A Winter Wedding(24)

“I’m his ex-wife.”

Kyle had led Lourdes to believe things were over between him and his ex. So what was she doing bringing him dinner? Especially a dinner for which she’d obviously gone to a lot of work?

The woman’s eyes narrowed as if she wasn’t too keen on finding a possible “rival” in Kyle’s house. “Did you just roll out of bed?”

“I did.”

“But...if you’re renting the farmhouse, what are you doing here?”

“The furnace is broken over there.”

Seemingly mollified, she put another dish in the oven and closed the door. “Oh. So...where’s your husband? You must be married to the guy who came from Nashville, right?”

Lourdes didn’t intend to explain what’d happened to that guy. “No, I’m the only one who came.”

She scowled. “Kyle didn’t tell me he rented to a woman. I wonder why—” Her words fell off the instant recognition dawned. The mention of Nashville had obviously sparked a—albeit delayed—connection.

“Oh, my God! You’re Lourdes Bennett, the country star! I hear your songs all the time where I work. At Sexy Sadie’s.” She added the name as though Lourdes should recognize the place.

“I take it that’s a honky-tonk of some sort?”

“Yes, the only bar in town.”

That explained what she was wearing. With a low-cut top and a short skirt, it was a server’s uniform of the more risqué variety. “You must be on your way there now.”

“I am. And I can’t be late, or I’ll be fired. My manager is such a douche.”

For expecting her to show up on time? Lourdes didn’t bother to comment. “So you don’t have a date with Kyle...”

“No, not tonight,” she said. “I’ve got to work, or...or we’d probably do something.”

Really? Kyle hadn’t acted as if he had any plans with his ex—or second thoughts about her. “Does Kyle know you’re here?”

“No. I wanted to surprise him. And instead...look at you! I’m the one who’s surprised. Wait until I tell everyone at work that we have another celebrity in Whiskey Creek, and that you’re staying for a few months. Simon O’Neal comes here at least three times a year, but he never stays long. Why would he, when he has half a dozen dream homes all over the world? If that was me, I’d never come here.”

Lourdes raised one hand. “You said you were going to tell everyone at the bar about me. But please don’t. I... I’m here to work.”

“Are you putting on a show? Where?”

“No, I mean I’m going to be writing songs for my next album and I’d rather not be disturbed.”

“Oh.” She didn’t seem nearly as excited about that idea.

“What did you say your name was?” Lourdes asked.

“Noelle. Noelle Houseman.”

“I’m sure Kyle will appreciate the food, Noelle.”

Kyle’s ex eyed what she’d created with satisfaction. “It’s all his favorites.”

“That’s...nice of you.”

“Thanks.” Intent on making everything perfect, she went back to her preparations. “I have to go,” she said a few minutes later. “But I’m leaving the lemon chicken and the baked beans with pineapple in the oven on warm, so remind him to take those out when he gets home. The heat won’t hurt the beans, but I’d hate for the chicken to dry out.”

“Will do,” Lourdes said.

After taking a final look, Noelle hurried to the door, where she turned back at the last second. “Oh, and if he asks, will you say you let me in?”

Lourdes felt her eyebrows go up. She’d assumed the door had been unlocked. “Um...since I’m here, he probably won’t ask.”

“Good point.” She hesitated again. “I can’t believe Lourdes Bennett is renting the farmhouse,” she said. “Wow. I’m going to kill Kyle for not telling me! Wait until I get a hold of him!”

“It’s my fault he didn’t tell you. I asked him not to.”

“Oh. Gotcha. Well, when I come back, can I get a picture with you?”

Hadn’t Noelle been listening to what she’d just said? “Are you coming tonight?”

“No, I work late. But how about tomorrow?”

Lourdes hoped she wouldn’t come back ever. “Sure. Provided I’m...prepared for company, of course.”

Noelle’s gaze ranged over her. “What’s wrong? You sick?”

“Sort of.” Breathing a sigh of relief when the door closed, she walked over to the note Noelle had propped against the bottle of wine she’d placed in the center of the table.

Lourdes knew she had no business reading it. It was for Kyle. But there was something about Noelle’s visit that didn’t feel right, and that made Lourdes curious. Was Kyle still seeing her or not?

She slid the small card out of its envelope. Thanks for helping me yesterday. It’s marvelous to have hot water again. I owe you—and I’d be happy to pay up. XOXO

Her phone, which she’d left in the bedroom, rang, and Lourdes stuffed the card back in its envelope so she could go answer. She thought maybe she was finally hearing from Derrick. But it wasn’t him. Her mother was trying to reach her—no doubt to make certain that Lourdes had arrived safely in California.