Moonlight Beach

by Tammy L Grace

  As they made the turn into Mac’s property, Lily knew Mel would be a driving examiner’s dream pupil. She did everything by the book. With more experience, she would become more confident and hopefully speed up a bit.

  Mel parked the car and turned to Lily. “How did I do?”

  “Great job following all the rules of the road. This was your first time out in the country, so you’ll just need more practice where the speed limit is higher, so you get used to it. I’m sure your instructor will have you out on the highway to practice.”

  Mel nodded as she got out and opened the rear door to let Bodie and Fritz out. Mac and Sherlock stood at the edge of the driveway, waiting for them. The two goldens took off like rockets and Sherlock bolted from his spot. Golden fur and feathered tails flowed in the wind, like a commercial for haircare products or long-lost loves reuniting. Lily laughed as she watched the dogs meet and touch noses, with Bodie pawing at Sherlock and Fritz.

  Mac herded the golden bundle, wiggling and rolling with each other, into the fenced yard, where toys and fresh water awaited them. “You’d think they hadn’t seen each other in months, instead of a few days.”

  Lily chuckled as she watched the threesome play.

  Mac glanced at Mel. “It looks like you’re doing great on your driving. Getting in lots of practice?”

  With a shy nod, Mel pointed at the pasture. “I’m going to go say hi to Margo and Coco.”

  “I thought you might want to treat them,” Mac said, and pointed at a container on the deck. “I cut up some apples and carrots for you to give them.”

  A smile filled Mel’s face, lifting Lily’s heart in the process. Such unfettered joy was rare to see in the serious young woman she found herself becoming more attached to each day. Mel quickened her pace and retrieved the plastic container.

  “How about a nice glass of iced tea or lemonade?” Mac offered Lily his arm and led her toward the house. “I invited Cyndy to join us, so she should be here soon.”

  Lily glanced over at the dogs, still full of energy as they pounded on one another and chased through the thick grass. “They’re going to sleep like babies tonight.”

  Mac opened the door off the deck and a spicy aroma greeted them. “With the chill in the air, I opted to make a pot of chili. Cyndy is bringing some side dishes.”

  No sooner had he uttered her name, than Cyndy appeared at the side door, smiling and carrying a huge flowered tote bag. He hurried to the door and took the bag. “I could have come and carried that for you.”

  Her sweet laugh filled the kitchen. “I’ll let you go and get the dessert off the seat of my car.”

  Lily finished pouring iced tea for herself, and turned toward Cyndy. “Lemonade, iced tea, or?” She raised her brows at the woman she had come to consider a friend and chuckled at the rhetorical question she had asked her. Cyndy loved wine and never missed an opportunity to enjoy a glass or two.

  Mac set a warm pie on the counter. “This smells delicious, Cynd.” The inviting aroma of cinnamon and apples wafted from the deep-dish plate. “I’m going to run out and check on the dogs.”

  Cyndy put a huge bowl into the refrigerator, then took the glass Lily had poured. “Perfect. Wine sounds lovely, thank you.” She giggled and raised her brows as she took a healthy sip.

  Lily chuckled as she unearthed another bottle from Cyndy’s tote. Her hand brushed against something warm inside under a heavy quilted covering. “Does this need to go in the oven?”

  “It’s cornbread, so yeah, let’s put it in to keep it warm.”

  Lily slid the pan into the oven, as Cyndy took a quick look around the kitchen and whispered, “How’s Mel doing?”

  “I think better.” Lily pointed outside. “She’s visiting the llamas. It seems the therapist is helping and while she isn’t eager to go, she hasn’t skipped her appointments. It’s hard to know because she is so quiet and I hate to pry. I can tell the sessions are hard on her, sometimes after her appointment, she goes downstairs and stays in her room for hours. It’s difficult to know what to do and say, but overall she spends more time with me instead of always in her room like when she first came.”

  “Everybody is being extra vigilant after what happened to her. The whole town is watching out for her.” Cyndy put another bowl in the refrigerator and reached for her glass of wine. “By the way, I gave your name and number to a friend of mine from San Juan Island. Kate is her name and she’s planning a trip to go to the huge gift shop tradeshow and wants to book a cottage.”

  “Wonderful, I’ll be sure to get right back to her.”

  “She and her friend are coming next Monday, and leaving on Saturday, so I hope you have room.”

  Lily pulled her cell phone from her pocket and tapped it a few times. “Yes, I’ve got room. I’ll block out a cottage right now.”

  Before dinner, Cyndy spread out newspapers on the picnic table and Mac covered the table with pumpkins. Cyndy had a supply of stencils and tools in her tote bag and proceeded to give them a designer pumpkin carving class. Mac handled the slimy mess of scooping out the pumpkins and saved the flesh for treats for the llamas, while Cyndy offered her expert advice on designs.

  As Mel traced a pattern, she confessed that she had never actually carved a pumpkin. “I have random memories of watching my dad do it when I was a kid, but I’ve never done it on my own.” She smiled as she worked. “And never anything like these artistic stencils, just the plain old triangle eyes, nose, and mouth.”

  The adults exchanged a sorrowful glance as they watched Mel delight in her project. She was a perfectionist and took her time carving the intricate design. Cyndy added a battery-operated candle to each of them. “When it gets dark, they’ll be fabulous.”

  “Mel and Lily can take mine and decorate with it. That way you’ll have one for each of the cottages,” offered Mac. “I don’t do much decorating out here.”

  They enjoyed a perfect fall meal, after which Mac offered the ladies a choice of board games or fun at his horseshoe pit. After a heated horseshoe competition, where they had to teach Mel the techniques, and she paired up with Mac to beat the two women in a tight match, they enjoyed their pie and warm drinks by the firepit, with the artistic inspired pumpkins on display.

  While Mac and Lily gathered the dogs, Mel offered to help Cyndy tidy the kitchen and load her car with the serving dishes.

  Evening was settling in and the chill of the air once Lily was away from the warmth of the fire, caused her to shiver. Mac slipped an arm around her and hugged her closer to him. “This has been the best day. Just perfect.”

  She slid her arm around his waist. “I agree.”

  7

  Kate, Cyndy’s friend, and Izzy arrived on Monday. They were warm and friendly; the kind of women that made Lily feel as if she had known them forever. Cyndy invited them to dinner and included Lily and Mac in the invitation. With Mel working late at the library and Donna and Jeff looking after her, Lily felt comfortable going. Part of her still hated the idea of leaving Mel on her own, but she would have to get over it.

  Knowing Mac was bringing Sherlock and Sunny, a beautiful golden he had taken in from a patient who was ill and could no longer care for her, Lily loaded her dogs into the car for the short drive to Cyndy’s. The dogs played and romped in the yard, and Mac whispered that he was certain Sunny had chosen Izzy as her person. Mac did his best to sell Izzy on the idea over his sister’s scrumptious meal. Sunny was such a sweet dog and missed her owner terribly. Lily kept her fingers crossed, hoping Izzy would decide to adopt the good-natured dog.

  They had a fun evening visiting and getting to know Kate and Izzy. As they left, Lily could tell Sunny had made an impact on Izzy and that she was giving the idea serious consideration.

  The next morning, Lily’s heart warmed at the new ripple of excitement in Mel when she talked about her driving lessons and added them to the calendar Lily had on her office wall. Jeff had helped her get her instruction permit and secure insurance for the car and
she had taken a couple of driving lessons with Bob, the driving instructor and retired officer.

  Knowing she would have her own transportation, eased Lily’s mind. Mel was a quick study and had been immersed in the driver’s handbook ever since Jeff brought her home. Lily had no doubt she would master the written test, but would have to build her confidence behind the wheel.

  Driftwood Bay was by no means a crime riddled town, so the idea of Mel meeting danger again was slim, especially with Sally out of the picture. A shiver ran over Lily’s arms as she thought of Mel scared and stuck in a storage shed. She didn’t press her to talk about it and left it up to Dr. Clay and her expertise to help Mel recover.

  Tuesdays and Fridays, therapy days, were always a toss-up, with Lily not sure what sort of mood Mel would be in after her session. Some days she was cheerful and a bit more talkative, smiling when she told Lily about a writing project for school or a new book at the library. Other days, she was even more withdrawn than usual and holed up in her bedroom for hours. Giving Mel space and letting her know she was available was all Lily knew to do. She also made sure to have some of her favorite cookies on hand. Cookies were the answer to many of life’s problems.

  Mel wouldn’t be able to drive on her own until she completed her driving classes and passed the test, so Lily dropped her off at her appointments. Dogs sensed when people needed them most and on Tuesday when they picked up Mel, Bodie crawled over the console to be closer to her. Lily had been working to get him comfortable with his harness in the backseat, but couldn’t resist the love and acceptance in his eyes and the way Mel looked at him. Mel’s eyes were puffy and she held a rumpled tissue in her fist, but the corners of her mouth lifted when she petted Bodie. He nosed higher and licked her chin.

  Lily, of all people, knew the power of a furry friend. The unconditional love and support they offered. The comfort of their warm body next to yours when you were scared and alone. Their patience and understanding when you rambled on and on, or cried into their soft neck. The paw on top of your hand, providing the reassurance you needed. The swish of their tail that vibrated with excitement, letting you know you were the most important person in their world.

  Fritz had helped her through Gary’s death and moving here. She wouldn’t have made it without him. She made a mental note to bring Fritz and Bodie with her when she picked Mel up on Friday. They were exactly what she needed.

  Along with helping with the cleaning and laundry, Mel was settling into her new routine of therapy, work at the library, and college classes. She spent most of her spare time doing homework, reading, or driving in preparation for her exam. This week, with only Kate and Izzy as guests, Lily invited Cyndy and Mac to join them for appetizers, along with Nora, whom she had first met as a guest at the cottage. She had stayed during her interview for a police officer and had been hired by Jeff. She and her daughter Bree, were still settling in as new residents of Driftwood Bay.

  By the time Friday rolled around, Izzy had decided to adopt Sunny and give her a forever home. Mac was thrilled and outfitted Izzy with all Sunny’s toys and bedding. Izzy spent most of the afternoon playing in the backyard with all three dogs and they were tuckered out by the time Cyndy and Kate arrived from their last day of shopping at the tradeshow.

  Lily had prepared one of her epic charcuterie boards for the evening. There was a guest lecture and reception at the library, and both Bree and Mel were interested in it. Despite Mel being about four years older, the young women got along well, and with both of them being new to town, they served as support for each other. Nora insisted on treating them both to dinner and dropped them at the café before the lecture, and Donna offered to make sure they got home when it was over, leaving Nora and Lily free for the evening.

  The selection of snacks Lily had prepared was more than enough for dinner, and the group gathered around the fire pit in her lovely yard while they visited and nibbled. Lily longed for friends like those seated next to her. She hadn’t had a close circle of girlfriends back in Virginia. She had used her work friends as her social circle, but it wasn’t the same as listening to Kate and Izzy share some of their heartbreaking experiences. Even Mac chimed in and talked about the loss of his wife and his rocky relationship with his daughter, Missy.

  People, no matter how put together they appeared on the outside, were often struggling with something deep inside. Sometimes, the ones who seemed the most polished, like Kate, were fighting the hardest battles.

  So much had changed in Lily’s life over the past couple of years. Looking through the fluttering flames from the fire, she knew Cyndy was a loyal friend, someone who would be in her life forever.

  Nora was struggling with her teenaged daughter, who made it clear she would rather be living with her father, and Nora’s heartbreak was evident in the glint in her eyes and the crack in her voice. Mac commiserated with her on that point, as did Izzy.

  That same sense of understanding and acceptance was evident in the way Kate and Izzy spoke with such openness and feeling, making it easy for everyone to share their fears and struggles. Lily’s worries lightened, buoyed by their understanding and acceptance. If only they lived closer.

  Some days it was hard not to focus on what she had lost. The pain, both physical and emotional that came when she thought of Gary, could bring her to her knees. Some mornings she didn’t have the energy or desire to get out of bed. Some nights she held Gary’s urn in her arms to get to sleep. Had it not been for Fritz, and now the responsibility for Bodie and Mel, she would have sunk into a deep despair. She wondered how her uncle had been able to go on without her aunt, living here with all these reminders.

  Maybe it felt like she was still here. Maybe he took comfort in the life and legacy they had built, and her mosaics and sea glass creations soothed him. Maybe like her memories of Glass Beach Cottage, he savored all the happy times and years they spent together, admiring the view and sitting, like she was tonight, enjoying the lush yard and the sky filled with millions of twinkling lights.

  Having a pity party was easy, looking for positive signs took more effort. Only now was she beginning to believe, truly believe, not just pretend, that she would be okay.

  The blanket of stars across the sky, the soft glow from the almost full moon shining down upon them, and the crispness of the air, made for a wonderful fall evening. The dogs were piled next to each other a few feet away. Sitting here in the yard where she had spent so many fun summers, both made her smile and filled her with regret.

  She wished she had spent more time with her aunt and uncle. She had been so wrapped up in her own life and kept thinking next year, always next year. It was easy to do. Everyone did it. The losses in her life had been sudden and tragic and now with Gary gone, it only served to drive home what she knew. She should not waste time, not prioritize work. It was a hard habit to break, but part of the reason she had moved was to have a clean slate, a do over.

  She would not make those same mistakes. She would always be responsible and hard-working, that was ingrained in her, but she would make time for joy and fun. Most of all, she would make time for the people who were important to her and live her life focused on doing what made her happy. She wouldn’t save every dime and would spend money to make a trip to see Kevin or fly him out to see her. Instead of regarding time spent lingering over coffee to visit or chatting with Cyndy in her shop, admiring all the beautiful things, as a waste of time, she would reframe it as living a full life.

  Thanks to her uncle and her pension, plus Gary’s, she didn’t need to worry about making ends meet. Her competitive nature and the challenge of making the cottages profitable spurred her forward, but she knew that wasn’t why her uncle had left her this property. He knew she loved it here and she had been happy here. He bestowed upon her much more than a valuable piece of land—he had given her a second chance at joy, at life.

  She glanced over at Mac and her heart fluttered with a tingle of excitement. His handsome features and gorgeous eyes were o
nly overshadowed by his kindness and gentle spirit. Being with him brought her joy and comfort. He must have sensed her gaze and winked at her, rewarding her with a slow grin.

  Deep inside she knew Gary would like him and approve. She was a lucky woman and sensed she and Mac were on the brink of something special. Exactly what, she wasn’t sure, but the flutter in her chest told her it was deeper than friendship.

  8

  Lily welcomed Mac and Sherlock through the house and to the deck. Ignoring the enticing aroma from the takeout bags in Mac’s hands, the dog made a beeline for the other two, who were down the stairs lounging in the grassy yard. Lily gestured to the table she had set. “I think it’s warm enough to eat out here, don’t you?”

  “Fine by me.” He set the bags on the table and began unpacking them. Mel was working late at the library and wouldn’t be home for hours, giving them time to discuss the prospect of them taking a trip to San Juan Island. Together.

  Over tender crab cakes and a delicious chicken pasta dish loaded with basil, tomatoes, and zesty lemon, they chatted about their day. When they couldn’t eat another bite or find another topic, Lily slid the email from Izzy across the table. “So, what do you think?”

  “I’d love to go, but I don’t want to rush things between us or make you feel uncomfortable. Taking a trip together, that’s sort of a big step.”

  She nodded. “I know. I wouldn’t feel right going unless I told Kevin about you. I wouldn’t want him to find out and be upset, thinking I was hiding things from him.”

  “How do you think he will react?”

  Her voice wobbled. “I don’t know.” A tear slid from her eye. “I never expected to face this, you know, situation. After Gary, I just assumed I’d be alone forever. It’s hard to explain what it is we have. I just know I love spending time with you and miss you when I don’t get the chance to see you or talk to you. It’s been so long since I dated anyone, everything has changed.”