“That makes sense. I didn’t see her until she came over the stone wall.”
“The boys are fine. All that counts.”
“Does Gabe know?”
“Oh, yes. He’s on his way.”
When Felicity returned to the terrace, Gabe had joined Russ and Nadia at the table. Nadia thanked Felicity for the iced tea. She’d already helped herself to a mini cream puff on Felicity’s plate. “Delicious,” she said, looking less sweaty. “I could eat a hundred of them right now, but the tea is the best. Just what I need. I didn’t even bring a bottle of water with me.”
Felicity stayed on her feet. Nadia seemed oblivious to Gabe’s glowering look.
“Where’s your car?” he asked her.
She swallowed the last of her cream puff and gulped her tea, then set the glass on the table. “I parked at a yellow gate down the road. I wanted to see the reservoir up close, but I took a wrong turn and ended up on the trail up Carriage Hill.”
Gabe gave no indication how he felt about her story. “Why aren’t you on your flight?”
“Last minute change of plans.” She shrugged. “Nothing nefarious. What, do you guys think I’m some kind of stalker? Wow. I’m glad I wasn’t met by the cops.”
“The boys’ uncle is a police officer,” Gabe said.
“Ah, yes. Eric Sloan. I met him at lunch at that little restaurant in town. I resisted pie today.” She sat up straight and licked her lips, looking somewhat more self-conscious. “Apologies, okay? I didn’t mean to flip any paranoia switches. I would check the boys for ticks, though. I guess that’s par for the course around here in warm weather.”
“The ticks are bad this year,” Russ said. “It’s a good idea for you to check yourself.”
“I will, believe me. I have a cousin who had Lyme disease. It was awful, but he made a full recovery.” Nadia grabbed a tiny brownie and pushed back her chair. “Thanks so much for the tea and goodies. I’ll run along now.”
Russ stood. “I’ll drop you down to your car.”
“It’s not far. I’m cooled off and rehydrated. There’s no need to trouble yourself—” She stopped, obviously finally tuning into the moods around her. “Okay, let’s do this your way. I would appreciate a ride. Thank you.”
“My car’s out front,” Russ said, nodding toward the yard. “Let’s go.”
Nadia glanced at Gabe, as if expecting him to offer to take her since they knew each other. He gave her a steady, not-quite steely look. “Have a good flight back home.”
“Thanks. I’ll probably go tomorrow, but I might yet make it out tonight.” She turned to Felicity. “Congratulations on today. It’s been great meeting you.”
“You, too,” Felicity said politely.
Nadia started to say something else but smiled without comment. Russ motioned for her to go ahead of him off the terrace and then got in close to her, leading her to the side yard and around to the front of the house.
Felicity sat down and frowned up at Gabe. “Do you think she’s just clueless?”
“No.”
“You’re irritated,” she said.
“You could say that.”
“Boiling mad? That more accurate?”
He sighed. “Felicity.”
“Russ will see her off. I would definitely describe him as boiling mad, but all’s well that ends well. I wouldn’t mess with Maggie, though. She has access to kitchen equipment and she knows how to use it, and her boys are Sloans. Dumb move on Nadia’s part.”
“Her behavior was inappropriate. I’m sorry.”
“You’re not answerable for her, Gabe.” Felicity decided to drop the subject of Nadia Ainsworth and her antics. “I overheard a lot of positive comments about what you had to say today. Everything seemed to go smoothly. We can both take a bow.”
He leveled his deep, warm blue eyes on her. He was focused and serious—the high-flying, risk-taking, successful young entrepreneur taking her in. “The day went well,” he said. “You did a great job. The party went off without a hitch despite the short notice. I don’t know about taking a bow, but I’m glad my part’s done.”
“Did you throw up before you spoke?”
“Felicity...” He sighed. “I did not throw up.”
“After?”
“No, not after, either.”
“Were you queasy? Did you get dry heaves? I’ve seen that happen plenty of times in my work.”
“Felicity.”
“I’m helping you to see the bright side.” She decided not to mention Nadia’s texts. Having her swoop in as a pretend monster after two small boys was enough for Gabe to digest. “I have a few things to check on, but most of the loose ends involve my laptop. I can take care of them at home. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you later on.”
“You could stay,” he said.
“I’d fall asleep on the floor next to Buster.”
She grabbed the tea glasses and the goody plate, aware of Gabe watching her. Was he looking for a sign Nadia had upset her? It didn’t matter, she told herself. She smiled at him, said goodbye and headed back to the kitchen. Maggie had her sons helping her load up her van. They’d be on their way in a few minutes. The clean-up crew was experienced and competent. Felicity didn’t need to stay until they finished.
She left through the front door and started up the road to the barn, where she’d parked.
Gabe fell in next to her. She smiled at him. “Afraid Nadia will break loose from Russ and come find me?”
He flinched. “I don’t know what she’ll do next.”
“Okay, no joking around. Got it. Russ would agree. Have you met Kylie yet?”
“Not yet. I look forward to it. She and Russ had other plans or they’d have joined us for dinner last night.”
“I’d never have put them together, but they work,” Felicity said. “He sort of reminds me of Sherlock Badger. Stoic, tough.
