“Not tonight, I’m afraid,” Cathy said. “We’ve had a long day and I have to go into work tomorrow.”

  Tim raised an eyebrow and looked at Jamie. “Do you have to work tomorrow?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” Jamie said. “But I do have a wife and daughter coming home in the morning.”

  Tim scooted them toward the door. “Well then, off you two go.”

  They made their way through the noisy crowd and back to the car. “Want me to drive?” Jamie asked.

  “That’s okay,” Cathy said, getting into the driver’s side.

  Cathy was silent as they drove. Jamie rolled the window down and let the warm night breeze cool him. The night was coming to an end. It was time. He would go right to bed as soon as they returned. Not that he would sleep. But he would shut his door, turn off the light, and hopefully turn off the thoughts filling his mind and heart.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Cathy poured homemade granola from the Mason jar into the ceramic bowl her friend, Linda, had made. Jamie had prepared the nut, fruit, and oat mixture the day before. She covered it in milk and sliced bananas. The day was already warm, and she wanted a light breakfast. Luckily, Jamie already made the coffee, so she poured herself a cup.

  Outside the window, she watched Jamie in the garden building the trellis for her flowering sweet peas. His T-shirt lay on a bench beside him. Cathy’s eyes roved over his body. With each stroke of the hammer, his muscles rippled down his back and strong arms. He stopped a moment, wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, and turned back toward the house.

  Cathy jumped back from the window and took a seat at the eating bar. She spooned some cereal into her mouth and gulped some coffee.

  Last night. It was a good thing Tim had interrupted them when he did. When they were together, it seemed like they’d never been apart, and never would be. His hand fit perfectly in hers. His laugh lifted her heart. Why now under these circumstances?

  As she watched, he finished the work and turned to come in. She hurriedly took a seat at the table. She didn’t want him to find her staring.

  He walked in the back door, his skin flushed with the start of a sunburn.

  “I think I heard a car,” he said walking toward the front door.

  Amber came running in. “Daddy, we’re back!” she said, flinging herself into his arms. The joy in his face was evident as he bent to hug her.

  Pam was right behind. She carried a small suitcase and looked exhausted.

  “Here, let me have that,” Jamie said, taking it from her hand. “How’d it go?”

  Pam rolled her eyes. “How do you think?” She took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh. “I’m sorry, I’m just so tired,” she said, walking toward the kitchen. “It’s been a long drive and we didn’t have much breakfast. I’m hungry.”

  “Me too,” Amber said.

  Jamie took Amber by the hand. “Well, let’s find you something to eat then, little one.” He turned to Pam. “And big one.”

  Amber waved as she walked past. “I got to see my grandma,” she said, stopping at Cathy’s side while Jamie continued into the kitchen.

  “How is she doing?” Cathy asked, making eye contact with Pam as well.

  “She’s resting,” Amber said before bouncing into the kitchen to help her dad.

  Pam gave Cathy an exasperated expression. “Dakota’s back for as long as we need her. My mom seems a little worse, but is seeing the doctor again tomorrow.”

  Pam walked into the kitchen and poured everyone some lemonade, clanking each glass down on the counter. She put one at each place setting on the table and took her seat without a word. Jamie carried over granola and toast. He leaned over to kiss Pam on the cheek. She did not respond in kind.

  Pam’s eyes looked from Cathy to Jamie while she chewed her toast.

  “Nice tan you two got yesterday while I was stuck in Oakland.”

  Cathy held her breath. Pam was tired and stressed. She did not want to say anything to make it worse.

  For a moment, the only sounds were the clanking spoons and forks and Amber slurping milk out of the cereal bowl.

  “The beach was warm, and I worked in the garden this morning,” Jamie said.

  “I want to go to the beach too, Daddy,” Amber said.

  Jamie patted Amber’s cheeks with a napkin. “I’ll take you and Mommy there very soon.” He looked at Pam for approval.

  She gulped lemonade and watched Pam’s smile return. Her heart sank. The beach had been beautiful when they were there. For that one day, it was their time, their place. Pam and Amber had him for the rest of their lives.

  Cathy was appalled how selfish her thoughts were. She had no right. Forcing a smile, she said, “Perhaps sometime this week you could take them to Johnson’s beach on the River. It’s a great family place, good for swimming. So feel free to go whenever.”

  “We will,” Pam said.

  Cathy got up and cleared dishes. She felt like banging a few plates, but thought better of it. Out the window, her garden offered solace. She could take some frustration out there.

  “Off to weed,” she said, heading out the back door.

  She pulled off her peasant blouse to the tank top below and let sunrays play across her shoulders while she attacked the garden invaders. She wrapped her hand under the bottom leaves and yanked until their roots were free from the earth. Into the compost pile they went.

  Hard labor worked wonders to ease her mind and heart. The corn was starting to get high. It would be ready to pick in a month or so. She wandered down the rows and saw the red and yellow stalks of chard shimmering in the sun. She would pick them tomorrow morning; they would be ripe and delicious in the café soup special.

  Cathy laid down her tools and climbed into the hammock chair tied between two oaks. It supported her body as she gently rocked for several minutes. She needed to get things back into perspective. No matter how fast or how strong her feelings for Jamie grew, he was not available. She would get her mind back on other things and her life back on track. “Starting now,” Cathy said, jumping out of the chair.

  There were a few sweet strawberries left. She brought them into the house as an ice cream topping for later.

  When she returned, the three of them were cuddled up on the couch and reading aloud from a picture book. A picture-perfect family.

  They looked like the three bears on the couch: Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear. Who did that make her? Goldilocks intruding on their happy home?

  Cathy tossed a few strawberries into her mouth. Their sweetness set off her taste buds like the succulent shrimp at lunch yesterday. She remembered the ice-cold wine, his warm hand. Was this the same man sitting, reading in different character voices, and acting out the parts like a big kid?

  “And the wolf huffed and he puffed and tried to blow the house down!”

  Amber squealed and buried her face in her mother’s chest.

  Cathy stood behind the couch. Out the window, the sun dipped behind the pines, casting shadows across her lawn. She turned back for the last words of the story:

  “And he lived happily ever after.”

  That’s why they call it a fairytale, Cathy mused. She wondered sometimes if it was such a good idea, putting these thoughts into fertile young brains. Those expectations had not served her well. She hoped they would for Amber.

  “Time for a little nap now,” Pam said to Amber. “Tomorrow you will have a big day, going swimming with Mommy and Daddy.”

  Pam looked at Cathy, all sweetness and light.

  “Let’s go, honey.” She lifted Amber up and carried her toward her room.

  Amber reached her arms out to Jamie. “Daddy, come and sing me a lullaby.”

  “Coming.” He stood and his eyes met Cathy’s.

  “Have a good sleep, little one,” Cathy said as they walked by.

  She watched Jamie walk toward the bedroom, shaggy curls over the rim of his T-shirt, faded jeans hugging his legs, Birkenstocks flopping on the wood floor. Her heart skipped a beat.

  Cathy had planned to skip her Monday book group pot-luck this afternoon, but now she felt like going. Some friendly faces would be nice. She’d call her old friend, Lisa, and let her know she was coming. Perhaps Barb from the Head Start afterschool program could use a ride again. She’d bring the strawberries and pick up sour cream for dipping.

  The afternoon was picking up. So were her spirits.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cathy sat at her roll-top desk in her home office, paying bills and making a list of things to do when she went into the shop. Mondays were bookkeeping day, and she needed quiet time. She had shown Pam her old sewing machine and all the extra material her mom had left behind when she moved. Pam would probably be happily sewing all afternoon. Cathy would leave soon after the lunch rush was over at work.

  The ringing phone startled her. Cathy picked up the receiver and heard a panicked Brian calling from the shop. She held her breath as Brian told her Jill was doubled over in pain.

  “I’m taking her to the emergency room. I’ll wait until her husband gets there. Okay?”

  She glanced at the clock. Two o’clock. Jill must have waited until after lunch, pain and all.

  “Should I come?” she said.

  “Cathy, don’t worry,” Brian said. “Dan is on his way. Tim is manning the shop. But tomorrow I’m leaving on vacation. I’m sorry, man.”

  Cathy sighed. “Brian, just go. I’ll take care of everything. Tell Dan to call me when they know what’s wrong.”

  Cathy prayed it was nothing.

  Having Jill manage the café and guestrooms had made everything so easy for Cathy. She opened the office door and walked into the living room, assessing all she had to do to prepare for lunch tomorrow. The guests would be arriving for the upstairs rooms too.

  Pam stood in the kitchen, watching her pace. “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Yes. No.”

  “Can we help?”

  “No. I mean yes.”

  Pam looked concerned. “What is it?”

  Cathy started rattling, “Jill is heading for the hospital in terrible pain. It might be appendicitis. I have to shop and prep for tomorrow’s lunch, handle the B&B rooms and…”

  Pam stood and hugged her. “That’s easy. Jamie will help you. He doesn’t have another interview until next week and has nothing but time. You’re letting us stay in your house, now we can help you back.”

  “But you guys were going swimming this week. I don’t want to disrupt your plans.”

  Pam looked disappointed, but it passed quickly. “That’s fine, we’ll figure out another day to go. And besides, I’m going to use some of that way cool material to make me, Amber, and her doll matching dresses.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Jamie said, coming into the room.

  “Cathy needs help with the café for a few days. Jill’s out sick. I told Cathy you’d be glad to help her.”

  “Of course,” he said.

  Cathy smiled. It would all work out. Brian would leave for vacation tomorrow, and hopefully Jill would be home recovering quickly. “On one condition,” Cathy said.

  Pam cocked her head. “What?”

  Cathy continued. “Since you will be staying here longer, I’ll pay for your caretaker’s extra time so she can work full-time with your mom while you’re gone. Jamie will be working for me, so you guys don’t have to drive back and forth to Oakland, and you can stay here. It’s only fair.”

  “It’s a deal,” Pam said before Jamie could get in a word.

  Cathy turned to Jamie. “I’m sorry to say we have to act fast. In fact, right now to make it work.”

  “Ready when you are,” he said.

  “Let’s go then.” Cathy led the way to the car. They got in her Honda, rolled the windows down, and headed over to Speer’s Market. They could plan while they shopped and pick things up at the same time. On the way, Cathy handed Jamie one of their lunch menus she had pulled from her desk. She fidgeted as he reviewed it.

  “It’s very Sonoma County,” she said in defense. “Mostly vegetarian with some chicken and fish.”

  His crooked smile reassured her. “Mind if I make a couple changes, spice things up a bit?”

  “Sounds good to me, but we’re known for our killer veggie burgers and soups.”

  In the store, Cathy watched Jamie scanning the produce, catching its scent. His fingers caressed each surface, searching for ripeness. He chose leafy spinach, shallots, vine-ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, and dill. The cart filled up.

  Jamie held up a package of goat cheese and handed it to her as if it were a gift. “My favorite brand. Creamy. It’s packed with herbs and melts in your mouth.”

  She didn’t know whether to squeeze it or read the label, so she did both.

  “Is it worthy of your café?” he said jokingly.

  She slapped him lightly on the shoulder. “I’m not that picky,” she said. “Just checking it out.”

  She tossed it to him, and their hands brushed as he reached to grab it. His skin was warm, inviting. Their eyes met briefly, and her stomach fluttered. It felt like she was back in high school again with some boy crush. She turned and walked away.

  “Do they have pine nuts here?” he yelled after her.

  She turned and scowled. “What do you think? We’re in the country, not on some distant planet.”

  Watching him in the market was like watching a grown-up version of a kid at Disneyland for the first time. Cathy’s mouth watered as she thought about the possibilities piling up in their cart.

  “Gazpacho, maybe pasta, and sourdough bread,” he mumbled to himself.

  She followed and paid even though he offered to.

  Cathy opened the hatchback, and they loaded the groceries. On the way to the café, Jamie discussed menu choices with her. They were in business mode now. Her mind lingered back to the touch of his hand. This was ridiculous. She would clear her head and focus on how they were going to work together. They arrived at the shop and started unloading. Jamie put the perishables in the large refrigerator. Tim had closed at five, so they were alone in the kitchen.

  “Let’s prep while it’s fresh, okay?” he said.

  “Agreed.” She handed him the blackboard and some chalk to list the specials and waited for all those ingredients to spell out an amazing lunch for tomorrow.

  LUNCH BOARD – DAILY SPECIALS:

  Chilled Gazpacho with a sour cream dollop

  Whole-wheat penne pasta with pesto

  Spinach salad with goat cheese dressing

  Fresh baked sourdough dill bread with grilled tomatoes and cheese

  “I’m impressed,” she said, hands on her hips. “You’re hired.”

  “You can’t afford me,” he kidded. “But for now, no charge.”

  “I definitely got the better end of that deal.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The alarm brought Cathy reluctantly from her dreams. She pulled the covers over her head. Why in the world…? She jumped out of bed. She didn’t usually get up before 7:00 a.m., but today she had to go in and start cooking. Cathy pulled on her robe and headed for the bathroom. The door was shut, but ear to the door, she could hear the running water and fan. Please don’t use all the hot water, was all she could think. Her toothbrush was in there and everything she needed to get ready. The other bath only had the black claw-foot tub. At least she could use the toilet in the guest bath, which was probably taken too.

  Early morning was not her best time of day. Her mind raced with everything she needed to do. Tim would open the shop at nine o’clock, but soup needed to be made, salads prepped, coffee brewed, veggie burgers mixed.

  Then she remembered Jamie, his adept hands choosing the produce, his menu that would bring spice to the café. All she had to do now was show up and handle the extras.

  The guest bath was also taken, so she headed back, hoping the shower was vacated. She bumped into Jamie, mostly dressed, buttoning his shirt over golden skin, wet hair dripping down his neck.

  “Shower’s free,” he grinned. “I tried to get up early and get out of your way.” His sensuous lips curled in a smile that sent a jolt to the depths of her toes.

  “No problem.” She slid around him into the bathroom, careful not to make contact. Heat flashed between them as she passed. She shut the door and leaned against it. The futility of this attraction weighed heavy on her heart.

  She pulled off her clothes and tested the water. It was still hot, so she jumped in and washed her hair. The faint scent of Irish Spring soap lingered in the shower. Jamie had been here right before her. Feet balanced on the porcelain tub, she imagined him soaping his body, slick suds easing down his chest, his legs. She dropped the shampoo bottle directly on her foot.

  “Ow!” That’s a karmic wake-up call, she thought.

  Out of the shower, she blow-dried her hair and brushed through her long, auburn waves. If she cut this mop, it wouldn’t take so long to dry. But Cathy liked it long, liked the feel of it lingering down her back.

  Robe wrapped tight, she opened the door to run back to her room. Amber saw her and rushed over. “Good morning, Auntie Cathy. Do you know what Mommy’s making for breakfast?”

  Amber followed Cathy into the bedroom.

  “No, tell me,” Cathy said, squeezing into just-washed jeans.

  “French toast with strawberries on top!”

  Cathy threw on a yellow tank top and opened the door. “Yum, let’s go eat.”

  Breakfast service was in full swing; coffee steaming in mugs and thick gooey toast covered in berries were piled high on the table.

  “The cats are fed, those sweeties, so just sit down and eat,” Pam said.

  Cathy felt like a queen, her every need anticipated. Jamie had already eaten and was in the kitchen packing up some of his knives.

  “I’m ready to cook,” he said.

  Ready, that was a thought. Looking at him made Cathy wonder if she would ever be ready for love again. It was not a subject she usually broached, particularly not when it was early and she had a lot to do. Scraping the last bite on her plate, she jumped up and tossed a light sweater over her shoulders and retrieved her keys.