“Speaking of Angel’s, did you reach Nick and find out how the marriage-counseling session went?” she asked, hope in her voice.
“In other words, are we in for a nice time or a war zone?” Rafe asked wryly. “I wish I knew. Nick’s not returning my calls.”
“Which means we’ll find out in…” She glanced at the stainless-steel watch on her wrist. “Half an hour.”
Rafe said a silent prayer that both of the night’s events would go off without a hitch.
ONCE INSIDE ANGEL’S, Rafe singled out his brother and pulled him outside for a talk. Rafe might be overwhelmed with Pirro’s situation and Sara’s safety, but he was still worried about his brother and his marriage, and Rafe wanted to know how the counseling session had gone.
“Well?” Rafe asked Nick once they were alone outside. “How’d it go?”
“I am so not a talker,” Nick muttered. “But I still picked up the slack for both of us.”
“I know it’s too soon to ask if you made progress, but do you think you’re on the right track?”
Nick leaned against the side of the house. “She listened. She heard me say I missed my wife. She heard me say that without facing the loss, there was no foundation on which to go forward. And she heard the doctor agree. Next time, I’m going to sit in silence even if it kills me, and hope she joins in.” He shrugged. “Otherwise, I’ve done all I can do.”
Rafe nodded. “I have faith. She’s loved you for too long to throw it all away.”
“I hope you’re right, but she seems pretty fulfilled with what she has now.” He inclined his head toward the house—the B and B—and the source of their friction.
“She doesn’t want to lose you. Keep the faith.”
“Are you doing the same?” Nick tossed back at Rafe.
They both knew Nick was talking about his relationship with Sara and whether it would sustain itself beyond this short summer fling.
Rafe shrugged. “Beats me. We don’t have the same foundation you and Angel have.” And Sara didn’t have the faith Rafe did, either.
“Everyone comes at a relationship from a different place. It’s all a question of how hard both parties are willing to work for it.”
Rafe shook his head and laughed. “Every once in a while you surprise me,” he said to his brother. “I never pictured you as philosophical.”
“What can I say? Separation does funny things to a person. And unfortunately, I have plenty of experience with the notion to know it can make—or break—the best of relationships.”
And on that warning note, Nick turned and headed inside, leaving Rafe to wonder if the foundation he and Sara had started creating this summer would be enough to sustain them when this forced proximity came to an end.
ANGEL HELD THE gathering in her foyer. Sara had noticed on entering that the house smelled warm and welcoming, like apple pie and family, making her smile.
Rafe had immediately caught sight of Nick and excused himself to go talk to his brother. Sara, meanwhile, had mingled with different people in the room, beginning with Aunt Vi, who kept insisting Sara taste her chocolate chip cookies, because they were the best. She explained how she used to bake them for Rafe when he was a little boy and wanted Sara to sample them, too. After biting into one, Sara discovered they were indeed warm, gooey and the best she’d ever had.
The only family in the room consisted of Pirro and Vi, and Rafe and Sara. The rest of the guests appeared to be friends of Angel’s. Apparently, she was sticking to her rule of not celebrating occasions with Nick’s parents.
Sara immediately caught herself, realizing she’d grouped herself as family. Because she felt as if she really belonged here in Hidden Falls. It was going to be hard to leave them when it was time to go back to the city to testify. Hard but necessary, since this wasn’t her hometown, nor was this her family.
Keeping the harsh reality in mind, she made her way through the room toward the small bar area where Pirro played bartender for his daughter. At least he had a job that would keep him busy talking, his mind occupied, so he wouldn’t have time to worry.
Coop waved to her from across the room, and she walked over to meet up with him.
“How’s it going?” she asked.
“Nice people in this town,” he said, a grin teasing the edge of his mouth.
She shook her head and laughed. “You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Amanda was surprised to see me here, but I think she bought the story that I came to see you.”
“Good. Are you at least relaxing while you’re here?” she asked.
He shrugged. “With all the action here, my mind is going nonstop.”
“Now that I understand. So, when are you going to introduce me to your friend, the editor?” Sara asked, tilting her head toward where a blonde with long, wavy hair was talking to Angel.
“I will. As soon as I can introduce both you and Rafe together. Speaking of Rafe, where did he disappear to? Because you two promised to give me some PDA, remember?” Coop tilted his cup back and finished the last of his drink.
Sara glanced around, but she didn’t see Rafe. “I think he’s outside talking to his brother. He’ll be back soon. In the meantime, you and I can catch up. So, how’s Lexie?”
A warm smile took hold, transforming Coop’s entire face at the thought of the woman he loved. “Busy with Web site updating and making sure her grandmother takes her blood-pressure medication.”
Sara smiled. “You like her grandmother, don’t you?”
Coop nodded. “She’s a piece of work and a very special woman.”
“And house-hunting? How’s that going?”
“Still looking. Lexie’s not used to having a place of her own, since she’s always stayed at her grandmother’s when she’s in town. She’s having trouble narrowing down what she wants, but we’ll get there.”
“Spoken like a patient man, head over heels in love. I’m really happy for you, Coop.”
“Thanks. So…what about you? Have you and Rafe—”
“Have she and Rafe what?” Rafe asked, coming up beside them and wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
He pulled her tightly against him, cocooning her in his warmth.
Well, Coop wanted a public display of affection, Sara thought. Rafe was providing one, and to Sara it felt so right.
“Coop was just asking if you and I were having a nice summer,” she quickly improvised.