Sanctuary Cove

by Rochelle Alers

  “Even in the summer?”

  Deborah nodded. “They don’t tan. I guess I get that from my mother. When she was growing up her friends used to call her Casper because of her pale skin. As a redhead she had to stay out of the sun or burn to a crisp.”

  “Your mother is white.” The question was a statement.

  Deborah nodded again. “Yes. She and my father met when they were Civil Rights attorneys.”

  “Are you an only child?”

  “Yes. My mother had had three miscarriages before she had me. I always wanted a brother or sister, but when my parents didn’t have any more children I told them to adopt a baby. By then Mom had gone back to work part-time and she didn’t want to start over with diapers, colic, and teething. What about you, Asa? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

  “Siblings aren’t always so great.”

  “What do you mean?” Deborah asked.

  “I haven’t seen my brother Jesse in years. He always had a weakness for women, gambling, and drugs. I don’t know if he’s dead or alive.” Exhaling audibly, Asa shook his head as if to push all thoughts of his estranged brother to the furthest recesses of his mind. Grasping Deborah’s feet, he pressed his thumb to her instep. “Your grand opening was a rip-roaring success.”

  Deborah recognized he wanted to change the subject and was happy to oblige. “It was better than I could have ever imagined. I sold a lot of romances.”

  “That’s because women love reading about love, and are also in love with love.”

  “Why are you always so cynical?”

  “I’m not cynical, Debs. It’s called being realistic.”

  “I had a few male customers who bought romance novels for their wives.” Deborah smothered a moan when Asa massaged her feet. It was as if he had magical fingers. “That feels wonderful.”

  Asa applied more pressure. “I also give body massages.”

  “How much do you charge?”

  “I offer reduced rates for my good friends.”

  “Oh!” she gasped. “That feels good.” Asa’s hands had moved from her feet up to her legs and calves.

  “Why do you torture yourself walking in those stilts?”

  Pushing up on an elbow, Deborah rolled her eyes at Asa. “They are not stilts.”

  “Aren’t they called stilettos?”

  “Stilettos are skinny heels that are at least four inches or higher. Mine are thicker and only three.”

  Lifting her legs, Asa slid them off his lap and stood up. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  Deborah sat up. “Where are you going?”

  “Upstairs to change into something more comfortable,” he said over his shoulder.

  She lay back down, sinking into the butter-soft leather. Asa was right. The grand opening was more than a success. It was spectacular, the day’s total sales exceeding her expectations. Asa had gotten customers to sign up for both book discussions, and she had spoken to Eddie Wilkes about advertising store specials and promotions in the Chronicle.

  Deborah hadn’t known what to expect when she’d introduced Crystal and Whitney to Asa, but both were friendly and respectful, and Whitney thanked him profusely for helping out his mother. Some women didn’t have protective men they could rely on, but it was different with her. Her son and her store manager were there for her. It felt good, even safe, knowing they were around.

  She knew she should get up and go home, but her body refused to obey the dictates of her brain. I’ll take a power nap. It was the last thought she remembered before Morpheus claimed her.

  It was only minutes, though it could have been hours, when she felt someone gently shaking her. “Wake up, Deborah.”

  Eyelids fluttering wildly, Deborah sat up as if she’d been impaled with a sharp object. “What-what?”

  Hunkering down in front of her, Asa rested his hand on the side of her face. “It’s all right, Debs. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”

  Swinging her legs over the side of the loveseat, she dug her bare toes into the pile on the area rug. “I must have fallen asleep again.” He’d changed into a tee-shirt with a faded Virginia Beach logo, jeans, and thick black socks.

  Asa leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You did. I thought we’d celebrate before you go home.”

  “Celebrate… celebrate how?” It was hard for Deborah to sound coherent when Asa was so close. In fact he was much too close.

  Wrapping an arm around her waist, Asa eased Deborah off the loveseat. “Come with me.”

  “Wait! I have to put my shoes on.”

  Bending slightly, he scooped her up in his arms. “You don’t need shoes.”

  She looped her arms around his neck to keep her balance. “Where are you taking me?”

  Asa smiled down at her. “Do you always have to ask so many questions?”

  “Yes. Especially when you play caveman.”

  “Superhero, Debs.”

  “Which one?”

  Asa carried Deborah up the staircase to his apartment. “Batman. I’ve been told women like men in black leather.”

  Laughing, she shook her head, her hair swaying sensuously around her face and neck. “Don’t tell me you’re a freak.”

  “I plead the Fifth.”

  “You are a freak, Asa Monroe.”

  Asa carried Deborah into his apartment, placing her on the sofa and dropping down beside her. “I thought we would have our own private celebration,” he said when she stared at the bottle of chilled champagne, two flutes, and an antipasto salad.

  “You are just full of surprises.”

  He stared at her delicate profile. “Do you like it?”

  Shifting slightly, Deborah gave him a long, penetrating stare. “Very much.” Leaning forward, she pressed her mouth to his. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Shall I serve you?”

  She nodded. “Please.” Deborah watched intently as Asa filled a plate with salad before expertly uncorking the bottle of champagne, muscles flexing as he filled the flutes. He handed her one, his fingers brushing against hers.

  Raising his flute, he extended it to Deborah. “To The Parlor and beyond,” Asa barked out like an announcer.

  “You are so silly.”

  Asa winked at her as he took a sip of the bubbling wine. “Not bad.”

  Deborah put the flute to her mouth and took a swallow, holding it for several seconds before letting it slide down the back of her throat. First there was cold, then a slow building heat. Pressing a hand to her chest, she blew out her breath. “I’d better eat before I take another sip.” Reaching for a napkin, she spread it over her lap, and then picked up a fork and speared a portion of the salad.

  “You don’t drink?” Asa asked when she set down her flute.

  “Not on an empty stomach, and especially not when drinking champagne.”

  “I didn’t know you’d be a cheap date,” he teased.

  She ate slowly. The spicy salad had triggered an unnatural thirst and Deborah drank two glasses of champagne when she normally wouldn’t drink more than one. Setting down the flute, she slumped back and closed her eyes. “I think I’m under the influence.”

  “How can you say that when you’ve only had two glasses?”

  “Like you said. I’m a cheap date.” Raising her arm, she peered at her watch. “I’m going to have to get home.”

  Lowering his head, Asa buried his face in her hair. He knew he had to move, but didn’t want to. They shared the sofa, her soft curves molded to his body. It was pleasurable, satisfying. What he felt wasn’t much different than the aftermath of lovemaking.

  He shifted, wrapping an arm around Deborah’s waist until she was sitting between his outstretched legs. They lay together, her back pressed against him, their chests rising and falling in unison. “You can’t drive home now if you think you’re impaired. Why don’t you wait until your head clears?”

  “I have to call my children to let them know I’m going to be late.”

 
“I’ll get the phone.” Deborah leaned forward while he slid out from behind her and went to retrieve the cordless receiver from the handset on the kitchen countertop.

  She took the phone, punching in the numbers to her home. It rang three times before there was a break in the connection. “Whit, this is Mom.”

  “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”

  “I’m still at the store. I’ll be home later.”

  “Shall I leave the porch lights on?”

  “Yes, please. Where’s Crystal?”

  “She’s in her bedroom. Either she’s on the phone or the computer.”

  “Tell her not to stay up too late, because we’re going to the early service tomorrow.”

  “Okay, Mom. Is there anything else?”

  “No. See you later.”

  “Later.”

  Deborah hung up, handing Asa the phone. Their eyes met. “I’m going to give myself an hour to sober up, and then I’m going home.”

  “Why don’t you lie down on the bed, while I put everything away?”

  She affected a lopsided smile. “I’m good here.”

  “The bed is a lot more comfortable than the sofa.”

  “That would pose a problem. If I get into that bed I won’t get out until tomorrow morning.”

  “Go lie down, Deborah. I’ll wake you in an hour.”

  “I’ll lie down, but only if you promise you’ll wake me in an hour. I’ve never left my children home alone here in the Cove. It was different in Charleston because I had my neighbor look in on them.”

  “I promise to wake you. And, when you leave I’ll follow you to make certain you get home safely. I can’t have my boss charged with DUI.”

  Asa didn’t know whether to stay where he sat or go to her. He knew if he joined Deborah on the bed it would shatter their already fragile friendship. It hadn’t been easy working with her, and he had had to call on all of his self-control not to take her into his arms and do more than kiss her. For now, he thought about how it would feel to really kiss her with a repressed passion that would communicate without words how much he’d come to like and want her. But he knew one kiss would lead to a caress and still further. He didn’t want so much to be inside her as much as he wanted to feel her naked skin against his.

  Deborah moved off the sofa and over to the bed. Turning back the comforter, she lay on the crisp cool sheets and closed her eyes. She didn’t fall asleep. Her mind was a tumult of images like frames of film. She recalled the first time she saw Louis, the sound of his voice when he’d introduced himself to her. The next frame was her waking up in bed—naked with a naked man beside her. At first she panicked, and then she’d remembered where she was and who the man was. She hadn’t recognized him without his glasses.

  Her mind fast-forwarded to her wedding day. Her hands had shaken uncontrollably throughout the ceremony, especially when it came time to exchange rings. She’d worn her wedding band for all of four hours. Once she got back to her dorm, she’d taken it off and put it on a chain around her neck.

  There came another frame, the images moving so fast she could hardly recognize the couple writhing on twisted sheets. Stop moving! the silent voice in her head shouted. The man and woman did stop, and a gasp escaped Deborah when she saw herself and Asa locked in a passionate embrace.

  Deborah must have drifted off before she was jolted awake. Asa had turned off all the lights except the one on the range hood. She sat up. “Asa?”

  “It’s all right, baby.”

  His disembodied voice came from somewhere in the room. “Where are you?” He sat up and she could make out the outline of his body. He had been reclining on the sofa. “What time is it?”

  “It’s seven-forty. Go back to sleep, Deborah.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ears. “I can’t. I’ve been thinking too much.”

  “What are you thinking about?” Asa asked, the soft tone of his voice soothing.

  “My life.”

  “All thirty-eight years?”

  “Very funny, Asa.”

  “Well, you sound as if you’re eighty and you’re reminiscing about what happened back in the day.”

  Deborah lay down again, cradling her head on folded arms. “Do you ever reminisce?”

  “I try not to.”

  “Why not?” she asked.

  “I plan ahead and try to look ahead.”

  “You make it sound so easy. Forget the past and only concentrate on the future.”

  “It works for me, Deborah.”

  “Hopefully one day it will work for me.” She sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. “My head feels better. I’m going home.”

  Asa popped up, walking to the bed on sock-covered feet. “Are you sure?”

  Deborah stood up. “I’m good.”

  Reaching for her hand, Asa laced their fingers together. “I’ll follow to make certain you get there okay.”

  Leaning into him, Deborah anchored one arm under his shoulder. “Do you know what?”

  “What, Debs?”

  “You’re the first male friend I’ve ever had since my husband. I met Louis at eighteen and married him at twenty. We…”

  Asa waited for her to complete her statement, seemingly wanting to know something about the man she had married. When she appeared reluctant to talk, he eased her arm down, pausing long enough to put on a pair of running shoes. Then he got the key to his truck and a small leather case containing his driver’s license, and then led her out of the bedroom and down to the bookstore. She slipped into her heels and retrieved her handbag.

  Asa then locked the rear door to the store, before catching up with Deborah as she walked to the Audi. The parking lot was unlit. If it weren’t for the lights over the rear doors of the various businesses and the glow from a half-moon it would have been pitch black.

  “There is one thing you should know, Deborah.”

  She blinked slowly. “What’s that?”

  “I’m willing to lend an ear or a shoulder if you feel the need to talk about your husband.”

  She managed a smile, but it looked more like a grimace. “Thank you, Asa.”

  He dipped his head and kissed her cheek. “Get in. I’ll be right behind you.”

  Deborah slipped in behind the wheel, pushing the Start Engine button. The soft purr of the engine sounded unusually loud in the stillness of the night as she maneuvered out of the parking lot. It was just a few minutes to eight o’clock yet most of Sanctuary Cove’s businesses were closed. In Charleston, most restaurants and clubs would be crowded with college students, tourists, or local residents going out for a night on the town.

  It was different in the Cove because there were only a few eating places and the single-screen movie theater showed new movies several months after they’d premiered in other major cities. Occasionally an out-of-town theater group used a converted warehouse to put on their productions.

  She turned onto the road leading to her house. Peering up in her rearview mirror, she saw Asa following at a safe distance. A tender smiled parted her lips. Not only was Asa her friend, but he had also become her guardian angel. A most winning combination. Deborah still hadn’t figured out why she felt so relaxed around him, even more relaxed than she had when she’d met Louis for the first time. Perhaps it had something to do with them not sleeping together. It wasn’t that she wasn’t physically attracted to Asa, because she was, but there was so much more to him and she was determined to find out what it was. The erotic images of them had left Deborah more shaken than she wanted to acknowledge, and she found the notion of sleeping with Asa intimidating because she was newly widowed.

  Her smile faded as if someone had pulled down a shade, shutting out the light behind her eyes. A flicker of apprehension coursed through her when she thought about him leaving the Cove. And it was going to happen. Come spring he would get into his car like so many of the other snowbirds and return to his northern climes.

  Following the sweep of her headlights, Deborah decelera
ted and then pulled into the driveway alongside Whitney’s Corolla. Getting out of the car, her eyebrows lifted a fraction when she saw that not only had her son left the lights lit on the porch, but in every room.

  Deborah waved to Asa, turned her heel, and mounted the porch steps. She unlocked the front door, walked in, closed it behind her, and slipped out of her shoes. Tossing her keys in a small sweet-grass basket, she went about the task of turning off lights, leaving on the lamp in the entryway and the high-hat between the kitchen and pantry.

  She climbed the staircase to the second floor, holding tightly to the banister in order to keep her balance. Her head was still a little fuzzy from the champagne. The door to Whitney’s bedroom was closed, as was Crystal’s. Carefully placing one foot in front of the other, she made it to her bedroom, closed the door, and fell across the bed—fully clothed. I’ll get up in fifteen minutes, and then take a bath, Deborah told herself. Fifteen minutes became an hour, then two.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Light had brightened the sky, heralding the dawn of a new day. Deborah woke to the sound of knocking and someone calling her name. It sounded as if they were in a tunnel.

  “Mom, may I come in?”

  Rolling over, Deborah sat up. Not only was she incredibly thirsty, but her mouth felt as if it was filled with cotton.

  “Oh!” she moaned. She’d slept in her clothes—something she’d never done.

  “Mom, open the door.”

  “Hold on. I’m coming.” Sliding off the bed, Deborah shuffled over to the door and opened it. The look on her daughter’s face was something she would take to her grave. It was etched with fear as tears trickled down Crystal’s face. “What’s the matter, baby?”

  Crystal fell against her mother, nearly making her lose her footing. “I’ve been banging on the door and calling you for almost five minutes.”

  Deborah, rubbing Crystal’s back in an attempt to console her, kissed her daughter’s cheek. “I was asleep.”

  “Why… why did you lock your door?”

  Blinking, Deborah tried remembering when she’d locked the door. She couldn’t. “I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. “Why are you crying?”

  Crystal sniffled, wiping the back of her hand over her face. “I thought you’d hurt yourself.”