Page 59 of Spring Showers

“Why are you still standing here and not going after what you really want?”

What he really wants? How would this woman know anything of what he desired? He raised an eyebrow, coaxing her to continue her thought.

“I’m talking about Thandie.”

He took an exasperated deep breath and blew it out. “You didn’t hear? She forgave Davis, and I guess they’re back together now. I even caught them kissing earlier.”

“Are you daft?” America sucker punched him in the shoulder with surprising force.

“Ouch,” he moaned and held the sore spot in his hand.

“She forgave him because she’s ready to move on and didn’t want to carry that baggage into her next relationship. A relationship she hopes will be with you.”

“Me?”

“So, if you’re done being a fool?—”

“Where is she?”

America pointed at the tire tracks still visible in the mud, heading away from the barn.

“Can I borrow your car?”

She tossed him the keys and pointed at the cherry-red pickup parked in the drive. “Go on.”

CHAPTER27

Thandie would have loved if her car could traverse the muddy roads any quicker. As it was, her tires seemed happy to be just moving at all, and so was she. She ran the wipers and dirty little splatters streaked across her field of view. As though the sticky strawberry guts weren’t bad enough, now her wheel wells were encrusted with half-dried mud cakes.

Wishing for a nice drive-thru car wash, or enough money to spend on a good detailing, she rolled her window down and wiped the side mirror with the palm of her hand. The cool air rushed in, and she took a deep breath. The drive around the end of the lake was hard going. Between the washed-out sections that created giant speed bumps, and the downed limbs scattered along the eastern shoulder, she wasn’t sure how long it would take for her to get to the overlook. The same overlook where she had first met Grant and fallen in love with the Cove.

Now that her job was secure, at least for a time, she suspected she would spend many more days taking in the scenery around The Foundry. In a million years, she would not have guessed that being an activities director would have suited her so well. Though she had always enjoyed connecting with people, it had never occurred to her to lean into that part of her personality for work’s sake.

Now that it had, it was hard to imagine doing anything else. She had doubted she would stay in Christmas Cove for very long, though her experience that week was the first in months that she truly felt was a fit.Perhaps everyone should go on a solo road trip across the country, take on different jobs, and see what sticks, she wondered. It had worked for her.

No matter what the future held, she wouldn’t let herself fall in love with any more guests. She had made this mistake once and couldn’t afford to do it again. It had been improper of her to spend so much alone time with Grant, even if Leo had asked her to make sure everyone of the guests had a good time. She was the one who pushed the boundaries with Grant.

It was her decision to take off her clothes and get into the spa with him. The rain was just a sweet excuse that she took full advantage of. Maybe she would have never suggested it herself, but she was excited by the idea of sharing such an intimate experience with him. Her body ached at the thought of seeing him each day. And she hoped she would get a chance to speak with him before he departed, even if it was only to say goodbye.

“So, what you’re saying is that you love him?” JB’s voice carried through the car, and Thandie nearly forgot that her friend was still on the line.

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to,” JB said with a giggle. “I can’t believe you stayed up all night just talking. I don’t think I could have done that. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. What a gentleman!” she said and swooned.

Thandie swerved around a pothole, and the car bumped along the edge of it. “Woah. That was close.”

“You alright?” JB asked.

“Yeah. The roads are a mess,” Thandie said. It was nice to talk to a familiar friend.

“I’m surprised you’re even getting service at The Foundry.”

“I’m heading up the hill to the overlook,” Thandie said. “I figured I might get a better signal from up here. When I called you, I didn’t know whether it would go through or not.”

“I’m glad you called, but I can’t be the only reason you’re heading up the hill.”

“I met Grant near the overlook, and I thought going back there could give me some clarity. And I wanted to check in and see how you fared after the storm.”

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