by Deanna Chase
Hanna nodded. “Mom and I finished those yesterday. Aren’t they adorable?”
“They’re fantastic.”
With Chad helping her, they got the desserts unboxed and setup in pretty displays in no time.
“Oh gods, those are gorgeous,” Noel Townsend said, stopping in front of the display. “Hanna, you’ve outdone yourself.”
Hanna lifted her shoulders and chin, practically preening with the compliment. “Thanks, Noel. Does Yvette have you working here today?”
“No. We have some authors over at the inn, too. I’m here to steal some of the cupcakes for them.” Noel Townsend was one of Yvette’s sisters, but the two didn’t look anything alike. Noel had honey-blond hair that was swept up into a fancy twist, but she was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Her only jewelry was the large diamond on her left hand that Drew, her deputy sheriff fiancé, had put there last year.
“Need help? I can carry some for you,” Hanna said automatically.
“Nah.” Noel put some in one of the discarded bakery boxes. “This is plenty. We’re sending the readers over here for the goodies.”
“Okay. Well, if there’s anything more I can do, just let me know.” Hanna clasped her hands together nervously. Only she didn’t know why her nerves were jumpy. This wasn’t her event, and Yvette was excellent at putting them together. She was sure it was going to be fabulous.
“Hanna, if you want any books signed, do it now,” Yvette called from across the room. “I’m getting ready to let them in.”
Hanna glanced around the room and nearly gasped when she spotted two of her favorite authors. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered to Chad. “I see an author or two I need to meet.”
“I’ll go with you.” He slipped his hand down to her elbow, and just like that the pair of them were gliding across the room.
She glanced up at him. “You’re awfully smooth, you know that?”
He gave a low chuckle. “I’m just trying to keep the prettiest girl in Keating Hollow in my sight. I don’t want to miss out on that lunch I’ve been planning to invite her to.”
“Lunch, really?”
He glanced at his watch. She blinked at him, surprised to see the timepiece on his wrist. No one wore actual watches anymore. No one but Chad Garber, apparently. “Yeah, lunch. It’s almost twelve-thirty. How about that brewpub that’s here in town? I hear the beer has recently started to win some awards.”
It had. Once Clay took over from Lin, he started experimenting with special seasonal brews, and the latest one to win a blue ribbon was called Epic Red and had notes of pomegranate and citrus. It was Hanna’s favorite. The only problem with heading to the pub was that Rhys worked there. But Rhys didn’t usually work until Saturday nights, if he worked on Saturdays at all. Lunch should be okay. She glanced up at Chad. “Sure. Sounds good.”
“Great. After you get your books signed, we’ll head over.” He swept his hand out in front of him. “After you.”
Hanna hurried to complete her task before Yvette let in the masses and then followed Chad outside. The spring day was warm in the sun, and flowers were blooming everywhere. Someone had spelled the wisteria vines climbing the lampposts to wave at the pedestrians who walked by, making the magical town as cheery as Hanna had ever seen it. “You picked a good time to move here,” Hanna said. “Just last month everything was still gray with not much sign of life.”
“I bet this town really goes all out at Christmas, though,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“That’s very true,” Hanna said with a nod. “But I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”
He groaned. “You’re going to make me wait eight months to unlock the secrets of a Keating Hollow Christmas?”
“That’s right.” A spark of joy had settled in her chest, and Hanna couldn’t help but conclude it was a good thing she’d decided to let Chad take her out. She needed some fun in her life. All Rhys wanted to do was wrap her in bubble wrap. And not in the sexy way.
“Hey, are you okay?” Chad asked, giving her a concerned glance.
“Sure. Why?”
“You just looked… I don’t know, sad? Upset? That smile vanished and was replaced by a frown. I just wanted to make sure everything was all right.”
“Oh, sorry,” she said. “I was just thinking about a friend. We kind of got into a fight last night. It’s nothing. I’m sure it will blow over.”
“Anything serious?” he asked.
“No. Not really.” As much as she hated that she was still fighting with Rhys, this too would blow over, and in a week or so they’d likely go right back to being the buddies they always were.
“That’s good. So tell me more about yourself, Hanna. I already know you’re a baker. What else makes you, Hanna Pelsh?”
His question was so straightforward that it actually made her chuckle a little. “Well, Chad. I’ve lived in Keating Hollow my whole life. The only thing I ever really wanted to do career-wise was be a part of the café. I’m happy to say that I’m a full partner, so that worked out. But I also do a little bit of modeling, and I’ve been known to help out the Townsends at their various businesses when they need an extra pair of hands. And that’s about it, really.”
He glanced down at her, his blue gaze interested. “So, you’re close to your family. I like that. Any siblings, or is it just you and your parents?”
Her heart ached the way it always did when she thought of Charlotte. It had been just over a decade since they’d lost her. The pain had been unbearable for months. Hanna honestly thought that the only way she’d gotten through it was because of Rhys. He’d been there every step of the way, supporting her, lifting her up, giving her strength. She’d never really recovered from the loss, and even now she felt her eyes burn with tears as she let herself remember her sister’s vivacious smile. “I had a sister,” she said, staring at her feet. “Charlotte. She passed away from a very rare autoimmune disease that had no cure.”
“Damn, Hanna. I’m sorry,” he said, taking her hand in his. “I understand how hard that must be. You miss her a lot, don’t you?”
Hanna nodded and glanced up to see the sincere expression on his face. “Always.”
“Yeah. I miss my mom, too. We lost her about five years ago. Drunk driver hit her on a rainy night.”
“Gosh. Taken just like that, no warning,” Hanna said in a hushed whisper. She’d stopped right there on the sidewalk to stare up at him. “That’s got to be worse. We at least knew Charlotte was sick.”
He gave her a small, sad smile. “I don’t think we can categorize loss that way. It’s hard and human and raw. If we’re lucky, the worst it does is leave a hole that hopefully can be masked by a lifetime of love and fond memories.”
“Gah.” Hanna wiped at her eyes. “Isn’t that the truth.” She slipped her arm through his and bobbed her head, motioning for them to get moving again. “Tell me your favorite memory of your mother.”
Chad let out a chuckle. “My favorite. Hmm. I think that would have to be when I planted a quarter because I wanted to prove her wrong about money not growing on trees. She helped me water the spot for two entire weeks, all the while telling me it was a useless experiment. She was positive that quarter wasn’t going to turn into anything. But then…” He grinned down at her. “Two weeks to the day that I planted it, I came home from kindergarten and found a small tree had popped up overnight. Quarters were taped to the leaves.”
Hanna blinked up at him. “A tree just appeared while you were at school?”
“Sure,” he said with a nod. “She went and bought a small lemon tree, planted it, and then supplied the quarters. We harvested them that day, but they never grew back, obviously.”
“That’s really sweet. How long did you go on thinking money grew on trees?”
He laughed. “I guess it was until the lemons started to sprout. A couple of months. But I always secretly hoped the quarters would return. She told me the quarters sprouted because I believed they would.
To this day, I figure if I wish hard enough, then money might start growing on lemon trees.” He winked at her. “Or maybe it just means I need to move south and start a citrus orchard.”
“I think I love your mom,” Hanna said.
He nodded. “Everyone did. Now, tell me your favorite memory of your sister.”
“Oh, that’s easy.” Warmth spread through Hanna as she remembered Charlotte placing a daisy corsage on her wrist that cold night in December. “It was my Freshman year in high school, my first formal dance, and my date cancelled at the last minute.”
“Tragic,” he said with just the right amount of sympathy.
“Very.” She paused in front of a Spoonful of Magic and smiled at the window display. Chocolate bells danced around a book display featuring many of the authors participating in the signing. There was a chalkboard note that said if customers produced a signed book, they’d get 10% off. She loved that Miss Maple was working with Yvette to advertise the event.
“So what did your sister do?” Chad asked, prompting her to continue.
“She called my friend Rhys and talked him into taking me.” The memory of Rhys, showing up in a suit and holding that daisy corsage, made her eyes mist again. Her date had canceled to take another girl, and she’d been devastated. But then Rhys had been there and spent the evening with his arm wrapped around her and holding her close while they danced. He’d even leaned in and given her a somewhat chaste kiss on the lips when he was certain the jackass was watching. He’d been perfect in every way. Damn him. It was the night she’d fallen for him. “Anyway, he showed up with a corsage that I’m sure Charlotte ordered because it was made of my favorite flowers. And then we went with her and her boyfriend Drew. The worst night of my teenage life turned into one of the best.”
“She sounds wonderful. So does your friend Rhys. Are you still friends with him?”
Hanna suppressed a sigh and nodded. “Yeah. We’re still friends.”
Chad reached out and grabbed her hand, squeezing it slightly. His tone was a little wistful when he added, “There’s something special about having friends that you’ve known for that long.”
They continued on toward the pub. “Do you have many friends from your formative years?”
“Yes, but we rarely see each other, and it’s been a while since I’ve been in touch. Our professions require us to move too much. But if I picked up the phone and reached out, they’d be there.”
“What kind of profession keeps you on the move? It occurs to me I’ve spilled my life story, but you’ve been elusive.” She narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a conspiratorial glance. “What is it? Hired hit man?”
He snickered. “Hardly. I’m a professional pianist. I go where the jobs are. Or I did. I’m semi-retired now.”
Now that he mentioned it, she did remember her mother saying he was an accomplished pianist. “Retired? But you can’t be older than thirty-two, thirty-three at most. Nah. I don’t believe it. I’m going with hired hitman.”
“Thirty-two,” he confirmed. “And while it’s true I have been making my living as a pianist, I don’t want to spoil your delusions. So we’ll just say I’m planning to hide out here and teach piano until the heat backs off.”
Hanna laughed. “You’re fun.”
“So are you.”
Chapter Six
“Thanks, buddy,” Clay said, slapping Rhys on the back. “It’s good of you to help two days in a row.”
“It’s no problem,” Rhys said with a shrug. “The town is packed today. I figured it’d be a zoo.”
“You got that right.” Clay pulled the tap on the chocolate stout and tilted the glass to keep the head down. “I think we’ll be all right after the lunch rush.”
“Whatever you need, man.” Rhys moved down the bar, handing a couple of women some menus. After taking their drink orders, he got busy pouring their beers.
It didn’t take long for the place to fill up with book lovers, and he was so busy he didn’t even notice Hanna had arrived until Clay materialized beside him and asked, “Who’s the pretty boy with your girl?”
“My girl?” Rhys’s head jerked up and immediately his gaze landed on Hanna. She was as stunning as usual in her jeans and tight T-shirt that hugged her curves. He loved the way her dark curls were pulled back into a wild ponytail, showing off her long neck.
“Who is that dude?” Clay asked, sounding irritated.
“What?” Rhys finally glanced at Hanna’s companion and felt his entire body tense. Son of a… He wasn’t one to pay much attention to another guy’s looks, but hell. The guy grinning at Hanna looked like he belonged on a movie poster. And she was leaning in, laughing, her eyes sparkling the way they did when she was having a good time.
“You better get over there and stake your claim, or else it looks like someone’s gonna be invading your territory,” Clay said.
“My territory?” Rhys let out a humorless snort. “What are you? A caveman? Besides, Hanna isn’t my girl.”
“Sure, Rhys. You just keep telling yourself that.” Clay shook his head. “But when you wake up next month and find that she’s officially off the market, you’re going to hate yourself for not doing anything about it.”
Rhys sucked in a sharp breath at the idea of Hanna with Mr. Hollywood over there.
Clay chuckled. “That’s what I thought.”
“Excuse me.” Rhys slipped out from behind the counter and made his way over to them. Without saying a word, he put the menus on the table.
“Rhys. Uh, hi.” Hanna pressed her hand to her throat as she glanced up at him, her mouth in a tight smile. “I thought you weren’t working until later.”
“The lunch shift needed help. Who’s your friend?” He had been trying for friendly, but the question came out more as an unspoken accusation, and he swallowed a groan. That was uncalled for.
Her hand moved to the table, her eyes narrowing in irritation, just as they had the night before when he’d told her hang gliding was too dangerous for her.
Here it comes, he thought. She was going to rip his head off and he’d deserve it. He braced himself for her wrath.
But when she spoke, her annoyed look vanished and her lips curled into a self-satisfied smile. “Rhys, this is Chad Garber. Barb’s stepson. You remember my mom mentioning him, right?”
Oh, hell! This Captain America was Chad? The same Chad he’d encouraged Hanna to go out with just the night before? Jesum Crow. He’d brought this fresh hell on himself. “Hello, Chad. Nice to meet you,” Rhys said with a short nod of acknowledgment. “Didn’t take long to find the prettiest girl in town, did it?”
Chad frowned as he glanced from Rhys to Hanna and back to Rhys. “Hey, man. Am I stepping in the middle of something here?”
Rhys had to give him props for diving into the issue head on, but he sure as hell didn’t know how to answer that question.
“No. Of course not,” Hanna said. “Like I said earlier, Rhys and I have been friends for a long time. He’s just acting like an overprotective big brother.” She glanced up at Rhys, glaring at him.
Behaving like a brother was the furthest thing from Rhys’s mind, but short of laying his heart out on the table, there wasn’t anything he could say to refute her explanation that would make any sort of sense. So he just shrugged and said, “Best friend might be more accurate than brother. Gotta make sure the new guy knows you have people watching out for you.”
Hanna rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to him, Chad. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Of course you are,” Rhys agreed. “That doesn’t mean I won’t want to kick the ass of anyone who doesn’t treat you right.” He nodded to Chad. “I’m sure you understand.”
Chad gave an uncomfortable laugh and said, “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m just here for the good beer and conversation.”
“Right.” Rhys pulled out an order pad. “What can I get you?”
An hour later, after Rhys had paid far too m
uch attention to Hanna and Chad, Hanna finally popped up out of her chair and stalked over to the bar. She stood right in front of Rhys, her hands on her hips. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Uh, sure. What’s up?” he asked as if he didn’t know she was pissed.
“This way.” She jerked her thumb toward the back of the pub and strode off as if she owned the place.
Rhys was amused. Hanna and her sister Charlotte had grown up with the Townsend girls. No one would think twice about her making herself at home in the employees-only section of the brewery. He followed her into the small area they used for testing brew batches and shut the door. “Okay. What did you need? Advice on how to ditch Chad?”
“Are you kidding me right now?” she said, her tone low and full of warning. “What’s wrong with you, Rhys Silver? Last night, you told me to go out with this guy. And you’ve been singing the ‘just friends’ mantra for months now. You’re acting like a jealous boyfriend and honestly, all you’re doing is pissing me off.”
“I was…” Shit. She was right, of course. He was acting like a jealous boyfriend because he was green with envy that she was out with Chad and not him. It didn’t seem to matter that Rhys had been the one that broke things off or was holding her at arm’s length. He just wanted her and couldn’t seem to make himself stop being an asshole. “I’m sorry, Han. You’re right. I guess it’s just hard to see you with him.” It was the first honest thing he’d said to her in ages. “Can you maybe just not flaunt him in front of me?”
She looked at him in amazement. Then she shook her head and snorted as if she was completely fed up. “You’re incredible, you know that?” The statement wasn’t a compliment, judging by the sneer she gave him. “First of all, I thought you didn’t work until tonight, so I certainly wasn’t trying to flaunt my date in front of you. Not that it’s a date anyway. He helped me carry some boxes to Yvette’s store. I’m buying him lunch as a thank you.”
“Oh, I—”