Three Southern Beaches: A Summer Beach Read Box Set

by Kathleen Brooks

  Trey choked on his iced tea. “I’m sorry. Just for clarification, what was so big?”

  Millie gave him a look like he was dimwitted. “The ship, duh. So, the sexy pirate captain ran the ship ashore. His men quickly unloaded large trunks filled with jewels, liquor, gold, and then the women.”

  This time it was Taylor’s cameraman who stopped her. “Wait. What women?”

  Millie shook her head, disappointed. “Weren’t you listening? I told you they were getting lots of booty. So, once all the treasure was unloaded and sitting on the beach, he ordered his men to come near. He looked up at the stars and the bright full moon that seemed so close he could reach out and touch it. He told them, ‘On this night when t’ full moon be so close, t’ tides be at their lowest, we bury our treasure under her watchful eye.’ So the men worked all night to bury the stolen treasure before the pirate captain sent them to every house in the small town. The pirate captain stood in the town square as his men, the wenches, and the settlers gathered as one. He told them the British were near and made a deal with them. If they hid his crew, his crew would always protect them and never do them any harm.”

  “So, what happened to them?” the cameraman asked.

  “That day they worked feverishly building small huts around the island where the crew took their wenches and a spare settler or two. They pretended to be living there as the settlers when the British arrived that evening. The British stormed the island demanding the settlers to turn over the crew. The settlers said there was no crew. That only one man came off the boat last night—the pirate captain.

  “The soldiers turned to where the pirate captain stood tall and proud in the town square overlooking the ocean. ‘Where’s the treasure?’ the British demanded. The pirate captain just laughed as his green eyes glowed in the moonlight. The British captain pulled out a rope and threw it over the large nearby tree, which is now the site of Seawave Resort. Even after being beaten, the pirate captain still refused to tell where the treasure was buried. So the rope was placed around his neck and he was raised into the night sky. It’s said his last words were, ‘Aaarg, Davey Jones’s locker is calling me home.’ With a howl of pain that echoed in the night sky, he died on that very spot. One of the women settlers looked up at him and announced to the crowd, ‘Wow, that man was hung!’ And that’s how the island became known as Hung Island.” Millie crossed her arms and sat back in her chair with a flourish.

  “That makes no sense. Why wouldn’t the crew just go dig up the treasure?” The cameraman asked.

  “Ah, because the British never left. And the crew followed their captain’s orders and refused to leave the settlers unprotected. The crew and settlers kept their word and never told. It's even said that descendants of the crew are still here protecting the island today. So every year, when the moon is closest to the Earth and the tide is at its lowest point, the people, and now tourists, search for the buried treasure. It’s said the person who finds it will have eternal life.”

  “Wait,” Taylor interjected. “I heard it was the person who finds it will get the key to bring the pirate captain back.”

  “That’s not it,” one of the local fisherman said from his nearby table. “You’ll be granted three wishes.”

  “No, Clyde. If you find the treasure you get . . .”

  Taylor leaned closer to her cameraman. “Well, you get the picture now.”

  “Yeah, I do. Why aren’t we filming that movie?”

  “I don’t do pirates, hung or otherwise,” Taylor smiled innocently and turned back to Trey.

  Trey shook his head. “Good thing I don’t have to worry about that. Do you know how many men are dressed as pirates this week? But,” he shrugged, “the story of Hung Island will be fun to tell our children someday. I know we aren’t thinking of having kids right now, but you’ll be the best mother. I can see you telling him stories every night.”

  “Her. I’m totally going to have a girl. And you’ll be the overprotective daddy teaching her how real gentlemen should treat her. We may lead a very untraditional life, but I’d always hoped to settle into a more traditional family lifestyle. I find it all so romantic and comforting.”

  “We'll have our own traditions. We'll celebrate every Christmas in Keeneston. We'll have our mellow Monday dinner, movie night, and so many other little things that are just ours.” Trey reached across the table and put his hand over hers. He loved her so much, but he just couldn’t propose until it was perfect.

  “I know it’s silly, but when I was young I used to dream of a man asking my father’s permission to marry me and being surrounded by everyone I cared about while getting married. It wouldn’t be a big, fancy wedding like in the movies. Rather a hometown, casual, romantic event. Too bad by the time I was twelve, any idea of family was gone.”

  “But you have me now and we’re family.” Trey squeezed her hand and smiled. He had an idea.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Trey grabbed some t-shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots and shoved them in his Vultures duffle bag. He scanned the room and looked for his royal blue Keeneston High School baseball cap. Finding it hanging in the closet, he slipped it over his dark blond hair and tried not to look Taylor in the eyes as she stepped out of the shower and slid on her robe.

  “Hey, hon. I forgot to tell you, but tonight is an overnight with the guys. Team building or something like that. I’m sure Coach will have us doing some stupid trust exercises.”

  “Right,” Taylor laughed as she toweled off her long hair. “More like you’ll be eating pizza and gossiping.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you? Men don’t gossip.”

  “You can say it until you’re blue in the face and I won’t believe you. You forget I hear you guys when you have poker night here. Slap on some sensible shoes and dye your hair white. You’d make a fine fourth Rose sister.”

  “You heard us out of context. Anyway, gosh knows what Coach has planned for us, so I don’t know if I’ll be able to answer the phone right away if you call. Sorry to do this on the weekend. I had been hoping we could do something together tonight.” Trey slung his duffle bag over his shoulder and kept his eye fixed on her red painted toes.

  Taylor sighed as she ran a brush through her hair. “It’s okay. I didn’t get a chance to tell you that we’ll be shooting a night scene anyway. I’ll be on set well into tomorrow morning. So I wouldn’t be here anyway.”

  “Have fun trying to manage Grant and Melanie today,” Trey finally moved closer to her and gave her a quick kiss.

  Taylor rolled her eyes. “I swear, I’ve never been so glad to be behind the camera. He’s bad enough, but then throw in Melanie who literally hurls herself in front of every camera she sees. It’s enough to make me scream. She'd rather be in front of the media cameras than mine. The easiest way to eat up what little budget we have is to be behind in shooting. If Melanie doesn’t start moving away from the media cameras and onto the set, then we’re going to fall behind. We just can’t afford to do that.”

  “You’re not their costar anymore. You’re their boss. Remember that. Don’t let them walk over you just because they see you as the teenager they are accustomed to seeing on film.” Trey rubbed her back and looked into the steely determination shining in her eyes. There was his girl.

  “You’re right. I’m going to go full coach on them. Maybe I’ll pick up a whistle and order their little butts around the set. I do love it, though, all of it. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m getting the itch again. I found myself mouthing the words yesterday. I’m not ready for acting again, but being behind the camera has definitely enflamed my love for the craft again.”

  “That’s great!” Trey wrapped his arms around her and spun her around before letting her body slide down his as her toes touched the ground once again. “This time, if you step in front of the camera, it will be purely for the joy of it. It’s the same feeling I get when I step out on the field. Peace, excitement, and happiness rush through you because you’re doing some
thing you love. You’ll know when the time is right.”

  “Exactly! I’m so glad you understand it. I’ll know when it’s time. I’m just so excited, my fear is starting to fade. Surprising since my parents showed up, but I guess I’m stronger than I thought. Speaking of renewed . . .”

  Trey’s eyes rolled back as Taylor’s hand caressed his growing erection. Her towel dropped to the floor and Trey decided leaving could wait a little while longer. His hand moved to cup her breast as she leaned her head back, giving him access to her neck. He was going to take it slow and kiss every inch of her naked body. But then she popped the button to his jeans. Taylor’s hand slid into his jeans and wrapped around his shaft and he lost all control.

  Trey ripped his shirt off and with Taylor’s help was kicking off his pants in record time. Taylor hooked her leg around his waist and Trey grabbed her other leg. With his two large hands cupping her bottom, he sat her on the counter allowing her to lean back as he stood in front of her. Leaning over to tease her nipple with his tongue, he pumped into her. The sounds of her moans were more than enough to make up for the late start.

  Taylor smiled happily as she slipped into a pair of black linen slacks and a light blue silk shirt that matched her eyes. Trey had headed out after he, um, helped her get ready . . . twice. When the house went quiet and her breathing returned to normal, she decided she was going to take Trey’s advice. She was going to stop acting like the stars' friend and start acting like their boss. The first step was dressing the part. She slipped on her wedge sandals and looked in the mirror with a smile of satisfaction. She was going to kick ass today. It didn’t matter that she was only twenty-five. She had twenty years of experience in this industry—more than most of the people on set.

  As she drove up to the Seawave Resort, she saw that the number of people standing at the metal barriers surrounding the set had grown. But she didn’t worry as much as she had before. She saw Millie stomp the foot of a gossip blogger and laughed. Taylor headed straight for Millie, answered all her questions, and even posed for some pictures with Jim Peters before taking him aside to talk about today’s scenes and the shot they were planning for tonight.

  It felt good to jump into the business side of things once again and to learn how to set a scene from a master director like Jim. When Grant tried to pull her in for a kiss, she stopped him cold with just a look and ordered him to get ready. They were starting on time today and anyone not ready would be docked pay. She’d never seen him move so fast before.

  “This is going to be a great day,” Taylor stated.

  “I think you’re right,” Jim smiled at her new assertiveness.

  * * *

  The afternoon sun warmed Trey’s arm as it rested on the open window of his pick-up truck. It had taken eight hours, but he was almost there. Black four-board fences and rolling hills dotted with horses and cattle were leading him home. He drove his truck around a sharp corner on the country road and waved as he saw Betsy and William Ashton galloping in a field nearby.

  He slowed to a near crawl when he came upon the huge tractor driving down the road. The man waved and Trey moved to pass. He gave a honk and waved at Old Man Tabby driving the tractor. Soon more cars appeared as they honked their hellos as Main Street of Keeneston, Kentucky, came into view. Trees lined both sides of the street. Colorful historic buildings were freshly painted and American flags flew on every lamppost. It felt great to be home.

  “Welcome home, Trey!”

  “Hiya, Pam! How are the boys doing?” Trey called out through his open window.

  “Doing great. Playing soccer for Transylvania. My oldest is a junior and playing on the varsity team. My youngest will be a freshman there this fall.”

  “Tell them I said hi,” Trey shouted before moving toward the café. If he didn’t stop to say hi, then he’d get a broom to the head and a spoon to the hand.

  Miss Daisy Mae Rose smiled as she put a pitcher of tea on the small outdoor bistro table for Noodle, the deputy sheriff, and his wife, Dr. Emma. Their four-year-old daughter, Ava, sat at the table playing with a doll as her tight curls bounced.

  “Lily Rae, Violet Fae, our boy is home!” Miss Daisy hollered through the screen door of the Blossom Café as she hurried toward his open window.

  “You’ve done a nice job with your flowers this year, Miss Daisy.” Trey saw the window boxes and the barrels of bright flowers overflowing their sides.

  “Is everything alright? Aren’t you in summer training? Where’s Taylor? What’s wrong?” Miss Lily asked all in one breath as she hurried from the café along with everyone who was inside.

  Trey laughed and truly felt at home. These women took care of everyone in this town and he loved them as if they were his own grandmothers. “Everything is fine. Taylor is filming today. It’s Saturday and I don’t have practice. I wanted to see y’all and thought I’d come for a quick visit.”

  Miss Lily snorted and relaxed her grip on her broom. He had a feeling they knew the real reason he was here. “In that case, Cy is out on the farm today. Gemma’s working on another book. It looks like Taylor may have a sequel if the movie does well.”

  “I could be here to see Will and Cade,” Trey told them, thinking that he had to make sure he stopped by and saw Will Ashton and Cade Davies, his old high school football coaches.

  “No one likes a fibber,” Miss Violet said sweetly.

  “I swear—y’all know why I’m here, don’t you?”

  “Of course we do,” Miss Daisy shrugged.

  “How?”

  “It’s a gift,” Miss Lily said as her sisters nodded their white heads. No way were he and the rest of the guys on the team like them. Taylor was crazy. “Well, get to it. We’ll see you later, young man. And welcome home.” Miss Lily and her sisters turned with their heads pressed together. Trey pressed on the gas pedal. There was still a point one percent chance he could make it to Cy’s farm before the Keeneston grapevine did.

  Trey turned into Cy and Gemma’s driveway and headed down the long road lined with Bradford Pear trees. Cattle grazed in the pasture to the left, and crops filled some of the property to the right. A couple of horses galloped in pastures ahead. The large, light yellow farmhouse slowly came into view with its sweeping covered porches and bright flowers.

  Trey parked his truck and watched as Gemma Davies unfolded herself from the large porch swing. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail that swung as she put down her laptop and hurried down the wood steps toward him.

  “Congratulations, Trey! You and Taylor will be so happy. And of course, you can have the wedding here at the farm if you wish. How does the second weekend in April sound as a wedding date?”

  Trey was wrapped in a hug before he even had time to respond. “How?”

  “The Keeneston phone tree was activated before you even pulled away from the café. Bets are being placed. With your football schedule, we’ve had to narrow it down to the actual day. So, second Saturday in April, right?” Gemma winked.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. So, Cy already knows why I’m here? Where is he?” Trey asked as he looked around the farmland.

  “Nope. He’s out riding with the girls.” Gemma lifted her hand to shield the sun and squinted into the distance. “Oh, there they are. You may want to move to the side. This is their finish line.”

  “Finish?” Trey didn’t get a chance to finish asking his question as Gemma pushed him aside.

  He looked into the distance and saw three horses racing toward them. Cy led the group with his cowboy hat pulled low over his eyes. Two red-headed girls with long, wavy hair streaming behind them charged after him. One of the twins pulled ahead of Cy and Trey could hear her taunting her father and sister.

  Her sister’s face was set in determination at the taunt as she urged her horse faster. Cy’s face was covered in a grin of pure enjoyment as he squeezed his thighs, sending his horse rocketing forward and past the twins. Hooves thundered down the dirt road as they galloped past Trey. The
breeze caused dust to float up around him as he watched Cy cross the finish line first followed by the twins.

  “Aw, Dad,” seven-year-old Reagan and Riley both whined at the same time.

  “Sorry, girls. Your old man still has it. You'll just have to wait for another day to beat me,” Cy laughed as he swung his leg over the saddle and hopped to the ground. “Trey! What’s going on?”

  “Trey!” The girls squealed as they slid from their horses and raced to wrap their arms around his waist.

  Trey laughed as he ruffled his hands in their hair. Both girls looked up with shining hazel eyes and starting talking at once.

  “Then Gabe threw dirt at me.”

  “But Zain didn’t.”

  “So we waited until he thought he was alone.”

  “And made him a mud pie.”

  “And whoops, we dropped it from the tree…”

  “And it just happened to land all over him.”

  “Zain saw us, but didn’t tell Mr. Mo or Miss Dani about it.”

  “He’s not a tattler.”

  “But you know who is?” Both girls turned and looked at each other before looking back up at Trey.

  “Who?” Trey asked as he tried to find the small mole on the side of Reagan’s mouth. It was the only way to tell them apart.

  “Our cousin Dylan. He totally told on us when we went playing down at Aunt Paige’s special place when we were supposed to be helping Nana and Papa.”

  “Little boys can be like that.”

  The girls rolled their eyes at his statement. “Boys are stupid,” they said in unison.

  “That they are,” Cy chuckled as he closed the gate to the pasture where the horses had been put after they were unsaddled. “So, to what do I owe the unexpected pleasure of seeing you?”