Stones of Sandhill Island

by Peggy Chambers

  He gently pushed her hip aside as he reached under the stove and came up with a large cast iron skillet. Then opened the refrigerator and pulled out an onion. The entire kitchen was immediately engulfed in its fumes. He peeled and sliced it, and before they were done, tears ran down both their faces. “Strong,” he said wiping his face with the back of his hand. “I normally cook the fish and vegetables together in the skillet on the grill up top. Will that work for you?”

  “Sounds great.” Billie sniffed. “Tissues?” She wiped her hands on the towel hanging from the rack.

  “Bathroom.” Neil nodded behind him and continued to slice potatoes to go with the fragrant root.

  Billie walked through the door to the berth. There were narrow, twin- sized beds on either side and a door at the end that had to be the bathroom. Opening the door, she found a sink and toilet with the shower hanging above them. The bathroom itself doubled as a shower. She used the toilet paper, finding no box of tissues. The manufacturer used every inch of space in a boat this size.

  Two steps and back into the kitchen, she found Neil climbing up to the top. He had turned on the fan blowing fumes up and out of the hull.

  Soon the propane grill smoked, and he placed the seasoned skillet on top, then went to the kitchen for the feast. Billie sat on the bench seat once again and looked out into the evening sky. The quiet sea sparkled like diamonds as the gentle waves threatened to rock her to sleep. It was a bad guest who fell asleep before dinner. She moved and stretched.

  “It is a lovely evening.” She smoothed her hair back.

  “Yes, lovely. I’m having a beer. Are you sticking with the water?” he asked standing to return to the galley of the boat.

  “Yes, thank you.” Out beyond the harbor in deeper water she saw playful dolphins jump, and Paul’s big shrimper came in for the evening. The dolphins and gulls followed at a safe distance.

  Neil dumped the vegetables into the sizzling pan and placed a lid on top, then went back to the galley for the fish. When he returned, he placed two plates on the shelf that jutted out from the grill and checked the vegetables. He gently placed the fillets in the pan and sprinkled some sort of seasoning on the fragrant food as it cooked. The fish would cook quickly.

  Billie could not imagine a more perfect evening. Clouds formed in the distance, and the setting sun sprayed through them with fingers of gold.

  He handed her a plate and fork and sat beside her on the bench, their legs touching.

  “How’s the fish?” He took a mouthful and nodded to her plate. “Aside from Mike, you’re the first guest this bucket of bolts has had the pleasure of hosting.”

  She took a bite and savored the light delicate flesh that almost melted in her mouth. She hadn’t fished since a young girl and could not remember if she ate her own catch then.

  “Wonderful. Maybe I do like to fish after all. It’s just been a long time, and I’d forgotten.”

  Neil brushed the hair out of her face and looked earnestly at her. “What do I have to do to talk you out of baiting Franks?”

  Thunder clapped in the distance, and Billie looked up.

  “You can’t. I have to take back my life. I would feel better if you were there that night, along with the police. You have a calming effect on me.”

  “I do? Because you make me jumpy as a schoolboy.”

  “I didn’t mean to,” she said around another bite of fish and vegetables wondering if she could duplicate this dish in her own kitchen, or if it required a boat and sunset.

  “I think that is the thing. You don’t try, I just melt. I melted the first time I saw you walking toward the post office. I think you were wearing that same skirt. I loved the way it swayed in the breeze.”

  The conversation had taken a personal turn. She reached for the bottle of water as he reached for his drink, and they brushed hands. The sky began to darken as the clouds rolled in.

  “Looks like a storm. We may get wet,” Billie said looking into the distance and forking another mouthful of fish. “Hurricane season is right around the corner.”

  “Yep, looks like a storm.” He closed the cover to the grill leaving the skillet inside and then sat back down on the bench to finish his supper just as big drops of rain plummeted the deck of the boat.

  Grabbing plates and drinks they ran for the safety of the galley as the grill sizzled in the rain. Once inside Billie turned on the water over the sink to wash the dishes. Neil’s arms folded around her and nuzzled her neck.

  The tiny kitchen felt on fire, and she turned to face him. His eyes looked down her face and neck and then back up. He leaned in to gently kiss her lips as thunder boomed overhead, and she jumped. He turned off the faucet behind her and pulled her closer. She melted into him. She felt a passion that she thought had died years ago and kissed him back as they tugged at each other’s clothes. Desperate to be rid of them, they stumbled to the tiny twin-sized bed in the berth and fell into a heap as clothing shed. His hand slid down her hips, and she unbuttoned the wrap-around skirt. Standing, she let the skirt he loved so much fall to the ground. She climbed back into the bed and reached for his zipper. He sighed as she slid it down, warm flesh pulsing beneath it. He expertly unhooked her bra with one hand while pulling off her panties with the other and somehow, they ended up under the bedspread that covered the tiny bed.

  Later in the dark Billie dozed in his arms as the boat gently rocked and rain splattered up top. She had not felt this warm and safe in a long time. She felt like the young woman she used to be, before the terrible accident that changed her life. She snuggled against his chest as he brushed the hair from her face—the storm continued.

  “I guess you’ll need to stay the night. It’s dark and raining. Do you think the constables know where you are?” He spoke in the dark.

  “Probably, it’s a small island.” Billie snuggled deeper into his body as he drew her in and soon both were snoring in the tiny bed.

  Chapter 39

  Sandy sat on her mother’s porch until the rain drove her in. The kids were finishing their baths and getting ready for bed. Earlier she had walked to Billie’s and found her not home. Poppy sat on the porch partially under the swing next to the dogs when she walked in.

  “Poppy, is Billie here?” She saw he had the black puppy in his lap stroking it gently as the mother licked another one clean.

  “No, Miss Sandy. She’s on the boat with Neil. I saw her go there, and then when it looked like it might storm, I came to take care of the dogs. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

  “Of course, it’s okay. That’s going to be a great looking dog you’ve got there, when he grows up. He’s cute as a button now.” Sandy leaned down and stroked the dog’s nose, then looked out toward the water. Billie was on the boat with Neil. She had seen this coming but wondered if her friend would ever warm up to another man after Steve. She only hoped Neil would be good to her. She had been through enough in one lifetime. She felt sure Neil was a good guy.

  “I might just stay here until Miss Billie gets back.” He placed the dog back with his mother and the litter. Tiny grunts could be heard as it burrowed its way under the litter mates and found a warm, comfortable spot.

  “Good for you, Poppy. I’m going to go home and leave the dogs in your capable hands. Good night.” She walked away back toward her mother’s home.

  “Good night, Miss Sandy,” she heard him say over her shoulder.

  ****

  Billie waited until she heard the unmistakable motor that pushed Paul’s shrimper out past Neil’s boat the next morning. She knew he saw her on the boat last night and didn’t want to discuss it. She felt happy, and if she knew Paul, he’d be happy for her too, but still she didn’t know her feelings for Neil. She wasn’t sure yet what last night meant.

  Neil fixed her toast and eggs for breakfast while she maneuvered in the tiny shower—and then presented them to her up top in the morning sun.

  “I need to get home. I assume Poppy took care of the dogs last night, but I do
need to leave.” She rinsed her dish in the tiny sink; then he filled it with warm water to soak the plates.

  “Can I come by later? We still haven’t discussed how Friday night will go.” He pulled her into an embrace.

  “Of course. I’ll be home. They’re to deliver the piano this afternoon and tune it.” She pulled away and turned toward the steps leading to the top of the boat. Once more he grabbed her hand and held it to his lips, then let her go.

  It turned into a glorious morning. She climbed up on the dock and walked toward home. Poppy sat in the shade with his pole already in the water. She needed to talk to him and probably thank him for helping her out last night.

  “Good morning, Poppy.” She walked toward him and pushed her sunglasses up on her head.

  “Good morning, Miss Billie. I took good care of the dogs last night.” Right to the point. It made her smile.

  “Thank you. I knew you would. “So, you named your dog Blackie?”

  “Well, since he’s a boy and black, I thought I’d name him Blackie. I always liked that name for a dog, what do you think?”

  “I like it. He’ll be a good dog for you. Blackie. It has a nice ring to it. Would you like to take him home today? He and his brothers and sisters are six weeks old, so it is time they went to their new homes.” Billie looked at the older man who had been on Sandhill Island as long as she could remember, and he suddenly looked like a kid. His smile so wide it showed spaces where teeth should be, he stood up.

  “Today? Really? I have his bowls and food and a bed, and everything all ready. I can really take him home with me today?”

  “I think it is time. They’re bringing my piano this afternoon, and I thought, if you took your pup and Carol took hers, I could move Lillie and the two remaining pups to the back porch—at least until the delivery is finalized.”

  Poppy stood, instantly reeling in the line on his pole and stowing his fishing gear. They walked to Billie’s house together and chatted about the glorious morning.

  “Well, Lillie, will it be okay if Blackie goes to live with Poppy? You’ll still see him all the time. He can come back and visit anytime.” Billie knelt and rubbed the mother’s head as Poppy held his pup.

  “I’ll take real good care of your baby, Lillie, and we’ll come visit a lot.” Poppy kissed the top of the dog’s head and walked away talking gently to his new companion. The mother whined softly watching them go. Lillie stood and watched from the porch, and then licked the remaining pups, circling to find a place to lay once again.

  Billie’s phone rang in her pocket. It said “Sandy.”

  “So how was your evening?” Sandy’s voice taunted her in a friendly manner. “I came by to see you, but Poppy said you were on the boat with Neil.”

  “I had a wonderful evening. I caught a fish. And yes, I did spend it with Neil.” Billie twirled her hair like she used to as a child.

  “I’m really glad to hear it, girlfriend. He’s a wonderful guy, and you two are lucky to have each other.”

  Billie knew Sandy would not give her trouble over her impromptu dinner date.

  “But I really don’t know what it meant. We haven’t discussed it.”

  “That’s okay, isn’t it?” Sandy’s kids could be heard in the background.

  “Yes, it is, for now. By the way, I just gave away the first pup. Poppy took his dog home with him. Does Carol want her dog now and is that okay with your mom?” Billie walked in the living room and through to her mother’s old bedroom. She stood considering the blank space and envisioned her new piano gracing its floor.

  “I’m sure she does’ let me ask Mom first, though. I’ll get back with you. By the way, are they bringing the piano today?”

  “This afternoon. I’m standing in the music room now thinking about how to arrange things.” Light shown in the window with its new curtain, and shadows flowed to the side of the room where the burn had once been. It could no longer be seen.

  “What time did they say it would arrive? My kids want to go swimming.”

  “They just said this afternoon. You know how delivery people are. I wanted to try to move the dogs to the back porch before the piano gets here. What do you think?” Billie absently rubbed her toe over the invisible burn on the floor.

  “Maybe a good idea. Let me talk to Mom, and then I’ll get back with you. Talk to you later.” Sandy clicked off, and Billie opened the closet door to review her music once again all in place on the shelves, when someone knocked on the door.

  In the entry that stood open Neil leaned on the door facing.

  “Good morning again. I hope I’m not too early.”

  Billie reached for his hand to pull him through and again, he kissed her fingers.

  “No, you’re not too early. You can help me actually; I want to move Lillie and her pups to the back porch before the piano gets here and scares them all to death.” Still holding his hand, she guided him to what would soon be the music room. “What do you think? I realize you never saw it before, but Paul did such a great job refinishing the floor, and it has a fresh coat of paint and look…” She opened the closet door to display her music in order on the shelves.

  “Very nice. I hope to hear music coming from here soon.” Shadows played across his face as leaves blew in the ocean breeze outside the window.

  “You will. I’ll play something just for you.” She pulled him near, and he kissed her gently.

  “I found Rico Santiago for you, and I sent him an email telling him you wanted to meet him. I guess I did that right?” He looked into her dark eyes that showed surprise.

  “Yes, of course, I want to see him. I suppose I didn’t realize it would happen so soon.”

  “Well, he still has an email at the ballet, but I think he is semi-retired. I hope he gets it. After the luck you had at the ballet the day you went into Corpus Christi, he might not.”

  Billie sighed. “Well, now, I guess we wait?”

  “I guess. I also have an address and phone if we need to go that route. Who knows if they’re current, but we can try. Now about the dogs.”

  “Yes, I don’t know when the delivery will be this afternoon, but I can pick up the pups and call Lillie if you bring the bedding. First, though let’s make sure there is a place on the back porch where she won’t be disturbed. I’ll leave the door shut until after the piano is in place. I can always move her back afterwards.” After surveying the back porch and finding a place beside the dryer, Billie walked toward the front with Neil behind her. She leaned down and picked up the puppy that had the bad luck to end up on the top of the pile and folded him into her chest, then reached for the second. Lillie stood and looked questioningly at the woman who fed her.

  “It’s okay, Lillie. We’re taking you and the pups somewhere quieter for the day, and then we’ll bring them back later. It is going to get a little noisy with deliveries running in and out.” She patted the dog’s brown head as she talked and soothed her stress. Lillie stood on hind legs nosing her babies as Neil handed Billie the final one.

  “Come on, Lillie. Come on girl.” Billie coaxed the velvet-coated dog to follow her and the wriggling bundles Billie clutched to her chest. Lillie had never been in the rest of the house; she preferred the screened porch and salt air.

  Neil placed the bedding by the dryer and then stepped back. Billie lay the pups on the familiar bedding and opened the window above them as Lillie made countless turns round and round before finally settling in. She then began the arduous job of washing each of her babies one more time.

  After opening the rest of the windows on the back porch, Billie closed the door between the porch and kitchen to give the family that curled up on the rags by the dryer time to rest, then walked to the front. Neil sat on the front porch looking out to sea.

  “You have a tremendous view here.” He said without looking up.

  “I love it. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Sandhill Island is my home.” She placed a hand on his shoulder, and he instinctively covered it
with his as noise rounded the corner.

  “She’s sleeping in my room! She’s my dog!” Carol’s voice carried as she walked with her brother and mom to Billie’s house. She rounded the corner in her swimsuit and flip flops, towel draped over her shoulder.

  “No fighting at Aunt Billie’s or you’ll go back home without a swim.” Sandy’s voice. She followed her children. She appeared with a big floppy hat on her blonde hair and a cover up over a swim suit. Jake brought up the rear, head down and towel in hand.

  Billie put her hand over her mouth to hide the smile. “So, you’re swimming today?”

  “Hi, Aunt Billie,” Carol said and walked onto the porch and then gasped. “Where’s my dog?”

  “It’s okay. She and her family are on the back porch for a little while. We moved them because my piano is to be delivered today, and I didn’t want them to be scared or in the way. You can go see them.” Billie gestured toward the house, and Carol wasted no time running through the door to the back porch. Her brother right behind her.

  “Hi. My family just barges in like they own the place.” Sandy walked onto the porch and sat her beach bag down. “We’re going swimming this afternoon, and then I thought we might take the pup home with us tonight. Give her a little time away from Lillie before we stick her in the car and drive to Biloxi. Mom said it would be okay. How are you two?”

  “We’re fine.” Billie squeezed Neil’s shoulder and he smiled. “So, Martha thinks the dog can come live for a few days at her house, huh?”

  “That’s what she said. When I left, she was digging through old rags to make a bed.” Sandy held her hand up to shade her eyes and looked toward the road. “This might be your truck. We’re heading for the water and will get out of the way.”

  Sandy trotted through the house as the truck pulled into the yard of sand and sea grass. The petite grand piano would become a permanent fixture in the tiny beach house. It would probably never be moved again.

  Billie waved as Sandy and her kids ran back out the front door and toward the beach. Jake complained about wanting to stay and watch. Of course, he would also complain about missing the swim if he stayed, and Sandy didn’t want him in the way. There were always choices in life.