Page 35 of Words Unspoken

Ann rolled her eyes. She didn’t need a mother-in-law that wanted to share in the relationship. Earle was not worth that. Not that he was on her short list. She would have to be pretty desperate.

Ann tried to concentrate on her golf game. She was an okay golfer. Geanie was spectacular. By the time they finished the eighteenth hole, she was tired. They headed to the clubhouse to see if they could snag a few moments with George Stapleton or see if anyone else might fit the bill for what Ann wanted. A single man, ready to get married and have children.

Geanie left to mingle with a few people and stalk the prey. Ann went to the bar and ordered a drink. She was going to need all the alcohol she could get to cope.

“Now, I believe I know every member of the country club, yet I am certain I have not seen you before,” a man said as he sidled up to the bar beside Ann. He ordered a scotch.

Ann forced herself to smile and turned to see George Stapleton.

“You are George Stapleton,” she said a little stupidly. What were the chances?

George smiled his perfect smile. “You recognize me from the commercials. I am afraid I am at a bit of a disadvantage.”

“Ann Schaeffer. I partnered with Geanie Duvell today for the tournament,” she held out her hand and instead of shaking it, he gave it a kiss on the knuckles. Did people still do that?

“Charmed,” he released her hand. “Put Ms. Schaeffer’s drink on my tab, would you?”

“Oh, no. You don’t need to,” protested Ann.

“Please, allow me to,” he said, taking a sip of the scotch. “Do you enjoy golfing?”

“Yes. I am not as good at it as I used to be. I am out of practice,” she explained. Ann could see that Geanie had spotted her talking to George and had put up her hands, two thumbs up in the middle of an elite country club. Ann tore her gaze away from her silly friend and focused on George.

“Well then, we will have to rectify that and get you a membership here,” George smiled again.

He did have a nice smile. He was not as handsome as Michael, but he was not unpleasant to look at. He had minty breath. He had good financial prospects being the owner of a chain of dental offices. He was making an effort.

Ann supposed she could do worse. A half hour of pleasant chatter later, George had her number and a promise to go out next Friday night to a nice little art fundraiser for children with disabilities.

It made him dad material.

Ann swallowed hard and smiled. George Stapleton was on the list.

Chapter Seven

“What happened to Ann?” Noah asked as he grabbed an apple.

Ann had been gone for a little over a week. Michael still felt himself wandering the house searching for her. He was bored and heartsick.

“Noah,” Elle hissed and gave him a warning look before glancing guiltily at Michael.

“What? She was all gung-ho to help and now she has disappeared. Did you guys have an argument or something?” He bit into the apple with a crunch.

An argument Michael could understand. Ann had just decided she was not happy here, was not happy with him. Michael did not want to talk about it. He didn’t know what to do. What he did know is that he wanted Ann to be happy so if she needed to be somewhere else to be happy then he would not stand in her way as much as he might want to. Michael went to the deck, leaving the door open behind him.

“Ann needed to take care of some personal things,” Elle said to Noah. Michael could hear her, just barely from where he stood. He knew Elle and Ann were friends. She probably knew what was going on with Ann, but he didn’t know if he could find a way to ask her. Instead, he decided to eavesdrop shamelessly.

“Is she coming back?” questioned Noah.

“I don’t think so. She wants different things.”

“Different things? Like what? Ann always struck me as a type to get what she wants.”

Michael could imagine Elle giving Noah an exasperated look. Noah was brilliant at the science of his job but when it came to the nuances of people, he was terrible. Worse than Michael and that was saying something.

“She is going on a date tonight,” revealed Elle. “With George Stapleton.”

Michael felt like he had been punched in the stomach. He leaned back against the siding of the house. His Ann, dating someone else. If she wanted to date someone so badly to try to get past Max, she could have dated him. Then again, he was Max is brother. Maybe it was too painful for her.