Page 8 of Sea Glass Serenade

“It’ll be so much fun,” Alexis said, sounding distracted as she went back to painting the wall.

Hazel leaned back in her chair, enjoying resting her bones for a moment. She looked around the room, envisioning how cheerful it was going to look when Alexis was finished. She’d always liked the smell of paint, and even though Alexis had opened all the windows to create a good airflow, the room still had a strong odor that Hazel considered to be exciting and nostalgic.

“The smell of paint always reminds me of when Dad painted our rooms as kids. Do you remember that? I insisted on this sickly bright green, because it was my favorite color at the time, and he painted it anyway. What a champ.” Hazel stared off into space as she remembered, a smile on her face.

Alexis turned around and nodded. She looked thoughtful, almost sad, at the mention of their recently deceased father. “It’s hard to think about Dad sometimes now. I mean, all that time he was gambling behind Mom’s back and leading a double life. I feel as though he isn’t the same person I always thought he was, somehow.”

“I know what you mean,” Hazel said sympathetically. “But he was. He was more than we thought he was—he was also some bad things we didn’t know about—but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t also the person we knew and loved. There are so many sides to everyone, you know? And kids never see all the sides of their parents anyway, at least not while they’re growing up.”

“So true.” Alexis smiled at her. “Thanks, Hazel. That makes me feel better.”

For a few more minutes, they drifted into a companionable silence. They both seemed to be lost in their own thoughts. Then all at once, Alexis cocked her head to one side.

“There is it again. Can you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

Alexis held her finger to her lips, and Hazel listened intently.

“That,” Alexis said finally. “That kind of rattling sound coming from above the refrigerator? I think it might be one of the pipes.”

As Hazel listened, she could make out a faint rattling sound. She frowned. “I have no idea what could be wrong with it. Hopefully nothing serious.” She felt as if she might be blushing a little as she added, “I can ask Jacob to come take a look at it.”

Jacob Dorsey was the local handyman and a good friend. Hazel had also had a raging crush on him ever since high school.

Alexis turned around, an affectionately suspicious glint in her eyes. “Jacob, huh?”

“Well, who else would I call for that kind of thing?” Hazel felt sure she was blushing then. “He’s the only person I know who handles pipes and refrigerators and all that.”

“Mmm. Just something about the way you said his name maybe. I don’t hear you talking about Bob the mailman with that same tone of voice.”

“Oh, stop.” Hazel covered her face with her hands, laughing. “You’re reading too much into the way I sounded. You’re imagining things.”

“Hmm. Maybe. Maybe not.” Alexis put her hands on her hips, which made her paintbrush stick out at a jaunty angle. “Have you made it clear to Jacob that you like him?”

Hazel groaned, feeling her cheeks get hotter. “No—I—I don’t feel ready to make a move or anything like that.”

“Sister of mine, that is nonsense. You’re never completely ready for anything. You have to just step out in courage. Besides, there’s a good chance he likes you back.”

“Oh, I don’t think so.” Hazel shook her head. “He’s just friendly. And he’s had so many women after him ever since high school—what would he want me for?”

Alexis’s mouth popped open in protest. “What on earth are you talking about? You’re Hazel Owens. You’re smart and funny and kind and hard-working and charming—not to mention beautiful. You’re a total catch. I’m sure he’s very aware of it too. Don’t you remember all the times he’s looked out for you? And found excuses to stop by?”

Hazel couldn’t help smiling as she remembered Jacob ringing her doorbell and volunteering to fix things for her—things she hadn’t even realized were broken. Her heart lifted up as she considered the possibility that Alexis was right, and that Jacob was actually interested in her. She started to warm to the idea that his helpfulness toward her could be a sign that he cared for her. “I—I have to admit, that thought has crossed my mind as well, but I told myself I was just reading him wrong. I don’t want to get too excited and misread the signals, you know? I don’t want to get smacked in the face with rejection.”

Alexis shook her head. “Love is risky, that’s for sure, but I know you’re brave enough to give it a shot. And besides, that’s at least two of us who have noticed him taking care of thingsaround your house and thought that it shows he has a special interest in you. I bet if we ask Julia, she’d say the same thing and that would make three of us. I think it’s definitely time that you took a leap of faith and made a move. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Uh, he could tell me that he just sees me as a friend and I could feel like a total fool.”

And disappointed,she thought.So disappointed. I’ve spent almost half my life with a crush on that man. I think learning there’s no chance he could ever feel the same way about me would really feel like a punch to the gut.

“No, the worst that could happen is that you spend the rest of your life wondering if there could have been a riding-into-the-sunset kind of romance between yourself and Jacob Dorsey, but you were too chicken to tell him how you feel.”

“Ouch.” Hazel laughed. “Who are you calling a chicken?”

“If the clucking fits.”

Hazel shook her head, still chuckling. “I’m not entirely opposed to the idea. I’m still scared, but—well, you’re probably right.”

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