Recipe for Romance (12 page)

Emily tried to hide her disappointment.

“See you later, then.”

She watched him take the three steps down to the sidewalk, lifting her hand as he turned back to wave his blueprints at her, and then she leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes, listening to the pounding of her heart.

Glancing down at the letter in her hands she held it up to the light, pursing her lips when she was unable to make out any of the words written inside. Her entire future was in this envelope, all her hopes for something more in life.

Without stopping to think about what she was doing, she ripped open the envelope as quickly as she could, not bothering to care about the rough jagged edge she had forced with her fingertip. She pulled the letter from the sleeve, her chest heaving with emotion, her hands shaking as her eyes skimmed the page so quickly, she only made out random phrases rather than the collective point.

By the time she reached the bottom she burst out laughing. A change in the fall schedule. They had sent her a letter about a modification in the course catalogue! Depleted of energy, she sat down on the bottom step and waited for her breathing to return to normal as she folded the letter back into the badly torn envelope and tucked it into her handbag.

She was spared the demand of being forced into a decision. Only a matter of months ago when she had sent in her application, she had thought this was all she wanted. The chance to hone her skills, pursue her passion. The chance to start over and be herself and define herself by her future, not her past. Suddenly, she wasn’t sure that was even what she wanted.

The only man she had ever loved was back in town. For how long, she didn’t know. A part of her wanted to run from him, run from the town that had caused her such pain, that reminded her of her loss everywhere she turned. It was exactly what her sister had accused her of doing—avoiding more heartache.

A few months ago she had thought sending in her application was taking a risk. That starting life over in a new town with new people was the biggest leap of faith she could ever make, that it would take courage she didn’t even know she had. But now...now she wondered if sticking around and dealing with the life she had been given was the biggest risk of all.

Chapter Eight

S
cott glanced down at the date on his email and blinked. Nearly a week had passed since he’d first driven into town, and against his reservations, he was beginning to think he might miss the place when he was gone. His gut twisted when he thought of the day when he would get in his rental car and drive away, this time knowing he would never be welcome to return.

Closure, they said, did wonderful things for the healing process. Well, he was banking on it. In Seattle he lived an anonymous life, free of the burden of his past. His friends there knew nothing of him other than what he chose to reveal. The brief relationships he’d had over the years never amounted to more than casual flings—the common complaint among the women he’d dated was that he had too many walls up, that they never felt they knew the real him. Scott had let them go, knowing they were right, hoping that eventually he would meet someone he could trust enough to be himself with, trust enough to take down the mask and expose the man beneath.

He just never expected that person would be Emily. After all these years, she was still the only one who could reach him.

Scott ran his hand over the stubble on his jaw and released a long sigh as he tore his thoughts from Emily and tried to focus on the chain of emails that had collected in his in-box over the past few days. Two major projects were scheduled to break ground next month, and he probably had another week—two at best—before they’d need him back in the office. He supposed in a pinch he could fly in for a few days and then come back, but that was dangerous thinking. The sooner he severed himself from Maple Woods, and everyone in it, the better. The longer he was in town, the easier it was to think of what might have been. He clicked on the next email, pushing away the thought that refused to budge.

His stomach began to burn and he peeled another antacid free of its wrapper and set the roll back on the table. From the window in his room above the diner, his eyes rested on the festivities below, where a large tent was being set up in the middle of the town square. It was one of the few days of the year that Lucy’s Place closed down, and Scott could sense how much Lucy was looking forward to eating food she hadn’t cooked. He chewed on the chalky coating in his mouth. Chances were high that Emily felt the same way.

Scott leaned forward in his chair and forced his eyes to the computer screen, where he worked without stopping for the next few hours. After a quick shower and shave, he stepped out into the hall, careful to keep an ear out for Emily, but the building was silent. He pushed through the back door and jogged down the fire escape. Lucy and George were already on their porch when he strolled past the overgrown hydrangea bushes blooming with blue, purple and pink flowers.

“Bobby’s coming along later. With friends,” Lucy informed him after he’d greeted his brother-in-law, standing to smooth the skirt of her sundress.

“Shall we, then?” Scott gestured down the quiet street toward the center of town.

“Not yet,” Lucy interrupted. “I asked Emily to join us.”

Scott’s eyebrows shot up as he met and locked his sister’s eyes. He clenched and unclenched his fists as he waited for his temper to subside. “I thought you weren’t going to play matchmaker anymore.”

Lucy laughed easily and waved her hand through the air. “Settle down, Scott. I’ve given up any hopes of that. You’re safe.”

“Then—”

Lucy narrowed her gaze. “This has nothing to do with you, Scott,” she said sharply. “Emily is my coworker and a very good friend of mine.”

“I’m sorry,” he huffed in response. He stared down the road, wondering what Emily thought about all this. It hadn’t slipped his mind that Max Hamilton had suggested they all meet up for a drink at the event and that Emily had looked like a deer in the headlights.

“What ever happened between you and Emily?”

Scott whirled to face Lucy, his chest pounding. “What do you mean?” he asked, but the hardened edge in his tone only confirmed his guilt.

“You used to like her when you were kids and now...” Her eyes searched him, crinkling in confusion, her mouth a thin line of displeasure. She shook her head. “It’s too bad. She’s a really nice girl.”

“I know that,” Scott bit back.

“Then why do you get so shifty every time her name is mentioned? If you’re worried about sending her the wrong message, I can assure you, you don’t need to worry.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Lucy tipped her head, a sadness taking over her features. “Emily keeps to herself. She doesn’t date much, and she’s the last person I know who would assume someone was interested in her romantically. Especially you.”

“Why would you say that?”

Lucy gave him a knowing look. “You broke her heart.” Scott began to protest but Lucy raised her hand to stop him. “You were eighteen then. It’s forgivable. But you’re a grown man, Scott. What’s your excuse now?”

Scott stood at the base of the porch, his eyes shifting from Lucy to George and back again.
What’s your excuse now?
He squared his jaw and thrust a fist into his pocket, his mind whirling somewhere between rage and hurt so deep he thought he might just shout out loud—scream out the truth of his actions, of his reasons behind breaking up with Emily. It was an excuse all right, and a damned good one. It would be sure to get his sister off his back about his interactions with Emily. But it might also kick her out of his life for good.

Suddenly brightening, Lucy waved over Scott’s shoulder and shoved past him without another word, calling, “There you are!”

Scott turned to follow Lucy’s gaze, his chest tightening as he saw Emily strolling up the sidewalk in a navy blue sundress and lavender cardigan, her chestnut hair flowing softly around her shoulders. Her smile was bright and unsuspecting, and Scott felt the knot in his stomach loosen, offering a smile in return as she met his gaze.

“Hi,” he said, and then cleared his throat as his voice caught.

“Hey.” Her voice was pleasant and sweet, the simple word so melodic that he longed for her to say something more.

“Ready to go?” Lucy asked, ignoring Scott altogether.

Emily stopped walking as they bridged the gap, and Scott soon found himself at her side, grateful for her nervous chatter that overshadowed the heavy, heated silence emanating from Lucy. When they arrived at the town square, Lucy muttered a quiet excuse and walked away with George in tow.

Scott turned to face Emily head on, finding her gray eyes bright, her full pink lips curving at the corners. “Alone again,” he said with a slow smile he couldn’t fight.

“That’s becoming a theme with us.” She held his gaze, perhaps in challenge, perhaps in curiosity.

Scott felt his pulse take speed. “Is that a good thing or not?”
Tell me, Emily, because I don’t know anymore.
His world seemed so clear when he was away from her, so black-and-white, so factual. He was responsible for her father’s death. His father had covered the entire thing up. He would have to tell her. She would hate him. How could she not?

But when he was with her like this... Scott inhaled deeply. Everything was different when he was alone with Emily. The situation was as gray as the irises of her large searching eyes. All reason and strength left him, and all he wanted to do was grab her by the shoulders and press her close, to feel the smooth curves of her body against his, to beg her for forgiveness or maybe to never tell her at all, but instead to just go on like this...forever.

“Well,” Emily said shyly. She lowered her eyes, causing Scott’s gut to pull taught. Looking up, she said softly, “I was sort of thinking it was a good thing.”

“I was hoping you would say that,” he murmured, the release of the words sending a rush of air to his chest. Just admitting that one small truth lessened the burden that had weighed on him for so many years.

It was just like that age-old saying—
the truth shall set you free.
In this case, however, he couldn’t help but wonder once again if the truth would do more harm than good.

* * *

Emily forced herself to remain as outwardly calm as possible, even though her heart was racing. Scott sat next to her on the grass under the shade of a large maple, resting his elbows on his knees. Sitting close to him like this, sipping at her ice-cold lemonade, Emily couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. It was just so perfect. So achingly, terrifyingly perfect.

She slid a glance at Scott, letting her eyes roam greedily over the broad width of his back, the wide, chiseled shoulders and the confident grace of his profile as he looked out onto the square, taking in the scene. She wondered what he was thinking, if being here made him want to stay. She sighed, fearing that it might make him just want to leave all the more.

Emily quickly looked around the square, hoping to spot a few friendly faces in the crowd. She spotted an older couple she recognized as regular guests of Holly’s at The White Barn Inn and waved. With a sharp turn, the woman—Evelyn Adler—peered at her, her expression transforming into something altogether more interested when she noticed Scott.

“Well, hello there, young lady,” Evelyn said to Emily as she approached, but her eyes rested firmly on Scott. The woman pinched her lips like a little bird while her deep blue eyes glimmered with awareness. “And
hello,
” she cooed to Scott, widening her gaze hopefully while her husband stood dutifully at her side. She patted her graying hair girlishly.

“Hello,” Scott said pleasantly, though Emily detected an undertone of curiosity.

“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting,” Evelyn purred, the intensity of her gaze sharpening like a hawk about to swoop in on its prey.

“I don’t think so, either,” Scott said, standing to extend his hand. At the gesture, Evelyn stepped back in shock, unabashedly raking her eyes over the length of his body as her lips curled into a hundred-watt smile. “Scott Collins. I just came back to town, so you must have moved here while I was away.”

Emily was standing by now, brushing a bit of grass and dirt off the skirt of her dress, and she noticed Max and Holly watching the exchange in the distance. Holly was shaking her head in dismay while Max laughed heartily. She waved them over as Evelyn continued, “Oh, we don’t live here. We just visit every few months. Have you been to The White Barn Inn? It’s
bliss
ful!”

“Well, thank you for the compliment!” Holly said as she joined the group. She slipped a wink to Emily and Emily nudged Max in the ribs. Scott’s gaze passed over the three of them, clearly realizing that he was at a disadvantage when it came to the persistent Evelyn Adler.

“It’s good to see you here, Emily,” Evelyn said pointedly, making an obvious show of shifting her eyes to Scott and leaving them there. “It seems that Maple Woods is just bursting with lovebirds this year!”

Emily felt her face blanch. She could feel the steady shaking of Max’s laughing torso beside her and she watched as Holly gave him a warning glance, fire in her eyes.

“We’re old friends, Mrs. Adler,” Emily said as her cheeks began to burn.

“Pity,” Evelyn huffed, folding her arms across her fragile chest. She glared at Emily, as if this were somehow her fault. “A handsome man like this? In my day, men and women weren’t just friends. But then, in my day, a woman didn’t strut around town in pants, either.” She clucked her tongue as her gaze lingered on Scott, and Emily could hear Max chuckling.

“Come on, Mrs. Adler,” Holly said, taking the older woman by the elbow and giving Emily a knowing glance. “I’ve entered my raspberry preserves in a contest and the judging is about to start.”

“Exciting times,” Max said with mock enthusiasm, and Holly swatted him playfully. Undeterred, he shot a grin at Scott and said, “You gotta admit, this town’s got a hell of a lot more going for it than we city guys are used to.”

“Young man!” Evelyn’s sharp cry punctured the din of nearby conversations. “Did you just
curse?
”

Affronted, Max took a step back and then pressed his lips together, laughter shining in his eyes. “Guilty as charged, Evelyn,” he admitted, holding up two palms as he pleaded his innocence.

“Well...” Evelyn bristled, her brightly painted lips twisting coyly. “I could never stay mad at a young man as handsome as you.”

With a chuckle, Max led the group away and Emily laughed to herself as Holly turned back and shook her head. “Sorry about that,” she said to Scott, whose eyes were searching hers for some sort of explanation. “I didn’t mean to throw you to the wolves.”

“Who
is
that woman?”

“Evelyn Adler.” Emily sighed, falling naturally into step beside him as they weaved their way through the stalls selling everything from local artwork to children’s clothes. Julia was even selling a bunch of knitted goods she’d created on her downtime at the shop. “She’s a regular at The White Barn Inn. She’s a little eccentric, but we love her dearly.”

They settled into a spot near the gazebo. Scott grew silent and rested his forearms on his knees. “So, old friends, huh?” He glanced at her sidelong, and Emily felt her stomach drop.

Her gaze fell to the grass, and she plucked a few dandelions before tossing them to the side. “Seemed like the easiest thing to say.” She stole a glance in his direction, her breath catching at the intensity in his eyes.

“You were a hell of a lot more than just a friend to me,” he said, and Emily looked away, frowning.

What was done was done. When her father died, she had learned to savor the moment, to not take the present for granted. Sometimes it was easy to lose sight of that, especially more recently when she was too busy getting lost in the future and all of its conflicting possibilities.

She straightened her shoulders. There would be no thinking about the future today. Today was all anyone really had.

A little shiver down her spine told her that today she had everything she had ever wanted, anyway.

* * *

“Tell me they won’t do the Chicken Dance,” Scott said with a grin as he watched the couples spin on the dance floor.

“Maybe the Hokey Pokey,” Emily replied with a wink that sent a surge of heat straight to his groin. He tempered his desire with a sip of his beer. The sun had faded nearly an hour ago, and the band had picked up on its cue. Evelyn Adler was front and center on the dance floor, dragging her poor husband along for the ride. Max Hamilton lifted his hand in a wave and then twirled Holly until she threw her head back, laughing. Emily rubbed her arms as a cool breeze cut through the trees, rustling the leaves. It was all the ammunition he needed.