by Nancy Naigle
“If you think you’re whispering, you suck at it. I’m sitting right here.”
“I just thought she should know.”
“The two are not connected.”
“Nothing is that coincidental, Megan. We all know you were absolutely heartbroken. Kevin was your muse. Or he stole your muse when he left. Whatever it was, he stole your gift to the world.”
She wasn’t having this conversation. That was old news. She’d moved on. All of that was fine right where she’d tucked it safely away. Not to be tempted or destroyed again. “Lord, Angie. Don’t be so melodramatic. It’s not like I was making a living at it. The candle business is what I was meant to do. Let it go.”
Flynn had her eyes closed, and her head leaned back, but it didn’t keep her from jumping in on it all. “Someone’s touchy,” she sang.
Megan couldn’t believe she’d missed that paint. Good lord. And Noah hadn’t mentioned it either. Probably because he put it there. Not that she hadn’t deserved it.
“It’s probably the wedding that has inspired you,” Angie said. “Weddings are so romantic. Besides he was a long time ago.”
“We’re not saying his name again.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know. I’m just saying. Maybe.”
“Maybe it’s the wedding, but it wasn’t a painting like you think. It’s just a little project.” And that wasn’t a complete lie. It kind of was the wedding that had inspired her, because it was Jackson’s surprise wedding gift to Angie that had kicked off that whole chain of events. And Noah asking her to be a part of it. And spending time with Noah hadn’t been half bad either. Probably because they both had the exact same values and views on life and relationships.
Megan peeked over toward Angie, who was staring at her with a knowing look. Angie knew her so well.
“You know, Megan, Jackson was saying that Noah couldn’t quit talking about you the other day.”
Megan’s hopes soared. Only she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t like she was looking for anyone. She was completely happy the way things were. “He’ll be in California next week. Don’t be silly.”
“Yeah, besides,” Flynn added. “I think Noah was out on the prowl last night. So he must not be interested in Megan. He never made it back to the inn.”
Megan felt like a squirrel in the middle of a highway, unsure of which way to dart. “How do you know?”
Flynn’s hands moved with her words as she began to explain. “Well, he wasn’t there when I went to bed. And he wasn’t there for breakfast with the other guys.”
“Maybe he got up early. Went for a run or something,” Katy said.
“I guess it’s possible,” Flynn said. “But don’t you think the guys would have said something if that was the case?”
“He could’ve been over at Jackson’s,” Megan said.
“No,” Angie said. “Jackson would have told me. I talked to him last night and he was already in bed. He didn’t mention anyone else being there this morning either.”
Quit trying to cover for him. You’re just looking guiltier. She picked up the color-key chart for the nail polish colors, hoping no one would notice that just-been-laid look about her. Because right now she felt like it was written all over her face.
“We don’t have to pick colors, remember? We’re all getting the same thing,” Flynn said.
“Yeah, I was just looking. To look.” To hide. What I want is to crawl in a hole and hide. I can’t believe I slept with him. I don’t even know him. And he’ll be gone next week. What was I thinking? Am I crazy?
“Ford is really nice,” Flynn said, out of the blue. “I’m glad I’m walking down the aisle with him.”
“You’re welcome,” Angie said.
“I’m glad you’ve found the perfect guy, Angie. I think I’m going to quit looking for a while. I feel like I’m trying so hard that I’m scaring the good ones off.”
“You have been a little ummm . . . overzealous,” Angie said with kindness.
“I know. I was thinking about that last night. I just want what you and Katy have so badly.”
“It’ll come. In the right time. You’re so busy getting the B&B back up and running. It’s not the best time for a relationship for you right now. Things have a way of working out at the right time. Be patient.”
“I’m trying,” Flynn said. “Y’all have to help remind me of that.”
“We will,” Megan said. “I will anyway.”
“I knew you would. Aren’t you always the one who reins us back in? You’re lucky to be so happy by yourself. To not need anyone.”
She didn’t. But she sure was thinking it might be nice to have someone around. If that someone was like Noah. But then again, how many Noahs were out there in the world? And then of those, how many were near Boot Creek? Slim pickings at best.
Angie spoke up. And Megan knew that she would. “Flynn, calming down and not trying so hard does not mean that you give up the dream of finding your soul mate. It will happen. Look at me. And I have a child. I really didn’t think I’d ever find someone who could love me and Billy the way I wanted. And then there was Jackson.”
“And Derek. I was in the middle of a meltdown when I bumped into him. So, not the right timing, but I think fate will bring you together if it’s right. No matter what. You just have to be open to what the world is putting in front of you.”
“How do you even know when it’s right, though?” Megan asked.
“You’ll feel it,” Angie said.
Katy’s voice was soft, dreamy. “His kisses will send your every nerve ending tingling like a sparkler, and you won’t be able to think straight. Your insides will be like the inside of a snow globe and your cheeks will hurt from you smiling—all the way from your heart to your lips. It’s incredible.”
“Sounds impossible.”
“Don’t be a Debbie Downer,” Angie said.
“You’re going to have yours one day. I’m telling you. No matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will find love and you will not deny it.
“We’ll see.” Megan wasn’t going to jump into that express line.
“Me too?”
“Definitely, you too, Flynn.”
Megan remembered exactly how Noah’s kisses had felt. Emotion shuddered through her just at the memory. “His kisses will make me feel like a sparkler?”
Angie swatted at Megan’s arm. “Stop laughing. You’ll see. Okay, maybe not like a sparkler, but, like, tingly. And fabulous. Oh, you go ahead and laugh. When you’ve really been kissed, you’ll know it.”
She bit her lip. She contemplated spilling the truth, but the truth was she could identify with that stupid sparkler reference. “I kissed Noah last night.”
“What?”
“He was with you? That’s where he was? All night?”
“Oh, my gosh. And you let it go this long without saying anything?” Flynn could catch flies in her mouth it was dropped open so wide.
“Do you like him,” Katy asked.
“I like him,” Megan admitted. “I definitely like him. At least the way he kisses.”
“He’s so cute,” said Flynn.
“And he’s also going back to California. Not really a smart move, but I don’t regret it. Not one bit.”
“Don’t discount it so quickly, Megan. I told you Jackson said Noah can’t quit talking about you.”
“That,” Megan pointed out with a finger stabbed in each of their directions, “does not mean he likes me like that.”
“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t,” Katy sang out.
“How was the kiss? Tell us,” Flynn begged.
“Oh. My. God.” Megan lifted her foot out of the water and curled her toes. “Like that. And it wasn’t one kiss. It was dozens of them and they were all the toe-curling kind. Every single last one of them.”
“Holy shit. Megan. I can’t believe it. But I’m happy. I’m excited for you,” Angie said. “Wouldn’t it be so cool if we were married to best friends?”
<
br /> “Calm down. I’m going to be sorry I told you.”
“Did it feel like fireworks?” Flynn teased.
“Yes, it kind of did,” Megan admitted with a laugh. “I swear we are so immature. Good thing we aren’t in a spa in Boot Creek. The whole dang town would know by now.”
“Who says they don’t?” Angie added.
“Not a word of this to anyone else, y’all. He’s going to be leaving town. It was a horrible slip up. It just kind of happened. It all started so friendly, and then I went a little nuts. I don’t know what was I thinking.”
“That you’re an adult and you are allowed to have some fun,” Flynn said. “Good lord, Megan. It’s one guy. One time. You hit it off. Nothing to be ashamed about.”
“Y’all know that I’ve never slept with a guy I barely knew. Never.” She gave them her don’t-mess-with-me look. “No one better breathe a word of this to my mother.”
“Megan. You’re not sixteen,” Flynn said laughing.
“I feel it.”
“Yep. That’s another sign.” Katy pressed her lips together. “I’m telling you. That first day I met Derek. I had butterflies. Was giddy. It was ridiculous. I was like a schoolgirl with her first crush. I know exactly what you’re feeling, Megan.”
“See. And it worked out for Katy.” Flynn’s eyes were wild with excitement. “How was it? He’s so hot. I bet it was hot. So did he just show up and you kissed him?”
“No. It was very nice. He even brought me daisies.”
“Which means your mother already knows.” Flynn pointed out.
“True. She is the only flower game in town.” Megan scowled. “But she doesn’t know the rest.”
“She’s probably at home hoping right now. Come on, really? You’re thirty.”
“I’m not thirty yet.” Megan had heard the almost-thirty speech from her mother about a hundred times too many. Megan’s clock wasn’t ticking, but her mom’s was ticking loud enough for her to scare away men for a country mile.
“Well, close enough. So what’d you do? He showed up with daisies and you kissed?”
“No. It wasn’t like that at all. We’d bumped into each other earlier. He wanted to see the candle stuff. I said he could come over. He showed up with flowers. We went to Bella’s. We talked. Enjoyed a great meal together. It was nice. And we’d spent . . .” She caught herself right before she spilled the beans about the project. Pull yourself together, girl. You can’t ruin the surprise. It’s just too good. “He wanted to see the car. His grandfather had one exactly like Daddy’s. Same year. Same color. Everything. We have a lot in common. I don’t know. It was nice.”
“From what Jackson says,” Angie said, “Noah’s whole life is cars. His work. His play. His passion.”
Oh, he was passionate all right.
Katy leaned back and closed her eyes. “Nothing wrong with building your career around your interests. I mean, we’re all doing that too.”
“Yeah, but we’re small scale. He’s in a whole other league.” Megan still couldn’t get her head around how big his company was. She’d meant to look it up on the internet, but she hadn’t had a moment to spare yet. Now she was itching to do it. She wanted to know more about him.
She wanted to be in his league. Or did she? A flash of her walking down the beach with the Pacific Ocean lapping at her ankles as her gauzy blouse blew in a gentle breeze, and Noah, tan and smiling, walking toward her in the California sunshine. He has that look in his eye. The one that he used when he said she was hot. Like he was going to explode if he didn’t say it out loud. Walking hand in hand with her, he opens the door of a bright yellow hot rod for her, then gets behind the wheel and drives so fast it makes her squeal with excitement, taking the curves fast and making the beautiful view flash by as they cruise the beach highway.
What would that really be like?
“Ladies?”
Megan snapped out of her little Noah daydream. They’d already spent too much time talking about Noah. Instead of relieving the emotions she was struggling with, they were just encouraging her and making her even more curious.
The hostess at the spa led them to the locker room, where they each changed into white waffle weave robes.
Then she guided them all to where the next part of their spa treatments would be done, and handed them each a glass of champagne. The row of thick-cushioned tan recliners filled one wall with bubbling water below them. The water changed from pink to purple to blue and back through the rainbow again.
“How do you know when you find your soul mate?” Flynn asked.
“Don’t look at me,” Megan said. Although she was beginning to believe she might have just experienced it.
Chapter Twelve
Noah hadn’t had any luck getting Megan alone during the wedding rehearsal. She’d been with the girls or talking to the photographer or on her phone the whole time.
Now he sat, staring at her from across the room at the rehearsal dinner. He’d much rather be back at Bella’s having dinner alone with her. Or back at her place having her for dessert. But for now, watching her bop back and forth through the room talking to everyone and taking care of business wasn’t all that bad of a second option.
She lifted her chin and waved.
He was running on all eight cylinders now. Truth be told, he’d been running in high gear ever since he woke up in her place alone. He’d taken the opportunity to go out and take another look at the Adventurer. It was sweeter than he’d ever imagined. Right down to the matching numbers. It was the real deal. A rare find. As he’d stood there looking at that car that morning, all alone in her garage, it was like nothing else existed. Everything he’d wished for had just fallen from heaven.
Noah gave Megan a chin nod back, anxious for time to talk to her. He’d be leaving on Tuesday, and tomorrow was the wedding. It might be his last chance to really have any time with her. Plus, his bet with Jackson was that he’d have a deal on that car before the couple headed off on their honeymoon.
He pushed up from his seat and walked over to where Megan was talking to Flynn’s grandparents, Suz and Rich, from the airport.
“Good to see you two again,” Noah said.
“I still can’t believe that you are in the wedding party with our sweet Flynn,” Suz gushed. “It has to be some kind of fate or destiny or something.”
“Good to see you.” Flynn’s grandfather, Rich, extended his hand. “Suz and I told Flynn how helpful you were, but don’t mind Suz. She’s just a hopeless matchmaker. Can’t blame her this time though. Not many guys your age would’ve given us a second look or concern.”
Noah shook his hand. “Small world, isn’t it?” And he wasn’t just thinking about bumping into them, but also that this trip put the car of his dreams right on his path. And Megan, well, he wasn’t sure how the heck she played into it, but he’d figure it out soon enough. “Hope you don’t mind if I steal Megan away.”
“Not at all,” Flynn’s grandparents said in practiced unison. Probably from years of being together.
Megan let him lead her away. “It’s going to be a beautiful ceremony.”
“I’m sure. Want to get some air?”
She looked a little surprised, but then nodded. “Sure. Yeah, I’ve been going all night.” She pointed toward the door across the way. “There’s a meditation garden out that way.”
They walked outside. It was still warm, but without the sun it was tolerable. They sat on a concrete bench next to a small bubbling fountain.
“I can’t stop thinking about your paintings,” he said. Or you. Or that car of yours.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she mused.
“I’m serious. I was thinking that it would be really cool for you to come out to California and do some paintings of the cars in my collection. Maybe some of the new jobs we’re working. We could sell them. I know my clients would go crazy for them.”
She smiled politely.
He’d had a slew of ideas. “We could do
a calendar. You could even do a specialty line of your candles that use your prints as the label on the jars. Kind of two arts in one package.”
“Thank you. That’s really sweet.” But the conversation just hung there.
“But you don’t want my advice?”
“I’m sure you’re trying to be helpful, but I told you, I’m doing fine with things the way they are.”
“You don’t want to grow your business?”
“I don’t paint anymore.” All of the peacefulness of this meditation garden couldn’t keep the past from howling in her memory right now.
“But you’re an amazing talent.”
“I like my simple little candle business. It pays the bills. It’s plenty.” She looked off and sighed. “I want to be free to do things.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I don’t exactly know yet, but as the opportunities come up, I don’t want to be tied down with tons of timelines or commitments. Besides, if you get too big for your britches, things don’t go your way. I prefer a simple life, thank you—not be tied down by anything. Not a business, family . . .”
“A man?” There was more to this story. She was way too cocksure, like she’d recited this a million times.
“That too. And yesterdays. There are some yesterdays I just don’t care to repeat.”
He looked into her eyes. A woman scorned, or just a woman who was a lot like him? He wasn’t sure. Maybe there’d been too much stress with being an artist. “I understand your philosophy. I play more of the go-big-or-go-home route, but just the same, I’m not looking for someone to chain me down either. In fact, I’m not looking at all.”
“Exactly.” Lightning bolts seemed to dance in her eyes. “Finally, someone who seems to get it. I swear, it’s a breath of fresh air. I know what’s ahead of me. I’m comfortable with it. Why can’t everyone else just let me be with that?”
“Probably because they think there are bigger things for you. But you can’t predict what will happen tomorrow based on every yesterday.”
“What do you have against yesterdays?” She glanced heavenward, almost as if the question was for someone else. Not him or anyone of this earth.