Against Her Rules (6 page)

  She
sighed. “Just keep your clothes on, Asher. We’ll talk in a while. I have to
go.”

  “Don’t
I get a kiss first? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you.”

  “I
have to go. I’ll be back later.” She did her best not to slam the door. She was
going to have to start a new list: ‘Most Stomach-churning Moments’. Too bad the
top two had both happened today.

––––––––

  T
here
was no point hiding in her room like a child. She was a grown woman. She’d just
have to deal with these men the best she could, and then hope to God neither of
them ever decided on a return visit. It was a good thing she had no romantic
ties to anyone local. It would have been too much like a bad joke: An
Englishman, a Scotsman, and a Newfoundlander walk into a bar—inn—same
difference.

  The
rain had let up, and she found her mother in the greenhouse picking herbs.

  “What
are you and Dad cooking up tonight?”

  Elsie
was lucky to have her parents around. They took turns cooking, leaving Elsie
free to do her thing. Although she knew her way around the kitchen, her mother
and father were far better cooks than she was. It was an inside joke to refer
to them as “the chef”. Everything they cooked was a twist on something they’d
found on the internet.

  “Nothing
fancy. Tomato poached cod stew. You left some mess in the kitchen this
afternoon. In too much of a hurry to clean up, were you?”

  Elsie
couldn’t help but grin. Leave it to her mother to put her in her place.

  “Sorry.
Had to make a late lunch for one of the guests.”

  “Would
that be the handsome one you gutted your brother’s cabin for?”

  Elsie
blushed. “Yea.”

  “So
what’s happening there then?”

  “Nothing.”
Don’t sound so defensive! She’ll know.

  “Very good. Probably best, since
I noticed Asher Corbin just arrived.”

  Elsie
froze. “What are you talkin’ about, mudder?” It wasn’t often Elsie let her
speech slip back into the dialect she’d worked hard to correct.

  “Me.
Nothing at all, girl. I just happen to be here as often as you are, and pay
attention to the news more than you do. But I’m as blind as a bat. Me and your
father. Real simpletons. Have no clue what our daughter might be doing.”

  “Was
doing,” Elsie corrected, sitting on an overturned pail. “I thought I was discrete.”

  “Oh,
you are. But darling, no matter how old you get, you can’t fool your old
mother. The sooner you accept that, the better off you’ll be.”

  “So,
what do you think?”

  “I
think you can do better than Asher Corbin.”

  “I
know. It was all simple in the beginning. And now it’s tangly to get out.”

  “You’ll
work it all out. And you should work it out soon. Because I also think better
might be staying in a little cottage down the hill.” She wiped her hands on a
rag.

  Elsie
snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far. I made the mistake of getting involved with
one man I met here. I don’t intend to do it a second time.”

  “Well,
you know I don’t try and meddle in your life. There’s no point, really, because
you’re as headstrong as I am. But if you’ll allow me to say this, just once,
I’ll mind my own business afterward.”

  Her
mother pulled up a pail and sat next to Elsie. “I’m very proud of everything
you’ve accomplished. And I’m glad I get to see you every day of my life. I
thought when you went away to university that we’d never see you again.
Instead, you took everything you learned and created this amazing, successful
business.” She took hold of her daughter’s hand. “Everyone in Heart’s Ease is
proud of what you’ve done here. But at the end of the day, when me and Dad go
home, and your guests go to their rooms, you’re alone. Now maybe you like it
that way right now. But will you in a few years from now?”

  Elsie
looked down at her mother’s hand, entwined in hers. It was full of wrinkles.
When had that happened? Her Mom still looked young, but her hands told another
story.

  “We
all make choices, Elsie. And sometimes one choice makes another impossible. But
there’s nothing standing in your way. You can have all of this, and still make
room for someone in your life.”

  “But
where am I supposed to meet someone?” There was a tremor in her voice. “There’s
no one here, and the only new people I meet are customers. I can’t... I won’t
use this place as a means to meet men. It just seems bordello like.”

  Her
mother’s laughter rang out like a bell. “Bordello! Hardly. Is that your
problem? Darling, if you were throwing yourself at every good looking man that
walked through the door, or offering your guests a special night-time turn down
service, then maybe. But you’re only human. All I’m saying is don’t judge
yourself too harshly. And don’t create problems where none exist.”

  “What
is it with people laughing at me today when I’m trying to be honest,” Elsie
fumed.

  “Now,
now. Don’t get your pee hot. I wasn’t laughing at you. I was laughing at the
idea of this place being a bordello.” She reached over and tucked a piece of
hair behind Elsie’s ear. “You’re a little on edge, Elsie. You normally don’t
take things this personally.”

  Elsie
sighed. “I know, Mom. I’m sorry. There’s a lot of stuff running around in my
head today. And having Asher here doesn’t help at all.”

  “What
are you going to do about him?”

  Elsie
rolled her eyes. “I have no clue. But I just might have a
Gone with the Wind
moment today.”

  “Worry
about it tomorrow?”

  “Exactly.”

  C
am
woke to the sounds of gulls screeching and sunlight teeming into the room.
After the greyness of the past couple of days, it was a welcome sight. It put
everything into a new light, literally and metaphorically.

  He’d
had a long night of thinking, not only about Elsie but about his past
relationships with women. It really had impacted the way he’d thought about
Elsie from the instant he’d met her. He’d assumed she’d want him. He’d assumed
she was sending him down to this cottage for their own pleasure. And he’d just
carried on with innuendo after innuendo thinking she was on the same page.

  It
had been so long since he’d met a woman that wasn’t ready to jump into bed with
him without any regard for anything that he’d stopped thinking about what it
might mean. Sex had become an activity as common to him as drinking coffee. For
him, there was no barrier between wanting something, and getting it. Like an
itch, you scratched it. But if you scratched too often, you could get a nasty
wound. That’s what he was. A big, open sore that had been scratched too often.
That was a disgusting thought. And so it should be. No wonder Elsie had run
from him.

  There
was only one thing to do. He had to leave her alone. She didn’t deserve to be
reminded of what an idiot he was. He pulled on a sweater and headed to the inn.
He’d have breakfast, and then find another place to stay. There were plenty of
sea birds all along the coast. Daphne had only been trying to find him a nice
place to stay because he’d demanded it. He’d become spoiled by his own success
and image.

  He
was relieved to find the dining room full of guests. It made it easier for him
to ignore Elsie should she come in, and for her to ignore him, as she should.

  “Good
morning, Mr. Scott,” said one of the servers. She was an older woman but still
strikingly beautiful. He didn’t recall seeing her before.

  “Good
morning.”

  “Breakfast
this morning is baked beans, bologna, hashbrown potatoes, eggs, toast. A hearty
feast. But if you’d like something special ordered, we can do that as well.”

  “No
thanks, that sounds wonderful.”

  “Well
now, what are your plans for the day, since we’ve been blessed with all this
sunshine?’ She poured his coffee.

  The
more he looked at her, the more he realized that she had to be Elsie’s mother.
They had the same eyes and hair colour. This is what Elsie would be like as she
grew older. Gracefully beautiful. Kind. With smiling eyes. He was willing to
bet Elsie’s father had never treated this woman as some object to be used for his
own pleasures without any thought to her concerns.

  “Well,
perhaps you could help. I’m thinking of relocating.”

  She
laid the coffee pot on the table with force. “You aren’t enjoying your stay
here? If it’s your accommodations, we can move you to another room.”

  “Oh
no. That’s not the case. I just think I should move on.”

  “Hmmm.
Well, that’s your choice. I can recommend a few places but none nearby.”

  “That
would be greatly appreciated. Location doesn’t matter, as long as I’m still
near the coast.”

  “Certainly.”
Her entire demeanour had changed, more aloof now. Definitely had to be Elsie’s
mother. “It’s likely for the best.”

  “Pardon?”
Why was his leaving for the best?

  “Well,
my daughter—I’m Noreen Walsh by the way—is headstrong. She’s challenging on the
best of days. Worth it, I’d say. But I’m biased. But you really have to be up
for a challenge if you’re going to deal with her. I can see why you’d be best
getting on your way,” she said and walked away.

  He
looked around, wondering if anyone had overheard the exchange. Had the woman
just called him a coward? Or at least insinuated he wasn’t man enough for
Elsie? These Walsh women were all crazy. He would be far better off getting
away from here. Imagine spending the rest of his life with Elsie. Sure she’d
still be beautiful. But as touchy as a well-wound coil spring.

  He’d
spend his life never knowing what little thing he said might send her into a
spin. Although he’d also get to spend his life full of make-up sex. He hadn’t
had make-up sex in a very long time. But he remembered it could be very, very
good. With Elsie, he was sure it would be earth-shattering.

  Stop
the bus! Why was he thinking about a future with Elsie at all? He was leaving
because he didn’t want to lead her on, and here he was thinking about growing
old with her. His brain was a mess. He was going to eat, and then get the hell
out of here. Before his brain started messing with him any further.

  “Scott?
Is that you? Good God, what brings you to this desolate part of the universe?”

  As
if he needed any other reason to get as far from here as possible, fate had
just delivered it to him. Ted Corbin.

  “Corbin.
I could ask the same of you.” Not that he really cared.

  “Oh,
lady troubles, you know. I know the owner. I come here from time to time when I
need a pick-me-up. She’s a grand bird.”

  Elsie
was friends with Ted sodding Corbin? He refused to ever call him by his
ridiculous stage name. Asher. Who the hell named themselves Asher? Ted Corbin,
that’s who.

  “Yea,
I’ve met her.”

  “So,
still drawing cats and sheep and all that?”

  “Among
other things,” Cam replied. “I sketched a wonderful nude of Laura Taylor.
Remember her?”

  “Lucky
bastard,” Corbin said, slapping him on the arm. “Hope you did more than draw
her. Oh, she was a hot one, yes? Hottest in our class for sure. Little miss
hoity-toity. She wouldn’t look at either of us back then. Little did she know
how well we’d both turn out, yea?”

  What
he did after the sketch was none of Corbin’s business.

  “I’m
here working on a book of sketches, actually,” he answered instead. “Birds.”

  “Right
on. Well, it’s great to see you, old man. I’m on indefinitely. Good time to
catch up, hey?” He poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “Actually,
I’m planning on...”

  “Elsie,
luv. There you are. Where’ve you been hiding yourself?” Corbin called across
the dining room. The look on Elsie’s face as she took in the two of them
sitting together told Cam she’d sooner be anywhere but near him.

––––––––

  S
he’d
managed to avoid Asher all night by sending him a bottle of rum and a note that
said she had business to take care of. Avoiding Cam was easier since he didn’t
budge from the cottage all night. She knew this because she spent too much of
her night looking out the window at the light shining down the hill. And now,
here they were. Together. Sharing breakfast. It wasn’t unusual for guests to
share a meal, but she couldn’t help but wish they’d both just stayed in their
rooms.

  Still,
the room was full of other diners so she had to put on the facade of friendly,
welcoming hostess.

  “Good
morning, Asher. Cam. I hope your meal is good?”

  “Sit
down, luv, and have a cup of coffee with us. You’ll not believe this, but Cam
here is an old school chum of mine.”

  Of
course he would be. Makes sense. They went to the school of swine together.

  “Really.
What a coincidence.”

  “Oh,
we were always getting up to mischief in those days. Part of me misses them. Of
course, not often. I mean, I’d much rather the life I have now. Most of the
time, anyhow. This place is a bit of a sanctuary for me, Scott. I suppose
you’ve heard the latest in the rags about me.”

  “Not
really, no,” Cam said in a tone that Elsie thought said, ‘I’m bored.’

  “Well,
I’m heartbroken,” he said. “All set to finally take the plunge, and she up and
left me. All because I did the right thing for a change in my life and was
honest with her. What is it with women? They profess they want honesty and then
when the answer isn’t the one they expected, you’re the culprit?”

  “Oh,
I know that feeling all too well,” Cam said. There was no mistaking that he
meant that for her benefit. His eyes never left her.

  “Now
gentlemen, I think you’re being hard on us females. Of course we want honesty.
Just sometimes the answers make us discover something about you men that we
didn’t realize before. Better to find out early than waste time.”

  “See?
Sage advice.” Asher reached out and put his arm around her. “That’s why I love
you, my sweet. Always putting things in perspective.” He would have kissed her
mouth had she not reacted quickly and turned her cheek.

  Cam
was studying the interaction intently. “So, Ted,” he said purposefully. “How long
have you been coming here?”

  “Three
years, isn’t it?” the rocker replied, looking at Elsie.

  “I’m
not sure. But I think you’re right,” she said. She didn’t like where this line
of questioning was going.

  “Do
you always come by yourself?”

  “No,”
Elsie jumped in.

  “Yea,”
Asher said at the same time before noticing Elsie. “Yea, I bring some ladies
here from time to time. But other times, I come by myself if I need to get
away. Love the privacy, you know. The air. The people aren’t crazy. In fact, no
one has ever asked me to sign anything in all the time I’ve been coming here.
Great people, really. Elsie here is just the best of them.”

  As
if it couldn’t get more uncomfortable, Elsie looked just in time to see her
mother coming with two heaping plates of food. She would have tried to mouth
Help
me
if both Cam and Asher weren’t looking at her.

  “Good
morning, sweetheart,” her mother said in a voice about as genuinely sweet as
aspartame. “Should I bring you a plate as well?”

  “No,
that’s fine, Mom. I have some work to do.”

  “Oh,
don’t be silly,” her mother insisted. “You need to eat.”

  “Yes,
stay,” Cam said, still scrutinizing her.

  “It’s
unanimous,” Asher said, scooping a spoon of beans into his mouth. “God, we
haven’t had breakfast like this together in some time.”

  She
kicked him under the table. This wasn’t the first time she’d realized that
while he had a pretty face, Asher could be rather dumb. He wanted their
relationship kept as quiet as she did, but sometimes he needed a gentle
reminder.

  She
had to find a way to take control of the conversation. “Cam, what was that you
called Asher a second ago?”

  He
grinned. “Ted.”

  Asher
turned red. “Good thing you can keep a secret, luv. That’s the name my dear
mother saddled me with. But Scott, I haven’t gone by Ted in quite some time.
Had it legally changed, you know.”

  “Ted.
Teddy. I like it,” she said. “Very down to earth.”

  “Very
mundane and ordinary. And totally forgettable,” he said.

  It
was at times like this that she was reminded why she had been willing to put up
with Asher - Ted - for the past few years. Deep down inside he was like a lost
puppy, always looking to be liked. And remembered. He did mean well. He just
happened to be caught up in the world he’d created for himself. She genuinely
liked him. She just didn’t want him any more. Now that he was sat at the same
table as Cam she could see why she was drawn to the Scotsman in the first
place. He was Asher’s opposite in every way.

  Cam
was tall, built like a gladiator, and had a roughness to him that was
surprising once you realized he made a living sketching. He was not your
typical artist. Whereas Asher was your stereotypical rocker/songwriter. Pale,
thin, pretty, with a mainstream manufactured tame punk look. Asher had a way
about him that brought out a woman’s motherly instincts. You wanted to protect
him. He was hard to say no to for that very reason. Cam, on the other hand,
made you want to beg him to protect you. He looked like he wrestled polar bears
for sport. Of course, he could also send you running for the hills, as if your
very sanity depended on being far from the danger he presented.

  “Well,
I like it. But then again, I’m not your target audience, so I suppose Asher is
also perfectly good,” she said, smiling at him.

  Cam
pushed his plate away. “I’m sure you’ll both excuse me, but I have to go.”

  “Not
going to eat the rest of that?” Asher’s plate was empty.

  “No.
I have to go take advantage of this sun. But I’m sure I’ll be ravenous come
lunch time.” Again, he was looking at her hard. “Do you think you could arrange
to have lunch brought down to the cottage around one?”

  “I’m
sure we can.”

  “Could
you bring it down? I’d like to see those posters you mentioned yesterday. I’m
guessing my talk to the locals is still on the agenda?”

  “There’s
a cottage here?” Asher said. “Since when?”

  “It’s
new.”

  “Very
new,” Cam added. “I’ll see you at one, yes?”

  “Sure,”
she said, dragging out the word as if to infuse it with every ounce of
displeasure she could.

  As
he strode out of the dining room she watched as her mother handed him a piece
of paper, which he promptly crumpled and tossed in the garbage. Now what was
that all about, she wondered?

––––––––

  M
ost
of the morning was spent with Asher trailing along behind her as she tried to
work. After about an hour of nearly constant pawing, she made it clear that
there was not going to be anything physical between them.

  “Look,
Ash, if you’re only here for that, you might as well go. Things have changed.
I’ll be your friend, but that’s it,” she had said as he tried to pin her into a
corner.

  “You’ve
always been my friend,” he said. “My super-sexy,
make-me-forget-everything-for-the-moment friend.”

  “Well,
now I’m just your shoulder-you-can-cry-on-but-nothing-more friend.”

  “Since
when?” He looked hurt.