Beach Rose Path, page 16
Duncan’s caresses, his kisses, his words of endearment. Was that all they were, just useless gestures and careless sentiments? She was so confused by everything at the moment, her head was spinning as fast as wheels on a speeding car, and her heart was racing just as fast, and she no had no idea how she was going to make it through the day. But Hamish would be here later, and they could sit over tea and cookies like they used to, and she knew Hamish would listen, console and advise. Knowing that Hamish would be here on the other end of the day would help Charlotte get through the day itself.
“Okay, Lovey, let's do this.” She wiped away her tears, put on the coffee and opened her storefront door to the customers that were heading down the wooden dock, and put Duncan Kirk well at the back of her mind.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“Sure you won’t reconsider, Duncan?”
William Dane and Alfred Grayson sat opposite Duncan at the cherrywood conference table in the main conference room on the 34th floor of 100 Federal Street in Boston. The view of the Boston Harbor stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean was breathtaking today, the water and sky both a brilliant blue. Duncan looked out the window watching the long queue of planes, lined up like obedient children, across the harbor at Logan International Airport. One by one, each taking their turn, the planes sped up on the runway and then ascended gracefully into the wide expanse of blue, late-summer sky.
Off into the great beyond, just like me, he thought, as the authoritative yet friendly voice of Alfred Grayson brought him back to the present.
William Dane and Alfred Grayson were cousins, and the original founders of Dane Grayson. When they hired an eager young architect over twenty-five years ago, Duncan Kirk lived up to their highest expectations, and ten years ago made him an official partner in the business, adding Duncan’s name to the corporation, giving him all of the benefits, both positive and negative, as part owner of Boston’s most famous architectural and design business.
Duncan sighed heavily.
“Believe me, Alfred, it’s all that’s been on my mind, and I’ve come close. But I know that my life is in Maine now and that is where I want to be. Where I need to be.” He envisioned Charlotte’s thick, russet, wavy hair blowing in the ocean breeze and her smiling brown eyes.
The cousins looked at each other, Alfred raised his bushy white eyebrows, and William’s thin lips upturned into a smile.
“We’re happy for you, Duncan, we truly are, and we also understand," Alfred said. "Your payout should be in order, and we believe you’ll be happy with the results, but we do have one favor to ask.”
“Anything,” Duncan said. He had always been extremely grateful for these two gentlemen taking a chance on a cocky young graduate ready to make his mark on the world. They were father figures and friends, and Duncan would do anything for them.
“We would appreciate it, Duncan, if you would let us keep your name in the company. Dane Grayson Kirk has such a better ring to it than simply Dane and Grayson. It is an homage to you for bringing in some of our best and loyal clients. You also never know where the winds of life may blow you.” He winked at Duncan.
“The winds are blowing me right back to Lobster Claw and my little boat,” Duncan laughed.
“We understand and respect your decision. In fact, we are a little envious,” William laughed, patting his cousin on his arm. “Duncan, if you ever need co-captains in the future, well, I hope we are the first ones you think of.”
Duncan’s heart swelled with love for the two cousins.
“I hope you know my decision was not an easy one to make, but…”
“But there’s a woman in Lobster Claw who is keeping you there, I suspect,” laughed Alfred. “And by the shade of red your face is turning right now, I also suspect I am correct.”
Duncan laughed. “You are ever so correct, Alfred. Charlotte has changed my life in so many ways. If you told me I would be in love with this wonderful woman five months ago, I would never have believed you. But here we are.”
“In love. Duncan. We are so happy for you. She’s a lucky woman.” William rose and rounded the table and wrapped his arms about Duncan in a fatherly hug.
And there it was. He just admitted to his two closest confidants he was in love with Charlotte Templeton.
Alfred shook his hand and brought out his best bottle of bourbon. He poured the amber liquid into three Irish crystal glasses, each man taking a glass and raising it.
“To love, to life, and to Lobster Claw. Best of luck to you, Duncan.”
They clinked their glasses, and each downed the malty whiskey.
“And no worries. My plans include another boat, so you’ll be hearing from me about co-captaining!”
William and Alfred escorted Duncan from the building. A sense of sadness and melancholy suddenly seized Duncan as the warm breeze blew in from Boston Harbor. He looked around at the skyscrapers, several of which he had designed and helped to erect, knowing that although this part of his life was now a closed chapter, the excitement of a new chapter with Charlotte was beginning. All he wanted to do was meet with the realtor, and make one more stop before heading north back to Lobster Claw and back to Charlotte Templeton.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Duncan steered his truck into the parking spot right in front of David Charles jewelers, Boston’s premier jewelry store, and also a building which Duncan had designed. He hopped out of the coolness of the cab and into the warm humidity of the late summer Boston afternoon. He paid for the parking at the meter, and opened the jewelry store’s door and was met by a cold blast of air conditioning, which sent shivers through his blood.
“Duncan! Good to see you!” David Charles greeted his long-time friend. They had become fast friends when David requested Dane Grayson Kirk to work on plans to expand David’s generations-owned family business.
Duncan vigorously shook David’s hand in greeting.
“Great to see you, Dave. How’s the family?”
“All good, Duncan. No complaints. How’s life in the hinterlands?”
“All good, Dave. No complaints.”
“Fantastic. Let me go into the back office and get you the box. I think you’ll be very pleased with what we’ve done for you.”
“Thanks, Dave. I’m sure it’s amazing.”
David disappeared behind a black door and Duncan looked at the glass case full of the most expensive rings, necklaces, watches, and bracelets in the city of Boston.
“Well, well, look what the cat dragged in.”
Duncan’s heart almost stopped not only at the words that were just spoken, but from the voice that had spoken them.
He lifted his head from the case and turned to see Melinda in all her glory—a figure-hugging orange silk dress, black stiletto shoes, and a white leather jacket topped over her shoulders. Her honey-colored hair was curled on top of her head into a bun while diamond earrings dripped from her earlobes. She was still gorgeous, and still deadly, as the thought of the letter entered his mind.
“Melinda,” was all he could muster. Duncan couldn’t believe Melinda was standing in front of him, and of all places, the jewelry store where he’d bought her engagement ring.
“Hello, Dunny.” Her red lipsticked mouth revealed pearl white teeth, and Duncan suddenly had the image of a vampire who had a thirst for his blood.
Melinda sauntered closer to Duncan, her manicured claws matched her lips and they incessantly tapped on the glass case, putting his nerves instantly on edge.
“You’ve blocked my calls, blocked my texts, and you didn’t even have the common decency to answer my letter. I know you got it, Dunny.”
“I want no contact with you, Melinda. We are over. End of discussion.”
He could feel the anger rising in his voice, but out of respect to David and to the reason why he was even in the store, Duncan kept his cool, as he knew his stillness would send Melinda over the edge as well.
“Well, in case you did not read my letter, it was a letter of apology. I am sorry. I was wrong.” She put her hand gently on Duncan’s cheek. He grabbed her hand away, but she quickly pulled his hand to her full lips and seductively kissed it. She looked at him with her big violet eyes under heavily mascaraed black lashes, putting on her most coy and flirtatious act she could produce.
Duncan instinctively heaved his hand away as if it had just touched a hot stove.
“That’s enough, Melinda. Time for you to move on.”
“Melinda! Come on. We’re supposed to be there now!”
A man, about Duncan’s age, had poked his head in the door of the store. He looked vaguely familiar, but Duncan couldn’t place him. He stepped inside and Duncan saw he was wearing an expensive suit and shoes.
Melinda immediately pulled away from Duncan as if she had been caught. Which she had been. Again.
“Oh, Paul, I just ran into an old friend. Paul Beardsley meet Duncan Kirk. Duncan, I’m sure you recognize Paul from Rise and Shine Boston.”
Duncan nodded his head.
Paul’s face contorted in frustration and reddened with impatience.
“Melinda, let’s go. We don’t have time to be reminiscing with old friends.”
“Paul and I are off to the Boston Critics Television Awards. He just won a huge award for his commentating on the plight of the right whale.”
“Congratulations,” Duncan laughed.
Paul grunted and left, Melinda sidled up close to Duncan. He smelled her signature scent of Coco Chanel and could feel her breath on his face.
“And you never mind about that letter, Dunny,” Melinda whispered.
Duncan barely stifled a laugh full well knowing that Melinda knew she had been caught by her current man of the month with her former fiancé. and that there was no way she was going to let the champion of the right whale escape her malignant clutches.
Melinda strutted toward the door, turned around, puckered her red lips and blew Duncan a kiss.
The door shut as David appeared from the back office.
“Oh, sorry, Duncan, but I just wanted to shine it up before I brought it out to you. Let’s have a look.”
David dramatically opened the chocolate brown velvet box, lifting it up for Duncan to behold.
“David, this is absolutely perfect. Even better than I could have hoped for. I know I can always count on you.”
“Let me tie it with one of our signature emerald green satin ribbons. Just give me a moment, and you’ll be all set.”
David once again quickly disappeared through the door behind the counter, giving Duncan a moment to digest what had just transpired with Melinda.
She probably saw my truck parked out front and just had to make an appearance, he reflected, laughing at the sheer audacity of Melinda not only flirting with him, apologizing to him, but having another man right outside of the door.
Duncan shook his head in bewilderment. Any doubts he had about their breakup, were now hammered from his mind, and only thoughts of Charlotte filled his head. Seeing Melinda for the final time made Duncan realize his future was with Charlotte, and he sensed that Charlotte felt the same. He wanted to give Charlotte something special to mark their summer together, and with Ivy’s help, he found the perfect gift. He hoped she would like his gift, as he felt it was the perfect reflection of their relationship thus far. Charlotte had a keen mind for business, and this not only showed with her own success with The Shop at Beach Rose Path, but for his boat business as well. Without Charlotte, he never would have the little ferry business, and they had discussed plans for Duncan’s expansion for next summer. He was excited for the possibilities of next year, but Duncan was also looking forward to the quietness of winter, still taking long walks on the beach to Sea Star Lighthouse with his ‘two girls’, cozy winter evenings by the fire, and simply being with the woman he loved and that sweet dog.
I love you, Charlotte, that I know, and now I want to make sure that you know it too, he thought as David appeared again from his magical back room.
“That should do it.” A satin ribbon as green as an Irish shamrock was expertly tied about the velvet box.
“Let me know how she likes it,” David said extending his hand in friendship and gratitude.
“I certainly will. Thanks for everything, Dave.” The two men shook hands and Duncan walked from the store back to his truck. He felt the heat in his body and his heart racing, but it was not from the late summer humidity of the city. He just wanted to drive for the next few hours, north to Lobster Claw, Maine, north to home and to the woman he loved.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Charlotte shut the door to the shop and flipped the sign to the closed side. The Saturday of Labor Day weekend wasn’t as busy as she had prepared for, and she was grateful. The store was running at a profit, and any financial gains made after September were all gravy. The success of The Shop at Beach Rose Path was all due to Charlotte’s retail experience, excellent business sense, and just plain hard work. She was eager to talk to Hamish about the profits and was looking forward to letting Rory know as well, hoping she had a permanent home in Lobster Claw if she wanted it.
She loved being by the sea, with Little Lovey by her side, her new friends at the Beach Block, and she had come to love her bungalow and Beach Rose Path more than she ever thought. Charlotte created a website and had planned to expand during the winter months, with potential online sales during the slower season. She delighted in the emails from guests, all letting her know they couldn’t wait to return to Lobster Claw. Charlotte had risen like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes and was thrilled with the results.
And then there was Duncan. Up until earlier, Charlotte was giddy with anticipation of seeing him at the end of the day and attending the summer wrap up party on the beach on Labor Day evening. As hard as she tried to push the lingering doubts in her mind after finding the letter, Charlotte couldn’t help but feel she had been made a fool of.
“I knew I shouldn’t have let my guard down,” she said to Lovey, sitting on the couch, who wagged her tail happily at the sound of Charlotte’s voice. Lovey plopped down beside her mistress, and buried her face in Charlotte’s neck, who now felt free to let the tears flow. Charlotte tried to choke back the sobs so she wouldn’t upset Lovey, but she couldn’t stop herself. For the first time all day, she could finally unleash her emotions after having to keep them pent up throughout the workday.
The release felt cathartic, and her little puppy lapped the tears from Charlotte’s cheeks.
“I knew it was too good to be true. But I only have myself to blame.”
She was startled by a loud hard knock on the door. Charlotte dragged herself from the couch and found Hamish on the other side, a smile as big as the moon on his face.
“Char! What’s wrong, lass?” Hamish asked, concern filling his voice, as Charlotte’s tear-stained face greeted him at the door.
Charlotte was so overcome with emotion at seeing her beloved friend that the crying started again, and she let herself fall into the fatherly arms of Hamish Falconer.
“Here, this will make you feel better.”
The hot toddy filled the room with the scents of chai tea, cinnamon and honey. Charlotte gratefully took the steaming cup from Hamish’s large hands and sipped it, and smiled.
“And the few shots of bourbon won’t hurt either,” she said, savoring each comforting sip.
“Aye, Char, that’s the magic ingredient. Glad to see you had some in your cupboard.”
“I didn’t even know it was there,” Charlotte said, taking another swallow of the hot amber tea. The chai, cinnamon, honey, and lemon were absolutely delicious and calming, but the added bourbon warmed her body and calmed her nerves.
“Could all be very innocent, Charlotte,” Hamish said. He was sitting opposite her in one of the chintz chairs, with Little Lovey at his feet. The dog took an immediate liking to Hamish, and for the past hour, as the two discussed Charlotte’s dilemma, Little Lovey did not leave Hamish’s side.
Charlotte sighed. “You’re right, Hamish, it could. But he’s had the letter for over a week and acted as if it was nothing out of the ordinary—a love letter from his former fiancée. What if it dredged up old feelings, what if…”
Hamish interrupted her. “What if Duncan did go down to Boston to see her, but to let her know it was over. Did that cross your mind?”
Charlotte looked at her old friend, as a small smile started to form on his face. He looked exactly the same as he had when they each departed Castle Loch, except that Hamish looked much more relaxed and happier, unlike herself, feeling like an emotional mess.
“It actually didn’t, and I think you know that.” Charlotte could feel the hot blush of embarrassment sear her cheeks, as Hamish was always a step ahead of her in matters of the heart.
“He’s a busy man, Charlotte. He probably tossed the letter aside and forgot all about it. You did say he had some business dealings in Boston he had to attend to, and I’m sure that’s all it was. From what you have told me about him, he seems like a reputable and honorable man, and I think you need to give him the benefit of the doubt, for now, at least, and let him explain when he returns.”
“Always the voice of reason. Exactly what I need now, Hamish. And your timing is impeccable. But I haven’t been much of a host, crying on your shoulder the very second you arrived. I’m sorry for that.”
Hamish rose and sat next to his old friend, putting a comforting arm around Charlotte’s shoulders.
“Now, there, Char. I was there with you when you lost Landon and Peppe, and I know how terrible that was for you. I don’t blame you one bit for your sadness or your distrust in Duncan. But as I said, let’s hear his side of the story, and I’m sure it’s as innocent as this Little Lovey, here.”
Charlotte grasped his massive hand and squeezed it affectionately.
