by Kay Correll
He slid out of the van and stepped out onto the sidewalk lining the street. Tourists and townspeople alike headed into The Sweet Shoppe. He debated popping in for a piece of pie and a cup of coffee. A quick glance at his watch told him he had about twenty minutes he could spend without getting too far behind, and he really did need something to eat. A piece of pie was as good as anything he could think of to tide him over until dinner.
He headed down the street. The day had already surged to an uncomfortable temperature. Waves of heat shimmered off the pavement of the street. If the heat wave didn’t break by Saturday, Cindy was going to have a scorcher of a wedding.
He pushed through the doorway to the bakery and Julie, the owner and one of his mother’s closest friends, flipped him a wave from across the room. He waved back and looked around for a table. The tables were filled, but Paul Clark and his wife, Josephine, waved him over to their table. A pretty woman he didn’t recognize sat at the table with them.
“Join us.” Paul stood up and motioned to the empty chair at their table. “This is Bella, Josephine’s niece. She’s down visiting for a few days. Bella, this is Jamie. He runs Belle Island Inn.”
“Bella, nice to meet you.” Jamie slid into the seat beside her.
Julie came up to the table. “What can I get for you?”
“Pie and coffee.”
“We have pecan, lemon meringue, chocolate chip, peach, key lime, and coconut cream today.”
“Peach sounds great. With a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”
Julie set a cup on the table and poured the steamy coffee. “So is your mom having a good time on her vacation? I can’t remember the last time Susan took some time off.”
“She is. I talked to her last night. She’s worried about being gone with this wedding we have this weekend, but this was the time that worked out best for her sister. I assured her I have it all under control.”
Julie laughed. “Right. I heard a rumor that Mandy has the chicken pox.”
“She does, but don’t you dare tell Mom if you talk to her. Mom deserves a break. I’m going to make it work. I will.” Jamie could hear the doubt in his voice, not quite covered by his bravado.
“Whatever you say.” Julie cocked an eyebrow. “Pie coming up in a sec.”
“We’re just sitting here enjoying one last cup of coffee.” Josephine smiled at him. “I did hear you have a big wedding this weekend at the inn.”
“We do.”
“Looks like they’re going to have a hot one for it.” Paul sat with one hand covering Josephine’s.
“That’s the least of their problems.” Jamie took a sip of his coffee. “As Julie said, Mandy, who handles all our wedding stuff, came down with chicken pox. The bride is not too pleased to have me as her wedding coordinator.”
“I could help with that.” Bella looked at him. “I’m here through next Wednesday, and there’s nothing I like more than planning an event.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that. I don’t want to intrude on your vacation.”
“Trust me, Bella loves to organize events. I think she’s kind of bored just hanging around with us old people anyway,” Josephine assured him.
“Aunt Jo, you and Paul are like the youngest old people I’ve ever met. I’m not bored, but I’d be glad to help you out, Jamie.”
“I don’t have much budget to pay you…”
“That’s okay. I’d love to help. Really.”
Jamie was not going to look a gift horse, er… gift wedding coordinator, in the mouth. “Thank you. I accept. Gratefully. I do have the wedding coordinator’s notebook, but I admit to being a bit lost on most of it.”
“How about after this I head over to the inn and look at the notebook and see what all still needs to get done? Maybe I could talk to the bride, too?”
“That sounds great. Really great. I’m sure Cindy, the bride, will be so relieved to hear there is someone coordinating things this weekend. I’m not sure she trusted me to handle it all.”
“I planned Aunt Josephine and Paul’s wedding.”
“And every detail was perfect.” Josephine smiled at Paul.
Jamie looked over at the couple. They must be in their late sixties, he’d guess. Very much in love, that fact was obvious from the way they looked at each other. It gave him hope that maybe one day his mother might find someone who loved her like that and treated her like she was the most important thing on earth. His mother deserved that and so much more after putting up with his stepfather for so many years. He was glad she was away from the man now, even if he had left her without a cent. Which was just one more reason he had to pull off this wedding flawlessly and build up business at the inn. He was going to prove to his stepfather—not his stepfather any longer—that his mother didn’t need anything from the man. They were going to be just fine.
Unless he managed to screw up this wedding.
Mandy had even gotten a reporter from Florida Destination Weddings magazine to come to the wedding and do a write-up on it. If everything went smoothly, it would be a big boon for their business.
He just had to make everything perfect.
* * *
By late afternoon Jamie had found a quiet corner in the sunroom and Cindy, her mother, and Vanessa sat down to talk to Bella. It was going quite well, if he did say so himself. Bella managed to charm Mrs. Pearson, seduce Vanessa into agreeing with Cindy’s choices—twice—and won over Cindy’s undying gratitude.
“Now, I have a list of phone calls I’ll make this afternoon and in the morning, but it does look like Mandy had almost everything taken care of before she came down with chicken pox. Poor woman, I imagine she’s miserable about now.” Bella set down her pen and closed the notebook.
“You are such a godsend.” Cindy smiled at Bella, looking more relaxed than she’d looked since he’d told her about Mandy not being able to help.
“Well, they did promise a wedding coordinator in our wedding package.” Mrs. Pearson was not going to let it slip by that this was the least he could do, to find a coordinator replacement.
“I’ll be here before the rehearsal on Friday and we’ll do a brief run-through before the rehearsal dinner. In the meantime, call me if you think of anything else or have any questions. I’ll work on making sure everything else is all wrapped up tomorrow.” Bella stood.
“Thank you, Bella.” Cindy jumped up and hugged her. “You are a natural at this, I can tell.”
“I enjoy doing this, and I’m glad I can help. I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” Bella turned and headed to the lobby.
“Well, it was fortuitous that young woman was here to help with the wedding. I can’t imagine trying to have a wedding without a coordinator.” Mrs. Pearson got up and smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her dress. “I think I’ll go up to my room and freshen up before dinner. Girls, you coming?”
“I’m coming. I need to see if I can do something with my hair in this terrible humidity down here. I’m going to have to rethink my whole idea of what to do with my hair this weekend.” Vanessa stood up. “We should make sure the hairdresser comes earlier than planned to do our hair for the wedding. Cindy, call Bella and have her confirm that.”
Jamie thought it might be more along the lines of a job for the maid of honor to do, but what did he know about weddings? Even if he had tried to convince Cindy he knew a lot.
“I’ll be up in a few minutes. You two go on up.” Cindy watched her mother and sister head out the door of the sunroom.
“I think this will work out, don’t you?” Jamie wanted Cindy’s confirmation, her approval that the wedding was back on track.
“I think Bella is wonderful and I do think it will be fine now. She even won over Mother, which is a hard task in and of itself.”
“So your father and George come in tomorrow?” Jamie was thinking of the reservations. He was pretty sure they were coming tomorrow and the rest of the wedding party on Friday.
“Yes, they’ll be here in the morning. Then I thin
k Daddy scheduled a golf game for them in the afternoon.”
“Looking forward to meeting the lucky guy.”
“George?”
“Yes, he’s a lucky guy to be marrying you.”
Chapter 4
Julie looked up from clearing off the last of the tables at The Sweet Shoppe. The door swung wide and sunshine poured into the bakery.
“Hey, beautiful.” Reed crossed the floor with long strides and swept her into his arms. “I missed you.”
Julie heart skipped a beat—a sensation she hoped never quit when she saw the tanned, handsome man. She leaned into his embrace, no longer caring who saw them. He was her safe harbor, where she belonged.
He pressed a kiss against her cheek. “Let me help you finish up.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I like helping you here at the bakery.”
“I thought you had a business conference call this afternoon.” Julie loved that Reed had arranged to work from Belle Island most of the time, even though his job was located back in Seattle where he lived. He’d only been back to Seattle once in the last month. He said he was determined to make doing his job remotely work for him, and prove all her doubts were mistaken.
“I want you to go with me to look at some rental houses. I think it’s about time I move out of the inn and find a place of my own. At least until I convince you to set a wedding date.” He grinned. “No rush though.”
“I just need a bit more time. It is all so… new and different.” Julie still couldn’t believe she’d fallen so in love with this man so quickly. But she did love him. She just felt like she needed a bit of time to catch her bearings before they actually planned a wedding date. Her friends Tally and Susan said they’d help her with all the details, which was great because what did she know about weddings? Well, how to bake wedding cakes, that much she knew.
She glanced down at the emerald engagement ring on her finger. Reed was being patient about it. He said he’d wait as long as she needed for her to pick a date, though she knew he thought sooner was better than later.
Reed interrupted her thoughts. “I got a list of a couple of houses and two condos that are just going on the rental market. I talked to Harry Moorehouse from Island Property Management. He said he’d give me first dibs on a rental before he put them into the weekly rental pool. I told him I wanted a three month rental, then maybe month by month?” Reed looked at her expectantly.
“I… sure, I don’t know how long it will be. It does take time to plan a wedding you know.” Well, that’s what she’d heard anyway. She had no idea what kind of wedding she wanted. Small, just a few friends, that’s all she knew so far.
“First you’ll need to pick a date.” He winked at her.
“Yes. I’m sorry… I just…”
Reed leaned over and kissed her. “Just teasing. I told you’d I’d wait as long as you needed. I can rent a dozen houses while I wait for you. No problem.” He grinned. “Now, let’s get your chores finished so we can go see these rental places.”
* * *
Reed fell in love with the third place they looked at. Well, as much in love as a person could get with a place. The home was right on the beach with a large deck overlooking the ocean. The main area was a great room with the kitchen tucked at one end with a large island. Open, spacious, and lots of windows. The house had four bedrooms, more than he needed. He’d use the master suite, and take one of the smaller bedrooms and make it into his office. The place was furnished in a beachy, comfortable but upscale decor. The kitchen had just been redone with stainless appliances, a nice walk-in pantry, and tiled flooring.
“What do you think?” Reed turned to Julie, who was poking around in the kitchen.
“The kitchen is gorgeous. Just look at this six burner Wolf stove and Sub-Zero fridge. Wonderful. Though, I think you might need some more cooking items.”
Reed laughed. “I doubt it. Not with my cooking skills. Unless, of course, you’re planning on cooking here. Then we’ll outfit it with anything and everything you need.”
Julie laughed. “You do try to spoil me at every turn, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“The place is nice… but don’t you think it’s a bit… extravagant for your needs? It’s so… big. It’s pretty pricey.”
Reed realized he’d never really talked money with Julie. She had no idea. Not a clue about what he was worth. The money he’d inherited, and the money he’d made. It was a welcome change from the women in Seattle who had chased after him for his money.
“I can afford it, that’s not a problem. I love that it’s directly on the beach. And it has a pool. Always wanted a pool. And the pool is private.” He reached out for her and pulled her close. “Maybe we could find some time for some skinny dipping.”
“Reed!”
“What?” He looked at her with an exaggerated innocent expression. “Haven’t you ever been skinny dipping?”
“Can’t say that I have.”
“Well, we’ll have to see if we can correct that obvious omission in your life.”
“You’re impossible.” Julie laughed.
“Harry said the place is ready whenever. I think I’ll move in this week. How about Friday about noon? You want to help me move?”
“I have the cake to make for the wedding at the inn, but I’m actually going to bake it really early Saturday morning. So, Friday afternoon will work. We’ll get you stocked up on groceries and anything else you need.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
“You sure you want to get this one? That small condo we looked at was nice and more economical.”
“I’m sure. This one is airy and light, on the beach… and has the private pool.” He winked wickedly at her.
She punched his arm playfully. “Okay then. It’s your money.”
It was his money, and someday he was going to have to explain to her it would be her money, too. And just how much that money was going to be.
Chapter 5
Jamie walked out of his office and stretched. It had been a long day and his stomach rumbled with hunger. He contemplated grabbing dinner at the inn, but what he was really in the mood for was a grouper sandwich from Magic Cafe. It was a short walk down the beach and the fresh air and exercise sounded like just what he needed. He poked his head into the dining room and saw a smattering of tables filled. Midweek slowdown along with the fact that the entire hotel was sold out this weekend for the wedding, which had put a crimp on weeklong visitors to the inn.
“Dorothy, you all good here?” He walked up to the reception desk.
“All good, boss.”
Thank goodness he had a reliable worker like Dorothy. She’d been at the inn for as long as he could remember. Dependable, always had a smile, and knew almost as much about the management of the inn as he and his mother did, if not more.
“I’m going to run down the beach to Magic Cafe.”
“Everything’s under control here. You go enjoy yourself and your grouper sandwich.” Dorothy grinned at him.
“You know me well, don’t you?” Jamie grinned.
Jamie wandered outside and kicked off his shoes as he headed down to the beach. A lone figure sat watching the waves. A lone figure with brown curls flying in all directions.
“Hey, Cinderella Dream Girl. What are you doing sitting alone on the beach?”
“Jamie.” Cindy looked up at him. “Mother and Vanessa headed into Sarasota for some fancy dinner. I begged off with the excuse of a headache.”
“Oh, I’m sorry you aren’t feeling well.”
“Oh, I’m feeling fine. They were kind of my headache…” Cindy smiled sheepishly. “I just needed a break from them. They can be pretty intense about every little thing.”
“Did you eat?”
“Oh, I’ll find something.”
“Want to go grab something at Magic Cafe? I’m just headed there now. I’m sure Tally would love to see you.”
“Oh, Magic Cafe, I
’d love to go there. A grouper sandwich and hushpuppies. I’ve missed that and Miss Tally. Wow, she’s still there?”
“Still there.” Jamie reached down a hand. “Join me?”
Cindy slipped her hand in his and he helped her to her feet. She brushed off the sand from her shorts and picked up her shoes. “What a great idea. Miss Tally. I can’t wait to see her again.”
They headed down the beach, with Cindy regaling him with comments Vanessa had made about… well… just about everything.
After about ten minutes they crossed the beach, rinsed off their feet at the spigot at the side of the deck, and climbed up the steps to Magic Cafe.
Tally came walking over to them, menus in hand. “You always come by beach, don’t you Jamie?” She smiled at him. “And who is this… wait… Cindy?”
Cindy nodded and Tally wrapped her in one of her signature bear hugs. “I haven’t seen you, child, in a month of Sundays. Let me look at you. You’re all grown up. How did that happen? It seems like just yesterday you were running the beach with Jamie, here.”
“Miss Tally, it is so good to see you. I didn’t even realize how much I’ve missed Belle Island until I came back here.”
“What brings you back?”
“I’m getting married at the inn this weekend.”
“You don’t say. You’re the big wedding the town has been talking about for weeks? Jamie, you didn’t tell me it’s Cindy’s wedding.”
“Sorry, Tally. I figured my mom would have mentioned it to you.” He wondered if his mother even knew that it was his Cinderella Dream Girl’s wedding. His mom hadn’t been around Belle Island much during the summers he spent here helping his uncle when he was younger.
“Well, I’m sure that Jamie and his mother will do you fine. Susan is a good friend of mine. She and Jamie have done wonderful things with the inn. It’s a beautiful place for a wedding.”