Page 55 of Return to Rosewood Beach

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Cooper leaned back in the booth and smiled across the table at Julia. He felt tired but incredibly content. Beside him, Dean was excitedly reading off the list of all of the money they’d raised at the fundraiser that day.

“There,” Dean said with a sigh, coming to the end of the list. “That’s definitely enough to keep The Lighthouse Grill on its feet for now. I’m so proud of you chuckleheads.”

“This is amazing.” Alexis’s eyes were shining. “We really did it. Our fundraiser was a success.”

Julia nodded and smiled, taking a sip of her root beer float. After the fundraiser had ended, Vivian, the Owens siblings, and Cooper had gone over to the pub for celebratory sandwiches and root beer floats. Callie had taken Macey home to go to sleep, and Cooper felt grateful that he was able to stay with Julia and her family. He still wanted a chance to talk with her about the two of them, and what had happened the other day.

“It was wildly successful.” Vivian beamed at her children, and tears glistened in her eyes. “I’m so thankful for all of you, and the hard work you put into this fundraiser. Thank you. Thank you so much.” She looked at Cooper, and he smiled back at her.

“Of course, Mom.” Hazel wrapped an arm around her mother and hugged her sideways. “We love you and the pub. We had to put up a good fight.”

“And it sounds like we won that fight.” Julia clasped her hands together. “We don’t have enough money to make the pub’s finances carefree forever, but we definitely have enough to fill in the gaps of uncertainty that Dad left.”

“Thank goodness.” Hazel let out a long sigh. “I’m exhausted, but I feel so happy.”

“Me too.” Alexis smiled, and Julia leaned her head down onto her sister’s shoulder.

“I feel almost overwhelmed with happiness,” Vivian said, clasping her hands. “I’m so grateful to you all. Thank you for having this idea and for working so hard to put it into action.”

“Of course, Mom.” Julia looked lovingly at her mother. “We’re here to support you and make sure that you don’t need endless security for the pub. I’m going to make sure you have what you need.”

“Me too,” Alexis said. “You can count on it.”

“And me,” said Dean, nodding. “We’ve got your back, Mom.”

“Yes, we do.” Hazel smiled at her mother. “No matter what happens, you’ve got us to look out for you.”

Cooper felt his heart stir with happiness as he listened to the Owens siblings offer their support to their mother. He felt touched by how much their family loved each other, and he felt confident that they were going to succeed in keeping the pub afloat.

“Yes, you do.” Julia nodded emphatically. “We’re all going to help out however we can to sustain the pub’s legacy.”

“That’s right,” said Dean. “The dream you and Dad built together is worth preserving.”

Vivian’s eyes filled with tears and she placed her hands on her heart. “This place belongs to our family. I’m so glad you children care about it as much as I do.”

Cooper watched Julia smiling at her mother and he tried to catch her eye. She didn’t look in his direction, and his heart sank a little. It seemed as though she was always looking away whenever he glanced at her, and he felt as though that was evidence that she still felt awkward about the gift that he’d rejected. He wished that she was trying to catch his eye like he was trying to catch hers, and showing the same interest in him that she had in the past.

He was just getting ready to clear his throat and ask her what her next plans for the pub were, when the front door of The Lighthouse Grill opened and someone stepped inside.

“Well, well, well.” Dean eyed the person darkly. “Look who it is.”

Cooper turned his head curiously and saw that the person was none other than Judd McCormick.

Judd strolled up to the booth where they were sitting, looking as poised and confident as a peacock. “Good evening, folks.” He smiled his flashy, insincere smile. “I heard about your fundraiser today. I just happened to be passing by, and I thought I’d drop in and offer my congratulations.”

Cooper’s eyes narrowed at the other man. He had a feeling that Judd had in fact not been passing by but had driven over to the pub on purpose.

“Well, that’s nice of you, Mr. McCormick,” Vivian said, politely but coolly.

Dean, clearly less inclined to be gracious, cleared his throat loudly and glared at Judd as if telling him that his congratulations weren’t welcome.

“How much money were you able to raise?” Judd smiled, but his eyes glittered calculatingly. “I know not a lot of people in this town have much extra money.”

“We raised a great deal.” Julia’s smile was hard, and the look in her eyes was almost aggressive.

“Really now?” Judd’s eyebrows lifted in surprise for a moment, but then his smile returned and he seemed unfazed. “Well, Vivian, you’re lucky you have such great helpers in the form of your kids. I’m sure what they’ve done today is going to get you through the next few weeks and maybe even the next few months, but when you find yourself in financial trouble again, feel free to give me a call.”

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