Barefoot Beach

by Debbie Mason

  “Santa! I want to see Santa,” one of the twins cried, pointing to a window display in a redbrick building on Main Street. Holiday House was the town’s year-round Christmas store.

  Several passengers echoed the twin’s demand, and Theia found a parking spot a few doors down from Holiday House.

  Daniel gave the passengers twenty minutes to check out the Christmas shop, adding ten more for the two older women who’d spotted Truly Scrumptious, the local bakery they wanted to visit. Theia was last out of the van, grabbing her hat as an afterthought. If she wasn’t careful, she’d become as appearance conscious as Daphne.

  The sight of temporary fencing distracted her from wondering just how bad her hair looked. The fencing blocked off the three vacant lots that were the future site of Wicklow Developments’ office tower. Theia pulled out her phone and took a couple of pictures for Caine.

  A few weeks before, they’d received word that the fence had been covered with signs encouraging residents and tourists alike to call the mayor’s office and vote for the proposed Heritage Park over the office tower. Caine would be happy to see the fence had been cleared and remained signage free.

  “It’s an eyesore, isn’t it?” a woman walking toward her said. She carried a basket of cookies that smelled like Christmas. She smiled and offered one to Theia. “I know it’s only July, but I own a holiday shop.” She nodded at the redbrick building beside the empty lots, which Theia’s passengers had crowded into. “Come in and check it out. You can sign the petition while you’re at it.”

  “Petition?” She had a feeling she’d just met the leader of Caine’s opposition. Although she wasn’t exactly the unreasonable shrew Caine had made her out to be. She actually seemed reasonable and friendly…Until she started talking about Wicklow Developments’ ogre of a CEO, whose office building would not only destroy the charm of Main Street but would decimate the mom-and-pop shops in town.

  The woman then went on to talk passionately and at great length about the park she’d proposed to Harmony Harbor’s town council. A plan that supposedly had the support of one of the mayors. There were two, a husband-and-wife team, Connor and Arianna Gallagher. Marco was right; there were a lot of Gallaghers.

  “I’ve talked your ear off and haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Evangeline Christmas. My friends call me Evie.”

  “And you own a holiday shop,” Theia said, unable to keep the amusement from her voice.

  “I know.” She laughed. “I recently inherited it from my aunt. It’s been in the family for generations.” She scowled at the KEEP OUT sign on the fence. “And if Caine Elliot gets his way, I’ll be the one to lose it.”

  Feeling like she should be defending her best friend and boss, Theia said, “You know, it could actually be good for your business. There’ve been studies—”

  Apparently Evie didn’t want to hear about studies and opened the door. Instead of chimes, they were greeted by the voice of Santa welcoming them to Holiday House with a ho, ho, ho.

  Twenty minutes, three cookies, and a quick tour of the three-story house later, Theia had heard some pretty convincing arguments as to why the worst thing that could happen to Harmony Harbor and Evie Christmas was Wicklow Developments’ office tower.

  She left the shop to call her boss. She gave him the good news first and then… “You signed her petition?” he practically yelled into the phone.

  “I didn’t know what else to do. She gave me cookies, and she’s really nice. I actually think you’d like her if you gave—”

  “No, I wouldn’t. I’ve spoken to her, and she’s an unreasonable harpy. She’s costing me a small fortune with the delays.”

  “Yeah, about those delays. I wouldn’t count on breaking ground in September like you hoped. She got the council to agree to push the meeting back to early October.”

  “How in the bloody hell did she accomplish that?”

  “Well, it seems she got Holiday House designated a historical landmark, and she claims the construction of the office tower will damage the structure. She’s asked that the meeting be delayed until she’s consulted with an engineer who specializes in historic buildings.”

  “I can’t believe…I’ve got a phone call to make. If you see Daniel, tell him to call me immediately or I’ll cut him off. He was supposed to stay on top of this.”

  “You know, my mother always said you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.”

  “Theia,” he grumbled.

  “It’s true. Evie’s single, you know. And beautiful. Smart too. Exactly your type.”

  “I’m sorry. Is this the Theia Lawson I know and love?”

  “Shut up,” she said without heat.

  “Do me a favor, stop drinking the water and hanging out with the Widows Club. And stay away from Evangeline Christmas.” He muttered something about the woman’s ridiculous name as he hung up.

  He might be right. Not about Evie’s name, but about Theia not being herself. She’d been thinking the same thing more or less for the past few days. Somehow, she’d gotten sucked into the matchmaking madness of Harmony Harbor. A town where love was on everyone’s mind. Except she hadn’t felt that way the last time she was here. Maybe the blame lay on the hedonistic feelings invoked by the sun on your bare skin and the sand between your toes.

  Or maybe it was Marco DiRossi, she thought when she spotted his food truck parked in a prime location down by the wharf. The art fair attendees would have to pass his truck coming or going.

  She walked over to where Daniel stood waiting patiently for his daughters and grandsons beside the van. “I just got off the phone with Caine, and he’s not happy you didn’t tell him about the historical designation Holiday House received. He wants you to call him ASAP. If you want the money train to continue”—she gave the Holiday House bags he carried a pointed look—“I suggest you do as he asked.”

  “If he thinks it’s easy dealing with Evie Christmas, tell him to give it a try. Don’t let all that sweetness and light fool you. She’s as stubborn as my old granny, and what’s worse, she knows what you’re about before you do. She was a therapist of some sort. Reads you like an open book, she does. And I don’t want to be read. By anyone. You shouldn’t either, so stay far away from the lass.”

  “You’re letting your guilty conscience get the better of you. It’s no secret you want the office tower to go through. You ran your campaign on it, and your nephew the mayor agrees with you.”

  “I’m not so sure he does anymore. Arianna is thick as thieves with Evie, and my poor nephew is head-over-heels in love with his wife. He couldn’t tell her no if he wanted to, especially now that she’s given him a son.” He angled his head as the owner of Holiday House said goodbye to her customers. “Other than being a pain in the arse, she’s a beautiful woman, with all that lovely dark hair and dark eyes.”

  “Don’t even go there, mister. You’d ruin all the progress you’re making with your daughters if you date a woman half your age, especially when you’re apparently in a relationship with Tina.”

  “What are you going on about? I meant for Caine. The man has a one-track mind, and it’d be a nice change if he was focused on something other than me. He’s a wee bit scary, you know.”

  “He’s goal-oriented. He goes after what he wants and doesn’t let anything get in his way.”

  “Right now that lass is standing in his way.”

  “Yes, she is.” God help her.

  “She doesn’t stand a chance. He’ll squash her like a bug,” Daniel said, and then gave Theia an impish grin. “Unless you and I do something about it.”

  Clearly, Daniel had been spending too much time with the Widows Club, but he had a point. Her best friend needed someone in his life. The beautiful heiresses and actresses he was frequently photographed with didn’t stick around long enough to make him happy. She wanted him to be happy, just like he wanted her to be happy. He needed someone who was more important to him than accumulating property and wealth. Someone who
was more important to him than revenge.

  “What exactly did you have in mind?”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Put your eyes back in your head, Sully,” Marco said to the man who tripped in a rut while trying to get a look at Daphne Gallagher.

  “Aw, come on, DiRossi. You have to leave some women for the rest of us,” the commander of the Coast Guard said as he walked toward Marco’s food truck. Sully glanced over his shoulder to get one more look at Daphne and nearly took out an elderly couple.

  “You have no game, man. Which is good, because that particular woman is off-limits to guys like you and me.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Sully rested an elbow on the small take-out counter while angling his body toward the row of brightly colored fisherman shacks Daphne was headed for. Artisans with higher-end wares paid top dollar to display them in the fisherman shacks, whereas crafters and locals typically rented out the white tents set up across from them at a lower rate.

  “It means she’s a Gallagher. Liam and Griffin’s cousin,” he added when Sully didn’t seem to get what the problem was. “You know, your best friend, Griffin. The guy who’d kill you if you broke his cousin’s heart.”

  Sully laughed. “I don’t think that would be a problem. She’s more likely to break mine.”

  “Whatever. It’s an unwritten rule. You don’t date a member of your best friend’s family.”

  “It’s unwritten for a reason.” Sully waggled his eyebrows and then ordered his usual.

  Marco turned to put a slice of meat lover’s pizza in the oven and then grabbed him a bottle of water, setting it in front of him. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “You’re not interested though, are you? Because that’s one rule I don’t break.”

  “No. I’m already dating someone. Theia Lawson.” He wondered why the lie rolled so easily off his tongue. Maybe because it kinda felt like the truth.

  “And why am I just hearing about this now?”

  “We’ve only been dating for a few days. She’s…” He caught sight of his girlfriend and smiled. She was with Daniel and the twins, whose chocolate ice cream cones were dripping all over them. Daniel grabbed one and handed it to Theia and then took the other one and began to lick the cone. Theia made a face and tried to hand hers back to Daniel, giving in when one of the twins started to cry.

  “Theia,” Marco yelled in an effort to be heard above the crowd. She turned his way. He went to hold up some napkins and a cup with a spoon but got a little distracted by the sight of her licking the cone and fumbled the cup.

  Sully looked from Theia to Marco and raised an eyebrow. “Someone’s got it bad.”

  “I always have that effect on women,” he said in an effort to convince himself those odd sensations in his chest meant nothing.

  Sully laughed. “I didn’t mean her. I meant you.”

  Marco stared at the other man. To his relief, the oven timer dinged, saving him from having to respond. He couldn’t be falling for the woman. Sure, he admired her, liked being around her, wanted to spend more time with her, wanted to know who had broken her heart and why she got that haunted look in her eyes sometimes. It didn’t mean he was falling for her just because he liked the look of her, the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her…No, no way.

  “Hey, how’s it going? I’m Sully.”

  “Hi. Theia. Theia Lawson.”

  Marco inwardly groaned as his body reacted to her voice with heat and need. He wanted her, and he wanted her bad. His head came up. That was good. His panic subsided as he realized he’d overreacted. Lust was fine. Great, actually. He was in lust with Theia, not love. What was he thinking? No one falls in love in a matter of days.

  When he turned to give Sully his slice, his eyes met Theia’s. He couldn’t tear his gaze from hers. Lust, he reminded himself, and thrust the slice at Sully without looking at him, barely registering the other man’s laughter or the pizza disappearing from his hands. Theia’s eyebrows went up, no doubt as a result of him staring at her like an idiot.

  He let his gaze drop to her lips. There was a ring of chocolate around her mouth. He reached for a napkin before he gave in to the urge to curve his hand around the back of her head, drawing her close enough for him to kiss the sticky sweetness from her lips. But instead of letting her do it like a normal person or a fake boyfriend would, he leaned out the window, cupped her chin with one hand, and wiped the chocolate from around her mouth.

  Theia and Sully stared at him—Sully with the pizza stalled halfway to his mouth.

  “What?” Marco said. “She wouldn’t have been able to get it all on her own.” He turned to Theia. “You wouldn’t have.” His gaze followed hers to the chocolate splatters on her white shirt. “Come inside the truck. I’ve got something that’ll get the stains out.”

  Sully laughed. “You sound like the big bad wolf.”

  “Eat your pizza.” His tone translated to Shut it, or you won’t get another slice.

  “I should probably go. I’m driving the tour bus for the manor. They’ll be ready to leave soon,” she said, sounding more hopeful than disappointed as she pulled more napkins from the dispenser.

  He didn’t want her to go. He wanted to explain why he was acting like an idiot. And how was he supposed to do that without looking like a bigger one? He should just keep his mouth shut and…

  Crap, Johnny and Callie were walking their way, and they looked like they were arguing again.

  Marco returned his gaze to Theia. “If Penelope and Daphne are on the tour with you, you have some time to kill.” He nodded at the two women who were stopped in front of a blue fisherman’s shack, haggling with the vendor over a watercolor. Just down from them, Daniel chatted up the owner of the local art gallery while the twins painted a mural with a couple of seniors.

  Theia looked like she was about to come up with another excuse to leave when Johnny and Callie arrived. “Hey, how’s it going?” Johnny said.

  Theia gave Marco a look and muttered, “Fine,” and then walked around to the side door. He wasn’t sure if the fine was for him or for Johnny, but for his sake, he was relieved to see her come inside. Funny when a few minutes ago the last thing he wanted was her in the close confines of the food truck.

  “I’d love to hang out all day and watch you make a complete fool of yourself over that woman, but there’s a gorgeous brunette dying to meet me,” Sully said.

  “Trust me, it’s you who’ll be dying. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he called after Sully, who gave him a two-finger salute as he walked toward the Gallagher sisters. “Hey, Johnny, Cal, I’ll be right with you.” He turned to Theia. “Do you want me—”

  She stepped in to him and shut him up with a kiss. Once again, there were no gnashed teeth or bumped noses, just a deep kiss with a little bit of tongue and a whole lot of heat. She pulled back, and he went to dip his head for more when he remembered where they were.

  “That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?” she said with a pointed look at Callie and Johnny.

  “Right. Absolutely.” He’d totally forgotten they were fake dating and why. She was obviously much better at pretending than him. “Okay, what can I get you guys?”

  “Hey, don’t let us interrupt. We know what it’s like not to be able to keep your hands off each other, don’t we, babe? We used to be just like you…” He grimaced and tried to dig himself out of the hole. “I can’t keep my hands off my baby mama either.”

  Behind Marco, Theia sucked in air and then nudged him out of the way to stick her head out the window. “Just so we’re clear, I’m not his baby mama. But that’s great that you are. Congrats.” She looked from the couple to him. “What? Oh no. I didn’t mean your baby is Marco’s. It’s not, right?”

  Marco swore in his head, loudly but silently.

  Johnny didn’t have the same level of control. “What the hell? What the hell does she mean by that?”

  “Relax. Theia’s just a little unsure of herself. Aren’t y
ou, babe?” He put his arm around her. “But I’ve told you this before, cara. You don’t have to be jealous of every woman I’ve dated. I never felt about any of them like I do you.” He kissed the top of her head, murmuring sweet nothings in Italian. “Sono a di te. Sei la donna dei miei sogni, amore mio.”

  “You love her? We dated for more than a year, and you never told me you loved me.” As though just remembering she was married and her husband was standing beside her, Callie said to Theia, “Congratulations. You’ve done what no other woman in Harmony Harbor has been able to. You brought Marco DiRossi to his knees. How does it feel, Marco?”

  “Ah, not very good when you put it like that, thanks.”

  Callie snorted a laugh, and her husband almost sagged with relief beside her.

  “What can I get you guys? I promise Theia won’t spit in your food. Right, babe?”

  She rolled her eyes and went back to dabbing water on her shirt. He made small talk with Johnny and Callie, trying to get things back on an even keel. Theia got their drinks and took their money while he got their pizza ready. So they seemed to be good too, although he had a feeling she was going to pay him back when the couple walked away. In his book, that kiss was enough payback.

  “See you two at the wedding next weekend,” Johnny said.

  “Wedding?” Theia asked after they’d walked away.

  “Yeah. I’m a groomsman. It should be fun. You wanna come? It’s at the manor.”

  “Sure. I owe you after my slipup.” She glanced at him.

  He sighed at the look in her eyes. “No, Theia. There isn’t a chance I’m Callie’s baby’s daddy.”

  “Would you like to be?”

  He didn’t even have to think about it. “Would I like to be a father one day? Of course. But not the father of Callie’s baby.” He also didn’t want to be the third person in their marriage. Which was why, even though his feelings for Theia were making him nervous, he didn’t put an end to their charade.