Something Blue, page 20
“There’s no way Beth or Garrett will forgive me. Definitely not Shelby.”
“Do you want to be forgiven?” Lina asked softly, drawing his attention. “Because if you do, then it means, on some level, you recognize you did something wrong.”
“And first, you’ve got to admit it.” Joe followed. “You can’t stick to this stubborn Silva mantra of being a man above making mistakes. It ain’t healthy.”
Sawyer studied the hay at his feet.
“Daggum it, Sawyer!”
“How am I supposed to know?” Sawyer shouted. “How do I know if I was wrong? Not about hiring the private investigator. I know I should’ve handled that differently. I screwed up big time there. But how do I know Shelby is telling the truth? How does Garrett know for sure? How do you?”
Uncle Joe’s voice was calm and steady. “How does anyone know? People lie all the time for all kinds of reasons.”
“Exactly!”
“But the people who love you don’t lie. They are true. Their love is true. And that’s the love Shelby has for Garrett. She’s telling the truth because there’s no way she’d be deceitful or hurt him. Anyone can see that’s true. It’s obvious, unless you’ve been so blinded by hurt that you can’t see it.”
Sawyer’s gaze went to Amber’s stall, and, deep inside, he knew it was true.
He could barely believe in Beth’s feelings for him, and he was a part of that relationship. She was the first person he’d trusted in ages, and still he struggled to have faith.
How could he believe in someone like Shelby, whom he barely knew?
“But it’s not all your fault,” Joe said, his hand settling on Sawyer’s shoulder. “Having to look out for me and your brother, growing up so fast. And after the way that girl did you, it stands to reason you’d be suspicious of folks. But at some point, you have to get past that and move on. You can’t go punishing the people who try to get close to you, all because you’re too stubborn to let go of being wronged. Are you going to push Beth away? Punish her for what Melissa did?”
The mention of Beth’s name brought a bristling chill to Sawyer’s skin, even in the heat. He moved away from his uncle. “Don’t bring her into this.”
“She’s in it, son. Whether you like it or not. And if you don’t figure this out and recognize where you went wrong, you’ll lose her for good.”
“I’ve already lost her.”
“No, you haven’t.”
“How would you know? What do you know about women?”
“More than you think,” Lina answered.
Sawyer’s gaze fell on Lina, to where she’d moved to Uncle Joe’s side, and taken his hand.
His mind flew back to something Garrett had said about Joe and Lina hanging out more.
So many things clicked together at once.
Joe and Lina’s shared laughter and glances, their knowing looks. The little touches and casual flirting.
Joe and Lina were together. They were a couple.
Sawyer motioned between them. “So this is…how long has this been going on?”
“You mean us being in love?” Joe asked.
Sawyer almost fell over. “In love?”
“Long enough,” Joe said.
“Several months now,” Lina clarified.
Several months?
Sawyer looked around out of habit, wanting to find Garrett to help carry this news. Their uncle was in a romantic relationship?
Joe had finally put himself out there, and found the courage to care about someone other than him and Garrett.
A partner.
He’d opened up, let Lina in, and become someone’s boyfriend.
And Sawyer’d had no idea.
“Son, she’s been staying at the house full time the last few weeks. What’d you think was going on?”
“He’s been busy.” Lina elbowed him. “With his wedding planner. I mean planning.”
Joe gave her a toothy grin. “Oh, that’s right.”
“Does Garrett know?”
“No,” Lina said.
“I think Garrett knows there’s something going on between us,” Joe added. “More clued in than you, obviously, but he doesn’t know for sure.”
Lina pulled his hand to her and placed a quick kiss on his knuckles.
Sawyer never thought he’d see the day. And when the day had come, he’d been so wrapped up in his own anger and resentment he hadn’t seen what was happening right in front of him.
He was so blind.
Winston chose that moment to pop his head out of his stall and stare him down, as if to say, Duh.
If he was too blind to see a love that’d grown right under his own roof, every day, with him right there beside them, what else had he missed? Had he missed Shelby’s love for Garrett too?
And what about Beth?
Beth, who’d made her way into his cynical heart, with her honesty and blunt manner. Beth, who trusted him enough to tell him about her childhood, her past, and her pain. She’d shared her worries about the future and how Garrett’s wedding was the foundation of so much hope.
She’d trusted him, and, what’s more, she’d believed in him. That he was the kind of man who said what he meant and meant what he said.
They’d been falling in love, whether he wanted to believe in and trust in it, or not.
And he’d betrayed them.
Sawyer groaned as he buried a hand in his hair.
He’d done so much worse than mess things up with a stupid investigator. He’d been wrong. On every level.
Chapter 20
Do you think twelve dozen white roses would be too much?” the voice on the phone asked.
Beth stared out the window of her office, to the peach trees beyond.
She’d done nothing but work eighteen-hour days for several days now, stare out this window, and sleep.
“Hello? What do you think about the roses?”
Beth snapped to and blinked hard. “Sorry. I’m so sorry. A dozen roses would be lovely.”
“I said twelve. Twelve dozen, filling the foyer. Too much?”
She tried to imagine the foyer of Orchard Inn crammed unnecessarily with roses. “That might be…” The tackiest use of flowers, ever. “A little overwhelming. I think you could do two arrangements and put that money toward flowers in the ceremony or reception.”
“You’re probably right.” The bride-to-be let out a long sigh. “Okay, that’s all the questions I had for today, thanks.”
But she’d have more tomorrow, and more the day after that. Beth had spoken with this bride every day for the past week. Didn’t matter, though; it was another booked wedding, not like she had anything else to do but work, and it kept her mind off of—
“My pleasure,” Beth said, chopping off the end of that thought.
“Bye,” the bride chirped.
“Goodbye,” she managed after the line died.
The wedding-planning business was flourishing, Orchard Inn was more vibrant than ever, but the joy and motivation Beth typically felt were muted. Dull.
The wedding was moving forward, Orchard Inn was on the upward climb, but the success lacked the sparkle it would’ve had just a few days ago.
Without Sawyer, without the person who knew what it meant to succeed for more than just yourself, without the person she’d thought understood her, she felt hollow.
Still, she was working harder than she ever had. If she worked long and hard enough, she wouldn’t have to think about him.
Or how much she’d been hurt.
She especially wouldn’t have to think about how she’d asked for it. No one to blame but herself, seeing as how she was stupid enough to break her own rules.
Family first, work a close second. She was young and had plenty of time for romance and focusing on herself. For now, her priority was securing the future of Orchard Inn and the livelihood of her sisters.
But she’d gotten off course with Sawyer. Shirked her responsibilities and spent her time doing silly things like long walks and horseback rides, kissing in parks and opening up her heart.
How ridiculous to think she could have it all: juggle work, a big wedding, and have time for a relationship.
Something always suffered when you mixed in feelings. And this time, it was her.
She’d gotten too close, developed feelings for him, and even started falling in—
No.
She wasn’t going to let her mind go there.
“Knock, knock,” Aurora said after she’d already popped her head into Beth’s office. “How are you doing? You okay?” She had a look on her face that said she knew Beth wasn’t okay.
Both of her sisters were aware she hadn’t been okay in days.
“Would you move so I can get in the door?” Cece asked from the hallway.
“Fine.” Aurora stepped in and then both sisters crowded her desk.
“Are you hungry at all? You need to eat.”
“No. My appetite is completely gone.”
“But it’s after dinner. You haven’t had anything since breakfast and that was just a banana. You need to eat something.”
Beth shook her head.
“I made fresh peach pie.”
Beth’s salivary glands perked up at the mere mention of pie.
“It smells incredible too.” Cece lured her further with a big smile and a nod.
“I changed up my recipe a little, adjusted the filling and tried a whole new thing with the crust. The peaches are insanely fresh.”
“First harvest of the season. C’mon, Beth, you have to try some. Please?”
“Okay, okay.” Beth caved.
She forced herself up out of her desk chair and followed her sisters to their private living room area.
There, on the center ottoman, sat a serving platter with a round dish covered by a crisp blue gingham towel, a suspicious-looking carafe of dark liquid sitting next to it. But the scent filling their entire living room distracted her from wondering about the liquid.
Warm peaches, vanilla, a sweet sugary aroma, and a hint of cinnamon.
“Wow, that smells divine.”
Aurora kneeled down beside the ottoman and picked up the pie knife. “This pie better taste divine or I’m going to be mad. I’ve tinkered with the recipe for a while now. I know perfection is a slippery slope, but I’m hoping.”
Cece eased herself onto the sofa. “I’m sure it’s amazing. You slice, I’ll pour.” She reached for one of the three glass tumblers filled with ice, poured in the dark liquid, and splashed cream on top of it before passing it to Beth.
“What is this?”
“Umm, iced coffee?”
Beth sniffed her glass. “That seems unlikely. Try again.”
“Cece wanted to try her hand at mixology.”
“Uh-huh. Then what am I about to drink?”
“It’s a White Russian. Kahlúa, vodka, and a splash of cream.”
“I can’t have this. I’ve barely eaten all day. I’ll be sloshed.”
“No, you won’t. Just sip on it and you’ll be fine. You deserve a drink.” Cece clinked Beth’s glass with hers and they all took a sip.
Aurora then placed a slice of pie in front of her. “Plus, you’re about to eat right now.”
Cece put down her glass and squeezed Beth’s hand. “You need this. Trust us.”
Naturally her sisters were worried about her, but she didn’t want them to be. She’d be fine. And they needed to concentrate on the inn and keeping the momentum going with the upcoming weddings.
Beth looked around. “Cece. Where are your crutches?”
“I don’t need them anymore. I can walk with the boot on, no problem.” Cece pulled her pie plate closer.
“Did the doctor say that was okay?”
“I say it’s okay because I’m getting around great and I feel just fine. We aren’t worrying about me right now, remember? We’re worrying about you.”
“Let’s eat up before it gets cold.” Aurora passed out the forks, effectively ending the discussion.
Beth took her first bite of pie, and her eyes rolled back inside her head. “Oh my gosh.”
The tart sweetness of peach exploded on her tongue. Not syrupy sweet or mushy like canned peaches, the freshness came through strong. The fruit was firm, full of flavor, accentuated by vanilla and cinnamon sugar, but not overpowered. The crust was light, crispy, and somehow soft, with just enough of a buttery smoothness and a hint of salt to complement the peaches.
“This is seriously the best peach pie I’ve ever had,” Cece said with her mouth full.
Aurora took another bite, clicking her tongue a few moments later, sniffing her dessert like a sommelier sniffing wine. “Y’know what?” She prepared another bite on her fork. “This is a darn good pie.”
Cece laughed and nodded. “Yeah it is!”
They all finished their slices in record time, and then stared at each other silently for a moment.
Cece was the first to crack. “Y’know, I think I might have just a little bit more.”
“Me too,” Beth said immediately.
“Just, like, a half slice.”
“Exactly. A half slice. Just another taste.”
“Yep.” Cece kept nodding as she cut them both a piece that was the exact same size as their first.
They ate and chatted about their days, the new guests in the inn, the upcoming weddings. Basically anything except Sawyer.
She’d told her sisters about him coming over, their argument, and their breakup. They’d both been at the inn when he’d visited, but they’d had the good graces to stay in their rooms and pretend they hadn’t heard a word.
They knew exactly what he’d done, and how much he’d hurt Beth, but they wouldn’t touch on the topic of Sawyer unless she did.
Sisters knew better.
Beth set down her plate and picked up her White Russian. “That was amazing, Aurora. I don’t know how, but we should get that on the menu for a wedding. Completely nontraditional, but still. People need to have that pie.”
Aurora beamed, and her happiness and pride warmed Beth’s heart. The warmth was a welcome change from the frost she’d felt for days.
“It’s funny you say that, because I’ve come up with an idea for Shelby’s wedding cake.”
“Yeah?” Beth sat up a little straighter.
“Cece helped me test out a small one and it turned out great. I’m going to do a peaches-and-cream wedding cake.”
“And it is so good it’ll knock everyone’s socks off.” Cece clapped at the announcement.
“I love that idea,” Beth exclaimed.
“I got the idea from the raspberry crème cake from the wedding tasting.”
“But this is so much better,” Cece interjected.
“It will be a vanilla cake with peaches-and-cream filling, made with fresh peaches from our orchard, of course. And the frosting will be buttercream. Fondant holds up better, but the taste is meh.”
“And the rosettes. Tell her about the rosettes,” Cece said.
“I’m going to make little rosettes out of fresh peaches, to decorate the cake. I thought it’d look perfect since her floral arrangements include apricot-colored roses.”
Beth gazed at her sister, amazed.
The cake sounded perfect for Shelby and Garrett, as well as delicious. “I love that idea. I’ll run it by Shelby tomorrow.”
Aurora finished her drink, shaking her head. “You don’t have to. I’ve already talked to her about it. She’s thrilled.”
“She came by the other day and tried some of the sample,” Cece added. “She loved it.”
Beth wasn’t even aware Shelby had been by the inn. Then again, she’d been holed up in her office for days now, and her sisters wouldn’t disturb her.
“Wonderful. We can check that off the list. I’ll contact the florist. Make sure nothing clashes with peach.”
“Already taken care of.” Cece sipped her drink. “I talked to the florist yesterday. The flowers are cream, shades of peach, and varying shades of greenery. We’re all good with coordination.”
Beth sat back in awe. Her sisters had taken care of everything. They’d stepped up and had the little details under control. They didn’t need her there leading the charge or managing outcomes.
They were flourishing without her oversight.
She should be thrilled, or at least relieved. Instead, the hollowness inside grew larger. She wanted her sisters to do well, be successful, operate the inn and the wedding business to its fullest potential.
But these triumphs were bittersweet.
“We just want you to know that Shelby’s wedding is going to be the best wedding this town has ever seen,” Cece assured her. “Since there was a little dustup with Evelyn coming by the other day, I went by to see her and Shelby yesterday. Just to reassure them and update them on where things stand. I figured it’s something you would’ve done.”
Beth nodded. Something she would’ve done if she weren’t holed up in her office, trying to mend a broken heart.
“Ugh!” The sound was out of her mouth before she could stop it. “Sorry.” But she was just so…so…annoyed! With herself, with Sawyer, but mainly with herself.
She’d let a man break her heart and then take her away from what made her happy. Working with her family. Who was she anymore?
“I’m just— I’m so mad!” Beth exclaimed.
Aurora moved closer, bringing the carafe with her to refill Beth’s glass. “Of course you are. You have every reason to be.”
“But I’m mad at myself too.” She held out her glass. “I got all sidetracked because of Sawyer. I lost sight of my purpose, because of a man. I was supposed to be focusing on Orchard Inn and our wedding-planning business, but instead I was out with Sawyer, going on dates, bebopping all over town, wrapped up in him.”
“You’re allowed to have fun.” Cece moved closer too. “Don’t beat yourself up for having a life.”
“But having a life meant letting him in. I’m lucky he didn’t ruin the wedding and everything else with it.”
“He wasn’t going to ruin everything,” Cece assured her. “We’d never let that happen.”
“And so what if he had?” Aurora shrugged and took a long sip.
