Love Finds the One (Sully Point Book 2) (11 page)

"You're nuts."

Cody ate the donut in a few bites while Julia watched with a
look of fascination on her face.

"How come guys can always eat with such gigantic
bites?"

He shrugged. "We have superpowers of eating? I dunno.
Listen, I need to take off and get to the shop. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for staying last night."

"You're welcome. See you later?"

"Sure, I'll be around." She walked him to the door,
after he'd gathered up his things in the duffel bag. Waving to him as he drove
off, she sighed and returned indoors. She stood in the kitchen and let herself
get a feel for the house. It had returned to being a cozy, welcoming place, instead
of a scary house.

As she began to clean up the kitchen, she thought about last
night. She couldn't believe her own audacity at getting into Cody's bed. He
really had been quite sexy in just those pajama bottoms. Sleeping next to him,
with her head on his chest, had felt comforting to her last night. But this
morning, it made her blush to think of it. He was such a gentleman--today she
wondered why he had been so restrained.

Was she unattractive to him? He didn't even try a thing, no
moves at all, when she was in his bed. Of course, if he had done anything she
would have been out of there in a flash. She sighed. Her heart was going in a
direction she wasn't sure it should. Here she was thinking of him as someone
she could fall for, when all he'd been was completely sensitive and helpful to
her. He hadn't come on to her at all. Which, now that she thought of it, was
pretty depressing.

Although, she hadn't been looking her best lately. It wasn't
like she had tried to make a play for him. She wasn't here to find a man
anyway.
What am I doing even thinking like this?
She felt flustered
inside and decided to sit down and start on the sweater for Cody. Crocheting
would settle her nerves. When she pulled out the yarn, the blue reminded her of
his eyes--eyes which could look gentle or strong or amused depending on what
was going on. She loved the way he kidded around with her, and the way he
listened.
I'm doing it again, thinking of him. Enough!
Fortunately, her
phone rang and she was soon talking to Mrs. Gilchrest about her computer. But,
somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew suggestive thoughts about Cody lurked.

* * * *

Sheriff Jones was in the bakery when Frank stopped by to
pick up a muffin for his morning break. Kayla was listening raptly, and soon
Frank was as well, when he heard his son's name.

"When I passed by early this morning, guess whose
Corvette was parked right out front? I think Cody spent the night there! Could
be the two of them are getting together, although with Cody that wouldn't be
unusual--oh, uh, hello Frank."

"Sheriff," Frank said with a nod and a frown.
"Cody was helping out Julia since the beach house is still a bit scary for
her after what happened. He was there for her safety, nothing more. I'd
appreciate you not going around spreading rumors."

"I see. Sorry, Frank. It looked like something--"

"Well, it wasn't. Kayla, if you'd get me a blueberry
muffin, I'll be on my way."

Kayla quickly bagged up his muffin, and watched wide-eyed as
he left.

Damn the town gossips, Frank thought. Of course, he'd
wondered last night when the two of them had left for the beach house, if they
might get together. But he'd bet his left arm Cody had been a gentleman. There
was something between the two of them. He could see the spark of it at times.
And there was a comfort level there--they seemed easy and relaxed with each
other. If something did develop, he hoped it was the real thing, and not just a
passing fling. He'd been impressed by how Cody had stopped dating around
lately. All he really wished for his son was to find the right girl. And maybe
that he'd have some kids. Being a grandfather was something he was looking
forward to very much.

He took a call from Betsy--Mrs. Gilchrest. His relationship
with Betsy had been kept very quiet for about two years now. She felt being the
bank president meant she should not flaunt a relationship without marriage.
Frank went along with this, even though he wasn't as concerned about what
people might think. They were both comfortable in their own homes, living
apart, but every now and then, he got the urge to propose to her. Then, they
would talk it over and decide they did, in fact, like the situation as it was.
Betsy said when she retired from the bank, she might reconsider the idea.

Today she was very happy Julia had agreed to look at her
computer. She'd been ripped off by the guys in the mall once too often and had
sworn she'd buy a new computer rather than go there for help. She got off the
phone with him after thanking him profusely for recommending another option.

As he finished eating his muffin and drinking his coffee,
Frank was surprised to see Julia standing in the doorway. "What are you
doing here?"

"I need some tools. I'm fixing Mrs. Gilchrest's
computer today. I need some tiny tools if you have any."

"Hmm. I have some, but probably not everything you
need. We started carrying some a while back when Lucretia Evans began her
jewelry-making business." They walked back into the main store and headed
up an aisle.

"Lucretia? That's her real name?" Julia asked.

"Yep. Her mother was...well, different. Anyway,
Lucretia needed some tiny tools, so I got them for her. Here we go." He
pointed to a section on the rack in front of them.

"Ah. Perfect." Julia picked out three tools and
headed for the cash register. "I wanted to ask if you have any idea of how
much to charge Mrs. Gilchrest."

She and Frank discussed various numbers and then Julia left
with her bag of tools.

Frank smiled after her, noticing how she was looking much
more healthy--and attractive--in less than a week of being here. And she seemed
excited about working on a computer again. His idea of yesterday was a good
one. He'd already spoken to Betsy about facilitating it, and if she was
impressed with Julia...it might happen.

Cody walked in. "Hey Dad. Was that Julia's car I just
saw?"

"Yep, she needed some tools. She's working on Mrs.
Gilchrest's computer."

"Cool." Cody wandered to the back of the store,
looking at lanterns. "I'm thinking about getting some of these for the
shop, but I wanted to get a different style than what you carry here."

Frank nodded, arms folded across his chest. Waiting.

"Anyway, Dad...I was thinking."

"Is this about Julia? Because I'm sure you didn't come
down here to look at lanterns."

"Well, no, I'm not really interested in lanterns. And
yes, it is about Julia. Do you think it would be strange if I asked her
out?"

Frank felt his eyebrows rising even as he tried to keep
shock off his face. "You're asking me? About a girl? Cody, when do you
ever ask me about your dates?"

"This is different. She's different. I don't want to
take advantage of her in any way. And I know I've been more like a safety for
her with everything that happened."

"Yes, but I doubt she sees you only as her savior.
What's this really about?" He unfolded his arms and leaned back against
the counter with the register on it.

"Dad--how did you know--with Mom? How did you know she
was the one for you?"

"Cody, are you saying what I think you're saying? Do
you think Julia might be the one for you?"

"Yes, I think she might be the one. And I don't want to
blow it."

"Well, now, this is different. When I met your mother,
it was like being hit in the head. Changed how I looked at everything. I just
knew I would never want another woman the way I wanted to be with her. She made
me feel complete."

Cody nodded. "I can't stop thinking about Julia. When I
left the beach house this morning, it was like I was leaving a piece of me
behind."

"Sounds like you've got it bad. However, it's all very
soon, isn't it? All I can tell you is to be yourself, be honest with her and
with yourself--and realize the rumors about you two have already started.
Sheriff Jones is responsible. He saw your car out there this morning."

"Damn, and it was all totally innocent, too. I hope the
rumors won't upset Julia. Anyway, don't worry Dad. I was a perfect gentleman
last night."

"I never expected anything less."

"I'd better get going. Thanks for the talk."

"Any time, son, any time." Frank said.
Cody
getting serious? About time,
he thought with a satisfied smile. They'd make
beautiful grandchildren for him, he decided as he went back to work. And, the
Grainger family would grow again, filling the house with joy.

* * * *

Julia was in an empty office at the bank, with Mrs.
Gilchrest's machine opened up before her. Somehow, ants had gotten into the
computer. They were now dead, but she'd found one smashed on the hard drive. No
wonder the computer had stopped functioning. She was debating whether to advise
purchasing a new hard drive or an entirely new computer when her cell phone
rang.

"Julia?"

"Yes. Holly? Is that you?"

"Julia, are you all right? I don't get any answer to my
emails, and then I hear about the thing with Patrice on the news of all places.
I'm ready to kill Dad and Cody for not calling me when it happened. How are you
doing?"

"I'm fine, Holly, stop worrying. I had a bad day and
night, but I'm over it now. Your family has been great. I even spent one night
in your old room at your Dad's house. Cody helped a lot, too."

"Oh, good. I was worried about you. I'm glad Cody and
Dad have been there for you. I started getting concerned when I realized you
weren't answering my emails. "

"Uh, I haven't actually turned on my laptop to check my
emails or anything else. I've been kind of busy," she found herself saying
defensively.

"Hey, it's okay. I'm relieved by how much better you
sound already. If it helps you to not answer emails, then I say go for it. But,
you say you've been busy?" Holly sounded intrigued. "Busy, doing
what? You went there to rest, recover, take time off. I can't imagine what
you've gotten involved in at Sully Point."

"Well, there's been so much to do and see. But, the
most fun I've had is what I was doing when you called. You actually interrupted
me working on Mrs. Gilchrest's computer."

"The bank's Mrs. Gilchrest? And what do you mean
working on it?"

"I used to love working with computers, Holly. I fixed
your Dad's yesterday and I'm doing this one today. It's really great fun and
quite relaxing, so don't go thinking I'm wearing myself out. I've been sleeping
and eating non-stop. I bet I've already put on five pounds. That bakery of
yours is helping out with the weight gain project, of course."

Holly laughed. "Yes, that bakery can definitely help
with weight gain. The computer thing, though, that sounds interesting. Just
don't overtax yourself, okay?"

"I feel great. You don't have to be a mother hen, because
your family is taking quite good care of me."

"Speaking of family, has she called? Your mother?"

"Yes. I don't want to talk about it. Now, I'd better
get back to this and finish up. I'm really glad you sent me to Sully Point,
Holly. It's working out just great."

"Good, good," Holly said in a surprised tone.
"You take care of yourself."

"I will. Bye!"

Julia tucked her phone inside her jeans pocket. Holly was
very sweet, but she needed to remember that Julia was a grown woman. Maybe she
had been pretty much a basket case by the time she left the city, but still.
She wondered about Holly sometimes. She was such a fun, bright, beautiful
person and still single. It seemed like she never could find a man she was
willing to stick with long-term.

Mrs. Gilchrest walked into the room. "How is it--wow,
it's taken apart."

"Yes, I had to do that. I hate to tell you this, but
you had ants."

"Ants?" The bank president looked both horrified
and amused.

"Yes, probably from snacking around your computer. One
got mashed by the hard drive. Here's the thing--we could replace some parts,
but honestly you'd be better off just buying a new one. This model is old enough,
finding parts for it would be tricky. If you wanted, I could look around the
internet and find you a good deal. Or I could build you one. But probably you
don't actually need a huge system. You're not a major gamer are you?"

"No, no indeed. It would be quite helpful if you'd find
one for me to buy. What should I do with this one?"

"I'll throw it back together to make it easier to move.
I've run a magnet over the hard drive to scramble it, just in case anyone ever
picked it out of the dump. Most dumps have a day when they take electronic
equipment. You should check with yours and take it there."

"All right. Thank you for doing this, Miss Tremaine.
Tell me what I owe you now, or we can wait until you know how much time you'll
spend finding me another machine and you can bill me."

Julia told her the hourly rate she was expecting and Mrs.
Gilchrest didn't bat an eye at the figure. They agreed to wait on payment until
later. As Julia put the old computer back together, Mrs. Gilchrest watched.

"How can you do that so fast?"

"Comes from a lot of years of playing with computers.
Once you know where everything goes, it's a piece of cake. There. All done. Do
you want me to find out about the dump?"

"No, I'll have my secretary call them. Thank you again,
Miss--"

"Call me Julia."

"Julia then. Give me a call when you find
something."

"Will do. Nice meeting you Mrs. Gilchrest." As she
walked out of the office she felt like whistling. She had a project! Finding a
good deal on a new computer would be fun. She hadn't looked at any of the new
ones since last year when she bought her laptop.