Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Sullivan looked on with pride at the two end tables he had crafted for Nellie over the past ten days.
She had requested that the coffee table be mid-century modern, and he had matched these end tables to his previous design.
Yesterday, he had sanded and stained them.
Today, he had applied a final finish of polyurethane, sanding between each coat to allow for a smooth, durable finish, which highlighted the wood grain.
Nellie would appreciate the drawer in each, along with the storage space below the drawer.
Like most women her age, she had a ton of knickknacks she could display atop each table and in the space below the drawers.
She could even put books in that lower space.
A sense of accomplishment filled him, more than when he finished drawing up plans for a new Wagner property or even seeing it brought to life. It was hard to explain, how a single piece of furniture brought more satisfaction than a hotel twenty stories high—but it did.
Tidewater had come in ahead of schedule.
He’d worked closely with the project manager to make certain they were in full compliance, from local codes to anticipating client needs throughout the property.
Sullivan had documented every step, adding written reports to the detailed drawings and specifications which had been the beginning of this project.
All quality control checks had been made.
A majority of the staff had been hired. It was now the first week in June.
And he should be leaving for New York—but he wasn’t going to just yet.
His phone rang, and he saw Zane’s picture filling the screen. Answering it, he said, “Hey, buddy. Where are you?”
“I’m in the air, heading your way. My flight lands in Houston, and then I have another short leg to Corpus.”
“Then tell me the time you land, and I’ll pick you up. Do your grandparents know you’re coming?”
“Just talked to Gran and Gramps. They’re thrilled.”
“I guess I need to give up the room over the diner so you can have it.”
“Keep it. I can stay with them a couple of days, then the rest of the time, I’ll be at Tidewater, testing everything out. You’re welcome to do so, too. I’m surprised you haven’t moved to the resort already. It’s way better than where you’re staying now.” He chuckled. “I’ve slept on that lumpy bed.”
Sullivan thought of how the ferry ride to Tidewater put too much distance between Piper and him. “I’m good where I am.”
Zane looked at his watch. “We’ll be landing in Houston in a few minutes. I’ve got an hour before my connection to Corpus. That leg is about an hour long.”
“I’ll meet you. It’ll be good to see you, Zane.”
“Maybe you’ll finally explain to me why you’ve spent so much time in Driftwood Bay.”
Sullivan had gone to Zane months ago when he decided he wanted to work from the Bay, cleaning up details on other projects and working closely with the construction crew here.
“Sure. We’ll talk about that and whatever’s going on in your life. See you soon.”
He cleaned up Neville’s workspace, leaving the end tables to finish drying. Locking the woodshop’s door, he returned to the diner. Nellie stood at the hostess stand, scribbling on a pad.
“I finished the tables,” he told her. “I think you’re going to be pleased.”
She gave him a smile. “I’d hug you, but you’re filthy, Sullivan.”
“I hear you’ll have Zane to hug in a couple of hours.”
The old woman lit up like a Fourth of July fireworks display.
“I’m so excited to see him again. It’s been almost eighteen months since his last visit.
He’s good about calling us, but nothing replaces a hug in person.
I’m making a list of what to feed him. He loves my sweet potato pie and mac and cheese.
My stuffed green peppers and baked squash. ”
“I’m sure he’ll bring his appetite. Do you think I might steal him for dinner tonight, though? A group will be at a cookout at the Maxwells’ house, and I’d like Zane to meet everyone.”
Nellie smiled fondly at him. “Zane will like that, honey. Just be sure I get to see him beforehand.”
“I’m picking him up at the airport and will bring him straight to the diner. Cookout’s at six.”
“I’ll be sure he’s ready to go.” She paused. “Even though I haven’t seen them yet, thank you for my beautiful tables, Sullivan. You have a true craftsman’s heart. Your grandfather would be proud of the work you do and the man you’ve become.”
Her words touched him. While he knew Pawpaw would appreciate his talent with wood, Sullivan wasn’t as sure if he would approve of his grandson’s choice to remain an architect.
“You can look at them but don’t touch. They need a good twenty-four hours to dry.”
“I’ll take a little peek. Even show Zane,” she told him.
Sullivan moved through the diner, waving at a few people he knew. He went upstairs and took a long, hot shower before shaving and dressing. Then he called Piper.
“Hey. Zane’s on his way to the Bay. I’m leaving now to pick him up at the airport.”
“I know how eager you are to see him. Just skip the cookout tonight. I can go by myself.”
“No, I’m going to see if I can bring him. I want him to meet everybody.” He paused. “I want him to meet you.”
“That won’t be a problem. Layne will be happy to have one more tonight. I’m actually bringing potato salad. I had a few of the guests taste it this week. I believe I have it down.”
“Good for you, Miss Roberts. We’ll be there at five-thirty. I want him to get a tour of the Bay Breeze.”
“See you then.”
He hung up and went to his car, still wondering why Piper hadn’t made a decision about buying a car.
She’d driven Keaton’s the six weeks he and Layne had been gone on their honeymoon.
Every time he asked her about it, she put him off, saying she wasn’t ready to commit.
When they went to pick up the newlyweds at the airport, though, she surprised him by asking him to drop her at the car rental desk.
She’d rented a car and had been driving it for the entire month of May.
He learned not to press her, though. Piper had a stubborn streak and could really dig in her heels.
On the way out of the Bay, he called Layne.
“Hey, can I bring my friend Zane to the cookout tonight? He’s coming in from New York, and I’d like him to meet my friends here in the Bay.”
“Definitely. I’d love to meet him, especially since you said he’d added our names to the test list. Keaton and I are really looking forward to staying at Tidewater next weekend.”
“Okay. I’ll bring him and the wine I promised.”
He arrived in Corpus ahead of schedule and stopped at a wine store to pick up his contribution to tonight’s gathering before arriving at the airport. Zane texted him that he’d just gotten to baggage, and Sullivan told him he’d loop around and be waiting outside.
Zane came sailing through the doors, oozing his usual confidence. Sullivan tooted the horn and pulled next to the sidewalk, popping the trunk as he got out. Zane put his suitcase and backpack into the trunk, and they gave one another a bear hug.
“So, where did you come from? I know you’ve been to several cities in Asia recently.”
“I took a redeye from Singapore to LAX and then from there to JFK. Dumped clothes at the apartment and repacked. Went into the office yesterday to catch up on a few things before flying here today. You know I live out of a suitcase these days.”
They got into the car, and he pulled back into traffic, saying, “I’m supposed to deliver you to the diner, where Nellie is creating a list of all the things she wants to feed you before you head over to Tidewater.”
Zane smacked loudly. “Gran’s sweet potato pie better be at the top of that list.”
“It was. I cleared it with her. You’re going to a barbeque with me tonight. I want you to meet a few friends.” He paused. “And Piper.”
Zane grunted. “I suppose she’s what kept you in Texas this long.”
“Yes and no. Piper wasn’t in the Bay when I cleared it with you to work from here.
I don’t know if I can explain it, Zane. There’s something magical about Driftwood Bay.
The people. The water. The slower pace of life.
I feel I’ve gotten more done and been way more creative by working here.
I made a couple of friends. I’ve mentioned them to you, Keaton and Carson. ”
Zane thought a moment. “Artist and basketball coach, right?”
“Right. Then Piper showed up. She’s a Driftwood Bay native and part of the Three Musketeers. The other two are the wives of Carson and Keaton.” He ran a hand through his hair. “She’s really special, Zane. We’ve hit it off in a way I can’t really explain.”
His friend stared at him. “You’ve never been serious about any woman. I’ve known you since we were in diapers. You go through women faster than someone with allergies does a tissue box.”
“I like her, Zane. I more than like her.”
Sullivan could feel Zane’s intense gaze trained upon him. “Are you going to leave Wagner Enterprises?”
“No,” he said quickly. “You know I have my dream job. You and your dad have been fantastic to me. It’s just that…it’ll be hard to leave Piper behind.”
“Ask her to come to New York,” Zane suggested. “See if you can make a go of things. You’d have to do a better job than I did with Amanda.”
“Hey, Amanda wasn’t your fault. Okay, well, some of it was your fault. I’d put her at ninety percent to your ten.” He swallowed. “Even if I asked, though, Piper wouldn’t come.”
Sullivan explained how Piper had lived on the road for her entire twenties and that she was ready to settle down in her hometown and build a new life there.
“I can tell she wants kids. I don’t know that I do. I’d probably be terrible with them.”
“You would not,” Zane insisted. “You’d be a great dad. But I can’t see you being happy in a place as small as the Bay, Sullivan. You live an exciting life. You travel quite a bit. As much as I enjoyed spending some of my summers in the Bay, as an adult? I’d be bored stiff.”
“You really would,” he agreed. “I’m not so sure about me, though.”
Zane’s stare pierced him. “Think really hard before you make a major change in your life, Sullivan. You know how fast we move at Wagner Enterprises. If you stepped away, I’m not certain Dad would have you back if you changed your mind and wanted to return. He’s all about loyalty to the company.”
“I know. I’m not saying I’d do that. It’s just going to be hard to leave Piper, that’s all.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting her. She must be very special to tempt you to walk away from a thriving career.”
Sullivan knew he was going to choose New York and his career over Piper.
And knowing that left him feeling totally depressed.
They arrived in the Bay, and he drove around the square. Zane pointed out things excitedly.
“That’s where Gramps would take me for ice cream. That’s where I’d go buy comic books.”
He pulled up at the diner, and Zane hopped out of the car. “Pop the trunk. I’ll get my stuff. Gran will take me home after she feeds me. What time are you picking me up for this barbeque?”
“Five-fifteen. We’ll go over to the Bay Breeze Inn then. I want Piper to walk you through it. She’s acting as the B&B’s manager for a few months. You need to see it. And lose the coat and tie for the cookout. Everyone will be very casually dressed.”
“Got it.”
Zane lifted his bags from the trunk and closed it. “Later. Thanks for the ride.”
Sullivan watched him enter the diner and then called Piper. “Hey, you busy?”
“Just doing a little paperwork,” she replied. “Did Zane’s plane get in on time?”
“Yes. I just dropped him at the diner. Nellie’s ready to stuff him like a Thanksgiving turkey. Do you have time to come see something now?”
“It’s almost two. I was going to run by the bakery and grab cookies before check-in starts at three.”
“How about I pick up cookies and bring them to you? Then I want you to come see something. We don’t have to stay long.”
“See what?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Okay.” She gave him her cookie order.
He got out of the car and went into the bakery, waving at Denise, who was with a customer. Sullivan had a clerk ring up the cookies Piper requested and then drove straight to the inn.
She came down the porch stairs and got into the car. She sniffed. “Not your cologne. Must be Zane’s.”
“I’m sure it is.”
“Are you going to give me an idea where we’re going?”
He gave her a silly grin. “Nope.”
A few minutes later, he pulled up at Neville and Nellie’s house, and she asked, “Is Zane here now? Am I going to meet him?”
“No, I’m sure he’s still at the diner. I wanted to show you something.”
Her eyes lit up. “You finished the end tables?”
“I did.”
Sullivan had shown Piper a picture of the coffee table he’d made for Nellie. She had raved over it. He wanted her to see his work in person, however. Escorting her to the backyard, he unlocked the woodshop, and they entered. He warned her not to touch the tables since they were still drying.
“Oh! Wow! These are gorgeous, Sullivan.” Piper dropped to her knees, moving close to inspect the pair of tables. “Mid-century modern, just like the coffee table. Oh, look at the legs on these. They’re beauties. And the storage is incredible. Nellie’s going to go crazy over them.”
She beamed up at him, and all he wanted to do was kiss her senseless.
“You have a true gift. Just like my voice is my talent, you can not only draw furniture and buildings, but you can craft something lasting with your hands.”
Piper rose, taking his hands in hers. “I’m so glad you brought me to see your work.”
In that moment, Sullivan decided that he would design and craft a goodbye present to Piper, one which would last her a lifetime.