Summer Secrets - Barbara Freethy [87]
"She has her cell phone. She can call you if she needs help."
Kate let out a sigh. "I guess there's nothing more to do."
"Except have some ice cream."
"Except that. Then I really have to get to work. What are you going to do with the rest of the day?"
"I'll probably wander down to the marina, talk to some sailors, figure out a new angle for my story. Unless you have another idea, one that might involve your house, your bedroom, maybe some candles?"
"I don't think so," she said with a smile, knowing he was only teasing. And she was glad that he wasn't serious, because if he had asked her seriously ... In fact, if he'd kissed her instead of asking, they might be on the way to her house right now. Talk about acting crazy; apparently Caroline wasn't the only one making foolish decisions right now.
"Well, tomorrow is another day." Tyler put his arm around her shoulders. "You never know what the future will bring."
Chapter Fifteen
Tuesday was far too quiet, Kate thought as she checked her watch for the sixth time in an hour. It was almost five thirty, and she hadn't heard from anyone -- not Caroline, not Ashley, not Duncan, and not even Tyler, who had been her constant shadow the last few days. She wondered if he'd gone sailing with her father. Tyler would love being on the water. She knew that, even if he didn't. The wind rushing, the waves rolling, the boat flying. He'd be hooked. He'd never again be able to say he wasn't a boat person. She almost regretted that fact. It had been nice to know someone different, someone who didn't eat, sleep, and breathe sailing.
"I'm leaving," Theresa said, stopping in front of the counter with purse in hand. "I know it's early, but everyone is down at the square for the annual clam chowder cook-off."
"It's fine." Kate smiled at her assistant. "You must be eager to see how well you'll do against your mother-in-law's clam chowder."
"I doubt I'll beat her this year, but, one of these days I will. She still doesn't think I cook as well as she does."
"She's wrong. You're a terrific cook."
"But not good enough for her little boy. Just wait till you get married, Kate. Pray for a good mother-in- law, preferably a non-cook, non-homemaker type, who doesn't criticize or interfere. And make sure you also pick a husband who stands up for you and doesn't become Mommy's little boy as soon as she steps in the room."
"Are we talking about me or you?"
Kate gave her a compassionate smile. Theresa's battles with her mother-in-law were nothing new.
"By the way," Theresa continued. "I saw the Moon Dancer when I had lunch at the marina today. She's a beauty. Everyone in town is talking about the boat and your family, wondering how you all feel about it."
Kate hated to hear that, but she'd expected as much. It was one of the reasons why she'd brought a turkey sandwich from home and had her lunch in the back room instead of going into town. "It will all be over on Saturday. I just keep telling myself that."
"Why don't you put out the closed sign and come have some clam chowder with me? We haven't had a customer in more than an hour."
"I'll be down in a bit."
The door shut behind Theresa, and the silence was suddenly deafening. Her cozy store of fantasy felt empty and lonely. Kate sat down at the desk in front of her computer. She clicked on her inventory program first, checking on upcoming releases and pre-orders. She supposed she could have gone through all the titles, but she just didn't feel like it at the moment. In fact, she hadn't felt like working all day. Switching from inventory to the Internet, she pulled up one of her favorite gardening sites and read through the headlines for the latest articles involving introducing toads into your garden, getting rid of unwanted pests, and growing the best vegetables. The toad