She savored another bite of her cheesecake, refusing to let the topic bring her down.
“Sorry,” he said. “Didn’t mean to pry about your family business.”
“It’s okay. I just don’t want to think about it today. It’s too perfect a day.”
That made him smile. He set his plate aside. “You’re right. In fact, I think I’m ready for a swim. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a little hot.”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
He stood and tugged off his T-shirt, dropping it onto the blanket.
She watched him stride toward the water, her mouth going dry at the sight of him. He had nice broad shoulders that tapered down to a trim waist. His arms were sculpted, his legs trim, and all of him was tanned and gorgeous. His calves bunched into hard knots as his feet worked through the sand, cutting over toward the pier. He hopped onto it, broke into a run, and did a cannonball off the side.
Chapter 20
Maddy turned onto her stomach, cradling her head in her arms. The sun beat down on her damp back, warming her. She and Connor were drying off after their swim. The water had been cold, but she’d soon forgotten that as they frolicked in the sea.
He dozed beside her, and Maddy lay listening to the soothing sounds of the ocean, enjoying the play of breeze off the water. She liked that he felt comfortable enough to drift off. There was something flattering about that.
She let her gaze rove over him while he slept. He lay on his stomach too, one arm folded under his head, turned her way. Sand dotted his back, and freckles spotted his shoulders. His forearms were covered with a smattering of golden hair.
His face was peaceful, his long lashes sweeping down over sun-kissed cheeks. His lips were parted in sleep. He had a nice mouth. His lower lip was full, his upper lip dipping in a distinct cupid’s bow just about the right size for her index finger. Hidden in the golden stubble on his chin was a subtle cleft she hadn’t noticed before.
There was something boyish about him in sleep, all that virility at rest. He’d been through so much. Her heart gave a tug. He’d lost a dear friend and the wife he’d obviously loved very much—both suddenly. He must be strong to get through all that. Her own troubles were nothing in comparison.
The wind blew a damp strand of hair over his face, and before she could stop herself she reached out and brushed it away.
His eyes snapped open, connecting with hers.
Maddy’s pulse skittered as she drew her hand away. She’d been caught staring, caught touching him.
His eyes softened on hers as he stared back. “How long was I asleep?”
“Not long. Fifteen or twenty minutes.”
He propped his head up with an elbow, and his eyes roved over her face, taking his time.
Turnabout was fair play, she supposed. Though she was conscious of the fact that the ocean had washed away the bit of makeup she’d applied that morning. Her hair lay in damp tangles down her back, and her cheeks were probably blotchy from the sun’s heat. But the way he was looking at her made her feel beautiful.
“You have freckles on your nose,” he said with a little grin.
She made a face, wishing he’d noticed her thick eyelashes or high cheekbones instead.
“They’re cute,” he said, and she could tell he meant it. “They make you seem more approachable.”
She huffed as though affronted. “Are you saying I’m aloof?”
He quietly continued his visual observation. “Your other features are strong and beautiful. Wide-set, serious eyes . . . high cheekbones . . . perfect mouth.”
Her breath hitched at his lazy perusal. Every inch of her skin felt hypersensitive, especially her lips as his gaze lingered there.
“But those freckles . . . They soften the whole effect.” His voice was like warm honey. “I like them.”
He seemed content to lie there and stare at her, so she stared right back. She wasn’t sure she could stop herself. There was something so quiet and steady about him. He took care of her grandmother and obviously doted on his sisters. He was the kind of man people depended on, the kind who came through without making a fuss.
“I had fun today, Maddy.” There was a rough texture to his voice.
“Me too.”
His eyes searched hers. “I can’t tell you the last time I enjoyed someone’s company so much. I know we agreed this wasn’t a date, but . . . I’d really like to see you again.”
Her heart thumped heavily against the packed sand beneath her. No fair, she thought. He’d caught her off guard, on her hiatus from life, when she’d decided to leave her worries and fears behind.
“I like you,” he continued. “I know you’re just out of a bad relationship. But we could take it slow. Casual, even, if you want.”
This didn’t feel casual. This felt serious and real and like the kind of thing that could swell up and swallow her whole. She took a deep breath, her ribs pressing into the ground.
“You’re too quiet,” he said. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Her thoughts spun for traction. “I won’t be here much longer, Connor. My life’s in Charlotte.” It wasn’t the real reason, but it was easier, more tangible.
He tipped a smile. “That’s not so far away.”
She expected more of a rebuttal. Long-distance relationships weren’t easy. Especially one that was only just starting. And it wasn’t as if she had much of a life left there anyway, but he didn’t point that out.
“Why don’t you tell me what’s really on your mind.”
He’d read her so easily. She stared at him a moment longer, remembering the heartache in her not-too-distant past. Attraction could lead to love and love led to . . . nothing good. The familiar fear bubbled up inside, a low boil, roiling beneath the surface. Her chest tightened until her breaths felt restrained. She kept all of it from her face.
“Tell me.” The tenderness in his gaze was her undoing.
“I’m . . . a little afraid, I guess.” Her voice was a thready whisper.
It was too honest. She dropped her gaze. She didn’t know him well, and he was only talking about a date, after all. He hadn’t asked for her hand in marriage. He was going to think—
He set his hand over hers and waited until she made eye contact. “I know, Maddy. I understand. You’ve been hurt. It’s been a long time since I’ve entertained the idea of a woman in my life. The last time didn’t end well. I know it’s a risk, opening your heart to someone. Even just letting yourself hope again . . .”
He did understand. Her stomach tightened at the thought of his loss. Of course he’d be scared too. Compared to him, her breakup was nothing. And yet, her heart felt as if it were going to explode in her chest.
“But I feel like there’s something here worth exploring, and I think you feel it too. Will you at least think about it?”
Hadn’t she just been thinking about how trustworthy he’d proven himself to be? He’d been nothing but honest with her—very honest, actually—going back to when he’d told her he’d let her run the Landing without interference.
Her heart implored her to say yes, but her brain flashed a warning signal. She couldn’t pull her eyes from his, and the longer she looked at him, the more those warning signals seemed to fade into the distance.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll think about it.”
His lips tipped up, barely a smile. “We’ll go at your pace.”
“I said I’d think about it.” She teased him with a smile.
“Well, hurry up and think,” he said, his gaze falling to her lips for a long, drawn-out moment. “’Cause I’m dying to kiss you.”
Before she could even digest the comment, Connor sprang to his feet. He brushed off the sand and held out his hand, wearing an infectious grin. “Now, come on, woman. It’s time to go sailing.”
Chapter 21
Maddy slipped inside the house, closed the door, and leaned against it. Connor had insisted on walking her to the door. The mood had sh
ifted after their conversation at the beach. Though they’d had a leisurely sail back, things were less lighthearted, their serious conversation lingering between them.
I’m dying to kiss you.
Even now his words made her stomach flip. She wanted that too, more than she cared to admit. But was dating Connor the wise thing to do?
She didn’t know. She was tempted. Oh, how she was tempted. She pictured him as he’d been on the sail back, feet planted in a wide stance behind the captain’s wheel, hair fluttering behind him, glistening in the sunlight. It had dried wavy and beautiful, unlike her own, which now hung straight and limp over her shoulders.
A creak sounded nearby, pulling Maddy’s attention to the staircase. Nora descended in a stained T-shirt, carrying two gallons of paint. Her auburn hair was pushed back with a lime-green headband.
Pippy leaped down the stairs one at a time. The dog had taken to Nora since she’d started taking her jogging.
“You’re back.” Nora studied Maddy, then lifted an amused brow. “Someone had a good time.”
Maddy straightened from the door. “Yeah, I did actually. It was fun.”
“Well, I hate to take that flush off your face . . . but you got an interesting phone call while you were gone.”
“Who was it?”
Nora set the paint cans on the drop cloth. “That idiot you were dating—Nick?”
Maddy’s stomach dropped, the glowy feeling inside extinguishing instantly. She hadn’t heard a peep from Nick since that awful scene at Pirouette. Of course, she’d blocked him from her phone and erased his contact information. How had he even found her? Only Holly knew where she’d gone.
But Holly’s sister worked at Pirouette . . . worked for Nick now.
“What in the world could he want?” Maddy said.
“I told him you were on a date.” Nora grinned impishly. “I rather enjoyed that.”
When she’d filled her in on their breakup a while back Nora had been outraged. Maddy had wondered if Nora realized she’d done even worse to her own sister.
She followed Nora to the kitchen. There were drop cloths along the newly painted walls, blue tape sealing off the woodwork. Emma was on the deck talking to someone on the phone.
“Did he say what he wanted?”
“No.” Nora pulled a tub of Moose Tracks from the freezer. “Want some?”
“No, thanks.”
“He left his number, though, and wanted you to call him back.”
Maddy huffed. “Fat chance. He’s the last person I want to talk to.”
“I figured as much, but I wrote down the number anyway. You ought to call him back just to give him an earful after what he did to you.”
Maddy shook her head. She’d only recently stopped brooding about this. She didn’t want to dredge it all up again. Better to just move on and put it from her mind. She must be ready; her mind was full of Connor these days.
“I guess ignoring him works too,” Nora said. “But he struck me as the kind of guy who doesn’t give up.” She dragged a generous scoop of ice cream from the tub. “So . . . you and Connor, huh? He seems like an upstanding guy.”
Maddy opened her mouth to respond.
“And don’t you tell me it wasn’t a date—you should’ve seen the look on your face just now. I’d hazard a guess you’re already a little smitten with our neighbor.”
Maddy grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. “I like him just fine, but I don’t think I’m ready for anything serious quite yet.”
Nora lifted a shoulder. “So just go out and have some fun.”
“That’s exactly the sort of thing that leads to something serious.”
“Would that be so awful?” Nora capped the ice cream and licked a finger. “You deserve someone nice, Maddy.”
“I’m the career girl, remember? Romantic relationships aren’t my specialty.”
“Nonsense. You can have both. Everybody needs love, and you’re as capable as the next person.”
Was she? She felt like maybe something was wrong with her. She knew her outlook on love wasn’t good. It was hard to be content in a relationship when you were always waiting for the other shoe to drop. She’d felt that way through most of her relationship with Nick.
And then the shoe had dropped, proving her right.
Look at her parents, look at Emma. Even Connor. Did love ever end well? She supposed it had for Nora.
Maddy’s gaze drifted to the deck where Emma leaned on the railing, still on the phone, her voice lost in the wind.
“Who’s Emma talking to?” Maddy asked.
Nora settled at the table with her ice cream. “Ethan, I assume. She’s been out there awhile.”
Maddy hoped she was right. Maybe Emma and Ethan could work out their problems and save their marriage. But Maddy couldn’t mention that. Emma had never told Nora about the separation—yet another layer of secrets between the sisters.
Chapter 22
July 27, twenty years ago
Maddy couldn’t sleep. She was hot, and the overhead fan was only moving around the stifling air. Plus, her mind wouldn’t shut down. She pushed the sheet to the bottom of the twin-size bed. Opening her eyes, she spotted the lumpy shadow of Emma in the bed next to hers. Nora was on the farthest side, by the open window. The sisters had to share a single room this summer since Jonathan was here.
Maddy’s pajamas were damp with perspiration, and her mouth was dry. She got out of bed and crept from the room, nearly tripping over a pair of sandals. The house was quiet, save for Daddy’s snoring and the low hum of the window air conditioner in Gram’s room.
Maddy’s bare feet picked up bits of sand on the steps. The third step creaked beneath her. Gram complained about all the sounds the old house made, but Maddy liked the familiarity of those creaks.
All was dark downstairs but for the moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains. It was enough to see her way to the refrigerator for a glass of iced tea.
It was cooler downstairs, but Maddy knew the temperature hadn’t been the real reason she was tossing and turning in bed. She had a lot on her mind. It hadn’t been the slow easy summer of years past, and it wasn’t just because they were planning Emma’s wedding.
First there was that moment she’d witnessed between Nora and Jonathan a few weeks ago. Maddy hadn’t told anyone she’d found them in his room, talking so easily together. She’d told herself she was being stupid, and that worked most of the time. But at night, when she stilled, it niggled uncomfortably in the back of her mind.
Then there was Mama and Daddy. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was amiss there. The other day she’d noticed that, though they carried on normal conversations with everyone else, they rarely talked directly to each other.
Ever since she’d noticed that, she’d been paying close attention. They hadn’t spoken to each other once, except for idle requests like “Please pass the salt” or “Where are the car keys?”
She’d almost brought it up to Emma, but her sister would just say Maddy was imagining things. Her sister had wedding on the brain, that much was for sure. It was all she and Mama and Gram ever talked about.
Maddy took a drink, enjoying the smooth flavor of Gram’s sun tea as it slid down her parched throat. She could hear the muted crash of waves hitting the shore, and the familiar sound drew her to the windows.
Outside starlight flickered against a black canvas, and the full moon looked like a big white ball, suspended in the night sky. It shot a beam of silvery light across the ocean’s surface.
A movement on the beach caught her attention. At first she thought it was just the waves washing ashore, but the motion had been nearer to the house than the shoreline. She cupped her hands against the window, and her eyes caught on a shadowy bundle just past the last low dune.
She squinted, going still, to see if it moved again. The bundle took more form as her eyes adjusted to the light. Someone was sitting out there. No, two people, she saw as they parted.
/> Emma and Jonathan, she realized. Who else would it be snuggled up on the beach? Their neighbors were old, and no one would be walking the beach at this late hour. But hadn’t Emma been in her bed? It hadn’t just been a lump. She was almost certain of it. Her chest tightened with dread.
Maddy watched a moment longer, but it was too dark to make out their identities. She had to know for sure. She was moving toward the kitchen door before she could have second thoughts.
As she took the deck’s steps to the sandy footpath, a cloud skittered over the moon, darkening the landscape. She made the trip down the path by memory. The wind was loud in her ears, and the crash of the surf was a lonely sound tonight.
The sparse lawn gave way to rolling hills of soft sand. She was nearly to the last dune when the clouds parted, casting a pale blue glow over the beach.
The couple was huddled beneath a blanket, merged into one shadow now. Maddy recognized Jonathan’s silhouetted profile, the brim of his ball cap, and the sharp slopes of his nose and chin. She must’ve been mistaken about seeing Emma in bed. The couple was kissing, sharing a rare private moment.
Maddy suddenly felt like an intruder. Her sisters were right. She had a big imagination, and she was snoopy to boot. She turned to go.
But as she did, her eyes caught on something she hadn’t noticed before. The woman’s hair waved in the wind, flying out behind her, much longer than Emma’s. It was well past the woman’s shoulders, and the red strands glistened in the moonlight.
Chapter 23
Present day
Maddy dipped her brush into the aqua-colored paint and slathered it on the Adirondack chair. The old paint had eroded to an ash gray, and the chair was in sore need of a fresh coat. The evening sun was low in the sky, though the temperature was still well into the eighties.
Emma worked beside her on another chair, a little sloppy with her strokes, in Maddy’s opinion.
“Where’s Nora?” Emma asked. “I thought she was going to finish the kitchen tonight.”
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