And love. Caleb was her first kiss. Her first love. She’d forgotten until now.
Her gaze must’ve lingered on him too long because he said, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Am I giving you a look? Sorry. Just thinking.” She shook free from reminiscing and tried to make a dent in the massive milkshake.
She’d moved to Sea Blue Beach to work and build a career, not rekindle an old flame. Or the fantasy of a flame.
“When I lived in Seattle, I saw how the rise in housing costs affected hardworking people with good-paying jobs. If we take land to build another vacation condo complex or hotel, or develop another gated subdivision, where will the cashier from Biggs live? Or the support personnel at the golf and tennis clubs? The Org. Homestead is just a symbol of what Sea Blue Beach is meant to be—a place for everyone.”
“You should run for town council.”
“That’d be the day,” he said with a soft laugh. “I’ll do my part from the vantage point of Joe Citizen.”
“Mr. Ransom Goes to Sea Blue Beach City Hall.”
“It has a ring to it, doesn’t it?” he said. “So, will you join Main Street with me? I could use an ally.”
“I’ll come as a reporter to let the town know what you’re doing. In fact, give me some details and I’ll write up something for Sunday’sGazette.” Emery shoved her shake aside. She was going to need a to-go cup. “We need more local news for the paper, stories about the actual people and businesses that make up the town.”
They discussed the Main Street project, and Emery took more notes in her phone. Caleb texted Simon, asking for an inquiries email on the town domain.
Caleb suggested Thursday night for meetings. Every other week. Seven o’clock. He asked Simon if they could use the Starlight Museum.
Emery summed up her notes. “The first Sea Blue Beach Main Street initiative meeting, Thursday, January 23, at the Starlight Museum. Email for more information.” She glanced at Caleb. “Send me the email addy when you get it.”
“No backing out now. TheGazettehas the information.”
Emery tucked her phone away. “Can I ask you something?”
“You can.” Caleb said, his attention on her.
“Your sister had a son and he’s living with you? Are you and Cassidy friends again? I know it’s been sixteen years, but the last I heard she’d decided to drop out of school and move in with a friend.”
“Friends? No. But we’re cordial. She’s a hippy-dippy wild child, marches to her own beat. She takes too many risks, in my opinion, especially with a kid. She thinks I’m an uptight corporate guy. Bentley’s arrivaldidkind of heal things with the family, lowered the walls a bit. Now she has a new boyfriend who’s not kid-friendly and wants to give the relationship a chance. She asked me to take him for the rest of the school year.”
“At least she asked you and not strangers. What happened at the principal’s office?”
“He got in a fight. Wanted to be friends with some older boys. He seemed excited to live with me, so I missed any signs of him hurting, missing his mom. He thinks no one wants him.” Caleb finished his story with a long sip of his shake. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yes, but I’m not promising to answer.”
“You have a sister?”
“I have three sisters—and a stepmother.” Emery knew this would come up sooner or later.
Caleb knew Mom died of cancer. They’d messaged once on Facebook. Then she stayed off social media. Too many photosof Mom popping up on someone’s Wall, along with sympathy notes and memories.
“I can’t tell. Is this a good thing or bad thing?”
“For a long time, it was a hard thing. Then a good thing because Dad was so happy. They married a year after Mom died. The next year I was off to college. But I have to admit I always felt more the welcomed guest who came along with the new husband and new father.”
“So your stepmother had three daughters?”
“Two. Ava and Elianna. Dad adopted them since their father was dead. A year later, Blakely was born.” Emery pressed her finger against the tear resting in the corner of her eye, surprised by her surfaced feelings. “My allergies are getting to me.”
“Must be an ice cream allergy.” Caleb stretched across the table to take her hands. “Hey, you don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want.”
“It’s okay. It feels good to talk about Mom.” She pulled free of his grasp. “Anyway, after we left Sea Blue Beach, I decided Mom wasn’t going to die. I went around shouting, “Listen up, cancer, you can’t have her!” to sun and moon, stars and sand, and anyone within earshot.”
