Adrian’s smile widened, rendering him more handsome than ever. What was it about a man in a fine-fitted suit? The combination of suits, smiles, and hair gel should be illegal.
Mrs. Bear glowered. “That’s going a bit over the top, isn’t it?”
Goldie wasn’t sure if Adrian’s mom was referring to her comment or her son’s.
“I like her,” Jordan said, twirling a set of keys around his fingers. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to pick up Taylor.”
“I expect to see you for the entire length of the fundraiser,” Mrs. Bear called, rotating to follow his trajectory to the door.
“Got it, Mom,” Jordan called without glancing back. He pushed through the front door and trotted down the steps outside.
Goldie’s cheeks hadn’t quite doused, thanks to the bullseye he’d landed on her. Smoking hot? Really?
Jordan’s headlights disappeared when another set of headlights took their place. Seconds later, Chase took the porch steps two at a time and popped his head in. He was also looking gallant in a tux.
“Ready, Mom? Hiya, Goldie. The dress looks great.”
Goldie smiled and waved at him. Another surge of unease swept over her. She wasn’t used to this much attention. “Tell Kimmy I said thanks.”
“You can tell her yourself when we get there.” Chase held the door wider for Mrs. Bear and offered his mother his arm to guide her down the porch steps and toward the car.
“Shall we?” Adrian held a hand toward the reception desk and the door. Pressing her lips in a flat smile, Goldie lifted her skirt and followed them out.
The sky was a wine spill, mixed with shades of amber and gold. Goldie took a moment to inhale the scents of honeysuckle and sage and the spread of simplicity all around her. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to it here, even if she were to stay for the rest of her life.
The setting sun cooled the evening off. Even so, she was grateful she’d opted for an updo of her hair.
“See you guys there,” Adrian called from beside his sleek Hummer.
“I expect the same of you, too, you know,” Mrs. Bear said. The back door of Chase’s car remained open, and she was resting a hand on the side and pegging a poignant glance at Adrian. “I know how you like to leave early, but I’d like you to remain the entire time.”
Adrian nodded, opening the passenger door to his car. Goldie did her best to make her way to him in heels. She’d never worn heels like this. Oh please, she prayed, don’t let me trip and ruin the dress before the evening has even begun. Why had she picked a gown that was likely to show every stain or smudge she came across? She ended up managing just fine and, with the help of the interior handle, levered herself up onto the sleek, dark, leather seat. The car smelled brand new. He must not have had it for long.
“I thought we were riding with them?” Goldie asked as Adrian climbed into the driver’s seat and cranked the ignition to life. The smooth machine purred.
“After thinking it over, I figured it might be a little crowded,” he said. “Unless you want to.” He tilted his head to the side, but the other Bears were already making their way down the drive.
“I’m good,” she said quickly, offering him a smile.
She wasn’t sure what she expected as far as the venue went. Two Pines was small and unimpressive, the kind of town least likely to stand out on any map. The largest building was maybe the court house, but even then that was no place to hold an event like what she was picturing.
“Where is this going to be held at?” she asked.
“At the high school gym,” he said, turning the corner and onto the paved road that led back into town. “It’s the largest place around here to fit everyone into one location.” He shot her a smirk that she returned.
Goldie couldn’t help but notice landmarks—her tried and true method of navigation. A pawn shop with paint peeling on the exterior. A landscape company in the shape of a large barn, offering samples of rock and mulch in piles behind rope. The same gas station they’d passed on the way to her aunt’s house remained on the corner, which meant she wasn’t far. An exciting little thought hitched in her chest.
“I wonder if my aunt will be here tonight. You said the whole town usually comes?”
“I don’t know about the whole town,” he said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw her.”
Too bad Goldie didn’t know what she looked like. She’d asked her mom to show her pictures, but that worked about as well as a car without keys.
A large tiger was painted on the outside of Two Pines High School, along with bold, white letters identifying the school and its mascot. It appeared to be about the same size as her own school had been. Single level, brick, made for a small student body.
The parking lot was filling faster than Hobby Lobby on a Saturday afternoon. Goldie noticed Chase’s car parked a little ways off, while Chase and Kimmy waited for Mrs. Bear to exit from the back.
“Your mom didn’t have to come early to set up?” Goldie asked.
“She set up earlier today, and then had a crew do the rest for her,” he said, getting out of the car.
“Wouldn’t that be nice,” Goldie said, grateful he couldn’t hear her. The Bear family owned a substantial ranch with a bed and breakfast, land, horses, and multiple houses. They drove insanely nice cars and ran fundraisers to support needs in the town. Their son went around rescuing stranded women in cabins. Just who were these people?
“I hope you’re hungry,” Adrian said, standing beside her with his hands rumpling his suit jacket to tuck into the pockets of his slacks. The night was cool but not chilly, not like the mountain air had been. Still, she hugged her arms around her stomach. If she were being honest with herself, she still wasn’t sure how to act around this suave new acquaintance.
“Famished,” she admitted. She hadn’t eaten anything since his oatmeal earlier. “Are you sure I can’t contribute tonight? Pay for my ticket or something?”
“I’m sure,” he said, offering an arm. Right. Date. Fake boyfriend.
Goldie met his gaze before hesitantly sliding her arm through to rest on the crook of his elbow. He’d smelled amazing during their drive here, but now, standing close to him, his scent wafted right to her. He smelled like bottled masculinity, like musk and cedar, wind and trees.
She had to admit, while the newness of this trip overall was off-putting, she was enjoying herself. How many times had she dreamed of a night just like this, entering a stunning event in a pretty gown on the arm of an incredibly handsome guy? Wasn’t this every girl’s dream? And she’d stumbled into it completely by accident.
Soft jazz music hit her ears and warmth sank into her cheeks the moment they stepped into the high school’s main area. The lights were low. Candles and white, twinkling light strands trailed along the hallways and decorated fake trees on either side of a table.
“Hey, Mr. Bear,” a girl sitting behind the desk said. Her hair was in two braids and freckles sprayed across her nose. “We just saw your mom and Chase.”
“Perfect. We’re taking two seats.” He offered tickets from within his jacket.
He already had the tickets? An uneasy feeling lodged in her stomach. Why would he have two tickets already if he wasn’t already planning on bringing someone? He’d seemed insistent otherwise, but had he meant to invite whoever this Danica was after all?
The girl inserted the tickets into an open box and then gestured to the table beside her. “Want to get in on the raffle? There are tons of amazing items inside, made by people all over town.”
Adrian looked to Goldie, as though the decision were up to her. “I didn’t bring my purse,” she said.
“It’s on me. You’re my date, remember?”
She really disliked him insisting on doing so much for her. Letting her stay at his very expensive bed and breakfast free, paying her way in, now raffle tickets? Who could afford one luxury after another like this?
Thoughts of a carnival flashed in her min
d, a memory she’d long forgotten. Goldie had been nine years old when her school had thrown a Halloween carnival. She’d begged to go, but her parents insisted they had no extra money for any of the games with prizes. Eventually, she’d managed to convince her dad to take her, but it had turned out worse than if she’d just stayed home. Instead of getting to play the games, she’d had to stand aside and watch others win and lose, until eventually all the prizes were gone.
“I’m okay, but if you want to get some…”
“We’ll take one hundred.”
Goldie’s eyes widened.
“Yes, sir,” said the girl, obviously pleased. Adrian pulled a hundred dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it over as the girl counted out red raffle tickets and tore them from their large spool.
“You planning on winning everything here?” Goldie joked, doing her best to push aside her discomfort. Adrian folded the tickets and stuffed them inside his inner jacket pocket.
They made their way into the gym. Tables lined the walls and were filled with homemade goods, from hand-knitted scarves and hats, to goat’s milk soap in colorful bars and fragrances. Bath bombs, washable bibs for babies, and handcrafted wall-hangings with clever sayings were also among the displays. Goldie also noticed wreaths for every holiday, cake pops and candies, cookies, beautiful paintings, and stunning quilts she could never hope to make on her own.
“I like to be generous when I can,” Adrian said. “The town needs this event. Too many people are counting on it.”
Goldie eyed him. “Kimmy said this might be the last time you’ll hold it.”
Adrian shook his head. “We can’t let it be the last one.”
The thought warmed her. For someone who claimed impartiality to his home, he at least cared for the town and its citizens.
He waved to several people wandering through the rectangular arrangement of tables. “Where would you like to sit? They’ll be serving dinner first.”
Not many were seated yet. Most people were doing what Goldie and Adrian were, wandering along the tables and admiring the handmade and otherwise-made crafts available for the raffle.
Goldie spotted Mrs. Bear, Chase, and Kimmy moseying along and catching people in conversation around the room. “Would you like to sit with your mom and brother?” she suggested.
“We don’t have to.”
He seemed to find the far back wall rather interesting. Goldie focused her attention on Adrian’s family. They were also joined by a pretty brunette in a white top and a yellow skirt.
“Let me guess. They’re sitting by Danica?”
“You guessed correctly.”
She wanted to ask why he had such an aversion to this woman. Danica seemed nice enough, from this distance anyway, with her smile and poise and lack of sharp or otherwise threatening objects in hand. He’d mentioned knowing her too well to want to date her anymore, but was that all there was to it?
A band was setting up on a makeshift stage at the left side, complete with a drum set and three rows of chairs. Teenagers wearing dress shirts and pants set off by sparkling cummerbunds and matching bowties emerged with saxophones, trombones, and trumpets and were taking their seats, while a girl with short hair settled herself at the piano.
“High school band?”
“Jazz band,” he said. “They’re quite good. It’s a nice way to get their parents here to donate as well.”
Goldie stared in amazement. She loved jazz. “It looks like they’re going to get started.”
“Then I guess we’d better sit down.” He gestured to the nearby table, and Goldie smiled at him and slipped into her seat. Chase and Kimmy sat on the opposite end. Goldie noticed Adrian’s youngest brother, Jordan, led a pretty girl with red hair to a place a few seats down.
Mrs. Bear made her way to the microphone. “Welcome, fellow residents of Two Pines, to our twelfth annual fundraiser event. In honor of Matthew’s death and his life, we acknowledge the effort that went into preparations. We are pleased to have the Two Pines’ high school jazz band providing music, and we encourage you all to take the floor and dance.
“Thank you to those of you who donated prizes. Be sure to purchase raffle tickets at the door. In Matthew’s honor, let’s make sure this is our best year yet. Winners will be drawn toward the end of the evening. We’ll start once everyone is seated, and then your prime rib will be served.”
Polite applause followed, and people strolled along to take their places. Before long, the meals had all been served, delivered to the tables by men and women, both teenaged and middle-aged, garbed in black dress clothes.
Goldie and Adrian ate in polite conversation. She enjoyed the delicious meal and was grateful not to be stranded on the curb of her aunt’s abandoned house. Several times, she glanced around in hope that someone might pronounce themselves to be Bethany Harold, but not only was it dark, lit only by twinkling strands of lights along the folded-in bleachers, fake trees, and latticed scaffolding decorating the space, Goldie still didn’t have a clue what her aunt looked like.
She’d tried searching Facebook for a picture, but apparently, the woman wasn’t on social media. Talk about living in a bubble. She tried picturing a version of her mother’s face, but even that did little good.
“Is something wrong?” Adrian asked. “You look concerned.”
“It’s nothing,” she said. She didn’t want to tell him how uncertain about things she still felt. Had her aunt left town?
“I know what it is.”
She stiffened, her eyes widening. She glanced at the ivory dress to make sure nothing had spilled.
“No one is dancing.” He gestured to the open area before them. The jazz band had played a zippy rendition of Glenn Miller’s Little Brown Jug and was now starting into a bluesy song Goldie didn’t recognize.
“Yes, the lack of dancing is exactly what had me so thrown off.” Goldie hoped he read the teasing in her tone.
“I knew it,” Adrian said. “We’d better fix that. What do you say?” He stood and offered her a hand.
She rose cautiously. “I didn’t know there would be dancing.”
“Is that a problem?”
In the vague lighting, Adrian looked that much more dashing, the way shadows emphasized aspects of light. Her heart began to pound.
“No, no problem.” Trapped in his gaze, she slid her fingers into his.
CHAPTER NINE
ADRIAN LED HER OUT ONTO the dance floor. The band began to serenade at a slower pace, and he slid his arm around her waist, securing her to him. Elephants were tromping in her veins. This is all for show, she told herself. Not because he wanted to hold her close.
The saxophones blended in harmony to the soft shade of drums and singing trumpets. Adrian’s feet knew right where to step, and though Goldie didn’t have the first clue about the moves, his firm hand at her back, the way he turned her and then held her to him again, made her feel like an aficionado.
“You know what you’re doing, I’ll give you that,” Goldie said. “Dancing lessons?”
“For a few years,” he said, swaying her to the sound of crooning trumpets. “You?”
“If you count goofing around in the kitchen with my dad, then yes.”
“That definitely counts. What does your dad do?”
“He’s a bus driver,” she said. The admission had never brought such embarrassment to her cheeks before. There was nothing wrong with that, but here in this company, in this dress, seeing how Adrian lived, the thought made her the slightest bit ashamed. And then she felt ashamed for being ashamed. She loved her dad. He’d been the tender one in her childhood, while her mom had been the exacting one, demanding perfection at every turn.
“That’s cool,” Adrian said.
“It is?”
“Sure.”
The song ended, but Goldie hardly noticed, ensnared in Adrian’s regard as she was. A few other couples had entered the scene as well. She wasn’t entirely sure when that had happened.
“L
ooks like your tactic worked,” she said.
He gave her a barely there grin. “Sweeping you off your feet?”
“See? Others are dancing now.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
He still hadn’t released her. Energy magnetized the air between them, filling it with a hum. She sensed his hands at her back, his body warm and close to hers. In that moment, the confusion of the past several days washed away. Suddenly, she was brimming with clarity, in a way she’d never experienced before. She was wanted, desired; she was the absolute center of his attention. It made her breathing a frenzy.
The crowd’s clapping eventually snapped her back to sanity. She released Adrian to join in, grasping for the chance to steady her pulse. She drew in a long breath. Oh boy, was he feeling this way too? Completely overcome being so close to her? Sure, she was supposed to be his girlfriend for all intents and purposes, but she hadn’t considered exactly what that would mean.
It’d been too long since she’d had an actual relationship, and even the last one with Tyler Hart had been more like she was being used than adored or appreciated. Goldie wanted someone who would listen to her, value her opinions, someone who would look at her every day the way Adrian kept looking at her. She wanted to feel this adoration, this curiosity, this sense of being valued for who she was—which was so ironic because Adrian didn’t even know her that well…yet.
The thing was, she wanted him to. She wanted him to know how much she loved pizza on Friday nights, or reading, or how much she enjoyed teaching. She wanted him to know that she was feeling braver with him than she’d ever felt. The realization of that stole a breath from her.
Her body apparently didn’t care that she barely knew him, either. It was responding way too enthusiastically after a single dance. She liked being held by him, staring up into his eyes and becoming the north star of his world, if only for a moment.
Goldie mentally berated herself. She couldn’t allow herself to like his attention or being held by him. She couldn’t allow herself to want to know everything she could about him in return. She was leaving. He was leaving. They were both leaving.
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