Eighteen
Every morning, Felicity liked to identify three things for which she was grateful. She’d made it a habit after the second time she’d been fired. That morning, drinking coffee on the deck, her mind on Gabe’s impending arrival, sleep having eluded her most of the night, she’d written her three things in her journal.
I’m thankful Gabe let me know he’s on his way, and his visit isn’t a surprise.
I’m thankful he won’t have time to go swimming, and I therefore won’t be tempted to join him.
I’m thankful I put clean sheets on the bed in the guest room.
She glanced at her notes, still open on her coffee table. Thankful struck her as not quite the right word. Relieved better described her emotions. “I’m thankful I have enough work to keep me solvent,” she said with a smile, leaving it at that.
She took a shower, got dressed and headed into town. She parked on South Main and walked down the shaded, picturesque street to the library. With its dark wood, elegant fireplace in a cozy reading nook and small stage, the library had a distinct late-nineteenth century feel to it, but it was also modern, a place for patrons of all ages to come. The space lent itself beautifully to Kylie’s book party. She often led the children’s reading hour. Somewhat shy and reclusive by nature, she would come to life reading a story, whether a classic like Winnie-the-Pooh or a book by one of her writer friends. From what Felicity had heard, the kids loved her.
Clare Morgan, Phoebe O’Dunn’s capable successor as library director, greeted Felicity and took her into her office at the back of the main floor. Since arriving in town last fall, Clare, a widow, had made a place for herself and her young son. Over the winter, she’d met and fallen in love with Daisy Farrell’s grandson, Logan, an ER doctor. They were now married and had moved into his grandparents’ former house down the street from the library.
Clare sat at her oversize oak desk, probably original to the building. She and Felicity went over everything for tonight’s party and reviewed the library’s policies and guidelines for outside events. “A woman was just in and asked if Kylie’s talk is open to the public,” Clare said. “I told her it is and it’s free but she’ll need a ticket.”
“That’s right,” Felicity said. “Would you like me to speak with her?”
“No, I think I answered her questions. I explained we need an approximate head count because Morwenna Mills is so popular and she could attract quite a crowd, even here in out-of-the-way Knights Bridge.” Clare frowned. “This woman actually had a ticket, so I’m not sure what confused her.”
The evening agenda consisted of Kylie’s talk followed by refreshments. “We can handle a few last-minute arrivals. Russ will see to that. He and Kylie are having a few family and friends over to their place at Moss Hill afterward. Will you be joining us?” Felicity asked.
“No, I’ll make sure everything’s all set here and head home. Logan has a rare night off.” She smiled at Felicity, seated in an old captain’s chair on the other side of the desk. “Did you organize the post-party party, too?”
“It didn’t take much organizing,” she said with a laugh.
“Well, everyone’s excited about tonight. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if there’s anything I can do or if you have any questions.”
“Same here.”
Felicity thanked Clare and returned to the library’s main room. As she headed to the entrance, she glanced into the alcove at the front of the library where the children’s section was located. All the Badgers of Middle Branch books were on display on a table. Kylie had kept her pseudonymous identity secret for months, but Knights Bridge had taken to her with appreciation but not so much fanfare that she felt awkward or out of place. This was her home now. Townspeople understood that, since it was their home, too.
Our home, Felicity amended to herself.
She stiffened when a woman moved from farther into the children’s nook and peered at the books on the badger table.
Nadia Ainsworth.
Felicity didn’t know what to do first. Alert Clare? Text Russ? March over to Nadia and demand to know what she was doing here? She couldn’t just leave without doing something.
She reached into her tote bag for her phone as she simultaneously turned to head back through the main room to find Clare, but Nadia spotted her, smiled and waved. “Felicity!” She winced, touching her hand to her mouth. “Sorry,” she said in a loud whisper. “Library.”
She scooted out of the nook and joined Felicity at the door. “I didn’t realize you were in town,” Felicity said.
“I never would have left if I’d known I’d have to turn around and come back so soon. I need to deal with some issues with my grandmother’s house before we can finalize the sale.” Nadia gave a self-deprecating roll of the eyes that struck Felicity as insincere. “Bad planning on my part, but some things you can’t plan, really. I’m sure you understand. Um...chat outside? I feel like I’m going to be shushed any moment.”
“Here’s fine.”
“Oh. I’m getting the stalker treatment. I don’t blame you. I know it’s my own fault for being weird when Gabe was here.” She made a face, then smiled. “Sorry. Are you parked nearby? Why don’t I walk to your car with you, or do you have errands to run? I see you aren’t borrowing any books.”
“I was here for a meeting.”
“To discuss tonight’s party, right? I asked the librarian about the party earlier. I’m coming, by the way. I understand you sent out invitations and offered some tickets to the public since there’s limited space.” She spoke fast, clearly self-conscious if not nervous. “I got my hands on a ticket at the front desk when I was here a few days ago. I was going to give it up since I was on the other side of the country, but it’s a good thing I didn’t, isn’t it?”
“Nadia...”
“It’s fine, Felicity. Promise. I’m just doing my best to take my mind off giving up my grandmother’s house. I know I’ll never have the chance again to make chocolate-chip cookies with her, since she’s gone, but the house—it’s filled with memories. It’s like she’s there.” She paused, biting down on her lower lip, her eyes filling with tears. She sniffled, smiling. “Anyway, I’d never heard of the badgers until recently. A friend with kids informed me how much fun they are. Do you have any nieces and nephews, Felicity?”
“I do. Look, I should go—”
“No children of your own, though. You’re still young, but I’m starting to feel the tick-tock of my biological clock.” Nadia stood straight, pushing back her hair. “I’ll be on my way. I can see I’m making you uncomfortable.”
She yanked open the heavy door and bolted.
Felicity had a quick, internal debate with herself about her options even as she followed Nadia outside, running down the steps and intercepting her on the sidewalk in front of the library. “I’m sorry,” Felicity said. “I was a bit taken aback just now. I have a few errands I need to run in town. Where’s your car? I can walk with you.”
Nadia smiled, cool. “Do you want to find out what kind of car I’m driving and report back to—hmm. To whom, I wonder? Russ Colton? He has me pegged as a problem, and he’s Kylie-slash-Morwenna’s husband. Well, I’ve done nothing wrong. He can’t bar me from attending tonight without a good reason.”
“Nadia, I don’t think anyone intends to bar you.”
“No?” She sighed, her smile warmer now. “I’m just being paranoid, then. I know I didn’t make a good first impression, and I’m probably not doing that great right now. I’m emotional because of my personal issues. Nothing to do with Knights Bridge, or Gabe—or you, certainly.”
“Are you in Knights Bridge for any other reason besides tonight’s party?”
“Smith’s pie of the day?” Her smile reached her eyes now. “Sorry. I’m just distracting myself from memories. My grandmother’s death hit me harder than I ever would have expected. I didn’t realize it until I got out here. My father’s been a complete ass about her estate, too. That doesn’t help. Here, let’s walk. It’s such a beautiful day.”
Nadia was visibly calmer as she and Felicity walked to her car, parked around the corner on Thistle Lane. Felicity couldn’t get any further details from her. “Will we see you tonight?”
“Maybe. I don’t know for sure.” Nadia pulled open her car door. “I haven’t been able to make plans for several months. I’m such a planner, too. I try, but something comes up. It’s like the universe sets off a flash-bang in my face every time I commit to something.” She smiled. “Best to remain flexible.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time.”
“It has been difficult, I admit. Is Gabe coming for the book-launch party? He and Russ Colton hit it off, and his brother lives in Knights Bridge, too. And you’re here, of course.”
Felicity decided to dodge Nadia’s question. “The party will be fun, whoever is there.”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Nadia smiled, as if to take the edge off her clipped response. “I’ll see you later, then.”
She yanked the door shut before Felicity could respond and quickly got the car started and pulled onto South Main Street. Felicity gave the departing car a slight wave, but she hoped Nadia would change her mind and not return for tonight’s party. In the meantime, Felicity knew, she needed to let Gabe and Russ know about Nadia’s visit.
Felicity wasn’t surprised when Russ Colton fell in next to her as she returned to her car. He shook his head and sighed. “You walked Nadia Ainsworth to her car? Felicity...”
“What was she going to do, throw a bag over my head and shove me in the trunk?”
“I can give you a long list of things unbalanced, obsessed people can do before they even know they’re going to do it—never mind the stuff they plan.”
“I was about to text you. Nadia was here for a change of scenery. She’s in the midst of selling her grandmother’s house and needed a break from the emotions.”
“That’s at best a white lie,” Russ said.
“What?”
“Her grandmother’s house is under contract. Nadia’s father accepted the offer. She has no say. She came out for one last look at the house before the new owners took possession, but she and her grandmother weren’t that close. Nadia’s parents moved to California when she was in high school. She’s forty-two now, so it’s been a while. Her mother died five years ago. Her father remarried two years ago. He retired to Whidbey Island near Seattle.”
Felicity blew out a breath. “Why would she mislead me about something like that?”
“To get empathy and rationalize her behavior.”
“She doesn’t need to save face with me. I don’t have any relationship with her. Maybe the offer on the house fell through.”
Russ shook his head. “It didn’t. I spoke with her father, Felicity. Gabe told me she was back East. I felt that was enough to justify checking in with the father. He said he saw her a month ago. They had a pleasant visit at his place. He said she’s taking it easy, enjoying her freedom from a bad marriage and not pushing herself so hard. He approves. He did say she’s wanted to come back here to visit and now has the time.”
They came to Felicity’s Land Rover. “Nadia could have exaggerated her situation to create a sympathetic cover story—to make things easier for everyone, including herself.”
Russ nodded. “Now she’s stuck with it. Point is, we don’t know. Gabe, Dylan McCaffrey, Noah Kendrick and Kylie are all people she could want to curry favor with, or at least find out what they’re up to.”
“She didn’t need to lie.”
“Most people don’t, but that doesn’t stop them.”
Felicity glanced across the street at the common, as if she might see Nadia sneaking through the shade trees. She turned back to Russ. “You got here fast.”
“I was at the country store.” He smiled. “Words I assure you I never thought I’d say.”
More relaxed, he asked Felicity to repeat her conversation with Nadia. He’d obviously dealt with worse than a wealthy entrepreneur at a loose end, inserting herself into a small New England town.
“Gabe says he’s staying at your place again,” Russ said. “Is that right?”
Felicity shrugged. “As far as I know.”
“Tell him to lock up, too.”
She made no comment. Russ started across the street to the common, but not before she saw his knowing grin. Given that he was relatively new to Knights Bridge, he could have misinterpreted her relationship with Gabe.
“You kissed Gabe at the swimming hole,” she muttered, climbing into her Rover.
But their kisses hadn’t meant anything, any more so than their night together as teenagers. Friends going too far with each other. Hormones. Didn’t matter. It was done. It wasn’t happening again.
When she arrived at her house, Felicity brought a carafe and water glass into the guest room. She debated picking a few wildflowers and putting them in a vase on the bedside table, but she decided that was going too far. Gabe would know he’d gotten to her and she hadn’t put his last visit behind her.
So. No flowers.
She fixed herself a glass of iced coffee and took it out to the deck to go through her checklist for the party. She couldn’t wait, really. If Nadia behaved and Gabe wasn’t a huge distraction, it would be a fun evening.
* * *
“That’s a lot of badgers,” Gabe said, stepping onto Felicity’s deck. He pointed at the lineup of mini stuffed badgers on the table. “Mark said the ladies at Rivendell sewed them for tonight.”
She nodded. She’d heard his car in her driveway but hadn’t gotten up, figuring he’d find her. She’d just gotten back from picking up the badgers at Rivendell. “I should have gotten them started sooner, but they dove right in. Audrey Frost said some of the men helped, but they’d never admit it.”
“Different generation. I’d admit it.”
“Audrey said they did the manly things. Her words.”
Gabe pulled out a chair and sat in the shade of the umbrella. “My grandfather didn’t try to sew private parts onto the guy badgers, did he?”
Felicity bit back a laugh. “No, he did not. He and the rest of the men there were perfect gentlemen. They helped staple and glue and fetch things, and they provided moral support.”
“They’re invited to the party?”
“Absolutely. We’ve got tickets and arranged transportation for anyone who wants to attend, and we’ll bring goodies to those who aren’t up to it.”
Felicity leaned back in her chair, a pleasant breeze blowing through the trees. Gabe looked relaxed, dressed casually in a dark polo shirt and khakis. If anything, he was better-looking than three years ago when she’d slept on his couch. She tried not to let herself notice details when he’d been out for the entrepreneurial boot camp, but she had, anyway. Now it was worse. Everything she noticed about him was mixed up with all sorts of emotions.
“Felicity?”
She cleared her throat and sat up straight. “Sorry. Mind’s on tonight. Did you bring your bag in yet? Need any help?”
He shook his head. “No and no. Thanks. Anything I can do to help you?”
“I skipped lunch.” She decided to postpone telling him about her encounter with Nadia, the primary reason she hadn’t felt like eating. “I could have pie and call it lunch.”
“I didn’t get to Smith’s when I was out here last weekend. Why don’t I fetch my bag and then we’ll drive into town? I’m in the mood for pie. As I recall, you’re always in the mood for pie.”
“You know me well,” she said, laughing as she got to her feet.
“Yes,” he said, leaving it at that.
They took his car to town. “It’s a sleepy summer day in Knights Bridge,” Gabe said as they drove along the river.
“Feel free to take a nap out on the deck when we get back. Justin and Samantha have a hammock at Red Clover Inn. I’m sure they’d let you use it.”
“You could hang a hammock at your place.”
“I don’t have two trees at the right distance apart, and I’d never get in it. Have you met Samantha yet? She and Justin got married in England in June. Scottish honeymoon.” Felicity sighed. “Sounds so romantic, doesn’t it?”
“No, I haven’t met Samantha yet, and, yes, an English wedding and Scottish honeymoon sound romantic. You didn’t go?”
Felicity shook her head. “I was invited, but I’d just bought the house—I couldn’t swing a trip to England, too. Samantha’s an expert on pirates. Not the kind of pirates in the movies. Real pirates. She and Justin are trying to get the inn in shape for her cousin to have her wedding there at Thanksgiving.”
“Her cousin being—”
“Charlotte Bennett. Samantha’s a Bennett, too. Their grandfathers were brothers. Long story, but Charlotte stayed at the inn while Samantha and Justin were on their honeymoon—only unbeknownst to her, so did Greg Rawlings. Greg’s a Diplomatic Security Service agent, one of Brody Hancock’s colleagues. You remember Brody, don’t you?”
“Hell-raiser.”
“That’s Brody. Or it was. Did you help the Sloan boys run him out of town after his high school graduation?”
“I wasn’t involved, and ‘run out of town’ is somewhat of an exaggeration from what I’ve heard. Still, I bet it was a shock when he and Heather got together.”
“Mmm. See what you miss when you don’t come round often?”
Gabe grinned. “Yeah, I see. What’s Heather doing in London?”
“She’s studying interior design. She plans to come home and work with the family business again. She and Brody want to build a house out where he grew up on Echo Lake.”
“Another of Knights Bridge’s pretty spots,” Gabe said, no trace of sarcasm in his tone.
“Heather had it rough with five older brothers,” Felicity said.
Gabe laughed. “Tell that to her brothers. They’ll tell you she had it easy. Spoiled rotten.”
“Didn’t get her name in the family business.”
“Sloan & Sons was named before she was born, when her folks had given up on having a girl—not that it would have mattered, because her parents never would have envisioned her going into the family construction business.”
“But she did, and she’s good at it. Simple as that.”
“It’s never simple as that, is it?” Gabe said.
Felicity wasn’t positive he’d absorbed everything she’d said. She’d probably rattled on a bit. Nerves, maybe. Not nervous-oriented nerves. Awareness-oriented nerves. She was feeling self-conscious and exposed with him so close to her, even if he was driving.
They parked on the street in front of Smith’s. The small restaurant was crowded, but they got a table by a side window. Russ Colton was at the counter next to Eric Sloan. From their glances at her, Felicity guessed Russ had filled Eric in on Nadia’s library visit. Russ wasn’t one to overreact, but he was thorough.
Gabe narrowed his eyes on Felicity as they took their seats. “What’s going on?”
She told him, sticking to the facts and not inserting any of her personal reaction to Nadia. She noticed Gabe’s jaw tighten as she finished with Russ’s caution to her. “It’s okay, Gabe. I’m fine.”
“I’m sorry, Felicity. I heard Nadia was back East again but I had no idea she’d beelined here.”
“I’ve told you before, you’re not responsible for her. It wasn’t a big deal. Russ read me the riot act, but he was nice about it.”
“He got his point across?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Good. I don’t know what Nadia’s got in mind—”
“She wants your attention. That’s my guess, anyway. Does she know you’re here?”
“No doubt.”
“Nothing happened. Nadia’s behavior might be inappropriate, but she hasn’t crossed any serious lines. Russ would turn the matter over to the police if she had—or if she does. So would I.”
“I’ll speak with her.”
Felicity shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that, Gabe. Just let it be. She’s moved into crazy-maker status. Best thing is for us to go about our business and let Russ know if she gets in touch.”
“Don’t participate in her compulsion to create drama,” Gabe said with a sigh. “Yeah. I know.”
“It’s hard not to feel some sympathy toward her, but she’s got to sort out her own life and look for support from her own family and friends. You made it clear you’re not available for that kind of thing.” Felicity tilted her head back, eyeing Gabe. “Right?”
He nodded. “Right. In no uncertain terms.”
“You’re not counting on her to read between the lines. I know you’re straightforward with me to a fault—”
“That’s because you’re Felicity MacGregor who mooned me in kindergarten.”
“I did no such thing.”
“Oh, yeah, you did. I remember.”
“That was some other kindergartener. I was a model student.”
He laughed, relaxing visibly as their pie orders arrived. Chocolate cream for him, fresh raspberry for her. “I’m sorry about Nadia,” Gabe said again. “I can’t explain her. She’s never behaved this way before.”
“She’ll say she’s just curious about Knights Bridge and means no harm. She told me she hadn’t realized Knights Bridge existed when she lived in Massachusetts.”
“That I can understand,” Gabe said with a slight grin.
“One of its charms,” Felicity said. “I suppose it’s more on the map these days with the new ventures and various goings-on. Kylie had mixed feelings about having her book party here, but I think it’s a great choice.”
“It’ll be fine,” Gabe said, if only to reassure her. He pointed his fork at her pie. “Local raspberries?”
Felicity nodded. “From out by the Sloan farm.”
“No wonder you skipped lunch. You were planning ahead.”
She grinned at him. “Imagine that.”
“No offense intended.”
“None taken.”
“You haven’t lost your spontaneous spirit, have you?”
“I work hard but I’m not a grind. What about you?”
“What do you think?”
“A challenge.” He dipped into his chocolate cream pie. “As perfect as I remember. It’s been years since I had Smith’s chocolate cream pie.”
“A good thing you were in the mood for chocolate. This was the last piece of raspberry pie. I’d have hated to have to fight you for it.”
“I’d have let you have it,” Gabe said.
Felicity raised an eyebrow. “Without a struggle, huh?”
“Smith’s chocolate cream pie after a day that included a meeting with my accountant and Nadia sneaking into town isn’t a bad thing.”
“Barring dietary restrictions, Smith’s chocolate cream pie is never a bad thing.”
Gabe looked downright nostalgic as he sampled the pie. “I picked the right day to spirit you off to lunch,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I had simple homemade pie with an old friend.”
“Longtime friend,” Felicity said. “Not old.”
He laughed. “I stand corrected.”
“Remember when we thought thirty was ancient?”
“I still might think that.”
“Is there anything you haven’t accomplished that you set out to accomplish at thirteen?” she asked him.
“Not at thirteen. Then I was all about getting out of Knights Bridge and making a fortune. Later, though.” He paused, swirling his fork into more of the creamy chocolate. “I have a number of things I haven’t accomplished by now that I set out to. What about you?”
“My train jumped the tracks, remember?”
“You just needed to make a course correction.”
“I never saw a party with little stuffed badgers in my future, but I’m glad there is one. You shifted to me too fast. What else is on your revised list? Besides making your next million.”
“Marrying you.”
“Ha. Funny. On your current revised list, not on the guilt-ridden list the morning after you seduced me at eighteen.”
“I could argue who seduced whom, but I won’t.” He pointed his fork at her. “You have a raspberry hiding under your whipped cream.”
“I’m saving it for last.” She smiled at him. “See? I’ve learned to save.”
“I never doubted you.”
“There are actually two raspberries hiding under the cream. Do you want one? I’ll share.”
“I’m good, thanks.”
Felicity saw he wasn’t oblivious to the undercurrents of their conversation. Not that either of them had taken any pains to be subtle. He insisted on paying for lunch. “Least I can do since you’re putting me up,” he said.
“For how long?”
“Let’s see what happens, shall we?” He smiled in that heart-stopping, sexy Gabe way. “One of the perks of having sold my business. I’m not on a tight schedule. I have time.”