Читать книгу The Baby Plan - Kate Little - Страница 8

“Julia? Sweetheart? Are you okay?”

Floating back up to consciousness, Julia heard her mother’s voice. But saw only Sam’s gorgeous face, his concerned expression, hovering above.

She seemed to be lying flat out on the living-room floor. On her mother’s scratchy area rug. Sam was crouched on one side, her mother on the other.

“I’m all right,” she insisted.

She tried to sound normal, but her voice came out shaky. She started to sit up, but Sam rested one big hand firmly on her shoulder. “Not so fast. What’s the rush?”

She felt…mortified to have fainted dead away like that. She wished she could just crawl off into some convenient hole.

“I’d like to sit up now,” she insisted.

Finally, Sam leaned back and let her go. Julia stared down at herself, then hurried to straighten out her clothing. During her flight, the wrap-style sweater had gotten unwrapped, exposing most of her lace-trimmed bra, and her skirt had hiked up to midthigh. She hurriedly covered herself, glancing sideways at Sam as she fussed. A twitch in his stoic expression revealed that he hadn’t missed much.

What else is going to happen tonight? Maybe my hair will catch on fire.

“How about a glass of water?” Lester appeared behind Lucy and handed Julia some water. She took a long swallow, grateful for something to do while they all stared at her.

“I’m okay. Really. Probably just hungry. I skipped lunch,” Julia explained, concocting a quick excuse.

Her mother still looked concerned. “Are you sure that’s all it is, sweetheart? Does it hurt anywhere?”

Lucy lovingly felt Julia’s forehead, the same way she had done all through her childhood. Julia felt a pang of love. How could she admit the real reason she’d fainted?

“I’m fine, Mom. Really.”

“She works too hard,” Lucy told the others. “Seven days a week. A regular workaholic—”

“Why don’t we all just sit down and start dinner?” Julia interrupted, feeling even more mortified by her mother’s diagnosis.

Julia started to stand up. Sam quickly stepped up beside her, slipping one arm around her waist and one under her arm to steady her balance. The contact was brief but electric, making her head spin all over again.

She caught her balance, then took a quick step away from him. But she couldn’t help glancing back over her shoulder to make eye contact. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.

She wasn’t sure she even wanted to know.

“Are you sure you feel up to it, honey?” Lucy stepped closer and put her hand on Julia’s cheek. “Maybe we should call a doctor.”

“No reason for that, Mother. Honest. Dinner is going to be ruined if we wait any longer. I’m sure you’ve been cooking all day.”

Finally, Lucy gave in. “Okay, then. Into the dining room everyone. Julia’s right. The roast will be all dried out if we wait any longer.”

They were soon all seated in Lucy’s dining room. Lucy sat across from Lester, and Julia sat across from Sam. A bottle of champagne appeared, and had probably been stashed somewhere in her mother’s vast refrigerator. Her mother was always prepared for a romantic celebration, Julia thought.

“Let’s start with a toast,” Lester said. “I wasn’t prepared with an engagement ring tonight. But this should make it official.” He smiled as he filled everyone’s glasses.

Julia covered hers with her hand. “No thanks, Lester. I don’t think I can handle it right now.”

She couldn’t handle it physically. Or emotionally. And didn’t want to be a hypocrite. The fainting spell had given her a perfect excuse to pass.

“I’ll say a few words.” Sam raised his glass, tilting it toward Lucy and Lester. “Though this announcement certainly comes as a surprise…and even a shock,” he added, glancing briefly at Julia, “I think you’re both old enough to know what’s in your minds. And your hearts. It’s a rare gift to find love. We need to cherish that gift. And run with it. Lucy, Dad, you’re both very lucky to have found each other, and I wish you every happiness.”

Julia was surprised. His toast was very touching, his words genuine and thoughtful. So, Sam Baxter was more than just a pretty face. She hadn’t meant to do it, but found herself lifting her water glass and joining in.

“Thank you, son. That was very nice. I knew when I found Lucy, my life was complete,” Lester said. “The only wish I have left now, is to see you with a true love of your own someday. Settled down. Giving me a few grandkids to spoil.”

“Oh, me, too!” Lucy chimed in, as if Lester had mentioned that grandchildren were on sale this week at Kmart.

Sam shook his head, a faint blush coloring his lean cheeks. Julia was glad that he was under the spotlight now and not herself. He did look totally adorable.

“Come on, Dad. This is your night. You know how I feel about that ‘settling down’ talk.”

Lester laughed. “I know you tried it once and it didn’t work out. That’s no reason not to try again. Look at me and Lucy.” He glanced at his bride-to-be. “We didn’t give up just ’cause we didn’t get it perfect the first time.”

Julia’s eyes widened. But she didn’t say anything. She wondered if Lester really knew how many false starts his fiancée had under her belt. More than the shuttle launch at NASA.

So Sam had a failed relationship in his past, too. Julia found that tidbit of information interesting. It was hard to imagine a man who looked like that running around unclaimed. But it seemed his father had hinted as much.

Sam didn’t reply. He took another sip of champagne. More like a gulp, Julia noticed.

“Pass the dishes, everyone,” Lucy instructed. “Here, Sam. You start with the roast. And there’s some gravy to your left. Lester…some string beans? I made them with the almonds, just the way you like.”

“Looks delicious, dear,” Lester said appreciatively. “Once we’re married I’m afraid I’ll gain fifty pounds.”

“We have to keep active. That’s the key. You can’t just retire and loaf around. Watching TV all day.”

“Not my plan at all. You know that,” Lester said between mouthfuls.

Julia took some food on her plate and began to eat. Veal roast with tasty herbed stuffing, roasted potatoes and string beans. She was hungry, more than she realized.

“What are your plans, Lester?” Julia asked, curious to know. “My mother mentioned you want to start a new business?”

Lester nodded and dabbed his mouth with a napkin. “I’m going to just follow my bliss. Your mother and I, once we’re married, are going to start a cheese-making business. Artisanal goat cheese. The secret recipe has been in my family for generations. I’m looking around for a good piece of property. Maybe you can help us out with that. I even have a pair of starter goats. Romeo and Juliet,” he added with a grin.

He sent a sugary glance Lucy’s way and they had soon joined hands on top of the table, gazing warmly into each other’s eyes.

Julia lifted her gaze to the ceiling as she struggled to take it all in. So that explained her mother’s new cheese dip recipe.

Was this a dream? Was it a joke?

Her mother, on a farm?

Making…goat cheese?

Julia sat back from her plate and took a deep breath, and then another. Her mother was hardly farm wife material. She didn’t even like to garden. She’d have to fit her farm chores in between trips to the nail salon and pocketbook parties. As far as Julia knew, they didn’t sell any outfits on QVC suitable for mucking out a barn.

Julia stared at Lester, wondering if he was kidding. But she could tell he was perfectly sincere.

“Well…these are big plans. You didn’t tell me any of this, Mom,” Julia said cautiously.

Lucy shrugged. “Lester’s very organized. He’s taken classes. And the recipe has been in his family for generations. There’s a big demand for goat cheese these days. It’s very gourmet.”

“Yes…you mentioned that.” Julia’s voice was flat.

“Restaurants use a ton of the stuff. I think he can do very well.”

Sam spoke up between bites. He met her gaze, his dark eyes issuing a faint challenge.

Julia countered with a withering look.

So, his true colors were finally showing. She could see where Mr. Handsome stood on this cheese question. Looked like three against one. She was alone in the battle to slow down this runaway train engagement and bring her mother to her senses about her fiancé’s goat farm scheme.

Did Lucy really believe she could spend her golden years surrounded by a herd of nasty, smelly, braying…goats? Julia knew Lucy wouldn’t last a week.

Obviously Lester had talked her into all of it. Her mother was so sweet and gullible. Especially when it came to men. A smooth-talking man who knew how to compliment her legs and her cooking could sell her the Brooklyn Bridge.

She’d bet anything the couple planned to finance the farm with Lucy’s savings. Lester’s contribution would the secret family recipe.

Lester might appear to be just an affable old guy. But there was more going on in the bald dome than first impressions let on.

Miss America indeed. More like Miss Cash Cow.

Hopefully, this whole thing hadn’t gone too far. It was hard to tell. All she knew was that Lester had a recipe and two goats.

Before she could ask any more questions, Sam changed the subject. “So, how did you two meet anyway? I don’t think I ever got the whole story.”

Lucy and Lester launched into a colorful narrative of their first meeting. Julia found her guess had been right. Lester did stay for lunch when he returned with the missing part for the garbage disposal. And Lucy had served stuffed tomato.

After some more family stories from her mother Julia had heard a million times before, dessert and coffee were finally served. Her mother brought in the towering chocolate cake, which was a big hit. Even Sam seemed impressed.

The look of sensual bliss on his face, eyes half-closed as he savored his first taste, gave Julia a fluttering feeling in the pit of her stomach. She quickly looked away, glad he hadn’t caught her staring.

She accepted a larger than usual slice and ate every crumb. The decadent treat lifted her mood a bit. But not nearly enough.

Julia listened and waited but couldn’t find an appropriate moment to ask more questions about the goat farm. She decided to corner her mother later, after father and son had left.

She had to find out how far things had gone.

And talk her mother out of it.

Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m., Julia marched down Main Street with two large coffees, a bran muffin for herself and a cranberry scone for Rachel. Rachel’s shop, Pretty Baby, was at the very end of the street from the bakery, but Julia’s long-legged stride reached her destination in no time.

The building had been in shambles when Rachel had bought it, but with Julia’s help, she’d gotten a good deal. She’d renovated and restored it to being a showplace. Fearful of being overlooked at the end of the shopping route, Rachel had had the building painted in a fanciful, eye-catching combination of colors, a real painted lady, with a huge colorful garden that filled the front yard in the spring and summer. The garden was filled with the last of winter’s snow now, a white backdrop for Rachel’s hand-painted sign that read Pretty Baby Children’s Boutique—Clothes, toys & furnishings. Made with a loving touch.

A small sign in the window said Sorry, Closed. But Julia knew the store was never closed to her. She didn’t even need to knock before Rachel ran to let her in, her long, brown, curly hair bouncing around her shoulders as she opened the door.

“Are you okay?” Rachel’s dark blue gaze took her in with a concerned look. “Your phone message sounded…”

“Insane? Stark-raving mad? Totally berserk?”

“How about all of the above. What’s going on?”

“Lester Baxter. That’s what’s going on.”

Rachel looked puzzled. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you ever mentioning him. Was he an awful date or an awful client?”

“My mother’s new boyfriend. Her new fiancé, in fact. Lester proposed last night, in the kitchen, while they were supposed to be fetching the appetizers.”

“So, Lucy’s at it again.” She shook her head. “You were right. You said you had a funny feeling. What’s he like? Did you like him at least? Is he nice?”

Julia shrugged and sighed. “He’s nice enough, I suppose. Seems enchanted with Lucy. But they all do, at first. He seems to have patience, which is more than I can say for most.” She flipped the lid from her coffee, then looked up at her friend. “I thought he was so sincere at first. I was actually afraid about Lucy disappointing him. Now, I’m not sure. I’ve started to suspect his paunchy, puppy-dog devotion might be an act. Try to tell my mother that. She’ll never buy it.”

“Why should she? Why would the man pretend to be in love with her and propose?”

“Lucy is quite comfortable. I ought to know, I manage her finances. Goodness knows, if she had to handle them herself, she’d probably have to move in with me. And rent a warehouse to store the shoe and handbag collection.”

Rachel smiled. “She does like to shop.”

“Lester’s only known her a short time, but it’s easy to get Lucy to tell all.”

“So, he wants to marry her for her money? Is that what you think?”

“Lester’s postretirement dream is to buy a farm, where they will raise goats and make gourmet cheese. From a secret family recipe.”

Julia stared at Rachel over her coffee cup. “He and my mother have it all worked out. Except the part about wearing sling-back pumps in the manure pile.”

“Your mother goes along with this?”

Julia nodded. “Uh-huh. He must have hypnotized her or something. I tried to talk to her privately about it, after they had left, but she wouldn’t hear any objection. She’s buying it, whole hog. Or rather, whole goat, I guess you’d have to say.”

“Oh, dear…that is a nightmare. Poor Lucy. She’s really gone off the deep end this time.” Rachel paused and took a sip of her coffee. “How about Lester? Does he have any children?”

Julia wasn’t sure if she should mention Sam Baxter, even to her very best friend in the world. Of course, if she started, she’d have to tell her everything.

“Lester’s son, Sam, tagged along. He’s visiting from Boston.”

“Really? What’s he like?”

Julia took a breath. “Well, let’s see…. He’s tall. Great body. Dark hair, sort of thick with a slight wave. A great face with these huge brown eyes. Oh…and dimples,” she surmised in a flat objective tone. “Maybe the best-looking man I’ve been in room with?”

She swallowed a bit of bran muffin, but it stuck in her throat.

Rachel stared across at her, but Julia wouldn’t meet her eyes. “Sounds too good to be true. Is he straight?”

Julia sighed. “Seemed straight as an arrow to me. I mean, I can’t think of any other reason he’d be checking out my legs. And staring down my sweater when I fainted. You know, that wrap-sweater thing I bought last week when we were at the outlet mall?”

“Fainted? When did you faint?”

“I didn’t black out totally. The big announcement sent me into shock. I sort of crumpled up and fell out of my chair. Then Superman swooped over and caught me in midair. Right before I cracked my head on the coffee table.”

“Good reflexes.”

“Yes, I thought so.” Julia tried to make light of the episode.

“So, Lucy and Lester announced they were getting married. You fainted. Superman saved you from the coffee table…and then you heard about the goat farm?”

Julia tilted her head to one side. “That’s a pretty accurate summary. Then father and son left and I tried to talk some sense into her. What a waste of time that was.”

“Sounds like quite a dinner party.”

“It was. Very memorable.”

The two friends sat quietly. That was one of things Julia loved about Rachel’s company. They didn’t need to be chatting away incessantly every minute they were together.

“So, tell me more about this guy, Sam. Is he single?”

“He’s not married. But that doesn’t mean he’s not attached. Men like that aren’t running around loose. Believe me.”

“That’s what I thought about Jack when we first met,” Rachel reminded her. “But here we are.” She waved her left hand, showing off her wedding band.

Julia smiled at her. “You guys were meant to be. That’s different. Sam must have been married, because Lester mentioned trying again. And giving him some grandchildren.”

Rachel winced. “How embarrassing. How did he take it?”

Julia couldn’t help but recall the faint blush on Sam Baxter’s cheeks. “He just changed the subject.”

“So what does Sam think?”

“He seems to support the entire situation. The marriage and the goat farm. So it’s three against one. Tough odds for me. Especially since one of my main objections is that I suspect his father wants to marry Lucy just so she can buy him his farm.”

“I guess stressing that point would not be the best way to win Lester’s son over to your side,” Rachel agreed. “Does he know how many times your mother has been married?”

“I tried to tell him, but I’m not sure it registered.”

“Maybe if he knew more about Lucy, he’d be more wary of the situation. Concerned for his father.”

“I thought of that,” Julia said. She also thought how hard it would be to speak privately to him. Something about him seemed to totally unravel her.

“If he’s visiting town for a few days, why don’t you try to talk to him about it? Without Lester and Lucy around, of course. Maybe he’d flip to your side.”

“I don’t know. I might end up insulting him, being suspicious of his father’s motives. Then they’d get married anyway and he’ll always hate me.”

“Well…that’s one scenario,” Rachel said, nearly laughing. “Does this guy make you nervous or something?”

Julia wasn’t sure if it was nervous. Or something. Or all of the above.

“There’s just something about him, Rachel. I don’t know what it is. He’s actually sort of quiet. Doesn’t say too much. Laid back, watching everything…”

“Like legs crossing and sweaters slipping open?”

She knew Rachel was just teasing her and made a face. “You know what I mean. It’s not anything he does in particular. But last night, I just couldn’t think straight around him. Which of course, made everything worse. I’m still upset by all this crazy news. I’m not sure if I’m ready to deal with him yet.”

“I’m not sure if I ever heard you say that about a guy, Julia.”

Julia didn’t answer. She was usually ready to take on anyone. But Sam Baxter wasn’t just any guy.

“It’s not just his looks,” she said finally.

Okay, so he looked like a model in an ad for sexy jeans. Or shaving cream. Or maybe just plain old male virility, since that’s what they were all really trying to sell anyway. All rugged angles and lean muscles and thick, shiny hair. That was part of it, for sure. But there was something more. Not so easy to put her finger on. And dismiss.

“There’s something about him,” she said with a shrug. “I’m not sure.”

Some indefinable vibration she felt every time he so much as looked her way that got her rattled to the core. He didn’t need to say a word.

Rachel stepped over to a display table nearby and started folding a pile of baby sweaters.

“Let’s see,” she said with mock seriousness. “Is it that thing they call…sexual chemistry? Could you, Julia Martinelli, battle-weary veteran of the dating wars, possibly be totally attracted to someone?”

Julia crumpled up the muffin wrapper, leaving half her daily requirement of fiber untouched.

“Of course he’s attractive. I never said he wasn’t. He’s just…not my type.”

Rachel put down the sweater she was holding. “Explanation, please? From the way you described him, if I wasn’t already married I’d ask for his number.”

Julia shrugged. “Well, for one thing, he’s a chef. They’re all drama queens. Believe me. Emotional, high-maintenance types. I need someone more…low-key. Like me. And he obviously has no common sense if he approves of his father marrying a woman he hardly knows. I need to be with someone who’s more logical about things, like me.” She shrugged. “Besides, this whole engagement situation between Lester and my mother makes Lester’s son totally off-limits. I mean, it’s too complicated. It would feel very awkward.”

“I suppose,” Rachel agreed reluctantly. “Awful timing if you ask me. It’s just that I haven’t seen you light up this way just talking about a new guy in ages. Too bad.”

Julia didn’t reply. Was she really “lighting up”? Gosh, that was embarrassing. Even if it was only Rachel.

She didn’t feel missing out on her chance to date Sam Baxter was any great loss. She’d meant it when she’d told Rachel he wasn’t her type. Oh, she could see them getting involved all right. There was definitely chemistry and she had a feeling, they’d get very involved very quickly.

But it wouldn’t last. How could it? They were definitely too different. She was businesslike and reserved. He was creative and emotional. He lived in Boston and she was up here. The distance alone was a big obstacle in and of itself. Even if she was interested.

Which she was not.

Yes, it was tempting.

But she couldn’t afford to waste any more time on romances that were exciting for a few weeks, but wouldn’t lead anywhere. At this stage of the game, she didn’t have time to waste. Her ovaries were on a tight schedule.

She stepped over to the clothing table and picked up a knitted cap with soft little white ears on top. She loved coming into this store—and hated it sometimes, too.

The clothes were so sweet and dear, she could almost cry, picturing a chubby-cheeked little baby in the cap, for instance. Tying the strings under its little chin, not too tight, and not too loose. A baby that would be her own.

But didn’t yet exist.

Would he or she ever exist?

She felt Rachel touch her arm lightly and she put the hat down.

“Julia, I feel for you. You’re in a tough spot. I know your mother. She’s lovable and dear. But difficult sometimes, too. I understand how you feel responsible for her.” Rachel paused. “But…she might need to do as she wants and make her own mistakes, you know?”

Julia felt as if they were talking about a teenage daughter instead of her mother. But she could see Rachel’s point.

“Yes, I know. But it’s hard to watch her keep making the same mistakes over and over again. I mean…one description of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different result. You know, like banging your head against a wall?”

Rachel’s expression was thoughtful. “Well, I guess you could say that’s the same description of trying to find someone to love. Sometimes it does feel like you’re banging your head against a wall. At least, that’s the way I remember it.”

Julia didn’t know what to say. There was no way to argue with the dyed-in-the-wool romantic. Backed in a corner, they always answered on totally unrealistic terms. Julia didn’t think like that.

“I’m sorry, Jules,” Rachel added. “Like I said before, I know you’re in a tough spot. And I’m definitely on your side. So it’s two against three, okay?”

Julia nodded and smiled. “Thanks. I know.”

Julia heard a sharp knock. They looked up to see two women peering through the window. Julia glanced at her watch. “Nine on the dot. They’re clamoring to get in here and buy stuff. I wouldn’t keep them waiting.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t plan to.”

Rachel trotted over to the door and pulled it open, wearing a welcoming smile. “Good morning, ladies. I’ll be right with you.”

Julia had followed her. “I’d better get to work myself. Thanks for letting me vent.”

“Don’t be silly, what are friends for?” Rachel leaned over and gave her a hug. “Call me later if there are any new developments.”

“Fasten your seat belt,” she added. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”

Rachel’s answering smile made Julia smile, too, though inside she felt her prediction was bound to come true. It was no laughing matter, these hasty marriage plans and the goat farm idea, to boot.

But if she didn’t try to laugh at it, at least a little, Julia was afraid she might cry.

Julia marched down Main Street toward her office. Had the entire world gone off the deep end, believing anything was fine and dandy as long as two people claimed to be in love?

It almost made a person feel nostalgic for a bygone day, when marriage was a much more formal arrangement. Like a business negotiation. Between the parents, primarily. A bride and groom sometimes didn’t meet until the wedding day and notions like romance and love didn’t figure in at all.

At least back then, if a man was marrying a woman for her fortune—or vice versa—people were honest about it.

Thinking of the days of arranged matches reminded Julia that she’d forgotten to pick up Rachel’s copy of Pride and Prejudice, which they were reading for their book group this month. She had no plans for tonight and was looking forward to a relaxing evening by the fire, reading a cleverly written classic. She’d have to call Rachel and figure out how to pick it up. She didn’t have many days left to finish it.

Julia found herself passing the Blue Lake General Store. She needed another cup of coffee before she started work. And even something else to eat. Her daily bran muffin just hadn’t done it for her. She craved something sweet and buttery and loaded with fat grams and carbs. The bad kind.

This was a state of emergency. She was allowed to fall off the fiber wagon once in a while.

Ella Krueger stood behind the counter and greeted her with a wide smile. The coffee line was usually long at this time in the morning on a weekday, but there were only a few people—workmen mostly on their way out to a building or painting job—waiting for breakfast sandwiches, which Ella’s husband was cooking up on a grill.

“Coffee, Julia?”

“Yes, please. Large black.”

“Anything else today, hon?”

Julia tried to resist the tempting offerings in the breakfast pastry case.

Then she saw it. Crumb cake. Ella’s own, homemade and fresh from the oven. “I guess I’ll have a piece of crumb cake. Not too big though,” she added quickly.

Ella laughed. “We only give out big pieces here. Did you know my crumb cake is a prize winner at the county fair? See, it’s hanging up there,” she said, pointing to a plaque. “Best crumbs, five years running. Most people can’t get them that big. They fall apart. Mine stay big. And they stay on the cake. It’s a secret recipe.”

Julia wasn’t surprised. There seemed to be a lot of secret recipes in this town.

Ella rang up the sale and Julia handed over some money.

“Well, I won’t try to guess. But it is delicious.”

“What’s delicious?”

Julia turned her head slightly. Sam Baxter was standing close by. She wondered how long he’d been there, watching her. Rude of him not to make himself known and just stand there…spying. She did feel caught in the act, the damning evidence in her hand.

“The crumb cake. It’s very good. Ella makes it herself.”

“Prize-winning crumbs?” he asked.

He was a gourmet chef, Julia realized. He probably thought Ella’s pride was cute but misplaced. Julia felt annoyed at him on Ella’s behalf. But she knew that wasn’t entirely it.

“How long have you been standing there?”

“Not too long.” The corner of his mouth twitched and he nearly smiled. “I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I just came out for a walk and wanted some coffee.”

“She makes good coffee, too. Enjoy.”

Julia cast him her best real-estate-lady smile and nodded, then tucked the newspaper under her arm and turned to go.

He watched her for a moment, then quickly tried to catch up. She was just about out the door when he finally did.

“I’m glad I ran in to you…I thought we should talk, if you have a minute.”

He stood very close, staring down at her, his hands dug into the pockets of his leather jacket. The wind lifted a few strands of his dark hair and blew it across his eyes. She had the wild temptation to reach up and push it back for him.

“Sorry…I’ve got to get over to my office and open up. Saturday is very busy.”

Which was partly true. But since it was the doldrums of the winter, there wasn’t much going on and several employees had keys.

Julia picked up her pace, hoping to lose him. Most men, even tall ones, had trouble keeping up when she did her speed walk.

He didn’t seem to notice and kept up easily. It appeared to be his preferred pace.

He wore the same leather jacket he’d worn last night, she noticed, with jeans. A gray sweater showed underneath and a brown wool scarf was slung around his neck.

Julia had hoped her reaction to his looks had been a fluke. But all in all, he looked just as sexy and appealing as he had last night. Maybe even better, if possible.

Finally, they reached the realty office. Julia felt a bit winded and felt a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, but tried not to show it.

He stared up at the sign painted on the storefront window. “Home Sweet Home Realty. Cute.” He smiled at her. But she didn’t smile back. “I didn’t take you for the type to go for cute.”

“It’s memorable and sets a comfortable tone.” Julia sometimes thought the name of her business was too cute. But she didn’t need him pointing that out to her.

She approached the door, key ring in hand. But her assistant, Marion McKenzie, had already arrived and opened up, making her feel a bit foolish for acting so urgent.

“Looks like someone beat you to it. Too bad, you were really moving. Were you on the track team in college?” Sam sounded mildly amused.

“Tennis,” she said shortly. “I have a wicked serve.”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.”

She dumped the keys back in her purse. She glanced up at him, prepared to make another excuse about getting to work. But her curiosity got the better of her.

“So, you want to talk about our parents. Have you changed your opinion about their engagement? You seemed pretty supportive last night.”

“And you’re definitely not. At least that’s what your mother says. She called Lester this morning at the crack of dawn.” He made a face. “She says you’re very upset and demanded that she call it off.”

Julia felt awkward hearing her words tossed back at her. Especially by him. He made her sound like some sort of shrew.

“I am upset. But I never demanded anything. I know my mother. She’s like…like a cat. You just don’t get very far delivering ultimatums. I never said call it off. I did say slow it down.”

“So you do have reservations,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Some strong reservations.”

“Of course I do. For one thing, they hardly know each other. And this goat farm idea…it’s totally absurd. My mother wouldn’t last one week on a farm that grows costume jewelry, no less one filled with animals. To think for one minute that she could…that just goes to show how little your father really knows her.”

His eyes narrowed. She hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but somehow she couldn’t control it. Somebody had to face facts around here. It seemed as if she was the only one who would.

“I don’t know your mother. I do know my father. He’s a good man. Solid. Dependable. If he says he’s going to do a thing, he’ll do it. He’s talked about this venture for years. He’s taken classes. He’s done research. He’s visited farms just like it. It’s not just some pie-in-the-sky fantasy.”

“All right. I’ll buy all that. But tell me this. If he’s been dreaming about this cheese business for so long, why hasn’t he gone ahead and started it? Is it because he never had the capital?” she said quickly, before he could speak. “Of course, if he marries my mother, that sticky little problem is solved, isn’t it?”

As soon as she’d said the words aloud, Julia immediately regretted her frankness. Sam’s face got pale as paper, then colored red. His dark eyes flashed, and he seemed to be closer, looming over her. She tried to look away but couldn’t.

They stood staring at each other in a silent stalemate for a second and she realized that if he’d been an unleashed dog, she would have run for cover.

“How dare you. My father is an honest, honorable guy. He doesn’t need to marry your mother for money. In fact, she seems a bit high-maintenance to me. I think he’s going to have his hands full. But he says he’s in love. I’m not debating him about it.”

Now he was taking shots at her mother. She could have predicted that. She wasn’t going to be intimidated by him. She wasn’t going to back down. She suddenly wished she had on higher heels so she could stare him right in the eye.

“He has the funds to start the business on his own?” Julia persisted. “Is that what you’re saying? Why hasn’t he done it yet then? Why hasn’t he…followed his bliss? Why did he need to wait for my mother to arrive on the scene?”

He didn’t answer right away. Either she’d made him even madder or she’d backed him into a corner. Or both.

“He’s been waiting to retire,” he said finally. “That’s one reason. And you’re right. He doesn’t have all the funds in hand. But he’d be able to borrow it. That wouldn’t be a problem. People get loans to start up businesses all the time. I thought you were a big hotshot real-estate broker. You should know that.”

Julia tried not to smirk but it was hard. She knew all about financing and loan qualifications. Loan officers were not scrambling to get their hands on retirees with no income and little assets who were starting up farms.

Maybe at Bank of Dumbbell Lenders. But not at most banks.

She decided not to infuriate him any further with this point. What was the sense? This conversation had gone far enough. She crossed her arms over her chest and took a breath.

“Are we finished? I need to get to work. I can see we disagree on this matter and are not about to find any common ground very soon. If ever.”

She could tell from his expression he didn’t like being brushed off. She guessed it probably didn’t happen very often.

“I can see that you’re a very rigid, uptight and close-minded woman. The packaging is definitely…misleading. I’ll grant you that.”

Julia drew in a sharp breath. Rigid and close minded? Is that what he thought of her? Just because she dared to call it for what it was? He had some nerve.

“Fine. That’s just fine,” she snapped back angrily. “I can see that you’re as illogical, impractical and naive as…as…my mother. And that’s saying something!”

His mouth opened, then closed again. He’d probably been about to carry the argument further, then thought better of it.

“At least I know where you stand.”

“Same here,” she responded. “See you around.”

She pushed open the door to her office and stepped inside, not daring to look back. She felt shaken and tired from the confrontation. Luckily, none of the sales staff had arrived yet. She walked down the aisle between the row of desks that filled the main room.

Marion sat at the back, near the door to Julia’s office. She looked up from her computer and smiled. “Morning, Julia. Who was that guy you were chatting up? New client?”

“He’s just…some guy. He’s just…an idiot. That’s who he is.”

She knew Marion wouldn’t understand but it felt good just to vent.

Marion gave her a look, then turned back to her computer screen. “Um…okay then. You had some messages.”

Marion handed her a wad of pink messages slips. Julia took them without thinking.

“Thanks,” she said quietly. She unlocked the door to her office, then suddenly noticed the bag of crumb cake in her hand.

She’d totally lost her appetite. Her stomach was churning in a ball of knots.

“Marion…would you like some crumb cake? Ella Krueger’s. The prize-winning crumbs.”

Marion looked cheered by the offer. “Gee…thanks. I would. I didn’t get breakfast yet.”

“Here you go. Enjoy.” Julia handed it down. “And thanks for coming so early and opening up.”

Marion looked surprised. “Oh, sure. No problem.”

Julia nodded and smiled. She paused at the half-open door.

“Marion, you’ve known me a long time now. Would you say that I’m…uptight…or small minded?”

Marion considered the question a moment. Longer than Julia thought necessary. Finally she shook her head.

“Uh, no. I don’t think so. Not really.”

Not really? Wasn’t that like saying “almost”?

Julia sighed. She had to take what she could get.

“How about rigid? Do you think I’m rigid?”

Marion stared at her. “Well, you’re a very good businesswoman, Julia. You’re very assertive and tough. You really stick to your guns.” She smiled, looking puzzled by the question. “I don’t know if I’d call that rigid. To me it’s more like persistent.”

Assertive. Tough. Persistent.

Weren’t those terms all just nice ways of saying rigid? Julia decided to check the thesaurus.

“Well…thanks. Enjoy the crumb cake.”

Julia turned, stalked into her office and closed the door. She should have quit while she was ahead.