by Danni Roan
“Maybe that’s it,” James agreed finishing his sandwich. “Or it could just be someone I met a long time ago and have forgotten. Time not only dims the memory, it changes people.”
Brittany smiled again. “Sounds very philosophical,” she giggled.
“More like a Billy Joel song,” James said clearing his plate as she rose.
“See you tonight,” Brittany said still chuckling as she took the plates and headed back toward the shack.
Chapter 4
James spent the day lounging by the water or simply catching up on personal emails and posts.
He even wasted a happy hour scrolling through Facebook and looking at pictures that Audrey posted of her new life.
His old friend had married so quickly that she and her new husband hadn’t even figured out their living arrangements, and for now, she was keeping the apartment in the city, and they were taking turns staying there or at Holden’s ranch.
James shook his head. It seemed that all of his friends were getting married; first Audrey, then Lisa. He blinked into the sudden gleam of light that glisten through his bejeweled pineapple as a ray of sun scattered golden light through its many facets.
James watched as the shimmering ebbed then turned his mind and thoughts back to the two girls who had taken him under their wing when he’d first arrived in Springtown.
After years of being bounced around from foster home to foster home, James had landed in the little town at the red brick middle school angry and alone. He’d purposely found a table in the deepest darkest corner of the cafeteria to avoid meeting any of his classmates and being forced to socialize.
It hadn’t worked though. Audrey and Lisa had made a bee-line for him honing in on his hideout like a smart bomb to its target. They had totally shattered his little protected space as well.
Looking back, he could see how horrible he had been to both of the girls, but they hadn’t cared. Instead, they’d chatted, joked and horror of all horrors, played their harmonica’s right there at that little table.
It had taken weeks of them following him around before he opened up a little and let them in. Both Lisa and Audrey had lost much in their lives, and their ability to press forward had given him hope.
When the family who had taken him in finally proved that this was his last stop in their book, he had eventually settled down and lived what passed as a normal life in that little town.
The Ls though, well that was a whole new experience he’d been forced to survive.
It had been more than a shock to endure their fussing and feeding and over all affection. He’d never known anyone like them and suspected that they were unique beyond measure.
Smiling James looked up at his silly pineapple and shook his head. Which one had given him that and signed it Mrs. Claus was a mystery he wouldn’t even try to solve.
Still the Ls meant well and had certainly come through for Lisa and her new family. They’d saved his bacon a time or two as well by baking up a storm for an event.
Looking out along the beach, James closed his computer. The Ls new goal seemed to be to get everyone married. He cringed every time one of the dear old ladies came close enough to badger him about his dating life.
Thinking back to his morning encounter with Brittany, he sighed. She’d been interested in the business. It seemed that every woman he met in the circles he kept was only interested in the business. They never seemed interested in him.
On the other hand, why would anyone be interested in the lanky dork who never seemed to know what to do with himself? As much as he organized and planned social events one would think he would be comfortable in large groups, but the truth was he still felt like that dorky kid that never stayed anywhere long enough to fit in.
The buzz of his phone broke him from his dark thoughts, and he picked it up to see Audrey’s picture smiling back at him.
Pressing the answer tab he swiped up and said hello.
“Hey String Bean, what are you up to?” Audrey’s voice bubbled over the line.
“About six three,” James barked back his usual reply.
“Ha, ha, very funny,” Audrey said. “So are you having a good time down in the balmy tropics?”
“Soaking up the fun and sun.”
Audrey laughed, she knew her friend and business partner was simply catching up on lost sleep while finding a cure for the winter blues.
“You know when you’ll be back?”
James pressed the phone closer to his ear. Was something wrong? “Still planning on another six days here,” he hedged. “Something come up?”
“No, things are going well. You had the crew lined up and everything together. You really saved my year you know,” Audrey replied.
“Thanks, it was worth it I think,” James hesitated a moment waiting to see what Audrey was going to say next, but when she didn’t reply, he pressed on. “You sure everything’s cool?”
“Yes, it is cool,” Audrey laughed, “just a bit of an adjustment for me and Holden. We’re trying to figure out how to work out this whole thing. I feel like I’m away from him as much as we’re together.”
“Yeah running from party to party can be like that. Maybe you should order up that sleigh for a few more gigs,” he added with a chuckle.
“I might just have to do that,” Audrey agreed. “Anyway, don’t worry about us. Business is good, and we’ll figure everything else out eventually. Have a good time.”
“Thanks Aud,” James teased. He had always loved tweaking her with her name. “I’ll do that.”
“Aud huh, well at least it isn’t odd-ball,” Audrey’s chuckle tinkled over the line. “Oh, and String Bean don’t get burnt down there.”
The phone went dead in James’ hand and he laughed. He’d always loved how Audrey could tease and bicker with the best of them.
Putting the phone down, he slipped back into his flip-flops, grabbed a plush beach towel and a book and stepped out the door.
He was sure there was more to Audrey’s phone call than she had said, but if the business was good, he wasn’t going to worry about it. She’d fess up when she was ready.
Stepping out into the warm sun James strolled to a row of lounges tossing his towel and book on the padded chair he kicked off his flip-flops and waded into the sea.
Chapter 5
Brittany watched the man she’d had breakfast with a short time ago plunge into the sea and start swimming.
His lean body was lightly touched by the sun and his dark hair glistened with sea foam. He was tall and his strong well muscled arms pulled him steadily through the waves.
It was fun watching him as he slid through the water, not in short choppy strokes but with strong smooth motions that sliced through the water effortlessly.
A cool shiver raced up Brittany’s spine as she watched. James was a good looking man by any standard, but how could she get him to notice her. She couldn’t keep dropping pineapples every time he was around.
“Miss, miss?” An older man with a white beard stood at the counter trying to get Brittany’s attention.
“I’m sorry,” She said turning with a slight smile that only grew when she took in the man and his bright blue eyes.
He was of average height and rather round in the middle where his white tank top met his red floral Bermuda’s.
“Can I order one of those fancy drinks you all serve?” the man asked cheerfully. “You know the ones so big you can barely carry them, and they have little umbrellas in the top.” As he spoke he drew the picture with his hands raising and lowering them in a way that painted a much more specific request.
“Of course,” Brittany replied. “Coconut, Strawberry, or Pineapple?”
“Pineapple. Yes, yes, pineapple please and make that two.” He held up two fingers waggling them happily as he chuckled.
Brittany chuckled herself. The man had an infectious mirth about him that made everything seem brighter.
“Are you staying here long?” Brittany asked sli
cing into a fresh pineapple then chopping it into bits.
“Another week, maybe two, but the Mrs. and I need to get home soon. We’ve got a lot of work to do.” He turned slightly looking out across the sand to where an older woman sat in a lounge chair a wide visor over her snow white hair.
“I’d like the Mrs. to get a bit of a rest. It’s been a busy year, and she tries to do too much.”
“What do you do?” Brittany asked plopping chunks of pineapple into a massive blender and adding ice and a bit of soda water.
“We have a little shop up north,” the man hedged making Brittany smile even more. She was pretty sure by now that he was one of those people who did the whole Christmas village thing and let tots sit on his knee for pictures while he posed in a bright red suit.
She knew that if he’d dressed the part and entered a Santa Claus lookalike contest, she’d vote for him.
The sound of the blender drowned out any further conversation for several minutes until Brittany flipped two massive fluted glasses over and poured the sweet yellow concoction into them topping each with a slice of pineapple and a brightly colored umbrella.
“Thank you, these look wonderful,” the man said. “I know Candy will love it.”
“Have a great day,” Brittany called after his retreating form as he walked gingerly across the sand balancing the drinks with care.
She watched him hand off a drink to his wife, bending low and kissing her cheek sweetly, and something in her heart jumped.
What would it be like to be with someone for so many years and still bring a smile to their face like that? Could true love really be found?
Brittany turned her gray eyes taking in the long tall drink of water in the teal swim trunks as he waded out of the ocean and grabbed his towel drying himself vigorously.
A man like that, one who understood the long hours of hospitality work, would be a dream.
***
“Nice girl there,” Nick said taking the seat next to his wife. “Good head on her shoulders.”
“Big heart as well I think,” Candy looked over at him. “Now if she can just get that big galoot over there to look at her properly.”
Nick chuckled. “He never did think he was good enough for anyone, even after his foster parents gave him a permanent home.”
“No, but he’s always been there for his friends, and he works so hard,” Candy replied. “Hopefully Brittany can knock him over the head and drag him home.”
Nick laughed a hearty belly laugh that shook his whole frame. “I think you are tired my dear if that’s how you want to see this play out, you must be.”
“I am tired,” Candy agreed. “I’ve been working non-stop just like you, and winter is our busiest season.”
The older man patted her hand. “Perhaps a little help from a friend might be in order,” he suggested with a wink.
“Well it rather is his business isn’t it,” Candy smiled. “I’ll send Q a text and see what happens.”
Nick leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek. They’d seen a lot of years, and though they loved their life and the joy they could spread around the world, they missed who they used to be some days.
“How’s your new apprentice working out?” he asked leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes as the sounds of the sea played their melody.
Candy looked up from her phone hitting send as she turned to look at her husband. “She’s coming along, but she’s a little disorganized.”
Nick snorted. “Scatty is what I heard,” he laughed.
“Nick, be nice,” Candy chided. “It took me some time and mistakes to learn a new trade. Why when we took over, we didn’t even believe in any of this nonsense.”
Nick took his wife’s hand. “Too true my dear, too true. Well I hope she finds her feet soon, we’re not getting any younger you know.”
Chapter 6
James pulled on his best khaki shorts and a pale blue polo then ran his fingers through his hair.
It was nice getting ready for an event where he didn’t need a tie and shiny shoes. Tonight he could relax and enjoy the fun instead of racing around putting out fires and glad handing clients.
Shoving his extra large feet into his flip-flops he grabbed his wallet, gave a ping to his shiny pineapple ornament and stepped out into the brilliant hues of a coastal sunset.
Walking through the foyer of the hotel, James took in the breezy halls and open lounge where people sat nibbling snacks or reading.
A bank of windows faced the sea, and many of the elderly couples, who seemed to gravitate to the region at this time of the year, sat watching the sun paint the horizon in brilliant shades of red, rose, and orange.
“Hey, there you are,” Brittany greeted from behind him, and he turned his breath catching in his lungs.
Brittany stood before him in a blue floral print dress that seemed to sway with every move of her hips. The darker background of the floating fabric was covered with huge white day lilies and accented by even bigger purple hydrangeas.
A warm smile spread across James’ face as the woman stepped up to him with a grin.
“You look like you’re ready for a party,” she said reminding him once more that she was in the hospitality business and would be more interested in his knowledge than who he was.
“You look lovely,” he said before he could stop himself, his jumbled thoughts rolling out of his mouth carelessly.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” Brittany teased with a grin that made him wonder exactly why she’d invited him out again.
***
Brittany smiled at James looking him up and down in his smart khaki’s and polo shirt. He was a good-looking man, and he had great legs.
“Shall we,” she finally asked reaching over and taking his arm. “If we walk, we can see the sunset as we go.”
James looked over his shoulder toward the sinking sun then turned headed for the doors to the beach.
Beside him Brittany’s low sandals made a soft slapping noise on the floor, and the smell of something sweet and tropical filled his head.
As they stepped into the sand Brittany turned him gently down the beach toward the distant flicker of a bon fire.
“Looks like a great night for a beach party,” he mused liking the way Brittany’s hand felt on his arm.
“It should be fun. I hope you have a good time. I know how it feels always planning and working an event, but seldom just getting to be a guest.”
James looked down at the young woman on his arm. “Yes. I love my job, and what I do is always interesting, but sometimes you just want to sit back and enjoy the fun.”
James felt silly talking about his feelings like that, but they seemed to bubble up from somewhere below, and the way the changing spectacle of the sun’s light played across her sun kissed locks seemed to do something strange to his head.
“Is that why you came here?” Brittany asked looking up, her eyes meeting his gaze and making her heart skip a beat.
“Sort of,” James admitted. “I was finishing up a New Years Eve party slash wedding and as soon as the bride and groom, one of my oldest friends by the way, left, I messaged my travel agent and headed for the airport.”
“Didn’t you even pack?” Brittany’s gray eyes widened with surprise.
“I hailed a taxi, went home and stuffed a bunch of warm weather clothes in a bag then hopped a plane and here I am.”
“That’s crazy,” Brittany laughed, the sound seemed to wash over James like the glow of the sinking sun and he shivered.
“I can’t believe you could just do that. It must have been so liberating.”
James shrugged. He really didn’t know what to say. He’d always longed for the sun by the time the New Year rolled around. He loved Colorado and was eternally grateful that he’d landed in that little town, but something in him needed to leave the winter white behind each year for just a little while.
“Do you know what you want to do when you finish your M.A.?”
James asked changing the subject.
“Not exactly,” Brittany replied stopping and turning toward the last rays of the setting sun.
A warm breeze danced across the waves lifting her hair, and she raised her face toward the half-submerged orb. “Doesn’t it look like you could just step out and walk along the path the sun has painted on the sea?” she asked.
James stood mesmerized by the soft glow of sun on her tan skin, the light seemed to shimmer filling her with a spark so like the one his little pineapple caught and scattered across his hut.
“Beautiful,” he breathed.
Brittany turned catching the look of admiration on James’ face. His dark hazel eyes were aglow with the last rays of the sun, and she smiled even as he leaned in to brush a kiss across her lips.
The warmth of the sun seemed to dissipate in an instant and James’ brain reeled back in shock at his boldness.
“I’m so sorry,” he said taking a step back. “I didn’t plan on that. Please forgive me,” he pleaded taking one more step away.
All the warmth left Brittany in a rush, and she looked down at her sandals. “It’s fine,” she assured. “Who wouldn’t want to embrace the moment?” she smiled sadly wondering why he’d withdrawn so quickly.
Shaking off her disappointment and savoring the memory of the kiss, she reached out and took her companion’s arm once more.
“You aren’t mad?” James asked somewhat stunned.
“No,” Brittany replied trying to set him at ease. “It was kind of nice,” she finished her cheeks warming at the memory. His kiss had been like the brush of an angel’s wing.
The sound of laughter and music drifted toward them as they approached the roaring fire and Brittany urged James to hurry with a tug on his arm. “Come on and meet my friends. Tonight you get to be the guest so have some fun.”
