Page 74 of The Summer House
Twenty-Six
“Igot you a housewarming present,” Luke said as he stood beside an enormous furniture truck the next morning, Poppy and Callie coming out to greet him. He’d stayed last night until they could hardly keep their eyes open. It was so late that she’d worried about him getting home safely until he’d texted her that he’d gotten there.
While he’d been affectionate and they’d had a great time together, she still wondered when the topic of Edward would come up again—they’d have to face it sooner or later. And when they did, would Luke come to the realization that his relationship with Edward was ruined because of her? Had Callie not intervened, Luke and Mr. Sullivan wouldn’t have had to face this reality right now. Perhaps telling Luke and Edward should’ve happened at another time, when they could both process it better, when there wasn’t so much on the line. Would it always be a sticking point for Luke?
The deliveryman hopped out, went to the end of the truck, and threw up the door, which rattled as it cranked to the top.
“What did you buy?” She walked around to the back of the truck and peered inside. It was full to the brim with white rocking chairs.
“Enough for all the porches, back and front,” he said, putting his arms around her and lifting her up then setting her back down.
She put her hands on her cheeks in surprise. They’d arranged potted plants on the porches, having run out of time and funds to fully furnish them. Given the circumstances, they’d been very lucky to be able to open The Beachcomber at all, so neither Callie nor Olivia had worried too much about it, but Callie had wished she could have places to sit outside for the guests because it was that million dollar view that sold this place. “Oh my goodness, Luke! You didn’t have to do this!”
“I know. That’s why I called it apresent.” He rubbed Poppy’s head and she walked away slowly, favoring her good leg, back up toward the house to see Wyatt, who was taking his fishing gear out to the beach.
“Thank you,” she said, touched by his enormous gesture. She’d become so close with him that it didn’t even occur to her that putting her arms around someone and kissing his lips wasn’t typical behavior for her. It came as naturally as breathing and she never wanted to be without that feeling.
He pulled back just enough to focus on her face. “I figured we’re going to need somewhere to sit when we drink all those morning caramel macchiatos.”
“And what will you be doing over here in the mornings if the renovation is complete?” The workmen had put the finishing touches on the porches out back, and the remaining end tables and side chairs that had been delayed due to the hurricane were coming first thing this morning.
“I thought maybe I could stay over sometimes.”
“I’m hoping that business here will be booming and all the rooms will be full.”
He stared at her, chewing on a smile, waiting for her to realize what she was suggesting.
With a gasp, she shook her head, sucking in her smile. She’d meant that he couldn’t stay because the rooms were full, not that she’d hoped he’d be inherroom, even though that wouldn’t be out of the question. “I meant…”
“Mm hmm,” he said, pulling her close to him. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Then he said, “I brought you something else.”
“You’ve done enough,” she said, following him over to his SUV as the deliverymen finished taking the rocking chairs up to the porches.
“I took the nearly empty paint can from the kitchen last night. I got it right past you!”
“I was looking for that! I thought someone had thrown it away.”
“No. I took it home.” He opened the back hatch of the SUV and pulled out the most stunning painting of a gaillardia on a bright white background with yellows and the most perfect pink to match the kitchen. “Try not to touch it; it’s still tacky. I painted it this morning. I thought it could go on that big wall by the window.”
“It’s gorgeous!” She covered her mouth in surprise, unable to verbalize how beautiful it was. “It’ll tie in the paint so perfectly!” Her heart couldn’t be fuller. “Do you think you could help me hang it?”
“Absolutely.” He turned to her, raising his eyebrows. “Today’s the day! Everyone’s coming! Are you excited?”
She giggled. Her phone went off in her pocket. When she pulled it out, she almost lost her balance. “It’s my mom…” She read the text, and then smiled up at Luke, giving him another kiss.
The atmosphere was as livelyas Callie’s emotions. “Your bags are in your room,” she said, delighted to show her mother all they’d done. She and Olivia had tied a powder-blue ribbon in a perfect bow across the porch that morning and strung silver and blue helium balloons from the railings with more ribbon bobbing in the wind. Once the local crowd had gathered, they had ceremoniously cut the ribbon. It lay now on the table next to the guestbook and pen for visitors to sign and share a few words about their stay.
She showed her mother around the downstairs, passing the small staff she’d hired with trays of drinks for the guests. The French doors were all ajar, and it was as if the entire back of the house was open to the sea. They meandered through the buzzing crowds, the beautiful breeze coming off the ocean, beach music sailing upward from the band playing on the patio below. Her mother was holding a celebratory glass of champagne. She had swept her wispy hair into an up-do, clearly having spent more effort on her appearance than Callie had seen before. She stopped to admire a painting that Lillian had brought for them as a housewarming present. It was Frederick’s painting of the horses that he’d done so many years ago. Lillian had said it belonged here.
Yesterday, Callie’s mother had texted to say she was coming. Callie had sent her an invitation for the opening, to let her know that Callie was thinking of her, but not expecting anything from it. She’d been delighted to get her mother’s text telling her that she was thrilled to be invited and she couldn’t wait to come.
“They’ve really done well, haven’t they?” Gladys said with a wide smile as she joined them. She’d been there to greet Callie’s mother when she’d arrived.
“Everything’s just lovely,” her mother said, looking around, wonder on her face. “Callie, I’m so proud of you.
Callie reached out and embraced her mother, her familiar citrusy scent taking Callie back to those nights of laughter and bedtime stories. She breathed it in, realizing how much she’d missed it.
The house was brimming with people. Olivia’s whole family was there as well—her parents and her sister. They’d brought a gorgeous sand-colored mirror as a gift, all of them chipping in together to buy it. Olivia had placed it on the mantle, leaning against the wall. The sparkle of candles shimmered off the surface of it—it was perfect.
