A Pelican Beach Affair (Pelican Beach Book 3)

by Michele Gilcrest

  “Well, what do you think?”

  Darla fluffed the back of the dress and made sure the veil was just so. Mom immediately raised her hands to her cheeks and Alice started clapping.

  “I think you look like a beautiful princess,” Emmie said.

  “Thank you, Emmie. And, I owe it all to you.”

  She beamed at the idea of being the one who found my dress.

  “Mom? Alice?”

  I could tell they liked it, but I needed to hear their words of confirmation.

  “What’s not to like, Payton? It’s like Emmie said. You look beautiful,” Alice said.

  Mom stood up and came closer.

  “Stunning. Absolutely stunning. And, if you ask me, it’s perfect for a beach wedding.”

  Darla was drying the corner of her eyes.

  “Your mother knows you well, Payton,” she said.

  “She sure does!”

  “So, do I hear you saying that you want to have a beach wedding, and you’re taking this dress home with you today?”

  I paused and then belted out, “Yes!!”

  Everyone was so happy. Even a few of the customers in the store stopped to cheer us on.

  “Emmie, I owe you big time.”

  We were so excited we danced and twirled around one another.

  “You saved the day. I was starting to feel defeated until you found this dress.”

  “Payton, we may have a fashion consultant in our midst,” mom said.

  Emmie shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe it was just good luck.”

  “Well, either way, I’m grateful.”

  I could envision the look on Cole’s face when we told him the news. A beach wedding was so appropriate for us. I don’t know why I didn’t see it right from the start. We both had traditional weddings the first time around. This would be something new and special. Something we could call our own.

  I was still bubbling over with joy in the car.

  “I just want to thank everyone for coming with me today. Emmie, you deserve an extra big thanks for helping me find my dress.”

  Emmie already had her ear buds back in so Alice had to get her attention.

  “Yes, Grandma?”

  “Payton said thank you for helping her find her wedding dress.”

  “Oh, you’re welcome, Payton.”

  She leaned forward and gave me a big thumbs up before returning to her music.

  “Kids today have so much technology, I don’t know how they can keep up with it all, “ Alice said.

  “Isn’t that the truth. When I was a little girl we enjoyed playing hopscotch and riding our bikes. Today, it seems like kids prefer staying glued to their devices,” I said.

  Mom nodded. “The kids and adults for that matter. I guess it’s just the times we’re living in.”

  I thought it was a good time to shift back to Alice’s love interest.

  “So, Alice. I’m dying to hear the rest of your story about your new friend … what’s his name again?”

  “I don’t think I mentioned his name. Besides, I’m sure you’d rather hear about something more interesting, Payton.”

  “More interesting? Nonsense. What could be more interesting than hearing about somebody else’s love life!”

  “Love life! Both of them are just friends, that’s all,” Alice said.

  Mom turned around.

  “Yeah, right! Come on, Alice. Come clean,” she said.

  “Alright. But you have to promise not to say anything, Payton, especially not to Cole. He always makes a big fuss over my love life and I never understand why.”

  “Scout’s honor. He won’t hear a peep from me.”

  “Helen, you, too.”

  “Yes, me, too… Scout’s honor.”

  “Okay. I have a habit of going to the bookstore at least once a week. I usually peruse my favorite sections and take a stack of books with me to sit and read in the cafe. I can stay in there for hours with a cup of tea and a good book.”

  “Mmm hmm.” I was anxious for her to get to the good part.

  “Well, one particular Saturday I noticed a gentleman sitting nearby reading. He smiled at me. Of course, I didn’t think much of it. He seemed friendly enough but then we both returned back to our reading. For the next two months or better the same thing would happen over and over again. I missed a few Saturdays here and there, but whenever I went he was there.”

  “A whole two months?” mom asked.

  “It sounds like a long time just to smile and notice somebody. But we were both strangers so I was perfectly okay with it. I started looking forward to seeing if he was going to be there. It became like a fun little game to glance over to the spot where he normally sits without being too obvious. I would look, and say to myself ‘yep, he’s here’ and then get my books and carry on with my usual routine. Until one day that all changed. One day I could see him getting up and walking toward me out of the corner of my eye. I remember thinking, ‘nooo, he’s not coming to my table.’ And, then I thought, ‘oh, yes, he is coming to my table!’ I pretended to be reading and then he said, ‘hi, my name is Carl, do you mind if I join you?” Alice paused.

  “What did you say?” I asked.

  “I introduced myself and told him my name, and that’s it. We’ve been seeing each other ever since.”

  Mom threw her hands in the air.

  “That’s it? You can’t leave us hanging like that. I thought this was the man who knows how to light your …”

  “Mom!” I interjected.

  “What? I wasn’t going to say anything bad. I just know there’s more to the story,” she said.

  “You’re right, Helen. There is more. Carl has been my Saturday date ever since we met. In the beginning we used to just share the table space together. We’d have a little small talk here and there. I learned that he’s a retired professor, he told me about his family and I reciprocated. As of late our conversations are even more invigorating. He even left me a single stem rose on my chair the first time he ever expressed interest.”

  The little kid in me came out while singing ‘Alice has a boyfriend.’

  I could see her grinning in the rear view mirror.

  “Okay, we’re almost at the house. Hurry up and tell us the good stuff. What does he look like? Have you kissed yet? We need details,” mom said.

  I don’t know who was worse, me or my mother.

  “I can’t rush this story along. Trust me. You want to hear the whole thing in its proper sequence. It’s the conclusion that has me in a state of not knowing what to do.”

  “Okay, well at least start with his looks. Is he good looking?”

  Alice laughed.

  “I think he is. He has white hair that’s thinning at the top but he wears it well. He has a nice Floridian tan and stays in excellent shape. Oh, and he still dresses like a professor.”

  “A handsome professor who lives in the bookstore. Hmm.” I was taking it all in.

  “We’ve dined out, been to a couple of plays and even slow danced in my living room. But all of that recently came to a screeching halt.”

  “Why?” It was clear that Alice was into this guy so I wondered what the problem could be.

  “Stanley found us kissing on my front porch earlier this week.”

  “Shut up!” Mom lost it.

  “I’m sorry. Carry on,” she said.

  By now we had been sitting in front of the house for at least ten minutes. Emmie, as usual, was mesmerized by the car and fell asleep. And, Cole could’ve been in the house hobbling around for all we knew, but we were determined to hear the end of the story.

  “So wait. What was Stanley doing there in the first place?” I asked.

  As soon as the words came out of my mouth I remembered what Alice told us earlier.

  “Thursday tea,” we said in unison.

  “It was my fault. Stanley was just coming by to bring my usual Chamomile tea and pound cake. It completely slipped my mind that it was his day to stop by. I felt terribl
e.”

  “Now I see why you refer to him as reliable. For goodness sake, it’s okay to miss a Thursday every now and again,” mom said.

  She was clearly favoring Carl over Stanley.

  “The worst part was the look on his face. The timing couldn’t have been more awful.”

  “What happened next?”

  Just then Cole called from the front door standing with his crutches.

  “Are you guys alright out there?”

  Sadly, his timing felt like an interruption right in the middle of a good movie. Emmie woke up and we all agreed to reconvene later to hear the rest of Alice’s story.

  Payton

  The next day I planned a special date at the beach house with Cole. Emmie was enjoying a visit with one of her friends, and my intentions were to spoil Cole with some alone time for two.

  “While I’d prefer not to have a broken leg, this accident has taught me how important it is to slow down and smell the roses,” Cole said.

  We sat under the pergola and listened to sound of the ocean. He put his arm around me.

  “I agree. It’s easy to get entangled in daily affairs and forget what matters most.”

  “Promise me that will never happen to us. Let’s make it a priority to never get too caught up and let life pass us by.” Cole looked deeply into my eyes.

  “I can’t promise that we’ll always get it right, but I promise to always make you… to make us my priority,” I said.

  “That’s all I could ever ask.”

  We ate the lunch that I prepared and continued taking in the beautiful view.

  “You know, Cole. I think most of our dates have been right here at this house.”

  “It seems that way, but I promise that will change as soon as I can get this old leg back on track.”

  “There’s nothing about your leg or you that’s old.”

  “Thank you, but for some reason these bones don’t feel the same way they did when I was twenty.”

  I could agree with that. Lately it felt like my bones creaked and popped in new places I had never experienced before.

  “Hey, Payton.”

  “Yes.”

  “I just want to reassure you that although you changed your mind having the ceremony here on the beach, you don’t have to. I don’t want you to feel pressured into it. I’m thrilled that we had a chance to get engaged here. If Marina Del Mar is still your number one, then I fully support that, too.”

  “Cole, I promise I genuinely want to have the wedding here. I know sometimes it takes longer than a minute for me to come around to an idea, and I apologize for that. But just think of the memories we’ll have here. You know we can never sell this house, right?”

  Cole tilted his head back and let out a hardy laugh.

  “Wow, you’ve definitely had a change of heart.”

  He drew my hand closer and held it with our fingers intertwined.

  “You won’t get any arguments out of me. I used to think that living full time in a beach house wasn’t the norm until we moved to Pelican Beach. I always thought they were vacation homes or off season homes. I’d live here every day for the rest of my life if I could. And, to know that my lady feels the same way makes it even better.”

  I rested my head on his shoulder.

  “So what do you have in mind for the wedding?” Cole asked.

  “Picture this.” I spread my hands out in the direction of the beach.

  “What if we had an archway draped in white chiffon and flowers where we will exchange our vows? Rows and rows of chairs draped in white linen with bows tied around the back. Linen tablecloths with bouquets of flowers to serve as a centerpiece. Perhaps peonies or hydrangeas blooming in different shades of beige and pink. Of course, we’ll have to come up with a solution for a dance floor. Maybe we can have the rental company set up an amazing outdoor tent. Oh, and let’s not forget a live band and…”

  “Whoa, whoa… slow down there. I can hardly keep up.”

  “You don’t like my ideas?” I asked.

  “Your ideas sound fantastic. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you this excited about the wedding. I just wanted to slow down and savor the moment.”

  “Gee, was I that bad?”

  “Not bad. I just think you’ve been under a lot of pressure as most brides are. And, when things weren’t working out according to plan it probably made it worse. I can’t say the same anymore. I’m convinced that having the wedding here was a good fit for you.”

  “It was a good fit for us. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you in my life. You’re so supportive, Cole. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  “Why don’t we continue talking about the plans later. You and I are on a date, remember?”

  “I remember.”

  “Good. Since you’re the one in a cast I think you deserve to be catered to and enjoy something special I planned for you.”

  “Oh, really? What did you have in mind?”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?” I said in a flirtatious voice.

  “Can I have a hint?”

  “I’ll give you more than a hint. Hold that thought. I’ll be right back.”

  I ran to the car as fast as I could to get the surprise. On occasion I had a habit of stopping by a thrift store to collect vintage items for fun. The last time I found a coo-coo clock for the store. This week’s find was sure to add some fun to our date.

  I returned wheeling the object behind me and peeked outside at Cole.

  “Are you ready?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Okay, close your eyes, and don’t open them until I say so.”

  I made sure everything was plugged in, turned on some background music, and asked Cole to open his eyes. He immediately laughed.

  “A karaoke?” he asked.

  Before he could say anything I started serenading him to the tune of one of his favorite songs. I didn’t know all of the words but we didn’t care. We sat around singing song after song off key. Thankfully, the neighbors weren’t close enough to complain or call the police.

  Rebecca

  I was home for a couple of weeks with John William and felt like a complete zombie. Ethan and I were over the moon in love with our son, but our irregular sleeping habits were finally starting to take its toll.

  Abby was coming over with my niece and nephew. I couldn’t wait to talk to someone with more experience.

  “Hi, Aunt Rebecca!” Maggie planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

  “Hi, love. Ooh, I’ve missed those sweet kisses. How’s my favorite niece doing?”

  Abby followed her inside but I noticed Aidan was nowhere in sight.

  “You say that all the time but I’m your only niece.”

  “Okay, you caught me. Hey, where’s Aidan?”

  “He had to stay home with daddy because he threw up today.

  I poked out my bottom lip.

  “Aww, that’s too bad. I was looking forward to him meeting John William.”

  Abby gave me a bear hug.

  “So was I but we decided not to take any chances. I’m sure it had something to do with him hanging upside down like a monkey after eating lunch. But, you can never be too careful with a newborn.”

  “Aunt Rebecca, what did you do with John William? I don’t see him anywhere.

  I loved Maggie’s innocence. She seemed convinced that I was playing a game of hiding go seek with the baby.

  “He’s right over here in the living room. But first…”

  “I know. I have to wash my hands. Mom already told me all the rules in the car. She said ‘wash your hands, if you let me hold him I have to be sitting on the couch, and I have to put a pillow under his neck.”

  Maggie was so sweet. She was ready to meet her baby cousin and I certainly wasn’t going to get in her way. Her mannerisms were very much like Abby’s when it came to being nurturing.

  “Alright kiddo, let’s go wash our hands,” Abby said.
/>   When they returned I positioned John William on Maggie’s lap.

  “So, how are you feeling, Sis?”

  “The truth? Happy, tired, moody… did I mention tired?”

  “Rebecca, you recently gave birth. What did you expect?”

  “I know what all of the books said I should expect but there’s nothing like experiencing it for yourself.”

  “That’s a good point.”

  “Ethan has been great about checking on me during late night feedings, but he can only do so much. I finally told him this afternoon to head upstairs and take a nap. He disappeared so fast it was hysterical. I’m sure he’ll come down and say hello before you leave.”

  I glanced over at Maggie who was putting John William right to sleep. She was a natural.

  “He’s so precious, Aunt Rebecca. I already love him so much.”

  “Aww, aren’t you sweet, Maggie.”

  “I don’t know, Abby. I might have to steal my niece every now and again. I didn’t realize we had a built in babysitter in the family.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’d love that. Wouldn’t you, Maggie?”

  “Yep! Do you want to hold him, Mom?”

  “Oh, you mean I get to have a turn? Why, yes thank you. I don’t mind if I do.” Abby teased.

  It brought such joy to watch them connect with John William.

  “Maggie, would you like to watch one of your favorite channels or play on your tablet while I catch up with Aunt Rebecca?”

  Maggie ran off to turn the television on while John William continued to sleep in Abby’s arms.

  “Rebecca, it’s really a beautiful thing to see you in your new role as a mother.”

  “Ha, thanks, but I still have a lot to learn.”

  “Don’t be so tough on yourself. I know we’ve had our share of bumping heads in the past, but you should know that I’m here for you if you need anything.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate it. I think my biggest challenge is trying to find balance. We haven’t been home that long and already issues are starting to pop up at work. And, we still have to find a property management company for the house in Savannah.”

  “Would you like some advice?”