Shannon quickly sliced up a bunch of strawberries and slipped them in a baggie, looking forward to later in the summer when the blueberries would be ripe. She snagged a package of goldfish crackers out of the pantry, deciding to bring the whole bag, just to be on the safe side. She had already retrieved the beach cooler from the garage of the big house, hoping a great day would present itself soon.
She carried the heavy cooler, loaded down with food, drinks, and all the ice packs she could fit. Brenna stumbled out of the house in her Hello Kitty one-piece, swim goggles covering her eyes and a bright pink swim ring around her waist. Brian and Brady, using his one good arm, dragged a huge LL Bean tote bag full of every shovel, pail and sand mold they owned. Shannon suspected that, were she to look, the backyard sandbox would be completely devoid of toys.
Everyone scrambled up into their booster seats while Shannon loaded their beach-going supplies in the back of the minivan. Before she closed the trunk, she stopped and listened. There was the excited noise—the chatter and the giggling that had been missing this morning. She paused and looked over at the house next door.
Strange, but she almost felt guilty not asking Dean along. He’d probably say no, anyway. He didn’t seem to mind spending time with her little brood in the safety of their two houses, but the guy still wigged out over going into town. Shrugging, she hopped in the van and hoped the parking space gods were looking out for her.
The public lot was full, not a big surprise. Shannon drove through the meandering one-way street that looped around one of the three major beach areas. It wasn’t the closest to home, but with a zoo, amusement park, shops, and restaurants lining every square inch of space, it was definitely the most fun. She found a lone parking spot in a small lot that belonged to a fruit stand. They had a ton of foot traffic, so they probably wouldn’t begrudge her the space. Bonus points that she didn’t have to plug a parking meter!
Shannon’s monster cooler had wheels and a long, wide handle that could be collapsed when not in use. Those features sure came in handy now. She loaded all their beach-going supplies on the lid of the cooler. Taking the hand of the nearest triplet, she checked to make sure they were making their chain. As they’d gotten older, transporting these three had gotten much easier. Shannon no longer felt like she was trapped in her little cottage.
They met up with Talia and her boys on the boardwalk in front of the arcade. The kids were torn between wanting to rush right for the surf and wanting to play endless games of nickel skeeball. Shannon promised them a roll of nickels later in the afternoon. Satisfied, they jumped off the boardwalk and raced to find some rocks to anchor their beach blanket. Shannon and Talia followed, each loaded down with a day’s worth of fun.
“How ya holding up?” Talia adjusted the brim of her large sunhat and leaned back against her beach chair.
“I’m fine. What are you talking about?” Absently, she dug in the wet sand at her feet with a stick.
“I know you, Shan. And we aren’t that different. Brady got hurt on your watch. You’re bound to feel all kinds of guilty right now. Spill.”
Shannon shaded her eyes, watching a pleasure boat cruise by. She could barely make out the occupants, all of them young and scantily clad. Not a care in the world. They could flirt all they wanted. They could lose themselves in the moment, live life just for them.
“I forgot myself. I started to feel. I started to think I could have it all.” She was speaking softly, shame squeezing her throat as she forced the words through.
“Oh, crap—you were having a moment!” Talia clamped her hands down on her chair and angled it to face Shannon more directly. “Now listen to me. The timing sucked. I’ll give you that. But don’t think for a second that Brady got hurt because you were getting to know your hottie neighbor.”
“I’m not stupid. I know he would have climbed that tree regardless of whether he knew I was watching or not.”
“But you’re his mom and you can’t resist beating yourself up about it.”
“Bingo.”
Shannon leaned out of her chair and snagged a bottle of water from the cooler. She ran the cold plastic across her overheated forehead before twisting the cap and taking a long drink. She focused on the castle taking shape a few feet away. All five kids were working as a team.
“Remember a few months ago, when Danny had to have five stitches in his chin? Jeff made me swear not to tell anyone the whole story . . . but you need to hear this.”
Shannon capped her water and gave Talia her full attention. Her friend took a deep breath, bright pink dotting her high cheekbones.
“It wasn’t naptime for the boys yet. But Jeff was horny. So we put them in their room and told them to read books. We’d have a quickie and then go get them, right?”
Shaking her head in commiseration, Shannon grimaced. She remembered that incident . . . well, the part she had been told about. Drake had opened his dresser drawers like stairs, climbed up and jumped from the top of the dresser. He landed on his brother, Danny, who fell against the corner of the toy chest. He’d split open his chin.
“It happens to all of us. There is no such thing as a perfect parent. We’re all human.” Talia covered Shannon’s hand with one of her own. “Putting your own needs first is healthy. It’s not selfish. Bottling them up until they’re out of control? That’s not good for anyone.”
“Says the mother who had to take her son in for stitches because she was putting her needs first.”
“Oh, you want to talk mommy guilt? That kid got a new toy every day for almost two weeks.” Shannon laughed at that. Her heart felt lighter than it had since Brady’s accident. She would get through this.
Chapter Nine
Dean shoved the brim of his baseball cap low over his eyes. His mirrored sunglasses completed his incognito look. He shot an exasperated look at Jax, who had taken the proffered hat but flipped it backward.
“Do you even care that I have spent the last couple of weeks keeping as low a profile as possible? If you’re recognized, then it’s only a matter of seconds before they realize that the idiot with you is part of the band.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Lighten up, dude. You think we’re gonna get mobbed?” The tone of his voice suggested Jax would rather enjoy the prospect.
“It’s not just the people that live in Scallop Shores. This is a tourist town. There are a heck of a lot more people walking around here this time of year.”
“Then A: You picked the wrong town to hide your butt in; and B: You picked the wrong time of year to settle in.”
“Or C: I made a huge mistake giving you my address.” Dean tipped his shades down and stared hard at his friend. Jax merely grinned.
Resigned to the fact that he was to play tour guide, Dean backed his SUV out of the garage and into the circular drive. Sparing another scathing glance at his friend, he silently gave thanks for the tinted windows on his vehicle. They couldn’t be recognized if they didn’t stop anywhere and get out. He could still maintain control over this situation.
Dean tried not to be too obvious while checking for Shannon’s minivan in her driveway. He was mildly disappointed when he found it missing. Maybe they’d gone into town. Oh, God—If they had gone into town and he had to introduce Jax . . . No, he wasn’t even going to think about that possibility.
“See that bakery right there? Best coffee in town. She also makes all her own pastries, so good you want to cry.”
“Little old lady?”
“Nah, she’s young.” Dean shook his head, already knowing where this was going. “Hey, no hookups on this trip, huh? I still have to live here after you come in and break hearts.”
Jax tsked, snapping his fingers at the missed opportunity.
“It’s a nice little town, I guess, as far as small towns go. I’ve kept a pretty low profile, but still . . . people are friendly, but not in a fake, pushy way. No one recognizes me. And there are no paparazzi. God, I can’t tell you how much I love that!”
They had already driven through the main part of town, with all the small Mom and Pop owned businesses. Every sign was handmade. Benches were scattered around. It wasn’t as crowded as the beach areas were. The benches were occupied by old men, their arms folded grumpily over their bellies like they were just daring the tourists to claim their spot.
Traffic got heavier as they reached the one-way portion of the road. Dean locked the power window mechanism on his side when he saw the way Jax was drooling over the bikini-clad women strolling along the beach shops. He rolled his eyes. Why couldn’t Gage have come to check up on him? Or Toby? Anyone, but the biggest flirt in the band.
Since his friend was otherwise occupied and traffic was at a crawl, Dean focused his attention on his surroundings. He had read that the town was incorporated in the 1600s, and there was evidence of that in the heart of town. But even out here at the beach, it was easy to see that these shops had been run by the same families for generations.
A crowd stood at the window of the candy store. A huge taffy-pulling machine had been placed right there for everyone to see how it was done, right down to the packaging of the saltwater taffy into their little wax paper wrappers. Instead of calling it saltwater taffy, the company called them “kisses.” Dean liked the peanut butter kisses the best.
“Check it out, there’s a parking spot right there!” Jax was eagerly pointing to an empty space and had even put a hand on the steering wheel to help guide Dean in the right direction.
“Now, hang on. I thought we could drive up the coast a ways and look for some lunch.”
“No way, Dino. I came out here to see your new digs. Let’s go local!”
Reluctantly, Dean pulled into the parking space and scrounged in his console for some quarters. Jax was already out of the car and nearly bouncing up and down on the sidewalk with excitement. The guy was like an eager puppy. Slowly sliding out of his side, Dean checked in his side mirror to make sure that his disguise was in place. If Jax got him recognized, he was going to kill him.
There was a fried seafood place at the end of the boardwalk. The friends headed that way and got in line to order clams and French fries. Carrying their greasy paper trays overflowing with fried clams, Dean and Jax found themselves followed, not by fans, but by greedy seagulls, waiting for them to drop something yummy. They found an empty spot at the railing and ate their lunch while looking out over the beach. At this hour the sand was nearly invisible, every square inch taken up by towels, blankets, and beach chairs.
Dean popped a fried clam in his mouth and nearly choked when he recognized Shannon sitting in one of the beach chairs near the water’s edge. His brain urged him to grab Jax and hightail it out of there before she saw him. His body rooted him to the spot, forcing him to memorize every inch of bared skin exposed by her one piece bathing suit. Knowing Shannon, it was meant to be practical, but to Dean it was sexy as hell.
Maybe she wouldn’t spot him. What were the odds that he’d have even spied her on that crowded beach? Before this rational thought could calm his racing nerves, she shaded her eyes and looked right at him. Crap! He turned away from the railing as she started to raise her arm to wave. Crap, crap, crap. Now she was going to ask questions. Could he just say he hadn’t seen her?
He turned slightly, trying to catch a second glimpse. A meaty fist took a hold of his heart and squeezed when he saw the look of hurt on her face. Oh, Shannon, you don’t deserve a jerk like me. Dean shoved a handful of fries in his mouth and found it really difficult to swallow past the lump of guilt that had lodged itself in his throat.
He was going to suggest to Jax that they start walking when he noticed the woman sitting with Shannon. He knew that look. That was definitely the “I know that I know you from somewhere” look. Crap on a Popsicle stick!
“Hey, Jax, there’s a place around the corner that has some really great ice cream. Ever tried blueberry streusel?” Dean got them moving away from the railing and back down the boardwalk. How was he going to get himself out of this one?
• • •
“It’s like it’s on the edge of my memory. I just feel like I’ve seen him before.”
Talia’s words had been buzzing around Shannon’s head ever since they’d come back from the beach a couple of days ago. Curiouser and curiouser. And Dean pretending not to have noticed her left a particularly stinging wound. Grouchy with herself and Dean, in equal parts, Shannon swept through the small cottage like a mini tornado.
Her mother was due to arrive any minute. Shannon had offered to pick them up from the airport, as this had been their usual routine until Roger came on the scene. She slapped the dampened sponge down on the counter and rubbed hard. “Roger rented us a car, dear. Isn’t he lovely?” had been her mother’s easy response. Maybe Roger was just as anxious to keep her at arm’s length as Shannon was with him.
Good grief! Her mom was pushing 50. She’d gone this long without a man in her life. Why did she have to go and get one now? Shannon stuck her tongue out at the petulant woman pouting back at her from the toaster. She swiped at her image on the shiny surface. She hated feeling like that small little girl who looked up to her mother, who counted on this woman for everything.
Catherine Fitzgerald had taught her daughter the most important thing she had ever learned—that women were not dependent on men to survive. Women could do quite well, perhaps even better, on their own. Thank you very much.
So why change the rules now? Sighing heavily, Shannon tossed the sponge into the mouth of a small ceramic toad sitting on the corner of the sink. She had left the kids on lookout duty in the big picture window in the living room. The squeals coming from that part of the house suggested it was time to put on her big girl panties and meet the new man in Catherine’s life.
Shannon and the children spilled out the door and headed for the shiny black BMW sitting in the driveway. Blinking to find the top down, Shannon watched her mother spring out of her side, yank a kerchief off her head, and shake her hair out around her. Laughing merrily, Catherine stooped to gather all three grandchildren into a group hug. Shannon stumbled forward, her gaze focused anywhere but the driver’s side of the spiffy sports car.
“Sweetheart, you are looking more gorgeous than ever.” Shannon closed her eyes, the scent of lavender and lemon tickling her nostrils. In an instant she was transported to her childhood, remembering the huge overstuffed chair that her mother used to read to her in.
“Mom, I’ve missed you so much.” She breathed in deep, wanting to capture that scent forever, afraid that she would forget it and all the memories it invoked.
“Shannon, children, this is Roger.” Catherine beckoned the older gentleman to her side and snaked an arm around his trim waist.
“I’ve heard so much about you all. I can’t tell you how honored I was that you invited me to your home.”
News to her! Shannon pasted a bright smile on her face and shook the proffered hand. Roger wore Ray Ban sunglasses, a white polo shirt, and a deep tan. She bet he spent more time on a golf course than anywhere else. Okay, that was petty. The fact that he appeared wealthy shouldn’t have rankled the way it did. Her employer was filthy rich and it never bothered her. If she’d met Roger on the street she wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Somehow it just made her mother seem more vulnerable.
“I’m so happy you could join my mother for a visit.” There, that wasn’t too hard.
“Gramma, Gramma, what’d you bring us?” Brenna couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Catherine ushered the children back into the cottage, motioning for Roger to bring in one of the bags from the back seat. Shannon stood frozen in the driveway for a moment before rushing to catch up with the others so she wouldn’t be left alone with Roger. Remembering her manners, she held the door open for her mother’s new friend.
“Mom, are you sure you can’t stay here? I can bunk in with Brenna. It’s no problem.”
Catherine’s smile was patient. She left the children playin
g with their new toys: Brenna with a homemade yarn doll with bright orange hair, the boys with shiny new cars, not unlike the rental that currently sat in the driveway. Roger was telling them about their long plane ride.
“Sweetheart, we discussed this. Roger and I don’t want to intrude.” When it looked like she was going to be interrupted, Catherine put a hand on her daughter’s arm and continued, “We came here to spend time with you all, but we came here to spend some quality time with each other as well.”
Oh, please God, don’t let that mean what I think it means. Shannon looked up through a narrowed gaze to see her mother’s pointed look. I’m going to have to soak my thoughts in bleach tonight, she thought. Catherine laughed softly, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Chapter Ten
A soft, sweet ballad floated through the still summer air, strummed on an acoustic guitar. Shannon found herself smiling as she smoothed out the top sheet of the bed she was changing. Replacing the comforter and fluffing up the pillows, she arched her back to work out the kinks. She was ready for Ms. Sheffield and her small army of guests to arrive later that afternoon. Finding herself drawn to the open window, she searched for the source of the beautiful piece.
On the second floor of the large manor, Shannon found that she could look out across the expanse of lawn to the house next door. Unlike this room, its equal on Dean’s home had a small balcony. The railing was too high for her to see much except . . . a pair of bare feet, crossed at the ankle. Dean could play guitar. And he could play well.
Intrigued, she skipped down the stairs and out into the bright sun. Having forgotten to step into her shoes near the door, Shannon, too, was barefoot. The soft grass felt glorious beneath her feet. She looked down and giggled at the sight of her colorful toenails. Brenna had offered to give her a pedicure, painting each nail a different hue. Until then, Shannon hadn’t even realized she owned ten different colors of polish.
Hearts Are Wild Page 30