“Yes, of course.” The words came out harshly and she wished she could take them back. But the thought of losing him was making her crazy.

  He stopped part way down the driveway and turned to look at her. “You know, Samantha, nothing has changed.” He tapped himself on the chest. “In here, I’m still the same person. No matter how I look on the outside, nothing has changed on the inside.”

  Throat clogged with emotion, she couldn’t speak, simply nodded.

  “Good.” He put the car back in gear and they rolled forward. “As long as you know that.”

  * * *

  “It’s a group of weavers,” he explained as they pulled into the small parking lot. “They make almost all of their own materials and they do amazing work.” He came around and helped her out, his hand firmly at her waist as he guided her forward. “I thought I’d look for a small rug. My decorator calls them area rugs. She’s the one who suggested we come here to look for wedding gifts.”

  “Your decorator?” Samantha couldn’t hold back her surprise.

  He acknowledged the look with a smile. “Trust me, there was no way I was going to tackle my new condo on my own.”

  Samantha decided to leave that one alone. “I saw lots of sheep when we flew over, and I think I saw some alpaca as well.”

  “That’s right. The Islands are known for sheep, as well as for the talented people who live here.” He paused outside the low, rustic workshop that also served as a retail outlet. “It must be something in the air. The Gulf Islands have painters, writers, potters, cheese makers, you name it, they’re all here.”

  * * *

  Freddie settled on an area rug woven in rich earth tones. “The saleswoman said people are trending toward these colours today, and if they don’t like it they can always put it in a guest bedroom or something.”

  “It’s so soft.” Samantha looked at him; he continued to amaze her. “They’ll love it, but I don’t know what to buy,” she said with a grimace. “Everything is beautiful, but a bit out of my price range.” Correction, she thought to herself. A lot out of my price range.

  “Let me buy it for you.” Freddie pointed to a wall hanging. “I saw you admiring that.”

  “I can’t let you do that, Freddie.”

  He lowered his head until his lips were beside her ear. “Yes you can,” he murmured. His familiar cologne invaded her senses. “It’s my way of thanking you.” She could feel his body heat but she was wracked by a sudden chill. His words sounded so final...a sad reminder that his transformation was complete and their time together was coming to an end.

  “Okay,” she said, forcing a bright smile. “I accept. Ashley and Ryan will love it, and I appreciate your generosity.”

  They left the shop amid thanks from the owners and drove silently back to Bedwell Harbour. The sun was still shining, but some of the brightness had leaked from the day. As they approached the marina, Freddie called ahead to the pilot, who was waiting for them when they walked down onto the dock.

  “Would either of you like to sit up front on the way back?” Brody looked from one to the other. “You could wear headphones and hear everything that’s going on.”

  Freddie’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t say anything.

  “You go ahead,” said Samantha with a smile. “I can see you want to.” Besides, it would give her a chance to be alone, to think.

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” He got her settled, then climbed into the front beside the pilot. He looked like he belonged.

  Samantha resolved to try to contact Cody tonight. She needed to know when he was coming home so she could steel herself to break up with him. It didn’t matter what happened with Freddie–no that wasn’t true, it did matter–but even if Freddie was involved with someone else, she had to break it off with Cody.

  It was ironic. She’d set out to help Freddie, but she’d been the one who’d truly changed. Time spent with him made her realize that Lauren was right...she’d been selling herself short. Cody treated her terribly, and she was worth more than that...much more. She studied Freddie’s profile. If she couldn’t have him, she’d find someone like him. Someone who would treat her well. It would never be the same, but she deserved better that what she had now.

  Chapter Nine

  “That was great!” Freddie’s eyes sparkled. “I could hear everything over the headphones, and see all the other aircraft in the area on a screen up front.”

  Samantha loved his enthusiasm. “Do you always approach everything with such a positive attitude?” They were driving back to her apartment through rush hour traffic.

  He thought about that for a minute. “Yeah, pretty well.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Things don’t always work out, but when they do, it’s worth it.”

  A moving van was parked in the loading zone in front of her apartment building. Freddie pulled up in front of it, double-parked. Samantha reached for the door handle, wanting to get out fast before tears betrayed her feelings.

  “Let me get that,” he said, hopping out and moving around to open her door. “And don’t forget the wedding gift.” He reached into the back seat and handed her the smaller of the two parcels.

  “Thank you, Freddie.” She reached up and touched his face. “As usual, it’s been a wonderful day.”

  “Me, too.” Their eyes met, held. Ever so slowly, he lowered his head and brushed his lips across her mouth. The touch was so gentle, so fleeting that she may have imagined it. “I had to do that,” he whispered. And then he moved around the front of the car, got in and was gone.

  Samantha walked up the steps to her apartment building in a daze. It had been nothing...the mere suggestion of a kiss, and yet it left her aching for more. She wasn’t aware of going up in the elevator, or of placing the wedding gift on the kitchen counter. The paper crackled, bringing her out of her dreamlike state, and she ripped it open. It was a link to Freddie, and she was eager to see it again.

  White tissue paper tucked into the folds of the hanging caught her eye. She pulled it out, hands trembling. Inside, a superbly crafted enamelled Orca hung on a silver chain. It hadn’t been costly compared to the other necklaces on the display stand, but she’d admired it several times. He must have noticed. She picked it up, clutched it in her hand and held it to her heart. And then the tears began to fall.

  * * *

  “So that was it?” He just drove away? Lauren sipped her espresso, never taking her eyes from Samantha’s face. “You look like hell, by the way.”

  Samantha barely heard her. She’d been watching for Freddie since they arrived, but he was a no-show this morning.

  “Listen, kid. I want to hear more, but this morning I really do have a meeting.” What say we meet for drinks after work? You can fill me in and we can dish about everyone who might be at the wedding.” Lauren was already standing up, gathering her things. “Okay?”

  “Yeah, sure.” Samantha wasn’t sure how she was going to get through the day. She was worried about why Freddie hadn’t shown up and her nerves were on edge at the thought of breaking up with Cody. “See you at the Four Seasons at a quarter after five.”

  * * *

  Samantha arrived shortly after five and was soon seated in the lobby bar. Tired after a busy day, she chose a table tucked behind a potted plant, ordered a drink and sat back to observe the other customers.

  The server brought her a glass of white wine, and as she looked up to thank him, she caught movement on the other side of the room. A couple was leaving, the man tall and broad-shouldered, like Freddie. She watched, fascinated, as he focused all his attention on the woman. Blonde and slender, she was strikingly beautiful and she stopped to say something, looking into his eyes and speaking earnestly. He held her gently, an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her on the top of her head. It was an innocent gesture, but the intimacy was not lost on Samantha. It was the type of thing she could imagine Freddie doing in public...a prelude to what was to come.

  The man turned and Samantha’s heart fell through the bottom of her stomach. It was Freddie! She wanted to look away, but couldn’t. He caught the eye of their server, who came scurrying over, and placed several bills on the man’s tray, waving away the offer of change. He kept his arm around the woman as they walked toward the exit, and she leaned against him, glancing up at him every few steps.

  Stunned, Samantha watched until they disappeared from sight. No wonder he’d been a no-show for coffee this morning. He’d evidently had better things to do. She picked up her wine, but her hand was trembling, and she put it down again. A few tables away a woman laughed softly at something her companion said and Samantha stared. How could the woman laugh while she sat here, trying to gather the broken pieces that only a few moments ago had been her heart?

  “Jeez, Sammie. What’s the matter?” Samantha hadn’t noticed Lauren making her way across the lobby.

  “Did you see them?” She reached out and clutched her friend by the arm.

  “Ow! You’re hurting me.” Lauren pried Samantha’s fingers away from her arm. “Who? What are you talking about?”

  “Freddie!” Her eyes began to fill with tears as the meaning of what she’d seen began to sink in. “He was with a gorgeous women. And I mean he was with her.” She grabbed her glass and took a big gulp of wine. “I hate it when I’m right.”

  “But you don’t know–”

  “I know.” Samantha took another drink. “I know what I saw, and he was really into her.”

  Lauren caught the server’s eye, frowned, and gave a discreet shake of her head. He took one look at Samantha and backed off. “I don’t know what to say,” Lauren said, leaning forward and taking one of her friend’s hands. “Your hands are cold. I could get you a coffee. What do you say?”

  Samantha raised her eyes. “What I really want to do is get drunk. Completely blotto. But I think I should go home before I make a scene.” She glanced around at the other Thursday night customers having a quiet after-work drink. “Everybody looks so normal. How can that be?”

  Lauren stood up. “Come on, kiddo. I’m taking you home in a taxi. You’re about to fall apart.”

  Samantha followed dutifully and before long she was in her own apartment. “Thanks for bringing me home, Lauren. I appreciate it, I really do, but I need to be alone.”

  “When is the creep coming home?”

  “Tomorrow. I talked to him last night.” Was it only yesterday that she’d flown to Pender Island with Freddie? It seemed like a lifetime ago.

  “This probably isn’t the right time to ask, but are you still going to break up with him?”

  “I don’t know.” Samantha’s gaze flitted around the apartment, landed on the wedding invitation propped up on the mantel. “Maybe after the wedding. I don’t think I could stand to go alone.”

  “Well.” Lauren hesitated, then decided not to offer her opinion. “That’s something you have to decide for yourself.”

  “Yeah.” Samantha gave her friend a hug. “Thanks, Lauren. I think I’ll take a sleeping pill tonight so don’t worry if I’m late for coffee in the morning.”

  * * *

  Rainy drizzle greeted Samantha when she stepped off the bus the next morning. Just as well, she thought. Suits my mood.

  Lauren was already there when she arrived at the coffee shop. Samantha stood in line, painfully aware that only a few days ago Freddie had been ordering her coffee ahead of time, saving her precious moments.

  Lauren gave her the once-over when she sat down. “Not too bad,” she said critically. “At least your eyes aren’t red.”

  “I slept surprisingly well.” Samantha tried not to look up every time someone came in. It was useless to keep watching for him. She knew that, but she couldn’t help herself.

  “So, back to Cody. What time does his flight get in?”

  “Mid afternoon. He’s coming in on the airporter and he said he’d call me. He got new business cards and he’s pumped about the possibility of making some contacts at the wedding.”

  Lauren’s eyes widened. “And you said?”

  “I didn’t say anything. Lauren, I’m just not up to a scene right now.” She paused. “And besides, I couldn’t stand it if I went alone and Freddie came with her.” She closed her eyes, envisioned the other woman. “She’s so gorgeous, I hate her and I don’t even know her.”

  “I hate to say it, but you knew this might happen.”

  Samantha groaned. “Don’t remind me. I’m miserable enough as it is.”

  “So. I guess that’s settled then, huh? You’re going with Cody. Did you accept their offer of a room?”

  “Yeah. Samantha rubbed her eyes. “It seems like such a long time ago.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  * * *

  Cody called just before she left work. “Hi, Babe. Listen, I just realized I don’t have a clean shirt to wear to the wedding tomorrow. If I brought one over to your place would you wash it and iron it for me? No way I’ll ever get it back from the laundry in time.”

  Samantha gritted her teeth. He’d pulled this before, but at least tonight he had a legitimate reason. “Okay, I guess.”

  “Great. I’ll order something in, okay?”

  She nodded, then realized he couldn’t see her. “Sure. See you later.”

  Chapter Ten

  He arrived with a full laundry bag. “Hey, I figured since you were going to do laundry, might as well make it worth your while.” How had she ever thought that his smile was charming? She offered him a weak smile in return, took the laundry bag from him and headed for the small alcove in her apartment that housed the laundry.

  He came up behind her while she was putting his clothes in the washing machine. “Did you miss me?” he asked, grabbing her around the waist and grinding his crotch into her.

  She dumped the rest of the clothes into the washing machine and turned it on. “Not tonight, Cody. I’m not feeling very well.” She freed herself from his embrace. “Let’s order something to eat. It will take a while to get here tonight.”

  He turned away, obviously angry. “Some welcome home,” he muttered, and reached for the Chinese take-out menu without consulting her.

  She didn’t care. She didn’t care if she ever ate again. All she cared about was getting through this weekend.

  He slumped in front of the television watching the sports channel while the laundry finished and Samantha set up the ironing board. She didn’t ask him to fold the rest of his clothes...anything to avoid talking to him.

  When the Chinese food arrived he perked up a bit and told her about his trip. She tried to sound enthusiastic, and asked a few questions about the new car line his dealership was taking on, but her heart wasn’t in it.

  “What time was the wedding again?” he asked, when they’d finished the food.

  “It’s an evening wedding, but we can check in any time after noon.”

  “Good, ‘cause I’m still on Toronto time. I’ll pick you up around one o’clock, okay?”

  “Sounds good to me. That will get us there in plenty of time.” Samantha handed him his laundry at the door. “See you tomorrow.”

  After he’d left she realized that he hadn’t even asked her what was wrong. She so wanted to dump this guy, but she needed him as a shield for one more day. Then she’d break free.

  * * *

  As they crossed the Lions Gate Bridge the next day, Samantha’s heart constricted. The last time she’d crossed it had been with Freddie, on their shopping trip. To her right, she recognized a float plane belonging to Harbour Air. Would she ever be free of the reminders of that magical interlude when she’d fallen in love with him? She may not have admitted it to herself before this, but she had fallen in love with him. Hard, and all the way.

  * * *

  “This highway is really something.” They’d been driving for about an hour on the new highway leading to Whistler but Samantha had scarcely noticed the scenery. Cody was driving in his usual erratic manner, needing to pass every vehicle on the road.

  “Yes, it’s beautiful,” she agreed. She was trying to be pleasant today, and so far he seemed to be responding well...as long as she agreed with him.

  The hotel was tastefully decorated for the wedding; they were welcomed warmly and shown to their room. It overlooked a golf course, with glimpses of the lake in the background. The porter pointed out the package of information that outlined times and places for the wedding ceremony, as well as the reception and dinner.

  “I think I’ll go down to the lobby and have a drink at the bar.” Cody patted his pocket, where she knew he kept his business card holder. “Are you coming down?”

  “In a little while.” Samantha wanted to unpack the few things she’d brought. “I’ll see you down there.”

  The stress of the past twenty four hours was beginning to catch up with her, and she was exhausted. Before she realized what she was doing she kicked off her shoes and lay down on the bed. The duvet was soft and inviting, and she fell into a deep sleep.

  * * *

  She came awake slowly, aware of low sun streaming in through the balcony windows. For a moment she didn’t know where she was. Then, with a cry of alarm she sat up and checked the bedside clock, relieved to see that she hadn’t missed the wedding. The sleep had been healing; she felt able to go downstairs and face the world.

  * * *

  Guests milled about in the lobby when she went down. She steeled herself to see Freddie, but he hadn’t arrived...at least not yet. She greeted several people she recognized from school and managed to find Ashley’s parents and thank them for the accommodation.

  Lauren and Zach waved her over and she accepted a glass of champagne from a hovering server, then made her way across the room.

  “How are you?” Lauren scrutinized her carefully.

  “Okay, thanks. I just had a nap.” She looked around. “Have you seen Cody?”

  Lauren gave a most unlady-like snort. “He was here a few moments ago, sniffing around some young chick. I think I saw him go outside with her.”