“She does have pierced ears though.” Adam remembered seeing a jewelry store on Main Street.
Mazie nodded. “I don’t think she wants you to buy her a gift, Adam. Between the situation with her mother and just meeting you, it might make her feel awkward. But I can already see you’re not going to listen to me, so if you do buy her something don’t spend too much. She’s not that type of girl.”
“Thank you for the advice.” Adam tried to think of something related to cooking, but he hadn’t seen any kitchen stores in town. Not that Bridgett had a kitchen of her own. “Can I help you with anything this morning?”
“No, but thank you for asking.” The hint of a smile told Adam that Mazie was beginning to warm up to him. “I’m sure you have your own plans before starting your new job tomorrow.”
“A few.” Adam had to fill Lizzy in on what to expect when the truth came out. She was his only way of reaching his parents and the more he thought about it, the more he was convinced it would be better for them to be far from home when the news broke. But his father would never abandon his ranch, not even with a full security detail on the grounds. “What time’s the party tonight?”
“Lexi and Shane will be here around six.” Mazie checked her watch. “I’ll need you to keep her occupied elsewhere this afternoon so I can set up—I want tonight to be a surprise. I don’t want her to come here after her shift at The Magpie and start cleaning this place. That’s out of the question on her birthday. But Bridgett’s stubborn. It will take some doing on your part to keep her away.”
“Sure. What won’t make her suspicious though?”
“Take her pumpkin picking.”
“Take her what?” Adam laughed.
Mazie ducked into the kitchen and returned with her purse. “Tell her I asked you to get them today because by the weekend the patch will be picked over. I always decorate the front of the inn with pumpkins, and if time permits I’ll hand-paint some of them. Bridgett will know what sizes I need. It should keep you two occupied for a few hours.” Mazie removed some bills from her wallet and handed them to him. “This should cover it. And don’t let anyone talk you out of paying for them, either. I need too many pumpkins to keep getting them for free. It makes me feel guilty.”
“Then pumpkin picking it is.” Adam couldn’t remember the last pumpkin he’d picked or carved. It must have been with his mother and sister when they were kids. Dad would have been too busy to join them. One year they grew their own. They hadn’t gotten very large, but it had been fun for two little kids to turn the pumpkins every day so they wouldn’t rot. “Do they have any corn field mazes nearby?”
“My family’s farm, that’s where you’ll get the pumpkins, has one the night before Halloween. It’s enough to scare the bejesus out of you. It’s open for one night only and my brother’s in charge of it. The way he has it rigged, I guarantee it will take ten years off your life. I won’t go through it anymore.”
“I hadn’t realized you were raised on a farm.” For some odd reason Adam had difficulty envisioning Mazie working in the fields. She seemed more of a city-bred girl.
“Born and raised. My entire family—aunts, uncles, cousins—all live out there. We have a petting zoo, a country store complete with a country kitchen. Lawson’s Farm is the local tourist attraction for people coming off the interstate. You would have passed it on the way in. I guess it was only fitting I opened up a bed-and-breakfast.”
Adam regarded Mazie. She and Lexi couldn’t have been more different. While Lexi was a tall thin brunette who looked as if she was completely at home working in a barn, Mazie’s softer silhouette and reddish-blond hair enhanced her more sophisticated appearance. He couldn’t picture Mazie digging in the dirt, but definitely could envision her at the helm of a five-star restaurant.
“I know my staying here was unexpected and probably against your better judgment,” Adam said. “I wanted to thank you. I appreciate you renting me the room you reserve for your family. I’ll be out of your hair by the end of the week once I settle in at Bridle Dance.”
“You’re welcome. I will admit I was uncertain about your relationship with Bridgett. I’m less so now. You seem to be a fairly decent guy and as long as you don’t break her heart, I think we’ll get along fine.”
If that hadn’t made Adam feel guiltier than a puppy standing next to a puddle, he didn’t know what would. “I understand why you’re protective of her.”
“I think Ruby meant well by keeping her secret about Abby and Bridgett. But the way she dealt with it afterward left a lot to be desired. Ruby did an awful lot of fawning and bragging that her newfound daughter is a physical therapist. She rambled on and on about Abby’s accomplishments to anyone who’d listen. You could see Bridgett shut down when Ruby carried on. Bridgett won’t say anything because she doesn’t want to appear petty or jealous. But between Darren’s three kids and Abby, Bridgett feels left behind when it comes to education.”
“What does she want?” Adam asked. “Apart from opening a restaurant. Is there anything else?”
“Somewhere she can call her own. Bridgett can stay here as long as she pleases, but for her own sake, I hope she gets an apartment. It would give her a sense of accomplishment. Has she told you she’s looking for a job outside of town?”
Adam stared at Mazie. Bridgett had said no one else knew of her plans and Adam wondered if Mazie had set a trap for him to divulge her secret. “Plans?”
“Bridgett forgot to clear the browser’s history the other day. I saw every job she’d applied for online.” Mazie sighed. “She has told you, hasn’t she?”
“Yes.” Adam hesitated, measuring how much he should say. “If it’s any consolation, she hasn’t heard back from any of them. I’ve tried to talk her out of leaving, but she’s determined to do it.”
Mazie clasped her hands over Adam’s. “Please continue to try. And don’t forget about tonight.”
“Leave it to me to get Bridgett here on time and I will see you later.”
Adam stepped onto the front porch full of uncertainty. Here he had accomplished so much in his life and regretted the majority of it and Bridgett wanted to accomplish something...anything. The difference was Bridgett’s future accomplishments would be honest.
Not that any of Adam’s music was a farce. They were all legitimate musicians, wrote their own songs and performed live without the aid of any pre-recorded tracks. But the angrier he’d gotten, the angrier their music had become. Sales had begun to dwindle and where they’d once headlined their own tours, they’d had to co-headline in order to sell tickets during this last run.
At the end of the day, Adam still loved music. It was his passion, but he wanted to use it to guide people, especially kids, down the right path. If he had to be the poster boy for what not to do in the music industry, so be it. He wanted people to learn from his mistakes. He wondered if he should write a book about the things he’d gone through, lessons he’d learned. Maybe he could donate the proceeds to a worthy cause.
When he’d originally sketched his music school, he had assumed it would be in LA. The potential for success was high and he’d done a substantial amount of preliminary research. Now he pictured the school in Texas, allowing those who didn’t have access to the recording metropolises to learn and grow with their music. He wasn’t sure if it would be Katy, Ramblewood or somewhere in between, but he’d decided Texas was best.
He wanted desperately to share his ideas with Bridgett and wondered if it were possible without her linking the pieces together. His biggest fear would be if she asked him to play something for her at the music store next to The Magpie. Too risky. She would be sure to recognize his voice then. It would have to wait.
Adam wanted to make Bridgett’s birthday special without overwhelming her. He’d love to write her a song, knowing she’d appreciate the sentiment, but he’d have to save that
idea for next year. Next year. The thought of a future with Bridgett easily slipped into his thoughts. Adam snipped a rose from the side of the Bed & Biscuit, and decided to drop by the The Magpie to wish Bridgett a happy birthday. An idea for a present came to mind, one he was positive she’d love. He tabled any thought of telling Bridgett the truth today. This was her day and it deserved to be special.
* * *
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Maggie, Bert and Lark startled Bridgett with a mini celebration when she entered the luncheonette’s kitchen. They gathered around a chocolate ganache cake—her favorite—a single lit candle glowing in its center.
“Before you say anything, I know you wanted a low-key birthday,” Maggie began. “But we refuse to let this day go by without acknowledging how much we love you and how important you are to us. Besides, I only make this cake for special occasions and I can’t think of a more perfect reason than your birthday.”
Tears welled in Bridgett’s eyes, and her breath hitched in her throat, rendering her unable to speak. She managed a nod and hugged her dear friend.
“Happy birthday, kiddo.” Bert cut in and wrapped his arms around her. “I may never have had any children of my own, but if I had a daughter, I’d want her to be just like you. I love you as if you were my own.”
Oh, that did it. Bring on the ugly-cry face.
“Look what you two have done to her.” Lark passed Bridgett a wad of paper towels. “We don’t know each other very well, but since the day I arrived, you have been nothing but nice to me. Thank you for being one of my first friends in town. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” Lark’s non-sappy diversion allowed Bridgett an opportunity to compose herself. “Thank you all. This was sweet of you. I normally don’t have chocolate cake for breakfast, but today I am definitely making an exception. Who’s up for a slice?”
“Blow out your candle before it burns the cake,” Maggie said. “Make a wish and don’t give me any arguments.”
Bridgett knew birthday wishes were a frivolous superstition, but she’d thought that about love at first sight, too, and now she questioned the possibility. Bridgett wished for the only thing she really wanted. Happiness—hopefully with Adam—somewhere drama free, and blew out the candles. Despite wanting to leave town and start over, Bridgett loved the people she worked with. Possibly too much to ever be able to leave them.
The four of them gathered in the kitchen, eating, while Bert and Maggie shared embarrassing stories about Bridgett’s childhood.
“Lark, you should’ve heard her.” Maggie waved her fork. “She couldn’t have been much more than five at the time. She burst into the luncheonette, climbed on a chair and belted out the song ‘9 to 5’ at the top of her lungs.” Maggie imitated a young Bridgett standing with her legs apart, hands on hips and her chest puffed out. “I have no idea how she got it in her head to come over here on her own, but she sure made a grand entrance.”
Lark stared at Bridgett. “Did you want to be a singer?”
“At that age, I thought I could be the next Dolly Parton,” Bridgett snickered. “My boobs didn’t quite measure up. But I can carry a tune—in the car with the windows rolled up.”
The front bell jangled. Maggie peered through the pass-through window, smiling. “Our first customer of the morning. Bridgett, dear, would you mind?”
“Um, yeah.” Bridgett rested her plate on the stainless steel counter and exited the kitchen. “Welcome to—”
Adam stood near the luncheonette’s entrance holding a single pink rose.
“Happy birthday! Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Adam crossed the narrow dining area and gave Bridgett a chaste kiss on the cheek. “I’ll give you a better one later when we don’t have an audience,” Adam whispered, handing Bridgett the rose. “This is for you, but don’t tell Mazie I raided her rosebush. The florist isn’t open yet.”
“Thank you and I purposely hadn’t mentioned it because I don’t want you to fuss over me. It’s not—”
Bridgett stopped mid-sentence. Adam stared past her, clearly not listening to a single word she said. Bridgett spun around and caught Lark, Bert and Maggie waving from the kitchen pass-through.
“Okay, what’s going on?” Bridgett tapped her foot. “And don’t lie. Your smirks and giggles gave you away. What are you trying to rope Adam into?”
“Isn’t she paranoid?” Bert shook his head and disappeared from view.
“Are you in on some surprise with them?” Bridgett poked Adam’s chest. “Because if you are—”
Adam cut her off with a kiss, breaking it once Bridgett finally relented. “Sorry. I did warn you another kiss was coming. You taste like chocolate.”
“Maggie made me a birthday cake.” Bridgett’s lips still tingled from his kiss. She shied away from him as the first legitimate customer of the morning walked in. “Would you like a slice or are you staying for breakfast?”
“I can’t.” Adam checked his watch. “I need to take care of a few things before I start my job tomorrow, but I will be here to pick you up after work. We’re going pumpkin picking.”
Lark waited on the customer allowing Bridgett a few more seconds with Adam. “Pumpkin picking?” She may not have wanted anyone to go out of their way for her birthday, but traipsing through a muddy field wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, either. “Good thing I keep a spare change of clothes here. Why the sudden urge to visit the pumpkin patch?”
“Mazie asked if I’d do her a favor. She’s afraid they’ll run out of good pumpkins by the weekend, I guess. She’s too busy to do it herself and said you’d know the sizes she normally uses.”
“Uh-huh.” Bridgett smiled. Classic Mazie—good excuses had never been her forte. “Translation...she wants you to keep me occupied after work. What’s really going on?” The fact that her friend ignored her don’t plan anything request warmed Bridgett. Knowing her friends cared had lightened the dreariness of the past few weeks.
Adam shook his head. “The truth is, if you head straight to the inn you’ll insist on working. Mazie would rather see you enjoy some time off on your birthday. And that means pumpkin picking with me. Besides, I haven’t been since I was a kid and I’m looking forward to it.”
“If you say so.” Bridgett pressed her palms together. “Promise this isn’t a trick to get me to Slater’s Mill tonight.”
“It’s not.” Adam began to reach for her when another customer entered. “I understand why you don’t want to go. We’ll talk later.”
Bridgett quickly hugged him goodbye. “Thank you for the rose and for stopping in.” Bridgett watched Adam’s retreating backside. She always did love a man in snug-fitting jeans and Adam’s highlighted what the good Lord gave him. That was a little birthday gift she’d keep to herself.
The rest of the morning went surprisingly smoothly considering Bridgett had fully expected her mother, Darren or Abby to wander in. Fortunately, they stayed away. Thanks to the party at Slater’s Mill, the majority of the customers knew it was her birthday. She really didn’t mind. In fact, she rather enjoyed it. She was surprised by the number of people who took time out of their busy schedules to stop by and wish her well.
A hint of guilt nagged at her for dismissing tonight’s celebration. She hadn’t meant to appear ungrateful or to hurt Abby’s feelings, but she wasn’t in the mood for the entire town to witness a reunion between four estranged family members. It was difficult enough dealing with them individually...in private. They may live relatively close to one another, but they weren’t a big happy family.
Regardless of her mother’s reasons, the pity people showed toward Bridgett ate away at her. The few occasions she’d been to Slater’s Mill since the whole twin revelation, the stares and whispers had caused her to slip out the side exit. Eventually it would die down. She just needed to remain patient and keep her distance from
public events. And the instant a job offer came in she’d put even more distance between herself and the whole mess. Well, that had been her plan until Adam showed up.
Bridgett dropped off a load of dirty dishes in the kitchen and could’ve sworn she heard Adam’s voice by the back door. As she moved closer, Bert began coughing loudly, causing Maggie to pop her head in from outside. Ducking out of view for a second, Maggie reappeared, physically guarding the exit.
“I won’t even ask because you won’t tell me anyway.” Bridgett walked away.
When her shift ended, she couldn’t wait to see Adam. The simplicity of an afternoon picking pumpkins had its appeal. It would keep her mind from drifting to the sad realization that, for the first time in her life, she wouldn’t see her mom on her birthday. Bridgett’s mood lifted the instant Adam braked in front of the luncheonette. She scampered into the truck beside him, practically landing on his lap. She attacked him with a passionate kiss, silently singing “Happy Birthday to Me”.
“Where did that come from?” Adam struggled to resume his normal breathing.
“I figured since no one was watching why not take advantage of the situation. After today, I won’t see you as much.” She winced at the thought. Almost a week had passed, and she’d enjoyed living down the hall from Adam. She hoped he’d still want to see her once he moved onto the ranch. It was convenient at the Bed & Biscuit. The ranch would require effort on his part because her car probably wouldn’t survive too many trips.
“Ah, you’re taking advantage of me.” Adam smiled. “I see how it is.”
“You have no idea.” Bridgett’s hand trailed down his chest and across his flat stomach. “Are you sure you want to stay in Ramblewood? Wouldn’t you like to take a long drive out to California, dip your toes in the Pacific and leisurely return by way of New York?”
California. Adam interwove his fingers with hers before he lost sight of his senses. The idea of a cross-country trip with Bridgett tempted him, but the mention of California set his teeth on edge. “Honey, let’s see how things go first, then once I’m more settled and have some time off work we’ll talk about a trip.”
Back to Texas Page 9