“So there you go. Mystery solved.”
“Cass, I had a great time with you today. Like, one of the best times I’ve had with anyone in a very long time. I’d like to do it again, soon.”
“I guess you just can’t get enough of those old buildings and all that architectural talk.”
“Yeah, I could spend all day looking at rooflines and porch brackets. About as much as you’d like to spend a few more hours on the deck of a ship headed out to sea.”
Cass pretended to grimace. “How ’bout next time we try to find something mutually agreeable?”
“Next time I’ll let you in on the planning.”
“Not that I didn’t appreciate the thought that went into today. And I really loved Chestertown.”
“We’ll go back sometime just for dinner.” He pulled her a little closer. “There’s a restaurant right on the river. We can sit and watch the Contessa go by.”
“As long as other people are on it, I’m all in.” Then, because she couldn’t help herself, she said, “Speaking of ships . . .”
“I know. Jared. I’ll talk to him tomorrow, and if he can get a read on the bay side, I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Speaking of plans—how ’bout being my date for my sister’s wedding?”
“I’d love to. But you know I was invited—because of my work with Alec—so I’m going to be there anyway.”
“So now you can be there with me.” Owen seemed to think about that for a moment. “Well, you can meet me there. I’m walking Lis down the aisle. Ruby and I are, together. But after the ceremony we can be together. Sit together. Dance together. It’s going to be a fun wedding.”
“Alec has been telling me about some of their plans. A little unorthodox in some respects, but it does sound like fun.” Cass smiled. “So, yeah, we can be together. Dance together. And stuff.”
“ ‘Stuff’ always intrigues me.” Owen smiled back. “So it’s a date. Not that I won’t see you before then.”
“I’ll be around.”
“Are you coming over to the island in the morning?”
Cass nodded. “Next up is the Davies place. If I finish early enough, I’ll start on the Blakes’.”
“I know both places. If I’m finished diving early enough, I’ll stop over to check your progress.” He drew her back to him and kissed the side of her face, then lightly touched her lips with his. “So I’ll look for you tomorrow somewhere between the Davieses’ and the Blakes’.”
“I’ll be the one in the dirty tank top and the grass-stained shorts swinging a sickle.”
“Should be easy enough to find.” He paused to give her one last kiss before leaving.
Cass closed the door behind him and leaned back against the wall. Even though she still didn’t understand what had really transpired between Owen and his onetime brother-in-law, it gave her an odd sort of peace to know that Owen didn’t seem to know, either, but that he’d taken the time to seek her out and explain things to her. It made her feel as if she mattered. The feeling she’d had earlier in the day began to seep back in, the feeling that all was right in her world, and she welcomed it.
She went to her closet and scanned the clothes she’d brought with her, but nothing said Eastern Shore wedding in early autumn. She’d be forced to go shopping, and she knew just where she’d be heading as soon as she cleaned up from her cemetery duties in the morning.
CASS WAS HALFWAY through the Davies graves when she heard an incoming text and knew it was from Owen before she even looked at it.
Making a second dive. Will probably not finish till later this afternoon. Sorry I won’t be able to help this morning. TTYL
All of which was okay with Cass. She’d been stretching out the work anticipating Owen’s arrival, so now she could finish up, run back to the inn to shower and change, and she’d be in the center of town by noon. And by center of town, she meant Bling, the upscale boutique with the gorgeously dressed windows that brimmed with all its tempting dresses and bags and shoes.
She sent Owen a reply—OK. Talk to Jared?—and made it to Bling by eleven thirty.
Cass took a deep breath as she walked into the shop. She knew she’d find just the perfect thing for the wedding, and maybe a few other little somethings. She hadn’t been shopping in forever, and she was due. She knew she’d come to the right place the minute Vanessa, the shop owner, smiled and said, “I have just the thing for you.”
She led Cass toward the back of the store where the fancier dresses were kept and pulled out three items from the rack. A deep blue lace with long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, a blush-pink lace with short sleeves and a boatneck, and a light blue silk with three-quarter sleeves and a deeply rounded scoop neck.
“The dark blue lace is classic, the pink is beautiful with your skin, but the light blue is a little sexier. That scoop shows just enough of the girls to make it interesting.” Vanessa held up first one, then another.
“I think I’ll try on those last two. The light blue and the pink.”
“You can’t go wrong, either way.” Vanessa led her to a dressing room. “You give a shout if you need help. I’ll be up front. It’s a light day, so . . .”
As she spoke, the front door opened and another customer came in.
“I spoke too soon. But call me or just walk up front so I can see how they look.”
Cass went into the dressing room and closed the door. She tried on first the pink lace, but thought it might be just a tad summery for early fall. Besides, the silk dress had been speaking to her since Vanessa held it up. Cass slipped it over her head and adjusted the front. Vanessa had been right. There was just enough cleavage to be interesting, but not so much as to be inappropriate for a wedding. She stepped out of the dressing room and peeked into the front of the store.
Vanessa was at the counter wrapping up a sale to a tall, pretty blond woman who was chatting up a storm. In her arms she held a child who was clinging sleepily to her neck. “. . . and as soon as I saw this bag, I knew it was mine. I love animal prints, don’t you?” The blonde held up the bag to admire it again. “Perfect.”
“I’ll get a box for you.” Vanessa turned toward the back of the store and saw Cass. “Oh, that’s fabulous on you. Walk out here so I can see. Do you have some really high, strappy shoes?”
“I do, but they’re in Baltimore.” Cass checked herself in a mirror. She did love the way the silk glided over her hips. “I might be able to drive up there between now and next weekend.”
“Tell me you’re going to the big wedding.” Vanessa took a box from a shelf along the wall and returned to the front counter to pack the bag for her customer.
Cass nodded.
Vanessa nodded. “We’ll be there, me and my honey. We don’t really know the bride. I’ve met her, but I don’t really know her, but we do know the groom. Oh, and if you want to try on a pair of stunning heels, I just happen to have a pair there on the display.”
“The floral ones?” Cass lifted a shoe that looked like a watercolor on silk shantung. “These?”
Vanessa nodded. “Your son is so good,” she told her customer as the woman handed over her credit card.
“He’s sleepy. He doesn’t sleep well anywhere but his own bed, and for the past few days we’ve been at my parents’,” the pretty blonde replied. “I hope he adjusts soon.”
“How long will you be staying?” Vanessa rang up the sale and handed the slip to the woman, who leaned over the counter to sign it.
“I’m not sure.” The customer passed the slip back to Vanessa.
“Well, it’s a nice time of the year on the Eastern Shore.” Vanessa slid the box into a shopping bag and handed it over the counter. “Enjoy your bag. Come see me again.”
“I will.” The blonde picked the bag up by the handles and started to the door, but with no hand free, she paused. Cass hastened to the door and opened it for her.
“Oh, thanks.” The woman flashed an engaging smil
e and left, the child in one arm, her bag in the other.
“That was nice of you,” Vanessa said. “I should have realized she’d need help, but I was distracted wondering where I’d put this pretty silver necklace with blue beads and white pearls we got in early in the summer. I hope I didn’t sell it. It would be perfect with that dress.” Vanessa looked through her jewelry displays. “Oh, here we go.” She lifted it from under the counter and placed it on the glass. “Since it was summer merchandise, I can let it go for half price.”
Cass made a beeline to the counter and held up the necklace. “I love it.”
“Do you want to try the shoes?”
“I do. Seven and a half, please.” Cass fastened the necklace and admired it in the mirror. “I do like this.”
“It’s sweet, right?” Vanessa handed Cass the shoe box.
Cass put on the shoes and stared at her feet. “These are so pretty. It’s like having works of art on your feet, so how can I resist? I’ll take the whole thing. Dress, necklace, shoes. I haven’t been shopping in a long time, so I’m due.”
Cass took off the shoes and put them back into the box, which she left on the counter, then went back to the dressing room and changed out of the dress.
“Nothing perks you up like a good shopping day.” Cass put the dress back onto the hanger before handing it to Vanessa.
“I know, right?” Vanessa had already bagged the necklace and the shoes, and she now slipped a plastic carrier over the dress. “I feel the same way. I love to get something new for myself. I’m surrounded by all this, but I rarely have time to try anything on. I will find something for the wedding, though. Everyone in St. Dennis and Cannonball Island’s been invited. It should be some party.” She glanced up at Cass. “I’m guessing you’re not going solo.”
“Actually, my date is the brother of the bride, Owen Parker.”
Vanessa’s hand stopped writing.
Cass couldn’t help but notice. “Is something wrong?”
“Oh, no. But funny coincidence? That woman who just left? Her last name is Parker, too.”
Chapter Nine
Cass signed the slip for her credit card purchases and thanked Vanessa, all the while trying to restrain herself from running out the door. Once outside, she stopped on the sidewalk to scan the cars parked on Charles Street, searching for a glimpse of the blond woman. Cass spotted her across the street in front of the local coffee shop Cuppachino. The woman had opened her car’s rear passenger door and was strapping her son into his car seat. She closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side and got into the SUV, started the car, and drove off. Cass walked toward the stoplight and waited until the crossing sign flashed on. The SUV was the third car in the line, and it took all Cass’s willpower not to stare as she crossed the street.
You’re being ridiculous, she told herself as she walked toward the municipal parking lot. As Vanessa said, Parker is a common name. She could be a cousin or a tourist or who knows what. And besides, Owen never mentioned anything about having had a child. Surely that would have come up in conversation.
She took a deep breath. It had been a coincidence, that was all. Silly to have reacted the way she had.
I almost stalked that poor woman. Get a grip, Cassie!
She’d barely gotten back to her room when her phone rang. When Owen’s name appeared on the screen, she juggled the bags and the room key to answer the call.
“Whatcha doing?”
“I’m just getting back from shopping in town. Just getting ready to hang some pretty things in my closet.”
“Let me guess. Bling.”
“How did you know?”
“Only shop in town that sells pretty things for ladies, if you believe my sister. Did you have lunch?”
“Nope. But I’m thinking about it.”
“Think about having lunch with me.”
“I thought you were going to be underwater until later.”
“I was. We were suited up, but Jared developed a migraine and he wanted us to wait until he could make the dive. He doesn’t get headaches often, but when he does, they can last for hours. I didn’t feel like waiting around, so here I am. So how ’bout it?”
“Okay. Do you want to meet me downstairs in the dining room?”
“I have something different in mind. I’ll pick you up in ten minutes.”
“I’ll see you then.” Cass hung up and went into the bathroom to check her makeup. She added a little more blush to her cheeks and a little more mascara, a little more lip gloss.
The yellow skirt and white linen shirt she’d worn to Bling still looked fresh, so she grabbed her bag and left the room. She knew she was early, but she didn’t feel like waiting it out in her room. A walk around the grounds would be so much better than sitting and watching the clock.
It was another beautiful day, much like the one before, so Cass took a minute to walk around the building to see if there was in fact a family graveyard there on the grounds, or if Grace had been teasing Joanna at tea the other day. But halfway around the inn Cass found the gathering of graves, surrounded not by a white fence, but boxwood.
Less conspicuous, she thought.
“Comparing graveyards?”
She turned to see Owen striding toward her in khaki cargo shorts and a pale green polo, dark glasses covering his eyes and leather flip-flops on his feet.
“I saw you walk around the building as I was pulling up the driveway.” He pointed to the neatly trimmed grass and the grave markers. “A far cry from what you’ve been dealing with, right?”
Cass nodded. “Of course, the inn has a whole grounds crew, so it makes sense the family plot would be well cared for.”
He stood at the opening between the shrubs, his hands on his hips. He looked tan and handsome and sure of himself.
Don’t play me, please, a voice inside her whispered. I really want you to be one of the good guys.
“That’s Grace’s husband, right there.” Owen pointed to a headstone a few feet away from her. “Daniel.”
“Did you know him?”
Owen nodded. “He coached a softball team I was on when I was a kid. One of his kids played, and back then, if you wanted to play, one of your parents had to be involved in the league. Coach, run the snack bar, keep the equipment and bring it to the games—something to contribute. I guess they still do that.”
“What did your dad do?” She walked toward him.
“My dad?” Unexpectedly, Owen laughed. “My dad didn’t do anything. He wouldn’t even allow me to play on a St. Dennis team. My mom helped out at the snack bar twice each week so I could play, even though he’d told us both we weren’t to go. That was one of the few times my mom openly defied him.”
Owen fell silent for a moment. “I told you how my dad felt about St. Dennis.”
“It’s sad.”
“It was at the time. It doesn’t matter anymore.” He held out a hand to her and she slipped hers into it. He’d left the car by the inn’s front door, and they walked around a hedge of roses that were still in bloom.
“I always come and go through the back door,” Cass noted. “I’ve never been on this side of the inn. It’s pretty. I like the rocking chairs on the front porch.” She nodded in the direction of the chairs and the guests occupying them.
“I guess ’cause the lobby’s in the back. If I remember correctly, there’s a big ballroom right off the front where they have weddings and big parties.”
“So if we’re not eating here, where are we going?” She got into the Jeep.
“A place called Blossoms out on River Road. Sophie Enright owns it. It used to be a bit of a dive—it’d been empty for as long as I can remember—but she bought it a few years ago and fixed it up. She has a really creative menu and they make everything from scratch.”
“It sounds great.”
“It is.” He turned the Jeep around and drove slowly down the driveway as a number of walkers crowded the drive.
Once on River R
oad, he pointed out various landmarks and homes of note. “You know who Dallas MacGregor is, right?”
“Oh, please. Like I don’t read People? She’s a huge movie star who lives in St. Dennis and has her own production company in some old warehouse somewhere around here.”
“We just passed it.”
Cass’s head all but swiveled off her neck as she turned around. “That building back there? The long one with the metal roof?”
Owen nodded. “Actually, there are three of them, but you can only see one from the road. I heard on good authority that she’s planning a big announcement in another week or so,” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
“What’s good authority and what’s the announcement?”
He pulled into a parking lot between a stone building with glass windows on the front and sides, and a plant nursery.
“The authority is her brother, Wade—married to Steffie of Scoop fame. Dallas just finished the script for a new film that will be shot right here in town.”
“Oh, wow. We’ll get to watch.” Cass hopped down from the Jeep after he opened the door for her.
“Maybe even get to be an extra.” He took her hand. “She’s filmed here before. Gigi said just about everyone in town appeared in one scene or another.”
“Gigi was in a movie?”
“She said there wasn’t a role for anyone over ninety-five. But I understand Dallas is going to rectify that omission in the next one.” He opened the door, upon which BLOSSOMS had been painted in a pretty scroll.
“This is so cool,” Cass said as they waited to be seated at one of the square tables, each of which had a vase of fresh, colorful zinnias.
“Check out the wall.” He gestured to the opposite side of the room.
“I see lots of photographs.”
“Photos of old St. Dennis. I’ll show you in a minute.”
A waitress led them to a table across from the photo wall. She brought them a bowl of roasted chickpeas and took their drink orders. Specials were listed on a menu that stood in a metal stand on the table.
“What’s good here?” Cass asked.
The Chesapeake Bride Page 17