Fixing Freddie (7 page)

“Here we are,” he said, motioning to a dock that extended out into the water. “Harbour Air.”

“We’re flying? Am I allowed to ask where?”

He paused, as though considering her request. “Okay. We’re going to Pender Island for lunch and some shopping.”

“Give a guy a new pair of slacks and there’s no stopping him.” She gave him an appreciative once-over as they walked down the dock. “Looks good.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I’m glad you approve.”

If only he knew.
The fabric moved with him, emphasizing his athletic build. Not for the first time, she wished she hadn’t agreed to help him with his makeover. But it was too late–he was chick bait now. Her heart constricted at the thought of him with someone else. For the first time since he’d left, she wished Cody would come back so she could end things with him.

* * *

“Will we see any cruise ships?” she asked, as they flew out over Georgia Strait.

“Not at this time of day”, the pilot answered, “They head up north. We’re going southwest.”

Before long the Gulf Islands were spread out below them. Pleasure boats, fishing boats and ferries dotted the surface of the water, white wakes streaming out behind. Freddie reached across and squeezed her hand. “Brody is taking us to Bedwell Harbour. We’ll have lunch there, and I’ve arranged for a car so we can drive ourselves.”

“Will he come back and get us later?” She looked down as they started their descent.

“No, he’ll just hang around and wait for us. We have the aircraft until 5 this afternoon. That way we can leave whenever we’re ready.”

She gave him an odd look. “You don’t fool around, do you?”

His gaze lingered on her lips. “Not with my time, no.”

They landed a few minutes later, the pilot holding the floats just above the water before touching down smoothly. They taxied up to the designated spot at the marina and Brody jumped out and tied up. Freddie helped Samantha down onto the dock.

“That was great,” she said to the pilot. “I enjoyed it.”

“I’m glad you did.” He turned to Freddie. “Enjoy your visit, Mr. Howard. I’ll be here when you’re ready to leave. You have my cell number, right?”

Freddie patted his pocket. “Right here. Thanks, and see you later.”

* * *

“This is like something out of a fairy tale.” Samantha dabbed at her lips with a napkin and admired the view again. Sleek sailboats had been coming and going out of the sheltered harbour ever since they sat down. Small power boats dodged in and out among the fishing boats on the sparkling water; everyone seemed to know where they were going. Flags rippled in the light breeze, adding to the festive air. “The lunch was terrific.”

Freddie looked at her with an indulgent smile. “I like making you happy, Samantha. I feel I owe you so much.”

“No you don’t.” She returned his smile. “You were pretty special the way you were. You know that, don’t you?”

“I don’t know. You said earlier that I should learn what women like in a relationship.”

She gave him a long, steady look. “I was wrong. You know exactly what a woman wants.”

The world ceased to exist while they looked at each other. Freddie was the first to speak.

“What is this? Are you building me up again before you push me out of the nest?”

She allowed her eyes to roam over the face that had become so important to her. “I don’t want to, but yes, I think it’s about time.”

His eyes clouded but he regained his sunny disposition almost immediately. “Shall we go shopping?”

He drove confidently along the narrow roads. Samantha remained silent, enjoying the play of sunlight streaming down through the tall trees. Was she foolish to think she could have a future with this man? She sneaked a sideways glance at him. With his hair pulled back he seemed to exude a new confidence. No, that wasn’t right; he’d always been confident. The changes she’d helped him make only made that more obvious. She groaned inwardly and turned her head away. It could be too late...he might be dating someone already. If so, she had herself to blame for losing the most exciting man she’d ever know.

“A penny for your thoughts?” He gave her one of those heart-melting smiles. “You look a million miles away.”

“Not really.” She allowed a sad smile to play around her lips. “I was just thinking about what you said. You know, about pushing you out of the nest.”

They were crossing a narrow bridge and he kept his eyes on the road. “That
was
the whole purpose of this exercise, wasn’t it?” He pulled into a driveway and slowed down. “To make me socially acceptable?”

“Yes, of course.” The words came out harshly and she wished she could take them back. But the thought of losing him was making her crazy.

He stopped part way down the driveway and turned to look at her. “You know, Samantha, nothing has changed.” He tapped himself on the chest. “In here, I’m still the same person. No matter how I look on the outside, nothing has changed on the inside.”

Throat clogged with emotion, she couldn’t speak, simply nodded.

“Good.” He put the car back in gear and they rolled forward. “As long as you know that.”

* * *

“It’s a group of weavers,” he explained as they pulled into the small parking lot. “They make almost all of their own materials and they do amazing work.” He came around and helped her out, his hand firmly at her waist as he guided her forward. “I thought I’d look for a small rug. My decorator calls them area rugs. She’s the one who suggested we come here to look for wedding gifts.”

“Your decorator?” Samantha couldn’t hold back her surprise.

He acknowledged the look with a smile. “Trust me, there was no way I was going to tackle my new condo on my own.”

Samantha decided to leave that one alone. “I saw lots of sheep when we flew over, and I think I saw some alpaca as well.”

“That’s right. The Islands are known for sheep, as well as for the talented people who live here.” He paused outside the low, rustic workshop that also served as a retail outlet. “It must be something in the air. The Gulf Islands have painters, writers, potters, cheese makers, you name it, they’re all here.”

* * *

Freddie settled on an area rug woven in rich earth tones. “The saleswoman said people are trending toward these colours today, and if they don’t like it they can always put it in a guest bedroom or something.”

“It’s so soft.” Samantha looked at him; he continued to amaze her. “They’ll love it, but I don’t know what to buy,” she said with a grimace. “Everything is beautiful, but a bit out of my price range.”
Correction,
she thought to herself.
A lot out of my price range.

“Let me buy it for you.” Freddie pointed to a wall hanging. “I saw you admiring that.”

“I can’t let you do that, Freddie.”

He lowered his head until his lips were beside her ear. “Yes you can,” he murmured. His familiar cologne invaded her senses. “It’s my way of thanking you.” She could feel his body heat but she was wracked by a sudden chill. His words sounded so final...a sad reminder that his transformation was complete and their time together was coming to an end.

“Okay,” she said, forcing a bright smile. “I accept. Ashley and Ryan will love it, and I appreciate your generosity.”

They left the shop amid thanks from the owners and drove silently back to Bedwell Harbour. The sun was still shining, but some of the brightness had leaked from the day. As they approached the marina, Freddie called ahead to the pilot, who was waiting for them when they walked down onto the dock.

“Would either of you like to sit up front on the way back?” Brody looked from one to the other. “You could wear headphones and hear everything that’s going on.”

Freddie’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t say anything.

“You go ahead,” said Samantha with a smile. “I can see you want to.” Besides, it would give her a chance to be alone, to think.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” He got her settled, then climbed into the front beside the pilot. He looked like he belonged.

Samantha resolved to try to contact Cody tonight. She needed to know when he was coming home so she could steel herself to break up with him. It didn’t matter what happened with Freddie–no that wasn’t true, it did matter–but even if Freddie
was
involved with someone else, she had to break it off with Cody.

It was ironic. She’d set out to help Freddie, but she’d been the one who’d truly changed. Time spent with him made her realize that Lauren was right...she’d been selling herself short. Cody treated her terribly, and she was worth more than that...much more. She studied Freddie’s profile. If she couldn’t have him, she’d find someone like him. Someone who would treat her well. It would never be the same, but she deserved better that what she had now.

Chapter Nine

 “That was great!” Freddie’s eyes sparkled. “I could hear everything over the headphones, and see all the other aircraft in the area on a screen up front.”

Samantha loved his enthusiasm. “Do you always approach everything with such a positive attitude?” They were driving back to her apartment through rush hour traffic.

He thought about that for a minute. “Yeah, pretty well.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Things don’t always work out, but when they do, it’s worth it.”

A moving van was parked in the loading zone in front of her apartment building. Freddie pulled up in front of it, double-parked. Samantha reached for the door handle, wanting to get out fast before tears betrayed her feelings.

“Let me get that,” he said, hopping out and moving around to open her door. “And don’t forget the wedding gift.” He reached into the back seat and handed her the smaller of the two parcels.

“Thank you, Freddie.” She reached up and touched his face. “As usual, it’s been a wonderful day.”

“Me, too.” Their eyes met, held. Ever so slowly, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across her mouth. The touch was so gentle, so fleeting that she may have imagined it. “I had to do that,” he whispered. And then he moved around the front of the car, got in and was gone.

Samantha walked up the steps to her apartment building in a daze. It had been nothing...the mere suggestion of a kiss, and yet it left her aching for more. She wasn’t aware of going up in the elevator, or of placing the wedding gift on the kitchen counter. The paper crackled, bringing her out of her dreamlike state, and she ripped it open. It was a link to Freddie, and she was eager to see it again.

White tissue paper tucked into the folds of the hanging caught her eye. She pulled it out, hands trembling. Inside, a superbly crafted enamelled Orca hung on a silver chain. It hadn’t been costly compared to the other necklaces on the display stand, but she’d admired it several times. He must have noticed. She picked it up, clutched it in her hand and held it to her heart. And then the tears began to fall.

* * *

“So that was it?” He just drove away? Lauren sipped her espresso, never taking her eyes from Samantha’s face. “You look like hell, by the way.”

Samantha barely heard her. She’d been watching for Freddie since they arrived, but he was a no-show this morning.

“Listen, kid. I want to hear more, but this morning I really do have a meeting.” What say we meet for drinks after work? You can fill me in and we can dish about everyone who might be at the wedding.” Lauren was already standing up, gathering her things. “Okay?”