Discovering Love on Cranberry Lane (Island County Book 11)

by Karice Bolton

  “It’s going to be so cool.” Colby’s dopy grin made my stomach squeeze.

  I smiled and wandered over to Dwayne and kissed him. “It is going to be cool. Super cool.”

  Dwayne kissed me and then glanced at the clock. “We should probably head over to Jake’s. I know he’s excited about the surprise.”

  “Should I act surprised?”

  Dwayne looked at me and then at the boys. “I don’t think it would work.”

  I laughed and nodded. “You’re probably right.”

  The boys packed some toys into their backpacks, and I grabbed my purse. I wasn’t sure what more I needed as we waited for Dwayne to lock up.

  Once we got into the car, the excitement rose tenfold.

  “This is such a magical experience,” I told Dwayne.

  He reached over and grabbed my hand before turning the car onto the main road.

  “I’m just so lucky I have you to experience it with.” He looked at Aaron in the rearview and smiled.

  “Are you guys going to kissy?” Aaron laughed.

  “Not while I’m driving.” Dwayne sighed. “Never a dull moment.”

  “And I think the fun is only beginning.” I leaned my head against the window and looked at the beautiful scenery pass us by. The rugged coastline traded for beautiful old homes with white picket fences before trading out for fields where fireweed sprang to life every spring and summer.

  Dwayne turned off onto the private road that led to Jake’s house, and my nerves crackled with delight.

  As we drove through the gate, I spotted the helicopter and Jake circling it. He stopped and waved as Dwayne drove toward the house.

  “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

  Colby let out a squeal as Dwayne parked, and both boys unbuckled from their booster seats before I could even untangle from my own seatbelt.

  Dwayne looked at me, and love filled his gaze. “You ready?”

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yes. I’m totally ready.”

  We walked toward the helicopter while Colby and Aaron talked endlessly about what they were going to spot from the sky. I heard mention of pirate ships, secret fortresses, and farms.

  “Hey, there.” Jake waved and walked toward us. “Surprise!”

  “Boy, is it.” I grinned.

  “Dwayne’s been planning it since you two came over to see the alpacas.”

  I turned and smiled at Dwayne. “Really?”

  “Sure have.” He rubbed my back, and a flutter of pure joy erupted from my belly as the boys stood staring at the helicopter.

  “Okay,” Jake began. “I’ve got quite a few safety things I want to go over. And it’s extremely important that you two listen in case your uncle and mom can’t remember.”

  Both boys stared at Jake and nodded as he began going over everything we needed to know about the helicopter, headsets, safety harnesses, everything.

  I liked Jake’s thoroughness.

  Once we climbed in and got situated, my heart started pounding.

  But once Jake flipped a couple of switches and the roar of the blades started chopping the air above us, my pulse soared into another galaxy.

  Jake started talking, and the next thing I knew, we were lifting straight up off the ground. I closed my eyes as the boys’ excited chatter escalated.

  My hand quickly searched for Dwayne’s, and he held it tightly as I slowly peeled my lids open to see a beautiful sight below.

  The rolling waves against the cliffs churned a magnificent amount of foam as the water slithered back out into the Sound. Houses that seemed so big suddenly looked like colorful dots on a quilt.

  “This is incredible,” I said into the headset.

  We flew over the café, and I turned to smile at Dwayne as pride filled me, knowing that place was going to be mine someday soon.

  As we flew over the town, I spotted the ferry leaving the dock and the streets of Fireweed surprisingly busy for such a big holiday. Families walked down the sidewalks, peering into the closed shops and restaurants, and my heart knew this was my home.

  “Wow, Mom. Look at that.” Colby pointed at his elementary school, and I smiled.

  Before I knew it, we were over nothing but water, headed toward Hound Island.

  “Now, this is where the magic happens.” Jake laughed as he brought us up to the tiny island and circled us around the gorgeous slice of heaven.

  Small farms dotted the island, and tiny beaches dotted the seashore.

  “My mom’s farm is coming up. You should see Hound Island when the lavender farms are blooming. I’ll bring you back for that.”

  As we rose over the knoll, my jaw dropped at the sight in front of me. It was out of a fairy tale.

  A farmhouse stood proud over the most beautiful gardens. It didn’t matter that November had hit and nothing was in bloom. I could imagine it all. With the fruit trees, herb gardens, and patio stones, the place was purely magical.

  I spotted a lodge and a smaller building, the tiny rooms filled with glowing lights.

  “The lodge became so popular that my mom and Chance had to build an addition for more rooms.”

  “This place is incredible. I can see why.”

  Jake nodded and circled around once more when I noticed Hildie and everyone trundling outside.

  Before I knew it, the helicopter was on the ground, and Colby looked at me with the widest eyes.

  “That was the coolest thing ever.” He looked dazed and stared out the window, and Aaron beamed as if he’d been the pilot.

  The blades continued to whoosh, slowing only marginally as Jake and Dwayne helped us out, reminding us to keep our heads low as Hildie walked toward us.

  “Welcome to Hound Island.” She pulled me in for a quick hug and kneeled down to say hi to Colby and Aaron.

  Jewels pulled her blue sweater a little tighter as she wandered over to Jake at the helicopter to give him a hug.

  Maddie was holding a little girl and Chance a little boy as they walked over to us.

  I spotted Harmony in the door without a coat, and she waved before scurrying back inside.

  “Happy Thanksgiving.” Maddie grinned. “Were you surprised?”

  “More than you know.” I let out a happy sigh.

  “We’ve known since before Halloween.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “It’s been killing us. Hildie’s been working away on a menu for weeks.”

  “The holidays are a special time for Mom.” Chance grinned. “And for me. It’s one of the few times our restaurant is closed.”

  Maddie laughed. “And I’m enjoying every second of Chance’s full attention.”

  “I bet.” I glanced at Dwayne, who was keeping the boys busy, and my heart warmed.

  Very few times in life was I rendered speechless, but as I looked around at everyone gathered here with Hildie, I couldn’t think of anything to say.

  Gratitude just filled me up completely.

  I was grateful for my son and for Dwayne and Aaron. I felt at peace living far away from the hustle and bustle of the crazy world and was grateful I’d found others who craved that peace as well.

  Chance and Maddie wandered back inside as Dwayne wrapped his hand over mine.

  “Happy Thanksgiving, Claire. I hope it’s the first of a lifetime together.”

  I swallowed away the happy tears and nodded. “It’s like a dream come true.”

  Colby chased Aaron through the garden, and I drew a deep breath.

  “You’re a dream come true.”

  He squeezed my hand and planted a gentle kiss against my forehead. “I feel the same way.”

  Hildie hurried over, clapping her hands at the boys, who quickly and obediently obeyed her instructions and followed her inside.

  The smell of roasting turkey drifted outside, and I rested my head against Dwayne’s shoulder. “You’ve got to be the best surprise thrower…ever.”

  He laughed and shook his head. “Well, finding you wandering the aisles of the Fireweed
grocery store was the best surprise ever.”

  I giggled and looked up into his eyes. “You’re just saying that.”

  “Because it’s true.” He brought his lips to mine and kissed me softly as Jewels and Jake came up behind us.

  “Okay, you two. Time’s up. Time to function with the rest of us, or Mom will wonder why no one is eating all the food she prepared.”

  I blushed and nodded, following the group inside, stunned at what I saw.

  “I’m about to own a café, and I’ve never seen so much food in my life.”

  Colby and Aaron already had their plates as they filled them with appetizers. Colby had piles of salami and cheese, a scoop of spinach dip, and a scoop of some kind of cheese dip. Chips were sprinkled on the top of everything, and he hadn’t even made it to the other side of the table yet.

  I scurried over to help and grabbed his plate. “Okay, this is probably the perfect amount to start you off. We don’t want to spill on Mrs. Harlen’s beautiful rugs.”

  Colby nodded in agreement as I steered him over to a couch that looked safe with plenty of throws around.

  I recognized Walter curled up in the corner with another pooch piled against him, and I smiled.

  Hildie’s home was as warm and loving as she was. I stole a chip and some dip from my son’s plate and took a bite.

  “Wow. That’s good spinach dip,” I told Colby, who nodded in agreement.

  “This place is amazing.” Colby’s eyes sparkled with pure joy.

  “It really is.”

  Harmony wandered over to where we were sitting and took a seat in one of the chairs.

  I could tell she was nervous, and I wanted her to feel as comfortable as we did.

  “How did your date go with the bachelor?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “It went well, but we’re definitely better off as friends.”

  Harmony glanced at Dwayne. “How’d yours go?”

  “We’re definitely better off as more than friends.”

  She giggled, and Colby rolled his eyes as Aaron made his way over.

  “I heard you’re buying the café?” she asked, and I nodded.

  “Yeah. If you’d told me a year ago it would have happened, I would have laughed at you, but it looks like the funding is coming through.”

  “I’m working for Chance, but I’d love to pick up more work. I’m saving for a down payment on a house.”

  “On Fireweed?” I asked, and she nodded. “That’s such great news. I’ll definitely keep that in mind if everything moves forward like I hope.”

  “I’m excited about living on Fireweed. You were right. It’s such a welcoming place, and even though my bachelor didn’t work out, something tells me if I’m going to find love somewhere, it’s going to be here.”

  I smiled and nodded.

  “Or at least I’ll be happily single.”

  “And that’s exactly how I started.” I laughed. “I moved to Fireweed, completely content to be on my own and start a life for and my son.”

  “And then, out of nowhere, this guy just kept pestering me,” I teased.

  Dwayne rubbed my shoulders and smiled at Harmony. “Well, that’s her version, not mine.”

  “And what’s yours?” Harmony asked, her eyes twinkling.

  “She spotted me in the grocery store her first week here and had to have me. Relentlessly pursued me.” He flashed a wicked grin. “And finally wore me down.”

  I turned around and smiled. “Is that so?”

  “I think that’s how I remember it.”

  “Interesting.” I laughed, touching his hand and feeling his comfort wrapping around me. “So, maybe you’ll be able to find a guy at the grocery store and relentlessly pursue him.”

  Harmony laughed and nodded. “Sounds kind of fun.”

  “It was,” I confessed.

  Dwayne waved at two people I recognized from the café and surprise spread through me.

  I looked at Dwayne, completely startled. These were my favorite customers, always so happy and in love.

  “Claire, I want you to meet my parents, Abe and Abby.”

  Besides being the cutest and most loving couple in the world, they had the cutest names. How did that even work?

  I stood, completely excited and beside myself as the pieces of the puzzle started to fall together. “We’ve met several times. I just had no idea.”

  The older woman’s kind eyes twinkled with the same mischief I recognized in her son. “Oh, honey. It’s so nice to officially meet you. It was tough on us to pretend we didn’t know who you were. I told Abe we should go somewhere else for breakfast until we’re formally introduced, but he refused. Loves the pancakes too much. But Dwayne would never stop talking about you, and once we ran into you, I just knew you had to be the Claire my son fell in love with.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Dwayne laughed and his mom nodded as if she were helping him out.

  “I’m just so happy to finally meet you.” I hugged Abby and Abe right when Colby stood up with an empty plate.

  “Ready for more?” I asked.

  Colby nodded and stared at Aaron’s sausages.

  “Okay, we’ll go find those mini links and whatever else looks good.”

  “I don’t ever want to leave.” Colby giggled, happily making his way over to the table for a refill.

  “You finding everything you want, love?” Hildie asked Colby before winking at me.

  “And more. This place is amazing,” Colby gushed. “Thank you for having us.”

  “Anytime, dear.” She smiled at me as Dwayne walked over and started filling up Colby’s plate for me.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you are lately?” Dwayne asked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

  “Not recently, Sheriff.”

  Dwayne’s green eyes connected with mine, and he touched my cheek. “You’re stunning, and you’re all mine.”

  “And you’re all mine.” I kissed him on his cheek as he pulled me in for a longer embrace, and I knew I’d finally discovered what I never knew I was looking for.

  Chapter Twenty

  Six Months Later

  “No more teachers’ dirty looks,” Aaron sang, slapping his knees as we drove to the beach.

  Colby giggled and touched my shoulder in the passenger seat. “This is going to be the best summer ever.”

  I glanced at Dwayne, who was smiling wider than I’d ever seen as he nodded in agreement. “It is, Colby.”

  “Do you think the cabin has electricity?” Aaron asked.

  “Yup,” his uncle replied.

  “What about water?”

  “That’s affirmative.” Dwayne laughed.

  “Television?” Colby asked.

  “It’s got TV.” Dwayne glanced at me.

  We were only two hours into our four-hour drive.

  Even though we were surrounded by water, we were driving up north to Bellingham to stay on a bay I’d heard about and always wanted to see.

  “What about movies?” Aaron chimed in. “Does the cabin have movies?”

  “Sure does,” Dwayne responded enthusiastically, and I chuckled.

  “Do you think the water will be cold?” Aaron asked.

  “As cold as it is where we live,” I said.

  “What about the beaches? Will they be sandy?” Aaron bounced his legs up and down, and I smiled.

  I laughed. “Whose idea was this again?”

  “Yours.” Dwayne eyed me quickly.

  “Whoops.”

  “Can we stop for food?” Aaron asked.

  “You have snacks,” Dwayne reminded him.

  I glanced over my shoulder and saw that Colby had fallen asleep. Aaron seemed to have just noticed his sidekick was out of commission and quieted down as he grabbed his Kindle.

  “This is going to be nice,” I said, sighing after a few minutes of silence from behind us.

  “It really is. You’ve been working so hard at the restaurant.” Dwayne’s smile widened. “I’m j
ust so in awe of you, Claire.”

  I laughed and shrugged. “You know what they say. Location, location, location. But I do think it’s pretty awesome that opening up for dinner has worked so well in our favor.”

  Dwayne nodded. “It’s awesome. I know you were worried about overextending, but I think you really hit it out of the park.”

  I watched the man who’d not only shaped my life but given me the courage to change it, and everything was really falling into place.

  “Do you think your parents will ever make it to Fireweed?” Dwayne asked.

  “I’d like to think so, but I’m not holding my breath.” I looked out the window and saw the clouds pushing away to expose brilliant blue skies. “After a week of rain, we’re actually going to have some sunshine for our trip.”

  “Life works out.”

  “It does seem to.” I grinned. “I was so nervous about changing the name to the Dancing Griddle Café, but it seems to be okay.”

  “I’d say with weekend lines out the door, it’s more than okay.”

  I chuckled. “I’m so grateful to Sally. She didn’t have to be so kind to me with the terms.”

  Dwayne shrugged. “Yes and no. She was probably going to get a big zippo until you approached her.”

  “True.”

  Somewhere between a snack break and a rest area, I dozed off and didn’t wake up until we’d pulled into a hotel’s parking lot.

  “This doesn’t look like a cabin in the middle of nowhere.”

  Dwayne chuckled and shrugged. “I thought you might enjoy a little more luxury on your birthday.”

  The grounds were gorgeous, and I was really excited to explore this part of Washington. Even though I’d lived in Portland, Washington had so much of its own to offer for exploration.

  I looked behind me and saw both boys still asleep.

  “I’ll go check in, and maybe we can carry them to the room without waking them?” Dwayne asked, sounding so hopeful it hurt.

  I touched his chin and smiled. “We can try.”

  Dwayne hopped out of the car and wandered up to the lobby. It only took a few minutes before he returned with a bellhop, who helped him unload the bags.

  I wrangled Colby into my arms, and he nestled his head into the crook of my neck. Aaron did the same to Dwayne as we walked into the expansive hotel. Feeling Colby’s little breaths on my neck made my world complete as we wandered over to the elevator.