by Annie Seaton
This time it was Georgie’s turn to gloat, and she nudged him in the ribs as the two women headed back toward the house. Liam took the opportunity of slipping his arm around her waist as she leaned toward him.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“Making sure you don’t leave me to face all of these strangers alone.”
She frowned at him and he looked down at her as she spoke. “I hope you understand you are setting us up for every gossip in town.”
“Sticks and stones, and all that.” It was all he could do not to kiss her, no matter who was watching. That would really keep the town talking. But he saw the look of distress on Georgie’s face as she pressed her lips together before he could give in to the temptation, and he pulled back.
“Sorry, you deserved to be teased after you’ve had your fun. Come on. Do what you’re supposed to do and introduce me to my new neighbors.”
Five minutes later she’d introduced him to a bevy of folk and Liam had his free hand pumped a dozen times, not to mention the number of kisses bestowed on his cheek from women who were old enough to be his grandmother. Come to think of it—he looked around—Sienna and Georgie were the youngest here, by many years. It was almost as though they’d entered an old folks’ home.
He finally let her hand go and he settled at the table, signing his name for more readers than he ever imagined he’d find in such a small town.
When he said as much to Georgie, who had agreed to stay at the table, introduce him, and help with the books, she’d stared back at him and grinned. “We’re not that far from civilization.”
He smiled at the next woman in the queue, and wrote “To Dorothy” with a flourish when Georgie introduced her. Before the next book was placed in front of him, he murmured to her, “I wasn’t having a go at you about the town. I’m just surprised so many of them actually have a copy of this book.”
Georgie just smiled. After the next reader was introduced, had her book signed, and wafted away in a cloud of yet another floral perfume, he leaned back in the chair.
“Enjoying yourself?” Georgie looked back at him and her smile was still in place. Her fair skin was tipped with a soft pink blush on her cheekbones and her eyes were alight with something. Whatever it was, he’d like to keep that look on her face forever.
Liam realized he was enjoying himself. For the first time in many months, the heavy fog of sadness that had been with him since his marriage ended and Vanessa died had lifted, and he was feeling good. Even at the beginning of their relationship, he’d never been this relaxed in Vanessa’s company. From the early days of their marriage, it had been very clear that she was not going to be happy with his company alone. They always had to be somewhere they would be seen.
Liam grinned. Vanessa would not have appreciated a garden party miles from the Hollywood Hills—let alone one where his face was the only famous one in sight. His contentment had more to do with being in Georgie’s company than being out with a nice group of people on a glorious winter afternoon. He’d never let his guard down so quickly with anyone before. Her green eyes held his and her eyebrows rose as he nodded.
“Yes. Yes, I am.”
“Why do you sound so surprised?” She tipped her head to the side and put down the book she was about to push across to him.
Liam was silent. There was a break in the book-signing line, and he and Georgie were by themselves. He wasn’t going to screw this up, and he spoke slowly. “Are you?”
“Am I what? Surprised?” He watched as the tip of Georgie’s tongue licked her bottom lip.
Slowly. Go slowly. Don’t kill this mood.
“No, are you enjoying yourself?” She didn’t answer, and Liam reached over and lifted her hand, looking at her pink-painted fingernails as he sought the right words. Chatter buzzed around them but they were alone at the table.
“Yes, I am. For the first time in quite a while, actually.” Georgie looked back at him. “But don’t read too much into that.”
The words hung in the air between them. “What should I read into it?”
Georgie smiled sadly. “I guess you’re just someone else who needed a little bit of pushing to feel a bit happier and maybe I’ve helped you…with this.” She gestured around to her friends as laughter and happy conversations washed over them, though it seemed as if they were cocooned in a world of their own. “I’m good at that,” she said and her voice was sad.
Never before had he felt this connected to another person as her eyes locked with his. “You know it’s more than that. Admit it.” Liam kept his voice low, and he reached up and brushed his fingers gently over the soft skin of her cheek. “Will you come to my place tonight for dinner and we can talk about it some more?”
Before Georgie could answer, Liam looked up as a woman stood behind Georgie and put her finger to her mouth in a shushing motion. A short man with a shiny bald head stood beside her and beamed as she put her hands over Georgie’s eyes from behind.
“Guess who’s home?” The woman leaned down and Georgie turned with a shriek.
“Magda!”
Any chance of further conversation disappeared as Georgie jumped up from her chair and embraced the couple. Liam watched as she grinned and introduced them to him.
“Liam, this is Joe and Magda. They used to own the hardware store, but now they spend most of their time cruising in the Pacific, or the Bahamas, or the Hawaiian Islands.” Her face was alight, and unfamiliar warmth took him unawares.
“And I hear it’s your turn next?” Magda held Georgie close and Liam’s interest was piqued as she spoke softly. “We heard all about that silly stuff with Marietta. Are you and Sienna okay?” He moved away; whatever they were talking about was none of his business.
Her turn? Gossip had gotten around quickly. Magda appeared to assume they were a couple already.
“Everything’s good. I’ll come and visit you next week and fill you in. Okay?” Georgie turned to Liam. “Now I’m sure Joe would love to take one of your books on their next vacation.” Liam frowned as Georgie reached beneath the table and pulled up another copy of one of his books.
She grinned at him with a sheepish expression. “Thelma bought all of the copies of your books she could find at the Half Moon Bay bookshop and told everyone they had to buy one. She said it was the best welcome the town could give you.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “She didn’t have to do that.”
“They wanted you to feel at home.” A little smile played about those gorgeous lips. “And besides, they tell me it’s not a bad story.”
She pushed the book to Liam and passed him the pen.
“Later,” he mouthed to her before he picked the pen up, and was gratified to see the blush that stained her cheeks.
Chapter Thirteen
Georgie made good her escape while Joe engaged Liam in conversation. Apparently, Joe was already a fan of Liam’s and had read all of his books. He questioned him about some of the places he’d been while he was researching his stories. It sounded like he was very well traveled. As she would be soon. She slipped her arm though Magda’s and walked inside with her, and tried not to feel Liam’s eyes on her back the whole way.
Later? Later what? Could she cope with later? The banter between them at the book-signing table had been fun, but every time Liam had turned his attention—and his charm—to one of her old friends, Georgie’s heart had beat a little faster. Every time he’d picked up the pen and his long slender fingers had signed the page, she’d recalled the feel of them caressing her neck, or brushing her cheek…or just touching her. He’d rolled his sleeves up and she hadn’t been able to take her eyes from his smooth, muscular forearms as he’d talked to the person who was waiting for him to sign her book. The quiet sullen man had disappeared and she was sure it wasn’t just an act for his new readers. Liam had looked at her with the same expression that Jack looked at Sienna, and Blake looked at Ana. No man had ever looked at her like that.
She had to get away. No
t just away from him, or the party this afternoon, but away from here, before she fell in—fell into a big hole of feelings she didn’t need or want.
She wasn’t going to go near the L-word. She’d been hurt too often when she’d thought a relationship might be heading that way.
A relationship? Get real, we don’t have a relationship. No matter what Liam said about having dinner and talking some more. No matter how he looked at her.
No way. Not going there. She was not leaving herself open for anything. Besides, he hadn’t realized they’d still be here for dinner. Thelma and Mitzi’s parties went all day and into the night.
Georgie hadn’t even noticed that Magda had left her alone until she heard her chattering away to Thelma by the old stove in the kitchen. She walked over to the window above the sink and watched as Liam charmed another person waiting in line.
No more kisses. The first time they’d kissed in the study she’d been uneasy with the way she’d felt. The second time in the orchard, it had scared the living daylights out of her. The third time—if she let a third time happen—she’d probably melt into a useless puddle at his feet.
No way. It was not going to happen. No dinner, no talk, no more kissing…nothing else, no matter how good it might be.
“Penny for your thoughts?” She jumped as Sienna leaned against the sink beside her.
“Just taking a break while Liam signs some more books.” She forced a false gaiety into her voice. “The old gals have outdone themselves today. Lots of guests.”
“Don’t change the subject.” Sienna sighed as she put her hand on Georgie’s arm. “Liam’s a good man. I hope you’re not going to mess this up. It’s a chance for you to be happy…finally.”
“Happy? I’m going away, remember?” Georgie straightened, reached for a dish towel, and passed it to her cousin. “Help me with the dishes.”
For a few moments she scrubbed vigorously at a pot that was soaking in the sink. “Just because you’ve fallen for Jack doesn’t mean I have to do the same thing.”
Sienna stared at her without speaking.
“Have you seen the way Liam looks at you? He can’t take his eyes off you. And I saw the state you were in after he kissed you on Friday night.” Sienna took the pot from her. “It’s me you’re talking to, sis. You can’t kid me.” A little grin crossed her face. “Not since Billy Stephenson kissed you in the back of the school bus and I knew it before you were even down the steps and off the bus.”
“Okay, so you might be a teensy…just a teensy bit right, but I’m a coward. Maybe a few months ago I would have risked it…but not now. I’ve decided that independence is my mantra. No more dreams of wedding dresses and houses with little white fences.” Georgie clenched her jaw and shook her head. “But he wants me to go for dinner and I’ve decided I will. That’s all it is.”
“Good.” Sienna put the dish towel on the bench and smiled at her.
“No, not good. I’m going to make it clear to Liam, once and for all, that I’m not available.” Georgie folded her arms across her chest. “I’ve only got a few weeks before I go away and then I’ll find out how to be happy on my own, without a man in my life. I cannot risk being dumped one more time. If I don’t get together with him, he can’t leave me, can he?”
…
Jack arrived late in the afternoon and Liam hung with him for a while. They helped carry platters of roast meat and baked vegetables out to the garden, and then Mitzi appeared with a bottle of homemade elderberry wine. Jack raised his eyebrows and sniffed it once it was uncorked.
“Not bad.” He poured a glass for Liam and lifted his own glass in a toast. “Welcome to Half Moon Bay. I hope you find it as wonderful here as I have.”
Liam sipped the wine and was pleasantly surprised. There’d been a lot of surprises today. He nodded at Jack and lifted his own glass. “Thank you. So far the move has been pretty good.”
For most of the afternoon, Liam had watched Georgie flutter around and look after the elderly folk. She’d brought them cups of tea and settled blankets over their legs as the chill of the late afternoon had settled in, and she hadn’t stood still for one moment. She’d managed to avoid him for most of the time, despite the curious looks a couple of the women had thrown her way as she’d scurried past him. As for him, he’d had to concentrate on not looking at her the whole time. It was like being back at high school with the heart palpitations and the eye contact, focusing on the cheerleader who’d caught your attention.
He’d been pleased when Jack had sought him out and they’d spent some time getting to know each other during dinner.
Dinner. Not quite what he’d planned, but Georgie still had to run him home at the end of the night, and he intended to have a good talk to her before he let her go. He pushed away the thought that kept creeping into his head. Slow down.
“Sienna says you’re buying a car this week?” Jack slipped his arm around Sienna’s waist as she came up and stood by his chair. Liam looked around for Georgie. She was back in the kitchen helping clean up, and as he watched through the window she lifted her hair from her neck and wound it into a topknot on her head. The soft, silky fabric she was wearing slid up her arms and the light caught her bare skin as she stretched. His knees felt weak suddenly, and he switched his attention back to Jack.
“Yeah, I’ve been making some inquiries, but I won’t be able to pick it up for a couple of weeks.” Jack launched into a discussion of motor sizes and fuel consumption, but Liam kept one eye on the door, waiting for Georgie to come and join them. Finally, she wandered out and looked around the garden. He beckoned to her, before she could head off in another direction to help someone else, or clear a table, or just generally avoid his company.
She stood beside him as she greeted Jack.
Liam stood and leaned over to her, speaking quietly so he didn’t appear rude. “What time do you want to leave?”
This whole afternoon with the Nebbiton community had been fun, and he’d enjoyed himself much more than he’d expected. They’d also stayed hours longer than he’d anticipated and he was beginning to get anxious about getting back to his study.
The sun had gone down and the flickering lights shining over the garden burnished the copper color of Georgie’s hair. She’d removed the clip and her long auburn curls fell over the shawl she’d put around her shoulders before she’d come outside. The wind had picked up and there was a hint of rain in the air as the clouds swirled in.
“Soon.” She yawned and covered her mouth with her hand. “Oops, sorry. It’s past my bedtime.”
“Mine, too,” he said softly and grinned as she colored up.
Good, keep her guessing.
There was a flurry to pack up the garden, and he and Jack helped carry the furniture into an old shed behind the house as the last of the food was carried inside. Finally, they made their farewells and as he thanked Thelma and Mitzi for inviting him, they presented him with a pumpkin pie. Georgie was quiet as they walked out to the street with Jack and Sienna to get Sienna’s bag from the work truck, and she didn’t speak even as Sienna hugged her good-bye.
Georgie opened the car door and slipped onto the bench seat and waited for him as Liam shook Jack’s hand and kissed Sienna’s cheek before getting into the truck. He was looking forward to getting to know them more. As he climbed in, she was rubbing her hands up her arms and shivering.
So much for my plan to be a recluse. The community had made him feel welcome, and as far as Georgie went, his desire for privacy had flown out the window. It suited him and it seemed like he’d chosen the right place to put roots down.
“Cold?” He waved as Sienna’s red sports car passed them but kept his gaze on Georgie.
“A little.”
Liam wound the window up and looked at the dashboard in front of him as she started the car. “Would you like me to put the heat on?”
“It’s broken.” Finally, a glimmer of life appeared on her face as she shot him a smile. “Don’t worry, ho
me’s not far.”
The first raindrops splattered on the windshield as she turned off Highway 1 onto the shared road that led to both of their houses.
“Don’t worry about going up to my place. Park at your house and then I know you’re inside safely. This weather is closing in quickly.” Liam leaned forward as a flash of something caught his attention on the top of the cliff. “I’ll walk up the hill.”
Georgie groaned as there was another movement ahead of them. “Oh, no. That was Mutt. He’s gotten out again.” She accelerated and turned into her drive at the bottom of the hill. The engine stopped with a shudder as she turned the key, but she left the headlights on.
“I’ll help you find him.” Liam opened his door. The rain had started to fall in earnest now and cold needles of ice hit his bare neck. “I’ll call him while you get an umbrella.”
He didn’t wait for her to answer as he slid from the truck and ran to the path at the top of the cliff where he’d last seen the dog.
“Be careful. Don’t go too close to the edge. It’s soft.” Georgie was right behind him and he reached back and held out his hand.
“What about the umbrella?” he asked.
“No time. If that blasted dog gets down onto the beach, he’ll run for miles.”
Liam smiled to himself as Georgie slipped her hand into his, and they followed the sandy path lit by the headlights.
“Mutt! Get back here.”
Liam whistled as Georgie called out and they were rewarded with a scuffling noise a short distance ahead of them. She stopped and put her hand up. “Wait up. If we keep walking, he’ll think we are going down to the beach.”
“In the dark?” Liam peered ahead but couldn’t see the dog, nor could he hear it any more.
“He’s not real smart.” He could hear the grin in Georgie’s voice, despite the rain that was getting heavier by the minute. Water was beginning to trickle down beneath the collar of his shirt, but he didn’t care.