Just a Little Bit Married

by Teresa Southwick

  In an intimate corner of the restaurant Maggie stopped by a secluded table. “Is this all right?”

  “Great. It’s the one I’d have chosen,” he said. “But tell me, where would you have seated us if it wasn’t okay? The place is full.”

  “That’s a good question. And the answer would depend on how hungry you are because a wait would be involved.” The woman smiled, clearly understanding that he was teasing.

  “From my experience that means the food would be worth waiting for,” he said.

  “It is. And I’m not just saying that because I’m the co-owner.” She studied them. “I don’t think I’ve seen you in here before.”

  “Because we haven’t been,” Rose said. “I’m Rose Tucker.”

  Maggie nodded. “The interior designer.”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  “Apparently you were in the thrift store the other day. Aggie Smith came in for dinner with her husband and I saw Faith Connelly in the grocery store.”

  “I heard that people talk,” Rose said, “but didn’t expect it to get around so fast.”

  “It’s what happens when you ask someone what’s new,” the woman explained. “I’m Maggie Potter by the way.”

  “Lincoln Hart.” He shook the woman’s hand.

  “Welcome to my humble establishment. I hope you enjoy your dinner.”

  “Thanks.” He held Rose’s chair while she sat, then took the one across from her.

  “We don’t see manners like that in here every day,” Maggie commented. “Not that our clientele runs to the Neanderthal variety. But that was impressive, Mr. Hart.”

  “Linc.”

  “Just saying...” Maggie smiled at them, then walked away.

  When they were alone Rose said, “This isn’t a date.”

  “I’m aware.”

  “Then why did you hold my chair?”

  “It’s what a guy does.”

  “Not really,” she responded. “I know of no guys who do that.”

  “Then you’re hanging out with the wrong guys. It’s the way I was raised.” He sighed. “Really, Rose, you should set the bar higher.”

  “Speaking of bars... Unless you want women following you around and throwing their panties at you, your bar could use a reset.”

  Hmm. There was an interesting sort of fire in her eyes and he didn’t quite know what to make of it. “Women? Where did that come from?”

  “It seems I’m not the only one they’re talking about in these parts. The word is spreading about the wealthy, good-looking man who is relocating to Blackwater Lake. And when the word gets out, and it will, that he’s polite—” she fanned herself with her hand “—you will be in demand.”

  “Not if they know I’m married.”

  “You won’t be for much longer,” she reminded him.

  It occurred to him that he would rather be in this nebulous state with her than single or married to anyone else. His next thought was that he needed a shrink to unravel the previous one. “I don’t even know what to say to that.”

  “All I’m saying is watch your back. You’ve been warned.”

  “Got it.”

  “And don’t be showing up the other guys by holding a woman’s chair for her. You’ll have no friends.” She met his gaze. “Although I think you can probably count on family.”

  “Ellie is my half sister.” Again, consulting a shrink crossed his mind.

  “Do you only love her halfway?” Rose asked pointedly.

  “Of course not.” This conversation wasn’t headed anywhere he wanted to go. “So, Miss Interior Designer. What do you think of this place?”

  She glanced around, her expression assessing. “It’s eclectic but that works. The gold, rust and green colors evoke the harvest theme and a subtext of a bountiful feast. And there’s a relaxed, country feel with the artistically placed items on the shelf. The hand pump, washboard, tin mugs and painted footstool are nice touches. It’s cozy and comfortable.”

  “So, is that an endorsement? Or an article for Better Homes and Gardens?”

  “It is two thumbs-up.” She smiled, then said, “Now we need to check out the menu.”

  “Yeah.” Although he would rather look at her. The way her eyes sparkled when she was needling him. And her face lit up when he made her laugh. She challenged his mind and teased his body just by being her.

  A few minutes later a waitress came over to take their orders and the service was fast and flawless. He and Rose made small talk and shared a bottle of wine with the best bread and cranberry-walnut salad he’d had in a long time. The entrées—chicken marsala for him, trout almondine for her—would rival the best food he’d eaten in Los Angeles, New York, or Dallas. And then there was the dessert they decided to share.

  “Oh, that’s sinfully scrumptious.” Rose chewed the first bite of the multilayered chocolate cake and closed her eyes in ecstasy.

  Linc’s body tightened at the expression on her face—she looked as if she was turned on and loving it. He badly wanted to be that man—the one who turned her on.

  “So you like it?” He hoped his voice sounded normal to her because it sure didn’t to him.

  “Like is too ordinary a word for the way I feel about this cake.”

  He nearly groaned out loud when she took another bite and moaned, closing her eyes again. “Love then?”

  “You’re getting warmer.”

  That was for damn sure, but he hoped it didn’t show.

  There was a question in her eyes when she commented, “You’re not eating any.”

  It would sound pretty dopey if he said he was feasting on the sight of her, just watching her pleasure. Not to mention a suggestive remark like that could violate the spirit of trust he was working for.

  “I’m waiting to be a little less stuffed,” he lied.

  “If you wait too long there won’t be any left.” She took another bite to prove her point that she could eat it all.

  He stuck his fork in, took a taste of melt-in-your-mouth goodness and understood her reaction. Almost better than sex. Those words, thank the Lord, did not come out of his mouth. All he said was, “Wow.”

  “I know, right?”

  Maggie walked over to them, followed by the very attractive blonde he’d met at Bar None on ladies’ night. “I see you’re having the chocolate-cake experience.”

  “Experience is definitely the right word. This is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted in my life,” Rose said.

  “Then you can thank my friend, business partner and the chef here at the Harvest Café.” She indicated the woman beside her. “Lucy Bishop, meet Rose Tucker and Lincoln Hart.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Lucy said. “Linc and I have already met. I’ve heard a lot about you, Rose.”

  “From Aggie and Faith?” Linc asked wryly.

  “Actually no,” Maggie answered. “Your sister, Ellie.”

  Lucy looked from one to the other. “Rumor has it that you two are not quite divorced.”

  “Not exactly a rumor,” Maggie clarified, “since Ellie flat-out told us.”

  “My sister is a lovely woman and many other wonderful things, but trustworthy with my personal life isn’t one of them.”

  “Don’t be mad at her,” Lucy pleaded. “She shared it in a good way.”

  “It’s hard to see exactly in what way that might be good.” He looked at Rose and couldn’t decide whether she was amused about this or bothered that their secret was out.

  “We were talking about my upcoming wedding,” Maggie said. “I’m engaged to Sloan Holden and we’re planning it soon.”

  “I’ve met him. He’s a good guy,” Linc said.

  “He is.” Maggie glowed. “The conversation with Ellie turned to all the co
uples here in town who have recently taken the plunge into commitment.”

  Lucy held up her hand and ticked them off on her fingers. “There’s Maggie, of course. Erin Riley and Jack Garner—”

  “The best-selling writer?” There was a little awe in Rose’s voice.

  “Yes,” Lucy confirmed. “And our own sheriff and the town photographer—Will Fletcher and April Kennedy.”

  “More and more people are calling it the Blackwater Lake effect.” Lucy smiled at them as if that explained everything. “No one understands exactly how or why it happens, but relationship-challenged people come here and end up falling in love. Not me, of course, because I’ve sworn off men and already live here. But other people new to the area seem to fall under its spell.”

  “So when you say Ellie mentioned it in a good way,” Rose said tentatively, “that means she is in favor of me and Linc—”

  “Getting back together,” Maggie said, finishing her thought. “Emotionally speaking, since you’re still kind of married.”

  “Well, I hate to be a downer on that idea, but I’m only here to work.” Rose shrugged.

  “Don’t write off the Blackwater Lake effect. This is where strange and unexplainable romantic things happen while you’re ‘working.’” Lucy made air quotes on the last word.

  Rose shook her head. “At the risk of bursting the proverbial bubble, I’m not staying. Not relocating. Going back to Texas. There’s nothing between Linc and me. He’s welcome to cozy up to any and every woman in Montana. With my blessing.”

  “Famous last words.” Maggie gave her friend a knowing look, then smiled at them. “I hope you enjoyed your dinner.”

  “Very much,” Linc and Rose said together.

  “Glad to hear it.” Lucy nodded. “We look forward to seeing you in here often.”

  Linc had watched Rose’s interaction with the other two women and wondered if she was protesting too much. It crossed his mind that her “nothing between us” comment could be a defensive reaction. There was that fire in her eyes again when she mentioned him in connection with all the women in Montana and the edge to her voice when she said it.

  He had a suspicion that she was jealous and liked the thought of that very much.

  Chapter Twelve

  “You don’t believe in the Blackwater Lake effect, do you?” Rose asked when they were in the car and headed back to Ellie’s.

  “Uh-oh.” Linc’s grin was visible in the vehicle’s dashboard lights. “You’re starting to trust and maybe falling a little in love with me. And judging by the tone of your voice, you’re not happy about it.”

  “Oh, please...” Hopefully she’d put enough sarcasm in those two words to keep him from guessing how close he’d come to the truth. “I’m being serious.”

  “Me, too. Stranger things have happened. Think about it. Ellie came here for work and fell in love with Alex, then stayed.” He glanced over for a moment. “Sound familiar?”

  One beat passed, then two. Finally she said, “Tell me that you’re not saying that I’m going to stay here in Blackwater Lake. With you.”

  “You have to admit you’re attracted to me.”

  “No, I don’t,” she said emphatically. But just because she wouldn’t admit there was some truth in his words didn’t make them wrong.

  “See there? You practically agreed with me.”

  “I did not.” She huffed out a breath. “Those two ladies are very nice and the Harvest Café is a fabulous place. I want to try ice cream in the little store connected to it before I go back to Dallas—”

  “But?”

  “How did you know there’s a but?”

  “Because that’s what you do.”

  “I have no idea what you mean.” She stared at him. “What do I do?”

  “Before you deliver the but, there’s always a compliment, another nice comment, then—bam. Zinger.”

  “I do not.” Then she laughed because that’s exactly what she’d been about to do. “But Lucy and Maggie are romantics who own a business. For them talking up the Blackwater Lake effect could be a marketing tool. And part of a public relations campaign.”

  “Didn’t Maggie’s fiancé come to town for work? Then he fell in love and stayed.”

  “Speaking of romantics,” she said pointedly, “when did you turn into one? Is there a full moon on Friday the thirteenth? Is it causing a ripple in the Blackwater Lake effect? When those two events intersect a confirmed bachelor turns into a romantic instead of a werewolf?”

  “I’m not a bachelor,” he reminded her. “I’m your husband.”

  “But you only recently became aware of that, which means for nearly ten years you’ve had a bachelor mindset,” she argued. “A status you intend to maintain forever-after when the divorce is final.”

  “And what do you want after the divorce, Rose?”

  “A traditional family. Something I never had. Something that looks a lot like what your sister has with Alex and Leah.” His sudden switch from teasing to serious and sensitive threw her off balance, startled her. Otherwise she probably would have given him a flippant instead of honest answer.

  “Then I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Chandler.” That didn’t sound the least bit sincere. “I hope it wasn’t my fault and another sin to add to my long list.”

  “No.”

  Again he glanced over briefly. “That doesn’t sound very heartfelt.”

  “It was completely heartfelt.” But no way was she going to say more. Otherwise she’d have to admit kissing him had gotten to her. So much so that she knew what she felt for Chandler would never be the kind of love that would be the foundation for what she so badly wanted. “And I’d rather not talk about him.”

  “You do realize that shutting down the Chandler topic just makes me want to know more.”

  “What are you? Twelve? You want what you can’t have? Or you don’t know the meaning of the word no?”

  “Both.” He grinned. “Not about the being twelve part.”

  “Not chronologically anyway.” He was a man. The only one who had ever touched her heart and, she was afraid, the only man who ever would.

  He turned right into his sister’s driveway. “Looks like Ellie and Alex have a visitor.”

  Beside the truck and minivan Rose saw an unfamiliar luxury SUV. “I don’t remember her saying anything about company coming.”

  “She didn’t to me,” he said.

  He parked the car and got out, then came around and opened her door. Definitely he was raised with manners, she thought, sliding out. He put his hand to the small of her back as, side by side, they walked in the front door. The sound of voices became louder the closer they got to the kitchen.

  Rose felt him tense and looked up. He was frowning. She’d seen him edgy and annoyed, but she’d never seen him look like that. “What’s wrong?”

  “That’s not company.” His voice was rough, harsh with emotion.

  “How do you know?”

  In the kitchen standing by the island was an older couple in their late fifties to early sixties. The woman was beautiful and had probably been stunning in her younger years. The man was distinguished and still handsome. Ellie and Alex were there, too, and everyone stopped talking when they saw Linc.

  “Rose,” he said, “this is Katherine and Hastings Hart, my mother and her husband.” His voice was cold and bitter when he said, “You should have told me they were coming, Ellie.”

  “Why? So you could have disappeared?” she said. “Everyone is aware of your situation, Linc.”

  “Including all of Blackwater Lake by now. Because for some reason you felt it was your mission to make sure that the details of my life were available for public consumption.”

  “Not the public everyone,” she said, defending herself
. “I meant your family.”

  The older woman smiled tensely as she moved closer. “It’s very nice to meet you, Rose. Hastings and I look forward to—”

  “What?” Linc took a half step in front of Rose, almost a protective move. “Getting to know her? What’s the point? Why are you really here?”

  The older woman looked a little sad and uncertain, but unapologetic as she met his gaze. “We’re here because we want to know what’s going on. This rift, this silent treatment from you, has gone on long enough. You’re married and never said a word to us?”

  “You gave up the right to information about my life when you made the decision to lie to me.”

  “Lincoln—” Hastings Hart snapped out the name in a deep commanding voice. “You will treat your mother with the respect she deserves.”

  “That’s the thing. Respect is earned and—”

  “Linc—” Rose grabbed his hand. “Let’s take a walk. Now.” Before tugging him back the way they’d come in, she looked at the older couple. “Mrs. Hart, Mr. Hart, it’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

  Sometimes retreat was the better part of valor and this was one of those times. She knew Ellie felt the same when she heard the other woman say behind them, “Mom, Dad, let him go.”

  At the front door she opened it and they walked outside into the cool night air, but the tension came with them. She expected Linc to pull his hand out of hers but he didn’t. She could feel the anger and bitterness in the way he gripped her fingers so tightly.

  “Why did you drag me out of there?” he demanded.

  “First of all, I didn’t drag you. You might be acting like a twelve-year-old, but you’re too big for me to do that.” She took a deep breath of the cool, fresh air. “Second, I thought it prudent to give you a time-out before you said anything else that you’ll regret.”

  “Anything else implies that I regret what I just said. For the record, I don’t. They had it coming. And more.”

  “Isn’t it a beautiful view?”

  Ellie and Alex’s house was on a hill facing the lake. Across the street there was grass, a sidewalk and railing. A full moon shone down, highlighting the water and mountains and a refreshing spring breeze cooled her hot cheeks.