Page 24 of Return to Rosewood Beach

They looked inside each other’s eyes for a moment, and he realized that his heart was thumping in his chest.

“I’m perfectly happy to help. You know, when I mentioned meeting up with you again—when we were at The Salty Spoon—even though I said it awkwardly, I meant it.”

She shook her head, and his heart sank, thinking she was about to say no. “You didn’t say it awkwardly.” She hesitated, and then smiled at him. “I’d like that.”

He grinned at her. “You would?” His heart jumped up and seemed to be running around in circles like a terrier puppy. “How about getting some ice cream with me on Friday afternoon? Macey will be in daycare then. We could go for a walk while we eat it?”

She nodded, offering him the first happy-looking smile he’d seen from her that afternoon. “I would like that.”

For a moment, all he could do was sit there and grin at her, and she smiled back at him.

“So.” Her voice was soft, and there was something in her eyes that hadn’t been there a few moments ago. “Friday afternoon.”

“Friday afternoon.” He nodded decisively, his grin widening.

They sat next to each other, finishing their sandwiches in silence for a while. Finally, he glanced at his watch.

“Ah, I should go.” He stood up regretfully. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

“No need to apologize.” She stood up as well. “I should get back to the reception. Thank you again for the sandwich, and for… well, just thank you.” She smiled at him, and his chest filled with butterflies.

He walked her back to the door of the church and watched as she slipped quietly inside. She gave him a wave from behind the glass doors, and then she disappeared around a corner.

He stood there, feeling dazed for a moment. A raindrop splashed across his ear, rousing him from his reverie. He turned and started to make his way toward work, his thoughts focused on his anticipation for Friday afternoon.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Vivian sighed as she leaned over and expertly wiped off a table with a damp rag. She was at The Lighthouse Grill, helping clean up after the lunch rush. Around her was the sound of the remaining customers talking and laughing, and she could faintly hear the sound of pots and pans being jostled around in the kitchen. The warm, savory aroma of French fries, clam chowder, and meatloaf filled the air. It was comforting, being there in the pub, a place that she’d spent countless afternoons in.

It was the day after Frank’s funeral, and although she’d told herself it was best for her to not go into the pub that day, she had felt too restless and sad at home. She wanted something to do with her hands, to help get her mind off the disturbing news of Frank’s secret. As much as the grief of his passing was still weighing on her, the news that he had been gambling behind her back was worse for her mind, because it was difficult for her to not dwell on it and start to worry about what the future might hold.

Four people stood up from one of the remaining tables and started to walk out of the restaurant. They all had big smiles on their faces, and they continued to talk and laugh together until they’d disappeared through the front doors. Vivian felt glad thatthe pub was still a place where people could come together to have a good time.

For now,she thought, her heart twisting with worry.What are we going to do about all these debts?

She walked over to the table that had just been vacated and started to clear up the dishes. As she was walking toward the kitchen with stacks of plates in her hands, a man walked into The Lighthouse Grill.

He was wearing a suit, and for a moment, all that she registered was that she didn’t like him, and he made her uncomfortable in some way. Then she recognized him in a flash. It was Judd McCormick, the man who had been trying so hard to buy The Lighthouse Grill from Frank for years.

“Hello there, Vivian.” He smiled at her as if they were old friends. “How are you doing today?”

She blinked at him, wondering if he’d heard about Frank’s death. “Well, my husband’s funeral was yesterday, so I’m about as good as somebody can be under the circumstances.”

“I am so sorry to hear that.” He had an expression of sympathy on his face, but it looked so wooden and insincere that it was almost patronizing. “I’m sure it’s very difficult running this place without him.”

“We’re managing fine,” she said coolly, shifting her weight as some of the plates she was holding started to slide a little. “Now if you’ll please excuse me, I should get these put away.” She smiled politely at him and walked through the swinging doors into the kitchen.

She carried the dishes over to the sink, placing them alongside it. She stopped to talk to the teenager who was working the dishwashing shift that afternoon, lingering on purpose so that Judd would be gone by the time she went back out into the dining room.

When she’d finished chatting with her young employee, she stopped by the pub’s office for a few minutes. There wasn’t anything she needed to do there, but she was determined to wait long enough for Judd to give up on her and leave the restaurant. The last thing she needed that day was to talk to that man.

For a while, she simply sat at the desk, looking out the window at the sunlight glinting on the ocean. She found the sight comforting and soothing, and her jangled nerves steadied a little. Finally, she glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. She should get back to work. She had a restaurant to run, and Judd was surely gone by then. It had been almost fifteen minutes since she’d gone into the kitchen, and she had a feeling he’d had no intention of stopping there for lunch, only to talk to her.

She got another damp rag from the kitchen and went back out into the dining area. As soon as she stepped through the swinging doors, her heart sank. Judd was standing there smiling at her, still in the exact same spot he’d been in when she’d left him. For a moment she felt as though he was some kind of vulture, waiting patiently for his prey.

“Must be busy in the kitchen.” He grinned at her in a way that was probably meant to be charming but came off simply as toothy.

“It’s always busy here. It’s one of the most popular places in town.” She moved past him toward a table that still needed to be cleaned, and to her frustration he followed her there.

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