Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

The beach in front of the city pier was crowded the following afternoon as observers came out to watch the snowman-in-sand-making contest. Fortunately for Elle, West was happy to let the professionals show off today. Wet sand on a chilly day wasn’t exactly her idea of fun.

A huge tent stretched along the shore, beneath which ten sand sculptors set up shop on various spots along the beach. They had eight hours to produce a unique snowman that stood at least three feet tall. Among them were a few amateurs from town who decided to try their luck.

“Isn’t this fabulous?” Bernice practically bounced on the toes of her bright red Crocs, the movement lighting up the soles.

The older woman had never met a fashion risk she didn’t take. Today was no exception. She was wearing a puffy red jacket over forest green velvet pants to go with her crazy shoes. The elf hat that had become synonymous with her this time of year was perched jauntily on her head. A wrist full of bracelets jingled whenever she moved. Even her glasses had a holiday vibe, sparkling silver whenever the sunshine hit them just right.

Elle panned the crowd with her cell phone camera. “I have to admit, Bernice, this is an out-of-the-box idea that will probably take off. It will get us tons of hits on social media, that’s for sure. I think I’ll interview some of the sand sculpture artists for a blog we can post on the town’s website.”

“Don’t forget to get some video of the kids building their snowmen.” Bernice pointed to an area on the beach where one of the sand artists instructed Emily, Henry, Whitney and a couple dozen other kids on the best techniques for building a snowman out of sand. “Everyone loves an adorable kid playing in the sand.”

“Unless they are on the beach towel next to them,” Gavin said when he joined them.

“Oh, you are a party pooper,” Bernice accused.

“Not today. We just got an offer on the loft, and I’m ready to celebrate,” he replied.

“No way! Congratulations. That’s great.” Elle bumped her brother’s shoulder. “Although I’m going to miss that place.”

“I’m sure West will let you come visit him there,” Gavin said.

Elle rocked back on her heels in surprise. “West bought your loft?”

“Yep. It’ll be a bachelor pad once again.” It was ridiculous how proud her brother sounded stating that fact.

“Humph.” Bernice donned a cat-ate-the-canary grin. “Not for long, if the scuttlebutt around town can be believed.”

“Says the purveyor of the town’s scuttlebutt,” Gavin teased.

Bernice shrugged. “It’s about time Kitty got out of her sister’s house and started living again.”

Gavin shuddered. “Yeah, especially since Claire Lovell was on the warpath this morning.”

The older woman’s ears perked up. “And you know this how?”

“I just came from the inn. Claire was having a hissy fit that Livi Turner flew the coop early.”

Hayden’s mom wasn’t the only one shocked by that news. Elle was caught off guard when she arrived at the inn for breakfast and learned that Livi and Jeremy had already checked out. Together, it would seem.

According to Elle’s mother, Jeremy offered her a ride back to New York on his private plane. Livi’s parents were arriving home that evening, and she was anxious to see them, her mom explained. As relieved as Elle was that Jeremy had left, she hated that she didn’t get the opportunity to warn Livi about him. She prayed the woman had enough sense not to join the mile-high club on their flight today.

Bernice tsked. “That woman hasn’t been right, since—well, since you know when.”

Gavin draped an arm around Elle. She leaned her head on his shoulder, grateful, as always, for his silent show of support. At least Claire Lovell was the only one who blamed Elle for the events of ten years ago. They stood that way for a peaceful minute until Tatum wheeled her pastry cart up next to them.

“Yum.” Gavin pulled away to check out the holiday treats on Tatum’s cart. “How do you always know to show up when I’m hungry?”

“It’s not that hard to figure out, Gavin. You’re always hungry,” Tatum quipped.

Elle laughed while Gavin plucked two snickerdoodle muffins from the cart.

“Keep laughing and I’m not going to share, sister o’ mine.” He handed the muffins to Elle then pulled out his credit card. “Bernice, what would you like?”

“To be twenty years younger.” She reached for a sugar cookie decorated as a reindeer.

“I ought to charge you a surcharge for what your mangy mutt did to my store the other day,” Tatum said, holding out her credit card reader for him to tap his card against. “Where is Midas the Menace anyway?”

“He’s been banished from town while the sculptors are working,” Bernice announced.

Gavin sighed. “Midas is still adjusting to no longer being an only child,” he said. “He’ll come around. Eventually.”

Tatum laughed. “Be sure to take out an ad in West’s new newspaper when he does. Inquiring minds will want to know.”

Elle spun around to face Tatum. “‘West’s new newspaper?’”

The other woman nodded. “Isn’t it great? It’s will only be a weekly, but that’s better than nothing. And everyone is excited about it.”

“He’s renting out the space in the torpedo factory that’s on the other side of Tiny Dancers for his office,” Gavin confirmed.

So that’s what he was doing in the ballet studio with the tape measure. His meetings with the various community groups in town made sense now, too. Elle couldn’t help the feeling of pride that trickled through her. After globe-trotting around the world, West was planting roots in Chances Inlet. And he was offering up his talents to boot.

“But that doesn’t mean you get to stop helping us with social media.” Bernice gave her a mulish look. “West says he knows nothing about all that whoiswhatis involved with that. He assured us that you can easily do it from New York. You promised you would.”

Tatum donned a pleading look. “You did promise.”

“I did. And I will,” Elle insisted. “We’ll work it out. This is my home. I’ll never stop supporting you.”

The kids screamed when an errant wave destroyed several of their snowmen.

“Uh-oh,” Tatum said. “Excuse me, y’all. We’ve got an emergency that can only be helped with free Christmas cookies.”

Knotical buzzed with energy when Hayden entered the workroom located at the back of his mother’s store that evening. The veterans from his support group, their families and friends were busy wrapping the Angel Tree presents that would be handed out at the youth center the following day. Simone immediately handed him a box of Legos to wrap.

“You’re late,” his partner said. “Don’t tell me you were home pouting after Livi took off with Elle’s ex this morning.”

Hayden stared at Simone in disbelief. Was she kidding? Livi and Jeremy?

“Who told you that?” he demanded.

Simone hiked her eyebrows at him. “An unimpeachable source.”

“Bernice.”

“That woman has her finger on the pulse of this town.” Simone’s chuckle sounded full of appreciation. He wasn’t surprised. Both women thrived on minding everyone else’s business.

“I take it she didn’t give you a goodbye kiss?”

Hayden glared at her.

“Mm.” Simone reached for his finger and pressed it down on the silver paper she’d wrapped around a box of Play-Doh. She wrestled with the tape dispenser while he held the paper in place. “Then where were you all day if you weren’t mending your broken heart? Elle was in plain sight at the sand sculpting contest. That rules out any hanky-panky.”

He peeked over to the other side of the room. Elle and Emily both giggled as they attempted to wrap a basketball. He’d missed her today. Even after a night spent making love to her, he still felt incomplete when she wasn’t near.

He’d spent the day up at UNC Wilmington working with the seniors from Chances Inlet’s high school cross-country team as they prepared for college tryouts. The process was always bittersweet for him. Even more so today. If things went the way he planned, it would be the last time he’d get a chance to coach the kids. He’d miss it. But he’d miss Elle more if he let her go back to New York alone.

“I have a life outside of this town, Simone.”

Except he didn’t. Or he hadn’t for many years. But that was all going to change. His head swam, and he blew out a long, controlled breath to help hold the anxiety at bay.

Elle is worth it.

Beside him, Simone had gone uncharacteristically quiet. She was staring at him with a concerned look when he turned back to her.

“My God,” she whispered. “You’re going to leave me.”

Shit.

She pushed his hand away and frantically finished wrapping the gift.

“I love her, Simone,” he said softly.

“Duh!” She looked up at him, her eyes shiny. “Don’t mind me. I’m happy for you. Really. And I have Gabby now. It’s been seven years since you saved me. It’s about time I learned to stand on my own two feet.”

Hayden placed his hand over one of hers. “You’ll always have my extra foot to keep you balanced,” he told her, repeating a joke they’d shared since meeting at the rehab hospital years before.

It had the desired effect. Simone laughed. “Get away from me before I make a sloppy mess all over these presents.”

He patted her on the shoulder, then weaved through the crowd toward Elle. Just as he walked up, Emily scurried away to fetch a new gift to wrap, allowing them a moment of privacy.

“Livi and Jeremy?” he asked quietly while brushing Elle’s hand with his fingers.

“I know. Nobody had that one on their bingo card,” she murmured. “Imagine my surprise when I arrived at breakfast, and my mom hit me with that bombshell.”

“Should we be concerned about her?”

Elle’s eyes grew soft as she smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Captain America. I spoke with her this afternoon.” She chuckled. “It sounds like we ought to be more worried for Jeremy. Livi may give him a run for his money. Literally. She’s eager to land a husband. If she doesn’t marry before she’s thirty, she’ll lose the trust her grandfather set up for her.”

Hayden didn’t know whether to be insulted or relieved he’d dodged that bullet. “Wow. A trust fund match made in heaven.”

“Your mom doesn’t think so.”

“Mm.” He laced one of his fingers through one of hers. “She doesn’t dictate how I live my life.” And if she didn’t get onboard with his plans, she was going to miss out on his life.

“I found another ball, Aunt Elle.” Emily raced back to their workstation.

Elle groaned. “You’re killing me, Em. Why must you pick the hardest things to wrap?”

The little girl giggled.

Hayden glanced around the room. “Is my aunt here?”

“She was earlier, but she was swamped,” Elle said. “I wanted to ask her if she knew where I could find West. He’s been playing least in sight all day.”

“He’s probably tired from all the dancing last night,” Emily remarked. “We got a standing ovation, you know.”

“And it was well-deserved.” Hayden leaned down to brush a kiss over Emily’s head. “I’m going to look for my aunt. Save me some of the hard presents. We’ll wrap them together.”

“Yay!” Emily exclaimed.

He found his aunt in the front of the store waiting on the last of the day’s customers. When she’d finished, he followed them to the door, locked it after they were outside and turned the open sign to closed.

“That was a helluva long day,” Aunt Kitty said. “Christmas Eve is the day after tomorrow, and everyone has decided to knit their last-minute gifts.”

“My mom wasn’t here helping?”

Aunt Kitty’s face told him everything he needed to know. “She wasn’t feeling well today.”

He swore.

“She loves you, Hayden.” His aunt rubbed her forehead. “She hasn’t dealt with your life’s difficulties as well as you have, that’s all. The only way she can think of how to handle things is by overcompensating. Trying to ‘fix’ everything so your life is perfect.”

“Her idea of perfect and my idea are not the same.” He loathed the anger in his voice. His mother was the only one he had. And for the most part, she was a good mom. Her contempt of Elle wouldn’t be tolerated, however.

“All she wants is for you to be happy,” Aunt Kitty said.

“Let’s hope so, because odds are she won’t like my next act.”

Aunt Kitty plopped down on the stool behind the counter. “How so?”

Hayden sighed. “Uncle Theo’s brother, the woodworker with the storefront. You mentioned he was looking for an apprentice to take over his business. Do you think you could reach out to him and see if he still has an opening?”

She was quiet for longer than was comfortable. He began to worry that he’d already lost his shot.

“His business is in Connecticut, Hayden. You’d have to relocate.”

“I’m already relocating to New York City. I researched it today, and it’s an hour train ride from Elle’s place to his showroom and workshop.”

His aunt pressed her fingers to her lips. He couldn’t tell if she was happy or upset. Then she was jumping off the stool and throwing her arms around his neck.

“Oh, Hayden,” she cried. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you both.”

He patted her on the back. “Elle doesn’t know yet, so let’s keep this on the down-low for right now. I want to get all my ducks in a row before I share my plans with her.”

“Of course.” She dropped her arms and wiped her eyes. “You’re right. Your mother won’t take this well.”

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I know. But I can’t change how I feel. There’s room for my mom in my heart as long as there is room for Elle in hers.”

Aunt Kitty contemplated him. “This shouldn’t have to be a choice.” She cupped his jaw. “Leave your mother to me. I’ll call Theo’s brother first thing in the morning and let him know you’re interested.” A sly smile formed on her lips. “But I’m going to need a favor from you tomorrow. No questions asked.”

“Why does this sound like something illegal?”

She laughed. That bright melodic laugh she used to have before tragedy landed in both their laps. He was happy to hear it.

“Nothing nefarious. Just impulsive,” she replied, the joy in her voice easing his anxiety about what he was taking on in the name of love.

“Impulsive seems to be the flex move right now. Count me in.”