Hershey's Choice

by Darlene Fredette

  “You’re preoccupied today. What’s up?”

  Her father knew her too well.

  “You and Ryan okay?”

  “We’re fine. Actually, we’re better than fine.” She put the envelope in her purse, making a mental note to get Rachel’s signature.

  “Upset about Ryan working late last night?”

  “Of course not. The fire caused structural damage, making for a lot of redesigns. I understand working overtime to get the job done.” Ryan had been working from sun up to sun down. Exhaustion plagued him. To help, Britt went to his house and prepared supper. “Thank you for sharing your chicken casserole recipe. Ryan loved it.”

  Spending quiet evenings with Ryan were the highlight of her days, but last night a meeting ran quite late. Hershey didn’t mind the sleepover, keeping Britt and her father busy playing ball in the yard and tug of war in the house. “Rachel and I got a lot of work done last night.” After Britt received Ryan’s text of the late meeting, she called Rachel to come over.

  “You should set up Rachel with Nathan. They’d make a cute couple.” Dad bent to tie his running shoes.

  The thought of playing matchmaker had crossed her mind. Britt released a heavy sigh. The unsettled strain sitting on her shoulders had nothing to do with Ryan working late, or Rachel forgetting to sign the lease. “I’ve made a new friend. Dawn Carpenter.”

  Frowning, he straightened. “Ryan’s ex?”

  “Remember I told you we went out for coffee last Monday?”

  Dad nodded.

  “Well, we’ve gotten together every day since.” She caught her father’s furrowed brows. “I know what you’re thinking, because I’ve asked myself the same question. What am I doing hanging out with my boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend?” Britt slipped her feet into a pair of sandals. “Dawn is okay. She told me about the rough time she’s had in New York. The small part promised to her in a movie didn’t pan out. With no money and no friends to lean on, she returned home. She doesn’t have many connections here. She’s lonely and needs a friend.” Britt slung her purse over her shoulder. “Dawn is the one who led me to the retail space downtown.”

  “So, you’re her new buddy?” Dad ruffled a hand through his graying hair. “What does Ryan think?”

  “His reaction is spot-on to yours, but he said the decision to befriend Dawn is mine.” A smidge of tension settled in the pit of her stomach.

  “Then, what’s the problem?”

  “There isn’t one.” Shaking her head, Britt grabbed Hershey’s leash from a hook by the door. She kissed her father’s cheek then picked up the wrapped frame. “We’ll see you later.”

  “I’m overreacting, right, Hershey?” She opened the back door of her car for Hershey to jump inside. “Ryan and Dawn called it quits years ago. I trust Ryan completely.” Britt crawled onto the driver’s seat. “I have no grounds to stress over my friendship with Dawn.” She glanced at the dog in the rear-view mirror, translating the gaze in his brown eyes as a sign of support. “I know. I’m crazy.”

  Chapter Ten

  Britt pulled into Ryan’s driveway, making a mental note to remind him to purchase a pair of cutters. The new growth on the shrubs under the living room window would need trimming. She stepped out of the car and opened the back door.

  Hershey jumped out of the car, sniffing the driveway. He followed a scent to the front door.

  “Hershey, I don’t think that pesky squirrel is inside.” Smiling, she removed the drawing from the trunk. Britt couldn’t wait to give Ryan the final piece of decor for his home. She was also anxious to know of the surprise he hinted about in his text earlier this morning. He didn’t work on weekends, but because of the job site complications, this weekend might not be free. Maybe his secret good news meant he could work from home. She’d plan snacks on the patio, quick walks with Hershey, and a swim before supper. Small moments of time spent together were better than not seeing Ryan at all.

  She knocked on the front door a second time. Receiving no answer, she rummaged inside her purse for his house key. “After a late night, he’s probably sleeping,” she told Hershey. “We’ll sneak in and make breakfast.”

  Leaning the drawing against the house, she reached for the door handle. It turned with ease. Ryan must have unlocked the door in expectation of my arrival.

  Upon entering the main living room, Hershey bent his head and inspected the floor. A growl rumbled from his throat.

  Dread paused her next step. What if Ryan didn’t unlock the door? What if someone broke in and they’re here, somewhere in the house!

  Britt swallowed hard, her breaths coming two at a time. She remained at Hershey’s side, listening for the slightest sound. Running shower water came from the second level. Wasn’t there a shower scene in a horror movie? She refused to watch scary movies for a very good reason. They scared the bejeebers out of her! Who in their right mind wanted to be frightened on purpose? She gently set the drawing by the fireplace.

  A floorboard creaked in the spare bedroom on the main level.

  She caught the breath in her throat and held it there.

  The dog’s hair stood at attention from the back of his neck to the base of his tail. His pearly white teeth made their presence known through a low growl.

  She had no doubt the dog would act as her shield. Hershey had shown his protectiveness during their walks by nudging her to the side and stepping in front when someone stopped to chat.

  Grabbing a metal fire poker in one hand and Hershey’s collar in the other, she prepared to face the intruder. Britt loved this dog too much to see him get hurt. Not that a prowler was any match for the brown bear, but she wasn’t taking any chances. “We’re a team, Hershey,” she whispered.

  Taking a moment to rationalize her wild thoughts, she wondered how she’d look wielding a fire poker at Dylan. He could have spent the night. However, if the unknown presence was Dylan, then Hershey wouldn’t be growling and ready to pounce.

  Footsteps advanced closer. Britt released a breath and held another.

  The trespasser entered the living room, revealing himself, or in this case—herself.

  Inhaling quickly, Britt stared wide-eyed. “Dawn?” The woman wore nothing but a lacy, barely-covering-the butt negligee.

  “Oh no, Britt. You weren’t supposed to be here so early.”

  Hershey tugged for freedom. His growl turned to a vicious bark.

  Britt gripped tight to his collar, holding him back. “I always arrive early. What are you doing here?” She didn’t really want to know.

  “I’m sorry you found out this way.” Dawn rocked from heel to toe. “Last night just happened.”

  The room suddenly went out of focus. For a moment, she closed her eyes. A bad dream. This is a bad dream. A buzzing filled her ears, and heavy throbbing pulsed her temples. Britt slowly opened her eyes.

  “Ryan and I bumped into each other after his meeting. We had a few drinks and danced the night away.” Dawn flicked her hand in the air. “One thing led to another.”

  “Stop talking.” Britt forced the words through grinding teeth.

  “We’ve rekindled our love.”

  “Stop!” Britt’s heightened tone ceased Hershey’s barking. “I’m sorry, Hershey.” She dropped the fire poker into its container then bent to wrap an arm around the dog. “I shouldn’t have yelled.” She inhaled a deep breath then straightened, facing the other woman with a glare. “Against my better judgment, I gave you a chance. You fed me lies, and I believed you. I thought you needed a friend. I actually felt sorry for you.”

  Dawn stepped forward, tugging down the hemline of her short negligee.

  Hershey growled, his big body tense.

  Dawn stopped. “Britt, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t.” She held up a hand, unwilling to listen to the woman’s wretched voice. “I want to talk to Ryan.” There had to be an explanation. This, whatever this is, didn’t make any sense.

  “No, let me explain.” Dawn raised her hands, palms u
pward. “I lied. Nothing—”

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  Britt stared at Ryan walking down the stairs. Beads of water dripped from his hair onto his tanned chest. A pair of blue jeans covered his bottom half.

  He reached the landing, glancing at Britt then Dawn. His brows furrowed then went wide. “This isn’t what it looks like.”

  A vacuum sucked the air from the room. Britt couldn’t breathe. She wanted to listen to her head, telling her to stay. Instead, she followed her gut and ran. She released Hershey’s collar and rushed to her car.

  ****

  “What the heck?” Ryan didn’t get a chance to hear an explanation or to run after Britt. He lunged between Hershey and Dawn to prevent the dog from causing harm. Unless provoked, Hershey wouldn’t hurt someone intentionally. However, he could cause serious damage to their belongings. Ryan grabbed Hershey’s collar then turned to Dawn. The dog didn’t have much to destroy. Dawn’s only possession appeared to be a nightdress.

  Why is she dressed like that? What is she doing here?

  He gave Hershey a treat, guided him to the patio, and closed the door.

  The dog stared through the glass and barked.

  “You need to tell me exactly what is going on here. If I don’t like your answer, I’ll let Hershey back in and allow him do more than pee on your leg.” Ryan sensed what happened. He wanted confirmation before strangling his ex.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do this.” Dawn wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “When you say this, do you mean leading my girlfriend to believe you spent the night here?” He controlled his temper by biting the inside of his cheek.

  “Yes…” She pointed to the fireplace where Britt recently stood. “But then I tried to tell Britt the truth.”

  Yeah, right. “You broke into my house.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “The door was unlocked.”

  For Britt! “You entered my house unannounced, wearing that outfit.” He waved a hand in the air. “You told Britt a pack of lies and then the truth?”

  She opened her mouth to speak.

  Ryan heard his pulse pumping in his ears and squeezed his fingers into a fist. “Britt befriended you. She liked you.” He had warned Britt to be cautious, thinking their friendship odd. “Britt sympathized in your loneliness.” He shrugged. “You and I were over a long time ago. Why do this?”

  Dawn slumped. “I saw the way you look at her. You never looked at me that way.”

  “I love her.” The words tumbled effortlessly off his tongue. Ryan smiled. He held back the urge to beat on his chest like a gorilla. Saying the words out loud made him feel alive.

  “I want what you have with Britt. They way you stare adoringly into each other’s eyes. I want to talk about you the way she does.” Sniffling, she grabbed the blanket from the back of the sofa and wrapped it around her shoulders. “I thought if we got back together, things would be different.”

  The realization hit, and Ryan shook his head. He had never been in love with Dawn. He’d been waiting for Britt. “I’m in love with Britt.”

  “I know.” She smiled and shrugged. “And I’m sorry. I want to take back my lie. Britt has been so nice. I really like her.” She lowered her head. “Such a mess. I’m afraid I’ve ruined everything.”

  “You definitely crushed the friendship.” He didn’t care. Dawn’s problems were the least of his concern. He had to talk to Britt. “I’m hoping she’ll answer my call.”

  Dawn stepped forward, hand extended.

  Hershey charged the patio door, head first.

  “Will he break the glass?” Dawn took a step backward.

  “You’d better go.” Ryan wasn’t sure how long he could contain Hershey. The dog’s growl rumbled deep in the back of his throat. Hershey’s intolerance of Dawn’s presence was wearing thin.

  “You both love her.” Dawn tightened the blanket around her. “This is my fault. I should make amends. Let me talk to Britt.”

  “No! You’ve done quite enough. I’ll take care of your mess.” Sounded easy enough. “Just leave.”

  Ten minutes later, Ryan sighed in relief then opened the patio door. “She’s gone, Hershey.”

  The dog raced through the house, checking every room with his nose. When he returned to the kitchen, he, too, seemed relieved by Dawn’s exit. His earlier straightened hair now relaxed against his back.

  “I phoned Britt and got no response.” Ryan had such expectations for the day. With the crisis at work diverted, he took a vacation day. He planned a picnic for this afternoon and a candlelight dinner later. Ryan felt his heart drop when he saw confusion masking Britt’s stare at the other woman. “Do you think she believed Dawn’s fictitious tale?” He looked to Hershey for support. “Would she think I’d betray her?”

  Ryan had fallen in love and hoped Britt shared those feelings. That was before he witnessed her dash for the exit. Maybe his emotions weren’t reciprocated.

  He spied a large object resting against the fireplace. The final piece of decor Britt promised? Pulling free the brown paper, Ryan grinned. The exquisite frame held a drawing of Hershey. The pencil work was skilled with detailed shading and intricate line strokes. The drawing held a signature in the corner, Robert Wells. “Britt’s dad.”

  Setting the frame on the floor, Ryan sat and studied the drawing. Hershey lay at his side in a familiar pose. Ryan remembered the photo sessions. Britt had taken several pictures of Hershey when they were training him to carry the wedding rings. The beautiful hand-drawing came from one of those photographs.

  “She does care!” Ryan jumped up. Hershey followed. “Britt wouldn’t ask her father to draw your portrait if she didn’t care.”

  Hershey danced, lifting one foot after another.

  Smiling, Ryan patted his dog’s head. “Let’s go get our crazy lady.”

  ****

  “I need to have my head examined.” Britt suppressed her frustration by eating a large bite of fresh-baked apple pie. The warm crust melted the scoop of vanilla ice cream under the mound of whipped-cream topping. She cut another forkful and opened her mouth. After leaving Ryan’s house, she’d driven to Nathan’s bakery, knowing her best friend would be at work early preparing for the day ahead.

  “Still to be determined.” Nathan chuckled, placing a tray of cookies in the front display case. “But you should listen to me more often. I told you hanging out with your new boyfriend’s ex wasn’t a good idea.”

  “I’d have kicked the scoundrel’s butt.” Phyllis sat at the table and added another cherry to the top of the remaining whipped cream. “Tell me where she lives.” She flicked her thumb between herself and Nathan. “We’ll stop by for a little chat.”

  A vision of Phyllis arriving on Dawn’s doorstep on a motorbike and dressed in jeans, leather jacket, and a black flydanna with pink skulls lifted Britt’s spirit. “Your suggestion sounds entertaining, but I think Dawn is staying with her parents. I wouldn’t want them calling the police.”

  “I’m still wondering where you found the strength to not stab her with the fire poker.” Nathan chuckled again, removing the chairs from on top of the other tables and placing them on the floor.

  Phyllis threw a dishcloth toward Nathan. “This is not a joking matter. Britt is hurting. Betrayal stings.”

  “Dawn may have been lying. I didn’t stay long enough to find out.” She pressed her lips tight together. I should have waited for Ryan’s explanation. While she distrusted Dawn, Britt believed him to be honest. Their relationship was special and real. At least she thought so. “Ryan said he and Dawn were too different. However, opposites also attract. What if they did reconnect?” Unable to eat another bite, she dropped the fork on her plate with a clatter. The decadent dessert had been a bad choice. Thinking she could smother her troubles in a binge of food, she only caused her stomach to knot tighter.

  “You either trust Ryan, or you don’t.” Nathan raised a brow. “Believing in someone is critical to a
relationship.”

  “Such wise words spoken from a single man.” Britt rolled her eyes.

  “Trust is important.” Phyllis reached for Britt’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “But you’re right, too. Nathan is hardly one to give relationship advice. If we were to turn the tables, you’d see the man behave the same, or worse. Men act first and think later.”

  Nathan stood tall, legs apart and arms crossed. “Not true.”

  Phyllis glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll win this argument later. Now, I have to help Britt.”

  “I trust Ryan.” Britt really did. She flopped back in her chair. “I need confirmation of Dawn’s deception.”

  “Tell me again what happened.” Phyllis leaned her elbows on the table and thrust a hand forward. “Something tipped you. You were too engrossed in the moment to clearly judge the situation. Try to remember.”

  Britt didn’t want to recall the image of the perfect coiffed Dawn in a flimsy negligee. She squeezed her hands together, doing what Phyllis asked. “The timing did seem convenient. Dawn knew I went jogging with Ryan and Hershey in the early morning. Maybe I told her he had to work late.” She couldn’t recollect their exact discussions word-for-word. But then, she hadn’t thought she’d have to analyze a conversation held over lunch.

  “Think hard.” Phyllis encouraged Britt to continue.

  “Dawn said they bumped into each other after Ryan’s meeting. He called me from the office. The board members were gathering there. I heard them talking in the background, and the rattle of the train, which changes tracks behind the building.” She tensed and grabbed the edge of the table. “Dawn had to go to Ryan’s office to bump into him.”

  Phyllis tapped the table. “This is good.”

  Yes, a small validation of the other woman’s ruse, but not enough. The overwhelming emotions of seeing Dawn at Ryan’s house were a mix of anger and disappointment in Dawn’s betrayal. Not loss or concern over her relationship with Ryan. Belief in their commitment stood strong. Britt had missed something important. “Oh my gosh!” She slammed a hand on the table, startling both Phyllis and Nathan. “I remember.” Britt stood, tipping the chair on its back legs. “Dawn said they danced the night away.”