As the Tide Comes In

by Cindy Woodsmall

  He half shrugged while nodding. “I’m fine with it.” Did he sound as unsure as he felt? “Let’s sit.” He gestured toward a group of chairs and a small sofa.

  There was no choice about starting the work. He’d held off too long as it was. Saffy’s historic home was valuable, and taking it apart piece by piece to sell to the highest bidder would take time, a lot of it. If he didn’t start that process soon, he’d never have the land cleared, surveyed, and divided into two parcels in time to sell it by July 21, when the balloon payment was due in full to the bank.

  Sue Beth sat next to him. “Whatever it takes to get this financial burden off you and your mom, we’re behind you.”

  His mom raised a brow, not a hint of humor on her face. “Just be aware, Son, that when she’s behind us, we can’t see what she’s doing.”

  Dell put an arm around his mom’s shoulders. “Be nice,” she whispered. “We’ll get through this difficult time, and you’ll feel differently about all of life. I promise.”

  His mom glanced at Sue Beth, and a familiar look of hurt flashed through his mom’s eyes. These women had been by one another’s sides all his life. What was going on with his mom and Sue Beth? They wouldn’t tell him even when he asked.

  Luella drew a breath. “Let’s focus on the other aspect of why we’re here—our businesses.”

  His mom had opened her furniture store, Blue Sails Casual Living, almost twenty years ago, and it’d always meant a lot to her, but this past year, with his dad gone, the store had become her heartbeat. The other Glynn Girls rented space inside his mom’s store, and they’d wanted to move to a bigger, better location for many years.

  The front door to the office swung open. “Ladies.” Walter Prescott, a former schoolmate of his mamas’, although a few grades ahead, strode inside carrying his briefcase. He had on a suit, which Gavin would never understand. Why would a lawyer on a hot island in South Georgia need to wear a suit?

  “I apologize for keeping you waiting.” Walter went straight for his office. “Let’s go.” The five of them stood and followed him. He spotted Gavin. “You’re looking more fit every time I see you.”

  “Thanks.” Gavin was no more fit today than he was five years ago, but apparently the image of him being overweight was the one ingrained in people’s minds.

  Walter moved behind his desk. “Sit. Let’s get started. Again, I’m sorry to be so late, but an urgent call came in on my home office line as I was leaving my house.”

  Everyone but Luella sat.

  It didn’t surprise Gavin when Luella, a historian and writer, picked up an old-looking book from a shelf and gently flipped through its pages. “It must’ve been a long conversation.”

  “It was.” Walter opened his laptop and pressed the space bar. “But let’s talk about why you’re here.” He set the laptop to the side and looked at each of them briefly.

  There was silence for a moment, and Gavin let it hang, giving his mom the right-of-way. All eyes moved to her.

  She cleared her throat. “We have two topics: Sapphira’s estate, which I’ll let you discuss with Gavin, and moving Blue Sails Casual Living from its current location to a new one.”

  “Sure, we can discuss both. Do you have the lease?”

  She passed it to the lawyer. He took a minute to read over it. “What exactly is the issue with the lease, Julep?”

  “I’m under lease for five more years, but we want to move locations. The owners of Home Décor are retiring, and they’re closing the store come fall. That location is ideal for Blue Sails. Our foot traffic and profits would increase a lot.”

  “That is a prime location,” Walter agreed.

  His mom flopped the folder against her lap. “We tried to contact the property management company about it, and they own both locations. But they haven’t returned our calls. That makes no sense.”

  Walter nodded, but he didn’t offer any explanation.

  Sue Beth stood and went to his desk. “Come on, Walt.” She walked two fingers across the desk toward him and stopped halfway. “You’ve given us legal advice since Julep borrowed money and closed on the lease for the store all those years ago, and you represent the property management group too. Rumor has it they’re selling to another property management company. If that’s true, we need a head start, an edge of some kind, because half of the businesses in town will want that location, and God knows if anyone needs it, we do.”

  Walter peered past Sue Beth and looked at Gavin’s mom. “Julep, are you in financial straits?”

  She nodded. “I’m sure you heard about the personal injury lawsuit. Well, I’ve mortgaged my house for all its worth, and since the store is in my name and I rent parts of it to the girls, I pulled every bit of the equity from Blue Sails. The money could only be borrowed through a balloon note, and all the money is due July twenty-first.”

  Sue Beth stepped back from the desk.

  Walter’s shoulders drooped. A minute later he rubbed his chin. “Okay. What I’m going to tell you will be common knowledge in a week when a letter is sent to all tenants. We went to closing yesterday, and there’s a new property management group taking over. It’s Seaside Properties, out of New York. They purchased the entire strip of Pier Village shops, which includes your place as well as a few stores not in the village, including Tidal Creek Grill and the Lighthouse Inn.”

  “What about Home Décor? Was it purchased by Seaside Properties too?” Luella asked.

  He raised both hands. “I can’t discuss that particular piece of property.”

  “Why?” Sue Beth put her hands on her hips.

  “I can’t discuss that either.”

  “But it’s a reasonable thing to assume that Seaside Properties also purchased Home Décor, right?” Dell asked.

  Gavin felt a little bad for ganging up on Walter, but his mamas needed this win.

  “It’s reasonable.” Walter leaned back in his chair. “But ownership of the building aside, if it becomes available to rent, it’ll only be on the market for a New York minute.”

  “Of that we’re sure, which is why we’re here, following leads on little more than rumors and hunches.” His mom pointed at the lease on Walter’s desk. “Since there are new owners involved, are we still bound to our current lease?”

  “Seaside Properties could release you from that contract in order to accept a contract on another store of theirs. But if you go through the process of getting a new lease, your financials will have to be disclosed to them, and I can’t imagine why they would agree to let you move to a more expensive, prime location when you have so much debt on your current store.”

  Sue Beth grinned. “You leave the whys of it up to us. We’ll convince them…if you can tell us when they’ll arrive.”

  “But there’s a leasing process, and—”

  “We realize that,” his mom said. “Is it safe to assume someone—owner or manager—will come to the island soon?”

  “There are two owners and a property manager, and all three of them will come here to finalize various aspects of the transaction. Their plane arrives around nine in the morning next Wednesday, and they’ll come to this office for a pretty long meeting. I expect we’ll be done around noon. I’ve arranged for Georgia Sea Grill to cater a meal afterward.”

  “Oh no, no, no.” Sue Beth returned to the lawyer’s desk. “We need you to cancel the catering and send the men to Neptune Park. We’ll have a spread of food, the likes of which they’ve never seen, set up on one of the picnic tables under a live oak.”

  Walter angled his body, once again peering around Sue Beth. “Is this the plan, Julep? To win their favor through the Glynn Girls’ Southern hospitality and good food?”

  Gavin had the feeling that his mom should be the one edging in close to Walter, not Sue Beth.

  His mom nodded. “It’ll give us the edge Sue Beth men
tioned, a way to introduce ourselves, chat, and leave a good impression before any other potential tenants realize Home Décor is up for rent.”

  “Okay, I’ll walk with them to your table and make introductions.” He turned to Gavin. “You have a question about Sapphira’s estate?”

  “Everything we’ve done to get squared financially hinges on the balloon payment Mom mentioned, and in case the date didn’t click when she said it, that’s due two weeks after Sapphira’s estate is legally mine.”

  “It’ll sell fast.” Walter snapped his fingers. “But most buyers can’t offer a contract one week and be ready to close the next, so you’ll need a cash-only buyer.”

  “I agree, but it’s a little more complicated than that. I need every penny I can squeeze out of the sale, and I can make the most profit by taking the home apart and selling historic, reclaimed pieces—the shiplap, hardwood floors, wainscot, light fixtures. Then I can remove what’s left of the house and divide the lot into two lots.”

  “Yes, that would greatly increase the bottom line.” Walter drummed his fingers on his desk.

  “I need to start—”

  “Don’t.” Walter raised his hand. “Sapphira gave her granddaughter until July sixth of this year to claim her inheritance. I’m sure it’s frustrating to continue giving her time to return when no one has seen or heard from her in twenty-five years. Did you know that Sapphira hired two law firms prior to mine to find Siobhan, and none of us has had the slightest lead?”

  His mamas’ faces tensed, but they nodded. They’d known Siobhan and cared about her, but only Sapphira had refused to give up hope that she’d return. Gavin could only remember snippets of her, or maybe he only remembered what Saffy had told him.

  “Nonetheless”—Walter sat up straight—“I can’t change what’s in her will. You’ll come to my office on July sixth, sign papers, and Sapphira’s home will become legally yours. But not a day before then.”

  Gavin’s hopes sank.

  “But”—Walter interlaced his fingers—“you didn’t inform me of your plans, and I never ride past anything on that side of the island…”

  Luella smiled. “And the only people who have any legal right to try to stop Gavin are in this room.”

  “What are y’all saying?” Sue Beth looked from one face to another.

  Gavin stood. “That we need to shut up, get out, and do whatever we need to do without bringing it to his attention.” He gestured toward the office door. “Glynn Girls, after you.”

  5

  Tara tried to lift her hand. Why was her body heavy as a stone? High-pitched beeps continued to echo.

  “Tara?” Hadley spoke softly. “We’re here, honey. We’re here. Elliott and me. You’re in the hospital. You sustained a severe head injury, but you came through surgery like a champ. The doctors relieved the buildup of blood inside your skull, and your vitals are excellent. But you need to come back to us now. Please just open your eyes.”

  It felt so familiar…trying to wake, trying to move toward Hadley’s voice. She longed to ask about Sean and Darryl, but her jaws seemed wired shut. Panic surged through her, and a mother’s desire consumed her. Where are the boys? I have to find them. They need me.

  Laughter stirred her memories. She knew those laughs, had spent her days lavishing in them and trying to coax them out of her boys. The beeps faded away, as did Hadley’s voice. Tara’s body felt light again, and the creek she stood in became clear, cool water. Everything seemed to glow in the most brilliant golden hues she’d ever seen. She willed herself to move, and without lifting a foot she rose out of the creek and floated past through the thick forest and across the hiking trails until she was at the foot of a mountain with its sheer rock face jutting skyward into the glowing amber depths of the sky.

  Sean was there, looking up at the face of the mountain. Gigantic trees and flowering bushes with radiant blooms surrounded them. She followed Sean’s gaze and spotted Darryl climbing. They were laughing and cracking jokes. Where were Darryl’s harness and ropes?

  “Boys?”

  Sean turned. He grinned, but there was sympathy in his eyes. “There you are. We were told you were coming.” He walked to her. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I’m sorry for you, for the struggle it will be.”

  “We’ve talked about this.” Why were the colors around them—the leaves, the golden sky, and the mountainside—so brilliant? Why was the air so very light, as if the purest of pure? Even the gray slab rock shimmered with a bazillion tiny specks of colors beyond all imagination. “You don’t have to be sorry, Sean. I love my life. Since you and Darryl entered my life, it’s the best life I would ever want. The only one, really. All I ever wanted was family, and you boys gave that to me. You and Darryl mean everything.”

  Sean reached for her and put his hands on her shoulders. “You’ve told me that time and again, but now that I can see your heart, I know it’s true.” He cradled her face in his hands, something he’d never done before. “It’ll be hard, T-Mom.” He kissed her forehead. “It’ll be hard—beyond what you’ll be able to bear for a while. Cling to these moments. It’ll help. Fight.”

  “Fight?”

  “No battle is a guaranteed win on Earth. Not all things are yet under His feet. Fight. And take comfort that it’s glorious here for us.”

  “Where are we?”

  Sean’s mouth moved, and his face had a sweet expression, but she couldn’t make out his words.

  Darryl broke into laughter, and she looked at the side of the mountain. “Look, T-Mom, no biners, no ropes.” He laughed and let go.

  “Darryl! No!”

  But he didn’t fall. He hovered there for a moment, pushed away from the face of the rock with his feet, and sailed down to her.

  “What are you doing?” Tara grabbed his arm and turned him around. “Are you okay?”

  “You didn’t tell her?”

  Sean studied her. “I did, but she can’t seem to grasp it.”

  Darryl towered over her, looking concerned. “But there’s so much to say and so little time.”

  “What do you mean?” Tara asked. “What are you talking about?”

  “We were given a special dispensation.”

  “What?”

  The light behind the mountain grew stronger, but it had no golden glow. It was whiter than white, like lightning, but steady and constant. Hadn’t she seen that light before? Voices accompanied the light, singing harmony so beautiful it defied words. She didn’t know the song, but it was magnificent.

  Sean’s face glowed with joy. “You have to go now, T-Mom. You survived. We graduated. The final graduation of all times, and for ourselves, we would have it no other way. But you must go, and remember, fight, T-Mom. Fight hard.”

  “Go where? And fight who?” Confusion clouded her mind. She was sure what was happening should make sense by now, but try as she might, it all seemed just outside her comprehension.

  “Back. We almost had this conversation yesterday, but fear grabbed your thoughts and stole you away. Now you need to go back. Hold on to the truth beyond the pain. We’re safe from all harm, all sickness and disease.”

  She didn’t want to go, but she could feel herself being tugged away. “No! Wait! I need you! I’ve always needed you!”

  Darryl reached out for her hand, their palms barely touching as she was being pulled elsewhere. “There’s work to do and prayers, but people here love humor and pranks as much as you do.” Darryl laughed. “It’s fun, so much fun.”

  “What people?”

  The light grew too bright, and she could no longer see anything but white light. Voices surrounded her, cheering her on, singing to her words of victory.

  “You’re the best,” Sean said.

  “The very best,” Darryl agreed.

  Their voices jo
ined in the chorus of words she couldn’t understand. The light dimmed, and she knew she was being separated from her boys. Go to St. Simons Island. Why had those words come into her mind?

  “Wait! Boys! I need you. Please don’t leave me. I need you!”

  Darkness grew thick. Strange sensations ran through her as light and love turned to heaviness and pain. The weight of her body grew greater by the moment.

  “Tara?” Gentle fingers brushed against her forehead. “It’s time to wake up. Come back to us now.”

  She pried her eyes open. “My boys. Where are my boys?”

  Hadley and Elliott were on one side of her bed, touching her arm and stroking her head. “Sweetie, we’re sorry.”

  And she knew.

  They were gone. Something dark and heavy fell over her. Pushed against her. Pulled her down. She rolled in it, black tar clinging to her heart and mind. Its fumes were suffocating.

  Grief.

  Too heavy to bear. Tar, with its putrid, suffocating smell, gathered stones and debris at every turn of thought and hurtful memory, and all of it clung to her.

  “No. Please.” She blinked, trying to focus. “I need them. Please.”

  Hadley’s and Elliott’s tears quietly fell onto the sheets as they gently held her wrist or shoulder.

  “We’re here for you, sweetie,” Elliott said. “We’ll get through this.”

  But Tara didn’t have it in her to survive. Not this. She squeezed her fists, tears running down her temples and into her hairline. A few moments later her palm tingled. Was there something in her hand?

  She lifted her hand so she could see it, and she opened it.

  The rock. Darryl’s rock was in her hand.

  She clenched her fist, holding it tight. Was it real? Was she dreaming again?

  “Hadley. Elliott.”

  Their faces were over her, forcing an encouraging smile through their tears.

  Tara opened her hand again. “Do you see it?”

  Elliott leaned in. “Yeah.” She looked at Hadley. “A rock?”