Excitement hummed along Tess’s spine as she hurried into the creamery. She hadn’t been here often. It was the heart of Ryan’s business, where the milk was turned into luscious ice cream and aged cheese.
The receptionist, Bethany Hopkins, saw her hesitation. “Hi, Tess, can I help you?”
“I—I’m looking for Ryan. Mr. Stevenson, I mean.”
“Go on back. He won’t mind.”
Tess thanked her, then rushed to the back room. Stainless freezers lined the concrete floors and block walls. From here the ice cream would go to stores all over the country. She wandered through the maze until she found a hallway that led to a large office area divided by cubicles. A young man directed her to the back where Ryan’s office was.
A walnut desk dominated the large room. Files and books covered the top and more stacks were on the f loor. Ryan was seated behind the desk. A pair of glasses perched on his nose, and he was so intent on his computer that he didn’t notice her until she said his name. The genuine pleasure that rippled across his face warmed her.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said.
He leaned back in his chair. “Please, interrupt me. I’m doing payroll. My least favorite job in the world.”
“I would have guessed you hired that out.”
“I have a bookkeeper who usually does it, but her daughter had a chance to go on a field trip to DC, and she wanted to go along to chaperone. Which means I’m stuck with it this week.” He rose and came around the desk. “Sorry this place is such a mess.” He lifted a pile of folders from the chair by the door. “Have a seat.”
She had to smile. “I think the state of this office disqualifies you from the title neatnik.”
His smile widened. “I was trying to impress you on your first visit to the house. I didn’t want you to know what a slob I am.”
Impress her? Her spirits rose. “I’m not staying. I wanted to tell you what I found out!” If she didn’t tell someone soon, she was going to explode. “The cemetery where David’s parents are buried is near Burlington.”
“So they didn’t go far.”
She shook her head. “I thought I’d go over and see what I can find out. I was going to see if you wanted to come with me, but it looks like you’re busy.”
“I’m finished.”
His nearness flooded her with warmth. The musky scent of the cologne she loved filled her senses. If she took his hand, would he jerk away? She didn’t have the nerve to find out.
“What about Sophia?”
“We can pick her up from day care on the way out of town. Burlington has a great pizza place if you’re game.”
“You can probably tell that pizza and I are on a first-name basis.”
“I like a woman with curves.”
The intensity in his eyes made her gulp. He’d actually looked at her that way? She’d spent many nights lately imagining what it would be like to be pressed against that broad chest. She’d wondered how those firm lips would feel against hers, what texture his hair was, how the stubble on his chin in the evening might scrape across her cheeks if he kissed her.
The moment between them seemed to last an eternity. What did she even say to that remark? She’d had so little experience with men that she didn’t know how to play coy.
She finally cleared her throat and gave a nervous laugh. “I’ve got plenty of those.”
“I’ve noticed,” he said softly. His hand reached out and touched the curve of her cheek, trailed down her neck until he twisted a lock of hair in his fingers.
She forgot to breathe. The sensation curling in the pit of her stomach was something she’d never felt before. Then it dawned on her. Desire. So this was what she’d heard about but never experienced.
He leaned closer. She lifted her chin an inch and closed her eyes.
“Mr. Stevenson?” The teenage boy’s voice behind them sounded nervous.
Tess’s eyes flew open and heat flooded her cheeks. What had Ryan thought of that ridiculous pose? He was probably glad they’d been interrupted. But he didn’t look happy. In fact, he seemed downright snarly.
“What is it?” he snapped.
“Uh, the ice cream conveyer broke. Sorry to bother you.”
“No problem.” Ryan’s voice sounded normal again. He grabbed the phone and barked an order into it, then turned back to the boy. “Max will be along. Show him what’s wrong.”
“Yes, sir.” The kid gave a nervous glance in Tess’s direction, then turned and practically ran from the room.
There was no way to recover the moment. Still, Ryan took her hand as they walked to the front, where the customers would be able to take one glance and see there was something between them. And there was, wasn’t there? Or was it just how men acted?
“Here we are.” Ryan opened the door for her in front of the restaurant. Since they’d wandered through the cemetery the other day, he’d been waiting for this night with eager anticipation.
The new place on Main Street, Logger’s Run, was packed, but Ryan had called ahead to reserve a table in the back corner. It had once been an old boardinghouse, but the renovation had taken the rustic character and enhanced it with wide plank floors, chairs and tables from hewn wood, and various axes and other tools from the lumber trade hanging on the walls.
“I hope you don’t mind a change of plans,” he said as they followed the hostess to their spot. “When I heard this was opening tonight, I thought it would be great to support them. We can always go to Stowe another night.” He grinned at her. “And to tell you the truth, I wanted to show you off to everyone here.”
Her face went pink. “I don’t mind at all.” She thanked him when he pulled out her chair.
Man, she did that dress proud. It was red and clung in all the right places and showed off her killer legs. Her hair was up in some kind of twisty hairdo, and the dangly earrings touched her neck in exactly the place he’d like to kiss. Lucky pieces of metal. He was glad he’d worn a sport coat, though maybe a muscle shirt would have been better so he could beat off the other guys he saw glancing her way.
He’d relived every second of that near-kiss the other day, and he had every intention of getting a real smooch tonight.
He nodded out the window. “Look at the view.”
She turned and inhaled. “Smitten is like a fairyland now.”
That was a good way to put it. From the large windows the town looked spectacular. Twinkling lights were wrapped around antique streetlights on the brick sidewalks. Bright flowers nodded hello to passersby from the window boxes framing the storefronts. Out on the square, people walked hand in hand toward the gazebo to listen to the Garner sisters. It was a place he was proud to call home, and a town he wanted to help others learn to love.
He picked up the menu. “I hear the lobster is terrific.”
Her brow furrowed. “That’s so expensive.”
She was downright adorable. Candace always ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. “I can afford it, honey.”
Her gaze came up, then caught and held his own. She was scared. He could see it in the way she bit her lip and how often she shifted in her chair. If only he could tell her he wouldn’t hurt her. Her family had probably warned her against him.
He ordered lobster for them, and they both decided to try the raspberry iced tea. After the server brought hot rolls and their drinks, he leaned across the table and took her hand.
She shot a nervous glance around. “I’m so glad we found out where David’s sister lives. I wanted to call her, but I wasn’t sure what to say.”
He cupped her hand with both of his and rubbed his thumb across the top. Her skin was so smooth. He turned it over and touched the roughness on her fingertips. She wasn’t afraid of work, though. “Want me to call?”
She gulped and nodded. “You wouldn’t mind?”
“Got her number?”
“In my purse.” She seemed in no hurry to pull her hand away.
With reluctance, he released her. “I’ll call while we’re waiting for our food.”
She dug a piece of paper from her purse and handed it to him. He tapped in the number, then leaned close so Tess could listen with him. A woman’s voice answered. She sounded much too young to be in her seventies. “Mrs. Howard?”
“No, this is her daughter, Stephanie.” The woman sounded curious. “Mom passed away twelve years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” Ryan explained why he was calling. “So there’s a bit of a mystery here, and we were wondering if your mother had heard from her brother after the war?”
“Oh yes. He came to her funeral. As far as I know, he’s still living.”
Tess’s head was pressing against his, and he found it hard to think. “That’s great! Have you seen him lately?”
“No, I’m sorry. I haven’t heard from him since Mom died. There was some mention that he lived in California, but that’s all I know.”
“Would you have a phone number?”
“Hang on.” There was rustling in the phone. “I have an old phone book of my mom’s. I’ll give you the number that she had.”
He jotted down the number she rattled off. “Thanks so much.”
“Let me know what you find out. I’d love to hear if there’s a happy ending.”
“We will,” he promised. He ended the call and smiled at Tess. “Might as well call, yes?”
Her eyes were bright. “Oh, I hope he’s there!” But a woman with a coarse, raspy voice answered and said she’d never heard of David, and she had rented the place for five years. He hung up and shook his head. “So it’s a dead end.”
She bit her lip. “We’re no further than we were. And for all we know, he could be dead now too.”
“We’ll find him. Or at least where he’s buried. Your grandma might like to visit his grave.”
“I think she would. There was real passion between them. Even now I can see it.”
Her eyes were so luminous. They let him see right to the heart of her caring nature. “True love never fades with the years. It grows deeper roots and becomes richer.”
He wanted to rush into telling her how he felt, but it was too soon, and she was so fragile. She had no idea of the power she held over him. And maybe he didn’t want her to know. It was hard to turn over that kind of control to another person.
“Is that how you felt about Candace?” she whispered.
It wasn’t going to be easy to explain the relationship he’d had with his wife. And he’d never spoken to anyone about it before. This probably wasn’t the time or place either.
“Not exactly,” he said finally when it was clear she was waiting for an answer.
“Oh.” Her voice was small and hurt.
“I think I’ll go wash my hands,” he said. Maybe if he got away by himself, he could figure out the right words.
Why did she assume he wanted another fashion plate, when it was a warm and real woman like Tess who was so much more interesting? A wife wasn’t an ornament but a soul mate.