Restoration (2 page)

Chapter 2

Grace and Valerie continued strolling through town, investigating the shops and the surrounding areas. The florist sat on the corner and buckets of beautiful flowers spilled out the open doors. The scent of roses and gardenia filled the sidewalk as they passed, bringing a smile to her lips.

“Holy crap.” Valerie’s voice was low, drawing Grace’s attention from the flowers in her view. Her friend’s gaze was trained on the grocery store, called Ten’s, across the street, their next destination before heading home.

“Grace, I left my phone at the house. Let’s go back and get it before we stop for groceries.” Valerie’s face was ashen, her eyes wide.

“Val? Are you all right?”

“Yeah. Fine. Come on.” Val grabbed her hand tightly and tugged her away from the grocery store.

“We’re already here. You go back. I’ll stop in and grab the essentials. I need to get to work fielding the emails Bidwell sent this morning and I’ve already got the list of stuff we need. I’ll just meet you back at the house.”

Valerie opened her mouth to protest, but she held up a hand to stop her. “Go on. Stop being ridiculous.”

She watched as Valerie walked slowly back toward their house. Unease prickled the hair on the back of her neck.
Why was Val being so weird?

Her phone—practically an extra appendage by now—buzzed as she walked into Ten’s. She perused the aisles; her focus drifting from her phone to the items in her small basket. She was so engrossed in her email, she didn’t see the tall man in the aisle she was turning down. That is, until she collided with him.

With a crash, his groceries fell to the floor, creating a disastrous mess of broken eggs, spilled milk, and loose tea.

“Oh, my God!” She bent down to try and salvage the dry groceries he’d had. “I am so sorry. I’m such an idiot. Are you all right?”

“It’s my fault, really. I should’ve been watching where
you
were going,” he said, a smile in his voice.

“No, no. Let me pay for these,” she insisted, still not looking at him. Her eyes were focused on the mess she’d made.

Long, thin fingers reached out to still her hands. “Please stop. It’s quite all right. No harm done.”

She looked up to protest and found herself staring into eyes a familiar shade of melted chocolate, framed by dark eyebrows raised in a quizzical expression. Her heart thumped in her chest and she almost forgot to breathe.

John?

“Are you well? Miss?” the man asked.

“I . . . I . . . have to go,” she stuttered, barely able to form a sentence. Heart racing, she turned and ran out of the store, leaving the man with no explanation and a mess on his hands.

Valerie was waiting for her on the porch when she arrived home. “Did you see him?” was all she asked.

“I saw him. I saw him at the airport and now the grocery store. I think I’ve lost my mind. “

“Who did you see?”

“J-John.”

Valerie sat in shocked silence.

“Not only did I see him, I ran into him, literally. Broke his eggs and ran away.” She felt herself spinning out of control.

“Grace.” Valerie touched her arm.

Grace stood and shook her head. “I know it’s not him, but he looks . . . Their eyes are exactly the same.”

She went into the bathroom and splashed water on her face. As she took in her appearance, she realized Valerie must be questioning her sanity, too. Her face was flushed, her eyes wild, and her dark hair was in a fluffy mass tumbling around her shoulders. A far cry from the composed and self-assured person Valerie usually saw. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it back into a low tail.

She took a deep breath and determinedly walked into the sitting room. “I have to go back to the store. I need to get us some food and apologize to the manager. I’m sure that mess was hard to clean up.”

“I’ll go with you,” Valerie said as she grabbed her purse and jacket.

They walked back to Ten’s in silence. Anxiety bloomed in Grace’s chest as they got closer. Valerie must have recognized her distress, as she took her arm.

The store was empty, except for the elderly shop attendant who’d witnessed the embarrassing incident. He glanced up at her and chuckled softly. Feeling her cheeks begin to warm, she ducked her head down and began to select groceries. As their cart filled, mostly due to Valerie’s efforts, Grace started to feel more confident that her eyes were simply playing tricks on her.

“The last few days are taking their toll and mentally exhausting us both. I’m sure the resemblance to John is minor.” She tried to convince herself she was seeing him only because she wanted to.

Valerie wheeled the cart up to the register and began to put their items on the belt. As the old man rang up their purchases, he looked at Grace and nodded with a smile.

“You’re the daft girl that broke young Andrew Tensley’s eggs. What’re you going round breaking people’s eggs for, girl?” His eyes twinkled with mischief and she could tell Valerie was working hard to keep from smiling.

“I wanted to apologize for that. I’m so sorry. Can I reimburse you for the groceries?” she whispered with embarrassment.

“No, girl. I think you nearly gave Andrew a heart attack, though. You were in and out so fast we thought you might have been a ghost.”

She flushed, then raised her chin. “I’m Grace McConnell, and this is Valerie Peters. We’re working with Bidwell AIA on the renovations for the Braley Housing Restoration.”

“Well now, that is a mouthful. David’s my name. Been living in Braley me whole life. Good to see some people looking out for our past.” He nodded at them both. “How long are you lot staying on here?”

“It really depends on how long the project takes. At least a year. We’ve just rented a little house on Baker Lane.”

His eyebrows rose. “Little cottage? That’s one of Mary Kinton’s places. Was she good to ya? She can growl something awful, but once she gets used to ya, she’s all right. Momma bear, that one.”

Valerie snickered. “So this Andrew person that Grace tackled . . .”

“I didn’t tackle him, Valerie! I was preoccupied.”

“Yes, Andrew Tensley. Now, there’s a good lad. Braley’s most eligible bachelor since
I’m
off the market.”

Grace squashed down the feeling of excitement at the knowledge of Andrew being single. “Can you tell me how to find him? I want to apologize properly.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be seeing him round, young lady.” He winked.

On the walk home, Grace knew she was being scrutinized, just like her mother had done in the weeks following John’s death. She picked up the pace and tried to pretend not to notice Valerie’s watchful gaze.

As they entered the house, Grace set to work putting their cold items in the fridge. “Let’s put these away, then I’m going to head to bed,” she said as cheerfully as she could. “We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow. We’re supposed to meet with the owner of the houses we’re working on.”

As soon as they were finished, Grace went to her room and closed the door. Safe and alone with her own thoughts.

Drew Tensley walked down the aisles of his family’s grocery the next day, proud of the store he’d come to love over the last five years. Ten’s was a community staple; had been run by a member of the Tensley family for the last eighty years. That didn’t mean it was without challenges.

He yawned and rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. Beginning the day at four o’clock in the morning was his least favorite part of being a greengrocer. He’d been on his feet for the last twelve hours and was more than ready to go home. His mind wandered as he roamed the tea and coffee aisle, re-stocking and taking inventory. He paused when he caught sight of his favorite tea. It reminded him of the awkward exchange with the beautiful American woman who’d come to restore the town.

As he headed home, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. Her bewildered expression haunted him almost as much as the memory of her lovely face. From the little time he’d seen her, he was able to garner a few choice details. She was gorgeous, curves in all the right places, and plentiful where they needed to be. Her lips were made to be kissed and oh, how he wanted to be the one to do it. He could imagine her hair spilling across his pillow as he leaned her back onto his bed, the soft feel of her lips on his skin, his hands roaming down her body.

Running his fingers through his hair, he pushed away the salacious thoughts, picked up his pace, and headed for the cold shower.

The water coursed down his body in icy rivulets, effectively staunching the lust raging through his body. It had been a long time since his bedroom was used for anything other than sleep. Her flushed cheeks and luscious lips flashed in his memory and he had to force the answering wave of arousal away.

Bloody hell, who is this woman?

Drew’s phone rang non-stop on the way to London the next morning. All from Sarah, his ex-wife. He sighed inwardly and swiped across the screen of his phone as he parked.

Tried to phone but no answer. Ring me back love. -S

Drew, why are you ignoring me?

Ring me back now. -S

He ran his fingers through his hair, the need to flee taking hold as it always did when Sarah started circling. She was like a shark, scenting blood in the water. The problem was, if he let her get her hooks in him again, she would never let go.

His meeting with the accountant for Ten’s was one of the most important of the year. This was time spent going over financials and planned expansion. He left the accountant’s office feeling buoyant; the possibilities for his family’s future were bright. His mum and dad needed some good news after the last few months.

Having two hours before he needed to head back to Braley, he decided to stop for lunch. Living and working closely with family also meant time to himself was rare. Seated at the window of one of his favorite places to eat while in London, he settled in with the book he’d stashed in his pocket and waited for his food to arrive.

“Oh, my. Aren’t you looking dashing in your specs, with fringe falling in your eyes?” The sultry voice from behind him stirred his gut.

He turned and came face to face with Sarah. His first love and worst nightmare. Her blond hair was pulled up and away from her striking features. The deep blue of her eyes was accented by the red coat she wore over a low-cut sweater. She was a beauty, there was no use trying to deny it.

A beauty who chewed you up and spit you out, then chucked you in the bin,
he reminded himself.

“Sarah, how’d you know I was here?”

“I have my sources. What’s pulled you away from the exciting life of a greengrocer?” Her dig at his family business did not go unnoticed.

“Financials, investments.” He grimaced as her eyes lit up at the mention of money. “You wouldn’t want to be bothered.”

She slid into the chair next to his and ran a finger up his arm. “I’m always interested when it comes to you, love.”

Her cleavage was on full display as she leaned in closer. She never could resist using her assets to help reel in what she wanted.

He rolled his eyes and steeled himself against her advances. “Lost another bloke, eh?”

She straightened and he bit back a chuckle as he watched her try to hide her annoyance. “Have dinner with me, Drew? It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. Besides, I need some legal advice and you’re the best barrister I know.”

Her lips were still plump and delectable as she leaned closer to him yet again. His eyes drifted to the deep V of her sweater and the tops of her breasts, just visible as the fabric gaped.

Stop. Stop. She’s a horrible human being. Don’t be a wanker.

“Look, Sarah. I told you, I can’t stay. I’ve loads to sort out at home. If you need advice, we’d best do it here.”

A look of panic crossed her face as she realized she’d been caught in a lie. “Well, um . . . I really . . . It’s this bloke . . .”

He shook his head, trying to hide his frustration. “Sarah, really?”

“Drews, come on, love. We were so good together. We can be again.” She brushed her hand up his thigh and practically purred in his ear.

A tidal wave of anger crested at her overly-familiar nickname for him.
Drews . . . I’ve always hated that bloody name.

The waiter brought his food and placed it between them, effectively pushing Sarah away. “
Were
is the key word, Sarah. We
were
fantastic, until I caught you with another man’s face buried between your legs.”

The waiter flushed and excused himself, while Sarah stood abruptly and gathered her coat. “I’ll phone after you’ve had some time to think it over. Sort it all.”

She left, hips swaying, and tossed her hair over her shoulder. The waiter gave a little wave in her direction as the door closed.

Drew glanced at his phone as another message came through.
Darling, you’ll ring me sooner or later. Don’t be too long about it.

Setting his phone face down on the table, he turned the sound off.

Nope.

Not now.

Not ever again.