by Kay Correll
A look of confusion flashed across Cindy’s face, and he knew he’d have to sort things out for her. Before he had a chance to explain, Tally was ushering them to a table near the edge of the deck with nice view of the ocean.
“I’ll send your waitress right over.”
“Thanks, Miss Tally.” Cindy sat down in the chair he held out for her.
He sat down across from her and picked up the menu, not that he needed it. He knew what he was having. He had the same thing every time he came here, except sometimes he had the grouper fried or blackened instead of grilled. Such a man of habit.
“What did Miss Tally mean about you and your mom fixing the inn? So, you’re helping your uncle out?”
“No. Ah… he passed away a few years back.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I remember him as such a kind man. Always had a smile for me. Seemed to be able to do a hundred things at once.”
“That he could. Wish I’d inherited more of that gene. I—we—my mother and I, own the inn now.”
Surprise colored Cindy’s eyes. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“I don’t know, you just assumed I was still helping out.” And he wasn’t going to admit to her that he sometimes felt like an imposter. What if he failed at running the inn?
“What about Russell?” Cindy’s forehead crinkled.
“My stepfather? He’s out of the picture now. Divorced my mother a while ago. Mom moved down here to the inn. She didn’t have a lot of choices. Russell left her without a dime. She’d signed a prenup with him. She stood by his side for over twenty years, helped him grow his business—you know she was his main account manager when they met and he married her. He finally said he wanted her to quit and needed her as a wife. He liked her to throw parties, entertain countless business contacts, and make sure he never had to deal with anything at home. Then he left her for a twenty-something secretary. I know, classic.”
“I’m sorry about all that.”
“Don’t be. The guy was a jerk. She deserves so much better. Anyway, I was helping my uncle run the inn at the time, so she came to live with us in the cottage next to the inn. My uncle got sick, and she took care of him until he passed away.” Jamie looked out at the ocean, not wanting to see pity in Cindy’s eyes. “Anyway, Mom’s up visiting her sister now. A much needed break for her. Otherwise, I’m sure she could have helped out with the whole wedding coordinator thing.”
The waitress came to take their drink order.
“I’ll have an Abita Amber, please.” Cindy set down her menu.
“Same for me.”
“I see you’re chancing a beer again tonight.” He smiled at Cindy.
“Well, with Mother and Vanessa in Sarasota, I figured I’m safe.”
“I could order in a case or so for the wedding, you know.”
“Ah, but I could never drink it then, and you’d just make me jealous of everyone who was able to enjoy it.”
“You should really be able to drink what you want at your own wedding.”
“Sometimes it’s just easier to go along with Mother than do my own thing.”
“I guess.” But Jamie wasn’t so sure. He could only imagine the critical cloud Cindy had lived under for so many years. He didn’t want to sound disapproving of her choices either, so he decided the best course was to keep his thoughts to himself while they had their meal.
They enjoyed their dinner and left an hour or so later amid hugs from Tally. Cindy promised to come back by before she left. They strolled back up the beach with the golden light of sunset streaming around them.
“I should really get back and sneak upstairs before Mother and Vanessa get back.”
“Sneaking upstairs, huh? Just like when you’d break curfew when we were kids?”
Cindy smiled. “Yes, just like that.”
They walked in silence, Cindy staring out at the sea as they strolled along at the water’s edge.
“Whatcha thinking Dream Girl?” Jamie broke their silence.
“I’m thinking this place is magical. I’m so glad I decided to have my wedding here. I really do think it will be perfect.”
“So your wish will come true?”
“Yes, I do think it will. A perfect wedding.”
* * *
Cindy stood on her balcony watching the moonlight dance across the ocean. Stars were tossed from one side of the sky to the other, lighting the heavens. A lone couple walked along the beach, well-lit in the light from the almost full moon.
She drew in a breath of the fresh, salty air. Belle Island really was one of the most magical places on earth. She had no idea why she’d stayed away so long. The town and its long sandy beaches were like a balm to her, soothing away anything that could possibly bother her.
And Jamie. How could she have forgotten Jamie? Well, she hadn’t exactly forgotten him. Sometimes, when she rued the lack of true friends, she’d tug out her memories of their days spent here on Belle Island. The long walks. The talks about everything and nothing at all. Sharing their dreams. He’d been the one true friend she’d ever had, the one she held every other friend up in comparison, and they all fell short. Her friends in college seemed to be cutthroat and in it for themselves. Her friends in Lexington—and she honestly would call them more life-long acquaintances—were in it for show. It was all about who they knew and where to be seen. She didn’t have a single friend she could call up in a crisis, and certainly not one who wouldn’t turn and spread the gossip the very next day.
That was a sad state of affairs, she realized it now. She should make more of an effort, shouldn’t she? Her bridesmaids were her twin cousins, which she was friendly enough with and saw often, but they weren’t friends.
Was the only true friend she’d ever had really just Jamie?
She felt the skin wrinkle between her eyes in a frown. She wasn’t liking this poor-little-rich-girl version of herself. Feeling sorry for her lack of friends. Right then and there she promised herself that she’d step out of her shell and make more of an effort to make friends.
There, that made her feel better.
The breeze sent her curls in a riotous mess of ringlets, but she let them dance about her. No one was here to tell her to tame them. They seemed to like to be set free in the night air.
There was something about Belle Island. It made her feel more herself than anywhere else. She remembered that feeling vividly now. How she looked forward in anticipation to their summer-long stays on the island. How she hated to leave each year. She even had a stack of letters from Jamie somewhere. Where were they now?
They’d written back and forth during the school year for years. Then, after she quit coming to the island, the letters had tapered off. She wondered if she was the one who had quit writing…
But here she was, back in Florida, and Jamie was still… Jamie. The one who made her feel good about herself, and always able to draw out a laugh. She’d missed her friend.
She should tell him that. That she was sorry they’d lost touch. That she still cherished the friendship he’d given her. She realized they’d picked up right where they had left off, oh so many years ago with the ability to talk and laugh. He was the one person she could truly be herself with and not be judged.
She turned, walked back inside, and decided to leave the doors open to the balcony while she slept tonight. It might be a bit muggy, but she so loved to hear the ocean. She was lulled to sleep by the sound of the sea and snippets of memories of her summers here as young girl.
Chapter 6
The next morning Jamie stood behind the reception desk, talking to Dorothy about their bookings. He looked up when the door swung open and a commotion out of proportion to the two men who entered caught his attention. He recognized Cindy’s father. The other man must be the infamous George, the fiancé.
Cindy rushed into the lobby and up to the man with a big smile on her face. George stood a good head taller than Cindy, dressed in what Jamie could only assume were the man’s casual clo
thes—which were nicer than what Jamie claimed for his good clothes. George’s hair was cut in a short, precise, this-cost-money style. The man brushed a quick kiss on Cindy’s forehead and turned away to speak to her father. Not the reception he thought Cindy would be getting from her fiancé after being apart from him for days and their wedding just the day after tomorrow.
George walked up to the desk. “Do you have someone to handle our bags?”
“I’ll be glad to get them for you.” Jamie came out from behind the desk.
“In the trunk of the BMW out front.” George tossed him the keys.
Jamie reached up and snatched them from the air. George promptly turned his back on him and spoke to Dorothy. “George Middleton.”
“Ah, the groom. We have your room all ready for you.” Dorothy smiled up at the man.
George nodded curtly.
So far good old George hadn’t scored many points in Jamie’s book.
George turned to face Jamie. “The bags?”
“I’ll deliver them up to your room, sir.” Jamie turned and headed out the door, reminding himself the wedding had to go off without a hitch, even if the groom was a jerk. He popped the trunk of the car and hauled in three suitcases and two garment bags. These men didn’t travel lightly, that’s for sure.
When he’d made the last trip inside, he headed over to where George, Cindy, and her father stood. “Your keys.”
“No valet?” George held out his hand.
“Nope, it’s self-park here.”
George let out a sigh. “I’ll go park the car, then.” He turned and headed out the door.
“Dad, this is Jamie. He and his mother own the resort.” Cindy turned to her father.
Jamie held out his hand, and Cindy’s father hesitated the slightest second before reaching out and shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you, son.”
“You’ve actually met him before, Dad. It’s Jamie McFarlane. He helped his uncle with the inn every summer when we used to come here.”
Jamie saw the exact moment when the realization of who he was dawned to Cindy’s father. “Jamie. Of course.”
“Nice to see you again, sir.”
Mr. Pearson stood eyeing him, judging him, obviously figuring out where to slot Jamie in his well-categorized world view.
“So, you and your mother help your uncle now?”
“His uncle passed away, Dad.” Cindy put her hand on her father’s sleeve.
“Sorry to hear that.”
Jamie could spot an insincere comment a mile way. Or at least a comment said just because it was the socially accepted thing to say. He’d forgotten how stuffy Cindy’s family could be.
* * *
Cindy loved her father, she really did, but sometimes he could be such a snob. She sneaked a peek at Jamie to see his reaction to her father’s remarks. Jamie’s face was masked with a polite, unreadable expression, but it didn’t fool her.
“Jamie’s made sure everything is ready for the wedding. It’s going to be wonderful, Dad. The inn is so charming. The wedding is going to be perfect.”
“I’m sure it will, Cynthia.” Her father patted her arm. “I’m going to head up and see your mother, let her know we got here.” He turned to Jamie. “You’ll see to the bags?”
“You bet.”
Jamie watched her father walk away and Cindy watched Jamie. “I’m sorry. My father can be a bit of… well, he’s set in his ways. Not always the kindest man to people.”
“People he doesn’t see as an equal you mean.” Jamie had a way of pointing out the raw, undeniable truth.
“It’s not that…” But, to be honest, Jamie had pegged it. Her father slotted everyone into a neat little box and treated them accordingly.
“I’m sorry, Dream Girl. Don’t mind me. Everything is fine.”
George came walking up to them. “Got the car parked. Had to make sure I wasn’t parked under a tree. Didn’t want to get sap on the car.”
George took hold of her arm… in a way that used to make her feel safe, but right now was making her feel like a possession. She shook off the silly thought.
“Come on, Cynthia. Let’s head upstairs. I want to unpack before lunch.” He dropped her arm, evidently assured she would follow along behind him.
Cindy turned to Jamie. “I made a reservation for an early lunch in the dining room, then Daddy and George are going to play golf.”
“We don’t usually serve lunch, except for box lunches that most people take to the beach, but I’ve arranged to have luncheon served in the private dining room while you and your wedding party are here.”
“Thank you, Jamie.”
Jamie nodded. “I’ll make sure it’s all set up. Party of five?”
“Yes, that’s what I told them.”
Jamie turned to load the suitcases on the luggage cart.
“You coming?” George was already headed down the hallway towards the elevator and glanced over his shoulder at Cindy.
“Yes, I’m coming.” Cindy smiled at Jamie, hoping to smooth over any hurt feelings her father and George might have caused.
Jamie winked at her. “Everything is fine, Dream Girl.”
* * *
Jamie stood in the background of the dining room, staying out of the way but keeping an eye on things. Their new server, Alexis—he remembered her name this time—was waiting on Cindy’s table. He glanced around the dining room. The flowers had all been arranged on the tables in simple mason jars, but they added a touch of festivity to the room.
“Darlin’, why don’t you bring us a bottle of Champagne?” George’s voice boomed across the room. “What do you say, Henry? Should we celebrate your daughter marrying me with some bubbles?”
“Yes, a splendid idea. Did you get that, hon? We’ll have a bottle of your best.” Cindy’s father was quick to agree with the groom.
Alexis smiled at the men and hurried off to get their Champagne. She returned with the bottle, iced in a bucket, and placed it beside George with a flourish.
“Why, thank you, darlin’.” George reached out and touched Alexis’s arm. “Give us just a few minutes before we order, okay?”
Alexis batted her eyes at the man. Jamie had no other words to describe it. He’d have to talk to her. No flirting with the customers, especially ones getting ready to have their wedding here at the inn.
Jamie went back to his office to make some calls, but kept popping back into the dining room to check on the lunch. Secretly though, never obvious, always under the guise of getting something or other. Dorothy grinned at him when he went back for the third time.
“I can’t help it. I just want everything to run smoothly this weekend.”
“Not judging you, Jamie. Not at all.”
He walked past Cindy’s table and heard Vanessa and her mother chatting while the men discussed their upcoming golf game.
Vanessa turned to Cindy. “You’re not going to eat that roll, are you? Carbs, you’re always eating carbs. You do need to fit into your dress this weekend. You should have just ordered a salad.”
He watched while Cindy set the fresh baked roll back down on her plate. They were rolls from The Sweet Shoppe and mouthwateringly delicious.
Vanessa turned back to her mother. “Do you think we have time to run into Sarasota this afternoon? Did you see the dress that Cindy brought for the rehearsal? I think we could find her something better than that.”
“What dress did you bring, Cynthia?” Mrs. Pearson’s forehead creased into a frown.
“A navy sleeveless dress.”
“You look terrible in navy, dear, you know that.” Mrs. Pearson turned to Vanessa. “You’re so right, we’ll need to run into the city and find her something more appropriate to wear.”
Cindy’s face flushed red and she took a sip of her water.
“Hm, what’s this? You girls headed into town for a bit of shopping?” George looked at the women.
“Cynthia needs something else to wear tomorrow evening for the rehearsal
. Don’t worry though, Vanessa and I will help her pick out something suitable.”
Jamie gritted his teeth. They were talking about Cindy like she was some kind of errant schoolgirl. He took a quick glance at her and saw her face was beet red now. He grabbed a bottle of mineral water off the sideboard and crossed to the table. “I thought you might like some mineral water?” He set it down in front of Vanessa.
“Well, yes, that would be nice.” Mrs. Pearson turned her attention to the water. “The water here at the restaurant has such a funny taste to it. The mineral water will be nice. Maybe we should order in mineral water for the wedding and reception, too. What do you think?” She looked up at her husband.
“Whatever you decide, dear.” Mr. Pearson seemed unconcerned either way.
“Yes, then. Let’s have mineral water for the rehearsal and the wedding. You’ll take care of that?” Mrs. Pearson sent Jamie a dismissive flip of her hand.
Jamie was glad he’d turned the attention away from Cindy but regretted he done it with the darn bottle of mineral water. Now he had to add finding cases of the stuff for the wedding.
“I don’t think we need mineral water, Mother.” Cindy interceded. “Plain water is fine.”
“Don’t be silly, Cynthia. Mineral water it is.” Mrs. Pearson poured herself a glass of the mineral water and smiled. “See, that’s so much better.”
* * *
Jamie got off the phone with their drink distributor. No way they could have the needed cases of mineral water by tomorrow. He was going to have to drive into the city to the warehouse club and pick up the cases himself. Just great.
He stood up and pushed away from his desk, stretching as he stood. He walked over to the window and looked down on the small patio below. It was just outside the kitchen and the staff sometimes took their breaks out there.
As he glanced out the window, he saw George talking to Alexis. She was laughing at something he said. George had one hand resting on her arm as he talked. Maybe George was just talking to her about something regarding the rehearsal dinner or the reception. Maybe. That was giving him a big benefit of the doubt, because it really looked like he was hitting on Alexis, and she was loving it.
