Finding Home in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 16) Read online

  Catching the direction of his gaze, Marigold stroked the huge mound. “The doctor estimates they’re already over five pounds each.”

  “When are they due again?” Ethan thought he should probably know, but had thought she’d have them before now.

  “Around Valentine’s Day…but twins usually come early.”

  Gladys smiled, but Ethan sensed her desire to get back to the business at hand. She gestured to his plate. “Ethan is taking appetizers to Gianna.”

  A startled look crossed Marigold’s face, and she glanced around. “Where is she?”

  “In the alcove under the stairs.” Ethan quickly explained about wanting a quiet place to talk.

  “I’m glad you’re befriending her, Ethan.” Marigold placed a hand on his arm. “It’s been so hectic since she arrived, and with the holidays and all, I’m afraid Charlotte and I haven’t been able to spend as much personal time with her as we’d like.”

  “I’d better get back to her.” He flashed both women a smile. “She’ll be wondering what’s taking me so long.”

  “That’s interesting,” Gladys murmured as Ethan headed toward the stairs.

  Marigold inclined her head, her thick mane of blond hair falling in a riot of curls around her face. “What is?”

  “Ethan taking such an interest in your new employee.” A speculative gleam filled Gladys’s eyes.

  “She’s not really my employee. Gianna is a talented hairstylist who came to help out Charlotte and me.” Marigold smiled as Ethan hurried off. “Ethan is a good guy.”

  “He’s also single.”

  Marigold laughed. “And that has what to do with anything?”

  Gladys smiled. “Oh, my dear. That has everything to do with everything.”

  Chapter Two

  While Gianna waited for Ethan to return, she pulled her phone out of the tiny beaded bag and scrolled through her messages. The one that caught her eye was from her attorney. She wasn’t surprised Dillon Alexander was working on New Year’s Eve. From her dealings with him, the man worked 24/7.

  His fees to handle her case were reasonable. Though he was young, he was already building a stellar reputation. She often wondered if he’d been interested in representing her interests only because of the notoriety.

  According to Dillon, the terms of the will were ironclad. Although the money she was set to receive once the estate was settled wasn’t much, not in the grand scheme of things, Alan’s children were upset that she would receive anything.

  Gianna had briefly considered refusing the inheritance. Alan’s wealth hadn’t played a part in her attraction to the handsome businessman. It had been his kindness, his intelligence and his zest for living that had drawn her to him.

  She could almost see Alan sitting in the empty chair near her, telling her he wanted her to have the money. These funds would give her the financial freedom to pursue her dreams.

  “I’m sorry. I got waylaid.” Ethan set a plate of food on the tiny table between them. He handed her the club soda before taking a seat. “I ran into Marigold.”

  “She’s wonderful.” Gianna picked up a crab puff and popped it into her mouth. It was so delicious, she took another. “I didn’t realize how hungry I am.”

  “If you like hot, these jalapeño poppers are excellent.” He grinned at her questioning look. “I may have tried one or two while deciding what to put on the plate.”

  “I guess I’m not the only hungry one.” Gianna reached for one of the poppers.

  They ate for several minutes in comfortable silence.

  “Okay.” Gianna lifted her hands before reaching for one of the cocktail napkins. “I’m done.”

  “We made a good dent in the food.” Ethan glanced at the plate that now held two lone shrimp. “I’d say we outdid ourselves.”

  “I feel better now.” Gianna took a long drink of club soda. Ethan had been right. The poppers were hot.

  She leaned back in the chair, fully relaxed for the first time since she’d arrived.

  “You look like a cat who just downed a bowl of cream.”

  “Do I?” Gianna smiled. “That’s how I feel. Comfortably full and relaxed.”

  “You’re a restful person.”

  “I’ve been told that before.” By Alan, she remembered, resisting the urge to sigh. Determinedly, Gianna focused all her attention on the man at her side. “Now, tell me what you’re passionate about.”

  “You’re not going to let me shift the conversation, are you?”

  “You told me it was a long story.” She tapped a finger against her lips. “I believe that’s why we’re sitting here.”

  “Got me there.” He chuckled. “Did I mention it’s a long, boring story?”

  “Did I mention tenacity is one of my virtues?” She smiled. “Start talking.”

  Ethan paused. “I manage my father’s business interests.”

  “That’s what excites you?”

  “Ah, not at all.”

  Gianna’s hazel eyes, looking more brown than green in the lamplight, remained fixed on him.

  “My sister, Eliza, is married to Kyle Kendrick. Kyle and I, along with Marigold’s stepbrother David Chapin, are business partners. That partnership, the Triad Group, is developing Wrigley Road.”

  “Your eyes light up when you talk about developing that area,” Gianna commented.

  “Do they?” Ethan shrugged, feeling embarrassed. His father had taught him that emotion and passion had no place in business. “I’m also looking at buying some property from my father. He’s doing nothing with it, other than allowing the buildings to fall into ruin.”

  “Will he sell it to you?”

  Ethan smiled. “I can be tenacious, too.”

  Remembering how his father had put him off the last time he’d brought up the property along Paintbrush Lane had Ethan’s lips tightening.

  Suddenly, he was tired of sitting and definitely tired of talking. “Care to dance?”

  Gianna liked to dance. Not to dance on New Year’s Eve somehow seemed wrong. But, conscious of the time she’d already spent in Ethan’s company, she needed to make one thing very clear.

  “This might sound presumptuous, but I’m not looking for any romantic involvement while I’m in Good Hope.” She kept her voice casual, hoping she hadn’t seen interest where none existed.

  She couldn’t deny she found Ethan attractive and enjoyed his company. There might have been even a little answering spark, but only because he was a handsome guy who smelled terrific.

  He studied her for a long moment, his gaze assessing and a little puzzled.

  Gianna understood the puzzlement. He was probably used to women falling all over themselves to get his attention.

  “Got it. No one-night stands. No romantic involvement.” Then he was rising and holding out a hand. “Just one question.”

  She inclined her head. “What is it?”

  “What about dancing?”

  Gladys stood at the edge of the dance floor with her two best friends, Katherine Spencer and Ruby Rakes, and surveyed the dance floor.

  A dining table, able to seat twelve, had been cleared from the room to give couples space if they wanted to dance. In this room, gold, silver and black decorations reigned supreme. Balloons of silver and gold drifted against the high ceiling between hanging black letters that spelled out Happy New Year. Bow-tie pasta covered in gold glitter on woven string of the same color added an interesting touch.

  The lighting in this area of the home had been dimmed to further the romantic ambience. Music, a romantic ballad that practically begged a couple to hold each other close, filled the air from strategically placed Bluetooth speakers. Four or five couples danced close on the shiny hardwood.

  During the past few years, the three older women had brought their share of couples together. Their most recent success, Piper Ambrose and Anders Cross, were now slow-dancing with scarcely an inch between them. Though the two hadn’t yet walked down the aisle, a ring was on her finger a
nd a date had been set for a spring wedding.

  Ruby, a youthful woman in her early eighties with champagne-colored hair and a cheerful demeanor, turned to Gladys. “Who are we supposed to be watching?”

  “Ethan.” Katherine spoke in a low tone. The former accountant was related to Ethan. Since her return to Good Hope several years earlier, she’d grown close to both Ethan and his sister, Eliza.

  Ruby searched the dance floor. “There he is. I see him. Right there.”

  Gladys jerked Ruby’s hand down. “Keep your voice down.”

  Thankfully, Gladys thought, between the music and the laughing conversation, no one had likely heard. Although she definitely could have done without the pointing.

  “Though I haven’t met the young woman yet, I’ve heard about her.” Katherine’s dark brows pulled together. “She’s the one brought in to cover for Marigold and Charlotte.”

  “They make a lovely couple.” Gladys surveyed the two with an experienced eye. At six feet, Ethan wasn’t excessively tall. As Gianna was five feet five at best, with her heels on, they fit together perfectly. “Her hair is nearly as dark as his.”

  “I’ve never been a fan of that jagged look.” Katherine sniffed. “Eliza tried it for a time last year. I have to admit the style looks better on Gianna. She’s a lot younger than Ethan.”

  “Mid-twenties, I believe Marigold mentioned.” Gladys tapped her bright red lips. “With Ethan in his early thirties, well, it’s practically perfect.”

  When the two glanced at her in confusion, Gladys smiled. “My dear Henry was six years older than me.”

  “He was a wonderful husband.” Ruby gave Gladys’s arm a squeeze.

  “Yes, indeed he was,” Gladys agreed.

  “You and Albert are the same age,” Ruby said, referring to Gladys’s current boyfriend.

  “He’s younger.” Gladys preferred not to think about Albert tonight. The fact that he’d chosen to spend New Year’s Eve at his daughter’s home still stung.

  Though Albert had said she was welcome to go with him, Gladys knew how his children felt about her.

  “Have you heard the stories about Gianna?” Ruby whispered the question, forcing Gladys to lean close. “She seems so nice it’s hard to believe, but if her late partner’s kids are telling the truth—”

  “Trust me,” Gladys interrupted. “What someone’s child says about their parent’s partner can’t always be trusted.”

  “Well, one thing I know for certain. Oaklee won’t like it. Not one bit.” Ruby shook her head. “She thinks of Ethan as hers.”

  “Ethan has never given the slightest indication that he’s interested in her.” Gladys spoke firmly, though she had to admit—if only to herself—she was a little concerned about how Oaklee would react. “If I thought they were a good match, I’d do everything in my power to bring them together.”

  “I agree with Gladys.” Katherine’s gaze grew thoughtful. “I don’t see Oaklee and Ethan being a fit.”

  “It doesn’t matter what we think.” Ruby’s voice turned serious. “It’s what Oaklee thinks. Mark my words. If you try to match Ethan with anyone but her, she won’t be happy.”

  Chapter Three

  On New Year’s Day, Gianna rose at midmorning to meet her friends for coffee and rolls. She studied the two women seated across the table from her at Blooms Bake Shop. She counted herself lucky that she’d been in Good Hope for less than a month and had already made friends.

  Gianna had met Oaklee Marshall through Evie Eastman, the receptionist at the salon. They’d bonded as three single, mid-twenties women in a community filled with happily marrieds.

  “I should be sick of kringle by now, but…” Oaklee lifted a piece of the flaky pastry brimming with cream cheese and cherries from the plate in the center of the table. “I’m not.”

  Evie, a willowy blonde with a streak of pink in her hair, nibbled on a Christmas cookie. She’d made some progress on it since the three friends had met for a Friday morning treat. The bright red Santa-shaped cookie in her hand had been reduced to a red hat.

  While outside the plate-glass window, snow fell softly in large flakes, the inside of the bakery remained toasty warm. Delicious scents of yeast, cocoa and cinnamon wafted in the air.

  “I can’t believe it’s a new year.” Gianna popped her last bite of kringle into her mouth and washed the pastry down with a sip of her peppermint latte.

  “I really enjoyed the party at Marigold’s house.” Evie set down the cookie and leaned forward. “I know she said we could wear whatever we want, but it was so much fun to dress up.”

  “What did you end up wearing?” Oaklee asked.

  “Remember that cute minidress we found at Swoon before it closed?”

  “The one with all the sequins?” Oaklee leaned forward. “Love it! I bet you looked amazing.”

  “Um, I always look amazing.” Evie shimmied her shoulders and shot her friend a wink before laughing into her latte.

  Gianna couldn’t help but laugh along.

  “I wish I could have gone.” Oaklee heaved a loud sigh, then grinned. “Not really. Working the karaoke stage at the Ding-A-Ling was a blast. New Year’s Eve was just as rowdy and fun as I anticipated.”

  “Were there lots of single guys there?” Evie asked. “Or was it mostly couples?”

  “There were a lot of single guys and ladies there. I kept busy with karaoke and chatting with the regulars.” Oaklee’s lips curved. “It got a little wild the closer we got to midnight.”

  Evie leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her face in her palms, giving Oaklee her full attention. “Bet there was a lot of kissing when that ball dropped.”

  Oaklee grinned, wiping her sticky lips with a paper napkin. “You wouldn’t be wrong.”

  “One guy or a bunch?” Evie prompted.

  Gianna glanced from one woman to the other, surprised at how open they both were with their questions.

  “Just one. Isaak Cochran.”

  “He’s hot.” Evie nodded approval.

  “I don’t believe I know him,” Gianna said.

  “Tall. Great bod. Dark beard. Bright blue eyes.” Evie licked her lips. “Yummy.”

  “He knows how to kiss, that’s for sure. That was probably the hottest kiss I’ve had in years.” Oaklee expelled a breath, two lines forming between her brows. “The thing is, while I think he’s nice and all, I hope I didn’t give him the impression that I’m interested in him.”

  “Why did you kiss him if you aren’t interested in him?” Gianna asked.

  “What, you’ve never heard of a friendly kiss?” When Gianna only quirked an eyebrow, Oaklee shrugged. “I guess I got caught up in the moment.”

  Gianna took a sip of her latte. Something told her there was more to the story.

  Oaklee started shredding her napkin. “It’s just there was all this laughter and celebration, and it struck me that it was another end of the year, and I was alone.”

  “That’s why you kissed him.” Evie gave a decisive nod as if the mystery had been solved.

  “He came up and wished me Happy New Year.” Oaklee’s gaze turned distant with the memory. “I didn’t really think. It was like an automatic reaction. I flung my arms around him and kissed him. Started out friendly, then he turned up the heat, and whoa, mama. The man knows how to kiss.”

  “Nothing wrong with consensual kissing.” Gianna kept her tone light.

  “Absolutely nothing wrong,” Oaklee agreed. “But like I said, I hope I didn’t give him the wrong impression. I’m probably going to have to say something to him, you know, just to clarify so things don’t get weird between us. I know how it feels to think someone likes you, then you find out they don’t.”

  “Not everyone would be that considerate.” Gianna studied Oaklee. She’d known her for a little over a month, but she still wasn’t sure what made the woman tick. Oaklee, a minister’s sister, helped out at the Living Center by running errands and was also in charge of karaoke at the po
pular Ding-A-Ling bar on Wrigley Road.

  Oaklee’s boho-chic wardrobe, flashy haircut and color were perfectly in sync with her bold nature and forceful personality.

  To keep costs down, Oaklee preferred to color her own hair. Though Gianna would never offer her opinion, she thought Oaklee’s current red-violet color would work better on someone with olive, or darker, skin tones.

  “That’s me.” Oaklee grinned. “Considerate to the core.”

  Evie, who’d apparently given up on the cookie and latte, reapplied color to her lips. She tapped two fingers against the bright red. “Trent was at Marigold’s party.”

  Gianna smiled. “I seem to recall you mentioning him before.”

  “That’s right.” Evie waved a hand. “That night when you and me and Oaklee met at the Daily Grind.”

  “It was a night of man-talk.” Oaklee’s grin faded, and she pointed a finger at Gianna. “Except for you.”

  Gianna didn’t recall much of the conversation that night. Her head had been pounding, and she’d found concentrating difficult. Getting the news from her attorney that Alan’s children continued to trash her both publicly and privately had dimmed her already low spirits.

  She kept reminding herself she could do nothing to stop them. Since thinking about them only made her sad, she vowed to focus on what she could control.

  Seeing the curious looks in both her friends’ eyes had Gianna going on the offense. “I was simply wondering if anything had changed between you and him.”

  That seemed a safe enough response, one that would hopefully keep Evie’s mind on her own life and off of Gianna’s.

  The brightness in Evie’s eyes dimmed. She shook her head and sighed. “He’s still engaged to Lila. At least he was as of last night.”

  A memory surged. Gianna realized she did remember some of the conversation from that evening. Trent with the buff body was a personal trainer at the Y. His fiancée was a teacher. She struggled to recall more, but came up empty.

  “I like flirting with him.” Evie shrugged. “It’s fun.”