Goldie had the feeling Mrs. Bear was also lingering in the hopes of that little chat she mentioned the night before. She still hadn’t worked out what to say, so as soon as nine-thirty hit, she sent Adrian a text.
Good morning! Last night your mom asked me how we met. What should I tell her?
She tapped a finger to her lips. Maybe she should have waited, but nine-thirty couldn’t have been too early to contact him, could it?
Good point. Saying I met you in my bed is probably not the best approach, he replied.
Her cheeks caught fire. He had the tendency to do that to her. Never mind that it was the truth, or that it had been completely innocent.
Probably not, she replied.
How about a company getaway? he suggested.
What company?
Bear Financial Investments.
Yours? she guessed.
Mine.
Financial investments? Meaning stocks, 401 Ks, people’s firstborn children? No wonder he seemed to be loaded. But I don’t work for you, she said.
I could change that.
Of course he could. This was coming from the man who proposed they be boyfriend and girlfriend for convenience’s sake. She sent him a joke-face emoji. I’ll just tell her it was a chance meeting, and we hit it off right away.
A pause.
Did we hit it off? he texted.
Of course we did, she said, stemming off from their playful banter. You found me irresistible.
She clapped a hand over her mouth in astonishment. She couldn’t believe she’d just sent that. There was no way to undo a text. Hopefully, he’d read it as lighthearted as she meant it.
And you found me completely charming, he said.
Of course. What else?
Charming, and gorgeous, and generous, and utterly disarming. She wasn’t about to admit to any of those. He was still a stranger to her. She couldn’t let herself get too settled, no matter how helpful Adrian had been. Most men she knew didn’t do something for nothing. At least she’d been able to help him with his Danica problem.
You mean you want me to go on? he said.
Please no. Don’t want you getting a big head or anything. Another jokey emoji.
I’ll be stopping by in a few hours. I’d like to see you. Is that okay with you?
She had to read the text a few times to make sure it said what she thought it did. He wanted to see her? Was he for real? Her stomach burned. Sure. I’ve got nothing better to do.
Ugh, that hadn’t come out right. Still, she’d already sent it.
Gotta hang out with my girlfriend, he said, adding a wink.
The reminder stung, though she couldn’t figure out why.
Right, she replied before flinging her phone on the bed. His girlfriend, sure.
Goldie stifled a yawn. She still hadn’t completely caught up on sleep from her road trip, so she settled herself beside her phone on top of the bear-covered blanket and closed her eyes. Ten minutes wouldn’t do any harm.
Except when she awoke, the clock read closer to noon.
“Two hours?” she said to herself. Man, she must really have been tired. Readjusting her clothes and running a brush through her hair, she decided to brave the lower level.
She opened her door the smallest crack. Unlike the few instances she’d checked before, the smell of bacon, eggs, and pancakes no longer wafted from below. The sound of gathered guests, banging dishes, and Mrs. Bear’s commanding voice were missing as well.
Anticipation trickled in. She made for the window, which offered a view of the front yard, parking lot and barn. People were already coming and going, strolling along to admire the flowers, reaching to retrieve things from their vehicles. One vehicle, Goldie noticed, was blessedly absent. The coast was clear. Mrs. Bear was nowhere in sight.
Stomach growling, Goldie decided to risk it and headed downstairs. The lobby area was mostly cleared, except for a girl reading a book at the reception desk and a man perusing a newspaper at one of the tables off from the seating area.
Adrian was already in the kitchen, retrieving a bottle of Coke from the fridge. Goldie’s heart gave a little flip.
“There you are,” he said in such a warm way, it made her stomach burn, especially considering their flirty text conversation. He’d said he wanted to see her. Her.
“Morning,” she said, twisting her hair over one shoulder.
“I was just heading out to enjoy some sunshine. Want to join me?” He offered a Coke in her direction.
Goldie decided not to mention this was her first time down and she hadn’t yet eaten anything else. Coke for breakfast it was.
“Is your mom here?” she couldn’t help asking as he handed her the ice-cold bottle.
“She headed to town to return a few things. She’ll probably be gone for a while.”
Relief sifted over her. “Sunshine sounds good.”
Adrian led the way out. The sun was already baking the air. It was warm for April. A friendly, wide swing saved a spot for her, and Goldie settled herself in while Adrian perched himself against the railing across from her and stared into the distance.
“It’s amazing here,” Goldie said, kicking a little to move the swing.
Adrian pivoted, resting a hand on the porch’s supportive beam. He glanced out, taking a sip from his Coke bottle. His gaze swept from the weeping willow dipping its fingertips into the glassy pond, to the horses grazing at the base of the hill, and back to his family’s large ranch house.
“I never wanted this.”
Her tone was uncertain. “The bed and breakfast?”
Another sip. “No. This.” He gestured widely, indicating the surrounding land.
“Why would you not want this? It’s a gift, to be so secluded. It’s almost like going back in time to be here. Everywhere else is so busy, so rushed to keep up the pace with the rest of the world. Here,
