by Robyn Neeley
“I’m going to move my lab work to its original source.”
* * *
Caitlin opened the glass door to the Elks Lodge and held it for Bridget. After a trip to Bridget and Tom’s home so her cousin could change and a stop at Caitlin’s to check on Penny and the triplets, they’d made their way to the theater for the sketches. From there, it was a short walk to the Elks Lodge.
“Hi, ladies,” Zach O’Brien, the owner of Champagne Hill winery greeted them with a wide grin. He’d been in Bridget’s class growing up and had taken over the winery two years ago when his father retired.
“Hi, Zach. It’s good to see you.” Caitlin extended her hand. Zach was handsome with his blond hair and blue eyes, rocking business casual khakis and a light blue buttoned-down shirt.
“You two must be here for the local business meeting. Go right on in.” He pointed to the main room. “We’re going to get started in a couple of minutes.”
Bridget nudged Caitlin. “See what you’re missing?”
“What?”
“Zach. He’s single and super hot—plus, you would have all that delicious wine and champagne at your fingertips. Just come clean that you’re not dating Adam and guys like Zach will line up outside your cottage, vying for a date with you.”
“Do you think one man would fly in from New York City and cut in the front of that line?” Caitlin asked, and Bridget gave her a sympathetic smile that read “probably not.”
They entered the main hall, a familiar place as it was the venue for both the Summer Fling auction and Sugar & Spice Night, both events designed to bring Buttermilk Falls singles together. It was last summer’s auction where Caitlin tried to give Emma a run for her money, bidding on Jason for no other reason than she wanted to push Emma’s buttons. Lucky for both of them, Emma had outbid her. Jason hadn’t complained either.
Glancing around the room, Caitlin recognized everyone from jovial Ralph Marino, who owned the local pizza place, to Zoe Matthews, a new resident who’d recently opened a frozen yogurt shop near the Sugar Spoon bakery.
As they maneuvered through the crowd, she grew more and more excited to be here. She was really doing this. Opening a theater and contributing to the livelihood of the community she’d grown up in and called home. Maybe dreams do come true.
Bridget tapped her on the shoulder. “Let’s sit over there.” She pointed to empty seats toward the far left. “Away from the florist.”
Caitlin glanced over to see Rachel chatting it up with Marilyn, looking pretty in an aqua dress with a yellow belt. “Good thinking. I hear she’s still miffed about the batter incident.”
“Do you blame her?” Bridget asked, giving her a sideways glance.
They took their seats, and a few minutes later Marilyn headed up to the front of the room to begin the meeting.
“Thank you all for coming today,” Marilyn began. “Before we start, please join me in welcoming new business owner, Caitlin Reynolds. As many of you know, Caitlin recently purchased the Majestic Theater from Josephine and Henry Williams.”
Polite applause filled the room, and Caitlin couldn’t help but smile and give a short wave hello.
“Caitlin, we’re glad you could join us.”
Bridget leaned in and whispered, “What about me? Always a bridesmaid . . .”
Marilyn continued, “Today, we’re discussing the future of summer tourism and ways to stimulate foot traffic into our businesses. I know all of us have great ideas, but I wanted to start off with sharing one that I think we’ll all agree is a slam dunk.”
“I bet it’s a Fourth of July pet costume contest,” Bridget said in a low voice. “Everyone loves to see a Jack Russell dressed as a hot dog.”
“Rest assured, we will not be putting any of our animals in Fourth of July costumes next year.”
Bridget snapped her fingers. “Darn it.”
“What we’d like to propose is a wedding.” Marilyn looked straight at Caitlin. “Very special nuptials to bring this town together to celebrate the recent batter pairing of Caitlin to Adam Reed.”
Caitlin’s jaw dropped. She looked around the room and locked eyes with Rachel who had the same expression of horror.
Sensing the uncomfortableness in the room, Marilyn approached Caitlin. “Think about it. You’re the first bachelorette to ever see the name of her soul mate in Emma’s batter. How great would it be to marry him this fall?”
“But how would that help summer tourism?” Caitlin asked.
“We all know that you two getting married is a done deal. The batter has spoken. Why not do it sooner than later, and we’ll all have a hand in planning it. We’ll set up a whole social media campaign around the wedding and blog about it. Maybe with Jason’s and Brandon’s reporting connections we can get someone from The Today Show or Good Morning America to cover it.”
Marilyn beamed, growing more animated with her hands. “Two soul mates in small town America falling in love and letting this charming town plan their entire wedding from the dress, to the cake, the reception, the champagne, the fl—,” she paused, looking at Rachel. “You get my drift. I bet we’ll have hundreds of couples wanting to get married here during wedding season. This area will become the place for a quaint country wedding with the lake as a backdrop. Why, I bet couples will start booking their weddings this year for next summer or fall.”
“That is a good idea,” Bridget admitted, and Caitlin swatted her cousin’s shoulder with the back of her hand.
“I don’t know,” Caitlin began. “Adam and I aren’t even engaged. We’re still getting used to the idea of being soul mates.”
Marilyn detected Caitlin’s apprehension. “Why don’t we let you think about it.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to Adam,” was all Caitlin could muster.
An hour later, Caitlin couldn’t get out of the Elks Lodge fast enough. As soon as Marilyn adjourned the meeting, she stood and grabbed Bridget by the arm. “I need air, now.”
Before she could reach the front door, someone called out her name.
Recognizing it was Rachel, Caitlin took a deep breath and then turned around.
“This isn’t going to happen.” Rachel approached her, eyes narrowed. “This town is not going to plan your wedding to Adam.”
Bridget jumped in to diffuse the situation. “This isn’t the place, Rachel. It was just an idea. No one’s getting engaged tomorrow.”
“Or ever. Adam is too good for the likes of you,” she said directly to Caitlin.
That did it. Caitlin’s blood started to boil. It didn’t matter that she didn’t have romantic feelings for Adam. Who was Rachel to say that she wasn’t good enough for him? Caitlin squared her shoulders. “Honestly, Rachel, your jealousy is getting a little old. You had your chance.”
Rachel laughed sarcastically. “Mark my words, batter or not, Adam will realize you’re the same self-centered, egotistic snob you were in high school.”
Caitlin bit her tongue, trying to not lose her cool. She wasn’t any of those things—okay, maybe she had been—but she’d changed, and she was sick and tired of people like Rachel rubbing her past in her face. “I’ve got to go home and fill Adam in on this wonderful plan—that is going to happen, but I look forward to you arranging the flowers for my bridal bouquet. Ta. Ta.” She waved good-bye, marching out the door and down the street.
“Caitlin, stop.” Bridget caught up with her and grabbed her arm. “What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“You pretty much declared in public that the wedding is happening. Are you crazy?”
Caitlin stared at her cousin dumbfounded. Maybe she was? How was it possible that in two weeks she went from having a fake boyfriend to planning a real wedding to him?
9
Josh rolled up the sleeves of his white buttoned-down shirt and pulled on the theater door. Unfortunately, it was locked. He knocked, waited a few seconds, and tried again. He knew Caitlin was in there because he’d gone straight from the airport
to her cottage only to find Penny.
Apparently, Caitlin had Jacob with her and her mother had the girls. He reached in the back pocket of his khakis for his phone to call Caitlin, but the door suddenly opened.
“Joshua!” Caitlin stood, eyes wide. “I thought I heard someone knocking. What on earth are you doing here?”
Josh’s heart began to race at the sight in front of him. Her hair was pulled off her face with a pretty purple headband, and she was dressed in jeans and a loose black top that had white paint specs all over it.
“Penny told me you were working. I thought I’d come by to see if you needed some help.” He glanced around. There had been some work done to the lobby since he was there last. He pointed down to the floor; the old, stained carpet was gone. “Getting new carpet?”
“Yes. Adam and his father are installing it later this week. We spent the whole weekend tearing it up.” She showed off her palms. “I have the callouses to prove it.”
He instinctively took one of her hands and rubbed the middle of her palm with his thumb. “Feels soft to me.”
She smiled, and he detected a little pink in her cheeks. “So, you didn’t answer my question. What are you doing back?” she asked, removing her hand and adjusting her headband.
“I’m taking a little break from the city.”
“Really? How long are you in town for?” she asked.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
If you want me even half as much as I want you. It was too early to find out. Plus, he wanted to talk to Adam some more. Make sure his buddy wasn’t full of shit. It wasn’t like Adam to lie or exaggerate the truth, but then again, his best friend had gone and faked a relationship with Caitlin. Josh was determined to get to the bottom of it.
He pointed to paint cans lined up against the wall next to the concessions stand. “It depends on how good you are at assigning me tasks. I’m going to stay at the inn and help you get this place up and running, and I’d like to spend evenings and weekends with the kids. Of course, if that’s okay with you.”
“Well, I certainly could use all the hands I can get and would love for you to spend time with the triplets.” Her eyes narrowed. “But let me get this straight. You’re planning to take a few days off from your job to help me? You do realize I’m not planning to open until the end of October.”
“Oh, I’ll still be working. I’ve already talked to Brandon, and I can use the inn’s kitchen. There’s plenty of space to set up a makeshift lab. Plus, I’d love nothing better than to annoy the crap out of my little sister when she’s there cooking for her catering gig.”
Caitlin laughed. “I’m sure Abby will just love that.” She pointed to the theater auditorium. “Come see Jacob, he might be ready to get up from his nap. I set up a portable crib in the back. It’s great to be able to wheel it to wherever I am in the theater.”
They walked down the short hall toward the auditorium. “So, are you going to leave the photos up?” Josh’s gaze rested on the last picture of the mysterious woman with the blue box.
“Definitely. I can’t see any reason to take them down. It’s the wall of dreams,” she said in a low whisper.
Josh touched the wall on the opposite side. “Maybe this side could be filled with new pictures, showcasing the present.”
“I like that idea.”
“I’m full of great ones,” he joked.
She grinned but then grew surprisingly serious. “Speaking of ideas. I don’t know if you’ve talked to Adam.”
“No.” Josh didn’t want to admit the conversation he’d had with him in the lab yesterday, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about Adam now, so he changed the subject. “How about I order us a pizza for lunch and then you could put me to work with one of those paint brushes?” He reached in his pocket for his phone. “I’m starving.”
“Okay. I have a reel of the first movie they ever showed in the theater. We could watch it while we’re eating.”
“It wasn’t Animal House, by chance?” He was only teasing. Truth be told, he loved old movies. Always had.
“Ha, ha. No. It’s a classic slapstick picture.” She pointed to the mysterious woman on the wall holding the box. “Apparently, this gal couldn’t wait to see it.”
Josh smiled down at Caitlin. “How do you know that? For all we know, there’s a sleeping mask in that box to take a nap or some moonshine to get through it.”
“Very funny.” She grabbed his arm. “It’s only sixteen minutes, then after lunch you can help me finish painting the lobby.”
“Deal.” Josh ordered the pizza—half sausage and half with mushrooms because the latter was how Caitlin liked hers. He loved that they’d have this time to get to know each other. Besides what topping she liked on her pizza, he wanted to know how she preferred her eggs for breakfast; what her favorite color was; was she a morning person or a night owl; how she took her coffee—or did she even drink it; what type of wine she’d enjoy for the romantic dinner he’d hopefully prepare for her one night soon.
There was so much to learn and for him to share, too. He wanted to show Caitlin Reynolds that he was the man for her. Now that Adam was out of the picture—really never even in it—he planned on making a move.
While Caitlin disappeared into the picture booth to start the movie, Josh entered the auditorium and walked over to the crib. Sure enough, Jacob was sound asleep, a soft gray blanket covering him. “Hey, little fella.” He reached in and touched his back. “I’m going to be around for a while. I hope that’s okay.” The baby stirred in his blanket.
All of a sudden, the screen lit up. Caitlin returned a few seconds later. “It’s ready as soon as our lunch gets here.” She smiled down at the crib. “Do you like to sleep, Josh?”
“What?” Taken aback, he glanced over at Caitlin. There were other things he’d prefer to do in bed if Caitlin was joining him.
“Sleep. Your son is quite good at it. I have a hard time getting the girls down for their naps, but Jacob is always out like a light.”
“Oh, yeah. I fall asleep pretty easily.”
She nudged him with her hip. “I remember you falling asleep in study hall a time or two.”
“You noticed?”
“Notice broody senior Josh Stevens.” There was a definite coyness to her voice. “Maybe.”
They chatted for a few minutes, mainly about the theater renovations, while they waited for their lunch to arrive. Once it did, Josh headed down the hall to pay the delivery guy. Hopefully, it would be one of many meals shared while he worked with Caitlin to complete all the renovations. He laughed to himself. Eventually Adam would probably join them to help. “He can get his own damn pizza,” he said out loud, walking across the lobby.
“Who? Is someone here?” Caitlin came out and grabbed two Coke cans from the mini-fridge behind the concessions stand.
“No.” Josh paid the delivery kid. Raising his palm, he lifted the large pizza box up while holding a paper bag with his free hand. “Let’s eat. I’ve got the plates and napkins in this bag.”
They headed back into the auditorium and selected seats a few rows in front of Jacob’s crib not wanting to wake him with their talking. Caitlin ran up and started the movie.
“I’m sure this is going to be awesome,” Josh teased as he took a seat.
“Give it a chance.” She peeled off a slice of pizza from the box he offered, taking a bite. “Man, I love Ralph’s pizza. He asked me if he could cater my bach—” She stopped and kept eating.
“Cater your what?”
“Oh, nothing. Dumb idea the town has.” She waved off the subject. “So, this movie hits close to home.”
“It does? Why?” Josh asked in between bites.
“My grandfather’s in it.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“Explains everything,” he said, giving her a wide smile.
She gave him a playful hit. “If you are insinuating that I got my flare for drama
from him . . .” she paused, “Well, you’re probably right.”
They spent the next few minutes in silence, enjoying their lunch while watching the short film. He loved classic flicks, and Caitlin’s grandfather had been quite the comedian, doing slapstick with who he presumed was an actor playing his brother or best friend.
Sitting in the dark theater with only the light of the screen, he couldn’t help but get a little nostalgic, remembering all the Sunday afternoons he’d spent here watching old films for a buck.
His gaze skipped down the rows to the bottom. He always sat closer to the front, five rows back in the aisle seat.
He jolted up and his heart began to pound. Right now, the seat wasn’t vacant. “What the—”
“What’s wrong?” Caitlin asked. “I don’t think this was meant to be a horror flick,” she teased.
He rubbed his eyes, trying to ignore all the hairs standing up on the back of his neck. Had he really seen a figure down below? A young woman, her long, dark hair completely soaked. The same woman in his vision the night he’d held the blue spoon for the first time and who looked like the woman in the photo hanging on the theater’s corridor.
“Joshua.” Caitlin tapped his arm. “Are you okay?”
The figure had disappeared. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
He turned, his eyes locked on Caitlin’s and his voice lowered. “I think I just did.”
* * *
“I knew this place was haunted. How long did you see her?” Caitlin bent down, touching the wet floor. She glanced up at the ceiling. “And how did this water get in here?”
“I don’t know, and it was only for a brief moment.” Josh raked his hands through his hair, staring at the worn red cushion on the empty seat. “Her hair was soaked.” He bent down, touching the water puddle, too.
“And you are sure it was the woman in the photo?”
“Yes.”
“Was she carrying the blue box?”
“I didn’t see it. All I saw was her turning around and looking straight at me. She looked so sad, or maybe mad. It was hard to tell.”
