It took a few days for the reality that things might work out after all to settle in for Jane. Everything is coming together, and Andie is really bringing the garden to life, Jane thought as she admired the mounds of pink flowers along the edge of the driveway. Cooper sniffed at a bush with long sprigs of purple flowers, disrupting an orange-and-black monarch butterfly.
“The pink flowers are impatiens. Remember Mom used to plant them?” Andie stood beside her, admiring her own handiwork.
“I remember. She’d replace them with mums in the fall.” Jane wondered if Andie was planning on doing the same. Would she be around in the fall?
“Impatiens are annuals, so they have to be removed at the end of summer.” Andie stepped back to get a wider view of the edge of the driveway. “Mums would look great all along here and in some big planters near the bathroom.”
“Good idea. Now that everything has been approved and I know the wedding is really happening, it might be smart to spruce the bathroom area up with flowers.”
“I’m really glad things are working out, and the wedding is kind of exciting,” Andie said.
“Yeah, except the more I talk to the bride, the more I wonder if this is going to be as easy as I thought.”
“Oh no. Bridezilla?”
“Maybe. She keeps making strange demands. Like special cake frosting and a particular type of candle.”
“Maybe she’s just nervous. I’m sure everything will be fine,” Andie assured her. “Anyone would be nervous with a wedding coming in two weeks. But look on the bright side. We’ll have an inn full of guests and get good experience.”
“And bookings are up in general.” Jane frowned. “I don’t love dealing with the people, though. I’m better with the behind-the-scenes stuff.”
“True, but I see you’ve been stepping out of your comfort zone and interacting with them. It’s kind of fun talking to them, isn’t it? Meeting new folks from different places. They’re usually happy, too, because they’re on vacation.”
“I don’t think it’s that fun.” Jane hesitated then decided to go for it. “If you think it’s fun, though, maybe you should stay on. I could use the help.”
A look of surprise flashed in Andie’s eyes, but at least she appeared to consider Jane’s invitation. “I don’t know. I have to admit I like the pace here. At work I spent most of my time indoors, and this is nice.” Andie waved her hand to indicate the garden and ocean beyond. “I’m not sure there would be enough for me to do here, though.”
“Well, you’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like. You might be surprised at how much there is to do.” Lobster Bay might not be as busy and hectic as Andie was used to, but what’s so great about being busy and hectic? Maybe Andie needed to get out of her comfort zone too.
“I might take you up on that.” Andie looked at Jane’s outfit. “You look dressed up. Where are you off to?”
Jane had taken an hour to pick out the outfit—a short-sleeved top with a bold black-and- white print that hung at hip level and black linen capris. Black, beaded sandals completed the look. She had to admit it was a nice change from her usual T-shirt and jean shorts, and with her thin frame, she looked pretty good. “Oh, just out to eat.”
Mike’s car pulled into the driveway, and Jane tamped down the butterflies swarming in her stomach.
“Come on, Cooper, you ready?” She tugged Cooper’s leash, avoiding looking at Andie. She was sure her sister was smirking behind her back. It was okay, though, because Andie was right. Jane was stepping out of her comfort zone, and not just when it came to running Tides.
Mike cracked open a lobster claw and picked out the meat. There was nothing like good old Maine lobster. That was one of the things that Lobster Bay had over Seattle. The other was Jane Miller.
He snuck a glance at her, thinking of how beautiful she looked sitting across from him at the patio restaurant. The setting sun gave her skin a healthy glow. Behind her, colorful fishing boats and dinghies bobbed in the blue waters of Perkins Cove. The soft, warm breeze ruffled her silver hair and brought out the smell of summer flowers. A seagull flying high above the mast of a sailboat cawed, and Cooper, who had been laying at his feet, stirred. He couldn’t ask for a more perfect evening.
Jane dipped a piece of tail meat in melted butter. “This is great. I’m glad the restaurant started allowing dogs.”
“Me too. And I’m glad I stayed in town.” Mike tried to gauge her reaction. She seemed happy to have him staying here, but he reminded himself to take things slow. They’d been walking Cooper together regularly, and when Jane had accepted his invitation to dinner, he felt they were moving in the right direction. She clearly enjoyed his company, and a good friendship was a solid base to a more intimate relationship. As Gramps had told him, there is no need to rush when you know you’ve found “the one.”
“How is your search for a place coming?”
“I have the cottage for another month, but I’ve been looking at some condos.” Mike slipped a piece of lobster to Cooper. “I’m not in a hurry, though. I’d rather wait and get the perfect place. Maybe you could help me.”
Jane looked surprised. “Me? I don’t know much about real estate.”
“I’m looking more for an opinion. I need someone I trust to keep me in check.”
Jane smiled and fiddled with the paper straw in her drink. “And that person is me?” She looked at him from under her lashes, almost flirty.
“I hope so.”
Cooper thumped his tail under the table as if he understood the subtext of their conversation.
Jane took a sip of the drink. “Okay, I’ll help you out.”
“Great.”
Their eyes met, and Mike’s heart did a little flip at the promise in her gaze.
His phone dinged, breaking the moment. He looked down. Darn, it was Tiffany! With everything going on, he’d forgotten to block her.
Let’s get together when you get back to Seattle.
Mike sighed. She simply was not getting the message that their relationship was over. Yet another reason to stay in Lobster Bay. He’d have to call her and explain things clearly. He didn’t want her to linger on thinking they were still an item.
“Something important?” Jane asked.
Mike turned his phone off then looked back up at Jane, giving her his full attention. “Important? Nope. Not important at all. Now, what was it that we were talking about?”
*******************
Life continues in Lobster Bay in Book 3 - Making Waves.
Will Tiffany mess things up for Mike and Jane? Will Andie stay in Lobster Bay? Maxie is in for a big surprise:
Making Waves (book 3)
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