Tara Randel - Honeysuckle Bride

After tapping the off button, she got the girls out of the car, picked up the warm pan and headed inside. The name of the room reserved for the party was posted in the ornate lobby.

Nealy swooped down on her as soon as she set foot in the brightly decorated banquet room. A huge Welcome banner took up one entire wall, surrounded by balloons of every shape and color. Tables were scattered about, topped with bright cloths and flower arrangements. A long table, featuring an assortment of appetizers, lined another wall, along with a station set up for drinks.

“Way to be on time,” Nealy mock scolded.

“Sorry. I’m still navigating the ins and outs of getting the three of us dressed and ready to go.”

Nealy took the pan from Jenna. “You’re here now. I have lots of people for you to meet.”

Jenna glanced around the room again. “Wow. You really went all out.”

“I wanted this party to be special. To usher you into your new life.” Nealy crouched in front of the girls. “And I suppose you’d like something more fun to do than talk to old people.”

Both girls nodded their heads.

“My nephew Davey and his girlfriend will take you to the game room.” She called to a teenage boy as she rose then turned her attention back to Jenna. “If it’s okay with you?”

“Can I go with them?”

“Not a chance. Davey’s very reliable and we have work to do.” Nealy carried the pan to the food table, moving a few dishes around before placing it in the empty space.

Jenna spoke briefly with Davey before he took the girls to the game room, then joined Nealy.

“I have to say, my mac and cheese smells delicious,” Jenna teased her cooking-challenged friend.

“You know I hate it when you brag.”

“Hey, I like jealousy on you,” Nealy’s boyfriend, Dane, said as he joined them. “Gives me hope you’ll one day learn to master the kitchen so you can feed me.”

The women looked at each other and laughed.

Nealy leaned in to kiss Dane, then grabbed Jenna’s arm. “C’mon, let’s mingle.”

And mingle they did. Before she knew it, Jenna met half the population of Cypress Pointe. Everyone from the mayor and the police chief to shop owners and other town notables. The list went on, leaving Jenna to try to remember the barrage of names.

She smiled until her cheeks ached. Chatted about her job, her family and whatever else the fine folks of Cypress Pointe found interesting. The old urge to melt into the sidelines threatened to overwhelm her, but she pushed away the inclination. Nealy had gone above and beyond to plan this party for Jenna. The least she could do was enjoy it.

Parched from all the talking, Jenna poured herself a glass of lemon-flavored water. In a quiet corner she regrouped, appreciating a moment alone.

She peered over the crowd, surprised to discover that in a short time, she already liked living here. Her busy life in LA left her little opportunity to develop close relationships, but she found she was fond of the friendly residents and peaceful atmosphere of Cypress Pointe. Here, the pace was much slower. More conducive to enjoying life, rather than barreling through every second of the day to attain the next goal, as she’d been doing for years.

But can this place hold your interest, a voice inside her whispered. Can it keep you and the girls safe?

Until she was here longer, she couldn’t answer that question. Only time would tell.

Nealy weaved through the room toward her, talking to a couple walking with her. Jenna smiled, ready for another round of introductions

“Jenna, meet Max and Lilli, old friends of mine.”

They all shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

“Max is the man responsible for bringing Wyatt to town,” Nealy informed her.

The handsome man smiled at Jenna. “Heard you had a little run-in with my old buddy?”

She shrugged. “More like he saved the day.”

Lilli touched her arm. “You must have been terrified.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

“Nealy told us about the girls’ mother.” Lilli shook her head. “What a terrible loss.”

“Yes. Carrie should be the one raising her daughters, not me.”

“In a perfect world,” Lilli said. “But they have you.”

“And she’s an awesome mom,” Nealy interjected.

“As long as we stay away from the beach,” Jenna teased, deflecting the direction of conversation. She didn’t want credit for something she hadn’t yet earned.

“Well, welcome to town.” Lilli smiled. “You’re going to love it here.”

Nealy hooked her arm through Lilli’s. “And we have a new friend to add to our girls’ night out.”

“Watch out,” Max deadpanned.

As the women started discussing the merits of a chic-flick evening at home versus a night on the town, minus their men, Jenna felt Max’s gaze focus on her.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, uneasy with his intensity.

“No. Just thinking about you bringing cookies to Wyatt.”

“He told you?”

“Yeah. He was surprised at the gesture. People around here tend to give him a wide berth.”

“I would imagine it’s because he’s so prickly.”

Max chuckled, then quickly sobered. “That, and he hasn’t gotten over the death of his son.”

“I understand something of how he feels. I haven’t lost a child, but my best friend’s death touched me deeply.”

He cocked his head. “Maybe you could talk to him once in a while. No one can convince him to see a counselor, but since you’re both dealing with loss, he could use a friend.”

Sit down with a man still so deep in grief over the death of his son and talk about...what? Life? Moving on? She barely had a handle on it herself.

“I don’t know.”

“Look, it’s just a thought.”

A thought now firmly planted in her mind.

After the brief visit with Wyatt today, she had to admit, she found herself more than a bit curious about him. His dark good looks were made more interesting by the light beard dusting his face. Most guys in LA paid big bucks for the natural look Wyatt achieved without trying. His broad shoulders and muscular arms told her he wasn’t afraid of hard work. And his eyes. So blue. So troubled. Not that she’d noticed or anything.

Right. Okay, she’d noticed. She was only human, after all. And it had been a long time since a man drew her interest.

But this man? The guy who accused her of not watching the girls closely enough. Granted, he was right, but did she want him holding that over her head? No. Plus, he carried the same baggage, probably more, that she did. Could she deal with his loss as well as her own?

But he had rescued Bridget. The least she could do was consider Max’s suggestion.

Soon, Max and Lilli moved on. Nealy went off to take care of some sort of problem in the kitchen, leaving Jenna alone again. She let out a sigh.

“Overwhelming, huh?”

Jenna smiled at the police chief, Bob Gardener, who everyone simply called the Chief. A tall bear of a man with gray hair and a genuine smile, he inspired confidence and respect in those around him.

“Nealy means well.”

“Think you’ll remember everyone’s name?”

She laughed. “I doubt it, but I’m sure the longer I’m here, the better I’ll get.”

“Stayin’ very long?”

She shot him a sideways glance. “Tryin’ to get rid of me already?”

He chuckled. “No, ma’am. Just like to keep a finger on what’s goin’ on in my town.”

“Hopefully the girls and I won’t give you any trouble. So far we’ve been law-abiding citizens. I don’t see us changing anytime soon.”

“Didn’t think you would.” He hesitated, as if getting his timing right. “Might be worried about others, though.”