Four Short Weeks Page 8

  Sara gave one last glance at the door where Aunt Lillian had been and turned to follow her friend.

  Tally greeted Lillian and Gary at Magic Cafe and sat them at a table near the beach. “The grouper is on special tonight.” She handed them menus. “I’ll send Tereza over to get your orders.”

  “Thanks, Tally.”

  Gary leaned close across the table. “Everyone in town knows you, don’t they?”

  She laughed. “Pretty much.”

  Gary leaned back and looked around the restaurant. “This is nice. I love how there’s seating right out here at the edge of the beach.”

  “It is nice. The food is wonderful, too.”

  “And look at the view we have. The gulf is just right there.” Gary swung a hand toward the water. “This is just perfect.”

  It was a perfect setting and Tally always made her feel so welcome. If she could just get over feeling so… nervous. Lost. Clueless.

  How did one act on a date?

  Lillian opened her menu, though she was fairly certain she’d have the grouper special. And hushpuppies. Magic Cafe had great hushpuppies. If she concentrated on reading each item on the menu, though, maybe it would settle her nerves.

  Gary set down his menu. “I’m going to try the grouper special.”

  She looked up from where she’d been pretending to read the menu. “I think I will, too.”

  Tereza came over. “Hi, Lillian. Haven’t seen you in a long time.”

  Gary grinned and gave her a see-I-told-you-everyone-knows-you look.

  “Tereza, this is Gary. He’s doing some work on Magnolia House for me.”

  “Oh, George and Ida’s house. I’d heard you bought it.” Tereza turned to Gary with her always-welcoming smile. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “Have you two decided what you’d like to order?”

  “We’re both going to have your grouper special.” Gary eyed her to make sure she was still in agreement. “And how about a bottle of wine?”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “We have a new Italian pinot grigio from the Alto Adige region. It’s very good.”

  “Sounds good to me. Lillian?” Gary tilted his head and looked at her.

  “Yes, that sounds lovely.”

  Tereza left and Lillian no longer had her menu to hide behind so she caught herself fidgeting with the silverware.

  Gary let out a long sigh, and she looked at him. His mouth curved into a small smile. “I’m just so darn nervous. Silly, isn’t it? Because you’ve always been easy to talk to, but tonight I can’t find my words. But I don’t ask women out very often and… well, I’m just yammering now, aren’t I?” He laughed.

  She let out her own long sigh. “I’m a bit nervous myself. I don’t really date often. Like hardly ever.” Like she couldn’t remember the last time, but she wasn’t going to share that exactly.

  “Is it wrong that it makes me feel better that you’re nervous, too?” He grinned.

  She laughed and her nervousness began to fade slowly away like a retreating wave slipping down the beach.

  And just like that, the mood changed, and they had a nice dinner, chatting about this and that. They sat at the end of the meal, finishing their wine.

  “That was seriously a fabulous meal.” Gary leaned back in his chair, holding his wineglass.

  “It was. It’s always a good meal here.” She looked out toward the beach. “Do you think you’d like to walk back the beach way to Charming Inn? I think we could catch the sunset if we did that.”

  “I think that’s a wonderful idea. I can’t get enough of your sunsets here on the island. They are spectacular.”

  They finished their drinks, said goodbye to Tereza and Tally. Tally hugged her. “Don’t be a stranger.”

  As they were leaving, she spied Camille and her boyfriend, Delbert Hamilton, coming into the restaurant. She tugged on Gary’s arm, hoping to hurry out and avoid them.

  No such luck. Camille waltzed up to them. “Well, well, Lillian. Twice in one day. Are you already finished with dinner? How early did you eat?” Camille shook her head in a clearly disapproving manner. “I swear, people down here on Belle Island are just so… provincial.”

  “Yes, we were just leaving.” She grabbed Gary’s arm to turn him toward the steps to the beach.

  “Who is this?” Camille looked at Gary and gave him a wide, charming smile. “I’m Camille Montgomery, and this is Delbert Hamilton, of Hamilton Hotels.”

  Delbert held out a hand to Gary.

  “Um, this is Gary Jones.” Lillian introduced Gary.

  The men shook hands and Delbert looked at Gary closely as if searching his face for some kind of recognition.

  “Gary is working on rehabbing the house I bought next to the inn.”

  That seemed to satisfy Delbert’s curious look, and he smiled.

  “Delbert, I think I told you that Lillian’s niece is getting married in just four weeks. You know, kind of in a hurry.” Camille had a perfectly innocent look on her face, but Lillian didn’t miss what she implied.

  “Congrats to the couple,” Delbert said.

  “Delbert talked me into coming here for dinner. I keep telling him he should open a hotel here on the island and put in a great dining room there so there would be a nice place to eat on the island.”

  “Camille, there are great places to eat here. Like at Charming Inn. Can’t ask for a better chef than Jay.”

  “But the place lacks… atmosphere.” Camille shrugged.

  “We should go.” Lillian didn’t even try to act cordial anymore.

  “I love the dining room at Charming Inn. Competes with some of the finest meals I’ve had in Seattle, and we have some great restaurants there,” Gary defended her. Or her inn. Or maybe Jay.

  A strange look flitted across Gary’s face and Delbert looked at him closely again, then said, “I’d agree with that. Great food.”

  “We’ll let you get to your dinner.” This time she took hold of Gary’s arm and firmly led him away toward the beach. Before she said something rude to Camille. Not that anything she could say could compete with Camille’s rude remarks.

  Chapter 16

  Gary chastised himself every step down the stairs and out onto the sand. He wasn’t sure if that Delbert guy had recognized him, though he hadn’t said anything. And why in the world had he mentioned Seattle? He’d so far managed to just vaguely remark about the west coast. Now he’d gone and blurted out the city where he lived. Sooner or later, the truth was going to come out.

  “That Camille. I don’t really take to her much.” Lillian’s words interrupted his thoughts.

  “She’s rather—I don’t know the word for her.”

  “Rude?”

  “I wasn’t going to say that.” He laughed. “Okay, maybe I was.”

  “That’s what she is. Always so full of herself. Putting on airs. And I swear, if she goes around spreading rumors about Sara having to get married, she’ll to have to deal with me.”

  “Having to get married?”

  Lillian sighed. “You know, like if Sara was pregnant, and they were rushing to get married before the baby. Or before she looked pregnant or whatever. Which isn’t the case, but Camille loves to spread gossip, true or false.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Maybe Camille will head back home before she does much damage. She’s from Comfort Crossing, Mississippi, but I believe she moved to Mobile now. Anyway, if she’d decide it was time to head North, you’d get no complaints from me.”

  “And that Delbert runs Hamilton Hotels?”

  “He does. Took over most of it from his father, I believe. But his father is still involved in the business.”

  So how would Delbert have recognized him? Because he was fairly certain the man had. Of course, his name and photo had been splashed in the news. Maybe that was it. And Delbert was in the hotel business…

  “Anyway, enough complaining about Camille, let’s enj
oy our walk.” Lillian slipped off her shoes.

  He followed her example, pushing worries about Delbert from his mind. For now.

  They headed down the beach. The sand had cooled as the sun had faded, and they crossed to the water’s edge. The water lapped at their feet and ankles as they walked down the beach.

  Gary stopped and reached down to pick up a shell. He turned and smiled at her. “I’m a shell seeker.”

  “Oh, I’m always picking up a shell or two on my beach walks. Not that I don’t have bowls and clear vases of them all over my home. Still always seem to find one I just need.”

  He slipped the shell in his pocket and they continued down the beach. The sky darkened into shades of orange and they slowed their pace. “Do you want to just sit on the beach and watch the sunset?” he asked. “I mean, I know you have on a nice dress and everything.”

  She laughed. “I don’t own an outfit that I wouldn’t sit on the beach in.” She sank down to the sand, and he sat beside her.

  They sat quietly as the sunset unfolded before them. A few couples walked by and they’d nod or say hi to them, but mostly, they just sat in silence. She leaned back, her hands in the sand. Gary leaned back, too, and his hand grazed hers. He looked at her and smiled and left his hand just a fraction of an inch from hers on the sand.

  Lillian swore she could feel the heat from Gary’s hand, so close to hers. She swore she could feel an electric force, a magnetic force, pulling their hands closer.

  “Well, it’s getting dark. I guess we should head back.” Gary rose, breaking the connection. He reached out a hand.

  She reached up and took his hand as he helped her stand. This time she didn’t do one of her ridiculous stumbles getting up. Minor victory in the recovery from her injury awhile back.

  They headed back toward the inn, and to her horror, she started to stumble not six steps down the beach. He caught her up against him. “You okay?”

  She let out an exasperated sigh. “I am. Just… well, it’s a bit dark.” Not that the dark had anything to do with it. She just didn’t have full strength back yet, no matter how hard she worked at it. She always was a bit unsteady right when she got up, and it annoyed her mightily.

  He placed her hand on his arm. “How about you just hold on here while we walk?”

  She wouldn’t admit she needed his arm—and she didn’t—but she really kind of liked leaving her hand on his arm, connected to him. He rested his hand over hers as they continued to the inn, slowly ambling along the hard-packed sand portion of the beach.

  When they got back to the inn, he walked her to The Nest and paused at the bottom of the stairs to her deck.

  “I had a fabulous evening with you. I’m glad you let me take you to Magic Cafe.” Gary still held his hand over hers.

  “I had a good time, too.”

  “Do you think—” He paused and shuffled his feet in the sand. “Would you like to go out again?”

  “I—” She looked at him, wavering on saying yes or saying no. It seemed silly to date a man who was just here on the island for a short time. And yet… she really would like to go out with him again. “Yes, I would.” She answered before she could overthink the whole thing.

  “Great. Tomorrow night?” He grinned. “Or is that too soon?”

  She really should help out on the dinner rush, but it was mid-week. “How about I cook for you?” She did love to cook and rarely took the time to do it.

  “I’m not going to turn down a home-cooked meal.”

  “Okay, how about six-thirty tomorrow? Even though Camille would think that is way too early.”

  Gary laughed. “The time is great for me. I’ll see you then.”

  She took her hand back—reluctantly—and headed up the stairs. She turned and gave him a wave as she slipped inside.

  Sara looked up from where she was reading on the couch. “Good, you’re home. Tell me everything.”

  Lillian crossed over and sat beside her. “I don’t know what you want to know. We went to Magic Cafe. Then we sat on the beach and watched the sunset. Then he walked me back here to The Nest.”

  “Did you have a good time? Were you nervous? Did you just talk business?”

  Lillian laughed. “Slow down.” She leaned back on the couch. “I did have a good time. We talked some business. And yes, I was nervous at first. But then he said he was nervous and then— Then I wasn’t.”

  Sara nodded. “Good. I’m glad you had a good time. Are you going to see him again? I mean like on a date, not like going over to check on Magnolia House.”

  “It just so happens that he asked me out again. But I offered to cook for him instead. He’s coming over to dinner tomorrow night.”

  Sara grinned. “This is working out nicely.”

  “It’s not really a big deal. I just enjoy his company.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “Really, we’re just… I guess we’re friends now. Though, that does seem quick to become friends, doesn’t it?”

  “Nope. Not if you like him.”

  “I don’t like him. I mean I do like him… but not like that.” She shook her head. “Now I’m confusing myself.”

  “I’m just glad to see you going out and enjoying yourself. He looked really handsome tonight.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “How would you know?”

  “Oops. Caught me. I might have snuck over to the inn and watched from the distance with Robin while he picked you up.”

  She laughed. “I guess I’m not surprised.”

  She grabbed the teal plaid throw and dropped it over her lap, fingering the fringe, debating on telling Sara about running into Camille.

  “What?” Sara asked. “I can tell you’re thinking about something.”

  “I—I ran into Camille today. Twice, actually. She’s…” Lillian sighed. “I think she’s spreading rumors about you and Noah and your wedding. She’s implying you have to get married. You know. Because—”

  “She thinks I’m pregnant?” Sara laughed. “Won’t she feel foolish in a few months when I’m obviously not with child.”

  “I just thought you should know in case you start hearing the rumor.”

  “Not even Camille and her silly gossip can faze me. I’m glad Noah and I decided to get married so soon. Camille can gossip away.”

  “She said she’d see us at the wedding, and I didn’t clue her in that she’s not on the list.” Lillian shook her head.

  “Actually…” Sara shrugged. “Delbert is on Noah’s list. He’s been meeting up with Noah, Jay, and Ben at The Lucky Duck and they’ve all become friends. So, I guess he’ll be bringing Camille as his date.”

  “I guess that can’t be helped, then. But I don’t have to like it. If I’m lucky, maybe I won’t have to speak to her at the wedding.” Lillian let out a small laugh. “But knowing Camille, she’ll make a point to come up to me and say something rude. But we won’t let anything she says ruin the day.”

  “We won’t.” Sara stood up and grabbed her book. “I’m headed for bed. But I’ll have Noah take me out to dinner tomorrow so you can have the place to yourself.”

  “You don’t have to do that. You two could join us.”

  “Maybe next time. I’ll let you have time alone with him and get to know him better.” Sara leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Night, Aunt Lil. Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Sara left, and she sat there just staring into the room. She should knit for a while to settle down. Or, better yet, she could get ready for bed and read some more of the journal. Maybe some new clue would come up.

  She got up from the couch and headed for bed.

  Chapter 17

  Gary woke up in a great mood. He made coffee and took a cup outside to watch the sunrise. Well, the reflected sunrise since the house faced the west toward the gulf. But the clouds over the water turned a delicate pink as the sun rose in the east. He turned to go back inside and start to work when he spied the pup hanging out near t
he doorway.

  “Hello there, pup.” He slowly walked toward the dog. “I’ll get your breakfast.”

  He went inside and got the food, then set it down just inside the doorway. He propped open the door and stepped back. “Come on in, pup.”

  The dog walked to the doorway and peeked inside, then slowly took the few steps over to the bowl. He scarfed up his food, then sat down beside the bowl.

  “I should really give you a name, you know. I can’t just keep calling you pup.” He held out his hand and the dog slowly got up and walked over and nosed it. “Good boy.” He gently petted the dog. “I think I’ll call you Rover. You certainly rove around a lot. What do you think of that name?”

  The dog tilted his head.

  “No? Too obvious?”

  “How about Max? That’s a good, solid name.”

  The pup tilted his head the other direction.

  “I give up. What do you want me to call you? Lucky? You’re kind of lucky that you came to my house and now you get fed regularly, aren’t you?”

  The dog wagged his tail.

  “Ah, so that’s what you want your name to be. Lucky it is.” He felt ridiculously happy to have named the pup and a bit foolish for looking to the dog for its opinion.

  “I’ve got to get to work now. You want to hang around? Come on outside. I’m working on the deck.” He grabbed his toolbox and headed outside with Lucky trotting beside him.

  Lucky sat in the shade, watching him work for hours until he looked up one time and the dog was gone.

  Hopefully Lucky would come back for dinner, because, after all, he did have a proper name now.

  “Hey, Lillian, there’s a call for you.” Robin held up the phone at the reception desk.

  Lillian hurried over and took the phone. “Hello?”

  “Lillian, this is Etta. I know we couldn’t find a paper from the time frame you wanted, but I got to thinking. The town paper used to print a Fifty Years Ago and a One Hundred Years Ago section. It’s a long shot, but maybe we could find something in one of those columns in a newer paper.”