Laughing, she tucked her arm in his, and they entered the nearby café, coming face-to-face with Yvonne.
“Susan,” Yvonne said, her smile pleasant and welcoming until she spotted Tyler. “Tyler.” Her voice flattened with disapproval when she spied their linked arms.
Susan thought about jumping into explanations, even opened her mouth to blurt out one before she relaxed. She had nothing to be guilty about.
“I’ll order our drinks,” Tyler said and left the two women together, an awkward silence between them.
“Well, I’d better get moving. My aunt is taking care of the store on her own while I complete errands. She’s likely to bark at the customers and drive them off.” Yvonne half turned away.
“I’ll make sure I stop by before the final filming. I’d love to see you before I go home.”
Yvonne turned back to her. “You’re going home?”
Bother, she hadn’t meant to blurt the info out. “Early next week. This morning they decided to film a final show at home since both Lucy and I are from Auckland. Nolan will fly up and visit his chosen woman.”
Yvonne wavered on her feet, her face leaching of color.
“Are you all right?”
“I…I’m fine,” Yvonne whispered. “I…I’d better go.” She fled the café and Susan watched her race around the corner and out of sight.
“I thought you said Nolan and Yvonne only dated casually,” she said when Tyler joined her at a table by the window.
“They did, as far as I know. They’re just friends.”
“I think there’s more. They both acted a bit weird the other night at the pub and now, Yvonne practically ran away when I mentioned Nolan.”
“I don’t want to talk about my brother.”
An elderly lady carried over their hot chocolates and set them on the table.
“Thanks,” Susan said.
“You’re Susan from the television,” the woman said. Her gaze darted to Tyler and her eyes narrowed. “This isn’t your farmer.”
“No,” Susan said. “This is my friend.” She wasn’t about to explain to a stranger. She met the woman’s accusing gaze without faltering and finally the woman muttered something under her breath and stomped away. The minute she rounded the counter, she started whispering to her fellow server. “I’m starting to understand Ryan and Caleb a bit more.”
“What?”
“Nothing,” Susan said and she picked up her mug. The rich scent of chocolate filled her nostrils and she closed her eyes to indulge her senses. Her first sip had her giving an appreciative sigh. “That is delicious. Do you like it?” Her eyes popped open when Tyler didn’t reply.
His pencil raced across the page of a battered notebook—the one he carried with him everywhere.
“Are you drawing me again?” Faint exasperation rippled through the air. “I’m starting to get a complex.”
“You’re my inspiration.” He leaned closer. “I’d love to paint you. I’d paint you sprawled against satin sheets, your hair loose and messy and your lips swollen from a night of passion.”
“Shush, someone will hear you.” Susan glanced at the cash register and intercepted a scowl from the elderly woman. “I should have brought a hat and sunglasses.” The reality show wouldn’t leave her alone.
“We can buy you a hat,” Tyler said.
“Done deal. That can be our next stop.”
With her new hat firmly in place, Susan followed Tyler around the rest of the buildings, taking more photos to remember the day.
“Are you ready to taste our local wines?”
“Lead the way.”His local wines,Susan thought. Leaving the town of Clare and Tyler was going to be hard. Really hard.
