Sweetheart Cottage (Cranberry Bay #1)

by Mindy Hardwick

  “Thank you.” Bryan said, knowing that the exchange of money was much more than about saving the town. It was about saving love, and he wouldn’t let pride or the scars of the past get in the way of moving forward with his future.

  “We’re family,” Sawyer said. He took the last drink of his beer. His dark eyes searched Bryan’s face. “Family is there for each other, even if we don’t always agree.”

  Bryan drained the rest of his beer and wiped his mouth. “You know, speaking of family. I’m concerned about Mom. You were right. Her health isn’t good, and she won’t see a doctor.”

  The words spilled out of him, and his shoulders lightened. For the first time since Dad had died, he felt relief. It was time to work as a family and not as one-man shows trying to outdo each other.

  “Why don’t we meet for breakfast tomorrow at my house with Lisa?” Sawyer asked. He glanced at his gold watch and stood. “I’ll call Adam and, we will all sit down and see what we can do. Between the four of us, we could always be pretty persuasive with Mom.” He gave a quick smile to Bryan. “I’m glad you said something.”

  “Of course,” Bryan stood and reached for his coat on the small hook on the wall. “We’re family.”

  Sawyer grinned at him as the two strode to the front of the pub. They ducked into the dark, rainy night and headed to the brick city building at the top of the street.

  * * *

  Five minutes later, Bryan followed Sawyer into the small meeting room. Every seat in the house was filled. A group of people lined the back wall. Sawyer squeezed his shoulder. “Go get ‘em.”

  Bryan swallowed hard. He studied the faces of the people he’d known all his life. The town was depending on him to bring forward a new vision, a new idea for how to bring Cranberry Bay back to life. Carefully, he moved through the crowded room. He stepped over a sleeping child with a teddy bear clutched to his chest and threaded his way to the front of the room, where Cole motioned toward an empty seat. He’d tossed a dark coat over the backside, saving it for Bryan. Up in front of the room, Katie, Gracie, Ivy, and Lisa bent over a small computer. Sasha fiddled with cords. Tom Dawson stared at the overhead screen. He frowned and shook his head at the women’s attempts to bring up a slideshow.

  A light, familiar laugh caught Bryan in the chest. He looked up to see Rylee talking to Beth Dawson, their heads bent in conversation. Rylee smiled and tapped Beth’s arm as if the two had been friends for years. Beth Dawson was one of the hardest votes to win on the council. Yet, it seemed Rylee had found a way to capture her vote for the vintage market project.

  Bryan tried to push his way through the throng of people toward Rylee and Beth, but Tom Davis stepped up to the podium. He tapped a brown wooden mallet.

  “Seats, everyone. We’ve got a full house tonight and a big docket. It looks like all of you want to see some new ideas move into Cranberry Bay.”

  The room exploded in applause and cheers as Bryan sat down in the saved chair. A small hand with painted nails reached down and removed a small jacket placed on the seat next to his. Rylee slipped into the chair beside his. Bryan couldn’t help grin. Cole had done a great job saving him a place.

  “First up,” Tom said. “Katie Coos. The Vintage Holiday Market.”

  Katie straightened and walked to the microphone. Her full-length deep red skirt swirled around her. She wore a sparkling white V-neck top and looked as if she’d just walked off the pages of a holiday magazine. In front of Bryan, Sawyer leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

  “I’d like to propose a Holiday Vintage Market in Cranberry Bay,” Katie began, her voice shaking only slightly. “Lisa is going to show you what a vintage market can look like, as well as how something like this can impact tourism.”

  Bryan leaned back in his seat as Lisa’s colorful PowerPoint flashed on the large screen. A couple of women in the audience let out small sighs at the sight of festive booths covered with vintage lace, ribbon, and baskets. After a few minutes, Lisa and Ivy switched places at the podium. Ivy talked about how hosting a vintage market with vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest would encourage tourism rates to rise in Gracie’s hotel, increase beverage and food purchases at places such as Sasha’s bakery, and increase the number of people and amount of revenue coming through their small town.

  Beside him, Rylee sat very still. Bryan lifted her hand and wound their fingers together. She turned and smiled. The cottages would also play nicely with the vintage markets. They could easily be used as short-term rentals for those working in the market.

  Ivy explained how the old stuff of Cranberry Bay, currently tossed in her shop in a random way, could be reused and repurposed. She finished by stating that Rylee’s cottage staging would be showcased in a national magazine, bringing more attention to Cranberry Bay and beginning to brand the small town as one known for its vintage appeal.

  After finishing to a smattering of applause, Tom stood and asked for any opposition. Sawyer raised his hand and when called upon, asked where the market might take place. Rising to her full height, Katie stepped to the podium and announced it would be in her barn, on the edge of town, with the appropriate permitting of course. Katie’s eyes flashed at Sawyer and the room hushed, no one wanting to relive the moment of a few years ago when Katie had to fight to have her store permitted, and Sawyer was the main opposition. He had a client who wanted to bulldoze the entire downtown core and bring in a series of flashy new bowling alleys. This time, Sawyer only nodded and sat down as Beth Dawson raised her hand from the seat at the council table.

  “I have one question for you. Who will sell the goodies?”

  Sasha scurried to the microphone. “Beth, we all love your homemade treats and know the roadside stop could not do without them. But,” Sasha continued, her voice hardening. “I am the only licensed bakery in this town, and I am the one who caters events. Katie has requested my services.”

  Beth pursued her lips as a frown deepened between her eyes. Rylee leaned forward on her elbows, and Bryan drew small circles on her back, reassuring her.

  “Come on, Beth,” Tom took his place at the microphone. “We all love your treats, but you have to admit Sasha’s cheesecakes are better than anything you can find in Portland or Seattle.”

  “Her birthday cakes are the best!” A woman near the back of the room exclaimed.

  “She comes up with things at the last minute.” A man in the front of the room stood and spoke without the microphone. “I was in a real bind the other day with Thanksgiving and a whole house full of guests. Sasha made up three pumpkin pies for our family gathering when our stove went out.”

  “Her son helps too,” Jeff said from the back of the room as Sasha’s face flushed. “She wants to give the young people of Cranberry Bay an opportunity to learn about business.”

  “The Youth Program will still sell the baked goods at the Craft Fair.” Beth crossed her arms over her plump chest.

  “That’s fine,” Sasha said, the smile evident in her voice. “We wouldn’t want it any other way. We were hoping to have the vintage market at the same time as your Craft Fair. It will draw more people to both our events.”

  “Mmmm…” Beth Dawson said, “I can’t see anything wrong with that idea.”

  “Good.” Tom tapped the wooden gavel. “If there are no more questions or comments. I’d like to propose we take a vote for the council. All those in favor say aye.”

  Six voices were raised from the front table in an aye vote.

  “Opposed?”

  The room was silent.

  “Good.” Tom pounded the gravel. “The motion carries. Ladies, you have yourself a holiday vintage market. Katie, be sure to put in the proper paperwork to get the permit on your barn. We’ll see what we can do about moving things along quickly for you.”

  Applause filled the room as the women hugged each other and quickly gathered their files and computer and returned to their seats.

  “Bryan Shuster.” Tom boomed. “Riverboat Proposal.”
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  Bryan gathered his file and stepped toward the front of the room. He nodded to Cole, who was sitting at the back with his PowerPoint presentation. A drawing of the shiny riverboats, floating in the river outside of Cranberry Bay, flashed onto the screen. The room hushed and all eyes focused on the overhead screen.

  “This,” Bryan began, “is a new set of riverboats I’d like to purchase for Cranberry Bay.” Easily he slid into his idea and outlined how the boats would improve their tourism. “It won’t solve Cranberry Bay’s problems overnight. But it’s a start to help our tourism and revenue, and we need to build that up more.”

  Bryan talked through his presentation as he showed how the Riverboat Casinos could help with fund-raising, bring in new opportunities for events, and provide a boon to their local tourism economy through increased income.

  “Questions?” Tom called.

  “Who will fund this? Is it taxpayer money? I’m not paying any more taxes,” a voice called from the back of the room.

  “Corporate sponsors have been sought. Our first one,” Bryan paused, “is my brother, Sawyer Shuster.”

  Applause erupted in the room, and Bryan knew his idea had sold.

  “Any more questions?” Tom asked.

  The room fell silent.

  “If there are no more questions,” Tom said. “Let’s take a vote. All those in favor say aye.”

  Six voices filled the room. “Aye.”

  “All those opposed.”

  The table was silent.

  “Motion carries. Cranberry Bay Riverboat Casinos is approved, and, with the proper permits submitted, can open for business in the spring. Meeting adjourned.”

  Bryan closed his folder and found himself engulfed by residents who slapped him on the back and congratulated him. After the crowd cleared, Bryan searched the room for Rylee. A group of people clustered around Lisa, Katie, Sasha, and Ivy. Bryan expected to see Rylee’s blonde hair and hear her light laugh. But she was gone.

  “Excuse me.” He strode toward his sister. He touched Lisa on the shoulder and asked. “Where is Rylee?’

  “I’m sorry, Bryan,” Lisa said. Her eyes darkened with sympathy and compassion. “She left. She said she needed to talk to her Dad.”

  Bryan squared his jaw. This wasn’t her fight to do alone.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Dad?” Rylee walked into the living room. Warm light glowed from the stained-glass lamp, but the room was empty.

  Raisin bounded off the couch with a thump. He shook himself, and she scowled at him. “You know you’re not supposed to be on the couch. What’s wrong with your dog bed?” She motioned toward the plush dog bed, which lay on the floor.

  Raisin wagged his tail, and she rubbed behind his ears. “All right, just this once you can sleep on the couch. Where’s Dad?”

  The water in the bathroom upstairs coursed through the pipes as a toilet flushed. Rylee looked up at the ceiling. She softened her shoulders and smiled. The plaster hadn’t been replaced, but not a drop leaked from the pipes running above her head. Jim had done his job well.

  Rylee hung her jacket in the closet beside Dad’s black leather coat. She ran her hand down the leather of his left sleeve. As long as she could remember, Dad had always had a leather jacket. She remembered how the coat would be the last thing Dad slipped on before escorting Mom out for a night on the town. As a child, she had enjoyed watching Mom get ready for her date night with Dad. Mom always wore silky, shiny dresses and a pretty wrap around her shoulders. She sprayed perfume on her wrists and clipped on large dangling hoop earrings. Sometimes she spritzed Rylee with the same perfume and giggled as Rylee wrinkled her nose. Mom and Dad had seemed so happy on those date nights. Yet Rylee knew that underneath the smiles and laughter lurked the constant strain and worry from Dad’s gambling debts. Depending on how the evening played out, sometimes only Mom returned. Her shoulders tight with tension and all the laughter gone.

  The knot tightened in Rylee’s stomach as she made her way into the kitchen and turned on lights in the hallway. Dad said he had quit the gambling habit, but once the riverboats came to town, Rylee suspected it’d be too easy for him to slip down to the boats and play just one hand of cards. He’d lie, of course, the way he always did, and tell her he wasn’t gambling, he was just hanging out with friends. But Rylee knew better. It wouldn’t be long before Dad would be back to his old habits, and the entire town of Cranberry Bay would see what had happened to their hero.

  Rylee stared out the window and clenched the counter. She had tried to talk to Dad about his gambling before. He had been on a two-day spree and hadn’t come home. She called every hospital in the area, hoping that someone would tell her Dad had been admitted for a fight and was safe. An hour before her high school graduation ceremony, she slipped into her cap and gown. Dad walked into their small townhouse after she dressed. His eyes were rimmed with dark circles, a two-day growth on his face. She leapt at him. Her fists hit his solid chest, and she demanded he give up gambling.

  Dad pushed her away, and she landed on the floor in a heap, her maroon gown wrapped around her legs.

  “Don’t you ever talk to me about my gambling,” he said. “It’s none of your business. Always remember that.”

  Stunned, Rylee could only stare as Dad walked out the door and left her to attend her high school graduation ceremony on her own. She was the only graduate in the auditorium who had no parent or aunt or uncle or grandparent to celebrate with her. She had left the next day for her summer in Cranberry Bay. She and Dad never talked about it again.

  Rylee scooped a cup of dry dog food into Raisin’s silver bowl and placed it before the eager dog. She sat down at the kitchen table and rested her head in her hands. Her heart pounded. She had to confront Dad. She had to tell him she was still selling Grandma’s house. She needed her own life free from Dad and his debts. She’d buy her own place and restart her life. If Dad stayed in Cranberry Bay and gambled again, it wasn’t her responsibility to shelter him any more. She wasn’t going to help him out any more either. She would no longer take responsibility for her father’s addiction. She would no longer place his needs above her own.

  “Rylee.” Dad strode into the kitchen. He carried his small black handbag. “I’m glad you’re home. I’ve got some exciting news to share with you.” Dad’s eyes glowed as he placed his handbag on the kitchen table. He moved a paisley chair cushion to the floor before easing into the chair.

  “I’ve got to talk to you,” Rylee said. Her voice shook slightly.

  Dad pulled his reading glasses from the top of his head and eyed her over the wire frames. “Everything okay with the young Bryan Shuster?”

  “Yes,” Rylee shook her head. “It’s not about Bryan. Well,” she paused. “It is, but…”

  “He’s a fine young man,” Dad opened up his laptop. “The Shuster family always was one of the best in Cranberry Bay.”

  “I know,” Rylee said. “But that’s not really what I want to talk to you…”

  “Can it wait?” Dad tapped the computer screen. “I need to take a little trip as soon as possible. I booked a midnight flight out of Portland. I’ve got a car coming for me in minutes.” He smiled at her in that knowing way that sent Rylee’s heart thumping in fear.

  “I thought you were staying in Cranberry Bay?” Rylee stepped away from the table. She wanted to separate herself from her father with as much physical space as she could find. She stepped to the kitchen sink and leaned against the counter.

  Dad typed into the computer and with a snap, shut the top. “You know,” he stood and stretched. “I’m not sure what I was thinking. The town is just too small for me. I know your grandparents loved it here, and you seem to love it here.” He winked. “But I need to be where the action is. I need to be in the heart of things.”

  Rylee clutched the edges of the counter to steady herself. Words bubbled to the tips of her tongue, and her nerves tingled. She had to tell Dad no. She couldn’t support him any more, not at th
e cost of her own life. “I can’t go back to Vegas.”

  “I know.” Dad stepped up beside her. “You’re going to San Diego. It’s a fine place for you, and you’ll do well. As soon as I take care of this investment opportunity, I’ll join you. By then, the house will have sold. You’ll have a new one all picked out, and you’ll be into your new job.”

  “No,” Rylee turned to face Dad. Her eyes blazed at him, and her heart pounded. “I’m selling this house and staying in Cranberry Bay.”

  Dad studied her. “I never realized how much you look like your Mom.”

  “What?” Rylee narrowed her eyes.

  “You look like your Mom.” Dad repeated. “She used to get this look, just like you have now.” He smiled at her. “It’s a good look.”

  “I miss her,” Rylee said as tears bubbled in her throat. “So much she missed. So much I missed telling her.”

  “I miss her too.” Dad placed his hand on her shoulders.

  Tears pooled in Rylee’s eyes. “We did okay, Dad.”

  “No.” Dad shook his head. “I should have said something to you ten years ago when you came back from Cranberry Bay. You were so happy. It was the happiest I’d ever seen you. You literally glowed and walked as if there was no ground beneath you. Grandma had called, and she told me you and the Shuster boy were in love. But I was selfish. I didn’t want you to leave. I couldn’t imagine life without you. So I threw a game. I found a fight to be in, and I landed in jail, just so you would know how much I needed you.”

  Rylee took two steps away from her father. She shook her head. “You caused me to ruin my engagement with Bryan, but I could have said no to you. The truth is, I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready for what Bryan was asking. Cranberry Bay and Bryan scared me. If I married Bryan, I would become a part of this town. I wasn’t ready for that.”