by Blue,Marina
Knox looked over. “Honestly. How could I possibly forget that night?”
Melody blushed, and got off the bike. She thought of that night, and their illicit ride up to the lighthouse. The day was so long ago. But the way the sun shone, and the sea air blew, it could’ve been yesterday. “Some things never change.”
Knox stood up, walked over, and opened the ice cream parlor’s door. “Let’s hope that’s true.”
Melody smiled again, then walked inside. The place was just like she remembered it. Three different shades of pink, along with shining silver, ran around the parlor, making it feel like a place transported from the fifties. The jukebox in the corner was playing some Buddy Holly, and the booth that Knox and her used to sit in was empty. They made their way there, sat down, and looked at the menus.
“Wow, the food’s still the same,” she said.
“Everything’s still the same,” Knox said. “Even-”
“As I live and breathe, Melody Song!” The woman was standing a few feet away in khaki pants, a white shirt, and red apron.
“Hi Tara,” Melody said. “It’s nice to see you.”
“Not as wonderful as it is to see the favorite daughter of Craving Cove. I heard you’d come back home. Here for good?” Tara said.
“Not sure,” Melody said.
Tara swatted Knox’s arm. “You hear that? She’s not anchored in harbor just yet.”
Knox smiled. It wasn’t authentic. “I’m aware. But hopeful.” He looked at Melody. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” And he stood up and walked to the restroom.
Tara watched him go. “Men and their hope.” Tara shook her head. “Are you going to break his heart again?”
“I don’t know, Tara. Are you going to try to steal him again?”
“I did no such thing! And besides, every woman in the cove’s sweet on that one,” she said. “Now, while I have no hard feelings, I do have a full station. So do you want the usual?”
“I think that would be great,” Melody said.
“Two malts. One fries. Good for you.” Tara scribbled on her service pad. “Eating like that with your figure and age! I wish I was so carefree.” Then she turned around, and walked away.
Melody watched her go, suppressing the urge to throw something at her old rival. But instead, she reached into her purse, and pulled out the magazine she’d taken from Pearl's. As she opened it up, a letter fell out, and landed on the table. Melody picked it up and read it.
Dear Mrs. Pearl Kemp, We regret to inform you…
She devoured the words quickly, and when she finished the correspondence, Knox returned. “What’re you reading?”
Melody sighed. “It’s a letter from the bank. It says that the Coeur de Mer is behind on the mortgage, and that it might be seized.”
“Yeesh.” Knox sat down. “That’s not good. But still, are you sure you should’ve read that? Pearl values her privacy.”
“She gave me the magazine, and the letter was open. She probably wanted me to see it.”
“Now you know you’re lying to yourself. It’s probably safer if you just give both back to her, and don’t say a word.”
Tara returned with the plate of fries and two malts. “Here you go, enjoy.”
“Thanks,” Knox said.
Melody ignored her, and grabbed a fry. “Don’t say anything? I don’t know if I can do that.”
Knox smiled. “Same old Melody Song. So what do we do? Organize a bake sale? Fun run? Put on an Ocean Frolic?”
“First we finish these malts, then we go to the bank. I want to speak with Mr. Talbot.”
“His kid runs the place now.”
“Harrison?” Melody said. “That’s good news.” Maybe she’d be able to work something out so her surrogate mother could keep her home. Though maybe not. Fortunately, she still had a large settlement lined up from her divorce. But could she get it in time to help Pearl hold on to the place where Melody grew up, and became a woman?
She didn’t know. But still, Melody made a promise to herself right there, that nobody but Pearl would ever own the Coeur de Mer.
Chapter 14
The local bank was gorgeous. The floor was white marble, with streaks of black running through it like storm clouds, and the ceiling was made of seven types of wood, inlaid in an intricate pattern. The tellers were sitting on the far wall, but the desks on the left were where Melody headed. Because seated at the one in the center was the man she was looking for.
Harrison Talbot.
His family had owned the bank for five generations. He was tall and lean, with a head full of chestnut curls. His gray suit was crisp, sharp, and precise, but it had a bright purple tie that stood out like a flower in a field. He was busy on his computer, but when he saw Melody he jumped to his feet. “Melody Song, how are you?” He walked around the desk and kissed her cheek.
Melody smiled, and said, “Hi Harry, I’m doing fine. It’s nice to see you.”
“Harry… Nobody calls me that anymore. It’s all Mr. Talbot these days.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Mr. Talbot. I’ll be sufficient pliant from now on.”
“Harry’s fine, but you’re hilarious. Have a seat. No, not here, in my office.”
The tall man led Melody back into a room with walnut furniture and an Oriental rug. “Have a seat.” Harry motioned to the chair in front of his desk as he sat. “I heard you were back, I’m so happy to see you! Heard you were singing on the beach last night.”
“What? How did you know?”
“It’s a small town, honey. Everyone talks. Especially a restaurant owner named Rudy. He said he heard some dulcet sounds from the beach, as if angel harps were plucked on earth. And since you’re home, I’m assuming that’s you.”
Melody waved him away. “Nobody cares about my singing.”
“Darling. Back in high school, all those musicals… they were sold out. That’s never happened before or since. You were this town’s pride and joy, just too self-conscious to ever realize it. Hell, you even befriended the town queen before being gay was so cool.”
“You’re from a very rich family, Harry. It wasn’t much of a rebellion.”
“True, cutie. But still, I’m right. I always am. But we can catch up at your next show. When is it?”
“I don’t think I’ll be doing any entertaining soon. Nowadays I’m just a housewife.”
“Pity. It could be like the old days, with you making me look cool in front of the rougher individuals populating this cove. Seriously, that kind of natural compassion is the reason everyone here loves you. Or hates you.” Harry leaned forward, and lifted a hand to his mouth as if the words coming out of it were a secret. “Though in my opinion, the ones who say they hate you are actually the ones who love you the most.”
“Now I know you’re crazy.”
Harry sat back. “Doesn’t mean I’m not right. Which I always am. Now, since I know one of your secrets, you want to hear one of mine? I’m dating Brian Murphy. Oh, I’m so glad I can finally tell someone!”
Melody was shocked. “Brian Murphy the reporter? I didn’t know he was-”
“Swinging on my side of the street? Let me tell you something, no man that handsome goes for the ladies. You see, women enjoy lots of different things about men. Like personality. And a sense of humor. And kindness. And strength. But men? Men enjoy seeing two things in prospective mates. Physical appearance. And themselves.”
Melody's jaw hung open. “You cad!”
“I am bit of a scoundrel.”
“So wait, if this is semi-secret why are you telling me?”
Harry smiled. “Pbbbt. You know how to keep a secret, and besides, I had to tell somebody!”
“How often do you see him?”
I have some big time out-of-town partners who I meet with every two weeks, and when I do, I stay over in the big city, and have a little fun, film at eleven. Though not as much fun as you had with Knox on the beach.”
“How do you hear about this stuff?
” Melody said.
“It’s a small town, honey. And you’re the talk of it. But while I could kibitz with you for days, especially about this impending divorce, you came here for something else, methinks.”
“Pearl's mortgage is-”
“I know.” Harry’s face fell. “Terrible, isn’t it? The Coeur de Mer has been around forever. My grandparents got engaged there. I wish I could do something.”
“You can’t?”
“Nothing I can think of.”
Melody sat back and pondered the possibilities. Then she said, “Well, what about an extension?”
“She had two already.”
“Refinance the loan?”
“Not with the amount owed.”
“How about a loan modification?”
“Afraid not.”
“Maybe some collateral?”
“She’s got nothing left.”
“What about a short refinance?”
Harry shook his head. “Not at this stage.”
“What if she fills out an I-17b? Maybe get some help from the state?”
Harry’s mouth dropped open. “Girl, for being, and I quote, just a housewife, you know a lot about banking. More than some of my employees.”
“My husband, soon to be former, dealt with financial lawsuits. Now that last one…”
“Won’t help her. An I-17 needs to be filed before the property falls into receivership. The only way out of this is to pay up.”
“Why can’t you just look the other way, aren’t you the bank?”
“I can’t do a thing. You know I mentioned those big city players? They’ve been backing my mortgages here. Buying up a ton of debt. Your aunt’s was one of them.”
Melody slumped in her chair. Then a question arose. “How much of the town’s mortgages do they own?”
“Just over half.”
“You sold over half the town’s debt to another firm?”
“Honey, this is banking. We were hit hard a few years back with the economic downturn, maybe you heard of it? Well, if we didn’t sell off some assets in a hurry, this bank would’ve gone under.”
“But that means they can move in and seize half the land.”
“Oh my no!” Harry straightened up in his seat. “So long as the owners are current they can’t do a thing. And even so, if they did get the land, most of the loans are for more than the town’s land is actually worth. They’d be ruined.”
“Oh,” Melody said. “That’s-”
“And besides, these are good people.”
“How do you know?”
“Well, it’s not just Pearl who’s behind in her payments. Lots of families are. And no one’s been kicked out or anything, so I wouldn’t be too nervous. Frankly, with that hurricane raging offshore right now, I’m glad to have some capitol on our side. I mean it’s turned and headed off the coast, but there could always be another. No, I’m glad to have The Coldwater Group invested in this town, they’re a lot more kindhearted than most banks. Including this one.”
“You’re kidding?”
“About men? Often. About money? Never.”
“Thanks.” Melody stood up. “But before I go, is there anything I can do to make sure she’ll keep the Coeur? I’m not comfortable with Pearl being in a position like this.”
“Well, if you want to guarantee the place stays with her you can always write a check for twenty-five grand in the next three days.”
Melody froze. “How about twenty?”
Harry pulled a bunch of papers out of his desk. “You’d still owe five. But it would go a long ways to helping. I can’t promise anything mind you, but I bet Coldwater would let a piddling five slide another couple of months. After all, it’s a drop in the bucket.”
“Then it’s a deal.” Melody reached into her purse and pulled out the card attached to her secret account. “Take this. Put the twenty on it. I’ll get the rest to you as soon as I can.”
Harry took her plastic. “You’re sure? This is a lot of money, and I can’t guarantee-”
“Just do it. I won’t let anyone but Pearl own that home. I’ll sell my car if need be.”
Harry nodded. “Ok, you’re the boss.” He stood up. “I’ll make it happen. Just be prepared to get some liquidity in case. Oh, and by the way, if you happen to sing again, tell your old friend Harry. I’d love to see you perform.”
“Flatterer,” Melody said.
After a few minutes Harry had transferred the money from Melody's account, completely depleting it, and then he returned her card. The two old friends traded warm goodbyes, and Melody left the bank.
Knox was waiting on his bike. “Did it go as you hoped?”
“Sort of,” Melody said. “But I need five grand more to bring the account current.”
“Maybe you can borrow it from your husband,” Knox said.
Melody shot him a gaze as cold as Arctic sea ice. “Even if I could, I wouldn’t.”
“Really?”
Melody icy gaze melted. “No. I would, but it won’t come to that. Though I do love that house.” She slipped her leg over the bike. “Can you take me to it?”
“Sure thing.” He pulled up his kickstand. “So where will you get that dough? Most of the cove’s tapped.”
“I can scare up five grand in a few days.” She squeezed him. “But if you should find the Grouse…”
Knox’s smile fell off his face. “I was thinking about spending more time on land.”
Melody realized what she’d just said. “Oh no, I didn’t mean you should… Don’t go sailing anytime soon. I like seeing you.”
Knox started his bike, and over its roar he yelled, “Me too. But it’s the same problem, by land or sea, all the treasures in my life work pretty hard at not being captured.”
Melody could hear the pain in his voice. The sadness. It wasn’t pathetic. Or maudlin. Knox even tried to hide it. But it was there, like a vein of ore in a mountain. Like a mountain under the sea. So she wrapped her hands around him, and squeezed tight. And kissed his back through the cotton shirt. Then she said, “Well, this treasure’s not going anywhere. At least until Pearl’s home is secure.”
Knox revved the throttle. “Great.” And he took the two of them back to the Coeur de Mer.
Chapter 15
“Was that Knox?” Pearl said. She was standing in her kitchen, wiping the counter. “I thought I heard a bike.”
“That was him. We spent some time in town.” Melody held up the notice from the bank. “But I think we should talk about this.”
Pearl’s jaw fell open. “Where did you get that?”
“It was tucked inside the magazine you gave me.”
“Well it’s none of your business, and you shouldn’t have looked at it.”
“If you don’t want me snooping then you should buy a bookmark.”
Pearl walked over, and snatched the letter. “Just mind your business.”
Melody looked concerned. “I thought you owned this outright. What’s going to happen to it if you can’t pay?”
“I’m not sure. But yes, I’ve owned it outright for years. It’s just… a house requires upkeep. So a few years ago I took out another mortgage to pay for some repairs, only with the economy being the way it is, and our rotten summer, I fell into debt, and it just sort of snowballed.”
“So when you said you were closed for repairs?”
“I wasn’t lying. The repairs were done.”
“But there’s no business since?”
“There’s been some,” Pearl said. “But not enough. Same as the rest of the cove. I just didn’t want you to worry.”
“Ok. I understand.” Melody tried to be as nonchalant as possible when she said, “Anyway, I paid off twenty grand of the debt.”
Pearl looked over. “Melody, how dare you!”
“Stop that. I know I’ve been gone, but this will always be my home and I won’t see it go to anyone else. Not now. Not ever. Besides, if this place goes under I’ll have nowhere to go.
”
“That’s doesn’t give you the right to-”
“Yell all you want, I don’t care! I was happy to do it, and I’m not sorry! Now you can deal with it, or you can cry about it, but either way it’s done.”
Pearl’s eyes were burning with rage. But a few seconds passed, and the flames died down. And she smiled. “Fine. It’s not like I can send you to your room anymore.” She walked over to Melody and threw her arms around her. “Thanks, angel. You always were amazing.”
“You’re the amazing one, Pearl. After everything you’ve done for me. And besides, there’s still five thousand left on the loan. And I don’t have any more money. I could sell my car, or ask a friend for it.”
Pearl let the younger woman go and wiped away a tear. “I don’t like accepting charity.”
“It’s not charity. It’s help. From a woman you raised, and who you opened your house to.” Melody looked around the home. “In fact, what’re we doing here with no visitors? We should be up to our eyes in them.”
“We?”
Melody shrugged. “You. I guess.”
“No, we is fine. Technically you’re now a partner in the Coeur de Mer.”
Melody smiled. “A partner. I like that. But if we’re not going to starve in this beautiful, old home, we’re going to need some tenants. Long term, or short.”
“That’s easier said than done, Craving Cove’s-”
“I know, and I don’t care. Now let me ask, what kind of marketing have you done for this place?”
Pearl pulled a funny face. “Mostly I hang a shingle out front that says we have a vacancy. Or, failing that, I mention it when someone calls me on the phone.”
“Neither one of those things is a bad idea, but let’s get serious for a moment. We have to start putting ourselves out there or we’re going to die.”
“Look who’s talking.”
“Ha ha. Come on, I got a friend in the business.” Melody grabbed her phone, and dialed Kat’s number.
In a prim, English voice she said, “Hello, Melody?”
“Hey Kat, how are you?”
“Wonderful. I was just about to call you. I looked into those reviews for the spots around Craving Cove, and I’m sorry, but they’re all legitimate. People apparently have had some criminal issues.”