“I have had a stream of visitors this afternoon,” he told her. “Your neighbors have checked on me. Simon sent a doctor over to confirm that I’m no longer contagious.”
She laughed. “I’m not surprised. The man is crazy when it comes to his wife.”
“He loves her and wants to keep her safe. I understand his concern.”
The words were quiet—simple and heartfelt. Paige knew he was thinking about Sara and their baby and how he hadn’t even been in the country when they’d died. Talk about devastating. But what she wondered was what lesson he’d learned from the horror. Was it never to give his heart again? To never risk the pain? Or had he decided instead to make sure the next time he was there, with his family? Or rather that they were with him?
But before she could figure out how to ask, he made a joke about the menu and the moment had passed.
They enjoyed a delicious salad and then an entrée of mac and cheese with chicken and asparagus.
“Not a traditional dish,” Alistair admitted, taking another helping. “But delicious.”
“I agree. People in this town can cook.”
He studied her. “You love it here.”
“I do.”
“Is that why you haven’t traveled?” He shrugged. “I don’t mean to drift into sensitive territory, but you’ve made it fairly clear that you want to see the world. Yet here you are.”
She picked up her wineglass and then set it down. “I meant to go. Sophia told me to. But I didn’t want to leave her by herself. She was older and getting frail. Then she died.”
Paige swallowed against the still-painful memory. “It happened so fast. She turned to me and told me she loved me, then she collapsed. It was a heart attack. She died immediately. After that, I couldn’t manage to pull it together. I have a list of places I’d like to visit, but I can’t seem to take the first step. I’m not sure what’s holding me back.”
She tried to smile, but had a feeling she failed. “She would be so disappointed in me.”
Alistair moved quickly, standing, then walking around the table and pulling her to her feet. “She would be no such thing. I’m sure your aunt is very proud of you.”
“You can’t know that.”
“I can and I do. You took me in without a second thought.”
He was holding her hands in his, which was distracting enough, but there was also how close they were standing and the way his intense blue eyes held her gaze. Was it just her or was it hot out here?
“Anyone would have taken you in,” she murmured.
“We both know that’s not true. You’re lovely and giving and when you’re ready, you’ll take your journey.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. After all, I’m a viscount.”
She laughed. “Silly me. Of course you must be the knower of all things. By royal decree, of course.”
“Of course.”
The words were the barest of whispers, spoken as he lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers.
The kiss was gentle. A light brush, a teasing touch and then it was over. She didn’t even have time to catch her breath before he kissed her again. This time with slightly more pressure.
Wanting stirred. Her hands fluttered in his as she started to lean in. But just before things got interesting, Alistair straightened.
“Our dinner is getting cold.”
Their what? Oh. Right. Dinner.
“We wouldn’t want that,” she said, stepping back. Only it was exactly what she wanted, she thought as she took her seat. After years of wondering why she couldn’t be like her friends and fall madly in love, she found herself intrigued by a handsome stranger who would never want to settle down in one place.
In theory she wanted to see the world, so they should be the perfect match. Only, so far, all her dreams of travel had turned out to be cheap talk. Hardly the kind of character to inspire the interest of a man who actually did what he said.
Chapter Five
The Fool’s Gold Spring Festival lived up to its reputation, Alistair realized as he and Paige strolled through the crowded streets. There were booths selling everything from jewelry to meditation CDs. Food was everywhere. Although it was only ten in the morning, tourists munched on hot dogs and cotton candy. Paige had promised him the best funnel cake this side of the Rockies. He wasn’t sure what to expect as, from what he’d seen, the treat was neither funnel-shaped, nor especially cakelike. But he was willing to trust his hostess.
“We have to get in position for the parade,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the center square.
“There’s a parade?”
“Of course. It’s fairly unorganized. Kids on bikes and people sitting in the back of convertibles. One of the fire trucks gets decorated with ribbons and flowers.” She grinned. “My friend Charlie is a firefighter. She hates events like this. As she puts it, every holiday is a chance for people to be stupid. But she loves telling kids about fire safety and enjoys showing them the equipment.”
Alistair frowned. “So she’s both happy and frustrated?”
“Charlie is a bit of a contradiction.”
“It appears so.”