by Judith Keim
Tomorrow was another day of freedom, of finding herself.
###
Sunlight played hide and seek with her fluttering eyelids, teasing her until she opened her eyes wide and gazed around the room. It took her a few seconds to realize she was in Florida, not New York. Em heard the sound of someone in the kitchen and remembered she was living with a man with no expectations of anything beyond a brief friendship. He’d spoken to her as if he was meeting her for the first time and then disappeared. She had no idea when Devin had returned to the house last night.
She checked her watch. Eight o’clock. She scrambled out of bed before she realized she wasn’t on any time schedule. After slipping on the terry robe provided in each guest suite, she padded into the kitchen.
Devin looked up at her and smiled. “Good morning. I’ve made coffee. Help yourself to it.” In workout shorts and a T-shirt, he looked hot as hell.
“Thanks,” she said, doing her best not to stare at him. “I’m going grocery shopping this morning and will replace what you’ve used.”
He shook his head. “No need to do that. We’re each doing our own thing. Right?”
“Right,” she quickly agreed as she poured herself a cup of coffee. She didn’t dare suggest they pool their money and buy things together. He was making it clear he was going to remain independent.
Em carried her cup of coffee out to the porch and took a seat in one of the rocking chairs. Though the air was cool, it held the promise of warmth to come. The sun shone on the water making the crests of the waves shimmer with brightness. The rhythmic sound of the water rolling into shore and pulling away was relaxing, pulling a sigh of happiness out of her.
She heard the sound of the door sliding open behind her and glanced at Devin as he took a seat beside her.
“Ahhh, this is nice,” he said. “With all the work I’ve been doing lately, I’ve forgotten to give myself time to relax. That’s one of the reasons I agreed to come here. I remember this area of Florida from being part of your sister’s wedding party.”
“I haven’t been back here and, like you, I realize how much I’ve needed this.”
“Weren’t you working in New York City?” he said.
“You remember that?” she said, surprised.
“We were part of the same wedding party, so, yeah, I remembered that. You were with some guy with glasses who couldn’t dance.”
She opened her mouth to protest and closed it. A bubble of laughter began to boil within her and before she could stop herself, it came out in gales of laughter. My God! Devin was right! Jared couldn’t dance very well. She’d been so lovestruck she hadn’t minded.
“What so funny?” Devin asked, his eyes filled with questions.
Still chuckling, Em said, “You’re right. Jared was a horrible dancer. I realize that now.”
“Hmmm,” he responded. “I take it the two of you are no longer together. Is that why you’re living in Ellenton?”
Em took her time to answer. She felt like a teenager who’d had a bad night at the senior prom. But it was so much more than that. After Jared had ended their relationship, she’d had moments when she’d thought her entire life was over.
“I left New York City for Ellenton after my grandmother asked for my help running her flower shop. She never liked the idea of my living in the city, and by then, I was ready to leave.”
“Do you like it?” Devin asked, studying her.
She instinctively knew it wasn’t a simple question. “I love working with flowers. I might open my own landscape design business one day. I’m thinking about it, anyway.” She studied him. “So, what exactly are you doing? You’re a doctor, right?”
“Yes. I’m a pediatrician.” His green eyes darkened, became sad. She waited for him to say more. “Guess I’d better get going. I’ve signed up for the gym.” He stood and indicated the plantings around the house. “The landscaping here needs a little sprucing up.”
Em returned his smile. “Yes, I’ve noticed. I thought I’d go to the library and do a little research on tropical plants. That might help me decide if it’s something I really want to do.”
He gave her a little salute. “See you later.”
Watching Devin walk away, Em filled with curiosity. She couldn’t help wondering what had made Devin so sad.
She stayed on the porch until he drove away. Then she went inside to see what she could find out about him online. Her sister had asked her not to research him before making the trip, but now that Em had met Devin, she wanted to know more about him.
His resume was impressive. Medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She knew from one of her high school classmates how excellent the pediatric program was at that university. In fact, her friend had called it number one in the country.
She moved on to other information about him until she came to the last entry—the mention of the work he’d recently completed in Costa Rica helping to run a medical clinic for children and families.
Working with poor and suffering people, trying to make a difference in their lives must be rewarding, she thought, remembering the sadness that had momentarily washed over his features.
###
After taking a shower and putting on shorts and a long-sleeved shirt, Em went into the kitchen to survey supplies. As she worked on a grocery list, the ten-day vacation didn’t seem very long.
She traveled to a nearby Publix supermarket and took her time planning what and how much to buy. It seemed silly not to share some items with Devin, but Em knew it was best that way. She was already on a slippery slope thinking that Devin was a very nice, very handsome man. Step back, she reminded herself.
At home, she carefully placed all of her refrigerated items on one shelf so Devin would know what was hers and did the same with the cupboard space. Then she grabbed a bottle of water and left for the local library.
A couple of hours later, she returned to the cottage with a few books she’d found at a bookstore. Hungry, she headed into the kitchen.
Dirty dishes were neatly stacked in the sink, indicating Devin had been there. She made herself a small turkey and tomato sandwich on rye and grabbed another water.
Eating at the kitchen table gave her a chance to get a closer look at her surroundings. The townhouse she’d bought offered a modern kitchen with dark wood cabinets and stainless-steel appliances. Compared to them, this kitchen with its white-painted cupboards seemed much more hospitable, or maybe it was the warm atmosphere.
Em rinsed and put her dishes in the dishwasher and then walked outside with one of the reference books she’d bought. She’d been warned by one of the clerks at the book store that growing things in this area was easy, maybe too easy, because of the constant maintenance required to tame the fast-growing plants.
She knelt on the grass and began to pull weeds between the plants she was studying when she saw the shadow of a man standing behind her. She whipped around, and was surprised to see a light-brown-skinned man wearing a straw hat staring down at her. From beneath the hat, dark hair was highlighted by gray strands.
“Sorry to frighten you.” His smile accented his white teeth and brought a twinkle to his dark eyes. “What are you doing with my garden?”
“Your garden?” She rose to her feet and faced him. “You’re the owner?”
He grinned. “No, the gardener. I was sick last week, but yes, I’ve been hired to take care of the plantings and lawn here.”
“Oh, I hope you don’t mind what I’ve done, but I’m trying to learn about plants in this area.” She held out her hand. “I’m Emerson Jordan, visiting from upstate New York. I’m thinking of opening a landscape design business and want to know about growing things here.”
‘I’m Benito Santana.” His grin was full of mischief. “Are you offering to help me?”
“Not exactly. Well, maybe, for a while,” Em said, charmed by him.
He lo
oked from her to the work she’d done weeding and trimming a small area. “Okay, you can ask questions while you continue. Deal?”
“Deal,” Em said firmly. She was becoming excited about the idea of working with different plants outdoors.
Benito held up a finger. “Hold on. I’ll be right back. I have to get Nina and some of my equipment.”
“Can I help?” she asked.
“Yes, that would be a good beginning.” He led her to an older-model, blue truck hauling a white, enclosed trailer behind. Across the sides of the trailer were the words “Benito’s Landscape Services” in blue.
Benito went to the passenger side of the truck and lifted out a little girl who was still sleeping. Em judged her to be about three or four. He spoke softly to her. “Nina, we’re here. Time to wake up.”
The girl’s eyes fluttered open and she stared in surprise at Em. Soft dark curls sprang out from her head and, like the wings of butterflies, swayed in the gentle onshore breeze. Observing her, Em thought she’d rarely seen a prettier child.
She moved forward. “Hi, Nina. I’m Em.”
The little girl nestled her head against Benito’s broad shoulder.
“My granddaughter is sometimes shy,” he said, patting Nina’s back. He spoke in Spanish to Nina, and after she nodded, he set her down on the ground.
“Does she always travel with you?” Em asked.
“Only on days my daughter works the night shift. My daughter can’t afford day care for her. Otherwise, she’s at home with us.”
“I can keep an eye on her for you while you talk to me about the plants and show me how to handle them,” Em offered. “In the cottage, I found a drawer of things for kids to do. Later, if you and she are comfortable with it, she can play inside.”
“Yes, that would be good, very kind.” He spoke to Nina once more in Spanish. She stared up at Em with dark eyes that assessed her and then a smile crossed Nina’s face, exposing little white teeth that gleamed against her darker skin.
Em’s breath caught. As lovely as she was now, Nina was already showing signs of one day becoming a stunning young woman.
Benito walked Em and Nina around the perimeter of the house, pointing out different plants and talking about their care. At one point, he grabbed Em’s hand and pulled her away.
“What is it?” she asked.
He pointed to what looked like a mound of sand. “Fire ants. Never disturb them. They sting like crazy.”
They had just returned to the front of the house when Devin returned to the cottage. He was still in gym shorts and a T-shirt that showed off his body and clearly demonstrated how effective his workouts were.
“Hello,” Devin said to Benito and Em before turning to Nina. “And who is this?” He knelt before Nina and spoke to her in Spanish.
Her face glowing from the attention, she reached out and patted his cheek.
Laughing, he stood and faced Benito. Amidst the Spanish they spoke, Em caught only a few words.
After he and Benito finished conversing, Devin gave her an appraising look. “Benito tells me you’re going to watch Nina. She wants to go down by the water. Do you mind if I join the two of you? Late afternoon is a great time to enjoy the beach.”
“Not a problem,” Em said. “Are you just coming back from the gym?”
He chuckled. “No, I’ve been visiting some friends. They’re staying at the Salty Key Inn.”
Nina walked over to him, grabbed hold of his hand, and then took hold of Em’s hand.
“Looks like she ready to go,” said Benito, giving Nina an indulgent smile.
“Okay, let’s do it,” said Em. The three of them crossed the lawn and stepped onto the beach.
Em took off her sandals and wiggled her toes in the warm grains of sand, loving the feel of them on her skin.
Nina sat down and tried to pull off her sandals. Em knelt to help her and laughed when Nina mimicked her, wiggling her toes and sighing with pleasure.
“She sure doesn’t miss a trick,” said Devin, smiling at them both.
“Yes, she’s not only smart, but gorgeous.”
As if she’d understood Em, Nina looked up at her and grinned.
Em ruffled Nina’s curls. “Come on, let’s take a look at the water.” She offered her hand.
“Agua!” cried Nina, pulling out of Em’s grip and running toward the waves lapping at the foamy shoreline like a milky-whiskered kitten.
“Wait!” cried Em, running after the little girl.
Giggling, Nina kept on running.
Devin moved past Em in easy strides, caught up to Nina, swept her up into his arms, and swung her around.
Nina’s shrieks of laughter made Em’s eyes grow misty. This was a scene she’d imagined many times—her with a husband and a child. Em took a deep breath, wondering why her imagination always seemed to carry her away from reality. Wasn’t that how she’d gotten hurt in the past?
As Em approached them, Devin looked at her and grinned. “She’s fast. We’ll have to keep a careful eye on her.”
“Yes. I would hate for anything to go wrong when I’m responsible.”
He frowned. “As I recall you have only your sister Elena. Right?”
“Yep. Just the two of us.”
“Nice. I’m an only child but grew up in a neighborhood with a lot of kids.”
“Is that why you’re so comfortable around them?”
“Yeah, I guess so. A lot of the other mothers took me in and fed me meals when my mother worked late, and in return, I helped them out.”
“And now?”
“Now, I love being able to do what I can to make a better life for kids who don’t have it easy.”
Observing the way earnestness had softened his handsome features and how the rays of sun highlighted the planes of his body, she held her breath.
The magical moment melted away as he left her side to help Nina pick up shells. She watched him go.
“C’mon! Help us,” Devin called to her.
Em trotted over to them and began hunting for a perfect shell among the piles of shells that lined the beach, battered beauties crushed by wave action. Nature could be harsh, but she also produced some miracles. She lifted a perfect tulip shell to show Devin.
Nina saw it and ran over to her. “Mine!” she said in clear English.
Devin and Em looked at each other and laughed.
“Yes, this can be yours,” Em said, handing the shell to Nina.
Nina clutched the shell to her chest. “Gracias!”
Em exchanged a smile with Devin. “Kids are the same everywhere.”
He nodded his agreement, studied her a moment, and turned away to go to Nina.
CHAPTER FIVE
As Benito prepared to leave, Nina spoke to him in Spanish and, at a nod from her grandfather, she came over to Em and hugged her. Then she hugged Devin.
Em couldn’t help the tears that stung her eyes. If she had a little girl one day, she’d want her to be just like Nina—smart and loving.
She stood to watch as Benito pulled his truck and trailer out of the driveway. He’d promised to come back early in the following week to catch up to his schedule. Em intended to be there so she could have more time with Nina. In the two days she’d been in Florida, she’d already learned about tropical plants, along with a lot about herself. She knew now that she wasn’t willing to give up the idea of becoming a mother, whether she found the right guy for her or not.
Inside the cottage, she grabbed a beer from her side of the refrigerator and wandered out to the porch. She loved sitting there looking out at the moving water, becoming lost in its rhythm, encouraging worries to vanish. After talking to Benito, she understood a little more what work landscaping involved and the time commitment it demanded. Maybe, she thought, she’d take a course or two on design. Though Gran felt she was ready to open a landscape design business right now, Em wanted more knowledge. Her hometown in New York had a shorter growing season than many, and she was intrigued with the
idea of winter gardens where people could sit in the sun while the perennials hidden below the surface waited for warmer weather to show themselves.
Em heard a noise behind her and turned to see Devin holding up a can of beer.
“Okay, if I have one of yours?” he asked. “I’ll go to the store later and replace it.”
“Sure. I’ve noticed your side of the refrigerator is quite empty. I was going to ask if you wanted to share some food, but my sister made it very clear that you wanted to be left alone.”
Devin’s eyebrows rose with surprise. “Really? That’s what she told me about you.”
Em chuckled. “I think we’ve been ‘big-sistered.’”
“What does that mean?”
“It means Elena is looking out for both of us. Not that I need her help. She wants me to find someone, but I have no intention of dating for a long time. I’m apparently not a good judge of character.”
“And why is that?” Devin sat down in a chair next to her and popped open the can of beer.
Em couldn’t help the flush that flooded her cheeks. “I’ve been told I need to be more realistic about people and life in general, that I see only the best in other people.”
“That’s not a bad thing, I would think.” Devin shook his head. “We need more people like that.”
“I agree, but not when I don’t see a person’s true nature,” said Em. “I’ve gotten into a couple of messy situations. Once with a married opera singer.”
Devin sat back and studied her. “And the latest?”
Em felt her mouth turn downward.
“Ah, I get it. The guy at the wedding. Right?”
Feeling foolish, she nodded.
Devin shook his head. “Somehow, I don’t see you with a guy who can’t dance. You’re the kind of woman who deserves better than that.”
“How would you know? You don’t even know me.”
Devin held up a finger of warning. “I was at the wedding. Remember?” His green eyes crinkled with amusement.
He was, she thought, adorable. Warning signals suddenly erupted throughout her body. She had to be careful.
Fighting the urge to stay, she forced herself to stand. “I think I’ll go try a new place for dinner, maybe grab a snack at one of the bars. See you later.”