Forever Friends Read online

  “He must be so proud that you became a doctor.”

  “He is—though if I ever told him the amount of student debt I graduated with, he would have been appalled. Probably would have asked me why I didn’t just become a mail carrier like him.” Renee smiled at him, relishing every bit of this family information. “He and Mom still live in Indianapolis, where I grew up. They’re in their late seventies now.”

  Dan pointed at an especially bright streak of light, and Renee inhaled in appreciation. “Tom, my brother, still lives in Indy. He’s a sports writer for the Indianapolis Star.”

  “Are you two close?”

  “I love him, but we’re guys. We could do a better job at keeping in touch.”

  “I guess I’m lucky my sister lives nearby, and well, that we’re women,” she laughed, with a pang thinking of how distant she had felt from Bree lately. “Makes me sad I never gave Tansy a sibling.”

  With their faces still tilted toward the spectacular cosmic show and not at one another, she pushed on. “So, no kids for you then?”

  God. Could she have chosen a more awkward way to ask such a personal question? She wanted to slip under the flannel blanket and hide.

  But Dan didn’t seem insulted or bothered.

  “Meggie and I tried until she was around thirty-six or so.” He squinted his eyes. “And we only stopped when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It’s what would eventually take her, nearly six years after the initial diagnosis.”

  He took a ragged breath. “We had access to the best care, the best doctors in the world. I credit them for keeping her alive so long. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough.”

  Renee reached out and took his hand, holding it between her own. “I am so sorry.”

  “I stuck around Seattle for a few years after she passed, but eventually needed a change of scenery. Everything reminded me of her, and it became too much. So, Moe and I packed up for the very opposite end of the country.” He rubbed the dog’s chin. “It’s been good. Maybe it sounds corny but Cranberry Cove has been healing. I love it here—I love the small-town vibe, the scenery, the people, especially one person…”

  “W-we’re lucky to have you,” she stammered, her insides going off like a sparkler.

  Though they were quiet for the remainder of the meteor shower, Dan moved his arm around Renee and held her close. She rested her head against his broad chest and listened to his steady heartbeat, trying to determine if his heart was racing as fast as her own.

  Afterward, Renee tried to help him clean the dishes, but he refused.

  “I’ll get to those tomorrow. I don’t want to waste a single second tonight.”

  They returned to the ship’s deck where they talked about their favorite places and most memorable trips, both good and bad.

  Renee mentioned the antiquing trips she and Myles took occasionally around New England.

  “I once went to a conference in Amsterdam and tried ordering a latte at a ‘coffee’ shop,” Dan said with a grimace. Renee laughed, immediately understanding the joke. “My brother tagged along on that trip, and set me up.”

  “One time Bree and I visited the Grand Canyon,” Renee said. “She surprised me with a helicopter ride, and I vomited the entire time. She was so embarrassed!”

  “Hey, it was her idea in the first place!”

  “Right? That was my defense!”

  After a final glass of wine, Renee began to smooth her dress and gather her clutch. “Suppose I should get going. I’d hate to overstay my welcome.”

  “Impossible,” he replied.

  She rolled her eyes playfully. “So you say. But really, I’d better get going.”

  It may have been a long time since Renee had been on such a fabulous date, but she remembered the importance of leaving on a high note.

  “So, any updates on the pie shop?” he asked during the drive back to Renee’s cottage. Moe panted happily in the backseat. “Do I need to start looking for a new front-desk associate?”

  “Still considering my options,” she replied.

  “Well, as much as I’d miss you at the office, I hope you go for this.” They stopped at the town’s sole traffic light. He reached over and held her hand. “You deserve this next adventure.”

  When they pulled into her driveway, she realized with a sudden panic that she wasn’t ready for the night to end. Not by a long shot.

  Hell with leaving the man wanting more. She wanted more of this, more of him, this very instant.

  “Why don’t you and Moe come inside for a nightcap?”

  He looked warily at his furry friend. “Are you sure? He sheds.”

  Renee laughed. “The last time I checked, I owned a vacuum cleaner. Bring him on in. I’ll get him a bowl of water while we enjoy our wine.”

  As Moe lapped up water from the plastic mixing bowl on Renee’s kitchen floor, she fumbled with the bottle of merlot. Her hands were shaking as she retrieved a pair of wineglasses, and her breathing had turned shallow.

  Renee racked her mental repertoire of every Sex and the City episode she’d ever seen. She was no Samantha, but what would Charlotte do in this situation? Turn on some jazz and discuss art as they sipped on their wine, waiting for her sophisticated date to make a move?

  When she turned around to hand Dan his drink, he was staring at her with such desire, such urgency, it took her breath away.

  Locked in his gaze, she asked, “Still want a glass?”

  “Nope.” He shook his head once. “Just you.”

  She set the glasses back on the countertop just in time.

  He reached for her wrist and raised it to his mouth. Warm lips pressed to her skin as he gave her a gentle kiss right where her pulse fluttered. He lifted his gaze to hers and while the expression was still gentle, it was overwhelmingly certain. He wanted her. He was sure of it. Something surged in her chest and before she could second-guess, she leaned in, angling her head to brush his lower lip with hers.

  It was so light, just a graze, the faintest suggestion of a kiss.

  And that was all it took.

  “God, Renee,” he growled her name in a rasp that fell somewhere between a plea and a prayer. His hands flew to her hair, where he pulled her updo loose, sending her curls cascading over her shoulders. He pulled her closer, her body practically vibrating the moment their tongues touched, stroking once, twice, then tangling together in delicious strokes. Her whole body arched, like a plant starved for the sun, reveling in his heat. He shuddered when a hitched sigh escaped her lips, hiked her onto the table, and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before.

  Chapter Fifteen

  When was the last time she’d felt so good on so little sleep?

  Sadie made the bed, fluffing both her and Ethan’s pillows as though he’d been here last night, sleeping beside her. It sucked that he’d had to stay in Boston, but at least he’d called when he’d finished up work for the evening. He sounded exhausted, but had ended the conversation with, “Thanks for taking such great care of our little guy, Sade, and our new babe on the way. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  They were only two sentences of appreciation, but they were exactly what Sadie needed to hear. Especially as she was heading to her first doctor’s appointment for the new baby the next day, something Ethan would have to miss because of work.

  After tucking Lincoln into bed, Sadie had fixed herself a giant bowl of popcorn and hunkered down on the living room floor, surrounded by fabric samples, design books, and every magazine she owned. For hours she’d worked. She cut inspiration photos out of magazines and bookmarked fabrics. Most of all she sketched.

  Sadie mapped out the Old Red Mill, detailing where each shop would go and what the vibe would be of the common spaces: welcoming, bright, happy. She actually stirred herself a mocktail before focusing on the most important shop of all: Hester’s.

  By the time Sadie finished her work, it was one thirty in the morning. And with Lincoln typically waking up at dawn, sh
e should feel exhausted. Instead, she felt more rested than she had in years.

  And when Lincoln woke up at six fifteen, she got him dressed and fed in record time. Normally, she’d plunk him in front of a television show for thirty minutes as he ate his Cheerios and sipped on his smoothie pouch, but today she was dying to see Renee. She couldn’t wait to tell her all about her tour of the Old Red Mill and to share her design plans for Hester’s.

  “Lincoln, we’re going next door.” She slid tiny sneakers onto his feet. “How about you choose one book and toy to bring with you?”

  He shook his head. “I like Miss Renee toys. Bowls!”

  Sadie laughed. “Of course.”

  She grabbed a cardboard book and Lincoln’s LeapFrog cash register anyway before gathering her own giant binder. The pair marched next door.

  “Hi!” Lincoln shouted happily. “Hi doctor!”

  Whoa.

  Sure enough, there was Dr. Hanlon coming out of Renee’s front door, slightly disheveled and dressed too nicely for the morning hour in his slacks and button-up shirt.

  He actually blushed when he saw them standing there in the side yard.

  Busted.

  “Oh, um… Hello, Lincoln,” he replied, still as good-natured as ever. “Hi, Sadie. Gorgeous weather, huh?”

  Sadie nodded, pretending like she was more interested in the ocean than his walk of shame. “Uh-huh.”

  “Well, I’ll see you around.” He paused, before saying, “Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and veggies, Lincoln!”

  “Me am!” her toddler replied.

  Sadie tried to cover her smile as Dr. Dan (and his dog!) got into his black SUV and drove away. She practically jogged to Renee’s front door and rang the bell three times in her excitement.

  “Did you forget—” Renee stopped short on those words when she realized it was Sadie and Lincoln standing on her doorstep and not her new, hot boyfriend. “Oh! Hi you two.”

  She was wearing a thigh-grazing robe, and her hair was in a tousled updo of sorts. She and Dr. Hanlon had definitely not been meeting for business purposes.

  “Oh. Em. Gee. Did you and Dr. Dan just…” She looked at Lincoln, wondering what was the most appropriate term to use here. “Do it?”

  Renee blushed a deep crimson before launching into defensive mode.

  “Dan was just, um, dropping off some forms,” she stammered. “You know, for the practice.”

  “At eight o’clock in the morning? With his dog?” Sadie frowned. “Seriously though, why was his dog here?”

  “Doggie! I want doggie!” Lincoln cheered.

  Yeah, yeah. You and your grandma both.

  “He brought Moe along on his errands.” Renee clasped her hands together, trying to convey an air of formality. “Would you two like some breakfast? I whipped up some Greek yogurt pancakes this morning.”

  “Gotta love the fancy morning-after food.” Sadie smirked.

  “Oh, fine.” She exhaled, as the two followed her into her kitchen. Renee handed Lincoln his beloved mixing bowls and a wooden spoon to rap against them. “We had the most incredible night. He invited me to his sailboat for a lobster dinner. We sat under the stars and watched meteors.”

  Sadie whistled. “Now that’s what I call a first date. It was the first one, right?”

  Renee smiled and nodded. “Yes. And then he drove me home, and one thing led to another.”

  “Got it.” She grinned. “That’s awesome, Renee. That man’s a total catch, and I’ve always wondered when a guy was going to come along to sweep you off your feet.”

  “You have?” Renee paused, a forked pancake suspended midair.

  Sadie nodded. “Everyone has. You’re beautiful. And you’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. You’ve basically been Cranberry Cove’s most eligible bachelorette for as long as I can remember.”

  Renee snorted. “Oh, please. You don’t mean that.”

  “I do. Anyway, I promise I’ve come here with something useful to say, not to barge in on your booty call bliss.”

  “Sadie!” Renee laughed, setting a small plate in front of Sadie and a second for Lincoln to snack on.

  “Please, sit down.” She motioned to the other side of the table, and Renee took a seat. She pushed the binder toward her. “Lincoln and I were being nosy yesterday and poking around the Old Red Mill. Essie ended up being there and gave us a tour. It’s amazing, really.”

  “Yeah? How’s it look on the inside?”

  “The exterior needs a little love, that’s for sure. The good news is, Essie has already had the building inspected by engineers and it’s structurally sound. It has a solid foundation. And the inside is amazing. All it needs is a little reconfiguring and some design magic, which is what this binder is all about.”

  Sadie flipped through the pages of her night’s work, showing Renee everything from paint color choices to the hardware she had fallen in love with for the cabinets and doorknobs. She also showed Renee how the entire mill could be set up, with Renee’s pie shop in the back center and a handful of stores on either side of a central pathway that led to the anchor shop.

  “And, well, if you don’t already have a name chosen,” Sadie began awkwardly. “I was thinking we could call the shop Hester’s. You know, after Grandma Hester.”

  Renee nodded. “I love that. It’s a perfect name for what our shop will stand for—embracing the new while appreciating the old. Yes. The shop should be called Hester’s.”

  The two women simply grinned at one another for a few moments, overwhelmed by the happiness of the moment, of the possibility of what was in front of them, before breaking into excited squeals.

  “Can we do a happy dance?” Renee asked.

  “Rule number one of happy dances, you don’t ask to start them.” Sadie reached for her phone. “Are you ready for this treat, Renee?” She turned on the “Baby Shark” song, which made the women burst into laughter. Even Renee knew the tune beloved by children everywhere and loathed by their caregivers.

  “Yay!” Lincoln cheered, as Sadie gathered him in her arms, and they all danced around the kitchen. “Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo!”

  After their impromptu dance, Renee and Sadie discussed more specifics, how Sadie would be responsible for not only the remodel and design, but running the front of the shop once the renovations were complete, while Renee would be in charge of the kitchen and all the baking.

  “I need to talk to Ethan about all this,” she admitted, “but I’m sure he’ll be on board.” She glanced down at her Fitbit (it had been a Christmas gift from Annette, accompanied by a comment about Sadie’s habit of running late) and sighed, “I’ve actually got to get to the doctor’s office. It’s my first OB visit for the new baby. I’ll get to hear the heartbeat today.”

  “Fantastic! You and Ethan must be so excited.”

  “He’s actually in Boston,” she admitted. “What’s new?” Maybe if she acted casual and breezy, she would actually start feeling that way.

  “Are you serious? He won’t be there?”

  “No, but I’ll have Lincoln.” Sadie tried to sound bright and positive. “Besides, the baby is basically a gummy bear at this point. And it’s not like Daddy can be there for every appointment, you know?”

  “I can come along with you,” Renee said automatically. “As you well know, it’s pretty emotional hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time. I can call in a bit late for work.” At the word “work,” she blushed.

  Sadie thought about how nice that sounded, having eternally calm and soothing Renee by her side. But Renee had work. And besides, she could do this.

  “I’ll be fine. Promise. Lincoln, tell Miss Renee goodbye and thank you. We’ve got to go to the doctor’s office now.”

  “We see Dr. Han…Dr. Han-don?”

  Renee blushed one final time, and Sadie laughed as she picked Lincoln up and they waved goodbye.

  As they drove to the OB-GYN’s office, Sadie wondered if she should tell
Lincoln about the new baby. While it felt a little wrong doing it in the minivan, with Ethan not even there, they were also about to hear the heartbeat for the first time. The cat was out of the bag.

  “Honey, I have some exciting news.” She turned down the Disney song that had been playing over Bluetooth. “Mommy and Daddy made another baby. You’re going to be a big brother!”

  Lincoln’s eyebrows shot up. “Baby?”

  “Yes! Isn’t that exciting? A surprise. Just like you were.” Maybe they’d find out the sex this time. Make it easier to plan. Naturally, she and Ethan hadn’t discussed it yet.

  “Okay!” Lincoln called back, clearly not understanding the magnitude of this discussion.

  Sadie parked the van in an expectant mothers spot for the first time of this pregnancy and was humiliated when she saw a woman waddle by just a few moments later, clearly in the last trimester of her own. And, on second glance, that woman was Maria Gonzales—who’d lived on Sadie’s block when she was growing up.

  Even worse, she had to sit beside Maria in the waiting room.

  “I’m so sorry I parked in that spot.”

  Maria looked up from her phone. “Don’t worry about it, Sadie! I try to park far away. I’m aiming to get all the exercise I can. My friend told me I’ll have a much easier labor and delivery that way.” The woman nodded toward Lincoln. “Did you work out much with him on the way? Do you think it helped?”

  “Um, yep! Absolutely,” Sadie lied.

  The truth was, Sadie had hardly worked out at all when she’d been pregnant with Lincoln, save for a handful of prenatal yoga classes sprinkled over the nine months. Instead, she’d spent entirely too much time working at the design firm, determined to prove she was as indispensable as ever and would continue to be so once she was a mother. She’d get to the office at seven and be anchored at her desk for nearly twelve hours a day. In addition to sitting around a lot, there may have been some stress eating too.

  Always fit and athletic, Sadie had struggled to embrace her pregnant body the first time. She was so insecure about her appearance, she hadn’t even let Ethan take many pictures. This time was going to be different. Not only was she determined to take better care of herself physically and emotionally, she was going to love every bit of this pregnancy. She would take those monthly photos where she stood in the same exact place so they could marvel at her growing belly. She would wear a two-piece at the beach this summer. She was going to appreciate every rumbling, every kick.