A Sea Change

by Annette Reynolds

  Maddy had scanned the abandoned house, and finally asked, “Is there an attic?” Nick shook his head, and Maddy had shrugged. “Sorry, Nick. I don’t see anything unusual.”

  They’d walked back together, Maddy hoping to share lunch with him, but he’d begged off and disappeared into his house.

  Now, the sun climbed into the sky, and only the slightest breeze ruffled her hair. The thermometer on the shady side of Jaed’s house already read 72 degrees. It was going to be a record-breaking Fourth. Maddy turned on the spigot and began making her way around the deck, soaking the planters and pots.

  When she, once again, came around to face Nick’s place, something in the shadows under his house caught her eye. But by the time she’d walked across the deck to turn off the water and returned, Maddy saw nothing. She continued peering into the dark spaces between the pilings, when a tuneful whistling got her attention, and she looked up.

  Nick had stepped outside to greet the morning, wearing only a pair of faded blue shorts. Before he had a chance to see her, Maddy put her fingers to her lips and gave him her best wolf whistle, a skill she’d learned from a Junior High School boyfriend.

  Nick turned, and she loudly said, “Howdy, Sheriff. You’re looking mighty fetching this morning.”

  He grinned. “Well, thanks Miss Maddy.” Leaning on the rail, he said, “Care to join me in a sarsaparilla?”

  “Is that some new sexual term I’m not aware of?”

  “Actually, I’m not sure what it is. You doing any celebrating today?”

  Maddy opened her mouth to reply, then quickly closed it. She had to be careful with her wording; didn’t want to be accused of lying. “It’s a friend’s birthday. She’s having a backyard barbecue-pool party thing. I’ll be gone most of the afternoon.” Perfect. It was all true. “How about you?” she asked.

  Nick nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got to make a couple of appearances.” He paused. “So, you’ll be home tonight?”

  “Uh huh. Maybe we can get together?” Maddy crossed her fingers. “Watch the fireworks, or something?”

  “Sounds good.” He pushed away from the railing. “I’ll see ya later.”

  Maddy dialed Karen Dysart’s number. “Would you hate me if I only stayed an hour or so?”

  “What’s up?” Karen asked.

  “There’s this guy…”

  “Say no more. At least for now.” Maddy could hear Karen’s smile in her voice. “But I expect details when you get here.”

  “It’s a deal. I’ll be there around four.”

  The idea had come to her the moment she saw Nick. It was something Maddy hadn’t done since she was a child. And if everyone, and everything, cooperated she was confident she could pull it off.

  *****

  Nick’s restlessness was beginning to affect the other party-goers, but he couldn’t help himself.

  “If you look at your watch again, you can just go home,” Rita Anders said, as she walked past him.

  “Sorry.” Nick flopped onto a patio chair and accepted the bottle of beer Susan Logan dangled in front of his face.

  Mary Delfino watched Nick from under the brim of her straw hat. She waved an antique fan in front of her face, a knowing smile on her lips. Today would be a big emotional step for Nick, and it pleased her to no end. He’d been working on Maddy’s darkroom all week. His constant phone calls to Mary prompted her to tease, “I’m going to start charging a consultation fee.”

  “Nick, my dear,” she now called. He was on his feet and in front of her instantly. “Would you please get me another glass of ice water?” When he returned, Mary patted the empty chair next to her, and Nick sat. “Why are you so anxious, Nick? Madeleine will love the darkroom.”

  “Maybe I shouldn’t have done it.” His fingers picked at the label on the bottle he held. “Maybe it’s too much.”

  “Nonsense.” Mary’s fan suddenly went into high gear as her heart began to beat rapidly. She lost a few moments of time as she tried to restore her equilibrium. When she reopened her eyes Nick was looking at her with concern. She realized he’d been talking.

  “Yes, Nick? I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine now. I think the heat is too much for me, though.”

  Nick stood and held out his hand. “C’mon. I’ll walk you back.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She gently pushed his hand aside. “If I decide to leave I can get home by myself.”

  He knelt. “Mary, you’re white as a sheet. Let’s go.”

  “Honestly, Nick.” Her exasperation wasn’t entirely feigned. “You know how I hate to be treated like an old woman.” But she finally accepted his hand.

  “Hey, you’re doing me a favor. I need to get home anyway.”

  “Where are you two going?” Rita asked. “Susan just put the burgers on.”

  “Sorry, babe. I’ve got a hot date,” Nick said, putting his arm through Mary’s.

  “A hot date? Really?” He could see Rita processing this piece of information, until she smiled with understanding. “Where is Maddy, anyway?”

  “Too many questions, Rita.”

  Nick led Mary off the deck and through Rita’s house, to the path.

  He sat on the front steps and checked his watch again. It was 5:45, and Rita’s question became a little ditty sung to the tune of “California Here I Come.”

  ‘Where is Maddy, anyway?’

  Nick couldn’t get it out of his head and it was driving him crazy.

  Then there was the nagging concern about Mary Delfino. She’d put on a good front, but the slow-paced third of a mile walk back to her place had her fighting for breath. He’d never seen Mary as anything but a human dynamo. She put some thirty-year-olds he knew to shame.

  Nick let her know he was worried, but she’d waved him away, saying, “Stop fussing over me. It’s just the heat. Go home and wait for Madeleine.”

  He’d only gone once she’d promised to stay put, and to call if she needed anything. He scribbled his pager number on a scrap of paper and left it by her telephone.

  Mary protested, saying, “I’d be afraid of interrupting something important.”

  But Nick stared her down. “Nothing’s that important, Mary. If I don’t answer the phone, it’s because I can’t hear it. Just use it,” he’d commanded.

  It was now 5:50. Nick stood and stretched. The staccato popping of a string of firecrackers went off somewhere up the beach, followed by the sound of dogs barking, and Nick rolled his eyes. They were starting already and it wouldn’t be dark for another four hours.

  Leaving the front door open so he could hear any footsteps on the path, Nick went inside for a cold drink. Nervous, and bored with waiting, he picked up the phone and dialed his parent’s number. He got the machine and didn’t bother leaving a message. He tried his sister next and on the third ring was rewarded by Kay’s harried voice.

  “Are we having fun yet?” he asked.

  Kay groaned loudly. “If those kids ask me when it’ll be dark enough to set off the damned fireworks one more time I’m going to drive them into the desert and leave them there, which – come to think of it – would probably be considered inhumane to the coyotes and rattlesnakes.”

  Nick laughed. “You’re not the only adult there. Put on a show of force.”

  “The kids’ cousins are here. We’re outnumbered two to one.”

  “Well, give them Dad’s ‘I’m big, you’re little, and big can hurt little’ speech.”

  “That would work if ‘adult male’ wasn’t an oxymoron in this house. Just be thankful you’re not here.” A series of shrieks and high-pitched laughter interrupted Kay, and she shouted, “Tom, if you value your life you won’t give those kids one more drop of Coke!”

  “Sounds like you’re needed to supervise, so I’ll let you go.”

  “Hang on.” His sister put the phone down. Ten seconds later all other sounds had ceased.

  “That was quick,” he said. “
Should I be worried? Am I going to read about this in the morning paper?”

  “I gave Tom an ultimatum. Take them down to the park for an hour or his sex life would come to a sudden stop. It always works.” She paused and sighed. “So. You doing anything fun tonight?”

  “From what I can hear at your place, anything I’m doing pales by comparison.”

  “The day isn’t over.” Maddy’s voice came from directly behind him.

  Nick turned, and with an appreciative smile, took her in. Her hair was piled on top of her head, held there with an alligator clip. He reached out to finger one of the strands that had escaped and lay on her tanned shoulder, made an even deeper shade by the white tank top she wore.

  “You’re looking good,” he said.

  “Well, thanks Nick, but how could you possibly know that?” Kay said, forgotten until that moment.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off Maddy, and the receiver was halfway to its cradle before he said, “Gotta go, Sis.”

  “So, you have a sister,” Maddy said. “Any brothers?”

  Nick shook his head as he took a breath. “How was the party?” he finally asked.

  “Okay. Yours?”

  “Everyone kept asking, ‘Where’s Maddy?’”

  “Including you?”

  “Including me.”

  Maddy took his hand, pulling him toward the door. “Are you ready for an adventure?”

  “Where’re we going?”

  She closed his front door. “My place,” she said, gently prodding him in the back, urging him down the steps.

  “But I’ve got something to show you.”

  “Can it wait?”

  Nick turned to face her, and Maddy’s childlike excitement sucked him in.

  “I guess it’ll have to.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Nick stood at the top of the stairs on Jaed’s deck, arms folded, and watched Maddy undo the first few snaps of the boat cover. A wicker basket she’d snagged on her way through the house sat at his feet, as did Chloe.

  “You gonna tell me where we’re going?”

  Maddy hopped into the QVII to finish the job. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

  Nick saw her struggling to fold the cover, but didn’t offer to help. This was the only part of Maddy he actually knew – this capability – and he found it very sexy. She was so unlike Janet, who would rather sit in the dark than change a light bulb on her own.

  Maddy got the cover stowed, then looked up at him. “Come aboard. And bring the basket.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain.” He started down the steps.

  “Oh, and grab Chloe, too.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” Nick said, handing her the food.

  “It’s time she got her sea legs,” Maddy said.

  “You’re not kidding,” he muttered. Before the cat could protest, Nick had her in his arms, and in the boat. She scrambled down the ladder and into the hold. Turning to Maddy, he said, “You’re been hanging around Emily way too much.”

  Maddy made a face then began checking fluid levels.

  “You sure this thing is seaworthy?”

  “Pretty sure.” She replaced the seat cushion over the battery housing then went forward to the wheel.

  “Pretty sure?” Nick asked.

  Maddy stuck the key in the ignition. “Life vests are in that cupboard. Put one on if you don’t trust me.”

  “Never mind. As long as I know where they are.”

  She shot him a warning look and turned the key. The engine coughed then sputtered to life. Maddy scanned the gauges. Satisfied with the readings she turned, and above the noise, shouted, “Nick! Cast off for me.”

  The Narrows was like deep green bottle glass. The only waves being generated were from the wakes of other boats on the water. And the slight breeze came from the QVII’s movement as she chugged up the passage toward the tip of Point Defiance.

  Maddy turned to check on Nick. He sat at the back, eyes closed, legs stretched out, his feet resting on the small cooler which held soda and beer.

  Chloe, over her initial distrust of the situation, had come out of hiding and now slept in his lap.

  Maddy smiled and gently cut back her speed until they came to a stop.

  “Nick?”

  He opened one eye, and Chloe followed suit.

  “You wanna take the wheel for a while?”

  Nick sat up a little straighter, as did the cat, and they both yawned. “You’re gonna let me drive? I’m honored.”

  He settled into the rhythm of the water. Maddy popped open a can of soda, handed it to Nick, then propped herself up against the passenger seat.

  “So, have you figured out what the evening’s entertainment is?” she asked.

  A slight smile played on his lips as he gazed straight ahead. “Does it involve fireworks on the bay?”

  “God, I haven’t done this since I was little!” she said.

  Nick’s smile turned into a leer. “You must’ve been some kid.”

  Maddy, puzzled, said, “What are you talking about?”

  With a false look of surprised misunderstanding, Nick turned to face her. “Oh, you mean we’ll be watching the fireworks.” He looked forward again. “Damn.”

  They fell into a thoughtful silence. Maddy watched Nick’s strong hands grip the wheel as he guided the boat around the point. The idea of making love on the QVII had crossed her mind more than once during the day, and she’d pushed it aside each time. But now, as she studied Nick from behind the veil of her sunglasses, Maddy felt a pang of desire so strong she let out a small involuntary moan.

  It got her moving and she pushed away from the chair, saying, “I’m gonna get some sun. Just keep following the shoreline.”

  Behind Nick she stepped out of her shorts and took off her tank top to reveal the emerald-green bikini underneath. She’d had the thing for nearly fifteen years and had only worn it once, on the beach at Mykonos. She’d never forgotten Ted’s words when she’d asked him how he liked it. “You should wear a one-piece,” he’d said. “Makes you look less chunky.” So she’d worn it that one day, and then put it away. Until today.

  Maddy displaced Chloe from the seat Nick had occupied. She tried closing her eyes, but they kept opening to stare at the back of his body. He had the build of an athlete, but not the steroidal look of a football player. He was perfectly proportioned. If she had to guess, she’d put him at six feet, 185 pounds. He was rock solid, and she wondered how he’d gotten that way.

  Almost as if he’d heard her musings, Nick let go of the wheel and pulled his faded black t-shirt over his head. He tossed it on the passenger chair, ran a hand through his hair, then went back to driving the boat. Maddy realized she’d been holding her breath, expelled it, and tried shutting her eyes again. It was too hot, even at 7 p.m. The sun wouldn’t drop behind the Olympics for at least another hour.

  Her skin had adhered to the plastic cushion and Maddy grimaced as she sat up. On her way below she touched Nick’s shoulder, saying, “I need a towel. You doing okay?”

  He looked at her and nodded, then looked again. Maddy made her descent, oblivious to Nick’s appreciative low whistle. She seemed to take a very long time, and Nick finally leaned left and said, “Hey, are you doing okay?”

  She appeared at the bottom of the step ladder.

  “I think I know where the beach burglar’s been hiding out.”

  Nick brought the engine to a low idle and took her hand as she climbed out.

  “Everything’s gone. Towels, blankets, rations, an oil lamp. Even my dad’s old slicker.”

  “Did he leave anything behind?”

  “Not that I could see.”

  “Don’t you think that’s a little weird?” Nick said.

  “Why? He’s not looking to get caught.”

  “What I mean is, why did he take the stuff? Why not leave it on the boat?”

  “Maybe he found a better boat,” Maddy said.

  Nick shook his head. “I don’t think
so. Too risky. People take their boats out pretty early. And I haven’t had any complaints about people missing stuff.” He paused, then said, “Why your boat, Maddy? It’s not like it’s the most luxurious one on the beach. And you’re home all the time. He was taking a pretty big chance.”

  Maddy stared at Nick. “I think I saw him this morning. Under your house.”

  “Have you been locking your doors?”

  “When I remember.”

  “That’s not good enough, Maddy.”

  The skin on her scalp crawled, and she said, “Is that why Chloe keeps getting out? Has he been in my house?”

  “Maybe.” Nick saw her fear by the set of her jaw. “Do you want to go back?”

  “No. I just want to enjoy tonight.”

  “So do I,” Nick said. “But you don’t need to be brave for me. If you’re worried, let’s turn around.”

  “I’m okay.” She took a breath. “I really am. Besides, it wouldn’t do any good to go back now.” Maddy looked across the water. “And he’s harmless, right?”

  Nick watched her face but didn’t voice his thoughts: that if they returned, they could very well catch him. She was putting on a good front, but he could see her alarm just under the surface and he wanted to help her forget, for just a little while.

  “You’re right,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do right this minute. And to tell you the truth, he’s the last thing I want to think about today.” He ran the pads of his fingers along her collarbone. “By the way, that’s definitely a good look for you. Take the wheel,” he said, brushing past her. “I’m getting hungry, and you know where we’re going.”

  The meaning of his words wasn’t lost on her.

  Twenty minutes later, about a mile from the mouth of Commencement Bay, and the city’s fireworks site, Maddy dropped anchor. They spread the food out on the bulkhead between the two back seats and sat cross-legged on the cushions, facing each other. She pulled apart the rotisserie chicken with her hands and, holding up two pieces, asked, “Breast or leg?”