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
