Tie the Knot in Good Hope

by Cindy Kirk

  “I adore that particular red, but I have to say no.” Ami glanced longingly at the bottle, then sighed. “Sparkling grape juice is more my speed these days.”

  “That’s right. You’ll have another little one, come spring.” Gladys smiled warmly. “There’s no greater blessing than a child.”

  After the older woman had poured some of the juice into a glass, she shifted her focus. “What about you two?”

  Gladys knew Lindsay loved wine. If she turned down a glass, the astute older woman would know something was up. Gladys could ferret out a secret from fifty paces.

  “I’m going to stick with the sparkling grape juice tonight.” Owen spoke in an offhand tone that Lindsay guessed was anything but casual. “C’mon, Lin, hop on board the sparkling grape train tonight.”

  Gladys shot Owen a sharp glance. “Lindsay can have wine if she wants.”

  “Of course she can,” Owen said smoothly. “It’s her decision.”

  I’ll help in any way I can.

  Lindsay smiled and managed to keep the relief from her voice as she turned to Gladys. “Sparkling grape juice for me, as well.”

  Fifteen

  Throughout dinner, the two older women kept up a lively conversation about recent events in Good Hope. It was odd, Lindsay thought, how the ones they mentioned happened to be all ones she and Owen had attended together.

  It was nice reliving those times. Because everyone at the table had been there, conversation flowed easily. By the time they reached the dessert phase of the evening, Lindsay had completely relaxed.

  “Does it seem strange not to be working?” Katherine directed the question to Lindsay.

  Owen jumped to her defense before Lindsay had a chance to respond. “It takes a lot of planning on the front end to get a business off the ground.”

  “It isn’t the same as getting up and going to a job every day.” Katherine’s gaze returned to Lindsay.

  “It’s definitely different,” Lindsay admitted. “I’ve already started to lose track of what day it is. They blur together.”

  “Tell me about it,” Ruby piped up. “If it wasn’t for cards on Monday and Wii bowling on Wednesday, I wouldn’t have a clue what day it is.”

  Katherine nodded at her dear friend’s statement, but the gaze she settled on Lindsay was all business. “Unless you’ve got a secret trust fund, you’re going to need to start bringing in money.”

  “I know.” Lindsay chewed on her bottom lip, her earlier calm disappearing as icy fingers traveled up her spine. “While I’d love to work exclusively on weddings, until I get established, I’ll accept any business that comes my way.”

  Katherine nodded approvingly. “What steps have you taken so far?”

  “I’ve contacted wholesalers and set up accounts.” Lindsay pushed her dessert plate to the side, her stomach tensing at the thought of everything she’d done and everything still needing to be done. “I’ve also ordered the accessories I’ll need.”

  Owen cocked his head. “Accessories?”

  “Vases, ribbons, pruning equipment,” Lindsay explained.

  “What about your seller’s permit?” Katherine asked.

  “I applied. I haven’t heard anything yet.” Lindsay twisted the napkin in her lap around her finger. “They said it can take up to three weeks.”

  “Sometimes they require a security deposit.” Katherine’s eyes never left Lindsay’s. “It can be substantial.”

  A knot formed in the pit of Lindsay’s stomach. “Up to fifteen thousand dollars.”

  Ruby’s blond brows formed a perfect vee. “Why would they ask for a deposit?”

  “I wouldn’t worry about a deposit.” Owen shot Lindsay a reassuring smile. “From what I understand, it’s usually only required if you have a history of not paying your taxes.”

  Lindsay hoped Owen was right. She took a calming breath, releasing it slowly. In the past two weeks, she’d discovered something about herself. She was a floral designer at heart, not a businesswoman.

  Unlike her friends, she didn’t look forward to dealing with the financial aspect of running a business. Dreaded it, in fact.

  Simply requesting the required permits and tax forms, not to mention contacting wholesalers, had made her palms grow damp and head swim. Yet, pride had her sitting a little taller. Instead of throwing up her hands or diving into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s, she’d persevered and done what had to be done.

  Making this business a success was her only way to give her baby a good life.

  “What’s your business structure?” Katherine lifted a piece of pineapple with her fork and brought it to her lips.

  For a second, Lindsay felt a stab of panic, then realized this was something she’d researched and understood. “Sole proprietorship.”

  Katherine nodded approval. “At this point in your venture, that makes the most sense.”

  “I’m grateful to Eliza for giving me space in her store.” Lindsay glanced across the room where her friend stood at the table perusing the dessert selections.

  Kyle was behind his wife, arms looped around her waist. While Lindsay watched, he stole a strawberry from her plate and popped it into his mouth. Eliza swatted at him, pretending to be annoyed, but the smile on her face gave her away.

  Sighing, Lindsay pulled her attention back to the conversation and found Katherine staring at her with an unreadable look in her eye. Both Owen and Ruby were focused on dipping pieces of fruit into the chocolate on their plates.

  Lindsay fluttered a hand in the air. “What was I saying?”

  “How grateful you are to Eliza for giving you space.”

  To her surprise, it wasn’t Katherine who answered, but Owen. Apparently, he wasn’t as absorbed with his food as she’d thought.

  “Yes, well, it was extremely generous.” Lindsay’s earlier panic over taking this big step outside her comfort zone resurfaced. She determinedly shoved aside the worries. “If I’d needed to rent a location, I never could have done it.”

  Then it struck her how that sounded. As if she was taking advantage of her friend, when nothing could be further from the truth.

  “I’m going to pay Eliza rent.” Lindsay hesitated. “Once I get on my feet.”

  “She won’t take your money.” Ruby swirled a bright red cherry in the chocolate sauce, making a pattern on her plate.

  If Anita Fishback had seen Lindsay do that, the plate would have been snatched away and she’d have received a stern lecture on playing with food.

  Lindsay lifted her chin. “I’ll make her take it.”

  “She won’t.” Ruby quit playing and popped the cherry dripping with chocolate into her mouth.

  “She will,” Lindsay insisted. “Believe me, I can be as stubborn as Eliza.”

  “Friendship is all about give-and-take.” Ruby gestured with her head toward Katherine. “Look at me and this one. I take and she gives.”

  Lindsay widened her eyes, but before she could respond to the outrageous boast, Katherine chortled.

  “Friends make your problems their own.” Ruby’s blue eyes were serious. “Give Eliza a chance to be a good friend. Don’t take her desire to help away from her.”

  Katherine’s gaze shifted to Owen. “This one here is another friend you can count on for help.”

  Lindsay’s heart quit beating. What did Katherine know? Had Eliza told her about the baby? As quickly as the thought surfaced, Lindsay brushed it aside.

  She trusted Ami and Eliza implicitly. They would never betray her confidence.

  Owen’s expression stilled, and his fingers had a death grip on the fork.

  “No one pressured him to help Beck and Kyle carry in those refrigeration units. Here’s to three good men.” Katherine lifted her glass of wine in a mock toast, then her gaze pinned Lindsay. “Owen volunteered because he wants to be a good friend.”

  Ruby gave a decisive nod and added, “It’s the Good Hope way.”

  It might be the Good Hope way, but Owen didn’t believe for a secon
d that Lindsay would allow him to do more than the bare minimum. That’s why he was surprised when, at the end of the evening, she asked if he could help move some furniture out of her spare bedroom to make room for an office.

  Katherine and Ruby nodded their approval at the question and his agreement to come over the next morning. Owen was feeling pretty good about how the evening was going when Eliza’s brother showed up. Ethan paused by the dining room colonnade.

  In his dark pants and sweater, he looked like one of those male models in a fashion magazine. Owen resisted the urge to glance at Lindsay. He wasn’t sure he wanted to see her reaction.

  Ruby glanced at her friend. “What’s Ethan doing here?”

  Katherine didn’t appear surprised to see her cousin. “The boy lives here. Eliza told me he was out for the evening.”

  “Did he have a date?” Lindsay’s tone gave nothing away.

  This time, Owen couldn’t help but glance in her direction. She’d move her plate back in front of her, and her eyes were on the fruit she was spearing with her fork.

  Ruby and Katherine exchanged glances.

  Katherine spoke first. “I guess I don’t know.”

  “It’s something we should know.” Ruby’s cryptic comment had Katherine nodding.

  “What are you two cooking up?” Gladys appeared at the edge of the table.

  “Just wondering who Ethan is dating.” Katherine shot a pointed look at Ruby. “If he’s dating.”

  “He’s your cousin, not mine,” Ruby reminded Katherine. “His dating status is something you should determine.”

  It was a curious interchange that Gladys appeared to understand completely. When she shifted her attention to Owen, those pale blue eyes sharpened.

  “Lindsay invited Owen to come to her apartment in the morning.” Katherine’s lips tipped up in an approving smile.

  “It might be easier if he simply spent the night.” Gladys cackled.

  Lindsay felt her cheeks warm. “Owen is coming to move furniture. I told him he didn’t have—”

  “I want to help. In your condition, you shouldn’t be moving heavy furniture.”

  Like three bloodhounds who’d caught an especially juicy scent, the three older women snapped to alert.

  “Condition?” Gladys’s voice reverberated with excitement. “Does this mean you’re—”

  “I have a back condition.” Lindsay emphasized the word and flashed Owen a look that told him he was lucky he wasn’t six feet under right now. “A herniated disc.”

  Owen was ninety-nine percent sure Lindsay didn’t have any issues with her spine, had never had an issue, but he gave her props for quick thinking.

  The gleam in Gladys’s eyes disappeared, and she relaxed her stance.

  “In addition to knee issues, my son, Frank, has experienced his share of spine problems.” Gladys pointed a finger at Lindsay. “You let Owen move that furniture. I don’t want to hear that you lifted a single piece. Understood?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not about to take any risks.” The promise in Lindsay’s voice reassured Owen.

  Despite knowing he’d be in for a rigorous day, Owen couldn’t help but look forward to the morning.

  His mood took a nose dive when Ethan strolled over. He’d visited briefly with his sister and brother-in-law before making a beeline for their table. Was Lindsay the draw?

  The wealthy bachelor flashed the smile that always had the single females in Good Hope swooning. This time, his smile appeared directed at his cousin and her two friends. “What are you three plotting?”

  “Plotting?” Katherine brought bony, bejeweled fingers to her chest, her expression entirely too innocent. “Whatever would we be plotting?”

  Ethan snagged a chair from a nearby table, spun it around and sat. “Let me think. World domination? A liquor license for Muddy Boots? Or perhaps something that involves these two?”

  He jerked a thumb in the direction of Lindsay and Owen.

  “How did you—” Ruby began.

  One look from Gladys had Ruby falling silent.

  “There’s a story here.” Ethan snagged a slice of apple from his cousin’s plate and popped it into his mouth. “I’m not leaving until I hear it.”

  “You’re right.” Katherine emitted a trill of a laugh. “We were securing free labor for Lindsay.”

  Shifting his gaze, Ethan bestowed that heart-stopping smile on Lindsay. Her cheeks pinked, and Owen fought the urge to throttle Ethan.

  It wasn’t that he was jealous, merely protective. After all, everyone in Good Hope knew that Ethan was a player. As far as Owen knew, he’d never stuck with the same woman for more than a couple of months.

  The fact that the same could be said of him was something Owen chose not to examine too closely.

  “Lindsay needs furniture moved at her apartment. Owen volunteered.” Katherine gave him an approving smile.

  “He’s going to have to move everything himself,” Ruby added. “Lindsay can’t help.”

  At Ethan’s look of confusion, Katherine sighed. “She suffers from a slipped disc.”

  Owen wasn’t certain a herniated disc was the same as a slipped disc, but he didn’t bother to correct the woman. It didn’t really matter, as Lindsay didn’t have either condition.

  Ethan fixed his gaze on Lindsay. “I didn’t realize you had trouble with your back.”

  She shifted in her seat. “It isn’t something I talk about.”

  If Ethan noticed she hadn’t really confirmed his comment, it didn’t show. His expression turned thoughtful. “What needs to be moved?”

  She ticked off the items on her fingers. “A bed. A small nightstand. Oh, and a dresser.”

  “What are you doing with them?” Absently, Ethan picked another piece of fruit from his cousin’s plate.

  “Donating them to a Giving Tree recipient.” Lindsay took a sip of sparkling grape juice. “There’s a family not far from me who needs bedroom furniture for their son.”

  “I’ll help.” Ethan turned to Owen. “Maneuvering those items down the outside steps won’t be easy.”

  For a second, Owen wondered how the man knew where Lindsay lived, much less that her building had outside steps. Then he remembered the date. A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Not necessary.”

  Ignoring the brusque tone, Ethan turned to Lindsay. “I can be over at eight. Unless that’s too early?”

  She shook her head and smiled at Ethan. “Eight works.”

  Sensing this was a battle he couldn’t win, Owen would accept the guy’s help. But there was no way Ethan was going to be there alone with Lindsay.

  If Ethan planned to be there at eight, Owen would be there at seven thirty.

  Lindsay might have spent the past ten years hopping out of bed at six thirty, but since quitting her job, she’d given herself permission to sleep in. Last Friday, she hadn’t crawled out of bed until nearly nine.

  The overwhelming fatigue that dogged Lindsay early in her pregnancy might have eased its grip, but she still found herself yawning in the midafternoon. According to the books on pregnancy she’d devoured, the tiredness would be history in another month.

  Which was good, Lindsay thought, because launching a business demanded long hours.

  Since Owen and Ethan planned to arrive at the ungodly hour of eight a.m., Lindsay set her alarm and rolled out of bed at seven. She pulled on a striped sweater in bright jewel tones, then tugged on her favorite blue jeans.

  The pair, which had once been relegated to the back of her closet for being too big, now fit perfectly. Lindsay smiled when the zipper slid easily up.

  Tomorrow, she’d officially enter the second trimester, but other than a slight swell low in her abdomen, no one would guess she was pregnant by looking at her.

  Lindsay couldn’t stop thinking about this tiny being nestled inside her. Right now, it was the size of a lemon. And according to the experts, in a couple of weeks she’d feel this little one move. She wondered how—

  A knock i
nterrupted her thoughts and had her glancing at the clock.

  7:28.

  After checking the peephole, she opened the door and greeted Owen with a cheery, “Good morning.”

  “Good morning.” Owen stepped inside. While it wasn’t cold outside, it was windy. His hair stood up in sandy tufts.

  Lindsay wondered if he remembered that the plaid flannel shirt he wore today had been one of her favorites. “You’re early.”

  “I’ve been up since six. I’ve been driving around your block for the last hour.”

  Lindsay widened her eyes. “Seriously?”

  “Naw, just kidding.” Owen gestured to the short hall leading to the living room. “If you show me what needs to be moved, we can get started.”

  “Ethan won’t be here until eight,” she reminded him.

  “We don’t need him.” When she didn’t immediately answer, he shot her a smile that had her knees turning to jelly. “Do we?”

  “I guess not.” She hesitated. “I mean, I’m certainly capable of helping.”

  Owen’s eyes reflected his horror. “Not in your—”

  Lindsay arched a brow. “Not in my condition?”

  The tips of Owen’s ears turned red. “I’m sorry about that, and with Gladys of all people...”

  Lindsay waved a dismissive hand. “We covered it.”

  “Thanks to your quick thinking.” Owen held up a hand, fingers lifted in the Boy Scouts salute. “I won’t make that mistake again.”

  “I know.” Lindsay touched his arm, then immediately pulled her hand back and cleared her throat. “Let me show you what you’ll be moving.”

  She strolled ahead of him down the short hall, conscious of his muscular body only inches behind her. Though she recalled Owen telling her he wore cologne only on special occasions, she swore she caught a faint whiff of the lime scent she loved.

  Seconds later, Lindsay reached her destination. With him still too close for comfort, she stepped inside the spare bedroom. Despite it being the size of a matchbox, she’d managed to cram not only bunk beds, but a nightstand and a three-drawer dresser into the room. “Cassie’s boys sleep here whenever they need a place to stay.”