Beach Winds

by Greene, Grace

  “Well, I am.”

  “Do you mind if I ask what you do for a living?”

  “Do? As in a job?”

  “Yes. You must have a very flexible employer if you can hang around here for several weeks without them complaining. Or maybe you took leave?”

  “I tried a couple of jobs, but they didn’t work out. Mostly, I do volunteer work. A little here, a little there.”

  “Isn’t it boring, staying at someone else’s house? With not much to do, I mean.”

  She shook her head. “It’s too far to keep driving back and forth. Besides—”

  “Besides what?”

  “I’m enjoying the break from Laurel.”

  Brian found himself pushing the salt shaker back and forth between his hands. He set it aside.

  “Am I getting too personal?”

  “Like I said, I don’t have any secrets. Other people, but not me.”

  “So you live at home?” He stopped short of adding still.

  Sigh. “I moved back home for a while and stayed. It’s only my…Laurel and me. She was lonely after father died. She asked me to live at home while I was going to college, so I did, but when I graduated, I insisted on striking out on my own and she was supportive, but, well, there were problems and I went back. I didn’t intend to stay with her, but you know how that is.”

  “How what is?”

  “Best laid plans.”

  “I do know how that is.” He did know and he knew how painful reality could be. He smiled but thought it probably looked forced, so he dropped the attempt. He sat back abruptly as he realized the waitress had returned with his food.

  “Oh, wow. This looks good.” Fran picked up one half of the sandwich and blew on it lightly. “And hot.”

  “Now, what about you? Let’s talk about you for a change. I’m willing to bet that your life has been a lot more interesting than mine.” She bit into her sandwich like she was punctuating her sentence.

  “Me? Okay, fair is fair. I was married. We had a daughter. We divorced. She wanted the divorce, but in the end she did me a big favor.”

  “She has custody?”

  “Technically, we share custody.”

  “But she lives with her mom.”

  “My apartment is small. I’m not really set up for long term stays.” He chewed on his burger, seeing those lines between her eyes again. Knowing she wasn’t accepting or at least, not approving, his excuse.

  “When did you hurt your leg?”

  “After the divorce. Actually, so you know, we were in the middle of a fight over primary custody of Megan when it happened.” Maia had urged him to consider reconciling because Diane had changed her attitude. “We had a fight and I had a wreck. My rehab was long. Megan ended up with her mom.” After a pause, he ended with, “Since then, my life has been unsettled.”

  She seemed to be savoring the second half of the sandwich, not wolfing it down like the first half, yet her eyes stayed on his face as she listened. Big eyes. Eyes so dark blue, almost navy blue, almost black, yet the lights in them brought to mind the depths of the ocean when sunlight makes it through, pressing down through the deep water. Long lashes like…like he didn’t know what, but they gave her big, round eyes that should’ve looked innocent, a serious look. Mysterious. Yet, Fran was the least mysterious brunette he’d ever met. She was a puzzle, though, full of puzzling contradictions.

  “Life, huh? Nothing’s ever easy. And the easier it would seem to be, the messier it gets.”

  “Sorry. You lost me.”

  “Like me.” Fran pointed at herself. “I’ve had everything going for me my entire life, except for losing my dad, and yet I feel like I’m still waiting for it to start.”

  “Waiting for what to start?”

  “My life. I always have the sneaking suspicion that someone else, anyone else, would’ve done a better job with it.”

  Brian shrugged. “Maybe. But then it’s really about perspective, right? I mean, it’s about how you see it. Like the glass half-full, half-empty thing. Sometimes you have to find a better perspective to look at it from.”

  “Is that how it works for you?”

  “I do the best I can.”

  Frannie closed her eyes and groaned. Opening them, she said, “Sorry. I’m always saying the wrong thing.” She managed an embarrassed little chuckle. “Thank goodness this is just sharing food, and not a date.”

  Brian asked, “Not a date?”

  She gave him a funny little smile and tilted her head as she asked, “Is it? Is this a—”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Is this what?”

  A feminine voice startled them, maybe him more than her, she thought, because Brian almost jumped to his feet before he gathered his cool and sat back down.

  The woman leaned against the upright post of the booth and laughed. Petite and blonde, she wore jeans so tight that Frannie hurt for her.

  “Hello, Brian.” She waved her hand toward Frannie. “This is your new friend that Megan was telling me about?”

  “She’s my friend, yes.” He looked around. “Where’s Megan?”

  “Ladies room. Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

  “Fran, this is Diane.”

  Frannie tried not to stare. There was something a little past pretty about Diane—like a hard way of living that was about to eat away enough of her prettiness to age her, make her look worn. She blinked and looked away, and saw Megan as she came around the corner. Megan saw her mom and then saw who was seated in the booth. She did a quick stutter-step.

  Diane put her arm around Megan’s shoulders and pulled her in close. “Hey, Megan, say hello. Use your manners.”

  Megan looked wooden. Or maybe sullen. Far from friendly.

  “We’re on our way to do some shopping. We’ve got special plans. Isn’t that right, sweetie?”

  Brian’s face was turning dark. Frannie tried to break the tension.

  “You’ve got a lovely daughter, Diane. And smart.” She looked directly at Megan. “I hope you’ll come by soon so we can visit again.”

  Diane ignored her. “We have to be on our way now. Nice to meet you.” And they left.

  Had Megan been upset to see them together? She wouldn’t be the first kid to cherish the dream that her parents would get back together. She felt sad for Megan. If looks and behavior indicated anything at all, Brian was right—Diane had done him a favor by leaving him. It was sad that Megan was caught in the middle.

  “Sorry,” Brian said.

  “About what?” She was reluctant to assume. After all, it was possible he was sorry they’d been seen together.

  “Let’s drop it.” His good humor was gone. “Are you done?”

  Apparently, the fun was spoiled all the way around. In a really sick way, she was more comfortable with that than with everything going well. She was more comfortable with the half-empty glass.

  “No.” He said it so loud, it startled her.

  “No?”

  “She won’t win.” He hit the table, but gently. “We won’t let her spoil the day.”

  A small electrical charge tickled her spine. He’d found their time together good enough to be able to be spoiled. She asked, “What would you like to do?”

  “Let’s get out of here.”

  At that moment, she thought she’d follow him anywhere, but the feeling wouldn’t last. That was for sure.

  “If it was warmer I’d take you for a ride on my bike.” He looked like he was still considering it. “Come on.”

  “The bike—”

  “No, don’t worry. Follow me. We’ll drop the bike off at my place.”

  He signaled the waitress and handed her some bills, told her to keep the change, then helped Fran on with her coat and hustled her out. She could already feel her feet dragging with doubt.

  In the car, once again following in his wake, she started thinking of excuses to duck out on him. His energy seemed reckless. It made her uneasy. But also excited.

  *
***

  They left Morehead City and crossed the bridge back to the island. In an area along Atlantic Avenue where the live oaks grew thick and were entangled in masses of green growth more effective than a man-made privacy barrier, there were few houses to be seen, but only driveways, and they turned off onto one of them. It sloped up between the tall jungle-like hedges and emerged into an open area, landscaped to wintry perfection and complementing a large house.

  He’d said a small apartment, right? This place was substantial.

  He continued around the side. She followed and saw Will’s van parked next to a garage. A single story garage, but wide and deep. There were three wide garage doors and one of them lifted and Brian pulled his bike inside alongside a shiny, expensive looking SUV. As she drove around she saw the door and windows. His apartment was behind the garage.

  She’d planned to wait for him in her car, but instead she got out. The back yard was as private as the front, surrounded by wild hedges mixed with live oaks and pines. The house was buff-colored stucco with a slate patio. On the far side of the yard was a covered pool.

  The house looked and felt empty. Any outdoor furnishings were stowed away somewhere. The windows had a vacant feel.

  “I live in the garage apartment and keep an eye on things.”

  “It’s beautiful back here. Even this time of year. Absentee owners?”

  “Sure.”

  She did a three-sixty, slow and appreciative. “Very peaceful. Secluded.”

  “No one bothers me here.”

  Sad, somehow. She looked at his light blue eyes and the lines around them. Sad, maybe, but he didn’t look unhappy.

  “Would you like to come inside?”

  Inside? Instantly, her defenses flew up. She stepped away. “No, thanks.”

  “Hey, I didn’t mean anything. Relax.”

  She’d offended him. Maybe he hadn’t meant anything. She’d overreacted. “Sorry.”

  He laughed. “Don’t be. Wait here and I’ll get my other jacket. I don’t need this one if I’m not riding. It’s not that cold.”

  She watched him go. Her feet were cold. She could’ve gone inside. He wasn’t a monster. Not all men were. She shivered.

  Frannie walked up to the patio doors. With her hands cupped around her face, she could make out the dark forms of furniture, the occasional odd shape of a vase or a lamp, shadowed in the unlit interior. Uncle Will’s house might not be a match for this, but good things could also come in smaller packages. It only needed the right touch.

  “Boo.”

  She jumped and spun and found herself in Brian’s arms. Her reaction, the heart pounding and knees softening, were almost instantaneous and alarming. He tightened his arms, pulling her in close to his chest.

  For one long breathless moment, they held that pose, and then he smiled and slowly eased his arms away.

  “Steady?”

  Steady? Was that intended to steady her? “I’m fine.”

  “Glad to hear it.” He stepped back. “I have the key to the house. Would you like to take a look inside?”

  “No thanks.”

  He laughed.

  She was confused. And annoyed. He was playing games, toying with her.

  His phone rang. He looked at the screen and said, “Excuse me.” He stepped a few feet away. “Yeah?” A pause as the listened. “At the apartment.”

  Was she grateful or annoyed at the interruption? She waited, trying to figure it out.

  Brian said, “Can’t you get a tow or a mechanic?” Then, “I see. But….” He finished with, “Got it. Hold on.” He put his hand over the phone speaker and asked, “Change of plans? Maia needs help. She’s stuck at the gallery with a flat.”

  “Sure. No problem. I can get myself home.”

  “About twenty minutes.” He spoke into the phone and then returned it to his pocket. “The problem is that this late on a Saturday she can’t get anyone else.”

  “I understand, totally. Everyone should have someone who’ll rescue them when needed.”

  “Come with me. You can keep Maia company while I change the tire, otherwise, she’ll talk me to death.” He grinned. “She could distract me. I could be injured.”

  She laughed. “All right. I’ll drive.”

  She drove, but Brian ruled the car. He changed the station to country music and worked the invisible passenger side brake vigorously at every light. Her nerves were nearly fried by the time they arrived at the gallery.

  Brian guided her down the back alley. Maia’s car was parked close to the rear of the building. Customer parking was across the street in lots fronting the marinas. Back here there was only enough space for two, maybe three, cars.

  She must’ve been watching for him. She came out the back door, saying, “Hi! Hey there, Frannie. How’d he talk you into coming along? Not only along, but driving him?”

  She smiled and waved hello, then slid her hands in her pockets. She should’ve brought her gloves, but then she’d expected to be home long before this. It seemed ages had passed since she’d run into Brian at the rehab home. This felt awkward.

  Maia handed over her keys. Brian popped the trunk and Maia was right there telling him how to find the jack and going on about the spare and such. Brian was complaining that the way she’d parked left little room for him to work. He added, “Take Fran inside. She’s freezing.”

  Maia looked at him oddly. “You just want me to get out of your way. Frannie. Come on in. Let’s have some hot chocolate.”

  As soon as the door closed, Maia said, “Well?”

  “What?”

  “Hah.” Maia put the water kettle on to heat and pulled out the mugs and the packets of hot cocoa mix. “I sense an interesting story here.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, for one thing, Brian said he was at his apartment when I called him.”

  Her faced flamed. Maia’s insinuation mingled with the suspicions she’d had of Brian’s invitation to tour his apartment, and the house, like a couple of….

  “Uh oh. I guess I shouldn’t have asked?”

  “It’s nothing. We ran into each other while visiting Uncle Will.”

  “And?”

  “And we went out for a bite after.”

  “That’s nice.” Maia’s grin was aggravating and contagious. She turned her back to fix the hot chocolate and then brought the cups over to the table. She shrugged. “None of my business anyway.”

  “No, really. That’s all there was to it.” Frannie sat back. “Oh, I see. You’re joking.”

  Maia laughed. “I am. I’m sorry. I’m almost giddy. It’s so wonderful to see Brian interested in someone. And this time, it’s someone nice.”

  “Really, it was food.”

  “Maybe for you, but Brian doesn’t hang out with anyone whose company he doesn’t enjoy, not man or woman. You’ve got his attention.”

  “I didn’t ask for it.”

  Maia tilted her head and looked at Frannie questioningly. “Not the response I was expecting. Truly, I wasn’t suggesting you were chasing him. Heaven knows, he’s no catch. I mean, I’m his sister and I love him, but he’s way more trouble than he’s worth if someone’s only looking for a boyfriend or a good time.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “He’s had a rough few years.” After a pause, she added, “As I told you before, some of it’s my fault.”

  Possible replies flitted through Frannie’s brain—not your fault, people are responsible for their own decisions—seemed the best, but she didn’t give any of them voice. She decided to let the moment rest.

  Maia sighed. “I promised Brian not to interfere again. Yet, listen to me teasing you. I like the idea that you and he are getting along. It’s good for him. I hope it’s good for you.” She waved her hands. “And now I wash my hands of it. If I butt into your business again, you have my official permission to throw something at me.”

  Frannie pictured herself throwing something at Maia, maybe a pillow, and broke into giggles.

  Mai
a eyed her suspiciously, and said, “I’m thinking you look like a girl with a secret.”

  She laughed. She laughed so hard, she clutched her middle and tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Maia laughed, too, and Frannie laughed at Maia laughing.

  As the laughter wound down, she picked up her hot chocolate and raised the mug high, saying, “To secrets—every girl should have a few.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  He shouldn’t have let his temper get the better of him. When Diane appeared and threw her special brand of poison around, he should’ve kept it cool, but Fran had been a good sport. He’d been enjoying testing her defenses until Diane interrupted. He wasn’t sure why he enjoyed teasing Fran. There was something about her that begged for….what?

  Something in her eyes. And her kindness to Megan. And an attraction he felt for no good reason that showed how bad his judgment was. First, Diane. A disaster. Now Fran, a woman who was as screwed up he was, but at least he knew she wouldn’t harm a flea. She’d be more likely to get eaten up by them and then blame herself for not wearing bug spray.

  Out there at the house, he’d almost kissed her. Instinct had pulled him back. What was it about her? His instinct had told him ‘not yet’. Maybe never. Two screwed up people weren’t likely to equal a whole.

  He pushed up to his feet. His thigh has suffered from the kneeling and the cold. Not too bad, though. Curiosity helped him move along faster. The laughter was so loud it came right through the door. Sounded like he was missing a party.

  Maia had better not repay his help with interference. Not only did he not want it, but when in full form, Maia’s matchmaking could be heavy-handed. It would scare off someone as skittish as Fran in a heartbeat.

  Not sure why he cared. But he did.

  He secured the jack in the trunk and rolled the flat around to the back of the car. He hoisted it into the trunk and then slammed the trunk closed with his elbow and headed toward the door. His hands were grimy.

  As he entered he heard Maia say, “Have you thought about looking for her?”

  Fran said, “I have. I don’t know where to begin. I thought about hiring a private investigator but I have so little to tell him. I don’t know if I should…or even if I want to.”