So she took a deep breath and let free the emotion that had been consuming her since she heard Cooper’s voice at Shay’s.
The first tear dropped then it was like the Hoover Dam let loose as tears flowed down her cheeks in record breaking streams. “You’re so pathetic,” she said to herself as she grabbed a tissue from the box she kept on a side table by her desk and blotted at the mess.
Just as she was about to spiral into a black hole of self-deprecation, her cell phone rang. She swiped at the tears and grabbed for the phone, confused to see a strange area code. She thought about ignoring it, but just in case it was a business call she cleared her throat and answered, trying her best not to sound like she was just crying like a baby.
“Hi Sarah, this is Bex Shepard.”
Her eyes widened, and she flung straight up in her chair, practically dropping the phone in the process.
“Bex Shepard,” she managed.
“Do you remember me?”
Was she kidding? Bex Shepard was the reason she had a career.
“Of course, of course. How are you?”
“Fantastic. I’m actually preparing to leave for Cannes in a couple weeks and was hoping to wear one of your pieces.”
Sarah couldn’t even form a coherent thought. Bex Shepard wanted to wear one of her pieces at Cannes Film Festival where the fashion was just as important as the films being honored. This couldn’t be real. She had to be dreaming or hallucinating. Maybe all that crying had gone to her head.
“I can send you pictures of my dresses, and we can see what you come up with.”
Sarah sat there in stunned silence.
“Oh no, is it too late? Maybe you have something lying around that’ll match my dresses.”
“No!” she finally managed. “I mean. It’s not too late. Not at all.” She would stay up all night every night if it meant getting Bex Shepard to wear something of hers at Cannes Film Festival. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. People prayed for a big break like this, and it never happened, yet somehow for Sarah it fell into her lap. She’d be a fool not to take advantage of this opportunity.
“Send me the pictures. Email or text, and I will send some ideas and concepts back in the next forty-eight hours.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you so much, Sarah.”
“No, thank you. It’s an honor to work with you.”
“You say that now,” Bex said with a laugh. “We’ll see how you feel in a couple weeks when I get Cannes crazy.”
“I have a seven-year-old son. Not much can scare me off.”
Bex laughed. “Good to know. I’ll have my assistant send those pictures right over to you.”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Great. I’ll be in touch.”
The line went dead, and Sarah placed her phone on her work table, staring at in shock when the realization finally settled in. She let out a scream of joy and fist pumped the air with both fists.
She couldn’t believe how her awful day just did a complete and total one-eighty. She had so much to do. She needed to call Ellie and see if she had anything new in the shop. Then she needed to go to the craft store a few towns over and pick up a few pieces since she didn’t have time to order them online.
With a million thoughts running through her head, she grabbed her planner and started jotting down notes and creating a timeline.
Things with Cooper might not have gone the way she had hoped, but at least now she had something to occupy her mind for the next few weeks. Besides, this was going to take all of her attention outside of Tommy, so really, everything happened exactly how it should have.
She never questioned the universe before, and this just reinforced why she shouldn’t. Everything that happened did so for a reason.
She didn’t have time to date. Not now, when so much was riding on her to deliver.
More good things were about to happen, and the last thing she needed was a distraction like Cooper Hayes.
Chapter 9
Forgotten Treasures was a free-standing building a few miles off Main Street toward the north end of town. The wraparound porch that led up to the old building that looked like a cross between a house and a barn was decorated with old bicycles and rocking chairs. A large sign with the word Antiques hung above the door, while potted plants lined the stairs.
This store was one of Sarah’s favorite places. She could easily get lost for hours, scouring the shelves and digging through the boxes in the back that hadn’t yet been shelved and Ellie gave her special access to.
The scent of old wood and dusty tapestries mixed with apple cinnamon potpourri surrounded her as she opened the door and stepped inside.
Sarah glanced at all the new pieces as she made her way to the counter where Ellie kept all the jewelry.
“I’ll be right with you,” she heard Ellie call from the back.
Sarah looked at the necklaces hanging from the old rustic rake that was mounted on the wall, picking a few that she knew she could use for other pieces.
Even though Sarah had Bex’s dresses marked to memory she slipped out her phone with the pictures anyway. It had gone from one piece to one for each dress. Now she had three pieces to custom make in two weeks.
The first dress was a beautiful one strap coral chiffon with a slit in the front. The second a vibrant bright baby blue that would look amazing paired with a blue spinel gemstone encrusted piece. She tried not to think about how that color reminded her of Cooper and swiped to the next picture of a to-die-for sea foam green dress encrusted with Swarovski crystals around the bodice. The dress had built in jewelry so she knew she wanted to go simple. Maybe a killer bracelet to complement it, or a pair of chandelier earrings.
She put the phone on the counter and looked through the glass case at the new pieces that came in within the past couple of days.
“Sorry about that. How can I… oh it’s just you,” Ellie said with a wave of her hand.
Sarah laughed. “Just me”
Ellie and Sophie were twins but couldn’t be more different. While Sophie dressed like she just walked off an Ann Taylor runway in her perfectly tailored dress pants with adorable tops and matching cardigans, Ellie was more casual, opting for long Bohemian dresses or skinny jeans and flowy tops. Sophie also kept their natural blonde while Ellie dyed hers to bring out the red.
Ellie walked over and gave Sarah a hug hello. “Let me show you that piece I told you about over the phone. I hid it behind the counter just for you.”
“That makes a girl feel special.”
“It should.”
Ellie pulled out a stunning Bohemian garnet rosette fringe necklace set in light gold. “Wow this is gorgeous.”
“I found it at an estate sale down in Mass over the weekend.”
Sarah picked it up and admired the craftsmanship. The rubies were fake, but it didn’t make the piece any less beautiful. Besides, costume jewelry was meant to dazzle, and this necklace did exactly that. “It would be a shame to take it apart.”
“Maybe, but think of what you can make from it if you did.”
The gears in Sarah’s head started to turn. Idea after idea sparked to life and convinced her that she had to have it. “Bag it up.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Now I’m looking for something with turquoise in it. It could be beads or stones.”
“I have a few pieces over here.” Ellie moved to the other side of the counter and took out a display case with exactly what Sarah was looking for.
“Perfect.” She picked up two necklaces and a bracelet. “I’ll take these three as well.”
“I love when you’re in spending mode,” Ellie said with a smile.
“Me too. My pockets don’t, but who cares about them?”
“You’ll make it all back once you sell whatever master piece you’re going to create.”
“Hopefully.”
“Oh please. You know you will.”
The bell above the door chimed, and Ellie l
ooked up to greet the customer. “Hey, Cooper,” she said, and Sarah’s heart plummeted to her stomach.
What the hell was he doing here? She understood bumping into him at Shay and Matt’s house, but this was her happy place, not his. What business could he possibly have here? Unless he and Ellie had something going on. No. He wouldn’t have moved on so quickly. Would he?
“Hey Ellie,” he said, walking over to the counter. He came to a stop next to Sarah, surrounding her in his distinct scent that made her mouth water. “Sarah.”
“Cooper.”
“You two know each other?”
“No,” Sarah said when Cooper said, “Yes.”
They both turned and looked at each other, Sarah trying to will him to keep his mouth shut about whatever it was that had transpired between the two of them. She didn’t need the whole world knowing about her personal life even if Ellie would eventually find out. After all, she was Sophie’s twin sister and also her good friend.
Mainly she wasn’t ready to answer questions about that night because she still couldn’t seem to understand it all.
“Okay then,” Ellie said.
“I mean. We know each other through Shay,” Sarah finally said, hoping that would satisfy all.
“How are they doing? Her and the baby?”
Saved by the baby.
“Great,” Cooper answered. “Matt’s back at work, so the whole family takes turns stopping in throughout the day to check on them. I think Shay wants to kill us all, but Matt insists.”
“I’m sure she appreciates the help even if it doesn’t seem like it right now,” Ellie said.
“Well, if I go missing, check her trunk.”
“Duly noted. Now let me go in the back and get that piece for you.”
Ellie disappeared into the back storage area, and an awkward silence settled between the two.
He crossed his arms and rested his back against the display case, his biceps pressing dangerously hard against the thin material of his t-shirt.
“Are you stalking me?” she blurted.
“Don’t flatter yourself, baby.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“It didn’t seem to be a problem a couple weeks ago when I was inside you.”
Sarah sucked in a shocked breath, her eyes narrowing on this crude man who annoyed her in the worst way, yet still managed to turn her on. It was a damn mystery how he elicited two very different emotions inside her.
“A bit inappropriate, don’t you think?”
“Me?” He pointed to his chest in mock surprise. “The man who has no idea what the hell it means to be responsible or put others before myself? No. That doesn’t seem right.”
He threw her own words back in her face just like she had done to him time and again, but now she understood how badly it hurt. She didn’t mean what she said. Not really. Maybe she could have phrased it better or not said it at all.
While the words hurt her to hear them, she could see that they hurt him, too, and that was far worse. In the heat of the moment she wanted to hit him hard, but now seeing the wounded expression in his eyes she felt bad. Really bad.
“I’m sorry I said that.”
“I’m not.”
She glanced up in confusion. “You’re not?”
“No, because it told me how you really feel.”
“Cooper, that’s not—”
“It’s okay. I get it and it’s fine. Just means that I have to find a way to prove you wrong.”
“Prove me—”
“Here it is!” Ellie announced as she walked back up front holding the vintage wooden beer case. “The writing is fading just a little bit over here.” She pointed to a small spot on the right. “But other than that this thing is in great condition. I think it’ll match the décor of the brewery perfectly.”
Cooper took the piece from Ellie and gave it a once over. “This is great. I think Mace will love it. You still have my card on file?”
“I do.”
“Go ahead and charge it.”
“What’s it for?” Sarah asked. She knew it was none of her business, and if Cooper told her exactly that, she would understand completely.
“Have you been to Five Leaf?” Cooper asked, referring to his brother’s brewery that opened that past fall. Sarah didn’t drink often, and when she did, she always preferred a glass of white wine.
“I haven’t,” she admitted. “But I’ve heard great things.” After the grand opening, she couldn’t go many places without someone talking about how much they enjoyed the brewery and how Mason had outdone himself.
“Then you wouldn’t know, but the décor consists of a mix of vintage beer memorabilia and pieces that have history here in Red Maple Falls. Mason has been busy keeping up with the demand, so I’ve been working with Ellie to get a few more pieces to add to the space.”
“That’s really nice of you to help him out like that.”
“He’s my brother. Besides, I have the time. It would be selfish of me not to offer.”
She cut her eyes to him. He might not have come right out and said it, but she knew what he was getting at. He was inadvertently throwing her words back in her face again. If that’s how he wanted to act then two could play that game.
“While this has been fun, I really need to get back to work. Unless this wasn’t fun, and I’m just doing it wrong. I have no idea. What is fun exactly?”
This time Cooper’s eyes narrowed on her then an insinuating eyebrow arched in her direction. There gazes met in a clash of heated exasperation, neither budging to break free first.
“Did I miss something?” Ellie asked.
“No,” they said in unison.
“Oh, I totally did.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah watched Ellie clap to herself before leaving them alone to continue their battle of… well, she had no idea what exactly it was they were doing other than acting like petulant children.
She broke her gaze. “I don’t have time for this. I have three pieces I have to make and have ready to be on a plane to Cannes with Bex Shepard in two weeks.”
His eyes softened as he stared at her with that sweet smile that made her heart hurt. “Bex Shepard commissioned you for more pieces?”
She tucked her hair behind her ear, uncomfortable at the sudden change in the awed way he was looking at her. “Yes.”
“Congratulations. That’s amazing.”
She shifted from one foot to the other. “Thanks.”
Cooper waved goodbye to Ellie then turned back to Sarah and winked. “Just don’t forget about us little people when you become some famous jewelry designer for the stars,” he said before walking out the door.
Impossible, Sarah thought. Impossible.
Chapter 10
Cooper was excited for his first day at Bob’s Big Adventures. He had several meetings with Bob himself to go over protocol and the itineraries Bob had already mapped out for the summer program. He told Cooper as long as he followed the day’s activities he could infuse whatever other lessons he wanted to into the day.
Usually one to go with the flow, Cooper opted to actually review the itineraries and see how he could put his own spin on each one. Maybe it was self-preservation as he tried to forget about Sarah and that feisty attitude of hers. The way her teeth slid over her lip when she knew she was being mean. Or how her eyes dropped from his when she became uncomfortable with their conversation.
He had taken Shay’s advice and stepped back. He stopped texting, calling… and ever since that accidental bump in at Forgotten Treasures he hadn’t seen her. He heard from the town gossip circuit that the commissioned pieces she made for Bex Shepard were a huge success and had made it into several publications and even became a hot topic of discussion on some fashion show that exclusively discussed red carpet fashion.
There were so many times when he wanted to send her a text, congratulating her on her victory, but he’d thought better of it. One day—and he was confident that day would come
—he would see her face to face and tell her in person.
Maybe when she came around she would be comfortable with introducing him to her son. After spending time with his nephew, the whole concept of kids was growing on him. Matt was such a hard ass, but the minute his son was mentioned or he was anywhere near his vicinity the big guy turned to a teddy bear. And while in the past Cooper would have bashed on him, something in him understood it, respected it, and maybe even envied it a little.
Cooper grabbed his clipboard and headed out of the main office to where other staff members were organizing the kids and getting them into their assigned groups. He found his group at the far left.
“Hey guys,” Cooper said to the ten pairs of eyes staring back at him.
He heard a tiny throat clear and felt an insistent tap on his arm. He turned to see no one then looked down.
His eyes caught that of an adorable blonde girl with big brown eyes. “And lady,” she said, planting her hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry. Hey guys and lady.”
“Better,” she said, taking her spot in the front.
“Why is there a girl here?” A tall boy with pudgy cheeks asked. “This is boys only.”
“Now wait a minute,” Cooper said holding his hand up, hoping to buy himself some time to think of a response. He wasn’t equipped for this. Kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, yes. Boys who still thought girls had cooties? Not so much.
A kid with brown hair and a sprinkling of freckles pushed his way to the front and stood beside Cooper, his arms crossing over his small chest. “Come on, girls can join if they want.”
“Shut up, Tommy. Nobody asked you.”
Cooper gave the kid credit for trying. He went to walk away, and Cooper rested his hand on his shoulder. “Tommy, is it?” He looked down at the boy who looked up with big brown eyes and nodded. “Tommy is right. She has as much right to be here as you do, and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to come anymore. See this is my group, and it is my rules, and I say the more the merrier.”
The pudgy cheeked kid rolled his eyes, probably not used to not getting his way. If he actually showed up again, Cooper hoped he could teach the kid some basic manners.
Catching Cooper (Red Maple Falls, #4) Page 10
