Chapter 8
Natalie’s sisters had ambushed her the moment she’d walked in last night, demanding full details about her date with Trent. It had been more lovely than annoying, her happiness impervious after the incredible kiss left her starry-eyed. It was a wonder she hadn’t gotten lost on her way home.
But she’d kept that admission to herself as the three of them chatted about romance-inducing Lowcountry sunsets.
She’d dreamed about him. It would’ve been weird if she hadn’t. Her dreams had been filled with more tantalizing kisses leading to more of everything. Instead of waking restless, hungry for a man she wouldn’t see soon enough, she’d woken up feeling wonderfully inspired.
After brewing a pot of coffee, she went out to the screened porch with her sketch pad. Celeste must’ve asked her about food at some point, because her sister delivered a plate of scrambled eggs, sausage, and fresh fruit and refilled her coffee cup.
Absently, Natalie ate breakfast, her mind on her work, until the rushing flow of new ideas slowed to a trickle. When she looked up, Celeste was sitting nearby, quietly doing her own thing with a laptop and a notebook.
Finance ledger, Natalie realized, remembering the color-coding her sister used.
“Thanks for breakfast.” Gathering her dishes, her sketch pad tucked under her arm, she headed for the kitchen.
“You can interrupt me,” Celeste said.
Nat paused. “But you’re doing math.”
“And you can still interrupt me.” She smiled. “Did you land a new commission?”
There were times when her oldest sister’s smile reminded her so much of their mom it made Nat’s heart stutter. “Nothing new. Just woke up with a flood of inspiration this morning.” She could stop there, but why? “Including some ideas for curriculum options that benefit schools, private and public.”
Her sister’s eyebrows lifted. “Sounds intriguing,” Celeste said. “I really admire you. I don’t think any of us tell you that nearly enough.”
On a wave of emotion, Natalie’s lower lip trembled and her stomach, so content after that awesome breakfast, twisted hard.
“What do you mean? That’s silly,” she deferred.
“You and Roni give me plenty of support. Good grief, I have a place to live, my rent’s dirt cheap, and I barely need the income from my artwork.
We probably don’t thank you enough for ensuring our financial security. ”
She escaped to the kitchen, not the least bit surprised when Celeste followed her.
“Celeste, you’re hovering.” Natalie gentled the accusation with a smile. “I’m fine. I’m the one who played all day and had a great date last night.”
“Exactly. That’s a prime example,” Celeste pounced on the intended diversion, pointing at Nat’s face. “I can see through that carefree expression and tone. It’s your shield. But you don’t have to hide anything from us. We love you as is. Always have.”
Natalie hadn’t anticipated a heart-to-heart this morning. How to get out of it? “I’m not hiding, I promise.” Something in her sister’s eyes flashed like a distant storm brewing on the horizon. “I am a good listener,” Nat offered. “What do you really want to talk about?”
“This. You.” Celeste caught herself and took a breath. “You’re talented. Amazing. You bring the sunshine along with you everywhere you go. It’s just really awesome. You’re a wonderful person and I want you to hear me say it. I want you to know it.”
Fear trembled just under her heart and she swallowed. Hard. The words sounded too much like someone making sure nothing went unsaid. “Are you sick?”
“No.” Celeste pushed at her bangs. “I’m healthy as a horse. You’ve got access to my medical records. Check if you don’t believe me.”
Nat wasn’t entirely convinced. “Then why are you saying all this stuff?”
“Because you need to hear it. We all need to hear more of the good stuff, don’t we?”
Nat shrugged. “Guess so.”
Completely out of character, Celeste boosted herself up to sit on the countertop. “Blame it on the offer on the house.”
She snorted. “Hardly. That was a lowball cheap shot and I’m still not convinced Jackson didn’t have a hand in it.”
“So what?” Celeste swung her legs. “But knowing that situation put him in your head, I don’t want that old negativity to fester. Even if he is somehow involved, Roni and I know nothing about that has anything to do with you.”
Except she’d brought him into their world before she’d seen his true colors.
And based on the new sculpture in progress, negative feelings served a purpose.
Still, she was fortunate her sisters didn’t hold a grudge about her failed marriage.
They might feel differently if they knew the whole truth, but that was between her and her father.
And there were more reasons, more recent excuses, for why she and her dad never spoke.
She folded her arms, a cold prickle dancing across her scalp. “Thanks. Logically, I hear you.” And yet, if Jackson was involved, she would make sure to disabuse him of any notions of taking over Hargrave family property.
“Good.” Celeste hopped down to the floor. “Our reputation is too good to be affected by an unfortunate victim washing ashore.”
“True.” Nat managed to suppress the shudder that came along with any thought of that moment. “Trent handled all of that like the pro that he is.” His cool demeanor made her wonder what else he’d seen and survived.
“Your mind’s drifting again. To Trent?” she queried, a knowing sparkle in her gaze.
“I won’t even ask how you know that,” Natalie grumbled.
“Call it sisterly intuition.”
“Uh-huh. I’m looking forward to the day when I can turn those tables on you.”
Celeste scoffed, automatically dismissing the idea of jumping back into the dating pool.
Natalie and Veronica refused to allow it, frequently suggesting outings that introduced Celeste to more and more people.
Yes, she’d been madly in love with her husband, but she was way too young to give up on romance.
“How are things coming along for your booth at the music festival?” her sister asked, blatantly changing the subject.
“Good. I’m reviewing teacher recs for student volunteers this week.
” Natalie had gotten approval for an arts and crafts kids booth at the annual Brookwell Island Music Festival.
Drawing big name music stars as well as those undiscovered, the festival was the biggest tourist event of the year, consistently growing in both community participation and outside attendance.
“I want to be hands on and involved, but not locked in for every hour.”
“Makes sense. And if you really get desperate, I’m happy to volunteer.”
“Really?” Natalie couldn’t quite wrap her head around it.
“Is it that out of character?”
“Of course not. You’re the queen of all things helpful and organized.
It’s just…” When she didn’t finish Celeste stared her down.
“Just unexpected. Even with a plan and volunteers, there’s likely to be mess and chaos,” she warned.
Two things Celeste had a low tolerance for.
Then it hit her. The real draw for her sister was the vibrant, happy-kid energy.
Celeste was wired for motherhood and currently poured all her nurturing instincts into the business.
Not the same. “If anyone can bring harmony out of chaos, it’s you. ”
“You mean it?” Celeste lit up with hope.
“Always. Join us for as many hours as you like.”
“Thanks, Nat.” She refilled her coffee.
“My pleasure.” Natalie rinsed her cup and loaded it into the dishwasher.
“I should get over to the gallery. I have something in progress.” And she was curious if it would speak to her while she was in such a good mood.
“Plus, there’s the inventory to plan for the booth.
I’ll need more than coloring pages and crayons.
” Knowing she would need to reach out to local businesses for supplies, she had to have an actual list.
“Such as?”
Natalie shrugged. “Parents would surely be unhappy and disgusted if I wheeled out a couple of trash cans for kids to root through the way I do. In addition to that sandy clay stuff and coloring pages, I want to have a sculpting station using pipe cleaner sculptures. We can have clean bins full of new items for them to use. Easier for little hands and bright brains.”
“Those are great ideas.”
She appreciated the validation. “Thanks. We’ll see what comes in. One way or another, it’ll be a blast.”
Celeste grinned. “As I said, you’re remarkable.
I’m so glad you’re my sister.” The wistfulness in her sister’s gaze squeezed Natalie’s heart.
Obviously, Celeste’s big plans for life had gone off the rails when she was widowed so young.
Her sister thrived on timelines and spreadsheets and long-term goals.
Natalie knew she’d hoped for children and for a split second, she was furious with the universe for denying Celeste that joy.
Delaying, she corrected herself immediately.
The universe wasn’t keeping Celeste single.
Her sister was doing that all on her own.
Although tempted, Natalie never said a word to her directly.
She was in no position to criticize, nudge, or advise.
Her marriage didn’t even count. At the time Natalie had been fooled by the illusion of love.
What she’d felt for Jackson was nothing like the passion and commitment Celeste and Brian had shared.
“Same goes,” Natalie replied. “You’ve never let us flounder. You’re the glue that holds us together while we grow and do our own things. I love you so much. Do you need me to stay and work here today?”
“No.” Celeste waved her off. “Please go do your thing. Just do it knowing how amazing you are.”
Giving her sister a big hug, Nat went to dress and was out the door a few minutes later.
She took her bicycle, mainly because she wanted to take a circuit of the island before diving into work.
The fresh air always helped clear her head.
She needed that right now with the combination of creative ideas, sisterly concern, and a certain hunky man zipping through her mind.
When she reached the gallery on Central, she went straight to her store room and made a full inventory of the items on hand.
If she wanted a variety of creative options for the music festival booth, she would need to make her final decisions, send out emails, and place any online orders by the end of the week to allow for shipping.
When she had two full lists—what was here and what she hoped to add—she found several pipe cleaners and pulled out her basket of smaller scraps to make a few mock ups to promote the booth activities.
Having the examples ready to go would make it easy to take pieces with her on her upcoming school visits as good promotion.
She was struggling to bring a mock-up of her pipe cleaner person to life when she heard someone call her name.
Corey, the big mechanic from the marina’s repair shop, was striding her way. He had a cardboard box in one hand and that familiar reserved expression on his face. As if he didn’t want to bother her.
She smiled brightly, hoping someday he’d be more relaxed from the start of a conversation. “Hey Corey, how’s it going?”
“Good.” It came out almost like a question, as if he hadn’t decided. He cleared his throat. “It’s a good day.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The guy was so kind underneath all that quiet shyness.
“Are you having a good day?” he asked.
“I am.” She pulled a rag from the back pocket of her overalls, wiping the dirt from her hands.
The sky could be falling, but Corey wasn’t one of the people she would normally discuss it with.
He was pleasant, but not exactly part of her inner circle.
And when it came to her art, she discussed her true feelings about the process with only a few close people.
“What brings you by?” she prompted as he stood there standing at what surely must look like a pile of junk.
“Hm? Oh yeah. This.” He shoved the box at her. There was a distinct metallic rattle. “It’s heavy,” he warned.
“Ok—oof. You weren’t kidding.” She didn’t drop the box, but it was a near thing. With the box braced on her hip, she opened the flap, peeked inside, and let loose a happy squeal. “Oh, wow. Corey, this is awesome. Is it all for me?”
“Yeah.” He shuffled his feet. “I’ve seen you rummaging around. How you’re always looking for stuff.”
“That’s me!” She would’ve hugged him, but she worried he might have an adverse reaction to the exuberance.
“None of that is old or anything. Hope you can use new stuff.”
“New stuff works for me,” she gushed.
“Good. Um, the company sent us the wrong parts. All these nuts and bolts we can’t use. Rather than send ’em back I figured maybe you could do something with ’em.”
“I can. Thank you. This is super thoughtful, Corey. I was about to send an email to the local business owners asking for things just like this.”
“For your kids’ booth, right?”
“Yes, exactly. I’m hoping to give miniature lessons in sculpture art with—” She stopped when she saw his eyes glazing over. “Well, you get the point.”
“Yeah.” More shuffling. He shoved his empty hands into his pockets. “So now you won’t have to go rummaging around the marina, right?”
“Not for a while,” she laughed. “And not for the festival. I figure most parents want their kids to use supplies that are clean and new.”
“Probably so.” He glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting someone with a stopwatch to pop out and tell him time was up. “I should get back, but if you need something… Um. Just call me. I’m right there, y’know. I can bring stuff to you.”
“Oh.” Although she and Corey chatted about the weather whenever they crossed paths, this sudden interest in helping her came as a surprise. Thoughtful, but out of left field. “Thank you,” she added quickly. “I might take you up on that.”
Surely she had enough discards in the storage areas here and at home to keep her inspired in the meantime.
“Sure. Good. Do that.” His earnestness was so sweet she nearly hugged him anyway. As if he sensed her intention, he backed up. “Bye.” With a wave, he hurried off.
She carried the box of nuts and bolts inside, adding it to the stash of supplies for the festival booth.
As she closed the flaps, the shipping invoice caught her eye.
She pulled out the slip of paper. Reading it over, she opened the box again.
Every item on the packing list matched the small baggies of parts in the box.
Corey had said it was a mistake, but the business information and address matched the marina.
That made no sense. Why would Corey order parts he didn’t need?
Unless he was fabricating a reason to come visit her. A grand gesture, considering the quantity, variety, and prices listed on the invoice.
Choosing to be flattered and grateful for his contribution rather than weirded out by the odd visit, she got back to work.