by Candace Colt
His next stop was in ultra-high-class Seaside Hills. He’d gone to school with kids from this area. They’d been decent to him, but they’d drawn a clear line between Beau and his crowd, and theirs. Not that he cared anymore. Their loss, not his. Going his own way in life had suited him fine.
He stopped at an old Spanish-style house where he’d been hired to install a front door camera. Up the block was an electrician’s service truck from the St Augustine company.
That bunch was on the move. Thank goodness Abby had gotten him on the right track with his books. But it was going to take a lot more time and effort to stay afloat with this new competitor nipping at his heels. All Beau could do was try his darnedest. He was a good electrician, and everyone who used him knew that. But would that be enough?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Abby scooted the bike to a stop in front of The Magic Potter just before one o’clock. That was cutting it almost too close, but she had needed every last minute to work on Beau’s accounts. He’d called to say he was running late and wouldn’t be able to catch up with her today. When she’d finished, she’d written detailed notes and mentioned he should call her if he had questions. Though disappointed not to spend time with him, she understood. It was terrific he had so much work.
Once customers arrived at the studio, it was hard to concentrate. Her mind spun in all directions: The dance. Finding a dress. The doll’s whereabouts. Scarlett’s promise.
The best part of the afternoon was saying ‘love’ out loud a dozen times. Only once did anything out of the ordinary happen when a lightbulb blew out in a display case. She’d calmly replaced it and went on with her business. It didn’t stop her from dropping the word into any conversation she could.
“You’ll love The Galley,” she’d said.
“I love places along the boardwalk.”
“Everyone loves the Cove Cat Café.”
She’d become the premier ambassador for the town. By the end of the day, her jaws hurt from smiling. She’d called Luna to thank her, her mother to cry happy tears with, and Aunt Deidra, who’d sounded as excited as Abby.
The last customers left right at closing. Several more expensive items had sold today, and she’d even taken orders for more of Deidra’s magical love dolls based on word-of-mouth. Too bad, there wasn’t one in stock as an example.
Upstairs she laid the bridesmaid dress on her bed. As it was now, the dress wouldn’t work for the classy Ball. If only there were somebody in town who could make a few alterations. Cut the sleeves. Shorten it. Maybe lower the neckline. Who could she ask? And who could finish it in less than a week?
Beau got home late, flipped on the light inside his office, and sank into the desk chair. Abby’s note read more like an essay, but he was too bushed to consider the details. Right now, all he wanted was a beer. Installing those porch and doorbell cameras had been a beast and forced him to make some creative modifications. The old Seaside Hill homes, with their large landscaped lots and water views, were gorgeous. But the plumbing and electrical infrastructure were ancient. As Beau had driven out of the subdivision, he’d seen the competitor electrician’s truck was still at the other house. They’d likely run into similar issues.
Beau left the desk and went out to the back yard. He sat on one lawn chair and propped his feet on another. It was dusk, and Venus glowed in the sky. The few weeks between Florida fall-winter and spring-summer meant a jacket might be a good idea, but he was too exhausted to go inside to get one. At least his clothes didn’t stick to him as they would in the sweaty height of summer.
He took the last draw on his beer and squeezed the can flat. To make his business work, and not be eaten alive by the competition, he had to up his game and start tooting his own horn, as much as he hated the idea. He thumbed through his contacts for the number of the guy who might get his website going. He called and left a message, then kicked back in his chair and watched the darkening sky.
“So, long day?”
Beau pulled his feet back and knocked the chair over in the process.
“Scarlett? What the heck are you doing on this side of town at this hour?”
“On an errand.” She jumped up into Beau’s lap. “It’s been a long day.”
“Oh, you poor thing?” Beau smiled as he scratched the cat’s ears.
“It started with your girlfriend.”
Beau fixed a harsh gaze on Scarlett. “I believe her name is Abby.”
“Same as. Listen, I’ve got some news.”
Beau yawned. “Sorry. I’ve had a long day myself, Short Stuff.”
“The spell reversal worked.”
“Spell reversal?”
“Abby. Remember? The love thing. She can say it now. And did she ever. I tried to hide inside for a nap, but all I heard was “love” this and “love” that. And guess what? Nothing awful happened after she said it. I could only take so much, and I had to get out.”
“I never believed she caused the electrical problems.”
“Listen, whatever it was, it’s gone. You should go find out yourself.”
“Scarlett, I’m too tired. I have some news myself. I have a competitor.”
The cat made a throaty chirp, her feline version of ‘pftt.’
“You’re the best electrician in town. Everybody says so,” Scarlett said.
“I appreciate your vote, but it’s going to be a tough fight to keep customers.”
“Says who? Look, I know everybody and every cat in this town. One good word from me, and they will line up at your door.”
Beau chuckled. “You are amazing.”
Scarlett yawned as loudly as Beau had. “You know what? I’m pretty tired myself and don’t think I can make it all the way back to The Magic Potter. And I have an errand. I don’t suppose I could hitch a ride?”
“Scarlett,” Beau said.
“Purrty please?”
“Oh, for God’s sake. Okay. But what’s this errand all about?”
“Abby says I have to return something I took from the store.”
“That’s new.” Beau yawned again. “When did you change your modus operandi?”
“My what?”
“Nevermind. What was it this time? A frying pan? A lawn blower?”
“A doll.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“You can? You will? Aunt Deidra, you’re the best.” Abby ended the call.
Deidra would come by tomorrow and take the gown home for alterations. Abby’s aunt had promised to return it in time.
The day couldn’t have ended any better. Keeping her end of the bargain with Beau was going to be easy. She cranked up “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker, put in her earbuds, and slipped the phone in her pocket. She grabbed the dress off the bed, and with it as her dance partner, she spun through the apartment and down the stairs. She flipped on the studio lights and performed before an audience of clay cups, saucers, bowls, and whatevers.
She had no idea if Beau Grayson could dance, but she planned to rock that Ball, regardless. With Theo coming back a few days after the event, the dance would be Abby’s swan song in Cat’s Paw Cove. She might as well make it a Valentine’s Day to remember. After all, she needed to celebrate freedom from the curse.
When the song ended, she dipped and swooped her dress-partner. She was about to go upstairs when a sudden tremble sliced through her. Why the feeling again that someone was watching her?
Ready to call 9-1-1, she prayed the skittering rush over her skin was her overreacting nerves. Her heart pounding, she turned toward the glass front door. Probably nothing. Probably nobody. Probably…Beau?
How long had he been standing there? Had he watched her dance routine?
“Uh. Hello. Didn’t realize I had an audience,” Abby said as she opened the door.
He held Scarlett up in front of him like a prize. Oh, a prize, all right. Abby exhaled a deep, relieved breath that the cat was home and that Beau didn’t say anything about the dance.
“I believe sh
e lives h—ere,” Beau said.
“Occasionally,” Abby said.
Scarlett ducked her chin to avert Abby’s glare, wiggled out of Beau’s grip, and dashed upstairs.
“Thanks for bringing her home,” Abby said.
Hooked by a strap over his shoulder was the casserole carrier. “I be—lieve you left this at my pl—ace.”
“I forgot all about it. Double thanks.”
Beau turned to leave. “Goodnight,” he added.
“Wait.” Abby followed him out onto the porch. “Did you have time to look over my notes? Any questions?”
“Not yet. Long day.”
He sounded genuinely exhausted, but still, she wished he’d stay longer.
“Five minutes?” She gestured to the porch. “It’s a beautiful night.”
Beau glanced at his truck and back at Abby. “Five.”
They sat together on the top step. Abby held the bridesmaid dress in her lap, and he clasped his hands between his splayed thighs. Besides the faint sound of the house band playing at The Galley up the block, all was quiet, including Beau.
Did he regret his decision to take her to the dance? Was he trying to get the courage to cancel the date? She hugged the dress to her chest.
“That’s pre—ty. For the b—all?” He asked.
Abby relaxed her tense shoulders. “Once it’s altered, yes, it will be. It was my bridesmaid’s dress in Theo’s wedding.”
“You dance w—ell. Better than m—e.”
“Don’t worry about dancing. We’ll do just fine.”
He went quiet again.
“Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” she asked.
He ground his heel into the concrete. “Yeah.”
“Is it about Valentine’s Day? Are you sorry you asked me?”
“Huh?” Beau whipped his head in her direction. “What makes you th—ink that?”
She held back a nervous giggle. “Just kidding.” Not really.
“I’m thinking of going back to line—man.”
“Are you crazy? This is what you want to do.”
“You saw my fi—nances. I can’t com—pete.”
“With whom? Says who?”
“You sound like Scarlett.” Even in the dark, Abby could see his faint smile.
“When did you decide this?” Abby asked. “We already talked about it, remember? Your accounts aren’t that bad. All you need to do is increase your visibility. Establish your brand. Things will improve. You’ll see.”
While she continued her pep talk, Beau reached into his pocket and handed her a business card. “These are everywhere. Their trucks are everywhere. They are outbidding me on projects. These guys have big bucks behind them.”
Had Beau realized he’d just said that whole thing without one stumble? She wouldn’t jinx his luck by mentioning it.
Abby launched the card across the yard, then laid her hand on Beau’s arm and gently squeezed. Was it the evening, or the proximity of this handsome man, or both, that made touching his arm seem natural, and right?
“Give it time,” she said. “People here value authenticity. Have faith that they appreciate that in you.” It hurt to see the tired sadness in his eyes.
“Most important, Beau, have faith in yourself. I’m no expert by any stretch, but I’m pretty good at reading people. You are decent and kind. You know your stuff. Just hang in.”
He lifted her palm to his lips and gently kissed it. “Thank you.”
The pleasantly warm tingles from the kiss threatened to melt every bone in her body. Somehow, she held it together and summoned the wherewithal to speak.
“My mom had a saying.” She tightened her hand around his. “If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will either.”
Beau had checked the clock at least six times in the last two hours. One-thirty. Two-fifteen. Three-twenty.
He tossed off the covers and bounded out of bed. “Screw it.”
After fixing coffee, and with a cup in hand, Beau sat at his desk and tried to review Abby’s notes. Instead, his mind kept replaying her warm touch and her sweet words of encouragement. And his embarrassing and poorly timed kiss on her hand.
He wasn’t an impulsive man. How had he let down his guard so easily? Had he bought into the hype from that screwy doll?
He’d met Abby Blessing six days ago, and since then, his life had cartwheeled. Between Abby and Scarlett, his once solitary life had been infused with happy craziness.
Maybe it was his disoriented sleep-deprived brain, but Beau had begun to think Scarlett had planned the whole thing, even to loading up the apartment with stolen goods.
How could a cat carry out such an elaborate plan? In this town? With great ease. Especially if she got help from that scrunched-faced doll.
He poured over Abby’s notes. Everything she’d written made sense and wouldn’t be that hard to implement. A few tweaks to his business plan, such as it was in its current iteration, could make a big difference. She certainly had a head for business and organization. Beau was glad she was working with him, and not with the competition.
Three hours passed before Beau had realized it. He went back outside to his lawn chair and waited for the imminent sunrise. As the sky brightened, so did Beau’s attitude. No doubt, it would be an uphill fight to go against the deep-pocket corporation. But Abby was right. He had things in his favor that they didn’t and never would. He had a talent for the work, sure. But most importantly, he liked the town and the people in it.
And he especially liked one remarkable, or as Kristy said, fiery redhead. Then he wondered if Abby had found the doll in the casserole bag.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“The dress turned out better than I ever imagined.” Abby made a three-sixty turn in front of the mirror then hugged her aunt. “I love it!”
Deidra Blessing cowered slightly, as though on instinct, then stood tall with a broad smile. “I told you Luna was a miracle worker.”
“Almost a week without a single problem. You have no idea how wonderful it feels to say that word any time I want. Luna helped me understand the curse was only part of the problem. It’s been amazing.”
“Are you excited about the dance tomorrow night?” Deidra asked.
Between Beau’s work schedule and the store keeping Abby busy, she hadn’t seen him since last Saturday when he’d brought Scarlett home, and when they’d sat on the front porch. The night he’d kissed her hand.
Before she’d come back to Cat’s Paw Cove, Abby’d had no idea the man existed. And now she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Did he have a favorite color? Did he like ice cream as much as she did? What did he and his friends do for fun? Did he like sports? Aside from being an electrician, who was Beauregard Grayson? She knew all about his finances, but she really didn’t know him at all.
“Abby?” Deidra asked.
“Sorry. Yes, I’m very excited.” But she was afraid she was coming down with a case of cold feet.
Deidra smoothed Abby’s skirt at the waist and fiddled with the hem. “With your red hair and creamy complexion, teal looks fabulous on you. There was enough extra fabric to make a wrap for your shoulders. It might be chilly in that giant Sherwood House ballroom.”
Abby didn’t care if a freak Florida blizzard hit town tomorrow night. Deidra had refashioned the floor-length, poofy-sleeved dress into a to-die-for mini-skirted, red-carpet-worthy, strapless dream. Nerves or not, and cold feet be darned, she planned to dance her heart out—with a relative stranger.
“What shoes will you wear?” Deidra asked.
“Good question.” The dyed-to-match bridesmaid flats were a bit over the top, but it was either those, her sneakers, flip-flops, or…her cowgirl boots.
This was a formal event. Bridesmaid shoes would be fine. She’d wondered all week what Beau might wear. Did he even own formal wear? No matter what he wore, she was sure he’d be the most handsome man there.
“Abby? Shoes?” Deidra asked again.
“Huh? Oh,
yeah. Shoes. No problem.”
“I can check dressmaking off my list. Now I need to glaze and fire those new doll faces. There’s quite a list of pre-orders, including at least a half-dozen people from where I live. And get this. A widower wants one. I’ve never sold one to a man before. This could be interesting.”
Abby had looked everywhere for the missing doll but still hadn’t found it. Scarlett claimed to know nothing about it. But who else would have taken it?
“I apologize that the last one’s missing,” Abby said. “I hate to think somebody stole it. I took it off the shelf and put it down somewhere, but then it simply vanished.”
“Vanished?” Deidra shook her head in confusion. “I saw it on the shelf just before I came upstairs.”
Abby’s mouth gaped.
“I checked the color I used for her complexion,” Deidra went on. “I need to tone down the next batch. She came out too crimson for my taste. If you need me, you know where I’ll be.”
How could the doll be back in the studio? Who was behind the conspiracy? As though Abby didn’t have a suspect in mind.
After she’d changed into her jeans and a flannel shirt, Abby started back downstairs to see that darn doll for herself. Rubbing her cheek against the wall, Scarlett sat at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at Abby. The cat was playing up cuteness for all it was worth. And nailing her own coffin at the same time.
Deidra wore her potter’s apron and was preparing to apply the glaze. “I can’t decide between blushing rose or floribunda rouge,” she said.
Abby walked past Deidra and Scarlett and went straight to the retail room. On the shelf, just where she had been before, sat the last remaining magical doll.
“Scarlett, please come in here,” Abby asked as she picked up the doll.
