Tess opened her eyes on a frustrated huff. She might as well enjoy the view because thats all shed be getting. No way in hell did she qualify as more than a friend to Travis. Theyd shared just that one awkward kiss in collegeand fortunately, Travis had been too drunk to remember it. Her inability to turn his head was probably why theyd been able to remain such good friends over the years.
First, the word sexy simply didnt apply to her practically-proportioned body, which was better suited for softball than seduction. Her bland hazel eyes and generic brown hair had never turned heads. Even with contact lenses to halt the nickname of Four Eyes from high school, and a few golden highlights to give her ponytail some pizzazz, she still oozed smarts and sensibilitynot sex appeal.
Second, her sense of humor and reliability, which made her a trusted ally when it came to pulling off practical jokes and keeping secrets, made her a dud in the come-hither department. Back in high school shed learned that sweaty shortstops and salutatorians didnt get asked to the senior prom if they lacked the boobs or legs or feminine mystique to compensate for an error-free season and nearly perfect GPA.
And third, in a small town like Ashton, Virginia, once you got labeled with a reputation for being a brainiac or tomboy or good ol gal, you were stuck.
Tess had been stuck for fifteen years.
Hey, Tess. You upstairs? Ah, yes. Her big sister, Amy, had much nicer labels. She had managed to get the right blend of genes to allow her to be smart, accomplished and sexy. Of course, she also wound up with the gene that allowed her to marry a real loser, and now the newly divorced school teacher had returned to her roots as much to heal from the nasty breakup as to support the Bartlett womens summer tradition of helping out at the festival. Tess?
Tess drew back from the window as if the call might alert the McCormicks to her subtle spying. In here.
But she couldnt walk away. Not until she saw for her own eyes that Travis was alive. That the bomb that had shredded his body hadnt killed him. That his handsome mouth could still smile and those devilish blue eyes could still sparkle with mischief.
Tess answered the soft knock at her door without turning away from the scene visible through the lacy sheers at her window. Come on in.
Getting a sneak peek before tonights festivities? Amy asked, curling her long legs beneath her as she perched on the corner of Tesss bed.
Im just anxious to see Trav, Tess admitted, watching Traviss father, retired Brigadier General Hal McCormick, climb out from behind the wheel of his silver Chevy Suburban and stride up the sidewalk to the front door. Even at age 60, with a dusting of silver in his short blond hair, the mans military bearing was unmistakable. The last time I talked to Travis in the hospital, he told me not to come visit. Said hed be home soon enough.
Amy frowned as she joined Tess at the window. What was thattwo, three months ago?
Try six. She hugged her arms around her waist, trying not to feel the lingering sting of his rejection. Hes been out of the hospital since then, but I doubt hed be in Ashton now if he hadnt finally been ordered to take some R and R. Hal said hed been working a desk job, but that Travis was so gung-ho about getting back to his Special Forces unit and whatever mission they were prepping for that he overdid his physical training and actually set back his recovery.
A pretty, perky brunette Tess identified as Traviss sister-in-law, J.C., climbed out of the backseat and opened the back of the Suburban to retrieve a couple of suitcases. J.C.s husband, Ethan McCormick, followed right behind her in his khaki and olive green lieutenant colonels uniform. He took both suitcases from her. She snatched one back. The argument that flared briefly between them ended with a perfunctory kiss. And then another, lingering this time. Then one more that lasted long enough for Amy and Tess to sigh in unison.
You know, I always thought that at least one of us would wind up with a McCormick. Amy crossed her arms to match Tesss stance. They both giggled as Ethans independent wife let him have the suitcase he insisted on carrying, but then pulled another bag from the car and scooted around him to follow Hal before Ethan could stop her. Weve lived next door to those two hotties for how many years? Now Im divorced from Barry Cant-Keep-His-Pants-Zipped, and youre
Doomed to spinsterhood? Sentenced to celibacy?
Amy pursed her lips, searching for the right word to finish her sentence. Unattached. Her brown eyes were full of honest regret as she looked down at Tess. You know I dont mean anything by that, right? You could have any man you wanted if you stopped listening to what the busybodies in this town have to say and just set your mind to it. Mom said youd been dating Morty Camden, she added hopefully.
Sure. Rub salt in an old wound. Morty might be the one person in town whos getting less sex than I am.
Her big sister didnt seem entirely relieved that Tess had made a joke of it. But sex isnt the only reason to go out with a guy, right? Hes a nice guy, isnt he? Doesnt he run his own business?
Hes nice enough, Tess agreed. She was having a hard time picturing Mortys earnest face and receding hairline as she waited for Travis to emerge from the vehicle below them. He has his own accounting firm. But hes just a friend. Basically, were each others escort whenever something comes up.
They served together on the same committee that organized the fishing competition and other events for Ashtons annual Summer Bay Festival. Slated to start the following Monday and run the first full week of July, the festival drew in tourists, locals and a slew of sailors, Marines and soldiers from nearby bases for a celebration both on and off the water of Chesapeake Bay. Her dates with Morty had been little more than friendly business meetings. The closest theyd come to bodily contact was a little hand holding and a few high-fives.
But Tess didnt elaborate. Ethan had closed the rear hatch and was circling the car now. Leaning forward ever so slightly, Tess peered through the slit in the curtains. Dont you think theres something a little too big-brotherly about Ethan and Travis for us to get involved with either of them?
Man, she wished she believed what shed said. But shed lusted after Travis for too many years. And that one collegiate kiss had confirmed that brotherly wasnt really the way she felt about him. But it was the way she had to feel. He was her best bud. And since hed never see her in any other waynot while sober, at any rate
I dont know. I dated Ethan that summer after high schoolbefore he took off for Annapolis. Amys husky sigh left Tess wondering just how far those dates had gone, and whether she was the only Bartlett with lust in her heart.
Did you and Ethan ever do it?
Tess! Amys flawless skin darkened with a rosy blush.
Tess pointed an accusatory finger, but she was laughing. Tell me.
Her sister tucked her thick, honey blond hair behind her ears and bought some time before she answered. Even back then, Ethan was all about being a Marine. As sweet and smart as he was, he was saving himself for the Corps. I dont think he would have jumped my bones even if I had USS Amy tattooed on my boobs.
Tess narrowed her gaze. She wasnt getting the whole story. But you blushed. Youre holding back.