“You don’t say.” Beverly mindlessly made up a napkin roll, her hands moving with practiced ease. “That’s surprising.”
“It was. And it was fascinating. I could have sat there for hours watching him. Then we had a drink.”
“Sounds like he’s opening up a bit to you.”
“He is. Some,” she said noncommittally. “I find it so intriguing that he can create something so beautiful out of nothing. Well, out of a block of wood. I bet that’s a great feeling. He asked me if I had tried any artistic endeavors, but I had to admit I hadn’t.”
“How about trying your hand at knitting?” Darlene asked. “I’m always hoping to convert people into knitters. I have my knitting group. We love newcomers. I could teach you to knit. That’s creating something out of nothing. Okay, yarn in this case.”
She considered the offer. “I think I’d like to try knitting.” The idea of learning a new skill appealed to her.
“Great. We’re meeting on Monday. About ten at the B&B. I’ll have yarn and needles for you. I have way too much yarn. More than I can knit in my lifetime.” Darlene laughed and shrugged her shoulders, her expression a mix of amusement and self-awareness. “But it’s what knitters do when we’re not knitting. We collect yarn. I’ve got needles too. You’ll be all set. We’ll start you out on a simple scarf.”
“Thank you. I can’t wait.”
“You’re making all kinds of new friends here, aren’t you?” Beverly smiled. “Like Darlene and Connor.”
“I guess Connor and I are friends. And…” She looked at Beverly for a moment before blurting out, “And we’re going to the play at Tori’s theater on Saturday.” She positively ignored the flutter of excitement that swept through her. She did.
Beverly’s hand paused mid-air. “Together? On a date? I’m pretty sure Connor has never been on a date since he moved here.”
“I’m not sure if he thinks of it as a date or not. Maybe just friends going out to a show?”
Beverly smiled. “Maybe.”
She dug into her yogurt and tried to ignore the fact that it wasn’t a pecan waffle. She comforted herself by saying it was definitely healthier for her.
Tori came into the cafe and up to the counter. “Morning all.” She slid onto the stool next to her. “You’ll never believe who came in and bought two tickets to Saturday’s show.”
“Connor Dempsey?” Beverly asked and grinned.
“Wait. How did you guess?”
“Because one of those tickets is for Amanda.” Darlene laughed, her eyes twinkling.
Amanda's cheeks grew warm. “We’re… ah… going together. I’m honestly not sure if it’s a date though.”
“Going to a show together sounds like a date to me,” Tori said as she took the cup of coffee Beverly handed her. “So, you two are getting close?”
“Close? No, we’re just friends. I think. I mean we’re closer than when I first came to town and he wanted nothing to do with me. But under all that gruff exterior and his claiming he needs his solitude… there’s a really nice guy.”
Beverly looked at Tori and Darlene, a knowing glance passing between the three of them. “Bet there’s something going on there.”
“Sounds like it.” Tori nodded.
“Hey, I’m sitting right here. How about we just wait and see how Saturday goes before jumping to any conclusions?” She shook her head. “I mean, maybe we’re just friends?” Were they? Is that all they were? How come this was so confusing?
“Well, we can’t wait to talk to you after Saturday night.” Beverly headed over to wait on a customer.
Amanda hoped that after Saturday, she’d have a better idea of what her and Connor’s relationship actually was. She frowned. And what did she want it to be? The honest truth was she did like him, maybe more than she cared to admit. She liked him a lot. But he was here, and she lived in New York, so maybe they shouldn’t even start anything. That would be the reasonable choice. And she was always reasonable, wasn’t she?
CHAPTER 17
On Saturday, Amanda opened the door to Connor’s knock. The sweet scent of magnolia floated in from the tree near her front porch. He was dressed in khaki slacks and a knit shirt that hugged his frame just right—clearly, clothing he’d slipped into without fuss. However, she was kind of proud of herself for only changing her outfit once while getting ready. Okay, twice.
“You look very pretty.” His glance swept over her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Thank you.”
