A New Hope (Thunder Point #8)(26)

The uncomfortable chitchat and buying of drinks lasted through two songs and then the lights went up and Mick Cantrell started working the crowd, coming down from the stage while the lights revealed his backup musicians. He shook some hands, kissed a few cheeks, asked people where they were from. He wore his guitar on his back and microphone hooked around one ear and hovering over his lips. He was so happy to see them all. Who came the farthest? he asked. Ah, there was a pretty young woman who’d come all the way from Chicago!

“Well, there was a big surprise for me tonight. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever known is here and I have a gift for her,” he said. “A little something from Dr. Hook...”

The band began to play behind him, a spotlight suddenly shone on Ginger, and she actually jumped in surprise. It looked like she was going to make a run for it but seemed to think it through and settle into her chair, polite as always. And he began to sing “Sharing the Night Together.”

Matt thought he saw her wince. But, with hands still folded in her lap, she looked up at Mick and let him sing. She blessed Mick with a small smile. Matt could hear the sighs of women in the audience while Mick crooned that he’d like to be holding her, he’d like to take somewhere, he’d like to share the night together.

It was the longest three minutes of Matt’s life, watching that.

“That was so beautiful,” Lucy said. “They must know each other.”

Mick ended his song by whispering to her and giving her a sweet little kiss on the cheek to the applause of many. Then he turned away from her, heading back to the stage and launching into “When You Really Love a Woman.”

The minute the audience was again focused on the stage, and the light and the attention was off Ginger, she stood and left her table. She was getting out of there. She was going to walk right past him. Though her head was down and she was concentrating on an open exit path, she lifted her gaze briefly and saw him. She stopped short, her eyes wide with not just surprise but chagrin at being caught in a lie. Her cheeks colored under those adorable freckles and she continued at a brisk pace.

“Well, ladies, you’ll have to excuse me. I wasn’t planning to stay and I’m outta here. Enjoy the concert,” he said.

“Wait!” Natalie said. “We have to talk, you and me. Alone!”

He turned to her. “No,” he said. And without further explanation, he turned his back and strode out.

It took a moment to spot Ginger. She was moving quickly and was already down the street. “Hey! Ginger!”

Oh, she knew it was him because she never even turned. She strode on, head down.

“Ginger!” he tried again.

Nothing.

“Crap,” he muttered and broke into a quick jog, catching up with her in another block. “Hey!” he said, reaching for her elbow. She turned around, her eyes cloudy, her mouth fixed in a line. “Come on,” he said. “I’m not going to let you run away from me like that! What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I—” She took a breath. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I’d be in Portland.”

“That’s okay, Ginger. You don’t have to tell me all your personal business.”

“But that was humiliating,” she said. “Catching me looking at my useless ex-husband like that. Secretly.”

He chuckled. “First of all, he’s not completely useless. He does a pretty good job of stirring up the girls. They don’t know it won’t get them anywhere. And second—those girls I was standing between? One was my ex and the other was a young woman I briefly dated and don’t want to date anymore.”

She was speechless for a moment. “Seriously?” she finally asked.

“Seriously. For about thirty seconds I was wondering why I couldn’t just die. I had absolutely no idea they would be there. I’m pretty good at identification and avoidance of trouble. I don’t want to be around either one of them.”

“Then what were you doing there?”

“Same as you, I bet. I wanted to catch a glimpse of that character. Mick. I wanted to see what he had. Is that what you were doing there?”

“I don’t know. I can’t explain it very well.”

He smiled at her. She was the best sight he’d seen in more than a week. Just her presence took all the stale, dark air of the club out of his nostrils. “There’s an all-night diner a few blocks from here—on Washington. It’s called Spoonin’ or something.”

“Noonan’s,” she corrected with a laugh.

“That’s it. Good coffee, mediocre pie. Want a cup? With a friend?”

“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I do. Can I ask a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can you try to not ask me to explain why in the world I’d want a look at my ex-husband? Because I’m not sure I can do an adequate job of it.”

“Ginger, our talking has been easy. I don’t make you talk about things you’re not ready to talk about and you don’t push me to uncomfortable limits, either. That’s why it’s working between us. Come on, I’ll walk you to your car.”

* * *

Seeing him was a rush, that’s all there was to it, Ginger thought. Even though when she first spied him she felt caught in a snare. Oh, God, caught sneaking around to see her ex! She had no intention of being busy at the flower shop; she had planned that trip to see Mick perform at one of their old haunts.