9. Gemma
9
Gemma
I can’t help but laugh at myself as I finger-comb clumps of mud out of my hair in the shower. I knew I wasn’t coordinated by any stretch of the imagination, but I seem to be hitting new levels of clumsy since I got here. Thankfully, I had at least been off on my own today when that little honeybee buzzed up behind me. It startled me so badly that I spun around, screamed, and toppled right over the curb.
Only I could manage to land in the only puddle of mud in a three-mile radius. I may have omitted much of the story when Brooks and Miss Cora asked. I am just hoping some of the water dries up, so I have a chance to retrieve my shoe tomorrow. Despite digging for it today, it was as if the puddle had swallowed it up into oblivion.
To make it worse, those were some of my favorite shoes, and I didn’t bring but one extra pair for the trip. What a mess I am. But again, at least I am a funny mess. Laughter is the best medicine for frustration, right? At least for me, it always seems to be.
My face drops slightly as I think of Gavin back home, what he would say about my clumsy day, and how pointless this whole adventure is to him. I’ve called him only once since I arrived. I just wanted to let him know I had made it safely and got settled into my room at the B&B. He made no effort to answer … or to call me back. So, I made no further effort to call or text him. I just wish my mind would get the hint and stop drifting back to him.
I am sure he is still pouting about me leaving, and I don’t have time to worry about that. Maybe this split is for the best. Maybe I needed some space from him for a while. I love spending time with him, but when I have something else I need to do, he makes my life miserable. I hate the highs and lows he constantly puts me through.
I shrug off the bad feelings and self-doubt that thinking of Gavin has brought on as I step out of the shower. I may not have had any conversations with him since I have been here, but Olivia has been anxious to hear trip updates. I am not sure if I have been more anxious to share them or if she has been more excited to hear them.
I can hardly wait to share today’s adventures with her. I know Olivia will get a big kick out of the adventure … or misadventures the day brought. But before I can call Olivia and share a laugh with her, I need to make myself look half-decent and get down to dinner. Miss Cora makes the best meals, and I wouldn’t dare be late. I would never insult such an excellent cook like that.
The savory scent of pot roast and carrots is wafting across the spacious ranch house as I open my door and venture down the hallway. My mouth is already watering. It has been a long day with little return for my effort. Savoring a delicious slow meal sounds fantastic right about now.
I make it down the stairs and into the long dining room just in time to see Miss Cora setting the platter of pot roast down.
After dinner, I settle into one of the rocking chairs on the wrap-around porch of the bed and breakfast for my call with Olivia. I offered to help with dishes, but Brooks had beat me to it. I about choked on my water when I saw the shock on his mother’s face. He really seems to hang around a lot.
But then the expressions and comments Cora makes seem like he didn’t always. They make it seem like this is actually a recent development. Brooks is seriously puzzling. He is so unlike any of the guys I am used to back home. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing. But I guess that will reveal itself in time.
I dial Olivia’s number and can’t help the huge smile that spreads across my face as I hear my closest friend’s voice. I have been very busy and wrapped up in all that I am here for. But my heart aches for even a little bit of home, and Olivia feels like home.
Liv starts the conversation with updates about what mail I have received and the latest antics of Tux. I feel thankfulness wash over me all over again that Olivia had offered to stay at my place and take care of him. He is a very needy cat, and he hates to be alone.
When Olivia finishes with her updates, it is my turn. I try to build up to the funny part of my day with the mundane townspeople I talked to, and all the dead ends I reached.
But before long, I find myself stifling giggles and have to dish about the mud puddle misadventure in full detail. I wasn’t sure if Olivia even heard it all over her own giggles.
I look up and realize I am being watched. How long has he been there? Good Lord, how much of my embarrassing story has he heard? I work to compose my face and tell Liv I will call her tomorrow. I decide to play it cool as if he had heard nothing and I have nothing to hide.
I even roll my eyes as Brooks once again saunters up to me and asks if I am ready to admit my defeat. What an ass to be so full of himself. I am perfectly capable of handling myself and making my own way. But if I’m honest with myself, I really am ready to surrender.
I have exhausted all other ideas, and he does know the town and everyone in it. People may be more willing to reveal their secrets to him than a random newcomer. And at least he would be pleasant to look at it, even if that was his only redeeming quality. I huff out a breath, causing an errant piece of hair to flutter in mock exasperation. “Fine. I admit it. I could really use your help.”
He smiles arrogantly, saying, “Oh, I know you could use my help. But you still haven’t asked for it.”
He is insufferable, but I don’t think strangling him would help my case, so I smile sweetly and ask, “Will you please help me?”
He laughs. “You’re even easier than I thought!”
I have the urge to smack him. But before I even have a chance to reply to that double-edged sword, he hurriedly adds, “If we’re going to do this, you know what we’re going to need?”
Finally, he is being serious. “Yes. A plan. I was thinking…”
He cuts me off. “No! A new swimsuit for the next time a fuzzy little bumblebee pushes you into a mud puddle.”
Why did I even let myself fall into thinking this was a good idea? Damn my weakness for tall hot guys and my inability to see them for what they are. Oh well, I might as well go with it at this point. What other choice do I have? I let a mischievous grin spread across my face.