An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [94]
He was halfway out the door when Sandra said, “You’re not leaving, are you?”
“You mean I can’t?”
“Well, it’s just that there are a number of phone messages that need to be returned.”
“Who from?”
“The radio stations, for one. Another TV station.”
“Forget them. That last thing I need now is more publicity.”
Sandra grinned. “I’ve had several interesting jobs working for Temp Help over the years, but I’ve got to tell you, this is the most unusual. I wish you luck, young man.”
“Thanks,” Chase answered. He had the distinct feeling he was going to need it.
Lesley had been filled with nervous energy from the moment she’d seen Becky Bright stand beneath that ridiculous billboard and say Chase’s name. None of her usual methods for relieving tension had worked.
She’d gone shopping and fifteen minutes later left the store. She was too mad to appreciate a fifty-percent-off sale. That was an anger so out of the ordinary it surprised even her.
A long soak in the tub hadn’t helped, either. By the time she’d finished, she’d sloshed water all over the floor and had spilled her favorite liquid bubble bath.
Even a fitness DVD didn’t help, but then she’d stopped five minutes into the exercises and turned it off. If she was going to do anything aerobic, Lesley decided, she’d prefer to work in her yard.
She weeded the front flower beds and was watering the bright red geraniums with her hose when Daisy walked out of her town house in a pair of shorts and a Mariners T-shirt.
“You upset about something, honey?” she called, crossing the driveway that divided their properties.
“What makes you ask that?” Lesley returned in a completely reasonable voice. The fact that Daisy could easily see how upset she was fueled her already short temper.
“Could be ’cause you’re nearly drowning those poor flowers. They need to be watered like a gentle rainfall—” she made sprinkling motions with her hands “—and not with hurricane force.”
“Oh,” Lesley murmured, realizing her neighbor was right.
“The boys thank you for the cookies.”
“Tell them I’ve got a jarful they’re welcome to, as well.”
“I thought you baked those cookies for Chase.”
“I never said that.” Lesley was sure she hadn’t.
“Of course you did, maybe not in words, but it was obvious. You like this guy and you aren’t going to fool me about that. All I can say is great. It’s about time you got over that no-good jerk.”
“Chase isn’t any better,” Lesley said, continuing with her watering efforts, now concentrating on her lawn.
“What makes you say that?”
“You know that billboard off Denny Way that’s causing all the commotion?” Lesley asked.
“The one where the guy’s advertising for a bride?” It must have clicked in Daisy’s mind all at once because she snapped her fingers and pointed at Lesley. “That’s Chase?”
“The very one.”
“And that’s bad?”
“The man’s insane,” Lesley muttered.
“You didn’t think so earlier in the day. Fact is, you were as happy as I’ve seen you in ages.”
“That was before I knew. He goes on TV and says the reason he decided on the billboard was so he could be—and I quote—direct and straightforward. He wasn’t either one with me.”
“You’ve got to trust your instincts,” Daisy advised, “and you had a wonderful time with him last night.”
Now Lesley had heard everything. “Trust my instincts? I was engaged to a man who wasn’t even in love with me and I didn’t figure it out until half the school knew, including the student body.” It still mortified her to remember the strange, sympathetic looks she’d gotten from her peers weeks prior to her broken engagement.
“Quit blaming yourself for that,” Daisy said, placing her hands on her hips. “You didn’t suspect Tony because you shouldn’t have suspected him. Believe me, honey, you got the better end of that deal. Mark my words. Two or three years down the road, he’s going to start looking around again. It