by Diana Tobin
Gusta lifted her hands and let them fall to her side. “No.” She lifted one hand to stop him from arguing. “It’s a nice idea, more like a pipe dream. First, I don’t know that there are enough people around wanting instruction. Perhaps, if word gets around, I wouldn’t mind hosting a group. Second, I like being out with others. Working at Moose-ley Coffee makes sure I’m out of the house, that I’m seeing other people, not just shut away in a room by myself.”
She reached for his hands. “I love spending time with you, but you can’t be the only person in my life. I was isolated for so many years with Hope as my only companion.” She tightened her grip. “I loved being with her, you know that. But, I had no one else. Over the years, my friends drifted away. People stop calling when you can never meet with them or even allowed time to talk. I can’t go back to that, Web. I don’t want to be the center of attention, I just want a chance to meet people. Maybe make some friends.” She gave his hands a squeeze. “You understand, don’t you?”
Web understood all too well. The bastard she’d been married to had made sure she didn’t have a friend left to help her, support her, love her. With Gusta isolated from everyone else, the son of a bitch had even more control over her. But, no longer…and never again.
“I understand, babe. It was just an idea.”
“It was a lovely idea.” She moved forward to wrap her arms around his waist. “And, there might come a time when I’d want to do that. Just not yet.” She stretched up to kiss him. “You’re not my ex, and I know that,” she said quietly.
Web heaved out a breath. “I still think I should go pound the shit out of him.”
“You said it before, he’s not worth it.” Gusta kissed him again. “I do have an idea about the shop, studio, whatever we’re going to call it. You should use it as your office. You wouldn’t have to be shoved into a corner of the dining room.”
“We can share the room. I like that idea.”
“Actually, I was thinking I could move my supplies up to the small bedroom.” She gave him a wry grin. “I know, we just moved that little desk downstairs and now I want it back up. I won’t make you move the big bookcase.”
“Whew!” Web playfully wiped his hand across his brow. “Wouldn’t you rather keep everything downstairs?”
“I can take my work in progress with me easily. Won’t there be times when you’ll be meeting with people? You need a place for that, not stuck in a corner.”
“I need to look serious so others will take me seriously, is that it?” He hugged her. “Since we’re in moving mode, let’s get to it.”
She didn’t release him. “You don’t mind?”
“Why would I mind a good idea? We should be using the rooms of this house the way they fit us, not necessarily the way Gran and Pop did,” Web said easily. “The house is ours. We need to make it fit our lives.”
“It’s not ours yet,” Gusta reminded him.
“Just a matter of time, honey.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Gus and Web browsed the aisles of Forever Yarns. She’d enjoyed the drive to the store in New Hampshire, seeing the colorful leaves amidst the green of pines. Fall in Oregon was beautiful, but fall in New England was spectacular.
“Are you looking for anything special, or just getting an idea of what’s available?” Web asked.
“Both,” she answered fingering a cashmere blend. She loved the moss green, but the golden brown also caught her eye. Gus pulled a small strand from each skein, twisting the two colors together and considered.
“Wha’cha doin’?”
“Deciding.” Turning to Web she held up the twisted strands to his chest. Colors really didn’t matter. The man looked good in anything. Even better in nothing. Gus cleared her throat. “Um. If I don’t like it, I’ll just do the green,” she muttered.
“Am I supposed to understand any of this?”
She smiled up at him. “Not really. Just some ideas I’m toying with.” She looked around the store. “I need a basket.”
Web held out his arms. “Load me up. Then, you can keep looking.”
“You really don’t mind?”
He leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “I’d say if I did.”
She began pulling skeins of yarn from the shelves, getting more than needed, filling Web’s hands and arms. “Better to have too much.”
Web chuckled causing Gus to look at him with a frown. “I’m not making fun of you. I think it’s cute the way you talk to yourself.”
The man was a mind-reader Gus thought, reminding herself he was nothing like her ex. “I guess it helps me think when I’m working on a new idea. My thought is to use these two colors together. If I decide I don’t like how it’s looking, I’ll use just the green, so I need to make sure I have enough.”
“Okay.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Be right back.”
Knitting a sweater for Web would be a pleasure. The yarn was costly, but she wanted to give him something special to remember her by.
Gus had no idea what she would do when their year was up. Web kept talking about the house as if they’d be sharing it for years to come, but she knew that wasn’t possible. Someday, he would find a woman who could love him as he deserved. Even if Gus were willing to live in part of the house at that time, there was no way she could be there to see him with the love of his life.
Why can’t you be the love of his life?
The thought intruded partly in pleasure, partly in dread. She cared about Web, deeply, but she couldn’t love him. Everyone she’d ever loved was lost to her. She didn’t think her heart could bear another loss.
“Do you want to look around some more? Or, are you ready to find a place for lunch?” Web placed an arm around her back.
She smiled at him. “Lunch sounds good. Let me pay for my yarn.”
Together they went up to the checkout counter. Instruction books were displayed near the register and Gus picked up one by a familiar publisher. “Oh!” She flipped through the pages before finding the design she sought. “Look, Web.” She held out the book to him.
“Is this one of yours?” He took the book from her hands.
“Yes.”
“Miss,” he said to the woman ringing up Gus’s purchase. “You’ve got the designer of this right here.” His voice rang with pride. “We’ll take the book, too.”
The woman at the register looked at the picture Web held out, then back to Gus. “You’re AJ Thompson?”
“Yes, I am.” Gus felt a bit giddy.
“Will you sign the rest of our stock? Your husband can have this book for free and we’ll give you a discount on your purchase.”
Before she could correct the woman, Web answered. “Go ahead, honey. You can sign my copy at home.”
The store owner, Catherine, got a pen for Gus to autograph the books. “Do you ever hold workshops or give lessons?”
“Well, I–”
“We were just discussing that the other day,” Web interrupted. “I told her we should fix up a room at home for her to do just that, but she didn’t think there’d be enough interest.”
“Where do you and Mrs. Thompson live?” asked Catherine.
Gus felt her face heating and kept her head down as she signed each book.
Web smiled at Catherine, placing a hand on Gus’s back. “Actually it’s Webster. My wife publishes under her maiden name. We live in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine.” He kissed the top of Gus’s bent head. “Why don’t you give us one of your cards and we’ll discuss the matter and see what we can work out?”
“Great,” enthused Catherine. She bagged up the yarn and shook hands with Gus. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Both of you,” she said with a glance at Web. Turning back to Gus, she said, “I hope we can work out something. I’d be thrilled to host something here, whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“Thank you. You have a lovely shop,” Gus told her as she and Web walked out the door.
Once outside, Web twined his fi
ngers with Gus’s, leading her back to the car.
“Why did you let that woman think we were married?”
“Didn’t see the harm.” Web grinned at her, lifting their joined hands to his lips. “Can you hold out for a late lunch till we get to Portsmouth?”
“I guess so.” She wanted to argue about the farce of them being married, but decided it was silly. She and Web would never marry, and if she went back to Forever Yarns, well, she’d think of something to tell Catherine.
Web helped Gus into her seat in the Jeep, reaching over to buckle the seat belt. “You will autograph the knitting book for your husband, won’t you?”
She cupped his face in her hands, giving him a deep kiss. “Yes. Thank you.”
He rubbed his lips together, as if savoring the taste of her. “What are you thanking me for? Not that I mind, considering how you go about it.”
“For making a big deal about seeing my designs in a book and telling the owner. I’ve never done that before.”
“Really?” He frowned slightly, then his expression cleared and he said, “I’m glad I could share the first time with you.” His grin turned wicked. “Another first time I’ve gotten to share with you.” He kissed her quickly. “Let’s hit the road.”
That morning they’d driven up to Farmington before heading east to Bethel, stopping at a donut shop for breakfast. Web drove them through the White Mountains so they could enjoy the fall foliage, before catching the interstate south heading near Manchester, New Hampshire.
Portsmouth was close to the Maine border, and provided many places for them to have a meal. After enjoying bowls of lobster bisque and fresh rolls, Web and Gus strolled about the lovely sea coast town, holding hands.
“I’d like to have my parents come for a visit,” Web said. “Mama, especially, wants to meet you.”
Gus swallowed hard. “All right.”
“Don’t be nervous,” he chided. “Remember, Mama and Julia were best friends the first fifteen years of their lives.”
“Yes, and her best friend turned her back on her when Alice needed her most.” Gus sighed. “I have trouble reconciling the woman I grew up knowing with the unfeeling, so it seems, woman who walked away from family and friends.”
He placed an arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him. “If it helps, I think Julia was sorry for what she did. I just don’t understand why she didn’t try to make amends.”
“I guess we never will,” Gus agreed. They walked on in silence for a bit. “Why do you think my mother was sorry?”
“I’ll let Mama explain.”
She wanted to question him more, then decided it would give her and his mother something to talk about. “Do you want me to see if I can get time off from the café when they come?”
Web considered. “Only if it’s convenient. It’s not like they need to be entertained. After all, they both grew up in Webster. We usually see each other more than we have the past few months. Between Gran’s accident and illness, I wouldn’t leave; and I wanted to be there when you arrived.” He shrugged as they headed back to the car. “Besides, I want you to meet them before Thanksgiving. It’ll be a madhouse with the whole family.”
“Thanksgiving?” she squeaked.
“Yeah.” He looked down at her, holding her loosely in his arms, as they stood by the car. “You will go to Bangor with me for Thanksgiving, won’t you? We can only stay the one night, but I want you to meet the family. I want you with me.”
“Uh—I—yes, I’ll go with you. As long as Nettie doesn’t need me.”
“I need you more.” He kissed her. “Wanna stop for ice cream?”
Gus groaned. “If I keep eating like this, I’m going to have to get started on lifting your weights.”
Web’s grin was wolfish. “I’ll make sure you work it off when we get home.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The week before Alice and Joe Webster were due to arrive, Gus exhausted herself cleaning the house. She wanted everything perfect for their visit. They must wonder if Emma was in her right mind leaving half the inheritance to a stranger. And, what would they think of Web’s…involvement with her?
Gus didn’t ask for time off during the Websters’ visit. Surely, it would be better if they didn’t have to spend much time with the intruder they must view her as. When Nettie heard her old friend would be in town, she wanted to change the work schedule, but Gus pointed out it would be best for the three Websters to have time, alone, after all that had happened over the past few months.
The weather had turned cold and wet so there was little she could do about the yards. Gus spent nearly as much time planning menus as she did on cleaning and polishing.
The day Alice and Joe were to arrive, Gus put a pot roast in the crock pot. “Web, they’re not vegetarians, are they?” she asked in fear.
Web laughed. “Will you relax? They’re going to love you as much as I do. They’re meat eaters, just like us. You needn’t fear a tofu turkey.”
She couldn’t get her breath. How could he tell her he loved her, then talk about food? She sucked in air and realized he didn’t mean he was in love with her, just that he cared about her. “I was more concerned about the meals I’ve planned. Damn! I forgot about lunches.”
Web caught her up in a hug. “Relax,” he repeated. “Mama has been feeding herself, and the family, for a good many years. Are you ready for work? I’m driving you.”
“No, I’ll drive myself. You need to be here when your parents arrive.”
“Gusta, I’m taking you,” he said sternly. “The streets are icy, and your tires are bald. Mama and Dad should arrive before your shift is done. If they want to come with me to pick you up it will give Mama and Nettie a chance for a quick visit.” He shoved her knit hat over her head. “Gimme a big kiss. I know Nettie always gives you a bad time when I kiss you goodbye at the café.”
She did as he asked, knowing that kiss would have to hold her for the next few days while the elder Websters were in residence.
Thankfully, Moose-ley Coffee was busy with a steady stream of customers. Even though the time flew by, Gus still too often felt her palms sweat in apprehension. She knew meeting the parents didn’t completely hold the same meaning for her as it did for Nettie. From the comments her boss had made during the day, Nettie was sure an engagement was about to be announced. After numerous attempts, Gus gave up trying to convince Nettie otherwise. She’d know the truth soon enough.
Gus saw Web’s Jeep pull into the lot. Her stomach sank when she saw two more people alight from the vehicle. Mr. and Mrs. Webster were here. She wiped her hands on her apron, preparing for introductions.
Web walked straight in to Gus, put an arm around her shoulders and leaned down for a not so quick kiss on her lips. “Mama, Dad, this is Augusta Thompson. Gusta, my parents, Alice and Joe.”
Gus stuck out her hand to shake, but Alice ignored it, pulling Gus into a warm hug. “I’m so glad to meet you, Gusta.” Alice leaned back a bit, placing a hand to the side of Gus’s face. “You look so much like her.” Then, she hugged her tight again.
“Give the girl a chance to breathe, Allie,” Joe said, pushing his wife aside for his own hug. “We’re glad you’re here, honey.”
Gus couldn’t stop the tears running down her cheeks. She’d never expected such a warm greeting. Alice and Joe Webster treated her like part of the family and hadn’t made any comments about the kiss Web had given her upon their arrival.
“Allie-Cat, how’ve you been?” Nettie asked wiping away her own tears. “Good to see you, Joe. Want some coffee? I’ve got a great barista on staff.” She grinned at Gus.
“That would be nice,” said Alice. “It’s gotten cold out there.”
Nettie cleaned off a table for them all while Gus prepared drinks. “Bring some of those cookies you made, Gusta.”
“You’re baking cookies here now?” Web asked in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You don’t look like you’re starving any,” hi
s auburn-haired mother said. “Have you learned to cook, or are you making Gusta do it all?” She winked at Gus.
“I cook,” Web insisted, then grinned. “Just not as well as Gusta.” He patted his flat stomach. “She keeps making me work it all off.”
Gus felt her face flame, knowing how he worked off much of what he ate.
Joe mumbled, “That’s my boy,” and everyone laughed.
Nettie and Alice caught up with each other while Gus got acquainted with Joe Webster.
“Your pot roast sure smelled good, Gusta,” Joe said.
“You mean Web let you in the house long enough to smell it?” she asked on a laugh. “What time did you get here?”
“Couple of hours ago.” He sipped his coffee. “Long enough to see the changes the two of you have made to the house. Looks good. Web said we could go through your scrapbooks, but Allie wanted to wait until you were home.”
“I hope you’ll be comfortable in the guest room.”
Joe waved his hand to dismiss that. “We’re fine anywhere. Although, I’m pleased not to be in Allie’s old room. Always bump my head on the ceiling.” He rubbed his thatch of thick gray-streaked brown hair. “Web said your little girl would’ve wanted that room, too.”
Gus looked at Web in surprise. “Yeah, my room used to be Mama’s when she was growing up. Always a favorite of the kids’ till they get too tall and hit the ceiling,” Web said with a grin.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to getting Allie out on that swing on the porch.” Joe grinned at his son. “I imagine it’s cozy wrapped in a blanket, no matter what the weather.”
Gus felt her face flame. She’d certainly enjoyed her times out there wrapped up with Web, but it surprised her to hear his father voice the same idea. The surprise was not that Joe would think of it, but that he’d speak of it to his son and his son’s current… lover.
“Joey, leave Gusta alone,” Alice admonished. “Maybe she and Web have just been enjoying the view from the swing.”