by Gina Wilkins
Startled, Tess had almost replied that she was more comfortable taking care of herself, but sensing a rather touching sincerity in her sister’s words, she’d said only, “Thank you, Nina.”
Dinner with Scott’s family could not have been more different. The whole Prince clan had been there, including the twins and baby Henry, all gathered around the big farm table in Holly’s dining room, all talking at once, laughing, teasing, treating Tess as if she was already part of the family. They, of course, had already been aware of the change in Tess and Scott’s relationship, so it was easier for them to process the announcement of their engagement.
“When’s the big day?” Jake had demanded.
“We haven’t set a date,” Scott had replied, squeezing Tess’s thigh beneath the table, “but I’d like for it to be soon.”
“It takes a while to plan a wedding,” Libby had warned. “You have to reserve a space for the ceremony and the reception. Caterers and florists and cake decorators and musicians are often booked well in advance, so as soon as you choose a date, you should start putting down deposits. I have a friend who’s an excellent florist, Tess. I’d be happy to go with you to talk with her, if you like. Bet I can get you a discount.”
“My cousin is a caterer,” Christina had chimed in. “She did our wedding and it was great, wasn’t it, guys? And I’ll get you the number for our videographer and photographer. Jake and I were very happy with their services.”
“I would love to help you with whatever you need from me,” Holly had added eagerly. “I can make calls or address envelopes or anything else you want me to do. And I have a connection with a cake decorator who does some of the most beautiful work I’ve ever seen. I’d be pleased to introduce you to her, though of course I won’t be offended if you decide to use someone else.”
They had all been so excited, so eager to help, yet Tess hadn’t felt at all as if they were trying to take over. They were just making themselves available to her in any way she needed them. She’d found that incredibly sweet.
All in all, it had been a very nice day. So why was she lying awake in the middle of the night, thinking back over the gatherings and trying to analyze why the more thrilled everyone seemed to act about them, the more Scott had seemed to withdraw into himself? Oh, nothing of the sort had shown in his behavior. He’d laughed and conversed as heartily as anyone else at his mother’s table. He’d participated in the discussion of possible wedding venues and teased Tess about hiring an ’80s-revival heavy-metal band for the reception. He’d kissed her good-night with the same heat and hunger that had made their previous embraces so exhilarating and he’d looked genuinely regretful when he’d made himself leave her.
Was she only imagining that he was holding a small part of himself back? Was she mistaken in sensing a tiny kernel of doubt deep inside him—or was that a projection of her own lingering misgivings? It had all happened so fast. She’d been swept along by his enthusiasm for his brilliant idea, his enticing verbal pictures of an ideal future together, her own yearnings and long-suppressed attraction. And now that everything seemed to be settled, now that everyone knew about their plans, now that it would be incredibly awkward to call it all off, now that she couldn’t imagine not marrying Scott—a tiny part of her feared that she’d made a mistake.
With a groan, she punched her pillow again. She really was an idiot.
Maybe she was just tired.
Pulling the covers to her ears, she sank into the bed and squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push those silly doubts and foolish fears away. And wondering why she, who almost never cried, felt suddenly on the verge of tears.
* * *
Scott spent most of the following week out of town visiting job sites and attending planning meetings for the new year. Their hectic work schedule prevented them from spending much time together, but they spoke by phone every evening and managed to share a couple of pleasant nights together. By the beginning of Christmas week, both were tired and looking forward to the end of this hectic holiday season. Tess was ready to focus on their future together outside the office, something they’d barely had time to even think about since they’d become so unceremoniously engaged.
The shortened workweek ahead made Monday ridiculously busy in preparation. Wednesday was Christmas Eve, and Scott had announced the offices would close at noon that day and wouldn’t officially reopen until the following Monday, which would also be a short holiday week. If any crises occurred, essential personnel could be called in, of course, but they all hoped the holiday would be problem-free.
The stressful day finally over, she was driving to Stevie’s for a pre-Christmas celebration. But her mind was preoccupied by what had happened that afternoon.
Scott had called an early staff meeting to confirm the week’s schedule. Then he’d wished everyone a merry Christmas as he handed out generous gift cards to an upscale local restaurant. End-of-the-year bonuses were included in their paychecks, but this was a little treat he’d been in the habit of providing on his own behalf for the past few years, telling his employees they deserved a nice night out to relax after working so hard and so loyally for him.
“Before we adjourn,” he’d added, holding out a hand to Tess, “there’s one more announcement I need to make. I’m sure the rumors have already begun and I want you all to hear the news from Tess and me.”
Moistening her lips, Tess had pasted on a confident smile and taken her place at his side. Some of the staff looked puzzled, and she figured they wondered if a promotion or resignation was being announced. A couple others smiled knowingly, which meant the gossip had already made its way to the office.
After a slight nod of approval from her, Scott turned back to their team. “Tess and I are engaged,” he said simply. “We haven’t determined a date yet, but we’re going to be married.”
Amid the startled cries and happy claps, Scott held up a hand to add, “You all know how valuable Tess is to this company. Just so you know, we aren’t making any immediate changes in her responsibilities here in the office. So carry on, and here’s to another great year for all of us who make up PCCI.”
She’d appreciated his attempt to make sure she was treated no differently by the staff now that she was marrying the boss, but she knew some changes were inevitable. If there was any resentment, she didn’t see it at the moment. Still, she and Scott would have to be very careful in the future to keep their personal life clearly separate from work, just as they had to this point.
The phones had begun to ring and everyone went back to work. Scott left soon after the staff meeting and was out of the office most of the day, though a series of terse phone calls and texts from him kept Tess and the rest of the staff busy trying to keep up.
He hadn’t returned by the time Tess had to leave, so she sent him a text reminding him that she had plans with Jenny and Stevie, and that she’d see him at work in the morning.
I’ll call you tonight, he texted back. Have fun with your friends. Tell them hello for me.
She arrived at Stevie’s place for their own little Christmas celebration. A cozy bungalow, Stevie’s house was the one in which she’d grown up with her mother and brother, located in a neighborhood that had briefly declined and was now undergoing a revival. Her white frame home sat on a corner lot, so her nearest neighbor was a ’60s-style brick ranch on her west side, the one in which the widowed cat owner lived. Tess glanced automatically that way as she parked at the curb in front of Stevie’s house. A dark car sat in the carport and lights burned in the windows, so she assumed Stevie’s neighbor had returned from his business trip, though she caught no glimpse of him. She’d bet Stevie was glad to be done with her cat-sitting duties for now.
The neighbor hadn’t decorated for the holiday, but other houses on the block were festooned with festive lights and oversize Christmas inflatables in their yards. Stevie had arranged a string of w
hite lights around her little porch, and a Christmas tree with white lights was visible through the lace curtains at her front window. A big wreath with a red velvet bow decorated the front door, which was painted blue to match the shutters at the windows.
Stevie and Jenny both greeted Tess with such expectant expressions that she shook her head wryly. If they were trying to be subtle, they failed miserably at it. She’d told them individually about the engagement, sending messages to them both before they heard through the grapevine, and she’d promised to give them details tonight.
“At least let me set this stuff down before you start pelting me with questions,” she said, handing over two wrapped gifts before peeling off her coat.
Jenny set the gifts beneath the tree while Stevie stashed away Tess’s coat and bag. “Did Scott really blurt out that the two of you were engaged at Dana’s party?” Jenny asked avidly. “Before you’d even told your sister?”
“Even worse,” Tess replied with a groan, glad she could finally speak frankly about that night. “He told everyone we were engaged before he even got around to asking me.”
“Oh, we definitely need to hear this whole story,” Jenny said after a moment of stunned silence.
“Tell us while we eat,” Stevie ordered. “I didn’t cook all this food to serve it cold.” She loved to cook, and she’d insisted on preparing the meal without any contributions from her friends.
An hour later, stuffed with delicious food and emotionally drained from talking, Tess sat with her friends in the living room, preparing to open gifts. Stevie was leaving the next morning to spend Christmas with her brother in Tennessee, while Tess and Jenny both had plans with their families here in Little Rock, so this had been the only night they could get together for their own little celebration.
“I’m so glad we decided not to have a big party this year. I prefer that it’s just us,” Jenny said as she leaned back against a throw pillow. “Though I would like for us to all get together soon to get to know Scott better. Gavin met him briefly when he responded to that break-in at your office earlier in the year, but they should get to know each other socially since I’m sure they’ll be seeing quite a bit of each other through us. And Stevie will bring Joe, of course.”
Stevie cleared her throat. “That’s not an ‘of course.’”
Tess and Jenny exchanged looks.
“Are you and Joe breaking up?” Jenny asked quietly.
“Looks like it.” Stevie raised both hands to stave off any comments. “Would you mind if we talk about this later? After Christmas? I need some time.”
“Absolutely.”
“Whenever you’re ready,” Tess assured their friend.
Blinking rapidly, Stevie nodded. “Thanks. Besides, tonight is all about you, Tess. Jen and I hope you and Scott will be very happy together.”
“Thanks, Stevie.” But now it seemed completely wrong to discuss her engagement when her friend was obviously in pain. “You know, I have an idea. Let’s not talk about men or relationship issues for the remainder of the evening. Let’s focus on ourselves. Our friendship. Our jobs. Stevie, I want to hear all about this busy season for you. I know it’s been great for your reputation and your bottom line. And, Jenny, tell us about your idea to open a store in Fayetteville. How exciting would it be to own a chain of three boutiques, maybe more? And I need to tell you about the new accounting clerk I hired this month.”
Her eyes brightening, Stevie smiled. “I’d love to talk about my business, but first,” she said, tugging impatiently at the red mesh bow on the gift Jenny had brought for her, “I have just got to see what’s in here. I can’t wait any longer to open presents!”
Laughing, Tess and Jenny ripped into their own gifts. They were still laughing two hours later when the night came to a close.
Stevie gave her a warm hug as Tess prepared to leave. Jenny had stepped into the restroom, so Tess and Stevie had the moment to themselves.
“Merry Christmas, Tess,” Stevie said, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Thank you so much for the bracelet. I love it.”
“And thank you.” Stevie had given her a hand-thrown pottery serving bowl. “It’s gorgeous.”
Her friend smiled with a little wrinkle of her nose. “I knew you’d like the colors. I hope they work in the new kitchen you’ll be sharing with Scott.”
She could already picture the bowl on the big island in Scott’s kitchen. “It will work just fine. I’m sure he’ll like it, too.”
“I hope so.” Stevie hesitated a moment, then blurted, “I know we said no more talk of relationships tonight, but I have to ask. Just for my own peace of mind...”
“What is it, Stevie?”
“Do you love Scott?”
“I—” It was such a simple question. It shouldn’t have taken her by such surprise. And yet it occurred to Tess only then that Stevie was the first one since this had all begun to even think to ask.
“Tess?”
“Yes,” she whispered as sweet memories of laughter and kisses, long conversations and leisurely lovemaking, flashed through her mind. “I love him.”
Should that answer really make Stevie look only more worried? Shouldn’t she have found it reassuring?
“Just one more question,” Stevie said. “Does he love you?”
Tess swallowed. “He said there’s no one else he’d rather marry.”
Stevie held her gaze for a moment, letting her silence express a great deal, and then she reached for the door. “Thanks for being honest with me. I hope to God you’re being honest with yourself. Good night, Tess.”
Placing the bowl from Stevie and a beautiful spring cardigan from Jenny on the passenger seat beside her, Tess fastened her seat belt and started her car, her movements deliberate. Her gloved hands gripped the wheel tightly enough to cause pain in her knuckles as she drove away from Stevie’s little house.
I hope to God you’re being honest with yourself.
“So do I, Stevie.” Her strained voice echoed hollowly within the darkened interior of her car. “So do I.”
* * *
It wasn’t uncommon for Scott to stumble into his house past 10:00 p.m., weary and ravenous yet satisfied after a long day of business operations. Particularly at this time of the year, he hardly had a minute to himself. Fortunately most of the professional and social obligations were out of the way now, with this week being reserved for family celebrations. He opened the fridge and drew out a container of yogurt, a little hungry but too tired to make a meal. He hadn’t forgotten that he’d promised to call Tess that night, but he needed to catch his breath a minute first. He hoped she would still be awake by the time he finished his snack.
He was sure she’d had a good time with Jenny and Stevie. The three women had formed a tight friendship. A man would do well to keep in mind that he’d better not attempt to come between them, not that he would even want to try. He remembered before Tess met Jenny and Stevie. Though he hadn’t given it much thought at the time, blindly ambitious as he’d been back then, he realized now that she must have been lonely, working long days while attending classes and taking care of her parents until she’d lost them so close together. He’d tried to be a supportive employer to her during those days, a good friend, even though he’d worked to keep the friendship professional. Perhaps getting involved with that guy James not long after her mother died had been a result of her loneliness. She’d done well to dump the jerk; Scott had met him only a couple times, but he hadn’t liked him.
It was only during the past couple of years that Tess had really come into her own as a strong, competent, satisfied adult. Earning her degree, buying her condo, meeting her friends, taking on more supervisory responsibilities in the office, establishing her independence from her overly critical sister—all those things had contributed to a new confidence in her, a difference he’d observed
and admired. She’d been looking for companionship on her own terms, unwilling to settle despite her expressed desire for home and family, and he was damned lucky she’d considered his proposal worthy of her. That she considered him worthy of her, despite his limitations when it came to romance.
How many women would have forgiven him for that boneheaded blunder at her cousin’s party? Or would be so patient with his crazy schedule and his sometimes unpredictable moods? He hadn’t showered her with compliments or gifts, as Sharon had pointedly and repeatedly informed him most women desired from a man. In fact, he hadn’t given Tess anything at all, including an engagement ring, he thought with a frown. Hell, he hadn’t even given her one of the restaurant gift cards he’d distributed to the staff.
Tossing the empty yogurt container in the trash and the spoon in the sink, he carried a glass of water into his bedroom to make the call he’d promised. He could at least do that, he thought guiltily.
“How was your evening with your friends?” he asked after they’d exchanged greetings.
“We had a wonderful time. Great food, good conversation, and we exchanged gifts. How was your day?”
“Long,” he said with a sigh, and gave her a quick summary of what he’d accomplished since he’d last seen her. “Tomorrow’s going to be just as long,” he warned.
“Yes, I figured. I have a lot to do tomorrow myself. I’m hoping to finally have time to finish wrapping gifts and do my Christmas baking. I always take stained glass cookies and pear tartlets to my sister’s house for Christmas dinner, and I haven’t even started them.”
“I’ve had your pear tartlets,” he reminded her. “You made me a batch last year, remember? They were out of this world.”
“I thought I’d make extras of everything to take to your family’s house Christmas. Do you think they’d like them?”
“Are you kidding? They’ll love them. Jake and Eli will probably arm wrestle for those tartlets.”