by Nicole Ellis
Charlotte opened her mouth then shut it without saying anything. Her shoulders shook and she breathed raggedly. Luke couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward to address them.
“Your daughter is the best artist I’ve ever met. She must have something special if that gallery in Seattle wanted her for a solo show. She’s also a talented businesswoman. Do you know how many people love her shop and visit it first thing when they come to Candle Beach?” Luke tried to keep his voice level but he wasn’t winning the struggle.
Her father raised his eyebrows and her mother started to speak.
Luke held his finger in the air. “Wait. I’m not done. She doesn’t need you telling her what to do. Who do you think organized this whole event? It wasn’t me. I provided the barbecue, but she handled everything else—the marketing, the band, everything. She’s a remarkable person and I’m proud of her for going after what she wants in life—even if you can’t be happy for your own daughter.”
During his tirade, Charlotte had been staring at him open-mouthed. By the time he finished, she’d turned a pretty shade of pink.
“Thank you, Luke.” She shot him a small smile, then took a deep breath and turned to her parents. “He’s right. I don’t want to come back to work for Gray & Associates. I have my own business here and I’m going to be a successful artist. I’m confident in my abilities, even if you aren’t.” She stared at them pointedly and motioned in the direction of the parking area. “If you can’t believe in me, please just go.”
Her father spoke. “Honey, we didn’t mean to make you think we don’t believe in you. That’s not the case....”
Luke slipped away as Charlotte and her parents talked. From what he’d heard, it was probably the most honest conversation the Gray family had ever had.
He walked with purpose toward the food truck. On the way, he passed Parker, who was assisting with cleanup.
“Hey,” Parker said, clapping him on the back. “You did a great job with this event. Everyone loved it.”
“Thanks. But it wasn’t me. Charlotte put most of this together on her own.” He glanced back to the barn, but couldn’t see Charlotte or her parents from where he stood. He hoped they were treating her better now.
Parker whistled. “That explains how fantastic everything looks. She’s always had a knack for design.”
“Your parents don’t seem to think she has a knack for anything,” Luke said darkly.
Parker looked at him more closely. “What do you mean? I saw them here, but I haven’t had a chance to talk with them. Are they still around?”
“Yeah. I just left them with Charlotte in the barn. She admitted to them that things weren’t going perfectly in her life at the moment and they basically said ‘I told you so’ and tried to convince her that her place in the world is back working for them.”
Parker’s face blanched. “Ugh. Poor Charlotte. I’ve been on the receiving end of those types of conversations in the past as well, but I usually try to let it roll right off me. Nothing we ever do is good enough. Unfortunately, she tends to take things they say to her a little harder than I do.”
“I’m not sure if I made things better or worse for her,” he admitted. “I may have slightly told them off.” He shook his head. Had he really just done that? He wasn’t sure whether his actions had endeared him to Charlotte or not.
Parker chuckled. “I would have loved to have seen that.” He sobered. “How’s she doing now?”
“I don’t know. We’re not on the best of terms right now so I didn’t stay after I called out your parents for how they were treating her. When I left, it sounded like she was having a productive conversation with them. But she may still need some comforting later and I’m not the right person to do so.”
His friend nodded. “Thanks for telling me. I’ll go find them.” He jetted off in the direction of the barn.
Luke watched him go. He would have liked to comfort Charlotte himself, but he didn’t think they were in a place in their relationship where that would work. He missed her so much and had meant every word he said about her to her parents. It killed him to know that he’d had her and then lost her by being such an idiot—if only he’d handled the discussion over the lease better.
When Charlotte got back to the bookstore after the fundraiser ended, it was closed, but there was a light on in Dahlia’s office. She wasn’t sure she was in the mood to be social, but if Sarah was around, it wouldn’t hurt to have a conversation with someone that wouldn’t put her on edge. Plus, Sarah was a great listener and had comforted her when she’d come back after breaking up with Luke.
“Sarah? Is that you?” she called out.
“Yeah, hold on.” A minute later, Sarah came out. “Sorry, I was trying to get some inventory numbers down before they all got mixed up. Dahlia left good instructions, but running a bookstore is more complicated than you’d think.”
Charlotte smiled. “I know the feeling. I thought my to-do list was never going to end when I opened up Whimsical Delights.”
“You look exhausted,” Sarah said. “How was the event? Did you raise a lot of money?”
“I haven’t tallied all of it up yet, but I think so. I’m too drained right now to do it tonight.”
Sarah looked at her more closely. “Was it the event itself, or did something happen?”
“Wow, you’re good.” Charlotte peered at her. “How did you know it was something else?”
She shrugged. “As a teacher, you learn to read people—both students and parents. It comes in handy. I can tell immediately if a kid is lying to me. So, what’s going on?”
“My parents were there.”
“Oh. I take it you don’t get along with them?”
“Yes and no. We get along, but our family has never been big on communicating. Also, they think that I can’t be trusted to manage my own life.”
“Ouch.” Sarah winced. “I can’t imagine.”
“Yeah.” Charlotte was quiet, unsure if she should say anything about Luke’s monologue.
“Did you have a fight with them?”
Charlotte sighed. “They found out about the art show not going so well and having to move the trailer. Of course, that led them to believe that I should quit everything I want to do and come back to work for them.” She paused. “Something happened though. Luke heard them talking down to me and gave them a tongue-lashing.”
“Oh, wow.” Sarah’s eyes were wide. “He stood up for you.”
Charlotte looked downward. “He did. He said the nicest things about me too.” She met Sarah’s gaze. “Was I wrong to give up on a relationship with him?”
Sarah hesitated, as if choosing her words wisely. “I think he hurt you, but perhaps he didn’t mean to.”
She thought about that. It was true that he didn’t seem to understand why it was so hurtful for him to help her with financial situations—but that was a big part of the problem. She felt as though she’d told him several times how sensitive she was to interference in her finances and he’d still acted like it was nothing to subsidize her rent.
Still, talking to her parents today had made her realize the importance of communication. She’d finally made them realize how important her art was to her and that it wasn’t something she planned to give up anytime soon. They’d seemed to understand and told her they wouldn’t question her decision again. Having Luke tell them how proud he was of her seemed to have made them reconsider their stance.
He’d stood up for her, like no one ever had before. He hadn’t come in to save her like some sort of white knight on a horse, but he’d helped her have the courage to talk to her parents honestly and given her confidence in her own abilities. She’d wanted to talk to him after the event, but by the time she finished, he was gone. Like Sarah said, maybe she should give him another chance.
“I suppose I could consider talking to him again. I’m scared though that if I let him back into my life, I’ll fall into the trap of letting someone take care of me again. That�
�s what happens every time I let my guard down with my parents.”
“But Luke isn’t your parents,” Sarah said. “He cares about you and wants the best for you. Do you really think he’ll try to sabotage your independence?”
Charlotte stared at her. “No.”
Was she more worried about her own reaction to him? That she’d want him to take care of her so she wouldn’t have to work so hard? Luke had never been anything but nice to her and she’d shut him down. Did she doubt herself more than she doubted his intentions?
“Well then, that’s your answer. If you still love him and don’t think he’s going to hurt you, why are you stalling when you could have a relationship with him?” Sarah sighed. “At this point, I’d give anything to have that opportunity. This town is way too small to throw away a relationship with a handsome, wealthy man who wants nothing more than to love you.”
Charlotte smiled. “You’re probably right.” She stifled a yawn. “But I’m exhausted. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Goodnight,” Sarah said. “I’ll be finished here in a few minutes, but I’ll try to not be too noisy.”
Charlotte went upstairs, still thinking about Luke’s interactions with her parents. It had been almost funny seeing her mother react to him. Not many people stood up to her. He had so many great qualities and everyone she knew seemed to think she should get back together with him, but a little part of her was still scared that she’d lose herself if she did.
It was late and she didn’t want to think about it anymore. She got undressed and ready for bed, then laid her head down on the pillow, hoping to fall asleep immediately and have sweet dreams.
19
“You look awful,” Parker said.
Luke scowled. “Thanks.”
They’d met at the bowling alley in Haven Shores for a game after he’d closed the truck on Saturday night, but he was starting to regret accepting Parker’s invitation.
“Have you been sleeping?”
“Some. Not enough.”
“Is it still because of Charlotte?”
“Yeah.”
Parker swore. “I knew it was a bad idea for the two of you to date. Now it’s always going to be awkward when you’re together.”
“So sorry to inconvenience you. Wait, weren’t you the one trying to convince me it was okay before? Ah, never mind. It hardly matters now.”
Parker stared at him. “You really like her, don’t you?”
Luke looked down at the table. “I think I love her. I mean, I know I do.”
“You’ve got it bad. I’ve never seen you like this before.”
“Unfortunately, she never wants to talk to me ever again.”
“That sounds like something my sister would say.” He chuckled. “She can be quite dramatic at times.”
“Yeah.” Luke rubbed his fingers over the frosty mug of beer.
“So, what are you going to do to win her back?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you can’t give up on her so easily. You’re obviously meant for each other. Besides, no one wants to see you moping around like this.”
Luke felt his spirits rise. Was there a chance she’d take him back?
“I don’t know. She’s pretty mad at me.”
“Not after you defended her from my parents. She was quite impressed.”
“Really?” She hadn’t said anything to him afterward, so he wasn’t sure how to gage her reaction.
“Yeah. For the record, I was too. It’s not easy to stand up to my mother.” He laughed. “Believe me, I’ve been there.”
“So, what can I do?”
Parker sipped his beer. “I don’t know, but it had better be big. Can you think of anything she’s mentioned that she wants?”
He thought about it. She wanted her half of the lot back, but he didn’t think that would work. They couldn’t get around the money issue with that and there was no way he was going to accidentally insult her ability to manage money again.
“I think I know what I want to do.” He grinned at Parker. “Can you and Gretchen help?”
Parker clapped him on the back. “Anything you need.”
“Dahlia.” Charlotte embraced her friend. “I’m so glad you were able to be home in time for Maggie’s wedding. How was your trip?”
They were standing in the freshly painted hallway outside of the master bedroom of the farmhouse at Sorensen Farm while Maggie changed into her wedding dress. Since Maggie wasn’t having bridesmaids, they’d been allowed to wear whatever they wanted for the wedding. Charlotte wore the sundress she’d bought with Angel in Seattle, and Dahlia had dressed in an off-the-shoulder peach-colored dress that highlighted the tan she’d gained on her travels.
“Amazing.” A far-off look came into Dahlia’s eyes. “I can’t believe how much we saw and yet how little we saw. There’s so much to explore in Europe and I feel like we only touched the tip of it.”
“I know. I’ve been to France and Italy, but I’ve always wanted to see everything else.” Charlotte sighed. “I’m jealous that you got to go for over a month though.”
“Well, I hear things have been pretty exciting for you too. You finally gave in and dated Parker’s friend, right?”
Charlotte scrunched up her face and nodded.
“What happened between the two of you?” Dahlia leaned against the wall and folded her arms across her chest.
Charlotte gave her a sad smile. “I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Oh, come on, it’s got to be more than that,” Dahlia said. “I missed out on so much while I was gone.”
“Are you saying you’d have rather stayed home?”
Dahlia laughed. “Well, no. But I do want to know what’s going on with you. So, why did the two of you break up?”
Charlotte looked down at the white wedge sandals she’d pulled from the back of her closet. “He couldn’t seem to understand that I want to make it on my own. There was a mix-up with the lot lease for Whimsical Delights and he ended up in control of the whole lot. I couldn’t afford to pay him for half of it, and I didn’t want to take any charity from him, so I had to move.”
“Oh no.” Dahlia peered at her. “That was such a great spot. Did you find something else?”
“I did, but it’s nowhere near as nice as the old location.”
Maggie opened the bedroom door, saving Charlotte from any more questions.
They gathered around her, oohing and aahing over her dress.
“Do you like it?” Maggie asked shyly, caressing the folds of the full white skirt with her fingertips.
“It’s gorgeous,” Charlotte said.
“Breathtaking,” Dahlia agreed.
“Is she ready yet?” Gretchen called up the stairs.
“Yes!” they shouted.
Gretchen bounded up the steps, stopping behind Charlotte.
“Maggie, I love it.”
Maggie beamed. “I didn’t want or need a big wedding this time around, but I couldn’t resist this dress. I saw it in the window of the bridal shop in Haven Shores when I was down there a few months ago.” She twirled around. “Do you think Jake will like it?”
“Uh, yeah,” Charlotte said. “He’d have to be crazy not to.”
Gretchen checked her watch. “Everyone’s ready in the barn. It’s showtime.”
They helped Maggie with her dress as they walked from the house to the barn, and then they slipped into the barn ahead of her, taking their seats. Jake stood at the front of the room with only a minister, looking nervous. Maggie had wanted a small wedding, so only her close family and friends were there, occupying two rows of white wooden chairs situated on either side of a main aisle.
Charlotte peeked behind her to see if Maggie was ready. She appeared in the doorway and nodded to Gretchen, who hit a button on the CD player, sending the first notes of Pachelbel’s Canon throughout the room. Charlotte turned to watch Jake’s face as his future wife approached. His chest had puffed out and a cal
m look had come over his face as he watched Maggie come down the aisle. This was clearly a man who was marrying the woman he loved.
They joined at the front and the minister had them recite their vows, then Maggie’s son Alex came forward with the rings. They slipped the rings on the other’s fingers and Jake pulled Maggie close for a long kiss.
All of the wedding guests cheered, and Charlotte noticed tears in the eyes of Jake’s mother. This must have been a bittersweet moment for her as she watched the widow of her younger son, Brian, marrying her older son Jake. It was clear to everyone though that even though it had come about through a sad situation, Maggie and Jake belonged together now. Alex came up to the front again and they wrapped their arms around him, Maggie kissing him on the top of his head before they all looked up and smiled for their family and friends.
The three of them walked back down the aisle to the back of the barn, which had been pre-set with a few round tables and a rectangular table for a buffet. Everyone else followed Maggie and Jake, congratulating them. Jake’s mom gave her an especially big hug.
Charlotte swallowed a lump in her throat. The way that Jake looked at Maggie, the way that he genuinely adored Alex—that was what she wanted. A man who’d be there for her, no matter what happened.
They filled their plates with food and sat down around the tables, with Charlotte sitting next to Alex, who was the only other single person at the wedding, and he was a child. Maggie’s parents, Jake’s parents, Dahlia and Garrett, Gretchen and Parker, Angel and Adam—everyone had found their perfect match.
She pressed her lips together to keep from breaking out into tears and leaned over to address Alex. “You’re going to dance with me, right?”
His eyes widened, as if he wasn’t sure if she was for real. His expression was priceless, and almost made being the lone single adult worth it. Almost, but not quite.
“I’m joking,” she said. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to dance with me.”
“Oh, okay, good.” He dug into the plate of food that his grandmother had brought him.
Charlotte chose not to take his rejection personally and bit into a delicately formed beef Wellington, the crust melting in her mouth.