by Judith Keim
Gran smiled as she hugged Em back. “Love you too. Now let’s get that order ready for the country club.”
Em was putting the finishing touches on the flower arrangement for the entry hall at the country club when her cell rang. Elena.
“Hi, sis. What’s up?”
“I’m calling because I think I’ve found the perfect person to share your time at the Seashell Cottage. You’re definitely not looking for any romance in the future, right?”
“Are you kidding? No, no, and no. Why?”
“Do you remember Devin Gerard, the best man at my wedding?”
“Vaguely. I was so wrapped up in Jared that I hardly paid attention to him. We had the obligatory dance at the wedding, but I was watching Jared the whole time.”
“Okay. That’s a good thing. Apparently, Devin’s ex-girlfriend had no interest in his profession and complained about it all the time. They broke up a year ago, and he has no intention of letting any woman destroy what he’s worked so hard for. He’s just come back from six months in Costa Rica, and he’s exhausted. When I suggested a vacation at Seashell Cottage, he was intrigued—until he heard he’d be sharing the cottage with you.”
“What? Really?” She frowned. “If he feels that way, why would I want to share the cottage with him?”
“Because he’s a decent guy who doesn’t play around. Frankly, I think you need this vacation. It’s a beautiful spot and you’ve looked forward to this break for a long time. The last few months have been horrible for you, and it’s beginning to show.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean the whole loving, kind, happy-go-lucky attitude that makes you so special is fading away, and I want to see it restored. The cottage is big enough the two of you won’t be in each other’s way, neither one of you is interested in the other, and you both need this time.”
Suspicion forced Em to pause. “Are you sure you’re not doing this to set me up?”
“Em, after all you and Devin have been through, I wouldn’t do that to you, nor would I do it to him. I love you both and definitely don’t want to see either one of you hurt again.”
“What’s wrong with him? Why hasn’t he been married by now?”
Elena clucked her tongue. “See? This new attitude of yours is what I’m talking about. There’s nothing wrong with him except he’s married to his work. It’s important to him and to the people he’s serving.”
“Yeah? What does he do?” Em knew she sounded mistrustful, but she couldn’t help herself. Trusting men had become an issue with her.
“He like Andrew, is a doctor. He’s been working to establish clinics for children in under-developed countries and to improve overall health care for them and their families.”
Em let out a soft sigh. “Okay, that’s nice. I didn’t mean to sound so suspicious.”
“It’s going to be all right, Em. Like I said, he has no interest in forming any relationship with anyone because he’s using this rest period to prepare for another trip out of the country, and he wants time to rethink his career. I know you well enough to believe when you find the right man, you’d want him to stick around, not be traveling all over the world.”
“True.” Em let out a sigh of relief. Sharing the cottage with him might not be such a bad idea after all.
“So, will you do it?”
“Yes,” Em said, with a quiet determination to make this work.
###
As the day of departure to Florida grew closer, Em’s excitement grew. She worked energetically to make sure Marilyn could take over for her in the flower shop while she was gone. Though Gran would never want to admit it, the days of doing most of the work herself were gone. In her seventies now, it was time for her to slow down.
To save money, she decided to drive to Florida instead of flying and having to rent a car. Besides, she loved her little VW convertible and thought it would be perfect in Florida.
The day before she was to leave, she received a letter from Kat, wishing her a nice vacation and telling her once more how sorry she was about falling in love with Jared. Em read it and then crumpled it up. She was sorry too. Sorry she’d allowed herself to believe she’d found someone with whom to spend the rest of her life. She made a vow never to let that happen to her again. One major heartbreak was one too many.
That night, she loaded the car so she could make an early morning getaway. The roads were clear, but a snowstorm was forecast for the northeast, and she hoped to beat it.
She locked the car, and after saying goodnight to her parents, slipped into bed. Her clothes were laid out on a chair for the next day. All she needed was a good night’s rest. She closed her eyes and told herself to go to sleep.
After tossing and turning for hours, Em got up, quietly dressed, and, on tiptoe, left the house.
Outside, all was still as big snowflakes drifted down, white dots of concern in the early morning light.
She unlocked her car and slid behind the wheel, grateful for the early start. She’d get onto I-87, connect with I-95 and then shoot down the coast as fast as she could in an attempt to stay clear of the snow heading Ellenton’s way. The smell of snow was in the air, that particular aroma that skiers and kids loved.
As she made her through the town and outlying areas, she felt as if she were on an adventure. Many of the houses and buildings were dark, block-like shapes sitting alongside the road like sentinels protecting her way. Lights in other houses waking up seem to wink at her, telling her she had a chance to beat the storm.
She pressed on until she reached the interstate. Here, activity was in full gear. Large trucks roared past, sure of the way, as if they’d traveled the highway many times before. She entered the highway and followed a moving van until she was more comfortable on the road. Snowflakes swirled around the wheels of her car as she drove, stirred up enough to be unable to settle on the surface. Em knew time and wetter flakes would change that and kept on going.
Em drove past New York City and through New Jersey before she dared to stop. Then she relished hot coffee and a big breakfast at the service area she found along the way. She gazed at the other travelers in the dining area, wondering where they’d come from and where they were going. This time of year, she wasn’t the only traveler heading south to warmer weather.
The farther south she got, the more excited she became. She stopped in South Carolina for the night, thrilled to be able to move around comfortably without her winter parka.
The next morning, eager to be on her way, Em got up at dawn, quickly ate the breakfast the motel provided and took off. The hours on the road gave her time to think about her life. If she was going to be alone, the idea of opening a business of her own was appealing. She could start slow with a landscape design company by providing advice to some of Gran’s customers. She’d done that in the past, and they’d liked her ideas. And, if she liked it doing it, she could, perhaps, expand to other services working with other companies. She’d need the money. Living at home had made her realize that though she liked small-town living, she wanted to be in her own space. The offer she’d put in on a new townhouse under construction had been accepted. She was waiting to hear when she could move in. If luck was with her, it would be right after she returned, as she’d been promised.
By the time Em reached Florida, she was excited about her plans—plans that didn’t depend on anyone else to make them right. She sighed at the thought of how much time and energy she’d invested in dreams of weddings and starting a family of her own. So what if most of her college friends and acquaintances were married? Marriage wasn’t for everyone. Certainly, not for her, she told herself, trying to believe it.
Comfortable with the idea that she wouldn’t pursue any relationship, Em felt her body relax. There was no need to worry anymore about the future. She had a plan, and it was a good one.
###
Em pulled into the driveway of the Seashell Cottage, and sighed happily. It was as lovely as its pictures.
&nbs
p; She got out of the car and took a moment to stretch. Then, in a rush of joy, she ran toward the beach. The sound of the waves hitting the sand and pulling away in a rhythmic pattern was music to her ears. In sneakers, she walked out onto the sand, feeling it shift beneath her feet, until she reached the hard-packed sand at the water’s edge. Inhaling the salty tang of the air, she laughed, a sound of pure excitement! Every mile of driving was worth it to stand there now.
Em studied her surroundings. Farther down the beach, people were sitting on the sand in beach chairs or lying on towels. Little sandpipers moved in a bunch, scurrying along the lacy edges of the Gulf water like a horde of shoppers on bargain day. Seagulls, terns, and other birds made lazy circles in the sky, their white wings forming a pretty pattern against the blue of the sky. Em clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, thankful for this opportunity. When she opened them, she laughed out loud at the pelicans skimming the surface of the water searching for food, looking like participants in an air show.
Feeling as if she could take wing herself, Em hurried to her car eager to unpack and get settled in the house. The rental agency had given her the code for the lockbox containing the key to the house. She took the information out of her purse and went to the front door, punched in the numbers, retrieved the key, unlocked and opened the door, and stepped inside.
Her gaze swept the interior with admiration. The two couches in the living area were covered in a tropical-green fabric. Hibiscus-pink pillows sat on the couches and brightened the room. Their color was duplicated in the handwoven rug that lay atop the off-white tile floor. Two overstuffed chairs carried out the theme in a floral pattern of green and pink.
Em went to investigate the rest of the house and discovered a bedroom suite off to one side of the entry hall. She walked inside and was pleased to find a small office area, plenty of closet space, and a large bathroom with both a shower and a huge soaking tub. A large window in the bedroom gave her a clear view of the beach. The fading color of the sky outside the window was duplicated in the quilted blue bedspread on the king bed. Loving the feel of the room, she immediately claimed it as hers.
After returning to the open living area, she searched the hall on the other side and found two additional, roomy, nicely decorated bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom.
From there, she entered the large, modern kitchen and discovered, as advertised, it contained everything anyone would need to cook.
“Kat, you don’t know what you’re missing,” she said to the empty room, and then grinned at the sound of her voice echoing against the walls. It might be foolish to talk to herself this way, thought Em, but it felt good.
She went out to her car to gather more of her things. As she reached for a suitcase in the backseat, she heard a car drive up beside her. She turned as a gentleman studied her through the window of his car and nodded a greeting.
Curious, she waited for him to get out of his black BMW. He’d been at the wedding, but as she’d told Elena, she hadn’t paid him much attention.
He climbed out of the car and faced her. “Em, glad to see you again. I’m Devin.”
Em swallowed hard. Whoa! The man she recalled from the wedding looked nothing like this. This one was as buff as you could find. Tall, muscular, dark-haired, and with features capable of modeling for GQ, he was what her Gran would call a dreamboat.
“Hi, Devin. My sister told me you’re here for a rest. That’s good, because I am too,” she blurted, too unsettled by his appearance to stop herself. “I’m here for total relaxation. The goal is to do my own thing with no worries about anyone else.”
He pushed up his sunglasses to the top of his head and grinned. His green eyes sparkled with intensity. “Sounds good to me. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to do something like this.”
Flustered by the way his gaze had roamed over her, Em grabbed her two suitcases and a bag of snacks she’d purchased along the way and headed to the house. She’d return for the rest.
Without looking back, she carried her things to the bedroom. When she realized Devin didn’t know the layout of the house, she set her things down and went to greet him at the door.
“Hope you don’t mind. I’ve chosen the beach-side bedroom. There are two other bedroom suites off to the right.”
“Whatever you choose will be fine.” He glanced around. “Compared to what I’m used to, this is pure luxury.” He walked past her carrying a small black suitcase and a computer case.
Em returned to her car for the canvas bag of shoes she’d brought, picked up the straw hat that lay on the backseat and locked her car. For better or worse, she had her stuff.
Inside, she worked in her bedroom unpacking her suitcases, laying things in drawers or hanging them in the closet. Unsure what to pack, she’d brought more than she’d probably need, she admitted to herself, thinking of the lone suitcase Devin had carried inside.
The late afternoon sun felt warm through the window. She decided to put on one of the swimsuits she’d brought. On her first day in Florida, she was going to hit the beach. It was number one on the mental list she’d drawn up of the things she intended to do during her stay.
Dressed in a raspberry-red bikini, she stood in front of the mirror. She couldn’t help thinking of the difference between Kat and her. Unlike Kat, her body tended toward curvy. It hadn’t bothered her in the past, but now self-doubt crept in. She tucked her streaked wheat-colored hair behind her ears. Her facial features were pleasing. Not a stunner, she knew she was appealing, with an easy smile and thick-lashed, blue eyes that spoke of kindness.
She turned away, chiding herself for even caring about it now. She was not out to impress anyone, least of all, Devin Gerard.
She sprayed on suntan lotion and then grabbed a towel from her closet and headed out to the beach.
As she stepped onto the sand, she was surprised to see Devin sprawled on a towel nearby. She glanced at him and quickly looked away, vowing to break old patterns. No matter what he or any other male looked like, she was not out to make friends with him. Co-exist and that’s it, she reminded herself.
At a distance from him, she dropped her towel on the beach and headed out for a walk. After sitting in the car for two very long days, it felt good to stretch her legs. She moved smoothly, quickly along the shore absorbing the sights and sounds of beach life like sweet treats on her tongue. Knowing of the cold and ice back home, she reveled in her surroundings.
She walked for a mile or so and turned around. She was surprised to see Devin jogging toward her. She stopped and braced herself for conversation, but as he neared, he kept his pace and moved beyond her.
She continued her walk both disappointed and relieved he seemed as eager as she to spend time alone. It was just as well. Elena had warned her he had no interest in women at this point in his life, and she’d promised Em that she had made that point clear to Devin as well regarding her.
So be it, thought Em, picking up her towel and returning to the cottage. Tonight, she decided, she’d go out to eat, maybe discover a nice, inexpensive place. She’d heard all about “early bird specials”. She’d see what everyone was talking about. Alone.
CHAPTER FOUR
Billy Bud’s Bar was as funky as the name. Em walked into a large, wood-paneled room whose walls were covered with fish nets, plastic anchors, shells, and other maritime items. At six o’clock, the place was filled with people of all ages.
Em found an empty seat at the bar.
The young bartender slid a plastic-covered menu over to her. “You here for Happy Hour and Early Bird Specials?”
“I guess.” She glanced at the menu. The Early Bird Specials were on one side of the menu; the Happy Hour cocktail and wine selections on the other.
“What can I get you?” the bartender asked, giving her an appreciative look. “We’ve got great draft beer or maybe you want one of our special tropical drinks.”
“I’ll go for a tropical drink,” Em said.
“How ab
out Sex on the Beach?” the bartender said, wiggling his eyebrows at her.
Em couldn’t stop the heat that raced to her cheeks. She knew it was a cocktail, but still ...
The bartender noticed and laughed. “Sex on the Beach is one of my favorites to make—vodka, peach schnapps, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice. I make them special.”
Laughing, Em said, “Okay. I’ll try one.”
While she was waiting for her drink and perusing the menu, a guy came up beside her. He leaned close and eyed her.
“You here alone?”
She turned. “Yes. That’s how I like it.”
He shrugged. “Hey! I’m just asking.”
Em didn’t even look as he drifted away. This was her time alone.
Her drink came. After taking a sip, she gave a thumbs up to the bartender and ordered a grouper sandwich. It sounded tropical.
An older couple sat down next to her. “Great evening, huh?” said the gray-haired man, smiling at her. His wife leaned forward and waved to her. “Hi, I’m Alice, and this is Herb.”
“I’m Em,” she said to be polite.
Not to be dismissed, the couple began talking to her, and soon she found herself listening to all the trials of owning two places—one in Florida and one in Ohio.
Time flew as she ate her sandwich and conversed with them. By the time she was through with her meal, every mile of the trip south was pulling at her eyelids.
She paid her bill, got to her feet, and left the bar satisfied that dining out would be no problem. Especially if she went out early. Clearly, if Kat had come to Florida with her, it would be a different story. But she didn’t feel the need to party.
Back at the cottage, both Devin and his car were gone.
Em made her way to her bedroom, changed into her favorite nightshirt, the one with the New York Yankees on it, and crawled into bed.
