Treasure on Lilac Lane (Jewell Cove 2)

“I’m really impressed, Jess. I’m starting to see how much work goes into this place and how you handle it with, well, ‘ease’ is probably the best word. You must really love it.”

She beamed at him. “I do. It’s not perfect, and it can be a bit of a challenge owning your own business, you know? But I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

Opening her own carton, she grabbed her sandwich and took a bite of fresh bread, still slightly warm. Wiping her mouth on a napkin, she laughed. “I should have known turkey would be on special the day after Thanksgiving,” she said. “No one makes turkey salad like Gus.”

“I bet there’s a secret ingredient.”

“Probably.”

“If there is, he’ll take it to his grave.” Rick finished his first half in record time. “If Gus ever leaves, I don’t know what they’ll do.”

For a few more minutes they ate, comfortable with the silence between them. When the last crumb was consumed, Rick sat back and rubbed his belly. “That hit the spot.”

Jess nodded. “It did, but I should get back. Both Mom and Tessa are leaving at three. I need to take advantage of their help while I’ve got it.”

“I’ll stay until closing. So you don’t have to be here alone,” he added.

There was something in the way he said it that twigged with Jess. What was his underlying reason? To help? Or to make sure she wasn’t alone? This couldn’t be about Mike, could it?

She dismissed the thought and wondered if she might be just a little bit paranoid. They’d made their point to Mike yesterday and up until now he’d kept his promise to Josh. Meeting had been unpleasant and damned uncomfortable, but a day later she was able to see things more clearly. Rick was just here to help. Maybe he wanted to spend more time with her after last night. The thought sent a warmth rushing through her and she smiled a little to herself. Besides, an extra set of hands for the remainder of the afternoon would be very welcome.

“Since I haven’t paid you for today, how about you stay for dinner? I can promise there won’t be turkey on the menu.”

Rick closed up his container and brushed his hands together. “How can I refuse an offer like that?” he asked, getting up and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Besides,” he murmured, his lips close to her skin, “it gives me more time with you.”

The warm feeling remained throughout the afternoon as Rick stayed and they closed up the store together. She’d been right after all. He simply wanted more time with her, and nothing could have pleased her more.

* * *

After the holiday craziness, the next days settled down a bit and Rick worked on a few of his made-to-order projects. Right now he was replacing the last hinge on the front of the grandfather clock in Abby and Tom’s hall.

The workmanship was solid, but the age of the piece dictated he be incredibly careful. He’d even questioned Tom’s judgment in tinkering with it at all, voicing the opinion that altering the glass on the door would affect its worth. But Tom had argued that he and Abby weren’t worried about that, and so he’d removed the door, taken it to his studio, and painted a simple design of an apple blossom branch holding a pair of fat chickadees.

Tom stood behind him, watching the progress. “Dude, you continually surprise me,” he said.

“I get that a lot.” Finished, Rick looked over his shoulder and grinned. “Hope your wife likes it.”

“She will. Listen, are you busy tonight?”

He thought about the boxes of ornaments he had ready to go to Jess’s. “I can make time. I’ve got to drop a few things off at Jess’s…”

“A few things, huh? How are things with you two?”

Rick chuckled. “Things are none of your damned business, bro.”

A full-throated laugh echoed through the hall. “Right. Well, good for you guys. It’s about time. For both of you.”

As much as Rick was enjoying being with Jess, he wasn’t sure he was ready for everyone to pair them off as a big thing. “I’m just looking out for her, that’s all,” he insisted. He stood up and brushed his hands on his jeans, wondering if he was as transparent as he felt.

“I hope not, Rick. She deserves more than someone keeping an eye out, you know? And if you’re playing around with her…”

“Relax,” he said quietly. “A guy can do both, you know. But you didn’t hear that from me.”

Tom relaxed, but only slightly. “Anything happening with the asshole?”

“Not that I can tell.”