by Fiona Rivers
“Well, I’m sure it had something to do with you know who.” A scowl crossed Katherine’s face. “What is she doing here, Colin?”
“She said she’s moving back.”
“Great.” Her eyes rolled. “Did you tell her nobody in this town wants her back here?”
“Basically. Anyway, it is what it is, and we can’t keep her from moving back. So as long as she stays out of my way, things will be fine. I’m going bowling with Adalyn tomorrow night, and I’m going to tell her how I feel about her and I hope she feels the same about me.”
“I’m sure everything will work out just like you plan.” His sister smiled as she patted his shoulder.
“I’m in my happy place, Addy,” Luis spoke as he twirled around the gallery.
Adalyn couldn’t help but laugh. She had been worried though because she hadn’t heard from Colin yet about their bowling date. She needed to know what time he would be picking her up so she would be ready.
“You watching your phone isn’t going to make his text appear any faster,” Luis said.
“I know.” She set her phone down. “I just wonder why he hasn’t called or messaged me yet. It’s already three o’clock.”
“He’s probably busy at the bar. He’ll text you.”
“No. You know what? I’m not waiting on him. I’ve done enough waiting on Darren over the last few years. See, this is why I do not want to get involved with a guy.” She pointed her finger at Luis.
“Wow, Nelly!” He put his hands up. “Girl, you need to calm down. I was right last night. Something is going on. Spill the tea, sister.” He leaned over the counter.
Suddenly, her phone rang and when she glanced at it, she saw it was Colin.
“See. I told you.”
“Hello,” she answered.
“Hey. It’s me. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch all day. It’s been one issue after the other here at the bar. Listen, I’m sorry to do this but I have to cancel bowling for tonight. Something’s come up.”
A sickness formed in the pit of her belly.
“I understand. Maybe next time.”
Colin could hear the disappointment in her voice, and it made his heart ache. But he knew after tonight, he would never cancel plans with her again.
“I’m sorry, Adalyn. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s totally fine. A customer just walked in. Talk later?”
“Of course. Talk to you soon.”
Adalyn set her phone down on the counter. She didn’t even have to look at Luis. She could feel his eyes glaring at her.
“You lied to him. There’s no customer in the store. What is going on?”
She leaned over the counter and rubbed her forehead. She really didn’t want to talk about it, but she knew she didn’t have a choice.
“He cancelled our bowling date for tonight, and I suspect it’s because Olivia is back in town.”
“Olivia? As in his ex?!” he exclaimed.
“Yeah. I was sitting at a table in the bar and grille last night and she was sitting at the bar. When he saw her, he excused himself from me and went to talk to her. I told Katherine that I needed to go home and do something, so I got a carryout and I left.”
“You didn’t say anything to him before you left?”
“No. He was too busy talking to her and now he cancels our plans for tonight.”
“Sounds to me like you’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous, Luis!” She walked over to a painting on the wall and straightened it, even though it was already perfectly straight. “I’m not getting involved in that mess. I’m staying as far away from it as possible. I’m at a good point in my life and no man is going to ruin it. I don’t care who he is.”
“Addy,” he walked over and clasped her shoulders from behind, “You care about him.”
“So what if I do.” She stood there with her arms folded.
“Because he cares about you too and when two people care about each other, magic happens whether you want it to or not.”
When the bell above the door jingled as it opened, Luis and Adalyn both turned to see who entered the gallery.
“Hello, neighbor.” Annie grinned.
“Hi, Annie,” Adalyn spoke.
“Hello, darling.” Luis kissed her cheek. “I see the sweet shop is coming along. I can’t wait to dive into all those goodies you’re going to be selling.” He grinned.
“Aw, you’re so sweet. I’m going to create a new kind of cookie and call it the ‘Luis’ cookie.”
“Stop it.” He grinned.
“Any who, the reason I popped in is because did you hear who’s back in town? Olivia, Colin’s ex. Apparently, that man she left Colin for broke up with her. I don’t exactly have all the details, but don’t you worry, I’ll get them.”
“I’m sure you will.” Luis rolled his eyes.
“Wow. So she’s back,” Adalyn said.
“I’m surprised Colin didn’t tell you. She’s renting the Campbell’s house over on Gardenia Lane. It’s beyond me how she can even show her face around here after what she did.”
“Shocking,” Luis said. “But some people don’t care what other’s think.”
“True. I just wanted to pop on over and see if you knew. I need to get home and cook dinner for Jerry. We’ll chat later.” She gave a wave as she walked out of the gallery.
“She is quite the gossipmonger, isn’t she?” Luis looked at Adalyn.
“She sure is. Now that Colin cancelled our plans, we can go look for deck furniture after we close up.”
“Ah, shopping therapy. Music to my ears.” He smiled as he hooked his arm around her.
Adalyn purchased a five-piece cushioned sofa seating group which included one sofa, two side chairs, a side table and a fire table in the color white. She fell in love with it the moment she saw the navy blue and white striped accent pillows. It was sleek and would look perfect sitting on her deck along with the five-piece round table patio set with four chairs that matched the sofa seating group. For the deck above, the one that was right off the master bedroom, she purchased two cushioned chairs with a small square table that would sit in between.
“Feel better now?” Luis asked as he hooked his arm around her.
“I do.” She smiled. “Listen, before you take me back to the gallery to get my car, I want to go somewhere.”
“Where?”
“Gardenia Lane.” She bit down on her lip.
“Addy, not a good idea.”
“I just want to see if Colin’s truck is anywhere over there.”
“Why?”
“Because then I’ll know for sure he cancelled our plans to be with her.”
“Like I said, not a good idea. But if you insist.”
Adalyn guided Luis to Gardenia Lane. She knew exactly where it was because she had once gotten lost and ended up there. As Luis made a right onto the street, Adalyn could see Colin’s truck parked in the driveway of a ranch style white bricked home.
“I knew it,” Adalyn said as tears began to spring in her eyes.
“You don’t know the whole story. So don’t even try to conceive one in that pretty little head of yours.”
“The story is he cancelled our plans to go and see her. The woman who cheated on him, broke off their engagement one week before the wedding and broke his heart. That’s the story, Luis.”
“There’s two sides to every story, Addy. For all you know he could be in there telling her off.”
“Just take me to my car.” She shook her head as she fought to hold back the tears.
That same night, after Luis dropped Adalyn off at her car, she went home, poured a glass a wine and took it down to the beach while the saltwater swept across her feet at the shoreline. At that moment, she decided it was in her best interest not to get further involved with Colin Young.
23
Adalyn awoke the next morning to the sound of thunder. She let out a yawn and rolled over, tucking
her hand beneath her pillow while she lay there and listened to the pitter patter of the rain hitting the rooftop of her home. Reaching over and picking up her phone, she clicked on the weather app and saw it was supposed to rain the entire day. Climbing out of bed, she slipped into her robe and headed down to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. She took her cup and stared out the sliding door as the steady rain fell from the sky. Before she fell asleep last night, Colin had sent her a goodnight text. It was the first time since they’d starting text messaging each other she didn’t reply.
She had called her sister last night and told her about Olivia being back in town and how Colin canceled their plans to spend the evening with his ex. She told her the same thing Luis did and that there were two sides and she was only seeing half of the story. Adalyn understood that but she didn’t want to hear the other half. She didn’t want anything or anyone disrupting the life she was successfully building in Harbor Falls. She realized that by her getting upset about Colin not telling her Olivia was back and canceling their plans, she was nowhere near ready to get involved with someone again.
While she was in her thoughts and sipping her coffee, her phone dinged with a text message from Colin.
“Good morning. It’s a perfect rainy day for curling up on the couch and watching movies all day. What do you think?”
Adalyn stared at his message as a sinking feeling in her belly erupted.
“Morning. It is a perfect day. Unfortunately, I’m busy all day.”
“Oh. Okay. Maybe next time. I hope you have a good day. Stay dry.”
She knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid him forever, but for today, she just wanted to be alone in her thoughts, watch movies on Lifetime and get some cleaning done.
A couple days later, Adalyn took the morning off from the gallery because the new furniture for her decks were being delivered. Colin had tried to call her a few times over the past two days and she had let it go to voicemail. Just as the delivery truck pulled up, her phone rang, and Luis was calling.
“Hello.”
“Addy, darling, Colin just came in here looking for you.”
She let out a sigh.
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him you were having furniture delivered today and you took the morning off. I suspect he’s heading over to your place right now.”
“Luis,” she whined. “Why didn’t you just tell him I was out running errands?”
“Because you can’t avoid him forever, Addy. If you’re going to break his heart, you might as well get it over with instead of playing the not answering his calls game.” She could sense the irritation in his voice.
“Fine. I have to go. The delivery guys are here.”
As Adalyn dictated where each piece of furniture would be placed, she saw Colin’s truck pull up. He climbed out and started walking up the stairs of her deck with his hands tucked into his pockets.
“Hey.” He smiled.
“Hey.” Adalyn gave a small wave.
“I stopped by the gallery and Luis told me you were home. Wow. Nice furniture.”
“Thanks. I figured it was time to do something out here.”
After the delivery guys set up the last piece, Adalyn signed the invoice and they went on their way, leaving the two of them alone. A nervousness fell over her for she knew confrontation was inevitable.
“Can we talk for a minute?” Colin asked as they stepped inside the kitchen.
“You know, I really need to get to the gallery.”
“I know, but I get the feeling you’re avoiding me, and I want to know why.”
“What makes you think that?” She turned away from him and put her coffee cup and plate in the dishwasher.
“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe the fact you’re ignoring my calls and text messages. Listen, Addy, if this has anything to do with me canceling our bowling date, I’m sorry. I didn’t have a choice.”
She stood there with her back turned to him, chewing her bottom lip and bracing herself for the conversation that was about to take place.
“Why didn’t you tell me that the woman sitting at the bar was Olivia? Why didn’t you tell me she was back in Harbor Falls?” she asked as she turned to him.
“Ah.” He slowly nodded his head. “So that’s why you’re mad at me. I didn’t tell you right away because I was in shock and I needed time to process it. I mean, come on, all of a sudden she’s back after two years and without a warning? I know you can understand that.”
“I suppose I can.”
“I was going to talk to you about it the night we were supposed to go bowling, but then she called and begged me to come over that night because she needed to talk to me.”
“So you just ran over to your ex’s house. The girl who cheated on you, called off your engagement and left you for another man in Seattle? What possibly could there be to say?”
Adalyn knew that was a low blow, but she wasn’t about to stand there and let another man lie to her.
“Yes.” Colin lowered his head. “I figured if I heard her out, then that would be the end of it.”
“Is it?”
“Yes, Adalyn, it is. She’s pregnant and the guy didn’t want the baby, so he broke up with her and kicked her out. She came back here hoping I would forgive her and take care of her and the baby.”
The sickness Adalyn already felt intensified.
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her that I could forgive her for what she did, but I don’t love her and I’m not responsible for her or her child. She cried but understood. She asked me if I was seeing someone and I told her yes. She wanted to know who, and I said a beautiful woman who owns the art gallery in town.” A smile crossed his lips.
Adalyn took in a deep breath as she leaned against the granite countertop and Colin took a few steps towards her.
“I’m sorry. I really am. I should have come right over here that night and told you. I like you Adalyn Richards. I like you a lot and I love spending time with you.”
The sincerity in his voice grabbed at her.
“Colin, I’m not anywhere near ready to get involved with someone. I need you to understand that. After what Darren did to me, I have a lot of trust issues and I’m working on that. I really am. And right now, I need to do what’s best for me. You had two years to figure things out after Olivia left. It hasn’t been that long for me and I hope you can understand that.”
He stared into her eyes for a moment without saying a word for he was caught off-guard. “I understand.” Colin looked down in disappointment. “If you ever just need to talk, you know where to find me.” He began to walk away, stopped, and turned around one last time to face her.
“You need to let go of what your ex-husband did to you. Because the longer you let it linger in your head, the more of a prisoner you’ll become.”
He walked out and Adalyn stood there as a tear rolled down her cheek. She inhaled a sharp breath as she wiped away the tear. Grabbing her purse, she climbed in her jeep and headed to the gallery.
“How is the new—Oh no, darling, what’s wrong?” Luis knew something was wrong with Adalyn the moment she stepped into the gallery.
“The furniture looks great.” She forced a smile. “You and Alfred will have to come over for dinner. Maybe tomorrow night? Tomorrow night would be good. I could throw something in—”
Luis gripped her shoulders as he stared directly in her eyes.
“STOP! He interrupted her mid-sentence. “Take in a long deep breath and tell me what happened with Colin.
Adalyn told Luis about the conversation that took place between them. She left nothing out, including what she had said to him. Luis pulled her into an embrace and tried his best to help her feel better.
“I’m sure he hates me,” Adalyn said as her head rested on his shoulder.
“Darling, I don’t think that man is capable of hating anyone. If you’re not ready to dip your toe into the dating pond, he understands, and he isn’t going to hold t
hat against you. He’s been there. You’re not giving him enough credit. Now, chin up buttercup. Everything is going to be okay.”
One Week Later
Adalyn awoke, let out a satisfying stretch and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. The good morning messages Colin used to send her stopped and even though she knew they would, a part of her missed them. She climbed out of bed, made a cup of coffee and took it out on the deck. Even though the sky was clear, rumbles of thunder could be heard in the distance. She thought about him as she sipped her coffee, and as much as she tried not to, her mind always went back to him.
She headed to the gallery, but not before stopping at Rooster’s to grab her and Luis a cappuccino.
“Good morning, Adalyn.” Delilah gave her a warm smile when she entered through the door.
“Good morning, Delilah. Two cappuccinos, please.”
“Coming right up, darling. How’s business at the gallery?”
“Business is good. No complaints.”
The small bell above the door rang and when Adalyn turned around, she saw Olivia walk in. Delilah glanced at Adalyn and rolled her eyes as she handed her two cappuccinos.
“Good morning, Delilah,” Olivia spoke.
“Hello, Olivia,” she spoke in a not so friendly voice.
“Hey, aren’t you the woman who owns the art gallery on the corner?” Adalyn heard Olivia speak as she stood next to her.
“Yes. I’m Adalyn Richards.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Olivia.”
“Nice to meet you, Olivia.” A small smile perched on Adalyn’s lips.
The bell above the door rang again and as Adalyn grabbed her two cappuccinos and turned around, she saw Colin standing there staring at the two of them.
“Here, let me get the door for you,” he spoke as he held it open for her.
“Thanks,” Adalyn said as a nervousness settled inside her.
“How are you?” Colin asked.
“I’m good. And you?”
“Okay, I guess.”
“Thanks for holding the door for me. Have a good day.”
