She opened the slider, and he scooted inside. Then she turned to the painting and picked up the brush. She’d told Chandler she would drop the paintings off this afternoon. She’d better get those final touches in soon so it would have time to dry.
Jane watched as Andie pushed the centerpiece a smidge to the left. They were out on the back deck of Tides, setting up the table-scape for the reception so they could have something to show Courtney and her mother. They weren’t arriving for another day, but Jane didn’t want to leave it to the last minute.
Jane and Andie had been moving things around, standing back. Moving more things. Cooper was apparently uninterested, lying on the edge of the deck near the railing, the ocean breeze ruffling his golden fur.
Andie stepped back and tilted her head as she assessed the arrangement. “There, I think that’s perfect.”
The table did look perfect with the backdrop of the ocean, the crisp white cloth, sparkling cut crystal wine glasses, white porcelain gold-rimmed dinner plates, and the white flower centerpiece with blue ribbon.
“I agree,” Jane said, glad that all the moving about was done. She honestly didn’t see how moving the knife one millimeter to the left made a big difference, but Andie knew more about this stuff than she did, so she’d deferred to her sister’s expertise.
“We just need the candles,” Andie said.
“Maxi is bringing those tomorrow morning.” Jane glanced over toward the area where the tent would be set up on the morning of the wedding. Since the wedding was an evening affair, the tent rental place had advised they do the setup that morning instead of the day before.
Andie put her arm around Jane’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
“I suppose. It’s just that Courtney is so picky.” Jane’s gaze drifted to the bathhouse, with its quaint sailboat shutters and colorful window boxes. Andie had loaded them with flowers, and they’d spruce up the inside of the bathhouse with giant conch shells, starfish, and sea glass on the towel shelves and vanities. Her gaze drifted to the arbor. “Did you figure out a method for the roses?”
“Sally had a hard time figuring what to do, but in the end, we figured it out. She said Shane would have been better at it, but he was busy.”
Jane flicked her gaze to her sister, to something unreadable reflected in her hazel eyes. “Disappointed?”
Andie blushed and looked away. “No, of course not. Sally did a great job. It’s going to look fantastic.”
“I’m sure it is.” Jane decided to press her luck. Andie was opening up lately, and she felt like she could get more personal. “So what happened with you and Shane back then? I was too young and self-involved to pay attention. He seems like a really nice guy. And not too hard on the eyes either.”
Andie laughed. “He did age well. I guess our lives just weren’t heading in the same direction. He was going into the navy, and I wanted to be in the city.” She avoided eye contact, looking out at the ocean.
“Seems like maybe now your lives are different. Maybe you're going in the same direction,” Jane said softly.
Andie pursed her lips as if she was ready to protest, but then her face softened. Her expression turned teasing. “So, tell me how the condo shopping went with Mike.”
Now it was Jane’s turn to blush. “I liked the last one we looked at today. It was just on the edge of town in Boulder Hills. The development is pretty, lots of nice landscaping.”
“Is that where the old Swenson farm used to be?”
Jane nodded. While she hated the idea that an old farm was no longer in existence, they had made a nice neighborhood out of it.
“Did Mike like it?”
“I think so. He seemed more interested in finding out if I liked it.”
Andie smirked. “Of course he did.”
Jane frowned. “Why?”
Andie shook her head. “Sis, I think I need to take you under my wing in the relationship department. You’re kind of naive. Mike wants you to like it because he’s hoping you’ll spend a lot of time there.”
“Oh, really?” Jane’s heart fluttered, and she felt flustered. She’d been hoping that was the reason but was also nervous if it was.
“Yeah, any fool can see that.” Andie squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you. Don’t worry. Just enjoy it. He’s a good guy.”
“Yeah, he is, except...”
Andie’s expression turned concerned. “What?”
“I don’t know. The other day at Tall Pines, he got this weird phone call from back home, and he seemed concerned after. He said it was nothing, but I got the impression he was hiding something.”
“Are you sure?” Andie asked. “He doesn’t seem like the type. Maybe you’re just being paranoid.”
Jane turned back to the table and moved a fork a centimeter to the right. “Maybe. You’re probably right.”
Setting her focus back on the table, she pushed thoughts of Mike aside. She had a lot more pressing matters to worry about.
Chapter Eighteen
Andie’s life was becoming more and more about Lobster Bay and less and less about New York City. She now found the ocean breeze much more appealing than the city smog, and working in the garden at Tides and dealing with the guests had given her back her sense of family pride. Not to mention that visits with her mother had become even more precious now that Addie’s memory was failing.
She’d been surprised to discover that helping the residents at Tall Pines with their antiques so that they didn’t get ripped off by the unscrupulous Damien Carruthers was more rewarding than any big find she might have scored in the antique world.
When she’d visited her mother at Tall Pines the day before, Andie had sought out Rita to ask if she could look at the antique shop and apartment. She’d awakened to find a message from a realtor. She could view the shop and apartment this morning if she wanted.
She showered and rushed downstairs to grab some breakfast before heading to the appointment. Brenda was in her glory, anticipating an inn full of guests to cook for.
“Try this New Mexican egg scramble.” Brenda dished up a colorful plate of eggs with peppers, onions, and beans and handed it to Andie.
They were fluffy, spicy, and delicious. “Fabulous. Maybe some sour cream on the side?” Andie said as she shoveled the rest in and picked up her car keys. She only had a few minutes to spare.
Andie ran into Maxi in the foyer. She was just coming in the front door, her arms full of two dozen candles painted with blue stripes.
“Those look great.” Andie took one and examined it. She had a good eye for color, and it looked like a perfect match for the bridesmaid colors.
“Thanks. I hope they pass muster. I hear the bridezilla is coming tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Jane’s on pins and needles, but I think she’ll love everything. It’s all coming together.” Andie hoped. “How are you doing? Are you ready for the art gallery opening?”
Maxi beamed. “It’s all very exciting and overwhelming. But I finished the paintings, so I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Are you going?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it.” Andie cocked her head. “And how are other things going?” Andie was in a hurry to see the antiques store, but she genuinely cared about Maxi. The realtor would wait a few minutes, especially if they wanted their commission.
Maxi sighed. “You mean with James? I don’t know what to do there. It seems like he’s trying to win me back.”
“That doesn’t seem like a bad thing.”
“No, but I think Claire and Jane have something to do with that. Though now that I know the truth, I guess I might have overreacted. I owe him, since I acted like a jerk. But I’m still reluctant to give up my new life.” Maxi shrugged. “Honestly, I’ve been so focused on finishing the paintings, I haven’t thought much about it. Now I need to straighten out the rest of my life.”
“Do you still love him?” Andie asked.
Maxi nodded. “I do. It’s just that
things are different now. I think we need to approach our relationship carefully so that we mend it in the right way. But I can’t imagine being with anyone else. Especially since Chandler seems a little flirty.”
“Chandler was hitting on you?”
Maxi frowned. “I don’t know if I’d say that. I’m so out of touch with dating, I don’t know if I’d recognize it if someone were hitting on me. But it seems like he’s interested, and it’s making it a bit awkward with the gallery and all. But it’s probably my imagination. Why would anyone be interested in me?”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Any guy would be lucky to have you,” Andie said sincerely. “Chandler usually goes for younger blondes with, um... not as many brains. You’re smart and sophisticated.”
Maxi blushed. “Thanks. I guess maybe I’m getting a little full of myself.”
“Not at all. A woman knows when a guy is flirting. But you shouldn’t let that impact any of your decisions with the art gallery, or your career. Just send Chandler the signal you aren’t interested. I’m sure he wouldn’t take away any opportunities because of that.” Andie hoped he wouldn’t. She’d known Chandler a long time and had never heard of him being a jerk in that way.
“I’m not even sure I know how to send those signals. I guess I’ll be asking for a lot of advice at coffee this morning.” Maxi’s gaze drifted to the keys Andie was jangling in her hand. “Are you heading out somewhere?”
“Yeah. I have a meeting.” Andie didn’t want to tell anyone about the antique store yet. She hadn’t even mentioned it to Jane, and she wasn’t one hundred percent sure she would rent it. No sense in talking about it until she’d made the final decision, and when she did, Jane should be the first to know. “I do have to run. We’ll catch up later? And good luck tonight if I don’t see you before the opening. Break a leg!”
Andie rushed out to her rental. That was another thing. If she decided to stay, she’d have to buy a car. She didn’t have one in New York. Better to make the decision sooner—the rental cost a lot. She was glad Maxi was going to work things out with James and glad Jane, Maxi, and Claire had one another to bounce things off of. She didn’t want to horn in on their coffee hour, but it would be nice to be invited ... if only just once.
Chapter Nineteen
The antique store was crammed full. Depression glass, mahogany furniture, oriental rugs. Andie ran her finger along a half inch of dust that had accumulated on an oak roll-top desk that looked to be from the late 1800s.
“So, as you see, it’s fully stocked already!” the perky realtor, Autumn Blaisedale, said in a chipper voice that grated on Andie. She hadn’t had much choice in who she chose as an agent, though. There were only a few realtors in Lobster Bay, and Andie had made sure not to use the infamous husband-stealing Sandee Harris. Even if the woman hadn’t been cheating with James, she had cheated with Claire’s husband. “This inventory must be worth tens of thousands.”
Irritating voice or not, she had a point. Though Andie wasn’t scrutinizing every item, her experienced eye did pick out a few very nice pieces. Most were fairly common, but that sort of thing appealed to many shoppers. Not everyone was in the market for a rare Ming dynasty vase. As she looked at the items, her pulse quickened. Excitement rippled through her as she pictured herself sorting through the inventory, handling the items, going on house calls in some of the old houses in Lobster Bay, and attending antique auctions.
But she didn’t want to get too excited, lest the chirpy realtor smell an opportunity to jack up the selling price and thus her commission. “It seems adequate.”
Chirpy’s smile dimmed a few watts. “Would you like to see the apartment?”
Andie followed her upstairs. She’d expected a space that was old-fashioned with braided rugs and hand-crocheted doilies, but the upstairs area was a pleasant surprise. It had high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and tall windows that let in tons of natural light. The living area was open to the kitchen and boasted black granite counters with gray cabinets. The original wide pine floors were in good condition. Rita had good taste.
The place boasted two bedrooms, the one in the back with a distant view of the ocean over the rooftops of the smaller buildings behind it. The bathrooms could have used a bit of an upgrade but were serviceable.
Andie could see herself living there. It already felt like home.
“And the hair salon next door is very convenient. They give the best pedicures and amazing cuts.” Chirpy fluffed her short bob. “Such a cute family business, three generations.”
Andie looked out the window to see a woman with long curly gray hair sweeping up in front of the shop. It did look appealing with its gigantic scissors sign and large plants in front. She pulled her own long ponytail over her shoulder, wondering if it might be time for a shorter cut. Jane’s hair looked so cute in its short pixie style, but Andie had had long hair her whole life. She wouldn’t feel like herself if she cut it. The gray hairs coming in, on the other hand, might need a touch-up.
“So what do you think?” Autumn pulled some papers out of her leather briefcase. “Rita is anxious to sell and gave me the financials for the shop. It’s been out of business for five years now, but the numbers should still be fairly relevant.”
Andie would do her due diligence on the shop later to make sure it was in the black. She didn’t need to make a ton of money and still wanted to help Jane at Tides part-time.
“Thanks.” Andie took the papers and did a slow turn around the room. “So, what do you think Rita’s best price is?”
Maxi sat at one of the outdoor café tables at Sandcastles with a blueberry muffin so fresh the steam came out of it when she cut it open. Next to the muffin was a dark roast coffee, but the best part was that she was with her two best friends, Claire and Jane.
Could life get any better? Only if she sold a painting at the gallery opening.
“I’m so excited for the gallery opening tonight!” Claire slathered butter on her muffin, and it immediately started to melt.
“Me, too,” Maxi said. “Okay, mostly I’m nervous.”
“You’ll be fine,” Jane assured. “And the candles came out perfect.”
“The table-scape looked amazing, and Claire’s cake is perfect. I’m sure your bride is going to love it,” Maxi said. Not everything was about her. Jane had something important going on in her life too. Also, when Maxi had dropped off the candlesticks earlier that morning, she’d seen a sample of Claire’s frosted sandcastle cake. The color had almost been an exact match.
Claire let out a breath. “I hope so. I tried to match the frosting color as much as I could.”
“It’s almost identical,” Maxi said. “I’m pretty good with color.”
“Andie said so too.” Jane reached for the other half of her muffin.
“So what’s going on with Andie? She’s been around for a while now. Is she staying in town?” Maxi had been about to ask her to join them for coffee when she’d bumped into her in the lobby at Tides but then Andie rushed off.
Jane shrugged. “She hasn’t said. But it’s been really nice having her. I feel like we’ve reconnected.”
“I was thinking it might be nice to ask her to join our morning coffee meetings,” Maxi said. “I was going to ask this morning, but she was rushing off somewhere. Do you guys mind?”
“Not at all.” Claire turned to Jane. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No. I should have thought of it earlier, but I kept expecting her to leave town abruptly.”
“She seems to be settling in.” Maxi sipped her coffee, looking at her friends over the rim of the mug. They were watching her expectantly. “Okay, I know you guys are dying to ask about James. The truth is I’ve been busy with the paintings, and maybe I’ve been using that as an excuse not to think about our relationship too. I’m actually not sure what to do.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Not since I saw him at the Purple Blueberry.” Maxi put the coffee mug down and leaned for
ward to pet Cooper, who had been lying at Jane’s feet. “By the way, don’t think I don’t know that you both put him up to that... and have you been dressing him too? I noticed he had an outfit that was less...”
“Stodgy?” Claire supplied, and the three of them burst out laughing.
“I guess you might say that.” Maxi admitted that James had taken to going a bit overboard with the business attire.
“I hope you don’t think we were going behind your back.” Jane’s face softened. “He really is in a bad way.”
“Once we were convinced he didn’t cheat on you, we couldn’t help but give him a few pointers.” Claire’s expression turned serious. “I hope we weren’t overstepping.”
Maxi shook her head. “No, I think it might help. I feel like we can’t go back to the way things were. Something has to change.”
“But you are going back.” Jane said it as a statement rather than a question.
Maxi paused, her gaze traveling to the bread store. Claire and Rob had a good thing, and Jane and Mike did too. She couldn’t imagine starting dating again. She had no desire to do that.
When she’d seen James at the Purple Blueberry, she’d been impressed that he was making an effort. She leaned back in her seat. “Yes, we will get back together, but I want to make it perfectly clear that from now on, I’m going to focus on living my best life. I just hope James can see his way to being a part of it.”
Chapter Twenty
Jane and Andie stood at the full-length mirror in Jane’s room. The inn had been spruced up for the arrival of the wedding guests, but tonight was a night for relaxation and fun before the storm of the guests’ arrival.
If only Jane could figure out what to wear.
“What about this one?” Andie pulled a chic black sheath dress out of Jane’s closet and held it up to Jane’s neck then turned her so she could see it in the mirror.
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