by Nicole Ellis
“Did you make this?” she asked Angel, who was seated on her left side.
Angel nodded. “I had help with the filling, but the rest of it I made myself. Maggie wanted me to make something new for her wedding. Do you like it?”
“Uh, yeah. It’s pretty much the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
“Thanks.” Angel blushed. “How are you doing? If you don’t mind me saying so, I know these kinds of things can be rough without a date.”
Charlotte stared at the food on her plate. “I’m fine.”
“You miss him, don’t you,” Angel observed. “You’ve been miserable ever since you two broke up.”
“I know, but that doesn’t mean we were meant to be together. We can’t all be like Maggie and Jake.”
“No, but you also don’t want to throw away something that could be special. Maybe give him another chance?”
“Maybe.” By now, she really didn’t know what to think. All she knew was that all she could think about was Luke and how he made her feel like she was special and could accomplish anything. How many men would stand up to her parents like he had? But did he really think she could make it on her own, or was he just like her parents? She stood from the table and excused herself.
By this time, music was playing out of overhead speakers and couples were moving onto the dance floor. Jake and Maggie waltzed by in each other’s arms and Charlotte’s stomach began to hurt.
“Do you want to dance?” a familiar voice asked.
Charlotte smiled and turned to Parker. “I’d love that, thank you.”
Her brother held out his hands. “I get to lead this time.”
She laughed. When they were kids, they’d always fought over who got to lead—probably a function of being the youngest kids in the family, who never came out on top of anything.
“Just this once.”
They danced together for a few songs, chatting amicably.
“Doesn’t Gretchen mind you dancing with me?”
“Nope, she suggested it actually.” He quickly added, “Not that I mind dancing with you.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You know, Luke really misses you.”
She was quiet, not sure where her brother was going with this.
“Charlotte, seriously. The guy is miserable without you. Isn’t there any way you’d consider taking him back?” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen him like this before. He’s a mess.”
“He looked fine at the fundraiser.” He had seemed more subdued than normal, but she’d chalked that up to him being polite to her. Thinking about the fundraiser and being in the barn again brought back memories of him defending her to her parents.
Luke had been like a white knight, trying to save her from her dragon parents. His actions could be construed as stepping in to save her when she couldn’t do it herself, but she didn’t think that had been his intention. In fact, he’d appeared to be genuinely surprised with himself that he’d told her parents off.
She grinned. They hadn’t known what to think, but when she’d continued talking to them after Luke left, they’d begun to understand things from her perspective. His outburst had resulted in the first real talk she’d had with them since she’d left for college.
“Yeah, well, he’s not.”
Gretchen came up to Parker and put her hand on his shoulder. “How are things going?”
He smiled at her. “I’m trying to tell her how she’s devastated my best friend.”
“Ah.” Gretchen regarded him knowingly and then looked at Charlotte. “Any chance you’ll forgive Luke? We had him over for dinner last night and he was really down.”
Although she knew they meant well, she felt like she was being steamrolled by her friends.
“I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to head out.” She gave them a small smile and hoped that they wouldn’t ask her any more questions.
“Oh.” Gretchen snapped her fingers. “I completely forgot to tell you. I was driving past your shop on the way here and the lights were still on.”
“What? I swear I turned them off before I left.” She’d closed the shop early today to get ready for Maggie’s wedding and may have forgotten because of her excitement about it. “Oh well, I can swing by on my way home. Thanks for letting me know.” She gave them both small hugs and glanced at Maggie, who was beaming and deep in conversation with her in-laws. “Can you please tell Maggie I had to go? I don’t want to interrupt her right now.”
They nodded.
“Sure,” Gretchen said.
Charlotte waved at some of her other friends as she walked out, not wanting to get into her reasons for leaving with all of them too. She walked out into the cool air and got into her car, where she finally allowed herself a moment to cry. When she felt better, she inserted her keys into the ignition and drove back to town.
20
When she reached Candle Beach’s downtown area, she parked her car where she usually did near her apartment. It was a nice night so she decided to walk from there to Whimsical Delights to check on the trailer in the new lot.
The town was fairly quiet at ten o’clock on a Sunday night and she only passed one other person on her way to the shop. When she neared it, she did a double take. Gretchen had been right—there were lights on in the shop—and fairy lights strung up on the old fence, which she hadn’t put there. What was going on?
Her favorite easy-listening song suddenly filled the air. This had to be some weird dream. She moved closer to the trailer, still not understanding.
From behind the Airstream, Luke stepped out, carrying a bouquet of red roses.
She looked up at him. “What are you doing here?” She motioned to the lot. “And what’s going on?”
He handed her the bouquet, which she took from him without thinking. The scent of the roses teased her nostrils and she breathed deeply. They’d always been her favorites.
“I wanted to apologize and beg for you to take me back,” he said.
Her head shot up from the bouquet. “Did you do all of this?”
He nodded. “Well, I had some help. Parker and Gretchen came here to help me as soon as you left this afternoon.”
Her mouth gaped open. “They were in on it too?” Well, that explained the looks they’d exchanged when they were trying to entice her to check on her trailer.
Not that it hadn’t worked. She looked around. The rickety old fence was straighter and bore a fresh coat of white paint. Luke had strung twinkly white lights up on the top of it, and stretched the string of lights across to her trailer. A new wrought iron patio table and matching chairs was situated next to the trailer, on a new bed of crushed oyster shells. Even the straggly rose bush in the corner had received a facelift and a supportive white trellis to lean on. And—how had she not noticed it before?—someone had set up a tall white platform surrounded by white latticework behind her trailer.
She walked over to it, looking up. “It’s like a hunting blind. But why is it here?”
He grinned. “Yep.” He moved closer to it and motioned to the ladder. “I had someone build it and bring it out here for you.”
“I don’t understand. Why do I need a hunting blind?”
“It’s actually an artist’s loft for you. If you sit on the platform, you can get a great view of the ocean.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?” She climbed the ladder to the top, her hands easily gripping the smooth metal rungs. The deck was about eight feet by eight feet and sat a few feet above the roof of the Airstream. Luke was right—it offered a fantastic view. Tears filled her eyes.
“Do you like it?” he called up.
She looked over the edge at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I love it. Thank you.”
“But you’re crying.” Concern was etched across his face.
“They’re happy tears.” She sat upright and wiped her face, then surveyed the lot. In the space of a few hours, he’d transformed the place. She’d never dreamed it could be this beautif
ul.
“Okay. Uh, are you coming back down?”
“Right now.” She climbed down and ran into his arms. “Thank you.”
He enveloped her in a huge hug. “You’re welcome. And Charlotte, I’m so sorry. I never meant to offend you or anything. I know you can make it on your own. I never once doubted that.”
He may not have, but she had doubted herself, and his support had made all the difference when she spoke with her parents.
“I know.” Her words were muffled against his chest and her tears of joy wetted his shirt.
“So why are you still crying?” He traced the tips of his fingers lightly across her back and she finally tipped her head back to look up at him.
“I don’t know.” She continued to sob. All the emotions she’d experienced over the last few months were hitting her full blast—sadness, excitement, joy, and now this—pure love for another person like she’d never felt before.
“This is amazing,” she said finally. “I love that you did this for me. And I love you.”
A wide smile spread across his face. “I love you too.” He reached up, hooking a curled finger under her chin and lifting her face to him as he leaned down to meet her mouth. She no longer noticed the wetness of her cheeks and eyes. A pulsating warmth started in her chest, radiating out to the rest of her body and bringing a flush to her face. He kissed her deeply, but gently. She pulled tightly against his back in an effort to be closer to him, never wanting to let him go. She remained lost in the kiss until she was lightheaded and tingly. When their lips finally parted, she was completely breathless. They remained in each other’s arms for a bit, and Charlotte gazed up at him lovingly.
She sighed and rested her head against him, contentedly listening to his heart beating. It had taken them over a decade and a fresh start in Candle Beach to realize they were meant for each other, but now, she was never going to let him go.
21
Two long tables flanked by folding chairs had been set up in the parking lot next to Charlotte’s Airstream trailer. The night was perfect—balmy, with a slight breeze.
Charlotte checked her watch and said to Luke, “They should be here soon.”
As if on cue, their friends started to arrive, each carrying a dish for the potluck. Luke had placed an ice chest in the shade, and the men disappeared behind the platform to dig in it for beers as soon as they arrived.
“I told you that this could look nice,” Gretchen said as she placed a bowl full of Swedish meatballs on the table. “I love the little lights and the oyster shells. You’ve done a nice job with the space.”
“Thanks.” Charlotte smiled. “But that was all Luke.”
“What’s with the platform?” Angel asked. “I like the white latticework on it, but I can’t figure out what it’s for.”
“Luke had it built for me so that I can go up there and paint. From that height, I can see the ocean.” A warmth spread throughout her body. It still amazed her how thoughtful he’d been. Perching on top of the Airstream had been okay, but having the space on top of the platform to spread out while she worked was wonderful.
Gretchen lifted an eyebrow. “Wow, when Parker told him to come up with something big to show you how much he loves you, he really went all out.”
“Yeah. About that—what’s with you and Parker getting involved in my love life?” Charlotte mock-glared at Gretchen.
Gretchen laughed. “Well, somebody had to. The two of you weren’t doing too well on your own.”
Charlotte narrowed her eyes at Gretchen. “I’ll remember that next time you two get in some silly argument.”
Maggie rolled her eyes at them. “Seriously? You guys are as bad as sisters.”
“You’d have been in on it too if it hadn’t been your wedding we used to keep her occupied.” Gretchen grinned.
“Okay, okay.” Dahlia poured herself a glass of white wine. “I’m just glad everything worked out between the two of you.”
“Yeah, I was rooting for you, even if you did go after the man you’d promised to set me up with.” Sarah sighed dramatically. “Now where am I going to find someone?”
“Oh, I’m sure we can think of someone,” Dahlia said.
“Yeah, if you want us to do some matchmaking, I’m sure we can fix you up with a nice guy.” Maggie winked at her.
Sarah wrinkled her face up. “I’m not big on blind dates or matchmaking. I mean, Charlotte was going to fix me up with this tall, handsome, single guy she knew, and instead she took him for herself.” She looked at Charlotte, who blushed.
“Sorry about that,” Charlotte said. “I swear I didn’t know that I liked him then.”
“Hey, what’s going on over here?” Garrett asked. “What’s this I hear about matchmaking?”
“Nothing,” Sarah said, her face turning the same shade as the beets Maggie had brought. “Just some overeager friends of mine that think I should be as happily coupled as they all are.”
Garrett put his arm around Dahlia. “And what’s wrong with that?” He gave his wife a big kiss on the lips and she jabbed him in the side, while smiling at him.
Adam appeared, eating a miniature apple tart.
“Adam!” Angel admonished him. “Those were for dessert.”
He looked at it sheepishly. “Isn’t it always dessert time?”
She sighed. “We should probably eat before Adam devours all of the treats I brought.”
Adam swallowed a piece of apple. “I couldn’t help myself. These are delicious.”
“That’s what I told her,” Maggie said. “I said she should really open up a bakery in town. I’d miss her at the café, but her talents aren’t showcased enough there.”
Angel looked down at the ground.
“That would be fantastic,” Charlotte said. “I’d be there every day. You have to do it.”
“I’m thinking about it,” Angel mumbled.
Adam finished his tart and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m trying to talk her into it.”
“But Maggie has so much to do at the café,” Angel said.
“She can hire someone to help, just like I did at the bookstore,” Dahlia said. “That’s worked out wonderfully and I made a new friend in the process.”
“I just hope I can work some of the weekends once school starts, but I’ll help out for sure during school breaks. It’s been fun to see adults on a regular basis.” Sarah motioned to Adam. “I think my brother is about to eat the tablecloth. Maybe we should eat now.”
It was Adam’s turn to glare now. Charlotte laughed. It was interesting to see the dynamics between the siblings and she wondered if she and Parker provided as much entertainment for their friends as Adam and Sarah did.
Jake led Maggie over to the far end of the table, and the others followed suit.
Charlotte’s eyes roved over the offerings, her mouth watering at the sight of Luke’s barbecued chicken. “It’s like Thanksgiving in July.”
Luke came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “It is, and I’m thankful to have come to Candle Beach and be spending this evening with you and our friends.”
After everyone left, Charlotte and Luke cleaned up the stray dishes and set them in a tub to take home to wash. She looked around the lot. It was difficult to see that this was the same empty dirt lot that she’d toured with Gretchen. She’d been blinded by fear and sadness then, but now she could see its potential. Even the construction across the road hadn’t been that noisy so far and her repeat customers seemed to have found her new location.
“That went well, I think,” Luke said as he picked up a wine glass that had been left on the long dining table.
“I think so.” Charlotte folded the white linen tablecloth and put it on a side table before folding up the long table. “We should do this more often.”
“I agree.” They finished the cleanup and packed everything into Charlotte’s car.
“Do you want to watch the sunset with me from your artist’s loft?” He ju
tted his thumb upward.
“Sure.” She climbed up the ladder in front of him and sat down on the platform while gazing out at the ocean. “Wow. I’ll never get tired of this.” Her fingers itched to sketch it.
“You’d rather be painting than be with me, huh?” he teased her as he sat down next to her.
“Wrong,” she said, leaning over to kiss him squarely on the mouth. “I’d rather be painting up here with you.”
She pulled a sketchbook out of the plastic drawers she’d stored up in the loft and folded the used pages over. “Stay right there.” She quickly drew his features with the outlines of the sun setting behind him, then set her drawing down.
“All done?” he asked.
She scooted closer until she was facing him. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asked
“For this loft, the decorating you did, for being you, and for believing in me.” She punctuated each item with a light kiss. When she was done, he pulled her close, not letting her go.
They sat on the platform, watching the sun set over the ocean. They may have taken a rocky path to end up where they were now, but she wouldn’t have changed it for anything. Together, they had history, and she couldn’t imagine anyone she’d rather share her future with than Luke.
Thank you for reading SWEET HISTORY! If you enjoyed it, please leave a review on Amazon.
Did you miss any of the other Candle Beach books?
Book #1: Dahlia’s story — Sweet Beginnings
Book #2: Gretchen’s story — Sweet Success
Book #3: Maggie’s story — Sweet Promises
Book #4: Angel’s story — Sweet Memories
Also by Nicole Ellis
Jill Andrews Cozy Mysteries
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND KINDLE UNLIMITED
<<<<>>>>
