Sweet History: A Candle Beach Sweet Romance (Book 5)

by Nicole Ellis

  They made their way outside to Charlotte’s car parked across the street. At this time of year, the tourist portion of the parking lot was almost full, even early in the morning. Good thing she had a reserved parking spot, although she wouldn’t be too surprised to find a tourist blocking her spot when she and Angel returned that evening.

  “It’s a beautiful day too.” Charlotte gazed upward as she stuffed her purse in the back seat. A few puffy marshmallow clouds dotted the brilliant blue sky. “Days like this make me wish I had my convertible back.”

  “You had a convertible? In Washington?” Angel smiled. “You don’t see too many of those here like you do back in Southern California.”

  “I may have been a little spoiled as a teenager,” Charlotte admitted. “My parents bought me one when I turned sixteen.”

  “Uh, yeah. I’d say so.” Angel situated herself in the car and pulled the seatbelt across herself. “So, why’d you get rid of it?”

  Charlotte shrugged. “When I graduated from college I decided I wanted to make it on my own and the insurance was too expensive. I sold it and bought an old beater that I drove for a while until I could afford this one.” She tightened her fingers around the steering wheel of the used Honda Accord she’d purchased a few years ago from the money she’d earned at her parents’ real estate company.

  “I can’t even imagine,” Angel said. “When I was a teenager, it was just me and my mom, and she barely had enough money left at the end of the month to feed us, much less buy me a car.”

  “Having money had its pluses and minuses. I never had any money insecurities, but my mother wasn’t the easiest person to live with. I envy the close relationship you had with your mother.” Her mother hadn’t been bad, but she’d been distant for much of Charlotte’s life.

  “I know. I was lucky,” Angel said wistfully. “I miss her.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Charlotte said, suddenly feeling horrible for reminding Angel of her mother’s death that year.

  “It’s okay.” Angel smiled. “I think about her all the time and living in Candle Beach now where she grew up has made me feel even closer to her.”

  Angel’s words held a hint of sadness, so Charlotte flipped on the air conditioner and changed the subject. “It’s getting warm already.”

  “It is.” Angel turned in her seat, drilling her eyes into Charlotte. “So how are things going with Luke?”

  Heat rose up her neck. “It’s only been about two weeks, so it’s still fairly new.”

  “Okay, spill. I saw the way you looked at him when we had lunch. Everyone quizzed me when I started dating Adam, now it’s my turn.”

  Charlotte sighed. “It’s kind of weird.”

  “Weird how?”

  “Luke is Parker’s best friend from high school.”

  “Seriously? You didn’t tell me that before. You’re a walking cliché.”

  “I know. And in high school I hated him, but now …”

  “Now he’s so dreamy you can’t stay away from him?”

  Charlotte took her eyes off the road for a second and mock-glared at Angel. “No, but he’s changed. He’s so sweet and kind to me.” Her heart surged with happiness thinking of Luke and how he made her feel like she could do anything. Unbidden thoughts of how he’d come to her rescue with the computer floated into her mind, competing with the happy memories. Even though she’d paid him back as soon as they’d returned from Haven Shores, she felt conflicted about how easy it had been for him to whip out his credit card to pay. “Although, there are some things about him that I’m not sure about.”

  “Like what?”

  Charlotte could feel Angel’s eyes drilling into her face.

  “Like the fact that he’s probably a millionaire several times over and I don’t want to fall back into the trap of letting someone pay for things for me.”

  “Whoa. You’re upset that he has money?” Angel laughed. “If someone wanted to buy me things, I don’t think I’d complain.”

  Charlotte leaned her head against the headrest as she drove on a straight stretch of highway. “I know. It’s ridiculous and illogical, but I can’t help how I feel. He’s such a great guy and I wish I could get over the money thing. Money always complicates everything.”

  “Hmm,” Angel said. “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I’m sure you’re different than you were back then. And if he’s Parker’s best friend, he can’t be that bad, right? Has Gretchen met him?”

  Charlotte nodded. “Yes. She thinks I’m crazy to not be so smitten with him that I forget my fears about money.” She turned off the highway onto the main freeway to Seattle. “Can we talk about something else?”

  “Sure.” Angel turned the air conditioning up a notch. “What kind of dress are you looking for? A sundress, or something more formal?”

  “Something in between. My budget for a dress isn’t huge, but I’ll know it when I see it.”

  “Okay,” Angel said. “Hey, are you excited about your art show?”

  “I am.”

  Charlotte’s stomach churned thinking of everything she still had left to do to prepare for it. Maybe taking a day off hadn’t been the best of ideas, but a shopping trip with Angel had sounded like fun when she’d originally committed to it.

  “I can’t even imagine how thrilling it must be.” Angel sighed. “That’s so cool that you’ll get to show everyone your art.”

  “You’ll get your chance to shine. Have you thought about opening your own bakery?”

  Angel recoiled. “Oh no, I couldn’t do that to Maggie. She was so kind to give me the job at the café.”

  “I don’t think she’d mind. You know Maggie—she’s always encouraging everyone to go after their dreams.”

  “True.” Angel looked out the window. “I don’t know. I’ll talk to her about it.”

  “Good.”

  They drove until they reached the gallery in downtown Seattle. Charlotte parked in the alley behind the gallery to unload her paintings.

  “Are you sure it’s okay to park here?” Angel asked, staring out the window at the dark alley.

  “Raymond told me to park here and then come find him inside.” She and Angel got out of the car and approached the front side of the old brick building.

  “This place is beautiful,” Angel said as she admired the exterior.

  “So’s the inside.” Charlotte opened the door to reveal a large open room with two-story high ceilings, whitewashed walls, and cement floors. The building had an industrial feel that didn’t try to compete with the artwork on display.

  “Do you mind if I look around while you find the owner?” Angel asked. “Those sculptures are breathtaking.”

  Charlotte laughed. “Nope, go ahead.” She left Angel in the entry to the gallery and walked through the large main room into another side room.

  “Ah, Charlotte, you made it,” Raymond Donohue said from across the room as she came around the corner.

  She pasted a bright smile on her face, hoping to counteract the butterflies that were dancing around in her stomach. This was really happening.

  “I did.” She walked purposefully over to him. “I have everything in my car outside.

  “Well, then, let’s take a look, shall we?” He led her to a door leading to the back alley where she’d parked her car. He had an assistant carry in the artwork and lean them against the walls. After he’d removed the coverings, he stepped back. “Charlotte, they’re gorgeous.”

  She let out her breath. “Thank you.” She’d brought a selection of paintings that she felt best represented Candle Beach, the place that she’d come to call home. There were several canvases of sunsets over the water, a few of boats in the marina and the painting she’d done of Bluebonnet Lake. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

  He smiled at her. “No, only your presence at the opening. You will be there, right?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” The butterflies were moving arou
nd now like they were caught in a tornado. She’d be lucky to get out of there without hyperventilating.

  “Fantastic. I’ll see you then.” He left, slipping quietly into another room. She walked back to the main gallery and found Angel gazing at a six foot tall sculpture of a woman and child.

  “It’s so beautiful.” Angel turned to Charlotte and did a double take. “Are you okay? You’re so pale.”

  Charlotte took several calming breaths. “I’m fine, just a little overwhelmed by it all.”

  “I can see why,” Angel said. “This place is amazing. I wish I could go to your show, but I have to work.”

  “I know. But thank you for coming with me today.” Charlotte’s nerves eased and she was able to talk without feeling as though someone were squeezing out her insides. “Now, let’s go find dresses for the wedding.

  They drove to a large shopping mall just out of the city. Several department stores anchored the corners of the mall and shops were crowded around the exterior as well.

  Angel’s eyes widened. “This is huge.”

  “Yep.” Charlotte smiled. “Let’s get to it. We only have a few hours before we should get going back to Candle Beach if we want to get home at a decent hour.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Angel hopped out of the car and they walked in the entrance of a large department store.

  Later, exhausted after working their way through the mall, Charlotte had found an inexpensive but nice-looking flowered sundress to wear to the wedding and Angel had found a sleeveless shift with metallic designs on navy-blue fabric.

  They arrived home to Candle Beach too late for Charlotte to paint, but she didn’t mind. They’d had a good time and it seemed to have been just what she needed, because for the first time in weeks, her head was clearer and she didn’t feel the stress of her commitments.

  14

  The next day, Charlotte had big plans for celebrating the Fourth of July with Luke. She loved the holiday and couldn’t wait to take him to one of her favorite places in the area to watch the fireworks.

  “Where are you taking me?” Luke asked as she tied a blindfold behind his head.

  She laughed. “If I told you, then I would have to kill you.”

  “Oh, that serious?” he teased. “Wherever we’re going had better live up to the hype.”

  “It will,” she said mysteriously. “You’ll see.”

  She helped him into the passenger side of her car and closed the door behind him. Easing the car onto the road, she couldn’t help but smile at herself a little. Luke would enjoy this.

  “You know, I can’t help feeling like I’m being kidnapped,” he quipped.

  “Oh,” she exclaimed with mock surprise. “You don’t care for blindfolds?”

  “No, it’s just that you could be taking me pretty much anywhere. A dark alley, an old abandoned warehouse, a secluded spot way out in the woods—it wouldn’t be hard to hold me for ransom. How well do I really know you, anyway?”

  She stole a glance at him, shocked at the implication, but then she noticed his playful smile. I knew he was joking. Why does the reminder of his money make me second-guess myself?

  “Anyway, not everyone is blessed with such a stunningly beautiful kidnapper. Surely you wouldn’t mind if I stole a little peek.” He thumbed at the corner of his blindfold.

  She admonished him, laughing. “Oh no you don’t! If you remove that blindfold, I’ll have to turn this car around, mister. You’ll have time to look at me later.”

  “Well, if that’s a promise, I’ll behave.”

  After twenty minutes of playful banter, she pulled the car off the road to a small space with barely enough room for two vehicles.

  Charlotte got out and went over to his side of the car and opened the door. “Okay, you can remove the blindfold now.”

  He pulled it off and looked around. “Where are we?” He pushed the door closed and walked a few paces, then looked back at her. “We can’t be that far from Candle Beach, because we weren’t in the car for very long, but I don’t recognize this place.”

  “That’s because not many people know about it.” She removed a picnic basket and a beach blanket from the trunk, then grabbed for his hand. “C’mon.”

  He grasped it, but instead of allowing her to lead him away, he pulled her close and kissed her gently. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him back, a feeling of exhilaration running through her.

  The weather was as perfect as it could get on the Fourth of July on the Washington Coast, sunny and in the high seventies. They were at her favorite beach, one that she had wanted to take him to since their first date hiking on the trail overlooking the beach. With any luck, this date wouldn’t involve an urgent care clinic.

  She broke away from him, laughing.

  “How did you find this place?” he said as he followed her to the trailhead marker which was almost obscured by the trees.

  “I was running on the beach one day, and I saw people coming from somewhere along the cliff. I wasn’t familiar with the trail, so I followed them back up to the road.” She shrugged. “I’ve been coming to this spot ever since. It’s not usually very busy at this beach, so I like coming here when I need to think.”

  He took the picnic basket from her and they picked their way down the steep trail to the beach below. She was stepping carefully to avoid jarring her ankle and she noticed his look of concern. “It’s okay. My ankle feels fine. I’m just being cautious with it.” He nodded and his expression eased.

  At dusk, there weren’t many people hanging out on the beach. She led him over to a log on the sand and they set up the picnic blanket.

  “Will we be able to see the fireworks from Candle Beach here?” Luke opened the picnic basket and pulled out the food, setting it on the blanket.

  She nodded. “We should be able to.”

  They sat on the beach, eating the charcuterie tray that she’d prepared, drinking wine, and talking. She felt as comfortable with him as if she had known him her whole life, and in truth she had. Now, however, there was something more between them.

  The sun may have gone down already, but there was still plenty of color in the sky. Luke popped a piece of salami in his mouth and remarked, “It reminds me of one of your paintings, you know—all those colors blending together.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder and swirling the wine around in her glass. “I’ve always enjoyed painting the sky most of all because of that. So many different colors come into play with each other, both at morning and at night. It’s almost as if every color you could imagine belonged in there somewhere. It’s always fired my imagination.”

  He reached a hand up to stroke her hair. “I think I envy that about you a bit. You have such a depth of imagination and a passion for creating something beautiful. I’m glad to have gotten to know you better. I didn’t see this side of you before.”

  Lifting her head off his shoulder, she gazed intently at him. She noticed a glint in his eyes from the reflection of the beauty of the scene he was taking in. “I think that both of us didn’t see each other for who we truly were at first. Thanks for not giving up too easily.” She leaned in and nuzzled at his cheek before kissing it lightly. She let out a contented sigh as he put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close as she settled her head into the hollow at the base of his neck. She closed her eyes, just relishing being held like this for a while.

  As it grew dark, they packed everything back away in the picnic basket so that it would be easy to find in the dark after the fireworks. He sat on the soft dry sand and rested his back against a knobby beach log. She positioned herself between his legs and laid her back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her to warm herself. He didn’t provide any objection. Even with the thick sweatshirts they wore, it was getting chilly as the sun went down.

  When it was sufficiently dark, pops of color shot up into the air from the direction of Candle Beach, spinning like the insides of a kaleidoscope in
the sky before dissipating into the night.

  “It’s so beautiful,” Charlotte sighed. “I’ve always loved the Fourth of July, ever since I was a little kid. There’s something that’s always appealed to me about the magic of lights dancing in the sky.” She laughed. “Maybe it’s the painter in me, seeing art everywhere.”

  “Was the fourth a big holiday in your family?” he asked as he ran his fingers lazily up and down her sweatshirt-covered arm.

  “Yeah, probably one of the biggest. My parents love fireworks too and they have a big party every year. Actually, this is the first year I’ve ever missed the party.”

  He stopped what he was doing. “We could have gone. You should have said something.”

  He sounded alarmed and she turned around to look at him. “Oh, don’t worry. I didn’t want to go this year. Things haven’t been so great between my parents and me lately, and I’ve always wanted to come down here at night.”

  “Are you sure? We could still pack up and head down to Haven Shores. If we hurry, we could maybe catch the fireworks there. They usually do them a little later in the evening.”

  She didn’t answer right away, not sure how to explain that she really didn’t want to be around her family just then. She stared up at the light show, which was particularly amazing against the backdrop of the inky blue waves. “It’s okay, really. I’d rather stay here with you. I knew this would be the perfect place to watch the fireworks. It’s so beautiful.”

  He sighed, then brushed a strand of hair away from her face, caressing her cheek with the backs of his curled fingers. “Yes, beautiful.”

  She shivered and gazed up at him, before turning her head sideways to see him better. “Thank you for being here with me tonight.”

  Luke’s heart leapt. She was thanking him? He was the lucky one to get to spend time with this wonderful woman, who could be as happy and light as a fairy one moment, but serious and honest the next.

  He craned his head to the side while turning hers to fully face him with a finger to her chin.

  “Thank you for giving me a chance.” He cupped her face with one hand and she looked at him in wonder before he lightly brushed his lips against hers. She moved her hands across his chest and up around his neck, lithely rolling to the side onto her hip as she did, so that her upper body pressed squarely against him. Amazingly she never broke the kiss as she moved. Now that she was better positioned, she tightened her embrace while kissing back more deeply. His heart beat faster.