Chapter seven
Willow
Standing on the balcony of my bedroom sipping a cup of coffee as I stare out at the ocean on a Monday morning almost makes up for the fact that I have to jump on a call later this morning.
Working remotely will definitely be an adjustment for me, but when this is the view you get to wake up to, I guess the sacrifice is worth it.
A feeling of peace washes over me as I stand here, such a contrast to the anxiety I felt the first time I stepped into this house. But like Shauna said, I need to treat this as an adventure. Keep an open mind and do something out of the ordinary.
So that’s what I’m going to do.
I drop my head down to look for a place to sit on the balcony, even though I know there isn’t one. Looks like there’s one more item to add to my mile-long to-do list—get a chair.
After I finish my coffee, I hop in the shower, make myself look presentable, and then log in to my call a few minutes early, ready to sync up with Katrina.
When I’m satisfied with the plan we’ve laid out for the week, I end the meeting and decide my schedule is light enough today that I can knock off a few things for this house as well.
As I make my way into town to look for some furniture, I make a pit stop at the bakery to see if they have any muffins left. It’s almost noon, but there’s no harm in trying. Plus, I kind of want to see if Astrid is there. I need her input on something else too.
“Well, looky here. You’re awfully late!” she calls out as soon as the bell rings above the door.
“Yeah, I had a conference call this morning. I know it’s a long shot but...” My eyes drift to the display case, where I see nothing but a muffin-shaped void. My heart instantly deflates. “I guess the early bird also catches the muffin.”
Astrid flashes me a knowing smile and then reaches behind her for a box, popping the lid open and revealing a dozen muffins. “Call it intuition, but I set these aside for you this morning, just in case.”
My jaw drops in shock, and appreciation. “Oh my God. I swear, I think I might cry.”
She just laughs and moves to the register, taking her time since the place is empty.
“Thank you so much, Astrid.”
She waves it off as I hand her my card. “Don’t mention it. In a town this small, you learn to look out for your neighbors. The little things mean the most sometimes.”
And her words resonate with me. “Yeah. That’s true.”
When’s the last time someone did something thoughtful like that for me that wasn’t related to my job? Better yet, when’s the last time I did that for someone else?
“Well, Willow, since you’ll be sticking around for a bit longer, I’d like to know more about you. Like what kind of work you do that allows for such flexibility.” She slides my card and the receipt across the counter for me to sign.
If it were anyone else pushing me for information, I’d have my guard up in a flash.
But there is something about Astrid that makes me want to open up, at least a little.
Still, I think I’ll keep my millionaire status to myself.
People tend to look at you differently when they see dollar signs.
“I work in advertising. Basically, people pay me a lot of money to help them make a lot of money.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “That’s so awesome! But it sounds stressful.”
“It can be, but I’m good at it.” I slide my card back in my wallet and then drop it in my purse. “What about you? Working two jobs sounds stressful too.”
Her shoulders drop and the change has me on high alert, worried I might have offended her. “It is, but that’s life as a single mom.”
“Two jobs and you’re a mom?”
Her smile returns with my question as she fishes her phone out of her pocket.
“Yeah. This is my son, Bentley. He’s eleven.
And my daughter, Lilly. She’s seven.” The look of pride on her face is laced with a subtle twinge of pain as she points at the picture on the screen.
“They’re with my mom right now since school is out for the summer.
But on my day off, we’re planning a family beach day. ” Her eyes light up at that.
“That sounds like a good day.”
God, I can’t remember the last time I laid out in the sun on the beach.
Then her entire body perks up. “You should come with us!”
“Oh, I don’t know. I have to—”
“Nonsense!” she says, cutting me off. “It would be fun. It might even help you fall in love with Carrington Cove a little more.”
Uneasiness rests in my gut, but part of it is because deep down, I do want to go. “I’ll think about it.” She nods. But then another question pops into my mind. “If it’s not too personal, may I ask about their father?” I ask timidly.
Her eyes instantly drop to the counter in front of her and my pulse picks up. “He, uh…he passed away.”
This is why I don’t usually ask questions. You never know what kind of nerve you might hit. “Oh, Astrid. I’m so sorry.”
She waves me off, sniffling before standing up tall again and plastering a smile on her face once more.
“Thank you. He was a Marine. We always knew the risks, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
” I swallow hard, not sure if I should offer up my own loss, but she doesn’t give me a chance.
“Thank God for Penn, though. He’s been a huge help since Brandon died. ”
“Penn?”
“Yeah. He and Brandon were best friends. We all kind of grew up together. And when Brandon died, Penn made sure I never felt alone, that me and the kids were taken care of. Anytime anything goes wrong with the house or with life in general, he’s there or my older brother, Grady, steps in.”
I can feel my heart slow down, thinking about how lucky she is to have people like Penn and her brother around to support her. “Well, Penn seems like a good guy. And I know he’s handy since he’ll be helping out with my renovations.”
Astrid’s smile could light up the room. “Penn is the best.”
“A far cry from Dallas, it seems,” I add, shifting the conversation to the person I’m itching to know more about.
Astrid chuckles. “Actually, like I said Friday night, those two are more alike than different.”
I scoff. “I find that hard to believe, no offense.”
“Oh, you’re just lucky enough to have seen Dallas’s asshole side before you get to see the good guy he is underneath.”
I arch a brow at her, skeptical. “I’m not so sure with everything he’s shown me. Did you know that he wants to buy my house?”
“The Bayshore house?” I nod. “Oh yeah, Dallas has wanted that place since we were in high school.” I instantly recall him saying that the other day, but he never explained it further.
“Why?”
“Hello? Have you seen the view from that house?” she asks.
And that has me chuckling. “Um, yes. It’s stunning. And I plan on enjoying it while I renovate it. Even though Dallas offered to take it as is and do the renovations himself.”
She turns to face me head on. “Really?”
“And I told him no.”
Astrid chuckles. “Well, that explains some of the animosity between the two of you then.”
“He was acting like an ass, and I don’t know…” I shake my head.
Astrid eyes me suspiciously, a small smile forming on her lips. “Well, there’s still time for you to change your mind about the house…and him.”
There is. There’s time for me to change my mind about a lot of things.
“Willow?” she asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Yeah?”
She leans over the counter, resting on her forearms. “Dallas really is a good guy, underneath all of that surly attitude, of course. His brother is too. Hell, most of the people you find in this town are good people. He’s got his issues, just like anyone else, but don’t write him off just yet.
You probably caught him off guard. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him look at a woman the way he looks at you… ”
“What?” I bark out through a laugh. “I think you’ve got it all wrong, Astrid. The man acts like he can barely stand the sight of me.”
She just hums. “I know what I saw.” But then she changes the subject. “Obviously though, because you own the house that he wants, he’s going to throw a fit about it. I mean, the old owner of that house wouldn’t even meet with him when he offered to buy the place…”
Yeah, because he was saving it for me.
“I’ve known his family for more than half my life, and I’ve worked for him for the past four years. I think if you two sat down and talked, you might be able to reach an agreement.”
“I’m—I’m not even sure what I want to do with the house yet, Astrid.” I blow out a harsh breath, my stomach feeling uneasy again. “I had no idea I would be inheriting the place. It all happened so fast, and now I have to make all of these decisions…”
She places her hand on mine this time. “I get it. Believe me. Life can change in an instant,” she says as her voice begins to crack. “But time helps put things into perspective. Just keep an open mind when it comes to Dallas. And maybe Penn can give you some insight into his brother as well.”
“Those boys sure are attractive, aren’t they?” I whisper, shocking myself at my candid words. But let’s be honest—my attraction toward the man is clouding my judgment and making this far more complicated than it already is.
Astrid laughs as she stands up again. “Oh, yes they are. And their other brother is too.”
“There’s another brother?”
She nods. “Yup. Parker. He’s the vet here in town.”
“Wow.”
“And they have a little sister, Hazel.”
My eyes bug out. “I couldn’t imagine having that many siblings.”
“Only child?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
“Where are you from?”
“Virginia. But I’ve lived in D.C. for the past eight years.”
“Big city life is very different from life in Carrington Cove.”
I scoff. “You’re telling me.”
“Well, enjoy this place while you’re here then and don’t be a stranger. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.” She squeezes my hand again before I reach for the box of muffins. “And I’ll try to keep some muffins put aside for you.”
“I appreciate that, Astrid. A lot. Thank you.”
Ugh, my chest feels all warm and fuzzy right now.
Am I developing feelings for this town?