Russ’s eyes narrowed. “Your body language suggests she’s a problem. Is she?”
“I don’t know if she is or she isn’t. Is it okay if I open the package?”
He nodded, standing to one side as Felicity picked up the padded envelope. It was soft, as if it held fabric. She pried it open and, under Russ’s watchful eye, withdrew a folded tea towel depicting Knights Bridge’s one-and-only covered bridge.
“There’s a note,” Russ said.
It was tucked in a red ribbon tied around the towel. She lifted it out and opened the small, folded white card. The note was handwritten in deep red ink, perhaps to match the towel and ribbon.
Dear Felicity,
Have a wonderful time today! I’m sure everything will go well. A pleasure meeting you yesterday. Look me up if you’re ever in Malibu. We’ll do lunch again.
Best wishes,
Nadia
Felicity handed the note to Russ. He read it quickly and tucked it back into the ribbon. “Seems innocuous,” he said, some of his tension visibly easing. He paused, studying her. “Not to you?”
“I really don’t know.”
“What’s your gut say?”
“That she’s got a hidden agenda, but that’s only my gut take on her. I only met her briefly yesterday. Gabe’s the one to ask about her.”
“Where is she now?”
“I have no idea. She mentioned she’s settling her grandmother’s estate somewhere in the area.”
“I’ll ask Gabe. You focus on the boot camp and let me handle this, okay?”
“Sounds good to me,” Felicity said.
And that was that. Russ stuffed the towel and note back into the envelope, not taking any particular care, and held on to it. “In other news, how are the badgers coming along for Kylie’s launch party?”
Felicity knew Russ wasn’t looking for an actual answer—he just wanted to change the subject and lighten the mood. “Coming along great.” She motioned toward the kitchen. “I should get to work.”
“Take care today,” Russ said. “Give me a shout if you need me. Don’t hesitate.”
She smiled. “Overreact rather than underreact.”
“You got it,” he said, almost smiling back at her.
Russ stayed out on the terrace while Felicity went through the mudroom into the old house’s spacious country kitchen. It was quiet now, but that wouldn’t last. She pushed a hand through her hair, realizing she hadn’t pulled it back yet. She dug a clip from her bag and headed through the dining room and living room in the original part of the house. Mark Flanagan hadn’t been involved in the house’s first major contemporary renovation, several years before Olivia had bought the property, but he’d designed the addition that was in progress.
She ducked into a powder room off the main hall and, using Olivia and Maggie’s goat’s milk liquid soap, washed her hands and dabbed water on the back of her neck to cool off from her walk and the tension of finding Nadia’s package. She felt awkward more than upset or angry. She’d let Russ and Gabe deal with her, should any problems arise.
Maybe the covered-bridge towel had been a genuine, well-intentioned gift.
Best, Felicity decided, drying her hands, to let it be and not read anything into it. She hoped Nadia had dropped the package off on her way out of town.
A glance in the mirror told Felicity that her tension was showing in her face. She practiced a few cheerful smiles and did thirty seconds of deep breathing, then clipped her hair back, freshened up her makeup and returned to the kitchen.
Her phone rang. She expected it was Maggie but recognized Nadia’s number on the screen. She almost let the call go to voice mail but decided to answer. “Hello, this is—”
“Felicity MacGregor. Hi, there. It’s Nadia Ainsworth. I wanted to call before you got too busy. Did you get my package?”
“I did—I just opened it. Lovely. Thank you.”
“I know what it’s like to be in your position with so much going on. Dylan McCaffrey, Noah Kendrick and Gabriel Flanagan all speaking today. That’s pressure. And that’s just for starters. It’s a diverse group of men and women for a relatively small event. These boot camps are going to be special, I think.”
“I think so, too,” Felicity said. “Can I call you back later? I really can’t talk right now.”
“Of course. I understand.” Nadia didn’t sound the least bit put out. “You need to focus. You don’t want to screw up this event. Believe me, I know.”
“Where are you now?”
“I’m in my car.”
“Heading to your grandmother’s—”
“Why don’t you call me when the party’s over? There’s no urgency. I got a real kick out of the covered bridge towel, I have to admit. I bought it at the country store in your sweet little village center. It’s so quaint. Okay, talk to you later.”
Felicity exhaled in relief when she realized Nadia had disconnected. Next time she’d let the call go to voice mail. Whatever Nadia’s true intentions, her behavior was verging on intrusive and inappropriate. The call didn’t strike Felicity as a genuine effort to reach out in solidarity and appreciation. Nadia had no reason to reach out. They’d only met yesterday. They didn’t know each other.
“This isn’t about me,” Felicity said under her breath. “This is about Nadia and Gabe.”
She heard voices and went back outside. Russ was chatting with Gabe on the terrace. She felt Gabe’s gaze settle on her and knew Russ had already told him about Nadia’s present. He’d changed into a sleek, medium-gray suit since she’d left him in her kitchen. He looked like the successful entrepreneur he was.
Gabe followed her into the kitchen. “Are we in your way?”
Felicity shook her head. “No, not at all.”
“Russ showed me Nadia’s gift.”
“A covered-bridge towel. Makes a good gift.” Felicity debated whether to tell them about Nadia’s call. It didn’t add to what they already knew, but they’d want to know. No question. “She just called, actually. Wishing us well today. She didn’t say where she was.”
Russ stood still next to the table. “You asked?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry about this,” Gabe said.
