"So, this is not the first time something like this has happened?"
"Nope. Her mother made it very clear to me last year that Lexi is a better fit for Cole. Ever since then, it's been one subtle charade after the other. Except now, it's worse since he's working on their kitchen renovation."
"Well, why don't you say something to Cole?"
Alice's voice died down as he entered the kitchen with Emmie trailing behind.
"Thank you, Emmie," Alice said.
"Give grandma a hug and a kiss. I have to get going before I'm late."
"Love you, Grandma."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
She walked over to Cole afterward.
"Cole, I won't say a word, but I'm sure you already know what I'm thinking."
"I know, Mom. I'm on it."
She gave him a pat on the arm.
"Good. That's what I like to hear. Enjoy dinner, everyone."
Before closing the front door, Alice yelled back to Emmie.
"Emmie Miller, make sure you head to bed early tonight. I'm going to be here bright and early in the morning to take you to your tennis lessons."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Emmie and I resumed veggie prep while Cole cranked up the grill.
"Alright, ladies. I'm an expert at operating the grill, but I still need to learn more about prepping the food. Do you have any tips?"
"For starters, never season the food while you're distracted," I said.
Emmie looked at the fish.
"Looks like Payton poured a lot of seasoning on the salmon. That's okay. We can rinse it off. Don't worry, I know just what to do."
I had to laugh. You know it's bad when an eleven-year-old has to take over in the kitchen.
"Where did you pick up your cooking skills, Emmie?"
"Grandma. She taught me everything I know."
"Well, maybe I could learn a thing or two from you and your grandma.”
We wrapped everything in foil and turned the grilling responsibilities over to Cole.
"Thanks for being here tonight. I'm so sorry about earlier. I didn't know she would…"
"It's okay. I know. Just make sure you follow your mom's advice."
We were talking around the subject as not to say too much in front of Emmie.
"Look, guys.” Emmie pointed toward the sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon was absolutely breathtaking.
"Isn't it pretty?" she said.
"I'm going to get my sketchpad. Hey, Payton, would you like to do a few sketches with me while we wait for the food?"
"I'd love to!"
"Cool, maybe we can sketch the sunset before it goes all the way down. I'm going to get my supplies. I'll be right back."
When Emmie left, Cole took the opportunity to sneak in a kiss.
"I've been waiting to do that ever since lunch."
"You better stop before you get busted." I teased.
"Emmie knows how much I love you. When she pointed out the sunset, a thought came to mind."
"What was the thought?"
"I think this would be a beautiful setting for a ceremony someday."
"Really? What kind of ceremony did you have in mind?"
His face turned a little flush.
"The kind of ceremony where two people come together and publicly confess their love for one another."
Emmie returned with her art supplies. I wanted to respond to Cole but thought it would be best to save it for our alone time. Instead, I kicked up my feet on the deck and began to color with Emmie.
"Okay, this is going to be tricky. I have to leave just the right amount of room on the page for the ocean and the sun setting behind it."
"If you don't get it the way you want the first time, I have plenty of paper,” she said.
"Emm, you have a few minutes, and then you'll have to work on the rest of your sketch later."
"Okay, Dad."
"Payton, will you stay for a while after dinner?" Emmie asked.
"I sure will. I never eat and run."
"Good. That way, we can finish our sketch and have girl time."
Cole chimed in. "Hey, since when did this become a girl's party?"
"I'm sorry, Dad. Of course, you're invited too."
She leaned over as we continued to sketch. "We'll have to have girl time on another day, so Dad doesn't get jealous."
I nodded in agreement. Emmie truly was a sweet girl with the biggest heart for everyone she knew.
"Wait a minute. We forgot the baked potatoes,” Emmie said.
"Yikes, we sure did."
"No worries. Grandma taught me a microwave trick for potatoes, so technically, we're good."
I showed her my best attempt at a few ocean waves. I was trying, but drawing was not my area of expertise.
"Emmie, it's a good thing we're not entering a contest."
Later that evening, after dessert and more drawing, Emmie retired to her room, and I had to head home. I was down to one day of prep time left before the grand opening, and I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.
"I wish you could stay a little longer," Cole said.
"I do too, but I'll be useless in the morning if I don't get some sleep."
"I'll walk you to the car,” he offered.
We walked hand in hand to the driver's side of my car before pausing to say our goodbyes.
"About the whole Lexi thing. I promise nothing is going on between us. Is she being overbearing? Absolutely. There was a long period when I didn't have anyone special in my life, so I really didn't give much thought to her interacting with Emmie."
"Cole, it's clear that Emmie likes her. I don't want to interfere with that."
"Yeah, but it's also clear that Lexi is using it as a way to get under your skin. I'll deal with her. Besides, the job should be winding down soon anyway. Then there's the fundraiser, but I'll find a way around that too."
"Thank you."
"There's something else I wanted to talk about,” he said.
"What's that?"
"I was serious when I said this would be the perfect setting for a ceremony. The truth is, it wouldn't matter to me if it were here or anywhere in the world. But, I can definitely see myself spending the rest of my life with you. Emmie and Mom love you too. You're a perfect fit for us, Payton."
I didn't know what to say. It felt good to hear, but I was nervous at the same time. There were so many significant changes going on in my life. Last year there was the divorce, moving back home, and meeting Cole. Then there was the whole ordeal with selling the Inn and Dad's health, and now the store. I don't know how many more changes I could handle.
"You seem hesitant. Most people say when you meet the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, you just know. For me, it's pretty clear."
I knew I couldn't just stand there without responding.
"I love you, Cole. You and Emmie and Alice mean everything to me."
"But you're not ready to talk about a marriage yet. I get it,” he said.
"That's not what I meant."
He leaned on the back of the car, looking in another direction.
"Cole, please don't do this. We had a wonderful night. Let's not spoil it now. I love you with all my heart. You know I do."
"So, you think that me pouring out my heart to you is spoiling the night?"
"No. I just meant…"
"Don't worry about it."
"Cole?"
"Don't worry about it. Forget I ever said anything."
"Come on, Cole. Are you serious? Can you just put yourself in my shoes for a minute? If you took just a half a second to look at the roller coaster of a life I've had before now, I think you would better understand. I'm not saying no. I just need to think it through."
We stood in silence for another minute. I knew his feelings were hurt, but I was hoping he would understand.
"It's getting late. Send me a message to let me know when you get in,” he said.
"Okay."
/> Cole walked back toward the front porch. There was no kiss and no hug, just a somber end to the evening.
Rebecca
If Ethan and I were going to be working together, I needed to lay down a few ground rules. He was nothing like the guy I knew back in high school. Yet, he was behaving as if we were still best friends who hadn't lost track of time.
I waited until we were alone and told him what was on my mind.
"Listen, we have to lay down some ground rules if we're going to be working on the same case. Rule number one, I'm not helping you, so stop asking me a ton of questions. That's what your legal assistant is for. My job is to defend my client."
"I didn't expect that you would,” he responded.
"Good. Rule number two, you will treat me as a professional colleague at all times. I'm not the same Rebecca you knew from Pelican High. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
I grunted at his snarky response.
"Is that all?" he said.
"For now, it is."
"You've changed a lot. The Rebecca Matthews I knew had a little fire and passion in her but was always nice to me. I don't recognize this Rebecca at all."
"What did you expect would happen when you started calling me by my nickname in front of my colleagues? No one calls me Becks at work. You didn't think I would be embarrassed or that people would wonder why you were being so personal?"
"Okay, I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"You were just showing off. You're trying way too hard to make a name for yourself, but nobody cares, Ethan."
"Rebecca."
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
It was about time he showed me a little respect.
"Can we start over?"
"How?" I said.
"Well, let's start with the basics. How have you been?"
I was way past the point of wanting to have small talk.
"I'm fine, Ethan, thanks for asking. Look, I have to run. I'll see you in court on Friday morning."
I left him standing in the hallway with his briefcase in hand.
I planned to work from home this afternoon, but not before stopping to check on my parents first.
I drove with my convertible top down and the radio playing all the way to their front door. From the looks of things, I wasn't the only sibling who decided to stop by for a visit.
"Hi, Aunt Rebecca."
"Hey, Maggie. Where have you been, girlie? I haven't seen you and Aidan in a while."
My niece and nephew were covering the driveway with sidewalk chalk.
"We've mostly been at the pool every day."
"Come here and give me some sugar."
They gave me a hug and wet kisses before returning to their drawings.
"Is your Mom inside?"
"Yes, she just went to get us some more chalk. She'll be right back."
"Alright. I'm going to go inside to see Gram. Make sure you stay nearby where we can see you."
"Okay."
Abby and I almost bumped right into each other at the door.
"Hey, Abby."
"Hi. Long time no see. Where have you been lately?"
I put my bag down on the couch.
"Working non-stop. Apparently, I'm too busy for my own good. I can't remember the last time I saw the kids."
"I guess it comes with the territory of being a lawyer,” she said.
"Yeah, I guess. How's Wyatt?"
"He's pretty good. Thankfully he's been able to adjust his schedule to work from home a couple of days a week, so it's nice."
"I'm going to do the same thing this afternoon. Just thought I'd stop by and see what Mom and Dad were up to first."
"Mom is digging around a few boxes looking for some more sidewalk chalk and Dad…"
Dad walked in while Abby was talking and finished her sentence.
"Dad is ready for his afternoon nap!"
Ever since dad had the incident with wandering away from home, it made me realize just how precious life is. Thankfully, it hasn't happened since then. However, I think everyone functions very differently as a result.
"Dad, you definitely have the right idea. A nap sounds pretty nice right about now. Either that or squeezing in some beach time, which I never seem to get enough of these days."
Abby gave Dad a pillow to use while sitting in his recliner.
"Speaking of beach time. I'm not sure how we all got out of the habit of Saturday morning breakfast and beach time together, but we need to find a way to get it started again,” Abby said.
"Somebody pinch me. I must be dreaming. My older sister actually wants to spend time with me?"
"Don't spoil it, Rebecca. I just think it was a nice tradition that all of us had going, and somehow we're letting our busy schedules get in the way. I'd hate for all of us to look back one day and regret it."
"True. I'm sure it's going to be even more difficult for Payton with the grand opening. I have to make it my business to stop by the store tomorrow. I know it's a big day for her."
"She'd like that a lot. We're all going over to show our support tomorrow."
Mom entered the living room with a gigantic bag of sidewalk chalk.
"One large bag of sidewalk chalk coming right up."
"Thanks, Mom. If I would've known it was going to be such an intense search, I wouldn't have said anything."
"Oh, it's no bother. I knew I had some. It was just a matter of remembering where."
She came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
"I thought I heard your voice. How's my girl?"
"I'm good. I came to check on you and dad. It looks like he's ready for a nap, and you look like you're buried in chalk."
She looked down and dusted her pants off. Mom was the kind of grandmother who always kept fun toys and games on hand to keep her grandkids entertained.
"I guess I do look a little dusty."
Abby grabbed a folding chair to take outside.
"I'll be outside with the kids if you need me."
"Okay, dear."
"Rebecca, would you like something to eat?"
"I'm good, Mom. I can't stay long. I'm supposed to be working from home this afternoon."
"Oh, okay. Well, I won't hold you up now, but when you have a chance, I have some legal papers I want to show you."
"Legal papers? Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine. It's about your uncle's estate. After he passed away a couple of years ago, he left a few things to the family. Anyway, I thought all of that was sorted out a long time ago. I barely understand all the legal jargon, so when you have some time, I'd like to sit down and go through everything."
"I can take a quick glance at it now if you'd like."
"No, no, you need to get your work done. We'll sit down sometime soon, on a day when you're not working."
"Okay, I'll leave it up to you to remind me. On another note, how has Dad been?"
"You know your father, Rebecca." She spoke more softly.
"He still has his days, where he struggles to remember things. He's also as stubborn as a mule, which makes my job more difficult."
"Maybe he's not aware of just how bad it is?"
"I don't know. Some days are good and other days not so much. I'm worried that the latest tests are going to come back with more severe results."
"Really?"
I followed mom to the back, where we could talk more freely.
"I watched his father struggle with the same thing. I'm not trying to speak it into existence, but the behavior looks so familiar. Just keep praying for your father, and let's hope that I'm wrong."
"I will. And, I want you to promise me you're going to remain positive. Besides, it's not like Dad hasn't been to see the doctors before. I'm sure they would've told us if there was something more severe going on."
"Maybe."
Mom didn't seem to be as optimistic, but she did live with Dad and was able to see everything firsthand.
"Don't forget to s
top by Payton's place tomorrow."
"I won't. I was just telling Abby that I plan on being there. We certainly have plenty going on to keep us all busy."
"You're right about that, but I look forward to having something to celebrate."
"Me too."
I started making my way back to the living room to pick up my purse.
"I knew I had something to tell you. Guess who's back in town?"
"Who?"
"Ethan."
She thought about it for a minute.
"Ethan Davis. The guy I went to…"
"I know who he is. How could I forget Ethan Davis? I was just shocked, that's all. How is he?"
"Fine, I guess. He's the defense attorney on a case I'm working on."
"Get out of here! What a small world."
"Too small."
"Is he still single?"
"Mom!"
"I was just wondering, that's all. Seeing how you two were prom king and queen, and almost destined to be married."
"Okay, clearly, I made a mistake by sharing. I wouldn't care if he was single, married, or otherwise. He walked in that courtroom like an arrogant jerk and had the nerve to call me Becks in front of everyone just like it was old times. Ugh. How unprofessional."
Mom thought it was amusing. I felt like I could spit fire just thinking about it.
"After all these years, I see he still has an effect on you."
"That's my cue to get back to work. I have a pile of paperwork to go through and a ton of research to do."
She yelled behind me as I made my way to the door.
"Mmm-hmm. Have fun, dear. And tell Ethan I said hi when you see him again."
"I'll do no such thing. Then, he would know I was talking about him."
"So, you care about what he thinks?"
I marched right out of the house. I knew she was just being funny, but the last thing I needed was to be teased about Ethan. I'll admit to feeling raw after he left, but that was so long ago. Now, there was no way he could have an effect on me, no matter how hard he tried!
Payton
The first hour of the opening was quiet. My family stopped by to celebrate and dropped off an assortment of cookies to leave out for my customers. As time passed, my excitement was starting to dwindle.
"Honey, give it some time. The whole town knows about your store. We put up fliers, you posted ads, now you just have to be patient and wait. Besides, you have one special visitor who's just walked in the front door."
Sunsets At Pelican Beach (Pelican Beach Book 2) Page 4