Within Six Months (A Wild Roses Novel Book 1)

by Cleo Scornavacca

  What the hell?

  Then I saw the tag…Tommy.

  “Hey, baby, close up and call me. Change of plans for tonight. I’m taking you on a treasure hunt.”

  A curious laugh escaped me. I picked up the phone to call him. It went directly to voicemail, but the message was all mine.

  “Jade, right on time. Here’s your first clue, go out to your car. You’ll find your driver for the evening waiting there to take you on a small adventure. Remember, this is all in fun, and I love you.”

  Then the beep came.

  “I love you, Tommy.”

  Coming around the front of the building revealed my driver dressed in a black tuxedo jacket with three quarter length sleeves and black short shorts, killer, knee-high patent leather boots, and a chauffeur’s hat.

  Blaze.

  “Hey, sweetie, hop in and let’s do this.” Her red tresses straightened, with stripes of blonde and gold shimmering in the late day sun.

  “Hey, do you know where we’re going?” I was dying to find out what was going on.

  “No, I haven’t a clue, but Tommy did give me this card and I was told expressly not to open it until I picked you up.”

  Taking the small aged paper envelope from Blaze’s hand, I noticed the feel of sand washed across its surface. Jade… written on the front, a wax seal in the shape of a scallop shell secured the flap. Opening it released more sand along with the contents…another small note.

  “Your driver should take you to the beach house. The ride you will be using for the evening will be waiting there for both of you, with another clue.”

  “Okay, let’s head over there.”

  The ride to the beach house was my natural route to and from work, but this time heading home offered some trepidation, as I wondered what Tommy was up to. The closer to the house Blaze and I got, the more we realized the car we would be using was my brother’s Mustang. It had been tucked away in one of the garage spaces below the living quarters of the beach house. Tommy must have had it repaired, with Viv’s help, I’m sure. The body and interior were in great shape, white with deep blue navy seats and huge white wall tires. The engine needed some TLC, as it hadn’t been driven regularly in years.

  Blaze parked my 181, and we situated ourselves in our new ride. The top was down, so I climbed into the back seat to find my next clue. Blaze discovered it first under her seat.

  “Got it!” Raising her arm in the air with another small pouch in hand.

  In the pouch was another note and a handful of scallop shells along with more sand.

  “Drive Jade down the Boulevard. Her next clue will be visible from the car. If you get to the Causeway turn off and turn around. It means you missed it and you’ll have to go back, retrace and try again.”

  We both stared at each other.

  “What the hell is he talking about?”

  I shook my head slowly. “Haven’t got a clue…well, you know what I mean.”

  Like teenagers, we laughed and headed out to the main thoroughfare on LBI.

  The traffic was heavy due to the holiday weekend approaching. This allowed us to keep a slower pace as not to miss Tommy’s clue for the next leg of our tour…and there it was. We couldn't have missed it. There on 11th street was a banner overhead. It was teal in color and stretched the width of the street. It displayed the Mustang and two whimsical cartoon-like women in the car. One with red hair and one with brown. Trailing behind the car in the banner was an explosion of seashells and our directions.

  “Ladies, follow your road 9.5 miles to the light, to the end of your journey together.”

  Again, Blaze and I looked at one another, smiling because we knew exactly where this road led. It was to the other end of the island. Where cars could no longer travel. To Old Barney, to the lighthouse on LBI’s northern end. Its beacon stood for so many things, to so many people. For me, it stood for summers gone by, cherished times with Jimmy, my fear of heights, my race to the top…my childhood.

  Blaze parked the car in the lot. As if in a trance, we got out and realized the parking lot was empty. How could this be? This was a popular tourist attraction. The lighthouse didn’t close to visitors this early in the evening. Then I spotted it…my next clue. It was hanging on the sign at the edge of the lot where visitors would enter for the nature trails.

  “There it is!” I pointed to the sign near the East End.

  “If you’re reading this note, then Blaze’s part of the journey ends here and yours begins. Leave Blaze behind and walk the rock-lined path up to Old Barney.”

  Doubling back past the Mustang and past Blaze I reached the entrance to the path Tommy was referring to. I stopped at the footpath that connected to the parking lot and turned back to Blaze.

  “You can’t be undecided on what to do, sweetie. Go and see what this fun is all about.”

  I nodded and had the feeling she knew more than she was letting on. Walking the path on the right of side of the lighthouse grounds parallel to the rock jetty, nestled between me and the Atlantic Ocean, seemed odd with no other visitors taking in the amazing views. My pace was unhurried so I could find any additional clues Tommy had for me along the way.

  I found one.

  “Jade, continue along the path to Old Barney, no more clues are necessary except to head inside the light and climb those famous steps.”

  Famous…he wasn't kidding. The lighthouse beacon was first lit in 1859 and there it still stood today, 172 feet above the sea. To reach the top, I was going to have to climb those famous steps, as Tommy put it…all 217 of them.

  I reached the door… emotions in my head were swirling. I took the first steps slowly, apprehensive, hesitant. Along the way, my confidence and the fun began to build. Every so many steps, I lost count, there was another note card with shells glued to it and tied to the railing. Each message was different, funny, motivating, or a whimsical drawing like two hearts intertwined, or lips perched to kiss. Winding the spiraling yellow staircase, I reached the top and went inside. It was just as I always remembered, white paneled walls, original wood flooring in a circular room sitting beneath the light, that harbored framed photographs of years gone by, telling the story of this magnificent part of Long Beach Island’s history.

  There was a smaller, narrow white staircase. Each of its steps exposed the old wood beneath the tattered edges, worn from overuse. The stairs curled along the one side of the top room. They rose to the light, but tonight Tommy came down those few steps from the light to greet me.

  “Surprise, baby…” He said smiling, confident, something hidden in his hands.

  Toe to toe with me, his breathed in my presence, as my eyes drank in his features. Strangely the questions as to why he brought me here, washed out to sea. All I could focus on was him—his strength, his conviction. The way he appeared to be looking at me as if it was for the first time. I was whole, my heart full, my worries of the past few weeks evaporated into the salty air.

  Tommy’s manner, quiet, he pressed his lips to mine. He was subdued. Pulling back slightly, his jaw tensely pulsed, his intent unclear, but imminent.

  Taking both my hands to his mouth, then placing them over his heart, he whispered.

  “Jade, I love you. I didn't know if this, us…would ever be possible. From the moment I didn't know you, but met you on the dance floor, something in my world shifted. I knew I made the right decision to move here. For the first time in a long time, life felt the way I hope it would.”

  “I feel exactly the same way. Even when I fought this, us, I loved you. I can't imagine going back to my old life. I can’t imagine life without you.”

  “Good, I was hoping you’d say something like that.”

  “You were?”

  “Yeah.” Then he stopped and kneeled, lifting a small box out of his back pocket.

  “Jade, I want to marry you. I want you to be mine, always. Will you?”

  My smile popped, my tears fell, my breathing hitched, as I kneeled down to give him my answer
.

  “Yes, Tommy, I will.”

  He wrapped his arms around me to kiss me and stopped.

  Squinting, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

  “You realize you broke your own promise.”

  Cocking my head to the side, with a perplexed smirk on my face. “What’s that?”

  “If I remember correctly, you distinctly said you wouldn't get married in six months.”

  Teasing him, “Oh, that’s right, I did say that. In that case, I think I’ll change my answer.”

  “Not a chance, baby, you said yes and yes it stays.” Tommy owned my mouth once again and then took my hand and slid the most beautiful engagement ring onto my finger.

  It was made of white gold. The band…there were two. They delicately resembled fisherman’s rope. The braiding started along the sides and twisted up and under the base of the center stone. The jewel of the ring was a large princess cut gemstone of Aquamarine, surrounded by a square halo of smaller diamonds.

  The ring was exquisite in its own right, made even more so when Tommy turned my hand over and kissed my palm, and said…

  “Read it.”

  I did as he asked, but silently protested, as he just placed it on my hand. Yet, when I read what he had inscribed, removing it, made our day—our engagement even more poignant.

  The inscription read:

  Together, we will chase the sun & follow the moon…

  Tommy

  I HELD JADE in my arms, our bodies relaxed, united. We watched the sunset on the bay from the doorway lookout on top of Old Barney. The wild seagrass appeared carved into the wetlands near the lighthouse. The water rippled from a light breeze coming from the North. The green blades of the grass rustled back and forth as a pair of Red-throated Loons weaved their way through the foliage, while a small flock of Seagulls swooped down to join in the Loons’ evening meal. The clouds slowly evaporated, as the sky turned a bluish plum. The orange sphere cut in half by the horizon, its evening presence glowed white with pale yellow rays mixing into a pink and burnish red mass spreading out on three sides, its reflection glimmering on the water.

  We didn't move. Held captive by our view and the nature that surrounded us, holding me and I suspected, Jade, in peaceful awe. We wanted to stay a bit longer, to not have this end just yet. To enjoy it, every minute of it—the sounds, the scents, and colors that engulfed us. To hold on to the pledge we made for a little while longer…told hold on to our ‘last’ as Jimmy reminded Jade in the letter— to take nothing for granted.

  Eventually, Jade’s hands rubbed over my arms, hinting to me she was cold and wanted to go—to get warm and confirm our connection more intimately.

  “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, too. Now let’s go home so you can show me how much.” She innocently played, but it was provocative in meaning.

  We descended the long-doubled staircase; leaving the building, we walked back on the picnic area trail. I had parked my car behind the luncheonette, beyond the official lighthouse grounds so Jade and Blaze wouldn't see it when they drove up.

  Jade and I returned to her place and ordered in, as we had originally planned. She had a big day tomorrow and I intended to be there with her all the way, whatever she needed from me, I would do, but tonight for us… no friends or family, no interruptions.

  A light breeze rolled across my skin. The coolness had not been there earlier in the evening. It woke me to find Jade’s spot vacant. She must have woken in the middle of the night and left our bed to sit on the small baloney outside her room.

  “Baby, is everything okay? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?” I stood in the doorway, half of my body in her room, half out in the night air. I braced myself for the worst.

  “No, Tommy, I’m not having second thoughts, just the opposite.” Sitting on the edge of the lounge chair, Jade scooted her feet in closer, to make room for me.

  “Then why are you out here alone in the middle of the night?”

  “Well, this is the last official weekend of summer. Everyone will be heading home, life will get back to the mundane for them. Hectic schedules, no time to come back down here, etc…etc.”

  “And…?”

  “And…I want us to get married before they go home. I want to marry you in the summer, my favorite season, and I don't want to wait until next year. That’s all I’ve done is wait my whole damn life. Do you understand?” She approached the subject of our wedding with vigor, but left some doubt, depending on what I wanted.

  “Yeah. I understand, and the truth is I really want Rain there when we tie the knot, but they’re going to be leaving for Italy in two weeks. I’m not sure how we can pull any of this off.” Now I was the one with doubts.

  “You leave that to me.” She kissed my mouth chastely and pulled me back to bed.

  Even with a lack of sleep, Jade and I were up bright and early to get to her shoppe.

  Friday’s opening of Summertime Sweets was an easy success. She had her locals, her regulars, and plenty of visitors to LBI to keep her busy. Sunday was another full day and Monday as well. Yet, at one point, while Viv and I were in the back, counting stock during a lull in the day, Jade slipped out to run some errands.

  It was nearly three o’clock and Jade hadn't returned. Her staff asked if would be okay if they finished up and could leave. Viv told them to head out since all of the customers were gone and the day was winding down. Jade was still nowhere to be found. Four o’clock came, Viv and I decided to lock up.

  “If she’s not home when we get there, I’m calling the cops,” I announced.

  “Calm down. She’s probably caught up in a delay of some sort, that’s all.”

  “She didn't call, and she didn't come back to lock up. That’s not like her.”

  “I know, but she knew it would be okay because we’re here.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

  I had less faith than Jade’s aunt. This was so unlike her, but maybe she was running scared? She was up late the night we had gotten engaged. In fact, she hadn't slept well the entire weekend. I found her awake on Saturday and Sunday night doing paperwork at the kitchen table. She said she was trying to play catch up, but I wasn't buying it, especially now that she had gone off to parts unknown, plus she only mentioned the wedding once and then we never discussed it again. This had me thinking Jade wasn't ready for marriage after all.

  I pulled down our street feeling confused, lost, and worried, but once I reached the beach house, the confusion, the loss, and the worry were replaced with anxious curiosity. Cars crowded both of our driveways. Large potted palms with white bows trimmed with raffia and strung with Starfish lights decorated each trunk. Surfing music emanated through the alleyway, reminding me of the movie Endless Summer. Exiting the car I heard voices overhead.

  Looking up, I saw Blaze and Reece on Jade’s deck. Blaze spotted me first and ran the stairs to stop me from coming up.

  “Don’t go up there.”

  “Why? Isn't Jade up there?”

  “Yes, but you can't see her right now.”

  My anger bubbled to the surface. Fuck this! I needed to see her. I tried, but Blaze wasn't budging. Our staring contest turned into a shouting match, at least until Jade appeared. Then my world stopped…I mean it started again.

  There, on the top step was Jade, barefoot, dressed in white jeans, a white t-shirt, holding white roses with salmon tipped petals from the rose bush I was about to cut down the day we officially met, and a mini rose halo adorning her head.

  Her cheeks flushed…her tears, her happiness, and her love, all on display. Blaze moved to one side for me to get to my girl. Meeting in the middle of the staircase, our smiles reflected each other.

  “You said you wanted this, too. So, I pulled it off…a summer wedding we hoped for and a summer wedding we’re going to get.”

  “But…” She answered my question before I could ask.

  “I had
some help from our friends.” Jade looked back to Reece, who was smiling and raising his glass of white wine in a toast.

  Jade took my hand and guided me down the stairs, through the alley, and toward the beach.

  “Jade, wait, I don't have anything to wear.” Flattening my hands over my graphic t-shirt, feeling awkward.

  “Hmm…hold these.” She handed me the flowers and ran back up to the house. When she returned she was holding one of my white dress shirts.

  “Take it off.” Removing my t-shirt at Jade’s command, she fastened each button methodically, while keeping her eyes on mine.

  I took her hand and walked toward the ceremony when Jade stopped.

  “Wait!” Jade tugged back.

  “What?”

  “You’re completely overdressed.” She teased.

  “Huh?

  “Lose the shoes, Conte.”

  “Oh.” I laughed and kicked them off, before pulling her forward to make us official.

  Over the dune and down the sand pathway to the opening for the beach, I stopped, my eyes had to be deceiving me. There in the distance were several rectangular tables dressed in white linen. They were decorated with tea light candles, shells, more roses, complete with flatware and wine glasses. A small path made of palm leaves was placed on the beach leading to our makeshift altar.

  “I can't believe you did all of this for us.”

  Jade nodded, completely satisfied with the end result.

  “Ready, baby?”

  We were hand in hand to the altar, where the crowd was gathered to witness our wedding. As we got closer, I realized it was more than a crowd. It was our family and friends. Smiles and warm wishes came from all sides. On the left were my parents, Rain, and Dominick, their twins, Daniel and Daniel’s parents Anna and Joseph. On the right, were Kim, Reece, Viv, and a couple who I assumed were Jade’s parents, plus Jade’s staff from the shoppe. They knew all along where Jade had gone.

  Walking up to the altar, Jade handed Blaze her bouquet and then turned back to me.