“You, too. Sorry to interrupt, but, well, what else are brothers for?”
Leanna laughed as Sage opened his arms and embraced Kurt. “Sorry, bro. Just wanted to say hi to you both. I won’t let anyone else come out, but I couldn’t resist.” He picked up Kurt’s bags and carried them inside.
“Sorry, babe.”
“It’s okay. Have fun with your family. They seem really nice.”
He heard Bella shouting in the background. “Send one of those brothers over here for me.”
He laughed. “Tell Bella I’ll put a good word in.” He thought of Blue working on the studio and debated telling Leanna about the work he was having done, then quickly decided to surprise her with a trip to the Cape once the renovations were complete. A nice long weekend with no writing. Just us. And Pepper. He couldn’t even believe he was looking forward to not writing, but the thought stuck with him like glue.
“Ignore her.” Leanna rolled her eyes. “I love you. Have fun with your family.”
“I love you too. I’ll text you later.”
Kurt ended the call, and as he crossed the driveway, he braced himself for the razz of a lifetime.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
LEANNA WOULD GIVE her right arm to be an organized and efficient person for one day. Just today. She’d even take a few hours if she could get it. Just long enough to gather her thoughts, the basket of jams and bread, the brochures and lists she’d picked up from the printer—which looked so professional that she didn’t feel worthy of presenting them—and make it to her meeting on time. She was already late when a delivery truck blocked her driveway.
Great. The one time I actually park in my driveway. She closed the cottage door and shushed Pepper through the window. He’d been moping around all morning, running from room to room, as if he were trying to figure out where Kurt had gone, and now she felt guilty for leaving him alone. Kurt wouldn’t have left him alone.
She put her supplies in the van and went around to the driver’s side door of the delivery van. “I’m in a hurry. Can you please just pull your van up or back a little?”
Carey smiled down at her. “Hey there.”
“What are you doing in this? Where’s your van?” She stepped back and realized it was a fruit bouquet delivery service van.
He shrugged. “I’m doing deliveries to make a little extra money. That’s why I wasn’t at the flea market last Sunday. I’ve got a delivery for you.” Carey climbed out of the van and walked leisurely to the back of the van in his khaki shorts and company polo shirt, complete with a logo over the breast pocket. She had a hard time reconciling his attire to the beach boy she knew.
“Me?” What are you up to?
He returned with an enormous fruit bouquet, complete with chocolate-dipped strawberries and a balloon that read, GOOD LUCK.
“My bet is that it’s from Kurt, but what do I know?” He shrugged. “You look totally hot, by the way.”
Leanna looked down at her dress. “Oh shoot. I’m so late. Thanks, Carey. Hey, I’ve had a great time with you this summer. Will you be at the flea market next summer?”
Amy came out of her cabin. “Wow. What did you get?”
Leanna held up the fruit bouquet.
“I really need to go,” Leanna reminded him.
“Oh, sorry.” He climbed back into the van. “I’m not sure if I’ll be here next summer or not.” He shrugged. “Guess we’ll find out next May. We can keep in touch over text.”
“Sounds good. Thanks for all your help this summer, Carey.” I’m late. I’m late. I’m late. She hated rushing their last conversation of the summer after he’d been so patient with her and watched her booth while she walked Pepper, but she would hate herself if she messed up her chance with Daisy Chain.
“No prob. And tell Kurt I’m sorry for kissing you.” He waved to Amy.
“Oh gosh, wait!” Leanna ran to her van and retrieved the books Kurt had brought for Carey. “I almost forgot. He brought these to the flea market for you. They’re signed.”
“Awesome. That’s so cool of him. Here’s to a great summer.”
As Carey drove off, Leanna handed the bouquet to Amy and opened the card.
“Kurt?” Amy asked.
“Who else would ever send me anything?” Leanna read the card, “Go get ’em. I love you, K.” She smiled at Amy. “He’s the best, and I gotta run. Would you mind taking these in and maybe playing with Pepper a little? He’s going a little nutty without Kurt.”
“I don’t blame him. Good luck, Lea. You’ll do great.”