The Inn At Seagrove - Rachel Hanna Page 0,21
and less efficient. Nope, this was love, and she was as scared as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Chapter Six
Julie stood out on the deck Dawson had built and marveled at the scene in front of her. Residents from the island and the mainland had all come together to celebrate the opening of The Inn at Seagrove.
She was so proud as she watched Dawson work the crowd, going from person to person, shaking hands and giving hugs. The smile on his face warmed her heart. As he shook yet another hand, he smiled at her and waved from across the deck. She gave him a wink, letting him know it was okay that he was socializing while she sort of took a back seat, opting to stand near the dessert table to get the first crack at Lucy’s peach cobbler when the time came.
“Great party, huh?” Janine said from behind her.
“It really is. Dawson hired a party planner from town, and I think she did a great job. Did you see the buffet?”
“Yes. I ate most of it,” Janine said, shoving a stuffed mushroom in her mouth. As tiny as she was, William leaving had caused her to start eating a lot more food than Julie had ever seen her eat before. Julie swiped the last mushroom from Janine’s hand and popped it in her own mouth. “Hey!”
“I’m hungry.”
“Then go eat and stop lurking like some weirdo.”
“I can’t. I don’t want to leave this peach cobbler.”
Janine laughed. “Just take some now.”
“It’s rude. Everyone is still eating lunch. It’s like cutting the wedding cake before the bride and groom get to the reception.”
“Hey!” Colleen walked up with Tucker on her arm.
“Hey, you two. How’s it going?” Janine asked.
“Just enjoying the party. This place looks amazing. Dawson has done a great job getting it ready.”
“I know. I’m so proud of him. Did you see the renovated kitchen?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful. And this deck is awesome. I mean, look at the view!”
“How are you, Tucker?” Julie asked.
He chuckled. “I’m fine, thanks. Don’t worry. I won’t propose to any of you and steal the focus of today’s festivities.”
“Tucker…” Colleen groaned. “He thinks these proposal jokes are funny, but they aren’t!”
Tucker laughed. “Sorry, dear.”
“We’re going to go get some pasta salad. Want anything?” Colleen asked.
“Hey, see if they have more stuffed mushrooms,” Janine said. Julie rolled her eyes.
As Colleen walked off, Julie looked at her sister. Her eyes were a million miles away, like she was searching for William in the crowd. He’d only been gone a few days, but she could tell Janine wasn’t herself.
“Have you heard from him?”
Janine sighed. “No.”
“Why don’t you call him?”
“What’s the use? I can’t be in a serious relationship with someone in another state who may never come back to live here. We want different things.”
“Seems to me you want each other,” Julie said, taking a sip of her sweet tea.
“We do. But, I love it here. I finally found my home, and I don’t want to leave. William doesn’t feel the same way.”
“I’m sorry, sis,” Julie said. She didn’t really have any answers for Janine. If Dawson left, she’d feel the same way.
“Thanks. Listen, I’m not really in a party mood. Can you tell Dawson that I’m so proud of him, but I need a little alone time?”
Julie rubbed her arm. “Of course. He’ll understand. Call me if you need me.”
Janine nodded as she walked toward the path home. Julie knew she’d find her sister snuggled up with a pint of ice cream by the time she got home later.
“Hey,” she heard Dawson say from behind her. He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. “I didn’t expect this many people to show up. I hope we have enough food.”
She turned around and smiled. “Don’t worry. Lucy probably has food in the fridge that would be enough to feed all of these folks three meals a day for the next week.”
Dawson laughed. “Yeah, she does kind of overcook, doesn’t she?”
“So, when does your first guest arrive?”
“This evening at six. Kind of a late check-in, but at least we’ll have everything cleaned up from the party by then.”
“Any idea who the mystery guest is?”
“Lucy handled all of the reservations, actually. No idea who my first guest will be, but I’m excited to welcome him or her. They will be staying in Granny’s room. We call it the Seagrove Suite. It has an attached bathroom and a nice sitting area.”
“This is all so exciting,” Julie