by Kay Correll
A worker got the dress for Charlotte and she tried it on. She stood in front of the three-way mirror. The simple dress draped from one shoulder and accentuated Charlotte’s slender waist.
“Oh, Charlotte, you look beautiful.” Her friend looked like someone from a bride’s magazine, but then Charlotte always did make clothes look gorgeous on her.
Charlotte turned this way and that. “It’s a beautiful dress… but it’s just not what I’ve imagined.”
The shop worker brought Charlotte another dress, and another. After the fifth dress she tried on, she shook her head. “Enough. Nothing is quite right.”
They thanked the worker for her help and left the store. “So, do you want to hit another shop? There’s another wedding shop in the next town.”
“I don’t think so. It’s like I can see the dress in my head, but I’m not seeing it in the shops. Or online for that matter.”
Charlotte did have her own style. Robin could see how the classic wedding dress varieties wouldn’t work for her. She looked at Charlotte and grinned. “We could always wear swimsuits and flip-flops like Eva suggested.”
“Very funny.”
“Why don’t you see if Ruby can make you what you have in your head? Explain it to her and maybe she could draw it up and make it?”
“I think I will ask her. I just want everything to be perfect. And I have plenty of time… just not lots of extra time.”
“Perfect, we’ll go talk to Ruby.”
“If she has time and if she wants to do it.”
“Lillian said Ruby loved redoing the dress for Sara and look what a great job she’s doing with Lil’s dress. I bet she’ll say yes.” Robin had a good feeling about this. She just knew that Ruby could make Charlotte the perfect dress for her wedding.
They walked back outside into the sunshine, and Charlotte pointed to a restaurant down the street. “It’s time. We’ll go there and you’ll talk and I’ll listen.”
Robin nodded. Maybe if she talked with Charlotte, she’d be able to figure things out herself. So much had changed with just a few kisses—make that lots of kisses.
Robin headed to the kitchen—just to check on things, of course—as soon as she got back to the inn. Jay was busy working by the counter, his back to her. She looked at his broad shoulders and his inevitable t-shirt stretched across his back. His head was bent, concentrating on whatever it was he was working on.
She crossed the room and touched his arm. He turned to her, and his face broke into a wide grin.
“Hey, you.” His voice was low and warm, and she swore it made her tingle.
She was hopeless.
She smiled back at him. “Hey, yourself.”
“Come to swipe cookies?” His eyes sparkled, teasing her.
“No, I’m stuffed. Went to lunch with Char after we went dress shopping. Finally found a dress to wear to Lillian’s wedding.”
A brief look of disappointment crossed Jay’s eyes at the mention of the wedding, but he quickly hid it. “Well, that’s good.”
She reached out and touched his hand. Lightning zipped through her.
Perhaps that was a mistake.
“Jay, I’m sorry I told Mason I’d be his date. I didn’t know that… this… was going to happen.”
“Not a problem. I’ll be busy at the wedding, anyway.” His smile and his eyes didn’t quite confirm that it wasn’t a problem.
“Robin, there you are.”
She turned to find Lillian standing beside them, her forehead creased in worry.
“You needed me?”
“I was wondering if you took the cash deposit to the bank.”
“No, I locked it in the safe to take it when I headed out this morning but it was gone so I figured you took it.”
Lillian frowned. “No, I didn’t.” She turned to Jay. “You put it in the safe this weekend, didn’t you?”
Robin looked at Jay and saw the color drain from his face until he was ashen.
“I did. Just like you asked. And I made sure the safe was locked when I left,” he said defensively.
Lillian looked at Jay for a moment. “I was just checking. I was sure you did.”
“But it’s missing now?” Jay cocked his head to one side.
“It is.”
Dana dropped a pan to the floor, and they all whirled around at the sound.
“Sorry.” She reached down and picked up the pan and turned back to her work, but it was obvious she’d heard the conversation.
“I don’t know what to make of it.” Lillian frowned. “There’s just the three of us with access.”
“Lil, I didn’t take your money.” Jay stiffened, his eyes dark and icy cold.
Robin stared at him in surprise. Of course Jay hadn’t taken any money. Lillian would never think that. She turned to look at Lil.
“I didn’t think you did, Jay.” Lillian reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. “You’d never do that. I know.”
Jay looked relieved—slightly—but still stood frozen with a small vein beating on the side of his forehead.
“Maybe I misplaced it? I’ve been so scattered this last week.” Lil frowned. “But I don’t think I did. I’m always careful with the deposit. I guess I’ll call Sheriff Dave. I’m not sure what else to do. It’s an old safe. Came with the inn. Probably not that hard to break into, and I’ve had the same combination forever.” Lillian sighed. “And it did look like some of the papers in there were shuffled around.”
“You really think someone broke into the safe?” Robin sucked in a sharp, quick breath.
“I don’t know what else could have happened.” Lillian frowned and turned to leave. “I’ll go make that call.”
Jay stood there with an empty expression on his face, his jaw clenched, and one hand balled into a fist, watching Lil walk away.
“You okay?” Robin asked, trying to figure out what was going on with the looks between Lillian and Jay.
“I’m fine. Just fine.” The deeply etched frown on his face proved he was not fine.
“You don’t look it.”
“I said I’m fine.” His voice was sharp. “I should get back to work.” He turned from her and started methodically chopping and dicing the vegetables on the counter.
Okay, then. Back to being cold and distant. So maybe it wasn’t such a big deal that she was going to the wedding with Mason after all.
She stalked out of the kitchen. Jay was the most confusing, exasperating, bewildering, puzzling man she’d ever met. And she threw in baffling, complicated, perplexing, and unfathomable for good measure.
Chapter 15
Robin left the kitchen and headed off to find Lillian and see what she could do to help. She couldn’t imagine anyone stealing from Lil. Just couldn’t picture it. Lil was the kindest soul she’d ever met.
Lillian was nowhere to be found, so she headed for her office and pulled out her notebook of events. She pulled up the weather forecast for this weekend and frowned. When had they changed the forecast? Now it looked like a storm was headed their way. A big storm. That was not what Lillian needed on her wedding day.
It could still be wrong. Florida weather was unpredictable at best. She should make sure the backup plans were in place, though, just in case. They’d use the tent if it was just slightly rainy and they’d clear out the lobby and reception area if it really stormed. The reception could be moved into the dining room instead of having the buffet outside. She quickly jotted some notes, then got up to find Lil. She really should know about the possible changes to her wedding plans.
She scoured the inn, then finally went to The Nest and knocked.
“Come in, it’s open.” Lillian called out.
She found Lillian sitting in her favorite chair, knitting.
Lillian looked up. “I’m a little stressed. Usually knitting will help calm me down. The repetitive motion, the colors weaving through the piece.” She set down her knitting. “But it’s not working today.”
“I’m sorry about the missin
g cash.”
Lil sighed. “I know. I keep thinking it will turn up. Like did I take it out to bring it to the bank and forget I did that? I am a bit scattered with all the wedding plans.”
“You’ve been a bit—less organized—but that doesn’t seem like you to misplace the cash deposit, or not even remember taking it out of the safe.”
Robin paused, then plunged on in. “Speaking of wedding plans. There’s a chance that the weather might turn a bit stormy this weekend.”
“Really?” Lillian shrugged. “That can’t be helped, either. The weather will be what it will be.”
“I’m making the backup plans for if we need them. I’m sorry, though. I know you wanted the ceremony and reception outside. Maybe we can still make that happen.”
“I did want it outside, but the location isn’t the important part of a wedding.”
Lillian was nothing but practical at all times.
“We can wait until later in the week to make the call.”
Lillian nodded.
“Did you get a hold of Sheriff Dave?”
“I did. He’ll be here later this afternoon.”
“Do you know why Jay was so upset when you were talking to us about the cash?”
Lillian’s eyes turned guarded. “No, was he?”
Lillian was one sharp cookie, and she had to have known that Jay was upset, but Robin didn’t question her further. “I’ll go get the backup plan in place.”
“Thank you. I’ll follow you back to the inn in a moment. I need to get back to work since knitting is doing nothing to settle me down. Wedding jitters, I guess, plus this missing cash.”
Jay looked up from where he was pounding chicken breasts—with a little too much force—to find the sheriff standing at the counter. He caught his breath but forced a smile.
“Jay.”
“Sheriff Dave.” He nodded at the man and set down the mallet. Didn’t pay to be flaunting a mallet when a person talked to a sheriff.
“I wanted to ask you a few questions.”
Of course he did. “Ask away.”
“So there’s only three people who know the combination to the safe.” The sheriff opened his pad of paper and poised his pen over it.
“I guess.” He glanced over to where Dana was working and trying to pretend she wasn’t hearing the conversation. There was no privacy in the kitchen, so anyone here could hear what was said.
“And you put the cash in the safe this weekend like Lillian requested.”
“Yes.” He walked over to the sink and ran the water, scrubbing his hands, then drying them.
The sheriff followed him. “And that’s the last time you saw the cash?”
“Yes.” He gritted his teeth, annoyed that his heart was racing and he could feel his blood pulsing in his veins. Here he was being interrogated. Again.
“I just had to ask because… well… your past.”
“So are you accusing me of something there?” He whirled around to face the man.
“No…” The sheriff scribbled some notes. “Just getting the facts.” He looked at Jay. “For now.”
“If that’s all, I need to get back to work.”
“I’ll probably have more questions later.” The sheriff turned and left the kitchen.
Jay sagged against the counter. His past was never going to leave him alone. Never.
Chapter 16
Jay contemplated telling Robin about his past. He’d never mentioned it in the five years he’d been here on the island… and neither had Lillian. But he was afraid it would all come out now. It would be better if Robin heard it from him than from the town gossiping about him. Someone was sure to find out, and then the news would spread like hurricane winds through the town.
He turned to Dana. “I’ve got to go do something. You got everything you need for a bit?”
“I do. Do you need me to run dinner tonight? I can, you know.”
“No, I’ll be back soon. But thanks.” He turned to go find Robin.
And find her he did.
In the lobby.
Laughing with Mason.
Perfect, just perfect. He turned to leave, but heard Robin call out his name. Inhaling a deep breath, he turned back, crossed the lobby area, and went over to Robin and Mason.
“So, Robin tells me the wedding might have to be moved inside,” Mason said.
News to him. And why wouldn’t Robin have mentioned it to him? He was only in charge of all the food for the wedding. Might be helpful if he knew where they were serving it. He cocked his head and looked at Robin. “Is that true?”
“Yes, I was coming to tell you.” She almost looked guilty.
“A piece of information that might be good for me to know,” he said dryly.
“I’m getting all the backup plans in place, just in case.” Robin rushed her words. “But, of course, I was going to consult you so we had all the reception plans worked out too.”
“Of course.” He eyed her.
“Mason was just here because we’re finalizing the surprise for Lillian.”
“That’s nice.” Did they detect the sarcasm in his voice? Here he’d come to tell her the truth, but really, did she need to know? She seemed interested enough in this Mason guy. They’d been laughing and Mason had his hand on her arm while they were talking.
Maybe his own thinking had everything twisted with Robin. He’d thought something had started between them… but Mason probably didn’t have a past like his. Maybe he and Robin were really just destined to be friends. And maybe that would be best for Robin.
This whole cash fiasco had thrown him off. Made him unsure of himself, and he hated feeling like his world was tilting out of control.
“I should go get dinner ready. Let me know what you want done about the reception food.” He turned away, not looking back even once, and headed back to the kitchen.
Robin frowned and watched Jay walk away. He was upset, that much was clear. Whether it was because she was here talking to Mason or from whatever was going on between Jay and Lillian, she wasn’t sure. But ever since Lillian had asked about the cash, he’d been the cold and distant Jay that she’d come to abhor.
She turned back to Mason. “Sorry, now what were you saying?”
“I arranged for a limo to pick them up after the reception. We have the company plane ready to fly them to that small Caribbean island. Dad made the reservation for the hilltop villa. It overlooks the sea and has one of those small infinity pools. They’ll have a chef who brings their meals, but I’m having it stocked with other foods, wine, and beer.”
She couldn’t quite fathom having a private jet at her disposal or being taken to a small Caribbean island. Or a private chef, for that matter. But she was all for Lillian having a week of pampering.
“I’m sure Lillian will love it all.”
“Dad said he would surprise her the day of the wedding. He just told her to pack for warm weather for their honeymoon.”
“I love seeing someone spoiling Lillian. She’s always there for everyone else. It’s time she found someone to love her and spoil her.”
“Thanks for your help with this. I wasn’t up on limo companies or even what airport to have the plane waiting at.”
“Glad I could help.” She turned at the sound of someone calling her name. Sara and Noah came walking up. Noah’s niece, Zoe, followed them, pulling a large suitcase.
“Hey Mason, Robin. Oh, Mason, do you know Zoe?” Sara asked.
Mason nodded. “I think we met at Sara and Noah’s wedding.”
“We did.” Zoe smiled. “Though that day is kind of a whirlwind of memories.”
“Zoe is going to stay at Charming Inn. I told her that was unnecessary. She should stay with us. But she insisted, saying we were newlyweds.” Sara shook her head. “I keep telling her we still have her room at the house, just like she left it.”
“I’ll stay next time, I promise. You two just need your space for a bit,” Zoe insisted.
Zoe turne
d to Mason. “Are you staying here?”
“I’m actually moving to the inn today. Dad’s rental is up on the cottage. So he’s getting a room here, too, until after the wedding.”
“You are?” Robin turned to him, surprised.
“It was kind of a last-minute decision. Dad was going to renew his lease for another month, but it seemed pointless since he’ll move in with Lillian after they get back from the honeymoon. My stuff is out in the car.”
“Let me get you both checked in.”
Sara and Noah headed out to run errands, and Robin checked in Zoe and Mason, giving them rooms on the top floor with great views. They headed up the stairway with their bags.
She turned to go back to her office. She wasn’t ready to face Jay and his mood right now. She finished up in her office and went to work the dinner shift, but still didn’t enter the kitchen.
Mason showed up for dinner and she sat him at a table by the window. Alone. She did feel bad about that. “How’s this?”
“It’s nice.” He sat down and took the menu.
She noticed Zoe standing at the entrance to the dining room. “Say, if Zoe is eating alone, would you mind if I sat her with you? It gets kind of lonely eating alone.”
“Sure, that would be fine.” He nodded.
She crossed over to Zoe. “You here alone?”
“I am. Sara and Noah were still busy running errands and I’m famished.”
“I can seat you with Mason.”
Mason waved from across the room.
“That would be nice. I eat alone so often back home.”
She led Zoe to Mason’s table, and she slipped into the chair across from him. It must have been a good decision because every time she looked over at Mason and Zoe they were talking and laughing. There, now Mason knew two people in town. Well, Zoe was from out of town, but she was here now for the wedding.
The dining room finally emptied and she grabbed the last of the dirty dishes off of a table and headed to the kitchen, determined to talk to Jay and find out what was going on.
The kitchen was empty except for Dana.