* * * *
Early the next morning, Halona was meeting her cousins at their shop, Mystic Tides. While they spoke often and saw each other frequently, there was something magical about them all being in their shop together. It was a magic shop after all. When with them, Halona felt more alive. They co-owned the shop, and each took shifts from time to time. When they had their meetings, they always had fun. They had a blast with their “tricks.” Unfortunately, sometimes, there were actual blasts. Fortunately, though, they were never on any grand scale.
The shop entry was warm and inviting. Once inside, one was greeted with the true sense of magic, in every sense of the word. Varying levels of mahogany shelves stood to the left. A charming children’s section on the right offered a view of the garden. It was also there that the staircase was located, which would lead her up to meet the girls.
Once upstairs, Halona headed to the back and immediately plopped herself down on one of the sofas. Scamp made his way to a basket, next to the fire.
“Hi,” Bethany greeted Halona as she stepped into the room with a cup of coffee in hand. “We’re the only ones here. They haven’t arrived yet. Coffee?”
“No, thanks. I’ve had plenty,” Halona said. She then leaned in, elbows on her lap, and gazed up at Bethany. “Let me ask you something. Are you familiar with a play they’re doing for the festival?”
Bethany took a seat on the opposite sofa. She placed her arms on her lap as she held the cup with both hands. “No I haven’t heard about that.” She raised her eyebrows. “Do I detect a story behind this? How did you hear about it?”
Halona leaned back on the sofa. “A customer in the store yesterday mentioned it. Actually he’s to be the producer.”
“Was he nice?” Bethany put heavy emphasis on the word nice.
While playfully twirling her hair, Halona said, “You know, if you were one of the others, I’d think you meant was he nice looking.”
“And…. was he?” Bethany laughed
Halona squirmed in her seat and then tucked her feet underneath herself. She lowered her glance, and she smiled broadly. “Very.”
Bethany pursed her lips. “You sound a little smitten. Could it be you’re interested in him?”
Halona waved her hand, brushing it off as preposterous. “No, don’t be silly, you know me.” Then she laughed, surprised by what she was about to say. “Okay, maybe a little. He was a little cocky though. Of course someone we know would say they’re the only ones worth thinking about.”
“Did he seem smitten with you?” Bethany held up her hand. “Wait, stupid question. Of course he did. Everyone is.” She shook her head as she laughed
“No. I don’t know. It was probably just the same old, same old.” Halona moved her head side to side, mimicking, “Oh, you could be a movie star.”
“Does he live here?”
“Nooope.”
“You know if he’s not a local, you could just have an affair and then adios,” Bethany said as she flicked her wrist.
“Now you sound like the others.” Halona smiled broadly as she scrunched her hair.
“Once in a while there’s a lot to be said for no strings attached. What’s his name?” Bethany asked
Eyes wide, Halona slapped herself on her forehead. “Oh man! I don’t know. We never even gave our names.”
“Don’t panic. He told you he’s the producer of the play. You don’t think that was just a coincidence, do you? Now you know where to find him.”
Footsteps on the staircase announced that Grey and Sydney had arrived. Their entrance was as graceful as a bear pushing through a screen door.
Grey yelled, “Where is everyone?”
Almost in unison, in a sing-songy tone, Bethany and Halona chanted, “Hi, Grey, Hi, Syd,” as the girls made their way up the steps.
“Okay, what did we miss? What are you girls talking about?” Sydney’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Halona raised an eyebrow at Bethany as they exchanged knowing smiles, and then she stroked the leather of the sofa arm, playfully responded, “Nothing.”
Grey said, “Men, you’re talking about men. Anyone I would be interested in?”
Bethany smiled. “Please, Grey, are there any you’re not interested in?”
As they all laughed, Grey sat on the edge of the sofa and leaned into Bethany. “Hot bodies, tight abs, and an ass you could bounce a quarter off. What’s not to love? I may be with Beck, but I’m damn sure not dead.”
“Do I sense that you met a guy?” Teasing Halona, Sydney walked over to the fireplace and placed Glimmer in the bed next to Scamp. They all glanced over for a moment to watch as the pups wagged, sniffed, and playfully nipped.
Halona leaned back, placing her elbow on the back of the sofa. She rested her head in her hand. “Oh, now you’re the one sensing others, huh? You know I get a lot of men in my shop. He was just talking about the festival. He came to town to put on a play.”
“We know you get a lot of men in your shop, but we also know they aren’t always coming in to buy something,” Sydney teased. “New to town… Do you think he knows of our abilities?
Halona thought for a moment. “I don’t see how.”
Grey grinned. “New or old, they go into her store for the scenery, and I’m not talking about the views outside.” She winked. “So when are you hooking up?”
Halona’s mouth parted.
“She’s not the one-night stand type.” Sydney rolled her eyes and then spoke in nearly a hush. “Besides, the real question is, why bring in someone from another area? I mean, why not just use the talent here in town?”
Bethany smiled. “I’m sure Helena-Marie had her reasons. One thing is certain; she wouldn’t allow anything that didn’t accentuate the town’s positives.”
They continued to talk about the items they would contribute to the festival. Bethany discussed the garden activities. This led way to discussion about Halona’s apartment and how, now with plans to move to the house, it might be a perfect niche for those Coven members who visited from other towns. Then after discussion of many shop issues, Grey stood up. She placed her bag over her shoulder like everything she did, with great finesse.
“It sucks, but work is calling. I may go through all my fabrics and the outfits I made and tear them into shreds and start new.”
All three women waved their arms. “Oh no, we’ll take them.”
Chapter 4
Wednesday Morning
Away from the shops and the scattered rows of houses, a few tourists watched as Drake Adams, and his team, set up additional lights and sound in the pavilion at Festival Park. Having watched the sunrise, the visitors had remained to see the flood of activity. The stage itself, having been built to capture the natural beauty of the area, benefited from having the ocean as its backdrop. Drake knew that crashing waves could only enhance the plays he’d produced in the past; this one would be no exception.
“Hey, Drake, where would you like this to go? The guys were wondering!”
“Place that one over there! Yeah, perfect, thanks,” he shouted back to one of the stagehands to be heard over wind and crashing waves.
Drake and his long-time friend and business partner, Moss Bentley, were crossing diagonally through the zoysia grass, which had dense living leaves that provided one with the feeling they were walking on a plush carpet. They continued to the wooden boardwalk, which, while flocked by sea oats, still allowed for glimpses of the shore.
Drake had heard women say that Moss was a gruff but good-hearted man, with a crusty persona, and ruggedly handsome. He had a weathered look, and many would call him a man’s man. He had dark brown hair, a mustache, and a beard worn close to his face. He had sleepy eyes, though most women described them as sexy and deep, like sin itself. Moss was a shrewd businessman while Drake, though knowledgeable, was more discerning. Drake, the dreamer of the two, brought the art to life. Moss made sure they could afford a life. They complemented each other perfectly in their business ende
avors.
Drake lowered his face, feeling like a child about to confess an infraction. “I met a woman.”
“Does she have a friend?” Moss spoke in his gravely deep tone with his head lowered.
Drake laughed. “I’m sure she has many. Lived here all her life.”
Moss grunted and shook his head. “Don’t even think about it.”
Drake said, “Why shouldn’t I think about it?”
Moss said bluntly, “For one, you aren’t going to be here that long, and two, if she’s lived here all her life, she won’t want to leave.”
Drake gave a quick sigh. “I didn’t say I’m going to marry her.”
“Didn’t you?”
Drake pressed his lips together, having forgotten for a moment who he was talking to. He shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Moss. “I have to say, though, I rather like that she’s been here all her life, and seems happy about it.” Giving a smack to Moss’ arm, he continued. “Hell, remember how Claudia wanted everything I didn’t? Nothing ever seemed good enough. Seemed all I ever heard was I should be doing big productions, that I could be more influential.”
Moss scowled, keeping his eyes on the ground. “I know, but still, really, a woman in town?”
Drake shook his head slightly. “I know, but she’s really beautiful. Prettier than anyone I’ve ever seen. She just beams, but at the same time, she’s really natural and sweet, I can tell. It’s funny though; she has a look of someone who is loved yet, at the same time, of someone who is sad. I have the feeling she’s going through a breakup or something.”
Moss said, “Always the romantic. Okay, what’s her name?”
Drake leaned his head back; he furrowed his brows as he stroked his chin. “Huh, I don’t know.”
Hearing commotion at the pavilion and a stage handler cry out again, Drake lifted his jacket collar up over his neck. “Guess we better get back.”
* * * *
It was three in the afternoon at The Beachcombers, and Halona was busy dusting shelves. She had already spent more time than she had initially allowed for this task, having stopped several times to reminisce about several of the pieces. She’d worked her way to a window display when she noticed seven-year-old Lisa Cornell sitting on a boardwalk bench. The Cornell family had been in the town of Blansett for many generations. Their family was active members of the Coven. With the ocean at Lisa’s back, her angelic face looked down at the walk, her blonde braids falling to the front of her face. Halona put down her cloth and let Jenn know she was stepping out. Halona crossed the street and approached Lisa.
“What’s the matter, Lisa? Why do you feel so sad?” Halona glanced around. “Are you by yourself?”
Lisa slowly lifted her face and limply pointed. “No, my sister’s over there with her boyfriend. I had five dollars, and now I don’t. I lost it. I was going to get ice cream.” Lisa smeared her nose with the sleeve of her jacket. “Then I thought I might come in and see Scamp. He’d cheer me up.”
Halona placed her arm around the little girl and said, “I know he would. Come say hi. I have Glimmer today as well. Then what do you say we go get that ice cream? My treat.”
Lisa lifted her head, suddenly lively. “Really? Okay.” After they told Lisa’s sister their plans, they crossed the street to the shop, Lisa skipping all the way. Lisa gave Scamp and Glimmer hugs while Halona spoke to Jenn about closing for the day.
* * * *
They walked the boardwalk, passing the bakery and then the bookstore. Just as they were about to cross over to the Ice Cream Shoppe, they saw little Tawny Riggs walking with her sitter, Becky. Tawny and Lisa waved to each other.
Halona gave a broad smile. “Hi, ladies, how was school today?”
“Hi, Halona, it was fun,” Tawny said as she pulled on a few strands of her wavy hair.
“How’s your Uncle Nick?”
“Good. When he gets off work, we’re all going out to dinner.” Tawny smiled as she rocked back and forth.
“Sounds like fun.” Halona motioned to the Shoppe. “We’re going for ice cream. Do you two want to join us?”
Becky spoke for both. “No thanks. We were going to the beach.”
Halona smiled. “Always nice to get some beach time in before it rains.”
She held her finger out. “Remember though, no swimming. There is a beach hazard in effect. A storm is brewing.” No pun intended.
She and Lisa ran across the street to the Ice Cream Shoppe. It was as cheerful a building as one could hope for, with all the colors one would expect to see at the beach. The exterior had the facade of an old carousel house. Halona had just reached to open the door as a man was stepping out. He held the door open for them, and Halona politely acknowledged, “Thank you,” as she and Lisa stepped into the Shoppe.
The man smiled as he looked her up and down. “No, thank you!” he replied. Halona and Lisa looked at each other as they both shrugged their shoulders.
The small tables placed in the center and in the window nooks were those of days gone by. At the parlor counter, there were so many choices. Still, there was always one’s favorite. With each of them pointing to the flavor they wanted, Halona said, “Two scoops please.”
They made their way to a seat with a large picture window, where they could watch the waves as well as the passersby.
“Thank you, Miss Jacobs.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m happy for the break myself.”
Halona reached into her purse and handed Lisa a five-dollar bill. “Here, I want you to take this. I don’t want you to be without your money. I know how hard you work on your chores at home.”
“But you work hard too,” Lisa said.
Halona smiled as she gently bumped Lisa’s shoulder. “Only so I can treat my friends once in a while.”
She glanced out the window. “You know I like to watch people, don’t you? You can get a pretty good sense of someone just by watching them.”
They then sat quietly, both in their own daydreams as they savored their cones.
Having finished, Lisa turned to her with great excitement. “Do you want to go to Festival Park with me and see what they’re setting up? I heard there’s going to be all kinds of fun things to do. I can’t wait!”
“That does sound like fun. I’m just not sure we should go today, honey.”
“Yeah, you have to get back. I’m sorry. I just thought it would be fun.” Lisa lowered her head.
Halona raised her brow and feigned excitement. “Oh, it would be. I just thought your sister might be waiting on you.”
“No, she’s busy with her boyfriend.”
Halona wrapped her arm around Lisa. “Well, let’s go then. We’ll just let her know.”
They walked along the shore, where they saw Tawny and Becky lying on towels, reading. Folks were throwing footballs and Frisbees. Some threw tennis balls to dogs with boundless energy. Everyone appeared to be having a great time.
As they went farther down the coast, they stopped to collect shells. They laughed as they watched the ghost crabs that darted from side to side. Being that it was early autumn, it was not unusual to see no one swimming. Though some autumn days the air and ocean temperatures allowed for it, today would not be one of those. There were “No Swimming” flags posted due to rip currents and the approaching storm.
Reaching the park, having approached it from the shore, they arrived at the back of the pavilion. As they walked around toward the front and looked out over the area, it was clear the town had just begun to set up for the festival. Along the shoreline, three sculptures were still draped with cloth and secured, as they waited their unveiling. The pieces for an amusement ride lay nearby, as it was slowly being constructed.
Halona looked over at the stage, where she saw a woman with her arm around a man. The two appeared very friendly with one another. The woman was hanging on his shoulder, and they laughed as they looked over what appeared to be pages of script.
That’s the guy who bought the j
ournal. Who is she, his girlfriend? What’s the matter with me anyway? Why do I even care?
She suddenly felt as if her ice cream didn’t agree with her. As her lips went dry, she felt as if she was going to be sick, and her heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach.
Lisa tapped her on the side.
“Don’t get this everywhere around here with all the sand.” Lisa laughed. “Wow, this tickles. Try it, Miss Jacobs!”
Halona saw Lisa had removed her sandals and was digging her bare feet into the lush grass.
“Okay.” Halona managed an enthusiastic smile. Removing her own shoes, she grabbed them by the straps and genuinely giggled as she chased after Lisa, who had just run off.
* * * *
At the pavilion stage, Drake and his crew were still working on setting up for the upcoming event.
“Moss, come here, look.” Drake felt all the excitement of having just seen a deer after spending all morning in the woods. He’d felt that when, at fourteen, he’d seen his first deer on an outing with his father, the outing where he knew he would never be a hunter, the creature having been just too beautiful.
Moss walked over slowly and stood next to Drake. As he looked out into the near distance, he lifted his hands to his face, mimicking binoculars. “Wow. She is a looker. Wonder if that’s her kid.”
Drake said, “I don’t know. She’s a cute little girl. Does kind of look like her.”
“You’ve really been noticing women on this trip, buddy, but I will say she’s worth noticing,” Moss said.
Drake smacked him in the chest with the back of his hand. “No, Moss, that’s her, the woman I mentioned. Look at her. Her eyes are the color of the Caribbean Sea. Look at her tousled hair… is she not perfectly imperfect?”
Moss put his hand on Drake’s shoulder. “You got it bad.” He then motioned his head in her direction. “Go talk to her, lover boy. There she is.”
Standing still, Drake pondered, “No, I have a better idea, at least I think I do.” He tapped Moss on the shoulder with the back of his hand as he gave a mischievous grin. “Don’t laugh.” Drake called out to a friend at the side of the stage. “Mike, can you check that both the microphones are on, the one for the acoustic and this one?”
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