Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2)

by Nicole Smith

  She grinned ruefully. "Sorry. You lost me some time ago. I had no idea so much was involved in catching fish. I'm afraid I'd just buy the shiniest, prettiest lures possible and hope for the best."

  "Not a bad instinct, as that's what a lot of fish go for, too. Come on. Let's sit in the other room by the wood stove."

  "Who created the design for the store?"

  "I did a lot of it, and I roped Anna in, to give it her artist's eye. I wanted it to be a comfortable place to hang out. Between us we got the right feel for the place I think."

  "Yes, I'd say you did."

  He waved her to the grouping of rockers and they sat down. Cody heard male laughter and groaned inwardly. Captain Hank and Joe came into the room and up to the chairs, then stood there staring at Julia.

  "Guys? You leaving so soon?" Cody asked, hopefully.

  "Uh, no, uh you didn't introduce us," Joe said.

  "To your friend there," Captain Hank finished.

  Cody sighed. "Julia Tremaine, this is Joe Crawford and Captain Hank Minnick. They work at the charter fishing business. We don't have much of that at this time of year. Guys, this is Julia."

  She smiled at them and they each stuck out a hand for her to shake. Then they sat down in the rocking chairs. And stared at Julia.

  Cody tried to think of how to get rid of them while Julia said, "So, what do you recommend I should see today? Since I'm new in town I want to get to know all the places people go to normally, not just tourist stuff."

  "Well, now, you've been to the bakery? Everyone goes there," Joe said.

  "Yeah, and you really should go out to the point to see the ocean. We could take you out there--"

  "That won't be necessary, guys. I planned to show it to her," Cody said rather sharply.

  Both men nodded knowingly.

  "There's the mall, if you wanna go shopping," Captain Hank suggested.

  "Or you could visit the gardens," Joe said.

  "The gardens, for sure," Hank agreed.

  Julia looked confused. "Gardens at this time of year? I thought it wasn't quite spring enough to have flowers yet."

  Cody said, "Not that kind of garden."

  Joe and Hank nodded. Hank said, "There might be some flowers out there, but it's mostly dead bodies."

  "What?" Julia asked with wide eyes.

  "It's a cemetery. Everyone calls it 'the gardens,'" Cody explained. "It is one of the oldest graveyards in the state. There are some fascinating headstones and statuary there, if you're into that kind of thing. Some tourists like to go there and do rubbings of the stones."

  "Well, it sounds different all right," Julia said with a grin.

  "Of course, there's the fishing museum too. Always interesting," Hank said helpfully.

  "And the library if you're into reading," Joe said, rather disapprovingly.

  "Sounds like I have several options, thank you," she said and stood up.

  "You're leaving?" Cody asked with a frown.

  "Yes, things to do, places to be," she said, and laughed at the look of surprise on his face. "Actually, I'm just going to drive around and poke my head into any shops that interest me. I'm planning to take it easy today. I'll be back at the beach house after lunch."

  "Okay, you take care," he said to her, as he walked with her to the door. "Thanks for coming by to see my place."

  "I'm glad I did," she replied. Waving to the two men, who had stood up belatedly, she left.

  Cody turned back and walked to the center of the room

  "Now Cody..." Hank began.

  "Nice girl, really she is," Joe said and stopped when Cody frowned at him.

  "Guys, just...never mind!" he said and stomped off.

  Hank looked at Joe, and winked.

  * * * *

  Julia decided to go see the library after all. Growing up, she'd always loved libraries. Her father had a library with deep leather chairs and a long couch, in front of a fireplace. She'd always loved the smell of the leather and books. When had she stopped going in that room?

  Feeling bemused by the memories being stirred up, she parked and walked up wide front steps into the red brick building. There were tall windows and rich dark wood inside. She noticed a center section of the main floor was supplied with some old model computers. As she walked through the stacks, she enjoyed the smell of books and the old wooden shelves. Clearly the library was not large, but she might find some things to read here once she finished up Sam Carter's series.

  Wandering down an aisle of mysteries, she overheard two women talking in the next row.

  "Yes, I heard she's a famous model coming here to recuperate from plastic surgery."

  "That can't be right because Kayla saw her in the bakery...although she did say she had dark circles under her eyes. But I still think Maelynne is right. Since she's staying out at Sam and Anna's, I bet she's an actress. Probably from one of his films."

  "Maelynne thinks everyone is a movie person," the first woman said dismissively. "And did you hear Cody Grainger was talking to her in the bakery? And he took her to the deli? You know how he is with women. I wonder if she'll be like all the others."

  Julia's eyebrows raised. Cody was a womanizer? The women walked off down the row and she headed in the opposite direction. She thought about Cody as she left the library and headed for the bakery. He was certainly handsome enough to attract any woman he wanted. That easy charm, the blond and blue-eyed playboy look, great body--yes, he was a definite attraction here in Sully Point. But it irritated her to think of how the women talked about him. She had the feeling there was more to him than a guy who dated around. And he'd been a total gentleman around her. Of course, if she actually did look like she was recuperating from surgery, there was no need to wonder why. She determined then and there to get even more sleep, to banish the dark circles.

  Later, at the bakery, Kayla greeted her by name and suggested freshly-baked cookies right out of the oven.

  "What kind are they?" Julia asked.

  "Coconut thumbprint with strawberry jam in the center."

  "Those sound yummy. I'll take six, and also six of the chocolate chip."

  "Must be great not to have to watch your weight," Kayla said. "Is it true models barely eat anything?"

  Julia managed not to chuckle at this innocent-sounding question. "Some don't eat much that's true. Others manage with lots of exercise."

  "I see," Kayla said with interest. "Do you get to wear all kinds of beautiful clothes? Being a model?"

  "Well, I don't, since I'm not a model."

  "You're not? I was positive--I mean--you sure do look like one."

  "Not me. I've never modeled," Julia said breezily. "Is that pumpernickel bread? I do love pumpernickel bread. I'd better get a loaf." She could see Kayla mulling over different job options besides modeling.

  As she pulled out money to pay, Kayla asked shyly, "You aren't from, you know, Hollywood are you?"

  She smiled at the girl. "No. I've visited but never lived there. I'd better get going. See you tomorrow!"

  Driving home she wondered at her delight in the town's guessing game about her. She realized it gave her a sense of freedom, to think of all the things she could be besides an ad executive. That afternoon she snacked on cookies and read her book, and once again fell asleep on the couch. She completely forgot about checking her email.

  The phone woke her up with its musical, yet annoying, ring. "I'm coming, I'm coming," she said out loud, digging in her bag for the phone. "Hello?"

  "There you are!" Holly's voice seemed too loud to Julia.

  "Yeah, I'm here. You woke me up."

  "I'm sorry. I was worried about you."

  "Why? I'm in Sully Point. Nothing can happen to me here. All I do is eat and sleep."

  Holly laughed. "That's good to know. You've needed it. I didn't know how you were since you haven't answered any of my emails."

  "I haven't answered anybody's emails. I haven't turned on my laptop since I've been here."

  "
No! Really? That's amazing considering..."

  "Considering how obsessive I am about emails? Yeah I know. But I feel free here, not tied to work or emails. It's a good feeling. I'll get around to reading the work emails in the next day or two but I'm not rushing into it."

  "Good for you. Has everyone been helpful?"

  "Yes, very. By the way, your bakery is awesome. And I had dinner last night with Cody and your father. It was very nice until I couldn't keep my eyes open. Cody drove me home, and he and your dad dropped off my car this morning. I got up and it was waiting in the driveway for me. So, yes, they've been very helpful."

  "That's good, they should be."

  Julia laughed. "Does everyone always do what you tell them to do?"

  Holly was silent a moment, and then said, "Pretty much, yes."

  "Well, I'm awake now. I think I'll go take a shower and wash my hair. Talk to you soon, okay?"

  "Yes, sounds good. Bye."

  Julia thought about Holly as she hung up the phone. One of these days Holly would meet someone who might turn the tables on her. That would be something to see.

  * * * *

  Cody was shoving salad around his plate and not listening to his father.

  "Son--are you just going to play with your food? Good grief, I haven't said that to you since you were a kid." Frank shook his head.

  "I'm not very hungry tonight. I wonder if Julia got some food for dinner."

  Frank said, "Well, she is a grown woman. I think she knows how to buy food for herself."

  "You know what I mean, Dad, she's still not healthy and maybe she forgot and then everywhere was closed. It could happen."

  "I see. So you're thinking you should maybe go check on her, make sure she had a proper dinner, that sort of thing."

  Cody looked up with a bright smile. "Yeah, it does sound like a good idea."

  Frank held up a hand. "I don't think she'd appreciate you treating her like you're her parent."

  "But I'd just be--"

  "Cody, you usually have amazing instincts with women. Use them. She didn't come here to be treated like a child. Treat her like a woman, a friend."

  Cody sighed. "My instincts seem to have flown the coop lately."

  "For what it's worth, here's some advice. Take over a couple of board games and invite her to play. The woman clearly needs to relax and have some fun. And don't treat her like she's sick."

  "You know, that's not a bad idea at all."

  "Great! You take off and I'm going to watch some basketball."

  "Yeah, Dad," Cody said vaguely. "See you later."

  When Cody left, Frank gave a sigh of relief. Lately, dealing with Cody was like walking in a minefield. It was perfectly clear his son was falling head over heels for this woman. And for some reason, was in total denial about it.

  * * * *

  It was around seven in the evening when Cody drove out to Julia's. He had Monopoly and Scrabble on the seat next to him. Definitely not his usual choice for a first date. But, this wasn't a first date, he reminded himself. He was being a friend, that was it.

  When Julia opened the door and smiled at him with those plump red lips, he felt his heart give a big thump. "Hi, thought maybe you could use some company."

  She motioned him in and looked curiously at the boxes in his arms. "Is that Monopoly?"

  "Yep. And Scrabble. Feel like a game?"

  She laughed. "That would be perfect."

  Inside his mind he gave thanks to his brilliant father.

  "I just finished eating supper and was wondering what I'd do for the night. I had a long afternoon nap, so I'm wide awake," Julia said to him. She led the way into the living room, and then said, "Wait a minute, can we use the coffee table or would the dinette set be better?"

  "Which game?"

  "Monopoly, definitely," she replied. "I haven't played since--well, I don't know when."

  "Let's use the dinette table. It will give us plenty of room."

  They set up the board and the paper money, and Cody couldn't help but notice how Julia's blue eyes sparkled with pleasure at the idea of the game. She didn't look as tired tonight as she had last night.

  "What did you have for dinner tonight?" he asked, nonchalantly, he thought.

  "You've been dying to ask me since you walked in the door, haven't you?"

  He started to protest but she stopped him. "It's okay. I know you were worried, but you needn't be. I had food from Deb's--sesame chicken and lasagna, too. Don't be nervous about me. I'm going to be fine."

  He nodded. "You're right. From now on, I'll stop being the mother hen, and I'll just be your friend."

  "That sounds great."

  * * * *

  The game was played with intensity, laughter, and accusations of various nefarious acts. Julia hadn't laughed so much in ages. They finished off the chocolate chip cookies and Cody declared himself the winner by eleven o'clock that night.

  "You almost lost. I was very close to beating you," she said.

  "Right, very close--and yet, I'm the winner of all I survey."

  She threw a metal shoe at him which he caught easily. "All right, I officially surrender this match. But I call for a re-match another night."

  "You've got it."

  They began to pack up the game. Julia felt surprised at how she suddenly seemed vitally aware of his physicality. He was definitely all man, and she could feel a change in the energy of the air around them.

  "Julia--"

  "Cody--"

  She held up a hand. "This was great fun. Thanks so much for coming over."

  He smiled ruefully. "But it's time for me to go, isn't it."

  "I'm afraid so. I'm not saying I'm not interested. I am. But, I don't want to rush anything."

  "Fair enough. Good night Julia."

  "Night, Cody."

  She let him out the front door, and watched until he was in his car and had blinked the car lights. After locking the door, she leaned against it. "Now, what did I just let walk out of here? Stupid, stupid, stupid."

  Chapter 3

  Cody spent the next morning at work thinking about Julia. Last night had been a blast. It was good to know they could spend time together just relaxing and playing a game and have that much fun, without sex even being involved. In his opinion, that could only bode well for when they finally did have sex. She wasn't like the other women he'd been with. He felt different around her. When he woke up this morning, she was the first thing on his mind.

  He decided to make the bakery run and stop off to say hi to his dad. On the way to the hardware store, he considered the best way to convince his father to invite Julia over for dinner again. He had several plans in his mind, all of which flew right back out of his mind when he walked in and saw Julia standing there talking to Frank.

  Julia said, "Frank, this is the current Monopoly champion, however I expect to dethrone him any day now."

  "Just name the time and the place, baby and I'm there," Cody said and laughed.

  "I came in here to ask a favor," she said to them. "Would it be okay if I brought dinner to your house tonight? I could pick up something and bring it and we could eat together. It's kind of lonely eating by yourself."

  Cody knew he shouldn't look quite as happy as he did, but he couldn't help it.

  Frank said, "Tell you what--how about you come on over and one of us will cook. Sound like a good idea?"

  "Great, but I don't want to put you to any trouble."

  "No trouble, one of us will be cooking anyway, and one more person is no problem," Frank said. "In fact, I'm sure Cody here would love to be our chef for the evening."

  Cody smirked. "Actually, it sounds great to me. What are some of your favorite foods, Julia?"

  "Pretty much anything. Until I came to Sully Point I wasn't really into food. That seems to have changed since my appetite came back. I'll eat anything. Surprise me."

  Cody grinned at her. "Aha, another challenge."

  She laughed. "I'm off to the bakery t
o replenish my stocks since someone ate all my cookies last night."

  "Hey, you offered them," Cody said.

  Frank said, "He'll eat you out of house and home if you're not careful."

  "Want a ride in the Corvette to the other side of the square, Julia?"

  "Sure."

  They left and went to the bakery, where Cody got his donuts and Julia bought muffins and cookies. Outside she asked him, "Will people have noticed we went there together?"

  "Probably. Just ignore them."

  "I would, but I have a question for you. Yesterday, I overheard two women gossiping in the library. They made it sound like you were a womanizer."

  "Damn. Here's the thing--I have dated a lot. Some people see that as a bad thing. I think it's worse to settle down with someone you aren't sure of, and end up getting divorced. I get to know the women I go out with. And, if I haven't found the one for me yet, well, it's not for lack of trying."

  She smiled at him. "I think you are a good man, Cody."

  He felt surprised. "Well, thank you." He drove her back to her car. "Any big plans for the day?"

  "Believe it or not, I'm going to traipse around the gardens. A couple of other people mentioned it to me and I thought, why not?"

  "Just wear boots. Some parts might be overgrown."

  "Yes, Dad."

  He felt himself turn red. "Sorry."

  She laughed. "I do like how you want to watch out for me. Makes me feel safe."

  "That's a relief."

  "I'll see you later," she said. "Six?"

  "Yeah, that should be good."

  He watched her drive off, and started up the Corvette. Maybe tonight he could convince her to go for a drive with him. Or was it too soon? He decided to stop overthinking it and just see what presented itself to him.

  * * * *

  Driving around town that morning, Julia took the time to really look at the businesses and shops. There was a candle shop she thought she'd like to visit at some point, as well as a yarn shop. How long has it been, she wondered, since I crocheted? Her grandmother had taught her to crochet when she was a girl, and she used to always have a project going. Once she started working at the agency, though, a lot of things had fallen by the wayside.