Falling in Love on Willow Creek by Debbie Mason

Chapter Nine

Thirty minutes into their lunch date with the judge and Gwen at Zia Maria’s on Main Street, Sadie was kicking herself for not letting Chase cancel Gwen’s visit two days ago. The sophisticated blonde was as beautiful and as brilliant as Sadie had feared she would be.

As much as Sadie didn’t want to admit it, she could see why the judge believed Chase and Gwen were the perfect match. Not only were they both gorgeous, they looked fantastic together, and they were finishing each other’s sentences within minutes of sitting down at the table. They knew all the same people and clearly had a long history together.

Sadie tuned back into their conversation when Gwen reached over and smoothed a wayward lock of Chase’s hair with a familiarity that caused Sadie to tighten her grip on the knife in her hand. Sadie never ate pizza with a knife and fork, but moments before, as she’d lifted a slice to her mouth, she’d caught the judge and Gwen sharing a raised-eyebrow glance.

“Oh, darling, you’re too modest,” Gwen trilled. The woman had an annoyingly shrill voice, which seemed only fair considering everything else about her was perfect. “They never would have solved that case without you.”

Okay, no one was prouder of Chase’s accomplishments than Sadie. He was brilliant, his IQ was off the charts, and he probably did have the highest case clearance rate of anyone at the FBI. He’d caught not one of America’s Most Wanted but two, for goodness’ sake. But seriously, was that all these people could talk about?

Sadie glanced at Chase. He appeared as uncomfortable with Gwen’s praise as he had been the last twenty times the woman and the judge had regaled Sadie with stories of his brilliance.

Thinking it was time for a subject change, Sadie said, “So, Gwen, how are you enjoying your time in Highland Falls?”

“I only arrived last night so I haven’t had much time to take in the sights,” she said with a patronizing smile.

Right. Sadie should have come up with something else. But it’s not like she could ask about Gwen’s job. They’d already heard ad nauseam how important she was to the Department of Justice. Maybe Sadie should have asked her how she was able to take time off to visit.

“But honestly”—Gwen reached for both the judge’s and Chase’s hands—“if not for my two favorite men, I wouldn’t be caught dead in this backwater.” Gwen released their hands to bring her own to her mouth. “I apologize, Sadie. That was rude of me. I’m sure it’s a lovely little town. It’s just that I much prefer big-city living.” She turned to Chase. “You were always the same, darling. You can’t tell me you’re actually happy living here.”

Chase smiled, the kind of smile that crinkled the fine lines at the corners of his eyes. It was the first time he’d truly smiled since they’d sat down at the table, Sadie realized. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, actually. I’ve become a fan of small-town living, especially this town. Then again, I might be slightly prejudiced.” He turned his breath-stealing smile on Sadie. “After all, I found the love of my life in Highland Falls.”

The judge cleared his throat, effectively ending the smile Sadie and Chase shared. Chase leaned in to kiss her cheek before turning back to his grandfather and Gwen. “Loves of my life, I should say. I’m sorry you weren’t able to meet our daughter, Gwen. She’s not at the pasta-eating stage yet.”

“Unless you blend it for her,” Sadie reminded him. “And turn her spoon into an airplane.”

Chase laughed. “She loves that, doesn’t she? We really should have brought her with us, honey. It’s never too soon to introduce children to the pleasures of dining out.”

His grandfather harrumphed. “I, for one, would disagree. There’s nothing more annoying than having a fine meal interrupted by a whining and crying child.”

Chase’s gaze narrowed on his grandfather. “Michaela doesn’t whine or cry at dinner time. She loves to eat, as you saw for yourself, Judge.”

“Perhaps. But that infernal airplane noise you make while feeding her is just as annoying.”

Afraid the lunch was on a death spiral that would bring Chase and his grandfather’s relationship down with it, Sadie intervened. “Well, it’s a moot point. Michaela couldn’t come even if we wanted her to. Ellie took her to Cutie Patootie to look for her dress,” she reminded Chase.

“Was that today?” At Sadie’s nod, he heaved a disappointed sigh. “I thought we were taking her. Ellie’s not choosing the dress for her though, right?”

“No. She’s just putting a couple options on hold for us. She was worried their new holiday line would be picked over if we waited another day.” She patted his hand. “Don’t worry, Daddy. You’ll get to have your say.”

Gwen tilted her head to study Chase as if he were an alien from outer space. “Do you always involve yourself in the choice of Sadie’s daughter’s clothes?”

“Our daughter,” he corrected Gwen. “And no, I don’t. But this dress is special. It’s for our wedding, and I want to be involved.”

“Really,” Gwen said in a disbelieving tone of voice.

“Oh yes, Chase is very involved,” Sadie said. “He chose our wedding cake design, and yesterday he and his fellow grooms-to-be had a meeting with the florist.”

“Now, honey, I told you, we didn’t have a meeting with Winter. She’s the mayor and owns Flower Power on Main Street,” he explained to his grandfather and Gwen, who were staring at him with almost comical expressions of horror. “We just happened to be walking by and noticed her window display. All we said was that adding the feathers and ferns to the bouquets of garden roses, dahlias, and peonies would go well with our ideas for the wedding decor.”

“Funny, that’s not what I heard. Winter told Abby the three of you had actually ordered more garden roses, dahlias, and peonies than would fit in her coolers.” And as much as they were happy that the men wanted to be involved, they hadn’t expected them to take over.

“We might have gotten a little carried away,” he said with a sheepish grin. “You’re not mad, are you?”

“No, not at all. But you might want to talk to Abby before you change anything else. Her subscribers have been helping plan the wedding. They’re really invested.”

Chase frowned. “No more invested than we are. Surely they’d understand if we tweak a few things.”

“I’m sorry,” Gwen said. “I don’t mean to interrupt your scintillating conversation, and please don’t be offended, Sadie, but I feel this must be said. Chase, I’m worried about you. I find all of this remarkably unlike you. In a matter of months, you’ve moved from the city you love—and your grandfather, I might add. You accepted a job that effectively takes you out of the running for either directorship of the FBI or attorney general, career aspirations that you’ve had for as long as I’ve known you. My God, you ended our engagement because I refused to sign on with the FBI.” She held Chase’s gaze. “I thought you’d eventually come around. I was willing to wait. Had I known that—”

“I don’t know what’s brought this on, Gwen.” The castigating look Chase sent his grandfather said otherwise. “But you know as well as I do that your decision not to join the FBI had nothing to do with our breakup. I’d realized I was marrying you to make my grandfather happy, not me. Besides, we’re too much alike. We would have driven each other crazy.”

Covering Gwen’s hand with his, Chase gave her a gentle smile. “I’m sorry. This really isn’t the place to have this conversation. But you’re right, I’m not the same man you remember. This past year, thanks to Sadie and Michaela and the people in this town, I’ve discovered what really matters. I hope one day you will too.”

Zia Maria rushed through the door, stopping short at the sight of them. Her hand went to her hair, which she’d obviously had freshly done.

“Why did you not tell me you come for lunch today?” Maria said as she approached their table.

Sadie and Chase had decided to keep their lunch date with the judge and Gwen between them and made the reservations in another name. They’d known exactly what would happen if anyone in town had found out about it.

“I would have made you something special.” Maria glanced at the judge’s plate. “Ah, now you have good taste. Just like your grandson. Did you enjoy your linguine di pesce?”

The judge nodded. “I must admit I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of your cuisine. My only criticism is that the tiger shrimp were somewhat overcooked.”

Maria crossed her arms. “You say my Marcello cooked the shrimp too long?”

“Don’t be too hard on your son. No one else but me would notice. I’m somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to Italian food, you see,” Jonathan said, completely misreading the situation. No one but Maria criticized her son.

Chase, who by now knew Maria as well as Sadie did, intervened. “My meal was perfection, Maria. The gorgonzola cream sauce…” Chase brought the tips of his fingers to his lips and kissed them.

“Ah, you are such a good boy.” She came over and pinched Chase’s cheeks. “Look at that face. So handsome,” Maria said. Then she glanced at Gwen. “And your carbonara, did you enjoy?”

“Very much, thank you. It was excellent,” Gwen said, her voice subdued.

Obviously, the lunch hadn’t gone as either Gwen or the judge had planned.

Maria looked at Sadie’s plate and slapped her palm to her face. “Pepperoni pizza. Madonne! You have the taste buds of a teenager.” She flicked Chase’s shoulder with her finger. “What are we going to do with her?”

“I wouldn’t change a single thing about her, Zia Maria.” Chase turned a heart-melting smile on Sadie. “She’s my perfect match.”