The Sweetest Thing

by Leeanna Morgan

  When they separated, Patrick had tears in his eyes. “Mary used to tell me I had the roar of a lion and the heart of an angel. Your grandma saw through my gruffness when a lot of people couldn’t. I might be eighty-one years old, but it’s time I changed.”

  The determination on his granddad’s face worried Noah. “You’re not going skydiving, are you?”

  “Skydiving? Good grief, no. I might be ready to turn over a new leaf, but I’m not crazy. I’m going on a vacation.”

  Noah waited for his granddad to say something else, but he sat in his chair, looking incredibly pleased with himself. “A vacation?”

  Patrick picked up his knife and fork. “That’s right. I’ve heard it’s the best way to get in touch with your feelings. I’m not combining it with any business meetings or market research. For one week, I’ll go somewhere I’ve never been and have fun.”

  Noah’s eyebrows nearly shot off the top of his head. It sounded as though his granddad was going through a midlife crisis. Except Patrick was about thirty years too late. “Where are you going?”

  “I’ve got no idea, but I’ll think of something before Sunday.”

  Noah cut a slice of beef and pushed it onto his fork. His granddad was never spontaneous. Everything, right down to what day of the week he went grocery shopping, was planned with military precision. “You do know it’s Friday.”

  “Of course I know what day of the week it is. Now tell me about Cassie. How are you going to woo her back?”

  Noah nearly choked. His granddad had never asked about any of his girlfriends.

  “Well?” Patrick asked. “You must have one or two ideas you want to try.”

  “I’m not sure Cassie wants to be wooed.”

  “Nonsense. Everyone wants to feel special, and Cassie is no exception. She’s a bright, intelligent, and beautiful young woman. If you don’t do something, she’ll fall in love with someone else.”

  Noah’s heart sank. “Does Jack know you’re getting in touch with your feelings?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll make sure I see him before I leave Manhattan. Someone needs to talk with him before he turns into a replica of you and me.”

  “I turned out all right.”

  Patrick’s smile was full of pride. “Of course you did. You’re a chip off the old block.”

  Noah didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Thank goodness his granddad had Jack on his radar. That would give him something to focus on while Noah concentrated on Cassie.

  Because his granddad was right. Cassie would fall in love with someone else if he didn’t show her she could trust him.

  On Sunday night, Cassie opened her front door. When she saw who was standing on her veranda, her mouth dropped open. “Mr. Devlin? What are you doing here?”

  Noah’s grandfather smiled. “I believe you’ve received a booking for Acorn Cottage for the next seven days. I’m your new guest.”

  “Are you sure? The only reservation that came through was for a Mr. Potts.”

  Patrick shrugged. “Noah told me he hasn’t spoken to you for a couple of weeks. I was worried you wouldn’t accept my booking if you knew it was me. In my haste to get here, I borrowed the name of my neighbor’s cat.”

  Despite her shock at seeing Patrick, Cassie smiled. “I would have been more concerned if Noah were standing in front of me.”

  “Well, you don’t have to worry about that.”

  Cassie studied the innocent expression on Patrick’s face. “Noah said you worked long hours and never took time off.”

  “That was the old me. From now on, I’m going to enjoy life. And it starts with a relaxing vacation.” He turned toward Flathead Lake and took a deep breath. “This is a beautiful place to call home.”

  “It is.” She still wasn’t convinced Patrick’s intentions were entirely honorable but, he’d come a long way, and she wasn’t going to turn him away. “I’ll take you across to the cottage. There’s an information pack in the cottage with lots of ideas about things you can do while you’re here. I can book any tours you want to do.”

  “Thank you. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the things Noah told me about.”

  “If there’s anything he did that you can’t find, just let me know.” Taking a set of keys off the hall table, Cassie stepped outside. Patrick’s car was parked by the cottage, so she didn’t have to worry about carrying his suitcases across the grass. “There’s a basket of local food on the dining room table and fresh milk, bread, and butter in the refrigerator. If you need anything else, I’ll be happy to bring it across.”

  “Do you treat all of your guests so well?”

  Cassie smiled. “You’re extra special.” She slowed her pace to make it easier for Patrick to walk beside her. Coming all the way from Manhattan was tiring for anyone, but for an eighty-one-year-old, it would be worse. “Have you had dinner?”

  Patrick stopped and caught his breath. “I bought a sandwich at Polson Airport.”

  “Would you like to share some of my soup? I made it this afternoon and, if I do say so myself, it’s delicious.”

  The twinkle in Patrick’s eyes was good to see. “Homemade soup sounds wonderful. Did I tell you that Noah’s grandma loved making soup? Mary had a favorite recipe for each season.”

  Cassie wrapped her hand around Patrick’s elbow. “No, you didn’t. Which one did you like the best?”

  As Patrick told her about the pumpkin soup that was better than anything he’d ever tasted, Cassie smiled. Regardless of why he was here, she would make sure Noah’s granddad enjoyed every moment of his stay. She just hoped he hadn’t told Noah where he’d gone.

  One Devlin male was enough to handle. Two would be impossible.

  Chapter 17

  Two days later, Cassie handed Megan some pillowcases and half a dozen sheets. For the last hour they had been volunteering at The Welcome Center. Making the beds and replacing the towels was a big job, especially when all the rooms were being used.

  “How long is Noah’s granddad staying at the cottage?” Megan asked.

  “He leaves on Sunday morning. I wonder if he told Noah he was coming to Sapphire Bay.”

  Megan shrugged. “I don’t know. If you’re worried about him, maybe you should call Noah and ask if everything is all right.”

  That was the last thing Cassie wanted to do. “Patrick is fine. He went fishing on Flathead Lake yesterday and brought home a huge brown trout. He was incredibly proud of himself.”

  “I bet he was.” Megan picked up four towels. “If he enjoys fishing, he’ll probably spend more time on the lake.”

  “That’s what I thought. Although he seems to be enjoying his time at the center, too.” Cassie took some more sheets out of the cupboard and walked down the hallway.

  When she was getting ready to come into town, she’d met Patrick as he returned from a walk. After she’d told him about The Welcome Center, he’d offered to come and help with whatever needed doing. Not long after they arrived, they’d met Mr. Jessop, the center’s gardener. He’d taken one look at Patrick and asked if he wanted to help in the vegetable garden.

  Before she knew what was happening, Patrick was picking cherry tomatoes off the vine and chatting with Mr. Jessop. Anyone who saw them would think they’d been buddies their entire lives.

  “Has Noah tried calling you again?”

  Cassie pulled out a bed from the wall. “Apart from the message he left on my phone, I haven’t heard from him. He’s probably busy at work.”

  “Maybe you should call him. If nothing else, he’s your boss.”

  “I can’t call him.” Cassie flicked open a bottom sheet and tucked it under the mattress. “After what I said, he must think I’m a terrible person.”

  “I wouldn’t be too sure about that. He told you he loves you. Noah doesn’t seem like the type of person who would say that to many people.”

  He wasn’t the only one. Cassie kept her feelings to herself, especially when it meant she could get hurt. She missed Noah drea
dfully and wished she hadn’t been quite so quick to judge him. But no amount of regret could change what had happened.

  Megan added a top sheet to the bed she was making. “At some point you’ll have to talk to him. The longer you leave it, the harder it will be.”

  “What if I make an idiot of myself? For all I know, he could be dating someone else by now.”

  “That’s why you should call him.” Megan looked around the room and smiled. “Have you ever noticed how everything looks so much better when the beds have clean sheets on them?”

  Cassie tucked the corner of the blanket under the mattress. “Only a person who is addicted to housework would agree with you.”

  “It’s an occupational hazard when you have a seven-year-old in the house. You wouldn’t believe the treasures Nora finds in the garden. Last week she brought a container of worms and bugs inside. Goodness knows what’s going to happen after our new baby is born.”

  “It will be the same, only better. How are you feeling?”

  “I don’t need to carry a sick bag around with me, so that’s an improvement. Everything else is okay. I don’t even mind putting on weight, especially if it means our baby is getting lots of healthy food.”

  Cassie smiled at Megan’s baby bump. “You look amazing.”

  Megan grinned. “I knew there was a reason you’re my friend. Now let’s get this room finished before Pastor John finds us. He’s probably come up with another twenty ideas about how we can raise money for the tiny home village.”

  Cassie moved to the next bed. “He should have worked in marketing instead of becoming a pastor. He has a lot of great ideas.”

  The man in question stuck his head around the door frame. “But then I wouldn’t have met my two favorite fundraising committee members,” John said with a grin. “And you’re right. I do have a few ideas I want to discuss before our next meeting.”

  Cassie handed him a set of sheets. “I’ve heard multitasking is one of your strengths. You can tell us your ideas while you help make the beds.”

  John looked at Megan. “Is it my imagination or has Cassie become bossier since she returned from Manhattan?”

  “That’s what big cities do to you,” Megan said with a grin. “Milwaukee was my downfall, but living in Sapphire Bay has made me more relaxed.”

  John moved a pillow off one of the beds. “Talking about being relaxed, have either of you seen Brooke recently?”

  “I saw her this morning,” Megan said. “Has something happened?”

  “Someone from Wilson Enterprises called her. They like her fudge and want to sell it on the prestige website.”

  Cassie’s eyes widened. “That’s wonderful. Is she excited?”

  John nodded. “She is, and so am I. Brooke told them she wants to donate two dollars from each sale to the tiny home project. Wilson Enterprises have decided to match her donation up to thirty thousand dollars.”

  Megan sat on a bed. “That’s amazing. Thirty thousand dollars will build three houses.”

  “Only if Brooke sells that much candy,” John reminded them. “But I have a cunning plan to make that happen.”

  Cassie laughed. “I thought you might. Tell us what you’re thinking.”

  As they worked their way around the room, John told them about his simple idea. Everyone loved Brooke’s fudge. By tapping into the family and friends of the people of Sapphire Bay, they had a readymade market for her candy. Then if they multiplied that market with the number of social media friends each person had, they should be able to sell a huge amount of fudge. Combined with the extra publicity Wilson Enterprises was planning, everyone would be happy.

  Megan smiled at John. “It’s the perfect win-win solution.”

  “I hope so. I’ve got other ideas, too.”

  Cassie laughed. “I thought you might.”

  By the time John told them about his other plans, they’d finished the next room. After promising to email Cassie with an outline of each idea, he returned to the church for another meeting.

  If she ever moved away from Sapphire Bay, she would miss the sense of family John had created in the church and the community. By working together, they were making a difference, building a brighter future for the whole town.

  She didn’t know if she would ever find the same sense of fulfillment in New York City. But that might not matter. If she didn’t call Noah, she wouldn’t have to worry about going anywhere.

  Noah was in the middle of a meeting with his digital manager when his cell phone vibrated. He glanced at the caller display and frowned. His granddad wouldn’t contact him during work hours unless it were important.

  “I’m sorry, Charles. I need to take this call.” His manager nodded and Noah walked out of the room. “I hope this isn’t about work, Granddad.”

  “Can’t a man speak to his grandson when he feels like it?”

  “Not when his grandson is the chief executive of the company he co-owns. How is your vacation?”

  “Getting better each day. Did I tell you about the brown trout I caught?”

  Noah smiled. “Only about ten times. I got the photo, too. Are you ready to tell me where you’re staying?” His grandfather had refused to tell him where he’d gone. The photo of the fish hadn’t helped pinpoint his location and neither had any of the other information he’d accidentally shared.

  “You aren’t going to like it.”

  “Is this a polite way of telling me you’re fishing naked off the coast of Costa Rica?”

  “I’m eighty-one years old. If I were going to be naked, it wouldn’t be while I was fishing.”

  Noah choked back a laugh. “Tell me where you are. I promise not to join you.”

  “It’s funny you should say that. I was hoping you might do the opposite. We haven’t had a vacation together in years.”

  “Are you at Mom and Dad’s cottage?”

  “Nope. Not even close.”

  Noah checked his watch. If he didn’t get back to the meeting, the issues with the prestige store’s website wouldn’t get fixed. “I’m too busy to take time off work.”

  “You should never be too busy to have quality time with your family. I’m in Sapphire Bay.”

  For once in his life, Noah was speechless.

  “I thought that might surprise you.”

  Noah dropped his head to his chest. “Why did you go there?”

  “To see Cassie. Don’t worry. She was as surprised as you are.”

  Noah could only imagine what she’d thought when his granddad had arrived. He dreaded asking the next question, but he had to know. “Where are you staying?”

  “At Acorn Cottage.”

  “Why did you go there?” Noah growled. “You could have stayed in town.”

  “I wouldn’t have gotten to know Cassie if I’d stayed somewhere else. I had dinner with her last night.”

  Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re meddling in things you know nothing about.”

  A dry chuckle echoed down the phone. “Your grandmother and I were married for fifty-seven years. We had more than our fair share of disagreements, and some of them were doozies. Would you like to know what I learned?”

  “No, but you’re going to tell me anyway.”

  “You can’t fix a broken wheel from hundreds of miles away. If you love Cassie, get on a plane and ask for her forgiveness. Grovel if you have to. Believe me, what you’re feeling now is nothing compared with how you’ll feel if she walks away from you.”

  “She doesn’t want to speak to me.”

  “You left one message.”

  “I asked her to call me when she’s ready to talk. She hasn’t called.”

  “When was the last time you waited for someone to get back to you?”

  Noah looked for somewhere more private to discuss his non-existent love life. If any of his staff overheard the conversation, the gossip mill would be churning for weeks. “Our relationship isn’t a business transaction. I don’t want to push Cassie for an answer.
What if she tells me to leave her alone?”

  “At least you can say you tried. The trout I caught had more spunk than you’re showing.”

  “Spunk?”

  “Courage. Determination. All the things you used to have.”

  Noah’s mouth slammed shut. It was better than saying something he would regret.

  “If you want to make your relationship with Cassie work, get on a plane. I’ve got to go. Gordon needs some potatoes dug out of the garden for dinner.”

  Noah frowned. “Who’s Gordon?”

  “Come to Sapphire Bay before Sunday and you’ll find out.”

  With those final words ringing in his ears, his granddad ended the call.

  What on earth was happening in Sapphire Bay? It was bad enough that his grandfather had gone to see Cassie. But fishing and digging potatoes?

  Before he returned to his meeting, Noah called his brother. If there was something wrong with their grandfather, Jack would know.

  Three days later, Cassie stood inside the entrance of the old steamboat museum. It was a relief to be here, to know the tiny home village would soon become a reality. With the preliminary work Pastor John had already done, the planning department had approved the development in record time. Now, it was time to start building.

  At seven-thirty this morning, the students from Montana State University and the apprentices from Pastor John’s construction program started the first tiny home.

  Patrick was with them. When he was at The Welcome Center, he’d talked to Pastor John about the project, explaining that, for more than twenty years, he’d worked in the construction industry. He’d offered his expertise and, after talking with the foreman, he was now mentoring a team of apprentices as they tackled the first house.

  Cassie quickly realized that, even though Patrick was eighty-one years old, nothing, except a little arthritis in his knees, would slow him down.

  She opened a door on the far side of the entrance and smiled. Megan was working with four other volunteers, measuring and cutting the fabric that would become curtains for each house.