Paige swallowed against the still-painful memory. “It happened so fast. She turned to me and told me she loved me, then she collapsed. It was a heart attack. She died immediately. After that, I couldn’t manage to pull it together. I have a list of places I’d like to visit, but I can’t seem to take the first step. I’m not sure what’s holding me back.”
She tried to smile, but had a feeling she failed. “She would be so disappointed in me.”
Alistair moved quickly, standing, then walking around the table and pulling her to her feet. “She would be no such thing. I’m sure your aunt is very proud of you.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I can and I do. You took me in without a second thought.”
He was holding her hands in his, which was distracting enough, but there was also how close they were standing and the way his intense blue eyes held her gaze. Was it just her or was it hot out here?
“Anyone would have taken you in,” she murmured.
“We both know that’s not true. You’re lovely and giving and when you’re ready, you’ll take your journey.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. After all, I’m a viscount.”
She laughed. “Silly me. Of course you must be the knower of all things. By royal decree, of course.”
“Of course.”
The words were the barest of whispers, spoken as he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers.
The kiss was gentle. A light brush, a teasing touch and then it was over. She didn’t even have time to catch her breath before he kissed her again. This time with slightly more pressure.
Wanting stirred. Her hands fluttered in his as she started to lean in. But just before things got interesting, Alistair straightened.
“Our dinner is getting cold.”
Their what? Oh. Right. Dinner.
“We wouldn’t want that,” she said, stepping back. Only it was exactly what she wanted, she thought as she took her seat. After years of wondering why she couldn’t be like her friends and fall madly in love, she found herself intrigued by a handsome stranger who would never want to settle down in one place.
In theory she wanted to see the world, so they should be the perfect match. Only, so far, all her dreams of travel had turned out to be cheap talk. Hardly the kind of character to inspire the interest of a man who actually did what he said.
The Fool’s Gold Spring Festival lived up to its reputation, Alistair realized as he and Paige strolled through the crowded streets. There were booths selling everything from jewelry to meditation CDs. Food was everywhere. Although it was only ten in the morning, tourists munched on hot dogs and cotton candy. Paige had promised him the best funnel cake this side of the Rockies. He wasn’t sure what to expect as, from what he’d seen, the treat was neither funnel-shaped, nor especially cakelike. But he was willing to trust his hostess.
“We have to get in position for the parade,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the center square.
“There’s a parade?”
“Of course. It’s fairly unorganized. Kids on bikes and people sitting in the back of convertibles. One of the fire trucks gets decorated with ribbons and flowers.” She grinned. “My friend Charlie is a firefighter. She hates events like this. As she puts it, every holiday is a chance for people to be stupid. But she loves telling kids about fire safety and enjoys showing them the equipment.”
Alistair frowned. “So she’s both happy and frustrated?”
“Charlie is a bit of a contradiction.”
“It appears so.”
“Did I mention the goats?” she asked.
He stared at her, wanting to get lost in her hazel eyes. He had to force himself to pay attention to the conversation. “No. I would have recalled goats. Are they part of the festival?”
“They’re in the parade. My friend Heidi owns them. She’s the one you flashed. She makes cheese and soap.”
“Is that what’s in my shower?”
“It is. Goat soap. It’s very mild and useful for several skin conditions.”
“I did not know that.” Information he might be able to use when he traveled. Another way to help his patients.
“You do now.” She tugged him along. “Hurry or all the best spots will be taken.”
He allowed her to pull him behind her. Her long hair fluttered in the slight breeze. She’d traded in jeans for a summery dress that left her shoulders and legs bare. Temptation, he thought, wondering how wrong it would be for him to give in to the steady pulsing desire.
Since Sara’s death, there had been women. Casual relationships that had more to do with biology than emotion. He’d assumed that he wouldn’t find anyone to engage his heart again. Losing his family had been devastating.
But with Paige, the stirring went deeper than simple lust. While he would admit to wanting her in his bed, he had fantasies that had nothing to do with her body and everything to do with her mind…and her heart.
He liked talking to her. She was endlessly curious. She appeared to be accepting, without judgment, and she was always ready to laugh. When she’d looked at the pictures of some of his patients on his phone, she’d reminded him that he was fortunate to change lives with what he did. She’d reminded him to be grateful for his training and skill.
They came to a stop by several shops. The crowd was only a few people deep in this part of town. In the distance he heard what he would swear was a marching band.
Baskets of flowers hung from streetlights. Banners and ribbons fluttered in the breeze. The sky was blue and the temperature perfect in the seventies. But what caught his attention were the people. He saw a group of parade-watchers part to allow a family with small children room to go to the front. Once there, the stroller was positioned on the street, right by the curb. The mother sat down next to her baby, while a toddler was lifted onto his father’s shoulders.
There wasn’t any pushing or shoving, nothing but laughter and smiles. Two teenagers giggled as they texted friends. An older couple whispered to each other.
This was normal, Alistair thought. Familiar. Unlike the life he’d been living since Sara and his daughter’s deaths. He’d been on the go—constantly moving from country to country. Despite his parents’ phoning him on his-mobile and asking him to visit, he’d stayed busy and far away.
As he stood next to Paige, waiting for the small-town parade, he realized he hadn’t just been fighting the measles and exhaustion. His illness had gone much deeper—down to his heart. He’d been unable to face his own devastation. Unable to accept how much he’d been responsible. He’d been running so fast, he hadn’t had time to stop and look around. He hadn’t had time to heal.
Paige had offered him more than a bed for his body—she’d given him a refuge for his soul. Her gentle kindness had made him realize it was time to look forward. While he would never forget those he’d lost, he was finally ready to start living again.
“There they are,” Paige said pointing. “The one in front is Athena. Oh, look at the ribbons! She’s so beautiful.”
Alistair saw a perfectly ordinary goat with ribbons around her neck. Ribbons Athena was busy trying