Sweet Adventure

by Tamie Dearen

  “Caroline,” said Steven, “this was one of the best meals I’ve ever had.”

  Caroline blushed, her fingers fidgeting. “Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.”

  “We saw a flyer for this place inside our beach cottage,” said Steven. “My mouth was watering, just from the pictures.”

  “My son, Dallas Harper, owns the cottages you’re staying in,” Caroline said. “I hoped you would come, Mr. Gherring, but I can’t believe you’re actually eating in my restaurant. I’ve been a nervous wreck all night, but I’m so excited. This ought to give my business a boost, just telling people you liked my food.”

  “I have an idea,” said Steven. “Why don’t we take a picture together and I’ll sign it. You can hang it on your wall.”

  Caroline’s face lit up, and she clapped her hands together. “Would you really do that? Oh my gosh! That would be fantastic!”

  “All I ask is that you don’t spread the word about me until we’re gone, so we don’t get swamped.”

  Caroline twisted her mouth to the side. “Were you hoping to stay under the radar while you’re here?”

  “For the most part,” said Steven. “Just to keep our privacy.”

  “I’m afraid you’ve already blown your cover. Several of our customers have been asking about you.” She waved at a couple sitting a few tables away, who waved back, sporting goofy grins. “And, of course, Lucille recognized you right away. Nothing gets past that woman.”

  “Who’s Lucille?” Katie asked, trying to remember if that was their waitress’ name.

  “Lucille Sanderson. She’s one of our locals. Very sweet, but very nosy.” Caroline gestured with a jerk of her head. “Don’t look now, but she’s sitting over there. She’s the one with the dog.”

  Since she was facing the door, Katie gave a surreptitious glance that direction. Sure enough, a blond-haired woman was sitting at the table by the door, at her feet a fluffy white dog with a bright blue jeweled collar.

  “That’s a cute dog, but how can she bring him in a restaurant?” Katie asked.

  “She claims Princess is a service dog—emotional support,” Caroline said. “And it’s probably true. She never goes anywhere without that dog.”

  Lucille glanced their direction, and Katie averted her eyes. “She looks harmless enough.”

  “Don’t underestimate her,” said Caroline. “If any of you are single, she’ll be trying to fix you up with someone.”

  “Is that so?” Grinning, Gary scooted his chair around the corner of the table next to Katie and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She froze in shock. Gary chuckled. “Now, we’re a couple, so I guess Lucille will have a heyday with you, Steven.”

  If looks could kill, Gary would’ve been dead on the spot from Steven’s glare. Katie tried to shrug Gary’s arm off, but his hand gripped tight.

  “He’s right—you might be in trouble, Mr. Gherring.” Caroline let out a musical laugh. “Hopefully, Lucille won’t have you married off before you leave Indigo Bay.”

  “I’m not worried,” said Steven. “If my Gram hasn’t managed to get a ring on my finger in all these years, I don’t think Lucille stands a chance.”

  “Shall I have your waitress bring three pieces of boysenberry pie, then?” Caroline asked. “Dessert’s on the house, since you’re going to let us take that picture, Mr. Gherring.”

  “Three pies would be great,” said Steven. “Oh, and one more thing, Caroline…”

  She paused. “Yes?”

  “Can you recommend a place for Katie to get her hair and nails done, tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely! There’s a new place called Glam It Up! It’s a local girl, Carla McShann, but she’s been out in Hollywood doing hair and makeup for the stars.” Caroline lifted a hand and smoothed her shoulder-length brown hair. “Don’t judge by the way I look. I have an appointment with her next week. I promise, she’s fabulous!”

  “Sounds perfect. I’d be grateful if you got the number for me.” Steven gave a decisive nod, and Katie knew there was no use arguing with him. Though it felt awkward to accept such a gift from her boss, she was excited about the prospect. Having worn the same hairstyle for years, she’d been working up the courage to make a change. Her roommate had been arguing that a new haircut would give her a fresh start.

  It can’t hurt as bad as that kayak trip.

  9

  “Sorry I didn’t answer last night.” Nicole’s animated face appeared on Katie’s phone screen. “I was out late. I had a blind date.”

  “Nicole, that could be really dangerous. What if he’d been an axe murderer?”

  Nicole showed the whites of her eyes as she looked to the sky. “He’s a best friend of a friend from church, and he was harmless. He was so nice, he probably wouldn’t step on a bug.”

  “Well, that’s not good, either. You don’t want to end up with a guy who can’t kill a spider for you.”

  “That’s important for you, not me. I can kill my own spiders, thank you very much.”

  “I may come home from this trip with the ability to face anything, including spiders. You would’ve been so proud, yesterday. I wasn’t scared at all when I got in that kayak.

  “I’m glad! Did you have a good time?”

  “I did, but I may have overdone it a little bit. I’m pretty sore today.” Sitting on the floor, Katie bent forward to touch her toes. “It really hurt to do my stretches this morning.”

  “What’s on the agenda today?”

  “I’m getting a massage at ten and this afternoon I’m getting a haircut. I was thinking of doing something new, but I’m nervous about a change.”

  “You should get some highlights in your hair,” said Nicole with the enthusiasm of one who changed her hairstyle as often as the weather. “And get a cute cut with some layers.”

  “I thought maybe you could send some hairstyle pictures for me to take to the hair place.”

  “I’ve been trying to get you to do something like this for a year.” The room swirled behind Nicole as she danced in a circle. “This is so fun!”

  “You told me to step out of my comfort zone, and I’ve been trying to. I decided, if something’s not really life-threatening, I’m going to try it once.”

  “Good for you. I can’t wait to see you after you get your hair done.”

  “I think you’re going to love this when we’re done.” Carla McShann, the owner of Glam It Up, spun Katie around so that she could see herself in the mirror.

  Katie stared at her reflection, hundreds of pieces of aluminum foils sticking out between strands of hair. “I look like a crazy human electrical transmitter.”

  “Ha! Yes, but you’ll look beautiful when I’m finished.”

  Carla looked to be in her early thirties, with brown hair, streaked with rainbow colors, and bottomless brown eyes.

  “If you make me beautiful, you’re a real miracle worker,” said Katie.

  “Are you kidding me?” Carla put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you know you have great facial structure and beautiful eyes? I’d give anything for your cheek bones. I have to create mine with makeup.”

  “Well, thank you,” said Katie. “I don’t think I’ve ever had my cheek bones complimented before.”

  “If you’re game,” said Carla, “after we finish your color, cut and blow-dry, I’d love to experiment on your hair with some updos. I have a wedding client on Saturday. It would be awesome if I could try two or three styles and send her some pictures to choose what she likes. I could pay you back in hair products.”

  “Do as you will,” said Katie. “I’m yours for the afternoon. And you don’t have to give me any hair products, because I love having someone mess with my hair. I think it’s totally relaxing.”

  “Well, as you can see, you’re my only client today.” Carla swept her arm around the room, indicating two more styling stations sitting empty. “I’m still building the business, but I’m in the running for the Indigo Bay New Business of the Year award. I probably don’t
stand a chance of winning, but this wedding could be great advertising, if my bride likes her hairstyle.”

  “Who’s getting married?”

  “It’s an older lady named Sophia. And by older, I mean she’s maybe in her fifties. Not elderly, or anything.” Carla tucked a box of foils back on the shelf. “She has the cutest Texas twang. And she’s marrying a cowboy. But she told me she wants to look sophisticated, because she’s more of a city girl.”

  “Sounds fun.” Katie sighed. “I used to have an entire Pinterest board of possible updos for my wedding. I was engaged for a long time, so I had plenty of time to collect pins.”

  Carla’s gaze darted to Katie’s empty finger. “It didn’t work out?”

  “No. We dated for two years and were engaged for three more. And that was long enough for him to get tired of me. I’m not very exciting.”

  “Sounds like your ex was the one with the problem, not you.” Carla swept up the hair around the chair and dumped it into a trash pail.

  “Ha! You sound like my roommate.”

  “Then your roommate must be really smart.”

  “I don’t know why I even mentioned my engagement,” said Katie. “It was a long time ago, and I usually don’t talk to people about my problems.”

  “Everyone talks to me,” said Carla. “It’s part of my job.”

  “Well, you’re good at your job.”

  “I’m good at hair, makeup, and advice. I wish I was as skilled with my other job.” She gave a bitter laugh.

  “What’s that?”

  “I have three kids, including a two-year-old, and I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “I’m sure you’re better at it than you think.”

  Katie wondered why she hadn’t figured it out by the third child, but she didn’t ask. Carla gestured for Katie to follow and led her to the side to sit under a dryer hood. Carla rinsed out a rubber bowl in the nearby sink.

  “My kids aren’t mine. I mean, they are now, but they were my sister’s.” Carla turned around and leaned against the counter, facing Katie, tears glistening in her eyes. “My sister and her husband were killed in a car accident two months ago. Overnight, I became a mother of three.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Katie felt a familiar pang. “I lost my sister, eighteen years ago, but it still hurts. She was only nine when she died.”

  “That’s so sad! At least my sister had a chance to grow up and get married and have children.” Carla brushed her sleeve across her eyes. “Honestly, I haven’t even had time to grieve because my life got turned upside down. I had to come back home so my parents could help me with the kids.”

  “That must be really hard. Do your parents watch them while you’re at work?”

  “Yes.” She blinked rapidly. “They love their grandparents, but I feel like they resent me. I love them a lot, but I’m afraid I’m going to screw up their lives.”

  “I can tell you firsthand that even birth parents make mistakes,” said Katie. “But no matter how badly you mess up, they’ll know if you love them. That’s all that matters.”

  In spite of all the pressure Katie’s parents had put on her, she never doubted their love. In fact, she was certain much of that pressure was self-imposed—an attempt to be perfect in order to make up for her sister’s death.

  “Sorry to dump all that on you.” Sniffing, Carla reached for a tissue box on the shelf above her.

  “That’s okay. I dumped on you, first, remember?”

  “Well, you’re a good listener.” Carla lifted the hood to check Katie’s hair. “I wish you lived around here so you could come back after I do some remodeling. I have so many plans to make this place look awesome, but I’m waiting for my bank loan to come through. My contractor, Von Ryan, has some creative ideas for finishes that don’t cost an arm and a leg, but look expensive.”

  “It takes a lot of courage to be a business owner,” said Katie. “I’d be so nervous if I didn’t have a regular paycheck.”

  “Sometimes I think I’m brave, and sometimes I think I’m just plain crazy!”

  Katie laughed. “You remind me a lot of my roommate.”

  “The smart one?” Carla’s eyes crinkled in the corners. “Does she have multi-colored hair, like me?”

  “No, but she has dark brown eyes like you, and she makes me laugh all the time.”

  “Is she the black sheep of the family, like I am?” She let out a humorless laugh. “My sister was the sensible child, who graduated from college, got married, and produced grandchildren. I’m the wild child who ran off to Hollywood to seek her fortune. But I guess the joke’s on me—now I have to be sensible, whether I want to or not.”

  Katie’s heart broke at the sadness in her voice.

  “You know… I’m staying at the cottages at Indigo Bay through Saturday,” said Katie. “Maybe you could bring the kids down to the beach to play.”

  Carla’s face brightened. “That would be totally fun! Dax turns nine on Sunday, and he hasn’t really been here long enough to make a lot of friends. I have Friday off, so maybe we could come over after lunch and make it a little birthday celebration. He hasn’t been speaking to me for the past week, so hopefully, I’ll win some points with him. The therapist says it’s a normal part of grieving for him to be so angry, but it’s tearing me apart.”

  “I’m here with some friends, so I’ll need to double-check, but I can’t think of any reason it would be a problem.”

  “Is one of your friends the guy who paid for your appointment today?”

  “Yes. Did you meet him?” It would be a wonder if Carla hadn’t recognized Steven.

  “No, he paid with PayPal. But he gave me a huge tip. That money’s really going to come in handy, so I’d love to thank him in person.”

  “You might get the chance, if he’s there on Friday.”

  “Is he your boyfriend?”

  “No, he’s my boss.”

  And I feel guilty he’s spending this kind of money on me.

  “If this is one of your perks, it sounds like a great job.”

  “He’s very generous, although this is above and beyond, even for him,” said Katie. “But I’m not complaining!”

  Gary knocked on Katie’s door and stepped back, waiting for her to answer. He shifted from foot to foot like a nervous teenager, while holding a grocery store sack in his hand.

  The door opened, and Katie’s face appeared—only her face, as if she were keeping her body hidden behind the door.

  “Hi, Gary. Did you guys have a good day diving?”

  “It was great!”

  “Where’s Steven?”

  “The sharks ate him,” Gary teased, rather wishing it were true at the moment. He’d left Steven typing away on his computer while he went to the grocery store. He purposefully didn’t mention dropping by Katie’s cottage.

  “I know you’re joking with me,” Katie said, her chin tilting upward. “You see? I’m getting better at reading you.”

  “That’s because I’m an open book.”

  “Yeah, but in a foreign language,” she countered. “Seriously, though. Did you end up doing the wreck dive or the subway cars?”

  Gary lifted the sack. “I brought ice cream. If you invite me in, I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Her lips pursed. “I’m already dressed for bed, but ice cream sounds awfully good. What kind?”

  “Chocolate chip mint.” He grinned at the surprised look on her face. “After the kayak trip, you mentioned it was your favorite. Remember? We discussed whether to grab an ice cream cone or come straight back for a nap.”

  “Yes, and the nap won.” She gave a crooked grin as she stepped back and opened the door. She looked so cute, with her bare feet sticking out of a pink robe. “Come on in. I’ll go change so I won’t be tugging on this robe the whole time.”

  She padded back to the bedroom as he came inside and dished out the ice cream. She reappeared in shorts and a green t-shirt that deepened the color of her eyes.

  �
�Your hair looks very nice.” He wanted to compliment her, though he hated to make her feel more indebted to Steven than she already did.

  “Thanks.” Her face took on a rosy hue as her hand rose to touch the soft blond waves. His fingers were itching to feel the silky texture for himself. “You should’ve seen me before I took the makeup off. It was a little heavier than I’m used to, but it was nice. I felt like a movie star.”

  He put two heaping bowls of ice cream on the table, and they sat down across from each other.

  “How was your massage?” he asked, ready to switch her attention from Steven’s gift to his.

  “It was incredible. Best I ever had.” Her eyes glazed over, as if she were reliving the experience, and Gary’s chest swelled with pride.

  “Then you liked Marissa?”

  “Marissa?” Her brows drew down, then sprang back. “Oh! The girl who was supposed to do my massage? Something happened, and they had to reschedule her entire morning. I ended up with James.”

  It ought to be impossible, but somehow his bite of ice cream got stuck in his throat. He tried not to imagine how Katie looked while she was getting a massage from some strange man. Hopefully, she’d been wearing a swimsuit or something, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

  And my money paid for it!

  “She said she hasn’t been doing it long, but she was really good.” Katie spooned a bite of ice cream and closed her eyes in ecstasy. “Uhmm! This is so good!”

  “She? James is a girl?”

  “Yes. It’s one of those gender-neutral names that are so popular these days.”

  “Thanks goodness! I’m glad it wasn’t some dude.”

  He spied a fleeting grin, and knew he should’ve kept the comment to himself. They continued to eat their ice cream, quiet but for the sounds of the spoons hitting the bowls.

  “You were going to tell me which dive you decided on,” she said, as she took another bite.

  “Right. We dove both sites. The wreck was awesome, but it’s deep, so we couldn’t stay down long. And the subway cars have already turned into a nice reef.” He scraped his spoon on the bottom to get the last bit of ice cream out of his bowl. “We saw a lot of fish, including a huge grouper that’ll eat out of your hand. I honestly think you’d love diving if you could get over the shark thing.”