“I expect he’s hunkered down, doing lawyer stuff,” Kathy noted. “He got a call from New York last week. He’s made the short list for a major opening there, and we know that’s been his dream from the get-go.”
Tara’s fantasy ending dissolved.
Greg was a ladder climber. He was driven. And while she liked his strength and aptitude, success at any cost went against everything she believed in. She’d taken up law for the exact opposite reason.
And you hate it.
She retracted the thought immediately. Hate was too strong a word. She put two sold gowns on the ironing rack and let her hand trail along the lace edge of the nearest one.
She loved this. Who would have thought her heart’s desire lay in helping women plan for the least stressful, most perfect wedding day possible?
“You’re quiet today, Tara.” Kathy exchanged a look with Donna. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.” She aimed a bright smile their way, but their expressions said they weren’t fooled, so she kept the subject on business as usual. “Meghan offered to do the decorating for the reopening. I was thinking of ways I can help her get it done.”
“She’s got flair, that’s for sure,” Jean offered as she came up front. “I’ve got a growing list of reception venues, caterers, rental companies, bakeries, florists, photographers, and linen providers who’ve accepted the invitations. That’s the makings of a great kickoff party.”
“We’re going to build Meghan’s historical display on Monday in that front corner.” Tara pointed left. “Unless someone else had their eye on it.”
“All yours,” Donna replied. “Her sketch is a showstopper. That corner is the perfect place to spotlight it.”
“They’ll be installing new tuxedo racks while you’re building a medieval forest.” Kathy smiled. “Elena would love this.”
“She would,” Donna agreed. “And with every change we make, I miss her more.”
“Was she nice?” Tara turned toward Donna and Kathy. “Like Greg?”
“She was far nicer than I could ever hope to be.”
Tara turned, surprised. “I didn’t know you were here.” She touched a hand to her collar, embarrassed because she’d been looking for him all week, and of course he came in the minute she started asking about him.
“Well.” He extended his hands. “I am here. I’ve been working extra this week, but I’ve got some time now, so I’m going to rough in those tuxedo rooms tonight. That way the drywall guy can finish them on Monday. And yes, my mother was one of the nicest women you’d ever meet. I’ve always been more like my father.”
Kathy rolled her eyes. “Your mother was proud of you. She encouraged your dreams. And from where I’m standing, the way you’ve helped spur things along here says she raised a pretty nice guy.”
“She’d be thrilled that you’re getting the chance you’ve always wanted.” Donna slung her arm around Greg. “Mothers want their children to be happy.” She moved to put the final gowns away.
Greg turned toward Tara, and she met his gaze straight on. “Some of us are meant to be movers and shakers,” she said. “That’s a good fit for you, Greg. You’re strong and tough. New York won’t know what hit them.”
Still, she couldn’t help wishing things were different. Wishing she could find a way to mentally separate Greg’s job from her own values, and from the memory of a simple man who trusted the wrong lawyer.
Tara was right. Greg wanted to be at the top of his game, and he was on the verge of realizing his dream. Why did the thought of success feel suddenly tainted? He’d done nothing wrong.
Not wrong, per se. But not all that right either.
He slung his jacket across the back of a chair and rolled out a bag of power tools from the back room. Framing the tuxedo fitting rooms was the kind of muscle work that took his mind off corporate law and New York City. Not to mention an unforgettable woman who had walked in the door a few weeks ago and made him start seeing life and love through very different eyes.
“Are you doing this alone?”
Tara stood between him and the front door. She was ready to go, her coat on, a cute hat pulled down over the mass of golden brown curls.
“The rooms are small, and I’m just roughing in tonight. I thought I’d be in earlier, but—”
“Duty called.”
A new kind of duty, but yes, one that felt good by the end of the day. He hoped the city judge would see things his way and smack down the mission landlord’s illegal notice of eviction.
She took a step forward. “That didn’t answer my question. There’s no one to help you hold things in place?”
He shrugged but couldn’t deny how her words ignited a spark of hope. “Nope.” He gave her a hang-dog expression. “Just me and a really big stack of two-by-fours.”