by Robyn Neeley
“Yeah, Abs, enough with the suspense. We’ll all keep a lid on whatever it is,” Josh said. “If it’s Mary, I want to say ‘hi.’ Let’s go.”
“Okay, okay.” She motioned for them to pass her. “Go take a look for yourself in the guestroom to the right. Just be careful if your shoes are expensive.”
Bethany raced up the remaining steps and was the first to reach the doorway. She peered in.
She didn’t know what she expected to see, but certainly not what was in front of her. Brandon and Josh were in there with shoes and socks off, pant legs pulled up. Both men were pushing mops while Emma was on her knees, wiping up water under the full-length mirror with paper towels.
Caitlin passed her and stepped around a puddle. “Where did all this water come from if a pipe didn’t burst?”
Emma stood and pointed to the chest. “In there.”
Bethany stared at the beautiful oak chest, heart racing. “Why is it here? I thought you were going to have it moved to Brandon’s office.”
Abby came up beside her. “I did. Emma was the first to realize it was missing. When Brandon said he hadn’t moved it, we went looking for it and found it here.”
“Wow.” Bethany couldn’t help but reach down and touch it. The minute she did, a prickly sensation ran through her fingers straight up her arm.
“Tingles?” Emma came up beside her.
“Yeah.” Bethany touched the chest with her other hand, but this time felt wetness. “It’s lake water, isn’t it?” she whispered.
“I think so,” Emma said.
“And it spilled out when you opened it?” Caitlin asked Abby.
“It wasn’t me,” Abby admitted.
“I did it.” Brandon leaned his mop against the wall.
Josh bent down to inspect the hope chest. He looked behind him. “You made all this water pour out? How is that even possible?”
“What? You think the Stevens and the Reeds are the only ones that can possess magic in this town?”
Josh chuckled. “I am happy to share anything that I can do with my brother-in-law.”
“Thanks, man.” Brandon chuckled.
“You’d make a good wizard.”
Brandon straddled the mop and pretended to fly. “I think so.”
Abby knocked on the wall to get everyone’s attention. “If my brother would stop his bromance with my husband, I’d like to see something.”
“What’s that, Abs?” Josh stood.
“Open it.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. When Jason did, it was empty. Let’s see if anything is in there for you.”
“Okay.” Josh opened the top, and they all gathered around and peered in.
Bethany let out the breath she’d been holding.
Nothing.
“Now, Babe, you do it.” Abby grabbed the mop out of Brandon’s hand. “Everyone should take a step back—and maybe kick off your shoes.”
Bethany moved into the doorway, bracing for any water; however, when Brandon lifted the trunk, something other than water gushed out, causing everyone to move to the side.
Hundreds of small gold and silver rings spilled out of the hope chest, blanketing the floor in no time.
“Shut it!” Caitlin screamed, and Josh came over and slammed the hope chest closed.
Where on earth had all this jewelry come from? Bethany moved back into the room, relieved it wasn’t lake water, but still. Careful not to step on the rings, she bent down next to a crouched Emma. “What do you think is going on?”
Emma held a silver band up. “I think they’re wedding rings.”
Abby’s hands went up in the air. “And what are we supposed to do with all these? Mary, if you’re in here, I think you need to clue us in on your intentions.”
“Oh, my gosh,” Emma gasped and handed Bethany the silver ring she’d been inspecting. “I think this might be yours.”
“For me?” Bethany took the ring, her eyes widening at the inscription.
Bethany, This life. Adam.
Chapter 14
“What do I do with this?” Rachel asked, holding the oxygen mask to her face.
“Here, let me show you.” Adam sat down next to his ex on the back of the firetruck, brushing her blond bangs out of her face and placing the mask strap over her head. He adjusted the cup to cover her nose and mouth. “Now breathe.”
She did, giving a thumbs-up signal.
“Keep doing that.” He took her small hand in his and watched as the firefighters began retreating from the house. It wasn’t much of a fire, so he guessed that it should only be a few more minutes before it would be fine to go back inside.
He’d gotten to the two-bedroom home he’d once shared with Rachel in minutes. Having traveled that dirt road numerous times, he’d taken the one proven shortcut that would get him there in half the time. He glanced over at the red maple tree off to the side that, although only branches right now, would produce the most beautiful autumn leaves next fall.
He smirked. Leaves that he’d nearly broke his back raking. Being here certainly brought back a lot of nostalgia.
Like the day they’d toured the rental property for the first time. She’d fallen in love with the white ranch house with light yellow shutters the minute they’d pulled into the pebbled driveway. It was situated on top of Buttermilk Ladder with a breathtaking view of the lake. They’d signed their lease on the spot and moved in a week later.
From memory alone, he could smell the fresh wild flowers he’d brought home to her that first night. He’d picked them a half a mile down the road. Even though she had more exquisite flowers in her shop, she’d gushed, saying they were the prettiest she’d ever seen.
If something happened to Rachel, he didn’t know what he would do.
He wasn’t in love with her anymore, he knew that. He still cared for her, though, and hoped they could get to a place where they could honestly say they were friends because he did miss that part of their relationship.
He’d been relieved to immediately see her when he pulled in, and in full Rachel form, she’d let the firefighters know in no uncertain terms that she was perfectly fine and didn’t need to go to the hospital. It was a small stove-top fire that caused the Fire Department’s visit.
Apparently, Rachel’s twin brother, Donovan, had been cooking up a Mexican fiesta in her kitchen and wasn’t paying attention to one of his greased pans. He’d left the room briefly to take a call when his fajitas went up in flames.
“When can I go back in?” Rachel asked, flinging off the mask. She stood and placed her hands on her knees, rounding her back.
He looked over at his captain who gave him a nod that it was fine to go inside. “I guess now if you’d like. Are you sure you’re okay?” Adam asked.
“Absolutely.” She straightened her black sweatshirt over her ripped jeans and then adjusted her messy ponytail.
Her outfit had surprised him. In all the time they were together, he never saw her in a sweatshirt not to mention torn jeans. Never. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to the emergency room?” He pointed to his truck. “You wouldn’t have to ride in the fire truck. I could take you.”
“No. That’s not necessary. Really. I think I was more in shock than anything.” She nodded to the house. “I could kill my brother. I kept telling him our kitchen wasn’t equipped like the fancy state-of-the-art one he has in his restaurant and not to run all the burners at once, but of course he didn’t listen.”
Our kitchen.
She kept talking, but all he could do was focus on her mistake. It had been their kitchen once upon a time, and if he’d gotten around to ripping out the old stove and putting a new one in like she’d asked him to do a million times, tonight never would have happened. He felt his throat constrict. Tonight was his fault. Thank God it wasn’t a lot worse. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” she asked, rubbing her arms.
“Lots of things. I’m glad you’re okay, Rach.”
She eyed him for a second, th
en asked, “Would you like to come in? See for yourself that my idiot brother isn’t going to cause any more trouble. I also wouldn’t object if you read him the riot act or at least gave him a few safety tips. For a seasoned chef, he’s pretty reckless in the kitchen.”
Adam looked down at his watch. The gang at the inn had probably called it a night by now, and Bethany, no doubt, would have to be at the Christmas Corner pretty early tomorrow. She might be fast asleep. Besides, even if she hadn’t already gone to bed, he wanted to respect her desire to take things slow. Showing up on her doorstep close to midnight probably wouldn’t be doing that. “Sure. Maybe for a minute.”
“Great. I’ll be in there.” She headed down her walkway and entered her house.
Once the captain released him from his duties, Adam joined her. The remnants of smoke filling his lungs.
“Well, look who showed up for the party?” Donovan came up and slapped his back. “Good to see you, man. Hey, you could have done a complete kitchen renovation before you and my sister split.”
“I thought you were going to move back and do it. Nice to see you, too, big shot.” Adam grinned and shook Donovan’s hand. It’d been a couple years, but Donovan still looked the same with the identical blond hair color and blue eyes of his twin.
Even though it had been a rough breakup, Adam and Donovan had stayed friends. Not that they talked much, but they usually ran into each other when Donovan was home for Christmas. “So, how’s life?”
“Can’t complain. Restaurant business is good.” He motioned for Adam to follow him into the living room. “I’m thinking I might need a change, though. I’m getting a little antsy, and apparently want to burn shit.”
Adam chuckled. “Well, you know, Buttermilk Falls could use a fusion steakhouse or whatever the hell you specialize in.” He wasn’t quite sure what his specialization was, but he knew Donovan’s five-star restaurant didn’t serve burgers like the ones at Mel’s Diner or anything that Adam’s working class taste buds were accustomed to.
“It’s sophisticated comfort food, and I think this town would dig it.”
Adam sat down on the white sofa and straightened an imaginary bow tie. “We can be fancy here in Buttermilk Falls. Just make sure pizza and beer are both on the menu.”
“You got it, man. And my famous macaroni cheese pie, too. That will definitely be on the menu if I move home and open up a pub.”
“Who’s hungry?” Rachel interrupted, walking in with a big red bowl full of tortilla chips and another smaller one with guacamole, joining the conversation. “I’ve been telling him for years that he should come back.” She set the bowls down on her coffee table and took a seat next to Adam. “But if you do, Donovan, you’re not living here.”
“Oh, c’mon. Imagine all the parties we’d have. You’d finally have friends,” Donovan teased Rachel.
“Um . . .” She looked up, pretending to think. “Nope. Not worth it.”
“Your kitchen’s too small anyway.” He reached for his phone that was now buzzing. “It’s my restaurant manager. Duty calls. Can I get you a beer, buddy?”
“Sure. Thanks, man.”
“What about that margarita you promised me?” Rachel asked, bringing her legs up to the sofa and crossing them.
“You know how to use your blender.”
Rachel rolled her eyes and turned to Adam. “He’s kidding. He’ll make me one and probably anything else I want after the stunt he pulled.”
Adam tapped her knee. “Might be time get that new stove.”
“Probably.” She laughed. “Thanks for coming by tonight.”
“I kind of had to, I’m on duty.” He grabbed a chip, taking a bite.
“Right. I know. I still appreciate you sitting with me outside and making sure I was okay.”
He smiled at her genuine sincerity. It’s been a while since either one of them had thought of the other before themselves. “I’m glad you’re fine.” He nodded to the kitchen. “And I would have killed your twin brother if anything had happened to you.”
“Me, too. Even from beyond if I had to.”
He grabbed another chip and swirled it around the chunky guac. He didn’t doubt that for a second. Rachel and Mary would have a lot of fun. Not that he wanted them to meet on the other side anytime soon. “No one was going to let anything happen to you. Did you see how many firemen showed up?”
“Yeah, my lawn was pretty full.”
“Hey, was Will here earlier?” He meant to ask the other volunteer fighters if they’d seen him.
“No!” She sat up, eyes wide. “Um . . . I mean, of course not. Why would you think he would be here?”
Adam eyed his ex. That was quite an elaborate no for such a simple question. “Our volunteer schedules are the same. He should have been here tonight.” He paused, adding, “Maybe he had a hot date with Zoe.”
“Maybe. He definitely wasn’t here.” She glanced outside her living room window without offering another word on that subject.
A minute later, Donovan joined them again, this time with a beer for Adam and a frosty margarita for Rachel. Adam had only meant to pop in for a few minutes, but he and Rachel spent the next couple of hours talking and laughing while trying to convince Donovan that he needed to move back and open up a Tex-Mex restaurant that had a mariachi band.
After a while, Donovan went to bed, leaving Adam alone with Rachel. “I should probably get going.” He stood and grabbed the chip bowl to help her clean up.
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” she said from the sofa. “I’ll take care of it. Hey, I was wondering . . . I know our Holiday Hook Up fizzled.” She paused for a few seconds. “Would you like to go to the First Kiss Ball with me?”
He hadn’t expected that question. “Um . . .” he stammered. “I actually . . . It’s just . . .”
She stood, straightening her sweatshirt. “Don’t answer that. It was stupid. Never mind.”
“No. It’s just I already asked Bethany.” He paused, adding, “As friends.” Though he hoped they’d be taking whatever it was between them to the next level, he didn’t want to hurt Rachel’s feelings. If things worked out with Bethany, eventually Rachel would find out, but that time wasn’t now.
“Well, you two will have fun.” She moved across the room and walked him out. “Thanks again for everything.” She stopped at the doorway and reached over and patted his chest, leaving her hand on his sweater. “I see you got your Mom’s gift.”
He looked down at her hand still on his chest. “Yeah. I think this is my favorite yet.”
“It’s nice. Much better than the red one with the green sleeves. Remember that?”
He chuckled. How could he forget? Rachel had taken it off him as soon as they got home. His eyes locked with her beautiful blue ones, realizing his ex had more on her mind than reminiscing about his past sweaters as she tilted her head up.
Before he knew what was happening, his head lowered until her lips moved over his.
No. Nope. No.
This is wrong. So wrong.
Not the woman I want to be kissing.
He stepped away and watched as she put her hand to her face.
Man, he’d done it now. He was an idiot for letting that happen. Being here in the home he shared with her brought back so many memories. Still, he was an ass. “Rach, I’m sorry. I didn’t mea—” Wait a minute. He cocked his head. Was she laughing? “Not the reaction I remember,” he said, relieved those weren’t tears.
“I’m sorry.” She stifled another giggle. “It’s just that . . . Okay, I’m going to be honest.”
“Please.”
“It was like kissing Donovan, not that I ever want to know what that is actually like. I know that you didn’t feel any spark either.” She smiled and smoothed her bangs. “It’s okay, Adam.”
Wow. There it was. They were both ready to admit what they’d been for more than a year.
Over.
“It doesn’t mean I don’t care for you,” he said, and mean
t it.
“I know.” She touched his arm. “Adam Reed, you’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
“Right back at you, Rachel Foster.”
“Friends?” she asked.
“I’d like that.”
“Me, too.”
He opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “Well, I guess I’ll see you later.”
“See you, and thanks again for everything.” She said a final good-bye and shut the door.
Adam walked to his truck, touching his lips.
Friends.
How about that? He grinned and pulled out his truck keys as a car pulled up next to him.
Seconds later the headlights shut off, and Will stepped out.
“Hey, man,” Adam greeted his friend. “You’re late.”
“I didn’t realize my phone battery had died. Totally missed the call.” Will looked over at the house. “Everything okay in there?”
“Yeah, it was Donovan. He was making fajitas and got a little carried away on Rachel’s ancient stove.”
“She’s fine?”
“Yeah. They both are.”
“Good.” He turned back. “Cool.”
Adam studied his friend. Was he imagining things or was that relief all over his buddy’s face? “Say. It’s probably too late to catch last call at the Buttermilk Tavern, but want to stop over to my cottage for a beer? I’m probably going to hang out and watch some TV.”
“Nah, I’m beat . . . I think I’ll head home.”
Adam opened his truck door and climbed in. “Okay, see you around.”
“See you.”
Backing out of the driveway, Adam proceeded down the road, taking a different way than he’d arrived only to find the road closed. He turned his truck around, driving back in the direction of Rachel’s to take the shortcut. As he drove past her place, he slowed down, surveying the scene.
“Well, isn’t that interesting,” he said, slowing down.
Will’s car was still parked in Rachel’s driveway, but his buddy wasn’t in it.
Chapter 15
Does handing Adam an inscribed wedding band presumably from him to me constitute going slow? Bethany asked herself while inspecting the inside of the ring one last time.
