Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

If Hayden had come by the inn to set Livi straight, the woman was taking it exceptionally well.

“Elle,” she gushed when Elle entered the inn’s parlor later for afternoon tea. Livi patted the seat next to her. “I’ve been looking for you.”

And I’ve been avoiding you.

“Things have been crazy busy helping West wrap up his memoir,” Elle lied as she helped herself to a plate full of Christmas cookies and a cup of tea.

In truth, she and West hadn’t spoken since he’d delivered his bombshell in the ballet studio several days ago. The man was still in Chances Inlet. She knew because she’d spied him at the diner enjoying lunch with several town council members the other day. Their paths had crossed at city hall, also. Elle couldn’t fathom what West could want with the chamber of commerce.

“Is he almost finished writing it?” Livi gave her a speculative glance over the rim of her teacup. “I’m sure you’re dying for him to hurry up so you can get back to New York.”

Elle shrugged. “Christmas is four days away. There would be no point now.”

“But you wouldn’t stay for New Year’s if he completes it before then, would you?”

Wow.

It sounded an awful lot like Livi wanted to get rid of her. Was she fantasizing about sharing a New Year’s kiss with Hayden? A sharp pang of jealousy knotted in Elle’s stomach.

Get used to it, she told herself. Even if they decided to continue their relationship as a long-distance one, women like Livi would constantly throw themselves at Hayden. And why wouldn’t they? He was perfect.

Would he get tired of waiting for her to come home and take what Livi was offering? His mother certainly would support that. Her appetite vanished at the thought. She pushed the plate of cookies to the center of the table.

“I’ll cross that bridge when West finishes,” Elle said.

“When West finishes what?” The damn man would pick that moment to enter the parlor. He strode over to their table and helped himself to one of Elle’s cookies.

Elle’s palms began to sweat. She believed they’d had a breakthrough in their relationship the other day when he’d given her the jump drive. He’d told her it was up to her when she turned it in. She presumed that meant he didn’t care that she wasn’t racing back to New York. Still, she had no idea if he’d cover for her right now.

“Your memoir, silly,” Livi told him. “I was asking Elle if you finish before the end of the year, will you both be returning to New York?”

Elle didn’t dare meet the man’s eyes. She could feel them boring into her, though. A painful moment stretched before he put her out of her misery.

“I have no plans to return to New York,” he declared as he ambled over to the coffee urn.

Livi looked as shocked by his words as Elle felt. Although, when she thought about it, his announcement made sense. There was something going on between him and Kitty. She was sure of it. And he was showing a lot of interest in the works of her town for some reason.

“Where will you go?” Livi asked. “Back to reporting from a war zone?”

He winced ever so slightly before he answered. “No. I have something more fun in mind.”

“You’re being very mysterious, Mr. West.” Livi tried to charm the man with her dazzling smile. “Won’t you let us in on your secret?”

West laughed before taking a sip of his coffee. He leaned a hip against the sideboard and aimed his gaze directly at Elle. “As soon as I get all the players onboard.”

“Will you be writing another book?” Livi asked.

Elle thought of the notebooks he’d been carrying around with him all this time. The journals written by his late wife. She wondered at the stories contained within them.

“I hope you do,” Elle surprised herself by saying.

One corner of his mouth turned up. “Do you?”

Were they back to this again?

“Yes. I do,” she stated emphatically.

His lips curved into a wide smile at her words. “Good.” He nodded to Livi. “Enjoy the rest of your tea, ladies.”

Two of the guests stopped him for a selfie on his way out. West obliged them before heading back down the hall to the study.

“What was that all about?” Livi asked.

Darned if she knew. But she was going to find out. Right now.

Elle stood from the table. “I’d better get back to work, too,” she said, spinning yet another fib. “I’m sure he needs some emails answered.”

Livi quickly stood to block her path. “Wait. I need your help with something.”

“You need my help?”

“Yes.” Livi’s lips formed a obstinate line. “I’d like to get Hayden a Christmas gift.”

Elle’s stomach was really burning now. “I’m sure he’d say it isn’t necessary.”

Something flashed in the other woman’s eyes. “Of course it’s not necessary. I want to anyway. I was hoping that, as his best friend , you could give me some ideas.”

“Did you ask his mom?” Elle regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. She wasn’t being fair. And she certainly shouldn’t let on that she was aware of the friendship between Claire Lovell and Livi.

“I did. Everything she suggested was practical. I don’t want to get him another pair of joggers or a vest to wear while he runs outside this winter. My gift needs to be something special. I want it to mean something.”

It felt like the air had been sucked from the room all of a sudden.

I want it to mean something.

The devil on Elle’s shoulder was telling her to give Livi an idea that was totally off base. Her conscience wouldn’t let her, though.

“He likes puzzles,” she said softly.

Livi arched her eyebrows. “Puzzles?”

Elle nodded. “Mm. Not just jigsaws. All kinds. Hayden likes the challenge of problem-solving and building things. Check at the bookstore. Paige has these cool three-dimensional ones of some of the famous buildings and sculptures around the world. She might also know if he has any of them already.”

“You are the best. Thank you so much.” Livi pulled her in for a hug before Elle had a chance to resist. “I can see why Hayden loves you so much.”

It took everything Elle had not to pull out of the other woman’s embrace and run screaming from the room. Hayden loved her. She knew that. He hadn’t said the words, but he didn’t have to. She felt it with all her being.

What she wasn’t so sure of? Whether their love could go the distance. They were both on different paths. One person had to bend for them to have the forever love she so desperately wanted.

“What an awesome idea,” Livi continued when she finally released Elle. “I’ll go into town and check with Paige after we finish our tea.”

“Great,” Elle said a little less enthusiastically. “I can’t stay, though.” She was pretty sure those cookies would taste like sawdust in her mouth. “I need to get back to work.”

“Sit with me at The Nutcracker tonight?” Livi asked. “Hayden won’t be off work in time to go, and I don’t know many other people in town.”

She bit back a sigh. “Sure.”

The study door was closed when Elle reached it. She knocked. After no one answered, she stormed in. West sat at the desk, wearing his headphones again, as he tapped the keys of his laptop. He pulled one side of the headphones away from his ear, and Mannheim Steamroller’s version of “Carol of the Bells” blared throughout the room. He clicked something on his keyboard, and the music stopped.

“Do you need something from me, Elinor?”

Now that she was face-to-face with the man, she couldn’t remember what she meant to ask him.

“Um, more like do you need any help from me?” she said.

“You were set free once you had the manuscript in your hands.”

“Uh, yeah. Okay.”

“Since my agent hasn’t received a congratulatory note from Helen, I assume you haven’t turned it in yet?”

“Hardly anyone is in the office this week,” she hedged. “It’s not like copy editing will be jumping right on it. Besides, I already read through it. It’s pretty clean.”

He leaned back in his chair. “But you could be back in New York City enjoying all the holiday glamour. Getting ready for your new job.”

Elle snapped to attention. “You know about that?”

“Helen likes to toy with people. I figured there had to be a reason she sent you to ride shotgun. A little bird told me she’d bribed you with a promotion.”

She was immediately defensive. “I proved myself for that promotion long before this ridiculous little field trip.”

“Yes, Elinor, you did. You are a fantastic writer, and you deserve the column. My point is that Helen shouldn’t have manipulated you that way.” He shrugged. “Now you know her game, and you’ll be able to see it coming next time. The knowledge will serve you well at Vantage .”

His words shocked her. “You think I’m a good writer? Even though I only write ‘bits and pieces for social media’?”

He had the good grace to blush. “Touché. But I did my homework and read some of your early work. Don’t doubt yourself, Elinor. You are a talented writer.”

She didn’t know what to say. “Thank you. Coming from you, that’s more than just a compliment. Your book is amazing, by the way. I think once veterans read it in its totality and get the whole story, they won’t be as negative toward you.”

“That’s what I’m counting on. I learned early on that you can’t please everyone, though. You’ve got to let some of that vitriol roll off your back.”

“Mr. Weeeesst!” Emily cried as she zoomed into the study. “It’s time to go to the auditorium for hair and makeup.”

“You weren’t kidding about appearing in The Nutcracker ,” Elle said with a chuckle. Not that she was surprised.

“He’s a party guest,” Emily explained as West gathered his garment bag from the back of the door. “And I get to dance with him at the end.”

“Do you now?” Elle tweaked her niece under the chin. “That sounds like fun.”

“It promises to be,” West said. “Life is always fun when you do the things you want to do.” The man winked at her. “See you after the show.”

Emily tugged at his hand. “Come on. Uncle Gavin is waiting in the car for us.” She blew a kiss to Elle. “Don’t forget to clap for me, Aunt Elle.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Hayden hesitated on the front step of the inn. He really didn’t like having to hurt Livi, but his mother was allowing things to get out of hand. And that left him in an awkward position.

Livi had given him a taste of what his furniture-building business could be like if he pursued it, and he was grateful to her for that. He was also thankful for her friendship. Hopefully, they could maintain a friendly professional working relationship after he cleared the air.

The front door swung open, and Emily came flying out. West followed on the little girl’s heels.

“It’s almost showtime, Deputy Hayden.” Her excitement was palpable. “Are you coming?”

He ruffled her hair. “I’ll be there in spirit. Someone has to work tonight, or else the sheriff wouldn’t be able to see you dance.”

“He’s going to record it. You can watch it tomorrow,” she told him.

“I will look forward to it.”

She raced toward the car idling in the driveway. “Last one in the car is Santa’s stinky socks,” she cried.

West let her win, descending the steps at a more sedate pace. He had a garment bag slung over his shoulder.

“Making your big ballet debut tonight?” Hayden asked.

“Something like that,” West replied. “Life is too short, Deputy, not to experience new things.”

“Funny. My aunt said something similar yesterday.”

The man’s eyes actually twinkled as he walked past. His smile was probably like the one of Hayden’s that Simone described as shit-eating. Ironically, his aunt’s smile was just as vibrant these days.

“West,” Hayden called after him.

The reporter stopped and turned around. “Hmm?”

Hayden cleared his throat. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen my aunt this happy. Not even when Uncle Theo was alive. Thank you for putting a smile back on her face.”

Neither of them said anything for a charged moment until West nodded. “The feeling is mutual.”

Gavin honked the horn. West chuckled as he turned toward the car again. “My dance partner is demanding.”

“One more thing before you go,” Hayden added. “Don’t you dare break her heart.”

West waved with his free hand. “I don’t intend to,” he said as he got into the front passenger seat of the car.

“Bye!” Emily yelled out the window as Gavin drove away.

Hayden climbed the steps to the veranda, in a hurry now to accomplish his task. As luck would have it, Livi was gliding down the stairs when he walked in. Her face lit up with a smile. She tugged her black cashmere jacket around her shoulders as she met him at the bottom.

“What a treat,” Livi remarked. “Your mother said you might drop by, but I know you don’t have much control over your time when you are on duty. I’m glad you could make it.”

Damn his mother.

She rose on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You caught me as I’m leaving for a walk into town. Join me?”

Hayden drew his hat from his head. “Sorry. I can’t. I came in my cruiser. I’m headed in the opposite direction.”

“Oh.”

“Do you have a minute? I’ve wanted to speak with you since you came by my workshop last week.”

A hint of apprehension filled her eyes. “If it’s about the contracts, we are all good to go. You should have already gotten the deposits in your bank account.”

“I have. It’s all good.” He ushered her back toward the parlor, which was blessedly deserted. Empty teacups were still sitting out. Hayden didn’t have too much time before someone would interrupt them when they came in to clean. “Can we sit for a minute?”

Livi hesitated briefly. With a resigned sigh and a stiff smile, she obliged.

Hayden placed his hat on the table. He took the chair beside her, turned it around so they could face each other, and sat. Perching his elbows on his knees, he leaned forward so their conversation had less of a chance of being overheard. “I wanted to talk to you because I think my mom has given you the wrong idea about something.”

“Oh my gosh, Hayden. Your mom is such a sweetheart. My parents have been on this five-month cruise, and I haven’t been able to talk to my mother as often as I’d like. Claire has been a godsend to me these past few weeks. You are so lucky to have her.”

Her enthusiastic praise of his mom caught him off guard. It seemed their friendship went both ways. Although he was glad she could be there for Livi, even if she had an ulterior motive in mind. He made a mental note to rope his dad in on what was going on because his mother likely wouldn’t take it well.

“Yes, I’m very lucky to have her. Except I think she’s been giving you the wrong idea about me. About us.”

“But she hasn’t,” Livi insisted. “Your mom is so proud of you and your talent at woodworking. She knows your furniture sales can take off. So do I. We are both going to work together to help you get your business off the ground.”

Shit.

This conversation was leapfrogging into territory even he didn’t see coming.

“This isn’t about my woodworking,” he told her. “Although I can see now I’m going to need to have a serious discussion with my mom because there is no way she’s getting involved with my business.”

“Oh, but you’re wrong to shut her out. Claire has incredible business sense.”

“Be that as it may, I’m a one-man show.”

She dropped her hands to her lap. “You don’t want to work together any longer?”

Hayden covered her hands with his. “I want to work with you. You have a good eye for what your clients’ needs are and I appreciate the business you throw my way. I would love to keep that going.”

“But?”

“But that’s all our relationship will ever be. Friends who do business together. I’m afraid I can’t offer you anything more than that.”

He let his words sink in, bracing himself for any sort of reaction, praying she didn’t cry.

“Ever?” she whispered.

“I’m sorry, Livi. I think my mom has been giving you the wrong idea.”

She drew in a deep breath. “It’s Elle, isn’t it?”

Hayden withdrew his hands. “What do you mean?”

“You’re in love with Elle.”

“We’re talking about us,” he insisted.

“You just said there is no ‘us.’ Outside of business, that is. And that’s fine. You make unique and beautiful furniture. I’m happy to steer clients your way. But don’t insult me by denying that you’re in love with Elle. Anyone who has ever been around the two of you can see it.” It was her turn to pat his hand. “I like both of you. I hope you two can work things out.”

Her candidness stunned him. “That’s—that’s really kind of you, Livi. Elle’s and my relationship is . . . complicated right now.”

“I’ll say. And I think it just got even more so.” She nodded to the hallway behind him.

Hayden turned to see Jeremy Keneally standing there, a dozen red roses in his hand and a smug smile on his face as he looked down the long hall. Elle approached him from the direction of the study.

“Jeremy?” she said.

“Oh, babe, am I glad to see you.” Jeremy wrapped his arms around Elle as if he owned her. Then he buried his lips against her neck.