Dogwood Hill

by Sherryl Woods

  “I think we all worry about that,” Heather said. “Which is why we need to treasure every minute.”

  Liz thought of the O’Brien matriarch and her role in this amazing family. She was so glad that she’d arrived in town in time to get to know her just a little. She lifted her cup of coffee.

  “To Nell,” she said quietly.

  “To Nell,” the others echoed.

  “She would hate it if she could hear us,” Megan said. “She’d say it sounds as if we’re already mourning her, when she has a lot left to give and a lot left to live for, especially since she and Dillon found each other again in Ireland. I think that romance and their marriage revitalized her.”

  “You’re right,” Shanna said. “Let’s toast that.”

  This time the toast was far more upbeat and followed by a good bit of laughter.

  “There now!” Megan said, setting down her cup. “She’d approve of that. What she’s not going to be happy about is how many of us are missing from the table for Sunday dinner today.”

  “It’s the one weekend all summer that she tolerates us playing hooky, though,” Bree explained to Liz. “We just won’t hear the end of it till the Fourth of July!”

  “Maybe not till Labor Day,” Megan amended. She glanced outside. “Looks as if the rain’s stopped temporarily. I’d better seize the opportunity to get to the shop without getting drenched.”

  The gathering broke up, though Shanna and Bree walked with Liz to her shop as Megan and Heather hurried off to their businesses around the corner on Shore Road.

  “You did okay yesterday?” Shanna asked.

  “Better than I could possibly have imagined,” Liz said, thinking of the hefty amount she already had totaled for Tuesday’s deposit.

  “I don’t suppose Aidan had anything to do with that sparkle I see in your eyes,” Shanna teased.

  “Absolutely not,” Liz claimed. “I’m all about the cash.”

  Bree laughed. “Keep telling yourself that.”

  Liz intended to. This was no time to lose focus on her goal of making Pet Style a success.

  * * *

  Aidan spotted Liz on the sidewalk downstairs, chatting with Shanna and Bree before they left for their own shops. He’d made her agree the night before to call him if she needed help today, but his gut told him she wouldn’t do it even if there were customers hanging from the rafters. He made her nervous and he wasn’t entirely sure why. Maybe it was because she wanted so badly to ignore those sparks that kept sizzling between them.

  To keep himself from stopping in just to say hi, he deliberately forced himself to grab the Sunday New York Times and head for Panini Bistro, where he could read the paper and linger over a cappuccino.

  Despite the rain, Shore Road was already hopping just like Main Street. Panini Bistro was crowded with tourists who’d had the same idea he’d had. He was about to turn around and leave when he heard his name being called out from a table in the back. He spotted Connor and Kevin O’Brien waving in his direction. Kevin was already dragging an empty chair over from a neighboring table. Aidan stopped at the counter to order his drink, then joined them.

  “If you were hoping for peace and quiet, you’ve come to the wrong place,” Kevin said, glancing around at the crowd. “It’s not even Memorial Day and I’m already eager for the tourist season to be over.”

  Connor laughed. “My brother doesn’t really hate tourists, because he knows they’re very good for the businesses our wives run,” he said. “He just sees every one of them as a potential threat to the bay.”

  Kevin scowled at him. “You would, too, if you saw the amount of trash they leave behind.”

  “It sounds as if you’re as dedicated to preserving the Chesapeake as your uncle is,” Aidan said, concluding this was the perfect opening to pick up a few more tidbits about his father.

  “I think he’s even more of a fanatic,” Connor said, nudging his brother. “You know how it is with the recently converted.”

  Kevin’s scowl deepened. “Bite me.”

  “Seriously,” Aidan persisted, “were you drawn into your work by Thomas?”

  “Of course,” Kevin said. “Much to my father’s dismay. He and Thomas hadn’t gotten along all that well for years, so Dad viewed it as a betrayal when I decided to go to work with him.”

  “Dad actually pouted,” Connor said, then grinned. “I believe Mom finally got tired of it and told him to stop being a baby, that we all had the right to pursue our own dreams.”

  “Yeah, Connor’s dream back then was to save the world’s men from the evil women divorcing them. He handled some pretty messy divorces. It left him jaded. He wasn’t a big proponent of marriage back then.”

  Aidan studied him curiously. “What changed? Meeting Heather?”

  “Oh, no,” Kevin said before Connor could reply. “He already knew her. They already had Little Mick. He thought love was enough, that marriage was the problem.”

  “Well, you have to admit that Mom and Dad didn’t set the greatest example,” Connor said. “And Uncle Thomas was no better. Connie’s his third wife.”

  It was all Aidan could do not to let his jaw drop. Maybe his mom had been a whole lot smarter than he’d realized, if the man was that fickle.

  “They both seem happily married now,” he ventured cautiously.

  “Mom and Dad are great,” Kevin confirmed. “And Connie was exactly the right woman for Thomas. They share the same passion for preserving the bay. A common passion like that can bind two people together.”

  Definitely food for thought, Aidan concluded.

  “Change of subject,” Connor said. “How’s the team shaping up? Can we expect to win the regional championship?”

  Aidan gave him a wry look. “We’ve run drills and had a couple of team meetings. It’s a little early for me to start bragging on their prospects for next year.”

  “Can you please just tell us that they won’t suck again?” Kevin pleaded. “Those boys have had about as much heartbreak as they can handle. I’m amazed some of them have stuck with it. We had a real promising defensive tackle a few years back, but when his folks saw the handwriting on the wall after his first season, they transferred him to a private school that had a halfway decent team. I’d hate to see us lose any more players with potential or the cycle will never end.”

  “Losing all the time really is discouraging,” Aidan agreed. “I’ve been through a couple of losing streaks in my career and it took a lot to motivate the team to get back on the field and keep trying, especially at the end of the season if there was no hope for the play-offs.”

  “Your last season you had a winning record,” Connor scoffed. “And the team made the play-offs.”

  “True, but only after we lost the first three games,” Aidan reminded him. “Coming back from that pitiful start is what I’m talking about. It builds character.”

  “I think the character of these kids has taken all the building they can handle,” Kevin commented.

  They spent the next few minutes talking about teams that had bounced back after a losing start and what had made the difference.

  “They had heart,” Aidan suggested.

  “I’m not sure these boys have any heart left to give,” Kevin said.

  “Have you spoken to your son? Henry’s the temporary captain because he still believes in the possibilities and he was able to spur the other boys into the same mind-set. I’m not saying they won’t backslide if we start off with a couple of losses, but right now, I think they’re starting to feel optimistic. It’s my job to make sure they keep on believing in themselves, even if they falter along the way.”

  Kevin gave him a long look. “Do you believe in them?”

  “Let me put it this way,” Aidan said, meeting his gaze. “I wouldn’t have taken the job if I did
n’t think I could make a difference.”

  “One win would make a difference,” Kevin replied.

  Aidan laughed. “I’m counting on a few more than that.”

  The brothers exchanged a look.

  “I guess we need to have a little faith,” Connor said.

  “Or at least keep our skepticism to ourselves,” Kevin suggested.

  Aidan nodded. “Couldn’t hurt for them to think the community’s behind them.”

  “Hey, we’ve always been behind them, win or lose,” Kevin said. “But it sure would be nice to leave that fancy stadium after a victory. I think the last time we won, Connor was still playing, and the old stadium had temporary bleachers and a makeshift refreshment stand.”

  Connor’s expression turned nostalgic. “I loved that old stadium. Stole my first kiss under those bleachers when I was twelve.”

  Fascinated, Aidan sat back to listen.

  “You did not, you little dreamer,” Kevin retorted.

  “You ask Janie Lofton,” Connor replied indignantly.

  Kevin’s mouth gaped. “Janie was in my class. She was already in high school when you were twelve.”

  Connor’s grin spread. “Don’t I know it! Best night of my life, at least till I met Heather,” he added dutifully. He sighed. “I don’t know what Dad was thinking when he made those permanent stands. There’s not a decent place anywhere to steal a kiss.”

  Kevin laughed. “Maybe that was deliberate. He has a lot of granddaughters to protect.”

  “All I have to say is that it’s the most impressive high school stadium I’ve ever been in,” Aidan said. “Your father has done this town proud. Now I need to put together a team that’s worthy of such a fancy facility.”

  “Amen to that,” Kevin said.

  “On that note, I’d better take off,” Connor said. “I left Little Mick with his grandfather. It’s never a good idea to let Dad have free rein with him for long. He spoils the kids rotten.” He glanced at Kevin. “What about you? You’ll be at Sunday dinner, right? It’ll mostly be men and kids today, since most of the women are working. That’ll give Gram fits, but she doesn’t like to break tradition even if half the family can’t be there.”

  “I’ll be along,” Kevin said. “Unlike you, I’m perfectly content to let Dad spoil my kids. They wear him out so he’s more mellow by the time I show up.”

  Connor laughed. “Good point. Aidan, you want to join us? There’s plenty of room at the table today.”

  “Why don’t you?” Kevin said.

  Aidan shook his head. He couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of their hospitality, not when there was so much he was keeping from all of them.

  “Not today, thanks. I’m going to spend some time looking through Coach Gentry’s notes and watching some videos he gave me of the games from last season.”

  Connor regarded him sympathetically. “Well, if that gets too depressing and you change your mind, just come on by.”

  After Connor left, Aidan noticed Kevin seemed to be nervous. To give him time to collect his thoughts, he got up and got himself another cappuccino.

  “Something on your mind?” he asked when he returned to the table. “Are you worried about Henry if I decide not to keep him on as team captain?”

  Kevin shook his head at once. “No way. That kid is amazing. Sometimes I think he was born thirty. Or maybe it was just all he went through before he came to live with us, but he takes things in stride. He’s repeatedly reminded us that the job’s not his for good. He’s just excited that it’s his right now. You gotta love a teenager who thinks that way.”

  “It is admirable and unusual,” Aidan agreed. “If it’s not that, what is it?”

  “I had a talk with Thomas at work the other day. He was telling me you’re taking over with the school club that’s been working with us on bay preservation.”

  Aidan nodded. “I’ve spoken to him about it, yes.”

  “He got the sense that you might have reservations.”

  Aidan frowned. “I’m sure I told him I was eager to help out, that I recognized how worthwhile the cause is,” he said, wishing he’d delivered that message with more conviction than he apparently had. Just being polite clearly hadn’t covered his misgivings.

  “He said you said all the right words, but when he wanted to schedule some time to brainstorm plans for next fall, you seemed evasive,” Kevin reported.

  Aidan sighed. “I probably did,” he admitted. “Right now, my focus is on football and trying to shape up the team. I only have a couple more weeks before school’s out. I won’t get these kids back on the field till late summer. You know as well as I do that’s not a lot of time to get them fully prepared for next season.”

  “Understandable, but you have to see where my uncle is coming from,” Kevin replied. “Preserving the bay is an all-consuming obsession for him. He wants to work with someone who’s equally committed.”

  Aidan’s temper stirred. “So he’s decided I’m not committed after a single conversation?”

  “It’s not that,” Kevin said hurriedly. “I don’t want to put words in his mouth. I guess I just wanted to hear for myself that you’re interested in working with us. Otherwise, maybe you should speak to Rob about assigning another teacher to the club.”

  Kevin couldn’t possibly know how badly Aidan wanted to do just that, but his annoyance with Thomas for leaping to such a conclusion kept him from admitting it. Pride and his upbringing insisted that he stick with the commitment he’d made.

  “You can tell your uncle that when fall rolls around, I will give this obligation my all, just the way I intend to do my best for the football team.”

  Kevin looked taken aback by his sharp tone. “Hey, man, I’m sorry. I just wanted to give you an out if you wanted one. We’ll be glad to have the support. You just need to understand how Thomas is.”

  “Believe me, I’ve heard a lot about his dedication and idealism,” Aidan said, fighting to keep any hint of bitterness from his voice. “I can respect that. As for those get-togethers he wants to have, there will be plenty of time once school’s out. I’ll give him a call and schedule something. Let him know that.”

  Kevin regarded him with a guilty expression. “I didn’t just create an awkward situation for you, did I? All I really meant to do was clear the air and give you a chance to opt out if you weren’t interested in the project.”

  “Got it,” Aidan said. “No harm, no foul. Honestly.”

  Kevin didn’t look entirely convinced, but clearly he decided he’d done enough damage. “I probably should get over to Dad’s, too. You sure you don’t want to come along? I understand Gram’s made pot roast. It’s not to be missed.”

  “Another time,” Aidan told him. “Enjoy the rest of your day. I’ve got the Times crossword to do and all those game videos to watch.”

  He didn’t add that those would be enough frustration without trying to evade Thomas and his uncomfortable insightfulness. He was going to have to do a whole lot better at covering his emotions if he wanted to get to know the man without inadvertently revealing what he knew about their connection.

  7

  Though she hardly had five minutes to think the rest of the holiday weekend, Liz was forced to admit that when she did have a second, her thoughts kept straying to Aidan. She hadn’t caught so much as a glimpse of him since they’d had pizza on Saturday night. It had been a comfortable couple of hours, though trying to ignore those sparks between them had taken a lot of willpower, more than she’d imagined ever needing again.

  It was one thing to be attracted to the man, she told herself sternly. That just proved she was alive. Acting on it, however, was something else, something she wasn’t prepared to do, because allowing her defenses to come down opened her up to a load of potential hurt. She’d already be
en through more than enough heartache to last a lifetime.

  Even with all of those very stern lectures she’d delivered to herself mentally, more than once her gaze had gone to the slip of paper she’d tucked into her pocket with Aidan’s cell phone number written on it. She’d been sorely tempted to call and plead for his help, but that fierce independent streak of hers had convinced her that was more about wanting to see him than it was about needing help in the shop.

  By the time she closed on Monday after the holiday crowds had left for home, she was glad she’d done those last two days on her own. She’d proven something to herself. And totaling the receipts in her kitchen on Monday night gave her an amazing sense of satisfaction. She was going to pull this off. She could honestly say now that she believed that Pet Style had been the right decision for her future and not just some crazy escape from the past, as her family thought of it.

  How had they not been able to see that her entire life had been leading up to something just like this venture? Not only had she started taking in strays as a child, but she’d volunteered at a vet clinic as soon as the family vet thought she was old enough. She’d volunteered to help with a shelter’s pet adoption Saturdays, too. Rescuing animals in distress was every bit the passion that teaching had been, and while going to veterinary school hadn’t been a realistic option after her husband died, a shop like this had been.

  When her phone rang, a tiny part of her was hoping it would be Aidan so she could share the good news of the weekend’s success with him, but instead it was her mother’s voice she heard on the other end of the line.

  Even as she mentally chided herself for not checking caller ID, she said, “Hi, Mom. How was your holiday?”

  “The more important question is how was yours? Not that it was much of a holiday, I’m sure. I imagine you were putting in ridiculously long days.”

  Liz let the familiar refrain wash over her, pretending that the attitude didn’t hurt.