A hint of warmth touched the day as Jonathan headed down Market Street. The clock said it was time for lunch, and his stomach agreed. He ignored the fact he could have reached restaurants faster if he’d taken Main.
His path had nothing to do with passing the Painted Stone. Yeah right. He shook his head but didn’t alter course. If he happened to glance in that large window as he passed, it didn’t mean anything.
Other than the fact he had a divided heart. He’d spent part of Sunday evening with Jaclyn and Dylan, and when his thoughts hadn’t strayed to Alanna, he’d enjoyed it. But his mind wandered more as the picnic wore on.
He sidestepped a bike and frowned at the kid riding it. The sidewalks weren’t the place for those. At least the island had emptied at the close of the long weekend. He had a couple of weeks until his next event, giving him plenty of time to plan and dream up business. If he could maintain focus. . .a big “if” right now.
Maybe he should find a replacement for Alanna and usher her to the ferry and off his island home. His peace had abandoned him the morning she showed up at the cottage. He didn’t like being poised for any sound from her side of the tree line. Took all the relaxation out of being home. In fact, he might as well move down to a Main Street apartment.
He slowed at the studio, hands in his pockets, and looked inside. A blur of motion by the counter caught his eye. He glanced around but didn’t notice anyone in the Painted Stone. Maybe he should make sure Alanna was okay.
“Jonathan. Just the man I wanted to find.”
“Hello, Gerald. Headed to lunch?”
The man patted his trim stomach. “In a bit. First, I need a favor.” Jonathan eyed him. What would it be this time? “If I can.”
“Escort Alanna Stone to tonight’s meeting.” He eyed Jonathan like an eagle spies its prey. He must have found what he was looking for in Jonathan’s expression. “I knew you wouldn’t mind.”
“There’s a meeting tonight?” Jonathan scrambled for any plausible excuse to get out of going. Alanna wouldn’t agree to anything Gerald asked. After all, she’d spent hours during the summers bemoaning what an awful teacher and principal he was.
“Got to finalize some plans for the lilac festival if we hope to raise any money. If we want to use your plan for the swing festival, we’ll try out the process during the lilac festival.”
Sounded like another way to get free services. Too bad he didn’t have an out since he sat on the board. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I knew you would. See you tonight.”
Jonathan bit back the impulse to say, “Yes, sir,” and turned back to the window. As he did, Alanna’s blond head peeked above the counter. Had she hidden there this whole time?
He bit back a smirk. She must feel something, even if he merely annoyed her. It gave him a place to start.
He set his chin at a cocky angle and sauntered into the studio. All he missed was the fedora to pull off the Humphrey Bogart air she’d always loved in those old black-and-white movies.
As the bell jingled, she stood and brushed the front of her shirt. Now that he looked more closely, she seemed to have adopted the style of one of those classic actresses. Boatneck T-shirt and pedal pushers, or whatever they called those short pants.
“Jonathan, you can’t tell me you came here this often when my parents ran the studio.” She crossed her arms, and a soft swipe of color lit her cheeks from the inside.
“Gerald asked me to escort you to tonight’s foundation meeting.”
“You don’t need to do that.” The color leeched from her cheeks.
“It’s no problem.” He leaned an elbow on the counter and invaded her personal space.
“Really, I’ll be there without someone playing babysitter.”
“Doesn’t matter. I always keep my promises.” He stood. He hadn’t meant the jab that accompanied the words, yet by her stiffening, she’d caught it all the same. “I’ll come at seven.”
“But the studio is open until then.”
“Not tonight.” He shrugged as he moved toward the door. “You know how it is. Gerald snaps his fingers and gets what he wants.”
Jonathan didn’t have to look back as he left to feel the heat of her gaze.
After a full afternoon plotting with the manager at a local B&B that couldn’t afford its own event planner, he scrubbed his face and then swiped his teeth with a toothbrush. The effort wasn’t for Alanna. He needed to look his best if he wanted the foundation to hire him. And as he looked at his calendar, he needed the business to fill out his late summer. Otherwise it had the makings of a slim year. Unless he started working out of his cabin, he didn’t have places left to cut back. Like it or not, Alanna had to come with him to the foundation. He couldn’t afford annoying Gerald Tomkin.
He hurried down the stairs and onto the street. He needed to get to the studio before she left. Knowing her, she’d try to escape before he arrived.
The studio’s lights flashed off as he approached. He waited in front, and a moment later Alanna opened the door and turned to lock it. She spun around then jumped back with a squeak.
“Jonathan!” She pressed a hand over her heart then reached out and smacked him. “Are you trying to scare me?”
He rubbed his chest and frowned. “No.”
She sighed, and a bit of the stiffness eased from her shoulders. “Well you did. I really don’t need you to babysit me.”
He offered his arm. “I won’t bite.”
Alanna eyed his arm then decided it would be okay for the short walk. She filled the space with small talk as they walked to the foundation building. A few bikes lined the rack in front.
“How many people serve on the board?” Alanna licked her lips as she examined the bikes.
“Eight. The tried-and-true island lovers.”
“So they’ll all know me.”
He heard the unsaid “and my history” and wanted to throttle her. “Someday you have to shed that, Alanna.”
“Sure. As soon as men like Gerald Tomkin don’t look at me with knowing in their eyes. You have no idea what that’s like. I’ve decided to find the truth so I can put that day behind me. It’s time.”
“More than time.”
“I’ve heard you each time you’ve said that.” She removed her hand from his arm and studied the building. “Might as well get this over with. Guess I have ‘fool’ stamped on my forehead.”
“What?”
“There’s no other reason I’d do this.” She marched up the stairs, her flat slippers echoing against the wood.
“What about your heart to help anytime you can? You always jumped in to causes.”
“I guess that hasn’t changed.” She said it with an eye roll, but he was glad. That was the part of her he’d first fallen in love with. Well, after her long legs and beautiful smile.
The moment she stepped through the door, Alanna knew she should leave. This wasn’t where she wanted to be. Not now. Not with Jonathan next to her. They’d look like a couple to all the people who’d known her as a teen. But some things couldn’t begin again, and she couldn’t erase the past.
Instead of a reception area, there was a thin desk with a laptop and phone. In front of it sat two folding chairs. A short hallway fed off that room, and a light shone from a doorway.
“It’s this way.”
“I know.” She brushed past Jonathan, only mildly regretting taking out her anxiety on him. He might not deserve it at the moment, but give him a few minutes, and he’d say or do something that would make her forget he could still be sweet.
As she entered the hall, the soft murmur of voices filtered toward her. She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. Help me do this, Lord.
Steps approached the doorway, and a moment later Gerald Tomkin stepped in front of her. “There you are. I was about to call the cavalry.”
“No worries. Jonathan ensured I got here.”
“Even though she didn’t need me.” Jonathan stuck out his hand, and Mr. Tomkin gave it a quick pump.
“Come in, come in.” He clapped his hands together as soon as they were in the room, and the conversations around the table ceased. “You remember Alanna Stone. She’s agreed to fill her dad’s spot on the board until he returns.”
A few folks had the courtesy to wear pasted-on smiles, but Alanna sensed they wanted her here even less than she wanted to join them. She studied Mr. Tomkins profile. Why would he insist?
She glanced around the table and smiled when she reached Mr. Hoffmeister. “I didn’t know you were on the board.”
“From time to time.” He patted the vacant chair next to him. “I do my part.”
Alanna squeezed around the oak table and slid into the chair. “Thanks.”
“You need to come back by the shop.”
“Maybe now that the weekend’s over. Bet you sold lots of fudge.”
“Enough.” He pointed his chin at Mr. Tomkin standing at the head of the table. “He’ll keep us here all night if we aren’t vigilant.”
“Sounds fun.”
The older man snorted then shook his head. “You always did have a sharp way with words.”
If he only knew. That’s one thing that made her effective in the courtroom, but not so much in the studio.
The meeting started, and Alanna held back her surprise when Jonathan didn’t sit at the table. Instead, he leaned against the wall, a position that looked more uncomfortable as the meeting droned on and he stifled a yawn. Alanna shifted against the seat, frowning as the faux leather squeaked. She felt like a kid again, trapped in another of Mr. Tomkins unending classes. It didn’t look like he intended to have any more mercy on her now than he did then.
A yawn stretched her mouth, and she snagged a glance at her watch. Nine o’clock? No wonder it felt like she’d sat there forever and a day. She slumped back against the headrest.
“Are we boring you, Alanna?” Mr. Tomkins pointed words jerked her upright.
“No, sir.”
“Good. Is there any other business?” He looked around the room, but everybody shook their heads until he reached Bette Standeford. “Yes?”
“I thought we planned to discuss Mr. Covington’s proposal.”
“That’s at the next meeting.”
Jonathan straightened at his words, and a frown tugged his face down. “If we wait, I won’t have enough time to get everything implemented.”
“Tonight we have to focus on the lilac festival. We’ve got to raise some money, or there won’t be anything left to give.”
Mr. Hoffmeister leaned close to Alanna, the rich scent of chocolate making her stomach rumble. “That I don’t understand.”
“What?”
“I thought there was extra in the account before he took over.” Hoffmeister rubbed his eyes. “I’ve never much liked numbers. But Gerald’s comments have me rethinking the books.”
Mr. Tomkin cleared his throat. “Anything you’d like to share, Tony?”
Mr. Hoffmeister skewered Mr. Tomkin with a glare before waving his hand. “Not at the moment.”
“We’ll wait with bated breath.”
“I bet you will,” Mr. Hoffmeister muttered under his breath then glanced at Alanna. “Sorry about that. We can’t seem to have a civil conversation anymore thanks to his stupid house plans. The island has clear requirements for houses. . .but he’s above it all.” He stopped as if catching himself. “Well, come visit me.”
Alanna nodded, keeping her eyes trained on her old teacher. “Not tonight.”
“As soon as you can. There are things we should discuss.” He stood and edged toward the door. “See you at the next meeting. These old bones have to get home if I’m going to work tomorrow. If you need me, you know where to find me.”
The others took that as their opportunity to escape, too. In a few minutes, the room had emptied, but Alanna remained. Where before she thought the meeting would never end, now she wondered what game Mr. Tomkin was up to and why he’d insisted she attend.