After making arrangements to pick up their fish later, they celebrated at the marina’s tavern. The group sat on the deck, watching the other charters drift in like hunters coming home.
The marina was close to Smuggler’s Cove, where bootleggers had hidden their stashes during Prohibition. Willow Beach was full of interesting history, but, with the entire world calling, Cody had never taken the time to pursue it. Maybe someday.
During a lull in the conversation, Cody turned his attention to the newcomer. “So, Ben, you’re from Seattle?”
Ben sipped his beer and set down the glass. “Right. Thought I might like living on the coast.”
“And you’re an accountant.”
“Yep, a numbers cruncher. I opened an office in the Stafford Building. Already have a fair number of clients.”
“Including us,” Max said. “That’s how me ’n’ Ben got acquainted.” Max was a partner in Fuller’s Foods, Willow Beach’s main grocery and variety store.
Cody couldn’t imagine staring at numbers all day, but someone had to do it. Ben looked the part, with his blond hair neatly cut and jaw clean shaven. While Cody, Max and Don were dressed in sloppy shirts and faded jeans, Ben wore a sports shirt that was molded to his chest and tucked into jeans that somehow had a crease.
He seemed a nice enough guy, though, and he might appeal to Luci. Since Cody had heard that Luci still had a thing for him, he’d been trying to figure out what he could do—without hurting her. He’d decided that she needed another guy to catch her interest. Then she would forget about him. Maybe Ben could be that guy.
“You attached?” he asked Ben, in what he hoped was a casual tone.
“Am I married, you mean? No.”
“Girlfriend? Significant other?”
“Not at the moment.”
“Me, neither.” Cody chuckled. “Lucky us, huh?”
Don jumped into the conversation. “Do I hear you bad-mouthing the holy state of matrimony? It’s not so bad, is it, Max?”
Max folded his arms over his brawny chest. “You’ll have to ask Trixie about that.”
Don smirked. “Yeah, Arliss and I saw you two the other night at the movies, holding hands like you were on your first date.”
“A night out without the kids is a date,” Max said. “And Trixie insists on one date night a month.” He shrugged. “I can’t complain.”
Ben made no comment. He didn’t appear to be much of a talker. But then, Cody often became an observer, too, always keeping an eye out for the next picture. Like now. He spotted a gull about to land on the piling at the mouth of the harbor. Look at that wingspan. Look at the angle. Look at the legs come down. Must be like landing a plane. He picked up his camera.
Later, on the way to their vehicles, Cody caught up with Ben. “Good to have you along today.”
Ben nodded. “Catching that fish made my day.”
They turned into the parking lot, dodging a couple cars and stepping onto the path. “You probably don’t know many people in town yet, being new and all.”
“Haven’t had much time. Busy lining up clients. And bird-watching. That’s one of the reasons I moved here. I’m an amateur ornithologist.”
“That so? I’ve been known to stalk a few birds myself.” At Ben’s startled look, he added, “When I’m taking pictures. You know.” He let a moment go by while some others passed them on the path and then continued, “A friend of mine works in the same building you do. I could introduce you, if you’re interested.”
Ben’s forehead wrinkled, but then he said, “Well...okay.”
“Super. Give me a day or so to work out the particulars, and I’ll get back to you.”
Ben nodded and pulled his car keys from his pocket. “Sounds like a plan.”
Cody climbed into his SUV and headed out of the marina lot. Ben had been a whole lot easier to reel in than the fish he’d caught today. Now, he had to find the right time to get him and Luci together.
Cody pasted a big grin on his face and wore it all the way home.
“DID YOU SUBMIT your article on Cranberry Acres to Coastal Living?” Glen asked.
Luci put down the brochure advertising a charter boat service and sat back in her chair. She’d managed to organize some of the material, but countless stacks remained. The mess was driving her crazy.
“I did turn in the article. I haven’t had a response yet from the editor.”
“It looked good to me.” Glen hitched up his trousers over his ample stomach. The day was a warm one, and he’d shed his jacket and rolled up his shirtsleeves, but the ever-present tie adorned his neck. “But then, what do I know about it? That’s why I hired you and Cody. By the way, have you seen him lately?”
“Not since we went over the article together. I’m working on the brochures now, picking out the ones that need updating. When I get them organized, I’ll contact him to take some photos.” Not that she’d be picking up the phone anytime soon. Working together or not, seeing Cody as little as possible suited her just fine.
“Good, good.” Glen idly picked up a brochure from one of the stacks she’d assembled, riffled through it and then tossed it onto the table. “But don’t forget about the sand-castle contest.”
Luci retrieved the brochure and carefully put it where it belonged. “Of course. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought.”
He frowned. “You need to do more than that, Luci. You need to come up with an idea. A brilliant one. We need a new twist this year. Make us look good.”
Not long after Glen left, Marge rushed in, her arms loaded with yellow file folders. She dumped them onto the worktable, where they slid into the neat piles of brochures.
“Oops, sorry.” Marge leaned over the table, scrambling to corral the files.
“What’s all this?” Luci rescued the brochures and set them aside.
“Cleaning out more files.” Marge straightened and waved her arms. “Not my idea. Glen’s orders. This is stuff from decades ago. If it was up to me—” she thumbed her chest “—I’d toss it. But now that you’re here, he wants everything organized and up-to-date.” She rolled her eyes. “Pressure, pressure.”
The phone in the outer office rang.
“That’s probably the mayor,” Marge said. “Gotta go.” She scurried out the door.
After Marge left, Luci abandoned the brochures and the rest of the mess on the worktable and migrated to her computer to research sand-castle contests.
She was deep into her work when Cody arrived.
Another man accompanied him. The newcomer looked vaguely familiar, like someone she might have passed in the hallway. He wasn’t as tall as Cody, but then most men weren’t. He was dressed in neatly pressed slacks and a plaid shirt that looked, well, sprayed on. His blond hair was cut short and combed back from a high forehead.
“Luci, meet Ben Shapiro.” Cody gestured to his companion. “He’s new in town. An accountant. Has an office upstairs.”
“Pleased to meet you, Luci.”
Ben offered her a shy smile