by Jenny Hale
“I brought a little something for the house too,” she said. “It’s up in my suitcase.” Callie had taken the gift out to Olivia later that morning and they’d opened a small picture frame with little sand dollars at the corner.
“We should all take a picture today!” Olivia had said.
They’d agreed that once the crowds had gone, they’d take a photo for the frame. But for now, it was time to entertain. Callie and Olivia had hired a band to play outside on the patio, they’d put fresh flowers in tiny pots on every table inside and out, and, while they’d had to cancel their original caterer because they were low on funds, the ladies had worked quite hard to make the spread of food elegant and simple, hiring only a small staff to work the party. Even Gladys had joined in, delighting in having a reason to make her favorite dishes all at once. The paddle fans on the porches whirred, causing the beaded driftwood mobiles to tinkle like wind chimes, the ocean calmly lapping as if it were celebrating this moment of completion and relaxation. It had all come down to this: opening day.
All the Sullivans were there for the opening—all except Edward. Luke had called to tell him about it, but had had to leave a message as Edward had not picked up. Juliette had been helping all morning to prepare, Mitchell arriving with Lillian for the ribbon cutting.
The opening had gone off without a hitch. An area restaurant had offered to partner with her, providing dishes that she could serve at the bed and breakfast, and the local paper was going to run a full-page story on The Beachcomber. Luke had promised interviews to generate a buzz in the media, the press also taking photos of Callie and Olivia as well as the house itself. The reporters wrote notes in their notepads, their companies’ photographers busy behind their lenses taking photos. Callie gave one reporter the address of the new website for The Beachcomber. She’d never thought they’d be able to open when they had, especially given the storm, but they’d done it. She couldn’t have asked for a better day.
When Luke had given his last interview, he met Callie on the porch. She’d followed her mother outside. The crowds were dwindling now, and they were settling down, the champagne and good spirits showing on their faces.
“So you are the famous Luke Sullivan,” her mother said, finally able to talk to him, as Juliette filled her glass again with what was left of the champagne. It had been so busy that they’d barely had a chance to talk, only meeting briefly.
Luke nodded graciously.
“My daughter speaks very highly of you.”
He grinned at Callie. “Does she?” He poured two more glasses of champagne at the small table they’d set up for guests. It was now littered with empty glasses. He handed one to Callie, affection in his eyes. Poppy, who’d been running around the grounds most of the day, plopped down at his feet. As they all settled in, Callie wished the day could stretch on forever. She took in the curve of Luke’s jaw as he smiled at her, the lack of tension in his shoulders, the interest in his eyes.
“Yes. And that’s saying a lot because she’s never told me much about anyone she’s dated.”
Callie pulled her attention back to the conversation.
“Well, I charmed her with caramel macchiatos and crab cake dinners.”
Callie laughed.
People had filtered in and out all day, but Callie was glad that the Sullivans had stayed after the rest of the public had gone and had settled on the porch with them. With the last of the crowd still lingering around the band below, the Sullivans, Olivia, Gladys, Wyatt, Callie, and her mother had all remained there, talking. Luke made a silly face at her as if he were exhausted, and she felt that familiar adoration swim around inside her. She knew he hadn’t wanted to talk to the press but he’d done it for her, to help get her name out there. He pulled an empty rocking chair next to her.
“Today was good!” he said, looking out over the ocean. The sun was beating down but it wasn’t terribly humid, so the sea breeze cooled them easily. Someone down on the beach was playing with his child, lifting the little girl up onto his shoulders. The band continued to play—they’d paid them until five—and there was a sort of magic in the air. Callie peered over the railing at the new walkway and a smile inched its way across her face: The wood was sparkling in the sun. With excitement, she looked over at Gladys.
“Stardust,” she said with a wink.
As they all sat around, the hum of chatter in the air between them, Poppy hopped up and turned toward the door, her ears perked. There was a hush, and Callie felt the serenity of the moment slide away. Slowly, she turned around. Edward was standing in the doorway.
“Hello,” he said, walking in, his stare fixed on Luke but his words clearly meant for everyone. He pulled his focus off Luke to offer a polite smile to Callie and the others.
Lillian stared at him, an apprehensive look on her face.
Luke stood up. He walked over to one of the tables and pulled a bottle of beer from a melting bucket of ice, popping the top and handing it to Edward as if it were a peace offering.
“Thank you for coming,” he said, feeling in his words. “This is Callie.” Luke took her hand and guided her up. “You haven’t met; let me introduce you.”
Edward smiled warmly at her and then his attention settled back on Luke, the seriousness returning.
“I’ve never introduced you to any of the girls I’ve dated before,” Luke pointed out. “And that was because they didn’t mean anything to me.”
Callie wondered where he was going with this when he and Edward certainly had other things to discuss.
Luke continued, “I didn’t realize that the other girls didn’t mean anything until I met Callie. She showed me who I was, and I learned about the things that I care about. I care about her and I care about my art.” He took a step, planting his feet right in front of Edward. “And I care about what you think of me. I always have. I’ve spent my whole life trying to make you proud of me. I can’t change who I am, but I can promise you that I care, because I love you—even when you and I disagree on how to be aggressive in business or what to spend our time doing. If you want to give the company to Aiden, then do it. I won’t run it like you did. I’m not you. But I can give you my word that if you pass it on to me, it will continue to thrive.” Callie saw the sincerity in his eyes that she loved so much. “You and I will never be alike, but you taught me how to be honest and focused and strong. And I will forever be thankful for that.”
Edward’s eyebrows rose and he looked down at his beer in contemplation. He was so intimidating that Callie found her own hands shaking. She clasped them behind her back and took in a steadying breath as she noticed how calm and cool Luke was. But that was just the way he was wired.
“What are you going to do, Luke, when this news about our family gets out? It could ruin our reputation.” His voice wasn’t harsh; it was concerned.
“Or make us more relatable.”
“You’ve got your head in the clouds,” he said, taking a drink from his bottle. Luke touched his arm, stopping him.
“Let them talk, Dad. They’re doing it already. Aiden and I have an idea for the business. He’s great with real estate—we’ve both always known it. But together, he and I can build up the other pieces of the business. If the press sees us working as a team, what can they say about the rest of it? It’s water under the bridge at this point.”
Edward took another drink without saying anything. Then he finally said, “They’re not always kind, Luke. Shall we invite bad press?”
“Nope. We spin it to sell our products. If people feel like they know us, they will want what we’ve got to sell.”
Callie couldn’t believe her ears. Luke was actually confirming exactly what she’d banked on when buying The Beachcomber. And she knew he was right.
Edward walked over to the edge of the porch and put his hands on the railing, looking out, his back to everyone. The band played below.
Then, as if something clicked, he turned around. “I apologize, Callie,” he said, offering a smile.
“Where are my manners? I’ve completely ignored you and I’m so sorry about that. Forgive me.”
She shook her head, smiling nervously.
“Please sit,” Edward said to them both, glancing down the porch and then pulling a chair over to Luke.
“Callie and Olivia, The Beachcomber is just gorgeous. I wish you two so much success,” he said as he sat down. His words were very kind, but they all were on the edge of their seats to hear if Luke had been able to change Edward’s mind at all.
“Thank you,” Callie said.
Olivia smiled uncomfortably and nodded.
Edward took in a deep breath and smiled. He looked out over the ocean again from his chair and then turned to Lillian. “I’m sorry,” he said finally, shaking his head. “I’m sorry that I pushed you away for the sake of the business. I was young and overly eager, and I didn’t realize what I was doing.”
Luke and Juliette looked at each other in surprise, probably in disbelief that Edward would admit this in front of everyone.
Edward continued, “We didn’t handle things in the right way—either of us. But I’m truly sorry for all those nights I left you alone.”
“It’s done now,” Lillian said, kindness on her face. “But I’ve never worried about myself. My concern has always been Luke.”
“I’ve been wrestling with all this,” he said as he looked into the faces of everyone there, and Callie could see that expressing himself in this way was very difficult for him. “I’ve been thinking a lot about you, Luke. I’m sure all of this has been a terrible shock to you too.”
“I can deal with it,” Luke said. “I just don’t think it should affect the company.”
“You’re right.” He pursed his lips, thoughts on his face. “How would you change it?” Callie watched closely, her protective nature kicking in for Luke, but Edward was clearly ready to listen. He’d leaned toward Luke, his head slightly tilted, his demeanor unguarded.
Lillian threw an excited but still slightly uneasy look over to Juliette, who had scooted on the edge of her rocker. No one moved a muscle as they waited.
“I’d like to have Aiden on board,” Luke said, his words careful. It was clear that he knew how big this was for Edward. “I want to expand Blue Water Sailing, incorporating more retail—not just my own designs; possibly more. But we could start there. I’ve started painting surfboards.”
“He’s talented, Edward,” Aiden said, speaking up. “I have the business sense, certainly, but Luke has the vision. He sees things that I don’t. We’d make a great team.”
Edward nodded, reflecting on this as he looked back out at the ocean. Then his eyes met Luke’s and then Aiden’s. “I trust you two,” he said. “You know, when I started this business, I was told it wasn’t lucrative, that the area was just too rural. But I had a vision and when the boom hit, we soared. I believe you two could have success, albeit in a different manner than I achieved mine. I’m willing to put my trust in family. Maybe we could put your business model down on paper and get started.”
Lillian burst into a smile. “Oh, Edward,” she said, her eyes glassy. “That’s fantastic.”
“I’m excited to see how it goes.”
“We need to celebrate,” Juliette said, getting up and wrapping her arms around Edward. “Let’s pour ourselves a drink, kick off our shoes, and go downstairs. They’ve got that wonderful band down there. We should dance, Daddy.” For the first time, Callie saw Edward really smile. He patted his daughter on the arm and nodded.
Luke stood and pulled Callie up, his smile still directed at Edward. “I think that’s a great idea,” he said.
They all went down to the patio and settled at the tables by the band. With a hoot of laughter from the few who’d lingered from the crowd, Luke grabbed Callie and pulled her onto the patio to dance. Gladys joined them, dragging Frederick onto the dance floor, followed by Aiden and Olivia. Edward and Lillian were on the side, grinning. While Juliette poured the champagne, Edward held out a hand to Lillian with a conciliatory smile, and she let him lead her out to the patio.
As they danced, Gladys winked at Callie. “Stardust,” she mouthed.
Callie took a look back at the magnificent cottage in all its glory, the paddle fans going on the porches, the mass of glass showcasing the beautiful furnishings inside, the tables of food in the window of the new sitting area. There was a thrill that she couldn’t deny. This old house had been renewed, made into something different, something better. Just like this unexpected group of people around her. The sky was an unusually brilliant shade of orange and pink, a burst of color over them, and Callie wondered if Alice was looking down on them—all her family together. In her house. Finally.
Epilogue
Callie stared at the enormous rock of a diamond as it swung around on her nervous finger. This was the last time she’d wear it without a band beside it.
She’d never expected Luke to propose when he had—he’d completely surprised her as he often did. They’d gone camping, and she noticed he’d brought along mason jars. He pulled one out and showed her the lid punched with holes, like she’d remembered doing as a kid. “For catching lightning bugs,” he’d said over a glass of local wine as they sat next to the campfire. They’d gone deep into the woods, where the last of the moonlight was hidden by the thick brush, and—she could still remember it like it was yesterday—the black expanse before her had lit up with them. The whole forest had seemed as though it were strung with dancing twinkle lights.
She caught one in her hand and Luke helped her put it in the jar. “We’ll let it go later,” he said, catching another one. When they’d gotten back to the campfire, they had a whole mason jar full. He set it on the small portable table he’d brought. He was pensive and she asked why. He turned to her and said, “This jar represents the present.” Then he pulled a second jar out of his bag and handed it to her. It had something in it. “The past,” he said.
She unscrewed the lid and pulled out a black and white photo of her grandmother. She had pin curls, her face so young. The image blurred in front of her. She ran her fingers along the diamond bracelet on her wrist, emotion welling up.
When she’d finally blinked away the last of the tears, Luke gingerly placed the photo back into the jar. “So we have past…” He set the jar down on the table. Then he picked up the lightning bugs and unscrewed the top. He released them, the golden lights filling the dark sky all around them. “And present…” Under the glow of the fire and the lightning bugs, he pulled a third jar from his bag. “And hopefully,” he said, “we have a future.” Suspended from the lid, from a red velvet ribbon inside the jar, was the ring that was now on her finger.
He’d told her that he’d contacted her mother, driven all the way to Richmond, and asked for Callie’s hand in marriage. Later, her mother had said he’d charmed the dickens out of her, making her laugh. He’d brought her flowers and he’d taken her out to lunch.
The Beachcomber was full to the brim, but this time all the rooms held friends and family. The porches Aiden had built were draped in a garland of fresh flowers—daisies and gaillardias—and the patio was a field of white tea light candles in mason jars. The walkway, too, was lined with them and white folding chairs were set out on either side of it leading down to sea.
“Ready?” Olivia asked, as she straightened Wyatt’s tie. He was now ten, lanky and tall in his tuxedo, holding a ring bearer’s pillow.
Callie’s mother blinked rapidly, wiping her tears with a hanky, as she stood with them in a pale pink gown. She’d spent a wonderful week talking and catching up with Callie and Olivia and finalizing the wedding plans. Callie had never seen her smile as much as she had since she’d arrived.
Callie nodded, her nerves melting away at the thought of standing next to Luke and promising to love him forever.
They’d both had laughed at the headline in the local paper: Pretty boy Luke Sullivan has been tamed! The papers had been in a whirl since the public revelation of Frederick Mc
Farlin’s connection to the Sullivan family, as well as the merger between Parker Industries and Sullivan Enterprises, when Aiden and Luke had announced their partnership.
And now, they’d surprised them once again with the wedding. But Luke had been right about the press embracing their family turmoil: They were the new darlings of Waves, and the people there couldn’t get enough of them. Callie had to insist on paying for coffee at the coffee shop, the owner refusing to take her money for all the wonderful things they’d done for the community, and when they walked past people in town, Luke got stopped but only to receive well-wishes and offers of gratitude.
Luke hadn’t just donated to the relief effort that year during the hurricane, he’d initiated an annual auction in which he auctioned off ten of his prized surfboards, donating all the proceeds to the nonprofit Bring Us Home. Other companies had jumped on board, and the whole thing had gotten so huge that it had become a local fair. There were carnival rides, booths of local products, cotton candy and twirling, light-up toys for the kids. Luke and Aiden organized the whole thing every year, and the community loved it.
Callie took a peek out the French doors, warmth spreading over her when she saw Luke. His eyes were on the entry to the walkway, waiting for her. The music had started. Just before she turned around, she caught sight of Edward and Frederick, sitting beside each other. They looked like they were chatting.
“It’s time,” Olivia said.
Callie grabbed her bouquet, made specially of gaillardias, and held it close to her white silk dress, which fell in one smooth wave to the floor where it puddled at the back into a small train.
After they’d gotten downstairs, just before going out, she picked up the basket they’d filled with petals. “Ready?” she said in a commanding whisper as she bent down—they’d been practicing this all summer. With a giggle, she handed the basket to Poppy who carried it in her mouth. Wyatt took the white ribbon leash and they walked out together as the crowd shifted in their seats.