Angela sighed. “It might help if you talk about it.”
Gray didn’t say anything else; he just stared into the distance, his jaw tight.
Quiet and secretive, that’s what he was. But perhaps he’d gotten that from her. Unbeknownst to Jules or Mark, Gray had taken Angela to Ella’s cooking demonstration earlier today.
Aunt Jo had stolen the show, as she’d spoken way too loudly, as though a mic were the same thing as a bullhorn. Still, she had provided fun, running commentary, a perfect complement to Ella’s charming and accomplished presentation. But the moment that had caught Angela’s attention the most was when Ella and Gray had seen one another across the room. There is something there. I wish she could see it. I know Gray does.
It was sad, but people never ran as hard from those they hated as those they loved. She could see that Ella had feelings for Gray; Angela just wasn’t sure if they were strong enough to give Ella the strength she’d need to break her bad habit of avoidance. Angela winced. Of course, I’m a great one to talk about avoidance.
Gray sighed. “Are you ready? I’m to drop you off at town hall.”
“Then what will you do?”
“Go home.”
Angela swatted his arm.
He’d turned a startled gaze on her. “What was that for?”
“For not talking. This”—she waved her hand his way—“is not working. When you have a problem, you talk it through. You don’t bottle it up where it’ll turn into poison.”
Reluctant amusement softened his expression. “So I should talk through my feelings the same way you’ve talked through your imminent death with Mom?”
Angela sniffed. “That’s a different situation. Besides, I’ve tried.”
“You’ve tried? What happened? Your tongue got tied?”
“It’s worse than that. Apparently, I’m a total chicken. A weakling. A marshmallow.”
His eyebrows rose. “I was expecting an excuse of some sort, not the truth.”
“Yeah, well, I’m out of excuses. I keep waiting for the right moment, but there’s no such thing. The truth is that I’m scared. I can’t stand the thought of her being disappointed in me. I don’t want her to cut me off again.”
“She’s changed a lot these past few months.” Gray shrugged. “So have you. But she’ll forgive you quicker if she finds out from an honest confession than in another way.”
“Maybe.” But there were no maybes. He was right and she knew it. “I’ll tell her today.”
“Good.” He looked at his watch. “We’d better go. Mom will be looking for you.”
She slanted him a glance and frowned at the shadows she saw under his eyes. He wasn’t sleeping well; that was obvious. Even with all her own problems looming in front of her, Angela’s heart ached for the sadness that rested under Gray’s stony expression. “I don’t know where things stand with you and Ella, but if you love her, then…” Goodness, she never thought she’d say this to Gray, but she just couldn’t stand to see him looking so miserable. “If you love her, then go after her. Throw your heart over the wall.”
“I told her how I feel. It didn’t help.”
“So you said some words. Maybe what she needs are deeds.”
He frowned. “You think a grand gesture would change her mind?”
“No, but it might show her how serious you are.”
“That’s an interesting idea. I’ll think about it.” He managed a faint smile before he climbed out and came around to the passenger side to help her out.
She leaned on his arm and climbed out of the truck, stopping to adjust her duster-length cardigan. She’d dressed up a bit, wearing navy slacks and a silky gray shirt, and had even put on a touch of makeup. She really didn’t have a choice, seeing as how her daughter would be one of the stars of today’s show.
Gray escorted her to the door. “Here you are.”
“Aren’t you coming inside? Jules said she put you on the list.”
“Maybe later. I think I’ll head over to the hardware tent and pick up some pet-friendly salt for my porch. Mom and Mark should be waiting for you inside.”
Angela realized he wasn’t ready to see Ella yet. “Fine. I’ll be here when you get back.”
Gray nodded and she went inside, stopping to check in with a serious-faced volunteer who, clipboard in hand, was guarding the door.
Angela hadn’t taken more than two steps inside when Mark spotted her. “There you are.” He led her to two chairs beside the large window overlooking the street, away from the noise coming from the park. “Have a seat and I’ll fetch you some hot tea. There’s a concession area and everything.” He pointed to the other side of the room, where long tables held a catered meal of sandwiches, salads, and snacks. A coffee and tea station had been set up at the very end. “Earl Grey, right?”
“Yes, please.” She looked around the room, amazed that it was as busy inside as it had been outside.
Across the space, Jules was getting her hair blown out by a beautician. Meanwhile, Aunt Jo and Ella were at two other stations, getting their makeup done. Over in the corner, a number of Tiff’s team were gathered around a table crammed with laptops and a few larger screens as they edited several videos. Angela realized that what she was seeing wasn’t just the bake-off, but the business known as Ella Dove. She’s a brand now, and it goes beyond her baking. Funny, but I hadn’t really thought of her that way.
“Here.” Mark reappeared and handed her a cup of gently steaming tea. “It should steep for another two minutes. I didn’t add honey, but if you’d like—”
“Pardon me!” A tall and slender bald man dressed in black rushed past, waving a curling iron like a wand and yelling for cucumber water.
Mark watched the man disappear in the crowd. “They’re all so thin. Do you think they eat anything?”
“An oyster cracker, maybe. But just one.”
Mark chuckled, his gaze sweeping the room as he sank into the chair next to hers. “This is crazy.”
“Bizarre.” She captured the tag on her tea bag and bobbed it up and down in the hot water, soaking in the scent of bergamot. “Thank you for this. I needed it.”
Mark suddenly frowned. “Where’s Gray?”
“He went to check out the hardware tent.”
“How is he?”
Struggling. She started to say as much, but just then a young lady whizzed past pushing a cart filled with ice and bottled water, which made Angela slide her feet back under her chair to protect them. “Maybe we should go sit in the tent. We’re just in the way here.”
“And miss the excitement of the greenroom?” He smiled at her. “Mom asked me to keep an eye on you. It can be pretty hectic in here, to say the least.”
“She doesn’t even know I’m here. I— Oh. She’s waving.” Angela waved back.
“Hi, Mrs. Harrington!”
Angela blinked as Missy from the Moonlight rushed by with two cups of coffee from the snack bar. “Good afternoon. Are you working here today and not at the Moonlight?”
Missy nodded, beaming. “Kristen and I are key grips, but just for the contest. We run errands. I’ve got to get this coffee to the main tent, but it was nice seeing you!” The teenager sent a quick smile to Mark. “And don’t worry, I won’t miss my shift. As soon as the contest is over, I’m going straight to the Moonlight.”