by Donna Alward
He drove away and Brooklyn was left with her next dilemma. Knock? Or let herself in? With Ernest, she’d always just knocked and stuck her head in the door, calling out. They’d had that sort of relationship. It was different with Cole, so she lifted the door knocker and rapped it smartly against the huge solid wood door.
CHAPTER SIX
THE DOOR OPENED and Raelynn smiled out at her. “Brooklyn! I’m so glad you came.”
An ally. Brooklyn smiled back. She’d met Raelynn days earlier, when she’d come up to the house to chat about the gardens and Raelynn’s plans for winter upkeep. The New Yorker was quick to learn and really entertaining. Brooklyn had laughed more in her company than she had for ages.
“Me, too. Dan picked me up. He’s a nice guy, your husband.”
Raelynn blushed. “We’ve been together for about six years. When Cole hired us to work as a team, well, it was a dream come true.”
The couple wouldn’t stay on the island in Cole’s absence but would travel back ahead of him when the house was open. Apparently they’d be the ones maintaining everything during the retreats when Cole wasn’t present, too. When Raelynn had told her that, Brooklyn had realized how much Cole must like and trust them.
Raelynn stepped aside. “Come on in, and I’ll get you a glass of wine.”
“That sounds lovely.”
Together they walked through the foyer. Brooklyn expected to see Cole and his company seated in the vast living room, but instead laughter came from the kitchen. She entered and Cole’s gaze found hers, his eyes lighting up with pleasure.
“You’re here! Everyone, this is Brooklyn, my favorite neighbor. Brooklyn, this is Jeremy and Tori, their baby, Rose, and Branson and Jessica.”
Jeremy reminded her a little of JFK Jr., only with shorter hair, and Branson...well. His nearly black hair tumbled over his collar and he looked a bit like a sexy pirate. She could see why Jessica stared at him with stars in her eyes. Tori and Jessica were both lovely in a way that made Brooklyn comfortable and not awkward. Maybe she’d expected them to be different—more coiffed and manicured, perhaps. Instead Tori snuggled Rose on her arm and smiled widely, her hair in slight disarray, and Jessica had the most adorable smile and freckles on her nose.
“I’m your only neighbor, so thanks for that dubious distinction. I’m very pleased to meet you all. Well, Tori and I have met before, briefly. It’s good to see you again.” She thanked Raelynn when she was handed a glass of wine. “Welcome to Bellwether Island.”
“I hope Cole hasn’t been a jerk,” Jeremy offered. “When he sets his mind to something, he goes after it.”
Her face heated but she hid behind taking a sip of wine before she answered. “Not at all. He knows my position on selling and so the subject is dropped. We’ve become friends.” She smiled sweetly. Very sweetly.
Branson burst out laughing. “You were right, Cole. She’s a firecracker.”
Tori came over and touched her arm. “Good for you. Cole needs someone to put him in his place from time to time.”
Jessica was grinning, leaning against Branson’s arm. “I think you’re pretty great,” she said. “It takes a tough cookie to live out here full time.”
The warm welcome was a pleasant surprise, so Brooklyn smiled and relaxed a little more. “You’re a painter. I don’t know if anything on the island inspires you, but you’re welcome anytime.”
Jessica nudged Branson. “See? That’s what you should have said when I showed up at your lighthouse.”
Branson rolled his eyes and everyone laughed.
Raelynn was working behind them and finally shooed them out. “Okay, you bunch. I have work to do in here and you’re in the way. Starter course in ten minutes.”
Starter courses. It reminded Brooklyn of the fact that in her life, a starter course meant maybe a platter of vegetables and dip before a meal. How many courses would there be?
They moved into the living room and Brooklyn paused at the threshold. Cole had definitely decorated differently than his predecessor. While the glow of the lamps threw a warm and welcoming light, the color scheme was vastly different from Ernest’s. Instead of cream and gold and brown, the room was painted a light gray, with a darker gray sofa and chairs, a glass-topped coffee table and a massive rug that covered the floor in shades of gray, blue and white.
It reminded Brooklyn of the gray waves and white caps of the ocean on a blustery day, brought inside, and she loved it. It was an extension of the landscape, blending in rather than keeping it out.
“Do you like it?” Cole asked, once he saw her face.
“I do. It’s very different from what was here before. But it suits the house and...you.”
“Thank you.” He smiled at her. “Did you want another quick tour? I’ve made some other changes. I nearly forgot that of course you would know what it was like before.”
She was curious. “I’d like that. But we can do it another time. You have guests.”
He waved a hand. “They’ll be fine for five minutes. Come on.”
He’d taken a den and made it into a boardroom, complete with a huge table and executive chairs, and some sort of smart board. “Some of our retreats will be team building or brainstorming getaways.”
The common areas had all been repainted into that same restful gray, cool and relaxing. Artwork decorated the walls, though Brooklyn didn’t recognize any particular artist. In the main areas, the artwork was black-and-white: driftwood and dunes and cliffs. Cole had moved in and brought the ocean with him, and she had to say she loved it a lot. It felt fresh and modern and yet peaceful, with an underlying energy she couldn’t quite pinpoint but made her feel grounded and strong.
“Did you have a decorator?”
“Yes.” He led her up the stairs. “I brought in someone from New York. I think he did a good job, don’t you?”
“It fits. It fits this island, and you, too. I loved it when Ernest lived here, but this is even better, I think.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
She looked up at him. “Oh, get real. You don’t really care if you have my approval or not.”
He tilted his head and met her gaze. “You know, that should be true. But lately I find myself caring about what you think very much.”
“Cole...”
“I know. I’m just saying. Somehow I don’t want to disappoint you.”
After a tour of the guest rooms, he took her down and showed her the gym. By that time, Raelynn was calling them to the dining room, and she let out a sigh at the beautiful table setting.
There were three bowls with fresh flowers on the table, lending their sweet scent but low enough that the blooms didn’t impede anyone’s view of each other. Rose had started to fall asleep and was now sitting in a carrier nearby, covered with a blanket and staring dazedly at a bar holding very colorful and interesting shapes.
The table had had the extension leaves taken out of it so that it sat six. Cole was at the head and Jeremy at the foot, with Jessica and Branson on one side, and then Tori on an angle to Jeremy and Brooklyn on an angle to Cole. They were definitely paired up, but Brooklyn couldn’t bring herself to mind. They all seemed to get along so well that it didn’t matter anyway.
The first course was a ginger-carrot soup, perfectly seasoned with ginger and a hint of cumin and cayenne. Brooklyn decided to ask Raelynn for the recipe, and then the cook returned with asparagus wrapped in Parma ham. It nearly looked too pretty to eat with the vibrant green and crisp pink of the ham, and went perfectly with the dry Riesling Raelynn had poured during the soup course. The starters had been simple but delicious, and Brooklyn savored each bite as conversation flowed easily around the table.
Brooklyn was already wondering how she was going to make it to the main course when a small plate was placed before her, containing a kale and apple salad with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate arils.
She looked up at Cole and said, “Where did you ever find Raelynn? She’s a fantastic chef.”
He grinned. “I’ll tell her you said so. She was working for a caterer and ran a party for my mother maybe six years ago. Incidentally, she also met Dan that night. She stayed with the caterer even after she and Dan married, and when I bought this place, I offered them the caretaker jobs.”
Jessica put down her fork. “They don’t mind being so isolated?” She looked at Brooklyn and smiled. “Not that it isn’t lovely, but when someone is so used to the city, this can be a bit of a shock.”
“None taken,” Brooklyn replied. “It is isolated. Even for me, and I’ve pretty much been here my whole life.” She thought about Raelynn and Dan living above the garage. She was sure Cole had it decorated nicely for them, but she understood now why he’d thought buying her out would provide them with a home of their own.
“They won’t stay all year round,” Cole said. “Only when it’s required. And maybe through the summer.” He leaned back in his chair, toying with his wineglass. “I’d like to be here in the summer months more. Enjoy the beach, maybe do some deep-sea fishing.”
Jeremy laughed. “Look at you, slowing down.”
Cole lifted an eyebrow. “And you, settling down. Whatever, bro.”
Everyone laughed a little, and then Branson said, “That’s not in the cards for you, Cole?”
Unease settled in Brooklyn’s stomach. She was here as Cole’s date, after all. She tried to keep a relaxed posture, even though the question seemed rather pointed, and did and didn’t involve her at the same time. But Cole just shrugged easily. “Dude, you know me. I have too much going on, even if I have slowed down a bit. You and Jeremy can carry that flag. The single life works for me.”
Jeremy gazed into Tori’s eyes. “I’m definitely okay with that.”
“Me, too,” Bran said, leaning over and kissing Jessica’s temple.
It was so obvious to Brooklyn that the other two couples were deeply in love. What in the world was she doing here? It had become horribly awkward. She suddenly felt like nothing more than a seat filler.
Thankfully, Raelynn returned with their main course, a maple-glazed salmon with tiny smashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Brooklyn couldn’t remember ever sitting down to such a feast. It was so different from her actual life, but everyone else was acting as if this happened every day. Did they always live like this?
There was a new wine for the salmon dish, a pinot noir that was delicate and lighter than she normally liked her reds, but matched the salmon beautifully. Dear heaven, actual wine pairings in addition to all this food. And this was a “casual” dinner! She couldn’t imagine what fancy would entail.
It was Jessica who totally switched gears and eased the knot in Brooklyn’s stomach. “Brooklyn, I love your sweater. Is that cashmere?”
She nodded and smiled. “Thank you, and yes, it is.”
“Did you make it yourself? Tori tells us you run your own knitting business.”
Brooklyn glanced at Tori, who was smiling at her. Sure they’d met, but she was surprised that she’d been a topic of conversation. “What?” Tori asked. “People in town know who you are. Anytime you put something in the store in Liverpool, it goes like hotcakes. My mom actually downloaded one of your patterns for a baby blanket last winter.”
“Oh, I hope it turned out! Which one?”
“The lacy carriage blanket. She said it knit up like a dream.”
Jessica jumped in again. “I think it’s beautiful. You’d pay through the nose for something like that in Manhattan.”
Brooklyn chuckled. “I can’t imagine there being a market for hand knits in Manhattan.”
Cole stepped in. “Actually, you might be surprised. A little market research would tell you for sure.”
“Which sounds a lot like big business. I’m pretty happy running my little one as it is, and on my own time.”
She took a bite of the salmon and wondered why her heart was beating so fast. Everyone was so friendly and lovely, so why was she feeling like a complete fish out of water?
Branson was the one who stepped in. “Actually, I think Jess and I get that. What you do is very creative. It’s not always a great idea to commoditize our creativity.”
“Exactly.” Brooklyn smiled at him and let out a slow breath. “I don’t mind living simply if it means keeping my joy.”
“Amen,” Jessica said.
The subject changed again and Brooklyn focused on enjoying the flavorful main course. By the time dessert arrived, she wasn’t sure she could eat another bite, until her serving of crème brûlée was placed in front of her.
She looked up at Raelynn. “You are evil, Raelynn.”
Raelynn laughed. “Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should. This is my favorite dessert.”
She knew she shouldn’t indulge anymore. But she couldn’t resist as she took her spoon and broke through the crust to the custard below.
It was nothing short of heaven.
After dinner, they all retired to the living room again. A fire had been laid in the fireplace and it crackled merrily. Tori went to their guest room and put a now sleeping Rose to bed. Brooklyn wasn’t sure she should stay much longer. She was not a part of this group. It was clear that Cole would have been fine without a dinner partner, so why had he invited her? Why had he kissed her in her grandmother’s porch? What did he even want? She knew what his purpose for the island was, but that was all. That was professional. And perhaps a little personal, but she had no idea what his motives were.
And yet she didn’t believe he was playing games, either. He didn’t seem the cavalier type.
Maybe she should just ask him. But not now. Not when his guests were curled up on his expensive furniture.
“I really should be going,” she said with a smile. “But thank you for inviting me and for such a lovely dinner. I don’t need to eat now for a week!”
Cole looked up, a frown appearing between his eyebrows. “So soon? It’s only nine.”
“I’ve got to be up early in the morning. This time of year I start getting a lot of orders. I don’t want to fall behind.”
“You must be getting a lot of holiday business starting,” Tori said. “How do you keep up? Don’t you worry about having carpal tunnel after knitting so much?”
“So far so good,” Brooklyn replied. “But yes, this is a really busy time of year. It was so nice meeting you all and joining you for dinner, though.” And she meant it. She’d felt awkward, but it wasn’t because of anything anyone had said or done, not really. It was just an awareness that they lived in a world that was foreign to her.
“I’ll call Dan to run you down,” Cole said.
“No, please don’t. It’s a beautiful night and I’ll walk.”
“I’ll walk you, then.”
She was aware that the other two couples were hanging on their every word. “It’s okay, Cole. You stay with your guests.”
“Oh, we’re fine,” said Tori lightly. “We can spare him for half an hour.”
“See?”
She wasn’t going to win, and to protest further would only make it more awkward. “All right, then.”
They headed out into the evening. With the sun now down and the moon rising, the air had taken on a distinct chill. She hadn’t thought she’d need a jacket over her sweater, but it was colder than she’d expected. Probably because the sky was perfectly clear, with a blanket of brilliant stars above them.
“Wow,” Cole said, pausing on the gravel in front of the house. “You can see forever when there’s no light pollution.”
“Right?” She hugged her arms around herself and tilted her head to stare into the darkness. “There are a million stars tonight.”
He was closer to her than she realized, because when he s
poke again she jumped, startled by his nearness and how his soft voice was so close to her ear. “Stars make me feel both incredibly small and also like I belong to something vast. That probably doesn’t make sense.”
But it did make sense to her. She’d often felt the same. “When my brother and sister and I were kids, we used to lie on the sand and stare up at the stars.” She laughed as the memory came rushing back. “My mom hated it because we always ended up with sand in our hair and bites from sand fleas on our legs and arms. It was my grandma who washed out all the little grains of sand and put calamine lotion on so we wouldn’t scratch.”
She turned her head and looked up at him. There was a small smile on his face but his eyes seemed sad. “What?” she asked.
“Nothing. I just never did anything like that as a kid. Of course, I didn’t have brothers or sisters, either.”
Brooklyn thought it sounded unbearably lonely, and that those kinds of memories were something not even privilege could buy. “Then come on,” she said impulsively, taking his hand and pulling him off the graveled path.
* * *
Cole let Brooklyn drag him along because he was simply enchanted by her. He had been, all through dinner. She’d shown up looking so incredibly beautiful, with her hair gathered up and the graceful curve of her neck exposed. He’d thought about what she might do if he kissed her right where her neck met her shoulder, if she’d sigh a little or break out in goose bumps. She’d enjoyed dinner, too. He’d stolen looks at her as she’d tasted each dish, sipped the wine that Raelynn had chosen for each course. It was a casual dinner with friends but to her it had been special, hadn’t it?
Even the question about his single status hadn’t fazed him...much. And that was surprising.
Now she was pulling him through tall, crackly grass as they made their way to the beach, ignoring any path. No matter where he was on the island, he could hear the ocean, but the shush of the breakers now reached his ears, and something built in his chest, something unexpected that he wasn’t sure what to do with.