—Eva
Matt and Frankie spent the next day rediscovering the island, eating ice cream from Summer Scoop and buying gifts from Something Seashore, Emily’s new gift store. Lisa was doing a brisk trade behind the counter but she gift-wrapped each of Frankie’s purchases with meticulous care.
“Normally I run Summer Scoop, but Emily wasn’t expecting to get pregnant when she set up her business, so we’re all helping out.” She measured a length of ribbon and snipped. “You’ve made some good choices here. Your friends are lucky.”
“You have beautiful things.” Frankie glanced around the store, her gaze lingering on handmade striped cushions and glass jars full of sea glass. There were so many items that tempted her, but she’d restricted herself to a basket of sea-shells that she was planning to use in floral displays, and gifts for her friends.
She wanted to buy something for Matt, but he didn’t leave her side so there was no chance of doing anything secretive. The fact that he was so protective of her didn’t irritate her the same way it did his sister. It made her feel safe, and loved.
Loved?
She frowned. Not loved. Cared for would be a better expression.
“Emily has a good eye, and she stocks the work of local artists whenever she can. Much of the stuff you see here was made on the island.” Lisa carefully packed Frankie’s purchases into a stylish linen bag. “Everyone wants to take a piece of the seashore home with them.”
In the glass cabinet in front of her was a necklace of interwoven silver starfish. It was unusual and intricate.
Lisa smiled. “Pretty, isn’t it? It’s one of Skylar’s. Do you want to take a look?” She reached for the key to the cabinet but Frankie backed away.
“I’m not a jewelry person. I’m a gardener. I spend most of my life up to my elbows in dirt. That’s the reality of my life.”
There was no place in her life for a starfish necklace, no matter how pretty. When would she wear it? It wasn’t really her, although lately her definition of what was her had changed radically.
“Unless you’re up to your neck in dirt, you could still wear a necklace under your shirt. It would be like wearing sexy underwear. Just because no one can see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel good wearing it. It’s original. A one-off. You won’t find another like it.” Lisa turned as a door opened behind her and two small blond heads appeared. “Excuse me one second—these two belong to me. They’re the reality of my life.”
Frankie blinked. “Twins?”
“Double the trouble.” Lisa gave a wry smile. “Meet Summer and Harry.” She walked away to deal with the children, and Frankie reached for the bag, taking one last look into the glass cabinet.
The starfish necklace caught the light, twinkling against the bed of midnight-blue velvet, winking at her.
Ridiculous, she thought. She couldn’t begin to afford it and she certainly didn’t need it. She’d be better off buying a new pair of gardening gloves to replace the ones that were full of holes. Or a few new T-shirts.
What was it about being on vacation that made you part company with common sense?
She turned her back on it and left the store.
Matt followed a few moments later.
“That place is dangerous,” she muttered. “It should be called Mega Temptation, not Something Seashore.”
“Sometimes it’s good to give in to temptation.” He took her hand and led her away from the busy main street to one of the quieter roads. “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
“I have a surprise for you.”
“I’ve already seen it. I was impressed.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Hey, that was more flirting. How am I doing?”
“You’re doing great. And now will you close your eyes? Humor me.”
She closed her eyes and felt his fingers brush the back of her neck and an unfamiliar weight settle on her skin. “You didn’t—” She lifted her fingers to her throat and opened her eyes. “You bought me the necklace?”
“It’s intended to be a positive reminder of the island, and our weekend.”
The weekend wasn’t something she was ever likely to forget.
“You shouldn’t have done that.”