by Kay Correll
“Jay gone?”
“Yes, he left a while ago. Said he had somewhere to be. He’s leaving me in charge more often now. I like it.” Dana smiled.
Jay had left. No walking home together tonight. No talking. Disappointment swept through her. She’d had just one day of magic with Jay.
One day.
Now, everything was gone, shattered, and she didn’t know why.
Chapter 17
Jay sat nursing a beer at the Lucky Duck. He mindlessly munched on the nuts in the bowl in front of him. This day sure hadn’t ended like he thought it would. And he’d been a coward to duck out early tonight. He just didn’t know how he was going to explain everything to Robin. Explain his past. And he didn’t want to see the disappointment in her eyes when he told her. She might not even believe the truth. Not many people did. Except his grandma and Lillian.
“There you are. You’re not answering my texts. Thought I might find you here.” Ben slid on the stool beside him.
“Didn’t feel like talking.”
“You kidding me? You finally go out with Robin and now you don’t want to talk about it?”
“I didn’t go out. We just had a picnic.”
“And you kissed her…”
How did… of course. Robin had told Charlotte who had told Ben. As far as he knew, the whole town knew by now. Not that it mattered. It was a one-time deal because everything was suddenly going to hell in a handbasket.
“It doesn’t matter. And I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But—”
“Seriously, Ben. One more word about it and I’m outta here.”
Ben held up his hands. “Okay, okay. So, what’s this I hear about cash going missing from Lillian’s. Who would do that?”
This conversation wasn’t any better than talking about Robin. “I don’t know who took it.”
“It just seems so strange. You think someone could have broken into the safe?”
“I don’t know.”
“Lillian didn’t need this the week of her wedding.”
“No, she didn’t.” He took a sip of his beer, hoping Ben would move on to yet a different subject.
“Charlotte said the sheriff was out asking questions.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I hope they find who did it. Who steals cash from a place like Charming Inn?”
Ben was obviously not going to let this die, so he deftly changed the subject. “So, have you and Charlotte made any other wedding plans?”
“Not many. Her mom and sister don’t like the date, but Charlotte hung firm on it, so we’re still getting married at Christmas. She’s going to talk to Ruby about making her wedding dress. That’s about all I know. Though Charlotte has a big notebook going with ideas and things. I’m just saying yes to anything she wants.”
“Good plan.” Jay glanced at his watch. “I better head out. Long days this week getting everything ready for the wedding.”
“I heard the weather might turn bad.”
“Heard that. Let’s hope not.” He slid off the stool. “See you soon.” He turned and headed out before Ben could bring up yet another subject he didn’t want to think about, much less talk about.
Mason had suggested they take a walk on the beach after their dinner at the inn. Zoe thought that was a perfect idea. She always ate so much more when she came to the island than when she was back at home. But Jay’s cooking was excellent, and she hadn’t been able to resist his pot roast with a side of shaved brussels sprouts. Oh, and the sourdough rolls. Those were wonderful. Then, she’d had a big piece of chocolate cake with thick fudge icing. She wasn’t even going to think about the calories. Maybe the walk would help even things out in the battle of calories in-calories out.
An almost-full moon shone down on them, illuminating the sand as they walked. “I’ve missed this. Being able to walk on the beach. Living inland certainly has its drawbacks, even if I do love my job there.”
“Where do you live? I guess I don’t even know that.” He glanced at her.
“Up by Orlando.”
“I live in Seattle.”
“Right, like Gary.”
“Dad hasn’t been back to Seattle since he found this island.” Mason grinned. “Not sure if he’s ever coming back despite my attempts to talk him into taking back his position as CEO of the company.”
“Sara said you were acting CEO now.” Impressive for a man his age.
“For now. It’s just temporary. But if Dad doesn’t come back, I’m not sure what will happen.” Mason shrugged. “I just want Dad to be happy, so whatever he decides I’ll be fine with it.”
“I’m sure it’s a hard decision for him.” They continued walking along, slowly. The wind barely stirred the air, and the water gently rolled to shore, as if mocking the forecast for severe storms approaching. They veered down to walk at the water’s edge.
“So, Noah is your uncle, huh? You two close?” Mason asked as they strolled along.
“Close? Very. He raised me.”
“He did?” Mason paused and looked at her.
“Yes, my parents died when I was very young. Noah jumped in, left everything behind—including Sara—and came to raise me. Long story, but Noah and Sara dated long ago when they lived in Boston, but there was a mix-up and Sara didn’t know why he left. Noah took me to vacation on Belle Island once since Sara had always talked about how wonderful it was.”
“It is a nice little town, isn’t it?”
“We loved it here, and eventually Noah and I moved to Belle Island. Then Sara came back here to help Lillian with the inn when Lil had a bad fall. Sara and Uncle Noah found each other again.” She smiled. “The rest is history.”
“Seems like this island has a way of making people find each other and fall in love.” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
“It does. I swear it’s a magical place.” She let out a long sigh. “I miss living here. But, you know, work.”
“Ah, yes. Work.” Mason matched her long sigh. “I need to head back to Seattle right after the wedding. No rest for the acting CEO.”
She paused for a moment, debating asking her question, then plunged ahead. “So… the wedding. I was wondering. Would you want to go with me? I don’t have a date and, well, I thought since you probably don’t know many people here… but then, maybe you already have a date.” Her words came out in a rush, and she already regretted them after seeing his expression. It was going to be a definite no, she could tell.
“I’m sorry. I made plans with Robin to go as her date. Though I know she’ll be busy working and I have best man duties.”
She frowned. “I thought Sara said Robin and Jay had finally started going out. I mean, it’s been town knowledge for years that they both like each other.”
“They do? Jay and Robin? And they’re dating? She didn’t say anything to me.” Mason frowned.
“That’s what Sara said.”
“I don’t know then. I guess I’ll talk to her tomorrow. Maybe she just said yes because she felt sorry for me not knowing anyone.”
She felt a little foolish now for asking him to go with her. Of course, he already had a date. He was successful, good-looking, and… well, charming. And Robin was… beautiful. And funny. And a bit older than she was, probably closer to Mason’s age.
But she’d totally enjoyed herself tonight, and it had been a long time since she’d enjoyed the company of a man like she had tonight. Oh, well. She’d just go to the wedding alone. Not a big deal.
Chapter 18
Robin looked up when she heard a knock at her office door and saw Mason standing there. “Good morning, Mason.”
“Morning.” He stepped inside. “Got a minute?”
She didn’t really, but she put down her pen and nodded.
“So… I heard something. Last night. I heard you and Jay are seeing each other.”
Robin sighed. “It’s… complicated.” She didn’t even know how to begin to explain the situation.
“But you said yes to going to the wedding with me.”
“Things have changed. Kind of rapidly and unexpectedly.”
“Listen, go to the wedding with Jay. That’s fine. Don’t worry about me. I know you said yes because I didn’t know anyone else here. You were being friendly. Anyway, Zoe asked me to go with her. So, I’ll say yes to her, and you can go with Jay and it all works out.”
She gave him a little smile. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“Good, I don’t want to be your pity date.” He sent her an impish grin. “Oh, and thanks for sending Zoe over to eat dinner with me last night.”
“So you two hit it off?”
“She’s… nice. Interesting. Easy to talk to.” He shrugged with a grin still on his face, his eyes twinkling. “Yes, I guess you could say we hit it off.”
“That’s good.”
“I think I’ll go see if I can find her now and see if she still wants to go to the wedding with me.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Good plan.”
He left her office, and she sat staring at the empty doorway.
Well, great. Now she had no date for the wedding.
“Look, look.” Charlotte burst into Robin’s office later that morning.
Robin set down her work, glad for the interruption. “Look at what?”
“I went to talk to Ruby yesterday afternoon after our wedding dress shopping failure. I explained to her what I had in my mind for a dress.” Charlotte waved some pages around. “And she called me this morning to come and see these.”
Robin got up and crossed around to the other side of the desk as Charlotte spread the papers out. “Char, those look so you.”
“I know. They do. Ruby is a wizard with design.” Charlotte stood there grinning. “I actually like both of these two designs. I just need to decide which one.”
She looked at both the drawings. They would both look wonderful on Charlotte. “How are you going to pick?”
“I’m not sure. I’ll just stare at both for a bit, I guess.” Charlotte laughed. “I’m leaning toward this one, though.” She pointed to one of the drawings. “I love the neckline and the touch of lace.”
“I like that one. Well, I like both of them.”
“These are so much better than anything I tried on at the shop or anything I’ve found online.” Charlotte sank into a chair with a satisfied smile. “So, what’s new with you? You were already asleep when I got home last night and gone before I got up.”
“New? Let’s see. I no longer have a date to the wedding. Mason is going with Zoe.”
“Really?” Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
“Evidently they’ve really hit it off.”
“I thought he was going with you.”
“Well, he heard that Jay and I were seeing each other, so he said he’d go with Zoe. But now Jay is barely speaking to me, hence, the no date.”
Charlotte frowned. “Ben said something is up with Jay, but he doesn’t know what it is. He’s super moody.”
“I don’t either. I’ve tried to talk to him. Guess I’ll try again.”
“Men say that women are complicated, but I think it’s really men who are complicated.” Charlotte shook her head.
“Well, Jay sure is.”
Zoe sat out on the shore under a beach umbrella. It had been a long time since she’d had a beach day. She’d offered to help with wedding preparations, but Lillian had insisted things were under control and she should go enjoy the beach. It hadn’t taken much convincing to heed Lillian’s advice.
She stretched out on a lounge chair with her e-reader by her side along with a big cup of ice water. She’d slathered on sunscreen and plucked her sunglasses from atop her head and settled them on her face to block the glare on the water. She finally leaned back, relaxed. She was dying to get into the new book she’d bought in the Sweet River series.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment, inhaling the fresh, salty air. She sensed or felt a shadow move over her and opened her eyes. “Mason.”
“Hey, Zoe.” He plopped down on the wooden lounge chair next to her. “Great day for the beach.”
“It is.”
“Dad chased me away. I think I was making him crazy asking him to make too many decisions. You know, little ones. Like what he’s wearing to his wedding in just a few days.” Mason gave her a lazy, lopsided grin.
She liked his grin and his one dimple that made his grins look entirely too impish. Should a big shot CEO have an impish grin? Once she quit staring at his grin, she answered him. “Lillian sent me to the beach. Said she had everything under control.”
“I guess there’s nothing for us to do but enjoy the day here on the beach. Mind if I join you?”
“No, go ahead. I’d like the company.”
Mason kicked off his sandals and swung his long legs out on the lounge chair. He was wearing a practical outfit today with shorts and a t-shirt in contrast to his snappier attire she was used to. She liked this more casual version. He leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head, elbows up, watching a young boy and girl chase each other down near the water. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
The little girl screamed, and a young woman called out. “Don’t tease your sister.”
Zoe laughed. “I guess that’s just what brothers do. Tease their sisters. Not that I have any siblings.”
“Me, neither. Always wanted a brother, but by the time I was old enough to know what was going on, my parents were barely speaking to each other. It was like they lived separate lives. They divorced when I was young.”
“I’m sorry, that must have been tough.”
“Not so bad. Never knew any better. Wasn’t that close to either of them, really. They were always working. But I started working at Dad’s company right out of college. Learned a ton from him.”
“So you two are close?”
A frown crossed his features. “Not really. We do seem to be getting closer. Working together on CEO things. He’s helped me a lot since I took over. I can see how this job could just suck all your time and energy.” He shrugged. “I’m trying not to let it. But I do put in long hours trying to keep things running smoothly while Dad is gone.”
She couldn’t imagine running a big company at such a young age. Talking to the board of directors and commanding respect. She was just a lower executive at her job.
“I see you brought your reader with you. Hope I’m not interrupting.”
“I always have a book with me. Either my reader or I read on my phone. Do you read much?”
“Some. Used to read more before this whole CEO thing.”
“What kind of books do you read?”
“Thrillers, a bit of mystery, some nonfiction.” He looked at her. “And you?”
“Romance, women’s fiction, mystery, legal thrillers—but nothing gory—a lot of genres.”
“Movies?” He cocked his head to one side.”
“I don’t go to movies often, but I love to binge-watch series on Netflix and other video streaming services.”
“Favorite color?”
“What’s with all the questions?” She smiled at him.
“I figured I’d like to get to know my date to the wedding. If you’re still free. And if you still want to go with me.”
Her heart fluttered. Silly heart. “What about Robin?”
“Released her from her commitment so she could go with that Jay guy.”
“I’d love to go with you.” She might have to rethink the dress she’d brought to wear, though that was silly. It was a perfectly good dress. But she could still look for a new one…
“Perfect. I have best man responsibilities, but I’ll catch you after the ceremony?”
“That sounds perfect.” It did sound perfect. She was glad to have a date for the wedding. Not that she minded going alone. Kind of. Weddings always seemed a bit awkward to her without a date, which was silly. Seems there were a lot of silly thoughts going on now.
&n
bsp; Chapter 19
By Wednesday Robin was afraid the coming storm was going to be a bad one. Fortunately for the wedding, it was a slow-moving storm, so it wasn’t supposed to hit until next Wednesday or so. And for now, it was predicted to hit quite a bit north of the island. But with the possibility the tropical storm could even turn into a hurricane, there were so many preparations that needed to be done to the inn, just in case. Hurricanes were always unpredictable.
Technically hurricane season started June first, but it was rare to have an actual storm hit this early. Now, added onto all the wedding prep was storm preparations.
They were already getting room cancellations for next week. Many hotels and rentals only gave refunds of deposits if an evacuation was called for, but Lillian had always refunded guests’ money if they didn’t feel comfortable with a storm predicted to hit the area, even if evacuations weren’t ordered.
But the wedding could go on as originally planned, outside like Lillian had wanted. She pulled out her notebook of events and scanned down the checklist of to-dos for the wedding. Julie from the Sweet Shoppe was doing the wedding cake and would deliver it on Saturday. The flowers were ordered, and the florist had called to confirm they’d be ready on Saturday, too.
Almost everything that could be done in advance was finished. There would be lots of work on Saturday to set up the chairs on the beach and the arbor and decorate for the reception.
Jay had the food all under control. Or she assumed he did. They hadn’t said more than a few words this week, and Jay had been short and distant with her. She’d tried—twice—to get him to talk to her but hadn’t had any luck. So now she was just giving him his space. She was finished trying to figure out Jay Turner. He could just stew in his bad mood.
She glanced at her watch and saw they were smack in the middle of the lunch crowd. She’d go check and see if they needed any help and chase Lillian away if she was in there. Lillian didn’t quite seem to grasp the concept of taking this week off to prepare for her wedding.