Diamonds or Donuts

by Lucie Ulrich

  There hadn’t been any other phone calls from Logan, but she found his promised letter in her mailbox three weeks later. Hurrying through her front door, she tossed her purse on the coffee table, sat on the couch, and ripped it open.

  Dear Sarah,

  I miss you more than words can say. Thankfully I’m being kept busy with everything there is to do here. I won’t bore you with the details, as I’m sure you wouldn’t be interested.

  “Of course I’m interested. Why would you think I wouldn’t be?”

  Please be sure to keep me in your prayers. Life here is difficult, but I wouldn’t trade a minute of it for anything.

  “Not even me?” She took a calming breath, knowing she was reading way too much into his comments. She’d expected a love letter despite knowing Logan wasn’t the love letter type.

  I hope all is well with you. Please write to me and fill me in on all the things going on in your life. I hope you do something fun over the summer and that you’re able to find the perfect job.

  I keep your picture by my cot and send you a kiss every night. Write soon.

  Logan.

  P.S. Be sure to give the list to my folks and ask them to send the stuff I need ASAP.

  She glanced at the list, which included a specific type and brand of socks, underwear, sunscreen, hiking boots, and a variety of food and sweets.

  Sarah read the letter a second time before writing back. With the mail as slow as it seemed, she’d likely be in Sunset Cove by the time he got it.

  Dear Logan,

  How I wish I could see your face and kiss your lips. I keep your picture by my bed as well, but looking at it doesn’t come close to the real thing. I miss you so much that my heart hurts most days.

  I’m doing my best to be a big girl and not mope around. In fact, I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to take the job in Sunset Cove. I haven’t found an apartment yet, but I’ll be looking this weekend. It’s a beautiful town, and I’m excited about starting a new job.

  I’ll be teaching third grade and living close to the ocean. Isn’t that amazing? I’m looking forward to the change. It won’t make me miss you any less, but keeping busy and starting fresh might help make our separation a bit easier.

  Her fingers hovered over the keyboard while Sarah debated telling Logan about her two-year commitment. She didn’t want her decision to come across as an act of revenge, despite the residual anger his departure had left her with. “Nope, not today.”

  I’ll close with that. Oh, and I figured out the reason you sent me the letter. I promise to spend some time with your folks in the near future.

  Expect to hear from me regularly. Please call again as soon as you can.

  All my love, Sarah

  ****

  His shift over, Kevin dashed into one of the Chinese restaurants in the old part of town. He left fifteen minutes later with large containers of fried rice, orange chicken, and beef and broccoli—enough food to sustain him through the weekend. He had studying to do and Mallory to avoid.

  “Kevin?”

  He spun around at Pippa’s voice. “Hey, Pip, what’s up?”

  She shaded her eyes from the sun. “What’s up with you? I haven’t seen you since the barbecue.”

  “I was at group last week.”

  “I know, but you were in and out so quickly we never got beyond a wave.”

  “Sorry.” He dug for his keys. “I’ve been studying every spare minute. I’ve got my chemistry final in two weeks. I’ve passed the physical portion of the detective exam, but still have to pass the written part.”

  “You’ve got a lot going on. When does the position come open?”

  “Dave isn’t leaving until the end of the year, but several of us are applying, and Dave wants to spend time with the newbie, showing them the ropes. All exams have to be completed by the end of August.”

  A horn honked, and Pippa waved. “Dad’s here to pick me up. Look, I know you’re busy, but do you think you could come by Saturday for dinner? It’s Mom’s birthday, which is why Dad and I are out shopping. We’d love to have you join us.”

  “Thanks, Pip, but my lab partner and I have a study date.”

  “That’s too bad. Sarah will be here.”

  His heart did that pitter-patter thing it did every time he thought of the woman he couldn’t have. “I didn’t think she was moving until June.”

  “She isn’t, but she has to find a place to live.”

  “Oh, I just assumed she’d live with you.”

  “My place is one bedroom, which is probably for the best. Sarah and I are both used to living on our own.” The horn honked again. “I really do have to go. If your plans change, dinner is at six.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. In the meantime, give my regards to your folks.”

  “Will do.” She dashed across the street.

  Kevin set his bag into the passenger seat of his vehicle. He was determined to stick to his plan and avoid any unwarranted contact with Sarah. As much as he’d like to see her, he was glad to have a legitimate excuse to stay away.

  His excuse lasted as long as it took for him to drive home. A message on his answering machine asked if he could change the study date from Saturday to Sunday afternoon.

  “Really, Todd?”

  Kevin called his friend back and agreed to the change. He did not call Pippa. Dinner with her family was still out. Feeling good about himself, he changed clothes and dug into supper.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Sarah came in after an early walk on the beach to find Pippa scrambling some eggs. “Smells great in here.”

  “I saw you coming up the boardwalk and figured you’d be ready to eat. Need a hearty breakfast to face what lies ahead.”

  “You make it sound dreadful. I’m looking forward to finding my next place. I realize it won’t compare to this, but something with a bit of character would be nice.”

  “Then we should start in the older section of town.”

  “You lead, and I’ll follow.” They ate their breakfast on the balcony, and after a quick shower, Sarah was filled with enthusiasm and ready to head out.

  Her high spirits waned by the time they stopped for lunch a little after noon. They’d seen four places, but none of them felt like home. Moving from the old section to the newer area hadn’t helped. Three places and two hours later, and Sarah’s spirits had completely fizzled out.

  Pippa pulled out of the parking lot of the sixth complex they’d looked at. “That one was nice.”

  “Yeah, if you like a square box surrounded by a dozen more square boxes and nothing but a parking lot to look at.” Sarah rubbed her eyes. “Maybe we should go back and look at the first one again. At least there was a park a few blocks away, and it’s within walking distance of the old part of town.”

  “It’s also an environmental hazard. Did you see the amount of mildew in the bathtub? That stove has to be thirty years old, if not older, and don’t even get me started on the carpets.” Pippa headed toward the old Main Street. “You know you can always stay with my folks until you find what you’re looking for.”

  “Your mom made the offer, and it’s not that I don’t love her, but the idea of living with my boss doesn’t exactly thrill me. Not only that, it would mean storing all my stuff. I’d much rather settle on a place and be done with it.” She leaned back and closed her eyes. “Would it be okay if I come back in a week or two and try again? I hate to impose on your hospitality.”

  “You could never impose. Come back as often as you need. In the meantime, let’s pick up Mom’s birthday cake and head home. We could both use a break before dinner tonight.”

  “Works for me.”

  Antonio’s Bakery sat on the corner of Main and Marshall. Its red brick façade, large plate glass window and green awnings fit in perfectly with the eclectic store fronts, some built over a hundred years ago. The wide tree-lined street with its cobblestone road already felt like home to Sarah. “Why would anybody want to shop at thos
e fancy boutiques and overpriced restaurants on the other side of town when this exists?”

  Pippa laughed. “Because they can afford to.” She pulled the bakery door open. “I kind of like it that way. It keeps this part of town true to its roots.”

  “Miss Phillipa.” A short, slender man sporting a huge mustache and a thick Italian accent stepped from behind the counter and past a line of customers. He dusted off his white apron and planted a kiss on each of her cheeks. “The cake is ready, and it’s a masterpiece.”

  “Of that I have no doubt, Antonio. I’d like you to meet my dearest friend, Sarah Alexander. Sarah is going to be teaching at Sunset Christian Academy next year.”

  “Welcome, Miss Sarah. Is a pleasure to meet you.” He kissed Sarah in the same manner as he’d kissed Pippa. “Let me get that cake.”

  His mustache tickled Sarah’s cheeks, and his accent, real or made up, made him the perfect shopkeeper for a place called Antonio’s. His shop, however, needed a bit of revamping. The array of cakes, pies, donuts, and whatnot was second to none, and the aroma was enough to send her blood sugar spiking. It was the wasted space that bothered her.

  Sarah did a slow turn. There was room for at least four or five small tables, yet only a few stark benches sat against the walls. Three faded pictures of food items did nothing to enhance the ambiance.

  When he returned from the back, Antonio set a large square box on the counter. “Lemon cream with a strawberry ganache filling and butter cream frosting.”

  “Yum.” Pippa pulled out her wallet.

  Checking out an unused area next to the counter, Sarah saw more potential. “You don’t serve coffee, Antonio?”

  He looked up, puzzled. “What for?”

  “Because coffee or tea and pastry go together like spaghetti and meatballs.”

  Antonio gestured with his hand. “Fancy coffee is no for me.”

  “You don’t have to go fancy. Just brew regular coffee and keep an assortment of flavored creamers.” She moved to the center of the wasted space. “Put in a few tables and chairs, hang some pictures of Italy, and you’ve created a whole new dynamic to the place. People come in for coffee and a cannoli, and leave with a pie, cake, or more cannoli.”

  Pippa leaned on the glass counter. “That’s brilliant, Sarah.”

  “Hmm, I don’t know.” Antonio twisted one side of his mustache. “The idea is no bad, Miss Sarah. I talk to Rosa and we think about it.”

  Pinching her eyes shut, Sarah winced. What right did she have to tell a man she’d just met how to fix a business that appeared to be thriving? “Forgive the intrusion, Antonio. I tend to ramble on, especially when I’m tired.”

  “Tired? You too young to be tired.”

  Pippa placed her credit card in her purse and reached for the cake box. “Sarah is looking for a place to live, and after hours of searching we haven’t had much luck finding the right apartment.”

  Twisting the other side of his mustache, Antonio looked up, then back to Sarah. “What are you looking for?”

  “Something with a bit of character, clean, and affordable. A place I can make my own for the two years I’ll be living here.”

  “I might know a place.” He grinned, took the box from Pippa, and handed it to the rotund woman behind the counter. “Be back in a few minutes, Rosa.”

  Sarah and Pippa shared a shrug and followed Antonio out the front door. He stopped at the door directly to the right of the bakery. Inserting a key, he opened the thick glass door and ushered them inside and up a flight of stairs. A second key opened the door to the left of the small landing.

  “Is a bit dusty, but let me know what you think.” He handed Pippa the keys. “See you downstairs.”

  “This living room is huge.” Sarah moved from the front door to the tall windows with the rounded tops that looked over Main Street. She ran her finger over the red brick they were set in, already knowing she’d pay just about anything to live here. The high ceilings were accentuated by what appeared to be original crown molding and hardwood floors ran from one end of the place to the other. A stacked washer and dryer were nestled into a closet in the short hallway leading to the single bedroom.

  “Holy smokes, Sarah. Even I don’t have my own washer and dryer. I have to use the ones in the utility room at the main house.”

  Excitement rippled through Sarah’s belly. This was exactly what she’d been looking for. “It’s pretty amazing, that’s for sure. Let’s see how big the bedroom is.”

  Pippa stepped in first. “Not bad.”

  “No, it isn’t. There’s plenty of room for my queen-size bed, and even though I’m not crazy about having people go through the bedroom to get to the bathroom, I can certainly live with it.” She stepped over to the single window. “And check out this view. There’s a park behind the alley. How great is that?”

  “It’s fabulous.” Pippa craned her neck. “If not for that large grouping of trees on the right, you’d be able to see Kevin’s house.” She peeked into the bathroom. “I had no idea this was even up here.” Pippa grabbed her hand. “Let’s check out the kitchen.”

  Sarah’s mother believed a kitchen was the heart of a home, a gathering place for friends and family to share a meal and pleasant conversation. Since moving away from home, Sarah’s kitchens had all been small, and she figured this place would be no different.

  An archway led from the living to dining room, and a second archway revealed the small, but functional kitchen at the back of the place. As expected, there wasn’t enough room for a kitchen table, but with the open space to the dining room, it was the next best thing. The appliances were newer, which was all Sarah cared about. It didn’t matter that the cabinets and countertops were old. There was even a fire escape that could double as a small back porch.

  Sarah grinned. “It’s perfect, Pippa.”

  “I know.” Pippa ran her hands over the wall. “It could use some paint and a good scrubbing, but I can totally see you living here.”

  “Me too. Let’s go see what Antonio wants for the place.” Sarah hurried down the stairs and into the bakery. Tapping her fingers on the counter, she waited impatiently for Antonio to emerge from the back room. If he asked more than she could afford, her heart would be broken.

  “So, you like, Miss Sarah?” Antonio set a tray of cookies in the display case.

  “I love, but can I afford it?” She chewed on her bottom lip, waiting for his reply.

  Antonio’s eyes widened. “You think I send you up there and not think you can pay?”

  “Bottom line, Antonio.”

  “Rosa,” he called over his shoulder. “Quanto per l’appartamento?”

  Rosa shrugged. “Quattrocentocinquanta?”

  “Four hundred fifty,” he said

  Containing her enthusiasm wasn’t easy. Her budget would allow her to pay twice that much. She almost felt like she was cheating him while wondering if there was something wrong with the place. “It does come with air and heat, right?”

  A frown creased Antonio’s brow. “What kind of silly question is that?”

  “Guess I’m trying to figure out why you’re asking so little.”

  The frown was replaced by a broad smile, followed by a pinch to her cheeks. “Because I can, and because you a friend of Miss Philippa.”

  Sarah and Pippa left ten minutes later. Though Antonio balked at the need, Sarah insisted on a lease, which she would sign when she returned the following weekend with some paint and cleaning supplies. Antonio gave in, but only after making it clear there would be no deposit, and the first month’s rent was an exchange for the work Sarah would put in to get the place in order.

  It was a win-win situation, and Sarah walked out the door giddy as a school kid. “That is the most amazing apartment ever.”

  “And we’re going to have so much fun decorating it.”

  “Yes, we are.” Sarah stared up at the front windows over the bakery, knowing she had found the sanctuary she was looking for. When she turned
back toward the car, she spotted Kevin across the street. “Kevin!” She waved him over.

  ****

  Knowing he was caught, Kevin took a calming breath then checked for traffic before coming their way. He was just going to say hello. Not studying did not mean he had to go to the party. “Hey, ladies, what’s up?”

  Pippa placed the cake on the backseat. “I thought you had a study date all day.”

  “It was moved to tomorrow. I spent today on other studies and yard work.”

  “Great, then you’re free for dinner.” She closed the door. “Mom will be thrilled.”

  He should have known Pippa wouldn’t let him slide without a fight. “Thanks, Pip, but I’m not exactly dressed for the occasion. I came out to buy a new shovel, then polish off the last of my Chinese food.”

  Pippa glanced at her phone. “It’s only four thirty, and dinner isn’t until six. You have plenty of time to get ready. And seriously, you’re going to turn down grilled shrimp and steak in lieu of day-old Chinese food?”

  “Come on, Kevin,” Sarah gave him a quick nudge. “It’ll be fun, and I can tell you all about my new apartment.”

  There was nothing more Kevin would have enjoyed, but he had to stand firm.

  “I have a better idea.” Pippa’s grin let him know he was sunk. If she could talk him into jumping out of an airplane as a way to celebrate his thirtieth birthday, she could talk him into anything.

  “And just what would that be?”

  “Sarah can show you the apartment now. After all, we’re going to need a man around to give us a hand. When you’ve seen the place, you can head over to your house to change, then to the beach house. I’ll have cold drinks waiting for both of you.”

  Panic tightened Kevin’s chest. Pippa had no idea what she was doing to him. “I’m going to need a shower, so maybe I should just meet you later.”

  “And give you a chance to back out? No way.” Pippa zipped around to the driver’s side, slid in, and drove away, leaving him next to Sarah, who smelled of flowers and sunshine. All he could think of was pulling her close and running his fingers through her thick hair. Instead, he took a step back and scraped a hand through his own.