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“Everything ready?” Dylan asked once his brother answered the phone.
“Just waiting for you. I checked and everything is just the way you wanted it. Callie and I have been gone all day, so she has no idea anything is up.”
“Thanks.” Dylan hoped his brother knew he was thanking him for more than just his help today.
“Don’t mention it. Good luck.”
I’m going to need it. Dylan returned the cell phone to his pocket.
***
Flopping onto the king-sized bed, Callie wished she could lie down and go to sleep. She was exhausted. The night before, she’d been up way too late talking with Jake, who had unexpectedly shown up around lunchtime. When she’d finally gone to bed, she hadn’t fallen asleep right away. Instead, she’d stared at the ceiling for hours, only falling asleep when the first rays of sunlight came through the window.
Never one to waste the day lounging around in bed, she’d still gotten up around seven. Then after returning from her morning walk with Lucky, Jake took her sailing for the rest of the day.
Just a quick dinner then bed. She forced herself into a sitting position. Normally if she felt this tired, she would get into some comfortable pjs, grab something simple like cereal for dinner, and plop down with a good book.
She couldn’t do that here. At least not with Jake expecting her to join him downstairs. Another hour or two, body, then you can get some rest. Promise.
Before heading downstairs, Callie combed her hair out and pulled it back in a simple ponytail. A day on the open water destroyed the French braid she’d fashioned that morning, and she didn’t feel like taking the time to re-do it now.
Downstairs, Jake stood with one arm resting on the marble banister waiting for her. “Thought we’d eat down in the Tea House. It’s a perfect night for it.”
“Can’t we just eat here? It must be a pain for the staff to get food down there. Then they only have to bring everything back afterward. I’m fine with eating in here.”
Jake didn’t immediately reply. Rather he seemed to consider her words as if he’d never given it any thought before. “They already set things up for us.”
She came down the last few steps. “Whatever, I guess.”
Jake threw an arm across her shoulders. “Don’t sound so enthused,” he said with amusement. “Trust me, you’ll be glad I suggested it.”
Callie wasn’t sure if it was what he said or rather how he said it, but she got the distinct feeling he wasn’t talking about dinner anymore. “Lead the way.”
It truly was a gorgeous evening. While the thermometer still read eighty-five degrees, a cool refreshing breeze rolled up from the ocean. There wasn’t a cloud in the star-studded sky, and the moon was nearly full.
This is what summer in New England is all about.
As they crossed the large expanse of lawn separating the mansion from the Tea House, Jake kept up a steady conversation.
“What did you think of your first time sailing?”
“Loved it. It was so different from the ferries and pontoon boats I’ve been on. I can see why you like doing it so much.”
“Glad you enjoyed it. Maybe we can go again before I leave. If you want, I can teach you; then you can take my boat out whenever you want.” Reaching for the door to the Tea House, he started to pull it open, but stopped. “Damn. I forgot to tell Maria to bring down some of her special Sangria.” Jake let go of the door handle. “Go on in and get started without me. I’ll be right back.” With that statement, he gently nudged her up the steps before turning and heading back toward the main house.
“Whatever,” Callie said, somewhat confused. She assumed Jake had his cell phone on him, and even if he didn’t, there was a phone inside that could be used to call the main house. She saw Warren use it the day they had eaten lunch in there. Why didn’t Jake just call the kitchen and save himself a trip back, she wondered as she pulled open the door.
Callie took one step inside, and then stopped dead. The Tea House was full of red and white roses and calla lilies. The only other place she’d seen this many flowers was inside a florist shop. Hundreds of candles lit the room, casting a warm romantic glow. Standing in the center of it all was Dylan, dressed in Dockers and a polo shirt. Despite everything, her heart leaped at the sight of him. Traitor.
He’d obviously orchestrated this, but for what purpose? Was his conscience feeling so guilty that he felt he had to go to such extremes to apologize?
Might as well get this over with. I was going to have to face him sooner or later. She crossed her arms protectively around herself, then moved a few more steps into the room. “I didn’t know you were coming,” she said in lieu of a greeting. It wasn’t like she was going to say, nice to see you.
Dylan didn’t move. “I came to see you.”
“Did you buy out every flower shop in the state?” She refused to acknowledge his statement. She didn’t care who he came to see.
“If that’s what it takes, I will.” He started to move closer, but stopped when Callie took a step back toward the door. She wanted as much space as possible between them.
