A Match Made In Bliss

скачать книгу бесплатно


She didn’t.

Lauren stood a moment and tried to get her bearings. The trees started to rustle overhead, a sure sign a storm was brewing.

An urgency pushed her to get back to the house. She began to jog. Her speed picked up with the wind, her steps taking her one direction, then another, then another. Rain began to fall from the sky and pelted her skin. A chill worked its way to her bones. Nocchi shivered in Lauren’s arms. She wanted to cry, but refused to give in to her emotions. Her body grew cold and wet as her tired legs ran hard through the wooded maze. Limbs swayed overhead. She thought she heard a man’s voice call out, but decided it must be the sound of the whipping wind that howled through the trees.

Water dripped from Lauren’s hair onto her face. A shadow moved ahead of her. She wiped her eyes to see if she had imagined it. Another movement. With everything stirring around her, it was hard to tell if it was a tree or something else. It could even be a bear. Faster and faster she ran the other way, her feet sloshing through puddles, her vision blurred. A pain cramped in her side. The cold pierced her lungs. There was that voice again. Was it Garrett’s? As she slowed to catch her breath, a hand clamped upon her arm. “Lauren!”

A gasp caught in her throat. Fear froze her in place. Lauren stood trembling when the owner of the hand stepped around her into view. She peered through wet lashes to see concern etched on Garrett Cantrell’s face. “Are you okay? You were gone so long. I was worried about you. Since I didn’t hear Nocchi in your room when I knocked on your door, I figured you took her into the woods.”

Without hesitation she fell against him, exhausted from running, chilled from the rain. He dropped his umbrella and pulled her so tightly against him, she could feel his heart beating through his light jacket. Her mind muddied like the ground beneath her feet. How long she stood locked in his embrace she didn’t know. She didn’t care. Finally he leaned back so that he could see her, still holding her in his arms. “I’d better get you to the house so you can change into some warm clothes,” he said, but his feet stayed planted, his eyes probing deeply into hers.

Feeling his breath brush lightly against her cheeks made her light-headed. She was afraid to breathe, afraid of breaking the stillness between them. Her legs wobbled. Suddenly Nocchi shivered in Lauren’s arms, bringing Lauren and Garrett both back to their senses.

Dumb dog. Should have left her in the room.

Garrett picked up the umbrella and held it over them while edging Lauren out of the woods. She realized she probably never would have found her way back without him.

Once they were back at the house, she ran upstairs, peeled off her drenched clothes down to the skin and pulled on a sweatshirt and pair of jeans, then dried her hair. She also dried Nocchi, then left her in the bedroom and returned downstairs. But for the soft violin music playing from the stereo, the house was quiet as she slipped into the front room, where a cozy fire played in the hearth. Garrett entered carrying two cups of steaming liquid on a tray.

“I guess Macy and Molly took the ladies sightseeing. They try to give me little breaks here and there. It appears we have the house to ourselves.”

Adrenaline surged through her body.

“Though I seriously doubt they’ll stay gone long in this weather. Not exactly a great day for sightseeing,” he added. “I know you drink coffee, so I made some.” He placed the tray of coffee cups, sugar and cream on the table. He stood and handed her a cup. “Want some sugar or cream?

“Sugar,” she answered, thinking how nice it was to be in this room with Garrett Cantrell. Reminded her of a scene out of a movie.

Garrett gave her some sugar and a spoon, then grabbed his own cup and sat down beside her on the sofa near the fireplace.

“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.

Chapter Five

Monday evening after dinner Lauren went up to her room and settled onto her bed. It had been a good day of everyone getting to know one another. Macy and Molly had planned an afternoon of games and refreshments, and Lauren had to admit she’d truly enjoyed herself.

As a matter of fact, Lauren figured that for the next couple of weeks she could pretty much get along with everyone there—well, she might struggle the teensiest bit with Gracie. Then again, this could be the challenge of a lifetime. Lauren sighed. She supposed Gracie could be nice when she wanted to. Obviously she didn’t want to. Gracie needed to get over her attitude.

First of all, Lauren hadn’t even known about the contest when she first arrived, and secondly, the last thing she wanted was another romantic entanglement. Her life had enough stress without adding that to the mix.

Hearing a car door close outside, Lauren hurried over to her window and peeked out the curtains. Today marked the beginning of Garrett meeting with the contestants individually. He was taking Ellen out tonight.

With Ellen settled into her seat, Garrett walked over to the driver’s side of his car. Lauren bit on the corner of her lip. For a tiny moment, similar to a blip on a computer screen, Lauren wished she were the one going with Garrett tonight. The thought irritated her.

Nocchi whined, causing Lauren to turn. “I know I’m being utterly ridiculous. I couldn’t care less that he’s taking these women out. It’s a stupid contest, and that’s what he’s supposed to do. It’s just that Gracie has turned this into a competition, and, well, I don’t want to sit back and let her win, do I?” Maybe it was the lawyer in her.

Speechless, Nocchi cocked her head sideways and stared at Lauren. Yeah, they had moments like that. Where Lauren talked and Nocchi listened. Smart dog. Too bad people weren’t the same.

Even as Lauren spoke the words, she had a sneaking suspicion there was more to her motive than just a competitive streak, but she could not allow herself to explore that possibility. Not yet. She wasn’t ready. She still had to shake her feelings for Jeff Levinger.

Lauren plopped onto the bed. “Why did Candace and Gwen get me into this mess, Nocchi?” Tail wagging, the dog stood on her hind legs, scratching to get on the bed.

Lauren lifted the now clothesless pooch onto the high mattress. “Nobody understands me the way you do.” She nuzzled her nose into Nocchi’s fur and cuddled her. “Nocchi, what am I going to do? I don’t want to be here. I don’t want to be a part of this contest. I just want a job, and a new life.”

Nocchi stretched out beside Lauren, nestling in close to her side. Lauren absently stroked her dog. Her restless thoughts finally surrendered to heavy eyelids as she drifted off to sleep.

A while later a car door slammed outside, causing Lauren to wake up. She lifted her head with a start, feeling somewhat disoriented. Reality hit her like a splash from Lake Tahoe. She was at a B and B vying for the affections of a man she hardly knew. Why? For one thing, to please her friends who had gone through all the trouble to get her there. Secondly? She had been pushed aside by one woman already in the past six months.

She wasn’t about to move over again.

Wait. The stakes weren’t the same—were they? It’s not as though she was in love with Garrett Cantrell, after all. Her chin rose. Still, she would not step aside. Lauren’s friends wanted her to win—what was the prize again? Hadn’t the reporter called the contest “Win Daddy’s Heart”? Well, she didn’t want the entanglement any more than Garrett did, but she could at least enjoy the adventure. That would show Jeff Levinger and Camilla Renfrow a thing or two.

Lauren walked over and peeked out the window. Garrett and Ellen had returned. Neither looked very happy.

When Garrett and Ellen stepped into the house, Macy and Molly looked at them with hope in their eyes. Garrett was not a happy camper. Not even a happy B and B owner. In fact, he was beginning to think that the whole dad thing was way overrated.

“Good night, Garrett,” Ellen croaked in barely a whisper, her glasses slipping down her nose. She cleared her throat and pushed her spectacles back into place.

“Good night, Ellen,” he said, much as he would talk to a child. When her back was turned toward the stairs, he motioned for his daughters to follow him into the den. They obeyed. Closing the door behind them, Garrett walked over in front of the sofa where they sat.

“Didn’t it go well?” Macy was the first to ask.

“That’s the understatement of the year, Macy.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “And I have far too many days left of this.”

“I don’t get it. We had the contestants fill out a personality profile and they all seemed to match with your likes and dislikes,” Molly said.

“I think some of them didn’t answer honestly,” Macy added.

“Bingo!” Garrett said with far too much attitude.

“We’re sorry, Dad. We thought we were doing a good thing, but you’re not enjoying it,” Molly said. She looked down at the floor, her expression forlorn, disappointed.

He hated it when she did that. Got to him every time. “Look, girls, I appreciate your efforts, but this just isn’t me. When I meet a woman, it will be unplanned, just something that happens, and I’ll let nature take its course.” He thought of Lauren and, not ready to deal with what that meant, quickly pushed her from his thoughts.

Molly brightened. “What about Gracie and Lauren? You seem to enjoy them. Or maybe one of the other women?”

Molly, his bold, tenacious one. When she got an idea, she clenched it as tight as Bear with a steak bone. “They’re nice ladies, but I don’t know. Gracie talks too much, and though I enjoy being around Lauren, we’re as different as night and day.”