by Barbara Lohr
“It’s just one afternoon.”
“There are a million other things you could be doing that would be a lot more fun.” Narrowing his eyes against the setting sun, he glanced over. “I think I underestimated you.”
“In what way?”
“Now don’t take this wrong. At first, I thought you were just another pretty face.”
“Wow, is that a compliment or an insult?” She worked at keeping her tone playful.
Rolling to face her, he squeezed her hand. “You’re so beautiful.”
“And you’re so handsome.”
“Haven’t we had this conversation before?” His lips twitched. “Thanks, but in my book, looks aren’t enough.”
She didn’t believe him. Lifting her hand from his, she adjusted her sunglasses.
“Didn’t you say you only have a couple days off a week?” Snatching another tall blade of grass, he tickled her inner arm. The stroke felt delicious. He had so many tricks to bridge her barriers.
“Huh...?” She'd completely lost him.
Will grinned. “Sunday and Monday. Those are the days the shop is closed, right?”
She pulled her attention back. “Yes. Sometimes I go back to work in the evenings. Just think. I could be back in the stock room right now, unpacking the fall merchandise. What fun, right?”
“Fall? Hard to think about that.”
“When it comes to clothes, women plan ahead. I try to think of ways to get their attention. They can buy sweaters from me or from some Chicago boutique.”
“Chicago.” Will’s eyelids had a sexy way of drooping. “So you gave up on the big city. Smart girl. What made you choose Gull Harbor?” Gulls shrieked overhead, as if calling a warning.
She’d discovered a good way to avoid an embarrassing question was to ask one. “I could ask you the same thing. Why Gull Harbor?”
A lazy, seductive smile played along his lips. “I already told you. Here I’m close to the Michigan woods. Sounds like you could have set up shop anywhere.”
She choked. This wasn’t the time. Not yet. “Did you know your eyes are the color of the sky?”
“How poetic, Diana.” He ran his fingers over hers. “You have beautiful hands. My grandmother would call these piano fingers.”
“Never played in my life.” Will’s comments took her by surprise. These weren’t the slick lines she’d heard so often. Made her want to inch closer. Feel his lips again. Some of the families had left. But now a new crew was tromping down the steps, probably to watch the sunset.
Desperate for a distraction, she peered into the picnic basket. “What else is in here? I think I smell watermelon.”
“Really?” Sitting up, Will crossed his legs under him. Suddenly the sophisticated, self-contained administrator looked like a little boy. Opening the plastic bag, she held it out and he dug out a slice. The smell of watermelon filled the air, pure summer. In seconds, they were gulping down juicy slices, spitting out the seeds and shaking the juice from their fingers. “Okay let's have a contest.” Will sat up straighter. “Who can shoot the seed the farthest.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“Not at all. I’m challenging you. I’ll go first.”
“You’re on.” He never ceased to amaze her and she liked it. Taking the next bite, he chewed carefully before sucking air in through his nose. The seed popped from his lips and flew about eight feet. “Not bad. Your turn.”
This was turning out to be the weirdest date ever. Diana tried. She really did, but her watermelon seed fell pathetically short. “Have you been practicing?”
“Absolutely.” He grinned boyishly. “This is what I do in my spare time out back of the care center. We have contests.”
“Really?” She wouldn’t doubt it, but he seemed to have a thing about his professional image.
Will shook his head. “No, not really. Let’s just say, Beanblossom was a really quiet town where there wasn’t a heck of a lot to do.”
“Did you and your friends get into a lot of trouble?”
“My father kept a pretty tight eye on me.”
“You were lucky.”
The longing in her voice came from the heart. Taking her sticky hand in his, Will laced his fingers through hers. “You deserved better, Diana. Good thing you had your grandparents. They sound terrific and sure did a good job.”
“I owe them both a lot. But the reality is, I’m an illegitimate child. A bastard.” She’d gotten used to joking about it. That was the only way she survived in school. The sympathy in Will’s eyes made her jump up. “Think I’ll rinse off my hands.
She dashed for the lake, Will trailing behind. It didn’t take long before they were splashing each other like a couple of kids. The lake felt almost bathwater warm, and before long they were drenched. He looked good with water dripping from his hair, molding his T-shirt to his chest. Self-conscious, she was aware that her blue top was heading south. He watched her tug it up and then swirled his eyes up to hers. The night was pitch dark now. Down the beach, a group was starting a fire. When Will kissed her, he tasted of watermelon.
“How yummy,” she murmured, leaning into him.
“Oh, yes you are.” He smiled, teasing the seam of her lips with his tongue until she opened. She wanted him so badly. They explored until frustration drove them back to the blanket. Hands linked, they stretched out flat on their backs and stared up at a million stars.
Maybe this was it. Maybe this was the time for the truth. “Will, I...”
Buzzing black flies descended and she shot up to a sitting position. It had taken her a week to get rid of the mosquito bites. “Ouch.” Ducking her head, she waved them away. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her up. “Run up to the car. I’ll be right there.”
So she left him, and that moment of truth, down in the sand. Feeling cowardly but relieved, she was quiet all the way home. She felt way too good with Will. What was she doing? Caring brought risk. He might just walk away when he knew the truth about her past.
That hand on her knee? Felt so nice and she wanted to enjoy it just a little while longer.
Chapter 7
Standing on Carolyn's porch, Diana hesitated. Truth was, the book group still felt uncomfortable. Despite the shared confidences and jokes, she felt like an outsider. Maybe it was just a matter of time. She’d only joined the group a few months ago, and some of them had gone to high school together. Shifting her quilted handbag to the other shoulder, she rang the bell. Chili's raucous laugh inside was unmistakable and made her smile.
“Hey, girlfriend, come on in.” Carolyn opened the screen door. Pretty with a shy smile, she taught English at the local high school. Her hug smelled like fresh lemons. “Good to see you.”
“Yes, Diana,” Chili called out. “Come and save me! They're ganging up on me.”
“As if you ever need saving, Chili.” That would be the day. A fan whined overhead while Diana dug today's book from her purse. She hadn't even made it through the first chapter of The Scarlet Letter. “Sounds like you're having fun.”
“We're celebrating.” Chili lifted her glass. “Una boda! Cole finally popped the question. We’re headed for a wedding, thanks to you!”
“Small. Very small,” insisted Kate, eyes glistening with excitement.
“Wow, really?” Did weddings happen this fast in Gull Harbor? Amazed and pleased, she felt good that she’d had a part in all this.
“Help yourself to a margarita, Diana.” Carolyn gestured to a pitcher in the center of the low table.
“Gosh, that didn’t take long.” Grabbing a glass, Diana poured and sat in the empty rocker. “Let's see the ring. Glad to be of help.” Marriage. Would she ever reach that point? Every time she talked to Grandma Kit, she asked if Diana had met someone.
All eyes were glued to the sparkling marquis diamond twinkling on Kate's left hand.
But Chili's attention swerved back to Diana. “Anything to report on the Will front?”
Choking on her drink, Diana coughed. �
��Nope. Not really.” Thursday she’d noticed a big bag of weeds at her curb. Only one man could have done that. His low-key sweetness was a major turn-on.
Eyes narrowing, Chili tilted her head. “And why don't I believe you, amiga mia, eh?”
Carolyn came to Diana’s rescue when she swirled in from the kitchen carrying a huge bowl. The smell of summer cucumbers filled the room.
“Cucumber dip!” A cry went up and Chili’s interrogation was forgotten.
“Can someone grab the chips in the kitchen?” Carolyn asked, slanting a look in Diana's direction. God bless that girl. Carolyn knew Diana needed a break.
“I’ll get it.”
Order was obviously the rule of the day in Carolyn's kitchen. Spices were alphabetized in a rack on the wall. Her old-fashioned sink was free of dirty dishes, a metal sink strainer standing ready. Sometimes Diana felt embarrassed at how she let her dishes pile up. Spotting a basket brimming with potato chips, Diana swept it up.
So Kate and Cole were getting married. It amazed her that an engagement still had the power to hurt. The pain went way back like a stubborn splinter. How well she remembered the days when she hoped for a ring. What a fool she’d been.
But she was way past that now. When she returned to the group, a cheer went up. The book discussion was temporarily forgotten. She scanned the room. “Where's Phoebe?”
“Sick. Couldn’t come.” Carolyn plunked a stack of napkins on the table. “While you were gone, we were talking about how great it feels to get out at night.”
“With no children and no husband,” Chili hooted, poking a finger in Kate's direction. “And some day you will feel this way too. Just wait.”
The glow in Kate's eyes indicated she wouldn't mind a bit. Diana had the weird feeling that the group was advancing beyond her.
Feet on a hassock, Sarah lounged back. “Any night I get to escape my two ruffians is a good night.” Her mother lived with Sarah to help care for her boys while their dad was stationed in the Middle East.
Grabbing some potato chips and a generous scoop of the dip, Diana took her seat. Escape from a family? Tonight she wasn't leaving anything behind but the silence of her bungalow or the tiny back office.
“Kate, where's Mercedes tonight? I thought you were going to bring your sister,” Sarah said between mouthfuls of cucumber dip.
Kate shook her head. “She’s not much of a reader. She likes to do things not read about them. And she's still adjusting to being back in Gull Harbor.”
“Not easy after being in New York,” Carolyn said. “Bet she misses the big city.”
“And we are a scary group, verdad?” Chili looked around for confirmation.
“Funny, I thought I saw her at Mangy Mutt the other night with...” Carolyn began and then seemed to have second thoughts. The entire room seemed to lean forward.
“Yes?” Chili said. “Do I have to wring this from you?” When Chili made a strangling gesture with her hands, the whole room laughed. But the fiery girl was probably capable of it.
“Mercy, isn’t it warm in here?” Carolyn jumped up. “I should turn the air up.”
The air-conditioning was probably on and an overhead fan churned, but the room still felt warm. Carolyn took the other rocker. “Now let's get down to business. What did you think of the The Scarlet Letter.” She held up a dog-eared copy of the book that had put Diana to sleep one night. “Did you even read it?”
“Too old-fashioned.” Chili always got right to the point.
Carolyn didn't look offended. “Okay that’s a fair statement. Anyone else?”
“I couldn't get through the language, Carolyn. I'm so sorry.” Kate shook her head.
With a deep sigh, Carolyn turned to Sarah. “How about you.”
Sarah wrinkled her brow. “Not enough sex. You know with Jamie gone, I have to fill the void somehow.” Diana joined in the laughter.
But Sarah wasn't finished. Between bites of cucumber dip, she kept talking. “This whole idea of wearing a big red A on your chest for adultery seems barbaric. Lord knows there are a few women who would be walking around Gull Harbor with one instead of their expensive gold jewelry.” She rolled her eyes.
Diana squirmed in the rocking chair.
“What are you saying?” Kate turned to Sarah. “Out with it, girl. We want details.”
Smoothing a hand over a top streaked with what looked like cinnamon, Sarah leaned into the circle. “Some men like to spread their donuts around, if you know what I mean. They'll bring a blonde in one week and a brunette the next. One woman wears a ring, the other doesn't.”
“Caramba!” Chili pressed a hand to her chest. “Anyone we know?”
Fingertips to her mouth, Sarah made a locking motion. “Nope. Lips are sealed. My bakery would go belly up if people ever heard I’d made comments about their, er, companions.”
The room turned quiet. Diana tried to settle her drink on top of some magazines and nearly spilled it. Silence dropped like a winter blanket until Carolyn broke the mood. “Back to the book. Sounds like this wouldn't interest my students, right?” She tossed the paperback onto the table.
“Oh, honey. Certainly your bag of tricks holds something more interesting to keep kids from texting each other during class.” Sarah chortled while she loaded her plate with another round of chips.
“I have to get my book order in next week.” Carolyn rubbed her forehead. “They need my list.”
“What about the Bridges of Madison County?” Kate said, looking around. “We all liked it. Lots to discuss in that one.”
“Not enough sex in it for me.” Sarah's cheeks were getting pink.
“Well, kids have to learn about that sometime.” Carolyn turned thoughtful. “At least The Bridges of Madison County is more current.”
Diana's grandmother would call Carolyn an unclaimed treasure. Like Diana, she’d probably been too busy with her work to marry. “I don't think the students need me to teach them anything about sex,” Carolyn said slowly. “From what I can see they take care of that themselves.”
The group exploded. While a hearty discussion of shifting values erupted around her, Diana picked up her glass. With this discussion, she was walking through a minefield. The icy drink was making the nerves in her teeth explode.
“Okay. Too depressing.” Kate clapped her hands. “You're talking to a woman in love.”
“That's right.” Sitting next to Kate on the sofa, Chili patted her friend's shoulder. “And I am so glad Ignacio and I were able to help with this. We're going to miss you at that flower stand.”
“Any date set?” Carolyn asked.
“The weekend after Labor Day.” Kate wore a dreamy expression.
“So soon?” Diana was shocked. Could a woman have that certainty after a few months?
But not too long ago, she’d wanted marriage so badly. With the wrong man, of course. The cucumber dip was having a field day in her stomach.
Chili waved reservations away. “Es cierto. When it’s right, it’s right. Besides, they go way back. High school debate club. They know each other. So we have a wedding after summer ends, right?”
“Is summer ending so soon?” Sarah's face emptied. Must be hard having your husband so far away.
“Mercedes came up with a great marketing idea I wanted to run past you.” Kate set her book aside. “What would you think of an evening event called Moonlight Madness. We keep the shops open until midnight, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. You know, give women a chance to shop without their kids. The merchants and the restaurants would offer special discounts, freebies, that kind of thing.”
“Great idea.” Sarah raised her voice above the hubbub that broke out. “I'm with you. Free donuts and coffee. No doubt Phoebe will be on board with her hair salon.”
Diana hadn't visited Phoebe's Place yet but if she ever did get her hair cut, she'd go to Phoebe. Like Chili, that girl was a riot.
“Wait until I tell Ignacio.” Chili's dark eyes danced. “We will offer something
. Tomatoes. Whatever is in season then. Maybe a small bouquet of late summer flowers.”
“Not much time to get ready, “ Carolyn said, playing with a hoop earring. “How can we spread the word? The Beacher has already gone to press.”
“We need some flyers,” Diana said quietly. The room fell quiet while everyone’s attention pivoted toward her. “When we did this in the city, all the merchants distributed flyers. We'd post them in the stores and tuck them into bags. Strictly a grassroots operation.”
“I suppose I could type something up.” Kate's indecision showed on her face. She probably had so much going on with the wedding and everything.
“Glad to help.” Diana could hardly believe she was offering. “I learned how to use one of the computer design programs to promote a sale. Nothing fancy but happy to do it.”
The glow returned to Kate's cheeks. “Would you, Diana? So much needs to be done for the wedding, and Mercedes is not an artist. If you can come up with something, that would be great.”
“Don’t expect a lot...”
But Kate waved a hand. “Trust me, anything will be welcome.”
Her approval rating had gone up. By the time Diana left that night, she felt useful. Over the past year, helping other people had become a priority, as if she were doing penance.
During the week after book group, she worked on the flyer when the shop was empty, sketching Whittaker Street and Red Arrow Highway and adding shops and restaurants. The change in pace felt good. Then she sent the map off to Kate for approval.
Between working and creating the map, she had no time to answer Will’s texts. At least that’s what she told herself. She let the days drift past. When his messages slowed and then stopped, she felt relief followed by crushing disappointment. He didn’t pop into the dance that Sunday. Indecision gnawed at her all week.
When the following Sunday rolled around, Diana stopped at the Lithuanian bakery, where Mandy Klavis was usually behind the counter. Mandy was putting what she had left on three trays when Diana arrived. The small shop smelled heavenly, all cinnamon and sweet dough. “Two sour cream donuts, please?”
