by Parin, Sonia
“Why am I the last to know?”
“Probably because you don’t ask the right questions.”
He had. He clearly remembered asking Lexie what she did for a living and she’d told him she wrote. There had been no mention of drawing. What else had she been keeping from him?
Steph gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. We’re joining forces and focusing on you.”
“Can we vote on it?” Jack asked. A flat out no thanks wouldn’t get him anywhere with Mason and Steph, but they might be open to negotiation. If they stayed out of his life, he’d promise to return the favor and not interfere with their messes.
“We know you want to take the next step. It’s all you’ve been thinking about since meeting Lexie. Now it’s time to act without delay. Get on top of this straight away. We think you should follow her. Pay her a surprise visit.”
“Fine. I’ll teleport myself… Wait. Hang on. Remind me again why I need to stalk Lexie?”
“She’s in a small country town full of eligible bachelors with nothing better to do than to breath in fresh country air,” Mason explained.
“Has anyone asked what Lexie wants?”
Steph helped herself to some pizza. “It’s obvious she wants you.”
“And you know this for a fact.” Steph had tried to sell him the idea that Lexie was projecting all her innermost desires onto Lulu McGee who was clearly an extension of her. He’d only read one strip and Lulu had been working undercover to unmask a serial two-timing cheater while keeping two prospective love interests drooling and dangling, but apparently, deep down she wanted to be swept off her feet…
“You should read a few more issues,” Steph said almost as if she’d read his mind. “But if you want I could ask her, discreetly… girl to girl. Get the inside scoop.”
Jack rose to his feet and collected the empty beer cans. “Thanks for your thoughtful meddling. I’ll sleep on it.” Although he doubted he’d be able to sleep since every breath he took would make him think about all those eligible bachelors breathing in fresh country air…
* * *
Breakfast at the Gardner household resembled a parody of a nature documentary. Her parents had their eyes on their prey and were edging toward it. Any moment now, they would launch into a sprint and pounce on her because they, of course, had targeted the weakest link.
It was all Maggie’s doing.
She’d decided against biding her time. Best to get it all out into the open, she’d murmured before blurting everything out. She hadn’t even waited for their meals to be served. Last night, they had walked into The Gloriana, settled at their table, and right after their mother had commented on how lovely it was to have the whole family together, Maggie had drawn in a breath and in the next second, she’d told them all about her decision to quit her job—
“Is there any more toast?” their father asked.
He was taking it all in his stride. Maggie would come to her senses soon and then order would be restored. Yet his eyes kept sliding toward Lexie as if measuring her for a casket.
Lexie looked down at her plate and made quick work of reorganizing it, putting her sunny side egg on top of the slice of toast and lining up the crispy bacon beside it. If she had to make a run for it, she’d make a quick grab—
Her mother cleared her throat. “We have to talk about last night.” Outwardly, she didn’t show any signs of distress. Dressed for work in her suit, she appeared determined to tackle the issue with calm and reason. Lexie decided to play it safe and expect the worst.
Maggie poured herself another cup of coffee. “I can understand your need for details, but we’re still working on them.”
Lexie sunk lower into her chair and cringed in sympathy at the sting of salt on her parents’ wounds. They lived for facts and figures. As a senior administrator, her mother crunched numbers for a living and was responsible for the smooth running of the entire hospital, while her father was the only surgeon on staff. There was no room for error in their lives.
“There’s really nothing to worry about. Lexie and I will spend a few days in Eden as a team building exercise…”
There had better not be any hiking involved, Lexie thought.
“This is a milestone for us,” Maggie continued. “Our schedule for the next twelve months is full on so we might not have any free time to visit…”
Both her parents were staring at Maggie open-mouthed. Lexie was tempted to slink away. Maggie had completely disregarded her sound advice to delay the discussion for as long as possible, so she could justify abandoning her to her own devices. Then again, this could be part of the team building exercise Maggie had mentioned. She might even have contrived this scenario as a way to test her mettle.
Lexie told herself to sit tight. It would all be over in a minute.
“We were afraid this would happen. Your father told me I had no reason to worry, but when Lexie showed early warning signs of her creativity, I couldn’t help fretting and thinking it might spill over to you—”
“Warning signs?” Lexie’s coffee cup rattled on the saucer. “It’s not an illness.”
“She even has the artistic temperament to go with it.” Her mother sighed. “Maggie, you might be drawn to the carefree aspect of her life, but once the novelty wears off—”
“Carefree?” Lexie surged to her feet. “I work day and night.”
“Do you have any idea how insulting that sounded?” Maggie asked. “Lexie works her butt off. She has created something from nothing. Lulu McGee is an inspiration to young women all over the world…”
Lexie sunk back down on her seat.
“… She has grit and integrity, not to mention, adaptability.”
More like sink or swim survival instincts, Lexie thought watching in amazement as her parents shifted in their chairs.
“Lexie’s smart, successful and innovative. She’s created a unique product while we do jobs anyone could do. She’s gone out on a limb. She’s risked everything to follow her passion…”
Now her parents looked apologetic.
Lexie made a mental note to nominate Maggie as the official parent liaison person. In future, it would be her responsibility to address all parental disapproval in a timely fashion.
“We can’t help worrying about her. You’ve always had a purpose…”
“And now Lexi has found hers.”
“But what about your career?”
“I’m fed up with spreadsheets and bottom dollars. I’d like to work on something fun and exciting for a change…”
When Lexi’s cell beeped, she discreetly read the message.
How are you doing?
Jack! She smiled to herself.
Missing my morning coffee.
Sliding off her chair, Lexie made her escape.
Don’t they have coffee in Eden?
The best, she thought. Yet it didn’t taste the same without Jack.
No special delivery here.
She strode out to the back patio. Was he missing her? Wishing she’d hurry back home?
How’s Lulu?
She glanced over her shoulder and watched as Maggie worked her magic on their parents. Whatever she was telling them continued to hold them enthralled.
Lulu is up to her usual tricks. She’s quite a spin-doctor.
She kicked off her shoes and stepped out onto the grass, her toes curling as she looked up into the clear sky and smiled. She didn’t ask for much. A good cup of coffee to kick start the day. A sparkling story line to work on. A sharpened pencil. And…
She drew in a breath and, gazing out at the surrounding mountains, she nodded.
Yes, and Jack.
At least in her imagination. He could fill her fantasies, he could—
She threw herself right into the flow, picturing her life with Jack. Spending evenings with him. Enjoying impromptu catch-ups and surprise visits in the middle of her workday. The thoughts swirled in her mind like a kaleidoscope. She had no ide
a how long she stood out there dreaming and texting. She only snapped out of it when Maggie called out to her.
“Let’s go.”
Lexie swung around, her cell phone clutched against her chest.
“Put your shoes back on, and let’s get a move on.”
“Where are we going?”
“Anywhere. Quick before they snap out of their daze. I made them late for work.”
“Sounds like you hypnotized them.”
“I overwhelmed them with my CEO super uber-terminology. I even threw in some made up words. It’s bought us some time. Now we have a couple of days to come up with a feasible plan of action.”
“And what happens if we don’t?”
“We will.”
Lexie got in behind the driver’s wheel and started the engine. “Um… You can still walk away and save yourself.”
“Why would I want to do that? I’m having the time of my life. I never knew being a rebel could be so much fun.”
She pulled out of the driveway and tried to remember where she’d been several weeks ago… before Jack, before Maggie. There had to be a reason why all this was happening. Had she asked for it? Had she put something out there in the universe? She gazed at Maggie. Was she humming?
“So, where are we going?”
“I need a real coffee.” Maggie reached inside her bag and drew out her sleek laptop. “I brought this along just in case they spy on us.”
Maggie’s transformation into a more approachable version of her sister was starting to scare her. Had she suffered a blow to her head? Maybe the man she refused to talk about—
“Has Jack contacted you?”
Lexie frowned. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m prodding. It’s been days. He should have called by now.”
“Should have?”
“He has to be missing you by now.”
Lexie wanted to think all good things came to those who waited, but she’d only be deluding herself. She’d had a role to play, now the curtains had come down and she was the only one calling for an encore…
“What happens if you wake up tomorrow and find that you’ve reverted to your old self?” she asked trying to draw the conversation away from Jack.
To her credit, Maggie gave it some thought. “It’s not going to happen. I’m still me. I’ve just done away with a few filters and extraneous outer layers.”
“So I’m seeing an undiluted Maggie?”
“A new, improved model. There’s no going back to my clunky old self.”
“I would never describe you as clunky.”
“Where do you think I got it from? You were fifteen, you’d just dyed the tips of your hair purple. I’d barely got a word out before you got all defensive and called me clunky.”
“You were going to tell me off.”
“Do I need to remind you what happened the next day?”
She’d been sent home from school and told not to return until she’d restored her hair to a natural shade.
“I got a week’s vacation out of that.” Lexie laughed under her breath. “I hope you stick around. I’d miss this new you.”
“It feels great. Like having my favorite soundtrack running through my head, and I don’t even have a favorite soundtrack.”
“We’ll work on that.”
She slowed down and, spotting a parking space, she manoeuvred into.
“You know there’s no harm in you calling Jack,” Maggie said as she got out of the car.
And say what? That she missed him? “Come on, Joyce’s always fills up quickly. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss out on a table.” As they strode past Brilliant Baubles, Lexie glanced at the window display and made a mental note to drop in and have a proper look around. The antique store had always surprised her with its hidden treasures and always had new stock in.
“I guess I got the wrong idea about you two.”
Lexie didn’t want to agree or disagree. Only a short while before she’d decided she enjoyed having Jack as her fantasy. There was no harm in letting him weave his way into her conversations. Besides, they were going to remain friends and she was going to enjoy many cups of hot chocolate. “Jack’s busy putting the finishing touches to my own personal eyesore.”
“It brought you two together.”
“We’re not—” She sighed. “Okay. He texted me. But that doesn’t mean anything.”
“He has great shoulders. I could easily dream about them.”
“Please don’t.” Lexie stopped. “I’m… he’s…”
“Walk and talk. The aroma of coffee is wafting my way and making me delirious.”
“Jack’s my fantasy,” Lexie said as they rounded the corner and came up to Joyce’s Café. “Fantasize about someone else’s shoulders.”
“You’re staking proprietorial rights on his shoulders?”
“Just please don’t… don’t have fantasies about him.”
“But you can have the real thing.”
She stopped. “I’ve met his ex-fiancée. Trust me, I’m not in the running for anything, not even as a rebound girlfriend. She’s stunningly gorgeous. As in, catwalk beautiful. Tall. Elegant…” Yeah, she’d played her role as fake girlfriend. Now it was time to ease back down to earth and put everything into perspective.
Maggie pushed the door to the café open and strode in. “Mm. You should be careful whom you fantasize about. You might conjure him.”
Lexie chortled. “Yeah, right.”
Maggie smiled and hitched her head toward a table by the window. “My imagination must be playing tricks. I’m sure that’s Jack sipping a coffee.”
Chapter Nineteen
One look at Lexie and Jack could tell straight away she wanted to know what had possessed him to come all the way to Eden. Her eyes were narrowed, her lips parted as if in mild shock and disbelief. He’d expected some sort of surprised reaction. But if he had to be honest with himself, he’d really wanted to see some excitement. And if he shoveled his way to his innermost desires, he might even throw in wanting to see her lightly sprinting toward him. Instead, she moved as if in a trance and sunk down on the chair next to him.
“It’s Jack Riley’s doppelganger,” she said as her sister joined them and took the chair opposite Lexie.
“His evil twin. We should be careful.”
“Hello Lexie… Lulu.”
“He looks like him, sounds like him. He even knows our names.”
Lexie’s eyes widened. “Please tell me you haven’t come here for work.”
He took a sip of his coffee, his eyes dancing around her face. “There seems to be plenty of scope for expansion in Eden. I’ve only been here an hour and I’m already getting ideas. It’s like a blank canvas.”
“He’s more sinister than the real version.” Lexie shivered and looked around the café. “I think it’s our duty to warn everyone.”
Maggie grinned. “Start by telling Joyce. She’ll spread the word.”
Jack had left Melbourne at the crack of dawn, the long drive to Eden giving him plenty of time to think. Twice he’d considered turning right around and hopping back on to his regular schedule, but his gut had clenched in protest.
As a kid he’d spent hours watching old black and white movies with his grandfather and his favorite scenes had always been the toss of the coin turning points, the decisions that always took the characters away from a predictable outcome and set them on a road of adventure and discovery. Jack remembered edging closer to the TV and holding his breath as he’d urged the characters to run faster and hop on the moving train. Once on board, they’d always taken a few minutes to catch their breaths and then there’d been the inevitable question. What next?
He’d asked himself that when he’d arrived in Eden. Looking around the small town, he’d shaken his head and wondered how such an out of the way place could have produced someone as vibrant and colorful as Lexie Gardner.
“This is a rare sight.”
He looked up to see Joyce approaching.
The café owner had introduced herself earlier when he’d ordered his coffee. She’d been inquisitive, asking if he was on his way somewhere and had been surprisingly pleased to learn he’d come to Eden for a visit. Or at least that had been his interpretation of her bright smile.
“The Gardner sisters together. Is there something I should know about?”
Lexie bobbed her head from side to side and smiled. “The wind blew us here.”
“It must have been a hell of a gale to bring you back so soon. But how did you manage to entice Ma—”
“Lulu had some free time on her hands and she hasn’t been home in a while. And…” Lexie pointed at her heart dramatically, “I can’t get enough of the place.”
Jack leaned back in his chair. He’d made the mistake of thinking her sister was her roommate, Lulu McGee, and Lexie hadn’t corrected him. Now, she seemed determined to keep up the pretence, which made him wonder what was going on.
The café owner’s eyes jumped from Lexie to her sister and back to Lexie. “Okay. The more, the merrier. If you’re free tonight, we’re having a girls’ get together at The Gloriana.”
“We’ll be there,” Lulu/Maggie said.
Joyce’s eyebrows arched. “You will?”
“We’ll both go. And I love the winged eyeliner and absolutely everything you’re wearing.”
“Thank you. Ever since I found these two toned shoes, I’ve been in a 1940s time warp. I’m even doing the whole film thing, watching all these old Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn movies. I’ve got three lined up for our Friday movie night and we’re going with the martini time theme. If you’re still here, come along.”
“We’d love that, but do we have to—”
“Yes. Dress the part. Otherwise, it’s no fun.”
“Okay. We’ll have to raid the old trunks in the attic. I think mom kept some of grandfather’s Fedora hats.”
“That’s the spirit. So, how long are you gracing us with your presence this time?”
“A few days. We’re doing a bit of a freefall, wait and see.”
