Chapter Fifteen – Tessa
“Dinner, huh?” Rachel asked as she hobbled into the guest room where Tessa was trying to pick out a suitable outfit from the few clothes she’d brought with her.
“Should I wear this again?” Tessa turned to face her friend with the blue sundress held up in front of her, perhaps in an attempt to deflect the awkward questions that were coming her way.
“I don’t think it matters what you wear?” Rachel teased, keeping her voice low so that the girls didn’t hear.
“It’s not like that,” Tessa insisted as she looked down at the dress, trying to hide her blushes.
“Isn’t it?” Rachel asked as she sat down on the bed and rubbed her ankle.
“How’s it feeling?” Tessa asked. “I hope you haven’t overdone it today.”
“No, I’ve been resting it.” She looked up at Tessa. “But if you are looking for an excuse to keep working at the restaurant, I can tell you it’s still hurting.”
“No,” Tessa replied quickly and hung the dress up on the closet door before sitting next to Rachel. “Although I don’t want you to rush back to work if your ankle isn’t healed.”
“I don’t have a shift tomorrow, and it’ll be fine by the day after,” Rachel assured her.
“You mean I’ve worked my last shift?” Tessa hadn’t expected that, and she was surprised at the sudden rush of disappointment.
“I think so. It means you can do what you came here to do,” Rachel said.
“Work on my art,” Tessa murmured.
Rachel nodded, her expression brightening. “Exactly. You’ll have the house to yourself while I’m at work and the girls are at school.”
Tessa rubbed her hands on her thighs, feeling the soft fabric of her jeans beneath her fingertips. “No more excuses,” she murmured, more to herself than to Rachel.
“Are you looking for an excuse?” Rachel asked, her tone gentle but knowing.
“No,” Tessa said quickly, then sighed. “It’s just... scary. Working on something that matters so much to me. What if I fail? It’s not as if publishers are falling over themselves to publish my journals.”
“Give it a chance.” Rachel leaned over and wrapped her arms around Tessa’s shoulders. “You are the bravest person I know, Tess. You always have been.”
Tears pricked at Tessa’s eyes. She blinked them back, but her voice still wavered when she spoke. “Sometimes I wonder who I am now that Mom isn’t here.”
Rachel rested her head against Tessa’s shoulder. “I thought the same thing after my divorce,” she admitted quietly. “It’s like a part of me was missing. But then I found myself again. Different, but still me.”
“You are my role model,” Tessa said, meaning every word. “And what I’m facing can’t be as scary as facing the unknown with two children who depend on you.”
“We’ll always be here for you,” Rachel said, squeezing Tessa’s arm. “If you want to stay longer, you’re welcome. I know the girls would love it if you moved here permanently.”
Tessa leaned against her friend, letting the possibility wash over her. “It’s a tempting offer.”
Rachel pulled away slightly, meeting Tessa’s eyes. “One that’ll always be there. We’re not going anywhere.”
“I can see why,” Tessa said, glancing toward the window where the mountains were visible in the distance. “Bear Creek is the perfect place to raise a family.”
“It is,” Rachel agreed, standing up with a slight wince as she put weight on her ankle.
She moved to the closet and lifted the blue dress.
“I’d wear the sundress, and I’ll lend you a cardigan that will go with it perfectly.
” Her eyes glittered mischievously. “Or you could just have Matt hug you to keep you warm. Those big, muscular arms around you...”
“Rachel!” Tessa exclaimed, but couldn’t help laughing as her friend flashed her an impish smile.
“Here.” Rachel handed her the dress. “I’ll go fetch the cardigan.”
“Thank you.” Tessa slipped the sundress on and twisted her hair up into a messy bun, securing it with the silver clip her mother had given her for her twenty-first birthday, a small connection to her past even as she stepped toward something new.
Rachel appeared in the doorway with the promised cardigan. “You look beautiful,” she said, draping it over Tessa’s shoulders.
Tessa smiled, a wave of affection for her best friend washing over her. The person who had been her rock through so much.
She hoped that one day, when Rachel was ready, she would find love again. She deserved it.
Downstairs, the girls were waiting, their faces lighting up when they saw her.
“You look as pretty as a fairy!” Lucy exclaimed, clapping her hands.
“Thank you again for the stones,” Aria added, holding up the colorful rocks Tessa had brought back from the farmers’ market. “They’re perfect for our fairy garden.”
Tessa smiled, swept up in their enthusiasm. “I’m glad you like them.”
“Will you tell us about your date tomorrow?” Aria asked. “Since Mom said we can’t wait up until you come home.”
“It’s not a…” Tessa began automatically, then stopped herself. “Yes.”
The girls giggled, exchanging knowing looks that made them seem far older than their years. Rachel gave her daughters a warning glance before pulling Tessa into a tight hug.
“Have fun,” she whispered. “And remember…you deserve this.”
Tessa nodded against Rachel’s shoulder, her throat tight with emotion. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped out into the evening air, the family waving from the doorway as she made her way to the borrowed SUV.
The directions Matt had given her led away from the center of town, following winding roads that climbed gently into the foothills. The trees grew thicker, the houses more sparse, until finally she turned onto a narrow lane that ended at a small cabin nestled among the pines.
For a moment, Tessa thought she must have the wrong address. But there was Matt’s truck parked outside, and as she cut the engine, she could see warm light spilling from the windows, casting golden rectangles onto the ground outside.
This wasn’t a restaurant. This was his home.
Tessa’s heart fluttered in her chest as she gathered her purse. This evening was going to be more intimate than she had planned. The thought sent a thrill of excitement through her as she approached the cabin’s wooden door.
Before she could knock, the door swung open, and there stood Matt—casual in jeans and a deep blue button-down that brought out the warmth in his eyes, his dark hair slightly damp as if he’d just showered.
The scent of something delicious wafted from behind him, making her stomach rumble in anticipation.
“You came,” he said, his voice low and uncertain, as if he’d been half-afraid she might change her mind.
“I did,” Tessa replied, suddenly shy under his gaze.
Matt stepped back, holding the door wider. “Welcome to my home.”
“Thank you.”
Whatever happened tonight, whatever this was between them, she was glad she’d said yes. Glad she’d taken this step into the unknown.