The Chesapeake Diaries Series 7-Book Bundle: Coming HOme, Home Again, Almost Home, Hometown Girl, Home for the Summer, The Long Way Home, At the River's Edge

by Stewart, Mariah

  “In that case, we should be smart enough not to waste any of the time we might have together talking about foolish things.” Curtis slapped his hands on his thighs, then stood. “Want to see my latest project?”

  “Your latest project?” Her eyebrows rose.

  “Indeed.” He reached for her hand. “Let’s get our coats and take a walk.”

  Sophie slipped back into her jacket while her grandfather retrieved his coat from the front hall closet. Then he led her into the wide hall toward the back of the house, through the kitchen, and into a glassed-in area he referred to as his conservatory. Off to one side was an arched doorway, through which she could see the greenhouse.

  “Are you growing something new?” Sophie started toward the greenhouse door when he tugged on her hand.

  “I left all that to your grandmother. It’s all I can do to keep her old favorites alive. Easier now, though, that I have help. You can wander through here later if you like.” He steered her to the door that opened onto the backyard. “My project is out here. I’m very excited about it.”

  She followed her grandfather down three stairs to a path that looked new.

  Sophie stood, hands on her hips, surveying the scene. “Well, it looks as if you’ve been busy.”

  “Wait till you see it all when it’s done.” He walked in the direction of the carriage house. “It’s going to be restored to look just the way it did in the old photos we have. It’s taking a while, but it’s going to be worth it in the end.”

  “That’s some project,” she agreed.

  “Oh, this isn’t the project I was talking about.” He paused midway to the structure. “That’s over here.” He took her elbow. “Over where the lawn’s been dug up six ways to Sunday. It’s quite the mess now, but it’s going to be glorious when it’s finished.”

  They followed the path to a spot where sections of the lawn were outlined with what appeared to be spray paint.

  “What’s going on out here?” she asked.

  “This,” he pointed beyond them, “is where the formal garden used to be. I’m having it restored.”

  “From which era?”

  “Good question. I wasn’t sure myself there for a while, but I’ve been working with a landscaper who has experience with this sort of thing. It’s been quite exciting, actually. Rose would have loved it.” His eyes were beginning to twinkle. “The most clearly defined garden we’ve been able to find is a layout consistent with gardens which would have been popular in the 1880s, and since we do have photos from that time period, that’s the one we’re going with.” He pointed to the far end of the proposed garden. “And there, we’re planning a rose garden.”

  “For Gramma Rose.”

  “Yes. She had a rose garden years ago, tended it like it was one of the kids. Unfortunately, most of the canes couldn’t survive the terrible neglect I inflicted on them after she passed, but a few managed to survive. We’ll be moving them so they’ll be part of a permanent garden.”

  “That’s a lovely idea.”

  “Whatever happens to me, I want to leave the house and the gardens in mint condition.”

  “This renovation … I’m guessing it’s going to take a long time.”

  “It won’t happen overnight,” he agreed.

  “Good.” She hooked her arm through his. “That means you’re going to have to stick around until it’s finished. That could take years. You wouldn’t want to have half a garden out here.”

  “I’m not a necessary part of the project at this point. My landscaper has his plans drawn up and the money has been set aside to complete the job. So regardless of what happens, the gardens will be completed. I don’t have to be around to see it through.”

  His words had an ominous ring.

  “Pop, are you sure there isn’t something wrong, something I should know about?”

  “Not a thing. I just like to cover my bases.”

  When she started to question him further, he squeezed her hand and made it clear he was finished with the conversation. “Now, how about we get your brother on the phone and see if we can arrange to meet him and Brooke for dinner tonight at Captain Walt’s. I have a craving for rockfish, and I hear they’re running this week …”

  Chapter 5

  “So what’s with playing dumb about the restaurant on River Road?” Sophie was waiting for Jesse when he stepped through his front door. “Why didn’t you tell me you had the key all along?”

  “What are you talking about?” He dropped his gym bag in the hall. “What makes you think I have a key to that old place? And if I did, why wouldn’t I have said so?”

  “Because you think me running a restaurant is a stupid idea.”

  “Whoa, girl. Back up. Who told you I had a key?”

  “Violet. She said the owner is a client and there’s a key in the office.”

  “Well, Violet would know. The owner could be one of Pop’s or Uncle Mike’s clients. I haven’t had time to go through all the old client files. I think I may have mentioned that fact.” He went past her into the kitchen and turned on the cold water faucet. “But do I think it would be stupid for you to quit your job and open a restaurant when you have no clue how to run one and no game plan? Let’s just say it probably wouldn’t be your finest moment, kiddo.”

  He got a glass from the cabinet and filled it with water, then took a long drink.

  “Well, what if I had a plan?” She knew she sounded pissy but couldn’t help herself.

  “Do you?”

  “Not yet,” she admitted. “But if I were serious about opening a restaurant, I most certainly would have a plan before I moved on it.”

  “That’s reassuring.”

  “Sometimes you make me feel as if I’m ten again and you’re fourteen, and it makes me want to stick my tongue out at you.”

  “Hey, if it makes you feel better …” He drained the glass and set it on the counter.

  “What’s going to make me feel better is taking a peek inside that building.”

  Jesse glanced at his watch.

  “It’s getting late and I need to take a shower. Pop called about dinner, and you know he likes to eat early. Brooke will be here in about an hour, and we need to pick up Pop by six.”

  “We could have time if we hurried.”

  He shook his head. “We’d have to go to the office and look for the key, and that could take hours.”

  “Violet might know where it is,” she persisted.

  “She probably does,” he agreed. “Why don’t you call her while I’m in the shower, and if she knows exactly where it is, and if there’s time before we have to pick up Pop, we’ll stop and get the key tonight. Otherwise, we’ll get it in the morning, which is a better idea anyway, since I’m sure the electricity has long been shut off in that old place and you won’t be able to see a damned thing anyway.” He took his phone from his pocket and handed it to his sister. “Violet’s number is programmed in. Go ahead and give her a call.”

  Jesse started out of the room.

  “And between now and the time she answers, you think about how you’re going to get approval from the owner for entering her property.”

  Sophie frowned. “If she gave you a key, doesn’t that assume that she’s okay with you going in?”

  “I don’t know the owner, therefore I do not know the circumstances of how we came by that key.”

  His voice trailed off as he climbed the steps.

  “Violet will know,” Sophie called back even as she heard his bedroom door close. “Violet knows everything.”

  She searched through the directory on his phone until she found Violet’s number, then pushed call. Moments later, voice mail picked up, and a disappointed Sophie left a message for Violet to call back as soon as she could.

  “Nuts,” she grumbled as she started up the steps to get ready to go out to dinner. Once in the guest room, she opted for a quick siesta, just a few moments with her eyes closed against the fatigue of the long drive from Ohio.
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  The next thing she knew, Brooke was standing over her.

  “Sophie, wake up,” Brooke said softly. “Wake up.”

  “What?” Sophie opened her eyes. “Brooke … oh, crap, what time is it?” She shot up.

  “Time to get up and get ready if you’re going to dinner.”

  “Damn, I just thought I’d rest for a minute …” Sophie sat up and shook off the dream she’d been lost in—one in which she and Chris were still together and happier than they’d ever been in real life. It had left a sour feeling in the pit of her stomach and a pain behind her eyes. She swung her legs over the side of the bed.

  “Happens to the best of us. Hey, love your hair.” Brooke reached out to touch the strands that fell past Sophie’s shoulder. “I like it longer.”

  “Thanks. I hadn’t planned on growing it out, but I never seemed to be able to find time to get it cut. I’ve had it short for so many years that it still looks a little strange to me.”

  “It looks great.”

  “Thanks.” Sophie smothered a yawn.

  “Jesse tells me you’re here for the week.”

  Sophie nodded as she stood and stretched. “I thought I’d take a little time to hang out with Jess and spend some time in St. Dennis before the wedding.”

  “We’re glad you’re here.” Brooke went to the door. “I’ll tell you all about the wedding plans over dinner, but right now, you’d better get moving unless you want your brother bellowing about how late you’re making everyone else.”

  “Hmmmm … sounds as if you’ve been there.”

  “Too many times to count.” Brooke laughed.

  “I’ll be down in ten minutes,” Sophie told her. “Well, maybe fifteen.”

  “I’ll see if I can get Logan to distract Jesse, buy you a little more time.”

  “I just need fifteen …”

  She’d actually needed that and then some. By the time she made it downstairs, she found Brooke and Jesse milling about in the front hall, obviously waiting for her.

  “I thought Logan was here,” Sophie said.

  “He is, but he’s not coming with us. He’s having dinner with Jason,” Brooke told her.

  As if on cue, Logan and his uncle came into the foyer from the kitchen.

  “You guys know each other, right?” Jesse looked from Sophie to Jason as he slid his arms into a tweed sport jacket. “Be right back—forgot to lock the back door …” Jesse disappeared down the hall.

  “Of course. How are you, Jason?” Sophie offered her hand.

  “Great. Good to see you again, Sophie.” He took her hand and held it for just a few seconds longer than might have been necessary.

  God, but his eyes were blue, she thought as she met his gaze. Blue blue blue …

  She reminded herself that a response from her was anticipated. “Ah … good to see you, as well.”

  “Hair’s different,” he noted. “Longer.”

  “Ahh, yeah.” She self-consciously touched the strands that fell over her shoulder. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

  “Doesn’t she look gorgeous?” Brooke smiled.

  “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Jason nodded.

  Sophie felt the color begin to rise from her chest to her cheeks under that ice-blue gaze.

  “Thanks.” She turned from the unexpected compliment to her soon-to-be nephew. “Nice game today.”

  “I did good, but my team lost.” Logan made a face.

  “I saw you shoot a few times when I was there. You made a couple of nice baskets,” she added.

  Logan nodded proudly. “I’m real good at free throws.”

  “Remember what I told you,” Jason prodded him.

  “It’s important to play your best, but it’s more important for your team to win.”

  “Close enough. It’s a team sport, Sport.”

  “Jace, are you sure you don’t want to join us for dinner?” Jesse called from the kitchen.

  “Uncle Jason is taking me and Cody for pizza,” Logan called back. “And we’re going to watch some movies.”

  “Uncle Jason sure does know how to do Saturday night,” Jesse said as he returned to the foyer. “He likes to live large.”

  “I appreciate the offer,” Jason told him, “but we already made plans.”

  “Yeah, we get ice cream after we have pizza.” Logan obviously had planned the menu.

  “Sounds like your evening’s all mapped out,” Sophie said.

  “Uh-huh.” Logan nodded. “Then we go back to Uncle Jason’s and we eat popcorn and watch movies, and me and Cody sleep in our sleeping bags.”

  “Their Saturday night routine,” Brooke explained to Sophie. “Gives Jesse and me a night out.”

  Sophie turned to Jason. “That’s nice of you.”

  “Hey, there’s nothing like being out on the town with your buds, right? Rolling with your posse?” Jason cracked a half smile and ruffled his nephew’s dark hair.

  Logan nodded. “Right. It’s guys’ night.”

  “So, you just here for the weekend?” Jason turned back to Sophie, and she had to fight back a sigh that threatened to embarrass her.

  “The week, actually,” she managed to say.

  “You’ve come at a good time,” he told her. “We’re having a warm spell. At least, they tell me this is a warm spell. I’m from Florida, so I’m still not convinced.”

  “I’m from Ohio, and after the winter we’ve been having, trust me, this is a warm spell.”

  “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  Logan tugged impatiently on Jason’s sleeve.

  “Right, buddy.” Jason acknowledged the nudge. “We need to get going if we’re going to pick up Cody and have time for a few other stops before the movie.” Jason turned Logan in the direction of the front door.

  “Behave yourself, now,” Brooke told her son. “Don’t you and Cody be giving Uncle Jason a hard time.”

  “We won’t,” Logan promised.

  “And don’t even think about going through that door without giving your mama a hug.” Brooke stopped Logan the second his hand grabbed the knob. Logan turned back to hug her neck and sighed heavily.

  “And button your jacket,” Brooke called after her son, who fled out the door. “It’s getting a little breezy.” She turned to Jason. “Thanks, Jace.”

  “No problem,” Jason assured her. “Jesse, Sophie—I’ll be seeing you.”

  “ ’Night, Jason.” Sophie made a point of not watching him walk away, but there was something about him that drew her eye. She hoped it wasn’t obvious, though she knew there was no harm in looking. She just didn’t want her brother teasing her about some imagined interest in Jason Bowers. She just liked the way he walked.

  “Sophie, you ready?” Jesse stood in the doorway. “We need to get moving. I told Pop we’d pick him up five minutes ago.”

  “How did he look to you the last time you saw him?” Sophie followed Brooke outside and waited on the walk for her brother. “Did he seem well to you?”

  “For the most part, yes. Why?” Jesse opened the back driver’s-side door and Sophie slid in while Brooke got into the front passenger seat. “Didn’t he seem okay today?”

  “He just seemed very philosophical about life and death and … I don’t know. It was just a few comments he made, like looking forward to being with Gramma Rose again.”

  “He talks like that all the time. You know he thinks she’s still there, in the house, right?” Jesse got behind the wheel and started the engine.

  “What do you think? About Gramma Rose, I mean. There were times today when I could almost smell the flowers. I’m sure it was just the power of suggestion,” she hastened to add, “but still …”

  “You mean the gardenias?” Jesse nodded as he pulled away from the curb. “I smell them all the time when I’m there. I’ve stopped wondering why or how when there are no flowers in the house. It’s just always there.”

  “I’ve smelled it, too,” Brooke turned in
her seat to face Sophie. “Even before I knew that your grandfather thinks his wife is still around, I smelled gardenias in that house. So who’s to say? And does it matter?”

  “I guess not.”

  “Did Pop show you the plans he has for the back of the property?” Jesse asked.

  “You mean the historic garden re-creation and the rose garden and the carriage house? Yes, he showed me. Impressive.” Sophie shifted in her seat. “He was very proud of his ‘project,’ as he called it. I just hope this landscaper knows what he’s doing. I’m sure it’s costing a fortune. I’d hate to see Pop scammed.”

  “Oh, I can vouch for the landscaper,” Brooke told her. “It’s Jason.”

  “Jason’s a landscaper?” Sophie frowned. Had she known that and forgotten? “He does historic garden restorations?”

  “Back in Florida, his company specialized in them. Gardens that were popular in Florida in 1880 probably didn’t look like the ones here back then, climates and architectural styles being different and all that, but I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. I’ve seen the sketches and I was really impressed. It’s going to be gorgeous. I wish it could be done in time for the wedding. It would be a perfect spot for a garden reception, but it wouldn’t be possible.”

  “You’re having the reception at Sinclair’s inn, right?”

  Brooke nodded. “Jason designed the gardens there as well.”

  “That’s how Pop came to hire Jason to work on his gardens. He saw the work Jace did there and was impressed. He’s been really happy with the progress they’re making at the house, and that’s what matters.” Jesse pulled up in front of their grandfather’s stately home and got out of the car. “Pop’s been talking about this project for as long as I’ve been in St. Dennis, and if it gives him pleasure—gives him something to focus on and look forward to—I say more power to him.”

  The front door of the big house opened and Curtis Enright appeared on the top step, carrying an overcoat.

  “You’re seven minutes late,” he called to Jesse. “I’m an old man. I don’t have time to waste sitting around waiting on other people …”