Kiss Me in the Summer - Barbara Dunlop Page 0,15

weeks. It would make me feel better about tomorrow if I could at least get the lay of the land in advance, see what people were doing there and how they were doing it.

I found the park halfway through the town overlooking the bay. The main business area stretched along Main Street a few blocks back from the ocean cliffs. The town hall was across from the park and seemed to be the biggest building, three stories high with a main tower and spire in the center. It was surrounded by landscaped lawns with shops and restaurants on either side of the property.

As I entered the park, I could see it was a hive of activity. Dozens of people were moving around, looking purposeful, carrying building materials, trays of bedding plants or fabrics.

Some were putting up tent canopy frames for what I guessed were display stalls on the grass around a center square. Others were digging into the dirt of massive clay pots that lined the pathways, planting the budding floral bedding plants.

A raised brick garden in the middle of the square held a large statue of what looked like a mountain man. The garden was already overflowing with vivid blooms of various colors.

Beyond the display stalls, past the tended lawn, boulders were interspersed with tall meadow grass and wildflowers. The land fell away at the far edge of the park, over a cliff to the rocky beach below. Rutter’s Point jutted out into the ocean, giving beautiful views from almost anywhere in town.

Feeling out of place in the small-town bustle, I made my way down the main cobblestone pathway, taking in a half-assembled bandstand and merry-go-round. The air throbbed with the sound of generators powering the workers’ tools. My shoes wobbled as I walked over the rounded stones.

I stepped onto the grass, hoping it would be a smoother walk. I also thought I’d call less attention to myself if I walked behind the line of frames instead of straight up the middle of the park. I felt self-conscious simply gaping at everything around me while everyone else was hard at work. But I was dressed in a blouse and blazer with linen slacks and high-heeled shoes. It wasn’t like I could dig in right now—even if I could figure out what it was I was supposed to do.

As I angled toward the edge of the activity, I sized up what people were doing, hoping to find something easy that I could offer to help with tomorrow.

I saw a man wielding a nail gun. Nope. I couldn’t be trusted with that. Another man climbed a ladder to the arch of the bandstand. I wasn’t exactly afraid of heights, but I didn’t love them either. Another guy carried a load of ten-foot-long metal poles.

Several people were positioning the bedding plants. Too bad I didn’t know anything about gardening. I’d hate to accidently kill something.

Then I spotted a group of people holding paintbrushes. Painting was a distinct possibility. Cecily and I had repainted the kitchen this spring, and it had turned out very nicely. But then I realized they were painting big cartoon flowers.

I wasn’t even remotely artistic.

“Laila,” a deep voice called out.

I turned to see Josh give me a wave and head my way. He looked happy to see me. He’d likely be less happy when I told him I’d be useless.

His stride was long, his pace efficient, and he definitely belonged here in worn leather work boots, jeans, and a navy T-shirt stretched across his chest. A leather tool belt hung around his waist, and he shoved a wrench into one of the loops as he approached.

He grinned, and my heart did that familiar flutter.

I was embarrassed by the reaction, and I hoped no one could see it. I couldn’t seem to stop myself from crushing on Josh.

He came to a stop in front of me. “So, what do you think?”

For a split second I thought he was asking what I thought of him. I almost stammered something stupid. Then I realized he must have meant the law office.

“It seems like a good practice, though eclectic.” It was very different than Laatz Wallingsford, but I was happy that I’d managed to get some missing information from the land titles office and the bank this morning. I’d also drafted the two sales contracts and left them for Becky. It felt good to be useful.

“I meant what we’ve done with the park so far.” He gestured around us.

“Oh.” It was an obvious