Surprise Partners

by Gina Wilkins

  She traced his lower lip with the tip of one finger. “Whatever shall we do to fill them up?”

  “We could always sip our tea very slowly.”

  Pressing a kiss at the corner of his mouth, she chuckled. “Any other suggestions?”

  “We could do your laundry.”

  “All done.” She caught his lower lip lightly between her teeth, then released it.

  She was pleased to note that his eyes were starting to glaze. “We could always rotate your mattress,” he murmured.

  Her smile deepened. “That has potential.”

  He stepped back and held out his hand to her. “Lead the way.”

  She placed her hand in his, putting the earlier unpleasantness out of her mind. Scott was here now, and she didn’t want to waste one precious moment with him.

  “I just want to say again how sorry I am. If I’d had any idea that Gary would act that way—”

  “Larissa, it’s okay. I’ve told you—I don’t blame you. But I do reserve the right to remind you of this whenever you get the urge to arrange my life for me in the future.”

  Lydia was packing again, preparing for her trip to Florida, her telephone balanced on her shoulder. Larissa had probably apologized two dozen times during the past few days, taking full, but unjustified, blame for Gary’s behavior Monday evening.

  “Charlie had a long talk with Gary yesterday,” she added. “He’s really not dangerous, Lyddie. He’s just…well, weird, as you tried to tell me. He promised he would leave you alone from now on. I, um, think Scott rather frightened him Monday.”

  Remembering how threatening Scott had looked when he faced Gary in her living room, Lydia wasn’t surprised. There had been no doubt in her mind who was the most dangerous of the two men. She’d been very glad Scott had been on her side. “Good. I hope he was frightened enough to stay far away.”

  “He told Charlie that you are obviously very much in love with Scott.”

  Lydia nearly dropped the phone. Quickly regaining her composure, she spoke coolly. “Yes, well, we’ve just agreed that Gary’s a bit delusional.”

  “You’re sure he’s not right about this one fact?”

  “How many times must I tell you, Scott and I—”

  “—don’t have that kind of relationship,” Larissa finished for her. “So you keep saying.”

  “Only because it’s true. We’re very good friends and I hope we can remain so even after the affair ends.” Though she couldn’t imagine being in the same room with Scott without wanting him, she added silently. Or seeing him with someone else without wanting to cry. All in all, it was probably better that she was moving away.

  “Whatever you say, sis. I’m staying out of it. You definitely don’t need me complicating your life again anytime soon.”

  “Now don’t start apologizing again,” Lydia warned, hoping Larissa would butt out, at least for a little while.

  At the time they’d agreed upon, Lydia rang Scott’s doorbell Sunday afternoon. He opened it almost immediately.

  “Happy birthday,” she greeted him with a smile.

  He kissed her warmly. “Thank you.”

  She had dressed for a casual afternoon at the ranch in a denim vest with a T-shirt and jeans. She didn’t own boots, so she wore loafers instead.

  “You look great,” Scott said, ushering her inside and closing the door behind her.

  It went without saying that he did, too. He wore his jeans, boots and denim shirt as gracefully as his tailored business suits, looking good enough to make her mouth water. Dragging her gaze away from him, she dug in the macramé bag she’d brought with her and pulled out a small wrapped package. “I wanted to give you your gift before we leave.”

  He accepted it from her even as he said, “You didn’t have to get me a present.”

  “I know. I wanted to.”

  While she watched, oddly nervous, he tore away the paper. A moment later, he lifted his eyes to her, looking delighted. “An old Duofold. Lydia, this is wonderful. I don’t have one quite like this.”

  “It’s a 1927 Duofold Junior,” she recited, glancing at the old orange pen she’d found for him. “Medium nib, in fine to excellent condition. I found it at an antique store in Florida.” She’d spent more on it than she probably should have since she knew nothing about the value of collectible pens, but the dealer had seemed knowledgeable and trustworthy, so she had gone with her instincts. She’d wanted to buy Scott something she thought he would genuinely like.

  He reached out to snag a hand at the back of her neck and pull her toward him for a long, thorough kiss. “It’s great, sweetheart. You shouldn’t have—but thank you.”

  And then he kissed her again until both of them almost forgot everything but each other. Lydia finally drew back when his hand found its way beneath her T-shirt.

  “We don’t have time for that,” she chided, straightening her clothes. “We have a birthday party to go to.”

  He reached for her again. “Maybe we’ll be a little late.”

  “And have your sister speculating about what kept us? No, thank you.”

  Muttering about her “obsession” with his sister, Scott carefully added the new pen to his collection case, then grudgingly left with her for the party.

  They were well underway to the ranch when Lydia decided the time was right to share some news with him. She didn’t quite know how to phrase it, especially since she still didn’t know exactly how she felt about the development herself. But she needed to tell him. “I got a call just before I came down to your apartment.”

  Looking very relaxed as he drove, Scott slanted an encouraging smile at her. “Larissa?”

  “No. It was a colleague from Florida, a woman I met in graduate school.”

  “Did you have a chance to visit with her while you were there?”

  “Yes. We had lunch.”

  “Was there something she forgot to tell you?”

  “Something she didn’t yet know. She found out through the grapevine that I’m going to be offered the position there. A full professorship with extensive research opportunities. It’s quite an exciting offer.”

  She was aware that she didn’t sound overly excited. Nor did Scott when he responded. “That’s…great news, Lydia. Congratulations.”

  “It’s not official yet. Beverly wasn’t even supposed to call me, but she couldn’t wait.”

  “You’ll accept the offer, of course.” It wasn’t a question.

  She looked out the passenger window. “I’d be foolish not to. It really is a wonderful opportunity. Exactly what I’ve been working toward for a long time.”

  “Then you should be very proud.”

  “Yes.” She laced her fingers in her lap.

  “How will your sister feel about your moving so far away?”

  “I won’t know until I tell her. But she’s always fully supported me in my career.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be happy for you. But I know she’ll miss having you so close by.”

  “Yes. I’ll miss her, too.”

  They rode in silence for a while, Lydia continuing to watch the passing scenery through her window. Maybe she was feeling so numb about the news because it had been so long coming, she thought. She’d worked toward this goal for so many years. Now that she’d achieved it, she could hardly process the changes about to take place in her life.

  She would be leaving so much behind here in Dallas. Her sister. Her friends from work. Scott.

  It wasn’t going to be easy saying goodbye to any of them. But she suspected that saying goodbye to Scott would prove to be the hardest task of all.

  It was much later that afternoon when Heather cornered Scott under a shade tree in Shane’s backyard while everyone else was involved in a rowdy game of horseshoes nearby. “Having a nice birthday?”

  Because he didn’t want to spoil hers, he smiled and answered, “Great. How about you?”

  “I’ve never been happier,” she said simply, looking at her fiancé, who
was chatting with Michael Chang as they watched the game.

  “That’s nice to hear.” He looped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a hug.

  She slipped an arm around his waist, looking up at him searchingly. “You seem a little distracted today. Is something bothering you?”

  He looked at Lydia, who was being taught how to properly throw a horseshoe by Cameron—who, Scott thought with a frown, was standing a bit closer to her than absolutely necessary. “No, I’m fine.”

  Following the direction of his gaze, Heather said, “It was nice of Lydia to give me the pretty wooden music box.”

  “Yes. She’s like that.” It still warmed him to think of the pen she’d given him, a gift that signified both thought and effort, something she knew he would like.

  “I suppose it’s possible that I’ve misjudged her. She was so good to you while you were sick. I wouldn’t have expected her to take that much time away from her work.”

  The mention of Lydia’s work made Scott’s stomach tighten. He was still reeling from her announcement that she would soon be moving to Florida. He’d known she was looking for a position, of course, and that there was a good chance she would find one in another state. But to hear her actually say the words, to know it was now only a matter of time…he couldn’t even think about it without a sharp pang somewhere in the vicinity of his heart.

  “I still think she’s very reserved. A little hard to read sometimes,” Heather added. “But I suppose she’s nice. And you’re obviously crazy about her.”

  He frowned. “What makes you say that?”

  She laughed softly. “Are you kidding? You’ve hardly taken your eyes off her all day.”

  He grimaced. Heather had no idea why he was reluctant to let Lydia out of his sight today. And he saw no need to tell her yet.

  He wasn’t really ready to hear himself say out loud that Lydia was leaving. Once again, he’d fallen for a woman whose career was coming between them. The very things that drew him to her—her intelligence, her competence, her drive and ambition—were now taking her away.

  He would miss her, he thought, watching pleasure light her face when her horseshoe landed very close to the stake.

  “Scott?” Heather had turned to face him now, her expression concerned. “Something is wrong, isn’t it? Darn it, I was right after all. She’s making you unhappy. If you would only listen to me—”

  Before she could get all wound up again, Scott pasted on a grin—hoping it looked reasonably genuine—and reached out to ruffle his sister’s hair. “Give it a rest, Heather. I am not unhappy. I’m having a great time. But I’m hungry. Let’s go see if there are any more of those chocolate things Kelly made or if those greedy pals of ours have gobbled them down already.”

  He knew she wasn’t satisfied, but he had no intention of discussing it any further with her. Whatever happened now, it was strictly between him and Lydia.

  Chapter Fourteen

  It really was strange, Lydia thought several weeks later, how fast time could speed by. The days following the birthday party simply weren’t long enough for her to accomplish everything she needed and wanted to do.

  The seasons changed almost without her noticing. It seemed that overnight the trees were in full foliage and the days turned suffocatingly warm. By mid-June, arrangements were under way for her move to Florida, and she had finally added the letters Ph.D. after her name. Larissa, Charlie and Scott had been in the audience to applaud her when she was awarded the degree a couple of weeks earlier.

  During those weeks, she and Scott spent as much time together as possible—which wasn’t often since they were both so busy. They didn’t talk much about her upcoming move. Lydia didn’t know exactly how Scott felt about her leaving.

  She only knew it was ripping her heart out to leave him.

  She’d spent hours debating her decision with herself. She liked living in Dallas, loved being close to Larissa and Scott. But she also loved her work, and the position in Florida was exactly what she had hoped to find. She couldn’t justify turning it down because she was involved with a man who had made no commitment to her. Even if he did express an interest in a long-term relationship, could she really turn her back on this opportunity without regrets?

  She wasn’t so sure she could.

  To her relief, there were no more deliveries of roses and no more phone calls from Gary. On the whole, Lydia thought, she should have been happy with the way her life was going. And yet she had never felt more conflicted.

  “You’re miserable,” Larissa said flatly, having met Lydia for a late lunch one weekday afternoon.

  “Now don’t start again,” Lydia said wearily. “I’m not miserable. I’m just a little tired. I’ve been so busy lately trying to get ready for this big move.”

  “I’d like to believe it’s the thought of leaving me that’s making you so unhappy—but I know the truth. You’re grieving about leaving Scott, aren’t you?”

  “I’ll miss him,” Lydia acknowledged quietly. “But I’ve known all along this would happen. It isn’t as if I’ve been deluding myself.”

  “You really do love him, don’t you?” Larissa asked gently.

  “I…” Lydia swallowed, unable to lie. “Yes. But that’s something I’ll learn to live with.”

  “I can’t believe I’m even going to ask this—but have you thought about staying in Dallas? Settling for a somewhat lesser position so you can be with Scott?”

  “I’ve thought about it. I even tried very hard to talk myself into it. But I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair to Scott or to me if I walked away from everything I’ve worked for just to be with him. That’s an emotional burden he shouldn’t have to shoulder.

  “You know how much Mother regretted her decision to turn her back on her dreams for our father’s sake. Maybe he didn’t deserve her sacrifice—or maybe she expected too much in return. But in the end, they were both unhappy and Mother never got over it. I wouldn’t want to ever end up in that position. I would be willing to make compromises for a relationship—big compromises, perhaps. But a sacrifice of this magnitude? I don’t know if I have that much courage.”

  She toyed with the nearly untouched food on her plate. “This is all hypothetical anyway. Scott has never asked me to stay.”

  “And if he did? If he told you he loves you and he doesn’t want you to go? What would you say then?”

  “I don’t know,” Lydia murmured. “I think I would still make the same choice—but I don’t really know if I could still be so strong. I suppose it’s best that he hasn’t asked.”

  Someone stopped beside the table, throwing a shadow on Lydia’s plate. She glanced up automatically, then almost winced when she recognized the woman standing there.

  “Heather,” she said, wondering how much, if anything, Scott’s sister had overheard, “how are you?”

  “Fine, thank you. My wedding consultant and I are having lunch across the room, and when I saw you, I wanted to say hello.”

  Lydia motioned toward Larissa. “This is my sister, Larissa. Larissa, this is Scott’s sister, Heather Pearson.”

  “Actually,” Heather said, shaking Larissa’s hand, “we’ve met very briefly before. It was at the Valentine’s Day charity auction. I bought one of your paintings. It’s hanging in my new living room right now—I love it.”

  Gracious as always to anyone who complimented her work, Larissa smiled. “Yes, I remember meeting you. How nice to see you again.”

  “Heather’s going to be married soon,” Lydia said, trying to make conversation.

  “One more week,” Heather agreed brightly. “And a zillion things to do in the meantime.”

  “How exciting for you,” Larissa said.

  “Yes. You are coming, aren’t you, Lydia?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m looking forward to it.” Heather had sent Lydia a lovely invitation, and Scott had already said he wanted her to go with him.

  “Great. I better get back to my planning. It was nice to see
you again, Larissa. And, Lydia, we’ll be seeing each other soon.”

  Lydia watched Heather bustle away, then faced her sister again and groaned. “I hope she didn’t overhear what we were saying.”

  Larissa looked after Scott’s sister thoughtfully. “I wonder…”

  Scott and Heather stood in the vestibule of the church where Heather and Steve would be married the next day, waiting for their cue to make a practice walk down the aisle.

  “Hang on a minute,” Avis, the briskly efficient wedding consultant told them. “I need to make some changes in there. I’ll let you know when I want you to come in.”

  Scott sighed. “Just how long is this rehearsal going to take, Heather? We’ve already been through it twice.”

  “Now, Scott, I’m only going to be married once. I want it to be perfect.”

  Guiltily reining in his impatience, Scott forced a smile. “Of course you are. And we’ll go through it as many times as you like.”

  She pouted. “You only want to hurry so you can get back to Lydia.”

  “Heather, I said I’m willing to go through it again. Lydia has nothing to do with this.”

  She didn’t seem appeased. “The most important time in my life, and all you can think about is your big-shot doctor girlfriend.”

  He nearly sighed. After seeming for a while to have accepted Lydia’s presence in Scott’s life, Heather had undergone a change during the past week. She’d been very critical of Lydia, missing few opportunities to get in a dig at her. He didn’t know what had set her off, but he’d tried to be patient, blaming it on her nervousness and anxiety about the upcoming wedding. But it was getting more difficult to hold his tongue. “I’d rather not talk about Lydia. We have other things to concentrate on now.”

  Heather ignored the broad hint. “When is she moving?”

  “Next month. Now, do we start out on our left foot or our right when we hear the music?” he asked, trying to distract her.

  “Left. When next month?”

  “Early.” Two weeks, he thought. Lydia would be leaving his life in two short weeks. Already most of her belongings were packed in boxes and suitcases. He had hardly been able to step into her apartment lately, preferring instead to spend time with her at his place where there were fewer reminders of her imminent departure.