Beach Rental(72)
Maia positioned her chair near the door. She could watch the gallery and hear the bell ring if someone entered the front door. She took a sip of tea and unwrapped her sandwich. She stared down at her sandwich, then looked at Juli’s. “Is that a cheeseburger and fries?”
Juli nodded, chewing.
“How do you stay so slim eating like that?” Maia patted her hip. “I keep saying I’ll work this extra padding off.” She sighed.
The bell rang. Maia did a quick chew and swallow of what she’d already bitten off and, wiping her mouth with a napkin, took off to greet the customer.
After a couple of minutes Juli peeked around the corner of the door. Maia was lifting a painting from the wall and a man was standing nearby. As Juli was turning back, the door to the alley opened.
“Luke. Hi.”
He smiled, caught by surprise, but it looked genuine and she responded in kind. Briefly, they stayed as they were, sharing the moment, until Juli felt a nibble of fear. This was lovely. But dangerous.
“Is Maia with a customer?” His voice was low.
His tone was almost conspiratorial, personal, and it gave her a shiver.
Juli nodded toward the gallery. “Yes.”
“I’d like to ask you something. I know it’s early, but you might want some time to consider it.”
“What?”
“Thanksgiving. It’s in a couple of months. I’d like you to share it with my family. My mother cooks a fantastic turkey dinner.”
Thanksgiving? Ridiculous. This was still September. More than that, why would anyone think she should share a holiday meal with the Winters? She forced the words out. They sounded harsher than intended. “I met them once. Your parents. At the funeral.”
“I know. Please understand they only knew what they were told. About you, I mean. If Ben, if the marriage, had lasted longer, they would’ve gotten to know you for themselves. They’re good people, Juli. Whatever negative things people thought of you—whatever judgments they made—blame those on me.”
She stared at the table, at the crumbs littering the white paper in which the grill had wrapped the burger.
“Think about it? I hope you can forgive me for making judgments, for acting on my emotions about Ben to your detriment. I’ve already told you I believe you were good for Ben and he was lucky to find you. I’m sorry it took me so long to see it and admit it. I hope you’ll forgive me and give the rest of the family a chance.”
She wanted to say, “Does it matter?” Instead, she closed her lips before the incredulous words could be voiced.
Luke’s smile was slight, but sincere as he nodded his head and went into his office.
Juli sniffled and blinked her eyes. She wouldn’t cry. This wasn’t the place for it.
“I’m back.” Maia reclaimed her chair and her sandwich. “A sale and a happy customer.” She frowned. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
Luke closed his office door and the latch clicked.
Juli leaned forward and whispered, “He mentioned Thanksgiving.”
Maia looked confused. She whispered back. “That’s two months away. Why are we whispering?”
“Never mind. We’ll talk about it another time.”
“Whatever you say. Can I stop whispering now?” Her dimples bloomed.
“Yes, please. Now tell me about your sale.”
“Never mind the sale. What I need is reliable help.” She stopped for a moment, then added, “And a boyfriend, a reliable one.” She sipped her tea.
“Luke has a good prospect for a new manager down in Charleston. I don’t have to tell you how badly he needs someone there who can handle the larger responsibilities. I was afraid he’d never move forward with it, but he actually talked to the guy on his last trip down there. I‘m so relieved.” She crumpled her trash. “You know, I should’ve thought of this before. I wonder if you’d mind helping me out?”
“With what? Finding a reliable boyfriend?”
“No, silly. I need help with the gallery for the Roundtree showing.”
“You mean like working at the gallery?” She could think of worse jobs, but she wasn’t looking for work just now, and certainly not retail. She’d had her fill of customers, enough to last for a lifetime.
“No, well, sort of, yes. We have a show, an open house for a new local artist. It’s coming up in a couple of weeks and, for the most part, we’re set, but it’s the prep time before. See, we close the gallery early and then have to move a lot of the etcetera stuff out of the way. We need the floor space, plus it should look more elegant than seashells crafted into sea creatures with googley eyes will allow.”