Maybe, they could find a way forward, if Irene wanted that too.
“Uh, it was good,” he said as he opened his truck door for her. He handed her into the cab, wondering if she felt the same sizzle along her skin when they touched. “We talked to Kim and shared a lot of memories. I’m struggling with the regret of letting feeling betrayed get in the way of years with my aunt, and the times the three of us could’ve shared.”
He started the vehicle, which retained the heat of his drive over from Tim’s, where he’d gone to change after his long visit at Aunt Betty’s. Having checked the directions to the wedding site earlier, he made his way to the highway.
“You must’ve been really hurt.”
“Aunt Betty’s supposed betrayal hurt, yes.” He’d been too stubborn and proud. He needed to not let stubbornness get in the way of whatever was happening now with Irene.
“You don’t feel she betrayed you anymore?”
“She lied, but I know she just wanted me to be happy. We talked it over, and I think we both are on even ground now. Hopefully she’s learned to let me find my own happiness, and not meddle so much in other people’s lives.” Though, would he feel meddled with if Aunt Betty set him up with Irene now? He wasn’t so sure he’d care how they got together, as long as they were.
Irene remained silent as he passed out of town and onto the stretch of road that would lead them to the venue. The houses stood farther apart now, giving way to open fields, evergreens and mountains in the distance. He’d missed it here, though he’d chosen Coeur d’Alene partly because of the similar landscapes. But nowhere was like his hometown, a small town like no other he’d been to, maybe because nowhere else had held him as he grew, cradling his memories and family, his failures and triumphs written in the peaks and valleys of its ground.
“Have a chance to talk to your niece?” he asked. He’d sensed that she loved her niece and was hesitant to lie to her.
“Yes, and she was so excited when I told her about you that I couldn’t... I didn’t feel it was the time to explain it all. It doesn’t feel good, though, lying to her.” She clasped her hands.
He wanted to take them in his, kiss each finger, make the lie disappear. But letting this attraction take over wouldn’t make parting any easier. They both had their own lives, homes, businesses. He didn’t want a long-distance relationship, assuming Irene would even be willing to date him for real. Was there a way around all that? His mind ticked into problem-solving mode, but he stopped it, wanting to be present for this talk with Irene. It sounded like she needed reassurance.
“There will be time to explain. I believe she’ll understand. I can’t see anyone would think you had bad motives.”
“Thanks.” She sounded sincere, but her sadness lingered.
“How’d your friends meet?” He wanted to get her cheer back.
“I think there may have been some meddling involved.” Her tone ran toward an edge of amusement. “Actually, they’d been together before, college sweethearts. Nathan has a sheep ranch just outside of town and Maura moved here to work at Dolly Gallagher’s new bookshop. Tim and Mrs. G got them to work with us on the town tree lighting festivities together, and they took that second chance on each other and have been together since.”
“So there’s more than one possible meddling matchmaker in town?” Was Tim one?
“Seems so.” She glanced at him then laughed. “Your scowl. I mean, I get it, I don’t want them setting me up, but they aren’t trying to hurt anyone.”
“I suppose not. But...I don’t know.” Where he’d been so sure before, now he wasn’t. Could you really meddle and succeed if the couple involved wasn’t already wanting to get together? His brows tugged together.
“We’re people, we need each other.”
She was right. It just got his engine backfiring to think about meddling. But he wanted to move forward, not back.
“True. I’ll keep that in mind.” She made him want to be his best self. He rarely felt that around a woman he was attracted to. When he had, he and his partners hadn’t had enough in common to make the relationship last, or they’d had their own reasons for breaking up. With Irene, there were commonalities, but they weren’t in a relationship. Maybe they could change that.
“Loving is seeing a lot of weddings lately.” She sounded wistful again, and he almost wanted to pull over and take her in his arms.
Instead, he kept moving forward. “Tim mentioned that. Three last year and six this. He’s hoping his other niece Jena will make it seven.”
“She and Grant are young, though, only twenty-two. No need to go so fast.”
Did she only apply that to younger people, or... “Isn’t it more about the people, not their age?”
“Agreed. Jena’s pretty cautious.”
“What about you?” He slid his hands along the steering wheel.
“Me? You mean am I cautious?”
He made an affirmative noise. The silence lengthened as his truck moved along the plowed road. The patchy landscape showed the coming promise of spring. Not much had changed, so that even after fifteen years, the countryside rolled out as a familiar old family movie.
“I suppose I’m both. Sometimes I’m cautious and sometimes I take risks. You?”
He ran his hand over his hair. “I’d like to say risk-taker, but considering my choices, seems like that wouldn’t be true. If I took risks, I would’ve seen Aunt Betty sooner.” He could be honest with her. He needed to hold this woman close. Though not so honest as to say if he took a risk, it would be to move back home to Loving and be with her.
“You took a risk trusting me.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. Her face pinked prettily.
“That was a sure thing.” Not only had Tim vouched for her, but his family had known her brother, and his gut told him enough about her for an unnerving certainty.
She caressed the edge of her seat. His hands tingled.
“I’ll need to check in with Minnie soon after we get there. Are you okay with that?”
He’d rather have her by his side all the time. “’Course. I won’t be going anywhere.” Except he would. He’d be going home, and she’d be here.
“You’re leaving Tuesday. What’s our story on that? I’m surprised Mrs. D didn’t ask about that. I haven’t been in favor of long-distance relationships when the topic has come up.”
“We’re just seeing where things go?” If only...
“Could be plausible. Are we going to have a breakup right away, or...?”
The thought of not seeing her again after Tuesday caved in his stomach. Not much better to think of her with someone else, which was entirely probable, and he’d have to witness it anytime he visited Aunt Betty. He shook his head.
“No breakup right away then.” She’d misinterpreted his gesture, though it wasn’t as if she knew his thoughts, and he didn’t want to break up right away. He didn’t want to break up with her at all.
“Let’s figure that out after this weekend, if you’re okay with that.”
She nodded and leaned back into her seat, closing her eyes. Figuring she didn’t feel like talking, he focused on the road. Soon, he joined a line of cars pulling into a bare field near an old barn for parking. He wondered if Ken Taft still loaned out employees for directing traffic at weddings, as he used to. Wade suspected so. Though Loving had grown somewhat, much of it operated in the same ways. He just hoped Aunt Betty didn’t.
He and Irene picked over the wet ground to the house, a rambling old farmhouse that appeared to have been updated. Whoever had done it had made an impressive show. He could spend time here, so similar to his childhood haunts, but updated, fresh paint and details he wouldn’t have appreciated as a kid.
“Welcome!” A medium height man with dark blonde hair handed them a program. “Irene, so good to see you!” He kissed her cheeks and smiled at Wade.
Wade grasped her hand. Okay, so he was being possessive. They were supposed to be a couple.
“Wade
Davis, this is Mike Johnson. He bought this place. I mentioned it to you.”
“The old place looks good,” Wade said. “Really great work.”
“Thank you. I’m pretty proud of it.” Mike looked between them. “Glad to meet you. Any relation to Mrs. Davis?”
He stepped closer to Irene, not liking the way this guy seemed so pleased to see her. “My aunt.”
“She’s a hoot. Let me know if you need anything. It should be a fun day.”
Irene nodded and led Wade inside. “I should go check with Minnie, just to make sure she has the catering in hand. I’ll be back soon.”
He reluctantly let go of her hand. “I’ll be by the bar.” He nodded toward the room he’d noticed to the side of the entrance way. “Want anything?”
“Ginger ale for now, thanks.” She waggled her fingers at him and walked toward the dining room, which he assumed led to the kitchen. He let out a breath. The way she moved, comfortable in the room and in her skin, the way her dress outlined her curves, the color bringing out the highlights of red in her hair, made him need that drink for lack of other possible action.
He greeted a few townspeople who he hadn’t seen in a long time, though most of the crowd was unfamiliar to him. Tim, cheeks chafed, waved from the bar. He made a great Santa, as the pictures Tim had sent at Christmas showed. Wade smiled seeing their high school classmate, and now co-owner of Careys’, Dianne George, next to him.
Dianne, tall and copper-skinned like her father, Dr. Warren George, patted Wade on the shoulder. “I see you’re here with Irene.”
He nodded. “Are Connie and Jackie here?”
“Jackie’s away at school, and Connie is in the other room with the parents.”
“It’ll be good to see everyone.” The Doctors George were leaders in the town, and Dr. Shirley George’s family had founded it, while the Careys had owned Careys’ General Store for most of his life, until they’d sold it to Dianne and Connie. They’d all been welcoming to him throughout his school years, and Dianne’s older sister had been best friends with Kim.
“Kim doing well? Yvette is looking forward to her yearly Paris trip.”
“She still in New York?”
“Sure is.” Dianne glanced at Tim. “Just told Tim you and Irene are seeing each other.” She had a sly grin, which usually meant trouble. Though with Dianne, it was usually good trouble.
Tim edged a finger around his collar. He’d been up to something. What was with his friends having some sort of mischievous vibe?
“Why?”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
Wade ignored her question and ordered drinks, got them, and turned to his friends. Dianne motioned him and Tim to a quiet corner.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but I know you and Irene didn’t meet in Coeur d’Alene,” Dianne whispered. Tim shifted, rocking back on the heels of his cowboy boots, but he didn’t look surprised. Wade probably did. “She’d mentioned that she’d been camping alone in Flathead Forest that weekend.”
“Maybe that’s what she told you...”
Dianne pressed her full lips together and shook her head. “Irene doesn’t lie.”
He didn’t think so either, but their whole set-up was based on one. Was she uncomfortable with their situation, maybe even regret it? “We just... Lucinda Riggs showed up, and...” He blew out a breath.
Dianne rolled her eyes. “Say no more. Whatever got you together, don’t repeat your mistakes, yeah? Irene is special. If you hurt her, Tim and I will hunt you down and...” She shrugged.
Dianne was non-violent, but he knew she could give a tongue lashing that would leave him hurting, and Tim’s disappointment was an equally potent force. These two were his oldest friends. It hadn’t been the same, keeping in touch mostly via emails and texts, and the occasional visits when they’d meet for a yearly trip with a few other friends, when they could all arrange it, which had been less frequent as the years past.
“Last thing I want to do is hurt her.”
Tim grinned and Dianne’s smile beamed. “He’s got it bad. Should we start laying wagers on when the wedding will be?”
“Don’t go there.” Wade gripped his glass, disappointed at his knee-jerk negative reaction to their ribbing. And surprised at himself for wanting what Dianne said to be true. “All right, I know you want to tease me about it.” He waved a hand at them to go ahead with their talk.
“I say six months.” Tim sipped his drink.
“Nah. Six weeks.” Dianne tipped her glass to Wade.
Wade almost spit out his gulp of whiskey. But as the liquid burned down his throat, and settled in a warmth through his core, he pictured it. Marrying Irene, being with her in Loving. Holding her, living with her every day. Talking, going camping together. Sharing the Sunday paper. Escorting her to those other five weddings. The warmth settled and radiated into his fingers. He wagged one at Dianne.
“My friend, you’ve always been a winner.” He winked and faced the door, waiting for Irene to join him.
Chapter Five
Irene’s chest warmed. Seemed like she and Minnie, who’d insisted on meeting Wade, approaching her fake boyfriend would cause her to constrict or stop and tell her niece the truth. But maybe the truth could be her and Wade, together. They just needed to have an honest conversation about where they were now. But now wasn’t the time, what with the first floor of the B & B filling up with guests.
Minnie had been enthusiastic about Irene and Wade, and Irene had tried to dampen that by explaining that they’d just met recently. Still, Minnie had grasped her hand and walked her out toward the bar. The crowd included a lot of familiar faces, like Mrs. G, Dolly, and Luke; the Doctors George and their daughter-in-law, Connie, with Connie’s parents; Grant and Jena with Jena’s aunt and cousin, and who Irene assumed were other relatives of Jena’s and Maura’s; Ken Taft and Hank Jr. working the room; Dean and Brandon Manning with Maya and Ana, close to Mrs. D, whose face lit in an animated conversation with Mike and a thin brunette man whose profile echoed Jena’s.
Waves and smiles exchanged as Irene and Minnie passed the various groups and conversations, Irene raised her hand to Wade, who stood with Tim and Dianne. Wade’s smile pulled her in, causing the warmth in her to radiate out, as if she could share it with others.
Dianne and Tim greeted them then excused themselves with promises to meet up again later. Irene sensed Minnie’s excitement in her slight bounce and broad smile.
“Wade, this is my niece, Minnie.”
The two shook hands. Wade patted Minnie’s before she squeezed Irene’s hand.
“Glad to meet you,” Wade said. “Irene’s told me about you. Congrats on your upcoming wedding.”
“Thanks. I look forward to getting to know more about you. Aunt Irene’s pretty private, but now that the secret’s out, I hope you’ll have time to meet my fiancé. Or have you met before? He remembers you, mostly because of your triumphs in the high school’s sports.”
Wade chuckled. “Good to be remembered. We’ve met once or twice, but that was a long time ago. I hope to get to know you all better.” He stepped to Irene and grasped her hand.
Irene let her smile free as she glanced at him. They gazed at each other, and the reality of their feelings made her head tingle.
“Glad to. Aunt Irene deserves every happiness.”
“I agree, and I hope she’ll let me do whatever I can to contribute to that happiness.” His tone was sincere, and Irene knew he wouldn’t have said that if this were still fake.
Minnie hugged Irene’s side and whispered, “He’s a keeper.”
Irene nodded and they said goodbye for now to Minnie, who had to get back to work. Wade handed Irene a ginger ale, and pulled her close. Certainty centered her, and his warmth mingled with hers, bathing her in a glow. As he turned his head toward her, Mrs. D exclaimed, “Oh, you have to come to supper!” and Wade’s head snapped toward his aunt. Mrs. D met his glance and waved them over. They went along.
Mr
s. D was in the center between Mike and the other young man, who she seemed to be trying to draw closer.
“Aunt Betty?” Wade cut in.
Irene strengthened her grip on his hand, not sure why Mrs. D had called them over.
“Wade, Irene, shouldn’t John and Mike join us for supper tomorrow? John Raines, this is my nephew Wade Davis and Irene Molloy. They just started dating. Love is in the air.” She gave the two men, who’d stepped together as Irene and Wade joined their group, a knowing glance. “And, Wade, John and Mike have some great ideas for a sporting goods store. You should be in on that.”
“Don’t you learn?” Wade asked, then hung his head a moment before glancing back up. Mrs. D crossed her arms and the two men’s smiles faded. “Sorry, folks, for snapping. Being back home...it’s throwing me. It sounds like a great idea indeed. I’d be glad to talk more about it over supper at Aunt Betty’s. I’m hoping to get to spend a lot more time here, and with you, Aunt Betty.”
Irene caressed Wade’s back, admiring of his honesty. He leaned into her touch and she edged closer to him, her side against his. He touched her lower back, and she sensed from his trembling fingers and the crack in his voice, that he needed a moment to gather in his emotions.
Irene spoke, “Jena tells me you’re interested in small business, John. We’re glad you and your grandparents could come up for the wedding.” The small-town network was alive and well, so Irene could identify everyone and their relations to the others with her knowledge and previous meetings.
“Jena said I should talk to you.” John nodded to her then glanced between Wade and Mrs. D, who stared at each other for a moment. “I’m graduating with my MBA in May.” He glanced at Mike, whose clean-cut look echoed John’s. “And considering business opportunities here.”
“Be happy to talk small business,” Irene said. She glanced at Wade, who nodded.
“I own an outdoor company in Coeur d’Alene. Be glad to talk to you as well.”
Mrs. D looked on with satisfaction. She wanted to feel a part of people’s happiness, it seemed. Irene could relate, even if they had different ways of going about it. Wade grasped her hand and she squeezed back, not bothering to stifle her smile at his touch.
Sweet Winter Page 4