A Match Made at Christmas - Courtney Walsh Page 0,40
door at the top of the stairway open, and a chill hit her lungs. Howie might not appreciate what was about to happen, but she hoped it would be worth it. They walked closer to the edge of the rooftop, and Pru handed Howie the coat. “Would you hold this for me?”
“Sure, but what are we doing out here?”
“Enjoying the view,” she said. “I mean, you were the one who taught me if I didn’t like something in my life, maybe I just needed to change my view.”
He pushed a hand through his longish salt-and-pepper hair, then pulled his suitcoat tighter. “So, you don’t like something about your life?”
She heard voices behind them. They turned and found Peggy and Hayes standing in the doorway. Peggy stopped at the sight of Howie, and Hayes seemed to be pushing her forward.
“Did you guys need some air too?” Hayes asked.
Howie hadn’t stopped looking at Peggy since she appeared.
“Hey, Peg,” he said. “Did you get the flowers?”
Peggy glanced at Hayes, then back at Howie. It looked like she might bolt right off the roof and back to the party at any moment.
“Yes,” she said quietly. “Thank you.”
Well, that was a start. At least she wasn’t heading for the door.
“Didn’t know anyone would be out here,” Hayes said. “Peggy was showing me the roof because I have an event this summer that I thought might be perfect up here.”
“Is that right?” Howie asked, not buying it for a second. Peggy, on the other hand, seemed oblivious.
“You’re right, Peggy,” Hayes said. “It’s got a killer view.” He glanced at Pru. “How many does it seat?”
Peggy stuttered for a brief second, then seemed to gather herself, launching into what sounded like a well-rehearsed sales pitch. Peggy knew everything about this building the same way she knew everything about every other historical building on the island. Her love of Nantucket was well-documented. She took a few steps off to the side, chattering about the seating and the view and the best time of day for a summer party.
Pru glanced at Howie, who seemed enamored with this plain schoolteacher. The way he looked at her—like she was the only person in the world—well, it could turn even her into a romantic.
At some point during her speech, he must’ve realized he was holding Peggy’s coat, because he took a step forward and helped her put it on.
Peggy stopped talking and looked out over the dimly lit island, a hush coming over them.
“You’re still wearing it,” Howie said.
Peggy looked caught, her eyes wide, as she glanced at Howie. Her hand followed his eyes to the necklace dangling at her neck. She quietly tucked it under her coat.
Howie took a step toward her, then reached over and pulled the necklace out so it was visible again. “It looks nice on you.”
It was dark outside, but Pru could still see the blush on Peggy’s cheeks. The older woman cleared her throat.
“I didn’t mean for you to see that,” Peggy said.
Hayes took a step toward Pru, but neither of them spoke. The movement must’ve reminded Howie they weren’t alone.
“I gave her that necklace when we were kids,” Howie said. “For graduation.”
“You went to school together,” Hayes said, as if piecing together a puzzle.
Howie stayed focused on Peggy. “We did. And when we graduated, Peggy was the one who planned to travel the world. She was quite the adventurer.”
Pru frowned. That didn’t sound like Peggy. As far as Pru knew, the older woman had never been off the island. What had changed?
“What is the necklace?” Pru asked.
“It’s a compass,” Peggy said. “On the back, it says ‘For my true north.’” She picked up the necklace and turned it over between her fingers.
Howie’s smile faded. “You were, too. You kept me in line.”
Peggy’s cheeks turned pink.
“You still up for an adventure, Peg? With me?”
They stared at each other for a long moment, so long that Pru started to feel like an intruder. Finally, Peggy looked away.
“I’m not sure this is a good time to have this conversation,” she said.
“We’ll give you two some privacy.” Hayes gave Pru’s arm a tug. When she looked at him, he motioned with his head for her to follow him. As they slowly crept toward the door, Howie took a step toward Peggy.
“Peggy, there are a few things I need to say.”
Before they heard anymore, Pru and Hayes slipped off the roof and into the stairwell.
Pru glanced at Hayes. “We’re just going to leave them out there?”
He started down the stairs.