Harbor Lights

by Sherryl Woods

  Laurie looked from one of them to the other. “Now isn’t that interesting,” she said. “A knight in shining armor, willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good.”

  Kevin was about to reply that his armor was seriously tarnished, when Shanna stepped in.

  “The only knights around here are in the children’s storybooks,” she snapped. “Leave the man alone.”

  Despite himself, Kevin chuckled. “I’ll go check on that coffee now, okay?”

  “Please do,” Shanna said.

  As he left the room, he could hear her whispering something to Laurie in an urgent undertone. He had a hunch she wasn’t asking her to help him with the coffee. If anything, she might be sending her all the way to Baltimore to get some hard-to-find-but-vital something or other for today’s event. That was probably the only way she’d keep her friend from asking him all the questions that were so clearly on her mind. From Kevin’s perspective, Siberia would be the better destination.

  He turned to find Jess standing in his path, beaming at him. “Well, don’t you look handsome! Did you get all dressed up to impress Shanna?”

  “I got all dressed up because Gram made me,” he said, then chuckled at how ridiculous that sounded. He really was pitiful if he was letting a bunch of women run his life.

  This, more than anything else that had happened lately, suggested it was past time for him to get his act together. Otherwise he’d lose all respect for himself as the testosterone-driven man he’d once been. He’d served in the army, for heaven’s sake. He’d been in a war. He was tough, dammit! It might be smart to keep reminding himself of that.

  He glanced past Jess and saw that several tables had been set up along the wall in the café area. They were laden with tempting hors d’oeuvres and cookies.

  “Nice spread,” he commented.

  “And you’re not to touch it till after the customers have seen how beautiful it looks,” she warned him. “This kind of event is great advertising for the inn’s catering services. I bet I’ll pick up half a dozen parties because of this.”

  “Good for you.” He hesitated, then asked, “Jess, how did you know the inn was the perfect career for you?”

  “You mean after all the other jobs I held for a nanosecond and quit?”

  He nodded.

  “When I saw the For Sale sign on that property, I remembered how much I’d loved it and thought about owning it, even when I was a kid. I just knew it was what I’d been waiting for.” She studied him thoughtfully. “Is this about the charter fishing boat idea I mentioned to you?”

  “Yeah, at least I think that’s why I’m asking.”

  “You’re still not sure it’s the right fit?”

  “I’m not sure anything’s the right fit,” he admitted. “But I have to do something, and I want to be as excited about it as you are about the inn. Bree has the flower shop and her writing. Abby’s passionate about all that Wall Street financial stuff. Connor loves practicing law. I don’t have anything I feel that way about, not since…”

  “Not since you ruled out being a paramedic again,” she said. “Have you even been down to Harbor Lights? Maybe if you spent some time looking at the boats the marina has for sale, the pieces would start to fall into place.”

  “Good idea,” he said. It was another of those steps that Gram had been encouraging him to take. Just one step forward. He didn’t have to buy a boat. He just had to look at them. Maybe take a couple out to sea to get the feel of them, then sign up for the training to become certified as a charter boat captain. Even after taking the course and becoming licensed, he never had to actually start a fishing charter.

  “Thanks, Jess,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “Now let me man my station at the cappuccino machine, because I think the doors are about to open.”

  His sister gave him a hard hug. “I think it’s great that you came to help out.”

  “It doesn’t mean anything,” he said defensively.

  She grinned at him. “Did I suggest otherwise?”

  “No, but—” He cut himself off in midsentence. Protesting would only convince her, convince the entire family, of the exact opposite. Better to drop this and stay as far away from both his family and Shanna as possible for the rest of the day.

  Shanna had never expected a turnout like this. The store was so packed and sales so brisk, she’d barely been able to leave the cash register since she’d unlocked the front door at 10 a.m. At least that hadn’t given her a single second to worry about what Laurie might be up to with Kevin. She’d warned her to leave the man alone, but a stern warning had never stopped her friend from doing exactly as she pleased, especially when she was worried.

  And Laurie was worried, even more so now that she’d met Kevin. She’d had plenty to say once he’d walked out of the back room. The only thing that had saved Shanna from hearing every single one of her concerns was Jess’s timely arrival announcing that the food was set up and it was 10 a.m. After that, everything had been a blur.

  Everyone in Chesapeake Shores, it seemed, had been starving for reading material. Stacks of paperbacks and children’s books had flown out the door. She’d even sold every single one of her deluxe Scrabble sets, the ones on a turntable. Jigsaw puzzles were selling well, too. Apparently the summer people loved keeping a supply of things like that on hand for rainy days and visiting grandkids.

  Bree had been the first customer in line. She’d brought over a huge arrangement of flowers for the opening, then insisted on buying the books she’d put on hold.

  “I want to give you your very first sale,” she’d said, “Sorry to be in such a rush, but I can’t leave Jenny there alone for too long on a Saturday, not with this crowd you’ve drawn into town today. I was afraid I wouldn’t have a chance to get by later. Your opening is the big news on Main Street today, but I’ll get the spillover clientele who’ll want to talk about you.”

  Laughing, Shanna had rung up her sale, already feeling as if the day was off to a promising start. She’d never expected the outpouring of support and sales that had followed.

  It was midafternoon before she finally drew in a deep breath and took a minute to look around. There were still several customers browsing through the shelves, but the surprise was the sight of Kevin refilling the cappuccino maker. She’d expected him to vanish long before now, either out of boredom or because Laurie’d been badgering him. She walked over to him.

  “I’d say your first day has been a success,” he said when he saw her. “Congratulations!”

  “And I’d say you deserve accolades for sticking around,” she replied. “You must be worn-out.”

  “Hey, this is easy. All I have to do is keep this thing filled and make sure there are cups.”

  “And fend off women,” she teased. “I saw quite a few lingering over here and, trust me, it wasn’t the coffee that fascinated them.”

  Kevin actually blushed at the observation. “It’s a small town. Most of them were women I’d gone to school with.”

  “And dated?” she asked.

  “A few of them,” he admitted.

  She couldn’t seem to stop herself from pursuing this now that she’d started. “And how many wanted to pick up where you’d left off?”

  He chuckled. “I wasn’t keeping count.” His gaze narrowed. “You almost sound jealous. What would your friend Laurie have to say about that?”

  Shanna shuddered. “I don’t even want to think about it. I owe you after the inquisition she put you through. I’m really sorry about that, but she worries about me.”

  “Is there some reason she needs to?”

  “Long story,” she said. “And there’s no time for it today. I met your sister Abby and her girls earlier. They’re a handful, aren’t they?”

  “You have no idea,” Kevin said.

  “Is your son still here?”

  “There are books. I doubt he’s ever going to want to leave,” Kevin said. “I do think Gram took him next door long enough for lu
nch, but they came back a few minutes ago.” He gestured behind her.

  Shanna turned, immediately recognizing the dark-haired toddler snuggled next to a white-haired woman and studying an Eric Carle book with total fascination. They’d bought several books earlier—cozy mysteries and a new photographic tour of Ireland for her, picture books for him. She grinned with delight as she realized which book they were looking at now.

  “He’s looking at the one about fireflies,” she told Kevin. “It’s one of my favorites. It even has tiny lights in it. Did you see that?”

  “About thirty times so far,” he said. “Gram finally took over.” He hesitated, then said with obvious reluctance, “You should probably meet her—my grandmother, that is.”

  “We spoke earlier when she bought the books, but we didn’t really have a chance to chat.”

  “It might be better to keep it that way,” he said direly.

  She studied him curiously. “Is there some reason you don’t want me to talk with her?”

  “You’ll see soon enough,” he said in that same grim tone, then led the way. “Gram, this is Shanna Carlyle. My grandmother, Nell O’Brien, and my son, Davy.”

  Shanna gave his grandmother’s hand a warm squeeze. “I know we met earlier, Mrs. O’Brien, but it’s nice to have a chance to speak to you when things aren’t so rushed.”

  “Please call me Nell,” she said. “Davy and I love your shop. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of us.”

  Shanna knelt down beside Davy, who was still gazing with rapt attention at the book. “I’m so glad you could come today, Davy.” She pointed to the book. “Something tells me you like fireflies.”

  Davy regarded her shyly. “Uh-huh.”

  “You know what I think? I think this book about them is magic.”

  Davy nodded solemnly, then turned to the back of the book to make the lights twinkle. “’flies,” he pronounced happily.

  Shanna’s heart melted. “Well, I guess you’ve picked out your favorite book today,” she concluded. “You’ll be able to read it every night.”

  “That’ll be three or four times a night,” Kevin muttered behind her. “Thanks.”

  She grinned up at him. “Well, it is a magical book.”

  She noted that his grandmother was watching the exchange with a speculative gleam in her eyes. That’s when Shanna realized why Kevin had been so hesitant about the two of them meeting. The woman apparently wasn’t above matchmaking, even after he’d made it plain that he wasn’t interested. She’d caught similar looks from all three of his sisters today, as well. Add in his father’s behavior a few nights ago and she could see why Kevin dreaded more meddling.

  She stood up, backing away so quickly she almost tripped over the low table in front of the chair. Kevin caught her arm and steadied her, his eyes glinting with amusement. She had a hunch there would have been an I-told-you-so if they’d been alone.

  “I’d better get back to the front,” she said. “Thanks again for coming, I hope I’ll see you again soon.”

  “Oh, I think you can count on that,” Mrs. O’Brien said, a wicked twinkle in her eyes that suggested the next visit would be less about books and much more about Shanna herself.

  If her own grandson found that twinkle worrisome, it was nothing to what Shanna was suddenly feeling. She found it terrifying. And she still had to face Laurie and several hours of her interrogation before the day was done.

  It was after seven by the time Jess had cleaned up the empty dishes and trays and loaded them into her van. Laurie had tidied the bookshelves while Shanna tallied the day’s receipts. It had been a very good day. She knew better than to think every day would be this good, but it was an excellent start.

  “I think we should go out to celebrate,” she announced to Laurie and Jess. “And not at the inn, because then you’ll be fretting about work, Jess. How about Brady’s? On me.”

  Laurie gave her a look that said she knew exactly what Shanna was doing by inviting Jess along. And she was right. The last thing Shanna wanted was to be alone with her inquisitive best friend.

  “I don’t know…” Jess began. “I’m pretty beat.”

  “So am I,” Shanna said, “but I want to do something special to mark the occasion, and you absolutely have to be a part of it. Your food was a huge hit today. I think that’s what kept people browsing and buying.”

  Jess beamed with pride. “I think you’re exaggerating, but thank you anyway. Just about everyone asked for my card, so I’m sure we’ll get more catering jobs from this. I can’t wait to let Gail know. I may be the face of the business, but she’s the wizard in the kitchen. If we get even one job from today’s event, I’m knocking ten percent off your bill.”

  “Come on now,” Shanna protested. “You can’t do that. You’re in business to make money, too.”

  “Well, all this talk of food and money is making me hungry,” Laurie said. “Come on, ladies, let’s get out of here. I want a big juicy steak.”

  “Crab cakes for me,” Jess said at once.

  “Me, too,” Shanna added, then gave Laurie a chiding look. “How can you be in one of the world’s great seafood regions and eat a steak?”

  “What can I say? I love my meat.”

  “You’ll have to come more often, so we can convert you,” Jess told her.

  Jess was about to climb into her van when Shanna stopped her. “Leave that here. I’ll drive. Since I live right upstairs, I’ll be coming back here anyway.”

  “Works for me,” Jess said at once.

  Ten minutes later they were in the packed parking lot at Brady’s. The waterfront restaurant had a line at the door.

  “Oh, no,” Shanna groaned. “I didn’t even consider what it would be like here on a Saturday night. I don’t think I’m up for a wait for a table.”

  “Leave that to me,” Jess said. “Stick close behind me and don’t stop.”

  “You’re going to break in line?” Laurie said, awe in her voice.

  “Not exactly,” Jess said.

  Instead, she led the way around to the back of the restaurant and opened the kitchen door to complete chaos. A tall, redheaded man the size of a truck took one look at her and bellowed, “What are you doing in my kitchen?”

  Shanna and Laurie immediately fell back a step, but Jess marched right on in and straight into his arms. To Shanna’s shock, the man scooped Jess up and spun her around.

  “I thought I told you never to sneak in this way again,” he scolded.

  “Have you seen that line outside?” Jess demanded. “Ladies, this is the best chef in Chesapeake Shores, next to mine at the inn, of course. Dillon Brady, meet Shanna Carlyle, owner of the town’s hottest new store, and her friend Laurie, who’s visiting from Philadelphia. How could I not bring them here to celebrate Shanna’s grand opening today? Surely you can find one small table for us.”

  “For you, anything,” Dillon said. He turned to Shanna and Laurie. “Even though she abandoned me, I have chosen to forgive her.” He sighed dramatically. “Jess was one of the best waitresses I ever had.”

  Jess rolled her eyes. “I was a disaster,” she said. “He just kept me around because I flattered him endlessly about his food.”

  “Yes, that was part of it,” he concurred unrepentantly.

  “And what was the other part?” Jess said, feigning forgetfulness. She snapped her fingers. “Oh, yes, I introduced him to the woman who is now his wife.”

  He beamed. “Yes, there is that, for which I will be eternally grateful. Now, give me a minute. I’ll find you a table, even if I have to hurry the mayor and his party.”

  Shanna watched in fascination at the obviously orderly chaos that was the kitchen. She’d never been in a restaurant kitchen during the height of the evening rush…or ever, for that matter. “I couldn’t do this,” she declared after several minutes.

  Jess laughed. “Neither could I. I was jumpy all the time. I barely lasted three months and that long only because Dillon took pity on me. He w
as convinced I’d get the hang of it eventually.”

  “How does he feel about you now being his primary competition for fine dining in town?” Shanna asked.

  “He just tells everyone that anything I’m doing right I learned here,” Jess said, then shrugged. “He’s probably right about that. It helps that he and my chef get along really well. They have dinner every couple of weeks and compare menus to be sure we’re offering different choices. Obviously there are certain dishes both places are expected to carry around here, but there are enough distinctions that people can also get some variety.”

  Dillon returned with his arm around the woman who was apparently the restaurant’s hostess. “My wife, Kate,” he announced to Shanna and Laurie as the woman hugged Jess. “She’ll take you to your table.” He shook his finger at Jess. “Next time you come in the front like everyone else.”

  Jess grinned at him impudently. “What’s the fun in that? Besides, Kate’s far too diplomatic to let us butt in line.”

  “Exactly,” Dillon told her. “Now, go.”

  As soon as they were seated and Kate had gone back to her station at the door, Shanna ordered a bottle of wine. Before the waitress could get away, they also placed their orders for food.

  Shanna sat back with a sigh. “Just sitting down like this is heaven. I had no idea how hard it would be to stay on my feet most of the day. Don’t tell, but I’ve kicked off my shoes. Don’t let me walk out of here without them.”

  The waitress brought their wine and some crab dip. “Dillon sent this out to tide you over. The kitchen’s slow because we’re so packed, but he’ll get your meals out as quickly as he can.”

  “Please tell him thanks,” Jess said, then turned to Shanna. “Okay, let’s get to the important news of the day. How’d you get along with Davy and Gram?”

  Shanna winced. Why hadn’t she considered that Jess was at least as nosy as Laurie? Now there were going to be two of them ganging up on her. She held up a hand.

  “The subject of Kevin, his son and the rest of your family is off-limits,” she declared.