Chapter 10
Ava hadn’t noticed Katie’s silence and continued with more commentary about the newcomer in town.
“That’s Ian Finnegan, some distant relative to Jack and Dolly.
He’s something else, isn’t he? Wait until you see him close up.
He’s got the bluest eyes…and that voice?
Goodness, but the women love to hear him speak.
Apparently, he’s been here before…back when he was still in college.
Nobody seems to remember much about that time, but I guess he stayed with Jack and Dolly and worked at Nate’s manufacturing plant.
He’s kind of quiet and keeps to himself.
” Her voice shifted, filled with curiosity.
“Nick likes him, says he’s a good guy, which may be true, but I think he’s hiding something.
” More information spilled, landed on the table between them.
“He arrived in town about ten days ago, but you were in Chicago so that’s probably why you two haven’t met yet. ”
Katie kept her breathing even, eyes fixed on a scratch in the table. Why was he here? How dare he come back to Magdalena!
“…So do you think you can help out?”
She shot a look at Ava, tried to concentrate on what she’d asked. Katie had been so busy trying to maintain a blank expression that she’d missed the question. “Help out with what?”
Ava’s eyes grew wide, her expression animated.
“You know, find out information about the guy. Everybody talks to you. There’s something about you that makes them want to tell you everything.
I bet this guy will be no different. I’m very curious about him, but my husband says I’m not allowed to ask.
” Tiny huff and then “Why don’t men possess the desire to know like women do?
All it would take is a little poking and if one of the guys would just ask a few questions, I could figure it out. ”
“Men don’t usually like to get involved in the touchy-feely part of other people’s lives.
” That she knew for certain. The guys she’d quasi-dated hadn’t cared about her past or why she had a hard time getting involved.
They didn’t even ask what drove her to start Katie’s Soups.
There’d only been one guy who’d asked questions, and she’d told him everything because she’d believed he cared…
And it had all been a lie. Katie pushed aside memories of the man she thought she knew, turned to Ava. “I’ll find out what’s going on with him.”
“You will? Wow, I didn’t think it would be that easy.
” She glanced at the bar area, tapped a finger against her chin.
“Look at him. He’s got the coolness of Cash Casherdon, the ruggedness of my husband and the style of Nick Borado.
It’s hard to believe anybody could be a blend of them, but I think Ian Finnegan is.
And wait until you hear him speak. Deep.
Smooth. Tantalizing. Don’t tell my husband I said that, but women can feel it.
He hasn’t even been here long and this bar is hopping.
They’re all after him, stopping by to invite him to dinner, a view of the sunset at Boone’s Peak…
dessert. They might hand him a plate of tiramisu or apple pie, but they’ll be the second helping. ”
“You determined all of that by looking at a guy with so much hair on his face you can barely see it? And the sleeve of tattoos? And was that an earring I saw?”
“No earring, but I bet that would look good on him. You should ask about the tattoos because that could be very telling.”
Katie wanted to ask a lot more than the story behind those tattoos.
The Ian Finnegan she’d known had preferred a clean jaw, short hair, and designer clothes.
So many questions, but it would take an order of sliders, and two glasses of wine before Katie could even consider confronting the man who’d destroyed her world. What would she say?
What are you doing here?
How dare you? No, that would imply she cared that he was in Magdalena. Must stay cool.
So, you’ve been bartending? I always did wonder where you’d end up. Nope, he’d think she’d never forgotten him. Can’t have that.
Nice tattoos. I never pictured you with a beard or long hair. Actually, I forgot what you looked like… I forgot what you looked like? Ha, talk about a fabrication. She wished she could forget what he looked like…
What about a simple Go away. Stay away. You have no right to be in our town?
Katie nibbled on her sliders as Ava chatted about the baby, her new river rocks projects, the Bolognese that Law made the other night that she labeled exquisite.
With the exception of a few nods and the occasional, Sounds great, lucky you, and keep me posted, Katie concentrated on her food and her current dilemma who stood half a room away, serving guests, laughing, and fixing drinks.
The barstools were filled with women—young, old, middle-aged, all vying for his attention.
What would those women say if they knew he was a user who didn’t care about relationships or breaking someone’s heart?
No doubt, many wouldn’t care.
“Katie? Hey?” Ava placed a hand on the table, leaned forward. “I almost forgot. Law wants to know if you’re featuring a holiday soup.”
A blonde in a shrink-wrapped dress reached across the bar and clasped Ian’s wrist, ran her fingers along his forearm….
“Katie? Hello?”
She dragged her gaze away, focused on her friend. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
Big sigh and a shake of her dark head. “Who do you think you’re talking to?
What’s going on? Did you meet somebody when you were in Chicago?
” Her gaze narrowed, her voice turning suspicious.
“Did Roman introduce you to one of his colleagues? My brother knows everybody, and I’ve been telling him he needs to find somebody for you.
You spend enough time in Chicago to make the whole long-distance thing work.
So…?” The smile slid across her lips, spread to her eyes.
“Spill. You met somebody, and my brother’s behind it, isn’t he? ”
“No, sorry, nobody in Chicago.” Roman Ventori was a class act; handsome, a loving husband and father, a great brother.
But he would not get involved in other people’s personal business, and he’d told Katie that the first time she’d visited Chicago.
Just so you know, you’re safe with me. My sister thinks everybody needs a special someone, and for some reason, she thinks I can help you find one.
I’ll never do that to you. My wife, on the other hand, will definitely try, so do not tell her you’re unattached.
I’m not saying lie, but should you have the opportunity to meet her, avoid the subject.
And that’s how Katie and Roman Ventori began their friendship.
Katie spent the rest of the night focusing on Ava and avoiding the bar area.
She’d find a way to confront Ian Finnegan and let him know just how much he wasn’t welcome in this town.
Not tonight though. Seeing him again—even if he looked nothing like she remembered—unsettled her, and she needed time and distance to control her emotions.
She wasn’t nineteen anymore, and she definitely wasn’t gullible or too trusting.
And she didn’t fall for phrases like meant-to-be and happily-ever-after.
But when Ian Finnegan approached them a short while later, his nearness stole her oxygen, made her lightheaded.
And that look that homed in on her as though he could decipher every single thought in her head?
She gulped her wine, tried to block out that intense stare.
“Ian, I’d like you to meet my friend, Katie Layton.”
The man who’d once promised her a future, extended a hand.
No smile, no words. Katie hesitated an extra second before placing her hand in his.
The grip was firm, confident, and somehow personal.
But it was those darned eyes that unsettled her.
She cleared her throat, kept her voice even, as though she were speaking to a stranger.
“Welcome to Magdalena. Will you be staying long?” Oh, you will not be staying.
A pause, followed by a soft, “I’m sort of playing it by ear.” One more dark gaze, and then he turned to Ava. “Nice to see you again. Tell that husband of yours I said hello.” And then he turned and headed back to the bar and the women waving their wine glasses at him.
“There’s something mysterious and sexy about him, don’t you think?”
Katie stared at Ian Finnegan’s back, remembered the tears and pain he’d caused. “I couldn’t say.” She finished her wine, glanced at Ava. “Now do you want to split one of those monster chocolate chip cookies?”
Her friend’s laugh drowned out memories of the man she wanted to forget. “Do you think half will be enough for us? I mean, they’re warm and chocolatey, and I might want a whole one.” Another laugh. “You’re the only other person I know who checks out the dessert menu before the meal.”
“That’s why we get along so well.” Katie leaned toward Ava, whispered, “It’s all about the sugar.”
“Of course it is.” Ava’s face lit up, her whisper matching Katie’s. “And speaking of sugar, isn’t Ian Finnegan sweet deliciousness?”
No. No, he was not.
“Katie? Just think about the guy…I saw the way he was looking at you.” Pause and a loud whisper. “I think he’s into you.”
Katie clutched her fist in her lap, steadied her breathing.
Ava meant well, but she had no idea what she was saying.
Small-town life made it impossible to remain anonymous.
Everybody either knew your business or knew somebody who did.
While Katie enjoyed the travel her job required, big-city life wasn’t for her.
She wanted to drink her morning coffee on the front porch, listen to night sounds from the back deck, and spend time in her vegetable garden.
The cabin on the outskirts of town had been her very own sanctuary for years.