Tides of Hope

by Irene Hannon

  “Good idea. Let’s see you do it.”

  Keeping an eye on the waves, she drew a facsimile of a daisy.

  “Very good,” Craig praised her. “That’s better than—”

  “Vicki!”

  At Maddie’s shout, his daughter straightened up and took off at a run for the approaching duo.

  Craig stayed where he was, glad his dark glasses hid the appreciative gleam he knew was sparking to life in his eyes. Maddie, already barefoot, was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, like his daughter. But it was Kate who drew—and held—his attention.

  She’d exchanged her church clothes for beige capri pants and a green-and-beige striped knit top that showed off her slender figure to perfection. Although she’d restrained her hair at her nape with a barrette, he was enchanted by the few springy curls that had escaped to frame her face. She, too, wore sunglasses, hiding her glorious green eyes, but she could do nothing to disguise the soft, appealing curve of her lips.

  As they drew close, Maddie grinned and waved. “Hi, Lootenin.”

  “Hello, Maddie.”

  Showing no compunction about getting close to the water, she scampered straight toward the breakers, splashing through the waves as they washed over her feet. Emboldened by her friend’s confidence, Vicki fell in behind her.

  “Don’t get too wet, Maddie,” Kate called.

  Busy dodging waves, the youngster didn’t acknowledge the directive.

  “Good thing I brought a change of clothes.” Kate shook her head and set down the kid-size pails and shovels she’d been lugging. Shrugging the large beach bag from her shoulder, she let it drop to the sand beside the blanket he’d spread.

  “I should have brought an extra set of clothes, too.”

  Kate dismissed his concern with a wave. “Vicki will be fine. I’m just overprotective about Maddie because of the asthma.” Kicking off her flip-flops, she sat on the blanket and gestured toward the large brown bag and small cooler on one edge. “What’s for lunch?”

  He dropped down beside her. “I went to Something Natural and got sandwiches and cookies. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Perfect.” A soft smile touched the corners of her lips. “Mac and I used to do this a lot. Pick up sandwiches and head for the beach.”

  “He sounds like he was a great guy.” Craig didn’t especially want to talk about Kate’s husband, but if anything was going to develop between them they had to get comfortable with each other’s pasts.

  She fixed her eyes on the distant horizon. “He was. Every day with Mac was an adventure. And special days were amazing. One year on my birthday he enlisted Edith’s help and scoured the local gardens to fill the house with flowers so we could have a picnic in a garden despite the rain.

  “But my favorite birthday was the year he set up a formal dinner on the beach at Great Point, complete with white linen tablecloth, china and silver. He even rented a tux, and we danced barefoot in the sand while some of his musician friends entertained us.”

  “Wow.” He would never in a million years have thought of such a romantic gesture, Craig acknowledged in dismay. “That’s a hard act to follow.”

  She took off her sunglasses, letting him see into her eyes—and her heart. “Everyone has their own gifts to offer and is special in their own way, Craig. Just like you told Vicki.”

  His throat tightened, and he touched her hand. “Thanks.”

  “Mommy, I’m hungry. When are we eating?”

  The girls ran up, their feet spraying sand in all directions. He withdrew his hand, and Kate brushed the grains off the blanket as he reached for the bag.

  “How about now?”

  “Now is good,” Vicki declared, plopping down.

  As Craig unpacked the food and Kate distributed it, the girls chattered, ending the adult conversation. But once the meal was over and they scampered off with buckets and pails to build a sand castle, calm descended again.

  After stowing the remains of their lunch in the cooler, Craig stretched his legs out in front of him, crossed them at the ankles and leaned back on his palms as he watched the little girls.

  “I think I’ve discovered the nation’s untapped energy source.”

  Chuckling, Kate stifled a yawn. “The Energizer Bunny has nothing on kids, that’s for sure. I wish I could tap into it.”

  He took in the faint shadows under her eyes, the weariness at their corners. “You look tired.”

  “Busy week.”

  “Why don’t you stretch out and rest for a few minutes? I’ll watch the girls.”

  She caught her lower lip in her teeth, obviously tempted. “That wouldn’t be very polite.”

  “Kate, we’re not teenagers on a first date. You don’t have to dazzle me with your sparkling wit or keep me entertained every minute. I’m content just to share the afternoon with you.”

  “If you’re sure…”

  “I’m sure.”

  Capitulating, Kate pulled a rolled-up beach towel from her bag, stretched out and positioned it under her head. “I just need ten minutes.”

  “Take as long as you like. I’ll enjoy the scenery.”

  Five minutes later, based on her even breathing, Craig knew Kate had fallen into a sound sleep. And as he’d told her, he took the opportunity to enjoy the view.

  Of her.

  In slumber, she appeared younger and more vulnerable, he reflected, tracing the graceful curve of her cheek and the dusting of freckles on her nose. Sleep had wiped the tension from her features, erased the faint furrows of worry that often marred her brow. A slight breeze played with the unruly curls around her face, and he wondered if they were as soft as they looked.

  Now wasn’t the time to find out, he told himself, tamping down the temptation to reach over and touch one. Not while she was sleeping. But before this day ended, Craig intended to satisfy his curiosity.

  A child’s shriek tugged Kate back from the depths of oblivion. It was Maddie!

  Struggling to rouse herself, Kate tried to sit up. But a gentle, firm hand pressed her back.

  “Maddie needs me!” She fought against the restraint.

  “Relax, Kate. She’s fine. They’re trying to catch a seagull.”

  Craig’s voice.

  Blinking, she shaded her eyes and waited for the last vestiges of sleep to vanish. They were on a picnic. On the beach. He was watching the girls while she took a quick rest.

  Except she had a feeling it hadn’t been quick.

  “How long did I sleep?”

  “Forty-five minutes.”

  Embarrassment warmed her cheeks, and she sat up. “Sorry about that.”

  “No problem. I wasn’t bored.”

  She shoved a few loose tendrils of hair back from her face, uncertain how to interpret that comment. “Kids are better than TV in terms of entertainment value,” she ventured.

  “So are other things.” He took off his dark glasses, giving her a glimpse into eyes that had darkened in color and grown restless as the sea before a storm. “You’re very beautiful when you sleep.”

  Her heart slammed against her rib cage and her breath lodged in her throat. Though she tried for a teasing tone, she couldn’t quite pull it off. “Not so much when I’m awake, huh?”

  “Even better then.”

  He reached over and captured one of her curls, working it between his fingertips as a slow smile lifted his lips. “Just as soft as I expected.”

  Kate cast a quick glance at the girls, who were engrossed in digging a moat around their castle.

  “They’ve seen me kiss you before, Kate.”

  Her gaze jerked back to his. This time his meaning was crystal clear.

  He intended to kiss her.

  And this wasn’t going to be a casual peck on the cheek.

  But he was warning her. Giving her a chance to back off. Leaving the decision up to her.

  She’d known when she accepted his invitation that this was a date. Had known it would move their relationship to a new level. This w
as a logical next step. And she’d thought she was ready for it. Thought she could get past her fear enough to explore the attraction between them.

  Now she wasn’t certain.

  As if sensing her dilemma, Craig angled toward her and reached for her hand, enfolding it in his.

  Staring down at his strong, lean fingers, she went absolutely still as a sudden, overwhelming rush of long-absent emotions spilled over her. For the first time since Mac died, she felt safe. Secure. Protected. Cared for. Wanted.

  “If it’s any consolation, Kate, I’m as nervous about it as you are. I haven’t been on a date in years.”

  His candid admission did more to quell the butterflies in her stomach than anything else he could have said or done. “I don’t want to rush.”

  “Me, neither. But I think we’re past the kiss-on-the-cheek stage, don’t you?” A hint of humor diluted the stronger, more intimidating emotion in his eyes, and her comfort level edged up another notch.

  “I guess so. But…I’m really out of practice.”

  “That makes two of us. What do you say we brush up on our skills?”

  Without waiting for her to respond, he leaned closer, erasing the distance between them. Cupping the back of her head with his hand, he captured her lips in a gentle kiss that left her heart pounding harder than the surf.

  Backing off a few inches, he smiled down at her. “Not bad, considering we’re both rusty.”

  It took her a few moments to find her voice. “Yeah.” It was all she could manage.

  He grinned and winked. “And it will only get better with practice.”

  His comment did nothing to slow her racing pulse.

  A sudden gust of wind whipped past, stirring the sand around them, and Craig scanned the sky. “We timed this outing well. Looks like Mother Nature is being fickle.”

  Weather. He was talking about the weather, Kate realized. Forcing herself to switch gears, she checked out the dark clouds gathering on the horizon. But she doubted the tempest to come would hold a candle to the one raging in her heart.

  Leaning past Craig, she called out to the girls. “Maddie! Vicki! We need to leave. It’s going to rain.”

  As she reached for her flip-flops, Craig gathered up the remnants of their picnic and rose to fold up the blanket. The girls trotted over, and Kate collected their buckets and shovels.

  “Before we go, how about I take a picture of you three ladies over by the water?” Craig pulled his camera out of his pocket.

  “Okay.” Vicki grabbed Maddie’s hand and pulled her closer to the breakers.

  Kate held back. “Why don’t you just take a shot of the girls, Craig? It would be a nice keepsake for them and—”

  “Would you folks like me to take a shot of all of you together?”

  An older man and his wife, beach chairs and towels in hand, stopped beside them on their trek to the parking lot from farther down the beach.

  Craig took her hand. “I like that idea.”

  It was like a family shot, Kate thought. The very thing she’d found herself wishing for at the Daffodil Festival. But now she hesitated.

  “Come on, Mommy!” Maddie called. “We can all squeeze together.”

  “Yeah.” Craig grinned and gave her another wink. “I’m a good squeezer.”

  Capitulating, Kate let him lead her over to the girls.

  As they took up a position behind their daughters, Craig placed one hand on Vicki’s shoulder and draped his arm around Kate.

  “Say ‘cheese!’” the older man instructed.

  After they complied, he examined his handiwork on the tiny screen as Craig rejoined him. “Nice-looking family,” he remarked, handing it back. “You folks have a good day.” With a wave, he and his wife continued down the beach toward the sandy path that would take them to the parking lot.

  Tucking the camera in his pocket, Craig retrieved the cooler and blanket while Kate slung the beach bag over her shoulder and nested the buckets. As they began their trek toward their cars, Craig once more claimed her hand in a warm clasp, entwining his fingers with hers.

  It was slow going through the deep, loose sand, and more than once Kate felt off balance.

  But while she tried to blame her unsteadiness on the terrain, in her heart she knew it had nothing to do with the shifting grains beneath her feet and everything to do with the shifting landscape of her world.

  “I like that picture, Daddy.” Vicki watched, four hours later, as the shot of the four of them on the beach emerged from Craig’s printer.

  Lifting it, he had to agree. They looked like the family the man who’d taken their picture had assumed they were. The little girls—one fair, one dark—were holding hands. His arm was around Kate’s shoulders, and she was leaning into him. All of them were wearing happy smiles.

  “Where are we going to put it, Daddy?”

  “We’ll have to start a photo album. I’ll get one this week.” Since acquiring the camera, he’d already taken more than a dozen shots.

  “But can’t we put this one where we can see it all the time?”

  “Sure. I think I have an extra frame in my bedroom.”

  “Let’s look!”

  Vicki led the way, and Craig opened his closet. He thought he remembered seeing an empty four-by-six frame in one of the boxes he hadn’t gotten around to unpacking completely.

  Pulling the box out, he lifted the lid and dug through it until his fingers closed over the edge of the frame. But when he withdrew it, the glass was cracked and one corner of the wood had been crushed. A casualty of the move, he supposed.

  “It’s broken.” Vicki’s face registered disappointment.

  Setting the damaged frame aside, Craig was preparing to console her with a promise that he’d pick up a new one tomorrow when the family shot on his dresser caught his eye.

  He froze.

  No!

  Fighting down a wave of panic, he tried to quash the idea that sprang to mind. It was too…final. Letting go was too hard.

  Yet how could he move forward if he clung to the past?

  “Daddy?”

  Vicki’s uncertain voice told him she’d picked up on his potent emotions, and he tried his best to summon up a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, honey. Daddy’s just thinking about something.”

  “About Mommy and Aaron?”

  “Yes. This is a pretty picture, isn’t it?” He rested his unsteady hand on top of the frame.

  She regarded it in silence. “Yes. But it makes you sad. I think you should put up pictures that make you happy. Like that one. It makes you smile.” She pointed to the shot in his other hand.

  His daughter was right, Craig conceded. Continuing to mourn for the past would do nothing except deprive him of a future. Nicole and Aaron would always have a special place in his heart, of course. And someday, perhaps, he would be able to recall the joy they shared with fondness instead of pain.

  But until then, he needed to set his old memories aside and move on. To open himself to the opportunities the Lord had sent his way to create new memories. With a new family.

  Fingers trembling, Craig reached for the koa-wood frame and slid the backing off. Removing the photo, he replaced it with the one taken today, tucking the older one behind it. After sliding the backing on again, he set the photo on his dresser, beside the one of him and Vicki at the Daffodil Festival parade.

  A small hand crept into his, and he looked down to find Vicki watching him.

  “It’s okay, Daddy. You have me.”

  Hot tears welled in his eyes. Dropping to one knee beside the daughter he’d neglected for too long, he said a silent, fervent prayer of thanks that she’d responded to his fumbling attempts at fatherhood, blessing his life with her sweet, innocent love.

  And as he pulled her close, he also prayed for guidance as he entered the uncharted waters ahead.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Talk about an easy way to make a buck.

  One hand on the wheel, Kate guided the Lucy Sue s
lowly through the water off Great Point and watched the three college-age anglers in the stern, who were doing more laughing than trolling. She was glad they were having a good time, but as far as she was concerned they had more money than sense. It was only mid-May, and other than a few premature arrivals, the bluefish were still miles south of Nantucket on their trek north. There was little chance the lackadaisical fishermen would snag even one.

  Not that they seemed to care. When they’d approached her on the dock, they’d assured her they were more interested in fresh air and sea breezes than catching fish. And after they’d flashed all those fifty-dollar bills at her, offering to pay more than her usual fee, she’d been glad to oblige. Her cash reserve could use a little extra padding after the expense of fixing her dinged propeller.

  Best of all, she hadn’t even needed to call on Chester to assist today. For larger groups, he served as her mate. But she could handle three people. Especially when they weren’t all that serious about fishing and it was only a two-hour charter.

  So far, this trip had been a piece of cake, she reflected, making a wide arc to starboard. It was a glorious, sunny Friday. Perfect for cruising, if not for fishing. And unlike most trips, she had time to enjoy it. After making sure the three passengers knew how to handle their rods, she’d retreated to the helm and let herself daydream about a certain appealing Coast Guard commander.

  Since the picnic on the beach last Sunday, her relationship with Craig had taken a quantum leap forward. He stopped in every day after picking Vicki up, sometimes only long enough to claim a quick kiss, other times staying for an impromptu pizza or spaghetti dinner. Those family-type get-togethers were supplemented with phone calls that sometimes lasted far too late into the night. Although her sleep was suffering, she felt invigorated rather than tired.

  That’s what falling in love could do to you, she supposed.

  And she was falling. Hard. No question about it.

  While lingering traces of fear continued to lurk at the edges of her consciousness, she was doing her best not to let them influence her decisions or impede the progress of a relationship she was coming to believe, after much prayer, God intended for her to pursue.