He chuckled. “Adam has an interesting way of phrasing things.”
“He’s at a cute age.”
“I don’t get to put anyone to sleep until later this morning, so I thought I’d return your casserole dish. It was so good that I’d like to take you out to dinner this Friday.”
She lifted her eyes from the casserole dish to look at Ben. “That’s sweet of you. I’ll let you know soon if I can go on Friday.” She pushed her chair away from the table. “You have to eat one of Regan’s cinnamon rolls. They’re delicious. Are you a coffee drinker?”
“Yes, I’d like coffee and a roll. Thank you,” he said as she stood.
“I’ll even share my paper with you.” She turned at the patio door, holding her empty cup. “I forgot to ask you. How do you like your coffee?”
“Black, please. I’ll just follow you.”
While she got a cup out of the cupboard for Ben, he set down the casserole dish on the counter. She carried the plate of cinnamon rolls, and Ben carried their cups of steaming coffee to the patio.
After Ben swallowed a mouthful of roll, he said, “You were right. This is delicious.” He sipped his coffee. “I came over to tell you something you and your sisters might be interested in for a business.”
She looked into his brown eyes. “What is it?”
“My friends own a small lake house with rooms to rent plus they have several rental cabins. They want to retire so plan on putting their property on the market. There are some neat trails for hiking. I told them you might be interested.”
“I love to hike. My husband and I used to go hiking all the time. Have you hiked at this place?”
He nodded. “I’ve gone hiking there several times. I can take you sometime if you’d like to see it. It’s only about thirty minutes from here.”
While discussing businesses with her sisters, they’d talked about buying a resort place. She’d call her sisters later and see if they’d want to go see it. “Regan and Shannon looked at the ads to see if anyone had a business like this for sale. Do they have a website I could look at first?”
“Glad you asked.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his shirt pocket. “Here’s their website link. And their names and email address. If you’re interested, they can email you their income for the past year.”
She glanced at the paper and read Wild Blossom Lake House. “I’ve never heard of it, but I was away from this area for a long time. I stayed in New York after I graduated from college.”
“They’ve owned it for several years. I’m not sure exactly how long.”
“Are they open year round?”
Ben nodded. “Yes. They get people to come in the winter by having special events. They have a yearly card tournament in February. And other stuff going on.”
She sipped her coffee. “We talked about running a seasonal lake resort after I mentioned a bed and breakfast. Regan and Shannon didn’t want to run a bed and breakfast year round, and thought a resort would be better if it was open six months a year instead.”
“You could probably arrange to do it on a seasonal basis.”
“I could move to the lake house. Regan and Casey want to buy this house.”
He frowned. “Now I regret saying anything about the lake house. I don’t want to lose you as a neighbor.”
She laughed. “I’m sure you can still swim in the pool. And you can visit me at the lake house. It just won’t be as convenient.”
He rubbed his finger around the rim of his mug. “Regan told me about your husband. I saw her at the zoo with Lily and Casey. I’m very sorry. I enjoyed his nightly reporting on the war.”
She’d watched a DVD of Rob’s best segments just last night. In her mind, she saw him standing tall and straight. Her chest tightened at the thought of how he was blown to bits. Why did he have to die like that? “He definitely had a presence. I miss him but being with my sisters has helped.”
“Now that you aren’t taking care of your mother, maybe you can pursue some hobbies you used to enjoy,” he said kindly.
“I can’t think of anything. Producing The Bold News took a lot of my time before I came home.”
“Maybe you can learn how to fly. I enjoy flying in my spare time. I’d like to take you flying sometime.”
She shifted in her chair. “I don’t know. I hate flying.”
He set his cup down on the table. “Since I bombed on the flying offer, I better think of something more than dinner and a resort for sale.”
“I’ve never dated an anesthesiologist who is also a pilot.” She wiped her lips with a napkin. “I might be free for dinner on Friday.” Whitney looked up and immediately her heart raced at the intensity of his gaze.
He glanced at his watch. “I’ll call you later. I need to leave soon for work.”
After saying good-bye, she watched him as he walked away. She’d actually flirted with Ben. She hadn’t done that for a long time. Regan and Shannon would be pleased when she told them she liked Ben enough to consider going to dinner with him, but was she betraying Rob? He still felt like her husband. She couldn’t imagine being with another man. Although she might consider dating Jack. There was something about his voice that was exciting but reassuring at the same time.
But could she ever fall in love with Jack or Ben when letting completely go of Rob might be impossible for her to do?
Chapter Five
Two hours after Ben left, Whitney held the phone in her hand, trying to decide whether to call Jack. For some reason, he intrigued her. The sudden ringing startled her and she was pleased to see it was the very man she’d been thinking of.
“Hi. I can’t believe it. I was getting ready to call you.”
“I can hang up so you can call me.”
She laughed. “No, that’s okay.”
“What’s up?”
“My sisters are coming over soon, but I just felt like talking to you.” She wouldn’t mention that she’d already spoken to one guy and in person even. Perhaps, it was time to meet Jack.
“That’s good. Has Regan mentioned her dinner? She’s a great cook, but the main thing I’m interested in is meeting you.”
“I’m glad I rate above Regan’s cooking. I’m afraid Casey’s will be at the fire station during this weekend, so it’s not going to happen yet.”
Chuckling, Jack said, “I don’t mind being the only guy among beautiful women.”
“How do you know I’m beautiful? What did Casey say?”
“He wasn’t much help. But, I figure Regan is attractive and you’re her sister. Do you have auburn hair like Regan?”
“No. It’s dark brown.”
“That’s my favorite color of hair on women.”
“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to change my hair color.”
“So how about meeting at a coffee house this week? Or at a restaurant? We could go out to dinner. I don’t want to wait on Regan’s dinner to meet you.”
“Regan seems to have a lot going on during the week with planning a brunch for the teachers at Lily’s school. How about coffee on Wednesday after you get off work?” She couldn’t put it off any longer. She wanted to meet the guy behind the sexy voice.
He sighed. “I can’t. I’m working a double shift.”
“That doesn’t sound fun.” She heard her sisters’ voices approaching the door. “I’m sure we’ll meet before we are old and gray. Shannon and Regan are here now, so I’ll talk to you later.”
“I look forward to that. Bye, Whitney.”
She hung up the phone as Regan and Shannon came through the door.
After both Shannon and Regan poured coffee, they sat at the table with Whitney. Regan’s long fingers tapped the table for several minutes, and tension radiated from her. Finally, she jumped up and started scrubbing the countertop.
Whitney exchanged a look with Shannon. Whenever Regan got upset, she became super interested in cleaning. Watching Regan attack the kitchen counter with a vengeance meant she was pretty irritated. Her gues
s would be it was Casey’s job since he’d returned to work early this morning.
“Regan, I only spilled a little coffee on the counter,” Shannon said apologetically.
“If you want to clean another room, feel free to do it.” Whitney sipped her coffee, deciding not to ask her what was wrong. Maybe she needed a few minutes before spilling her guts to them.
Regan exhaled a deep breath and threw the dishrag in the sink. “I witnessed something that shocked me.”
“What happened?” Whitney leaned forward in her chair, worried now.
“Lily wanted to stop and see Casey this morning before school. When we walked into the fire station, I saw Casey pat his comrade’s butt. And it wasn’t a guy’s behind, but the gorgeous female firefighter, Anna. And get this. Anna had a bikini on for a calendar photo.”
Shannon gave Regan a thoughtful look. “I see why you were anxious for us to get together today. I don’t know what to say. If Anna had swatted Casey’s behind, I’d definitely say she was coming on to him. But Casey doing it probably doesn’t mean anything.”
“If Casey had done this while she was in the heavy fire suits they wear, I’d think he was hitting her butt like he would a guy comrade.” Whitney paused for a moment. “But Anna being in a bikini when he did it bothers me. Did you get to talk to Casey about it?”
Regan nodded and sat across the table from Whitney. “He said it was a ‘brotherly tap’.”
“Well,” Shannon said, “we didn’t have brothers, but I’ve never seen Brandon pat Caitlyn’s behind.”
Regan’s green eyes widened. “Oh my gosh. I forgot to tell you Anna definitely looked at Casey with desire in her eyes.”
Shannon shrugged. “Actually a lot of women seem to look at Casey like they want to jump him. He’s not only attractive but he has all this charisma. I wonder sometimes if it’s because he’s so comfortable in what he does everyday. Saving people from burning buildings has to be an ego booster.”
Whitney pushed her long bangs to the side of her face. “Shannon’s right. Anna’s not the first woman to find Casey attractive. You’ve complained before how the women make all kinds of lurid comments to Casey when you two go out. And how they don’t even seem to care you’re right there. Unfortunately, Casey’s a babe magnet.”
“I would have to be married to a hot guy,” Regan said. “I’ve seen women turn and stare at Casey too many times. Thank God, he never seems to notice their jaws dropping at the sight of him. I wouldn’t be surprised if someday a woman starts a fire just to have Casey carry her out of a burning building.”
“How did Casey look at Anna?” Whitney asked.
“I didn’t see him give her any kind of a look because he saw me. I know he seemed sincere about it being a brotherly thing, and he gave me a shut up kind of kiss.”
Shannon grinned. “I love those. I ramble on sometimes so Tim will grab me and plant a kiss on my lips to shut me up about something he doesn’t want to discuss.”
Regan nodded. “Casey took my breath away with his kiss this morning. When you think about it, there are several kinds of kisses when you’re married or in a committed relationship of some kind. I like to think of the yearning for sex type of kiss. Those kisses are the best. I’d say Casey’s shut up kiss was a borderline wanting sex type one. He had to pull back because we were in the parking lot.” She sighed.
Shannon groaned. “Great. You’re going to complain how you don’t get enough sex because he’s not home every night.”
“Hey, not this time,” Regan said. “Let me finish about kisses. I’m on a roll here. There’s the routine kiss. It’s a quick brush on the lips when one or both of you are leaving for work or going some place. Usually there’s brief eye contact with it so it makes it a bit meaningful. And there’s an absentminded kiss which is in a separate category from the routine kiss because the giver isn’t aware of it. And might not even remember giving it because it’s automatic. There’s the—”
“Back up a moment,” Whitney cut in to stop Regan. “The routine kiss isn’t going to happen when Casey leaves for work. He’s gone longer than an eight hour work day. It was the same with Rob. When he left for an assignment, it was never a routine kiss but a heartbreaking type of kiss. He knew it’d be long before we were together again. The last time he left before he died, his kisses and lovemaking were especially poignant and sweet.” She moved slightly in her chair. “But what I’ve replayed in my mind hundreds of times is what he did the last time I saw him alive. He walked away to board the plane, but came back and said he loved me so much. Then he gave me this kiss I’ll never forget. After that kiss, I clutched him tightly and told him how much I loved him.”
Her voice almost failed her as she tried to explain that last moment with her husband. The lump in her throat nearly choked her. Tears rolled down Whitney’s face. Regan grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze while Shannon rubbed her back.
“Whit, I’m sorry for mentioning kisses,” Regan said softly. “I’m an idiot.”
Whitney shook her head. “Never be sorry for mentioning loving Casey and his kisses.”
“Honey, feel free to talk to us about Rob,” Shannon said. “You came home to take care of Mom so soon after he died. You never had enough time to grieve properly.”
“Actually I did.” She sniffed and blew her nose on a tissue Shannon gave her. “I never would have made it without Mom. She told me how she felt after Daddy died and how she made it through each day without him. She said how much she wanted to die at first because the pain was so great, but she had to focus on all of us and her grandchildren.”
“She was our rock after Daddy died,” Shannon said.
“Mom told me not to fight my memories of Rob,” Whitney continued, “but to put them away sometimes for survival. She said to remember he’d want me to live life to the fullest. She was right; Rob was that kind of person.”
“Pretty neat,” Regan said. “You left your job to help Mom and she was able to help you. I thought about her after I left Lily off at school and wished I could ask her for advice.”
“We aren’t Mom but I’m glad you told us about what happened.” Shannon glanced at Regan. “One thing even though the tramp had a bikini on, you look pretty hot yourself in your outfit. I can see why Casey gave you some amazing kisses.”
Whitney nodded, looking at Regan’s small plaid and tight capri pants and form fitting deep blue top. “You look great.” She paused for a moment. “Sorry to change the topic, but Molly called me this morning about taking my old job again.”
“You can’t leave us,” Regan said firmly.
“I don’t want you to go back to New York, but have you seen that show recently? It was so much better when you produced it. What did you tell her?” Shannon asked.
“I told her no. I also said that I was going into business with my sisters.” She could stop there, and not have to listen to their opinion on dating, but Whitney figured she might as well tell them everything. “Ben came over not long after Molly called. He asked me out for Friday night.”
“Woohoo,” Regan shouted. “There’s hope yet for our little sister.”
Whitney rolled her eyes at them. “I didn’t say I would. I just don’t know about going out with Ben.”
“You have to be kidding,” Shannon said in an indignant voice. “A hot and educated guy asks you out and you haven’t said yes yet.”
“I want to but I still feel married to Rob.”
“Maybe you should take your rings off so you won’t feel like you’re cheating on Rob,” Regan said quietly.
She looked down at her silver wedding band and diamond engagement ring. The idea of taking off the rings, the symbols of their marriage, made her heart hurt but she understood what her sisters meant. “Maybe you’re right and I should.”
“You could ease into it gradually and just put your wedding band away for now,” Shannon suggested. “And move your engagement ring to your right hand.”
Regan said, “It might help
so it won’t be as traumatic.”
Whitney folded her hands in her lap, not wanting to make the decision right then and there. “Ben also told me about his friends wanting to sell their lake resort place,” she continued, hoping to switch the subject. “It might be something we could do together. Are you interested in seeing it?”
“How big is it?” Regan stood. “I’m going to make a fresh pot of coffee.”
“I’m hungry. I didn’t eat any breakfast.” Shannon opened the refrigerator and after she glanced at the lack of food in it, she turned to Whitney. “Girl, you need to go to the store.”
Whitney grinned at both sisters. “You know, I can drive a car and wouldn’t mind talking about our business at your houses sometimes.”
Shannon shut the refrigerator door. “I guess we were used to coming here to see Mom when she was ill. It seems natural to me, but I have to admit it’s hard sometimes because I keep expecting to see her.”
“I always stop here from habit too,” Regan said over her shoulder as she rinsed the coffeepot. “Both of you come to my house the next time, and I’ll have something yummy to eat.”
Whitney opened the breadbox, pulling out the leftover cinnamon rolls. “Enjoy one of Regan’s rolls with your coffee.”
“Thanks.” Shannon took a roll.
“I think the lake house has possibilities. Ben said it’s small but has some rooms to rent plus they have rental cabins. It’s only thirty minutes from here. They haven’t put it on the market yet but definitely want to retire. The only thing is we only have two weeks left in April, so I’m guessing they aren’t selling until after their busy summer season. ”
Shannon leaned against the counter. “I’m not teaching any college courses this summer because I was hoping we’d be starting our business by then.”
Regan finished making the coffee, the machine already popping with the next pot, and shoved her hands in her pockets. “Did Ben say how soon they want to sell it?”
Whitney shook her head. “No. Another thing is they’ve always had the resort open year round but we don’t have to. I could live there and the house can be yours and Casey’s.”
Whitney in Charge Page 5
