Chapter Nineteen
Mae
“I’ve always been jealous of people who could grow lavender,” I said, twisting my fingers with his.
“Really? You’re not into big mansions or designer clothes? Just someone who can grow a good crop of lavender.” His smile deepened, and I noticed a few lines leading away from his eyes. He was handsome and nearly twenty years older than when he’d said goodbye so long ago. Yet, it felt like yesterday.
But I knew to only take things a day at a time. It was great that he extended his stay for another week, but I knew I couldn’t count on anything beyond that.
What I had planned, however, ought to make his time here pleasant. I’d recruited my siblings to take his dad to his appointments this week. It wasn’t a selfless move. My hope was to get Tyler to enjoy the island and forget about his parents, show him that he can build a life here without feeling like he was tied to them.
And maybe he’d extend his stay a little longer.
I nodded. “I can grow anything. Anything. But not lavender. The stuff croaks on me. Within weeks, it always dies. First, it wilts, then turns crunchy. I love the stuff, too. I have all these fancy notions of picking the herb and making soaps, baking with it, or whatever.”
“I learn something new about you every day.”
“What can I say? I’m like an onion without being stinky.”
I unlinked my fingers from him as we wandered along a pathway leading to the small farm store.
“I’m amazed at all the changes over the years,” he said, glancing at me. “Marigold Island is really special.”
I nodded in agreement. “Twenty years ago, the little island wouldn’t have been able to support my coffee shop. Now? Cafés, shops, and pubs flourish. Tiny farms pop up with festivals. It’s awesome. Hey, did I tell you that Amelia is with James Edwards now?”
“You mean the rich family that owned the orchard? Didn’t she throw something at that kid that made him cry?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I don’t remember him crying, but something like that.”
“I don’t believe it. They were all so… reclusive. Sure, the grandparents opened up their orchards for community festivals now and again, but I never even really ran into the kid.” His gaze caught mine. “Is he nice?”
I nodded. “Amelia is so in love with him, and he has a little boy.”
Tyler smiled. “Wow. That’s really great. How’d they meet?”
“Oh, just the usual Evans thing.”
“What’s that? A dating app?”
I chuckled. “No. You know how Amelia always thought objects spoke to her?”
“Uh. I thought that was just a thing from when she was a kid.”
I shook my head and grinned. “Oh, no. It’s carried forward. Anyway, she found a vase in a big shipment we’d bought, and there were letters inside. She tracked down the owner, and it was James.”
“Really? That simple?”
I snickered. “No. Nothing is ever that simple when it comes to Amelia. There were some ups and downs, but it all worked out. Anyway, I don’t even remember where I was going with that.”
He laughed and looked across the lavender field.
“Oh, right. It’s awesome because now the Edwards have opened up the orchards again, so there really is a ton to do around Marigold. It’s unfortunate that your parents don’t enjoy getting out a little bit.”
I wanted to kick myself. Why would I bring them up when I was trying to show James he could enjoy the island without them?
Tyler nodded and slowed, taking in the beauty surrounding us. “It is a shame, and I wish I knew why.” He shrugged. “Unless my dad can go to the horse track, he has no interest in leaving.”
“Has it always been that way?”
“Pretty much. I vaguely remember our parents doing stuff with us when we were small, like going to the beach and collecting beach wood.”
“Which is a no-no now.” I chuckled.
He grinned. “But I almost wonder if I imagined those times.”
I clutched his hand in mine and squeezed it. My childhood was full of happy memories of my parents taking us to the parks, the beaches, and festivals in Seattle. Or when my dad helped build the treehouse or took us girls shopping to find the perfect holiday dresses. I just couldn’t imagine not having that stability.
The faint sound of sirens in the distance broke the quietness as we walked up to the small farm store the size of a large shed painted a vivid red. Small potted lavender plants to purchase lined the walkway. The fragrance of lavender drifted through the air as we walked inside, and I promised myself to quit bringing up his parents. The entire point of this week was to let Tyler see another side of the island.
Tomorrow, Brad had promised to take his dad to the appointment, and I wanted to make this Sunday as relaxing for him as possible.
Tyler reached for a book and held it up. “What about this?”
I squinted to see the title and laughed.
“Growing Lavender for Dummies. Nice.” I chuckled, taking it away from him. “I just might get that.”
I watched him carefully as we wandered through the store, wishing for something more, some magical revelation that would make him stay.
I’d always been practical and resourceful, often rolling my eyes at all the mysteries and unknowns the rest of my family loved to embrace. I wouldn’t call them mystics, but some days it felt that way.
My personality had always been grounded in reality and aiming for the goals I set for myself.
Except when it came to Tyler.
That was when I let myself get lost in romantic notions that would never come to fruition.
Yet as he roamed the small aisle in front of me, sniffing sachets and soaps, I wondered if maybe all my hoping and wishing had brought him here.
I hid a chuckle. My mom would be thrilled if a thought like that popped into my head. She always wanted me to embrace what fate had in store for me, but how could fate know what I needed if I didn’t at least plan for it?
It’s not like fate built my coffee shop for me. I had to set a goal and get things rolling.
“Beautiful.” Tyler’s deep voice shook me from my thoughts. He held a soap wrapped in gold foil. “It smells really nice too.”
I smiled as his eyes caught mine, and I felt like maybe he was imagining things differently, too.
I’d never been one to believe in love at first sight. Sure. I fell head over heels for him when I was a teenager because he was so hot, and my hormones chugged through my veins, hoping to dictate the rest of my life.
After he left and I started talking to other boys, I realized how special Tyler was. He’d always made time for me, even when Brad tried to take him away. He listened. He made me feel good.
So, I didn’t necessarily believe in love at first sight, but I understood attraction at first sight, and the attraction never left.
My heart fluttered as he swept a kiss along my cheek. “This is fun, Mayflower, and I’m not usually into shopping.”
“I’m not either,” I confessed. “But this is fun.”
“My purchases tend to show up on my doorstep.” He laughed.
“I get it.” I nodded, glancing at my phone. “Dottie’s going to need a potty break soon.”
“Duty calls,” Tyler said, grinning. He took the book from my hand and walked up to the register, paying for the gardening book and the soap before turning around and handing me the bag.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
He rolled his eyes. “Please. It’s the least I could do.”
I held the bag as his fingers touched the base of my spine, sending a spark through me. Merely being touched by this man sent the chemicals rushing through me. It made no logical sense, but it was all very tempting.
The warm breeze from the afternoon sun swept along us as we stepped outside. His dark hair was tousled from the wind, and I chuckled.
“Don’t you ever look bad?”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
My brows arched as we walked to his truck. “Everywhere?”
A low chuckle from Tyler vibrated every cell in my body as his blue eyes settled on me. “Everywhere.”
“Interesting.” I climbed into the truck at the same time he did.
“Where exactly did you want to go?” He eyed me, and I felt my cheeks warm from the attention.
After yesterday’s kiss, I wanted to go straight to bed with him, but I knew better. I couldn’t trust myself yet. I’d probably fall for him even harder and break my heart when he left.
Just like everyone predicted now, so I certainly wasn’t going to prove everyone right. I wasn’t fond of doing that.
“I’ve got some ideas,” I teased as I slid my hand over his thigh and chuckled. “Hopefully, your having to stay a little longer isn’t so bad.”
Tyler smiled and nodded, looking at me. “Not bad at all now. Thank you, Mae.”
My heart fluttered for no reason other than seeing how he looked at me. It was as if he were analyzing some treasure, but I was just me.
“I have some stew in the crockpot for lunch at the house if you want to stay.”
“Turn down more delicious cooking from Mae? No way. Count me in.” He slowly pulled out of the parking lot as his phone buzzed.
“Want to pull over and answer?”
He grinned. “Not particularly. Anything can wait until we get to your house.”
I laughed. “Well, it does seem that no matter which direction you go on Marigold, we’re only ten minutes away.”
“It must be nice,” he said softly, glancing at me as we turned onto the road leading to my house. “I took it for granted when I was a kid.”
I smiled and looked outside at the gorgeous view. The Douglas firs and pine trees traded out for fields and views of the water in the distance.
“I think that’s our job when we’re young. Only when we’re older do we realize what truly makes things unique.” I shrugged. “Except for Emily and Amelia. They were wise beyond their years.”
“Oh, yeah?” His phone buzzed again as he turned into my driveway. “You think they’re the wise ones?”
“I know it.”
“Funny. I always thought it was you.”
I chuckled. “Well, it’s certainly not Brad.”
Tyler grinned. “He’s just being a good brother.”
“I know.” I climbed out of the truck with my bag. “But it’s still annoying.”
Although, I couldn’t be too mad at him since he”d agreed to drive Tyler’s dad to his therapy appointment tomorrow. I just wish it were a different kind of therapy.
Tyler shut the truck door and slid his phone out of his front pocket. “Oh, no.”
My eyes darted to Tyler’s. “What?”
“My dad. He’s headed to the hospital in Seattle. He fell over a pile of papers, and my mom couldn’t get him up.”
My heart hammered in my chest as I touched Tyler’s arm. He looked at me with defeat in his eyes and shook his head.
“I need to go, Mae. I’ll take a rain check on the stew. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely. Did you want me to come? I’d be more than happy to—”
“No. It might be a long day and night ahead.” He glanced at my little house. “Get some rest, and enjoy your lunch with Dottie.”
Seeing the emotion running through Tyler’s gaze nearly crippled me.
I nodded and quickly hugged him as he climbed back into the truck and pulled out of my drive, leaving me to wonder if I’d actually see him again.