“Exactly the correct conclusion, I imagine,” Abby replied. “But I’ll get some pie to go along with it just to save your sterling reputation.”
Seth nodded approvingly. “And the pie won’t go to waste. It’ll be great after we’ve finished the whipped cream.”
“I like the way you think.”
“I’m so glad you’re aware that I’m good for lots of things besides toting Christmas trees,” he said dryly.
She gave him a thorough survey that had his cheeks turning pink and her pulse racing. “I can definitely vouch for that,” she said. In fact she got a little breathless just thinking about a few of his skills.
It took a lot longer to get the trees in place and the decorations on them than Abby had probably intended, Seth thought as they finally finished up around midnight. They’d spent a good amount of that time in her bed.
Now the only lights in the living room were on the tree and they were curled up next to each other on the sofa with mugs of hot chocolate. Christmas music was playing in the background to set the mood, although Seth was far more interested in romance than holiday cheer. He couldn’t get over the fact that no matter how much time he spent with Abby, he always wanted more. And when he was with her, he was able to shove any lingering doubts right out of his head.
“This is nice,” he murmured as she snuggled into his side, her eyes closed.
“It is,” she agreed. “It was another one of those perfect days, nothing at all like the day I’d been anticipating this morning. How about you?”
“Definitely not what I figured the day had in store,” he replied. “Luke’s been grumbling about getting all of the rescue squad’s paperwork up-to-date. There’s nothing I hate more than sitting at a computer filling in blanks.”
Abby stirred and studied his face. “Is Luke going to be furious that it didn’t get done?”
“Maybe.”
“And that doesn’t worry you?”
“I’m the one whose head will be on the chopping block if the reports aren’t ready for the budget hearings in January.”
Abby frowned. “Seth, why didn’t you say something? You don’t need to blow off work just because I could use your help.”
“Stop it. I’d rather spend the day with you anytime, and it’s not as if the meeting is tomorrow. I have weeks to pull these numbers together.” He held her gaze. “Given how I feel about irresponsibility, do you think I’d have put this off if the timing were critical?”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure,” he said. He waited until she’d settled her head back on his shoulder before asking, “Now maybe you can tell me why you suddenly went into party-planning mode?”
“I love the holidays,” she replied.
“And?”
“Does there have to be more to it than that?”
“There doesn’t have to be, but I think maybe there is.”
She was quiet for a long time, so long that he thought she might not answer.
When she finally spoke, her voice was low. “I used to love Christmas,” she said. “It was my favorite time of the year.”
“I think I got that when you went a little nuts picking out the trees,” he said. “Walker pretty much confirmed that your obsession with perfection goes way back. But why are you talking in the past tense?”
“Because for too many years the holidays started to feel like work. The restaurant was crazy with private parties. It was great for the bottom line, but I could barely catch my breath. And of course at the church there was something going on every minute. Marshall expected me to be there for every choir performance, for the Christmas pageant, and, of course, for every service. Then there was the Christmas bazaar and the annual party for the women’s guild. By January first I wanted to crawl into bed, pull up the covers and sleep for a month, but then the decorations had to come down at the restaurant and at the church. It was just too much.”
“So today was all about recapturing the way Christmas used to be,” he concluded. He allowed himself a smile, though he hoped she wouldn’t notice. “In that case, wouldn’t one tree have been enough?”
“Not when I intend to throw the most spectacular Christmas party I’ve been to in years, just for people I like.”
He finally got it. “Not for strangers. Not for your husband’s congregation. Not out of duty or obligation.”
“Exactly. This is going to be just for fun, a real celebration of the holiday spirit, the sort of party my parents used to throw for all their friends.”
“Have you picked a date?”
“I’m thinking about Saturday,” she said. “Or do you think that’s too little notice?”
“What I think is that it’s the same night as the holiday house tour,” he reminded her. “You know that’s Sandra’s moment of glory. Aren’t you supposed to be going to pay your respects?”
Abby groaned. “I’d forgotten.” Her expression brightened. “Okay, I’ll have my party the next Saturday.”
“The town tree-lighting ceremony,” he said. “And before you suggest the following week, that’s when the stores have their big Christmas open houses.”
She regarded him with frustration. “Suggestions, please.”
“Pick a Friday night or do a Sunday afternoon open house,” he suggested, then grinned. “Or resign yourself to having just one appreciative guest, me, for any night you choose. I’m pretty sure I can keep you entertained so you won’t even miss having no one else here.” He grinned at her. “I’ll bring presents.”
“An intriguing thought,” she agreed. “But I’m having a party with my friends. I like the idea of a Sunday open house. It’ll be less formal.” She grinned at him. “Do you think it would be tacky if I happened to leave the architectural drawings for Blue Heron Cove laying around in plain sight?”
“Not tacky, but maybe a little obvious.”
She nodded. “I can live with being obvious. I think I’ll invite everyone for next Sunday. And in a display of genuine holiday spirit, I might even include Sandra and her two pals on the council.”
“In that case, I’ll bring along a first-aid kit, just in case things get out of hand.”
“Not amusing,” she chided, then sighed. “But probably a very good idea.”
21
The Whittier family home was surrounded by lush landscaping, including flowering hibiscus and bougainvillea that draped over a low wall around the property, covering it with bright purple color. Elegant royal palms, outlined with hundreds of twinkling white lights, lined the driveway in a display more suited to a mansion in Palm Beach or Naples than the tiny island community, but it was beautiful just the same.
Abby glanced at Seth. “If this is any indication, Sandra has definitely gone all out.”
He smiled. “Wait till you go inside. I came last year with Luke and Hannah. I swear it looked to me as if she’d hired somebody from one of those fancy lifestyle magazines to decorate. I doubt a speck of dust would have had the nerve to try to sneak in.”
The house itself wasn’t all that impressive in terms of size, Abby decided after they parked along the edge of the driveway to walk the rest of the way. It had been built up off the ground with amazing forethought, given its age. Most early builders in the region hadn’t been as conscious of hurricanes and storm surges as people—and insurance companies—were these days. A screened-in porch wrapped around the entire house. Garlands of lighted greenery accented every inch of it. In the distance, waves from the waters of the Gulf of Mexico lapped against the shore.
As it turned out, the exterior was deceptive. The house was much roomier inside than it had appeared and, as Seth had predicted, it had been tastefully decorated with crystal bowls filled with fragrant greens, lots of sparkling white lights and a massive tree in the foyer that dwarfed even Abby’s
carefully chosen trees. Every square inch of it was covered with lights and delicate glass antique ornaments.
Sandra stood just inside the door greeting guests—locals and tourists alike—as if this were a private party, rather than the grand finale of the historic homes tour. Her eyes widened when she recognized Abby.
Abby held out her hand, leaving Sandra little choice but to take it. “Your home truly is lovely,” Abby told her. “I can see why you’re so proud of it.”
Sandra blinked at the apparent sincerity behind the compliment. “Thank you.”
“You know,” Abby continued. “I’ve been looking into how you might get it onto a registry of historic homes. Would you be interested in that?”
Now Sandra was actually gaping, and Seth was fighting to hide a smile. Abby recognized that she had finally seized on the one thing that might actually sway the woman to regard her with more favor.
“Do you think that’s possible?” Sandra asked her, sounding a little breathless.
“Seaview Key has historic significance as a fishing village, and yours is one of the only homes to survive so many decades,” Abby said. “I do think it’s possible. I can share the information with you, if you like. I’ve already printed out the forms. I’m having an open house at my place tomorrow. I’d love to have you join us. I can give you everything then. Please say you’ll come.”
Though she looked taken aback, Sandra also looked intrigued. “I imagine Kyle and Mary will be coming, is that right?”
Abby nodded.
“I suppose I could come along with them.” She hesitated, then added, “Thank you.” Her tone was much warmer now than it had been when they’d first spoken.
“No problem at all,” Abby said. “I’ll look forward to seeing you. Now I’ve taken up enough of your time. There are a lot of people hoping to speak to you.”
She quickly moved on, Seth right beside her. She didn’t stop until she’d reached the dining room where there was a huge crystal punch bowl with some sort of holiday punch along with trays of bite-size appetizers and Christmas cookies. She accepted a glass of punch, then risked a glance at Seth.
“That went well,” she said.
“What just happened?” he asked, looking a little dazed. “I actually thought for a minute that Sandra was going to throw her arms around you and officially welcome you home to Seaview Key.”
Abby laughed. “I stumbled onto her soft spot,” she admitted. “Someone pointed out to me how much she loves this house. They suggested having the loveliest home on Seaview Key matters to her, and that the homes I’m proposing for Blue Heron Cove might be a threat to that. It got me to thinking that maybe a historic landmark designation might pacify her.”
Seth shook his head. “You’re amazing. A little sneaky, but amazing.”
She shrugged. “More like desperate. I need her support. Without it, I’ll never get this project off the ground.”
“You could do other things,” he suggested. “You could open a restaurant, for instance.”
“Been there, done that,” she said, dismissing the possibility. “It’s exhausting.” Besides, she’d come home looking for new challenges and ways to make a difference. Opening a restaurant, especially one that would be in competition with good friends like Jack and Lesley Ann, would feel wrong.
“Well, assuming you do get the approvals for Blue Heron Cove, that won’t keep you occupied forever. What then?” Seth asked.
Abby shrugged. “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Maybe I’ll just sit on my porch with a good book and sip sweet tea.”
Seth looked skeptical. “You’ve mentioned that sort of scenario before. I don’t see it. What I do see is you getting bored without a challenge and deciding to take off for a city where there’s more to do.”
“Been there and done that, too.” She held his gaze with a steady look, aware that he was seeking reassurance. “This is the lifestyle I want now, Seth. I want to be part of a community. Maybe I’ll volunteer at the library or mentor some kids at the school. I think that could be incredibly rewarding.”
“You’d be good at that,” he agreed, his expression thoughtful. “But would it fill that empty place inside you?”
She sighed at the direct hit. “I honestly don’t know, but it’s worth a shot.”
There were a lot of changes she could control for her future. Having the child she so desperately wanted? That one was probably out of reach. Surely, though, there had to be some way to fill that terrible empty space that even Seth recognized as being too important to ignore.
That, however, was too deep a topic for tonight and this occasion. Instead, she took his hand. “Let’s mingle,” she suggested.
“I thought one triumph for the night would be enough,” he teased. “You out to conquer the entire community?”
“Nope. From this moment on, we’re just here to have fun. I see Kyle and Mary over there. Let’s say hello.”
As she and Seth spoke to the people they knew for the next hour, Abby was aware of Sandra’s gaze on her from time to time. The mayor managed a smile whenever Abby caught her eye, but mostly she seemed conflicted about the fact that the woman she’d so evidently considered an enemy might be giving her a shot at the enduring respect she so desperately wanted for her family’s place in the history of Seaview Key.
Abby was aware, too, of how many speculative looks were directed toward her and Seth. If anyone in town had been unaware that they were close prior to tonight, they weren’t any longer. She couldn’t help wondering if that would come back to haunt them.
* * *
If Seth had marveled at Abby’s clever tactic with Sandra the night before and the inroads she’d made with the mayor and with everyone she spoke to, it was nothing compared to his awe as he watched her handle the crowds that descended on her cottage Sunday afternoon.
Though he had no idea when or how she’d managed it, trays of food kept magically appearing, each appetizer more delicious than the one before. Abby was everywhere at once, greeting people at the door, mingling with guests, cuddling Isabella or A.J. who gurgled with delight at the sight of her.
Though she’d left the Blue Heron Cove plans in plain sight, he never saw her pointing them out to anyone, not even to Sandra. The mayor had arrived a few minutes earlier with Mary and Kyle, looking uncertain of her welcome, even though she’d been issued a warm, personal invitation. Abby spent extra time with her explaining the paperwork she’d found to obtain the historic designation, but never once drawing attention to Blue Heron Cove.
Kyle’s face lit up when he realized what Abby had done. “This is amazing, Abby. Grandmother, this is just the sort of thing you’ve always hoped for.”
“I know,” Sandra admitted, an unmistakable tear in her eyes. “If this truly happens, Abby, I’ll owe you.”
“You don’t owe me a thing,” Abby assured her.
A twinkle replaced the tear. “Not even my vote on your project?”
Abby smiled. “Not even that, though I’d certainly be grateful if you’d reconsider your stance.” She held the mayor’s gaze and added, “Not because of what I’ve done for you, but based on what Blue Heron Cove might mean for the community.”
There was a pause as her words sank in. Sandra studied her with a considering look, then said, “I’m starting to like you, Abby.”
“Well, it’s about time you saw what the rest of us have seen all along,” Grandma Jenny declared when she overheard her. Seizing on the moment, she linked an arm through Sandra’s. “I always knew you’d come to your senses. You’re too smart to let a wonderful opportunity slip away.”
Seth watched the two older women wander off and turned to Abby. Right now she looked the way he’d felt watching her in action the night before—a little dazed.
“Do you think she might be leaning my way?”
“It sure sounded that way to me,” he confirmed. “Think you can relax and enjoy your own party now?”
A smile broke across her face. “I believe I can.”
Just then Luke and Hannah arrived. Hannah caught her expression and asked, “Okay, what’s that smile all about?”
“It seems like Sandra might be coming around on Blue Heron Cove,” Abby told her.
“Good for you!” Hannah said enthusiastically.
“I was just about to get a couple of glasses of champagne to celebrate,” Seth said. “Luke, do you want to come with me?”
“Sure,” Luke said, following him to the table that had been set up as a bar with soft drinks, wine and champagne.
As they poured the champagne, Luke studied him worriedly. “You and Abby seem to be getting close. I noticed it last night at the open house. Today’s it’s even more evident that you’re acting like a couple.”
Seth frowned. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“Only if it’s serious,” Luke said. “Is it?”
“We’re taking things one day at a time,” Seth replied.
“Last time we talked, you had a lot of doubts. Any of those get resolved?”
“Some of them,” Seth responded. “Most of them, actually, at least when I’m being rational. Why the third degree, Luke?”
“Because the look I saw in Abby’s eyes just now suggests she’s no longer thinking of this as some casual fling. What about you?”
“I told you, we haven’t pinned labels on what’s going on. I’m happy. She’s happy. That’s enough for us for now.”
Luke shook his head. “Not buying it. Abby’s the kind of woman who wants forever, Seth. It’s what she deserves.”
“You’re awfully protective of her all of a sudden. Why is that? Are you compensating for some sort of leftover feelings you have for her?”
“That’s ridiculous,” Luke said indignantly. “We’re friends. Old friends. I don’t want to see her get hurt, any more than I want to see you hurt again.”
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