by Garcia, Rita
“Held a meeting at the station. Zack’s been assigned to our department.”
Her eyebrows flashed up. “He’ll be a nice addition to the force.”
“I agree. He’s officiating a meeting with the shop owners.”
She repositioned herself—a rock puts pressure on the bones after a while. “It’s good to be proactive. I’ll watch for the flyer. Now do I get to hear the real reason you’re here?”
“You are one persistent female.” I reached down and threw a stick. Wolf kicked up sand chasing it. “I’m asking Sam to marry me. If you have a problem with it—let’s talk.” I settled my boots in a different position, prepared to stand my ground.
“No problem here. Are you sure she’s going to stay? I mean, here in Serenity?”
“Intend to find out. Unless you have a different opinion—I’d like to give her our grandmother’s ring. Her sapph—”
“Grandmother Delatorre’s sapphire and diamond wedding set? The one Grandpa traded horses to have custom designed for her? Sam will love it. But you should see about having it reset.” Her smile let me know she was sincere, although her voice held doubt, which I chose to ignore.
“I love you, sis.” I placed my arm on her shoulder. “I love Samantha, too.”
“She’s an amazing woman—I hope she can look toward the future and leave the past behind, where it belongs.”
I pushed myself off the rock, and bent down and picked up a few smooth stones and shoved them in my pocket. Wolf tried to tempt me to run through the water. “Ask your mom.” I tousled his damp fur. “Catch you later.”
An ornery smile lit her face. “I get another chance in the church. When the minister gets to the part, ‘If anyone can show just cause—’” The mischief in her eyes told me she had delighted herself with one of her favorite pastimes, carried over from childhood—teasing her brother.
“Funny.” I waved and trudged on through the sand.
Through much persuasion, Sam had agreed to a friendly dinner—I was careful not to label it as a date. First, I made a detour, stopping at the cemetery. After buying flowers from the cart inside the gate, I followed the winding lane to the upper level of the grounds. I visited my parents’ plots—were they together at last? I moved to the next plot, and placed a fragrant bouquet at the feet of the marble angel strumming her harp. I kissed my fingers and touched my grandmother’s name. Sarah Delatorre, the grandmother who had nurtured and loved me. I miss you. I recalled her touch. Her words. Her smile, so much like Maggie’s. I never knew her middle name if she had one, and never saw it on any documents after her death—it had always just been simply Sarah. I pulled the velvet box from my pocket and opened it, staring at the ring that had graced my grandmother’s hand for more than fifty years. You’d love her, Grandma—this woman I’ve chosen to wear your ring.
Before I left, I followed a tradition my maternal grandmother had practiced. I pulled the stones from my pocket, laid one on each of the graves of my parents and my grandparents. She’d taught me the stones symbolized eternity, memories that last forever, and a love that never dies. A love I envisioned having with Sam. But did she share the same vision? I’d soon have the answer.
Chapter Forty-eight
I’m blessed with an unexpected treasure, my sister, Audra. My grandparents welcomed me into their lives. Father, you’ve given a sign—now I need the strength to leave Serenity Cove. And Logan. How do I leave when my heart will remain with the one I love? ~ Journal entry
Audra had arranged to drop by with the final papers to complete the sale of the bookshop. If it were possible, I’d slow down time. But like a coin has two sides, I also wanted it finished and to be on my way. I tried to tell Logan about my plans at dinner the evening before—I couldn’t. Goldie let me know Audra had arrived.
“Good morning.” I walked to the front of the shop to greet her.
“It’s good to see you, sis.”
Her term of endearment caught me off guard—I was still getting used to the fact she was my sister. “Sis? I like it.”
She smiled as her eyes wandered over the shop. “Jezzica says you can use the apartment for as long as you need it.”
“I appreciate it, but I don’t want to intrude. Besides, I’m looking forward to staying at the inn—I’ve already booked a room.”
I led the way up to the apartment and into the kitchen. “Coffee or tea?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” She placed a pen on the table and laid out the escrow papers. “Each page is marked where a signature or initials are required.”
Page by page, I completed the task. “Now, business is out of the way.” I handed the documents to her. “Let’s go into the front room.” I needed time to compose myself. Doing the right thing shouldn’t be so difficult. I held all the pieces I sought—the pieces I’d been so convinced would turn my world right side up. Only, the picture they formed was out of focus—I felt more confused than ever.
I had to tell her. “I’m leaving Serenity Cove. You—”
“Wait.” She held up her hand like a crossing guard. “You can’t leave. We’re sisters. I want to know you better. What your favorite foods are, colors you love—I want to learn it all—everything about you.” Her pouting lips reminded me of a child not getting her way—and Audra seemed accustomed to being catered to.
“We’ll visit each other, I promise. I want you to be a part of my life.”
“No. I need you here. Because of you, I made amends with my father. All the things you said to me—I’d been ready to disown him. You helped me see the whole person.” She reached for my hand.
He didn’t deserve a second chance with Audra—but she deserved a father. “Serenity Cove isn’t my home—it never was. I only came here to settle Anne’s affairs.” I released her hand. “You said you might be interested in a few pieces of furniture. If you select the pieces you want I’ll have them delivered to you.”
“I—” She blinked back tears.
“You’re my sister. Anything you want—it’s yours. The only thing I’m keeping is the bookcase with Anne’s book collection.”
“I need you to stay. I can’t do this right now.”
I retrieved my bag and pulled out the photos I had shown my grandmother. “These are pictures of each piece of furniture—you take them home and select the ones you want.” Downstairs, I grabbed a flyer as we passed Anne’s desk. “Jezzica may want to attend the town meeting. The new detective with the police department will be speaking on crime and safety issues.” I handed her the paper. The same sadness reflected in Audra’s expression shadowed my heart. I gazed into her eyes, azure to azure. “I’ll never lose touch with you—I love having a sister.”
“Me, too.” She surprised me with a tender hug, blotting tears from her cheeks as she left.
My insides felt weighted as I carried empty boxes upstairs to pack Anne’s books. My thoughts wandered to Logan—I needed the courage to tell him I was leaving. I sent a text to Dr. Ellie. She answered right away, and was available for a session now.
Without bothering to change my clothes, I snapped Goldie’s leash in place and made the trek to her cottage.
My attention drifted as the dogs played. Why couldn’t life be so simple for us humans? I quickly turned back to Dr. Ellie.
“According to your text, you’ve made some difficult decisions.” She raised her eyebrows and took a sip of her tea.
I briefly closed my eyes and willed the darkness to bring comfort. “I have. But if they’re the right ones, why do I feel conflicted?”
“I’m missing a few details. Tell me what’s happened since we talked.”
“Thanks to the gossip chain, Audra learned about her father. Everyone else involved seem able to rise above the gossip. I’m not.” I reflected on my words. “No. That’s not true, I don’t have a problem with the nonsense being bantered about. I refuse to live in the same town where Daniel will make frequent appearances to visit his daughter—his real daughter—something I will nev
er be. We share the same DNA, but it stops there.” Anger stormed inside me.
“Is that God’s answer or is it yours?” Dr. Ellie set her notebook aside.
“We’re finally able to forge ahead with the school. It must be a sign that God wants me there.” I slid off the chaise lounge and walked around the deck. As my sandals flapped against the heels of my feet, I recalled the flip-flop noise they’d made when I was young—was the sound the same? Life wasn’t. The words a future and a hope bubbled within. I felt they were mocking me—showing me what I could never have. The school made an immense difference in the lives of deaf children. How could I walk away?
What if—I wanted to scream what if what? “Excuse me, Dr. Ellie. I need to leave.” I called Goldie. I paused with my hand on the doorknob. “Dr. Ellie, so you can complete your notes—I don’t want to forgive Daniel Cunningham—not now—not ever.”
She placed her hand on my shoulder. “You’re at a crucial crossroads right now. Don’t do anything until you have a clear direction. I’m here for you. I’ll be praying for you.”
“I love Serenity Cove—but I can’t risk running into Daniel each time he visits Audra. And I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I have insecurities about possibly becoming a mother.”
She led me away from the front door to the sofa. “You’ve worked with deaf children. If one of the girls asked you about growing up and becoming a mother, what would you tell her?”
“A mother being deaf doesn’t carry the sigma it once did. I know the answers I’d give—I’m having a problem applying them to myself.” Please God—can I stomp my feet and throw a tantrum? You’ve shown me where I belong.
“Do you think others pity you?”
“No, not at all. My parents hired a private tutor and kept me home until my senior year. When I returned to school, my friends and teachers weren’t sure what to expect. Once they found I was skilled at lip-reading and keeping up with a conversation, others stopped focusing on my deafness.”
“So the way we perceive ourselves does tend to influence others’ perception of us?”
“You’re saying the same reasoning can be used in other areas?”
“Exactly. Our attitudes and perceptions greatly influence our lives. In an earlier session, you mentioned there were two remaining puzzle pieces you needed or wanted to find. Your birth father was one. And the other one was to have your grandparents accept you as their granddaughter. You possess both of those pieces. Tell me about the puzzle now.”
“I can’t get the pieces to connect—to form the right picture.”
“What picture do you want it to form?”
“I want the past to make sense.”
“Sam.” She clasped her hands around mine. “Are you attempting to remove imperfections of the past? Correct what you feel are mistakes made by your grandparents, your biological parents, and your adoptive parents?”
I shrugged. “I just want all the ugliness, all the secrets, and all the lies to go away.”
“I’d like for you to do something. Read the packet on forgiveness I gave you at our last session. Forgiveness can be a huge stumbling block in our lives.”
I covered my face with my hands. “I can’t forgive him—I don’t have it in me.”
She gently lifted my chin so I could see her. “Will you go home, read the material and we’ll meet again tomorrow?”
I nodded—words unable to break through the clog in my throat.
Chapter Forty-nine
The gavel banged against the wooden block harder than I had intended, but it worked. “Our goal here this evening is to discuss ways to make your businesses safer. We want to stop the crime threatening our town. Most of you are acquainted with Detective Zack Johnston, the newest member of the Serenity Cove Police Department.” As the room burst with applause, the group looked to be expecting miracles from him. “Zack.” I handed him the mic and threw him to the lions.
He laid out a five-point plan of action for the shop owners to follow. “Benefits to the plan I’ve outlined here tonight are great. Our combined efforts will deter criminal activity. Awareness reduces the risk of becoming a crime victim and in turn reduces the physical, financial, and psychological costs of crime.” A few questions, as well as objections, were voiced.
Jezzica Leigh, the woman who had purchased the bookshop, sat in the front row with her hand raised. Zack nodded in her direction. She stood. “You’ve given the shop owners a list. What about your plans for action? What are you doing to catch criminals—to ensure they’re behind bars?” Her dark brown eyes leveled a glare focused directly at Zack.
I moved next to him and reached for the mic. “Our goal is to make sure Serenity Cove remains a safe community. Adding Detective Johnston to our department is one of the many steps we are taking to ensure the safety of our citizens. We have also scheduled additional patrol hours. The program Zack laid out works closely with law enforcement to inform and encourage business owners to be aware of crime. We will continue education and resource information.” My eyes swept across the room. “Thank you for joining us this evening. Together, we can make a difference in our community. Help yourselves to coffee and refreshments.” I switched the mic off and turned to Zack. “You know her?”
“Not me. No idea what pushed her buttons.”
Jezzica found her way to where Zack and I had grabbed something to drink. She extended her hand to Zack. “Sorry if I was rude.”
He clasped his hand around hers and I thought he held on longer than necessary. “You only asked what many of the others were thinking.”
“When’s the bookshop due to reopen?” I picked up another cup and offered it to her. “Coffee?”
“Thanks.” She accepted the offered drink. “I still have unfinished business to deal with in April Springs, but I expect to be open before summer.”
Sam came over with Goldie glued to her side. “Hi Jezz. I see you’ve met our heroes.” What was with the smirk?
“Heroes? That remains to be seen.” She harrumphed and moved toward the exit.
Zack watched her as she left the high school gym. “She may be opinionated, but she’s one gorgeous woman.” He raised the foam cup to his lips.
I put my arm over Sam’s shoulders. “I only have eyes for one beauty.”
“Yeah, well this beauty needs to talk to you.” Her pointed finger landed in the center of my chest.
“Good job tonight.” I shook Zack’s hand. “See you tomorrow.”
We waved goodnight to Maggie, busily talking with Pastor Jim. I didn’t miss the way she smiled at something he whispered in her ear. Could my sister be interested in Pastor Jim?
“Where you taking me, pretty woman?” I winked at Sam.
We strolled across the lawn to the school parking lot where she’d parked. She stopped and glared at me. “Did you have anything to do with Daniel leaving?”
“We talked.” A guilty twinge brought on a deep sigh.
She sharpened her look. “Can you elaborate?”
“I made a couple of suggestions along the lines of him leaving.”
“Daniel is Audra’s father. No matter what you or I think of him, she has a right to have her father visit her.”
“I—”
“Didn’t bother talking to me before you went swooping in like some make-believe defender of womankind?” She popped open the locks on her SUV. “I don’t want to discuss it. I’m going back to Stone Valley. I never belonged here. This was Anne’s world—not mine.”
I never realized physical pain could materialize from having your heart ripped out of your chest. “So you’ve been saying all along.”
She turned toward her vehicle. I spun her into my arms and found the sweetness of her mouth. She leaned in closer, deepening the kiss, as if the world continuing depended on this one embrace. I pulled away. “Can you look at me with those beautiful blue eyes and tell me you’re not in love with me? Can you tell me when we kiss the whole solar system doesn’t come alive in a blaze
?”
“I’m crazy in love with you—sometimes it...sometimes...” She opened the driver’s door and waited for Goldie to leap in to the passenger seat. Sam slid in behind the wheel, swiping at tears as she drove away.
I could still feel the softness of her lips. Would she even consider accepting the ring still tucked into my pocket?
Chapter Fifty
Is Dr. Ellie right? Do I want to rewrite history? Who am I to judge others and the choices they’ve made concerning their lives? The other day, I reminded Rachel that it’s in our weakness we find His strength. Do I believe that for myself? Father, I need you—I can’t do this on my own. If funding for the school was a sign for me to go back to Stone Valley—why do I feel so heartbroken? ~ Journal entry
Goldie sat in the passenger seat, her nose on the edge of the opened window as we followed the winding road to the Sea Crest Inn.
True to her word, Abby put us in an ocean front suite. The inn spoke of a bygone era of unhurried, gracious living. The suite held the lacy charm of flowing drapes and canopies. I stepped out on the balcony. Seagulls were in flight, gliding onto the water’s surface before rising once more. An ocean breeze brushed across my skin with the lightness of silk. I embraced the peace like a stream flowing over smooth stones.
My resolve to leave Serenity Cove was weakening. How can I stay? My mind was already plotting how to become an advisor of the school—instead of being hands-on. I gulped a deep breath of air and prayed for guidance as I headed for the session, hoping Dr. Ellie could pull a miracle out of her bag.
The drive to the cottage took longer than the usual trip from the bookshop. The extra miles allowed more time for negative intervention to invade my mind, heart, and soul. I ignored the serene beauty of the coastal road drive. Thankfully, I finally parked in front of Dr. Ellie’s. Goldie jumped up the steps ahead of me and touched her paw to the door before I knocked.
