by Lori Power
Nate patted his knee before rising. “Tuck, man. Emily’s right. You were seen at the Tavern with Vivian, and Marston has been bitching about how you were going at her in Ethel’s flower garden last night…”
“We were not in the flower garden.”
Nate shrugged his shoulders. “Well, wherever you were, apparently it was an intense situation, so don’t sit there like this is coming out of left field, bro.”
Tuck laid his empty dish to the table beside the swing. Standing from the swing, he headed across the yard to the beach. “I’m done with this conversation.”
He walked along the beach toward his house. Sometimes being back home was more like taking a step back rather than moving on, and he really was trying to move on with his life. He just didn’t know if Vivian was a temporary distraction.
****
The next morning dawned bright and cheery with hardly a cloud to mar the beautiful azure blue of the sky—almost white at the horizon and growing darker in hue to its apex straight above. Tuck trotted down the long set of stairs, pausing at the bottom to stretch before taking an early morning run.
He had only been called out a couple of times since re-enlisting as a reservist, and each one had a happy ending. However, after the ass-kicking he took at the pool the other day from Nate, Tuck decided he had to get back in shape. People’s lives were never to be trifled with. Being a desk jockey for so long had left him soft in the haunches. He had, as his brother liked to tease, let himself go to pot.
Starting along the deserted road, admiring the sun glistening off the dew on the grass, Tuck reflected on his conversation with Nate. “You can go to the gym all you want,” Nate had said. “But it’s a good day’s labor that will straighten you out.”
The MacLean’s business was multifaceted to keep them busy and afloat to use the pun year round. In the summer, they catered to tourists, and when the season moved to autumn, the family took orders for various custom-designed boats and built them over the winter. In the spring, the finished vessels would be sold to clients. Tuck had recently convinced his parents to start attending various boat shows as part of their annual planning and marketing strategy for the coming season.
Tuck continued his run, moving off the road to the trail that met the beach. While manual labor suited his father and brother, not everyone could work the way they did, or they didn’t want to. Tuck loved his work and although he helped out around the warehouse, his job meant he basically sat on his ass for the majority of the day. He had an obligation to be fit for the water, so he ran most mornings outside. If the weather was too harsh, he would go to the gym, but it wasn’t the same. There was nothing quite like getting up early when the gulls were just waking and the sea so calm it resembled glass where the even the tiniest ripples were visible.
Running along the trail, he remembered Vivian in his arms. He picked up his pace, imagining those long legs wrapped around him. He longed to see her expressive face suffused in passion, knowing he was the one to make her feel that way.
What bothered him most was their instant attraction. Not even with his ex-wife had Tuck experienced such a connection. With his wife it had been a whirlwind of attending various functions, never taking the time to get to know one another before walking down the aisle. They fit naturally together that marriage just seemed like the next step. Tuck realized, too late of course, that although well suited on a social level and as long as he held a certain position, they were not suited personally. So, when the preverbal excrement hit the rotating device, she was gone as fast as she had entered his life.
Vivian seemed different and genuine. He craved to see her, but didn’t want to see her again for so many reasons. In reality, he was scared of starting a serious relationship. What if he went down the wrong path with another woman not meant for him? He couldn’t go through that again.
Tuck pushed his run harder. He didn’t find the ideal girl right out of high school like Nate. But Vivian’s slightly husky voice made him think of all things new and fresh in spring. When he closed his eyes, all he could see were those moss green eyes, almost black with passion when she kissed him. He loved the way her body moved to the music—his music, and he wanted to move with her to their own music.
“Enough,” he said, checking the apparatus on his wrist for time and distance. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his body heating with wanting.
As though his thoughts had conjured her, Vivian appeared from around the corner of the Warehouse. She was moving toward him as she made her way from the road to the seaside trail. She didn’t seem to spot him. She’s singing again. He laughed, seeing her lips move even from their relative distance.
Slowing his pace, he waited for her to notice him. His stomach flipped. I feel like a teenager. This is crazy.
When she finally raised those sea-foam eyes to his, he was tongue-tied.
“Hey, you,” she said, stopping just a couple feet from him and pulling the ear buds from her ears. “How are you? I didn’t expect to meet anyone at this hour.”
“Me…either.”
“Are sailors like farmers? Up with the crows?”
Tuck laughed. “I don’t know many farmers, but fishermen get up early. Sailors on the other hand…”
She began to run on the spot. “Well, I won’t hold you up.” She turned to leave.
“How about I join you?”
In her slight hesitation, he thought he saw a mixture of shock, surprise, and fear crossed her beautiful face before she nodded. “That would be nice, but I don’t run fast and you look like…” She paused, looking him up and down, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment. “You could probably out run a freight train.”
“No, not a freight train. I just like to run as fast as passenger trains.” He laughed.
She laughed lowering her head.
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep your pace.”
Coiling her ear bud cord to stash it in her pocket, Vivian moved forward before stopping suddenly. “Which way?”
“What?”
“Which way? You were going one way and I the other. Which way do you want to run?”
“Whatever way suits your fancy.” He meant that statement in more ways than one.
****
Vivian nodded and started to jog, Tuck at her side. What do I talk about? She didn’t talk and jog like most people. She panted for air. Jesus, she must look a real mess soaked through and no make-up. She ran her fingers under her eyes to ensure she had no mascara streaks left over from last night.
Tuck wasn’t even breathing hard. Was her heavy breathing due to her being winded or because he jogged so close beside her? She turned slightly to glance at him. His head moved to meet her gaze. He smiled a fresh-as-a-daisy smile. Swine. Obviously a morning man. Uggh.
She spotted the greenish, purple bruising along his brow bone and the small cut. Her sense of guilt renewed over the other night. Vivian stopped, bending to place her hands on her upper thighs. “Listen, Tuck.” She took a moment to catch her breath, and then straightened. “I am really embarrassed about the other night. I was stupid and you were so gracious with me and getting me home safely. I am very sorry for the trouble I caused you at the Tavern.”
He took a step back and his face went blank.
Oh, shit. He’s not happy.
She wished she could read his thoughts. Finally he smiled and she released her pent up breath.
“Let’s put it behind us and start fresh,” he said, holding out his hand.
She slipped her hand into his, warm currents coursed up her arm at his touch. His thumb tickled her wrist, causing a soft throb in the most secret of places. Her gaze locked with his silvery, grey eyes and she was swept away on the tide of his stare.
Ohmigod. If he took her in his arms right now, he could have whatever he wanted, but what did Tuck want from her? Her body, her soul, just friendship, and for how long?
Chapter Nine
After another grueling day of sailing lessons, Vivian was getting r
eady to leave the warehouse with her team of sailors when Tuck arrived.
“Having a good time yet?”
Arthur shook Tuck’s proffered hand. “What happens if we say no?”
“I’m sore as hell,” Howard said.
Tuck laughed at Howard’s revelation of how his father and brother worked the would-be sailors like slaves.
“Oh well, it can’t be that bad.” Tuck continued to shake everyone’s hand, smiling easily. He returned to pat Howard on the shoulder. “As long as you’re getting what you paid for.” Tuck shifted a ball cap low over his forehead and combined with his sun glasses no one would see the bruising Vivian knew was there.
He went on to ask them how they found MacLean’s Shipping and Restoration, whether it was from the Internet, a travel agent, or perhaps a friend. While the Matthews said their recommendation had come from a friend who did the tour last year, the rest confirmed they found the company on-line.
“Be sure to let us know if anything is not up to your satisfaction.”
The room went silent and everyone glanced toward Linda Matthews, waiting for her to speak. She mellowed the last couple of days and seemed genuinely happy with the comradery of the group. Even so, Vivian was still surprised by Linda’s lack of comment.
“You set sail tomorrow. We’ll have a full crew on board so don’t worry. The objective is to have fun. Remember, when your muscles are tired, think fun. When your eyes strain against the sun, think fun. When the Captain gets out of hand, think fun.” Everyone, including Vivian, laughed hardily at Tuck’s instructions. “We are here to make sure you have an adventure to relay to your kids and grand kids.” Tuck nodded at Vivian. “Or to have a grand adventure.”
By some unspoken general consensus, Vivian’s team shuffled away leaving her alone with Tuck. He reached for her arm as she started to leave. “Are we still on for tonight? I know you leave tomorrow for the sailing cruise, but I was wondering if you would like to go out in my little sloop tonight? We could watch the sun go down?”
“That sounds like fun. Wait, Nate told us the difference between all of the different types of boats, yet you’ve lost me.” Vivian gestured with her hand about four inches above her head. “What’s a sloop?”
“Join me tonight and you’ll see.” Tuck smiled and winked. “Be sure to wear something warm. It can get chilly out on the water. Even in the harbor.”
By the time Vivian stepped on board the small, single mast boat, her stomach was in knots of apprehension. She wanted to see Tuck again, like she hadn’t wanted to see a guy since being in high school mooning over Tommy Douglas. In fact since their run that morning, she had been in a constant state of preoccupation thinking about him. Maybe it’s the way he smiles at me as if I’m the only woman in the world. The way he spoke, with just a hint of an accent slightly different from her own, was music to her ears.
His hand warmed hers like a river through her veins as he helped her stepped from the dock onboard his sloop. “Thank you for this.” Vivian said, reluctantly releasing her grip on his hand. “I didn’t tell the others in case they thought I was receiving special treatment.”
He squeezed her hand, not allowing her to move away. “Don’t fuss about it.” The warmth of his body sent tingles of electricity shooting through her arms, her legs wobbled. “They’re having a good time.”
“I like the way you talk.” Vivian blurted, giving voice to her inner thoughts. Her cheeks grew warm.
He smiled. “People comment on the accent all the time. Car, bar, anything with an R at the end seems to bring out a drawl. It’s the mix of Irish and Scott that slurred us together in to what we have now. Much like Whiskey and Ginger Ale,” he added with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “Smooth.”
“I don’t think I will live that down anytime soon.” Vivian shook her head, laughing. She spotted his guitar close to the cabin. “What are you going to play for me tonight maestro?”
“You name it and if I can, I’ll give it a whirl.”
“Oh, the way you played that rock song the other night, I loved it!” Vivian gushed unashamed. She definitely wanted to listen to him play again.
****
“I play better to a receptive audience.” He released her hand as they settled on the deck where he had laid a comfy quilt. He had put together, what he hoped, was a romantic array of food. Some wine and cheese with a side of strawberries and red grapes sat on the edge of the blanket. Tonight, Tuck focused on seduction.
He picked up his guitar and played a tune. “I’m no Spanish guitarist.”
“I wouldn’t know the difference. I only know what I like.”
Tuck watched her eyes smolder. Maybe I’m not the only one focused on seduction.
Despite the sparks or because of them, Tuck had a lot of fun. He had wanted to spend the evening with Vivian, no question about it, and he wanted to make love to her, but he didn’t expect to have so much fun as well. They talked about everything from what music meant to them, to where they were when they first heard whatever song he strummed. They also chatted about their childhood and growing up, to the day he took her on his motorcycle. Was that only a few days ago?
Tuck loved hearing her laugh. When she was passionate about a topic, her face lit up.
“This may sound strange, but I feel more at ease with you than I have ever been with another woman.”
Her cheeks turned a rosy hue, and just when he thought she wouldn’t respond, she reached out to cup his cheek. “I feel the same.”
Putting the guitar away, he sailed the boat out into the harbor where it drifted into a smooth rhythm. He showed her some easy things to remember when on a boat and questioned her on what she learned, allowing her to show him everything she had learned over the last couple of days. Tuck even allowed her to take the big wheel for a while. Standing back and watching her, he appreciated the sight of her body in motion. The whole evening was turning into something so much more intimate. He never expected they would get along so well, as though they had known each other for years.
She glanced over her shoulder, eyes wide with delight. “This is so much fun. It’s much better than I expected.”
Her cheeks were flushed when they moored the small boat. They sat back on the deck, sharing a glass of local white wine. The sun dipped into the sea when she raised her glass to his. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Tuck clinked her plastic glass with his. “Sailing can be lots of fun.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” Vivian nodded. “I can’t imagine being a fisherman and having to do it every day, rain or shine, cold or hot.”
“They do and they love it. I’m unfortunately not that kind of sailor. I am a fair weather man whereas it seems the rest of my family will go out no matter the weather and are just as content.”
“With you being a rescue swimmer, bad weather would mean more to you.”
“Being prepared is prepared must. Sometimes things just happen at sea that no one is prepared for. That’s why they have people like me around.”
“I hadn’t even thought about that.” Vivian sounded apprehensive. “We’ve had such nice weather so far. What’s the forecast for the next week?”
Tuck smiled and patted her hand. “Not to worry, you will have a nice mixed bag.”
“Mixed bag? What’s that suppose to mean?”
“Some of this, some of that.” He was deliberately vague, teasing her.
“Come on, tell me we’re not going out in some hurricane.”
“Oh, wouldn’t that boost business. I can see the new brochure now. Sail with us, we send you out, coming back is on you!”
Vivian laughed uproariously, grabbing her sides as tears streamed down her cheeks.
When she caught her breath, she stared at him, serious now. “No, really tell me.”
“Forecast calls for a bit of a storm south and further out to sea. It’s expected to keep its course East across the Atlantic and petering out there. You’ll leave in sunny weather tomorrow. Then you’ll hit
some rain and wind from the wake of the storm, but nothing serious. The weather center keeps us informed and we will keep the team updated.”
“But I can hardly get a single bar here on my phone. What will it be like when we leave shore?” Vivian eyes shone with innocence.
Tuck laughed and shook his head. “Might as well save your battery. It’s not likely to get a signal. There are no cell towers at sea. The ship comes equipped with satellite phone and all other communication essentials. We don’t expect our sailors to be texting while at sea.”
She tilted her head back and he followed her gaze. The darkening sky twinkled with stars. “Look, Tuck.” Vivian pointed. “I know you get to see this all the time, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sky so alive. Even where I live in the country, the sky is beautiful, but this is different and you have it all the time.”
Tuck pulled her down on the blanket he had spread for their dinner. He lay by her side, gazing at the stars. “It’s funny when you live here and seem to take it for granted.”
“I know.” She peered out to the distant horizon. “There are lots of things I take for granted too.”
“Like what?”
“Like my friends, and how lucky I am to have a job that’s flexible enough to allow me to run the café even if it only breaks a small profit. Marcy and I do it because we love it. We don’t need to be big business owners, but I’m lucky. Most people don’t get a choice.”
“I know what you mean.” Tuck did know what she meant, having witnessed so many fishing families go under over the years and have to move away for work. He had seen the small town where he and Nate grew up, reduced to almost a ghost town before the Town Council and a few of the more influential residents decided to make their mark on the map and become a tourist community. People didn’t like the change, but change was keeping this town from disappearing.
Resting on his elbows, he turned to her. “Even for me, I was lucky to have a fall-back position when the Tech Bubble burst. Sometimes it’s easy to feel sorry for my loss, but hey, I am lucky. How many people went under and were never able to resurface because they didn’t have the same opportunities I had.”
