Catching Serenity

by JoAnn Durgin

  Serenity met her friend’s intense blue eyes. “I need this job and Jackson’s my boss, more or less. By the way, I’m working on another project with him, too. He’s renovating the playground in my old neighborhood.”

  Deidre’s brows rose. “The one over by Beacham Elementary?”

  “The same.”

  “Well, that’s quite admirable, isn’t it? I’ve been expecting them to bulldoze that whole block. How are you going to help with the renovation? Are you going to play in the sandbox together? Now, that’d be fun.”

  Shaking her head, Serenity smirked. “You don’t give up, do you?”

  “No, but you should know that by now. Still, have I taught you nothing? It’s really black or white. Either a man’s interested or he’s not. Either he asks you on a date or he doesn’t.” As always, Deidre used her hands, moving them up and down on an invisible scale, weighing the options. “When a gorgeous male specimen like Dr. Ross asks, you need to allow your basic instincts to guide you. I was thinking about a double date. You and Jackson, me and Wes. Dinner and dancing next Saturday night sounds about right. How about it?”

  “Like I said, I work with the man, so I can’t date him,” Serenity said. “And I’m not about to ask him, either.”

  “So what? I’ll ask him for you. Where does he live? Is he in the market for a house?”

  Serenity gasped. “You wouldn’t dare! Ask him on my behalf, that is. Even for you, that’s bold. You’d actually pick up the phone and call someone you don’t know and ask him to come to dinner?”

  “Why not? I’m a realtor. We’re not exactly known for being shy. I’m also on the Welcome Wagon committee in town. Which reminds me, I owe you a plant. Welcome home.”

  “They still have Welcome Wagon?”

  The smile crossing Deidre’s face was infectious. “Here in Croisette Shores we do.”

  “Thanks for the welcome, but I already have a lovely plant out front.” Deidre didn’t need to know Jackson gave it to her.

  “I noticed, and it’s lovely, but it needs a companion. So do you. Honey, consider going to dinner. Guaranteed you’ll enjoy yourself. Who knows? If you wear a pretty dress and heels and smile at the man every now and then, you might even get a slow dance out of it.”

  “I couldn’t dance before, so I doubt my talents have improved the last five years.”

  “So what?” This conversation was beginning to sound repetitive. “Half the male population can’t dance. All Jackson needs to do is wrap his strong, manly arms around you, hold you close and shuffle his feet. Bottom line? We’re talking about dating, Serenity, not finding a cure for cancer. Look, if you two were in lab coats, working side-by-side, where every teensy weensy little thing mattered and you could change the world—or possibly blow it up—by what you concocted in a test tube, you might consider holding off on romance. But this is an entirely different kind of chemistry, my friend.”

  Deidre moved one hand over her heart and deep-breathed in an exaggerated, dramatic way, a reminder why her friend had been the female lead in most of their school plays from the time they were in fourth grade. A dying Juliet had been her finest hour on the stage. “Give up the protests. For one thing, I know you like Jackson because your eyes light up every time I mention his name. I wish you’d admit it already.”

  Serenity fixed her with a hard stare. “Fine. I like him. A lot. Satisfied? But no dates. Final answer.”

  “Okay, fine. No dates, but promise me one thing. Please stop overthinking everything. Allow yourself to relax a little and enjoy life. You can’t punish yourself forever.”

  Serenity shook her head. “It’s kind of hard for me to do that. You, of all people, know that.” The only blow-up they’d ever experienced in their long friendship was when Deidre accused her of “dumbing down” in order to make Danny look good. She had, but it’d been worth it. Sometimes you need to sacrifice for the ones you love.

  Deidre’s eyes softened. Reaching across the desk, she took her hand and squeezed. “I don’t mean to be insensitive or disregard what happened, but you need to get on with your life. The way I see it, maybe Jackson can help you find out what happened to your mom. I guess all I’m saying is, try to be open to the opportunities that come your way and the people that come into your life. It’s all for a higher purpose. Trust me on that one.”

  Serenity blinked back tears. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’ve found Jesus, too.”

  “No, but keep working on me,” Deidre said. “I have a feeling I’ll come around. The kids have been asking some tough questions lately and I’ve found myself calling out to God a lot more these days. And I don’t mean that in a flippant way, either.”

  Serenity tried not to stare at her friend. She’d been praying for her but also knew she couldn’t push Deidre. Her parents had divorced when she was ten, and it was a bitter, drawn-out custody fight with her mom irrationally blaming God for her dad’s infidelity. Some of that anger had spilled over into Deidre. Serenity’s best hope was to be a good example of how God had worked in her life, just as she’d prayed in church. Sure, she didn’t have all the answers, but did anyone? Jesus found her, so He could reach anyone. The key? Being willing to meet Him halfway. That’s what she’d pray for Deidre.

  “Here’s the thing,” Deidre said. “You can’t do anything about your past. It’s done. Over. Change what you can and make your future what you want. You started down that path by getting away from this town and moving to Atlanta. I missed you like crazy, but I think it’s the best thing you could have done. You earned two degrees and, from all appearances, you managed to wrap your head around and survive circumstances that would have decimated most people. And somehow you kept your sanity and emerged stronger than ever. After what you’d been through, that’s nothing short of a miracle. Look at you! How many women would have had the strength, moxie or whatever you want to call it, to even do something like that? Not many, my friend, mark my words. Call it God or call it whatever you want, but I happen to think it’s pretty incredible. In some ways, you’re like my...well, you’re my hero—heroine.”

  Serenity wiped away a tear. “Thanks, but that’s just it. I’ve spent so much time taking care of me that I think my heart needs time to catch up.” She smoothed her hand over the rich dark wood of her new executive desk, the most expensive piece of furniture she’d ever owned. “I don’t want to mess up Jackson’s life.” In spite of her best resolve, her eyes filled with more tears that threatened to overflow. “I have a way of somehow tainting or harming everyone precious in my life and I can’t do that to Jackson. I just...can’t.”

  Her words broke as Serenity surrendered to the emotion and burst into tears. So much for keeping it together. But even Jesus wept, so she was in good company. Still, what a mess.

  “Oh, honey.” As the waterworks started, Deidre grabbed the tissue box on top of the file cabinet. Tossing it on the desk, she ran around behind her, squeezing her shoulders. The cloying scent of expensive Chanel cologne enveloped Serenity. She’d always hated it but didn’t have the heart to tell her best friend.

  “Let it out.” Pivoting the chair in a half-circle to face her, Deidre lifted Serenity from the chair and drew her into a warm, much-needed hug.

  Through her tears, Serenity glimpsed Kelsie peeking around the corner. “Is, um, everything okay?”

  Couldn’t it be enough that Deidre had witnessed her mini-breakdown? Having Kelsie see her made her more miserable. Taking the tissue Deidre shoved in her hand, Serenity dabbed at her eyes. Her shoulders heaved with the force of deep, gulping breaths.

  “She’ll be fine, Kels,” Deidre said. “Having a long overdue cry. I’ll take care of her.”

  Serenity started to ask Kelsie to close her door, but what would be the point?

  “Sweetie, listen to me.” Plucking another tissue from the box, Deidre pressed it lightly beneath her eyes. “First order of business is to get you a tube of waterproof mascara. Look, I’ve been your best friend since forever and
no harm’s come to me because of my association with you. You didn’t taint anyone or anything, but life happens. What I know is you’re scared to open yourself to a possible new relationship, but—like it or not—you’re a beautiful woman, and men notice you. And, I hesitate to mention this, but I heard from Spencer Walton’s stepmom you’re going to dinner with him tonight.”

  “This town’s too small.” Balling the tissue, Serenity tossed it in the trash can. “I also made it clear it’s not a date. No expectations. A chance to catch up with an old friend. Well,” she said, blowing out a sigh, “not even that. He caught me in a moment of weakness, I guess.”

  Deidre glanced at her expensive watch and moved back around the desk to grab her handbag. “I hate to leave, but I have a showing in thirty minutes. Will you be okay? I can reschedule my appointment if you want.”

  “Go. I’ll be fine,” Serenity said with a half-hearted wave. “Really,” she said when Deidre hesitated.

  “One last piece of advice? Jackson won’t be your client forever. It’s not like he’ll need the ongoing services of an on-call interior decorator the rest of his natural born days. And you need to let someone love you.”

  “I love you.” The beginnings of a smile curled her lips.

  Deidre paused at the door. “Not the same thing and you know it, girlfriend, but I love you, too. Always. I’ll call you tonight.”

  Serenity sank back into her chair as Deidre blew her a kiss and departed. Staring into space, she pondered her friend’s words. Fall in love again? No, thank you. What a scary concept. Sure, she liked Jackson. Liked him a lot. He was her client and friend, first and foremost, but Jackson belonged with a woman who could come to him freely without a sullied reputation and a dark past. Her heart heavy, Serenity attempted to get back to work, knowing it would be difficult to concentrate.

  Just you and me, Lord.

  Reading at home while eating leftovers, Jackson startled when his phone buzzed on the kitchen table beside him. He glanced at the screen and smiled before picking up the phone. “Hey there, Mr. Mathias. How are you this fine evening?”

  Charlie chuckled. “Probably not as good as you. I hear you and Serenity hit it off well.”

  Jackson frowned. “If you’re talking about our working relationship, yes. She has some great ideas and I hired her. Thanks for the referral.” He didn’t expect the defensiveness that crept into his tone. “Stop by the office again sometime and I’ll take you to lunch.”

  “I’ll do that, but I’m sure you know I’m talking about more than a professional relationship with Serenity.”

  In the short time he’d known Charlie, the man hadn’t said anything without specific purpose or intent. “She told me a little about her mother. Pretty unbelievable story. I feel sorry for her although she’d hate it if she ever heard me say that.”

  Silence on the other end of the phone ensued for a few seconds before Charlie spoke again. “What exactly did Serenity tell you?”

  Interesting. The old tell me what you know before I slip up and tell you something you shouldn’t know technique. He’d employed it often enough in his practice to recognize it in others. Or his analytical mind was working overtime like it usually did.

  “Jackson? You still there?”

  “Yeah. Sorry.” Moving into the living room, he collapsed on the sofa. He extended and flexed his leg, grimacing at the moderate pain. His knee was tightening up again, and he needed to find a physical therapist soon. “She told me what you might expect.” If Charlie could be cagey, then so could he. “I encouraged her to share memories of her mother. I sensed Serenity needed a friend to listen, and I’m glad I could be there for her.”

  “Meaning what?”

  Good old pragmatic Charlie. Perhaps he should be the psychologist. “She’s obviously floundering in terms of her mother’s vanishing act and needs closure.” A sharp pain stabbed him in the knee, and he bit his lower lip hard not to groan as sweat beads broke out on his forehead. Shrugging out of his shirt, he tossed it on the carpet and sat back, allowing the air circulated by the ceiling fan to cool him down. He willed Charlie to speak again so he’d be spared a few precious seconds while he regained his breath.

  “Be her friend, Jackson. She needs that more than anything else.”

  “I know. Besides, we’ve both got too much going on right now to complicate it.”

  “She sure is pretty, though, isn’t she?” He heard Charlie’s chuckle.

  Not making it easier. “Serenity’s beautiful, Charlie. Distractingly so.” Serenity was every man’s dream. He knew it, and Charlie knew it. The entire male population of Croisette Shores could see it or else they were blind. Serenity had no clue how gorgeous she was, and that made her even more appealing. She also came with a ton of baggage. Sure, it was his job to figure out what made people “tick,” but everything about her intrigued him. He wouldn’t be honest if he couldn’t admit—even to himself—that he wanted to get to know Serenity better. A lot better. Nothing about her shadowed past or her present could scare him away. In spite of all that had transpired in the past, she seemed relatively well-adjusted. He suspected a reservoir of strength was hidden deep beneath her outward, fragile beauty. To be able to help her, he’d need to strip away the layers of hurt, resentment, sadness…guilt.

  “You two will be spending some quality time together,” Charlie said, breaking into his thoughts. “If Serenity wants to share more, she will, but let her call the shots.”

  “Right. Thanks for the advice.” Leaning his head against the sofa, Jackson debated the merits of getting up to retrieve the bottle of ibuprofen. At the moment, he’d stay camped out until the worst of the pain passed.

  “You need a friend, too.”

  “I’ve got you and the crew down at Martha’s Cup & Such every morning. What more could a man need? Listen, I have to sign off now, Charlie, but I’ll talk to you again soon.” His breathing was labored again. Tomorrow morning, he’d make an appointment.

  He heard Charlie’s sigh through the phone line.

  “Do yourself a big favor, son, and go get that knee checked out.”

  Jackson ran a hand through his hair. Even through the phone lines, the man knew.

  “Thanks. I’ll do that, my friend.”

  ~CHAPTER 12~

  Serenity surveyed her reflection in the full-length mirror. She’d swept up her hair in a loose chignon, leaving a few loose strands to frame her face and fall on her neck. The pale pink dress and off-white sandals—the best things she owned—should be elegant enough for The Black Oyster. After fastening the clasp of her dainty silver necklace around her neck and putting on the matching earrings, she closed the bedroom door. Would Spencer apologize for the way he’d treated her in high school? Everyone did foolish things when they were kids. Whether or not he asked forgiveness, the “new” Serenity could give him that much, even if she couldn’t forget.

  The doorbell rang loud in the quiet of her small, one-story house as she retrieved her lightweight wrap from the hall closet. The ringing of the doorbell a second time startled her into action. Swinging the front door wide a few seconds later, she welcomed him with a bright smile. “Hi, Spencer.”

  “Hello, gorgeous. These are for you.” He held out a bouquet of exquisite, deep red roses—two dozen, from the looks of it—wrapped with a matching red ribbon. “To the fairest of them all. Beauty becomes you.” Handsome in his dark suit and royal blue silk tie, Spencer’s hair was slicked back, the facial stubble expertly groomed.

  Serenity tried to ignore the way his eyes roamed from her head to her feet in an invasive manner that made her feel exposed and vulnerable. Not sure whether to be affronted by his boldness or touched by his sentiment, she murmured her thanks and walked into the kitchen, catching a whiff of the heady fragrance from the flowers.

  “You shouldn’t have, but these smell heavenly.” He followed her into the kitchen. Locating a vase beneath the sink—a crystal heirloom Waterford her grandmother brought back from one of her
many trips to Ireland—Serenity set about arranging the blooms. “Are you enjoying your visit?”

  Spencer leaned against the kitchen counter, watching her, arms crossed. “I always like coming home to Croisette Shores. You never know what interesting people from the past you’ll run into.”

  She lowered her gaze. “How’s Kendall these days?”

  The question seemed to make him uncomfortable and the corner of one eye twitched. “She moved to Charleston from what I heard. Or Savannah. I can’t remember. We lost touch after high school. I’ve got an entirely different life now. I’ll be honest, Serenity. It’s nice coming back knowing I’ve made something of myself. People don’t exactly hold high expectations for the high school quarterback. It’s not like I was the high scorer on the SAT in my graduating class, like someone else I know in this kitchen.”

  Surprised by the honesty of his admission, she added water to the vase and finished arranging the roses. “Being a good test taker didn’t mean I made the best choices in my life.”

  “You did the best you could and you seem fine considering everything you’ve been through.” Spencer squared his broad shoulders and pushed away from the counter.

  She placed the vase in the middle of the kitchen table and nodded her approval. “Thanks again.”

  “My pleasure. Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure. Let me grab my purse.” As she stood on the top step and locked her door a minute later, her elderly neighbor, Mrs. Marciano, waved from her front yard.

  “Evening, Serenity.” She tossed Spencer a wary smile. “You look familiar, young man. Grow up around here?”

  “Yes,” Spencer said, but it came out a low grumble. It was doubtful Mrs. Marciano could hear him, and he didn’t appear inclined to engage her neighbor in polite conversation as he steered her in the direction of the Mercedes.

  “Serenity? A word?” Serenity hesitated beside the passenger door as Spencer held it open, waiting. Mrs. Marciano signaled to meet her on the front walkway.