Wish Upon a Shell

by Kay Correll

  Love?

  He pushed that thought right from his mind.

  Her eyes took on a haunted look and she pulled back from him. “You’re leaving me, aren’t you? Nothing I say will make you change your mind.”

  “I have to go. I’m sorry to hurt you.” His heart burned in his chest, and he could barely take a breath.

  “Leave then. Go. I won’t stop you. I won’t even try.”

  He stood up, looking down at her. Tears began to fill her eyes, but he could tell she was valiantly fighting them off.

  “I am sorry. I wish… Well, I’m sorry.”

  He turned and walked out her door and out of her life.

  Chapter 24

  Tally sat with her arm around Julie, handing her tissues to dry her tears. “It’s going to be okay.”

  “I should have known better. What was I thinking? I was such a fool. Why did I think I could trust him?” Julie choked out her words.

  “There is nothing wrong with taking a chance on love.”

  “I don’t love him,” Julie insisted. “I just thought I did.”

  “He’s afraid. You can see how he felt history was repeating itself. And I know you’re afraid of being rejected, of being left, but you love him. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “I don’t.”

  Tally could see she was getting nowhere with Julie. The woman was hurt. Hurt deeply. Both she and Reed were fools. Throwing away a chance at love because they were both afraid of repeating their past.

  “You should go talk to him. Convince him he’s wrong.”

  “I can’t do that. I just… can’t. I thought that maybe, just maybe, he was the one. I know we’ve only known each other a few weeks, but I thought… well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. If he doesn’t want to be with me, there is nothing I can do about it. Besides, I’ll never, ever trust him again. I’ll never let him get close enough to hurt me again… to leave me.”

  “Love is worth fighting for, you know.”

  “He doesn’t want me.”

  “He does, he’s just afraid.”

  Julie looked at her. “I’m afraid, too. Afraid of what life is going to be like without him.”

  Tally sat with her friend, comforting her. Tally knew, better than most, that you should never throw away a chance at true love, because it rarely came around twice.

  * * *

  Reed stood at the end of the bed, tossing things into his suitcase. He now knew what the term heartbroken meant. He felt like his heart was shattering into a million pieces. He’d caused Julie so much pain. That was last thing he’d wanted to do, but he’d seen it in her eyes. The pain, the hurt, the distrust.

  How did everything get so messed up? She’d be better off without him anyway. He’d always planned to head back to Seattle, he was just leaving a bit early. He couldn’t stay here on Belle Island. It wasn’t fair to her… and he was pretty sure he wasn’t strong enough to see her again.

  The problem was, he knew the one thing Julie didn’t need was more rejection in her life, and yet, that was exactly what he’d given her. He threw a handful of shirts into the suitcase in a jumbled mess. Not that he cared. He didn’t care about anything right now except for getting out of this town. Forget everything about the last few weeks and everyone he’d met.

  A sharp rap at the door drew his attention. He strode over to the door and jerked it open with more force than he intended.

  Tally stood there with a look of such… fire… in her eyes. “We’re going to talk.” Tally pushed passed him and stepped into the room.

  “I—”

  “No, I want you to listen.” Tally spun around and pointed a finger at him. “You know you broke her heart, right?”

  “I—”

  “I just want to make sure you know how deeply you hurt her. She’d started to trust you. To think there was something between you two… which, by the way, is evident to anyone who looks at you two. There is something there.”

  Tally walked over to the bed and stared down at the clothes spilling out of the suitcase. “I see you’re leaving.”

  “I thought it best.”

  Tally looked at him, straight into his eyes, straight into his soul. “I think… you should reconsider. I know you somehow have Julie’s accident wrapped up in your guilt over your wife’s accident. But you know what, life sometimes just throws tough curves at us. Things we don’t want to deal with, or live through. You can run away and hide, afraid to take chances… or you can square your shoulders, deal with it and embrace the life you’ve been given.”

  He slumped into a chair as her words struck a chord deep within his heart.

  Tally walked over and sat in the chair beside him. “It’s obvious you love her.” She reached out and touched his arm. “You do, don’t you?”

  He looked into those kind eyes. “… I do.” He realized with a start, that he did truly love Julie, not that he’d been able to admit it to himself before this.

  He raked his hands through his hair. “I’ve really messed this up, haven’t I?”

  “Yes, you have. The question now is, what are you going to do about it?”

  “I… don’t know how to fix it. She’ll never trust me again, and I wouldn’t blame her. I’ve been so wrapped up in my guilt, in my own version of reality. I feel so badly about Julie getting hurt. If only I hadn’t pushed her into going…”

  “So, are you going to beat yourself up for the rest of your life? Blame yourself for every accident? Walk away from a good woman just to hide out and lick your wounds?”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Do you want to be with her?”

  Reed looked across the room and back to Tally. “I do. More than anything in the world.”

  “Then, I suggest you come up with a really grand apology, tell her how you feel about her, and beg her to give you another chance. Beg her to trust you.”

  Reed jumped up. “Will you help me?”

  “I’d do anything for Julie.”

  “I’ve got an idea, but I need some help…”

  “You got it.”

  Chapter 25

  “I don’t really feel like going anywhere tonight.” Julie picked up a tray of dirty dishes as she cleared off a table in The Sweet Shoppe.

  “You’ve done nothing but work and go straight home and mope for days now. Come out with Tally and me. We’re going to barbecue at Sunset Cove. Just a few friends. A small get-together for Tally’s birthday. It will do you good to get out.” Susan followed Julie around as she cleared another table.

  “I don’t know.” Though Julie felt a wave of guilt for even considering missing Tally’s birthday. But she just didn’t feel like being around people or going to a party.

  “Great. I’ll pick you up at six.”

  “I didn’t say I’d go.” Julie set the tray down on a table. “I just… I’m not up for it. I wouldn’t be very good company.”

  “You don’t need to be. You know that Tally will be disappointed if you don’t come.”

  “She’d understand.”

  “Okay, you’re right. She would. But she’d still be disappointed. You don’t want that, do you?” Susan nailed her with a look that made Julie squirm.

  “You’ve got that you’re-so-disappointing-me look down pat.”

  “I’ve had years of perfecting it on Jamie when he was growing up.” Susan grinned.

  “You sure are persistent.” Julie still didn’t feel like going, but she knew she should. She couldn’t bear to disappoint Tally. She’d almost forgotten it was her birthday. She’d have to run out and get her a gift, too.

  “I am persistent. One of my many charming qualities.”

  Julie laughed. “You win. I’ll go. I guess you’re right that I can’t just mope around forever.”

  * * *

  Reed had spent the last few days trying to make everything perfect for tonight. He’d found solar holiday lights and strung them around the trees at the cove Tally had told him about and placed hur
ricane lanterns with candles for the tables by the barbecue pit. He’d helped plan the meal with Tally and gotten a balloon bouquet for Tally’s birthday. He tied it to one of the Adirondack chairs on the beach.

  He’d gone over and over what words he could say to Julie, how he could convince her this one last time that he really was over his past and he’d never leave her again. He worked on every little detail he could think of to show her how serious he was.

  He stood on Lighthouse Point and looked out at the ocean. It was probably wrong to press his luck and make another wish, but he leaned down and picked up a perfect shell resting at his feet.

  The wind blew in gently and the sun warmed his face. He closed his eyes and made his wish.

  “I wish… I hope… that I can persuade Julie to take me back.”

  He opened his eyes and threw the shell out into the ocean in a perfect arc. It plunked into the sea, along with his wish.

  Now, tonight, he’d see if his wish came true.

  * * *

  Tally walked up to the cove and looked around in amazement. Reed had outdone himself. The picnic area was surrounded by twinkling holiday lights, the table had a lace tablecloth and flowers on it. He’d lined the Adirondack chairs up facing the beach.

  Paul and Josephine were already there, chatting with Jamie.

  “Well, did you convince Julie to come?” Paul gave Tally a hug. Tally was glad they’d let Paul and Josephine in on their plans.

  “I think so. Susan guilted her into it, but she’s coming.”

  Tally was not above using her own birthday to coax Julie into coming to the beach. It was all part of the plan. A plan that she hoped worked. Julie was a stubborn one though, and she’d warned Reed that she’d do everything in her power to help him, but she could make no promises.

  “Do you think Reed’s plan will work?” Josephine’s face showed concern.

  “I know he’s spent days working on it. I hope so. It would be a shame to see Julie miss this chance. I know she’s afraid of rejection. I get that. Both of those two have a lot of baggage to deal with. But, it is just obvious that they are in love, even if they don’t admit it to themselves or to each other.”

  “I think she’s going to be hard to convince.” Paul shook his head.

  “I think she needs to take a leap of faith just this once. I truly think Reed has made peace with his past, now Julie needs to do the same.” Tally sighed. “And I’m just the person to help Reed put his plan into play.”

  Jamie walked up and hugged her. “Happy birthday, Tally.”

  “Thanks, Jamie. Glad you could come.”

  “Who can say no to Mom?” Jamie grinned. “Not that I’d miss your birthday, anyway. I’ve got burgers and brats on the grill.”

  “Sounds good.” Tally looked around at the charming setup Reed had arranged at the cove. “I just hope this works. You know, the best birthday present I could get would be for Julie and Reed to sort this all out. I just want that girl to be happy. When I see those two together? I’m pretty sure—no I’m positive—they are meant to be together.”

  * * *

  He paced back and forth down the beach from the cove, out of sight of the birthday party guests. Now it was just up to Tally and Susan to get Julie to actually come to the party, then it was all up to him.

  Apprehension coursed through him and he glanced at his watch. He paced down the beach again, reciting words in his mind, still uncertain he’d be able to convince her, to assure he’d never, ever leave her. He glanced at his watch again, it was time.

  He walked back to his bike, climbed on, and rode around the bend and entered the cove. He leaned his bike against an old dune fence. With determined strides, he joined the group. He could see Julie standing with her friends. He swiped a hand at his hair, brushing it back—he still hadn’t gotten that haircut he needed. Why he was thinking about haircuts at a time like this was beyond him. He kept walking. Closer. Closer.

  He saw the exact moment that Julie spotted him. She dropped her soda can to the beach. She quickly leaned over and picked it up as he approached.

  “What’s he doing here?” Julie’s voice was steely cold.

  “Julie, I didn’t think you’d come if I asked to see you.” Reed stood in front of Julie.

  “And you’d be right.”

  Jamie, Paul, and Josephine moved a bit of a distance away to the chairs. Susan and Tally held their place. No doubt ready to catch Julie if she started to run away… or maybe it was to back her up if she hauled off and punched him…

  “I’m so sorry. I know you’ve heard me say it before. I was just so shocked when it happened again. I convinced you to go somewhere you didn’t really want to go… and then you got hurt. It was like I was repeating the accident with… Victoria.” He cleared his throat and took a step closer to Julie.

  “I was… afraid. Afraid I’d lost you, too. That’s no excuse though. It was cowardly and wrong. I should have faced my fears.” He turned toward Tally. “Tally made me see that. Hiding away from things that frighten us is no way to live and I don’t want live that way any longer.”

  Julie took a slight step backwards, as he took another step closer. And another.

  “I’m trying to make peace with everything. Tally has driven me to Sarasota each day and I’ve taken driving lessons with someone who specializes in people who know how to drive, but some trauma has made it hard for them. I’m getting better. I’m dealing with it.”

  He took a few quick steps back to his bike and grabbed a bouquet of flowers from the basket. He walked back over to Julie and extended them towards her.

  “Look. Yellow flowers. I’m not afraid of yellow anymore, either. Who knew you could conquer a fear of color?” He flashed her a quick smile. “I know these yellow roses are your favorite.”

  Julie reached for the flowers, which was more than he expected. His hand brushed hers as she took them from him. A jolt of electricity raced through him, giving him hope.

  “I’m willing to take as long as you need to convince you I’m here to stay. I’ve talked to my company, and I’m going to try working remotely from Belle Island. I’ll have to travel back to Seattle once a month or so, but otherwise, I’m going to be here.”

  Julie’s eyes flickered like glittering emeralds, but he still couldn’t tell if she was wavering, if she’d take him back. If she could let herself trust him one more time.

  He took a deep breath and continued. “I know we’ve only known each other for less than a month, but for me… well, I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” His heart pounded in his chest. If this didn’t convince her he was serious about staying with her, nothing would. He dropped to one knee. “I love you Julie Farmington, and I want to marry you. To spend all my days with you. I think I knew you were the one the first time I saw you in that stained t-shirt on the steps to the inn, with the sea breeze tossing your hair all round. You looked into my eyes and I was… taken. Right that very moment.”

  “Oh.” Julie gasped a tiny breath.

  He knelt on the sand, holding out the ring box, waiting for an answer.

  “Reed…” Julie looked to Tally standing beside her.

  “Love is always worth the risk.” Tally whispered and nodded.

  Julie looked back to Reed. “I think it’s crazy that we’ve only known each other such a short time, but I feel like I’ve known you forever. I’ve missed you these last days… I’ve felt like, I don’t know… half. Half-alive. Half a person. Just… half. You’ve done so much to show me how you’ve changed, to help me believe you’ll stay. Make me feel like… we belong together.”

  Hope fluttered through Reed. “We do belong together.”

  Julie knelt in the sand in front of him and looked straight into his soul. “We do belong together. Yes, I’ll marry you, Newman, Reed Newman.” Julie laughed a symphony of magical tones.

  He hugged her, then slipped the ring on her finger. “You’ve made me very, very happy. I promise I’ll never leave, never
give you a reason to fear you’ll be left behind. We’ll be a family, you and I.”

  * * *

  A family. She was finally going to get the family she’d wanted her whole life. Julie looked at the sparkling emerald on her finger, the perfect stone for her engagement. Tears trailed down her cheeks, but she didn’t bother to wipe them away. Joy flowed through her, blossoming into a perfect feeling of contentment.

  She looked over at Tally and Susan. Susan was wiping away tears of her own, and Tally’s eyes shone with pleasure.

  She turned her face up to Reed’s. “I love you. So very, very much.”

  “I love you, too. I plan on making you happy to the end of our days.” Reed leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. He stood up, reached down a hand, and pulled her to her feet. He released her into the warm hugs of her friends Susan and Tally.

  Tally whispered in her ear. “You’ve made me proud. Tackled your fear and moved past it. I’m very happy for you. Reed is a good man.”

  Julie hugged her friend back and looked over Tally’s shoulder at Reed, who was being congratulated by Jamie, Paul, and Josephine.

  She looked around the enchanted cove and knew that she’d never, ever forget this moment. The day she said yes to marrying her soul mate and found a family of her own.

  Chapter 26

  Tally, Susan, and Julie sat having coffee at the bakery at end of the breakfast rush—that was no longer a rush these days. Julie looked up and saw Camille and Delbert come through the door.

  Julie thought Camille had some nerve to come into the bakery with Delbert for their breakfast, but she stopped short of telling them to leave. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of her other customers.