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“Are you staying here?” Gray asked. He’d thought he’d heard Abby and Joshua’s mom talking about a job, but maybe he’d been mistaken.
“Mommy’s working.” Josh kept rubbing at the small circular scab.
“You shouldn’t pick at that,” Gray warned.
“It itches.”
“That’s your skin healing. But you don’t want to rip it off too soon, or it might get infected.”
“I had infected before.” The boy started to pull up his sleeve.
“Joshua!” His mother came out through a side door. She was twisting a cloth in her hand. Her face was as torqued as the cloth.
The boy turned and ran to her. “The rainbows aren’t here yet. I have to wait.”
His mom knelt. “I said you could sit at one of the tables, but you can’t bother the guests.”
“But he’s at the frog table.” Joshua pointed.
“You can sit here,” Gray said. “I have...things to do.”
Joshua’s mom grabbed his hand and took a quick step back. “I’m sorry he disturbed you.”
“No problem.” The young woman was as skittish as the feral cat he’d brought home when he was ten. “So you got the job.”
She inched away, glancing at the door she’d just come through. “I did. But it’s on a trial basis.”
“Well, good luck.” Gray stood and started gathering his things. “Joshua can sit at the table.”
The little boy snatched up a well-used backpack. It flopped on the chair.
“You’re a guest.” The woman was twisting her hands again.
“No problem. I’m Gray.”
“Umm, Cheryl.”
“Nice to meet you.” He nodded to Joshua. “Be good for your mother.”
The little boy took out a pack of crayons and a well-filled tablet of paper. He waved without looking up from his scribbling. “Bye.”
Gray shouldn’t be lounging in a garden anyway. People who wanted to succeed didn’t sit around drinking coffee in the middle of the day.
* * *
ABBY SMOOTHED THE cranberry pencil skirt that ended a couple of inches above her knees and did a little spin. The matching jacket floated away from a white shell that showed a hint of cleavage.
“Looking good, Abs. Who are you trying to drive crazy with that suit?” Bess leaned against the kitchen table, snacking on a carrot stick.
“Jacob Tinsley.”
“Do tell,” her sister encouraged.
“I want to show him what he can’t have.” Abby tugged her jacket back into place. “He’s asked me out at every meeting for the past three months. Then I discovered he’s living with one woman and dating another.”
Was there something about her that attracted cheaters? First Maurice and now Jacob. Unfortunately, she’d been engaged to Maurice.
“I never liked Jacob,” Bess said.
Abby could always count on her sister’s support.
“Mr. Smythe’s dinner is in the warming drawer. He likes vinaigrette on his salad. It’s in the fridge on the middle shelf.”
She walked Bess through the to-do list, even though she’d left instructions pinned to the kitchen bulletin board. “Serve the Petite Sirah with his stew.”
“Trust me, I can handle this. I’ve hosted tastings for years.” Bess looked at her watch and pointed to the doorway. “Out. No one will walk off in a huff because you miss an evening.”
Abby kissed her sister and inhaled Bess’s scent of earth and flowers. “Sorry to obsess. It’s been a crazy start to the week.”
Crazy because of their long-term guest, but she wasn’t going to tell her sister about this weird attraction she was feeling. She could barely admit it to herself.
* * *
GRAY HAD TIMED his arrival in the library perfectly. Abby’s back was to him as she uncorked a wine bottle. He was the first guest to arrive.
“What’s the theme tonight?” he asked.
She turned and his smile dimmed. This woman’s hair was almost the same color, but she wasn’t Abby.
“Hello,” she said with a warm smile.
“I’m sorry, I thought you were Abby.”
“Thank you. My sister is lovely, so I’ll take that as a compliment.” The woman’s smile filled her face. “I’m Bess.”
“Nice to meet you. You and your sister look alike.”
But the two sisters were different, too. Bess’s nose was splattered with freckles. Her eyes had more gold in them than Abby’s emerald ones. Abby’s hair was an intriguing shade of strawberry blonde, while Bess’s was redder. And when Bess smiled, his body didn’t come to attention.
“What are the appetizers tonight?” he asked, trying to focus.
“Your theme is California Dreams. Artichoke dip, grilled tomatoes, olive tapenade, carrots, celery and other nibblers. California wines, of course.”
Setting down the wine bottle, Bess extended her hand. He shook it, surprised at both the strength and callouses. She smelled like flowers with an earthiness he couldn’t identify.
“I’m Gray Smythe.”
She laughed, making him frown.
“Sorry,” she said. “It’s just that Abs was so mad. She didn’t know about your arrangements before you arrived. Dolley wasn’t able to get your information into the reservation system.” She leaned over and whispered, “Our sister wants new software.”
“There’s three of you, right?” He’d read that tidbit in the B and B’s pamphlet.
“Three girls. Our poor mother.” She opened another bottle and spoke over her shoulder. “Dolley’s the baby. She’s our computer expert and bookkeeper.”
“What can I pour for you?” Bess asked.
He looked at the offerings. “The cabernet, please.”
Bess poured a glass for him and then a small amount into another, swirling it around. She stuck her nose into the bowl and then sipped. “Nice.”
She leaned against the closest armchair, seeming more relaxed than Abby’s mysterious professional persona. “Is this your first visit to Savannah?”
“My second,” he replied. “Is February always this warm?”
“You Northerners,” she laughed, sinking into the chair. “This is cold.”
“When I left Boston, it was snowing.”
“If it ever snowed here, I’d lose half my gardens.” She frowned. “Of course, the blasted kudzu would survive.”
“I sat in the garden today. Your landscaper did a wonderful job.”
She blushed, a pink that highlighted her pale skin. “Thank you. I manage the gardens.”
“This really is a family operation.” And an impressive one. “You work in the garden—Abby in the kitchen.”
Without trying to show any interest, he sipped his wine and asked, “Where is Abby?” That sounded strange, so he added, “I wanted to thank her for getting the contractor names for me.”
“She’s at a Hospitality and Resort Association meeting.” A smile played across her lips. “Abs went dressed to kill just to mess with some guy who thought he could date three women at one time.”
“And he’s in the association?” He could understand any man being fascinated by Abby. She’d been popping into his head throughout the day. Probably because last night had been the nicest conversation he’d had in months.
“The jerk’s a manager at one of the area inns. He should know, no one treats a Fitzgerald like that and survives.” She stood and helped herself to a carrot stick. Crossing her ankles, she leaned against the table.
“Where are the rest of the guests?” he asked.
“Tuesday is our lowest census day. I like to chat with the guests, if that’s what they want, so I take the Tuesday wine tastings. Today, a couple of Moons checked in and there’s a group of ladies and two couples who leave tomorrow.”
“Moons? Honeymooners, right?” He moved over and loaded a plate with appetizers, chips and dip.
“Yeah. We get quite a few of them.”
A tall man walked in the room and Bess’s head jerked up, a frown creasing her forehead. “Forester, what are you doing here?”
Forester walked over and kissed her cheek. “Good to see you, babe.”
Her frown deepened. “Don’t call me that.”
Forester winked and then poured himself a glass of wine.
“Are you taking a room?” She crossed her arms, scowling.
Gray hid his grin by sipping his wine.
“I’m meeting one of your guests.” Forester chucked her under the chin. “Let me get some business done, and then you and I can catch up.”
Gray walked over to him. The man looked around his age, early thirties. “Daniel Forester, I presume.”
“Got me in one. Nice to meet you, Grayson Smythe from Boston.”
“Gray works best.”
“Gray it is,” Daniel said. “Whenever you’re ready, we can stroll over to your warehouse.”
“Finish your wine. I’ll have a little more of this dip.” Gray patted his stomach. “I need to start swinging a hammer, or they’ll have to roll me back to Boston.”
“Our Abby is a dream in the kitchen,” Daniel said.
Were he and Abby involved? Gray’s shoulders tightened. The answer shouldn’t matter. He’d left Boston to get off that particular merry-go-round.
“Do you know the previous warehouse owner?” asked Daniel.
“He’s more than an acquaintance, but not quite a friend.”
Daniel nodded. “He rarely came down to see the project. The rehab should be done by now.”
“I’d agree with you on that. If we end up working together, I should tell you that I’m a hands-on manager,” warned Gray.
“I can live with that.”
As Gray finished his wine, one of the honeymoon couples he’d met this morning entered the library. How did they know they could spend a lifetime together? He’d never come close to feeling that about anyone.
As they left the room, Forester said, “How the hell do they know they’re making the right choice?”
“I’m with you there. At least we know buildings can weather the storms. Let’s go look at mine.”
* * *
ABBY PARKED HER car next to the carriage house. The kitchen lights were on; Bess must be cleaning up. Maybe they could have a cup of chamomile tea before she headed to bed. Bess had added an herbal garden a couple of years ago and now made teas for the B and B. Abby loved having fresh herbs on hand for cooking.
She sighed as she got closer to the kitchen door. The cat had been hunting again and had left his prey on the step. Not the most appealing sight to come home to. Opening the door, she spotted Bess lounging in the alcove. “Reggie’s left us a gift. I’d rather not clean it up dressed like this. I can’t even bend over in this skirt. Will you get it, please?”
“Sure,” Bess said. “How was the meeting?”
“The association contracted with a new food distributor. I’ll check out their products and pricing. And the board is talking about raising the dues.” Abby filled the kettle before turning to the table.
“Gray,” she exclaimed. She hadn’t expected to find him there. Darn it, her face had to match her raspberry suit. And her other sister was at the table, too. “Dolley?”
