Sunset on Moonlight Beach - Sheila Roberts Page 0,35
maybe once Henry gets that next chunk of money, he’ll feel better about taking the leap and getting a house. I’ll just have to be patient.”
“Patience pays off. Remember how long it took you to find the right man,” Jenna said.
Celeste rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”
“But it was worth it. He really is great.”
“I know.” Celeste looked down at her baby. “I guess I should be glad I have such a cautious man for a husband. He’s only trying to make sure we don’t end up in over our heads financially.”
“That’s very insightful of you,” Jenna said. Not something her sister would normally say.
“Those aren’t my words. It’s what he said. He’s right, though. How can I stay mad at him when he’s trying to look out for us?”
Jenna smiled at that. “I guess this means you’ll be going home tomorrow?”
“I guess you’re right. Sister time is over.”
Celeste put the baby over her shoulder and began to pat her back. Jenna remembered doing that with her daughter. Unlike Celeste, she hadn’t had the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom for long. Someone had needed to bring in a steady paycheck.
“You’re lucky to have such a good man,” she said.
“I’m thinking you’re getting pretty lucky these days, too. Have you finally made a decision?”
“I have,” Jenna said.
“Brody’s a great guy.” Celeste studied Jenna. “But are you sure?”
“I think I am.”
Thinking she was sure. Was that the same as being sure? Who knew?
One thing she knew. A little sizzle on a cold spring night would sure feel good.
CHAPTER SIX
“Was it my imagination or was Brody’s car getting pretty steamed up out there in the parking lot?” Courtney teased when Jenna stopped in at the office Monday night after a date with Brody to make sure all was well.
Even though Courtney was busy creating designs and her clothes were selling well at the little shop in the Oyster Inn, she still needed the extra money. Jenna was glad for the extra help. It was a win-win.
“Talking steams up windows, you know,” Jenna said. There’d been some talk. And some nudging. On top of the nudging Sunday night she’d been good and nudged.
“Right,” Courtney said with a knowing smile.
They should never have gone to the Monday night special at the little movie house. A remake of Pride and Prejudice had been playing. Romantic movies always left her feeling mushy.
“You can probably pack it in for the night. I don’t think we’ll hear much from our remaining guests,” Jenna said, changing the subject. The last of the weekend guests had checked out that morning and only one couple remained, a retired pair, newly married.
“Haven’t heard a peep out of the lovebirds,” Courtney said. “You got two new bookings through the website for June. Putting up that picture of the deer was a good idea.”
“The deer. Don’t remind me. The next council meeting will be here before I know it and I still have a bunch of research to do.”
“You should have told me. I could have done some of that tonight.”
“No biggie. I’ll get it done tomorrow. Did you sketch any new designs?”
Courtney whipped out her sketch pad and showed Jenna a design for capris and a top that was both sophisticated and playful.
“I’d buy that outfit in a heartbeat,” Jenna said. “You are so talented.”
Courtney shrugged. “Yeah. Look out, Marc Jacobs.”
“Would you be crushed if you didn’t become world famous?” Jenna asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think really, I’d be happy making a splash right here. Maybe whoever takes over Beach Babes will have some vision and want to sell my clothes there.”
“That would probably be better in the long run than you owning the shop,” Jenna said.
A frown settled on Courtney’s face. “I know. It’s stupid to want to buy it. But I do. Don’t ask me why.”
“Well, now I have to ask. Why?”
“I guess I’d like to really feel like a legit member of the chamber of commerce. I’d like to have something concrete that I own. Even back when I was working for Susan, I saw so much potential for Beach Babes, so many fun things you could do there, like fashion shows and classes on style. I saw it as kind of a hub for the women here, a little like what Waves is.” She shook her head. “Maybe I’ve watched too many movies.”
“You never know. Maybe you’ll still end up putting on fashion shows there, only without the headache of owning the business.”