Two of a Kind

by Kay Correll

  “But—”

  “Sara, that’s enough. I’m fine. Quit treating me like an invalid.”

  She sighed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to do that.”

  “Don’t you have work to do?” Aunt Lil asked pointedly.

  “I do. I was just headed out to look at some rental property on Oak Street. A small office space. The rent isn’t much, and at least I’d have an office for the business. I know I’ve kind of just taken over The Nest.” She adored the private area of the inn that they’d dubbed The Nest years ago when Aunt Lil had become her guardian after her parents died.

  “Then, you should run along and look at it instead of worrying about me.”

  She turned when she heard a group of people approaching.

  “Sara, how good to see you. It’s been a long time” Charlotte’s sister, Eva, flashed her a charming smile. She still was beautiful. Maybe more beautiful as she aged. How did some women do that?

  “Hi, Eva. Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan.”

  “Sara, dear, are you back visiting, too?” Mrs. Duncan looked at her as if evaluating her to see how much she’d changed.

  Sara wasn’t sure if she’d passed inspection or not. “I’ve moved back to the island.”

  “Really?” Mrs. Duncan’s look showed clear disapproval. “So, both you and Charlotte have returned? Though, I’m sure Charlotte isn’t planning on staying long. I mean, what is there for her to do here?”

  “Paint?” Sara stated the obvious.

  “No, Isadora means there isn’t anything for her to do here to earn a living.” Mr. Duncan cut in.

  Before she could say something she shouldn’t, Aunt Lil came to the rescue. “Let’s get you all checked in, shall we?” Aunt Lil turned to her. “Go along and look at your rental space. I’ve got everything here covered.”

  Sara backed away and let her aunt deal with Charlotte’s family. Poor Char. It was going to be a long, long week…

  She paused on the front porch and pulled her phone out and texted Charlotte.

  * * *

  They’re here. Good luck. Let me know if I can run interference for you or if you just need to vent.

  * * *

  That afternoon Noah popped into Belle Island Inn, another inn on the island owned by Susan and her son, Jamie. He loved the comfortable atmosphere and knew it attracted quite a crowd during busy season. They’d recently branched into becoming a popular wedding venue, too.

  He wanted to see if Dorothy was working the front desk. If anyone could convince Ben’s mother to join the knitting group, it was Dorothy.

  He was in luck. She was working. He waited until she checked in a customer, then walked up to the desk. “Dorothy, I wondered if you could do me a big favor.”

  “Sure, Noah. What do you need?”

  “You know Ruby Hallet, right?”

  “Sure do. Ran into her at the market just the other day.”

  “Her son, Ben, is hoping she’ll get out more. He wants to see if he can get her interested in joining some groups.”

  “I know she’s been struggling since she lost her husband, but justifiably so.” Dorothy’s kind eyes shone with understanding.

  “Ben told me she’s a knitter. I thought that maybe if you personally invited her, she’d come to your knitting group at the community center.”

  “That’s a great idea. We’d love to have her. I should have thought of that myself.” Dorothy nodded vigorously. “I’ll make it a point to drop by to see her and invite her.”

  “That would be great. I’m hoping if she joins the knitting group, maybe she’ll join the book club too. Ben said she’s a big reader.”

  “I will say, Noah, you’ve done great things with our community center. So many groups and activities.”

  “Thanks. I admit, I really love my job there.”

  A couple came up to the desk, so he turned to leave. “Thanks, Dorothy. Hope you have success with Ruby.”

  He left and headed back to the community center. Well, he’d at least done that much to help Ruby. He always felt his job extended to even more than just the community center… it widened to helping all the people of Belle Island. The island had been very good to him, and he planned to repay her in any way he could.

  Charlotte trudged over to Charming Inn, each step taking more and more effort. Her sister had texted to say they’d arrived. A text that came in two hours after Sara’s text, not that she minded the reprieve. Her family was evidently in no hurry to see her…

  She’d agreed to come to the inn for drinks and dinner, though she was not looking forward to it. She often imagined what it would be like to have a close family. One filled with laughter and family jokes and automatic acceptance. Maybe that type of family was really just some kind of fairy tale.

  She stood in front of the deck to the inn, gathering her courage. Sara popped out the front door. “I was stalking you on the Buddies app. Saw you were here.”

  “I’m here.”

  Sara laughed. “Don’t sound so enthusiastic.”

  She sucked in a deep breath of air. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Just a warning. Your mom is of the mindset that your move here is just a temporary visit.”

  “Of course she is. Even though I told them I’ve moved here and it’s my permanent home base now.”

  “They’re worried about you finding work here. I told them you were painting.”

  “Which isn’t a real job to them.” And, to be honest, wasn’t paying much now. She did have to find something to bring in some money. And soon. “I better go in and see them.”

  “You’ll be fine. Don’t let them get to you.” Sara hugged her, and she took strength in her friend’s embrace.

  “Easier said than done.” She walked up the steps with Sara at her side and entered the inn.

  “They’re out on the deck, having drinks. They have a reservation for dinner in forty-five minutes.” Sara nodded toward the deck.

  Forty-five minutes of happy hour. She could do that, right? She squared her shoulders and crossed over to the door to the deck, pasting on a smile that she hoped was a confident, self-assured one. She stepped through the doorway.

  Her mother waved from a grouping of chairs across the deck. She waved back and crossed the distance.

  Her father stood and shook her hand. “Good to see you.”

  Eva motioned to the empty chair beside her. “Sit.”

  More a command than an offer…

  “I’ve ordered you Chardonnay.” Her mother motioned to a glass of white wine sitting on the table in front of the chairs.

  She didn’t like Chardonnay. And her mother knew that. But her mother was certain it was the drink of choice at the beach.

  Okay, then. She sank onto the chair beside Eva. Her sister was dressed in a tailored sleeveless dress and fancy sandals that probably cost more than her monthly rent at the bungalow. Her mother was also precisely dressed… way overdressed for a relaxed beach inn dinner. Her father had on neatly pressed slacks and a long-sleeved button-down shirt. They looked more like they were going to the country club than dinner at the inn.

  She looked down at her flowy skirt, simple white t-shirt, and worn but ever-so-comfortable sandals. She might as well have been going to a different dinner than her family. She eyed the white wine, wondering if she could stand to take a sip or two, and hoping she could order red wine, or a beer, or a stronger drink at dinner.

  “We’d so hoped to stay at Belle Island Inn this visit—it’s such a classic inn—but can you believe it was full? I guess Susan and her son have really brought things around in the last few years. It was never full when her brother ran it. Anyway, we did find a cottage available here at Charming Inn. It’s… okay.” Her mother gave a small shrug.

  She bit her tongue, wanting to spit out that Charming Inn was wonderful and, well, charming. But she stayed silent. She’d learned long ago it was better not to disagree with anything her mother said. Belle Island Inn was lovely, but Charming Inn and Cottages he
ld a special place in her heart. It was where she’d spent hours and hours growing up, always accepted by Lil, always welcome.

  “We’re staying in the Teal Cottage. Like a color is good for a cottage name?” Eva laughed. “We wanted the large four-bedroom cottage, but it wasn’t available. We’re in a tiny two-bedroom cottage and it’s very cramped. Who knew this island would become so… crowded. I hope it’s not too touristy now.”

  She knew for a fact the teal cottage was spacious and airy. And she guessed she wouldn’t mention that she was the one who’d decorated it.

  “So, what have you been up to since you got here?” Her father leaned back in his chair.

  “Doing some work. Painting.”

  “Have you looked for a job yet?” He eyed her over his glass of scotch.

  She considered what her best option was here. She could say she was busy painting—which she was—or say she was looking for a job just to keep them happy. Before she could answer, Lil came out on the deck and walked over to them.

  She held out a glass of red wine to Charlotte. “Here, try this. I always value your opinion on red wine. It’s a new one I’m thinking of adding to the menu.” Lil turned and smiled graciously at her mother and father. “Charlotte is quite the help around here. She jumped in when I was a bit indisposed and helped with the remodeling of two of our cottages. Painting, picking out furniture and painting it. They turned out lovely. Your daughter is very talented.”

  Please don’t tell them I did the teal cottage. She sent thoughts winging over to Lil. The last thing she needed was her family to critique her work on that cottage. Which she thought turned out darling.

  And she could have jumped up and hugged Lil for her support, but instead, she accepted the offered red wine and took a sip. “Oh, this is very nice. A hint of black cherry, but still very dry. I like it.”

  Lil beamed. “Good, that’s what I thought. I think I’ll add it to our wine list.” Lil turned and waved at some other customers sitting across the deck. “I better go say hi to Julie and Reed. I can’t believe Reed talked Julie into taking the night off. You remember Julie, don’t you? She owns The Sweet Shoppe here in town.”

  “Vaguely.” Her mother shrugged that dismissive shrug that Charlotte was beginning to get annoyed at.

  Nice, Mom. Really nice.

  “Of course you do,” Charlotte said. “She makes those wonderful blueberry muffins and pecan pie and… well, lots of great things.” She didn’t know why she had to defend the people of Belle Island to her mother, but she did.

  “Mother and I don’t eat many sweets.” Eva took a dainty sip of her white wine.

  Fine, the more for me. She pasted on a fake smile and looked at her watch. How long could this happy hour go on?

  “Well, enjoy your dinner.” Lil smiled and walked over to Julie and Reed.

  Charlotte looked longingly after her, wishing she could escape over to the other side of the deck, plop down by Julie, and have a nice chat. About muffins, or pies, or the weather. She didn’t care. Just over there and not over here.

  “I heard the dining room here has expanded and they have a new cook, thank goodness. Do you think the food is any good?” her mother asked with a bit of a scowl on her face.

  “It’s delicious.” She clasped the end of the armrest.

  “I hope it’s passable. Though we can go to Magic Cafe, of course. The view is nice there, too and the food is okay.” Eva set her drink on the table.

  Charlotte looked from her father, to her mother, to her sister. Who were these people? Such snobs. So negative. If they weren’t family, she’d never have them in her life. How could she be from the same genes?

  She stood. “Let’s go see if our table is ready.” She grabbed her red wine and left the white wine sitting on the table on the deck.

  Chapter 5

  Ben looked up from his table where he was contemplating ordering some of Jay’s chicken-fried steak. He still hadn’t gotten around to grocery shopping since he’d been back, so he’d headed to the inn for dinner.

  Charlotte walked in the room with her family. Eva was striking, as always. She seemed to sweep the attention of the customers toward her as she entered. Charlotte looked… pale.

  He watched while the Duncans made their way to a table by the window with a great view of the gulf. Mr. Duncan held out a chair for his wife, then Eva. Charlotte sank into her own chair, unassisted.

  He remembered that Charlotte’s parents had always favored Eva. That fact had been obvious to everyone in town. Charlotte looked a bit beaten down tonight. Without really thinking, he jumped up and crossed over to their table.

  “Hi.” He stood beside their table.

  “Ben Hallet. How are you?” Eva gave him her famous dazzling smile.

  He didn’t let it affect him. Much.

  “Ah, Ben. How are you?” Mr. Duncan reached out and shook his hand.

  “I’m doing fine, thanks.”

  Mrs. Duncan seemed to be busy with her menu.

  “I heard you were coming to town to visit Charlotte.” He glanced at Charlotte and smiled. She sent him a weak smile in return.

  “Oh, it’s not really to visit Charlotte. We just decided Belle Island would be a nice place to vacation since we used to live here,” Eva said.

  He blinked, not sure he’d heard correctly. “Oh… ah…”

  Charlotte sent him a warning look.

  “Well, we’re sure glad that Char moved back to the island,” he insisted.

  “Charlotte is only here for a visit.” Mrs. Duncan finally looked up from the menu.

  “Oh, I thought it was a permanent move. You know, as permanent as anything is these days.”

  “Temporary.” Mr. Duncan nodded. “So, would you like to join us, son?”

  Mrs. Duncan sent her husband a glare, which cinched the decision for him.

  “Love to.” He slipped into the seat beside Charlotte. She looked at him in surprise. “I was just getting ready to order Jay’s chicken-fried steak.”

  Eva scrunched up her nose. “Really? That’s… an interesting choice.”

  “Best on the island.”

  Charlotte was glad for the interference from Ben, but was he crazy? Why would he volunteer to have dinner with her family?

  “I think I’ll have the chicken-fried steak, too,” she said in solidarity.

  “Fish is better for you,” her mother said pointedly.

  “But the chicken-fried steak sounds delicious.” She set down her menu, hoping to end the discussion.

  They placed their orders and sat chatting about the weather. Okay, that was safe.

  “So, Ben, what do you do these days?” her mother asked.

  “I’ve taken over my father’s business.”

  “Oh, you’re a boat mechanic?” Eva asked.

  Charlotte glared at her sister. “No, he owns a chain of marinas up and down the coast.”

  Ben leaned back in his chair, unaffected by Eva’s remark. “I do some repairs. Dad taught me everything I know about boats.”

  “Well, isn’t that interesting?” her mother asked without a bit of sincerity.

  “I’m sure it’s a big responsibility running all of that.” Charlotte nodded at Ben, hoping he didn’t just up and leave her alone with her family.

  “It is. Didn’t expect to run it this soon, but after Dad got sick… well, it fell to me to take over.”

  “We should talk about something more cheerful.” Eva interrupted the conversation. “Do you have any boats we could go out on? I haven’t boated since we moved away.”

  “We have a few.” Ben didn’t even blink at the change of conversation.

  “So, would you take me out boating?” Eva batted her eyes at Ben.

  Seriously? Batting her eyes?

  As expected, Ben fell under her spell. “I think I could work out something.”

  “Perfect. Maybe we could all boat out to Blue Heron Island?” Eva sent Ben one of her famous smiles that seemed to make all men do her b
idding.

  “I’m sure Ben is busy working. He just got back in town.” She gave him an out.

  “No, I can fit it in this week. We’ll make a day of it. A picnic out to Blue Heron Island. How does that sound? I’ll get Jay to make us up a picnic lunch.”

  “Perfect.” Eva clapped her hands and smiled, pleased she’d gotten her way.

  Of course, she’d gotten her way. She always did. With a flip of her blonde hair—that never seemed to lose its perfect curls—and a flash of her dazzling smile, the world parted for her and did as she commanded.

  Eva turned to her. “You’ll come with us, right?”

  More of a statement again, rather than a question. So, she was going to be included?

  “I can probably make time.”

  “You aren’t really doing anything now, are you?” Her mother did one of her so-irritating dismissive shrugs.

  “I’ve been busy painting,” she insisted.

  “Right. So you’re not busy.” Eva added.

  Charlotte reached for her red wine and decided the best course of action to get through the meal was to just keep quiet.

  Keep quiet and sip red wine.

  Chapter 6

  Charlotte escaped as soon as possible after their dinner was over, begging off with a headache she didn’t really have.

  She walked out onto the wide front porch of the inn and took in a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves and wash away all memory of tonight’s dinner. Well, that was one day down of her family’s trip to town. Only six more to go.

  “Char?”

  She turned at the sound of her name. “Hey, Sara.”

  “I’ve been hanging around, waiting for your dinner to finish. I wanted to see how it went.”

  “About as expected. I was told a litany of things I’m doing wrong, jobs I should go after, and, well, my clothing choices could be better.”

  “Oh, Char, I’m sorry.”

  “I’m used to it. And Eva sat there charming Ben with her stories. I swear every man in the dining room under ninety was staring at her. Heck, even men over ninety stare at her.”