by Kay Correll
Chapter 5
Jamie entered the Lucky Duck, ready for a beer and a burger. Cindy was working late in Sarasota tonight and he hadn’t seen his friend Harry in weeks, not since he and Cindy had gotten back from their honeymoon.
Harry waved from the end of the bar. Jamie crossed the battered floor and slipped onto the barstool beside his friend.
Willie, the bartender, walked up, a dishcloth over his shoulder and a bowl of nuts in his hand that he plopped down on the bar. “What can I get you?”
“Cold beer.” Jamie turned to Harry. “You want another one? Sorry I kept you waiting.”
“No, I’m good.”
Willie brought a draft beer in a frosty mug and Jamie took a long-awaited sip. “That’s what the day needed.”
“Where’s your pretty wife tonight?” Willie swung a tray of glasses to the counter behind the bar.
“She’s working. I’m playing hooky for just a bit.”
The door swung wide and two young women entered the bar, laughing. Willie grinned. “That’s my cue. Going to go help those ladies out.”
Harry laughed. “You do that, Willie. Wouldn’t want them to get lost on their way to their table.”
“Well, we wouldn’t, would we?” Willie walked out from behind the bar and over to the women. One of them said something to Willie and he threw his head back and laughed uproariously.
“He’s never going to change, is he?” Jamie asked.
“Doubt it. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen him with a serious girlfriend. Well, not longer than a week or so.” Harry took a swig of his beer. “But, that bachelor stage is way behind you now, buddy.”
“It is, and you don’t hear me complaining. I’m one lucky guy.”
“You did all right for yourself, my friend,” Harry agreed.
“Any prospects for you? I haven’t even seen you date in forever.”
“No one right now. Who has time for it? My business keeps me plenty busy.”
Harry owned a real estate management company in town and Jamie had watched his friend grow the business. He managed rental property for many of the owners on the island. The business had flourished as his reputation for reliability had grown. “We’ve come a long way from the two kids running around the island and causing trouble, haven’t we?”
“Speak for yourself. I caused trouble year round. I just got into more trouble when you came to town each summer.” Harry grinned.
“So you’re saying you were a bad influence on me, then?” Jamie cocked an eyebrow.
“Nah, we were just kids.”
“At least we didn’t get into any real trouble. My stepfather would have killed me.” Jamie stared into his beer for a moment, lost in memories.
“At least he’s not your stepfather anymore.”
“No, he isn’t. Glad to have the man out of my life and Mom’s life.”
“He was really something, wasn’t he?”
His stepfather had been something. Now, even all these years later, he could hear the man’s voice in his mind, telling him that he wouldn’t amount to anything and that he’d always be a loser. No matter what Jamie had done, it was never enough to win his praise.
Jamie sighed. Why go down that memory lane again? He changed the subject. “So, tell me, how’s business?”
“I got two new properties to manage this winter. I might need to hire someone else to help me.”
“That’s good though, right?”
“Yep.”
“Well, if you run out of places for people to rent, you can always send them our way. Though, we are starting to fill up for the winter. Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks are full. January and February are almost full on the weekends. If we can just keep going and not have another big expenditure hit us, maybe we’ll be able to turn the corner on this whole running the inn thing.”
Harry raised his mug. “To success.”
Jamie clinked his friend’s mug and silently thought, from your toast to the fates’ ears.
* * *
Julie walked into the beach house that her fiancé, Reed, was renting. Her arms were laden with bags full of groceries. She was going to cook a fabulous dinner and then tell him she was ready to set their wedding date. She was tired of letting her fears hold her back.
That was just silly.
“Hi, sweetheart.” Reed crossed over, swiped the bags from her, and set them on the counter. He turned and wrapped her in a hug. “I missed you.”
“You saw me this morning when you stopped by The Sweet Shoppe.”
“That was hours and hours ago. How is a man supposed to survive all that time without you?” He grinned and peeked in the bag. “Oh, pasta. Yum. You’re spoiling me.”
“Pasta and shrimp, and a salad. I brought a couple of slices of cherry pie, too.”
“Well, if you’re trying to win me over with your cooking, you do realize that you already have me, don’t you?” Reed smiled the smile that warmed her and made her feel special, made her feel accepted and loved.
He helped her make dinner and they had their meal out on the deck. Afterwards he helped her clean up and do the dishes, then poured her a glass of wine. They went back out to the deck to watch the sunset. The whole time she had a running commentary in her mind telling her to just make the decision and pick a date.
She was going to tell him now. She was.
Right now.
“I have something to tell you, and I hope you’ll be pleased.” Reed’s words broke through her thoughts.
“You do? What is it?” She looked over at him, admiring the golden light that somehow accentuated his innate goodness. She marveled once again at how lucky she was this smart, handsome, talented businessman was in love with her and she was nuts about him.
“Well, first, the bad news. I have to go back to Seattle for a few weeks to clear up some things.”
She ignored the instantaneous wave of insecurity that swept over her.
“Don’t look like that. You know I always come back.” He took her hand. “I’m sorry it’s so long this time, but I have meetings and things to deal with.”
“When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“What’s the good news, then?” She eyed him.
“Oh, that. I have kind of an early wedding present for you.”
“But we don’t even have a date yet.”
“We will. I told you it was okay for you to take your time. But, anyway, I decided… well… I bought this house.”
“This beach house? But why? I mean, I thought you were renting it.”
“I was, but Harry told me that the owner wanted to sell it so I scooped it up. You do like the house, don’t you?” His forehead creased.
“I like it… it just seems like a sudden decision.” And one he hadn’t even consulted her on. Of course he wouldn’t want to live permanently in her small cottage. He came from money and privilege, and she couldn’t expect him to crowd into a tiny cottage. But she loved her cottage. It was all hers. She’d worked hard for it. For some reason, she hadn’t even thought the whole living situation through. She’d avoided acknowledging that she’d have to leave her home.
Suddenly things started spinning out of control.
Reed looked at her closely. “Julie? You okay?”
“I…”
Reed moved over and knelt before her, taking both her hands in his. “I thought you’d like the surprise.” He stared at her face, biting his lip. “I think I screwed up though. Maybe you would rather pick out a house together. I’m not good at this, Julie. I’m sorry.”
“No, the house is wonderful. I like it. I just… Well, you surprised me.”
“That’s what surprises are supposed to do.” He flashed her a wry grin. “But, I’m serious. I’ll turn around and sell the place if you want me to.”
“No, don’t do that. You’ll lose money.”
“Money isn’t important, you being happy is.”
“I am happy. I am. Just give me s
ome time to adjust.” It seemed like she was always asking him to give her more time.
“I’ll give you anything you ask for.”
And the truth was, he probably would give her anything she asked for. She just didn’t know what she wanted. His surprise decision had thrown a kink into her carefully prepared speech that she was ready to pick a wedding date. Because now? She wasn’t so sure. Was he always going to be planning extravagant surprises? Would she become a part of his decision-making process on big decisions?
Reed settled back on his heels. “Well, I can see I have a lot to learn about this whole being engaged thing.”
She leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss on his lips. “We both do.”
Chapter 6
Late that evening Adam sat on the deck at the inn. The moonlight bathed the worn wooden planks dusted softly with sand. Everyone else had long gone inside, but the evening air was warm and the vast starlit sky unfurled above him. A peacefulness settled over him, and he allowed himself to forget his troubles and simply enjoy the moment.
“Am I disturbing you?”
He turned to see Susan standing beside him, and his heart leapt in his chest. “No, not at all.”
“I… well, I brought out a couple of glasses of red wine… if you’d want one.”
He took a glass from her hand, their fingers brushing lightly at the exchange. “I’d love one. Will you come sit?”
She slipped into the chair beside him and propped her bare feet on the railing. “I love this time of night when most of the guests have gone to bed and the night is calm. There’s just the sound of the waves on the shore.”
“It is peaceful.” He couldn’t agree more.
“Well, sometimes it’s still loud and noisy out here this time of night during the busy season or for a wedding or event. But when I can find a night like this I always try and come sit out here and just enjoy the moment.”
The moonlight illuminated her face. She had that animated look that he’d grown to recognize when she talked about her inn.
Her inn. That was the problem. But he’d promised himself that he’d avoid his problems tonight, so he took a sip of his wine and propped his feet up beside hers.
“I can’t imagine being able to walk out here anytime and enjoy the view or go strolling on the beach. It seems like such a… luxury… to me.” Not that he took much time to sit and enjoy anything these days. His life was packed with work and responsibilities at home.
You’re not supposed to be thinking about your problems, remember?
“It does feel like a blessing to be able to do this. I’m very lucky.”
Her arm rested on the edge of the chair, and his was only a hair’s breadth away from hers. He couldn’t help himself, he reached over and covered her hand with his. She looked up, startled for a moment, then smiled.
She took a sip of her wine and leaned comfortably back in her chair. “So, where are you from? Where did you grow up?”
“I grew up in a small town in the Midwest. In Kansas. My mother still lives there.” Kind of. His mother said she still lived there but he was fairly certain she’d never return.
“Where did you grow up?” He looked down at his hand covering hers.
“A lot of towns. My father was always getting a job, losing a job, getting a job. Mom would try and get a teaching job at each new town until it was time to move again. We lived all over the Midwest and parts of the Southeast, too. I think that’s why I love being here so much. It feels like home to me. For the first time ever I truly feel like I belong.”
Right now he could almost hear his mother’s voice scolding him for even thinking of blowing apart this woman’s lovely life. Yet, that was his job.
You’re doing such a great job with ignoring your problems. Such a great job.
He changed the subject. “So is it always such good weather this time of year?” Because weather was always a safe subject, right?
“Pretty much so. Fall here is just about perfect. Well, I do miss the colors of the leaves changing, but I don’t miss the snow one little bit.”
They sat for a while in silence, a comfortable silence, and finished their wine. Susan sighed and stood up. “I really should go in. I have a long day tomorrow. Well, every day is long.” She smiled.
He got up and stood with her by the railing. He looked down at her and some crazy, overwhelming urge-thing overcame him.
“You know, Susan, I’d really like to kiss you right now.”
Where was his off filter when he needed it?
Her eyes widened. “You would?”
“Yes, I really would.”
A smile crept across her face. “Well, I think that might be just fine.”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips. One of her arms came up and wrapped lightly around his neck. He pulled her tighter and deepened the kiss.
His senses finally came to him and he pulled away.
“Ah…” Susan stood there looking bemused.
“We should get you inside.” He took her hand and led her back into the lobby, chastising himself every step of the way but knowing there was not one thing in the world that could have prevented him from kissing her tonight except a “no” from her.
Chapter 7
Adam woke up early the next morning and stood on the balcony sipping his coffee. His thoughts kept going back to the kiss last night. He shouldn’t have done that. He’d let his feelings run away when he should have concentrated on being all business. But her sparkling eyes and soft voice had overcome him. Why, of all the women on the planet, was he attracted to Susan?
He saw Jamie head out to the beach and open the box containing the umbrellas and chairs. No time like the present to become the businessman he was supposed to be. He’d go talk to Jamie and get his thoughts on the inn before he came up with a firm offer for it. Adam knew he was running out of time. It was time to make the offer and see if he could close the deal.
He hurried downstairs and out to the beach. He crossed the cool sand. Jamie looked up and smiled as he approached. “Good morning.”
“Morning. Looks like you have your hands full with setup today.”
“During the busy season we have beach workers, but during the off-season I usually just do it myself.”
“Your mother says you do a little bit of everything around here.” Adam watched Jamie carefully to gauge his reaction.
“I do. Anything that needs to be done in the inn or the dining room. Repairs. Work on the books and do the taxes. I’m lucky that my uncle taught me so much about running the inn over the years.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Well, it’s hard work and long hours, but, yes, I guess I do enjoy it. I can’t imagine doing something different. I’ve come to really love this inn. She’s a part of me. I’ve been coming here since I was a small boy. Can’t imagine life without it.” Jamie’s eyes lit up just like his mother’s when he talked about the inn. “I get frustrated and overwhelmed sometimes, but on the whole, it’s a great life. And I’m helping provide financially for my mother. That’s important to me. I want her to feel financially secure.”
And just like that, Adam’s hope of winning over Jamie on the idea of selling went up in a puff of smoke, dissipating across the waves in the breeze. There was no use delaying any more. He was going to go up to his room, get his papers in order, and set up a meeting with Susan and Jamie this afternoon.
His boss’s voice reverberated in his mind. Make sure you get it for the lowest possible figure.
The problem with that? He no longer wanted to screw over either Susan or Jamie. He wanted them to get a very fair price for their inn.
To be honest, it was starting to bother him that his boss would probably rehab the inn into something unrecognizable from what it was now and had been for years. The character it had in every nook and cranny. Totally reworking the inn would break Susan’s heart and probably break Jamie’s, too.
Adam had a big problem with being the person w
ho took that light out of Susan’s eyes, even though he had no choice.
If he didn’t make this deal and get the bonus, he didn’t know what was going to happen to the one person he cared about most in this world—his mother. And there was nothing that would make him let his mother down again when she needed him.
In a strange twist of fate, what Jamie wanted for Susan and what Adam wanted for his mother were the same thing. The problem? Only one of them would get what they wanted.
* * *
“Well someone is in a good mood.” Tally smiled as she walked into the office of the inn and heard Susan humming as she worked.
“Hi, Tally. I guess I am in a good mood.” Susan grinned.
“Any particular reason?” Tally dropped into the chair across from Susan and watched while a faint blush crept across Susan’s face.
“Ah, ha. It has to do with that Adam fella, doesn’t it?”
Susan busied herself shuffling papers on the desk, then looked up sheepishly. “Maybe. I mean… yes.”
“So that’s all you’re giving me?” Tally tilted her head to one side and gave Susan her best tell-me-everything look.
Susan sighed. “I… Adam kissed me last night.”
“I figured he’d get around to it sooner or later. I saw the way he was looking at you. Well, and the way you looked at him, for that matter.”
“It seems a little silly though, doesn’t it? I mean, he’s only here for a few days.” Susan pushed back from the desk, stood, and went over to the window. “But it sure was nice to have a man interested in me. It’s been a very long time.”
“Because you always walk away from anyone who shows the littlest bit of interest in you.” Tally shot back.
“Well, I wasn’t ready until now. But Adam is… different. He seems kind and honest.”
“He’s not hard on the eyes, either.” Tally grinned.
“There is that.” Susan tugged open the window, walked back to the desk, and sat down. “He’s so easy to talk to. I like that. I never really had that with Russell. I did with Jamie’s dad. I miss it. I know now I need that in a relationship. I need the friendship and companionship along with everything else.”
