Searching For Love – the Bradens & Montgomerys (Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls)

by Melissa Foster

  Holy crap. Anything could happen.

  She was drowning in worry and struggling to keep her head above water, but at least Birdie and Quinn hadn’t seemed to notice.

  By midafternoon the scent of smoke and melted plastic had dissipated and the flow of customers had eased, giving Carly a moment to catch her breath. If only her mind would stop aggravating her with new concerns about her and Zev’s future.

  Quinn peeked in the front door and looked around the empty shop. “Can I please just put up a sign that says the fire wasn’t bad, nobody was hurt, and we’ll be open as usual? I feel like I’m spending all my time talking about the fire instead of chocolate.”

  “Sorry,” Birdie said for the hundredth time.

  She had been apologizing all day for the fire, but Carly blamed herself. She knew Birdie’s mind was on seventeen things at once, especially during the festival. If she’d been working instead of selfishly wanting to eke out every minute she could with Zev, maybe the fire could have been avoided.

  “Birdie, please stop apologizing. It could have happened to any of us, and I should have been here with you,” Carly said. “But that’s a good idea about the sign.”

  “I’ll make something pretty and fun and print it out,” Birdie offered. “Just give me fifteen minutes so I can finish restocking the chocolate-covered coffee beans first.”

  “Great!” Quinn headed back outside.

  “Carly, I have a great idea!” Birdie exclaimed. “We should have a fire sale. Retailers do it all the time.”

  “I think they do that when they’re going bankrupt,” Carly said, making room in the display cabinet for another tray of brownies.

  “Oh…” Birdie’s shoulders slumped, and in the next second her eyes lit up and she said, “Well, here’s another idea I’ve been thinking about. Next year we should hire college kids to give out samples down by the stage.” She set three bags of beans on the shelf and reached for more. “We’re hitting customers on the sidewalk, but there are tons of people who are at the festival just to listen to music and hang out on the green. They might not even know about the shop, and I have the perfect way to spread the word. You know how in the olden days candy girls walked around movie theaters with trays that hung from neck straps?”

  “Do you mean at sporting events?”

  “It’s pretty much the same thing. Maybe they were called cigarette girls back then, not candy girls. Anyway, if we get four or five people to sell our chocolates down by the green, we could probably make money and gain new customers. And as a bonus, we’d have a few young hotties to ogle.”

  “I love your brain, Birdie. We would need trays that keep the chocolate cool.” Carly made a mental note to add the concept to her future ideas list for more serious consideration, which brought her mind to her and Zev’s one-day list. While they were watching the sunrise, they’d added a few things to the list, like attending a concert, cliff diving at Mahana Point, and snowboarding in Allure.

  “I’ll look into it,” Birdie said as she went around the counter and pulled the company laptop out from under the register. “I’ll get started on the sign for Quinn.”

  Carly closed the display cabinet thinking about that one-day list. If summer plans were so hard to figure out, how would she and Zev ever get to the rest of the things on their lists? They both wanted to spend time in Pleasant Hill for the holidays, and she couldn’t just take off a month from the shop to travel.

  “You know, even if you paid fifteen dollars an hour, that’s only like two small sales,” Birdie said as she typed.

  It took Carly a second to realize Birdie was talking about the college kids she’d mentioned and not the sign she was making for Quinn.

  “Yeah, okay,” Carly said absently, wondering why her dreams with Zev had seemed realistic when they were together. We can make this work, Carly. We just have to be creative. Everything had always seemed possible when they were together. They’d taken advantage of every second they’d had while Zev was in town, living every moment to the fullest, and when they were younger, everything had not only seemed possible, but the dreams that were within reach had come to fruition. Had it been easier then? No. It couldn’t have been. They’d had the demands of school, homework, and their parents’ rules to follow.

  Was she just overthinking? Putting limits on their limitless adventures?

  “And if we hired more people, you might be able to get time off to see that man of yours. Or maybe you could hook up with those college guys.”

  “Uh-huh,” Carly said absently.

  “Carly!” Birdie clapped her hands, startling her. “You aren’t even listening to me.”

  “What?” Shoot. What was she talking about? “Yes I was.”

  “Bullhockey, and what’s that look on your face?”

  “There’s no look on my face.” There was definitely a look; she could feel it. But she didn’t want to talk about it.

  “You look like you’re trying to solve world peace again.”

  Again? She didn’t have the patience for an inquisition. “Maybe I am,” she snapped, and stormed off toward the kitchen. Hating herself for being short with Birdie, she turned around and said, “Sorry, Bird. Long day. I’m going to get more brownies.”

  She had to pull herself together. Zev had been gone only four days, and she was acting like he’d been gone a year with no hope in sight of her ever seeing him again. So what if they didn’t see each other for a few more weeks? A person couldn’t die from missing someone—even if it felt like she might.

  She ducked into her office, calmed by the sight of the pictures of her and Zev. She wondered how the interview had gone. Zev had said he would have Randi send the link as soon as they had it, since he’d most likely be in the water. She touched the postcard he’d mailed to her from Silver Island, reliving the thrill that she’d felt when she’d seen it in the mailbox yesterday. It was hanging on the corkboard behind her desk, the picture of the Silver Island monument smiling back at her. She’d read the note on the back so many times, she knew it by heart.

  Remember the time when we were miles apart and our love got stronger? Yours then, yours now, yours forever, Zev

  How was he getting through this without losing his mind? She knew how much he missed her. He’d told her dozens of times, but was he as tortured as she was? She hoped not, because this anguish was horrible.

  She glanced at the calendar on her desk. The highlighted events that had once proven how far she’d come now felt like weights dragging her down, and she hated that feeling.

  Her phone vibrated, and she pulled it from her back pocket and saw a message from Birdie. You have a visitor.

  For a split second, Carly hoped it was Zev. But he was pulling the cannon out of the sea today. She drew in a few rejuvenating breaths and headed into the shop.

  Birdie was straightening a display near the entrance to the kitchen. She looked at Carly funny and said, “Brownies?”

  “Shoot. I forgot.” Carly took a quick glance around the shop and said, “I thought someone was here to see me.”

  Birdie pointed behind a display near the far corner of the store, where someone was bent over looking at gift baskets. “I’ll get the brownies.”

  Carly approached the customer and said, “Hi, I’m Carly Dy—” The woman turned around, and Carly’s heart leapt at the warm brown eyes looking back at her from behind mahogany cat-eye frames. “Aunt Marie!” She practically launched herself into her loving arms. Marie held her tight against her tall, thin frame. She smelled like hope and healing and all the good things she’d brought into Carly’s life.

  “What are you doing here?” Carly asked, stepping back, unable to stop grinning as she took stock of how happy her aunt looked. Her eyes had a shimmer to them, and her auburn hair had grown out from the pixie cut she’d worn for as long as Carly could remember. It had a Meg Ryan look to it, shaggy and a little jagged at the edges, like a cute, side-parted layered razor cut. Her new hairdo, and the casual white linen pants
and loose beige tank top she wore with a single brown beaded necklace, gave her a softer, chic, youthful appearance.

  Marie glanced at Birdie, carrying the tray of brownies to the counter, and said, “A little bird told me that you might need your auntie.”

  Carly eyed her bestie. In all the years they’d worked together, Birdie had never gone behind her back like that—except when she’d helped Zev plan the surprise trip to the island. But that was different. “I don’t know what Birdie told you, but I’m fine.”

  Birdie rolled her eyes. “Oh please. You can’t fool me with that fake smile, Carly Dylan.” She strutted over to them, crossed her arms, and jutted her hip. “You’re flighty as a jaybird, you’ve got dark circles under your eyes, which tells me you’re not sleeping, and this morning you put caramel in the cherry truffles. You’re the farthest thing from fine in here.”

  “I’m just tired, Birdie.” Carly realized she was playing with her earring and quickly dropped her hand. “I’m fine, Aunt Marie. I’m sorry she dragged you all the way out here, especially when you finally had a man in your bed.”

  “Marie had a man in her bed?” Birdie asked with wide eyes.

  “A very fine man with strong principles who I could actually talk to without feeling like I needed to inject him with brain cells,” Marie said. “Was it nice to have found a man that I actually enjoyed? One who knows the G-spot isn’t just a location in a parking garage? Hell yes. But the timing of Birdie’s call was perfect. I was done traipsing around the world searching for Lord knows what. This is my home, and I miss having my own bed to return to every night. And you both know that I don’t need a man to make me happy.”

  “But Carly does.” Birdie touched Carly’s arm, her expression softening. “When Zev was here you were a different person. You had more zest for life than I’d ever seen, and I know it wasn’t just all those fantastic orgasms working their magic. Carly, I think he found a part of you that I didn’t even know existed. A good part. Maybe even the best part. I think he took it with him when he left, and I think you need it.”

  Tears burned Carly’s eyes, and she forced them to remain at bay, unwilling to worry her aunt or Birdie any further. “That’s what love is, Birdie. You miss the person when they’re away. That’s not unusual. Just because I’m waiting with bated breath to see him again and I’m anxious to hear about the cannon he’s pulling out of the ocean and see what else he’ll find doesn’t mean I can’t do my job.” She mustered all of her confidence and said, “Don’t worry, Aunt Marie. I miss him, but I’ll get over it. The shop is doing better than ever, and—”

  “Except our truffles have the wrong fillings,” Birdie interrupted. “And yesterday I caught Carly eating her weight in white chocolate.”

  “Uh-oh,” Marie said with a wrinkled brow. “Sounds like our girl is a bit more than a little sidetracked.”

  “That wasn’t the first time,” Birdie said. “The other day it was fudge, and I’m not bringing it up because she might gain weight. I think she could gain a hundred pounds and turn green and Zev would still be gaga over her. But have you ever worked with Carly when she’s hyped up on sugar and sad? It’s a wicked combination. After the sugar high comes the flopping in her chair and staring at pictures of her and Zev in her office. It’s breaking my heart.”

  “Would you stop—” The bells above the door jangled, and Carly bit her tongue as a young couple walked in. She feigned a smile and said, “Hi. Welcome to Divine Intervention.”

  “Hi. The woman outside said you have white-chocolate nonpareils and chocolate-coated cereal bars,” the woman said.

  “We sure do,” Birdie said.

  Birdie led them to the display cabinet, and Marie took Carly by the arm, walking her toward the rear of the shop, speaking in hushed tone. “Do you want to go into your office and talk?”

  As badly as Carly wanted to cry on her aunt’s shoulder, she wasn’t a broken girl anymore and she didn’t want to worry her aunt. “I appreciate your concern, and coming all this way, but I’m really fine. We’re just trying to figure out when we’ll see each other again. You know how busy summers are here, and he’s making the biggest discovery of his life, and—”

  “And you miss him,” Marie said empathetically.

  Carly tried to swallow past the lump in her throat and managed, “Very much.”

  “You know, sweetheart, I’ve gone my whole life not knowing what it feels like to miss a man. But I think I understand it now.”

  “You and…Tiger?”

  Marie shrugged. “What can I say? He was pretty great.”

  “Then go back and be with him. I’m a big girl. I can cry myself to sleep and still function the next day.”

  “I chase dreams, honey, not men,” she said adamantly.

  Carly found it funny that her own dream and man went hand in hand. Her phone vibrated. She pulled it from her pocket and opened the text from Randi. “It’s a link to Zev’s interview. He was on Discovery Hour today.” She knew how much Zev hated the limelight, and she was excited to see how he’d handled the interview.

  “Well, click the link, honey. Let’s see this man of yours in action.”

  Carly glanced up front, wondering if they should go into the office, but she didn’t want to leave Birdie alone in the shop. They may be having a lull now, but she knew it wouldn’t last.

  “Goodness, Carly,” Marie said with exasperation. “This is a chocolate shop, not a house of worship. You’re allowed to make noise.”

  “I was just thinking about Birdie.” Carly had almost forgotten how pushy her aunt could be. There was something comforting about it.

  “Then let’s go up front so she can watch it, too. Birdie was right. You’re not your quick-thinking self. I’m glad I’m here.” On their way up front, Marie called out, “Gather around, people. Carly’s boyfriend is on Discovery Hour.”

  “Marie,” Carly chided her.

  “Be proud, sweetheart. It’s a big accomplishment and deserves to be celebrated.”

  “Perfect timing. We just finished.” Birdie handed the couple she was helping their bag and receipt and said, “Come back and let us know how you liked them.”

  “We will,” the woman said.

  Birdie hurried around the counter to join Marie and Carly and said, “The link finally came?”

  “Sure did.” Marie motioned to the couple and said, “Have you ever seen a real treasure hunter?”

  “Can’t say we have,” the guy said.

  “Then you’re in for a real treat.” Marie waved them over.

  “Why don’t we watch it on the laptop?” Birdie suggested.

  Carly sent Birdie the link, and Birdie navigated to the site on the laptop and turned it so everyone could see.

  “This is Carly’s favorite channel,” Birdie said. “Most weeks she’s glued to it three or four nights, but not when Zev’s in town.”

  “Birdie,” Carly said with a shake of her head.

  “I’m just saying that you like the show,” Birdie said as the Discovery Hour logo appeared on the screen. “Okay, shh.”

  Carly and Marie exchanged an amused glance at Birdie shushing herself.

  Sutton Steele, a porcelain-skinned blonde with dainty features, appeared on the screen. “Sutton is my favorite reporter,” Carly said excitedly. “She’s not hard-nosed like some of the reporters are, and she always seems genuinely intrigued by the guests.”

  “I’m Sutton Steele, and I’m coming to you from Silver Island, Massachusetts, with treasure hunter Zev Braden on his boat, the Lucky Charm.”

  Carly’s heart squeezed. How had she not known he’d named his boat the Lucky Charm? He hadn’t mentioned it, and the trip had been such a whirlwind, she hadn’t noticed.

  “There he is!” Birdie exclaimed.

  The camera zoomed out, and Zev appeared beside Sutton, wearing a white T-shirt and shorts, his leather bracelets circling his wrist and looking as rugged and handsome as he had that morning. He raked a hand through his hair, lowe
ring his eyes for a split second. That was his tell. He’d done it the night they’d met at the park and talked. He was nervous, and that endeared him to Carly even more. His gaze moved from the camera to Sutton and back again, as if he wasn’t sure where he should look.

  “Oh, honey,” Marie said quietly. “He’s grown up to be one gorgeous man.”

  “Inside and out,” Carly said. She was so proud of him, her heart beat triple time.

  Sutton gave a brief history of Zev’s background, and then she said, “Zev believes he has found the wreckage from the Pride, a ship that sank during a nor’easter in 1716.” She went on to describe the ship, talk about One-Leg Clegg, and explain the circumstances surrounding the ship’s disappearance. Then she asked Zev, “How long have you been searching for this treasure?”

  Zev looked into the camera, and Carly swore he was looking right at her as he said, “I’ve been searching for so long, it feels like forever.”

  “Why this ship? What was it about the Pride that brought you out here?” Sutton asked.

  Eyes still locked on the camera, he said, “My love for the girl I gave my heart to in second grade. Finding the Pride was our dream.”

  Tears welled in Carly’s eyes. Had he really said that? Was she dreaming?

  Birdie squeezed her arm and whispered, “I’m in love!”

  “Oh, baby girl. He’s a good egg,” Marie said.

  Carly blinked through her tears, riveted to Zev as he answered a litany of questions about the mystery girl, who he refused to name.

  “She knows who she is,” Zev said, and winked at the camera.

  Carly remembered what he’d said when she’d mentioned not being able to find any pictures of him after he and Luis had discovered the other shipwreck. I’d rather be the grungy-looking guy with the backpack people give space to than the rich guy who found the sunken ship who becomes the target of every scam out there. He was protecting her. She inhaled a shaky breath as Sutton moved on, asking about what they’d found so far and what he planned to do with the artifacts if they were definitively linked to the Pride.