“People can sometimes surprise us with their concern.”
She had a strong suspicion that Brogan hadn’t been surprised nearly often enough. “Around here, you get used to everyone being nice.” The town was full of well-meaning, concerned, and sometimes nosy neighbors. “For three days, Andy wanted to show everyone his boo-boo—even though there was nothing to see. He insisted that Marlow and Cort should kiss it, then Herman and Robin, and even Bren Crawford.”
“Okay, rewind.” He spun a finger in the air and asked with comedic humor, “I recognize Cort’s name as the guy renting out this place, but who are all the other foot kissers?”
The way he put things kept her amused. “Marlow is his wife and my best friend. Herman owns the Dry Frog Tavern—it’s a place you’ll love, I promise—and Bren is an adorably cranky older guy who refuses to retire. He still runs the boat launch and rental, but only Friday through Sunday. He’s closed during the week.”
“So … what happens if someone wants to take their boat in or out on a weekday?”
“Outsiders are turned away. Locals have to ask him nicely,and that’s not easy because he’s hard of hearing. Believe me, if he doesn’t want to hear you, he won’t.”
Under his breath, Brogan said, “Reminds me of a bullheaded commander I knew.”
Pixie wondered at that, especially because he’d said it with an undertone of grit and possibly anger. Or disappointment? If she knew him better, she could probably interpret his mood, but he was still a mystery. He kept his emotions contained, much as Cort did, and yet he was ready with a smile, and he totally fawned over the babies.
“You mentioned someone named Robin?”
“Robin Merriman runs the Docker restaurant. It’s a nice family place on the lake. People show up in both boats and cars. Seating inside and out. When you want more than a burger or pizza, you go to the Docker.”
“Sounds great. I need to check it out. Anything else?”
She told him where to find the nearest grocery store, where to get gas and last-minute items, ice cream and pastries. “The beach area is quiet through the week if you like to jog. It gets busier on the weekend.” Though with an infant, she didn’t know how he’d manage much jogging. Grinning, she added, “And if you want to hang with a bunch of teenagers, Leo runs an arcade.”
“Yeah, I might pass on the arcade. I was never much for games.” He sipped his cola, then asked, “Do you work in the area?”
“Nearby, actually. Marlow opened her own small boutique, now named Marlow’s Whimsy. It’s just outside of Bramble, in Lankton, not that far away. I’m her manager.” Her face warmed as she explained, “I also lucked into some design work. I do that freelance for various places.”
“Wow, nice. What kind of designs?”
Yep, that was more heat flooding her face. At this point, with her fair complexion, she probably looked scalded.
Brogan’s slow grin warned her before he asked, “Something risqué?”
“What?No. Of course not.”
He held up a hand. “Sorry, but the way you blushed, I wasn’t sure.”
Gulping a drink of her cola gave her something to do, but also made her burp. She groaned, set the drink aside, and said, “Excuse me.”
His expression sobered. “Hey, if you’d rather not tell me, that’s fine.”
“No, it’s not that.” Blowing out a breath, she got hold of herself. “I’m not used to having a reason to boast, and I’m not at all sure I’m comfortable with it. I mean, it’s wonderful. I feel better about myself …”
That steely gaze of his, rife with curiosity, stayed intent on her face.
Right. Scratch that. She didn’t want him delving too deeply into her scandalous past.
Determined to sound like a reasonable adult, Pixie started over. “When Marlow first came up with the idea for the boutique, she wanted to sell unique stuff that represented the area here. She loved seeing the fireflies that come out in the evening, so one day, when I finished organizing some stuff for her, I started to doodle. Somewhat by accident, I came up with a few stylized fireflies. Marlow loved them and insisted on paying me for my work. She uses the designs on a lot of stuff now.”
“Wow. That sounds really great.”
“It was.Is.” Remembering the numerous ways Marlow had helped to rebuild her—her spirit, her pride, her sense of belonging—filled Pixie’s soul. “I thought she claimed to like the designs just to give me a boost. But then, other businesspeople around here asked me to come up with designs for them, and they insisted on paying me, too, and …” She shrugged. “It justsort of grew into a nice, easy part-time job that really helps my budget.”
Brogan studied her face, her smile, and even the way she held her cola. “You’re an impressive woman, Pixie Nolan. Not just as a mother, which I realized right off, but in every way, it seems.”
“I …” Honestly, she had no idea what to say, so she settled on, “Thank you. But I’m just me—and I’ve had a lot of help.”
“Maybe someday you’d like to tell me about that.”
