by Blue,Marina
“I was just about to,” Melody said.
The sheriff nodded sagaciously. “Yeah. Ok then. Here, I don’t think they took your cards or money. Which I find strange. But anyway, be careful. I’ll go write up the report. And Melody…”
“Yes?” Melody took her purse.
“Be more… reserved. If you can. You’re not in your twenties anymore.” Then the sheriff walked back to his car and left.
“Reserved?” Pearl said. “What’s that supposed to mean? And how come you didn’t tell me you were attacked?”
“I forgot for obvious reasons. But he’s right, everything’s still in my purse. So that’s a bonus. So how long’s Jerry been sheriff?”
“A few years now.” Pearl leaned back.
“You know he asked me out about ten times.”
“I did. Did you know that I used to pay half of what everyone else on the block did for a mown lawn because he wanted to watch you sunbathe while he worked?”
Melody smiled. “No!”
“Yes!” Pearl turned back to the ocean. “Saved me hundreds over the years.”
“I’m glad to have been of service.”
Pearl nodded slowly. “So, you were mugged, huh?”
“Almost. Thanks to Knox.”
Pearl shook her head. “When I told you to get some crazy in your life, I didn’t mean crime.” Pearl tsked. “You know, I’ve been hearing more and more stories like that, mostly from my boarders. When they were here.”
“Has Jerry found any of the culprits yet?” Melody said.
“Not that I’ve heard. But I’m sure it’s not for lack of trying. It could be outsiders coming in to make a quick buck. Last year there was a string of car break-ins. But even back then, just like now, it wasn’t something that hit the locals directly.”
“I’m not a local,” Melody said.
Pearl looked over. “We’ll see.”
Chapter 11
“They failed, sir,” the counselor said.
Sinton Waters, standing next to his pool in his bathing suit, pulled the phone back, and threw it off the rooftop of the building. The black plastic twisted and tumbled through the air as it plummeted towards the street below. Then, seething, Waters stormed to the table and hit the button on his intercom. The line was reopened, and he said, “Are you kidding me, Goat? Three road agents, men of ill temper, were bested by a single woman?”
“Actually, she’s not single. Melody Brooding’s still married.”
“You know what I meant, Goat. How did this happen?”
“I can’t say exactly. There were reports of her being assisted by a local treasure hunter named Knox.”
“Knox what?”
“Just Knox. No last name, like Beyoncé or-”
“Shut up.” Waters pounded the desk. “So we have a woman, a potential troublemaker, who’s gathered reinforcements, handled three of your men, and if she discovers my plot, could bring the town together to oppose my deal? Is that what you’re saying?”
The counselor was quiet. The silence came out the intercom like fog off the water. Finally, he said, “In so many words, sir? Yes. But it’s still a long shot. As you know, Coldwater already holds over fifty percent of the town’s private debt in the form of mortgages through the local bank, and with the way the season’s progressing it’s doubtful they’ll be able to bounce back before we start evicting everyone.”
Waters pinched the bridge of his nose. “Very well. So in your opinion, what should be done?”
“Nothing,” the counselor said. “I think we should let her get bored. After a few weeks, she’ll be gone, and the plan will proceed.”
Waters straightened up. And looked towards the western horizon again. The bank in Craving Cove was privately owned, but its records were public. Anybody could take a look at what was happening there. And while his plans were well hidden, an intelligent person could see it all clearly. All they had to do was look. Sinton Waters shook his head. “No, that’s not what we’ll do. If she’s even the slightest threat to the deal then she needs to go. Too much is at stake, and too much rests on public opinion to have someone who can sway it against us to remain there. The town had its worst season last year. I want it to be even worse this year. She needs to go.” Waters paced. And thought. Then he said, “Tell me, where’s she staying.”
“The Coeur de Mer.”
“Do we hold papers on that property?”
“Yes, sir. That one’s on our red list. The owner’s behind on her mortgage.”
Another moray eel smile surfaced on Waters’ face. “Very good, then-”
“I’m sorry to interrupt, sir. But there’s more.”
“Go on.”
“Well, the owner’s Pearl Kemp. When Melody was a girl her parents died, and Pearl stepped in as her guardian. She was a close family friend, and practically raised Melody.”
The slippery grin cutting Waters’ face open grew even more jagged. “That’s excellent news. I have a plan. Listen carefully…”
Waters laid out his strategy. It was one that he’d used before, on countless people, countless times, and it had never failed.
When he finally finished, the counselor said, “So we move on two fronts: physical and financial.”
“Yes,” Waters said, “but don’t forget emotional. One thing you must always remember about women is that they lack the intellect to engage men like me. Instead, they rely on emotion to carry the day. We’ll use this. Do you have any questions?”
The counselor swallowed. “No, sir. I understand completely.”
“I hope that’s not hesitation I hear?”
“It’s not… I’m with you one hundred percent, sir.”
“Of course you are. You’ll be ruined if this venture fails,” Waters said. “Now get to work!” And he hung up.
Waters took the private elevator one floor down to his office. As he stepped into it, the bracing cold hit him like a wave. He pushed through the shivers, and walked over the Persian rug, past the oak bookcases, and stopped at the massive wooden desk, where his black suit hung.
He began to dress, and as he did he looked up at the large portrait on the wall. It was of him. As a young man. He was streamlined. With eyes so dark they were almost black. He stood behind a seated woman. She had both gray hair and a warm smile. She’d been kind. Sweet. She’d left the company a few years after Sinton joined it, leaving all of her shares to Mr. Waters. Even though they were family, many people thought it was odd.
But Sinton Waters wasn’t one of them.
He looked up and nodded to his old partner, the company’s founder, and his aunt. Physical violence, financial pressure, and emotional manipulation… It’s a good plan. One that’s worked countless times. On countless people. But you were the first…
Chapter 12
Melody had finished breakfast, and was sitting peacefully in the living room, reading a book she’d borrowed from the collection that sat over the fireplace. It wasn’t getting her attention though, and she kept looking back up to the picture over the mantle where a raging storm whipped the green flag of a doomed ship.
“Thinking about Knox?” Pearl said. She was standing in the kitchen doorway.
Melody snapped to. “I was. Yeah. How did you know?”
“Because that painting, you’re staring at it like it’s him.”
Melody looked at the old watercolor. “The Foundering Grouse…”
“Yes it is. But I say ignore the shipwreck full of Spanish gold, you’re not planning on sitting here all day, are you?”
Melody tossed the book onto the coffee table, and picked up a magazine there. “I might be.”
“Melody Song, I didn’t let you waste days like this back in high school, and I won’t see you lose one now. I want you out of this house immediately. And don’t come back until sundown. Shoo!”
Melody got to her feet. “Fine, fine. I’m going.” Melody held the magazine up. “But I’m taking this with me.”
“Go on, rot your br
ain with celebrity gossip. Just do it outside.”
Melody tucked the magazine into her purse. “Fine by me.” And walked out the door.
The sun was bright and strong. And the breeze was warm. Perfect for the beach. But it was also perfect for window shopping, which is what Melody was going to do. She started down the road towards the center of town. It would be a two and half mile walk, but it was one she’d done a thousand times.
She started out with the mind to do it quickly, but barely got a full block before a volcano’s rumbling stopped her. She turned around, and coming down the road was a familiar black motorcycle, and an oak of a man on its back. Knox was in a white t-shirt that accentuated the tattoos on his forearms and made their blues and purples jump out even from a block away. He had another pair of jeans on, though this one still strained to contain the thick thighs beneath. And as he pulled over, his big, black boots pumped the brake.
“Need a lift?” he said.
Melody looked at him. “I was thinking about walking.”
He extended his hand. “If you like, you can walk back.”
Melody looked towards the Coeur de Mer. Then she took Knox’s hand, threw a leg over his beast, and sat on the motorcycle’s saddle. She slipped both hands around his waist. It was like the firm trunk of a tree, and she pulled in tight.
The smell of Knox filled her nose, overpowering the salt and honeysuckle in the cove’s air. He smelled like clean soap and dirty thoughts. But mostly there was that leather and salt scent he put off, like an animal’s pheromones. It mixed with the dry heat that emanated from his muscular back like his flesh was hot, summer asphalt, and made her head spin.
“You ready?” he asked over his shoulder.
She shook the dizziness away and said, “Always.”
Knox revved his engine sending vibrations, just like the night before, up through the sheer fabric of Melody’s panties. As they took off, the humming between her legs grew stronger. The leather that pressed against her pussy was warm. And it shook at just the right pitch. She couldn’t help but squeeze her thighs tighter around Knox’s hips, and pull even harder against his thin, firm waist.
And while it was supposed to be a short trip, when they got to the center of town, Knox kept driving.
Though Melody was enjoying every mile of the ride, she said, “Where are we going?”
Over the loud wind Knox replied, “I want to show you some things,” and gunned his engine.
The bike leapt forward like a powerful, black stallion, and the two of them practically flew. Knox pointed his front tire towards the road leading out of the cove, and began taking the long, winding stretch up towards the tunnel that emptied into to the real world. As they went, the large machine continued to shake and vibrate, sending sensations up through Melody’s seat. And a warm, wet pleasure there built. Melody’s head began to spin. “Are we going to the lighthouse?”
“Not today,” Knox said. “Rain check?”
Melody squeaked, “Ok.” She kept her composure, and looked at the valley below. It began to shrink. As did the homes, the pier, and the lighthouse. But the hot sensation pressing up from beneath her grew.
“Oh God, don’t stop… This is amazing!” Melody bit her lip, slid her hands down to the inside of his thick thighs and pulled hard, grinding against him, and the beautiful, hard power that was firmly nestled between her legs. “Whatever you do, don’t stop!” It was like a sex toy with wheels. The humming vibrations were unstoppable. And for the second time in twelve hours, Melody came like a cannon.
Knox came to a stop on the side of the road, a few yards from the tunnel, and looked out over the cove. “Yeah. It’s incredible, right?”
Melody was panting. “Yeah. It’s great. I love it.”
He smiled. And looked back at her. “Me too. You know, I feel so at home in the ocean, but sometimes I come up here to just look at the land. It really is a miracle.”
Melody took a second to compose herself. Then she finally looked down to what Knox was talking about. “You’re right. It’s gorgeous.” The greens were bright. The houses, too. Everything sparkled.
“You know, I hope you stay,” Knox said. There was something in his voice. Something small, and scared. Melody could sense it, but didn’t know what it was.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be,” she said, and hugged him tight. “But as of right now, I have no plans on leaving.”
“Really?” Knox said with hope in his voice.
“Right now, I don’t even know why I left.”
Knox turned around, and looked her in the eyes. “Listen, I’ve been meaning to ask you something. I wanted to when I dropped you off, but… well…”
“What is it?”
“Why did you leave without a word? I mean, no explanation, no goodbye. Nothing.”
Melody sighed deeply. The memories came flooding back to her. “Stupidity. I was stupid. And I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of missing out on life. You grow up in a town like this, practically cut off from the world, and you wonder what’s out there. I wanted to go do something big. Like huge. I’m sorry I hurt you, but believe me, I was crazy about you, but I was frightened, too. I knew I couldn’t tell you face-to-face, that I needed to see what else was out there. I couldn’t do that to you. So I just left.”
Knox nodded. But his eyes had sadness in them.
Melody saw it, and said, “I know you can’t believe this, but it was just supposed to be for a little while. I needed to taste the world. Just a little bit. To see what I was missing. I just wanted to spread my wings, before building my nest here.”
“And?”
“And after a few months I knew I’d made a mistake. I wanted to come back, to ask for your forgiveness, but I was scared. And I was embarrassed. Ashamed. I didn’t think you’d take me back. I knew you wouldn’t…”
All Knox did was nod. These wounds were scarred over now, but back when they were fresh, and he was desperate to contact her, he knew he’d have been harsh to her. And to his credit, he said, “That’s probably right.”
Melody looked down, and a tear broke free from her eye. “I didn’t know what I had until it was too late. I was young. And just plain stupid. And I thought, I knew, it was too late to get it back. Then a year or so later, I met William, and it was all glitz and money. He had a good job. And I felt that I’d already lost the love of my life… I didn’t want to make another mistake like that, and end up alone. So instead of coming back, and fighting for what I really wanted, I settled. And made the biggest mistake of all.”
Knox grabbed Melody’s chin, and lifted until they were looking at one another. “I wish you’d reached out. Called me at some point. Just to let me know how you were.”
“What was I going to say? That I’m sorry I betrayed you and left without a word. And hey, I married the next guy I met? It took me years to realize how badly I behaved, and by then I figured you’d moved on. And hated me. When I finally contacted Pearl again, too much time had passed, so I forbade her from ever telling you where I was, or talking about you to me. I hoped you were happy. But I couldn’t face what I’d done.” Melody sighed. “I’m just so, so sorry.”
Knox nodded. “You know, Pearl told me about you. Eventually.”
Melody looked shocked. “What?”
“Don’t be mad. She held out for years, but eventually she gave in. It was a kindness. I hated you for a long time, but after a while it hurt less. Besides, I know what you mean. Craving’s perfect, but it’s small. And if you haven’t been to other places, it’s hard to see how amazing it truly is.”
“I can’t believe you don’t hate me still.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t still angry. And frankly, last night was more passion than sense, but I still have strong feelings for you, Melody Song. I still love you deeply. And I’m sorry how things worked out for you. Like I said, I’ve been hurt and angry forever, but I always hoped you were happy.” With a tender finger, K
nox moved a strand of hair that had fallen over Melody’s face, and tucked it behind her ear. “And I’m sorry you aren’t.”
Melody stared at Knox. And wiped a tear from her eye before it could grace her cheek. “I’m happier now. Happier than I’ve been in years.”
“Me too. But that leads me to my next question. You know my goal is to find the Grouse, right? I think about it all the time.” He looked past the town, at the wide, blue ocean. “That ship’s somewhere out there, and I’m going to find it. Someday. What I want to know is, what do you want?”
Melody looked at the ocean, too. At the waves coming in. Then she looked at Knox. His eyes, with their deep blue hue and specks of silver, were more beautiful than the sea itself. She was going to say, “You.” But instead, she said, “I don’t know. So much has happened to me. I’m still not divorced.”
“Are you planning on it?”
“Oh, God yes! I’m never going to run back to William. But all I’ve been is Mrs. Brooding for a decade and a half. Right now, I want to be Melody Song. And find out what I really want. I’m sorry, I know that’s not what you want to hear, but I promise, I won’t abandon you again the way I did before.”
“Good,” Knox said. “I don’t think I could handle that.” He reached back, and cupped her face in his hand.
Melody tilted her head, closed both eyes, and opened her mouth. The two of them kissed. The rough hands caressed her cheek smoothly, and both their tongues twisted and played.
After a few seconds, they pulled apart. “You know what else I want?” Melody said.
“Name it,” Knox said.
“I want a malt.”
Knox smiled. “Just like old times… You know, The Perfect Sundae’s still open.”
Melody lit up. “Come on, let’s go.”
Chapter 13
Melody and Knox rode back into the valley, and parked outside of the classic ice cream parlor on Ocean Way. In front of it sat a pink bicycle with a basket. Melody said, “You know, I can’t believe that pink bicycle’s still here. Remember when we stole it?”