He didn’t want to think of his sister enjoying loads and loads of kissing with anyone, though he had to admit he liked her fiancé very much. Josh Bailey seemed a genuinely good man who obviously adored Gem.
“I want to see your wedding dress,” Amelia said. “May I?”
“Of course. The glorious creation should be ready about a week before the wedding. Perhaps you could come with me to pick it up.”
Ian had to smile at Gemma’s enthusiasm. He couldn’t remember seeing her work up any interest in clothing before. She always looked nice but seemed most happy in yoga clothes, yet here she was waxing almost poetic about a dress she would wear for one day.
“It’s a good thing you like it,” Ian said.
“I love it. But then, I knew I would. Samantha is amazing with a needle and thread.”
“Sounds like it.”
“How do you like living next to her? She mentioned that she met you all yesterday.”
“I fell in the water,” Thomas said. “Our neighbor helped me out.”
“That’s what I heard.”
Ian tried not to picture his lovely neighbor dripping wet, tight clothing sticking to places he didn’t want to notice.
“She seemed very nice but we spoke only for a handful of moments. I didn’t have much opportunity to form a solid impression.”
“When you have the chance to come to know her a little better, I have no doubt you will love her as much as I do. Truly, she’s become a dear friend. She’s funny and smart and so creative with that dress shop of hers.”
As she continued gushing about her friend, Ian frowned as a sudden suspicion took root. He glanced at the children, who were now busy coloring pictures on the paper tablecloth with the crayons their server had provided.
“Tell me you’re not trying your hand at matchmaking,” he murmured in a low voice.
“Don’t be silly,” she protested, but the sudden pink that stole across his sister’s cheeks was all the answer he needed.
“Gem. Don’t.”
“Who said anything about matchmaking? I only meant she will be the perfect neighbor to you and the children. She’s lovely. Truly lovely.”
“I’m sure she is.”
He wasn’t available for a summer fling with an American woman, no matter how lovely she might be. Surely his sister understood the myriad reasons for that. Anyway, even if circumstances were different and Ian wasn’t buried under the weight of his impending responsibilities, he still wouldn’t have an affair with Samantha Fremont.
Why would a soft and pretty woman like her have any interest in a stiff, rumpled British professor who knew more about the reproductive processes of Lake Haven kokanee salmon than he did about the kind of things that might interest a young, attractive woman?
There was a flurry near the table and Josh Bailey finally joined them.
“Sorry I’m late. We had some issues at the store trying to track down a large order that’s gone astray and I lost track of time.”
The owner of a chain of sporting goods stores might not be the man Ian expected Gemma to fall for but Josh utterly and completely adored Gemma. That made him perfect for her, as far as Ian was concerned.
“Did you find it?” Ian asked.
“Yes. In North Dakota, of all places. I’ve got it rerouted now and heading our way.”
The waiter came to take their order. Ian thought Josh might need more time but he explained that he had eaten there many times before and always ordered the same thing: French dip with sweet potato fries.
“How are you settling into your new house?” Josh asked after the waiter left to give their order to the kitchen staff. “I’m still sorry you decided not to stay at my ranch. You know I have plenty of room.”
“That’s very kind of you to offer but I needed to be close to the water since that’s the only way to get to Chalk Creek without hiking three miles over hard terrain. Thank you also for arranging a boat for me to use, by the way.”
“Not a problem at all. It belongs to a friend of mine who owes me a favor. Since he’s going to be gone all summer, he assured me it’s no problem for you to use it. I’ll try to bring it by tomorrow.”
“I appreciate that.”
“And we still need to go horseback riding, don’t we?” Josh said to the children with his friendly smile. “Maybe we can go this weekend.”
“Oh, please.” Amelia looked thrilled at the possibility, happier than she’d been in ages.
His heart ached when he looked at his daughter. She and Susan had been close and he knew Amelia missed her mother dearly. He might have guessed she would inherit Susan’s love of horses, too.
“Josh’s horses have the sweetest natures. Every one of them,” Gemma said. “A Western saddle takes a bit of getting used to but I don’t doubt we could find a saddle for you that’s similar enough to the one you’re accustomed to using at home.”
Some of Amelia’s enthusiasm seemed to fade. “I only wish I had a friend to go riding with. I miss my friend Olivia terribly.”
She had not let him forget that she wasn’t happy about spending a month away from her friends, especially when they would be moving to Dorset at the end of the summer.
Oh, guilt. His old friend. He should be used to it by now as a parent. There was always something else, something better, he knew he ought to be doing. Every day he encountered some innovative parenting technique, some new superfood to add to their diet, a learning model he should be following.
“I’m quite certain you could find a friend here to ride with,” Ian said. “We will be here almost a month. Perhaps you could connect with some other girls and we can arrange a riding date or something.”
“I have friends with daughters around your age,” Gemma said. “I’ll talk to them about planning a few outings.”
“Maybe.”
Amelia did not look particularly enthusiastic at the idea of making a new friend. She
