Page 4 of A Tempting Seduction (Protectors of Jasper Creek #5)

I finished my tea and packed up my quilting supplies, but not before helping Luther work through three more crossword clues and listening to Violet tell me about the new romance novel she'd been reading.

These Tuesday visits had become one of the highlights of my week.

Spending time with such a loving couple, who had been through so much in their lives but remained positive filled my tank.

They might think that they got the most out of these visits, but they were wrong.

I was the one who went away benefiting the most.

“Same time next week?” I asked as I gathered my things.

“We'll be here,” Violet said.

I got back in my car and headed to the town square.

Dorothy's Antiques occupied a corner building downtown, its narrow aisles crammed with everything from vintage jewelry to Depression-era glassware.

But I wasn't here for the antiques. I pushed through the shop toward the back room where Dorothy Sheridan held quilting classes every Tuesday and Saturday evening.

The familiar scent of fabric and thread welcomed me as I entered the quilting room. Six women sat around a large table, their projects spread out in colorful arrays. Dorothy looked up from her own work, her gray curls bouncing as she grinned.

“Ruby! Perfect timing.” Dorothy's eyes sparkled with mischief. “We were just discussing your morning adventure.”

My stomach dropped. “Adventure?”

“Florence heard from Pearl, who heard from Lettie, that Ford Larson asked for your phone number at Java Jolt today.” Margaret Thompson leaned forward eagerly. “Is it true?”

I felt heat creep up my neck. In a town the size of Jasper Creek, news traveled faster than gossip at a church social. “He asked. I didn't give it to him.”

“Why on earth not?” Dorothy set down her needle with dramatic flair. “That boy is gorgeous, hardworking, and according to his sister Carrie, he's been looking for the right woman for years.”

“Because men like Ford Larson don't date women like me.” The words came out sharper than I intended.

Silence fell over the room. Six pairs of eyes stared at me with varying degrees of sympathy and confusion.

“Honey,” Dorothy said gently, “what do you mean by that?”

I immediately regretted my honesty. “Nothing. I just... we're not compatible.”

“Nonsense.” Dorothy waved her hand dismissively. “Let me tell you about my first date with Harold McKinnon. This was 1962, and I was convinced I wasn't pretty enough for the captain of the football team. Wore my best dress, spent two hours on my hair, and was so nervous I threw up in his car.”

“Dorothy!” Margaret gasped.

“Gets better.” Dorothy's grin widened. “So, there I am, mortified beyond belief, and Harold pulls over and says, 'Dorothy, you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, vomit or no vomit.' Then he kissed me right there on the side of Highway 421.”

“That's actually sweet,” Susan Martinez said dreamily.

“Oh, we're not done.” Dorothy picked up her needle again. “Fast forward six hours, and I'm in his dorm room at the university, naked as the day I was born, doing things that would make a sailor blush.”

Three women gasped in unison while the other two burst into delighted laughter. I found myself caught between the two reactions, not quite scandalized but definitely surprised by Dorothy's casual confession.

“Dorothy Sheridan!” Margaret fanned herself with a piece of fabric. “There are unmarried women present!”

“Like Ruby's never seen a naked man,” Dorothy snorted. “She lived in Los Angeles, for heaven's sake.”

“That doesn't mean—” Margaret started.

“Ladies, ladies.” I held up my hands, trying to restore peace. “Can we please focus on quilting? Dorothy, show me that corner technique you mentioned last week.”

Dorothy winked at me but obediently launched into a demonstration of mitered corners, though I caught her muttering something about “young people these days” under her breath. Margaret continued to look flustered while the others settled back into their work with knowing smiles.

The evening flew by in a blur of stitching and gentle chatter. By the time we packed up our supplies, I'd managed to forget about Ford Larson for a full twenty minutes.

Yay, progress!

Maverick's Bar and Grill buzzed with its usual Tuesday night crowd when I walked in at eight-thirty.

The familiar scent of fried food and beer mixed with the sound of classic rock playing from the jukebox.

I spotted Maddie Avery and Fallon Vickers at their usual corner table, both nursing drinks and deep in conversation.

“Ruby!” Maddie waved me over, her expression a mixture of relief and exasperation. “Thank God you're here. I need someone with sense to talk to.”

I slid into the booth beside Fallon, who looked like she was floating on a cloud of pure happiness.

The contrast between the two women couldn't have been starker.

Maddie's dark hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and stress lines creased her forehead.

Fallon glowed like a woman deeply in love, her blonde hair perfectly styled and her smile soft and dreamy.

“Let me guess,” I said to Maddie. “Drake's coming for another visit.”

“Yep, big brother arrives next week.” Maddie took a long sip of her beer.

“And you know what that means. Total chaos. Trenda won’t have to worry, because Simon will keep him away.

Zoe won’t have to worry because she’ll just make sure she’s not around.

Piper, Evie and Karen are all taking a spa day. So, it’s a win.”

“What about Chloe?”

“That’s the problem. He doesn’t know how to approach Chloe. Hell, none of us do. God knows we’ve tried. It breaks my heart, it really does.” I hated seeing Maddie—and Chloe for that matter—in so much pain.

“Even with his shiny new degree in psychology?” Fallon asked.

Maddie sighed. “She’s seeing a therapist now, so he knows enough not to butt in. We all agree that getting back with Zarek is the right thing for her to do… at least that’s what we’ve thought.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “Haven’t they been together forever?”

Maddie nodded. “But I think seeing him brings her a lot of pain. Maybe they are truly over.” I could see tears glistening in her eyes.

“The good news is, she is coming out of her shell a little bit. She showed me a couple of panels that weren’t inked in for a new issue of Oracle’s Silence .

It hits hard. I don’t think she realizes that she’s taking parts of her own life and putting it on the page.

This might just be the thing to get her through her pain. ”

“Oh Maddie, that would be such a blessing,” I agreed.

“But in the meantime, Drake’s focus will be on you.” Fallon pouted as she grabbed a chili cheese fry.

I rubbed my hands together. “Talk to Trenda. Suggest that she and Simon go away for a long weekend so that Drake can babysit Bella and his namesake. He loves Bella, and that little rascal, Little Drake, is the apple of his eye.”

“That’s brilliant!” Maddie bounced in her seat. She squeezed me around my neck.

I caught the waitress's attention and ordered a Diet Coke.

“Any other ideas, oh wise woman?” Maddie asked as she scooped up some chili fries and dipped them in horseradish. I shuddered.

“Maybe you need to give him a project,” I suggested. “Something that keeps him busy and makes him feel useful without driving you crazy.”

Maddie's eyes sharpened with interest. “What kind of project?”

“Onyx Security. Simon and Roan could probably use his expertise for something. Get him focused on helping other people instead of micromanaging you.”

“Ruby, you sly little minx.” Maddie grinned. “I’m liking this. He'd feel important, they'd get free consulting, and I'd get to breathe.”

“Win-win-win,” I wiggled my eyebrows.

Fallon had been listening with half her attention, her fingers absently twisting the engagement ring on her left hand. “Sorry, what were we talking about?”

Maddie and I exchanged amused looks. “Drake's visit,” I said. “But you're thinking about planning your wedding, aren't you?”

Fallon's cheeks turned pink. “Michael and I were talking last night about keeping it small. Maybe twenty people, somewhere intimate. His parents' backyard has that beautiful garden, and we could string lights in the trees...”

“That sounds perfect,” I said sincerely. “Small weddings are more personal, anyway.”

“Really?” Fallon leaned forward eagerly. “I keep worrying people will think we're being cheap or antisocial.”

“People who matter won't care about the size of your wedding. They'll care that you're happy.” I meant every word. Fallon and Michael had been through hell to get to this point, and they deserved a celebration that felt right for them.

“See?” Maddie reached across the table and nudged Fallon's shoulder. “I told you Ruby would have the right perspective.”

We spent the next hour planning Fallon's intimate garden wedding while Maddie's stress levels visibly decreased. By the time we parted ways in the parking lot, Maddie had a plan for managing Drake's visit, and Fallon had a list of ideas for her reception.

My duplex felt especially quiet after the warmth and chatter of Maverick's. I kicked off my shoes and padded to the kitchen, the hardwood floors cool under my bare feet. The silence wasn't oppressive exactly, but it reminded me that I lived alone in a way that sometimes felt heavier than others.

I poured myself a glass of wine, a decent Pinot Grigio I'd been saving for no particular reason, and settled onto my couch with a notepad and started a list of things to do for tomorrow. The day had been full and satisfying but tomorrow would bring its own demands.

I needed to check on Little Grandma, maybe bring her some of those oatmeal cookies she loved.

Millie Drakos probably could use some company too.

Being married to Renzo had helped her overcome her agoraphobia, but I knew she still had days when connecting with people outside her immediate circle felt overwhelming.

Then there was my shift at Java Jolt, laundry, and I needed to return the stack of library books that were way overdue. I tapped my pen against the notepad and bit my lower lip.

Should I?

Or would it be too pushy?

Doesn’t she need pushy?

Should I ask Maddie what to do?

Fuck it!

I wrote down a note to text Chloe tomorrow and see if I could drop by.

I was a fan of her manga series, and I’d gone over to her apartment twice with Maddie.

I’d text and ask if I could bring over a coffee she might like and something from our baked-goods display case.

It was my nature to worry about not spending time with the people who were important to me, and the Avery girls fell into that category.

All six of them, even the two who lived in California.

I wrote down ‘text Chloe’ on my list. Now it was complete.

My life might be quiet, but it wasn't empty. I had people who counted on me, routines that mattered, small ways of making a difference.

I took a sip of wine, pushing thoughts of Ford Larson firmly to the back of my mind where they belonged. Some dreams were too dangerous to entertain, no matter how appealing they might seem in the soft light of a summer evening.