Page 22 of Save the Dance

“I have to say, that’s not something I hear very often.” By the late 1800s, travel between America and Europe had become almost routine. The logs were filled with pages and pages of mundane reports and chart headings.

“Okay, I’ll admit it.” Her blue eyes crinkled as her lips curved into a teasing grin. “I don’t study every entry. In the journal I read last night, the Mary Shelby was at sea for thirty days straight. Nothing much happened until the ship ran into a storm on the tenth day out. From what I could gather, things got a bit rough, but the crew handled themselves well. On the fifteenth day, they ran across a pod of blue whales. The captain filled four pages describing the encounter. That was fascinating. Another storm struck just before they reached land. The rest, I might have skimmed.”

“Some of that might be worth a second look,” Jason advised. “A daily accounting of rations might seem a bit repetitive, but knowing how many pints of rum were distributed at evensong lets you know how many sick they had on board. They didn’t have penicillin in those days. If a ship with a sick crew tried to make port, they’d be forced to ride at anchor until everyone on board recovered.”

“Thanks.” A bright understanding lit Tara’s eyes. “That gives me more insight.”

On the short drive back to the Cottage, they talked more about Captain Thaddeus and his crew. All too soon, though, Jason pulled to the curb in front of the mansion. Watching Tara head up the steps and through the front entrance, he felt the strangest stirring in his chest.

Was he attracted to Tara Stewart?

He brushed the idea away like one of the pesky blackflies that regularly made nuisances of themselves in the spring. Tara might be smart and witty, she might share his interest in history, but getting involved with the person who held the fate of Heart’s Landing in her hands was a very bad idea. Besides, in a few days, she’d return to New York. Forming anything more than a casual friendship with someone who lived two hundred miles away was the last thing he wanted. He’d already done that with Clarissa and had the hole in his heart to prove that long-distance relationships didn’t work out. He shook his head. He’d talk to the review committee before tonight’s cocktail party. He’d done his part by filling in for Greg today. It was time for someone else to take over.

That evening, while the waitstaff bustled about putting the finishing touches for the cocktail party on table settings, he joined the other committee members in a niche outside the Green Room.

“Well, Jason, how’d the first day with Ms. Stewart go?” Mildred had stepped into her role as Deputy Mayor after they received word that Greg wouldn’t be able to attend the evening’s festivities.

Jason squared his shoulders. He couldn’t lie to his friends. The stakes were too important. “So far, things haven’t gone according to plan at all.”

Mildred and Helen drew in shocked gasps. When she recovered, the florist asked, “What do you mean? She hasn’t found anything to complain about, has she?”

“No, but think about it.” Jason ticked items off on his fingers. “We were prepared for Regina Charm’s arrival, which was supposed to happen this afternoon. Instead, Tara showed up. Unannounced and a day early. Our plans for this morning suffered another jolt when Greg couldn’t get away from Tux or Tails.”

“B-but we’ve adjusted,” Helen pointed out. “We d-didn’t abandon her to roam around town on her own. She’s b-been happy with what she’s seen so far.”

“The morning did go smoothly,” he allowed. Better than he’d hoped. “But Greg was supposed to be her escort for her entire stay. Now, he’s sick with a cold, and from what his wife says, it’s a doozy. He’s probably out of commission for a week or more.”

“That doesn’t leave us much choice.” Mildred propped her fists on her ample hips. “You’ll have to take his place.”

“Me?” Jason scanned the group, hoping everyone else considered the idea as ridiculous as he did. But not a single eyebrow twitched. Not one of the other three on the committee moved a muscle.

“Yes, you.” A keen intelligence lay beneath Mildred’s sweet, grandmotherly presence. She pinned him with a steely glint. “You two looked like you were getting along just fine when you were in the shop this morning.”

That much was true. He had to admit, Tara’s reaction when they’d arrived at Forget Me Knot had warmed his heart. One glimpse of the display window, and her doubtful attitude had given way to an infectious enthusiasm. Her love of hyacinths especially had been so endearing that he’d had Mildred send a bouquet of the purple blossoms to her room.

Nick canted his head. “She didn’t object to picking out a cake for a pretend wedding. In fact, I think she actually enjoyed herself.”

Jason was pretty sure she had, too. He’d noted the slight stiffening of her posture when Nick had shown them into the alcove. Whatever misgivings Tara had harbored, though, they’d melted the moment she’d sampled the first cake. By the time they’d finished with the last one, the three of them had been chatting like old friends.

“Sh-she had nice things to say about The Memory Box.”

“We got lucky there,” he said, giving Helen a warm smile. “She has a thing for storage containers—who knew?” Despite Evelyn’s best efforts, she’d been unable to dig up much information about Tara. “She really appreciated that yours is a family business. Her mom and dad own a restaurant in Georgia. Her sisters work there, too.”

“Have you spoken to her this afternoon?” Nick leaned forward. “What’s she been up to since you got back to the Cottage?”

His own work had kept him busy for several hours, but he’d kept tabs on Tara’s comings and goings. “On the way back here, she said she wanted to write up her notes. After an hour or so, she came downstairs and went to the library. She stayed in there until it was time to get ready for the party.”

“The library?” Mildred’s brows rose at a sharp angle. “That’s an odd choice.”

Careful not to leave a mark, Jason scuffed one toe along the hardwood floor. “Before she arrived, we received a request from Weddings Today to make all of Captain Thaddeus’s journals and logs available. She and I have talked about him a little bit. I think she’s a history buff.”

“Well, that’s right up your alley.” Relief softened Nick’s features. “Gives you something else to discuss while you show her around town.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Mildred had her own list of reasons why Jason should fill in for Greg. She toted them out. “You were on hand to greet her when she arrived. You gave her the grand tour of the Captain’s Cottage yesterday. Your first outing this morning went well. You both share a love of history. There’s no one better suited to point out the historical aspects of Heart’s Landing while she visits all the spots she wants to see while she’s here. For someone else to take over doesn’t make sense. You’re the perfect choice.”

He was far from perfect, but he was the right man for the job. “I’ll fill in for Greg. At least, until he’s up and around again.”

Voices in the hall signaled the arrival of the first guests for the cocktail party. Jason nodded at the others. They needed to wrap this up before Tara put in an appearance.

---