Page 8 of The Summer I Stayed (Midlife Meet Cute #5)
Maggie
A notification pings on my phone as a text from my girls’ group chat lights up the screen.
Lila
Mags! Just saw your post. You’re making me wish I could DIY stuff.
Caroline
What DIY? All I saw was the rugged man in the background. Someone forgot to mention the hot handyman!
Alison
OMG, Mom! Is that Jake?
Me
Yes, that’s Jake.
Caroline
*fire emoji*
Alison
AND?!?!
Me
And what?
Alison
AND what do you think of him? Is he cute??
Me
Alison! You can’t just ask someone if they think a man is cute!
Alison
I just did *tongue sticking out emoji*
Caroline
Go, Alison!
Grinning at their banter, I shake my head as I reply.
Me
He’s doing a great job with the house.
Alison
And she deflects!
Lila
We don’t care how professional he is, Maggie. We’re talking about his looks here.
Caroline
Maggie’s got some eye candy in Blue Alder Cove.
Me
Do you three ever stop?
Caroline
Not likely *winking emoji*
I can practically hear Caroline’s cackle as I roll my eyes, setting my phone in the pocket of my dress.
A fantastic invention if you ask me. These women, my best friends (And yes, I consider my daughter my best friend, too.), are relentless, and while their teasing about a man might have been irksome under different circumstances, today, it’s grounding.
It ties me to home and the life I’ve built in Charlotte.
Where Alison grew up into the lovely and lively woman she is now. Where Lila and Caroline have been my constant companions throughout motherhood, widowhood, and all the “hoods” in between. And now, they’re with me, even in this distant town where this chapter of my life is.
My gaze strays back to the porch where Jake and Maverick are hard at work. Well, Jake is hard at work; Maverick seems content supervising from a shaded corner.
“Jake, I’m headed into town to grab lunch. You want anything?”
He glances up from his work. “No, I’m good. Thanks.”
I give Maverick a quick pat on his head as I pass by to grab my purse and keys. I could walk, but after working all morning, a quick reprieve from the heat sounds wonderful.
As I enter the Driftwood Diner, Edna greets me with a wide smile. “Maggie dear!”
I slide onto the stool by the counter, and she pours me a glass of sweet tea as she continues, “I’ve been following your blog posts. You have quite the project on your hands.”
I chuckle as I grab the glass. “That’s an understatement. But it’s starting to come together, thanks to Jake.”
Edna’s eyes sparkle as she rests her chin on her hand. “Ah, yes, Jake Hollis. He’s quite a catch, that one.”
I nearly choke on my tea. “Edna!”
What is with everyone? First Tom, then the girls, and now Edna.
She laughs heartily and pats my hand. “Oh, Maggie, my dear girl. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s had some admirers, but he’s never seemed interested in anyone. Not after…well, you know.”
I actually don’t know but I don’t want gossip spreading so I won’t ask. Deciding to change the subject, I gesture toward the mini pies in a cake box. “Those look delicious, Edna.”
“Fresh from the oven.” She grins as she grabs one for me. “What else can I get you?”
“I’ll take a BLT and whatever Jake’s favorite is. Plus one more pie, please.”
Edna disappears into the kitchen, leaving me to check the multiple notifications on my phone. There are a few comments on my blog, miscellaneous emails, and several texts in the group chat. I’m really regretting ever making it now.
Caroline
Keep ignoring us, we’ll just keep talking about him.
Lila
You can’t blame us, Maggie! You’re the one who posted him on your blog!
Alison
I agree with Aunt Lila, you brought this on yourself.
Me
Oh goodness, you three. He’s just doing his job.
Caroline
But he’s doing it looking like a whole snack.
I laugh out loud, drawing glances from a couple seated nearby.
“Sorry,” I say apologetically before typing a response.
Me
Okay, FINE. I admit, he’s attractive. Can we move on, please?
Lila
Oh, so she does have eyes!
Caroline
Great, now that we’ve established the obvious, we want updates, woman.
Me
Updates on what exactly?
Alison
Anything interesting? The house, the town, the people, any developments regarding the handyman *winking emoji*
I roll my eyes at their persistence.
Me
The town is pretty much the same as last time, same wonderful people, and the Summer Festival is coming up soon, which I’m helping with. But enough about me. I want updates on you all, especially you, missy!
Alison
I see you avoided the important question…again.
I’m unpacked, and first class is tomorrow. My roommate is awesome!
Lila
You’re going to do great!
Caroline
So excited for you, sweetie!
Me
I’ll call later for more details. Girls?
Edna returns with my orders in a to-go bag. “Here you go, Maggie.”
I thank her, leaving a generous tip on the counter. “I’ll see you at the Summer Festival meeting later?”
Her eyes crinkle. “Looking forward to it, dear.”
The diner bell jingles as I exit, the heat and humidity hitting me with full force. I navigate my way through town, back to my lake house. Jake is hammering away at the porch, and Maverick is in the same place he was when I left.
“Lunchtime!” I cheerily say as I skip to the porch, a blanket and the brown paper bag in my hands.
“I’ll eat later,” Jake mumbles with a nail between his lips.
I prop my hand on my hip. “Your sandwich will get cold. Come on, roast beef with extra pickles.”
He pauses, looking over his shoulder at me. “How’d you know?”
“Edna, of course.” I shrug, grinning.
He considers this for a moment before sighing in defeat and setting aside his tools.
I spread the blanket I keep in the car under a nearby tree, the shade providing some respite from the warm summer sun. I place our sandwiches and pies on it before sitting down and patting the empty spot next to me invitingly. Jake hesitates a moment more before joining me.
Maverick, upon seeing Jake settle down, ambles over to us and flops down, resting his head on my lap. I laugh as his tail wags in contentment.
“Thanks for this,” Jake says, taking a bite of his sandwich.
I offer him a warm smile. “It’s the least I could do.”
He nods in agreement then we fall into a comfortable silence as we eat our lunch.
I stare out at the lake, watching Jake out of the corner of my eye.
I noticed he was a handsome man upon first meeting.
I mean, not right away because of the raccoons, but once the chaos drifted away it was impossible not to.
My eyes rove over his facial features, taking in the way his brows furrow slightly as he watches the water ripple with the wind. His eyes are an intense shade of blue that reminds me of the deepest parts of the lake.
His gruff demeanor is intriguing and much different than Steven.
He was friendly with everyone he met and had a way with words.
He was a lawyer so of course he did. He was business suits and client meetings, except for the trips we made here to Blue Alder Cove.
On those trips, he’d sport a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops.
I suddenly picture Jake in a button-up shirt with flowers all over it and almost choke on my sandwich.
Jake raises a brow at me. “Are you okay?”
I nod and clear my throat. “Yes, just went down the wrong way.”
He grunts in response and returns his focus to his sandwich.
Glancing at him again, I find myself drawn to the way he carries himself. He’s a man of few words, but his actions speak volumes.
Like the way he took care of those raccoons, how he patiently corrects my mistakes, or the way he interacts with Maverick. There’s a gentle side to him that he hides behind this rough exterior.
Jake is the epitome of flannel shirt and worn-out jeans. So different from Steven yet…there’s a charm about Jake that’s starting to grow on me.
I shake the thought away. What am I thinking?