The Summer Garden

by Sherryl Woods

  Luke regarded her with astonishment. “How on earth did you figure that out, after only seeing her once? I don’t think I caught on that quickly.”

  “Because you were thinking with something other than your brain, I imagine,” she said dryly. “I’m not Kristen. Let’s establish that now and let me inside, okay?”

  Luke smiled at her display of attitude. Maybe it covered a bit of insecurity, maybe not, but he decided to go with his gut. He held open the door. “After you. Stop just inside and let me find you a hard hat. The crew’s at work, and there’s no telling what kind of debris could be flying around.”

  As soon as they were inside with the door locked securely behind them, Luke started to step away to grab a couple of hard hats, but Moira reached for his hand and kept him in place.

  “Luke, it’s amazing,” she whispered, awe in her voice.

  He tried to see it as she saw it, but all he noted was the unpainted drywall only now being taped, the bare lighting awaiting the brass fixtures he’d chosen and a wooden floor covered by layers of sawdust and cluttered with construction tools.

  “You’re just saying that because you think it’s what I need to hear,” he chided.

  “Nonsense! Look at it. The bar’s going across the back, right? Remember, I’ve seen it. It’ll be amazing there with that huge old mirror catching glimpses of the sea on a sunny day. Can you show me pictures of the tables you’ve chosen? And what about the china? I want to see that, too. Is the kitchen finished?”

  He laughed at the flurry of questions, the genuine excitement in her voice. “The kitchen is about the only thing we didn’t have to touch, so, yes, it’s finished.” He led the way.

  She stepped inside and clapped with delight. “The stove is huge. And all this stainless steel looks brand-new.”

  “There was only the one tenant before me, and they didn’t last long. It was considered in turnkey condition for a restaurant.”

  She touched the gas stove with near reverence. “I would love to cook a meal on this. The one at Peter’s is a much older version.”

  Luke regarded her with surprise. “That’s right, it is. You’ve cooked on it?”

  “When we’ve been in a bind, yes. Waiting tables is my forte, but I have experience with a few dishes. Most of the pubs where I worked didn’t have the luxury of a huge staff, so we all knew a little of everything. Grandfather actually thinks my cooking is better than the regular cook’s.” She shrugged. “Of course, he’s bound to be biased.”

  Luke nodded slowly. “Good to know.”

  “Now show me the rest,” she said. “Pictures of the tables and chairs, everything. And I’ll want to see the paint color, too. Have you chosen it?”

  “To be honest, that’s why I was late last night. I was painting test strips on the back wall to pick the final color, but after a while they all started to looked the same.”

  “Show me,” she commanded, her eyes alight with interest.

  He led her to the wall where it looked as if a mad artist had been testing every color from palest turquoise to darkest green with all the shades of blue and green in between.

  Moira went straight to a shade of azure. “This one,” she said at once.

  Luke immediately knew that she was right. He could already envision it on the walls, drawing the sea inside. “You’re right,” he said with amazement. “But why that one? What did you see that I missed last night?”

  “For one thing, it was probably dim in here last night, so none of the colors looked the way they do right now. This one…” She tapped her finger against the chosen test stripe. “It’s the color of the sky and sea on a sunny day. With white trim, it will be bright and cheerful.”

  “Most pubs tend to have a dark decor,” he reminded her.

  “Reflecting the too-often dreary Irish weather, if you ask me,” Moira said. “People respond to cheerful, warm and welcoming. It’s the difference between a seaside town here and one in Dublin, just as the rest of Chesapeake Shores is. I felt it the minute Mick drove us into town. I told him exactly that.” She grinned. “I think he was pleased that I’d noticed.”

  “I’m sure he was,” Luke said, equally pleased to have her impression of his hometown be so obviously positive.

  She stepped closer and held his gaze. “Luke, it truly is going to be amazing,” she told him, then stepped back before he could steal the kiss he was suddenly longing for. “Now, put me to work. Let me look at the things you’ve chosen to get a sense of your style, and then I’ll get started sorting through those musicians. Do you have a CD player in your office?”

  He nodded. “Are you sure you want to sit inside, rather than going out to explore the town?”

  “I’m sure I’ll see everything there is to see eventually. For now, I’m exactly where I want to be, as long as you’ll promise to take a break for lunch. I believe I’d like to have it where we’ve a view of the water. Although your weather’s nothing like Ireland’s, I’ve been conditioned to take advantage of the sun whenever it appears.”

  Luke smiled at the simplicity of her request. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll we do.”

  He wrote down the websites from which he’d ordered furniture and supplies for the pub and gave her model numbers. He stacked the CDs beside her and showed her how to work the player, then he left her to it, marveling as he went back into the main room to work that she’d fit in so readily. Who on earth would have guessed that the impossible woman he’d met just a few months ago would turn out to be both undemanding and soothing to have around?

  Nell drove Dillon into town just before lunchtime. She could hardly wait to show off both the community and the way O’Briens were so much a part of it. She found a parking spot on Main Street right in front of Flowers on Main. Bree had her usual colorful assortment of bouquets lined up in buckets on the sidewalk and a window display of more formal arrangements. It delighted Nell that her granddaughter had learned the art of flower arranging from her and made a success of it.

  “This is Bree’s shop,” Dillon said as they exited the car.

  She regarded him with surprise. “You remembered!”

  He laughed. “It was just yesterday when Mick was bragging about it as we drove into town.”

  “Ah, yes. I’d forgotten that. I probably shouldn’t say this, because it’s surely bragging, but Bree learned everything she knows about flowers from me,” Nell confided. “Of course, I must admit the student has surpassed the master now. Her arrangements are quite dramatic compared to the simple ones I do at home.”

  “Don’t be selling yourself short,” Dillon scolded. “The bright flowers in your cottage are a welcoming touch. Better yet, I can see that they’ve come from your own garden.” He studied her. “Is that something you enjoy doing, Nell?”

  She nodded. “My knees are getting a little creaky, so getting up and down is trickier these days, but I can’t imagine a time when I can’t care for my garden.”

  “You can always hire help and supervise.”

  “It’s not the same,” she said sadly. “Not at all. Jake would come and do whatever I ask, but I like the feel of the earth between my fingers and knowing that I’ve coaxed something from seed to blossom.”

  “Or you could boss me around a bit,” he offered. “I’ve some experience in the landscaping business, you know.” He winked at her. “You might enjoy telling me what to do.”

  She laughed then. “I might at that. Shall we go inside and say hello to Bree?”

  “Of course,” he said at once. “I want to tell her how impressed I am.”

  Once they’d spent a few minutes with Bree, Nell led the way to Shanna’s bookstore next door. She had to admit that she was relieved to take a seat in the café area and accept the cup of Earl Grey tea that Shanna brought her while Dillon explored
the shelves for a supply of books about the region.

  “I have most of those at home,” Nell told him when he showed her his selections. “Thomas sees to it that I read everything on this area. He’s always turning up with the latest book he feels supports his cause to save the bay.”

  “But I want to give Shanna the sale, and these can be shipped over to Dublin, so I’ll have them on my own shelves.”

  His words sent a cold chill through her. “Are you already so anxious to get back home?”

  He looked stunned by the question. “Good heavens, no. Why would you ask such a thing?”

  She hesitated, then said, “The truth is that I’ve been hoping to convince you to stay longer. I didn’t want to broach it just yet, but there it is.” She met his gaze. “Will you at least consider it?”

  Dillon reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “I thought we agreed—”

  She cut him off. “I know what we agreed,” she said impatiently, “but sometimes things change. People change.”

  Worry carved deeper lines in his forehead. “Nell, this isn’t the first time I’ve sensed that something’s wrong. Will you tell me what it is? Please. I’m worried. Are you ill?”

  She sighed at having been caught so easily. “It’s nothing, really. Nothing specific, anyway. When I came home, for the first time ever, my blood pressure was high. The doctor put me on medication and insisted I monitor myself. I know, in the overall scheme of things, something like that shouldn’t be a shock at my age, but it was to me. After years of avoiding most medications, I’m now taking something that leaves me light-headed and tired. All of a sudden, I feel every one of my years. It’s shaken me a little—far more than it should, given what a simple remedy there is for it.”

  “Has the medicine worked?”

  She nodded. “The doctor’s pleased. Other than the annoying side effects, I should be as well. Still, I know how these things go. First it’s blood pressure medicine, then something for cholesterol. The next thing I know, I’ll have an array of bottles on my kitchen table and one of those little daily pill containers so someone reliable can sort them all out and be sure I take them on schedule.”

  Dillon looked surprisingly relieved by her admission. He reached in his pocket and pulled out exactly the sort of pill container she’d just described.

  “You mean one like this?” he asked. “I’ve had it for years. No one’s filling it for me just yet, and I don’t imagine that’ll be necessary for a good many years to come as long as I keep my wits about me. I imagine you’ll be in full control for a very long time as well, given that stubborn streak you O’Briens are known for.”

  She looked from the rectangular plastic container to his bright and sparkling eyes. “Mountain out of a molehill?” she asked.

  He nodded. “That’s the way I see it.”

  “I’m afraid I was seeing it as the first step on a slippery slope.”

  “Ah, Nell, don’t give in so easily. There are far too many of us who need you right here and you’re not the type to abandon ship.”

  “I never thought I was,” she admitted. “I’ll take what you’ve said to heart.” She met his gaze. “But I still wouldn’t mind it if you’d consider staying longer, as long as you’d like, in fact.”

  “Now that,” he said readily, “would be my pleasure.”

  For the first time since the doctor had completely disconcerted her with that prescription and his dire warnings about ignoring her hypertension, she felt hopeful again. In fact, she was suddenly as optimistic about the future as she’d been when she’d first reconnected with Dillon in Dublin.

  And, she thought wryly, she’d have to tell Luke and his mother, they could stop hovering. The pair of them weren’t nearly as subtle as they clearly thought they were.

  7

  Luke picked up sandwiches, sweet-potato fries and drinks from Panini Bistro, then led Moira to a bench across the street so they would be near the water while they ate. On a weekday in early spring, the narrow strip of sand was mostly deserted, and the only people out for a stroll were the locals. They had the view mostly to themselves.

  “Would you have preferred eating in a restaurant?” he asked her. “I could have taken you to Brady’s. It’s on the water.”

  “No, this is exactly what I wanted,” she said, unwrapping her sandwich and taking a bite. “Perfect. The jalapeños were a nice touch.”

  He chuckled. “I remembered how you love spicy things. That Indian curry we had just about took the top of my head off.”

  “As it was meant to do,” she teased. “And there’s a lesson in there as well. Spicy food encourages people to order more drinks.”

  “Pub food isn’t known for its kick,” he pointed out.

  “That doesn’t mean you couldn’t make a few adjustments to liven up the menu.”

  “And give Gram heart failure?” he asked, feigning a scandalized tone.

  “I’m sure she’d approve of a change here and there to make the menu more modern, as long as you don’t alter the traditional dishes too much. Why don’t I run the idea past her when she and my grandfather show up for their inspection of the place?”

  “Sure,” Luke said readily, oddly pleased that she wanted to take the initiative. “I wonder what’s kept them. I expected them to be nosing around long before now.”

  “I imagine they’ve stopped to visit with the entire family en route. She’ll want to show off all the O’Brien businesses. It’s impressive how intertwined your family is with this town. They’re an important part of the business community as well. Taken together, it goes far beyond your uncle creating Chesapeake Shores.”

  “True on all counts,” he said. “And no one in my family is short-winded, either. It could be late afternoon when they finally get around to me.”

  “Or just now,” she said, nodding in the direction of the pub.

  Luke spotted his grandmother and Dillon on the sidewalk. She was giving the door a frustrated jiggle. Luke stood up.

  “Over here, Gram! We’ll be right there.”

  “No need,” Dillon called back. “We’ll join you. I’d like a closer look at the bay from here.”

  He guided Nell across the busy road, then patted the remaining spot on the bench. “You sit. I’ll just wander closer to the water.”

  “Why don’t I walk with you?” Moira suggested. “I wouldn’t mind sticking a toe in to see if it’s as freezing cold as the sea is back home.”

  As they went off, Luke glanced at his grandmother. “Have you been giving him the high-priced, all-inclusive O’Brien tour? It must seem to an outsider as if we own the whole town. Moira was just saying something very much like that.”

  She laughed. “So far, we’ve only been to Bree’s and Shanna’s. Dillon made all the appropriate noises of approval at the flower shop, then bought out half of Shanna’s supply of books about this region. Thomas will be over the moon to have another convert to his cause.”

  “Does Dillon seem to like it here so far?” he asked, then saw the sparks of delight in Gram’s eyes. “Or do I even need to ask? Has he already agreed to stay longer?”

  “He has,” she said. “It wasn’t even a discussion. I just suggested it, and he agreed at once. We’ll have to work out the details at some point, especially with Moira’s schedule.” She met his gaze. “I don’t suppose you’ve been wise enough to try to persuade her to stay, have you?”

  Luke shook his head. “Don’t push. I’m just growing used to the fact that she’s here at all.”

  She frowned. “You’re not happy about it?”

  “I’m delighted about it,” he said. “But I don’t know what will happen next. I don’t even have time to stop and think much beyond tomorrow or the pub opening at the end of the month.”
r />   “Have you thought about what you’d like to happen?”

  “Maybe, in a pie-in-the-sky kind of way,” he admitted. “But it’s not so simple.”

  She reached over and clasped his hand. “Yes,” she said solemnly. “It is exactly that simple. It’s only when your head gets in the way of what your heart wants that things get complicated. If you take no other advice from me, Luke, take this. Listen to your heart.”

  He smiled at her obvious conviction. “I would if I could hear it,” he said. “Right now all the noise in my head is drowning it out. I have lists of my lists these days. Once I’m past this opening and that part of my life is on an even keel, I’ll be able to hear more clearly.”

  “As long as there’s not another excuse then, and another after that.”

  “No,” he promised. “There won’t be. I spent a lot of my life just drifting along, but now the path before me is straight and I can just about see to the end of it.”

  “Is it Moira who’s waiting there?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Could be. I’ll know for sure when I get there, won’t I?”

  “Okay, then,” she said with satisfaction. “I see our guests are heading this way. Let’s go over and take a look at this pub of yours. I have to admit that I’m beyond curious.”

  Luke took her elbow and led the way. “I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

  “As if I could ever be disappointed at anything you’ve poured your heart and soul into. What did Moira think?”

  “She thinks it’s amazing, of course,” he said with a grin. “And since she’s never hesitated to speak her mind, I’m taking it on faith that she meant every word.”

  As soon as Moira and Dillon had joined them, Luke unlocked the door and stepped aside. Since the crew wasn’t back yet, he let them enter without worrying about hard hats. It hardly mattered, though, because just as Moira had done earlier, his grandmother took one step, then halted.

  “Oh, Luke, it’s going to be fabulous,” she said enthusiastically.