On the Wings of Love

by Alanna Lucas

  Tessa strolled over to a trio of middle-aged ladies who were admiring the display case that housed first editions.

  “Thank you for coming.” Tessa pasted on a smile, while out of the corner of her eye, she watched Stephaney edge closer to Rex.

  “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything,” one of the ladies responded. “Romance novels got me through back surgery.”

  One of the woman’s friends chimed in with a chuckle. “She devoured one every other day. I couldn’t bring them to her fast enough.”

  “I am glad to hear that.” It warmed Tessa’s heart to hear stories like that. “Please make sure to sign our guest book and share your story.”

  “Oh, Rex, you are too funny,” Stephaney’s loud laughter rang above the chatter of guests. Tessa glanced over just in time to see Stephaney wrap her arms about Rex’s arm and lean up to whisper something in his ear.

  The tightness in Tessa’s chest threatened to cut off her breathing, and her stomach churned with disgust. Stephaney’s display was sickening. Why should I care?

  Rex squinted, peering around the room, ignoring the workout queen at his side. His heated gaze found Tessa, confusing her even more. Warmth crept up her neck, settling in her cheeks. She needed distance. She needed air. Tessa whipped around, practically colliding with another guest.

  “Oh, Mrs. Smith,” Tessa forced the greeting out between coarse breaths of air.

  “The store looks wonderful.”

  “Thank you. It turned out exactly as I imagined, and I can’t thank you enough for the curtains.”

  Pride beamed across the older woman’s face. “I’d never made anything so stylish. I had my doubts, but I am pleased you like them.”

  Before Tessa could respond, Nina came up beside her. “Excuse me, Tessa, I hope you don’t mind, but there is someone I’d like you to meet.”

  Tessa was only able to smile before Nina whisked her away. “My grandson is here visiting. I told him all about you.”

  Tessa stopped in her tracks. “Nina? What have you done?”

  “I am not trying to set you up on a date.” The guilty gleam in her eyes said otherwise. “I just want to introduce you to him, that’s all, nothing more.”

  Tessa sucked in her breath. What choice did she have? Nina was her friend and employee.

  “Zane,” Nina called with excitement over the yammering of guests, as they approached the second most handsome man in attendance. “This is Tessa, the owner of the bookstore.”

  “My grandmother has told me all about you.”

  Tessa eyed Nina, who looked sheepishly away. “Nice to meet you. Your grandmother has been a huge help getting the store ready.”

  “Thank you for keeping her busy,” he flashed a brilliant smile and two dimples. “Keeps her out of trouble.”

  Nina giggled. “I will let you two get to know each other,” she said in a hurry and then scurried away, leaving Tessa uncomfortably alone with Zane.

  Several silent awkward seconds passed before Jillian strolled up. Tessa let out a sigh of relief. Jillian was much better at talking to men.

  “Zane, this is my friend Jillian. She came up from Los Angeles for the opening.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Jillian extended her hand.

  “I went to school down there. Whereabouts in L.A.?”

  It was clear as day there was an instant attraction between Jillian and Zane. Rather than stick around and watch the show, Tessa excused herself. “I’m going to continue to make the rounds.”

  They both mumbled some sort of goodbye.

  Tessa strolled over to the large round pedestal display table that was serving as the refreshment table for the evening. Every quiche, every beignet, every apple and Brie turnover had been consumed. She picked up two of the three silver trays and maneuvered through the crowd toward the kitchen.

  The sweet tangy scent of baked apples greeted Tessa as she strolled into the warm kitchen. Bernie had thought of everything. She had already prepared the food and left it in the oven on low.

  Tessa grabbed the oven mitts and lowered the oven door. Hot air warmed her face as she carefully began to pull out one of the baking sheets.

  “Need some help?”

  The warm timbre of Rex’s voice sent a ripple down Tessa’s spine. How does he do that each and every time?

  “No, I’m fine.” She put the hot sheet on top of the stove, grabbed the tray from the table, picked up the tongs, and began to arrange the hors d’oeuvres neatly on the silver platter.

  Ignoring her, Rex picked up the other tray and began to stack the beignets in a random pattern.

  “I saw you talking to Zane.” His words came out a possessive growl laced with annoyance. “Didn’t know he’d been invited.”

  “Nina invited him.” Tessa looked up at Rex. “Do you have a problem with him?”

  “No. Not at all, we grew up together.” Rex seemed to be backpedaling. “Lost touch for a few years after we both moved away for college, but have always been good friends.”

  “Oh, he did mention something about going to school in L.A.” Tessa meant to keep the conversation light, but with each word she spoke Rex seemed to get more annoyed. It couldn’t possibly be jealousy? Stephaney was waiting in the wings, probably willing to do anything to keep Rex interested.

  “Did he? What else…”

  “Tessa.” Jillian strolled into the kitchen. Her timing was perfect. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  “You’re not interrupting.” Tessa ignored Rex’s huff. “What’s up?”

  “I should head back to Portland. My flight is at six-tomorrow morning.”

  “Already? You just got here.” Tessa dropped the tongs and rushed into Jillian’s embrace. “I’ll walk you out.” She turned to Rex. “I could use that help after all. Would you mind taking the hors d’oeuvres out?”

  “Not at all,” he mumbled under his breath. Steam was practically whistling from his ears.

  Tessa held in her giggle and followed Jillian out the back door. The cool night air brushed across Tessa’s face, easing the heat that Rex always seemed to create. They walked in silence to where Jillian’s rental car was parked.

  “I’m going to miss you, Jillian.”

  “Me, too.” Jillian hugged Tessa and whispered in her ear. “You are wrong.”

  Tessa pulled back. Her mouth fell open, but no words came out.

  “He is absolutely smitten, a little clueless, but then again so are you.” Jillian hugged her again. “Don’t be too stubborn.”

  “Maybe I’m not going to miss you that much after all,” Tessa teased with a glint of humor.

  Jillian threw back her head and let out a great peal of laughter. “I highly doubt that. We’re two peas in a pod.” She embraced Tessa. “And besides, I wouldn’t let you miss me any less.”

  “Love you, Jillian.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Tessa wrapped her arms about herself and watched Jillian climb into the car and drive away. She hated goodbyes. They hurt like the devil.

  While the seconds ticked by, the evening mist seeped into her tired body. Tessa inhaled deeply. “Better get back to my guests.”

  She turned around to head back to the party but was struck motionless when she saw Rex standing on the back steps, watching her closely. He held her in place with his unfathomable eyes. Distant sounds of laughter drifted out the back door.

  Tessa’s first instinct was to run up to the house and bury her head under the covers, but she still had guests to entertain. She sucked in her breath, marched up the back steps, edged her way past Rex, and tried to enjoy the rest of the evening.

  Chapter 5

  Rex was a confused, obsessed, frustrated, jealous idiot. He was certain he could come up with a few more adjectives to describe his current conduct, but he was already feeling crappy about his behavior at the grand opening.

  It didn’t help that he had received another text from his ex saying she wanted to talk. He didn’t have the time or patienc
e to deal with Natalia’s shenanigans, so he blocked her number. Served her right. Things probably hadn’t worked out the way she planned, and she wanted them to try again. Wouldn’t be the first time. Well, if she thought he would take her back, she was delusional. There was no way in hell he would ever get involved with her again. He’d fallen for her games too many times over the years.

  Rex glanced at the clock on his truck. He had three hours. Just enough time to go for a long walk down at the cove to clear his head and then have an early supper with Grams, before his shift at the hospital started.

  The sun shone bright in the cloudless blue sky as sea gulls screeched overhead, interrupting the rhythmic lapping of the waves. A salty sea mist coated the mossy rocks, creating an iridescent illusion. Rex had loved playing at the cove when he was a child. Even as an adult, the secluded spot held a certain fascination he couldn’t explain.

  He walked down the sandy path between two rock formations for a few minutes before the walkway widened, revealing the small cove. It was a hidden stretch of beach where pillars of rock rose out of the water. He was about to venture farther down the cove to where the rock formations met the ocean when a lone figure perched high on one of the rocks caught his attention.

  As he squinted, the figure slowly came into focus.

  Tessa?

  She was huddled over her knees, shoulders heaving, as tears and emotion seemed to overwhelm her.

  Rex felt like a voyeur intruding on a personal moment, but he couldn’t just leave. What if she was injured?

  Laughter in the distance rose above the sound of lapping waves and crying birds as a group of kids enthusiastically chasing each other along the shoreline came into view. Tessa wiped her face and stood abruptly.

  Ducking behind the grouping of large rocks, Rex hid from view, hoping Tessa would not spot him. She looked in the direction of the kids before gathering her purse and slowly descending the rock. Her body seemed drenched in sadness. Something entirely too personal rocked his soul. A sudden urge to protect her gripped him.

  Rex didn’t wait long before he changed direction and headed back toward his truck. Uneasiness settled in. He wanted to know what had happened to make her cry. The grand opening appeared to be a great success. He wondered if his grandmother knew why Tessa was upset.

  Not one to waste a moment, he was going to find out. Hopefully Tessa would take her time returning to the bookstore.

  Less than ten minutes later, he was walking up the back steps to the store. The overly dainty place should make him uncomfortable, but for reasons he couldn’t explain, it didn’t.

  “Hey, Grams,” he said as he strolled up to her and kissed her cheek. “How are you doing today?”

  “Wonderfully. Everything is all cleaned up from last night’s fabulous party, and we’ve had a steady stream of customers since opening.” His grandmother may be eighty years old, but she had the spirit of a woman a fourth her age.

  “How’s Tessa?” He tried to ask casually, but Grams saw right through his charade.

  She narrowed her gaze and tilted her head to one side. “She’s fine. Why do you want to know?”

  “I’m just making conversation.” He should have known better than to try to get anything out of Grams. Ever since his arrival in Devlin she had been tight-lipped about everything regarding Tessa.

  “Well, you can make conversation after I finish a few things upstairs. Then we can head up to the house and have an early dinner.”

  Grams ascended the stairs, mumbling her list of things to do. Some would say she was getting old, but Rex knew better. As long as he could remember, Grams had talked to herself, reminding herself of what needed to be done, and who to scold next. When growing up, Rex was always at the top of that list. He wasn’t a bad kid. He just always seemed to get into mischief. He couldn’t help himself.

  A few minutes later, the bell to the front door chimed. Tessa trudged in as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. The moment their eyes met, she froze in place, clutching a children’s picture book. Silence dragged on for countless seconds as tension filled the air.

  Without thought, Rex said the first thing to come to mind. “I saw you down at the cove.”

  Tessa’s entire body stiffened. Raw hurt glistened in her eyes. “Were you spying on me?”

  “I wasn’t spying on anyone. It’s a public beach.” He just wanted answers, not sentence her to life in prison, but his tone sounded accusatory even to his own ears.

  “It sure sounds like you were.” She turned away from him, almost as if she were trying to hide something.

  “Do you often go down there?”

  Not bothering to face him, she said, “Sometimes.” She walked cautiously over to a side table where coffee and tea from Coffee on the Docks was neatly packaged and ready for purchase.

  “Alone?” Why should he care if she went there alone or with a crew of people?

  Tessa slammed the book down on the whitewashed table. “Yes, alone. Like you said, it’s a public beach. People come and go all the time.”

  Rex was making a mess of this. He took a step closer and softened his tone. “I was just making conversation.”

  “No, you are accusing me of… well, I don’t know what. What the hell do you want from me?” She glared at him with burning, reproachful eyes.

  “Nothing. I just want to know why you were crying.” Once the words started, unfortunately they just poured out. “Ever since I arrived in Devlin, you have been hiding something. I’m just looking out for my grandmother.”

  “I’m not going to do anything to hurt Bernie. She took me in and has helped me.”

  “By giving you money?”

  “I don’t need her money. I have my own money.” Her temper flared. She picked up a one-pound package of coffee and threw it at him. “Damn you! You insensitive…” She gulped hard before angry words consumed the space. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through these past few years? How hard it’s been for me to get over what happened? You want to know why I was crying?”

  “Tessa, you don’t…” Grams’ voice quivered as she started down the stairs. Clutching the handrail, she took two more steps. “You don’t need to share anything.”

  Tessa glanced up at Grams before she turned her full anger on Rex. “You want to know why I was crying? Today would have been my son’s fourth birthday, but some drunken bastard took him away from me. He took everyone I loved and walked away from the crash. My husband, my mother, and my son. Gone. Do you know what it’s like to lose everyone you loved, to bury your son, husband, and mother all on the same day, to have no family left in the world?”

  “Tessa, I had no—”

  “Of course you didn’t, why would you? Ever since you arrived you have been suspicious of me, thinking the worst of me.” She was practically shouting at him.

  It was true. Everything she was saying was true.

  “Do you want me to move out of Bernie’s house?” She was trembling all over. “Is that what you want?”

  “No,” Rex and Grams said in unison. Grams rushed to the bottom of the stairs and stared at Rex, pleading with her eyes.

  Rex finished his sentence. “No, I don’t want you to move out.”

  Tessa ignored his refusal. “I could move in here. The upstairs would make a perfect apartment. I could live here, work here, you would never have to see me.”

  “Damn it, that’s not what I want,” he shouted.

  Tessa stopped her rant. Although her voice softened, every word was laced with hurt. “Then what do you want?”

  Rex stood silently, just staring at her, while his insides fought the battle of the century. His jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth. Seconds ticked by, but he was too paralyzed with fear to do anything. He had made a mess of things. He didn’t want Tessa to leave. He wanted her to stay. He wanted…

  The truth slapped him across the face. Tessa was not like his mother or ex-wife. He had realized that from the moment he heard the concern in her v
oice for Grams when they had been locked in the basement. But Rex was afraid to let another woman into his heart. He was afraid. Afraid of losing. Afraid of being hurt. Afraid that his love would not be returned.

  Heavy tears rolled down Tessa’s inflamed red cheeks. Her swollen eyes waited for Rex to say something, anything.

  All words lodged in Rex’s throat.

  Tessa sucked in her breath and ran past Rex straight out the back door. He started after her, but only managed to go two feet when his grandmother’s irate stare cemented him into place.

  “Leave her alone. You’ve done enough for one day.” Grams’ firm tone was a punch to his gut.

  “I created this mess and I will fix it.”

  “And how do you propose to do that? What could you possibly say that would make things better?” Grams laid the sarcasm on nice and thick.

  “I—” Rex hesitated for just a moment, which Grams took as a sign of uncertainty.

  “Exactly why you are not going to do anything. Tessa is hurting. She doesn’t want your pity.” She picked up her red shawl and started toward the back door. “I will go to her. You will stay here and manage the store until I return.”

  Rex didn’t know which was worse, being told to stay put, or to manage a romance bookstore. He didn’t know the first thing about romance books. This should teach him to think before he spoke.

  Tessa stood and waited for Rex to say something, anything. She saw the pity in his eyes, and it churned her stomach. With each silent second that passed, the stream of burning salty tears quadrupled. How could he just stand there mute? Why had she ever thought him handsome? Rex was a scoundrel, and a bastard, and a jerk, and… and just mean. She hiccupped on a sob and ran out of the bookstore, straight to the garden.

  The bright sunshine mocked every tear she had shed that day. The cool breeze pushed her forward, away from him. Collapsing on the white marble bench, she buried her face in her arm. Warm sunlight caressed her back.

  Pain suffocated her heart, constricting her lungs. Breathe, just breathe. Tessa inhaled deeply and let out a long slow, shaky breath.

  Minutes later, Bernie sat down next to her, rubbing her back, encouraging her to rest her head on Bernie’s lap. “Oh, Tessa dear,” her soothing endearment touched Tessa’s heart. “I’m sorry. Rex is…”