by Cynthia Swan
Three people had already asked her about doing their makeup for upcoming events. To enhance a woman’s beauty made Christy happy.
Linda, the owner of Curl Up & Dye, asked if she’d teach a series of classes. Everything from a no makeup look to full glam. It would be so much fun. Christy agreed, and Linda said she’d be in touch next week after figuring out how many people would be interested in signing up.
Everyone made her feel welcome. Part of the community. While she sometimes missed the hustle and bustle of New York City, not to mention all the shows, shops, and people, she did not miss the traffic, noise, or the lack of connection with others.
Next week she’d close on the house she bought and then the boys from the high school would start work on her garden. She wanted flowers everywhere, so whenever she opened a window or went outside, the scent would mix with the ocean air.
Chase and Amanda gave her a porch swing for a housewarming gift. Chase said he’d come by and install it once she settled in.
They served dinner buffet style. Seafood and steak with plenty of vegetables and lots of homemade rolls.
“Having fun?”
Colton looked handsome in his navy suit. He’d worn a pale blue button-down shirt and a floral tie.
“I am. Thank you for sitting with me. And dancing with me.”
“Dancing with a beautiful woman? I should thank you.”
A local band played a mix of music. Colton asked her to dance to an old Sinatra song. When he waltzed her near the windows, she could hear the waves hitting the pier.
“May I cut in?”
Colton stopped, looking at her as if to ask if it was okay.
She nodded, not wanting to make a scene.
He stepped back, and there was Dalton. His hands were warm on her skin as he led her through the dance.
“You look handsome.” She could be civil.
“You’re stunning as usual.”
He kept hold of her as the song ended and the band played another. Nina Simone. Of course it would be about putting a spell on someone.
She let him make small talk, knowing he’d get around to whatever he felt he needed to say. She knew a thing or two about needing to work up the courage for saying what needed to be said.
“My parents are coming to visit next month.”
He spun her around as the music picked up, making her dress flare out. She’d picked a blue and white gingham sundress, with pockets of course, and a pair of dainty blue heels. She’d put her hair half up and half down. For the first time in a long while, she felt pretty. On the inside and outside. Worthy of love.
“Don’t they live in the mountains?” Wow. He smelled great. Like the sun and freshly cut grass.
“Mint Hill. They retired and opened a bed-and-breakfast. I have a sister there too. She couldn’t make it this time.”
She didn’t say she hoped she’d meet them because it wasn’t up to her. Dalton had to make the next move.
“Has it been long since you’ve seen them?”
He nodded to Colton as they moved around the dance floor.
“Two years. Much too long.”
Christy decided she give him a little longer to get around to whatever he wanted to say, and then she was leaving. It hurt too much to dance with him, knowing how she felt about him, knowing they were no longer together.
“I met my dad. For the first time since he walked out when I was little.”
He let out a low whistle. “That must have been something.”
“Thank goodness Aunt Alice was there.”
She told him about her dad and about her mom. Right now, she and her mom weren’t on the best of terms. In time, maybe they could find a way past the years of hurt. But for now? Christy needed to stay away. Her mom was toxic.
Dalton led them over to a table.
“Thought we could get some cake and something to drink. Maybe sit outside a spell.”
He’d found his nerve.
She smiled.
“I’d like that.”
Dalton carried the cake while she carried the sweet tea. He led them outside to a table. There was a gentle breeze, and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the bright blue sky. A perfect day to get married.
Ignoring his cake, Dalton stared out at the water for a moment. When he turned to face her, she held her breath.
“I am so sorry. I said awful things.”
He took a deep breath.
“I didn’t mean them. Guess I’m a bit slow to figure things out sometimes. My past relationships are just that. Past. I know I’m not perfect, and I’ll probably mess up again, but I’m trying to change. To move forward.”
He took her hand, the force of his gaze making her heart beat in time to the waves.
“You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me and it scared me. I was afraid you’d leave me.”
She squeezed his hand.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He let out a breath.
“Will you give me another chance? I’ll spend every single day making it up to you.”
He grinned. “Colton said I should beg. Do you want me to get on my knees?”
A smile spread across her face. “And ruin that beautiful suit? No way.”
“I miss you. Sam misses you. Let me show you the man I can be.”
Christy pulled her hands away, noting the look of hurt on Dalton’s face.
“There’s something you need to know about me. Then you can tell me if you still want to fix things between us.”
She put her shoulders back and let the words out.
“I can’t read.”
She let the words hang there until the wind carried them away.
The sounds of people on the beach, the band, even the gulls faded away as she waited to hear what he would say.
Dalton reached out, offering his hand. When she met him halfway, he pulled her to him, and they leaned against the rail, the cake forgotten.
“So many things make sense. How you were always on speakerphone. The way you asked for items that weren’t on the menu.”
Dalton frowned.
“But I saw you reading. You always had a book with you. You’ve read more books in three months than I have in three years.”
“The books were my biggest trick. Jo, my manager, always downloaded the audiobooks to my phone and tablet so I could listen to them. I pretended to read the books so people wouldn’t figure out my secret, and so I could talk about books. I love a good story. For so many years, I lived in terror people would find out. That men I dated would find out. So I pushed everyone away. I was so ashamed. I thought I wasn’t as good as everyone else.”
She told him the rest, how she memorized what apps looked like and what her favorite products looked like if she had to find them in a store. How Jo had done so much for her, never judging.
And with each time she told someone, the shame lessened until it was almost gone.
“I didn’t want to be the stereotypical dumb blond model.”
Dalton pulled her close, tucking a lock of hair that escaped the braid behind her ear.
“You are not dumb. I could have never memorized so many things. I’m sorry you never felt you could tell anyone.”
She wiped her cheek, not wanting to smear her makeup.
“You just thought I was rude with my phone talking out loud all the time.”
“I was a jerk.”
She nodded.
Dalton ran a finger across her check, catching the tear that fell.
“You are brave. The bravest person I know. I will spend every day making up to you for what a jerk I’ve been.”
He swallowed.
“Are you leaving town?”
The question brought a smile to her face.
“I thought everybody knew my business.”
She laughed. “I bought a house. Down the street from Miss Trudy. I’m staying.”
Dalton picked her up and spun her around, making her laugh.
&n
bsp; “You’ll see the news all over social media at some point today. I’m retiring, well semi.”
She told him about the two contracts she’d accepted and how she could live here in Magnolia Beach, commuting to New York when they needed her.
“I don’t want to model anymore. I want to walk on the beach, feel the sun on my face, eat bread and ice cream, and not worry about a winkle or gaining a few pounds.”
She leaned against him, sheltered from the wind within his arms.
“Looks fade in the end, and all we’re left with is who we are at our core. I want to be happy with who I am on the inside, and I want to help other people feel good about themselves.”
Dalton held her close, so close she could see gold flecks in his blue eyes. The sun bleached the tips of his eyelashes.
He leaned closer.
She inclined her head, their lips so close she could feel his breath.
His lips met hers, warm and firm. It was a kiss full of promise, of apologies, and of acceptance.
The sound of gulls cawing next to them made her jump.
“I think you’re out of luck on the cake.” Dalton laughed as a gull flew off with a chunk of wedding cake.
“That’s okay. I ate a piece before dinner as soon as they cut the cake.”
When he shook his head, she laughed.
“I’m taking your advice. Dessert first.”
He swung her around, making her laugh, raining kisses on her face.
“I love you, Christy. Say you’ll be mine.”
“Always.”
Epilogue
It was the middle of summer when Christy shared on social media that she couldn’t read. She’d been making progress and could now read beginner books.
She’d partnered with the Adult Literacy Foundation, filming several ads along with print ads for free. It was her way of giving back. So many people reached out, sharing their own stories and thanking her for taking away their embarrassment and shame.
Dolly had contacted Jo, asking if Christy would partner with her on a big book giveaway. Floored and honored, of course she said yes.
She settled into her new house. Christy smiled at the antique apothecary cabinet. It looked right at home in the living area. The linen press was upstairs in her bedroom. Both pieces made her happy every time she looked at them.
The yard looked beautiful, with tons of flowers and a few fruits and vegetables. She’d hired a landscaping company to plant two thousand tulip bulbs in memory of Sara. Christy hoped her friend had found peace.
There was a small patch of grass in the back for the cats to roll around. They had their own patch of catnip as well. She’d named the cats Crookshanks and Mr. Darcy, much to Dalton’s amusement.
The screen door banged open.
“I dropped off the cookies at the high school for the fundraiser.” Dalton strode into the kitchen, chewing.
“Looks like you sampled a few.”
She wiped crumbs from his shirt.
He pulled her close, kissing her senseless.
“You just want more cookies.”
She’d gone with a beach theme for the fundraiser. They needed new instruments for the band. She’d made fish, mermaids, beach balls, beach umbrellas, cats, dogs, kites, seagulls, sharks, palm trees, and sunglasses. All frosted in bright colors.
Dalton ate another cookie, biting the head off a shark.
“I had to make sure they passed quality assurance.”
He grinned.
She was so focused on smacking his hand away from the cookies that she didn’t notice the outline of a small velvet box, waiting patiently in his pocket for the right moment.
For too long Christy had kept people at arm’s length. Desperately craving contact, yet terrified they would find her lacking.
From the time she was a little girl her mother had drilled into her, that beauty was the only thing of value. Her mother wielded her own beauty as a weapon and as currency.
Her mother had been wrong.
Now that everyone knew her deepest shame, it no longer hurt. Out in the light, being unable to read wasn’t as monstrous as she’d imagined.
Alone in the dark, secrets grew, taking on a life of their own. But no more.
Christy turned her face to the sun streaming from the floor to ceiling windows and smiled.
Also by Cynthia Swan
Magnolia Beach Series:
Runaway Bride
Married by Monday
You and Me Forever
Second Chances
Marry Me
Cynthia Swan loves to sneak away to the beach or the mountains when she should be sitting at her desk crafting the next story. Keep up with her upcoming books by signing up for her newsletter and visiting her website.
