The Path

by Tawdra Kandle

“Has he said anything to you about—what’s his name? Zachary? I mean, since you fought.”

  “No.” I kept my gaze on the floor. “Not about that.”

  “But about something else.”

  “Yes. No. Well . . . not really.” I heaved a deep sigh. “Last night I went to the hotel, and Ryland was there. We got into a fight about the curtains in the dining room, and then the next thing I knew, he almost, um, kissed me. I think.”

  “Almost? As in, he didn’t actually do it?” Alex was struggling to hold back a huge smile, I could tell.

  “No, I pushed him away.” I flushed again. “God, this is so embarrassing. Can we please stop talking about this? It’s nothing. It means nothing. He was probably just messing around. Or maybe I misunderstood what was happening.”

  “You’re probably right.” Cal hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “He just tripped and landed on your lips. Happens all the time.”

  “No, I mean, it was just the heat of the moment. We were arguing and he got carried away.”

  “Oh, sure.” This time Alex was playing the role of smartass. “Same thing went down here last week. I was arguing with one of the workmen and next thing I knew, I was kissing him.” He wagged his head in mock resignation. “So awkward.”

  “You know what, you’re the ones who wanted to hear about what happened between Ryland and me. That’s it. Now you know. And I promise there won’t be any more to know, so you better make these little tidbits last.” I hiked the strap of my purse more securely onto my shoulder. “Now I really am going over to Matt’s. He won’t coerce me into telling him secrets and then make fun of me.”

  “Aww, sweetie.” Alex took my hand in his and lifted our joined fingers to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “We weren’t making fun. It’s just that you’re so serious sometimes. We were trying to get you to lighten up.”

  I snorted. “Better men than you have taken on that mission, my friends. Being serious is who I am.” I fingered the edge of the placemat that protected the table next to me. “And I haven’t had much experience when it comes to men and romance. I had a few casual boyfriends in college, and then Zachary. I trusted him. I ‘lightened up’, like you said, and I shared secrets and laughed more and just wasn’t so intense. And that really didn’t turn out well at all. So the idea of going down that path again is terrifying.”

  Alex used the hand he held to draw me closer to him, and Cal flanked my other side, the two of them closing ranks around me in a way I knew was as figurative as it was literal.

  “Abby, we love you just the way you are.” Alex’s voice was muffled against my hair. “We don’t want you to change.”

  “Not a bit.” Cal kissed my cheek. “Some day I’ll tell you my own story. I had a Zachary in my past, too—only his name was Rich. When I met this guy here, the last thing I wanted was to put myself at risk again. And serious?” He rolled his eyes. “I could’ve out-intensed you any day of the week. I thought Alex was some flighty dude, someone too much fun for a stick-in-the-mud like me.”

  A rush of understanding filled me. I related to this. “So what happened?”

  Cal laid a hand on Alex’s shoulder and squeezed. “He didn’t give up. He kept coming around. He didn’t push too hard, but he didn’t let me keep pulling back, either. He called me on my shit when I was treating him the way I thought I had to in order to protect myself. He reminded me he wasn’t Rich, and eventually I figured out I could trust him.”

  I chewed the side of my lip. “That’s sweet, Cal. And you two are perfect for each other.” I gave each of them a little extra hug. “But it’s not the same with Ryland. He’s not trying to win me over. If he really is interested in something with me, it’s only temporary. Nothing long-term. I’m not sure I can handle a fling.”

  I didn’t miss the glance the guys exchanged over my head. “Maybe a fling is exactly what you need, though, Abby. You know, just a little mindless . . . fun.” Alex smoothed his hand over my hair.

  “I don’t think I’m made that way. I’ve never had . . . you know . . . without some kind of commitment. Or at least deep feelings.”

  “But you never know.” This time Cal smiled down at me. “Some of the best couples start out casual. Look at Meghan and Sam.”

  “And Emmy and Cooper,” Alex added. “You just never know what might happen if you give it a chance. Open yourself up—just a little.”

  I drew in a deep breath. “I’ll take it under consideration. But now I really do have to go.” I glanced around the kitchen, a room that used to be as familiar to me as my own face in the mirror. Now I could see subtle differences, changes Alex and Cal had added to make it their own. It wasn’t mine anymore. While that gave me a small pang of sadness, I knew it was how things were supposed to be.

  “You guys have done a great job here. I knew my baby was in good hands, and now I’m happy that you’ve made her yours.” I stood on tiptoe to kiss first Alex’s cheek and then Cal’s. “Well done.”

  “Change isn’t always easy, but it happens.” Alex arched a brow at me, and I knew he was talking about more than the Hawthorne House. “We have two choices: we can fight it, which never works, or we can roll with it, which is scary. Either way, you’re going to end up in a different place than where we started. It’s just a matter of which path you choose to get there, the rocky one or the smooth one.”

  “Thank you, oh wise one.” I skirted a chair and pushed open the door. “I’m taking all this advice down to the Tide for a drink. See you later.”

  Humid salt air hit me as I rounded the corner of the B&B and headed for the main street of town. The afternoon was waning, and the sun was low in the sky. As much as I loved living in the Cove, and in Florida in general, I still missed autumn in the northeast, with the changing leaves and cooler temps. Down here, the only change was a little respite from intense heat and slightly shorter days. Oh, and of course the change in crowds. During the summer months, the beaches were filled with families, with parents on vacation and children on school breaks. This time of year, we were just beginning to see the snow birds whose numbers would swell after Christmas. Fall tended to be a quieter time when it came to tourists, and while I knew they were a huge part of our business, I liked having our little town mostly to ourselves.

  “Whoa there.” Strong hands caught my shoulders. “Almost ran me over there, Abby.”

  I smiled up at Matt Spencer and stepped to the side of the sidewalk. “Sorry about that. I guess I was zoning out. I was actually just going to see if you were still at the store. I wanted to talk with you about the space for the surfboard rental kiosk at the Riverside.”

  “I’m about to head home.” Matt beamed. “Sandra’s still recovering, and I don’t like to leave her with all the baby work if I can help it.”

  I laughed. “You mean you hate to be away from that adorable little girl any longer than you have to be.” Matt and Sandra’s baby Gillian was only a few weeks old, and Matt, a first-time dad, was besotted with her.

  “Pretty much.” He grinned, not at all bothered by the admission. “What can I say? I’ve always been a sucker for a cute girl. Oh, hey, check this out. I took it this morning on my way out the door. Isn’t she gorgeous?”

  “This one’s going to have you wrapped around her finger forever.” I shaded my eyes against the rays of the setting sun as I looked at the picture on his phone. “I’m so happy for you, Matt. For both you and Sandra. How’s Lily adjusting to the new family member?” Sandra had been a widow when she met Matt a few years ago; Lily was her daughter from her first marriage.

  “Like a champ. She helps out so much, it’s crazy. I couldn’t be prouder of her.” He leaned down toward me. “We haven’t told anyone yet, but I’m going to adopt Lily. We started the process a few months back.”

  “Oh, that’s wonderful.” I thought that Matt just might burst with happiness. He was practically glowing. “Look at you, with this beautiful family. You truly are blessed.”

  “I am.” Hi
s grin faded as his eyes grew serious. “I’ll tell you, Abby, a few years ago, I never would’ve imagined this could happen to me. After Daniel passed away, I kind of fell into a slump. I figured my life was just about over, too. He was one of my best friends, and he was gone. I’d screwed up my own chance at marriage and family a long time ago. When the posse suggested that one of us should romance Jude, I figured, why not? At least I wouldn’t be alone anymore.” He hunched his shoulders over, dropping his voice. “If Jude hadn’t decided to set me up with Sandra . . . well, what I have with her is beyond anything I could’ve imagined. It’s more than companionship. I really did find the love of my life. And now I have two little girls, too.”

  A lump rose in my throat. “That’s so beautiful, Matt. Sandra’s a lucky woman.”

  He shook his head. “Nah, it’s me who got the better end of this deal. Far more than I deserve, believe me.” He glanced down at his phone again, checking the display. “Hey, I hate to do this, but can we talk about the kiosk on Monday? I’ll stop by your office at lunch time, if it’s okay. I really need to get home.”

  “Of course.” I stepped back. “Give Sandra my best. And if there’s anything you all need, let me know. Happy to help.”

  “Thanks, Abby. See you later.” Matt jogged back across the street, practically sprinting toward where I assumed his car was parked behind the surf shop. I stifled a sigh, feeling suddenly alone. Although I knew it wasn’t true, today it felt like the whole world was matched up. Everyone I knew was happy and in love, while I was heading back to my lonely and silent apartment above the Tide.

  Oh, scratch the silent. I’d forgotten it was Saturday night, which meant a live band playing at the bar. Terrific.

  I had a hot date with my headphones. And if things really got wild, I might even run a hot bath and soak in some bubbles.

  With a heaviness I couldn’t shake, I made my way toward the Riptide and another empty evening.

  “I HAVE TO SAY, I’M impressed.” Linc stood with me on the porch of the Riverside, looking up. “Once again, you saw the potential where I only saw problems. Good job, man.”

  No matter how many times this scene played out, I always felt a tickle of pride when Linc affirmed my work. Or at least my intuition, in this case. I had a father and a grandfather, and they were both supportive and encouraging. But Linc knew the job. He understood it—and me—in a way no one else did. When he told me I’d gotten one right, it felt good.

  “I told you she’s a beauty.” I leaned against the railing of the porch. “All we’ve got to do is finish her up. Add some polish, a few details. Make sure it’s all pretty. And done the right way.”

  “Ah.” Linc swiped the cap off his head and shot me a look, eyes narrowing. “You’re still fighting the lady boss, aren’t you? Dammit, Ry, we’ve talked about this. They hire us. We do what the client wants. We can advise and we can inform, but we don’t make the final call.”

  “Even when they’re screwing shit up?” I scowled.

  “Even when. And even if the lady boss is an ice queen, a frigid bitch. We play nice, or we end up with a reputation for being hard to work with, and jobs dry up. In this economy, we can’t afford to have too much in the way of principles about historic accuracy, dude. Someday, maybe. After you make the cover of Historic Homes Restored or whatever. You know that’s how it is.”

  “I might know it, but I don’t have to like it.” I rubbed my jaw. “And she’s not. Not really.”

  Linc’s forehead wrinkled. “What? Who isn’t?”

  “Abby. She’s not an ice queen. She’s just—this place is important to her, too. Not for the same reasons as me, but it is. She comes off cold, but she’s good at her job, and sometimes she’s even right about it. Even if I hate it.”

  The lines on Linc’s face smoothed out, and he nodded slowly, regarding me. “Okay. I see. I get it.”

  “You get what?”

  “You. And the lady boss. You’re sweet on her.”

  The words hit me way too close to the truth, and instinctively, I kicked back. “No, I’m not.”

  “Yeah, you are. You like her. You want her.”

  “Dude, no way. She makes me crazy.”

  Lincoln’s short bark of laughter only made me pissier. “Not like that. She makes me want to punch something. She’s prickly and smug and a know-it-all. Not my type.”

  “And yet . . .” Linc spread his hands in front of him. “Your eyes do something funny when you talk about her.”

  “Yeah, they twitch, because she annoys the hell out of me. Wait’ll you meet her, you’ll see.”

  “Uh huh. She coming to the site this afternoon?”

  I shook my head. “I doubt it. She was here late yesterday.” The image of her face before she’d turned tail and run flashed through my brain.

  “Oh, boy. What’d you do?” Linc stood with his hands on his hips, staring me down.

  “What do you mean? I didn’t do anything.”

  “Bullshit. You’ve got a guilty look on your face.”

  I ran one hand over my eyes. “We got into it. Things got . . . intense.”

  “And?”

  “Isn’t that enough? Does there have to an and?”

  “Doesn’t have to be, but there is. Did you lose your temper?”

  “Yeah, at first.” I looked away, out toward where I knew the river was, beyond the trees. “And then I kind of tried to kiss her.”

  For a solid minute, Linc stood there, not speaking. And then he began to laugh. “Boy, you are so sunk.”

  I clenched my jaw. “It was stupid. Heat of the moment crap. We were yelling at each other, and then . . .I don’t know. I grabbed her and I was about two seconds away from pushing her up against the wall and—well, I don’t know what would’ve happened next.”

  “But the lady said no?”

  A tic jumped in my cheek. “Yeah. Well, she pushed me away. Left in a big hurry.”

  “And you haven’t seen her since?” Lincoln shifted to sit down on the porch step, twisting so he could still see me.

  “Nope. It was only last night. She doesn’t always come to the site, not every day.” I was quibbling, and I knew it. Abby came by this hotel at least once every day; if it wasn’t first thing, on her way to the office, it was only because we had arrangements to meet at another point in the day, to deal with permits or talk to a work team. I’d spent this morning getting the main building ready for our details crew, lingering there longer than I needed to, on the off-chance Abby might stick to her routine and stop by.

  But of course, she hadn’t. I’d spooked her last night, and now everything was going to be even more awkward between us. She’d put up higher walls, freeze me out even more, and maybe even avoid being alone with me altogether. I wasn’t sure whether or not to tell myself it was better this way or to curse the impulsiveness that had made me try for the kiss.

  “You’re going to have to make it right, Ry. We can’t have a problem with a client, not after all the time and work you’ve put into this. Go talk to her, make nice, apologize, grovel, whatever the hell you need to do. Then we get through the rest of this restoration, get a glowing recommendation and head for the next job. Got it?”

  I jerked my head. “Sure, whatever. But you don’t know Abby. She’s not going to like it if I try to apologize. She’d rather have us just forget it ever happened. Sweep it under the rug. That’s just how she is.”

  Linc shrugged. “If you’re sure about that, then fine. Do it your way. Only make sure she’s not upset.” He paused, considering. “What about her bosses? Will she tell them about what you did? Complain? We don’t need any sexual harassment charges coming down at us.”

  “No way.” I shook my head vehemently. “That’s not how Abby operates. She takes care of her own problems. Last thing she’d do is go crying to Jude and Logan, because she’d be afraid doing that would make her look weak. I’m telling you, Linc, she’s made of steel.”

  “Okay, good. Make sure things are cool with
her, then, and let’s keep moving.” He stood up and turned in a slow circle to take in the rest of the property. “So we’ll get the guys in here to start the finishing work, while the local crew completes the outbuildings. Once they’re done, we’ll move over there and get going. I figure . . .” He squinted, lips pressed tight as he ran it through in his head. “Six weeks. Eight at tops, if the weather interferes. Of course, we’ll be mostly inside from here on out.” He glanced at me. “Have you set up with the landscapers?”

  I lifted one shoulder. “Abby took care of that. We’re all supposed to meet next week, I think.”

  “Good. We’ll get down to business, then.” Linc stretched, groaning as his back arched. “Did you get me a room at the motel in town?”

  “Nope. I’ve got an extra bedroom over at Cooper’s place, so I figured you could bunk with me. Nicer than having to deal with the guys.”

  “Yeah, I guess. Think they’ll be okay without supervision?”

  I laughed. “They’re all adults, Linc. And what’re you going to do, follow them around and babysit? They might get into trouble, but no more than if you were sitting in a cramped little motel room. It’s not like you’re going to tuck them in every night or have a curfew. And Coop’s house is really comfortable.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “As long as I won’t be, ah, cramping your style. You know, if you and the lady boss decide to mix it up after all. I don’t need to hear all the moans and squeaky bed springs.”

  I shot him a one-fingered salute. “Not going to happen. Your virgin ears will be safe, I promise.” I pushed off the porch railing and jogged down the steps. “You’re right. The last thing I need to be doing is messing around with a client. From here on out, it’s all business.”

  Linc punched me on the arm. “Thanks, Ry. I know I’m a hard ass about that stuff. And I know I don’t really have the right to tell you what to do, seeing that I’m not a partner. But I couldn’t be more invested if I were.” He cleared his throat. “Now how about taking me into town for a drink? It’s been a long day.”