Finding The Way Back To Love (Lakeside Porches 3) (6 page)

That sounded like an exaggeration to Gwen, and, again, she wondered what was up with Deirdre.

“So what are you wearing for your first date with Mr. Right?” Deirdre asked.

“His name is Peter.” Gwen blushed. “The dress is amazing.”

“Sexy?”

“All out, Deirdre. Slinky, shot through with silver threads, low-cut, scoop neckline, sequins across the boobs. It makes the most of what I have in the cleavage department, and I love what it does with my shoulders and hips.”

“Sounds like you’re prepared for Peter to do all-out things with your shoulders and hips?” Deirdre’s smile was wicked. “And maybe your boobs, too?”

Gwen shivered in happy anticipation. “Deirdre, I saw him standing by the canoe in those curve-hugging jeans with the sweaty T-shirt clinging to his pecs and biceps and incredible shoulders. And I wanted him. I swear if Haley hadn’t been in the house and he hadn’t been dead on his feet after working his night shift . . .”

“You’ve got it bad, Dr. Forrester.”

Gwen gave a full, lusty laugh.

“I think Haley arrived at exactly the right time to keep you from going too fast with this man.”

“You mean, the universe is doing for me what I can’t do for myself?”

“Exactly.” Deirdre patted Gwen’s hand. “I like it that you’re hot for a great-looking guy, Gwen, but I need you to think about what you said when you dumped Ned the night before last.”

“It feels like a week ago.” Gwen sipped her coffee.

“To my point, do you remember what you told me?”

Gwen squinted.

“About what you want in a man?” Deirdre prompted.

Gwen flattened her fingers on the tabletop. She searched the far corner of the room, in vain, then licked her lips and admitted, “No.”

“It was something about eye candy and a hot car being okay when you’re twenty but not when you’re thirty.” Deirdre cocked her head.

“I’m thirty-two,” Gwen corrected. “Peter drives a cute little Jeep.”

“Oh, what color?” she said with sarcasm.

“Dark green. Same as the old canoe.”

“And he’d make beautiful babies with you, but back to my point: Is he what you want in a life partner, Gwen?”

Gwen slid her hands off the table and balled up the napkin in her lap. “How can I know after knowing him one day? I’ll learn more tonight and, hopefully, have fun with him. Does that work for you?”

“A little huffy, are we?” Deirdre sat back and eyed her sponsee.

Gwen met her gaze evenly. “Deirdre, how’s everything with Vince?”

“I think he’s got a honey on the side.” Deirdre’s mouth tightened. “I hadn’t meant to say anything.”

Gwen eyes flashed as she hissed. “The snake! What are you going to do?”

Deirdre shrugged. “It remains to be seen.” Her abrupt statement closed the discussion.

“Okay, but please know I’m here for you if I can help.”

“Thank you. I don’t have a good track record with picking the right husband, Gwen. Psychologists have their blind spots, just like everyone else.”

“And you think I have a similar blind spot?” Gwen probed.

“Let’s just say I would hate to see you marry in haste and have beautiful babies, only to raise them all alone, like I did before Vince came into my life. I think, of all the psychologists I know in our area, you’re the only one that had a stable upbringing. You have a chance at a stable marriage. Don’t blow it, just because this guy rings your chimes.”

Deirdre took off her glasses and tucked them into their case.

“That’s why I have a sponsor. Thank you, Deirdre. Sometimes I hate your tough love, but it’s what I need.”

Chapter 4

“Officer Peter Shaughnessy and date,” Peter announced to the hostess, whose nametag identified her as Brandi. She jiggled a pen as she scanned the long list of attendees.

Gwen stood proudly at Peter’s side, basking in the warmth of his hand on her hip. Their gazes connected, and she read desire in his eyes.

Finally, Brandi favored Peter with a dazzling smile. “Table four. Follow me.” She confided to Gwen as they approached the table, “Your dress is stunning, the most beautiful I’ve seen tonight.”

“Thank you,” Gwen murmured.

Brandi winked. “You’ll outshine the chiefs’ wives.”

Uh-oh.
Maybe she would sit unobtrusively at the table tonight.

Brandi told them, “You’re sitting with this evening’s hosts, Joel and Manda Cushman, and Officer Sam Pinelli and his date.”

What a relief
.

“We have our pick of seats.” Peter gestured to their round table.

“Almost. I recognize Joel’s cane on that chair.” She pointed. “And Manda’s purse on the next one. If we keep up the girl-boy-girl-boy, I’ll sit next to Joel with you on my right. Sound good?”

“Works for me. Can I get you a drink?”

“There should be bottles of sparkling water.” She touched Peter’s arm, and pointed to a long table with two-dozen, tall, blue bottles. “Saratoga Water. It’s Joel and Manda’s favorite.”

“I’ll bring a bottle for the table.”

Gwen sat gracefully on a linen-covered chair and admired the white tablecloth and elegant place settings. Light from the chandeliers sparkled in the silverware and danced in the glasses of ice water. She was mesmerized by the play of light until a firm hand touched her shoulder.

“Imagine seeing my friend Gwen here tonight,” Joel Cushman greeted her.

“Surprise.” She lifted her cheek for his kiss.

“In truth, I had plenty of warning.” His gray-green eyes twinkled with good humor. “Tony told me he expected you’d be coming with Sam’s partner.”

“The Tompkins Falls grapevine is amazing.” She laughed. “I just met Sam and Peter Friday night.”

“Ah, but wait.” Joel held up his hand. “The town grapevine took second place to the Manse grapevine on this one. First, Sara told Manda, who thought she had the scoop. But she waited to tell me until she and Sara got back from their thrift-shop adventure yesterday.”

“In that case, Tony beat Manda to it,” Gwen said with mock seriousness. “The town grapevine wins, Joel.”

“That debate is still being waged, by text, as we speak.” At Gwen’s laugh, Joel pleaded, “Do not encourage her.”

“Or contradict her, I get it.”

Peter set down a chilled, dripping bottle in front of them.

“Thanks, man.” Joel held out his hand. “Don’t crush. I’m still recuperating.”

Peter introduced himself and gave Joel a restrained handshake. “I noticed the cane.”

“At just eight months, I’m walking without it most mornings. My doctors are astounded. They think Gianessa has magic powers, which she does.” He added, for Peter’s benefit, “Gianessa is my physical therapist, recently wedded to my uncle Justin.”

“Hi, everybody.” Manda’s excited voice announced her arrival. The hem of her ice-blue silk gown swirled around her ankles as she moved in on Gwen for a hug. She beamed her appreciation as her eyes swept over Gwen’s dress.

Peter introduced himself and held Manda’s chair. “Allow me.”

Manda thanked him and mouthed to Gwen, “He’s handsome.”

Gwen winked.

Peter eased himself onto the chair next to Gwen’s. “I know Gwen and Joel grew up in Tompkins Falls,” he said to Manda, “but how did
you
meet them?”

“Um,” Manda hesitated, “I work for the Manse in the accounting office?”

Gwen jumped in. “And Manda and I are both bike-riders. We’ve logged some serious miles together in the last year and a half.”

“Right. And Sara, who’s coming with your partner Sam, works here at the Spa.” She leaned across Joel and informed Gwen in a conspiratorial whisper, “They are really, really serious.”

“Sam and Sara?”

Manda’s sapphire eyes were round with excitement as she nodded. “I think they’re great together.”

Peter stood at Sam and Sara’s arrival. “Just in time,” he told his partner. “The ladies were talking about you.” He and Sam bumped knuckles.

“Sara, meet my partner, Peter Shaughnessy.” Sam’s hand lingered on Sara’s lower back. “You know everyone else.”

Sara held out a dainty hand for Peter’s handshake. She blew kisses to Gwen, Joel, and Manda. Her dress was a long, off-white sheath that showed off her slender hips. The only adornment was a bright-pink, faux flower at her waist that matched the shock of pink in her short blond locks. She chose the chair next to Manda’s, and Sam sat shoulder-to-shoulder with Peter.

Gwen traded a nod with Manda and whispered, “She’s glowing.”

After a few minutes of small talk, J
oel cautioned, “Dinner is served.”

They sat back as the waiter delivered their choice of prime rib or grilled salmon. Sam and Peter tucked into prime rib while the rest of the table went for salmon.

Manda and Sara kept the discussion lively through dinner, interspersing each topic with questions for Peter. “Tell us about your family,” “Where did you grow up?” “Do you miss Syracuse?” “Do you like kids?”

Peter handled the interrogation with good humor. Gwen rubbed his back, squeezed his arm, patted his thigh, smiled sideways—whatever she could, to let him know how much she sympathized and appreciated his cooperation as her friends checked him out.

Peter volunteered that he had grown up “pretty poor” in Syracuse. His mother was a nurse who worked multiple jobs, and his dad was an alcoholic who couldn’t hold a job or stay sober. He loved his younger sister, Bree, who had survived a few scrapes with the law in her teens. “Glad I could pull some strings for her,” he said without making eye contact with anyone at the table.

When no one responded to that, Manda asked him, “And is she in recovery now?”

“Not necessary,” Peter told them, his mouth a grim line. “I forbid her to be an alcoholic.”

Manda gasped and leaned forward.

Before she could say another word, Joel’s hand stroked her arm from shoulder to wrist. She turned to him, and he leaned close. Gwen overheard his quiet, “Let’s not argue that in this forum.”

Manda nodded, flashed a worried glance at Gwen, and pressed her eyes shut.

Sam, oblivious of the whispered exchange, jabbed his partner with his elbow. “How’s that working for you, Peter?” he said with a friendly chuckle.

“Working fine. I haven’t heard a word since then about cures for hangovers or drunken parties or crashing all night at Susie’s camp on the lake.”

Sara piped up, “Gwen, you look amazing tonight.”

“Why thank you, master hairstylist.”

“Sara,” Joel said, “I understand you’re planning a new business. I’d love to hear more.”

Sara’s blush spread up her neck and into her cheeks.

“Please tell us,” Gwen urged.

Sam reached an arm along Sara’s shoulders. “Don’t be nervous.”

“It’s—it’s kind of in the early stages.”

“But it’s going to be fabulous,” Manda told them.

Gwen gave Sara a chance to regroup. “You’re graduating soon, aren’t you?”

Sara took a sip of water and fanned her face with her hand. “December. I’m getting my MBA from RIT,” she said for Peter’s benefit.

“Very impressive.”

“Sara is my inspiration,” Manda said. “Tell them how long it took you.”

“Four years, part time. And I commuted from here to Rochester, just like Manda’s doing.”

“If you can finish, I can finish,” Manda asserted. “It’s just one more year.”

“But you’re going for your CPA, too, right?” Gwen pressed.

“Manda, you’re in accounting?” Sam shuddered. “I can’t do numbers to save myself. Tools, no problem. Legal codes and procedures, piece of cake. Talk a hungry dog off a meat wagon, just watch me.”

The table erupted in laughter.

Peter concurred. “It’s true. My partner can get a pair of handcuffs on anyone without laying a finger on them.”

“Do I need to worry?” Sara eyed Sam.

Sam kissed her temple and whispered something that made her blush again.

“Where did you ever get that expression?” Gwen asked. “Talk a hungry dog off a meat wagon?”

“My Grandma Callahan said it all the time.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Joel said. “The Pinellis have an Irish grandmother named Callahan? Why didn’t I ever hear this?”

“Yeah, we do. Why?”

“So does Joel,” Manda answered. “Bridie O’Donohue.”

“Tompkins,” Joel finished the name. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard the tales about her.”

“Like what?” Sam and Peter asked in unison.

“She read tea leaves, for one thing,” Joel told them, with a twinkle in his gray-green eyes. “And Manda and I have encountered a little magic in her attic at 14 Lakeside Terrace, that she might have left behind.” He stole a glance at his wife, whose face glowed with pleasure. “And Justin had a couple of uncanny experiences when he first moved into my place on the third floor.”

“So did Gianessa,” Gwen added.

“You mean here at the Manse when she and I threw our bouquets, right?” Manda nodded.

Everyone seemed puzzled.

Manda said to Sara, “You remember. Gianessa and I threw our bouquets side by side after her wedding. We expected Sara and Grace to grab the bouquets, but mine went way off course, to that beautiful woman in the sari.”

“Who, by the way, had an engagement party here yesterday,” Joel told them.

“Cool.”

Sara cleared her throat and finished Manda’s story, with a hint of jealousy in her voice. “And the bouquet with my name on it”—she gestured with a flourish—“landed in Gwen’s hands.”

Peter’s turned to Gwen, and a smile broke over his face.

Gwen dropped her gaze to the tablecloth. Her cheeks flamed, and her fingers trembled.

Peter captured her hand and warmed it.

Joel asked how everyone liked the meal, and Gwen gave him a grateful smile. “Delicious,” she said.

They had pushed their plates away and sat sipping coffee, when the band launched into its first number, a lively swing. Sam called across the table, “Manda.” His arms and shoulders imitated hers as they moved to the music. “You want to dance?”

After a whispered conversation with Joel, she said, “Sure.” Sam took her hand, and they threaded among the tables to the dance floor.

“How about you and me, Peter?” Sara asked.

“I don’t know,” he hedged, with a question in his eyes for Gwen.

Gwen squeezed his thigh under the table. “Go for it. I’ve never been much of a dancer.”

Sara rushed him onto the floor, leaving Joel and Gwen at the table.

“He’s a good sport,” Joel told her.

Gwen tipped her head with a little smile. “Yeah, he is. I’ve learned more about him tonight than I have since we met.”

“Which was Friday, you said. How did you meet?”

Gwen recounted Haley’s break-in and her first encounter with Sam and Peter.

“Two whole days, and he rates the most elegant dress at the dance?”

“That was a mistake, wasn’t it? Even Brandi knew that.”

“I’ve got to tell her to keep her judgments to herself. But did you notice the hierarchy?”

“I’m clueless, Joel. Educate me.”

He nodded toward the incoming and outgoing chiefs, both dancing with their spouses. “Protocol dictates that their wives are by far the most gussied up. Followed by the spouses of the visiting chiefs—Canandaigua and Geneva, I think.” He pointed across the room. “And Seneca Falls and Clifton Springs, I’m pretty sure. The custom applies on down the ranks.”

“This is when I need our old friend Lorraine advising me.”

Joel burst out with a laugh that got Manda’s attention, on the dance floor. He waved at his wife and turned back to Gwen. “Don’t go by Lorraine’s advice. She’d tell you to ditch Peter and find a millionaire.”

“Absolutely, she would.” Gwen sipped her Saratoga water. “You’ve got to admit, though, she does know about things like fashion protocol.”

“Have you been in touch with her?” Joel sat back and eyed her.

“We Skype every so often. I’m crazy about her boys, who are growing like weeds.” She expected Joel to smile at that. Instead, he squinted, his brow deeply furrowed.

“You know she blocked our every effort to purchase Cady’s Point for Manda’s holistic wellness center?”

“Seriously? That’s unfortunate.”

“I suppose there are other properties, but Manda really believes that’s the right place to build, since it was used as a sacred healing ground by the Native Americans.”

Gwen took a swallow of sparkling water. “I hope Manda won’t give up on her idea.”

Joel shrugged. “Remains to be seen. She’s working hard on her business plan, hoping for a miracle. And Lorraine will find a duke one of these days,” Joel predicted, his tone heavy with sarcasm. Lorraine had been his fiancée until he’d dumped her a few years earlier.

“And in her absence, thanks for the fashion lesson,” Gwen said lightly.

“
Faux pas
aside, you are stunning tonight. Peter looks at you like you’re edible.”