The Seacroft: a love story (Paines Creek Beach Book 2) Read online

  She changed into her own clothes and finished packing in fifteen minutes, standing in the middle of the room feeling lost.

  She and Libby hadn’t talked in detail about her new job helping with the girls. But, she knew she was going to be a nanny. That was cool. And maybe that was better than personal assistant. That job title had sounded so pretentious.

  She assumed they’d give her a bedroom at Blueberry Hill, but now she wasn’t so sure. Would Libby expect her to take an apartment in town? She had no car. And she hadn’t even checked on her bicycle, which with her luck could have been whisked into the heavens by Delilah.

  If she had to rent a new place, she wouldn’t be able to afford her mother’s bills, never mind her brother’s medical bills that kept escalating so much because of the interest. It would be impossible to catch up. Ever. And what if the new nursing home was more expensive than Shady Pines? She shuddered to think about it.

  She rolled her suitcase to the door, looking back. The bed was a mess. Without thinking twice, she stripped it and remade it with fresh sheets. No need for Mr. Polansky to see an untidy home when he returned to figure out what to do with The Seacroft. On the phone earlier he’d implied he still owned the place and was just letting Uvi stay there as a courtesy. Was it just today? It seemed so long ago. Now that she was (hopefully) going to be spending her time elsewhere, in a place where she couldn’t hurt anyone else, Mr. P would have to figure out what to do with The Seacroft.

  Maybe he’d move back in?

  She looked at the dirty sheets on the floor. I can’t just leave dirty laundry in the house.

  She realized with a sigh that she felt obligated to spruce up the rooms before she left, but that it would take longer than she had today to get that done. She glanced at her watch. Almost dinnertime. And Cody wanted to go for a ride tonight.

  She spoke aloud again, and for some reason it made her feel better in this house that felt spookier than ever before. “Cody and I can come back tomorrow. We’ll take down the plywood, pack his stuff, get the house cleaned, and then lock it up tight. Maybe we’ll send Mr. P our keys, and just be done with it.” She brushed her hands together, symbolically clearing away the old problems, and grabbed hold of her bags. With her head held high, she left the front porch, determined to return tomorrow.

  

  Back at Blueberry Hill, Vivian approached the front door and decided to knock instead of just walking in. She didn’t actually live there yet, did she? So she played it safe.

  Cody opened the door with a smile on his face. “I’ve been waiting for you.” He beckoned her inside. “But you know you don’t have to knock.”

  “Thanks.” She didn’t know. But she was glad to hear him say it.

  Libby called out from the living room, “I’ll get you a key tomorrow so you can come and go as you please, Vivian.”

  Viv smiled, returning Cody’s kiss. “Thank you, Libby.”

  Cody’s smile seemed broader than usual, almost secretive.

  “What?” she asked. “What’s going on?”

  “Come on.” He led her into the living room, where Finn, Libby, and the girls were sprawled on the rug, just setting up a game of Candy Land.

  She crouched beside Olivia. “Oh! I used to love this game.”

  Libby smiled at her. “It was Finn’s when he was a boy. And we still have most of the pieces, can you believe it?”

  Finn nodded. “It’s a miracle. So, Cody, are you gonna tell her, or what?”

  “Tell me what?” She turned to Cody.

  “Let’s sit over here,” he said. They settled side by side. “First of all, I know this has been one helluva day.”

  She laughed nervously. “It sure has.” Especially since she hadn’t told him yet about her misadventure at the elementary school. She kept quiet, not wanting to spoil his moment, whatever it was. It was clear he had good news to share, and she was more than ready for any news that could put such a beautiful smile on his face.

  Cody continued. “Finn and Libby have made an announcement. They were going to wait until you were here, but they couldn’t keep quiet about it.”

  Vivian turned to the couple. “Really?” She figured it was about the sex of the baby Libby carried, but planned to look surprised anyway.

  Finn nodded to Cody, encouraging him to go on.

  “Okay, here goes.” Cody said. “They’ve decided to leave Blueberry Hill and move into The Seacrest.”

  Surprised, Vivian jumped up and stepped over the children to kiss Libby’s cheek. “That’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you. You’ll be in your family home.” Secretly, she wondered if she would move with them, and what they’d do with Blueberry Hill. Would they keep their horses? Would they sell the land?

  Cody held up his hand. “That’s not all.”

  She went back to Cody’s side and sat next to him, taking his hand in hers. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

  “Finn and Libby are giving me Blueberry Hill. To own. To operate. Forever.”

  She leaned into him, a thousand questions hitting her at once. “Cody, that’s wonderful.”

  Libby stood and joined them on the couch. “Viv, of course I still want you to help out with the children. You’re welcome to handle it however you want. You can live with us, have your own little suite, if you’d like. Or, whatever else suits you.” Her eyes twinkled and she exchanged a mysterious glance with Cody.

  Cody frowned. “Let’s not jump the gun now. I might need her here, to help with the blueberries, since you guys are deserting me.”

  Vivian laughed. “Well, it’s lovely to be needed. I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”

  Libby waved them off. “Why don’t you two just grab those sandwiches I packed for you and get started on your ride?”

  Cody stood. “How about a picnic on the beach, Viv? Sound good?”

  “Absolutely.” She stood and stretched. “I’ve got a lot to tell you guys, too. But we’ll wait until the girls are in bed.”

  Finn glanced at his children, and gave a knowing nod. “Sounds good. Have fun, you two.”

  Cody carried her suitcase and tote bag upstairs. At the top of the landing, she stopped. “So. Where do I sleep tonight?”

  He pointed to his room. “Will you sleep with me? Or do you need the pretense of your own room?”

  “How about you assign me a room for now, and maybe, just maybe, I might consider sneaking into your room in the middle of the night, once in a while.”

  He dropped the bags and pulled her close. “Sounds good to me. By the way, what was that all about down there? Something happened at the school?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. Uvi was there.” She told him the whole story, and after asking a thousand questions, he enfolded her in his arms again.

  “Oh, baby. I can’t believe it.” He kissed her and stroked her hair, looking into her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re okay. You beat that crazy bitch.” His eyes filled with empathy. “But now you really need a break.”

  Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she held them back. She’d had enough crying for a lifetime, and she wasn’t about to waste another minute in tears.

  He tilted her chin up. “How about we ride bareback tonight so we can swim? You okay with that?”

  She nodded. “Sure. But you’ll have to pick me up if I slide off Popeye’s back.”

  He grinned. “You’ll be fine. You’re a natural.”

  “Should I wear a suit this time?” she asked with an impish grin. She remembered back to the last time when they’d gone swimming in their underwear. And when he’d approached her in that cave. And she’d soundly rejected him.

  Cody winked at her. “I’d rather go skinny dipping, but we might have an audience, so it’s up to you.”

  “A bathing suit, it is.” She kissed his cheek. “Point me in the right direction. Where’s that spare room?”

  He walked her down the hall. “This used to be Jax’s bedroom. Long ago. Now it’s all done over in girly co
lors, thanks to Libby.” He rolled his eyes and led her inside. “See? Pink.” He uttered a low groan. “Disgusting.”

  “I think it’s pretty,” she said, laying her bag on the bed and wondering if this would have been the new baby’s room. “Thank you. I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes, okay?”

  “It’s a date.” He disappeared down the hall to his room.

  She smiled to herself, reeling with strong feelings of love that swirled through her. Quickly, she plucked a pair of jean shorts and a tee shirt out of her bag. They would do fine.

  It was hard to process all that had happened in the past few days. Had she really made love to Cody in his own bedroom? Multiple times?

  Her body tingled with desire. Yes. She’d made mad, passionate, amazing love with this man who she’d never imagined would like her, never mind love her.

  He’d said that, right? That he loved her?

  She still couldn’t believe it.

  Nor could she believe she’d been at the mercy of a hateful, crazy woman like Uvi. Twice. In one day.

  She hastily rinsed off in the shower, then found her suit in the bag on the bed and changed into it, slipping her clothes over the suit. Tomorrow would be calmer, and she could focus on the next steps. Whatever they might be.

  Chapter 48

  Cody strode into the cool barn ahead of Vivian, carrying a knapsack bulging with the supper Libby had helped him plan. He could barely control the spark of excitement igniting inside him. Tonight would be one of the most important nights of his life. He hoped and prayed it would go well and that he’d come out on the other side smiling.

  Popeye stood in the crossties in the main aisle, ready to be bridled and to head out for their ride.

  “I cleaned him up while I was waiting for you,” he smiled, pointing to the gelding’s hooves. “See? I even polished his hooves.”

  “Popeye, you’re so handsome.” She walked up to the horse’s head and fondled his ears and forelock, speaking softly to the big pinto, as if she’d really missed him. “Are you ready to take care of me again?”

  Popeye nickered and shoved his velvety muzzle into her middle.

  Cody chuckled. “I swear, that horse understands a lot more English than ‘whoa’ ‘gitup’ and ‘canter.’”

  “He’s my smart boy,” Viv said affectionately. “I just love him.”

  Cody slid up and leaned against Popeye’s shoulder. “He’s very strong, half draft horse, remember?”

  She murmured loving words to the horse. “Of course he is.”

  “What I’m saying is, let’s ride double tonight. He’s strong enough to take us both. If you don’t mind wearing the pack, that is. You can hang onto me while we canter through the surf.”

  “Oh, that sounds dreamy,” she said, eyes shining. With a sudden laugh, she added, “That way I won’t embarrass myself by falling in the water.”

  “Good.” He ducked under the crossties to grab a bridle from the peg on the wall. “Let me just put this on him,” he said, “and we’ll be on our way.”

  He unbuckled the halter and slid it over the horse’s neck, so the horse wouldn’t try to wander free back to his hayrack in the stall. The halter buckled around his neck was still attached to the crossties, so he was captive.

  Vivian stood beside him, watching avidly. “I need to learn how to do this.”

  Cody inserted the bit and slid the crown piece over Popeye’s ears. “You will. It’s not that hard. But let’s leave the lessons for another day, okay?”

  “Sure,” she said with an agreeable smile.

  He glanced sideways at her, noting the faint smudges beneath her eyes. The poor woman had been through hell and back over the past few days, and he felt sudden misgivings about his plans for tonight. But the doubts quickly evaporated as he watched her stroke the gelding’s fur. Her eyes shone with affection and… what was it? Resilience? Happiness? You’d hardly know she’d almost drowned in a hurricane the day before, had been threatened with murder that morning, and had rescued her mother from a madwoman later the same day.

  Vivian was one hell of a woman. An amazing human being. She was gentle and strong, humble and funny. She cared about the people in her world more than anyone he’d ever known, and for that, he adored her. What she’d given up for her brother and mother astounded him. How many people would have sacrificed like that? Not many.

  “Cody?” Viv asked, sliding an arm around his middle. “How do I get up there, anyway?” She pointed up to Popeye’s back. “There are no stirrups when you ride bareback.”

  Cody laughed and led Popeye outside into the rays of golden sunlight that caressed the pasture and blueberry fields. Flickers of light reflected off the calm ocean in the distance. “Here. I’ll get up first,” he swung easily onto the gelding’s back by grabbing a hank of mane and leaping onto him. “You can climb up on the fence, over there. Don’t forget the backpack.”

  She slid into the pack and gingerly climbed the fence. “Okay. Ready when you are.”

  Popeye cooperated, sidling toward the fence at Cody’s request. “There you go. Now, jump on.” He reached over to help steady her. “Good job. Now, just hold on to me.”

  He loved the feeling of her arms around his waist, the close feeling of her body pressed tightly behind his. He clicked to Popeye, and they slowly trotted over the sandy path toward the beach, swaying slightly back and forth with the rhythm of his hooves.

  The sun glowed bright on the horizon, probably only a half hour from sizzling into the sea and painting the sky with its colorful palette. Faint tendrils of rose and tangerine reflections washed the sky already, just hints of the spectacle that would come later.

  A warm breeze caressed Cody’s skin when they reached the dunes and began to descend to the deserted beach. The tide was coming in, and the sea lay still and glassy like a summer pond, occasionally rippling with white froth from the leap of a fish or dive of a gull.

  Cody breathed in and out, relishing the tang of salt on his tongue.

  Had life finally come to this? Could he really feel so ridiculously happy, after all that had just happened?

  He felt Vivian rest her cheek against his back, and in that one fleeting moment, he knew it was true. With this woman at his side, his life felt complete.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” she said when they reached the edge of the water.

  Cody turned Popeye in the direction of The Seacrest, where soon the rest of his family would take up residence. “Just thinking,” he said.

  “About what?”

  “You. Us.” He smiled at her over his shoulder, then waved one hand toward the sea. “This.”

  “It’s stunning, isn’t it?” She expelled a long sigh. “What a beautiful evening.”

  “I think the sunset’s gonna be impressive,” he said.

  “I’ll bet. And just so you know, I like riding this way. It feels good. Safe.”

  He turned back toward her again. “Wanna try a little canter?”

  “Okay.” She tightened her arms around his waist.

  He urged Popeye into a slow canter, heading for the cave. The rocking-horse gait felt smooth and powerful, and Vivian’s arms circled snugly around him. She was doing fine.

  “You hungry?” he asked.

  She nodded against his back. “Famished.”

  “Okay, let’s have our picnic here, then we can swim later.”

  When they stopped, he helped her slide down, then joined her on the sand. “How about over there on that flat rock?”

  “Perfect.” She shrugged out of the pack and set it on the rock, settling with her feet in the sand. The golden glow from the sun kissed her skin and her dark eyes grew almost luminous. He stared at her for a while, the perfect woman who had been almost invisible to him a month ago. How could he have not seen it? How could he have been so blind? She was a goddess, and he wanted her by his side forever.

  

  Vivian stretched her legs, luxuriating in the feeling of the warm sand an
d the aura of the setting sun. Cody was acting funny, almost mesmerized. Maybe he was tired, poor guy. He’d been through the wringer, too. “You okay?” she asked, reaching for his hand.

  “More than okay,” he said, his voice husky. “This is the perfect moment.”

  She leaned back with her eyes closed. “It is. All by itself, with nothing connecting us to the past or future. It just is. We can just be in this moment, you know?”

  “I do.” He unzipped and rummaged in the bag. “But I had a more specific idea.”

  She opened her eyes and laughed. “You mean like eating? I like that.”

  He grinned. “Er. Something a little different.” In his hand, he held a black velvet box.

  Her heart skipped a beat and he dropped to one knee before her, flipping open the box. A diamond glinted in the light of the sunset.

  “Vivian. Please hear me out.” He cleared his throat. “I’m an idiot. It took me forever to see you, appreciate you, and realize that your heart is made from solid gold. But every day, second by second, I’ve fallen deeper in love with you. I think of you from the moment I wake to until the instant I fall asleep. I dream about you. Incessantly.”

  He reached up for her hand. “I can’t imagine my life without you by my side. You are my princess, and you are so beautiful. I need you. And I hope, I pray, you’ll consider making it permanent.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and her heart beat faster.

  “Will you marry me, Vivian Wood?”

  Viv’s heart melted. Cody stared at her with such an earnest expression, looking almost a little nervous. Did he think she’d say no?

  Vivian leaned forward and touched her lips to his. “Oh, Cody. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She hesitated, just a moment, saw his eyes flicker with worry, then her heart stirred with joy. “Yes. I would be honored to be your wife.”

  His voice grew hoarse and he slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “Oh, thank God. I was so afraid you’d say no.” A huge smile spread across his lips. “But you said yes.”