the apartment above her converted carriage house.
It would have been selfish of Steve to wish Wade could have fallen for someone else, just because of Steve and Lily’s history. Just because she was back in town with a twelve-year-old son he knew nothing about, a boy who everyone said looked just like Steve.
“My God,” he exclaimed after he’d let go of Wade, “no wonder you’re grinning like a damned idiot. You’re marrying up in the world, that’s for sure.”
“True enough,” Wade agreed as the throaty whine of a motorcycle signaled the imminent arrival of Steve’s crew.
“Time for me to get to work,” he told Wade, “but I’ll buy the first round at the Crab Pot tonight. Bring Pauline so I can tell her what a poor choice she’s made.”
“I’ll see what she says,” Wade replied, sounding married already.
Carlos roared up on his Harley, followed by George in his faded red pickup.
“I’ve got a favor to ask,” Wade told Steve as the men began unloading their gear. “Would you stand up with me at the wedding? It’ll be toward the end of September and we’re keeping it small.”
Wade cleared his throat. “I know it’s a lot to ask—” he added. So he’d noticed Steve’s reaction to Lily’s voice on the answering machine when she had left a message for Wade. Steve had been caught off guard, that was all, but Wade had obviously drawn his own conclusion.
Here’s the opportunity to prove she’s just a bad memory, whispered a voice in Steve’s head. Now that Pauline and Lily had patched up their differences, his ex-girlfriend would no doubt be part of her sister’s wedding and her life, but he wasn’t about to let Lily’s presence scare him away.
“Don’t talk stupid,” Steve said gruffly, ignoring the sudden tightness in his gut. “I’m honored that you asked me, okay?”
Wade’s frown cleared. “Thanks, man.”
“Hey, Frisco, you working today?” Carlos shouted, using the nickname he’d given Wade. “That means I can goof off, right, boss?”
“Wrong,” Steve replied, slapping Wade’s back.
“He’s got better things to do than pound nails.” He turned back to his friend. “Nice work. You’ve landed yourself a fantastic woman.”
The rest of it, Steve wouldn’t let it be a problem. He would deal. Lily was part of his past and that’s where she was going to stay.
Lily Mayfield and her sister stood on the sidewalk in front of Pauline’s cross-stitch shop, Uncommon Threads. It took up part of the ground floor of an old building in the historic business district in Crescent Cove.
“I still can’t get over how much everything grew while I was gone.” Lily looked down the busy street at the flower baskets and banners hanging from the ornate antique light poles. Half of the storefronts had been empty thirteen years ago.
“You’ve been home long enough to adjust to the changes,” Pauline replied as she studied the display in her front window. “Did you think everything was going to stay frozen in time until you decided to come back?”
“No, of course not.” Lily glanced at her watch. It was nearly time to pick up her son, Jordan, from his friend’s house.
“What do you think?” Pauline frowned at the window display. “Too busy? Too cutesy?”
Lily considered the plain clay pots that were arranged in front of a white picket fence. A round hoop framing an embroidered flower picture was stuck into each pot like a lollypop.
“It’s clever,” she decided. “If I wasn’t all thumbs, I’d be tempted to buy a kit myself.”
Pauline didn’t appear convinced as she fiddled with a strand of streaky blond hair that was several shades darker than Lily’s. “I hope you’re right,” she murmured. “With all the tour buses coming from Seattle and down from Canada, I’m really hoping to attract some new customers.”
“I’ve got to get Jordan,” Lily told her. “Don’t forget to make some time in your schedule to plan your wedding. September will be here before we know it.” On this bright July day, fall was hard to imagine.
Pauline gave a helpless shrug. “I thought a small backyard ceremony would be simple. If it rains, we’ll move it inside.”
Lily wanted to roll her eyes at her sister’s naiveté. The living room of the old Victorian was huge, but the furnishings were getting shabby.
“Simple and yet elegant,” Lily said with a grin. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you.” Planning Pauline’s wedding together was something Lily wouldn’t have dreamed possible two months ago, but now she was looking forward to it.
“Congratulations again, Paulie.” She gave her sister a hug. “Wade’s a lucky man.”
Pauline shook her head. “I’m the lucky one. Thanks for the ride. He’s picking me up, so I’ll see you at home.”
With a flip of her hand, Lily hurried around her car, which was parked at the curb, and slid behind the wheel. In her opinion, they were both lucky. Wade was a great guy, but Pauline was a wonderful sister.
Lily thanked the stars that she was also a forgiving one. Taking advantage of a break in the line of slow-moving traffic, Lily pulled out. She glanced back in time to see that Pauline was still standing on the sidewalk. She waved at someone coming up the street.
As the big white pickup drew parallel to Lily’s car, she looked up curiously. The driver’s face was partially hidden by sunglasses and a baseball cap topped his shaggy, sun-bleached hair, but his smile was instantly recognizable.
Even after all this time.
For an instant, his gaze seemed to meet hers despite his dark lenses. Her hands choked the wheel and she looked away, right at the black lettering on the door of his truck.
Lindstrom Construction.
She jerked her gaze back upward for another look, but she was too late. He had driven on by as though nothing earthshaking had just occurred.
Lily had known that she couldn’t live in Crescent Cove for long without running into Steve. Despite the new growth and the tourists, this was still basically the same small town where they had grown up together. She’d thought she was prepared for the first sight of him, the boy who’d captured her heart, but she’d been fooling herself. Shame and regret for the way she had treated him still rose up to choke her whenever she thought about facing him again.
And face him she would need to do someday soon. She owed him that much, but she just wasn’t ready.
Had he recognized her? She was probably nothing more to him now than an unpleasant memory. The idea made her sad as she stared at his departing truck in her rearview mirror.
“Lily, watch out!” Pauline cried out in warning.
Lily jerked her attention back to where it belonged just in time to see that the car in front of her had stopped to parallel park. Lily jammed on
