Chasing a Brighter Blue, page 9
“And instead, it’s this big production lasting nearly two weeks.”
“Well, two weeks for some. I get to get out of here bright and early Saturday morning and go to Hawaii,” Stephanie said. “And it can’t come soon enough.”
“Yes. I’m thinking I’m heading back to Denver on Saturday too,” she said.
Stephanie shook her head. “Wouldn’t it be sad if the only people still here are her family taking advantage of the free rooms?”
“It would serve her right,” Shelby said. “And I know that’s mean to say, but she rubs it in their faces any chance she gets.”
“Do you think we’ll even recognize our aunts? I haven’t seen any of them since I was a kid, I think.”
Shelby tried to picture them. “Aunt Laura is the oldest. Holly’s mother is Kathleen, isn’t she?”
“I think so. Holly is what? Between us?”
“I think she’s a year older than you,” Shelby said. “And then Aunt Kay, the youngest. I think I would know them,” she said. “We went with Mother when they put their mother in the nursing home, remember?”
“Talk about depressing,” Stephanie murmured.
Shelby stood up. “Okay, enough of this. I need a drink.” She went to her mini-kitchen and opened a cabinet, finding her bottle of brandy along with a cognac. She chose the cognac. “You want one?”
“It’s three o’clock, Shelby.”
She sighed. “God, I know.” She put the cognac back. “What is it about our mother that makes me want to drink so?”
“Stress.”
She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge instead. “I’m sorry, Steph, but I can’t wait for your wedding to be over with.”
“You and me both,” she said. “And Josh has been hanging out with his cousins, leaving me with Mother. And she is non-stop about the wedding.”
Shelby sighed. “Well, I guess I need to find her and have a talk about the tree in the lobby.”
“It’s an hour before dinner. Why don’t you wait until then?” Stephanie suggested. “She’ll be less likely to cause a scene.”
“I guess I could go down a little early.”
Stephanie stood. “Well, I’ll let you shower. I should go get ready too.” She paused. “And you should consider something other than jeans tonight, Shelby. Mother wants it to be fancy and jeans won’t do it.”
“For a seafood buffet? I think jeans will be fine.”
Stephanie shook her head. “I’m wearing that new silk blouse Mother got me with a skirt.”
“And I’ll be wearing a sweater over a turtleneck,” she said. “And if my mood hasn’t completely soured by then, I’ll wear khakis instead of jeans.”
Stephanie laughed. “You do that just to piss her off, don’t you?”
“Yes. Because she makes such a big deal out of it. I dress up every day at the office. When I’m here, I’m wearing what makes me comfortable. You’ll be lucky to get khakis.”
Stephanie walked over and gave her a quick hug. “Just so you know, what you wear to the office every day…I wouldn’t exactly call it dressing up.”
Shelby frowned. “You don’t consider my expensive power suits ‘dress up’? Not even the one with pinstripes?”
Shelby shook her head. “Maybe if you paired them with skirts. You have sexy legs, Shelby. Why don’t you show them off?”
“And who do I want to show them off to at the office?”
“You never know who you might meet. What if—when I met Josh at that Christmas party—I hadn’t been wearing what I was? He may not have even noticed me.”
Shelby waved her away. She was long weary of this conversation. “Okay. Whatever. See you down at dinner.”
“Reached your limit, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. See you at dinner.”
She sighed heavily when the door closed. Stephanie would never admit it, but she sure was an awful lot like their mother.
“Poor Josh,” she murmured.
Chapter Fifteen
Shelby walked into the restaurant about fifteen minutes early. The back portion had been walled off by a partition and she heard her mother’s voice giving instructions. She nodded politely at Sonya—who was seating an elderly couple—as she made her way to the partition. She had to admit, it looked nice. The tables were covered in alternating green and red tablecloths. Freshly cut spruce boughs were arranged on each table and red and green candles were already lit. She spied her mother talking to one of the chefs and she went over.
“I specifically asked for three types of cocktail shrimp, not two. And what about the crab legs?”
“Yes, ma’am, we’ll have crab legs. But if you want three kinds of cocktail shrimp, then I’ll have to go short somewhere else. We were going to fry some and sauté some with a mushroom sauce for the pasta you wanted.”
“Fry? I don’t like fried. That seems so—”
“Delicious,” Shelby said, interrupting her. She turned to the chef. “Two types of cocktail shrimp are sufficient,” she said. “Please don’t cut short my fried shrimp.”
He nodded with relief. “Thank you. Yes. I’ll get right to it.”
Her mother stared at her. “Since when have you taken an interest in the menu?”
“Since you were about to cancel the fried shrimp,” she said. “Mother, there aren’t that many guests yet. There’s no need to have three varieties of cocktail shrimp.”
“Well, I think having only two lacks focus and planning. I wouldn’t want anyone to think that I’m skimping on this meal.”
“No one will think that.” She clasped her arm at the elbow and led her away from the tables. “I need to talk to you. It’s about the Christmas tree in the lobby.”
“Yes. I meant to talk to you too. I tried to call you this morning,” she said.
“I was at the park,” Shelby said, completely forgetting about the missed call from her mother. “Reagan wanted a quick tour.”
“What park?”
“The national park.”
“Oh. I should have guessed that’s where you were. Well, about the tree. I want it moved into the ballroom in time for the dance Monday. And of course it’ll be there for the wedding on Friday. Bruce has yet to do it. I need you to talk to him.”
“Yes. About that. The tree is not going to get moved, Mother. It stays in the lobby.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “It’s one thing for you to override me in regard to the menu. But how dare you override my directive to Bruce?”
“I dare because it’s a whim on your part,” she said bluntly. “They already have several trees planned for the ballroom. This particular tree is in the lobby every year at Christmas. Would you have us not have a tree this year?”
“I simply want the tree for the wedding. He can put one of the smaller trees in the lobby.”
She shook her head. “No. You have no idea what it takes to put up the tree in the first place. It’s in four parts. It takes several hours to put it together and get it anchored safely. Then it is painstakingly decorated. It’s nearly thirty feet tall. You can imagine the difficulty they have.”
“That is not my concern,” she said. “I want—”
“It’s my concern, Mother. All three hotels have the same tree in the lobby. The tree stays.”
“If your father were here—”
“He’d agree with me and you know it.” She paused. “When is he coming back?”
“I have no idea. He’s still in Aspen, he said.” She lowered her voice. “Perhaps you could call him?”
She sighed, remembering Stephanie’s earlier concern. “Yes, I’ll call him.” She raised her eyebrows. “So? We’re okay with the tree?”
“Not really but I suppose I have no choice. It’s only…well, I want everything to be perfect for the wedding. You know my sisters will be here. I don’t want them to think that this is some ordinary wedding,” she said.
“No one would ever call any of this ordinary, Mother.”
“Well, I’m trying to make it special for Stephanie. I’ve given up on you ever getting married.”
“I hope you mean to a man,” she said. “Because you know, me getting married now is a possibility.”
“Yes, well, so they say.” Her mother stood up straighter. “Have you met Doug’s parents? They’re delightful people. Perhaps you would like to join us at our table for dinner?”
“We’ll see.”
“He’s such a nice man, Shelby.”
“Yes, I’m sure he is. It’s a shame I don’t like nice men,” she said pointedly.
“Oh, here they are now. Right on time.”
Shelby turned, silently groaning as Doug’s eyes swept over her. Instead of a turtleneck, she’d decided on a lavender button-down shirt. The dark lavender sweater matched perfectly. And instead of khakis, she’d decided on black jeans. Tight black jeans. Doug apparently approved. Before she could protest, he’d captured her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
“You look absolutely stunning, Shelby. Please, won’t you give me the pleasure of dining with me and my parents?”
“Of course she will,” her mother answered for her. “I have our table reserved.”
Shelby smiled politely and nodded, all the while looking around for Reagan or even Stephanie to come to her rescue. No luck as neither was there yet.
“My parents, Henry and Lenora,” Doug introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” she said as she shook both of their hands.
“Oh, you too, dear. We’ve heard so much about you.”
“Josh’s father and Henry are brothers,” her mother supplied. “They are also in the farming business.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard,” she said.
“Well, let’s take a seat, shall we?” her mother directed. “I’ll have them bring out some wine for us while we wait for dinner.”
Shelby cringed as Doug placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the table. She glanced once more at the door, pleased to see Stephanie and Josh walk in. She gave Stephanie a pleading look, but Stephanie only waved. She was either ignoring her plea or she didn’t recognize it. The smile on Stephanie’s face told her it was the former.
I’ll kill her.
But her mother saw them too and beckoned them over. “Come join us.”
“Yes, come join us,” she said through gritted teeth.
* * *
“Should we sit at the table with Josh?”
Reagan shook her head. “It looks a little crowded,” she said. “Let’s take this one.”
“I wonder when Lenora and Henry got here,” her mother mused as she sat down. “She had said at one time that she didn’t think they were coming until the weekend.”
“Hard to pass up free rooms and meals,” she said.
“Oh, I know. I can’t imagine what this is costing the Suttons.” Her mother touched her arm. “Doug seems quite smitten with Shelby.”
“Yes. He doesn’t believe she’s gay.”
Her mother’s eyes widened in shock. “She’s gay?” she whispered. “I would have never guessed. Did you know?”
Reagan smiled. “I made a pass at her in the bar.”
“Well, at least you have good taste,” her mother said with a laugh. “I take it she turned you down?”
“I didn’t know she was Stephanie’s sister at the time,” she said. “But yes, she turned me down.”
“Well, maybe she’s seeing someone,” her mother offered. “Oh, she’s coming over,” she whispered.
Reagan met Shelby’s gaze, an involuntary smile lighting her face. She glanced down quickly, taking in Shelby’s tight jeans. Damn, but she was cute. Too cute.
“Hi. When did you sneak in?”
“Just got here,” she said.
Shelby’s gaze slid to her parents. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant,” she greeted.
“It’s Margie and Frank, please,” her mother corrected.
Shelby smiled. “Of course. Habit.” She glanced back at the table from where she’d come. “Why don’t you join us?”
“I’m not sure we’ll fit,” Reagan said. “Besides, Dougie—”
“We’ll make room.” She placed her hand on Reagan’s shoulder and leaned closer. “Please, come rescue me,” she whispered. “He’s driving me crazy.”
Reagan grinned. “Okay, but you’ll owe me.”
“Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
Reagan’s glance slid from her eyes to her lips, then back up. “Really? You may regret that.”
Shelby’s lips were fighting a smile. “Maybe.”
Reagan turned to her parents. “So? You want to join them?”
“We would love to,” her mother said.
“Great,” Shelby said. “Let me rearrange some chairs.”
As soon as she walked away, her mother leaned closer. “I think she was flirting with you,” she whispered.
“You think? See what lengths people will go to to get away from Dougie?”
Her mother laughed. “He’s not that bad. He just tries too hard.”
“No, he is that bad,” she countered.
She stood and held out the chair for her mother. As her father walked past her, he leaned closer.
“She’s cute. You might want to make another pass at her.”
Reagan laughed. God, she loved her parents.
And as luck would have it—or maybe Shelby’s creative seating arrangement—she was between Shelby and Stephanie. Doug was on the other side of Shelby, along with his parents. She leaned forward, looking past Shelby and Doug and giving her aunt and uncle a quick smile in greeting. She hadn’t seen them in years.
“You’ll need to come visit later, Reagan, and tell us what you’ve been up to,” Aunt Lenora said.
“Sure,” she said, knowing she would do no such thing.
“Not close to them either?” Shelby asked quietly.
“Not really, no.” She leaned closer. “Doug is pouting.”
“I know. And I don’t care,” Shelby said. “All I want is some fried shrimp. Maybe some crab legs. And I think there’s going to be smoked salmon.” She rubbed her hands together. “Can’t wait. I love seafood.”
Reagan motioned to the bottles of wine that were being placed on the tables. “What kind?”
“I think chardonnay and sauvignon blanc,” Shelby said. “I believe the chef picked out tonight’s wine, not my mother.”
“I’m thinking a cold beer sounds pretty good right about now,” she said.
“Then you should get one.” Shelby raised her hand, getting a server’s attention. He came over immediately. “Coors on draft, please. Two,” she said.
“Certainly, Miss Shelby. Be right back.”
“Can’t beat the service,” Reagan said.
Shelby smiled at her. “Well, you said I owed you.”
Reagan smiled too. “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“No?” Shelby rested her chin in her palm. “You look good.”
“Thank you. So do you. I love the jeans.”
Shelby laughed. “That wasn’t what I meant.” She leaned closer. “Your eyes…they’re clear, bright. You look relaxed.”
Reagan nodded. “I feel good.” She met her eyes, holding them. “And I should thank you for that,” she said quietly. “It’s been good to talk about it. You’ve put some things into perspective for me.”
Shelby reached over and touched her arm, squeezing gently. “I’m glad. Because I hated seeing you look so sad…so unhappy.”
“I suppose a month is enough time to wallow in my guilt,” she said.
“And again, your guilt is misplaced, I think,” Shelby said.
“So you say.”
“Yes. Because—”
“I understand there’s a spa day tomorrow,” Doug said, interrupting them. “Josh says it’s for guys and girls.”
Shelby looked at her with exaggerated wide eyes before slowly turning toward him. “Yes, that’s what I hear.”
“You’re going? Because I’d like the two of us to have a spa date. We could—”
Shelby held up her hand. “Doug, I told you, you’re not my type. At all. It’s not going to happen.”
“But your mother—”
“She’s already got a date for the spa, Dougie,” Reagan said. “Me.”
Shelby turned around, eyebrows raised.
“You said anything I wanted,” Reagan reminded her quietly. “That’s what I want.”
“Come on, Ray Ray, don’t try to—”
“I’m sorry, Doug,” Shelby said. “I have a spa date with Reagan. But have you met my cousin Holly?”
Chapter Sixteen
Shelby stared across the room, picking Reagan out of the group of similarly dressed women, all sporting thick white robes. Reagan wasn’t looking, and she allowed herself a quick perusal…starting at her bare feet and ending at…damn, she was looking.
Reagan smiled and walked her way.
“I hear we start with a facial and while the cucumbers are sprouting or something, we’ll get a pedicure and a manicure,” Reagan said.
“I’m pretty sure cucumbers don’t sprout,” she said with a smile.
“And I’m pretty sure if I end up with red toenails or fingernails, someone will have hell to pay,” she said.
Shelby laughed. “Then tell them you want it natural.”
“And you?”
“Well, it’s Christmas. I’ll at least do my toes red.” She held up her hands to Reagan. “Not big on nail polish though.”
“You have nice hands,” Reagan said slowly, her voice low.
Shelby swallowed, feeling a bit out of sorts. What game were they playing today? Or was it still a game?
“Hey you two,” Stephanie said as she linked arms with them both. “I heard a rumor that you have a spa date. I also heard from a good source that Doug and Holly are spending the day together.”
Shelby laughed. “Good. I thought they might hit it off.”
“Poor Holly,” Reagan said dryly.
Stephanie laughed. “Oh, Holly will be fine. So, what all have you signed up for?”
Reagan shrugged. “I let Shelby do it. Facials are first, then pedicure. After that, I don’t know.”
“Wait until the naked mud bath. That is so cool,” Stephanie said. “You two have fun. Josh and I start with the Jacuzzi and then a massage followed by the sauna. I hope it’s a room for two,” she said with an exaggerated wink. “We might not ever come out.”
“Well, two weeks for some. I get to get out of here bright and early Saturday morning and go to Hawaii,” Stephanie said. “And it can’t come soon enough.”
“Yes. I’m thinking I’m heading back to Denver on Saturday too,” she said.
Stephanie shook her head. “Wouldn’t it be sad if the only people still here are her family taking advantage of the free rooms?”
“It would serve her right,” Shelby said. “And I know that’s mean to say, but she rubs it in their faces any chance she gets.”
“Do you think we’ll even recognize our aunts? I haven’t seen any of them since I was a kid, I think.”
Shelby tried to picture them. “Aunt Laura is the oldest. Holly’s mother is Kathleen, isn’t she?”
“I think so. Holly is what? Between us?”
“I think she’s a year older than you,” Shelby said. “And then Aunt Kay, the youngest. I think I would know them,” she said. “We went with Mother when they put their mother in the nursing home, remember?”
“Talk about depressing,” Stephanie murmured.
Shelby stood up. “Okay, enough of this. I need a drink.” She went to her mini-kitchen and opened a cabinet, finding her bottle of brandy along with a cognac. She chose the cognac. “You want one?”
“It’s three o’clock, Shelby.”
She sighed. “God, I know.” She put the cognac back. “What is it about our mother that makes me want to drink so?”
“Stress.”
She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge instead. “I’m sorry, Steph, but I can’t wait for your wedding to be over with.”
“You and me both,” she said. “And Josh has been hanging out with his cousins, leaving me with Mother. And she is non-stop about the wedding.”
Shelby sighed. “Well, I guess I need to find her and have a talk about the tree in the lobby.”
“It’s an hour before dinner. Why don’t you wait until then?” Stephanie suggested. “She’ll be less likely to cause a scene.”
“I guess I could go down a little early.”
Stephanie stood. “Well, I’ll let you shower. I should go get ready too.” She paused. “And you should consider something other than jeans tonight, Shelby. Mother wants it to be fancy and jeans won’t do it.”
“For a seafood buffet? I think jeans will be fine.”
Stephanie shook her head. “I’m wearing that new silk blouse Mother got me with a skirt.”
“And I’ll be wearing a sweater over a turtleneck,” she said. “And if my mood hasn’t completely soured by then, I’ll wear khakis instead of jeans.”
Stephanie laughed. “You do that just to piss her off, don’t you?”
“Yes. Because she makes such a big deal out of it. I dress up every day at the office. When I’m here, I’m wearing what makes me comfortable. You’ll be lucky to get khakis.”
Stephanie walked over and gave her a quick hug. “Just so you know, what you wear to the office every day…I wouldn’t exactly call it dressing up.”
Shelby frowned. “You don’t consider my expensive power suits ‘dress up’? Not even the one with pinstripes?”
Shelby shook her head. “Maybe if you paired them with skirts. You have sexy legs, Shelby. Why don’t you show them off?”
“And who do I want to show them off to at the office?”
“You never know who you might meet. What if—when I met Josh at that Christmas party—I hadn’t been wearing what I was? He may not have even noticed me.”
Shelby waved her away. She was long weary of this conversation. “Okay. Whatever. See you down at dinner.”
“Reached your limit, huh?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. See you at dinner.”
She sighed heavily when the door closed. Stephanie would never admit it, but she sure was an awful lot like their mother.
“Poor Josh,” she murmured.
Chapter Fifteen
Shelby walked into the restaurant about fifteen minutes early. The back portion had been walled off by a partition and she heard her mother’s voice giving instructions. She nodded politely at Sonya—who was seating an elderly couple—as she made her way to the partition. She had to admit, it looked nice. The tables were covered in alternating green and red tablecloths. Freshly cut spruce boughs were arranged on each table and red and green candles were already lit. She spied her mother talking to one of the chefs and she went over.
“I specifically asked for three types of cocktail shrimp, not two. And what about the crab legs?”
“Yes, ma’am, we’ll have crab legs. But if you want three kinds of cocktail shrimp, then I’ll have to go short somewhere else. We were going to fry some and sauté some with a mushroom sauce for the pasta you wanted.”
“Fry? I don’t like fried. That seems so—”
“Delicious,” Shelby said, interrupting her. She turned to the chef. “Two types of cocktail shrimp are sufficient,” she said. “Please don’t cut short my fried shrimp.”
He nodded with relief. “Thank you. Yes. I’ll get right to it.”
Her mother stared at her. “Since when have you taken an interest in the menu?”
“Since you were about to cancel the fried shrimp,” she said. “Mother, there aren’t that many guests yet. There’s no need to have three varieties of cocktail shrimp.”
“Well, I think having only two lacks focus and planning. I wouldn’t want anyone to think that I’m skimping on this meal.”
“No one will think that.” She clasped her arm at the elbow and led her away from the tables. “I need to talk to you. It’s about the Christmas tree in the lobby.”
“Yes. I meant to talk to you too. I tried to call you this morning,” she said.
“I was at the park,” Shelby said, completely forgetting about the missed call from her mother. “Reagan wanted a quick tour.”
“What park?”
“The national park.”
“Oh. I should have guessed that’s where you were. Well, about the tree. I want it moved into the ballroom in time for the dance Monday. And of course it’ll be there for the wedding on Friday. Bruce has yet to do it. I need you to talk to him.”
“Yes. About that. The tree is not going to get moved, Mother. It stays in the lobby.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “It’s one thing for you to override me in regard to the menu. But how dare you override my directive to Bruce?”
“I dare because it’s a whim on your part,” she said bluntly. “They already have several trees planned for the ballroom. This particular tree is in the lobby every year at Christmas. Would you have us not have a tree this year?”
“I simply want the tree for the wedding. He can put one of the smaller trees in the lobby.”
She shook her head. “No. You have no idea what it takes to put up the tree in the first place. It’s in four parts. It takes several hours to put it together and get it anchored safely. Then it is painstakingly decorated. It’s nearly thirty feet tall. You can imagine the difficulty they have.”
“That is not my concern,” she said. “I want—”
“It’s my concern, Mother. All three hotels have the same tree in the lobby. The tree stays.”
“If your father were here—”
“He’d agree with me and you know it.” She paused. “When is he coming back?”
“I have no idea. He’s still in Aspen, he said.” She lowered her voice. “Perhaps you could call him?”
She sighed, remembering Stephanie’s earlier concern. “Yes, I’ll call him.” She raised her eyebrows. “So? We’re okay with the tree?”
“Not really but I suppose I have no choice. It’s only…well, I want everything to be perfect for the wedding. You know my sisters will be here. I don’t want them to think that this is some ordinary wedding,” she said.
“No one would ever call any of this ordinary, Mother.”
“Well, I’m trying to make it special for Stephanie. I’ve given up on you ever getting married.”
“I hope you mean to a man,” she said. “Because you know, me getting married now is a possibility.”
“Yes, well, so they say.” Her mother stood up straighter. “Have you met Doug’s parents? They’re delightful people. Perhaps you would like to join us at our table for dinner?”
“We’ll see.”
“He’s such a nice man, Shelby.”
“Yes, I’m sure he is. It’s a shame I don’t like nice men,” she said pointedly.
“Oh, here they are now. Right on time.”
Shelby turned, silently groaning as Doug’s eyes swept over her. Instead of a turtleneck, she’d decided on a lavender button-down shirt. The dark lavender sweater matched perfectly. And instead of khakis, she’d decided on black jeans. Tight black jeans. Doug apparently approved. Before she could protest, he’d captured her hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss.
“You look absolutely stunning, Shelby. Please, won’t you give me the pleasure of dining with me and my parents?”
“Of course she will,” her mother answered for her. “I have our table reserved.”
Shelby smiled politely and nodded, all the while looking around for Reagan or even Stephanie to come to her rescue. No luck as neither was there yet.
“My parents, Henry and Lenora,” Doug introduced.
“Nice to meet you,” she said as she shook both of their hands.
“Oh, you too, dear. We’ve heard so much about you.”
“Josh’s father and Henry are brothers,” her mother supplied. “They are also in the farming business.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard,” she said.
“Well, let’s take a seat, shall we?” her mother directed. “I’ll have them bring out some wine for us while we wait for dinner.”
Shelby cringed as Doug placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her to the table. She glanced once more at the door, pleased to see Stephanie and Josh walk in. She gave Stephanie a pleading look, but Stephanie only waved. She was either ignoring her plea or she didn’t recognize it. The smile on Stephanie’s face told her it was the former.
I’ll kill her.
But her mother saw them too and beckoned them over. “Come join us.”
“Yes, come join us,” she said through gritted teeth.
* * *
“Should we sit at the table with Josh?”
Reagan shook her head. “It looks a little crowded,” she said. “Let’s take this one.”
“I wonder when Lenora and Henry got here,” her mother mused as she sat down. “She had said at one time that she didn’t think they were coming until the weekend.”
“Hard to pass up free rooms and meals,” she said.
“Oh, I know. I can’t imagine what this is costing the Suttons.” Her mother touched her arm. “Doug seems quite smitten with Shelby.”
“Yes. He doesn’t believe she’s gay.”
Her mother’s eyes widened in shock. “She’s gay?” she whispered. “I would have never guessed. Did you know?”
Reagan smiled. “I made a pass at her in the bar.”
“Well, at least you have good taste,” her mother said with a laugh. “I take it she turned you down?”
“I didn’t know she was Stephanie’s sister at the time,” she said. “But yes, she turned me down.”
“Well, maybe she’s seeing someone,” her mother offered. “Oh, she’s coming over,” she whispered.
Reagan met Shelby’s gaze, an involuntary smile lighting her face. She glanced down quickly, taking in Shelby’s tight jeans. Damn, but she was cute. Too cute.
“Hi. When did you sneak in?”
“Just got here,” she said.
Shelby’s gaze slid to her parents. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Bryant,” she greeted.
“It’s Margie and Frank, please,” her mother corrected.
Shelby smiled. “Of course. Habit.” She glanced back at the table from where she’d come. “Why don’t you join us?”
“I’m not sure we’ll fit,” Reagan said. “Besides, Dougie—”
“We’ll make room.” She placed her hand on Reagan’s shoulder and leaned closer. “Please, come rescue me,” she whispered. “He’s driving me crazy.”
Reagan grinned. “Okay, but you’ll owe me.”
“Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
Reagan’s glance slid from her eyes to her lips, then back up. “Really? You may regret that.”
Shelby’s lips were fighting a smile. “Maybe.”
Reagan turned to her parents. “So? You want to join them?”
“We would love to,” her mother said.
“Great,” Shelby said. “Let me rearrange some chairs.”
As soon as she walked away, her mother leaned closer. “I think she was flirting with you,” she whispered.
“You think? See what lengths people will go to to get away from Dougie?”
Her mother laughed. “He’s not that bad. He just tries too hard.”
“No, he is that bad,” she countered.
She stood and held out the chair for her mother. As her father walked past her, he leaned closer.
“She’s cute. You might want to make another pass at her.”
Reagan laughed. God, she loved her parents.
And as luck would have it—or maybe Shelby’s creative seating arrangement—she was between Shelby and Stephanie. Doug was on the other side of Shelby, along with his parents. She leaned forward, looking past Shelby and Doug and giving her aunt and uncle a quick smile in greeting. She hadn’t seen them in years.
“You’ll need to come visit later, Reagan, and tell us what you’ve been up to,” Aunt Lenora said.
“Sure,” she said, knowing she would do no such thing.
“Not close to them either?” Shelby asked quietly.
“Not really, no.” She leaned closer. “Doug is pouting.”
“I know. And I don’t care,” Shelby said. “All I want is some fried shrimp. Maybe some crab legs. And I think there’s going to be smoked salmon.” She rubbed her hands together. “Can’t wait. I love seafood.”
Reagan motioned to the bottles of wine that were being placed on the tables. “What kind?”
“I think chardonnay and sauvignon blanc,” Shelby said. “I believe the chef picked out tonight’s wine, not my mother.”
“I’m thinking a cold beer sounds pretty good right about now,” she said.
“Then you should get one.” Shelby raised her hand, getting a server’s attention. He came over immediately. “Coors on draft, please. Two,” she said.
“Certainly, Miss Shelby. Be right back.”
“Can’t beat the service,” Reagan said.
Shelby smiled at her. “Well, you said I owed you.”
Reagan smiled too. “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”
“No?” Shelby rested her chin in her palm. “You look good.”
“Thank you. So do you. I love the jeans.”
Shelby laughed. “That wasn’t what I meant.” She leaned closer. “Your eyes…they’re clear, bright. You look relaxed.”
Reagan nodded. “I feel good.” She met her eyes, holding them. “And I should thank you for that,” she said quietly. “It’s been good to talk about it. You’ve put some things into perspective for me.”
Shelby reached over and touched her arm, squeezing gently. “I’m glad. Because I hated seeing you look so sad…so unhappy.”
“I suppose a month is enough time to wallow in my guilt,” she said.
“And again, your guilt is misplaced, I think,” Shelby said.
“So you say.”
“Yes. Because—”
“I understand there’s a spa day tomorrow,” Doug said, interrupting them. “Josh says it’s for guys and girls.”
Shelby looked at her with exaggerated wide eyes before slowly turning toward him. “Yes, that’s what I hear.”
“You’re going? Because I’d like the two of us to have a spa date. We could—”
Shelby held up her hand. “Doug, I told you, you’re not my type. At all. It’s not going to happen.”
“But your mother—”
“She’s already got a date for the spa, Dougie,” Reagan said. “Me.”
Shelby turned around, eyebrows raised.
“You said anything I wanted,” Reagan reminded her quietly. “That’s what I want.”
“Come on, Ray Ray, don’t try to—”
“I’m sorry, Doug,” Shelby said. “I have a spa date with Reagan. But have you met my cousin Holly?”
Chapter Sixteen
Shelby stared across the room, picking Reagan out of the group of similarly dressed women, all sporting thick white robes. Reagan wasn’t looking, and she allowed herself a quick perusal…starting at her bare feet and ending at…damn, she was looking.
Reagan smiled and walked her way.
“I hear we start with a facial and while the cucumbers are sprouting or something, we’ll get a pedicure and a manicure,” Reagan said.
“I’m pretty sure cucumbers don’t sprout,” she said with a smile.
“And I’m pretty sure if I end up with red toenails or fingernails, someone will have hell to pay,” she said.
Shelby laughed. “Then tell them you want it natural.”
“And you?”
“Well, it’s Christmas. I’ll at least do my toes red.” She held up her hands to Reagan. “Not big on nail polish though.”
“You have nice hands,” Reagan said slowly, her voice low.
Shelby swallowed, feeling a bit out of sorts. What game were they playing today? Or was it still a game?
“Hey you two,” Stephanie said as she linked arms with them both. “I heard a rumor that you have a spa date. I also heard from a good source that Doug and Holly are spending the day together.”
Shelby laughed. “Good. I thought they might hit it off.”
“Poor Holly,” Reagan said dryly.
Stephanie laughed. “Oh, Holly will be fine. So, what all have you signed up for?”
Reagan shrugged. “I let Shelby do it. Facials are first, then pedicure. After that, I don’t know.”
“Wait until the naked mud bath. That is so cool,” Stephanie said. “You two have fun. Josh and I start with the Jacuzzi and then a massage followed by the sauna. I hope it’s a room for two,” she said with an exaggerated wink. “We might not ever come out.”
