Four Short Weeks Read online

  “It’s hard to keep Lil down.” Tally smiled. “Your friends are over there at a table by the sand. Perfect for watching the sunset. I’ll bring a drink over for you. What would you like?”

  “Do you have a bottle of champagne?”

  Tally smiled. “A special night?”

  “Just some good news.”

  “I’ll bring a bottle right over.”

  She hurried over to the table, twisting her ring back in place. Robin looked up and her forehead wrinkled. “What’s up? One, you’re never late. Ever. And two… what’s with that look on your face?”

  She threw out her hand, flashing her ring. “Noah asked me to marry him.”

  “Oh, Sara. That’s great.” Charlotte jumped up and hugged her tight.

  Robin came around the table and joined in the hug. “This is great news. I’m happy for you.”

  “I kind of want to pinch myself. I’m getting married. I’ll be Noah’s wife.”

  “Come, sit down. Tell us everything.” Charlotte tugged her hand and led her to the seat beside her.

  “The ring is gorgeous,” Robin said as she sat down across from them.

  “It’s perfect for you,” Charlotte agreed.

  “I love it.” She looked down at it again, not quite used to having it there on her finger. She was engaged. To Noah. After all these years.

  “So, when did he propose?” Robin asked.

  “Last night after dinner. He cooked this delicious meal. Had flowers and candles on the table. And he was acting a bit… strange. I should have known something was up, but I didn’t.”

  “And?” Charlotte urged her on.

  “And then we went outside in the moonlight and he got on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was so romantic. I’ll remember that night forever.” She let out a long sigh.

  “The first one of us to marry.” Robin smiled. “I’m really happy for you.”

  “And I can’t wait to help plan the wedding,” Charlotte added.

  She laughed. “I’m not certain when the wedding will be, but I’m sure I’ll take all the help with the planning that I can get. I only know that I want to get married at the inn.”

  “But of course.” Robin nodded. “There’s no other place as perfect.”

  Tally came over with the champagne in an ice bucket. “Here you go.”

  “Tally, I can tell you the good news now. Noah asked me to marry him.” Sara showed Tally her ring.

  “Ah, that is good news. Noah is a fine young man. I’m sure both of you will be very happy. And since it’s such good news, the champagne is on the house. You three enjoy yourselves.”

  “Thanks, Tally.”

  As Tally left, Sara turned to her friends. “And you’ll both be bridesmaids, right? No maid of honor, just fifty-fifty equal bridesmaids?”

  “Of course.” Robin nodded.

  “I’d love to.” A big smile spread across Charlotte’s face. “This is going to be spectacular.”

  Robin poured each of them a glass of the champagne, then raised hers. “To Sara and Noah and a long happy life together.”

  The three friends clinked glasses and Sara couldn’t imagine better friends to share her news and excitement with. She couldn’t wait to plan her wedding with them…

  … because she was engaged.

  To Noah.

  Happiness and a sense of rightness flowed through her. She was one lucky woman, and she’d never take it for granted.

  Chapter 6

  Gary sat out on the beach, watching the sunset. He trailed his fingers through the sand, writing random words and then smoothing them away.

  When was the last time he’d just sat and watched a sunset? Or sunrise? Or anything for that matter? His life was always go, go, go. He rarely stopped to actually enjoy the moment.

  And where had that got him?

  Things were going to change, though. He was going to slow down. Look at the little details. Trust his instincts. Listen to them.

  He was going to enjoy… well, enjoy the little moments.

  Though brief thoughts taunted the edges of his mind. Why did he get to enjoy little moments? But as he’d carefully trained himself over the last months, he pushed those thoughts aside as best he could.

  He looked out over the gulf and watched as a pair of pelicans swooped in unison along the coastline and then flew off into the distance.

  He heard footsteps in the sand and looked up. An immediate smile crept across his face. “Lillian.”

  “I thought that was you.” She smiled down at him.

  “Join me.” He patted the sand, welcoming her company.

  She dropped beside him. “I decided to come out to catch the sunset.”

  “My plan exactly.”

  “With those big cloud pillars, I think it’s going to be a spectacular display.”

  “So, can you tell me your big news yet?”

  She turned to him, a wide smile on her face. “Yes, I can. My niece, Sara, got engaged. She swore me to secrecy until she had time to tell her best friends. I’m so happy for her. She’s marrying a wonderful man.”

  “That is good news.”

  “She’s like a daughter to me. I raised her since she was a young girl. My sister… Leah. My sister and her husband…”

  He heard the catch in her breath and the pain entering her words.

  “They were killed in an accident. Sara moved here to live with me.”

  “I’m sorry.” He gently covered her hand resting in the sand between them and she gave him a small, sad smile. “That must have been so hard on both of you.”

  “It was, but I don’t regret a moment of it. I love the girl as if she were my own. It is sad, though, to think that my sister never got to see Sara grow up nor will she see her get married.” Lillian took a deep breath. “Anyway, happy times around here, now. We’re going to be planning a wedding. I couldn’t be more pleased. I think Noah is the perfect match for Sara. I can’t imagine how hard it would be if someone you love was marrying someone you thought was all wrong for them.”

  Gary frowned. He hadn’t liked any of the long list of women his son had dated, though none of them had been serious relationships. He wondered if Mason would ever settle down. Not that he’d been a strong role model of good relationships himself. He and Mason’s mother had split when Mason was just a young boy. Irreconcilable differences. Which, as far as he could tell, just meant neither of them wanted to put in the time to really work on the marriage or put that much effort into it. He’d married Jocelyn because it had seemed like the right time to settle down. To prove he was a responsible family man to the board of directors. Then they’d both been busy with their own careers and it had all fallen apart.

  Just another regret in his life full of regrets.

  “Do you have children?” Lillian’s words broke through his thoughts.

  “I do. A son. Mason.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He… ah… he lives on the west coast. He’s CEO of his own company now.” He purposely kept the exact city vague.

  “You must be so proud of him.”

  “I am.” And he was. Mason had stepped up when it was needed and helped try to preserve what could be salvaged of the company.

  “Is he married?”

  “No, a confirmed bachelor.”

  Silence fell between them as the sky deepened into brilliant shades of pink, tinged with purple. But it was a comfortable silence as they sat and watched the beautiful theater that nature provided them.

  Lillian finally broke the silence. “I should probably head back inside. Busy day tomorrow.”

  “I should, too.” He rose to his feet, brushing the sand from his hands before offering one to Lillian.

  She took his hand, and he helped her to her feet. She stumbled a bit as she rose.

  “You okay?”

  She frowned. “I am. I’m still recovering a bit from a little injury. I get a little stiff sometimes when I sit.”

  “Let me walk you
back.”

  “That’s not necessary.”

  “I’d feel better if you’d say yes.”

  She laughed. “If it’d make you feel better.”

  They headed across the beach and she led him to the side of the inn. “This is me. Sara and I call it The Nest. Our little private area of the inn.”

  “Well, good night then.”

  “Good night, Gary. Thanks for sharing the sunset with me. It was nice… peaceful.”

  “It was.”

  She slipped inside and he turned to head back to Magnolia House. It had been peaceful. One of the few peaceful moments he’d had in months. Or longer.

  Whether it was the beauty of the sunset or Lillian’s company, it had been a magical evening.

  Magical?

  Since when did he think in terms like that?

  Robin ducked into the kitchen at the inn and was pleased to find that Jay was still there. “Don’t you ever go home?”

  He turned and grinned at her. “I could say the same thing. What are you doing here so late? I thought you had dinner with Charlotte and Sara tonight.”

  “We did. And Sara had the best news.” She paused and stared at Jay. “You don’t look surprised or even look like you’re waiting for me to tell you the big news.”

  “Sure I am. What is it?”

  She slapped his arm. “You knew already, didn’t you?”

  “Knew what?” His face was a mask of exaggerated innocence.

  “About Noah and Sara getting engaged.”

  “They did? That’s great.”

  “Jay…”

  “Okay, okay. I knew. Noah talked to me about it. He was a nervous wreck trying to plan the perfect evening to ask her. But then when you didn’t say anything earlier today, I figured he’d lost his nerve or something went wrong last night. I was going to call him after I got home tonight and check.”

  “Sara wanted to tell us in person and we already had dinner plans tonight.”

  “I’m happy for both of them. They seem to fit well, don’t they? Haven’t seen Noah this happy since Zoe moved away.”

  “They do. I hope Zoe will be happy for them.”

  “I’m sure she will. Anything that makes her uncle happy makes Zoe happy.” Jay reached above him, placing a stack of baking sheets high on a shelf.

  His t-shirt stretched across his broad chest and she noticed a handprint of flour on the front of it. She looked away before he turned around and caught her staring at him.

  “So I guess you three women will be big into wedding plans now.”

  Robin slid onto a counter stool next to Jay. “I’m sure we will. Once they set a date. Sara’s total plan so far is that she knows she wants to have it at the inn.”

  “Of course.” Jay nodded as he looked around the kitchen and folded the towel he was holding. “I’m finished up here. Can I walk you home?”

  “Sure.” She slid off the stool. She didn’t even admit to herself that she’d grown to like their walks home together a few times a week. Jay insisted it was just because her bungalow that she shared with Charlotte was on the way to his cottage. Whatever it was, she enjoyed his company and found herself checking in on him at the end of the evenings.

  They walked out into the night and headed down the sidewalk, walking in unison.

  Yes, Jay was a good friend to have.

  Chapter 7

  Gary sat out on the old deck with his morning coffee. He needed to tear down the deck now that he had the new supplies. He was hoping to use some of the original boards when he remade it with stronger supports. But for now, he’d enjoy it as is.

  He turned to a sound and saw a scraggly dog climb the stairs and stare at him. “Well, hello there. Where did you come from?” The dog stared at him with soulful eyes. He… or she… was overly thin and had no collar on. He held out his hand toward the dog, waiting to see if he—definitely a he—would come toward him. The dog just sat where he was.

  “How about I find you something to eat?” He slowly rose and went inside, leaving the door open and talking to the dog as he searched for something to feed him. He hadn’t gotten much in the way of food for himself… except for his coffee, of course. He saw nothing suitable for feeding the animal but did have a few bites of a sandwich left. That would have to work. He grabbed a bowl and filled it with water. At least he could give the pup a drink.

  He went back outside and held out the partial sandwich toward the dog. When the dog wouldn’t come to him, he set the sandwich down on the deck and the bowl of water beside it, then he backed away.

  The dog crept forward, wolfed down the sandwich, and lapped up the water. “That’s a good boy.” When the dog backed away, he picked up the water bowl to fill it again. “I’ll be right back.”

  He went inside and filled the bowl. When he came back outside the dog was gone. He looked up and down the beach but saw no sign of him.

  He frowned. His next trip to town he’d pick up a small bag of dog food in case the pup came back. He must be a stray to be that thin. He’d do his best to fatten him up… if the pup would come back.

  Lillian got up early and sat sipping coffee at the breakfast table, waiting for Sara to get up. She pretended she was doing the crossword puzzle, but she wasn’t really concentrating. A flitter of excitement rushed through her. She’d waited a long time to tell Sara about the surprise she had for her. When Sara finally came into the kitchen, Lil pressed a cup of coffee into her hands. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks.” Sara sank onto a chair.

  Lillian sat back down. “So, did you have a good night with the girls?”

  “I did. They’re so excited for me. We’re going to start planning the wedding. I need to sit down with Noah and pick a date. I want to have the wedding here at the inn if that’s okay.”

  “Okay? It’s wonderful. I can’t imagine having it anywhere else.” Her heart swelled with pleasure and joy. Sara’s wedding here at Charming Inn. It didn’t get more special than that.

  “I’m a bit boggled by all the plans and decisions. How do people do this? So many things. A dress, invitations, food, flowers…”

  Now seemed like the perfect time to show Sara the surprise. “So… I have a surprise for you.”

  “You do? What?”

  “Come upstairs to the attic with me.”

  “Okay.” Sara, eyes curious, stood, and they climbed the stairs to the attic.

  The dim light didn’t do much to illuminate the space, so Lillian drew back the curtains. Light streamed in the window. “That’s better.” She walked over to the corner and pushed some boxes out of the way. “Here it is.”

  She brought the large box back to the pool of light dancing by the window. “I saved this for you.”

  Sara looked at the box and frowned. “What is it?”

  “Open it.”

  Sara took off the lid and stared into the box.

  “It’s your mother’s wedding dress.”

  “Oh, Aunt Lil.” Sara gently lifted the dress from the box, folding away the tissue paper, carefully unwrapping it. She rose and held it before her, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.

  “I’m not sure what shape it’s in. But I thought, even if you got it remade, you’d like to have the lace from it, at the very least. Your mother looked so lovely in this dress. It has the most beautiful lace.” The memory of Leah’s wedding poked at her heart, but she refused to let it dim the joy of Sara’s wedding.

  “It does.” Sara lifted the fabric to the light and turned to her. “This is the most wonderful gift you could ever have given me. I’ll feel… well, I’ll feel like my mother is with me on my wedding day.”

  “She will be, Sara. She will be.”

  “This is so special.” Sara hugged the dress close.

  “Dorothy was talking at the Yarn Society the other day about a seamstress who was wonderful. She remakes old vintage clothing and is very talented. I could get her name and we could go talk to her. See what she could do for you. Even if you don�
��t like the style, it could be made into something you do like.”

  “That would be wonderful.” Sara walked over and pressed a kiss against her cheek. “Thank you so much. This will make my wedding even more special.”

  Lillian hugged her close. “You’re welcome.” She hoped this would lessen the pain of not having Leah here for the wedding, for Sara and for her.

  Chapter 8

  Gary stared at a loose board on the shiplap that lined the sunny front room at Magnolia House. The silly board had bothered him from the first day he’d seen the house. One board stuck out just a bit. He was probably too much of a perfectionist for his own good.

  Though, he should have been more of a perfectionist with his company… He’d been so busy the last year, he’d pushed aside his hands-on approach to every detail of running the company because he’d thought he had it covered when he’d hired his college buddy, Brian. What a mistake that had been. From now on, it was back to overseeing all the details of anything he did.

  He looked at the shiplap, trying to figure out the best way to fix it without tearing too much out. As he ran his hand along the board, his fingers snagged on a loose nail head. It was a different type of nail than had been used on the rest of the boards. That bugged him, too. He tugged on the nail, and to his surprise, the whole board swung wide revealing a hidden compartment behind the wall.

  “Well, what do we have here?” He knew he was talking to himself, but the quiet of Magnolia House was starting to get to him. When he was back in his condo in Seattle—the few hours he was actually at his home and not at the office—he’d have the news on the TV droning in the background. Anything but total quiet.

  He was trying to embrace the quietude of this guest house, but he hadn’t quite gotten there yet. He turned at the sound of a knock at the front door. He hurried to answer it, leaving his newly discovered compartment behind him.