by Judi Lynn
“I’m sorry.”
“When you marry a military guy, you always know it might happen. He didn’t like sitting behind a desk. This job couldn’t have come at a better time. The kids and I needed a fresh start. The job includes room and board, so I might even be able to save up a little.”
Fresh starts. There seemed to be lot of that going around lately. Tessa nodded. “We’re going to get along just fine, I can tell. It’ll be nice working with you.”
By the time Paula left, Tessa knew what she’d need to provide each day for a month, both for produce, teas, and desserts. Paula promised to send someone over to collect them every evening.
A good thing. Then Tessa wouldn’t have to go to the lodge. She could take a breath, gather her courage, and heal.
Chapter 26
Tessa hardly saw Ian for the next few weeks, and when she did, it wasn’t the same. He was withdrawn, different. As she suspected, he spent most of his waking hours dealing with guests and business . . . and most of his weekends, dealing with Lily.
After the first miserable week, each day got a little better. After all, she’d seen what was coming. Part of her was prepared for it. Sort of. She still kept busy during the days, but started looking online at dating services in the evenings.
Somewhere, near the end of June, she drove to Columbus to have supper with a new man she’d met online. “We’re both on the rebound,” he’d written her. “Bodes badly for us working out, but we might enjoy dinner together.”
She’d dressed in one of the outfits Darinda had helped her pick out—a white, peasant blouse and a short, bouncy skirt. She’d taken time with her hair and make-up. All in all, she looked better than usual. She walked to the outdoor café where they’d agreed to meet, saw the red, button-down shirt and purple, baseball cap he’d said he’d wear, and headed to meet him. The shirt was expensive, she noticed. So was everything about him. He rose to greet her, and when she looked up from the seat he offered her, there were Ian and Lily seated on the other side of the café’s big, glass window.
Tessa forced a smile and a small wave, then turned her attention back to her date. He glanced to where she’d looked and grinned. “Your friend has some looker on his arm, doesn’t he? Bet she’s a firecracker.”
Tessa bit the inside of her cheek. Not a good start. She didn’t like this guy already. She tried for small talk. “I’ve never been to this café. What’s it known for?”
He took a sip of his martini. “It’s one of those trendy places that offers crab cakes and filet mignon sliders, fancy wines, and special ales, but mostly, it’s a place to see and be seen. I want the bitch I was dating to know I’ve met someone else.”
Tessa leaned back in her chair, her shoulders stiff. “That’s why you posted on the dating site? You said you were on the rebound, not stuck in revenge mode. How did I get so lucky? Why did you choose my profile?”
“Who could miss you with all that copper hair?” He gave a tight smile when a car slowed as it passed them, the wife turning in the passenger seat to gawk at them. “See? That’s one of Desiree’s best friends. She’ll spread the news the minute she can pull out her cell phone.”
“At least you’re honest.” Tessa picked up the menu. She usually ordered moderately priced meals on a first date, but this guy might as well pay for whatever struck her fancy. “I think I’ll have a crab cake for an appetizer and lobster for my entrée.”
He grinned. “I like that. You’ve decided to make me pay for my sins. I’m not intrigued by women who are easy. By the way, I’m Aaron. I think it’s going to be a pleasure to meet you.”
“Don’t count on it. This will be our one and only date.”
His blue eyes sparkled. “You’re more interesting than I expected. Your little ditty on the matchmaking site made you sound too goody-goody to be true. You own a farm stand and a bakery. Really.”
“I do run a farm stand and a bakery.”
“But you’re no little Miss Sweetness, are you? There’s fire under that sugar coating.”
She sighed. “I’m not going to duel with you to earn my supper. If I have to, I can pay for my own. I’m here. I’m hungry, and we can either have a nice evening, or you can take a hike.”
He laughed. “Warning noted. I’ll be on my best behavior.”
And he was, but he’d already ruined it for Tessa. They talked about books, movies, and places they’d traveled, but she didn’t trust him. When they were waiting for their coffee and dessert to arrive, Ian and Lily left the restaurant and stopped at their table.
“Isn’t this a wonderful restaurant?” Lily’s smile upped to megawatts. Her gaze settled on Tessa’s date, and her expression showed approval . . . and interest.
Ian’s jaw tightened. He glared at Tessa. “If we’d known you were driving to Columbus, we could have offered you a ride.”
Tessa couldn’t hide her horror. An hour in the back seat, watching Ian and Lily exchange glances and touches. How special. She licked dry lips. “I had no idea you were coming.”
“Have you two known each other long?” Lily’s gaze connected with Aaron’s.
Aaron grinned. “It’s our first official meeting. I saw Tessa on a dating site and knew I’d spotted someone interesting.” He leveled a look at Ian. “She’s even more intriguing than I’d expected.”
Ian’s lips pressed together in a scowl.
Aaron looked even more amused. “And you two?” he asked Lily. “Are you old friends?”
Tessa shook her head. “They’re engaged. Let me introduce you to Ian McGregor and his fiancée, Lily.” She didn’t know Lily’s last name.
Aaron’s voice turned silky as he smiled at Lily. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tessa turned a cold gaze his way. The man was enjoying himself too much at their expense.
Ian bristled. He put an arm through Lily’s and said, “Well, it was nice seeing you, Tess. We’ll leave you to your date.” And he stalked off, taking Lily with him.
Aaron studied Tessa. “My, my, you are an interesting woman. I thought your boyfriend was going to take a swing at me.”
“He’s not my boyfriend. He’s my neighbor. And he’s engaged.”
“Does his fiancée know that? I should have asked for her number. I might have gotten it.”
Tessa bit back a reply. Tonight had been a total bust. The waiter came with their key lime pie and coffees, and she tried to force herself to eat. When they’d finished their meal and Aaron had paid, he laughed at her attempt to be polite.
“You didn’t plan this,” he told her, “so it’s not your fault. I, on the other hand, was a total prick and tried to use you to make my ex jealous. But I haven’t had so much fun for a long time. Thank you for helping me get over Desiree. She’s not worth the bother. Neither is your friend’s fiancée. She’ll cheat on him. Hope he gets smart.”
Tessa blinked. “She just moved in with him.”
“And she’s already flirting? Poor sod.”
Why Tessa felt the need to stick up for Lily, she didn’t know, but she didn’t like the idea of Ian getting hurt. “Some people just flirt. Lily’s like that.”
Aaron shook his head. “If you gave me her number—which you won’t, because you’re too nice—and I called her, she’d hook up with me. I know women. She’s a sure thing.”
The thought troubled her. Lily didn’t strike her as the “till death do us part” type, but Tess didn’t think she’d cheat on Ian unless it was mutual. Still Aaron’s comments worried her. But did he know women as well as he thought he did? Didn’t he just get dumped by his ex?
Aaron pushed away from the table and reached for Tessa’s hand. “I’ll walk you to your car. If times were different, I’d ask you out again, but neither of us are in the best place for that, are we?”
When they reached her beat-up pickup, he stared. “I should have known. Not what I expected.”
She slid behind the steering wheel and smiled a goodbye. “Thanks for the supper, Aaron. An
d good luck. I hope you meet the right person.”
His grin surprised her. “But I’m always tempted by the not-so-nice ones, aren’t I? Maybe in five years, if you’re still single, I’ll give you a call. By then, I should be ready.”
She thought about that on her drive home. In five years, if she was still single, she might take him up on his offer. But she didn’t want to wait that long.
On Thursday, when Grams was ready to leave after a day of baking, she shook a finger at Tessa. “I know Aaron didn’t go that well, but don’t give up. Keep trying. I’ve never seen you this moody, not even after you caught Gary cheating.”
“I’m not moody.”
“The hell, you’re not. It’s about time. You’ve been plastering fake smiles on your face for too long. Go out and get happy.”
So Tessa tried. She drove into Columbus every once in a while to meet men who sounded interesting online for lunch or drinks. That’s why it surprised her when Ian showed up at her house one night. She’d planned on running into town to grab supper from the diner, but her pickup wouldn’t start. She turned the key, pumped the gas, and Gerty sputtered and groaned, but wouldn’t turn over. She lifted the hood, got her hands dirty, but no luck. She added water to the radiator and was checking for a loose wire when she heard Ian’s golf cart pull into her drive.
“Problems?” he asked.
“I’m going to have to get her towed. Maybe the battery or starter died. Garth can check the old girl over.”
“Does she have a name?”
“Gerty.” Tessa patted her fender.
“You’ve never thought of getting a second car as backup, just in case?”
Tessa blinked at him. How could he suggest such a thing? “That would be like admitting I couldn’t trust her. That would just be wrong.”
He laughed. “I could hear her suffering all the way from my place. I think she needs some TLC. Do you need a ride someplace?”
“It can wait. I’ll give Garth a call, and he’ll have someone pick her up.”
Ian looked at his watch. “It’s six o’clock. Have you eaten yet?”
He knew she hadn’t. Six o’clock was when they used to get together for meals. “I was going to grab something from the diner.”
“When I moved to Mill Pond, this nice neighbor rescued me when I was stranded on the side of the road, and she offered me supper. I’d like to return the favor.”
Tessa grimaced. They’d done such a good job of avoiding each other—they hadn’t seen one another for weeks. “Thanks anyway, but I can rummage for something in the refrigerator.”
“No need to. I’ll get my car and we can grab something together.”
She bit her bottom lip, unsure. “What about the resort?”
“Paula and the waiters are serving supper. People are settled. No one will miss me for an hour or two.”
She took a deep breath. This wasn’t a good idea. She was just getting over him.
Ian grinned. “I’m not going to make any moves on you. We’ve both moved on. I’d still like to be your friend. Think of me as Keavin.”
Oh, what the hell? They were neighbors. Mill Pond was too small a community to think they’d never bump into each other. She might as well learn how to cope. She hopped on the golf cart and rode back to the lodge with him. He called to Luther that he’d be gone for a while, led her to his car, and they drove into town. He stopped at Garth’s first, and Garth promised he’d send someone for Gerty.
Folks stared when they walked into the diner together. Ian shrugged his shoulders and addressed the diners. “Her pickup died. She needed a ride. We’re neighbors.”
People nodded and returned their attention to their meals.
Ian shook his head. “Nothing goes unnoticed here, does it?”
“Not a thing.” Tessa smiled. “How’s life been for you? Business is good?”
“We’ve had a better start-up than I expected. The open house helped. Lily’s friends told their friends, and we’ve had lots of reservations.”
That, she knew from the amount of baked goods he bought from her each day, but it seemed like a safe topic to start with. “Do you enjoy it as much as you thought you would?”
“Even more.”
The waitress came and they placed their orders. The weather was warm now, and heavy meals didn’t appeal to her. Tessa ordered a BLT with a side salad.
Ian nodded. “That sounds good. I’ll have the same thing.” When she closed the menu, he stared at her hands. “Your fingernails are worse than usual. What would your mother say?”
“What Mom doesn’t know won’t hurt her.”
“But she suspects.”
She shot him a look. “You garden every day and see how manicured you look.”
“Did you notice that Luther did more landscaping around the building? The boy knows his stuff. You taught him well.”
She’d noticed. “You put in sedum. A good idea. It looks good in summer and adds color in the fall.”
Ian took a sip of water, then grinned. “That’s what Luther told me. Said it was one of your standbys.”
Their food came, and they ate in companionable silence. She could do this. They could do it. They could be friends.
On the drive home, she chatted away. Small talk wasn’t usually her forte, but she made an effort to keep things light. When he dropped her off, she waved goodbye and went straight into the house. She didn’t stand to watch him drive out of sight.
She walked to the sunroom and stared out at the lake. Shit, that had been hard. They’d pulled it off, and it would get better with time. But being friends sure as hell wasn’t going to be easy, and they’d better not try it too often.
Chapter 27
Her heart wasn’t into meeting the new guy she’d agreed to have dinner with in Columbus. But if she didn’t make herself get out there, meet new people, she’d return to being her hermit self, and Darinda would hurt her. So would Grams and Keavin.
She parked Gerty a block away, so that her date wouldn’t see her beat-up pickup, and she walked to the trendy restaurant where she’d met Aaron. It must be the place men chose to impress women, not that she cared. She just wanted to survive yet another blind date. She scanned the outdoor tables for a man in a teal shirt with a white tie. When she spotted him and started toward him, she looked at the surrounding tables and saw Lily leaning forward to share quips with Aaron.
She froze and Aaron looked up and spotted her. He looked like someone had dumped cold water on him. Lily turned to see what he was staring at and saw Tessa. Her face fell.
Tessa didn’t know how to react. What should she do? Point at Lily and make a scene? What would that accomplish? Instead, she walked past them and went to join the man who was waiting for her. He didn’t look anything like his picture. He was at least twenty years older. White circled his finger where his wedding band usually sat. He said, “Well, looks like I hit the jackpot. You’re lovely.”
When the waiter came to take their drink orders, he looked at the man, confused.
Tessa sighed. “Does he usually bring his wife here?”
The waiter looked at the man, not sure how to answer.
Tessa shook her head. “Sorry, this was a mistake. I need to go.”
The man didn’t argue with her, but as she walked away, Aaron hurried to catch up. Lily was no longer with him. “I didn’t think I’d see you here again.”
“Obviously. Neither did Lily.”
“I feel bad about this. I liked you. I didn’t mean . . .”
“Yes, you did. Let’s just leave it at that.” She kept walking, and he didn’t follow.
She turned over one thought after another on the way home. Should she tell Ian? How could she not tell him? No one appreciated the bearer of bad news. Would he hate her? But by the time she got home, it was late. She felt frazzled. She decided she’d tell him in the morning, after she’d had time to think of the right words, the right approach.
In the morning, she called him. Hi
s voice sounded strained. “Come on over,” he said. “I’ve had a long night.”
So had she.
When she got there, she was surprised to see Lily. It was a weekday. She should be off somewhere, traveling the globe. Lily gave her a tight smile. “You’re always going to be my nemesis, aren’t you? You’re never going to go away.”
Tessa blinked. “Excuse me? I live here, remember?”
Lily turned to Ian. “I cheated on you. Tessa caught me. She was coming to warn you that I saw another man.”
The color drained from Ian’s face. He looked lost, confused. “That’s why you got here so late last night? Why you’ve been in such a bad mood?”
“I didn’t want to talk about it then. I needed to think it through.”
Ian stared. “You cheated on me, and it put you in a bad mood?”
“I didn’t sleep with him.”
Ian glared at Tessa. “What the hell happened?”
Lily sagged, as if someone had let the air out of her. “I don’t like it here. I like you, but I hate Mill Pond.”
“We talked about the lodge. We made the decision together.”
“I just wanted you to get it out of your system, so we could move on.”
Ian went very still. “It was my dream. You knew that. Why agree to marry me?”
“Look at you. Every other woman wants you. You’re rich, handsome, funny—I didn’t want to lose you.”
Ian looked as though he’d been sucker-punched. A coldness pumped through Tessa’s veins. She remembered how much it hurt when she found Gary with Sadie, when she’d realized she hadn’t been enough for him.
Ian blinked. He didn’t know what to say. He looked confused. “Why tell me to sleep with Tessa if you wanted me for yourself?”
“Because you wanted to, I could tell.”
“And it wouldn’t have bothered you?”
She hung her head. “I didn’t think so at the time, but it wouldn’t have worked. I get too jealous of Tessa. Even my damned friends liked her.”
Tessa hugged herself, stunned. Lily was jealous of her?
Lily watched her reaction and nodded. “I’ve never been so bitchy to anyone, but you make me feel so inadequate. I know I’m shallow, but I’m fun, and I’m usually nice, and I’m good at my job.”
