Sweet Days by the Bay

by Kay Correll

  “Richard.”

  He turned and smiled at his grandmother. “Good morning.”

  “Let me get a cup of coffee and we can go out on the deck.” She poured herself a cup of coffee, added some cream, and came back beside him.

  He pulled open the door, and they went outside.

  “Such a nice morning. Just look at those clouds. All fluffy and white. A bit of a breeze coming from inland. I bet it changes and comes from the sea by this afternoon.” She sat on the edge of a chair and took a sip of her coffee.

  He sat beside her, enjoying the quiet and the view. No doubt the twins would be up soon, and any thoughts of quiet would be gone until they collapsed in a heap again tonight.

  “So, this Whitney. You like her, don’t you?”

  “I do.”

  “She seems like a lovely girl.”

  “She is. Even if Christina doesn’t think so.” He couldn’t help himself.

  “Christina doesn’t know what’s best for you.” His grandmother flashed a quick smile. “Even if she thinks she does.”

  “I know it’s complicated. And I just met her. But I do have feelings for her. Feelings I’ve never had before, and I just feel so… comfortable with her. Like it’s right being with her.”

  “I could see it in your eyes when you look at her. I’ve never seen you look at Shawna Jacobson like that. Or anyone else, for that matter.”

  He sighed. “It’s just difficult. She doesn’t like the spotlight, the media attention. She loves living here in Indigo Bay.”

  “You know, Richard, I married your grandfather in spite of the odds against us. I know you never knew him, but he was the love of my life. Everyone said it wouldn’t last. He was all wrong for me. He was a country boy, and I was already an actress by then. But we made it work. I loved him so.”

  Rick looked at his grandmother. He’d never heard her talk like this.

  “I’ve never found anyone else that I’ve ever wanted to be with. He had… well, he still has… my heart. If you care about someone, you can make it work. Just remember that, Richard.”

  “Our worlds are so different. I don’t know that she could be happy in my world.”

  “Well, we sometimes have to make choices to be with the people we love.” She turned to him. “You know that I’d be proud of you no matter what you do, right?”

  Grandmere was always his biggest supporter, the one person he didn’t have to prove himself to. Too bad it wasn’t the same way with the rest of his family. He always had to prove to his family that he was worthy of their approval. “Thanks, Grandmere. That means a lot to me.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.”

  Whitney took the morning coffee that Merry handed her and led her friend into the shop.

  “Hey, I’m almost getting used to that Mitch guy being outside your door. At least he knows my name and lets me in without asking you.” Merry followed behind her to the backroom.

  “Well, I’m not used to him. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having a bodyguard.”

  Merry sat on a stool. “So, tell me all about your night at Rick’s. What was his grandmother like? Is she as beautiful in person as she looks like in the movies?”

  “Viola was charming. Wonderful. But, my night was… horrible.” She sat across from her friend. “Just horrible. First of all, his sister is like mean-girl times twenty. She hated me.”

  “Well, it just matters that Rick likes you, right?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe that’s not all that matters.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, Christina—that’s his sister—along with all the nasty comments aimed at me, did say something that made sense, even if I wasn’t supposed to hear it.” Whitney set her coffee on the table and picked up a piece of jewelry she’d been working on.

  “What did she say?”

  “That I was all wrong for Rick. That he needed someone glamorous, and dating someone like Shawna Jacobson was good for his career. She said I’d only hold him back.”

  “That’s nonsense.” Merry scowled.

  “But there’s a hint of truth in it, isn’t there? What do I know about fancy parties, movie openings, and… well, any of that stuff?” She set the necklace back down, eyeing it with a critical look, not sure what was wrong with it, but something was bothering her about it.

  “But don’t you think Rick can choose to date someone from that world, or can choose to date you?”

  “But why are we even bothering with dating? He lives this glamorous life all the way across the country. I love it here in Indigo Bay. I hate media attention.”

  “There are these things called long-distance relationships, you know.” Merry took a sip of her coffee. “It would be complicated, but you guys could work it out.”

  “What do I have to offer him, though?”

  “What the heck do you mean by that? You’re fabulous. He’d be lucky to have you.”

  “I just don’t know. I would never want to hold him back in his career. I know he’s always trying to prove himself to his family. No wonder Christina thinks I’m so wrong for him.”

  “This Christina sounds like a real peach.”

  Whitney looked at her phone as it lit up. Another text message from Rick.

  “Aren’t you going to answer him? It’s him, right?”

  “I don’t know what to say to him.”

  “Don’t make me do another intervention with you, Whit,” Merry threatened. “I’ll set up another surprise ambush if I have to. You need to talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Give him a chance. Don’t run away from the best thing that’s happened to you in a long time. I’ve seen how you look at him. You are totally smitten, and I don’t think it’s because he’s a movie star. I think it’s because you like him, the person.”

  “But it’s complicated even to talk to him right now with the reporters hanging around.”

  “So what? Let him come here. Or go meet him somewhere. Let them take their pictures. You need to talk to him.”

  “I don’t think I can take seeing more photos of me in the media.”

  “You’re going to have to make a decision about what’s important to you. A guy you obviously really like, likes you. He makes you happy. You can use all these excuses about his life in Hollywood or photos in the media, or you can choose to give this relationship a try. And I’m telling you right now, I vote for you giving it a try.” Merry set down her coffee and got up. “Trust me. You’ll regret it if you don’t give it a chance.”

  She watched her friend walk away, pretty sure Merry was right, but afraid to do what she knew she needed to do.

  Chapter 17

  “Rick, hi.” She finally answered his call. Guilt was a powerful motivator.

  “Whitney, I’ve been texting you all morning.”

  “I know, I’m sorry, I was… busy.” She cringed, glad he couldn’t see her just then.”No, that’s not the truth. I was avoiding you.” She got up and stretched, moving away from her workbench at the shop.

  “Why? Is it because of Christina? I know she was in rare form last night. I’m sorry about that.”

  “No… it’s… listen, can we talk? I mean in person?”

  “Of course. Name it, when and where?”

  “You could come to my house this evening?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. We really need to talk, and I can’t see that we can set up a switcheroo like we did last night every time we’re going to see each other. So I’ll just deal with any media attention we get.”

  “If you’re sure, I’ll be there. What time?”

  “How about six? I’ll make you dinner.” She knew that meant Mitch was going to follow her around in the grocery store, but she was tired of the media dictating her life. She was ready to face them head-on. Or face-on. Or photo-on, however it happened.

  “I’ll see you then.”

  She set the phone on the counter and grabbed a pad of paper. What should she make for dinner? It
wasn’t like she was a fancy cook or anything. She needed something simple, but a recipe that wouldn’t fail her. She chewed on the end of the pen and scowled. What should she make?

  Rick set down his phone and smiled, ridiculously happy that he was going to see Whitney again this evening. He sat down with his to-do list and made phone calls and checked things off. Almost everything was confirmed and ready.

  He played a few rounds of croquet with the twins and generally just tried to stay busy, counting the hours until six. He was dressed and ready early, and paced around the rental, waiting for it to be time to leave.

  He turned as the door opened and light flooded into the entryway.

  “Mother, Dad, hi. I thought you were coming tomorrow.”

  “A committee meeting I was supposed to go to got canceled. We caught an earlier flight.” His mother crossed over and set down the small bag she was carrying. “I wasn’t sure which house we were staying in.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Your choice.” Though, he kind of hoped they’d pick Pink Lady Two…

  “Where are the twins staying?”

  “They’re staying next door.”

  “Ah, then, we’ll stay here.” His father made the decision. “It will be a bit less hectic, then.”

  Rick wasn’t even going down the thought-road of grandparents who didn’t want to be around their own grandchildren. “I’ll show you to your room.”

  He led them upstairs to a room with a view of the bay.

  “This is adequate.” His mother crossed over and looked out the window. “I know Mother does love this town, though who knows why. It is quite difficult to get to.”

  Christina had obviously come by her attitude genetically.

  “We could have had this in Philadelphia. There are quite nice places there to have gatherings, you know. Much easier to get to.”

  “But Grandmere loves this place.”

  “Yes, I know.” His mother sighed. “And I guess we’ll just have to humor her this weekend. Do you have everything set for the gala?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “What does that mean?” His father stopped unpacking and looked over at him.

  “I mean… yes, it’s all set.”

  “That’s good. You can tell us all about it at dinner tonight. I called Mother and told her we were coming early. She had Cook make a nice meal for all of us.”

  “Oh, I have plans tonight. I won’t be here.”

  “Well, that is unfortunate. I thought we’d have a nice family dinner.” His mother frowned. “Can you change your plans?”

  “I… uh…”

  His mother pinned him with her familiar disapproving look. “As we just said, this weekend is all about humoring Mother. I’m sure she’ll want a family dinner.”

  “Okay, I’ll change my plans.” He didn’t want to cancel on Whitney but couldn’t see that he had any choice. Besides, his mother was right. The weekend was all about Grandmere.

  “That’s settled, then.” She turned her back on him and started to unpack her suitcase. He guessed that was his dismissal.

  Whitney stood at the window by the deck, looking out at the ocean. She didn’t care if some creepy photographer took a photo of her. She was done with this nonsense, and she missed her views of the sea.

  Besides, what did it matter? Rick wasn’t coming. Oh, he’d apologized profusely for canceling at such a late moment, but he said he had to stay at The Pink Lady for a family dinner.

  She could smell the aroma of a rosemary chicken baking in the oven, mixed in with the faint scent of the apple pie cooling on the counter. All that work to impress him. Even putting up with the stares of the townspeople as she hurried through the grocery store with Mitch at her side.

  But Rick had more important things to do than come over to eat the meal she’d already prepared for him.

  Loneliness crept over her, a feeling she wasn’t used to. She’d been alone here in Indigo Bay for years. She had friends. She loved the town. She loved her life. She didn’t need a man to feel whole.

  Only now, one quick phone call from Rick had caused this unfamiliar feeling to descend upon her. She’d wanted to talk to him, discuss their relationship, talk to him about what Christina had said… without mentioning it was Christina who had brought up the problem.

  But maybe this was some kind of sign. A sign they shouldn’t talk it out. That she should just let the rest of the week play out, and then he’d been gone. She could put all this behind her and get back to normal life.

  She squared her shoulders and spun around from the window. With determined strides, she walked to the front door and threw it open. “Mitch, how about you come in and have some dinner?”

  Chapter 18

  Rick hadn’t been able to get away last night and go over to Whitney’s after dinner. His family dinner had run late. His parents always thought eight at night—or later—was the proper time to eat dinner. By the time it was over and they’d questioned him on every single aspect of the party, it was too late to even call Whitney, much less go over. She couldn’t keep staying up all hours of the night with him and still get up and run her business.

  He set down a small suitcase as his sister, parents, and Grandmere walked in from the deck after having their morning coffee outside, though he’d heard Christina complain about how humid it was already.

  “Grandmere, I have to pop out of town. I’ll be back tomorrow afternoon.”

  “You’re leaving now? Right before the party?” Christina’s eyes widened, then she scowled. “It’s just like you to leave after assuring us you’d deal with everything for the gala.”

  “I have. And I’ll be back tomorrow. The party isn’t until the next day. I have everything under control. I swear.”

  “Where are you going, dear?” Grandmere walked over and rested a hand on his arm.

  “I have to fly back to New York. I have a meeting with my agent, Shawna and her agent, and the director of that new movie I was telling you about.”

  “Well, that’s different. Of course, you should go.” Christina nodded her approval. “It’s important for your career. Plus, it will be good to be seen with Shawna.”

  “I’m not going to see Shawna. I’m going for the meeting. The director has been in London shooting a film, but now is shooting some scenes in New York and wants to meet with us while he’s there.” He turned to his grandmother. “But I promise I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  “Well, it’s certainly unfortunate you have to go and leave us with the preparations.” His mother gave him a disapproving look. “You should learn to schedule your time better.”

  “Go on, Richard. We’ll be fine.” His grandmother touched his arm, her hand a featherweight on his wrist. “You take your meeting and we’ll see you tomorrow. I’m sure you have everything under control for the party. Besides, you all shouldn’t be making such a fuss over me.”

  He kissed his grandmother’s cheek. “I love making a fuss over you.”

  The last thing he wanted to do right now, was to leave Indigo Bay, but he couldn’t miss this opportunity to meet with the director and producer. He was pretty certain he and Shawna were going to get the leading roles, his agent had said negotiations were in the works, so he needed to go. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  He picked up his suitcase, walked out the door, and slipped into the shiny red sports car. He rolled down the windows and headed to Charleston to catch his flight. The salty air did little to erase his annoyance at this interruption to his stay in Indigo Bay. Not to mention it kept him away from Whitney for another day.

  The next morning, Merry walked into the shop right as one of Whitney’s customers was leaving. “Hey, I thought I’d stop by and see if you want to go to Sweet Caroline’s for lunch later today.”

  “I don’t know.” Whitney reached up and rubbed her shoulders. “I still have to put the finishing touches on the jewelry set for Viola. Plus, you know, reporters.”

  “I thought you weren’t going to let th
e reporters run your life? Did you get everything all talked out with Rick?”

  “No, he canceled on me the other night.” She shrugged. “After I’d made the meal. Like with twenty minutes’ notice.”

  Merry’s forehead creased. “He did? I’m kind of surprised.”

  “He said he had a dinner thing come up. His parents came into town early. He is here doing family stuff, so it’s not like I could really complain. I understood. I was just disappointed.”

  “So, did you see him yesterday?”

  “No, he’s out of town. He called and said he was going to New York for a meeting with his agent.”

  “So close to the party?”

  “He said he’ll be back today. I plan to try to talk to him after he gets back.”

  Merry grabbed her phone. “Hm, let me just check… I’m going to search for the hashtag #RickNichols.”

  “Really? Isn’t that a bit creepy?” She wasn’t sure if stalking by hashtag was appropriate.

  “I’m checking to see if there are any media mentions of him—oh, shoot…” Merry raised her eyes, looking over her phone and directly at Whitney. “I… I guess you should see this.”

  Merry reluctantly held out the phone to her. Whitney slowly looked at the phone, afraid of what she might see. A photo of Rick stared back at her, mocking her. A photo of Rick and Shawna at some fancy sidewalk cafe. The photo displayed a laughing Shawna with her hand resting on Rick’s.

  “Scroll, there’s more.”

  Whitney slowly scrolled through the photos. Rick walking down some street in New York with Shawna clinging to his arm. Then, the last one, the one that did her in… Rick, holding Shawna in his arms. Not one photo of his agent. Or her agent. Just… Rick and Shawna.

  Maybe it wasn’t just their agents pushing them toward a relationship. Or maybe they’d decided to become a real couple. Sure looked like a real couple to her.

  She handed the phone back to Merry. “I’ve seen enough. He lied to me, didn’t he? That doesn’t look like a meeting with his agent to me. He went to New York to meet up with her. He’s still seeing Shawna.”