Sausalito Nights (Montgomery Beauty Book 1)

by Stephanie Salvatore

  “Oh yeah? Why is that?” I stared off at the reflections of the other houseboats on the water.

  “Your dad and I talked. He said you passed your driver’s test last year, but couldn’t afford to buy you a car and then I realized something.”

  “What’s that?” Papa’s ideas usually always came out of left field with a pot of gold to accompany them.

  “Well, your nana and I barely drive the Mercedes, so we want to give it to you so you can get to school and grow some independence.” He sounded serious, and I wasn’t sure I could believe him.

  “That’s very generous, Papa. You don’t have to, though.”

  “I know I don’t have to, Christopher; but I want too.”

  I smiled. “Thank you, Papa!” I reached over and gave him a gentle hug.

  He hugged me back and patted me on the back. “We’ll come back later this week to go get the plates changed over, and get you signed up at Pennington.”

  “Is that the school I’ll be at?”

  “Yes, it is. You’ll gain a good education for your last year in high school.”

  I smiled. “I’m glad, Papa, and thank you.”

  “The Montgomerys stick together. We never stray too far from the sidelines of loved ones. We stay close and intervene when the opponents of life intercept or do one of our own wrong.”

  I smiled and looked back out at the view. The calming, happy feeling that took over when we left Oroville was matting; and while we hadn’t been here long, I had a good feeling about this place.

  ***

  Later that night, I was helping Mom and Dad unpack the kitchen, putting the dishes up on the shelves of the cupboards how she wanted them, when there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it. Scope out a spot for these serving dishes?”

  Mom ignored me as she stared at my father. “Nathaniel! You’re spacing out again! You do this every time I need your help. Pay attention.”

  Dad was messing around with the cell phone Nana and Papa gifted him as a welcome home present. “What? I do not. What is it, dear? This new technology is a damn brain teaser.”

  “Put the damn phone down and help me find a place for the serving dishes.”

  “”Honey, the kitchen is your spot, the workshop which I no longer have is mine. We’ve been over this a million times.”

  She shook her head. “You’re getting a damn workshop. We’ll scope out an old warehouse where you can carve your arts and crafts soon enough. Can you focus for five minutes?”

  I laughed a bit at the bantering they had going and opened the door to find the same girl that walked by earlier standing at the door with a gift basket. I smiled warmly at her, trying to contain my excitement. “Hello. Can I help you?”

  She returned a bright smile at me, and our eyes locked and time seemed to freeze the moment before she spoke. “Hi. My name is Lorelai Castillo. I’m the owner's daughter and I wanted to bring this welcome gift for you and your family.”

  My Lord. This girl belonged in a beauty pageant. Hell. She could’ve won Miss USA against all the Queens in the world. I flashed another smile toward her. “Awe. That was very sweet. Thank you.” I reached to take the basket from her from the bottom. My fingers swiped against her soft hand, tingles traveling up my arm as I locked my own eyes on her baby blue hues.

  “You’re welcome. What’s…your name?” She asked.

  “My name is Christopher…but you can call me Chris,” I said. I didn’t know why I had to tell her my full name.

  She laughed softly. “Well, it’s very nice to meet you, Christopher.”

  Great, now she was going to use my full name every time we cross paths. “Nice to meet you as well, Miss Castillo.”

  She smiled at me once more before she took a step back. “I… take care of the rentals around here. So if you ever need anything, I’m always around.”

  “Actually, there is one thing I could use,”

  “And what’s that, Mr. Christopher?” Her face lit up with slight excitement.

  “A tour of this place. It seems really big, and a little confusing,” I said.

  “Oh…well. I could definitely help you with that. I’m actually getting off work here soon. Why don’t you meet me at the end of the docks by the mainland in about an hour, and I’ll give you a personal grand tour of the yacht club?”

  I paused for a moment. “That sounds like an offer I can’t pass up, Miss Castillo.” I smiled and winked at her. “I’ll see you then,” I spoke quietly, and waved at her as she turned to walk off the porch.

  “See you then,” she spoke quietly.

  I watched until she disappeared out of sight and closed the door.

  Damnit, she is beautiful, and my parents are still bantering about those bloody serving dishes.

  I set the basket up on the island upon returning and took a seat on a chair at the island. “We received a welcoming gift,” I said as they turned their attention toward me.

  “That was nice. Who was it from, Chris?” Mom asked.

  “The owner’s daughter. She’s going to take me on a tour around the yacht club. Do you two have a handle on the rest?”

  “Yeah. You go. Have fun. Your Nana and Papa are ordering in dinner. ”

  I stood up. “Don't wait up, I’ll eat when I get back.”

  ***

  One hour later, I stepped off the docks on the mainland and found a bench on the boardwalk to wait on.

  Lorelai came into sight a moment later. She wore a white summer dress and her hair looked like it had been freshly blown out. She had gauze wrapped around her arms, and I wondered why, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask such a personal question this early on. The glow of the sun shined brightly from the sunset and distracted me rather quickly, she looked…illuminatingly beautiful. No makeup necessary, simple natural beauty fell over this girl and I was floored. I couldn’t find words.

  “Christopher? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  I snapped out of it and stood up. “What way? I wasn’t looking at you in any particular way. I’m ready to venture out when you are.”

  She smiled and held back a laugh. “You’re sure? You look like you just saw an extraterrestrial.”

  Whatever the reason behind the gauze, she didn’t seem bothered by it. I chuckled. “That’s quite flabbergasting and I apologize.”

  She laughed, turning her attention to the men hanging up the ‘Annual Castillo Yacht Club Summer Bash’ banner between the posts at the entrance of the docks.

  I looked at the sign and stood up. “Does this place have a lot of parties?”

  She laughed. “My father will find reasons to throw a party.” Her tone changed to a serious one.

  I rose an eyebrow. “Interesting. This place does kind of look like a good place for parties, though.”

  We began walking down the boardwalk. “Our community is a very rich one. We have your typical born from the womb snobs that travel from San Francisco on the weekends, the rockers slash motorcycle gang groups, and then we have the elderly that just come here to retire and want to be left alone with their books and long walks in the sunsets.”

  “I’ve never really been the party type. I was always too busy with school or helping my parents around the house, going to work with my dad, or visiting with the grandparents out in Napa.”

  “Yeah? What’s your dad do for a living?”

  “He’s in construction, which is why we moved here. The work in Oroville was scarce.”

  “I’m sure he won’t have a problem here. The San Francisco area is constantly growing,” she said as she stopped about halfway down the docks.

  I stopped and stood facing toward the buildings behind us and saw two men standing across the street looking my way. I attempted to ignore the intimidating stares in a pause before I flashed a smile toward Lorelai. “That’s what we’re hoping for. Mom helps out with the numbers and booking jobs; but I think my grandparents want me to take over the construction business once I finish college. They’re getting older
, and they own a winery; but the responsibilities and upkeep are getting to be too much on them.”

  “Hmm… so what’s going to happen?”

  “I’ve learned the ropes from my dad, and he will eventually hand it down for me to take over, so they can help take care of the winery.”

  She nodded as she took it in. “Family business done right.”

  I chuckled. “Sounds about right, but the Montgomerys don’t back down from a challenge, no matter what.”

  She rose her brow. “Really now? I’ll have to remember that.”

  A lighthearted laugh left my lips. “You better,” I teased.

  “Considering a Castillo never takes no for an answer, you should. I know you mentioned you weren’t the partying type, but you should come to the party on Friday. I’ll be your guide and break you in.” She flashed that beautiful smile at me again.

  “Yeah?” I pondered her offer. “I might just accept your generous offer. Just don’t break me too hard.” The sarcasm broke sooner than I expected; but when my words sent her into a burst of laughter, I knew I wasn’t in too much trouble.

  Jumping Lessons 101

  Lorelai

  Admiration of Christopher captivated me from the moment I set eyes on him; but now that we met, the need to know him multiplied. His dark brown hair, tan skin, and piercing grey-blue eyes caught my attention like a fresh pot of coffee brewing in the early morning. His gentle words and humbling impressions touched my soul in ways I couldn’t describe. The vibes he gave off were calming, gentle, caring, giving, and he was really rather polite for greeting a creepy stranger knocking at his door. I only knew where he came from and that he was very family oriented; but I needed to know more. Was this charming young man already accounted for?

  He couldn’t be. I didn’t want him to be. I couldn’t tell a lie. I wanted him for myself.

  I laughed at his joke. “No worries. I’ll be gentle.”

  Chris rose an eyebrow toward me. “I’m holding you to your word.” He paused as we walked on and looked back at the banner. “What is this Summer Bash exactly?”

  “It’s one of the many parties my family throws. We eat, drink, mingle and set sail out on the bay.”

  “I’ll accept your invite, but I have one condition.”

  I froze and tried to hold back the excitement rising in my throat and laughed. “Oh no. A condition. That sounds scary. Alright. Lay it on me, Montgomery,” I singsong.

  He looked out at the water as one of the fancy yachts sped by and met my eyes once more. “Apologies come in advance for the torture you might endure, but I’d like you to go as my date.”

  “A man that’s forward on his word.” I pursed my lips as I thought about it. “I think I could deal with that level of torture.”

  He stared at me for a moment before his eyes moved up and down. Was he checking me out? Did he notice the gauze wrapped around my arm? Would he ask questions? The healing process wouldn’t be done for a while. If it were me? I would be asking questions, and that’s exactly what I feared.

  “I can’t see a better way to break myself in than to show up to this party with the owner’s daughter.” He didn’t flinch or stutter. This Montgomery kid was confident, and reeling me in like quicksand.

  I cocked an eyebrow at him. “If that’s what you want to call breaking gentle…That’s a pretty high jump, Montgomery.”

  A smile cracked through his lips revealing his pearly white teeth. “I’m not afraid of heights.”

  I smiled back at him. “Are you jumping in with two feet?”

  He chuckled. “I think I am.”

  “Then it’s a date.” I smiled at him as we walked. “You see those turquoise buildings along the street?”

  “Ooh. A date? What’s that?” He looked at me after purposely ignoring my question, and smirked.

  I stopped to look at him, and rose an eyebrow at him. “Well. It’s when two people have a mutual interest in each other, and they go on a magic infested adventure in a faraway land to see if their connection manifests to a level where they can take the world on together.” I managed to keep a straight face as Christopher’s eyes widened as he stared at me with his intense hues. I knew I was crazy, the million-dollar question was could he handle my crazy?

  “A magical infested adventure? This adventure? It doesn’t involve riding unicorns down glittering rainbows, does it?”

  “You bet it does,” I whipped back.

  He shook his head. “I don’t know about all that.”

  I frowned with a puppy pout. ‘Well… okay. But what if I said it could conclude with a kiss?”

  He groaned. “Fine. It’s a date…and yes, I see the buildings,” he grumbled. “What about them?”

  I laughed as his unenthusiastic tone kicked in. “Oh. Cheer up grumpy pants. My parents own those buildings, as well as the Yacht Club. I live in the penthouse of the biggest building in the center. As for all the little shops along the boardwalk, the owners are contracted in with the rental space. The big building just past the shops, that’s the clubhouse where the fitness center is. There is also a spa and a five-star restaurant in there. My family has brunch in there on Sundays, but the buffet is open seven days a week.” I spoke as we walked past.

  Chris looked around and took it all in. “So this place is a pretty big deal in Sausalito?”

  “We’ve been here longer than my siblings and I have existed. My family is very well known in this community, as well as the city.”

  His eyes widened a bit. “So what you’re telling me is that your family is a pretty big deal over all?”

  I pursed my lips. “They like to think so.” I laughed. “But really, we’re just a really crazy Italian family with bad tempers.”

  He laughed. “Kind of sounds like my family, only the banter is endless. They’re always ranting off about something. My dad drives my mother crazy. They’ll be working on a house project, and my dad gets distracted and my mom gets frustrated with his short attention span.”

  I laughed. “Never a dull moment, huh?”

  He shook his head and laughed. “In the Montgomery house? Never.”

  I flashed him a smile. “Sounds like you have a solid support system at home.”

  He chuckled. “I’d like to think so, but my parents are bat shit crazy.”

  A smile curved up on my lips as I giggled to cover up the dark secrets my family made me hold in. “I can completely relate.” I stopped walking as we got to the end of the boardwalk. “Without staring, look to your right.”

  He followed my instructions and looked back to me. “Okay. What about it?”

  “Did you see a sign that says Black Diamond Club?”

  He nodded. “Yeah…why?”

  “Whatever you do, never go venturing back there. It’s off limits,” I said, attempting to sound affirmative and strict.

  “Aye aye, Captain. Is there a reason for the restriction?”

  “It’s for elite members only. Don’t question it, Montgomery.”

  He nodded. “Noted.”

  “I didn’t mean to snap, but it’s vital you don’t go back there.”

  He shook his head. “This is your family’s home and business. You have my word that I won’t wander back there.”

  I couldn’t help but worry that he was curious, and telling him about the family business was not a topic of conversation I was going into right now. I had to make sure he understood.

  “Come on, let's head back. The rest of the place is pretty much free range.”

  As we walked back down, I showed him where he could rent paddle boards and other water sport rentals could be found, and then took him back toward the rental boathouses. “So, this is where I’ll be most days. Starting at the third dock of this sector are all rentals that members own and rent out year round. I clean them and restock linens, and all that fun jazz.”

  He smiled at me. “Is that a hint for me to come find you?”

  I pursed my lips and rose an eyebrow. “Hm, perhaps?” I
winked at him. “There’s plenty more to discover with San Francisco and the area we live in; but we’ll leave that for another time, if you want that is.”

  “Well, I definitely don’t have a clue about anything in this area, so my mind is yours to mold and fill with knowledge.”

  I giggled. “You might want to think twice on that, Montgomery. I might have to challenge that bantering trait your family embraces so much.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Oh no, not you too!”

  A laugh escaped my lips that seemed to be contagious as he joined me. Smiles were exchanges as we paused and laughed a bit more. Once we were able to control ourselves, we locked eyes.

  He flashed a smile toward me, and I took both of his hands intertwining my fingers into his as I walked him backwards. “Oh yes… Yes! Me too! I love bantering! Christopher, you have to promise me something!”

  He rolled his eyes, holding back a laugh. “No! I will not banter with you. I’m sure my mother would enjoy that, though.”

  I gasped playfully. “Are you suggesting I banter with your mother?”

  He rose an eyebrow. “No.” He stopped in his footsteps against a railing. “You’re going to pull me into the bantering quest, aren’t you?”

  I snickered. “Absolutely.”

  “Fine…but I’ll have to take a rain check and head back for dinner.”

  My heart sunk, as our time was being cut short. “Of course. The yacht will be anchored just against the boardwalk…You won’t be able to miss it.”

  “I’m sure I won’t. Thank you for showing me around.” He smiled at me before he lingered his fingers out of mine and winked at me.

  I sighed softly as he walked off. His smooth words, teasing tactics, and confidence swooned me once again. My heart ached, I needed more. When he was out of sight, I realized that it would be a few days before I was guaranteed time with him again. Withdrawn emotions tugged at my heart strings. Friday was simply too far away.

  ***

  Stepping from the limo returning after a long day of relaxing and primping with my mother and Luciana, we finally arrived to the rolled out red carpet where our awaiting guests stood behind the black velour ropes. Gliding down the entryway in a floor length sparkling red evening gown in my heels, I looked for Christopher in the crowd. A nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach crept in as I passed the one person I didn’t want to see.