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“See you then.”
* * *
AT A QUARTER to seven that evening, Luci stood in front of the bathroom mirror brushing her hair. She put down the brush and peered at her image. Should she wear lipstick or go natural? Did her sweater look ratty? Or casual and comfortable? Finally, she came to her senses. What was wrong with her? This wasn’t a date—this was work. She didn’t have to fix herself up for Cody.
He arrived promptly at seven and breezed in, carrying a white paper bag in one hand and a small black box in the other. He handed her the paper bag.
“What’s this?” she asked and then spotted the Bon Ton Bakery logo. She peeked into the bag. “Ah, doughnuts. Chocolate frosted.” Her mouth was watering already.
“There’s strawberry, too. I trust you have coffee to go with.”
“I do. Good thing I made a big pot.” She pointed to the box. “What else did you bring?”
He patted the top. “This is for later, when we’re through working.” He set the box on the coffee table.
“I have the article up on the computer. Why don’t you take a look while I put these doughnuts on a plate and pour us some coffee?”
“Got to check your view first.” He walked to the patio door and looked out.
“Don’t you want to take a picture or two?” she asked. Of course, his camera was slung around his neck.
“Maybe later,” he said with a good-natured grin.
By the time she had set the doughnuts and coffee on the table and pulled up a chair beside him, he was deep into reading the article. While he finished, she munched a doughnut and sipped her coffee. Finally, he sat back and frowned. Uh-oh. Her stomach knotted.
“So what do you think?”
He nodded and reached for a doughnut, brushing against her shoulder in the process. “I think it’s pretty darn good.”
“No, I hear something else in your voice. What?”
He studied the screen again, scrolling up and down. “It might be a little stiff.”
“Stiff? What does that mean?”
“A few more quotes from Dunbar might liven it up.”
She put down her mug and folded her arms. “He wasn’t the most talkative person.”
“I know. Forget I said anything. Why’d you ask me, anyway?”
“I wanted, ah...” What did she want? His approval? He wasn’t her boss.
But he was her partner. They were in this job together, for better or worse. “I’ll give quotes some thought.”
“And the photos of Dunbar. They turned out all right, didn’t they? How about that shot where he’s cupping one of the plants in his hands? I thought that showed how much he cares about his plants.”
“I do like that one.”
“But what about the one where he’s standing and gazing at the bogs. It’s a good one, too, even if he has a poker face.”
She had to smile. “He did, didn’t he? Hmm.” She skimmed the article. “I don’t see a spot for it, though.”
“How about here?” He pointed to a line on the screen.
“No, no, doesn’t fit.”
They went back and forth for a while without reaching an agreement. Finally, Cody threw up his hands. “I think we’re done here. But give my suggestions some more thought, okay?”
“Sure.” Maybe.
Luci turned off the computer. She picked up their coffee mugs and carried them to the sink. He followed with the plate of leftover doughnuts.
“Thanks for coming—and for your help.” She took the plate and placed it beside the mugs.
“You’re welcome, but we’re not done yet.”
“I thought you just said we were?”
“Nope. One more thing.” He held out his hand. “Come on.”
Luci stared for a moment and then, with an inward sigh, held out her hand and let their fingers mesh. He led her to the sofa, and while she sat he picked up the box he’d brought and held it out.
“What this?”
“Something I made for you. Go on, open it.”
She pulled off the lid. Inside lay a book. “Luci’s Homecoming” was printed on the cover, and below that a photo of her smiling face.
“From my party. Oh, Cody...”
He sat next to her, and they paged through the album, looking at all the photos he’d taken that night. “There’s Don mugging for the camera,” she said. “And there’s Dad with his arm around Mom.”
“They sure look happy. Married how long?”
“Thirty-three years next March.”
He’d managed to capture the children in cute poses, and all the other guests, too. There were even photos of the ocean view and the sunset.
When they finished looking at the pictures, Luci closed the cover and turned to Cody. “Thank you. What a wonderful gift.”
“You’re welcome. I made books for your parents, and for Don and Francine, too.”
“I’m sure they’ll appreciate them as much as I do. And I’m sorry I was such a brat about your taking my picture that night.”
He made a dismissive wave. “No problem. I know you weren’t expecting me to show up for your homecoming.”
She laughed. “You were a surprise, all right.”
They turned toward each other, and their eyes met. Warmth flooded her face and her heart thudded. Swallowing hard, she tore her gaze away.
Cody cleared his throat. “Say, what time is it?” He checked his wristwatch. “Nine, already? Gotta be on my way. Early get up tomorrow. Fishing trip with your brother and Max.”
In no time at all, he was at the door. His hand on the knob, he turned and said, “Glad the article’s done. You did good, kid.” He gave her a pat on the shoulder, and then he was gone.
After he left, Luci dropped onto the sofa and put her head in her hands. The evening had worn her out. Okay, they’d managed to put together the article, but it hadn’t been easy. He thought that he knew best just because he had more experience. But she was the boss here, wasn’t she?
* * *
CODY GRIPPED HIS fishing rod while the Half Time bucked another wave and water sloshed onto the deck. Good thing he’d brought his waterproof camera. Don was sitting next to him, also keeping a tight hold on his fishing rod.
On the other side of the boat were Max Billings and the new guy, Ben Shapiro. The Half Time’s owner and captain, Ole Swenson, rounded out their party.
Don suddenly leaned back as his rod arced and the line went taut. “I got one!”
Max looked over his shoulder. “Keep your line tight,” he said.
“Must be a big one,” Ben put in.
Standing at the helm, Ole grinned and gave a thumbs-up. He idled the engine, which sent the boat plunging into the waves and water splashing onto the deck. Cody anchored his reel and grabbed his camera. This was a photo op not to be missed.
Don’s face turned red and his breath huffed. Max yelled orders. Ben looked on as though awed by the whole thing.
“There he is!” Max pointed.
Sure enough, a king salmon burst into view, its silver scales catching the sun’s rays. Then the fish plunged back into the water. Don reeled more line. The boat rocked and rolled.
“Here he comes!” Don yelled.
The fish broke the waves again and for a moment, tail swinging, hung suspended in the air. Cody caught that moment and several more. Then it was all over, and Don’s prize catch lay on the deck.
Not for long, though. Ole packed the fish in ice while the others talked about what a great catch it was, and Cody reviewed his shots. Don may have caught the king salmon, but for Cody, his pictures were much more valuable than any fish. The shot of the salmon in midair was exactly what he’d hoped for. He could already see the photo blown up and hanging on a wall or featured on a magazine cover.
Before the trip was over, they’d each landed a salmon, although none were as big as Don’s. Back in the marina, they posed for photos with their prizes and got a ritual picture to take home and show to friends, along with a story that would be embellished each time it was told.
After making arrangements to pick up their fish later, they celebrated at the marina’s tavern. The group sat on the deck, watching the other charters drift in like hunters coming home.
The marina was close to Smuggler’s Cove, where bootleggers had hidden their stashes during Prohibition. Willow Beach was full of interesting history, but, with the entire world calling, Cody had never taken the time to pursue it. Maybe someday.
During a lull in the conversation, Cody turned his attention to the newcomer. “So, Ben, you’re from Seattle?”
Ben sipped his beer and set down the glass. “Right. Thought I might like living on the coast.”
“And you’re an accountant.”
“Yep, a numbers cruncher. I opened an office in the Stafford Building. Already have a fair number of clients.”
“Including us,” Max said. “That’s how me ’n’ Ben got acquainted.” Max was a partner in Fuller’s Foods, Willow Beach’s main grocery and variety store.
Cody couldn’t imagine staring at numbers all day, but someone had to do it. Ben looked the part, with his blond hair neatly cut and jaw clean shaven. While Cody, Max and Don were dressed in sloppy shirts and faded jeans, Ben wore a sports shirt that was molded to his chest and tucked into jeans that somehow had a crease.
He seemed a nice enough guy, though, and he might appeal to Luci. Since Cody had heard that Luci still had a thing for him, he’d been trying to figure out what he could do—without hurting her. He’d decided that she needed another guy to catch her interest. Then she would forget about him. Maybe Ben could be that guy.
“You attached?” he asked Ben, in what he hoped was a casual tone.
“Am I married, you mean? No.”
“Girlfriend? Significant other?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Me, neither.” Cody chuckled. “Lucky us, huh?”
Don jumped into the conversation. “Do I hear you bad-mouthing the holy state of matrimony? It’s not so bad, is it, Max?”
Max folded his arms over his brawny chest. “You’ll have to ask Trixie about that.”
Don smirked. “Yeah, Arliss and I saw you two the other night at the movies, holding hands like you were on your first date.”
“A night out without the kids is a date,” Max said. “And Trixie insists on one date night a month.” He shrugged. “I can’t complain.”
Ben made no comment. He didn’t appear to be much of a talker. But then, Cody often became an observer, too, always keeping an eye out for the next picture. Like now. He spotted a gull about to land on the piling at the mouth of the harbor. Look at that wingspan. Look at the angle. Look at the legs come down. Must be like landing a plane. He picked up his camera.
Later, on the way to their vehicles, Cody caught up with Ben. “Good to have you along today.”
Ben nodded. “Catching that fish made my day.”
They turned into the parking lot, dodging a couple cars and stepping onto the path. “You probably don’t know many people in town yet, being new and all.”
“Haven’t had much time. Busy lining up clients. And bird-watching. That’s one of the reasons I moved here. I’m an amateur ornithologist.”
“That so? I’ve been known to stalk a few birds myself.” At Ben’s startled look, he added, “When I’m taking pictures. You know.” He let a moment go by while some others passed them on the path and then continued, “A friend of mine works in the same building you do. I could introduce you, if you’re interested.”
Ben’s forehead wrinkled, but then he said, “Well...okay.”
“Super. Give me a day or so to work out the particulars, and I’ll get back to you.”
Ben nodded and pulled his car keys from his pocket. “Sounds like a plan.”
Cody climbed into his SUV and headed out of the marina lot. Ben had been a whole lot easier to reel in than the fish he’d caught today. Now, he had to find the right time to get him and Luci together.
Cody pasted a big grin on his face and wore it all the way home.
CHAPTER FOUR
“DID YOU SUBMIT your article on Cranberry Acres to Coastal Living?” Glen asked.
Luci put down the brochure advertising a charter boat service and sat back in her chair. She’d managed to organize some of the material, but countless stacks remained. The mess was driving her crazy.
“I did turn in the article. I haven’t had a response yet from the editor.”
“It looked good to me.” Glen hitched up his trousers over his ample stomach. The day was a warm one, and he’d shed his jacket and rolled up his shirtsleeves, but the ever-present tie adorned his neck. “But then, what do I know about it? That’s why I hired you and Cody. By the way, have you seen him lately?”
“Not since we went over the article together. I’m working on the brochures now, picking out the ones that need updating. When I get them organized, I’ll contact him to take some photos.” Not that she’d be picking up the phone anytime soon. Working together or not, seeing Cody as little as possible suited her just fine.
“Good, good.” Glen idly picked up a brochure from one of the stacks she’d assembled, riffled through it and then tossed it onto the table. “But don’t forget about the sand-castle contest.”
Luci retrieved the brochure and carefully put it where it belonged. “Of course. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”
He frowned. “You need to do more than that, Luci. You need to come up with an idea. A brilliant one. We need a new twist this year. Make us look good.”
Not long after Glen left, Marge rushed in, her arms loaded with yellow file folders. She dumped them onto the worktable, where they slid into the neat piles of brochures.
“Oops, sorry.” Marge leaned over the table, scrambling to corral the files.
“What’s all this?” Luci rescued the brochures and set them aside.
“Cleaning out more files.” Marge straightened and waved her arms. “Not my idea. Glen’s orders. This is stuff from decades ago. If it was up to me—” she thumbed her chest “—I’d toss it. But now that you’re here, he wants everything organized and up-to-date.” She rolled her eyes. “Pressure, pressure.”
The phone in the outer office rang.
“That’s probably the mayor,” Marge said. “Gotta go.” She scurried out the door.
After Marge left, Luci abandoned the brochures and the rest of the mess on the worktable and migrated to her computer to research sand-castle contests.
She was deep into her work when Cody arrived.
Another man accompanied him. The newcomer looked vaguely familiar, like someone she might have passed in the hallway. He wasn’t as tall as Cody, but then most men weren’t. He was dressed in neatly pressed slacks and a plaid shirt that looked, well, sprayed on. His blond hair was cut short and combed back from a high forehead.
“Luci, meet Ben Shapiro.” Cody gestured to his companion. “He’s new in town. An accountant. Has an office upstairs.”
“Pleased to meet you, Luci.”
Ben offered her a shy smile along with his outstretched hand. But his fingers barely touched hers before he drew back.
“I thought I’d seen you here in the building. Welcome to Willow Beach,” Luci said.
“Thanks.” Ben broke eye contact and looked around.
“Ben’s also a bird fancier,” Cody put in. “That’s one of the reasons he moved here from Seattle. Right, Ben?”
“Right.”
Ben seemed to have found something interesting on the ceiling, although Luci couldn’t imagine what that was. “We do have a lot of birds here on the coast,” she said.
No one spoke for a couple of seconds, and then Cody snapped his fingers. “Say, if we do an article on birds for Coastal Living, maybe you could be our go-to guy. Have you seen that mag, Ben? You got a copy handy, Luci?”
“I do, somewhere around here.” Luci rummaged through a stack of papers on her desk and pulled out a copy of the magazine. She held it out to Ben.
He riffled through the pages. “Yes, I’ve seen this around town.”
“And didn’t you say you’d written some articles yourself?” Cody asked. “For professional journals? Birds something-or-other?”
Ben looked up from the magazine. “Birds of the West Coast and Birdology.”
Luci hadn’t heard of either of those publications, but, when nothing more was forthcoming from Ben, she said, “Oh? If you have extra copies, I’d love to read them.”
Cody nodded. “Might give us some ideas.”
“Sure. I have some extra copies.” He handed the magazine back to Luci and looked at his wristwatch. “I gotta get back to the office. Client coming in a few minutes. Pleased to meet you, Luci.”
He finally made eye contact, along with a small nod.
“You, too, Ben.”
Cody walked to the door with Ben. “Don’t be a stranger now, you hear?”
Ben mumbled a reply, but Luci couldn’t make out the words.
She sat at her desk, ready to resume her work. Cody returned and stood over her, arms folded across his chest.
“So what do you think?”
She looked up. “About what? The article idea?”
“Ah, yeah. About that.”
“It has possibilities.”
Cody paced a few steps and then turned. “How about Ben? What do you think about him?”
“You mean as a resource person?”
“Resource. Sure.”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to him some more. Except he doesn’t say much, does he?”
“He might be a little shy.”
Luci narrowed her eyes. “Cody, what is going on here?”
“Ben went fishing with us on Saturday. He’s Max’s accountant. And when he mentioned he was interested in birds, I thought maybe he’d be a good contact.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Okay, since he’s new in town and, as you saw, shy, I thought he could use some help getting to know people... Say, I gotta run, too. Glen’s got an assignment for me. Do you have anything? I can come back later.”
“I will have something on the sand-castle contest...soon. I’ll let you know.”
Luci watched Cody hurry out the door. He was acting strangely today. But she didn’t have time to worry about him now. She had a job to do. She turned back to her computer and her research.
* * *
ANXIOUS TO GET away from Luci’s questions, Cody headed down the hall to Glen’s office. Had he been too obvious? This matchmaking stuff was harder than he’d thought it would be. Still, he’d gotten the ball rolling, and he wasn’t about to give up.
The following day, Luci mentioned that Ben had dropped off copies of his articles and she had given him some brochures on the Wildlife Refuge. She made no mention of getting together with Ben after hours, though, and Cody didn’t want to raise her suspicions any further by inquiring. He waited a couple more days, and when no progress appeared to have been made, he figured he’d have to give Ben another nudge.
He was at the post office when he spotted Ben pulling mail from a postal box. They exchanged greetings and a bit of small talk, and then Cody got down to business.
“What’d you think of Luci?” he asked.
Ben tucked his mail into his jacket pocket. “She’s very knowledgeable about writing. We talked a bit when I gave her my articles.”
Cody nodded. “Talking’s good. But what did you think of her? She’s attractive, isn’t she?”
“Very. You on your way out?” Ben gestured toward the door. “I need to get back to the office.”
“Yeah, I’m done here.” They fell into step walking across the marble floor to the open door, dodging people along the way. “Luci was an intern at the Herald when I worked there. Then we went to the U at the same time, although I graduated a year ahead of her.”
“So you two go way back.”
“Just as friends.” Cody emphasized the word friends.
They went down the steps to the parking lot. Cody was searching his brain for something else to say about Luci when Ben asked, “Is she seeing anyone?”
Finally. He was beginning to think he’d have to spell it out. “No, she’s not. She was dating a guy at the U for a while, but that didn’t work out.” Cody was glad it hadn’t. Seth had seemed like a loser. Not good enough for Luci. He eyed Ben. Was he good enough?
“So, you think you’d like to ask Luci out?”
Ben nodded. “I was thinking of asking her to dinner.”
Yes! Cody restrained himself from making a fist and pumping the air and instead nodded solemnly. “I’m sure she’d like that.”
“Where would you suggest we go? I could ask her for suggestions, but I’d like to have some ideas myself.” Ben whipped out a pair of sunglasses from his jacket pocket and pushed them up on his nose with his forefinger.
“Beach Café’s probably your best bet. Casual but with a touch of elegance. Can’t beat the view.” He was already imagining them at a window table, enjoying one of Willow Beach’s spectacular sunsets—when they weren’t gazing into each other’s eyes.
Ben took out his car keys. “Sounds good. Why don’t you come, too?”
Cody gave him a look. “Me?” He pointed at himself. “Why would I—”
Ben shrugged. “I’m not much of a talker... In fact, maybe this isn’t such a good idea, after all.”
“No, wait.” Cody put out a hand. “Okay, I’ll come and...bring someone.” Right now, he had no idea who. But if that was what it took to get Ben and Luci together, he’d do it.
Ben looked at his watch. “Gotta go. I’m late.”
Before Cody could say any more, Ben climbed into his truck. He started the engine and roared from the parking lot.
Cody stared after him. What had just happened here? But maybe his presence on their date would be a good thing. Then he could make sure Ben and Luci were getting along okay.
But now he had to come up with someone for himself. Who would that be? Most of the women he knew were either married or had moved away. He wandered down Main Street, deep in thought.
He was about to give up when he found himself in front of Sylvie’s Souvenir Shop. Sylvie Ventura. He snapped his fingers. Yes.
He opened the door and went inside. “Is Sylvie around?” he asked the teenage clerk.
She nodded toward the back of the store. “In the office.”
Cody hurried past the crowded shelves. Seashells were everywhere: wind chimes, boxes, lamps, coasters, bowls and flowerpots. Then came the clothing section: flip-flops and tennis shoes, sweatshirts and jeans, hats and scarves, and then, finally, he reached the open door to the office.
Sylvie stood behind a counter unpacking a box of T-shirts. “Cody!” She put down a handful of shirts and ran to give him a hug.
He put his arms around her and hugged her back. Her topknot tickled his chin and her perfume filled his nostrils. She broke away and looked him up and down. “Heard you were back in town and workin’ for the chamber. Glen Thomas.” She tsked-tsked. “He’s a driver.”
“He’s okay. Leaves me and Luci pretty much on our own.”
Sylvie shook her forefinger. “Yeah. Just don’t cross him.”
“And that would be how?”
“Forget I said that.” She waved a hand, jangling her bracelet made of tiny seashells. Her dangling earrings were also made of shells, and her pink shirt read Willow Beach Rocks. He glanced down at her jeans and flip-flops. Sylvie was a walking advertisement for her souvenir shop.
“Looks like you’re doing a great job, taking over for your folks.”
“I’m trying. Growing up in the business helps. I’ve been working here since I was old enough to walk, practically.” She grinned. “So what brings you here today? Want me to pose for you?” She placed her hand behind her head and fluttered her eyelashes.
Cody laughed. “Sure. But later. I’ve a favor to ask first.”
“Okay. I’m listening, but let me buy you a drink. C’mon.”
She led him to the employee’s lounge, which was decorated with orange and red vinyl furniture and a soft drink machine with blinking lights. A few minutes later, bottle of soda in hand and seated on one of the vinyl couches, Cody asked Sylvie to go out to dinner with him and Ben and Luci.
While he talked, she drank her soda and tapped her red fingernails—which matched her toenails—against the bottle.
When he finished, Sylvie set her drink on a glass-topped table. “Let me get this straight. You want me to be your dinner date because you’re trying to get this Ben and Luci together, and he needs moral support.”