Page 62 of California Dreaming

Erin leaned forward. “Did you know straightaway with Mom? Like Margaret thinks Arch did with Tessa on the beach that day?”

Howie nodded and began to tell the story the kids knew so well—but always loved to hear again—about how the two of them almost didn’t get together.

“I was too shy to ask your mother out,” Howie said. “She was so beautiful and intelligent and so composed. I’d never met anyone like her. And so I just kept taking longer and longer to build her bookshelves, trying to buy myself some more time to work up the courage.”

Betsy laughed. “At the same time, I kept trying to find new places to squeeze in more shelves in my office, simply to give him a reason to stick around. I knew he liked me, and I liked him. But I couldn’t work out why he didn’t do something about it.”

“Because you were as beautiful then as you are now,” Howie replied, and she melted inside. “It was intimidating! But I think I knew, even before either of us showed our true feelings, that you were the love of my life.”

The kids groaned, just like they always did, and Howie laughed his belly laugh. “Okay, that’s clearly enough nostalgia for the kids. Damien,” he said, “now that you’re back, you can make yourself useful. I noticed some fencing out back needs re-doing.”

“Always leaving the best jobs for when I get home,” Damien complained good-naturedly, stretching and getting to his feet. But before anyone left the room, he said, “I know you’re all having a great time playing matchmaker, but there’s one thing you’re forgetting.”

Erin frowned. “And what is that, oh guru of love?”

Damien shook his head as if they were missing the obvious. “I don’t get the sense that Tessa cares much for the limelight.”

Of course it was the other hugely famous Davenport who would pick up on that.

“Even if that’s true,” Erin said, “love can conquer any mountain.”

Damien’s eyes looked a little haunted, and Betsy’s maternal senses prickled. He shrugged and said, “Well, if it is true love for them, I sure hope it works out.” Then he and the other men headed out to deal with the fencing.

Betsy looked at her lovely daughters, of whom she was so proud, and asked them to help clear the coffee things. They moved into the kitchen and worked together in friendly silence until the dishwasher was completely full of breakfast dishes and Betsy started the cycle.

Mila and Erin didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave, and soon the girls returned to the subject of Arch and Tessa’s romance.

“When do you think Arch is going to realize he’s in love with her?” Erin asked.

Mila shrugged. “I don’t know.” Then she added, “And when do you think Tessa is going to realize she’s in love with him? I get the feeling she’s as strong-willed as he is.”

Betsy smiled warmly. “I was just thinking about being in the same position all those years ago when your father was building my bookshelves. I feel for Tessa. I remember how it was so tantalizing and frustrating at the same time, having feelings for Howie, but not being certain that we could make our lives work together. The chemistry between us was undeniable and growing by the day. And yet, neither of us did anything about it because we were both so scared of not being able to make it work.” She shook her head at the woman she had been. “We could have blown everything if on the last day we hadn’t realized we’d fallen in love with each other. Your father was packing up his tools, and I was just racking my brain trying to think of another project to make him stay.”

Buster wandered in to see if there was any new food being cooked that he should know about. After sniffing the air hopefully, he gave up and curled on the floor beside Betsy. She leaned down to pat him, still lost in the past.

“Howie was lingering in my office, and I could tell he didn’t want to leave either. And then we both said it at the same time. Just blurted out that we’d fallen for each other.”

Betsy smiled, and she was sure the girls’ expressions matched her own. It might be a familiar old story, but it was a good one.

Erin asked, “Do you think we need to help them along a little?”

Frowning, Mila added, “And do you think Damien’s right? Everything that comes with Arch’s fame could be a problem for Tessa?”

But Betsy shook her head. “Damien’s concerns about Arch’s fame and Tessa’s potential aversion to it could very well be valid. But even if they are, you put it beautifully, Erin, when you said that true love can take what looks like an impossible situation and make it possible.”

“That what you and Dad did,” Erin pointed out. “He thought you’d never want to leave Stanford to live and teach here, in such a small town. But you did.”

“And I’ve never regretted that decision for a second.” Betsy paused. “As for giving them a little help, I think it’s always better if two people in love figure it out for themselves, in their own time. Just like me and your dad. I have faith that Archer and Tessa are going to open their eyes and then their hearts to one another very soon. Remember your dad’s favorite saying.”

That’s how love works. One day you’re building bookshelves, the next day you’re building a family.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Breakfast had left Tessa with a warm glow that she hadn’t felt for a long time. Spending time with Arch’s family was like being cocooned in a warm bubble bath. She felt comfortable and relaxed—as though she was doing something good for her wellbeing rather than just surviving.

The more she considered it, the more she realized she could be herself around the Davenports, without having to pretend that she was tougher, stronger, funnier, or more successful than she really was.

The Davenports were so different from her own colder, smaller family, but it was like she’d always known them. Like she belonged. She never felt she’d said the wrong thing, or worse, had nothing to say at all. Instead, she slipped right into the flow of their easy conversation, teasing and all, and she never wanted to leave.

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