Chasing The Sun: A Small Town Romance (Angel Sands Book 7)

by Carrie Elks

  “Are you ready?” Autumn asked, popping her head around the guest bedroom door. “The babysitter’s here and Skyler’s fast asleep thanks to the bath you gave her. We should head down to the beach.”

  Griff had left an hour earlier to help Lucas and their friends set up while Autumn and Lydia waited for the babysitter. If she stood very quietly, Lydia swore she could hear the steady beat of the music coming up from the shore.

  “I’m ready,” she said, taking another glance at her case. “And all packed up.”

  Autumn stepped forward and hugged her tight, pressing her lips to Lydia’s cheek. “I’m going to miss you so much. It feels like you just got here.”

  “I’m not leaving until tomorrow,” Lydia said, though she felt her throat tighten at the thought of leaving her sister. They never spent enough time together. With her job taking her around the world, and Autumn settling with her family here in Angel Sands, they were lucky to spend more than twice a year in each other’s company.

  “I know,” Autumn said, her voice quiet. “But tomorrow morning’s going to be crazy. I assume you’re staying at Jackson’s tonight, so you’ll have to hurry back here and we’ll drive you to the airport first thing.”

  “Is it okay if Jackson comes to the airport, too?”

  Autumn smiled. “Of course it is. That’s so sweet. He really likes you.”

  Lydia couldn’t get the tightness out of her chest. It had been there since Jackson had dropped her off at Autumn and Griff’s house earlier that evening. It was all feeling real now. Her leaving, his staying. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to make it through the evening without crying.

  Or begging him to come with her.

  “It’s a shame you have to be away for so long,” Autumn said as they headed out of the house and toward her car. “Have you and Jackson talked about when you’ll see each other again?”

  Lydia shook her head. “It isn’t like that. We both know our lifestyles are incompatible. He’s here and I’m not.” It sounded so simple when she said it.

  “Maybe you could cut down on the travel.” Autumn opened the car and they climbed inside. “Change your business model a little so that you can work from the US a little more.”

  “Travel’s what I do,” Lydia said. “It always has been. I don’t know who I’d be if I stayed in one place for very long. And anyway, Jackson hasn’t asked me to stay. So it would look a little crazy if I hung around like a bad smell.”

  “So that’s it? You leave and this thing between you is over? Won’t that be awkward the next time you come and visit us?”

  “I’m always friends with my exes,” Lydia said. “And I promised you from the start I wouldn’t make it awkward. I like Jackson.” Like was way too weak a word, but she didn’t want to alarm her sister. “He’ll always be special to me.”

  “Oh, honey. You’re in love with him. Anybody can see that when they look at the two of you. And it’s killing me that neither of you will admit it.”

  “What good would it do to admit it?” Lydia asked. “It won’t change anything. It would only make it hurt even more than it already does.”

  Autumn drove them toward the boardwalk, parking in the lot beside the coffee shop. Déjà Brew’s doors were open, people standing on the deck and spilling onto the beach. Griff had set up a music system on the deck and the sounds were pumping out into the evening air. The aroma of burgers and hot dogs wafted up from the sand where Lucas and his friend, Breck, were cooking on two oversize grills.

  The beach was full of familiar faces, all lighting up as she greeted them. She hugged Ally and Brooke, and chatted with Harper and Ember about their children, before heading over to a group of older folk who were calling out her name.

  “Look at this,” Deenie Russell said, pulling her phone from her pocket. “I took ten new photographs today for my Instagram. One of them has sixty comments.”

  Lydia smiled at her as she took her phone, flipping through the photos. “You’re a natural,” she told Deenie. “Give it a couple of months and you’ll be an influencer.”

  “What’s that?” Lorne Daniels asked. He wrinkled his face. “It sounds dangerous.”

  “Do you think you can set me up on Instagram the next time you visit?” Frank Megassey asked. “I’d love to drum up some business for the hardware store.”

  “Of course. We could have a lot of fun with that,” Lydia agreed. “I’ll be sure to come in just as soon as I’m back.”

  “Don’t forget to come see me at the surf shop, too,” Lorne said. “I might need a refresher course by then.”

  “It’s a date. For sure,” Lydia told him.

  “Who’s asking you out on a date?” Jackson asked, sliding his arms around Lydia’s waist and pressing his lips to her cheek. “Don’t they know that you’re taken tonight?”

  She leaned her head against his chest, smiling up at him. “I was just about to tell them.”

  “You two are too cute for words,” Deenie told them. “You look good together.”

  “Well thank you.” Jackson gave her a grin. “Now if you guys don’t mind, I’d like to dance with this beautiful woman before she skips town.”

  “Be our guest,” Frank said. “But I might be over to steal a dance later.”

  Jackson blew Frank a kiss. “I’ll dance with you any time, Frank.”

  Lydia burst into laughter at Frank’s expression as Jackson led her down to the beach. His warm hand was tight on hers.

  “I missed you,” Jackson murmured, as he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her body to his, moving his hips to the rhythm of the slow music Griff was playing.

  “It’s only been a couple of hours.” Lydia leaned her head against his chest, letting him take the lead. She loved dancing. Loved even more that Jackson could dance and didn’t have to be dragged onto the beach to hold her. He actually wanted to be here, swaying softly to the beat.

  “Three hours and forty minutes,” he told her. “I think I counted every second.”

  “Well you have me now.” Her eyes sparkled. “What are you going to do with me?”

  He brushed his lips against her forehead. “I have a few ideas.”

  “I like them already,” she said, looping her arms around his neck, and pressing her body against his. “Especially if they involve dancing.”

  “I’ll dance with you all night if you want.” He brushed her lips with his.

  “We can stop for refreshments,” she said, nodding seriously. “But yes please.” Being in his arms felt so good.

  So did looking at him. The sun was setting, casting a soft orange glow across his skin, making him look warm and sweet and everything she knew she was going to miss.

  She pushed that thought down. They still had tonight. Somehow that would have to be enough.

  “So she’s going tomorrow.” Lucas handed Jackson a beer. Frank Megassey had finally walked onto the beach to claim his dance from Lydia, and Jackson had gallantly left them to it. He and Lucas were sitting on the edge of the boardwalk, overlooking the ocean, and watching as the sun finally hit the dappled surface. In a few minutes the ball of fire would slide beneath, and the sky would be dark, the beach illuminated only by the shops that lined the boardwalk and the strings of lights that hung from lamppost to lamppost.

  “Yep.” Jackson nodded. “She’s catching a flight in the early afternoon.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  Jackson took a mouthful of beer. “I don’t think I get a choice.”

  Lucas tipped his head to the side. “There’s always a choice. Have you two thought about long distance dating? She’ll have to come back here at some point, right? You’ll see her again. And maybe you can even dust off your passport and travel to her.”

  Jackson ran his finger around the rim of his bottle, considering Lucas’ words. They weren’t anything he hadn’t thought of himself. “I don’t think I can do the long distance thing,” he admitted. “I don’t want to be like my dad, begging her to come
home and waiting at the door every time she might visit. It made him a shadow of the man he used to be.” The thought of her leaving tomorrow was painful enough. Having to go through this every couple of months would probably kill him. “And she hasn’t mentioned it, even if I was interested. She’s leaving. It’s time to let her go.”

  Lucas sighed. “Look, I don’t know if you want to hear this or not, but I was in the same position as you. I thought Ember didn’t want anything serious. She’d just gotten out of a long term relationship, and I was supposed to move back to White City. There didn’t seem to be a future for us. But then I realized that nothing – not my career, or my fear of rejection – was worth losing her for. Sometimes you just have to take that leap in the dark.”

  “That was different,” Jackson pointed out. “Ember had a steady job, and she loved living here in Angel Sands. All you had to do was get a job and move back here, plus White City isn’t that far. Lydia’s…” He blew out a mouthful of air. “She’s like some kind of exotic bird. She has to use her wings. The same way my dad couldn’t clip my mom’s wings, I can’t clip Lydia’s. Some relationships just aren’t supposed to last long term.” Damn, it hurt to admit it out loud. He inhaled sharply, trying to ignore the constant ache in his chest.

  “You’re in love with her.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Yeah, I guess I am.” A ghost of a smile passed his lips. “It’s kind of ironic, isn’t it? The player played.”

  “Lydia hasn’t played you.”

  Jackson looked over to where she was talking with Autumn and the new owner of the ice cream parlor – Meghan or Maggie, or something. The three of them were bathed in moonlight, their faces shining with amusement as Lydia made some kind of joke.

  “No, she hasn’t.” She’d woken something inside of him. Something that had been dormant for longer than he could remember. And now he wanted things he’d never imagined could be his. “And yeah, I’ve fallen for her. Who wouldn’t? She’s perfect.”

  “So tell her,” Lucas urged. “I don’t want us to be sitting here in a few weeks’ time with you feeling lower than ever because you missed your chance. What’s the worst that can happen?”

  Jackson opened his mouth to reply, but his phone started to ring. He pulled it from his pocket, frowning when he saw the unknown number. “I should take this,” he said. “It could be something to do with work.”

  “Go ahead. I’ll go check on the food.”

  Jackson swiped to accept the call, walking along the beach to where the music wasn’t so loud. “Jackson Lewis,” he said, pressing the phone against his jaw.

  “Mr. Lewis? Are you the next of kin for Ms. Jennifer Marks? Date of birth, February third nineteen sixty-four?” a female voice asked.

  His stomach clenched. “Yeah I am. Who’s asking?”

  “My name is Rita Martin. I work at Saint Agnes hospital in Anaheim. Your mother was admitted an hour ago after a traffic accident. We have you listed as the next of kin.”

  He frowned. “Is she okay?”

  “She has suspected fractures in her ribs, and multiple contusions to her face from the impact. The doctors also think her nose may be broken. She may need surgery, but the swelling on her face will need to reduce first. Do you know if your mom has any medical insurance?”

  “I…ah… don’t know. Sorry.” He looked over at the party. At his friends. They were dancing and laughing. And Lydia was hugging her sister tightly, a huge smile on her face. “I’m in Angel Sands. About an hour and a half away from you. I’ll leave now.”

  “That would be great. I’ll let your mom know you’re on your way. She might be moved from the ER by the time you get here, but if you come into reception I’ll be able to direct you.”

  “Thank you.” He ended the call, sliding his phone into his back pocket. He closed his eyes, trying to work out what the hell just happened, and why his mom was driving near Anaheim, when she lived in Sacramento.

  When he opened them, he turned to seek out the one person who’d understand. Who’d be able to help him when his head was completely messed up, yet again, by the woman who always let him down.

  His dad.

  “I’ll come with you,” Lydia said, reaching for his hand. The music was still playing, she had to shout to hear herself over it.

  “No.” Jackson shook his head. “You won’t get back in time for your flight. Dad’s driving. He hasn’t been drinking tonight.” Unlike Jackson. “But we need to leave now.”

  He looked so lost, standing in the moonlight, and all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him. Tell him it was all going to be fine. But he could barely even look at her. It was as though he was completely wrapped up in his thoughts, his fingers drumming a rhythm against his jeans as he explained that he had to leave, and he wouldn’t be seeing her for a while.

  “Will you let me know how she is?” Lydia asked.

  “It’ll be after one by the time we get there. You’ll be asleep. I’ll message in the morning when we have more news.” He looked to his left, his eyes wary. “Dad’s waiting in the car. I should go. I…ah…guess this is goodbye.”

  She tried to smile, but her muscles weren’t playing ball. She couldn’t believe this was it. There was so much more she wanted to say, but now there was no time to say it. “I guess it is,” she said, her voice low.

  His eyes softened. “I’ve had an amazing time with you. I’m sorry it has to end this way. I was hoping to say goodbye at the airport.”

  “Maybe this is better. I’m really bad at goodbyes.” Finally the smile curled her lips, though it was fighting with the tears pooling in her eyes. “I really enjoyed spending time with you, Jackson. I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

  His throat undulated as he swallowed. “I’m going to miss you, too.” His voice was thick. Graveled. “I just wish…”

  She put her finger on his lips, silencing him. “I know,” she whispered. “I know.” But she didn’t want to hear it. Whatever he wished for, she wished for it harder.

  That things were different. That she wasn’t leaving in the morning. That he wasn’t leaving now.

  It didn’t matter, though, did it? Because they couldn’t change anything. All they had was this moment and goodbye, and then he’d be gone.

  “I hope your mom is okay.” It didn’t matter how fractious his relationship was with his mom. Because she was still his mother. And she knew how much it hurt to lose somebody you loved. Even if you barely knew them.

  “Yeah, I hope so, too.” The car engine revved from across the parking lot. “I’m sorry for leaving like this.”

  “It’s not your fault. None of this is.” And it wasn’t hers, either. It was life and it sucked sweaty balls sometimes. From the corner of her eye, she saw Ryan climb out of the car, his expression as concerned as Jackson’s as he looked over at them.

  “You really should go.” She pulled her lips between her teeth. “But can I have a hug first?” The thought of him leaving without touching her was too unbearable.

  “Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, dropping his face to her hair the way he always did. And for a moment it was just them, standing between the beach and the parking lot. She lifted her head and he kissed her. Not demanding, the way he did when they were alone in his house. This kiss was soft and sweet and made her heart want things it couldn’t have.

  “Goodbye, Lydia,” he murmured. “Be safe.”

  She swallowed her sob. “You be safe, too.”

  He turned and walked to the car, and she watched him, her lips trembling as she inhaled a ragged breath. His dad climbed into the driver’s seat of Jackson’s car, and a moment later Jackson sat in the passenger seat, closing the door behind him. Her eyes blurred with tears as they drove out of the parking lot, and out of her line of sight, leaving an emptiness inside her she wasn’t sure she could ever fill.

  “Was that Jackson’s car?” Autumn asked, sliding her arm through Lydia’s. “Where’s he going?”

 
; “He isn’t going,” Lydia whispered. “He’s gone.” And that’s when the tears started to spill out of her eyes, trailing in hot rivulets down her cheeks, and pooling at her chin.

  “Oh honey. Come here.” Autumn folded her arms around her sister. “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”

  27

  Hospitals at night were an entirely different animal to their daytime bustling activity. Voices were hushed, people sitting in waiting rooms slept, even the staff seemed different, their focus on the patients razor sharp. Jackson and his dad walked up to the desk in the ER, feeling heavy with fatigue, and gave their names to the receptionist, who immediately turned to her computer.

  “Jennifer Marks. Yep, we’ve moved her to a ward. She’s on the second floor.” The receptionist pointed to the elevator. “Visiting times are over, but I’ll call ahead and they’ll let you in. Husband and son, right?”

  “Yeah.” Jackson nodded. No point in trying to explain his fractured family to her. It wouldn’t make a difference anyway. He was going to see his mom no matter what, and he knew that wild horses couldn’t keep his dad away.

  The ward was as quiet as the rest of the hospital. Their footsteps echoed through the sanitized hallway as the night shift nurse led them to his mom’s room. “She looks worse than she actually is,” the nurse told them. “Her ribs will take some time to heal, but the rest of her injuries are superficial. The doctor wants to see her in the morning, but after that she’ll be able to go home.”

  “What about her nose?” Jackson asked.

  “We’ll take an x-ray in the morning, but it isn’t as bad as the ER doctors first suspected. Mostly swelling, but the x-ray will tell us for certain.” She pushed the door open. “Ms. Marks, you have some visitors.” She nodded at the chairs next to the hospital bed. “You can stay as long as you’d like.”

  Jackson looked at his mom as she lay on the hospital bed. One of her eyes was black, and there was a bandage across her nose. But what shocked him more than anything was how swollen her face was. Her eyes looked like little buttons in the center of her flesh. There was no sign of the high cheekbones that had always been her defining feature. Just a mess of cuts and bruises, along with a long suture down the left side of her face.