“Give him some time to get used to the idea you’re staying here. And on second thought, don’t move into the apartment. Stay at the cottage. Let him see you around. Get used to the idea.Thentalk to him again.”
She frowned. “Maybe you’re right. That he just needs some time.” A tiny sprig of hope started to grow inside her.
* * *
Dale was annoyed. Everywhere he turned, there was Maxine. She read books out in the lounge chair in the courtyard. She went out in front of his cottage and sat on the beach, watching the sunsets. She even came by the shop to pick out a small table she wanted to paint for the guest house.Hisguest house. Why had he ever been crazy enough to offer it up to her, anyway?
He half wanted to tell her to find a new place to live. Like on the other side of the island. But another part of him didn’t want her to go…
Yes, he did.
He wanted her to find a new place. Didn’t he?
How had all of this gotten so complicated?
He looked up at the sound of someone coming into the shop, hoping it wasn’t Maxine. Or was he hoping it was?
“Dale, there you are.” Miss Eleanor came walking up to him. “I wanted to make sure you’re coming to the town council meeting tonight. They’re discussing the ridiculous idea of letting that developer come in and put up a high-rise development. I want a good turnout to show how much we oppose the idea.”
He’d forgotten the meeting was tonight. And Maxine would probably be there with Beverly. “I’m not sure if I can make it.”
“Of course you can.” Miss Eleanor pinned him with a hard stare. “You’re not saying you’re not coming because you’re still avoiding Maxine, are you?”
“What? No. Of course not.” Not exactly.
“Good, then you’ll be there.”
“Yes, I’ll be there.” No one argued with Miss Eleanor.
Eleanor turned and started to walk away, then paused and turned back. “And you know you’re being a fool, don’t you?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“About Maxine. It’s obvious you care about her. Being afraid of something is no reason to avoid it. That’s not how to live your life. And if you let a chance at love pass you by because you’re afraid? You might regret it for the rest of your life.” She paused and a look of pain crossed her features. “I know I regret it. Every single day of my life,” she said softly. Then without another word, she whirled around and slipped out the door.
Miss Eleanor had given up on someone she loved? He’d never heard anything about a romance before she married Mr. Griffin. Not a word. But the pain on her face was impossible to ignore. Someone had hurt her deeply. Or maybe she’d hurt herself with the choice she’d made.
Who ever thought he’d be taking advice from Miss Eleanor? But maybe she was right. Should he face his fear and try again with Maxine? But what if she changed her mind after the baby was born? Or just got tired of island life? What if things didn’t work out with them if they tried again?
But if he didn’t try, would he live to have regrets, just like Miss Eleanor?
He scrubbed his hand over his face. Things just seemed to get more complicated at every turn.
CHAPTER27
Maxine and Beverly sat next to Miss Eleanor at the council meeting that night. Miss Eleanor must have made her rounds because half the town residents were crammed into the chairs and standing along the walls, waiting for the meeting to begin. No one in town went against Miss Eleanor’s wishes.
Maxine spied Dale as he came in but wasn’t surprised when he took a place against the wall on the far side of the room. About as far away from her as he could get.
The room quieted down as the council members came in and took their seats at the table in front. The mayor called the meeting to order.
“I know you all want your say about any changes we might propose to the island’s building regulations. But we need to consider what’s best for the town. Things will change with the bridge. We’ll have more people coming to town. We’ll need places for them to stay. We’re about to hit a boom time for Magnolia. One that’s long overdue.”
“The man’s a fool,” Eleanor whispered loudly. Two men sitting behind them chuckled.
“And to start the meeting, I’d like to introduce you to the man who bought the property and let him explain his plans. I believe they are well thought out plans and will benefit everyone.”
A man walked in from the side of the room and Eleanor gasped. Then Beverly gasped. Maxine stared at the man. He looked vaguely familiar.
