“He said he’d join us for drinks, so you might have a chance to talk to him then.” Asha’s eyes drilled into Steph’s. “You are coming, aren’t you?”
“I…” Steph’s voice trailed off.
“Steph, you have to come. Jenna’s arriving any minute, and it’s an opportunity to welcome Ryan and Margie back to town. Margie especially needs our support. You’ve heard what happened to her husband, haven’t you?”
Steph nodded. “Yes, of course, I’ll come for drinks.”
Asha grinned. “Great, it’ll be like old times. Like before everyone moved away. Now, I’d better get ready. It looks like I’m about to be inundated.”
Steph turned in the direction Asha had just nodded. Five workmen from Matt’s building site had crossed the road and were walking toward the food truck.
Asha laughed. “Good thing Matt’s not here to see this. I might need to remind them that they should be getting their supplies from the Sandstone Cafe. Matt will probably fire them if he sees them here.”
Steph shook her head in disbelief. “Take another look. It appears they’re being directed this way.”
Both sisters watched as another workman stood talking to Charlie. Charlie had his hand up like a stop sign, preventing the worker’s access to the path that led to the Sandstone Cafe. He pointed at the food truck, and the worker turned and crossed the road.
“Now that’s what I’d call a conflict of interest,” Steph said. “And I think you’re right; Matt will hit the roof if he realizes Charlie’s costing him business.”
Asha shrugged. “As much as I’m all for helping Matt, Steph, karma has to catch up with him at some stage. He can’t have us all rushing about doing nice things for him without paying in some way for his awful behavior. If it’s in the form of a few coffees and muffins, then I’m in favor of Charlie stirring things up.”
8
If Travis and Jodi hadn’t insisted he come with them to Hope’s Ridge, there was no way Buster would be standing at the bar in Traders placing his drink order.
“You need a break from your thoughts,” Travis had insisted. “You’ve had a rough week. Come out with us tonight and spend time with your friends.”
Buster had declined the invite. “I won’t be great company. I’ll come another night, okay?”
“There won’t be another night to welcome Ryan and Margie back to the area, and we should be there for Matt, see how he’s doing. He’s heading back to the city sometime on Saturday, so it’s our only chance to see him in person. We have a lot of jobs running for him right now, and I think it would be good to make sure he knows we’re doing everything to keep them on track.”
“I’m sure you can manage that,” Buster said.
“Not if he has specific questions about your jobs,” Travis said.
“So, it’s a job requirement to go to Traders for drinks tonight?”
Travis grinned. “Exactly. I should have phrased it like that to start with. We’ll pick you up at six. Make sure you shower, shave, and look respectable. You’re looking a bit rough this morning, if you don’t mind me saying.”
Buster nodded, not bothering to reply. He knew he looked rough. A sleepless night, this time not just thinking about Holly. Eve’s suggestion that she could move back in with him, assuming her appeal went through and was successful, had thrown him. He’d known he wouldn’t be meeting with clients, so he’d thrown on the previous day’s clothes and turned up to work.
Now, clean-shaven, showered, and dressed in his favorite black button-down Oxford shirt and jeans, his eyes traveled the length of the bar as he conceded that Travis might be right—a night out would take his mind off everything. He waited while Isaak prepared his drink, grateful for the large measure of bourbon the bartender poured. He was going to need a few of those tonight.
He returned to the table, where Ryan, Margie, Travis, and Jodi were deep in conversation about Ryan’s artwork. Buster sat down, surprised by how humble Ryan was. He’d had huge success with his artwork but played it down.
“Are you still painting?” Jodi asked.
Ryan nodded, nursing his beer. “I’ve got a few commissions to complete at the moment. Once they’re done, I’m thinking of running some classes from the cafe. See if I can get some locals interested.”
“Would Matt be okay with you doing that?”
“He sure would!” Matt appeared at the head of the table, a wide smile on his face.
Buster couldn’t help but notice an unusual weariness in Matt’s eyes as he stood and clapped him on the back. “Great to see you, Matt. How’s your dad doing?”
“Much better. He’s home, and my aunt, his sister, has moved in to help. I’m going to go back for the next couple of weeks, since he has quite a few appointments. But at least with her there now, I was able to come back tonight. I need more clothes and a few other bits and pieces.”
“Can I get you a drink?” Travis asked.
“No, I’m good. I want to talk to Isaak for a second, so I'll order one myself.” He glanced at the empty chairs. “Who else is coming?”
“Asha, Zane, and Steph,” Ryan said. “Although I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been stood up.”
Margie slapped his shoulder playfully. “I don’t think Steph considered this a real date.”
Buster watched Ryan with interest. So it was true, he was interested in Steph. Buster’s gut churned uncomfortably.
Ryan sighed. “Well, I wish she would. Each time I ask her out, she seems to think I’m joking.”
“She sees you as an old friend, that’s all,” Margie said. “You’ll need a bigger gesture if you want her to take you seriously.”
“Take who seriously?” Zane appeared hand-in-hand with Asha. Steph was a few steps behind.
“No one,” Margie was quick to say.
“How about I get some drinks,” Matt said. “Zane, Asha, Steph, what are you all having?”
With their drink order placed, Matt headed for the bar, and the others sat down at the table. Buster did his best to force a friendly smile and nodded in greeting to each of them. He saw the concern in Steph’s eyes when he finally looked her way. He averted his eyes, but she got up, moved around the table, and sat next to him.
“I was thinking of you on Tuesday. Did it go okay?”
“Yup.”
Steph fell silent. He hadn’t meant to sound so curt, but he didn’t want to talk about it. He threw the rest of his drink back and stood. “Anyone else need a refill?”
“We just got started,” Jodi said. “Don’t forget how strong that stuff is.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Buster did his best to laugh as the table fell silent. “Sorry,” he mumbled and walked toward the bar. That had fallen flat. He sat down on one of the stools, the beat of the music thumping in his chest. Matt appeared from the side of the bar, sat next to him, and let out a long breath.
“It’s been a hard week,” Matt said. He motioned to Isaak for two drinks. Isaak was quick to place two whiskeys in front of the men. Matt picked his up and knocked it back in one go. Buster did the same.
“Amazing how you have everything planned, and then life can change so quickly.” Matt turned to face him, his eyes suddenly darkening. “Oh, sorry, Buster. I wasn’t thinking. You of all people don’t need this.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ve had a massive upheaval this week. My situation shouldn’t come into play at all. Your dad’s going to be okay, isn’t he?”
“I hope so, but I can already see he’s not the same. He thought he was invincible. The big man, the big property developer. It’s given him a real shock. He nearly died before they did the stents. Amazing that he’s still with us.”
“What will you do?” Buster asked. “Move back to the city or stay around here?”
Matt ran his finger around the rim of the glass. “I’ve given serious thought to moving to be closer to him, but I have so much going on around here. My dreams are here, and I’d hate to give them up. I suggested to
Dad that he move back with me, but he just laughed. Said he’d never set foot in this place again. He’s still pretty bitter that he feels he was run out of town.”
Buster nodded. Everyone was well aware of Walter Law’s history in Hope’s Ridge. He’d had some good ideas for the town, but many building applications had been rejected due to objections, and eventually, he’d left town, completely fed up.
“We’re also not that close, which is another issue.” Matt sighed. “There’s no rush to make any decisions. I’ll see what happens over the next few weeks. Now, tell me, how are my developments going?”
It was ten minutes before Matt and Buster returned to the table. Ryan had moved into his seat and was now talking with Steph while the rest of the party chatted.
A stab of jealousy ripped through Buster as Ryan placed his arm possessively on the back of Steph’s chair, laughing at something she was saying.
“Jenna!”
Asha’s exclamation had all heads turning, including his. Zane’s sister appeared to be making her grand entrance. Buster hadn’t seen Jenna in at least three years. She’d moved away from Hope’s Ridge right after high school and, from what Zane had told him, preferred city life over sleepy small-town life. Buster had bumped into her unexpectedly in the city one weekend when he had Holly with him. Jenna had insisted they have coffee, and Holly had loved sitting with them, sipping a chocolate milkshake.
Jenna finished hugging Asha and moved around the table, greeting everyone as long lost friends. Which Buster guessed they all were. He stood when she reached him, ready to receive his hug. What he didn’t expect was the warmth in her eyes. She was genuinely delighted to see him.
She squeezed him twice before pulling away, a simple gesture that caused him to blink back tears. The one simple movement transported him back three years to the day in the city when he and Holly had bumped into Jenna. Holly had fallen in love with Jenna instantly.
“She’s like a doll,” Holly had said as they drove back to Drayson’s Landing after the impromptu catch up.
“She loved you, pumpkin,” Buster said to his daughter. “And I think you even taught her something.”
“I know,” Holly said, “my double hug. She loved it. She said it was the nicest hug she’d ever had.”
Buster was brought out of his thoughts by a gentle squeeze of his arm. Jenna didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to; the hug conveyed so much.
Buster sat down as the group started firing questions at Jenna about the engagement party. He was incredibly happy for her. She’d fled Hope’s Ridge after school ended, wanting to get away from the expectations her father had for her to work at the family’s mill. She was a talented graphic designer and worked predominately with advertising companies. She was making her mark in the industry and should be incredibly proud of herself. When he and Holly had seen her, she’d mentioned how happy she was in the city and how she could never imagine returning to Hope’s Ridge. He was beginning to think perhaps it was the change he needed too. Disappear into the anonymity a city could offer. But then, of course, there was Eve to consider.
He gratefully accepted another drink from Zane, glad he didn’t need to make any decisions tonight. He would sit and listen to Jenna and the others and pretend his life was just as normal as all of theirs.
❖
Steph found herself glancing across the table at Buster. She couldn’t help it. He’d cut her off so abruptly. She understood he didn’t want to talk about Holly’s birthday or the visit to Eve, but it was unlike him to be rude. He was also throwing whiskey back like it was water. Her heart contracted as she looked at him. He was doing his best to appear to be listening and interested as Jenna talked about the venue for what was sounding like a massive event for her engagement, but Steph could tell his thoughts were miles away.
“Steph?”
She turned to Ryan, who was seated beside her.
“Do you have plans for tomorrow?”
“I’m teaching a few classes at either end of the day.” She looked across at Matt, who was deep in discussion with Travis and Zane. “I’m assuming Matt might want to meet up at some point too. Why?”
“I was thinking of driving up to Periwinkle. I haven’t hiked the ghost trail in years. Asha was telling me that you and she did it recently. We could go on Sunday if tomorrow’s no good.”
Steph considered the invitation. “Let’s we see if anyone else is free and wants to come.”
Ryan shook his head. “I thought we could take lunch, make a date of it.”
Date. There was that word again.
Buster cleared his throat from the other side of the table, making Steph realize he’d been listening. His eyes bored into hers. She had no idea what he was trying to tell her, if anything. He’d been rude and was now acting strangely.
“What do you think?” Ryan asked, engaging her again.
“Steph won’t want to drive up to Periwinkle,” Buster said. “You should get to know her better before you ask her out.”
Heat flooded Steph’s cheeks. The slur in Buster’s voice confirmed he’d drunk too much. The rest of the table quieted, turning their attention to Buster and Steph.
“Everything okay?” Asha asked Steph.
Steph didn’t answer. If Buster stopped talking, it would be, but if he didn’t, she had no idea.
He didn’t.
“A lot’s happened since you last lived here Ryan. Lots of horrible things that have left some of us damaged. Cars are no longer Steph’s thing.”
Steph pushed back her chair and stood. “Buster, I’ll answer for myself, thank you, and I’d appreciate you staying out of my business.” She turned to Ryan. “I’d love to come on Sunday. I’m free after my nine o’clock class. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to the bathroom.”
She didn’t wait for any of them to respond, just turned from the table and walked toward the bathroom. She sidestepped the bathroom door and headed out of the side entry of Traders. She wasn’t interested in watching Buster drink himself into a coma, stirring up trouble as he did. He was out of line. She pulled her jacket around her as she stepped into the cold night air. She needed to clear her head. Not only had Buster upset her, but now she’d agreed to a date with Ryan. She should have listened to her gut about tonight and not come. She had enough pressure on her without adding unnecessary social stress.
❖
“Thanks a lot,” Ryan said, turning to Buster. “What’s your problem tonight anyway?”
Buster saw Travis shaking his head at Ryan, trying to convey a message. He stood, realizing he was a little wobbly on his feet.
“I mean it, Buster, what’s your problem? Steph’s only ever nice to you, and you make her uncomfortable like that.”
Buster held up his hands, his head spinning slightly. Drinking whiskey on an empty stomach was not a good idea. “Sorry I shouldn’t have come tonight. I wasn’t trying to be mean to Steph. I’ll apologize when she returns.”
“She’s fine, Buster,” Asha assured him. “She knows you’re having a tough time.”
“No,” Ryan said. “It doesn’t matter what anyone’s going through. There’s no need to be rude.”
“Let’s change the subject,” Jenna suggested. She gave a little laugh. “I think I’ve bored you all enough now about the engagement party. How about you fill me in on the town’s developments.” She turned to Matt. “I hear rumors you employed Charlie Li as your foreman. Were you struck by lightning recently by any chance?”
Matt laughed, as did the others, and the conversation quickly changed direction.
A tremor rushed through Buster’s body. His face heated, and he knew he needed to leave. His emotions were getting the better of him. He moved over to where Jodi was talking with Margie.
“I’m going for a walk. Get some fresh air and sober up. I’ll come back in a couple of hours. I assume you’ll be here for at least that long?”
Jodi nodded. “We’re going to order some food a bit later. Why don’t y
ou come back in an hour or so for that? I told Travis that eleven is the latest I’m staying till. I’m happy to be designated driver, but not at two in the morning.”
Buster nodded. “I’ll be back before eleven.”
“Ignore Ryan,” Margie said. “I think he’s interested in Steph, and every time he tries to ask her out, something gets in his way.”
“Well, he got a yes from her tonight,” Buster said, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach. “I’ll see you both soon.”
He turned and walked out of the bar, the cold night air hitting him the moment he stepped outside. The icy blast was exactly what he needed to sober up. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked toward the main street in the direction of the lake.
❖
Steph shivered as she stood by the lake, the full moon casting long shadows across it. She pulled her coat tighter around her. Tonight had been a disaster. From the moment Ryan asked her to be his date, she hadn’t felt good about it. On top of that, Buster looked like he’d hardly slept and was drowning his feelings with alcohol. None of it was a good combination.
Her thoughts shifted to Matt and Heat Wave. It was an excellent opportunity, but was it what she wanted? She hadn’t had any time to consider whether the opportunity was really for her. The one thing she’d loved about teaching yoga was the flexibility it gave her. She turned up, taught the class, then left. She was only responsible for the time in the yoga room, not the running of the business, a new development, or anything else. If the last year had taught her anything, it was to avoid stress if she could. She didn’t cope well with it. Granted, she knew her situation after the accident was more stressful than anything she’d ever had to deal with, but adding all of these extra responsibilities on top of that might be something she’d regret. She sighed. She wasn’t sure what to do.
“Steph?”
Beyond Hope's Ridge Page 13