Waterfront Weddings (16 page)

Rose met his eyes over her coffee cup. She looked so much like Mama. Quick math told him she was about the same age Mama had been when she’d been taken from them.

“Dave had to work today but said to tell you hello,” she said finally. “He said y’all need to go fishing sometime soon.”

Luke nodded. He’d always liked Dave. He and Rose had been sweethearts practically since they were in elementary school. “Tell him hi.”

“I’m glad you came out here today. I sort of expected you to bail at the last minute.” She sighed. “I didn’t want to be solely responsible for getting rid of Bobby’s stuff.”

His jaw tensed. “I’ll look through it, but I have no idea what I would want that was his.”

She shrugged. “There are lots of T-shirts, books, CDs. . . you know, stuff like that.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll go through it. And then what? You’re giving it away?” Luke hated the thought of Bobby’s stuff loaded into bags and tossed in the Goodwill bin.

Rose sighed. “We don’t have the room for it here. Daddy’s and Mama’s stuff is here, too. And there are four of us. We need all the space we can get.”

Luke finished his milk and set the glass on the table. “I don’t understand why you’d want to live here anyway.”

“Things were tight in the apartment. This house has been a huge blessing to us.” She frowned. “I know you have bad memories of the place, but this is a great neighborhood for the kids to grow up in.”

“I guess.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Besides. The nursing home isn’t far from here. Just down the street. Something you would know if you ever bothered to visit.”

He sighed. He should’ve known she’d shame him about that. Their daddy had been in the nursing home since Bobby’s accident.

And Luke hadn’t stepped a foot in the door to check on him.

Summer pulled her dark hair into a ponytail and leaned closer to the mirror. Her eyes still looked puffy. She’d never been a pretty crier, never been one of those girls who cried dainty tears and then looked perfect. Her face turned red, her eyes swelled, and her nose ran for hours. Super attractive.

“Come on, Milo.” She headed downstairs, the big dog padding along behind her. “Let’s go for a good long walk.”

Milo shook with excitement as she clipped the leash onto his collar.

They set out down the street, Milo pausing to sniff every few steps.

She loved the way things slowed down on Saturdays. Even the breeze coming from the water seemed to waft by slower, as if it knew it was the weekend. She and Milo walked down Legare Street and headed toward the Battery. The park there allowed dogs off leash. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to try to handle Milo alone, but she might give it a try if there weren’t too many other dogs around. Luke always let Milo off leash with no problem, but it made her a little nervous.

“Summer?” a voice called from the other side of the street.

She flipped her sunglasses to the top of her head and glanced over to see Jefferson waving.

He jogged over to where she and Milo stood. “Hey there, Sunshine.”

His old nickname for her might’ve been cute when they were sixteen, but now it seemed silly. “Please don’t call me that.” She watched as Milo sniffed around the gate where they stood. “What are you doing over here anyway?”

Jefferson’s eyes twinkled. “Just moved in.” He pointed to a home across the street. “I’m actually renting a carriage house right now. I don’t want to buy until I’ve had time to look around.” He shrugged. “And I haven’t decided if I want to be here or somewhere like James Island.”

She nodded. “I don’t blame you for wanting to look around. Plus you’ve been away for so long, it’s probably best to kind of get your bearings before you put down roots.”

“You and I always have thought alike.” He walked closer to Milo. “And who is this handsome fellow?”

“Milo. Luke and I rescued him off the highway when he was a puppy.”

“I’d love to get a dog, but right now isn’t the time.” He absently scratched Milo on top of the head. “So where are you headed?”

“The Battery.” She suddenly remembered her puffy eyes and put her sunglasses back on.

Jefferson shook his head. “Too late. I already saw those red eyes. And I’m pretty sure it’s not an allergy.” He raised his eyebrows but didn’t question her tears. “Come on. Let me walk with you to the Battery. I haven’t been down there since I got back.”

They walked toward the park, Summer feeling more unsure with each step. The last thing she needed right now was an old friend who could get her to let her guard down. Because no one could know that Luke had moved out. Word would spread like kudzu. “I’ll bet your mama is glad to have you back in town.”

“Sure is. We’re already gearing up for the annual Boudreaux family beach vacation. We still go to Kiawah Island every year.” He glanced over at her. “But you probably remember. I think you came with us a couple of times.”

“I know I went the year you’d gotten your driver’s license. Because my parents were so worried about me riding in your convertible.”

He chuckled. “I remember. I drove over to pick you up, and I thought your daddy was going to have a fit. But that was a fun trip.”

She’d forgotten about those lazy beach days. She didn’t make it to the beach much anymore. She and Luke went every now and then, but they’d been so busy last summer. At the thought of Luke, she grew somber.

“You okay?” Jefferson asked as they walked into the park.

Her eyes landed on the bandstand where she and Luke used to meet. “Yeah, fine.” She pulled a dummy out of her pocket. “Look what I have, Milo.”

The dog let out an excited bark and sat so she could take his leash off.

“Now, you’d better mind me.” She unclipped the leash and tossed the dummy.

Milo bounded after it and scooped it up.

“Bring it here,” she called. She glanced at Jefferson. “I don’t usually let him off leash. That’s Luke’s department. But Milo needs some exercise.”

“He definitely shops in the husky dog department.”

Milo ran toward where she and Jefferson stood but veered off course. He dropped the dummy and charged full speed after a squirrel.

“Milo, no!” Summer ran after the big, brown dog. A busy street surrounded the park, and she wasn’t sure if he’d stop before he got to the road. “Milo!”

The squirrel darted around the bandstand and past a trash can then crossed South Bay Street.

Milo followed behind.

“Milo, stop right now,” she called as she ran.

The dog ran into the road, oblivious to traffic.

Summer’s heart pounded. She gasped for breath and said a silent prayer for the dog’s safety.

An SUV screeched to a stop, nearly hitting Milo.

She waved at the driver and reached the sidewalk where a startled Milo now sat. She sank to her knees and buried her face in the dog’s fur. Her quiet sobs racked her body.

“He’s fine now,” Jefferson said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She stroked Milo’s coat, trying to stop her tears from falling.

Jefferson knelt down next to them. “Hey,” he said in a low voice. “Do you want me to call Luke to come pick you up?”

Summer shook her head and wiped her eyes. “No,” she whispered. “Luke’s not at home.”

Jefferson furrowed his brow. “Is he working?”

“No. I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.” She searched her pocket for a tissue and came up empty-handed.

Jefferson held out a handkerchief. “Take this.”

She managed a smile. Jefferson might be the only guy she knew who actually carried handkerchiefs. “Thanks.”

“Now fix your face and tell me what’s wrong.” He took the leash from her hand and clipped it onto Milo’s collar. “Come on, boy.”

They walked toward Legare Street, the silence punctuated by Summer’s sniffles.

“Well?” Jefferson said finally. “Spit it out. I may not have seen you in fifteen years, but I still know you well enough to know when something is wrong.”

“It’s nothing I want to talk about.” As soon as she said the words, she realized they weren’t true.

“Is it your business? Is it in trouble?”

She shook her head. “Nothing like that. Business is booming.” If only her problem were business related. It would be much easier to rebuild a business than a marriage.

“Then what? Luke?” Jefferson peered at her closely.

She fought to keep her face neutral. “It’s nothing.”

“Sunshine, I know when you’re lying.” Jefferson directed Milo around a tree. “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Whatever. You’ll tell Mitch, and he is the mouth of the South. My parents will be at my front door before I can even blink.”

“That’s not true. If you want to unload on me, I’ll keep it to myself. Promise.”

Her eyes filled with tears. She was becoming one of those weepy girls she’d always hated. “There’s a lot to the story, and it’s very complicated. I don’t want to get into it right now. But Luke and I have some things to work through. He’s staying on our boat for a few days.”

Jefferson drew his brows together. “I’m sorry.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I mean that. I am sorry that you’re going through any pain.”

“Thanks. I think it’s been hard for him to bounce back after Bobby’s accident.” She didn’t mention the miscarriage. But she knew in her heart that it had been both things together that had been too much for Luke to handle.

“That’s tough.” Jefferson shook his head. “I’m sure he’ll get things worked out though.” He glanced at her. “And I know he doesn’t mean for you to be hurt in the process.”

She widened her eyes. She’d expected Jefferson to rip Luke apart, not defend him. “Yeah. I know you’re right. I just hate this unsteady feeling.”

They stopped in front of her house.

“Thanks for your help.” Summer reached over and took Milo’s leash from Jefferson. “And for your handkerchief.”

He chuckled. “You’re welcome. And you can hang on to that handkerchief.”

She managed a tiny smile. “What, you don’t want it back?”

“Consider it my gift to you.” Jefferson grinned. “I hope things get better soon. And I’d be glad to lend an ear if you need to talk.”

“Thanks.” Summer and Milo went through the gate that led to the house. She waved to Jefferson over her shoulder and went inside.

Jefferson might not be her first choice for advice, but at least he seemed to think things for her and Luke would be back to normal soon. And that was oddly comforting.

T
he ringing phone blasted Justin out of a very sound sleep. “Hello,” he mumbled.

“I need your help,” Samantha said, her voice barely audible. “I think I’m getting strep throat, and the baby has the stomach virus. Mom’s coming to get Allison, but she can’t handle her and Colton both.”

“You need me to come get him?”

“Please. Can he stay with you for a few days? I don’t want him to catch this.”

Justin sat up. “Sure. Of course.” He held the phone back to see what time it was. Not even ten. After the late night, he hadn’t bothered to set an alarm. “I’ll have to run over to my parents’ and switch cars with my mom.” He felt safer putting Colton’s car seat in Mom’s Taurus than in his old pickup. “I’ll be there in an hour.”

He clicked off the phone and hopped out of bed. He didn’t have groceries suitable for Colton. He’d have to swing by the store and pick up some stuff. Colton had spent the night before, but never multiple nights.

Thirty minutes later, he had showered and called his mom to tell her about Samantha. He headed toward his parents’ house to switch cars. Just as he flipped on his blinker to turn into their subdivision, an awful thought hit him.

Tonight he was supposed to have his first official date with Ashley.

After the way he acted last week, he was afraid canceling would be the death of any potential relationship. But he hadn’t told her how involved he was in Colton’s life.

He pulled into his parents’ driveway and turned off the engine.

Mom met him at the door with her keys in her hands. “Hey, hon.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Does this mean we’ll have a little one at the cookout on Monday?” she asked.

Justin nodded. “Probably. Hope that’s okay.”

“Of course. I might have your dad pick up one of those little pools for Colton to play in.”

His parents were past ready to become grandparents. But Justin’s brother and sister-in-law were focused on their careers right now, and he hadn’t met the right girl yet. “That sounds great. I know he’d love it.”

“I guess this means you’ll get to bring him with you to church,” Mom said.

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m excited about that. I’ve thought about seeing if she’d mind if I pick him up every Sunday, but I’m afraid of overstepping my boundaries.”

Mom put an arm around him. “You have to do what you think is best. It seems to me that she’d probably be happy for you to take him off of her hands.”

“Maybe.” He was never sure. Sometimes he honestly thought Samantha would give Colton to him if he asked. But the child needed a mother, even one who wasn’t totally involved in his life. Right?

“Either way, we’ll be happy to see the two of you tomorrow at church and at the cookout on Monday. I’m proud of you, son. Colton isn’t your responsibility, yet you step up and care for him when he needs you. Not a lot of guys your age would do that.”