Whisper's Edge (7 page)

He was still pondering the question when he crossed the street to Whisper’s Edge’s office.

“So there you are.” Kate peered at him over zebra-striped reading glasses. “I was getting worried.”

“I had a little mishap,” he told her.

Kate pushed her glasses to the top of her head and frowned. “Care to elaborate?”

“I have a feeling you’ll hear all about it sometime soon,” he said with a slight grin. “In the meantime I came back for my phone.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with that. Will you be back here soon? I have some paperwork and finances I need to go over with you.”

Tristan nodded. “Feel free to e-mail anything to me to review but I’ll head back here as soon as I get settled. I’m
renting a furnished condo down by the baseball stadium so I won’t be far away.”

“I’ll probably do that so you can get a handle on things here.” She reached over and picked up his phone. “Here’s your phone. It’s been making all kinds of noises so you might have missed a message or two…or thirty.”

“Thanks, Kate. It was nice meeting you,” he said and then hurried out the door. But after a few moments he decided he was going to blow off the meeting with the mayor of Cricket Creek. He’d thought he was eager to get the ball rolling with city permits, but now he wasn’t so sure. Instead, Tristan decided to head to a local tavern that he’d spotted called Sully’s and grab some pub grub and a cold beer. While he ate he could jot down some thoughts and try to clear his head. Tristan had always been a note taker and a list maker, weighing the good, the bad, and the ugly of a given situation. He grinned slightly. And now he had beautiful to add to the mix.

“Y
OU’VE BEEN AWFULLY QUIET FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS, SAVANNAH
. Something wrong?” Kate tilted her head in question.

“No, everything’s all right.” Savannah looked up from her computer screen and the expense account she was filling out. After a yawn she said, “I’ve just had a little trouble sleeping lately.”

“Oh, sugar, I know the name of that sad tune. Damned night sweats wake me up and I cannot go back to sleep for the life of me. I’ve watched some really weird late-night reality TV and bought some strange items on HSN. At three in the mornin’ a juicer seemed like somethin’ I needed to have.”

Savannah chuckled. “So, have you used it?”

“Hell to the no. Damned thing is still in the box. You want it?”

“Maybe.” Savannah rarely turned down anything for free.

Kate waved a hand through the air. “Well, then, it’s yours. Just remind me to bring it in.” She angled her head and said, “But you’re too young for night sweats so something else must be keeping you up. What is it, sugar?”

Savannah shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve just been feeling…restless.”

“I’m tellin’ ya, it’s that biological clock of yours ticking away. You’ve got the big three-oh birthday coming up, you know.” She made ticking sounds to prove her point.

Savannah rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me. And don’t go throwing a big party, okay? I usually love birthdays but this one has me feeling a little bit uneasy.”

“You’re hardly over the hill.”

Savannah shrugged.

“But you know what? We do need to get out of here more darned often.”

“You could be right.” She hesitated and then added. “I’m not sure how good of a mama I’d be, having never had one of my own.”

“Savannah, you’re one of the sweetest, kindest people I know. You’d make a wonderful mother. But look, if there’s anything else on your mind feel free to bend my ear.”

“Thanks, Kate,” Savannah said, but she wasn’t about to confess that thoughts of Tristan McMillan had been keeping her up at night. To add insult to injury, when she finally did fall asleep she’d often have dreams about the man. She’d hoped to get a glimpse of him again but had been disappointed thus far. Trying to keep her voice nonchalant she said, “Has Tristan McMillan been back to see you?”

“No, but I sent him some finances to look over.” Kate gave her a measuring look. “Why do you ask?”

“Oh…I was just curious. You know how I am.”

Kate pushed her glasses up and leaned back in her chair. “Handsome devil, isn’t he?”

“I suppose,” Savannah responded airily, but she could feel heat creep into her cheeks. “If you like that type…”

“Sexy as sin and successful? You mean that type?”

Savannah lifted one shoulder and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I hadn’t really noticed.”

“Girl, you need your eyes checked. You need my glasses?” She looked around for them.

“On top of your head.” Savannah laughed. “Okay, he’s good-looking.”
Especially in a towel
. “That’s for sure.”

“But not your type?”

What was her type? She didn’t have one! “I like…cowboys.”

Kate snorted.

“Okay, I made that up.” Savannah sighed. “It’s a moot point, Kate. Even if I were interested in someone like Tristan, he would never go for a girl like me. Tristan McMillan is…sophisticated. Super-educated and all that good stuff. I just bet he goes for tall, beautiful blondes with legs that go on forever and manes of straight, amazing hair. A Stacy Keibler kind of woman. Not short, curly-haired redheads with stumps for legs.”

“Ahhh, so you’ve thought about it?”

“That my legs are stumps?”

“Savannah…”

“Look, I’m just sayin’. The man is waaay out of my league.” Savannah raised her palms upward. “And he’s my boss to boot!”

Kate shook her head. “You sell yourself way too short.”

“I am short.”

“Savannah! I’m gonna throw somethin’ at you. I’ve got a few new blonde jokes if that will help.”

“You’re blond!”

“And waiting to have more fun.”

Savannah rolled her eyes. “Look, I’m being realistic.”

“Whatever.”

When Kate fell silent Savannah thought she was off the hook. She went back to her work.

“It’s Friday,” Kate suddenly stated.

“I know, Captain Obvious.”

“So, what are your plans?”

“Well…” Savannah looked up. “Trying out making these cute headbands that I saw on Pinterest.”

“Now, what in blue blazes is Pinterest?”

“Kinda like Facebook only for crafts, travel, and such.
See, you follow people and pin things you like. You create your own boards that are like a collage. It’s fun!”

“Sounds like a blast.” Kate rolled her eyes. “Another Internet time suck.” Although Savannah had finally convinced Kate to get a Facebook page, she still had that little cartoon head for her profile picture and, like, twelve friends.

“I needed something new for craft day and I was drawing a blank. After the popularity of the flip-flops I had set the bar pretty high.”

“Those were fun,” Kate admitted.

“Well, I think the headbands will be too. I bought the stuff I needed so I thought I’d give it a whirl tonight.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“No, they’re cute.…See, you wrap ribbon—”

“No, I mean you’re kidding about
that’s
how you’re spending Friday evening on a gorgeous June night?”

“Well…yeah.” Her chin came up defiantly. “But I’m eating at Ken and Betty’s first.”

Kate gave her a deadpan stare and then twirled her index finger in a circle.

“Oh, and Miss Patty might drop by and make a headband. You know, a prototype.”

“Savannah…”

“You really need to stop saying my name in that weary tone. She said she’d bring a bottle of wine. A big one.”

“Sounds like a wild night.”

“So what are
you
doing tonight, Kate?” Savannah raised her eyebrows to match her tone.

“Going to Wine and Diner for dinner and then maybe heading over to Sully’s to dance the night away.”

Savannah’s eyebrows fell back down to their rightful position on her face and her jaw dropped open. She clamped it shut and then narrowed her eyes. “Really?”

“Yep.” Kate pointed at Savannah. “And you, my friend, are going with me.”

“But—”

“No buts! Ken and Betty will get over it and Miss Patty
can drink wine with someone else. You have other plans,” Kate said firmly.

“Well…” She thought about protesting, but although Kate might nag Savannah about getting out, to be honest, her boss wasn’t much better about socializing. She didn’t want to keep Kate from having some fun. “What are you going to wear?”

Kate’s face lit up. “So you’re going?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No,” Kate said even though they both knew that she did. “I think I’ll wear black Capri pants and a sweater set. The nights still get a little bit cool near the river.”

“True.” Savannah started mentally going through her wardrobe. She really needed to stop in Violet’s Vintage Clothing up on Main Street. Violet often held back clothing in rich, earthy hues of gold, olive, camel, and spicy orange that she said suited Savannah’s deep red hair and green eyes. “I’ll bring a light shawl or sweater with me.”

“We can walk if that’s okay? I don’t want to worry about driving if we have one too many. And I hope we do.”

“And have hangovers tomorrow?”

“Don’t be a Debbie Downer. You’re acting as old as the residents.”

“Are you kidding? I had to ask the Camden brothers to calm it down the other night. Joy and Etta Mae made Jell-O shots for the last book club meeting! Some of these folks still know how to let their hair down.”

Kate laughed. “So you’re in?”

“Sure, and I don’t mind walking. I’ve been sitting way too much today. I think when I stand up my butt might be glued to this chair.”

“Super.”

“No, I’ll look silly with the chair stuck to my butt.”

Kate laughed. “I meant super that you’re going.” She glanced at her computer screen and then back at Savannah. “It’s almost four o’clock. Let’s wrap things up.”

“Cool,” Savannah said with a smile. “Gives me time to get ready.”

Kate leaned forward and gave Savannah a wink. You have some nice curves. Show them off.”

Savannah grinned. “Why, thank you, I believe I will.”

“There’s the attitude! Show off what God gave ya!” Kate stood up and cupped her hands beneath her breasts and swung her hips back and forth. “Come on, girl, join me! Shake that moneymaker!”

Laughing, Savannah stood up and did the little ta-ta-booty dance with Kate just as Ben Bakersfield walked through the doorway.

“Uh, should I come back another time?” He jammed his thumb over his shoulder and looked at them expectantly.

“Noooo!” Savannah dropped her hands and giggled. “Oh, Ben, come on in.” While she found the situation hilarious, she was surprised to see her boss blushing to the roots of her short blond hair. “We were just having some fun.”

Ben hesitated. “Really, I can come back.”

“Oh, get on in here,” Kate assured him but looked as if she wanted to fan her face. “We’re just goin’ on. Havin’ a little fun for shits and giggles.”

“Okay,” Ben said, but continued to look a little uncomfortable.

Savannah liked quiet Ben Bakersfield and was glad Kate had somehow convinced him to be the maintenance man. Not only did Ben do an excellent job at whatever needed doing, but he was also prompt and could be trusted. He tended to be a little bit on the grumpy side, but Savannah could usually make him laugh whether he wanted to or not.

“Now,” Kate said in a brisk voice that was at total odds with her ta-ta-booty dance. The color remained high in her cheeks but she sat down on the edge of her desk and folded her hands in a businesslike manner. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to run a few expenses by you. Pavers for the walkway in front of the rec hall for starters.”

“Um, Kate, I hate to interrupt, but do you mind if I leave?” Savannah asked. “I want to get ready for our big night.”

“Sure, Savannah. Call me when you’re ready. We can meet here.”

“Hey,” Ben said, “I really can come back tomorrow.”

Kate waved a dismissive hand at him. “No…no, you’re fine. Savannah and I are just going to Wine and Diner for a bite to eat and then maybe to Sully’s for a bit. No big deal,” she added lightly as if it were typical for them to head out on a Friday night. “Maybe do a little dancing.”

“Is that what you were practicing?” Ben looked alarmed.

“No!” Kate and Savannah said together.

“Oh…all right then,” Ben said quietly, and although there wasn’t anything in his tone to suggest it, Savannah thought he seemed lonely and she felt sad for him.

“You should come,” Savannah suddenly piped up without really considering that she should’ve asked Kate first. The invitation just sort of popped out of her mouth. Maybe it was because she thought that Ben could use a fun night away from Whisper’s Edge. They all could.

Ben looked a little stunned at the suggestion. “Well, I…have some work I should do,” he said slowly but glanced at Kate as if to get a bead on her reaction.

“Like what?” Kate challenged.

“I…uh…like being the maintenance man that you talked me into.”

When he stuttered, clearly stuck for a valid answer, Kate said, “Oh…come with us. We’ll talk business and I’ll expense it to see what Tristan McMillan is made of. Now that we’ve been bought we can breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate a little bit. Come on, we deserve it.”

“We’d like for you to join us.” Savannah gave him an encouraging smile. They both stood there and waited for Ben to answer.

“It’s okay if you already have dinner plans,” Kate said casually, but Savannah saw a flicker of hope in her eyes. It suddenly occurred to her that Kate might have a thing for Ben. “Do you?”

“No,” Ben said in his straightforward way.

“Well then?” Kate asked.

A muscle worked in his jaw for a second and then he said, “Actually, I’ve got a hankerin’ for some of Jessica’s pot roast. I haven’t been to Wine and Diner in a while.”

“Then it’s a date,” Kate announced, but then looked as if she wanted to swallow her tongue. “Not a
date
…date. Just, you know, I’m confirming that you’re going with us.” She pointed to Savannah and then swung her finger in a circle. “All of us.”

“Confirmed,” Ben said, and Savannah might have been mistaken but she thought she saw amusement flash in his eyes.