Текст книги "All of Me"

Автор книги: Kelly Moran

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Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 18 страниц)

chapter

two

After dinner, Lacey and Jake had taken Alec on a tour of their new home. He was impressed. The original Covington beach house, just next door, where Mia and Cole resided, was right up there with the homes of crowned royalty. Lacey’s home was slightly more subdued, but still demonstrated the wealth she’d been born into. Because Lacey and Cole had broken up the estate, the lot she built on wasn’t overly wide, so she’d designed up.

Three floors of magazine-quality interior design. There were pale hardwood floors throughout. Each room was painted in a different shade of coastal pastels. The greens, browns, blues, and grays served as both masculine and feminine accents. Much more inviting than Alec’s gruesome apartment.

The main level had a living room with deep-cushioned corduroy couches, a floor-to-ceiling white brick fireplace, and black stained tables. The kitchen appliances were stainless steel, the counters white marble, and the cabinets mahogany. A long, polished kitchen table along the wall held a small stack of newspapers and a bowl of keys. He pictured Lacey and Jake drinking coffee together there in the mornings. A small library and half bath finished things off.

The second level held four bedrooms, all with an accompanying bath, but the third floor rocked him back on his heels. There were wall-to-wall windows facing east, with a wondrous view of the ocean. Lacey had clearly set it up as her studio. Acrylic paint tubes, canvases, and brushes lay scattered over several tables. More than ten easels dotted the space. A small sink occupied a corner, along with a recliner that had seen much better days.

Alec raised his brows at the chair. “You still have that thing?”

Lacey wrapped her arms around Jake’s waist, her soft blond hair long enough to brush Jake’s hand as he held her arm in place. Her blue eyes lit with mischief. “He watches me paint from that chair.”

“Can’t get rid of Black Beard,” Jake said unapologetically. “It’s a staple.”

“It’s probably held together by staples.” Alec grinned. Jake had bought the recliner for his first apartment eight years ago. It should’ve been junked eight years ago. The fact that Lacey let him keep it said a lot about her.

They made their way back downstairs and onto the front porch, where Lacey and Jake sat side by side. The only thing not picture perfect was Lacey’s yard. There were several large holes in the lawn and various pieces of equipment lying around.

“What’s your plan for the landscape?”

Lacey settled into the crook of his brother’s arm and set the swing in motion. “Jake’s going to line the driveway with palms and Myrica. The base of the porch here will have mountain laurels. Since the mimosa grove separates Cole and Mia’s property from ours, we decided on dogwood trees where the holes are dug. We’ll line the side of the house and path around to the beach with wild oats and sea grass.”

Growing up with a father who owned a landscaping business, he knew what each of those plants was and could picture how the estate would look when finished. He approved. Alec also noted how Lacey always used the term “we” when referring to anything regarding the house. She’d already accounted for and accepted his brother in her life and home. It wasn’t hers, but theirs.

Some of his tension eased. They really did seem happy. Lacey was always touching Jake’s arm or shoulder or hand, and Jake never went more than thirty seconds without a smile or a glance at her. The princess and the gardener. Huh.

A car door closed in the distance. Between the neat rows of mimosa trees, a woman exited a white compact car and stared at Cole’s house. From this distance he couldn’t make out much more than shoulder-length reddish-brown hair and blue jeans.

He jerked his chin in her direction. “Who’s that?”

“Must be Faith Armstrong.” Jake shrugged.” Ginny’s private tutor. She’s supposed to be getting in from Charlotte today.”

Ginny being Mia’s sister. He hadn’t seen them since his teen years. He was pretty sure Ginny was still in diapers then. “I remember Ginny being quite a handful.”

Jake nodded. “She’s mellowed a lot. Mia’s great with her.”

He remembered that, too.

A teenage girl came bounding off the porch next door and jumped into the woman’s embrace, nearly toppling them both to the ground. His lips curved listening to Ginny’s laugher. Kid had a great laugh. Cole and Mia watched from the doorway. Their voices mingled with the roar of the tide, and he couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“You’ll get to see them tomorrow,” Lacey said. “We’re going over there for lunch, if you’re up to it.”

“I’m up to it.”

She nodded. “We should get you settled into the guesthouse so you can write your next masterpiece.”

Alec kept his sarcastic comment to himself and grabbed his bags from the trunk. The guesthouse was on the south side of the property, nestled between several pine and palm trees. Close enough to the big house for access, but far enough to offer privacy. Inside, the kitchen and living room were separated by an island. White wainscoting lined the walls below a chair rail, and the space above was painted navy. Several seascape paintings and white leather furniture served as accents.

“The bedroom and bath are through there.” Jake pointed down a short hall. “There’s a desk in the bedroom. You can move it wherever you want.”

Alec nodded and glanced out the sliding glass door off the kitchen. The private beach was devoid of people. The waves left a white foam as they pounded the sand and retreated, and the sky began to darken with dusk, taking with it some of the heavy humidity. He had forgotten how beautiful Wilmington was at sunset.

If he couldn’t write here, he may as well find a new vocation.

“Is everything okay?” Lacey’s voice held a worried note. “Do you need anything?”

He forced a smile and turned from the view. “Nope. This is perfect. Thanks for the invitation.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “You just come up to the house if you need something. We stocked the fridge and cabinets. Well, Jake did. He knew what food you preferred—”

Alec grinned. “Thank you, Lacey. I’m good. I’m pretty easy to please, actually.”

Jake snorted. “Come on, honey. Let’s leave my brother to his brilliance.”

After they’d gone, Alec stepped out onto the back deck and braced his forearms on the railing. He breathed in salty air as some of the stress left his body. A soft, humid breeze blew in off the ocean, cooling his skin. He closed his eyes to listen to the surf and the gulls squawking as they skimmed the water, searching for fish.

It had been a long, long time since he’d felt this relaxed. Now all he needed to do was channel that semblance of peace and get a story down.

When he opened his eyes, the newcomer from next door was standing in the surf on the other side of Cole’s property. Dark had descended at a leisurely pace, just like everything else on the southern coast, but there was enough moonlight to make out her profile. She stood motionless, facing the ocean with her arms crossed in front of her, so still she could’ve been made of marble.

Curious, he descended the deck stairs to the beach and hiked in her direction. If she heard him coming, she gave no indication. Not wanting to startle her, he cleared his throat when he got close enough for her to hear him over the waves.

She turned abruptly and must’ve forgotten her feet were buried in the sand because she had to throw out her arms to steady herself. “I’m sorry, I was just . . .” She pointed to the vast expanse of ocean as she righted herself.

It was too dim to make out much of her features, but from what Alec could gather, he never would’ve noticed her in a crowd had they met anywhere else. Plain wasn’t the best term to describe her, but it was adequate. Something about her voice knocked him back a step, though. It barely rose above the tide and had a musical quality.

She must’ve taken his silence for something dire, because she wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I’ll just head back—”

“You’re not. Disturbing me, I mean.” He took a half step forward to see her better, but he wound up disappointed because it was too dark. “Besides, the ocean belongs to no one. You’re free to walk here regardless of who finds you disturbing.”

She didn’t seem to locate the humor in his remark as he’d intended. She rubbed her arms, despite the late evening heat, and turned toward the house as if undecided as to what to do next.

“I’m Alec, by the way. Jake’s brother.”

“Oh. Yes, of course. Mia said you were coming.”

God, that voice. Like a mermaid call, a singsong lilt from underwater. Fascinating.

Her frame was slender to the point of breakable. The hem of her jeans was rolled to her calves, baring a flash of pale skin. No polish on the toes. Pity. He had a thing for that. A plain white tee covered most of her torso and was too baggy to determine if she had any curves. His gaze traveled up. Her neck was long, regal almost, adorned with a thin chain that disappeared underneath her shirt. Best he could tell, she had a triangular-shaped face and pointed chin. Her eye color remained a mystery.

“And you’re Faith, correct? The therapist.”

“Er, yes. I’m a special needs teacher, but I have a degree in occupational therapy, too.”

He nodded, hoping she’d keep talking. He was getting all kinds of ideas flitting through his mind about a character for his book just from her voice alone. Each time she stopped talking, the ideas drifted away. Which was interesting, because didn’t all women talk? A lot? Not her. Maybe she was nervous, given his celebrity. How he hated that.

Just as he was about to encourage more, she pointed to the house. “I should get back inside. It’s getting late.”

It was barely nine.

She walked away, and Alec watched until she disappeared behind the dunes. Not even a good-bye, or see you later, or nice to meet you. He shook his head and walked back the way he’d come.

*   *   *

Faith closed the back door to the Covington guesthouse and leaned against it. Exhaustion and nerves warred through her body and she fought to rein them in. She wasn’t used to all this attention, and today she’d received a lot. Well, since arriving in Wilmington, anyway.

She thought she’d be uncomfortable meeting Cole Covington for the first time, but he was an unusual mix of genuine and nice. Faith allowed herself to relax in his company after a few minutes. Not so with Alec. Perhaps because he’d snuck up on her in the dark. She’d picked a time without anyone else on the beach to go out and take in her first real glimpse of the ocean. Even the air was different. Lighter, and scented with an odd mix of fresh fish and brine. The water lapping at her feet was cool and hypnotizing. She’d been so wrapped up in a mix of emotions, she hadn’t realized she wasn’t alone.

What he must think of her. Then again, he probably wasn’t thinking of her at all. Why would he?

His fame didn’t faze her and hadn’t been what had brought on a sudden flare of nerves. Authors, even ones as big as Alec Winston, were just people like the rest of them. Flesh and blood and souls in want of something. No, it was the way he’d stared at her, like he was picking apart her brain. A puzzle to fit together. In all her years, no one had ever wanted to know what made her tick, and in two minutes he gave her the impression he desired nothing more.

Maybe it was a writer thing.

She focused on why she was here, bringing Ginny to mind and smiling. Ginny had been happy to see her. She couldn’t remember the last time that had happened either.

Shaking the thoughts away, she shoved off the door and made her way to the living room to get her luggage. Her internal clock was declaring bedtime. She hadn’t even really had the chance to settle in, but there would be time for that. Time was something she had in plenty.

Taking her cell phone out of her pocket, she checked the screen. No messages. Same as the last hundred times she’d looked. A pang of disappointment hit her right in the stomach. She didn’t know why she expected her parents to call. And it was after nine. Too late for her to try them. They’d be in bed by now.

She fished her pajamas and toothbrush out of her suitcase and came across the photo of her and Hope that she’d hastily shoved there before getting on the road. She sat back on her heels and stared at the two of them, her chest growing tight.

Ten years and it still seemed like yesterday that they’d buried her sister. Faith hadn’t felt whole since. In fact, the hole in her chest seemed to grow with each passing year. One day it would consume her until nothing remained but a black void.

“We finally made it to the beach,” she whispered, tears blurring her eyes.

She hadn’t cried in years, and now twice in one day she’d had to bite them back. She sighed and rose to her feet, setting the picture on the small fireplace mantel next to a conch shell. Hope would’ve loved it here.

Faith turned, doing a quick survey of her new place. The sea-foam-green walls and white wicker furniture echoed the simple fashion of every beach house—at least the ones in movies. For her, it seemed the perfect escape. She had no expectations, but was satisfied with the amount of room offered. Yet it wasn’t her home any more than her parents’ house had been. She got the strange sensation she didn’t belong anywhere.

In a few months, she’d go apartment hunting. Once she knew the job was secure and Wilmington was where she’d stay, anyway. No sense in rushing things. She’d built up a lot in savings from not paying rent. Even though the Covingtons compensated her well, she couldn’t afford a beachfront location, but perhaps something within walking distance so she could stare at the ocean. There was something almost . . . healing about it.

Pulling her mind out of the pity party, she slipped into her pajamas and brushed her teeth. Before turning in, she walked to the bedroom window and looked outside. She wondered if she’d ever get used to the sight. Her imagination didn’t do the ocean justice. A full moon illuminated the black ripples, the vastness of water stretching on forever.

Alec wasn’t standing in the sand any longer, but she could all but feel him still in front of her. There was a quiet, humming presence about him that his novels’ back-cover photos didn’t portray. His thick, longish black hair curled just above his ears, and though she couldn’t see them on the beach earlier, she knew his eyes were bluish gray. The square jaw and a shadow of a beard barely growing in gave him a hint of danger. His wide shoulders and taut muscles were a thing of beauty, if not a little intimidating. He was taller than she expected, too—at five foot five, she’d had to crane her neck to look at him. And handsome, especially when he smiled at his own self-deprecating humor.

Turning from the window, she climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. Her first trip to the beach, something she’d always dreamed about but never accomplished before now, and Alec Winston left an imprint tied within her memory.

Faith hadn’t yet decided if that was a bad thing.

chapter

three

“We’re not leaving for a couple weeks.”

Faith watched Ginny closely, looking for any signs the sixteen-year-old was upset with what Mia had just told her. She didn’t find any. Ginny continued to color her picture of flowers, concentrating on what was in front of her.

Mia exchanged a look with Faith from across the kitchen table, her eyes concerned.

Faith gently stilled Ginny’s hand with her own. “How do you feel about Cole and Mia going on a little trip?”

Instead of answering, Ginny asked a question of her own. “What’s a honeymoon?”

Mia smiled and ran her fingers through her short black hair before answering. “When two people get married, they take a vacation together afterward, so they can get closer. That’s called a honeymoon.”

Ginny mulled that over and tapped her chin with a finger. “But you’re already married.”

“Yes,” Mia hedged. “There was a lot going on after the wedding six months ago, though. We had just moved here, remember? Things are settled down now, so we’d like to take that trip.”

“I can’t come?” The question was asked matter-of-factly and without sadness, apparently a distracted thought, because she’d already gone back to coloring.

“Not this time, pretty girl. But I won’t go if you’re scared or worried. Talk to me.”

Faith rested her chin in her palm. Mia used that phrase a lot with Ginny. Talk to me. It allowed for open communication between them and worked very well in getting Ginny to relay her feelings.

“How long will you move away?”

Mia reached for Ginny’s hands. “I’m not moving away. Never. I’ll be back in just under two weeks. We can talk by phone every day.”

“No.” Ginny slapped the table. “How long will you move away?” Her voice rose in frustration and Faith realized what Ginny was trying to say.

“Do you mean how far are they traveling?”

Ginny nodded, anger deflating.

“They’re going to Cozumel, which is in Mexico. To fly there by plane, it takes about two hours. So she won’t be very far away at all.”

“And,” Mia added quickly, “you get to stay at Lacey and Jake’s house. Won’t that be fun?”

“I want to stay here.” Her voice had an edge of hysteria that Faith knew preceded a tantrum.

“That’s okay, Ginny.” Faith kept her voice cool and calm. “You can stay here with me. Or maybe Jake and Lacey could stay here for those two weeks. We can ask them at lunch today. Would you like that?”

Ginny nodded and picked up her crayon again, clearly done with this conversation.

Mia blew out a silent breath and tilted her head toward the dining room.

Faith nodded and followed her out of the room.

The Covingtons’ maid, Bea, was busy setting the table for guests when they walked in. Chicken salad, croissants, and fresh fruit were laid out, along with a pitcher of sweet tea. White china and crystal glasses of water reflected the sunlight streaming through the window.

“This is ready, Miss Mia.” Bea wiped her hands on an apron.

Mia nodded. “It looks delicious, Bea. Have you eaten?”

“No, ma’am. I’ll wait until your company leaves.”

Mia waved her hand. “Don’t be silly. Everything’s set out. You go relax for a while.”

Bea hesitated, a wrinkle creasing the dark cocoa skin of her forehead. After a few moments, she swiped a hand over her tight bun, nodded, and stepped out.

“She’s still a little frightened of Cole,” Mia said. “He tries so hard to put her at ease, too.”

That was the odd thing about the Covingtons. They didn’t treat their staff like staff. They never barked orders or pretended they were invisible. At St. Ambrose, the students came from affluent backgrounds and knew it. As a teacher, Faith had often been demeaned and dismissed as if not important. In the two days since she’d arrived, Mia and Cole had insisted she eat with them and spoken to her as if she were their friend, not an employee. It made it hard to understand the boundaries.

“Maybe we should put off the trip,” Mia mused, interrupting Faith’s thoughts.

“What’s this?” Cole strode in the room wearing faded jeans and a white button-down shirt. He still had a trace of a limp from the injuries he’d endured overseas, but one had to look closely to notice. The long, purplish scar on his neck, however, was blatant. He wrapped his arm around Mia’s waist and kissed her briefly on the mouth. “You want to postpone the honeymoon again?”

There was no animosity in his tone, just humor. They were a cute couple. Affection shone in their eyes, and whenever Cole looked at Mia, it was like he was seeing her for the first time. Faith wondered if it had anything to do with how long it took them to get back together. She’d read Cole’s memoir, every captivating, painful word, and she felt like she knew these two on a level too personal for comfort.

Mia brushed a strand of Cole’s blond hair from his forehead. “Ginny’s upset about us leaving.”

“I’d rather have you alone, but we can take her with us. Family vacation?”

Mia looked unsure, her gaze traveling over Cole’s shoulder and around the room. “We haven’t had any time to ourselves, but I also don’t want to leave if she’s worried. There hasn’t been any stability in her life—”

“Stop it. She had you.” Cole turned his brown eyes to Faith. “What do you think?”

They also asked her opinion a lot, which was both humbling and flattering. “You don’t leave for two more weeks. It’ll give her some time to get used to the idea. I would just keep reminding her that you’ll be back. Perhaps have Jake and Lacey spend a little more time with her to get her used to the transition.”

Cole nodded. “If that doesn’t work, we’ll take Ginny with us.”

Faith opened and closed her mouth, hoping she hid her surprise. It took a special kind of person to be willing to take his wife’s disabled sister with them on a honeymoon. For the first time since accepting the job offer, Faith knew it was the right choice.

*   *   *

Alec followed Lacey and Jake into Cole’s house and whistled through his teeth. “Nice digs, Cole.” He hadn’t been inside the house in years, not since John and Kathryn Covington owned the place, but it looked different now. Instead of expensive paintings by famous artists and deco wallpaper, there were rich blue-gray walls and family portraits.

“Alec Winston.” Cole shook his hand. “Been a long time. How’s the new book coming?”

“It’s coming.” Not at all, but it would. Hopefully before his publisher threatened to sue.

Jake snorted. “He has writer’s block.”

Cole’s eyebrows shot up. “For how long?”

Alec narrowed his eyes on his brother before turning back to Cole. “A while. I’ll work through it.”

“It’s been a year.” Jake shrugged when Alec shot him another glare. “Cole’s an agent. He’d understand. Maybe he can help.”

Further awkward conversation was avoided when Mia strolled in. Jesus, her blue eyes were still one of the most intense things Alec ever had the pleasure of seeing. Last he’d seen her, her black hair had trailed down her back. She’d cropped it all off since then.

“Look at you, all grown up.” She smiled and drew him in for a hug. “And you finally grew into your shoes.”

“Har, har.” Yeah, he wasn’t so gangly anymore. He released her and stepped back. “You are as lovely as ever.”

“Aw. Still know all the right words.”

They’d never had a romantic history. Mia had only ever had eyes for Cole, and Alec had only ever wanted to live in the fantasy inside his make-believe stories, but they’d had some good summers long ago.

Jake snorted again at Mia’s comment, insinuating he didn’t, in fact, currently have the right words due to his writer’s block.

Alec pinned his brother with a shut-up-or-die glare.

“Let’s have some lunch and you can tell me about your problem.” Cole gestured deeper into the house.

Alec glanced heavenward and followed them into the dining room. Faith was standing next to the table where Ginny was seated. In daylight, her reddish-brown hair was lighter than he’d first estimated. The thick waves brushed her delicate shoulders. Today she wore khaki capris and a fitted green blouse of some kind with little ruffles on the capped sleeves. Why he noticed that, he didn’t know. A scattering of pale freckles dusted her nose and cheeks, indiscernible had she not been standing in the sunlight.

“Faith, this is Alec, Lacey, and Jake.” Mia smiled and directed her gaze from Faith to her sister. “Ginny, do you remember Alec?”

He didn’t see how she could. She must’ve been in kindergarten last they’d crossed paths. Yet the girl nodded and grinned from ear to ear. Her droopy eyes and low ears, the typical characteristics of Down syndrome, were a telltale sign of her disability, but she had sparks of Mia in her, too. Dark hair and a pretty smile.

“Ginny has an excellent memory,” Mia informed, pride resonating in her tone.

“You write scary stories.” Ginny’s speech slurred slightly and was louder than necessary.

“And how would you know that?” he teased. It was safe to assume horror fiction wasn’t something Mia let her dabble in, even if she could comprehend the story.

“Mia has all your books. She reads with the lights on because they’re scary and it’s not so scary with the lights on but I don’t think the dark is scary.” Compound sentence complete, Ginny nodded. She was an adorable charmer.

He grinned. “Well, I guess I’m doing my job if she needs to leave the lights on, but good for you for not being afraid of the dark. Everything’s still the same, even with the lights out. Right?”

“Right.”

“I’ll let you get on with your lunch.” Faith smiled at Ginny. “We’ll do your paint by numbers after you’re through.”

It didn’t escape Alec’s attention that Faith had yet to look him in the eye. He still didn’t know her eye color, and for some unforeseeable reason, that bugged him. As she turned to leave, he had the oddest urge to grab her arm to stop her, probably because that voice still had his interest piqued. In the end, he didn’t have to.

Mia took a step forward. “Where are you going?”

Clearly confused, Faith pointed vaguely toward the kitchen. “You have company . . .”

Her words hung in the air until Mia and Lacey shared a brief look. Mia turned back toward Faith. “Please stay. You’re our guest, too.”

Faith flinched. Literally flinched. As if the concept of being wanted was foreign. She obviously thought she was intruding. Her mannerisms made him think of a wallflower desperate to blend into the background. He’d bet, if she had one, she even apologized to her personal journal.

Dear Diary, I’m sorry to bother you . . .

“If you’re sure,” she said.

Uncomfortable topic out of the way, they sat down and passed the platters around. Once they had a few bites down, Jake leaned around Lacey to address Faith.

“Where are you from, Faith?”

She paused mid-chew, her gaze never leaving her plate. Slowly, she swallowed and darted a glance in his brother’s direction. “I’m from the Charlotte area.”

“Do you have a big family?”

Alec knew his brother was just trying to break the ice, but he was only making the room arctic in the process.

Faith squirmed in her seat. “It’s just me and my parents. They’re retired.”

“So, Mia. You’ve read all my books?” Alec wasn’t trying to be an egotistical ass, but Faith needed saving. He’d wonder why later.

“Guilty. They scare the bejesus out of me, but I can’t put them down.”

Lacey laughed. “Have you seen the movies? I about died watching that last one. What was it called?” She turned to Jake for assistance.

“Thread of Fear,” Jake supplied. “I still have the claw marks on my arms from her fingernails. Mia can go to the theater with her next time. I’m out.”

“Oh no.” Mia shook her head. “The books are enough for me, thank you.”

Alec could feel his head expanding with the praise. Adoring public aside, it mattered what these people thought because they were connected to his roots. His beginnings. “What about you, Faith?”

“I’ve never seen your movies.”

Head successfully deflated.

Ginny bounced in her seat. “Can I watch one?”

Cole laughed. “Not a good idea, darlin’.” He tossed his napkin on the table. “So, Alec. Writer’s block?”

Alec groaned. “Yeah, it’s been an issue.”

“Oh no.” Mia turned in her seat. “You’re not writing?”

He could kill Jake with his bare hands. Maybe he’d off him in his next book. If he wrote a next book. “All authors get it from time to time. Nothing to worry about.”

Cole braced his elbows on the table. “What’s your agent say?”

“I fired him two months ago.” Alec didn’t know why he was telling them this, but it wasn’t as if they wouldn’t hear about it.

Jake waved his hand. “There you go, Cole. Another client. My brother here needs an agent.”

Cole shook his head. “I don’t really handle horror. Mostly mysteries and memoirs, but if you have something, I can take a look.”

That would be the problem, wouldn’t it? He didn’t have a damn thing. “I’ll let you know.”

“Can I excuse Faith?” Ginny asked.

For the first time since he’d walked in the door, Faith grinned. It transformed her whole face from soft and frail to approachable. Sweet. “I think you mean may Faith and I be excused.”

Ginny nodded. “Yes.” She turned to Mia. “Can we?”

“Sure, pretty girl. I’ll come check on you in a while.”

Ginny pushed back from the table and rushed into the kitchen.

Faith stood. “She’s excited. Art’s her favorite subject.” Hesitantly, she turned toward Alec but didn’t meet his eye. “It was nice to meet all of you.”

Lacey stood. “I’ll come with you. I’m an . . . artist,” she added. “I’d like to hang out with you two, if that’s okay?”

Faith looked at Mia, who nodded.

“Lacey’s very good. She painted those acrylics of the ocean in the guesthouse.”

Alec wondered if she did the ones in his guesthouse, too. If so, she did have serious talent. Jake wasn’t kidding.

“Really?” Faith’s eyes widened, but damn it, he still couldn’t see their color while she was only offering her profile. “They’re beautiful. I’m a terrible artist. I have Ginny doing paint by numbers because it helps her recognize numbers, too, but I’m really bad with art projects. It would be great if you could offer ideas.”

“Good plan,” Cole confirmed. “I have to get back to work, but you guys carry on. Alec, great to see you again. How long are you in town?”

“At least until the wedding. End of August, maybe.”

Cole nodded. “We’ll be seeing plenty of you. Don’t be a stranger.”

Jake followed Lacey, Faith, and Ginny into the kitchen, leaving Mia and Alec alone. He offered to clear the table, but Mia refused.

“Listen, Alec, when Cole got back from Iraq, he was a mess. It took a long time for him to get back to where he is now. Writing helped him process the stuff in his head.”

Alec didn’t see her point.

“What I mean is, maybe you have the opposite problem. Maybe there’s too much going on in your head for you to write.”

A slow grin spread over his face. Mia had always been too kind and wise beyond her years. She’d picked the perfect profession, going into nursing. She was a natural. He didn’t have anything going on in his head, though. Nothing he hadn’t been living with for nine years, anyway. Thus, that couldn’t be his problem.