“He has an interesting job.”
Elizabeth lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Honey walked farther into the room to see Charlie snuggled up to Elizabeth, his huge head covering her thighs. A box of tissues lay next to Elizabeth on the couch, a few sheets crumpled and discarded on the cushion.
Elizabeth flashed a weak smile. “Do you want to watch a movie? You can change the channel if you’d like.” Her eyes were swollen and she’d obviously been crying.
“That’s okay,” said Honey. “I’m pretty beat so I think I’ll turn in.”
Elizabeth stared at the TV.
Honey didn’t move. She wasn’t sure what to do. “Is there anything I can do to help?” she finally asked, her voice soft.
Elizabeth laughed derisively. “Don’t mind me. I’m just crying over this sad movie.”
Honey glanced at the comedy on the TV. Elizabeth was obviously lying, but Honey would respect her wish for privacy. “I’ll see you in the morning then, all right?”
“Sure. Goodnight.”
Hefting briefcase, purse, and books, Honey climbed the stairs. She felt bad about not helping Elizabeth, but truly didn’t know what to do, and didn’t want to intrude.
After getting ready for bed, Honey pulled back the blankets and quickly realized someone had placed a three-inch-thick mattress pad under the sheet. She pressed the mattress with her fingers. It was deliciously soft. She wondered if Trevor or Elizabeth had put the pad there.
Right then Elizabeth passed her room.
“Elizabeth?”
She stopped and backtracked. “Yes?”
“Did you put this soft mattress pad on the bed?”
“Trevor did.”
“Oh. That was nice,” said Honey.
“Yeah, he’s a nice guy.” Without another word, Elizabeth walked on and Honey heard a door shut down the hall a moment later.
Honey climbed into bed and turned over a couple of times before settling in. It was so much more comfortable. She grinned in the darkness. He was such a sweetie! Snuggling down into the soft mattress, she pressed her face into the pillow, feeling loved.
Dismay had her eyelids popping open.
Liked! She’d meant liked!
She liked Trevor, he liked her, but they were only friends. Barely that, since they’d just met. He was simply a thoughtful host. She needed to cut off these strange feelings she was having toward him. He wasn’t for her. Christian was.
But drifting off to sleep about five minutes later, she was still thinking about Trevor.
Chapter Seven
While Honey ate her breakfast on Saturday morning, she tried to decide whether or not to go home. She glanced at the silent cell phone on the table beside her and suppressed a sigh. Christian had never phoned. So much for her ultimatum. Apparently he’d called her bluff.
She took a bite of toast and looked across the table at Trevor reading the newspaper. Breakfast together had become something of a habit for the two of them since Wednesday, with Trevor insisting on doing the cooking each day.
She felt a little foolish about wondering if Trevor were attracted to her. He’d been nothing but a gentleman all week, going out of his way to make her feel comfortable the few times they’d seen each other. And she’d kept herself so busy she hadn’t had time to dwell on anything but class work.
The phone rang and Trevor stood to answer it. “Hi, Mom. Yeah. I don’t know. Just a sec, let me ask.” He lifted the phone away from his ear and looked at Honey. “Are you still planning on dinner tonight at my parents?”
Decision time. Did she stay in Redding for the weekend, or go home? She had to admit she’d expected a call from Christian by now, begging her to drive to Napa. But here it was, Saturday morning and still no call. A kernel of hope that Christian was on his way to Redding to surprise her lay curled in her heart.
Honey glanced at her cell phone. “I’m not sure.”
“I have to work later this afternoon for a few hours,” said Trevor. “But I could show you the sights until then. You’ll be leaving in a few weeks and might be sorry if you don’t take the chance.”
Trevor put the phone back to his ear. “Okay,” he said, then handed Honey the phone. “My mom wants to talk to you.”
Honey took the phone. “Hello?”
“Hi, Honey.” Laura’s voice was warm and friendly. “I think you should take Trevor up on his offer. He knows all the best places, and then you could come to dinner with him tonight. We’d love to see you again. I feel like I’ve abandoned you this week.”
“Oh, don’t feel that way. I’ve been so busy with classes I wouldn’t have had time to visit. But can I get back to you in a few minutes?”
After they hung up, Honey broke down and called Christian.
“Hello?” he said.
Was she being too defensive, or did he really sound smug? “Hi, Christian. I’m just wondering what you’re up to.”
“I’m actually on my way out of town.”
A spurt of hope had Honey’s mouth parting.
“Some guys offered to take me deep sea fishing,” he said. “And since you weren’t here I told them I’d go. We’re on our way right now.”
Honey’s spine slowly straightened and she breathed in deeply. “This is awfully sudden, isn’t it?”
“Well, yes, but you weren’t here, so there was nothing to stop me. What did you want me to do, sit around all weekend?”
Honey’s fingers tightened on the phone. “I just don’t understand why you can travel somewhere else but not to see me?”
She said the words calmly, well aware Trevor could hear everything.
“What’s there to do in Redding?” asked Christian. “Anyway, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“A once in a lifetime opportunity?” Again, she kept her tone light. “You live in California. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of others.”
“Don’t you want me to have fun?” He sounded petulant.
Honey sighed. It was already done. She obviously wasn’t going home, he wasn’t coming here, so why fight about it? There was always next weekend. “Sure, Christian, have a great time. Will you call me when you get home?”
“Sure. Talk to you later,” he definitely sounded smug that time.
“Bye.” She hung up, looked at Trevor, and tried to hide her hurt as she considered her options. “I guess I could fly to see my parents in LA. Or simply go home to Napa and catch up on a few things.”
Trevor smiled. “Or stay here and play with me? It’ll be fun. We’ll just go and hang out. Then later go to my parents for dinner. That way you’ll get another chance to talk to dad. As far as I know he still hasn’t made a decision. Maybe tonight’s the night.”
Honey’s boss
had
been leaving messages wondering why she wasn’t doing anything to move the sale forward. Anyway, she deserved to have fun, too, didn’t she? Honey smiled and nodded. “Or I could play with you.”
Grinning, Trevor grabbed the phone and called his mother back.
***
“You should see this glass all lit up at night,” said Trevor. “It’s great.”
Stomach churning, Honey looked down at the bridge they walked on, at the built-in aqua green squares, then quickly up again. The Sacramento River below made her stomach clench, and she stayed smack in the middle of the bridge.
That wasn’t hard to do because tourists packed the edges to look down into the river. Honey suppressed a shudder and tried to distract herself by paying better attention to Trevor.
“And did I tell you the white tile was imported from Spain?”
She risked a glance down again to see tile around the glass, then quickly back up at the giant sundial in front of her. Up was good. Up was better. “Very pretty.”
Trevor followed her gaze. “The sundial is 217 feet tall and can actually tell time on the north side. Which is, of course, why it’s called the Sundial Bridge.”
Honey’s fingers clenched together and she wondered what he’d do if she clung to his arm. “Wow.”
“It’s a suspension bridge. The tall pylon and the cable stays keep it from interfering with the salmon spawning habitat. Which, of course, I consider all important,” he grinned.
Honey risked a smile. “Of course.” Maybe she should simply sprint to the other side?
“Up ahead are the exploration park and the river trail system, and if you want, we can go see the butterfly house later. Most people love it.” Trevor looked at her. “Are you okay?”
Honey didn’t want to ruin their outing, and surely they’d be off the bridge soon. “Sure. I’m having fun. This is the first time I’ve been dressed in casual clothes all week. It feels great.”
Trevor glanced at her outfit, of tee shirt, capris and sandals. “You look great.”
The admiration in his voice had Honey glancing down, embarrassed. She hadn’t been fishing for compliments, but simply trying to avoid looking at people fishing in the water. “Thanks.”
A group of kids walked between them, separating her from Trevor, and Honey felt a momentary panic before they slid back together again.
She liked keeping him close. If the bridge broke from the weight of all the people, surely he’d save her?
A touch on her shoulder had Honey turning to see an older, well-dressed woman with shiny brown hair smiling at her.
“Excuse me,” she said. “But do you think you could take our picture?” She indicated herself and her husband, who was a couple inches shorter.
“Sure.” Anything for a distraction.
The two stood in the middle of the bridge and Honey tried to get the sundial in the background. “Smile.”
She snapped a shot, then one more at the couples request, then smiling, handed them back the camera.
“Thank you,” said the woman. “Would you like us to take your picture together?”
Honey glanced at Trevor. “Oh, no thanks, we’re not--”
“That would be great, thank you.” Trevor fished his cell phone out of his pocket, pushed a few buttons to get the camera ready, then handed it to the lady.
Honey shook her head, touched Trevor’s arm, and because she wanted to lean into him, dropped her hand and moved a couple of inches away, dutifully smiling for the camera.
After he retrieved his cell phone, Honey and Trevor started walking again. Was it her imagination, or did this outing feel like a date?
Trevor headed for a free spot on the edge of the bridge. “Follow me.”
Honey shook her head and stayed in the middle. “I like the view from here, just fine.”
Trevor’s brows pulled together. “Are you afraid of heights?”
“No. Of water.”
Trevor laughed, and when Honey didn’t join in, he stopped. “Sorry, I thought you were joking.” He held out a hand. “Here, hold onto me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Cautiously she took his hand, warmth enveloped hers, and she allowed him to tug her forward until they both stood at the edge. “The...” Honey’s throat tightened, she closed her eyes and gripped Trevor’s hand. “The bridge won’t snap?”
“No way. This baby is supported by more than 4,300 feet of cable, has a steel truss, and rests on 115 tons of steel and 1900 cubic yards if concrete. This bridge will be here long after we’re dead and buried.”
“Oh.” The numbers really meant nothing to her, but his confidence had her relaxing enough to open her eyes and let go of his hand. She felt an immediate sense of loss, and to cover it, looked down at the river.
Big mistake.
Queasiness forced her to step back and lift her head to look into the distance. She placed her hand on Trevor’s arm, his warmth and muscle calming her.
Trevor pointed. “Look. There’s a red-tailed hawk.”
Trevor’s heat seeped into her hand, grounding her, and Honey gladly looked away from the water to see a large bird turning a slow, lazy circle over the river.
“He’s looking for lunch,” said Trevor.
“He’s gorgeous. Is he fishing?”
Trevor shook his head. “Doubtful. They mostly eat mice, squirrel or rabbits. Chickens if they get the chance. They don’t fish like bald eagles and ospreys.”
Honey stepped closer to Trevor, her shoulder touching his arm, her hand clenching his shirt, and she relaxed a bit more. She felt almost safe by the water with Trevor there. Listening to him talk, pointing out other animals and sights, she rethought the beard. He was big, comfortable, and
safe.
A Teddy Bear.
She glanced out at the rolling hills and greenery, feeling exhilarated and grateful to be so close to water without panic crushing her down. “It’s beautiful. You’re lucky to have grown up here.”
“You have the same river running through your city.”
Honey nodded. “Yes, Napa is pretty, especially the vineyards in the summer, but I wasn’t raised there.”
“Oh, yeah? Where did you grow up?”
“I was born in New York, but we moved to a subdivision in Oceanside when I was five, then later to LA.”
“Have you always been afraid of water? Or did it start in California?”
Honey looked up into his concerned brown eyes, and wondered how he’d connected the two. “When I was five, right after we moved to California, my sister drowned.” The words came out stark, flat.
“I’m sorry.”
Looking back at the green hills, Honey nodded. “Thank you.”
A breeze fluffed her hair and a strand caught on her lips. Trevor reached forward and pulled it free, his big fingers touching her face, making it tingle. She wanted to lean into him, wanted him to place his arm around her and draw her close. The thought startled her so much she dropped her hand and took a step back, breaking contact. She tried to ignore the sense of loss.
Trevor’s own hand gripped the rail. “Tell me about your fiancé.”
“Christian?” She looked down and shrugged, glad for the change of subject. “He’s a great guy. A pharmacist. Blond-haired, blue-eyed, and a couple of inches taller than I am. He’s...well, he’s not very happy with me right now. But I’m sure he’ll get over it soon. And it’s probably my own fault for not communicating with him better.”