Coming Home to Seashell Harbor, page 11
“I’ve always believed people’s behavior is driven by certain things. Maybe it’s important to understand each other.” She cleared her throat. “As part of your reassessment plan.”
Hadley was onto the blatant matchmaking attempt. She looked up to see Paul on the sidewalk, ready to walk in. “Okay, Gran, but this goes two ways.”
“All right, ladies,” Paul said through the screen door. “Time’s up.”
Hadley lifted her brows and tilted her head toward Paul. “Your reassessment plan has arrived.”
Gran’s face instantly turned scarlet. As she kissed Gran goodbye and watched Paul wheel her out, she realized that being able to give Gran some advice—and receive it—felt really good.
Chapter 10
Cam could handle strolling Bernie the four blocks to Pooch Palace—but add a wheezing, snorting, drooling dog whose leash kept getting tangled in the stroller wheels every two feet into the equation and what you got was a sweaty mess. And he wasn’t talking about the dog.
When he finally arrived at Pooch Palace, Ivy took the bulldog off his hands right away, and everyone gathered to check him out. But then Bernie, who’d loved the stroll through town because of her many admirers along the way, started to fuss. “Hey, it’s okay, sweetheart.” He lifted her out of the stroller and walked with her a little. It appeared that he wasn’t the only sweaty one after all.
“Look how handsome he is,” Hadley said as she knelt in front of the dog. With the dog’s wrinkly face, hanging jowls, and lolling tongue, that definitely wouldn’t be his first descriptor. She was way too softhearted, that’s what she was. That was no way to run a business.
Suddenly she was next to him, slipping off the fussy baby’s sun hat, which had somehow flopped over Bernie’s eyes. “Can I help?” she asked with a smile.
She was a drink of cool water in jean shorts and white tennis shoes. And she’d just said the magic word. “Her sling’s down there,” he said over Bernie’s cries, pointing to a compartment underneath the stroller. “But last time I tried to use it, it took me a half hour to put it on.”
Hadley pulled the sling out and somehow rotated, smoothed, and placed it over his head before helping him ease the baby in. He caught a whiff of her shampoo, which he could only identify as…delicious.
“Thanks.” He moved his shoulders to adjust the sling, his gaze snagging on hers again. Something he seemed powerless to prevent. “I…um…appreciate it.” Now he felt guilty for coming down here to find out what she was up to.
“No problem.” She shifted her gaze to Bernie, who had calmed down in the sling. “There.” She rubbed her back. “All better now?”
The baby flashed them a big gummy smile. Being in Hadley’s presence made him feel better too. And worse. After last night, he wished for things to be different. He wasn’t a money-grabbing party person like she thought.
Well, he did love a good party—sometimes. But the Camminator had been too much.
Those few minutes when he and Hadley had talked, where they’d actually discussed something other than the building, had been unexpected—in a nice way. But Cam understood that their differences put them at an unresolvable impasse. If only he could stop his brain from dwelling on her.
Hadley walked into the back and Ivy came up to talk with him. “Hey, Cam,” Ivy said. “You here for the meeting?”
He glanced at his watch. “I have a few minutes.” He had no idea what she was talking about, but if it helped him find out Hadley’s plans, he was game.
Ivy looked out the window. “It is a beautiful day out there.”
Mayellen, who had walked over to a table behind the counter where they usually held their meetings, shook her head. “It might be beautiful now, but a gullywasher’s coming.”
“A gully-what?” Ivy asked.
“It means a big storm with a lot of rain. Predicted for tonight.”
“Are we ready for the meeting?” He hadn’t heard Hadley use that businesslike tone before as she set down a giant box of donuts from Mimi’s Bakery.
Everyone had corralled around the donut box. Ivy was petting the bulldog, whom she’d named Bubba, and saying how he could use a tune-up at the vet. Even Jagger and Bowie were present and accounted for.
Perfect. He’d arrived just in time to get some intel. Plus there were donuts. Win-win.
Cam was just about to take a seat himself when Hadley gave him the stink eye.
“I don’t mind your staying but you can’t be part of our meeting.” That CEO tone was back. He halted with a jelly donut almost to his mouth.
Ivy stifled a chuckle by taking a sip of coffee.
“I mean it, Cam,” Hadley said. “You can have all the donuts you want but you’ll have to go somewhere else.” She shoved the donut box toward him.
“Okay, so the dog walking is actually getting more popular,” he heard Hadley say once he’d moved as far across the main room as he could and still eavesdrop. Fortunately Bernie was nodding off, so he did a slow turn near the windows, walking and rocking her gently as he listened in. He could even see a little if he craned his head around a few of the dog crates. “It’s bringing in a little bit of revenue. How are you all feeling about it?”
“I’ve lost two pounds,” Mayellen said.
“And I’m getting some weekend dogsitting jobs,” Ivy said, “because people are really pleased with the dog walking.”
“I’ve liked it too,” Hadley said. “But as you know, Gran wants me to come up with another business plan. I’ve decided I’m going to put out some feelers about starting a nonprofit.”
“You mean like a rescue?” Ivy asked.
“I think I need another donut,” Mayellen said. “Honey, that sounds like a ton of work. Aren’t you leaving soon?”
“Taking in strays…that’s a big expense,” Ivy said. “They need a lot of medical care and food and stuff.”
“And Hadley can’t say no to anybody.” Mayellen patted Hadley’s hand.
Cam stifled a chortle. Because she’d never had any trouble saying no to him.
“I’m just putting out feelers and also giving Gran time to recover,” Hadley continued, scribbling something on a legal pad as she talked. “I plan to talk to the local vet group and to a bunch of shelter owners to learn what it takes to become a nonprofit. I have a whole list of things I need to research.”
“We can help,” Mayellen said.
“Great,” she said. “So no matter what happens, we could work on building up our social media platforms,” Hadley said. “It’s never too early for that.”
“That sounds fun,” Mayellen said. “I love Pinterest. So colorful. And the recipes!”
Unable to stay silent, Cam popped his head around the counter. “Pinterest works well for restaurants, Mayellen. In fact, I’m looking for someone to help me with that for my place. But for a pet rescue, I think you’d have to use Facebook.”
“I create different accounts for my clients all the time,” Hadley said. “I color-coordinate Instagram accounts based on theme. And run ads. And specials and incentives.”
“Nice.” Yet another reason Hadley should be his friend, not his enemy. Because the woman could clearly kick butt.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this,” Ivy said. “We never had to use the Internet before to advertise our business.”
“Well, for starters, do we even have a social media presence?” Hadley asked.
“We sure do,” Mayellen answered cheerily. “Our Facebook page has got twenty-five likes.”
“That many?” Ivy asked with astonishment.
“Do we have an Instagram account?” Hadley asked.
“No,” Ivy said, “but I take photos of nearly all the dogs I groom. The owners love it. Maybe we could use those for something?”
“That’s a great idea,” Hadley said, writing that down.
“Don’t forget Groupon,” Cam added, popping in again. “Just trying to be helpful.”
“Haven’t you left yet?” she called.
“As soon as I finish my donut.”
Ivy chuckled. “That Cam. He’s so funny.”
“The other thing is, you should sign up for a booth at the Blueberry Festival,” Cam said. “This is the last week to register.”
“That’s a great idea,” Mayellen said. “We can try to get these sweethearts adopted.” The bulldog huffed. Jagger twitched an ear in his sleep.
The phone rang, and at the same time, the bell above the door tinkled. Mayellen and Ivy both got up to tend to business.
“I got a festival booth for myself,” Cam told Hadley. “But you better hurry—they’re going fast.”
“Why are you telling me this? Because you’re trying to be nice instead of a cold-blooded opportunist?” She smiled sweetly.
It was his turn to frown. “That’s not fair.”
“Let’s be honest,” she said. “Neither of us is stopping at anything to get this place. I saw your…your cronies last night. You’re in this to win it.”
Cronies? Okay, so Ian and his Camminator has been over the top. He wanted to tell her that wasn’t who he was. But what would be the point? “Look, Hadley. I am in it to win it. But only because I think it’s the best thing for everybody.”
“Whatever.” She waved her hand dismissively in the air.
“Don’t be angry with me.” A giant red warning light should have turned on in his head because what was he doing saying that?
Just then, Lucy walked through the door, a slightly panicked expression on her face. “Is Bernie…okay?”
Cam rotated slowly, showcasing Bernie fast asleep in the sling.
“Oh, thank heavens.” She gripped her chest. “She’s not crying.”
“I take deep offense at that.” Cam flourished his arms proudly, demonstrating the sweetly sleeping baby. “Because this big tight end is tough on the field but gentle where it counts.”
Hadley rolled her eyes, but Lucy still looked a little frantic. “I came down because I have to breastfeed her before I go back to work.” She approached Cam and held out her hands.
He turned his mouth up in a smile and lifted his arms. “Get me out of this straitjacket and she’s all yours.” Lucy proceeded to work some kind of unhooking/untangling magic and placed Bernie effortlessly back into the stroller.
“I think I’m going to stop at the courthouse to get a booth for the festival,” Hadley said to Lucy. “I’ll walk with you.” She turned to Mayellen and Ivy. “I’ll be back in a few.” She tossed Cam the slightest wave as she left with Lucy, leaving him staring after her.
What was he doing? This attraction would be the death of him.
He needed to separate what he wanted—no, needed—from his desire for her. He had to get his life back on track, and she would be a formidable foe unless he stayed on his toes.
And following his feelings could only lead to disaster.
* * *
Hadley was more than happy to get out of Pooch Palace and away from the effects of the Camminator, which was how she was beginning to think of Cam. Away from not only his disruptive presence, unwanted advice, and competitive nature, but also his hot, hot body.
Ugh.
It was good to get out, because her mind was spinning. Gran had given her a heads-up on wanting to retire. And she had to admit, excitement fluttered in her stomach at the idea of a rescue. She hadn’t felt this sort of thrill about anything for a really long time.
Well, except for when she was near Cam. But that didn’t count. She chalked that up to pure, raw chemistry. She might not be able to control her physical reaction to him, but she was determined to control her mental one.
A block away from the Palace, Lucy put a hand on Hadley’s arm. “Do you have a minute to sit?” She pointed to a bench along a big grassy knoll in the park.
“Sure. Of course.” Hadley hoped that talking to Lucy for a while might distract her from her troubles.
As they crossed the expanse of green lawn, the sun was warm on Hadley’s skin, and a gentle, salt-tinged breeze blew in from the ocean. They picked a bench in a shady area for Bernie and sat for a few moments enjoying the perfect day. When the baby stirred, Lucy picked her up from the stroller and placed her back in the sling, slipping her little brimmed sun hat on her head.
Past the park, Hadley could see the walking path that led to the beach. Kids ran about laughing and playing tag, moms strolled babies, and a couple sat on a blanket under a tree. Summer in Seashell Harbor was hands down Hadley’s favorite time of year, and just sitting here listening to the kids giggle and the gentle sound of the surf made her feel calmer.
“So, about my brother,” Lucy said, sending Hadley’s one minute of summer serenity right out the window. On the horizon, clouds were gathering…a reminder of Mayellen’s looming gullywasher.
“Your brother,” Hadley echoed. She hoped this wasn’t about to get awkward. “Lucy, you know I’ve always thought of you like a little sister. But Cam—”
“He’s got a good heart,” Lucy interrupted.
Hadley cracked a smile. “If you say so.”
“He might be a little misguided.” Lucy squinted against the sun to watch two girls tossing a softball in the distance. “But there’s a reason.”
Hadley sat up straighter and faced Lucy. She knew how much Lucy looked up to Cam, and she would never ruin that. “Lucy, I know you want to defend him. And you should, because he’s your brother. But I’m not sure we’re going to agree about this.”
“Cam’s always plowed full force ahead whatever the obstacles, you know that. Even when our mother left, he never cried. I mean, he probably should have, but he took the opposite tack. He would ask us to toss the football with him over and over. He’d do push-ups and pull-ups until he was exhausted. He drove himself hard. I’m not saying that was necessarily healthy, but I think that’s what he might be doing now.”
Hadley knew exactly the kind of drive Cam had. And Lucy was right—Hadley had never known him not to be in motion. “You mean rehabbing from his injury?”
“This restaurant scheme. He’s more determined than ever to make it work.” Lucy blew out a sigh. “And there’s something else, but it’s a little personal.”
“Lucy, it’s okay.” Hadley held out her hands. “You don’t have to say anything else. I get that Cam is driven and focused and throws his whole self into anything until he succeeds and that failure isn’t an option.” All that made him a formidable opponent. Except none of that scared her. She was capable of giving him a run for his money.
“I have to,” Lucy insisted. “I have to tell you for his sake.”
“For his sake?” Was Cam in trouble?
“Cam’s pushing to open that restaurant because of me.”
Opening the restaurant because he was a star and it fit with his big personality, yes, she could see that. Because he loved crowds and joking and entertaining people—yes, that too. But because of Lucy?
“I used to talk about going to cooking school.” Lucy glanced down at Bernie, now snoozing again. “I actually got into the Culinary Institute of America when I applied last year. But life had…other plans.” She kissed Bernie lovingly on the head. “Cam’s trying to make it easier for me to get my life going again.”
Cooking school. A memory pierced Hadley’s consciousness. Lucy at thirteen baking endless creations, always looking for taste testers. She and Cam had gotten a lot of free—and tasty—cookies that way.
“Is that what you want?” she asked.
Lucy’s watery eyes gave Hadley the answer. “Sometimes I get so angry at him for interfering.” Lucy swiped away her tears. “He makes it sound like it’s easy to pick up and start a new life with an eight-month-old.” She shook her head in an exasperated way. “Imagine! I mean, I’m not complaining—I love being a mom. But cooking school would take my life to a whole new level. It would require me to cash in every single favor. It would mean leaning on my family, on Cam—and on myself—in ways that would be really scary.”
Lucy looked up, and in that flash of her eyes, Hadley saw…a lot. A fiercely independent woman, for one. And a giant unrealized dream, for another.
“You agree, don’t you? It would be crazy.”
That was a loaded question. “Maybe not so crazy,” Hadley finally said. “I’m sort of up to my ears in what to do about my grandmother’s business. And the whole world knows about my giant romantic failure. So, I might not be the best person to ask.”
“My brother’s a real pain in the rear,” Lucy said, wiping her eyes.
“We can definitely agree on that.” Hadley couldn’t help smiling just a little. One thing she could say about Cam was that he certainly hadn’t left his family behind as his fame had skyrocketed.
Lucy stood up then, straightening her baby sling and gathering her diaper bag. “Well, anyway, I…I just thought you should know. It might make you dislike him a little less.”
“Lucy, I don’t hate him,” Hadley said. “I’ve just accepted that he’s not going to back down. We’re going to have to duke it out until one of us wins.”
That sounded awful. She didn’t want to do that. But what choice did she have but to fight for what she believed was right?
“My brother can be difficult, but don’t give up on him.” Lucy smiled at her. “You two were kind of wonderful together. Maybe it’s not too late.”
Kind of wonderful. What did that even mean? Lucy had been just a kid when Hadley and Cam had dated, and she’d looked up to both of them. But her words made Hadley admit that what she’d had with Cam…it was the best first love anyone could have ever dreamed of. It had been wonderful. Until it wasn’t.
She wished she hadn’t known about Lucy. The fact that this whole restaurant scheme involved helping his sister was one more reason to like Cam. And she could not afford to like him. Too much was at stake.
