His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride (25 page)

“Now there’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while. Ashley laughing. I like it.” Piper walked onto the deck behind Jason who was carrying a tray with two mugs and a plate of cookies on it. She sat down on the swing, patted the seat next to her then accepted her cup. “What are you two talking about?”

“The weather.”

“Ashley not dating.”

Their simultaneous responses had the other two grinning.

“Maybe we should go back inside and let them settle this,” Jason said.

“Oh, I’d rather let them continue. We’ll just listen in.” Piper leaned back against Jason’s arm, slung across the back of her seat and passed the cookies. “Ashley needs a challenge, Michael. She’s kind of stuck in her ways. That’s why I’ve been begging her to help me with the festival. Did you know she contacted her former boss about setting up a gallery to display local artists’ work in town?”

Michael shifted, his attention intent on Piper.

“I didn’t know,” he said. He turned to Ashley. “Any luck?”

“No. He turned me down without even seeing some of the things that are produced here. But that’s okay. I’ll find someone else. I’m good at getting backers for artists who need to get their work to the public.”

“Are you?”

“Have you heard of Terrence Demain?”

“Who hasn’t?” Michael nodded, eyes wide. “Mosaics. Gorgeous walls of fantastic color.”

“Exactly. A friend of mine commissioned his first wall. The critics couldn’t get enough of his work and he took off.”

“That’s what Ashley does, you see. She finds the talent and then brings it to the light. Her former boss could tell you how good she is if he hadn’t fired her.” Piper smiled at Ashley. “How many times has Ferris begged you to come back, Ash?”

“I’ve lost count.”

“You don’t want to go back to your old job?” Michael studied her.

“Maybe. Sometime.” Ashley kept her face expressionless as she scrambled for excuses. The intensity of his stare was unnerving. “I need a break first. I’d been working nonstop for ages. It feels good to relax, putter around a bit. And Piper’s a peach for letting me come here. There’s nowhere like the Bay for reorienting yourself.”

“Mmm.” Michael tilted his head to one side, shrugged. “I guess.”

She watched him closely, framing her next words with care.

“You probably thought the same thing yourself. I mean, isn’t that why you’ve come back, after all these years? To start over with your daughter?”

“I guess you could say that.”

If she hadn’t been watching Ashley might have missed his wince. As it was, she couldn’t help but wonder what had caused it and why he was staring at her as if she held some secret he needed.

“Anyway, I’ll probably leave in a couple of weeks.”

“But you have to be here for our wedding, Ash,” Piper protested. “You and Row are my bridesmaids and I’m not getting married without either of you. I’ve got your dresses all picked out.” She threaded her fingers through Jason’s, her engagement ring flashing its fire. “Christmas isn’t all that far off, you know.”

Michael choked on his coffee. One look at his face and Ashley burst into laughter.

“What is so funny?” Piper asked.

“Apparently you’re not the only one who’s looking forward to Christmas,” Ashley told her.

“Or thinking about fancy dresses,” Michael added.

“Oh.” A furrow appeared across Piper’s forehead. She glanced from him to Ashley, then shrugged. “I’ll assume it’s a private joke.”

“It is,” Ashley assured her.

Michael winked at her, then rose.

“I’d better get going,” he told her, holding out one hand to Ashley. “Walk me to my car?”

She could hardly refuse. Ashley placed her hand in his and rose. “I thought you said you had Friday evenings free?”

“I do. I gave my students a test last week and promised I’d have their marks ready on Monday. People think teaching is nine to three but they have no idea about the overtime.”

“I guess not.”

“Thanks for hosting me, Piper. And Jason, anytime you want another dinner guest, give me a call.”

“Will do.” Jason and Piper stood together, arms wrapped around each other’s waists. “You know you’re welcome. Bring Tatiana next time.”

“We’ll see.” He walked toward the door. Ashley followed. “Good night,” he said as he stepped outside. “Thanks again.”

They waved. Ashley walked with him to his car without saying anything. Dusk had fallen. Across the road, some sixty feet away, a doe and her fawn were enjoying an evening lunch on a patch of grass. She touched his arm, pointed.

Michael watched for a while. Then he faced her.

“It was a great meal,” he said. “I enjoyed talking to you. Are you sure you won’t have dinner with me sometime, so I can repay your generosity?”

She shook her head, smiled. “I don’t think so. But thank you.”

“Why?”

The bald question took her by surprise.

“Because.”

“That’s not an answer.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, kicked at a stone on the ground before meeting her gaze.

“I’m not trying to trap you into anything, Ashley. I’m not looking for anything more than a friend I can talk to.” He shrugged. “Tati’s great but sometimes it’s nice to talk to another adult, discuss something other than her friend Wanda at day care.”

She smiled at the frustration that gilded his voice.

“I’m sure there are lots of adults you can talk to.”

“But not you?”

She shrugged. “I won’t be here that long. I’m going to spend some time helping Piper while I search for another job.” She struggled to explain. “I’m sure your mother told you I broke off my engagement recently. I guess what I’m saying is that I need time to put my world back together again.”

He nodded, his dark eyes melting with empathy.

“Believe me, I understand that.” He thrust out his hand. “If you get a moment and want to talk, phone me.”

“And you’ll make time in that busy schedule of yours?” she murmured as her fingers slid into his.

He held her hand, stared down at it cradled in his bigger rougher one, then looked at her. Ashley stared into his eyes, unsure if the zip of current she felt was only her imagination.

“I’ll make time for you,” he answered quietly. He lifted her hand, brushed his lips against her knuckles. “Good night, beautiful. I hope we cross paths again soon.”

Then he was gone and Ashley was left with the imprint of his lips on her skin. But it wasn’t only that he’d touched her physically. Something in her spirit recognized that he was seeking solace, just as she was.

She didn’t understand how or why she knew that, but Michael Masters’s effect on her was no different than the first time she’d visited the Louvre. Her knees were weak, her palms damp and she couldn’t quite catch her breath.

Sort of like a panic attack. Only better.

All the more reason to stay away from him.

Chapter Four

“W
ill you get me another mommy?”

Michael jerked out of his thoughts, found Tati staring at Carissa’s picture in the silver frame he’d placed on a shelf in her room. He regrouped quickly, picked up his daughter and hugged her.

“I don’t know if I can do that, sweetheart.”

“’Cause my mommy was special.” Tati nodded like a wise owl. “I know. She danced the best
Swan Lake
.”

She never failed to amaze him. “How do you know about
Swan Lake?
”

“Wanda.” Tati’s busy fingers brushed through his hair. “She said her mom didn’t believe my mommy was a ballerina so she looked on the Internet. Wanda’s mom said my mommy had rave reviews. Are rave reviews good, Daddy?”

“I’m very sure they are,” he murmured, kissing her cheek. But they didn’t compare to holding your child in your arms. “Did you get all your toys put away?”

“Uh-huh. Can we go to the Dairy Shack now?”

“We can.” He swirled her around until the giggles he loved to hear burst out of her, then he set her down. “How about getting your jacket?”

“Daddy.” Her eyes brimmed with scorn. “It’s boiling outside.”

“It is now,” he agreed, brushing her nose with his fingertip. “But it might not be so warm on the water later.”

Tati squealed with delight. “We’re going on a boat?”

He nodded. “The houseboat. Like we had for Granny’s birthday, remember? We’ve been invited to go for a ride with Piper and Jason.”

Her face glowed with excitement, but she said nothing more, simply headed for her room and her sweater. Moments later they were on the road and Michael was fielding her incessant questions, punctuated by expressions of delight. Tati would finally have something interesting to talk about at show and tell.

“Can I catch a fish?”

“I don’t know, honey. We’ll have to see.”

“I hope it’s a giant fish. A whale.”

“We don’t have whales in Serenity Bay, honey.”

“It could happen,” she insisted stubbornly then turned to stare out the window. “Wanda says lots of strange things happen.”

Wanda would know. Michael drove through the shedding trees, crunching over dry red and gold leaves toward the ice cream shop. His mind grappled with the same old problem. Assuming he could get some pieces finished by next summer, how and where could he arrange a showing? And was that God’s will or his own?

“Look, Daddy. Aren’t the flowers pretty?”

“Where?” He followed her pointing finger to a shiny convertible sitting next to a gigantic plastic cone advertising fifty-one flavors. Something about that car seemed familiar.

“In the window of that car. The nice lady’s there.”

Michael pulled into a parking spot, turned his head and saw Ashley Adams seated behind the wheel of her black sports car, facing straight ahead. A transparency of Van Gogh’s big yellow sunflowers had been stuck on the back side window.

“Let’s go say hello.” Michael released Tati from her car seat, took her hand as they walked toward Ashley. Though the roof was down, all her windows were rolled up. He tapped on one.

Ashley jerked, slowly turned her head to face him. Her face was a pasty white, her eyes stretched wide with fear.

“Are you all right?” He waited, and when she didn’t respond, reached over the window to unlock the door. He opened it, touched her shoulder. “Ashley?”

Her whole body jerked at the contact.

“Yes?” Her voice emerged a thread of sound.

“Is something the matter?”

“Is she sick, Daddy?”

Tati’s squeak of inquiry seemed to break the bubble Ashley had been trapped in. She drew in a deep breath and released her fingers from their death grip on the wheel.

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”

“You don’t look fine,” he told her bluntly. She cast furtive glances to the left, then right, as if searching for someone. Or something.

“What’s wrong?”

“Wrong?” She blinked, swung her legs from the car. “Nothing’s wrong. I came to get a carton of ice cream. I’m going for a boat ride with Piper and Jason.”

“So are we!” Tati squealed in delight. “What kind of ice cream are you going to get?”

“What kind would you like?”

Her recovery happened faster than he expected, but it wasn’t complete. Michael knew from the way she closed the car door then checked the street that she was looking for something. Or someone.

“I like chocolate chip cookie dough. And tiger-tiger. And strawberry cheesecake and pistachio and—”

Ashley laughed. “Maybe I should have asked what kind you
don’t
like.”

“Oh.” Tati frowned, grasped Michael’s hand. “What kind of ice cream
don’t
I like, Daddy?”

“I don’t think there is one.” He motioned to the store. “Shall we go inside and look?”

“Sure.” Ashley walked along beside him. She wasn’t wearing her usual high heels but the cream linen pants and matching silk sweater still screamed money. Even her toes, poking out of woven rope sandals, were perfectly manicured and polished a soft blush pink.

Michael held the door, waited for her to pass in front of him.

“Your hand is shaking,” he said, softly enough that Tati couldn’t hear. “I wish you’d tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s nothing.” She tipped her head back to stare into his eyes. “Just some bad memories that won’t go away.”

Her hair was bundled onto the top of her head and held there by a silver comb, though wispy ringlets broke free and framed her face. A few longer tendrils caressed the long smooth line of her neck like an expensive pewter frame. She was gorgeous.

“I didn’t realize you’d be going on the houseboat today.”

“Or you would have begged off?” He smiled at her faint blush. “I can cancel if it will bring back that killer smile of yours.”

“Don’t be silly. Tati would be devastated.” She inclined her head toward the little girl peeking over the ice-cream freezer trying to choose her favorite. “You have a beautiful daughter.”

“Yes, I know. I thank God for her every day.” Since they were early Michael insisted on buying them each a cone, then suggested they wander across the street to the park to eat them.

“Color coordination down to a T,” he murmured, watching as she nipped at the top of her ice cream.

“What do you mean?” Ashley blinked, stared at him.

“Just thinking aloud.”

“Oh, no, you don’t,” she said. “Tell me the truth. What did you mean by that?”

“Okay, but just remember, you asked me.” He wrinkled his nose, glared at her ice cream. “Vanilla? Of all the flavors you could have picked you chose boring old vanilla? I assumed you chose it so that it would blend in with your clothing.”

“You think my clothes are boring?” She lifted one eyebrow like an imperial queen questioning a servant.

“No.” Michael shook his head. “See, I knew I’d blow this. Your clothes are perfect. You’re perfect. But vanilla ice cream is boring. Not like you at all. I would have thought you’d choose something subtle but definitely flavored, like butter pecan.”

She glanced over at Tati who seemed happy to sit on the bottom of the slide and lick her double chocolate chip ice cream.

“I’m not big on pecans. See. You don’t know me that well.”

“Sure I do. You’re the girl who used to hide behind my mom’s plant.”

“You didn’t remember that.” Ashley shook her head, her smile faint. “I told you.”

He tried again, scouring his brain for some other memory. “You never used to say much. The silent type.”

“I told you that, too.” She looked him straight in the eye. “You don’t remember me at all, do you, Michael? Not that you should. I don’t think I ever said more than fifteen words to you. We never had anything in common.”

“Of course I remember. You came here to spend summer with your father after your parents split. You and Piper and another girl used to hang around together a lot.” He struggled to recall some detail his mother had let slip. “Anyway, you had the best house in the neighborhood.”

“You said that before.” She glanced down at her cone, dabbed at the white glob that dripped on her wrist. “It really doesn’t matter. Just accept that I chose vanilla ice cream because I like it.”

“Why?”

Ashley gave him a testy look, shrugged her shoulders.

“I don’t know. It’s simple, uncomplicated. The way I want my life to be.”

He almost laughed—until he saw how serious she was.

“Ashley, unless you’re a monk in a monastery, I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“Because life isn’t like that. It’s messy and challenging and full of surprises. And that’s good.”

“Why? I don’t like surprises.”

From the dark clouds scudding across her face, Michael got the distinct impression she’d just made the understatement of the year. He waited, hoping she’d expound further.

“I like my life organized, not chaotic. I like to wake up knowing what I’ve planned for the day and then do it. I don’t like wondering what tomorrow will bring.”

“It scares you,” he guessed quietly. “I suppose an accident, losing your job and breaking an engagement can do that to a person. But you’ll get past it. You’ll want challenges in your life again.”

She tilted her head to one side.

“Are you analyzing me?”

“Hardly.” Like he was qualified to help anyone when his own life was such a shambles. “I’m just saying, why not cut yourself some slack? You’ve obviously gone through a lot. You need some time to just let the wind blow the cobwebs away.”

“Is that what you do?”

He glanced around, found Tati kicking sand in the sandbox. “Not lately,” he admitted.

“But you’d like to spend more time with your daughter?” Now she was analyzing him.

“I spend as much as I can with her, but sometimes the mornings are so rushed.” He shrugged. “As the days get shorter, daylight comes later and it feels more and more like I’m dragging her out of bed at the crack of dawn to ship her off to day care.”

“Doesn’t she enjoy it there?”

“Oh, yeah.” Michael smiled. “Tati’s always been around a lot of people. Keeping her at home alone wouldn’t be an option.”

“So why the guilt?”

He studied her wide gray eyes, found only empathy. That was probably why he let the words pour out.

“I want to give her everything,” he explained softly. “I don’t ever want her to think back and feel like she missed out on something because of me or remember that I wasn’t there when she wanted me. I don’t want to be too busy for her, but—”

“But you have a lot of things to do and it’s not easy to divide your time between them. I understand. And I really wasn’t going to press you about the set building again.” Ashley tossed the rest of her cone into the trash can, dabbed her fingers against a napkin and tossed it in, too. “Piper’s very good at recruiting people. She’ll find someone else. I hope.”

He laughed at her last remark.

“Hint taken. I’ll think about it, okay? Now no more guilt,” he decreed. “Let’s go for that boat ride and enjoy the afternoon. It’ll be something to look back on in January when it’s twenty below and the snow’s up to our ears. Come on, Tati.”

She came trundling across the leaf-covered grass, legs churning as fast as they could carry her, chocolate smears covering her face, her T-shirt and her jeans.

“You need a bath,” he told her, grimacing at her grungy fingers. He glanced at Ashley. “Could you watch her while I run across to ask for some damp napkins?”

“No need.” Ashley reached inside her cream purse and lifted out a small zippered bag. She removed two small packets, handed them to him. “Wet wipes. They should do the trick.”

“Thank you.” Michael sighed. She’s a lot better prepared than you. One step at a time.

Once Tati was as clean as they could manage, they trooped back to the cars. Michael couldn’t miss Ashley’s surreptitious scan of the area.

“I wish you’d tell me what’s wrong,” he murmured quietly as Tati climbed inside her car seat and buckled herself in.

“Why do you keep saying that? I’m fine.”

“Is that why you keep checking over your shoulder?”

She stared at him for a moment, bit her lip. “I thought I saw someone,” she finally admitted.

“Someone you don’t want to see, I assume.”

Ashley’s spun-silver hair jerked as she nodded. “Someone I never want to see again.”

The vehemence in her voice stunned him. Who did she mean?

“Your former fiancé?”

“Kent?” Surprise filled her eyes. She shook her head, her smile lopsided. “No worries there. He’s off looking for other fish to fry.”

“You don’t sound upset by that.” He studied her face, searching for the remnants of pain. He found none.

“I’m not.” Her eyes hardened for a moment, then she shrugged. “I made a mistake. A marriage between us never would have lasted.”

Since she didn’t seem averse to sharing, Michael dug a little deeper. “Why not? Didn’t you love him?”

“I thought I did. Turns out he loved something more than me.”

“You mean
someone
, don’t you?”

She chuckled. “Actually I don’t, Michael. I mean some
thing
—as in money. My fiancé wanted to be kept in the style to which he’d become accustomed. When I objected to being his meal ticket, he decided it was time to cut all ties.” Ashley’s indifference to that decision was visible. She pulled her sunglasses off the dash of her car and twiddled them in one hand. “He’s probably found someone else by now.”

“And you don’t care?”

A tiny flush of color tinted her pale cheeks. “It’s a little embarrassing, but once I get past that, no, I really don’t care. Actually I think I’m glad I found out when I did. I can’t imagine living the way he wanted. I like to work, to be busy. I’m not good at lounging.”

“I wouldn’t mind trying it for a while,” he admitted.

“Are we going now, Daddy?”

Michael raised his eyebrows, inclined his head. “See what I mean?”

“Yes,” Ashley laughed, her gray eyes agleam with fun. “And I think it’s wonderful. She’s a great little girl. You’re very lucky.”

“Then maybe you’d like to share my good fortune and ride with us to Jason’s marina? I could bring you back afterward.”