by Ginny Baird
“Wait. You told her that?”
“That’s what you told me!”
“Mer. I was joking.”
“Well, I didn’t find it funny, Derrick. Not at all. I was itching all night.”
His lips twisted in smile. “I’m sorry I teased you about that, and more importantly about your career ambitions. That was uncalled for and rude, not to mention off the mark. I looked you up last night—”
Her mouth dropped open. “You looked me up?”
“Yeah,” he said, unabashed. “That’s actually what I was doing when you showed up—trying to find your contact information and demand you get the reporters off my back.” He waved that away when she opened her mouth to protest. “But last night, I was curious….and impressed.”
Her face warmed at the unexpected compliment. She couldn’t believe it. The guy was actually coming around. “Well…thanks, Derrick.”
He hung his head and then looked up. “I’m also sorry I called you contrary.”
“Which I’m not,” she teased on purpose.
“There you go!” he said, grinning.
Meredith giggled, then decided to accept his olive branch. “Honestly, I’m sorry, too. Sorry for being so contrary—yes, I admit it, don’t look at me like that—and for all those other things I said. I don’t want to be at odds with you.”
He studied her a moment and it felt like his opinion of her was shifting—for the better. “Thanks for those apologies, and also for apologizing about last summer.”
“Even if I didn’t apologize for all of it?”
“Hey. Neither did I.” He raked a hand through his hair. “You and I were something, huh? Guess we still are.”
She laughed. “Yeah. So different.”
He grinned. “Night and day.”
“Yin and yang!” She bit her lip when she realized this exchange was starting to sound flirty and she was seriously not going to flirt with Derrick. That would almost be like hitting on a client. Worse.
He cleared his throat. “In any case,” he said. “I don’t see why that means that we can’t work together.” He held out his hand. “Truce?”
She took his hand and shook it. “Truce.”
His eyes met hers and their handshake lingered just a second too long.
She had to get back to safe territory. Think. Think. Think. Bingo! Chaperone!
“Anyway!” she said, pulling back. “I think the guesthouse is a great solution for my aunt. I tried to suggest to Titi Clarita that she go to Bangor, but she refused.”
“What will she tell your folks if she moves over to my grandparents’ place?”
“Probably nothing about that.”
Derrick laughed. “O-kay. This sounds settled then. I’ll give Grandmother Margaret a call and ask her if she minds. But I’m sure she won’t.”
“Thanks, Derrick. You’re a prince.”
Okay. That sounded like flirting. She had to redirect.
“I mean, I know Olivia will think so when I get the two of you back together!”
He grinned, seeming wistful. “Can’t wait to see how you do it.”
Yeah. Me, too.
The sooner that was done the sooner Meredith could forget about this crazy-weird attraction she was developing for Derrick. She wasn’t sure when it had started. Sometime between their fender bender last summer and last night’s mutual bed-making, probably. The cradle-building revelation hadn’t helped much, either. But she knew when it had to end.
Right now.
She turned to go and nearly bumped into a narrow cabinet that was about three feet high. It had one long door with two tin plates in it, one placed above the other. Each plate was punched out in a pretty star pattern. “Ooh! What’s this?”
“That’s a pie safe. I’m making it for Grandmother.”
“For her to put pies in?”
He chuckled. “It’s what this piece of furniture is called because they were used that way once upon a time, yeah. To keep pies in while they were cooling. These days they’re mostly ornamental and used to store other things. My grandma mentioned she’s running out of cookbook space in her brownstone in Boston, so…”
“How nice. Is this for her birthday, or—”
He shook his head. “No special occasion.”
“Just because?” She stared up at him, a bit worried she looked doe-eyed. She couldn’t help it, though. It was hard not to admire him for caring for his niece and grandmother, and working so hard to surprise them.
“Just because.” He stepped closer and her heart fluttered.
He was so much more than she’d given him credit for. Talented. Thoughtful. Generous. If she’d known those things about him last summer, maybe she’d have fallen for him herself. Maybe on that dock in the moonlight she might have—
“There doesn’t always have to be a reason, Mer,” he said, his voice husky. “For doing something nice for someone else.” She could smell the scent of his aftershave, all woodsy and masculine. It washed over her like a steamy summer rain, awakening her senses.
“No.” She hated the fact that her lower lip quivered.
He searched her eyes. “Haven’t you ever had anyone do something special for you?”
“A couple of times,” she whispered.
“Only a couple? Hmm. You, Matchmaker Meredith, need to work on that.”
“There you are! Oh—” Titi Clarita stood in the open doorway taking them both in. It was only then that Meredith realized she and Derrick stood mere inches from each other, and that her chin angled up toward his.
“Titi Clarita!” she said, stepping back. “What are you doing?”
“Working my way up to a new wardrobe, apparently,” she said with a sweep of her hand. She gestured to her navy slacks and black ankle boots that were coated in muck. Her nautical navy-and-white striped top looked pristine, though, and she’d knotted a cranberry-colored cardigan around her shoulders, preppy style.
“Oh Titi Clarita,” Meredith said, but she was laughing. “I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
Titi Clarita laughed along with her. “Me, too!”
Meredith scanned her clothes. “What are you wearing?”
“My Blue Hill ensemble.” She did a little pirouette. “Do you like?”
“Very nice,” Derrick said.
Meredith giggled. “It’s awesome.”
Clarita frowned. “Was awesome. I guess I’ll need to swap out the bottom half for something else.” She surveyed Meredith’s muddy outfit and then turned to Derrick. “What have you two been up to out here?”
“Come on in,” he said in warm tones. “I’ll show you around.”
“I’d better head back to the cabin,” Meredith said, pointing that way. “And clean up.”
“See you in a bit,” Derrick said.
She glanced at him over her shoulder but he didn’t say anything further. He just gave her this barely perceptible smile that said he was no longer as perturbed with her as he’d once been. And, in fact, that he might actually be liking her a little.
Which was big-time dangerous in a major way.
Because, as she made her way back through the mud, Meredith realized that she was starting to like Derrick a little, too.
But liking was okay. Liking was good. Liking helped when you were working together.
She just needed to stay out of kissing range of the hotly desirable guy.
And get him lined up with his intended: Olivia.
ASAP.
She planned to work on that today.
Chapter Eleven
Curly-haired William wrapped his arms around Derrick, and patted his back. “Bro!” His brown eyes sparkled. “It’s been too long.”
“You got that part right,” Derrick said, hugging him back.
William’s pretty, dark-skin
ned wife Sofia one-arm-hugged Derrick, holding infant Julia against her other shoulder. She wore a tiny diamond stud on the left side of her nose. Her lean frame gave very little indication she’d recently had a baby. Maybe a testament to her going right back to work in her demanding job as a trial attorney, or the fact that she’d been a distance runner for as long as Derrick had known her. She’d only stopped running during her pregnancy, because she and William had experienced difficulties before and had decided to take every precaution.
It was easy to see how those precautions had paid off in one very adorable and healthy baby. The child gurgled, sounding all happy and scented of soap and baby shampoo. She really was a precious nugget with a coppery complexion, chubby cheeks, and huge dark eyes. Derrick could tell from how his big brother looked at her that William worshipped his little girl.
“Meredith!” William said, holding his arms wide. “Great to see you.”
“We heard you were here,” Sofia said, as Meredith greeted her and then introduced her aunt.
“Sofia, William, and Julia,” Meredith said, smiling down at the child. “This is my aunt Clarita Rincón.”
“How nice to meet you,” Sofia said.
William extended his hand. “We’re glad you could join us. Any friend of Derrick’s is a friend of ours.”
Sofia grinned at Meredith. “We just didn’t realize that you guys had gotten so close.”
“Oh no. It’s not that!”
William stared at Derrick, confused. “No?”
Derrick sucked in a breath. “Meredith is here on a mission.”
“Yes!” Clarita put in brightly. “Like an angel of mercy.”
“Well, I don’t know about an angel, Titi Clarita.” Meredith flushed. “We’ll explain everything to you in a bit,” she said to Sofia and William.
The couple nodded, then exchanged questioning glances.
“Meanwhile,” Meredith said, admiring Julia, “congratulations! She’s precious. How old?”
“Four months now,” Sofia said.
“Did I hear chatter out here?” Grandmother Margaret asked, striding into the hall. Grandpa Chad was close on her heels and they offered welcomes to everyone, including Clarita who thanked them for their hospitality.
After assuring Clarita they were glad to have her, Margaret reached for the infant.
“Do you mind?” she asked Sofia. “We haven’t seen her since she was born.”
“Of course,” Sofia said happily, passing the babe into Margaret’s arms.
“We have coffee in the kitchen if anyone would like some,” Grandpa Chad said. “Or, if anyone’s up for a Bloody Mary, I can ‘brew’ something stronger.”
The rest of them laughed.
“I’ll take coffee if you’ve got decaf,” Sofia said.
“We have both kinds,” Margaret told the group. “Help yourselves.”
As they filtered into the kitchen, Derrick waited for the ladies to enter first.
“Such a gentleman,” Meredith teased, peering over her shoulder.
“Ha.” Derrick grinned, knowing she was ribbing him for how he’d misbehaved last night, and maybe he deserved it. He was better prepared to mind his manners now. He and Meredith had called a truce in light of their greater objectives. She also had a lot more to offer than he’d thought—in the way of helping him with Olivia.
Clarita lowered her voice as she walked on ahead, but he could still make out her words as she whispered to Meredith, “Whatever happened to those Bloody Marys?”
…
A short time later, Meredith sat with the group at the large table in the dining room at the back of the house. Tall windows on two sides afforded beautiful views of Blue Hill Bay and the sunny weather.
“That was quite a storm we had last night,” Chad said.
“Yeah,” Meredith agreed. “It pretty much left everything soaked.”
“Margaret, this Quiche Lorraine is delicious.” Titi Clarita took a sip of her Blood Mary, appearing happy and relaxed, and Meredith smiled. Oh yeah, it was going to be easy getting her to stay in the guesthouse—particularly since it was gorgeous, cozy, and bedbug-free. Derrick had already cleared it with his grandparents.
William had been holding Julia who’d drifted off in his arms.
“Why don’t you let me take her and lay her down?” Sofia asked him. “You haven’t had a chance to touch your food.”
“I don’t mind,” William said, and Meredith felt a tug at her heartstrings. He clearly adored Julia and Sofia did, too. They were both going to be so surprised and pleased by Derrick’s gift. She could just feel it.
Then, Meredith began to feel something else. Like a sneaky little question that was forming in her brain, making her wonder about the sort of daddy Derrick would make. Would he be just as loving as his brother? Remembering the expression he’d had on his face when he’d shown her the cradle, Meredith was betting he would. Olivia was lucky to be getting such a great guy. Someone so kind, caring…sexy.
No. Wait. Full stop. Sexy for Olivia, not her.
She recalled Derrick emerging from his shower wearing nothing but a towel and her face felt hot. She took a sip of ice water, hoping he wouldn’t keep that up all week. She’d have to be tougher and avert her eyes or something. Focus on her computer and her matchmaking schemes.
And that big-money syndication deal. Yes. That.
“Mind it or not,” Sofia said to William. “You’ve got to keep your strength up, new Daddy.” She rose from her chair, gently prying Julia out of William’s arms. He passed the baby over with a tender smile and Sofia carried her to a portable crib in the next room.
“When are Brent and Hope getting here?” Derrick asked.
“The day after tomorrow,” Margaret said.
“That’s when Sally will come, too,” Chad added.
“Brent is Derrick’s brother,” Meredith explained to Clarita. “Hope is his wife.”
“Isn’t she the one with a twin?” Clarita asked, causing an uncomfortable silence to fall in the room.
“Uh, yeah,” Meredith said, shooting dagger-eyes at her aunt, who quietly mouthed Oh and took another sip of her drink.
“Sally’s our sister,” William explained for Clarita’s benefit.
“The youngest of the brood,” Margaret said. “And still no prospects.”
Sofia walked back into the room, then said in knowing tones, “Her day will come.”
“Sally and Sofia work together,” Chad told Clarita. “They run their own law practice.”
“How fabulous,” Clarita said. “Where?”
“In Bangor,” Sofia answered.
“I’m excited to see her again,” Meredith said, because it was true. Sally was so much fun. “Brent and Hope, too. As well as Parker and Elsa,” she said, mentioning the Albright kids’ parents. “Sofia, when are your folks coming?”
“On Saturday.”
“Elsa and Parker arrive then, too,” Margaret offered.
William was evidently a lot hungrier than he’d let on because he was really digging into his lunch. “It will be good to see everyone.”
“Yes.” Margaret smiled around the room. “Such a special occasion.”
Sofia turned to Meredith, once she’d settled herself back in at the table. “You were going to explain? About the angel of mercy?”
Meredith puffed up her lungs, gathering her courage. It was now or never, she supposed. She might as well get this part over with. “It’s about Derrick, actually,” she said, sending him a sheepish glance.
“What? Derrick?” William asked, staring at his brother.
“And his relationship with Olivia.”
Sofia dropped her fork and it clattered. She picked it up with delicate fingers, setting it on the side of her plate. “Derrick’s Olivia?”
“Derrick’s former
Olivia,” Grandmother Margaret corrected.
“Meredith’s a professional matchmaker,” Derrick said.
“Yeah,” William said. “I recall that.”
“And very good at her job,” Margaret supplied.
Chad held up a finger. “So good, she can work miracles.”
Next, Clarita rushed in. “Just like an angel of mercy!”
“Wait a minute.” Sofia waved her hand. “What are you guys trying to tell us?”
William put it together. “No. Way.” He leaned toward Derrick who sat beside him. “You want her back?”
Derrick pursed his lips. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Yeah, I think maybe I do.”
“Whoa, bro.” William rubbed the side of his neck. “I had no clue you were still hung up on her.”
“Truthfully? I hadn’t, either. I guess somewhere deep inside I’ve always wondered whether it just hadn’t been the right time.” Derrick met William’s and Sofia’s confused gazes. “Think about it, guys. Olivia and I were perfect for each other.”
Sofia’s mouth dropped open. “You fought like cats and dogs.”
“Yeah, but that was before,” Derrick said.
Clarita nodded like she was an expert on the situation. “When they were much younger.”
Tension built in the air and Sofia surveyed the room.
“So, what…exactly’s going on now?” she asked the group.
“We were thinking it would be nice,” Margaret said, taking the lead and Meredith wanted to hug her for it. “If Olivia could come to the christening.”
“But, only if it’s okay with you!” Meredith said hastily. “Not at all if it would make anyone uncomfortable, or ruin the special occasion.”
“Absolutely,” Derrick said. “This is your day, and Julia’s.”
Sofia reflected a moment and stared at the ceiling, moisture glistening in her eyes. She dabbed them with her napkin. “I always felt so bad about what happened with Olivia.”
“I never said you had to choose,” Derrick said hoarsely.
