“I’d love to.”
They started for Pyrite Park, Sophie in the lead. The sweet dog stopped to sniff regularly.
“We missed you at the wedding yesterday,” Maya said.
“I know. I was actually feeling okay, so I could have gone. But when I got the invitation, I just wasn’t sure. Tell me everything.”
Maya immediately flashed on being in bed with Del, his body over hers. The sensation of skin on skin was so intense, so real, for a second she thought she was back in time.
She quickly pushed the thoughts away. Although Elaine was her friend, she was also Del’s mother. There was no way they were having that conversation. Talk about TMI.
“Phoebe was beautiful.” Maya pulled out her smartphone and pushed a couple of buttons. “I took a few pictures before the wedding.”
Elaine looked at them. “She looks wonderful. So happy. Good for them.”
“I agree. Zane was nervous, which was great fun. They’re a sweet couple.”
Elaine linked arms with her. “When are you going to find a nice young man and settle down?”
“I have no idea. I’m open to meeting someone.”
Which had been true until last night, Maya thought, wondering if maybe she could get a timing pass on the lie.
“Any sparks with Del?”
If Maya had been swallowing at that moment, she would have choked. “You’re my friend. I love you, but no. We’re not talking about me getting together with your son.”
“Why not? Don’t you think he’s wonderful?”
Maya relaxed. Now she could be honest. “I do. And he’s leaving and I’m not.”
Which was easier than admitting that while he’d seemed to enjoy himself last night, when he’d dropped her off at her place, he hadn’t said a word about them getting together again. Not romantically, anyway. Obviously they would see each other at work.
“Del does love to travel,” Elaine agreed with a sigh, and pointed to a bench. “Let’s sit there.”
Once they’d taken their seats, Elaine unfastened Sophie’s leash. The beagle immediately began exploring the area, without going too far.
Elaine watched her. “I worry about Del being alone. He’s not the type to settle down, but he needs someone.”
“Not everyone wants to be paired up.”
“Del does. He doesn’t talk about it, but he wants to be married. He’s a lot like me. Connections are important to him.” She looked at Maya. “You might like to travel.”
Maya allowed herself a three-second fantasy of seeing the world with Del, then pushed it firmly out of her consciousness. “No matchmaking. Del and I are working together. That’s all.”
Except for the sex. But she wasn’t going to mention that.
“Fine. I won’t push. I’ll daydream, but I won’t push.”
“Thank you for that.”
* * *
MAYA SPENT THE rest of Sunday worrying about Monday morning. She didn’t sleep well for a second night and was running out of concealer tricks to hide the fact. Her stomach was a mess, her brain swirling, and by the time Del strolled into the studio, she was ready to run screaming into the night. Or morning, as it were.
“Hey,” he said cheerfully when he saw her. “How was the rest of your weekend?”
“Good,” she said cautiously, searching for hidden meaning in the words. Only there didn’t seem to be any.
“I’m glad. We’re really interviewing an elephant and a pony?” he asked, sitting in the visitor chair by her desk. “Did I read that right?”
“Priscilla and Reno are a unique love story. They won’t actually be talking. We’ll interview Heidi Stryker, their owner.”
“I don’t know. I suspect an elephant has a lot to say.”
“Because they never forget?” she asked.
“That’s the rumor.”
He grinned at her as though nothing had happened between them. Which, she realized, both relieved and devastated, was probably how he saw things. They’d hooked up for one night and now they were working together again. The evening had been nice, but without emotional significance. Oh, to be able to compartmentalize like a man, she thought. How did they do it? Was it a brain function thing or a hormone thing or the evolutionary equivalent of dumb luck? He was male and got to put their night together in perspective. She was a female and the act of their making love forced her to admit she was in love with him. How was that fair?
Not that there was going to be an answer, she told herself. Therefore, the smartest course of action was to move on.
“You ready?” she asked. “We should collect our gear.”
Del nodded and they stood. Before she could walk out of her office, he gently touched her arm.
“About Saturday,” he began, his voice concerned. “I had a great time. Better than I remember, which is saying something, because what I remember was pretty damned good.”
Tension eased as she was able to breathe again. “Me, too,” she murmured.
“You okay?”
That made her smile. Because a woman would approach the whole conversation differently. With an explanation of what might have happened, what did happen and what could have happened but hadn’t. That would be followed by a detailed analysis of everyone’s feelings.
“I’m okay,” she said, not sure it was true, but willing to fake it until it was.
“Good.”
He released her arm and she headed toward the studio to pick up her camera. On the way she realized she’d been telling the truth. She was okay. In love, but still okay.
* * *
BY NOON THEY were done with their interview. Maya had a meeting at City Hall, so dropped Del off in town. He was about to head home for some lunch when he spotted Aidan walking toward Brew-haha. His brother looked a little pale, considering the time of day and season. Del turned toward him.
“Hungover?” he asked as he approached.
Aidan sighed. “Yeah. There was a blonde and there was tequila. I’m not sure which was more deadly.”
“Maybe it was the combination.”
They walked into the shop and got in line. Aidan went first and ordered a large black coffee. Del got a latte. While he and his brother had both had the same outcome of their weekend, for Del it had only mellowed him.
He’d been telling the truth when he’d spoken with Maya earlier. Being together had been better than he’d remembered. They’d always had chemistry, and that hadn’t changed. But now there was an added element. Maybe experience, maybe maturity. Either way, he’d spent all of Sunday with a stupid grin on his face. It had been a long time since he’d felt the need to grin after sex, and he planned on enjoying the feeling for as long as possible.
He waited for his latte, then joined Aidan outside. His brother sat at a table covered by a patio umbrella, carefully out of the sun. Del sat across from him.
“How much did you drink?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I guess not.”
He’d seen Aidan with a different woman every weekend. The man was into volume. Del considered asking why Aidan didn’t want something more. After a while, the whole “all cats are gray in the dark” thing got old. There was more to life than getting laid. There was caring, connection. Maybe that was why being with Maya had been so good. They had a past and now they were friends who worked well together. He knew her, understood her. Genuinely liked her.
Making love under those circumstances was about as perfect as it got. If he had his way, they would be naked together right now. Because he still wanted her. Not that he was going to get his way. The rest of what they were doing was too important. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t think about it.
“What?” Aidan demanded, his voice a growl. “You have a stupid grin o
n your face.”
Del chuckled. “I’m a happy guy.”
“Go to hell.”
Del ignored that. “How’s business?”
“Good. Busy.”
“You’ve done a great job growing the company, Aidan. You should be proud of yourself.”
“Like I had a choice.”
Del put down his coffee and pushed back his chair. “Okay,” he said, knowing they’d been moving toward this moment from the second he’d gotten back to town. “You win. We’ll do it, right here, right now. I’ll give you a free first punch.”
Aidan’s bleary-eyed stare sharpened. “What are you talking about?”
“Settling it. You’ve wanted to have it out with me since you saw me. So let’s do it.” Del allowed himself a slight smile. “I’ll go easy on you because of the hangover.”
Aidan shook his head. “I’m not fighting you.”
“Why not? You’re pissed. Let’s deal.”
Aidan put down his coffee. “I’m pissed? Is that what you call it? Fine. I’m pissed. I’m pissed and angry that you betrayed me, you selfish bastard. You took off. I was eighteen years old and you didn’t even bother to give me a heads-up. You disappeared, leaving me to take care of everything. I didn’t have a choice. You took that away from me.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Aidan glared at him. “That’s not good enough.”
“That’s all I’ve got. An apology. I can’t go back and change the past. To be honest, I don’t know if I would. I couldn’t stay, Aidan. Not after what happened. At first I was running from Maya, but then I figured out I wasn’t cut out for a life in Fool’s Gold. I never would have made it.”
He drew in a breath. “But how I did it was wrong. I should have talked to you. I should have explained what was going on. And I should have checked on you. I was wrong about all of that. I handled the situation very badly. I hope, with time, you’ll be able to accept my apology.”
His brother leaned back in his chair. “I will if you’ll stop talking,” he grumbled.
“Hurting your head?”
“You have no idea.” Aidan rubbed his temples, then turned to Del. “You were a total shit.”
“Agreed.”
“I’m doing better with the business than you ever could.”
“I won’t argue.”
“Did I mention you’re a shit?”
“Yup.”
“Fine.” Aidan’s mouth turned up. “Want to hear something crazy?”
“Sure.”
“I like running the business. The way it’s growing, the new tours. They’re fun. I like the tourists. I have great people working for me. I didn’t plan on this being my life’s work, but now that I’m stuck, it’s turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Del stared at him. “What? Then why have you been acting like such a dick?”
“To mess with you. You dumped everything on me without asking. That was cold, bro.”
Del swore under his breath. “You’re twisted, but I respect that.” He raised his to-go cup. “To you, little brother. You done good.”
Aidan did the same. “You haven’t done bad yourself. You sold your business for a lot of money.”
“How do you know?”
“I read a couple of business blogs. The sale was mentioned.”
“Thanks. I told Dad about it.”
Aidan snorted. “The old man wouldn’t care. You could cure cancer and he’d yawn. It’s how he is.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What are you going to do now?”
Del thought about the videos he wanted to produce. The way they would enlighten and educate kids around the world. Talk about a lofty and self-important description, he thought.
“I’m not sure. I’m still mulling things over. I have ideas, but nothing firm.”
“You’re not sticking around here.”
“You asking or telling?”
“Telling,” Aidan said with a grin. “You said it yourself. You’re not cut out for Fool’s Gold. You’ll be leaving soon enough.”
Del knew his brother was right. He would leave, because that was what he did. But this time, like the first time, he would regret leaving Maya. They were a good team.
For a second he wondered what it would be like if she came with him. If she wanted what he wanted. Only how could they live in such close quarters without starting something they shouldn’t? If he was with her that much, was he at risk of falling for her again?
While he could understand why she’d acted the way she had, all those years ago, the truth was, she hadn’t been honest. Never once had she hinted there was a problem. Could he trust her to be honest now? To say there was something wrong and then work through it with him? Or would she simply cut and run?
Maybe he was a fool, but he was looking for a partner. Someone who would have his back. With Maya, he couldn’t be sure.
“Good luck with whatever you decide,” Aidan told him. “I’ll admit that I don’t get it. Don’t you want to wake up in the same bed now and then?”
“I’m home enough. I like traveling around, seeing what’s going on in other places. People are interesting. Besides, who are you not to understand? You don’t want to be with the same woman more than a few days before moving on.”
“You’re right. We both have commitment issues. Just in different ways. Send me a postcard this time,” Aidan told him.
“Promise.”
When he and Aidan parted, Del knew that the rift had been mended. His brother was his friend again.
He started home, then changed his mind and walked by Maya’s place. Sure enough, her new flowers had turned a sickly yellow and were drooping. He didn’t know if she was overfeeding or overwatering. Either way, she was killing innocent plants.
He went by his place and got his truck, then drove to Plants for the Planet and bought replacements. With luck, he would get them in the ground and the dead ones gone before she noticed.
* * *
ELAINE’S TEMPORARY APARTMENT was small but cozy. It was a studio with a comfortable daybed. There was a dining alcove, a tiny kitchen that had all the basics and a small bathroom.
“It’s perfect for what I need,” Elaine said, stretched out on the couch, Sophie at her side. “When the princess here needs to do her thing, I can take her down to the small garden out back.”
Elaine motioned to the kitchen. “I have snacks and tea. So it’s working out.”
“It’s a good setup,” Maya admitted. “I’m impressed you’ve managed to keep it a secret.”
Elaine smiled. “I told the landlord it was a menopause thing. After that he didn’t want to know.”
Maya smiled. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay. Tired.” Sophie rolled onto her back and Elaine rubbed the dog’s belly. “This one keeps me company. She’s always been more my dog rather than the family dog, but since I’ve started treatment, she hasn’t left my side.”
“She knows something is up.”
Maya studied her friend. Elaine had dark circles under her eyes. She looked tired. And thinner. “Are you losing weight?”
Elaine raised one shoulder. “Maybe a little. It’s hard to eat. I don’t feel nauseous, exactly, but I don’t feel great, either. It’s difficult to explain.”
“Can I tempt you with dinner at your favorite restaurant?” Maya asked, worried about how Elaine was going to get through the next few weeks of radiation. “You name the place.”
“You’re sweet, but I’m fine. I have my treatments, then I come here for a few hours. Mostly I nap. Then Sophie and I go home.”
Maya tried to hold in the words, but they refused to be suppressed. “You have to tell them.”
“I
really don’t.”
“They’d want to know. They will want to know. Ceallach already suspects something is up. It’s going to come out. You’ll mention something or your doctor will call. You’re dealing with breast cancer. Your husband and sons want to be there for you.”
Elaine’s smile was both sad and knowing. “They couldn’t handle it. Ceallach is in the middle of a big commission. I can’t risk distracting him, so I told him it was a menopause thing, too. Who knew the change would come in so handy? As for my sons... I don’t want anyone to worry.”
“They would want to know. To help.”
“There’s nothing they can do. You and Sophie are all the support I need.”
Maya wasn’t sure that was true. She was also worried about what was going to happen when Del found out the truth. Because he would. They all would. While she could honestly say she was doing what her friend had asked, she couldn’t shake the sense of being in the wrong. At least where he was concerned. Del would want to know, and she suspected the rest of the Mitchell men would share his feelings.
“You’re not giving them enough credit,” she said firmly. “Trust in how much they love you.”
“I don’t doubt their feelings, but I know their limitations. I suppose it’s my fault. At least with the boys. I wasn’t a very good mother.”
Maya couldn’t believe it. She’d had a horrible mother, and by any comparison, Elaine had been extraordinary. “What are you talking about? You were a fantastic mother. You took care of them, loved them, supported them. They’re all lucky to have you as their mom.”
Elaine smiled. “You’re very sweet, but you’re giving me too much credit. I didn’t protect my sons from their father the way I should have. He’s a brilliant man, but difficult. There were times when I took his side instead of theirs.”
“You made choices. I’m sure some of them weren’t what you’d do now, but no one is perfect. You’re not giving yourself enough credit.” Maya wondered if that came from feeling run-down from the treatment. “They adore you. Even more important, they’re happy, kind, successful men you can be proud of. Don’t you dare forget that.”
Elaine smiled. “You’re very good to me.”
Thrill Me Page 16
