Stealing Her Best Friend's Heart

by Tara Randel

  Judge Harrison Carmichael, an old family friend. He and Gayle Ann’s late husband had been members of the Golden Bird Watcher’s Society. Since retiring, the man popped up at the most inopportune moments.

  Gayle Ann straightened her shoulders. “What are you going on about, Harry?”

  “I’ve been watching you two. If I’m right—and after many years in the courtroom, I believe I am—you two have your sights set on getting Reid and Heidi together.”

  He always was much too perceptive.

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “He does,” Alveda cut in.

  Harry smiled. “Thank you, Alveda.”

  “And on that note, I’m going to try more of this delicious food.” She glanced at Gayle Ann, a twinkle in her eyes. “If I’d have known how good this catering company was, I’d have stopped volunteering to cook for parties a long time ago.”

  Once her cohort was gone, Gayle Ann faced Harry. “You think you’re so smart.”

  “I do.” He grinned and she had to admit, he was far too handsome for his own good. “But I fear you’re too obvious.”

  “Reid doesn’t have a clue.”

  “Maybe not about Heidi, but he knows you’re up to something.”

  “Which is why I encouraged him to find his own date for tonight’s event if you must know. But, in the end, he won’t be happy unless he’s with Heidi.”

  The judge peered at the guests. “You’re right about someone being unhappy, but it’s not Reid.”

  Gayle Ann caught sight of Heidi again. She was wearing a becoming dress, her hair in a fancy updo, her jewelry glittering in the soft light. Yet she hovered on the sidelines like a wallflower at a Regency ball.

  “This isn’t going according to plan,” Gayle Ann muttered under her breath.

  “Perhaps a suggestion?”

  At this stage of the game, she’d take Harry’s advice, no matter how reluctantly. “What are you thinking?”

  “Send them on matching errands.”

  Gayle Ann thought it through. His proposal made sense.

  “You may be retired, Judge, but your mind is still as sharp as a tack.”

  “Which is why I want in.”

  She jerked back. “Excuse me?”

  “Your matchmaking club.”

  Her hand flew to her chest. “How on earth—”

  “Bunny Wright mentioned it.”

  “Blabbermouth,” Gayle Ann groused. “It’s supposed to be hush-hush. By invite only.”

  “I’m inviting myself.”

  “Why on earth would you be interested?”

  “A man can only play so much golf. I need a hobby. Something to keep my mind busy.”

  Gayle Ann had to admit, having a male perspective would be a huge advantage. And if Harry’s astute legal rulings over the years were any indication, he would be a strong ally.

  “Fine. You’re in.”

  He rubbed his hands together. “Where do we start?”

  “That errand you mentioned?”

  The annoying man just grinned.

  * * *

  REID HADN’T HAD a chance to talk to Heidi all night. Since he’d arrived, he’d been introducing Ainsley to the other guests and catching up with friends. Ainsley had kept her hand in the crook of his arm the entire time, holding tight, even if he needed to veer away to get them drinks or something to eat. He really wanted a few minutes alone. The thought immediately made him feel guilty. He’d asked Ainsley for the very purpose of showing his grandmother that he could find a date and the crafty woman hadn’t batted an eye.

  His date fit right in with this crowd, but to his dismay, his grandmother hadn’t made an attempt to throw him an I-told-you-so glance, and it disappointed him. Then he got a glimpse of Heidi. He’d nearly choked as he was taking a drink from his water glass the first time she came into view.

  From across the room, their gazes met and held for a split second before she moved out of sight. After that, she seemed to steer clear of him. They hadn’t spoken since he drove her home the night her car died. On the drive over here, he’d wondered if they’d have a chance to talk. Clear the air. But by the way they were pretending not to notice each other, the uncomfortable tension that had filled his truck cab was still simmering between them.

  With merely a glimpse of Heidi here and there, wearing that stunning dress, he tried to focus on his date, but it wasn’t working.

  Heidi was standing in the shadows, looking lost, and it bothered him. Every shred of decency in Reid screamed to go to her, but he hesitated. Heidi had never been comfortable in gatherings with lots of people. It had been like this since she came to Golden. But she didn’t make a fuss about it, instead simply preferring to be in a smaller group setting. He had to admire her resolve. This party was for her friend, and Heidi put her personal issues aside and attended anyway. He wished he had a tenth of her strength.

  Especially when he spied his father making his way over to him. “Ainsley, will you excuse me for a moment?”

  “Um, sure,” she said, already scoping out the room like she was searching for someone else to attach herself to. Just when Reid thought he might avoid his father, the man stopped in front of him.

  “Reid.”

  A beat.

  “Dad.”

  Silence.

  The older man let out a melodramatic sigh. “You’re going to make this difficult, aren’t you?”

  “Actually, I’m not.”

  Surprise flashed in his father’s eyes. “Good. A situation has arisen at the office. Logan has kept his silly promise not to be involved in the company, so I’d like you to handle it. It has to do with one of the accounts you managed.”

  “I don’t work there anymore.”

  “You’ve made your point. Come back to the company and we’ll pretend none of the unpleasantness transpired.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Sure, it is. The files I want you to look over are on your desk.”

  “Dad, I can’t just walk away from my new responsibilities. I have deadlines. A crew.” Heidi’s hopes for the Hanover house.

  “Appoint someone else foreman. Your talents are wasted in home renovations.”

  Just like his father to expect Reid to ditch his obligations so he could serve his dad. “And they’re appreciated at Masterson Enterprises?”

  “You’re a Masterson. That says it all.”

  It really didn’t. “Can you promise to let me work without interference?”

  “Reid, I’ve run this company for a long time. If it looks like you need to be given some...direction, I have to speak up.”

  “Then the answer is no. I won’t come back to the office.”

  “Reid—”

  He cut his father off. “There’s nothing more to say. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have people to visit.”

  His father stammered over Reid’s insistence. Taking advantage of the moment, Reid weaved through the crowd and ended up in the dining room beside the food table. He took a few cleansing breaths before noticing his grandmother looking over the sumptuous spread, a frown wrinkling her forehead.

  “Everything okay, Grandmother?”

  “I could have sworn I gave the caterer my best chafing dish for the Swedish meatballs. Where is it?”

  Reid looked at the table. “Maybe they forgot.”

  Grandmother placed her hand on his arm. “I wanted it out tonight especially. We have so few family traditions anymore.”

  “Do you want me to go find out what happened?”

  She glanced up at him, thanks reflected in her eyes. “Would you mind?”

  “Not at all. Where should I go?”

  His grandmother tapped a finger against her chin. “I thought I put it on the counter in the kitchen, but perhaps I forgot t
o take it out of the pantry.”

  “I’ll check.”

  Grandmother stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “You are a special boy.”

  Reid accepted her compliment with a chuckle and took off on the errand, glad to leave the crowd in case his father decided to corner him again.

  The kitchen was busy, staff preparing dishes to replenish the empty platters in the dining room. He found the woman who owned the company, but she didn’t know anything about Grandmother’s chafing dish. He crossed the room, noticing the pantry door partially open. He stepped inside, stopping short when he glimpsed Heidi, standing on her toes as she searched through a shelf.

  “Heidi?”

  She spun around, the surprise on her face quickly erased. “Reid. Hi.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “Alveda’s secret seasoning. She asked me to get it for her. You?”

  “A dish Grandmother wanted.”

  “Which one?”

  “A chafing dish?”

  Heidi looked around and reached out to take a silver dish from another shelf. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.”

  She nodded and resumed her hunt.

  “So, are you having a good time?” He was curious.

  “Sure,” she said over her shoulder. “You know, lots of people...”

  “You’re okay?”

  “I will be once I find Alveda’s shaker. Why on earth did she hide it?”

  “Because it’s a secret?”

  Heidi laughed, which made Reid happy to his bones.

  “Oh, here we go.” Pushing some condiments around, Heidi held the bottle up like a priceless treasure.

  “It’s a good thing those women have us.”

  “True. Alveda is enjoying herself so much, I didn’t have the heart to tell her she didn’t need to fix someone else’s cooking.”

  Reid chuckled. “It is a nice party. Logan and Serena can’t stop smiling.”

  “Exactly like a couple at their engagement party should be.” She sent him a smile and moved toward the door. Her floral perfume jangled his senses as she brushed past. He wished he wasn’t holding the dish so he could reach out and stop her, but she moved on like there hadn’t been any underlying friction between them.

  “I should get back, um... Grandmother will be waiting.”

  They left the confines of the pantry, Heidi disappearing to deliver the requested item. Reid brought the dish to one of the servers and asked that the meatballs be transferred to it, then rejoined the party. His grandmother was holding a serious conversation with a woman he recognized as a teller at the local bank. Grandmother glanced up, saw him and sent him a mischievous smile.

  When Reid noticed his father making a beeline for him, he turned on his heel and fled back to the kitchen, holding the door for a server carrying a tray.

  A movement near the back door caught his eye. Heidi, holding something in her hands, glanced sideways as if checking to see if anyone noticed her, before slipping outside. Always up for solving a mystery, Reid followed.

  Stars sparkled in the indigo sky. Small lights glowed around the perimeter of the patio for atmosphere in case any guests wandered out this way. More twinkling lights lined the branches of the trees above. The scent of damp earth perfumed the air. At the edge of the brick patio he spied Heidi, crouched down, speaking softly. A cat moved into his line of vision, rubbing up against her leg as she scratched its head. He moved toward her, his footsteps making Heidi look over her shoulder.

  “Why am I not surprised?” he called out to her.

  She stood, her face in the shadows of the twinkle lights. Her you-caught-me expression made him want to laugh.

  “One of the barn kittens.” She held out a container. “Alveda said the mama had a litter a while ago.” Heidi looked around and said in a conspiratorial tone, “Don’t tell anyone, but she’s been feeding the family.”

  He stepped closer, enjoying the sparkle in Heidi’s eyes. She looked much more at ease out here than in the crowded living room.

  “So, you decided to duck out of the party to take care of your new friend?”

  “Actually, I was coming outside to sit and enjoy the quiet, when I saw this little guy. He looked up at me with those huge eyes and I couldn’t resist.” The cat zigzagged between her legs. She set down the food container, which the kitten pounced on, and she brushed her hands off. “What’s your reason for escaping?”

  “Maybe I wanted to enjoy the cool night air.” And talk about why things were strained between them.

  She frowned. “Try again.”

  Her words shut that idea down. “That obvious?”

  She shrugged. “Lots of family and guests. I suppose someone got to you.”

  “My father.”

  She nodded but didn’t pry. He appreciated it.

  “And Grandmother. Even though I came to the party with a date, I caught her talking to a woman who works at the bank. She had her matchmaking face on.”

  “Sheesh. I thought you and I were competitive. She takes the prize.”

  The cat meowed and Heidi bent down to pick him up. She rubbed her nose against the dark-striped kitty, and Reid was consumed with envy.

  “When did you become such an animal lover?” he asked.

  Heidi lifted her chin toward the dark property beyond. “Remember when you used to meet me in the barn before we went hiking? I always snuck in early to feed the cats.”

  “My grandmother thought we had a charitable trespasser.”

  “Nope. Just me.”

  Unable to resist, he walked over, giving the cat a good head rub. Their fingers tangled for an electric moment and he heard Heidi’s sharp intake of breath before she backed away.

  Her words were rushed when she said, “Reid, you should really give your grandmother a break. She loves you.”

  So, she was also affected by his touch. Good to know.

  “I know she loves me, but it doesn’t translate into running my life.”

  “How long will you continue playing this game?”

  “For as long as it takes for her to get the message.”

  Heidi rubbed her cheek against the kitten’s silky fur. Envy washed through Reid. He wanted to brush his fingers against her cheek, imagining she’d angle her face toward his palm.

  “She’ll wait you out,” Heidi said, her voice unsteady.

  “Sure, but I’m onto her tactics.”

  The cat bumped his head against Heidi’s chin. She chuckled, the joyous sound floating into the night. “I, for one, can’t wait to see who wins.”

  “Should we make a bet?”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Reid, why would I lose my hard-earned money when it’s clear who the victor will be.”

  “Oh, really? And who would that be?”

  The cat chose that moment to jump out of her arms. He circled Heidi again, then ran to the grassy area where the edge of light turned into darkness, sitting down to lick a paw. Reid joined Heidi to watch, so close he could feel her slight shiver. The cat looked at them, his eyes glowing. Heidi made a move toward him, but as soon as she took a step, the cat ran off.

  “That’s the thanks I get?” she muttered after the animal.

  “We could follow,” he suggested.

  Her eyes went wide and she shook her head. “No. Um, I heard Alveda say that the electricity is being redone in the barn. It’ll be too dark.”

  “You always were a scaredy-cat when it came to that stuff.”

  Her eyebrow rose, which meant he was annoying her, just like he’d intended.

  “Really? A cat pun?”

  He shrugged.

  The low ebb of laugher and voices, of plates and silverware being handled in the kitchen, drifted from the house. “We should go inside. Serena and your brother will wonder wh
ere we went.”

  He didn’t want to go in. He wanted to walk to the barn with this woman to see if they could re-create the magic from when they were kids. When they didn’t have any cares or worries about what other people thought. So, he pushed more. “C’mon, it’ll be like old times. Running off while my grandmother’s plot fails.”

  “Reid, no. I promised Serena I’d make sure the party ran smoothly.”

  “Everything went off perfectly.” He stepped over the line of light into the darkness, holding out his hand. “How about I dare you? That used to work.”

  Her gaze ran over the sky and she shivered, wrapping her arms around her waist. Though the stars had made an appearance, the moon was shrouded behind thick clouds. “Not tonight.”

  Why was she so skittish?

  Their eyes met and they both went still, locked in the moment. Seems he’d discovered the answer. Her expression went soft and, man, did he want to kiss her. She didn’t move a fraction, so he leaned closer. Took a chance and placed his hands on her shoulders. She let out a soft sigh and her breath caressed his face. His gaze fell to her lips and once again the urge to brush his mouth over hers took precedence. It didn’t matter where they were or that they’d had this weird tension between them. No, the opportunity presented itself and he wasn’t one to throw away a gift.

  But the questions in Heidi’s eyes made him pause. Made him remember another woman waited inside for him. In the moment, Heidi had made him forget.

  “What are we doing?” she whispered. “This is...”

  “Not what friends do?”

  Her eyes startled and she tucked a loose strand of hair into her fancy style with trembling fingers. Disappointment surged through Reid. Could this growing attraction he’d almost acted on be why she seemed so unlike herself? The romantic ambience certainly explained his desire to run off into the night with Heidi while the party was still going full force.

  “Reid?” came a voice from the door. “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

  Heidi went stiff. Reid swung around. Did they both look guilty?

  Pulling himself together, he said, “Sorry, Ainsley. My friend had a cat emergency and I was helping her out.”

  “A cat emergency?”