Free Whispers at Willow Lake by Mary Manners Page A

She handed them to him before taking a nibble of the apple. “They arrived today so I thought I’d drop them by.”
    “Thanks.” He thumbed through the pages. “These ought to get the job done.”
    “I’d say the projects in there require more than a little elbow grease.”
    “I’ve got it covered.”
    “Let’s see.” Ali eased in beside him, glancing at the covers.
    “Miss Maclaren?” Mrs. Lawson’s voice called from the stairs. “My husband wonders if you have any of those wonderful blueberry scones left from breakfast.”
    “Sure I’ll bring a basket, along with a pot of tea, right away.” She slipped from Ryder, glancing back at him and Josie as she crossed toward the buffet to fill a serving tray with the necessary items. “You two play nice. I’ll be right back.”
    A hush fell over the room as Ali snatched the tray and headed toward the stairs to the second floor. When they could no longer hear her feet on the risers, Josie turned to Ryder.
    “OK, Romeo, what’s your angle?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “It took her a long time to get over you. Heck, I’m not sure she ever got over you.” Josie tossed the core of her apple into the garbage disposal and flipped the switch. She let the grinding run its course before continuing. “Nothing stings more than to see your best friend in emotional pain.”
    “I know I hurt her. It won’t happen again.”
    Josie studied him with a long, pointed gaze before extending a hand. “That’s good to know. Truce?”
    “Works for me.”
    She released his hand and wiped hers over the thigh of her jeans. “You really need a shower.”
    “Thanks for the update.”
    “It’s good to have you home.”
    “It feels good…right.”
    “I can see that. Take these.” She pressed two tickets into his hands. “They’re for the symphony tonight. Maci gave them to me. I was going to ask Ali to join me, but I see there’s a higher purpose at work here.”
    “Maci…a higher purpose?”
    “It may take you a while to refresh your radar.” Josie waggled her fingers. “So, I’ll give you the abridged version: Maci’s a friend of Ali’s. She plays violin for the symphony. She really wants Ali to be there for the summer opening.”
    “Don’t tell me Ali hasn’t been…” A light dawned, and Ryder felt a bit queasy. He wondered what had happened to the bracelet he’d given Ali that night. He’d planned to fill it with so many more charms, so many memories. That dream had stalled, but it didn’t mean it was lost forever.
    “That’s right.” Josie nodded sharply. “Get her to the symphony and you’re golden. You can thank me later.”
     
    ****
     
    “I’m ready.” Ali slung her purse over her shoulder as she rounded the corner of the kitchen. Ryder waited near the counter, his fingers unwrapping a stick of gum. She heard his slight intake of breath as his gaze slipped her way.
    “You look…amazing.” He drank her in, like a drowning man at the oasis. His gaze hesitated when it reached the silver bracelet on her wrist. A single charm dangled, and she wondered if he remembered the night he’d given her such a treasure. She didn’t know what made her wear the bracelet tonight; she hadn’t taken it from its case in nearly eight years. Yet, the weight of it felt good, right.
    The same as loving Ryder felt good and right. Did he feel the same?
    “Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” The sun had tanned his skin to a dark bronze, bringing out the blue of his eyes. She held her hand out for a stick of gum. “May I have a piece of that?”
    “Sure.” He handed one over, his fingers skimming her wrist so shivers flashed up her spine. “Gonna be a nice night.”
    “I know.” She glanced out the window to the sun shimmying over the horizon. Soon stars would come alive along a blanket of velvet. “I thought we might take your bike.”
    “The motorcycle?”
    “Unless you have a two-seater Schwinn stashed somewhere out back.”
    “OK.” He