Her muscles screamed and ached as she continued to move old logs and rake dried leaves. After four days of doing this, you’d think they’d be used to it by now. However, almost five years of basic inactivity had taken its toll. Strolling around the estate gardens didn’t count.
Whistling drifted her way, and she immediately bent to haul another old log off the path. The day had gotten warm for late April, and Theo had removed his fleece, leaving him in only his gray, short-sleeved ranger’s shirt. It fit so nicely across his shoulders, shoulders that hadn’t been as broad five years ago. Memories of exploring them with her hands and lips surfaced, and she lowered her face to hide the color that suffused her cheeks.
Obviously, Theo wasn’t having the same flashbacks if his demeanor with her was anything to go by. Her work had been as good as anyone else’s, better than the college girls who ogled Rico every day, but Theo never seemed to tell her this. He complimented everyone else on their work. Maybe he simply didn’t want to talk to her. Was she a stupid decision in his past that he didn’t want to think about?
When Theo passed by, she tugged harder, but the log wouldn’t move. Her foot caught a rock, and she started to fall backwards. In half a second, Theo was there, grabbing her around the waist and holding tight. His heart beat rapidly against her back, and she reveled in the warmth of his arms. It was the same feeling she’d had with him five years ago. It hadn’t changed.
Abruptly, he set her on her feet and stepped away. Well, maybe it had changed for him.
“Thanks,” she mumbled, not wanting to see the look of disdain on his face she knew would be there. Instead, his eyes held curiosity and perhaps a bit of concern. For her?
“You’ve lost weight.”
“I was…um…sick…for a while.” She shrugged.Please don’t ask any more questions.It wasn’t something she wanted him aware of.
His expression softened for only a second, then tightened again. “Then, maybe you shouldn’t be out here trying to do all this.”
“No, I need to.” Why had she said anything? Her father had told her to always keep vigilant.You don’t want to go the way of your mother.“I’m fine now. The fresh air is good for me.”
It was. Her home in Westchester had had fresh air aplenty, but being out here in the open spaces, doing something worthwhile, was renewing and invigorating.
His gaze raked up and down her body, his expression still neutral. “Take a break if you need to. You’ve been going harder than anyone else out here.” Then, he stalked off.
At least he’d noticed.
The rest of the day passed quickly as more and more of the trail was cleared. They had almost reached the midway section where the little wooden bridge crossed over a small stream. Her heart raced as despair jolted through her. It was where she and Theo had exchanged vows.
As she stepped closer to the bridge, Theo’s whistle pierced the air. Time to end for the day. Grabbing the rake she’d been using and shrugging on her small backpack, she turned to follow Kelly and Tammi. It would take them a half hour or more at a quick pace to hike back to the boat ramp. Her mind flitted with memories of her wedding day while her eyes stayed focused on the damp boardwalk.
By the time she got to the end of the trail, she had worked up a sweat. And here was Theo heading toward them. She doubted he’d get close enough to smell her, but being near him was something she’d dreamed about. All her dreams since she’d arrived here had been about Theo. Over the last four years if she was being honest. Might as well throw delusional into her list of health issues.
“Thanks for coming out today, ladies. Appreciate the effort. Another few days and we’ll have this baby licked and ready for tourists.”
Waving to Kelly and Tammi, she dropped her bag and took her gloves off to find her keys. Theo had handed the chainsaw off to Rico and crouched to dig into his own bag. The urge to be near him overwhelmed her, and her feet moved of their own accord.
“Did you lose something?” she asked, needing to hear his rich voice again. Maybe to simply punish herself for still wanting him.
Looking up, he scowled, then ripped his gloves off, shoving them in the side pocket of his bag. He retrieved a small radio, clipped it to his belt, then hauled his bag over his shoulder. She did the same.
“The gloves were too bulky. They were getting in the way.”
Since he obviously wasn’t interested in chatting, she dipped her chin and was about to leave, but a sparkle caught her eye. He wore a ring on the third finger of his left hand. So hewasmarried.
Rubbing her own ring, hoping he hadn’t seen it, she threw him an awkward smile, then started past. The design on his ring jolted her in place. It was the ring she’d given him on their wedding day. The antique one that had been her grandfather’s. The one that matched hers.
“You’re still wearing the ring.” Her eyes glazed over, and her head began to swim. “I thought you would have gotten remarried by now.”
“Kind of hard to get married when you already are.” His eyes narrowed, his mouth tight.
“So we’re still married?” In her mind they had been, but she’d assumed…
“Legally, sure. Can’t call it a real marriage, can we? You saw to that.”
What had she done to make him not want the marriage? In her mind, they’d been perfect. But then her mind was always the problem, wasn’t it?
“But you stillwearthe ring?”
Fingering the piece of jewelry, he shrugged. “Keeps the tourists from getting too close if I don’t want them to.” He glanced at the college girls trailing behind Rico as he lugged gear up the hill. “I don’t need another summer fling.”
