“Mr. Hamilton said tonight’s dinner was on him,”the server said.
She didn’t know whether to feel relief at avoiding the pricey meal ticket or bothered that she hadn’t been able to pay Austin back for all his help.“Tell him thank you. That was really nice.”
“Yes, give him my thanks, too,”Austin chimed in as he stood and came around the table to pull her chair out and help her to her feet.
Austin walkedby Livy’s side out to the lobby of The Cabot. People were milling around and gathered in groups at the many clusters of seating scattered around. Fresh flowers adorned the tables spread throughout the area, and dancing light shone down from the opulent chandelier. The lobby never ceased to awe him slightly when he entered it.
They headed to the front door.“I’d like to walk you home.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I could use the exercise…”He gave her a small smile.“And I’m not ready for the night to end.”
He wasn’t ready. He loved talking to her and had been strangely pleased—for his sake—that Emily’s dad was out of the picture. Though, that was a rather selfish thought since Emily would probably love for him to be around more.
Livy paused in the doorway.“Okay, if you’d like the walk…”
Perfect. He led the way outside. The skies were just beginning to darken and a few stars twinkled above them. They walked down the long circular drive out to the street. She turned to the left, and he laughed.“I keep thinking I’m getting to know my way around Moonbeam, but I’d swear we’d go right out of here.”
“You can actually go either way. This way we avoid the main street—Magnolia Avenue—and take some side streets to my house. I thought you might like taking a different route.”
“Sounds like a plan.”He shortened his strides to match hers and they headed down the sidewalk.
She pointed out the church that her great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents had been married in and the small graveyard beside it where so many generations in her family were buried. They passed a small park with a charming gazebo lit up with white Christmas lights.
“They keep the lights up all year long,”she explained.
They finally turned onto her street and reached her house. A fact that he was sorry for. He still wasn’t ready for the night to end. She unlocked the door but stood on the porch with the warm glow highlighting her hair, and she looked…beautiful.
Jesse’s words reverberated through his mind.Don’t mess with her. Just…be nice.
He put all thoughts of kissing those lips of hers firmly away. Kinda.
“You know how to get back to The Cabot? The direct route is just taking my street, turn right at the end, and it will eventually wind up on Magnolia. Then you can find your way to Harborside, right?”
“Yes, I’m good.”
“Good night. And thank you for all you’re doing for Emily. And for Parker’s and the cafe.”Her eyes radiated warmth and gratitude. Not that he noticed.“I should go in.”
And though he wanted to reach out and take her hand and ask her to stay outside with him for just a bit longer, he didn’t. With one last smile, she slipped inside. He turned and climbed down the stairs and headed back to The Cabot. Loneliness—a very unfamiliar feeling—settled over him.
Chapter 13
Donna watched as Melody Tanner walked into Parker’s and grabbed a few items from the shelves, then came to check out.
“Hi, Melody. How are you?”
“I’m…fine.”Melody gave her a small smile.“Could I put this on my account?”
Melody’s balance was growing each week, but Donna didn’t have the heart to say no to the new, young widow.“Of course.”She rang up the items.
“Thanks, Donna.”
“Say, you don’t happen to know someone who wants a part-time job, do you? We need some extra help here at Parker’s with the expanded store and opening the cafe.”
Melody’s eyes brightened.“Oh, I haven’t worked in years, but I did use to be a waitress, so I have experience. And…I could really use a job.”
“Really? That would be wonderful.”Donna bobbed her head enthusiastically.“Let me talk to Olivia. I bet we can work something out.”
