“What did he mean by that?” I asked.
“Christian feels that everyone who goes behind me is at a disadvantage. You watch. The winner will come from entries one through twelve. And then everyone after me will blame my cornbread for killing the judges’ senses.”
“Why don’t you two go and check out the competition?” asked Lissa with a nudge to Sage. “I’ll hold down the fort here. You two should go and have fun.”
I offered Sage my hand. “Well? How about it?”
She took my hand and sighed. “I guess I should show you around. There’s nothing edible here.”
“I beg to differ,” I said, kissing her cheek before I pulled away, snapping my teeth.
14
Sage
It was nice having a handsome man on my arm for once, and as we walked around the event, sampling the other entries, I could see the town’s people whispering to one another as we went from booth to booth.
Greyson noticed it too. “Is it just me or—”
“They’re watching us, yes. That’s what all the whispers are about. I’ve got a reputation for being the weird, lonely girl. Most people are also leery of what your intentions might be for me.”
“And are you worried about my intentions?” he asked, meeting my eyes with a look of concern.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve never worried about what these people think about anything. Did you try my cornbread? I mean, really, no one else would come out here and compete with that. It would ruin their reputations. But they expect it from me. They expect that I’m different.”
He stopped and turned to face me. “You are different. At least from the women back home. You’re not only a gorgeous woman who has her own place, manages her life on her own, and you seem kind enough while doing it. You came out here to do your best for a good cause, no matter what people think of your cooking, and you did it for a good personal reason as well. I think it’s admirable and proves you’re a strong woman. Most of the women I know want to be kept.”
I felt the blush burning in my cheeks. “Thank you. My father was kind of known for being a rebel. He and my mother raised hell around here, trying to keep the tourists from taking over so much that they ran the show. My mother left when I was young, and since she left him hurt, he let everyone think she was nuts. Not that they didn’t already think it. She used to read palms and give out herbal remedies. One of the well-to-dos who was outed for spending too much time on the other side of my mother’s tarot deck called her a witch, and it stuck, even though it wasn’t true. She was just different, so I guess they all think the same of me since I look like her. My mom fit in much better in California, and she hasn’t been back east since.”
“That’s too bad.”
“It’s okay. Again, I don’t really care what they think.”
Before another word left my mouth, Christian’s mother yelled to get our attention. “Who’s your friend, Sage?” Mrs. Vance looked Greyson up and down. “Why don’t you introduce us?”
“This is Greyson Young. Greyson, this is Christian’s mother, Barbara Vance.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you from my son,” she said as Christian looked up from the pot of bisque and shook his head as if to say he hadn’t told her anything. “If you have any furniture needs, you just let us know. We’ve furnished the vacation homes to some of the wealthiest names around New York and even a couple of Hollywood actors.” She had always told everyone those stories but failed to mention any names for privacy reasons.
Again, Christian shook his head as if his mother was not telling the truth. I could see Greyson trying to keep a straight face. “Thank you; I’ll keep that in mind.” He was a sweetheart and, just like a gentleman, treated Barbara with kindness. He didn’t seem arrogant or smug, and that was what I liked about him. While it was a stretch to say he fit right in, only because he still looked like a fashion model, polished up like a new penny, he seemed relaxed and right at home.
“I heard about your run-in with Abbot over the color of your house. I, for one, am all for a change. As you might know, I own the property where my son lives across the street, and my home is down the road on the bayside. We have asked there be a vote to consider allowing homeowners to have colorful exteriors. We feel it brightens up the neighborhood.”
“Well, my home was supposed to be gray. I’m working on getting Dodd out there.” Greyson was friendly as he explained, but I could tell by his tone that he was really growing weary with the conversation.
“I think it’s bold,” said Barbara. “You should come to the next homeowners meeting. I plan to speak my mind about the topic, and with any luck and a lot of support, we just might get the laws changed.”
Greyson looked like he had no idea what to say. It was time to save him. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and gave it a glance. “Would you look at the time? I have to get back to Lissa. I promised we wouldn’t keep her there long all alone.”
Christian smiled like he knew what I was up to, and I was sure my secret was safe with him. Despite Barbara’s best efforts, Christian was only a reluctant mama’s boy.
Greyson nodded. “Oh, thank you. I’ll be looking forward to that meeting, Mrs. Vance.”
I pulled him away, eager to have him all to myself and save him from Barbara and her nonsense.
He sighed as we walked away. “Thanks for that. I really had no intention of causing so much scandal with my house. I just want it to be the color I wanted from the start.”
I knew he was upset about the Dodds, and I had expected better from them. “It does have a certain flair.”
“I just wanted to fit in,” he said with a shrug.
“Fitting in is overrated. Believe me.”
“So, are we going to rescue Lissa?” He looked over the crowd to our little lonely booth.
“Yeah, we should.” I had already steered us back in that direction, and we avoided the middle vendors as we cut across.
When Lissa saw us approach, her eyes went wide. “You two certainly cut that trip short.”
“Thank your boyfriend’s mother.” I knew she’d understand.
“Stop calling him that. We’re not even exclusive.” She took my arm and pulled me away from Greyson. “What you should be worried about is a certain someone coming here to ruin your day.” Her eyes glanced over my shoulder to my left as if I needed to take a peek.
When I did, Greyson stepped over, blocking my view. “Is everything okay? Do you two need me to leave?”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just—”
Maddox strolled over with his phone in his hand. “There you are, love. I didn’t think you would be back so soon. Lucky me.” He was like a thunder cloud rolling over our day.
“Hi, Maddox,” I said in a clipped tone. “What are you doing here?”
Greyson stepped up beside me, not so sure what to make of Maddox from the look on his face.
“Greyson, this is Maddox Montauk. Maddox, this is my new friend, Greyson Young.”
Greyson offered his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
Maddox stared him down. “Yeah.” Maddox curled his lip and gave more of a sneer than any kind of friendly smile, and then he turned toward me, totally dismissing him. “I knew how much this event meant to you and thought I should come and show some support for my girl.”
I cringed at the endearment and hoped that Greyson didn’t take it to heart.
“She’s not your girl, Maddox,” Lissa said.
I didn’t want Lissa to make a scene. “Lissa, enough.”
His smirk needed to be slapped off, but I gritted my teeth and held my arms down beside me so I didn’t lash out.
“Anyway, I just wanted to wish you luck. I’ll have a big slice of that cornbread.” He pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and fanned himself with it.
Lissa covered her mouth and tried not to laugh, but Greyson’s eyes narrowed, and I knew I needed to get him away from us. I hurried to get Maddox’s cornbread and wrapped it up to g
o. I wasn’t going to have him standing around eating it and messing up my visit with Greyson, who was watching the other man like a hawk.
“Thanks, I’m sure it’s just as delicious as you,” he said, flashing me a wink. He was putting on a big show with Greyson there, and it had me in a bad mood before I knew it. I had to bite my tongue so hard, I nearly bit it off.
Since Maddox wasn’t being hateful, I felt like I should keep things civil. He’d only try and look like the victim. I took his money and forced a smile. “I’ll see you around.”
“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m going to hold you to it.” With that, he thankfully walked away.
“I can’t believe the nerve of that guy.” Lissa looked up at Greyson. “Did she explain her stalker ex to you already?”
“Yeah. I get the picture.” He didn’t seem impressed by any of it.
“I don’t know why he can’t.” I thought I had made myself clear time and time again.
“Sometimes, you just have to be a straight shooter.” He frowned, but before I could say anything else, our attention was turned toward the stage where Mrs. Bronson from the bank struggled with the mic stand.
She finally got the microphone loose and grinned a toothy grin. “And now the judges will announce the winners of the Twenty-Third Annual Camden Muddy Rudder Cookoff. This year, I’m pleased to announce that one of our favorite local families is going to be bringing the golden anchor back home with them. Let’s give a big round of applause for his year’s winner, Barbara Vance, from Vance Family Furniture.”
I was glad that the old lady had finally won again. She had been robbed the past several years and had since made it her mission to win. As Christian’s mother went on stage to receive her congrats, Lissa looked across the room to Christian and blew him a kiss.
“I’m happy for her,” I said, letting out a sigh of relief. “And I know the judges will be relieved that she’ll be off of their chests for a while.” Not only that, but I had another competition behind me.
“At least until next year,” Lissa said with a laugh.
Suddenly, Greyson, who had taken out his phone, stepped over with a regretful expression. “Hey, I hope you don’t mind me cutting out early, but I really should go.” He took his checkbook from his pocket and scribbled out a check.
“You’re leaving?” I hoped it wasn’t anything to do with Maddox, who stood watching from a distance.
“Yeah, I’ve got a few things to do at home. Here, take this.” He ripped the check from the checkbook.
“Is everything okay?” It seemed awfully abrupt, his leaving, but I didn’t want to make a fuss.
“Yes, of course. I just have so much to do still. I’ll talk to you later, and good luck with the rest of the day.” I gave him a hug, and he gave me a half-hearted smile before walking away.
“Wow, did you see that?” I asked Lissa as I watched him leave the tent. “Do you think he seemed upset?”
“I don’t think so, but it probably doesn’t help that Maddox the Montauk monster is watching from across the room.”
“Do you think that would upset him enough to make him want to leave?” I had thought that a little healthy competition might be up his alley, but so far, Greyson was a mystery to me.
“I think if you want to keep him, you better let him know it fast. Maybe he’s not into the whole community event scene. Most people look at him like he’s an alien or something. I’d leave too.”
I couldn’t see how that could be it, but I was so confused, I was beginning to question everything that had happened, every word spoken, every look. “He didn’t strike me as if this was too boring for him. He acted interested until Maddox showed up. And if he was bored, this is sure a hell of a big donation to something he didn’t even enjoy.” I held the check tight in my grip and looked at the zeros. It was a lot of money.
“He may not want the drama of competing for you. But then, that high-dollar amount says that he wants more than your attention.” She always thought that everything a man did only meant he wanted in your pants.
“Not everyone is driven by sex. And besides, if he paid that for me, he’s got the wrong idea. I’m not a prostitute.”
“Lighten up. He’s from the city. They move fast, Sage. If you want him, you should keep up before he leaves you behind.” She turned and walked over to the other counter, where someone from the judges’ table brought back my plate and my participation ribbon.
But all I could think about was Greyson and what could have gone wrong. Was she right? Did I need to act faster? The thought of him with some other local, having to see them around together, laughing and holding hands, or worse, starting a family, made me sick inside. I wanted him to be mine.
15
Greyson
Getting started on my boat had gone better than I’d expected, but then that was what happened when people left you alone. You found out how truly productive you could be.
I hated that I hadn’t heard much from Sage since the cookoff, and I hoped that my leaving early hadn’t given Maddox the opportunity to step in. I should have punched the guy when I had a chance. I wanted to, but that wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere, and it would have only upset Sage.
Finally, I decided that texting wasn’t enough and dialed her number.
She answered on the third ring. “Hey, Greyson. What a nice surprise. I thought for a moment that you’d lost your voice.”
“I could say the same for you. You sure hate texting, don’t you?”
“It’s just been crazy at work. We’ve had a few larger orders get lost, and then twice, we had the wrong stuff sent in. I’ve been doing damage control, but explaining to the customer that it’s on the supplier’s end doesn’t help much.”
“Sorry, it’s been bad. Are you off today?”
“I actually just got home. It’s nearly six-thirty, you know. Or did you lose track of time?”
“Damn, I must have. So, what are you doing?”
“I’m feeding Jasper as we speak. I think he’s mad at me too.”
“Jasper? Isn’t that your cat?” I tried to remember what she’d told me.
“Yes, he’s a grumpy little thing at the moment.”
“Would he be horribly angry if you came by?”
“You want me to come to your house?”
“Well, I’m out in the boathouse, but I could use the company. We could drink a few beers and catch up while I work if you want. Unless there’s a reason you’ve been avoiding me since the cookoff?” I made sure my tone was teasing, but she went quiet. “I’m kidding, Sage. Unless that’s what happened.”
“No, it’s not. I thought—” She paused. “You know what? Never mind. I’ll be there shortly.”
“I can’t wait to see you.” I hung up the phone feeling good that she wanted to see me again, but not about how things had gone before. She had something to say about the other day, and I needed to hear it. If she was into the other guy or still had mixed feelings, I needed to know. One thing was for sure. I wasn’t dealing with the prick hanging around, and the only reason I’d left the other day was to keep from making a scene.
I went back to work, cutting another board. The boat’s hull was coming along nicely, and I had almost all of my frame done, a task that Christian had helped me with through the week.
I heard a soft rap and then footsteps as the door opened. “Knock knock,” she said. She peeked around the corner, looking sweet as candy in her little sundress that was the same bright green as her eyes. She had fixed herself up a bit more than the last time she’d shown up with burgers, but this time, she had come empty-handed, save a big slouchy handbag.
“Come in, come in,” I said, looking her up and down as she stepped into the boathouse. I couldn’t get enough of drinking her in, and she smiled brightly, her perfect pearly smile making her as bright as a spring day. “You look beautiful. Did you wear that down at the lumberyard?”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You know I can’t wear
things like this down there. But when I’m off, I like to dress like a girl and feel feminine.”
“I approve. And it’s clear you’re all girl. Even in your jeans.” The little sleeveless number she had on fit her perfect waist and hips in a way that made her ass look amazing. I had the urge to take her in my arms and squeeze her.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“I’m dirty and sweaty. Or else you’d get a hug.”
“Will a kiss do?” She gave me a smoldering look and walked over to kiss me on the cheek. There was a bit more boldness in her. As she pulled away slowly, I cupped her cheek and licked my lips.
“You’re a tease. One day, I hope you’re going to let me kiss you for real.”
“We’ll see. It might be your lucky day.” She stepped over to my workbench to drop her handbag and glanced over her shoulder at me. “Or not.”
“Oh, you’re on fire tonight. I like this, Sage. I really do.”
“The boat is coming along nicely. I can’t believe you have the entire hull nearly framed.” She walked over and ran her hand along one of the cedar planks. “She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” I turned my attention to the board I was measuring.
“Ouch!” She stepped back from the boat’s frame.
“Are you okay?”
“It’s just a splinter. I spend all day in the lumberyard. You’d think I’d know better. In my defense, I’m used to having gloves on.”
“Do you need me to take a look?” I rushed over, using any opportunity to be close to her. “Here. Let’s see it.”
“It’s nothing.” She stared down at her finger, biting her lip as if it hurt. “I’ll see if I can get it.”
I watched as she made two failed attempts at getting the tiny splinter out. “Let me do it. You push the splinter up, and I’ll get it.” We made two more attempts, and while it was right there, the tiny little shard was just barely too small for my grip.
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