Page 9 of The Magic of Sea Glass
“That sounds like heaven,” Mary said. “But I’d have no idea how to set it all up or use it.”
“Could I have this book for a few days? I can get all the information loaded in for you on my computer and then, once it’s up and running, I can teach you how it works. And I can be the back-end person, which will allow you to enjoy what you do best—the guests.” The relief Lauren felt at doing something she was used to and being out of the public eye was palpable.
“I would be forever grateful if you could do that for me.”
“It would be no problem at all.”
Just then Brody’s face was in the window, grinning at Mary. He plugged his nose and lowered himself out of view, pretending to sink into the ocean behind him. Mary laughed, waving him off.
Amusement snaked through Lauren without warning, the shock of it as startling as the feel of jumping into an ice-cold pool. “How do you know Brody?” she asked the woman.
“I’ve known him since he was a baby. Frank and I sold our home in Virginia and moved here to start the inn right before Brody was born. His mother, Melinda, was one of the people I met when I first got here. We’ve been close friends ever since.”
“Ah,” she said.
“I actually got your bracelet from Brody’s mother,” Mary said, taking Lauren’s wrist to admire it. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” She wriggled her arm, making the pieces tinkle as they tapped against each other. “I’m still getting used to wearing it. It keeps reminding me that it’s there, which is nice because it gives me another chance to appreciate it.”
Mary looked out the window at the view. The sound of hammering had moved further down the decking that ran the length of the porch. “It sure is a pretty afternoon.”
Lauren followed her gaze and found two seagulls floating out over the ocean, the sight distracting her from everything for a moment. They were so pure and free as they glided through the air. “It certainly is.”
“Well, you should take the evening and settle in. And if you get hungry tonight, the cook is serving oysters on the half shell, crab bisque, and key lime pie for dessert.”
“That sounds delicious.” She closed Mary’s paper calendar. “I’ll get working on this,” she said, holding it up before tucking it under her arm.
Mary chuckled. “I won’t be expecting you to do anything tonight. Kick back and enjoy yourself.”
That sounded great, but Lauren had no idea exactlyhowto do that.
THREE
The rhythmic shushing of the waves and the summer heat had lulled Lauren into a dreamlike respite as she swayed back and forth in the hammock on the porch outside her suite. After unpacking her bags and adding her own little touches to her quarters, like the framed photo of her parents and two of the small house plants she’d brought with her from New York, she finally settled outside in the glorious afternoon sunshine.
She opened her eyes just enough to view the cotton-candy hues of the evening sky. The sun struggled to let go of the day, only dipping below the horizon at around eight o’clock in the evening. Had she slept that long? Her bare feet were propped on the gathering of rope at one end and her head rested on the small canvas pillow at the other. A light breeze filtered through the porch, ruffling her sundress, the stillness of it all something she wasn’t sure she’d ever experienced.
Notwithstanding her tranquil state, her stomach rumbled. Relishing the silence, she’d opted to skip dinner, even though she didn’t know what she was going to eat tonight. However, this being her first night in residence, she didn’t feel terribly comfortable rooting around in the kitchen after-hours.
A creak at the end of the porch and the sound of footsteps caused her to come to completely. She sat up, swinging her feet onto the brand-new yellow boards of the decking that had been replaced today, the hammock creaking under her.
Brody was striding toward her with two brightly colored cocktails. He was clean-shaven, his hair combed, wearing a loose button-up with a pocket on the chest and a pair of board shorts.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you,” he said when he reached her. “Mary asked me to bring you a drink. I don’t think she realized you were sleeping.” He offered her one of the glasses full of pink liquid with a spear of fruit and a little yellow umbrella on the top.
“It’s okay,” she said, blinking to clear her vision, the cold glass a refreshing sensation in the heat. “What is this?”
“Rum punch. Mary’s decided to put them out for the guests in the evenings, trying to keep up with the newer hotels and their bars.”
Lauren inspected the summery drink.
“If you’re worried about the alcohol, she goes very light on it to save on costs.” He grinned at her in that friendly way of his, and she was pretty sure he was, with her, exactly the way he was with everyone.
“Thank you.” She took a sip, the sweet nectar of fruit and rum going down easily, leaving a sugary taste on her tongue.
“I was on my way into town and I had to drop by some more wood, but I wanted to show you something.” He set his drink on the wooden ledge of the railing and pulled his phone from his pocket. “I don’t want you to think that I was trying to hit on you at the market earlier. I really do have a friend named Stephanie Clark, and from a distance, you kind of look like her. I had her text me a picture of herself to prove it.”
Lauren held her hair back to combat the coastal wind, took another sip of her cocktail, and stood up. The hammock swung with her sudden movement.
