Page 27 of Moonshine and Magnolias
Wendy fought the sting that pricked her eyes at his concern. It was a losing battle. A tear ran down her cheek and she scrubbed it away. “She left me Fountenoy Hall.”
“That can’t be too much of a surprise. Didn’t you live here in high school? And you were always dragging me back here during breaks.” He leaned back, taking in the rich earth and the overhang of trees. “Hell, even I have fond memories of spending Christmas here.”
“My grandma still has the sketch you did of her in the kitchen.” She heaved out a breath. “She left the Hall to me and Brandi.”
His eyebrows lifted into his ginger hair. “Okay, that’s a little bit of a surprise. I thought Brandilynn had grandiose ideas that didn’t include being a hotel proprietress.” He kissed the top of Wendy’s head and put his arm around her. “Your Grandma loved you so much. I saw it every time I visited. She was an amazing woman.”
Wendy snuggled into his chest, so thankful for the day they met her first year of college.
“I hope my being here and taking over your life isn’t going to mess up your carefully planned day,” Sebastien said. “I know how much fluctuations in your schedule piss you off.”
“You’re worth it.” But that didn’t mean she wanted to examine her life, so she latched on to a subject sure to divert him. “Are you going to stop wasting time and ask Brandi out now?” Ah, fiddlesticks. She’d have to find out if her cousin’s late nights and missed shifts were because of a guy before encouraging Sebastien any further.
“I’ll have to see if she’s ready for me.” His voice remained cheerful. Wendy didn’t call him on the underlying hurt. He was allowed to have his secrets, too. “Blow off this thing you call a job tomorrow and let’s find a party. When was the last time you took a night for yourself?”
She pulled away from Sebastien and tugged on her hair, making her voice remain even. “I have to drive my mom to the airport. And I’m on call the next day. You and Brandi go.”
“Something tells me you need more fun than your cousin. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Wendy hopped off the bench and picked up the bat. “Do you want to hit or take your chances with a peach shower again?”
Sebastien did neither. He wrapped his arms around Wendy and finished coating her with the remnants of the juice on his shirt.
It was hard not to laugh, and he finally put her down. “You’re so doing my laundry,” she said.
“But not until Laundry Day.”
“I hate you.”
A man approached over the hill, his attention glued to the tablet in his hands. Wendy could tell by the way his hair shone with auburn highlights and his lanky gait that it was Rob Upshaw. He must be following Grandma’s layout of the tour.
He stopped about twenty feet from them and his head snapped up as if he felt her looking.
His gaze flickered between her and Sebastien before an insincere smile planted itself on his mouth as he continued his approach. Wendy shifted away from her friend, feeling like she was caught snacking between meals.
Sebastien, the bastard, ran a hand down her back, a gleam of curiosity brightening his face. “And who is this tall, dark, and glowering man?” he murmured.
She ignored him and called out to Rob. “Taking a stroll?” She kept her voice light, but the resigned look on his face cut her in a way she didn’t understand.
“Just practicing for the tour.” He approached and held out his hand to Sebastien, who took it. “Doctor Robert Upshaw. You must be Ms. Marsh’s boyfriend.”
“Sebastien Casagnes.” He turned to Wendy. “Am I your boyfriend?”
“No.”
Rob’s dark lashes swept closed at her answer. When he opened them again, his expression became hard to read. Satisfied, surprised, hungry… she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
But she knew it was about her.
She couldn’t afford to indulge in the pleasure his attention brought her. Ignoring her pounding heart, she walked over to the nearest tree and tugged a fat piece of fruit. “When was the last time you had a peach this newly picked?” She tossed it to Sebastien.
“Last time I was here.” He took a bite. “This is good, but nothing compared to the peach dessert with a warmed caramel glaze my dad’s chef made last week.”
“You are such a snob.” She accepted his rudeness with nothing more than a flick of her ponytail.
He took another bite, then stretched his arms and gave a huge yawn. “And this snob needs to get to his room for a shower and a mid-morning nap. I don’t need a reminder on my phone to tell me.” He winked at Wendy when she stuck out hertongue. “I’ll catch you later,mon caneton.” He headed back to the Hall.
Leaving her alone with Rob.
