Chapter 23
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Shep glanced up at Elaine, wondering what exactly it was that she smelled like. Was she wearing a perfume? Or simply a hand lotion? Or had she used strongly scented shampoo?
If it was a perfume, he’d never be able to figure it out. Perfumes had always bewildered him, and he knew they were mixed together using all kinds of scents. It was like baking—creating something whole from many small measurements—but it was an art he absolutely did not understand.
Definitely lavender, he thought. And something sweet. Honey? Or perhaps lilies?
Elaine looked up at him, smiling. She had been in the middle of jotting down notes in that well-organized notebook of hers, and she seemed completely unperturbed by the fact that he’d been looking at her.
Shep, however, was perturbed. He felt himself turning pink, and he fixed his eyes intently on a point just over Elaine’s shoulder.
“What is it?” she asked after a beat, turning around.
“Nothing, I—I thought I saw a fly.”
“Oh goodness.” She laughed breezily. “We can’t have that! I’m sure you’re very good at swatting flies. Not that any ever come in here—but if I was a fly, I’d take one look at you and bolt.”
Shep grunted. He had no idea what to make of her statement.
Part of him felt thrilled that she’d complimented him, and he wanted to assure her that he was, as a matter of fact, extremely good at swatting flies.
He wasn’t sure how much of her words had been a compliment, however.
Had she also been implying that he looked so mean and scary that flies flew away from him?
He knew Elaine wasn’t a mean person, so she hadn’t meant to insult him, but he wondered if her words had revealed that she found him intimidating.
That can’t be true, he decided a moment later. She seemed entirely unintimidated by me.
Earlier that day, when she’d arrived in the shop to go over the menu for The Birchwood House’s grand opening, she’d been courteous enough not to barge into his kitchen, but she’d called his name loudly from the front of the shop to announce that she was there.
He’d been in the middle of whipping up a batch of pink frosting, and he’d nearly spluttered into the bag of powdered sugar.
He didn’t understand why she hadn’t simply asked Iris to let him know that she was there.
Iris always knocked quietly. Shouting seemed highly unnecessary.
He had to admit, however, that he didn’t really mind it. If someone else had shouted in his shop, he would have felt irritated. Elaine had such a nice voice, however. Her tones sounded warm and welcoming, as if she was calling him inside for dinner—
He coughed, and Elaine gave him a curious look.
“Can I get you more coffee?” he asked.
They’d been sitting at the little table by the window for a while, both of them nibbling on macaroons and sipping on coffee.
Shep had liked that she’d come to the meeting prepared, with all of her notes laid out clearly in front of her on her notebook page, but the conversation had still lasted a while.
He’d wanted to check with her about amounts and dietary restrictions for each of the types of pastry that she wanted, and they’d talked about what kind of baked goods would stay fresh during a long day in the open air and which ones would be better kept in the refrigerator, to be served in shifts.
“I would love some more coffee, thank you so much,” she said brightly. “The coffee you have here is very good.”
Shep found himself wanting to tell her all about the coffee that he’d picked out for the shop, and how he’d chosen it.
He’d stumbled across it at a coffee shop in New York City twenty years ago.
He’d been so impressed by the flavor and the quality of the roast that he’d asked the barista what brand of coffee the shop used.
Upon returning home to Coral Sands, he’d immediately ordered a bulk package of the coffee.
What am I doing? he wondered, shocked by his own desire to say so much out loud all at once. Elaine doesn’t want to hear all that anyway, I’m sure.
Instead of telling her the story, he simply grunted and got up to refill both their mugs of coffee. When he returned to the table, Elaine was just finishing sending a text.
“That was to Audrey,” she said, looking up with a smile. “Thanks for the coffee. We’ve been so busy making sure everything is just right, so getting this menu squared away takes a big load off my mind.”
“The hotel will be very popular, I’m sure.”
“Thanks, Shep.” She looked at him as if they were good friends, with no hesitation in her expression.
Shep wasn’t used to people looking at him that way.
People usually had some kind of wariness on their faces, as if they were unsure of what he would say or do, or they were worried he was mad at them.
Even Iris tended to treat him as though he was made of glass.
Elaine, however, acted as though conversing with him was totally a breeze.
It was refreshing, he realized, to be treated like someone that another person wanted to talk to.
Maybe I should get better at talking to other people, he thought. This is nice. I could use more of this in my life.
“It’s not just the grand opening that we’re working toward anymore,” Elaine said, taking a sip of her coffee. “Now it’s also this business sponsorship contest. We want to make sure everything is just right, so that if we win, it’s clear that we deserved it.”
“Ah.” Shep remembered the article that he’d read in the local newspaper, which had hinted that Evan McBride might judge the contest in a biased manner because of his relationship with Audrey.
Reminding himself that he wanted to get better at having conversations with people, he carefully brought it up.
“I read in the newspaper that some people think Mayor McBride might have a biased outlook when it comes to the contest. I just wanted to assure you I think that’s a load of nonsense and I’m sure most people do too.
Mayor McBride is the type of man who would judge fairly under any circumstances, I have no doubt about that.
And I think it’s only perfectly natural that he’s been helping you out, since he’s dating your daughter. ”
“Thank you for saying that, Shep.” Elaine smiled at him with a tenderness in her eyes that made his heart beat faster.
“I appreciate your words. I don’t love that the article was written, but I’m not going to let it dampen my spirits.
I’m so happy to be opening the hotel with my daughter and granddaughter that even a setback like this seems like a small thing in the grand scheme of things.
” She stared into space for a moment, and it was clear to him that she was thinking about something that touched her personal life deeply.
“Before they came to Coral Sands, my home felt desolate. I had friends over weekly, but it wasn’t enough.
I felt alone, especially surrounded by so many empty rooms. Now they’re here and they’ve brought life and laughter back into the place, and soon we’re going to fill all those empty rooms with guests.
I’m on cloud nine.” She laughed and looked into his eyes as she said her last words.
He felt surprised that she was sharing her heart with him so effortlessly. It wasn’t something he was used to, but for once he didn’t feel uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. He nodded and said, “I’m glad you’re happy.” He meant it with all his heart.
“Thank you, Shep. New life has been breathed into my house and my own life. This process of turning the mansion into a hotel has been a time-consuming but very rewarding experience. We’ve uncovered old memories and made room for new ones.
I can’t wait for the history of The Birchwood House to keep on being reborn every morning. ”
Shep’s heart stirred by how poetic her language was.
He’d never known someone who said things like that in real life, but she said them so earnestly he had no doubt that she meant them sincerely.
“I think it’s wonderful what you’ve been doing,” he said.
“I admire you a great deal, Elaine.” He could hardly believe he’d allowed himself to be so vulnerable as to confess that to her, but the words had slipped out effortlessly.
“I’m sorry for being curt the other day.
I know I’m generally not the friendliest person.
Your tenacity might have inconvenienced me a bit, but I’ve been inspired by your determination and energy from the start. ”
Elaine’s expression softened, and he noticed her shoulders lift as she inhaled deeply. “I appreciate you telling me that, Shep. I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with you. I know our collaboration is going to be wonderful.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” He smiled broadly, unable to help himself. “And I’m sure the outcome of the business sponsorship contest is going to be wonderful too.”
“Thank you. Having your support is very reassuring. I hope other people in town feel the same way you do. But regardless, when the contest winner is announced at the event at Bluewater Bistro, my girls and I are going to keep our heads held high and be proud of everything that we’ve accomplished.”
Shep smiled at her, and without thinking, reached across the table and gave her hand a squeeze.
The second after he’d done it, he blinked down at their hands with wide eyes, but he didn’t pull his hand away yet. He slowly lifted his eyes to Elaine and saw that she was looking at him with an encouraging smile.
What does she think? he wondered, feeling beads of perspiration break out along his temple. I hope she doesn’t feel that was much too forward of me.
She didn’t seem to, however, and she squeezed his hand back before he pulled it away.
They sat there quietly, smiling at each other, and Shep thought about what Iris had said.
It was important for him not to push Elaine away.
He felt glad that he’d managed to make it clear to her that he in no way wanted to push her away.
Even though his heart was thumping in his chest and he felt awkward and self-conscious, a wave of happiness swept over him. He was going to get to be business partners with the admirable woman sitting in front of him, and she seemed to be looking forward to that just as much as he was.
“I guess we should get back to this menu,” Elaine said at last, bringing them back to the project at hand.
“Yes.” Shep coughed lightly. “I’ll make sure everything’s labeled clearly in the pastry boxes. Would you like me to make labels for everything that you can set out on your tables?”
“Oh, no, we’ll do that, but thanks for offering. Audrey bought these darling little miniature chalk boards, so we’ll use those.”
They continued to work on business details together, but the energy between them seemed to have shifted. Before, there had been a politeness mixed with a fair amount of awkwardness, and now, there seemed to be a glowing, expectant energy traveling back and forth between them.