Page 48 of Return to Rosewood Beach

He had to repress a smile, feeling charmed by the way she was describing her plan as if she was giving a presentation at a business meeting. Even though she was wearing jeans and a comfy sweater again, he could just picture her standing at the front of a long table in some work meeting, energetically outlining her ideas. She continued to speak, her eyes sparkling as she told him about everything she’d come up with.

“And the fundraiser itself will have to be planned out carefully. We want to make it a fun event that doesn’t cost much to put on. We’ll have plenty of games, a raffle, and a donation box, of course. I’ve already told a few people outside my family about the idea and everyone seems very excited about it. Our town loves The Lighthouse Grill, and I really think a fundraiser will give us the money we need to get things back in order and fill the holes—well, cover everything that’s missing in our finances.” Her cheeks flushed harder for a moment. “So, what do you think?”

His lips parted. She’d started to speak so quickly that he was still catching up to her, trying to process what she’d been saying. He hesitated, wanting to tell her how much he admired her but feeling as though that might be coming on too strong at that stage in their relationship.

Julia’s expression fell, and she seemed to read his hesitation as a bad sign. “Sorry. I guess I seem pretty over the top to you.”

He stood and took her in his arms. “Everyone should be over the top for their family.” He smiled at her, and she grinned back at him. “What can I do to help?”

She lifted her face up to his and kissed him. “Thank you for being so wonderful.” Her voice was a little breathless, and her eyes were starry. “If you would help with setting everything up, that would be most appreciated.”

“You got it.” He nodded, feeling a sense of excitement over both the plans for the fundraiser and their kiss.

“I can’t wait to break the news to my mom!” Julia grinned, practically wiggling in his arms.

“Can’t wait to break what news to me?” Vivian stepped through the doorway of the living room, looking excited.

“Mom! This is Cooper. Cooper, this is my mother.”

“Very pleased to meet you, ma’am.” He shook Vivian’s hand, smiling at her.

“You as well. Julia’s told me all kinds of great things about you, Cooper.” Vivian’s eyes were warm as she smiled back at him. “Dinner’s all ready. Let’s go eat and you can tell me about this news of yours.”

“Cooper and I will tell you all about it during dinner, Mom,” Julia said, linking arms with both her mother and Cooper. “You’re going to be just as excited as we are.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Alexis couldn’t help smiling as she gazed around her mother’s living room. Her whole family was there, busily planning the fundraiser to save The Lighthouse Grill. There was a sense of excitement in the air that she found invigorating, and she felt grateful to have something to focus on other than her rocky marriage.

It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, and the windows of the living room were open, letting in a fragrant breeze. Outside, birds chirped in the branches of the trees and the sound of someone singing in their backyard could be heard.

The Owens had worked together to make their planning meeting as enjoyable as possible. Dean had put on a playlist of soothing folk music, and Hazel had brought a plate of chocolate chip peanut butter cookies for them to munch on as they worked. Each of them was planning the booth that they were going to run at the fundraiser, or planning out the details of a contribution they could make.

She looked down at the notes she’d been making and smiled. She’d volunteered to run a free “make-over” booth where she would do people’s makeup and hair. She’d written up a list of all the supplies she would need, including a couple of mirrors,a comfortable chair, and plenty of beauty products. She felt excited about the prospect of making lots of people feel more beautiful and confident in themselves.

“What can I do at my booth?” Dean asked. He was leaning back in an armchair, staring at the ceiling. “I can’t offer to fix people’s cars from inside my booth at the pub.”

“True, but you could teach them how to fix things themselves.” Hazel smiled at her twin from where she was sitting on the rug in front of the coffee table. “And besides, you donating that car you restored for the auction is such a huge contribution already.”

“Thanks, but I want to be part of the excitement on the day of.” Dean sighed and tapped his chin with his pencil.

“You’ll think of something.” Alexis smiled at him. “We’ll all keep helping you brainstorm too.”

The doorbell rang, and Julia hurried forward to get it.

“Who’s that?” Hazel asked, cocking her head to one side in confusion. “Aren’t we all here already?”

“We needed a second person to run the water games with you, Hazel.” Julia’s eyes were twinkling mischievously. “So I asked Jacob.”

“Oh!” Hazel’s cheeks flushed a bright pink. “Oh—um, okay.”

Julia grinned and opened the front door. “Hey, Jacob! Come on in. Thanks so much for agreeing to this.”

“Happy to help.” Jacob stepped inside, smiling, and his eyes lighted on Hazel right away. He waved at her, and she waved back.

“I’ll let Hazel explain our ideas to you,” Julia said, looking impish. “I’m sure the two of you will come up with some great ideas together.”

Jacob crossed the room to where Hazel was and sat down on the rug next to her without hesitation.

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