The sun shone. Sparkles danced as a slight breeze wafted out of the south. Tadie hoped it would blow away the vestiges of fear that lingered.
Jilly’s excited voice came from inside. She heard Will answer and got up to join them.
Jilly wanted to get dressed before breakfast, but they convinced her to wait so she didn’t spill anything on her pretty clothes. While Will and Jilly sat with Rita to devour a bowl of cereal each, Tadie nibbled on a piece of toast.
“That all you want?” Will asked.
“I’m eating this much only so my stomach won’t act up during the ceremony.”
James stuck his head in the back door. “Just thought I’d let you know I’ll be driving Miss Sara and Jilly in the Lincoln and bringing the couple—sorry, little missy, the family—back to Miss Hannah’s after the ceremony. Rita, honey, you take your mama with you.”
“Yes sir.”
As James backed out the door with a wave, Tadie said, “He’s as nervous as I am. He did tell us that yesterday, didn’t he?”
“Walking you down the aisle is a big thing for my daddy.”
Tadie reached across to touch Rita’s hand. “I’m glad you share him with me.”
“Hah. Seems you had him first.”
Hannah and Matt arrived to pick up Will at nine-fifteen. Hannah fussed over Tadie, promising to wait right inside the church for her. They hadn’t practiced, so Hannah was full of instructions for Jilly—when to walk, where to stand.
“She’ll be fine,” Tadie said, her hand resting gently on Jilly’s shoulder. “It’s just going to be us there—all friends and family—so we don’t need to worry about protocol. Let’s go have fun.”
* * * * *
It was done. They were married in the sight of God and man. Will leaned forward to kiss her, and everyone cheered.
The party blurred for Tadie. Congratulations rained on them from everyone.
Isa stood with Stefan. “I’m the matchmaker here, and I’m happy to take my share of the credit.”
Tadie hugged her tightly. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“And you’ll be back in a few months so we can put on that show of Bucky’s work?” Isa asked. “And I can have more of your jewelry?”
“I promise. Will doesn’t want me giving up my life here, so we’re going to live two places. Isn’t that exciting?”
“I’m glad. I’d miss you terribly if you stayed away long.”
Matt’s face looked ready to crumble when he pulled Tadie aside. “If I’d had a clue …” He hesitated, and she was sure there were tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Tadie, really sorry.”
“None of us knew. But I’m sorry you’ve lost a brother.”
“I want you to know we love you, and I’m glad about this man of yours. You made a good choice.”
She reached up and kissed his cheek. “I always envied you and Hannah. Now I’ve got a good man of my own. And let me tell you again how pleased I am that the doctor has given you such a good report.”
“I haven’t taken very good care of myself for years. All that’s changed now. So maybe the time in the hospital did some good.”
“We’ve got to grow old together, all of us. Whatever it takes.”
Hannah came up and slipped her arm in Matt’s. “What are you two yakking about?”
“Mutual admiration society,” Tadie said. “I’ve been telling this handsome husband of yours I expect us all to be playing together in our old age, so he’s got to stay healthy.”
“Amen to that. Now that Alex has gone, Matt’s been interviewing candidates to help manage the company.”
Tadie gave Matt’s arm a squeeze. “Good for you. Maybe you’ll free up enough time to come sailing with us someday.”
“I hear Will’s boat is big enough to be comfortable. None of your little tippy things. And you’ll be living here part of the time?”
“Of course. Jilly’s bound to want a house before very long so she can bring friends home.”
“And when you give her a little brother or sister,” Hannah said, stepping right in front of Tadie’s face, “you’d better do it from here. You got that?”
Tadie pulled her friend into a hug and felt the tears begin as she remembered Hannah’s lost babies.
“Oh pooh,” Hannah said. “Don’t get all mushy on me. I’ll love being an aunt.”
When Jilly slipped between them, Tadie rested her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “You can start with this one,” she said, pulling Jilly back against her and crossing her hands over Jilly’s chest. “Aren’t we blessed to have such a beautiful little girl to love up on?”
“Jilly and I are going to be great friends, aren’t we?” Hannah bent to Jilly’s eye level.
Jilly glanced up at Tadie, then back to Hannah. She nodded as her hands fastened themselves over Tadie’s, gripping hard.
“You remember how I told you Tadie is my very best friend?” Hannah asked, touching Jilly’s cheek. “That makes me your new auntie.”
Jilly’s hands loosened on Tadie’s as Hannah stood and said, “You’ve just come into a wonderful family of aunts and uncles.” She pointed at Matt and over at Rita and Martin. “Isa too, but you already knew that. And Elvie Mae and James will spoil you like they spoiled Tadie and me.”
“Don’t you believe her, Jilly,” Tadie said. “Elvie Mae’s a hard taskmaster.”
“Aw,” Hannah said. “She just pretends to be. Elvie and James will be putty in Jilly’s hands.”
Jilly grinned from one to the other.
“You like having all these new relatives?”
Jilly’s head bobbed. Tadie hugged her closer and turned to look for Will. She caught him winking at her from across the room.
Hannah must have seen the exchange. “Jilly, baby, come visit with me for a few minutes, will you?” She reached for Jilly’s hand. “Let’s go see what Isa’s up to.”
Tadie mouthed her thanks and detached herself from her new daughter. Moving close to Will, she whispered, “How soon?”
“Mrs. Merritt, I’m surprised at you.”
She jabbed his side. “Sure you are.”
It took another two hours to finish visiting with everyone and to see Jilly off to the airport with her aunt and uncle. When Jilly teared up, Will took her in his arms. “Remember the presents, punkin, and think about all the fun we’re going to have. Tadie and I will be there to get you before you know it. We’ll all go sailing for a while, and then we’ll come back here. Won’t that be fun? You have two homes now.”
“I love you, Daddy. Thank you for giving me a mommy.”
“One who loves you, you know.”
She turned to hug Tadie. “Can I call you Mommy now?”
Tadie could barely hold in her own tears, so she pulled Jilly close and whispered in a choked voice, “Yes. Please.”
Hannah reached out to Tadie as Jilly climbed into the car and waved from the backseat. “Okay, your turn. Go.”
Matt agreed. “There’ll be folks staying to listen to the music and eat for a while yet, but you two need to get going. If you go back inside, you’ll never get away.”
Will extended his hand. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all you’ve done for us.”
“Our pleasure,” Matt said, shaking hands with gusto. “Tadie is pretty special to us.”
She laid her head on Matt’s shoulder. “You’re going to make me cry, so stop it.” She hugged him, then Hannah, whispering to her friend as she held her, “I’m scared.”
Hannah whispered back, “You’ll be fine. Of course, you’d better call me with details as soon as you can.”
* * * * *
Tadie’s hands were shaking and her stomach queasy. No two ways about it. Will had left her at her door and gone to his room to get ready.
What did a man have to do to get ready? She shivered as she took off her hat, set it in its box, and slipped out of her suit.
What was she supposed to wear? Jeans? Maybe she should just go out in her robe.
Would that be too suggestive? Maybe Will wanted to wait until after dinner.
Was it always so difficult? Did other women go through this on their wedding day?
No, of course not. Most modern women had already done the deed before they got married. Nothing new to them. Maybe a few married young enough to be virgins on their wedding day, but probably not many. None she knew. She supposed she’d hung out with the wrong crowd.
Did Will have a clue how awkward this was? What was he thinking?
Okay, she’d just get dressed again. She’d find something alluring yet casual. She had a caftan someplace.
There it was, on a hook at the back of the closet. She pulled the green silk over her head just as Will knocked softly on her door. She ran her fingers through her hair, patted her cheeks, and called, “Come in.”
He shut the door behind him. His hair was damp, his feet bare, and he looked so adorable in his terry robe that the butterflies flapped from Tadie’s stomach right up to her throat. Her fingers splayed in the folds of her gown as he crossed the room, his gaze unwavering. Nodding at the caftan, he said, “I like that.” His voice softened, and he traced a line down her cheek. “I like this.”
Her pulse quickened. Both his hands came up to cup her cheeks, to draw her face toward his. He lowered his head so that his lips hovered and, drawing out the moment, brought them close to toy with hers. She’d never thought her lips so sensitive, but all her thoughts centered there. That is, until he increased the pressure and the movement, and her lips parted under his. She’d had no idea erogenous zones existed in such odd places.
“I love you.” His voice caressed her. His voice and his eyes told her she was beautiful. Perhaps, to him, she was. She felt so at his touch.
When he helped her shed the caftan and then dropped his robe, there was no thought of embarrassment, only wonder. His touch gentled her fears and awakened things in her she’d only dreamed of. If there was pain, it was only momentary and soon forgotten. He took them both to places that made her imagine magic.
She lay in his arms afterward, her free hand gently tracing circles across his chest. So that’s what it was all about. A little taste of heaven right here on earth.
Will stroked her back as she listened to the beat of his heart thurumping under her, slower now, steadier.
“You are a wonder, Mrs. Merritt.”
She hiked up on one forearm, looking down into eyes that made her insides turn to mush again. “Ah, Mr. Merritt … ” A sigh fluttered past her lips at the thought that surfaced.
“What?” he asked.
“I think married life is going to be perfectly delightful.”
Wasn’t it grand? She didn’t have to die an old maid after all. She bit her lip to keep from giggling like a silly schoolgirl.
His brows rose slightly, but instead of questioning her, he focused on the path his hands took as they roamed across her skin. “So soft, so smooth, so very lovely.”
A quiver slipped up her spine. “Amazing. I’m a wife, a mother, in love, all in one fell swoop.”
Will watched her as he inched toward her lips. “Let’s see if we can do some more swooping.”
“Swooping?”
“Hush, Mrs. Merritt.”
Disclaimer
While all the characters in this story are fictional, the town of Beaufort, NC, isn’t. Yes, I’ve taken liberties with some locations. I reinstituted flights from Raleigh to New Bern, which once existed but are no more. I added a boat yard in a convenient spot. Down East Creations is a figment of my imagination, as are Tadie and Hannah’s homes. Most of the other named places—the restaurants, the bookstore, the museum, and the dinghy dock—all exist, and I picked them as hangouts for my characters because they are just the sort of places I enjoy. Cruisers from all around the world actually anchor in Taylor Creek or back in the anchorage off Town Creek Marina, and Michael and I serve as station hosts for the many-membered Seven Seas Cruising Association. Even if you’re not a member of SSCA, let us know if we can help you in any way, whether you visit our area by boat or by car.
All Saints Anglican Church is also the worship home for a lot of wonderful folk—including the Fischers—but David Linka, the real rector, isn’t old enough to serve as the parish priest in this story. Hence, my creation of John Ames. But Dave’s a wonderful preacher and a true man of God, so anyone visiting the area ought to join us for one of the three Sunday services. If you’re coming by boat and don’t have a way to get there, just holler at me (by email), and we’ll make sure you have a ride. Oh, and the talented worship leader, Elana McClure, also owns (along with her husband and business partners) both Clawsons and Aqua Restaurant in Beaufort. Jilly loves Clawsons, and Tadie and Hannah both enjoy Aqua, as well as many of the other incredible eateries I’ve mentioned—or missed. (And the ones I’ve missed will probably show up in the next Beaufort book.)
Awards ...
1994 Alpha Award as best new fiction writer, Sandy Cove Writers Conference (Two from Isaac’s House)
2011 Marlene Award for Women’s Fiction from Washington, DC, RWA (Heavy Weather—Book 2 Beaufort Stories)
2011 Catherine Award for Women’s Fiction from Toronto, RWA (Becalmed—Book 1 Beaufort Stories)
2011 Fab Five Finalist, Wisconsin RWA (Heavy Weather)
2011 Rocky Mountain Colorado Gold finalist for Mainstream Fiction (Sailing out of Darkness)
2011 Semi-finalist, Genesis Award, ACFW, Women’s Fiction (Heavy Weather)
2011 Semi-finalist, Genesis Award, ACFW, Women’s Fiction (Becalmed)
2012 Semi-finalist, Genesis Award, ACFW, Romantic Suspense (Two from Isaac’s House)
Table of Contents
Title
Copyright
Table of Contents
Praise for Becalmed
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Chapter Thirty-six
Chapter Thirty-seven
Chapter Thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-nine
Chapter Forty
Disclaimer
Becalmed: When a Southern woman with a broken heart finds herself falling for a widower with a broken boat, it's anything but smooth sailing. Page 35