CHAPTER NINETEEN

BROOKE

 

Brooke saw the smile that crossed Dylan’s face and her lips curved in response. There was something irresistible about him. Probably because he was laid back, so easy to be around.

“The gazebo looks fantastic,” Brooke said. “Rosalie, you’ve done a beautiful job with these flowers. Charlotte said we’re going to do some cross promotion with you. Can’t wait for people to see what you can create here.”

Rosalie wiped a bead of sweat off her face. “Thanks. Our businesses just naturally fit together. Combined promos will be an excellent way to help us both.”

“Yes, I agree,” said Charlotte. “We’ve done photo shots of the cake with flowers. I’m making that part of the promo package I’m putting together for us.”

Rosalie gazed around and sighed. “I’ve always loved The Sanderling Cove Inn. It’s wonderful you women are adding new life to it. It’s too beautiful a property to allow to fade away.”

“We don’t intend to let that happen,” Brooke said, aware of the firmness in her voice, making her realize how much she wanted to stay.

“It’s been part of the cove almost from the beginning,” said Dylan. “Too important to let it go.”

Brooke’s gaze met his. His lips curved at the same time as hers.

“How are things inside?’ Charlotte asked her.

“The breakfast for guests is over,” Brooke said. “The private dining room is decorated and set for the luncheon. Livy has outdone herself with new recipes, but she wanted to try as many as she could. Luckily, we get to taste some of them.”

“It will be a true test of how the kitchen does, as well as the serving staff,” said Charlotte. “We might be putting on dinners sooner than we thought.”

Brooke grinned at the idea. Gran and John were in for some surprises when they returned.

Charlotte and Dylan followed her inside the Inn to take photos of the dining room.

The table in the small dining room was covered with a white-linen cloth. Crystal glasses, shiny silverware, and silver-rimmed white dishes were part of the setting. In the middle, a small crystal bowl was filled with the same tropical flowers as those displayed at the gazebo. The look was both classy and relaxed.

Livy joined them. “I think this luncheon is going to work well. Nice and easy, but fancy enough to please everyone.”

Brooke gave her cousin a hug. “Everything you make is delicious, Livy. Laura will be thrilled. For such a small group, it has everything most brides would want.”

“Has the minister come?” Livy asked.

Brooke checked her watch. “He should be here soon. The ceremony is due to take place in just a few minutes.”

Everyone left the dining room and waited for Jonathan and Rob to appear. A few minutes later, the two men walked into the lobby wearing matching white shorts, bright orange golf shirts, and sandals.

Brooke’s surprise changed to approval. The guys looked great—comfortable and happy.

“I’ll escort you to the gazebo,” said Charlotte. “You’re to wait there for the bride and her matron of honor.”

Charlotte departed with them, leaving Brooke and Livy to greet Laura and Ginger.

“I can’t wait to see what the bride is wearing,” said Brooke.

“Or her maid of honor,” Livy said. “It’s proving to be one of the coolest weddings I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m getting lots of ideas for my own, if that day ever comes,” said Brooke.

“Take it easy,” said Livy with a playful grin. “Neither of us is even close to that.”

“You’re right,” Brooke said, chuckling. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement and turned to face Laura. “Oh, Laura,” she gasped with admiration.

Laura was wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length lace dress with simple clean lines. Her blond hair, pulled back into a bun of sorts, held a simple spray of red bougainvillea.

“And Ginger,” exclaimed Livy. “I love your dress.”

Ginger was wearing a multi-color, sleeveless muumuu with a ruffled, ankle-length hem. Her dress and colorful red hair were attractive additions to the tropical floral theme.

Both women twirled around, smiling at each other.

Dylan appeared. “Are you ready for me to take a few photos of you two and then some of the service?” he asked Laura.

“Please. Everything is lovely, and I want to have as many reminders as possible of this day,” Laura said. She looked as if she was about to cry.

Brooke gave her a quick hug. “Okay, then. Let’s do it.” She stood aside as Dylan snapped several photos of Laura, Laura and Ginger together, and finally, of the two of them heading outdoors to the gazebo.

Livy grabbed hold of Brooke’s elbow. “C’mon. I’ve got to see this.”

They stayed in the background as Ginger moved into the gazebo followed by Laura, but even from a distance Brooke saw the way Jonathan looked at Laura with such love her breath caught. That’s what she wanted for herself.

She couldn’t hear all the words being exchanged but when the minister announced Jonathan could kiss the bride, Brooke clapped along with the rest of the onlookers. Then she, like Livy, hurried inside the Inn to make sure all was ready for the luncheon. Charlotte stayed behind with Dylan to make sure more photographs were taken.

###

Later, after the luncheon had been cleaned up and Jonathan and Laura went to change their clothes and pack for their trip, Brooke joined Livy, Charlotte, and Dylan in the kitchen.

“I thought we and the staff would all celebrate by sharing the extra food I prepared,” said Livy. “I made more than the luncheon needed just so I could try out recipes.”

Dylan rubbed his stomach. “It’s definitely a requirement for going forward, getting the approval from all of us.”

Livy laughed then turned serious. “If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. If we’re going to launch weddings, we need to figure out what works and what doesn’t.” She offered them small portions of chicken breasts stuffed with a mixture of mushrooms, spinach, mozzarella, garlic, and thyme. While simple, it had color, texture, and taste. A light sauce made from the juices was drizzled on top. A lemon-herb risotto and a greenleaf lettuce salad with a balsamic vinegar and oil dressing accompanied the chicken.

Brooke was amused that after sharing what they could of the main course, everyone eyed the remains of the cake with grins. The top tier had been set aside for the bride and groom to freeze until they could pick it up after their honeymoon. But the rest was open to tasting.

The lemon cake with a raspberry and cream filling was one of the best cakes Brooke had ever tasted. The murmurs of contentment in the kitchen proved she wasn’t alone. She glanced at Livy and wondered if she knew how talented she was.

Dylan caught Brooke’s attention. “Good, huh?”

She laughed. “Delicious.”

He moved closer. “I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight. The Pink Pelican has a new band playing.”

“Thanks. That sounds like fun,” said Brooke, pleased.

“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven. We can catch dinner there. Okay?”

“Perfect. The Inn’s social hour should be over by then,” said Brooke.

She headed into the office to meet with Charlotte and Livy. She and her cousins had talked about hiring someone in addition to Rico Torres to cover the desk for the evening hours. Maybe it was time to do so. The three of them wanted their evenings free.

###

That evening, waiting for Dylan to pick her up, Brooke filled with anticipation. Spending time with Dylan was always special.

When he saw her in her tie-dyed top and blue jeans, he let out a slow whistle.

“Thanks.” She still wasn’t used to getting many compliments, but she liked it. After years of dressing in dowdy clothes, it was exciting to feel attractive.

They took off, and a short while later, Dylan pulled his red truck into the parking lot. Music from the restaurant filled the area with an exciting beat. After acting as hostess at the Inn, Brooke felt like letting loose. She climbed out of the truck and stood by as Dylan came around the back.

“Hey. I was going to get that door for you. Ready to go inside and have some fun?”

She grinned and held onto the elbow he offered her.

Inside, the place was crowded. They looked around for a spot.

Austin saw them and called out to them.

Dylan led Brooke over to Austin’s table.

“Join us,” said Austin. His date, a dark-haired woman, stared at them with curiosity.

When the noise softened enough to do so, Austin made the introductions. “Meet Aynsley Lynch, an old friend from the past,” Austin said, smiling at her. “This is Brooke Weatherby and Dylan Hendrix, from my cove family.”

Aynsley’s dark eyes widened. “Dylan Hendrix, the artist?”

Dylan looked embarrassed, but he nodded.

“Oh my God. I love your work. You’re showing some of your work at my friend’s gallery.” She beamed at Dylan and turned to Austin. “You must buy one of his pieces of art. You can afford it.”

Austin gave Dylan an apologetic look. “When the time’s right. I’m not even sure where I’m going to end up living.”

Aynsley put her hand on Austin’s arm and smiled at Brooke and Dylan. “I’m trying to convince him to buy his mother’s house. It’s gorgeous. And like I said earlier, he can afford it. He’s one of Miami’s most eligible bachelors. Too bad Shane is off the market. His fiancée must be a friend of yours from the cove. Right?” she asked Brooke.

“Actually, his fiancée is my cousin. Charlie and Shane are perfect together,” Brooke said, feeling a need to defend Shane’s choice. She studied Aynsley and noticed that the ring finger of her left hand was bare but a white circle in the midst of tan indicated a ring had once rested there.

She glanced at Austin, but he was smiling at Aynsley in a way that had her worried.

Dylan waved a waitress over to them. They all ordered drinks, and Dylan and she ordered dinner—a fried chicken sandwich for him, a Caesar salad for her.

“You know, you can order dressing on the side,” Aynsley said to her, inspecting Brooke’s body.

Brooke’s brow furrowed. “Yes, I’m aware of that. I’ve had this salad here before, and I like it with a lot of dressing.”

“Really?” said Aynsley, a look of surprise on her face. “I just worry about those calories. But, oh well, to each his own. So, where did you prep?”

“What?” Brooke said, confused.

“Where did you go to prep school? I assume all of you cove people prepped somewhere.”

“Speaking for myself, I went to the local public high school in my hometown. It was a top school in the state.”

“Oh,” said Aynsley.

“Brooke is very smart,” said Dylan, coming to her aid. “She won several school awards and a scholarship to Cornell.”

Surprised Dylan knew that, Brooke glanced at him.

“What’s all this business about prepping anyway?” Austin said, frowning at Aynsley.

Aynsley’s lip thinned. “I just wondered…Geez, you guys are … so protective of each other. Just relax.”

“Here come our drinks and food,” said Dylan, breaking the tension. “Can’t wait to dig in. You should’ve been at the Inn today, Austin. The first wedding of the summer took place there. And we got to eat some of Livy’s food. The cake was the best cake ever.”

A fleeting look of envy, one Brooke almost didn’t catch, crossed Austin’s face, and she wondered what was going on with him.