A Walk Along the Beach

by Debbie Macomber

  It appeared Sean had mentioned me in more than passing. Knowing that flustered me. I tugged my hand free from Sean’s and stood. “Now that you’re here, I feel more comfortable leaving.”

  Sean started to protest and then, after a glare from his mother, stopped.

  His mother stood and followed me to the front door. “We don’t mean to run you off,” she said.

  “You aren’t. I need to get back to the shop. My sister and her friend have been covering for me.” Harper and Leesa had been wonderful. While Leesa took over Harper’s yoga classes, my sister had worked beside Alice and Shirley. I’d never have been able to spend these four days with Sean otherwise.

  “You’ll be back soon, won’t you?” Joanna asked, walking outside with me.

  “Of course. Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything.”

  Joanna followed me down the three short porch steps and to my car. She paused as if she wasn’t sure what to say before she felt obliged to mention, “You mean a lot to our son.”

  I froze, unsure how to respond. “I’m surprised Sean mentioned me…We haven’t been seeing each other long.”

  “Yes, I know…but Patrick and I knew you were special when he told us about you. We both took notice. You see, our son has had money and fame. He’s dated a wide variety of women.”

  My heart sank and I lowered my gaze, not wanting to hear about all the beautiful women Sean had known and had relationships with over the years.

  “But, Willa,” she continued, “you need to know you’re the first woman he’s ever mentioned to his father and me.”

  My head shot up. “Really?”

  “Yes. He asked his father how he felt when he first met me. He wanted to know how soon Patrick knew I was the right woman for him.”

  “Oh.” I could feel myself blush as color filled my cheeks.

  “Naturally, I wanted to know why he was drilling his father about our courtship. Sean is private and I don’t think he wanted to tell us. He did, though. He said he’d met someone who was the most genuine, caring woman he’d ever known. He said you fed a stray dog and he saw you give a warm drink to a drifter when the weather dropped. He said you have a kind heart.”

  I had no idea Sean knew about the drifter. I had mentioned I’d fed Bandit a time or two, and then blamed myself when the stray stole a customer’s cinnamon roll.

  “I’m…flattered he thinks of me that way,” I managed.

  “You proved it by looking after him through the worst of this fever.”

  “I did what anyone would have,” I said, uncomfortable with her gratitude. No one would have ignored Sean, as ill as he’d been.

  “Perhaps,” she agreed, although she didn’t sound like she believed it. “I hope you’ll give us a chance to get to know you.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Sean knew his father and I would come without question. He didn’t want us. He wanted you—otherwise, he’d have reached out sooner.”

  Her words shook me. I didn’t know what to say.

  “Don’t stay away just because we’re here,” Joanna insisted.

  “I won’t,” I promised. Halfway into the car I paused, settled into my seat, and looked up. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

  “Ask away,” Joanna said, dismissing my doubt with a wave of her hand.

  “When Patrick met you, did he know you were the one?”

  Joanna smiled, and I could see the answer in her eyes as she glanced toward the house. “I should hope so. We were married within six months of our first date.”

  “Did you know you would marry Patrick soon after you met?”

  I might have been mistaken, but it seemed she blushed a little. “No. He was exactly what I didn’t want in a husband. He was the college golden boy, king of the hill, so to speak. A sports legend, and I was this studious girl who took my education seriously. The teacher assigned us to the same study group. Patrick couldn’t seem to get calculus and asked if I would help him. I learned later it was all a ploy to get to know me better.”

  “So you tutored him?” This was a romance-novel type of story, and one of my favorite plotlines.

  “What you need to know,” Joanna continued, “is that Patrick said almost the same thing about me as Sean told us about you.”

  For reasons I was uncomfortable exploring, hearing this unnerved me. I was anxious to get away and think over what she’d told me. “I’m sorry to rush off. I need to get back to my shop.” That much was true. I’d been away far longer than I’d anticipated.

  “No worries; I understand.”

  Stepping back, Joanna closed the door for me. “Don’t be away long. I’m cooking and I hope you’ll join us for dinner later.”

  “I’ll be here,” I promised.

  “Good. No excuses now.”

  * * *

  —

  My first stop when I arrived in town was Bean There. Harper was behind the counter and doing a robust business. Several young men lingered in the shop, seemingly unaware that she was seeing a good deal of her climbing partner, John Neal. Watching my sister work her magic was a sight to behold. While I might attract customers with my baked goods, all Harper had to do was show up. Her silver/lilac hair suited her perfectly. She really was beautiful. I thanked God every day that she’d been spared. The world would be a bleak place without Harper. Her smile lit up a room. People were naturally drawn to her. I could be halfway across the floor and could feel her energy radiating, warming the area. I marveled at her ability to attract others like a bee to honey.

  She waved her arm above her head when she saw me and called out, “You forgot your cell. Dr. Annie called.” Meeting me halfway, she handed me the pink slip with the call information.

  Thinking this might be related to Sean, I rushed to my office and returned the call. The receptionist answered and put me on hold. The seconds felt like minutes and my stomach knotted with concern. Thank goodness I had a short wait.

  “Willa,” Annie greeted cheerfully. “Thanks for returning my call.”

  “Of course. Is everything all right with Sean? Is there something I should be doing?” My brain was spinning, afraid there was more to this fever than typhoid. If so, wouldn’t she be letting him know and not me?

  “No, no. This isn’t about Sean.”

  My relief was instantaneous.

  “How’s he recovering? Is his fever down?”

  “It is. His parents arrived this morning.”

  “Great.” She paused briefly. “The reason I called has to do with Relay for Life. I’m grateful you’re my cochair. I know how busy you’ve been and that you’ve already put in a lot of work, but time is getting short.”

  No question, I was all in with the fight against cancer. “You can count on me.”

  “Wonderful. I got word out on social media. The posters are up and the Chamber of Commerce is on board.”

  “I’ll go back to the service clubs,” I offered. I’d worked my contacts with the Rotary, Kiwanis, Friends of the Library, and several church groups.

  We spoke for several minutes, reviewing our efforts for getting the community involved.

  I’d been active with the local Relay for Life ever since Harper was first diagnosed with leukemia. As the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, it united those suffering with cancer, cancer survivors, and the families of those who’d lost loved ones in the battle to find a cure for all forms of cancer. The event was fun and inspirational. I’d been involved every year, cochairing with Dr. Annie.

  Harper did her part as well and was instrumental in gathering volunteers. It was a twenty-four-hour walk, each person signing up to walk for an hour and collecting money for their efforts. The funds then went toward research and awareness.

  My sister was a survivor and I considered it my goal to m
ake sure she remained in remission. A job I would do everything within my power to fulfill.

  CHAPTER 14

  Willa

  Sean’s parents stayed for a week, and I saw them every day. His mother was a hoot, fussing over Sean, cooking night and day, filling his freezer with dinners. She took his temperature every few hours and fretted over him like he was a five-year-old. In contrast, his father was laid back and easygoing. In many ways Sean was the perfect combination of Patrick and Joanna.

  While he complained about his mother’s constant attention, I was grateful to know she had a handle on keeping him on track, taking his medication at the times prescribed, eating right, and drinking plenty of fluids.

  Every afternoon, once I’d closed for the day, I stopped by Sean’s house, staying three nights for dinner and into the evening. His parents faithfully watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! That gave Sean and me time to be alone. Because he’d been so seriously ill, we’d never discussed what I’d learned about him playing professional baseball. Instead we played board games and UNO, laughing and enjoying each other’s company until he tired out.

  Sean improved a little more each day. On the third day after the medication regime, he took a turn for the better. I could see it in his face and his energy level. He’d lost weight and didn’t have much of an appetite, despite his mother’s effort to get him to eat. She cooked all his favorite meals and wrote out the recipes for me to prepare after she returned home.

  As soon as he started feeling more like himself, Sean started sorting through the thousands of photographs he’d taken. At first, he was able to work only an hour at a time; then two, then four. By the end of the week, Joanna, worried that Sean was pushing himself too hard, asked me to drag him away from his computer.

  “He’s been holed up in his workroom for nearly six hours. That can’t be good for him,” she complained to me over the phone. “He doesn’t eat. Can you come?”

  “Not until later.” I sympathized with her. I was concerned, too. The way I figured it, Sean’s ability to concentrate was self-limiting. He’d know when it was time to give it up for another day. Taking him away from his work wasn’t something I wanted to do. No one appreciated being pulled from a project while in the groove.

  “He was like this as a youngster, too,” Joanna complained. “The worst was when he first got involved in baseball. He’d practice hitting the ball for hours, until he had blisters on his hands from holding the bat. From the time I can remember, he’s always been driven. I worry about him.”

  “Watching him drive himself like that must have been hard on you.”

  “You don’t know the half of it,” she said and sighed. “All I ask is that you stop by the house as soon as you can.”

  “I will,” I assured her. What I didn’t tell her was that I was deeply involved in getting the event for Relay for Life organized. Every minute I wasn’t at Bean There or with Sean, I was working on the event with Annie Keaton. The date was set for Friday, August 14. We had walkers willing to volunteer to circle the high school track for every hour except between two and three. The wee hours of the morning were always the most difficult to fill.

  Mellie Young preferred those early-morning turns and chose to walk between one and two. Rather than let the following hour between two and three go blank, I penciled in my name. Since I was up early most mornings, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch.

  Dinner was on the table when I arrived at Sean’s. “I’m sorry to be so late,” I said, “I got hung up working on the Relay for Life event.”

  “I’ve heard of that,” Joanna said, setting food on the table. “A friend of ours was involved. She told me that although it’s nationwide, it started in Washington State.”

  “That’s what I understand.”

  “Everyone knows someone who has dealt with cancer. It’s long past time to eradicate the disease.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more,” I said.

  Sean came into the kitchen, kissing my cheek and then his mother’s before sitting down. He looked drawn, and I realized his mother had reason to be concerned. He was doing too much too soon, and I feared he might relapse.

  His mother and I shared a look, and it was as if she’d silently shouted the words: I told you so.

  “We leave first thing in the morning,” Patrick told me, as we passed the fresh green salad around the table.

  While aware his parents would be returning to Arizona, I was surprised by how much I hated to see them go. Spending time with Joanna reminded me of how desperately I missed my own mother. I hadn’t talked to my father in weeks and he hadn’t returned my most recent phone calls. Busy as I was caring for Sean and my efforts for Relay for Life, I hadn’t reached out in the last week. Watching how Sean’s family had gathered around him, I regretted that I hadn’t tried harder with my own father.

  After dinner, I helped with the dishes and then joined Sean on the back patio while his parents settled down in front of the television. The UNO pack was out, but I noticed he hadn’t opened the box. Tired as he was, this wasn’t a good night for games.

  The evening was perfect. The weather was cooling down with a gentle breeze, wafting the scent of pine from the tall fir trees that surrounded Sean’s property. He reached for my hand and I could see how tired he was.

  “I’ve enjoyed spending time with your parents.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t run for the hills,” Sean joked. “My mother can be a bit much. It’s the attorney in her; you should see her in the courtroom. I know judges who are afraid of her.”

  I could see Joanna fiercely defending her clients.

  “Count your blessings you have your mother,” I told him, feeling the loss of my own. I’d lost count of the times I’d have given anything to be able to talk to my mom. She’d been patient and wise, and oh, how I missed being able to share my concerns with her. She would have loved Sean and been a constant support when Harper had been so desperately ill.

  “I am grateful,” he said, “but to be frank, I’ll be happy to not have her constantly hovering over me. This afternoon I was tempted to install a lock on my door.”

  I smiled, knowing in my heart that no lock would have kept Joanna out.

  “It’s my sister’s turn next,” he said. “Angie’s pregnant and Mom is dying for grandchildren.”

  This eagerness to spoil grandchildren was something his mother had mentioned repeatedly. Joanna had dropped several hints at my feet. I pretended not to hear. This was far and away a subject I wasn’t prepared to address. Sean and I had been seeing each other only a few weeks. It was much too early to say where this relationship would lead us.

  “We never did have our talk,” Sean said, his hand holding on to mine with more pressure than necessary.

  I could feel his reluctance. To be fair, I wasn’t eager to address the subject myself, although I knew it was necessary.

  “I know I should have mentioned my baseball career, Willa,” he said, his gaze locked on my hand in his. “It wasn’t that I purposely hid it from you…I mean, I did in some ways. I guess I was afraid you’d think less of me.”

  “Less of you?” I found his reasoning odd.

  “If you’d known me then, you wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with me. The man I was back then”—he paused and ran his fingers through his hair—“I was arrogant and self-centered. I cringe every time I think of what a fool I made of myself. It embarrasses me, and I didn’t want you to know I’d ever been like that.”

  “Oh Sean.” I could see how difficult it was for him to talk about his past, and I cupped my hand over his.

  “The women I dated back then…”

  “Nikki?”

  At the mention of her name, Sean froze. “You know about Nikki?”

  “Not a lot. I saw a photo of the two of you. She’s…gorgeous.” It was hard to get the words ou
t of my mouth.

  He closed his eyes and shook his head as if to discard the memory. “I hate that you saw that photo or any photo of the women I once dated.”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” he repeated, his voice raised. “Because it says far too clearly what I valued. Every woman I saw was empty spiritually and mentally. The fact is I was, too. It took hitting the bottom to realize what I’d become. When I was down and out, my career over, I had to take an honest appraisal of myself and my values. I detested what I saw.”

  His honesty cut straight through every negative thought I’d held on to since I first learned the truth.

  “Can you imagine Nikki sticking with me while I dealt with typhoid fever?” he asked and answered his own question with a sarcastic laugh. “She’d have run for the hills so fast it would make your head swim.”

  He knew his former girlfriend better than me, so I didn’t respond. One question had been eating at me, and I picked at the edge of my blouse. “Did you love her?”

  He jerked back as if I’d punched him in the gut. He took several uncomfortable moments to consider his answer. “I won’t lie to you. Idiot that I was, I thought I did. That says more about me than it does her. I sincerely doubt Nikki is capable of loving anyone but herself.”

  “You didn’t introduce her to your parents.” His mother had told me that I was the first woman he’d ever mentioned to her or Patrick.

  “I was on the road a lot of the time and wasn’t in contact with my parents a great deal. In retrospect, I think I subconsciously knew Nikki would be a big disappointment to them.”

  He paused and shook his head as if to clear his mind. “No, that’s not right,” he said, correcting himself. “I know they would have been disappointed in me, and I was looking to avoid that.”

  I hadn’t meant for our talk to revolve around the women he’d once known and loved. Jealousy had prompted the question. The thought of Sean with anyone else made my stomach curdle. Of all that I’d learned about him, it was the part about his affairs that had plagued me most.