Bernie smiled. “Well, it sounds like the right decision to me. And selfishly, I’d hate to see you move.”
David leaned over and touched his lips briefly to hers. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Bernie’s stomach rumbled in response and they both laughed. David jumped up and set his beer on the dining room table. “Let’s eat. The pasta is already cooked and I have garlic bread in the oven. It should be just about ready.”
Bernie helped him bring the food to the table and they enjoyed a relaxing meal together.
“This is really good. I’m impressed,” Bernie said as she tore a piece of buttery garlic bread and popped it in her mouth.
“Good, that was the plan. I should probably learn how to make something else one of these days.”
“You can just keep making this.” Bernie said as she helped herself to a little more pasta. Once they finished and the dishes were put away, they snuggled together on the sofa and picked out a movie on Netflix. About an hour into the movie, Bernie felt her eyes grow heavy and she shut them, for just a minute. When she woke, the movie credits were rolling and David looked as though he’d dosed off, too.
“I think we both went into a food coma,” Bernie said. “I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”
David put his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “Don’t be sorry. I may have had a little nap, too. Overdosing on pasta will do that.”
“It was hard not to have more.”
“Now that we’re awake, do you feel like something sweet? Those brownies you brought looked good.”
Bernie laughed. “Sure. I forgot all about them. I’ll have half of one.”
“We can split one.” David returned a minute later with two plates and one decadent brownie split between them.
“Have you ever come close to getting married?” David asked as he polished off the last of his brownie.
The question took Bernie by surprise and made her think. “Not really. But the closest I came was a few years ago. I really liked Brian and we had a good time together. But he wasn’t honest with me. He kept things from me, like the fact that he was still talking to his ex-girlfriend. The break-up wasn’t fully resolved when we started dating. And when I learned they were still in touch and even seeing each other, I ended the relationship. They got married a few months later.”
“So, you made the right decision.”
“Clearly. I don’t like surprises, or secrets. Or just lying in general. There’s no point to it,” Bernie said.
“I agree.” David was quiet for a few minutes and then put his hand on hers. “Given what you just told me, I want you to know that I’ve been in touch with Lindsey.”
Bernie tensed up and went to pull her hand away, but David held on tight. “I called her to tell her to come get her things. There is a box by the door of items that she left here while we were dating. She hasn’t been in any hurry to come get them and I made it clear that she needs to come get them soon or I’m going to take the box to the thrift shop.”
Bernie glanced toward the door and saw the box he was talking about. It was about a foot square and had Lindsey written on the side in black marker.
“I told her about the job offer, too, and made her think I was seriously considering moving, to further indicate that this break was final. I didn’t think she’d have any interest in moving to Spokane.” He sighed and rubbed his free hand through his hair and looked away and out the window. “But I also made the mistake of telling her it paid a lot more. She just pushed my buttons, what can I say? But once she heard about the salary she said she’d heard good things about Spokane and wouldn’t hesitate to move there herself if she had a great opportunity to do so.”
“It sounds like she wants to try and make things work,” Bernie said.
David nodded and looked miserable about it. “She said that. But I told her that it was best if we go our separate ways. She’s not a bad person and we had some fun times, but to be honest, I never felt for her what I do for you. Is it just me? Or do you feel it, too?”
Bernie put her hand on his and smiled. “It’s not just you. I was telling someone that I thought this seemed too good to be true. It’s been so easy and effortless. I just really like spending time with you.” He smiled and she pulled him toward her. “And kissing you,” she whispered, before her lips found his. They stayed like that, kissing and occasionally breaking apart to chat and laugh and then kiss some more. It was one of the best nights that Bernie could remember. And around midnight, it came to a bittersweet end as they both began to yawn.
“I hate to leave, but I think it’s about that time,” she said regretfully.
David stood and pulled her to her feet and into his arms for a final, sweet kiss.
“I’ll walk you to your car.”
They walked outside, and Bernie looked back at the night sky and the thousands of stars twinkling above them. “Thank you for a wonderful, special night,” she said.
“The first of many, I hope. I’m working a double tomorrow, but what are you doing on Sunday? A few of us are going snowmobiling. Want to come?”
“I’d love to.”
Chapter 13
The next week was a whirlwind. Bernie saw David almost every day, whenever he wasn’t working. They’d had a blast on Sunday, riding snowmobiles for hours with a few of his friends. His sister Sandy and her husband Tom joined them and Bernie liked Sandy right away. She looked like her brother and had a good sense of humor. Her husband Tom was quieter but friendly, too.
“How did you and Tom meet?” Bernie asked her during one of their hot chocolate breaks. The guys were gathered around Tom’s new snowmobile while the two of them chatted.
“I feel like I’ve known Tom all my life. We were in the same classes all through school and started dating freshman year of high school. We went to college together at U of Idaho and got married right after we graduated. It’s like he’s been a part of the family for as long as I can remember.” She smiled and glanced over at her husband. “He drives me crazy sometimes but he’s my best friend. I’m very lucky.”
Bernie nodded in agreement.
“You’ve known David for a long time, too, I think?” Sandy asked.
“Yes, though we never knew each other well. He used to tease me something awful when we were younger and then we didn’t have as many classes together in high school so I didn’t see him around as much.”
“He was terribly shy when he was younger. Knowing David, he probably had a crush on you and didn’t know what to do about it.”
Bernie laughed. “He admitted to something along those lines, yes.”
“He kind of came out of his shell in high school. Suddenly, girls thought he was cute and he liked that, as you can imagine. He’s never really been serious about anyone, though.” She paused and then added. “You are a definite improvement over the last girl that he dated.”
“Lindsey?”
“Yes. You know her?”
“Not well. She was in school with us, too. We didn’t run in the same circles.” Lindsey had been a cheerleader and homecoming queen, while Bernie had played volleyball and tennis and was in the Latin club.
“I just want my brother to be happy,” Sandy said.
“I want the same for my brother, too.”
“Jack, right? I remember him. He’s older than you by a year or so?”
“Yes. My grandmother used to call us Irish twins as we’re eleven months apart. We’re pretty close. I’m hoping he finds someone special to settle down with, too.”
“Well, I think my brother is on the right track now,” Sandy said and held the Thermos up. “More hot chocolate?”
Bernie nodded. “I’d love some.”
* * *
They went back to Sandy’s house for dinner and called it a night around eight, as they both had to be up early the next day and were exhausted from being outside all afternoon. Every night since, they’d spent together either going to Bernie’s house after work and sharing l
eftovers or bringing takeout back to David’s place. Bernie was quickly getting used to seeing David at the end of the day and catching up with each other. They were so comfortable together that it felt like they’d been dating much longer. It no longer felt too good to be true to Bernie. It was starting to feel it was meant to be instead, and she liked it—a lot.
She ran into Jaclyn on her way into the office Thursday morning and promised to stop by on her lunch break for a cup of tea and a snack. Bernie knew she was dying to hear how it was going and she valued Jaclyn’s insight.
At about half past noon, she made her way over to Jaclyn’s house and was greeted by the several dozen rabbits, mostly white ones that lived in and around her property. She eyed the whimsical garden gnomes that lined the snow-covered lawn and did a double take when she passed the one Jaclyn called Gorgeous George. She could have sworn she saw that gnome wink. But of course, that was ridiculous. She chalked it up to not getting enough sleep.
The door opened as she reached the front steps and Jaclyn waved her in.
“You’re right on time. The raspberry thumbprint cookies just came out of the oven. It’s a new recipe and I’d like your opinion, so you have to have a few, all right?”
Bernie laughed. “You don’t have to twist my arm. I’m happy to help.”
“Good. Tea is ready, too. You take it black if I remember?” Without waiting for Bernie to answer, Jaclyn poured tea for both of them and brought it to the table along with a plate of cookies.
“They’re still hot, so give it a minute. Wouldn’t want you to burn your mouth on the jam. That’s not fun, you know.”
Bernie stirred a bit of honey into her tea and took a sip.
“It’s fennel,” Jaclyn told her. “Good for the digestion. So you can have an extra cookie or two. Now tell me all about your doctor. The fairies tell me it’s going well?”
Jaclyn and her all-knowing fairies. Bernie grinned. “It is. I know I’ve laughed before about how everyone seems to fall in love so fast around here, but I’m starting to understand how that can happen.”
“Did you say love, my dear? How delightful!”
“I did, didn’t I. Goodness. I haven’t thought that far ahead, but it does seem like that is where we are headed. All I know is I’m happiest when we’re together, and I look forward to seeing him and telling him all about my day and hearing about his.”
Jaclyn nodded. “Sounds love-like to me. So what are you going to do about it?”
“Do about it?”
“Declare your undying love for each other. Get married. That’s the logical next step.”
Bernie laughed. “I suppose so. But I’m in no rush. What we have right now is pretty perfect.”
“You’re right. I’m just anxious and happy for you. The fairies approve, by the way.”
“Oh, that’s good. I’m glad to hear that.” Bernie smiled as she reached for a cookie and took a bite. The raspberry flavor exploded in her mouth and she could taste the butter and sugar as the cookie crumbled. “Oh, this recipe is a winner.”
“Excellent! Thanks ever so much. Keep eating, or I’ll end up making myself sick by eating the rest. I can’t have just one, you know.”
“Of course not. Who could?” Bernie reached for another. Jaclyn pushed the plate closer to her and as she did, sunlight reflected off a gold charm on her bracelet and Bernie gasped.
“What is it dear?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just noticed that pretty charm on your bracelet. The swan. I used to have a necklace that looked so similar, until it was lost at school. I was only eight and absolutely devastated. It had been a birthday gift from my parents just the week before and I wore it around the clock.
“You never found it?”
“No. I don’t know what happened to it, if it just got lost on the playground or if another student found it. We offered a small reward for it, but it never turned up. My parents offered to buy me another one, but I refused. I thought it would be bad luck, I guess. I got a stuffed animal instead.”
“What a sad story.”
“Just a vivid childhood memory. It’s funny the things you remember. I was sorry to lose it, especially now that they’re gone. It would have been a lovely memory of them. But, of course, I have plenty of wonderful memories.” Bernie glanced at the clock. Time always went by so quickly when she visited with Jaclyn.
“I hate to go, but I should get back to the office. I’ll see you at trivia tonight?”
“You will and at the wedding on Sunday! Simon and I will both be there.”
“It should be a fun time. I can’t wait. Thanks for the tea and the cookies.”
“Anytime, dear. I’ll see you tonight.”
Chapter 14
David called Friday night after work, as Bernie was on her way to his house with a bag of Chinese takeout.
“I’m running a little late, sorry. Got tied up waiting for some test results to come in. I’ll be leaving here in about a half hour or so and will see you soon.”
Bernie pulled into David’s driveway and was surprised to see another car there—a pink Mini-Cooper. She didn’t know anyone who drove one of those, and David didn’t mention anything about having company over. She grabbed her purse and the bag of food and made her way to the door, which David always left unlocked. She pushed it open and stepped inside, and was unpleasantly surprised to see Lindsey pouring herself a glass of wine in the kitchen. She looked up when the door opened and made a face when she saw that it was Bernie.
“Oh, I heard the car pull in and assumed it was David.”
“Is he expecting you?” Bernie asked. She walked into the kitchen and set the bag of takeout down, next to what looked like another bag of takeout.
“Well, maybe not exactly. But he did tell me to come by anytime to pick up my things. He has a box for me. He sounded as though he wanted me to come by soon and I thought we’d catch up, you know?”
Bernie took in the carefully applied makeup and fluffy curls that were sprayed into place, the skinny jeans that looked painted on and the snug, low cut sweater that showed off every curve. Bernie’s appearance had definitely thrown a wrench in Lindsey’s plans.
“You’re having dinner with him tonight?” Lindsey said with a pout.
“We have dinner together almost every night,” Bernie said gently.
“Oh. I didn’t know.” Lindsey glanced out the window and then froze, and a look of total fear came across her face.
“What is it?” Bernie asked.
“I swear I think I just saw Bigfoot!” Bernie looked in the direction that Lindsey pointed and saw something big and black slip into the woods.
“I think that might actually be a bear,” Bernie said, and was a little shaken herself and very glad to be inside.
Lindsey downed the rest of her wine and set the glass in the sink. “I don’t know how you can stand it here. It’s the middle of nowhere, in the wilderness. I do believe in Bigfoot and whether that was him or a bear, I don’t know. But, you can say goodbye to David for me. He won’t have to worry about seeing me again.”
Lindsey walked to the door, lifted the cardboard box with her things and got her keys ready. She opened the door, took a tentative step outside and looked all around to make sure Bigfoot or the bear was no where in sight and then dashed to her car. Bernie watched her go, and then shut the door and locked it behind her. She didn’t believe in Bigfoot but she didn’t want to take a chance on a bear walking in, as ridiculous as that seemed. She wasn’t sure if they could open a door or not and she didn’t want to find out.
She went looking for a wine opener to open the bottle of wine she’d brought and remembered that David kept beer and wine openers in a drawer in the living room hutch. She opened several drawers before she found the one that had the wine opener and her eye fell on something glittery and gold tucked into a small box. She lifted it up and her heart sank.
It was a delicate gold chain, a necklace with a beautiful swan on it. It couldn’t possib
ly be hers. She held her breath as she turned the swan over and looked for the inscription on the bottom. She really didn’t think it would be there, but sure enough, in tiny script lettering, it read, “To B, love M & D.” The tears came hard and fast as she dropped the necklace in her pocket, and quickly scribbled a note for David.
“Found my necklace. I just don’t have any words. Have to go. Goodbye, B.”
She grabbed her purse and drove home, numb with anger and disappointment. David must have stolen her necklace. But why? And why not come clean about it? She thought she’d made it so clear that she couldn’t stand for any kind of deception.
* * *
When David pulled into the driveway, he was surprised that Bernie’s car wasn’t there. He was sure when he’d talked to her earlier that she was almost to his house. He began to worry that something might have happened on the way over. But she would have called if it had, right? With a bad feeling, he went inside and the first thing that hit him was dueling smells. Chinese takeout and Italian and two brown bags of food sat on the kitchen counter, along with an unopened bottle of wine and an empty wine glass in the sink. He looked back at the door and saw that the cardboard box with Lindsey’s stuff was gone. So, it looked as though both Lindsey and Bernie had been here. But why did Bernie leave?
He walked into the living room and saw the note on the hutch. He read it and felt sick to his stomach. He knew he should have told her about the necklace. With a heavy sigh, he pulled out his cell phone and called her, but it went straight to voicemail. He tried again in a half hour and left another message and an hour later, another. Finally, he drove out to her house and banged on the door. He knew she was there because her car was in the driveway. Tiny sat in the window and looked at him with a sad expression. Bernie didn’t answer the door. Finally, David gave up and drove home. Clearly, she needed some time to cool off. She’d never mentioned the necklace to him, but he remembered how upset she’d been years ago when she lost it.
Bernie's Birthday (River's End Ranch Book 22) Page 8
