Chapter Ten
Operation Small Town, Day 17
“Anne, you have to calm down. You know I can’t understand you when your Brooklyn comes out,” I say in a quiet, hurried voice. I adjust my phone in my sweaty palm, and simultaneously feel a droplet of sweat roll down my back. Maybe today should have been a lounging on the deck day rather than a walking through town day. Too late for that, I think, looking up at the sun blaring down on me.
“Ruby is restless. I’ve told her that she’s our top priority, and that we’re working around the clock on her outline, but that woman is impossible to please,” Anne rants. I can hear her running out of breath on the other end of the phone.
Maybe Ruby leaving Heartwarming wouldn’t be the worst thing. It would certainly be good for Anne’s blood pressure.
“Anne—” I start, but she quickly interrupts me.
“Lucy, I’m putting all my faith in you with this project. If we can’t get Ruby back on board, well—” Anne’s voice drifts off, and I realize she’s waiting on me to reassure her.
Which is what I’m great at.
“Anne, you don’t have anything to worry about. I know how important this is,” I say, stopping in my tracks and leaning against the window casing outside of Lucia’s. I take a deep breath. I look around, making sure no one can overhear my conversation.
“This place is chock-full of inspiration.” My stomach turns as the words come out. “I have pages of notes already, and several key scenes sketched out. It’s all going according to plan,” I say, hoping that my tone sounds more reassuring than it does guilty—which is how I feel right now. About Liam, about being here under false pretenses, about all of it.
Anne lets out an exaggerated sigh. “Thanks, Lucy, I know you’re doing great work. Oh, gotta run!” She hangs up abruptly.
No pressure .
“Lucy!” I start at the sound of my name. I turn and find a woman I’ve never met waving in my direction.
She’s on the older side, with gray hair cropped just above her ears. But age doesn’t seem to be stopping her from power-walking toward me. Why do I have the feeling I’m about to be confronted by the Taylor Doose of this town?
“Hello,” I say when she finally reaches me. “Apologies, have we met?”
“Ha!” She laughs with a big exhale, trying to catch her breath from her spurt of exertion. “I heard there was a new face in town, and when I saw you standing there, I took a chance.”
I raise my eyebrows. “Oh, well, I must stick out like a sore thumb then.”
Yep, definitely Taylor Doose.
“You do, but only because I know everyone in Hudson Hollow!” She smiles. “Anywho, I wanted to introduce myself. I’m May Lucia.” We shake hands. “I’m one of the founding members of the town council, so it’s my business to know everyone else’s business in town, if you know what I mean,” she explains with a wink. I can feel my eyes bugging out a little bit, but I try my best to control my face.
“Well, at least you’re honest about it.” I chuckle. “Lucia as in Lucia’s?” I ask, gesturing to the store behind me.
“Indeed, it’s my husband’s place,” she says proudly. She gestures inside the window, where Max is talking to a person at the register. His warm, soothing laugh echoes out onto the sidewalk. I think I’m developing a soft spot for Max.
“You busy on Saturday? The council is hosting a little soirée and you really must come! It’s our annual charity softball game. We’re raising funds for a new playground over at the elementary school.”
“Oh, that sounds great,” I say. My mind flashes back to almost every small-town romance I’ve read, and I have to keep myself from smiling. Every single one includes some sort of community event or function. This place is uncanny.
“Fab! I’ll see you there?” she asks eagerly.
“Well, I’m not much of a softball player, if I’m honest,” I say, thinking back to the time Elle forced me to play in Heartwarming’s summer league. The memory makes me shudder.
“You don’t have to play. We can use some fans! Just as long as you’re cheering for my team, that is,” she says, and I can’t tell if she’s teasing me or not.
I laugh. “You got it. I’ll be there.” This is exactly what I need right now. Anne will eat this up. A town picnic? All the locals coming out together? It’s the perfect opportunity to meet some more kooky characters—the one thing I’m really missing.
*
I follow the instructions May provided down to a sandy beach along the lake shore, where a small cabin and a patch of grass has been set up as a makeshift softball field. I spot Liam almost immediately, he’s setup on the other side of the grass beneath a tent and a steaming grill. He’s talking to Brett, who is dressed in a matching green T-shirt.
I make my way over and they both smile when they see me.
“Hey, new girl, you look nice,” Brett says, his tone jovial. “Doesn’t she look nice, Liam?” Brett nudges him and Liam’s eyes meet mine. I quickly look down at the denim sundress and sandals Elle helped me pick out over FaceTime.
“She does, er, you do, Lucy,” he says softly.
“Thank you.” I feel heat flood my cheeks as I divert my gaze. I scan the nearby crowd and notice there are two distinct groups of people, some in green and others in red. May is among them, talking to a man who appears to be setting up a portable DJ booth.
“Is that a DJ?” I ask dubiously.
“Yup. The only one within thirty miles, I think,” Liam chuckles.
“A DJ during a softball game, that’s a new one,” I muse. Liam smiles sheepishly.
“We only play a few innings. The main attraction is the buffet and the dancing,” Brett explains.
“Dancing? Boy, this really is some small-town stuff,” I say, unable to help myself.
“Is that bad?” Liam looks up from the grill.
“No, it’s just kind of crazy the whole town shuts down for this.”
“What? You don’t have softball games in the city? Or do people not talk to each other enough to organize something like this?” Brett teases. He crosses his incredibly huge arms.
“We definitely don’t have events quite like this,” I say with an uneasy laugh. Liam shakes his head, the same look of disbelief on his face that I’m sure is on mine.
“Well, Lucy, prepare yourself for some serious action,” Brett says, and he exchanges a look with Liam. “Wish me luck!”
“Good luck,” I say, waving him off as he jogs toward the other players.
I jump when I hear the shrill sound of a whistle. May stands at the center of the diamond holding a megaphone. She clearly takes her council job very seriously.
“Five minutes!” she drills. Almost everyone in the crowd covers their ears, including me.
“Jill and the twins are here, over by the picnic tables,” Liam says, pointing to a handful of tables. “You should join them.” He smiles.
“Okay, okay, I’ll leave you to work your magic,” I throw my hands up in mock surrender. He rolls his eyes at me, smirking.
I edge around the field and the players warming up. There are several other families picnicking nearby, they offer kind smiles as I pass by. Just as I hoped, a cast of characters to populate Ruby’s town with.
“Lucy!” The twins squeal in perfect unison. They leap off the bench to greet me, Mia wraps her arms around one of my legs.
“Ah, Lucy,” Jill turns and beams up at me. “This one hasn’t stopped talking about you,” she says, making room for me on the bench beside her.
“All good things I hope.” I ruffle Mia’s head affectionately.
“Lucy, this is my friend Nora. Nora this is Lucy,” Jill says, gesturing to the woman sat across from her. Nora looks to be about thirty. She has curly, dirty blonde hair and is rocking a stroller back and forth with one hand.
“Hi there,” I say, putting on my best “meeting new people” smile.
“Hi, Lucy,” she gives Jill a knowing look. “It’s lovely to finally meet you, I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Word travels fast around here, eh?” I laugh, and Nora laughs as well, shrugging. “It’s nice to meet you, too. And who is this?” I ask, gesturing to the stroller. I can just make out the small, milky face of a sleeping baby.
“This is Cammy. I’m afraid she’s finding the picnic a bit dull,” Nora jokes.
“Ah, in that case I hope May and her megaphone don’t wake her up,” I reply.
“You’re telling me,” she grumbles sarcastically. “So, what’s it like being Liam’s neighbor?” She flashes Jill a look.
“It’s good,” I say, clearing my throat. “But I’m really just using him for his boat. Don’t tell anyone.” Jill and Nora giggle. The twins settle on the grass behind us, and Robbie reaches out to hold onto my leg. Really, kid, boundaries.
“He looks the happiest I’ve seen him in a while,” Nora says, laying her head on her hand. “Don’t you think, Jill?” I’m not sure if I’m meant to be catching on to their silent conversation, but the tone in Nora’s voice is obvious.
“Oh no, Liam and I are just friends,” I start. “I’m only here for a few weeks.”
Nora waves her hand dismissively. “Oh, sure. You do you, girl.” Jill gives Nora a stern look. “It’s just that,” she continues, “I don’t know if you know Liam and Jill’s mother passed last year—”
I nod. “Yes, he told me, I was very sorry to hear that,” I say, directing my eyes at Jill.
“Seeing his face the other day, you know, when I came to pick up the twins,” Jill interrupts, swallowing before she continues. “I haven’t seen him like that in a while.”
“I’m glad,” I say, hoping that this will put the conversation to bed. “But really, just friends. Besides, Liam and I are very different,” I add, because really, what else can I say?
“Being different is often a good thing,” Nora intones. “Although, do you remember what he was like with Molly?” Nora tips her head to the side, a grin spreading across her face.
“Ugh, Molly was the worst ,” Jill groans.
I can’t help but laugh. They speak so bluntly about Liam’s life—as if he isn’t standing twenty feet away.
“Molly was Liam’s last girlfriend.” Nora leans toward me like she is telling me a secret. “She lived in a neighboring town but was never really happy here. Had bigger dreams and all that.”
“Oh,” is all I can manage. I feel my pulse quicken and I’m not sure if it’s because we’re talking so candidly about Liam’s dating history, or the insinuation that there is something happening between us. And then there’s the guilt, the knowing that I’m only here temporarily, and that despite anything else that might happen, I haven’t been entirely honest with him, or with anyone else. Even so, this is exactly the kind of gossip I’ve been dying to hear about.
“Why did they break up?” I ask, unable to downplay my curiosity.
“She couldn’t cope with my mom’s illness,” Jill says quietly.
“Or she couldn’t deal with not being Liam’s first priority,” Nora adds, shaking her head.
“Hmm,” Jill muses. “When our mom got sick, Liam was overwhelmed. My dad did what he could, but I think the shock of it all really took a toll on him. It still does.” She pauses and looks over toward Liam, her brow creasing subtly. “I was a single mom with two toddlers, I could only give so much, you know?” She sighs. “Liam took on a lot of the responsibility, too much if I’m honest, but when my brother makes a commitment, there’s nothing he won’t do.”
“I’m so sorry,” I say. “It sounds like Molly wasn’t a very kind person.” Although I don’t know her, I’m sure she had her reasons for breaking it off with Liam, or why she didn’t want to be supportive of his family’s struggles. But as I watch Liam laugh with one of the locals, I can’t help but feel like any girl would be a fool to let him go.
“Anyway, it’s in the past now,” Jill gives me a knowing smile before she pivots in her seat. I follow her gaze. May stands in the center of the field waving her arms. She lifts the megaphone to her lips and wails “ PLAY BALL !”
Jill whoops and claps her hands, encouraging the twins to root for Liam. It’s perfectly charming, and I can’t help but smile. I turn back to Nora, who watches on bemused. She raises her eyebrows at me conspiratorially.
“Which one is yours, then?” I ask Nora.
“That one,” she points, “with the dad bod.” I follow her finger to a man in the outfield. He’s on May’s team and looks extremely bored. His hair is gelled to one side of his head and he stands with his hands on either side of his hips.
“He looks thrilled to be here,” I muse.
“Ah yes, he’s missing the golf tournament on T.V. today. And then there’s the matter of sleep, or the lack thereof.” She nods toward Cammy. “I think he would much rather be snoozing on the sofa, but since he’s a half decent player, May forces him to join.”
“She would probably deport him from town if he tried to skip out on this,” Jill adds in agreement.
“It’s true. She has that much power,” Nora adds, widening her eyes. We all laugh at her serious tone.
“Have you always lived in Hudson Hollow?” I ask her.
“I have, yes,” she says.
“And your husband as well?”
“No, actually,” she pauses to rub Cammy’s tummy, “he’s from downstate, a town called Croton-on-Hudson. We met in college.”
“How did you get him to move here?”
“That was easy. I was here,” she smirks. I chuckle at her cockiness.
“So, I guess you’ve never wanted to live anywhere else, then?” I ask, wondering if my questions sound too reporter-like. I want to get to know what makes people love Hudson Hollow. I think the heroine in Ruby’s book will be a true city girl, like me, so I want her to fall in love with the town and not just the hero. I’m finding that a little difficult when the closest Target is thirty minutes away.
“This is home,” Nora says with a shrug. “My family’s here and my parents are getting to that age where they don’t want to be anywhere but their own house,” she adds. “Plus, I’ve never been a city person, which I’m sure is hard for you to imagine. I’ve always found it a bit overwhelming. There are so many people on that island, it’s going to sink one day.”
“I’ve actually had that thought myself. But it’s become my comfort zone now,” I explain. I can imagine how jarring Manhattan would be to someone who is used to single-lane roads with two cars on them at any given time. I was shocked when I came to Hudson Hollow, so it must work the same in reverse.
“So, you see what I mean? This town is all I’ve ever known. I liked growing up here, and I want that for my kids too.” She bends down and places a kiss on Cammy’s forehead.
When the game is over, everyone huddles around the snack bar, where Liam is overwhelmed trying to get to everyone. Brett rescues him by joining him behind the grill. He ties a bandana around his head like The Karate Kid and claps his hands when people approach him. It’s quite entertaining.
Jill takes the twins for some food while I hang back with Nora. Her husband joins us, delivering a plate of food, and I’m suddenly jealous that I don’t have someone who does that for me. I need a man to deliver food without me asking. The closest thing I’ve ever had to that is the DoorDash delivery guy.
Once the line dies down, I mosey over to the food table and get a good glimpse of Liam flipping meat—a surprisingly sexy act.
Stop it, Bowen.
“Hey,” he says when he catches me ogling. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Yeah, although I heard the chef at this place is just okay.” I bite my lip. He lets out a quiet laugh.
“Chicken, ribs, or pork sandwich?”
“Hm, not sure, I was expecting the regular burger or hot dog question.”
“And which of those would you prefer?”
“A burger. Why? Is that an option?”
“No. I just like knowing things about you,” he replies quickly. He doesn’t hide his flirty smile. He dips his head and leans over the bar with his arms stretched out. I’m beginning to think that’s his signature position. When I don’t answer right away, he moves on. “I was going for a southern barbeque theme. Everything has been smoked for about fifteen hours with a dry rub and then I top it off with my special sauce.”
“My experience binge-watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives should really be paying off right now,” I joke and Liam laughs. “You don’t do anything the easy way, do you?”
“Not when it comes to food,” he says bluntly. “So, what will it be?”
“Pork, I think.”
“Good choice. Do you want mac and cheese or greens on the side?”
“Mac and cheese, of course. I don’t even know what kind of question that was.”
“My kind of girl,” Liam beams, dolloping a scoop of mac and cheese on my plate. “Enjoy,” he says, handing it to me.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, grabbing a soda from the cooler.
“Miss Lucy!” I hear a deep voice bellow. I turn to find a very sweaty Max heading my way. I smile and wave, waiting for him to fall in step beside me. “How are you enjoying your time at our lovely lake?” he asks, patting me on the back.
“I love it. It’s beautiful here,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at the distant sunset.
“Look at this little one!” he says, moving his attention to Cammy. The baby is sitting on Nora’s lap, eating small pieces of chicken off her plate. She smiles and mumbles gibberish to him. “She’s getting so big, Nora.”
“You’re telling me. She’s a giant,” Nora says, rubbing the baby’s head.
“That’s good. Maybe she’ll grow up to be a star ballplayer and finally put my wife out of business,” he mumbles and we all chuckle.
“What about your wife?” May calls, walking over in three big strides from the next table over. She stands next to Max with her hands on her hips and eyes him accusingly.
“Only good things,” Nora says in a placating voice.
May continues to eye Max. “Likely story,” she says, pursing her lips. When she’s finished her stare-off with Max, she moves her attention to Cammy, taking her off her mother’s lap without even asking—a trait I’m learning is essential to the May character.
“Hey Lucy,” Nora says, nudging my arm to get my attention. “Why don’t you come to Cammy’s party next week?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose,” I say, covering my mouth as I finish chewing. I know I’m supposed to be learning all I can about the people in this town, but attending a party at someone’s house I met an hour ago seems like a stretch.
“Oh please, you don’t really have a choice in this town. We impose ourselves on you,” Jill answers from across the table.
“It’s in my yard, super casual,” Nora adds.
“Oh, then sure, I guess so. That sounds great,” I say, feigning excitement. I never understood the point of birthday parties for babies. They don’t know what is going on. Seems like a waste of money to me. But if it is a birthday party, there is sure to be cake. I like cake.
“Great. I’ll text you my address,” she says, pulling out her phone.
After we exchange numbers, Nora turns her attention back to the baby, and I observe the conversation among the group. I watch them swoon over Cammy, joking with each other, as if they are one family, rather than two separate ones. I’m realizing that this town is like one big family, with roots that stretch for generations, like the ones I’m looking at right now. It’s no wonder Nora would want to raise her family here. In Hudson Hollow, you get several families for the price of one.
After I eat, I wander onto the beach and kick my boots off. I try to remember the last time I felt sand between my toes. Elle and I took a trip to Long Beach Island last year at this time, but I never made it back to the beach again that summer. That’s the thing about publishing, everyone takes the summer off, except the assistants.
I sit down on the sand and prop my arms behind me. The sun has dipped below the mountains and the sky is hazy with tones of purple and pink. I love summer skies like this. You don’t get to appreciate them too much in the city—the tall buildings get in the way.
My solace is interrupted by the DJ starting his set, kicking off with some heavy dance beats. I hear the protests of people being dragged onto the dance floor by May, who is clapping her hands and singing along to the music. Brett and his bandana are among the small crowd, his arms flailing behind him as he pushes his chest out. He might just give me a run for my money for worst dancer. I stifle a laugh. When I said I wanted to become one with the locals, I didn't actually expect to be sitting around the campfire, singing kumbaya or anything.
Well, there is definitely some kumbaya shit happening here.
Nora and Jill join the group, and soon almost everyone is on their feet. I think back to the last family wedding I went to when barely anyone left the tables. Soon, the song transitions to line-dancing country, and I immediately recognize the introductory notes of “Cupid Shuffle.”
“Lucy!” Oh, no. I’ve been spotted. The twins come barreling toward me, their breathing ragged from jumping around with the other kids.
“Come dance!” Mia whines, grabbing my hands with both of hers. I let them drag me to the dance floor, where I see May doing the same to Liam.
I fall in line with the twins, Nora and Jill are behind me, and Max and May in front. My back bumps into the person next to me. I turn around and am chest to chest with Liam. I wait a moment, taking the time to appreciate how marvelous he looks. He smiles my favorite crooked smile. We’re so close that I can’t help but breathe him in. I let the scent of smoke and aftershave fill my lungs and feel the tingles that his touch against my arms send throughout my body.
The moment doesn’t last more than a few seconds before we both step back and gain our composure. I give Liam a tight-lipped smile and he opens his mouth to say something, but we are both almost thrown over by the line of people shuffling from right to left. Liam laughs and makes a motion that says, “Shall we?” And we do.
“To the right, to the right, to the right, to the right…
To the left, to the left, to the left, to the left…
Now kick, now kick, now kick, now kick…
Now walk it by yourself.”
We move in sync to the lyrics, except when it comes to “moving it by yourself” which Liam interprets as subtly swaying side to side, shaking his hips like he is doing a hula-hoop—the twins laugh so loud they practically shriek. I shake my hips in a circle when we change direction, a smile never leaving my face the entire time. Jill stares at her brother in disbelief, and I have to assume he’s not usually this animated on the dance floor. Our eyes meet and she smiles.
I hold Mia’s hands as we shuffle back and forth. I show her how to kick her legs in rhythm to the music. Liam lifts Robbie over his head and does the dance with the kid dangling over his shoulder. In the movie version of this small-town adventure, this moment would take place in slow motion—the light from sparklers glowing in the distance, the bodies and faces around us blurred except for the main characters, my hair bouncing as I shake my body, and the light in my eyes matching the warmth I feel from the people around me.
I don’t remember the last time I danced. Maybe sometime last summer when Elle dragged me to a club? It wasn’t as fun as this. I remember wanting to leave and get as far away from the crowd of people as possible. But here, this moment, with these people…
I never want it to end.
When my head hits the pillow that night, I start to fall asleep but my eyes quickly fly back open. I’m in too deep. The shallow feeling in my stomach tells me that. Because if I was impartial, if I was just in this for a job, I wouldn’t feel a smile spreading across my face when I think about the moment Liam reached for my hand as we danced.