by Olivia Miles
The first time Amelia had taken the shears to Cora’s auburn locks, she’d been sixteen, and despite observing her mother’s method over the years, she’d managed to give Cora a lopsided cut that had resulted in so much trimming to balance it out, that in the end she’d taken more than three inches off and both sisters were in tears.
Cora had fared no better when it was her turn to help Amelia, and the raucous had prompted their father to stand in the hallway thrusting cash into their hands, begging them to go into town for a proper haircut!
But going into town for a real haircut meant more change. And it was a bitter reminder that not only was their mother gone, but so were the comfortable ways of their life that they’d depended on, and cherished, even when they hadn’t known it. They’d pressed on, been more careful the next time, and even though they didn’t all live together in the old Victorian waterfront home anymore, they still called on each other whenever they needed to, and jumped at the chance to lend a hand.
Nina was standing at the counter when Amelia walked in, hoping they might have time to squeeze her in before the close of business. Nina had been a few years ahead of Amelia in school, and she’d taken over the business from her mother a few years back. When they were kids, she always had the newest styles, was the first in her grade to wear makeup, and explained how to properly apply mascara to a large number of girls in the gymnasium locker room one day after recess. Now, she had softened her look over the years, but it was clear that she took pride in her appearance.
Whereas Amelia…she could only hope that her mother had not just been doting when she claimed her to be a natural beauty.
“You’re in luck!” Nina said with a big smile. “We’re wrapping up one other client, so we can fit you right in. Mani or pedi?”
Seeing as it was summer, and she did have a quasi-date tomorrow, Amelia said, “Both.”
Amelia breathed a sigh of relief, feeling giddy at the thought of doing something as indulgent as getting her nails painted when she had perfectly good polish at home given to her as a stocking stuffer last Christmas and her manicure was bound to chip an hour into service on Tuesday, but she had to admit, this was fun.
“Actually, do you have room for one more? I’ll text my sister.” Cora would be closing up her holiday shop by now, because tourists who came to Blue Harbor did buy from her store year-round.
Nina nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll get the water going.”
The water! Amelia fired off a text to Cora and received a quick reply that she’d be there in five minutes. The convenience of small town living never grew old. While she waited, Amelia eased herself into the massage chair and relaxed her neck against the headrest, closing her eyes as her feet soaked in the bubbling, warm water.
Really, she should do this more often. At least, when time and funds allowed for it.
She was nearly about to nod off when she was startled by the sound of a long, low groan. She looked around, for the sound of a cat in distress, or perhaps some strange backwind from the air-conditioning unit—but then the sound came again, louder this time, and she looked over in horror to see a woman two chairs down having her feet rubbed with a pink sugar scrub.
The woman groaned again, louder this time, and Amelia’s eyes opened in alarm. It wasn’t just any woman. It was—
The woman pulled the magazine that had been shielding her face down onto her lap and let out a purr.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Yes, right there. Thank you, love.”
“Candy?” Amelia’s mouth was dry.
Candy jerked her head toward her, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “Amelia! Did you just come in? And oh, you’re getting a pedicure too! We can make a girls day of it!”
Amelia felt her smile slip. “Cora’s on her way.”
She wondered if she should send her sister another text, warning her or telling her not to come, but then she thought that no, she needed backup here, and quick.
Candy clasped her hands together. “Perfect! The more the merrier, I always say! Merrier! Get it?”
Amelia smiled politely at the joke no doubt referring to Cora’s holiday shop.
Normally, Amelia might say the same. That more was better, especially when it meant all of her sisters or cousins were together, but not in this case. Not when she was looking for a little time to pamper herself—quietly. And to think…about this afternoon. And what tomorrow could bring. Her stomach tensed with anticipation at the thought of seeing Matt again. Being alone. Spending a day together.
She glanced at Candy, forcing herself not to get too ahead of her rational thoughts. Maybe Candy being here was for the best.
“I thought you’d be home with Dad and Maddie,” Amelia said. Once, Sunday nights were reserved for traditional family dinners, and Amelia had even kept that going when she’d opened the café. It was one of the reasons that they closed early on Sundays. But with her father’s injury and Candy’s arrival, a lot had changed.
“I like to pamper myself on Sundays,” Candy said matter-of-factly. “It’s important to start the week off right.”
Note to self, Amelia thought. She noticed that Candy was peering at her most intensely.
“Who does your hair, dear?”
Amelia ran a self-conscious hand through her hair that was still pulled back in a ponytail from today’s event. “Oh, Cora usually trims it.”
Candy’s eyes burst open. “Cora!”
Amelia shrugged. “It’s just a trim. It’s not like I need anything fancy.” Still she heard the defensive edge creep into her tone.
Now Candy’s eyes were practically bulging. The woman attempting to now paint her toenails gave her a look of impatience as she guided her foot back onto the towel.
“You don’t need anything fancy?” Candy repeated. “Of course you do! You’re a woman! And a young and attractive one!”
Once again, Amelia thought back to Gabby’s words yesterday. Maybe she was a little too practical for her own good.
“I wear my hair up in a ponytail for work most days, anyway, Candy.” Amelia gave a little shrug, hoping to close down the topic, but Candy was on a mission, and given the life force that she was, Amelia knew that there was no escaping her now.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret,” Candy said, lowering her voice to a loud whisper, even though they were the only clients in the salon and Amelia would put money on every person on staff already being privy to whatever Candy was about to reveal. “This is not my natural hair color.”
Candy pressed a finger to her lips and waited for a reaction. The only sound to be heard was a snort of laughter from Nina, who quickly smothered it with a cough when Candy shot her a look of disapproval. She went back to straightening shampoo bottles, her shoulders shaking.
Amelia swallowed hard. It was no shock that Candy’s blond hair was not the color she was born with—her eyebrows made that much clear. Still, she did her best to play along. “Wow. It looks really nice, Candy.”
Candy beamed and patted her curls. “It does, doesn’t it? And it’s all thanks to these two ladies. They are amazing colorists.”
“Well now, Candy, I did advise on a darker shade—” Nina cut in, but Candy just brushed her hand through the air.
“Pfft. A woman can never be too blond, and a man can…” She gave a coy grin. “Well, never you mind. I don’t think I need to spell that out, do I?” She laughed loudly, and snorted at the end, just as the bell above the door rang and Cora entered, looking so bewildered that Amelia now felt guilty for not warning her away.
“Cora!” Candy trilled. She patted the seat between herself and Amelia with force. “We’re having a girls’ day! Come sit and dish.”
Amelia studied her hands as Cora obeyed. Still, she knew there would be hell to pay for this later.
“So tell me everything. Who are you dating? Who do you have your eye on?”
Cora slanted a glare in Amelia’s direction. “Not much to tell, Candy,” she sighed. “I haven’t dated much.”
Candy clucked her tongue. “Before I met your father, I dated several men. You have to kiss a lot of toads, sometimes.”
Amelia and Cora nodded. Amelia said a silent prayer that Candy wouldn’t be going into any details.
“Take this one guy, for example,” Candy said, and Amelia sucked in a breath, bracing herself. “Do you know that man could spit a cherry pit clear across the kitchen, and have it land right in the garbage can?”
Not sure if Candy thought this was a virtue or not, Amelia laughed uneasily. “My!”
The woman at Candy’s feet gave her leg a little jerk, reminding Candy to stop squirming. Candy ignored her and twisted her body farther to face the sisters, eager to continue her story.
“I finally said, Roy, do you even like cherries or do you just like spitting their pits?”
Amelia tittered politely. “Pretty ironic that you ended up with my father, then. The cherries on our orchard are practically a bigger draw than the winery!”
Candy smiled serenely as she set her hands in her lap. “Some things are just meant to be. It’s like the universe is trying to tell you something, you know?”
Amelia didn’t know, nor did she want to know, and she nearly kicked Cora when she said, “And what was the universe telling you, Candy?”
“Well, it didn’t directly say anything, obviously.” Candy honked in laughter. “But it was almost like it was hinting at me. Cherries. Cherries,” she chanted.
Amelia picked up the nearest magazine, even if it was for senior citizens, and brought it to her face to cover the laughter she could no longer hold back.
“It’s upside down,” Cora hissed.
Was it? Damn. It was. Amelia did her best to compose herself before setting it back. “Sorry. Just…thought I was going to cough.”
Cora narrowed her gaze. Candy didn’t seem to notice. “Well, enough about my love life. Cora, I was just telling Amelia that she should go for a cut and highlight.” Candy gave Amelia a very pointed look. “I happened to see a very good looking young man enter the kitchen of the café the other night.”
Cora widened her eyes on Amelia. “Oh?”
Not her too, Amelia thought with annoyance.
“Robbie’s cousin,” Candy informed Cora.
Now Cora looked downright shocked. Being holed up in her holiday shop in August wasn’t the best place to find out the latest happenings in town.
“Matt Bradford?” Cora gaped. “Matt is back in town?”
Amelia pursed her lips and reached for another magazine. “Apparently so.”
“Handsome devil,” Candy stage-whispered.
Amelia didn’t reply to that, because it was true. The man was handsome. Always had been.
“I must say that it’s rather…encouraging to see Amelia tending to her appearance.” Candy waggled her eyebrows as if she were in on some secret. “But then she told me that you’ve been cutting her hair all these years!”
Cora just shrugged. “We cut each other’s hair.”
Candy opened her mouth—widely, and for an extended period of time.
“Well, now I’ve heard it all. You girls cutting each other’s hair! Last I checked, none of you were a professional at it.”
“It’s fine,” Amelia said, her tone a little stronger this time. “We both like our hair all one length. Besides, Cora has wonderful natural highlights.”
They both did, really, not that she was one to draw attention to herself. They’d both inherited their father’s hair, which pulled lovely copper strands by midsummer.
Candy gripped the top of Cora’s head and gave it a turn, giving a little mew of approval at what she saw.
“Well, if you do decide to go a shade lighter, I’ll share my color with you. But just remember. Our secret!”
Cora shifted her eyes over to Amelia who this time decided it was officially time to bury herself in a magazine. She could reach for one of the cooking options—they were usually her favorite, and she never tired of new ideas for the menu at the café. But today, she reached for a fashion magazine. If things were going to start changing in Blue Harbor, she supposed it was high time that she made a few improvements, too!
*
Jackson lived in a small house at the far end of town, on the waterfront, with his own private dock, a fishing boat that had seen better days and probably wasn’t safe to take out, and hidden by dense pine trees.
“For someone as social as you, I’m surprised you don’t go stir crazy out here,” Matt remarked. Growing up, Jackson was always initiating some fun on the evenings and weekends, wanting to get out and be where the action was. And from the looks of things, not much had changed. Jackson was charming, and boisterous, and he wasn’t shy in making it known that, unlike his younger brother, he wasn’t looking to settle down anytime soon. He liked his fun, and his flirting.
But then, Matt supposed he had enough of that at his job at the inn. And there was something to be said for the quiet surroundings, away from distraction or temptation. It gave you a chance to think. Or not think. To just be.
He pulled in a breath. His mind had been on overdrive for so long he couldn’t remember the last time he had sat and listened to nature. Probably not since he left town in the first place.
They were sitting on the deck, nursing beers, and looking out over the moonlit water. It was just the kind of view that the guests of the new resort would be taking in if his plans went through. He made a mental note to snap photos of it for his upcoming presentation. The view alone could sway someone’s decision, as would all this solitude. Even though the spot he’d targeted was at the opposite edge of town, he knew that it would have a similar feel. Dense forest, clear water, and a sky as big as the Milky Way itself.
“I like the balance,” Jackson said with a shrug. “Besides, there’s a reason I’m still single. Dating is one thing, but I like my alone time.”
“And here I just thought you hadn’t found a girl willing to put up with you for the long haul,” Matt bantered.
“Very funny.” Jackson shook his head. “What about you? Seeing anyone?”
Matt took a sip of his beer. “I was for a while. We broke up a couple of months back.”
“What went wrong?”
“Nothing went wrong,” Matt said slowly. “It was more that it never really felt right.” Really, none of the so-called relationships he’d had since leaving Blue Harbor had felt right. They’d been short-lived, some fun, others forced, and they had all ended without much regret or reflection.
Unlike his time with Amelia. She was the one girl he still thought about, all these years later.
“She wanted to get married,” Matt explained.
Jackson rolled his eyes. “They all do! That’s why I don’t stick around long enough for them to start getting any ideas.”
Matt laughed. “I’m not opposed to marriage. I just didn’t see myself marrying her, honestly.” He felt bad about it. Still did. But being back here, around Amelia…it reminded him that he’d made the right decision. There was something natural about being with her, something that didn’t feel forced or over thought, even now, after all these years.
“You’re looking to settle down?” Jackson’s tone held a note of surprise.
Matt hadn’t really thought of it like that, but now he shrugged. “Right now I’m focused on my career, but I’m not eliminating the possibility of a personal life. With the right woman, of course.”
“And what about Amelia?”
Matt tried to cover the tension that the mere mention of her name triggered by taking another sip of his beer, only to find it empty. He reached forward and grabbed another from the cooler that Jackson kept outside, and popped off the cap.
“What about her?”
Jackson cut him a knowing look. “Don’t be coy, Matt. You were crazy about each other once.”
“Once.” Matt drank back a long sip. “But that was a long time ago. I’m sure she’s moved on.”
He couldn’t deny the inte
rest that stirred when Jackson shook his head. “Nope. Not really. She spent so much time taking care of her sisters and her father that I’m not sure it left much time for anything else. Well, other than her café.”
Now Matt shifted in his chair. “So she owns that café?”
Jackson nodded. “Bought it from Dorothy in a private sale over five years back. I don’t think she was asking for much. Just happy to have someone to pass it along to.”
“Bad business,” Matt muttered.
Jackson gave him a quizzical smile. “It’s a small town. That’s the kind of stuff that people do in a community. It’s not always about dollars and cents.”
Only sometimes it was, Matt thought, thinking of how much all that did matter when it was suddenly gone. His father’s business had struggled for years, until he’d mortgaged the house to the hilt in an attempt to keep it going. The community couldn’t save him then, could they?
He pulled in a breath, not wanting to bother with an argument, or pointing out how different his circumstances were to Jackson’s.
Matt fell silent as he sipped his beer and looked out over the water. From this view, he could see the twinkling lights of the larger resorts on Evening Island—the types of places with restaurants and pools and golfing. Things that Blue Harbor lacked.
But not for long.
“Anyway,” he said firmly. “I’m in town for business, really.” And he needed to remind himself of that, even if seeing Amelia again was a perk. Without the resort, though, there was nothing for him here other than bad memories and a feeling in his gut that he just couldn’t shake.
“You’re really excited about this project,” Jackson commented.
Matt nodded. “I am.” More than anyone could ever understand, especially his cousins. They’d been able to stay. Their parents had a stable business. Jackson or Robbie could someday take it over if they wished, and chances were that Jackson someday would.
Whereas Matt… Matt had to leave all this behind. The view. The sky. The friends. The family.