“The Sandstone Cafe’s looking like a passion project. It’s so lovely inside now.”
“That’s what I call a profitable passion project—the perfect kind. But the passion is mostly Ryan and Margie, not so much me. I’m passionate about it being profitable and providing a lovely place for the town residents. Still, I’m not thinking about it constantly and what I can do to improve it or bring in my business. As far as I’m concerned, that’s Ryan’s job. He has the artistic eye to make it something special. But with the retreat, I have a personal interest, so I would be more involved.” His eyes clouded over for a moment. “Imagine the difference it would make to someone like my dad right now to check into a retreat. Well, maybe not right now, but when he’s recovered. It’s probably exactly what he needs. And I wish…” He shook his head. “Ignore me. I’m getting carried away.”
Steph felt a rush of affection for the man sitting in front of her. She wished he had finished what he was going to say, but she decided not to push him. She also wished Asha, Zane, and the rest of the town could see this decent side of him. If she’d been asked three months earlier whether she would go into business with Matt Law, she would have rolled on the floor laughing. Yet now, she was seriously considering it.
Matt stood. “I’d better get going. I need to drop in on Ryan and then head to Drayson’s Landing to meet with Travis and Buster. Lots to go through and discuss. Then back to the city and back to playing nurse.” He rolled his eyes as he delivered the last comment, but Steph could see from his pale face that it wasn’t a joking matter.
“Your dad should be incredibly proud of you, Matt. You’re doing a very noble thing.”
Matt shrugged. “No different from what anyone else would do. He’s my dad. No matter what his reputation is, I love him, and I’ll help him now while he needs my help. Although, if I hear one more complaint that my grilled cheese isn’t stretchy enough, I’ll have to employ a grilled cheese master to replace me.”
Steph laughed as she walked Matt back through the house to his pickup. She hugged him before he got into his truck. “Thank you for being so kind. I know this is ultimately your decision, but involving me has given me a confidence boost.”
Matt’s forehead creased. “Really? You need a confidence boost? Steph, you’re one of the most levelheaded and insightful people in Hope’s Ridge. I know the last year or so has been hard on you, but you appear to be managing well, and before that, you always lived life on your own terms, nobody else’s.”
Steph found herself staring at Matt. “I think you’re confusing me with someone else.”
“No way. You’re probably the only person in this town—well, maybe Charlie fits the bill too—that I’ve always been in awe of. You know how to be.”
“To be?”
“Yes. I’m always rushing around trying to make money, trying to prove myself as important or successful. Then I come across you, and you’re calm, happy, and at peace with yourself. Okay,” he interrupted before she could object, “maybe not in quite the same way since the accident, but that’s understandable. People come to your yoga classes to be inspired. You have a quality that’s hard to explain. You ooze health and wisdom.”
Steph had to blink back tears. She didn’t realize Matt had even noticed her before.
“It’s why I wouldn’t hesitate to go into business with you. It will be a huge success on many different levels. In my eyes, the opportunity outweighs anything I could gain financially elsewhere.”
Steph wiped her eyes on the back of her sleeve. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
Matt smiled. “Well, for as awful as I know I can be at times, just know I mean it. There are no hidden agendas or anything else. I’m completely honest with you. I’d love to be partners, but if that doesn’t work, it’s no problem at all. We’ll still be friends, and that’s more than enough for me.”
Steph hugged herself as she watched Matt climb into his truck and pull away. She had many preconceived ideas about Matt Law, and he’d just crushed every single one of them.
❖
Buster sat at the kitchen counter, staring at his phone. It was nearly a week since he and Steph had been on their date, and they hadn’t spoken or messaged. Part of him had hoped she would contact him, but another part felt relief that she hadn’t. He planned to visit Eve later that afternoon and knew he needed to get that out of the way before he saw Steph. As much as he hadn’t rushed to contact her, he’d missed her during the week—a lot. He typed a message into his phone.
Sorry I haven’t been in touch. I’d love to see you tomorrow. Are you free?
He pressed send before he had a chance to talk himself out of sending the message. Based on his lack of contact, he didn’t expect an immediate answer. She’d probably make him sweat a bit before responding. He put the phone down, planning to change out of his running gear into something more appropriate for his visit to the prison. After realizing how out of condition he was on the walk to Spicer’s Peak the previous weekend, he’d vowed to get into shape and had been running each morning. He doubted he’d be able to keep up with Steph, but given another opportunity, he wanted to at least try.
His phone chimed with a message. He picked it up, surprised she’d replied so quickly.
Yes, free from eleven. Lunch at the Sandstone Cafe?
He sent her a quick text back, suggesting they meet at twelve, and then he headed to the shower. He just hoped his meeting with Eve went okay, and he’d be in a positive frame of mind to see Steph.
After the long drive to Tall Oaks, a guard ushered Buster into the meeting room with several other visitors to the prison. If he turned back the clock to before Holly was born, he would have laughed if anyone suggested Eve would be sentenced to a prison term. It was unthinkable. Seeing her across the room in her white jumpsuit still seemed surreal.
Buster’s heart thumped as he reached the table where his ex-wife sat. He did his best to smile, noticing the nervous twitch in her cheek.
“It’s just me, Eve. No need to look so scared.”
Eve forced a smile. “I worry each time that you’re not going to come, and if you do that you’ll yell at me and say all of the horrible things I expected you to say the first visit.”
“I’m not going to do that. I think you’re an incredible woman, and like I’ve said before, I just wish circumstances had been different. Now, tell me about your week. What did you get up to?”
Buster listened as Eve told him a little about the work she did in the prison and the bookkeeping course she was taking. “I’m not sure anyone will employ a criminal when I get out, but I figure at least if I’ve increased my skill base, I might have more of a chance. I could even freelance with bookkeeping, so that would give me more options.”
Before Holly’s death, Eve had worked as an elementary school teacher. It was unlikely she’d be employed in a similar role again.
Buster nodded as she spoke with enthusiasm about the course. If he was honest, he was only half listening, waiting for the opportunity to interrupt and tell her how he was feeling. Finally, his opportunity came.
“I had a visit from Jodi last Sunday,” Eve said. “It was so lovely of her to come all this way. She and Travis are good people, Henry, really good people.”
Buster nodded. She was right; they were.
Red spots appeared on Eve’s cheeks. “I mentioned how wonderful you’ve been and that I hoped there might be a chance of us reconciling.”
The energy between them shifted as Eve seemed to hold her breath waiting for a response.
“I saw Jodi at work and she told me,” Buster said. “It made me realize that I might have given you the wrong impression. I’m so glad that we’re getting along and can consider each other friends again, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for more than that.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to be,” Eve said. “I know I’m not.”
“Oh? I had the impression you thought we might get back together.”
>
“Maybe down the road. I’d certainly be open to it, but it’s not something I’d want right away.” She pushed a loose hair off her face. “Mom’s been getting into my head, which we both know she’s a master at, trying to plan the future she wants to see.”
“But you mentioned coming back to the house. Was that you or your mom talking?”
“Henry, it would be my wildest dream come true to turn back the clock and fix everything between us. I want that and wish it was realistic, but I’m not convinced it is. If you are willing to give us a chance and see if we could rekindle the feelings we had, that would be wonderful. But I’d need to take it slow, and I think you would too.”
A massive weight lifted from Buster’s shoulders. He couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve been stressing since I spoke to your mom that you might do something awful to yourself if I said I didn’t want a relationship. I forgot how good she is at steering us toward what she wants to happen.”
Eve smiled. “Yes, she does it out of love, but I do need to watch her. I also understand that you might not want a relationship with someone who’s been in prison.”
“No, I don’t have a problem with that.”
“Really? There aren’t many men who would be okay with my situation. What do you have a problem with, then?”
“I think we’ve both changed a lot since we first got together, and I also have feelings for someone. It wasn’t something I planned. It’s new and kind of just happened.”
Eve looked as if he’d slapped her. It was a quick look that flashed through her eyes but was replaced quickly with a forced smile. “That’s great. Is she someone I know?”
Buster shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He didn’t want to discuss Steph with Eve. It all felt too weird. “Kind of, but I don’t want to talk about her right now. I think I’ve messed it up anyway.”
The relief in Eve’s eyes was evident at this admission.
“I’m not expecting anything from you, but it’s making a huge difference to my state of mind that you’re visiting and that I know you don’t hate me.”
Buster wished he could reach across the table and take Eve’s hand. She looked so vulnerable.
“Whether you and I can work things out or you find happiness elsewhere, I’ll be happy for you. I know you didn’t mean to let me down the way you did, and I’m certain you wouldn’t let it happen again with me or in a new relationship. I know that waiting around for me and trying again would be like going backward. It’s probably easier for you to forget about me and move on.”
“I’ll never forget about you, Eve. I’m just not sure what I want right now. What I had planned to say was I’m not willing to make any kind of commitment to starting over.”
Eve nodded. “I agree, and there’s no rush. Let’s follow Mom’s advice and take things slowly. No pressure on either of us. We owe ourselves that I think.”
Buster found himself nodding but was replaying her words in his head. Was she still suggesting they try again? He was confused.
Eve gave a little laugh. “I think my priority at the moment is getting released and nothing more than that. Nathan, my lawyer, visited yesterday.”
The rest of their session was spent discussing Eve’s appeal and her lawyer’s feelings about the approach she needed to take.
“Nathan mentioned that having you on my side could make a big difference in how the appeal is received. Is it okay if he contacts you?”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
Eve smiled. “Thanks, Henry. Deep down, I know I can count on you this time.”
11
Steph waved to Orla, the woman who helped out at Irresistables occasionally, as she parked her car outside the Sandstone Cafe.
“Don’t let Asha see you buying coffee in there,” Orla joked as she shut her car door and started across the road toward Irresistables.
Steph smiled. Once Asha had the seating area set up—with heating in place and more on her menu—she’d definitely get a group together for lunch, but right now, the warmth of the cafe was more appealing. She’d arrived a little early so she could see how Ryan and Margie were doing and hoped that having a conversation with them would rid her of the nerves she was feeling about catching up with Buster. It was ridiculous. A week ago, she’d been nervous with their first date looming, and now she was nervous because it felt like they’d broken up, even though they were never officially going out. The relationship had been fast-tracked in the space of a week.
Ryan was tucked away in a corner, an easel in front of him and paint pots scattered on a nearby table. She waved to Margie, who was serving behind the counter, and wandered over to look at what he was painting.
“Wow.” The word slipped from her lips the moment her eyes locked on the painting. It wasn’t complete, but he’d captured the mist hovering over Lake Hopeful with the early morning sun poking over the ridge. “That’s beautiful, Ryan. I thought you usually did more abstract pieces?”
Ryan smiled, his blue eyes creasing at the edges. “Thanks. I thought I’d make the most of a quiet Sunday and try something different. I used to do a lot of landscapes but haven’t painted one in ages. I’m sorry to hear about Heat Wave, by the way. I know you were excited about running the business and the expansion plans.”
Steph frowned. “Sorry? What do you mean?”
Alarm flashed in Ryan’s eyes. “Matt came and saw you, didn’t he? He said he had.”
“Yes, we had a long chat on Friday.”
“And you were fine with everything?”
“Definitely. And appreciative of how open he’s been with me.”
Ryan pretended to wipe his brow. “Phew, thought I’d put my foot in it for a moment. I had a few beers with him last night, and he was talking about the opportunity in Tall Oaks. You already know all this, I know, but he was telling me he’s signing the contract tomorrow, and Heat Wave is part of the security for the purchase. He’s sure he can sell it quickly so the security will convert to cash, which is both his and the buyer’s preference. I think that’s what he said, anyway.” He grinned. “Possibly one or two beers too many to have the facts completely right. Have you had a chance to think about what you’ll do, or has it all happened too quickly?”
Steph stared at Ryan. Why on earth would Matt have made up such an elaborate story if he was planning to sell the property? He could have just told her what he was doing, and she would have had to accept it.
“Are you alright, Steph? You look a little, I don’t know, dazed.”
Steph snapped back to attention. “I’m fine, and no, I haven’t worked out my plans yet. As you said, it’s only just happened. I think I’ll still have a few more weeks running the studio before it changes hands. I might look for some space in town or do something completely different. A change is as good as a rest, as they say.”
Ryan was still looking at her strangely when Buster walked through the front door of the cafe.
“I’ll catch up with you later.” Steph moved toward Buster. Her nerves of seeing him had vanished entirely. She was pretty sure she was in shock.
He took her arm and led her to a table by the window. “Are you okay? What happened?”
Steph shook her head. “Is it that obvious? I just heard something from Ryan that shocked me.”
Buster looked across at Ryan, his mouth set in a hard line. “Do you want me to talk to him?”
Steph managed a smile. “No, it’s nothing Ryan did. It’s Matt.” She went on to fill him in on Matt dropping in to see her on Friday and then what Ryan had disclosed. “I guess he’s trying to play me.” She shook her head. “I honestly can’t believe it. He seemed so genuine on Friday and said some nice things.”
Buster shook his head. “That’s odd. He met with Travis and me to go over the projects we’re doing for him, and he mentioned the Tall Oaks opportunity. He said it was dependent on Heat Wave, and you and he were discussing it further.”
“Did he know we went out on a date?”
Buster nodded. “I did mention it.”
“He probably knows that anything he tells you would come back to me. Whereas he didn’t expect Ryan to say anything. If what Ryan’s said is true, he really is a low life.”
“I can’t see any reason Ryan would make up a story like that,” Buster said. “Unfortunately, Matt’s reputation means I’d assume the information is true.”
Steph sighed. “Me too. I guess it saves me having to make a decision. I’ve been going over and over it in my mind and hadn’t been able to decide. That tells me something in itself. Funnily enough, I realized I would like to own and run Heat Wave. I love the idea of the retreat and expanding, but probably not initially. Until he came and spoke to me on Friday, the one thing that was holding me back was the thought of partnering with Matt. He’d been saying all the right things, but my gut was still undecided. But on Friday, the way he spoke removed all of my reservations. And now, hearing what he said to Ryan, I realize I shouldn’t have changed my opinion or dismissed my instincts. I always say to listen to your gut.” Steph’s words faded as she realized what she’d just said. Listen to your gut. She’d told Asha only a few days earlier how her gut was telling her not to pursue anything with Buster.
“You could still set up a studio,” Buster said. “I’d be happy to help you find some space in town and do any work that’s required to get it up and running. I’m sure your clients would all follow you, so it would be an instant business.”
Steph smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer. I’ll need to get my head around Matt and his lies and everything else first before I think about my next steps. Now, tell me, what’s been happening with you? It feels like a lot longer than a week since I saw you.”
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