CHAPTER FOUR
TAYLOR
Taylor heard the words Whitney was saying, but she didn’t believe them. As skittish as Whitney was about a new relationship, a certain warmth entered her voice whenever she talked about Nick. Whatever that feeling was, Taylor hoped it would grow into something more meaningful. Whitney was normally so alive, so happy, so spontaneous. Lately, sadness and guilt had stolen Whitney’s true self away. It was time to change that.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. As always, Taylor loved strolling down the pretty main street of Lilac Lake. She waved to a few of the shop owners she now knew and moved on. Though she and Cooper had decided to maintain homes in New Hampshire and New York City, Taylor had the feeling that they’d choose to spend more time in Lilac Lake. She hoped so.
They entered Jake’s and stood a moment adjusting to the dim interior.
At the sound of her name, Taylor turned and saw Crystal waving at her. Smiling, Taylor grabbed Whitney’s arm and led her over to a large round table where Crystal sat with several friends. She was pleased to see that Ross Roberts was there, along with a friend of his, Mike Dawson.
Ross was a former baseball star who’d played for the New York Yankees. He’d hurt his leg in an accident and had to quit the game, though he still had lucrative endorsements. With sandy-colored hair, blue eyes, and his famous boyish smile, he was adorable by most standards.
And nice too.
Mike Dawson, a long-time friend of Ross’s, wore his brown hair back in a ponytail and was a one-time tennis pro, who’d given up the competitive circuit to open a tennis program.
Both men got to their feet as Taylor and Whitney approached, drawing attention to them
JoEllen rushed over. “Hey, do you have room for me?” she asked though the table was already overcrowded.
“There’s a wait,” said Crystal. “I’m not sure how long everyone is staying.”
Sighing loudly, JoEllen walked away.
Taylor and Whitney exchanged looks.
“I’m not the only one who feels relieved?” Ross said quietly.
Taylor shook her head. “Not at all. She’s trouble.” At one time, JoEllen had gone to Cooper’s rental cabin and undressed, hoping to launch a red-hot relationship and get things moving between them. It had had the opposite effect, and he moved out of the cabin next to her. JoEllen’s actions made Taylor even more convinced that something was seriously wrong with her.