LITMIR.BIZ

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too busy,” she reminded archly. “You can’t even find a moment to work on the sets.”

      “Tati and her grandmother have a standing date on Friday nights. I’m free as a bird then.”

      Ashley shifted uncomfortably. “I’m not really interested in dating right now,” she murmured, feeling hemmed in. “I came to Serenity Bay to relax and recuperate for a little while.”

      “After your accident. My mother told me. Do you want to talk about it?”

      “No.”

      “Okay, then.” Michael folded his hands together in his lap, stretched out his legs and glanced around like an eager tourist taking in the sights. “Nice weather we’re having, isn’t it?”

      She couldn’t help but chuckle.

      “Now there’s a sound I haven’t heard in a while. Ashley laughing. I like it.” Piper walked onto the deck behind Jason who was carrying a tray with two mugs and a plate of cookies on it. She sat down on the swing, patted the seat next to her then accepted her cup. “What are you two talking about?”

      “The weather.”

      “Ashley not dating.”

      Their simultaneous responses had the other two grinning.

      “Maybe we should go back inside and let them settle this,” Jason said.

      “Oh, I’d rather let them continue. We’ll just listen in.” Piper leaned back against Jason’s arm, slung across the back of her seat and passed the cookies. “Ashley needs a challenge, Michael. She’s kind of stuck in her ways. That’s why I’ve been begging her to help me with the festival. Did you know she contacted her former boss about setting up a gallery to display local artists’ work in town?”

      Michael shifted, his attention intent on Piper.

      “I didn’t know,” he said. He turned to Ashley. “Any luck?”

      “No. He turned me down without even seeing some of the things that are produced here. But that’s okay. I’ll find someone else. I’m good at getting backers for artists who need to get their work to the public.”

      “Are you?”

      “Have you heard of Terrence Demain?”

      “Who hasn’t?” Michael nodded, eyes wide. “Mosaics. Gorgeous walls of fantastic color.”

      “Exactly. A friend of mine commissioned his first wall. The critics couldn’t get enough of his work and he took off.”

      “That’s what Ashley does, you see. She finds the talent and then brings it to the light. Her former boss could tell you how good she is if he hadn’t fired her.” Piper smiled at Ashley. “How many times has Ferris begged you to come back, Ash?”

      “I’ve lost count.”

      “You don’t want to go back to your old job?” Michael studied her.

      “Maybe. Sometime.” Ashley kept her face expressionless as she scrambled for excuses. The intensity of his stare was unnerving. “I need a break first. I’d been working nonstop for ages. It feels good to relax, putter around a bit. And Piper’s a peach for letting me come here. There’s nowhere like the Bay for reorienting yourself.”

      “Mmm.” Michael tilted his head to one side, shrugged. “I guess.”

      She watched him closely, framing her next words with care.

      “You probably thought the same thing yourself. I mean, isn’t that why you’ve come back, after all these years? To start over with your daughter?”

      “I guess you could say that.”

      If she hadn’t been watching Ashley might have missed his wince. As it was, she couldn’t help but wonder what had caused it and why he was staring at her as if she held some secret he needed.

      “Anyway, I’ll probably leave in a couple of weeks.”

      “But you have to be here for our wedding, Ash,” Piper protested. “You and Row are my bridesmaids and I’m not getting married without either of you. I’ve got your dresses all picked out.” She threaded her fingers through Jason’s, her engagement ring flashing its fire. “Christmas isn’t all that far off, you know.”

      Michael choked on his coffee. One look at his face and Ashley burst into laughter.

      “What is so funny?” Piper asked.

      “Apparently you’re not the only one who’s looking forward to Christmas,” Ashley told her.

      “Or thinking about fancy dresses,” Michael added.

      “Oh.” A furrow appeared across Piper’s forehead. She glanced from him to Ashley, then shrugged. “I’ll assume it’s a private joke.”

      “It is,” Ashley assured her.

      Michael winked at her, then rose.

      “I’d better get going,” he told her, holding out one hand to Ashley. “Walk me to my car?”

      She could hardly refuse. Ashley placed her hand in his and rose. “I thought you said you had Friday evenings free?”

      “I do. I gave my students a test last week and promised I’d have their marks ready on Monday. People think teaching is nine to three but they have no idea about the overtime.”

      “I guess not.”

      “Thanks for hosting me, Piper. And Jason, anytime you want another dinner guest, give me a call.”

      “Will do.” Jason and Piper stood together, arms wrapped around each other’s waists. “You know you’re welcome. Bring Tatiana next time.”

      “We’ll see.” He walked toward the door. Ashley followed. “Good night,” he said as he stepped outside. “Thanks again.”

      They waved. Ashley walked with him to his car without saying anything. Dusk had fallen. Across the road, some sixty feet away, a doe and her fawn were enjoying an evening lunch on a patch of grass. She touched his arm, pointed.

      Michael watched for a while. Then he faced her.

      “It was a great meal,” he said. “I enjoyed talking to you. Are you sure you won’t have dinner with me sometime, so I can repay your generosity?”

      She shook her head, smiled. “I don’t think so. But thank you.”

      “Why?”

      The bald question took her by surprise.

      “Because.”

      “That’s not an answer.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, kicked at a stone on the ground before meeting her gaze.

      “I’m not trying to trap you into anything, Ashley. I’m not looking for anything more than a friend I can talk to.” He shrugged. “Tati’s great but sometimes it’s nice to talk to another adult, discuss something other than her friend Wanda at day care.”

      She smiled at the frustration that gilded his voice.

      “I’m sure there are lots of adults you can talk to.”

      “But not you?”

      She shrugged. “I won’t be here that long. I’m going to spend some time helping Piper while I search for another job.” She struggled to explain. “I’m sure your mother told you I broke off my engagement recently. I guess what I’m saying is that I need time to put my world back together again.”

      He nodded, his dark eyes melting with empathy.

      “Believe me, I understand that.” He thrust out his hand. “If you get a moment and want to talk, phone me.”

      “And you’ll make time in that busy

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