His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride (26 page)

He thought she’d refuse but after a moment she nodded.

“Sure. Just let me put up the top and lock my car.”

Michael stood back and watched, envying her the luxury of such a beautiful car. That meant she had money, right? Must have, to afford something like this.

“She’s a beaut,” he told her, sliding one hand over the fender, unable to decide if it was last year’s model or not. “You have good taste in cars.”

“Oh, I didn’t choose this,” she told him, her eyes wide with surprise. “I don’t know anything about cars. My grandfather bought it just before he died. He left it to me.”

“Nice grandpa.” By comparison his old wagon was an oxcart, but Michael held the door for her, waited while she stepped inside, her long legs swinging in with a grace he admired.

“Are you a car afficionado?” she asked once he’d started the engine.

“Mostly I admire them from a distance.” He caught her stare and grinned. “I like nice cars but I also like having a roof over my head and three square meals. In the scheme of things I guess a new car isn’t all that important to me.”

“Daddy had a nice red car but it got made into lemonade.” Tati’s chirping voice carried clearly.

“Lemonade?” Ashley twisted to study him. “Did you crash?”

He burst out laughing. “No, nothing like that. I had a sports car, but I sold it, bought this one and pocketed the extra cash. It wasn’t roomy enough for Tati and her friends and this one will be more practical when the snowdrifts come. Besides, it gave me a bigger deposit on the house so my payments aren’t as high.”

“But how—”

“Lemons make lemonade,” Tati explained, reaching forward to pat her shoulder. “Daddy says that’s just how life is.”

“Okay.” Ashley smiled at the little girl but it took her a few minutes to make the connection. “When life hands you lemons,” she said eventually. “I get it.”

“Exactly.” He grinned as if they’d just shared the formula for world peace. They arrived at the marina to find Piper waiting for them.

“I’m so glad you could come but there’s been a hitch,” she explained. “Jason had one of his rentals break down and he’s had to go after it. Since there’s nobody to stay at the shop in case they come back, I have to wait here. But you three can go on your own. You’ve handled the Zephyr before, haven’t you, Michael?”

“Yes, I rented it when we took Mom out for her birthday in July. But are you sure we shouldn’t wait for Jason? He won’t be that long.”

“Oh, yes, he will. He said at least three hours and by then the sun will be cooling. You go ahead. Take Ash with you. She hasn’t done anything but hang around the house and show her slides at school.” She wrapped her arm around Ashley’s waist, hugged her. “You can trust Michael. He’s good at everything he does but maybe you can help with Tati.”

“I don’t need help.” Tati planted her hands on her hips. “I’m a big girl.”

“I know it. I think you’ve grown two whole inches this summer.” Piper swooped Tati up into her arms and hugged her. “You’ve got spots,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

“Choc’late chips from the ice cream. Daddy thinks I’m a mess.”

“A very pretty mess.”

Tati wiggled free, moved beside Ashley, her fingers grasping the long slender ones. “Can you help me with my life jacket?”

“Um, sure. I guess.”

Michael watched a silent message flutter from Ashley to Piper and wondered if she’d back out. Not if he could help it.

“Is everything ready to go, Piper?”

“Jason said to tell you the tank is full and everything’s operating perfectly. I tucked a picnic in the galley for later and there are some CDs next to the stereo. Just get back before eight. It gets dark fast lately.”

“Wait!” Tati tugged her arm. Ashley leaned down so his daughter could whisper something in her ear. Ashley listened, smiled, nodded then straightened.

“Ready now?” Piper asked with a grin.

“Ready.” Tati wore the happiest grin he’d seen in hours, which made Michael just the tiniest bit nervous.

What was she up to?

“Well, ladies, shall we?” He waved a hand toward the vessel hopefully. He’d spent months trying to figure out God’s plan for his future and since wisdom hadn’t yet arrived, he’d no doubt spend plenty more. But surely God wouldn’t begrudge him an afternoon with a beautiful woman on this glassy lake.

“We shall,” Ashley said as if she sensed his thoughts. Then she pointed her nose in the air and strode across the deck as if she were a princess. Tati followed, copying her snooty stance.

Michael looked to Piper who was trying to conceal her grin.

“Come along then, Captain. Let’s get this rig moving.” Ashley tilted one imperious eyebrow as if questioning his hesitation.

“You have your orders, sailor.” Piper saluted him smartly.

“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted back then marched across in proper servant form. He started the engine, waited till Piper cast off, then eased them out of the berth and across the still blue water.

“Ta ta,” Ashley called, offering a queenly wave. She and Tati both wore life jackets and sat in the front of the boat on the most comfortable chairs.

Michael pushed the throttle a little harder, watching as the two heads, one silver-bright, one dark as night, pressed together. Even over the sound of the motor he could hear their singing.

So that was the secret. Tati loved to sing.

He shoved his sunglasses down over his eyes and smiled. Life didn’t get much better than this.

* * *

“It was a great afternoon,” Ashley murmured as Michael lifted Tati from her lap and carried the sleeping child ashore. “Thank you very much.”

“Thank you for coming. It wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun without you.” He’d already tied off the boat, so he handed her the keys. “If you could take those into the marina, I’ll put Tati in the car.”

“Sure.” She strode to the store well aware that his eyes followed her progress. Only when she was inside did she peek over one shoulder. He was heading for his car.

“Everything okay?” Jason asked as he took the keys.

“Everything was lovely. Tell Piper—” She stopped, smiled as she saw her friend sitting behind him. “The lunch was lovely, Pip. I don’t know how you managed to find fresh strawberries at this time of year.”

“I have my sources.” Piper raised one eyebrow.

“What’s the look for?”

“Oh, nothing.” Piper’s dark eyes sparkled with interest. “So you enjoyed your afternoon with Michael? And Tatiana, of course.”

Suddenly Ashley got it.

“No, Piper. Don’t get any ideas. It was a nice afternoon, but I’m not interested in becoming anyone’s mommy.” As the last word left her lips, Ashley heard a noise behind her. She turned. Michael stood there, his face tight.

“Excuse me. Just wanted to say thanks for a great afternoon.” Michael didn’t even look at her. “Tati and I both enjoyed it.” He turned and walked out of the building, toward his car.

“Rats!” Ashley glared at Piper. “This is your fault. I’ll talk to you later.”

“I look forward to it,” Piper said with a knowing glint in her eyes.

As she followed Michael to the car, Ashley searched for the appropriate apology. But how did you apologize for a faux pas like that?

He held her door, politely waited until she was inside, then closed it with great care so as not to waken his daughter. But as he walked around the hood and got into the car, she saw that all the fun had drained away.

“It won’t take a minute to get back to your car,” he said quietly.

“Look, I’m sorry you heard that.” Ashley bit her lip, tried again. “I didn’t mean it exactly the way it sounded.”

“No?”

He wasn’t cutting her any slack. Ashley tried again.

“No. Piper’s in this blissful state because she’s in love with Jason and she thinks it should be the same for me.”

“Uh-huh.” He kept his gaze straight ahead.

She could almost feel the ice.

“Look. I’m sorry. Really. But your life is full with your daughter and your work, Michael. You told me that yourself.”

“Yes, I did.” He glanced at her. “I don’t recall suggesting I was looking for a mother for my daughter. Or anything else.”

“No, you didn’t.” She shifted uncomfortably. “But Piper’s thinking that way. I was just trying to stop her before it went too far.”

He turned the corner, pulled up beside her car, then turned to face her.

“What’s too far for you, Ashley? Friendship? An afternoon on a boat?” His mouth tightened. “I’m not going to abduct you, you know.”

She blanched at his words, pressed her spine against the seat. “I know that.”

“For your information, just so we’ve got everything straight—I was divorced. Her idea, not mine, but our marriage ended shortly after it happened. Several years ago actually.” He glared at her, a self-mocking, sardonic smile twisting his lips. “I guess I wasn’t as bright as you. I didn’t see the problems early enough to bail.”

“Michael, please. I didn’t mean—” She stopped. The hole was only getting bigger.

“You see, that’s the problem, Ashley. I don’t know what you mean. I don’t understand you at all. One minute you look like you’re enjoying yourself, the next you’ve thrown up this iron fence around yourself as if you’re scared you might let go and let somebody see the real you.” She opened her mouth, but he held up a hand. “Don’t bother to deny it. You were laughing and enjoying yourself today. What’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” She glared through the windshield, irritated by his manner.

“Then why do you act as if you’re afraid?” His voice dropped. “For a little while you forget. You poke your head out into life for a few minutes, let yourself enjoy what’s happening. But then something changes and you pull back in like a scared turtle. Can’t you tell me why you keep freezing up?”

“I’m not doing that,” she insisted.

“Yes, you are.” He held her gaze, his own solemn. “I thought we could be friends, but you put up barriers, like you expect something bad to happen. As if you expect
me
to do something. What did I do to make you think that?”

“Nothing.”

“Then...” He opened his eyes wide, waited for her to speak as he parked beside her car.

She wanted to pretend, but Ashley knew exactly what he was talking about. Because she
was
afraid, she had been for years. But she wasn’t going to admit it here and now. Especially not to him.

A flickering memory from the past reminded her that he’d always championed the underdog. He would want to help, to give her advice or reassure her. But Ashley did not want to be Michael’s next project.

“I’ve ruined everything and I never meant to,” she apologized quietly. “I was trying to stop Piper from matchmaking and I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. It was rude and I regret it. Your personal life is entirely your own business.”

“Sounds like there’s a
but
coming.”

“I had a wonderful time with both of you. It was fun. Tell Tati goodbye for me, will you?”

Before he could say a word Ashley eased out of his car, closed the door and unlocked her own. A moment later she drove down Main Street, headed in the wrong direction, but who cared? Anything to get away.

But as she drove the familiar streets, Ashley realized she was driving toward her childhood home, the one she’d returned to each summer to live in with her father. She paused, prepared to turn around and then suddenly, she changed her mind.

Maybe it was time to face the past. Part of it, anyway.

She drove slowly, savoring the maple-lined streets, the big spacious lawns with bikes on the sidewalks. Then she was home.

Home.
What an odd word. She hadn’t really felt at home for years.

There was a sign on the lawn. Open House. She stared at the sign, let the idea spark into life. What could it hurt—just to look?

Ashley climbed out of the car, walked up the cement sidewalk her father had put in when she was about four.

“Hello. Are you here for the open house? You’re just in time. I was about to close up. Come on in.”

The agent held the door. Ashley walked inside.

It was different.

It was the same.

The entry was big, showcasing an oak banister she’d slid down more than once. Someone had painted the wood a gruesome shade of green and covered the hardwood floors with broadloom, but otherwise the layout was the same.

“It’s a beautiful house. Needs a little work, of course. No one’s lived in it for several months.”

“The owners moved out?” Ashley asked, pausing to study the living room and the huge bay window where she’d sat mooning over Michael all those summers ago.

“They separated in the spring. Here’s the study.”

Ashley followed her, listening as the woman described features already engraved in her mind.

“It’s a gorgeous study. There’s a little fountain outside that window that the birds just love. And here’s the dining room. Perfect for entertaining. You’ll love the kitchen, too. Updated, but without ruining the views and the layout toward the family room. The lake view is perfect, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Ashley stared out the wall of windows toward the jetty her parents had built together. It had probably been repaired over the years, but if she cleared her mind, she could almost see her mother standing there, calling her, Piper and Rowena to get out of the water and eat supper.

“There’s a back staircase tucked under here providing access to the bedrooms from both ends. It’s well laid out.” The woman led the way upstairs. “Here’s the master bedroom. Very spacious. And the bathroom’s been refinished.”

Ashley gave it only a cursory look then moved on to the room at the back, her room.

“I think this is the best room in the house. Just look at that view.”

Ashley was looking, drinking it in like someone dying of thirst.

“The window seat is perfect, isn’t it? Water view, hills, the garden below. See the tree house?”

“Do you mind if I spend a few moments here? By myself,” she added when the woman looked as though she’d stay. “I know you want to close but I’d just like a bit of time to think.”

“Take all the time you want. There are two other bedrooms to see, as well. I’ll be downstairs.”