Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
O n Saturday, Amanda opened the door to Connor’s knock. The sweet scent of magnolia floated in from the tree near her front porch. He was dressed in khaki slacks and a knit shirt that hugged his frame just right—clearly, clothing he’d slipped into without fuss. However, she was kind of proud of herself for only changing her outfit once while getting ready. Okay, twice.
“You look very pretty.” His glance swept over her.
Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“Are you ready?” he asked, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“I am. We’re walking, right?” She struggled to keep her tone light and casual in spite of the butterflies in her stomach.
“If that’s okay with you.”
She nodded as she stepped out on the front porch. They set off down the street. As they strolled along, friendly faces greeted her by name now, their smiles and waves a sharp contrast to the anonymity of her daily life in New York. She was getting used to it and actually enjoyed it. She’d miss it when she went back home. Although the thought of New York and living there seemed like a distant memory for her now as she’d become accustomed to her life here.
“Evening, Amanda, Connor.” Beverly waved from across the street, breaking Amanda’s thoughts of New York. “Have fun.”
She waved back. “Hey, Beverly.” A warm feeling of belonging swept over her, an unfamiliar feeling that she hadn’t experienced in far too long. Or perhaps it was more, something she’d been searching for without even realizing it. She had to remind herself this was only temporary. But in that moment, she was glad she offered to help with the festival because this way she got to meet so many people on the island and they were starting to get to know her.
As they reached the theater, Tori was standing out front, welcoming patrons. The former Broadway star looked radiant with her now-gray hair swept up in an elegant bun with tendrils framing her face and her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Amanda admired the woman’s ageless beauty and poise.
Tori took Amanda’s hand as they approached. “I’m so glad you two could make it. I hope you’ll like this production. We have some very talented actors and they’ve worked so hard.”
“I’m sure we’ll love it.”
Connor gave their tickets to the attendant and they headed inside to find their seats. She looked up at the magnificent, sparkling chandelier above them. The beautifully restored interior looked just like she remembered from when she’d come to a play with her parents. Tori had put so much care into bringing the historic building back to its former glory. “It looks great, doesn’t it?” she whispered to Connor as they walked down the aisle.
“It really does.”
They slipped past a few people already seated in their row and settled into their seats, Connor’s arm brushing hers slightly as they sat down. She stole a glance at his strong profile as he bent over, reading his program. Despite her initial reservations about their date, not-date, excitement fluttered through her.
The lights dimmed and the lush red curtains swept open with a flourish. A hush came over the crowd as the first actor came out on stage. She leaned back in her seat and soon was lost in the story unfolding onstage but still acutely aware of Connor being right beside her.
She was so engrossed in the play she was surprised when intermission seemed to arrive so quickly. “Do you want something? Food or a drink?” Connor asked.
“I’m fine.”
“You look like you’re enjoying the play.” He smiled at her. A smile she was beginning to get used to seeing on his features.
“I am. I know I’m used to seeing plays on Broadway, but Tori has really outdone herself with this production. It’s wonderful and worthy of a run on Broadway. The actors are great and the staging is breathtaking.”
“I kind of regret not coming to the theater before this. A whole new experience for me. I’m really enjoying myself,” he admitted with a bit of surprise in his voice.
Soon the lights flickered, signaling the end of intermission. A hush came over the audience again as the play resumed. She was instantly lost in the storyline again, captivated by the performance. Her heart raced as the final curtain fell, and she joined the audience as they rose to their feet and thunderous applause echoed in the theater. As they made their way outside, Connor led her over to Tori who was standing by the doors, talking to people as they left.
She hugged Tori. “It was wonderful. You must be so proud.”
Tori returned her hug, her eyes sparkling with joy. “They did a wonderful job, didn’t they?” She passed the compliment off onto the actors.
Gratitude for her friendship with the woman crept through her. She’d met so many warm and welcoming people here on Magnolia. Stepping back, she added, “And the theater is beautiful. You did a wonderful job restoring it.”
Tori beamed. “Thank you. I think she turned out beautifully. A perfect place to perform our plays and share the magic of theater with the community.”
Other patrons grabbed Tori’s attention, and Amanda and Connor headed down the street, back toward their cottages. The balmy night was laced with the tangy scent of the ocean and the sweet fragrance of flowers in bloom. The streetlights cast a warm glow around them as they slowly strolled along the sidewalk.
She still didn’t know if they’d had a date or not, but she’d thoroughly enjoyed herself. She was just sorry the night was coming to an end. “Thank you for suggesting we go together to see the play. I had a wonderful time.”
“I did too.”
She paused under a streetlamp and he halted beside her, looking at her questioningly. Gathering her courage, she voiced the uncertainty that had been lingering in her thoughts. “I just have to ask… did you consider it a… date?”
Connor’s gaze held hers, his eyes intense yet unreadable. “Did… you?”
She blushed as she stumbled over her words. “I… think so?”
To her relief, his mouth tilted into a slight reassuring grin. “Good, because I did too.”
He took her elbow, and they continued walking. So now her question was answered. It was a date.
As they neared her cottage, he turned to her. “Would you care to come over for a drink? Or is it getting too late?”
“I’d love to.” Anything to prolong this wonderful evening.
She settled comfortably on a chair on his deck as contentment settled over her. He soon returned with a bottle of red wine, a small platter of cheese and crackers, and a plate of sliced apples. “I hope this is okay. I don’t know much about wine. Had to ask a guy in the wine section of the grocery store.”
His humble admission was endearing. “It looks great. That’s one of my favorite wineries.” She nodded toward the label and relief shone on his face.
“Oh, good.” He poured them wine and sat on the chair next to her. The night air wrapped around them like a soft blanket, and the gentle sound of the waves splashing against the shore was a soothing soundtrack.
For a few blissful moments, they sat in silence, the stars poking through the velvety darkness above them. He finally broke the stillness. “So, Amanda Kingston, tell me about yourself. I know you’re a big-shot event planner in New York. What else? Family?”
She took a deep breath, tracing the rim of her glass with one finger before setting it on the small table between them. “Not any close family,” she began, trying to make her voice sound steady. “My parents died when I was young.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“I thought maybe Megan told you. We talked about it when she was here.”
“She didn’t say a word. Probably thought it was your story to tell.”
She fought back the pangs of pain that still dug at her when she thought about that time of her life. “We had just vacationed here on Magnolia Key. It was such a magical trip and I have such great memories of it. Only a few weeks later, they were killed in a car accident.”
She paused, and he nodded at her encouragingly. “Go on,” he said softly.
“Then my grandmother took me in. She was wonderful. She helped me adjust to… to everything. But then, she started having memory problems. At first, it was just not remembering a word here or there. Then one day she forgot how to make toast. She laughed about it, but from then on I tried to do everything I could for her.”
“That must have been really tough.”
She glanced up at the stars before continuing. “It was. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I tried to hide the fact she had it from everyone, but the family found out and decided I couldn’t live with her anymore. That she wasn’t fit to take care of me. I moved around between different family members until college, and from then on, I lived on my own. I still went to visit her as often as I could. I tried to see her every week. She eventually had no idea who I was, and it broke my heart. Not only because I missed the woman she was, but she was lost in this world where she just didn’t know where she was, who she was, who anyone was. It’s such a horrible, horrible disease.”
He reached out and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry that happened to her. To you. But she was lucky to have you for a granddaughter.”
A lone tear trailed down her cheek. “I… I miss her.” She dashed at the tear and cleared her throat. “And my parents, of course. But I lived with Nana for more years than I lived with my parents. It’s kind of strange to think of it that way.”
“You’ve had some pretty deep losses.” He still held her hand in his.
“Megan said you two lost your parents too.”
“We did. But we had each other, so that helped.”
“And Brooklyn’s father?” The question slipped out before she could stop it, curiosity getting the best of her.
He frowned as a touch of anger flashed in his eyes. “He’s… he’s out of the picture. Left when Brooklyn was a baby.”
“I think it’s nice that you and Megan are so close.”
“She and Brooklyn are my world,” he said simply. “Adore them both.”
She studied the man sitting next to her and wondered how different her life would have been if she’d had a sibling to lean on through all the losses. Someone to share the good and the bad times.
“So, is that why you came to Magnolia Key for your break?” he asked gently.
“It was. I had such great memories. I was a bit uncertain at first. Thought maybe it would be too hard to come back here. But I feel like I’m surrounded by good memories when I’m here. Like… like I’m still close to my parents.” She shrugged self-consciously. “That probably sounds silly.”
“Not at all,” he assured her, his thumb caressing the back of her hand, a simple, comforting gesture.
At that moment, she felt such a strong connection to him, one that went beyond the short time they’d known each other. It was as if the shared vulnerabilities and understanding had bonded them, drawing them closer.
She looked down at her hand still wrapped in his strong one as if he was giving her strength to tell her story. She reached for her glass with her other hand and took a sip. They sat there, hand in hand, as the gentle breeze caressed them. A lone gull called out as he soared past. This was a night she would remember for a long time. A perfect evening.
They finished their wine and snack and she reluctantly rose. “I should get home. It’s really late.”
He nodded and took her hand, his calloused fingers interlaced with hers as they crossed the cool sand to her cottage. They stood facing each other at the door. Tension crackled between them, and a look flickered across his face that she knew said he wanted to kiss her.
But he didn’t. The moment lingered, then he simply reached up and swept a lock of her hair away from the side of her face and traced his thumb across her cheek. “Good night, Amanda. Thank you for a wonderful night,” he murmured, his voice low and husky.
She swallowed hard against the lump forming in her throat. “Thank you. I… I had a great time.” She barely managed to get the words out.
His lips curved into a brief smile, and he headed back to his cottage. She reached a trembling hand up to where he had touched her, feeling the lingering heat.
“I can’t quite figure you out, Connor Dempsey,” she said softly into the darkness.