One Millhaven Lane (2 page)

***

Much to her surprise, The Haunted House was packed and Asia would have to wait to be seated. She didn't recognize the receptionist, and could have been speaking to the daughter of a classmate or a school friend, for all she knew. The name 'Rachel' didn't nudge any ideas, either.

"How long a wait, do you think? Asia asked. Her mouth watered as she savored the aroma of baking bread and roasting chicken.

"About thirty minutes. There are vacant chairs at a table for four if you're feeling adventurous."

Asia's stomach growled, loud enough for sensitive ears to hear. She laughed. "I'm feeling more hungry than daring, but sure, I'll take the seat."

"Super," Rachel said, smiling. "I'll check with the diner to see if you both share the same sentiment."

With Rachel occupied, Asia took the time to look around the converted six-bedroom two-story house sponsoring home cooking and baking. From the day Esther Gallagher opened the restaurant a half-century earlier, it had been a thriving enterprise. Her mother had told her that Esther still kept a close watch on her investment, but the 'hands-in-the-dough' chores she left to someone else. Asia could understand that. Esther must be well into her seventies. Rachel stepped into the foyer and indicated for Asia to follow.

Close on her heels, Asia entered Casper's Lounge, the main dining hall in The Haunted House, and got her first glimpse of her dinner companion. It seemed all she did today was either groan or dredge up memories of her past, not all of them pleasant. If she weren't so weary, she'd wait for a table to free up.

Would you really, Asia?

Yes, I would.

Admit it. You're happy you ran into him again. Feel your heart pumping. No man can make your heart pound like Nate.

Sometimes her mind could be a pain.
Shush.

You aren't fooling anyone; certainly not yourself. You want him back in your life and in your bed. Admit it. Admit —

"Sally will serve you tonight and will be with you shortly," Rachel said, placing a menu on the table.

"Thank you, Rachel." Asia sat and looked across the table at Nate. "Twice in the same day. What're the odds?"

"Considering the population of the Grove, I'd say extremely high."

Asia would know that, if she'd stopped to think. But she hadn't, which was unlike her. It seemed as though there were forces
 
— cupid-like forces — at work, maneuvering her into Nate's path. Otherwise, she would have called in an order and had it delivered, leaving nothing to chance.

Asia sat back, fingering the cutlery and thinking about the great times she and Nate had shared. They could have that again. Perhaps the time had come to truly forgive and forget Nate's transgression. The ambiance must be affecting her judgment, because she sincerely wanted to give them another chance.

 
She couldn't deny her feelings. She'd never stopped loving him.

Take a chance, Asia.
 

This might be her last opportunity to see Nate. In all likelihood, she wouldn't happen upon him in Boston. Life was too short for grudges. He wrongly doubted her love and fidelity eighteen years ago and not giving him a chance to redeem himself was nothing more than headstrong stubbornness on her part. Surely, they'd both learned from that life lesson.

Before she could pursue the subject, Sally appeared at Asia's side.

"Are you ready to order?" she asked, holding a pencil and order pad in her hand.

Asia hadn't opened the menu yet and wouldn't take time to read it. "What's the special?"

"Corned beef and cabbage."

"I'll have that. Could you bring me a coffee now?" Caffeine this late in the day would keep her up tonight, but she needed something to relax her. Being so close to Nate and reconciliation maxed her stress level.

"Coming right up." Sally took the menu and left.

Asia looked at Nate and found him staring at her.

"What?"

He pointed to the top of her head. "It's not a spider," he said. "But there's something ... May I?"

Thankful it wasn't any kind of bug, though spiders frightened her most and Nate hadn't forgotten, she was able to shrug and not become alarmed.

He reached across the table and brushed something aside. "A cobweb."

After the corners and dark places she'd cleaned today, it was a wonder that was all she came away with. She laughed off her embarrassment, thinking she should have taken a peek in the mirror before she left. That was unlike her, as well. She never stepped out in public without making herself presentable.

"How's the packing coming along?"

"All done. Thankfully."

"It must have been difficult."

She nodded and looked around at the dozen or so tables, grabbing bits of conversations —"...Christmas lights...church bake...the Dobson twins...dandelion wine...Jack Frost...two for one sale..."

"See anyone you recognize?" he asked.

"Judge Brown for one." She turned. "How old is he? One ten, one twelve?"

"At least. Some say he made a pact with the devil."

"Thank Heaven he's not a sitting judge, then."

"Small mercies. Recognize the woman at your back?"

Asia rolled the hair around her finger that had escaped her ponytail and casually made a half-turn to look behind her.

She studied the brunette covertly, but couldn't place her. "No," she said, turning to face Nate.

"Miss Landry."

"It can't be."

Nate nodded. "It is."

Asia frowned. "She must have found the fountain of youth. Either that or a remarkable plastic surgeon. She taught us our second year in school. She was old then."

"Old to six-year-olds. But I think she had some work done. At least, that's the rumor."

"Did she ever marry?" So much for no conversation. But then everything came easy for her when she was with Nate.

"Who'd have her?"

"I don't know. She has a lot to offer. Money, a pedigree, horses, a house." She took her arms from the table when Sally set Asia's coffee in front of her.

"And a wart on her butt."

"You dated her, then."

He laughed.

It shouldn't amaze Asia that they'd fallen into old habits so easily, but it did and she couldn't help but smile. "Why is it so busy in here?" She stirred two tubs of cream and two packs of sugar in her coffee before taking a sip.

"You've forgotten?"

"Obviously."

"It's All Souls Day."

Asia remembered the religious belief. "The day when
the souls of the faithful, who at death have not been cleansed from the temporal punishment, walk the earth, searching for redemption. Has anyone actually seen the Earl?"

"Not that I've heard. He probably never existed. Esther probably cooked up the story to bring in customers. Great marketing strategy."

She looked around the filled room. "I'd say it worked, wouldn't you?"

Sally served their dinners and conservation stopped, much to Asia's disappointment.

Today had been a day of forgiveness and putting the past where it belonged.

Tomorrow would be a day of new beginnings.

Chapter Two

At home, Nate threw his keys on the hall table. He loosened the tie that bound his neck like a noose and walked into the kitchen. After all these years, Asia had forgiven him. He didn't need to hear the words to know; he saw the truth in her eyes. He let out a deep breath, cleansing his soul of the regret that had eaten away at him for eighteen long years. A mistake of his own making, unfortunately, and the nastiest kind to accept. He'd been possessive and jealous and unable to believe Asia had wanted him when she could have her pick of men.

When Brittany had come to him and said that Asia cheated on him, he believed Brittany and by doing so, presumed the worst of Asia. Too late, he'd seen his gaffe. Too late, the fact dawned that Asia wanted him and only him. On his life, he would never understand why he took the word of someone he barely knew over Asia. He had years to think on it and still couldn't figure out what had possessed him that day.

After their split, he'd made a nuisance of himself, begging her forgiveness. On the last occasion, she told him she forgave him. She spoke the words, but the sentiment didn't come from the heart. He resigned himself then to the truth that she would never completely forgive him.

Shaking his head, he poured two fingers of single malt scotch in a tumbler, thinking about the years he'd missed with her, all because he couldn't believe in her love. He was no one, yet she'd chosen him. If he'd handled things differently and trusted her, they'd be married today and probably be parents, too.

 
There wasn't any chance they could ever get back together. The most he could hope for was that they'd become friends again. He would settle for that. He'd have to.

Nate marveled at how little she'd changed. If anything, she was more beautiful now. He'd always thought she was hot, but there was something more about her now. A buoyancy, perhaps. The faint laugh lines framing her mouth only added depth to her character. Her strawberry blonde hair probably came from a box these days, but she kept it the same vibrant natural shade. She still had exactly fourteen freckles on her cheeks. How quickly he'd fallen into the same habit of counting them.

It had taken a while, but once Asia let herself relax in his company, they'd carried on like old times. He'd taken pleasure in every moment they'd shared tonight, but the hour had been too brief.

He'd stopped at The Haunted House for dinner like he had three times a week since his divorce six months ago. He hadn't expected to run into Asia and had no idea he was opening his table to her when Rachel proposed the seating arrangement. Thinking fate had smiled upon him, he'd taken advantage of the situation to win her over. He believed he had.

Footsteps sounded on his front porch and his mind envisioned Asia standing on his stoop. His heartbeat accelerated.

Nate half-ran through the house and into the foyer, believing by then that Asia couldn't remove him from her thoughts either and had come to rekindle the love they once shared.

When he opened the door and saw his ex-wife, his smile turned into a scowl. "What is it this time, Catherine?"

"Is that any way to speak to a lady?" she asked, brushing past him and undoing the buttons and inside sash on her black mink coat. She came to a stop at the staircase.

She was making herself too comfortable for Nate's liking. He shut the door and looked at her. "Make it quick. I was about to turn in."

"Judging from your hound dog expression, she still doesn't want anything to do with you, huh?"

He sighed. Obviously, Catherine had come to gloat. Nate had been honest with her when she'd asked him to escort her to the mayor's ball last year. In good conscience and fairness to them both, he couldn't be in a committed relationship when he still had feelings for Asia and told Catherine precisely that. She said she understood and made him believe she was about fun and games and enjoying each other. In that regard, they appeared perfectly suited. Unbeknownst to him, Catherine had an agenda — marriage — and he realized too late she hadn't accepted him, baggage and all, like she'd said.

Some police officer he was for not recognizing her duplicity. Apparently, she'd believed
 
marriage to her would make him overcome his passion for Asia.

 
When Catherine learned otherwise, she considered herself the consolation prize. Runner-up, she'd often thrown in his face. If he lived to a hundred, he would never understand women.

"Happy now?" he asked, cursing himself for being a patsy where matters concerned the opposite sex. First, Brittany, then a long list of the likes of Brittany, and lastly Catherine. He should give up on love.

"You're the talk of the Grove," she said, as though she were making him aware of something he didn't already know.