“Then how did you know? You weren’t even in town that day. And how was Chicago, by the way?”
“Chicago was just as I’d left it. As to your other question, I have my ways.”
Arden put her hands on her hips and waited.
“Okay. Kristina Harrison saw you. You remember, the owner of the Sunrise.”
Arden nodded.
“She stopped by to talk to Brandon and saw him carrying you up the stairs. According to her, it was quite romantic.”
It had been. But Arden would never admit that, even to herself. Especially to herself. She had walls around her heart for a reason. Brandon was chopping away at them even if he didn’t know it. “I twisted my ankle and he helped me inside. That’s all.”
“Rats. That’s just what he said.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“So there was no kissing.”
Arden’s face heated and she didn’t answer. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t think Brandon would appreciate her discussing the specifics of their relationship with his sister.
“So you did. I knew it.”
“Surely you don’t want details.”
“About my brother? No way. That’s just icky. Of course, it would be good to have something to taunt him with. You know, as payback for all those times he teased me when we were kids. But, seriously, I’m just happy that he’s finally moving on.”
“He’s not moving on. At least not with me. It was just a friendly kiss between pals.” A kiss so hot her lips were still sizzling. But that was a result of chemistry. Even she knew better than to confuse physical attraction with something deeper.
Joni didn’t look convinced, but thankfully she let the subject drop. “What are you doing for dinner tonight? I know you’re not helping Brandon since he has hired a couple of new waitresses and you’re not covering as many shifts.”
“I actually haven’t thought about it.”
“Come to girls’ night out with me.”
“What’s involved?”
“It’s nothing formal. My friends and I get together whenever we can. Sometimes we go to a movie or dinner. Tonight we’re meeting at Kayla’s house. She’s married to John, the mechanic who fixed your car. He’s grilling and the rest of us are bringing sides.”
“I thought you said it was girls’ night,” Arden said.
“John’s not hanging around. He’s going out with the guys from the choir.”
“He sings?” Arden choked out. John sounded like a foghorn, but maybe the church was desperate. Small towns would have a smaller talent pool.
“Goodness, no. He’s terrible. He plays the drums. Anyway, we’re going to have a great time. We’ll eat, then just hang around and talk. It’s a lot of fun and a great chance for you to meet more people.”
“You sure they won’t mind?”
“Positive. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re a welcoming bunch in Sweet Briar.”
She had noticed that everyone smiled and said hello when they passed her on the street. The other people at the Laundromat talked to her while they washed their clothes. She’d had conversations with the waitresses at the restaurant. Everyone had been nice. But Joni was taking it a step further by including Arden in her intimate group of friends.
“In that case, I’d love to come. Should I bring anything?”
“That’s not necessary. You’re my guest.”
Arden grinned. “I can hardly wait.”
* * *
At six o’clock Arden jumped into Joni’s car and they were off. After a short and scenic drive through town, Joni parked in front of a redbrick house with a well-groomed yard. Instead of heading for the front porch, Joni and Arden followed the sound of feminine laughter around the side of the house and to the backyard. Several women lounged in chairs grouped around the patio while John manned the grill.
Dressed in jeans and a Carolina Panthers jersey, he looked like he was having the time of his life. He took foil packets off the grill and set them on a platter. “These vegetables and chicken are nice, but are you sure you don’t want some meat? I have some great steak that will put a little meat on your bones.”
“Our bones are happy with the meat they have,” one of the women said, tossing a napkin at him.
He shrugged and flashed a grin. “Don’t say I didn’t offer.” Done with the grill, he went to a petite woman and kissed her long and deep before waving goodbye.
“Everyone, this is Arden,” Joni said, sweeping her into the middle of the women. “She’s staying with Brandon and me for a while.”
“Hi,” she said, suddenly ridiculously nervous.
“I’m Kayla. We haven’t officially met yet although I’ve seen you around. Welcome to my home. That was my husband who just left.” She pointed to each of the women, introducing them by name. “That’s Liz, and Hannah, and Katrina, and Veronica.” They each waved back in turn. “Help yourself to a drink and come sit down. We want to know all about you.”
Arden grabbed a can of soda and joined the group. “I’m afraid you’ll be bored to tears.”
“Kayla, a little bird told me you had news,” Joni said.
“Yeah. There are no secrets in this town. I’m pregnant again.”
“That’s wonderful,” Liz said, hugging their hostess. Arden added her congratulations to those being offered by the other women.
“I’m happy, although I could strangle my husband. I seem to get pregnant whenever he looks at me.”
“You must not have paid enough attention in biology. It’s not the looks that get you into trouble. It’s what happens afterward,” Joni quipped.
Everyone laughed, including Kayla. When everyone quieted, she turned to look at Arden. “So how do you like our town?”
Arden looked at the eager faces of the women. They actually seemed interested in her answer. Maybe they were just being polite, but she didn’t get that vibe. If they were Joni’s friends, they were probably as nice as she was. That thought set her at ease and she knew she could enjoy herself. “I like it. Sweet Briar is beautiful. The people are great.”
“And the men are so good-looking,” Veronica added. “Especially a certain chef of a fabulous restaurant.”
Joni made the time-out sign with her hands. “No talking about my brother. That’s just too weird.”
“Okay. Then I won’t mention his cute butt,” Hannah added.
“Or that muscled chest,” Liz put in, fanning her face with a napkin.
“Ignore them. They just do this because it bugs me.” Joni shook her unopened can of cola and aimed it at the other women.
“Okay. We give. Let’s talk about you and the mayor.”
Joni rolled her eyes. “I told you, move along. There’s nothing to see there. Lex and I are just friends.”
“I don’t understand you,” Hannah said, a sudden frown marring her face. She wagged a manicured finger in Joni’s direction. “That man is hot.”
“Seriously hot,” Veronica added. “Ice cubes melt the minute he walks into a room.”
Arden did agree that the mayor was attractive in a pretty-boy way. She just didn’t feel the same pull she felt with Brandon. Brandon may not have been as classically handsome as Lex, but something about him lit her fire.
“I’m not disputing his hotness,” Joni said. “I do have eyes in my head. I’m just not interested in a romance with him or anyone else right now.”
“Are you crazy?” Hannah gaped, then shook her head again. She began to list his good qualities, using her fingers to count. “He’s hot. He’s nice. He treats you well. You know he went out on a limb to convince the city council to give the youth center that funding.”
“And don’t forget the best quality of all,” Liz said.
“What’s that?” Arden a
sked, getting into the spirit. Listening to the other women, she wondered if Joni should consider having a relationship with the mayor. She’d seen them together and sparks did fly. The pull between them was so strong you could practically see it. Evidently, he had even more good qualities than she knew.
“He’s rich.”
Arden nearly choked on her drink. “What?”
“He’s loaded. His entire family is.”
“That doesn’t matter to me,” Joni said.
“Really? My mama always said it’s just as easy to love a rich man as it is to love a poor one.” Liz laughed.
“Easier,” Hannah chimed in. “You don’t have the financial worries that other couples do.”
Arden knew they were joking, but jokes often contained insights into a person’s true feelings. Maybe these women did believe wealth was a good enough reason to become involved with someone. But then they laughed. And they had listed many of Lex’s other qualities first. Maybe she was overreacting. She was still raw from having been involved with someone who actually lived by those words. Of course Michael-the-worm hadn’t loved her, but he’d certainly been willing to fake it in order to get his hands on her trust fund. She forced that thought away. She refused to let thoughts of him ruin another of her days. That fool was in the past and that was where he was going to stay.
The evening passed quickly and plans were made to get together again the following week at Hannah’s house. If the weather was good, they’d swim in her pool. Arden exchanged numbers and even made lunch plans with Veronica for the following week.
“Did you have a good time?” Joni asked after they said goodbye to everyone and headed to the car.
“The best. Everyone was great.” Arden fastened her seat belt and leaned back, the pleasure of the evening still bubbling inside her. Aside from the one little hiccup when the subject of marrying for money had come up, everything had been wonderful. “Thanks for including me. I feel like I’ve just made a bunch of really great friends.”
Joni pulled away from the curb and blew the horn, tossing a final wave to Kayla, who stood on her front lawn. “That’s because you did make a bunch of really great friends. Before you know it, you won’t be able to remember living anywhere but here. You’ll put down roots so deep and so fast your head will spin.”
Joni’s words struck a chord. She could easily see the picture Joni painted. And, boy, did she like it. But she knew she would never be able to remain here. The day was rapidly approaching when she’d have to give up the identity of Arden West, waitress, and return to her life as Arden Wexford, heiress.
Chapter Eleven
Arden and Joni were blocks away from Heaven on Earth when Joni’s phone rang. She put it on hands-free and answered.
“Is this my favorite sister in the world?”
Arden’s heart sped up as Brandon’s voice filled the car. It was as if he’d suddenly materialized beside her. She smiled and glanced at Joni, who looked back at her with a raised eyebrow. Arden tried to hide her expression, but when Joni smirked she knew it was too late.
“Nope. She’s home in bed because she has to be at the youth center early tomorrow.”
“Come on, Joni. I wouldn’t call you unless it was an emergency. Lydia went home sick. I only need you for a couple of hours.”
Arden looked at her tired friend and spoke up. “I can come. We’re not far away.”
She heard him expel his breath. What was that about? Finally he replied. “Thanks. I owe you.”
“I’m not keeping score.”
Joni disconnected the call and turned to Arden. “I’m not going to ask what’s going on between you two. That’s none of my business. But I will ask you to be careful with my brother’s heart. He’s been hurt. It changed him. He was the most playful and charming guy. Now he tries to protect himself.”
“As are you.”
“I’m his sister.”
“I would never hurt Brandon. At least not on purpose.”
“Good enough.” Joni smiled and pulled to the curb. “Thanks for helping my brother.”
“I’m just returning one of many favors.”
“I thought you weren’t keeping score.”
Arden laughed and ran inside the building. Ten minutes later she was dressed in the uniform Joni kept at the restaurant for emergencies. Every seat in the dining room was filled. After she found out which tables she would be serving, she went to each one, introduced herself and asked what the patrons needed. She delivered the requested items with a smile, easing into the familiar routine.
The night flew quickly and before long the last customers—a party of eight—left amid boisterous laughter. The waitresses followed soon after, followed by the kitchen staff. As had been her practice whenever she worked, Arden helped Matt clean. When the dining room was straightened, she let him out, locked the door and then joined Brandon in the kitchen.
He looked up from a counter he was wiping. “Thanks. You really saved me tonight.”
“No worries.” She looked around the sparkling kitchen. It looked clean, but you never knew. Brandon was a stickler, and what looked perfect to her might not be perfect to him. “You need any help?”
He shook his head. “I’m finished.” He disposed of the cloth and then gestured for her to proceed out the kitchen. He flipped off the lights, then followed her. He grabbed the linens, turned on the alarm, then led her to his truck.
“How was girls’ night out?” he asked as they drove down the silent streets. The night was dark and peaceful. Sweet air blew through the open windows. It was as if they were the only two people in the world.
“It was fun. Everybody was so nice.”
“Why do you sound surprised?”
She couldn’t explain about her past experiences without going into detail about who she was. But maybe it was time for her to do just that. She’d been around Brandon long enough to know he wasn’t the type to let a large bank account change his behavior. His character was solid. He wasn’t greedy and there wasn’t a deceitful bone in his body. She was ashamed that she’d ever thought he could be. Her only excuse was that past hurts had made her cautious and suspicious.
“I’ve had some pretty bad experiences that have made me more jaded than the average person my age.”
He nodded as he pulled to the curb, but his attention was clearly not on what she was saying. She followed his gaze to his front porch. The light was on, illuminating a woman sitting on the front steps. Joni was standing beside her with her arms crossed. Even from this distance, it was clear from Joni’s rigid posture that she was fuming.
“Son of a...” Brandon slammed the brakes and jumped from the vehicle, leaving the keys dangling in the ignition. Arden felt uncertainty battling with a willingness to help, as well as plain old curiosity. She removed the keys, locked the doors and slowly walked to the porch.
“I tried to get her to leave, but she refuses. I’m tempted to call the police. Really, I’d like to drag her off by her hair.”
“It’s okay, Joni. Go inside. I’ll take care of her once and for all.” He never took his eyes off the other woman.
“What about Arden?”
Brandon blinked and looked around. He’d been so focused on the other woman that he had forgotten all about her. “Thanks for your help. I’ll talk to you later.”
She nodded, clearly dismissed. She handed him his car keys. “Sure. I was glad to help.” She started around to the side of the house toward the garage, questions bombarding her from every direction. Who was that woman? What did she have to do with Brandon? It was obvious he was angry with her, but was that anger simply love turned inside out? Was she the woman who had hurt Brandon?
If so, did she want him back?
Would he take her back?
* * *
Brandon in
haled deeply, trying to gain control of his emotions as he stared at the woman he’d hoped never to see again. Sylvia. He couldn’t believe she was here. He’d been clear that he didn’t want her in his life. He’d told her as much. And then he had not answered another of her calls. Even she should have figured out that the last thing he wanted was for her to show up at his front door.
Did she think she would have an advantage if she blindsided him? Not a chance. Maybe if he was still in love with her, but those tender feelings had died the night he almost did.
He looked around. Although Arden had left, Joni still stood on the porch, her body shaking with barely contained fury. Sylvia must have sensed the danger, because her eyes kept darting to Joni. Sylvia looked ready to take flight at any moment.
“I’ve got this, Joni. Go on to bed.” He looked over at Sylvia and didn’t try to mask his distaste. Joni still didn’t move so he repeated himself. “I’ll handle this and be inside in a minute.”
“Okay.” His sister glared at Sylvia, then stalked inside.
When the door was firmly closed behind Joni, Brandon turned his attention to Sylvia. “What part of leave me the hell alone is too difficult for you to understand?”
He expected her to become defensive or, worse yet, to turn on the sex appeal. She’d had that act down in spades. Tall and curvy, she’d known how to dress to accentuate her attributes and attract a man. He’d fallen into her trap even as she was using him to get close to Jason Smith, the silent partner in the restaurant where Brandon had worked in Chicago. Nothing about her had revealed that she was a rogue FBI agent seeking revenge on the man she’d blamed for her brother’s death even if it had meant pretending to be in love with Brandon and endangering his life.
He stared at her. He’d never seen her look anything other than well put together. Even when she was pulling a gun and shooting at drug lords, she’d been wearing designer clothes. The porch light wasn’t as good as daylight, but he could see her clearly. Her previously long, thick hair looked thin and dull, her clothes cheap. She had definitely come down in the world.
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