by Vella, Wendy
“I’m sorry about that back there. Peter, my husband, can be a bit aggressive when he drinks.”
“He’s your husband?” Ted was shocked.
“Second one.” Her smile was brittle.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t have my staff abused.”
“You’ve changed.” She touched his arm again.
“We all change, Anna, time makes that happen.” And circumstance, he added silently.
“Can we catch up, Edward, for a drink?”
“I’m busy, sorry.”
“I was so sorry about Emily, Edward. Please.” She moved closer, pressing into his side. “For old times’ sake.”
Ted had a feeling she was offering more than a drink, and the thought made him sad. Anna had been the one person in his life who he’d believed was really happy with the person she was. He’d believed she would always do exactly what she wanted in her life. Be someone who wouldn’t settle. It seemed he’d been wrong.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have time.”
“I missed you.” Before he could stop her, she’d wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Oh! Sorry.”
With the perfect timing he’d had since childhood, those words were spoken over his shoulder by Mandy. Wrenching free from Anna, he turned and grabbed her wrist before she made her escape back into the kitchens.
“Mandy!” He hauled her into his side. “Come and meet Anna. She’s an old friend,” he said, hearing the panic in his tone.
“Hi.” Mandy didn’t fight the arm he slipped around her waist, but she was rigid. Anna’s eyes narrowed.
“I see. I’m sorry, I’ve just made a fool of myself.”
Ted wasn’t sure what Anna saw looking at him and Mandy, but whatever it was it had her withdrawing.
“Not from where I’m standing,” Mandy said in that polite little voice as she tried unsuccessfully to get away from Ted. “I see a woman greeting her old friend.”
He looked down at her. The old Mandy would never have spoken that way. In fact, she’d have stayed silent; instead she was giving Anna an out. His chest felt warm again.
“Yes, well. Edward and I were college friends. Our parents used to vacation together. Due to his family’s connections, they often hosted parties.” Anna’s laugh was forced. “Good to see you again, Edward.”
Ted watched Anna go and felt only relief.
“You can let me go now, she’s gone.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Ted—”
“I didn’t instigate that kiss, Mandy.”
“I know that. Anyone could see you were uncomfortable.”
“Okay, good,” he said, relieved she’d understood.
“Besides, it’s not for me to say who you can kiss or not. We… I mean there’s nothing between us. Now, you need to let me go so I can grab a pen from reception for Kirby.”
Oh, there was something between them. Ted just wasn’t sure what.
“You don’t want to ask me anything after that conversation?” Ted turned her to face him.
She was hot, her face flushed. Wisps had come out of her braid, and she looked good enough to kiss, even in that dirty apron.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Your family’s connections are none of my business. If you’d wanted to talk about them, I’m sure you would have by now.” The clipped tone of the words told him that in fact she was pissed off, even though she said she wasn’t.
“So no questions. That’s how this is going, right, Mandy?” Ted wasn’t sure why he was pushing the matter, as it was exactly what he wanted. No one here knew who he was or where he came from. He’d thought that weird in the beginning, but now he realized that his other life was so distant from this one, no one really cared.
She nodded again.
“Why are you pissed off with me then?”
“I’m not.” Her eyes were focused on his left ear.
“You sound worked up. Why?”
“You have a big ego if you think I’m worked up over you.” She tried to push at his chest, but Ted wasn’t budging. As luck would have it, there was a closet to the left behind her. He knew it was deep and filled with cleaning equipment.
“You know what I think, Mandy? I think you’re jealous.” He walked her backward, then reached around her and opened the closet. Nudging her in there, he shut the door behind him.
“Wh-what are you doing? I have to work, let me out!”
“As your employer, I’m giving you a break.” Ted wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in nice and close, then kissed her, hot and hard. He didn’t waste preliminaries by easing into it.
She didn’t want to respond. The hands on his chest clenched into his shirt, but she couldn’t help it. Like him, when they touched it was like an explosion of sensation.
“Damn, you’re sweet,” he whispered against her lips. “I want you, Mandy.”
“Why now? You’ve had eight days to want me.”
Her face told him she wished she’d left those words inside her head.
“You’re right, I have. I should have made contact with you. I was a coward.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t know what to say to you.”
Her laugh held no humor. “You don’t honestly expect me to believe that, do you? Mr. smooth-talking Ted Hosking had no words?”
She wore a dress beneath the apron, so he slid his hand under the hem and up a silken thigh. She didn’t push him away, her hands instead gripping the front of his shirt.
“It’s the truth. You get to me, and I don’t know what to do about it.”
She sighed as he touched the silk of her panties.
“We can’t—”
“We can.”
He touched her, stroking the essence of her, stoking the fires of need. Sliding his finger beneath the fabric, he found her damp and ready.
“God, what you do to me.” He said the words against her lips.
The rattle of the door handle had him lowering her skirts quickly.
Light filtered in.
“Oops, sorry, just getting a mop.”
Ted looked over his shoulder and saw a grinning Fin Hudson, and then they were in the dark again.
“I’ll never live this down,” he gritted out.
“You? What about me? I cannot believe I did that. Can’t believe I would behave that way!”
She was furious suddenly. Gone was the passion, and in its place was anger.
“Mandy—”
“I know that maybe this is what you do, and casual affairs are something—”
“Excuse me!” Ted felt his own anger rise. “What are you implying?”
She pushed him away from her, then eased around him, which wasn’t a simple maneuver in a small space and had her lovely body brushing against his painfully aroused one.
“Nothing. Just leave it, Ted.”
“Leave what, exactly? You’ve just accused me of having casual affairs like I order takeout.”
“Well, I don’t know you, do I.”
It was dark in there, but the light under the door allowed him to see her. She was confused and no doubt aroused. Excellent, that made two of them.
“I don’t know you either, Mandy.”
“I’m not like you, Ted. I haven’t done this before. I don’t understand the rules.”
“There are no rules. Tell me what you want, Mandy. Tell me what you’re feeling?” He asked her questions he’d never answer himself, but he wanted the truth from her.
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry I’ve stayed away from you.”
“Okay, and I’m sorry I’ve stayed away from you,” Mandy added.
“I do believe we’re communicating,” Ted said.
“In a broom closet.” She gave him a small smile.
“Tell me something about your past? Something that explains the woman I want.”
“We both have secrets, Ted. Let’s keep it that way.�
�
“You know one of mine now.”
“That your family has connections? I don’t think that constitutes knowing something.”
“Sure it does.”
“So I should tell you something?”
She looked lost again; he hated that, it made him hurt.
“My secret is dark and dirty and has the power to change my life if it ever gets out. I can’t share it, Ted. All I can tell you is that the life I started out living wasn’t this one.”
He touched her cheek because he had to try and erase some of her pain. But she stepped back out of his reach, then left the closet and him.
Chapter 25
The Ryker Falls annual summer parade was something the locals looked forward to all year. Out-of-towners and locals alike came to watch it, and Mandy knew Main Street would be absolutely packed with people.
Everyone who was to take part in the parade congregated at the starting point, the fire station, where the floats were assembled.
“It’s hot as hell today, Mandy. Take off your coat,” Aunt Marla demanded. “We’re about to start soon.”
They were all dressed as fairies, but unlike her aunts, Mandy’s costume was revealing. She’d been a fool to trust them when they’d said to leave the details to them.
“Remove that coat, Mandy,” Aunt Sarah said in her best schoolteacher voice.
“I think you made a mistake with this costume. It’s…. Well, it shows off too much flesh. I don’t know why I let you force me into it.”
The truth was, it hadn’t felt so revealing when she’d pulled it on at her aunts’ house. They’d bustled her into it and her coat, then out the door before she could protest. Besides, she’d felt confident in it when no one was looking. Her confidence had dwindled to zip now. “I might just go home and change. I’m not sure it’s the right fit for what we’re trying to achieve.”
“Mandy Robbins, you take that coat off now,” Aunt Marla demanded again.
She was seated in the tea cup on the float, as she didn’t want to stand too long on her leg. “You’re looking for excuses is all. Right fit,” Aunt Sarah scoffed. “That’s the most foolish thing I’ve ever heard. You look young, beautiful, and exactly like the woodland fairy we want you to be. So stop all the silly talk.”
“Yes, dear, your face is quite red now, and you must be sweltering under all that material,” Aunt Marla added.
They wore silver and green. Silk underneath, with sheer overdresses that came to their ankles. On their gray hair were flowered wreaths.
“My dress is a great deal more revealing than yours. I think you did that deliberately.”
Neither of them showed any sign of remorse at her words.
“You’re young, have a lovely body, and are trying to change. Besides, it’s not like you’re naked.”
“I may as well be.”
Aunt Sarah held out her hand, and Mandy reluctantly took off her coat. To be honest, it was a relief. She was sweltering under there.
“You look lovely, darling,” Aunt Marla said, looking like a queen sitting in that cup.
Looking left and right, Mandy saw everyone was busy and no one seemed to have noticed she was wearing a short, tight, and revealing woodland fairy outfit.
Taking Aunt Sarah’s hand, she helped her up the steps and into the tea cup beside her sister. She then handed them the small basket filled with sweets.
“Try not to bean anyone this year with them,” Mandy said.
“I only aimed for that obnoxious Brantley Oaks. The boy needs to learn some manners,” Aunt Marla said.
The tea cup was painted in the colors of a toadstool, red with white spots. Around it were smaller cups and saucers in various colors. On top of plates were muffins and scones made of foam. They’d put flowers and greenery, and soft toy rabbits and bunnies all over the place too.
“I think this is the best float yet,” Aunt Sarah said.
“It does look good, as do you three ladies. Nice outfit, Mandy.”
“Hi, Luke.” Mandy resisted the urge to tug up her bodice and down her hem. He was dressed in his firefighter uniform and this year was once again on the Trainer family float.
“You need anything or good to go?”
“We’re good to go, thanks, Luke,” Mandy said.
“He’s such a sweet boy,” Aunt Sarah said when he walked away. “They all are. Ted looks annoyed about something.”
Searching for him, she saw the Falls Lodge float. They’d gone for a safari theme, and some of the staff were dressed as animals. Ted wore what looked to be a ranger uniform. He was walking away from the float.
“He’s frowning,” Aunt Sarah added. “Go and see what’s wrong with him, Mandy.”
“Why me?”
She’d spoken to him a few times since they’d had that heated, in more ways than one, discussion in the broom closet.
“Because he’s our friend. And friends look out for each other,” Aunt Marla said.
Mandy had decided not to overanalyze whatever this was between her and Ted, but to let it take its course in whatever form it did. Besides, they both had to live in this town; she’d rather do that harmoniously.
“There are plenty of people about who could do that, Aunt Marla.”
“Well, as he’s coming this way, perhaps you could go down there and meet him.”
Her aunts both made shooing gestures.
“I’m not a cat,” Mandy muttered, getting back down off the float.
“No, you’re not, but what you are and have always been is a sweet-natured girl who cares about people,” Aunt Sarah said.
“That’s a low blow.” Mandy moved to the right, so that if Ted wanted to speak with her he could, but if he didn’t, it looked like Mandy was checking their float.
“What are you doing?”
She turned at his words, and he stopped before her. His scowl was fierce.
“Looking at the float. Is something wrong?”
“I’m dressed as a park ranger and have to sit on a float filled with my staff dressed as animals. What could possibly be wrong?”
His eyes were on her costume. Moving slowly down her body.
“It’s rude to stare,” Mandy found the courage to say.
“How could I not? Nice dress.”
“I hate it.”
“Why wear it then?”
“Because my aunts conned me.”
The frown eased from his face as he smiled.
“Again? You’d think you’d be onto them by now.”
“You’d think so.”
“At the risk of making you angry, can I just say you look sexy as hell, and if it was up to me, I’d pick you up, take you home, and ravish you.”
Mandy looked around them; thankfully no one was listening.
“I can’t believe you said that here, where anyone could hear.”
“You did look in the mirror, right?” He seemed to have relaxed now, and she couldn’t be sure, but thought he was flirting with her.
“Of course. I’m just not used to that.”
“That being?”
“Seeing myself in a different light.”
He touched her cheek, just a light caress, but she felt it everywhere.
“You’re beautiful, you look hot, and don’t talk to strange men.”
“You’re not scowling now,” Mandy pointed out.
“No, I’m not. Obviously, I need to spend more time in your company,” he drawled.
The words were meant to be amusing, so Mandy tried to take them as such.
“Ha.” She watched him tugging the hem of his shorts. “Problem?”
“These are Fin’s shorts. He’s half the size of me.”
“Half, surely you exaggerate,” Mandy said.
He stopped tugging and looked at her.
“I can’t believe you just said that. Sweet, innocent Mandy Robbins. You’re not so sweet now, are you? Imagine you comparing the size of a man’s—”
“Stop,” she hissed, refusi
ng to blush. “I was not referring to that.” She couldn’t say the word. “And I’m wearing half a fairy costume. My everything is exposed. I don’t think sweet is what I am today.”
“Your everything is very nice,” he drawled, studying her chest. “And you’ll always be sweet.”
“Will you stop that,” Mandy hissed.
“What?”
“My eyes are up here.”
“So they are, and I like the sparkling blue glitter you’re wearing around them.”
“Thanks.”
“Mandy, are you okay?”
She knew what he was asking.
“Sure. Peachy, in fact.”
“That had a snap to it. Are you still angry that I didn’t come and see you after what we did?”
“No. I know how this stuff works now.”
“How what stuff works exactly?”
“So you were frowning because you have to wear that uniform and be with your staff. Nothing else?” Mandy said, desperate to change the subject.
“Nice evasion.”
“I thought so.”
“Okay, I’ll drop it for now. Do you remember when we talked about phobias?”
Mandy thought back. “Ah, so you weren’t just saying that to make me feel better then?”
“The crowds, needles thing?”
She nodded.
“No.”
“Mandy!”
“Coming, Aunt Sarah,” she answered. “You’ll be fine, Ted. Just do what you do best.”
“What’s that?”
“Be a hardass.”
“Easier said than done with hundreds of people pressing down on you.”
“It’s not like you’re famous or anything. They won’t mob you.”
“You’re really getting the hang of this tough girl attitude.”
“I’ve had plenty of lessons,” Mandy said. “How’s things with Niki?”
He looked to the lodge float, and they both found Niki dressed as a monkey. She was smiling.
“Things seem to be working better. So thank you, Mandy. Really. You made me realize I need to be more aware of things like that.”
“In touch with your feelings?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Sure you would, you’re a new-age guy.”
He’d moved closer to her, so close she could inhale him, which wasn’t a good thing. She’d never been aware of her body before, but he made her feel that way, and standing this close it was doubly so.