Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) (13 page)

While Gianessa took a deep breath, Justin interjected a question. “How long ago did you move to northern California?”

“Three years. Isabella is four now.”

“And you haven’t seen her in all that time?”

Gianessa shook her head. “It was a stipulation of the divorce, and I honored it.”

That must be hell. No wonder she’s so private and protective of her feelings.
A growl in his throat alerted him to his own anger, and he made himself breathe through it. He would not burden Gianessa with that.

“And last night?” he prompted in a calm voice.

“She, my friend Tracey, called to tell me Les got married yesterday. I had no idea. But I know the woman he married. She’s lovely, and she will be a good mother to Isabella.” Her hand fluttered toward her eyes and then reached for a tissue.

Justin rested his arm across her shoulders.

“Tracey wanted to tell me all about the wedding. Isabella was their flower girl, and Tracey kept saying how proud I would be, how graceful and sweet she was, walking down the aisle like a princess.” A sob rose in her throat. “Scattering rose petals and smiling at everyone.”

When Gianessa dissolved in tears again, Justin drew her to him.

“I couldn’t make her stop saying it.” She choked on her words. “I wanted to hear every detail about my little girl, but it hurt so much, Justin. I’ve never wanted so badly to drink or drug.” She ripped at the soggy tissue, balled the entire mess, and frowned at it. Her chest heaved as she drew in one cleansing breath after another.

“And did you drink or drug?”

“No. I called people, and someone took me to a late meeting in Canandaigua, and they made me eat ice cream and talk about it.”

“
Brava
, Gianessa.”

“Thank you. Thanks to my friends in the program.” She snuffled then nodded as she let out a noisy breath.

“And I’ll bet you didn’t get any sleep?” He nudged a long strand of toffee hair away from her face.

“Pretty much. I’m sure I look awful this morning.”

“Not up to your usual, extraordinary beauty, but, except for the red eyes, you’d still fool a lot of people.”

She squeezed his arm and smiled at him with her liquid-amethyst eyes. “Thank you for being so kind, Justin. I know I’ll be better with an omelet in me.”

He spread his hands. “So, we’ll continue, shall we, or would you prefer to go out somewhere?”

“Cooking is always good therapy,” she said. “And especially today. I promise, no more waterworks.”

“You can cry if you need to. The good news is that spinach has cleaned itself by now.”

He was glad to hear her musical laugh.

“You’re a nice man.”

“Hah! I never thought I’d hear that from a woman.”

Gianessa poked him in the shoulder. “I never thought I’d say it about you and mean it. You’re changing.”

“In ways you like?”

“It’s all good.” She gave him a peck on the cheek along with a dazzling smile. “One omelet lesson coming up.”

Justin did all the work, with Gianessa’s coaching. They ate at the table by the window where they could enjoy the lake in the morning light.

The omelets, while not restaurant-worthy, were delicious. “You snuck some seasoning into this,” Gianessa challenged him. “What is it? I can’t tell.”

“There’s some basil,” he told her.

“There’s more than basil.”

“It’s Joel’s secret. He always puts some cilantro in his omelets. I thought I’d try it. Do you like it?”

She considered. “Yeah, I think I do.”

Justin frowned.

“Don’t you?”

“I’d like it better with just the basil. Maybe a little oregano. Maybe some mozzarella, too. Can you eat cheese?”

“I can, and I like it. Next time,” she proposed.

“It’s a date. Next Sunday. How are you feeling now that you’ve had an omelet?”

“Much better.” She dimpled when she smiled this time. “Maybe you’re a healer, too.”

“I like seeing your dimples.” Justin reached across the table and touched one dimple.

“They only come out when I’m happy.” She tossed back her hair. “Can we talk health for a minute?”

Justin drew his eyebrows together, unhappy with the change of direction.

“It’s important to me. I want to know how you’re feeling after a few weeks of gluten-free eating, and I want to know if it’s been onerous.”

Justin sat back, contemplated the lake for a moment. “It’s been a challenge. It’s hardest when I’m rushing from one appointment to the next or eating in restaurants. I don’t have much confidence I can do this consistently, out there in the real world, without putting myself in jeopardy.”

“We’ll work on that. Judging by the contents of your refrigerator, you’re becoming a good gluten-free cook, competent for the challenge ahead.”

He corrected her with a self-effacing laugh. “To be honest, I’m becoming a competent grocery shopper. But cooking is a pleasure, especially when we do it together.”

“When we’re not cooking together, how well do you eat?”

“Better than I would, thanks to your menus and our grocery store’s prepared foods. The fact that they label everything makes it deceptively easy.”

“That’s a good strategy when you can’t do better. I do want you to work toward fixing most of your meals. If you’re eating prepared foods, you may be getting more fat and sodium than you should.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He resisted reaching for Gianessa’s hands. “You asked how I’m feeling. I feel good on the whole. Most of the symptoms are at bay. I’m sleeping well, getting some energy back. I can handle a mile on the treadmill, up from half a mile two weeks ago. I tried lifting weights yesterday, and it was not a total embarrassment. I know they’ll open Joel’s pool next week, and I’d like to make use of it when it suits you both.”

“Good. I have a couple of routines for you to try in the water. Did you ever hear back about your tests?”

“I do have celiac disease, and the doctor explained why it is so serious.”

“I’m sorry, but, as you know, it’s treatable. It’s why I am so faithful to my food plan and so committed to cooking for myself.”

“Enough serious talk.” He pushed back from the table.

Gianessa jumped up and gathered the dishes from the table.

He offered to help.

“Nonsense. You cooked, I’ll take care of the dishes.”

Justin followed her movements in the kitchen—rinsing plates, sorting mugs and silverware into the various compartments of the dishwasher, whooshing the sponge along the countertops with a happy smile on her face.

He had a flash of how it could be every morning and evening, the two of them starting the day like this, fixing an evening meal together and talking over the day.
What is happening to me?
He drummed his fingers on the table and glanced at the lake, but his gaze came back to her—that delicious, graceful body. He wanted her in his bed, not just now, this morning, but every morning.

Gianessa finished the cleanup and dried her hands on a towel. He imagined her barefoot and pregnant, her curves rounder than now, her wavy, toffee hair falling around her shoulders.

Amusement made her voice musical. “Justin, what in heaven’s name are you thinking about? You look like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar.”

His face flamed. He threw back his head and laughed. “Just thinking about a half-mile stroll along the lakeshore. Is it too cold for you?”

“Don’t be silly. I have my L.L. Bean, good-to-forty-below coat with a hood and a wool hat and mittens made of Gore-Tex, whatever that is. Oh, and space-age lining. I’m not a California girl anymore.” Her smile dazzled him.

“Then let’s do it,” he declared and stood from the table. Anything to get away from the lure of the mattress. He handed her the long down coat and put on his own storm coat. Even with her nose red from crying and dark circles under her eyes and her body wrapped in layers of downy warmth, Gianessa was a stunning, sexy woman.

For god’s sake, I’m too old for her
. And he had no business taking advantage of her vulnerability. Wasn’t it enough for him to get well and start his work at the college? Of course it was enough
.
He just needed to get a grip on his libido.
Bad image, old man
.

“Coming, Justin?”

“I vote for Skaneateles,” Manda’s voice sang out.

Sara and Gianessa traded looks.

“I think we’ve reached a decision,” Sara said.

“Without even asking the question,” Gianessa quipped.

“And Sara’s driving, right?” Manda pushed it too far.

“Now wait a minute, Little Miss Bossy.”

Gianessa challenged them. “Manda, did I hear you say you’d treat the driver to lunch?” She opened her hands to signal a brilliant compromise.

Manda and Sara nodded at each other.

“Cool,” Sara said with a satisfied smile.

“I’m glad you could come,” Manda said grudgingly to Gianessa as she trudged to Sara’s passenger door.

Sara gave Gianessa a quick hug. “Thanks for handling that. Do you mind sitting in back? I know it’s a little cramped.”

Gianessa shook her head. “I’m small.”

After they buckled up and got underway, Manda wanted to know, “When are you going to get a car, Gianessa?”

“I was actually going to ask your advice about that, Manda. I know you’re the queen of budgets.”

“Says who?”

“Your almost Uncle Justin. He thinks you walk on water.”

Manda eyed her suspiciously.

“I think I should save a lot before I spend a lot on a car, right?”

“Well, you should have an emergency fund.”

“And how much would that be?”

“Equal to three or even six months living expenses—groceries, rent, all the things you have to spend on every month.”

Gianessa felt her eyes grow wide. She exhaled a laugh. “So maybe I’ll get a car in a couple of years.”

“No, listen, when you’re working fulltime as Joel’s therapist, you could do something like . . . make a car payment every month and save the same amount toward your emergency fund. It doesn’t have to be either-or.”

“I can see that. You’re a good teacher, Manda. Do you mind if I ask you money questions?”

Manda shrugged. “I guess, if it would really help.”

“It would really help, thank you. I was married and taken care of for a bunch of years, and then I was broke for three years, so I have no money skills. It’s a little scary, and I don’t want to be foolish.”

Sara chimed in, “I keep telling Gianessa she should marry Justin.”

“Oh please, don’t start. I’m trying to focus on my career right now.”

Manda twisted around and looked Gianessa in the eye. “If you can deal with his personality, he’s a good catch. It took me a while, but I really like him, and basically he’s a good guy.”

Gianessa was stunned. “Justin doesn’t want to be caught.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure.”

“Don’t you think he’s just going back to Europe or wherever in a few months, after your wedding?”

“I really think he’s going to stay in Tompkins Falls. I know Joel’s hoping for that.”

Gianessa watched the scenery roll by. Joel had warned her away from Justin for a reason, but she wasn’t sure what was behind that. One thing she knew for sure. She could handle Manda well enough to take her shopping for a wedding gown. That was one less stressor for Joel. She’d firm up a shopping date with Manda today for the coming week.
For now, enjoy the journey
.

When they arrived in the lakeside village of Skaneateles, Gianessa fell in love. “This is gorgeous. The gazebo, the park, the lake, all the shops and pretty houses. Good call, Manda.”

Sara drove in behind a building across from the park and tucked her little car into a tight spot. “Isn’t it pretty here? We always have lunch on the porch at this inn.” She led the way up brick steps to a lakeside inn that dated from stagecoach days. “And I’m starved.”

For the next half-hour, Gianessa’s eyes were riveted on the lake. Beyond an ice-covered area close to shore, the water was navy blue, dotted with whitecaps. In the park between the inn and the lakeshore, families played in the snow, walked their dogs, and stopped to chat with each other, apparently oblivious of the biting wind. No one had a down coat as long as hers. How could they stand it? Were they used to it? Would she grow used to it?

She listened with half an ear to Manda and Sara as they caught up on their lives. Sara was starved for girl talk, and Manda was stressed about starting classes in a few weeks. Maybe she had something to offer each of them. She could trade girl talk with Sara each evening. Being in Sara’s confidence might give her better protection from the Manse rumor mill. And she could work on Manda’s stress as they shopped for her gown. A few hints here and there might help shift her self-centeredness and take some pressure off Joel.