Tess narrowed her gaze. She wasnt getting the whole story. But you blushed. Youre holding back.
Amy arched a golden eyebrow in that mystery-woman expression that men found so irresistible. Tess had tried to duplicate the same maneuver for years, but could only manage to arch both brows at once and come off looking more like Larry, Curly and Moe than any femme fatale. We never went all the way. Lets just say, he scouted out the ship.
You rat. Sohow was he? Is Ethan a good kisser? Maybe it was a family trait.
Amys wistful smile gave the answer before she spoke. J.C.s a lucky bride. And not just because hes such a stand-up guy.
So, are you okay with Ethan marrying someone else? Do you wish things had been different?
You mean do I wish Id married Ethan instead of Barry? Her resolute sigh spoke volumes. It wasnt in the cards for Ethan and me. The chemistry just wasnt therenot like it is with J.C. Even at eighteen, we were smart enough to know we made better friends than wed make lovers. On the other hand, I had chemistry up the wazoo with Barry. Sex was always great with him. Of course, apparently, it was also great with all the other women in his life. She hugged her arms around her own waist as she shared a painful nugget of hard-won wisdom. I needed Barry to be a better friend.
Tess had already suspected as much. So youre saying that you cant mix the twothat a man cant be a great friend and a great lover?
Its been impossible for me.
Maybe Tess held her sisters gaze a moment too long and gave something away. By the time shed turned back to the window to spy on Travis, Amy was wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
That was my experience, kiddo. Im sure its different for other men and women.
Not for her. Tess had more male friends than she could count. She hadnt had a lover sinceoh, craphad it really been three summers ago? A forgettable one-night stand with a visiting soldier shed met in a bar during the Bay Festival. Yikes. How trite.
At that time, shed been thinking way too much about Traviss kiss and wondering why no other mans passion had ever equalled that one, perfect, stupid night. Maybe over the years, shed idealized what had almost happened between them. So instead of wallowing in what-ifs and why-nots, shed thrown caution to the wind and jumped into bed with the eager soldier. Ugh. So much for life on the wild side. She hadnt seen any action since.
Big sis gave Tess a stern shake. Hey. The right man is out there for youone who can flip your switch and you still trust him in the morning. She peeked out the window. Who knows? Maybe hes right under your nose.
Tess scoffed. Travis?
Why not? Amy shrugged. Since Im currently off men at the moment, and Ethan went and found his own woman, that means its up to you and Travis to finally bring the Bartletts and McCormicks together.
Yeah, right. You just said men and women cant be friends and lovers. Tess managed to smile. Hal hired me to be Traviss physical therapist while hes at home. Im not his dating service. Im sure once the ladies of Ashton hear that the Action Man is back in town, theyll be lining up with chicken soup and skimpy negligees, ready to fulfill his every need.
Amy reprimanded her little sister with stern brown eyes. Hey. Dont sell yourself short. Ill bet Travis or Morty or a dozen other men in this town would love to see you in a skimpy negligee.
Two problems with that scenario, Tess insisted. One, I dont own anything skimpy, and two
But she never got to the joke about how she knew more about making chicken soup than seducing a man.
Instead, she pulled the curtain aside and held her breath as Travis unfolded himself from the backseat of his fathers carwith Ethans help. She frowned as the green camouflage uniform stiffly straightened itself to take the shape and form of the man whom shed always cared so deeply about.
Travis was a leaner, harder version of his more muscular brother. The athleticism that had fine-tuned his body for battle was still evident, but his balance was off. Travis hauled himself up by the car frame, plopped a cloth cap over his short, burnished hair. Then he held on to Ethans arm while he retrieved something from the backseat.
A cane.
Poor Travis, Amy whispered in sympathy. I had no idea.
Tesss hand fisted around the edge of the curtain, betraying the concern and compassion that gripped her chest just as tightly.
Once he was free of the car door, Travis shook Ethan off and proceeded up the driveway to the front door under his own power. But Tesss sharp eye for physical weaknesses and pain could tell that, despite the unwavering set of his shoulders, Travis was relying heavily on that cane. His left leg was stiffprobably from the long drive from the Quantico military base near Washington, D.C. And she suspected that if he didnt have the hardheaded determination of the Corps drilled into him, hed be limping.
That perfect body had taken a few more hits than shed been led to believe.
He wasnt even smiling.
Whether playing a joke, flirting with a woman, or striking out a batter, Travis McCormick almost always smiled.
Splaying her fingers against the glass at her window, cool from the air-conditioning, Tess reached out to her friend. Ashtons hometown hero had come home, all right. But he hadnt made it in one piece.
Trav, she whispered, her warm breath close enough to fog the glass.
Travis paused on the front sidewalk, almost as if hed heard her soft plea.
By the time he turned and looked up, Tess had swiped the pane clear and ducked away from the window, letting the curtain fall back into place. Somehow, it seemed wrong to be spying on her childhood friend and longtime hero when he wasnt feeling up to snuff. Hed always been so strong. So sure of himself. So perfect.
Tess retreated another step, pulling Amy with her toward the center of the room. Did you come up here for a reason?
She had to change to subject, focus her mind on something else, before she ran downstairs and across the yard to see Travis face to face. To hug him, touch him, ensure with her own two hands that his body hadnt been damaged beyond repairand that the scars and weakened leg didnt mean that his fighting spirit and wicked charm had been wounded as well.
Mom wanted your opinion on the cake shes baking for tonight. She said youd know Traviss tastes better than either of us. Does he like chocolate? White?
Lemon. Travis had always had a taste for food with a little attitude. Just like his women. Hed want a lemon cake.
At least the old Travis would. Now she was beginning to wonder how much of the old Travis still existedand wonder how she could help heal this newer, harder, humbler version of the man who had always been her best friend.
Ill tell her. If Amy had any inkling of the turmoil spinning inside Tesss head, the only sign was the teasing tug on her younger sisters ponytail. Come on down when youre done unpacking. We could use your help before the party. Moms fixing enough food to feed the entire town.
Tess nodded. Ill be there in a sec.
By the time Amy left and Tess dared to return to the window, Travis had gone inside the house with his brother.
Shed been patient for twelve long months, ever since shed first gotten the news that hed nearly died in that accident.