The Emerald Hills Collection

by Judith Post

  "Six?" he asked.

  "I'll be ready."

  The rest of the day went quickly, busy as usual. She scolded herself when she found herself glancing at the clock, looking forward to when Nate would arrive. Get a grip, girl. It was only so that they could talk about Midu and the threat she was facing, she told herself. But she knew she was lying. It would be fun to go out with him tonight. She hadn't been on a date for too long. She needed to start having some fun again.

  When he pulled to the curb in front of her shoppe, she glanced at her reflection in the candy counter. She'd worn a flirty skirt today with a snug, short-sleeved T-shirt. She'd switched out of the gym shoes that supported her arches to a pair of sandals with a flower on top. She'd even applied some lipstick.

  Nate strode through the door and whistled when he saw her. "You clean up good."

  Heat climbed her throat and cheeks. "I only changed shoes and put on some lipstick." Her tone sounded defensive, and she tried to calm her nerves.

  He grinned. "Then I bet you had a lot of happy customers. Come on. Sheri's cooking for us tonight."

  Her heart sank. She loved Sheri, but she'd been hoping to have Nate to herself. She kicked herself for that thought. Sheri might have some new insights that would help Midu. She sure wasn't coming up with anything brilliant by herself.

  * * *

  Sheri lived in the residential area of Emerald Hills, across the bridge from the business section. This part of town was hillier and greener than the shop area and made up of every variety of old homes—Victorians, Tudors, the occasional Gothic or Colonial. Stately, old trees lined the streets, and magnolias and azaleas bloomed in front yards. Nate parked in the side driveway of Sheri's brick, Queen Anne-style house. Sheri was waiting on the wrap-around, front porch for them.

  "There you are! Two of my favorite people. Come on up and have a seat."

  Tana smiled. She didn't know if there was a soul in the world who wasn't one of Sheri's favorite people. The woman loved each and every one of her high school, music students. She loved the members of her church, everyone in town, and probably any tourist she met. Tana couldn't think of anyone with more energy and joy of life.

  Sheri motioned toward a pitcher of lemonade and several, tall glasses on a tray on her wicker table. "Help yourselves. And thank you for the orange peels, Nate. Tana, they were as delicious as always."

  Nate poured the drinks and passed them around, then settled onto the wicker settee next to Tana. His arm brushed hers, but he didn't move it. He appeared completely comfortable, bumping up against her.

  No big deal, Tana told herself. But her skin felt like it was on fire. Her mouth went dry. She took a quick gulp of lemonade.

  Nate stretched his long legs in front of him, and his thigh pressed against hers. She wanted to jerk away, but how obvious would that look? He seemed oblivious, so she tried to do the same. It's not like they were flirting or dating, or even interested in each other.

  Sheri leaned forward. "Now, tell me about Midu. And explain to me what you're going to do to help her."

  Nate told her about the photos he'd taken and the man giving her the bottle of tainted water at her farm stand.

  Sheri tapped her chin with her forefinger. Maybe a musical thing, always keeping rhythm to her thoughts. "And how long will you be here, Nattie?"

  "Nattie?" Tana glanced sideways at her companion.

  Nate grimaced. "I had a thing for James Fenimore Cooper's books when I was younger. You know, Nattie Bumpo, the pioneer who knew the Indians and their ways."

  Sheri chuckled. "He wanted to explore from the time he took his first step. It's in his blood."

  "It used to drive my parents nuts," Nate agreed. "But lately, I've been thinking I'd like a base somewhere, a place to call my own."

  Sheri's eyes twinkled—the same sky-blue shade as Nate's. "Emerald Hills is a nice place to call home. There's plenty of room in this old house. You'd always be welcome."

  To Tana's surprise, Nate stretched his arms overhead, then let one land around her shoulders on its way down. "I wouldn't filch free room and board from you, but thanks for the offer. I've thought it would be nice to own a shop here, though. The university offered to let me teach one or two short courses a few times a year in between my travels. Maybe I could hang my photos to sell. What do you think?"

  He looked at Tana for an answer, and she fumbled for a reply. "We're only really busy in warm weather. We have big holiday crowds with special events, but it's pretty dead here for most of the winter."

  "That's just what I need," he said. "Emerald Hills and I would be a good fit. I could travel in the slow months and set up shop here when it's tourist season."

  Sheri practically bubbled with enthusiasm. "That would be perfect! Would your parents mind?"

  Nate laughed. "If I were in one spot for a while? On the same continent with them? They'd be thrilled." He crooked an eyebrow at Tana. "You'd help me settle in, wouldn't you? It's nice to have a friend."

  Tana blinked. Their legs were touching, his arm was around her, and now he was thinking of staying here? That would be too much temptation. She stammered, "I'd be happy to introduce you to people."

  "Would you help me find a shop?"

  Sheri clapped her hands together. "I'm so happy! Of course, she will. Tana's one of those people you can always count on."

  A knot of unease coiled in Tana's stomach. What the heck was going on? She felt like she was being steamrolled, but she couldn't think of a friendly way to avoid it.

  Nate's gaze returned to her. "Maybe you could help me find an apartment too. Where do you live? Above your shoppe?"

  She nodded. "It's convenient that way. I like it."

  "I'd love to see your place. Then I could get a feel if something like that would work for me."

  "What a wonderful idea!" Sheri stood and motioned for them to follow her inside. "You can have supper with me, then Tana can show you her place when you take her home."

  For crying out loud! Tana skewed Nate with a look, but he seemed too excited to notice.

  "Supper won't take long. I'm not much of a cook, I'm afraid. Not like Tana. That girl can make anything." Sheri had the dining room table set with her best china. "I love to entertain, but I buy most of the food I serve."

  Nate helped her carry a bowl of chicken salad to the table, along with a wooden cutting board with a round of country bread on it. The bread, Tana knew, came from Rachel and Isak's bakery. The chicken salad, she suspected, came from the grocery's deli section. They discussed Midu and her problems over their meal, but the minute Nate took his last bite, Sheri was on her feet and shooing them away.

  "Clean up's a snap. You two go along. See if you like Tana's set-up, Nattie. I hope you can find something here."

  Tana was whisked to his car before she could protest. On the drive to her shoppe, Nate prattled on about his plans. "I've been ready for a change for a while now. I'm glad I came to visit Aunt Sheri. This would never have occurred to me otherwise. It's a perfect solution, though." He snuck a quick glance at her. "What about you? Have you ever yearned for something new?"

  She swallowed hard. There was no way she was going to tell him that she was ready to find someone to share her life with. But he seemed to sense it.

  "You've accomplished your goals, haven't you?" he asked. "Your candy shoppe is a success. You look the type who doesn't rest on her laurels. There must be a next step."

  How did he do that? He had a knack for pressing her into a corner, for nudging her into an admission she didn't want to make, not even to herself. She shrugged. "I'm starting to feel good about the shoppe. I can relax a little now, maybe take a vacation, try something else."

  "Have you thought about getting married, having a family?"

  She crossed her arms over her chest. "Why? Are you worried I'm on the brink of being another Aunt Sheri?"

  He laughed. "Hardly, but you're in your mid-thirties, aren't you? Like me? Isn't that when a woman's biological clock goes
into overdrive?" He pulled into the small lot behind her shoppe and followed her as she unlocked the door and climbed the steps to her apartment on the second floor.

  Her cheeks burned. That meant Nate's eyes were directly level with her ass. She tried to distract herself, and him, with conversation. "I don't know what you're used to for dwellings, but this might be a tight fit for you."

  She opened the door to her apartment and waved him inside.

  His gaze slid over the sitting area to the right of the stairs, the open kitchen with its island, and the hallway that led to two bedrooms—each with its own bath. He let out a low whistle. "This looks exactly like I expected it to."

  His words caught her off guard. "What did you expect?"

  "Something warm and cozy, like you. Functional, like you. Tidy, like you."

  "Okay, I get it. The place suits me. I don't consider myself warm and cozy, though."

  "Once a person gets past the barriers, you are."

  "And you're past them?" she asked.

  "Me? Hell, no. I make you all nervous and prickly." He grinned. "I like that."

  She ground her teeth. "Glad I can entertain."

  "You do a lot more than that." His expression turned serious. "You make me think of all kinds of things I haven't thought of before."

  "I have that effect on men."

  "They all want to sweep you off your feet and run away with you?"

  "What?" She opened her mouth, but a lump made it impossible for speech. She swallowed it and stammered, "Well…not that, exactly."

  He gave a knowing smile. "I realize what men want when they see you. I do too, but I want more."

  "You just met me. You don't know me."

  "I've seen enough that I'm going to stay until I get to know you better. And eventually, you'll be mine."

  "Yours? You do realize that I make candy. I don't wander the globe…."

  "But you will, and you'll like it. We'll travel and run our shops together."

  She frowned. Her hands went to her hips. "I like you—a lot actually. I'd even go to bed with you, but you're the type of man who'd make my life complicated."

  "And you're the type of girl who likes challenges. So we'll be perfect together."

  She pushed her hands through her red-gold hair. "You think too fast. I can't argue with you. I can't keep up."

  "You don't have to argue. I'll go whatever speed makes you happy. Tell me what step you're ready for, and I'm there."

  "How can you be so sure of yourself, so fast?"

  He spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "I'm blaming it on your candy. I ate half of the chocolates I bought for Aunt Sheri the first day I met you."

  She stared, then laughed. "Those weren't special orders. I didn't hum when I made them."

  "You must have without realizing it, and it was destiny that I bought them. They made my needs crystal clear to me. I need you."

  She shook her head. "What if we don't work out? Do you still want to find a shop and an apartment to rent?"

  "Yes, yours."

  "Mine?" She heard the alarm in her voice.

  "We can live up here, and I'll hang a few of my photos on the blank, brick wall by your entrance." He stepped closer. His scent twined around her, masculine and clean. He took another step, and she raised her arms to him. He was in her embrace, his lips on hers, before she realized she'd invited him there.

  * * *

  Their alarms went off in unison in the morning. Tana pushed her wavy hair back from her face and watched Nate slip out of bed. Oh, lord, what had she been thinking?

  He didn't give her time for regrets. "I'll use the other bathroom and stay out of your way. I'll meet you in the kitchen for coffee." He left before she could comment.

  Once she was showered and dressed, she stepped into the hallway and inhaled the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. When she went to the kitchen, Nate finished buttering toast for her. She took a seat across from him at the scarred, oak table.

  He grinned. "I'd stay and eat with you, but I have to run. I need to change before I teach my class. I can be back by five tonight, and we should go to see Midu and find out how she's doing. Then we can grab something for dinner."

  Tana's throat felt tight. She couldn't eat the toast. She took a sip of coffee instead. Then she shrugged. Oh, what the hell? If she was going to bed this man, she was going to do it right and enjoy it. "What if we stop at the grocery on our way back and grab steaks to grill? I'll make potato salad and a Caesar salad to go with them."

  His whole face lit up. You'd think he'd just won the lottery. "Really? You'd cook for me?"

  "I happen to be good at it."

  "I've heard, but it's work, and it's…special."

  It was her turn to smile. "If a woman can truly win a man through his stomach, you're doomed."

  He laughed. "I already know that. Tell me something new."

  She raised her eyebrows. "First, I'll win you over with my cooking, and then I'll have my way with you in bed."

  He looked as though she could knock him over with a feather. "I might be able to make it back sooner if I hurry through my lesson."

  She laughed. "The shoppe doesn't close until five. No need."

  He took a deep breath. "Then I'll stay away until then. I'll just get in trouble if I follow you around, drooling."

  She gave him a stern look. "First, we visit Midu."

  "Right. I've got that. She might need us."

  Tana thought about the look she'd seen in Kyle's eyes when he'd heard about the bottle of water, and she doubted that anyone could get past him to hurt Midu. But she nodded. "I want to check on her."

  "So do I." Nate pushed himself away from the table with an effort. He didn't want to leave, Tana could tell. "See you tonight." He strode to the door and clomped down the stairs.

  Tana sat back and took a deep breath. She hadn't accidentally hummed when she made chocolates for herself, had she? But when she thought about it, she was pretty sure she had. And she was almost certain that the songs that came to her hadn't been so very different from the ones she'd hummed for Sheri.

  * * *

  Nate didn't get back until almost six. He'd given her plenty of time to finish with her last customers, clean the shoppe, and make her salads. When he stepped through the door and saw that she was finished for the day, he came straight to her, wrapped her in his arms, and gave her a kiss that could make chocolates melt.

  Her stomach did flip-flops. Her pulse raised, and her libido went into overdrive. Damn, the man was sexy.

  He grinned. "I missed you."

  She tried to catch her breath. "Don't do that again, or we won't make it to Midu's."

  He laughed. "Best behavior, Scout's honor."

  "Were you a Boy Scout?"

  He looked hurt. "How else would I learn to survive in the wilderness with only a pocket knife and a bag of Cheetos?"

  She shook her head. "Let's go before you think of some new story to tell me."

  On the drive to Midu's, Nate shifted gears, thinking about the photos that had faded and the magic that made it happen. "I keep trying to decide what motive is behind the problem, but I keep coming up empty."

  Tana sighed. "Me too. Everyone likes Midu."

  "Someone doesn't. There has to be something we're missing." He reached for her hand, then stiffened. "But maybe we're looking at this from the wrong angle. What if, by helping someone, Midu messed up someone else."

  "Excuse me?"

  "How does she know that she brings people together with her produce?" Nate asked.

  "People e-mail her or send thank-you cards."

  "We need to ask to see recent ones." Nate gave her hand a squeeze. "We might have a chance, if my theory is right."

  Tana wasn't sure what his theory was, but she was glad he had one. When they reached Midu's place, the farm stand was closed for the day. Midu and Kyle sat on the front porch, relaxing before going inside to start supper.

  Nate walked so fast to join them, Tana had to
half-trot to keep up. When they got close enough to see Midu and Kyle's faces, they knew they weren't happy.

  "Is everything all right?" Tana asked.

  Midu sighed. "Someone sprayed chemical weed killer on one of our huge bean patches last night. The soil's contaminated, and we lost the entire crop. It was a new breed I was experimenting with, one I've babied for a long time."

  Kyle ran a hand through his soft, sandy-colored hair. "Whoever did it must have come after we fell asleep. He sprayed the field in the dark."

  "I have an idea. I might be way off base, but let me run it past you," Nate said. "Your produce helps people find the right person for them, is that it?"

  Midu nodded.

  "What if a couple came to Emerald Hills to spend the day, bought something from your stand, and after they ate it, one of them realized they weren't supposed to be together and moved on to the person he or she should be with?"

  "That's what's supposed to happen," Midu said.

  "But what if the person who got ditched didn't agree? What if he thought your produce made him lose the girl he always wanted?"

  "That wouldn't happen. They'd both eat the produce…."

  "But what if they didn't both eat it? What if only one of them did? And what if the one who didn't like broccoli or whatever blames you for ruining his relationship?"

  Midu's eyes went wide. "I've never thought of that. I only get happy notes from people when they make the right connection."

  "Do you save those notes? Could we see some of the recent ones?"

  Midu stood and went into the house. She returned with a small stack of envelopes and handed them out. They all started reading. Tana was on her third one when she said, "This might be it."

  "Read it to us," Kyle said.

  Tana started, "I want to thank you for saving me from marrying the wrong man. When Alex and I visited your stand, our wedding was only a few weeks away. As soon as I made your summer squash and ate it, I knew we weren't meant to be together. And then I met the perfect person for me. Alex is upset right now, but I'm sure he'll realize that you saved us both from unhappiness—that your magic was as good for him as it was for me. I hope he sees that soon. I still care for him. I want him to be as happy as I am."