Falling For You At Christmas: Shellwater Key Tale Read online

  She gave a little yelp of surprise and spun to find that Jared Latham had appeared at the railing. “Oh…hi.”

  His ready smile disappeared. “You’re crying.”

  Was she? Cassie hadn’t noticed, but her fingers came away wet when she touched her cheek. “Shoot,” she muttered. “If I was in a historical novel, they’d call me a watering pot. Ignore me. I’m sure it’s hormonal. I cry over everything these days.”

  “I suspect you have more reason to cry than simple hormones,” Jared said.

  “Hmm,” she murmured, not wanting to talk about the disappointments in her life. She took a deep breath. “Where’s Tara?”

  “She went to her mom’s for dinner. She’ll be back by bedtime.”

  They traded their daughter for meals? “Oh, you must live very close.”

  Jared chuckled. “I think you’ll find that everything is very close when it comes to Shellwater Key. You can drive clear across town in about fifteen minutes. Although, drive times are bit longer now that the snowbirds have begun to arrive.”

  “Must be nice,” she said, thinking of the traffic that always seemed to clog the roads in Tampa. “Are meal times part of your divorce settlement?”

  “No.” His mouth pulled down, and he glared out at the water. “Erika has someone she wants Tara to meet.”

  “Meet?” Cassie stopped the question. Her attempt at changing the topic had steered right into the oncoming traffic of what must be a sore subject for him. “I’m sorry. That must be difficult.”

  He shrugged. “It is what is it. I stopped wishing for things to go back to the way they were a long time ago.”

  “Have you really?”

  Cassie liked to think she’d relegated Matt to the far reaches of her mind. At times she was certain she barely remembered what he looked like, let alone lingered over a broken heart. Then something would trigger a sledgehammer of emotions, and it was like the day he’d walked out all over again.

  Like looking at a beautiful sunset a few days before Christmas and feeling like the loneliest person on earth.

  Jared’s lips stretched into a wry grin. “It’s the story I tell myself.” He searched her face for a few seconds. “Then there are times when I’m happy Erika wanted something different for her life.”

  Something about the intensity of his gaze had Cassie swallowing. “Like when?”

  A banked heat flared in his blue eyes. “Like when a beautiful woman with silky, dark hair and eyes the color of my favorite coffee beans walked into my inn.”

  “I’d call it sprinting,” she said, though she wondered how she had enough sense to respond when her entire being was going up in flames.

  His lips twitched again. “You were moving at a good clip.”

  “This little girl is pretty demanding about my trips to the restroom,” Cassie said, rubbing her belly.

  His gaze dropped, and the spell that had woven around them seemed to break. A reminder of the baby she carried. Another man’s baby.

  Cassie was the first to look away. “The sunset is almost here.”

  “So it is.” Jared followed the command and dutifully turned to the water.

  They didn’t speak again as the sun completed its descent. The colors became even more glorious, the rays seeming to form the fingers of a hand reaching for heaven.

  Despite the cloud of sadness that seemed to always plague her these days, Cassie couldn’t help but smile. Sunsets were a reminder that one day was over and soon another would commence. A new tomorrow filled with promise and hope, something she needed right now.

  When Jared placed his hand over hers and squeezed, Cassie didn’t object. She did ignore the zing of sensation that swept up her arm. Well, she tried, anyway. Tried to excuse the jolt as only natural. He was being kind, offering sympathy and support to the poor, single pregnant lady. Of course she would have a reaction.

  Yes, that was her excuse, and she was sticking to it.

  The crowds lingered for a few minutes after the sun disappeared and then began to disperse, walking off down the beach or along the boardwalk. Most flooded back across the street.

  “I need to get back to the inn for dinner service,” Jared said. “Will you be all right on your own?”

  She made a big show of looking from where they stood to the inn, a distance of probably a hundred feet. “I think I can make it.”

  He laughed. “Sorry. You must get tired of people treating you like you’re helpless.”

  “Actually, I wish more people cared at all about my happiness and safety,” Cassie said, the mellow warmth of the sunset already beginning fade. She wondered what it said about her life that a few complete strangers had expressed more interest in her welfare than those who should have been first in line.

  “You need to find better friends, Cassie Stevens.”

  “I think I’ve met one already.”

  Jared gave her a sweet smile. “Me too. See you at dinner.”

  As he walked away, Cassie tried not to notice his perfect rear end. Did Jared know how delectable he looked in those jeans?

  “Cassie! There you are!”

  Cassie turned and saw the older woman she’d met earlier. Amelia Lamb pushed through the throng of people flooding across the street. Another couple strolled beside her.

  “I’ve been looking for you,” Amelia said when she reached Cassie’s side. “I felt sure you wouldn’t miss the sunset on your first night.”

  “Of course not.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t spot you earlier, but the crowd was much larger than I’d expected. Everyone in town must be here.”

  “Looks like it,” Cassie said. “It’s no wonder. The sunset was spectacular.”

  “Oh, yes. Everything the inn’s website promised.” Amelia turned and indicated the couple with her. “These are two more guests. We met on the walk over.”

  Cassie held out her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Cassie Stevens.”

  The woman shook Cassie’s hand first. “Juliet Shepherd and this is my husband, Rick.”

  “Oh no way,” Cassie burst out when the last name registered.

  “What?” Amelia asked, her eyes going wide with alarm. “Is it the baby? I knew you wouldn’t make it a few more weeks.”

  “No, and please stop saying that.” Cassie tapped her stomach. “Don’t listen to her sweetie. She’s just being funny.”

  “I’m not being—”

  Cassie held up a hand. “Please, I’m freaked out enough about doing this on my own.”

  Amelia sighed. “Sorry, sometimes I don’t know when to shut up. If not the baby, why did you cry out like that?”

  “The Shepherds?” Cassie said pointing toward the older couple. “Amelia Lamb? Me with this big pregnant belly? And did you know the chef is Gabrielle and her father is Jesús?”

  Amelia laughed. “Oh no, I hadn’t made the connection.

  Juliet Shepherd grinned, too. “I think it’s sort of sweet. I had no idea when we booked this vacation that we’d be reenacting the Savior’s birth.”

  “Glad to add to the entertainment value,” Cassie murmured. “I even lost out on my room. Mr. Latham had to put me up in his apartment suite.”

  “What?” Amelia stopped in her tracks. “Did you say you’re staying with Jared Latham?”

  Cassie could feel heat rising from her neck. “Not like that, of course. There is nothing romantic about it. He mistakenly gave away my room, and his daughter was kind enough to loan me her bed for a few days.”

  “Well, that is generous.”

  “I wasn’t sure at first,” Cassie said. “It’s kind of weird to be staying in their apartment, but at least he doesn’t have a wife to object.”

  Amelia and Juliet shared a glance and then turned to her, full grins in place.

  “Aren’t you a lucky girl?” Amelia said, waggling her eyebrows.

  Juliet giggled. “If I was a couple decades younger, and didn’t have my Rick, I’d make sure my reservation turned up missing, too.”


  The aforementioned Rick turned to his wife, with a mock frown. “Am I going to have to challenge that young pup for your hand now?”

  Juliet swatted his arm and then snuggled closer. “I said if I was younger and unattached, didn’t I?” She turned back to Cassie. “But you seem to be unattached.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because if you had a boyfriend or husband, he would never allow you to stay with a man like Jared Latham, daughter or no daughter.”

  Cassie glanced at Rick Shepherd, and the older man nodded, his expression no longer teasing. “No way.”

  Cassie might as well put a sign around her neck. ‘Abandoned by lowlife boyfriend’. “Of course, I’m here alone.”

  Amelia and Juliet moved to stand on either side of Cassie. “Now dear, you are most certainly not alone,” Amelia said. “As of now, you’re among friends.”

  “Yes, I think we’re all a bunch of Christmas misfits this year,” Juliet added. “Why else would we be staying here in Shellwater Key?”

  The two women began to lead Cassie across the street, while Rick Shepherd brought up the rear.

  “All of you are on your own, too?” Cassie asked.

  “Both of our children are at their in-laws for Christmas this year,” Juliet said. “So Rick and I got out a map and started looking for somewhere interesting to go for the holidays. We wanted something simpler. The kind of Christmas we can’t find in St. Pete anymore.”

  “Me too,” Cassie said. She looked at Amelia Lamb, wondering about her story. She’d obviously come alone, too.

  “My husband died of a stroke on Christmas Eve three years ago,” Amelia said.

  Juliet Shepherd gasped while Cassie’s heart broke. “Amelia, I’m so sorry,” Cassie said. That’s horrible, and to have it happen at Christmas…it’s unimaginable.”

  Amelia smiled, but the gesture was filled with melancholy. “Yes, it does seem worse somehow. Anyway, we were never blessed with children, so every Christmas I’ve chosen to get away and travel on my own. This year I picked Shellwater Key.”

  “So you see, dear, we’re all in the same boat,” Juliet said. “Stick with us, and we’ll have a grand time.”

  Cassie ended up sitting with Amelia and the Shepherds at dinner. They hadn’t been there long when a towering, barrel of a man approached their table.

  He eyed the lone empty chair. “I suppose this might seem presumptuous, but would you mind if I join you? Everyone else seems to be paired up or with family of some kind.”

  What was one more addition to their motley crew? Cassie waved at the chair. “Of course. Please sit.”

  The others smiled their agreement as the big man sank into the chair. “Thank you. I’m Henry Stuart, but everyone calls me King.”

  “What?” Cassie choked on her soup. “Did you really say King?”

  He nodded. “I own the King Auto Dealerships here on the West coast of Florida. You might have seen them. I have four now, in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and Sarasota.”

  “Seen them? We bought our last car from you,” Rick Shepherd said, with a laugh. “You’re really that Henry Stuart?”

  The big guy chuckled and tipped his hat. “King of the Deal, at your service.” He winked at Cassie. “That’s where the nickname comes from.”

  She was sitting at a table with a Lamb, two Shepherds, and one King rather than the requisite three. Cassie shook her head in amazement. Her Nativity play was complete. She glanced at the other women, and they seemed to get the joke, too.

  “Now, what are the names of the people who kindly rescued me from the lonely fate of dinner for one?” Henry “King” Stuart asked. He scanned the table, but his gaze stopped when it landed on Amelia. Then his smile grew warmer.

  To Cassie’s amazement, the older woman became flustered, and a hint of color raced up her cheeks.

  “Amelia Lamb,” she said finally. “I’m from Sarasota. I’ve heard of your dealerships, too, and you donated money for the new maternity ward at the hospital where I worked. We called it the King’s Annex.”

  Henry laughed. “Well, it is a small world. I do like giving back to the communities that support me.”

  Rick held out his hand. “Rick Shepherd, and this is my wife Juliet. We’re from St. Pete where we bought the car.”

  “And I’m Cassie Stevens.” She circled her belly. “Soon to be single mother from Tampa.”

  Cassie was saved from any further explanation when Inez arrived with their food. Henry’s questioning gaze stayed on Cassie for a moment, but thankfully the meal proved to be a delicious distraction. Gabrielle Velasquez was truly a master in the kitchen. Cassie ate until she thought she might burst. She laughed so much her sides hurt. Even her back ached from sitting for so long. Henry Stuart entertained them all with hilarious stories from his many customers. The Shepherds shared pictures of their children and grandchildren, and Amelia regaled them with tales of late night deliveries.

  Occasionally, Cassie spotted Jared Latham helping with dinner service. He even pitched in as a waiter. Four times he came to their table to refill the water glasses. After the last stop, Rick Shepherd joked that they would all float away from the table if the water didn’t stop flowing.

  Then he turned and winked at Cassie. “Must be someone he wants to get a better look at over here.”

  “I’m sure he’s just making sure his guests are happy,” Cassie said.

  Chuckling, Rick picked up his glass. “Of course he is.”

  Cassie would have loved to stay downstairs and chat more, but she was soon exhausted from the drive and the excitement of the day. So, she bid goodnight to her new friends and waddled up the stairs to the Latham’s suite. She walked in to find Jared and Tara already there.

  “Cassie! I’m back!” the little girl exclaimed.

  “I can see that,” she said. “How was dinner with your mother?”

  “Fine.” Tara wrinkled her nose. “Mom has a new boyfriend.”

  “You don’t like him?” Cassie asked, while Jared turned away and walked to the little kitchen. Even though he said nothing, she could tell he was listening intently.

  “He’s okay, I guess,” Tara said. “His name is Charles, and he’s kind of snobby. He goes on and on about is his yacht and his cars and his huuuge mansion all the time. Oh, and how he goes to Europe every month. He said mom and I could maybe go with him to Switzerland for Spring Break next year.”

  “Switzerland?” The abrupt cry tore from Jared’s lips as he whirled around to face his daughter again. “What?”

  “Yeah, everybody goes there to ski.” Tara looked at her father. “Do you think I can go? That part actually sounded cool. I’ve never been skiing before.”

  Jared pursed his lips and then cleared his throat. “Your mother and I will have to discuss it.”

  Tara deflated a little. “Guess you’ll have to decide who gets custody of me that week, huh?”

  Her pretty blue eyes clouded, and Cassie wanted to cry for the child. It must be hard to be “shared” by her parents, but at least Tara had two parents who wanted her.

  Jared immediately went and picked up his daughter. “Honey, we’ll all talk about it and figure out the best thing, I promise. Don’t worry.”

  Tara rested her head on Jared’s shoulder. “Yeah, I know.”

  Jared turned toward his room. “Come on, I’ll tuck you into my bed.”

  As she watched the two disappear, Cassie ached for them. She could only imagine how Jared felt knowing some other man might take his daughter to another continent. His ex-wife had obviously snagged a rich fish. She wondered if the man’s obvious wealth might be intimidating. Would Jared feel like he couldn’t compete? He owned a small inn buried in a little nowhere town. She doubted he could afford trips to Europe or outings on a luxury yacht. Not when The Original Inn on The Strip still had an old computer system that crashed and lost reservations.

  Since she’d been left alone, Cassie decided to go to bed herself. She w
as exhausted and still wasn’t very comfortable hanging out in Jared Latham’s living room. Thankfully, Tara’s room included a connected bathroom. Cassie took a quick shower, put on her nightgown, and then slipped into bed, underneath the white canopy, and closed her eyes.

  Thirty minutes later, she was still awake. The baby’s foot was jabbing her in the ribs, and her back still ached. Plus, nighttime always brought the inherent worries about the path her life had taken this year. Was she ready to be a single mother? Could she really do this on her own? Her family had already proven to be superficial in their concern, at best. She couldn’t count on them for help. She had friends, but they all had busy lives, with husbands, children, and careers that had to come first.

  What would she tell her daughter about her father? How would she explain that Matt hadn’t wanted anything to do with his daughter? Would the rejection scar her child for life? All the statistics said children with fathers did better in life. Would her daughter seek out inappropriate father figures? Drop out of school and start running with a bad crowd? Get into drugs?

  “Stop…” Cassie called out to the canopy above her. “Everything is going to be fine.”

  Since sleep wasn’t possible, Cassie got up. Maybe Jared wouldn’t mind if she stole some milk to heat. Of course, if he were up, she wouldn’t go out. He needed his privacy. She had invaded his home, after all.

  Trying not to make a sound, Cassie cracked the bedroom door open an inch. Because her life could never be easy, Jared happened to be standing in the kitchenette, pouring a glass of wine. She must have made a sound, because he looked over immediately.

  “Hi,” he said in a hushed tone. “Thought you’d gone to bed.”

  Since she’d already been caught – and since he didn’t seem to mind the invasion – Cassie saw so no reason to scurry away now.

  “So did I.” She shrugged. “My mind had other plans.”

  He chuckled. “I’ve had those nights, too. Can I get you something? Are you hungry?”

  “After that dinner? No, I’ll be fine until New Year’s I’m sure,” Cassie said, venturing further out of the room.

  “Something to drink then?”