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JACKSON
Cute girl,Jackson Thorne thought to himself, turning back to the suitcases rolling down the conveyor. He sighed as he spied his duffel and hauled it up over his shoulder. He needed to find the rental car desk where he had reserved his vehicle for the week. He’d be spending the night at his brother-and sister-in-law’s house outside Destin tonight before making his way to Seaview in the morning. He loved seeing them as well as his six-year-old nephew Bradley and four-year-old niece Penny but had to admit that somewhere deep down, he couldn’t help but feel envious, especially after what happened five years ago. Rob had it all–a great job as a patent attorney, a loving wife, and adorable children.
Meanwhile, Jackson had thrown himself into his business as a general contractor, often working seven days a week. Granted, Thorne Custom Homes was now highly successful and, in fact, had recently been featured in aTop 10 Best Local Companiesmagazine issue in Tampa. Despite the financial success and employing a sufficient number of highly skilled employees, Jackson didn’t feel right taking time off. Besides, what would he do? His condo was certainly spacious enough, and he’d tricked it out with a large flat screen tv and comfortable leather furniture. It was your typical all-American bachelor pad. But sitting in front of the tv by himself just wasn’t his style. He’d tried dating here and there over the past few years, but no lasting relationships ever seemed to materialize with any of the women he met through the popular dating apps.
What in the world was I thinking agreeing to this?he wondered, searching for his car among the aisles in the parking garage. Finally, he located his vehicle and slid the key into the ignition. Rob had talked him into signing up for a matchmaking getaway vacation in Seaview, hosted by theForever Yoursagency, which was supposedly quite well known for its high rate of successful romantic matches. However, he just couldn’t see it working for him. He needed to be with someone who would understand what he’d been through and how it had changed him. Could a woman like that be out there? Jackson thought back to the strawberry blonde who had bumped into him at baggage claim. He smiled, recalling the light dusting of freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her pert nose and their easy banter. She looked sweet, though certainly a bit harried. He shook his head.I’ll never see her again anyway,he thought as he clicked the radio on and drove out into the bright sunshine.
Chapter Two
CALLIE
Callie rubbed her eyes and stretched. Sighing with contentment after the first night of solid rest she could remember in a long time, she snuggled back underneath the light comforter that topped the vintage wrought-iron bed and glanced over at the clock on the bedside table. Five-thirty am. She was used to getting up early for work and had difficulty sleeping past her usual wake-up time. She looked around the room in the semi-darkness. Her aunt and uncle had lovingly renovated the large Victorian home when they purchased it, looking to turn it into a beachfront inn for vacationers traveling to the quaint seaside town.
Harbor Inn featured a wrap-around porch surrounded by a lush yard with sweet olive and flowering dogwood trees. Aunt Fran had filled the garden beds with purple hydrangeas and daylilies in yellow and white. Sunny red geraniums in terracotta pots sat on either side of the wide front steps. Inside, the drawing-room featured distressed furniture with plush cushions in a shabby chic style. Crochet afghans lay over the backs of the couches, creating inviting places for guests to sit and talk or read. The walls featured paintings of maritime life by local artists, and an enormous brick fireplace sat at the far end of the room. On the mantle, Aunt Fran had placed delicate porcelain figurines of embracing couples on lace doilies while seashell and rock collections were contained in bowls of sea glass of varying sizes and colors. An eye-catching ship-in-a-bottle was at the center of the arrangement.
She and Uncle David had named each of the bedroom suites after something specific to the seaside locale, and the rooms were decorated accordingly. Callie was in the Lighthouse suite. Hence, the room’s focal point was the photographic prints of lighthouses on the wall opposite the bed. A soft rug covered the Birchwood floor, and a rustic bench held extra blankets and pillows. A small writing desk and chairs sat in the corner. The room had an en suite tiled bathroom with a pedestal sink and claw-foot tub. Homemade potpourri made from the lavender in the side garden perfumed the air. The suite was towards the back of the house, and Callie’s window looked out over the sloping backyard and sandy path that wound down through the long saltgrass to a white sandy beach and the vast gulf beyond.
Pulling aside the sheets, Callie rose and dressed in a pair of khakis and a light green sweater. Tiptoeing downstairs and into the kitchen, she discovered several bowls of fresh fruit set on the large island and was delighted to find the pantry stocked with the ingredients she would need for baking. Humming, Callie delved into her favorite hobby, and soon, her mouth was watering with the smell of baking muffins. She had chosen to make a passionfruit and raspberry filling to celebrate the arrival of the guests and their hopes of finding love during the ensuing week of matchmaking events planned byForever Yours.
As she was whisking eggs for a spring frittata with smoked salmon and fresh asparagus, Aunt Fran came into the kitchen. She was wearing a long jean skirt and knit twin set with a long necklace of dog breed shapes strung together with colorful beads. Callie couldn’t help but admire the unusual piece. “My best friend Janice gifted me this necklace after our beloved chocolate lab, Levi, crossed the rainbow bridge not long after David’s passing.” Aunt Fran’s eyes misted over as she continued. “I sure miss them both dearly, but it brings me peace to know that they are together in heaven. It is true what they say about dogs being man’s best friend.” Callie reached over and squeezed her aunt’s hand.
“Have you considered getting another dog?” she asked.
“I have, honey, but I just haven’t felt like taking the time to search for one. I suppose when the time is right. In the meantime, we’ve always advertised that Harbor Inn is pet-friendly, so I’ve taken joy whenever guests show up with their furry critters in tow.” Aunt Fran went back to business, pointing out where pet food and supplies were kept in the walk-in pantry.
“Now, I don’t know how it’s possible after last night’s supper, but I am starving!” she exclaimed as she poured a bag of gourmet coffee beans into the grinder for the French press. “Whatever you are making smells delicious. Guests are scheduled to begin checking in today after 8:00 am. We typically serve a full breakfast and offer a light lunch of sandwiches or soups that can be prepared to go. Around 3:00 pm, I like to set out an assortment of snacks and beverages. People are on their own for dinner, as most enjoy sampling the local restaurants, although there are exceptions for those who prefer to stay here. Our refrigerator is certainly big enough to hold leftovers upon request. Jeannie helps me with the housekeeping duties. She arrives daily at nine.”
Callie nodded as she listened to the information from her aunt regarding the inn’s schedule and policies as she finished washing the last of the breakfast dishes. The check-in area was located next to the kitchen so they could hear if anyone came through the front door, especially as Aunt Fran had placed a silver bell bracelet around the doorknob, which would jingle slightly upon movement. Callie laid a selection of toast, butter, and jam on the buffet in the adjoining dining room, while Fran fetched pitchers of fresh-squeezed orange juice and carafes of coffee and hot water for tea.
Callie heard the bell jingle from the front door as they set out the muffin trays and frittata bake. “Could you finish bringing in the serving ware, dear, so I can greet our new arrival and show him or her around?” asked Aunt Fran as she headed toward the receptionist area.
“Of course,” Callie said and quickly finished up preparing the breakfast buffet for the arriving guests.
Chapter Three
CALLIE
As Aunt Fran was checking in the first guest, Callie made herself a plate and quickly ate breakfast so that she could help with reception duties and give her aunt a chance to sit down. After she put her dishes in the kitchen, she walked into the hallway as Fran was showing an overweight, middle-aged woman with somewhat disheveled hair and a pair of thick glasses into the dining room. “Callie, this is Margaret Evans, who will be staying with us for the week in the Tidepool suite. She is here from Ohio and was just telling me about the quilt shop that she runs there.” Margaret smiled shyly and nodded, causing her glasses to slip down her nose. “Yes, I love to sew and collect fabrics and patterns. I also do needlecrafts and brought my knitting with me as it helps calm my nerves.”
“I’d love to learn how to knit,” Callie said. “That is something I’ve always wanted to do but never found the time.”
“I’d be happy to teach you,” Margaret offered. “I have extra needles that you can use.”
“That is so kind of you!” Callie exclaimed. “I’d be happy to pay you for your time.”
Just then, the front door jingled again. “Why don’t you two sit down to breakfast and let me take care of the new arrivals,” Callie said.
“Thank you, dear.” Aunt Fran led Margaret over to the buffet as Callie walked to the reception desk.
Standing there was a man with shiny black hair wearing a shirt unbuttoned several buttons too low, revealing a bright gold chain against a mass of curly, dark chest hair. His pudgy fingers sported several chunky diamond rings. “Hiya, sweetheart,” he said with an unmistakable Jersey accent, “how you doin’ today?” He looked her up and down with clear admiration for what he saw, making her shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
“Um, name please?” Callie asked, looking over the bookings.
“Anthony Rizzoli, at your service. Call me Tony.” Callie found him in the appointment book assigned to the Tugboat suite.
“Can I help with your bags?” she asked.
