Chapter Nineteen
Tess pulled into Bree’s driveway, killed the engine, then sat and allowed herself a moment of pause.
She smoothed her hair back before pulling down the visor to take inventory of her reflection in the mirror.
She’d carefully applied makeup this morning, and she was satisfied with the image of an attractive woman with acceptable signs of aging.
She didn’t consider herself eye-catching in the same way Bree was, but she thought she passed muster.
Shoulders back, chin up. She recognized that childhood-instilled projection of self-confidence, whether she actually felt it or not, that infiltrated her entire presentation as an adult.
It worked well for her professional position but undoubtedly contributed to her off-putting image.
The strong desire for approval that had defined her through the years was certainly present now.
Tess focused on her hazel eyes in the reflection.
She could see a hint of the anticipation for what the day might hold looking back at her.
She also saw the tip of a buried mountain of hope.
It had started at Tahoe, suffered a major landslide at Bree’s departure, and then slowly emerged from the rubble as she struggled not to allow it to take over the landscape of her longing for the future as she spent more time with Bree.
She checked her mouth. The minimal glaze of red-hued gloss she’d applied to her lips went well with her crimson sweater.
She had no business thinking about how those lips were ready for that kiss they’d never exchanged at the barbecue, the one that her entire body craved, but it had certainly crossed her mind.
Finally, Tess pulled herself from the mirror and her reflections, both real and figurative. She climbed from her seat and headed toward the front door, but she stopped at the porch where she’d held Bree the night of the tire incident. Kissed her too, until the police chief had interrupted them.
As Tess prepared to knock, the front door swung open, and Bree stood there looking as appealing as ever.
Tess had to admit that it was seeing Bree and her instant appeal that had always broken down her conviction to try to keep her distance.
Today, Bree was in casual formfitting slacks that undoubtedly offered an enticing view from the back.
Her white linen blouse was casual too, but classy.
Tess had spent her life around well-dressed women and recognized that clothes were just an adornment—it was the essence of Bree that was the real draw.
The attraction that Tess couldn’t shake.
“If it isn’t the Honorable Theresa Fairchild standing here on my front porch. Do you have a warrant?”
“Yup,” Tess drawled. “And I wasn’t planning on being very honorable today.” She’d acknowledged it before—there was something about Bree that just sucked the reserve right out of her and lit her desire to flirt on fire. She needed to slow down, though—they had a full day and evening ahead of them.
“In that case, get on in here, and I’ll give you the twenty-five-cent grand tour, and then I’ll grab my purse. I’m only renting the place for the time being.”
Bree led Tess inside. Tess had caught a glimpse of her living room the night of Bree’s flat tires but hadn’t seen more of Bree’s place.
The living room stood up to her first impression, that it was homey with a comfortable couch and overstuffed chair.
As she walked around, she took in the framed crayon drawing of a sun and a rainbow that hung on the wall with Gabby boldly scrawled across the bottom.
Bree must have saved the art from years ago.
There were photos of Bree with Hank and his family, as well as one of Bree with an older couple.
Tess had no such pictures on her walls, and she suspected it was because she’d had a very different upbringing from Bree.
“My parents.” Bree noticed Tess studying the older couple. “Sadly, they’re gone. I really miss them. What about your parents?”
“I lost them both almost a decade ago, a few years apart. Cancer,” Tess replied.
She swallowed. Only Flo and Alice knew the full story regarding her relationship with them, but Tess felt compelled to offer Bree a bit more than she’d revealed before.
“They’re probably the reason I’m a judge.
Not that I don’t love my job, but I spent my younger years chasing what they wanted—that I amount to something so my achievements would reflect well on them.
It’s not the kind of childhood I’d wish on any kid.
And it’s undoubtedly had an influence on me as an adult.
I still haven’t fully shed the worry that I won’t measure up. ”
Bree offered a look of understanding. “I’m sorry you had a difficult childhood, but anyone, including me, would say that you’re a success.”
“I never lacked for material things. And my aunt has always been just a phone call away.” Tess knew the smile she gave Bree was strained, but it was the best she could muster.
“I’m glad you had Alice, then,” Bree replied. “Do you have any idea what you would have done if you’d been free to choose a career?”
“Good question. It was never an option, so I never dwelt on it.” Tess stopped to think for a moment.
“Professionally, if my mother hadn’t distanced me from them all those years ago, I might have known that kids and cats could be so entertaining before I hit middle age.
” They both chuckled. “Maybe I’d have explored a career as a veterinarian or a pediatrician.
There are so many options.” Tess shrugged, then considered that she liked being a judge.
“Luckily, I’m not unhappy in my profession. ”
“I’m glad, because you’re good at it. Really good at it.”
“My childhood influenced my personal life as well as my professional one, how I’ve interacted with most other people. Then that scrape with mortality made me realize that I wanted more in my life before it’s over.” Tess touched Bree’s arm. “I think it’s time we go whale watching—I’m excited.”
“Are you ready for that grand tour of all twelve hundred square feet of this little box I’m calling home before we take off?”
Tess was grateful for Bree’s easy shift away from the topic of how she’d been raised. “Yeah. I want to see your bed. How many mattresses you have stacked on top of each other. If you have a test pea handy.”
“I want you to know that I don’t show just any woman my bed.” Bree’s tone turned serious. “I’m not a player.” Then her tone lightened, and Tess was glad because she’d never meant to upset Bree that night over peach pie in Monterey. “But since you have a warrant, and you are the queen bee.”
The trip down the hallway revealed several watercolors on the wall, florals and landscapes. “My mom’s favorite pastime—she loved pushing pigment around with bristles.”
Tess stopped in front of a painting of a cut glass vase filled with a lavender bouquet. “She was gifted.”
Bree nodded. “She was. She sold several. I’m grateful I have these. Hank also has some hanging in the office at his house. Maybe someday I’ll be able to show those to you too.”
Tess swallowed. That sounded like Bree might be open to something beyond today’s outing, but she wasn’t going to push it right now.
She wasn’t ready to chance a rebuff. She could tell herself that today was simply about getting out of town, but she knew it was more, at least for her.
She was in way more trouble than she wanted.
“Here’s where I sleep.” Bree stood in the bedroom doorway.
Tess left the paintings behind and moved to join her.
The room was orderly but looked comfortable.
A large bed with a fluffy light blue comforter spread across the mattress, and large pillows against the headboard looked perfect for reading in bed.
Tess thought about doing other things in that bed. Bree’s bed. It was only Bree who seemed to bring out these feelings with such force, so how could she blame it on hormones?
Bree met Tess’s gaze. The left corner of her mouth twitched with the start of a smile, and her blue eyes deepened to indigo.
“You want to see my kitchen before we hit the road? We do need to hit the road. The kitchen’s so sparse with all I’ve had to do that it’ll guarantee we make the whale watching on time.
” She looked back and forth between the bed and Tess, blew out a puff of air, then held out her hand for Tess to take.
Tess took it, and they walked to the kitchen together. Bree let go as she locked the back door and then grabbed her purse from the empty kitchen table and a jacket from the back of a chair.
“You look terrific in that sweater and those slacks. I think red is your color, although you offer an amazing professional look in that black robe of yours,” Bree said. “Did you bring a jacket, or would you like to borrow my hot pink one? As I remember, you look much better than I do in it.”
Tess remembered wearing it that night while they’d waited for Chief Myers. “You think red and hot pink go together?” She tsked in an exaggerated show of fashion disapproval.
“You and red and hot pink will look just fine. Better than just fine.” Bree unconsciously licked her lower lip, and Tess looked away as a wave of strong desire flooded her. “I’m sure the whales will approve, and I know I will, so what’s the verdict, Judge Fairchild?”
“I tossed in a light blazer, but now I’m thinking it might not be enough,” Tess admitted.
Bree retrieved the neon pink jacket. “So if you’re going to borrow my sexy flaming pink coat, can we put our reset on hold for the day?”
Tess nodded as they headed to her car and loaded up.
It was just ten o’clock as she backed out of Bree’s driveway.
She really didn’t want her worry about a reset looming over the entire day.
She wanted to enjoy the time with Bree. Besides, she was a pretty sure she wouldn’t be able to stick to the reset for the entire day anyway, not with the chemistry between them.