by Ruth Langan
Colin unhooked his tool belt. “I was finished for the day. We were just going over a few more changes.” He caught up with her in the doorway. “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
“I have some stops to make first. Some errands I promised to run for Loretta.”
“That’s not a problem.” He placed a hand beneath her elbow and moved out the front door and down the steps toward his truck.
When he held the door she had no choice but to climb inside. As he came around and settled himself beside her she was still apologizing. “You don’t understand. I have a lot of stops to make. You could be an hour or more waiting for me when you could be relaxing in your room.”
“There’s plenty of time to relax later.” He turned the key and gave her a smile. “Where to first?”
She pointed. “Turn right here and another right at the end of the street. I’d better fill Loretta’s prescription first.”
They parked in front of the small village drugstore. Instead of waiting in the truck Colin surprised Lizbeth by going inside with her.
“Afternoon, Beth,” came a voice from behind the counter.
“Hello, Seth. Seth Simpson, I’d like you to meet Colin St. James.”
As the two men shook hands the druggist said, “I heard you were renovating the Yardley place. Staying at the Stafford Cottage, are you?”
“That’s right.”
“Not a finer place in Stafford than Beth’s cottage.” The druggist turned to her with a smile. “What can I do for you, Beth?”
“I have a prescription for Loretta.” Lizbeth handed over the slip of paper.
He read it, then nodded. “It’ll take a couple of minutes. She told me to expect you.”
“She phoned you?”
“Yep. With a list of things she’d thought of after you left. I already have them ready right here.” He lifted a bulging sack from beneath the counter.
Lizbeth laughed. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”
She was still smiling as he walked away, returning minutes later with a small bottle of tablets which he placed in the sack.
She withdrew a check from her pocket. “Loretta gave me a blank check and told me to fill in the amount.”
“That’ll be $37.65.”
She filled in the numbers, then dropped the receipt in the sack. “Thanks, Seth. I guess I’ll see you in a week or so.”
“You have a good one, Beth. And you, too, Mr. St. James.”
“Colin.”
The older man nodded. “Colin. You come back again.”
Before she could lift the sack, Colin picked it up and carried it to the truck. When it was stashed inside he turned to her. “Now where?”
“I need to pick up Loretta’s cleaning. It’s just two doors down. And then stop at The Village Market, which is just across the street.”
He walked beside her, enjoying the fading sunshine. Inside the cleaners the girl behind the counter looked up from her paperback novel. “Hey, Beth.”
“Amy. How’s your mother?”
“Healing nicely.” The girl stared pointedly at Colin. “You must be the architect. I heard you were staying at the Cottage.”
“That’s right. Colin St. James.” He offered his hand.
She wiped her hand on her jeans before tentatively offering her handshake. “Amy Mullins.”
“Amy’s been helping out after school since her mom started chemotherapy.”
“She really appreciated the meals you sent over for us, Beth. Even though she couldn’t eat most of them.”
“Is she feeling stronger now?”
“Yeah. She had the last chemo two weeks ago, and swears her appetite is finally coming back.”
“Oh, I’m so glad, Amy. If she’s up to having visitors, I’ll stop by next week.”
“She’d like that.” The girl smiled. “You picking up Loretta’s cleaning again?”
“Yes. Is it ready?”
Amy nodded and walked into a back room, returning minutes later with several garments in plastic bags. “Every year Loretta sends her best dress to be cleaned in time for the Spring Fling. You know how fussy she is.”
With a nod Lizbeth dug into her pocket and handed over a handful of crumpled bills. Before she could pick up the cleaning, Colin took it and held the door.
As she started to follow, Amy caught her arm and muttered, “If I had someone like that staying at my place, I’d have better things to do than pick up Loretta Mayfair’s cleaning.”
“Amy. Hush.” At the grin on Colin’s lips Lizbeth could feel herself blushing all the way to her toes.
She waited while he hung the cleaning in the truck, then she led the way across the street to The Village Market. Inside she saw several heads turn as Colin separated a cart and began pushing it alongside her. She dug out her list and began to fill the cart. By the time they made it to the cashier, they’d been stopped more than a dozen times for greetings and introductions.
“Hi, Beth. Thanks for the donation to our church supper.”
“Beth. I’ve been meaning to ask you for your recipe for that hot crab dip you made for our holiday party. Think you could write it down for me?”
“Beth. The women’s club loves your idea of having local businesses donate planters which we can arrange all along Main Street. The town will look so pretty. Would you help us chair a committee?”
Colin shot her a sideways glance. “Sounds like they keep you hopping.”
She gave an embarrassed laugh. “I don’t mind. It’s my town. I like being involved.”
Two white-haired women in identical neon-yellow jogging suits paused and looked Colin up and down before turning to Lizbeth.
“Sister said you had an out-of-season border,” the first woman said.
The second nodded. “Are you bringing him to the Spring Fling?”
“I…” Lizbeth could feel the heat starting up her throat and spreading over her cheeks. “I…hadn’t thought about it.”
They turned to Colin.
The first woman asked in imperious tones, “Do you dance, young man?”
“I don’t embarrass myself on the dance floor.”
“Our town is holding its Spring Fling next weekend. See that you bring Beth.”
The second woman added, “And see that she dances this year, instead of hiding behind the dessert table.”
When they walked away Lizbeth huffed a breath. “Just ignore those two busybodies. Alfreda and Winifred Lassiter make it their business to know everybody else’s.”
Colin was trying to keep a straight face. But it was a struggle. “I don’t know. The Spring Fling doesn’t sound so bad. Don’t you know how to dance?”
“Of course I can dance.”
“Then why do you hide behind the dessert table?”
“I don’t hide. The desserts are my responsibility.”
“Isn’t there anyone who can help you?”
“There’s Loretta. And Reverend Watson’s wife, Mary Lyn.”
“I’d think they wouldn’t mind if you took time for a dance or two.”
“Why are we talking about this when you haven’t even said you were going?”
He grinned. “You haven’t invited me yet.”
She reached for a box of oatmeal in silence.
“Hey, Beth.” The woman at the register stared pointedly at Colin as she began mechanically ringing up the items. “I heard you had an out-of-season guest at the Cottage.”
“That’s right, Vicky. Colin St. James, this is Vicky Carter.”
Colin nodded as he continued unloading the cart.
“Doing Loretta’s shopping again?” Vicky asked.
Colin glanced up at Lizbeth. “How did she know?”
“The cat food, for one,” Vicky said before Lizbeth could say a word. “And the oatmeal. I’d know Loretta Mayfair’s groceries anywhere.”
Colin had to hold back the rumble of laughter that threatened. Only in a town as small as Stafford would a cashier know an absent shop
per by her groceries.
Vicky picked up the package of chocolate bars. “What’s this? I know Loretta wouldn’t order these.”
Lizbeth grinned. “Those are my surprise for her. She has a sweet tooth.”
“I should have known. What else are you buying out of your own pocket?”
Lizbeth looked embarrassed. “It doesn’t matter, Vicky. Just ring them up.”
When the woman had totaled the sale and accepted her money, she handed her back the change and said to Colin, “She does this every time. You’d think by now Loretta would figure out that she was getting more than she paid for.”
“Thanks, Vicky.” Still blushing, Lizbeth picked up a bag before Colin could beat her to it.
He picked up the other one and followed her from the store.
In the truck they stored the bags and started home. Just beyond Stafford Cottage was a vacant lot abloom with wildflowers, and then a small cottage that looked almost like a doll house.
“This is Loretta’s place.”
Their arms loaded with sacks and cleaning, they followed an overgrown path carved among a riot of flowers until they reached the porch. Lizbeth knocked and waited. After nearly five minutes, the door was opened and a stooped woman leaning on a cane greeted Lizbeth.
“My, you’re back already. That was fast.”
“I had help.” Lizbeth stepped in and said, “Loretta, this is Colin St. James. The boarder I told you about.”
Colin found himself being appraised by the sharpest blackbird eyes he’d ever seen. At his feet the cat Brandi was busy making figure eights.
“Hello, Mrs. Mayfair.”
“It’s Loretta.”
“Loretta.” He gave her a smile, then bent to scratch behind Brandi’s ears.
The old woman admonished, “Careful. She’ll bite. She doesn’t like strangers. Especially men.”
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the cat arched herself against his hand and began purring.
Colin granted her several long, smooth strokes along her back before straightening. “Where would you like these, Loretta?”
“Straight through that doorway. You can set them on the kitchen table. Beth knows where everything goes.”
She shuffled behind him. When she reached the kitchen she caught hold of the back of a chair, while her cat leapt up on the counter and waited for the expected treat. She wasn’t disappointed when Lizbeth opened a can of cat food and spooned it into a dish.
Loretta caught sight of the bag of chocolates. “I didn’t order those, Beth.”
“You didn’t?” Lizbeth shrugged. “I would have sworn I read chocolate on your list.”
Loretta’s tone was sharp. “I hope you didn’t lose the receipt again.”
Lizbeth flushed and began to dig through her pockets. “It’s here somewhere, Loretta. I’ll find it after I put away your food.”
While Lizbeth stashed the groceries, the old woman stood assessing Colin.
“Beth says you’re remodeling the Yardley place.”
“That’s right.”
“You’re the architect?”
He nodded. “And the builder.”
“So, you work with your hands and your mind.”
“That’s a good way of putting it.”
“Which do you like better?”
He thought a minute. “I don’t think I could choose. I like seeing ways to improve someone’s living space. I like playing with designs. But the actual physical labor satisfies something in me as well. I suppose that’s why I choose to do both.”
The old woman continued to stare at him while she digested his words.
Lizbeth folded the empty bags and turned from the cupboards. “There you are, Loretta. Everything put away neatly the way you like it.”
“Thank you, Beth. You’re a sweet child. Now…” Her eyes sharpened. “…about that bill.”
Lizbeth dug into both pockets, then shrugged. “I guess it blew away.”
“That’s what you said last week.”
“Did I?” She was clearly blushing.
Watching it, Colin bit back a grin. It was obvious that lying didn’t come easily to Lizbeth Sullivan. She was, in fact, just about the worst liar he’d ever met.
Lizbeth looked away. “I’m sorry, Loretta. I’ll see that I take better care of your bill next week.”
“See that you do, child.” The old woman shuffled toward the front door, with the cat following. When she pulled it open, she fixed Colin with a look. “Our Beth’s one of the special ones, wouldn’t you say?”
He nodded. “I would indeed. It was nice meeting you, Loretta. I hope I see you again.”
“Oh, I have a feeling you will, young man.”
She stood in the doorway and watched as he helped Lizbeth into his truck. Then she reached down and picked up her old cat.
“You liked him, didn’t you, Brandi?”
The cat merely purred.
“So do I. But the question is, does our Beth like him?” She scratched behind the cat’s ears. “I guess time will tell. But we’d better not let too much time get past those two. Our Beth’s already wasted enough already.”
Chapter 5
As soon as they stepped through the doorway of the cottage, Lizbeth glanced at the clock and gave a sound of dismay. “I’m afraid dinner is going to be a little late.”
Before she could turn away Colin lay a hand on her arm, stopping her in mid-stride. “Hey. What’s your hurry?”
She struggled to ignore the heat from his touch. “You’ve been working all day and…”
“So have you.” He’d been ready for the little jolt when they touched. Still, it was unnerving. “Why don’t you take the night off?”
“I don’t under—”
“It’s Friday night. Let’s walk into town and eat at the Village Pub.”
“Are you sure? The only thing they offer is beer and burgers.”
“I’m up for that. How about you?”
She considered before nodding. “But it could be awfully crowded.”
“I can handle a crowd. The question is can you?”
“I can if you can.”
“Okay.” He turned away. “I’ll grab a shower and we’ll go.”
As he climbed the stairs he could still feel the tingling in his fingertips. How long, he wondered, could he pretend that there was nothing going on between them?
Every morning when he saw her looking so fresh and sweet and pretty he felt the jolt to his system. Every night when he lay in his bed, the thought of her lying just a room away taunted and teased him, making sleep difficult. Sooner or later he was going to have to deal with the feelings she aroused in him.
But not yet. Tonight they’d just relax and have some fun. With a woman like Lizbeth, he had the feeling he’d have to move very slowly. She was as skittish as a frightened colt.
He nudged his bedroom door shut and slipped out of his work clothes before stepping into the shower. A half hour later he was dressed and downstairs.
Lizbeth was in the parlor, entering figures in a ledger. She looked up when he paused in the doorway.
“That was fast.” He was wearing dark pants and an oatmeal sweater, his dark hair still wet from the shower. And he was looking at her in that way that always did odd things to her heart.
“Come on.” He held out his hand. “It’s time you showed me the rest of your town.”
She put away her ledgers, using the time to take a breath, hoping to calm her racing heart. Then she led the way out the front door and down the porch steps.
He paused. “Aren’t you going to lock the door?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t locked a door since I moved here. I doubt that anyone in Stafford would even consider such a thing.”
He was grinning as he moved along beside her on the sidewalk. “I feel like I’ve just stepped back in time about a hundred years. Is this place for real?”
She joined in the laughter. “I thought the same thing at f
irst. Now I’m so used to the idea, I never even question it. Everyone in Stafford looks out for everyone else.”
He caught her hand and linked his fingers with hers. This time he was ready for the heat. “And you, most of all.”
“Now why do you say that?” She looked down at their joined hands, before bringing her gaze to his.
“I see the way you take care of Loretta Mayfair. And I hear what people are saying. You’re the one who supplies the food for the Yardley family’s Fourth of July party, the church picnic, the town dance.”
“I’m just being a good neighbor.”
He paused, stared down into her eyes. “Yeah.” He wondered if she knew how she looked. Despite the blush on her cheeks and the sweetness of that smile, she looked as tempting as sin. He touched a hand to her cheek. “Come on, neighbor. It’s time I fed you.”
The Village Pub was a gathering place for both young and old in Stafford. Along one wall was a bar that ran the length of the room. Every seat was taken. On the far side of the room were booths, occupied mainly by older, well-dressed couples. In the middle of the room were tables and chairs, some pulled together to accommodate entire families.
Everyone, it seemed, knew everyone. There were greetings exchanged, names shouted above the music that played in the background. Through this maze waitresses in black pants and white knit shirts carried trays that would stagger a weight lifter.
Colin spotted a table for two alongside the window and began leading Lizbeth toward it. As they snaked their way among tables, Lizbeth had to stop half a dozen times to exchange greetings. By the time they were seated she was flushed and a little breathless.
“Is there anyone here you don’t know?”
She laughed and looked around. “I don’t think so. They all look familiar. Except maybe that couple in the corner. I haven’t seen them before. I’ll bet they’re the ones who bought the Granville place.”
“Maybe you should go over and introduce yourself.”
She looked at him more closely to see if he was teasing. Seeing the smile, she relaxed. “Maybe I will. After you feed me.”
When the waitress came to their table she greeted Lizbeth warmly. Colin ordered two beers. Minutes later they sat sipping their drinks and studying the menu.