Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
They were both out of bed earlier than usual the next morning, with Keaton getting his run in and Layne opting for yoga.
She mixed her tai chi training with both yoga and walking, preferring to add variety to her workout routine.
Today would be busy, with the furniture delivery coming from Corpus.
The truck would stop at the Bay Breeze first before heading to the new house.
Keaton had already left for the inn. His part of the renovation would wrap up today.
All that he had left to do was to hang the paintings she had found in the attic, and Sullivan had offered to help with that.
Layne liked Keaton’s friend, who was the architect of the new resort being built just off the coast of Driftwood Bay.
Sullivan was really smart and quite funny.
She was glad both he and Carson had formed a friendship with Keaton.
Layne didn’t know how long Sullivan would be in the Bay, though.
Her cell rang, and she saw it was Detective Robinson calling. She answered, a knot forming in her belly.
“Good morning, Detective. Any news?”
“I wish I had some, Layne,” he apologized. “But the case has gone nowhere.”
Robinson had kept them posted over the last several weeks.
He had interviewed her neighbors, but no one had seen Jeremy at her house—and no one had caught whoever vandalized her garage on video.
Jeremy had voluntarily sat for an interview with the police, but Robinson said he denied having anything to do with the graffiti.
He’d told the detective that he had been home that night, and his phone would prove it.
Of course, Jeremy could have simply left his cell at his new apartment while he defaced her property.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but it doesn’t surprise me. Wait. Something just occurred to me. I got an email from him right after the breakup. I was too raw and angry to open it.”
“See what it says,” Robinson encouraged. “You never know. It might be important.”
Layne changed to speakerphone and switched to her email, finding the folder she’d slid Jeremy’s message into. Opening it, she quickly read its contents.
Layne –
I’m sorry. That’s the biggest thing I can say. I took you for granted. You’re such a loving, giving person. I took a lot more than I ever gave back. For that, I’m ashamed. You’re smart. Creative. You work hard. I know you were just trying to do what was best for us as a couple.
I was an ignorant ass. I hope you’ll forgive me.
Love, Jeremy
“No. It’s not going to help,” she told Detective Robinson. “It’s an apology. The only reason he sent it was to test the waters and see if I would take him back.”
“I’m betting since you didn’t reply, it ticked him off.
He probably stewed over it, and that’s when he bought the spray paint and decided to teach you a lesson.
I’m sorry, Layne. I wish I could’ve done more for you, but I’m going to have to put the case aside.
I’ll revisit it occasionally, but it was always a long shot tying your ex to the vandalism. ”
“I completely understand. To be honest, I’m ready to move on. It’s in my past. The house sold. I’ve moved to Driftwood Bay permanently. I won’t ever see Jeremy again. Thanks for touching base with me and letting me know the case will go from active to inactive.”
“I wish you the best,” Robinson said.
“If you’re ever near Corpus, stop by the Bay Breeze Inn,” she said cheerfully. “I’ll even give you a discount on a room.”
“How’s the fishing?”
“Pretty spectacular. At least according to the people I know who do fish here. I’m more of a ride in the boat or water ski person. I love to eat fish. I just don’t have the patience to sit and catch them. Much less clean them.”
He laughed. “You sound like my wife. Who knows? Maybe we will come and stay at your inn.”
“I’ll text you the website. It’s been going through a makeover the last few weeks. Once I get the new pictures up, I’ll send it to you.”
They said their goodbyes, and though disappointed, Layne was glad she could close the door to that chapter of her life.
Leaving Dallas on a sour note, thanks to Jeremy, had colored her memories of her time in the city.
She needed to remember the good times. The friends she’d made.
The products she’d worked on. The professional reputation she’d built.
That should be her focus and not the failed relationship with an immature man-child.
After all, if things had worked out between Jeremy and her, she wouldn’t be with Keaton now.
He was the silver lining to any cloud on her horizon.
Layne left and drove to the Bay Breeze. She would need to think about buying or renting a car soon.
The rental she had booked in Corpus when she first returned to the Bay was small and cramped.
She would prefer something larger, maybe even an SUV.
It would be nice if she and Mila could make a day of it and go into Corpus, finding her a car and having lunch.
She arrived at the inn and went inside, wandering downstairs and finding some of her father’s landscapes on the walls. A lump formed in her throat, seeing the paintings adorn the walls. She was glad she had found them and that others who stayed at the Bay Breeze would be able to enjoy his art.
Not finding Keaton and Sullivan, she headed upstairs, locating them in the last guestroom at the end of the hall.
“Hey,” she said brightly. “I saw the paintings hanging downstairs. They look wonderful.”
Sullivan said, “They’re incredible, Layne. Your dad had real talent.” He indicated Keaton. “He would’ve blown this guy out of the water.”
Keaton gave as good as he got. “And this guy’s only talent is to stand around and tell me to lower the right corner a millimeter. No, wait. Move it back up.”
Both men laughed, and it warmed her heart to see Keaton so happy. With his friend. With her. With the work he had accomplished at the inn and the art he had yet to create.
Sullivan said, “I’ve seen all the downstairs. Keaton walked me through the projects he completed there. We’ve looked at each the guestrooms as we’ve placed your dad’s landscapes. I like the color scheme you hit on. It’s an easy way to identify each room.”
“We’ll have a better idea of any adjustments to make once the furniture arrives,” she told him.
“Do you mind if I stick around for that?” Sullivan asked. “This is the last painting to hang.”
“We’d be happy to have your help placing things,” she said.
The doorbell rang.
“Must be the movers,” Keaton said.
The three of them went downstairs, and soon a team of three men were placing furniture in various rooms. Most every piece went where they had pictured it, but Sullivan made a couple of suggestions, having them switch a few things. He was spot on each time.
“I know you’re an architect, but you have a great idea for placement,” she said. “Maybe your next career can be as an interior designer. You could turn the inside of Tidewater into something spectacular, just as I’m sure the outside will be.”
“I am sticking around a while for this project,” Sullivan shared.
“Usually, I only draw up the plans and then meet with the construction manager onsite before I leave town and move on to my next assignment. This time, I told my bosses I needed a break. I’ll be staying in town as Tidewater is being built, contributing if I can to the final outcome.
In the meantime, I’ll work remotely from the Bay. ”
“Already calling it the Bay?” she teased. “Then I would say you’re meant to stay.”
His face grew contemplative. “I’m actually considering that.” Then he brightened. “We can talk about that another time. You need to focus on what’s at hand.”
The last of the furniture was brought in, and Stacy arrived as the movers were leaving.
“I know you and Keaton need to head to your house now with the movers so that you can see everything goes where you want it,” she said.
“I thought I’d come by and help get the little things done at the B&B.
Make the beds. Put towels in the bathrooms. See what I have to work with because I know you want the photos up as soon as possible on the website. ”
“I can help with all that,” Sullivan volunteered. “I tuck a mean hospital corner. Learned that at my military boarding school.”
“That would be terrific,” Layne said, leading them to the storage room. “I’ve marked where each set of bedsheets, comforters, and throw pillows go. Each room is color-coordinated, and all the bed linens and bath towels match. The Daffodil Room. The Rose Gold Room.”
“Leave it to us,” Sullivan said. “Stacy and I will have every guestroom looking like House Beautiful in no time.”
Keaton added, “Joey said they’ll be done with the final touches before noon. They’re installing the last of the towel racks and sink fixtures. That means you can hang towels in each bathroom. Shower curtains. Place bathmats.”
She pointed to a shelf. “All the complimentary toiletries are here. Bath gel. Shampoo and conditioner. Hand soaps.”
“We’ve got you covered,” Stacy said. “Go. You don’t want the movers to beat you there.”
Keaton grinned. “I already know to bribe Sullivan with all the craft beer he can drink for helping out. You’ll need to let me know how we can repay you.”
Stacy shook her head. “You’ve already done so much for me, Keaton. Plus, Layne is paying me to take the photos for the website.”
“We’ll have you both over for dinner then,” Layne said. “Whatever you want, we’ll serve.”
“Surf and turf,” Stacy said. “Grilled shrimp and steaks.”
“You’re on,” Keaton said, taking Layne’s hand and pulling her from the room.
They went to their separate vehicles and drove home, arriving just as the movers were getting out of their van.
Layne unlocked the house, a small thrill running through her.
The place was so light and airy, and the views of the water from many of the rooms spectacular. It would be a privilege living here.
Especially with the man she loved.
She met the movers in the foyer, directing them to the great room with the sofa they carried.
They placed it where she wanted and left for the next item.
Soon, the great room took shape, with two sofas, a loveseat, and a reclining rocker.
A coffee table and end tables followed, then two club chairs, which would sit by a window.
An oversized leather chair which reclined was placed in what would be a reading nook.
More furniture came through the door, including the table and chairs for the kitchen. They would eat all their meals there for now since they had yet to choose anything for the dining room.
While the movers returned with all the pieces for their primary suite, another delivery truck arrived with a washer and dryer.
The Smiths had left all their kitchen appliances, as well as those in the outdoor kitchen, but Anna Smith had wanted to take her washer and dryer.
Layne was glad they would have one of their own since Keaton’s rental hadn’t had a set.
She had gone to the Perry household a few times and then Roberts’ place to do laundry.
Both couples had been welcoming, but she didn’t like disturbing people’s routines.
The washer and dryer connection didn’t take long, and that duo left, accepting a tip from Keaton. Once the remainder of the furniture was placed where they wanted, he also tipped the movers for the wonderful job they had done.
“They were really careful with every item,” he said. “It’s not always like that.”
“Did you receive tips from the clients you worked for?”
He nodded. “Sometimes. I always took pride in the work I did and thought my boss paid me a fair wage. My salary increased the longer I stayed with his crew. He knew I was bringing in lots of business for him, thanks to the word-of-mouth of women who liked the work that I did. But when I received a tip, it made such a difference. It allowed me to buy new tubes of paint. A better quality frame for a painting. I was in the same boat as those movers not that long ago. I’ll never forget my humble beginnings.
” He looked around. “Living here seems like a dream.”
Layne came and entwined her arms around his neck. “The best dreams do come true. Even the dreams we don’t know about.” She kissed him softly. “I never knew I’d be back in the Bay, much less living with a man I love. My life is pretty darn perfect the way it is, Keaton. Mostly, because of you.”
He kissed her, fanning the ever-constant flame that blazed between them. She hoisted herself up, wrapping her legs around him, kissing him back.
Breaking the kiss, she said, “Want to go try out our new bed?”
“I can’t wait that long,” he told her. “Too much time to put on the new sheets we bought.”
Keaton carried Layne into the kitchen and placed her on the island.
“We’re having sex … here?” she asked.
He smiled lazily at her. “Babe, we’re going to have sex in every inch of this house. Even in places you hadn’t thought about.”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Something tells me I may never look at a kitchen island the same way again.”