Her Summer Crush

After her mom left, Luci looked at the boxes and then at the open patio door. The door won. She could unpack later. Rummaging in her boxes of clothing, she located her favorite wide-brimmed hat. She put it on and tied the strings under her chin. Then she headed along the path through the dunes to the beach.

Once there, Luci tucked her hands in her sweater pockets and kept going. The beach was busy today. Some people were walking, like she was, while others jogged. Kids and dogs played in the surf, and on the hard-packed sand near the shore an occasional car or truck rumbled by.

A gull swooped down and landed in a large tide pool. Several more followed. The birds splashed and high stepped, poking their heads in and out of the water. It wasn’t long—a few minutes at the most—before the leader spread its wings and flew into the sky. The others followed. Soon they were mere dots against the blue backdrop.

The birds reminded her of Cody. He never stayed in one place, either. Before long he swept off on a new adventure.

They were so different. He needed to keep moving, and she needed to stay still. Good thing they’d never gotten together. A relationship wouldn’t work. Not then and not now.

* * *

MONDAY MORNING, JUST short of nine o’clock, Luci went through the glass double doors of the two-story Stafford Building, on the corner of Main and Seaview. Her heart fluttering, she followed the brightly lit, high-ceilinged hallway to the office of the chamber of commerce.

With her major in journalism, Luci could have applied for any number of positions. However, Willow Beach was a small town, and the opportunities were limited. Even the Willow Beach Herald had no openings. So she felt lucky to have found this job with the chamber of commerce.

Luci took a deep breath, then greeted the receptionist, Marge Delano.

Marge looked up from a desk piled with folders. “Luci, glad you’re here. This mess belongs to you.” She scooped up the folders and thrust them at Luci.

“Okay, but—” Luci juggled the folders to keep them anchored in her arms.

Marge made a dismissive wave. “Glen can explain. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

She made a call, and a couple minutes later Glen Thomas appeared in the hallway.

Besides Luci’s father, who was president of the Willow Beach National Bank, Glen was probably the only man in town who wore a tie to work. She’d bet there was a suit jacket in his office, too.

“Good morning, Luci,” Glen boomed. “You’re right on time. That’s good. I like my staff to be punctual. So, let’s get you started on your projects. Come this way, please.” He motioned for her to follow him down the hall.

Luci’s office turned out to be a large room with picture windows along one wall. She immediately looked out to see a courtyard with a fountain in the center. Colorful flower gardens and wooden benches surrounded the fountain. Two women sat drinking coffee in the sunshine.

Luci turned to Glen. “What a pleasant setting.”

“Mmm, yes, I suppose it is.” He pointed to a table stacked with file folders, magazines and brochures. “You can put those files Marge gave you with the rest of that stuff. It all goes together.”

Luci deposited her armload on the table, then sat and took her tablet from her purse.

“Nice party the other night.” Glen pulled up a chair across from her.

“I’m glad you and your wife could join us.” Luci turned on her tablet, ready to take notes.

“Your dad and I go way back, you know. We both came to town about the same time. He worked at the bank, and I worked at the hardware store. Now he’s the bank’s president, and I’m owner of the store and president of the chamber of commerce.” He chuckled. “How about that?”

“I’d say you’ve both done very well for yourselves.”

He nodded and stroked his chin. “I wasn’t sure I’d like living in such a small town, but it hasn’t been so bad, after all. The place kinda grows on you.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Well. We’d better get moving.” He tapped his wristwatch. “Have to meet with the mayor soon. There’s a list for you somewhere around here. At least, Marge said there would be.” He poked around the piles and came up with a piece of paper. “Ah, here it is.” He took a pair of eyeglasses from his shirt pocket and put them on.

“You’ll be writing an article each month for Coastal Living magazine. It’s published in Hampton, but the surrounding towns all contribute stories.” He gave her a questioning look over the top of his glasses.

“I’m familiar with Coastal Living.” Luci made a note on her tablet.

“Good. The next issue is out the first of July, so you’ll need to turn in your article soon. The person who last had this job planned to write about Cranberry Acres. I suggest you follow through on that.”

“I’ll make it a priority.”

He pointed to another item on the list. “The Fourth of July celebration. That’s taken care of by the outfit we hire to do the fireworks display. You’ll need to do some publicity, though, flyers around town, that sort of thing.”

Luci nodded, busily taking notes.

Mr. Thomas took off his glasses and dangled them between thumb and forefinger. “Now, here’s a real challenge. The sand-castle contest in August. We want to add something new this year, something that will get us a lot of attention. You decide what that will be. Make us look good.”

“Okay...”

He replaced his glasses and consulted the list again. “The newsletter to our members. Published twice a month.”

“All right.”

He put down the list and gestured to the stacks of papers and folders on the table. “Then, there’s all this stuff. Needs to be sorted and put in those file cabinets over there.” He nodded at several cabinets standing side by side on the far wall. “A lot of the brochures need to be updated. You can do that, too.”

He waited while Luci keyed in a few more notes. “How’re we doing here? Any questions?”

“Yes. For the articles and the brochure updates, will you want me to take photos, too? I’m not a professional, of course, but—”

“Photos won’t be your responsibility. Our regular guy, Sam Reynolds, is on an extended vacation, but I’ve hired someone to fill in.”

A knock sounded on the open door. Glen looked up. “Here he is now.”

When Luci turned to see who had arrived, shock rippled through her. “Cody?”

He waved. “Hi, Luci. Glen.”

“Have a seat.” Glen motioned to a chair across from Luci. “And you call me Glen, too, Luci. No need to be formal.”

Cody, looking neat and trim in a short-sleeved plaid shirt and jeans, ambled across the room. He pulled out a chair next to Glen, sat and stretched his long legs underneath the table. Of course, his camera was with him, slung over his shoulder.

Glen continued talking, but his words barely registered. All Luci could think about was that she and Cody would be working together. Was she his boss now?

“Cody, you can set your own office hours,” Glen was saying, “just so long as you meet all the deadlines. Luci, I’ll expect you to be here most of the time, except when you’re out doing research, of course.” He looked at his watch. “Ah, time for the mayor. I’ll let you two get started.”

After Glen left, neither Cody nor Luci said anything. She fussed with her tablet while he folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. The seconds ticked by.

Finally Cody cleared his throat. “I get the feeling you’re not happy with this situation.”

Luci put down her tablet and idly picked up one of the brochures. “I’m surprised. No, shocked. Why would you want this job? I thought you were eager to be off to see the world again.”

“I am. But when Glen offered me the job, I decided to take it. I won’t be stuck here long. At the end of the summer, Sam Reynolds will be back, and by then I’ll have a new assignment. In the meantime, I could use the money.”

Money. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Of course, his accepting Glen’s offer didn’t have anything to do with her. Not that she wanted it to.

“We worked together at the Herald,” Cody said.

She slid the brochure away and snatched at another one. “A few times, and I was an intern then—still in high school, for goodness’ sake. This is different.”

“Don’t worry, Luci, we’ll be fine.” He leaned forward. “So, what’s first on the agenda?”

“An article about Cranberry Acres for Coastal Living. We’ll need to make a trip there for an interview and photos.”

“Sounds good. I’ll let you work out the details. Meanwhile, how about going for a coffee?”

“Ah, no thanks. I really need to stay here and get acquainted with my new office. I’ll have some later.” I really need to be alone for a while.

His brow furrowed, and she braced herself for an argument.

Instead, he said, “All right, call or text me when you’ve got something for me to do.”

“You’re really going to take orders from me?”

“Well...that depends. I pretty much do my own thing when it comes to taking pictures. But, like I said, we can make this work.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You think?”

“We have to. This job is important for both of us.”

After Cody left, Luci leaned back and closed her eyes. She didn’t share his confidence that they could work together. If only she could get rid of her feelings for him. Feelings she didn’t understand. Did she still have a crush on him? No, she didn’t think so. Then what? Was she in love with him? What would be the use of that? He obviously wasn’t in love with her, and their goals and lifestyles were so far apart.

She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. This was her dream—coming home after graduation, being a part of her wonderful family and having a job she loved. She wasn’t going to let Cody Jarvis spoil her joy. He’d be here for the summer, and then he’d be gone again and out of her life forever.

* * *

JUST BEFORE NOON, Cody headed to Charlie’s Fish House, a favorite of his. Charlie’s hadn’t changed since he’d last been there. The same plain wooden tables and chairs, the same counter with red vinyl stools, the same chalkboard menu hanging on the wall.

As he stood in line to place his order, he heard a familiar voice behind him say, “Well, look who’s here.”

He turned to see Luci’s older brother, Don. “Hey, what’s the banker doing at Charlie’s? I’d expect you to choose someplace like the Beach Café.”

“Not unless I’m entertaining clients. How come you’re by yourself?”

“First day on the job, and Luci didn’t want to leave the office.”

Don stuck his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “Ah, so you accepted Glen’s job offer.”

“I did. The money will come in handy.”

“Having you in town for a while will be like old times. Wanna share a table?”

“Sure.”

When they got to the front of the line, Cody chose the fish-fries-chowder combo, a house specialty. They took their tickets and sat at a window table. Other diners filled the deck, and on the beach below, several kids played volleyball while two golden Labrador retrievers chased each other around the dunes. Cody let his gaze wander over the scene, automatically framing pictures. After lunch, he’d take a walk on the beach and capture some of the action.

“So, how’s your first day going?” Don asked.

Cody shrugged. “Glen’s a little full of himself, but I can deal with him. I’m more worried about your sister. She’s not happy with the situation. Maybe she’s decided she doesn’t like me.”

Don’s grin turned sly. “The problem is she likes you too much.”

Cody jerked to attention. “Say what?”

“You heard me. You might see clearly through that lens—” he pointed to Cody’s camera “—but without it, you’re kinda nearsighted.”

Cody shook his head. “Are you sure? I know she had a crush on me years ago, but she’s over that, right?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Did she actually tell you that?”

“Ah, no.”

“Did she tell anyone you know? Francine? Arliss? Your parents?”

“Not that I know of.” Don spread his hands. “But, trust me, I know my sister and what goes on in her mind. Well, most of the time.”

Cody waved that aside. “Anyone who says they know what goes on in a woman’s mind is kidding themselves.”

Don laughed. “You can think what you want, and I’ll know what I know.”

A waiter arrived with their orders, and for the next few minutes, food claimed Cody’s attention. He started with the chowder, which was as good as he remembered: the sauce rich and thick and loaded with clams, bite-size potatoes and bits of bacon.

When he came up for air, he looked at the hamburger on Don’s plate. “You’re having a burger when there’s all this great seafood?”

Don took a sip of his Coke and set down the glass. “Arliss is on a fish kick. After three nights of salmon—broiled, loafed and quiched—I’m ready for a change.”

“She’s gonna keep you healthy.”

“She’s trying, anyway.”

Cody sliced off a piece of fish and popped it into his mouth. “Married life agrees with you,” he said when he’d chewed and swallowed. “Never would have thought it. And your job, too. Look at you, all dressed for the part.” He nodded at Don’s blue dress shirt and tan slacks.

Don laughed and then sobered. “Maybe so, but I told Dad no tie. Never.”

“He still wear one?”

Don rolled his eyes. “Oh, yeah. But at his age, he can be excused. Tell you the truth, though, I’d rather be fishing.”

“Are you sorry you followed your dad into the world of finance?”

Don looked away. When he turned back to Cody, his eyes were troubled. “Yes, I am sorry.”

Cody grimaced. “That’s a shame. You worked hard to be where you are.”

“I know.” Don put a finger to his lips. “So don’t tell the old man. The money’s good, and it comes in handy when you have a wife and two kids, which I wouldn’t trade for anything, mind you.”

“Well, I’m glad you and Arliss are happy together.”

“For sure. But marriage is not for guys like you.”

Cody dipped a French fry into the ketchup on his plate. “What do you mean, ‘guys like me’?”

“You’re not a nester.”

Cody wrinkled his nose. “A what?”

“A nester. You need to settle down someplace, especially if you plan to have kids. That’s what Arliss said before we were married. ‘Where’s our nest, honey?’”

“Huh, the only nests I get close to are filled with birds.”

Don laughed. “Figures.”

“So, back to Luci. You don’t mind that we’re working together when she’s got a thing for me? I’d think you’d want to protect her.”

Don put his burger on his plate and leaned forward. “Have you met my sister? She’s got a mind of her own. You don’t mess with her. But in your situation, she writes and you take pictures. You’re a winning combo.”

“Sure. We’ll be working together. That’s all.”

Don shrugged and picked up his burger again. “That’s up to you.”

Cody finished his meal and wiped his lips with his napkin. “Why do I feel like she and I are some sort of experiment you’re all watching? Lab rats or something.”

“Your mind is weird, my friend. I’ll have to think on that. Just don’t hurt my sister, okay?”

Cody raised both hands. “Of course I won’t. You’ve got my word on that.”

“Just kidding. I know you wouldn’t.”

When they were on their way out of the restaurant, Don said, “You still going fishing with me and Max on Saturday?”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Max Billings was another friend from high school. The three of them fished a lot back then, and when Cody was in town, they kept up that tradition.

“Great. Max is bringing a new guy in town, Ben somebody.”

Cody gave a thumbs-up. “As they say, the more, the merrier.”

Don headed back to work, and Cody went to the beach, his thoughts centered on Luci. If she still had feelings for him, maybe their working together this summer wasn’t such a good idea. Maybe he should’ve turned down Glen’s offer.

But he did need the money. He had a few checks coming in from some freelance jobs, but not a steady salary. Not that he wanted steady. He didn’t want to be tied down, day after day doing the same thing, with the same people, in the same place. That routine might work for some, but not him.

A shout from teenagers playing Frisbee caught his attention. The orange disc sailed high into the air, and their cocker spaniel leaped after it. Cody grabbed his camera and went to work. Fifteen minutes later, after the kids ambled off down the beach, he sat on a log reviewing what he’d captured. One photo caught a boy with his hand outstretched, having just let go of the disc. Another showed the dog snagging the Frisbee in its mouth. The other pictures brought a smile to his lips, too. This was what he was born to do. And wasn’t that what life was all about? Discovering what you were meant to do and then doing it?

CHAPTER THREE

“HOW MUCH FARTHER?” Cody asked, drumming on his SUV’s steering wheel.

Luci consulted the map on her cell phone. “Looks like a couple more miles before we reach the turnoff.”

“Okay. I’ll keep an eye out.”

Three days had passed since Luci and Cody began working together. Actually, they hadn’t really talked since that first day. She’d spent the time familiarizing herself with her office and the routine, and Cody had been in and out, doing some special photography work for Glen.

Today, they were on their way to interview Ray Dunbar, owner of Cranberry Acres, for the article in Coastal Living. They’d left Willow Beach behind and driven through a countryside dotted with farmhouses and fields where cows and horses grazed.

Luci would have enjoyed the trip more if she’d been alone—or if she’d been with anyone other than Cody. She had no idea how they would work together in this new arrangement. Would he be a good partner? Or would he be off doing his own thing?

Just being near him was disconcerting. Like now—barely a foot separated them. She was so aware of him. Today he wore a blue T-shirt that showed off his broad chest and muscular arms. He still hadn’t had a haircut, and the ends were beginning to curl.

The SUV lurched as Cody made a quick turn to the right. “Almost missed the turnoff. I thought you were watching.”

“I was, ah, thinking about my interview questions.”

“You’ve got them all written out, I bet.” He checked his mirrors and continued driving down the new road.

“Of course I do. Don’t you plan what pictures you’re going to take when you’re on an assignment?”

“Not so much. I like to be spontaneous. Life is out there. Let it happen and look for the moment.”

“The moment, huh?”

He took his gaze off the road long enough to shoot her a quick grin. “Yeah. That special moment in time that I’ll capture forever with my camera.”

“Must be nice. For an interview, I need to have a plan.” She held up her notebook.

“Nothing wrong with a plan. But open yourself up to being spontaneous, too.” Catching her frown, he added, “Hey, I’m only trying to be helpful. I’ve been in this business longer than you.”

Luci pressed her lips together. “I know, but I do have my degree now, with a lot of field experience behind it. That ought to be worth something.”

“Sure, Luci. Just some friendly advice.”

Luci fell silent. How was she supposed to do her job with him micromanaging her?

At Cranberry Acres, a woman in the office gave them directions, and they found Ray Dunbar rinsing out buckets under a faucet. Besides the wide-brimmed leather hat the woman had told them to look for, he wore a plaid shirt and khaki work pants. His knee-high rubber boots were caked with mud.

He turned off the water and studied Luci. “Ervin Monroe’s daughter, right?”

“I am.” His flat tone gave no indication whether that was an asset or a liability.

“So you’re working for Glen this summer.”

“Not just for the summer. I’m back in Willow Beach for good.”

“I see.” He hooked the bucket handle on the faucet and shifted his attention to Cody. “And you’re—”

“Cody Jarvis. I’m the summer help.”

Ray pulled off his work gloves, and he and Cody shook hands. “Either of you ever visit the farm before?” he asked.

Cody nodded. “When I was in grade school, my class came here on a field trip.”

“Mine, too,” Luci added. “But I’m sure I’ll have a different perspective now.”

Ray nodded. “Growing and harvesting cranberries is an involved operation. But let me give you a tour, and I’ll explain the process as simply as I can.”

Ray led them to the troughs where the cranberries grew. Having taken out her tablet, Luci asked him the questions she’d listed. Keeping his promise to make his explanation simple, Ray’s answers were short and to the point. The berries were planted in April or May and harvested in mid-October. Most of the harvest was made into juice.

“I’d like a few pictures of you,” Luci said after she’d got what she needed for the article. She looked around for Cody. He was nowhere in sight. Her temper simmered. Why couldn’t he stay nearby while she was interviewing their subject?

Ray consulted his wristwatch. “We’ll have to make it quick—I need to leave for a meeting in a few minutes.”

“Sure. Just as soon as I can find my, ah, associate.” Finally, she spotted Cody on the other side of the field, aiming his camera at the top of a pine tree. What did a pine tree have to do with cranberries?

She caught his eye and waved him over. He took his time, pausing twice to aim his camera at something, she wasn’t sure what. Her cheeks were burning, and she struggled to paste a smile on her face. Ray paced, checking his watch again.

“Ray has to leave for another meeting,” she said when Cody finally joined them. “And we need his photo.”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t know—” Cody wrinkled his forehead.

Ray made a dismissive wave. “It’s okay. But let’s get a move on.”

Later, on their way back to Willow Beach, Luci stared out the window at the passing landscape. The interview had left her nerves ragged.

Cody broke the silence. “Did I drive you crazy?”

“Just about,” she said, only half kidding. “This job means a lot to me, you know.”

“I do know. And I take my work seriously, too. We just have different approaches. You like to have a plan, and I like to be spur-of-the-moment.”

“Maybe so, but it would’ve helped if you’d hung around while I was interviewing him. There wasn’t time for as many photos of him as I’d hoped.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ll bet that of the ones I took, you’ll find some that will work. And I can’t wait to read what you write about him. If I had to describe him, I’d probably say something like ‘tall dude with big leather hat.’”

Despite her annoyance, Luci giggled. “Yeah, I can just see that in the article. Glen would have a fit.”

“Maybe you should try something offbeat sometime. Well, not that offbeat, but you get the idea.”

When they returned to the office, Cody pulled into the parking lot. Leaving the engine running, he turned to her. “Want to go over the photos I took?”

“Yes, but I’d like to have a rough draft of the text before we sit down together. How about tomorrow afternoon?”

“Sure. I have another project I’m working on, too. Something I think you’ll be interested in.”

* * *

LUCI SAT BACK in her desk chair and read the paragraph she’d just written. The article on Cranberry Acres was taking shape, but she still wasn’t ready for Cody’s input. And here it was, Friday already. When she’d returned to the office yesterday, Glen had summoned her for an impromptu meeting with some of the people involved in the Fourth of July celebration, and it had lasted until quitting time. At home, she’d spent most of the evening reviewing Cody’s pictures—there were quite a few—and did little writing.

She checked her wristwatch. Only an hour before quitting time. She could stay late, but if she were going to work overtime, she’d rather do it at home. But what about Cody?