Her enthusiasm was infectious. Cord chuckled. Apparently there was an energetic side to Virge that wasn’t apparent at the moment. He said, “I have a feeling Virge is a lucky man.”
His remark surprised and delighted her. She hooted, “Well, now, a good-looker and a smooth-talker, too. Mighty sassy combination in a big boy,” she said, nudging him once more before taking up her kneading. “Just don’t try to get your pretty hooks into me. I’m taken.” She grinned as she flipped the wad of dough over.
“Spoilsport,” he teased.
She laughed. “My Virge is all the man I can handle. Ya know, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, to tell you the truth, I was a little plain when I was younger. That’s why I became a cook. Wanted to get a man to love me for my grub. But now that I’m older and wiser, well—” she leaned nearer to him and nodded knowingly “—that stomach jazz is a bunch of potato peelings. There’s only one sure-fire way to a man’s heart, and that’s got nothing to do with the kitchen, if you get my drift.”
He braced himself for her nudge this time, then teased, “I don’t know. I’ve heard rumors that wild things can go on in kitchens.”
She guffawed. “Well, me and Virge can’t very well chase each other around in here dressed in our birthday suits. There’s health department codes, you know.”
“You’re probably right,” Cord remarked, hiding a grin behind the rim of his coffee cup.
“Oh, hi, boss.” Sugar waved, and Cord glanced around to see Tess coming down the stairs. He smiled at her. She smiled back, but the gesture seemed a little forced. He was drawn back to Sugar when she said in an aside, “Come by later, I always keep a couple of extra cinnamon rolls for big, good-looking boys.”
“Doesn’t Virge get jealous?” Cord asked, with mock concern.
“My sweetie pie knows I only have eyes for him—it’s just cinnamon rolls I got for you.” She nudged him again. “But they’re darned good cinnamon rolls.”
“Thanks. I’ll remember.” He glanced back at Virge and decided the snoring man had a treasure in his wife.
Lounging against the counter, he took a sip of his coffee and enjoyed the view of Tess walking to the urn and pouring herself coffee. Something about her tugged at his memory. He’d noticed it yesterday, but the feeling had been indistinct. Now the feeling was back. Where had he seen her before?
She was dressed in green slacks and a green blouse, the same emerald color as her eyes. The slacks were loose fitting, which was the style, Cord realized. It was at times like this when he wondered what strange, asexual notions went through some designers’ minds.
Her blouse looked like silk. Though it was oversize, when she walked it molded to her curves, hiding nothing. He doubted she was aware of that.
She turned to face him, taking a sip of her coffee. This morning she had her hair parted in the middle and tied at her neck with a green ribbon. Very few women could wear their hair pulled back so severely and still look feminine and soft. But Tess, with her dark subtle beauty, managed to carry it off.
He was especially attracted to her high, handsome cheekbones, full lips, and exotically shaped, green eyes. Whenever Cord caught her looking his way, those eyes slightly narrowed, he was reminded of an aloof, haughty cat studying her prey. He smiled to himself at the crazy thought.
She seemed to be struggling with some problem this morning; her gaze held an odd, penetrating quality as she peered at him over the rim of her coffee cup. He decided to break the ice and smiled encouragingly. “Sleep well?”
His remark seemed to help her make a decision. She walked over to him. “Dr. Redigo,” she began, setting her cup beside his on the counter.
“Cord,” he reminded.
“Yes, well.” She angled her head up, looking poised but slightly pained. “I hope you’ll forgive me for my uncalled-for remarks last night.”
He lifted a brow. So that was it. “Forget it. You only said what you felt.”
“I was wrong. I shouldn’t have given you trouble just because you don’t believe in Champ. I had no right to get so … so snippy.”
He pursed his lips to hide a smile. Snippy? Perhaps a bit of an understatement, but a quaint word. He decided it was probably just as well that she never know how her heated outburst had affected him. Nodding as seriously as he could, he assured her, “No apology necessary. You just echoed what Mary told me—that if I give her any guff, she’ll tan my backside the way she did when I was little.” He smiled kindly. “I really don’t want to be your enemy, Tess.”
Her eyes widened, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why. She fumbled for her coffee cup and put it to her lips, mumbling, “Look, I’ve got to take breakfast out to my aunt. Will you wait here? I want you to talk to someone.”
“I’ll be here,” he promised.
She nodded and busied herself outfitting a tray. She pointedly avoided eye contact with him, and after a few hurried minutes gathering toast, juice, jam, coffee and a vase with one carnation, she pushed through the kitchen door and was gone. He watched the door swing back and forth in her wake, intrigued by what could possibly be making her so edgy.
To Tess, the sound of her heels striking the freshly buffed oak floor of the reception room seemed unusually loud. She was struggling with the knob on the patio door when she became aware of a tingling at her nape. Sensing someone’s presence, she turned slightly and discovered that Cord was standing behind her.
“Let me get that for you,” he offered with a smile. It was that damnable, crooked smile that always managed to turn her bones into underdone custard. The devil take that smile, she raged inwardly. But outwardly, she appeared placid and businesslike—she hoped.
His hand grazed hers on the knob. As she shifted the tray in her arms, she could still feel a warm sensation where his fingers had brushed hers.
He twisted the knob.
“It sticks,” she explained. “If you press down, just a little—”
He had the door opened before she could finish. Motioning her through, he said, “I didn’t think you’d mind my meeting your aunt?”
She slid by him, inhaling his cologne. He smelled awfully good in the morning, she noted, filing away the information with other “Cord Redigo tidbits” that some obstinate part of her brain insisted on hoarding. “I’m sure my aunt would love to meet you. She’s very gregarious,” Tess offered, working at being conversational.
He chuckled. “I like that in an aunt.”
She peered back over her shoulder, wondering if he was making fun of her. He smiled pleasantly. She decided he was just being conversational, too.
There were already several guests out on the patio, enjoying the view of the glistening lake.
“She’s the regal lady nearest the hedge of yellow roses, wearing the white dress and wide-brimmed hat.”
“She looks like something out of a Victorian novel.”
“She does,” Tess agreed with a loving smile. “She’s a very young fifty, and one of the sweetest women I know. But don’t let her demure looks fool you. She’ll tell you exactly what’s on her mind.”
“I gather you taught her everything you know,” he remarked softly. “I’ll like her.”
Tess glanced up at him. A grin slow-danced across his crooked, sexy mouth. She lowered her eyes, feeling awkward and tongue-tied. She didn’t appreciate idle flattery.
“That was a compliment,” he assured her.
“I recognized it for what it was,” she returned a bit brusquely. “Aunt Jewel,” she called, determined to put an end to his teasing.
At the sound of her name, Jewel turned, the wide brim of her hat fluttering in the breeze. She smiled, and held out a long, thin hand in greeting. Her smile was bright, her sightless eyes hidden behind large, square sunglasses. “Tess, darling.” She beckoned her niece forward. “You’re early. I hadn’t expected you for—”
“I couldn’t sleep,” Tess broke in, deciding the truth wouldn’t seem particularly sig
nificant to Cord. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Famished, my dear. You know I can always root like a veritable pig….” She paused, her smile increasing slightly. “And who is the delicious-smelling gentleman with you?”
Tess placed the tray on the white iron table. She wasn’t surprised at her aunt’s ability to detect Cord’s presence. As a matter of fact, she wouldn’t have been surprised had her aunt said, Who’s the sexy hunk sending out the animal vibrations? Before she could reply, Cord stepped forward and took her aunt’s hand. “I’m Cord Redigo, a newly arrived guest.”
“Ah, well, Mr. Redigo,” she placed her other hand over his. “It is certainly a pleasure to meet you. I’m Jewel McCoy Armstrong, Tess’s mother’s sister.”
“A pleasure, ma’am.”
Jewel laughed lightly. “Ma’am? Do I detect a cowboy in our midst?”
“Maybe, once,” he corrected with a grin.
“You have a very rich voice. Are you a country singer, by any chance?”
His chuckle sent a pleasant sensation up Tess’s back. “No, ma’am. For the most part, I only sing in the shower. I’m a marine biologist.”
She had withdrawn her hands from his and was adjusting a silver curl at her forehead when she stopped, frowning in thought. “A marine biologist, you say?”
The question triggered panic in Tess. She’d forgotten her aunt’s sharp memory. She’d also forgotten she’d read her aunt the article.
When Cord assured her that he was, Jewel asked, “I thought the name Redigo rang a bell. Are you Dr. Cordell Redigo, the marine biologist studying the—oh, the name of the fish escapes me, but it’s in the Indian Ocean. Am I right?”
Cord’s brows lifted with surprise. “Coelacanth. You’re quite knowledgeable about a rather obscure subject.”
Jewel laughed. “You flatter me, Doctor. But about you—why is a scientist of such international stature gracing our small inn with a visit?”
Cord smiled ruefully. “I don’t know about international stature, but I came to New York to deliver the first two live specimens of the coelacanth to the New York Aquarium.”
“The first live specimens?” Jewel clasped her hands together in delight. “Why, that’s history-making, Dr. Redigo. I congratulate you.” She waved a hand. “But I interrupted you. Why have you come here?”
“I decided that I was so close, I’d spend a little time with my cousin, Mary. She was coming here so I joined her and her team of cryptozoologists searching for evidence of Champ.”
He cast Tess a brief glance. There was an assurance in his gaze that told her he wouldn’t tell her aunt that he doubted their monster’s existence.
“Evidence of Champ? Oh, how wonderful. I certainly wish you luck, Dr. Redigo.”
Tess gritted her teeth.
“Call me Cord,” he offered. His eyes had flicked momentarily to Tess. He hadn’t missed her grimace. She couldn’t be sure, but it looked as if his lips had twitched at her distress. He was asking, “Tell me, Jewel, how do you know so much about my work?”
Tess closed her eyes, feeling sick. She had no way to signal her aunt not to tell him how she knew.
Meanwhile, Jewel’s laughter rang merrily across the patio. She fanned the air with her fingers, searching for Tess’s hand. “Why, my niece read an article about you to me several months ago, didn’t you, dear? You see, my late husband was a naturalist. I simply love scientists—and poetry. Along with my favorite sonnets, Tess reads me the Smithsonian and the Geographic every month. You remember that article, don’t you, dear?”
Caught like a mouse with her cheeks full of cheese, Tess pestered her lower lip nervously. Cord had turned to look at her and there was little she could do but face him. She did, with regret. He was openly studying her. “I—I suppose so. I’d forgotten,” she said, deliberately withdrawing her gaze from his quizzical expression. “You have a wonderful memory, Aunt Jewel.”
She laughed, “And you have a wonderful grip. I believe my fingers are breaking.”
“Oh…” Tess hadn’t realized that in her anxiety she’d tightened her hold on her aunt’s hand. She let go. “I’m sorry.”
“No harm done.” With a dismissive wave, she placed her hands on the edge of her tray. “Dr. Redigo, Tess, I’d love for you to join me for breakfast.”
“Maybe some other time, Aunt Jewel,” Tess declined for them both. She was highly agitated, afraid her aunt would come up with details about the article that would make it even harder for Cord to believe she had no memory of it. “Dr. Redigo needs to talk to someone about Champ.”
“Ah, yes.” She nodded. “He must be about his business. Our Champ is very important to us. Once again, good fortune in your search.”
“Thank you,” Cord replied, taking Tess’s arm and moving away with her.
As soon as they were out of earshot, she whispered, “Don’t ever let her know you don’t believe in Champ. It would break her heart.”
He turned to face her after he’d closed the patio door. “I have no intention of breaking anyone’s heart.”
She grew suddenly irritated. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, Dr. Redigo.”
His eyes wandered over her taut body while she fumed silently. Finally, he asked, “What does that mean?”
“It means…” She faltered, wanting to scream It means you may not intend to break hearts, but you do! She swallowed, calming herself. “It means you’ll break my aunt’s heart if you disprove Champ’s existence—whether you intend to or not.”
His eyes narrowed. There was something in his look that made her nervous. “Why did you pretend you’d never heard of me?”
She was taken completely off guard by his question and inhaled sharply. “Why … I … never…”
He waited, watching her closely. He would have made a great police interrogator, she thought. He had a very intimidating stare. But she had a very disquieting secret to hide, and a medieval torture chamber could not have dragged it out of her. Sighing heavily, she put a hand to the back of a small, unimportant lie and shoved it forward. “My aunt has a better memory for trivia than I do, that’s all.” She lifted her chin, almost daring him to doubt her.
“I see,” he replied evenly. There was no humor in his eyes now. “I suppose most of the world would consider the study of an obscure throwback of marine life trivial.” He took her arm, leading her away from the door. “Thank you for clearing that up.”
Was it possible that she had pricked this man’s ego? Hurt his feelings? It had never occurred to her that he was reachable in that way. If she had injured his pride, it didn’t make her feel particularly proud of herself. But neither did it make her feel bad enough to tell him the truth.
“Where are we going?” he asked, bringing her abruptly back to the present.
“Oh.” She looked around. She hadn’t been paying much attention to where they were going. She’d only been aware of the solemn look on his face before he’d turned away, and the gentle persuasion of his hand at her elbow. “Out behind the guest cottages. Kalvin is weeding the ground cover.”
“Kalvin?”
“Yes, Kalvin. He’s sighted Champ many times. I think you should talk to him.”
“Oh, you do?” He sounded doubtful.
Her gaze flew to his. “Yes, I do,” she shot back. “Or would eyewitness sightings put a crimp in your skepticism?”
Either he winced, or anger created a tic in his jaw. She couldn’t tell.
“You don’t like me much, do you?” he said, his eyes holding hers.
The remark startled her, and her righteous anger faded. She lowered her eyes feeling unaccountably flustered. “Don’t be silly, Dr. Redigo. Surely you’ve run into people who disagreed with you before.”
When he didn’t speak for a moment, she met his gaze again. He lifted one brow. It was a very expressive movement, telling her he wasn’t buying. “You haven’t liked me from the first moment I walked into the kitchen yesterday.”
Her breath st
opped momentarily as she looked into those azure depths. When she couldn’t bear the intensity of his gaze one instant longer, she pivoted away, heading down the corridor. “That’s an absurd idea,” she lied. “Just because a woman doesn’t throw herself at you, you think she hates you? You must have quite an ego, Dr. Redigo.”
“And that’s another thing,” he added, following her into the kitchen, past Sugar and out the back door. “You insist this place is one big family, and you have yet to call me Cord.”
“It’s a hard name to remember.” She changed the subject abruptly. “The cottages are on the edge of the spruce woods,” she said, indicating the direction with a brisk wave. Two quaint cottages were barely visible among the evergreens. “Kalvin should be around back.”
He said nothing else until they were behind the small guest houses. There Kalvin was, on his knees, weeding the blue-leafed hosta.
“Kal, I want you to tell Dr. Redigo about your Champ sightings.”
The young handyman clumsily got to his feet, dusting his grimy gardening gloves on his overalls. “Huh?” he asked, his gaze flying from her to the tall man by her side.
“Tell Dr. Redigo about your eyewitness sightings. He’s here to find out about Champ.” She smiled at Kalvin as encouragingly as she could under the circumstances. “He wants to know what you’ve seen.”
“Oh.” Kalvin gave Cord a gap-toothed grin. “Sure.” He peeled off the gloves and dropped them in the wheelbarrow where he’d been dumping the weeds. “I seen ol’ Champ lots of times.” His face became clouded by a slight frown. “You gonna take notes, or what?”
Cord smiled kindly at the young man and remarked, “I have a good memory, Kalvin. Go ahead.”
Tess watched the two men as Kalvin talked. After a few minutes she began to feel less angry and stiff. She had to give Cord credit. He appeared genuinely interested in what Kalvin had to say, giving no indication that he doubted one word. He nodded knowingly several times. It almost appeared to Tess that he considered Kalvin a scientific equal.
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