Seaside Dreams (Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers, Book One)

by Melissa Foster

  Bella tried to sneak a crumb from the pan, and Leanna pointed a finger at her.

  “Okay, June Cleaver,” Bella teased.

  Jenna came out of the bedroom with her hair askew, blinking the sleep from her eyes. “Something smells delicious.”

  Bella pointed to the muffins, and Jenna reached for one. She got slapped, too.

  “Aw, come on, Mom. Just a taste?” Jenna stuck out her lower lip.

  “You guys always eat the tops and leave the rest. Can’t you wait just until Kurt comes back? Then you can tear them apart.” Leanna carried the muffins outside.

  As soon as she was outside, Jenna turned to Bella. “She slapped my hand.”

  “Mine, too. She just wants to do something nice for Kurt.” Bella grabbed coffee cups and plates, wishing she had woken up in Caden’s arms and made him coffee and muffins. She wondered what he was doing and how things had gone with Evan.

  Jenna snagged jam and butter from the refrigerator, then gathered utensils and napkins. They brought everything to the table on the deck in front of the cottage, and Jenna went back in to check on Amy. She came back out with the coffeepot and creamer.

  “Sleeping Beauty is totally zonked.” Jenna poured coffee for each of them. “Where’s Pepper?”

  “Kurt took him with him on his run. I’ll get sugar.” Leanna went inside and returned a few minutes later. “I slept like a baby last night. Did Amy get up at all?”

  “Not that I remember,” Bella said as she fixed her coffee.

  “She kept grabbing my boob in her sleep and mumbling.” Jenna pulled off her sweatshirt from the night before. She tugged at the tank top she had on beneath.

  “There wasn’t much room. It’s not like she could avoid them,” Bella teased.

  Jenna put her hands under her boobs and pushed them up. “Jealousy will get you nowhere.”

  Speaking of jealousy…Seeing Leanna and Kurt last night had twisted all sorts of jealous twines in Bella’s stomach. She knew she’d done the right thing by leaving Caden and Evan alone, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to be with them.

  Jenna leaned across the table and squeezed Bella’s hand. “Your face is all pinched, so either you need to get laid or you need to get something off your chest, and given that you and Officer Hottie nipped that first one in the bud, what’s going on?”

  Bella sighed and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”

  “I wasn’t going to say anything, but I noticed it, too.” Leanna kicked her feet up on the chair beside her. “And you’d better spill soon. I have to be at the flea market early today.”

  “By early you can only mean nine thirty instead of ten, right?” Jenna snuck a piece of a muffin. “Like late early?” Leanna would be late to her own wedding for sure. She arrived everywhere late, no matter how much she tried to be on time.

  Leanna pointed to the muffins and glared at Jenna, but her smile told of her softening resolve. “Ha-ha. I want to get there by eight. Remember Carey?” Carey sold records at the flea market, and the previous summer he’d had the booth next to Leanna. Booth placement changed often at the flea market, and Leanna was glad when he’d texted and said he was going to be beside her again for the next few weeks.

  “He’s that hot young guy, right?” Jenna asked.

  “He’s not that young. He’s twenty-five,” Leanna said. “He has the booth next to mine this week, and we were going to try to catch up this morning before the crowds come in.”

  “How does Kurt feel about you and Carey?” Bella picked at the muffin she’d snuck when Leanna was inside.

  Leanna rolled her eyes. “You’re kidding, right? Remember last year when Carey kissed me? I told Kurt, remember? He trusts me. Besides, Kurt’s coming, too.”

  “That’s another thing I don’t get.” Jenna kicked her feet up on a chair and leaned back. “How come you get a guy who changes his whole life to be with you, and Bella gets a cop who finally, after a million years, takes her up in the fire tower—which, by the way, I’m totally jealous of—and I can’t get Pete to look at me like a woman?”

  “I thought he was coming fishing with us next weekend,” Bella said.

  “He is. But you know what he said?” She lowered her voice. “Fishing? That sounds great. It’s been a while since I hooked a big one.”

  Leanna and Bella exchanged an eye roll.

  “You’re the queen of innuendos, Jen. How can you be so blind to Pete’s?” Bella shrugged.

  Jenna drew her brows together. “You think…” Her eyes widened. “No.” Her face grew serious again. “Maybe you’re right. Oh my God. You see? Now not only can I not speak around the man, but my brain goes all wonky, too. Maybe I should just forget him altogether.”

  That incited another eye roll from Leanna and Bella. Jenna would never forget Pete.

  Bella turned at the sound of Caden’s voice. He and Kurt were jogging up the road from the entrance. His bare chest glistened with sweat, and when their eyes met, his easy smile sent her to her feet.

  “Caden.” She hurried off the deck.

  “I found him on the access road to the beach and we got to talking,” Kurt explained. Kurt joined the others on the deck, leaving Bella and Caden alone.

  Caden went to Bella, and when she opened her arms, he held his hands up.

  “Sweaty,” he warned.

  “Don’t care.” She hugged him close, and when he leaned down and kissed her, her world righted once again. He was dripping with perspiration, but he still smelled like Caden, and that was a smell that she couldn’t get enough of.

  “How’s Evan?”

  He wiped his forehead with his arm. “He’s good. He didn’t tell me much, just that he played a game with a group of assholes and it pissed him off. I’m sorry about last night, babe. I didn’t want you to leave, but he needed me.”

  “I know. It’s okay.”

  Caden lowered his voice. “Were you upset?”

  “No.” It was a gut reaction, and she realized, not a completely honest one at that. “I wasn’t upset, but a little disappointed. I know that’s stupid and childish of me. I don’t begrudge Evan for needing you, or you for being with him, but I did miss you.”

  He touched her arm, and his eyes warmed. “Me too. I missed you like crazy, and when you didn’t return my call, I thought…”

  “Oh God. I’m sorry.” She shot a look at her car, where her phone, and her purse, were probably still on the passenger seat. “I’m still not used to carrying my phone. I got home and everyone was by the fire. Amy was hammered, and the girls and I slept here last night.”

  “Here?” He glanced up at the others on the deck.

  “Yeah. Like a litter of puppies on Amy’s bed.” She stepped closer and touched the waistband of his running shorts. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

  He moved her hand from the fabric. “So am I, but if you do that, everyone will see just how happy.” He kissed her again and checked his watch.

  “Do you have to get back home?” she asked.

  “I promised Evan we’d go boogie boarding at the ocean today. I would really love it if you’d go with us. I know it’s not a very romantic date with a teenager around, but at least we’d be together.” He reached for her hand.

  “Do you think I’d miss a chance at going to the beach with you? I’d love to, but if Evan would rather have time alone with you, that’s totally fine.” She suddenly realized that despite how she was feeling last night, she really was okay with being excluded. She’d miss him, but how could she feel anything but good about the man who was doing right by his son?

  “I’m sure he won’t mind, but if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll check with him when I get home. But you’ll need to find your phone if you want to know the answer.”

  “I’ve got muffins,” Leanna called from Amy’s deck.

  Caden waved. “Thanks, but I’ve got a long run back.”

  “I can drive you home,” Bella offered.

  “That’s okay. Enjoy your friends
, and I’ll text you when Ev gets up.”

  He kissed her goodbye, and before she joined the others at Amy’s, she retrieved her phone and listened to Caden’s message from last night.

  Hey, babe. Sorry about tonight. I miss you, and I wish you were climbing into bed beside me and falling asleep in my arms. Call me when you get a chance.

  She texted a response. I would have given anything to fall asleep in your arms, but we did the right thing for Ev, and that’s what matters most. One day it’ll be our turn. Xox. She read the message again, then deleted One day it’ll be our turn before sending it. She didn’t want to seem too eager, even if her heart was already hoping for a future.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ONE DAY YOU’LL do just that. BTW, Evan said it’s cool. Meet us here around ten? Xox.

  Bella read Caden’s text message for the tenth time in as many minutes. He was hoping for a future as much as she was. She sent him a text saying ten was fine. Then she showered and packed her beach tote, excited to spend the day with them.

  An hour later, Evan answered the door wearing a blue bathing suit that hung to his knees. “Hey. Come on in.” Evan smiled as he stepped aside.

  “Hi.”

  “Dad’ll be out in a second. He’s on the phone.” He waved to the couch. “You can sit down if you want.”

  “I’m okay, thanks. Are you sure you don’t mind if I come along?”

  He flashed the same easy smile as Caden’s. “Nah. It’ll be fun. I’m gonna grab a shirt.” He disappeared down the hall.

  “Damn it.” Caden’s voice came down the hallway. He stepped into the living room clutching his cell phone.

  “Hi.” Bella crossed the living room, and the irritation in Caden’s eyes stopped her cold. “What’s wrong?”

  Evan appeared behind him, arms over his head as he slithered into his T-shirt.

  “Ready, Dad?”

  Caden looked from Bella to Evan. “One of the guys called out sick today. I’ve got to cover his shift.”

  “Man, that sucks,” Evan said. “I was looking forward to going.”

  “I can still take Evan. I mean, if you want to go while your dad’s at work.”

  “You don’t have to do that.” Caden’s tone softened.

  “Do you mind, Dad?” Evan asked, surprising them both.

  “Do I…? No. I think it’s great if you both want to go. I’m just pissed that I won’t be there.” He reached for Bella’s hand. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

  “A day at the beach with Evan is hardly a hardship.” She glanced over his shoulder at Evan. “Evan? You sure?”

  “Yeah, I’m in.” He grabbed a beach towel from the kitchen table and slung it over his shoulder. “Do you have our boogie boards?”

  “I’ve got them in the truck. Why don’t you go grab them and we’ll be right out.” He tossed the keys to Evan.

  Caden placed his hands on her hips and drew her close. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Duty calls. I’m glad he wants to go. It’ll be fun, but I’m sorry you have to work.”

  “Low man on the totem pole for a while.” He kissed her forehead.

  “Like everything in this world, you’ve got to pay your dues before you can rise to the top. Luckily, there are no dues to be paid in boyfriend world. You’re already on top.”

  He pressed his cheek to hers. “Speaking of on top…” He nuzzled against her neck and sent a thrill through her body.

  “Careful making promises you can’t keep.”

  “Oh, I intend to keep it.” He covered her mouth with his, and his kiss filled her with all sorts of delicious promises.

  The door swung open, and they both took a startled step back.

  Evan crossed his arms and shook his head. “It’s not like I don’t know you two kiss.”

  Bella felt her cheeks flush.

  Caden cleared his throat. “Cells don’t work on the beaches, so call me when you guys leave? The shift is from eleven to seven, and if he gets too mouthy, just bring him home.”

  “Dad,” Evan snapped.

  “I’m kidding,” Caden said. “Sort of. Behave, okay?”

  Evan rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

  Bella loved that Caden cared enough to say it, but she was pretty sure it was unnecessary. Evan seemed like he was in a fine mood, and she probably handled teens better than she handled adults.

  “We’ll be fine. Anything I need to know? Rules for the ocean?” Even though Bella wished Caden was going with them to the beach, she knew they’d have fun and she was glad for the chance to spend time with Evan. Maybe she could find out what types of things were going on in his teenage brain and help ease the rough spots.

  “Evan’s a good swimmer, but you know, just keep an eye on the undertow and look out for sharks, of course.”

  “Oh my God. Can we go? Please?” Evan tossed Caden his keys before heading out the door.

  Caden caught the keys in one hand, then pressed a soft kiss to Bella’s lips.

  “Have I told you lately how great you are?”

  “No, but between that and the promise of you being on top, the day’s looking better and better.”

  “GRANT. COME IN here, will ya?” Chief Bassett waved him into his office.

  “What’s up, Chief?”

  “Have a seat. We’ve got a lead on the thefts.” Chief Bassett pushed a stack of papers across the desk. “An eyewitness put two teens hanging around the Dunes the day of the theft.” The Dunes was a cottage community in South Wellfleet. The property was heavily treed, making visibility from the road into the community nearly impossible.

  Caden scanned the report.

  “Can they identify them?” Caden asked.

  “No. But this confirms what we’ve thought all along. Kids looking for trouble.” Chief Basset locked his hands behind his head. “Now we just have to catch them.”

  “Chief, the description is pretty vague, don’t you think? Two teenage boys with darkish hair.” Caden met his serious gaze. “That describes half the population. Hell, that describes Evan.” The thought made his gut ache. “Thankfully, he was home with me last night, so that’s one Wellfleet teenager off the list.”

  “I know. It’s not much to go on, but when you’re out on patrol today, spend your free time trolling the rental communities and the beach parking lots. See if anything stands out. They’re hitting cars and cottages during the day, with a few rare exceptions, like over at Healy’s.”

  “I’ll keep my eyes open.” Caden rose to leave.

  “Grant, sorry to pull you in on your day off. Your dedication is duly noted.” He nodded a dismissal.

  “Thanks, Chief.” Even though he knew Evan wasn’t involved, he was glad he was spending the day with Bella. The less time he had to get roped into something like this, the better.

  BELLA SAT ON a beach chair at the edge of the surf and, with Evan’s safety in her hands, she finally understood why her parents were so overprotective of her when she was growing up. Every time Evan disappeared under the waves, the pit of Bella’s stomach sank and she held her breath until he reappeared on the other side. Riding waves and smiling when he broke through the surface, Evan looked so different from the brooding teenager she knew him to be at times. It was funny how a dark hoodie and a cell phone could change the image of a person.

  He came out of the surf shivering; his hair fell long and streaky across his face. He crossed his skinny arms over his chest and squinted against the sun.

  “Wanna boogie board with me?” he asked.

  “I haven’t been boogie boarding for a while, but heck yeah.” She wrapped the Velcro strap of her board around her wrist and stepped into the icy water.

  “My dad loves to boogie board.” Evan carried his board over his head while Bella clung to hers for warmth.

  Her teeth were already chattering.

  “Come on!” Evan waved her out deeper. He eased his rangy body onto the board and paddled over the next wave.

  Bella
turned to the side, clutching her board as the wave crashed against her. Evan paddled toward her and reached for her hand, then pulled her through the next wave.

  “Climb up on your board,” he directed. “We’ll ride the bigger waves in.”

  She did as he instructed. Somehow boogie boarding seemed easier when she was eighteen. They paddled out side by side with the sun warming her back.

  “You’ve done this before, right?” he asked.

  “Of course. It’s just been a few years.”

  “Such a girl,” Evan teased.

  Bella spied a big wave rolling toward them. “I’ll show you what a girl can do.” She spun her board around and rode the wave all the way up to shore. The icy spray of water on her face and the rough sand on her thighs as she climbed the bank brought memories of her childhood rushing back. Her heart thundered in her chest as she paddled out to do it again.

  “Awesome!” Evan hollered.

  She rode the next few waves and wondered why she’d ever stopped boogie boarding. Oh yeah. Boys. She’d given up boogie boarding for lying in the sun in a bikini and flirting with lifeguards and hot boys in surf suits. She had turned into a girl, and now that she was back on a boogie board, she decided that maybe she’d given it up too soon. She smiled at the thought. In one sense she’d become a girl, and in another she’d cast away being too girly in lieu of taking care of herself—and with Caden, she realized, she had the best of both worlds.

  “Come on, daydreamer.” Evan splashed her as he waded back out into the deeper water.

  Bella was definitely not too girly to give it right back to him. She paddled out and splashed him, then dunked him under the water. They splashed and laughed so hard, neither noticed the next wave mounting until it crashed over the top of them. Bella tumbled against the hard, scratchy sand, and when she broke the surface her first thought was for Evan’s safety. She spun around and scanned the water.

  “Evan?” she hollered. She pushed through the waves, frantically looking in both directions.