Two of a Kind
Page 1
Two of a Kind
Return to Lighthouse Point
Kay Correll
Zura Lu Publishing LLC
Copyright © 2020 Kay Correll
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any matter without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental
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Published by Zura Lu Publishing LLC
012520
This book is dedicated to all the people who believe in the power of wishes… and then go chase after their dreams.
Contents
Kay’s Books
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Also by Kay Correll
About the Author
Kay’s Books
Find more information on all my books at my website.
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COMFORT CROSSING ~ THE SERIES
The Shop on Main - Book One
The Memory Box - Book Two
The Christmas Cottage - A Holiday Novella (Book 2.5)
The Letter - Book Three
The Christmas Scarf - A Holiday Novella (Book 3.5)
The Magnolia Cafe - Book Four
The Unexpected Wedding - Book Five
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The Wedding in the Grove - (a crossover short story between series - with Josephine and Paul from The Letter.)
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LIGHTHOUSE POINT ~ THE SERIES
Wish Upon a Shell - Book One
Wedding on the Beach - Book Two
Love at the Lighthouse - Book Three
Cottage Near the Point - Book Four
Return to the Island - Book Five
Bungalow by the Bay - Book Six
Click here to learn more about the series.
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CHARMING INN ~ Return to Lighthouse Point
In 2020
One Simple Wish - Book One
Two of a Kind - Book Two
Three Little Things - Book Three
Four Short Weeks - Book Four
Five Years or So - Book Five
* * *
SWEET RIVER ~ THE SERIES
A Dream to Believe in - Book One
A Memory to Cherish - Book Two
A Song to Remember - Book Three
A Time to Forgive - Book Four
A Summer of Secrets - Book Five
A Moment in the Moonlight - Book Six
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INDIGO BAY ~ A multi-author sweet romance series
Sweet Days by the Bay - Kay’s Complete Collection of stories in the Indigo Bay series
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Or buy them separately:
Sweet Sunrise - Book Three
Sweet Holiday Memories - A short holiday story
Sweet Starlight - Book Nine
* * *
Want to be the first to know about exclusive promotions, news, giveaways, and new releases? Click here to sign up:
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Chapter 1
Charlotte Duncan stood in front of the easel in the brightly lit sunroom of the bungalow she shared with her friend Robin. She tilted her head from side to side, staring at it, thinking she wanted to add some birds flying over the turquoise shades of the ocean.
A small boy stood at the water’s edge, a pail in his hand. She’d painted glistening diamond-like sparkles where the sun hit the waves. She still needed to add some details. A sandcastle on the beach. Maybe a beach chair and umbrella. She scrunched up her face, trying to decide.
She still wasn’t quite used to this style of painting. Very different than the work she’d sold before. Since recently moving back to Belle Island, she’d painted a series of the beach and the small town here on the island, and they were leaning against the wall in a corner of the sunroom as she constantly added to the collection.
Robin entered the room and dropped her bag on the floor. “Hey, you started another painting.”
“I did.” She was always a bit unsure of showing her work. Especially her new work.
“I still think you should show it to Paul Clark and see if he’s interested in doing a showing at his gallery here on the island. Or you could show these new paintings to your agent. It’s really great work, Char.”
Ha, her agent-slash-boyfriend. She hadn’t quite gotten around to telling that whole sorry tale to her friend. “I don’t think my work is ready for a showing yet. I’m still working on my style.”
“You’re too hard on yourself. Always have been. Why not just show Paul a few of your favorites?”
“Maybe. After a bit.”
Robin sighed. “You’re your own worst critic.” She snagged her bag from the floor. “I’ve got to run. I’m giving Lil lessons on the new software we installed at the inn.”
“I’m glad it worked out for you to help manage the inn.”
“I love it. Couldn’t ask for a better job. I just hope Lil thinks I’m doing a good job. Anyway, I’ve got to run. Oh, hey, the rent is due. Do you have your check for half? I was going to drop them by the rental office.”
“I’ll do that today.”
“Okay, I’ll leave my check on the counter.” Robin disappeared out the door with a wave of her hand.
Charlotte put down her paintbrush. Yes, she had money for half the rent. This month. And next. But then she’d have to find a job or sell some of her artwork because that was about all she had left to her name.
Because she’d been a fool.
Ben Hallet stood out on the point in the deepening shadow of the lighthouse. It had been too long. He’d been out of town for longer than he liked, and it was so great to be home. He’d missed the beach, the sunsets, and his friends in the small town on Belle Island. Too many days in the crowded cities with traffic and noise and no opportunity to see the stars. But the travel was part of his job now that he’d taken over running the marina. He went to boat shows, regattas and races, and visited boat manufacturers. He went and checked on the other locations in their chain of marinas. But the part of the job he loved was back on Belle Island at the first marina his father had opened, the main one.
He also needed to call his mom and let her know he was back. She’d been lonely since his father had died. Guilt washed over him that he’d been gone so long. He tried to have dinner with her once a week and dropped by a few other times each week. He’d call tomorrow and catch up with her.
He pushed all those thoughts out of his mind. It was time to just enjoy the beach. This was his regular routine every time he returned to the island from a trip. He’d head straight to the beach. It was almost like the sea breeze stretched out her arms and welcomed him home.
Okay, that was crazy, but he never felt more like he belonged than when he was here on the island. He sank onto the
sand, ready to watch the highly anticipated beautiful display of the sunset.
Charlotte walked along the water’s edge that evening, headed to Lighthouse Point to watch the sunset. She felt at loose ends these days. Even though she was painting again—thank goodness her ‘painter’s block’ had ended—she still needed to either sell her work or get a job. And what kind of job was she qualified for? All she knew was her art.
She took a deep breath and let the gentle breeze wash away her problems. She rounded the bend and saw a lone person sitting on the beach, looking out to sea. Another sunset watcher. She’d just walk past him and go to the other side of the point. Then they both could have their solitude.
She got closer, ready to just give a brief nod so as not to disturb him.
“Charlotte?”
She paused and looked closely at the man sitting on the beach. “Ben?”
He stood up and gave her a hug. “Wow, great to see you. It’s been years. What, since high school? You here for a visit?”
“I moved back to the island.”
“You did? I thought you were in L.A. or something. I heard your work is selling great. Robin is always bragging about you.”
If only her work was selling…
She plastered on a smile and changed the subject. “So do you still live on the island?”
“I do. I took over the marina.”
“Did your dad retire?”
A flash of pain flitted across Ben’s face. “No, he died a few years back.”
“Oh, no. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” She reached out and touched his arm.
“Yeah, it’s been tough. Mom is trying to adjust and I’m trying to keep the business going without him, but really, Dad was the business. His skill. His reputation.”
“That must be tough.”
“It is what it is.” Ben shrugged. “So, where are you living now? Your folks moved away a while ago, didn’t they?”
“They did. Moved by Eva in Texas. Near Austin.”
“How’s Eva doing these days?”
She didn’t miss the spark in his eyes when he asked about Eva. She’d always thought that he’d had a crush on her sister when they’d all been growing up here on the island. But then what male hadn’t had a crush on her sister? They’d all followed her around, carried her books, bought her shakes at the ice cream shop, and asked her to school dances. She swore her sister had gotten like twenty invites to each school dance… and considering how small their high school had been, that was a good proportion of the guys at the school.
She pushed the thoughts of her sister away and answered, “She’s doing fine. I guess. Don’t see her much.”
“And where are you living now?” Ben swiped the sand from his khaki shorts with a quick brush of his hand. His long, tanned legs reached down to bare feet, and a simple navy t-shirt stretched across his broad shoulders. He exuded a relaxed, I-belong-here attitude. She was envious of that.
“Robin and I got a small bungalow over by the bay.”
Ben broke into a grin. “The Bayside Bungalows?”
She nodded.
“That’s where I live too. I’m in bungalow seven. Welcome, neighbor.”
“We’re in three. I haven’t seen you around there, though we’ve only been there a few weeks.”
“I’ve been out of town. The three of us will have to barbecue out by the bay one night after I get things settled back here at work. I’ve been away for a while.”
“That sounds like a good idea.” Charlotte glanced out at the sunset. She’d taken up enough of his time. He probably wanted to just sit with his thoughts, which was what she planned to do. “Well, I should leave you to your sunset watching.”
“Why don’t you join me, then we’ll walk back to the bungalows together?”
She considered the offer and realized it appealed to her much more than sitting and brooding on her problems. “Okay.”
He dropped down to the sand again, and she sank beside him, scooping up a handful of sand and letting it trickle through her fingers. The breeze tossed her hair around and she was sorry she hadn’t brought something to tie it back.
Ben leaned back on his hands, watching the sky. “Who knew all those years ago in high school that so many of us would end up back on the island? Everyone swore the first thing they were doing after graduation was leaving town.”
“Sara is back now, too.”
He looked at her with one eyebrow cocked in a questioning glance. “No kidding? Last I heard she was some hotshot at a big ad agency.”
“She was, but she moved back to help her aunt at the inn, and now opened her own company here in town.”
“A man can’t even go out of town on a long business trip these days. The whole town changes.” He grinned.
“And she’s dating Noah McNeil. Do you know him?”
“Of course. Runs the community center. Moved here quite a while back with his niece. So Sara and Noah are dating, huh?”
“Yes.”
“So the inseparable threesome of Sara, Robin, and Charlotte is back together again.”
“We are. And that’s nice.” It had been fun being back here with her friends.
“I’m glad I ran into you to catch up on all the town gossip.” He tossed her a smile. “Though, I’m sure there’s more. There’s always more gossip.”
“Can’t really escape it on Belle Island, can you?” She shrugged. She’d almost forgotten how it was on the island. Everyone knew what everyone else was up to. Knew their neighbors by name. So different from L.A. She’d maybe known the name of two people in her huge apartment building back there. It was going to be hard to adjust to small-town life again with everyone knowing her business, but she did like being back here.
They watched while the sun slipped below the horizon, then reflected pink lit up the sky above the clouds. The color slowly darkened into a scarlet-pink slash of color. They both sat in silence, watching the brilliant display. A small sigh escaped her. Sunsets here on the island were almost magical.
Ben finally stood and reached a hand to her. “Guess we should head back before it gets too dark. I still have unpacking to do, but I couldn’t miss another sunset.”
She took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet. They walked side by side back to Bayside Bungalows, chatting about high school days, as only old friends can do when they see each other after all those years apart.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Charlotte clicked off her cell phone and tossed it onto the bed. Great, just great. Just what she needed. She sank onto the bed fighting off a feeling of impending doom.
Robin popped her head into the bedroom. “You ready to go?”
“What?” She let out a long, deep breath. “Sure.”
“You don’t sound so sure. What’s wrong?” Robin came in and plopped on the bed beside her. “You don’t look very excited about going to the beach. Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve been to the beach?”
“I’m sure it will be fun. It’s just that I just got off the phone with my mother. Dad, Mom, and Eva are headed into town. They’ve booked a cottage at Charming Inn.”
Robin raised an eyebrow. “Well, that’s… interesting.”
Charlotte jumped up and paced the floor. “Interesting. Right. Ha, ha. They haven’t been back here in years. Not since they sold our house here and moved to Austin to live near Eva after she got that big-time job there.”
Robin leaned back on her elbows, eyeing her. “How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”
“A couple of years. The last time was a disaster. Christmas two or three years ago.”
“Was it still the Eva show?”
Charlotte grinned at her friend’s remark. Robin always had a way to make her smile, no matter the predicament. “Pretty much. It was all about Eva’s promotion, Eva’s boyfriend, Eva this, Eva that.”
“So, nothing has changed?”
“Nope. And my father told me I should quit my nonsense life, give
up painting, and get a real job.”
Robin sat up, wide-eyed. “That’s rather cold, even for your father. He does realize you’re an adult, right?”
“Doubt it. He doesn’t consider a job in the arts a career. He says I should give up my hobby. Go back to school for real training for a real career. The fact that I haven’t had a showing of my art in… quite a while… isn’t helping to change his mind.” She didn’t even want to think about how long it had been since she’d had a show. Ugh. She sank back down on the bed.
“But you got into that prestigious art school in Paris. You’re a talented artist.” Robin reached over and squeezed her hand. “Don’t let your family get to you. They’re crazy-sauce.”
She sighed. “I try to ignore their comments, and it’s easier to do when they’re across the continent. Not so easy if they’re coming back to Belle Island. For a week.”
“A week? Ouch.”
“Seven days, one hundred sixty-eight hours, over 10,000 minutes. But who’s counting?”
“Who is?” Robin jumped off the bed and tugged on her hand. “Come on. Let’s go to the beach. It will get your mind off of this.”