Spring’s Wake

by Aurora Rey

  “How did you do it?”

  Emerson took a deep breath. “Liam was at his dad’s this past weekend. I made dinner, lit candles, the whole thing.”

  Will smiled. Emerson didn’t have the same romantic streak Will did, but she had her moments. “Of course you did.”

  “And then I gave her the painting I did of Liam, her, and me.”

  Will’s heart melted at the image. “Oh, that’s good.”

  “I’d put a ring on Darcy’s finger in the painting. It was a tiny detail, but one she noticed almost immediately.”

  Darcy was a queen of detail. That part didn’t surprise Will at all. “And?”

  “And she started to make a joke about it and I got down on my knee and asked her. By the end we were laughing and crying. And then Liam came home and we told him and there was more laughing and crying.”

  “Sounds like it was perfect.”

  Emerson nodded and got a reflective look on her face. “You know, it was.”

  “You’ll have to let me take you both to dinner to celebrate.”

  Emerson leaned in and bumped her shoulder against Will’s. “That’s sweet, but you don’t have to do that.”

  “I know I don’t, but I want to. And I’m sure you’re subtly looking out for me like you always do, but my finances aren’t nearly as dire as I worried they might be.” Which was true. Between Emerson forcing some money on her for the projects at her house and the work she’d pieced together for Alex, Nora, and Nora’s friends, she’d make enough to get her to spring without having to worry.

  “It’s really nice of you. I’ll talk with Darcy and we’ll figure something out.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  For the third morning in a row, Will woke to find herself alone in Nora’s bed. She was beginning to realize that no matter how early she woke up, Nora invariably beat her to it. Hopefully, that meant Nora was an early riser and not uncomfortable waking up together. Hopefully.

  She found Nora at her desk in the kitchen. The aroma of coffee and something magical baking in the oven enveloped her. “Please tell me I get to have some of whatever you’re making.”

  Nora turned to her and smiled. “I’m baking it for you, so you can have as much as you want.”

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve such spoiling, but please tell me so I can be sure to do it again and again.”

  “You finished the pantry, which allowed me to put everything away.”

  “Right.” She hadn’t thought about what a big deal that would be to a woman like Nora. “I’m sorry it took so long.”

  “Nonsense. The stairs are much more important. I’m just glad you were able to do it in between things drying and curing and whatever else-ing.”

  “I know, but I’m sure it was hard to have your kitchen in chaos for a week.”

  “Keeps me on my toes. Coffee?”

  “I can get it.” Before helping herself to a cup, Will crossed the room and gave Nora a kiss. It felt almost domestic, a fact that made her feel strangely content. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Quite. You?”

  “Very well. I always considered myself an early riser, but you seem to have me squarely beat in that department.”

  Nora shrugged. “Years of practice.”

  Will poured herself coffee and refilled Nora’s cup. “Well, I’m impressed.” Feeling brave, she added, “Even if part of me would like to wake up with you.”

  “I’m fairly restless once I’m awake. I never want to disturb you.”

  “I understand. Just know I’d never think of it that way.”

  “Point taken.” Nora rose from her desk and went to the oven. She pulled out what looked like coffee cake, complete with crumb topping.

  “Oh, that looks good.”

  “I’m afraid it has to cool a bit before I can cut it.”

  Will pouted. “That seems cruel.”

  “I think you’ll live.”

  The playful conversation made up for waking up alone. It was also a stark contrast to their first morning together, when even before their talk, Nora had made her discomfort clear. “Fortunately, my tolerance for delayed gratification has improved.”

  Nora smirked, which Will found incredibly adorable. “Cute.”

  “Cute enough to be your Valentine?” The holiday was the following week and Will had been waiting for a way to work it into the conversation.

  Nora’s expression changed immediately. “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t know. I hadn’t planned anything. But we could go out, let someone else do the cooking. Nothing too romantic, of course.”

  Nora gave her an incredulous look. “Do we have to go out?”

  Will took a deep breath. Of course Nora wouldn’t want to go out. “No. I don’t want to pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable.”

  “Thank you. It’s not that I wouldn’t enjoy going out with you. It’s something about Valentine’s Day, you know. Small towns and gossip.”

  Will refused to let that bother her. “It’s all good. There’s plenty to be said for staying in.”

  “Do you only think about sex?” The words might be scolding, but Nora’s tone was playful. It bolstered Will’s confidence.

  “Yes.” Will shook her head. “No.” Then she nodded. “Yes.”

  Nora laughed. The sound sent a flutter of joy through Will, made her think Nora was starting to relax, at least on some things. “At least you’re honest.”

  Feeling bolder, Will leaned in and kissed her. “Will you let me make you dinner?”

  “I should make you dinner, since I’m the one who doesn’t want to go out.”

  “Or we could skip dinner entirely.”

  Nora batted at her arm. “You’re insatiable.”

  Will leaned in again, bringing her face within inches of Nora’s. “For you. But I think that’s more your fault than mine.”

  “Stop.” A flush of color rose in Nora’s cheeks.

  Nora might protest Will’s more salacious commentary, but Will had come to see it as something she did on principle. She wondered if Valentine’s Day was the same thing—what Nora thought she was supposed to do rather than what she might actually want. “So, we’re agreed. We’re staying in.”

  Nora nodded slowly, relieved and a little turned on. “Staying in.” She let her mind wander to the possibilities and then reality hit her. “Wait.”

  “What?”

  “I can’t do anything on Valentine’s Day. I have guests.” How could she have let that slip her mind? That was the reason the stairs had to be done so quickly in the first place.

  “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know how I forgot.” Which wasn’t entirely true. The idea of spending the night with Will had distracted her. Nora shook her head, as though doing so might clear her mind and help her re-center.

  “It’s okay. Business comes first.”

  Although Will put up a casual exterior, she was clearly disappointed. Before she thought it through, Nora said, “What about another night? We could plan our own little stay in when it’ll just be the two of us.”

  Will’s face brightened. “That would be great.”

  Nora might tell herself this was just sex, but Will’s reaction made it clear it was about more, at least on her part. Not that Nora was responsible for Will’s feelings. Nor did it imply anything about her own. But the word relationship settled uncomfortably in her stomach and a myriad of warning bells and red flags flashed through her brain. “We’ll have fun.”

  “So do you have people this coming weekend? Can I help with anything?”

  She didn’t need help, but having it would be nice. So would company. Nora hated to admit she wanted for either. But Will seemed so eager. She had a feeling saying yes would be as much for Will’s benefit as her own. “Two couples arrive Friday and another Saturday. All are staying until Tuesday morning.”

  Will rubbed her hands together as though they were plotting something. “Do you do anything special?”

>   “Two people have requested flowers in their rooms. I’ll do a fancier happy hour on the fourteenth and one man asked for a late night proposal arrangement in front of the fire.”

  “A proposal? That’s awesome. I don’t have anything at all slated for the next week. I am at your disposal.”

  “If you work, you have to let me pay you.”

  Will looked hurt by the statement. “That’s not why I offered.”

  “I know, but I refuse to take advantage.”

  Will laced her fingers together and stared up at the ceiling. “I have a proposition for you.”

  Nora repressed a smile. “And what’s that?”

  “You pay me in meals and accommodations.”

  “What do you mean? Like for friends? We could work something out.”

  Will shook her head. “I meant me.”

  “I don’t mean to be obtuse, but I don’t understand.”

  “I’d love to hang out with you for the weekend. But something tells me you’re not going to be keen on the idea of having that kind of sleepover while you have paying guests in the house. Assuming no one is using Graham’s room, I could stay there. I’ll work for my keep.”

  Nora narrowed her eyes. “You want to hang out?”

  Will shrugged sheepishly. “I like spending time with you. And my one roommate who stayed through the winter is gone for a couple of weeks. And I’d be helpful—a win-win. It wouldn’t be awkward.”

  Nora took a deep breath. Everything about this was awkward. But sort of sweet, too. Will was trying to spend time together and also respect her boundaries. In that sense, it was actually kind of perfect. “Yes. Okay. That would be really nice, actually.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes. No one is in that room. And things around here are always easier with two pairs of hands.” Will nodded, but didn’t speak. She had this expectant look on her face that Nora found inexplicably endearing. “And I like spending time with you, too.”

  It was the right thing to say. Will broke into a huge grin. “I won’t even ask for permission to sneak into your room after everyone else is in bed.”

  Nora felt another flutter, this one decidedly lower than the first. “Maybe you should.”

  She enjoyed watching Will sit up a little straighter. “Okay, then.”

  “Sneak in, I mean. You don’t need to ask permission.”

  “Oh.” Will look surprised, but in a good way. “I’ll remember that.”

  “But first, I need to dust.”

  Will pouted. “Right. I’ll help.”

  Nora laughed and waved her off. “I got it. Why don’t you go home and pack for a couple of days? There will be plenty to keep you busy when you get back.”

  Will bounded up. “I like the sound of that.”

  When she left, Nora got out her cleaning supplies and got to work upstairs, since she wouldn’t be able to get to those rooms once Will did the final coat of varnish on the stairs. She dusted and scrubbed, fluffed and freshened. While she worked, she turned over her current situation in her mind. Maybe she was blurring the lines some, but Will didn’t need to know that. Nor did it have to mean anything or imply that things would go further than she wanted them. She remained squarely in control of her life and her choices. And that meant she was in charge of her future. As long as that stayed safely locked away, along with her heart, everything would be fine.

  She’d just finished when the front door opened. She gathered her things and headed for the stairs. “Will, is that you?”

  “It’s not.”

  Nora groaned inwardly at the sound of Martha’s voice. Not that she was unhappy to see her. No, she was annoyed at being caught expecting Will. Even if she could pass it off as a job. “Hi, Martha.” She started down the stairs. “What brings you by?”

  “I’m meeting Jan for lunch and I thought I’d stop over and check out your pantry.”

  Nora joined Martha at the bottom of the stairs. “I’m happy to show it off.”

  Martha followed her to the kitchen. “But if you’re expecting Will, I can come back another time.”

  The tone was teasing and begged for a response, but Nora wasn’t quite ready to give her one. “Nonsense. She’s helping me get ready for the Valentine’s crowd.”

  “Ah. It seems like she’s turned out to be quite indispensable.”

  Nora opened the door to the pantry and stepped back so Martha could see. If asked point blank about her relationship with Will, she probably wouldn’t lie. But at the same time, she didn’t want to be caught up in a back and forth of double entendres. It was less about privacy, she realized, and more about cheapening what she and Will had. Even if she planned to keep some boundaries, she didn’t want to make it feel cheap.

  “She’s taken on projects I didn’t even know I wanted.” Realizing she’d walked right into a double entendre without even meaning to, Nora laughed.

  “Why are you laughing?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Are you sleeping with her?”

  The bluntness of the question caught her off guard. It shouldn’t have, given Martha’s style. But she thought she’d been discreet, subtle. Martha wouldn’t ask if she didn’t have reason to think the answer might be yes. “What makes you ask that?”

  Martha shrugged. “You never did fill me in on the New Year’s Eve party. And I’ve seen the way you look at her, a mixture of wistful and hungry.”

  Oh, that was not good. “Really?”

  “Yes. And even more importantly, I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

  Nora swallowed. “How’s that?”

  “Like she’s completely in love with you.”

  The only time they’d all been in the same room, aside from New Year’s, was an afternoon she spent at Martha’s house. Will was working on something for Heidi the same day they had a bridge date. Surely, nothing in those interactions could have led Martha to such a conclusion. “That’s ridiculous.”

  “I don’t see what’s ridiculous about it, especially if you’re already having sex.” Martha said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

  Nora leaned back against the kitchen island. “Love doesn’t have anything to do with it.”

  “But you are sleeping together?”

  “Have slept together.” For some reason, the distinction felt important.

  “Multiple times?”

  “A few.”

  Martha raised a brow. “Here? Is she staying?”

  Nora knew that sounding defensive would only egg Martha on, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “She’s stayed over a couple of times. We’re not cohabiting or anything.”

  “I see.” Martha nodded. “Well, now I know why you didn’t want her working for us.”

  Nora stood up straight. “What does that mean?”

  “It means you keep everything in your life neat and tidy. And nothing about this,” Martha waved her hand to indicate the current topic of discussion, “is tidy.”

  She let her shoulders slump. “Tell me about it.”

  “No, no. That’s my line.”

  “Funny.”

  “I’m serious. Are you having fun? Are you happy? And most importantly, is she any good?”

  How had she gotten herself roped into this conversation again? “I plead the fifth.”

  “Not an acceptable answer.”

  “I—” Nora’s protest was cut off by the sound of the front door and Will’s called greeting.

  “This conversation is paused, but not over.” Martha poked her lightly in the chest. Then she grinned. “We’re in the kitchen, Will. Nora was just showing off your handiwork.”

  Will joined them and Nora found her gaze bouncing between Martha and her. She didn’t know what she was looking for. Perhaps some kind of unspoken conversation. But other than Martha studying Will a little more closely, nothing. If anything, Will’s attention remained squarely focused on her. On top of that, she’d put her bag down somewhere before coming into the room. Intentional or not,
Nora appreciated the discretion.

  “Do you think you’ll have some more time on your hands before spring? I’d love to put some shelves in one of our closets.” Martha winked at Nora. Nora sighed and hoped Will hadn’t noticed.

  “Absolutely. I love projects like that.”

  “Organizational?” Nora asked.

  Will smiled. “Small and within my skill set.”

  Martha crossed her arms over her chest. “Does that mean you don’t do plumbing?”

  “I can replace a faucet, but that’s about it.”

  “Interesting. I might take you up on that.”

  Will nodded agreeably, seemingly oblivious to any subtext in the conversation. “Sounds good.”

  “Well, I’ll get going. I don’t want to keep you from your…” she trailed off and looked at Nora suggestively. “Projects.”

  Nora held the door open and Martha sashayed through. “Thanks for stopping by.”

  “I’m so glad I did. So many interesting developments.”

  Nora rolled her eyes. “I’ll see you next week.”

  “You most certainly will. Bye, Nora. Bye, Will.”

  “Bye.” Will smiled and waved, finally looking like she sensed something might be up.

  Nora closed the door behind her and turned to Will. “She knows.”

  “Knows what?”

  “About us. That we’re sleeping together.”

  A look of alarm crossed Will’s face. “I didn’t say anything.”

  Nora shook her head. “I did. I mean, she guessed, so I merely confirmed. I just thought you should know, especially if you’re going to do more work for her and Heidi.”

  “Oh.” She stood quietly for a moment, making Nora wonder what she was thinking. Finally, she looked at Nora. “Is that okay?”

  The concern in her eyes made Nora feel small. She’d dictated every parameter of their relationship and Will had let her. Suddenly, the idea of spending a few days together felt like a chance for her to let go of some of that control. She smiled. “It is. I’m a private person by nature, but not secretive. Martha and Heidi are my friends. And Martha could tell something was up, in a good way.”

  “Okay.” Will smiled then, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. “I’m glad.”