Chapter 15
F elicity wandered into the kitchen about five-thirty and stared at Darlene. “Gran, what are you doing?”
Darlene blushed. “What does it look like? I’m making dinner.”
“Gran, I’m sorry. I thought I told you. I have plans to go out with Brent and his uncle, Jonah.”
“Yes, I remember.”
Felicity frowned. “So, you’re making all this for you?”
She turned to face Felicity, hands on hips. “If you must know, I’m making dinner for Mark. He helped out with a few repairs around here, and I thought this was the least I could do to repay him.”
Her granddaughter made a weak attempt at hiding her smile. “Ah, yes. The least you can do. Well, you two lovebirds have fun.”
“Felicity,” she warned.
Felicity laughed out loud. “Just teasing. No, really. I hope you have a nice evening. I’ll be home late. Don’t wait up.”
“Have fun.” Darlene turned back to the final preparations for dinner.
At five before six, she looked at the table.
She’d set the table in the kitchen instead of out in the dining room where another guest might disturb them.
Placemats and a vase of flowers from her garden made the table look fancier.
She’d pulled out some of her china she rarely used, along with two nice crystal wineglasses.
Suddenly, she worried that she’d gone overboard.
The door to the kitchen opened and Mark stepped in. Too late to change anything now.
“Wow, it smells wonderful in here.”
“Oh, just stuffed chicken breasts, some pasta, and a side salad,” she said like she hadn’t toiled tirelessly this afternoon getting it all ready. “Oh, and I made a pie. Peach.”
“Love peach pie. And I don’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal like this.” He grinned at her. “Well, except for your delicious breakfasts. Thank you for doing this for me.”
“Thanks for all the help with repairs.” She motioned to the table. “Sit down and I’ll dish everything up.”
She anxiously watched Mark’s expression as he took his first bite of the stuffed chicken breast. His eyes widened, and a smile spread across his face.
“Darlene, this is absolutely delicious,” he said, reaching for his wineglass. “You’ve outdone yourself.”
She felt a flush of pride at his compliment. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.”
As they ate their meal, they chatted about the upcoming storm that was predicted to come in the next few days as well as the play they’d enjoyed so much at the theater. She enjoyed just sitting and chatting with him. It was easy and fun and… she really liked it. Liked him .
She sat back for a moment, letting that thought sink in. Admitting the truth to herself.
He interrupted her thoughts and asked, “So, tell me, what’s it like running the B&B? It seems like a lot of work for one person.”
She brought her thoughts back to his question, ignoring the truth she’d just admitted to herself. “It can be challenging at times, but I love it. It’s been my life for so long now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
“Do you ever take a break? A vacation?”
She paused, her fork hovering over her plate. When was the last time she had taken a real vacation? She couldn’t remember. “I… I guess it’s been a while. Years, maybe.” Or maybe she couldn’t ever remember taking one since she bought the B&B.
Mark’s eyes filled with concern. “That’s a long time to go without a break. Don’t you ever feel like you need some time for yourself?”
She shrugged, pushing a cherry tomato around her salad plate. “Sometimes, but the B&B is my life. It’s hard to step away from it, even for a little while.”
As the words left her mouth, a realization struck her. Had she really let the B&B consume her entire life? She thought about all the invitations from friends she had declined, the vacations she had put off, and even the quiet moments alone she had sacrificed.
He seemed to sense her thoughts. “It’s important to take care of yourself sometimes too. You deserve a break now and then.”
She appreciated his concern. “You’re right. Maybe it’s time I start thinking about taking some time for myself.” Although she had no idea how to make that happen.
They continued their meal, the conversation flowing easily between them while she steadfastly ignored the truth she’d discovered. She liked Mark Donovan. Liked him a lot.
After they finished their dinner, she cleared the plates and brought out the peach pie. His eyes lit up at the sight of the golden crust and the aroma of cinnamon and ripe peaches.
“This looks amazing,” he said, accepting a slice from Darlene.
She smiled, pleased with his reaction. It had been a long time since she’d shared a meal like this with someone, and she realized how much she had missed the simple pleasure of good food and good company.
Mark stood at the end of the meal and gathered his dishes. “Let me help with these.”
“How about I just rinse them and set them in the sink? I’ll deal with them later when I’m getting things prepped for breakfast tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” He really wouldn’t mind helping. He wasn’t quite ready to call it an evening.
“I’m sure.”
“Well, would you like to go out and sit on the porch for a bit?”
“That sounds lovely.”
Relief swept through him that the evening wasn’t over yet.
They headed outside, and Darlene settled onto the glider.
The evening air was warm and heavy with the scent of honeysuckle, and the gentle sound of the water lapping at the shore of the bay created a soothing backdrop.
He eased down beside her. The glider creaked and swayed gently as they found their balance together.
“It’s a beautiful night,” he said, resorting to small talk, even though he wanted to ask her questions and learn more about her. About her life here on Magnolia Key. What she thought about so many things. Her hobbies, her favorite color. So much he didn’t know.
She nodded, her eyes scanning the horizon, where the evening darkened and the stars began to dot the sky. “It is. I love this time of day, when everything starts to slow down, and the world feels a little more peaceful.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying the serenity of the evening. He found himself stealing glances at her, admiring the way the fading light played across her features. She looked relaxed and content.
“Thank you again for dinner,” he said, breaking the silence. “It was delicious.” Why would his mind only give him small talk? He wanted to ask her questions. Endless questions.
She smiled, turning to face him. “It was my pleasure. It’s nice to cook for someone who appreciates it.”
“I more than appreciate it. You’re a fantastic cook.” He hesitated, not sure he should say it, then added, “And a wonderful friend.”
Her smile softened, and she reached out to pat his hand. “You’re a good friend too, Mark. I’m glad you came to stay at the B&B.”
A feeling of something spread through him at her words.
He’d come to the island seeking solitude and inspiration, but he’d found something even more valuable in Darlene’s friendship.
She understood his grief and his struggle to move forward.
Her presence brought comfort and belonging. Two things he’d been missing.
“I’m glad too,” he said softly, covering her hand with his own. “I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived here, but you’ve made me feel more at home than I have in a long time.”
Her eyes glistened in the fading light, and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “That’s what I want for all my guests, but especially for you. You’ve been through so much, and you deserve to find peace and happiness again.”
He swallowed past the lump in his throat, touched by her words. “I’m starting to believe that’s possible, thanks to you.”
He chased away any remnants of guilt as they slowly swayed back and forth. It felt so right, sitting here beside Darlene.
They lapsed into silence again, their hands still clasped together as they watched the night darkened and the stars began to dot the sky.
He knew that, eventually, he would have to leave the island and return to his life in the city.
But for now, he was content to sit beside Darlene, enjoying the simple pleasure of her company and the beauty of the evening around them.
As they sat on the porch glider, the evening breeze gently rustled through the nearby magnolia trees. A sound so familiar, yet somehow it sounded more magical tonight to Darlene.
A feeling of being in the exact right place at the exact right time settled over her. As they watched the night sky, their hands remained clasped together, a simple and subtle gesture highlighting the connection they shared.
Her heart skittered as she realized the depth of her feelings for Mark.
It frightened her, the thought of opening her heart again after so many years of focusing solely on the B&B and her granddaughter.
She knew Mark was still in love with his late wife, Sarah, and that his stay on Magnolia Key was temporary.
Yet, in this moment, none of that seemed to matter.
Mark turned to face her, his eyes filled with a tenderness that made her breath catch in her throat. “Darlene, I…” His voice was soft and filled with emotion. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Your friendship, your support… It’s meant more to me than I can express.”
She swallowed, hard, as she gazed into his eyes. “You don’t have to thank me. Having you here, seeing you find peace, and hearing that you’re writing again… well, it’s made my heart happy.”
They leaned closer, drawn to each other like two stars caught in a gravitational spin. Her heart pounded as his face drew nearer, his breath warm against her skin. Just as their lips were about to meet, the sound of the screen door slamming jolted them apart.
“Gran, I—oh!” Felicity stood in the doorway, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before her. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
She felt her cheeks flush as she quickly jumped up, her hands shaking as she shoved them in her pockets. “It’s all right, dear. Did you need something?”
Felicity shook her head, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I wanted to talk. But it can wait. I’ll see you in the morning. Night, Gran. Good night, Mark.”
As Felicity disappeared back into the house, Darlene turned to face Mark, her heart still racing. The moment had passed, but the electricity between them remained, a crackling force that neither could ignore.
“I should probably head up to bed, too,” he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
Not trusting herself to speak, she only nodded.
As he stood and made his way to the door, a pang of longing poked at her, and the desire to reach out and pull him back to her was strong.
But she remained rooted to the spot, watching him disappear into the house, the screen door closing gently behind him.
Alone on the porch, Darlene let out a shaky breath, her mind reeling from the events of the evening.
She couldn’t lie to herself anymore. She cared for Mark more deeply than she’d ever anticipated.
The future was uncertain, but in this moment, that didn’t matter to her.
All that mattered was she was certain—fairly certain—no, certain —that Mark had feelings for her too.