Twenty
Phoebe had been involved in countless library and other town events since she was a kid, but tonight she was nervous. The vintage fashion show was special. Different. Not just because it was a first for Knights Bridge but because of the hidden attic room and the woman who’d created it, and why. The lasting impact of Debbie Sanderson’s brief time in Knights Bridge, on herself, on the people she’d encountered here.
On Phoebe’s own family. Her mother, her father.
She slipped into the rich brown sequined Edwardian gown. She’d debated whether to wear it to host the fashion show or just to model it. Wearing it to host had won out. She’d walk to the library and meet her mother and sisters there. No word from Olivia yet, but she and Dylan had planned to be back from California in time for the show.
And no word from Noah…
Phoebe adjusted the dress. She’d skip the matching hat tonight. She wasn’t trying to conceal her identity from anyone, as she had at the masquerade ball. Now that Noah was back on his home turf, did his short stay in Knights Bridge seem completely unreal to him?
It almost did to her, she realized. Tonight would help get her refocused. Then she planned to take a week off. She’d stay home, work on her garden, help Olivia and Maggie with Carriage Hill, her mother with the goats and her freezing and canning. After that, she’d be into her fall routines at the library. She couldn’t wait, really.
So why do I feel out of sorts?
She made herself smile in her bedroom mirror. As host tonight, she had to be happy and cheerful.
Vivacious. That was the word she was looking for.
She didn’t feel vivacious.
She carried her sandals by the straps in one hand and headed downstairs barefoot. No black wig, mask or heavy makeup tonight, either. She’d found instructions for an updo on the internet and managed to follow them, if imperfectly. A few wisps of hair were already out of the pins. The do just had to last a couple of hours. Maggie was catering the post-show wine and cheese party, but then she, the twins and Phoebe would meet back on Thistle Lane and celebrate with a couple of bottles of white wine already chilling in the refrigerator. Phoebe didn’t know if Olivia and Dylan would join them.
How much had Noah told his best friend about his stay in Knights Bridge? How much had Dylan guessed?
Phoebe shook off the question. She couldn’t change what had gone on between her and Noah. She knew now that she wouldn’t even if she could. Any selfconsciousness, embarrassment or awkwardness she might feel had to be endured.
Was worth it, she thought as she stepped out onto the porch. She didn’t know what was next in their relationship but she had no regrets so far.
She set her sandals on the porch floor. The evening was warm and clear, perfect for the fashion show. She couldn’t have ordered up one better. They’d have a good turnout. She looked forward to telling people how Daphne Stewart had gotten her start as a Hollywood costume designer in their town.
A sleek black sedan eased to a stop on Thistle Lane. A uniformed driver stepped out, went around and opened the back door. Noah got out, and the driver returned to his position behind the wheel.
As the car turned around in Phoebe’s driveway and headed back up Thistle Lane, Noah crossed the yard, his movements as smooth and purposeful as she remembered from the first time she’d seen him. He wore an obviously expensive black suit this time. No cape, no mask, no sword.
Phoebe watched him, her heart hammering. Her attraction to him wasn’t going away. If anything, it had deepened, becoming not just physical, not just a fleeting connection to liven up a quiet summer. She loved hearing his voice, loved talking to him, listening to him. It didn’t matter that she’d known him such a short time. She’d never felt like this about anyone. Her sisters, her parents, her nephews. She loved them with all her heart, but this was different.
It’s too fast. Too crazy.
Maybe so, but she couldn’t deny the rush of emotion as he mounted the porch steps.
“Olivia and Dylan are right behind me,” he said. “I wanted to see you first.”
Phoebe steadied herself. “My sisters are at the library already. Ava and Ruby are helping Maggie set up for the party after the fashion show. I’m meeting them there.” She realized Noah couldn’t possibly care about these details but she couldn’t stop herself. “Maggie’s serving a merlot from your winery. She thought that was fitting. She says it’s excellent. She knows more about wine than I do.”
“Probably more than I do, too. I bought the winery for the view.”
“And to help a struggling friend,” Phoebe added, then smiled. “I read about it in an article.”