by Carol Henry
“Yes.” But she hadn’t anticipated the cool morning air to turn so cold as the boat gained speed. A steady breeze grew stronger. Her hair flew about her face. She needed to tie it down, or she’d be fighting it all morning. But first, coffee. And then a blanket. Her lightweight jacket was not heavy enough to withstand the early morning chill out on the ocean.
When she returned on deck, coffee in hand, the boat slowed and then stopped. Gavin jumped onto the edge of the railing, ready to plunge backward into the frigid ocean. Eric stood by, ready to monitor his dive. She hadn’t worked for Gavin very long, but she was already aware he didn’t waste time. He didn’t sit still, either. If he wasn’t in his lab, he was meeting clients. More often than not, he was out on the water checking fishing regions and taking samples. He didn’t depend on others. He might be abrupt with those he worked with, but she’d also come to recognize he wasn’t being intentionally harsh. He had his mind on many projects and problems, and the pressure to find the answers, so he could move on to the next project, kept him going. He didn’t suffer fools gladly, as her grandfather used to say.
Gavin leaned on the edge of the boat and dropped overboard, leaving a sharp ocean spray like ice splinters piercing her cheeks in its wake. She wiped at them as Gavin let the weight of the heavy tank submerge him into the deep, dark depths of the frigid water. She cringed at the thought of learning to dive. She gulped, took a full swallow of coffee, and let it slide down her throat and warm her insides. She drew closer to the railing, hugging the hot mug between her hands, and studied the spot where Gavin had disappeared.
“He’s fine,” Eric said, joining her. “He’s done this a million times. He knows what he’s doing.”
“How long does he stay below?”
Eric chuckled. “Don’t worry. He’ll be quick. He’s methodical, has it all worked out before he dives.”
“It’s got to be freezing down there.”
“The wet suit is insulated against the cold. Like I said, he’ll be quick. If he finds anything unusual, he’ll take samples of anything that looks suspicious. Even if something doesn’t. He’ll take pictures of traps and the entire area. He uses it to compare to other sights and pictures he’s already taken. He’ll use these to show his clients—see if they notice anything odd. Could be someone or some other business is poaching, causing the catch to be lower than usual. If it’s environmental, he’ll find out.”
She’d heard Gavin talking on the phone to several clients this past week in regards to the possibility of other companies with ties to an Asian group with a higher than normal catch recently. However, he had kept that piece of information from her. Whether on purpose or because he had felt there was no need to inform her of all his business dealings, she assumed it was a case of her not needing to know.
“No pun intended, but Gav will get to the bottom of this one.” Eric laughed as he prepared for Gavin’s return on deck.
****
Ten minutes later, Gavin broke through the surface, threw his goggles over his head, and shook the water from his hair. He swam to the ladder hanging over the edge of the boat where Eric was waiting to retrieve the samples he had collected.
“Get them in the cooler,” Gavin instructed. “Then tell Al to get under motion and head northeast up along the coast while I change into dry clothes and get a coffee.”
He looked at Nora and smiled. Her crimson cheeks glowed, and her smooth complexion and shivering lips had urges running rampant through his veins. Strong emotions he hadn’t felt in a long time. He didn’t want to analyze why. He didn’t need the distraction.
“You did leave me some coffee, didn’t you?” he asked, as he sat on the bench to remove his flippers.
“A fresh pot’s waiting.”
He brushed past her and all but jumped into the galley to put distance between them. What was he thinking? He shouldn’t have brought her. She was a distraction he could live without. Okay, so he’d thought she needed to know more about his company, his job. It had nothing to do with wanting to spend more time with her. Really. Still, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind all the while he’d been down below. And, dammit, he’d almost missed seeing the knife wedged under the rock and sediment. If it hadn’t been for the reflection off the silver blade from his light, he would have missed it.
Dammit! He had to focus on the job at hand, not Nora.
Dressed, warmed, and coffee mug in hand, he joined her and Eric up on deck.
“I was about to come looking for you.”
Her smile made his temperature rise despite the cold breeze blowing over the bow and his damp hair.
“I needed a minute to change and collect my thoughts.” He didn’t mention what thoughts needed collecting. Thankfully, she didn’t ask.
Nora had fulfilled the position beyond his expectations in only a week and a half. She was efficient, friendly to his clients, organized, and hadn’t been put off by his blunt demeanor. She’d be an asset to any employer. He was lucky she’d appeared on his doorstep without meeting his sister first.
Eric’s grin, however, was in need of being wiped off his know-it-all face.
“I didn’t see anything untoward below,” he told Eric as he sipped his coffee and diverted the conversation back to his clients’ business. “Nothing. However, the traps were empty. I’ll check the film from the hidden cameras when I get back to the lab, see if it shows anything.”
He finished his coffee and kept to himself the fact he’d found and retrieved the knife. It looked as if one of the cameras had been tampered with, as well. He hoped it might still reveal a clue. Anything to help him make sense of what was going on.
“Let me know if you want me to do more surveillance farther north,” Eric said. “In the meantime, I’ll work with Al and keep an eye out for any odd-acting fishermen in this area.”
“Good idea, thanks.”
They were sailing close to the Canadian shoreline. The sun had risen, and the temperature had become milder. He joined Nora on the bench along the railing and looked out to sea.
“Are you warm enough since the sun finally decided to come out from under the heavy mist?”
“Actually, if it weren’t for the cool breeze when the boat was in motion, I would have been fine. It’s turning out to be a lovely day. Thanks for inviting me along. I don’t often get out on the water. I’m enjoying seeing the coastline from this perspective. It’s beautiful.”
“I’m surprised. With the population of people living this close to the coast, I assumed most everyone took advantage of boating or watersports.”
“Not always an option. Been a bit busy earning a living. It doesn’t leave time to enjoy water sports of any kind, including fishing. An occasional outing like this is a treat. Again, thanks.”
“We’ll have to get you out more often, then. So what do you do for fun?”
“Not much, lately. I took care of my grandmother before she died. She raised me, so it was a pleasure to be by her side in her time of need. After I graduated from college, she became so ill I didn’t have much time for fun.”
Unlike him, who hadn’t been there for his wife in her time of need because of his military career, Nora had given up her dream to care for her grandmother. The woman had a heart of gold.
“Then why are you working for me?”
“I need the capital. I’ve been working, trying to start up my own CPA business. And obtain a location to open my business. Thus the needed time off tomorrow in order to close on a house I’ve found.”
“Congratulations. Good luck with the closing. Let me know if you need any help setting up your business. I have a few clients who could use your help. Me included.”
“Thanks, but it’ll be a while before I can actually get the business established. So you aren’t getting rid of me so easily.”
“Keep in mind I’d be happy to help.”
He really didn’t want to lose her as an employee, but she was efficient enough to run her own company, and he wasn
’t about to hold anyone back from their dreams.
“So what do you do for fun?” she asked, turning the tables on him. “Seems like being out on the ocean is more work than fun.”
“Actually, it’s rather relaxing. But for fun, I enjoy working with children, especially children of veterans. Many of their fathers or mothers are deployed a lot, and they need the support. It’s my way of continuing to support the troops and give back.”
“I’m sure they all appreciate your service to home and country. Is that why you help coach soccer?”
“Exactly. I noticed you at the game the other night. Do you attend often?”
“On occasion. My friend Jackie’s two boys play. They are the next best thing to a family of my own.”
“You’ll have to join us for the team’s get-together at the end of the season, then.”
“I’ll think about it, thanks.”
“Ah, I see Al has turned the boat around and is heading back to Bar Harbor. If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak with Eric before we return to port. Stick around when we get back, and I’ll take you to lunch. We don’t have to go to Mariner’s this time. There’s a lobster shack on our way back to the office.”
He quickly joined Eric, not giving her a chance to refuse.
Half an hour later, he and Eric secured the boat and gathered their equipment and cooler with the samples. He waited for Nora to join them and then helped her onto the dock.
“Give me about ten minutes, and you can follow me to the lobster pound. You won’t be disappointed.”
Chapter Six
Thursday morning, Nora’s stomach rumbled in anticipation of meeting with the bank and then with Jessica Martin. True to Gavin’s words, Bethany showed up to sit in for her while she was away from the office. Gavin had gone out on the boat earlier and wasn’t going to be back, as planned, until late afternoon. Thankfully, his sister was pleasant, went directly to the kitchen for a coffee, and came back to the front office with a smile on her face.
“I hear you’re in the process of purchasing a house today. Good luck. I hope everything goes smoothly.”
“Thank you. I appreciate you filling in for a couple hours.”
“Not a problem. Is there anything in particular I should be aware of before you leave?”
“Not unless Gavin has talked to you about something I might not be aware of. I’m sure you know how to get in touch with him.”
“Yes. I think I can hold down the fort while you’re gone.”
She was surprised at Bethany’s pleasant demeanor. She was sure Gavin’s sister would have no problem handling anything that might come up while she was gone.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can, hopefully by one o’clock.” She tucked her purse strap over her shoulder and left the office and Bethany drinking her coffee.
Her meeting at the bank went without a hitch. By the time she finished with the realtor, she was on her way to being an actual homeowner. Papers were signed, and her first month’s payment was transferred.
She quickly called Jackie with the news. “It’s a done deal, Jackie. In fact, if I want to, I can move in right after Memorial Day. But I can take anything I want to the house as soon as I pick up the key.”
“Exciting,” Jackie squealed over the phone. “Let me know when you’re ready to start packing, and I’ll be there to help, girlfriend.”
“Thanks. I’ll give you a call. I’m going to get my car tires taken care of and then start packing Saturday morning.”
“I’ll bring the bubbly.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll see you then. I’ve got to get back to work. Gavin’s sister is sitting the office, and I don’t want to give her any reason to find fault with me, like being later than anticipated.”
“His sister is filling in for you? Oh, my. Go. We’ll chat later.”
When she returned to the office, Bethany did a quick rundown on what had transpired while she was gone, congratulated her on becoming a home-owner, then didn’t waste time excusing herself before leaving. As Gavin was out of the office the remainder of the day, Nora quickly caught up on everything before heading home.
The following day, Gavin was once again out on the boat with Eric. She was about to leave work late afternoon when the phone rang.
“Redmond’s Marine Resources Management, Ms. Spears speaking.”
“Hi, Nora. This is Bethany. Is Gavin in?”
“No, he’s out on the boat with Eric again today.”
“Darn it. I forgot to remind him he needs to be at the cemetery, in uniform, for the Memorial Day services and honors Monday morning at ten o’clock sharp. It’d be just like him to forget.”
Nora had already discerned Gavin wasn’t the type to forget anything, especially something as important as attending a Memorial Day service if he was required to be there.
“I can leave him a message, but you might want to try his cell phone.”
“Tried that. He’s probably too far out on his boat or underwater. I’ll give him a call later. Will I see you at the festivities?”
“I’m not sure I can make it to the cemetery, but I planned to be at the park.”
If it weren’t for joining Jackie to watch her boys march with the Cub Scouts, she had planned to skip this year’s event. It might have been more than a year, but she didn’t relish the idea of receiving stares from the community’s higher echelons after her spectacular spectacle at Sebastian’s burial. And she wasn’t anxious to return to the scene of her outburst while people who had witnessed her pathetic display were there visiting their loved ones. Sitting quietly on the sidelines at the soccer games wasn’t as obvious as showing her face at one of Lobster Cove’s major events.
****
Nora drove her car to the cemetery next to St. Joseph’s Church Saturday after having her tires replaced. American flags flew at every lamp post around Lobster Cove’s central square, along Maple Avenue, Main Street, Oak Avenue, and First Street, in preparation for Monday’s Memorial Day celebration. Both docks across from the square had been outfitted with flags on either side of the boardwalk, and many of the local boats and the majority of the trawlers flew their flags with pride. Memorial Day specials were offered at the various restaurants, bakeries, bars, and other niche shops for the weekend. The new owners of Flowers in Bloom were doing a bang-up business with their annuals, as well as urns lining the sidewalk outside their store, filled with blood-red geraniums and powdery mint dusty millers.
She drove her car into St. Joe’s empty parking lot and parked along the back, under a large oak tree. She shut the motor off, pressed her lips together, and shut her eyes. Could she do it? Could she get out of the car and visit Sebastian’s gravesite? She hadn’t been back to the cemetery since that notable day when she’d made a complete ass of herself. Hadn’t been able to get past the anguish, the fear, and the stupidity of her actions. But it was time. Time to say her goodbyes and move on.
Scanning the area, she checked to make sure no one was around to witness her final farewell to Sebastian. She opened the car door, stepped out, stood for a moment, and panned the area. Relieved no one was on hand to see her make a fool of herself once again over Sebastian, she locked the door and walked, as if in a trance, toward the open cemetery gates. She took a deep breath and entered. Heavy scents of pine and damp earth filled the air. The coolness surrounding the tree-lined avenue and in between the headstones sent chills along her spine. Her insides quivered. She mentally shook herself, lifted her head, pulled her shoulders back, and moved forward, step by step, until she stood in front of Sebastian’s gravesite. Flowers adorned the immediate area. A large urn to the left was filled to overflowing with geraniums. Tall spikes spilled out from the center of the pot, and an assortment of wave petunias and dusty millers were snuggled in around the edges. It resembled the arrangements she’d seen on the sidewalk outside Flowers in Bloom.
She walked up to the front of the headstone, silently read the inscription, and felt…nothing. Nothing! No heart
ache. No twinges of hope for what might have been. Nothing but sadness over the loss of a life. She turned, spotted a wooden bench on the far side of the path, and hanging her head, wandered over and sat.
After all the tears she’d shed at Sebastian’s funeral, the days and nights of longing for his touch again, his kisses, his presence, she didn’t have a tear left in her. She thought about the hurt, the humiliation, the betrayal when she’d discovered he’d never planned to divorce Juelle. It had eased her shame when she’d discovered he’d been seeing someone else, cheating on both her and Juelle. The man had been a first-class jerk, a player. He had never really loved her. How had she even thought she loved him? And, good Lord, what kind of person did that make her?
Pathetic.
Never again! She vowed to never again let another man get to her the way Sebastian had used her. Her guard was firmly in place. She’d learned her lesson the hard way. It would be a cold day in hell before she’d let any man use her again.
Now, sitting alone in the shaded silence, she recalled her actions the day they buried Sebastian. Surrounded by her friends, she’d sobbed hysterically, bent over in anguish. She’d broken free from the group and flew at Juelle, her arms waving like a madwoman, screaming at Sebastian’s wife. “You killed him,” she had shrilled like a banshee. She’d even called Juelle a bitch and told her she didn’t deserve him. But being distraught at losing Sebastian, she’d even gone so far as to tell Juelle she deserved to die for what she’d done to Sebastian. At the time, she’d believed Juelle had told the doctors to remove Sebastian’s life support. Did Juelle have any inkling he had been going to seek a divorce? If Juelle hadn’t pulled the plug on him, she knew he would have followed through with the divorce and married her. However, looking back, she didn’t realize then that he’d been cheating on her as well as Juelle. She had fallen to the ground on bended knees, gulping for air between sobs, her friends by her side. Reliving the moment made her regret her actions that day.