by Maci Grant
“I’m sorry, Rachel, I’ll sweep it up as soon as I get them bathed.”
“Don’t bother, I’ll do it.” Her tone was short.
Blu frowned and hurried the kids up to their rooms. Once she had them bathed she walked back downstairs to prepare their meal.
Rachel was on the phone when Blu walked into the kitchen.
“Marshall, I don’t know why you do this to me every summer. Every summer you insist that we come here to socialize with all your friends, and then every year you’re too busy with work to join in.”
Blu did her best to make herself invisible as she put water on the stove for spaghetti. Things had been tense between Rachel and Marshall for quite some time.
While the water heated, Blu grabbed a broom to sweep up the sand the kids had tracked in.
Rachel hung up the phone and picked up a spoon to stir the pot that didn’t need to be stirred. “You know, you’re so lucky, Blu.”
She looked over at her boss. “Am I?”
“Sure. You’ve made it almost to thirty without having to deal with marriage nonsense.”
Blu smiled and took the spoon out of Rachel’s hand. “I know how rough summers can be. Why don’t you and Marshall meet up in the city this weekend for some alone time?”
“But Saturday is your day off.” Rachel frowned.
“I don’t mind. Besides, there’s a carnival in town that I was hoping to take the kids to. If that’s alright with you?”
“It’s more than alright.” Rachel hugged her. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Blu.”
The words hung in Blu’s mind as Rachel walked off to call her husband back. Rachel always treated her like part of the family. She tossed the pasta into the pot and began to heat up some sauce to go with it.
“Blu, Blu, Blu!”
“Marley, Marley, Marley!”
“I can’t find my tiger.”
“Oh, no! There’s a tiger on the loose? What if he eats us?”
“Silly!” Marley giggled. “It’s just a stuffed tiger.”
“Oh, good. Maybe we can find him after dinner?”
“Okay.” Marley nodded.
Blu hummed under her breath as she finished preparing the meal.
That night as she settled into bed, Blu thought again about Penelope on the beach. She’d arranged for Maddie to work for the Rosses as Maddie’s first real nanny job. Now she hoped that Maddie wasn’t in for more drama than she could handle.
Blu closed her eyes and recalled the phone call she’d received from Maddie nearly a year ago.
“My life is over, Blu. It’s over.”
“No, it’s not, Maddie. I promise, it’s not.”
“How could he do this to me? He left me and now I have nothing.”
“Don’t worry, we’re going to get you back on track. You’re better off without him. He’s a liar, a cheater, and he never treated you right.”
“I know all of those things, so why doesn’t it hurt any less?”
“I don’t know. I’m sorry.” That was the truth. Blu didn’t know. She’d never been married—or even in love. She didn’t know what it was like to have her heart broken. She was grateful for that, although she did fall asleep with the memory of Sam holding her close playing through her mind that night.
She barely had her eyes open when her phone began to buzz. She grabbed it off the nightstand.
“Hello?”
Chapter 4
“Oh my God, Blu, did you hear?”
She vaguely registered Maddie’s voice in her ear.
“Did I hear what? I’m not even awake yet, Maddie. What are you talking about?”
“They just found Sam on the beach.”
“Okay—they found a lifeguard on the beach…”
“Yes, but he’s dead! Blu, Sam’s dead.”
“Wait, what?” She sat upright in her bed and rubbed at her eyes. “I’m sorry I, thought you said that Sam is dead.”
“He is, Blu. They found him this morning. I can’t even think about it without tearing up.”
“How?” She blinked a few times to wake herself up. “How did he die?”
“He drowned. He still had his surfboard attached to his ankle. The rumor is that he went out for an early morning ride on the waves and just didn’t come back.”
“Wow. That’s terrible.”
“It is terrible. I think I’m going to keep Chrissa and Brennan away from the beach for a while.”
“That’s probably a good idea. How is Penelope?”
“She was gone early this morning. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, I just saw her on the beach last night talking with Sam. I thought maybe she’d be upset.”
“Penelope? You must have been mistaken. She was out of town yesterday for a business meeting. Even if she had been in town, she wouldn’t have been on the beach talking to Sam—or any lifeguard, for that matter.”
“Maybe I’m mistaken.” Blu frowned. She didn’t think that she was mistaken at all, but there wasn’t much point in arguing with Maddie over it.
“Chelsea is planning a beach memorial already. You know how she likes to throw parties.”
Blu rolled her eyes at the thought of the young nanny, Chelsea, turning a tragic death into a party opportunity. Chelsea threw a party every chance she got. They were always elaborate and over the top.
“I still don’t understand how Sam could have died. He’s an amazing swimmer. You saw the rescue yesterday. How does someone like that die in the water?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he passed out, or maybe he slipped? Maybe he just had a little too much to drink.”
“That early in the morning, though?”
“All I know for sure is that he died, and the locals around here are devastated. You know how well liked he was.”
“Yes I do.” Blu frowned. She glanced at the time and then sighed. “I have to get the kids up and going. They have swim lessons at the beach today.”
“Ugh. Good luck. Bettina is vicious.”
“I know it, but she’s the best.”
“So they say.” Maddie hung up.
Blu hustled out of bed and got dressed. She woke the children with the same lighthearted song that she always sang in the morning. They were grumpy, but managed to rummage around to find their swimsuits. While they dressed, Blu prepared a quick breakfast of sliced fruit and yogurt.
“Morning, Blu.” Rachel drifted into the kitchen.
Blu pushed the button on the coffee maker. “Morning. How are you, Rachel?”
“Okay.” She smiled. “Are you sure about this weekend?”
“Absolutely.”
“I really appreciate it.” She flipped on the television.
“Oh, uh, better not.” Blu picked up the remote and turned the television off.
“Why? You know I like to catch the morning news.”
“It’s best that the kids don’t see it this morning.” Blu leaned in closer and spoke to Rachel in a low voice. “There was an accident on the beach.”
“Accident?”
Before Blu could answer, Rachel’s phone buzzed with a text message. She looked at the screen and then gasped.
Blu nodded. “It might be best if we try to keep the kids from finding out.”
“You’re absolutely right.” She shook her head and started typing away on her phone.
Blu hurried the kids through breakfast. They kissed their mother goodbye and headed out for their swim lessons.
The drive to the beach was only two minutes long. If the kids had more endurance, Blu would have them walk. But as it was, she knew that Joey would be tired after class and Marley was getting a little too big to carry.
She parked in the small lot near the dock where the swim lessons were to take place.
As soon as they were out of the car, the kids raced toward the water, calling out to their instructor, “Morning, Bettina!”
Bettina stood at the edge of the water. She wore a bright blue whistle around her neck and
had an orange kickboard tucked under her arm. “Move it, move it, move it!” she called out to the kids.
Blu did her best not to roll her eyes. Even when they were right on time, Bettina was difficult to deal with, but when they were a few minutes late, she was impossible.
As Blu scanned the kids in the water she noticed that there weren’t as many as usual. “Morning, Bettina. I guess that we’re not the only ones who are late this morning.” Blu set down her folding chair in the sand not far from the edge of the water.
“No, you’re the only one that’s late. The others aren’t coming.” Bettina pointed to the two kickboards that were waiting for Joey and Marley.
“What? So many? Why not?” Blu settled into her chair.
“Because of the news about Sam—I assume you heard?”
Blu nodded as Bettina continued.
“Now everyone’s concerned about the safety of the children. Some of them are worried that the riptide is too strong. Others are just creeped out by the idea of the kids being in the water near where Sam died.”
“Huh.” Blu narrowed her eyes. “That doesn’t make much sense to me. If the riptide is bad, then the kids need to know how to deal with it. And if someone like Sam could die in that water, then yes—they need all the skills they can get.”
“Exactly my point, but you know how these families can be.” Bettina lowered her voice. “Sometimes a good dose of reality sends them running.”
Chapter 5
Blu nodded without responding verbally to Bettina. She did her best not to speak poorly about her employers or about anyone in their circles, really. Being a nanny was more than just a job. She knew that it took a lot of trust for someone to invite a stranger into their home and expect them to help raise their children. It was joining a family, if only for a short time, and she would not violate that trust—not for anything.
“What do you mean by a dose of reality?”
“Well, it’s obvious that Sam must have been high or drunk. I mean, I checked the reports this morning around four—I do that every morning before class. The water was calm, no reports of bad weather, no rogue waves—even the riptide isn’t so bad today. Yet by six in the morning, Sam was dead. The only way that’s possible is if he got plastered and then got on a surfboard, right? But now, to all of these people he was an angel, a saint, a protector of their children, and this event is equal to the assassination of a president.” She rolled her eyes and glanced at the water. “The ocean doesn’t care who you are. If you’re not careful, you’ll lose your life.”
“Sam didn’t seem the type to drink though, Bettina. I never noticed him being anything other than alert.”
“Well, if that argument on the beach last night was any proof, I’d say he had a lot on his mind.”
“You mean with Penelope?”
“Huh?”
Blu bit her tongue. She realized that she’d broken her own rule. “Who did you see him arguing with on the beach last night?”
“I take a last jog along the beach around eight. It was just dark, and I didn’t even see them at first. I heard them.”
“Who?”
“It was Sam and a man. The man sounded really angry. He must have been rich.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Oh, he kept threatening to get him fired—to sue him, to ruin his life. You know—the usual wealthy intimidation. My guess is that Sam got stressed out, had too much to drink, and got himself killed.” She frowned. “Sure it’s sad, but it’s real life.”
“Do you know who the man was?”
“No, I didn’t see his face. His voice sounded familiar, but to be honest, I rarely get to know anyone but nannies and the occasional mother.”
“Do you know what the man was angry about?” Blu scooted forward to the edge of her chair, her curiosity more than a little piqued by this time.
“Who knows? Maybe he owed money, maybe his dog pooped on the wrong lawn, right?” She laughed. “Anyway, all that matters now is that he’s dead. Whatever that man wanted from Sam, he’s not going to get it now.” Bettina stopped abruptly. “I have to get in the water.” She turned and ran into the waves with the kids.
Blu sat back in her chair and stared out over the water. Normally, she’d watch the kids’ lesson with interest, but her mind was on other things. Her thoughts kept turning back to Sam. He was so watchful, so dedicated to his job, and so cautious about the water. She found it very difficult to imagine him being so reckless.
She closed her eyes for a moment and recalled the argument that she’d witnessed. She was sure that it had been Penelope Ross that she saw on the beach with Sam. But Maddie had insisted that Penelope was out of town.
It had been dusk and Blu had been distracted by the kids. Maybe she was wrong.
What she knew for sure was that Sam had been in an argument with a woman, then only an hour or so later, he’d also had an argument with a man. Sam had some people upset with him. Was that really enough to drive him into making such a stupid decision?
“Look at me, Blu! Look at me!” Marley kicked her feet as fast as she could.
“Good job, Marley!” Blu waved to her and smiled. She lost herself in pride for a moment as she watched Joey’s strong strokes. The summer before, he could barely doggie paddle and Marley wouldn’t even go near the water. It was amazing to her how fast children grew and changed.
As the lesson ended, Bettina struck up a conversation with another of the nannies, who had arrived to pick up her charges. Blu overheard them talking about Sam.
She rushed the kids to the car to keep them from hearing too much. Innocence only lasted so long, and she wanted to keep theirs intact for as long as she could.
As she drove them back to the beach house she noticed a flower delivery van pass her, headed toward the beach. She guessed it was going there to set up for Chelsea’s memorial.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed.
She parked in the driveway before checking the message. It was from Chelsea.
Memorial today to honor our fallen hero.
It listed the time, appropriate attire, and a note saying that donations would be accepted for the family.
Normally, Blu might have been disgusted by Chelsea’s using a death as an excuse to throw a party, but she decided she wanted to go for two reasons. First, she wanted to show support for Sam’s family and friends. Secondly, she wanted to see if the woman or man he’d argued with the night before would show up.
She got the kids bathed and started preparing their lunch.
While they watched a cartoon, Blu texted Maddie to see if she’d be going to the memorial.
I’m not sure. Penelope came home early and she’s in a mood. I’ll let you know.
Blu stared at the message. Was Penelope home early because she’d never actually left?
Chapter 6
Blu decided to see if she could find out a little more information about Sam. In her classes at college she’d learned quite a bit about how to search for information.
As she poked around through Sam’s life online, her throat grew dry. Was it wrong to be so invasive? He had saved her life just the day before. Now she was trying to dig up dirt on him?
It was not hard for her to crack the password on his local bank account—younger people really weren’t that inventive when it came to such things. She saw that he had very little money. Was that because he had a low salary or had he just taken out a large amount? His bank account didn’t show her much other than his paychecks and frequent purchases at the local diner.
His social media accounts were rather sparse for a guy his age—not many selfies posted at all—something that Blu could actually appreciate. He did have some accounts, but they were neglected and out of date.
About the only thing she could find about him was an article written in the local newspaper about his dedication to the safety of the beachgoers. It somehow made her more sad that he’d barely left his mark on the world. He was too young to be gone.
“I’d like to spend some time with the kids this afternoon. Will that interrupt your day?”
“Not at all. We didn’t have anything planned.”
“Great, then you can have the afternoon and evening off. I know you’ll probably want to go to the memorial. I’d appreciate it if you took a check for me to put in for the donation. I just can’t tolerate gloomy things. Does that make me terrible?”
Blu smiled at her employer’s insecurity. Rachel had no reason to be insecure. She was intelligent, attractive, and wealthy. Yet, she seemed to always be looking to Blu for reassurance. Blu didn’t mind. She knew what it was like to be uncomfortable in her own skin.
“No, it doesn’t make you terrible. I think it’s better that the kids are with you on a day like this. I’m sure that his family will appreciate your donation.”
“Any little bit helps, right?” She pulled her checkbook out of her purse. She wrote out one amount and then Blu noticed her add another zero to the end. The sharp tear of the check startled Blu out of her thoughts. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Rachel. That’s very generous of you.”
“No amount of money brings back a life, though, does it?” She frowned. “I saw him just the other day too. He was in the post office with his girlfriend.”
“Girlfriend? I didn’t know that Sam had a girlfriend.”
“Well, I assumed that she was. They were holding hands. Then again, I guess at his age he might have had a few girlfriends.”
“Do you remember what she looked like?”
“Yeah, she was tiny and blonde—you know, the kind of girl that belongs at the top of a cheerleading pyramid. I thought they made a cute couple.”
Blu nodded. “I’m sure they did.”
Before heading to the memorial, Blu walked into the center of the small beach town. On one side of the town were all of the stores and shops that catered to the wealthy. On the other side of town were the shops and stores that were owned and used by the locals.