Chapter 29
29
“I’m glad you’ve extended your time in Catalina Cove.”
Zara glanced across the table at Sierra. They had met for lunch at a pizza shop in town. “I bet Vaughn couldn’t wait to tell you.”
Sierra chuckled. “You certainly made your brother’s day. Of course, he thinks that building you bought in town is why you’re extending your visit another week or two.”
Zara took a sip of wine. She’d had breakfast with Vaughn that morning and had told him about her purchasing that building. He was both surprised and elated. Like Saint, he thought it was a great business move.
“And you don’t think that’s the reason?” she asked Sierra.
“Heck no, although I think it helped your cause.”
Zara lifted a brow. “My cause?”
“Yes, your cause. The closer it was getting to the day you were leaving, the sadder you were becoming.”
“Sad?”
“Yes. Like you were about to lose your very best friend.”
Great analogy, Zara thought, returning her attention to her meal. That was exactly how she’d felt. Her best friend who’d become the man she loved. She looked at Sierra. “I’ve fallen in love with Saint, Sierra.”
Her sister-in-law gave her an understanding smile. “I know. I’ve known for a while, probably before you even realized it yourself. Mainly because that’s how it was with me and Vaughn. Velvet knew it long before I could. She said she saw it in my eyes whenever I talked about him, or whenever she was with me and he would appear, or whenever his name would come up. I had it bad and so do you.”
Sierra sipped her wine, then added, “What I don’t think you realize is that Saint is doing the same thing.”
Zara tilted her head. “What?”
“Exposing his emotions. His love for you shows in his eyes whenever your name comes up or whenever the two of you are together.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve noticed it and Vaughn has, too. I think your brother deliberately mentions you to Saint just to see it happen.”
Zara’s jaw dropped in surprise. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. Vaughn might stay out of your business and give you the space you deserve and are entitled to, but that doesn’t mean he’s not observant to things where you’re concerned. You’re his sister. He’s convinced Saint loves you, but he’s not sure how you feel about Saint. He believes Maurice ruined any other man’s chances of capturing your heart.”
Zara had believed that for so long, but Saint had proved her wrong because she knew she did love him. When she’d remained silent, probably for too long, Sierra said, “Unlike Vaughn, I’ve made my own observations about some things.”
“What things?”
“Like the relationship you and Saint shared was more than that hookup-partners thing. The strong sexual chemistry between the two of you told the real story. It’s special.”
“Special? It’s lust, Sierra. I might love Saint, but contrary to what you and Vaughn might think, he doesn’t love me back.”
“Why do you think he doesn’t?”
Zara shrugged. “He hasn’t told me that he does.”
“Have you told him how you feel about him?”
“No. But Saint has said numerous times that he would never give his heart to another woman.”
“And I’ve heard you say that you’d never give your heart to another man. If those emotions can change for you, why can’t they change for him, Zara? I think you owe it to yourself to find out if they have before you leave Catalina Cove.”
What if Saint did love her and she didn’t have a clue, just like he didn’t have any knowledge about her feelings for him? Would it be such a bad thing to confess her feelings and let the chips fall where they may? She wondered...
He would either tell her the feelings were mutual or they weren’t. Sierra was right. One way or the other, she needed to know before leaving town, and more than anything, she hoped that they were mutual.
“Levi, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Bellamy. Bellamy, this is my good friend Levi Canady.”
Levi extended his hand to the young woman who he thought probably looked like a younger version of Margie. She had the same dark eyes, high cheekbones and rounded chin. She was definitely a very attractive woman, and he knew if she were to move to Catalina Cove, she would capture the attention of several young men.
“I’m happy to meet you, Bellamy.”
“I’m happy to meet you, too, Mr. Canady.”
“You can call me Levi.”
“Okay, Levi.”
Margie and Bellamy had arrived at the Green Fig for dinner and had just been seated when Levi had noticed them. He’d known from Margie that Bellamy had arrived in town late last night for her interview that morning. “How did your interview go?” he decided to ask her. He thought the smile that spread across her face was similar to the one he often saw on Margie’s.
“I think it went well. They will be interviewing other applicants and will let me know something in a week. They gave me a tour of the facility and told me that due to Catalina Cove’s growing population, a new hospital is planned to be built on land being donated to them.”
“Yes, that was announced at a recent town hall meeting,” Levi said. “The wealthiest man in town, Reid Lacroix, has donated land for that purpose. That way people living in the cove won’t have to travel to New Orleans or Baton Rouge for more extensive and advanced medical services.”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea and it was very generous of Mr. Lacroix.”
“Yes, it was. Well, I’ll get back to work,” Levi said. “I’m glad I got a chance to meet you, Bellamy. How long will you be in town?”
“I’m flying out first thing in the morning since I’m needed back at work. Hopefully, on my next trip I’ll be able to stay longer. It’s been a while since I’ve visited the cove. Growing up, my brother and I used to visit my grandparents every summer. The town has certainly grown.”
Levi laughed. “And it’s still growing, but even with the growth it will always retain that small-town feel. As a cove native I can appreciate that.”
“I can, too,” Margie spoke up. “After living in a big city like Dallas for so long, I’d forgotten just how wonderful a small town could be. I’m glad I made the decision to move back home.”
“And I’m glad you made the decision to move back as well,” Levi said, smiling at Margie. He then glanced at Bellamy. “Enjoy the rest of your stay in the cove.” To Margie, he said, “I hope the two of you like the meal.”
“And I’ll see you Saturday evening, Levi.”
He smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.” He then walked off.
Margie couldn’t help watching Levi until he’d disappeared into the restaurant’s kitchen and was no longer in sight. For some reason, she continued looking as if waiting for him to come back out.
The clearing of her daughter’s throat made her turn to Bellamy, and when she saw the way her daughter was grinning, she said, “Sorry about that.”
“No need to apologize. I must say Levi Canady is a handsome man. I can see why you’re so taken with him.”
Margie waved off her daughter’s words. “Nonsense. I’m not taken with him.”
“If you aren’t, then you should be. I understand what you said about it taking time for your heart to shift gears and go in another direction. I found out that’s true with my situation with Sam, so I can certainly understand how things were for you with Dad. The two of you had a good marriage and there was plenty of love.
“David and I always felt it with you and Dad. But just like I want to believe there is life for me after Sam, I hope you know there’s life for you after Dad. You’re still young, Mom, and I know Dad would want you to continue living. To be happy. I hope you’ll take my advice and move beyond the friendship stage with Levi. I can tell the way he looks at you that he wants the same thing.”
Margie didn’t say anything for a moment. What she hadn’t told Bellamy was that she’d finally made the decision to move beyond friendship, but she hadn’t told Levi yet. Smiling, she confessed, “I agree with everything you’ve said, and I am ready for things to move forward for me and Levi. I plan to tell him Saturday. He’s taking me to the movies. An early matinee.”
A huge smile covered Bellamy’s features. “Mom, I think that’s great. David and I are rooting for you and Levi.”
“David knows?”
“Yes. I told him about Levi and he agrees. We both want you to be happy again.”
“Thanks.” Reaching across the table, she took Bellamy’s hand in hers. “And I want you to be happy, too. I know you’re having a time of it after Sam’s betrayal, but I want you to believe there is happiness in your future as well. I don’t want you to give up on love.”
“It will be hard for me to trust another man in my life, Mom. Sam ruined it for me.”
“Promise me you won’t give him that much power over you, Bellamy.”
Sam was in such a rush to marry the other woman that Bellamy’s attorney had advised her that Sam had given in to all Bellamy’s demands without a fight. Not only had he signed the house over to her free and clear, but he’d agreed to all the other concessions she’d asked for as well.
Bellamy was quiet. When Margie tightened her hold on her hand, she said, “Okay, Mom. I will try.”
“Wake up, sleepyhead, it’s Saturday morning. Did you forget what we had planned for today?”
Zara slowly opened her eyes and smiled at the man looming over her. They had made love practically all through the night before finally drifting to sleep, snug, naked and their legs entwined. “After last night I need another hour.”
“Last night you said you wanted us to get up early and go boating on the bayou.”
“Umm, that was before you wore me out.”
He leaned down to place a kiss across her lips. “I gave you everything you asked for.”
Her smile spread, thinking he certainly had. “I wanted to wear you out, Saint.”
“I know, and I was more than happy to let you try.”
She sighed deeply, thinking just how much she loved this man. This had definitely been a busy week for them. On the Fourth of July, they had split their time between the cookout at his parents’ home and the one Kaegan and Bryce Chambray had given, where it was announced Bryce was expecting again. Then they’d left the Chambrays to drive into town to watch the fireworks from the boardwalk.
Zara would have to say Saint’s parents were welcoming and friendly. However, she had noticed the news that she would not be leaving the next day to return to Boston as originally planned had surprised them. When his mother had asked her why, like she had every right to know, Zara had merely told the older woman that she wasn’t ready to leave yet. Saint had pulled her to him and brushed a kiss across her lips then said he was glad because he wasn’t ready for her to leave, either. His open display of affection in front of his parents had made her feel special, even if she knew it shouldn’t have.
Last night they’d driven into New Orleans to go dancing but had returned to the cottage before midnight with plans to go boating this morning. She’d been to Saint’s house a couple of other times since he’d invited her to dinner that Sunday. However, she’d never gone boating with him on the bayou. Today was to be her day.
She wanted the day to start off with truth and admissions. Afterward, he might decide since she’d added emotions in the mix—feelings they’d originally decided had no place in their affair—it would be best if they cooled things between them. How would she handle it if he suggested that? Now was a good time to find out.
“Saint?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
She loved it when he called her that, and he was doing it even more lately. “I need to tell you something.”
Evidently, he saw the seriousness in her eyes and asked, “What do you want to tell me?”
She drew in a deep breath. “I...”
Before she could finish, his cell phone rang. He said, “It’s Mom. She usually doesn’t call me on Saturday mornings unless it’s important. I wonder what gives.”
Shifting positions, he reached out and grabbed his phone off the nightstand. Before clicking it on he smiled over at her and said, “Hold that thought, sweetheart.”
Saint clicked on his phone. “Mom, what’s up?”
“I’m at your house and you’re not at home,” his mother said, matter-of-factly.
“No, I’m not at home.”
“It’s seven in the morning.”
“Yes, Mom, I know what time it is. So, what’s up? Why are you at my house this early? Is everything okay with you and Dad?”
“Yes. I have good news for you.”
He heard the excitement in his mother’s voice. Reaching out, he pulled Zara closer into his arms before asking, “You have good news for me? And what’s this good news, Mom?”
“Mia is here.”