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Jenni
Idon’tknowwhat I was expecting when I agreed to walk down by the water with Danny, but it wasn’t to find myself so attracted to not only him, but this town as well.
Sometime between when he had sat by as I talked to Stella and Elena during breakfast, putting up with whatever small town hazing was going on, to the time we finished walking around and he was dropping me back off at the B & B; both him and the town wiggled their way underneath my skin. He was just as intoxicating as the sites that I wanted to sketch. The very thought of having to leave this town today has me stopping at the front desk and asking to extend my stay for one more night.
“Oh, you’re Jenni!” The clerk at the front counter, a lady in her fifties with lavender hair, exclaims. “I’ve just been dying to meet you. Of course, you can keep your room for another night, or longer if need be.”
Guess she’s a part of the Lighthouse Alarm that Danny had told me about as we walked down by the ocean and watched some of the ships sailing by.
“That’s wonderful. Thank you so much.” I try to remember if I know her name, but come up short. “I’m sorry, I just realized I don’t even know your name.”
“Diana Delaney, but my friends all call me Dee-Dee,” she says with a wink. “It’s so nice to meet the woman who finally caught one of our boys’ attention.”
“Boys?” I asked in confusion.
“Yes, Danny, Eli, Jacob, Ryan, Dylan, and Brendan have been friends since they were little boys. Their moms, Stella, Elena, Jane, and I all grew up together here in Lighthouse Landing. It’s like having six of your own sometimes,” she says with a warm smile that shows how much she cares about them all. “Honestly, I was wondering if any of them would ever settle down.”
“Oh. I just met Danny the other day, we aren’t settling down anytime soon. We just had breakfast.”
She laughs, like full-on belly laughs at me.
“Oh, that was a good one. You don’t know these boys like I do. They don’t date… ever. And if they do, they definitely don’t take you to the Beacon Diner. That’s as good as a marriage proposal,” she tells me as she gasps for breath from laughing so hard. “By the way, do you have any single friends, my son Brendan is a nice boy, good family upbringing, handsome too.”
“Umm… no, sorry, my friends are all dating the hockey players that are here with them.” I tell her awkwardly, feeling bad for not having more friends when she frowns.
“Oh, well, it was worth a try. Lord knows if I leave it up to him, I’ll be dead and buried before he settles down with a good woman.”
“Sorry.”
“Goodness, no. You are doing your part by loving our Danny. Do you have big plans for tonight? Maybe a romantic dinner in the city, or maybe he can borrow Eli’s boat and take you out for a sunset dinner on the water.” She continues talking through her plans as my eyes widen with every word. When she finally stops and notices the shocked look on my face, she laughs it off with a wave. “Oh dear, don’t look so shocked. It will be fine, we will handle it all, you just worry about relaxing and having a good time. Maybe spend the afternoon drawing, I hear you like that. There are some really pretty spots down by the pier, I’m sure I can rustle up some paper and pencils for you if you need.”
“Uh… no, I have what I need, thanks.” I respond as I try to shake out of the stupor I find myself in. “Actually, that sounds like a wonderful idea, maybe I will do that.”
I turn toward my room, before remembering that I need to let my friends know about my change of plans and turn back. “Dee-Dee, do you happen to know if my friends have been around yet?”
“They have, I sent them over to the coffee shop in the Town Square to grab something to eat. I’m sure they will be back shortly.”
“Oh, there’s a coffee shop? I thought the diner was the best place for breakfast.”
“It is, but that’s for the locals, wouldn’t want them to run out of Peanut Butter Pie before I get my slice.”
“You’re the second person to mention that pie. I’m going to have to make sure I get a slice before I leave tomorrow.” I tell her with a smile.
“Don’t you worry, I’ll make sure you get a slice.” She replies with a wink as she pulls out her cell phone and starts texting someone.
Leaving her to whatever she’s planning, I head back to my room to grab my sketchbook and pencils. I was commissioned last week to do a nautical painting in a young boy’s room, and the scene down at the pier with the boats that are docked would be perfect for it. Quickly, I send the girls a text letting them know where I’ll be before heading out and finding somewhere to sit while I sketch.
By the time the girls find me, a few hours later, I’ve already completed three sketches, and have the design for the boy’s room almost completely planned out.
“Howdy ho, neighbor.” Jessica calls out.
Looking up I see her, Nikky, and Haley walking up the pier, and behind them is Becca pushing Nina in a stroller.
“Hey, girls.” I say as they approach. “How are you feeling after last night?”
“Oh my goodness. I am so embarrassed. I can’t even believe that happened. Thank you so much for getting us out of there.” Becca rushes to say before anyone else can even open their mouths.
“It’s not a big deal. I can’t believe how many of the guys got drafted last night.” I tell her to change the subject.
