by Keck, Laurie
“Hey boy thanks for the warm welcome.”
Larina stepped around the corner from the grill area.
“Hi.” She made her way to him and kissed him.
He raised his brows. “Thank you for the warm welcome. You said to bring Bandit.”
“Yeah, of course, I’m glad you did.”
She took his hand and led him near the fire pit. “I’m sorry about the tree.” She motioned to the loveseat. “Have a seat. I’ll get you a drink. Do you have a preference?”
He sat and shook his head. “Thanks, I could use one. No, whatever you’re serving.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
She went to the outdoor bar and came back with a jar and handed it to him with a mug.
He laughed. “Moonshine, I feel right at home.” He glanced toward the gate. “I brought my guitar, had hoped your father and I might play some. It’s been a long time. They’re nice memories.”
She laughed. “Oh, if you drink that, I have no doubt you will.”
Grant came on to the veranda and, seeing Case, offered a broad smile and handshake. “Case, it is good to see you, son!”
Case jumped out of his seat. “Yes, sir, always a pleasure to see you. Thank you for having me.”
“I am sorry to hear about your tree.”
“Thanks. Yeah, I was quite upset.”
Grant motioned for Case to take a seat. “I brought you a cigar.”
Case sat as he spoke. “Ah, thank you. As for the tree, I soon realized that, whoever did that, they did me a favor.” He addressed Larina. “That tree represented the past, a longing for what could have been. With you, coming back as you have that tree and all it represented …” He shook his head. “I no longer need that. I now have all I need, all I want.”
Larina kissed him on the forehead. “We both do.”
Grant took a seat as he asked Case, “So how is Robust?”
“He’s doing great. Larina’s the best. Thanks for sending her to me.”
Grant gave a wink. “Glad it worked out.”
Larina sat beside Case. “Daddy, I told Case most everything… but not about the notes.”
Case exchanged glances between them. “Note?”
Grant reached over to light Case’s cigar and then lit his own pipe before he spoke.
“Yes, both Larina and I received a note that threatens to tell our family secret.”
Case drew on his cigar, never taking his eyes off of Grant.
“Larina got hers while in the Keys. Mine arrived here at the house, only a day before. This is why Larina came home.”
Case sat up quickly, and as he held his cigar in one hand, he pounded his fist in his other. “It’s Annette. It has to be.”
Larina furrowed her eyebrow and shook her head. “No, she couldn’t possibly know. No one knows.”
Grant sipped his drink and then said, “Sadly, someone knows. Case, tell me why you think it’s her.”
Case pounded his fist into his hand with each point he made. “I think she hurt Robust. I think she stole my work. Hell, I think she poisoned the animals. Cut down the tree. I just don’t have proof. I even recently installed a camera on the stall and an alarm on the house. But I have nothing.”
Grant stood and tended to the fire. “If this is true, she’s quite dangerous.”
Larina held her hand up. “Wait, I’m definitely not a fan, but that doesn’t make any sense. I was away four years; why would she lead me back here? She must know I would be back, Daddy, if you were in danger. And besides, she would’ve had to have physically followed me to see me swim or to suspect anything.”
Grant said, “I would like to share your theory, dear. However, as I see it, as long as you remain even a possibility, she felt she would never have Case. Near or far, it didn’t matter. And who’s to say she hasn’t seen you?”
Case held his hand out toward Grant. “You’re right.” He then spoke to Larina. “He’s right. She always believed you were the only thing in the way of us being together.”
Grant said, “At the very least, if Annette learned of our secret, and was able to reveal it, Case could never have a life with you. Think of the notoriety she would have in revealing our truth. Larina, you and I would become the subject of many tests and complete isolation. I think it’s a real possibility.”
Case said, “It’s hard to know what someone like her is capable of.”
Grant took a puff. “Still, she would need proof. My guess is she doesn’t have it.”
Larina stood, and as she paced, she felt her mind race. “If it’s her, why not just burn down the house, stable, studio? Why not just start a massive fire? Do it all at once?”
Grant narrowed his gaze. “Arson? No, she wants Case and the life he offers. That means land, his belongings. The animals, to someone like her, are just in the way. They take too much of his time, and she doesn’t want to share him. No, besides, I suspect she would also rather do it slowly, with torment while creating trepidation.”
Larina asked, “So what do we do?”
Grant said, “We wait. She’ll slip up. We just need to remain mindful, and we definitely all have something to think about.”
Larina held her hands up. “I won’t be caught in anyone’s net. So, you both really think it’s her? What happened to the other people you suspected?”
Grant and Case exchanged glances as they got more comfortable in their chairs. Grant puffed on his pipe while Case puffed on his cigar.
Larina then slumped into her chair. “Guess you both have it all under control,” she said with sarcasm.
Chapter 6
After several minutes of silence, which to Larina felt like an eternity, Grant got up and walked over to the barbeque pit. “Now, who would like some lunch?”
Grant took the oysters off the grill and placed them on a tray. Larina shook her head in disbelief as Case stood and reached for her hand. He led her to their place settings at the table.
Case said, “This is quite a feast. Thank you both.”
There was beef, oysters, clam chowder soup, broccoli, string beans, and French bread. They each took their places at the table, said grace, and then began to enjoy the food, the day, and each other’s company.
Grant held up his glass. “Here’s to us and to our happiness.”
“Hear, hear.” They clanged their glasses together in response.
Grant held his hand out. “Case, you’ve been quite successful with your music. I’m very happy for you and also quite proud of you and all you have accomplished.”
Case bowed his head. “Thank you, sir.”
Grant said, “I would love to come to one of your performances. When are you doing another show?”
Case laid his fork on his plate. “Yes, I’d like that very much. I have a performance coming up this week. It’s on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale. I perform opening day at the county fair. It’s the closest I have in upcoming engagements.”
“That’s not far, forty miles or so. Larina, what do you think? Accompany your dad to a show?”
“I don’t know. It may be too soon.” Her eyes darted between them. “We’re someone’s focus right now.”
As Grant filled his plate, he said, “Nonsense, we don’t stop living. That is what she wants. We just don’t meet with, or turn into, mermaids for a few days.”
Case exhaled slowly. “There’s one thing, and I hate to bring it up. I’ll have Timmy that day. I normally only have him every other week. I don’t normally plan any work on the weeks I have him. But Annette threw this on me just yesterday. Something about he’d be in the way with what she had to do. I hate how she talks about him.”
He reached for Larina’s hand. “That’s what she called about.”
Grant wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Even better.”
Larina rolled her eyes as she spoke. “How is that even better?”
Case said. “I’m really sorry. She knew I had a show.” Case held his arms out. “But I’d still love to ha
ve you. I‘d love you both to meet Timmy. For me, it is even better. I just wanted to let you know. Oh… is it okay if we plan to meet there? I have to go to town early that morning, drop something off, and then pick up Timmy”
Grant held up his glass. “Then we will come to your show, and we will meet you there.”
Larina waved her hands. “No, we won’t. I don’t think it’s a good idea at all. Annette would be furious if she finds out. We know what she’s like, and let’s not forget what you both just accused her of.”
Grant got up to refill his glass. “She’ll never know. We’ll go.”
Larina smirked and shook her head. “I don’t know what to make of you two. But I know when you make up your minds about something; I’ve never been able to stop either of you.”
Case and Grant each lifted a brow. Then Case lifted his arms up and said, “This is great.”
Grant said, “Now Case, what about we try our hand at an old-fashioned sailor’s song after lunch?”
“I’d like that very much.”
Larina poured both herself and Case another drink, as Grant got up from the table. “Well, I, for one, have had plenty. Larina dear, a beautiful lunch, thank you. Now I will set myself by the fire and enjoy a little smoke.”
Larina caught that Case was eyeing her. She felt as if he wanted to kiss her, she wanted that too. However, she turned away and picked up her father’s dish.
“I’ll be right back. Please keep eating.” She said.
She headed into the kitchen, but Case soon followed.
As she stood at the sink, Case approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I love you. I’ve always only wanted for you to be happy.”
He gently moved her hair from her shoulders and kissed the nape of her neck. He whispered, “If you still don’t feel ready, I’ll continue to wait for you.”
Feeling weak in the knees, Larina slipped the plate on the counter as she turned around. “I am ready. I really am.”
He kissed her. They wrapped their arms around each other and continued with a kiss that made her feel woozy.
“Happiest man anywhere, that’s what I am.” He said as he took her hand and led her back outside. She took her seat next to the fire as Case went to pick up his guitar. As Case returned to sit next to her, Grant held up a finger, “Let me go get my shell and a notepad.”
Larina and Case sat with their fingers entwined, stealing kisses, while Grant went in the house. When Grant returned, he and Case tinkered around with sounds and tried out a few lyrics. Larina tucked her feet up underneath her, as she enjoyed seeing the two men she loved most in the world, share a moment.
Case rested his arm on his guitar. “I’ve had the best times with you both. They may not have been many, but they’ve been the ones I call on when I begin to feel hopeless.”
Larina ran her hand through his hair and then kissed his shoulder.
Grant said. “You’re family, Case. Family sticks together.”
Case perched his lips and then positioned his guitar once more. “Okay, this is what we have so far. Tell me what you think.”
He blew into his harmonica, and as he did, both Sunmoon and Bandit howled. The three of them laughed, and then Case strummed his guitar and began to sing:
“I’m a fin-icky man from Fin-land
Who set sail across the sea,
When lo and behold
But what do I see,
How could this possibly be?
“I cast no line, only my eyes
And what do you think I find?
A sweet and lovely siren
That has just captured my mind.
“Is this the beginning?
Or the fin-ish of me,
A fantasy or is it a dream
Or the end of me?
“Is this just the start,
Or will I bury at sea?
Heal my lonely heart,
I love what it is I see.
“A fair, a fine, a maiden,
Her hand so soft and sure.
I take a sip then kiss her lips,
I think I’ve found the cure.
“She then took a hold of me,
And what do you think I see?
Lo and behold,
We’re swimming in the sea.
“Oh what a ride, it was,
She so fine, so fair,
A special time it truly was,
A true blue fairy tail
“This woman I will love,
That is, if I do dare.
The love that we now feel,
We surely now will share.
“Then she said, she must hide,
For now it was low tide,
But she said this to me,
Before she left my side.
“Is this the beginning?
Or the fin-ish of me,
A fantasy or is it a dream
Or the end of me?
“Is this just the start?
I love what it is I see.
Heal my lonely heart,
Or I will surely die at sea.”
Grant threw his head back in laughter. “That was marvelous, a real sailor song if ever I heard one. Larina, what do you think?”
She tilted her head. “I may have to agree with those two,” she said as she pointed to Sunmoon and Bandit.
They all chuckled. Then Grant picked up his shell. “Again, Case, this time with the horn.”
As they played, Larina daydreamed about the little time she had spent with Case all those years ago. Still she felt as if they had never parted. She felt closer to him now than ever before. She loved seeing the joy in his face, the twinkle in his eyes, the life in his movements, and to feel his touch again. She thought of how she would never leave.
Soon, Grant took notice of the darkened sky and said, “Where did this day go? Doesn’t matter, it was a lovely day. I’m going to leave you kids to do… whatever it is kids in love do under the stars.”
Case stood up to say goodnight. Grant gave an embrace. “Case, I insist you and Bandit stay here tonight. We have had quite a bit of moonshine.”
Case said, “Thank you, sir.”
“Goodnight to you both. Sunmoon, Bandit, come with me. Let your parents have some privacy.” Grant then walked into his den by way of the veranda.
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
Larina then turned to Case. “This has been both a stressful and happy last two days.”
Case walked with Larina as they went to sit on the wall of the patio. Here one could feel the soft breeze provided by the shore.
“We’re not as different as I once thought,” Larina said as she glanced at him
“Oh?”
She snuggled next to his chest. “Your mother left you with your grandfather when you were small. My mother, I’ve never even met. You were raised by your grandfather, and let’s face it; my father is practically a grandfather. He’s so old-fashioned, like something out of the forties.”
He laughed. “We’re practically one and the same.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do.”
“Your grandfather was a wonderful man.”
Case lifted his head to the sky. “That he was.”
He returned his gaze to Larina. “I’ll never forget he bought me my very first guitar. When he learned I’d saved my allowance to buy one, he got it for me. He told me to spend my money doing fun things with my friends.”
He held her hand and then kissed it. “Granddad always believed in me. No matter what I tried, he cheered me on. I was never left wanting for anything. He never spoke poorly of my mother either. When I decided to go professional with rodeo, the only thing he told me, was he feared that I’d hurt my handsome face.” He winked. “He told me it would serve me well one day. He also thought I should concentrate on my music. He turned out to be right.”
She squeezed his hand. “Nice memories you have. And it is a handsome face.”
He lightly bumped her shoulder and tou
ched the small scar on his upper lip as he spoke. “He was glad this was all that happened to me from those rodeo days. You know, he loved you. First time he saw you with me, he told me you were the one. He knew. Of course, I knew too.”
Larina ran her fingers through Case’s hair. “I wish I’d known him longer. I made a big mistake running like I did, running from you.”
Case’s eyes became wide. “With what you were experiencing, with your secret… I don’t blame you for being scared. And I was quite relentless in my chase of you.”
He hopped down from the wall and held his hand out to help her down.
After she stepped down, she wrapped her arms around his neck. As she did, he took a small step back. “Whooo, is that you or the moonshine making me wobbly?”
She held his shoulders. “I suspect a little of both. Come on. Let’s call it a night. I’ll show you your room.”
“Aw, do we have to?”
Larina laughed. “Come on, I’m putting you to bed.”
He smiled. “This is starting to sound better and better.”
* * * *
Case called for Bandit as Larina turned down the bed and fluffed a pillow. She said, “I think you have everything you’ll need.”
Case motioned for Bandit to lie near the window, and then he lay on the bed. He reached for Larina, who lay beside him. She tucked her head against his shoulder. He kissed her forehead and said, “Now I have all I need.”
“So I guess I’ll finally see you perform a live show.”
“Yeah, hope I can impress you.”
“You always do.” She kissed his hand. “And more importantly, I will finally meet Timmy.”
He kissed the top of her head. “He’ll love you. I’m glad you agreed to go, wasn’t sure you were going to.”
“Not sure I had a choice.” She locked her fingers in his. “I worry about both you and Father.”
“Everything will be okay.”
She traced her finger over his lips. “So you’re’ really okay with all you’ve seen? With my fin and my ability to will it?”
“Hell yes.” He placed his tongue against a tooth. “I must admit, though, there are other parts of you that I’d hoped to see first.”
