by Leigh Duncan
He cleared his throat. “I hate to break this up, but Tara, we need to get started if we’re going to get you back here for the Garrison wedding this evening.”
“Good grief!” When she was in middle and high school, she could practice for hours without being aware of the passage of time. Once she’d started college, though, her studies had taken precedence. After that, between her job and her tiny apartment, singing in the church choir had been her only musical outlet. Today, for the first time in ages, the music had swept her away again.
She jumped to her feet. “Let me just run my stuff up to my room, and I’ll meet you at the entrance.” She turned to Evelyn before dashing off. “Thanks so much for letting me join you. I hope I didn’t waste all your practice time.”
“Nonsense.” Evelyn waved the thought away. “I enjoyed it. Let’s get together again, soon.”
Tara’s smile firmed. “I’d like that,” she said, surprised by how much she looked forward to it already.
In her room a few minutes later, she tucked her laptop into her briefcase and dashed into the bathroom to dress for spending another day with Jason. She took a minute to draw in a steadying breath.
She could do this. The ride into town offered the perfect opportunity to deliver the apology she owed him. Of course, she couldn’t admit the truth to him. Couldn’t tell him that the sound of his heart beat had calmed her, that she’d never felt safer than she did in his arms, that she’d wanted the moment to last forever. She especially couldn’t tell him that thinking those thoughts, having those feelings, jeopardized the very reason she’d come to Heart’s Landing in the first place. So, no. She wouldn’t tell him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Instead, she’d stick to the apology she’d practiced. The one that said “I’m sorry” without delving into the tricky matter of feelings.
After that, well, for the rest of her stay in Heart’s Landing, she’d make sure she kept her distance from him. She’d learned her lesson. It was one she wouldn’t repeat. From here on out, she’d simply be a journalist going about her job with Jason as her guide. For the rest of her stay, she’d ignore his strength, his kindness, and his bright intelligence, just like she’d ignore how handsome he was. Instead, she’d concentrate on what she’d been sent here to accomplish. No matter how much she wanted to stand in the protective circle of his arms. Or how cold she felt outside it.
Chapter Nine
At the entrance to the music salon, Jason looked his cousin up and down, trying to figure out what she was up to. “You two sang well together,” he said tentatively. “What prompted that?”
As if it had been the most normal thing in the world for her to make friends with the woman in charge of determining their future, Evelyn shrugged. “She heard me playing and stopped by. One thing led to another. She’s talented.”
“She’s not bad.” He refused to say more than that. He certainly wouldn’t admit that he could listen to Tara’s sweet voice for hours and not grow tired of it. Nor would he confess how much hearing her sing the ballad that closed out their routine had moved him.
“I’ll call you next time we practice together. Maybe you can join us.” Evelyn’s eyes sparkled.
Jason swallowed. He’d seen that speculative gleam on more than one occasion. It always meant trouble. Usually for him. “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever it is, don’t do it,” he cautioned.
“I’m not planning anything.” Evelyn held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.” She slid the lid closed over the piano keys.
Though she sounded sincere, he knew for a fact that his cousin had never joined a Brownie troop, much less been in the Girl Scouts. “Evelyn…” he said using his sternest voice.
“All right, already. I won’t push it.” The sheet music clutched to her chest, she covered the short distance between them. “I guess, now that you’re heading out, I’d better get back to work.”
Jason stepped out of the doorway to let her pass. He tapped his phone’s ear piece. “I’ll be available if you need me.” They parted at the main corridor, Evelyn disappearing around the corner that led to her office. He shook his head. Assurances to the contrary, he was pretty certain his cousin had something up her sleeve. That was all he needed. Not. Not when he already had his own problem to deal with.
At the front door, he shoved his hands into his pants pockets and concentrated on the apology he intended to give Tara. Though he still wasn’t quite sure where he’d gone wrong last night, he couldn’t afford the slightest chance that tension between them might harm Heart’s Landing’s chances. Not that he thought she’d give the town a bad mark over a single mistake. He hadn’t known her long, but his gut told him she wasn’t the kind to hold grudges. No, her openness and honesty were two of the qualities he admired most about her.
Promptness, however, was not one of her virtues. A full quarter of an hour slipped past before he finally heard motion in the upstairs hallway. A single glance up the stairs told him it had been worth the wait. Tara had exchanged her sweats for a loose-fitting top in the perfect shade of brown that highlighted the gold in her hair. Beneath it, a pair of skinny jeans hugged her long legs all the way to slim ankles where the hem brushed the tops of low-heeled shoes. His pulse shifted into overdrive.
“You look…” He swallowed, his mouth dry. Words that normally rolled off his tongue stuck in the roof of his mouth. How had he failed to notice how pretty she was until now? “Nice,” he finished, hurrying to tuck an unwanted surge of emotions behind a thick barrier.
“Thanks.” She plucked at the hem of her shirt. “Sorry I took so long. I tried to check in with my boss, but her phone went straight to voicemail.” Expelling a breath, she fidgeted with the hair that spilled over her shoulders.
The random motions told him she was nervous about something. He had a sinking feeling he was the cause. Though the car keys jingled softly, he kept his hand in his pocket. He didn’t want to leave before they cleared the air between them. “Can we talk for a sec?” he asked as she headed for the door.
“Now? Here?” Tara gave the foyer a cautious look.
“There’s no time like the present.” He drew in his own steadying breath. “I wanted to say—”
“I’m so sorry about—” Tara spoke at the same time.
Silence filled the space between them as their words ground to a halt. From somewhere in the interior of the building, a door slammed.
He grinned. “Ladies first,” he said, glad for a reprieve, however temporary.
“No. I interrupted you. Go ahead.”
He showed her his empty palms. “Whatever I did to upset you last night, I’m sorry. I hope you won’t let it impact your opinion of Heart’s Landing.”
“You?” Tara’s eyes widened. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m the one who owes the apology,” she argued. “I shouldn’t have danced with you. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed it very much—but it was unprofessional of me. I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m here to do my job and nothing else.”
So, she’d liked dancing with him, had she? Her admission sent warmth surging through his chest. In a perfect world, he’d tell her he’d enjoyed those moments on the dance floor just as much as she had. He could have held her close for the rest of the night. The brush of her soft breath against his neck had weakened all his defenses. He’d grown intoxicated on the floral scent of her perfume while they’d whirled around the dance floor. But this wasn’t a perfect world, and he couldn’t so much as whisper a word of how he’d felt. She’d made her position perfectly clear. Besides, his own reasons for steering clear of her were just as valid.
“Look,” he said, his voice soft with the need to shoulder the blame. “I’m just as much at fault. In a few days, you’ll return to New York, while I’ll stay right here in Heart’s Landing. Our paths may never cross again. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.”
“Right,” she said on a long sigh. “So, we’re agreed. We’ll keep things strictly professional between us.”
“Agreed,” he said, despite an ache to hold her close again.
“And we’re okay? No hard feelings?” The tip of her tongue darted across her lips.
“Definitely.” Even as he agreed with her, he wrenched his eyes away. Watching her moisten her lips had delivered a kick straight to his gut. That was definitely on the wrong side of a line he couldn’t cross if he had any hope of maintaining his distance. Stuffing his feelings behind what he hoped was an impenetrable wall, he managed a grin. “Ready?”
“Ready. Where to first?”
He let his gaze fall to her feet. Judging from the cute little bows on her shoes, she was going to love their first stop. “Have you heard of The Glass Slipper?”
“Oh! I was hoping you were about to say that.” Tara pressed one hand to her heart. She couldn’t think of anything she’d rather do than spend the morning in a shoe store…unless it was making another circuit of the dance floor with Jason.
“Well, you’re in luck, ‘cause that’s where we’re headed.”
She didn’t think twice when he held the door for her. But that had been a mistake, she quickly realized when she caught the now-familiar scent of Jason’s aftershave. The smell immediately plunged her into the memory of being held in his arms. She brushed aside a sudden longing, determined to stick to the decision that was best for both of them.
In the car, she rambled on about the weather, then kicked herself for bringing up such a mindless topic. But finding something to talk about that didn’t skate too close to her feelings was difficult in a town where happy couples walked arm-in-arm beneath shade trees. For a while, she thought they’d never reach their destination before she stuck her foot in her mouth. When Jason turned onto Union Street, her shoulders softened with relief that they’d arrived without another misstep.
“I think I’m going to like it here.” The Glass Slipper drew her attention like a strong magnet. “Have you ever seen such perfect signage?” Etched into the window, the name of the shop and the outline of a strappy high-heel sparkled like cut diamonds. Lights mounted beneath the pink awning bathed the entire entrance in a welcoming, rose-colored hue.
“Can’t say I’ve given it much thought.”
She was already out of the car and snapping pictures when a tiny slip of a woman who wore her hair in a towering French twist swung the entrance door wide. “Welcome to The Glass Slipper,” she called. “I’m Opal Burnette. I’m delighted to have you make this one of your stops in Heart’s Landing.”
Jason faded into the background as Opal ushered them into the store’s hushed atmosphere. Tara had no sooner crossed the threshold when a younger version of their hostess stepped from behind a curtained area.
“This is my daughter and fellow shoe aficionado, Laura,” Opal said with an effusive gesture. “Together, we help brides put their best foot forward, whether they’re walking down the aisle or just living their lives. Laura, this is Tara Stewart.”
“The pleasure is all mine.” Tara’s gaze bounced between the two women who looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. “I’ve wanted to come here ever since I saw an advertisement for the store in Weddings Today.” Wearing a happy grin, she turned in a slow circle and soaked up the surroundings.
White walls and carpet gave the main showroom a clean, modern air. Centered in front of a low table, a tufted red velvet couch interjected just the right touch of whimsy. Atop built-in cabinets, wide-screen televisions featured a fashion show of brides striding down a runway, their skirts lifted to show of one exquisite pair of shoes after another. Tiny spotlights shone into individual niches built into the wall. Each held a pair of perfectly drool-worthy heels.
“We focus on wedding apparel in the front room,” Opal offered. She motioned toward a second space off to the side. “Over there, you’ll find footwear ranging from beach sandals to towering stilettos that cry out to be worn on a night on the town. Feel free to look around as much as you’d like.”
Knowing she could spend hours in the store, she looked for Jason. She found him leaning against a wall like it needed his support. “This might take a while,” she warned.
“Take as much time as you need,” he said, peeling himself upright. “I’ll be just outside. I have a couple of calls to make.”
She and Opal traded amused glances as he pulled his phone from his back pocket while, with three long strides, he made his escape. The door had barely swung shut behind him when a pair of heels adorned with ornate silver tips caught Tara’s attention. The scroll work on the shoes looked familiar, and she darted toward them. “Are those Sophie Olsens? I didn’t know she’d launched a new line.” The shoe she lifted from the display threatened to slip from her hand when it weighed more than she expected.
Like she was divulging a secret, Opal leaned in close. “Sophie is a close friend. We’re carrying a few of her styles to help her test the market.” Her gaze shifted to the shoes. “Those feature four-inch heels, hand-beaded teardrop crystals, two sets of cross ankle straps, and extra padding for comfort. The tips are sterling silver. And, of course, her signature scrollwork, which you no doubt noticed.” In a stage-whisper, she added, “Retail on each pair is $1295.”
Whew! Air rushed between Tara’s lips. The pricey shoes were so far out of her budget, they might as well be on the moon. Afraid she might drop one she held and lose a couple of the expensive gems in the carpet, she gingerly handed the heel to Opal. “Have you sold many?”
“Laura keeps track of our inventory. Honey?”
Beneath a bee-hive of dark brown hair styled like her mother’s, Laura pursed red lips. “We’ve handled three sales so far this month.”
Pretty good for a pair with such a hefty price tag. “Do you mind if I mention them in my write-up?” When Opal agreed, she snapped a picture of the shoes in their little nest. So far, no one at Weddings Today had mentioned Sophie’s new venture. Getting the scoop on the story was quite the feather in her cap.
“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to hear more about you and Laura and The Glass Slipper.” Tara opened the notebook she carried with her everywhere she went. Flipping past the list of questions she’d asked of other vendors, she turned to a blank page. “How long have you been in business? What made you decide to specialize in bridal footwear?” She stood at the ready, pen in hand.
A half hour later, she had enough information to write an entire article on her new favorite store in Heart’s Landing. After taking a few minutes to window shop and snap pictures of several elegant pairs of shoes, she thanked Opal and Laura for their time and rejoined Jason on the sidewalk.
“All done,” she announced. The interview had lasted longer than she’d expected. She tapped her notebook. “I have everything I need. The store’s a beauty, and the owners are sweethearts.”
“You liked the shoes, I take it?” Jason pocketed his cell phone.
“They have an amazing selection. I’d definitely come to The Glass Slipper to shop for my wedding.” Her words faltered. “Not that I have any plans to get married anytime soon. I’m focused on building my career right now.”
Who was she trying to convince—him or herself? Either way, it didn’t matter. She and Jason had already agreed that they didn’t have a future together. With a renewed determination to maintain a professional relationship and nothing more with the man whose company she enjoyed far more than she should, Tara squared her shoulders. “According to my itinerary, the rest of the afternoon is free time.”
Jason nodded. “We left a few gaps in the schedule in case you wanted to wander about on your own.”
“If it’s okay, I’d like to spend the time in the library.”
Jason spread his hands wide. “With all this
at your disposal, you’re going to spend the day reading?”
“What can I say? I’m fascinated by the captain’s journals and logs.” She certainly couldn’t admit that the clock was ticking on her secret assignment. Or that she could use a little time away from the man who made her pulse race. She held her breath until, with a dismissive shrug, Jason finally started toward the car.
Once he was behind the wheel, he slowly drove through town. On Bridal Carriage Way, he pointed out the Perfectly Flawless Day Spa. “Evelyn swears by their mani/pedi. She goes there at least twice a month.”
Further on, they passed the Honeymoon Travel Agency. A young couple stood on the sidewalk studying the window posters that featured white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees.
“Do you like to travel?” Jason asked.
“I haven’t done much. When I was a kid, we took day trips to the beach, but we didn’t go on long vacations. It’s too hard to get away when you run a restaurant.” Tara crossed one leg over the other. Once she landed her next promotion, there’d be a lot more travel in her future.
“I hear you. Running a small business makes taking time off difficult. I’m lucky to have Evelyn as a backup, but I still haven’t spent more than a handful of days away from the Cottage since I took it over.” He drummed his fingers against the wheel.
“Where would you go if you could?”
“Europe, definitely.”
“Let me guess. The Eiffel Tower and Big Ben. Maybe the Trevi Fountain,” she suggested, rattling off some of the more popular tourist spots.
“Nope. I’d want to see all the great cathedrals. The Duomo, St. Peter’s Basilica, Westminster Abbey, St. Stephen’s in Vienna. The list goes on and on.”
“You’re kidding.” Now, that was interesting. They were on the top of her list, too. She leaned closer. “What do you like about them? Their history? The architecture?”
“All of that. I’m a bit of a history buff. How about you?”