Page 3 of California Dreaming

“We’ll see you soon,” Margaret said as the three of them said their good-byes.

Though he would never have wished a broken arm on Margaret, he was very happy to have met Tessa and couldn’t help wanting to get to know her better. Thanks to his father’s birthday party, it looked like he was going to get that chance.

No question about it, this beach was magical. Particularly when a beautiful woman like Tessa had been walking beside him on the sand.

As he headed up the hill to the local grocery store for the ice, he realized he was grinning like a fool. Because even though he and Tessa had only just met, he couldn’t help but hope she had also felt the sparks between them.

Sparks that were bigger and brighter than he’d ever felt with another woman.

Chapter Two

Tessa was both nervous and excited as she walked up the path to the front door of Howard and Betsy Davenport’s house. She held on to Margaret Percy’s good arm, but she wasn’t sure if she was lending support so much as receiving it.

She still could hardly believe that she’d met and spoken with Archer Davenport. Not to mention that he’d told her to call him Arch, the way his friends and family did. It was such a gracious thing for him to have said to a total stranger, simply because she was working with one of his friends. Of course, he was only being polite, so he would remain Archer to her.

They passed the sixty-four pink flamingos prancing all over the front yard and the huge banner saying HAPPY 64TH BIRTHDAY, HOWIE, which they’d seen as they were driving by the house earlier that day. Now the garden was festooned with helium balloons and lit up with festive lights. It was impossible not to smile.

Though she was attending the party with Margaret to keep her from doing anything crazy enough to break another limb, Tessa was more nervous about coming than she wanted to let on. Margaret could clearly read her mind, however. She’d said to Tessa earlier, “You deserve a little fun tonight. And to be around people your own age. Relax, dear. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Tessa had never told Margaret her history, but somehow she felt the older woman had seen right inside her to the pain she carried, hidden behind her cheerful smile and efficient demeanor.

She took a calming breath before knocking on the door. She could hear music and the sounds of voices coming from the other side. In a minute, the door was opened by a woman who possessed both presence and beauty. She wasn’t young, but her face expressed years of laughter and contentment. She smiled upon seeing them, and Tessa got the feeling that this was her natural attitude. Happiness.

“Margaret, I’m so glad you could come.”

“Betsy, you’re still as pretty as a picture.”

The woman laughed as she waved them in. “I’m the same age as Howie. I’ll be having my own birthday in a couple of months, but believe me, I won’t be advertising it.”

And yet, the easy way she’d admitted her age suggested to Tessa that she was perfectly comfortable with who she was, despite the years. Still, Tessa was shocked. She’d have guessed Archer’s mother to be at least a decade younger. She was trim, her golden hair shoulder length and curled into a careless updo. Formfitting white jeans and a black top showed off a pretty spectacular figure for somebody who had given birth to six children.

“And you must be Tessa,” Betsy said, reaching out to shake her hand.

Even though she was a paid caregiver, Tessa suddenly felt as welcome as Margaret, who’d known the family for decades.

Betsy said to Margaret, “You always look so glamorous.”

Margaret made an annoyed sound and mock-glared at Tessa. “She wouldn’t let me wear my high heels. I’ll feel like an elf among all you tall Davenports, except for Erin.”

She might not be able to wear high heels, but Margaret was wearing a black and gold sequined top over dark trousers and chunky jewelry, and she carried a fancy beaded purse. The only way Tessa could get her to abandon the gold stilettos had been to flat-out refuse to come with her unless she wore sensible flats. Still, Margaret regarded the Chanel ballet flats as though she’d been forced to go to a birthday party in hiking boots.

Tessa was wearing her best jeans and a sapphire blue sleeveless cotton sweater. She’d taken the time to do her hair so it hung loose in curls, and she’d even added a little mascara and lipstick. She’d tried to tell herself she was doing it out of respect for the birthday boy, but deep down she knew it was because she’d be seeing Archer Davenport again.

Even as she scolded herself for being so foolish, she felt fluttery with nerves. She’d had a crush on Archer Davenport ever since she’d seen him in his first movie, a teen surfing flick back when he’d been a teenager himself and she’d been twelve. In all her life, she’d still never experienced a celebrity crush like it. She’d seen every movie he’d ever made. So, to meet him in person, to be in his family home, was almost more than she could handle.

She’d have to keep a tight rein on her emotions. She didn’t want him to think she was like those silly, giggling girls on the beach, drooling over him and grabbing selfies. No. She’d be cool, professional. He’d never know that being close to him made her dizzy.

A dog came bounding up and looked so delighted to see Tessa and Margaret that he could barely contain himself. “Buster, how did you get back inside?” Betsy said, trying to push the eager pup away.

Buster was no breed that Tessa could recognize. Shaggy, with straw-colored curly hair, big ears, and bright, intelligent eyes, he was a medium-sized dog with a tail that swept back and forth as he pushed against Betsy’s restraining arms.

“Hello, Buster,” Tessa said, squatting to accept both a shaggy paw and a lick on her chin.

“Finn, call the dog, please!” Betsy called, and at the sound of a single whistle, Buster tore away again. “Everybody’s in the great room and spilling out into the backyard,” Betsy continued. “One of the boys will get you a drink. Have a good time.”

Margaret twinkled at her. “I always do.”

Tessa accompanied Margaret through the tastefully decorated home, checking ahead to see if there were any obstacles, changing levels, or cords she might trip over, but there was nothing to cause her alarm. They walked into a great room that immediately impressed her with its air of comfort. It wasn’t fancy, but it was large and well designed. A peaked roof gave the ceiling height, and there were couches and chairs that looked made for comfort rather than design. It was the kind of room you just wanted to hang out in. And plenty of people were doing just that. Margaret was immediately pulled into a group of older people, all clearly golfers, who wanted to know when she’d next be on the course. Tessa stood slightly behind her while Margaret promised she’d be good as new in a couple of months. Knowing Margaret, it was probably true.

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