“We understood you were flying to California today.”
“Mmm. Los Angeles. That was the plan, but I changed my mind.” Nadia shifted to Felicity. “Did you get my texts?”
“Just now,” Felicity said.
“Great. I wasn’t sure if they went through. The cell coverage out here is spotty at best. It looks as if most of the people at the boot camp have gone home, or wherever. Good time to catch your breath. I’m sure you made the day easy for everyone involved. That’s the role of a good event manager, isn’t it?” She didn’t wait for an answer and glanced around the garden, in its full mid-summer glory. “What a perfect setting for a party. I got a decent look at the McCaffreys’ barn, too. Amazing. What a great setup.”
Felicity didn’t detect an undercurrent of hostility in Nadia’s tone or demeanor, but Russ remained quiet and watchful. There was no question he didn’t like her sudden appearance, particularly with two young boys who didn’t know her. A lecture about strangers was no doubt in their immediate future.
“Could I talk you into something to drink?” Nadia asked. “I’m afraid I wasn’t prepared for the conditions and let myself get dehydrated.”
“Iced tea okay?” Felicity asked, rising. “I’ll get it.”
“Oh, no, you don’t need to go to the trouble. I’ll get it—”
“It’s no trouble,” Russ said. “Relax, Nadia. Catch your breath.”
“Okay, no problem. Unsweetened tea would be great, thanks.”
She stayed put while Felicity went inside. Maggie arrived through the front door and was setting up the boys at the table with drinks. “Is that woman still here?” she whispered. Felicity nodded, and Maggie made a face. “She doesn’t know where the line is, does she? But you should have seen Russ go into action. My goodness. We had no idea she was here on a hike. She must have parked at the Quabbin gate and taken the back way to Carriage Hill.”
“That makes sense. I didn’t see her until she came over the stone wall.”
“The boys are fine. All that counts.”
“Does Gabe know?”
“Oh, yes. He’s on his way.”
When Felicity returned to the terrace, Gabe had joined Russ and Nadia at the table. Nadia thanked Felicity for the iced tea. She’d already helped herself to a mini cream puff on Felicity’s plate. “Delicious,” she said, looking less sweaty. “I could eat a hundred of them right now, but the tea is the best. Just what I need. I didn’t even bring a bottle of water with me.”
Felicity stayed on her feet. Nadia seemed oblivious to Gabe’s glowering look.
“Where’s your car?” he asked her.
She swallowed the last of her cream puff and gulped her tea, then set the glass on the table. “I parked at a yellow gate down the road. I wanted to see the reservoir up close, but I took a wrong turn and ended up on the trail up Carriage Hill.”
Gabe gave no indication how he felt about her story. “Why aren’t you on your flight?”
“Last minute change of plans.” She shrugged. “Nothing nefarious. What, do you guys think I’m some kind of stalker? Wow. I’m glad I wasn’t met by the cops.”
“The boys’ uncle is a police officer,” Gabe said.
“Ah, yes. Eric Sloan. I met him at lunch at that little restaurant in town. I resisted pie today.” She sat up straight and licked her lips, looking somewhat more self-conscious. “Apologies, okay? I didn’t mean to flip any paranoia switches. I would check the boys for ticks, though. I guess that’s par for the course around here in warm weather.”
“The ticks are bad this year,” Russ said. “It’s a good idea for you to check yourself.”
“I will, believe me. I have a cousin who had Lyme disease. It was awful, but he made a full recovery.” Nadia grabbed a tiny brownie and pushed back her chair. “Thanks so much for the tea and goodies. I’ll run along now.”
Russ stood. “I’ll drop you down to your car.”
“It’s not far. I’m cooled off and rehydrated. There’s no need to trouble yourself—” She stopped, obviously finally tuning into the moods around her. “Okay, let’s do this your way. I would appreciate a ride. Thank you.”
“My car’s out front,” Russ said, nodding toward the yard. “Let’s go.”
Nadia glanced at Gabe, as if expecting him to offer to take her since they knew each other. He gave her a steady, not-quite steely look. “Have a good flight back home.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably go tomorrow, but I might yet make it out tonight.” She turned to Felicity. “Congratulations on today. It’s been great meeting you.”
“You, too,” Felicity said politely.
Nadia started to say something else but smiled without comment. Russ motioned for her to go ahead of him off the terrace and then got in close to her, leading her to the side yard and around to the front of the house.
Felicity sat down and frowned up at Gabe. “Do you think she’s just clueless?”
“No.”
“You’re irritated,” she said.
“You could say that.”
“Boiling mad? That more accurate?”
He sighed. “Felicity.”
“Russ will see her off. I would definitely describe him as boiling mad, but all’s well that ends well. I wouldn’t mess with Maggie, though. She has access to kitchen equipment and she knows how to use it, and her boys are Sloans. Dumb move on Nadia’s part.”
“Her behavior was inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not answerable for her, Gabe.” Felicity decided to drop the subject of Nadia Ainsworth and her antics. “I overheard a lot of positive comments about what you had to say today. Everything seemed to go smoothly. We can both take a bow.”
He leveled his deep, warm blue eyes on her. He was focused and serious—the high-flying, risk-taking, successful young entrepreneur taking her in. “The day went well,” he said. “You did a great job. The party went off without a hitch despite the short notice. I don’t know about taking a bow, but I’m glad my part’s done.”
“Did you throw up before you spoke?”
“Felicity...” He sighed. “I did not throw up.”
“After?”
“No, not after, either.”
“Were you queasy? Did you get dry heaves? I’ve seen that happen plenty of times in my work.”
“Felicity.”
“I’m helping you to see the bright side.” She decided not to mention Nadia’s texts. Having her swoop in as a pretend monster after two small boys was enough for Gabe to digest. “I have a few things to check on, but most of the loose ends involve my laptop. I can take care of them at home. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you later on.”
“You could stay,” he said.
“I’d fall asleep on the floor next to Buster.”
She grabbed the tea glasses and the goody plate, aware of Gabe watching her. Was he looking for a sign Nadia had upset her? It didn’t matter, she told herself. She smiled at him, said goodbye and headed back to the kitchen. Maggie had her sons helping her load up her van. They’d be on their way in a few minutes. The clean-up crew was experienced and competent. Felicity didn’t need to stay until they finished.
She left through the front door and started up the road to the barn, where she’d parked.
Gabe fell in next to her. She smiled at him. “Afraid Nadia will break loose from Russ and come find me?”
He flinched. “I don’t know what she’ll do next.”
“Okay, no joking around. Got it. Russ would agree. Have you met Kylie yet?”
“Not yet. I look forward to it. She and Russ had other plans or they’d have joined us for dinner last night.”
“I’d never have put them together, but they work,” Felicity said. “He sort of reminds me of Sherlock Badger. Stoic, tough. Better-looking, though.”
“A week ag
o I’d have no idea what you were talking about.” He studied her a moment, less tense and annoyed. He surprised her with a smile. “Didn’t your piano teacher call you incorrigible?”
“I was eleven. Aren’t all eleven-year-olds incorrigible?”
“I wouldn’t know.”
“I wouldn’t, either, but I’m going with it.”
He leaned close to her. “It’s been good seeing you, Felicity.”
“You, too. Are you staying another night?”
“That’s the plan. I don’t know what time I’ll be back. Are you sure you won’t join—”
“I need to do a few things,” she said, interrupting him.
“All right. If you see a fire outside, that’ll be me.”
He opened her Land Rover door for her and shut it once she climbed in behind the wheel. He stepped back, waiting as she backed out, turned around and headed down the driveway to the road. She probably should have made one last check at the barn, but she knew everything was fine.
As she started up Carriage Hill Road, she glanced back at Gabe and noticed a protective air about him, as if he was worried he’d missed something—knew he’d missed something but couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was. She suspected it was the residual effect of Nadia’s intrusive behavior. Gabe felt guilty, even if he knew he wasn’t responsible for this woman’s conduct. Felicity felt a little of that same guilt herself. When she arrived at her house and got out of her Rover, she welcomed the coolness of the river and the quiet rustle of a breeze in the trees. Just as well she’d have some time to herself tonight.
She almost knocked over a bottle of wine on her doorstep. A note was tied to it with a red ribbon, just like the one on the covered-bridge towel. Felicity recognized Nadia’s handwriting:
Door’s locked or I’d have left it in the fridge to chill. Congrats on a great day!
Xo
Nadia
Felicity shivered, unsettled. She quickly checked Nadia’s earlier text messages. She must have left the wine before she’d sent them. Keep it as a surprise, maybe? She’d expected Felicity to accept her invitation to get together, at which point she would have suggested meeting back here.
Kind of pushy but not really creepy and dangerous.
Felicity picked up the wine. It was a decent New Zealand sauvignon blanc. It’d been in the shade, so it wasn’t hot. Nadia had some boundary issues going on, but the situation hardly warranted smashing a perfectly good bottle of wine on the rocks. Felicity took the wine inside, keeping it with her as she checked the house in case her wannabe new best friend had given Russ the slip, doubled back to town and was hiding under a bed.
But she didn’t find anything—she hadn’t seriously expected to—and put the wine in the refrigerator. She’d let it chill while she took a shower.
In the bathroom, stripped to her skin, she received another text: Russ followed me out to the highway. He’s quite the stud. Did you get the wine?
Felicity debated. Pretend to be in the shower already, or answer?
“Get it over with,” she muttered, and typed her response: I did. Thanks!
Lovely.
Safe travels.
I hope our paths cross again soon.
Felicity didn’t respond.
She got into the shower, welcoming the lukewarm water. If nothing else, today had reminded her that Gabriel Flanagan wasn’t the teenager she’d known in high school—or even the man he’d been three years ago. He’d worked hard for the life he had now. He’d turned his dreams into reality. He’d had the drive, the commitment and the focus to be the kind of entrepreneur the attendees at today’s boot camp had wanted to hear from. Felicity had her own business, but she didn’t have any ambition to turn it into anything but what it was. That had been part of the point in moving to Knights Bridge, hadn’t it? She’d wanted to work for herself, on a variety of projects, and still have time for a life.
She shut her eyes and let the warm water soothe her fatigue and tension. She’d done her job today. Gabe had done his job. Their paths in life had diverged from their days hanging out together out here on the river.
When she emerged from the shower, she slipped into yoga pants, a T-shirt and sandals. She decided that drinking Nadia’s bottle of wine might not be a good idea given her mood. She’d give it to friends who didn’t know Nadia or Gabe and could just enjoy it.
Instead she opened a bottle of inexpensive pinot grigio, poured herself a glass and took it outside to the deck, where she sat alone and listened to the river course downstream.
Thirteen
Gabe returned to Felicity’s house after dark, expecting to find her tucked in bed. Instead he spotted her sitting cross-legged on her quilt in front of the fireplace, watching the fire die down. He walked over to her and stirred the coals. She didn’t say anything. He added a log to the fire and sat next to her. “Sleepy?” he asked.
“Mmm. I was just about to go in. I keep dozing off. The fire’s nice.” The flames were already picking up. “How was dinner?”
“Low-key. Everyone was tired. Olivia went to bed early. We met at her and Dylan’s house.”
“Quite the place, isn’t it?”
“That brother of mine is good at his work, but they had a vision of what they wanted.”
“Just like this place,” Felicity said, uncurling her legs. She was barefoot, dressed in yoga pants and a baggy hoodie. “You and Mark had a vision of what you wanted.”
Gabe pulled off his shoes and set them in the grass, away from her and the fire. “You could say that. Russ made sure Nadia got to the airport.”
“She’ll get home to Malibu and get on with whatever is next for her, especially with an offer on her grandmother’s house. My guess is she got out here and started flailing with all that’s gone on in her life lately.”
“Doesn’t excuse her behavior.”
“We don’t have to talk about her. The post–boot camp reviews are coming in. You were definitely a hit today. People wanted to hear what you had to say. You didn’t mince words.” She smiled. “Big surprise there, huh?”
“I’m straightforward to a fault,” he said.
“It’s what people wanted today. Needed, maybe. You’ve been in the trenches as a start-up entrepreneur.”
“I have scars, you mean.”
She smiled. “You love your scars.”
Her eyes were half closed, shining in the glow of the revived fire. Gabe noticed the empty wineglass on the blanket next to her. “How much wine have you had?”
“One-and-a-half glasses. Not enough to wander off into the woods and get eaten by a bobcat.”
“Wouldn’t want that. Did you drink alone?”
“Unless my woodland friends opened a bottle up in the pine trees. There’s an abundance of squirrels and chipmunks out here. And I heard an owl.”
“I heard one last night,” Gabe said. “I thought you’d go out with friends. You could have joined us. We all assumed you were tired and had other plans.”
“Both true. It’s fine, Gabe.”
“You do have friends here?”
“I do. I’m still settling into new routines, but, yes, I have friends.”
“I like Russ. He and Kylie are new to town. You all seem to have hit it off. Are they friends or just clients?”
“The friendship came first. It’s probably easier to be friends when you’re planning a fun party than doing other client-based services. Knights Bridge has been keeping me busy lately, but I don’t work exclusively here or even in the area.”
“You’re doing well on your own,” he said.
“Thank you, yes, so far, so good. Buying a house was a big step for me, but I’m saving now for a trip. It killed me to give up traveling when I was broke—well, once I acknowledged I was broke. Technically I was broke and traveling. If I had room on my credit ca
rd for airfare and a decent hotel, off I went.”
“But never to Wyoming,” Gabe said quietly.
He thought he heard her breath catch. “No,” she said. “I did poke you in the eye with that, didn’t I? Sorry. I was taken aback about the party, I guess.”
“Mark and I could have handled that better. He didn’t know what he was stepping into.”
“It all worked out,” Felicity said.
“Are you happy?”
She stared straight ahead at the fire. “If I say yes, what will that mean to you?”
“That you’re happy.”
She glanced at him. “That simple, huh?” She faced the fire again. “Well, I’m happy right now, at this moment. That doesn’t mean I don’t have wants.”
A couple of ways he could take that, but Gabe decided to be careful, a little judicious for a change. “But you’re where you want to be, doing what you want to do.”
“I could do without a mosquito finding me—” She stopped herself, sighing. “I’m being flippant. Sorry. Yes, Gabe, I enjoy my work, and I love living out here on the river.”
“I always had a feeling you’d appreciate this place. I made a few suggestions to Mark about what kind of house would work here, the light, the views of the river. He was more into the technical aspects of the design and construction.”
“He made sure the house wouldn’t fall into the river,” Felicity said.
Gabe laughed. “Something like that. I considered buying him out while we were building. I had it in my head I could loan or rent the house to family and friends, stay here when I was in town, but it wasn’t practical at the time. I never saw myself spending much time in Knights Bridge, and I’d just had a start-up go bust and was throwing myself into the next one.”
“The one that just sold for a gazillion?”
“Not a gazillion but yes, that one. Instead Mark bought me out.” Gabe steadied his gaze on the flames. “I had you in mind when I made my recommendations about this place. I’d ask myself, What would Felicity want in a house?”
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