by Lisa Jackson
“I believe you drooled on me,” Sawyer said.
Sometimes, not short enough.
“Ghost trees,” Dani said as if he hadn’t spoken. When she’d woken up, dragged her head from his shoulder, he’d been looking at her. For a minute, as they held eye contact, she felt a pulse in her throat. False intimacy, that’s all. She had to stop replaying that moment.
“Absolutely beautiful,” Sawyer said. He was looking at her. She wasn’t going to buy in to that phony baloney, either.
“I agree,” she said. “They are.” They fell silent and Dani took it all in. Her home. She missed Wilmington. They were on Third Street now and all her favorite buildings were coming into view. Thalian Hall, the courthouse, and farther down the street the First Presbyterian Church and Saint James Episcopal Church—it looked very much like a town in New England. She wasn’t at all surprised that the new television series Sleepy Hollow was filmed here. And there was the Burgwin-Wright House on the corner of Third and Market Streets, they were going to have to make sure to go to “A Stroll Through Christmas Past.” The tour would be perfect for the feature. Maybe she and Nate could be married on the grounds of the beautiful house, now a museum. Then again, that’s where the gallows used to be. Maybe they’d just get married on the beach instead.
But first she’d have to get him to start speaking to her again, and second she’d have to deal with Anya. What kind of name was Anya? It was probably pronounced like Awnya. Like she was too good for plain old Ann or Anya. Seriously. Yawn-ya. Who did this woman think she was?
Before she could overthink it, she took a right on Market Street. She should have turned left instead, heading for her parents’ home near Oakdale Cemetery, just outside of the historic downtown. But Dani wanted to go downtown first. And later, Wrightsville Beach. Oh, how she missed the beach. Coney Island and Jones Beach just didn’t cut it. Mostly because Nate wasn’t there to walk on the beach with her. Why had she ever given him up? “I just want to walk the boardwalk along the river,” Dani said. “Then I can take you to your hotel.”
“Cute town,” Sawyer said. It really was. The Port City. Quaint shops, and restaurants, and bars, all leading down to the river. A town steeped in history, and some architecture going back to the 1700s. Dani found a parking spot once they passed Front Street, near where the horse and carriage were awaiting their next tour.
“A horse and carriage parked in front of an ice cream shop,” Sawyer said. “Don’t tell me—everyone here leaves their doors unlocked, too.”
“I wish,” Dani said. “Oh, it’s quaint all right. But Wilmington has a dark side. Gang violence, thefts, shootings.”
“Are the Santas on crack?”
“Funny.”
“I guess it’s not exactly Mayberry then.”
“No—but Mount Airy, where The Andy Griffith Show was filmed, is very close.”
“Seriously? I was kidding.”
“Totally serious.” Dani found street parking, another blessing of the winter. She turned off the car but didn’t make a move. She stared out at the dock and the Cape Fear River. The Henrietta was in its home spot. Across the way she could make out the battleship from World War II, the USS Carolina. It was now a floating museum. Sawyer would probably like to tour that. Not that he was on vacation or anything. Guys liked big battleships, didn’t they?
“Are we just going to sit in the car?” Sawyer asked.
“Just give me a minute.”
“Sure. I’m going to get out my camera and snap a few while the sun is out.”
“It’s only ten A.M. The sun is going to be out for a while.”
“You must have needed a longer nap,” he said. “You’re grouchy,” he added off her look.
“I’m coming,” Dani said. “Wait one sec.” She opened the glove compartment and removed a baseball cap and large sunglasses.
“007,” Sawyer said. “I like it.”
“I just don’t want to talk to anyone right now,” Dani said. Actually, she didn’t want to find out whether or not they were still talking to her. She wanted to see her parents first and scope out the situation. Fiancé! How could he be engaged to someone else? A British girl no less? Didn’t they deal with that invasion a long time ago? Dani got out of the car and joined Sawyer on the boardwalk. He was snapping pictures of boats on the river. He turned to take her picture. She threw her hand in front of her face.
“I’m not a subject,” she said.
“I thought we were documenting your attempts to win back the heart of Nate Hathaway,” he said, loudly and dramatically.
“Shhh,” she said. He turned and took a picture of the Christmas tree instead. The artificial Christmas tree. Tears came to Dani’s eyes. Nate went to such trouble for that proposal. She should have said yes. Then talked to him about moving to New York together. She should have done anything other than what she did.
“Is this where you broke his heart?” Sawyer asked.
“This is where I’m going to break your jaw if you don’t stop talking,” Dani said.
“You’re a pistol, Danielle Bright,” Sawyer said. “A six-shooter, I reckon’.”
“That cowboy stuff doesn’t work on me,” Dani said.
“That’s too bad, ma’am. Because that feisty wench stuff does wonders for me.” Then, he ducked and ran before she could push him off the dock and into Cape Fear.
Dani and Sawyer stood on Water Street in front of a little shop across from the boardwalk. It used to be an arts and crafts shop for children. It still was, in part. But the sign had changed. It now read:
Create with Nate
“He took my advice,” Dani said. “I told him to open his own gallery and teach classes.” It was a good sign—pun intended. He might not be speaking to her, but she was still getting through to him. That’s the way it worked with soul mates.
“Isn’t his fiancée an art curator? Maybe he took her advice.” Sawyer snapped a picture of the sign.
“I said it long before he met her,” Dani said. Sawyer started for the door. Dani yanked him back.
“What?” he said.
“I can’t just walk in there.”
“Isn’t that why we’re here?”
“We literally just got here. Are you in some kind of rush?”
“As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind being home by Christmas.”
“Why?”
“If you must know, I made the acquaintance of a certain Russian nanny who, it just so happens, is free for Christmas and I’d like to get home in time to come down her chimney.”
“Oh my God. You are disgusting!”
“What? No. No. I didn’t mean it like that.” Sawyer actually blushed. Danielle believed him, but she wanted to tease him anyway.
“I’m sure you did.”
“I’m sure I did not. Wow, Bright. You have a very dirty mind.”
“I’m sleep deprived!”
“Well, by all means, do us all a favor and take a nap.”
“And you need to check into your hotel.”
“Oh, I’m not going to stay in a hotel.”
“What do you mean, you’re not going to stay in a hotel?”
“Relax, Bright. I don’t plan on taking over your parents’ couch. I just don’t do hotels.”
“Then where are you going to sleep?”
“Worried about me, are you?”
“Not in the least.”
“Good.”
“But seriously, where are you going to sleep?”
“I saw a nightly rental sign on one of the sailboats,” Sawyer said. “That might be fun.”
“Suit yourself. If it were me I’d book the best suite at the Hilton. One of the few perks of working for the magazine.”
“You didn’t book yourself a suite at the Hilton.”
“Because Adel knows full well my parents are here,” Dani said.
“A sailboat has way more character than the Hilton.”
“Especially if it rains and the boat leaks,” Dani said.
“No big deal. If it leaks I’ll just get a bucket.”
“What if it leaks in the middle of the night? You’re not in Kansas anymore, cowboy. Nothing is open twenty-four hours around here except a Burger King and the grocery store.”
“Why wouldn’t the grocery store have a bucket?”
“You’d have to drive to the grocery store. Unless your little boat comes with a car, you’re going to be up the creek without a paddle.”
“At least I’ll have a sail.”
“I could never sleep on a boat.”
“Yet you have no problem sleeping on my shoulder on a plane.”
“Let’s get something straight. I was sleep deprived. And I never, ever want to hear you mention that again.”
“Do you always get so worked up about things?”
“Yes,” she said. “I do.”
“Even more of a reason to go in,” Sawyer said, gesturing to the entrance of Nate’s shop. “Rip off the Band-Aid before that little head of yours works yourself into a tizzy.”
“I can’t go in like this. Look at me.”
Sawyer looked her up and down. His gaze seemed to linger on her body a little too long. Then he leaned forward and snatched off her baseball cap and sunglasses.
“Hey!” she said. He pulled the band from her hair and arranged it so that it cascaded down her shoulders. Then he leaned in and unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse. “Hey!” She swatted his hand away.
“He’s engaged, Dani. You’re going to have to do more than bat your eyes.”
“Fine,” she said.
“I’d say,” he said, his eyes traveling from her face to her cleavage.
“Stop it,” she said.
“Stop what?” he said. The smile increased.
“I’m not going in. You can if you want to.” Sawyer slid his camera around to his back, came up behind Danielle, and scooped her into his arms. He lifted her effortlessly. “Hey,” she said. “What are you doing?”
“We’re going in,” he said. He headed for the door, “Open it,” he said.
“No,” Danielle said. Sawyer continued to the door, forcing Dani’s knees to push against it. “Stop,” she said.
“Just open it.”
“Let me down or I’ll scream.” Dani flailed her legs. Sawyer held her tighter. He was probably a boss in bed. Some women really liked that. Dani wasn’t even going to think about the fact that she might be one of them. Sawyer suddenly flipped around so that his back was facing the door, and with Dani still in his arms, he pushed it open. Soon, their presence was announced by the bell above the door jingling.
“Ho, ho, ho,” Sawyer said.
“Put me down,” Dani said in a loud whisper.
“Can we help you?” It was a female voice. With a British accent. Sawyer let go of Dani and she dropped to the floor. His hand shot out to touch the woman.
“I’m Sawyer,” he said with the tip of an imaginary hat. Anya looked even better than she had in the picture. She had beautiful porcelain skin, black hair, and China blue eyes. She was dressed as if she was in a gallery in London. High heels and a beautiful cream suit. Her buttons weren’t undone like some kind of floozy. That was the last time Dani would listen to Sawyer. She wanted to reach down and button hers up but she didn’t want to be obvious. This European stunner was in love with Nate? Her small-town beach bum of a boyfriend? Dani wanted to cry on the spot. She thought Nate liked blondes. Like her. What was he doing? Did he really want to listen to that obnoxious accent the rest of his life? Would their children run around sounding like offspring from Downton Abbey? Mummy, can we please have a spot of tea?
The shop was filled with artwork and worktables. Dani knew immediately which pieces were Nate’s. Like the four-foot Christmas tree made entirely out of starfish. It was adorned with little crystals and topped off with white lights. Absolutely gorgeous. She reached out, stopping just short of touching it. The price tag screamed out at her. $1300. Dani gasped. She told him every year he needed to put a worthy price on his work. He normally gave them away. Although she would have suggested something way more affordable. This was Wilmington, not London. This was her doing. It had to be. The tree was gorgeous, though. She should show her support and buy it. She should get the magazine to buy it. He also had several wreaths made out of driftwood. She knew what the cover photo for the magazine should be. Dani and Nate, lying naked on the floor with nothing but wreaths covering their nether regions. The starfish trees could encircle them. They would each be quoted on the right.
NATE: I never stopped loving her. She stopped me from making the biggest mistake of my life.
DANI: He’s all I want for Christmas.
“Why are you staring at bits of wood?” Sawyer said in her ear. He had a knack for making everything sound dirty.
“It’s Nate’s,” she said. Dani knew Nate’s work like she knew her own heart. He’s mine, she thought as she looked at Anya. He’s mine. “Get a picture of the starfish tree,” Dani told Sawyer. He lifted his camera.
Anya stepped forward and slapped her hand over the lens. “No photos,” she said. Sawyer turned the camera and snapped a picture of Anya instead.
“We’re with a New York magazine,” Dani said. “The Softer Side.”
“I’ve never heard of it,” Anya said.
“Have you heard of New York City?” Dani asked without a trace of sarcasm.
Sawyer belted out a laugh. “We’re a start-up, but we do have quite a following,” Sawyer said. “In New York and beyond. We’ll be in Barnes and Noble for Christmas this year. We’re doing a feature called ‘A Southern Christmas.’ But if Nate doesn’t want his work promoted on such a scale—”
“We should really ask him directly,” Dani said. “Although I’m sure he appreciates his sales clerk being so protective.”
“I’m his partner,” Anya said.
“His partner?” Dani said. “In what sense?”
“In the sense that I own half of this store and I am engaged to be married to him.”
Sawyer was staring at the starfish tree. “I imagine that would start to smell after three days,” he said with a loud laugh. Dani glared at him.
“They’ve been glazed,” Anya said. “To smell like pine.”
“Pardon me, ma’am,” Sawyer said, dialing up his Texas accent. “I’m just a bumbling cowboy.”
“Seriously?” Dani whispered. Sawyer reached back and pinched her on the butt. She was going to wallop him the minute they were alone.
“Nate isn’t here right now. Where are you staying? I can leave a message with your hotel after I’ve spoken with him about this. I’m sure we can arrange something.”
“I’m sure,” Dani said. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Anya said. “Otherwise you’ll have to fly to London.”
“London?” Dani said. “You’re going to London?” Don’t say on your honeymoon, don’t say on your honeymoon.
“Of course,” Anya said. “Nate Hathaway is highly in demand as an artist. This sleepy little town isn’t meant for someone like him. We’re moving to London right after we get married.”
“Congratulations,” Sawyer said.
Judas. Nate was moving to London? Dani wanted to scream. How did she get him to do that? He must be going out of his mind. Forget that, his grandmother must be going out of her mind. Who did this woman think she was? Nate loved this sleepy little town. And it wasn’t that sleepy. It just took a lot of naps. She had to remain calm until she could formulate a plan of action. “When are you getting married?” Dani said. She could barely choke out the words. “In a year or so?”
Anya’s eyes lit up and she clasped her hands under her chin. “Christmas Eve,” she said. “We’re getting married on Christmas Eve.”
Chapter 4
“Did you hear that? Did you hear that?” Dani was practically screaming. She and Sawyer had just rounded the corner onto Market Street.
“I’m sorry, Dani, I rea
lly am,” Sawyer said.
“Sorry! I’m not. I’m thrilled.”
“Did you hit your head on the door when I was carrying you in?” Sawyer said.
“Did you not hear what she said?” Dani exclaimed.
“Did you not hear what she said?” Sawyer replied.
“They’re getting married on Christmas Eve,” they said together.
Sawyer threw his arms open. “What am I missing, woman?” he said.
“First of all, don’t call me ‘woman’. Second of all—he’s still heartbroken. He scheduled the wedding for Christmas Eve because he’s trying to replace the worst night of his life.”
“With what he hopes will be the best night of his life,” Sawyer said. “With someone else.”
“It just goes to show his state of mind,” Dani said. “He’s not in love with her. He just wants to stop hurting.”
“How do you figure that?”
“Why else would he get married on Christmas Eve, the same exact date he proposed to me, unless he was desperately trying to replace me?”
“Why is it you think ‘desperately trying to replace you’ is something that works in your favor?”
“Because where I come from, marrying out of desperation doesn’t scream true love. You saw that woman. Do you really think she wants to be someone’s emotional Band-Aid?”
“I think you’re taking great liberties with your interpretation,” Sawyer said.
“That’s because you don’t know Nate.”
Without discussing it, Sawyer headed into the ice cream shop and Dani followed. The smell of waffle cones baking enveloped them.
“Ice cream is on me,” Sawyer said.
“I’m too excited to eat,” Dani said.
“It’s not eating, it’s indulging. You don’t have to be hungry to indulge.”
“In that case I’ll have a triple scoop—coffee, peanut butter, and chocolate, from bottom to top, in a waffle cone, please.”
Sawyer stopped and studied her. “You’ve given this a tremendous amount of thought,” he said.