Twelve
By six o’clock, the boot camp had wound down, and most of the attendees and speakers were on their way home. Felicity looked forward to handling future larger, more complex events out on Carriage Hill Road, but it felt great to have the inaugural boot camp behind her. She kicked off her shoes and sat out on the terrace at Olivia’s house with a glass of iced tea and a small plate of Maggie’s delectable hors d’oeuvres, leftover from the party. The cleaning crew had swooped in right on time and was doing their thing. Felicity would take a moment to catch her breath, then wrap up for the day. Olivia, Dylan, Noah, Phoebe, Maggie, Gabe and Russ were up at the barn, no doubt relaxing in their own way. Felicity had a feeling they would stay on for the evening to celebrate what had been a successful inaugural event.
She would go home, take a shower, have a glass of wine on the deck and head to bed early with a book.
And Gabe?
She drank some of her tea and listened to the bees in the mint. Gabe could do his Gabe thing. She didn’t need to be a part of his evening plans.
Her phone vibrated on the table with a text message. She glanced at the screen: How’d it go today?
Nadia.
Felicity groaned and didn’t touch her phone. She had no intention of responding. She didn’t want to encourage further contact, but she didn’t want to deal with Nadia right now, either, regardless of her intentions. Nadia was a professional with at least some experience with event planning. She wouldn’t expect an instant response.
But another text came in: Why don’t we share a bottle of wine to celebrate?
Not at the airport or boarding a flight to California, apparently.
Felicity snatched up her phone, but it had been a busy day, and she didn’t trust herself not to start typing a tart response. She put the phone back on the table and picked up her tea glass with both hands, hoping that would help her not to tell Nadia to leave her the hell alone.
If not for her iced tea and moment to relax, Felicity doubted she’d have noticed the texts immediately, anyway. She refused to let them ruin her quiet few minutes before she finished up for the day. She only had a few loose ends to tie up.
She popped a stuffed mushroom into her mouth from her small plate of leftover goodies. Having a caterer of Maggie’s caliber in town had made everything so much easier today, but she was clearly stretched thin with her husband out of town, two small boys, the inn, the goat’s milk products and her complicated family. Maggie thrived on having a lot of irons in the fire, but everyone had limits.
As if Felicity’s thoughts had conjured them, Maggie’s two young sons scrambled over the stone wall, bypassing the gap, and ran up a mulched path through the garden, apparently in the middle of a game that involved a chase. From what Felicity could hear, it involved running from a pretend monster.
Then Nadia Ainsworth leaped over the stone wall, laughing as she chased them up the path. “You can run but you can’t hide!”
The boys squealed in delight, Nadia, obviously, the monster after them.
At that moment, Russ Colton materialized seemingly out of nowhere and eased between Nadia and the two boys. “Can I help you?” he asked her.
“Oh, sorry.” She clutched her chest, breathing hard. “My name’s Nadia Ainsworth. I ran into Tyler and Aidan in the field, and we got a game going. They told me they’re meeting their mom here. Maggie. The caterer for today’s entrepreneurial boot camp. I have two brothers myself. It’s okay. Really. Gabe Flanagan and I are friends.” She pointed toward the terrace. “Felicity knows me.”
“Let’s go have a seat,” Russ said.
“And you are—”
“Russ Colton.”
“Oh, right. You’re married to Morwenna Mills. I saw a bit about her at the local library. She has a new book coming out.” Nadia spoke cheerfully, getting her breathing under control. “I’d love to sit down for a minute. I’m not used to this humidity. I’m dripping.”
Russ had her go ahead of him, and they joined Felicity at the table. The boys had run inside in search of goodies. Nadia plopped onto a chair and wiped her brow with the back of her wrist. She smiled at Felicity. “I thought you might have your feet up. Good day?”
Felicity nodded. “Everything went well, thanks.”
“I decided to hike up Carriage Hill. It’s on state land. I got maybe a third of the way to the top before the heat and humidity turned me back. I’m not used to New England summers anymore. Gabe said we could easily be in sweaters tomorrow. I guess I’m a real Californian nowadays despite my Massachusetts roots.” She screwed up her face, eyeing Russ. “Gosh, you look so serious. I hope I didn’t cause any problems.”
“Maggie had her eye on the boys,” he said. “They play in the field on a regular basis. She saw you—”
“Oh, no. I frightened her. She doesn’t know me, and here I was chasing her sons. No wonder you beelined for me.” She didn’t sound that chagrined or apologetic about her behavior. “The boys needed a monster for their game. I obliged. I should have asked Maggie’s permission first. Yikes. I can see how that must have looked from afar. Sorry. As you can see, I’m harmless.”
“We understood you were flying to California today.”
“Mmm. Los Angeles. That was the plan, but I changed my mind.” Nadia shifted to Felicity. “Did you get my texts?”
“Just now,” Felicity said.
“Great. I wasn’t sure if they went through. The cell coverage out here is spotty at best. It looks as if most of the people at the boot camp have gone home, or wherever. Good time to catch your breath. I’m sure you made the day easy for everyone involved. That’s the role of a good event manager, isn’t it?” She didn’t wait for an answer and glanced around the garden, in its full mid-summer glory. “What a perfect setting for a party. I got a decent look at the McCaffreys’ barn, too. Amazing. What a great setup.”
Felicity didn’t detect an undercurrent of hostility in Nadia’s tone or demeanor, but Russ remained quiet and watchful. There was no question he didn’t like her sudden appearance, particularly with two young boys who didn’t know her. A lecture about strangers was no doubt in their immediate future.
“Could I talk you into something to drink?” Nadia asked. “I’m afraid I wasn’t prepared for the conditions and let myself get dehydrated.”
“Iced tea okay?” Felicity asked, rising. “I’ll get it.”
“Oh, no, you don’t need to go to the trouble. I’ll get it—”
“It’s no trouble,” Russ said. “Relax, Nadia. Catch your breath.”
“Okay, no problem. Unsweetened tea would be great, thanks.”
She stayed put while Felicity went inside. Maggie arrived through the front door and was setting up the boys at the table with drinks. “Is that woman still here?” she whispered. Felicity nodded, and Maggie made a face. “She doesn’t know where the line is, does she? But you should have seen Russ go into action. My goodness. We had no idea she was here on a hike. She must have parked at the Quabbin gate and taken the back way to Carriage Hill.”
“That makes sense. I didn’t see her until she came over the stone wall.”
“The boys are fine. All that counts.”
“Does Gabe know?”
“Oh, yes. He’s on his way.”
When Felicity returned to the terrace, Gabe had joined Russ and Nadia at the table. Nadia thanked Felicity for the iced tea. She’d already helped herself to a mini cream puff on Felicity’s plate. “Delicious,” she said, looking less sweaty. “I could eat a hundred of them right now, but the tea is the best. Just what I need. I didn’t even bring a bottle of water with me.”
Felicity stayed on her feet. Nadia seemed oblivious to Gabe’s glowering look.
“Where’s your car?” he asked her.
She swallowed the last of her cream puff and gulped her tea, then set the glass on the table. “I parked at a yellow gate down the road. I wanted to see the reservoir up close, but I took a wrong turn and ended up on the trail up Carriage Hill.”
Gabe gave no indication how he felt about her story. “Why aren’t you on your flight?”
“Last minute change of plans.” She shrugged. “Nothing nefarious. What, do you guys think I’m some kind of stalker? Wow. I’m glad I wasn’t met by the cops.”
“The boys’ uncle is a police officer,” Gabe said.
“Ah, yes. Eric Sloan. I met him at lunch at that little restaurant in town. I resisted pie today.” She sat up straight and licked her lips, looking somewhat more self-conscious. “Apologies, okay? I didn’t mean to flip any paranoia switches. I would check the boys for ticks, though. I guess that’s par for the course around here in warm weather.”
“The ticks are bad this year,” Russ said. “It’s a good idea for you to check yourself.”
“I will, believe me. I have a cousin who had Lyme disease. It was awful, but he made a full recovery.” Nadia grabbed a tiny brownie and pushed back her chair. “Thanks so much for the tea and goodies. I’ll run along now.”
Russ stood. “I’ll drop you down to your car.”
“It’s not far. I’m cooled off and rehydrated. There’s no need to trouble yourself—” She stopped, obviously finally tuning into the moods around her. “Okay, let’s do this your way. I would appreciate a ride. Thank you.”
“My car’s out front,” Russ said, nodding toward the yard. “Let’s go.”
Nadia glanced at Gabe, as if expecting him to offer to take her since they knew each other. He gave her a steady, not-quite steely look. “Have a good flight back home.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably go tomorrow, but I might yet make it out tonight.” She turned to Felicity. “Congratulations on today. It’s been great meeting you.”
“You, too,” Felicity said politely.
Nadia started to say something else but smiled without comment. Russ motioned for her to go ahead of him off the terrace and then got in close to her, leading her to the side yard and around to the front of the house.
Felicity sat down and frowned up at Gabe. “Do you think she’s just clueless?”
“No.”
“You’re irritated,” she said.
“You could say that.”
“Boiling mad? That more accurate?”
He sighed. “Felicity.”
“Russ will see her off. I would definitely describe him as boiling mad, but all’s well that ends well. I wouldn’t mess with Maggie, though. She has access to kitchen equipment and she knows how to use it, and her boys are Sloans. Dumb move on Nadia’s part.”
“Her behavior was inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not answerable for her, Gabe.” Felicity decided to drop the subject of Nadia Ainsworth and her antics. “I overheard a lot of positive comments about what you had to say today. Everything seemed to go smoothly. We can both take a bow.”
He leveled his deep, warm blue eyes on her. He was focused and serious—the high-flying, risk-taking, successful young entrepreneur taking her in. “The day went well,” he said. “You did a great job. The party went off without a hitch despite the short notice. I don’t know about taking a bow, but I’m glad my part’s done.”
“Did you throw up before you spoke?”
“Felicity...” He sighed. “I did not throw up.”
“After?”
“No, not after, either.”
“Were you queasy? Did you get dry heaves? I’ve seen that happen plenty of times in my work.”
“Felicity.”
“I’m helping you to see the bright side.” She decided not to mention Nadia’s texts. Having her swoop in as a pretend monster after two small boys was enough for Gabe to digest. “I have a few things to check on, but most of the loose ends involve my laptop. I can take care of them at home. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you later on.”
“You could stay,” he said.
“I’d fall asleep on the floor next to Buster.”
She grabbed the tea glasses and the goody plate, aware of Gabe watching her. Was he looking for a sign Nadia had upset her? It didn’t matter, she told herself. She smiled at him, said goodbye and headed back to the kitchen. Maggie had her sons helping her load up her van. They’d be on their way in a few minutes. The clean-up crew was experienced and competent. Felicity didn’t need to stay until they finished.
She left through the front door and started up the road to the barn, where she’d parked.
Gabe fell in next to her. She smiled at him. “Afraid Nadia will break loose from Russ and come find me?”
He flinched. “I don’t know what she’ll do next.”
“Okay, no joking around. Got it. Russ would agree. Have you met Kylie yet?”
“Not yet. I look forward to it. She and Russ had other plans or they’d have joined us for dinner last night.”
“I’d never have put them together, but they work,” Felicity said. “He sort of reminds me of Sherlock Badger. Stoic, tough. Better-looking, though.”
“A week ago I’d have no idea what you were talking about.” He studied her a moment, less tense and annoyed. He surprised her with a smile. “Didn’t your piano teacher call you incorrigible?”
“I was eleven. Aren’t all eleven-year-olds incorrigible?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“I wouldn’t, either, but I’m going with it.”
He leaned close to her. “It’s been good seeing you, Felicity.”
“You, too. Are you staying another night?”
“That’s the plan. I don’t know what time I’ll be back. Are you sure you won’t join—”
“I need to do a few things,” she said, interrupting him.
“All right. If you see a fire outside, that’ll be me.”
He opened her Land Rover door for her and shut it once she climbed in behind the wheel. He stepped back, waiting as she backed out, turned around and headed down the driveway to the road. She probably should have made one last check at the barn, but she knew everything was fine.
As she started up Carriage Hill Road, she glanced back at Gabe and noticed a protective air about him, as if he was worried he’d missed something—knew he’d missed something but couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was. She suspected it was the residual effect of Nadia’s intrusive behavior. Gabe felt guilty, even if he knew he wasn’t responsible for this woman’s conduct. Felicity felt a little of that same guilt herself. When she arrived at her house and got out of her Rover, she welcomed the coolness of the river and the quiet rustle of a breeze in the trees. Just as well she’d have some time to herself tonight.
She almost knocked over a bottle of wine on her doorstep. A note was tied to it with a red ribbon, just like the one on the covered-bridge towel. Felicity recognized Nadia’s handwriting:
Door’s locked or I’d have left it in the fridge to chill. Congrats on a great day!
Xo
Nadia
Felicity shivered, unsettled. She quickly checked Nadia’s earlier text messages. She must have left the wine before she’d sent them. Keep it as a surprise, maybe? She’d expected Felicity to accept her invitation to get together, at which point she would have suggested meeting back here.
Kind of pushy but not really creepy and dangerous.
Felicity picked up the wine. It was a decent New Zealand sauvignon blanc. It’d been in the shade, so it wasn’t hot. Nadia had some boundary issues going on, but the situation hardly warranted smashing a perfectly good bottle of wine on the rocks. Felicity took the wine inside, keeping it with her as she checked the house in case her wannabe new best friend had given Russ the slip, doubled back to town and was hiding under a bed.
But she didn’t find anything—she hadn’t seriously expected to—and put the wine in the refrigerator. She’d let it chill while she took a shower.
In the bathroom, stripped to her skin, she received another text: Russ followed me out to the highway. He’s quite the stud. Did you get the wine?
Felicity debated. Pretend to be in the shower already, or answer?
“Get it over with,” she muttered, and typed her response: I did. Thanks!
Lovely.
Safe travels.
I hope our paths cross again soon.
Felicity didn’t respond.
She got into the shower, welcoming the lukewarm water. If nothing else, today had reminded her that Gabriel Flanagan wasn’t the teenager she’d known in high school—or even the man he’d been three years ago. He’d worked hard for the life he had now. He’d turned his dreams into reality. He’d had the drive, the commitment and the focus to be the kind of entrepreneur the attendees at today’s boot camp had wanted to hear from. Felicity had her own business, but she didn’t have any ambition to turn it into anything but what it was. That had been part of the point in moving to Knights Bridge, hadn’t it? She’d wanted to work for herself, on a variety of projects, and still have time for a life.
She shut her eyes and let the warm water soothe her fatigue and tension. She’d done her job today. Gabe had done his job. Their paths in life had diverged from their days hanging out together out here on the river.
When she emerged from the shower, she slipped into yoga pants, a T-shirt and sandals. She decided that drinking Nadia’s bottle of wine might not be a good idea given her mood. She’d give it to friends who didn’t know Nadia or Gabe and could just enjoy it.
Instead she opened a bottle of inexpensive pinot grigio, poured herself a glass and took it outside to the deck, where she sat alone and listened to the river course downstream.