Halfway There (Fool's Gold #9.75)

CHAPTER SIX

“HE’S CUTE,” CHARITY GOLDEN said as she arranged the bruschetta on a plate. “Is it serious?”

Fayrene picked up the bottle of red wine and two of the three glasses. “Yes, he’s cute, and no, it’s not serious.”

Charity, a pretty woman with curly brown hair and a quick smile, laughed. “Okay, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry. It’s just you’re an adorable couple.”

As a thank-you for looking after Misty during the birthing process, Charity had invited Fayrene over to dinner and told her to bring a date. Fayrene had invited Ryan to join her. Now she was wondering if maybe that had been a mistake. Not that Ryan wasn’t handsome, and he was great company. It’s just now there were going to be lots and lots of questions.

“His stay in town is temporary,” she said, because that made more sense to most people than her saying she was the one driving the “this is going nowhere” bus. Not that Ryan had said he wanted more. It was too soon for anyone to want more, and for all she knew he was into the fling idea as much as she.

“Enough said,” Charity told her. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to leave Fool’s Gold. I’m glad we’re not going to lose you.”

Charity had moved to town a few years ago. She was Mayor Marsha’s long-lost granddaughter. Charity had been hired as the city planner. Within a few months, she’d fallen in love with Josh and gotten pregnant. Now they were a happy family. Josh was a famous, now-retired cyclist. The town adored him for his easygoing ways as much as his athletic exploits. He also owned several businesses and made it a point to always give back.

Fayrene would never admit it to the man, but Josh had been a role model for her. She doubted she would ever have his net worth, but she admired and wanted to emulate his business practices.

Charity took the other wineglass along with the tray of bruschetta and led the way into the spacious living room. The guys were already seated on the sofa, arguing about whether the San Francisco Giants or Los Angeles Dodgers would have the better season.

The second Josh saw his wife, he stood and took the tray and glasses from her. He shifted on the large sectional so there was room for her next to him, and then set the tray on the oversize coffee table.

For a few seconds he looked at her as if there wasn’t anyone else in the room. They’d been together three years, and they were still at the “in love” stage of their relationship. Fayrene felt her chest tighten a little. Because that’s what she wanted—when she finally had the chance to settle down and start a family, she wanted it to be with a man she could be “in love” with for the rest of her life.

She took the chair next to the sofa and smiled at Ryan. “There’s a pretty big divide in town between the Giants and the Dodgers. They’re rivals, and people here are evenly split. While you’re here, you’re going to have to decide which camp you fall into.”

“Hey, I’m from Washington State. I’m a Mariners fan.”

Charity wrinkled her nose. “No way. If you insist on saying that, you’re going to have to drink your wine on the porch.”

Ryan chuckled. “This is a tough crowd.”

“You have no idea,” Josh told him.

Fayrene poured the wine while Charity passed around the plate of bruschetta.

“Where are the kids?” Fayrene asked, then turned to Ryan. “The Goldens have a son and a daughter.”

“I’m a good breeder,” Charity joked. “They’re with my grandmother. Marsha loves her time with the kids. I swear, she’d take them every night if we asked.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Josh told her. “We need those kids around.” His expression filled with pride. “This is Hunter’s first night away from us since being born last month.”

“Are you panicked about him being gone?” Fayrene asked.

“A little nervous,” Charity admitted. “But my grandmother is very capable, and it’s time to get him used to going other places. We were pretty much cocooned here for the past couple of months, so I’m excited about having a social life again.”

Fayrene started to pour wine into all four glasses. Charity stopped her.

“None for me. I’m still breast-feeding.”

Josh got up and went into the kitchen. When he returned he had a glass of sparking water with a fresh wedge of lime. “For you,” he said, handing it to his wife, then sitting beside her.

Ryan looked at Fayrene. “I checked in with Misty. She says hi.”

“Did she? How’s she doing?”

“Great. The kittens have their eyes open. You should see them before we leave.”

“I’d like that.”

“You can take a couple with you, if you want,” Josh offered.

Charity patted his arm. “He doesn’t mean that. He’s a little overwhelmed with a newborn and kittens in the house at the same time.”