by Rachel Hanna
“A man?” Jerry prodded as he followed.
Austin turned and glared at him. “No.”
The two men went into the trailer which had some much needed air conditioning. Although it was October, occasional warm days were the norm in January Cove at this time of the year.
“What’s up?” Austin asked as he sat behind his little desk and took an apple from his lunch bag. He bit into it and sat back.
“We’ve got a problem with the backhoe. I’m going to need to call the repair guy, but that’s going to set us back at least two days even if he’s on time.”
“Damn it!” Austin shouted. The last thing he needed were setbacks. This would bring the whole job to a standstill, and how was that going to look to Mr. Ballard?
“Man, there’s nothing I can do. I just wanted you to be prepared. That backhoe isn’t even that old, so I have no idea how long it will take to fix it.”
This wasn’t good news at all. The whole site would be silent for at least two days, and that wasn’t going to do anything for his reputation with Ballard.
“Stay on top of it, Jerry,” he said, leaning across the desk. “Don’t make me ask for an update.”
Jerry nodded and walked out of the trailer quietly. The men who worked with Austin knew him to be young, but very tough. No excuses, no passing the buck.
There was a faint tap at the door. “What now?” he yelled. The door opened, but it wasn’t Jerry standing there. It was Molly.
She was wearing her Jolt apron, and her eyes were still a little puffy from the night before.
“Hey. You got a minute?” she asked softly.
“Of course. Come on in,” he said, standing up. “Everything okay?” Were his hands sweating? Yep, his hands were sweating.
“Yeah. Listen, I didn’t see you at Jolt this morning…”
“I got here early. Brought my own coffee,” he said, holding up his insulated cup as if he needed evidence.
“Hey, I promised I wouldn’t poison you,” she said with a slight smile. “And I only crossed the fingers on one hand.”
“Very funny. Actually, I just needed to get here before Jolt opened. And who’s minding the store right now?”
“Oh, Rebecca stopped by for a bit and gave me a break. I think she knows something is up with me today.” She sat down in one of the chairs across from his desk, so he sat back down too. Apparently, she was staying awhile and he didn’t have a problem with that at all.
“Glad you got a break.” He had no idea what to say to her. All of it felt awkward.
“I just came by to say thank you for helping me last night.”
“I made you cry, Molly.”
“No, the whole situation made me cry,” she said, which was good to know but also meant he caused part of it. “I feel like such a fool. You were right. How gullible I’ve been.”
She looked incredibly defeated, and he knew there was more to it than just this guy.
“Better to take a chance once in a while than to never find someone special.” What was he saying?
She looked up at him and smiled, as if his words had been a surprise to her. “I don’t get you. One minute you’re so gruff and straight to the point, and the next minute you’re sweet and kind. Who are you, Austin?”
He smiled. “I have no idea.”
“I’ll accept that. I also came to ask you another question.”
“No, I won’t marry you.” He immediately regretted it after he’d said it. Way too soon, idiot. But she laughed. Loudly. And he wasn’t sure what to think about that.
“Thanks for the laugh. Anyway…” she continued and his heart was stuck in his throat. “You mentioned helping me find Blake… or whoever the heck this person is. Were you serious?”
“Totally serious. I love a good mystery.”
“Good, because I want to find this person and pound their ass into the pavement,” she said with a completely straight face.
“Dang, girl! That’s something I never thought I’d hear come from your mouth.” He was almost a little proud.
“You don’t really know me, Austin,” she said with a sly smile. “I can be, what was it you called me, a ‘spitfire’, when I want to be. I’m over the crying phase, and now it’s on to the payback phase. Care to be my partner?” She reached her hand across the desk, and he hesitated for a moment. He had the distinct impression that this handshake was going to change his life.
So he shook her hand.
Tessa and Jenna stood in the tiny church, each with a measuring tape in hand.
“I don’t see how we can fit all of these groomsmen up here. These are big guys, Jenna.”
“Well, I can starve Kyle for a few days, but I don’t think that helps with Brad and Jackson.” Tessa laughed. It was all she could do given that her wedding was just two days away and it felt like nothing was done.
“Oh crap! I forgot to go approve the flowers. What time does the florist close for lunch? Lunch! I forgot to eat lunch!”
Jenna closed the space between them and put her hands on Tessa’s shoulders. “Deep breaths,” she said with a smile. “Everything’s going to be fine. It’s going to be the most beautiful day of your life.”
Tessa took a deep breath and smiled. “You’re right. I know I’m getting so totally insane over this, Jen, but I want everything to be perfect. I finally found my perfect soulmate, and I don’t want anything to mess that up.” She sank down onto the wooden pew and sighed.
Jenna sat down beside her. “You know, when I was little, my family used to attend this church.”
“You did? It’s adorable.”
“I remember my aunt Margie got married here when I was about eight years old, and I was the flower girl. I was terrified. I swear my knees were knocking.”
Tessa giggled. “I can’t imagine you being scared of much.”
“Well, I was. I thought I’d trip because my mom made me wear these little heels, and I had never worn heels before.”
“But everything went perfectly and you worried for nothing…”
“Nope. I tripped.”
“What kind of story is that?” Tessa asked with a laugh. “This isn’t making me feel better!”
“Not only did I trip, but I threw up because I was so anxious. Thankfully, these wood floors can’t be stained because it was pretty bad since I’d had red jello right before the wedding. Unfortunately, Aunt Margie’s dress didn’t fair so well. It had one of those long, Princess Diana style trains and it was white. Snow white. When I was finished, it looked like Aunt Margie had been shot at her own wedding.”
Tessa couldn’t help but laugh at Jenna’s story, although it wasn’t doing anything for her confidence. “And why are you telling me this terrible story?”
“My Aunt Margie and Uncle Paul have been married all these years, and they are some of the happiest people I know. Those little hiccups at the wedding are fun stories that we told at the holidays, but they didn’t change anything about their love and the life they’d go on to have together. They have four kids now and a beautiful love story, Tessa. No matter what, you and Aaron will have the same. It’s just one day on the calendar.”
Tessa hugged her friend and soon-to-be sister-in-law tightly. She knew she was right. Being with Aaron had already been her greatest blessing in life second only to her son, Tyler, and marrying him would just be the icing on the cake
Chapter 7
“Good morning!” Molly called to a customer as they walked through the door of Jolt. She didn’t recognize this woman, but she was almost regal looking with her stylish blonde hair and air of confidence.
“Good morning to you too. You must be new around here,” the woman said with a smile. Molly hadn’t seen her before and wondered how she would know that. “I’m Adele Parker.”
“Nice to meet you. Molly James,” she said, reaching out her hand and shaking Adele’s. “I haven’t seen you around here, but then I’ve only been here for a week or so.”
“My daughter in law�
� well, I consider her to be my daughter in law… Rebecca owns this place.”
Then it hit her. Adele Parker! Jackson’s mother. Addison’s mother. Rebecca spoke fondly of her often. She was like the matriarch of January Cove, but Rebecca said she’d been traveling with her new love for a few weeks now.
“Ah, you must be in town for the wedding. I’ve heard Rebecca talking about it a lot lately.”
“Yes, my son, Aaron, is marrying Tessa. Wonderful couple. We’re very excited for the big day tomorrow!” Adele said, gushing with pride.
“Well, congratulations on adding to your family. Can I get you something?”
“I’d love a latte, light foam please.”
Molly went to work behind the counter as Adele took off her jacket and sat down at one of the bistro tables nearby.
“So, is Rebecca around?”
“Actually, I think she’s with Tessa this morning. Some final wedding preparations from what I gathered,” Molly said as she frothed the milk.
“Yes, there’s a lot going on, for sure. It’s so good to be back home for a few days.”
“Heading on the road again soon?”
“Yes. My husband, Harrison, and I, are hitting the road yet again! Planning to head out west for a few weeks before coming back here for the holidays.”
“Thanksgiving?”
“No, we won’t make it back in time for that, but my kids will survive without me,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes, it’s just the end of an era, you know?”
“Yes, I know that all too well,” Molly said, thinking about the changes in her own life lately. She walked around the counter and put Adele’s latte on the table.
“Please, sit,” Adele said, pointing to the chair across from her.
Molly sat down, a bit uncomfortable. She had never been great at meeting new people and making small talk, but she knew she had to get over that. Her big dream was to one day afford veterinary school and she’d definitely need to talk to new clients.
“So, you’ve only been in January Cove for a week or so? How are you liking it?”
“I love it, actually,” Molly said with a smile. And she did love it, a lot more than she originally thought she would.
“It’s a slice of heaven, for sure,” Adele said with a proud smile. “It always feels good to come home again. There will never be another place like January Cove for me.”
“Then why travel?”
“Well, I guess I’m just getting older and it’s time to see some things. I spent most of my life raising kids and running a business, so it’s nice to relax a little and see the world.”
“And fall in love again?”
“Falling in love is the best feeling. You know, I lost my husband when my kids were young, and I adored him. It was the hardest day of my life, but my kids have made me so proud. And I know he would be thrilled with how they turned out.”
“I love Addison. I’m staying at her B&B,” Molly said.
“Oh, you are? That’s a beautiful place. And Clay is a keeper too,” Adele said with a laugh before taking a sip of her latte. “He’s like another son to me since he practically lived at my house growing up.”
“He seems like a great guy. Gotta find me one of those one day,” Molly said with a sigh.
“Sounds like there’s a story behind that sigh…”
“Yes, ma’am, but I’m too tired to tell it today,” she said. Just then, a customer came into Jolt and gave Molly the break she needed from the line of questioning that was surely on its way. Adele was nice, but she could easily see how she’d raised five kids alone. She knew how to cross examine with grace and ease.
“Nice to meet you, Molly,” Adele called, waving as she took her coffee out onto the sidewalk and Molly wondered how quickly she’d know her full story from Addison. She guessed within the next half hour, and that thought made her giggle to herself.
Small towns didn’t even need newspapers. Gossip carried all the news quicker than social media ever could.
Molly arrived home just before dinner. Rebecca had closed the coffee shop early in preparation for the rehearsal dinner for Aaron and Tessa’s wedding the next day.
The dinner was being held at Breakers which meant that Addison and Clay were out for the night with Anna Grace. The whole family was getting together to toast the happy couple and run through the ceremony at the church nearby, which meant Molly was on her own for dinner.
She went up to her room, threw on some comfortable clothes - a pair of jeans and a long sleeved gray shirt - and went into the kitchen. Being alone in the big house was a little spooky, not because she believed in ghosts or anything, but because there were so many creaks and cracks and noises all the time. And, if an ax murderer suddenly appeared, she didn’t know anyone to call for help.
“Hey,” Austin said from behind, scaring the daylights out of her. Unfortunately, she had a knife in her hand at the time and swung around, flinging her arm up and narrowly missing his chin.
“Oh, I’m so sorry! Did I get you?” she asked, dropping the knife on the granite countertop and running her hand across his square jawline. The move sent unexpected tingles up her spine.
He cleared his throat and seemed a bit shaken by the event - or possibly her touching him - and stepped back. “Um, if you ‘got me’, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”
She laughed. “Sorry. We seem to scare each other a lot.”
“In more ways than one,” he muttered as he opened the refrigerator.
“What?”
“Nothing. Where are Addison and Clay?”
“Oh, they had the rehearsal dinner tonight.”
“So we’re on our own?” he asked. She swore she heard a hopeful sound in his voice.
“I suppose so. I was just going to heat up a can of soup and watch TV in my room…”
“Dear God, are you an eighty year old woman? My grandma had a wilder social life.”
“Excuse me?” she said, leaning against the counter and glaring at him.
“How old are you? Like twenty?”
“Twenty-two, actually.”
“Oooh, sorry.”
“Are you going back to being cocky, arrogant Austin because I can pick up that knife again.” She loved their banter.
He studied her for a moment and then smiled. “No. I’m not going back. At least I’m not trying to go back, but it’s hard. He’s served me well for so many years.”
She liked his crooked smile and that dimple that only showed on the right side, and only if he smiled big. Oh, no, what was she thinking?
“If he’s served you so well, why aren’t you already married off?” she asked innocently as she straightened up the bar stools lining the counter. It was a habit. Things had to be straight or she’d feel way too anxious.
He stopped what he was doing in the refrigerator - which seemed to be just letting the cold air out - and looked at her. She couldn’t pinpoint what his expression was. Anger? Hurt?
“If I wanted a wife, I’d have one,” he said curtly and then turned toward the stairs.
“Oh come on! I was just messing around…” she said, following him.
“Stop,” he said, holding his hand up. “Let’s get something straight, Molly. We’re friendly because we both live here right now. And I don’t mind helping you find your sadistic catfish, but I don’t owe you, or anyone else, explanations about my personal life. Understand?”
She just stood there, staring up at him in shock. The air was no longer in her lungs, and she felt a sense of horrible guilt washing over her. It was hurt, mixed with anger, that she saw in his eyes. But what had hurt him so bad that he lashed out at the least little comment?
Austin sat on his bed, taking in deep breaths to calm himself down. He wasn’t even mad at Molly; he was mad at himself. For what, he didn’t really know.
A million times he’d questioned his choices. Not moving faster in his career. Not finding a wife and settling down. He always felt like he wa
s running behind, like the last train had just left the station and he was chasing it. He had so much time he needed to catch up on, so many wasted years.
What she’d said had been innocent, and he had overreacted like he always did. She must’ve thought he was insane.
Maybe he should apologize, he thought, but apologies were hard for him. Vulnerability was impossible. People, especially women, couldn’t be trusted. His own mother proved that.
So, he sat back on his bed and turned on the TV. Maybe he could find some kind of sporting event to get his mind off his troubles.
Austin must have dozed off because he barely heard the knock at his door. It got louder and louder until he realized he wasn’t dreaming.
“Come in,” he called, still unable to focus his eyes. He glanced at his clock and realized an hour had passed, and then his stomach made an ungodly noise that reminded him he missed dinner.
The door swung open, as if being kicked, and Molly was standing there with a tray. On it were two bowls, two glasses of sweet tea and a plate of bread.
“Care to join me in my old woman dinner party?” she asked with a sly smile.
He laughed and nodded as he got up and took the tray from her. His room was a mess, at least compared to hers. Clothes were strewn all over the bed plus a few pieces on the floor. He put the tray down on his dresser and quickly tidied up as she stood there looking unsure of what to do.
“You need a maid.”
“Are you offering?” he asked. She crossed her arms and cocked her head the side. “Here. Have a seat,” he said, patting the bed. He pulled the bedside table between them and brought the food over.
“You know, we could go back to the table and eat this if you want.”
“What? And ruin the ambiance in here? No way,” he said.
She giggled and took a spoonful of her soup. It was homemade chicken soup, and Molly savored each bite like she’d never eaten before. It was a little hard to pay attention because he was so focused on watching her enjoy it.
“I’m really sorry for what I said earlier, Austin,” she finally said, obviously trying to break the tension. He’d totally forgotten about their tiff in the kitchen, opting instead to focus on her lips.
