Angels Landing

by Rochelle Alers

  “Of course. If they choose not to come, then it’s okay. But if they do, then I’ll know they’re serious about extending the olive branch.”

  “You are a lot more forgiving than I would be.”

  “The animosity has to stop somewhere, darling. I was raised by two people who loved me and were never shy about letting me know. We’re not perfect, but I didn’t grow up fighting with my relatives. It wasn’t about who had more than the other or a parent favoring one child over the other. I may look like Theodora, but I hope and pray I’ll never be like her.”

  “You won’t, baby.”

  Kara gasped softly when she felt Jeff’s growing erection against her thigh. Her hand found him, caressing the hardening flesh until it pulsed against her palm. She opened her legs, sighing when Jeff eased inside her.

  She’d asked him to love her and he did. It was the slowest, sweetest love she’d ever experienced. Minutes before she fell asleep Kara thanked Taylor for doing in death what he hadn’t been able to do in life—reuniting his family.

  Chapter Twenty

  Jeannette walked into the bedroom at the Hamilton residence and stopped when she saw her daughter in her wedding finery. “Oh, Kara, you look so beautiful. Does Jeff know how lucky he is?”

  Kara nodded. “I think he knows, and I know how lucky I am to have fallen in love with him. Have you seen him, Mama?”

  “I have. He looks so handsome in his dress uniform.”

  She and Jeff had discussed whether or not he would wear his dress uniform, and they’d decided he would for the ceremony, then change into a suit for the reception. She’d sent invitations to the Pattons, and much to her surprise they’d all accepted. As promised, Dawn was her maid of honor, and she’d come down the week before to select her dress from a local bridal boutique.

  Kara had selected a stark white, strapless ballgown with a hand-sewn pearl-beaded bodice of matte satin and a tulle skirt. Dawn floated into the room in a cornflower-blue halter A-line gown that was an exact match for her eyes. Her headpiece was a coronet of fresh violets and tiny rose petals that made her look like a fairy-tale wood sprite.

  “Oh, my!” she gasped. “You are truly a princess, Miss Kay.”

  Holding out the skirt to her gown, Kara inclined her head. The stylist at the Beauty Box had rolled her hair on narrow rods, turning her straight tresses into tiny ringlets that framed her face. In lieu of a veil, she’d opted for miniature roses and jeweled hairpins.

  “Thank you. I’m so nervous my knees are shaking.”

  Dawn took her hand. “I saw the groom, and he looks good enough to eat. And his best man isn’t too shabby, either. They were getting into the car to drive to the beach.”

  Kara had noticed that the man Jeff had selected to be his best man was also a retired marine captain who’d appeared totally enthralled with her ex-roommate. Never one to act as matchmaker, Kara hoped the two would become more than friends.

  She picked up her all-white bouquet of roses, gardenia, and lily of the valley. “I’m ready.”

  Jeannette pressed her cheek to her daughter’s. “Your father is waiting downstairs in the limo with Corrine.”

  Kara lifted the skirt of her gown as she walked down the staircase in the house that was to become her permanent home. She and Jeff had decided to live in the house where he’d been raised, and they would use the guesthouse at Angels Landing as their private getaway whenever he was off duty. Corrine and Oliver had become inseparable, and Kara had come to regard him as Gram’s dog.

  The permanent residents of Cavanaugh Island had warmed to the idea that when restored, Angels Landing would be listed on the Lowcountry and Gullah tours because it would mean more tourists and additional revenue for the businesses on the island.

  She and Jeff had delayed having a honeymoon until late fall. He’d wanted to wait until after the local elections were over because the Cove’s incumbent mayor was being challenged by the first female mayoralty candidate in the island’s history. Alice Parker, wife of US Representative Jason Parker, had announced that she wanted the town council to pass a law that would limit developers wishing to do business in Sanctuary Cove. Scott had posted bail, surrendered his passport, and was scheduled to return to court at the end of the summer, so Kara had the entire summer to concentrate on being a wife to a man she loved unconditionally.

  They’d decided on a late-morning wedding before the temperatures made it prohibitive to remain on the beach for an appreciable amount of time. Austin stepped out of the limo to help his daughter into the vehicle. He repeated the action with his wife and Dawn before sliding in beside Corrine. Kara thought she saw tears in her father’s eyes before he averted his head. He’d admitted he had gained too much weight to fit into his uniform and had purchased a tailored suit for the occasion.

  Kara tightened her hold on her bouquet when she exited the limo and placed her hand on her father’s arm when he led her along the path to the beach. She would never forget the expression on her groom’s face when he saw her for the first time in her wedding finery. She saw the blood stripe on the leg of his dress blues and the Mameluke sword carried by all Marine Corps officers in the gloved hand of his best man.

  “Daddy!” she whispered as her knees buckled slightly.

  Austin caught her elbow, holding her until she regained her balance. “It’s all right, baby girl. Take your time. If Jeffrey waited this long to marry, he’ll wait a few more minutes for you to pull yourself together.”

  A string quartet played softly as she struggled to regain her composure. She nodded, smiling. “I’m ready, Daddy.”

  She smiled at those sitting on chairs under a large tent that had been erected for the ceremony. She recognized Dr. and Mrs. Monroe and their children, some of the women who quilted with Corrine, and when she glanced to her left, she recognized the faces of those she’d encountered when she walked into the law office for the reading of a will that forever changed her life. She smiled at Morgan, who sat on the side of the groom’s family and friends with David. Turning her head, she nodded to Willie and Iris Todd.

  Her smile was as dazzling as the sun when her father placed her hand on the outstretched one of the man who would become her husband. She met Jeff’s gaze under the shiny bill of his cap. She lowered her eyes demurely when he mouthed the word beautiful.

  Malcolm Crawford, the pastor of the Cove’s interdenominational church, had been selected to officiate because it was where Jeff had been baptized and attended services as a child. It was the church where they planned to baptize and send their children.

  They repeated their vows, and when Jeff slipped his grandmother’s wedding ring on her finger, Kara knew it was for keeps. She was now Mrs. Jeffrey Malachi Hamilton. When the minister told Jeff he could now kiss his wife, she looped her arms around his neck and pressed her mouth to his.

  “I love you, Gullah man,” she whispered in his ear.

  “Not as much as I love you my beautiful Gullah woman.”

  They were showered with rice, birdseed, and flower petals as they followed the procession to the beach to where they would pose for pictures before returning to Angels Landing for a reception that was rumored not to end until after sundown.

  Kara had spared no expense when she hired three caterers to have enough food on hand for more than two thousand people. It would be the first time the entire island would come together en masse to celebrate a single event.

  She kissed Corrine’s gardenia-scented cheek. “Now that I’m married to your grandson do you think I can now call you Gram instead of Miss Corrine?”

  Corrine touched her cheek in a loving gesture. “Of course. I’ve always wanted a granddaughter. But I didn’t think I would get one as perfect as you.”

  Kara hugged her grandmother as she exchanged a loving smile with her new husband. Eden approached her, arm extended. “You look beautiful, Kara. I know my uncle is smiling down on you today.”

  Returning the hug, Kara looked at her cousin. “We have to get tog
ether one of these days.”

  Virgie joined them. “Let her get used to sleeping with her gorgeous husband before talking about getting together.”

  Kara smiled at her cousins. “That’s something I don’t ever want to get used to.” The three women exchanged high-five handshakes, then dissolved into laughter.

  Those standing around watching exchanged knowing looks. It had been Theodora who’d torn her family apart and her granddaughter who would bring them together again. Good things were happening for the folks in Cavanaugh Island, and those who lived there were looking for better days ahead.

  Life has finally settled down for the residents of Cavanaugh Island—but will that new life be taken away?

  Please turn this page for a preview of

  Haven Creek

  Chapter One

  Didn’t you tell me you were trying to get in touch with Nate Shaw?”

  Morgan Dane stared at Francine Tanner, who looked as if she’d been running. She was breathing heavily and blotches of red dotted her freckled cheeks. Morgan was one of only a few residents on Cavanaugh Island who didn’t call Francine “Red.” She’d been born with bright orange-red straight hair. Over the years her hair had darkened to auburn curls, but the nickname stuck.

  “Yes, I did. Why?”

  “I just saw him.”

  “Where is he?”

  Francine leaned closer. “He’s sitting five rows behind you.”

  Morgan stood up. “Please hold my seat. And don’t let anyone sit in the chair with my hat. I’m holding it for David Sullivan.”

  She turned, scanning the crowd that had gathered under the large white tent for the man whom she’d called not once, but twice, asking that he call her back. She spotted him sitting next to his younger brother. Taking determined steps she approached Nathaniel Shaw, watching his impassive expression as she closed the distance between them. Twenty years had passed since Morgan last came face-to-face with Nate, but time had been exceptionally kind to him.

  His shoulders were broader, muscled, and there was a liberal sprinkling of premature gray in his cropped black hair. Nate wore the customary Cavanaugh Island wedding attire: slacks, shirt opened at the collar, and lightweight jacket.

  He rose to his feet when she stood less than a foot away. He was also taller than she’d remembered. She extended her hand. “I don’t know if you remember me, but—”

  He took her hand, holding it for several seconds. “Of course, I remember you, Mo.”

  Morgan wanted to scream at him that if he did remember her, then why hadn’t he returned her calls? “Is it possible for you to put aside some time for me to talk to you about a project I’m involved with?” She’d lowered her voice, then took several steps away from the crowd, he following her so they wouldn’t be overheard by those staring at them.

  “What type of project?”

  “If you’d returned my calls, then you’d know.” The retort came out sharper than she’d wanted as she watched his eyebrows lift a fraction. Morgan had been a month shy of her thirteenth birthday when Nate left Haven Creek to attend college on the West Coast. No one, not even Francine, knew she’d had a crush on the tall, good-looking honor student. At the end of each school year, she’d expected him to return to the Creek, but to her disappointment he’d opted to live in California. She’d heard that his father wanted him to come back after he’d graduated to help with the family’s furniture-making business, and Nate’s decision not to return had caused a rift between father and son lasting almost two decades.

  “Did you leave a message?” he asked.

  She stared up into his clear brown eyes, wondering what was going on behind the golden orbs. “Yes. I left a message on your voice mail at the shop. In fact, I left two messages.”

  A slight smile lifted the corners of Nate’s mouth. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t get the two messages. Either my father erased them or there’s something wrong with the phone. When do you want to talk?”

  “Are you going over to Angels Landing for the reception?”

  Nate angled his head. “I hadn’t planned to. But I’ll go if you do.”

  She smiled, exhibiting a matched set of dimples in her cheeks. “I’m going. Are you familiar with the layout of Angels Landing?”

  He returned her smile with a mysterious one of his own. “I’ve been there a few times.”

  “If that’s the case, then meet me at the duck pond at three. Are you wearing a watch?”

  “No watch, but I have this.” Reaching into the breast pocket of his jacket, Nate palmed a cell phone. “I’ll program you in on my cell for three.”

  Morgan nodded. “Thank you, Nate.”

  “You’re welcome, Mo.”

  She walked back to where she’d left Francine. “Thanks.”

  Francine gave her a wide-eyed stare. “Well? Aren’t you going to tell me what happened?”

  “I’ll tell you after I talk to him.”

  Resting her hands at her waist, Francine narrowed her emerald-green eyes. “Now I know you didn’t just dis your favorite girl.”

  “I don’t want to say anything because maybe I’ll jinx myself.”

  Francine leaned close enough for their shoulders to touch. “Remember, I’m the one who has visions.”

  Morgan felt a chill wash over her body despite the warm temperatures. “Stop it, Francine. You know talk about spirits scare me.”

  “One of these days I’m going to tell you your future.” She hugged Morgan. “Have to get back before my mama sends out a hunting party. After all, we were contracted to do the hair and makeup for the wedding party.”

  Morgan watched Francine until she disappeared from her line of vision. Her friend’s mother owned the Beauty Box, and it was Mrs. Tanner who’d suggested Morgan cut off her braids for a short natural style. She’d worn the braids for more than three years. Although both styles were low maintenance, Morgan realized the shorter style was nearly maintenance-free. Her new look was in keeping with the other change going on in her life. She’d recently opened her own architectural and design company.

  When the awning over the small shop was unfurled at the same time the glazier installed the plate glass with the letters “M. Dane Architecture and Interior Design,” the speculation as to why she’d resigned her position with Ellison and Murphy was apparent. One of the partners at the Haven Creek firm had referred to Morgan as a young upstart. Unfortunately, the ditty that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never harm me” rang true when her interview with the editor of the Sanctuary Chronicle revealed that she’d been commissioned by Kara Newell to oversee the restoration of the Angels Landing Plantation property with National Historic Landmark designation, because a few of her former coworkers had called her disloyal, a traitor, and much too inexperienced to take on any restoration project whether large or small.

  At thirty-two Morgan felt as if her life was perfect, as perfect as it was for a Lowcountry beachfront wedding: brilliant sunshine, fluffy white clouds, and a cool breeze blowing off the Atlantic. It also appeared as if all of Cavanaugh Island had turned out to witness the marriage of their sheriff to a young woman with familial ties to the island’s most prominent family. There were very few empty chairs set up under the enormous white tent.

  Morgan realized she wasn’t the only one who’d decided to arrive early to get a seat close enough to see and hear the ceremony. Most of the conversations going on around her were the same. Most of the island’s permanent residents did not want to believe Taylor Patton had fathered a child once it’d become known that he’d left his entire estate to Kara Newell. The gossip escalated once she’d managed to snag Sheriff Jeffrey Hamilton, who also happened to be one of Cavanaugh Island’s most eligible bachelors.

  “As I live and breathe, I figured none of dem Pattons would show up, but they be here in droves.”

  She smiled when she recognized the voice of her parents’ neighbor sitting behind her. Hester Owens was an incurable gossip known to repeat thin
gs she’d overheard, while managing to put a spin on the news and making it her own. Morgan liked eavesdropping on the older folks, not so much to listen to their conversations as it was to hear their occasional lapses into a language spoken for centuries by Sea Island Gullahs.

  “Well, Hester, they cain’t stay mad at that young gal. After all, she is one of them. She so much like Teddy that it’s downright scary, and that’s why I don’t know why Harlan fix he mout to claim she ain’t one of dem.”

  “She may look like Teddy, but folks say she ain’t mean like her grandmomma.”

  “You right ’bout dat,” Hester agreed.

  Morgan wanted to turn around and agree with Hester’s sister. Her grandfather had taken photographs of Theodora Patton, and the resemblance between Kara and her biological paternal grandmother was uncanny. She knew some folks had come to the wedding because of curiosity, but most were there to celebrate the joining of two families whose roots were chronicled in the history of the island.

  A shadow fell over her, and Morgan glanced up to find David Sullivan. She smiled at the impeccably dressed attorney and then removed her hat. He fit aptly into the category of tall, dark, and handsome, and there was no doubt that he and Jeff were related. Both had the same eyes and chin. “You made it.”

  David sat, leaned over, and pressed a light kiss on her cheek. “Finally. There was a fender bender on the causeway.” He turned around when someone tapped his shoulder, smiling and nodding at the elderly woman. “How are you, Miss Hester?”

  Hester squinted behind the lenses of her rimless glasses. “How come you not in the wedding? After all you and Corrine’s grandbaby boy are cousins.”

  Morgan shook her head when David mumbled something about Jeff wanting a military-theme wedding, and even though she wasn’t a gambler, she was willing to bet there would be talk about her and David seeing each other before the sun set.

  Once the Newell-Hamilton nuptials were announced David had called to ask her if she was attending with a date. She hadn’t hesitated when she said no, quickly informing him that she would meet him there. It wasn’t that he hadn’t asked her out before, but Morgan had no intention of becoming a substitute for the woman who’d ended their long-term relationship because David hadn’t been able to commit. And it wasn’t that she didn’t find the attorney attractive because he was; however, she wasn’t about to become David’s Miss Right Now.