A TEMPORARY MARRIAGE: PART ONE (AVALON BAY ROMANCE SERIES Book 1) (2 page)

Although less than an hour’s drive from San Jose International Airport, Avalon Bay was a coastal treasure that felt as if it were worlds away from any big city. As Cassie got nearer, she enjoyed the stark differences between the scenery compared to the cities. She saw lazy sheep meadows, vast expanses of golden grazing cattle fields, and clapboard cattle ranches.  So different, but still so interesting to her. These things were a part of who she was.

On the outskirts of town, she noticed an attractively built new house that had a sign that read: Created and Custom Built by Gallagher Construction.

A small chime sounded out and she looked at the clock. 5:00 on the dot. That bell had always rung at 5 PM every single day, in remembrance of some event from the past, although she couldn’t recall what at that specific moment.

Cassie drove through the main street where she passed small art galleries, arts and craft shops, the general store, various offices and small restaurants and turned up into a small street of pastel painted cottages. She parked in the side driveway of her mother’s and aunt’s home, grabbed her suitcase from the rental car’s trunk, and walked up to the front steps of the home, taking out her key. She knew that they’d still be at the café for another hour, at least, so she let herself in, eager to relax. For something as non-taxing as a plane ride, it always tired Cassie out a bit when she made the cross-country trek.

Taking advantage of a glass of Merlot wine and the fragrant scent of the begonias that lined the front porch, Cassie sat back and enjoyed the fresh, slightly salty air. There was something so calming about the scent of a coastal town like Avalon Bay, a place that had managed to stay relatively vibrant despite the other flailing coastal towns when the economy had taken a downturn.

Cassie’s thoughts drifted off to Mr. Gallagher and the will, so curious about it. She’d wait to call Philip Grady in the morning, as it was already early evening. For that night, it was relax and chat with her mother and aunt when they got back to their home.

The Gallagher’s assets were well known and highly sought out by many people from across the country, even the world. They owned a dairy farm and ranch of over 250 acres of stunning open pasture land rolling upward from the sandstone cliffs of the Pacific coast—cliffs that were sculpted by weather and wind into unique and picturesque forms. The ranch also comprised of a mile of ocean frontage accessing the best abalone picking and fishing on the Coast. The ranch was renowned for producing outstanding cheeses and other dairy products. She presumed his grandson Richard would inherit it now.

Just as the sun began to set over the bay her mother and aunt arrived home.

“Cassie, how wonderful to see you,” her mother said as she bent down and wrapped her in her arms, kissing the top of her head.

“Well, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Work is crazy,” Cassie said. “It’s great to have you back here so I have reasons to come visit.”

“Just move back here then, problem solved,” her mother said. Cassie could see that she was only half kidding.

“Another glass of Merlot, Cassie?” asked Aunt Margaret.

“Certainly not, Maggie,” her mother admonished. “I put a bottle of bubbly in the fridge this morning to celebrate Cassie’s home coming.”

“Ah, well done, Kathleen, I’ll fetch it now,” she said as she bustled off to the kitchen.

Cassie was amused. She’d been gone six weeks and her mother spoke like she was a soldier returning from war, gone for several years, not several weeks.

“How was the trip?” her mother asked, sitting down and leaning in toward her.

“Fine, but I’m exhausted. I hope nothing is planned for this evening.”

“No, we thought you’d be tired, so we’ll just have a light supper and early night, if that’s all right with you.”

“Couldn’t be more perfect, Mom. Thank you.”

Her Aunt Maggie came back with the bubbly and the three toasted and started to laugh. Kathleen could tell that something was on her daughter’s mind and eventually asked her what it was.

“Is everything okay, dear? You were here not that long ago, and while I’m happy to have you here, of course, I just want to make sure you’re well.”

“Well, I got a curious phone call the other day,” Cassie said.

“Who from?” her mother asked.

“Philip Grady.”

“Philip Grady, the lawyer in town?” asked Aunt Maggie.

“Yes,” Cassie said, enjoying the surprise on their faces.

“What on earth did he want?” Kathleen asked.

“Well, he wants to talk about Mr. Gallagher’s will.”

  “Mr. Gallagher’s will,” both women said in unison, as they sat looking at her in astonishment. They reminded Cassie of the Doublemint Twins that used to be on commercials.

“Yes, I’m surprised as well. What do you reckon that’s about?”

“Heaven knows. I saw Philip at the funeral last week and he didn’t mention a thing to me,” Maggie said.

“Douglas was certainly fond of you as a child. And whenever I ran into him, which wasn’t often, he would always ask about you,” her mother said, looking puzzled.

“Well, when are you meeting him?” Maggie asked.

“I didn’t want to make an appointment with him until I knew what plans you had and I was in town.”

“Well, the sooner the better. Aren’t you curious?” Maggie said. It was quite obvious that she was intrigued. “Why don’t you meet with him tomorrow? We will be busy at the café until early evening, anyway.”

At that moment Cassie’s cell phone rang, she looked at it and saw it was Philip.

“It’s Philip,” she said to her mother and aunt.

“Answer it,” Maggie said, waving her hand toward the phone.

“Hi Philip,” Cassie said into the phone.

“Are you in town yet?” he asked.

“Just got here. I was going to call you in the morning, but no need to wait now, is there?”

“I’m glad you’re here. How about lunch tomorrow?”

“Lunch tomorrow?” she queried as she raised her eyebrows to her mother and aunt, who answered her questioning look with raised thumbs. “That would be fine, Philip. Where and at what time?”

“Delfino’s at 1.30.”

“Sounds great. I’ll see you then.”

She glanced at Kathleen and Maggie, who had looks on their faces like they were watching a suspenseful movie. Their eyebrows raised, their eyes wide open.

“I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Cassie. Richard Gallagher will join us, too. He’s looking forward to catching up with you.”

“He is? Oh,” she said.

“You don’t have a problem with that, hopefully,” Philip said.

“No, no, not at all. I look forward to seeing you both tomorrow.”

They hung up.

“Where are you meeting?” Kathleen asked immediately.

“Delfino’s,” she said.

“The most expensive restaurant in Avalon Bay,” Maggie said, shaking her head softly.

Cassie was entertained by their reactions, but they also made her nervous. She had this sense that she was about to be completely thrown off by something. It was the same sense that she had at the hotel right before big things often happened, like a celebrity booking a night’s stay and all the prep work that went into that.

“And you’re having lunch with Richard Gallagher. What I would want to do to him if I were twenty-five years younger,” she mumbled, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

“Margaret, really,” Kathleen said, scowling.

“When I last saw Richard, he had a serious acne problem. It used to make him quite moody and shy. He was okay with me, but I think he got grief for it at school,” Cassie said, envisioning the last version of Richard that she’d ever seen.

“Well, he doesn’t have that problem now, trust me. He has all the women from miles around champing at his heels. You will be surprised when you see him again,” her mother said. “But I’m just so curious what this is all about.”

Cassie let out a loud yawn, “Me too, Mom. But we’ll know tomorrow.”

“We better get you some food so you can get to sleep. Big day tomorrow,” Kathleen said.

“What did you make?” Cassie asked, always eager for her mother’s cooking, which was hands down better than her own.

“Clam Chowder and garlic bread,” her mom replied.

“Yum.”

She enjoyed a wonderful feast before falling asleep in the soft Egyptian cotton sheets of her bedroom. It was bliss.

Cassie awoke late the following morning, well rested and refreshed. Her mother and aunt had left for their day’s work at least two hours before she’d batted an eye open. Except for her lunch with Philip and Richard, she had the day to herself. Time for a cup of tea and a little meandering about town, ending up at the café for breakfast. Yes, that would be perfect. She dressed in casual white jeans, a blue long-sleeved t-shirt, and trainers. It felt good to not have to wear a suit, so much more comfortable, especially with the warm breeze that was in the air that morning.

Cassie walked down the hill to the harbor, a light canvas bag hanging over her shoulder, enjoying the salty smell of the Pacific Ocean as it filled her nostrils and the sunlight and gentle wind caressed her pale city face as scattered clouds moved slowly across the blue sky.

She crossed over Main Street and headed down to the old fishing harbor. Avalon Bay had primarily been a fishing village that had remained relatively isolated and remote until after the middle of the last century. As she walked along the line of sea-weathered shops and houses, many with hand-painted wooden signs, facing the cove, she passed old Tom. He was one of the many fishermen in the town who were grateful for the fish and crab the ocean provided and respectful of the dangers it presented.

“Morning Tom,” she called out.

“Morning Miss Cassie, your Mom told me you were back in town.”

“Only for a few days, unfortunately,” she said.

“That’s too bad. Now that your mom and aunt are here, you should move back, too.”

“Maybe one day,” she replied, thinking that perhaps one day she would. But it wasn’t that day, yet. She had her career to think of.

“Well, don’t wait too long,” he said as he headed towards the long wooden fishing wharf.

Opening the door to the Lighthouse Café, she was immediately hit by the smells of freshly baked breads and pastries which made her realize how ravenous she was. Her mom and aunt were both busy with customers so she slipped into a booth next to the window so she could enjoy the view over the harbor. Melanie, a young girl who helped in the café came over and took her order for Crab Benedict and a Cappuccino.

Her aunt Maggie came over, “Good morning. Sleep well?”

“Like a log.”

“I’m so excited for you today,” Maggie said, rubbing her hands together like she was going to start a fire.

“You and Mom are way more intrigued than me,” Cassie said. “I’m sure it’s just some little thing.”

A half hour later, breakfast was done and she left the café with eager well wishes from her mom and aunt, making it seem like she was on her way to the job interview of a lifetime, not a lunch date about a will.

Cassie truly enjoyed window shopping, in general, and there was plenty of it to do in Avalon Bay, just like there was in the city. Her eyes were immediately drawn to one thing in particular on her walk—a hand painted sign that read: The Stormy Sea Gift Shop. She stopped to peer inside the paned and bowed front window and saw all sorts of unusual pieces that were just as gorgeous as anything you’d find in an art gallery in New York City, only the sign for these indicated that they were created by local artisans.

She had to go in. It would be a great place to find her mother’s birthday present. As she opened the door the sound of tingling wind chimes sounded out, creating a whimsical alert signal for the shop’s owner. At the back of the store, an attractive 30-ish woman with long dark hair and emerald green dancing eyes was working. She turned around and smiled.

“Do come in and feel free to browse,” she said in a soft lilting voice. She was surrounded by boxes. “I’m just restocking my display.”

“Thanks,” Cassie said, taking an immediate liking for the woman with the lively eyes and friendly demeanor. She began browsing and there were so many things that she loved, that it was hard to determine what she liked best.
Such amazing local talent
, she thought. Many of the items were wood-carvings made from the area’s red wood forest whilst many others were made from shells, glass, and a whole host of other assorted materials, plus water color and pastel paintings.

Her eyes were particularly drawn to a pair of candlestick holders made from shells encrusted with crystals and pieces of sea glass. They were beautiful, the glass matching the greenish blue color of her mother’s eyes. She picked them up and set them down on the counter near the cash register.

“I’ll take these. Could you gift wrap them for me, please?”

“Certainly, no problem,” she replied. She walked over to the counter and began to check Cassie out, talking casually. “Do you live round here?”