Worth the Wait

by Jamie Beck

  The sound of hurried footsteps scattering the gravel behind them interrupted their conversation. Within an instant, David caught up to them. Heat rushed to Vivi’s face. She hoped he hadn’t heard.

  “Laney took a conference call, so I can come after all.” His hands rested on his hips and he nodded at Hank. Shifting his gaze to Vivi, he smiled. “Let’s go to Rodman’s Hollow, for old time’s sake.”

  “Sure,” she answered. She smiled in spite of the uneasiness wrestling her body. Had David or Hank detected the catch in her voice? “Let’s go.”

  Together the threesome continued alongside the paved road. David’s words and actions confirmed he wanted to reconnect with her, if only as a friend. Why didn’t she feel happier?

  Hank broke the uncomfortable silence settling over them. “So, how long have you been coming here, David?”

  “Fifteen years.” His stride matched Hank’s, while Vivi trailed two steps behind them. “It’s your first time, right? How do you like the island?”

  “It’s a more rustic version of Nantucket.”

  “Yes, there are similarities. I like the quiet here.” David rubbed his neck. “It’s named for the Dutch explorer Adriaen Block, but the Native Americans called it Manisses, meaning ‘God’s little island.’ Whatever its name, I’m glad my mother won this battle.”

  “Battle?” Hank asked.

  “Initially, my dad refused to buy property here because it didn’t make financial sense. My mom had argued that value couldn’t always be measured on a balance sheet, and time spent together here would be priceless.” David clasped his hands behind his back. “Anyway, she wore him down, although he’s never really taken to the place.”

  “Why hasn’t he put it up for sale?” Vivi piped in.

  David’s shocked expression revealed he’d never before considered the possibility. “He’d probably love to sell it and reinvest the money elsewhere.” A joyless chuckle punctuated his remark. “But Cat would kill him. He’d never risk it.”

  Vivi giggled. “No one wants to suffer her wrath, do they?”

  “No.” David shuddered with exaggeration. “No, they don’t.”

  Hank’s odd expression aroused Vivi’s curiosity about the prickly vibe between Cat and him. Maybe she should scuttle her matchmaking plans.

  They meandered down Cherry Hill Road, avoiding the occasional car or bike that passed by. Vivi concentrated on the rhythmic scuffing of their feet against the pavement to keep her thoughts off David. Awkward minutes stretched like hours until Vivi spied the hollow’s entrance near Cooneymus Road.

  “So, what is this place, anyway?” Hank asked as they descended into the wooded reserve.

  “About twenty thousand years ago, glacial meltwater eroded the southern end of the island, leaving three large kettle holes.” David’s hands gestured as he spoke, and Vivi noted the gleam in his eye. “Most of the hundreds of depressions on the island have clay bottoms and hold water, but here the bottom is porous. Those who think parts of the hollow sit below sea level are wrong. The actual bottom of the deepest kettle hole is about twenty feet above sea level. It’s also—”

  “Geek!” interjected Vivi, waving her hands in the air. “Hank, we’re roaming along dirt paths in the wilderness where everything is nice and quiet. Ignore him or he’ll try to scare you with a story of some weird rodent—”

  “The small-mouth Block Island meadow vole, found only here—” David began.

  “Whatever.” She grinned after cutting him off a second time. David playfully nudged her, but she persisted. “To listen to him, you’d think the place were infested.”

  “I recall a certain someone running away squealing after we found a nest.” David flashed a triumphant smile.

  “Yeah, and I’ve got the scar to prove it.” She pointed to a noticeable, half-inch-long white stripe on her shin.

  “Don’t whine.” He placed his hand around the nape of her neck and stroked it with his thumb, sending a frisson of energy along her nerves. “I’m the one who got a hernia carrying you all the way back to the house.”

  His warm gaze made her forget everything except how much he’d always meant to her. Old feelings stretched her heart open. She knew her radiant smile projected the feelings she’d been trying to conceal, and she didn’t care.

  “So, when do you need to get back to Laney?” Hank’s ice-water reminder doused her momentary happiness.

  “Forty-five minutes or so.” David removed his hand from Vivi’s neck, leaving a chill in its wake.

  She frowned. Oh God, how she turned into a puddle over any attention from him. Pathetic. Rallying her willpower, she stopped suddenly on a wide area of the path surrounded by lush greenery.

  “This looks like a nice spot for photos.”

  “You’ve got a good eye, Vivi.” Hank stood under the canopy of a shadbush tree and admired the scenery. Dappled sunlight glinted off his golden hair.

  “Thanks.” She inhaled the wooded scent of the reserve. “Don’t move.” She snapped several quick shots of him and the tree. Its multistemmed trunk reached up behind him like fingers extending from a palm.

  “Enough!” Hank’s hand blocked her from taking additional photos.

  “Come on, don’t play coy, Hank. You love showing off your hot body in those formfitting T-shirts.”

  He tossed his head with a short laugh. Gorgeous. Vivi snapped two more shots of him and his twinkling eyes before he moved away from the tree.

  “Hey, I came to keep you company.” He wagged his finger in mock anger. “Not to be the subject of your pictures.”

  “If you want to spend time with Vivi,” David interjected, “you’ll learn to tolerate the photos.” He dug his toe into the dirt. Was he angry with her for taking pictures of Hank?

  “Tolerate?” She pivoted toward him. “Interesting. Here I’d always thought you were a willing participant in my photo journals.” Then she twisted her wrist dismissively. “Guess it’s good for both of us I’ve found a new subject.”

  David glanced away before he softly uttered, “Perhaps you’re right.”

  Vivi resisted the urge to stick out her tongue, but it was darn hard. She settled for shooting close-ups of the Northern Arrowwood shrubs. Several minutes later, she replaced the lens cap. “We should head back. Cat’s probably awake and getting bored.”

  “Lead the way.” Hank carried the camera bag for her.

  David trailed behind them, his head bowed. Vivi tried not to speculate about his mood swing. She’d already frittered away years of misreading his intentions.

  Twigs snapping under the crush of footsteps pierced the silence. Her stomach knotted; she hated conflict and tension.

  “Let’s play a game. Something easy, like the ABC game.” Vivi’s eyes scoured the path. “Aha! Ants. I got the A. David, find us a B.”

  “Bark.” He pointed to a nearby tree.

  “Cloud,” Hank offered, looking up at the cottony splotch in the otherwise blue sky.

  Behind her, Vivi heard David mumble, “ABC game.” Her quick glance caught him grinning despite his downcast eyes.

  Once they arrived at the house, Hank excused himself to search for Jackson. David stopped on the front steps and gazed at the side yard, apparently lost in thought. He turned to Vivi, cocking his head. “There is no going back, is there? No matter how badly I want to.” His shoulders slumped as he turned to go inside without waiting for an answer.

  Alone on the steps, Vivi congratulated herself for surviving another round with David, and tried to ignore the heaviness settling in her chest. With Hank’s help, she just might make it through the week.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Georgetown University

  Twelve Years Ago

  Alone in his cramped dorm room, David pushed back from his desk to hunt for his red pen. He thought he’d left it in the pencil cup. Apparently n
ot. After turning his backpack inside out, he slouched onto his bed with his computer case and began methodically digging through each pocket. He didn’t find the missing pen, but his fingers discovered a folded note wedged between two interior partitions.

  Curiosity pricked him upon finding the unfamiliar letter. A faint vanilla aroma reached his nose when he unfolded the missive. He then smiled, immediately recognizing the girlish cursive handwriting, scrawled in purple ink.

  Dear David,

  Cat is so excited to start high school next week, but all I can think about is how you’ll be off at Georgetown. I hope you don’t find this note for a couple of weeks so I can have fun wondering about when it will happen, and if it will make you smile. I only wish I’d have had the guts to tell you all of this in person.

  I guess a good friend would be proud to see you go off to such an amazing college. All I can think about is how much I’ll miss hanging out with you in your kitchen or yard.

  I’ll also miss the way you talk to me like I’m mature even though I’m a lot younger than you. Most guys your age (and mine) find me weird, but you’re not most guys—thank God.

  A third thing I’ll miss is watching you and your mom together when no one is paying attention. That’s when you ditch your overachieving, perfectionist habits and relax. I like seeing that side of you.

  Basically, I’ll miss almost everything about you. Cat’s friendship and your family mean everything to me. I love her, Jackson, and your mom (your dad still scares me), but mostly I love you.

  I know I’m too young now, but when I’m grown up, I’ll find a way to own your heart just the way you’ll always own mine.

  XOXO,

  Vivi

  P.S. Write to me if you ever get bored: viviennelebrun@aol.com.

  David reread her letter twice, smiling. Jesus, she’s brave. He’d been aware of her crush from the beginning, but this bold declaration surprised him. He leaned against his headboard and glanced at his watch. Three thirty.

  Closing his eyes, he imagined the scene in his mother’s kitchen at that moment. Jackson and Cat would be arriving home from school, probably with Vivi tagging along. He could almost smell the patatas and salsa brava his mom might have put out as a snack. Thinking of them gathered around the table, laughing about their day, made him homesick.

  So far college had proven to be both challenging and exciting. Although he’d already made a few new friends, he missed the comfort of his family and old friends.

  Funny that a love letter from a fourteen-year-old girl could lift his spirits. He suspected most guys would be annoyed or embarrassed by her affection. No doubt his roommates would ridicule him if they found the note.

  Sometimes Vivi’s attention made him uncomfortable. Mostly he marveled at her courage. She seemed to accept the futility of her crush but persist in spite of it, as if it were too big to bother hiding.

  Sadly, her guileless nature also made her a target, which always made him want to punch something or someone. But high school should give her the chance to meet more people like her, especially in the fine arts department.

  In any case, she deserved a response. He opened his laptop and added her e-mail address to his contacts.

  To: viviennelebrun@aol.com

  From: drsjjr@yahoo.com

  Subject: I Found It

  Vivi,

  I just finished reading the letter you stowed in my computer case. I wonder when you were able to sneak into my room to hide it . . . and what else you did while you were in there. Will I be finding more surprises in the future?

  Thank you for the kind thoughts, which did make me smile. I miss everyone as well. I’ll always be here for you to talk to, but high school is an opportunity to make new friends, so don’t waste your time thinking of me. Be yourself and others will like you just as I do. In fact, I bet by the time I return, you’ll have forgotten all about me.

  Until then, I’ll be busy honing my perfectionist, overachieving habits. I expect you’ll be spending lots of time in the art department. Maybe you could send me something new since all I have of yours is that portrait of me you drew last year.

  Fondly,

  David

  He hit Send, closed the computer, and tried to envision a grown-up Vivi. He could picture only her tiny, skinny little body and face; with her oddly cut, wavy blond hair streaked with pink, blue, or whatever other color was her temporary favorite; and her clothes stained with all manner of art supplies. He hoped, when she did grow up, she retained her endearing optimism and energy. Would he still know her? Only time would tell.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Present Day

  Vivi put her camera away and searched for Cat, who she found lounging on the blue striped sofa, flipping through a gossip rag. When Vivi cleared her throat, Cat slammed the magazine on the coffee table and bolted upright.

  “Hey, V, let’s ride the bikes to town and have lunch.” Cat radiated energy and an overly bright smile.

  “So you’re not mad at me about the Facebook post?”

  “No. You didn’t do anything wrong. Once again, Justin jumped to conclusions and reacted like a maniac.” Cat glowered. “Then he wonders why I don’t tell him the time and location of local photo shoots. Can you imagine what damage he could do to my career with one of those outbursts on set?”

  “Good decision.” Vivi decided to drop the subject rather than get Cat worked up again. “So, are the cruisers in the shed?”

  Cat’s scowl faded. “Yes. I think I may indulge in some wine at lunch.”

  “Are there laws against biking drunk?” Vivi teased as they walked outside to retrieve the bikes.

  Within minutes, they were pedaling toward town.

  The nearly cloudless sky beckoned vacationers to explore the island. Weaving through pedestrian traffic, Vivi noticed young families everywhere. Unbidden envy nipped at her heart for the family she’d lost on that snowy January day twenty years ago. Despite the sunshine, a chill zipped through her veins.

  Murky recollections leaped to Vivi’s mind: hearing her father’s muffled crying behind closed doors, finding him asleep on the floor clutching a photograph of her mother, sobbing while he later packed up and banished all photographs of her mother and brother.

  As time passed, he’d simply drowned his grief in Jack Daniel’s one day at a time. He’d slowly withdrawn from the world and from her. By the time she’d turned eighteen, she’d become much too familiar with the sights and sounds of a drunk.

  As a young girl, she’d sympathized with him, and had even romanticized his despair. Whenever self-pity had surfaced, she’d belittled her feelings as self-indulgent. After all, she’d survived when her mother and brother hadn’t. Bad as it was, life with her father was better than death.

  In her teens, she’d often escaped by keeping busy with her art and her job at a local kennel, where she absorbed all the love she could from the dogs. The St. James family had helped by welcoming her into their lives, for which she’d be forever grateful. Mrs. St. James, in particular, had provided a motherly affection she’d long forgotten existed.

  Now Vivi wanted a home of her own to fill with love and laughter. Too bad she always derailed that goal by comparing all men to David, nitpicking for flaws to justify pushing them away. Perhaps meeting Laney, a woman who literally moved around the world with David, was the kick in the pants she needed to finally let go.

  “Let’s eat here.” Cat swerved into the Belgian block driveway area of Beachhead Tavern. A wraparound covered porch spanned the front of the two-story clapboard building.

  Opting to eat outside, they picked a two-top table along the far railing of the porch. A gentle breeze provided some relief from the hot afternoon. Vivi sipped her iced tea. Perky chatter and the tinkling sound of silverware brightened her mood. She listened inattentively to Cat’s recitation of celebrity gossip, and soaked up the alf
resco dining experience.

  An animated group of five men seated at a large table beside them caught her attention. Colorful, overlapping ink designs of swords, vines, and unfamiliar symbols covered the biceps and forearms of two. A third wore a short ponytail and reeked of patchouli. The other two men were clean-cut. Vivi’s eyes lingered on the smile of the striking, dark-haired man dressed in khaki shorts and a collarless black shirt.

  Cat followed Vivi’s gaze, then a knowing smile crept across her face as she lifted a single, perfect brow.

  “Tall, dark, and handsome. You do have a type, my friend.” Cat chuckled. “Oh, excepting Alex and Hank, of course.”

  “Well, it is a vacation.” Vivi blushed. “I deserve a little beach romance.”

  Cat’s veiled expression interested Vivi. “I guess poor Hank will be left behind for Mr. TDH?”

  “Well, maybe poor Hank will need some cheering up.” Vivi rested her chin in her hands. “Although, I sense some kind of tension between you two. Care to share why?”

  Cat sharply withdrew, turned her face, and waved off the question. The waitress foiled Vivi’s prying by delivering lunch, and Vivi never allowed much to stand between her and her food.

  She eyed her giant lobster roll, then scowled at Cat’s boring, undressed salad. Ick. Compulsive dieting had to be one of the biggest downsides to modeling, in Vivi’s opinion, anyway. Lifting her gigantic sandwich off her plate, she forced the crusty end into her mouth. An appreciative moan rumbled in her throat while she chewed. “Better than sex, I swear!” She smacked her lips together after swiping off a stray clump of mayonnaise.

  Cat snickered. Good, thought Vivi. She could always make Cat laugh.

  Mr. TDH bumped into Vivi’s chair when he stood to take a photograph of his friends. Her eyes were drawn to him as he adjusted the lens of his camera—an amazing Nikon D3X.