don’t want to pry, but you seem a little upset by Miss Greer’s news. Aren’t you happy for her?”
“Well, of course I’m happy for her. How lovely to reunite with someone you thought lost to you forever, especially for someone like Miss Greer, who believed she had no family at all.” She looked at Reece, blinking a little sheepishly. “It’s just that I was looking forward to playing nurse for Miss Greer.”
“You feel Valerie is taking your place?”
She put a hand to her forehead. “It’s silly, I know.”
He didn’t think it was silly. She’d been the most important person in her employer’s life for a lot of years. Having someone else burst onto the scene and shove you aside-not that Valerie had any idea that was what she was doing-must have left Sara feeling adrift.
“She probably can’t cook like you,” Reece pointed out. “You’ll still need to help run the bed-and- breakfast.”
“And what about you?” she said.
A very good question. Once Miss Greer was at home she could probably handle reservations and money just fine. Now that she’d cut down on the pain meds, she wasn’t suffering from any cognitive difficulties. Furthermore, Allie and Cooper had their business finances completely under control. Everything was on computer; Allie understood the bookkeeping program and had no problems with it. Loans had been paid off; taxes were up-to- date.
Then there was his real job. He still had tons of vacation time left, but that didn’t mean he could extend his leave of absence indefinitely. He had responsibilities back home, people depending on him. His father’s and brother’s daily phone calls had become much more uncomfortable during the past week as they pressured him to return home.
Reece had no good reason to remain in Port Clara. Except for the one sitting in his passenger seat, waiting for him to answer. And he had no idea how long she’d even be here.
“I can’t stay,” he said, carefully watching her face.
She flinched. She actually recoiled from his statement. But she quickly recovered. “I know. But what about the wedding?”
He’d nearly forgotten. Cooper would never forgive him if he missed that-he was the best man. “That’s not for two weeks. Don’t worry, I’ll be there. But I have to attend a key meeting next week. In fact, I have to fly home tomorrow to prepare for it.” If he made a serious effort to soothe ruffled feathers and put out fires once he got home, his father would be placated.
He hoped.
Contrary to what Sara thought, his father
“Tomorrow. You’re leaving tomorrow?” Sara looked distressed at the thought.
“I wish I didn’t have to.” He reached over and stroked her bare arm.
“You don’t
“Sara, I can’t leave my job. The company was founded by my great-grandfather. I’ve worked there my whole adult life. I have family there, a home.”
“But do you
“I know you find this hard to believe, but I do. Yes, it’s stressful, having responsibility for all that money, the long hours, the deadlines. But I love it.”
Then why, just now as he’d thought about it, did his stomach give him that painful twinge? His ulcer, which was supposed to be cured, had bothered him very little since he’d been down here, he realized.
The twinge was followed by a sharp pain in his chest. What the hell was that? But after a few moments the pain eased, and he dismissed it.
“How will you get your car home?” she asked.
He’d been thinking about that. “Maybe I’ll sell it.”
“Oh, no. It’s such a nice car. Well, it was before I wrecked it.” She ran one hand along the burled-wood dashboard, then briefly touched the gearshift knob. “Besides, you look sexy behind the wheel.”
“Hmm.” Reason enough to keep the car. “I’ll think about it.”
“I could drive it to New York for you.”
Only if he lost his mind. “Mmm-hmm,” he said noncommittally.
“I’ll drive slow as my grandmother.”
“I know.” But he could just imagine what kind of trouble Sara would get into driving across the country by herself. She couldn’t even read a map!
“I probably couldn’t do it anyway.” She heaved a resigned sigh. “I can’t leave Miss Greer in the lurch. Valerie can’t do it all.”
Which brought them back to their original discussion. “So, see, she does need you, and you can stop looking so glum.”
Sara smiled, and this time it seemed sincere. “I can pick any restaurant, huh?”
“That’s what I said, all right.”
“I know of this Lithuanian place-” She cut herself off, laughing. “You should see the look on your face. Just kidding. How about Italian?”
Italian seemed a reasonable compromise between her yearning for something exotic and his desire for the familiar. He doubted, though, that any compromise could bridge their other differences. The gap between them was as big as the Grand Canyon.
Chapter Ten
Sara had known all along Reece would be leaving, but when he actually started packing, she found it hard not to cry.
They had spent last night together, and again she had lost count of how many times they’d made love. Now that they were getting used to each other, their lovemaking had become much more adventurous. Reece might be conservative and set in his ways in the rest of his life, but in the bedroom he was passionate and inventive.
He’d spoiled her. She couldn’t imagine anyone else would ever compare.
Cooper was driving Reece to the airport for an evening flight into JFK. Reece had asked Sara if she wanted to ride along, but she claimed she was too busy. The truth was, she didn’t want to prolong saying goodbye. She didn’t want to embarrass either one of them by weeping in front of his cousin, and she doubted Reece would kiss her goodbye when Cooper was there.
“I think I’ve got everything,” he said when she met him in the hall. He had two large rolling suitcases and a small carry-on. She offered to carry the small bag down for him, not that he couldn’t easily do it himself, but she wanted to make herself useful, give her a reason for being there.
He let her.
“I think I heard Cooper’s car drive up,” he said just as the doorbell rang.
“Evidently.”
“Sure you won’t come to the airport?” he said as he trotted down the stairs, easily carrying the two heavy- looking cases.
“No, um, I’ve got a cake in the oven.” Lame excuse.
He paused at the front door and, before opening it, slid his hand under Sara’s hair to the back of her neck and pulled her close for a kiss.
A rather perfunctory kiss.
He opened the door. “Hey, Cooper,” she said.
Cooper grabbed one of the suitcases. “We better move or we’ll get held up at the ferry. It’s crowded this time of day.”
“Yeah, I’m coming.” Then he turned to Sara. “I almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and handed her his car keys. “With all the wedding preparations, you might need a car. You can use mine while I’m gone.”
