He glanced at the adornment and he chuckled. “Well, every commercial on television shows some sort of foliage. This was the easiest thing.”
“It’s a thoughtful touch,” Rachel said, for there were no other words to describe his sincere gesture. He’d just risen in her estimation a thousandfold. She sighed and exhaled on her soupspoon to cool the contents. This change in Colin was wonderful. Yet this moment would make leaving him all the harder. Despite herself, she could easily fall in love with Colin. She’d cared for him all her life, but the man he’d become made him even more endearing. The grown-up Colin Morris was everything she ever could have hoped for in a mate.
And everything she’d walked away from when she’d fled Morrisville after high school. The bitter irony assailed her, proving perhaps she’d been a lot more foolish than she cared to admit. She busied herself with eating the soup and encouraged Colin to tell her the entire story of Libby’s lunch. Anything to keep her mind off the truth she’d just realized.
“So was Elmer already in his spot when you went by the diner?” she asked. “He and Harold have been sitting next to each other at the counter for years, and my mom told me that on St. Patrick’s Day they show up at dawn and don’t leave until the last person clears out. She says they eat and argue all day. Not that they don’t see each other all the time, but for some reason today’s different. And the diner doesn’t even serve alcohol!”
“I didn’t notice,” Colin revealed. “I was more worried about you and being on time to Libby’s event. My mom was Maggie’s guest and she got one of your cupcakes. Said it was delicious.”
“I’m glad the lunch went well.” The hall clock chimed two. Had he really been here almost an hour? “You’re missing work! I’m going to get you in trouble!”
He laughed and shook his head. “My tardiness won’t matter. Today everyone’s Irish and taking an extended lunch. We’ll all be pious again by Friday.”
“Seems so weird when St. Patrick’s Day and Good Friday are in the same week. Start with a party, end with Stations of the Cross. Church—that’s where my mother will be. Even Kim will join her for evening service.”
Colin leaned forward as if to hear her better. “Not you?”
She shrugged. “I may go this year, if only to please them. Going to church hasn’t been on my to-do list. Marco and I didn’t attend except to get the church scheduled for the wedding. But I’ve agreed to go with them on Easter Sunday. We’ll do that, and then have brunch at your parents’. Tradition, you know.”
He rose and reached for the tray “I know. I haven’t missed going to church or brunch once in thirty-one years.”
“You are thirty-one,” Rachel pointed out.
He stood there with a grin. “Exactly. I’m sure I was there in the womb, too. Funny, how time passes and some things stay the same.”
“Okay, we’re not exactly old, but today I feel it, so be careful. I’ll be thirty—”
“April fifteenth,” Colin finished for her. “I think of you every tax day. It makes your birthday easy to remember.”
“Yay,” Rachel quipped sarcastically. “I’m sure most people don’t associate my aging with anything pleasant.”
“Well, I do. I usually get a refund. I file early and feel sorry for those who wait until the last minute.” He shifted his weight, balancing the tray.
“That’s usually me,” Rachel acknowledged. “I hate doing taxes.”
“Now, how did I know that?” He smiled again, making himself even more charming than usual. “I’m going to get out of your hair, let you get some much-needed rest. Let me put this stuff in the kitchen.”
“Thanks. Just leave everything on the counter by the sink. I’ll either get it or someone will. You’ve already done enough. I’ll clean up.”
“If you’re sure. I’m pretty good at loading a dishwasher.”
“I’m positive,” Rachel said, watching as Colin left the room. Then she stretched out her feet and wiggled her toes. She’d worn green nail polish in honor of the holiday. Polish on her toenails was a silly little thing, but since a cook had to stand in sensible, closed-toe shoes during her shift, Rachel had long ago taken to wearing funky-colored nail polish as her little secret. She tucked her feet back under the afghan as Colin returned.
“I’ll catch up with you tomorrow,” he said. “I’m having dinner with Bruce at the country club. He and Christina are back in town and he’s free tonight. I hardly see him now that he’s married and a stepfather, so we’re going to hang out.”
Rachel nodded. “Tell him I said hi. Tell him I’m going to be busy all week. I have orders for over twenty-five coconut cakes, including one for your mother’s brunch. That’s thirty coconuts I have to drain.”
He frowned. “You don’t use the packaged stuff?”
She made a face. “Absolutely not, and you’ll taste why Sunday.”
Colin shrugged into his suit coat. “Okay. After those cupcakes I have no doubt you’re an expert. So is Bruce, so I’m going to pick his brain on your case a little, find out what he thinks.”
“If you think that’s necessary,” Rachel said. “I’m certain you’ve got a pretty good handle on it.”
He seemed pleased by her compliment. “Thanks. I appreciate your vote of confidence.”
“I only hire the best,” Rachel said, her words causing a wry smile to split Colin’s face.
“As do I. Those cupcakes were the prize item. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. And don’t work yourself up too much over those cakes. You’re not in this alone. I’m sure you could recruit any help you need. We’re all here for you.” He buttoned his overcoat.
She nodded. “I’m starting to realize that and it’s a bit overwhelming. Now, go. Goodness knows if my mother and grandmother find you here, there will be fifty million questions for me to answer. I’m trying to destress, not go deeper into distress.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Colin mock saluted and soon Rachel heard the door shut behind him. She leaned back against the sofa. He’d spent part of his afternoon with her. He’d cooked her soup—okay, reheated it, but still. His kindness spoke volumes. He hadn’t tried to kiss her. He’d done nothing but simply be with her and keep her company.
She’d liked it.
A lot.
COLIN STAYED BUSY with work until he met Bruce at the Morrisville Country Club. His friend was already in the bar, nursing the only drink he’d have all evening, a fine Scotch served on the rocks.
“Think I’ll join you in having one of those,” Colin said, gesturing to the bartender.
“If you’re only going to drink one, might as well make it the best,” Bruce agreed.
“Rachel was saying something along those lines today,” Colin said, taking a seat on the leather-backed bar stool. He’d checked his coat.
“How is Rachel? You mentioned you’re doing some legal work for her.”
“I am.” Colin had just enough time to apprise Bruce of the situation before the hostess arrived to tell them their table was ready. The bartender returned with Colin’s drink, and he held it aloft as he and Bruce made their way into the main dining room.
“If you were in my shoes, what might you do about Rachel’s case? Have any thoughts or suggestions?” Colin asked, setting his menu aside. He knew the contents by heart, and tonight’s special, no surprise, was corned beef, cabbage, new potatoes and Irish soda bread.
“There are a few intellectual-property cases that set legal precedent.” Colin took a sip of his Scotch whiskey as Bruce began to recall some current case law. Bruce’s mind could remember even the smallest details, and by the time their entrées arrived, Colin had an idea for dealing with Marco and his attorneys.
“So how are you and Rachel doing otherwise?” Bruce asked casually.
“What do you mean?” Colin asked, feigning indifference. He knew exactly what information his friend was digging for, but it was somewhere in the guy code that he pretend otherwise.
Bruce sipped his drink. “I don’t kno
w. You’ve always had the hots for the girl and she’s back in town. You tell me what’s going on.”
“Her stay is only temporary,” Colin hedged.
Bruce was not to be daunted. “Sounds ideal. That’s usually about the perfect relationship length for you.” Bruce pointed a forefinger at Colin as if to say Gotcha.
“Ha.” Colin faked a laugh. “Hardly.”
“Shall I name some of them? Right before I met Christina, there was…” He snapped his fingers. “Gina, I think. Then that Miss Indiana. I’m sure you remember that New Year’s Eve fiasco. I still can’t keep count of all your revolving-door relationships.”
“You are such a card. See me laugh,” Colin said, swallowing some of the corned beef. He wasn’t sure what the country-club chefs did, but the meat here was never tough and always tender.
“I’m being serious. Nothing or no one sticks to you.”
“Only because I haven’t wanted anything or anyone to stick. Weren’t you always the one in college who described women like running shoes? You try them on, but since you only need one good pair, you find the keeper.”
“Not exactly my quote, but close enough,” Bruce said. “So I didn’t date seriously until I met Christina. I didn’t lead anyone on.”
“We’re two lawyers whose conversation is about to go in endless circles,” Colin protested. “As for Rachel, she’s returning to New York once her case settles. Even if we can’t get her out of her noncompete, she can work anywhere after six months. That’s the maximum she’ll be here until she flies the coop again. She’s a big-city girl now. No more Podunkville for her.”
“You still like her, don’t you?” Bruce said, savoring another sip of Scotch.
“Terribly,” Colin admitted, not telling Bruce that his feelings for Rachel already went beyond that. “I thought I could be professional, but I’m more attracted to her now than I was in high school. Especially since…”
“Since what? Don’t stop.” Bruce waved his fork, prodding Colin to finish his sentence.
“I learned the truth the other night. She and I talked. You were right. She never liked you. It was always me who she preferred.”
“I knew it,” Bruce said triumphantly. Then he put another bite of potatoes in his mouth and digested the implications of Colin’s words. “How did you find this out?”
“She told me.”
“Yeah, you said that. What was the impetus behind the conversation?”
“I took her to dinner. Flew her to Chicago. The River Club. She wanted to clear the air. She didn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea or playing matchmaker. We both realized we’d been thinking the wrong things all these years.”
Bruce leaned back in his chair. “So this is where it gets complicated. She liked you—you liked her—neither of you knew it. And now that you’ve cleared the air…” Bruce paused for a second as Colin nodded in confirmation. “Now both of you have these feelings that haven’t changed. If anything else, they’re stronger because you’re consenting adults.”
“And she’s not staying and I’m not leaving. Kind of ruins anything before it starts. I don’t want a one-night or two-week stand thing with her. She’s worth much more than that.”
Bruce set his napkin on the edge of the table. “You know, I never thought I’d see this day again.”
Colin’s brow creased. “You’re not making sense. St. Patrick’s Day comes every year.”
“Yeah, but you being tortured by a woman doesn’t. You were always mooning over Rachel. You pined for her. And she’s back, and you’re moping again. You’ve got it pretty bad. You’ve never been like this over anyone else.”
“And it sucks,” Colin said, not brothering to disagree. “None of this is pleasant at all. My stomach’s in knots. I’m spouting clichés.” He winced.
“I wish I knew what to tell you,” Bruce said. He’d managed to clean his plate.
Colin glanced down. Half his food remained. He’d lost his appetite. “I don’t think there are any answers. I think I solve her legal problems and let her go. End of story.”
“Seems a shame,” Bruce said.
“Star-crossed lovers. Only we aren’t lovers. Dramatic irony or something like that. I only got a C in English, but I understand my role in this. Whoever would have thought that?” He never had, that was for sure.
“On a happier note, you’re closer than ever to getting your plane,” Bruce pointed out.
Owning his own plane. His huge dream. Colin focused on that. “And trust me, I’m counting down the days. We hear we take delivery Monday, March 31. The company reps are flying it in and staying for two days of hands-on training.”
“I want to be one of the first guests to go up with you—once you know what you are doing,” Bruce declared, staking his claim.
“Absolutely.” Colin nodded. Bruce had always supported Colin’s flying habit, so he didn’t correct Bruce and tell him he was already certified on the aircraft, which was why they’d chosen it. “We’ve just about ironed out our usage agreement. Accommodating four ownership schedules is a little tricky, but we’re pretty close.”
“I guess you have to make it equitable.”
“That plus whoever flies more should, logically, pay more. That’s probably me. I’m the only single one in the group. I’ll use the plane a lot.”
“You could always fly to New York and visit Rachel,” Bruce suggested.
Colin pushed his plate aside, giving up on dinner entirely. “She already dismissed that idea,” Colin replied. “It’s like New York is her territory and she’s afraid of trespassers.”
“Someone else will come along,” Bruce said, although both men knew the words really weren’t any kind of consolation.
“I never thought I was missing anything until Rachel came home,” Colin said as the waiter whisked his plate away, then returned a few moments later with a carryout box. “Both she and I acknowledge there’s something between us here, but exploring it would be awkward. Her family and mine go too far back. It would be too weird to see each other after everything ended. She’s already baking my mom coconut cake with real coconut. Like, she has to break the shell open to get the meat out.”
“Coconut?” Bruce’s eyes gleamed. “That’s one of my favorites.”
“Well, Rachel is bringing a cake to brunch on Sunday, so you better move to get a slice and tell your wife. Rachel’s stuff will go fast. You snooze and you’ll lose.”
“I’ll make sure I’m first in line.” He laughed at Colin’s expression. “Second. Right behind you.”
The waiter approached and Bruce waved off the offer of dessert. “Just the check, please.”
“She’ll be baking those cakes all week. She was home resting today. I’m worried about her. She looked tired.”
“So stop by the diner and help her out. I’m sure there’s something you can do.”
Colin thought back to baking the cupcakes. “Not certain that’s wise,” he said, recalling the kiss. Pleasurable, yes, but not a smart idea if they were to remain “just friends.”
“Well, keep me posted on both your love life and her case. If I can help out with either, let me know.”
“Thanks…I think.”
Bruce took the leather holder from the waiter. “I’ll buy this round. You get the next,” he told Colin.
“Okay.” Colin replied, reciprocating Bruce’s grin. The country club sent the law firm a bill at the end of the month. Each partner had a generous food allowance, so Lancaster and Morris was really the one paying for dinner. Colin felt little guilt over the entitlement; he and Bruce had discussed legal business, after all.
Within the next ten minutes, Colin found himself driving home. He parked his car in the garage of his ranch house and entered. The place was depressingly silent. Normally, he didn’t mind, but the idea struck him that maybe he ought to get a cat. Fish, perhaps. Those were pretty simple to care for. Just toss in a few fish flakes once a day and keep the water pH regulated. At least there’d be so
mething waiting for him.
He clicked on the plasma TV. The sounds of a basketball game flooded the room and chased away the ensuing doldrums.
He kicked off his shoes and settled down on the couch. She’d gotten under his skin, darn it. She was all he thought about. Talking about Rachel to Bruce had helped, but the conversation still hadn’t allowed Colin to shed his own stress, which was increasing daily. He’d work out for at least two hours tomorrow, but doubted that the karate he’d practice or the weights he’d lift would clear his mind or soothe his soul.
Colin had always been a problem solver. He liked being a detective, finding solutions to things others missed.
With Rachel, he was drawing a complete blank.
Chapter Nine
“So, are you glad you came?” Heather asked about fifteen minutes into the home-jewelry party Rachel had agreed to attend.
“Yes, you were right,” Rachel admitted to her friend. She lifted a glass of wine as she wove her way through Kristin’s kitchen and stopped at a table covered with food. “I’m glad you dragged me to this. I thought it would be…Well, I was wrong.”
“Of course you were.” Heather laughed. “These home parties aren’t cheesy. They’re a fun excuse to get together, do a little shopping and eat a lot.”
“I could do without the eating part,” Rachel said, snagging a celery stick and taking a bite. “I’ve put on two pounds since I came home. I’m not sure why. I used to work at a restaurant and eat pasta all the time.”
“You’re stressed,” Heather said knowingly. “I read that tension can add ten pounds. Something to do with the adrenal gland.”
“Stressed is just desserts spelled backward,” Rachel said.
“Clever. In my case, it’s all baby weight. In your case, it’s simply nerves. How many coconuts did you do?”
“Way too many.” Rachel laughed. “The guy at the supermarket in Batesville told me I was loco. I bought every coconut they had and still needed to drive into Greensburg for the rest. It’s not like the food distributors around here stock coconuts in the quantity I required.”
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