Salty Kisses, page 15
The party lasted longer than she thought. Gran and John were the first to leave as they were still trying to catch up to East Coast time. Then Brooke and Dylan took off, followed by Charlotte and Shane.
“Do you want me to continue to help with the cleanup?” Livy asked, though she was anxious to leave. She wanted to check on the Inn’s kitchen to make sure everything was as perfect as possible for John in the morning.
“No, no,” Granny Liz said. “You go. We’re almost done. Karen, Sarah, Pat, and I are going to take our time finishing up with a glass of wine. You run along.”
Livy looked for Austin but couldn’t find him. And when she checked, his car was gone.
Concerned, Livy headed to the kitchen at the Inn. Austin had been unusually quiet at dinner, and it wasn’t like him to leave without telling her.
Pushing aside her worry, Livy walked through the back door into the kitchen and stood a moment looking around with a careful eye. John had grumbled a bit about changes, but what Livy saw was an improved layout, better, much needed additional appliances, and a room that sparkled with cleanliness.
All was quiet in the Inn. She dimmed the lights and turned to go, satisfied that she and the crew had done their best during John’s absence.
A figure loomed in the doorway and headed to her.
Livy clapped a hand to her chest. “Austin, you scared me! What’s up? Why did you leave?”
“I had to take care of something, but I’m here now. How about some coffee? I’ve brought two cupcakes to go with it.”
“Okay,” Livy answered. “I could use a cup myself.” She went to the sideboard in the breakfast room, fixed two coffees, and returned to the kitchen.
Austin was sitting at the table. The cupcakes were on a plate nearby.
He stood as she approached and held the chair for her.
Smiling, she sat down and looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “Now, let’s eat.” He held the plate in front of her, offering her a cupcake. “Go ahead, that one is yours.”
She lifted the cupcake to take a bite and gasped as it fell apart in front of her. A small package wrapped in silver lay atop the bottom half of the cupcake lying on the table.
“What’s this?” Livy asked, her heart pounding. She unwrapped the package and stared speechlessly at the small velvet-covered box.
“Open it,” said Austin, his face flushed with excitement.
She lifted the lid. A large emerald-cut diamond, surrounded by smaller round diamonds set in platinum, twinkled at her from the ring’s setting.
Austin knelt in front of her. “Olivia Winters, will you marry me? I love you and want to share my life with you. You make my days brighter and happier than I’ve ever been.”
Livy covered her mouth with her hands and stared at him. She’d made herself think this wouldn’t happen for a while. Now that the moment had arrived, she could hardly believe it.
“Well?” said Austin, giving her a worried look.
She blinked, realizing he was waiting for an answer. Tears stung her eyes. “Yes, Austin, I’ll marry you. I love you.”
He stood and pulled her up into his arms. “Oh, Livy, you are perfect for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I promise I’ll always be a source of support and comfort for you.”
His lips met hers, and when she felt moisture on her cheek, she didn’t know whether the tears of joy had come from him or her. Austin, her beloved Austin, was hers.
When they finally pulled away, Austin picked up the ring. “Let’s try this on. The stone belonged to my mother, but I had it placed in a different setting, one I designed for you.” He slid it onto her finger.
Livy stared at the sparkling jewels and then faced him. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you,” he said. “I’ve waited for the right moment. Tonight, when I saw our families around us and those cupcakes of yours, I knew it was time.”
“Very clever,” Livy said with a teasing smile.
“You know how much I’ve always loved your cupcakes.”
“I hope that isn’t the only thing you love of mine.”
“You know it’s not,” he said laughing as he pulled her into his arms again.
Livy settled her head against his broad chest as she liked to do when they danced. But they didn’t need music as they swayed back and forth.
“It’s too late to wake up Gran and John, but I’m going to call my parents,” said Livy, stepping back.
“They already know,” said Austin, grinning at her. “I called them to ask for their permission. Your mother is waiting to hear from you.”
Pleased, Livy shook her head. “I can’t keep up with you.”
Livy punched in a call to her mother. “Hi, Mom.”
“Livy, sweetie, Austin called us. Has it happened? Are you engaged?”
Chuckling, Livy held up her left hand. “Yes, it’s real and the ring is beautiful. Austin was so clever. He hid the ring in one of my cupcakes.”
Her mother laughed. “He always has liked your baking. Congratulations! I’m happy for you. For both of you. Thanks for the call. I know you’re busy. We’ll talk again tomorrow. I want all the details then.”
“Deal,” said Livy, pleased by her mother’s excitement. Her cell rang. Brooke.
“Okay, if we join you now? Charlotte and I bought some champagne for the occasion.”
“Wait! You knew Austin was going to propose?” Livy said.
“Oh, yes. We helped him plan it,” said Brooke. “He was very nervous.”
“He was?” Livy glanced at Austin. He grinned at her as he lifted a cupcake to his lips. She laughed. “See you soon.”
Moments later, Brooke, Dylan, Shane, and Charlotte rushed into the kitchen.
Sharing this special moment with them seemed so right.
Shane did the honor of pouring champagne into tulip flutes and handed them out. Grinning, he raised his glass. “Here’s to my little brother and his soon-to-be bride.”
“Wait! How soon-to-be?” Livy asked and set them off into gales of laughter.
“You’ll have to add a ring to your cupcake tattoo,” said Brooke, indicating the design on Livy’s ankle.
“When you add a paintbrush by your shell,” Livy retorted, pretty certain Brooke would turn that down. Of the three of them getting tattoos, Brooke had suffered the most.
“Okay,” said Charlotte, “Let’s agree not to do that again. We have to think of our weddings.” She turned to Shane with a smile. “We’re not going to wait too long.”
“We just have to figure it out,” said Shane. “Stay tuned.”
“I say we toast ourselves, all six of us,” said Brooke. “It’s been quite a summer so far.”
“But what about the Inn?” said Livy. “That’s the big question. We have to see what Gran and John want to do. That’s why we’re all here.”
“I would hate to see it leave the family,” said Charlotte. “But I already have two clients and don’t want to give up my new business.”
“And I’ll be working for Dylan with his galleries,” said Brooke.
Livy glanced at Austin.
“You’re free to make any choice you want,” he told her.
Livy held up her left hand and wiggled her fingers. “My choice is you.”
He wrapped an arm around her. “We have a lot to think about. But we’ll do it together.”
“Our worries may come to nothing if Gran and John decide they want to keep running the Inn. We could all help from time to time, right?” said Charlotte.
“Yes, but it takes more than parttime help,” said Livy. She, more than they, worked at the Inn on a regular basis and had fewer opportunities to leave because of her job in the kitchen.
“Let’s not spoil this,” said Dylan. “It’s time to celebrate.”
“Hear! Hear!” said Austin, raising his glass.
After all the champagne had been drunk, Charlotte yawned. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have to get to bed if I’m going to get up with Gran in the morning. She wants to meet early to begin learning what we’ve done while she’s been gone.”
Livy checked her watch. “I’ve got to go too. I can’t let John beat me to the kitchen on his first day back.”
They quickly took care of the glasses, closed up the Inn, and left.
“Let’s go home,” said Austin stepping outside with her.
Home. Hearing the word, Livy turned to Austin realizing what a deep commitment they’d made to one another.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice grown husky with emotion.
She nodded, as sure as she’d ever been of anything.
###
At Austin’s house, Austin and Livy quickly got ready for bed and slid under the sheets of the king-sized bed in his bedroom. In the glow of outdoor light seeping through the window blinds, Livy studied the ring on her finger. It was gorgeous. More than that, Austin had taken the time to design the setting himself. That meant more to her than the size of the diamond.
“Did I do all right?” Austin asked softly, pulling her to him.
“You certainly did, but the ring is only as beautiful as the pledge behind it,” said Livy. “I love you, Austin. I always will.”
“That’s the most important thing to me. I’m not sure what the future will bring, but we’ll face it together. Including dealing with the Inn.”
Livy snuggled up against him and closed her eyes, secure in her love for him.
Much later, an annoying noise rang in Livy’s ear. She stirred and, seeing the pale glow of early morning sunlight cross the room in lemony stripes, she sat up quickly, checked the bedside clock, and turned off the alarm.
She jumped out of bed, sprinted to the bathroom, and was fully clothed and ready in record time.
Austin stirred in bed. “What are you doing?”
“It’s late. I’m leaving for the Inn now. Hopefully, John won’t be there yet. Love you.” She kissed him quickly, escaping the arm that reached out for her, tempting her to linger.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
LIVY
As Livy pulled her car into the parking lot at the Inn, she saw John crossing the lawn to it. Pleased she had made it on time, she got out of the car and raced over to him. “Good morning. Welcome back to the Inn.”
He grinned. “Couldn’t wait to get started. I’m ready to take over.”
Livy’s smile wavered. The kitchen had become hers. She wasn’t ready to simply hand it back. She’d hoped they’d work together while she showed John what they’d changed to the facilities as well as to their routines.
John placed a hand on her shoulder. “No worries. I’m here to learn what you have done in my absence. That trip meant more to me than I can say. It was perfect. And it wouldn’t have happened if you three women hadn’t agreed to help out.”
Feeling more comfortable, Livy said, “Come inside. We have some time before the other staff members get here.”
She led him into the kitchen and as she’d done the night before gazed around the kitchen with a sense of pride. She showed him the new icemaker, the second dishwasher, and some of the cooking items she’d ordered.
He remained silent.
She opened cupboard doors, grateful for the time she’d had to clean inside, and pointed out where some items had been placed. “It’s a little different, but basically all the same items are here. I placed baking items in one place so I could easily get to them.”
“How are the guests reacting to your cookies and cupcakes and all?”
Livy felt a smile cross her face. “Everyone loves them. Especially Austin.” She held out her left hand. “Look what happened. It was too late to wake you and Gran, but I want to be the first to tell you that Austin proposed last night after the party.”
“I’m very happy for both of you,” said John, giving her a warm embrace. “You two have always been among my favorites.”
Livy pushed at him playfully. “You say that to everyone.”
“Guilty as accused,” said John, grinning. “But I mean it for every one of you grandkids. You’d better run and tell Gran the news. She’ll be thrilled.”
“Thanks, I will,” said Livy. “Billy Bob should be here soon. I’ll be right back.”
Livy hurried over to Gran’s house full of excitement.
Gran was in her kitchen when she arrived.
“Gran, guess what! Austin and I are engaged,” Livy said, holding out her left hand.
“Oh, my! How thrilling! Last night I could see how the two of you are together, and I liked it. He’s a wonderful man.” She clasped Livy’s hand and studied the ring. “He’s got excellent taste too.” She hugged Livy hard. “You both are going to be very happy. I just know it.”
“It’s been a busy summer with all of us getting engaged,” said Livy.
“Just the way I’d hoped,” Gran said, smiling at her. “It looks like we have a busy wedding year coming up. I’m excited for all of you.”
“Me, too. Charlotte and Shane and Brooke and Dylan are perfect for one another.” Livy realized it was true. Of all the cove kids, the best choices seemed to have been made.
“Now, we’ll have to see about the Inn. John is excited to be back, and so am I.”
Livy was worried that they might want things to go back to the way they were before she and her cousins arrived.
Charlotte joined them in the kitchen. “Is everybody ready to start the day? I need a cup of coffee, but I’ll get that at the Inn. I can’t wait to show you all the things we’ve done to it.”
“Lead on,” said Gran. She looked adorable in a tan pair of shorts and a pink T-shirt that said “Buon giorno”—good morning in Italian.
“I see you’ve kept up your T-shirt pattern,” said Charlotte.
Gran chuckled. “You bet. Nothing better to wear when working around the Inn.”
“We do hope you’re going to find that some of the changes mean less work for you now that we have new programs and employees in place.”
Gran held up her hand. “One thing at a time, please.”
Livy looped her arm through Gran’s. “C’mon. The Inn awaits you.”
They started out of the house.
“Hold on, I want to see the sign out front. I noticed it coming in yesterday.”
As the three of them headed to the front of the driveway, Brooke joined them. “Where are we going?”
“Gran wants to check out the sign with the new logo,” said Charlotte.
“New logo?” said Gran.
“Yes, we’ve added a whole new PR campaign with it,” said Charlotte. “We think you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will,” said Gran sounding uncertain.
At the edge of the road by the entrance to the Inn’s driveway, they stared at the sign.
“Well?” said Livy, anxious to hear Gran’s response. She hoped they hadn’t worked hard just to have their suggestions disregarded.
Gran clasped her hands together. “The sign is handsome. We should’ve replaced it a couple of years ago.”
“And the logo?” asked Brooke.
Gran gazed at Charlotte. “That too. It’s a simple design but says it all.” Gran sighed. “I know now how John and I had let things go. Let’s see what else you’ve done.”
“I’ve got to get to the kitchen,” Livy said, giving her grandmother a kiss on the cheek. “But I’m glad you like what you’ve seen so far.”
She hurried away and rushed into the kitchen to find John talking to Billy Bob.
Billy Bob turned to her with a smile. “John was asking me how well we’re working together. I told him we were good.”
“More than good,” said Livy. “Billy Bob is the gem you told me he was, John. I’d trust him to do anything we wanted.”
Billy Bob shuffled his feet. “This little lady knows how to cook.”
Livy held out her left hand to Billy Bob. “Austin and I are engaged.”
“I’m not surprised, but I’m pleased for you,” said Billy Bob, giving a quick embrace and
stepping back, his cheeks flushed.
“Have you told John about the weddings? The cooking classes?” Livy asked Billy Bob.
John looked startled. “Cooking classes? What else have you kept hidden from Ellie and me? Huh, Billy Bob?”
“Don’t blame him,” said Livy. “Billy Bob was a great help to us. He also trained new kitchen staff. We had to hire some part-timers to help with events.”
“Wow! I guess I’ve missed quite a lot. But it’s all intriguing. Now, how about this morning. Okay if I cook with Billy Bob, Livy? How many guests do we have?”
“We’ve sold 25 of the thirty-six rooms, but we’ll be fully booked over the weekend,” said Livy.
“That’s great. This isn’t normally a busy time of year.” John looked up as Gran, Brooke, and Charlotte entered the kitchen.
“How are things here?” Gran asked John.
“Busier than usual,” John replied. “Seems as if our granddaughters just might have a knack for running this Inn if the time comes when we’re ready to turn it over to them or someone else.”
Gran went to Billy Bob and hugged him. “It’s wonderful to see you. Thank you for all your hard work while we were gone. It meant a great deal to us to know you and Livy were handling the kitchen.”
“Welcome back.” He indicated Livy with a nod. “She and I work pretty good together. Don’t we, little lady?”
Livy beamed at him. “We’re an excellent team.”
“Well, seems like things are fine here. Let’s see what has changed in the main rooms,” said Gran. “Brooke mentioned Dylan’s help there.”
“Yes, we’ve moved some artwork around,” said Brooke. “And we’ve bought some furniture, but every expense has been recorded for your review.”
“Including PR budgets,” said Charlotte.
Livy heard the hesitancy in Charlotte’s voice and realized Charlotte was as nervous as she and Brooke. She followed them into the dining room.
Gran stopped and stared. “Oh, my! You’ve painted it!”
“What do you think?” asked Brooke.
