Encounters #2

“Maybe I was yesterday,” I decide to be honest with him, “but I’m not lying when I say I have plans. Don’t push it. I’m not going anywhere with you tonight.”

“You have the afternoon free,” he points out.

“I’ll be very busy taking a relaxing bath and getting ready for dinner.”

“Fine.”

That he gives up so quickly surprises me. And it’s not that I’m not glad, but it strikes me as suspicious. Haven isn’t the type to surrender at the first hurdle.

“Just like that?”

“Just like that, morena.” He smiles before cupping my face and stealing a kiss so passionate it leaves me breathless. “See you.”

He heads back the way he came and leaves me so flustered it takes me a moment to react. By the time I head for the car, I’ve already lost sight of him.

Although I’d planned that bath, I think I’d rather go for a walk through town.

It’s time to talk to the locals and pick up on whatever rumors they might offer.

On more than one occasion, I’ve found that you can learn things interesting enough to use to your advantage in negotiations.

And in this case, any help is welcome because I have no idea what I could offer Mr. Odell to tempt him.

I stop by the inn to change into more comfortable clothes and then head out to carry out my plan.

I discover, to my surprise, how open and spontaneous the locals are, despite living practically cut off from the world.

I even receive several invitations to have lunch in their homes.

I decline them all politely, except for one from an elderly woman who seems desperate for company.

I feel sorry for her and I don’t have the heart to refuse.

Over the meal, she tells me a great deal of the town’s history and every juicy piece of local gossip. She’s a wonderful source of wisdom.

“Barnie adored his Annie like a madman. I don’t think in all my long life I’ve ever known a more lovesick man. Her death destroyed him. Poor dear. Many thought he’d follow her soon, given the depth of his grief, but I knew he wouldn’t.”

“Why were you so sure?”

“Because he latched onto that company as if it were his wife. He tried to keep it afloat despite knowing nothing about that world. Well,” she says, smiling conspiratorially, as if about to share a secret everyone already knows, “you don’t have to be terribly clever to see that Barnie understands absolutely nothing about fashion. ”

“He didn’t do so badly,” I try to defend him, even though she’s right. The way he dresses probably hasn’t changed in decades.

“That’s because Haven helps him.” She shakes her head sadly. “That boy is wasting away there. He should have forced him to sell the company long ago.”

“Maybe he wants to keep it too, in memory of his mother,” I venture, knowing full well that’s not the case.

“He’s there for his father. He thinks that if he leaves him alone, the old man will wither away and he’ll lose him too.”

“That’s possible.”

“Haven needs to get out into the world,” she sighs wistfully, as if speaking about herself. “To have experiences he’ll never have here. The boy has so much talent, but he’s wasting it in this godforsaken town. He should have gone with my Joe when he suggested it.”

“Your Joe?”

“My grandson.” Her eyes light up. “He’s an absolute sweetheart, but I hardly see him now. He just arrived in town yesterday, in fact. He comes often, though he usually doesn’t stay long. You seem surprised, dear.”

“I’m sorry.” I feel my face burn with embarrassment. “I assumed you didn’t have family.”

“I do. But my daughter and I have been on the outs for months over a small dispute. The only visits I get are from my grandson. His sister doesn’t come around, even though she lives a stone’s throw away.”

“That’s very unfair of her.”

“It’s understandable because the argument with my daughter was about her. That girl was foolish enough to turn down a good job offer to stay in town. Can you believe it?”

“If that’s what she wants, you should accept her decision.”

“Not when the reasons are wrong.” She stands up, ready to clear the table, and I help.

“I love my daughter, but I can’t accept her encouraging my granddaughter when it’s hurting her.

And I love my granddaughter, but she’s nothing more than a silly, stubborn girl who doesn’t realize the harm she’s doing to herself over the hope of something that will never happen. ”

“Relationships aren’t always easy.”

“A word of advice, dear.” She looks at me so intently I feel self-conscious. “Don’t let your heart make all the decisions. It’s good to listen to it, but use your head too.”

“I’ll remember that,” I nod.

I say goodbye with the promise of coming back another day for lunch together and return to the inn with enough time to shower and get ready before Joe comes to pick me up.

It’s not like I’m going to dress as if it were a real date—I don’t have the right clothes here anyway; and I don’t feel like putting on as much makeup as I would for one—but I look good when I check the mirror. Something Joe confirms when he sees me.

“Stunning!” he exclaims, giving me a thorough once-over. “Shall we go?”

He offers me his arm and I link mine through his.

The restaurant isn’t far, so we walk. Here, nothing is far, really—it’s a small town.

Neither of us says anything, but the silence isn’t uncomfortable; what is, perhaps a little, is walking arm in arm and having people look at us, but I try not to make too much of it.

After all, we’re not doing anything wrong.

When we reach the restaurant, he opens the door for me and I give a grateful smile; but before we can step inside, a voice behind us stops me cold.

I tense when I hear it, but my companion seems delighted.

“I didn’t know you were back, Joe.” Haven looks at both of us with a smile I can’t tell is fake or genuine. “And I see you haven’t wasted any time,” he adds.

Though I’d like to say something about it, the words get stuck in my throat when I see a beaming Matilda hanging on his arm. After how vehemently he tried to prove to me two days ago that there was nothing between them, I feel confused seeing them together. And hurt. Yes, above all, hurt.