Seaside Romance

by Mia Ross

  “No, that was all you. I was just backing you up. Not that you needed it.”

  She chewed on that for a few seconds, then nodded. “You’re right, I didn’t. It felt good to put him in his place that way. I should’ve done it a long time ago.”

  Ben was about to say something when he noticed her staring openmouthed at something going on at the other end of the street.

  “Are those guys wheeling in old bathtubs?” When he glanced over and nodded, she continued, “What are they doing on Main Street?”

  “They have to measure ’em, so they know how many will fit widthwise.”

  Clearly still baffled, she asked the obvious question. “Why?”

  “Memorial Day is the first holiday of the summer, and every year we have a big town celebration. It starts with the Costume Regatta out on the bay.”

  “Don’t tell me,” she interrupted with a knowing grin. “People dress up their boats for the race.”

  “You got it. Anyway, after that we come up here for the parade and some kind of race. We’ve had rowboats, shopping carts, even baby strollers. This year it’s those,” he finished, motioning toward the ancient cast-iron tubs several men were shoving onto wheeled dollies.

  “And you’re running.”

  “Well, me and some friends. Bree’s the lightest member of the team, so she’s sitting in the tub while Cooper, Nick and I push.”

  “Your mayor’s going to race a bathtub down Main Street on Memorial Day,” she summed it up with a grin. “I must be getting used to this place, because that doesn’t shock me even the tiniest bit.”

  “Then you won’t be surprised when we take the trophy.”

  “You sound pretty sure of yourself. What makes you so confident you’re going to win?”

  Glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, he leaned in and whispered, “We’ve got a secret weapon. We’re a lock.”

  Clearly intrigued, she pressed closer and murmured, “What is it?”

  “Sorry, no previews. But last week I thought of something nobody’s ever tried before, and it’s gonna win us that race.”

  “I’ll take your word for it, then.” She was quiet for a few moments, and then she laughed. “I’m trying to picture the mayor of Philadelphia doing something like this, but I can’t.”

  “Well, Cooper’s not your average public official,” Ben reminded her. When the man in question spotted them on the sidewalk, he waved and hurried over. “Uh-oh. This can’t be good.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “He never hurries for anything.”

  When Cooper joined them, he greeted them with, “Man, am I glad to see you two. We’ve got a problem for the race.”

  Ben frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing terrible, but Bree’s morning sickness has expanded into morning-noon-and-night sickness. She can hardly stand up right now, so there’s no way she can be our fourth next Monday.”

  “That’s horrible,” Lauren said with obvious concern. “Can she eat anything at all?”

  “Sure, she just can’t keep it down.” Catching himself, Cooper frowned. “Sorry. That’s probably more than you wanted to know.”

  “I’m sorry she’s feeling so awful,” Lauren continued. “Is she up for some distracting company?”

  “Not just yet, but I’ll tell her you asked. She’ll appreciate it. Right now, it’s best to tiptoe around and leave her be,” he added in the voice of a man who’d learned that from unpleasant personal experience.

  While he shared Lauren’s sympathy for the sick Mrs. Landry, Ben’s mind had been working on the race issue. A solution popped into his head, and he glanced over at Lauren. “You look like you’re pretty light.”

  “Thanks.” Evidently, she figured out the meaning behind his compliment, because she laughed. “You want me to ride in your stinky old bathtub, don’t you?”

  “It’s not stinky,” he protested. “I pulled it from my house and cleaned it out real well. It’s good as new, trust me.”

  Something unusual sparkled in her eyes, and she said, “I do.”

  Somehow, those words sounded just right coming from her. It was a sweet, intimate kind of moment, and in Ben’s opinion, it passed by much too fast.

  Keenly aware that Cooper was eyeing them with more curiosity than normal, Ben forced a chuckle. “Great, then it’s a go. Thanks for helping us out.”

  Looking back to Cooper, she asked, “What do I get when we win?”

  “Tell you what,” he replied with a laugh. “We’ll split the trophy between your shop and my reception area, six months each.”

  “Deal.” After they shook on it, she turned to Ben. “Ready for dinner?”

  “Always.”

  He held out a hand for her, and for the first time, she took it. As if that wasn’t enough, she held his arm and leaned against him in a show of faith that actually made his chest ache.

  Oh, yeah, he thought as they made their way down the walkway to The Crow’s Nest. He was a goner.

  Chapter Eleven

  “So,” Lauren nudged while they dug into their scrumptious lobster salad, “now that I’m on the team, can you tell me about our secret weapon?”

  Again, he did the spy-checking thing. Then he leaned closer and very seriously said, “Nope.”

  “Oh, come on! You can trust me.”

  “I know that, but we want it to be a shocker for everyone. It’s epic, and we don’t want to ruin the effect by letting the cat out of the bag ahead of time.”

  “Does Bree know?”

  Grinning, he shook his head. “And neither does Julia. Us guys made a pact—spit-shook and everything.”

  Lauren wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Eww. Boys are so disgusting.”

  “Yeah, well, we come in handy when you need something heavy carried in, don’t we?”

  “I guess. Speaking of handy,” she added, slipping her new purchase from her purse. “Look what I bought at the wireless store in Oakbridge this afternoon.”

  “Cute,” he approved in between bites. “I especially like the jazzy pink case. Very girlie.”

  “I had the guy turn off the tracking feature first thing, just to be on the safe side. Jeremy’s a sly one, and I don’t want him trying that trick again.”

  After swallowing, Ben scowled. “I don’t normally say things like this, but I really hate that guy. He should be glad I didn’t toss him right through that bay window onto the street.”

  She gasped. “With all that glass? Do you know what a mess that would make?”

  He shrugged as if that detail didn’t concern him in the least. “I’m a contractor. When things are broken, I fix ’em.”

  Not just things, Lauren added silently, but people, too. He’d stood by his father and brother through some tough times, and now both of them were doing well. Then there was her.

  When she arrived in Holiday Harbor, she was a terrified, shattered woman who had no idea what tomorrow would bring. Then Ben strode into her life, and with patient understanding, he’d helped her gather up the pieces of herself and reassemble them into someone much stronger. Someone who could take the curves life threw her way and make them work.

  There weren’t words to thank him properly for all he’d done, so she settled for her biggest, brightest smile. “Yes, you do. And very well, too.”

  That got her a puzzled look, then understanding dawned in his expressive eyes. “You’re not just talking about windows, are you?”

  Reaching across the table, she rested her hand over his. It was the first time she’d initiated contact between them, and a little thrill zipped up her spine. Whether it was the sensation of touching him or the boldness it had taken to do it, she wasn’t sure, but it felt incredible. “I couldn’t ask for better than you’ve given me, Ben. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be slinking around with my head down, hoping no one would notice me.”

  “I doubt that,” he returned with an approving grin, “but thanks for saying it, anyway.” Their w
aitress returned, and after she left their tureen of steaming seafood bisque, he went on. “So tell me about Jumping Beans. How’re the arrangements coming along?”

  “Slow, but fine. My small-business loan came through, and Cooper’s handling the real estate and incorporation stuff. I registered for the next round of certification classes, so that part will be done soon. Oh, and yesterday I came up with a great idea for designing the logo.” Reaching into her bag again, she pulled a postcard from the stack she’d picked up from the printer earlier. Handing it to him, she explained, “I’m gonna let the kids who shop at Toyland do drawings and enter them in a contest. The one I pick will get a free Playtime party for them and five of their friends.”

  “Awesome idea,” he approved, handing the card back.

  “I thought so.” Lifting the cover from the bisque, she ladled out some for each of them. “What about Boston? Your job starts in a few days, but you haven’t said much about it lately.”

  He shrugged. “Not much to tell. Old house, big crew, lots of work.”

  His lack of enthusiasm baffled her, and she pressed. “It sounds like you’re not as eager to go as you were a few weeks ago.”

  Another shrug, but she noticed he refused to meet her eyes. That wasn’t like him, and she wondered if he was having second thoughts about going so far from his hometown. “Is there a project around here you could work on instead?”

  “Not that I know of. Besides, I really want to see some of the world, y’know? Dad never got the chance to do that, and he regrets it.”

  It sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as her, but that made no sense at all. Following the twists in this conversation was making her dizzy. “But he’s happy now, right?”

  “Sure, but it took him a while to get there.” Sighing, Ben added, “It’s just that there aren’t many historical rehab options around here, and in other places there are plenty.”

  “So basically, it’s time to either go after your dream or give up on it.”

  “Yeah.”

  Judging by his downcast attitude, he wasn’t any crazier about leaving than she was to have him go. She’d come to rely on him, on his calm, steady presence and his sunny disposition that could brighten even the darkest day. He’d guided her through the worst time of her life, and when she finally came out the other side, he’d cheerfully given her a shove and let her go. She couldn’t envision any of the other men she’d known having the generosity and strength to do that, and that was when she knew....

  She was in love with him.

  The revelation hit her with the force of a coastal hurricane, and she actually sat back in her chair to regain her composure. Ben must have noticed, because he sent her a worried look. “You okay?”

  She didn’t trust herself to speak normally, so she nodded until her pulse settled a bit. “This broth is really something.”

  “Lemons,” he explained with a chuckle. “I don’t know where they’re from, but they sure do pack a wallop.”

  Forcing a smile, she sipped some water to cover her suddenly unpredictable emotions. Fortunately, he kept up the conversation while she recovered.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he said while he swirled his spoon through the pool of butter sauce on his plate. Meeting her gaze, he looked more serious than she’d ever seen him. “Maybe there’s a third option for me.”

  “Really?” she almost squeaked, clearing her throat so she wouldn’t sound like a twit. “What’s that?”

  “A different dream,” he replied quietly, never taking his eyes from hers. “A better one.”

  Did he mean her? Lauren wondered as her heart leaped into her throat. Could this wonderful man possibly be considering giving up the job he wanted more than anything to stay in Holiday Harbor with her?

  Exciting as that prospect was, she feared that if he stayed for her, eventually he’d resent it and they’d be miserable. Or things between them would go sour and she’d be crushed. Either way, it was a lose-lose situation for her, and while she was much more self-assured than she used to be, she simply didn’t have what it took to take a leap like that.

  So, in the interest of her sanity, she put aside her foolish wishes and deftly changed the subject.

  * * *

  After Ben dropped Lauren off at her place, he was too restless to go straight home. He’d hoped the dinner out with her would satisfy his curiosity about how it would be to seriously date her. Unfortunately for him, it had done the opposite. It had taken all his considerable willpower not to ask her out again. Even though he was leaving next week, part of him longed to wring the most out of every moment he could spend with her.

  Another part was seriously considering calling Davy and telling him he’d changed his mind about Boston. After all these years of praying and waiting for a chance to leave his hometown, Ben couldn’t believe he was even thinking of staying. And for what? A woman?

  Not just any woman, he amended with a little grin. An amazing one who challenged him at every turn and fascinated him beyond reason. More than beautiful, Lauren had brains and drive, and a healthy sense of what she wanted out of life. Ben was confident he could be the man she chose to share that life with. He just had to put aside his old dream and embrace a new one with her.

  Recognizing he needed advice on this one, Ben did something that only a month ago he’d have regarded as an idiotic waste of time. He drove to his father’s house to ask for his help. The lights were on, and Dad’s pickup was the only car in the driveway, so Ben pulled in behind it.

  A knock on the door brought him in from the living room, and Ben waved through the screen. “Have you got a minute?”

  “Always. Come on in.”

  The place was neat as a pin and smelled like lemon-scented furniture polish. Even the windows were spotless, and Ben eyed his father with a knowing smile. “Amelia’s been here, I see.”

  “It’s not what you’re thinking. I traded her some housecleaning for building a new potting shed for her garden.”

  “Actually, Dad, I was thinking something exactly like that. Mind if I sit down?”

  “Of course not.” He motioned to the kitchen table. “I’ve got some leftover beef stew. Are you hungry?”

  “No, thanks. I just stuffed myself to the gills at The Crow’s Nest. With Lauren,” he added to get the ball rolling.

  It was Dad’s turn for the knowing smile. “And how’s that going?”

  “Too well.” Groaning, Ben stared up at the ceiling as if that would help. “I don’t know what came over me, asking her out this way. It’s just making things harder.”

  “What things? If you enjoy spending time together, that’s good.”

  He could tell from Dad’s puzzled tone that he wasn’t making any sense. That figured, since he didn’t get it, either. With a heavy sigh, he met his father’s worried eyes. “I’m not sure I wanna go to Boston.”

  A smile flickered at the corner of his dad’s mouth, and he nodded in understanding. “And that’s what’s making things harder. You have to choose between the job you want and the woman you want.”

  “She’s not like anyone I’ve ever known.” Hearing the desperation in his voice, Ben cringed but kept going. “She’s beautiful and smart, and she messes with me constantly. I don’t know why, but I like it.”

  “And you’d miss it if you were so far away.” When Ben nodded, Dad leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Let me ask you this. If you stay here, what’s the downside?”

  “There’s no historical project going on.”

  “And what’s the upside?”

  Ben’s smile pushed up from somewhere deep inside him, and even though he knew he must look like a lovesick teenager, he didn’t even try to stop it. “Lauren.”

  “I’d say that’s your answer, son. Your heart’s telling you to stay here in Holiday Harbor and give things with Lauren a chance.”

  “What if they go bad?”

  “Like with me and your mom, you mean?” Ben started to protes
t, but Dad stopped him with a hand in the air. “I can handle it now. Amelia helped me see that your mother was never meant to be here forever, and I have to accept that. I’ll always love her, but it’s time for me to get on with my life. It’s tough, but if you had to, you’d get through it, too. Boston’s full of historic buildings that have been around for over two hundred years. They’re not going anywhere.”

  “So you’re saying I should stay here and take a shot with Lauren?”

  “I think you should listen to your heart,” he clarified with a sage look. “It knows what’s best for you, even when your brain gets in the way.”

  Spoken with the wisdom of hard-won experience, his father’s words struck a chord in Ben, and he nodded. “The only question is, does she want the same thing?”

  “Only she can answer that. And that means you have to ask.”

  Ben had never done anything even remotely like what his father was suggesting, and the prospect of it didn’t exactly fill him with confidence. Pushing off from the table, he said, “Thanks for the advice, Dad. I’ll think about it.”

  “Give your heart a chance, too,” he cautioned as they walked to the door. “Jobs can wait, but sometimes people can’t.”

  No truer words had ever been spoken in their house, Ben mused while he got into his truck and headed for home. The problem was, he wasn’t sure he was ready to make that move just yet. Rushing would ruin his opportunity for a lasting relationship with Lauren, but waiting too long would have the same result.

  No closer to a decision than he’d been half an hour ago, Ben drove home in the worst funk of his life.

  * * *

  Memorial Day was a big deal in Holiday Harbor.

  The whole town was done up in red-white-and-blue bunting, with flags flying from anyplace that had room for a pole. Lauren half expected the cast of Yankee Doodle Dandy to appear in the gazebo and begin singing their famous theme song.

  The festivities started at eight o’clock, down at the harbor. With the famous Last Chance Lighthouse in the background, sailboats and rowboats of all sizes lined up near a set of buoys that marked the start and finish of the Costume Regatta. Ben hadn’t been teasing, she quickly realized as she settled on a bench to watch.