Beauty and the Brooding Boss / Friends to Forever: Beauty and the Brooding Boss / Friends to Forever

“Who cares as long as it’s going straight into my veins.” The stranger grinned, then after a pause, pointed a finger at her.

“Nels Bïrdgarten’s gallery showing, right? I was trying to think where we met. You look familiar.”

If she had a nickel for every time a stranger tried that come-on, she wouldn’t have to worry about paying off her debt. “Maybe our paths crossed somewhere in the city,” she suggested.

“Could be. Or it was a cheap excuse to introduce myself. Tom Forbes.”

At least he admitted the line was cheesy. Kelsey shook the hand he offered and introduced herself.

“So you’re from New York,” he continued. “Come to the Berkshires often?”

“First time. I’m here for the summer for a work assignment. You?”

“Every summer since I was eight. My parents have a place on the lake. Not a bad locale if you don’t mind quiet.”

You don’t know quiet, Kelsey thought to herself. “I don’t. Besides, you can’t beat the coffee.”

“Not New York standards, but it’ll do, I suppose.” Over at the register, Farley coughed. Oblivious, Tom raised the cup to his lips.

“Tom!” the female ringleader called over. “We’re heading to the arts and crafts store.”

“You go ahead, Moira. I’m going to finish my coffee, unless—” he flashed a bright smile “—I can talk you into breakfast at the Inn.”

Kelsey chewed her lower lip. She should head back to Nuttingwood. On the other hand, it felt good to have someone want her company for a change. What she wouldn’t give to have Alex toss even a hint of a smile in her direction.

She reached for a plastic to-go lid. “Why not?” she said, smiling back. “Breakfast sounds nice.”

She got back to Nuttingwood far later than planned. Tom turned out to be pleasant company: charming, talkative, entertaining. A tad pompous but nice enough. He described himself as a social gadfly, doing a little bit of everything. “You know,” he’d said when she asked, “a freelance project here, a blog article there.”

In other words, he was rich enough that he didn’t need to work.

When they parted company, he insisted on taking her cell phone number and made no bones about wanting to see her again. Had she been in New York, maybe she’d consider the offer, but here, under the circumstances, she wasn’t so sure.

And her reluctance had nothing to do with her antisocial boss, she insisted to herself. Even if she did spend a good portion of the meal wondering what sharing breakfast with Alex would be like.

True to form, Alex was nowhere to be found when she returned, but Puddin’ was. Someone had left the garden door unlatched and the cat had ensconced himself quite comfortably on her desk chair.

“And I thought I was pushing my luck,” she said. “You know that nine lives thing is a myth, right?”

Puddin’ rolled onto his back, exposing his belly.

“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one with a negative checking balance.” She’d made an extra large payment this month. It drained her account, leaving her barely enough to cover expenses. And Grandma Rosie’s debt still loomed as mountainous as ever.

So while Puddin’ might be willing to risk Alex’s wrath, Kelsey wasn’t. She needed this job.

“Sorry, pal, but I used up my defiance last night.” Since Puddin’ didn’t care to cooperate by moving on his own, she gathered him in her arms. “Now,” she said, walking outside and setting him gently on the stone terrace, “why don’t you go find a nice bush to sleep under before the boss sees you.”

“Too late.” Alex appeared out of nowhere, brandishing a walking stick.

How on earth did he manage to sneak up on her like that? It was like he really was some kind of ghost. He glowered at Puddin’, who appeared unimpressed.

“That thing’s still here, I see.”

“Good morning to you too,” she replied. In addition to his specter-like approach, he managed to look uncommonly good this morning. Those khaki shorts and hiking shirt suited him way more than Tom. Probably, she stole a glance at his toned calves, because he actually hiked. “And this ‘thing’ has a name. Puddin’.”

“You named a stray cat?”

“Even strays deserve an identity.” She knelt down to scratch Puddin’s head. “Everyone wants to know they matter a little bit.”

“As long as you don’t mislead them or make them think they mean more than they do.”

“Because they might get too comfortable.”

“Or burned.”

Were they still talking about the cat? No longer sure, Kelsey fell silent, letting the sound of Puddin’s purring fill the void.

“Where did you go this morning?”

“Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“I saw you drive away.”

Kelsey wasn’t sure if she should resent or be flattered by the close attention. “I had some errands to run in town,” she replied.

“Errands.”

“Yes.” She did know she resented the skeptical way he repeated the word. “You know, post office, grocery store … Farley had fresh baked apricot turnovers. I brought back some if you’re interested.”

Alex appeared to be only half listening, too busy was he rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes were half-closed, and he twisted his head back and forth like it needed loosening.

“Stiff neck?” Kelsey asked.

Naturally he gave her a suspicious look. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re rubbing your neck same as you were last night. I made the assumption.”

“You shouldn’t make assumptions.”

“And you shouldn’t rub your neck so hard if you don’t want people to make them.”

Her comment earned a grimace. “I have a headache. Nothing I can’t manage.”

“Are you sure?” Upon closer inspection, she could see dark circles under his eyes and that his normally ruddy skin had a slight pallor. The sight kicked her maternal instincts into gear. Without realizing, she reached out to feel his forehead. His skin was cool and smooth. Touching it made the pads of her fingers tingle. “Did you take anything?”

“I’m fine.” His expression remained guarded, but a note of tightness managed to creep into his voice. It was that note that drew her closer.

And closer. Until she’d practically eliminated the space between them. Her hand was still brushing his forehead. “You look pale,” she murmured.