Chapter 27

twenty-seven

S helby finished caking makeup on over her freckles and stood back to admire her reflection in the mirror. She'd spent an hour straightening her wild hair and chosen a blue-and-white strapless dress with a ruffled skirt that danced around her thighs. Because her black raincoat ruined her look, she located her yellow umbrella and dashed in the driving rain to the main house to meet Luke, who was waiting for her in the foyer.

"You look amazing," he said, kissing her cheek.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." Shelby thought he looked hot in stone-colored trousers that hugged his butt and a lavender T-shirt that made his chocolate-brown eyes pop. His cologne, a mixture of patchouli and sandalwood, was a new scent for him. Had Alexis chosen it for him?

"Say cheese!" Holding up her phone, she snapped a selfie of them and admired the photograph. They made for a handsome couple.

Luke pointed at her phone. "You can't post that to social media."

Irritation crawled across her skin. "Why not? Because you don't want Alexis to see?"

"Let's just go," he said, opening the door to reveal his rental car parked in front of the house, its engine idling.

They didn't talk much on the way to town. The rain was coming down in torrents, and Luke was focused on the road. Despite the nasty weather, the tavern's parking lot was full, but they arrived just as a car was vacating a spot near the front of the building.

The mood inside The Nest was lively. Nearly every table and seat at the bar was occupied, and a line was waiting at the hostess stand. Fortunately, Savannah had confirmed a reservation for them, and when Shelby provided her name, the hostess showed them to a prime booth near the dance floor.

They'd only been seated a minute when Savannah stopped by their table. Shelby introduced Luke as her friend from home, and Savannah extended her hand. "Welcome, Luke. How long are you in town for?"

"I'm not sure." He winked at Shelby. "As long as Shelby will tolerate me."

A flush crept up Shelby's neck as she looked at her aunt. "Thanks for getting us the reservation."

"Any time. And you're right. This place is hopping tonight."

Shelby gestured at the stage set for the upcoming performance. "I hear you're the star attraction."

"I am. I hope you'll stick around for the performance. I have a little surprise in store for the audience."

Shelby's face lit up. "Ooh. I can't wait."

Savannah excused herself, and their waitress arrived. Luke glanced at the menu before placing their order—a beer for him, a margarita for Shelby, and a plate of nachos to start. Shelby had outgrown her fondness for margaritas since they had broken up, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings.

When their drinks arrived, Luke monopolized the conversation by discussing his work. Money management was over Shelby's head, and she soon grew bored. He was still babbling on about his newest wealthy client when their favorite song, "Dancing in the Moonlight," came on the jukebox.

Shelby jumped to her feet. "Come on, let's dance."

Luke groaned. "Do we have to?"

"Yes! We have to. This is our song," she said, pulling him to his feet and leading him onto the dance floor.

Shelby and Luke had learned to dance at cotillion in middle school, one of the many firsts they'd experienced together. Luke was an excellent dancer, but tonight, he seemed bored as he swung her around with one arm. She was disappointed he didn't twirl her into a pretzel or dip her to the floor.

"Dancing in the Moonlight" ended, and a slow song came on the jukebox. Luke started to pull her into his arms when someone tapped her on her shoulder. Craning her neck, she was surprised to see Matt standing behind her.

He flashed that dazzling, dimpled smile at her. "May I have this dance?"

Luke's dark eyes shot daggers at him. "She's with me, bro."

Shelby smiled at Luke to placate him. "It's okay. One dance won't hurt." She saw no harm in making Luke jealous when he'd been flaunting his relationship with Alexis in Shelby's face for over a year.

Turning her back on Luke, Shelby stepped into Matt's arms. When he held her close, she felt a strong connection, a powerful sense of belonging.

He smiled softly at her as they moved slowly around the dance floor. "Why'd you cover up your freckles?"

"Why do you think? They're hideous."

Matt frowned. "Says who? Luke?"

She shook her head. Admitting that Luke hated her freckles felt like a betrayal.

Matt thumbed her cheek. "Your freckles lend a unique charm to your beautiful face." He twirled a strand of her silky hair around his finger. "And I like your hair better when it's wild and free. It brings out the vixen in you."

She sensed Luke watching them but didn't dare look his way. She brushed Matt's hand away from her hair. "A vixen?"

"You underestimate your beauty, Shelby. Your natural allure lights up a room. Why are you covering that girl up tonight?"

"Because I'm trying to win Luke back," Shelby admitted.

Matt's body tensed. "Why? Because he earns a big fat salary?"

"Among other reasons. Luke has always been my person. I don't know how to be me without him."

Matt dropped his arms from around her. "You're wrong, Shelby. You don't know how to be you when you're with him," he said, leaving her alone on the dance floor.

* * *

Pritchard watched his daughter watching Shelby and Matt on the dance floor. Even after nearly a year, he could hardly believe he had found his daughter and that she was such a phenomenal young woman.

"They make a nice couple, don't you think?" Harper said with a dreamy expression.

Savannah followed her gaze. "They do. But her friend from Texas doesn't appear too happy about sharing her with Matt."

Harper tensed. "What friend from Texas? Where?"

"Luke, he's the angry-looking guy seated alone in a booth on the other side of the dance floor," Savannah explained. "She introduced me when I stopped by their table."

Harper searched the crowd, her eyes landing on Luke. "He's attractive. You realize he's her old boyfriend, the guy who broke her heart. He's engaged to someone else." Lines appeared on her forehead. "I'm confused. What's he doing here? Is Shelby on a date with Luke? And why is she dancing with Matt? I know they've been seeing each other."

Pritchard chuckled. "Who knows? But Shelby's a beautiful girl. If she's not careful, she's liable to start a riot in here."

As the song came to an end, Matt suddenly pushed Shelby away and walked off the dance floor. Harper brought her fingers to her lips. "Uh-oh. Looks like trouble in Paradise."

Savannah pressed her lips thin. "Mm-mm. I wonder what that's about."

"When is Cody getting here?" Pritchard asked, drawing Harper's attention away from her cousin.

"He gets off work at nine. He should be here soon."

Savannah glanced at the clock above the bar. "I didn't realize it was so late. It's almost time for me to go on." She locked eyes with Pritchard. "But before I go, Pritchard wants to discuss something with you."

Harper flashed Pritchard a smile. "Oh, yeah? What? Are you buying me a new car?"

Pritchard laughed. He was constantly buying her expensive trinkets to make up for all the gifts he missed giving her for birthdays, Christmases, and graduations. "Not quite. I'm building you a hotel."

Harper's expression turned serious. "What?"

Pritchard laced his fingers together on the table. "Izzy found one of your grandfather's diaries that outlines his plans for the future of Magnolia Shores. Turns out he had a lot more in mind than a bed and breakfast. He wanted to construct a new building that offered additional guest rooms, a cafe, a spa, a fitness center, and a cocktail lounge. We have the land, and he left us the money. The resort will be called Magnolia Shores."

"Are we doing this?" Harper asked, her blue eyes wide.

"I think so. Ashton is working on the plans. If we break ground in early September, she's confident we'll finish in time for next summer."

"So fast? Is that even possible?" Harper looked from Pritchard to Savannah.

"Will seems to think so," Savannah said. "He's committed to hiring the resources to make it happen."

Pritchard grinned. "And we want you to design the interior."

Harper's butt came out of the chair. "Yippee. I accept."

Pritchard's smile faded. "There's one hurdle we must tackle before we can proceed. Izzy."

Harper settled back in her chair. "Why is Izzy a hurdle?"

"Because she can't handle a bed and breakfast. There's no way she'll be able to manage a resort."

"Are you firing Izzy?" Harper asked.

"Not at all. I'm planning to negotiate with her. I'm going to see her tomorrow morning," he said, holding up his hands to show his crossed fingers.

Harper sipped her wine. "Who will run this resort if not Izzy? Shelby certainly doesn't have the experience."

"No, but she's doing an excellent job. I will find an important role for her." He rested an arm on the back of his wife's chair. "Savannah and I will run the resort together. We're both making midlife career changes."

Harper punched the air. "This is so awesome. Congratulations! This means you'll no longer have to spend so much time in Nashville."

Pritchard winked at her. "That's the idea."

Savannah smiled lovingly at Pritchard. "Your father has in mind to make Magnolia Shores the most exclusive five-star boutique resort on the East Coast."

Pritchard reached for Harper's hand. "I'm doing this for the family, Harper. I'm hoping it will finally bring us back together. Out of fairness, I'll offer Kate a chance to be part of the expansion. If she declines, I'll buy her out."

"Do you think she'll be interested?" Harper asked.

Pritchard shook his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'd love for my sister to move back to Water's Edge. But her life is in Texas. We'll see how things shake out. You have your own business now. But one day, if you're interested, I hope you'll join us in running it."

Harper shrugged, her shoulders nearly touching her ears. "Who knows? Maybe one day, I will."

Savannah pushed back from the table. "Showtime! The crowd is getting restless. Wish me luck."

Prichard leaned over and kissed her lips. "Break a leg, sweetheart."

Making her way to the stage, Savannah spent a moment tuning her guitar before welcoming the audience to The Nest. When the cheers died, she opened her act with one of her older songs, a heartbreaking ballad about a young runaway. Although he'd heard the song dozens of times, the lyrics moved Pritchard, and he reached for a napkin to dry his eyes.

When the song ended, Savannah said into the microphone, "I have a surprise for y'all tonight. My lovely daughter, Harper, will join me in singing a duet. "A Journey to Joy" is a new song I wrote about my recent good fortune in reuniting with my past love and finding my long-lost child. Let's hear a round of applause for Harper Boone."

The crowd erupted.

Harper looked at Pritchard with a panic-stricken face. "Did you know she was going to do this?"

Pritchard chuckled. "Nope. But nothing Savannah does surprises me."

"I can't believe she shanghaied me."

"You know this song well. I've heard you and Savannah practicing it in her studio. You've got this, sweetheart." Pritchard noticed Cody standing by the door. "Cody is here. Just in time for your performance."

Harper and Cody locked eyes, and he gave her a thumbs-up for encouragement. "Okay. Here goes nothing," she said and joined her mother on stage.

Pritchard's heart burst with pride as he listened to the loves of his life sing. As a talent agent, he'd represented some of the most successful professional singers in the country music industry. But none could compare with either Harper or Savannah.

* * *

Shelby hummed Savannah's song during the drive home. "Savannah and Harper have crazy vocals, don't you think?" she said to Luke. "Their performance blew me away."

Luke hunched a shoulder. "They were all right, I guess," he grumbled, apparently still sulking about her dancing with Matt.

The rain had finally let up, and when they arrived back at Magnolia Shores, Luke suggested a nightcap. "I drank all the beer earlier," he admitted. "Is there any booze around here?"

"There's probably some brandy in my grandfather's study." She punched in the code to unlock the front door and turned on the lights in the foyer. They navigated through a maze of paint cans, ladders, and construction debris in the living room to reach Edward's study. She was examining the few remaining liquor bottles that hadn't been destroyed when Luke spun her around and into his arms. Shelby had dreamed of this moment since they broke up, but the kiss wasn't what she remembered. She was as turned off by him now as she had been when he tried to kiss her at the pool earlier. Had they lost their chemistry? Would their passion return once they were officially back together?

When the kiss ended, Shelby touched her finger to his lips. "What about Alexis? Did you break off your engagement?"

"Let's not talk about Alexis." Luke pressed his body to hers, groping at her bottom.

Shelby pushed him away. She would not sleep with him until she got a straight answer about Alexis. She crossed the room to the French doors. The sky had cleared, and the moon shone bright, its rays sparkling off the inky ocean. "Wow! Look at the moon. Let's go outside."

"Not without the booze," Luke said, grabbing a bottle of Maker's Mark from her grandfather's stash.

He followed her across the terrace, and she sensed him behind her when she stopped at the edge of the dunes. She heard him unscrew the lid and chug the bourbon. He ran a finger down her neck and whispered, his breath hot near her ear, "When are you coming home, Shelby? Does your summer job end after Labor Day, or are you staying through September?"

"This isn't a summer job, Luke. I'm staying in the Lowcountry indefinitely." Drawing in a deep breath, she turned to face him. Whether she was ready or not, she needed to hear the truth. "Why are you here, Luke?"

"Isn't it obvious? I missed you, Shelby. I wanted to see you."

"Tell me you've broken up with Alexis, and you want me back in your life, and I'll fly home with you tomorrow."

"Come on, Shelby. Don't be like this. We used to be so good together."

When he tried to grab her boob, she smacked his hand away. "Don't you dare touch me."

Dropping the liquor bottle in the sand, he came after her, holding her tight and covering her mouth with his. She squirmed, but when she was unable to free herself of his grip, she kneed his crotch. He let out a yelp and dropped to the ground on his knees.

"Why'd you do that?" he croaked, writhing on the ground.

"Because you forced yourself on me. Are you broken up with Alexis or not?" Even though she suspected the truth, she needed to hear it from him.

He rolled onto his knees, his hands covering his crotch. "Alexis has a lot to offer. Her father is a billionaire several times over. I'd be a fool to give that up. But I still want you in my life, Shelby."

His words stung, and the implications rocked her to the core. Shelby wasn't good enough for him. Her family didn't have enough money or the right social connections. "You want me in your life as what, your side piece? Lurking in the shadows while you're parading Alexis around, buying her big houses and expensive jewelry?"

"It won't be like that. We'll be together as much as possible."

"What about the family we always dreamed of having? My children will be illegitimate, but Alexis's will bear your name."

"I'll be fair to you, Shelby. I promise I'll take care of you. I'll set you up in a swanky apartment, and later, I'll buy you a house."

Shelby's mouth fell open. "Are you out of your mind? I refuse to be your dirty little secret." She shoved him hard, and he fell over into the sand. "Get out of my life and off my grandmother's property."

"But it's late, and I've been drinking," he said, scrambling to his feet.

"Fine. Stay the night." She stormed off, calling over her shoulder, "But I want you out of here first thing in the morning."