by Nan Dixon
“Why are you frowning, Forester?” Gray bit into his bar.
Daniel shook his head, his gaze clouded. “Just...thinking how well you sisters work together.”
“We have to.” Dolley bumped Daniel’s shoulder. “We’re family.”
Why couldn’t Daniel and Nathan work together and enjoy each other? Bess ached because the brothers didn’t have each other’s backs. She’d tried to help. Tried to talk to him about the value of family. When would he learn this lesson on his own?
“What’s left to decorate?” Gray asked.
Bess gave him her most diabolical grin. “Lots and lots.”
Leading the gang outside, she had Gray and Daniel haul more boxes from the carriage house, along with large bags of garland. They carted everything to the front of Fitzgerald House.
“I want the garlands along the wall in the front.” She draped boughs along the three-foot-tall wall that ran parallel to the sidewalk. Then she added white lights and big red bows. “That’s the look I want. Okay?”
Everyone nodded.
Gray and Daniel unrolled and hung the garland. “How far are we going?” Daniel asked.
“The length of the wall.”
“Both Fitzgerald and Carleton Houses?” Daniel asked.
“You got it.”
Bess adjusted the garland’s drape and attached bows while Abby and Dolley wrapped lights. Abby hummed “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Every so often, they all broke into the chorus.
People in the squares or on the sidewalk, stopped and watched them work. “Looking good,” someone called. Bess waved.
Dolley grabbed her camera and took more pictures.
“We’re falling behind here,” Bess called to her.
Dolley crossed the street. “It’s for the blog.”
“There’s garland left.” Daniel came around the corner from Carleton House.
“Ah, grasshopper.” Bess patted his arm. “We’re not done yet.”
Abby shook her head. “I thought you knew Bess by now.”
“I guess I don’t.” The grin on Daniel’s face lit up his eyes.
Daniel hadn’t looked this happy since the last time they’d made love. Had Dolley set Daniel up with Anne? Fearing the worst, she asked, “Did something happen?”
“Mom called. Pop was accepted into the clinical trial.” Daniel closed his eyes. “He’s got a shot at beating this disease.”
Relief flowed through her like a river. She hugged him. “Fantastic!”
Daniel hesitated, then hugged her tight. His hug was like coming home.
Abby and Dolley wrapped their arms around Bess and Daniel.
“This is wonderful,” Abby said. “What else do you know?”
“Hang on.” Bess pointed to the porch. “Daniel can tell us while we work.”
Gray hung the massive wreath over the entrance. Daniel and Bess wrapped pillars with garlands and lights. And Dolley and Abby wrapped the porch railings with more garlands and lights. Warmth filled Bess’s chest as everyone worked together.
“His chemo starts today.” Daniel handed Bess another string of lights. “He’ll receive chemotherapy four days in a row, for four weeks.”
Bess recalled their conversation the day they’d demoed the third floor. Looking at the bare room they’d seen something...hopeful. Now Daniel’s father had the potential to lick this disease. “It’s a possibility.”
Daniel grinned. “It is.”
Dolley shook her head. “You two have worked together too long. You have your own language.”
“My folks will be back for Thanksgiving,” Daniel added. “The staff is adjusting the schedules to let them come home for a few days.”
“Samuel’s a fighter,” Gray called from his ladder. “He’ll get through this.”
“You should have seen him the day after his transfusion.” Daniel’s grin hadn’t faded. “He acted like he could have run a marathon.”
“Are we done?” Dolley asked.
Bess pointed to the balconies.
“Today?” Dolley whined.
“You have a choice,” Bess said. “Front or back.”
Dolley raised her hands. “Back.”
“I’ll help Cheryl set up afternoon tea.” Abby headed inside. “Then Gray and I will help Dolley.”
Gray’s phone rang and he headed inside.
Just like that, Bess and Daniel were alone. “You can leave,” she offered.
Daniel shook his head. “I’ll help with the balconies.”
It was nice having a strong man haul everything into the rooms. And she and Daniel had begun to relax around each other. Maybe Daniel had been right—maybe they’d become friends.
“It’s nice to see you smile.” Bess passed him a string of red lights. Their fingers brushed and she ignored the sizzle racing to her core. “It must have eased your mind knowing your dad qualified for the trial.”
“It’s a relief.” His smile added juice to the stupid sparks dancing inside her.
They moved to a tiny second-floor balcony. Every time she shifted, she brushed against his arm, leg or chest. She couldn’t take a breath without inhaling his aftershave. She plugged the lights into the timer. Standing, she backed into Daniel and stumbled.
His hands clutched her hips. And stayed there. He turned her so they were face-to-face. His brown gaze captured hers and held.
“Bess?” The growl in his voice rumbled through her body.
“What?” she whispered. She should run.
He tugged her closer.
Her arms wrapped around his back.
“I screwed up.” He stroked her cheek. The gold flickered in his eyes like twinkling stars.
“How?” The words croaked out of her throat.
He bent, his lips barely touching hers. “I should never have pushed you away.”
Her body quaked. Could she do this? Could she let him into her life again? He’d hurt her so much already. But she loved him.
She pushed onto her toes and kissed him.
Daniel’s mouth crushed hers. She anchored her fingers in his hair and hung on. Desire burned through her like a wildfire. Her hips brushed against his erection.
When they pulled apart, they were both panting.
“I missed you,” he murmured in her hair.
“Really?”
“Despite the heat we generate, being with you...calms me.” He cupped her face. “You help me make sense of my life.”
“I make you crazy.”
“You do.” His hips rubbed hers. “And when you do something—impetuous—I can’t understand why.”
“Like talking you into keeping Carly—” she choked the words out “—or forgetting we had dinner plans?”
He stroked a finger down her cheek. “Yeah.”
“I’ll probably never stop doing crazy things.” She braced for his rejection.
“I’m starting to understand that.”
She dropped her arms. “What do you want?”
His arms slipped away from her. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Her foolish heart pounded harder. She slumped against the French door. “Okay.”
He moved toward her, but stopped. “Okay—means what?”
Would she regret her next statement? She’d missed him. “We can try again.”
“If we’re together—” he cupped her face “—I don’t want this to be a secret.”
She inhaled. “You want to tell people?”
He nodded.
“But...” She trailed off.
“Are you ashamed to be with me?” Pain flickered through Daniel’s mocha-colored eyes.
“No.” She shook her head. “It’s the expectation of family and people. And...”
>
“And?”
She bit her lip. It felt as if she were jumping off a cliff. “I think this is the best idea you’ve had in a long time.”
* * *
MAYBE THIS WASN’T such a great idea. Bess chewed her thumbnail as she and Daniel walked across Fitzgerald House’s courtyard. “Are you sure you want to let our families know?”
“It’s only been twenty-four hours.” Daniel took her hand. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”
Second thoughts? Try fortieth or fiftieth.
But Daniel, the ultimate planner, wanted people to know. Tonight at Fitzgerald House was their official first outing. Abby had invited the brothers over for dinner.
After hanging their coats next to the kitchen door, Bess pulled Daniel into the center of the family sitting area. The spicy scent of Abby’s chili filled the room.
“Hey, Bess,” Abby called.
Instead of answering, Bess said to Daniel, “Ready?”
“Always.” Daniel pulled her close.
His mouth closed on hers. Zings pinballed through her body. The clatter of pans stopped, or maybe she’d gone deaf from his kiss.
Daniel drew away, pressed a kiss on her forehead and tucked her under his arm.
She opened her eyes.
Abby’s and Dolley’s mouths hung open. Gray grinned and Nathan gawked. No one moved. The only sound in the kitchen was the bubbling from the pot on the range.
“Any questions?” Daniel asked.
Dolley came out of the trance first. She fanned her face like she was overheated. “Do you two need a room? We have a vacancy.”
Everyone laughed.
Daniel brushed a kiss on Bess’s nose and guided her to the kitchen area.
“How long has this been going on?” Nathan’s voice was almost too nonchalant.
“A while,” Bess admitted without saying they’d broken up at least once.
“You sure can keep a secret.” Abby shook her head. “What does everyone want to drink?”
Apparently the relationship discussion was finished.
“Something smells good.” Daniel took a sip of his ginger ale, his arm still around Bess.
“It’s my curl-your-toes chili.” Abby grated cheese into a bowl.
Dolley sliced black olives. Gray cut cornbread and opened sleeves of crackers.
“I’ll set the table.” Bess slipped away. Daniel and Nathan helped her.
“You’re in my way, Bessie.” Nathan lifted her away from the table.
“Stop.” Bess rolled her eyes at Nathan. “And don’t call me Bessie. I sound like a cow.”
Nathan mooed. “Why did you fall for the serious twin and not me?”
Daniel’s lips formed a straight line. Bess laid a hand on Daniel’s arm, and whispered. “Don’t make a big deal out of his teasing.”
Daniel gave brisk nod. But while they ate, she caught him frowning at his brother.
“This tastes as good as it smells,” Nathan said.
Bess pointed her spoon at Abby. “You should put together a cookbook for the gift shop.”
“I’ll start with recipe cards first.” Abby wagged her head. “If there’s a good response, maybe I’d expand to a cookbook.”
“I’ll shoot your pictures.” Dolley leaned forward. “It would be great experience.”
“You’re getting into this new hobby of yours,” Bess said.
Dolley shrugged. “I always liked photography.”
The conversation circled around to Samuel’s first two treatments.
“How’s your dad doing?” Abby asked.
“Mom says the treatments take a lot out of him.” Nathan grimaced. “Wish the trial was closer so we could help them out.”
“Best we can do is stay on top of our jobs.” Daniel ladled out another spoonful of chili.
“Speaking of jobs,” Dolley said. “Any chance we can open some room before February at Carleton House?”
Daniel pulled out his phone. “Maybe the first floor by early January, but we have a lot of rock to install on the third floor. There’ll be dust.”
“Will that be done by the first of the year?” Abby asked.
He shook his head. “Mid-January.”
“So we still plan to open the beginning of February?” Dolley asked.
“That’s the plan,” Bess said. “That gives us two weeks to clean and set up.”
Daniel tapped her nose. “You’ve been checking my schedule.”
“Maybe.” She bumped his shoulder.
“Key question,” Dolley added. “How many rooms can we market for St. Paddy’s Day?”
Daniel scrolled to the schedules. Bess peered over his shoulder. “Everything,” he said.
“You’re sure?” Dolley asked. “It’s our biggest season.”
“You think Bess hasn’t warned me?” Daniel added drily.
Dolley scrunched up her mouth. “We just want to get everything open. We’ve got to pay back our almost brother-in-law.”
“Don’t blame me.” Gray held up his hands in protest.
“Dolley, ease up,” Bess said.
“Let’s clean these dishes,” Abby suggested.
With six people working together, the dishes were handled.
“Daniel, can you help me grab beers?” Bess asked.
“Sure.”
“You are so hooked.” Nathan curved his finger into his mouth, trying to look like a fish on a fishing line.
Daniel shot him his middle finger.
A flash went off. “I should send that to your mother,” Dolley threatened.
“Don’t you dare,” Daniel said.
“Then we need proof that you boys are behaving. Everyone gather round.” Dolley composed the shot moving people around like they were mannequins.
“Come on already,” Gray huffed.
“Perfection takes time.” Dolley perched the camera on the back of the sofa. “Bess, sit next to Daniel. Leave me a space next to Abby.”
Dolley set the timer and ran into the picture to their laughter.
She took several shots. Bess cringed when she saw them. Daniel sat next to her, but the hand on her shoulder was Nathan’s.
Had it been a mistake to let everyone know they were dating? Was Nathan trying to irritate Daniel?
She hoped not. She’d been working to ease their problems, not aggravate them.
* * *
BESS CAREFULLY SET the bouquet back in the finishing solution.
“It’s gorgeous.” Molly brushed the combination of dahlias, chrysanthemums and lavender. “The bride’s going to be wowed.”
“I hope so.” Bess shut the cooler door.
“Did Cade convince you to work on the Christmas decorating for him?”
Bess nodded. “I’m going to tell him yes today.” And then she would see if he was willing to adjust their wholesale agreement.
“At least we have a week before we start.”
“I’ve already finished decorating the outside of the B and B.” She smiled. And gotten back together with Daniel. Their families knew, but Bess hadn’t told Molly. Maybe it was time. She cleaned up leaves and stems and piled them into the compost bucket.
“So, Mol, I’ve been going out with Daniel.”
Molly eyes went wide. She stuffed her compost in the bucket. “You have? When did this start? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Bess laughed. “Yes. For a while. We just told the families.”
“We have to have drinks.” Molly checked her watch. “Darn it. I told Jimmy I’d meet him at the Darius place.” She pointed her finger. “You will tell me everything.”
“Sure. Go.” No way would she tell Molly everything.
In the past two weeks, she and Daniel had been together almost every night. Because of Carly, she stayed at his house. With her place filled with boxes, it was more home than her own space. Weird, since all she’d wanted for months was to be able to buy her apartment.
After storing everything, Bess headed into the shop.
“Hi.” Cade waved as he rang up a client.
She waited, wandering the shelves of products.
“What’s up?” Cade asked.
“I’m good with working on the Christmas decorating.”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve also bid on another freelance project.” She hadn’t heard from Jamie yet. “I’m wondering if we can tweak our product deal.”
“What are you thinking?”
They worked out a percentage over wholesale she would pay. Bess stuck out her hand. “I think it will work for both of us.”
“Thanks, Bess.”
“I do need to haul more plants over to Carleton House.”
“Want to borrow a truck?”
“Yes.”
“Anytime.” He dug keys out from behind the counter.
“If I get the job on Hilton Head, can I rent some of your equipment?” She’d budgeted for equipment rental, but Cade might give her a better deal.
“Absolutely.” Cade moved around the counter and handed her the keys. “We’ll work something out.”
He helped her load azaleas and the lemon and grapefruit trees she’d set aside last week.
“Thanks.” She closed the tailgate with a thud.
“No. Thank you.” He stared at his boots. “After I let you go, you could have taken your business to another nursery. I appreciate that you didn’t. I appreciate you helping Jimmy with the Tybee project and adding to his training.”
“You taught your son to respect the land and plants.”
Cade was still smiling as she pulled out of the lot. Maybe respect was the problem with Daniel and his brother. They still didn’t have an easy relationship. She was on a positive roll, getting back together with Daniel and negotiating a new agreement with Cade. Maybe she should work her magic on the Forester brothers, once and for all.
* * *
DANIEL RIPPED HIS hands through his hair. He’d never get the invoices out if he couldn’t read his brother’s handwriting.
“Nathan,” he hollered.