Jim studied her. “It looks like you enjoyed your massage. You look beautiful.”
She smiled. “Celeste was wonderful. Not only did she have the most intoxicating fragrance filling the room, but after my massage, which totally relaxed me, she brewed me a cup of tea that she said was a special blend and had the cook send over some cookies. I felt very pampered.”
Tea? Cookies? Brian could feel the color drain from his face. Had she brewed one of his guests something she’d concocted from her herbs? Oh, hell. Visions of a lawsuit filled his mind.
“In fact,” Katie continued, “I’ve never felt this good ever. It’s almost as though she added something to the tea to make me feel so wonderful.” She laughed.
Great, drugs. Hell, Celeste had even looked liked a hippie when she’d first arrived. Brian gritted his teeth and drew in a deep breath.
“I’m glad you enjoyed your time at the spa,” Brian told her. “I’ll be sure to pass on your compliments to Celeste. In fact, I’ll do it right now. If you’ll excuse me.” He opened the French doors and went inside.
What if Celeste had given Ms. Darnell some kind of narcotic? Hell, it wouldn’t just be a lawsuit he’d be looking at. He could see the cops showing up in a late-night raid, all that he’d worked for destroyed. Damn it, he’d been afraid something like this would happen.
His jaw began to twitch as he strode inside the spa. For once, the tranquil atmosphere did nothing to calm him.
“Mr. Braxton, did you need something?” Rhonda asked as she looked up from behind her desk.
“Celeste?”
“In the therapy room.”
He didn’t stop but walked right toward it and went inside. Celeste was putting clean sheets on the table but looked up when he entered. He shut the door behind him, hoping whatever was said would go no further than this room. He’d give her enough money to leave and he’d make up something to explain why she’d taken off.
But first, he had to know what was in the tea. “What did you give Ms. Darnell?”
“Katie?”
“That’s the only Ms. Darnell that I know, so yes, what did you give her?”
“A massage.” She tucked in a corner of the sheet.
“After that?”
“I had Betty send over some cookies.”
He counted to five. “The tea. What was in the tea?”
She was beginning to look a little worried, and so she should. He couldn’t have an employee drugging his guests.
“I’m not sure. It was your tea.”
“My tea?” Some of his anger began to dissipate.
She nodded, then reached behind her for a box. “Spicy chai tea.” She pointed to the words on the box. “Special blend. I thought it sounded good so I brewed us a cup. Is something wrong with Katie? I feel fine, and Rhonda had a cup.”
“My tea?”
“It was in the supply closet. Apparently, Amy ordered it but never used it. I thought Katie needed extraspecial attention because she seemed so frazzled. After the massage, I had Rhonda brew the tea and Betty send over a plate of cookies. I think Katie just needed some female conversation to feel like a woman again. I thought it had worked.” She worried her bottom lip.
“That’s all you did?”
She nodded. Man, how wrong could he have been?
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For thinking…” His brow creased.
Understanding slowly dawned on her face. “You thought I’d drugged her?”
But rather than being insulted, she was smiling, then laughing at his misconceptions about her. And why shouldn’t she? He’d made a total ass out of himself.
“Again, I apologize.”
“Apology accepted. It’s not like you know that much about me, so it’s okay that you’d be a little suspicious.”
“Not good enough.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Excuse me?”
“Have dinner with me this evening. I have a private dining area. I’d like it if you’d join me.”
“Do you think the boss would mind?”
Now she was teasing him. He guessed it was better than her throwing something at him.
“Please.”
“Okay,” she said as she smoothed her hand over the crisp white sheet and tucked it a little tighter at the corner. “I have a few ideas for the spa that I’d like to talk over with you. Nothing major. I asked Rhonda and she thought they were good ideas.”
“You have ideas already?”
“Oh, it’s a great spa. I just think if you added a few things it could be better.”
“Like tea and cookies?”
The warmth in her smile filled the room. “Yes, like tea and cookies…chocolates.”
“Then I’ll see you about six and we’ll discuss your ideas.”
“Six it is.”
There wasn’t any reason for him to hang around. He’d blundered and apologized. Then he’d invited her to dinner. Dumb excuse, but he did want to make it up to her.
And maybe he wanted to find out more about the woman who had made such a big difference in Katie Darnell’s day.
He left the spa area, his steps lighter than they had been in a long time. He glanced down at his watch as he walked inside the main building. He didn’t have that long to wait, either.
“You look like you’re in a good mood,” Cal said.
Brian looked up. “I’m always in a good mood.” His gaze swept over Cal. “Your hair’s wet.”
“I went swimming in the pond.”
“We have a pool.”
“I like the pond. Remember when we used to go there?”
Brian smiled. “I remember how we used to get in trouble for going there. Grandma was afraid we’d drown.”
“That’s three times.”
Cal had finally lost his marbles. “Huh?”
“You smiled the day I arrived, when we walked up from the barn and you were telling me about Wanda Jo, then just now. I was afraid you’d forgotten how.”
“Funny.”
“Seriously, you need to slow down a little and enjoy life.”
“You’re right,” Brian agreed.
“I am?”
“Yes, you are.” When Cal grinned, Brian remembered just how much his big brother meant to him. Speaking of which. “How’s it going with that reporter? I hate that you’re having to deal with all this crap. Say the word and I’ll toss her off the property.”
“I think I can handle her.”
“Good.”
“I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”
Brian could feel color flooding his face. “Actually, I have other plans.”
Cal gave him a questioning look.
“I’m having dinner with Celeste. She wants to discuss some ideas she thinks will improve the spa.”
“Ideas?”
