As Love Blooms (37 page)

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” she asked as they returned to their chairs.

“I doubt it.”

“I’m serious, Edward. Haven’t you noticed how your grandfather and Aunt Sam are looking at each other?” She glanced toward the house. “Look at them now. It’s like the rest of us aren’t even here.”

“Good for them.” Edward shifted in his chair. “Listen, before we get anyone else joining us down here, I want to ask you something.”

“Okay.”

“Do you remember when I agreed to give you motorcycle lessons?” He waited for her to nod. “You promised you’d do something for me in return someday.”

“What do you need? Help in planning something for your girl back at college?” She giggled. “I have some excellent romantic ideas I’m sure she would love.”

“That’s not it.” He stood and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Tessa, you know Joe and I still need the funds for the motorcycle company—”

“I told you I wouldn’t ask Aunt Sam.”

“I know.” His gaze shifted toward the house, then back to her. “I’ve been approached by a client who owns a building and glass company. They’d like to secure the bid on the conservatory.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure Mr. Nussbaumer would love to grant the contract to a local business.”

He sighed. “Tessa, if they are to win the bid, they’d have to submit the lowest figure. The park commission wants to know who will complete the conservatory for the best price. The only way my friends can win the bid is to know what other companies have submitted.”

“How could they possibly know that?” Edward was acting quite strangely. What was he getting at?

“That’s where the favor comes in.” He sat down on the chair again and leaned close. “If you sneak into Mr. Nussbaumer’s office, you can see what the lowest bid is and let me know.”

Her back stiffened. “I couldn’t do that.”

“You could.” His voice turned firm. “And you owe me.”

She owed him? Her chest constricted and her breath came hard. She had to make him understand. “This wasn’t what I thought you meant when I agreed to help you in the future. It’s breaking the rules, and it’s wrong, Edward.”

“It’s bending them, and you said yourself that you’re the go-ahead girl. No risk too big, right?” He sat back.

“I won’t do it. Figure out another way.”

“If you don’t, I may have to tell your family about what happened at the end of your college term.”

Tessa’s stomach lurched. “How did you find out about that?”

“Does the name Everett Ingersol mean anything to you?” Edward flashed her a checkmate grin. “I can tell it does. I believe he’s a classmate of yours now. Well, he’s an old friend of mine from high school. He told me all about your expulsion. I’m sure you’ve not said anything to your family. What would they think of the youngest Gregory girl getting herself in trouble once again? And what about Reese? What would a fine fellow like him think if he knew the truth about his girl?”

“I thought we were friends, Edward.”

“We are, but a deal’s a deal. Don’t take it personally. This is business.” He stood. “I’ll need that information by next Friday.”

Tessa wrapped her arms around herself as the cold vined from her feet through her body and wrapped around her heart. What was she going to do?

Soon.

Sam would tell her family about James and her at the first opportunity, but so far, no such time seemed to present itself. During the afternoon, James had taken various family members out on his sailboat. After dinner, the adults tucked the children in bed and gathered in the parlor around the fireplace for a rousing game of cards.

She laid her cards on the table with a flourish. “Gin.”

“Again?” Edward chuckled. “Tessa, I think you should come join your sisters and me in this game. You’re the only one who could possibly figure out your aunt’s secret.”

Tessa glanced up from the sketchbook in her hands. “I’m no match for her.”

Something was amiss with her youngest niece. Had she figured out the reason for this visit to the lake? She’d been down on the beach with Edward. Perhaps the young man had shared something personal with her. She prayed that hadn’t happened.

“You can come take my place.” Hannah moved from the table to the davenport to sit between Lincoln and Joel. “I’m not feeling up to it anymore.”

“It appears you’ve chased the competition away.” James covered Sam’s hand with his own.

Tessa seemed to eye the intimate gesture. She slapped her sketchbook shut. “How long are you and he going to keep this from us? Don’t you realize what kind of damage secrets will do?”

“Tessa,” Hannah snapped. “Hold your tongue.”

“You’re lecturing me? Of all people, you should be thinking about what you’re keeping hidden.”

Hannah visibly paled, and Charlotte laid a hand on Tessa’s shoulder. “What’s gotten into you?”

“It’s not her fault.” Sam locked eyes with Tessa. “I believe Tessa’s detective abilities have helped her sniff out the truth.” She steeled herself.
Soon
had become
now
. “Everyone, James and I have been
keeping something from you.” She shared a slight smile with the senator. “We’ve been seeing one another.”

Lincoln withdrew his arm from Hannah’s shoulders and leaned forward. “For how long?”

“A couple of months.” James leaned back in his chair, apparently ready to be questioned. “As you know, we’ve been dear friends for years, but we’ve only recently let our feelings grow beyond friendship.”

Grateful for his carefully chosen words, Sam squeezed his hand. “We’ve no plans for the future, but we didn’t want to keep this from you any longer.”

Hannah walked to the decanter of water on the table, hands trembling, and poured herself a glass. “Why didn’t you tell—”

She swayed. Lincoln jumped to his feet and caught her a split second before her head hit the ground.

 31 

What had she done?

Tessa could only stare as Lincoln scooped Hannah into his arms and carried her up the stairs to the bedroom in which the two of them were staying. Joel snagged his doctor’s bag from a hook in the hallway and rushed up behind them with Charlotte following.

If she hadn’t forced Aunt Sam’s hand, none of this would have happened.

Aunt Sam touched her arm. “It’s not your fault.”

“I upset her.” She swiped the tears from her cheeks with the palms of her hands. “How could I do that, knowing her condition?”

“You knew?” Aunt Sam asked.

“Yes, I found out by accident, but she’s never told Charlotte.” Her voice hitched. “Charlotte will be devastated.”

“For a while, maybe.” Aunt Sam wrapped an arm around Tessa’s shoulders and led her to the davenport. “Families might grow in different directions, dear, but their roots stay the same.”

“I should go up there.” Tessa stood and went to the doorway.

“I think there are enough family members in that bedroom.” Aunt Sam’s voice was calm and soothing. “And one of them is a competent doctor.”

Rapid footsteps in the upstairs hallway drew Tessa’s attention.
She glanced up to see Charlotte rush from Hannah’s bedchamber followed by Joel.

“Charlotte, you know I couldn’t tell you.” Joel caught Charlotte’s shoulder. When she turned, her face was streaked with tears, and he pulled her into his arms.

“How could Hannah not tell me?” Pain filled her voice.

Joel stroked her hair and pressed a kiss to her head. “She was worried about you.”

“But I’m her sister.”

So am I, and I didn’t tell
you either.

“I know you’re hurting, sweetheart.” He stepped back and took her hands. “But if Hannah doesn’t avoid stress right now, she could lose the baby. Please, don’t upset her any more than she is.”

Fresh guilt washed over Tessa like the waves on White Bear Lake, and her heart felt battered by the storm. This was all her fault.

Tessa needed an anchor. If only Reese were here, she’d have someone to hold on to.

Never had Tessa been more excited to get back to Como Park than she was this morning. The situation between Charlotte and Hannah had remained tense throughout Sunday, and Edward’s threat loomed like a dark thundercloud.

Given that the two gardens would be judged on Thursday, she’d work hard to keep Reese calm and his spirits high. Since Edward didn’t need the bids until a day after the judging, she’d wait to tell Reese about her dilemma until then. She wouldn’t burden him with her problems until later.

As soon as she arrived at the park, she walked to the garden she’d planted with Reese. She glanced around the area to see if she was alone and released a slow breath when she saw that she was. The eerie feeling of being watched had left her skittish.

She marveled at all he’d finished while she was away for the
weekend. He had installed a two-bowl tiered fountain, trimmed every bush, and filled every urn. He must have worked day and night. Even the flowers they’d planted in drifts seemed to have already filled in under his care. It was as if they knew opening day had arrived, and they were ready to show off their blooms.

But would it be enough? This had begun as a project for her to get Mr. Nussbaumer’s attention, but it had grown to mean so much more. It was a symbol of Reese’s success as a gardener. It was a symbol of how well she and Reese worked together. Most of all, it was a symbol of how their love had bloomed.

By the end of the week, they’d have their answers. She prayed Reese would be the one to win the little competition between Nels and him. He could then inform Mr. Nussbaumer of her role in the garden’s creation, and once her future was set, she could tell Reese exactly why she couldn’t go back to the university in the fall.

She took a seat on one of the wrought-iron benches they’d placed, but even the mellow glow of the morning sun didn’t quell the nerves jostling her inside. She’d lain awake for hours last night, thinking about her dilemma regarding Edward’s request. Sure, she’d done lots of things that were a little risky, and this wasn’t exactly illegal, but in her heart she knew it was unethical. How could she do something that felt so wrong? Her stomach spiraled at the thought.

But if Edward divulged her secret to her sisters, they’d be gravely disappointed in her, and it would put Hannah and the baby in danger. Did she really have a choice anymore?