"I love you. All of you."
"Uh, oh. What happened?"
"Nothing." As punishment for her cynicism, Andi poked Bryce in the arm. "The way I feel isn't a secret."
"We all feel the same," Calder conceded. "However, we tend to show our feelings more than speak them."
"The only mush served in this house is by Mrs. Finch." Destry made an unpleasant face. "I prefer corn flakes."
With an outrage she didn't feel, Andi shot to her feet. The Benedict women were all blessed with a touch of the dramatic. Unlike their mother who used hers daily, her daughters chose their moments judiciously.
Andi paced the room in front of her rapt audience and gave her best Meryl Streep impression.
"Shoot me for a touch of sentimentality. Am I not allowed to tell my sisters what's in my heart?" She clutched at her chest. "Life is short. Unpredictable. Let us never have to say we missed the chance to share our deepest emotions with the ones we care about most."
"Bravo!" Bryce applauded.
"Encore!" Calder joined in.
Destry grabbed an old stuffed rabbit. With her own share of dramatic flair, she faced her sisters.
"And the Oscar goes to…. Helen Mirren."
"Hey," Andi objected. "What about my performance?"
"Ham, sister." Destry sighed. "Pure Benedict ham."
Laughing, Andi flopped onto the sofa. The silence that fell over the room was comfortable. They didn't need to fill every second with chatter.
No family was the same. Each had their unique problems and foibles. Andi and her sisters were lucky. They never had to worry about money. They had their health. A beautiful home. And best of all, each had three best friends to hold on to. No matter what.
The years of shared happiness, heartaches, secrets, and sometimes brutal truths bound them in a way few people would ever understand. But Andi understood. As did Calder, Bryce, and Destry. The Benedict sisters. Four women. Strong alone. Stronger together.
"Are you worried about your father?" Destry, never a tea person, opened a can of Coke. "What about the guy who hit on you? What was his name? Hunter?"
"Ingo Hunter," Andi nodded.
"You didn't like him?" Calder thoughtfully sipped her tea.
"Some women would find his attention flattering."
"Not you." Bryce popped a cookie in her mouth. "Why?"
"A general smarminess."
"Good word." Always in writer mode, Bryce made a note in her ever-present notebook. "Hunter fit in with the society crowd?"
"He seemed to."
"Why isn't his name familiar?" Calder wondered. "Between us, we know everyone. Yet, Ingo Hunter? I can't recall the name."
"I did a bit of internet research after I poured my father into his hotel room."
"And?" Destry leaned closer.
"He's from New York but most of the last ten years were spent in Europe and Asia. Met my father in Japan, so the Asia part meshes."
"Did he strike you as the type to take no for an answer? Or do you think he'll make another move to acquire you and/or your company?"
The only answer Andi had for Bryce's questions was a shrug.
"I made my feelings clear on both matters. Hopefully, Hunter received my message. Time will tell." Andi had enough on her plate without an unwanted admirer to deal with. "As for my father. He's a big boy. Unless he asks, I can't help."
"A wise philosophy." Destry sent Andi a wry smile. "Tell me why you don't follow your own advice where I'm concerned?"
"Or me?" Bryce piped in her two cents worth.
"Right there with you," Calder walked to the small, west facing window. "Where we're concerned, you butt in all the time. Whether we ask, or not."
"Oldest sister prerogative." Andi wasn't the least bit concerned. Nor would she stop her constant vigil over their lives. "I interfere when necessary. As do the rest of you."
"So, you don't have a problem if we stick our noses into your business?" Calder exchanged looks with Bryce and Destry. "For your own good?"
Andi's gaze narrowed. Something told her they'd set her up.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing earthshaking," Bryce assured her, though her expression bordered on sheepish. "Let's just say we decided to give you a little shove."
"Toward what?" Andi demanded.
"Not toward what." Calder beckoned Andi to the window. "Toward who."
Almost afraid to look, she lifted the edge of the age-yellowed lace curtain to peer out at the backyard. Lush with vibrant greens and an array of spring flowers, Andi loved walking cobblestone paths this time of year. The sights and scents were a joy to her senses.
Her gaze traveled across the well-groomed lawn, the trimmed topiaries, and the ivy-covered fence. And landed on a man who knelt near a rose bed. Andi's breath caught in her throat as her heartbeat kicked up several notches.
Oh, my. Talk about a sight to behold. The afternoon sun glistened off his bare, sweat-covered back and led her eyes down to a pair of narrow, jean-clad hips. He tugged on a particularly stubborn weed, but the rooted nuisance was no match for his honed, muscled arms.
Andi swallowed the pool of saliva in her mouth before the liquid escaped and formed a path of drool down her chin.
"Why is Noah Brennan in our backyard?"
Because she recognized the narrowed look of annoyance in Andi's eyes, Bryce hurried to explain.
"Before you blow a gasket, the gardener told Mrs. Finch he needed to hire temporary help for the season. Since Noah mentioned he's a renaissance man, work-wise, I suggested we give him the job."
"How altruistic of you," Andi muttered. "And fast."
"We were lucky to get him, according to Mrs. Finch. Your Noah is in demand." Calder took another look and sighed. "No wonder. He has excellent references and is a major piece of eye candy. Yummy."
"He isn't my Noah." Andi didn't dispute the eye candy remark.
"Bryce said the two of you had chemistry. Sizzled, if I recall her description." Destry peered over Calder's shoulder. "He arrived an hour ago. Put the downstairs maids into quite a tizzy. Now, I see why."
When Bryce joined them, crowding in for a look, Andi tossed her hands up in the air.
"Unbelievable. Noah is a man like any other." An outright lie, Andi waited for the heavens to open and strike her down. Seconds passed. Still standing, she moved away from the window.
"He's a man, all right. Something about a well-toned back." Calder made a happy humming sound. "Really gets my motor running."
"Shift your engine into neutral," Bryce warned. "Noah belongs to Andi."
Appalled and amused, Andi hid her smile. She wasn't about to let her sisters think they were right to interfere in hers—or Noah's personal life.
"Noah belongs to himself."
"You know what I meant." Bryce gave Andi a speculative look. "Don't try to deny the attraction. The sparks between you and Noah almost blinded me."
"So?" Even if she wanted to, Andi couldn't hide much from her sisters. "He's attractive."
"Make a note for future reference," Destry told Calder. "Andi just made the understatement of the year."
"What do you want?" She really wanted to know. "Should I rush down to the garden and have my way with him under the roses?"
"Too prickly. The peonies are much more naked body friendly. And are blocked from view by a spruce tree." Destry shrugged when three pairs of inquisitive eyes shifted her way. "I would imagine."
"I sense more to little sister's story," Bryce chuckled. "For another time. Right now, we're focused on Andi's love life."
"Love life? With Noah?" Andi gathered up their cups and plates, placing them on the serving tray. "We barely know each other. And neither of us has time for more than the occasional casual fling."
"Sounds perfect." Calder picked up the tray. "Fling away."
"Noah looks like a skilled flinger." Bryce opened the door. When her sisters were in the hall, she
gave a firm tug past the slightly warped frame until the latch shut with an audible click. "And if he turns out to be a dud, at least you won't spend time wondering what might have been."
"What might have beens are the worst," Destry declared as they started down the stairs. "Good song, though. Little Texas, I think. Whatever happened to them?"
"They were a country band, right?" Calder frowned. "No idea. Bryce? You follow music more than the rest of us."
"Don't know, don't care. Google them." Bryce rolled her eyes. "Try to stay on point for once. The subject is Andi's sex life."
Andi wasn't thrilled with the subject. Not at all.
"For the sake of argument, let's say I was interested. What do you think Noah would say if he found out you wanted to serve me up on a silver platter?"
"Gee, I don't know." Thoughtfully, Destry tapped her chin. "Thank you comes to mind."
"Sounds about right," Bryce nodded. "However, we aren't serving you up. We simply put the two of you in the same vicinity. What you do with the opportunity is up to you."
"You'll leave us alone?" Andi knew her sisters. When they nodded, she wasn't convinced. "After all the trouble you went to?"
"What trouble? Bryce made a phone call." At the bottom of the stairs, Destry headed toward her room. "FYI? For a man whose time is supposedly at a premium, he didn't hesitate when offered the job. Wonder why?"
"Probably had a free afternoon."
"Or, he wanted to see you," Destry called over her shoulder. "Worth thinking about."
"I have to get back to my book. Mischief and mayhem are afoot." Bryce patted Andi's arm. "Destry's right. Noah was eager for an excuse to hang around the house. See you later."
Just the two of them, Andi took the tray from Calder.
"No need for both of us to go all the way to the kitchen."
"Thanks." Calder hesitated. "Why are you so against the idea of a little fun?"
"I…" Andi didn't have a logical answer. "Your method is what I object to. You lured Noah here on false pretenses."
"Bull. The job is real. So is the money—well above minimum wage, by the way." Calder smiled. "Give yourself a break, Andi. You don't have to marry the guy. Or do anything with him. But, if, as I suspect, you're interested? For once, forget about tomorrow. Close your eyes and jump."
Andi slowly walked the rest of the final flights of stairs by herself. Close her eyes and jump wasn't her style. She liked to think and plan and worry. Then she liked to do the same thing again before she finally decided how to proceed. Nothing wrong with an analytical mind, she reminded herself. If her parents had considered the consequences now and then, they might be happier.
On the other hand, Billie's rash relationship decisions led to the birth of Andi and her sisters. Without Calder, Bryce, and Destry, her life wouldn't be as rich or full. They taught her about responsibility, loyalty, and most of all, love.
"Spontaneity isn't always a bad thing," she told herself as she backed through the kitchen's swinging door.
"No argument here."
Noah! His voice made her yelp, his face, and the half smile on his lips, made her fingers go numb. The tray loaded with china cups and plates, headed toward the tile floor. Andi braced herself for the inevitable crash.
In a flash of superhuman reflexes and unbelievable balance, Noah averted disaster. Without spilling a drop of tea, he grabbed the tray mere inches from the floor.
"Impressive." Andi wasn't sure how Noah saved the day, but she was grateful. "Thank you."
"No problem." With a shrug, he placed the tray on the counter. "Only fair since I'm the one who startled you."
"Still, I appreciate what you did."
Unlike the last time they met, Andi felt unsure and awkward. Calder's words still swirled in her head. Suddenly, she saw herself jump at Noah like a starving panther. Or a sex-starved woman. Since she was neither, the image was both ridiculous and distressing.
"Your sister hired me to work in the garden."
"I know."
Silence. And not the easy kind Andi experienced with her sisters. Since yesterday when they met in the foyer and decided, like reasonable, articulate adults, that they didn't have time for each other, they seemed to have lost the ability to communicate. Short, stilted sentences were the best they could manage.
Noah looked as uncomfortable as she felt. Uncomfortable, and sexy as all get out. The shirt he discarded while in the garden was in place. His dark hair was damp. The ends curled around his neck and slightly flushed face. And for all his labors in the hot sun, he smelled clean. Andi gave a surreptitious sniff. Lavender? Like the soap Mrs. Finch kept in the downstairs guest bathroom.
"I should have turned down the job." Frowning, Noah rubbed the back of his neck. "Yesterday we said goodbye, and here I am. In your home, about to eat your food."
Andi's gaze shifted to the counter where a veritable feast was laid out. Mrs. Finch, she thought with affection. If she could, the cook would feed the world. Since the goal was unreachable, she contented herself with filling the belly of anyone who came within range of her kitchen.
"Mrs. F. is famous for her cinnamon rolls. Make a point to tell her how much you like them, and she'll pack up a couple dozen for you to take home."
"Thanks for the tip."
The more Noah's discomfort grew, the calmer Andi felt. Gone was the confident, even arrogant man she met at her runway show. When she looked into his turquoise eyes, she saw something different. A touch of vulnerability and uncertainty. The combination didn't make him seem weak. Or lessen his appeal. Just the opposite. The emotions humanized him. And made him irresistible. Damn it.
"Why?"
Noah looked confused by her question. And she didn't blame him.
"You said you should have turned down Bryce's job offer," she clarified. "Why didn't you?"
"You know why."
Noah's gaze dropped to Andi's lips. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as if afraid he might use them to pull her close. Or, perhaps her imagination had run away with her. Then, he raised his eyes to her. Nope. Not her imagination. He wanted her.
"Bryce's motives weren't as altruistic as you might think."
"No kidding." Noah let out a knowing chuckle that effectively broke the tension.
"You knew her motivation?" When Noah nodded, Andi groaned in embarrassment. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not." He shrugged. "For all my big words, I wanted to see you again. Your sister gave me the perfect excuse."
"Nothing's changed since yesterday. I'm still busy. You're still busy. Too busy. Right?"
Andi wanted him to dismiss her assessment. They didn't want or need the complications of a relationship. But, realistically, how much time did two busy people need for a casual fling? An hour here or there? The occasional sleepover where sleep was the last thing on their minds? With the right motivation, the concept seemed very doable.
"Nothing's changed."
Noah sounded disappointed. Andi knew how he felt.
"I'll leave you to your snack."
As she turned to leave, Noah stopped her. One touch of his calloused hand and she wanted to fall into his arms. Thank goodness he couldn't read her thoughts. Or could he?
"I know." His hand ran from her elbow to wrist in a light, breathtaking caress. "I know."
For once in her life, Andi wanted someone else to decide for her. She couldn't think straight where Noah was concerned. Always sure her judgment was sound, she didn't trust herself to know which path to take.
"What should we do?" Whatever Noah wanted, whatever course of action he chose, she'd agree.
"I spent all night thinking about you. About us."
"And?" Andi felt like she was on the edge of a cliff. Was she alone, or would Noah take the fall with her? "Did you come to a conclusion?"
"Yes. If you're with me, I want—"
"All cleaned up, I see." Mrs. Finch bustled into the room, beaming with good hum
or. Arms filled with freshly laundered kitchen towels, she had no idea that her usual perfect timing was off by a mile. "Hello, Andi. Have you met Noah?"
"Yes, Mrs. F."
"Good. Do you have time to sit and keep him company while he eats?"
Keep him company was the cook's/housekeeper's/surrogate mother's not-so-subtle way to get a few extra calories down Andi's throat. Theoretically, Mrs. Finch understood that the oldest Benedict sister was naturally thin, her body blessed with more angles than curves. Andi never starved herself or agonized over the effects of one bite of cake.
The fact was, food didn't hold a lot of interest for her. She ate to live, she didn't live to eat—a concept Mrs. Finch found baffling. The dear woman never passed up a chance to tempt Andi's taste buds.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Andi accompanied her question with a sweet, innocent smile. His back to Mrs. Finch, the look in Noah's eyes was considerably hotter—and made her heart skip a beat.
"I'd enjoy the company."
Noah pulled out a wicker barstool, seating Andi before he joined her at the food-laden counter. The move wasn't lost on Mrs. Finch.
"Such a gentleman." The older woman glowed with approval. "Your mother must be proud of the fine gentleman she raised."
"My parents died when I was a baby." Noah shrugged, his tone matter-of-fact. "One of my foster mothers loved old movies. Guess I learned good manners from Cary Grant."
"Oh." Mrs. Finch's eyes filled with distress and tears. "You poor boy."
The cook wrapped Noah in one of her patented hugs, designed to wipe away all of life's hardships. His arms hung at his sides as if he didn't know what to do. But Mrs. Finch knew her stuff. She hung on until Noah had no choice but to hug her back. She didn't mind how awkward, she knew he'd do better the next time. And, whether he liked it or not, there would be a next time.
"Feel better?" Andi asked when Mrs. Finch, her head in the refrigerator, was out of earshot.
"Didn't know I felt bad." Noah seemed surprised. "But, yes. I do feel better."
"Never fails." Andi felt oddly smug. "The woman has magic arms."
Three Wishes_A Second Chance at Love Contemporary Romance Page 6
