Chapter 13

thirteen

T he ai-conditioning repairmen failed to show up, and Isabelle spent a sleepless night tossing and turning in the stuffy cottage. Dragging herself out of bed before dawn, she threw on yesterday's clothes and trudged over to the main house. She'd given no thought to her breakfast menu. Scrambled eggs and bacon would be the easiest to prepare and satisfy the majority. She wasn't sure if eggs were vegan. She knew they weren't dairy, but the real butter she used to cook them was. The dairy-free guest could either suck it up or starve.

When she opened the refrigerator, she realized she'd forgotten to go to the market yesterday for more eggs. Panic gripped her chest. The first guests would be down in thirty minutes, and she had nothing to feed them. She was pacing the floor, rubbing her chest with one hand and chewing on a thumbnail of the other, when Blossom burst through the back door. Her arms were laden with cartons of eggs as the little dog ran circles around her feet.

"Morning! I found these beside the back door," Blossom said, gingerly setting the egg cartons on the counter.

Isabelle looked from the cartons to Blossom. "How did they get there?"

Blossom shrugged. "I have no clue. Maybe your wholesale food distributor left them?"

"I haven't employed a wholesale food distributor yet. Even if I had, I'm certain they wouldn't deliver at dawn on a holiday." Isabelle opened a carton and inspected the gorgeous eggs. "These aren't your ordinary run-of-the-mill eggs. These are fresh from a henhouse. You are the egg fairy, Blossom. What is it you want from me?"

"Why don't you tell me?" Blossom asked with a look that made Isabelle squirm, as if she were searching deep within her soul.

"I don't have time for riddles. I have to prepare breakfast for my guests," Isabelle said, turning her back to Blossom and counting scoops of ground coffee in the percolator.

Out of the corner of her eye, Isabelle watched Blossom open a can of dog food and dump it in one of her crystal bowls. Isabelle was so grateful for the eggs, she decided to let it slide.

Once the coffee was perking, she opened a package of bacon and arranged slices in a skillet. Sensing Blossom behind her, she turned and found herself nose-to-nose with the woman. "Can I help you?'

Blossom jabbed a finger at the skillet. "You realize it's easier to cook bacon in the oven."

Isabelle gave her a skeptical look. "I've heard of that, but doesn't it make a mess of the oven?"

"Not at all. I'll show you. Do you have any parchment paper?"

"Sure." Isabelle located the roll of parchment paper while Blossom rummaged in the cabinets for two baking sheets.

Blossom was lining the baking sheets with the paper when something outside the window caught her attention. "Are you expecting someone? There are two men in blue uniforms wandering around in the courtyard. They seem lost."

Isabelle glanced out the window. "They're my air-conditioning repairmen. I can't deal with them right now. They'll have to come back at a more convenient time."

Blossom grunted. "If you tell them that, you'll never see them again. I'll cover for you while you give them instructions."

Isabelle hated relying on this annoying woman for anything. But she needed to get her air conditioner fixed. "Fine. I won't be but a minute," she said, washing her hands at the sink.

She was gone only long enough to point the repairmen toward the cottage. When she returned, Blossom was seated at the table drinking coffee and thumbing through a magazine, her little dog sleeping on the floor at her feet.

"What're you doing?" Isabelle asked, aghast. "You're supposed to be cooking the bacon."

"The bacon is cooked, and your breakfast is ready, awaiting your first guests."

Isabelle's chin dropped to her chest. "How is that even possible? I was only gone a few minutes."

Blossom nodded at the dining room. "See for yourself. By the way, I moved a few things around on your buffet. I hope you like my presentation."

"There was nothing wrong with my presentation." Marching into the dining room, Isabelle could hardly believe her eyes. An enormous bouquet of blue hydrangeas was in the center of the dining table, and the buffet boasted a spread fit for royalty with pastries, fresh fruit, and yogurt parfaits.

"Well? What do you think?" Blossom said near her ear.

"Did you leave any blooms on my hydrangea bushes?"

Blossom barked out a laugh. "These didn't come from your bushes."

"Then where did they come from?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Blossom's breath on Isabelle's neck sent a shiver down her spine.

Isabelle inspected the contents of the chafing dishes—scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. "No normal person could whip something up like this in five minutes. You're obviously a miracle worker. Where did you come from, Blossom? Who sent you, and why are you here?"

Blossom was saved from having to respond by the appearance of their first guests. Isabelle greeted them and motioned them to the buffet. Watching the guests serve their plates, she whispered to Blossom, "You're hiding something, and I aim to find out what it is."

The guests raved about the delicious food and lovely presentation. Their flattery irritated Isabelle. She didn't deserve the credit. Blossom did.

Blossom sniffed. "What's that smell?" She sniffed again, her nose close to Isabelle. "It's you. When's the last time you bathed?"

Isabelle made certain no one was watching before smelling her armpit. And it wasn't a pleasant odor. "What do you expect? My air conditioner is broken, and my cottage is hot as blazes."

"Maybe your repairmen have the air conditioner up and running. I can hold down the fort if you want to shower."

The thought of a hot shower appealed to Isabelle. At the very least, she needed a fresh change of clothes. "I won't be long."

As she emerged from the kitchen, Isabelle spotted the uniformed repairmen getting into their service van. She flagged down the driver. "Yoo-hoo! Mr. Repairman! What did you find out about my system?"

He left his van door open and strolled toward her. "Your coils are leaking. We added some freon. You're good to go for now. Who knows how long it'll last though. Maybe a couple of months—the summer, if you're lucky. Eventually, you'll need to replace the unit."

"Can you give me a price to replace it?"

"I can't. But I can send someone over tomorrow who can?"

"Do that," Isabelle said, brushing past him on the way to the cottage.

* * *

The majority of the guests departing on Monday had requested late checkouts. With their staggard departure times, Silas spent the afternoon running up and down the stairs, helping with their luggage, while Shelby remained at the desk, preparing their bills and processing credit card charges.

Despite being busy, thoughts of Matt kept creeping into Shelby's mind. She fantasized about kissing him, about laying her head on his glorious bare chest and feeling his toned body against hers. She can't remember her desire for Luke ever being this intense, even after they lost their virginities to each other and started experimenting. There had never been anyone else for Shelby. She and Luke had remained faithful throughout their relationship. After being with the same person for so long, maybe the excitement over someone new intensified the attraction. Was it like this for Luke with Alexis?

The last of the departing guests were leaving around six o'clock when Matt arrived with two paper plates covered in aluminum foil. His face lit up when he saw her at the reception desk. "There you are! I felt sorry for you having to work on the holiday, so I brought you dinner from my sister's cookout."

Shelby flashed him her brightest smile. "And just in time because I'm starving." She stood and stretched and smoothed out the wrinkles in her sundress. "I've been sitting at this desk all afternoon. I'm ready for a break. Let's go out by the pool."

"Lead the way," he said, following her down the hall to the kitchen.

Shelby explored the refrigerator's contents. "What would you like to drink? We have beer, bottled water, or sweet tea."

"Water is fine."

Shelby grabbed two bottles and a handful of napkins, and they exited the back door. After people had been crowding the house all weekend, she was grateful to find the pool empty. They sat at a small round table near the dunes, palmetto fronds rustling over their heads.

Matt handed her a plate. "I wasn't sure whether you liked hamburgers or hot dogs, so I brought you one of each."

She noticed that the contents of his plate mirrored hers. "Is that why you brought one of each for yourself?"

He gave her a boyish grin. "I like both, and I'm not embarrassed to admit it."

They'd taken their first bites when Blossom appeared with Jolene at her feet. Shelby waved them over and provided introductions. She lifted the miniature basset hound onto her lap. "And this is Jolene."

"Jolene?" Matt asked in disbelief. "What a great name. I love it."

"It fits her." As Shelby cuddled the dog, Jolene licked at her face.

"She sure does love you," Blossom said.

Shelby giggled. "She loves the ketchup on my face."

Blossom took the dog from her. "We'll leave you two lovebirds alone. It was nice meeting you, Matt."

Shelby waited until Blossom was out of earshot before bursting into laughter.

Matt appeared wounded. "What's so funny? Is it that outrageous to think of us as lovebirds?"

Shelby couldn't tell if he was teasing or being serious, so she ignored his question. "Did you stay long at the cookout? I hope you're not in trouble with your parents."

"I made an appearance. I even helped my brother-in-law cook. I waited until everyone sat down to eat before sneaking out. My three older sisters all have young children. My sister's house was a Romper Room. I doubt they even missed me." He stuffed the rest of the hot dog in his mouth and waited until he finished chewing. "Actually, I had an ulterior motive in coming here."

"Really? What's that?" Shelby asked, biting into a deviled egg.

"I've been thinking about you all day. I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't have your number, so I used the excuse of bringing you food to get it."

"I'm flattered. And grateful. I didn't realize how hungry I was." She pushed her empty plate away. "Are you always so honest?"

He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Pretty much. In a world filled with lies, I challenge myself to be truthful, no matter the cost."

"That's refreshing." She planted her elbows on the table. "Are you ready?"

He furrowed his brow. "Ready for what?"

"For my number."

"Oh! Yes!" He tugged his phone out of his pocket and entered her number as she called it out. Seconds later, her phone pinged with a text from him. "And now you have mine. In case you're thinking of me later when lying in bed."

Imagining the lustful thoughts that would undoubtedly be running through her mind in bed made her face warm. "What am I supposed to do if I happen to think of you later?" she teased.

"Text me. To thank me for bringing you dinner of course." Matt pushed back from the table. "Do you have to get back to your command post, or can you go for a walk on the beach?"

Shelby jumped up. "A walk sounds good. Our remaining few guests have gone to town for dinner. They won't be back for a while."

Gathering their empty plates, she glanced around for a trash can but didn't see one. Another item added to the growing list. They would need at least two, one near the beach access and another at the opposite end of the pool. Who would empty them? Silas? Or the cleaning crew? Shelby gave herself a pat on the back. She was starting to think like a manager.

"I need to throw these away. Be right back," Shelby said, taking the trash to the kitchen and grabbing two fresh bottles of water from the refrigerator.

Leaving their shoes at the pool, they cut through the dunes to the beach and walked in the edge of the surf toward the Sandy Island Club.

"So . . . are you originally from here?" Shelby asked.

Matt hesitated, a guarded expression settling on his face.

She gave him a playful shove. "That's an easy question. Are you not sure where you're from?"

"I'm from here, born and raised." He hung his head. "Let's not talk about the past. I'd hate to scare you off with my baggage."

Shelby thought about her drinking and driving incident the day before she left home. "I get it. I have my share of baggage as well."

"I want to know important things about you, like your favorite color, what kind of books you like to read, and how you drink your coffee."

"Blue, urban fantasy, and cream with tons of sugar. This is fun. My turn. What kind of car do you drive? What kind of music do you like? What is the last thing you do before going to sleep at night?"

"A pickup truck. Country. Pray."

Shelby's teal eyes grew wide. "I just learned a lot about you in three simple questions."

"What? That I'm a Christian redneck."

She laughed. "Isn't every guy in South Carolina a redneck?"

"You'd be surprised. We have our share of preppy pricks."

Luke was a preppy prick. He hated country music, but she loved it, and they'd always fought over control of the music. "I like country music too," she said softly.

"Which makes us a perfect match. Since we're auditioning for Lovebirds, we should probably start on the right foot by going on an official date. What does your week look like?"

"I'm free until Friday. We have a large group coming in for the weekend."

"Then how about dinner in town on Thursday night?"

"Sounds perfect." A date with Matt and a chance to explore the town.

As they strolled on, they quizzed each other about their likes and dislikes. Shelby learned that Matt played the guitar and enjoyed tinkering with boat engines. He also liked to read, his favorite genre being mysteries. Seafood was a favorite food for them both, and they both stayed in shape by running. Although Shelby hadn't been on a run since she got to South Carolina. She made a mental note to start first thing in the morning.

When they turned around to head back, Shelby's breath hitched at the sight of her grandmother's house washed in the orange glow of the setting sun. "I wish I had my camera." She snapped several pics with her phone and studied the results. "The phone doesn't do it justice."

"No camera will do it justice. But the sun isn't going anywhere. You can try again another time."

"Does it look like this every day?" Shelby asked, spreading her arms wide. "It's magnificent."

Matt chuckled. "As long as you can see the sky, it is almost always this spectacular."

"I think I'm going to like living in the Lowcountry."

"I think you will too. It's an extraordinary place." He took her hand in his. "Holding hands is what lovebirds do."

Shelby's heart skipped a beat. Luke's is the only guy's hand she'd ever held. While his skin was calloused, Matt's grip was firm. She felt safe in his presence, as though she could count on him to protect her. Something she'd never experienced with Luke. Why did she keep comparing the two guys when they were nothing alike?