Cape Cod Kisses (26 page)

On the beach there were a bevy of flat rocks by her feet. Aunt Marla had tried to teach her to skip rocks every summer, but she’d never been able to master the flick of her wrist. Shelley picked up a flat rock, turned her hand sideways and tried to skip it. It splashed into the water a few feet away and sank.

Picking up a handful of pebbles, she simply tossed them into the water, smiling as they plunked like raindrops.

“Now, that’s more like it,” Shelley said, laughing as she did it again.

A short while later, she was surprised to turn and find she wasn’t alone on the beach anymore. Didi crouched beside Chandler Rockwell’s wheelchair, and he was leaning over the side, watching his nurse clear the sand around the wheel. He was grumbling something Shelley couldn’t hear.

“Is everything okay?”

Didi shaded her eyes from the sun and squinted up at her. “Shelley, hi. Nice to see you again. I seem to have hit a rock beneath the sand.” Didi clapped her hands together and shook off the sand. “There, that should do it.”

Shelley smiled at Chandler. “Hello, Mr. Rockwell. How are you today?”

He squinted against the sun. “You’re that Walters girl. You’ve been spending time with my grandson Quinn, haven’t you?”

Shelley wondered if he knew her parents or had heard about her from Quinn’s family. She decided to err on the side of caution.

“Yes, I am, and yes, I have. But please don’t judge me by my family.”

His long fingers curled around the arms of the wheelchair. Shelley imagined his large bony hands had once been as strong and agile as Quinn’s. He set a steady dark gaze on Shelley. She shifted her footing under his scrutiny.

“Then how should I judge you?”

His words were slightly cutting, and Shelley got the impression that they were supposed to sound like that. Shelley felt sorry for Didi, having to stand by while he made such sharp comments. But the look in Didi’s eyes wasn’t one of cowering to the old man’s harshness. It was one of obvious support aimed at Shelley.

Shelley met his steely gaze again. “By my actions. And by how much I care for your amazing grandson.”

Shelley held her breath for a beat, unsure of what to expect. But in the space of a breath, the muscles in Chandler’s jaw softened and his grip on the wheelchair eased slightly. He
harrumphed
and motioned for Didi to wheel him away...but for a split second, Shelley swore she saw appreciation in his eyes.

“I hope to see you again soon, Shelley,” Didi said with a smile, before heading back up the beach with Chandler.

Maybe the old man didn’t have a heart of stone after all
.

Maybe, like the gristmill, and even Quinn, all Chandler Rockwell needed was the right kind of affection to reveal a kinder side of him. Or maybe he really was a curmudgeonly old bastard. But even in the brief interaction she’d had with Griffin, she believed in her heart that the fruit couldn’t fall far from the tree. Somewhere beneath Chandler’s gruff exterior
had
to be a nicer man.

In any case, Chandler’s body might be failing, but his mind was clearly still very sharp. And it didn’t evade her that Quinn’s careful consideration before speaking mirrored Chandler’s, much more so than Griffin’s easy nature, which she’d witnessed at Sierra’s restaurant.

The longer she thought about it, the more Quinn seemed like a mix of the two men. She’d seen Quinn’s carefree side, and she’d definitely noticed that he was his own worst critic, always worrying that he’d hurt her.

Once she was back inside her cottage, she picked up the champagne bottle with the candle he’d made for her and set it beside the flowers he’d left on her doorstep. They’d started to wilt, but she knew she’d keep them until the petals fell off.

You’re the perfect mix of sexy, fun boyfriend and powerful businessman, Quinn Rockwell. I hope one day you can see that, too.

There were myriad details she needed to take care of to get her life in order. Starting with a call to Taryn to let her know she’d changed her flight.

“Hey there, girlfriend.”

Shelley smiled at the sound of Taryn’s voice. “I wanted to let you know that I delayed my flight for two weeks. I’m still waiting to hear if the property I want to buy for the café is going to come through, but I should know within a week, and I’ve rented a cute cottage that overlooks the bay. I can’t wait for you to come visit.”

“You can count on it, and soon, since I’m already halfway done with the island dress I promised you. Did you talk to your monster…I mean mother about it?”

“Yes, and she was perfectly rotten.”

“Aw, Shell. I’m sorry, but you didn’t really expect anything different, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.” But the little girl in her apparently had still held out hope for a miracle. “I’m not going to let her ruin my excitement, though. I
know
I’m doing the right thing. Oh, and thanks for telling your mom, who then told mine. What were you thinking?”

“Yikes. I forgot that slipped when we were talking. I’m really sorry, Shell. I should have been more careful.”

“It’s okay. I probably would have put it off for weeks. You just tore the Band-Aid off all at once, most likely saving me weeks of stressing over doing it.”

“I hate that your mother can make you feel so bad,” Taryn said, “but then again, we both know my mother went to the same school of snooty behavior as yours. And just so I know if I need to keep my mouth shut again, have you told Casey yet? Is she okay continuing to manage your coffee shop for another two weeks and then closing up shop when you move the business to Rockwell Island?”

“I’m actually going to call her next. It’ll take a little while to get the shop set up here, so she’ll have some time to get used to the idea and find another job. Who knows? Maybe she’ll want to come to the island, too.”

“Especially if you can find her a hot guy to fall for. How is Mr. Sexy, by the way?”

A dreamy sigh escaped before Shelley could stop it.

“Did you just do one of those swoony sighs that we always make fun of?”

Shelley didn't even feel the least bit bad about it as she said, “I sure did.”

“Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend?”

“I know it seems crazy, Taryn, but...I love him. So much. From the tippy top of my head to the ends of my toes. I love the way he looks at me. I love the way he kisses me. I love the passion he has for his work. I love the careful way he makes decisions. His family is here and I really like them, too. Everything just feels so right.”

“Wow.” Taryn was silent for a long moment. “I’ve never heard you say any of those things about anyone.”

“I know it hit fast, but now I think that must be what true love does. Just hits you from out of the blue and leaves you breathless.”

“I don’t know if true love will ever come my way, but breathless sounds pretty fun,” Taryn said, a hint of longing in her voice. “How many brothers did you say he has?”

“Three, all gorgeous, of course, and lots of cousins, too.”

“Well, hopefully you two will leave a little of that Rockwell
love
magic for the rest of us.”

Right then Shelley felt so happy that she was not only positive there was more than enough love for everyone...she was also sure that
magic
was exactly the right word for it.

WHEN SHELLEY AND Quinn arrived at his parents’ house for dinner that night, his cell phone dinged with an incoming text and he immediately reached into his pocket for it.

“Do you ever take a break from answering your phone?” She knew this might be a touchy subject, but she really did wonder if he ever took a complete mental break from it all.

His brows knitted together as he paused with his hand still in his pocket. “Not usually, no.” He turned to look her in the eye. “Do you even have a phone with you?”

She smiled as she repeated his answer. “Not usually, no.”

He was laughing as he walked around to Shelley’s door and helped her from the car. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said before asking, “For what?”

“For reminding me to live my life.” He took her in a kiss that started gentle and sweet, but quickly turned wild and desperate.

“If that’s how you always thank me, maybe I should remind you more often.”

His phone forgotten, at least for the moment, they walked hand in hand up the stone walkway, kissing every few steps. Shelley had expected the Rockwells to live in an opulent mansion overlooking the bay. She was right about the waterfront location, but their modest Cape Cod–style home was nothing like the lavish estate she’d imagined. It was cedar sided, with beautiful gardens in the front and side yards. The house sat up high on a bluff overlooking the water, with woods bordering both sides of a lush green lawn.

“What a wonderful house! I wish my parents’ house was like this one. Growing up, our house always felt like a museum, even from the outside.”

“That sounds just like my grandfather’s wing of the resort,” Quinn told her. “But my parents have never lived like that. When we were growing up, I shared a room with Trent. Derek and Ethan shared a room, and only Sierra had her own room. My brothers and I had bunk beds, because two twin beds took up the whole bedroom. If we ever got too big for our britches and complained about wanting our own space, my mom would point to the backyard and say,
Pup tents are really easy to set up. Have at it.
”

“I think I like your mom even more now.”

Shelley was delighted with these new discoveries. She never imagined that a family as wealthy as the Rockwells would be content living in such a moderately sized home. Yet again she chided herself for lumping all wealthy people together. Especially since that was the stereotype she’d spent her life trying to avoid.

Quinn held tightly to Shelley’s hand, looking handsome in a pair of jeans and a collared shirt. “Are you nervous?”

“Not really nervous, just…” She trapped her lower lip between her teeth. She’d anguished over what to wear and had changed her clothes several times before finally deciding on a colorful halter dress and a cute pair of strappy sandals. “Okay, maybe I am a little nervous.”

He nipped at her lower lip that she'd been biting, sending heat pouring through her as he said, “My mom and dad and Sierra and Trent already met and really like you. Dinner tonight will give you a chance to get to know everyone better and for them to fall for you just like I have.”

Fall for you
. She’d never tire of hearing that. Just like she knew she'd never grow tired of his kisses, or holding his hand.

Shelley yelped at the feel of a cold, wet nose against the back of her thigh.

“Chugger!” One of Quinn’s brothers came around the back of the house and knelt to call the rambunctious pup. “Hey, guys. Glad you made it.” He rose to his feet and eyed his dog. “Sit.” Chugger sat beside him, wagging his tail excitedly.

“Hi. I’m Ethan. It’s great to meet you.” He was as broad and tall as Quinn, with wavier hair and thick scruff covering his strong chin. Ethan’s eyes were as dark brown as Quinn’s were piercing blue, and while Ethan had a naturally relaxed gaze, Quinn’s was darker, more serious.

Seriously sexier
.

Still, Shelley understood why Quinn had reacted so strongly to her joke about being interested in Ethan. He was a very good-looking guy, but Quinn needn’t worry. There wasn’t a man alive who could draw her attention away from him.

“I’m Shelley, and it’s great to meet you, too. Although I already met Chugger the other day.”

Ethan looked surprised. “You did? Where?”

“He was on the beach with your grandfather and Didi.” She crouched to pet Chugger, and the pup licked her cheek. “Aren’t you adorable?” She’d always loved dogs, although they’d traveled too much for her to have one when she was a kid, and as an adult she’d been too busy to make the time for one. Maybe once she was settled on the island she’d consider adopting one.

“You met our grandfather?” Ethan asked. “That must have been a joy.” He turned to Quinn. “You didn’t rescue her from the old man’s bite?”

“I didn’t need rescuing, actually.” Shelley rose to her feet. “Your grandfather seems stern, but…” She looked at Quinn, remembering the softening around Chandler’s eyes when she’d said she was falling for his grandson. “I think below his gruff exterior there’s a warm heart. It’s just buried deep.”

“Really?” Ethan didn’t look particularly convinced. “Well, I suppose it’s good that someone thinks that.” The brother Sierra had called the “strong and silent” one gestured to the backyard. “Everyone’s outside. Sierra and Mom have been talking about you all week, Shelley, so I know everyone’s dying to spend some time getting to know you better.”

White lights were strung from tall iron poles around the stone patio, giving the gorgeous evening a festive glow. Sierra was leaning over a table set for eight, fiddling with a vase, when she noticed Quinn and Shelley.

“You’re here!” She ran over and hugged Shelley.

Shelley couldn’t hide her smile as she wrapped her arms around Quinn’s sister. Maybe it was crazy, but even though they hadn’t known each other very long, she felt like they had already become close friends. Then again, that wasn’t any crazier than falling head over heels in love with Quinn so quickly, was it?

“Hey, sis,” Quinn said to Sierra as he gave her a warm hug.

Ethan called out to Quinn to come take a look at something, and as soon as Sierra and Shelley were alone, Sierra said, “I heard you’re thinking of buying the gristmill.”

“News travels fast,” Shelley said with a smile. “I’m just waiting to hear from the town, actually.”

Over her shoulder, she could see Quinn asking her the silent question:
Are you okay?
She nodded, smiled, and turned her attention back to Sierra just as Griffin and Abby headed their way.

“Shelley, welcome.” Abby opened her arms and embraced her.

Shelley was struck once again by how different Abby was from her own mother. Quinn’s mother had a warmth about her that put Shelley instantly at ease.

“Abby, thank you so much for allowing me to crash your family dinner.”

“Crash all you’d like. The more the merrier in this house. Especially when I can see how smitten my son is with you.”