Mistaken Gifts

by Elena Aitken

  Jeff’s thoughts flew to Eva. But even if she had chosen him, she was just visiting. The Lodge wasn’t her home either. So why did it feel like he was saying goodbye to her just by taking the job?

  "Smile," Bo said. He smacked him on the shoulder. "It’s a good thing. When do you leave?"

  "Where are you going?"

  Both men spun around and looked at Ella. Jeff had forgotten she was there, and had probably heard too much of what he didn’t want her to. He crouched down in front of her and took in her little quaking lip as she tried to hide her tears. She was a smart girl, and she’d had too many people leave her in her short life. She knew what was coming.

  "Ella," Jeff spoke softly. "You know that you’re my special buddy and I’d never leave you, right?"

  She nodded. "But you said—"

  "I know." He reached up and wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "But just because I’m going to be moving away from the Lodge doesn’t mean I’m going to be leaving you, okay?"

  She nodded but more tears fell.

  "It’s time for me to try something new, is all," Jeff said. His heart cracked a little watching her try so hard to hide her tears, but he knew he couldn’t change his mind. "And we’ll always be special buddies. No matter what. Promise?"

  She nodded again.

  "And you know what the really cool thing is?" Jeff asked with a smile. "I’m going to be working with actors and actresses. And celebrity horses."

  "Celebrity horses?"

  He knew that would pique her interest.

  "You bet. They’re like super famous horses that have their own dressing rooms and everything."

  "No they don’t." She swatted him and turned serious. "Do they?"

  He nodded solemnly. "And they only drink bottled water and eat organic carrots."

  "No they don’t," she said again, this time with a giggle.

  "Sure they do." Jeff pushed to his feet and took Ella by the hand. "Come on," he said. "Let’s get some horses ready for your trail ride before your dad tries to do it himself."

  Bo winked at him as they walked past and Jeff managed a smile. He’d miss it. But sometimes you had to move on.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Eva knocked twice on the door of Andi's suite and waited. She could hear movement inside but nobody answered the door. She tried again and this time added, "Andi! I know you're in there. If you don't want me to reschedule your ceremony in an empty stall in the stables, you better answer the door!"

  The stables. Jeff.

  She shook her head clear of the thought right as the door opened.

  Colin stood in the doorway, looking disheveled, exhausted and very much glad to see her. But maybe it was just that he was happy to see back-up of any kind.

  "Eva." He grabbed her into a hug and squeezed as he drew her inside. "Thank goodness you're here. What’s wrong with your hand?"

  Eva brushed off his concern. "It’s nothing. It feels much better. But what’s going on here? I had to knock three times."

  Colin released her and ran a hand through his already mussed-up hair. "It's Andi. She's losing her mind and won't let me in the bedroom."

  Eva stepped towards the room and looked at it warily. "What do you mean by, 'losing it'?"

  She knew she'd have to deal with a stressed-out version of Andi, but she wasn't looking forward to dealing with an Andi who was freaking out.

  "She told me she was going to try on her dress, so I left her alone and went to the Lodge to get breakfast. When I came back, she was still in the bedroom and wouldn't come out." He pointed to the untouched breakfast still sitting on the counter. "I thought I heard crying, Eva. Crying. Andi doesn't cry."

  "Well, when it comes to the wedding dress, all bets are off," Eva said. "Besides, have you noticed that Andi's been a bit, well, emotional lately?"

  Colin slumped into a chair and took a muffin out of the paper bag. "To be honest, I've been crazy with work, trying to get the Caribbean division wrapped up before the wedding. And I'm ashamed to admit this, but I've kind of left the planning mostly to her. And with her family in town…oh no." He slapped his palm to his forehead. "I'm such a freaking idiot. I can't believe I didn't see it before. The stress of everything is too much. Her family is enough to send her over the edge on a good day."

  Colin heaved himself up from the couch and went to the door. Knocking, he said, "Andi? Come on. Open the door. I'm so sorry I left this all to you. Now, open the door, sweetie."

  Eva sighed and pushed him aside. "Let me handle this," she said.

  She rapped on the door twice. "Andi. It's me. Open the door. I've had about enough of this. It's time to get to work."

  To her surprise, the door slipped open just enough to reveal Andi's tear-streaked face.

  Eva took a quick glance back at Colin who held up his hands in reverence at her skills, and she slipped into the room. Eva didn’t waste any time. She turned on her heel and assessed the situation. "What is going on? You’re getting married in slightly more than twenty-four hours and I don’t think you understand exactly what that means."

  "I do," Andi sobbed. "That’s the whole problem. The wedding is tomorrow and everything is wrong." She threw herself on the bed in a move that was excessively dramatic and as un-Andi like as Eva could possibly imagine. It was then that Eva noticed for the first time that Andi was wearing one of the Lodge robes over her wedding dress. The ivory satin peeked out the bottom, but the robe was securely fastened.

  Everything clicked together for Eva. The tears. The dramatics. The dress.

  "Stand up," Eva ordered. "Let me see."

  Andi shook her head into her pillow. "No. It’s terrible."

  "Your dress is stunning," Eva said. She gently lifted Andi’s arm and tried unsuccessfully to pull her to a sitting position. "You know I wouldn’t let you buy a dress that wasn’t less than amazing." With such short notice for the wedding, they’d been lucky to find such a perfect wedding dress right off the rack and it fit Andi as if it’d been made for her, with very little alteration. Eva couldn’t imagine what could possibly be wrong with the gown. "Let me see."

  Eva sank onto the bed and brushed Andi’s hair from her tear-soaked face. "I’ve never seen you like this. What’s going on?"

  Andi lifted her face. "It doesn’t—wait, what’s wrong with your hand?"

  Eva sighed. The stupid hand was getting annoying. "It’s a sprain," she said. "What’s wrong with the dress?"

  Another look of concern flashed across Andi’s face and then she said, "It doesn’t fit."

  "What do you mean, it doesn’t fit?"

  "It doesn’t fit." Andi pushed herself up and sat cross-legged, causing the dress to stick out awkwardly. "I can’t do up the zipper. I swear it fit when we got it, and I know I’ve been stress eating, but still. I didn’t think it was that much. Eva, it’s terrible. What am I going to do?"

  She made a mental list of all the seamstresses she might be able to get to come up to the Lodge on such short notice, and if needed, although she didn’t think it would come to that. "Andi, if I have to ask you again to show me the dress, I’m going to lose it. I can’t figure out what we’re going to do if you don’t let me see, now can I?"

  Andi sniffed and pulled herself up off the bed and dropped the robe. "See?" She turned to expose her back to Eva.

  The zipper gaped, only a fraction of an inch from zipping up properly. "It doesn’t look terrible," she said. "Have you tried a corset?"

  "A corset?" Andi glared at her over her shoulder. "Why would I need a corset?"

  "Well…" Eva waved at the dress. "It would help. And if you’re going to keep stress eating for—"

  "Fine," Andi snapped and returned her gaze to the mirror. "Where can we get one?"

  "I’ll have one sent up by Fed Ex." Eva reached for her portfolio to make a note. "I’ll rush it and I’m sure it can be here by tonight."

  Andi turned away from the mirror and grabbed Eva’s good hand. "Thank you." She blinked hard. "I mean it. I know I’m sayi
ng it so much right now. But seriously, thank you."

  "You’d do the same for me," Eva said. And they both knew she would, but Eva would actually have to find a man she wanted to be with. Her thoughts flashed unwillingly to Jeff, but even if she did want to be with him, he'd stood her up, making it very clear he didn't want to be with her. "Anyway," she said, changing tracks and focusing on the problems at hand. "How are you doing all this stress eating if you’re sending back everything Bruno makes for you?"

  Andi blushed and shrugged her shoulders. "Is he mad?"

  "You could say that. Now spill. What’s going on?"

  Andi wiggled her way out of the dress, letting it pool in a puddle of satin on the floor. "All I want is chips and chocolate," she said. "My standard stress foods. And I love Bruno’s food, I really do. I don’t know what it is…but it’s just tasting strange right now." She pulled on the robe and shook out the dress, hanging it up on the hanger. "Can you smooth things over with him?"

  "I’m already on it." Eva made another note in her portfolio and snapped it shut. "I’m assuming I can make the final decision on the menu? After all, he needs to start prepping."

  "I know, I know. I’m being ridiculous. Go ahead."

  "Good. Now go clean up and talk to Colin. He’s worried about you." She pulled her friend into a hug.

  "I can’t wait until it’s all over," Andi said. "I just want to be married already."

  Eva released her and gave her friend the biggest smile she could. "It’s going to be amazing," she said. "I promised you it would be and it will."

  ~ ~

  If Jeff was going to deal with Marianne, he was going to need sustenance, which is how he found himself in the kitchens of the Lodge, seeking out Bruno. He could have snagged some toast or leftover pizza or something equally unappetizing from the fridges in the employee housing block, but for what he needed to do today, he needed something good.

  "Bruno." He slapped the chef on the back in some semblance of a man hug and the other man’s face lit up in a genuine smile.

  "Jeff. How’ve you been?" Bruno turned back to his skillet. The smell wafting from whatever he was cooking was making Jeff’s mouth water. "I heard you were living it up Hollywood style. How was that? Meet any movie stars?"

  Jeff smiled and eyed up a pile of fresh baked croissants. "A few. Mostly they don’t associate with the horse wranglers."

  Bruno followed his gaze and glared at him. "Don’t even think about it," he said. "You can have a bun." He tossed him a dinner roll from a different basket. "Word around the Lodge is you have a very beautiful woman here."

  The image in Jeff’s mind landed on Eva and the way her lips tasted on his and the way his body responded to her touch. "She’s not here for me," he said after a moment. "Can you hook me up with some breakfast? I’m going to need it." Jeff took a bite of the day-old roll and pretended it was a buttery croissant. "It wouldn’t kill you to give me one of those, would it?"

  "No. Be happy you get a roll." Bruno waved his towel in the air. "Now, tell me. Carmen said the woman came looking for you. Checked in last night."

  Marianne.

  "Oh," Jeff said and tried not to frown. "Yes, she did come here for me, but—"

  "Nice." Bruno smacked his arm and winked. "No wonder you’re looking for a good meal," he said. "I’ll hook you up."

  Jeff pushed away from the counter he’d been reclining on. "It’s not like that, though," he said. "Marianne and I met on the set and she only came up to the Lodge because I wasn’t answering her calls and—"

  He froze when Eva walked into the kitchen. She was stunning, even with her hand wrapped up in a bandage. But her beautiful smile had been replaced by a frown, and she narrowed her eyes when she saw him. "So, this Marianne. She’s the reason you couldn’t be bothered to show up last night? I should have known it was another woman," she said, stumbling over the word woman.

  "Eva, it’s not like that and she’s not—"

  "Jeff was telling me all about his brush with fame," Bruno interjected. "But you look like you have something you need to discuss." He wiped his hands on his apron, and Jeff could have strangled him with it. "Did Andi figure out the details for the wedding meal?"

  Eva shot him a look he couldn’t quite decipher, and turned her attention to Bruno.

  Jeff stepped aside while the two of them discussed plans, choosing instead to rummage through the food prep area, snatching a few pieces of fruit. He didn’t interrupt, but he kept one eye on Eva the whole time. She cradled her arm close to her chest and scribbled notes with her good hand. She looked so in control and in her element making the arrangements. Despite the fact she’d barely acknowledged him, he could tell she was absolutely aware of the fact he was standing there. It was in the tilt of her head, her stiff back and the obvious only to him way she refused to look in his direction.

  "Thanks, Bruno," Eva said, after what seemed like hours of torture having her so close. "I think we’ve got it all settled. And again, I’m sorry for Andi. Don’t take it personally. She’s totally losing her mind with this wedding. I’ve never seen her like this."

  "Well, at least she has you," Bruno said. He kissed Eva on the cheek with affection and handed her a fresh croissant wrapped in a napkin. "Take this, you deserve it."

  "What? Oh, come on!" Jeff stepped forward and reached out—to what? Take the croissant from her? Pull her in for a kiss? He didn’t know.

  Both Bruno and Eva stared at him, and Jeff stepped back, tucking his hands into the back pockets of his jeans to keep him from doing either thing. His hunger was making him crazy. Either that or it was the woman in front of him. "I was just thinking you hadn’t chosen Andi’s horse yet," Jeff said, trying to cover his tracks. "You should come down to the stables with me."

  Eva straightened her shoulders and let out a sharp breath. "I don’t think so," she said.

  She started walking towards the door and all Jeff could think was that he had to stop her. Even if it was with a bogus excuse.

  "That was the deal, Eva. I told you if I was going to consider it, you'd have to pick one out."

  His plan worked.

  Eva turned around and eyed him, likely trying to figure out what he was up to. "Fine."

  Jeff's heart lifted.

  "But I don't have time right now. Will it work if I come by after the rehearsal dinner?"

  She was testing him; he didn't care.

  "That'll work."

  Eva put her hand on her hip and cocked her head, evaluating him. "And that will give you enough time to get the horse ready for the ceremony?"

  He met her challenge with his eyes and wouldn't look away. "I'll work through the night if I have to."

  "Good."

  "Good."

  "So, I'll see you later?"

  "I look forward to it."

  Jeff only broke his gaze when she spun around to leave, her blond hair whipping behind her. The scent of cinnamon and apple shampoo left in her wake. Sweet and spicy, just like her.

  Long after she disappeared through the door, Jeff watched after her.

  Forgetting he wasn't alone, he jumped when Bruno cleared his throat and said, "You got it bad, huh?"

  Jeff shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter." He turned around and faced the cook. "Even if I did, she has a boyfriend."

  "A boyfriend? Is he here? I haven't seen one." Bruno turned back to his prep table. "Eggs okay?"

  Jeff nodded, thankful Bruno was finally going to feed him. "Especially if they go with one of those croissants."

  Bruno raised an eyebrow, but didn't object which Jeff took to be a good sign.

  "And yes," Jeff continued, “the boyfriend is here. His name is Troy."

  Bruno froze, his whisk held up in mid-air. "Tall, blond, yummy as they come, Troy?"

  "That's the one. I guess," he added. "I never looked at him like that."

  "Oh…I have." Bruno wiggled his eyebrows. "Yummy."

  "Well, whatever. He's with Eva." It was hard to follow along with
Bruno's train of thought, particularly when the smell emanating from his pan was so delicious. And Jeff really had heard enough about how yummy Eva's boyfriend was.

  Bruno gave the eggs one more whip and dumped them in a sizzling skillet. "That's where you're wrong, my friend."

  Jeff perked his head up. "What do you mean?"

  "He's gay."

  "Gay?"

  "Trust me, I know," Bruno said. He tossed in a handful of cheese and chives and gave the pan a deft shake, causing the eggs to flip over. "I kind of have radar for these types of things, ya know?"

  "Uh huh." Jeff's mind raced. Troy couldn't be gay; he was Eva's boyfriend. And if he was, did she know? Would she be humiliated to find out her boyfriend was gay? His temple pulsed at the thought. "You're sure?"

  "Oh yeah. I'm sure." Bruno slid the eggs onto a plate, tucked a sprig of parsley and a precisely cut strawberry for garnish on the side and handed it over to Jeff who'd suddenly lost his appetite. "Eat."

  He shook his head. "I'm still trying to figure this out. Why would Eva be with a gay man?"

  "If I tell you what I think, you better eat. I don't make my special omelettes for just anyone, you know."

  Jeff picked up the fork and cut off a corner. "Deal." It did smell fabulous.

  "It's fake," Bruno said simply.

  "Fake?"

  "Exactly. They're not really dating."

  "That doesn't make sense. Who would she be…what would she be…" Jeff stared at Bruno, but didn't really see him.

  "Eat," his friend commanded and Jeff put a bite in his mouth.

  The eggs tasted amazing, and Jeff's appetite came roaring back. He took another bite and then another.

  "Better," Bruno said. "Now as for your girl, I can't tell you why she's with him. Women are confusing. So that's your detail to discover. Now fuel up and get out of here. I have a lot of work to do." He tossed a croissant onto Jeff's plate and went back to work.

  "Thanks, buddy."

  Bruno waved his hand in the air, but didn't turn around.

  Jeff wolfed down the last of his eggs and took the croissant. Bruno had given him a lot to think about because if Eva wasn't really with Troy, that meant there was nothing keeping them apart.