Chapter Fourteen
It was only right she reach out to Sam North to thank him for the cashmere set. With the exciting news she’d been bottling up for the last three days, she’d forgotten to call him to thank him.
Boy, did she have a lot to thank him for.
Plus, since she was wearing the scarf, and the hat and gloves were tucked in her purse, it was the least she could do.
She walked into the workroom to see Anton staring in disbelief at their email. She’d just finished her last consult and was ready for lunch.
“Remember that bride who came in last week who wasn’t sure if she wanted a big wedding or a small wedding?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
“Yeah?” She loosened her scarf and peeked over his shoulder. “She had her mom and soon to be mother-in-law with her?”
“Yup. That’s the one. Well, she decided to go the big route and has eight bridesmaids.”
“Eight?” Dina repeated. “That’s the one in in June, right?”
“Yeah. We’re talking eight bridesmaid dresses, a flower girl dress, and a dress for each of the moms, and of course the bridal gown.”
Dina did the quick math calculation, and theoretically, she shouldn’t be in labor, but nothing in Dina’s life ever seemed to go according to plan.
“Whoa.” Her gaze flashed to Anton. “And you might still be here, I hope?”
“I certainly hope so.” He grinned and hit print before clicking off the order. “But we might need another one of me.”
His gaze fell to her hands, which were resting on her flat belly, and she quickly pulled them away, leaving him to stifle a chuckle.
Dina grabbed the signed contract off the printer and read over the details. Nothing except the quantity of bridesmaids had changed since their meeting.
“I wonder if Trina will be done with classes by then.” He pushed his smile into a contemplative scowl as he thought about the calendar ahead. “She could be a lot of help.”
“I have no problem keeping it all in the family.” Dina chuckled. “We’ll cross that bridge as it gets closer, but it looks like we might need to start updating our calendar online.”
The chime sounded out front, and Dina patted Anton’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
As she rounded the corner, she saw Sam North and her heart skipped a beat. He was staring at the tulips he’d delivered to her, and the sight of him nearly took her breath away. She didn’t know if it was because she was now linked to him for life or if he just looked especially good today with his leather jacket, jeans, and a grey knit beanie. These new hormones were a tricky thing that she’d have to learn to navigate in the coming months.
“Hi, Sam.” She tried to sound as normal as possible but wasn’t sure how well that would work so she stopped talking until his gaze met hers. Now wasn’t the time to say a word about anything.
“Hey,” he said, smiling. “Have any lunch plans?”
He flashed his dazzling smile, and she realized how hard it was going to be to pretend she didn’t like him, at least a little bit.
The thought of going to lunch with Sam sounded like a great idea. Actually, just lunch in general sounded wonderful.
She’d brought a sandwich, but it didn’t seem as appealing as going out. Since finding out she was pregnant, she’d been trying to be more thoughtful about things like food. Usually, she’d go all day without a bite of food, but today, she even remembered to have breakfast.
“That would be nice.” Dina smiled and touched her scarf. “And thank you so much. I was going to call you today to thank you for the cashmere set you sent. It was really thoughtful and so unexpected.”
“I didn’t want you to freeze to death,” he said matter-of-factly, leaning against the counter. “Simple as that.”
“Well, as practical as that sounds, I still think it was a sweet gesture so thanks.”
“Absolutely. I can’t let anything happen to you.” His eyes slowly canvassed her body, and a wave of goose bumps fell across her skin as she wondered what he meant.
Dina suddenly imagined herself back in bed with Sam, and her entire body lit up like the Fourth of July. At least if she went for round two, she didn’t have to worry about getting pregnant.
Or what if Autumn had let it slip?
“You okay?” he asked, tilting his head.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry. Just zoning out.” She glanced back toward the workroom and sucked on her lip for a split second. “Let me go tell Anton I’m headed out.”
“You can invite him too.”
“Oh, really? That’s okay?” Disappointment filled her chest, which she knew was ridiculous. They’d slept together once. She had promised herself it was a one-night stand, and by most measures it was. It wasn’t fair of her to start wanting to change the rules on him. Of course it would be a group lunch. Why wouldn’t it be?
“Totally fine. It’s Cinco de Mayo and our chef has done a whole Mexican buffet—”
Dina’s brows pulled together in confusion, and she shook her head. “You do realize it’s October, as in almost Halloween, and Cinco de Mayo is in May?”
“Sure, but what fun is it to have to wait until May? Our chef does Cinco de Mayo at least once a month, which we’re all eternally grateful for because he makes the best enchiladas this side of the mountains.”
Her stomach growled, and she clutched it quickly.
“Sounds like it’s a big yes.” He straightened and glanced toward the workroom. “There’s a group of us headed over for lunch so the more, the merrier. Grab Anton.”
“Sounds like a good way to spend a lunch hour to me. Thanks for thinking of us.” She spun on her heels to grab Anton.
“I don’t know if you’ll actually make it back from lunch. He also makes a mean batch of margaritas.”
Dina laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have to remember that, but not in the middle of a perfectly good work day.” Dina wandered to the back and drew in a deep breath. She needed moral support, even if Anton didn’t know that was part of his job description, she needed a buffer. “Lunch plans?”
Anton’s eyes met hers. “Not a one. Why?”
“I guess there’s a Mexican buffet over at—”
“It’s Cinco de Mayo.” Anton bolted off the stool. “I can’t believe I almost forgot.”
Dina’s brow arched and she smiled.
“Well, I mean I know it’s not technically Cinco de Mayo, but the whole town knows when and where to get free Mexican food.”
“Free?” Dina asked surprised.
“Yeah. The resort has been doing it for years. Once a month from lunch until closing, they offer an all-you-can-eat buffet that is completely free. It’s tradition around here.”
Dina couldn’t help but smile. Of course there was some sweetheart thing about it. The Norths put it on. They might own most of the town, but they certainly knew how to give back.
“All right then.” Dina grinned, grabbing her hat and gloves out of her purse and tugging them all on. “Let’s go get our enchiladas.”
Dina noticed Sam’s smile widened as she walked toward him, and she wondered how that might change once he learned of the news. Would he be the one running in the opposite direction?
“That’s a pretty color on you,” Sam whispered, and Dina caught Anton hiding a grin.
“What can I say? You’ve got good taste.”
Anton flipped the shop sign to closed, and Sam slid his arm around her waist as they walked toward the lodge. She glanced up at him and smiled. At least she was getting a personal escort up to the buffet. That had to count for something, right?
No, she couldn’t start reading things into small gestures. That was precisely how she became engaged so many times.
“It was really nice of you to think of us,” Dina told him.
“I’ve got to get you accustomed to the traditions of Silver Ridge. You already went to the Fourth of July celebrations at the lake.”
“True.” She nodded, thinking back to the party with Autumn last year. Sam wasn’t there, but Joel was and it turned into quite the headline.
“And this is an important one,” Anton added and Dina laughed.
As they walked up the slight hill to the lodge, Dina noticed how much she enjoyed being in Sam’s arms. There was something comforting about it, safe. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and knew she had to tell him. She just didn’t know when or even how.
The moment they walked into the lobby, the warmth of the fireplace coated her skin, and she took off her hat and gloves, stuffing them back in her purse.
“Again, thanks for these.”
“Of course.” Sam pointed her in the opposite direction of the restaurant. “Right this way.”
“Don’t we need to go that way?” she asked and Sam shook his head.
“We hold this in our banquet room so it’s almost like family style. People just sit anywhere so they can gather with neighbors and friends. It kind of forces people to remember we’re all a community.”
“Interesting.” She eyed Sam and he shrugged.
“It can be.” He bent down to whisper. “Unless you get stuck next to someone you don’t like.”
“Has that happened?”
“Once or twice.” He grinned, his fingers gently resting on the small of her back. “Back when we did the spaghetti feeds before we switched to Cinco de Mayo, two neighbors who’d been involved in a property dispute for years wound up sitting across from one another.”
“Did they work things out?” she asked.
“If you call dumping plates of spaghetti on one another and the police being called, then I’d say yes.”
Dina laughed and shook her head. “Well, I suppose it would be like getting stuck next to Dom.”
This time Sam laughed. “He was certainly a character.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Not exactly what I’d picture as husband material.”
“Yeah. Well, hindsight is 20/20 and all that.” Dina rolled her eyes as Sam grabbed her hand and led her into the banquet room. Anton had already beelined to the plates for the buffet and Dina just laughed. So much for her buffer. “The kid eats like a horse.”
“You might not want to call him a kid. It could really wound a guy,” Sam whispered.
“You’re right. I’ve got to quit doing that.”
“At least I know he’s not competition.”
Dina’s gaze flashed to his. “Competition?”
Sam gave a coy smile. “Things are looking up.”
“I didn’t think that was in your DNA?”
“What?” he asked innocently.
“Worrying about competition or staking a claim?”
“I guess everything and everyone has a season.” He patted her shoulder and headed toward the nearest table where she spotted Autumn and Joel. She immediately wondered if Autumn had said something to make Sam change his life view.
It would be unlike her, but Dina wasn’t sure what else might make Sam suddenly sing a different tune about being attached or at least gently linked to someone.
“You came,” Autumn squealed, bounding up from the bench to give Dina a hug. “I was hoping you would. I knew if I tried to get you to come, you’d come up with some lame excuse about working.”
“Hey, working isn’t lame. It’s a necessity.” She hugged her back and glanced at Sam who was already wandering over to the buffet line with Joel. When he was out of earshot, she leaned over to Autumn. “You didn’t tell anyone, did you?”
“No way.” Autumn shook her head. “And if it ever did slip, I’d tell you immediately.”
“You sure?”
“Positive. Why?”
Dina shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m probably just reading too much into things. A leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
Autumn rolled her eyes. “No, but a leopard can decide to be a better leopard regardless of what he looks like.”
Dina stared at her friend, baffled, but didn’t bother to ask for clarification. Her stomach was growling too much.
“So why didn’t you ever tell me about this buffet?” she asked.
“You’ve been pretty swamped since you arrived, and if you remember, I did try to invite you to lunch. I just didn’t tell you where.”
As the guys headed back to the table with full plates, Dina and Autumn got in line.
“So how are you feeling?” Autumn whispered.
“Still tired, but not stressed about why any longer. I actually started to think I had walking pneumonia or something.”
Autumn chuckled as she piled two enchiladas and a scoop of refried beans on her plate.
“Well, I’m glad that got resolved, but I have a feeling this is going to last a lot longer than that.”
“You don’t say?” Dina laughed, scooping guacamole onto her enchiladas and chimichanga.
“I do.”
Dina followed Autumn back to the table and was introduced to several people who’d joined Sam and Joel. Most worked at the resort, but there was a gal, Sandra, who owned one of the local clothing boutiques down the road. She seemed nice enough, but she also seemed to have a real interest in Sam.
Which was totally fine.
No skin off Dina’s back.
“So Sam told me you used to live in Los Angeles?” Sandra plastered a smile on her face and cocked her head in feigned interest.
“I did.” Dina nodded and glanced at Sam, who was chatting with his brother.
“Must be quite the change, living here.” Sandra took a bite of beans. “I could never live in a big city.”
“It’s a change but a good one.” Dina nodded and glanced at Autumn whose mouth curled slightly.
“I’m surprised as a designer you’d want to be here, but more power to you.” Sandra glanced at Sam before turning her attention back to Dina. “Being single in a town this small has its downside.”
“Well, I’ve kind of given up on the whole relationship thing.” Dina leaned into the table and lowered her voice. “I’ve already been engaged five times so I’m burned out on finding that special someone.”
“Yet, you sell wedding dresses?” Sandra asked.
“The irony is not lost on Dina, believe me.” Autumn chuckled and winked.
“Yes, irony has been sewn into every piece of fabric I call my life.”
“So you have no interest in dating anyone?” Sandra’s shoulders relaxed slightly at this piece of news.
“Dating isn’t a priority and—”
“Margarita time.” Sandra clapped her hands as a server brought over a large pitcher and set it on the table. “Here, let me pour you one.”
Sandra motioned for the glass next to Dina’s plate, and Dina shook her head.
“No, I really can’t. I’ve got a busy afternoon back at the shop.”
“Oh, come on.” Sandra motioned for the glass. “Just one won’t hurt.”
Dina laughed, realizing what it was that Sandra had decided to celebrate. Dina’s apparent lack of interest in Sam North.
“Nope. I’m a complete fuddy-dud.” Dina shook her head. “Have two for me.”
“You? A fuddy-dud?” Sam’s blue eyes connected with Dina’s, and her heart nearly tumbled out of her chest. “Not on your worst day.”
Sandra’s neck nearly snapped off as she watched Sam give Dina his full attention, which only made Autumn pour herself a margarita as she took in the show.
“Hey, Autumn.” Sam poured a margarita and took a sip. “Do you remember the first day you tried to push me and Dina together?”
“Huh?” Autumn’s brows flew into her bangs.
“At your engagement party? You told me I was the one who needed to be careful when it came to Dina? Not the other way around.” A wry grin spread across his expression.
“I don’t remember that at all,” Autumn muttered, taking another sip as crimson spread across her cheeks.
“You told him he was the one who had to be careful of me?” Dina laughed and shook her head.
“She also told me that you knew how to ski.” Sam nodded. “Do you believe that? Let’s see, she said she met you up at Lake Tahoe because she’d accidentally spilled a drink on you.”
“Well, that part was true, but as you know the skiing part isn’t.” Dina glanced at her best friend who looked completely guilty.
“I thought you’re not interested in dating?” Sandra piped up.
“Oh, I’m not.” Dina grinned.
“She says that now, but she just hasn’t fallen for the ol’ Sam charm yet.”
“I tend to avoid dating people who refer to themselves in the third person,” Dina confessed, while Sandra scowled at her.
“Sam’s not sure what to make of that.” Sam laughed.
“And neither is Joel.” Joel patted his brother’s back. “Better luck next time.”
“Let’s just hope there is a next time for poor old Sam.” Sam let out a sigh, and Sandra stood up abruptly.
“I’ve got to get back to the shop.” Sandra’s eyes darted to Dina’s. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You too.” Dina smiled but Sandra had already left the table.
“You’re making friends all over town.” Autumn giggled.
“What did I miss?” Sam asked, taking another sip of margarita.
“Quite a lot.” Autumn grinned at him. “But don’t worry. Autumn will give you the Cliff Notes version later.”
“Guys, please stop it, or Dina will become very confused,” Dina teased.
She peeked at Sam who was watching her carefully, and she wondered if he suspected something or if she just wanted him to so she didn’t have to face the hard part of telling him everything he’d tried so hard to avoid all these years was about to pop up in his life. She dropped her gaze to the pile of guacamole and suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to be sick.