Her Summer Crush, page 8
“You can understand that, having lost Dad.”
“Yes, I know what Mel was going through.”
“It’s great you and Dad were so happy, though.”
She sighed. “At least I had him for a while. But now I have you. And I’m very thankful for that.”
“Me, too, Mom. I’ll always be here for you.”
He gave her shoulders another squeeze and then let go. She returned to her figurines, alternating them with groups of books, and he picked up a throw rug from a pile stacked against one wall. “In front of the sofa with this, right?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, let’s try it there.”
“Speaking of happy couples... Erv and Anna are still going strong, don’t you think?” He cast her a sideways glance, hoping she wouldn’t think his question odd.
She slid another handful of books onto the shelves. “Oh, yes. The only thing I’ve heard her complain about is that Erv sometimes drives the kids too hard. He’s always had high expectations for them.”
“Mmm. But they’re a solid couple?”
“They are.” She stopped and wrinkled her brow. “I did hear rumors of a time they were separated...”
His ears perked up. “What’s that?”
“They took some time apart. But not for very long. That was before we moved here, and I don’t know the details. Anna never speaks of it, but I heard about it from Mabel Murray. You know what a gossip she is. Why are you asking?”
Before he could make up an answer, she tossed him a sly smile. “Oh, I know—because of Luci.”
“Luci? I’m not getting the connection here.”
“Well, if Luci comes from a happy family, chances are she’ll be able to make a happy family herself.”
“Huh?”
“You’re finally thinking of settling down. Good. I’ve been worried about you.”
“Me and Luci?” His chest had tightened up all of a sudden. “Why does everyone think Luci and I are destined to be a couple, when nothing could be further from the truth? Even if I were looking, she would not be on my radar. She’s the kid who had a crush on me when she was in high school.”
Olive stepped back and raised both hands. “Whoa. Did I hit a nerve?”
“No, you did not.”
“Well, think about it. She’s not in high school anymore. And in case you hadn’t noticed, she’s a mature woman now—and a very attractive one at that. Plus being nice and smart.”
“We’re friends, that’s all. That’s all we’ll ever be.”
He was about to tell her about fixing up Luci and Ben, but before he could get the words out, she said, “You didn’t really want her and that new man in town—Ben what’s-his-name—to get together, did you?”
“What? How did you know— I mean, asking her out was his idea—”
She laughed. “You ought to know there are very few secrets in Willow Beach. Everyone knows everyone’s business.”
“Which is exactly why I don’t want to live here permanently.” He made some grumbling noises and then added, “I like my privacy. And I wasn’t fixing them up.”
Olive tilted her head and eyed him.
Uncomfortable under her all-too-familiar scrutiny, he said, “Okay, so maybe I was hoping. Luci’s a good kid. I like her. I want to see her happy.”
“With someone else.”
“Of course, with someone else,” he fumed. “Look, can we drop the subject?” He propped his hands on his hips and looked around, his gaze landing on the rugs still rolled up by the wall. “Where do you want the other rugs?”
“Hmm, let’s see. The green one in front of the fireplace and the purple in the guest bedroom. And then we’re quitting because it’s time for me to hustle up some dinner.”
When she pushed a lock of hair from her forehead, he noticed her eyes looked tired and her smile a bit forced. A lump formed in his throat. He went over and hugged her again. “Let me take you out for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate.”
“Celebrate what?”
“Oh, I don’t know. How about your being the best mom ever?”
She laughed and then kissed him on the cheek. “I’d like that,” she said. “I’d like that very much.”
* * *
“SO, WHAT DO you think, Mr., ah, Glen?”
“Hmm.” Glen rubbed his chin as he studied the photo folder. “I’m not quite getting how this draws attention to the chamber of commerce.”
“Well, besides the chamber logo on the back of the folder—” she turned it over and pointed to the logo “—each contestant will receive a packet of coupons from the members’ businesses. It’s the same packet that goes into the basket we give to new residents. That makes two perks for entering the contest—besides a chance to win the prize money and a medal. Pretty good deal, I’d say.”
“Let me see here.” He picked up the order form from the Blue Gull Gallery. While he perused it, Luci sat back and took a deep breath. She’d hoped Glen would take to her idea right away.
Watching his face made her nervous, so she looked around his office instead. His desk was a huge kidney-shaped piece of metal so shiny you could see your reflection in it. The only items on the desk were an in-and-out basket, a pen and a small calendar. Behind his desk was a long table that had all his electronic equipment. He had the same big windows facing the courtyard that her office had, except instead of a worktable, his space had several easy chairs clustered around a coffee table. The walls were filled with pictures of Glen with various people. She recognized the mayor, an actor and a golf pro.
He cleared his throat, capturing her attention. “Well, Luci...” He tapped the order form with his forefinger. “If this is your best—”
Her best? Of course it was. And what was wrong with the idea, anyway? Everyone else thought it was great.
“—we’ll give it a try.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
He looked at her over the top of his glasses. “It means you can tell Brooke at the Blue Gull to go ahead and order the folders.”
“I’ll get back to her right away.”
“And you handle all the details. This is your baby. Make us look good.”
* * *
WHERE WAS CODY? Would he show up for the chamber meeting? Maybe he’d decided to go chase the tide pools, after all.
Staff from the Beach Café were busy putting the finishing touches on the buffet lunch, and all sorts of enticing aromas floated through the air.
Tables filled the room, with the head table at one end. The members were greeting one another and networking. Luci knew most of them, except for those who’d established businesses while she’d been away. She waved to Hal Barnett from Barnett’s Drugs and Mindy Sloan, from the Book Nook. Cody’s mother, Olive, arrived, along with Jennie Gray, who operated The Gables B and B.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Cody? No, Eva Townson gave her a hug and her husband, Mark, shook her hand. The couple owned the Willow Beach Herald, where Luci had interned.
“Haven’t seen you since your homecoming party,” Eva said. “How’s the job going?”
“Ah, okay.”
Eva raised an eyebrow. “Why am I not hearing great or wonderful?”
Luci shrugged. “Still getting used to it, I guess.”
“I want to hear more,” Eva said, “but now’s not the time. We’ll do lunch soon, okay?”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
Eva moved away to speak to some newcomers. Luci watched her for a couple moments, thinking how much she owed Eva for mentoring her. She’d been so happy at the Herald. She was happy now, too.
Wasn’t she?
Francine waved from across the room. She was with Ryan Talbot, her boss at the realty firm. Francine had her hair done up in a fancy twist. Her blue suit had a knee-length skirt and a jacket cinched in at the waist. Each time she saw Francine, she looked more beautiful and sophisticated.
Luci had dressed up, too. Instead of her usual slacks and blouse, she’d worn a suit. Although not as stylish as Francine’s outfit, she thought it gave her a professional touch.
Her father and brother arrived. Erv looked neat and trim in dress pants, shirt and tie, and a light suit jacket. Don, who refused to comply with Erv’s dress code, wore a short-sleeved sports shirt open at the neck with slacks.
Her father started “working the room,” as he called it. Sometimes, when she saw him like this, he didn’t seem like her father at all, but a stranger. She didn’t know why that was. At home he was Dad, the man who played catch with his kids and made a mess in the kitchen when he cooked breakfast on Sundays. Here, he was Mr. Monroe, the Willow Beach National Bank president.
Glen called the meeting to order and, after the pledge to the flag, he invited everyone to visit the buffet table. Still no Cody. Luci tamped down her impatience. She loaded her plate with baked salmon, tossed salad and a roll and found an empty spot at one of the tables. Should she save Cody a place? No. Let him fend for himself. If he ever showed up.
After the meal, while people finished their desserts and refilled their coffee cups, Glen started the meeting. The agenda included the upcoming Fourth of July celebration, which featured a picnic in City Park followed by a fireworks display at the beach. Then they discussed the proposed roundabout at the intersection of Seabreeze Avenue and Main Street.
“And now we come to our August feature, the sand-castle contest,” Glen said. “Our new PR Director, Luci Monroe, has an exciting innovation this year. You can read all about it in the next edition of our newsletter, which should be in your mailboxes—electronic or snail—in the next few days.”
Luci barely had time to register that her ideas had been transformed from “is this the best you can do?” to “exciting,” before the word newsletter rang in her brain.
The monthly newsletter. She’d been so preoccupied with the contest that she’d forgotten about that. Due in the next few days. Yikes.
“Some of you haven’t met Luci yet,” Glen was saying. “Stand up, Luci, and take a bow.”
Luci stood and waved. “Thanks, Glen. Glad to be here.”
“And, as many of you know, our photographer, Sam Reynolds, is taking the summer off. But not to worry, because filling in is the award-winning Cody Jarvis. He’s also Olive’s son. Cody, where are you? Give everyone a wave.” Glen craned his neck and looked over the crowd. “Oh, there you are.” He pointed to the back of the room.
Luci turned and saw Cody by the open door, leaning against the wall with his arms loosely folded. He dutifully waved.
How long had he been there?
When she turned back toward Glen, he handed the mike to her father.
“I want you all to help me celebrate today,” Erv began, “because now all three of my children are members of the chamber of commerce. My son, Don, who works with me at the bank, my daughter Francine, who represents Talbot Realty, and now my daughter Luci, whom you just met. What a proud time this is for me, and for my wife, Anna.”
Everyone clapped, and Luci had to stand again, along with Francine and Don.
When the meeting ended, her father motioned for the three of them to join him. “I want a picture of all of us,” he said. He waved at Cody, who still stood near the door.
Cody raised his eyebrows. “Me?”
Erv nodded.
Cody glanced at the door and then at them. With a shrug, he ambled over.
“I want you to take our picture,” Erv said. “You’re the Chamber’s official photographer, aren’t you?”
“Ah, sure.” Cody fussed with his camera.
Erv stood between Luci and Fran, his arms around their shoulders. Don stepped up next to Fran.
Standing in place, Cody snapped several shots. Which was odd, because usually he jumped around, arranging people in different poses and coaxing smiles.
After Cody had finished, Erv pulled him aside. Luci couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but Cody looked grim. Then Glen walked by, and Erv turned away from Cody to ask, “Hey, Glen, how’s my little girl doing?” He looped an arm around Luci’s shoulder again.
“Dad!” Luci’s face burned.
“Can’t help it, I’m just so proud.”
“She’s a marvel.” Glen slapped Erv on the back. “An absolute marvel.”
Erv grinned and nodded. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
“We still on for this Saturday?” Glen asked.
“Of course.” Erv eased away from Luci to focus on Glen. “You want to try the new course at Hampton’s Golf and Country? I have a client who belongs.”
“Why, sure. I can make a hole in one there just as well as I can on our course.”
Erv smirked. “Yeah, buddy. In your dreams.”
While the two men continued their conversation, Luci exchanged a few words with Francine and Don before they left. And then, turning to leave herself, she was suddenly face-to-face with Cody.
“Hey, Luci,” he said. “You look great.”
She brushed a piece of lint from her jacket sleeve and smoothed her skirt. “When you didn’t show up on time, I decided you weren’t coming.”
“I told you I’d be here. I might not always want to do something, but if I say I will, I will.”
“You missed lunch.”
“I nibbled when I came in. I do have an excuse.”
“Which you will undoubtedly download from your camera once you get home to your studio.”
“No, I’m late because I had a flat tire.”
She rolled her eyes. “Uh-huh.”
“I did. Come on out to my rig and I’ll show you.” He gestured toward the door.
Luci stepped aside for a waiter holding a tray stacked with dishes. The room was rapidly emptying. She needed to get back to the office, too, and work on the newsletter. She began weaving her way through the tables toward the door.
Cody kept up with her.
“So where did this flat tire occur?” she asked.
“On the highway about five miles out of town.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Mmm-hmm.”
“Okay, so I did catch a couple tide pools this morning. But I had time to get back here for lunch. I just didn’t plan on a flat tire. What? Did I miss anything important?”
She couldn’t help laughing. “We’re just so different. I thought being here was important.”
“I know, and that’s why I knocked myself out to make it. Didn’t want to let you down.”
“I appreciate that. I really do.”
“I’m all yours,” he said and then frowned, as though he’d let slip something he hadn’t meant to say. But then his lips twitched with amusement. “For the rest of the day.”
“Wouldn’t want you to commit to anything more permanent than that,” she said, matching his teasing tone and trying to keep a smile on her face.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“WHAT’S ON THE agenda this afternoon?” Cody asked. “Want to tackle the brochures? I could help with those.”
Luci tossed her purse into a desk drawer and slammed it shut. “The newsletter is next. I forgot all about it, and it’s due to be mailed in a few days. Shouldn’t take long, though. The members have sent in their news, and I’ll add a bit about the sand-castle contest. While I’m working on that, you could start on the brochures. That pile on the corner needs to be checked for updating.”
She sat at her desk, turned on her computer and opened the file containing the members’ news. When she looked up, Cody was fussing with his camera. She sighed.
“I want to show you something,” he said, approaching her desk.
She wrinkled her brow. “Maybe we could look at your tide pools later?”
“Not the tide pools. Something else.” He held the camera under her nose. “Recognize this?”
Without taking her hands from the keyboard, she studied the image on the screen. “Uh-huh. Calico Corner, the new store on Main Street. Where they sell handmade quilts and other crafts.”
“Is the store mentioned in your newsletter?”
“Yes. The owner sent us an item about their grand opening. It’s here somewhere.” She scrolled through her file. “Here it is.”
“You can use this photo.”
“Hmm.” Luci pressed a finger to her chin. “That would add interest.”
“I have more of the businesses downtown, too.” He showed her a dozen more shots of storefronts. “What do you think?”
“I think...yes, great idea for perking up the newsletter. But I don’t remember us discussing this as a project.”
“We didn’t.”
“So you were thinking of the newsletter, and this idea just popped into your head?”
He leaned against the corner of her desk. “I could lie and say yes to impress you, but that wasn’t the case. When I was downtown one day, I spotted the Calico Corner and noticed how the light reflected on the quilt hanging in the front window. How vivid the colors were. And how the shadow from the roof made an interesting design on the brick wall. It all came together in a composition. So I captured it. And then I kept on walking, looking for other storefronts that spoke to me.”
“That spoke to you?”
“Yeah. When you’re writing, don’t you sometimes hear the words clearly in your head, as though someone’s saying them aloud?”
Luci sat back and folded her arms. “No, can’t say that I have.”
“Well, maybe someday you will. But what do you think? Want to use the pics or not?”
“Of course I do. They’re wonderful. I just wish—” She bit her lower lip.
“What?”
“If I’d known what you were up to, I would’ve given you a list of the businesses—”
Cody shook his head. “Luci, I didn’t plan to take those photos. It just happened.”
