Harbour Lights

Once again, she noticed a faint hesitation, as if he thought he was going to hate himself for uttering what came next.

“Then it’s a good thing I don’t need to be paid,” he said eventually, his hands shoved in his pockets, his expression bland. “I have a little time to burn while I wait for Bree. I’d be glad to pitch in.”

Shanna stilled. Big-city jitters kicked in. Kevin O’Brien was definitely intriguing. And probably safe enough, if his sister owned the florist shop next door. She’d heard the name O’Brien around town, knew that a man named Mick O’Brien, in fact, had been the architect who’d designed and built Chesapeake Shores. The woman she’d dealt with at the management company had been an O’Brien, too.

“So, are you one of the O’Briens?” she asked. “I’ve read a little about Mick and I met Susie.”

“My father and my cousin,” he told her.

That was reassuring, but still, old habits kept her cautious. “I appreciate the offer to help, but I probably should do it myself. I have to figure out the placement for all this stuff as I go. And, as you can see, the shelves aren’t in yet. They’re not coming till tomorrow.”

He didn’t seem especially disappointed by her refusal. In fact, he almost looked relieved.

“Okay, then, no coffee from Sally’s, no help in here,” he said easily. “How about the cappuccino machine? Want me to take a crack at that?”

Not wanting to seem ungracious, Shanna finally nodded. “Sure. If you can get it working, your first purchase is on me.”

“You shouldn’t be offering to give books away,” he scolded as he studied the instructions, then sorted through the tools she’d spread out until he found the one he wanted. “Though my son will be delighted. Picture books are among his favorite things. I’m sure we’ll be frequent customers.”

Her heart did an odd little stutter step. She couldn’t have said for sure if it was disappointment or delight. Kevin was an attractive man, after all, but she loved kids. She was hoping the store would draw a lot of them.

“You have a son?”

He nodded. “Davy. He’s two.”

“Well, you or your wife will have to bring him in as soon as I open. I have a huge selection of picture books on order.”

For an instant, it looked as if Kevin had been frozen in time, almost as if he weren’t even breathing. Then he exhaled slowly and frowned as he concentrated on the cappuccino machine. Shanna could tell instantly that she’d said something wrong, but she had no idea what it might have been. Perhaps it was mentioning his wife. Maybe they were divorced, but wouldn’t she have their child? It sounded as if the boy lived with his dad.

Then she remembered. When she’d first come to Chesapeake Shores for a visit a year ago, recovering from her own very complicated and shattered marriage, she’d stayed at the inn. It, too, was run by an O’Brien. And the whole place had been buzzing because the owner’s brother had lost his wife in Iraq and had just moved home with his son. Her heart had ached at the news, not just for the man who’d lost his wife, but for the little boy who would grow up without a mother.

That man was Kevin—it had to be. She felt awful, but had no idea how to apologize, especially since her inadvertent mention of his wife had caused such a strong reaction. Maybe it was better to let it pass.

Even as she was debating with herself over the best tactic, he stood up. “Where’s the nearest plug?”

She gestured toward a table she’d set up temporarily to hold the machine. The foam cups, gourmet coffee beans, and supplies were already sitting on it.

Within minutes, he had the coffee brewing, the rich aroma filling the space.

“Milk?” he asked.

“In the refrigerator in back. I’ll get it.”

When she brought it back, he deftly frothed it to perfection, poured it on top of a cup of fragrant coffee and handed it to her. “There you go,” he said with a grin. “You’re all set.”

“I’m eternally grateful,” she said, meaning it. “The coffee’s fantastic.” She met his gaze and asked impulsively, “What are you doing a week from Saturday? If you’ll man this machine, I’ll not only give your son his pick of any book in the place, but I’ll pay you, too. I can’t afford to hire anyone even part-time just yet, but I can certainly pay you for one day just to keep the customers in coffee.”

His expression closed down as if the offer offended him. “If I’m around, I’ll help out, but I don’t want your money.”

“You work, I pay you,” she said, not sure why she was so insistent that it be a business arrangement. From what she’d gathered, the O’Briens were probably not in need of the kind of paltry money she could afford to pay. Still, paying her way was a matter of pride to her. Accusations from her former in-laws that she’d been a gold digger were still a little too raw. She didn’t want to start her life in Chesapeake Shores feeling indebted to anyone.

“Let’s table that discussion until we see if I’m around.”

She studied him curiously. “Commitment issues?”

“Something like that,” he said evasively. “I’ll be in touch. It was nice to meet you, Shanna.”

“You, too, Kevin.”

But as he walked away, she had the strangest sensation that she still knew next to nothing about him beyond his name and her speculation that he was the man who’d lost his wife in a war halfway across the world. The fact that she found him fascinating was probably a sure sign that she ought to be grateful he was gone. Wounded souls were a bad bet. She’d found that out the hard way. Trying to save another one would be a monumentally stupid idea.

2

It was after six and Shanna was still unpacking boxes and stacking books according to the sections she’d sketched out on a floor plan for the store. She planned to be ready the instant the shelves were put into place. The supplier had promised delivery by nine tomorrow morning.

When her cell phone rang, she grabbed it and answered without checking caller ID, something she hadn’t done since her divorce. Avoiding calls from her ex-husband had become a way of life. This time, thankfully, the impulsive action didn’t cost her.

“How’s the book business?” Laurie asked.

Shanna smiled at the sound of her best friend’s voice. “I’ll let you know when I’ve sold my first book.”

“Well, if it’s too soon to answer that question, then tell me how you are. Still happy about making this move to the middle of nowhere? How can you possibly get through the day when you’re miles and miles from the nearest gourmet coffee shop?”

“Because I’m opening my own,” Shanna replied, sinking down on the floor and leaning against the wall. She felt relaxed for the first time all day. Talking to Laurie, who’d been there through the ordeal of her marriage and her divorce, always grounded her and invariably cheered her up.

“And for the record, I really am happy,” she added emphatically. “This is the best thing I’ve done for myself in a very long time.”

“Met anyone interesting yet?”

She stiffened at the oft-repeated refrain. “What is this obsession you have with my social life?” she asked, instantly annoyed. “I’ve only been divorced for a year and it’s been a rocky one. You should know that better than anyone. I’m hardly ready to rush into anything new.”

“My, my,” Laurie said. “Aren’t you defensive? That must mean you have crossed paths with someone attractive. Tell me.”

Shanna sighed, an unwanted image of the very attractive Kevin O’Brien now locked in her head. “Nothing to tell,” she insisted. A ten, maybe fifteen-minute encounter was not worth mentioning, though she seriously doubted Laurie would agree. Recently engaged, Laurie thought the entire world should be traveling in pairs.

“Well, that’s just a plain shame,” Laurie declared. “I suppose I’ll have to listen to you go on and on about inventory, instead.”

“I’ll restrain myself just this once,” Shanna promised. “You tell me about Drew. How are the wedding plans coming?”

The last she’d heard, the occasion was to be opulent and excessive, every little girl’s dream wedding. Of course, a few weeks ago, it was going to be on a Hawaiian beach at sunset. It all seemed to be evolving at a breakneck pace that suited Laurie, but would have given Shanna hives.

“Actually, that’s one of the reasons I called,” Laurie said. “Didn’t you tell me that the inn where you stayed last year was really wonderful and that they do weddings?”

“The Inn at Eagle Point?” Shanna asked, surprised. “Here in Chesapeake Shores?”

“That’s it,” Laurie said. “I couldn’t recall the name to save my soul. What would you think about us having the wedding there, something small and intimate?”

“I’d love it, of course. The inn is charming, the food’s outstanding and the setting is spectacular, but I thought you wanted something huge, splashy and extravagant.”