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“Considering neither one of them ended up overboard, I’d say that’s the best we can hope for.” Joanna shrugged. “Obviously, you can’t mend wounds overnight, but maybe fishing is a good start.”
“Or a visit to Bliss Cove.”
Joanna smiled. “It’s been lovely getting to know you, Rory. Thank you for putting up with us. Grant is lucky to have you.”
Rory returned her smile, ignoring a rustle of lingering guilt. Different as she and Joanna were, she’d enjoyed the older woman’s company. They’d visited the old Mariposa district, had ice cream on the boardwalk, and toured the historical museum. Joanna had been gratifyingly complimentary about everything. Rory didn’t think she’d ever seen Bliss Cove through the eyes of someone who’d never been there before.
“Aren’t these lovely?” Joanna paused at the Moonbeams booth to examine a display of jewelry. “Are they handmade?”
“Indeed.” Destiny Rose stood from a chair behind the counter, resplendent in a silver caftan and dangling gold earrings. “They each contain a crystal with healing powers for the mind, body, and soul. Which crystal you choose depends on which aspect of your life needs a little boost.”
“Goodness.” Joanna raised her eyebrows. “Is there an all-purpose healing crystal?”
“Oh, yes.” Destiny picked up a silver chain dangling with a pendant. “Clear quartz is considered to be the master healer. It balances your energies and simulates your immune system.”
“Hey, Rory.” The deep male voice filtered over the noise of the band and the crowd.
Rory turned to find Max Weatherford approaching. Though he was golden-boy handsome with his striking smile and dimples, her stomach tensed.
Fixing on a smile, she edged away from the Moonbeams booth to greet him. “How are you, Max?”
“Good. You?”
“Fine.” She glanced back at Joanna, who was holding the quartz up to the light. “Are you working tonight?”
“Not officially, but I’m always on call in case of emergencies.” He glanced toward the Moonbeams booth. “Getting an Oracle card reading?”
“No, just here with a friend.”
“I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you,” he said. “I enjoyed our date the other day. I have tickets to the Rolling Thunder music festival in San Jose next weekend, if you’d like to go.”
Shock bolted through her. She opened and closed her mouth. “You enjoyed having lunch with me?”
“Sure.” A faint puzzlement appeared in his eyes. “Why do you look so surprised?”
“It’s just…um, I thought I was boring you silly with all that talk about veterinary software.”
He laughed, a warm, rich sound. “Not at all. I’m kind of a computer geek myself. But don’t tell anyone I said that.”
“I can keep a secret.”
“Good. So…the music festival?”
“Oh.”Oh!God, for a smart girl, she could be awfully slow about this dating thing. “Max, I’m so sorry. I mean, I…I had a nice time, too, but I’m afraid I—”
“What do you think?” Joanna appeared at her side, the pendant around her neck. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Rory forced another smile. “Beautiful. Joanna, this is Max Weatherford, Bliss Cove’s resident veterinarian. Max, Joanna is Grant’s mother.”
“Pleasure.” Max extended his hand. “Are you visiting?”
“Just for a week.” She smiled, though her eyes narrowed. “Did I overhear you say you’re going to San Jose? We’re from the Bay Area. Nob Hill, to be precise.”
“Yes, there’s a music festival at Shoreline. I was just telling Rory that—”
“Oh, look, there’s Edward and Grant.” Rory waved enthusiastically in the general direction of the gazebo and took hold of Joanna’s arm. “We should go. Max, it was great to see you again. I’ll…um, I’ll be in touch, okay?”
“Sure.” He stepped back, confusion crossing his features for an instant before he shrugged and turned away.
