Emma had to cut ties with her evil father, who was whisked away to jail, and she convinced her overly loyal mother to do the same. Repairing her friendship with Marianne and Tom was a challenge, despite the fact that Emma had no idea what her father was brewing up. But fortunately, her and Jeremy’s relationship blossomed amidst all the ugliness, and they got married just a few short months ago.
Jasmine gave her a warm hug. “How about we reconvene here at the Inn at two o’clock for the video? I’d like to spend a little time with Dax and show him what it is I love so much about the beach.”
They made their way back into the Inn and the dining room smelled of something wonderful. Marianne bustled out of the kitchen. “Welcome, welcome! Lunch is being served. Do you guys want to take a table? Or, if you’d rather, I could pack a picnic and you could take it down on the beach.”
Jasmine smiled. “You read my mind. I wanted to spend some beach time with Dax.”
Marianne grinned. “Say no more,” she said and made an about face back into the kitchen.
Jasmine wandered into the great room, then into the sun porch, searching for him. There he sat on the screened-in porch, his feet up on an ottoman, glancing at a magazine on his lap. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning in and placing a kiss on his cheek. He leaned back into her and his cheeks popped with the smile that covered his face.
“Hi, baby,” he murmured.
“Hi back.” She came around to the front of him and lowered herself onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight. “Are you bored stiff?”
“Of course not. How’d the shoot go?”
“Great. I can’t be more pleased with all the shoots. I have some great material to start sending out next week.”
He lifted a finger and ran it gently across her face. She shivered. “Next is the video?”
“Yeah. But not yet. I set that for 2:00. We’ve got some time now to go to the beach.”
“Sounds good.” They got up and walked to the car, where they pulled a bag full of swim suits and towels out of the trunk. They borrowed a couple unoccupied guest rooms to change and met back in the great room. When Dax sauntered in wearing a loose-fitting Ocean Pacific suit and nothing else except a pair of flip flops, Jasmine sucked in a breath.
The man was a vision of masculine beauty.
Fearing she was staring, she said, “Okay, it’s settled. I need to design a line of men’s swimwear next.” She was kidding, but only half so. Spending hours taking photos of him wearing swimwear, gleaming in his healthy fitness, would be her idea of a good time.
Meanwhile, he had his own case of speechlessness. His eyes took in her two-piece – a modest sports bra-type top, and high-waisted bottom – and she could see the appreciation form on his face. “You look great,” he said.
“Thanks,” she returned, her voice breathless.
Marianne broke the spell between them by walking into the great room, carrying a picnic basket. “Here you go, guys. Everything you could want for a lunch on the beach.”
Dax ogled the basket, filled to overflowing. “Wow, you didn’t have to go to that much trouble, Marianne.”
Jasmine laughed. “I’ve heard all about your famous picnic baskets, Marianne. There’s probably enough to feed a family of five in there, right?”
Marianne laughed. “No trouble at all. The chefs make the food for our guests. I just grabbed some and stuck it in here for you.” She waved with a smile. “Have a good time, you two.”
Dax hefted the basket and they walked down to the sand. They turned at the water line and strolled about ten minutes. Jasmine opened the basket and pulled out a red and white checkered table cloth and spread it out on the sand. “Want to take a swim first?” She frowned at him. “Do you know how to swim?”
He nodded.
She lowered the bag of towels on the cloth, and he lowered the basket. They joined hands and walked toward the water. On the way, strips of sand sparkled in the sunlight. Jasmine pointed it out. “This is bits of seashell ground into a thin powder by the tide and when hit by the sun, it’s almost like glitter sprinkled on the sand.”
He bent over at the waist to study the phenomenon. “Beautiful.”
They walked a bit further and Jasmine pointed again. “See these holes in the sand? Those holes are where a mollusk dug in for the night. Now that it’s morning they’ll dig to the top and leave a trail behind them as they crawl.” She looked around. “Oh, look, here’s one.”
He came over and saw a long tubular shell in the midst of a two-inch trail of white sand. “That shell is alive?”
“Yes,” Jasmine said with a smile. “He’s in there and he has one little foot-like thing that he uses to push himself around.”
Dax stuck a finger in the mollusk’s direction and brushed over the fleshy part sticking out of the shell. The creature immediately pulled back into its spot of protection. “So cool.”
They made it to the water’s edge. Being early in the season, the water was brisk and cool. The waves were never big in this part of the beach, but today it was calm as a plate of glass. They walked in about waist-high and then Dax, without warning, dove under. Jasmine squealed. He surfaced, the sun catching droplets of sea water dripping from his long locks.
“Feels great,” he said, his smile reaching out and touching her heart.
Not to be outdone, Jasmine gathered her courage and dove under, too. After a moment of shock at the cold, she settled into her normal infatuation with the sea. Dax made his way over to her and brushed her hair back from her face. She gripped him by the shoulders and brought her legs up, wrapping them around his waist. They stood there in each other’s arms, surrounded by the water.
“I see why you like the ocean so much.”
Jasmine’s heart gave a little thrill. “Oh, I’m so glad you like it. I was sort of fearing that I’d get you out here and you’d hate it.”
“What’s to hate?”
“I don’t know, but not everyone communes with the ocean. I didn’t grow up here, but some of the happiest moments in my life took place on some beach. My mom feels the same way; she and I are alike in that way. Which is one of the reasons I’m thrilled for her that she gets to live here permanently now.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her. The warmth generated by their joined lips formed a tantalizing contrast with the chill surrounding their bodies. Dax’s fingers explored the bare skin on her back, underneath the strap of her suit top. She allowed her fingers to wander across his bare back.
He tore his lips from hers and a shiver ripped through his upper body.
“Are you cold?”
He snorted. “I don’t think that’s what the shiver was from.”
“What do you mean?”
He clamped his mouth shut with a smirk. “You make me shiver, girl.”
She laughed.
“Serious. You make me feel … good.”
She knew what he meant. It was hard to put into words, but she felt the same way. He made her heart race. Being near him gave her body a physical reaction. It was chemistry. He made her blood cascade through her veins.
And he evidently felt the same.
“You make me feel good, too.” She left it at that, happy with the discovery. Eventually they made their way back to their picnic spot and enjoyed a feast.
* * *
A few hours later, they were in the dining room at the Inn, shooting the video. All three models had selected their personal favorite outfit from their own collection. Jasmine set them up on the Music Man stage, simulating a Paris catwalk. She wasn’t exactly sure what the end product would look like, but at least her potential fashion employers would see her designs in motion.
She filmed each model walking back and forth solo, then she filmed the three of them walking together, sort of like a small family. She had gathered about eight minutes of video total. She’d have to add some background music when she got home.
She took
a last look at the small gathering on stage when a voice beside her said, “What’s going on up there?”
Jasmine turned and faced a beautiful blonde woman. The phrase “All American Girl” came immediately to mind. She could picture her riding a horse on a farm, her blonde ponytail sweeping out behind her, her skin a healthy tanned glow.
Jasmine held her hand out. “Hi. I’m Jasmine.”
“I’m Roxanne.”
“Oh, the actress!”
“That’s right. Marian the Librarian, at your service.”
Jasmine laughed. “I’m borrowing your stage. I’m Leslie’s daughter?”
“Oh, right. So, that makes you Marianne’s sister, right?”
“Stepsister, but yes. I’m looking for a job in fashion and I’ve spent the last three weeks designing, sewing, and taking pictures of these guys modeling my clothes. Last step is a video. Hopefully it’ll pay off soon with a job offer.”
Roxanne gazed back at the trio, now casually chatting to each other. “Those clothes look great. And the models are good. You’ve got talent.”
“Thanks. I just graduated from Cornell in Fashion Merchandising. I’m dying to start my career.”
“Where do you want to work?”
“Anywhere with a paycheck. But ideally, New York.”
Roxanne smiled. “I live in New York.”
“Really? What are you doing here?”
Her eyes wandered away from Jasmine’s, darted around the room, then back. “Long story. But let’s just say, if you let it, New York will chew you up and spit you out. It’s the best city in the world, but the worst, too. I am an actress. I need to be either there or LA. But I needed a reprieve, a break from the rat race. I turned down a pretty good off-Broadway job when this dinner theater gig came up. It was just what I needed for a little while – right when I needed it.”
Jasmine was sure there was way more to this story than Roxanne was revealing, but it was none of her business, and everyone was entitled to their secrets. “I’m glad you could come to Pawleys Island. It’s magical here, in so many ways.”
“I agree with you. I’m starring in one of my favorite classic musicals of all time, I’m spending a lot of relaxing downtime in one of the most beautiful beach towns in the world, and I’m building my strength back to return to New York. Other than dealing with my irritating co-star,” she said with a grim smile, “life couldn’t be better.”
Hmmm, interesting. “There’s a story there.”
Roxanne smirked. “Way more than I can get into in civilized company.”
Jasmine liked her, in spite of the mystery. “Well, despite the irritations, I’m happy for you.” She called up to Dax, Emma and Stella. “That’s a wrap, guys. Go ahead and get changed. If you want to keep any of the clothes, they’re yours for the taking.”
Stella squealed.
“So,” Roxanne continued, “I know someone in the fashion industry. I’d be happy to connect the two of you.”
Jasmine gasped and looked at her, wide-eyed. “You’re kidding.”
“No. I’m not saying she’s someone with a lot of clout or anything, but she’s working as a designer at Henderson-Cloy, and they have several fashion subsidiaries. She’s a designer in their theater costuming line. They have contracts with most of the Broadway theaters. They also have a line that does retail.”
“Oh, my gosh. That’s exactly what I want to do. Live in New York City and work in the fashion industry. I don’t care where. Does she love it?”
“Yes, she seems to. I mean, it’s long, crazy hours. Deadline-driven. But she’s working in her field. She has aspirations to open her own line of fashion but for now, she’s happy working for a company while she builds her own portfolio. If you want me to reach out with an introduction, I’d be happy to. We were sorority sisters at New York University. We get together pretty often when I’m there.”
“Oh Roxanne, that would be awesome. I’m so grateful. Thank you so much.”
“Pay it forward, isn’t that what they say? Your sister rescued me when she offered me this job. Now, you need a leg up to find your first job. I can see you’re talented. You just need a little help getting started.”
They exchanged phone numbers and email addresses, and Roxanne provided the name of this friend, Tessa Moore. “I’ll send her an email of introduction, cc you, and then you can Reply all to forward her your photos and video. Who knows? She might be able to help.”
“Thank you so much. I need all the help I can get.”
The rest of their time on Pawleys sped by. Dax and Jasmine went out to dinner with Jeremy and Emma Jean. Jasmine had loved her stepbrother since the first time she met him, and now she cherished the chance to get to know her new sister-in-law a little better. Dax fit right in, developing an easy rapport with Jeremy and Emma. They shared crab legs, beers and laughs as they sat outside at a casual, wooden floored shack.
After their evening out, back at the Barn, Jasmine pulled her mother aside in the kitchen. “Can I talk to you a second?”
“Of course.” Leslie wiped a crumb from the counter, then gave her daughter her full attention.
“I’m sorry if this is none of my business, or if it’ll make you feel uncomfortable.”
Leslie’s eyebrows went up. “Uh oh.”
Jasmine let out a breath. “Remember in the ER, and Dad asked if you could forgive him for his transgressions, and you said no, but you’d pray on it?”
Leslie’s only response was a narrowing of her eyes. Jasmine rushed on, “Look, I fully get why you wouldn’t be ready to forgive him for being unfaithful and breaking your heart. But as the daughter of both of you, I just wanted to put my two cents in. Take it or leave it.”
She waited for some invitation from her mom. Seeing she wasn’t going to get one, she continued, “Living with him the last few weeks puts me up close and personal with his life as it is now. How empty it is of love and family. It’s not that I feel sorry for him. I know he brought it all on himself. But I see how happy you and Hank are, surrounded by love and laughter and I just see a big contrast. And I think Dad’s learned something from all this. I think he’s regretful, and he realizes he messed up and can’t fix it. But he’s trying to be a better person.”
Leslie stared at her so long, Jasmine almost turned away. Then her mom lifted a hand and laid it on Jasmine’s cheek. “It’s very, very sweet of you to try to help him.”
Jasmine shrugged. “I’m not trying to help him, I guess I’m just putting in a good word for him. For what it’s worth.”
Leslie’s mouth curled into a grim smile. “I did pray about it. Many times. I’ve prayed for the ability to forgive and release the anger. God’s working on me. Maybe this is another way He’s getting the message across.”
Jasmine liked the sound of that. The thought that she was in tune enough with God to deliver His message, pleased her.
The next morning, Leslie made them bacon and cheese omelets. Hank delayed the start of his work so he could spend time with them in the morning before they left. Jasmine took her second cup of coffee to her room so she could pack her suitcase. Her mom came into the room behind her.
“We’re so glad you came to visit, sweetie.”
“Me, too. Nothing like a beach fix. I wish I could stay, but Dax has appointments scheduled tomorrow. I wouldn’t ask him to reschedule them, and he’s got to get all the way back to Ithaca tonight.”
Leslie nodded. “You’re welcome to come on back after you get all your applications submitted. If you get a job right away, you probably won’t have a vacation for some time.”
Jasmine laughed. “That’s good incentive. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Roxanne’s friend helped me secure a job with her company?”
“It sure would. Regardless of whether she can or not, it can’t hurt having a contact in the Big Apple.”
Jasmine zipped up her suitcase and rolled it to the door. Her mom caught her arm and squeezed it. She winked. “I like him,” she said in a near whisp
er.
Jasmine smiled. “I do, too.”
* * *
Before she wanted to accept it, they were back at her dad’s house in Pittsburgh, standing in front, arms wrapped around each other, saying good-bye. Jasmine held back her tears. She didn’t want him to see them, and she didn’t want to be the kind of woman who cried when her boyfriend wasn’t around. But their long-distance arrangement was so hard. She had no idea when she’d see him again.
She pressed herself as close to him as possible, his arms wrapped around her, and his hands clasped at her back. She breathed in and took comfort in the familiarity of his scent and warmth.
“What are your plans?”
“Work like crazy starting tomorrow, finalizing the shots, editing the video. Send everything out to the employers asking, then broaden my search to other employers I haven’t applied to yet.”
He looked down at her, his smile a beacon in the darkness. “Sounds like a plan, sweetheart. My smart, ambitious lady.” He placed a soft, sweet kiss on her lips. “I’m proud of you.”
She laid her head against his chest. It pained her to say it, but, “You better hit the road, baby. It’s still a long drive for you.”
“Yeah.”
He pulled her into a long kiss, her heart racing, her breath hitching. When he drew back, she stepped up on the curb, and watched him get into the car. Holding back her tears, she held a hand up as he drove away.
* * *
Dax drove north as the last of the daylight surrendered and the darkness began to overtake. It had been a great weekend, a weekend of milestones. He’d experienced the ocean for the first time. Walking on the sand, observing the wildlife, swimming in the waves. He wished he’d had the chance to do it all before now. But now was good enough. And, as an added bonus, his first time was with Jasmine.
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