Chapter Fourteen

When Meredith returned to the cabin, she heard Derrick’s saw humming in the workshop, so she decided to check her email before disturbing him. The pot roast heating up in the Crock-Pot filled the whole cabin with the yummy aroma of braised beef, potatoes, carrots, and celery cooked in fresh herbs. If Derrick had any red wine on hand that would be nice to go with it. But Meredith didn’t want to push her luck in assuming he stocked more than beer.

She switched on an overhead light and settled down at the table, as dusk cloaked the bay outside. The views here were spectacular, even if the accommodations were basic. Meredith was hoping she’d sleep better tonight, now that the bad weather had lifted and she’d cleared things up with Derrick about those imaginary bedbugs.

She logged onto her computer and was pleased to find the expected update from Beth.

Her assistant had dug up more information on Olivia’s previous whereabouts. Before moving to Acadia, she’d been involved with a lawyer in Greenville, Maine, in the state’s northwestern corner. Meredith supposed that made sense since Olivia had intended to pursue law once herself. Whoa. Not just intended, she’d apparently gone to law school and had graduated. Interestingly, she’d never actually practiced.

Meredith flipped through a few more screen shots, and then clicked on the various links Beth had sent her. Beth was very good at investigative work. She did an exemplary job running down details of Meredith’s prospective couple match-ups. This was useful information to have, since it helped Meredith understand the people she was dealing with. That way, she could better help them appreciate each other.

Beth had obviously been on target about Olivia’s current job, as well as her contact information. Sofia had been able to reach her no problem. From all appearances, Olivia had leaped at the chance to attend Julia’s christening. She had to know Derrick would be there.

Meredith’s gut tightened, but she told herself not to worry. This was good. No, excellent. Precisely what she’d hoped would happen. She didn’t know why the thought of Olivia coming made her slightly queasy. Maybe it was just stage nerves, like she got sometimes before going on camera. There was a lot riding on this reunion.

She dashed off a quick thanks to Beth and flipped her computer shut. She should go see Derrick to let him know she’d returned. But first, she’d get things ready for dinner by rustling up some plates and silverware, and maybe even by finding a candle around the place somewhere. Not that she wanted to make dinner seem romantic—Meredith always dined by candlelight. It was a custom she’d grown up with, and it made the evening meal seem special, even when she was eating alone, which she did more often than she liked to think about.

In a strange sort of way, she found herself looking forward to Derrick’s company tonight. They had good news to discuss and plans to make regarding him and Olivia. Meredith’s cheeks sagged, but she shook off the unsettled feeling. She was good at being a matchmaker. The best. And she was pulling out all the stops to accomplish this one. If things worked out, she’d have her dream job, and pretty much everything she’d ever wanted.

Well, almost everything. The chance to live someplace like this would be nice. She glanced around the cute cabin, thinking it would make a terrific weekend getaway spot. While Derrick’s cabin was clearly a bachelor pad with its huge-screen TV and the messy master bedroom, it did have its charms. Meredith imagined it was very cozy here in winter, with a real wood fire burning in the hearth and snow dusting the surrounding trees.

Her apartment in Boston was sleek and upscale but basically outfitted with budget store decor, and it did get a little lonely. Given the demands of her work, Meredith had never considered living outside of the city before. But her taping schedule was flexible and she didn’t record her show every day. Although if it went into syndication, she might have to adjust things slightly. Including at her apartment, which she intended to redecorate with top-of-the-line everything.

A tingle of excitement tore through her at the prospect of her deal going through, but then she felt oddly letdown. Like when that big moment arrived, it wouldn’t feel nearly as stellar without somebody special to share it with. She guessed she could open a bottle of champagne and call a friend to help her celebrate. Or maybe she would phone her Titi Clarita, or they could do a video chat. She’d put so much energy into making matches for other people, the truth was she hadn’t made a lot of time to focus on herself.

Apparently, Olivia had done some soul searching and she’d taken her life in a whole different direction. Becoming a park ranger? Wow, that was an about-face. So far afield from practicing law that it had clearly been a bold move. What had inspired the change? She shot a glance out the kitchen window and at the hedge that partially shielded the workshop from here.

Apart from her outdoorsy career, what else did Olivia want? What’s more, what did she hope to gain in Blue Hill? Was it a restored friendship with Sofia? Getting back in the Albright family’s good graces? Or, in her heart of hearts, had she always hoped this opportunity would come? The chance for her and Derrick to reconnect and start over? Meredith guessed that she and Derrick would discover those answers soon enough.

…

Derrick dabbed more fast-drying tung oil on his rag and massaged the railings of the assembled cradle, applying muscle. This would lend the piece’s natural wood a glossy sheen and give it a protective coating. The cradle had come together nicely and he was pleased with the result.

He normally wasn’t into building baby furniture, but this case was special. William and Sofia had wanted their daughter for quite some time. After Sofia’d miscarried some years ago, they’d been quiet about their efforts to try again until last summer when they’d shared the news of another pregnancy with the family. Derrick didn’t think he’d ever seen William so happy. Sofia, either, for that matter.

They made such great parents and Julia was lucky to have them, just like they’d been gifted with a special treasure in her. Derrick tried to imagine what it would feel like to hold his own baby in his arms. The notion was a tiny bit terrifying but intriguing, too. Do I have what it takes to be a good dad? The way my dad, Parker, was? And like William is now?

He’d never put much thought into it until recently. Once he’d started building this cradle, he’d begun wondering how he might have felt if he’d been constructing it for a child of his own.

Naturally, that would mean having a mother in the picture. Namely, a wife. But he’d never totally considered any female in a wifely way. Apart from Olivia. Obviously.

Even then, there had been something far removed about the concept of having kids. They’d basically been kids themselves when they’d run away to get married. Still in school and figuring out their own lives, neither had been ready to have children at the time. In fact, they’d gone to great pains to avoid talking about it. Was it because—subconsciously—both were secretly questioning whether their hasty marriage would last?

He was grateful that he hadn’t had kids then. He hadn’t been ready and that would have complicated matters further during his and Olivia’s divorce.

He set his rag down on the workbench. If they’d had a family together, would that have changed the outcome of their separation?

Then he shook his head, knowing things were far better the way they were. Now that he and Olivia were more mature, the universe might grant them another chance. For everything. He didn’t want to get ahead of himself by imagining their remarriage and them building a life together, and frankly, he wasn’t fully ready to mentally go there—but wasn’t that what this upcoming weekend was all about?

No, actually, it wasn’t.

He pursed his lips, knowing the focus of this weekend’s family gathering was supposed to be on William and Sofia and sweet little Julia’s christening, not some future imaginary family of his. But, if he did have one…someday…how would he handle things as a dad? Would he really be okay? The Oliva he’d known was brainy. Capable and beautiful, too. There was no doubt she had parenting skills of some kind, but it was somehow hard to visualize them.

Meredith, on the other hand. Now there was someone who was mommy material. He had no doubts about that. She was tough and brassy, but there was a softness underneath. She had a tender fierceness about her. She was protective but caring, like a devoted mama bear. It was easy to intuit she’d make a great mom. No one would mess with her kids. God help them. He laughed at the thought. And they’d grow up with a certain confidence, understanding they’d been supported and loved.

He marveled at the fact that she wasn’t seriously involved with someone, or didn’t at least have a boyfriend in light of how accomplished she was. She had a fun personality and a sharp mind. And yeah—he chuckled—even her smart mouth, which had a cute way of twitching at the corners when she was annoyed with him. He’d never have figured her for a person lacking in romance. Then again, just look at him.

The door to his workshop cracked opened and Meredith grinned. “Sorry to bother you, but I wanted to let you know that I’m back.”

“It’s no bother,” he said, and in his heart he meant it. Meredith had a warm aura about her, and it radiated throughout the shadowy space like rays of sunshine. He was embarrassed to have been thinking so many favorable thoughts about her. Then he reminded himself she was a matchmaker, and fortunately, not a mind reader.

Her gaze darted to the cradle. “Wow. It’s beautiful. Is it done?”

“Just about. I’ll need to apply another coat of the finish once this one dries.”

She walked over to take a look and he caught a whiff of her perfume, that same honeysuckle one that he’d noticed when she’d arrived. What was wrong with those men in Boston? If he’d been living down there, he certainly wouldn’t have let her get away.

Wait. Where did that thought come from?

“You really are very talented,” she was saying, unaware of his shock. “I’m sorry about all that stuff I said last summer. When I made fun of your job.” She winced, apology in her eyes, and it occurred to him in this soft light that she was even more beautiful.

Get it together.

“That makes us even.” His throat felt tender. “Because I’m sorry about what I said about yours back then, too.”

“The pot roast is ready. If you’re hungry?” Her dark eyes sparkled and he couldn’t help but imagine coming home from work to a woman like her. Meredith Galanes was going to make someone a great wife.

And it won’t be you.

He cleared his throat. “Pot roast sounds great, thanks.”

He cleaned up while she waited and then switched off some lights.

“You get your aunt settled in okay at the guest cottage?” he asked as they walked back toward his cabin. A full moon was on the rise and darkness cloaked the pines. In many other circumstances, the evening might have seemed romantic.

“Oh yeah. She was pretty impressed.”

Derrick quelled all thoughts of romance between him and Meredith. Olivia was arriving tomorrow. He needed to find a way to throw all his energy into thinking about her, and push any nonsensical thoughts about Meredith to the furthest reaches of his mind. “My grandparents are impressive people.”

“All of the Albrights are impressive,” Meredith said. “From my view.”

He glanced at her as he held open the cabin door, allowing her to enter first.

“Just look at you,” she said, sounding flirty, “holding open the door.”

His neck warmed but he hoped she wouldn’t notice. “This old dog can learn new tricks.”

“You’re not that old.”

“No, but I’ve been around the block a time or two.”

“Yeah?” she asked. “Which block is that?”

“The block. You know, the one that folks call life.”

“Ooh, that one. Sure.” She laughed and he liked how it sounded. “Yeah, I’ve been around that one, too. More than once.”

He stepped into his kitchen, unable to believe his eyes. The whole place was done up so homey, it was hard not to think he was standing in somebody else’s house. The cabin was tidy and smelled heavenly with the scent of pot roast in the air, and the table was set for a nice dinner. Meredith had found the blue-and-white checked tablecloth his grandmother had given him years ago and a couple of placemats from the pile he kept in the sideboard. Two places were set with cloth napkins, utensils, and dinner plates and bowls. She’d even managed to produce a candle from his emergency storm stash and plunk it into an empty beer bottle.

“I couldn’t find the matches,” she said, noting his eyes on the table. “But, given that you’ve got a fireplace and all, I’m assuming you’ve got some somewhere.”

“I do, indeed.” He cast a second glance at the makeshift candle holder and grinned. “Creative centerpiece.” It looked like it belonged in a cute little restaurant or something. He was actually kind of touched that she’d gone to the extra trouble.

“It’s all I could come up with in a pinch. If you’d had any empty wine bottles, that might have worked better, but since you don’t drink wine—”

“I don’t?”

“I didn’t see any around.”

“That’s because I keep it in the laundry room.”

She giggled. “Who keeps wine in a laundry room?”

He thumbed his chest. “Me. I’ve got a wine cooler in there, temperature controlled.”

“Oh!”

“You probably didn’t see it because there are some towels lying on top.”

She scrunched up her nose.

“Clean ones,” he said. While his bedroom was currently a mess, he wasn’t a slob. A man had to have some pride. “I ran the ones through the wash you and your aunt used earlier, but I didn’t get a chance to put them away yet.”

She stared at him with new eyes, like she appreciated the fact that he did laundry. Which was natural, of course, since he lived here alone. But maybe she was more surprised to learn that he had wine. “You’re a very interesting man.”

“Thanks. I think.” He walked to the high cabinet above the stove and asked her, “Were you hunting for wine for a reason? I mean, would you like some?”

“Um, sure. If you’re going to have some, too?”

He opened the cabinet door and took down two wine goblets. “Red?” he asked with a grin. “Or white?”