Sunrise on Cedar Key

by Terri DuLong

  Well, I certainly had never seen Lucas display any anger, so I now doubted that this card represented him. I laid it aside and reached for the third one. The Thunderbolt card again, which represented Chloe. Not surprising, since she was due to arrive on the island within a few hours.

  I returned the cards to their velvet pouch, got up, stretched, and blew out a deep breath.

  Annie had been napping on the kitchen floor. She looked up at me expectantly.

  “Yeah, come on,” I said. “You can have a romp in the garden before I get to work on the computer.”

  I was sitting on the porch, sipping an iced tea and working on a gorgeous lacy scarf pattern, when the Lexus pulled up. A woman got out, stretched, and stood looking toward the end of the street at the water.

  Chloe? True, I hadn’t seen my sister in ten years, but still... Had I bumped into her out in public, I’m not sure I’d have recognized her right away. Gone was the slim and trim Chloe I’d always remembered and in her place was a middle-aged woman looking ... well, there was no kind way to put it—frumpy. It was easy to see that she’d packed on about thirty pounds, and although the yellow pantsuit she wore was obviously pricey, the style would have been more suited to Aunt Maude. Her hair, which I’d always envied, had morphed from chestnut brown to a distinct salt and pepper, adding a few more years to her overall appearance. And the shine and sleekness was now missing. But there was no doubt that, yes, this was my sister.

  I got up and walked down the stairs with Annie trailing behind me.

  “Chloe,” I hollered. “Welcome. Did you have a good drive?”

  She turned to face me, and I now saw that lines had appeared around her eyes that weren’t there ten years before.

  “Grace,” she said, and her gaze swept over me. “You’re looking great, as usual.”

  Was that surprise I detected in her tone? Or sarcasm?

  “You too,” I lied, and attempted to give her a hug.

  But I wasn’t quick enough, because she moved away and was already unlocking the trunk of her car.

  “Can I give you a hand with some of your luggage?” I asked.

  “Yeah, that would be good.” She reached in and gave me two Louis Vuitton bags. “I’ll get the rest later.”

  As I schlepped through the gate toward the back door, I didn’t miss the fact that she was only carrying her handbag and a small tote.

  “Chloe,” Aunt Maude called from the porch. “I’m so glad you arrived safely. Welcome to Cedar Key.”

  “I’ll just take these into your room,” I said, heading inside and feeling very much like a lowly porter at a hotel.

  I deposited the heavy bags on the floor and blew out a deep breath. Where are ya, Suellen, when I really need you? I realized having Chloe around might be even more difficult than I’d anticipated.

  When I walked into the kitchen I found Aunt Maude and Chloe at the table sipping iced tea.

  “Grace, honey,” my aunt said. “Come join us.”

  I accepted the glass she poured for me and sat down. Talk about feeling uncomfortable. She may have been my sister, but I had no clue what to say to her.

  “After we finish the tea, I’ll show you around,” my aunt told her. “The contractors started working on the carriage house this morning—that’s where we’ll be holding the knitting retreats—so I’m afraid it’ll be a bit busy around here for a few weeks.”

  Chloe nodded and looked around the kitchen. “It looks like a nice place. And your apartment is upstairs?” she asked, turning her head in my direction.

  “Yeah, I’ll take you up there later.”

  “I still can’t get over the fact that you’re going to be starting another business,” she said, directing her attention back to my aunt. “I mean, you know ...”

  Maude shifted in her chair.

  “No, I’m not sure I do, Chloe. If you mean because of my age, it’s never too late in life to change course and begin a new adventure. Besides, I think Grace and I are doing quite well so far. We’ve managed to plan the knitting retreats, I’ve hired the contractors, so we’re in the process of converting the carriage house and decorating. And don’t forget, with me moving here it’s also given you the opportunity to get away and start over.”

  Yes! You give it to her, Aunt Maude. She never was one to put up with Chloe’s antics.

  Now it was my sister’s turn to shift in her chair and clear her throat. “Yes, well ... and I do appreciate you taking me in. And before we go any further, let’s clear the air about Parker.” She looked directly at me. “I assume Aunt Maude has brought you up to date on everything, but I’d rather not have it be a topic of conversation. My attorney has the divorce in progress and ... once that becomes final in December—Parker Radcliffe will be as good as dead to me.”

  “Fine by me,” I replied, grateful that I didn’t have to offer sympathy to my sister.

  “Okay, good,” she said, effectively cutting me off. “So tell me what you have planned for these knitting retreats and how I’ll be involved.” Her attention shifted back to Aunt Maude.

  I had a flashback to years ago—sitting at the dinner table with my parents and Chloe. I was probably about five and she was a senior in high school. I’d been so excited about my upcoming dance recital and was trying to explain to my parents how my lesson had gone that day, but Chloe had effectively cut me off, telling them about what kind of gown she intended to get for her prom. Had it always been that way, I wondered? With her dismissing me like I didn’t even exist? Or maybe more important, with her wishing I didn’t exist?

  “That sounds like it has a lot of potential,” I heard her say. “Knitting has become quite the rage, even though it’s been around for centuries. So I have no doubt you’ll be fully booked for those weekends. And yes, I think I’d like to do a class on the Fair Isle sweaters. That’s one of my specialties.” As if remembering I was seated at the table, she turned to me and said, “You don’t knit, do you, Grace?”

  I smiled. That showed you how little she knew about me, not to mention the fact she’d paid no attention that I was knitting on the porch when she arrived. “Actually, yes, I do. Aunt Maude taught me many years ago.”

  “She also taught me. What would we have done without you?” she said, reaching out to touch my aunt’s hand. “We certainly had no mother to speak of.”

  With that, she stood up, put her glass in the sink, and said, “Okay, well, I’m ready for the tour.”

  My aunt and I exchanged a glance. Was it my imagination or was there definite animosity in Chloe’s voice when she mentioned our mother?

  The three of us turned as Rachel came into the kitchen. “I’m all finished, Miss Maude,” she said, sending a smile toward my aunt and me.

  “Hey, Rachel. How’re you?”

  “I’m good, thanks,” she answered, and looked toward Chloe.

  “Rachel, this is my niece, Chloe. Grace’s sister. She’s just arrived from St. Simons Island and will be living with me. Rachel is my new housekeeper,” she explained to Chloe.

  My sister nodded. “I’m glad to see you’ll be getting some help,” was all she said.

  As Rachel walked out the back door, the phone rang. “Hello, Ali. How are you?” I heard my aunt say.

  “Alison owns the Bed and Breakfast on the island,” I told my sister. “It’s such a small town it won’t take you long to get to know everybody.”

  “Oh, no,” I now heard Aunt Maude say. “Well, that’s certainly good news for Twila Faye, but I can see where that leaves you in a bit of a bind. But yes, I’ll keep my ears open for you.”

  “Everything okay?” I asked as she hung up.

  “Not really. I’m afraid Ali got some disturbing news this morning. Well, disturbing for her. It seems Twila Faye is going to be leaving the island and the Bed and Breakfast.”

  “What?” I could hardly believe my ears. She’d worked at the B & B forever. “What’s going on?”

  “Well, Twila Faye feels bad about leaving, but she�
��s also quite happy. Her son, his wife, and her granddaughter are moving to Clearwater. He has a new job position down there and he wants Twila Faye to come with them. They’ve purchased a new home, and it has an in-law apartment attached, which will be perfect for Twila Faye.”

  “Oh, wow. Yeah, I can see how she’d be torn. She’s so close to her son and his family. But leave Cedar Key? Gosh, she’s been here all her life.”

  “Right, and believe me, I’m really happy for her. I think it’s wonderful that her son wants to include her in the move, but ... I’m afraid poor Ali will be lost without her. Twila Faye was her main housekeeper and her only full-time employee.”

  My aunt was right. “That’s certainly bittersweet news.”

  “Yeah, it is. I guess Ali will be advertising for a new housekeeping manager. So if you hear of anybody, let her know. Come on, Chloe,” my aunt said. “I’ll show you around the apartment and then we’ll go take a peek at the carriage house.”

  10

  Chloe’s first weekend with us passed with relative calm. Aunt Maude and I took turns taking her around the island, showing her various things. To her credit, although Chloe didn’t rave about the scenery or anything else, she didn’t display any negativity.

  But on Sunday afternoon when we were driving along Second Street to the grand opening at the bookshop, I dreaded having to introduce her to Lucas. Mostly I worried that she might catch on that I was attracted to him, which had the potential of bringing out her snarky side.

  To my relief, that didn’t happen. Actually, she was very pleasant to him, and she even used her knowledge of French to speak a few sentences.

  Lucas laughed. “Très bien,” he told her.

  Was that a smile that crossed her face?

  She waved her hand in the air. “No, not very good at all, I’m afraid, but thank you. I’ve gotten rusty not using my French in so long.”

  “Ah, but it does come back to you, no?”

  Now it was bona fide laughter coming from my sister. “Yes, I suppose it does. So ... I’m looking for suspense or mystery novels. Where might I find those?”

  Lucas directed her to the shelf. “And please help yourself to wine and cheese,” I heard him say before he joined me at the front of the shop.

  “Your sister is very nice,” he said. “Where is Maude? Is she not coming?”

  “Thank you.” I wanted to say, It’s your wonderful French charm that won her over. “Yes, she’ll be along shortly. The contractor stopped by to discuss something with her.”

  “The workmen have finished the counter. Would you like to see it?”

  I followed Lucas into the adjoining room.

  “Oh, it looks great. They did a very nice job.”

  “Yes, I think so too. The furniture will be delivered the end of this week, so it won’t be much longer until the island will have a coffee café once again.”

  We both turned around to the sound of Chloe’s voice.

  “Oh, what’s this?” she asked.

  “Welcome to the coffee café,” Lucas said, gesturing with his arm.

  “What a great idea.” Chloe walked around the room nodding her head. Running her hand across the wood of the counter, she looked at me. “So I take it you won’t be rebuilding your place? Or will the two of you be in competition?”

  “No, I’m afraid my days of serving coffee are over, but Lucas was kind enough to question me about that before deciding to open his own coffee shop.”

  Chloe’s glance went from Lucas to me. “That was considerate.”

  Did I detect a tad of snarkiness in her tone?

  “Actually,” Lucas said, “I wanted to speak to you about that. I know you’re busy helping your aunt and I hate to ask you for another favor, but I thought perhaps you might be able to give me a bit of assistance when I first open—teaching me how to operate the machines and make some of those fancy coffee drinks? I promise not to take too much of your time, and you certainly don’t have to decide right now.”

  I felt a smile spreading across my face. “I’d be happy to help you out, Lucas. Thanks for asking. Just let me know when you need me.”

  Putting an end to any further discussion on the subject, Chloe held up three books in her hand. “Well, I think I’m all set for reading material. Will you ring me up?”

  “Certainly, madame,” Lucas said, heading into the bookshop.

  I waited while Chloe’s purchase was completed.

  “It was very nice meeting you, Lucas,” she said, extending her hand.

  “Enchanté,” he told her, returning the handshake. “Grace, I will call you during the week? Perhaps when the furniture arrives, you could help me decide how to arrange it?”

  “Sure. I’d like that,” I said, but not before catching the intense expression on my sister’s face.

  After Aunt Maude returned from the bookstore, she joined Chloe and me in the garden.

  “I do believe Lucas will have a success with that bookshop,” she said, settling into a chair with her knitting. “The place was packed when I left.”

  I reached into my bag and removed the pale yellow sweater I was knitting for Monica’s new baby. “I’m not surprised. His bookstore in Brunswick does very well.”

  “Oh, how pretty,” Chloe said, leaning across from her lounge to get a better look. “Who’s that for?”

  “My friend Monica’s new baby. She’s due in March. We’re not sure yet if it’s a boy or girl, so I thought yellow would be a safe color.”

  “Is this her first?”

  “Well, yeah, technically. But she has a ten-year-old stepdaughter, Clarissa Jo—Adam’s daughter from a previous marriage, and he has full custody.”

  “Really?”

  I heard the surprise in the question. “Yup, it’s a bit of a long story, but the short version is that the ex was an unfit mother.”

  “Well, then no doubt the child is much better off where she’s at,” Chloe said matter of factly. “Speaking of children, don’t you ever intend to settle down and have some of your own?”

  Touchy subject and certainly one I didn’t want to discuss with my sister.

  “Oh, who knows.... I’m only thirty-six, and today that’s still young enough to have a child. Many women aren’t having their first until they’re forty.”

  “I suppose so,” she said, and continued knitting the socks she was working on. “And what about this Lucas? I take it you’re romantically involved?”

  Damn. Another touchy subject.

  “Gosh, no, we’re just friends. Why would you think that?”

  “Well, first of all, you’ve never had a problem attracting the men, and second, from what I saw in the bookshop, I got the feeling you shared more than friendship.”

  Never had a problem attracting the men? Since she left home at seventeen, how would she even know this? I could feel my annoyance notching up, but not wanting to start an argument, I said, “Nope. We’re just friends. Aunt Maude knew him in Brunswick.”

  “That’s right. He owned the bookshop there. I always frequented Barnes and Noble, so I’m afraid I never did get over there.”

  Figures, I thought. More chance of bumping into your snobby friends at the large chain.

  Then out of the blue, my sister really surprised me by saying, “You know, Grace, you were the fortunate one. You had those early years with our parents and then had Aunt Maude to raise you. Maybe that accounts for the way you are now.”

  Where the hell did this come from? And what did she mean by the way you are now?

  I turned around in the lounge to face her better. “Well, yeah, it was great that I had Aunt Maude, especially after Mom and Dad died, but you have many more memories of our parents than I do, Chloe. God, you were already twelve by the time I came along.”

  “Exactly, so you really got the best of both worlds. When you were born our parents had more time to devote to parenthood, and when they died, Aunt Maude finished raising you.”

  Was she serious?

  �
��You’ve got to be kidding! They barely ever had time for me. They were constantly traveling for the business, and when they were home, they were so wrapped up in each other it was like I was invisible.” I neglected to add, and if you had stuck around you would have known this.

  “It didn’t seem that way to me. I went off to college and I assumed you went with them on those buying trips to Europe, and being the only child left at home gave them all the time in the world to spend with you.”

  Funny how we all perceive things differently. “Except that wasn’t the case, Chloe. I got shipped across the street to Aunt Maude’s house. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I loved staying with her, but don’t you think I knew I was far from the priority in their life?”

  She remained silent, and I realized it might provoke anger on my sister’s part, but I said, “Once you left home for college, you never looked back. God, you hardly even came home during summer vacation or holidays. You always had invitations from friends and you chose their company above ours. So I can see where you wouldn’t know what really went on when I was growing up. And after you married Parker ... it was the same. You basically excluded us from your life. Hell, I barely know my two nephews. So get over it, Chloe. My childhood didn’t imitate those fifties television shows either.”

  “Well, I just thought ... then how come none of it seemed to bother you? Look at you, going through life, always getting what you want, always achieving whatever it is you set out to do, always being happy ...”

  I glanced over at Aunt Maude, who had remained silent, head bowed over her knitting.

  I shook my head. “Chloe,” I said, “you don’t know me at all. Not at all.”

  And to be honest, I wasn’t sure that she wanted to.

  Later that night, trying to drift off to sleep, I thought about the conversation with Chloe. I had managed to avert an argument because we brought an end to the discussion about our parents. But I hadn’t stopped thinking about it.

  I found it amazing that she saw my life so differently than the way it actually had been. She knew nothing about my relationship with Beau. Nothing about the guilt and the heartache I experienced falling in love with a married man. She had no way of knowing about the child I’d lost and how much I’d still love a child of my own. No, Chloe didn’t know about other failed relationships with men or that all my life I only wanted to find that special person—that one person who would love me above all else. Somebody I could be completely open with and know it wouldn’t change his love at all.