The warm lap of a sandpaper tongue against his face brought him out of his slumber with a jerk. The lump on the back of his head throbbed when he turned to face the large black slobbery muzzle of Vanessa’s Great Dane, Titus. The creature was large enough to tow a wagon loaded with supplies.
“We don’t want you here.” Caleb heard from somewhere deeper in the room. He looked over the large animal’s head to see Vanessa’s son, Justin.
“Oh. I think you do.”
“No, Mr. Thackley. We don’t. Because of you, my mother cried for over a month after Pa died.”
So did I, he thought. He would never let Justin know, though—or Vanessa for that matter. “I have something for you.”
The boy’s usually happy face transformed to an angry glare. “Nothing you give me will ever make me like you, Mr. Thackley.”
“I understand. Now…give me my pants.” Rebellion radiated off the boy as he stood there, feet wide in a defiant stance. “I told you, I don’t want your gifts.”
“It’s not from me, Justin. Now go get my pants.”
Caleb could almost see the thoughts roll through the boy’s head. If there was one thing a person could count on, it was a young boy’s curiosity. The anticipation must have been too much for the boy. He lifted his head a bit and with a defiant expression said, “If it’s not from you, then who?”
“I’ll explain it to you as soon as you get my trousers.”
Justin stood with his hands on his hips, holding Caleb’s stare. “Fine.”
He turned and marched to the small wooden chair in the corner, grabbed Caleb’s clothes, and tossed them onto the bed.
“Thanks.” Caleb dug deep into the pockets. “Damn! I forgot I’d stuck it in my pack when I got on the skiff.”
He looked up at Justin. “Did I have a bag with me when you hauled me out?”
“No. I didn’t see anything but a rounder who shoulda’ been fed to the sharks.”
“But no pack?”
“No.”
Caleb’s heart started to beat a fierce rhythm in his chest. The only thing that could bring Vanessa back into his life was in the bag—proof of his innocence in her husband’s death, and the ‘Welcome Aboard’ letter from the Lighthouse Board. There was no telling where it was. He’d been close to the island when his boat started to fill with water, so there was a very small chance it also landed on the beach.
Now his happiness was more than likely at the bottom of the sea—resting forever in the never-ending abyss of the deep blue ocean. What was he going to do? He had to prove his worth to the only woman he’d ever loved. He needed to show her how wrong she’d been when she’d dismissed him for the last year. So, he sold the White Pelican and took a position as her assistant keeper to show her he loved her,
She’ll never believe me unless I show proof, which I no longer have. He had to find his pack.
He hadn’t realized how he felt until the day she’d married his best friend. By then it was too late. She’d already become Mrs. Adam Mills. The woman he was supposed to have and hold till death do they part. Hell, even Adam had thought so. On many occasions during the course of their friendship, he’d urged Caleb to court her. All up until the day Adam fell for her himself.
Caleb thought back to days gone by when they’d all been happy. Day’s when she’d looked at him with stars in her eyes and a hitch in her breath. He didn’t know what the look meant back then, but he did now. It was a look of longing, need, and passion, which he could no longer deny. He couldn’t let her dismiss him so easily after all they’d been through. One way or another, she would love him again—even if it took until eternity. He would wait to hear those three simple little words come out of her beautifully pouted lips.
Caleb turned back to look at Justin. “I’ll give you ten cents if you return the pack to me when it washes up on shore.”
“You mean if it washes up on shore.”
“No son, when it washes up on shore…and it will. It is way too valuable. God would never let it be lost.”
“Is it full of pirate treasure?”
Caleb couldn’t help but laugh. “No. Why would you think that?”
“I heard Ma say you were no better than a pirate. If you’re like a pirate then you must have treasure hidden somewhere.”
“She said that, did she? And when was that; before or after your Pa died?”
“When Pa was alive. They used to stay up at night and argue about you. Ma said you were a rounder, a b’hoy, and a thief. Pa used to tell her you were tryin’ to make a livin’ and she needed to forgive you. Like Jesus would.”
“And what did she say?”
“She said she could never forgive someone who abandoned everything good in life for dirty money.”
“Dirty money?”
“Yep, so if you have dirty money, you must be a pirate or thief. Are you?”
“No, I’m just a man tryin’ to make a living.”
Vanessa’s voice filled the room as she entered with determined ease. “Yes, a living selling alcohol to men who should be home caring for their families and helping their wives with the children. Not flouncing around with strumpets and whores.”
“And would you fault me for that, Nessa? I’m not the keeper of the men. I don’t determine whether they will go home to their wives or disappear with a barmaid.”
“You employ the women who tempt the men.”
“I employ women to serve liquor in my establishment, but I do not sell the women. What the men and barmaids do when they are not in my building is beyond my control.”
“It is within your control to give up the White Pelican and employ yourself elsewhere.”
“Where, Nessa? The lighthouse? Would you have me give up on life to live in desolation on an island just to ensure a light flashes at night? Besides, even if I did want to be a keeper, the position is full.”
“There’s more to it than simply ensuring the light flashes.”
“Like what, may I ask?”
“Like saving lives. The light shines for those who need direction and guidance. The light has deterred many ships from imminent danger. I, myself, have plucked sailors from the sea, as I rescued you.”
“I hardly needed rescuing. You may have taken me out of the ocean, but you didn’t save me. I would have woken up and found myself on your beach, right where I needed to be.”
“I beg to differ. You were, and are, in grave need of rescue, Caleb.” Vanessa drew Justin closer to her. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Justin needs to do his lessons.”
“By all means, continue on with your day as if I’m not even here.”
“Oh. I intend too, sir. Good day.”
“Until later, Nessa.” Until later. When she would once again turn to him with open arms and an open heart—of that he had no doubt.
Chapter 3
Vanessa gripped the safety rail of the walkway encircling the top of the lighthouse below the lantern. The salty, fresh smell of the ocean carried to her on the gentle breeze. The feel of the warm air against her skin, combined with the earthy fragrance never failed to calm her nerves and clear her mind.
The deck outside the watch room was where Vanessa went to be alone with her thoughts, which of late, centred on Caleb. What was she going to do? Should she insist he leave? It had been three days since she’d dragged him out of the water and he obviously hadn’t sustained a serious injury during his fall.
Although he’d taken residence in the assistant keeper’s house, he’d spent his nights in her sitting room, charming his way into the good graces of her son by filling the dark and lonely hours with stories of adventure and magic—stories of knights and kings, of mermaids and sailors, and cowboys in the west. Things boys of Justin’s age loved to dream about. And although she wouldn’t admit it, she’d enjoyed hearing them as well.
She looked down onto the scene below. Her little house stood off the base of the lighthouse structure, and a smaller house just beyond. The top of the roof of the main hous
e looked as though it needed mending and the walls needed a new coat of whitewash. She could handle painting, but the roof…she didn’t think she could do that by herself. It was especially at times like this when she wished Adam were there.
A gust of wind kicked up as she turned around and marched toward the entrance to the lantern room—one more reminder she needed to get busy. No telling when a storm would kick up, and she needed to get the house ready for bad weather.
She walked down the stairs and almost ran into Titus as she exited the building. “Good morning, boy. Where’s Justin?” The dog licked her hand and wagged his tail as he turned to walk down the sandy path beside her.
Caleb’s deep, reverberating laugh spread over the small island like a blanket, followed by Justin’s voice. “He didn’t see that coming.”
Vanessa ducked behind a palm tree and listened, not wanting to intrude on the moment. “No, he didn’t.” Caleb said. “Looks like it’s turtle soup tonight.”
“Have you ever eaten turtle soup, Mr. Thackley? It’s disgusting!”
“Of course I have. I grew up on the stuff. It sounds to me like you haven’t had my Oma’s turtle soup.”
“Who’s Oma?”
“My Grandmother. We called her Oma because she came over from Germany when my mother was just a baby.” Vanessa herd Caleb—or maybe it was Justin, she couldn’t quite tell who—settle into the sand on the beach as Caleb continued, “She made the best turtle soup in the country.”
“Well, my Ma makes turtle soup and it’s the worst soup in the country.”
Caleb’s deep, chesty chuckle tickled Vanessa’s ears. “Your Ma does a lot of things right but, if I remember correctly, turtle soup isn’t one of them. Guess I’ll have to make dinner tonight.”
“Good luck. Besides the lighthouse, the kitchen is Ma’s favourite place to be. She doesn’t let anyone in there.”
“Not true,” Vanessa said as she stepped into the open. Caleb sat in the sand while Justin stood next to him and rolled the upturned turtle on the ground from side-to-side. She strolled closer and stopped next to her son. “I let you go in there to wash the dishes after supper.”
The expression on Justin’s face was timeless. She could almost see the thoughts running through his mind when he straightened his spine. “How long have you been back there?” Justin’s voice shook slightly when he said the last.
“I’ve been here long enough to know you’re picking on poor, unsuspecting turtles…again.”
“Not this time. We’re catching em’ to eat.”
“It’s true.” Caleb looked down at the upturned turtle. “However, we’re only going to eat this turtle. The other four we may have been picking on.”
“You two seem to be getting along well.” Vanessa looked from Caleb to Justin. “Why?”
“We found a common interest,” Caleb answered as he rose to his feet and bent down to pick up the loggerhead turtle.
“Turtle hunting?” Vanessa reached out and ran her hand down the bottom side of the turtle shell.
“No. Treasure hunting. We stumbled on the turtles,” Caleb said.
“Don’t worry Ma. We caught them on their way back to the water so they’ve already laid their eggs.”
“Let’s hope so.”
A movement to the right caught her attention and she turned to see Caleb’s large chest. She let her eyes drift up to his face, as he moved to lean down. In a voice quiet enough for only her to hear, he whispered, “Nessa, would you like me to teach you how to make Oma’s soup?” The sides of his mouth quirked up in a secretive, half-smile and a twinkle glittered in his eyes. “I make a good turtle soup, but I’d much rather eat a meal made by you. There’s something about a woman’s touch that makes a man…”
“Titus. No!” Justin yelled.
Vanessa snapped her head around in time to see her Great Dane digging a hole in the sand as plumes of white sand kicked up behind him. .
“I think it’s the nest,” Justin said as he rushed over to the dog and tugged hard to get him back and away.
The ground beneath Vanessa’s feet shifted a bit, making it difficult to run as she rushed forward to help her son. “No, Titus. Stop.”
With a little extra pull on his collar, the dog backed off and looked at her. His eyes were wide and his body raised and lowered in a gentle pant as he watched her, as if he hadn’t almost broken into a turtle nest for an afternoon meal.
“Take him to the house,” Vanessa said, as she struggled to hand him over to Justin.
Her son grabbed the large dog by his collar and led him toward the house. “Come on boy. I’ll get you some of last night’s supper.”
When she was sure Justin was out of earshot, she turned to Caleb. “Now, what were you about to say?” Caleb’s words had taken her breath away for a split second, and she wanted to feel the enchanting rush again. She wasn’t sure what he was about to say, but from the tenure of his voice and the twinkle in his eyes, she was sure it was meant for her ears only.
“I was about to say there’s something about a woman’s touch that makes a man’s stomach growl with hunger.” Caleb let out a deep chuckle. “Why? Did you think I was going to say something else, Nessa?”
“No.” Vanessa crossed her arms across her chest and sighed. His arrogant confidence never ceased to amaze her.
A deep rumble of laughter filled the air. “Yes you did. I can tell by the look on your face.” The smile on his face grew, but the look in his eyes changed slightly as he reached up and placed his warm palm on her cheek. “Not yet my darling, but soon—as soon as I find my treasure.”
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t even breathe. It seemed like forever since she’d felt the loving caress of a man. And even longer since she’d felt the liquid fire run through her veins that only flowed when she was with Caleb. If there were a grand prize for weakest woman in the presence of the man of her dreams, she would win. But she wasn’t weak and wouldn’t let herself be drawn into another moment of heartbreak.
She pushed his hand away from her face, ending the affectionate touch. “When will you leave?” Her voice sounded weak even to her.
“We’ll talk about it as soon as I find the treasure.”
“You know there is no treasure on this island. So why do you keep looking?”
“A treasure to one man is not always a treasure to another.”
“Whatever your treasure may be, I hope you find it soon so you can be off my island.”
Caleb smiled. “We’ll discuss my departure later, my darling. As of now, I need to take this turtle to the house and start supper. If you’ll excuse me.”
Vanessa gave a small nod and turned to the water. No matter what she said, Caleb would do what he wanted. He always did. Ever since she’d rescued him, she felt lost at sea and unable to find her way home.
She needed something to change—and fast. She couldn’t keep living as if she were lost. She needed balance. Maybe if the lighthouse board sent a new assistant keeper, she could find some peace and balance in life.
A movement in her peripheral vision made her turn toward the rocks that jutted out of the ocean twenty yards from shore. An object, which appeared to be a brown bag, flowed back and forth with each gentle wave.
She walked to the water’s edge for a better look. The straps were twisted around a rock, anchoring it to the land. She would have to take the skiff out to get whatever it was. But right now, she had way too much to do and no time to worry about retrieving the lodged object. If the thing remained stuck to the rock tomorrow, maybe she’d take the boat out to get it.
Chapter 4
The sharp smell of chopped garlic, onion, and spices filled the air in the kitchen. Caleb stood tall beside the counter next to the cook stove. A cotton rag tossed haphazardly over his left shoulder as he chopped the onion.
“Smells good in here,” Vanessa said when she entered the warm kitchen and sat primly in the chair next to the table.
“Ah.” He turned toward her. “I�
��m glad you’re here. I could use some help.” He picked up the small chopping board and placed it in front of her. “Could you cut the vegetables?”
She picked up the knife and adjusted the board. “Slice them in large pieces?”
“No. Chop them like this.” His knuckle brushed against the back of her hand as he plucked the knife from her hands and chopped a pepper into medium-sized pieces. When he finished, Vanessa took back the knife and started to slice a celery stock.
Caleb turned back to his work next to the cook stove. “You look good as the Mistress of Dry Tortugas.” Over his shoulder, he gave her a crooked smile. “It suits you.”
“I love it here. It’s so secluded and fresh. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life. I love being a part of something important—something that matters. Even if it only matters to one stranded ship, or one shipwrecked sailor, it’s worth it.”
“I’m starting to feel your love of the island. Justin has been showing me all about Loggerhead Island. His enthusiasm is hard to ignore and quite contagious. I think I could grow to love it here.”
“No you couldn’t. You’re a mainland man. You’re sociable and energetic and need to be around people.”
“That’s the old me. I’ve grown a bit since you last saw me, Nessa.”
“I doubt it, Caleb. Treasure hunting isn’t really a grown-up activity.”
“It is when the treasure is something that will ensure my future. Besides, I like spending time with Justin. He reminds me a lot of Adam.”
Vanessa looked to the floor. Emotion rolled through her, as it always did when she thought of Adam. She saw so much of him in Justin. At least she still had a part of her husband left to cherish. “He is definitely his father’s son.”
“That’s a good thing. Adam was always the better man.”
“Not true, Caleb. You’re as good a man as he was.”
Before she could react, Vanessa found herself lifted off the chair and encircled in Caleb’s arms. She could feel the heat from his body as he pressed against her, one arm circled around her lower back while the other brought her head toward him for a kiss.
The Lighthouse Romance Anthology (The Life Saving Series) Page 10
