by Kay Correll
Now she paused.
“I mean if you don’t already have plans. I guess that was forward of me to ask.” He backpedaled.
She made a spontaneous decision, which rarely—okay never—happened. “Yes, I’d like to go.”
“Perfect.”
“We can go to Magic Cafe if you’d like. One of my friends owns it.”
“You have a lot of friends.” He laughed.
“Well, two best ones, Julie and Tally.”
“Off to Magic Cafe then.” He held out an arm and motioned for her to show him the way.
She led the way out of the inn and onto the back deck. “Do you mind if we walk the beach way?”
“Fine by me.” They both slipped off their shoes as they reached the sand and crossed to the water’s edge.
They fell into step, the waves racing up the beach towards them, then rushing back into the ocean. She loved this time of day, this time of year. A warmth radiated through her when she thought of her good fortune these days. Jamie was happy, and though they didn’t have extra in the bank, they somehow seemed to make ends meet. She took a quick look at the man walking beside her. And it was kind of nice to have a dinner companion for a change. Most of her meals involved just grabbing something at the inn and working right through mealtime.
She stopped and touched his arm, causing him to pause.
“You know, I don’t even know your name.” She looked up into his sea-blue eyes. What would Jamie say if he knew she was going to dinner with someone whose name she didn’t even know? She was definitely rusty at this date thing. Was it a date if a stranger asked you to join him for dinner? She didn’t know the answer to that.
He smiled and held out his hand. “Adam. Adam Lyons.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Susan. Susan Hall.” She shook his strong, warm hand and a shiver ran up her spine.
He held her hand for just a moment longer than necessary and she swore she saw the faintest look of surprise cross his face. She finally took a breath when he released her.
Chapter 3
Susan Hall?
With that, his heart plummeted. That wasn’t good. The first woman he’d taken the tiniest spark to in forever.
She was the other owner of the inn.
The one inn that he needed to buy and get the most rock-bottom price possible for his boss. The fates must be laughing at him.
He swallowed. “Susan. Okay, now we know each other’s names.” Only he knew who she was, what she did, and what the future held in store for her. Though, maybe she’d like to get rid of the inn? He held onto that hope and told himself not to get more involved with her, because he had to not-exactly-cheat her out of the inn. No, it wasn’t that. It was just get the inn for the absolute best price possible.
But there was still the matter of dinner. He briefly considered saying he didn’t feel well, but the other side of him decided he could have dinner and get her to talk about the inn. Maybe something in there would help him. Once again the pang of guilt stabbed at him. He didn’t really like the person he was becoming regarding this sale, but he had no choice. He had to learn to get ruthless and had to make this deal happen.
“Well, Adam, let’s go eat then.” Susan turned and headed down the beach, and he walked silently beside her.
They crossed the sand and went onto the outside deck area of Magic Cafe. An older lady came over and gave Susan a big hug. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
“Spur of the moment thing. Tally, this is Adam. Adam, Tally.”
Adam held out his hand and felt the woman’s firm handshake. “Nice to meet you.”
“Just go on over to that open table.” Tally pointed to the one table that was cleared on the edge of the deck. “I’ll have your waitress bring over a menu.”
Susan crossed over to the table and he held out the chair for her to sit. She smiled at him in thanks. He took a seat across from her and browsed the menu the waitress brought him.
“You want to see the menu?” He held it out to Susan.
She laughed. “No, I have it memorized.”
They placed their orders and an awkward silence hung between them, mostly filled with his guilt. He wasn’t ready to confess he knew she was the inn’s owner. That was a bit too stalker-ish.
Then his mind jumped. Why was she staying at the inn? Did she actually live there? Or maybe she was just coming out of the room after checking on something. His mind clicked into business mode and he made a mental note to see if the inn had any long-term residents that they’d need to deal with.
Susan broke the silence. “So, are you enjoying your stay at the inn?”
“I am, the place is great.” He watched her face.
“Glad you like it. Actually, my son and I own it. I always like to hear that our guests are enjoying themselves.”
“Do you like running it?” He squirmed self-consciously in his seat like a schoolboy caught cheating on an exam.
“I do. It’s frustrating sometimes and things break and problems happen, but I do love the place. Jamie is good at fixing things and we have started to get busier. We’ve even started having a bit of wedding business and that has really helped out.”
“Really?” He let her continue.
“Honestly, it’s been a bit of a struggle, but it’s been great working with my son. He loves the place as much as I do.” Susan’s eyes lit up again in the way he’d already become used to when she talked about something she cared about. No denying that she was fond of the inn.
“We took it over after my brother died. He owned it before us and Jamie had worked at the inn during the summers when he was young, then came down here to help my brother when my brother got ill. I moved here to help Jamie after my brother passed away.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I mean, sorry about your brother.”
“Thank you. He fought it hard, but it ended up that the cancer won.” A hint of pain flashed across Susan’s face. “Anyway, I came down here, and I’ve been here ever since. Slowly turning the business around. Love it here. Tally is a sharp businesswoman and has given me lots of advice. She’s helped Julie with The Sweet Shoppe, too. It’s all hard work, but I enjoy it.” A hint of a smile spread across her face. “Most days.”
The smile lingered. Her smile did something to him. Warmed him. Made him feel welcome. Made him feel guilty…
He held onto the fact that maybe if someone dropped an offer to buy the inn in her lap, she’d be pleased. But as he watched her face, he had a sinking feeling that she wasn’t going to jump on just any offer. That maybe she wouldn’t accept any offer at all. Maybe, just maybe, she loved the inn that much.
Which if that was true, he was in big, big trouble.
* * *
Tally took a break from the dinner rush and slipped into a seat at Susan and Adam’s table. “Did you like your grouper?” She glanced at Adam’s plate.
“I did. It was delicious.”
Tally felt a smile spread across her face. She loved to hear that people enjoyed meals at her restaurant. “Glad you enjoyed it.”
She turned to Susan. “So did you get moved into the inn?”
“I did. Jamie protested a bit, but helped me move some of my things.” Susan turned to Adam. “My son just got married and he and I and his new wife were all living in the small cottage on the property. I decided that I’d move into the inn for a bit and give them some space. Besides, I’ll do some updating to the room while I’m living there. It’s one of the last rooms that needs new paint and the floors refinished.”
Tally watched Adam as he listened to Susan. He listened almost a bit too intently, but maybe the man was just interested in Susan. And why not? Her friend was an interesting person.
She turned to look at Susan and stifled a grin. Ah, her friend had that look. Tally saw the sparks in Susan’s eyes. Her friend was taken by this Adam fellow. Well, it would do Susan good to have a few dates and get a break from the grind of running the inn. Now that Jamie was back from his
honeymoon, Susan should be able to sneak away for a few outings.
And what was it with her friends getting interested in guys who were just here temporarily?
“So, how long are you in town?” Tally asked Adam.
“I’m not sure. A few more days, I think.”
Well, that wasn’t really enough time for anything to develop, but at least it would give her friend a chance to go out.
“You should take Adam to see Lighthouse Point.” Might as well push that whole dating thing along.
Susan shot her a glance, then looked at Adam questioningly. “I could maybe find time tomorrow.”
“I’d like that.” Adam leaned forward. “I’d like that a lot.”
“It’s a date then.” Tally sat back and grinned. Mission accomplished. Susan would take some time off and have some male companionship.
Susan cocked an eyebrow, obviously aware she’d been played, but she smiled.
Tally didn’t figure that Susan minded her meddling in this case.
Chapter 4
The next morning Adam’s cell rang while he was still at the need-coffee-to-wake-up stage. His boss.
He took a deep breath, “Good morning, sir.”
“How are things there? Getting it all wrapped up? I have my lawyer ready to draw up the final papers as soon as you’re ready.”
“I… ah… I’m not quite ready for that. I want to look into a few more things.”
“What things? Make a lowball offer and we’ll send them the papers. I’m sure they’ll take the deal.”
Adam hated to broach the subject. He’d hoped to swoop in and out with the deal in hand and no complications, handle everything smoothly for his boss. A muscle twitched near his eye and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. He sucked in yet another deep breath for courage. “Well, after meeting with the owner, I’m not sure she’s going to be willing to sell. She seems pretty… attached… to the place.”
“Did you talk to the young man? That generation usually likes the easy way out.”
“I haven’t yet, sir. I haven’t directly approached the woman either.”
“Well, get to it. I want the deal signed. I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, sir. I will.” Adam clicked off the call and stared aimlessly at the screensaver on his phone, a generic photo that had come with the phone he’d never bothered to change. He wasn’t sure he’d even taken a photo he’d want to put as a screensaver. Who had time for photos and fancying up a phone?
His new boss’s frustration with him was evident. He’d sent Adam down to Belle Island for one simple deal, and so far Adam hadn’t even managed to make the offer, much less do any negotiations. He couldn’t let his boss down.
He’d just have to toughen up and put his feelings aside. Act like the ruthless businessman he needed to be. He needed that bonus. He was going to get that bonus. Nothing was as important to him.
Not even the fact that he felt like a louse for hiding his real intentions from Susan.
* * *
That afternoon Adam went downstairs to meet Susan for their agreed upon walk to Lighthouse Point. He was wishing he hadn’t set the date up yesterday. Not that it was a date. It was a walk. His mind spun. He had to pull it together and finish up his job.
Susan looked up from behind the reception desk and smiled at him. “There you are. Are you ready to go see Lighthouse Point?”
“I am.” Well, he wasn’t. But he also couldn’t tell her that. He wanted nothing more than to talk to her son and feel him out, then make them an offer.
Susan turned to another woman at the desk. “I’ll be back in a bit, Dorothy. Jamie is in the office if you need anything.”
“Have fun.” Dorothy smiled a warm look of friendliness.
Which just made him feel worse.
Susan came out from behind the desk and led the way out to the big deck that stretched across the back of the inn. A breeze blew gently in from the ocean and the sun rode high in the afternoon sky.
They walked to the water’s edge and he fell into step beside her.
Susan strolled down the beach at an easy pace. “So have you heard our town legend about Lighthouse Point?”
“A legend? No, can’t say that I have.” He thought he’d researched almost everything about Belle Island.
“The legend says that if you make a wish and throw a shell in the ocean at Lighthouse Point, your wish will come true. Kind of like a wishing well, only it’s…” Susan laughed. “It’s a lighthouse and a shell.”
“I see. Interesting tale. Have you made any wishes?”
Susan looked at him, her eyes sparkling mischievously, entrancing him in their spell. “I have, but I can’t tell them. You know, in case that means they won’t come true.”
“Ah, good point.” He wanted her to continue to look at him with her laughing blue eyes, but she perused the water’s edge as they continued. They rounded the bend and the lighthouse came into view, standing over the island, protecting its shores.
“The sight of the lighthouse never fails to make my heart soar.” Susan paused for a moment and he stopped beside her, taking in the view, then looking down at her.
Susan swept an arm wide. “I just love this island. Every single thing about it. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The island, the inn, working side by side with Jamie. I can’t imagine a more perfect life.”
A sinking feeling slithered down his spine. This island and running the inn were her life, and he was planning on doing his best to take that away from her.
Susan plopped down on the sand, and he sat beside her. She leaned back on her elbows and stretched out her legs, staring at the sea, lost in thought. He let his glance slide to watch her. The wind tossed her reddish-brown hair about, her cheeks had just a hint of a sun blush to them. Her nails were painted a delicate pink shade, and her only jewelry a simple watch and a leather bracelet. The faintest scent of orange and ginger floated around them.
She turned to him and caught him watching her. “Are you staring at me?”
He grinned guiltily. Guilt, it seemed like his constant companion these days. “Just a bit. You looked so relaxed and at peace.”
“That’s part of the magic of Lighthouse Point, too. It’s my special place. I come here to recharge, or unwind, or when I’m upset… or when I just need time to think.”
“I can see why. The view is great. I imagine people have come and sat at this point for hundreds and hundreds of years.”
“I know. I swear I can almost feel them when I’m here. Like the first woman who made the first wish. She was a Belle. Like the island, like Tally. It was a great-great some amount of greats grandmother to her. Her husband was lost at sea and she wished for him to come home. Legend says that six months to the day he came home and found her right here on Lighthouse Point.”
“That’s some romantic tale.”
“It is. There are more stories, but that’s how it all got started.” She looked out to sea, then at him. “Well, we should probably head back. I told Jamie to take the evening off, so I better get going.”
Adam stood and reached his hands down for Susan. She paused, then slipped her hands in his. He easily pulled her to her feet, and she swiped at the sand on her slacks. She took one last look at the lighthouse, then turned and headed down the shoreline. He fell into step beside her again, slowly walking along the edge of the ocean in the hard-packed sand. The waves slid up and splashed their feet and slipped back into the depths of the sea, mesmerizing him with each in-sync stride they took.
Adam walked silently beside Susan as they headed back towards the inn. He finally stopped when Susan paused and rested her hand on his arm.
“Adam, are you okay? You got really quiet.” Her eyes were filled with concern.
And he felt like a jerk.
“I… yes, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I was just thinking work things. Going over them in my mind. Got a bit distracted. Sorry.”
“No, that’s okay. I know how
work can get and how sometimes it seems to take over everything. I was beginning to worry that Tally and I talked you into walking out to the point, and maybe you just didn’t know how to say… no.” Her eyes held a tinge of self-doubt in their depths.
He looked down at her hand, still resting on his arm, the warmth of it spreading through him, connecting him to her.
Which was exactly the last thing he needed.
But her touch felt wonderful. It made him feel alive.
He promptly ignored the feelings.
“No, I enjoyed the walk very much.” He wanted to chase away the hint of insecurity in her eyes and assure her that he’d enjoyed his time with her.
He had enjoyed his time with her. Every single minute he spent with her his senses came alive and he wanted the moments to go on and on.
Things were not going exactly how he had planned. Not even close.
* * *
Susan noticed her hand still rested on Adam’s arm and quickly snatched it away. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. His face held a troubled look and she’d felt he was a million miles away as they’d walked along the shoreline.
He smiled at her then, and his melancholy expression seemed to slip away. “I did have a good time. I like hearing you talk about the island.” He grinned sheepishly. “I even considered tossing a shell into the ocean and making a wish.”
“Well, you should have. There’s powerful magic in that legend, hence the fact that so many places on the island have Magic or Wish or Luck in their name.” She laughed and started back towards the inn. She sensed him right at her side, their arms almost touching, and at one point she was almost certain he was going to take her hand as they walked along.
And that would have been just fine with her.
Just fine.
Hm… maybe she should have made a wish while they were at Lighthouse Point.