Chapter 5
Determined to hold onto that firm resolve she had made that morning in the parking lot of the children’s home; Zahra changed the way she did things.
The lovely couple had arrived while she was out and had settled right in.
They raved about the inn and insisted on having their meals out in the gazebo, even though the temperature had dropped.
And being from mainland USA, they recognized Bryce.
The woman shrieked in recognition, bright blue eyes getting brighter and rounder as she stared at him.
The husband was a little more contained, but no less enchanted and dazed to be staying in the same location as a real-life celebrity.
One whose movies he had been watching over the years.
But to his credit, Bryce treated the entire thing with aplomb and charm, scribbling his autograph in the woman’s pink and white notebook and answering their numerous questions about his latest movie.
“I am looking forward to seeing it.”
Milton Reyes told him enthusiastically.
He had also graciously accepted their invitation to have lunch with them beneath the gazebo.
Because of the drop in temp, Zahra decided that stew was an excellent choice, along with freshly baked bread and fruit compote.
“I am sure you will get your money’s worth.”
Bryce flashed him a grin as he watched Zahra flutter around, bringing this and that to their table.
Something was different about her; he mused.
She was no longer hostile but would throw him a friendly and polite smile every now and again.
He mentally shook his head as he realized the wife (what the hell was her name again?) Maude….
That she had asked him a question.
“Pardon?”
“How long are you staying here?”
He lifted his shoulders in a shrug.
“Undecided.
I am just playing it by ear. And you?”
He was forcing himself to be interested when all he wanted to do was to confront Zahra and demand to be heard.
He had seen her arrive of course, loaded down with packages.
But before he could reach her, a guy he had seen doing the yard work had rushed to take the packages from her.
Afterwards, she had been busy welcoming the couple and chatting them up.
Very soon, they had recognized him, and he had been forced out of politeness to sit with them.
“We’re here for a week.
And then we’re off to California.
Maude, here, has an antique business and we mostly travel to pick up different things.
I am an accountant and work from home, so my schedule is pretty flexible.”
The man beamed at him.
“I cannot believe we are here with you.
Bryce Whitlock.
One would expect someone like you to be basking in the Mediterranean or some fancy place like Europe or the Caribbean.”
“But sometimes even ‘people like me’ prefer the quiet of places like this.”
His sober voice had the couple staring at him for a few minutes.
“We’re normal people under all of the glitz and glamor and we do get tired just as well.”
Maude nodded as she picked up her cup and cast her husband a scalding look that had him ducking his head in remorse.
“I never thought of that,”
he mumbled, reaching for his cup of coffee.
“Not a lot of people do.”
Bryce looked up when Zahra made her way over to their table armed with a jug of OJ.
Taking the opportunity and deciding to kill two birds with one stone, he shoved his chair back and took the tray of used dishes from her.
“I want to earn my keep.”
His dazzling smile left her weak at the knees, but she was determined to ignore the sensations dancing up and down her spine.
“You’re already paying for the stay.”
She decided that it was not worth the effort to try and wrestle the tray away from him.
They would both look silly, and it would only cause an accident.
“Still…”
Excusing himself from the table, he followed her along the winding path towards the kitchen.
“It’s a lovely day.”
He felt the need to make small talk, even though that was far from what he wanted to do.
“It is.”
They passed the flowering oleander bushes and cut through the cobbled drive to the side.
“It will be getting colder tonight.” She glanced up at him and felt the familiar jolt at the sculpted features.
He had certainly grown into his looks.
“Aren’t you afraid the couple will reveal where you’re staying?”
He shrugged.
“I can prevail on them to keep it a secret, but why should they? I was bound to be recognized sooner or later.”
“Does it bother you?”
“Does what bother me?”
He asked absently, resisting the urge to trail his finger down her cheek to evaluate for himself if her skin was as soft as silk.
“The fame, being recognized and bombarded by strangers all the time.”
They had reached the doors of the kitchen, and he stopped, forcing her to do the same.
“I guess I got my practice of it when I was a child.”
His lips twisted slightly.
“It has only gotten more intense.
And yes, it does sometime bother me.” Pushing the door open, he stepped back and allowed her to precede him.
He did not get the chance to have that conversation, because just as they stepped inside, a phone call was waiting for her.
After standing there for a few minutes, with Jessica eyeing him curiously, he decided he would have to find another time to catch her but was determined to have that talk and clear the air.
He sensed a change in her.
She was no longer ignoring him but treating him with friendly courtesy.
A frown touched his brow as he wondered if that was at all better.
*****
She realized that the approach she had settled on had eased the pressure around her heart.
As soon as she started to treat him with friendly courtesy, it was easier for her to deal with him.
He caught her at a time when she had just finished prepping for the evening meal.
The couple had gone exploring and Jessica had run into town to deal with a family emergency.
That left just the two of them and she had no more excuses to hand out.
He was seated in the dining area, scanning a magazine when she walked out with a jug of lemonade and a plate of crispy golden biscuits she had baked just this morning.
“Thought you could use something to tide you over until supper.”
He caught her wrist before she could think of disappearing.
“Sit with me. Please.”
“All right.”
Pulling out a chair across from him, she busied herself by pouring lemonade into two glasses and handing him one.
“Tell me about the inn.”
She gave him a surprised look and he realized that the question had thrown her off balance.
“I inherited it from my maiden aunt on my dad’s side.”
She looked around the group of tables and outside where the storm clouds were darkening the sky.
Very soon it would be raining, heavy sheets of it and causing the temperature to drop.
She took a sip of her lemonade as she watched the clouds rolling in from the east.
“How long ago?”
Turning her head, she met his interested gaze and knew he was not just making conversation.
It brought back to her memories, the conversations, heartfelt ones they had in the past.
“Two years.”
She laughed suddenly and treated him to the twin dimples that had always fascinated him.
he had forgotten about them and about the changes on her lovely face whenever she laughed.
“It was a wreck.
I questioned my sanity when I got here.
I received word about the inheritance, and it took me three weeks to quit my job as an administrative assistant, settle my lease and pack my bags.”
She looked around and shook her head.
“I have always lived in a big city and coming here was quite an adjustment.
Besides that, the place was in disrepair.
My aunt had left some money as well, but not enough to bring it to where I wanted it to be.
I dipped into my savings and hoped and prayed that I was not making the biggest mistake of my life.”
“And you made it work.”
He was watching her as she talked about her dream and felt a jolt at the animation he saw there.
“After weeks and months of sleepless nights.
I did most of the work myself.
I knew how I wanted the place to look and what I wanted to do with each suite, and I took my time.
I did my suite first because I had to have somewhere to live.
And then as they say, the rest is history.”
“I am sure there’s more to it.”
“Lots.”
She admitted with a laugh, white teeth gleaming against the curve of lips coated with some sort of dull colored lipstick.
Her eyes were sparkling, her face animated.
“I existed on ramen and tuna for several weeks.
When I finished a suite, I just stood there in the middle of it and bawled.
It was not a pretty sight.”
She stared at him with dancing eyes.
“That was quite an accomplishment.”
Tearing his eyes from her face, he looked around the room and then outside where the wind was whipping at the trees and causing the flowers to bow their petals.
“It’s a place of beauty.”
“It is.”
She sipped at her juice.
“Bryce…,” she stuttered to a stop when he whipped his head around to stare at her.
Laser blue eye seemed to see into her soul and caused her some discomfort.
“Uhm…”
He held up a hand.
“It’s my time.”
A smile ghosted his lips.
“You must hate me.”
“No. I…,”
he shook his head.
“Yes, Zahra.
I hate how I left things between us.
I have no excuses, just a couple of reasons.
I had the opportunity to leave my unhappiness and go to another country.
It was sudden and unexpected. If you recall, it was nearing the end of the semester and it was going onto summer break.”
He took a deep breath, and she waited, unwilling to interrupt him.
She had not wanted an explanation, but she supposed it was one way to clear the air and give them a fresh start towards the friendship she was hoping for.
“They confronted me with it.
I was leaving the very next day.
It had been a task to get me into Oxford at such a late date when everything was already wrapped up and tied in a bow.
But my father had connections, they both had, and used them to get me settled.
I was to leave immediately and that was not a request, it was a bloody order.
It was the way they handled things, handled me.”
He paused again, a grimness settling over his face.
“I did not mind.
I wanted to go, wanted to get the hell out of that environment.
And I bloody well took it.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but he shook his head, unruly dark hair flying.
“I took it,”
his deep voice, one that sent millions of women swooning, lowered, blue eyes shadowed with pain.
“I saw a way out and never thought of you.
I wanted to escape, and I did.
I was bloody grateful for the chance to be far away from them.”
He reached for her hand, clasping it tightly in his.
“I am sorry, Zahra.
Sorry for leaving like that.”
He closed his eyes briefly.
“Sorry for never giving you a second thought.”
It hurt, it damn well tore at her heart to hear him say it and it took considerable effort to smile and say what she did.
“It’s in the past.”
“No.
I hurt you.”
His eyes were on hers and she had the uncomfortable realization that she was not fooling him one bit.
“I got over it.”
Her voice was light and deliberately casual.
Easing her hand from under his, she picked up her lemonade and took a sip to ease her throat.
“I would like us to start over.”
His eyes gleamed with hope, one that died when she continued.
“Friends!”
He stared at her blankly.
“You want us to be friends.”
“Yes.”
She forced another smile.
“An uncomplicated relationship.
We used to be able to tell each other everything.
Before…,” her voice petered off and she wasn’t sure she could continue.
“Before we became lovers.”
She had to clear her throat to get rid of the lump there. “Yes.”
She lifted her chin to bolster herself.
“But we are no longer desperate teenagers.”
She gestured with her glass.
“I am happy and contented.
I have found my place in life and am grateful.
While you…,”
her smile was whimsical.
“You’re Bryce Whitlock.
Actor extraordinaire.
It seems we have both found our places.”
“Zahra…”
“Friends.”
Her voice was firm, eyes steady.
“That’s the only offer and I would like you to take it.”
He wanted to say so much more.
Because he was feeling so much.
He had told her the truth about never thinking of her when he left.
He had been desperate and grateful for the chance to go anywhere else.
But seeing her had brought back the emotions she had stirred inside him when they were teenagers.
But he had hurt her.
Had left her alone to deal with her unhappy childhood.
She was never going to forget that.
And truth be told, he was feeling more than a little guilty and ashamed of how much of a coward he had been.
“Yes.”
He agreed with reluctance.
“Friends.”
“Good.”
She beamed at him, twin dimples peeking out and sending the lust pooling inside his lower body.
“Now, I have things to do…”
“Would you take a walk with me, tonight?”
She gave him a puzzled stare.
“Please.”
He offered her a winning smile.
“You can explain the place to me and point me to the best spots.
I have been doing a bit of walking myself, but you know the area so much better.”
“Bryce…!”
“From one friend to another, I am asking you for the favor.
A simple walk, Zahra. This
She considered for a moment, while he held his breath waiting.
She appeared to be struggling with the decision, and he could see the uncertainty on her lovely face.
“All right.
I probably won’t be available until after supper.
Say around eight?”
He smiled and had her wondering if she had made a mistake.
“That’s perfect.”
*****
So, they took the walk.
She served the meal in the dining room with stars shining their lights in the velvety sky that had been washed clean by the shower of rain.
The air was clean and sweet, mingled with the sweet potato casserole and the chicken and dumpling stew that was so delicious, he had been compelled to ask for seconds.
And had laughingly told her that if he kept at it, he would gain several pounds.
She had not responded, just simply smiled and be on her way.
The couple had retired early to bed, admitting ruefully that they had spent the entire day and half their money buying trinkets and several antique pieces that had been hard to resist.
Jessica had gone for the day and after clearing the table of the coffee and raspberry cream cake that had been dessert, she had gone upstairs to don a jacket and a pair of sensible boots.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
He had put on something to ward off the cold as well and was waiting for her by the door.
“Thanks for this.”
She nodded briskly and made her way out.
“We should take this route.”
She turned left and he jogged to keep up with her.
The rain was still in the air, a wispy sort of scent that was actually pleasant.
Everything looked as if it had been washed clean and scrubbed thoroughly.
Several petals had been dislodged and mingled with the gold and russet of the leaves that had fallen to the ground.
Their boots made squishy sounds in the grass and for several minutes, they walked in silence.
“I ventured out the first night I came here and had the crap scared out of me when I heard rustling in the brushes.”
She shook her head as she recalled how she had rushed back towards the building and very nearly packed her bags in her fright.
And had wondered what the hell she was doing.
She had left her comfort zone and had come to this place she did not know.
“Any idea what it was?”
She slid him a glance and admired the touch of moon playing silver over his unruly black hair.
His hands were shoved in the pockets of what she knew was a cashmere jacket and his faded denims suited his lean hips and long legs.
“More than likely, badgers or squirrels.
I was all alone in an area where there are more trees and bushes than I have ever seen in real life, and it freaked me out.
It was too quiet, the kind of silence that surrounds you and enters your very soul.
I spent half the night cowering in a corner and cursing my aunt for leaving this godforsaken place to me.”
He glanced at her, amusement curling his lips.
He had forgotten her sharp wit and the way she had of making fun of herself.
And of course, how lovely she was.
Her skin was luminous under the lights of the moon and scattering of stars.
Her hair was caught up in some sort of complicated twists and coils on top of her head, leaving her neck bare.
She wanted to be friends; he reminded himself and he was damn well going to have to respect her wishes.
He owed her that at least.
“What happened after?”
They had come to the lovely stream and stopped there.
“I met Jessica the very next morning.
She came bearing coffee and pastries to welcome me to the place and laughed when I suggested that there was either a big ass bear or poisonous snakes living in the yard.”
“And?”
He turned to face her.
“She insisted we go and take a walk and assured me that there were no bears in this area and certainly no poisonous snakes.
And said that they could not wait for the inn to be up and running again.
She said my aunt had allowed the place to go to pieces and that was a shame as it had attracted a lot of tourists for the area.”
She laughed softly.
Leaning against the trunk of an enormous oak tree, she looked over at the lights of the town.
From this vantage point, she could see the church, the steeple spiraling upwards, the park that had been recently renovated and the rooftops of several other buildings.
“It has become home for me.”
“It’s quite a place.”
He also turned to give the place his attention and felt the peace stealing over him.
“Has your mother ever visited?”
He asked her quietly after a period of silence.
Her grim laughter had him turning to look at her.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“She wouldn’t be caught dead in a place like this and that’s indeed a blessing.”
She hunched her shoulders unconsciously.
He knew how painful the topic was and probably should not have brought it up.
“She told me I was making a gigantic mistake and not to come running to her when it all fell down in a heap of disaster.
I almost listened to her.”
“Good thing you didn’t.”
He wanted to touch her, to just reach out and cradle her head on his shoulder, like in the past.
But this was now, and he had no right to want any of it.
Surprised that he did.
“Yes!”
She nodded and took a breath.
“For several months, I thought she was right and that I was going to have to tuck my tail between my legs and hustle on back to New York.
I had not entirely burned my bridges there, but I did not want to go back.
I was miserable and felt overwhelmed.
I wasn’t an inn keeper or a cook or a designer, or anything like that.
But I was determined not to fail and more driven to prove my mother wrong.
So, I worked tirelessly and burned through my savings to get the right look, the right feel.”
“And you did.”
His quiet voice had her turning to look at him.