by Donna Hill
“Oh…but can’t you take the information? I’ve been on the phone for hours. I swear if I talk to one more person today I might snap.”
“It can’t be that bad,” he said, keeping his voice light. The last thing he needed was an unhappy customer before she even arrived. As one of the newest establishments on the shore, he was conscious of building a solid reputation for customer service. “Trust me, the clerk will help you. I only own the place. I leave the running of The Port to the staff. It’s important. I’m sure you can understand that. So please hang on and we’ll get you all set up in no time at all.”
Rachel rolled her eyes and sighed as she listened to the recorded music of Nancy Wilson. At least it’s not Musak, she thought.
“Hi. I’m sorry to keep you waiting. My name is Terri. Tell me what you need and we’ll make it happen.”
Rachel gave Terri all the information and insisted that Desiree be given as much privacy as possible.
“We always respect all of our guests’ privacy, so you don’t have anything to worry about.”
“Great. Put all the charges on my credit card. She’s not to be bothered with anything.”
“Understood.” Terri took down all the credit information. “All done. We’ll be expecting Ms. Armstrong on Sunday. And don’t worry about check-in times, her room will be ready whenever she arrives.”
Rachel exhaled a long sigh of relief. “Thank you so much.”
“Not a problem. Have a great day.” Terri hung up the phone and started to file away the reservation card.
“So who is our mystery guest this weekend, Terri?”
Terri turned in the direction of her boss’s voice. “A Desiree Armstrong.” She handed the reservation card to him.
It took a moment for the name and the reality to register, and when it did his breath stopped in his chest.
Lincoln blindly handed the card back to her.
“Are you all right, Mr. Davenport?”
“Uh, yes. I’m fine.” He cleared his throat. “See to it that Ms. Armstrong has whatever she needs.” He turned and walked away.
Lincoln stepped outside and stood on the porch of the main house, gazing out toward the sun that was slowly descending over the still waters. Orange and gold sunbeams streamed out across the slight ripples like pathways leading to eternity. For an instant, Lincoln wished he could simply put one foot in front of the other, step onto the guiding beams of light and walk off into the horizon. It seemed possible, almost preferable to having to confront the unimaginable.
Desiree. Even now, five years later, the mere thought of her made his heart race and desire heat his blood. Was this some cruel joke, some twist of fate that was bringing her here of all places? In three days he would know. But what then? What could they possibly say to each other to make what had gone so wrong right again?
Chapter 5
“I don’t know how to thank you, Rae.”
“You can thank me by relaxing and getting your head and spirit clear,” Rachel said as she sped along Route 79 en route to Sag Harbor.
Desiree sat back against the plush beige leather of the Volvo and took in the sights as they unfolded along the highway.
Everything was in bloom, alive. Had this been any other time in her life she’d be reaching for her sketchbook and pencils to begin detailing all that her eyes could see or imagine. But this wasn’t any of those other times. As much as she’d tried to put on a good face for Rachel and Cynthia, the truth was—she’d lost it. She’d lost her desire to paint. The inspiration that drove her to sit long, agonizing hours to bring her vision to the canvas or to a piece of clay was gone. And that realization saddened her as only one other thing ever had.
She hoped that this time away would somehow revive her passion, or at the very least give her a reason to pick up the fragments of her life.
Each time she closed her eyes she had nightmares, terrifying visions of that night, and she’d wake up shaking and soaking wet. She was afraid to be alone and ashamed to be around anyone. Now instead of the scents of turpentine and paint revitalizing her as they once did, they only evoked twisted memories, making her stomach revolt.
Everyone thought of her as “so together,” strong, resilient, able to handle anything. But she was none of those things. Maybe at one time, but now she felt as if she were only a shell of the woman she once was. Would she ever be all right again? Ever? Would the constant fear that hung in the center of her chest ever go away?
Inadvertently a shuddering sigh rushed up from her chest and escaped across her lips.
“Desi? Are you okay?” Rachel quickly glanced in her mirrors, then eased the car onto the shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“Rae, I…feel so lost, like I’m drifting. I have nightmares every night. I can’t paint, I can’t think…” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Desi.” She clasped her left shoulder. “It’s going to be okay. You just need some time. You’ve been through a trying ordeal. Anyone who’d been in your place would feel the same way.”
Desiree sniffed hard and reached in the glove compartment for a tissue. She dabbed at her eyes. “I know. I keep telling myself that,” she said and wiped her nose. “Some days it helps and other days it doesn’t.”
“Are you sure you want to go to the shore? You know you can stay with me. Maybe it’s too early for you to be alone.”
“I’ll be okay. I have to be. I know I can’t keep living like this every day.” She turned and looked at Rachel. “I just can’t, Rae.” She tugged in a deep breath and forced herself to smile. “I didn’t let you come all this way for nothing. Let’s go.”
* * *
Lincoln strolled across the grounds behind his property, gravel and sand crunching beneath his sneakered feet, and walked toward the water. From his vantage on the hill, he could see for miles across the cloudless sky. The water was a soothing blue and moved in gentle ripples along the shoreline, seeming to meet the deeper blue of the heavens in a seamless line along the horizon. In the distance the white sails of the private boats could be seen flapping in the late summer breeze.
When he’d stumbled across the abandoned site four years earlier, he immediately saw its potential.
The eight cabins were nestled among manicured bushes, imposing gray rocks and a brook that ran in a crisscross pattern throughout the two-mile stretch of grass and sand. The main house was a stone’s throw away from the water, and from its vantage point on the high hill it was a fairy-tale view at night.
But all that potential took work to be realized. What were now luxury cabins with all of the latest amenities had been shaped from a series of eight shacks in desperate need of repair. Everything from new plumbing to walls and new roofs were part of the renovations.
Yet with all the extras, the cabins still maintained an intimate, homey feel to them that his guests loved.
The Port had become his balm, a place to soothe his soul, a place to immerse himself in his efforts to get over Desiree. He poured all of his energies into creating this haven, praying that at the end of the day he would be too damned exhausted to think or feel. Some days his efforts paid off. Many times it did not, and she would creep into his thoughts, beneath his skin.
Lincoln inhaled deeply the salt-filled air and he could almost feel her fill him as she had always done. But he knew how empty he truly was inside. When would the emptiness be filled? He closed his eyes for a moment as the images came rushing back.
The sounds of laughter floated upward from the shore and pulled him from the thoughts that constantly engulfed him. He opened his eyes, turned and slowly walked back to the main house.
* * *
“Terri, I’m going into town,” Lincoln said as he approached the front desk. “I should be back in an hour or so. Is there anything we need—you need?”
>
Terri put the guest register aside. “We’re pretty well stocked with everything. We had a shipment of supplies on Friday.”
Lincoln nodded.
“Are you okay, Mr. D.? You seem so out of it lately.”
He chuckled. “Naw, I’m okay. Didn’t know it was that obvious.”
She tipped her head to the side and smiled. “You’re pretty lousy at hiding your feelings, Mr. D.”
“Guess I have to work on that.” He tapped the desk and walked toward the door. “See you later.”
Driving always had a way of relaxing him, he thought, as he trotted down the four steps to the driveway and got behind the wheel of his black-on-black Lincoln Navigator. He had to do something to keep his mind off of Desiree’s impending visit. More than once, he’d thought about leaving The Port and staying at his place in Manhattan until he was sure she was gone. But he realized the only purpose it would serve would be to delay the inevitable. He always believed that at some point in life he and Desiree would meet again and be forced to confront their demons. That it would be here and now meant that the time had come.
He took a turn onto the main two-lane road to be met by a speeding car that came right at him. He swerved violently to the right and onto the shoulder to avoid a head-on collision. Squealing to a stop, he looked in his rearview mirror. The tan Volvo continued down the road and turned off onto the same road he’d come from as if nothing nearly disastrous had just occurred.
Lincoln spat out a string of expletives before pulling himself together and getting back onto the road.
“Some people need to have their licenses taken away,” he grumbled.
* * *
“Idiot!” Rachel yelled.
Desiree held her hand to her chest. “Jeez, Rae. That was close.”
“It’s obvious that whoever was behind the wheel doesn’t practice any road courtesy,” she huffed, attempting to hide how shaken she was behind a blast of bravado. She gripped the steering wheel.
“Well, just relax. It can’t be too much farther.”
Desiree peeked into the passenger-side mirror and watched the magnificent black stallion of a ride disappear as Rachel turned onto the next road. An unsettling sensation floated upward from her belly and gripped her heart. She suddenly felt hot and cold as if something had passed over or through her. Her heart beat a little faster but she was no longer sure if it was a result of their recent scare…or something else. She glanced in the mirror again and saw nothing but road and trees. She took a deep, cleansing breath and pushed the odd feelings aside.
Chapter 6
Rachel pulled up to the main house of The Port, an imposing white structure, reminiscent of mansions in the old South, complete with pillars, a wraparound balcony and an enclosed porch all embraced by towering willows that swayed gently in the light breeze off the water.
“Impressive,” Rachel said, easing the car to a stop.
“Very nice.” Desiree opened her door and stepped out. She looked around and immediately felt a sense of ease and tranquility move through her.
Terri opened the front door, came out onto the porch and waved. “Welcome to The Port,” she said, approaching the duo. “Did you have a good trip?”
“Yes, except for a near mishap on the road,” Rachel grumbled.
“Sorry about that. I’m Terri,” she said, extending her hand to Rachel and then Desiree.
“Rachel Givens.”
“Desiree Armstrong.”
“Oh, Ms. Armstrong.” Terri smiled. “I know you’ll enjoy your stay with us.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Leave your bags. I’ll have someone come and get them. If you’ll follow me, I’ll get you all checked in and set you up with your cabin.”
They followed her inside. Rachel filled out all the appropriate forms.
“Will you be needing special meals or anything, Ms. Armstrong?”
“No, not at all. I’m easy.”
“We have breakfast here in the main house in the dining room from seven to ten. Lunch is on your own. But the fridge is always stocked, so feel free to fix whatever you like. We offer dinner as well, but many of our guests choose to go into town for the evening. So just let me know if you decide to eat in.”
“Sounds wonderful.” Desiree smiled.
“Okay, well, let me take you to your cabin.” She looked toward the door. “Oh, Josh, would you please take Ms. Armstrong’s bags to cabin six?”
“Sure.”
* * *
Terri unlocked the cabin and opened the door. “As you can see, you have all the comforts of home.” She opened a door and flipped on the light. “Full-size bath with Jacuzzi.” She walked across the room and opened the blinds. “This is one of my favorite cabins. It has the greatest view of the water. You have phone service, a wet bar—on the house—cable television, a business area with a fax machine and a computer should you need to use it.” She opened a side door. “This is your sitting room.”
The intimate room had a fireplace, sliding glass doors that led to a flowered walkway, a small fabric-covered couch and love seat in a warm brandy color, a smoked-glass coffee table and a twenty-seven-inch television and stereo system.
“Up at the main house we have a masseuse, full gym and heated swimming pool.” She took a breath and turned to them with a smile. “Anything you need, just call. I hope it meets with all of your expectations.”
“This is incredible,” Desiree said, taking in the amenities. “Nothing like any ‘cabin’ I’ve ever seen.”
Terri laughed. “That’s what all of our guests say. Well, I’ll let you get settled.” She walked to the door. “Should we expect you for dinner?”
“That might be nice. Thank you.”
“Great. Dinner is at eight.” She closed the door behind her.
“Hey, girl, you hit the jackpot,” Rachel said, falling out across the queen-size bed.
“I can’t thank you enough. This is fabulous. How did you find it anyway?”
“Trust me, it wasn’t easy. It was the last one on the shore that wasn’t filled. Apparently it’s rather new and wasn’t listed.”
“I’m glad you did. I’m sure I’m going to love it here.”
Rachel looked at her watch. “I hate to run, but I think I should head back.” She pulled herself up from the bed and stood.
“Thanks for bringing me up here and for everything.” Desiree wrapped her in a hug.
“Anything for you, sis.” She kissed Desiree’s cheek.
“I’ll walk you back to the car.”
There was a knock on the door. It was Josh with Desiree’s bags.
“Where would you like these?” he asked.
“You can put them by the bed.” She dug in her purse for a tip and handed him five dollars.
“Thank you.” He shoved the money in his pocket. “Will you be needing anything else?”
“No, I’m fine for now.”
“Listen, you get settled. I’ll walk back with Josh,” Rachel said. “If you don’t mind, Josh.”
“Actually we can ride back. I have a little golf cart out front.”
“Perfect. These aren’t the best shoes in the world for walking,” she said, referring to her designer pumps.
“Well, make sure you call me when you get back to the city. And take it easy on the road,” Desiree warned.
“I will. Promise.”
Desiree stood at the door and watched them drive away, then returned to her room. She glanced around and pulled in a deep breath. “Well, let the healing begin,” she said softly.
* * *
“Hey there, Mr. D.,” Terri greeted. “Our guest arrived about an hour ago. I put her in six. She seems really n
ice.”
Lincoln’s heart knocked hard in his chest. He cleared his throat. “Good. Uh, is she alone or…”
“She checked in by herself. A friend drove her up. I hope she’ll be comfortable here. She seemed a little sad, but maybe it’s all in my head.”
“Why would you think that? Did she…say anything?”
“No. She didn’t say anything in particular. It was in her eyes. You know how I am about reading people. Are you going up to introduce yourself?”
“Maybe a little later. I’m sure she wants to rest.” He started to walk away. “I’ll be in the back if you need me.”
“Sure thing, Mr. D.”
Lincoln went out of the main house to the back of the building. He slung his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants and looked across the landscape to where cabin number six stood. He could see movement behind the partially opened vertical blinds. Desiree. She was mere feet away from him. All it would take was a short walk, a knock on her door, and they would stand face-to-face.
But it was obvious that she didn’t want to see him. She hadn’t asked for his whereabouts. She didn’t leave a message at the desk. It was clear to him that even after all this time she still didn’t want to see him.
He lowered his head, turned and walked away.
Chapter 7
Desiree finished unpacking her belongings, tried out the remote on the television, tested that the phone was working, fixed herself a glass of rum and Coke, then decided to take a walk outside before the sun set.
She changed from her very stylish but impractical open-toed sandals and put on her black Reeboks, then took her well-worn denim jacket from the hook behind the door and walked outside.
Deciding to be adventurous, she took the path that led away from the main house and opted for the one that wound its way in and out of the property and down to the water.
She took her time, stopping along the way to pick wildflowers and wave to several couples that she passed. It was so peaceful, she mused, and the first time she hadn’t felt the constriction in her chest or the constant swirling in the pit of her stomach. She tugged in lungfuls of ocean-washed air as if to force all remnants of that night from her body.