Toward Home by Carolyne Aarsen

Author:Carolyne Aarsen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2003-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

“So you came here with Adam?” Graydon dropped onto the grass beside Melanie, wiping his fingers with a napkin. “That’s great.”

Melanie took the last bite of her bun and set the plate down beside her, carefully choosing her reply. “He and Tiffany came on their own. I just happened to meet them at the parking lot.”

“Just happened?” Graydon’s bushy eyebrows disappeared into his hair. “And then you guys sit here all cozy eating supper together. What a cute picture.”

Melanie took extra care brushing the crumbs off her pants. She didn’t know how to answer that without sounding defensive or flirtatious. So she chose discretion and said nothing.

“I mean, that’s okay,” Graydon hastened to explain, balling up the napkin and pitching it with a quick snap into a nearby garbage can. “If you came with him, that is.” He grinned at her, resting his forearms on his knees. “It’s about time Adam got over what happened. About time he started looking around again.”

He left her absolutely no avenue out of this quagmire, Melanie thought with dismay. Graydon was determined to think that she and Adam were an item when all they really were was temporary business partners. So she said nothing.

“Oh, boy. I didn’t think she would come.” Graydon’s arms fell as he sat up straighter, his eyes narrowed.

Melanie followed the direction of his gaze, puzzled at his sudden change of subject.

Adam stood in profile to them, holding Tiffany’s hand. A young woman faced him, her hand on his shoulder. She looked to be in her mid-twenties, slim and petite with long blond hair.

“Who is she?” Melanie asked, striving to keep her voice light and vaguely interested instead of avidly curious.

“Lana’s sister, Sandy. She lives in Edmonton. Must be visiting her parents, but what is she doing way out here?”

“Her parents live in Eastbar?”

Graydon angled her a curious glance. Nodded. “And how do you know that?”

Melanie shrugged away his regard, her eyes on Sandy and Adam. “I just know.”

Sandy stroked Adam’s arm with a proprietary air, then she slipped her arms around him, her head on his shoulder. He patted her awkwardly on the back, his other hand still in Tiffany’s.

“Friendly town,” Melanie murmured with a flicker of jealousy. “Adam seems to have that effect on a lot of women,” she said, remembering Roxanne’s exuberant greeting in the park.

And their own embrace yesterday.

“Sandy and Adam are old friends.”

“Of course they are.” And why should you care? In spite of that hug, the two of you don’t have a future.

Sandy drew away from Adam, her expression earnest as she spoke. Adam nodded, looking down at the ground, poking it with the toe of his boot.

“I should go and talk to Mrs. Hamstead,” Melanie said, pushing herself to her feet. She knew she should do something, anything, rather than watch and wonder at Adam’s relationship with his former sister-inlaw.

“I wouldn’t worry about her,” Graydon said with a wink. “Adam never felt that way about her.”

“That vague pronouncement makes me feel a lot better.” Melanie flashed him a quick smile, then walked toward a group of women sitting in lawn chairs.

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