Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1)

by Karice Bolton

  “What we’ve got here is something that is hard to find.” The low sound of his voice sent a shiver through me or maybe it was how he said the word we.

  “I know,” I replied.

  He turned around and bit his lip and my breath caught.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  He thought it was over the house.

  Thank God.

  “Totally. So what’s your proposition?” I inquired.

  He grimaced. “It’s a bit involved.”

  “Well, you better let me have it so I can boot you out sooner rather than later.” I smiled.

  “Ouch.” He walked over to the couch and took a seat. I wasn’t sure whether to stay standing or sit next to him. The more I looked at him, the more I decided to stay upright and across the room. Now wasn’t the moment to get distracted and that was almost impossible around him.

  “I know when you look around you see nothing but work…” his voice trailed off.

  “True.”

  “But I know I can return this home and property back to the splendor it once held. I can feel the grandeur of this place yelling to be salvaged. Just start with this room, if I strip the floors, replace the slider with a wall full of french doors, and put a new stone façade on the fireplace, no one would ever want to leave this room. Imagine a fire roiling around in that fireplace during the cold winters with friends sitting and drinking wine while enjoying the stormy nights.”

  The way he described it was absolutely magical and completely unaffordable.

  “I don’t doubt your vision, but you know I don’t have the budget for anything like that.”

  Mason nodded and continued. “If the deck was doubled in size to provide an outdoor living space, it would add so much.”

  “I’m sure it would, but it’s not realistic.”

  “The kitchen has great bones. If we knock out the wall between the dining room and kitchen, we can create a large granite island, the views would be seen from every room.”

  “That’s a nice dream of yours, but I don’t see a way to do all that in the time allotted and certainly not within the budget, which brings me back to what’s expected of me.”

  There was no doubt this house possessed a charm that made anyone who stepped inside want to help pull that out of it. My parents were spellbound with the very notion, but reality soon sets in with a project of this magnitude.

  “A dream is just a spectacular plan waiting to be executed,” Mason said, smiling.

  A completely unattainable poetic contractor, only in my world would that serve as a problem.

  “Well, I think that is a beautiful sentiment, but—”

  “It’s reality,” Mason interrupted. “I don’t know what’s gotten you so cynical, but I’d love to be the one to break that habit. It’s a nasty one.”

  A cynic! Had I turned into one of those cynical people who exhausted others by merely existing? Was that what replaced the person Bethany described earlier? I gulped back the horror and shook my head.

  “I never used to be,” I answered.

  “Life can do a number on even the happiest of souls.”

  I had been a happy soul, but I’m not sure where she went. I got the urge to ask him if he’d seen The Last of the Mohicans, but I managed to keep my lips sealed about that topic and, instead, switched it back to the house. I didn’t need to bring my childish and somewhat misguided romantic expectations about some movie decades old into his realm.

  “So what is it that you want?” I asked.

  “Quite a few things,” he answered. His eyes flashed to my lips and a wave of pure longing swept through me, especially since his gaze stayed there for a few seconds longer than I expected.

  “I’m listening,” I almost whispered.

  “I’m expecting your company during the entire renovation,” he stated. His voice was matter of fact and I couldn’t gauge where he was coming from. Mason gestured to the couch and I took a seat.

  “Do you ask that of your other clients?” I asked. “Constant companionship?”

  “Not a one.”

  “Well, considering there aren’t any labor costs, I’d be more than happy to help however I can. I already expected to lend a hand and be here through the renovation.”

  Mason nodded. “I’ll be working mostly nights and weekends on this project since I have a day job.” He smiled. “But maybe a home cooked meal now and then could be added to the must-haves?” he laughed, but I detected a hint of seriousness behind his request.

  “I can handle that. I have to eat anyway.”

  “Drive-thrus get a little tiring at midnight and with the ferry ride back, I’m guessing that’s when I’d be eating.”

  Judging by the looks of him, he never went to a drive-thru, but I’d humor him.

  “Of course. I hadn’t even thought of what time you’d be working here. Count on dinner anytime. But how do you know you’ll like my cooking?”

  “I like living on the edge.”

  My body relaxed as his requests sank in. So far the list seemed reasonable, and the realization of how much time he’d be spending here was enthralling.

  Mason was quiet for a few seconds, parting his lips and then shutting them before finally continuing with his list of unexpected demands.

  “I see the potential in this place for any prospective buyer. This will be a great investment for whoever is lucky enough to buy it.”

  I nodded.

  “And I hope to be that person,” Mason replied, turning to analyze my reaction.

  “You want to buy this house?”

  “That is my hope. I fell in love with it the moment I came down the driveway.”

  “So why wouldn’t you wait to do all the renovations after you own it? You’re only driving up the price you’ll have to pay for it. Or is that where the strings are attached?”

  “My life has had quite a few ups and downs and I’ve seen karma do a number on some close friends. I have to live with who I am as a person. I don’t think it would be very honorable of me to walk in here with the full intention of buying this place and then do nothing to increase the value. You brought me into this project to help you sell the home. It’s not your fault I happen to be the one who also wants to buy it. And besides, I also happen to think you might fall in love with this place enough to not want to sell it. I’d like to make it as nice as possible for either outcome…just in case you want to stay on the island after all.”

  I studied Mason as I tried to dissect what he was telling me.

  “And how would that work for you? We do all this work and you pour all this time into my home and then you don’t get it at the end of it all?”

  “Well, getting to spend time with you might very well be worth it.” He winked and I melted, but I knew he was well seasoned with the one-liners. He had to be. “And I have one other request.”

  “Yeah?”

  “My parents always hold a huge family barbeque in the middle of summer and I need a date.”

  “A date? Somehow I don’t think you’d have a problem in that area. Just show up at the high school and you’ll have your pick of any teacher there.”

  “I don’t want any teacher, I want you to accompany me. It would be a nice change to bring someone.”

  “Gabby will be there,” he offered, after a few seconds of silence on my part.

  I twisted my lips pretending as if I wouldn’t love to spend an evening with him before I finally answered.

  “So why do you need a date for a family barbeque?”

  “I don’t, but like I said, it would be nice.”

  “And?” I knew there was more here if I could get him to share.

  “It’s complicated. Let’s just say it would be great to have someone with me while I’m thrown into a mix of couples chatting about things that couples talk about. It’s really not my idea of a great time to be surrounded by couples staring longingly into one another’s eyes.”

  “Wow. What a way to sell it.” I grinned. “But
you can count me in. It’s the least I can do.”

  “My family is pretty cool. Amazing, actually. Unfortunately, my parents set the bar impossibly high.”

  His admission made my heart stand still.

  “I know the feeling.”

  “When you have parents who are so intertwined…” His eyes glinted with curiosity.

  “They finish one another’s sentences,” I interjected.

  Mason’s smile widened. “Yeah. They would rather spend an evening at home together than vacation on a tropical island apart. True story. My mom turned down a totally paid-for vacation to Turks and Caicos because she’d rather spend her free time at home with my dad. Can you believe it?”

  I shook my head and saw the admiration in Mason’s eyes, as well as the realization that love like that was nearly impossible to find.

  “It doesn’t help that both of my siblings have found that very same kind of love. I’m the odd man out.”

  “So you’d like us to be the odd man and woman out?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Well, I can also tell you that you’re in the lead for purchasing this home. I know you’ll make it beautiful, but I really don’t want any part of it…too many memories in the walls of this place for me. Anyway, your work won’t be for nothing.”

  He bit his lip and his eyes stayed on mine. I had often wondered if true love like my parents had existed anywhere else—making me question the accuracy of my memories—but as my gaze connected with Mason’s I knew it did, for some. Mason experienced that kind too. He saw the standards set so high that they felt unachievable, so why not merely set the bar low and be prepared for disappointment? That was what I had done with Tanner.

  “Well, let’s get started. I thought we could work on the downstairs bathroom. It’s small and very little has to be done so it will feel like a great accomplishment.”

  “What do you have planned?” I asked. “Paint and new linoleum?”

  Mason was almost beaming. I could tell he truly loved what he did.

  “No way. I’ve got some white porcelain tile, and then we’ll add a border with glass subway tiles that are almost the color of the cove down below. You know that almost blue-grey it’s known for in the summer?”

  “Forgotten Cove?” I asked, my voice hoarse and my mind spinning. I’d done so much to never utter those words—that place—since the accident. I became nauseous and wanted to lie down. The room was spinning, and I knew I needed off this island.

  “Are you okay?” Mason asked, concerned. “We don’t have to do that. I can return the tile if you hate the idea that much.”

  I offered a feeble smile and shook my head. “It’s not the tile. Sorry. It’s…” I couldn’t say it. I wouldn’t say it, but the sorrow had already plunged deep into my bones.

  “Would you like me to leave? I can…”

  I knew that would be a horrible plan. If he left, I’d crawl right into bed and not get out again until the feelings were buried deep into the crevices of my mind, and being back here, I wasn’t sure that was possible this time.

  I patted his knee and hopped up. I needed to make things disappear. “No. Let’s get it going. I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

  “Well, the tiles are in the truck and so are the tools.”

  “Great. I’ll help bring them in.”

  Mason opened his mouth, but shut it quickly and nodded before walking back through the house. It took everything I had not to go outside and hop in my car and never return. There were some moments in life that were meant to be left behind, concealed under memories’ cobwebs with no hope of spinning them back into reality again. That was why I’d left Fireweed Island so long ago. I didn’t want to remember.

  Our first field trip to the EMP was a huge success. The kids’ fascination with the exhibits filled my heart with joy and the teaching opportunities were endless. I had to admit the Nirvana exhibit made me feel like my parents must have felt after answering my nonstop Rolling Stones questions.

  Old.

  Several of the parents volunteered to help with the field trip, and every one had made it back safe and sound to the island. I was sitting at Gabby’s Goodies, eating a scone and waiting for Delilah’s mother, Marcy. She had asked if she could meet with me after she dropped her daughter off for tennis lessons, which happened to be on the same island as Gabby’s Goodies. It sounded like a perfect way to eat up time before Mason got to the house. Fireweed Island was only a fifteen minute ferry ride away from here so the timing should work out perfectly, and if not, he had a key to let himself in.

  I took a sip of my mocha as Gabby slid into the chair across the table.

  “I heard your new bathroom looks spectacular. Do you like it?” she asked.

  I nodded and quickly swallowed so I could answer. “I love it. The accent tile is gorgeous. He was right about getting one of the smaller projects out of the way. I see a glimmer of hope.”

  Gabby beamed and tapped the table. “What did I tell you? He’s a miracle worker.”

  “Indeed he is. In fact, tonight we’re starting work on the family room. He’s saving the kitchen for last so that I can continue to cook him meals.”

  Gabby laughed. “Sounds like the Rhodes brothers.”

  The phone rang and Gabby bounded from the chair but not before hollering over her shoulder. “From what I heard, he hasn’t stopped talking about you to everyone he knows.”

  The revelation made me almost giddy but for all the wrong reasons. Gabby answered the phone and proceeded to take an order for morning. She hung up the phone and pinned the order on the wall with all the others before coming back over to sit with me.

  “He must not have much to talk about if he’s managing to fit me in.” I smirked, taking another sip of the mocha.

  “In all seriousness, he’s actually quite a busy man with lots of hobbies so the fact that you’ve been mentioned so much has his brother completely amused and his mother hopeful,” she snickered.

  I got a sudden urge to learn what his hobbies were.

  “Hopeful for what?”

  My mind flashed to the barbeque. It was going to be nothing more than two acquaintances turned friends attending a get together.

  No. Big. Deal.

  “I’m sure you can imagine the many things a mother would hope for her son.”

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “I’m sure he’s just talking about me because he loves the house so much and I own the house. He’s been spending hours with me every day working his fingers to the bone. I actually feel very sorry for the guy.”

  “I happen to know he’s enjoying every second of it.” Her eyes sparkled mischievously and I got a little nervous.

  I let out a sigh and saw Delilah’s mother pull into the lot. “Well, I hope I don’t dash his family’s hopes and dreams, but I’m not the right one. I’m not looking for anything serious and won’t be for—”

  The bell on the door chimed as Delilah’s mother pushed open the door. She looked like an older version of her daughter with large blue eyes and short dark hair. But at the moment, she appeared harried and completely stressed since the last time I saw her—less than two hours ago.

  “Maybe don’t do serious. Try fun,” Gabby whispered, before leaving the table.

  I’d never really let my mind go to that possibility before. I wasn’t the “not serious” type. I only understood serious. There had to be an end goal in sight. I wasn’t sure how “not serious” would work. I doubted it was even possible. Thankfully Marcy interrupted my thoughts with the thud of her purse on the table and an exasperated sigh.

  “Is there any way to fast-forward through this age and watch her walk down the aisle at graduation? She will graduate, right?” She sat down in the chair, her expression completely defeated.

  I reached my hand across the table and squeezed hers. “Yes. She will make it through and so will you. What can I get you? My treat.”

  “A jasmine tea sounds perfect.”
<
br />   I walked over to the counter, and Gabby already had one brewing as she rang me up.

  “Don’t forget what I said earlier. Maybe give it some thought while he’s at the house tonight. Life doesn’t always have to be so serious.” Her voice was almost a whisper.

  “Very unfunny, my friend,” I gave her three dollars and spun on my heels with the warm drink in hand.

  I took a seat back at the table and smiled. Marcy looked slightly better than when she’d walked through the door.

  “Doing a little better?” I asked.

  Marcy smiled and took a sip of tea. “Now I am. Sometimes I get so caught up in the drama of teenage life that I can hardly think straight. If I can remember I’m an adult that works better.”

  “But that isn’t always as fun.” I let out a little chuckle. I could relate, but I enjoyed slipping into another generation’s way of existence. Or at least I had before everything with Tanner and my father. I was hoping to get back to that state of mind before the end of summer.

  “Well, I wish I could say it will get better, but you never know,” I joked.

  “I appreciate the honesty.” Marcy’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I don’t understand what got her into summer school.”

  “Lots of students can find it hard to balance so many subjects and excel in all of them,” I offered.

  Marcy shook her head. “It makes absolutely no sense though. Not this subject.”

  “Pardon me?” I asked, not completely following.

  “She loves history. She knows more facts than are in an encyclopedia. She wants to be a history professor for God’s sake. Now, if she was struggling in some other class maybe I wouldn’t be suspicious. It’s Delilah’s favorite subject she so happens to be failing and that is worrisome. I almost wonder if it’s a cry for attention.”

  “Well, if it makes you feel any better, she has received perfect scores on all her tests and assignments.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I hate to press, but have there been any changes at home or anything that would disrupt her daily routine?”