Chapter 23
23
Zara looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The Blueberry Festival had started two days ago, and she was excited about it. Not only would this be the first one she’d attended since leaving for college years ago, but also this time she would be attending with Saint.
It was hard to believe she’d been in the cove a month already. Vaughn and Sierra had returned from their second honeymoon with radiant smiles that seemed to be permanently engraved in their features. She was glad they’d savored their time in the Maldives, and undoubtedly savored each other.
Zara shifted her gaze out the window. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and numerous pelicans were out on the bay. She and Saint had decided to make a full day at the festival. Last week they’d spent a lot of time together, sharing breakfast, lunch and dinner practically every single day. Then they’d shared a bed each night at the cottage. While his parents had been out of town, he hadn’t had to check on them each day. He would leave from her place to go to work and then return in the evenings.
The brightest spot of her day had been in the evening, when she would look out over the pier and see him walking toward the cottage. Nothing looked sexier than Saint with his suit jacket slung over his shoulder and a swagger that would take any woman’s breath away. With the fading sun as his backdrop, it was definitely a grab-your-camera moment.
Most days, she would stand on the porch, waiting for him to step off the pier and onto land. More than once, she’d waited at the end of the pier, and he would sweep her off her feet into his arms. She blushed thinking of that day when they’d made love right there on the pier.
People no longer stared when they saw them together in town, which meant their fake affair was working. The dance and kiss were no longer on anyone’s minds. She would be the first to admit that it hadn’t been easy keeping their relationship passionate but emotionless since they spent more time together now than before. It couldn’t be helped when Saint was such a wonderful guy.
More than once she’d questioned his ex-girlfriend’s decision to let a good man like him go. The woman had gotten two marriage proposals where some women never received one—like her. There was no way she would turn a marriage proposal from Saint down.
She blinked when she realized the significance of that thought, when there was no way she would accept a marriage proposal. She was through with men. As far as she was concerned, one heartbreak in a lifetime was enough to have to deal with. There wasn’t one man who could be trusted with her heart ever again.
Her thoughts shifted back to Saint. He was a special person and one day a woman would enter his life who was deserving of everything there was about him. She appreciated every moment she spent with him, even those times when they would sit in the kitchen, over coffee or wine, and talk for hours about anything and everything. He knew more about her than Maurice ever had, and he’d told her a lot about himself and the life he’d lived in Seattle.
Then there was the wealth of business knowledge he generously shared with her, offering smart suggestions...but only when she asked for them. The one suggestion he’d given that she hadn’t asked for was about that vacant building.
Whether he knew it or not, that idea had somehow taken root in her mind. Every time she passed by the building on her walk to the Witherspoon Café, she no longer saw it as it was now; she imagined it as she’d depicted it in her painting. That had to be the reason why when she’d passed by it yesterday morning, she had taken a picture of the For Sale sign. She was actually thinking about buying it. Would it be so bad if she did? Why had she thought it would when she knew, like Saint said, it would make good business sense?
She knew the reason without thinking hard about it. Buying that building meant more frequent trips to Catalina Cove. Deep down, she knew the real reason the prospect of a connection to the cove was something she didn’t want to think about. Namely, Saint.
Whenever they were together, although she wished differently, she was consumed with a need only he could quench. She’d tried building an immunity against it, but so far, nothing had worked. An attachment to him or any man was the last thing she wanted or needed in her life. It didn’t matter one iota that Saint was a man with a keen sense of intelligence, intense integrity and loving-kindness and tenderness most didn’t possess or want to show. He was someone any woman could love and would want to love. She could not be that woman. No matter what.
Suddenly, her heart slammed against her ribs at the thought that it might be too late to stop what she hadn’t wanted to ever feel again. Deep emotions for a man.
“I meant to ask if your parents enjoyed their trip to Memphis?”
Saint smiled down at Zara. They were walking around the Blueberry Festival grounds with his arm draped around her shoulders as they moved from one booth to the other. “Yes, they always relish any time spent with the Givenses.”
He thought she looked gorgeous in her shorts set. And that straw hat on her head gave her one hell of a sexy look. When she’d opened the cottage door his gaze had roamed from head to toe. Lust had instantly ignited within him. He had to fight the urge to sweep her into his arms, take her into the bedroom and make love to her instead of going to the festival.
“Givens? Are they related to Mia?”
Her question interrupted his thoughts. “Yes, they’re her parents.”
“Oh.”
It wasn’t what she’d said but how she said it. For some reason she sounded surprised. “I mentioned to you that night I took you dancing in New Orleans that the Givenses and my parents struck up a close relationship and began doing things together during the time Mia and I were together.”
“I recall you saying that,” she said, softly. “I guess I assumed with your and Mia’s breakup, the close friendship between them had waned.”
“That’s an understandable assumption to make. Both sets of parents were upset with Mia each time she turned down my marriage proposals. The Givenses didn’t stay mad at Mia long since she’s their only child. I think our parents see it as a phase she’s going through, and they’re still holding out that she’ll come to her senses one of these days.”
“Are you holding out for that, too, Saint?”
He frowned and ceased walking. Turning to her, he said, “You of all people know better than that.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “My parents, as well as Mia’s parents, should know it as well since I’ve made it pretty clear there will never be a Saint and Mia again. That ship has sailed.”
“Do you think they got it?”
“No,” he said, honestly. “But it doesn’t matter what they think since I know better. Mia and I haven’t communicated since we broke up. As far as I’m concerned, she got on with her life and I’ve moved on with mine.”
They began walking again. “I understand Vaughn and Sierra got back,” he said, wanting to change the subject.
“Yes, and according to them they had a great time. Sierra’s parents returned with Teryn, and of course they were glad to see her. They plan on resting up some and will attend the festival’s closing activities tomorrow.”
Saint drew Zara closer to him when a group of people passed by in the crowded aisle. He loved the feel of her beside him and was getting used to her being with him. Seen or unseen. He doubted that she knew that over the past month she’d become an integral part of his life, whether he wanted her to or not.
All he had to do was remember the weekend before when he’d taken her dancing again to that same nightclub in New Orleans. Like months before, they danced to several slow songs. More than once he maneuvered her to a darkened area of the dance floor to steal a kiss or two. Maybe three.
“You want to share a corn dog with me, Saint?”
He leaned slightly away to look at her, making sure she looked at him. “I’d share anything with you, Zara.”
He thought the smile that lit up her face was priceless. Unable to help himself, he leaned forward and brushed a kiss across her lips. It had been quick, yet he’d felt her shiver. It always amazed him how deep and profound their responses were to each other. At that moment he wanted her with a fierce intensity that almost took his breath away.
“Saint?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Just so you know, Mr. and Mrs. Ivanstall saw you kiss me.”
He grinned. Everybody living in the cove, both young and old, knew what a busybody Mrs. Ivanstall was. “So, they saw me. Should I apologize for kissing you?”
“No, don’t apologize for anything you ever do with me.”
“In that case.” He leaned in to kiss her again. It was short but longer than the last one. There was no doubt in his mind it left her knowing what he had in store for later.
When they began walking again, he said, “Oh, by the way, the folks invited you to their Fourth of July cookout. I know it’s the day before you leave to return to Boston, so I understand if you can’t make it.”
“I can make it and I’d love to go.”
Levi Canady was enjoying another walk home and inhaled the scent of the sea. Then there was the smell of blueberries, which always seemed more prevalent during the Blueberry Festival. Business at the café had been booming with lots of people in town for the past three days. Instead of staying open for half a day like usual on Saturdays, the Green Fig had been open all day to take advantage of the festival crowd. Although Vaughn and Sierra had returned, Sierra hadn’t yet come to the café. That made him feel good knowing she knew he had everything under control.
He glanced up at the sky. As usual, the stars were shining brightly, and all was quiet. This was one of the few nights Chip wouldn’t be there when he got home. Malcolm Leopold, who owned a female French bulldog named Bell, had asked months ago if Chip could mate with Bell. Hopefully, the union would produce enough puppies for each of Malcolm’s four grandkids to have one.
Levi figured over the next two days Chip would be having the time of his life with Bell. In a way he was a wee bit jealous. That surprised him since he’d never given thought about mating with a woman since Lydia. It didn’t take much to figure out the reason why such a thing had crossed his mind.
Margie.
He hadn’t seen her since their stroll on the boardwalk and she’d stated she only wanted to be friends. He should have been happy with that, since friendship had been all he’d wanted...at first. But that Sunday when he’d been invited to dinner, he could feel himself wanting more. But there was nothing he could do when the lady of his thoughts wasn’t interested.
He was about to cross the street, heading in the direction of his house, when a figure coming toward him stopped him. He immediately noted from the slight build it was a woman and not a man. As the person came closer, he saw who it was.
“Margie? What are you doing out so late? Don’t tell me Butterball got out again.”
When she came to a stop in front of him beneath the streetlight, he could see the worried lines beneath her eyes. “Levi, hello. Fancy running into you tonight. Dad and Butterball are fine. In fact, they called it an early night and are home asleep.”
“So, what got you out walking alone after nine at night so far from home?”
She glanced over her shoulder. When she turned her head back, he saw her surprise at how far she’d walked. “I hadn’t realized I walked so far. I had a lot on my mind. But it’s just a couple of blocks. Besides, this is Catalina Cove.”
“Yes, this is Catalina Cove, but you should never get the feeling of being too safe in any environment.”
“I know you’re right. But the same goes for you, too.”
He grinned. “I might be a banged-up ex-cop but I’m an ex-cop nonetheless. I can still handle the bad guys. However, thanks to Sheriff Grisham, I would be the first to admit crime is almost nonexistent in this town.”
She grinned as well. “See what I mean?”
“Yes, but we had a lot of visitors for the festival, although I noticed that Catalina Cove’s policemen are out in full force.”
He then remembered what she’d said about the reason she was out walking. “Is everything alright with you, Margie?”
She broke eye contact with him and looked down at the sidewalk. When she raised her head, he saw tears glistening in her eyes. In concern, he reached out and took hold of her arm. “Margie? What’s wrong?”
She said, “It’s my daughter.”
“Your daughter? Is she okay?”
“Physically, Bellamy is fine, but I don’t know how she’s doing emotionally.”
He could hear the pain in her voice. “Do you want to talk about it over coffee, Margie?”
She lifted a brow. “Over coffee?”
“Yes. We’re a lot closer to my place than we are to yours. I make a pretty decent cup of coffee, and I’d love for you to have a cup with me.”
She didn’t answer at first. He knew she was thinking about his invitation to his home. When he thought she would refuse, she said, “I would love to have a cup of coffee with you, Levi.”