Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CADEN
I spend the next few hours in a tornado of unrest.
Goddamn Luke and his silver tongue. What if Isla believes him? Maybe I should have called Al back from the city to back me up. Though Isla might not be inclined to believe any Evertons at the moment.
I swim some laps to try and work out this frustration. I’m itching to go find Isla and explain everything again. I wasn’t prepared for her to show up like that. I hadn’t worked out what to say—the best way to phrase things, how to combat Luke’s claims. That fucker really knows how to lie. There was just enough truth in the mix.
As I get out of the pool, I see Daisy hurrying down the steps of the terrace.
“I just got off the phone with Isla Davenport,” she says in a rush. “She’s called off the wedding.”
I feel a split second of shock before there’s an eruption of relief in my chest.
“Oh thank god,” I say.
“Caden,” Daisy snaps. “That’s not nice.”
Right. Daisy doesn’t know the whole story. I quickly explain what happened at the Minton Club. Daisy’s eyes go wide.
“What a jerk!” she cries.
“Yup.”
“Well. Good for Isla for ending things.”
I agree. But calling it off means she knows Luke cheated on her which means she’s hurting right now. Fuck. I never wanted her to hurt again. I wonder what made her believe me. Maybe Luke isn’t as good a liar as he thinks. Isla’s sharp.
“I need to talk to Lucille Richards,” Daisy says, looking put out. “Ugh, she’s going to be so difficult, I just know it. I bet she demands a full refund.”
“Let her have it,” I say. “Fuck ‘em.” I jut my chin out proudly. “We’re Evertons. We’ll be fine.”
Daisy crooks an eyebrow at me. “Oh, we will?”
I throw a wet arm around her shoulder and she shrieks. “Yes, we will,” I declare.
“Ew, you’re all wet!”
I’m giddy. Isla may still never want to see me again, but at least she’s not tying herself to a cheating asshole for the rest of her life. In one big swoop, I pick up Daisy and toss her over my shoulder in a fireman’s lift. “Remember those pool parties we had when we were kids?”
Daisy gasps. “Caden, don’t you dare.”
I stride toward the pool and she shrieks with laughter, pounding me on the back.
“Caden Frances Everton, if you throw me in this?—”
The rest of her words are drowned out by a huge splash as I dump my baby sister into the pool. She emerges still laughing.
“You are such a jerk!” she says.
“It’s my duty as a big brother,” I say. I’m feeling lighter than air, a huge bubble filling me up and threatening to pop. I shoot Daisy an evil grin then take a running leap and cannonball into the pool myself.
When I break through the surface of the water, I feel renewed. Daisy treads water beside me and we float around in the pool for a while, talking through the logistics of the cancellation, what will need to be done with all the deliveries, how to go about setting up the refunds, whether anything can be salvaged.
For the first time since I’ve come back to Magnolia Bay, I really feel like I’m home.
And I don’t want to leave.
Over the following days, I throw myself into working on Isla’s booth.
It’s the only way I can support her.
Word of the broken engagement has spread through Magnolia Bay like wildfire. It seems everyone has an opinion about it and the Magnolia Grapevine is in full swing. Rumors of Luke’s cheating abound, as to be expected, though I also overheard Linda May telling Jake that she had it on good authority that Luke was part of a drug ring and Mike Cochran was insisting, after one too many beers, that Isla was the one doing the cheating. Noah threatened to arrest him if he ever said anything like that again. Mrs. Greerson is telling anyone who will listen that she never liked Luke, that she suspected he was a liar, and that she always thought Isla was too good for him.
Good old Martha Greerson, sticking up for Isla. I sent her a bottle of champagne and a home visit from an optometrist for that—anonymously, of course, so she couldn’t argue with me about it. Now Reggie can stop messing with her car and the streets of Magnolia Bay will be that much safer.
Isla hasn’t been seen in town at all in the week since the day of her broken engagement—and I know because I’ve looked. I keep hoping I’ll bump into her, just to see how she’s doing. I hate to think that she’s hurting.
But how much worse would it have been if she’d found out after they were married?
I want to text her. But what would I say? Sorry your fiancé turned out to be a cheating piece of crap. I’ve been fostering a masochistic hope that maybe she would reach out to me, but so far nothing. So, I’m left with my paints and my tools and a whole lot of motivation.
Magnolia Day is this weekend. Preparations are in full swing. Reggie and I got Dev’s booth set up on the green yesterday and Cody and I will take Eric’s booth over there later today. The streets are adorned with flags and streamers, every shop decked out for the festivities. The town is filling up with even more people as tourists come for event. I bet the Thorn is at capacity.
I want to make the booth perfect for Isla. It needs to stand out, to draw a crowd, to really wow. I’ve done extra detailing on the exterior and hand cut all the shingles myself. Mrs. Greerson even offered up some antiques that she’s letting me use: a turn-of-the-century walnut inlaid cabinet and marble top brass lamp, along with some old shawls that I can drape in what I hope will be an artistic fashion over some of the other furniture. Isla wants this to look like an eccentric aunt’s house and that’s the vibe she’s going to get.
The garage is quiet for a Wednesday afternoon. I’m putting an extra coat of varnish on the rocking chair when I hear the faint sound of footsteps. I look up and all the blood rushes to my head, making me dizzy. Isla stands there nervously. Her hair is in a braid that falls over her shoulder and her face looks paler than usual.
She clears her throat. “Hi,” she says.
“Hi.” My pulse pounds in my temples, making the dizziness worse.
“Hi Isla,” Cody pipes up, looking back and forth between us.
“Cody, can you give us a minute?” I ask.
Cody’s eyebrows shoot up like two excited caterpillars. “Sure, sure. Let me see if Reggie needs me in the office.”
He leaves and for a moment, there’s nothing but the faint crackle of classical music coming in through the old radio.
“How are you doing?” I ask at last.
She cracks a half smile. “I’ve been better.” She scratches her ear. “At least I’m not engaged to a cheating jerk anymore.”
“Silver lining,” I add in a pathetic attempt at humor.
“I’m glad you punched him.”
“Me too,” I admit. She grins at me, and I feel like a balloon is expanding in my chest, pushing against my ribs.
“Charlotte threatened to cut his balls off and feed them to him.”
“Charlotte is full of great ideas.”
Isla chuckles. She walks over and looks at the various pieces I’m working on then sighs. “I can’t do the booth anymore,” she says quietly.
“What?” I cry. “Isla, no—what are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry, I know you’ve done all this work?—”
I wave a hand. “Who cares about that, this is about you . You’ve got to do the booth. You’ve been working so hard!”
Tears glint in her eyes and something in me cracks to see her pain. “Caden, everyone is talking about me. I see the looks, I hear the whispers. Broken engagement, Luke’s affairs…I can’t really blame them. It’s some high-quality gossip. But the last thing I need is to feel like a pariah on Magnolia Day.”
“Fuck the gossip,” I say. “Who cares what people are saying? Besides, Mrs. Greerson is shouting to anyone and everyone how you were too good for Luke. We’re on your side, Isla. This town may love its gossip, but it loves its people more. Once they try your recipes, they’ll shut right up. This is your chance to knock everyone’s socks off. Change the narrative.”
She glances up at me. Her green eyes flicker with hope. “You really think that?”
“I really do.” I step toward her, her cinnamon scent filling my nose. “Forget about small town gossip. Forget about the engagement. What do you want, Isla?”
The hairs on my arms stand on end and a craving to touch her makes my palms itch.
“I want to have my own booth,” she says, determined.
“Yes,” I say, smiling at her.
Her mouth twitches. “I want to do more than the booth though.”
“Now we’re talking,” I say eagerly. “More like what?”
“More than just working at the Thorn,” she says.
“Yes!” I say punching the air. “Keep going…”
Isla’s face breaks into a full smile. “I want to open my own bakery. I want to sell my own recipes, have my own shop in town someday.”
I feel so full of pride it’s a wonder I don’t burst. “That’s what I’m talking about! And it’s all going to start on Magnolia Day.”
I see in her eyes just how badly she wants this. I wonder if she’s ever expressed this dream out loud before. It’s perfect—it’s exactly what she should be doing. Spreading her wings. Showing the world what she’s capable of.
Then her expression falls.
“But I’m so behind because of everything that’s happened,” she says. “I need to get supplies and do a ton of prep. Then there’s the actual baking and then decorating.”
I see the glint of a tear in her eye and realize how Luke has fucked over not only her future but he’s threatening this opportunity for her as well. Well, not on my watch. I don’t think Charlotte’s suggestions are brutal enough.
“I’ll help you,” I say. “With whatever you need. Noah too. And Daisy. And I know Charlotte and Grace will. You’re not in this alone. It’s time to show this town what you’re made of. It’s time for you to stand out. To shine in your own right.”
Isla gives a watery chuckle. “Why do you believe in me so much?”
“Because you deserve this,” I say. I take another step forward. We’re so close now. I can see every eyelash. I can see the flutter of her pulse beneath her jaw. “You deserve to be seen. To be celebrated.”
A tear spills over and tumbles down her cheek. I yearn to brush it away with my thumb. My gaze lingers on her lips and when our eyes meet, I feel a spark ignite between us. I can hear the pattern of her breath, quick, like mine. My heart is a magnet in my chest, reaching toward her with an inexorable pull.
There’s an impatient honk of a horn and the next moment, Mike Cochran pokes his head into the garage.
“Is Reggie around? Oh. Hi, Isla.”
Isla turns away and takes a step back.
“Hi Mike,” she says.
“Sorry about…uh, sorry things didn’t work out with?—”
“Reggie’s in the office,” I say tightly. Mike takes the hint and disappears but it’s too late. Isla is already walking toward the open doors to the garage. She pauses and turns back to me.
“Can Grace come by tomorrow?” she says. “She’s really loved learning from you this summer.”
“Of course,” I say. “She’s been a terrific helper. Smart as a whip. Smarter than me, that’s for sure.”
Isla looks pleased.
“She can help me get the booth set up. I should be finished with all the pieces today. Reggie is letting me use his truck so I can get everything out on the green.”
“Do you need my help?”
I shake my head. “What do you need help with?” I ask.
She grimaces. “Shopping.”
“Done. We’ll go to Milton’s after Grace helps me with the booth tomorrow. Then Daisy, Noah, and I will be at the Thorn on Friday whenever you want us. Everything is going to be ready by the time Saturday comes. I promise.”
Isla gives me a wan smile. “Thank you, Caden.”
I nod. “My pleasure.”
“Hey, I’ve been wanting to ask…any news about those letters you found?”
“No,” I say, trying not to let my frustration show. “It seems the crime lab moves at a glacial pace. Noah says it’s normal. Von has been up the sheriff’s ass about it. I feel like he’s going to take out a restraining order.”
“Will you let me know if you hear anything?”
“Of course,” I say, then add, “Partner,” in my best impression of a cowboy. Immediately I feel stupid but Isla smiles.
“See you tomorrow,” she says.
She leaves and I take out my phone and call Daisy.
“I was just about to call you,” she says.
“Really?”
“Dad’s on his way home. He asked if you were here.”
My phone buzzes at that moment with a text from my father.
Meet me at the house in five.
He must be taking the helicopter back.
“Okay,” I say to Daisy. “I’ll be there soon. But first, I need to ask you for a favor…”
I arrive at the mansion with my pulse racing.
If Dad wants to meet with me, it can only be about one thing—the board met to vote on my idea.
Sure enough, when I walk into his study, he’s got my proposal spread out in front of him. He leans back in his leather chair and peers at me over steepled fingers.
“Have a seat,” he says.
I take the chair on the other side of his desk.
“I met with the board this afternoon,” Dad says.
“I figured.”
One eyebrow quirks. “We have taken a vote on this proposal of yours.”
I wait. There’s no point in rushing him. But I feel a faint ringing in my ears. I glance out the window behind him, at the rows of vines stretching toward the lodge. I feel a sudden, overwhelming protectiveness over Everton Estate. A connection to it I thought had been broken.
I realize I really, really want the board to agree with me. Not just the board. My father. I’m right, I know I’m right, and I’m not ashamed of my ideas anymore.
“Listen, Dad,” I say, leaning forward. “Alistair said himself that it’s good policy and good publicity. I think?—”
“The board has agreed to your proposal,” Dad says, cutting me off. There’s a twitch at the corner of his mouth like he wants to smile. For a moment, I just stare at him, stunned.
“They did?” I say.
Dad nods. “On one condition.” He holds up a finger and my stomach sinks. There’s always a fucking catch with him. “You will stay on and oversee the transition. And you will take over the running of Everton Estate as we embark on this new direction.”
“Dad, I told you?—”
“I will allow you to run the estate however you think best. There will be no other conditions—no rules regarding your marital status, no constraints on what you may do with Everton.” He sighs and rubs his temple. “You were right, Caden.”
I give him another blank stare. “I’m sorry, you’re going to have to repeat that.”
“You were right, son,” he says. “I cannot run this winery myself forever. Change is the natural progression of life. I may as well accept it. Otherwise, I risk losing you again.”
Losing me again? I repeat his words back three times before they sink in. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard my dad sound like…a dad.
I slump back in my chair. “Who are you and what have you done with my father?”
At that, Dad does finally crack a smile. “I suppose this old dog has learned some new tricks.” Then his expression saddens. “It’s what your mother would have wanted,” he adds. “You, here. With your family. And she would have loved this idea.”
He gestures out at the papers in front of him.
“So.” He cocks his head. “Do you agree? Will you come back to Everton to oversee this new era for our company?”
I think about it. Leaving Catarina Azul. Moving back to Magnolia Bay. The things I would lose. But the things I would gain.
My family.
Noah.
The winery, run the way I’ve always dreamed. The town, with all its charm and quirks.
And Isla. She might not love me anymore, but at least this would give me a fighting chance. To make up for all the hurt I’ve caused her. To be her friend again.
“I accept,” I say.
I see a flash of relief in Dad’s eyes, then he stands and extends his hand. I stand and we shake. “I’m very pleased to hear it. I’ll have Roger bring over the contracts. Might I make one small suggestion?”
“Only one?” I say wryly.
“We will need a new winemaker. John isn’t up to this task. Any chance your Argentinian friend would be interested in a new job?”
My eyebrows shoot up my forehead. “You want to hire Sebastian?”
Dad shrugs. “You said he was the best.”
“He is,” I agree. Would he do it? That would be incredible. He could work wonders on the estate. My hands start to tingle. “I’ll call him now.”
Dad sits back down as I head to the door, eager to get Sebastian on the phone.
“It seems I must thank Isla Davenport for a second time,” Dad says quietly.
I whirl around. “What?”
When did he thank Isla the first time?
“Apprehending your mother’s murderer may be the reason you returned to Magnolia Bay,” Dad says, his gaze drifting out the window toward the lodge. “But Isla is the reason you stayed.” He turns back to me, his eyes liquid black. “Life is short, Caden. Don’t lose her again.”
“She doesn’t want me anymore, Dad,” I say.
My father raises an eyebrow. “Are you certain about that?”
My head is spinning but Dad merely shuffles the papers on his desk, back to work. I know a dismissal when I see one.
I stride to my room, determination setting in.
“I won’t,” I mutter. I won’t lose her again. I’ll figure something out. I can be patient. But first things first. I pick up my phone and dial Sebastian’s number.
“Caden,” his warm voice comes through on the other end.
“Hola, Seb.”
“I was wondering when I would hear from you again. How are things on the Long Island?”
I grin. “You know how you’ve always dreamed of giving Esme an American education?”
“Yes,” Sebastian says hesitantly.
“Well, I’ve got a little offer I’d like to discuss with you…”