One Simple Wish Read online

  Somehow he couldn’t imagine the hard-driven, climb-the-ladder coworker running her aunt’s inn. And how in the world had she gotten the time off of work? She was still with the same agency they’d both worked for. He admitted he’d looked her up from time to time on the internet. Not creepily. He just wondered how she was doing.

  That agency was not known for giving workers personal time, and most of the up-and-coming employees rarely even took their vacation.

  Yet, here she was on Belle Island, helping her aunt.

  He didn’t know why she was blaming him for being here. If she wouldn’t have gone on and on and on about how great a place the island was, he never would have come here to visit. How was he to know that he’d fall in love with the place, too? So, really, it was her fault he was here.

  There, now he felt a tad less guilty about that look she’d given him. The one that had claimed Belle Island as her own—not his.

  “What do you say, Coop? I’m thinking we should head back. I gotta get to work.”

  Cooper stood, stretched in a bow, then looked at him, his bright blue eyes eager and ready to go. He swore Cooper understood every word he said.

  “Let’s go.”

  They headed off down the beach, walking at the water’s edge. Suddenly his quiet, simple life here on the island wasn’t quite as simple as it had been.

  Chapter 8

  “Robin, do you know a Noah McNeil?” Sara questioned Robin as soon as she found her in the office at the inn.

  “Noah? Sure. He runs the community center. He also volunteers at a ton of community events. Last I heard, he updated the town website, too. Why?” Robin narrowed her eyes.

  “Oh, no reason. I just ran into him on the beach this morning.”

  “Ah, out with Cooper, I bet.”

  “You know his dog, too?”

  “Everyone knows Cooper. He’s… friendly.” She laughed. “And Noah brings him to the community center quite often. Why the interest in him?”

  She wasn’t about to tell the whole sorry tale about how she’d gotten dumped without a word, even if Robin was one of her best friends. Some things were better left unsaid. “No interest, just wondering.”

  Robin sent her a look that said she didn’t quite believe her.

  “So, did the ordering get sorted out?” She changed the subject.

  “Yes, I have everything ordered that Jay said we needed, but we’re going to have to pay for them, and with Lil headed for rehab—”

  Her cell phone dinged. Another text from Diane. “I’ve got to get this. My boss. But, anyway, I’m going to go by the hospital this afternoon. Aunt Lil talked to her banker and got new signature cards for me to sign so I can write checks while she’s away.”

  “Good plan.”

  “I also told her we’re going to get her signed up for online banking. She didn’t object, just said she hadn’t had time to figure it out and do it herself.”

  “She’s a sharp lady. I’m sure she’ll pick it up in no time and wonder how she did without it.”

  “I’m sure she will.” She hoped so, anyway. “If you’ve got this paperwork under control, I’m going to go answer my boss’s text and then help wait tables.”

  “Good plan. Oh, and I took out a want ad on the town website saying we were looking for workers. Jay says we need like two more. A server and help with cleaning the cottages.”

  “I’ve never hired anyone…”

  “I have. Jay and I can do the interviews if you like.”

  “That would be perfect.” But guilt crept over her with all the work her friends were doing for her. “Thanks, Robin. Really. I couldn’t do this without you.”

  “That’s what best friends are for.”

  When Robin walked into the kitchen that afternoon, Jay had managed to fix the dishwasher and was running dishes through it. He was standing with a fan blowing near him, his ever-present t-shirt stretched tight across his chest. I like coffee, my dog, and maybe two people.

  “Nice shirt.” She walked up to him and looked at the piled-up dishes. “Maybe I should have put an ad in for a dishwasher person too.”

  “Wouldn’t be a bad idea. Or someone to help clear tables and run the dishes. The dining room seems to get busier every year. And this weekend is the official opening of the summer tourist season with the Beach Blast Festival Noah started a few years back.”

  She frowned again. “Sara was asking about Noah.”

  “She knows him?” Jay lounged against the counter.

  “She ran into him on the beach this morning and was just asking about him.” She shook her head against the thought that Sara hadn’t quite told her everything. “Anyway, I hope you don’t mind. I told Sara that you and I would do the interviews.”

  “Don’t mind at all. Anything to help out Lil. She took a chance on me giving me this job. I’d do anything for her.”

  “You’re such an improvement over her last cook. I’m sure she’ll never let you leave.” She grinned at him.

  He tossed her a lazy smile in return. “Well, good thing I have no plans to go, then.”

  He pushed off the counter and grabbed a towel and started a methodical wiping off of the counters. Spray. Wipe. Spray. Wipe. She watched as his strong hands scrubbed down the surface.

  He turned to look at her. “So, I heard Marvin’s Sporting Goods is being sold. You going to be out of a job soon?”

  “Looks that way. Probably by next week.” She stared down at her feet, debating whether to go on or not. But Jay always had a sympathetic ear. She looked at him and sighed. “And… I just heard that the owner of the cottage I’m renting has sold the place. I was on a month-to-month lease, so I’m out of there by the end of the month. So, now I need to find a new place to live and a job.”

  “Timing could be better, huh?”

  “I’ll say. But, whatever. I’ll figure it out. Surely all my experience in accounting and running The Wishing Shop before this job at Marvin’s will count for something.”

  “I’ve got a couch,” he offered. “You know, until you find a place.”

  “I might have to take you up on that… though wouldn’t the town gossips have a field day with that?”

  “I don’t much listen to town gossip.” He grinned. “Well, I listen to it, I just don’t put much stock in it.”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll figure something out.”

  “The offer stands.”

  “Thanks, Jay.”

  She turned and walked out of the kitchen, suddenly over-warm. Maybe they should look into getting a bit more cooling for the kitchen…

  Jay watched Robin leave the kitchen, her hair swirling at her shoulders, her steps quick and determined. She’d had a couple of jobs around town since he’d been here. Managing a gift shop and the accounting department at Marvin’s. She didn’t look particularly upset with all the upheaval in her life.

  But then, maybe Robin was hiding it from everyone, especially Sara since she was having such a rough time now and didn’t want to burden her.

  Though, didn’t women friends talk about every little detail going on in their lives? Women, they were a strange bunch, and he’d never understand them.

  He shrugged and went back to cleaning the kitchen. That was one thing he needed when he cooked. A spotless kitchen to work in. And cooking and kitchens were things he did understand.

  Chapter 9

  Sara was pleased to see Aunt Lil sitting up, her hair done, and a tray of food—mostly eaten—beside her bed.

  “You’re looking better.” She crossed over and kissed her aunt.

  “Feeling a bit better.”

  She turned at the sound of someone entering the room.

  “Oh, Dr. Harden, this is my niece, Sara.”

  A young woman in a white coat came over to the bedside. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Dr. Harden here is a special friend of Willie’s. Do you remember him? He owns The Lucky Duck on Oak Street.”

  “I remember him.” She did,
sort of.

  “I’m going to send your aunt to rehab tomorrow. I’ve got her all set up at a very good one over on the mainland.”

  “I still think I’d be fine at home,” Aunt Lil insisted.

  “You need physical therapy and a chance to get stronger. I promise we’ll get you back home as soon as possible.” Dr. Harden smiled encouragingly at Aunt Lil as if she understood how hard this was on her.

  “I’ll come visit as much as I can, Aunt Lil.”

  “But there’s the Beach Blast this weekend. We have a booth there, you know.”

  No, she hadn’t known. She wondered if all the plans for that had already been finalized. She’d have to check into that when she got back to the diner.

  “It’s good publicity for the inn and our expanded dining room.”

  “I’ve got everything under control. Don’t worry.” Just another tiny stretch of the truth.

  “But I’m not sure how long you can stay. I know you’re very busy with your own job.”

  “I’ll stay as long as I’m needed. I’m doing some work remotely.” As if to prove her point, her phone dinged. She glanced at it and slipped it away. Another text from Diane. The woman must text her a hundred times a day. At least. As it was, she was working long hours at the inn and most nights on the presentation for Diane.

  “Lil will be taken good care of at the rehab center. And I’ll pop over there to check on her, too,” Dr. Harden assured her.

  “See, everything will be just fine.” She hoped it would be fine and she wasn’t doing yet another one of her numerous stretches of the truth.

  Robin sat with Charlotte and Sara on the chairs lining the private deck at The Nest watching the sunset once again. Sara looked exhausted. Robin hadn’t missed that Sara’s phone had dinged almost non-stop with texts from her boss. Between her friend trying to answer her boss, visit Lil, and work at the inn… it was no surprise she was so tired.

  Robin poured them all glasses of wine as they settled into their chairs. “Long day, huh?”

  “It was.” Sara stretched out her legs.

  “I thought I was used to standing for hours because I stand when I paint, but I admit to being very glad to be off my feet now.” Charlotte kicked off her shoes.

  “I really appreciate all the help you guys are giving me.” Sara turned to look at Robin. “But how about your job? Your real job? Are you taking vacation to do this?”

  She didn’t want to worry Sara but didn’t want to lie to her either. She let out a long sigh. “My job is ending. Marvin sold the sporting goods shop. There are just a few hours of work left there for me. I only agreed to stay on to the end because Marvin was in a bit of a panic when news got out he sold the business and most of the employees found new jobs.”

  “You’re out of work? You should let me pay you for helping me at the inn.”

  “Nope. Not going to happen. I’m glad to help.”

  “But I—”

  “Don’t argue with me. You know you won’t win, anyway.”

  Sara smiled. “Probably not. But I wish you’d let me.”

  “So you know that the inn does a booth at the festival this weekend, right?” She changed the subject from her job—or lack thereof.

  “So I heard. Do you know if anything is planned for it?” Sara grimaced.

  “Jay said most of it is all ready to go. Lil usually closes the dining room here and just runs the booth on the festival weekend. Jay’s got the food planned for the booth and has two workers coming to help him.”

  “Oh, you mean we get the weekend off?” Charlotte rubbed her foot. “I could get into a weekend off.”

  “Char, it’s only been a couple days.” She shook her head.

  “I’m not used to painting walls. My shoulders and my feet ache.”

  “You don’t have to,” Sara insisted.

  “Yes, I do. You need help. And it keeps me busy so I don’t just sit and fret about my… I don’t know what to call it. Lack of creativity? Painter’s block?”

  “I thought things were going great with your painting.” Robin leaned forward so she could see Charlotte’s face when she answered. She’d always been able to read Charlotte’s face like a book.

  “It is. Well, it was. But then… I didn’t get the last gallery show I wanted. The remarks were that my work wasn’t fresh or new.” Charlotte sighed. “And I get that. I haven’t felt much inspiration with my work lately. More like I’m just painting because it’s what I do.”

  “You should set up a place to paint while you’re here. There’s the sunroom here on the wing. It has its own outside entrance. You can come and go as you please,” Sara offered. “There are glass French doors closing it off from the rest of The Nest. Use it. Maybe being someplace new will inspire you.”

  “Maybe. But I’m going to be busy working on the furniture.” Charlotte looked doubtful.

  “Go out and get an easel and paints. Seriously. Take this time to just play with your painting and see what happens.” Sara reached out and took Charlotte’s hand. “Sometimes when I’m stuck on coming up with a creative idea for a client I go out and do something totally different. Once I came up with the best idea when I went to a park near where I work and just walked around instead of sitting at my desk, staring at the computer, and coming up with nothing. Please. Just try it.”

  “I might…”

  “Good, that’s settled. Charlotte for sure will set up a studio in the sunroom.” Robin grinned. “Don’t you argue with me either.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Robin settled back in her chair, perfectly content to be here with her friends. It had been so long and she didn’t realize how much she’d missed them. Well, not perfectly content. She still had the problem of finding a job and a place to live… But that wasn’t her friends’ problem. It was hers, and hers alone. Besides, she’d never been good at accepting help.

  Chapter 10

  Sara looked around the crowds at the Beach Blast. Who knew this many people could crowd onto Oak Street and Main Street? A band was playing in the gazebo at the end of Oak Street and people mingled in and out of the shops. The streets were closed to car traffic and booths lined the middle of the streets.

  She and Charlotte wandered down the street, sampling food and browsing the craft booths. “This is kind of fun, isn’t it? I wonder how long they’ve been doing this festival.” Sara picked up a pretty scarf and held it up to her neck.

  “That looks good with your eyes.” Charlotte nodded. “But I don’t know about the festival. They didn’t have it when we lived here. I think Robin said that the guy who runs the community center started the festival, and they have it annually now.”

  “It’s a great way to bring in the summer tourist season.” Charlotte picked up a floppy straw hat. “What do you think?”

  “It’s you, Char.”

  “I think so, too.” She bought the hat and plopped it on her coppery red hair.

  It did look good on her, but then everything looked good on Charlotte. She was that woman. Everyday clothes, fancy clothes, heels, flats, makeup, no makeup. Didn’t matter. Charlotte was beautiful but never seemed to realize it. She often wore a mix of bohemian style clothing that seemed to suit her free-spirited painter self.

  Sara frowned. If her friend had a painter self now. She’d gone out and bought an easel, a canvas, and paints. But Sara had seen no sign of any painting going on.

  They made their way to the end of the block where a three-legged race was starting. Sara was surprised to see that Noah was coordinating the race. “Okay, kids, grab your partners. My helpers will get you all three-legged up.”

  The kids laughed as their legs were cobbled together. Noah roamed through the throng, adjusting tie-ups here and there, encouraging the kids.

  “Okay, make your way to the starting line.” Noah motioned to a chalk line on the ground.

  She was pretty sure her mouth dropped open. Noah McNeil running an event at a festival. A kid’s event. As far a
s she knew, he didn’t even like kids. Or at least he hadn’t back when she knew him. They often commented how kids were like aliens to them. She pretty much still felt that way because she was never around them. She didn’t run with a mommy crowd back in Boston and she had no siblings, so no nieces or nephews. Just a totally different life.

  But, Noah? There he was looking all in his element helping a duo of young girls who fell and giving the eye to two boys who tried to get a bit of an early start.

  “Okay. On your mark. Get set… go!” Noah called out.

  The kids laughed and tumbled and hurried to the finish line.

  “We have a winner.” Noah held up the arms of two boys. “Bobby and Mikey.”

  “Told you’d we win.” Bobby, the blonde-haired boy, pumped his fist.

  Robin caught up to them. “There you are. I didn’t think I’d ever find you in this crowd.”

  “The festival is a great addition to the town.” Charlotte looked around at the milling crowd.

  “Yep, some things change here, but most things stay the same.” Robin shrugged and turned to wave to Noah. “Hey, Noah,” she called out.

  He lifted a hand in a wave.

  No, don’t come over here.

  Robin motioned for him to come over. She glared at Robin, who remained oblivious to what she’d done. Her friend raised an eyebrow in question, but by then Noah was walking up to them, Cooper by his side.

  “Wanted to introduce you to my friends. I guess you met Sara on the beach the other day.”

  Noah gave her a questioning look but just nodded at her.

  “And this is my friend, Charlotte. We all grew up together here on the island, though the two of them ran away from home and left me here alone.” Robin grinned.

  Sara knew Robin had never wanted to live any place but Belle Island. She loved living there.

  “Nice to meet you.” Noah smiled at Charlotte but still didn’t give away their secret, for which she was thankful.