. “Why didn’t you tell—”
She swayed. Lincoln jumped to his feet and caught her a split second before her head hit the ground.
31
What had she done?
Tessa could only stare as Lincoln scooped Hannah into his arms and carried her up the stairs to the bedroom in which the two of them were staying. Joel snagged his doctor’s bag from a hook in the hallway and rushed up behind them with Charlotte following.
If she hadn’t forced Aunt Sam’s hand, none of this would have happened.
Aunt Sam touched her arm. “It’s not your fault.”
“I upset her.” She swiped the tears from her cheeks with the palms of her hands. “How could I do that, knowing her condition?”
“You knew?” Aunt Sam asked.
“Yes, I found out by accident, but she’s never told Charlotte.” Her voice hitched. “Charlotte will be devastated.”
“For a while, maybe.” Aunt Sam wrapped an arm around Tessa’s shoulders and led her to the davenport. “Families might grow in different directions, dear, but their roots stay the same.”
“I should go up there.” Tessa stood and went to the doorway.
“I think there are enough family members in that bedroom.” Aunt Sam’s voice was calm and soothing. “And one of them is a competent doctor.”
Rapid footsteps in the upstairs hallway drew Tessa’s attention. She glanced up to see Charlotte rush from Hannah’s bedchamber followed by Joel.
“Charlotte, you know I couldn’t tell you.” Joel caught Charlotte’s shoulder. When she turned, her face was streaked with tears, and he pulled her into his arms.
“How could Hannah not tell me?” Pain filled her voice.
Joel stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to her head. “She was worried about you.”
“But I’m her sister.”
So am I, and I didn’t tell you either.
“I know you’re hurting, sweetheart.” He stepped back and took her hands. “But if Hannah doesn’t avoid stress right now, she could lose the baby. Please, don’t upset her any more than she is.”
Fresh guilt washed over Tessa like the waves on White Bear Lake, and her heart felt battered by the storm. This was all her fault.
Tessa needed an anchor. If only Reese were here, she’d have someone to hold on to.
Never had Tessa been more excited to get back to Como Park than she was this morning. The situation between Charlotte and Hannah had remained tense throughout Sunday, and Edward’s threat loomed like a dark thundercloud.
Given that the two gardens would be judged on Thursday, she’d work hard to keep Reese calm and his spirits high. Since Edward didn’t need the bids until a day after the judging, she’d wait to tell Reese about her dilemma until then. She wouldn’t burden him with her problems until later.
As soon as she arrived at the park, she walked to the garden she’d planted with Reese. She glanced around the area to see if she was alone and released a slow breath when she saw that she was. The eerie feeling of being watched had left her skittish.
She marveled at all he’d finished while she was away for the weekend. He had installed a two-bowl tiered fountain, trimmed every bush, and filled every urn. He must have worked day and night. Even the flowers they’d planted in drifts seemed to have already filled in under his care. It was as if they knew opening day had arrived, and they were ready to show off their blooms.
But would it be enough? This had begun as a project for her to get Mr. Nussbaumer’s attention, but it had grown to mean so much more. It was a symbol of Reese’s success as a gardener. It was a symbol of how well she and Reese worked together. Most of all, it was a symbol of how their love had bloomed.
By the end of the week, they’d have their answers. She prayed Reese would be the one to win the little competition between Nels and him. He could then inform Mr. Nussbaumer of her role in the garden’s creation, and once her future was set, she could tell Reese exactly why she couldn’t go back to the university in the fall.
She took a seat on one of the wrought-iron benches they’d placed, but even the mellow glow of the morning sun didn’t quell the nerves jostling her inside. She’d lain awake for hours last night, thinking about her dilemma regarding Edward’s request. Sure, she’d done lots of things that were a little risky, and this wasn’t exactly illegal, but in her heart she knew it was unethical. How could she do something that felt so wrong? Her stomach spiraled at the thought.
But if Edward divulged her secret to her sisters, they’d be gravely disappointed in her, and it would put Hannah and the baby in danger.
Did she really have a choice anymore?
Where was she?
Reese stood on the sidewalk near the area assigned to Nels for his garden and scanned the area for Tessa. Yesterday he’d asked her to meet him and his parents there at ten o’clock.
He glanced at his pocket watch and then at his parents.
His mother laid her hand on his arm. “You look nervous. I’m sure we’ll love her, Reese.”
But whether they liked Tessa was not the only thing making him on edge. Today Mr. Nussbaumer would make his decision about which garden he liked most. It would also be a day that his father would get to see what he and Tessa had done. Since she’d come back from White Bear Lake, she’d worked tirelessly beside him to make sure every element in the garden was perfect. Would it be enough to impress both Mr. Nussbaumer and his father?
“I thought you said she’d be here by ten.” His father frowned. “Is she normally this unpredictable?”
Reese smiled to himself. You have no idea, Dad. “It’s five till ten, and there she is now.”
His heart swelled as she neared. His girl. If Mr. Nussbaumer offered him a new position in the conservatory, he’d then make enough to take a wife, and he planned to make her his forever.
Last night she’d teased him about wearing her overalls today to meet them, but her dress today was as feminine as could be. The cascade of roses down the front made it an especially appropriate choice. The dress’s flowing material blew in the breeze. Had she called it chiffon?
Beneath the large-brimmed hat, she smiled at him, infusing him with confidence.
This was his day.
“Miss Tessa Gregory, I’d like for you to meet my parents, Samuel and Viola King.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. King.” She dipped her head slightly. “You must be proud of all that Reese has accomplished here.”
“He’s a hard worker, our son.” His father clasped his shoulder.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“And he’s very talented too.” Tessa smiled at him.
As Love Blooms Page 23
