Salt Water Wounds (Oyster Cove #1)

by Jennifer Foor

  “Dad, I’m here to do business with you. I know you want to retire. It was your dream to pass on the family business to me and Nick.”

  “I’d like to retire, but I’m going to need more time to be able to afford it.”

  Perry makes a flippant sound. “Mom wants you to sell the house and buy an RV. You could get a million for this place.”

  Nestor looks to me and then back to Perry. “What brought this on? Does it have something to do with Peter?”

  “No! This is about me and my future. Buck is looking for an investment. He needs something less strenuous so his boys can run the other company. He’s interested in owning a business and running it here on the island, and since you’ve made stipulations regarding the sale of the bar, I’ve come up with a solution to benefit all of us.”

  “What do you have in mind?” He seems to take interest in what she’s saying.

  “There’s two ways this can go. Buck and I can go to the courthouse and elope, making him family so I’m able to transfer the business to him, or he can take out a loan and buy your restaurant.”

  “He has no experience running a restaurant.”

  “No, but I do. Together we’d make it work. We’d keep all the same employees, and he’d pick it up quick. Besides, you barely have to work anymore. Your managers take care of the heavy lifting. You only stop by so you can snatch up fresh seafood. I’ve never asked for much from you. I’ve let you and Mom be a part of Nick’s life, against my better judgment.”

  Nestor looks to me with worry. Then he gets it. He shakes his head and covers his face with his hands.

  “He knows you’re my blood uncle if that’s what you’re thinking. Buck knows everything I’ve been through, and he still wants to be with me.”

  “Of course he does. It’s a business deal.”

  I’m finally able to voice my opinion. “You’re wrong. This wasn’t my idea. Sure, I’d like to have a business to supplement my income so my boys can benefit, but I’d never use your daughter for my own personal gain. I’m a man of my word, and I want to be with Pe… Ally. We’ve been friends for years. I’d appreciate it if you refrained from making false assumptions. Unlike you, I won’t fail her.” It’s a slap to the face. Perry’s eyes widen as she looks from me to her father.

  The older balding man sighs and shakes his head again. “I want two hundred grand for the business, and that includes the property. If you can come up with that amount I’ll have my lawyer start drawing up the papers.”

  For a prime location and the ownership of the business and property it’s a major steal. Perry has manipulated the man. She’s cornered him with guilt to get what she wants, and I don’t feel bad about it.

  He continues. “I love my daughter, Buck. I’ve raised her as my own and done everything in my power so she’d have a good life. I’m not doing this as a favor to you. I owe Perry a lot more than a business. Besides, my wife has been on me for a few years to sell so we can travel. It’s time I give her what she wants.”

  I reach over and shake his hand, all while hoping I never have to do it again. This deal could ensure Perry finally breaks free from the parents who left her damaged and afraid.

  The business deal takes a few weeks. Between bank loans, underwriting services, and attorney meetings it’s taking forever. In that amount of time, Perry and I have been getting used to living under the same roof. I enjoy having her next to me at night. She’s been taking me to the restaurant and showing me the ins and outs whenever we have the free time to do it.

  It’s graduation day for Nick and Bristol. We’re putting on nice clothes and preparing to arrive at the school for the service. Bristol left hours before so she could ride with friends. The boys are giving me a hard time about wearing slacks and a button up. Perry walks out of my bedroom in a form fitted red dress. I take one look at her and then my sons, who all seem to be eyeing her up, even the two with their girlfriends standing next to them. I pull her into my arms, kiss her, and then smile at them. “She’s all mine, guys. Close your mouths.”

  They pretend they don’t know what I’m talking about, but they’re my boys, and I know for a fact they have good taste in women.

  While we’re driving, Perry fidgets in the seat next to me. “You look like you could use a drink.”

  “We haven’t seen or heard from Peter in weeks. I have a bad feeling about this, Buck.”

  Of course he’d be there to celebrate with his son, but Perry has nothing to worry about. I take her hand and squeeze it. “Relax, sweetness. He’s never going to hurt you again.”

  “He could keep Nick away from me.”

  “He could try, but let’s face it, that boy loves you. You raised him alone. He might hold a grudge regarding his father, but he knows who loves him unconditionally. Kids think money is love, gifts buy affection. Then they eventually wake up and realize how hard life is. Doing it alone is damn near impossible at times. If my kids can get along with me for the most part, you have nothing to worry about.”

  “I hope you’re right, Buck. Peter is relentless.”

  “He’s a coward who takes pleasure in beating women. He may have gotten a few punches in, but I’d tear him a new ass if he tried it a second time.”

  I think I’ve gotten through to her, at least until we pull up at the school and she sees her ex-husband walking alongside someone we both know.

  Tamara Bellows works at Mr. Paul’s Restaurant. It’s a breakfast establishment that’s known for it’s homemade cooking. They have the best creamed chipped beef, and sausage gravy and biscuits. We’ve been there several times together on Sunday mornings, and even had Brant and West join us on occasion. Tamara is younger than us. She’s probably in her early thirties. I don’t know much about her, except that she lives in a double-wide trailer off Ridge Road. I only know this because she talks too much to her customers at the restaurant.

  “What is she doing with him?” Perry asks.

  “It’s none of our business.”

  My beautiful girlfriend looks to me with worried eyes. “She needs to know he’s a monster, Buck.”

  I raise her hand and kiss it. “Wait until after the ceremony. Pretend it doesn’t bother you for one day, sweetness. Besides, he’s left us alone. It’s been nice.”

  “Yeah. I still don’t want him hurting someone else. Tamara is a sweet girl. She’s got a daughter.”

  I sigh. Perry is stubborn like me. She’s going to do what she feels is right, and I admire her for it. “Do you want company?”

  She grips my hand. “It can wait, babe. Let’s watch our children walk across that stage. We deserve this.”

  “Yeah, we do.”

  The island is small, as is the graduating class. We purposely sit across the gym from Peter to avoid confrontation. Perry holds her camera, snapping pictures like crazy while I search the seats for her ex-husband. Sure enough, he’s staring at us. I nod and smile, letting him know I’ve got my eye on him. Then I lean over and kiss her on the side of the head just to make sure he knows where I stand.

  The ceremony begins. People speak. The graduates start to make their way up on stage individually.

  They called Perry’s son first. “Nick Hawkins.” She stands and whistles, me following her lead. She’s crying and emotional, while I’m steady watching Peter, fixated on making sure he’s aware I’ll never fear him. A few minutes pass and then I hear what I never thought was possible. “Bristol Annalise Wallace.”

  I’m not sure where all her brothers have sat, but the whole gymnasium erupts in celebration. Perry is capturing it on film, while my eyes begin to burn. She catches my grimace and leans against me. “I bet Layla’s watching, Buck. She wouldn’t miss this.”

  It’s been easy falling for Perry, because unlike other women, she knows I’ll always have a place in my heart for Layla, and she appreciates it. She wants to keep her memory alive. Last week she repainted her name on the back of the sailboat so it would show up more clearly from far away. She’s rearranged family
photos, including new ones we’ve started taking together, surrounded by the old ones including my late wife. She even took Layla’s precious collectibles and put them in her curio cabinet so they’d stay clean. Perry has made our house a home again. When I walk inside I’m no longer tied to memories that cripple me. There’s something about her that reminds me of Layla. It’s not their looks, or the fact that we grew up in the same place. They have the same generous heart. I don’t look at Perry and see my wife. I never compare them. It’s not necessary. She’d never want that. Neither of them would. When I hold Perry in my arms it feels right. She belongs there.

  As the ceremony finishes, the crowd of locals begin to exit. Perry sees Tamara duck into the ladies room and sets off to warn her, while I wait searching for Peter. Our eyes meet and he’s already on his way over to me. Brant and Weston see what’s going on. They don’t come in my direction, but remain waiting to be my back up. For some reason I pull out my phone and turn on the recorder. I feel like this could be the chance to get rid of him. Besides, I’m going to have to give Perry a blow by blow of the conversation to calm her down.

  We’re face to face. “Let’s get something straight right here and now. You may have been able to threaten Alice in the past, but it’s never going to happen again.”

  “Why? Do you think she’ll stick with you? Alice doesn’t settle. She’s fickle. She’ll sleep around, probably with me if I let it happen.”

  I clench my fists in my slacks, hoping to God I can hold in my anger. “You know nothing about her. That’s what I find so interesting. You never once took the time to really know her. Instead you held her past over her head like it was a weapon. You tortured her for years, first mentally until it got physical. Did it make you feel good to beat on a woman? When you woke up with sore fists did you ever consider you were a monster?”

  “Fuck you. I don’t have to stand here and listen to this.” He goes to turn around only to come face to face with not one, but all five of my sons.

  Weston speaks for them all. “I don’t think my dad is done talking.”

  Peter rolls his eyes and turns, disgusted and pretty blindsided. “You did a hell of a job on her, messed her up and made her afraid. You’ve lied to that boy, which to me should be a crime. That boy needs his mother. She’s been his one constant.”

  He interjects. “He’s a fool, just like his mother.”

  I watch Perry stepping out of the restroom, immediately finding Nick. They hear the voices and turn in our direction, and something won’t let me stop.

  “You’re using Nick to get to Perry, and it’s not going to work. She’s happy. She knows he’ll figure you out.”

  He retorts. “I doubt it. That kid has a screw loose. He’ll do anything I say, like taking the blame for the moped. He worships the ground I walk on.”

  “You’re sick in the head. I’m warning you, stay away from Perry, because if you don’t you won’t just be dealing with me. You’ll have to deal with all of us.”

  “You think ganging up on me will get me to leave? You want your second hand slut, go on and keep her. She’s damaged. Her daddy took care of that. By the time I got with her, she was begging for the abuse. ”

  Perry’s almost running in my direction. My eyes light up, signaling to the boys to stop her. Brant holds her back from ripping into Peter. At the same time Nick approaches. “That’s how you feel? You told me you wanted our family back. You said you would never hurt Mom.”

  He laughs. “Grow up kid. I said whatever I needed to.”

  Nick cocks his arm back and punches his father in the face. Peter goes down quick, while Nick retracts and holds onto his fist. Caleb and Cooper go to his side. Dane accesses that situation while I go to Perry. She’s crying and embarrassed. Everyone is watching this. Camera phones are recording it.

  I’m holding her, giving her a second to calm down when someone attacks me from the side. The three of us tumble onto the floor. Next thing I know I’m watching Peter take his fist and swing at Perry, while yelling at the top of his lungs. “You stupid bitch!”

  He catches the side of her ear and I lose my shit. I’m on him and there’s no where for the coward to go. I get a few blows in before I’m being lifted off him.

  Several people separate us, just as a police officer arrives. He’d been outside directing traffic. I recognize him as he takes in the situation.

  Perry hurries toward him. “Toby, I want this man arrested. He’s got a record for assaulting another cop.”

  Toby sees Perry holding the side of her face. He points to Peter, who is still being apprehended by Weston and Brant. “This man hit you?”

  She nods. “Yes, and it’s not the first time. Take him and throw away the key. Make sure his cell mate knows he likes to beat on women.”

  “Don’t do this, Alice,” Peter pleads.

  “No. I’m done. This is over. I want you gone for good. I won’t let you hurt me or my son again. I’ll make sure I’m at every single parole hearing this time.”

  He looks to Nick for help. “Son.”

  Nick throws his middle finger in the air. “Don’t look at me. We’re done here. You laid your hands on my mom.”

  He grits his teeth, while Officer Toby Miller puts him in cuffs. Everyone watches as he’s led off the school premises. Nick rushes to his mom and holds her tight, Perry never letting go of my hand.

  Bristol and her boyfriend Jody arrive when it’s calming down. “I can’t leave this family alone for a second,” she teases. I watch my daughter reach out to Perry. She smiles at Nick, which is a start, and then hugs my girlfriend. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now, sweetie.” Perry doesn’t let go. They share a moment where their bond is undeniable. That’s when I know without a doubt that what I’m feeling is real. I never thought it was possible, yet it’s happening, and I refuse to fight it.

  Brant walks over and pats me on the arm. “We still going out to eat?”

  “Yeah, we are.” I put my hand on Nick’s shoulder. “All of us, as a family.”

  We’re out to the car before Perry asks me an important question. “Where are we supposed to put Nick?”

  “In your room. It’s time, sweetness. You belong with me.”

  “Are you sure, Buck? We can always move your stuff in my room if it’s easier.”

  “If Layla is watching, she’s probably used to the idea by now. We’ve been screwing all over the house. We’ll buy a new mattress if it makes it easier.”

  “Are you sure we aren’t rushing it?”

  “We aren’t getting any younger. Pretty soon I’ll need Viagra and a cane.”

  She shoves me with an appreciative smile. “I just want you to be sure.”

  I run my fingers through her hair as I speak. “I’m sure about one thing right now. I love you. Don’t question it, just know it’s there.”

  After the family dinner, we help Nick gather his things from his father’s house he was renting. We spent the rest of the night rearranging furniture in order to make him comfortable. It’s a big change for all of us, but I think we’ll make it work. Bristol doesn’t have to like it, but I think she’ll be nicer toward him for Perry’s sake.

  It’s after midnight when we’re both standing at the foot on my bed that I used to share with Layla. I take Perry’s hand and wink. “You’re making me nervous, woman.”

  “It’s strange. I’m scared.”

  “Of what? She’s not going to come through the sheets and get ya.”

  “I’d never want to replace her.”

  I run my hands through her dark waves and bring my lips to hers. “I know. If it were anyone else I wouldn’t believe it, but I trust that you mean it. I’m not asking you to replace Layla. I’m asking to be with me, to be my friend and my partner. I want you with me, in my bed. This house has history, but we can make our own memories.”

  Perry takes one knee and puts it on the bed. She takes my hand again and I follow. Neither of us know what will happen in the future. We’re
going to fight. We’ll probably hate each other at times. What family doesn’t? All I know for sure is that she gets me. She loves me for my flaws. She accepts the parts of me she can’t change, and I feel the same way about her. At the end of the day neither of us has to be alone.

  It’s pretty damn great.

  Epilogue

  About 1 year later

  It’s the official grand opening of the new family restaurant. We’ve spent months preparing, remodeling, and getting the staff familiar with the new menu and layout.

  There’s been a lot of changes in our lives, starting with the conviction of Peter. Because of his prior criminal record, and the fact that he attacked me in public on school property, the judge didn’t hold back, especially when they discovered he’d left the state without permission from his parole officer. Apparently you need to submit a request and get it approved. When they ran his fingerprints the system came up with a warrant for his arrest, and that was the end of Peter Hawkins. He was sentenced to sixteen years, in which I hope he finally comes to understand we want nothing else to do with him.

  I don’t know how many times Nick has come to me apologizing, not that I ever expected it. It wasn’t his fault his father told him lies. Since the altercation, Nick has been focusing on a new interest. He wants to get into law enforcement, but since he isn’t twenty-one he’s made a bigger decision. I still don’t know how I feel about it, but my son is going into the Army. He’s already signed up and gone through the first stage of physicals. I’m worried, but confident it’s the right choice for him. College wasn’t his cup of tea, and I refuse to complain about not having to pay for it. I know firsthand how much Buck foots out having three kids at a university at the same time. If it wasn’t for the new business we’d be broke.

  On top of keeping the old employees, I’ve hired two new people to cover my shifts at the bar, so I could be downstairs to focus on the new restaurant and helping Buck so he doesn’t have a stroke. He’s taken this new venture to heart, and every little hiccup has him freaking out.