“But you love responsibilities. In fact, you thrive on them.”
Several customers walked in, so Kayla and Sarah couldn’t talk anymore. She meant to ask Sarah if Gabe had liked the dinosaur. One of the customers was Meredith, an adorable nine-year-old, who was accompanied by her mom. Meredith was intelligent for her age and became bored easily. Sometimes, after coming into the toy store, they’d leave empty-handed and instead go to the bookstore farther down on Main Street.
Sarah jumped off the stool eagerly to see if she could help them. Kayla was grateful, but she knew Sarah’s real reason for welcoming the interruption. She was afraid Kayla might try to start a heart-to-heart talk about Sarah’s flirting and her view on marriage. One day, they would have that talk, but now was definitely not the right time. Sarah’s flirting habits weren’t as much of a problem as were her views on love. Every time Kayla tried to find out why, her sister refused to speak.
It was nice watching Sarah with Meredith, though.
“So most toys bore you. I understand; most toys bore me, too,” Sarah said to Meredith.
That’s a lie, Kayla thought. Sarah loved toys.
“You get bored, too?” Meredith asked.
“Yes. If I was to get any toy in the store, I’d get a journal.”
“But journals are just empty notebooks.”
Sarah smiled and moved a piece of dark hair out of Meredith’s eye. Her mom stood there, stunned. Sarah didn’t know it, but Meredith didn’t like anyone touching her.
“You’re right, Meredith. But look at this one.” Sarah grabbed a large box with a journal inside. “This journal is my favorite. You see, there are different-colored rhinestones inside. First you decorate the journal however you like, and then inside on these blank pages, you write all your thoughts. It’s fun.”
“Mom said sometimes my thoughts aren’t nice.”
“I have thoughts like those, too. Do you want to know what I do when that happens?”
“What?”
“I write them in my journal, and then I don’t think about them anymore, and I feel better.”
Meredith looked as if she was considering Sarah’s words.
“If I did that, maybe Mom wouldn’t punish me for saying my thoughts out loud. And then when I talk, I’ll only say happy things.”
Sarah knelt down and looked Meredith directly in the eyes. “It’s okay to not always feel happy, but I think the journal will help you get your feelings on paper. And it’ll be your own, so you can make it look as pretty as you’d like.”
Meredith turned toward her mom. “Can you please buy me this journal, Mom? I promise to take care of it.”
Her mom agreed. Kayla took the journal from them and rang it up, showing Sarah how to add the information into the computer and run the customer’s credit card through. Melody had put a lot of money into accounting software specifically for retail businesses and Kayla was grateful. Sarah seemed to be grasping it quickly.
Once Meredith and her mom left, Kayla grabbed Sarah’s hand.
“I’m proud of you,” Kayla said.
“You are?”
“Yes, you gained the respect of two people in Bella Cove. And you didn’t have to flirt to do it. If you acted like your brilliant self to everyone in this town, can you imagine how many more people will love and respect you as much as I do?”
Sarah kissed Kayla on the cheek. “Point taken.” Then she straightened up the shelf with the journals.
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Tons of customers came in, which kept the sisters busy. Sarah was doing great though. Better than Kayla had anticipated. And she seemed really happy, which made Kayla happy, too.
Every so often, Kayla glanced out the window at the storefront where Gabe was moving his office to. About an hour earlier, a moving truck had arrived filled with boxes. Shortly afterward, Alice showed up and began instructing the movers as they unloaded the truck. Alice’s long, dark hair flowed down her back. Usually, she wore it in a stark bun. Kayla couldn’t help but speculate if Alice had worn it differently to impress Gabe. Not for the first time, Kayla wondered if he already had a girlfriend. But thinking that way only made her crazy. She’d have to stop.
Finally, briefly, she saw Gabe. He was wearing jeans and a red polo shirt. He used to wear jeans all the time at school.
He must have sensed her looking because he turned toward her. Then he ran to the moving truck and took out the dinosaur. He held it up and nodded. Then he smiled softly. What did that nod mean? Something else she’d probably analyze to death.
Sarah left at five to go to the gym, while Kayla looked over their sales for the day until closing at six. On her way out, she glanced over at Gabe’s office, but the lights were off and the place appeared closed.
She wasn’t ready to go home quite yet. Instead, she walked along Main Street, checking out all the pretty storefront windows. Some nights when she’d walk here, she’d pretend she was living in the 1800s. That was how Bella Cove felt to her. And the way her family was structured made her feel as if she really was living way back then. Once her family was a little more stable, she’d feel as if she’d honored Nana’s wishes. Kayla would still make sure the family stayed close, and she’d continue guarding her grandmother’s money, but other than that, she’d be free to make different choices for herself, and she craved that.
Kayla walked past the bay. Instead of going to her house up the hill, she made a right and headed toward Matt’s place. He lived in a pretty brick colonial overlooking the bay. Matt brought in a mid-six-figure income from the family’s furniture business, so it wasn’t imperative that Jessica continue to work, but she was a third-grade teacher at Bella Cove Elementary, and she seemed to like her job.
As Kayla walked up their brick path, she felt like butterflies were doing somersaults in her stomach. Matt was working late, so she’d have time alone to talk with Jessica. She wondered if Nana had ever gotten nervous when she had to deal with a family issue. Kayla doubted it.
She rang the doorbell and waited for what felt like an eternity before Jessica opened the door. She looked surprised to see Kayla, and also a little angry.
“Hi, Kayla. Is everything okay?”
“Everything’s great. I didn’t see you at my celebratory dinner the other night, so I came to see how you’re doing.”
That annoyed look appeared in Jessica’s eyes again. “Oh, yes. Congratulations. Matt said the dinner was nice. I’m usually wiped out when I come home from work. If I came to dinner, I would have fallen asleep.”
Kayla sighed inwardly. Whenever Jessica’s family had an important dinner, Jessica would go—work night or not—and most of the time, she’d cook for them, too. Kayla understood Jessica loved her family and put them first, but she rarely spent time with Matt’s family. And Kayla could tell it was beginning to bother her big brother.
Kayla took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy, and from the way Jessica was holding the screen door only slightly open, she clearly didn’t want Kayla to come inside. But this was too important to ignore.
“May I come in?” Kayla asked, her tone sweet as sugar.
The annoyed look in Jessica’s eyes intensified, but Kayla wasn’t about to back down. She had to say her piece. Matt was too important to her.
“Of course.”
Jessica moved away from the door so Kayla could step inside. She sat on the couch, pretending to make herself at home. After all, this was her brother’s house, too. She should feel at home.
Jessica swallowed hard. “Would you like a drink?” It was obvious she didn’t want to offer Kayla anything.
“No, I’d like you to sit, so I can say what I have to say and then leave you to your alone time.”
Jessica sat on the chair, facing the couch but barely looking Kayla in the eye.
Kayla inhaled deeply. “Do you love Matt?”
Jessica sat up straighter. “Of course I do. He’s my husband.”
“A lot of women don’t love their h
usbands. Let me rephrase the question: Are you in love with my brother?”
“Of course,” she said softly.
Kayla smiled. “I’m relieved to hear that.”
Jessica shifted in her chair. “Why would you think I don’t love him?”
Kayla knew Jessica loved Matt. Whenever she looked at him, her expression told everyone how she felt. That wasn’t the issue.
“I thought you loved him, but I’ve been concerned. Matt comes with a family he loves, and we love him back. I know you’re close to your family, just like we’re all close.” Kayla paused. “And I love that you and Matt have that and a million other things in common. But from what Matt tells me, he goes to all your family dinners and special events, and he does so willingly because he loves you. And I know my brother. If he didn’t want to see your family, he wouldn’t. He can be pretty stubborn when he wants to be.”
Jessica laughed. “That’s true.”
“Yet you haven’t seen us in months. I understand the pressure of having a tight-knit family. But sometimes, Matt wants you on his arm. He’s proud of you. And because Matt loves you, we love you, too. I miss seeing you.” Kayla paused and looked Jessica directly in the eyes. “I guess what I’m asking is if you’ll give us a chance. If you get to know us and you hate us, you never have to see us. But maybe you’ll like us in a different way than you like your family.”
Jessica sighed loudly. Maybe this was a bad idea after all.
“Kayla, it’s not that I don’t like you guys; it’s just…my family can be pretty overwhelming. Between them and work, I don’t have time to cultivate any other relationships.”
Kayla stood. “All I’m asking is that you try. And in turn, if you have to miss an event here and there because you’re too tired, we’ll be more understanding.”
Jessica nodded. “Okay.”
Kayla smiled gently. “I’d like to be your friend if you’d let me.”
Jessica smiled back. “I’ll do my best.”
Kayla gave her a brief hug. “It was good seeing you, Jessica. Have a good rest of the night.”
Jessica walked Kayla out and closed the door behind her. When Kayla heard her sister-in-law click the lock, she laughed to herself.
The sun hadn’t set yet, thankfully. Kayla liked walking up the hill to her house in the daylight. Bella Cove wasn’t a dangerous area. In fact, she couldn’t even remember the last time there had been any kind of major crime here. Everyone knew each other and watched over each other. But there was something slightly different in the air tonight. Bella Cove smelled the same and looked the same. Birds were gliding in the air as they always did at this time of the year. But something was different…
As she continued climbing the hill to reach her house, she knew what—or rather, who—it was. Gabe was here in Bella Cove. She stopped walking and stood there as reality hit. Gabe Wademan was in town. Here. In Bella Cove. She repeated it in her head again. Gabe’s in town. The shock of seeing him here must be wearing off finally. And for all she knew, right now, he was checking out the piece of land he was planning to build his house on. Life was strange.
When Kayla reached her house, she walked to the back porch, trying to ignore the piece of land next to hers. How many times had she stared at it and not paid any attention? How many times had she played hide and go seek over there as a little girl? There had never been a fence around it. In fact, the property blended into their backyard so perfectly, they felt as if it was theirs.
Kayla inhaled the sea air before opening her back door. Her mom was yelling at her dad again. It was getting increasingly hard to keep them together.
“Mom, why are you yelling?” she asked.
“Because your father put mustard all over the turkey dinner I made him.”
Her mom was cleaning a pot and her dad appeared to be eating his dinner as quickly as he could.
“Mom, Dad has always put mustard on his food. Ever since I was a kid.”
“Well, I’m sick and tired of it. It takes me a long time to make dinner for the family, and it’s bad enough we don’t all get to eat together. But when I see your father sneak into the fridge and grab mustard, I get irate.” Her mom scrubbed furiously.
“I wasn’t sneaking. I never sneak. Kayla, have you ever known me to sneak into the fridge? I’m a grown man who works hard all day long. If I want to put mustard on my dinner, then I will.”
Kayla ran her hands through her hair. It had been a long day. All she wanted to do was run to her room and take off the blue sundress she had worn in case Gabe stopped by her store.
“Every time you slather mustard on my food, I want to pour it over your head,” her mom shouted.
“Enough, both of you.” Kayla placed her hands on her hips and faced her dad. “Dad, did you like the meal Mom made for you tonight?”
Her dad stopped eating and looked up at her. “It was delicious.”
“Then why did you put mustard on it?”
“He slathered it on,” Kayla’s mom chimed in.
“Mom, stop. We’re going to get to the bottom of this. You’ve had the same argument for years, but tonight, this issue will be resolved.” Kayla exhaled in frustration. “Okay, Dad. Why do you add mustard to Mom’s food?”
“My dad used to do it when I was growing up. I took on the habit. I sort of became addicted to mustard, I guess.”
Her dad seemed to be taking the conversation seriously. She’d known he would, and she also knew he would answer honestly. Her dad didn’t have a mean bone in his entire body.
“Thank you. Could you try to add less mustard, so you can taste Mom’s food better?” Kayla asked.
“Are you capable of that?” Kayla’s mom butted in again.
Her dad put his silverware on his plate and sat farther back in his chair.
“I love the food you make, Lynne. I always brag to our friends about how great of a cook you are. I admit, I’m addicted to mustard. I’m sorry. I’ll try to lessen it.”
Her mom’s expression turned to shock. Kayla gazed at her dad, trying to remember the last time she’d heard him compliment her mom. It had been a long time…too long. She was about to thank her dad for his honesty, but her mom spoke first.
“Thank you. That’s nice to hear.” Her mom put the pot on the counter and ran her hands down her apron. “I understand addiction. I used to be addicted to diet soda. Remember, Kayla?”
“Yes, I remember.” Kayla thought it ironic they could talk about their mustard and diet soda addictions so easily, but they struggled to find a way to talk about their son Josh’s addiction.
“Thank you for trying to reduce the amount you put on your dinner, Paul.”
Kayla’s dad continued eating, and her mom went back to cleaning the pot. With another family disaster averted, Kayla grabbed a plate and opened the fridge. She placed some turkey on it with some mashed potatoes.
“Do you want me to heat that up for you?” her mom asked.
“No, thank you. I think I’m going to take this outside.” Without another glance at her parents, she opened the back door and stepped onto the porch. She put her plate on the table and stepped close to the railing, filling her lungs with the fresh air. The wind gently touched her face, soothing her like it always did. Then she felt a prickly sensation, as if she wasn’t alone.
She looked to her right. Standing on his property and staring directly at her was Gabe. He was far enough away they wouldn’t be able to hear each other if they spoke, yet it felt as if he was standing on her back porch with her. She wasn’t sure what she should do, but staring at him like this didn’t feel right. Two years ago, she would have run to him and shared her dinner, but everything was different now…especially the cold look on Gabe’s face as he continued to stare at her.
Kayla picked up her plate of food. Maybe she’d go eat in her room instead. As she turned to go back inside, she gave in to the urge to glance at Gabe once more. As she watched, he kept looking back and forth between her and the bay, as if he cou
ldn’t stop himself from turning her way. But he was standing there stiff and unwelcoming. And he wasn’t smiling.
Kayla groaned and was about to go over and talk to him, but unfortunately, her mom barged through the back door.
“Why aren’t you eating? You don’t like my food, either?”
With her back to her mom, Kayla rolled her eyes and sat down at the table. “I love it, Mom.”
“You have a funny way of showing it.” Her mother grabbed the plate from Kayla’s hands and then stopped. “Who’s that man on the property over there? Do you think he’s a trespasser? Is that why you’re staring? Should I call the police?”
Kayla inhaled. This conversation was bound to happen sooner or later. She was trying to think of the best way to answer when Sarah ran up the back steps.
“Hi, guys.” She smiled.
Her mom turned around. “We’re not guys. I’m your mother, and this is your sister.”
“Okay, fine. What’s my mother and sister looking at?”
Kayla closed her eyes. This was getting worse by the second. She wished Gabe would leave.
“There’s a stranger on the land next door,” her mom said.
Kayla tried to speak but nothing came out of her mouth. It didn’t matter anyway. Sarah ran to the railing to see who they were looking at.
“Oh, that’s Gabe Wademan.”
Kayla’s heart fell. Would Sarah keep her secret? Did it even matter anymore?
“Who’s that? Should I call the police?” her mom asked again.
“No. He owns that land. Hey, Gabe!” Sarah yelled. “Gabe!”
There was about an acre between them, and the land curved, hugging the bay. It was hard to hear but not impossible.
Gabe waved and then turned and walked away. How funny. Kayla already felt the loss of him.
“What do you mean he owns the property?” her mom asked.
“Who owns what property?” Her dad picked that moment of all moments to come outside.
Kayla had no choice but to explain who Gabe was, but she didn’t want to tell them everything. Right now, she couldn’t handle the questions that would definitely come. Maybe once she got used to him being here she would.
Bella Cove_A Second Chance Romance Page 5
