Perfect Night (Mason Creek)

“You know she’s engaged to the city guy. Last thing this town needs is his father’s company gobbling up businesses in town. We like our way of life here. Folks don’t want a Starbucks on every corner. Do you understand?”

I nodded because I did. I didn’t want Mason Creek to become more like a big city either. That didn’t stop this conversation from grating on my nerves. “If she asks for my advice, I’ll give it,” I said without specifying what that would be.

“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have another meeting.”

As we left, a beautiful brunette I’d never seen before was out in the hall and went in after us.

“Who’s that?” I asked the sheriff.

“Probably someone from the county.”

He didn’t explain further. Considering I hadn’t liked the intrusiveness of their questions, I let it go.

For the next few days, I also stayed away from Emma. She hadn’t called either. I had gotten the chance to talk to Wyatt about me taking the chief deputy sheriff position. It turned out he had a side job as a handyman that kept him busy. He was cool with me getting the job as he didn’t want the added responsibility with everything he had going on.

When the doorbell rang Friday night, I went to the door thinking it might be Emma.

When I opened it, it was Darcy with a Sauce It Up pizza box. I didn’t know my smile had disappeared until Darcy asked, “Expecting someone else?”

That was when I remembered telling Darcy she could come over Friday to help me redesign the house. “No, just you.” Because I hadn’t been expecting Emma. I’d just hoped it would have been her.

Darcy sashayed into the kitchen where she put the delicious-smelling pizza on the counter. I wondered if across town Emma was eating pizza with her fiancé. Had he come back to town? I could have asked Darcy because in the past she seemed to know all the gossip, but I decided not to.

I was pretty sure I’d given Emma enough hints about my feelings for her. It was up to her what she wanted to do.

Chapter 9

Emma

Days had passed and I heard nothing from Aiden. It wasn’t like he owed me anything, but I’d gotten used to seeing him and I hadn’t seen his face the last few days.

The bar was unusually quiet even for a Thursday. I let my waitresses go, leaving me to wait tables.

Sadie, Justine, Leni, Laken, and Anna all sat around one of our bigger tables. I walked over. “Hey ladies, what can I get for you?”

They all looked at each other before Leni piped up. “Something for us to celebrate.”

I grinned because their excitement was palpable. “How about champagne?”

“I can’t,” Justine announced.

“Me either,” Sadie said.

The rest of the girls waited for either of them to say more when it hit me. “You’re pregnant.” There were rumors but I never wanted to assume. Both women nodded. “I’m so happy for you.”

Sadie and Wyatt had finally gotten together, something I saw coming. Justine was blissfully happy with Tucker. She was there every time he did a set on my stage. Boy, could he sing.

“It looks like everyone is finding their man,” I said, feeling a little bad for myself. I wore a ring, but I wasn’t happy like I expected.

“Not everyone,” Leni said. “I’ve sworn off men.” She looked at Sadie and Justine. “But I’m excited for you two.”

Laken spoke up next, “The only guy I’ve ever wanted, I can’t have.”

I could have said something similar. Though Aiden was back, he’d only ever treated me like a friend.

“How about I get you a round of cocktails and virgin one’s for you too?”

They all nodded, and I left them. Was it wrong to feel envious? I’d thought I had it all until I didn’t. Still the encounter with the girls helped make my decision.

The next day after spending a long time cooking, I took matters into my own hands. I gave hours to the waitresses I’d sent home earlier yesterday, which left the bar covered with Jack there.

It was probably a bad idea to show up at Aiden’s unannounced, especially when I could have called him any day this week to express my gratitude. I hadn’t. I’d also been avoiding Evan’s repeated calls and texts.

What had I done instead? I made a pot of chili and drove the long way to Aiden’s hoping the nosy folks in town wouldn’t know where I was headed.

I sat in my car for a second before I got out. I lugged the pot to the door. The closer I got, I heard giggles. Female laughter. I bypassed the door to take a quick peek inside. I didn’t want to bother Aiden if he had company.

There, leaning against the counter was Aiden with his arms folded. Darcy Williams had her hands braced on his chest as she moved in for the obvious kiss. I pulled back before they saw me. I only noticed then Darcy’s car was parked a little way down. It wasn’t in front of his house as if she didn’t want people making the assumptions I was standing on the porch.