Page 54 of Suddenly Single
She fled out to the drive and found Vanessa and Brooke. “I have to get out of here,” she said, choking on the words.
“Sure, of course,” Vanessa said. “But you need to drive.We’re shitfaced.”
“Jesus,” Jenny muttered.She couldn’t even have a decent meltdown without karma interfering.
Sixteen
Edan staggered back to his quarters, his dogs on either side of him like little sentries, as if they expected he was going to fall and they were going to have to drag him to his bed. Frankly, he was surprised he hadn’t fallen, because he felt like he’d been hit by a bus.
He’d watched Jenny and her friends speed away from the inn, acutely aware that he couldn’t have handled that any worse if he’d tried.What he’d meant to convey was that he was going to stay.With her.He wanted to tell her about these new feelings he was having, but damn it if Jenny didn’t have an astounding capacity to talk.He hadn’t been able to get the words out.
He tossed back two whiskies in quick succession and tried to sort it out.
He did care for Jenny, very much, more than was reasonable. He didn’t know why he couldn’t say it this morning, or even this afternoon.Why he thought he ought to have a plan for it.Perhaps because he was afraid of his feelings for her? Afraid of pouring everything into a woman only to find out she couldn’t abide him? To have his heart shattered all over again? Was it possible that his concern she was involved with Lorenzo a shield he’d given himself so that he wouldn’t have to face his own truths?
That sounded ridiculously deep, the sort of thing you heard on lonely heart radio.
Edan didn’t know what the truth was, precisely, he only knew that he was drunk and it was dark when he went in search of his flashlight and stumbled up the path to the graveyard.
He’d never been up here at night, and he didn’t like it—it was more than a wee bit spooky.But he hadn’t known where else to go where he could think, uninterrupted.
He perched on his aunt’s headstone.“I’ve made a mess of things, Clara,” he said. “Do you remember how Audra complained I never had much to say? Turns out, I’ve actually got quite a lot to say, but canna manage to say it.”
He watched the dogs sniff about for a moment. “I want to keep the inn, aye? I think I always have. I think I was so afraid of going it alone and, well, I bloody well hate to lose.When Audra left, my pride was hurt, aye? And I didna like the lonely nights, I’ll be honest.But then someone amazing came along and everything happened so fast and I couldna get the words out. I have to learn how to get them out, aye? I canna spend my life chatting up a grave.”
He suddenly lost his balance and slipped off the headstone and landed on his ass. He sighed and fell onto his back.“I meant no offense, Aunty,” he added gruffly.He blinked up at the stars overhead and said, “That’s it, then.I’m staying here. Even if Jenny won’t stay with me, I’m keeping the bloody inn. There is nothing for me in Scotland now.”
He got to his feet and picked up his flashlight. “I miss you more than I can say, Clara.But I must learn to talk to the living.” He patted the headstone.
The flashlight flickered then went out.
He banged it against the headstone and it flickered on again.
As Edan made his way down the path to his house, the light went out again.Then fluttered on again.He gave it a shake.Nothing but a strong, steady beam.
He didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits.He didn’t for a minute think Clara was sending him a signal.But it did make him wonder…what would Clara say if she were here?
Get on with it, Edan,she’d say.He could hear her voice, could see her expression as she said it.Get on with it, Edan.
* * *
Edan knocked on Rosalyn and Hugh’s cottage door at seven o’clock the next morning. Hugh answered in his boxers, a cup of tea in his hand. “ Has something happened?”
“Aye,” Edan said.“I’ve got to a wee emergency today.Tell Rosalyn I need her to man the front desk.Sandra will do the cooking.”
“Aye, of course,” Hugh said.“Are you all right? Can we help?”
“Never better,” Edan said, and turned, walking briskly to his car.
He drove straight to the resort and walked up to the reception desk.People were milling about, several of them dressed in tennis togs.A young man was manning the reception desk and smiled when Edan approached. “Good morning, sir, how may I help you?”
“I’m looking for some women.”
The young man’s brows shot up.
Good Lord.“No’ like that,” he said with a nervous laugh. “Friends. Their names are Vanessa and Brooke.Two of them, aye? Tall and pretty.One blonde, one brunette.”
“Last name?” the man asked.
