Holiday at Magnolia Bay

by Tracy Solheim

  Shouts from the beach drifted in through the open window. He looked over at Jenna, but she slept soundly. Drew slipped from the bed, tucked the sheet around her curves and pulled on his jeans and his hoodie before padding on bare feet to the front porch. The frat boys were gathered in a mob on a section of beach closer to the main house. Flickers of light that looked like the flash from multiple cell phone cameras dotted the dark night as the boys grew louder and more raucous.

  Drew was moving through the sand before his brain processed where the group was standing: in front of the turtle nest where he’d first spied Jenna.

  “Hey!” he shouted sprinting toward them. “No lights! The turtles will run toward the flash and not into the ocean.”

  One of the boys was attempting to grab at the turtles as hundreds of the hatchlings raced from the nest and wiggled through the sand to the ocean, the light of the full moon their only guide.

  “Leave them alone, you idiots,” he yelled as he jumped between them and the hole in the sand where hundreds of baby turtles were erupting like fire ants out to the ground, crawling over one another to get to the ocean. With one arm he shoved three of them back behind the corrugated edging dug into the sand.

  “Chill out, mister. We’re just watching,” one of them argued while the rest took a few steps back. Drew could only imagine the savage look he must have on his face. But these turtles were important to the two women most important to him: Aunt Evie and Jenna. He heaved a ragged breath as the college kids went quiet around him, all of them now caught up in the spectacle of nature.

  They watched in awe for several minutes as the stragglers made their way toward the gentle waves. The one boy who’d picked up a turtle carefully redirected it toward the surf. He gave Drew a sheepish look. “I’m probably not supposed to touch them, right? It was headed the wrong way. I just wanted to make sure the little guy had a fighting chance.” A few of the others quietly cheered on the turtles as they floundered about in the sand.

  Drew took in the incredible ‘circle of life’ scene as he sank down on the sand, cool now that darkness had fallen. Several of the college kids milled about watching over the last few hatchlings as they raced into the sea, steering them toward the ocean with their feet when necessary.

  “My girlfriend would love to have seen this shit,” he overheard one of them murmur to his friend.

  Drew could think of a few other women who would have liked to have been here and he couldn’t blame them, it was an amazing sight to witness. Having spent his summers in Maine, he’d never seen a turtle run before. Now he knew what all the fuss was about.

  As the frat boys wandered off in search of more excitement, Drew pictured a young Jenna and Aunt Evie sitting outside watching the same spectacular sight, delight etched on their faces. It was the turtles that had brought the two of them together. They’d both missed it tonight. Because of him.

  Drew knew what he had to do. He couldn’t be the man his aunt desperately wanted him to be, the one who could give Jenna everything. But there was something else he could give them both. Pulling out his cell phone he remained where he was in the sand, acting as a sentry in case other hatchlings came along while he typed out a message. When he had finished, Drew blew out a satisfied sigh enjoying the peace and quiet of the beach. He listened for the tell-tale sign of helicopters, but, thankfully, they never came.

  Chapter Nine

  ‡

  “I marked the nest. There looks to be thirty or more eggs left to hatch. You know as well as I do, they could emerge any night this week,” Jenna said before taking a seat next to Miss Evie on the porch at the east end of her house overlooking the ocean. The woman looked older and wearier today and Jenna was having a hard time keeping her concern in check. If Drew knew what was troubling his godmother, he hadn’t bothered sharing it with Jenna the previous evening. Not that there had been much verbal communication going on between the two of them in his bedroom. They’d been too busy with non-verbal communication with Jenna enjoying what had to be the most profound connection she’d ever experienced with a man. Her body still hummed from it. But that was tempered by her worry for her dear friend.

  “I’ve lived in this house for over four decades and I’ve never missed a turtle hatch.” Miss Evie stared blankly out at the ocean as though she wanted to call the turtles back to the beach. “I always check the nests before I turn in at night.”

  Jenna took Miss Evie’s hand between her own, gently rubbing the crepe-like skin. “You were tired last night. It happens. But you haven’t missed it all. With luck the other eggs will hatch. We can sit out together tonight and watch the nest. Maybe Drew will sit with us, too. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  A lone tear trickled down Miss Evie’s lined cheek. “It’s too late for that. Drew’s already gone.”

  The news wasn’t exactly a surprise to Jenna. Earlier that morning, Drew had coaxed her body out of slumber with his very competent mouth and his hands. Something about the way he made love to her—maybe it was his thoroughness or the reverent way he touched her—had Jenna sensing it would be their last time together. Rather than mourn the situation, she’d taken everything he offered and then some, shoring up the pieces of her heart that would have splintered further had he stayed in Magnolia Bay any longer.

  It was apparent that whatever was causing tension between Drew and his godmother hadn’t been resolved, however. She knew how much the older woman adored him and how the feelings were just as strong on Drew’s side. Jenna had no right to be angry with him for leaving without saying goodbye—damn that whole no-strings-attached concept—but she was a bit miffed he hadn’t made peace with Miss Evie.

  “I know it’s difficult for you to see him return to active-duty,” she said. “I wish I could promise you that he’ll be okay, but…” Jenna swallowed around the lump in her throat.

  Miss Evie squeezed Jenna’s hand. “Sugar, I’ve been worrying about that boy for nearly thirty years. That’s never going to change no matter where he is.”

  “Then, please, tell me what has you so sad today. If it’s the turtles, I told you we’ll get to see the others hatch and if they don’t hatch, there are three other nests close by.”

  Shaking her head, Miss Evie looked away from the ocean. A sense of dread washed over Jenna when she saw embarrassment and shame lurking in the older woman’s eyes. “I may have misled you,” she whispered.

  Jenna smiled at her friend. “Oh, Miss Evie, I know you invited Drew here to try and fix us up. It’s very sweet and all, especially to know that you think so much of me, but I knew what you were up to from the beginning. You didn’t mislead me.”

  Miss Evie let out a little snort. “Oh, Sugar, I haven’t given up on that yet. I have plans for both my godsons and I’ll see Jack and Drew settled to the right woman before I meet my maker. That’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s about the hatchery,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry. I’m afraid I don’t have the money to give you after all.”

  Jenna let the words sink in as she watched a pair of pelicans dive bomb the ocean for their lunch. Miss Evie didn’t have the money? It had been the older woman’s suggestion that she fund the initial start-up. What had caused this to change? Without Miss Evie’s donation, Magnolia Bay wasn’t going to get its hatchery after all. Which meant Jenna wouldn’t be staying in town much longer. She couldn’t. Not if she wanted to be taken seriously by her father.

  “I really wanted this for you,” Miss Evie was saying as tears slid down her face. “For my legacy. I believe in you, Jenna.”

  Wobbling a little as she stood up, Jenna went over to the railing to stare at the ocean view Miss Evie had been studying so seriously moments earlier. She dragged in a deep breath of salty air and tried to come to grips with what her oldest friend was saying.

  “Please don’t hate me,” Miss Evie sobbed behind her.

  Jenna spun around, tears threatening her own eyes. “Of course
I don’t hate you, Miss Evie. I just don’t understand what’s changed. Why can’t you fund the project? What’s happened to change your mind? I thought this project was a dream of yours?”

  “It was! It still is,” Miss Evie cried. “I just needed Drew’s help.”

  That cold dread that had been flickering through her was now a boulder sitting uncomfortably in Jenna’s stomach. “Drew? What does he have to do with this?”

  Jenna wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer to that question. Had Perry been right? Was Drew’s purpose for being in Magnolia Bay to talk Miss Evie out of funding the hatchery? She’d gone into a relationship with her eyes wide open this time. Was it possible she’d been duped—again?

  “Did Drew do this? Did he talk you out of this?” she demanded of Miss Evie. “Is that why you were so upset last night?”

  “It’s not like that.” Miss Evie was shredding a tissue in her hands.

  “It’s not like what?” Jenna’s voice was trembling as much as her body was. “It’s not like he was using me?”

  “Oh, Sugar,” Miss Evie whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Well, it seems that once again I have to sweep into town to put together the broken hearts my little brother leaves behind.”

  “Jack!” Miss Evie exclaimed as Jenna turned to lock eyes with ones that were not only eerily familiar but also seemed to be laughing at her. Jenna was not amused.

  “Don’t tell me.” Jack climbed the last step onto the porch, stepping into the shade. “He didn’t bother to wait around for me, taking off for parts unknown already without so much as even a goodbye?” Drew’s brother offered up a sheepish grin, one that didn’t match the glimmer of sadness that passed through his eyes.

  He tossed his suit coat over the back of a chair before leaning down to kiss his godmother soundly on the cheek. “I guess I’ll have to go after him and kick his ass for making you cry, Aunt Evie.”

  Although the two brothers were nearly the same height—the edge going to Drew—Jack would be no match for his younger brother if it came to hand-to-hand combat. While Jack definitely looked as if he saw a decent amount of exercise, he lacked the aura of strength that seemed to surround Drew. But he made up for it in polish and charm. Yanking at his collar, he slipped the top button open and loosened his tie before starting in on his cuffs, rolling up his sleeves. Where Drew was quiet and still, his older brother seemed to be a whirling dervish of action.

  “I didn’t check my emails until after I left the gym this morning or I would have gotten here sooner.” He shot Jenna a warm smile, one that reached his eyes. “You must be the Turtle Goddess. I can see why he was so eager to get the ball rolling on this.” Jack pulled an envelope out of his suit jacket. “I don’t know which one of you beautiful ladies wants the check, but whatever you do, don’t name the turtle hatchery after Drew.”

  Jenna blinked her eyes a few times, trying in vain to catch up. Miss Evie clapped her hands. “I knew he’d do it,” she cried.

  Jack sternly pointed a finger at Miss Evie. “Oh no, you’ve got some explaining to do, Aunt Evie. You should have come to me for the money in the first place. Not that your way didn’t involve some pure evil genius, because it did. But still…”

  “Pfft,” Miss Evie said before crossing her arms in front of her and belligerently lifting her chin.

  “Could someone please tell me what’s going on?” Jenna finally asked, unable to make heads or tails of the conversation. Drew was gone. He’d likely been using her for more than just to escape the flashbacks that haunted him. The hatchery was gone. Or was it? Her heart and her head felt they’d gone a few too many rounds of kick-boxing this morning.

  Jack glanced over at Jenna, his playful demeanor extinguished. “I apologize. Particularly if my brother was less than a gentleman to you.”

  Jenna had difficulty swallowing as she remembered how much she enjoyed the times when Drew was being “less than a gentleman”. “I’d prefer not to discuss my relationship with your brother.”

  One side of his mouth kicked up at the corner. “Fair enough.” He shrugged his shoulders handing Miss Evie the check. She took it in her trembling hands and kissed it.

  “I have a confession to make, Jenna,” the older woman said.

  “Another one?”

  Miss Evie sighed. “I’m a kept woman.”

  Jack laughed loudly as he sank down on the chaise beside his godmother. “You love saying that, don’t you?”

  “Well what other octogenarian gal can claim to have three men who pay for her every whim.”

  Jack draped an arm around the older woman. “And your whims are worth every penny. Even a million dollars for an oversized fridge to store turtle eggs.”

  “Miss Evie, you said you were an heiress and your fortune was going to charity. What do Drew and his brother here have to do with your donation?” Jenna asked.

  It was Miss Evie’s turn to laugh. “Jenna, allow me to introduce to you Jack Lanham, the CEO of the Lanham Group. Jack, his brother Drew, and their father, John, own the chain of Union Hardware stores.”

  Jenna looked at the two of them in stunned disbelief. “You’re not an heiress?”

  Jack gave Miss Evie a gentle squeeze. “She’ll always be an heiress and our very own fairy godmother, but most of her fortune is tied up in the Lanham Group.”

  “I’m afraid I listened to the wrong people a few years back and lost nearly all of my daddy’s money. Jack takes care of me now.”

  “But not Drew?” Jenna asked. “You said he wouldn’t give you the money?”

  Jack and his godmother exchanged a look. “Drew’s money is in a blind trust,” Jack explained. “It’s safer that way. If he was to be captured and those nut jobs figured out he was wealthy…”

  He left the rest unsaid as all three of them considered the consequences of his statement.

  “I’m still not following things here. If Drew can’t access his money, why did you ask him for it?” Jenna asked Miss Evie.

  “It seems our sweet Evie is pure Machiavellian at heart,” Jack answered for her.

  When he didn’t elaborate further, Miss Evie cleared her throat. “I might have misled Drew a bit. I told him Jack and his father had already refused to fund the project this year.”

  “Why?” Jenna asked.

  “Because the only way for Drew to access his money is to leave the military, something we’ve been begging him to do for years.” Miss Evie’s face contained no hint of embarrassment, just dogged determination. “And if Jack is here, it obviously worked.”

  “Not exactly. You may have won the battle, but you still haven’t won the war. He hasn’t agreed to give up his commission and join us on the board of the Lanham Group but, in exchange for the money for your—” he nodded toward Jenna “—turtle hatchery, he’s giving up combat duty and trading it for a desk job. It was the best thing he’s offered us in years. Dad was happy enough that if you wanted two million, he’d have given it to you.”

  Jenna wanted to stomp her feet in frustration. “Wait, Drew can’t give up being a Navy SEAL. Miss Evie, you can’t make him do that. Not to be on some stuffy board of directors.” Jenna shivered. “Drew would never agree to that.”

  Jack laughed. “Nobody makes Drew do anything he doesn’t want to do. But he obviously wanted this to happen for Miss Evie—and for you.” He leveled a pointed look at Jenna.

  Miss Evie clapped her hands together again. “We’ll have the turtle hatchery and Drew will be safe.”

  “Yes, but will he be happy?” Jenna asked softly.

  *

  Perry and Imogene were in their element later that evening as they mingled with the crowd at Miss Evie’s lowcountry boil. It seemed to Jenna that most of Magnolia Bay had turned out for the occasion. Mayor Delaney made the announcement about the hatchery while Macy snapped photos for the turtle Center’s website. Everyone was having a good time—everyone except Jenna.

  “Will you quit moping,” Macy said. “That grimace of
yours is going to ruin the pictures.”

  Jenna took another sip from the glass of wine she’d been carrying around for the past hour. “I’m sorry, but I’m just not feeling in a partying mood tonight.”

  Macy sighed. “You just got what you’ve been dreaming of for the past three years. The one thing that you hope will win your father’s respect. If you can’t be happy about that, be happy for me. Now that you won’t be leaving Magnolia Bay I won’t have to break in a new roommate.”

  A startled laugh escaped Jenna’s lips. She was happy that her future was here in the town she loved. But she couldn’t help feeling a little bit of regret about how the funding for the hatchery came about. Miss Evie didn’t need to trick Drew; it was obvious any one of the Lanham men would do whatever the older woman asked of them.

  So then why had Drew gone along with his godmother’s scheme?

  “Of course, I’d be heartbroken, too, if the Military’s-Gift-To-Women was no longer available for night-time maneuvers,” Macy continued. “But at least he sent his brother in his place. I swear that’s one gene pool that I hope, for the sake of women everywhere, never dries up.”

  Jenna followed the direction of Macy’s stare, watching Jack Lanham, now dressed in a light blue knit golf shirt and neatly pressed khaki shorts, make his way toward the two women.

  “You had the brother,” Macy whispered as he drew closer. “It’s only fair I get dibs on this one.”

  That was fine with Jenna. The only Lanham brother she ever wanted was miles away from Magnolia Bay by now and she suspected that despite their No-Strings-Attached proviso, Drew had taken much of her heart with him.

  “Nice celebration,” Jack said, nodding to Macy. “I haven’t been to Magnolia Bay in fifteen years. I forgot how beautiful the Lowcountry can be on a late summer night. Aunt Evie says we may even get to see some turtles hatch tonight.”

  “That’s always a possibility this time of year,” Macy said with an alluring smile. “I’m happy to show where the nests are later this evening.”