Authors: Lesa Henderson
Suddenly, she laughed. That sound was as beautiful as the sound of the meandering brook trickling over the rocks behind his cabin.
“You’re crazy, you know.”
“So, I’ve been told.” He grinned.
“Okay, we’ll have lunch together—
as friends.
I’d like to follow you in my vehicle, if you won’t be offended.”
“No offense taken. A girl can never be too careful. At least let me drive you over to where you’re parked, especially until we know for certain that ankle is indeed okay.”
She nodded, limping slightly as she followed him around to the passenger side of the truck.
Chapter Eight
As it turned out, Megan ended up riding with Lee. Before Lee pulled the truck onto the highway he turned to Megan and asked, “Would you mind going to a place in Chatley?”
Megan considered the request for a moment. Chatley was a thirty minute drive across the mountain; she’d never been there and thought she might enjoy seeing the town. Besides, she’d heard the drive included incredible views and she didn’t have anything pressing to do that afternoon.
“Not at all,” she said.
“Great,” Lee said, with a wide smile before whipping out his cell phone and punching in some numbers. Megan listened as he reserved a table for two and gave their estimated time of arrival to the person at the other end of the line.
Lee snapped his phone shut with a grin and a wink at Megan before pulling the truck onto the road.
The town of Chatley was smaller in size than Laurel Ridge, but just as well preserved. By the look of the quaint village, it was a hidden jewel and frequented by quite a few tourists. It boasted a couple of cobblestone streets, remaining from a bygone era. Lee stopped his truck on just such a street in front of a two-story Victorian home. The home’s wide veranda displayed lush hanging ferns, porch swings and rocking chairs, all of which beckoned anyone passing by to relax in peaceful comfort.
As Megan walked up the brick walkway, she read the sign standing in the well-manicured yard, CHATLEY’S BED & BREAKFAST INN, HOME OF VERA’S OLD-FASHIONED FAMILY CUISINE.
“This place is beautiful.”
For a moment, her heart raced as Lee grinned at her. Acting only as a gentleman, he placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her up the stairs. He hadn’t kept it there beyond that time but she could still feel the pressure and the sensation.
“Come on in,” Lee invited, guiding her with a hand beneath her elbow, through the solid oak and oval glass door. They stepped into the wide foyer of the old home and Megan instantly felt as if she had stepped back in time. Everything was perfect from the elegant flowered wallpaper, to the rich draperies at the foyer windows, to the polished oak floors with their original luster and beauty.
Lee rang the bell resting on an antique desk which doubled as a reception stand. “You go ahead and look around if you like. I’m sure our table is almost ready.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting here with you.”
“Are you kidding? I can tell you’re itching to check this place out. I’ve been here before so you go on.”
How could he discern so much about her in such a short time? How could he have known she would love a place like this?
A lucky guess, perhaps. Or maybe he didn’t have a clue.
Either way, she wasn’t wasting any more time standing around trying to figure it out. She was going to explore this perfectly lovely home. She couldn’t get over how a business, and apparently a successful one, could truly feel like a home.
The owners must be really special to create a retreat like this.
Megan wandered through the front rooms of what obviously was once a grand mansion from the Victorian era. Lace curtains wafted gently from the breeze flowing in through the tall open windows of the large parlor. Along one wall of the parlor was a massive fireplace with an exquisite mantle covered in detailed engraving. Megan caressed the surface and marveled at the intricate carvings. Antique, Queen Anne, winged-back chairs and a settee, covered in rich brocade, were proudly displayed on either side.
Beyond the parlor was a glass sunroom scattered with thick, comfortably padded wicker furniture. A few of the inn’s residents were enjoying the sun filtering in as they relaxed or read.
Megan heard soft laughter and her attention was drawn to the wide, curving staircase with its ornate banister. A young couple was descending from the second floor. They bantered playfully as they took the steps, and upon reaching the bottom, the young man lifted the woman from the final step and into his arms where he planted a kiss firmly on her lips.
She laughed merrily and Megan’s heart wrenched.
Young, romantic love.
For Megan, it had been romantic all right, a romantic illusion. Fanciful fallacy.
Feeling Megan’s eyes on them, the young man turned and offered an explanation, “We were married two days ago.” His face was practically beaming with joy as his bride blushed and gave Megan a shy smile.
“Congratulations,” Megan offered, sincerely.
“Thanks,” they returned in unison, virtually floating out the door.
“Megan…” Lee’s deep voice called, pulling her from her dreamy abstraction.
Megan followed Lee down the hall to a glass pane door, hoping he hadn’t been able to read the emotions she was feeling, or if he had, that he would be much too polite to mention them. He just smiled tenderly and opened the door for her, stepping aside for her to exit first.
She stepped down a few steps and onto a brick walkway that led right up to a white, privacy fence gate. Lee opened that as well, and once more, stepped aside for her to pass through into paradise.
“Oooh!” Megan breathed in awe. This place was beautiful! No, it was more than that, she decided. It was amazing.
She was standing in the most exquisite garden she had ever seen. She could not imagine the care and time involved in maintaining such a place. Several feet ahead of her, on the brick path, was an arched cobblestone bridge that crossed over a quickly moving stream. Beyond that were ivy covered arches, arbors and fountains. Interwoven throughout the garden were wrought iron tables, with thickly padded chairs added for comfort.
The garden itself was a myriad of color. The dogwood trees had budded and within the next week or so would be in bloom. Some petunias were already beginning to bloom; the bulb plants such as the lilies, tulips and gladiolus were either opening or about to open. Climbing roses were woven, unrestrained up a trellis, which in another month would be a riot of color. Megan wondered what color they would be.
A large gazebo containing yet another set of tables and chairs added to the beauty of the garden, like a centerpiece on an elegantly decorated table. Lee guided Megan into the gazebo and helped her to be seated. As he pushed her chair under the table for her, she caught the clean woodsy scent of him again.
It really is a nice smell.
Once he had taken his own seat, he asked almost hesitantly, “Do you like it?”
“Are you kidding?” Megan exclaimed in an awe-filled voice. “How could I help it? I believe this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. It’s like something out of a fairytale.”
His smile was one of such genuine relief at her honest pleasure, her heart melted and she was taken aback by his desire to want to please her.
He hardly knows me.
As if reading her mind, he said, “I like for my friends to be comfortable and happy. It’s an added bonus if they enjoy the things I do.” Their eyes met and held for a moment of silent understanding.
Megan broke the silence. “I can’t believe we’re the only ones here. Is this real or did we step into a book? This reminds me of something I’ve seen in a movie or…”
“…Alice through the looking glass in Wonderland,” he finished for her with a laugh.
“Exactly.”
“No. We’ve just missed the Sunday brunch crowd,” he explained.
At that moment, a waitress seemed to appear from out of nowhere to take their order. “How hungry are you?” Lee asked.
“I’m famished,” Megan replied honestly.
“Great. Would you mind if I order for the both of us?”
Funny, Trevor never asked if she minded, he’d just assumed and ordered.
She didn’t realize until this instance how much his continual assumptions had bothered her.
Lee and the waitress were waiting for her response. “Uh…no, go right ahead.”
“You’re sure?” He hesitated and Megan nodded her consent.
Lee gave the order of Fried Chicken Caesar Salad to be followed with homemade Potato Leek Soup and fresh hot yeast bread with cinnamon butter and iced tea to drink. “Plus, I believe some blackberry cobbler a la mode for dessert would really hit the spot.”
“Wow!” Megan exclaimed over the amount of food as the waitress went to get their tea.
“You did say you were famished,” he reminded.
“Yes, well with all that you ordered, I better be. That’s enough to feed a small country.” She smiled.
“I like your sense of humor,” he complimented. “It was one of the first things I noticed about you.”
“You mean the day you weren’t watching where you were walking?” she teased.
He laughed. “That’s what I’m talking about. You’re quick-witted.”
“Some people would call it sarcasm,” she admitted.
“Well I’m not everybody,” he firmly stated.
I think I’m beginning to see that and it scares me a little.
For a few moments, after their tea was brought, they sat sipping it in comfortable silence. It was a picturesque day. The strong winds from earlier had subsided into a gentle afternoon breeze that tugged playfully at Megan’s locks and stirred the petals and leaves. In this atmosphere, she could feel herself relaxing. The tension she felt earlier fled and the reserve, that she usually wore as a cloak, began to slowly drift away, as if carried by the wind.
“Thank you, again, for bringing me here. This place really is incredible.”
“It’s truly my pleasure. I’m just happy you like it,” Lee assured her.
“Who wouldn’t like it?”
“Well, you’d be surprised how many overlook the simple beauty of life.”
Trevor would have never come to this place. This wasn’t his cup of tea at all.
What was it about this man sitting across from her that caused her to draw comparisons between Trevor and him?
Megan was given no further chance to ponder that question as their food arrived. The same waitress carried it out and a petite woman in her mid-to-late fifties with dark hair was following her.
Upon seeing the older woman, Lee immediately rose to his feet, pushing back his chair. He cleared the distance between them in two steps, calling out with delight, “Aunt Vera.” He wrapped the small woman in his muscular arms, lifting her off the ground.
She laughed merrily, “Lee, my boy, I was wondering how long it would take you to find your way over here. Your mother told me you were staying in Laurel Ridge.”
Megan was astonished. The owner and proprietor of this beautiful establishment was Lee’s aunt. Now that she was aware, the family resemblance was obvious.
“This has been my first opportunity,” Lee assured his aunt and then turned toward Megan. “Megan, I’d like for you to meet my Aunt Vera.”
Megan stood, reaching out her hand.
“Aunt Vera, this is my friend Megan McCormick.” Lee completed the introductions as Vera took Megan’s hand in her own and squeezed warmly. Her gray eyes, eyes that were almost identical to her nephew’s, crinkled at the corners as she gave Megan a smile that was as sincerely warm as her handshake. Megan liked her instantly.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my dear,” Vera voiced.
“Thank you. It’s good to meet you as well.”
“The two of you sit down and enjoy your meal,” she ordered softly before turning to Lee, “I’ll be seeing more of you, now that you’re in the area, right?”
“You bet you will. I couldn’t possibly stay away from my favorite aunt for long,” Lee declared.
“I’m your only aunt, sweetie,” Vera reminded, with a teasing twinkle in her eye.
“Yeah,” Lee admitted with a boyish grin. “But you’re still my favorite.”
“You’re incorrigible, but I love you nonetheless,” she assured him as she turned back to Megan. “It was nice meeting you, dear, and I hope to see you around here again.”
“It was great meeting you and I truly love your garden…your entire home here to be honest.”
“Thank you. Please enjoy lunch, and if either of you need anything, just let us know.” Vera departed for the house leaving the two of them to their meal.
Megan enjoyed the playful banter exchanged between Lee and his aunt. Their fondness for one another was apparent, both in their tone and in their action. Megan had never known the joy of extended family as both of her parents were only children and their parents had passed away prior to Megan being born.
As she got her mind back on the meal, she sampled the fare set before her; the soup and salad were delicious. In fact, Megan considered them some of the best she’d ever eaten. She realized she sighed out loud after her second bite when Lee commented, “Good huh?”
Her mouth was full so she could only enthusiastically nod her agreement.
“Here. You have to try this.” He removed the towel from over the bread and sliced a large chunk of it. Then, smiling, he slathered it with cinnamon butter, which promptly melted. He handed the delectable morsel to her and watched as she put it in her mouth. Immediately, she rolled her eyes in delight, savoring the piping hot piece of heaven.
Lee laughed. “I know.”
“This is dangerous,” Megan said, taking another bite.
“That’s why I can’t eat my aunt’s cooking too often.” He patted his taught belly as he took another bite of the bread.
It didn’t look as if he had too much to worry about in that department. He looked extremely fit and toned.
Megan nearly choked on the turn her thoughts had taken. She quickly recovered with a quick sip of tea.
In between bites of food, Lee began to share a little about himself with her.
He seemed to have nothing to hide and revealed himself with an ease and confidence that intrigued her. Getting information from Trevor had been like pulling teeth. He gave nothing away voluntarily and what he had shared hadn’t been entirely true. If only she had been more persistent in her pursuit of knowledge about him, perhaps things wouldn’t have ended so badly.
I have to stop thinking about Trevor. That part of my life is over.