Beach Colors by Shelley Noble

Author:Shelley Noble
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 2012-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Fourteen

Margaux agreed to go to Sunday Mass even though she really wanted to work. But as her mother pointed out, it was always good to have God on your side when you started a new venture.

They had just sat down at their regular pew when Margaux felt someone nudge her knee. She looked over to see Connor Prescott, his hair slicked back and wearing a navy blue suit, smiling at her.

“Hi,” he breathed.

“Hi,” Margaux whispered back, thinking Connor was probably the only kid in town who didn’t need to be reprimanded to be quiet in church.

Jude leaned over. “Hi, honey. Where’s your grandmother?”

Adelaide Prescott appeared behind him. “I’m so sorry he bothered you. He’s been talking nonstop about Margaux, and when he saw you come in he just slipped away before I could stop him.”

“That’s just fine,” Jude said, glancing sideways at Margaux. “Why don’t you join us?”

“Oh no, that’s very kind but we have our seats.”

Connor pulled himself up on the pew and scooted close to Margaux. He patted the place next to him for his grandmother to sit down.

“Connor!” she admonished.

“He’s a boy with a mind of his own,” Jude said, smiling congenially at Mrs. Prescott. “Please, sit with us.”

At that moment organ music announced the beginning of the service. Mrs. Prescott sat down.

Connor hardly moved for the next hour except to slide off the pew to kneel, then climb back up again. He occasionally cast a shy smile up at Margaux. She was flattered and uncomfortable at the same time. She could feel herself getting attached to this strange child, and she knew she shouldn’t. Especially because she couldn’t separate her enjoyment of Connor from her desire to have her own children. And that couldn’t be healthy for either of them. And then there was Nick.

After church Connor took her hand as they walked outside. Mrs. Prescott and Jude walked behind. Margaux was acutely aware of the interest they were affording certain members of the congregation and wondered what conclusions they would make.

“I hope you don’t mind us barging in,” Mrs. Prescott told Jude.

“Of course not. It was lovely to have you.”

Mrs. Prescott turned to Margaux. “That was so sweet of you to go with them to Deke’s. Connor has been talking about it ever since.”

“Oh?” Jude glanced at Margaux.

“It was nothing. I had a good time, too.”

“Thank you.” Mrs. Prescott leaned over to Connor. “Say goodbye. We have to be going. Uncle Nick is coming to lunch.”

“Bye,” he said, and let his grandmother lead him away.

“Nick Prescott asked you to dinner?”

“Actually Connor did. We kind of got suckered into agreeing. And it was just Deke’s.”

They crossed the street to Jude’s car. “Dottie insists we come to brunch, so don’t argue. After next week, the summer crowd will descend and there won’t be a booth to be had without waiting.”

“Sounds good. I have a couple of ideas I want to kick around.”

Dottie’s was packed with everyone getting their last Sunday brunch in before the tourist season began. Dottie came over to personally take their order.

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