“Hey, Nelson and I go way back,” she explained, casting Jerrod a distinct look that said “cool off.” “His grandson goes to school with my son. They hang out with the brainy kids who started a chess club.”
Embarrassed by his own ridiculous assumption, Jerrod decided his best bet was to say nothing.
Dawn crouched down in front of his daughter. “Let me guess. Is your name Carrie?”
His little girl nodded, not a bit shy. She tugged on Melody’s hand. “This is Melody. She takes care of me. She took me to my new school.”
“I’m sorry,” Jerrod said, “I didn’t get to all the introductions.”
As if wanting to be in the know, Carrie said, “Daddy, is this the lady who’s going to help you get customers on your boats?”
“Yes, she is. This is Ms. Dawn Larsen. Like I told you, she’s what people call a public relations consultant.” Carrie had no idea how much he needed Ms. Dawn Larsen, the pro.
“It’s fine if she calls me Dawn.” She peered down at Carrie and said. “I bet you’re about five years old. Am I right?”
Carrie nodded.
Jerrod looked on as his daughter told her new friend about the other kids at her morning preschool. Carrie didn’t know Dawn helped him find it. Thanks to her, two houses would also be available the next week, so his stay at The Sleepy Moon Inn would be short. Nice as it was in his spacious room, he was looking forward to feeling at least a little like he actually lived somewhere.
Waving goodbye, Nelson said, “Well, Jerrod, I leave you in good hands. Dawn can show you every inch of this town.”
After Nelson left, Wyatt and Rob joined them on the deck and Jerrod made the introductions. For him, it was like bringing Dawn into his family. Besides Carrie, Melody, Wyatt and Rob were the most important people in his life.
“Let me give you a quick overview of the immediate area,” she said to the assembled group. She started by explaining that the town’s waterfront was divided into two main parts. “We’re in the heart of the working waterfront now.” She waved toward a multi-floor storefront building set in a cluster of trees farther down the shore. “That’s Donovan’s Marine, the closest marine supply store. They either stock everything you’ll need or they’ll special order it.” She grinned at Jerrod. “The other day, I stopped in to see Art and Zeke Donovan, the father and son who own the business. I told them all about you.”
Dawn pointed to an area beyond the boatyard. “The yacht club is down that way, and you’ll also find a food market, a couple of restaurants and the Silver Moon Winery over there. There’s a playground in the big lakeshore park that connects to our downtown. People gather in the center of town all summer for various things. Most important of all, it’s where you’ll find the Bean Grinder, the busiest coffeehouse for miles. You can’t miss it—it’s in an old but refurbished octagonal building painted red.”
“I don’t think we’ll get lost,” Wyatt said with a grin. “I like that we can walk to most everything we need.”
“A trolley comes around, too, and stops at all the major landmarks and will let riders off in front of stores on Bay Street.”
Speaking directly to Carrie, she said, “I have to be going now, but I’m sure I’ll see you again soon. It was so nice to meet you—all of you.” She nodded at Melody and then at his crew. “Let me know if you need anything. If I can’t answer the question, I can find someone who can.”
Whoosh...that’s what he thought of when he realized she was hurrying off in the same energetic manner in which she’d come down the dock. Before she had a chance to rush off, Jerrod moved to her side and walked with her to the marina parking lot. “Uh, I need to talk with you about the diving excursions and what I’d like highlighted in the brochures to add to their appeal. Make them sound exciting. I’m wondering if we can meet soon. Maybe grab some coffee?”
He was about to suggest getting together later that day, but she pointed out that Ian was due the next morning to take preliminary photos of the boats. “That’s fine. I wanted to go over brochure ideas with both of you and direct some shots, anyway,” she said. “So, maybe we can find time after Ian has finished.” She knit her brows in thought. “I don’t have other appointments scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.”
Her expression communicated that she’d already jumped ahead to her next stop of the day, probably another client meeting.
“That would be fine,” he said, resigned to wait.
“So, until tomorrow morning,” she said. “It’s sure to be a big day for your business.”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“We’re a team,” she said, patting his upper arm, her face reddening a little. Her eyes softened when she added, “Before I forget to say this, Carrie is adorable—breathtaking, really.”
Thrown by her wistful tone, he muttered a quick thank you. But he doubted she’d heard him. She’d fixed her gaze on her car and was fidgeting with her keys. He stepped aside to give her space to get behind the wheel and start the engine. She quickly drove out of the spot without so much as a backward glance.
“See you tomorrow,” he murmured. He walked toward the office he’d rented in the square frame addition behind the marina. Her words about Carrie circled through his mind. Dawn wasn’t the first person to comment on his daughter’s charm, but usually the remarks were just part of casual social banter. Instead, real emotion had seeped into Dawn’s words about Carrie. In an instant, this woman he’d just met had touched his heart. Again. There was something wonderfully sunny about her. Even her hair, which brought to mind sunrises he’d seen all over the world, matched her personality.
Shaking his head, he whispered, “Not good, not good.”
* * *
DAWN TURNED DOWN Night Beach Road and pulled into Lark’s driveway. Not so long ago, Lark had lived in this compact cottage on the shore with her son, Evan. Not anymore. After marrying Miles last fall, what had been a small home for two was transformed into a large office—and a guest house when needed. Lark and Miles had bought a large waterfront home down the block, which led Lark to joke about her short commute. So many changes in her best friend’s life, Dawn thought, and she’d been right there with Lark personally and professionally.
She knocked on the cottage door before pushing it open and calling out, “Hey, Lark, I’m here.”
“Come on in,” Lark said. “Give me a second. I’m finishing up one last paragraph.”
Dawn spent much of her work life on the road seeing clients in their offices or shops or meeting with graphic artists, media professionals and visitors’ center staff throughout the region. On the other hand, Lark spent most of her days sitting at her computer writing articles on health care and parenting—and enjoying herself every bit as much as Dawn thrived on being on the go.
Dawn dropped her shoulder bag on the couch and shrugged out of her coat. Instantly at home in Lark’s cottage, she sniffed the air and immediately recognized the scent. Hazelnut. Lark knew it was one of her favorite coffee flavors. The pot and mugs were already on the coffee table.
“There,” Lark
