A Match Made In Bliss. Diann Walker

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      “I’m sorry you had to go out,” she said, stirring sugar into her coffee, then taking a sip. “I didn’t realize I could get lost in the woods. I feel so foolish.” Truth was she could get lost a mile from home. She placed her cup on the table.

      His expression held apology. “Don’t feel that way. It’s easy to get lost in the woods, especially if you’re not familiar with the area.” He took a drink of coffee. “I thought you seemed upset with that news reporter. In fact, you almost appeared surprised, as if you didn’t know about the contest.”

      She took a deep breath. “Well, as a matter of fact, Garrett, I didn’t know about the contest.”

      Confusion flickered in his eyes. “How is that possible? Aren’t you the fifth contestant?”

      Lauren laughed. “Well, I guess I am, but you see, my friends set this up for me.” She explained how Gwen and Candace had encouraged her to come to the bed-and-breakfast, take a break, and that they had said a surprise awaited her there.

      Garrett chuckled. He settled back against the cushions and stretched his arm across the top of the sofa, his fingers hovering a mere half inch from her shoulder. “I guess we both got surprised.” He explained how the girls had set up the contest, and he’d known nothing about it until it was too late to stop it.

      “I hope you don’t mind being here now.” His eyes searched hers.

      Big brown, soft, compelling eyes—eyes that made her heart turn liquid. “No, it’s been, um, kind of fun up to now.”

      At this Garrett laughed out loud. “Kind of fun? Well, I guess that’s one way to view it,” he said.

      “No, I didn’t mean that I wasn’t enjoying—”

      He scooted in a bit and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a light squeeze. “I know you didn’t. It’s okay. I’m just glad you came,” he said, his eyes locking with hers. Her shoulder warmed to his touch. The soft music floating overhead, the tenderness of his hand resting on her shoulder made her want to close her eyes and imagine him lifting his fingers to her hair—

      Suddenly Garrett pulled his hand away as if he had been burned. The sleepy haze that had settled over her disappeared like a mirage in the desert.

      “Everyone should be back soon.” He got up and walked toward the window. Pulling back the curtain, he peeked out, then dropped the cloth back into place and turned toward her.

      Lauren lifted her cup to her lips. Anything to cover the awkward moment between them. She didn’t want to analyze what had just happened. The image of the carved initials on the tree came to mind, reaffirming her conclusion that he was still grieving for his wife.

      Lauren curled her feet beneath her on the sofa. “So tell me about your girls. How do they feel about living in a bed-and-breakfast?”

      He looked relieved that Lauren had changed the subject. He returned to his place beside her, but she didn’t miss the fact that he sat farther away this time. “I think they’re okay with it. Sometimes I think it infringes on their privacy, but they’ve adjusted pretty well.”

      “And how are they since they’ve lost their mother?” Lauren asked in almost a whisper. Not that it was any of her business, but she had noticed a little friction between Macy and her dad.

      A shadow touched his face. “As well as can be expected, I guess.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Macy’s the hard one. I think she blames me.”

      Lauren’s heart squeezed. “Oh, I’m sure that’s not true.”

      He blew out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. When Susie died, Macy changed.”

      “It would be hard on a girl to lose her mother.”

      “That’s true enough. But Molly’s adjusted. She has her moments, but she doesn’t pick at me all the time.”

      “I know plenty of girls who pick at their parents. It’s an age thing, I think. I’m sure I did.” She laughed.

      Garrett lifted a hopeful expression to Lauren. “Maybe you’re right. I just know the sooner we get past it, the better.” They heard a car door close. “That must be them.”

      Before they could get up, Macy and the others swished through the front door and stepped into the front room.

      Garrett rose from the couch and turned to greet them.

      Gracie locked eyes with Lauren. “Well, looky here. Ain’t this just so cozy?” She walked across the room and looked from Lauren to Garrett, her words dripping with insincerity. She glanced down at the coffee tray and turned to the other contestants. “I guess while we’ve been sightseeing, Lucy here has been having a good time of her own.”

      Shock kept Lauren silent.

      “I don’t know what you mean by that, Gracie, but I invited Lauren to sit down with me for coffee. Is there a problem with that?” Garrett’s eyes pinned her.

      She lifted her face with a look of total innocence. “Why, no, Garrett, not at all. Anything you want, you get.” She flashed her pearly-white teeth.

      “Hey, would you ladies want some hot chocolate?” Molly offered, clearly trying to defuse the situation.

      “Great idea. I’ll go put my things upstairs and be back,” Billie Gibbons said, making her way up the stairs.

      “Yeah, me, too.” Nikki Spartan tossed them her Elvis smile. Lauren could almost hear strains of “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog.”

      Ellen Little followed along behind them, hands clenched together, mouth tightly sealed. She looked so fragile Lauren feared that if someone blew on her, she would break into a thousand pieces.

      Garrett went to help Molly and Macy get hot chocolate for the guests, leaving Lauren and Gracie alone in the room.

      Gracie lifted an arched brow and glared at Lauren. “Don’t think I’m not onto you, honey. You might as well know right here and now, I am winning this contest.” With that, she turned and walked from the room, allowing her chin to lead the way.

      Little did Gracie know that if Lauren had had any doubts about being a contestant before, she didn’t now. She knew a challenge when she heard one.

      Suddenly the idea of being a contestant in this game suited her just fine.

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