Moonlight Beach

by Tammy L Grace

  “Remember, Mac’s coming for dinner tonight. I should say he’s bringing dinner tonight.”

  “I’ll be home by five. See you then.” With that, the door slammed and Lily was left with the dogs. She wanted to crawl back into bed and sleep, but forced herself to tidy the kitchen and then take a shower. As the warm water worked its way into the muscles of her neck and shoulders, she relaxed. She had to snap out of this funk. Like Mel reminded her, Kevin would be back in just a few weeks. She couldn’t even imagine what a wreck she would be when he left in January.

  Once dressed, she went downstairs and gathered the dirty towels for another load of laundry and then curled up in the recliner to watch holiday movies. She checked her phone for any updates from Kevin and cradled it in her lap so she wouldn’t miss a text or call. The tree lights twinkled as she began to nod off, lulled by the cheery program, the festive decorations, and the snoozing dogs at her feet.

  Over an hour later, the doorbell startled her awake. The dogs were already at the front door, curious about the activity. Lily focused on her watch, confused from her nap, but knew it was too early for Mac.

  She opened the door, frowning for a second, and then her mouth gaped as she stared at Wendy. “Aren’t you going to invite me inside?” Wendy tugged on the handle of her large suitcase, a smaller one strapped to it, and another bag balanced across the top of it all. She handed Lily her tote bag and purse, causing Lily’s arm to bend, surprised at the weight of them.

  “What are you doing here? I had no idea you were coming.” Lily’s mind scrambled thinking she had missed a text or email, but was sure she hadn’t.

  The dogs scurried to get closer to Wendy and sniffed at her expensive French designer luggage. “Oh, oh, get them away from me.” Wendy fanned her hand at them.

  “They won’t hurt you.” Lily gave them the command for place and while Fritz darted for the cot that she had set up to train Bodie, she had to encourage Bodie to follow him and tear his attention away from Wendy.

  After lugging her bags across the entryway, Wendy sighed. “I can’t believe it’s such an ordeal to get to this place. It’s like literally in the middle of freaking nowhere.”

  “Did you take a shuttle or rent a car?”

  “I took the disgusting shuttle. I’ve been travelling all day and am exhausted. And starving.” She glanced around the living space. “This is, uh, cozy.”

  Lily motioned her toward the kitchen. “I’ve got some leftovers.” She stared at the dogs, reminding them to stay while Wendy followed her. “I would have had something better had I known you were coming to visit.”

  Wendy huffed as she sat at the counter. “I didn’t plan to come.” Then she burst into tears. “I have nowhere else to go. I mean nowhere.”

  Lily didn’t overreact, or even ask a question as she fixed a plate of food. The world revolved around Wendy and she could be melodramatic. She and her husband, Chad, lived in a huge house in Dallas, with a lavish lifestyle and all the best that money could buy. It was a world foreign to Lily, as she had only visited once and that had been more than enough. She only knew about Wendy’s life through her photos she posted on social media. Lily tried to imagine what situation had driven her sister to her doorstep.

  She filled the kettle, then put what consisted of a small Thanksgiving meal in front of her sister. Wendy turned up her nose. “What is this? I can’t eat all these carbs.”

  Lily’s neck tightened and her head began to throb. “I don’t have anything else to offer you. You can go out to eat if you want.” She glanced at the sound of the kettle turning off, raising her brows at her sister.

  Wendy’s bottom lip protruded, like it had since she was a young girl and didn’t get her way. “I usually have a smoothie or a kale salad.”

  “I’m fresh out of smoothies and kale. Tea?” Lily added a teabag to her cup and at Wendy’s nod did the same in a fresh cup. She poured the water over them and brought them to the counter.

  Lily sipped her tea as she studied her sister. Instead of her usual perfectly applied makeup and styled hair, she noticed purple-tinted circles under her eyes and the rain hadn’t done her hair any favors, plus her dark roots were showing in her usual weave of rich blonde. “So, what’s going on, Wendy?”

  In between bouts of crying and heavy sighs, she told Lily about federal agents coming to their house the day before Thanksgiving and arresting Chad and his business partner. He and his family had been celebrating the holiday with them. “It was awful. I can’t even begin to tell you how humiliating it was and how awful we were treated. Like criminals.”

  As she kept talking, Lily asked a few questions, and concluded Chad and his partner were deeply involved in fraud and federal financial crimes. Through tears, Wendy went on to tell her that all their assets had been frozen and Chad’s lawyer was trying to deal with it, but the holidays were making things difficult. He had advised her to leave town. “I can’t believe they can take our house, our cars, everything. George, that’s our lawyer, had to fight to get me to be able to get some clothes and personal things. He gave me some cash and bought me a plane ticket out here. Chad assured me it’s a mistake and he’ll get it straightened out.”

  “I’m sure that was stressful. I’m sorry you had to go through that. Kevin just left this morning, so his room is available downstairs, if you need to stay for a few days, until things are settled.”

  “I’m sure George will have it sorted this week. Thanks.” She picked at the turkey, eating a few bites. She never once asked Lily how she had been or how Kevin was doing. Same old self-centered Wendy. Lily had a feeling Chad’s troubles were just beginning and the chance of it being sorted this week was close to zero.

  “Mel, a young woman I met earlier this year, stays downstairs. She helps me with the cottages and goes to the community college. She’s working now but will be home this afternoon, so you’ll meet her.”

  Wendy rolled her eyes. “How could you let a stranger move in here with you? Are you struggling that much that you needed to take in a boarder?”

  Lily counted to ten before answering. “No, she’s had a tough life and lost her parents. She was living in a shelter, so we worked out a deal where she can stay here in exchange for helping me, and in the off-season, she works downtown at a coffee shop. She’s quiet and a bit fragile, so please be nice to her.”

  Wendy wrinkled her nose. “Eeeww, a shelter.”

  Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Mel’s a smart and lovely young woman, and she’s also been through a lot, so keep that in mind.” The phone in her pocket buzzed. She tugged it out and found a text from Kevin letting her know he had landed and that he loved her. She tapped in a quick reply as her heart lightened with the news.

  Wendy pushed the plate of food away and stood, wandering over to the door that led to the deck. She walked outside and pointed at the cottages. “The yard looks nice and at least you have a nice view here. Since that girl is staying downstairs, maybe I should just use one of the cottages. They look so cute.”

  Lily shook her head. She didn’t need Wendy getting too comfortable. “No, they’re all winterized and shut down for the season. It’s downstairs or a hotel, if you’d rather.”

  Wendy put her hands on her hips. “I don’t even have a credit card, so I can’t stay in a hotel, or anywhere. My freedoms have been taken from me.” Her whiny voice was grating on Lily. “I hope George sues the government.” Her eyes sparkled. “Maybe we’ll come out of this with a windfall.”

  Lily didn’t want to break it to her, but she suspected whatever the feds had, Chad would most likely be going to prison and Wendy might have to get a job and learn to live like a normal person. She’d come to that realization soon enough. Lily hoped she wasn’t around to witness it when Wendy got the news.

  “If you want to get settled in, I’ll show you around downstairs. You probably don’t remember much since I think the last time you were here you were a young girl.” The rain had let up, so she let the dogs outside, and then he
lped drag Wendy’s bags downstairs.

  If the upstairs wasn’t up to Wendy’s standards, she shuddered to think what her sister would have to say about the downstairs. It was clean and functional, but wouldn’t be featured in any magazines. She showed her the common area, including the kitchenette. She pointed out Mel’s bedroom on the opposite side of the main open room and led her into the other bedroom, near the utility room.

  “It’s so dark down here,” said Wendy, shoving her bag through the door.

  “Basements tend to be that way, but the main room gets a ton of light.” She pointed out the bathroom and linens and showed her the washer and dryer. “You can get settled in. Mel will be home in an hour or so, and a friend of mine is bringing over dinner. We’re watching a holiday movie. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “Can you run me to the store? I want to pick up some food I can actually eat.”

  Lily almost bit through the inside of her cheek. “Sure, we just need to go now, so I’m home in time for dinner.”

  Wendy grabbed her designer handbag and followed Lily upstairs. After wiping off the dogs’ feet, she got them settled inside and hurried Wendy to the garage. It only took a few minutes to get downtown, and she parked in front of the market. Wendy’s eyes darted from side to side as she scanned the street. “This is it?” She then asked if there wasn’t a certain snooty chain store known for its overpriced food.

  Lily shook her head. “This is your best bet for fresh, local produce. There’s another grocery store a few miles away, but this one has the best selection.”

  With an exaggerated huff, Wendy got out of the car and went inside the market. It had been such a short time since Wendy had arrived, and Lily was already wondering when she would leave. She didn’t need her sister disrupting her routine or causing any grief for Mel. She could only image what Mac would think of her. She sent him a text to let him know her sister had shown up unexpectedly and warned him Wendy could be difficult. She grabbed her purse and took a basket from inside the door, scanning the aisles to pick up a few staples for the week ahead.

  She hurried Wendy along, who was subjecting the manager to one of her snobbish tirades about stocking some sort of soy-based protein drink. As they checked out, Lily watched her sister spend over a hundred dollars on organic produce, soy milk, and fresh fish. She followed her to the car and loaded her bags in the back of the SUV. As she slid behind the wheel, Wendy asked if Lily had a popular brand of an expensive power blender. She shook her head as she started the engine. “Just a regular old blender.”

  “I need to get one. Can you stop by a store?”

  Lily grimaced. “You might have to order it online. I don’t think Driftwood Bay Mercantile stocks those.”

  Wendy rolled her eyes again. “How can you stand living here?” She huffed and crossed her arms. “Since I no longer have a credit card, you’ll have to order it for me and I’ll pay you.”

  Lily didn’t commit and drove them home, where they had only ten minutes before Mac was due to arrive with dinner. She hurried inside to give the dogs their dinner and put the groceries away while Wendy used her computer in the office off the kitchen to go online and look for her precious blender.

  Lily didn’t have time to change her clothes before the bell rang, announcing Mac and Sherlock. He greeted Lily with a kiss on the cheek and toted in the bags from Noni’s.

  She took one of the bags and leaned close to him. “Wendy is not a fan of dogs.”

  Mac frowned. “That could be a real problem for her.” He chuckled as he followed Lily into the kitchen.

  Lily noticed Wendy’s shopping bags still full, strewn across the counter. She shook her head and emptied them into the refrigerator. “Mel should be here in a few minutes.” She raised her voice and added, “Wendy, I’d like you to meet Jack MacMillan, who goes by Mac. He’s the local veterinarian.” Lily motioned to her. “This is my little sister, Wendy.”

  “Wonderful to meet you,” said Mac, walking across the space to greet her. Wendy moved her hand from the keyboard just long enough to return his greeting with a limp handshake.

  “I’ve never known a veterinarian. I can’t imagine spending all day with sick and dirty dogs and cats.” Her face looked like she’d just bit down on a sour lemon.

  “Oh, not only dogs and cats. We treat horses, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, even the occasional llama.” Mel’s arrival and the dogs rushing to greet her interrupted them. “Ah, here’s the girl who never stops working.”

  Mel came into the kitchen, sniffing at the aroma wafting from the takeout bags. “I smell Noni’s,” she said, grinning. “I’m starving.”

  Mac moved to help get the plates and silverware organized while Lily slipped an arm around Mel. “I want you to meet my sister, Wendy. She surprised me with a visit and will be staying downstairs in Kevin’s room.”

  Mel’s eyes widened as Lily led her to the desk. Wendy glanced up. “I’ve got that blender I want picked out in the cart. You’ll just need to put in your credit card information.” She displayed a quick smile for Mel.

  Mel returned the smile and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Wendy. You’re so lucky to have Lily for a sister and what a wonderful surprise.”

  A surprise for sure, but Lily couldn’t go so far as to say wonderful. Wendy tapped her finger on the screen, raising her brows at Lily.

  Lily nodded at Wendy, trying not to gag at the five-hundred-dollar price tag. “I’ll take a look after dinner. Come and eat and get to know Mel and Mac.”

  “Noni’s has the best Italian food ever. You’re going to love it.” Mel waved Wendy to join them at the huge granite countertop where they ate so many of their meals. “You know you can get a zero-fee prepaid credit or debit card.” Mel went on to explain the best deal she had found and where Wendy could obtain one.

  Wendy made no effort to engage with Mel, acting as if she was invisible. Mel shrugged and wandered back to the kitchen. After several minutes, Wendy made a production of sliding the chair out and plodding over to join them. “I don’t eat bread, pasta, or dairy, so I’ll just make myself a smoothie. Where’s your blender, Lily?”

  While Mac and Mel tried to convince Wendy to try the chicken, Lily went to the cupboard and found the blender, setting it up on the counter near the sink. “There you go.” She turned and loaded her plate with pasta and chicken piccata, adding two pieces of garlic bread and glaring at the back of her sister’s head.

  Mel chattered about her busy day at work with the locals out in force taking advantage of holiday shopping specials and keeping the baristas busy at the coffee shop. She asked Wendy a few questions about where she lived and then Lily took advantage of the loud whirring of the blender to whisper in Mel’s ear. “She’s having a crisis, so best to stay away from why she’s here and where she lives. I’ll explain it later.”

  Mel bobbed her head and reached for the garlic bread. Mac took over the conversation, telling them his emergency patient from Saturday was doing well and he would most likely go home tomorrow. Mel wanted to know every detail of the dog’s problem and Mac patiently explained the surgery he performed on the German shepherd, Rebel, who had presented with bloat.

  Wendy frowned and sneered, contorting her face each time Mac mentioned what was involved in rotating the dog’s stomach. It didn’t bother Mel at all, but Lily could see her sister was struggling to sip her pureed kale and spinach. Lily would have gagged on it without the medical descriptions. “How about we save the rest for later when we’re done eating?” She caught Mac’s eye and signaled toward Wendy.

  “Oh, right. Sorry, I get so wrapped up, I tend to forget it’s not the best dinner conversation.” He changed the subject to asking Lily if she heard from Kevin.

  She smiled and bobbed her head. “I was feeling so blue today when he left, but looking at the calendar, he’ll be back here in just over two weeks. I’m looking forward to spending all that time with him, although I’m not sure what I’ll do to entertain him.”

 
Mac slid his empty plate toward the center of the counter. “How long are you able to stay, Wendy?”

  She turned her eyes upward and with a look of pure contempt, groaned. “You mean how long do I have to stay? Hopefully, just a day or two.”

  Mac frowned and looked at Lily. She shook her head, begging him not to ask any more questions. His eyes flickered with understanding. “I think I’ll take the dogs for a walk. Do you feel like coming with us, Mel?”

  She sprang from her chair, nodding with enthusiasm. Once they were out the door, Lily took a deep breath and glared at her sister.

  Wendy met her stare with a sigh. “Your life is so tragic. I guess losing Gary really wrecked everything. I know you guys didn’t have much and worked all the time, but this is even worse. Now, you live in this backwoods place with that strange girl. Mac seems nice enough, but he certainly doesn’t dress to impress, does he? I didn’t realize how sad your life had become.”

  Rage surged in Lily and listening to Wendy reminded her why she hadn’t seen her sister since Gary’s funeral. She’d had enough of her pretentious and self-absorbed attitude to last a lifetime. Wendy’s husband was under arrest, all her property had been seized, and she dared to judge Lily’s life. She wanted to scream and toss her sister to the curb, but instead, kept her hands busy gathering dishes and storing the leftovers. She tried to channel her mom and knew how disappointed she would be to see the two of them at odds.

  Focused on her tasks, she said nothing, ignoring Wendy and wishing with everything she had that the lawyer would bring good news that would allow her sister to return to Texas tomorrow. She couldn’t survive much more of her.

  20

  Lily was up early Monday, anxious to get to the beach and the peace the gentle waves always delivered. Thankfully, last night Wendy had opted to go to bed instead of joining them for a movie. The tension had built in Lily’s neck and shoulders all night as she waited for Wendy to say something hurtful to Mel or Mac. Once she had gone downstairs, the three of them had enjoyed a sweet holiday flick and more hot chocolate, along with fresh whipped cream and homemade marshmallows that Mel had brought home from work.