No Ordinary Summer

by Linda Barrett

  Visions of the big, gray saltbox had bolstered her energy and kept her going through all the details of departing Boston for the summer. Stopping newspaper delivery, redirecting mail delivery, supervising Josh’s and Emily’s packing, organizing her own selections. But worth all the effort to be back in Pilgrim Cove.

  Strange to feel that way when so far she’d only spent one long weekend in the town. But what a weekend! The ROMEOs. Bart Quinn. The clean sand and sparkling ocean right outside her back door. A beautiful dog. An amusement park. But most of all, her thoughts always returned to the quiet man upstairs. Daniel Stone.

  Did that mean she wasn’t considering Carl’s proposal seriously? Or did it mean she’d unconsciously made up her mind? Or did it mean nothing more than she was a healthy single woman who was ready to start living a full life again? Of course, it could merely mean she needed and appreciated a new adult friendship. Someone who didn’t know her as part of the Carl-and-Shelley duo. And that was a good enough reason to look forward to seeing Daniel. Maybe she’d see him today after her crew had settled in.

  “Mom, are you sure Daddy knows how to get here?”

  Hadn’t she had this conversation with Josh a dozen times already? “I’m absolutely sure. Didn’t he tell you himself last night on the phone?”

  “Yeah. But when’s he gonna come? What if—what if he gets lost or…something?”

  Something. The word was whispered because Josh didn’t want to think about “or something.” The possibility that Carl wouldn’t find time to visit. “I can guarantee your dad will be visiting you in Pilgrim Cove.” Even if the reason has more to do with me.

  Carl had called twice during her last week at home. He’d wanted to take her out again, but she’d put him off, telling him she was buried in preparations for the summer away from home.

  “Then rest up,” he’d said, explaining that she’d be very busy once the campaign was in full swing—if everything went the way he’d hoped it would.

  She’d avoided answering. Instead, she offered him an invitation to visit Pilgrim Cove, reminding him to call in advance so she and the kids would be sure to be home. Between baseball games, Pilgrim Beach, Neptune’s Park, regular errands and activities, she couldn’t be certain they’d be at Sea View House if he just showed up.

  Echoes of his grumbling response remained in her mind as she turned right on Outlook Drive, heading toward Beach Street. Seemed Carl didn’t appreciate boundaries unless he set them. Choosing to pick her battles, she’d overlooked the grumbling. The man was under a lot of pressure these days. But she wouldn’t dispense with the boundaries.

  “Mom?” said Emily in a soft voice tinged with concern. “Do you think Jessie will remember me?”

  Finally, an easy question to answer! “She sure will. No doubt about it. That Jessie is one smart dog.”

  “Do you think she knows I’m coming?” Emily’s voice held awe. In her mirror, Shelley saw her daughter’s face aglow with wonder at the possibility.

  “Don’t be a dork!” said Josh to his sister. “The dog’s not that smart.”

  “I’m not a dork,” Emily managed to say before she began to cry.

  Easy? Was anything ever easy? Shelley turned onto Beach Street and pulled into Sea View House’s driveway. An empty driveway. Seemed the man upstairs wasn’t upstairs, and disappointment rolled through her, surprising her with its intensity. Had she been looking forward to Daniel’s company that much?

  The answer scared her. Consciously or unconsciously, she had been counting on seeing him again. Now, that was something to think about. She’d barely absorbed the significance of that admission before a second realization hit. Carl’s reappearance and request had changed her life again in the past week, and until that situation was resolved, she’d have to relegate Daniel to the status of a casual neighbor. If she could.

  LATE THAT AFTERNOON, at almost five o’clock, Daniel Stone stood at the bridge of the commuter ferry heading back to Pilgrim Cove from Rowes Wharf in Boston. He turned his head from left to right trying to work out the knots that had formed while he was hunched over his books. Internet research was fine to a point; for Daniel’s work, however, an extensive law library was needed such as the one at Harvard.

  His biggest challenge at the university this year was to introduce a new ethics curriculum based on current business practices. The fallout from Enron and other major players in American business had precipitated a reexamination of standard curriculum and demanded revisions. What exactly were the lawyers’ responsibilities if on the corporate staff or on retainer as part of a law firm? How should legal ethics, attorney-client privilege and social responsibility be balanced? With not only a doctor of law, but also a doctorate in philosophy, Daniel most enjoyed examining these types of complex issues using an interdisciplinary approach.

  Between the university’s library and his own apartment, he’d put in more than a full week’s work as he synthesized material for the new course. Now he was tired and looking forward to being back at Sea View House and to a good meal at the Lobster Pot. Not good, he amended mentally, but great. Bart’s daughters had proved themselves earlier in the week. In addition to the cuisine, Thea and Maggie were as outgoing as their dad and made Daniel feel very welcome.

  He rolled his shoulders forward and back, continuing to stretch, as the Pilgrim Cove harbor in Pilgrim Bay took on shape and form. In addition to the ferry’s commercial pier, dozens of pleasure boats bobbed gently at private docks. A familiar sight to a man raised near the water.

  Almost there. Daniel rested his arms on the boat’s railing and stared at the small waves. Tonight, he would have loved to come home to someone who cared about him. Nikki. He sighed in remembrance of how they’d often enjoy a glass of wine at the end of the day. Then they’d either go out for dinner, or sometimes throw ingredients together. “Not potluck,” she’d say with a grin, “more like hodgepodge.” He’d called it “Nikki’s Gumbo” and didn’t care at all how the meal turned out, as long as they had a good time fixing it.

  He missed that. The times at the end of the day when they’d reconnected. He sighed and tried to massage his neck. No point going down that road. Soon, Jess would greet him at the door with the excitement of a puppy; they’d both stretch their legs with a run on the beach and then Daniel would go to the Lobster Pot. Alone. And tonight, feeling lonely.

  Shelley Anderson’s gamine grin and sparkling hair popped into his mind, and he felt an answering grin emerge on his own face. He’d bet she didn’t have time to feel lonely. Not with those two lively kids. Of course, she might want some time alone at the end of the day. What adult in her situation wouldn’t? He shook his head at the irony. Could be that neither of them was happy at the end of the day.

  The boat docked. Daniel hefted his briefcase and laptop and walked down the ramp to his parked car, nodding to new acquaintances and stopping to greet folks he knew better. Sam Parker, Doc Rosen and his wife, Marsha, were waiting to board. Dressed in formal attire. Very unusual in Pilgrim Cove.

  “Boston Symphony concert tonight,” explained Sam. “We’ve got season’s tickets.” And Daniel remembered hearing that each one of the Parker family was musically gifted.

  Doc looked at him and winked. “Going with Sam is a treat. We get a behind-the-scenes commentary on the composer, as well as a lesson in music appreciation.”

  “He’s great,” said Marsha. “He should be teaching this stuff in a classroom somewhere. The students would love it.”

  “Stop your jabbering and get on the boat,” grumbled Sam with the familiarity of a longtime friend. “I never even went to college.”

  “So what?” replied Marsha, stepping onto the gangplank.

  Daniel watched the three friends board the boat talking all the way. “Have a great time.”

  “We always do.” Marsha Rosen turned around and bestowed a warm smile. “Starting right now with the ferry ride. It’s fun.”

  Fun. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had
any. Daniel smiled and waved goodbye. While the ferry was a novelty to him, it provided Pilgrim Cove residents with vital commuter service to Boston. Every half hour to and from the city until ten. Until midnight on Saturdays. Standing at the rail in the evening would be a romantic experience. With that thought came another vision of Shelley Anderson, and he picked up his pace as he went to his car.

  Two vehicles filled the driveway at Sea View House when Daniel arrived home. Two? She must have company. He shrugged, trying to ignore his pang of disappointment. Just as well she was busy. He’d almost forgotten about the disaster of the one date he’d gone on since Nikki died. He’d been awkward with the woman and couldn’t wait for the evening to end. It would be the same with Shelley. As long as Nikki kept tugging at him. He parked his car and went to the side door. Jessie’s joyous welcome would have to be enough.

  Five minutes later, Dan and a delighted Jessie jogged to the back of the house on their way to the beach. Dan immediately noticed the changes on the porch. A white patio table now occupied the center of the floor, and several webbed chairs were placed around it. Extra chairs were folded against the side of the house. Three people were sitting around the table, Shelley and an older couple. They didn’t look happy.

  FIRST, SHE’D STRANGLE her former mother-in-law. Then she’d contemplate doing the same to her own parents. Sitting outside in the late afternoon of a gorgeous June day should have been a relaxing experience. Instead, Shelley glared at the glass of lemonade she held, wishing it were a martini. Preferably a double.

  Barbara Anderson had lost no time informing Ellen and Phil Duffy about her son’s political plans when she realized Shelley’s parents were spending three weeks with their daughter and grandchildren at the beach. The grandchildren who were also her grandchildren. “And,” Barbara had added, “didn’t all the grandparents feel that the children would be so happy with their mom and dad together again?”

  Damn! Her parents were such easy marks! They’d always liked and admired her ex-husband, and now they were excited about his forthcoming campaign for Congress. They’d like nothing more than to witness the reunion of their daughter and former son-in-law. After all, every marriage goes through rocky times, and she and Carl could rebuild. Barbara Anderson knew how they felt and knew exactly how to build allies.

  Shelley’s nerves were stretched before the vacation began. “We’re not saying you should marry him tomorrow, honey,” began her dad, “but working on the campaign with Carl provides the perfect opportunity to become close again.”

  Shelley was about to reply, when from the corner of her eye, she saw Daniel and Jessie sprinting up the driveway toward the beach. She stood up immediately, called his name and walked toward him.

  He looked good. Hair mussed enough to make her fingers itch. Body big and broad enough to make her imagine being wrapped in his arms, at least for a moment’s respite. But his eyes were half-shut. Pain defined his expression. Either pain or fatigue.

  “Headache?” she asked as she reached him.

  He looked surprised at the question, then offered a smile. “Too much reading.” He rubbed his temple. “Plus a stiff neck. It’ll pass. How have you been?”

  “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.” She dismissed the question with a quick motion of her hand. “Come meet my folks. And if you sit down for a minute, I can almost guarantee to relieve some of that pain.”

  She must have tempted him, because he followed her up the three steps to the open porch. Her parents were polite, even warm, until she motioned Daniel into a chair.

  “I work my headache magic only for special people,” she began, “and considering you’re my closest neighbor and assistant coach…well, I’ve got to keep you in good shape.” She stood behind him and pressed the tips of her fingers against his temples. “Just relax,” she said quietly, “and let the tension go.” She rotated the pressure and started the massage. Then noticed the look that passed between her parents.

  “You know, dear,” began Ellen, “Mr. Stone was on his way to the ocean. Maybe he’d prefer a swim to set him right.”

  Her mother’s voice was full of concern, but she wasn’t adept at invoking nuance well enough to make her real point without insult. Daniel obviously understood Ellen Duffy’s message well enough. Under her hands, Shelley felt him start to rise. “Don’t move,” she whispered, before addressing her mother. “Daniel’s a beautiful swimmer, and I’ll let him escape in a few minutes, but not before the pain is eased. C’mon Mom, how many times have I done this for Dad?”

  “And for Carl,” said Ellen with purpose.

  “That’s right,” replied Shelley in a steady voice. “Seems these type A personalities need a little help.”

  Dan made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a moan of pleasure. “This feels wonderful, but your theory is dead in the water. I work hard and I play hard,” said Daniel, “but I wouldn’t categorize myself as a type A. I like to relax as much as the next guy.”

  “Right,” said Shelley. “And that’s why you get headaches.”

  Daniel grunted, closed his eyes and tilted his head back. Shelley could see the effects of her massage start to appear. Lines across his brow and around his eyes were vanishing.

  She worked quietly, aware of the disapproval emanating from her parents, but ignored it. Any decision she made regarding her future would be hers alone.

  “It’s awfully quiet around here,” said Daniel. “Where are the kids?”

  Shelley laughed. “Is that a complaint, Professor? We’re enjoying the quiet. Emily’s sleeping and Josh is on his computer playing a game…unless he’s fallen asleep, too, which is a possibility.”

  Ellen Duffy stood up. “I think we should wake them up and get them ready to go to dinner.” She disappeared into the house.

  Shelley looked at her father. “Can you talk to her, Dad? She’s on a mission, and all she’s going to do is get my back up.”

  “She loves you, Shelley. Only wants what’s best for you.” Now, Philip rose from his chair and joined his wife inside the house.

  “Well, I guess he told me,” said Shelley. “And I guess I’ll have to suck it up for the next three weeks until they’re back in the city.”

  Daniel’s hands reached and found hers. “The pain’s almost a memory now, Shelley, and for that relief, I owe you.” He stood and faced her, and she saw the concern in his expression. “Do you need a pair of unbiased ears?” he asked quietly. “I am a very experienced listener.”

  His offer was tempting, very tempting, but Shelley shook her head. “Not really, but thanks. No one but me can make this decision.” She leaned down to pet the dog. “Take care of your owner, Jess. I think he’s a very nice man.” An understatement. Nice didn’t cover his enormous appeal to her. Sexual and otherwise. Funny how it was the otherwise that claimed her attention now. His intelligence, humor and perception. His kindness. Getting to know Daniel Stone was similar to unraveling a mystery one clue at a time. She wanted to discover the next tidbit, whether or not doing so was a good idea.

  WITH NO HEADACHE and feeling refreshed after his swim and shower, Daniel left Sea View House more than ready for a satisfying dinner at the Lobster Pot. No sounds came from the Captain’s Quarters apartment downstairs when he left, but Shelley lingered in his mind.

  She was a woman with a fistful of problems, or as she’d said, decisions, and frankly, he was glad she hadn’t taken him up on his offer. She’d be too easy to care about. Too easy to get involved with. His goal at the beach was to prepare for the new semester, catch a little sun, swim and relax. Not to pick up women.

  Then he laughed. He had to be the only male in the world above twelve years old to say the beach was not for picking up women. He shook his head at the absurdity and got into his SUV. He’d probably meet up with a couple of ROMEOs at the restaurant.

  He parked and got out of his car. Then he inhaled the delicious aroma coming from the Lobster Pot. He headed for the front entrance, noticing the outdoor decks
were attracting diners despite the cool evening temperatures. After a long New England winter, folks were hungry for more than food. They were hungry for outdoor living.

  As soon as he entered the restaurant, he spotted Maggie Sullivan making her way to the entrance area. An attractive woman with honey-blond hair and snapping blue eyes, he could see the strong resemblance to her daughter, Lila. She greeted him like a long-lost friend, the perfect hostess, knowing how to make people feel at home.

  “It’s good to see you back here,” said Maggie. “How’s our town treating you?”

  “Just fine, but I’m starving.”

  “Great! You came to the right place, Professor. Come on with me.”

  Daniel chuckled, realizing he was fated to be known as “the professor” for as long as he stayed in Pilgrim Cove. As he followed Maggie, he noticed Bart chatting with diners at a nearby table, then walk to another one to do the same. “What do you pay him to work the crowd, Maggie?” asked Daniel, nodding at Bart.

  “Who? Dad? Are you kidding? He’d pay me to let him do it! And here he comes.”

  “Daniel! Good to see you.” Bart turned toward his daughter. “I’ll seat him, Maggie. Go take care of someone else.”

  Maggie grinned. “I was going to give him table 2 against the wall where it’s quieter and he can eat in peace. But if you’re going to take over…” She let the sentence trail off, and Bart lost no time waving her away.

  “Come on, Danny-boy. I want to show you our latest addition to the decor.”

  Daniel grinned, having already spent an evening reading the decor that gave the Lobster Pot the down-home ambience it was known for. He glanced at the largest poster in the center of the main dining room, which proclaimed, “The Lobster Pot, where no lobster is a shrimp.”

  “I guess that’s the logo you’ve adopted for the restaurant.”

  “It sure is. Maggie’s been drawing cartoons for years, and Thea helps her invent the captions. But now look at the new caption they came up with in honor of Dee Barnes and the chief’s long courtship.”