by JoAnn Durgin
Her mind was spinning after Caroline’s warning. As much as she loved her, Isabella couldn’t help but be disappointed that Caroline held such a low opinion of Sidney. Perhaps running away from home would be good for him. In the short time she’d known him, he’d already relaxed and smiled more, even teased her. She’d liked that more than she wanted to admit.
Isabella reached for the other woman’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “Nothing could spoil our friendship.” At the same time, she appreciated that Caroline hadn’t started the spiel about how Sidney wasn’t a Christian and the whole unequally-yoked thing. Didn’t warn her about the dangers of playing with fire. It wasn’t in Caroline’s nature to lecture. As a general rule, she was low-key and soft spoken. That’s also why she’d decided not to pursue a career in law, and Sidney was one of the best.
“Sid’s also very good at reading people,” Caroline said, breaking into her thoughts.
“Yes, I know. He told me.” Twice.
“That’s one aspect of his character that makes him such an intuitive lawyer. But it also makes me wonder if he’s up to something.”
“Like what?” Isabella lowered her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you have a vial of truth serum to add to Sidney’s lemonade?”
Caroline laughed. “No, but that’s not a bad idea.”
Chapter 6
“Isabella, I can tell something’s on your mind. What’s up?”
Oh, dear Joel. Such a sweet man, a caring friend. If they were romantically involved, this would be the moment when he’d take hold of her hand, stroke his thumb over it, gaze soulfully into her eyes, and say something a whole lot more romantic than what’s up?
A number of people in town couldn’t seem to understand how two people of the opposite sex could be platonic friends without underlying sexual chemistry or physical attraction. What an old-fashioned concept. She’d been close friends with several guys in her undergrad and grad school days. Tristan once told her that all guys subliminally wanted a woman in the physical sense if they were friends. Perhaps that was true to a certain extent, but if a guy ever got too fresh or hinted at anything along those lines, she’d soundly squashed those ideas. Isabella set the ground rules. If a man didn’t abide by them, and if that’s all he wanted from her, then he could move on to the other side of tomorrow as far as she was concerned.
Since she’d shared dinner and a movie several times with Joel—Dutch treat, of course—there were still the inevitable whispers among the townsfolk. Until either she or Joel officially started dating someone else, those rumors would likely continue.
“It’s nothing.” Shaking her head, Isabella took another bite of her chicken cacciatore as if the simple act of consuming food could dismiss her thoughts of a certain man from Beantown. Who’d roared into town like a lion. Helped her save the pickle jar. Sparred with her.
It’s only a pickle jar, Isabella, not saving the world.
Joel chuckled. “My dad always said that when a woman says it’s nothing, guaranteed it’s something. Spill it.”
Isabella pondered her options while taking a drink of her water. Why not tell Joel? They mutually understood the terms of their relationship and genuinely enjoyed one another’s company. It wasn’t like they were biding their time until someone better or more marriageable came along. Well, maybe they were. But she could be honest with Joel and know that anything she confided to him would remain confidential, and vice versa.
“Caroline’s oldest brother, Sidney, came into town today. He stopped at the store.”
Joel swallowed a bite of lasagna, his favorite dish at Manelli’s. “I heard about that, Miss Cacciatore.”
She laughed and waved her empty fork at him. “Very good. That’s a last name I haven’t heard yet. So, tell me. What did you hear?”
“I stopped by Mahoney’s this afternoon while you were out. All Tommy could talk about was Sidney this and Sidney that. I guess that car of his is really something, huh?”
“I suppose. Don’t get too excited. It’s only a loaner.”
“Doesn’t matter.” He chewed another bite. “I hear you got to ride in it. What’s it like?”
She sighed. “Like some kind of futuristic, big red bird.” How many times would she need to tell the story? And why did Joel’s question make her so defensive? Maybe because Caroline had driven her back into town, not Sidney. Logically, it made more sense, but she’d been disappointed. Her disgruntlement stemmed more from the way Sidney had casually waved good-bye and thanked her for her guidance. Then he’d turned aside as though dismissing her. Isabella bristled at the memory.
“You like this guy, don’t you?”
“I really do, against my better judgment.” She swallowed a bite of her roll. “He’s intriguing, not to mention a whole lot better looking than I need him to be.”
Joel laughed. “At least you’re honest about it.”
Isabella looked up as she heard a familiar voice close to their corner table. “Darren, please be a love and go get the car. I’ll be there in just a minute.”
“Yes, dear.” Doting Darren nodded in their direction and departed.
Isabella leaned into a quick hug from the plump woman who carried the perpetual scent of roses, as though she’d bathed in a pool of the fragrant blossoms. “How are you, Barbara?”
“Fine, but I hear you’re even better.” The woman’s grin was too sly for Isabella’s liking. The grapevine in Evergreen was alive and well. Even in Hartford, it hadn’t been this fast.
“Bring your new friend up to the store to meet me, and I’ll give him a jar of fresh homemade blackberry jam,” Barbara said. “I haven’t met a man yet who could resist my jam.”
Isabella sputtered after taking a sip of water. “You must be talking about Sidney Prescott, but he’s not—”
“Oh my yes, is that his name? Pity that, but I hear he’s quite a handsome man, a real alpha male.” As Isabella coughed, Barbara paused as though seeing Joel for the first time. “Why, hello there, Joel. Forgive my rudeness, but I thought you were dating that sweet Nelson girl from Bethel. Imagine my surprise seeing you and Isabella dining here…together.” Barbara moved one hand over her ample chest. “I hope you don’t mind my chatting with Isabella about the new man in town.”
“Not at all.” When Joel gave her a wink, Isabella fought the inclination to kick him beneath the table. Apparently, he’d been keeping something from her. They’d promised to tell one another as soon as they’d met someone new they wanted to date.
“I only met Sidney today,” Isabella said. “I’m certainly not dating the man.”
“Well, then, you must forgive me,” Barbara said. “I must have misheard. From what I know, you looked mighty cozy sitting beside him in that fancy red car of his.”
Don’t say anything. Not a word. If she knew what was best—and Isabella did—she’d leave it alone.
“I’m sure Darren is waiting outside, Mrs. Olander.” Joel rose to his feet. “Let me escort you to the entrance.”
God bless you, Joel.
“Aren’t you such a polite gentleman? Thank you.” Barbara swooped down and planted a quick peck on Isabella’s cheek. “We’ll chat again soon, sweetie. Don’t forget what I said.” She waggled a finger. “Blackberry jam.”
“Oh, I won’t forget.” Although Barbara was one of Evergreen’s busiest gossips, the woman had a kind heart. Her blackberry jam was mighty tasty.
“Okay, so what’s an alpha male?” Joel said when he returned to the table.
Isabella grinned. “Barbara enjoys her romance novels.”
They talked for a few minutes before Isabella broached the subject of the other woman Joel may, or may not, be dating. “Why didn’t you tell me about that sweet Nelson girl?” Isabella hoped her tone didn’t come across as accusatory or jealous. If anything, she’d miss Joel’s company. Single men close to her age weren’t exactly plentiful in Evergreen.
Before she’d met Joel, Isabella had dined solo in town a couple
of times. Doing so had stirred up more trouble than it was worth. Before she’d closed her front door after returning home, the calls had started with well-meaning but nosy townspeople wanting to set her up on blind dates with everyone but the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker. They’d dredged up every so-called eligible guy from Bethel, Oxford Hills, and anywhere within a 50-mile radius.
“I was working my way up to it when Barbara interrupted.” Joel’s regret was obvious. “Why don’t we finish our dinner and then go over to Barron’s for ice cream? I can tell you more about it then.”
A short time later, they sat side-by-side on a park bench outside Barron’s ice cream shop on Elm Street, a few doors down from Mahoney’s. The light summer breeze caressed her cheeks as Isabella licked around the base of her chocolate raspberry ice cream cone. The rich aromas of the flavored coffees from Java Joe’s also sold at Barron’s were inviting. She’d never been a coffee drinker, but sometimes they tempted her, especially when they wafted down to her store during the morning hours.
The fading sun lowered on the horizon as a few visitors strolled up and down the streets, poking in and out of the boutiques that stayed open late to cater to the tourists. The locals knew to shop first thing in the morning or late afternoon close to the dinner hour.
Joel spooned a bite of his butter pecan ice cream. “Barbara can be dangerous to be around. She’s inadvertently let some secrets slip to different people in town. Not that I have any secrets. I was going to tell you.” The poor man sounded genuinely contrite.
“No worries.” Isabella licked around her cone again before the ice cream could dribble onto her dry-clean-only dress.
“For one thing, Barbara spilled the beans to Paul that Liesel was pregnant with Paul, Jr.”
“That’s a shame. I know Barbara means well.” Isabella savored another bite, wishing she could push the woman’s alpha male reference from her mind. Joel was so obviously not an alpha male, but Sidney? Oh, yeah.
“Some people run in the opposite direction when they see her coming,” he said.
Isabella took a bite of her ice cream. “That’s kind of sad, don’t you think? I hope no one ever says that about either one of us.”
“I sure hope not.” When Joel took another bite of his ice cream, he inadvertently whacked her hand and dislodged the remaining ice cream from the cone. Plop! Right in her lap.
“Oh, no!” She didn’t want to sound prissy, but the dress was a favorite and made from linen. Ugh. Chocolate could be a bear of a stain to remove. The saving grace was that it was a floral pattern. If the chocolate did stain, it should blend in with the rest.
“I’m sorry, Isabella. I’ll be right back.” Joel jumped up from the bench and darted inside Barron’s. Coming back outside within the minute, he offered her a handful of napkins. A few floated to the ground as Isabella concentrated on removing the ice cream from her dress. Great. Her body heat had apparently managed to melt the ice cream even faster.
“Here. Let me help you.” Taking one of the napkins, Joel fumbled as he reached for the hem of her dress. Lifting the fabric, his fingers brushed her thigh. Nothing indecent, but this little scenario couldn’t look good. Although he’d caused the spill and genuinely wanted to help, Joel could be a bit clueless.
“Please, Joel. I know you mean well, but I’ll do it,” Isabella hissed under her breath, fully aware of the curious stares directed their way. She snatched the dress out of his grasp. “I’m sure the dry cleaners can get out the stain. Could you please go back inside and ask Becky or Suzanne for a damp paper towel?” Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
“I’ll get it. Hang tight.” Taking the empty cone, Joel hurried back inside the shop.
“Lover’s tiff?”
Isabella’s heart raced. What on earth was Sidney doing back in town tonight?
“Everything’s fine and dandy. Thank you for your concern.” Isabella glanced up at him, putting one hand over her brow as she squinted into the waning sunlight. “I figured you’d be resting or sleeping off the effects of running away from home. Are you lost?”
“Not at all. Seth and Caroline treated me to a grilled salmon dinner at the house. I thought I’d take a stroll to familiarize myself with more of Evergreen, get the lay of the land. Plus it’s good for the digestion.” Sidney patted his stomach, drawing her attention to how absolutely fit he looked in his untucked red polo and khakis. Nice muscles in his upper arms, too, not that she should be noticing such things. When the evidence was in full glorious view right in front of her, what could a girl do?
You’re hopeless, Isabella.
He laughed. “I realize I sound like an 80-year-old.” The breeze picked up strands of his dark hair, tousling them. Especially with that five o’clock stubble on his chin, he exuded masculinity. The image Sidney presented tonight was quite different from the put-together, button-down, corporate image he’d presented earlier in the day.
Isabella liked this image even more. Less uptight. Casual. Friendly.
“All the way into town?” She stared at him. “That’s no leisurely stroll. It’s a five-mile walk.”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “I walked fast, so it didn’t take me long.”
From the looks of him, he hadn’t even broken a sweat. The man was in great shape.
“You do realize Evergreen’s not exactly a hotbed of nightlife activity, right? Nothing exciting here to offer a man like you.”
“A man like me? That’s a curious observation.”
“Come on, Sidney. Anyone can tell you’re the type of man who lives life large.”
“Define large.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Oh, the irony.
Isabella rose to a standing position so she didn’t have to squint in the sun to speak with him. “You don’t do anything halfway. You need to be the best.” When Sidney frowned, she knew she should stop. “Sorry. I can be a little presumptuous at times.”
“Not to mention judgmental.” He sounded more amused than offended.
She twisted her lips. “Agreed and point taken, counselor.” She felt sure he’d already made some judgments about her. Whatever they were, she probably wouldn’t want to know.
“I don’t see anything wrong with wanting to give my all,” he said. “I try to be the best I can, but I’m not in competition with anyone else. I’ve tried it, and that’s self-defeating. Not worth it. I’ll be the first to admit I’ve failed more times than I can count in both my personal and professional life.”
Isabella nodded. This man surprised her with his candor. “Same here.”
“Wouldn’t you agree our failures make us stronger?”
“Yes, whether or not they’re of our own making,” she admitted. “But, to be honest, the failures really…hurt in the midst of it all.”
“I know.” They locked gazes and Sidney’s eyes softened. “I was hoping Mahoney’s was open tonight. That’s one of the reasons I came into town.”
“We close at six Monday through Thursday, seven on Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday. Did you need something in particular?” Goodness, she’d spouted her store hours like an automated machine.
“I forgot shaving cream. And a few other things. Maybe I’ll stop by tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there.” She liked the scruff on his chin. Made him look more rugged, and maybe a little more like he fit in here in Evergreen. Made her wonder what he’d look like barefoot in old jeans and a T-shirt. But she’d hop all the way to Caroline and Seth’s house backwards—on one leg—before she’d ever admit to those thoughts.
Joel returned with a handful of damp paper towels. In his haste to reach for Sidney’s hand, he practically threw them at her. “Joel Haddon. You must be Sidney Prescott.”
Sidney darted a quick glance in her direction. “Guilty as charged. Nice to meet you, Joel.”
“Same here. Did you bring your car into town?” Joel pumped his hand up and down like Tommy had done earlier in the afternoon. “I’ve heard a lot about it.”
Isabella hid her smile as she dropped back down on the bench. Boys and their toys.
“Afraid not,” Sidney said. “I left the car at my sister and brother-in-law’s house tonight. I’m thinking of scheduling a few showings later in the week if you’re interested.”
When Joel stared at him, stupefied, Isabella almost burst out laughing. “He’s joking, Joel.”
“Oh, right.” Joel gave Sidney a fairly hard slap on the back. Sidney didn’t budge. “Good one. You had me going for a minute there.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy to show you the car sometime.” Isabella gave Sidney a sweet smile. “Maybe even take you for a spin around town.”
“Be happy to.” Sidney winked at her or else a bug might have flown into his eye. At this time of the year, it was certainly possible.
When Isabella crumpled the used, damp paper towel in her hand, Joel took it from her, aimed, and tossed it in the nearest trash can—narrowly missing Hannah Martin as she passed by on the sidewalk. When he called out an apology, she waved and told him not to worry.
Joel turned back to Sidney. “So, how long are you staying in Evergreen?” What an eager puppy. Tommy and Joel should start an Aventador fan club.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m taking some time off work and enjoying the scenery here in Maine.”
Isabella tensed at Sidney’s words and avoided looking at him. Surely there was no underlying meaning to that statement, although with Sidney, anything was possible.
“Well, I’ll be on my way now. I didn’t mean to interrupt your date. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” If Sidney had a hat, he would have tipped it.
“Nice guy.” Joel watched as Sidney continued walking down the street, and Isabella couldn’t help but look, too. A few of the townspeople called out greetings and shook his hand.
“Joel, why didn’t you tell him we’re not on a date?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t think to say anything. Should I have said something?”