Chapter 18 Tom
TOM
The Cedar Key waterfront restaurant had been the perfect choice for his first official date with Lucy in over forty years.
Tom watched her across the candlelit table, still hardly believing this was real.
The soft evening light caught her hair, and when she smiled, he felt like he was eighteen again, completely captivated by the smartest, most beautiful girl in Sandpiper Shores.
“This has been wonderful,” Lucy said, setting down her wine glass with a contented sigh. “I can’t remember the last time I had such a relaxing evening.”
“Even after the day you’ve had?” Tom asked, thinking about the chaos at Henderson’s farm and the medical response required for the fire.
“Especially after the day I’ve had,” Lucy replied with a laugh. “Though I have to admit, it was fascinating watching June work with Lacey on the animal rescue efforts. She took to it like she’d been doing veterinary triage her whole life.”
Tom leaned forward with interest. “Really? I wouldn’t have expected that from a high-powered attorney.”
“That’s what made it so surprising,” Lucy said, her eyes lighting up as she spoke.
“June was completely in her element. Calm, competent, anticipating what Lacey needed before she even asked. And the animals responded to her immediately. There’s something about people who genuinely care about helping others.
Animals can sense it.” She smiled. “June used to help out in a vet’s office when she was a teenager.
I think she originally wanted to be a vet. ”
He nodded as his eyes held hers. “How many casualties did you end up treating from today’s fire?” Tom asked.
“Mostly minor smoke inhalation cases, thankfully,” Lucy replied. “A few scrapes and bruises from people panicking as they evacuated the area. But we had far more animal patients than human ones.”
Tom smiled. “I heard through the grapevine that June’s already volunteered to help Lacey on a more regular basis.”
“She has,” Lucy confirmed. “And apparently, sweet little Becky has also volunteered her services, as well as Zoe. Although we already know Zoe is going to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and become a wildlife veterinarian.”
“I wish I’d known exactly what I wanted at twelve,” Tom said with a sigh.
“Zoe loves animals,” Lucy said, her voice full of affection.
“She has the same natural instincts that her grandmother Lacey has.” Her eyes were brimming with pride as she spoke about her great-niece and with fondness as she spoke about Becky.
“Lacey says that Becky has the gentlest hands she’s ever seen in someone so young.
” She gave a soft laugh. “Although I think June hopes one of her grandchildren wants to take up law. She fought hard to get her father’s law firm back. ”
Tom found himself thinking about his own children and felt the familiar pang of disappointment.
When Sienna and Clive had been Becky’s age, they’d shown no interest in anything beyond their own entertainment and comfort.
The contrast was stark and painful. Lucy’s daughter was ambitious, driven, and worked hard.
Her sister Lacey’s son and wife did the same, and their kids, Lacey’s grandkids, were already following in their parents’ footsteps and showing interest in working during the summer.
“It sounds like Lacey might have found herself a couple of assistants,” Tom observed.
“I think so,” Lucy agreed. “June needs something productive to focus on while she recovers, and Lacey desperately needs help with her traveling clinic. It could be perfect for both of them.”
They talked easily about the day’s events, the investigation, and the community’s response to the recent fires.
Tom found himself remembering why he’d fallen for Lucy all those years ago.
He’d loved her intelligence, her genuine concern for others, the way she could discuss complex issues with both passion and practical wisdom.
“I’ve been thinking about our conversation last night,” Lucy said, twirling her pasta around her fork. “About finding ways to attract young families to Sandpiper Shores.”
“What did you come up with?” Tom asked, genuinely curious.
“Well, we have all the natural attractions. You know, the beaches, the wildlife sanctuary, the historic downtown area,” Lucy began. “But we’re missing the infrastructure that modern families need.”
“Such as?” Tom prompted.
“Quality childcare, for one thing,” Lucy said immediately. “Young parents can’t relocate somewhere without reliable daycare options. We need a modern pediatric practice.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I handle basic care, but families with young children want specialists available.”
Tom nodded thoughtfully. “What else?”
“Better internet infrastructure for remote work,” Lucy continued, warming to her subject. “These days, people want to be able to work from anywhere if they have reliable high-speed internet. We could attract young professionals who want small-town living but need big-city connectivity.”
“That’s actually brilliant,” Tom said, making mental notes. “What about schools?”
“Our elementary school is excellent, but we need to expand the middle and high school programs,” Lucy replied.
“It needs to offer more advanced placement courses, better arts and music programs, and competitive sports facilities. Parents won’t move here if they think their teenagers will be disadvantaged. ”
Tom felt a surge of excitement as Lucy outlined her vision. This was exactly the kind of forward-thinking leadership Sandpiper Shores needed. “Have you discussed any of this with Noah?”
“Not yet,” Lucy said. “I thought I’d speak with Mina first as she’s better at organizing and getting people riled up about things.
” She looked at him. “Implementing changes as I’ve suggested requires significant investment and community buy-in.
We’d need to demonstrate that there’s genuine demand for these improvements.
” She took a sip of water. “And well, Mina knows how to fundraise and get the ball rolling. And as one of the oldest families in town, she’d also be the biggest supporter of this effort.
I know for a fact she doesn’t want to see Sandpiper Shores die. ”
They spent the next hour enthusiastically planning their proposal to Mina, bouncing ideas off each other with the kind of intellectual compatibility Tom had forgotten existed between them.
Lucy had always been his intellectual equal, someone who could challenge his thinking while supporting his goals.
By the time they finished dinner, Tom felt more optimistic about Sandpiper Shores’ future than he had in years. More than that, he felt hopeful about his own future for the first time since his divorce was finalized.
“This has been perfect,” Tom said as he helped Lucy with her jacket. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you for asking me,” Lucy replied, her eyes warm with the same contentment Tom was feeling. “I’d forgotten how much I enjoy talking with someone who actually listens to my ideas.”
They were walking toward the restaurant’s exit, Tom’s hand resting lightly on Lucy’s back, when a familiar voice made him stop in his tracks.
“Dad!”
Tom turned to see his daughter, Sienna, approaching, followed by a group of what appeared to be her usual crowd of privileged friends from the country club set. His heart sank as he recognized the calculating expression on Sienna’s face.
“Sienna,” Tom replied cautiously. “What brings you here tonight?”
His daughter’s eyes moved from him to Lucy, and her expression immediately turned cold and dismissive. She looked directly through Lucy as if she weren’t standing there at all.
“Just having dinner with friends,” Sienna said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “What are you doing here?”
“Having dinner,” Tom replied evenly, though he could feel tension building in his shoulders. “Lucy and I were just finishing up.”
Sienna’s gaze flicked to Lucy again with obvious disdain, but she continued to act as if the other woman were invisible. “How nice for you, Daddy.”
“I hope you’re not paying for your entire group tonight,” Tom said, glancing toward the hostess station where Sienna’s friends were being seated at what appeared to be a table for eight.
“Oh, I’m not paying for them, Daddy dear,” Sienna said, her smile turning smugly triumphant. Her eyes slid pointedly to Lucy, then back to him. “You are thanks to my credit card.”
Tom’s jaw clenched as understanding hit him. “Sienna, we’ve discussed this. That credit card is for emergencies only.”
“I need to use the restroom,” Lucy said quietly, clearly recognizing the family drama that was about to unfold. She gave Sienna a polite, if strained, smile. “Sienna, have a lovely evening with your friends.”
Sienna completely ignored her, not even acknowledging that Lucy had spoken.
The moment Lucy was out of earshot, Tom turned to his daughter with barely controlled anger. “That was incredibly rude, Sienna. Lucy delivered you into this world, and she’s been nothing but kind to our family. You will show her respect.”
“She’s your friend, not mine,” Sienna sneered, crossing her arms defensively. “I’m not obligated to be nice to your little girlfriends.”
“You’re obligated to behave like a civilized human being,” Tom shot back, his voice low but fierce. “And if you can’t manage basic courtesy, then perhaps you’re not mature enough to handle the privileges that come with being my daughter.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sienna asked, though her cocky expression faltered slightly.
“It means I’m not obligated to fund your social life,” Tom replied coldly. “You’re thirty-seven years old, Sienna. Don’t you think it’s time you put that expensive college degree to use?”
“There are no jobs for financial consultants in Sandpiper Shores,” Sienna protested, though her argument sounded weak even to her own ears.