Page 21 of Coastal Reflections

She shook herself, determined to have a good night with her friends. If Clark did show up, she would handle it—and she knew her friends would defend her from him with a fierceness that would probably knock his socks off. The thought made her smile, and she returned to the conversation that her friends were having with a lighter heart.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Michelle stuck her fork into one of the mini quiches that were on her plate, enjoying the feeling of a cold morning breeze on her face. She was sitting on the front porch of The Birchwood House, eating a late breakfast with Audrey and Elaine. Since it was a chilly day, they were bundled up in sweaters and hats, with cozy knit blankets spread across their laps. There was a crispness to the air that seemed to enhance the spicy aromas of autumn.

They’d served a big breakfast to their guests, which had included the mini quiches, sausage patties, cinnamon waffles with strawberries, orange juice, and coffee. The three Sutton women had been kept busy refilling the coffee pot, making the waffles, and bringing out trays of warm quiches to replenish the ever-dwindling supply. Now that all their guests had been fed, they were enjoying a well-earned break and eagerly finishing off the breakfast leftovers, which were scrumptious.

“You know, I’m glad we have so many guests, but it really is hard to feed all of them at once,” Michelle said, laughing a little as she cut a bite-sized piece from her sausage patty using her fork. “Breakfast was a whirlwind this morning.”

Elaine chuckled. “I was an over-achiever today. In the future, we’ll stick to one main dish, I think. Making the waffles and the quiches was probably a bit much.”

“Oh, I think it was fun.” Audrey smiled. “And now we have the leftover quiches for Monday, since that’s a different crowd—and a much smaller one.” Besides, I’m pretty sure the reason why the waffles kept disappearing so fast was because those two teenage boys have bottomless pits for stomachs.” She laughed. “Not uncommon for boys their age.”

“Mm, fair enough. It was fun, anyway.” Michelle leaned back in her seat on the porch swing, allowing herself to rock back and forth along with the slow tempo of the wind.

For a few moments, they were all quiet, companionably enjoying their breakfast and the fresh air of the beautiful autumn day.

“So, Mom,” Audrey said finally, turning to her mother with an impish grin.

Elaine swallowed her bite of strawberries and waffle and cleared her throat, looking a bit sheepish. Michelle had a feeling that Elaine knew exactly what Audrey was about to bring up. “What, sweetheart?”

“Shep came over the other day, huh?”

Elaine shrugged her shoulders, blushing a shade of bright pink. “He did. That’s perfectly normal—you must be referring to the afternoon that he came over for our business meeting. We wanted to touch base on the pastry menu again and make sure it couldn’t be improved upon.”

Audrey smiled slyly. “No, he came over of his own accord after that meeting. He didn’t have any official reason to be here, not even a pastry drop-off, and he came anyway.”

“He did?” Michelle turned to her grandmother with a grin. “Wow.”

Elaine cleared her throat, making a sound that was shrill and delicate. “You’re right, he did come over again the other day.”

“And did he say why?” Audrey prompted, one eyebrow moving upward.

“No, he didn’t.” Elaine was blushing harder than ever. “Do you think his visit meant anything?” she asked, her tone as hopeful as that of a lovesick schoolgirl.

“I think it does,” Michelle said, unable to hold back a grin. “If he was just a regular, extroverted guy, I don’t think it would be all that significant, but it’s Shep. He’s known far and wide as a grump who never likes to talk to anyone and hardly ever comes out of his kitchen, or his house. Seeing him at a party is like sighting a rare exotic bird.”

Audrey let out a snort-laugh in response to Michelle’s statement, and even Elaine made a sound of amusement.

“But here’s this reclusive, grumpy guy coming to see you even when he doesn’t have to.” Michelle shook her head, smiling. “I think that’s definitely significant. He’s really been coming out of his shell ever since he started collaborating with The Birchwood House, and I think that has a lot to do with how much he likes talking with you, Grandma.”

Elaine smiled, looking as pleased as punch. She took a demure bite of her quiche.

Audrey laughed. “You pushed him out of his shell, Mom. And you had to charge your way into his kitchen to do it. You rocked that man’s boat so hard he fell out.”

Elaine’s eyes held a glint of mischief. “Well, it worked, didn’t it? He’s business partners with us now—and he wouldn’t have been if I hadn’t created the opportunity to speak with him.”

Michelle laughed. “It certainly did work. And I think he’s more than business partners with you, Grandma.”

“Oh, well, we’re friends, certainly,” Elaine said, sounding a little jittery.

Michelle shook her head. “I think it’s more than that—on both ends, considering the way you’re blushing right now.”

“Oh my goodness,” Elaine said, covering her cheeks with her hands.

Michelle felt gleeful. “I think that by coming over and spending time with you outside of business matters, Shep is trying in his imperfect and perhaps a bit apprehensive way to show you that he cares about you.”

Elaine inhaled, looking starstruck. “I don’t think—I mean, just because he—” She stopped and shook her head. “He’s never been romantically interested in anyone, that I know of, not since his wife passed away. He’s closed off to love, I’m sure. I don’t think he would ever seriously entertain the possibility of dating someone.”