stood in front of the bathroom mirror brushing her hair. She put down the brush and peered at her image. Should she wear lipstick or go natural? Did her sweater look ratty? Or casual and comfortable? Finally, she came to her senses. What was wrong with her? This wasn’t a date—this was work. She didn’t have to fix herself up for Cody.
He arrived promptly at seven and breezed in, carrying a white paper bag in one hand and a small black box in the other. He handed her the paper bag.
“What’s this?” she asked and then spotted the Bon Ton Bakery logo. She peeked into the bag. “Ah, doughnuts. Chocolate frosted.” Her mouth was watering already.
“There’s strawberry, too. I trust you have coffee to go with.”
“I do. Good thing I made a big pot.” She pointed to the box. “What else did you bring?”
He patted the top. “This is for later, when we’re through working.” He set the box on the coffee table.
“I have the article up on the computer. Why don’t you take a look while I put these doughnuts on a plate and pour us some coffee?”
“Got to check your view first.” He walked to the patio door and looked out.
“Don’t you want to take a picture or two?” she asked. Of course, his camera was slung around his neck.
“Maybe later,” he said with a good-natured grin.
By the time she had set the doughnuts and coffee on the table and pulled up a chair beside him, he was deep into reading the article. While he finished, she munched a doughnut and sipped her coffee. Finally, he sat back and frowned. Uh-oh. Her stomach knotted.
“So what do you think?”
He nodded and reached for a doughnut, brushing against her shoulder in the process. “I think it’s pretty darn good.”
“No, I hear something else in your voice. What?”
He studied the screen again, scrolling up and down. “It might be a little stiff.”
“Stiff? What does that mean?”
“A few more quotes from Dunbar might liven it up.”
She put down her mug and folded her arms. “He wasn’t the most talkative person.”
“I know. Forget I said anything. Why’d you ask me, anyway?”
“I wanted, ah...” What did she want? His approval? He wasn’t her boss.
But he was her partner. They were in this job together, for better or worse. “I’ll give quotes some thought.”
“And the photos of Dunbar. They turned out all right, didn’t they? How about that shot where he’s cupping one of the plants in his hands? I thought that showed how much he cares about his plants.”
“I do like that one.”
“But what about the one where he’s standing and gazing at the bogs. It’s a good one, too, even if he has a poker face.”
She had to smile. “He did, didn’t he? Hmm.” She skimmed the article. “I don’t see a spot for it, though.”
“How about here?” He pointed to a line on the screen.
“No, no, doesn’t fit.”
They went back and forth for a while without reaching an agreement. Finally, Cody threw up his hands. “I think we’re done here. But give my suggestions some more thought, okay?”
“Sure.” Maybe.
Luci turned off the computer. She picked up their coffee mugs and carried them to the sink. He followed with the plate of leftover doughnuts.
“Thanks for coming—and for your help.” She took the plate and placed it beside the mugs.
“You’re welcome, but we’re not done yet.”
“I thought you just said we were?”
“Nope. One more thing.” He held out his hand. “Come on.”
Luci stared for a moment and then, with an inward sigh, held out her hand and let their fingers mesh. He led her to the sofa, and while she sat he picked up the box he’d brought and held it out.
“What this?”
“Something I made for you. Go on, open it.”
She pulled off the lid. Inside lay a book. “Luci’s Homecoming” was printed on the cover, and below that a photo of her smiling face.
“From my party. Oh, Cody...”
He sat next to her, and they paged through the album, looking at all the photos he’d taken that night. “There’s Don mugging for the camera,” she said. “And there’s Dad with his arm around Mom.”
“They sure look happy. Married how long?”
“Thirty-three years next March.”
He’d managed to capture the children in cute poses, and all the other guests, too. There were even photos of the ocean view and the sunset.
When they finished looking at the pictures, Luci closed the cover and turned to Cody. “Thank you. What a wonderful gift.”
“You’re welcome. I made books for your parents, and for Don and Francine, too.”
“I’m sure they’ll appreciate them as much as I do. And I’m sorry I was such a brat about your taking my picture that night.”
He made a dismissive wave. “No problem. I know you weren’t expecting me to show up for your homecoming.”
She laughed. “You were a surprise, all right.”
They turned toward each other, and their eyes met. Warmth flooded her face and her heart thudded. Swallowing hard, she tore her gaze away.
Cody cleared his throat. “Say, what time is it?” He checked his wristwatch. “Nine, already? Gotta be on my way. Early get up tomorrow. Fishing trip with your brother and Max.”
In no time at all, he was at the door. His hand on the knob, he turned and said, “Glad the article’s done. You did good, kid.” He gave her a pat on the shoulder, and then he was gone.
After he left, Luci dropped onto the sofa and put her head in her hands. The evening had worn her out. Okay, they’d managed to put together the article, but it hadn’t been easy. He thought that he knew best just because he had more experience. But she was the boss here, wasn’t she?
* * *
CODY GRIPPED HIS fishing rod while the Half Time bucked another wave and water sloshed onto the deck. Good thing he’d brought his waterproof camera. Don was sitting next to him, also keeping a tight hold on his fishing rod.
On the
