Apple Blossom Bride. Lois Richer

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      “My socks. Tati claimed she was trying to make a video for her grandmother.”

      “A video of socks?” Ashley frowned.

      “To show Granny the holes so she could get me new ones for Christmas,” he admitted. “Tati’s a little focused on Christmas at the moment. She has her special Christmas dress all picked out.”

      “Smart girl. It’s good to be prepared.”

      His shoulder brushed hers. Since Ashley was in the corner of the railing she could hardly move away. Leaving would only prove—to herself most of all—how much he affected her. So she stood there.

      “It must be fun to have a child in your life.”

      “Fun, yes. Also very scary. Since you knew me back when, you might remember I was never an A student when it came to responsibility. Being the youngest kid does that, I guess.” He studied her. “Are you cold? Would you like to move nearer the fire?”

      Ashley nodded, followed him to the lounge chairs. He waited till she’d sunk into one, then sat down on the end of it.

      “What about you? Do you want children?”

      “Someday.” She panned a look. “I’d like to get married first, though.”

      “Smart lady.” He flicked her cheek with one finger, chasing away a mosquito. “If I remember correctly, you were always popular with the boys.”

      “You remember incorrectly,” she chided, peeking up through her lashes. “Or you’d remember me hugging your mother’s ficus plant in the corner at her parties. I was usually the wallflower. Too shy, I guess.”

      “You don’t seem the shy type.”

      “But then you don’t know me that well.” She reached for the soft shawl she’d dropped on a side table earlier.

      “I’d like to,” he said simply, meeting her gaze. “Know you better, I mean. Maybe we could go out for dinner one evening.”

      “You’re too busy,” she reminded archly. “You can’t even find a moment to work on the sets.”

      “Tati and her grandmother have a standing date on Friday nights. I’m free as a bird then.”

      Ashley shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not really interested in dating right now,” she murmured, feeling hemmed in. “I came to Serenity Bay to relax and recuperate for a little while.”

      “After your accident. My mother told me. Do you want to talk about it?”

      “No.”

      “Okay, then.” Michael folded his hands together in his lap, stretched out his legs and glanced around like an eager tourist taking in the sights. “Nice weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

      She couldn’t help but chuckle.

      “Now there’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while. Ashley laughing. I like it.” Piper walked onto the deck behind Jason who was carrying a tray with two mugs and a plate of cookies on it. She sat down on the swing, patted the seat next to her then accepted her cup. “What are you two talking about?”

      “The weather.”

      “Ashley not dating.”

      Their simultaneous responses had the other two grinning.

      “Maybe we should go back inside and let them settle this,” Jason said.

      “Oh, I’d rather let them continue. We’ll just listen in.” Piper leaned back against Jason’s arm, slung across the back of her seat and passed the cookies. “Ashley needs a challenge, Michael. She’s kind of stuck in her ways. That’s why I’ve been begging her to help me with the festival. Did you know she contacted her former boss about setting up a gallery to display local artists’ work in town?”

      Michael shifted, his attention intent on Piper.

      “I didn’t know,” he said. He turned to Ashley. “Any luck?”

      “No. He turned me down without even seeing some of the things that are produced here. But that’s okay. I’ll find someone else. I’m good at getting backers for artists who need to get their work to the public.”

      “Are you?”

      “Have you heard of Terrence Demain?”

      “Who hasn’t?” Michael nodded, eyes wide. “Mosaics. Gorgeous walls of fantastic color.”

      “Exactly. A friend of mine commissioned his first wall. The critics couldn’t get enough of his work and he took off.”

      “That’s what Ashley does, you see. She finds the talent and then brings it to the light. Her former boss could tell you how good she is if he hadn’t fired her.” Piper smiled at Ashley. “How many times has Ferris begged you to come back, Ash?”

      “I’ve lost count.”

      “You don’t want to go back to your old job?” Michael studied her.

      “Maybe. Sometime.” Ashley kept her face expressionless as she scrambled for excuses. The intensity of his stare was unnerving. “I need a break first. I’d been working nonstop for ages. It feels good to relax, putter around a bit. And Piper’s a peach for letting me come here. There’s nowhere like the Bay for reorienting yourself.”

      “Mmm.” Michael tilted his head to one side, shrugged. “I guess.”

      She watched him closely, framing her next words with care.

      “You probably thought the same thing yourself. I mean, isn’t that why you’ve come back, after all these years? To start over with your daughter?”

      “I guess you could say that.”

      If she hadn’t been watching Ashley might have missed his wince. As it was, she couldn’t help but wonder what had caused it and why he was staring at her as if she held some secret he needed.

      “Anyway, I’ll probably leave in a couple of weeks.”

      “But you have to be here for our wedding, Ash,” Piper protested. “You and Row are my bridesmaids and I’m not getting married without either of you. I’ve got your dresses all picked out.” She threaded her fingers through Jason’s, her engagement ring flashing its fire. “Christmas isn’t all that far off, you know.”

      Michael choked on his coffee. One look at his face and Ashley burst into laughter.

      “What is so funny?” Piper asked.

      “Apparently you’re not the only one who’s looking forward to Christmas,” Ashley told her.

      “Or thinking about fancy dresses,” Michael added.

      “Oh.” A СКАЧАТЬ