Cassie’s lips tipped with a slight smile. “I need to see the downtown one online influencer called ‘a classic beachfront paradise where it’s the fourth of July every day.’”
“Okay then,” Kyle said, laughing. “I’ll take the scenic route to the hardware store.” He led the way through the winding hallway to the kitchen.
“This is nice,” she said, glancing around the warm, sunny room. “Is this where they serve the breakfast part of the B&B experience?”
“Sure is. Apparently, Kat’s head chef nowadays, but this will always be Gran’s turf first. I’m sure they’ll both whip up something amazing tomorrow morning. I’m hoping for honey nut pancakes. A Sandpiper Cottage specialty.”
“I can’t wait,” Cassie revealed, dropping her guard slightly.
Together they walked to his sportster parked on the back gravel driveway.
“This looks like an extremely expensive car. What gives? Feel the need for speed?” she taunted him with a smirk.
“Most days,” Kyle admitted. “I suppose it’s an status thing. I need to look the part for work.” He opened his passenger side door for her and closed it once she was settled inside. “AC or windows?” he asked her.
“Definitely windows. I want to smell the ocean air.”
His car growled to a rumbling start, and he did as she asked, lowering the windows, and opening the sunroof for her. Then he eased out onto the shore road, heading toward downtown.
Cassie yanked the clip from her long hair, letting it blow in the warm breeze.
God, she’s beautiful. He couldn’t help but be in awe of the woman by his side, as he snuck tiny glances her way. That red dress fits her like a glove. Tiny waist, curves in all the right places. One graceful hand—with sensibly cut fingernails and clear polish—rested on her bare knee.
“Is it far?” she asked, jarring him from his thoughts.
“Nothing is far on Last Chance Beach. It’s a small island. This side is considered quiet. The beach and the lighthouse being the biggest draws for tourists. You saw the other side with the bridge and ferry landing. That gets insanely busy, especially in summer between Fridays and Sundays.”
“So, there’s the Halloween dance tonight. Where’s that?”
“At The Sands. It’s one of the bigger resorts downtown with a ballroom.”
“And what happens after that?” she asked him, speaking more words than she had since arriving, making Kyle wonder if she was warming up to the idea of a weekend together.
Commence sales-mode.
“Tomorrow is a full day of Fall Festival happenings. Businesses all around the island participate, hosting games and events. There are food trucks, bands, fun stuff. Later today, Ben Hadley, my sister Kat’s boyfriend—um...fiancé now—is bringing more supplies for the maze and pumpkin patch. That’s Sandpiper Cottage’s contribution this year.”
“I saw all the bales and pallets of pumpkins alongside that big red barn,” she said. “Secondhand Hearts Antique Shop? That’s your grandmother’s other business?”
“Yeah, I’ll give you a tour later if you’d like,” he offered. “Or Gran definitely will. If you’re into antiques, she’ll really love you. Be prepared for her to monopolize a chunk of your time.”
Cassie didn’t answer. Instead, she looked away to stare out the window and the passing scenery. Yet she did settle deeper into his butter yellow leather seats. The scent of some exotic spice mingled with flowers, and it drifted to him on the breeze, likely coming from her glorious hair. Jet black and silky beyond belief, Kyle couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like, slipping through his fingers. That soft, sleek, dark curtain, falling about her naked shoulders when she leans down to kiss...
Kyle shook his head, banishing the sexual fantasy from his brain. Thankfully, they didn’t speak for the remainder of the drive. Festival traffic was piling up, but he lucked into a parking spot on Main Street not far from the hardware store. “I’m going to pick up the new AC. You’re welcome to come along, but it’s kind of boring.”
Cassie glanced up and down the bustling street filled with visitors. “I think I’ll people-watch from that bench down there.”
“Go for it,” he told her. “You’ve got my cell number if you need me.”
She turned away, strolling down the sidewalk. People made way for her, gawking at her unique look. In the sea of typical Last Chance Beach tourists—sunburns, t-shirt, flipflops—Cassie Corwin was a beautiful anomaly. Clearly, she danced to her own drumbeat, and Kyle both liked and admired her.
“Okay...AC...Think, brother,” he coached himself, attempting to focus on his task.
A door alarm heralded his arrival to the owner of the store. “Hey, Mr. Hooper,” Kyle said to the man behind the long counter.
“That you, Worthington?” Jake Hooper grumbled, dropping little round spectacles into place across the bridge of his nose. “I haven’t seen you in ages. How’s your grandma?”
“She’s great. Bracing for tomorrow’s festivities,” he said with a light chuckle. “You stopping by to pick your pumpkin?” he teased, knowing the man’s answer.
“Egh...What would I do with some overpriced gourd from the mainland?”
“That’s the spirit, Mr. Hooper. Good to know some things never change,” Kyle told the old grump. He cut to the chase. “I’m looking for a window AC. Got any left this late in the season?”
“Isle five. Can’t miss ’em. No sale yet though, so don’t even ask, Mr. Salesman. The heat ain’t over yet.”
Kyle scoffed at Hooper’s lame attempt at a slight. He wasn’t his father, always haggling. The store owner and his old man banged heads often in the past. In Hooper’s defense, he loved Gran and Grandpa Mike—everyone did—so he was torn as to how to behave around Stone Worthington’s kids. Folks in town knew his father had few scruples. Unfortunately, their disdain often spilled over onto Kyle. Guilt by association. Who was he kidding? This was all ancient history. A trap in his mind. Not that some folks ever got over things. Especially in a small community like Last Chance Beach.
Twenty minutes later, Kyle loaded Gran’s new AC in his trunk after having a decent conversation with old Mr. Hooper. Turns out he’d been sick and only recently recovered from surgery. Kyle lent a hand by moving a few heavy things that were getting in his way. All in all, he’d smoothed things over. The man even gave him a smile as he was leaving the shop.
Kyle worked his way down the busy street to the bench where Cassie said she’d wait for him, but she was gone. Spinning, he looked up, down, and all around, but to no avail. He was about to text her when, right on cue, his phone buzzed with the name of a nearby store. A quick jaunt, and he found her, riffling through costumes on a clothing carousel on the sidewalk in front. Her pretty pink lip was snagged between white teeth as she searched. She gave him a quick smile when he approached, and his heart gave a little flip.
“What’s your alter ego telling you to be tonight, a monster, a superhero?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
“I have no idea,” he said with a laugh. “I think beggars can’t be choosers this late in the game.” He let his curiosity surrounding her get the better of him and asked, “So...do you have a costume for tonight’s dance?”
She hesitated, her dark-eyed stare connecting with his. “I do. But I always enjoy looking at Halloween costumes. You never know. I might find something I like better.”
“Are you going to tell me what your costume is, or do I need to guess?”
“You need to wait. Patience, Kyle,” she said in a haughty tone.
“Kyle Worthington is that you?” someone said from behind them.
“Uh oh,” he uttered when hearing the feminine voice. He turned to face the woman exiting the store. “Sue. It is Sue, right?”
“Huh, you remember. I don’t know if I should be flattered or pissed. Is this your little girlfriend?” she challenged.
Cassie stood a bit taller, as the aggressive older female gave her the once over.<
br />
“This is Sue,” he awkwardly pointed out. “We hung out when we were younger.”
“Younger? Sugar, you weren’t acting like no baby boy that spring break,” the blonde bombshell in skintight jeans and a Ride My Waves t-shirt scolded him. She spoke directly to Cassie. “He was here with a pack of randy frat boy from the mainland.”
Kyle released a strangled chuckle. He was stuck between two increasingly irritated females with no escape.
“Looking for a costume? How about a clown?” Sue continued, pulling off a straight face.
Cassie laughed outright then. Yet she moved closer and eased between Kyle and the other woman. As if to say, That’s enough, Sue. “Thanks for your suggestion,” she said with a dismissive look, “but we like to do our own shopping. We’ll call you if we need you.”
Sue lingered with a sour expression until conceding Cassie wouldn’t back down. With a humph, she stalked away, leaving them alone.
“Nice vibe. Seems you made quite an impression on ol’ Sue back in college,” she jeered.
“Let’s just say she wasn’t happy when I wasn’t willing to stick around the island.” He focused on the clothing rack again, praying the subject would now be dead and buried.
“Do you have boots?” Cassie asked, happily moving on to something new. “You could go as a cowboy. This one has a vest and nifty hat?” she teased him. “Seems easy enough if you packed jeans.”
“I have my grandfather’s old boots with me. I was planning to return them to Gran. I haven’t worn them since she gave them to me years ago. Honestly...they’re a bit hard to let go of though. Or to wear. What’s the saying? Big shoes to fill?”
Cassie leveled a probing stare on him. “Well then...it sounds like you need to be a cowboy tonight.”
Kyle suddenly had the distinct feeling Cassie could see right through all his bullshit. The sensation was uncomfortable, raw, and unnerving. A chink in his armor was clearly exposed. Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel as if she was judging him. Rather she was nudging him to make a good choice.
He snatched the hanger from the rack and checked out, ignoring nasty Sue altogether by going to another register.
Last Chance Market was next on their list of stops. Kyle bought Odin a big box of dog treats.
Soon it was time to head back to the inn, so he could help with setup for the festival.
Sandpiper Cottage was barely recognizable when they pulled onto the gravel drive. Volunteers were buzzing about. Men, women, teenagers. Kat and Ben’s friends likely, all there to transform a beachfront property into an autumn setting.
“You’re back just in time,” Gran said, waving them into the house from the back porch.
Kyle followed Cassie into the kitchen, and he instantly became concerned. “What’s this?” he asked when she dropped to the floor to examine her dog.
“He’s fine,” Gran spoke up right away. “I had to get him from your room though, Cassie. Poor dear was about to claw through the door.”
“That’s not like him,” Cassie assured them both with a worried frown. “I’ll pay for any damages.”
“No damage, child. I heard him barking like the world was coming to an end,” she expounded. “When I opened the door, he flew down the stairs and ended up barking at the back door. I didn’t let him out for fear he’d get lost.”
“That’s really not like him,” Cassie piled on. She stroked his black fur as the big dog rested his head on her shoulder. “He typically rests whenever I leave him alone. And he rarely barks. I feel so bad. Did he think I left him?”
“Something got his fur standing up,” Gran reasoned. “But he was alright after some ham and cheese.”
Cassie gave a surprised laugh, yet she still looked concerned. “I bet he was. You okay, big guy?”
Gran looked to Kyle. “Boomer came in for a bit, and that helped him settle down. Dog has a sixth sense when it comes to deli meat,” she said, chuckling.
“Who’s Boomer?” Cassie asked.
Kyle came forward to stroke Odin’s satiny head. He scratched his tall ears, comforting the dog. “That’s Ben’s Yellow Lab. He goes everywhere with him, according to Kat.”
“Awe...You had a canine companion to make you feel better, Odie,” she cooed. “I’m sorry he caused trouble, Haddie. As I said, it’s very unlike him.”
“Don’t you fret. We’re fast friends now, right puppy boy?” Gran said directly to Odin.
“Puppy boy, that’s so sweet,” Cassie gushed, yet her expression turned serious again. “I’d better not go tonight, Kyle. I don’t want a repeat performance of what happened here today.”
“Never you mind,” Gran insisted. “I’ll be home all night. Kat taped my stories, so I’ll be young and restless if you get my drift.” Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “Tell you what though, as payment for dog-sitting tonight, you can take that heavy tray of iced tea and lemonade out to our volunteers. How’s that sound?”
Cassie considered the large tray filled with glasses. “Deal. Thanks, Haddie.”
Kyle and Gran watched in surprise as she hoisted the overloaded tray easily onto one shoulder. She winked at him. “Never said I didn’t wait tables to put myself through college.”
CHAPTER 6
Outside, Cassie went from person to person, introducing herself with a warm smile while offering Gran’s helpers the homemade refreshments. Kyle went straight to work alongside Ben and the others erecting the haybale maze. Someone turned on a car radio, and within moments, everyone was having fun and getting in a great work rhythm.
Cassie set aside the empty tray and spun when someone tapped her shoulder.
“Cassie?” a tall, beautiful blonde woman asked with a tentative smile. “I’m Kat, Kyle’s oldest sister.”
“Hey, Kat, nice to meet you. Kyle told me congratulations are in order. Let me see,” she said, holding out her hands in anticipation of seeing the shiny new engagement ring.
“Oh...wow...” Kat blushed. “It’s still so new. I kinda want to pinch myself.”
“It’s beautiful. I wish you oodles happiness,” Cassie told her.
“Thank you. And I want to hear everything about you and Kyle. We haven’t spoken much lately. When we do it’s always about family. Or this event. He surprised us last night by saying he was bringing you here this weekend. A very pleasant surprise,” she added.
Cassie silently acknowledged the uncomfortable crossroads she was poised at. She could call out Kyle right then and there. Drag him to the carpet for lying to her and his family. But his big sister looked so happy. Loving and hopeful about his surprise new relationship that she just couldn’t do. But how far am I willing to go with this charade?
“It was a last-minute decision,” was all she said, theoretically telling the truth.
“Well, I’m glad you came,” Kat said, giving her a sisterly squeeze. “I’m getting ready to set up tables for a charity bake sale in the antique shop. It’s cooler in there. You want to help me?”
“I’d love to,” Cassie agreed. She met Kyle’s panicked stare as she walked, arm in arm with his sister, past him and the others, heading toward the entrance to the big red barn.
“Where are you going,” he mouthed.
She looked away quickly as punishment, thinking...Let him stew for a bit.
Inside the shop, it was cool and quiet, as the world outside became muffled and disappeared altogether. The soft tinkling of bells sounded as she closed the door behind, sealing them in. Stacked boxes stood in front of her. To her side...a giant stuffed grizzly bear guarded the entrance.
“That’s Teddy,” Kat said with a quirky grin. “We three grandkids named him back when he first arrived. I’d never seen such a big crate. I’m not completely certain, but I think my Grandpa Mike won him in a card game. A game he wasn’t supposed to be playing. I remember Gran wasn’t too fond of Teddy back then. But he kind of grows on you. Like mold, Gran often teased. Now she pets Teddy’s paw every time she enters.”
“Yo
ur gran is wonderful,” Cassie told her. “You’re lucky to have her.”
Kyle’s sister agreed and then went around flipping switches, turning on a series of lights and freestanding lamps throughout the cluttered shop.”
“This is seriously amazing,” Cassie said in awe, as her gaze traveled the vast amount of stuff packed into the space. She took a deep breath, savoring the smell of old things and of history. “It’s been years since I’ve been in an antique store. I used to go antiquing with my mom when I was a kid,” she admitted, surprising herself. She rarely, if ever, talked about her family. And they went to thrift stores, not antique stores, but she wasn’t about to admit that detail to Kyle’s sister.
“Feel free to look around. I’m just going to move some things around to make room for the tables. I’ll call you when I’m ready to move the bigger stuff,” Kat said.
Cassie gladly wove her way through the labyrinth of old things toward the back side of the building. Antique china and glassware, old-fashioned toys, books, and furniture. Things from everywhere and many different eras. A collection of vintage holiday vinyls sparked memories of when her parents had been together. That one Christmas when everything was supposed to be alright. They’d both sworn to her. But then her father started drinking again. The fighting always came next.
The mental image of her mom, sporting a black eye, raced into her head. How was it something that happened so long ago could come rushing back to you when you least expected it? If only she could just as easily remember to praise herself for pulling the frayed edges of their lives back together once her father finally left them alone. Pat herself on the back for finishing high school and heading off to college. For graduating top of her class and going on to learn more. If only she could see her mother’s face when she gifted her that money to move across the country to make a fresh start. If only...
Kyle’s family was the absolute opposite of her own. He’d grown up with loving grandparents and parents, who were still together. Two sisters, whereas she was an only child of a single mother. He’d obviously was born with a silver spoon. Frat boys and sportscars? Yup, we come from two very different worlds. No way am I sharing my story with these people.
Sand, Salt, and Spirits--Last Chance Beach Romance Page 4