“I didn’t have anyone in mind when I bought it. I’m hoping Cassie might change her mind and come to Manhattan. She could wear it when I present her with the award she won.”
John frowned. “You never told me about an award, Cassie. Congratulations.”
“It’s not just any award, either,” Sam said proudly. “It’s the most sought-after jewelry award in America.”
Cassie picked up another chair. “I’m not going to the presentation.”
John frowned. “Why not?”
“I like to keep a low profile. I’ll pop this away, then head home. I’ve got a big day planned for tomorrow.”
“Please tell me you’re doing something exciting,” Sam sighed.
“It is exciting,” Cassie assured her. “I’m finishing a necklace I started three months ago.”
“That’s not exciting. Why don’t you take Noah sightseeing? There’s a regatta in Bigfork tomorrow. There’ll be markets as well as the boat races.”
“Noah has already been to the market in Sapphire Bay. He won’t want to—”
“It sounds like a great idea,” Noah said. “It’s my brother’s birthday next week. Apart from some candy, I haven’t bought him anything. I might find something in Bigfork.”
Sam and Megan smiled at each other before turning to Cassie.
If they had any romantic notions about her and Noah, they would be disappointed. In a few days, he was going back to New York City. And Cassie was one hundred percent positive he wouldn’t be coming back.
“Well?” Sam asked Cassie. “Is that a yes, no, or maybe to sightseeing?”
Noah took the chair out of her hands. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”
“Are you sure you want to go to Bigfork?” Cassie asked. “There are lots of other things to do.”
“I’d like to see the regatta. Besides, sightseeing is more fun when you’re with someone else. What time do you want to leave?”
Cassie sighed. “Is eight o’clock too early?”
Noah sent her a heart-melting smile. “Eight o’clock is perfect. I’ll buy lunch as a thank you.”
Before Cassie could tell him it wasn’t necessary, he took the chair to the other side of the room.
By twelve-thirty the next day,Noah was ready for lunch. For the last four hours, he’d been watching the boat races with Cassie and walking around the market at Bigfork. It had been a relaxed morning in the sun, even if they’d had to maneuver around lots of people enjoying picnics and barbecues.
Cassie bought an apron from one of the stall holders and placed it inside her bag. “I’ll add this to Megan’s Christmas present. What would you like to do next?”
Noah looked at her smiling face. “Lunch sounds like a good option.”
“Do you want to get something here and eat it beside the lake?”
“I’m happy with whatever you want to do.” He followed Cassie toward the food stalls. There were long lines of people, all waiting to order their lunch.
Cassie looked around the crowded area. “What if we buy a snack here, but drive back to Sapphire Bay for lunch? There isn’t much room left around the lake now. Once these people have bought their lunch, it will be worse.”
Noah held up a basket. “If you’re happy to share some of the fresh bread I bought, we could head back straightaway.”
With one last look at the crowds surrounding the food stalls, Cassie nodded. “That’s a great idea.”
When they got back to Noah’s SUV, he placed the basket of bread and the wooden chopping blocks he’d bought on the back seat. “There’s a picnic area on the edge of town. We can have something to eat there.”
Cassie placed her shopping beside his. “What did you think of the regatta?”
