Much Ado About You

by Samantha Young

  I held on tighter, inhaling Roane’s now familiar scent, feeling his hard strength wrapped around me.

  The ache in my chest settled, dissipated.

  “I can do that,” I whispered in return.

  His embrace tightened.

  Eleven

  As if the weather gods knew today was a big day for Caro, the sun was out, the sea breeze was held in check by the buildings surrounding us, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

  It was Market Day.

  For the past few weeks, Roane had been dropping off leaflets at shops and with acquaintances, advertising Market Day. The hope was that they’d spread the news.

  Apparently, they had.

  The streets were lined with cars before we’d even finished setting up our stalls. The residents had agreed for us to block off Main Street for our market, so they knew if they wanted to drive out of the village today, they’d need to take the back road through the woodlands.

  My stall with books and tourist trinkets was situated right next to Caro’s stall so I could be on hand if she needed me. Her hands shook as she set everything up. After scouring the internet, Caro had found clear cabinets to display her baked goods all the while keeping them fresh. Mini chalkboards were placed in front of each row detailing what they were and how much they cost. The kitchen at my apartment looked like a hurricane had passed through it because her aunt Helena, furious about the market, wouldn’t let her use the kitchen at home to bake. Caro had used mine through the night so that her food would still be fresh for sale.

  I was keeping a careful eye on her, worried that she hadn’t slept. Even more worried at the sight of those shaking hands.

  “Can I help?” I asked, approaching her cautiously.

  Her lovely red hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, mostly because she’d had little time to get dressed this morning, and it softened her. Wisps of hair curled around her face, so different from the severe bun she usually wore.

  She’d only brought a sweater with her to wear with her long skirt, and I’d somehow managed to convince her she’d be too hot. I’d given her a plain white crew-neck T-shirt of mine. It was too big, so I’d pulled it tight and knotted it at the base of her spine. The knot-tied shirt worked nicely with the loose, flowing skirt and showed off Caro’s teeny-tiny waist. For once she looked effortlessly stylish and her age. When she’d seen her appearance, her mouth opened in obvious protest but quickly clamped shut as she narrowed her gaze on her reflection.

  After a quick perusal, she’d tilted her head in thought and smoothed her hands down her skirt. In that moment, I knew she’d made the decision to be brave and wear something her aunt would disapprove of. We’d left the apartment to load up carts, or trolleys as they called them here, with our stuff without another word.

  Roane had been in the square with a few other villagers, setting up the stalls we’d rented. He’d left to park the rental van that had transported the stalls at his farm, and we hadn’t seen him since.

  “I’m quite all right,” Caro replied softly, her eyebrows pinched together in a frown as her gaze darted toward the crowd that was waiting for us to announce the market was open. Annie Foster and her wife, Liz, had their stall of Liz’s artwork set up nearest to the crowd. Every now and then when someone would take a step toward the market, Annie would cough, look deliberately at her watch, and then glare at them.

  I smirked as she did it again.

  My smile fell, however, when I saw her wife shoot concerned looks somewhere over my shoulder. I didn’t need to turn to know the concern was because Maggie Foster had set up a stall with the artwork and jewelry she sold beside me. No one had told Maggie that her daughter and daughter-in-law would be there, if the pale shock on Maggie’s face was any evidence.

  Shrugging off my worry about this new development, I decided I could only deal with one problem at a time, and my priority was Caro’s nerves. “You’ll do great,” I promised.

  “Of course she will.” Roane’s voice brought my head around to see him approaching from the parking lot of The Anchor with a girl at his side. “And I brought reinforcements.”

  My eyes went to his companion, and I beamed. I knew who she was, not because we’d met, but because Milly had proudly shown me photographs.

  She was Milly and Dex’s daughter, Viola.

  And she was even lovelier in real life.

  To my surprise, Caro perked up at the sight. “Viola!” She hurried around the back of her stall, and the two young women met for a hug. The affection and ease between them surprised me considering Caro had not struck me as someone who made friends easily.

  Roane came to my side, bumping me with his shoulder. “How are you?”

  “Confused. I thought you said Caro had no friends?”

  “Viola and Caro are as close as is possible with Helena breathing down Caro’s neck. All the other girls faded out of her life because she was always declining to do things with them. Viola’s different. She’s like Milly. Understanding. She’s there for Caro whenever she needs her, even if they don’t spend much time together.”

  I liked her already.

  Even more so as the stunning young woman walked straight toward me with a beautiful smile on her face. “You must be Evie.” She held out her arms for a hug, and I bent down toward her to immediately acquiesce. She gave me a squeeze. “Mam has told me all about you.”

  “She’s told me all about you too.”

  Viola eyed me in open curiosity. “She said you could be a model, and she wasn’t lying.” Her large hazel eyes swept down my bare legs. I was wearing shorts. “God, I’d give anything for your legs.”

  I laughed. “Well, thanks, but you’re gorgeous. Nothing about you needs to change.”

  It was true. Viola had been blessed with smooth, blemish-free skin. It was lighter than her father’s, a warm, tawny color, and she had Milly’s eye color but Dex’s eye shape. With her complexion those light hazel eyes were extraordinarily striking, huge, feline, and long lashed. She had a cute button of a nose and ample lips with an exaggerated cupid’s bow. Like mine, Viola’s dark hair was highlighted with a caramel ombré effect. There were masses of it falling to the base of her back in fluffy waves.

  In shorts, cute sneakers with gold glitter on them, and a cropped belly top, Viola gave the appearance of a confident twenty-year-old. And with her tiny waist, rounded ass, and slender legs, she had every reason to be. I imagined she had many admirers at college. Not just because she was beautiful, but because of the way she smiled. Even if I hadn’t heard what a great, kind girl she was, I’d be able to tell by the warmth that radiated from her.

  “I love your accent.” Viola grinned at me and then turned to Caro. “You ready, chickie?” Caro gave a tremulous smile and her friend laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry, it’ll be great.”

  “When did you get back from college?” I asked.

  “Last night. It’s nice to be home. Mam says you’re staying for another three months, which is awesome. We’ll get to hang out.”

  I smiled and gave Roane an amused look he returned. Why a twenty-year-old would want to hang out with me, I had no idea, but I wouldn’t shoot her down.

  “Looks like everyone’s ready.” Roane nodded toward the other stalls. We had people from outside the village who had asked to set up their stalls, selling everything from tea towels and jewelry to fresh produce. He looked at me as he brushed his knuckles down my arm. “You ready?”

  Since my little breakdown at the beginning of the week, Roane had been even more attentive. The man was killing me.

  I shivered at his touch, and his dark eyes glimmered with heat at the reaction. Trying not to blush, I took a step back from him. “Yeah, let’s do this.”

  “I’ve got to work, but I’ll be back later to check in.” He strode over to Caro, took her by the shoulders, and pres
sed a sweet kiss to her forehead. I was not jealous of her forehead. No sirree. “Good luck, treasure. Call if you need me.”

  All three of us watched him stride across the street, nodding hello to Annie and Liz as he passed.

  “I know he’s your cousin, Caro, but that man is sex on a stick.” Viola sighed, fanning herself dramatically.

  Did she have a crush on Roane? My gaze cut to her in concern and found her smirking at me. Almost assessing. Huh?

  “He’s like a brother to you, Viola, so stop your nonsense.” Caro shot me a pointed look before frowning at her friend.

  Mischief sparked in Viola’s gaze. “True, but I was speaking for Evie.”

  Realizing Milly had probably filled her daughter’s head with speculation about Roane and me, I rolled my eyes and wandered over to my stall, calling over my shoulder, “I’m perfectly able to speak for myself, thank you.”

  “I’m so happy I’ll be home to be there for the day you do,” Viola called back with a wink.

  I laughed and shook my head, thinking she reminded me a lot of Milly.

  The market opened minutes later, and the day began.

  My concentration was split between running my stall and watching out for Caro. I soon learned, however, that Viola was the best person for that job. She was bright and shining, her friendly appeal bringing people to Caro’s stall, and Caro’s baking bringing them back for more. When Caro’s smile grew pained under the praise of strangers, Viola would deflect with questions about where they were from and whether they were on vacation.

  Safe in the knowledge that my friend was in good hands, I moved my focus elsewhere, to the bakery. Tony, the baker, kept popping his head out of the door to shoot Caro dark looks. I’d seen very few customers approach the store once word of Caro’s amazing cakes and treats filled the market. I reminded myself to keep an eye out and let Roane know Tony clearly wasn’t happy about this development.

  Another distraction came in the form of the Fosters. I watched with a growing ache in my chest as Maggie Foster stared at her daughter. There was a slight tightness to her mouth that might have pointed at disapproval if it weren’t for the melancholy sentiment I caught every now and again in her eyes.

  As for Annie, she never once looked her mother’s way.

  Liz did. She would shoot Maggie worried looks before shifting that anxiety to her wife.

  It wasn’t right. A mother and daughter separated by the prejudices of the father. Something surely could be done to mend the breach.

  I pondered the problem between customers, and it was only after lunch that something new caught my attention.

  “What do you want, Lucas?” Viola’s snappish tone brought my head around in surprise. She’d emphasized the last syllable of the name so it sounded like “ass.” A tall young man stood in front of Caro’s stall, his arms crossed as he perused what was left of the baked goods, and there wasn’t much.

  He was a little young for me to usually notice him, but Viola’s reaction to him was enough to draw my attention. Whoever he was, he was extremely good-looking, with thick dark blond hair, high cheekbones, a roman nose, and a pouting lower lip. With his angular jaw, long limbs, and broad shoulders, if anyone could be a model, it was him.

  His strong biceps were visible in his dark blue T-shirt, and Viola eyed him with distaste.

  I raised an eyebrow.

  She was obviously unimpressed with his masculine beauty. Good. It meant the darling girl saw beyond these things to what mattered.

  At that thought, my protective instincts kicked in.

  Who was this kid that upset her with his mere presence?

  “I came to sample your wares,” he announced loudly, eyes flickering up from the leftovers to Viola. “But unsurprisingly I’m not tempted.”

  That little shit.

  About to step forward, I was stopped by Viola’s cool reply. “Impotence is a problem for someone who finds no joy in life.”

  I smirked.

  The young man narrowed his eyes. “My problem is only around you. Funny that.”

  “The fact that you find no joy in the company of a smart and witty woman is not surprising to me, Lucas Elliot. You prefer them dumb and silent, right?”

  Ah. Lucas Elliot.

  West Elliot’s youngest son.

  Also home for summer vacation, I presumed.

  Roane had said that he and Viola did not get along, but witnessing it in real life was something else. They visibly bristled as they interacted.

  Lucas braced his hands on the stall and leaned forward, bringing his head closer to Viola’s. She didn’t even flinch. “I prefer them sweet like honey.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. “Not sour like vinegar.”

  “Oh, Lucas.” Viola fluttered her lashes comically. “With original metaphors like that, you should be a poet.”

  I tried to contain my snort.

  A muscle twitched in her opponent’s jaw, and he straightened to his full height. Both of them seemed to have completely forgotten Caro was there and watching their interaction with avid curiosity. That would make two of us.

  “Heard your boyfriend dumped you for a cheerleader. Might be something in that, Viola.”

  If she could have killed him with looks, he’d be dead. “Oh, please, I’m all aflutter to hear romantic advice from a boy who rumor has it arrives way too early every time.”

  My eyes bugged out of my head, and I had to cover my mouth to stifle my shocked gasp. I was even more shocked when Lucas just smirked at her response. “Oh, my stats are clear on that count. I always make sure a woman is satisfied multiple times.”

  “Well, you’ve certainly made sure there’s enough data to draw that conclusion. Better watch that, Elliot. An overabundance of research could lead to an STD in your spreadsheets.”

  I was shaking now with the urge to belly laugh.

  These two were entertaining with a capital E.

  “You’re awfully concerned about my sheets. Maybe if you’d been more concerned about your own, the boyfriend wouldn’t have ended up tangled in the cheerleader’s. Her thread count must have been higher.” He grinned evilly.

  A flicker of pain moved across Viola’s features before she smoothed it with a look of indifference, and my amusement instantly died.

  I glared at Lucas, only to see he was no longer smiling. In fact, he was watching Viola warily. Perhaps he knew he’d crossed the line.

  “Well”—she crossed her arms over her chest—“if you’re not going to buy anything, take your toxic attitude elsewhere. I’ve had my fill of immature dickhead for the day.”

  Lucas’s expression hardened and he cut Caro a look. “You might want to think about who mans your stall in the future, or you’ll lose business.”

  “I’m a woman.” Viola’s hands flew to her hips. “You may not recognize the breed since you’re only capable of attracting shallow girls. Now run along.”

  With one last dark look, Lucas Elliot turned on his heel and strode across Main Street. He pushed open the door to The Alnster Inn but shot Viola a scowl over his shoulder before disappearing inside.

  It was as we were packing up for the day, Caro’s baked goods long sold, that I spotted a woman watching us from the lane between the butcher’s and the inn. She dressed in much the same way Caro normally did and wore a severe frown of disapproval on her face.

  Caro didn’t notice her as she and Viola laughed at something together.

  It was her aunt Helena. I knew it in my gut.

  I braced myself in case the woman was here to make a scene, but to my relief, after a few minutes of glaring at her niece, Helena turned around and walked back down the lane whence she’d come.

  An uneasy feeling stuck with me, and I decided I’d ask Caroline if she wanted to stay with me again tonight. Her face was lit with joy as she talked with Viola. Despite her shyness,
I could see she was brimming over with happiness that she was the only person to sell out of goods. This, plus the positive comments she got from customers, would surely go a long way to boosting her self-confidence. And I wouldn’t have Helena take that away from her on the very same day.

  Just as I approached the girls to ask Caro if she wanted to stay over at my apartment, a slamming door pulled all three of our gazes toward The Alnster Inn. Lucas had stepped out of the pub and he wasn’t alone. Whether she’d been there all along or had just arrived, a tall blonde wrapped her arm around his waist as he slung his over her shoulders. Without a look in our direction, the young couple sauntered in the direction of the harbor.

  I turned to Viola to crack a joke, but closed my mouth immediately.

  She was staring after Lucas and the girl with real, true pain in her eyes.

  Suddenly, their passionate encounter took on a different edge.

  Did Viola have a crush on Lucas Elliot? Was that the reason for their antagonism? Unrequited love?

  Thinking of the way everyone else seemed to disappear for him as Lucas took on a battle of wits with Viola, I wondered if it was unrequited after all. Any guy would find indifference toward Viola Tait almost impossible—not just because she was gorgeous (although knowing young guys, that was certainly enough) but because she was quick-witted and self-confident.

  Hmm.

  Deciding it was best to avoid the topic of Lucas Elliot and his mysterious girl, I asked Caro about staying the night.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I should probably go home.” She bit her lip.

  “Stay. We can have a sleepover.” Viola grinned at me. “That was me inviting myself too.”

  I laughed and slung my arm over her small shoulders. “You’re very welcome.” We both turned to Caro with hopeful gazes. “What do you say? Girls’ night?”

  Her smile was slow but genuine. “How can I say no?”

  “You can’t. I won’t let you.”

  Not too long after, Roane arrived with a few more men to load the rented stalls into the van. I stood by the back of the van as Roane shut the door. Caro was waiting for Viola, who was putting together a small bag for their stay at my apartment. We’d said goodbye to all of our market sellers, who thanked us for a great day, and I’d watched Annie and Liz leave without a backward glance at Maggie.