Free Propositions by Tania Joyce Page B

loved coming here—to relax and unwind. However, this time was different. She took a deep breath and prayed that once she lit the fire inside the cabin, the twisting knots of nausea inside her stomach would disappear.
    “Hey!” Nick came out of the office to greet her, key in hand. “Good to see you again.”
    “How’s things?” Jessica hid her feelings behind a warm smile.
    “Good. Busy,” Nick said as he gave her the key, then rubbed his hands together to ward off the cold. “Both the guestrooms and the cabins are filled with couples wanting dirty weekends away. It’s great—they all buy food and lots of booze from the restaurant and cellar door, and I hardly see them at all. It makes my life easy.” Nick’s breath misted in the cold air as he spoke. “You’re lucky we had a cancellation to fit you in. So what brings you back to this neck of the woods so quickly?”
    Jessica looked around nervously and scuffed her Ugg boot against the gravel on the ground. “I’m here to see Troy. Marie said he’d be here.”
    “He had to go over to the Finlay’s farm to help fix a tractor. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
    “Oh. Okay.”
    Jessica glared at Nick. She could see his eyes were full of suspicion and curiosity. “Don’t look at me like that, Nick. Troy and I go a long way back. We went to high school together and I just want to catch up.”
    “I know. He told me. I’m only looking out for you.” Nick smiled innocently as he picked up Jessica’s bag and walked with her to the cabin. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. I have to go and bring up some more firewood for the cabins. Catch you later.” Nick strode off toward the sheds, whistling as he went.
    * * *
    In the evening, Jessica couldn’t wait for Troy to return any longer. Her belly was grumbling with hunger and she didn’t want to stay in her cabin and think about all the other loved up neighboring couples. So she headed off to have dinner at Harrigan’s, the only pub in the district. She bound up the steps and into the restaurant shortly after eight o’clock. The log fire in its hearth burned brightly, sending warmth across the room and making the stone-walled venue feel cozy and inviting. Music from the band drowned out the sound of the football screening on several televisions mounted from the ceiling. The smell of beer intermingled with the aroma of roasting dinners wafting from the kitchen made Jessica’s mouth water. She found a spare table, then ordered a steak and a nice glass of local red wine.
    The meal was filling, and she was about to swig down the last mouthful of her wine when she saw Troy walk through the door. Her grip tightened around the thin stem of her glass. Goddamnit! She didn’t want to meet him here. She wasn’t sure if she could keep her mammoth load of emotions under control in public.
    But then again, maybe a chat over a drink would help keep her calm, and be a good way to confront him once and for all.
    Troy lumbered over to the bar and leaned on it, resting one boot on the foot rail. He was wrapped up in his moleskin coat, faded blue jeans snugged firmly around his sturdy legs. He ordered a drink and took a few sips of his beer as he talked to the barman. Jessica watched him as he slowly turned around and surveyed the pub. Then his eyes found her.
    His face lit up at the sight of her and he made his way over to her table. “Hi. I’m surprised to see you here. May I join you for a drink, or are you going to run away on me again?”
    Jessica sneered at him. Remember—I’m here to talk to him. “No. I’m not going to run away.” Another drink might take the edge off everything that was bottled up inside.
    “What can I get you?”
    “Shiraz, please.”
    Her eyes followed him as he went to the bar and bought her a glass of wine, and then returned to the table. His appearance hadn’t changed much in twenty years, was just a little more weathered, with creases touching the corners of his eyes. But