Sea Glass Castle (The Carolina Coast Series Book 3) Read online

  “Wes is here to keep us in line. To make sure we don’t tear you to shreds,” Lincoln nearly growled through a tight jaw. “But I think that’s exactly what you deserve.”

  Wes watched August walk over to a familiar-looking platter of cookies that sat on the entrance table. He lifted one from underneath the plastic wrap and took a bite. “This tastes like a Bertie Matthews cookie, so I’m gonna go ahead and assume she’s filled you in about our buddy Wes and his relationship with Sophia. You know, the parts you’ve not already heard about.” August swiped another cookie and hitched a thumb in Wes’s direction. “This dude has every eligible woman in town chasing after him, but he respects his woman enough not to even glance in their direction. Even after you showed up to cause trouble.”

  If Wes were a more confident man, he’d give August a hug for that one. Instead, he stood a little taller and jutted out his chin, trying to look as intimidating as his two friends in this testosterone-infused confrontation.

  “His woman?” Ty said in a condescending tone, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

  “Yes. Sophia is his woman, and it’s time you respect that,” August answered, then yelled toward the bedroom the woman had disappeared into. “Hey, sweetheart, come here for a sec!”

  “Wait,” Ty began, but she was already shuffling down the hall. As soon as she peeped around the corner with a sheet held against her chest, August lifted his phone and snagged several photos. “Hey!” Ty lunged for August’s phone but never got close as Linc reached out and clotheslined him, sending Ty flat on his back with a loud thud.

  Wes watched August fiddling with his phone just as his own began to vibrate in his pocket, so he knew those images were now also in his possession.

  “These photos will stay out of any media hands as long as we can have your word that you’ll leave Sophia alone.” August held the phone up to show off the photo. “Because you make it clear time and time again that you don’t respect her enough to stay faithful. She deserves better than that. She deserves Wes.”

  Wes stepped forward and peered down at Ty where Linc had him pinned to the polished floor. A burst of adrenaline-fueled bravado pumped through his veins. “You focus on being the daddy that boy deserves. And if you can’t do that properly, it’s best you pack up and head on out of town. There are three of us here and at least another half dozen that won’t be putting up with anything less than your best from now on.” He stepped back while Lincoln released his hold on Ty, and followed him to the door. Wes turned at the last minute and added, “Just so you know, I’ll be here for the both of them. No matter what.”

  August pocketed his phone and swiped the platter of cookies. When Wes gave him a pointed stare, he shrugged and said, “They’re too good to go to waste on Mr. Football.”

  Ty didn’t protest. It made Wes wonder if underneath all that bronzed muscle he was nothing more than a coward. Shaking his head, he left a lot unsaid, knowing the message had been received loud and clear.

  They loaded back up and headed down Front Street. Wes noticed for the first time how cool and dreary the day had turned. He pulled his phone out and sent Sophia a message to check on Collin and see if they needed anything. She responded quickly saying all was good.

  “Now that that’s out of the way, we have two pieces of business on our agenda, boys. First is taking care of those cookies,” Lincoln said. “And then finding some bowls for the catfish stew.”

  “I concur,” August piped in from the backseat while smacking away on the cookies. Wes figured that first piece of business would probably be complete before they arrived at their destination.

  “Can we add a third piece of business?” Wes asked as Lincoln parked behind Bless This Mess. No one made a move to exit the Jeep.

  Lincoln gave Wes a questioning look as he set the emergency brake. “Seth got into more trouble?”

  Wes waved a hand and shook his head. “No. Nothing like that. I need to figure out how to get back on the right track with Sophia.”

  “Now that Ty is sorted out, why can’t y’all just go back to the way things were before he showed up?” August shoved the platter between Lincoln and Wes. It held only two cookies.

  Wes had no appetite, so he let Lincoln have them both. “I wish it was that easy.” He started telling them about what all went down after the mud run, but Lincoln cut him off.

  “Wait. This needs to be told over stew.” Lincoln pulled the keys out of the ignition and exited. Wes grabbed the container out of his car and followed the guys inside. Once they were set up at the table in the back room of the store, slurping stew from coffee cups, Lincoln told Wes to continue explaining.

  Wes kept his eyes on the rich red broth in his cup while sharing about the kiss and their exchange of words where his tongue decided to malfunction.

  August chewed thoughtfully, brows pinched. “Yeah, I’d say it’s never a good idea to tell a woman you didn’t like her at first and then follow that with telling her you don’t want to want her.”

  “Especially one as feisty as Sophia.” Lincoln worked on refilling his cup, splattering the stew everywhere. “I bet she pinched you good and hard for that.”

  Wes mopped up the table with several napkins. “No, but she sure looked like she wanted to.”

  Chuckling, August leaned back in his chair. “I can’t believe you messed up your first kiss like that.”

  Lincoln huffed a laugh. “It’s kinda how my first kiss with Opal went down. I think I said something about not wanting to like her and not being able to take it anymore.” A slow smirk barely peeked from his dark beard. “Then I laid a kiss on her.”

  “Man, the two of you stink in the romance department.” August picked up a pen and started sketching an intricate design along the edge of an invoice, but Lincoln didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

  “How about you then? Did you paint Josie a kiss?” Lincoln asked with a heavy layer of sarcasm.

  August glanced up from the paper, looking rather smug. “Nope. I’m so charming, my woman actually kissed me first.”

  Lincoln snorted. “You expect me to believe our sweet, shy Josie was the one who initiated your first kiss?”

  “You better believe it.” August dropped the pen and spread his arms out wide and shrugged. “I told you I’m charming like that.”

  “All right then . . . Go Jo-Jo,” Lincoln commented, sounding proud.

  August tipped his head in agreement. “I mean, it was me who pulled her outside to dance in the rain. I’m pretty sure that made me irresistible.”

  “No. You just lucked out.” Lincoln jabbed a finger at August before rising to grab three bottles of water from a small fridge. He passed them out and plopped back into the chair.

  Wes had sat there, quietly taking in the conversation, but spoke up when the two guys seemed finished with razzing each other. “So what do you think I should do?”

  “Simple. You have to win her back over.” Lincoln certainly made it sound simple, but Wes knew better.

  “I know, but how do I make that happen?” Wes asked with skepticism.

  “You gotta do some kind of romantic gesture in epic proportions. One so big that it will either have her swooning with hearts in her eyes or punching you in the face.” August shrugged.

  “That doesn’t sound much like a plan to me. And really, I’m not a romantic gesture kind of guy. I hate clichés.” Wes sighed, slumping further in the chair while unraveling his tie.

  “Ain’t no guy crazy about romantic junk, but if you love that woman enough, you’d stomach it for her.” Lincoln stood again and started toward the front of the store but added before getting out of sight, “I know I’d do stupid like a boss if it made my woman happy.” For such a serious man, that was saying a lot, so maybe Wes could pull off stupid as well.

  “Linc is on the money with this one,” August added, going back to drawing on the invoice. “You know . . . Jo and I have been asked to revamp the winter dance this year. We have a pretty romantic idea for th
e theme. It could be the perfect place for you to pull off something.”

  Lincoln returned and settled back in the chair. “Romeo here is probably right. You know our girls like to get all dolled up, especially prissy Sophia.”

  August shared more about the dance theme, and by the time the container of catfish stew was demolished, they’d hatched out a perfectly stupid romantic idea. Wes just hoped Sophia didn’t punch him for it.

  Wes stared at his hands a few minutes, wondering how far he’d have to embarrass himself to pull that off. He eventually headed out so he could go check on Collin before it became too late. The long week and eventful evening had worn him out, so he made only a brief visit before going home.

  By the weekend, headlines and photos showed Ty Prescott moving into a town house near his parents in Atlanta, Georgia. It left Wes dumbfounded how easily the man walked away from his child. He recalled Doc saying Ty was “all hat and no cattle.” Apparently so, considering the way Ty cowered from Lincoln. Wes wasn’t completely clear on what had gone down between those two on that piece of farmland, but evidently Lincoln had put the fear of God in the poor excuse for a man.

  Wes himself hadn’t left the hospital for two days straight until Collin was released. Holding that child in his arms, so vulnerable and precious, there was no way someone could have made him leave that room. A part of his heart spent most of that time snuggled in his lap while the other part lingered closely. It was the first time in four years he felt close to complete. A tender spot that would always hold Claire and Luke seemed to heal just a little more, and Wes knew he had to figure out how to hold on to the second chance God had presented him in the form of that sassy, sweet woman and her exceptional child.

  Wes longed to love Sophia and Collin as God intended them to be loved. They could be happy together. He was determined to make it happen one way or another and prove to Sophia that she and Collin were worth it. Even if he had to make a fool of himself in the process.

  19

  If I keep ignoring it, maybe it’ll go away. Thankfully, it had worked with Ty and he’d finally moved on. Sophia had used that mantra in many a situation, but the one before her at the moment wasn’t having it.

  “That’s it, young lady. Time for you to get out of this house.” Sophia’s mother stood rooted beside the couch where Sophia was sitting with Collin in her arms.

  “We went out just yesterday,” Sophia rebuked without taking her eyes off the cartoon on TV.

  “Collin’s follow-up appointment doesn’t count. Here.” Lucy thrust a gift certificate in Sophia’s line of sight. “Jill is expecting you by two for a hair and manicure appointment. You best not stand her up.”

  Sophia took the card and skimmed it. “Momma . . .”

  “Don’t ‘Momma’ me. Go. You’ve been hogging my grandson long enough.” She held her arms out and Collin went to her immediately.

  Apparently he was ready for a break from her, and that stung.

  “Gamma, can we go outside too? I tired of in here.” He pouted his lips out.

  “Of course, sweet baby. Some fresh air will do us all some good. We are going to pack you a bag and go back to the farm, where you can help me and Papa decorate the outdoor Christmas tree,” Lucy promised and Collin lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Sophia stared intently at her mother, fearing it was too soon for Collin to participate in such activities.

  “Nonsense. Collin’s stitches are gone and the doctor released him. It’s time he gets back to the usual things. You need to do the same.”

  Her mother didn’t wait for a reply, simply went about packing Collin up. She ignored each time Sophia second-guessed whether it was wise to for him to be outside just yet or whether she should leave his side.

  “Take a long shower, shave your legs, and pamper yourself a little. Then put on something besides yoga pants and a hoodie for your hair appointment.”

  “But why?” Sophia whined.

  Lucy used her mother card and said, “Because I said so. And call up the Sand Queens and have them meet you.” After hugs and kisses, Lucy and Collin were out the door, leaving Sophia holding a gift certificate promising services she was much in need of but didn’t know if she had the energy to withstand.

  Sophia placed the card on the coffee table, plopped down on the couch, and was close to just tipping over and trying for a nap, but she really did miss her friends. With everything going on from Ty’s exasperating advances to Collin’s injury, keeping in touch with Josie and Opal had fallen to the wayside. She straightened while tugging her phone out of the hoodie pocket.

  Luck would have it, Opal and Josie were free to meet up at the salon and both seemed excited to make Sophia’s sudden time-out into a girls’ day. But luck wouldn’t be on their side when it came to avoiding the Knitting Club. Within ten minutes of the Sand Queens arriving, the old ladies began trickling in, looking for last-minute appointments.

  “Miss Bertie, what do you need to get dolled up for at such short notice?” Jill asked after she instructed her receptionist to check the other stylists’ books for any available openings.

  “The winter dance at the community center is tonight and we plumb forgot about it,” Bertie answered, clucking her tongue. “I think we’re starting to get old. Letting things slip our minds like that . . .” Bertie shuffled over and took a seat near Sophia where she sat in Jill’s chair. “Honey, are you going to the dance?”

  Sophia remained still as the scissors neared to trim her ends. “No, ma’am.”

  “Well, that’s too bad.” Bertie clucked her tongue again, sounding like she wanted Sophia to ask her why, but Sophia was smart enough not to fall into that trap.

  “You’re here getting spiffed up. Might as well go,” Dalma commented as she sat beside Opal. She reached her tiny hand over and began rubbing the beach ball–size belly.

  Sophia regarded the warm glow of Opal’s skin and the serene smile she gave Dalma as the little lady patiently waited for the baby to kick. Opal definitely wore pregnancy well. Something Sophia hadn’t pulled off so gracefully herself. Long bouts of morning sickness and an aggravating case of acne plagued her close to all nine months, but she’d do it all over again for her boy. Collin was worth any misery.

  “Ah, this little one has a strong kick!” Dalma hooted, but then she grew still again with her hand splayed on Opal’s belly. A moment later, she startled and laughed. “Isn’t it just the most miraculous feeling ever when your baby is in there moving around?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Opal returned Dalma’s awed expression. “I just cannot wait to meet her or him.”

  “You ain’t doing that scan where you find out ahead of time?” Ethel grumbled, rummaging around in her bag. “Sure would make it easier on all of us before the baby shower.”

  Opal giggled as if Ethel were funny, even though all of Sunset Cove knew otherwise. “Linc and I love surprises. It’ll be fun to wait.” She smoothed her hand around the circumference of her belly.

  Ethel balked. “That’s what you call fun? Humph.” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I think dancing is more like it. And summer punch. And cake. Cake is fun. Not letting us know if you’re having a boy or a girl ain’t fun.” She shook her finger at Opal.

  “Why, Ethel, I think you’re just tetchy over the fact that no matter how much snooping y’all do, this is one secret you can’t steal.” Opal said this in her sweet, condescending tone, getting Ethel’s goat.

  Sophia barely held back the snort of laughter while settling in the chair and simply enjoying all of the chatter around her. She didn’t mind the Knitting Club’s company so much when they weren’t up to something.

  “I just love the winter dance,” Josie commented, sounding all dreamy about it. “August and I were asked to tweak the theme this year.”

  “Oh, I bet it’s spectacular then.” Opal did her little happy clap. “Tell us about it.”

  Josie grinned wryly. “All I can tell yo
u is that Sunset Cove is in for a blizzard tonight.”

  “Ah, come on,” one of the other stylists whined.

  “You’ll have to go to find out. It’s like nothing the dance has ever seen.” Josie looked too smug about it. Normally she’d shy away from bragging, so it definitely intrigued Sophia to figure out what they’d pulled off for the dance. With the creative minds of those two artists combined, it would be epic for sure.

  “Linc and I will be there with bells on.” Opal giggled. She maneuvered off the love seat with much effort to stand and stretched her back.

  “Please tell me the bells comment was just an expression,” Sophia asked, and when Opal pulled a string of jingle bells from her oversize canvas bag, she went ahead and snorted in laughter.

  Jill spun Sophia around, taking the time to add some good-smelling mousse before blasting the brown locks with the blow-dryer. By the time Sophia’s hair was dried and the dryer switched off, the Knitting Club members were growing restless.

  “When are you going back to work, dear?” Trudy asked, her bright-orange hair filled with curlers.

  “Agnes is covering until after Christmas,” Sophia answered, leaving it at that. She watched through the mirror as the old ladies exchanged looks.

  “So you know what Wes has been up to lately?” Bertie asked hesitantly.

  Sophia knew what he’d been up to, working and attentively checking on Collin. She also knew Wes had remained standoffish when it came to her, so she figured he was staying in whatever place Ty put him in at the hospital. Too much had gone on to straighten him out on it, and she hoped the chance to do so wasn’t slipping through her fingers.

  “Well, we think you should know that Wes has been spotted around town with a woman.” Ethel blurted what the others seemed to be alluding to, her face all pinched in disgust.

  Sophia’s stomach dipped, but she chose not to comment, hoping they’d said their piece and would shuffle along soon to bother someone else. That way she could dislodge the knot in her throat so she could breathe and then maybe follow that up with a good ole ugly cry.