Page 69 of Muskoka Blue
Sarah forced her stiff lips into a semblance of a smile. “You too.”
Her heart grew heavier with every footstep that led away. Was this woman really Dan’s girlfriend? And if so, how could he have acted like he had all summer long? How could he havekissedher? Was he just a player after all, but in a league way beyond anything Rob could aspire to? She stumbled over a tree root. Shook her head, as if she could force the whirl of images and words and hopes—and that kiss!—to somehow make sense now they’d crashed into miserable reality.
At least one thing was clear. She didn’t need to worry about whether Dan cared about her or not. She blinked against tears. He obviously didn’t.
Chapter 17
The phone chirped its tinny version ofFür Elise. Sarah swallowed the last Hershey’s Kiss with a gulp, then looked at the screen. “Hi, Ange.”
“How are you, Blue?”
Sarah took a breath, hoping her voice wouldn’t betray her. “It’s all good here. You?”
Ange chatted briefly about the conference. “Sar? You sure you’re okay?”
“I’ve, uh, got a new neighbor.” Her chest tightened like it did every time she thought about the bikini model staying next door.
“At Dan’s?”
“Yep.”
“I know he sometimes lets people use his place.” A small sigh. “Dan has always been something of a fixer.”
Breath suspended. Was that why he’d hung around? He’d wanted to fix her? A memory flickered, something Sam had said about broken-winged birds. He’d tried to warn her too, that Dan had something of a hero complex…
“Sar? You still there?”
“Yep.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yep.” Sarah forced out a shaky laugh.Change the subject. “Haven’t seen any bears yet.”
“Oh, but there’s been reports of bears! It’s been on the news. Sar, you need to take—”
“Care, yes, I know.” Sarah closed her eyes. Okay, dumb choice of topics. “I’m being careful. But honestly, Ange, can you imagine a bear wanting to pick a fight with little ole me?”
“I don’t think they’re too fussy about who—”
“Ange,I’ll be fine. Say hi to John for me, okay?”
“Will do. And Sar, please take care. I’d hate to see you hurt.”
“I’ll be fine, Ange. Thanks for calling.”
“Okay then.” A sigh. “Bye, Blue.”
“Bye.” Sarah stared out the window at the bikinied bombshell who’d staked her claim on the beach for the day. She bit down on her trembling lower lip. Good thing Ange wasn’t here, otherwise she’d see just how hurt Sarah was already.
“Oh my gosh!”
Sarah looked up at the supermarket’s blonde cashier, whose nametag readRochelle – how may I help?She followed the fake-eyelashed gawk to the store’s entry where a tall, dark-haired man was pulling a basket from the pile near the door. Dan. Her heart fluttered.
Stop it.She stepped behind a tall stack of soup cans handily positioned near the checkout and swiped her hair up into a low bun, wishing she had a hat as well. Red hair never made it easy to blend in.He doesn’t want to see you, remember? You were just a summer distraction. A project.
“Excuse me?” She thrust the bread, milk, and carton of eggs closer, but it was no use. Rochelle was mesmerized—and definitely not too helpful right now. Sarah wiped sweaty palms on the back of her shorts. She had to leave before Dan saw her and she was forced to smile and pretend everything was okay.
“Oh, I swear, he’s so yummy.” The shop assistant licked her lips. “But I read online he has a girlfriend.”