Garrett chuckled. He settled back against the cushions and stretched his arm across the top of the sofa, his fingers hovering a mere half inch from her shoulder. “I guess we both got surprised.” He explained how the girls had set up the contest, and he’d known nothing about it until it was too late to stop it.
“I hope you don’t mind being here now.” His eyes searched hers.
Big brown, soft, compelling eyes—eyes that made her heart turn liquid. “No, it’s been, um, kind of fun up to now.”
At this Garrett laughed out loud. “Kind of fun? Well, I guess that’s one way to view it,” he said.
“No, I didn’t mean that I wasn’t enjoying—”
He scooted in a bit and placed his hand on her shoulder, giving her a light squeeze. “I know you didn’t. It’s okay. I’m just glad you came,” he said, his eyes locking with hers. Her shoulder warmed to his touch. The soft music floating overhead, the tenderness of his hand resting on her shoulder made her want to close her eyes and imagine him lifting his fingers to her hair—
Suddenly Garrett pulled his hand away as if he had been burned. The sleepy haze that had settled over her disappeared like a mirage in the desert.
“Everyone should be back soon.” He got up and walked toward the window. Pulling back the curtain, he peeked out, then dropped the cloth back into place and turned toward her.
Lauren lifted her cup to her lips. Anything to cover the awkward moment between them. She didn’t want to analyze what had just happened. The image of the carved initials on the tree came to mind, reaffirming her conclusion that he was still grieving for his wife.
Lauren curled her feet beneath her on the sofa. “So tell me about your girls. How do they feel about living in a bed-and-breakfast?”
He looked relieved that Lauren had changed the subject. He returned to his place beside her, but she didn’t miss the fact that he sat farther away this time. “I think they’re okay with it. Sometimes I think it infringes on their privacy, but they’ve adjusted pretty well.”
“And how are they since they’ve lost their mother?” Lauren asked in almost a whisper. Not that it was any of her business, but she had noticed a little friction between Macy and her dad.
A shadow touched his face. “As well as can be expected, I guess.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Macy’s the hard one. I think she blames me.”
Lauren’s heart squeezed. “Oh, I’m sure that’s not true.”
He blew out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. When Susie died, Macy changed.”
“It would be hard on a girl to lose her mother.”
“That’s true enough. But Molly’s adjusted. She has her moments, but she doesn’t pick at me all the time.”
“I know plenty of girls who pick at their parents. It’s an age thing, I think. I’m sure I did.” She laughed.
Garrett lifted a hopeful expression to Lauren. “Maybe you’re right. I just know the sooner we get past it, the better.” They heard a car door close. “That must be them.”
Before they could get up, Macy and the others swished through the front door and stepped into the front room.
Garrett rose from the couch and turned to greet them.
Gracie locked eyes with Lauren. “Well, looky here. Ain’t this just so cozy?” She walked across the room and looked from Lauren to Garrett, her words dripping with insincerity. She glanced down at the coffee tray and turned to the other contestants. “I guess while we’ve been sightseeing, Lucy here has been having a good time of her own.”
Shock kept Lauren silent.
“I don’t know what you mean by that, Gracie, but I invited Lauren to sit down with me for coffee. Is there a problem with that?” Garrett’s eyes pinned her.
She lifted her face with a look of total innocence. “Why, no, Garrett, not at all. Anything you want, you get.” She flashed her pearly-white teeth.
“Hey, would you ladies want some hot chocolate?” Molly offered, clearly trying to defuse the situation.
“Great idea. I’ll go put my things upstairs and be back,” Billie Gibbons said, making her way up the stairs.
“Yeah, me, too.” Nikki Spartan tossed them her Elvis smile. Lauren could almost hear strains of “You Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog.”
Ellen Little followed along behind them, hands clenched together, mouth tightly sealed. She looked so fragile Lauren feared that if someone blew on her, she would break into a thousand pieces.
Garrett went to help Molly and Macy get hot chocolate for the guests, leaving Lauren and Gracie alone in the room.
Gracie lifted an arched brow and glared at Lauren. “Don’t think I’m not onto you, honey. You might as well know right here and now, I am winning this contest.” With that, she turned and walked from the room, allowing her chin to lead the way.
Little did Gracie know that if Lauren had had any doubts about being a contestant before, she didn’t now. She knew a challenge when she heard one.
Suddenly the idea of being a contestant in this game suited her just fine.
Chapter Five
Monday evening after dinner Lauren went up to her room and settled onto her bed. It had been a good day of everyone getting to know one another. Macy and Molly had planned an afternoon of games and refreshments, and Lauren had to admit she’d truly enjoyed herself.
As a matter of fact, Lauren figured that for the next couple of weeks she could pretty much get along with everyone there—well, she might struggle the teensiest bit with Gracie. Then again, this could be the challenge of a lifetime. Lauren sighed. She supposed Gracie could be nice when she wanted to. Obviously she didn’t want to. Gracie needed to get over her attitude.
First of all, Lauren hadn’t even known about the contest when she first arrived, and secondly, the last thing she wanted was another romantic entanglement. Her life had enough stress without adding that to the mix.
Hearing a car door close outside, Lauren hurried over to her window and peeked out the curtains. Today marked the beginning of Garrett meeting with the contestants individually. He was taking Ellen out tonight.
With Ellen settled into her seat, Garrett walked over to the driver’s side of his car. Lauren bit on the corner of her lip. For a tiny moment, similar to a blip on a computer screen, Lauren wished she were the one going with Garrett tonight. The thought irritated her.
Nocchi whined, causing Lauren to turn. “I know I’m being utterly ridiculous. I couldn’t care less that he’s taking these women out. It’s a stupid contest, and that’s what he’s supposed to do. It’s just that Gracie has turned this into a competition, and, well, I don’t want to sit back and let her win, do I?” Maybe it was the lawyer in her.
Speechless, Nocchi cocked her head sideways and stared at Lauren. Yeah, they had moments like that. Where Lauren talked and Nocchi listened. Smart dog. Too bad people weren’t the same.
Even as Lauren spoke the words, she had a sneaking suspicion there was more to her motive than just a competitive streak, but she could not allow herself to explore that possibility. Not yet. She wasn’t ready. She still had to shake her feelings for Jeff Levinger.
Lauren plopped onto the bed. “Why did Candace and Gwen get me into this mess, Nocchi?” Tail wagging, the dog stood on her hind legs, scratching to get on the bed.
Lauren