Smitten Book Club (4 page)

“We’re going to help you too. But it can’t hurt to see what we can find here at the house. I’ll try to figure out the clues.”

Molly’s eyes twinkled. “You’re sure you’re not interested in reading the book for the good-luck-with-love issue?”

Heather sat back in her chair and laughed. “I can see
you haven’t read that thing. One particularly pithy piece of advice is to not answer back and to do whatever your husband tells you.”

Molly smiled. “I’m sure there’s some good advice in there too. Everyone wants love.”

Heather bit her lip. “Maybe. There’s stuff like dressing up all the time. It did make me wonder if I don’t try enough.” She tugged on the hem of her T-shirt. “Maybe a nice sweater with jeans instead of this. And I can’t even remember the last time I bothered with makeup.”

“Your skin is perfect. You hardly need it.”

“Ever the loyal friend.”

Molly pushed her hair back from her face. “I’d better get to work.”

“You run off, and I’ll call the girls to see if we can find any clues to that treasure.”

“Check the spare room. There are all kinds of things packed in there from when Curtis’s parents lived here. But I doubt you’ll find anything.”

Heather pulled out her cell to call her friends. “Hope springs eternal.”

The male thrives on respect. Curling of the lip or the lifting of a brow by the object of his affections is apt to leave him dejected.

P
EARL
C
HAMBERS
,
The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship

CHAPTER THREE

P
aul had always liked Natalie’s house. It was warm and welcoming, just like his sister. They sat at the kitchen table, just the two of them. Carson was at work, and Mia was off to school. The delicious aroma of Nat’s coffee filled the room. She owned the local coffee shop and roasted her own special blends.

Nat set an omelet in front of Paul, then pulled out a chair and joined him. “You’ve been avoiding my questions. Why didn’t you call and tell me you were coming?”

He grinned as he dug into his breakfast. “I’m moving back.” He waited until her brown eyes widened. “I know I said I wanted big-city life, but I’ve changed my mind.”

She rested her chin on her hand and stared at him. “Why?”

He stared back. They’d been through so much together. Raised by their aunts, they’d stuck together through thick and thin. She’d never wanted to live anywhere else, while he’d yearned for big-city lights and a thriving career.

She poured heavy cream into her coffee and stirred as she waited. When she lifted a brow, he grinned and shrugged. “You can’t repeat it until the news comes out in the paper. Well, you can tell Carson, but that’s all.”

“Like I would.”

“I’m opening my own architectural business here. My first project is an organic town farm.”

Her eyes brightened. “That’s wonderful! But what’s a town farm, exactly?”

“The town will own it and manage it. They’ll grow organic food to sell. There will be a farmers’ market out there, a pumpkin patch, and the old house will be restored as it was in the 1800s as an attraction.”

“I love the idea! Where will it be?”

“The old Bristol homestead.”

“That will be perfect! It’s been derelict for years. But it doesn’t explain why you’re doing this. I’ll be glad to have you here, but you’re not telling me the whole story.”

“True enough.” He exhaled. “I’m lonely, Nat. Pretty silly, isn’t it? Millions of people around me, but I don’t know any of them. None of them look me in the eye and wish me good morning when we pass on the street.”

Her eyes softened, and she reached across the table to take his hand. “Have you tried joining in at your church? Maybe doing some community work of some kind.”

“I’ve tried all that. City people are different from my friends here in Smitten. I had a date the other night with a young woman from my church. I tried to talk to her about a family that had lost everything in a fire, but she kept changing
the subject to the great deal she’d found on shoes. I realized then I don’t belong there like I thought I did.”

She released his hand and picked up her coffee cup. “Just be sure you know what you’re doing. You’ve got a great job and you’re about to be made a partner.”

“The next morning I got that offer,” he admitted. “With a hefty raise. But more money wouldn’t make me happy. You make me happy. Aunt Rose and Violet and Petunia make me happy.” He picked up his fork. “I’m tired of being alone.”

She sipped her coffee before she answered, studying him over the top of her cup with a penetrating gaze. “You’re ready to settle down, aren’t you? Is that what this is all about?”

His face heated, but he held her gaze. “I might if I could find the right woman.” For a moment Heather’s face flashed through his mind. He’d ruined that, though. “You and Carson have something pretty special. I’m not sure I could ever find that.”

Her smile held a joy he could only envy. “We do, yes. But don’t settle for just anyone. Wait until you know you’ve found the right one.”

He’d already lost the right one. “I won’t rush into anything.”

“So what’s the plan? Where are you going to live? We have a spare room if you need to stay with us for a while.”

“Aunt Rose would have heart failure if I didn’t stay with her. I’m in my old room there until I buy a house. But thanks for the offer.”

She hiked a brow. “You know, you should talk to Heather DeMeritt about this project. She knows everything about organic farming. And she cares so much about Smitten.”

“I’m one step ahead of you. I’m taking her out to see it tomorrow.”

“Good. Anything I can do?”

“Keep an eye out for an office space and a big old house for me to buy.”

Her expression turned thoughtful. “I have space over my coffee shop. It’s undeveloped and has some great potential.”

“Hmm, it’s a good location too. Right in the center of town. Mind if I take a look?”

“I’d love it. I’d even give you free coffee.”

“That’s a deal I can’t refuse. Can we go over there now?”

Her eyes went wide. “Without finishing your coffee? Are you crazy?”

He grinned. “I’ve missed you, Nat. Thanks for always being here for me.”

Heather opened the windows of the spare room in Molly’s house to let the sweet breeze off Sugarcreek Mountain blow away the stale air. Her friends had been quick to join her when they heard the word
treasure
. The room was about fifteen feet square, and every discarded piece of family furniture had been piled in here since before time began. Old end tables and lamps, dolls, toys, boxes of fabric for quilts, several bed frames, and old blankets made walking through the space difficult.

“So what is it exactly we’re looking for?” Lia sneezed ferociously three times. She looked downright adorable with her hair up in a bandanna.

Heather moved to the closet and threw open the door. She stepped back at the scent of old mouse. “Any family photos with names on them. Marriage and birth certificates. Christening or baptism records. I’m not looking in here, though. I’m sure a mouse will jump out at me.”

“I’m not afraid of mice,” Abby said. “I whack the ones in the library with a broom. You take the dresser drawers.”

“You’re scaring me,” Heather said. “Who are you and what have you done with Abby?”

Abby raised her fist in the air. “I am woman, hear me roar. No mouse will scare me from my appointed duties.” She burrowed into the closet until all that could be seen were her jean-clad legs and tennis shoes.

Lia looked around the overstuffed room. “You’ve done some harebrained things, Heather, but this tops them all. That old book can’t lead to anything. I doubt we’ll find a single clue here.”

“Maybe so, but you have to admit this beats working the book sale.”

“I don’t know about that,” Abby said, her voice muffled by the stuffed closet. “I like talking to the people who walk through.”

Heather pulled open the top drawer of the chest of drawers. “I’m a sucker for a sob story, and I’d practically give the books away. There will be more money for Molly if I stay away.”

Lia dropped to her knees and looked under the bed. “Here are some tubs with old photo albums in them.”

Heather joined her, and they dragged out the four plastic tubs. When she lifted the lid of the first one, she winced. “I’m
glad Molly isn’t here. This stuff isn’t that old—here are her wedding pictures.” She pushed the tub aside, unable to bear her friend’s happy smile, one that said nothing could ever go wrong with this one, perfect love. Even before Curtis’s death, things had been far from perfect.

“And look, Hawaii brochures.” Abby had come out of the closet to look over Heather’s shoulder. “The ones she brought to show us last month. I don’t think we’ll ever get that girls’ week together. Not now.”

An hour later they had found nothing. “I have to get going,” Lia said. “It was a great idea, Heather, but I don’t think there’s anything here that will help us find the mine.”

As the girls all grabbed their jackets, the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” Heather swung open the door to find Paul smiling at her, and took a step back. His smile faded when she said, “What do you want?”

He held out his hands, palms up. “I thought we’d called a truce.”

There had to be dust on her face, and these jeans were old and ragged. The T-shirt was hardly flattering either. She wanted him to see what he’d missed and mourn, but he was likely rejoicing at his escape.

She opened the screen door. “Sorry, you startled me. If you’re looking for Molly, she’s at the shop.”

“I saw your car out front. I live right there at the moment.” He pointed to the big Victorian down the street. “I wondered if you might want to go see the farm with me this afternoon.”

“It’s Saturday. My day off.”

“I thought you might at least want to take a look. It won’t take long.”

She wanted to refuse. The less time spent in his presence the better, but she
was
curious. “What time?”

“About two?”

“Okay.”

“Pick you up here or at your house?”

He was taking a lot for granted. She could drive herself. “I’m done here. We were just leaving. I’ll just meet you there.”

“Suit yourself.”

Lia and Abby crowded close behind her. “Hi, Paul,” Lia said. “We didn’t get a chance to talk last night. I’m surprised Natalie let you out of her sight.”

“I barely escaped with my life. She was trying out some new kind of gluten-free carrot cake. I made a run for the back door.”

The girls all chuckled. “Most of her gluten-free pastries are pretty good,” Heather said.

“Now
maybe. You have no idea what I’ve endured.” Paul pushed his glasses back up on his nose. “Well, I’ll let you all get back to what you were doing.”

“See you around.” Heather shut the door in his face before he could object.

“He’s even more gorgeous than he used to be,” Abby said. “I never would have guessed a man in glasses could look so hot.”

“It’s the contrast of those classic good looks with the muscles,” Lia said.

“No kidding,” Abby said. “Does he know you got married right off? And that you have Charlie?”

Heather’s knees felt suddenly shaky. “He knows about both, but he thinks I’m still married.”

“You need coffee to clear your brain,” Lia said. “I’ll make
it.” She marched to the kitchen and went to the coffeepot with the other two trailing behind her. As soon as it was brewing, she pointed her finger at Heather. “There’s only one reason you’d let him think you’re married. You’re afraid you still care about him, aren’t you?”

Heather’s head hurt, and she rubbed it. “How would you feel if you had to admit you ran off and married someone on the rebound and it ended in divorce a few months later? That you have never stopped mooning over him? I do have a
little
pride. I’ll tell him I’m divorced when I’m ready. But I need some space first.”

“When did he meet Charlie?” Abby asked.

“Last night. He came by the house.”

Abby’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, do tell! What did he want?”

“To clear the air and apologize for how he acted. Do you have any idea how that made me feel? To have all that humiliation brought up again. I wanted to fall through the floor.” Her face burned.

“It’s over now,” Lia said, her voice soothing. “Put it behind you and move on.”

“It’s going to be hard. We’ll be working together.” The girls exclaimed, and Heather told them about the organic farm. “I have to do it. My boss was adamant.”

A worried frown crouched between Abby’s eyes. “Just be careful, Heather. You could fall hard again. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

The scent of coffee began to fill the room, and Heather got down cups. “Don’t worry, I won’t go down that path again. Paul Mansfield is way out of my league.”

“Right,” Abby said. “You’ve never gotten over him. Not really.”

Heather turned away from their earnest faces. No amount of wishing in the world could change what was. She’d mask her feelings well this time. She’d forge a business relationship and that would be enough.