Waterfront Weddings (2 page)

“Summer Rutledge.” Jefferson Boudreaux grinned down at her. “I don’t believe it.”

“It’s actually Summer Nelson now.” She shaded her eyes with her hand. “But I think you know that.”

“Things can change.” He winked. “Mind if I sit down, Mrs. Nelson?” he asked, his green eyes twinkling.

Summer regarded him for a long moment. “Sure.” For a second, she wondered how she looked. Had she aged a lot in the years since they’d seen each other? Just that morning she’d plucked out a gray hair. Granted, she’d looked hard to find it. But today had been the first time she ever wished she were blond instead of brunette, just so the gray hairs wouldn’t be as obvious when they really started sprouting.

Jefferson sat down on the bench next to her. “I figured I’d run into you at some point, but the cemetery isn’t exactly what I expected.” He motioned around the secluded grounds.

She didn’t meet his eyes. “It’s so peaceful. And you know how I’ve always loved the old cemeteries around here.” Most of the numerous churches in downtown Charleston had a cemetery on their property, some with graves that dated back to the 1600s.

Jefferson gestured at the ancient headstone in front of them. “No one you know then?”

Summer bit her bottom lip. She’d found this grave about six months ago and felt drawn to it. So much so that she’d begun to visit at least weekly, sometimes bringing flowers. “Nope.” She patted the edge of the stone bench. “I just like this spot because there’s a place to sit.”

Jefferson was silent for a long moment. “So how are you? I guess it’s been…” He trailed off and glanced at her, his eyebrows raised in question.

“Fifteen years,” she finished for him. “Graduation night.” She and Jefferson hadn’t exactly remained friends after she’d dumped him for Luke. The breakup had split their circle of friends in two. But on the night of their high school graduation, they’d all posed together for one last picture, mostly at the prompting of a group of overbearing mothers wielding cameras.

He nodded. “That’s right.” Jefferson flashed her a gleaming smile. “I think Mom still has a framed picture of all of us from right after the ceremony.” He shook his head. “It took her a long time to accept the fact that you and I were no more.”

Summer let out a breath. “Yeah. But I’m sure she’s over it by now.” She glanced at him. Time had certainly been kind to Jefferson. If anything, he was even better looking now than when they’d been eighteen. His shoulders were broader and encased in what looked like a very expensive suit. The hint of crinkles around his eyes when he smiled and a tiny bit of silver mixed in with his dark hair gave him a distinguished look. The difference in the way men and women aged was totally unfair.

Jefferson chuckled. “Clearly you underestimate your power. Every girl I’ve ever introduced her to has tried and failed to live up to the memory of you.”

Her face flamed. “Whatever.” She shifted uncomfortably on the stone bench.

“I hear your business is doing well. Mitch keeps me posted on the latest with everyone here.”

Summer’s younger brother, Mitch, had been one of Jefferson’s best friends. “I don’t see him very often.” She hated saying the words aloud. She and Mitch had been close once. But they’d drifted apart after she left home for college. These days they only saw one another on major holidays, and that was only because their grandmother insisted she show up. And since Gram had always been so good to her, Summer obliged.

Jefferson nodded. “That’s what I hear.”

Obviously her brother still had as big a mouth as ever. “This is my busiest season,” she said, as if that were the reason behind her behavior.

“And how’s Luke?” Jefferson’s green eyes bored into hers.

“He’s great.” The less said about Luke, the better. “We’re very happy.” She hoped her voice didn’t give her away. The last person on earth who needed to know that things in her life might be less than perfect was Jefferson. Not only would he probably take personal satisfaction in that knowledge, but he also wouldn’t think twice about sharing it with her family.

His eyes searched her face. “I heard about Luke’s brother. I’m so sorry. I remember how close they were.”

She nodded. “It’s been a trying year, but we’re making it.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He cast one more gaze at the headstone in front of their bench. “Wow. Sad story here, huh? Only a day old.” He shook his head and stood to trace his fingers over the cherub that sat on top of the stone.

Summer rose and grabbed her bag from beneath the bench. She suddenly wanted nothing more than to be away from the cemetery and away from Jefferson. “It was nice to see you again. I hope you have a great visit.” She turned to go.

“Oh, it’s not just a visit,” he said quietly.

She turned slowly to look at him.

“I’m back for good.”

A
shley Watson sat on a park bench at the Battery, her face turned upward and warmed by the diminishing sun. When she first moved to Charleston, she called the spot White Point Gardens, like the guidebooks said. But now that she was a local, she knew to refer to it as the Battery. A seagull squawked from its perch on the wooden rail that ran the length of the promenade.

Anytime she regretted packing up and moving hundreds of miles to Charleston, all she had to do was come to the Battery. A few minutes of watching the boats and breathing in the salty sea air, and Ashley knew she’d made the right decision. She’d always heard that the ocean had healing properties. Although after three years of coastal living, her heart was still bruised. Maybe not broken anymore but definitely not whole.

“Thanks for meeting me,” a familiar voice called.

Ashley looked up to see Summer leading her huge dog, Milo, down the sidewalk. Or maybe Milo was leading Summer. It was hard to tell. “Hey,” she said, rising from the bench. She bent down and scratched Milo behind the ears. “Is it possible that he’s even bigger than he was the last time I saw him? And that was only last week.”

Summer chuckled. “That’s one reason we came out for a walk today. Poor Milo has paid the price of our crazy lives.” She knelt down and nuzzled the big chocolate Lab. “He’s become a bit lazy and has packed on some extra weight.”

Ashley watched her friend adjust the harness around Milo’s big midsection. Summer and Luke had rescued Milo from the side of the road when he was a puppy. He’d become like their child. Summer even brought him to work sometimes. “Where are we headed?”

Summer stood and looked out over the water. “I don’t care. Let’s see where the road takes us.”

Ashley raised her eyebrows. Summer had never been one to see where the road took her. Everything she did was planned, usually down to the minute. Something was on her mind, and Ashley had a good idea of what it might be. “Sounds good.”

They headed toward South Bay Street. It wasn’t even June, and already tourists were out in droves, most of them trying to soak up the remaining sunshine before they’d head to Hyman’s Seafood or Slightly North of Broad for dinner.

“Thanks for all your work lately,” Summer said after they walked in silence for a few minutes. “I know I’ve dumped a lot on you, especially with these last couple of weddings.”

Ashley smiled. “No problem.” She loved working with Summer as an event planner at Summer Weddings. She’d started out answering phones a little over a year ago, but as business had picked up, she’d taken on more responsibility. “I know you’ve had a lot on your plate over the past few months.” Ashley hadn’t complained about the added responsibilities, mainly because Summer was her friend. But it had been kind of a burden to carry most of the workload alone. In fact, the long hours she’d been keeping almost made her thankful she was single. There was no way her hectic schedule would allow for a meaningful relationship. Although having a date every now and then might be nice.

“Still though, you’ve stepped in and kept things going when I could barely get out of bed.” Summer shook her head. “I want you to know that it hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

“I appreciate that.” Ashley wondered if this was a good time to approach Summer about her idea of growing the business. Of course, part of the growth she hoped for included becoming a partner and not just an employee. But Summer seemed distracted today, plus she didn’t want the request to put a strain on their friendship.

“Mind if we sit for a minute?” Summer motioned toward a bench.

“You and Milo lead the way,” Ashley agreed.

They sat in silence for a moment, watching people walk past. Finally, Summer cleared her throat. “Luke’s out with the guys again tonight.”

So that’s what this was about. Luke.
“Again
, you say?” Ashley asked.

Summer didn’t talk about her relationship with Luke very much anymore. In fact, some days she didn’t mention his name at all. Ashley had been worried they might be headed for trouble but wasn’t sure how to broach the topic.

Summer tucked a wayward strand of dark hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Monday night his band played at some little dive bar. Then Tuesday was bowling night. Last night I had that event at the art museum, so I didn’t get home until late. And tonight when I got home, he’d left me a note that he was playing pool with the guys.” She met Ashley’s eyes. “It’s like we see each other less and less.”

Ashley was in no way qualified to dispense relationship advice. But she considered Summer one of her closest friends. And Luke had always been quick to help her out, especially when she’d moved from an apartment into a house. He’d rounded up his buddies, and they’d moved her stuff in less than a day. “Can you talk to him? Maybe try to carve out time this weekend to go on a date or something? Or cook a nice dinner and have an evening in?”

Summer sighed. “That would all be nice. Except that Luke has some big gig on Friday night. It’s the opening of the outdoor deck at some little restaurant on Folly Beach. I think he’s hoping it might turn into a regular thing.”

“Saturday then?”

“We’ve been summoned to my parents’house on Saturday for a family barbecue.” She rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I don’t want to go. Luke doesn’t even know about it yet, and I know he’s not going to be happy.” She absently stroked Milo’s head. “But Gram called me on my way home from work and asked me to come.” She smiled. “Okay, she
told
me to come, but she said it nicely.”

Ashley grinned. Summer’s grandmother was the epitome of a Southern belle. Sweet as the tea they serve at Jestine’s Kitchen, but not someone to be crossed. She thought for a second. “Tell you what. I don’t have anything to do on Friday.” Her stomach lurched for a second at the thought of being out on the social scene. She mostly kept to herself. But lately she’d started to worry that she was becoming a sad, lonely old lady. All she needed were a couple of cats and a flowered muumuu and her face could practically be on the Old Maid card. “So what if we surprise Luke? How long has it been since you’ve seen him play?”

Summer chewed on her bottom lip. “It’s been ages. Seriously. He wouldn’t know what to think if I showed up to see him.” Her face suddenly brightened. “But that’s a good idea.” She glanced at Ashley. “You sure you don’t mind coming with me?”

Ashley forced a smile. “I’d love to.” She needed something to get her out of her comfort zone. “Besides, I’ve never heard his band play. It will be fun.”

Luke pulled his truck into the driveway next to their historic home. Even though he’d lived there for years, sometimes he felt like he didn’t belong. Their house on Legare Street was even on the yearly home and garden tour put on by the Charleston Historic Foundation. It was a far cry from the neighborhood where he’d grown up.

The outside light came on as he rolled to a stop. For a second, he thought it meant Summer was waiting up, but then he remembered the motion sensor they’d had installed a few months ago. There was a time when she’d sleep on the couch until he got home because she said she couldn’t stand to be in their king-sized bed without him. But those days were long gone.

He quietly let himself in. The alarm wasn’t set, and Milo didn’t meet him at the door. That meant Summer was letting the big dog sleep in their bed. Again.

He punched the code and armed the alarm before he went upstairs. Summer forgot to set the alarm more often than not these days. In the old days, he would’ve teased her for being scatterbrained, but not anymore.