The veil of sadness seemed to lift from Audrey’s eyes, then tiny crinkles formed at their corners, quickly followed by the grin he so loved and always came to mind when he thought of her.
“I fell into your arms—literally,” she said, and laughed. “There are a lot of people who will forever remember my spectacular moment on the escalator every time they walk by.”
Mack grabbed her and pulled her close as their laughter continued. “And I’ll be one of them. It’ll top my ‘best of’ list for the rest of my life, guaranteed.”
****
It was dark, and Audrey felt exhausted, both emotionally and physically. She peered at the front door, confirmed the number on the faded yellow house, and pulled Mack’s behemoth F350 Ford pickup truck into the driveway. He lived on a quiet street without sidewalks in Rockport, Texas, forty-five minutes up the coastline from the airport.
Audrey took a moment to take in the scene and consider what this might tell her about Mack. Most of the other homes she passed were similar to his, simple variations on a Craftsman/bungalow theme. The “grass” looked like a mix of tough, saw-tooth blades and sand, and she doubted it needed a lot of maintenance. There were different sorts of palm trees all over the yard and everywhere along the street, which, as their branches gently moved with every puff of ocean breeze, lent a calm, magical feel to the evening.
The whole effect spoke of simple, unpretentious beauty. It seemed to be the kind of place where everyone knew their neighbor and cared about their lives, and she decided it fit Mack to a T.
She hopped out, grabbed her bags, and slid Mack’s house key into the lock. The door swung open and she flipped on a light. On a small table near the door, a pile of mail waited to be read, but what caught her attention, what greeted her the moment the light came on, was a beautifully framed “selfie” Mack had taken of the two of them during the Christmas Ship Parade.
“Wow.”
This was not staged. He’d had no idea she would be in his home, and it overwhelmed her to realize he put it there so she—so they—would greet him every time he returned home.
She took a deep breath, closed the door, and decided to take a tour of the house.
Mack’s home.
It was simply, although not sparsely, furnished. Everything seemed old, but comfy and well cared for. The floors were tile, the many windows stretched floor-to-ceiling, and the floor plan was open and casual. To the right of the door were an office, a powder room, and beyond that, a nicely appointed kitchen. In front of her, a great room opened onto a vast patio, and beyond that, sea grass waved over dunes, which in turn led to the water’s edge, perhaps one hundred yards distant. She knew there were barrier islands all along this part of the coast, but she couldn’t see them in the dark, so she turned from the windows and resumed her tour.
She followed a hallway to the left of the front door, where she found a guest room with a full bath and private patio on the side of the house, and the master suite, which, like the great room, faced the ocean and accessed the main patio.
She flicked on the light, put her bags on the rumpled, king-sized bed, and smiled at the bedside table, where there was a framed picture he’d taken on Christmas Day. Winston, Mack’s always-happy English Setter, had decided she needed a big kiss and launched himself onto her lap. Mack caught the moment when her head was tilted back and she was laughing her head off.
For some inexplicable reason, these photos of her scattered across the house made an emotional lump the size of Texas form in her chest.
This is real, Audrey. We are real. And she needed to start thinking about what to do with her life, in order to allow “we” to happen. What had the old woman on the plane said? “We’re only allotted so much love in a lifetime, and one mustn’t waste that time being separated or angry or proud.”
Was she too proud when she made her “what if the tables were turned?” comment to her girlfriends? Was she really willing to demand her career take precedence over him? Over them? Did she really want to build a relationship on a foundation where work came first? Yikes. She knew the answer was no, which meant she had some serious re-jiggering of her life to think about.
After a shower and a sandwich, Audrey took a glass of wine onto the patio, sat in one of the lounge chairs, and let the night envelop her. The evening was pleasant, the wind light, and the Seahawks sweatshirt and shorts she wore were just enough. From somewhere far away she heard the occasional clang of a halyard knocking against a mast. Small waves beat a steady, distant rhythm against the beach. The palms clacked their thin fronds whenever a stray breeze passed through.
Beautiful. Peaceful. Bliss.
Mack.
At that moment he was somewhere over the gulf on his flight from Houston to Miami. From there he would fly to Barbados in the morning, and catch a commuter flight to St. Vincent in the early afternoon. She watched the tiny, blinking lights of planes pass overhead, nowhere near the flight pattern his plane took so many hours ago, and wished him good travels.
Chapter Seven
Friday, January 31.
Audrey parked outside the dockside address on Mack’s business card, and saw Hargrave Yachts printed on the door. She took a deep breath and went inside. She was going to meet the family—all on her own. Yikes!
As she approached the receptionist’s desk, she heard a yipping howl and the unmistakable sound of clacking doggy toenails on tile. She turned just in time to see a flash of smiling black-and-white polka dots as Winston launched himself at her in greeting.
“There you are, boy!” Audrey gushed. She rubbed his ears and tried to hug him as he danced around her legs. When he finally tore off to parts unknown, she looked up and smiled at the receptionist, who stood and gaped at her.
Audrey stuck her hand out. “Hi, I’m—”
“Audrey Wells!” the woman finished.
“Gina?”
“Oh shit, I forgot to call you! My daughter went into early labor and I left in such a hurry… oh, I’m so sorry! Mack’s not here.”
Audrey grinned. “I know. That’s okay. How’s your daughter?”
“She’s fine. First timer. Braxton Hicks,” Gina said as she composed herself enough to shake Audrey’s hand. “Again, I’m sorry. I was supposed to call you. Yes, I’m Gina, and…is that Mack’s truck?”
“We saw each other at the airport. I’m staying at his place until my flight back to Seattle on Sunday.”
“Wow, I really blew it.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Audrey waved off Gina’s concerns. “I’m having a good time eating all his food, drinking his wine, snooping around his house. It’s kinda fun, actually. I could take Winston back with me, too, if that works for you.”
“I’d love it. He’s a handful.” Gina said.
Audrey scanned the office. “I thought I’d drop in and have a look at Mack’s pride and joy, if that’s all right.”
“Sure!” Gina and came around the desk to stand beside Audrey. “Let me give you a tour. We can start with his office, which has a great view of the facility. It’ll give you the lay of the land, so to speak.”
As soon as they entered Mack’s office, Audrey realized how Gina recognized her without benefit of an introduction. There was another framed copy of their Christmas Ship “selfie” on his desk.
Gina leaned toward her. “He is crazy about you. I’ve never seen him like this. Not even close.”
Audrey laughed. “Good to hear, because I’m crazy about him, too.”
Gina walked to the window and showed Audrey the boatbuilding facility, while giving her a brief rundown on Rockport as a whole. Minutes later, they were out on a dock, peering into a forty-two foot sloop being refurbished.
“Guy! Come meet Audrey!” Gina hollered.
Seconds later, a smiling, grease-smeared face popped out of the engi
ne compartment. He looked like a less chiseled, possibly less driven version of Mack, and she smiled and waved in greeting.
“So you’re the one who finally stole Mack’s heart?” He wiped his hand on a dirty bit of cloth and stuck it out. “Welcome to the family.”
Audrey laughed and shook his hand. “Thanks, but we’re not quite there, yet. It’s barely a month since we met.”
“Time makes no difference. He’s done. One hundred percent done.” Guy said. “I’m in the middle of something, so I can’t chat, but Gina, call my wife. Tell her we’re having company tonight, then tell the parents and be sure to bring Stew. We need to welcome Audrey to Rockport, even if Mack’s not here.” He gave them a little salute and dropped back into his work without another word.
Gina looked up and smiled at Audrey. “You looked shell-shocked. Don’t be. They’re great, and there’ll be plenty of wine to ease over any uneasy bits. We’ll go meet Stewart, my husband, Mack’s other brother, and then you can go home and get ready for the Big Event.”
Stewart proved to be similar in looks to Mack, too, but like his brother, the features seemed somewhat blurred, merely mortal, compared to Mack’s perfection. He was older, pleasant, and delighted to give Audrey all the details she could hope for on their operation, once he found out she was a life-long sailor.
By early afternoon, Audrey had a solid sense of what Hargrave Yachts encompassed, what their vision for the company entailed, and the passion with which each of the Hargrave men embraced their work. She was impressed, and had much to think about as she and Winston drove home.
Home. Was she truly already thinking of Mack’s cottage as...home?
****
It was late, and pouring down rain as only the tropics could manage. Steel drum music filtered out from somewhere inside. Mack sat with his feet propped on the railing of the Driftwood Bar overlooking Blue Lagoon, and gazed across the Strait to the tiny dots of light glinting on the neighboring island of Bequia. The protective overhang that sheltered the patio bar, kept him out of the worst of the driving rain—barely. The air held a sultry, inescapable heat, and he welcomed the cooling mists the storm kicked up. He’d sleep out there if they allowed it, rather than in his small, airless room one floor higher.
He nursed a glass of the local rum, Sunset, and thought about the current direction of his life, and the direction he wanted it to take. This nonsense of dancing around the way he felt, of telling himself they needed time to get to know one another, was just that—nonsense.
He knew. He knew his feelings for Audrey were as real as they got. He thought about her endlessly. Everything he saw, he wanted to show her. Everything he learned, wondered about, or planned, he did with her in mind. And it was making him crazy. He needed to be with her, needed her with him. But how could he convince her to abandon her life in Seattle, her career, and move to a place she didn’t know, where she had no friends or history – all for him?
Strong. Determined. Independent. All words that perfectly described Audrey. Should he entertain the idea of moving north? He loved the region, but there was no way he could take any part of the family business with him. The taxes were just too heavy—and the sailing up there wasn’t that great, either. It was scenic, but there were generally only two kinds of wind on Puget Sound—none or gale force. So, he’d have to find something else to do. He’d need to get a ‘regular’ job, like the rest of the world.
But this notion made him uncomfortable for several reasons. He wasn’t sure his skill set marked him out as a prime hire, and he knew leaving Hargrave Yachts would create a hardship for his family, especially with this new contract.
“Mind if I join you?” Frank Mitchell asked.
“Please,” Mack answered. He sat up and reached for the bottle the barkeep had left for him. “Can I convince you to join me?”
Frank smiled and pulled up a chair. “Absolutely. Thanks.”
Mack poured, they clinked glasses, and settled back into their chairs.
“Unless you’ve got something burning in your soul you need to discuss with me, how about we leave off business for the evening?” Frank said. “I think we’ve both earned a reprieve.”
Mack chuckled. “Fine with me.”
They sat in companionable silence for a while, and Mack let his mind wander back to his favorite subject.
“Mack.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Don’t ‘sir’ me. We’re partners,” Frank reminded him with a smile. “I’m gonna break my own rule, here, because if I’m reading you right, there is something burning at your soul, and I want to get it out in the open if it concerns the business.”
Mack laughed. “Nothing bothering me there, Frank. Nothing at all. It’s personal—and I don’t mean private, it’s just, well, I’m crazy in love with a great woman and I don’t know what to do about it.”
Frank leaned forward and looked at Mack with a big grin and keen interest. “What’s the concern? Is she married?”
“Nothing so easy. She lives in Seattle. Family, friends, career, it’s all there.”
“And you’re in Texas.”
“Exactly.”
“I assume she feels the same way?”
Mack nodded. “Everything’s been so crazy, we haven’t been able to see each other since New Year’s. She flew down yesterday to surprise me…”
“And you were on your way here.”
Mack shook his head in amazement. “We actually ran into each other—literally—at the airport. She’s staying at my place until she flies home on Sunday.”
“So you’ll miss her again,” Frank mumbled. “Jeez, I feel responsible.”
Mack clapped Frank on the shoulder. “Not at all. Don’t think that way. We’re figuring things out, and I wouldn’t change anything that’s happened. Not one thing. I’m very grateful for you, for this,” he swept a wide arc with his arm to encompass Blue Lagoon and the opportunity in St. Vincent. “It’ll all work out. We know that.”
Mack’s phone rang and he looked at the screen. “This is Stew. No idea if he’s calling about business, but he might break your rule, too.”
Frank nodded and refilled their drinks.
“Hey, what’s up?” Mack answered.
“I’m putting us on speakerphone,” Steward yelled, although Mack could hear his brother just fine.
Suddenly there was a roar of hellos, and Mack grinned. He looked at Frank and chuckled. “Family dinner. No clue why they’re calling, except my niece is expecting—”
“Hi, Mack.”
Hoots and cheers followed the two, simple words. Mack sat back, stunned.
“Audrey? You’re with my family? All of them?”
“Yes. I went to see your business, and they decided to throw me a ‘welcome to Texas’ party. Honestly, I’m not sure they needed the excuse.”
He heard her laugh and an image of her face, her smile, the delight she took out of life, filled him with joy and longing. Before he could respond, Frank stood, winked, clinked his glass to Mack’s again, and excused himself.
“I wish I was there, baby.”
“Me too.” Hoots erupted again, and he could hear the grin in Audrey’s voice. “Honestly, I think I’m their new mascot. Hey, I love your house. Really love all the pictures.”
Mack smiled. He hadn’t thought about those, and was glad he’d gotten them done as quickly as he had, if it made her happy.
“Um, your mom just put dinner on the table,” Audrey said. “I’ve got to go.”
“I love you, Audrey.”
There was a paused, and then, in a loud, clear voice, Audrey replied, “I love you, too, Mack Hargrave.”
Cheers filled the phone before it went dead, and Mack sat back and laughed.
Chapter Eight
Wednesday, February 12.
> Audrey sipped her beer and gazed out the window. Since her return from Texas, business had kept both of them from even attempting to make a date to see each other—except for Valentine’s Day, it was sacrosanct, Mack assured her. He was flying up, come Hell or high water, no matter what.
“Are any of you going to help me with my garage sale?” Grace asked.
“But it’s on Valentine’s Day,” Kristen whined.
“It’s over at five on Friday,” Grace replied. “It won’t get in the way of any romantic plans you may have.”
The friends sat in a bar at Carillon Point, and Audrey could see her and Mack’s masts from where she sat. “I’ll help,” she said, without bothering to hide her grumpy mood. “I don’t have anything else going on.”
Meg reached over and patted her hand. “I’m so sorry Mack couldn’t make it up for Valentine’s Day. But it will work out. It will.”
“I keep hearing that.”
“Hey,” Kristen offered with a teasing grin. “I found this the other day and it cracked me up. I was going to bestow it on Garage Sale Grace, but now I think it’s more appropriate for Pouting Audrey.”
She placed a small refrigerator magnet on the table, and everyone leaned in to read: Cantankerous Matriarch of a Modest Yard Sale.
Audrey looked up and pretended to glare at Kristen as everybody laughed. “There are words for friends like you.”
****
Friday, February 14. Valentine’s Day.
Audrey shoved her feet into her tennis shoes, packed her Louboutins in her duffle bag, zipped it closed, and grabbed her purse. She’d just left a meeting with her boss. It went better than she expected, and she guessed he’d seen her request for a leave of absence coming before she’d entered his office.
It was time one of them did something about their relationship. And Mack had no room to maneuver, she knew that. So it was up to her, and she came to the realization when he had to cancel their Valentine’s Day plans. She wanted him more than she wanted Seattle, or her career, or anything, but he wasn’t going to ask her to give up her life, so she needed to make the move herself.
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