“You’re right, and as a matter of fact, I ate my supper up here last night,” Caitlin said, trying to wipe the smile off her face. “I was only laughing because I think it’s a little… amusing that you seemed to be determined to matchmake Shane and me, right up until the end.”
Marion clapped her hands to her cheeks in genuine embarrassment. “Have I been that obvious?”
Caitlin giggled. “Yes, but it’s okay, I don’t mind. I appreciate your good intentions, but I’m afraid it’s not going to work out the way you hoped it would. Shane and I have said our goodbyes.”
Marion’s face fell. “That’s too bad. He must be so disappointed… you’re the first woman he’s allowed me to try to set him up with in the two years I’ve known him.”
Caitlin nearly spat out her tea. “Shaneknewyou’ve been trying to get us together?”
“Yes, of course. I’d never try to set him up without his permission—he hates it when his cousin does that to him,” answered Marion, to Caitlin’s astonishment. “When you mentioned you were single, I thought you’d make a terrific couple, but you resisted my suggestions about hanging out with him. And he was too concerned about jeopardizing your professional relationship to outright ask you on a date, so I came up with a subtler plan.”
“The Halloween party?” Caitlin asked, feeling both shocked and flattered that Shane allowed Marion to mastermind their night out.
“Yes. But I suppose it wasn’t that subtle after all, if you figured out it was a setup.” She shook her head. “I just don’t understand where I went wrong. Usually, I’m quite perceptive about who might make a good couple. And you seemed to be hitting it off so well at Thanksgiving, but I guess my instincts aren’t as accurate as they used to be.”
Her friend seemed so dejected that Caitlin confessed, “Your instincts were right on target, Marion. Shane and Ididget along very well, and I think very highly of him. In fact, I like him more than any guy I’ve met in… well, in a long, long time.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m leaving Dune Island in a week,” said Caitlin, instead of telling Marion therealproblem. “So it wouldn’t make any sense to become romantically involved with him.”
“The way I see it, since you like him more than any guy you’ve met in a long time, it doesn’t make any sensenotto become romantically involved with him,” countered Marion.
“What about the fact that I live two thousand miles away?”
Marion waved her hand dismissively. “Distance makes the heart grow fonder.” She wheedled Caitlin, “He’s probably pining away for you right now. I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to see you again.”
“If that’s true, then why didn’themention he’d like to get together?” she argued.
“Because he isn’t sure you’dbe interested,” suggested Marion.
She might be right about that.Caitlin recognized that despite her attraction to Shane, she’d been holding back, so it may have seemed she was sending mixed messages. Ever since the other day when he’d said goodbye, she’d wondered if his awkward joke about embracing each other had been an attempt to clarify how she really felt about him, now that he wasn’t working for her.
“Why not at least invite him over for dinner before you leave?’ her neighbor prodded.
“I’ll think about it.” The idea of seeing Shane again was certainly appealing, but it also would postpone the inevitable. Having already said goodbye to him once, Caitlin wasn’t sure she was willing to face those sad, wistful feelings a second time. “But please don’t mention it to him.”
“I won’t say a word. I may not be subtle, but I know how to keep a secret.” She made a motion as if she were locking her lips closed.
“Oh, that reminds me,” exclaimed Caitlin. “Even though the remodel’s completed, I still need to finalize a few details with the attorney before I can put the house on the market. I’ll be working remotely from Santa Fe with a local real estate agent, but I haven’t chosen one yet. Would you mind holding on to a housekey to give to them once everything’s official?”
“I’d be glad to,” she agreed.
“There’s something else I almost forgot.” Caitlin leaned over and pulled a gift bag from where she’d stashed it beneath her chair and handed it to Marion.
“A present? Should I wait till Christmas to open it?”
“No, it’s not for Christmas. It’s a very small token of my appreciation for how helpful and kind you’ve been to me,” said Caitlin. “Please, open it.”
When Marion pulled out the delicate turquoise coffee mug, with sand-colored scallop shells and starfish embossed on it, she exclaimed, “It’s just like the one Lydia used to have! Look, it even says, ‘Seas the Day’ inside it on the bottom! Where did you find it?”
“When you told me my aunt’s nephews had given you her favorite mug but it broke, I searched online for a replacement,” said Caitlin. “It just arrived yesterday. I was going to serve you tea in it, but I wanted to be sure you liked it, first.”
“I love it! Receiving a mug like Lydia’s and eating windmill cookies is the perfect way to commemorate the completion of the remodel.” Marion sighed. “How your aunt would’ve loved to be sitting here with us now.”
“Yes, she would’ve,” said Caitlin, choking up a little. It was bittersweet to realize that even though she’d fulfilled her aunt’s dream, Lydia would never get to enjoy it.And soon, I won’t be able to enjoy it, either.
After they’d finished their tea and Marion went back home to Pepper, Caitlin called her niece and nephews to share a video of the inside of the remodeled windmill with them. She wasn’t entirely surprised that the boys liked the pre-renovated version better.
