Forever in Good Hope Read online

  It would be easy to say that was because the lifestyles of those she loved had begun to seem pedestrian compared to the fast and exciting world of the rich and famous in LA. Fin knew it went deeper than that. It hurt to realize she was no longer part of Good Hope except in only the most superficial of ways.

  “Is there any other Good Hope news that I can catch you up on?”

  “Let me think.” Fin tapped a finger against her lips and was pleased when his attention riveted to her mouth. “Tell me what you know about Lynn’s project.”

  Jeremy could put off going to bed no longer. “I’m calling it a night.”

  Ignoring his outstretched hand, Fin rose with a languid grace he’d always admired. They’d spent the last half hour talking about the child care needs in Good Hope. Jeremy had no doubt the Pompous Ass, er, Xander, would have been glancing at his Rolex in under three minutes.

  Like Fin, Jeremy still wasn’t sure exactly what role Lynn wanted her to play. Whatever it was, Fin would go along. Being able to spend time with Lynn under the guise of volunteerism was a perfect way to stay close to the town board member.

  Fin’s willingness to do whatever it took—within reason, of course—was something Jeremy needed to keep in mind when old feelings for her threatened.

  He told himself being this close was a good thing. Several times Eliza had accused him of never getting over Fin. Though he denied the accusations, deep down he wondered if there might be some truth to the words.

  The time he and Fin would spend together would be his opportunity to get her out of his system for good. It was obvious by her engagement she’d moved on. It was past time he did the same.

  He realized with a start she was staring at him, those brilliant green eyes sharp and assessing.

  “How are we going to handle this?” she asked.

  “Based on the fact that you’re asking, I’m guessing you don’t trust yourself to sleep in the same bed with me.” His lips twitched. “Totally understandable. You’re obviously afraid you won’t be able to resist this magnificent bod.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself, Rakes.” Fin rolled her eyes. “It’s just that I’ve experienced those roving hands.”

  He’d loved to touch her and still recalled each place that could make her moan. Jeremy shoved those memories aside. “Sleeping in the same bed with me is a problem for you?”

  There was a blatant challenge in his tone that even he could hear.

  Fin had never been able to resist a dare. Despite knowing that, he’d still thrown down the gauntlet.

  He could take the words back. All he needed to do was laugh, pretend it had all been a joke, and tell her he’d sleep on the pull-out sofa in the sitting room.

  Fin surveyed him from under lowered lashes.

  Jeremy knew how her mind worked―or, rather, how it had once worked. By the smug look in her eyes, she’d decided how far she was willing to go to call his bluff.

  “I’ll be sleeping on the sofa.”

  Jeremy fought a surge of disappointment, then chastised himself, knowing she was the only one in the room displaying even a modicum of common sense.

  “And there’ll be no sleeping au naturel,” she added.

  “I haven’t worn pajamas in years.”

  “Then it’s time to pull them out of the drawer.” The teasing look on her face turned serious. “I’m engaged, Jeremy.”

  “If you’re so concerned about that, why are you sharing my suite?”

  She looked at him, raised a brow.

  Ruby.

  He let the subject drop.

  Fin finished off the wine she still held in her hand and set down the glass. “We’re both adults, and all we’ll be doing is sleeping. But you need to remember that not only am I in love with another man, I made him a promise.”

  Fin’s promises were golden, Jeremy thought. In all the time they’d been together, despite her popularity with other boys, he’d never worried about her cheating on him.

  The only promise she’d broken had been the one they’d exchanged at fourteen, and that had been a promise between children.

  She was a woman now, and he was a guy who knew the score.

  “All right.” Jeremy exhaled a melodramatic breath. “I’ll dig out the pajama bottoms.”

  “And the top,” Fin added.

  “You drive a hard bargain, Ms. Bloom.”

  Fin smiled. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

  Jeremy ended up taking the sofa bed. His even breathing told Fin he was asleep.

  She had a good view of the sofa from the huge four-poster. Sharing a room for a few hours of sleep every night should be easy. She’d crashed in college with several guy friends and even a couple of times in LA when she’d first moved there and needed a place to stay for a couple of days.

  There had been no sex involved, not even a thought of sex. Of course, those boys—men—had been friends. There’d been no past intimacy to rear its head and remind her how good it had once felt to hold him close, to feel his hands on her . . .

  Stop.

  She would not let her thoughts go in that direction. Xander was the man for her. He was her fiancé. He was the one she would spend the rest of her life with, have children with . . .

  A knife lanced her heart, so sharp Fin was surprised when she lifted one hand to the source of the pain to find her nightshirt dry instead of wet with blood.

  Her breath now came in fast little puffs and sleep had never been further away. Silently, she eased off her side of the bed, her bare feet making no sound on the hardwood. She glanced at the clock. One thirty. Still early in LA.

  She’d meant to phone Xander, truly she had, but the change in sleeping arrangements had done a number on her head. She’d forgotten all about her fiancé.

  After removing her phone from the charger, Fin crept out of the room and silently down the hall. The moon shone through the large windows at the back of the home, so there was no need to turn on the lights.

  Fin considered the best place to have a private conversation with Xander. With Ruby in the house, it needed to be somewhere she could be assured of not being overheard.

  Outside.

  Either the front porch or back patio.

  The front porch with its swing won. Once she was comfortably settled, she called Xander. To her surprise, he answered on the second ring, sounds of clinking glasses and laughter in the background.

  “Fin, this is a nice surprise.” The pleasure in his voice warmed her as much as the summer air. “I won’t be long.”

  “Are you at a party?”

  “Oh, Chad invited a couple of people over.” Xander tossed the name out there as if of no consequence.

  Fin knew differently. Uberwealthy and a patron of the arts, Chad Kingston was the money behind many top independent films. And Xander, well, he had an indie he was dying to direct . . . as soon as the funding was secured.

  “Did you speak with him about backing the film?” She settled back against the swing and realized just how much she’d needed to touch base with Xander.

  “Not yet.” The sounds of crystal and conversation muted, and she assumed her fiancé had moved to somewhere more private to talk. Still, his voice continued low and for her ears only. “I just arrived.”

  Doubtless anyone in Good Hope would find it odd not only to have a party on a Tuesday night, but for a guest to show up shortly before midnight. She’d once found that behavior strange, too.

  “I miss you.” She whispered the sentiment into the phone while holding up her hand to stare at the diamond.

  “Miss you too, babe,” he said, then called out, “I’m talking business. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “Talking business?” she teased.

  “No other reason will do.” His tone was as light as hers. “How’s it going there?”

  She wanted to tell him about dinner with her sisters and about Jeremy’s grandmother, but even with two thousand miles separating them, Fin sensed his impatience.

&n
bsp; “I met today with one of the town board members who voted against the proposal.” Fin kept her words short and to the point as she went on to explain she’d agreed to help Lynn with a project.

  “Smart move.” Approval rang in Xander’s voice, though he’d started to sound distracted again. “I’ve used that tactic myself. Ingratiate yourself by doing a favor, then let them do a solid for you.”

  “It’s not really—”

  “I’ll be right there.” Charm returned to his rich baritone.

  Fin could almost see the flash of his perfect white teeth.

  “Time for me to get back to the party. Sounds as if you’re making progress. Keep up the good work.”

  The connection broke, and Fin stared at the phone in her hand.

  He didn’t even say goodbye. Or that he loved her.

  A welling of some emotion she couldn’t quite identify rose inside her. Then she told herself she was being too sensitive. Xander was at a party hosted by a potential investor. Of course he couldn’t hang out on the phone chatting with her all night.

  “Can’t sleep?”

  Even as her heart flip-flopped, Fin’s head jerked toward the doorway. Jeremy’s lean figure stood swathed in shadows.

  “Just enjoying the evening air.” Fin set down her phone, then gestured with one hand toward the sky. “And loving the full moon. What about you?”

  Jeremy ambled across the porch. “I’m a light sleeper.”

  So he’d heard her get up and had come to check on her. She wondered how much of her conversation with Xander he’d overheard.

  “How’s Xander?” The swing creaked as he sat beside her.

  “He’s doing well.” Fin wished she had a drink, more for something to do with her hands than because she was thirsty.

  By the way Jeremy shifted in place, she knew he was probably wishing for a prop, too. “I imagine parties are essential for someone in his position.”

  “They are.” Fin was grateful he understood. The last thing she needed was someone making a remark about her fiancé attending a party without her.

  “I know being here, without him, is difficult.” Jeremy cleared his throat. “I appreciate the sacrifice.”

  “You could ease my pain by saying you’ll vote yes this time.”

  “Good try.” He grinned and she felt warm all over.

  “I suppose I should attempt to get some sleep.” Fin pretended to yawn, fighting a sudden urge to close the distance between them. “Tomorrow will be another busy day.”

  Despite the words, Fin made no move to walk to the door, not even when Jeremy stood and crossed to the rail. When he inclined his head back to look up at the sky and moonlight bathed his face, Fin’s heart gave a lurch.

  “I understand him.” Jeremy’s voice was a low rumble.

  Curious, Fin rose and slipped to the rail. “Xander?”

  Jeremy turned his head slightly and nodded before returning his gaze to the moon. The golden orb sat large and heavy in the dark sky, surrounded by a million sparkling stars.

  “How could he not love it here?” Jeremy’s gaze met hers. “Who knows? Eventually you and the director may end up settling in Good Hope.”

  Though Xander had grown up rural, he’d made it clear he was big city to the core. She understood. Like her, he’d built a life in California. “I don’t think—”

  “Door County is a boomerang.”

  Fin was familiar with the saying. People might leave to pursue their education or a job opportunity, but they always returned. There was something special about Good Hope that made it like no other place on earth.

  “For most, yes,” Fin acknowledged. “Not for all.”

  “You don’t think you’ll ever be back to stay.”

  It was a statement, not a question, but one Fin felt compelled to answer.

  Before she did, Fin breathed in the scent of evergreen. The air was so clean here, so fresh. Once she “jilted” Jeremy and married Xander, she would have effectively closed the door on ever returning to Good Hope to live.

  “No.” Fin lifted her gaze to the sky and pushed aside the regret. “That’s why I plan to enjoy every second.”

  Chapter Twelve

  By the time Fin woke the next morning, Jeremy was gone. His pillow and blanket were off the sofa and back on the bed, likely in case his grandmother glanced in the room to check.

  Ruby.

  It wasn’t the older woman who should be checking in on her, it was she who should be checking on Ruby. Fin glanced at the clock and realized Jeremy had likely been gone for hours. She hoped he’d made sure all was well with his grandmother before leaving.

  Fin pulled on the pair of jeans and tee she’d borrowed from Ami. She didn’t wait to put on her shoes. She took the steps two at a time but found Ruby’s room empty.

  After checking the other rooms on the second level, she headed back downstairs. When she called out and didn’t receive a reply, her heart began to race.

  Fin pulled out the phone she’d stuffed in her pocket. She wished she’d thought to put Jeremy’s number on speed dial. As she scrolled through her contacts, she called out again, this time raising her voice several decibels. “Ruby.”

  “We’re out here.”

  Relief surged. Fin let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Only then did the words fully register.

  We’re? Fin pulled her brows together. Had Jeremy decided to stay home and tend to his grandmother? It would be like him, she thought with a rush of warmth. She scurried toward the back of the house in the direction of Ruby’s voice.

  She found Jeremy’s grandmother on a back terrace that overlooked a sprawling expanse of green. A plate of pastries and a carafe sat beside a vase of daisies on the glass-topped table. Two sets of eyes turned in her direction when she stepped out.

  “Ami and I were beginning to wonder if you’d ever wake up.” Ruby gestured to a chair, looking regal in a blue silk caftan. “Sit. Your sister brought the most wonderful pastries for us to sample.”

  “This is a nice surprise.” Fin glanced at Ami, who thankfully was also dressed casually in jeans and a green gingham shirt. The only difference was her sister wore shoes.

  Fin curled her toes into the flagstone, hoping if she didn’t look down, no one else would either. “I thought you’d be at the bakery.”

  “Already there and done.” Ami covered a yawn with her fingers, the huge diamond on her left hand sparkling in the morning light.

  “You need to take care of yourself.” Fin dropped into the chair next to her sister. Worry surged at the sight of the dark shadows beneath Ami’s eyes. “Your baby could come anytime. You shouldn’t be pushing yourself so hard.”

  “I told her the same.” Ruby gave a decisive nod. “Ami’s priority needs to be her child.”

  Bad things happened in a pregnancy when you didn’t take care of yourself, when you pushed too hard.

  Panic had Fin’s throat in a choke hold. Some of what she felt must have showed on her face, because Ami reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before smiling at Ruby.

  “You two can relax. I’ve already had that lecture from my husband.” Ami’s gaze dropped to her swollen belly, and a little smile lifted her lips. “This was my last morning. I won’t be working at the bakery until after the baby is born. Hadley is now in charge and assures me she’ll keep everything under control.”

  Fin had met Hadley, Ami’s second-in-command, numerous times. Though the woman had shown up in Good Hope with no references and a sketchy backstory, Ami had hired her on her baking skills alone.

  While Ami held Hadley in high regard, Fin had always thought there was something secretive about the woman. She wondered if Hadley thought the same about her.

  Fin shoved the thought aside as of no consequence and refocused on her sister. “I’m glad you’re taking these last few weeks to rest.”

  “That’s what makes your return to Good Hope so perfect, Delphinium. You and your sister are now free to s
pend time together. That wouldn’t be possible if you were in LA.” Ruby warmed her own coffee, then glanced at Fin. “May I pour you a cup?”

  Fin stared at the carafe, then at Ruby. “Should you be drinking coffee?”

  Dear God, I sound just like my mother.

  From the twitch in Ami’s lips, she agreed.

  “It’s decaf.” The older woman leaned forward as if imparting a secret. “But you’d never know it. It’s full flavored and robust.”

  “I brought some with me for Ruby to try. It’s Café Du Monde’s chicory decaf.” A soft smile lit Ami’s face. “Beck found it for me on Amazon.”

  Fin hadn’t been convinced any man would be worthy of her sister. Beckett Cross had proved her wrong. “Your husband is a sweetie.”

  The comment widened the smile on Ami’s lips.

  Beck was a lot like Jeremy, Fin mused. Both men liked to do nice things for those they loved. Fin had no doubt the pretty flowers on the table were from Jeremy to brighten his grandmother’s day.

  “I love gerbera daisies. I’m especially fond of the yellow ones.” Fin touched a petal the color of lemons with one finger.

  Ami lifted the dainty china cup to her lips. “They’ve always been your favorite.”

  “I believe that’s why my grandson chose them for you.”

  Ruby’s comment had Fin shaking her head. “They’re yours, I’m sure of it.”

  “Not according to this card.” Ami pushed a small manila envelope across the tabletop. “The delivery boy and I hit the porch at the same moment.”

  Fin eyed her name neatly printed on the front of the card. She cocked her head. “What does it say?”

  Ami chuckled. “I may have brought in the flowers and Ruby may have carried them outside, but we stopped at reading the card.”

  “Your sister can be very strict,” Ruby informed Fin, her blue eyes twinkling. “Open the card.”

  Fin hesitated, deciding she’d paraphrase if there was something a little too personal in the note. Then she nearly laughed aloud. How personal could it be?

  She slipped the tiny card from the envelope.