Trace finished his call and slithered back up the stairs. To Jolene’s way of thinking, secrets from his wife so early in the marriage did not spell happy-ever-after for her stepmother.
“How long have you been hiding out over there?” Jolene demanded when her father was out of earshot.
“I saw you come downstairs.” he inched closer and she tensed, but moving backward was not an option. She was plastered against the wall.
“You’re stalking me?”
“I was here first,” he said. “I could accuse you of the same.”
“Where’s your girlfriend? She must be missing you,” Jolene said.
“Retired. Her skin is pink and she fears it will peel and she’ll look a mess for the rest of the vacation. Says she will spend the entire night layering cream over her body to avoid the possibility. I took that as my cue to run.”
“What happened to the man I knew with high morals? You’d never have suggested sharing a suite before marriage.”
“Mrs. Claus – or whoever sent the gift – saw to that. I have my own room. We just share a common area in the middle. I swear, I haven’t even peeked inside her private space.”
Jolene tried to sound nonchalant. “It doesn’t matter. You don’t have to defend your behavior to me anymore.”
He was so close she could feel his breath. “It matters to me what you think of my behavior.”
“Fine then,” Jolene said looking for an escape route around the small perimeter he’d enclosed them in. “Excuse me; I’m going to bed now.”
He barred her escape by placing his hand on the wall next to her ear. “I never wanted to leave you.”
“It’s history. We’ve both moved on.”
“Nothing is black and white, Jolene. Truth is, if I have to share a woman with her job, I’d prefer her to be you.” Jolene felt herself melting and attempted to disguise it. “Don’t bother, Miss Sumpter. I know you far too well. I’ve seen all your masks.”
“Craig, you’re playing with fire. Instead, we should be discussing what we both overheard – the name Sheki. Did you say it was Selene’s mother?”
“That is her mother’s name. Whether it’s the same woman, remains to be seen.”
“Don’t play with me.,” Jolene said. “You know she is. It sounds like she is planning a surprise visit with her daughter.”
“Sheki is a big name in Atlanta. She has branches all over the country printing her version of what every woman dreams of. A close competitor to her daughter’s magazine and a very busy woman. I doubt she will show up here at the whim of your father.”
“But you heard him. She is coming,” Jolene argued.
“We shall see,” Craig said. “I’ve learned not to believe anything the high and mighty say until I see it with my own eyes.”
“I believe in my father, and do not appreciate you placing him in the same category as the one you speak of in such scornful tones; You disappoint me. Trace Sumpter has been successful in business but he is not an overbearing tycoon.”
His voice softened. “I never meant to imply that.”
“Maybe you didn’t; I’m on the defensive,” Jolene admitted. “This vacation is spiraling into something I’m sure none of us planned for.”
“Sometimes surprises are the best,” Craig said. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
“And Sandra insists that magic is in the air.” Jolene said as her breathing came out in jagged bursts.
“I like that woman,” said Craig. He leaned in and Jolene saw that familiar yearning in his eyes. “But I love you.” Before she could turn her head, he captured her lips and sent her head spinning and her heart pounding. She could have no sooner resisted him as a flimsy willow branch fighting gale force winds. When they separated, she lowered her head and rested it on his chest. “Craig, you should not have done that.”
“Why? From the moment I saw you registering here I knew I would end up kissing you. We’re meant to be together and we were fools to part.”
“But I still work,” she said.
“And, so do I,” Craig said, “Like countless others who have learned to compromise for their relationships.”
Jolene felt the tears pool in her eyes and pushed him away. “No, it’s too late. I’ll not be the one to break your girlfriend’s heart and I won’t be moving to Atlanta. I’m small town – the girl next door, and you deserve so much more.” She wiggled around him, ignoring his confused expression. “This won’t happen again, Craig.”
Chapter 8
Late the next afternoon, found Travis, the social convenor, addressing those planning to attend the dance in town as to the proper attire. Pineville took Christmas in July seriously and that evening was the kick off event. The Inn even had accessories to offer guests, in case they hadn’t read the brochure outlining the down-home theme that required country-Christmas attire.
Jolene had packed hers, for she loved line dancing and the idea of learning how to square dance thrilled her. These steps involved groups, and being minus a partner was the perfect solution to her single status. She’d have fun if it killed her, vowing to herself not to give Craig and Selene a moment of her attention.
Jolene stood listening to his spiel close to the front entrance, when the door swung open and royalty stepped inside. The woman appeared to silence the room as she halted to scan the group gathered in the entrance hall. The busboy, concentrating on dragging the enormous suitcase in behind her, nearly bumped into her stationary figure. Jolene covered her mouth to
