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Rory shrugged but didn’t say anything, which didn’t inspire Mandy with confidence that she’d keep her mouth shut in future.
They found the doors out to the lawn open and plenty of people milling about.
“Hi, Mandy.”
“Hi, Andrew.”
He was a nice man, but she just didn’t get that feeling inside her when he was close. But then maybe that was a good thing? Maybe she’d been wrong in wanting more; after all, it had turned against her with Ted.
“Would you like a drink?”
“Sure, thanks.”
Mandy tried not to compare the bank manager with Ted as he walked away. He was good looking, in a clean-cut bank manager kind of way.And that made no sense.He didn’t have Ted’s assertiveness, or ability to drop a person with a look, which was a good thing, Mandy reminded herself. Plus, Ted didn’t want a relationship with her, so she had to move on. Especially as she’d come to the decision that she wanted it all now.
Children, a home, and a life shared with someone. Ted would never give her that, so she’d have to find it with someone else.
Ignoring the little kick to her stomach that thought gave her, Mandy decided to enjoy the party and forget about the dark, brooding Ted Hosking.
She spent time talking to Andrew; he was a really nice man. She spent time with her friends, also nice, and tried to enjoy herself. Mandy was doing just that when Ted walked in the door, and suddenly her heartbeat went through the roof.
Which told her how pathetic she was. In seconds she’d cataloged everything he wore, down to his lace-up leather sneakers. She wondered where the Velcro ones had gone. She then made herself look away and focus on Andrew.
“So, do you think Ryker Falls will be the place you settle in, Andrew?”
“I think so. I like it here, and people are nice, plus I’m not really a big city boy. Tried that, and it didn’t work.”
How she knew that Ted was near, Mandy had no idea. But something felt different in the air suddenly.
“Ted.” Andrew held out a hand for Ted to shake. “Great to see you again.”
“You too, Andrew. Hi, Mandy.”
“Hi.” She moved slightly, which put her at Andrew’s side, so she could see Ted’s face. This close, she could see he looked tired. “How’s it going with your family here?”
“They’re leaving tomorrow, first thing, and with them the press.”
Which told her nothing except that they were leaving town.
“Nice to catch up with family,” Andrew said, oblivious to the undercurrents swirling around him.
“Don’t tell me you finally ditched the Velcro shoes, bud?” Fin arrived with two beers. He handed one to Ted.
“They’re too high-end for Ryker Falls, so I toned it down with these,” Ted said, looking at his feet.
“High-end, my ass. They were a total fashion disaster.”
Mandy felt Ted’s eyes on her, but she kept hers on Fin.
“How’s the renovations going, Mandy?”
She explained what was going on and then excused herself and headed inside. She found her aunts and Aunt Jess in the kitchen.
“Will you ladies forgive me if I leave early? I have a headache and am so tired I’m going to fall asleep where I stand if I don’t get to bed soon.”
“Of course. You drive carefully, my love,” Aunt Marla said. Mandy didn’t tell her that Rory had driven her. Kissing them all goodbye, she left the house.
It hadn’t been a lie, she was tired, but also there was Ted. She had to get a handle on how she felt about him, but it was hard. In time she’d be okay, but the wound was still raw.
