Although, the country music reminded her too much of her past. Opting for eighties pop, she started wriggling when Madonna came on. How could you be sad and lonely when listening to the queen of pop?
Turning on her wheel and getting out her supplies, she sang the words to “Like a Virgin”. Once she had her apron tied around her waist, she sat on her stool and got lost in the words of Madonna then Prince.
Bon Jovi serenaded her when the barn door opened, bringing in a blast of fresh, crisp air.
“Hey. This is a surprise.” It wasn’t often that Alexis stopped by unannounced. Ever, really. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. I heard about Jerry. How’s he doing?”
“No news is good news, I suppose. The pneumonia is relentless. I hate to see him suffer.” Jenna stopped the wheel and dipped her hands in the water pot next to her.
“Don’t stop on my account. I know you don’t have a lot of time to come out here and work.”
She didn’t, and she feared she’d be getting a lot more time in the near future. They all knew Jerry’s time on earth was limited. When he died, she’d need to find a new job. A new home. Somewhere she could set up her pottery studio and a safe place to plug in her kiln.
“What brings you by? Not that I mind.” Jenna had always liked Alexis and thought they’d have the deepest connection, but when she adopted Sophie and became a mother, it kind of changed things for Jenna. It wasn’t Alexis’ fault she couldn’t handle being around babies all the time.
“Ben and I have been talking, but before we make a decision on a caterer, I wanted to talk to you.” Alexis dragged over a stool and sat across from her.
“Who you hire has nothing to do with me. Hire who you think is the best fit for your pairings. Have you interviewed other caterers?”
“Two. They asked us to come down to their restaurants to sample their ideas.”
“And?”
“You and Tristan.” Alexis rested her elbow on her thigh and propped her chin on her fist.
“Were a thing of the past. That’s all.” Jenna stepped lightly on the pedal moving the wheel again, shaping the clay with her hands.
“If he didn’t mean so much, you wouldn’t be avoiding eye contact.”
She trained her eyes on Alexis’. They stared at each other for a few beats before Jenna dropped her gaze and molded the clay.
“See?”
“I didn’t know we had to have a stare down for me to prove my point. If you like Tristan’s food, hire him. It’s no sweat off my back. It’s not like I’ll have to run into him unless I go to a pairing.”
“True. Our friendship comes before business, though. You know that, right?”
Actually, she didn’t. She didn’t know Alexis felt so strongly toward her. It was ... nice.
“That means more to me than you can possibly imagine.” Jenna shut off the wheel and leaned back in her seat. Now wasn’t the time to have a heart to heart and bare her soul.
Someday. Maybe. Soon.
“His food was amazing. And if what Ben said is true, that he’s kind of famous for his chef skills, then he’s sure to draw in a great deal of business for you. Hire him.”
“You sure?”
“Even though I don’t want to run into him, if he brings those desserts again, I may have to sneak by the winery to steal a sample or two.”
“Sample? Hell, if I were you I’d steal the whole damn cake.”
“And that’s why I love you too.” Jenna shook off the excess grit from her hands and held out her arms for a hug, careful to keep her hands far away from Alexis. “Thank you for coming by. It means a lot to me. You’re a good friend.”
They hugged as best as they could without covering Alexis in clay.
When Jenna was alone again, this time with REO Speedwagon filling the air, she couldn’t help the flood of emotions that took over her heart.
If only life had turned out differently. If only Tristan hadn’t...
It hurt too much to think about it. Stopping REO, she switched over to eighties metal and let the loud, obnoxious sounds of Metallica scrape the insides of her head.
CHAPTER SEVEN
For five nights Jenna had the house to herself while Jerry recovered in the hospital. She spent her mornings with him, reading to him, listening to repeat stories of Brigitte, and left when his soap opera came on.
With the unexpected free time on her hands, she was able to make all the dishes Ben had ordered. If her kiln was bigger she’d have them all done and delivered, but she could only heat a few pieces at a time.
Saturday morning her phone rang showing an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?” She prayed it wasn’t the hospital with dreaded news.
“How’s my favorite dance partner?”
“Carter.” Jenna smiled into her phone and stirred the honey she’d just poured into her tea.
“Phew. I don’t know what I would have done if you said someone else’s name.”
“I can honestly say I’ve never tangoed with anyone else.”
“Glad I could be the first.”
That would be the only thing Carter could ever be the first of in her life, she thought with a heavy heart.
“Listen, I know it’s last minute, but do you have plans for tonight?”
“Not really.”
“I asked Brady and Grace if they’d mind hanging out with Jerry for a bit while we grabbed a bite to eat.”
Funny and thoughtful. Carter had it all. “That was sweet of you, but there’s no need.”
“Oh. Don’t tell me you’re washing your hair.” For some reason the sadness in his voice tugged at her heart. She wasn’t a pity date after all.
“Actually, Jerry’s been in the hospital all week. I’m not sure when he’ll be home.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is everything okay? Wait. That’s a dumb question. If it was, he wouldn’t be in the hospital.”
“He had pneumonia last winter, and it’s been lingering forever. The fluid in his lungs has built up and made it hard for him to breathe.”
“Poor guy. He’s practically a staple of our community.”
“To answer your question, I’d love to go out with you tonight.”
“Really? Awesome. Can I pick you up around six?”
“Six sounds perfect.”
After they hung up she picked up her tea, blowing the steam away, and sipped. This was good. Very good. Carter was exactly what she needed, who she needed right now.
The rest of the day dragged on as she watched the clock and tried to keep busy. When flashes of Tristan’s face entered her vision, she’d crank up the nineties music and think back to last week when Carter showed her how to do the Macarena.
She wasn’t sure what to wear for her date. Carter was a casual guy, as was she. Brown boots, dark leggings, and a long tunic was her way of dressing up. Nothing like Grace or Lily’s flair for fashion. Even Hope knew how to dress cute and stylish.
Caring for an elderly man and slapping clay around in the barn didn’t require a wardrobe of skirts and heels. In the summer, she’d wear one of her three long flowing skirts to book nights, and maybe to dinner with the girls.
But it was always flat sandals, flip flops, sneakers, clogs, or no-heel boots for her feet.
She’d just gotten off the phone with Jerry’s doctor when Carter pulled into the driveway.
“You look hot,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Jenna nodded absently at the compliment and slid into her coat.
“You alright?”
So much for trying to pretend she was. “I just got off the phone with Jerry’s doctor. He wants to keep him in the hospital longer.”
“Wow. I’m sorry. We can go visit him tonight if you want.”
Touched, Jenna picked herself up on her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his cheek. “You’re a very sweet man, Carter Marshall.”
“Don’t let the word get out. The town thinks I’m a party animal, and I’d like to keep my
rep up, okay?”
“Mum’s the word.”
He held the door open for her, and she made her way down the porch steps. Carter stood at the passenger side of his door and rested a comforting hand on her shoulder. “We don’t have to go out tonight if it’s too much. I can see how much Jerry means to you.”
“Actually, I’ve been looking forward to going out all day. I’ve been spending too much time here. Alone. Fresh air, good company, and someone else’s cooking is exactly what I need.”
Damn. Why did food and cooking always elicit Tristan’s face?
“I aim to please. And after dinner, we’ll stop by and check in on old Jers. My mom will have my hide if I don’t say hello.”
“You’re blowing your cover, party boy.”
They drove in silence down the coast. He was full of surprises tonight, pulling into a quaint Thai restaurant.
“This okay?”
“It’s perfect.” She waited while Carter got out of the truck and came to her side and opened the door. “Thanks,” she said when he offered his hand.
He kept his hand wrapped around hers as they walked into the restaurant. The hostess seated them toward the back. The entire evening he managed to bring a smile to her face with stories of his childhood antics and the way he made fun of his brother, in a completely loving way.
He had her laughing until she was in tears.
“You have a pretty laugh.”
“I do?” she asked with surprise.
“It’s nice. I, uh ... date a bit and—” Jenna covered her cough with her hand. “Hey, now. That’s not fair.”
“What? Even you admitted you have a party reputation.”
“Party, yeah, but I’m not a man whore.”
Jenna quirked her eyebrow. Honestly, she’d never heard any specific stories about Carter other than he was the life of the party. She figured it also meant he had a girl at his side whenever he wanted as well.
“Anyway, despite what you think you know, most women I ... hang out with have a superficial laugh. Like they’re worried belting a good one will ruin their image.”
“In other words, you find my unladylike laugh attractive?” she teased.
“Shit. That’s not what I meant at all. You’re different. You’re—”
Embarrassed by the attention, she cut him off. “I’m only joking. Thanks, I guess, for liking my laugh. You seem to bring it out in me.”
“Happy to oblige.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. Such a simple, sweet gesture, and it tugged a smile out of her heart.
They declined dessert when the waitress cleared their plates.
“You sure? I remember your friends teasing you about your sweet tooth the other night.”
“It’s not that bad. Anything lemon and coconut is my real downfall.” And anything Tristan baked. Nope. Don’t go there.
“Good to know.”
“Is it now?” She laughed.
Carter scratched his chin as if deep in thought. “I wish I’d known you were free all week. I’d have been taking you out every night.”
“Oh.” He’d surprised her. Again. While she’d known who he was and had hung out with him in large groups before, he was never on her radar. Too opposite.
Unless the adage was true: opposites attract. It surprised her how much he seemed to be into her. It was nice to be sought after. Jenna enjoyed his company. Not only did he make her forget about things she didn’t want to think about, but he was fun and considerate.
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand,” he said, getting out of his chair.
“Let’s what?” His habit of saying some random things always made her laugh.
“An expression Brady and I used to say when we were young.”
“Visited many popsicle stands when you were a kid, did you?” she asked as she zipped up her coat.
“Now that you mention it, that phrase doesn’t make any sense at all.”
“You’re how old and just now realizing this?”
“To be fair, Brady is older than me, and he never questioned it either.” Carter clasped her hand in his and led them to the door.
“Does Brady still go around using that childhood phrase?”
“Never pegged you for a smart ass,” Carter mumbled as he unlocked the passenger side door.
“And I never pegged you for a knight in shining armor,” she said to the empty cab as she watched him round the hood of the truck.
If she wasn’t careful, she could find herself falling for him. Which wouldn’t be so bad.
An hour later, after leaving the hospital, Carter pulled into her driveway. Tonight she didn’t have the distraction or security of her friends waiting in the car. He opened her door, and she hopped out, brushing past him and walking slowly to her front door.
This part scared and confused her. Thank him and run inside? Should she ask him in? Would he think she wanted him to stay the night? Was an invite for a cup of coffee a euphemism for sex?
Jenna had gone out on a few dates since divorcing Tristan, but never anything serious. She’d wanted a distraction but never put her heart or mind into dating.
Caring for Jerry made it more of a planning challenge to get out, but she’d found nurses to stay with him so she could meet a man for dinner and a movie. Mia loved to set her up, and it wasn’t often that Jenna agreed.
Twice she’d gone back to a man’s apartment. It hadn’t meant anything and was more of a release. More of a reminder that she was a woman with needs and a consenting adult. From the stories Alexis and Hope told before they met their husbands, their dating life had been the same. Minimal at best.
“Thank you for coming out with me tonight on such short notice.”
“My social calendar isn’t exactly full.”
“No?” Carter stood in her space, their toes almost touching, and took her hands in his. “That’s good. I don’t mind filling it up for you.”
“Oh?” She dropped her gaze to his lips and looked away quickly when he darted his tongue across them.
Was her angst because she wanted him to kiss her or she didn’t want him to? He lowered his head and took her mouth in his, not giving her any more time to contemplate.
It was nice. His lips were warm and inviting and reminded her of that comfortable blanket again.
He pulled back before the kiss turned too deep. “Good night.”
“Good night,” she whispered and let herself into the house.
For the first time all week, Jenna went to bed relaxed and comforted. Spooning a body pillow and wrapped in her thick gray blanket, she drifted off into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Tristan had been running ragged with work, and he loved every second of it. This was what he wanted. Being busy, having a successful business, running his own schedule.
He flicked on his blinker and turned onto Old Cranberry Road on his way to Coastal Vines’ first wine and food pairing.
The call from Martelli had surprised him. He expected his past with Jenna to cost him the job. Not that he needed it. It wasn’t like offering samples of his culinary skills at a small winery was going to keep him in the black, but he missed having the face-to-face contact with people when they sampled his cooking.
He was a social guy and enjoyed other people’s company. The winery was a neat place and could pull in some potential business for him. Especially with the function hall being part of it.
It was too soon to push that on the Martellis, but he’d ask them if he could leave his brochure out for couples or businesses booking the hall. They’d need a caterer, after all.
Turning into the parking lot of the winery, he lowered the volume to his radio and scanned the parking lot for the familiar car.
Not that it was familiar. He assumed the yellow Volkswagen bug he spotted last month was Jenna’s. Would she come tonight to celebrate her friend’s first wine and food pairing?
It wasn’t a monumental grand opening by any means. Still, he wondered if she
’d come support Alexis and Ben. He pulled into the spot closest to the tasting room door and put his van in park.
Ben was there to greet him. “Need a hand unloading?”
“I think I’m good, thank you. Since we’re only doing a summer squash pairing and not sampling eight different themes, I have a lot less to bring in than last time.”
“I still can’t believe Alexis picked that. I’m hoping you have something more than veggie sticks.” Ben grinned as he held the door open for Tristan.
He hadn’t brought anything with summer squash last month but had suggested it to Alexis when she booked him for tonight. The farmer’s markets had an abundance of zucchini and yellow squash right now, and he liked to support the local farmers.
“Mini veggie quiche with bacon, zucchini tarts, and a tapenade with pita chips.”
“I’m only kidding.” Ben slapped him on the back lightly. “I saw the menu you sent Alexis.”
The friendly tap on his back meant Ben probably hadn’t heard about Tristan’s past with Jenna. Maybe his ex-wife hadn’t shared their sad tale with the locals. That was good. Otherwise her version of the story would have him blackballed from the community.
“Thanks,” he said to Ben as he stepped past him into the tasting room.
“I have no guarantee how tonight will turn out.” Alexis greeted him with a polite nod. “We could have four people or fifty. I feel bad not being able to give you a recommendation on how many samples to bring.” There was a slight edge to her voice. One most people most likely wouldn’t notice; he’d picked up on the rigidity in her jaw and shoulders right away. She may not like him, but she was professional and respectful toward him.
“Not to worry. The quiche and tarts freeze well.” Although he preferred to serve his food fresh. “And I plan to use the extra tapenade at a luncheon I’m catering tomorrow.” The governor’s wife had been a regular customer at his Portland restaurant and had booked him for five functions this year.
He’d ignored her sister’s advances and had to put her in her place one night after she’d had too many drinks. After that incident he figured she’d have gone running to her sister and had him fired.
Thankfully the governor’s wife never mentioned the incident and hired him for the governor’s ball in January. Or maybe she had heard and hired him anyway.
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