Resisting Her Rival (7 page)

“Hell, no.” Elliot gave him a hard look. “I’m not John Coleman. I’d no more hit a woman than you would.”

“What happened?”

“I wasn’t there when she needed me and eventually…” A muscle in Elliot’s jaw worked. “Eventually, I guess she stopped needing me.”

Uncomfortable witnessing his brother’s heartache, Nick said, “How’s Jason doing?”

At the mention of his son, Elliot smiled. “Four years old going on forty. That little guy is something else. Wait until you see him again.” He looked at Nick. “Did you tell Mom that Eunice was in town?”

“I don’t want to hear a lecture about choosing sides any more than you do. You’re older. You tell her.”

“I’m also wiser, so I’ll pass on that. I didn’t invite Eunice to stay.”

“I had to do something. She’s getting older and…”

“And you’ve got a good heart, brother.”

“So what are we gonna do?” Nick asked.

“Let the two of them work it out for themselves.”

Nick checked his beer bottle against the side of Elliot’s. “Good idea. I agree with you.”

Elliot gave him a look Nick couldn’t figure out. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “What?”

“You’re gonna get burned.”

Having an inkling of where his brother was headed with the conversation, Nick scowled. “How’s that?”

“You’re wasting your time with Abby.”

“I appreciate you looking out for me, but you don’t know her.”

“And you do?” Elliot asked, his skepticism clearly showing.

“A hell of a lot better than you.”

“Hmmm.” Elliot finished off his beer and turned the bottle around in his hands. “So do you have a game plan for getting that building?”

“It’s under control. Why? Have you heard anything?”

“Not specifically. Heard a couple of women talking down at the diner about Abby and Sue. Their friendship, that sort of thing. Sue’s been like a mother figure to Abby.”

“So? I’m glad Abby has that.”

“Yep. She’s probably saying a lot of good things about Abby. Regardless of what Oscar said about the two of you working out the sale yourselves, what if Sue convinces Oscar to go back on that? What if she gets him to choose Abby?”

“You think Sue will weigh in on this?”

“If she’s any kind of friend to Abby, hell yeah. Wouldn’t you try to help a friend?”

“Damn. I’m the one that introduced Sue to Oscar.”

“Maybe you played right into Abby’s plan.”

That brought Nick up short. “No. Abby’s not that devious.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Could be a whole side to Abby you know nothing about.”

Eunice came outside to join them on the porch, and Nick didn’t get a chance to respond to his brother’s statement.

“I baked some blueberry muffins.”

Nick rose and took a step toward her, but Elliot remained seated.

“They’re just muffins, Elliot, not you agreeing to forgive me,” Eunice said.

“I need to make a phone call,” Elliot said, and after nodding his head, he walked down the steps and out to the sidewalk in front of the house. He headed away from them with swift, sure steps.

“He’ll come around,” Nick said.

Eunice sighed. “I should have believed him when he told me what John was doing. I’ve caused so much damage.”

“It’ll all work out.” Nick slung an arm across her shoulders. “I still like blueberry muffins. I’ll eat his share.”

Chapter Seven

The morning of the Fourth of July Festival greeted Abby with a temperature pushing ninety. She let the bedroom curtain fall back into place after reading the outdoor thermometer.

“Granddaddy! Are you ready?” She knocked on Noah’s door and then poked her head into her grandfather’s room. His bed was neatly made with the multicolored quilt her grandmother had carefully hand-stitched. His slippers peeked haphazardly out from under the edge of the bed.

How he’d managed to leave the house without her hearing him was a miracle. The clock by his bed showed the time was already eleven thirty. The celebration started at noon, and she was running late after oversleeping.

She was supposed to pick up Ann and then be at Amelia’s house by eleven. Abby dashed back up the stairs and gathered the clothes she’d laid out when she’d arrived home in the wee hours of the night. She quickly shed the robe and changed into the blue shorts and white halter top she’d selected.

Foregoing earrings, she pinned the sides of her hair back with sparkling flower clips. Deciding the heat would only make a mess of any makeup she might put on, she added just a touch of lip gloss, then made a dash for the kitchen where she loaded her arms down with the desserts she’d made.

No time for coffee.
Hopefully, there’d be some ready at the festival, and she could grab a cup.

Easing outside and down the steps, she juggled the load with one hand while she patted her shorts for the keys with the other. She thought she’d stuck them in there last night to keep from having to do her usual search this morning.
Ah. Found them
.

She wrestled the door open and deposited everything in the rear of the station wagon. Oversleeping wouldn’t have been an issue had she not been out until three in the morning and finally arrived home to collapse into bed at four, but she didn’t regret a moment of it.

When Oscar had called last night asking her what Sue liked to do, Abby had jumped at the chance to improve her get-the-building odds. She’d suggested a boat ride, rented one at the marina, and drove the older couple around under the stars.

Ha. Take that, Nick Coleman.

Spending that time with Oscar and Sue, cruising around the harbor had been a step in the right direction. She’d been able to elaborate on all her plans for the expanding the diner, and Sue had been a vocal proponent of the plan. She’d seen Oscar nodding right along.

Her cell phone rang as she slid behind the wheel. She used her earpiece so she could talk hands free. “Yes, hey. I promise I’m on the way.” She turned the key, praying that the car wouldn’t give her any of its usual stubbornness.

“You’re running late,” Ann said.

“I overslept. Long story. Did you finish the potato salad and coleslaw?”

“I did. Amelia’s supposed to bring the barbecue chicken and the baked beans. I called her to let her know you were running late, and she said there’s no need to stop by. She’ll meet us there.”

Abby turned right onto the street where Ann’s house was located. Thankfully, she only lived a few streets over. “Okay. Pulling up right now.” She parked and disconnected the call. Tossing aside the earpiece, she got out to help.

Ann’s house was a small bungalow she’d spent months fixing up. With a barn red door and gingerbread trim work all along the porch, the house looked a lot different from the neglected one she’d first purchased.

As soon as Abby knocked, Ann opened the door and loaded her down with containers.

“Umm, you said the barbecue chicken…” Abby shifted her hands to get a better grip.

“Chad cooked it. Or Chad’s kitchen staff did.”

“Oh. Whew.” Abby loaded the food Ann handed her. “Why don’t we get Ame a gift certificate for cooking classes or something for Christmas?”

“She might like that,” Ann said and slid into the passenger seat. She winced when a spring poked her thigh. She pushed it back down into the seat and said, “You have
got
to get some duct tape or a new car.”

“I can’t afford a car and the building, too.”

“My business has really picked up. I have some money I could donate to that very worthy cause.”

“I know, sis, and thanks for the thought, but I’m good.” Abby sent her sister a smile and then frowned. “You look worried. What’s up?”

“Nothing, yet. Because of business picking up, I got a pretty big order in, and I don’t know if I can get the candies done and shipped in time. I lost one employee after she got married and another when she returned to college.”

“You know Amelia and I’ll help.”

Ann laughed. “The last time you two helped me, we ended up drinking too much wine and looking at ab porn instead of making candy.”

Abby laughed. “Men with nice-looking abs is not ab porn. It’s a work of art. Besides, even though we had to pull an all nighter, we got that shipment out, didn’t we?”

“We did. You two are always there in a pinch.” Ann reached for her sister’s hand. “I love you, sis.”

“You, too.” Abby squeezed her sister’s hand and steered the car into the lot cordoned off for the festival. After the second go around, she found a parking spot. “Find us some ab porn men to help us unload,” Abby said with a grin.

Ann got out. “Already arranged.” She jerked her head toward the end of the parking lot where Nick, Elliot, and Eric milled about, talking.

“You asked Eric?” Abby asked in a low voice.

“I did. I don’t know what’s wrong with him lately. He’s been acting like he’s annoyed to be around me.”

“Like he’s not interested in you anymore?”

“Seems that way.”

“That upsets you?”

“Not at all.” Ann grabbed a box of desserts and turned. “I don’t give him a second thought.”

“If you say so.” Abby leaned into the car.

“I tried to call you last night,” Nick said right near Abby’s ear.

She took a box and then handed him a second box of desserts. “I was out on a date.”

“A date?”

His voice sounded funny. Abby looked at him. “Yep. I took Oscar and Sue out around the harbor. Very romantic. Oscar was so grateful. He was pretty excited about my plans for the diner expansion. He said, and I quote, ‘The diner is an important part of Sweet Creek’s history,’ and then he said that he knew I’d put the building to good use.” She winked at him.

He walked beside her, carrying the box, and deposited it on one of the tables set up under a tent. When he looked at her, his expression wasn’t jovial, wasn’t even that friendly come to think of it.

Ah
. Maybe he realized he was in the beginning stages of losing the building. She could afford to be genial about it now that victory was in sight. Putting a hand on his chest, she said, “I know that you’re upset, but I saw an opportunity and went for it. You can’t blame me for that, not when you would have done the same thing.”

“Where do you want this?” Elliot looked over the already full table.

Abby moved a container of paper plates and plastic utensils. “Here is fine.”

“Excuse us, everyone.” To her surprise, Nick took her hand and gently pulled her along behind him. “I want to talk to you.”

“You want me to go ahead and give you a list of the materials you’ll need to renovate the building? Is that what this is about?” Abby asked. “Good idea. That way you can get started gathering the stuff. I’d like to get moving as soon as possible.”

“Keep dreaming.” Nick led Abby to the space between the paint shop and the quilting store. “You set me up.”

“Huh?”

“Nice innocent expression.” Nick sounded exasperated.

Abby didn’t know exactly what he was accusing her of, but she didn’t like it. She stared at him. “What are the details of my evil deed?”

“You wanted Sue and Oscar to date. You acted like you were upset with me for getting them together, but in reality, you were thrilled with the idea. It was all part of your plan.”

“Of course it was.” Abby rubbed her palms together. “My next step”—she lowered her voice—“is to rule the world.”

“Then you didn’t plan that?”

“No, I didn’t, and you can piss off, Nick.”

He narrowed his eyes at the vehemence in her tone. “Sometimes people go on the defensive when they’re guilty of something. How do I know this isn’t an act?”

“Lean close. Closer. Look into my eyes.” Abby widened her eyes. “Tell me if you see my give-a-damn in there. I seem to have lost it.”

…

Well, hell
.

He could write this one down in
Nick Coleman’s Book of Boneheaded Moves
. He cleared his throat. Why was it he was never on sure footing around her? It always felt like he had one foot on solid ground while the other dangled over a cliff. Which was weird because it bothered him in a way that being around a woman had never bothered him before. “This has been a misunderstanding.”

“Yours.”

“I know.” He skimmed his fingers across the side of her jaw and then cupped her face with his hand. “I always seem to say and do stupid things when I’m around you.”

“Nick,” Abby said in a half-exasperated tone.

“I’m sorry that I jumped to conclusions.”

She reached up and put her hand over his to slowly lower it. Beneath the halter top she wore, her breasts rose and fell with a faster pace of breathing.

“This isn’t a good idea,” Abby said.

Nick shifted until her body was leaning against his. “Are you talking to me or yourself?”

She sighed and lowered her head until her hair rested against his shirt. “Nick,” came her muffled response, “you don’t have to prove that we have chemistry.” She raised her head and pinned him with her stare. “I already know that, but you and I together isn’t going to happen. Look at this.” Abby walked to the edge of the quilt shop and pointed toward the street. “Tell me what you see.”

Nick joined her, and his gaze settled on his brother standing in front of a balloon game stand. Didn’t take a mind reader to see what was going on there. “Elliot and Sara with their son.”

“And they’re doing what?”

Nick raised an eyebrow. “What does my brother and his wife arguing have to do with us?”

“They had a lot of chemistry in high school, so much that they practically sizzled when they looked at each other. I’ll bet the two of them thought they belonged together, and yet here they are on the brink of divorce,” Abby said.

“So? It happens. Does that mean that other people shouldn’t take a chance on a relationship just because some don’t work out?” He stroked her arm. “Are you telling me that you’re not interested in me because you’re afraid it won’t work out?”

“I’m telling you that I agreed to spend time with you for thirty days for the purpose of winning the right to buy the building. While you and I may move into a more civil relationship than we had before, I can never give you what you think you want. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

Nick turned her words every which way in his mind. “I think I’m more interested in what you’re not saying.”

She let out a frustrated breath. “I can only be your friend and not even a close one at that. Now, I’ve got food I need to set up.”

Nick watched her walk away, enjoying the view too much for his peace of mind. Be her friend. He’d been given a verbal version of a Dear John letter. Flexing his fingers, he narrowed his eyes against the blazing sun. She was funny, talented, and giving. She’d clearly put up a No Vacancy sign on her heart as well as her life and barred him from entering. The thought rocked him.

Do I want to be in Abby’s heart?