The Waitress's Secret

by Kathy Douglass

  She sighed.

  “Do I even want to know what that sigh means?” Brandon asked, startling her. He moved incredibly silently for such a large man.

  Telling herself her heart was racing because she’d been surprised and not because of the gorgeous specimen standing an arm’s length away, Arden brushed a hand over her black skirt, removing imaginary lint. “Sometimes a sigh is nothing more than a sigh. Like the song ‘As Time Goes By’ says.”

  He met her gaze, mischief dancing in his dark eyes. “Casablanca.”

  “I know. I love Bogart.”

  “Do you? The Movie Box Theater in Willow Creek is having a Bogart film festival on Sunday.”

  “I know. I saw the ad in the newspaper. It sounds like great fun.” She tried to control the yearning in her voice, but she heard it.

  “It’s the day after the wedding. If you’re still in town you should go.”

  “I’ll still be here. Unfortunately, my car still won’t be fixed. John is still waiting on a part.” She grinned. “You weren’t kidding about this place being like the Hotel California.”

  “You itching to leave?”

  “Not really,” she said, and amazingly it was the truth. There was something about Sweet Briar that appealed to her. The town was beautiful, the citizens friendly and, best of all, no one knew she was a Wexford.

  Brandon nodded and rubbed his hand over his chest. He seemed to be debating something and she let him take the time he needed. Finally he spoke. “I’m going to the festival. If you want, you can hitch a ride with me.”

  “Are you sure?” Arden asked, noticing that Brandon looked as surprised as she felt and guessed he’d shove the words back into his mouth and swallow them if he could. Although he continued to be cordial and friendly, he was maintaining a distance that he hadn’t when she first arrived. She couldn’t quite put a finger on exactly why he was different, though. Perhaps his reticence was because she was his occasional employee and he wanted to be sure not to cross a line. Whatever the reason, he seemed to be fighting to not be the warm, charming man he was the day they’d met.

  “Yep. It’s not a big deal.”

  “In that case, it’s a date.” Her eyes flew to his and she sputtered. “I don’t mean a date date.”

  “I know what you mean,” he assured her, stepping back and once more raising a wall between them. “Now let’s get to work.”

  She watched him walk away, looking for all the world like he regretted asking her. She considered letting him off the hook, but her heart sank to her toes at the thought. Although he might not really want her around, going out with a man who didn’t know who she was held an appeal too good to let go.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Arden paused by the front window, watching the arrival of the bridal party. The wedding guests had arrived about forty-five minutes earlier and had been dining on finger food and sipping wine while they awaited the bride and groom. There was an excited buzz that had started as a low hum but increased in volume and intensity with each passing moment. The couple’s imminent arrival filled the room with anticipation. Disposable cameras had been placed on the tables, and Arden had taken several photographs of the guests as they laughed and posed in small groups, capturing moments the official photographers would have missed.

  A white limousine pulled up to the curb in front of the restaurant and someone called out that the bride and groom had arrived. A hush settled over the room as people grabbed their phones and cameras to get good shots of the newly wedded couple as they entered the dining room.

  The excitement was contagious. Arden peered out the window again as she hurried to get more bottles of champagne. The chauffeur opened the door and the tuxedoed groom emerged, then reached inside to assist his bride. Dressed in a long white gown covered with beads and lace, Carmen looked like a princess. As she gazed up at her new husband, she smiled and seemed to glow. Arden had never believed love was a visible thing, but in that moment she realized she’d been wrong. She could practically see the love between them. It was as if a sparkly, glistening cord joined the two of them together.

  She’d once believed she was in love, but it had been nothing like what she saw between the couple posing for pictures outside the restaurant. Michael-the-creep had never looked at her with the love that was lighting Trent’s eyes as he gazed at Carmen. Truth be told, the only time Michael-the-louse had looked that happy was when he was discussing the house he wanted to buy for them, with her money. Or the car... Or any other thing he thought she might like. Of course it would all be purchased with her money. He had been quite clear that he didn’t expect her to live off the salary he made as a middle school principal. He’d always said he wanted her to live the life she had been accustomed to. Now she knew the truth. He’d wanted to grow accustomed to that life, as well.

  What she hadn’t expected was the depths to which he would sink in order to get his hands on her money. That he was willing to make a secret sex tape to try to blackmail her with was bad enough. Worse was finding out that her so-called best friend was in cahoots with him. All her life her parents and brothers had warned her to be careful when choosing friends. She’d really messed up this time. The only saving grace was that she’d found out his plan and left town before he could put it into motion.

  The pitiful thing was that she thought she’d learned her lesson about people with her sophomore year roommate in college. Eva had pretended to like Arden and had even insisted on paying her own way when they went to movies and concerts. Arden had thought she’d found a bosom buddy. Overhearing Eva say she’d befriended Arden as part of a plan to land one of Arden’s older brothers had really hurt. Even more painful was hearing Eva say it didn’t matter whether it was Jax or Blake she ended up with since they were equally capable of buying her everything she wanted.

  Thank goodness no one in Sweet Briar knew she had money. She could trust the friendship she’d found with Joni, Brandon and several of her coworkers. As long as no one knew she was an heiress, she would be able to continue to enjoy the relationships she was building.

  Arden joined the rest of the staff as a man with a fabulous voice announced the members of the wedding party. She was swept up in the beauty and romance of the moment and her eyes filled with unexpected tears. The joy and love that filled the room was almost too much to take. Blinking fast, she wiped away the tears.

  As the bride and groom were finally announced and made their entrance, Arden joined in the applause. She was happy for them, yet a part of her wondered if she would ever find her happily-ever-after.

  * * *

  Arden studied her reflection in the mirror, swirled from side to side and smiled. She’d planned on engaging in some serious retail therapy in Florida, so she’d packed only a couple changes of clothes. The limited wardrobe had worked because most days she was either volunteering at the youth center, helping Brandon at the restaurant or exploring the town. She wanted something more for today’s movie festival and had found the perfect outfit in a small boutique across from the diner.

  The floral-patterned coral halter dress was perfect for a day at the movies. Fitted at the waist, the skirt flared and hit several inches above her knees. She added three-inch silver sandals and hoop earrings, and the look was complete. Checking her light makeup, Arden glanced in the mirror once more, then scooped her purse from the bed.

  There was a knock on her bedroom door. “Ready?”

  “Yes,” she called. Her heart beat a rapid pitter-patter as she opened the door. Brandon stood in front of her with a sexy grin on his face, looking so good she nearly forgot her name. Both of them. Dressed in faded jeans that hugged his muscular thighs and a lightweight beige top that showed off his incredible upper body, he was the epitome of good-looking male. Definitely Mother Nature had been showing off when she created him. How was a girl supposed to remember she’d s
worn off men with Brandon Danielson close enough to touch and smelling like something out of a dream?

  “Do you know which movies they’re showing today?” Arden asked as they walked to his truck. She mentally patted herself on the back for managing to look at him without her tongue hanging out her mouth.

  “I think they’re showing The Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not and my favorite, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. There may be one or two others, but I don’t recall the titles,” Brandon said as he pulled out of the driveway.

  “Oh, I hope they show Sabrina. I love that movie.”

  Brandon tsked. “That is such a chick flick.”

  “It’s a romance.”

  “Only made bearable by the greatness of Bogart.”

  “I take it you’re not a fan of romantic comedy.”

  “Nope.”

  She shook her head and feigned sorrow. “That is so sad. I can see you starring in one. You could totally be the hero and win the girl in the end.”

  “The last thing I’m interested in is being somebody’s hero.” He rubbed a hand against his chest. She noticed he did that quite often and wondered if he was even aware he was doing it.

  “Too bad. You’d be a great one.”

  He gave a bitter laugh. “Trust me, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”

  “You sound like you have experience.”

  “Nope. Turns out I was just a fool.”

  “And you’d rather not talk about it.”

  He glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road. “You, Arden West, are both gorgeous and smart.”

  His casual compliment warmed her even as she felt a twinge of guilt for misleading him. Clearly someone—no doubt a woman—had hurt him. Although curious, Arden didn’t press for more information. She’d never deliberately make him uncomfortable. “Flattery will earn you a change in subject.”

  “Thanks.”

  They drove along for a while in companionable silence. Leafy trees and wildflowers lined the country road. In the distance a small herd of cows grazed lazily and a few horses raced in an open field. The scenery was so peaceful Arden sighed. “It’s so beautiful here.”

  “That it is.”

  “But, still, you must miss Chicago.” Sweet Briar was a nice time-out from her regular life and she was amazed by how much she was enjoying her stay. The people were so welcoming and she fit in so easily it was as if she’d known many of them for much longer than a week. Still, she couldn’t imagine living here year-round. She would miss her parents. And as much as they aggravated her, she would miss Jax and Blake, too.

  Brandon laughed. “It’s not like I’ve been banished. I go back to visit my family and friends regularly.”

  “That’s not what I mean.”

  “I know. And, yes, there are things I miss. I miss the energy of the city. I loved all of the little neighborhood theaters showcasing plays by local artists. And there were so many jazz clubs and piano bars. And don’t even mention the symphony. No matter what your interests, there’s always something to do.” He grinned. “Believe it or not, I really miss public transportation. I liked being able to catch the bus or jump on the ‘L’ to get where I wanted to go without the hassle of driving.”

  He pulled into the parking lot of the movie theater. It was nearly full so he had to park in the last row. “But still,” he continued as he removed the key from the ignition, “there’s something to be said about small-town living. Everyone knows everyone else. There are no secrets or hidden agendas. What you see is what you get. People are truly who they seem to be.”

  Except her. Guilt filled her when she thought of how she hadn’t been truthful about her identity. But her secret wasn’t harmful to anyone. No one’s life would change if they knew her real last name and net worth. The only thing guaranteed to change was how people treated her, which was something she wanted to avoid as long as possible. The oasis she’d found in Sweet Briar would vanish once people knew she was a Wexford.

  “Come on.” Brandon opened his door. “We don’t want to miss anything. And we need popcorn.”

  “With extra butter.”

  “Is there any other way?” he asked, holding out his hand to her. She took it.

  * * *

  “I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

  They were sitting at an old-fashioned ice-cream parlor on the outskirts of Willow Creek Brandon thought she would enjoy. Arden dragged her tongue over her orange sherbet, dabbing at a drip on her cone. His stomach clenched in response. Eating his chocolate ice cream didn’t give him nearly as much pleasure as watching her eat her dessert.

  “You’re only saying that because they showed your chick flick.”

  She gave a delectable little giggle as she took another taste. “I like happy endings. There aren’t enough of those in life.”

  “Are you looking for yours?”

  “Not anymore. I’m through with men. My life is more of a horror story than a romance.”

  “You’re young. This is only the beginning. You don’t know what’s going to happen in the middle or how your story is going to end.”

  “The credits don’t have to roll for me to know what kind of movie I’m in. It’s definitely not a romance.” She finished her cone, wiped her mouth with a napkin and tossed it into the garbage, flashing him a smile. “Maybe my life is a mystery.”

  “That’s better than horror, I suppose.”

  “Or slapstick. I would hate to get a pie in the face. I don’t think that would be much fun.”

  “Trust me, it’s not.”

  “Are you speaking from experience?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  She leaned her chin into her hand. “This sounds interesting.”

  He tossed his napkin into the trash and dusted his hands on his jeans. He looked around the parlor. They were the only customers left and the waiter was leaning against the bar, alternately looking at the giant clock on the wall and throwing dirty looks in their direction. “We should leave so he can close.”

  She stood and followed him. “No way you’re getting out of telling me what happened.”

  He waited until they were on the road home before telling her the story. “It wasn’t exactly pie in the face. It was crème brûlée tossed on my chef whites by an irate waitress.”

  “Wow. I wouldn’t have had the nerve. What did you do?”

  “What could I do? I wiped off my clothes and kept cooking. After I fired her.”

  She tossed him a mischievous grin. “No. I mean what did you do to make her throw dessert at you?”

  “Nothing. I just expected her to do her job. She preferred to go on a hot date with a lawyer.”

  “Ah, romance.”

  “For him it was probably more like a big-budget disaster movie.”

  She laughed, her eyes dancing with humor. If he wasn’t careful, he could fall for her. That was a sobering thought and the smile died on his lips. He wasn’t going to open his heart again no matter how appealing Arden was. Not in this lifetime.

  “Thanks again for taking me,” she said, pulling him out of his reverie.

  “No problem. I enjoyed the company.”

  “You know, I’ve been thinking,” Arden said as they walked into the house. “You and Joni have been great to let me stay with you, but I should probably move out. John says the part for my car won’t arrive until Tuesday, so I’ll be in Sweet Briar a couple more days. The last of the wedding guests left town this morning, so I can check into the bed-and-breakfast tomorrow.”

  He tried to meet her gaze, but she was looking everywhere but at him. Without thinking, he tilted her chin so their eyes met. He saw the surprise and immediately dropped his hand, shoving it into the pocket of his jeans, trying to d
ownplay the electric spark that he’d felt when he touched her face. “Don’t you remember? Kristina said she was booked for the summer.”

  “Right.” She frowned and two lines appeared between her eyebrows. A second later they disappeared and a slight smile lifted her full lips. “But she mentioned that other place.”

  “The Come On Inn?”

  She nodded. “I can try to get a room there.”

  “You can try. Call them in the morning to see what is available if that’s what you want to do.” His heart pinched at the thought of her leaving, which was ridiculous—and proof that he really did need for her to leave his home, if not Sweet Briar. How could he possibly be attached to her? He barely knew her. Sure she was sweet and funny, not to mention beautiful. But so were a lot of women. He had no problem hanging around them when the urge struck him. Nor did he have any difficulty walking away when the time came.

  So what made Arden different? Why was the thought of her leaving his home so difficult if not painful? It wasn’t, he decided. She was no different from any other woman. He wouldn’t allow her to be.

  “That’s what I’ll do.”

  She smiled at him and the two of them stood as if frozen, which was odd since he was suddenly overheated. The air between them crackled with electricity and her heady scent swirled around him, enticing him to move closer. The urge to take her into his arms very nearly overcame him. He inhaled and forced himself to remember the danger that came from getting emotionally involved with a woman. Normally he was able to separate the physical and the emotional, but he knew he would not be able to do that with Arden. At least not easily. So he muttered good-night and walked away before he did something stupid.

  * * *

  Arden hung up the phone and sighed. There was no room at the Come On Inn. For good measure, she’d contacted Kristina at the Sunrise and been told the same thing. Kristina had enthused about having every room booked for the next two months then rambled on in what could only be called free association, talking about everything from the flowers lining the street to spinach salad. She had promised to let Arden know if she had any cancellations.