Love on the Lake Boxed Set

by Amy Gamet

  Edward stood up when Jed approached. “Hello, son.”

  “Edward.”

  “I was just helping Rafael monitor some late-season blight. Bonnie calls it tinkering in the field.” He chuckled.

  “She told me you sold your company.”

  He nodded. “Best decision I ever made.”

  “Never thought you’d do it.”

  “It was too important to me. It was all I had because I couldn’t let myself see anything else. Then I had a heart attack.”

  Jed raised his eyebrows. “When was this?”

  “August. Scared the bejeezus out of me.”

  “You should have told me.”

  Edward frowned. “Not an easy phone call to make, especially when you I hadn’t spoken in so long. Anyway, I was back at my desk in less than a month, but now it looked more like a prison cell than anything good. So I got up and I walked right back out again. Sold the company, rented an RV…”

  “You rented an RV?”

  “I know, it’s hard to picture, isn’t it? Your old man driving a Winnebago.” He laughed. “It was a dream of your mother’s when we were young. I never forgot it, almost like it was a trip I needed to take for her.”

  Jed raised his chin at the mention of his mother, but let the feelings slide over his back. He hadn’t come here today to talk about the past.

  “I met Bonnie six months later, and I’ve never looked back.”

  “I need something,” said Jed. “Sell me the shares of Trainor Enterprises Mom left you in her will.”

  Edward narrowed his eyes. “Someone’s got you over a barrel.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “When you were growing up, I always wished we had something in common. Something to talk about. When I’d see you, it was always so uncomfortable. Now here you are, a successful businessman. Owner of your own company, just like I was. We’ve never had more in common, and we’ve never been less inclined to share information.”

  “It’s a little late for bonding, don’t you think?”

  “Your mother didn’t think so. She wanted us to have a relationship, son. That’s why she gave me those shares you’re biting at the bit to get ahold of. She knew by giving me a piece of your company, she was ensuring we would cross paths, that you’d have to talk to me someday, let me back in your life.”

  “I’ll give you five point two million.”

  “You can have them. This was never about money.”

  “If you won’t take my money, I won’t take the shares.”

  “Stop being so stubborn, boy. Don’t you see? I want to be there for you. I want to help.”

  Jed pointed his finger at his father. “You were never there for me. Not ever. I’ll be damned if I let you just waltz right in and be there now. I gave those shares to Mom for her security, to take care of her, something you never did. I gave her those shares because I loved her, and I won’t let you use them like some sort of gesture.”

  “That’s awful thick-headed of you.”

  “I learned from the best.”

  Edward nodded. “I was thinking it was the kind of stupid thing I would do.” He spit on the ground. “I want a chance to do the right thing, Jed. For once in my life. Won’t you give me that chance?”

  Emotions Jed didn’t even know he still possessed came rising to the surface in a powerful wave. He was sixteen again, watching his mother cry at the kitchen table when she thought no one was looking. He was ten, the only boy on the football team without his dad on the sidelines.

  “I gave you plenty of chances, and you blew every last one.” He forced down the other words that wanted to come, the litany of offenses Edward Trainor had committed against his son and ex-wife. Jed began to walk away, yelling over his shoulder, “I’ll have my lawyer call you about the sale. Not a penny less than five point two.”

  * * *

  Tori changed the attachment on the flex shaft and began polishing her mother’s ring for the final time. All the stones had been set, the metal as perfect as Tori could make it, and now it was time for the glory.

  Turning her music up louder, she put on her safety goggles and got to work, singing along with the words.

  She was in a bad mood. The shop had been busy the last two days, yet she’d barely made enough money to pay her student loan, no less her mortgage. It seemed all of her efforts were falling short of where they needed to be in order to save Tori’s Treasures.

  At least the plans for the wedding reception were all but finalized, and she’d even managed to sneak into Syracuse and buy herself a dress for her mother’s wedding. On credit, of course.

  “Your treasure hunt is a sensation!” yelled her mother, not six inches from Tori’s ear, making her jump a mile and whip off her goggles.

  “Mom, you can’t do that,” Tori snapped, exasperated.

  “Oh, my goodness. Is that my ring?” Bonnie bent over to see it clearly, an astonished sigh coming out of her mouth. “It’s so beautiful, Tori.”

  Pride at her mother’s words made her smile. “You like it?”

  Her mother began to giggle, even as her eyes filled up with tears. “I love it, sweetheart. It’s absolutely perfect.”

  Tori took the ring out of the vise and handed it to her mom, who quickly slipped it on her finger.

  “You’ve always had such talent,” said Bonnie. “I’m so proud of you.”

  A knot formed in Tori’s throat. “That’s the second time you’ve said that this week.” A long overdue conversation hovered on her lips. “I always thought you thought I was a screw-up.”

  Her mother squatted down next to her. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because you always pointed out what I was doing wrong. That I never had a plan. Whatever I did, I could have done better. Whatever I picked, I could have chosen better. Like I was never good enough for you.”

  Bonnie touched Tori’s hand. “You’re an artist. My gypsy. Surely, I thought you’d be happier, and be more likely to get the things you wanted in life if you would learn to plan for the future. But I never once thought you were anything but my sweet, perfect girl.”

  Tori tried to hold back tears. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’ve made this wedding very special for me. Do you know that? From the rings, to the decorations and the flowers, the whole reception. You did everything, all while you were struggling with your own business.”

  Tori’s mouth fell open. “How did you know?”

  “Melanie might have mentioned something when I ran into her in town yesterday.” She picked up Tori’s hand. “You could have told me yourself. I would have helped you with anything.”

  “I know, Mom.”

  “And instead, I gave you a mountain of work to do on top of it. I’m sorry for being so selfish.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re the opposite of selfish. You’ve taken care of me and the winery all these years by yourself. I’m the one who never even noticed you were lonely.”

  Bonnie opened her arms and Tori leaned in for a tight squeeze.

  “I had to park in the street,” said Bonnie. “Your parking lot is full.”

  “I think I love that. Say it again.”

  “Your parking lot is full.” She smiled, her eyes shining. “Is there anything I can do to help you, honey? Anything at all with your shop, or the wedding?”

  She needed money, but she couldn’t ask her mother for that. It was such a relief just to be asked the question, to know she was cared for, to know there was someone she could lean on who knew the truth. “I don’t think so.”

  “Well if you think of anything, you let me know. I’m going to head home. Gabe’s girlfriend is coming in tonight, and I need to go shopping.”

  Gabe’s girlfriend.

  The moment of truth was quickly approaching. Would Gabe show any interest in Tori at all, or would Tori be cast completely aside in the shadow of this mystery woman?

  She took a deep breath. Jed would be there. He would protect her, keep her
from feeling like she was hanging onto the edge of a very tall building. For that she was grateful, even if her own feelings for Jed were terribly confusing.

  “Do you want to come over and meet her?” asked Bonnie.

  Over my dead body.

  “No thanks, I have a lot to do. I’m just going to grab some take-out so I can finish up these rings.”

  “All right, then.” Her mother smiled. “I love them so, Tori. Thanks again.”

  * * *

  The line outside the Chinese restaurant was long, but at least it wasn’t another cheeseburger. Jed could hardly wait to get home and cook himself a decent meal after two weeks of eating take-out.

  He spotted Tori walking toward him and smiled when she headed for the Chinese food line. “Great minds think alike.”

  “This line is ridiculous,” she said. “Did you call in your order?”

  “No, I was just walking around looking for something different to eat. I thought you had a lot to do.”

  She put her hands in her pockets. “Yeah, well, that didn’t include cooking dinner.”

  “I passed an Italian place back that way. Care to join me?”

  She cringed. “I’ve really got to get home.”

  “Tori, are you avoiding me?”

  “No, of course not.”

  Jed narrowed his eyes. “I think you are.”

  “Okay, fine. I’ll join you for dinner, but we can’t stay out too long.”

  “Deal.” They started walking. “How was the rest of your day?” he asked.

  “You know, it was actually pretty great. I mended some fences with my mother that have been broken for a really long time. How about you?”

  “I trashed some fences. Broke some pickets, that sort of thing.”

  “Seriously?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right. Let’s talk about something else. How’s your treasure hunt going?”

  She groaned. “Pass.”

  “Really? I thought it was going well?”

  “I won’t talk about your family if you don’t talk about my treasure hunt.”

  “Deal.” He held open the restaurant door for her, and they were seated at a table with a view of the sun setting over the lake. He ordered a bottle of wine. “Let’s see. We’re not talking about anything that matters, so…small talk. Did you start out wanting to design jewelry?”

  Tori snickered. “That’s the best you can do?”

  “Give me a little credit here. I’m trying.”

  “It’s like a bad blind date.”

  “Hey, I’m every blind date’s dream.”

  She smiled. “Nightmare, is more like it.”

  “Play nice.”

  She sighed. “Yes, I always wanted to design jewelry.”

  He gestured for her to continue.

  “I don’t know, it was never a conscious choice. When I was little, I would use any materials I could find. Coins, leaves, pipe cleaners. In elementary school, I made a necklace out of dental floss and Cheerios.”

  “Did you eat it?”

  The waiter poured her wine and she took a sip. “I sold it to Heidi Homuth for ten bucks.”

  “An entrepreneur, even then.”

  “That’s when my parents realized I was serious. They started to buy me real supplies. Basic stuff at first. Wire and beads. Sheets of metal. I used my dad’s tools for everything. It just sort of evolved from there. Now I have a degree in metalworking and jewelry design. Your turn. Did you always know you wanted to go into business?”

  “I wanted to do what my father did, and be better at it than him.”

  “Why?”

  He picked up his glass and swirled his wine in a circle. “To show him he’d made a mistake when he decided I wasn’t worth his time.” He met her eyes. “Too honest?”

  “You can never be too honest.”

  It occurred to him that he hadn’t put that thought into words before, though he suspected he’d known it all along. Tori did that to him, made him want to show her who he really was, and the realization was a little frightening.

  “How come you and Gabe don’t get along?” she asked.

  “That’s a long story.”

  She smiled sweetly. “I’ve got all night.”

  “No you don’t.”

  “Oh, right.”

  “Anyway, it’s a long, personal story.”

  “Never too honest.”

  “There is such a thing, you know,” he said. “Too honest. Some things belong in the past.”

  “Only things we haven’t made peace with. And they never really stay in the past, do they? They just keep coming in like the tide.”

  He pursed his lips. “It was a woman,” he said, carefully gauging her reaction.

  “I figured it must be. Only a woman could split up two brothers.”

  “Half brothers.”

  “But you loved him like a brother, before.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “How do you know that?”

  “For all your ‘I don’t care’ rigmarole, I think he hurt you.” She tilted her head, indicating the other side of the restaurant. “And I can see on his face how much he misses you.”

  Jed turned around, and Gabe was indeed sitting behind him, with a woman who must be his girlfriend. Gabe tentatively held up a hand in a wave, and Jed’s fingers twitched, but remained in his lap.

  He did miss his brother, more than he would admit to anyone. Aside from his mom, Gabe was the only other person Jed considered family. Maybe Tori was right, and it was time to make peace with what Gabe had done. Jed raised his hand to acknowledge his brother, just as the woman Gabe was with turned around.

  The room seemed to stretch into one long tunnel, his former fiancé at the end of it all.

  Evelyn.

  Noises grew louder, talking and laughter. She was staring at him, her eyes full of some emotion he didn’t want to see. He looked back to his brother, the accusation screaming from his stare.

  How could you?

  “Jed, what is it?” asked Tori.

  He snapped his head back around. “What? Nothing.”

  “Your face is all red. What just happened?”

  “Nothing.” He signaled the waiter walking by. “Check please.”

  “That’s not our waiter, Jed. Are you okay?”

  “Of course I am. I’m fine.” He had to get out of here. Had to avoid the scene that was already unfolding, the confrontation he had no desire to be a part of.

  “That woman must be Gabe’s girlfriend. Have you met her before?”

  Jed counted out cash, enough to cover the wine and then some, propping it between two glasses as he stood. “Let’s go.”

  “Wait, I’m not done with my wine, and I think your brother’s coming over to say hi.”

  “I don’t want to talk to him.”

  Tori stared at him. “You’re being rude. Sit down.”

  He sat back down and stared into Tori’s eyes, not facing Gabe and Evelyn, though he could sense their approach like an oncoming train.

  A hand rested on his shoulder. “Jed?”

  He didn’t turn toward Evelyn, only stared at Tori’s confused, beautiful features. The face of an angel. “Tori…” he began.

  “Hi,” said the woman, moving on from Jed to offer her hand to Tori. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Evelyn. I used to be Jed’s fiancé.”

  * * *

  Jed was seething, his voice rising in an angry bark. “You had no right to bring her here.” He’d gone to bed last night in a rage over Evelyn’s appearance in Moon Lake, and woken the same, seeking out his brother to give him a piece of his mind.

  Gabe hoisted a bright green kayak over his head and carried it past Jed, setting it down on the rocky shore of the lake. “You should listen to what she has to say.”

  “Don’t you tell me what I should do. You’re the reason for this whole mess. If you’d kept your dick in your pants and your hands off my woman
, this never would have happened.”

  “Like you’re keeping your hands off my woman?”

  Jed narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “Tori.”

  “She never belonged to you.”

  Gabe raised his chin. “Like hell she didn’t. We were an item that summer, she and I. I cared about her.”

  Jed scoffed. “You’ve never cared about anybody in your life.”

  “I make one mistake, and you write me off like a dead man.”

  “You slept with my fiancé. It’s not like you borrowed my car without asking. You screwed up my life just to prove you could do it.”

  “It wasn’t like that, man.”

  The fingers of Jed’s hands curled into fists, the muscles of his arms flexing of their own volition. “Tell me then,” he said quietly. “Tell me what it was like to screw the woman I was going to marry.”

  Gabe ran a hand through his hair. “She was upset.”

  “So you decided to calm her down.” Jed took a step toward his brother and punched him in the jaw with one quick jab. It felt good to do it, his self-righteous fury finding purchase where it belonged.

  Gabe worked to get to a stand. “It was all your fault. She knew you didn’t love her. That’s why she came to me. She confronted you and begged you to say it, but you just couldn’t do it, could you?”

  “Shut up.”

  Gabe pushed him, hard. “You’re the one who sent her running, straight into my bed.”

  Jed came back at him and gave him a solid punch to the gut, doubling him over. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, little brother.”

  Gabe came up swinging, crashing into Jed’s cheek with his elbow. Stars burst into Jed’s field of vision, an explosion of pain. Gabe leaned into Jed’s face as he spoke. “How does it feel to know you brought it all upon yourself? That you send everyone who loves you screaming out of your life?”

  Jed swiped at his cheek and his forearm came away bloody. “Evelyn is the one who did this.” He glared at his half-brother. “Evelyn and you.” He swung his leg up in a sharp kick to Gabe’s side, making the other man cry out.

  “Screw you, Jed.” Gabe came at him, fists flying, landing several punches to Jed’s body before Jed got hold of him and threw him off.