by Kay Correll
Tally gazed out at the horizon. “But I’m the last Belle. I thought Jackson would carry on the family line, but it wasn’t meant to be. Since I was an only child, too… well, the Belle line is finished with me.”
Eddie couldn’t imagine having a family legacy like Tally did. He’d never met his biological father, and his mother’s family was long gone. His stepfather had included him in his family though. Families were funny things. Sometimes you were born into them, sometimes they just kind of seemed to choose you.
“I’m sorry there won’t be any more Belles on the island. That just seems… strange.” Eddie glanced over at Tally.
“Well, it is what it is,” she said in her typical matter-of-fact way. The one that hid how she really felt.
They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the waves splash and the birds call to each other.
Finally she turned to him. “So, do you have to get back to work soon?”
“Soon. I’ve been doing some while I’m here. I have my laptop and cell phone. I can do a lot of my job as long as I have those two things.”
“What are you selling now?”
“Industrial adhesive.”
“Like… glue?” Tally eyed him quizzically.
He laughed. “Not exactly. More heavy duty than that. You’d be surprised at the market for industrial adhesive and the companies that need it.”
“If you say so.” She grinned.
“What else do you want to know?” He rested his arms on his knees, enjoying the easy banter.
“Do you have family?”
“My mom and stepfather still live in Texas. I try to go see them as often as possible.”
Tally’s eyes held the briefest flash of jealousy, but she hid it quickly. “Did you ever marry?”
“Nope. Never did.” All these years and the women he dated had never measured up to the girl he’d fallen in love with so long ago. The one who had refused to come with him when he moved from the island.
The one he’d left behind.
* * *
Tally sat silently next to Eddie. The sunshine warmed her in the way it had of thawing a person all the way to their bones after a long hard winter. She stretched her arms out in front of her and let the sun bake its magic.
Eddie was just inches away from her, his chest rising and falling with each breath. His hand rested on the rock beside her, less than an inch away.
For a moment she was back in time. Back when they’d been dating. Back when he’d been her whole world. She’d been madly in love with him. Everything about him. His smile. His laugh. His eyes. The way he held her tight and whispered in her ear, murmurs that were only meant for her.
“What are you thinking about?” Eddie’s voice broke into her thoughts.
“I… I was thinking about things. How things were long ago. When we were kids.”
“I was nuts about you back then. You know that, don’t you?” His voice was low and swelled with emotion.
“I… cared… about you too.”
“I never told you I loved you back then. I was too afraid. Afraid of rejection. Afraid you didn’t feel the same way.” His eyes clouded.
Eddie’s words made her catch her breath. Did that mean he had loved her back then? She hadn’t been sure. He’d never said it.
“I was a foolish kid, with too much pride. And a coward. I should have said it, told you I loved you. Maybe then you would have come with me.”
Tally shook her head. “I think even if you’d told me how you felt back then, I’d still have stayed on the island. I couldn’t see myself leaving my father here all alone.”
Eddie sighed. “I know. I think we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time in our lives.”
“Maybe.”
He reached over and touched her face, his warm hand scalding a trail across her cheek. She reached up to cover his hand and pressed it close.
“You know, I never forgot you.” He looked into her eyes. “Oh, I tried to. I really did. But I couldn’t erase my memory of you. The way you felt in my arms. The way…” He hesitantly leaned over, paused, then kissed her gently on her lips.
Her heart cartwheeled as she kissed him back, her mind a twirling vortex of thoughts.
He slowly pulled away. “I never forgot the way it felt to kiss you.”
She placed a finger against her lips, so empty now that he’d stopped kissing her. “Eddie… I…”
“It’s okay. You don’t need to say anything.” Eddie reached over and pulled her against him, tucking her safely against him.
It was a good thing he didn’t need her to talk because she was fairly certain she’d never be able to describe how she felt this very minute, much less utter a coherent word.
Chapter 14
Courtney walked out on the deck at Magic Cafe, tying on her server apron as she crossed the worn planks. “Hey, Tereza.”
“Oh, glad you’re here. We got a large, early group for lunch and Tally is out taking a walk.” Tereza balanced a tray on one hip and carried a pitcher of tea in her other hand.
“Tally is out taking a walk?” Courtney hadn’t known Tally very long, but she didn’t seem like the type of person to just take a walk as the lunch crowd was gathering.
“Yep. I told her it would do her good. She’s out with her new friend, that Eddie guy.”
“Well, tell me where to start.” Courtney glanced around at the crowd.
“Take table four and catch the next table that gets seated.”
“Will do.” Courtney put on a smile and headed over to get table four’s order. She chatted with the people, trying to sound as friendly as Tereza. But Tereza’s banter sounded so genuine, and Courtney felt like hers was forced. She’d have to learn to do better. She wanted Tally to be proud of the way she did her job. It was the least she could do in return for everything Tally had done for her.
The hostess sat another table and Courtney hurried over to get the man’s order. She looked down at him as she approached the table and froze. Sheriff Dave. She looked quickly for Tereza, but she was busy waiting on another table. Sheriff Dave looked up at her and her skin tingled. She swallowed.
“Hi, are you ready to order?”
“Well, hello again. You’re that new waitress Tally hired, aren’t you? I think Tally said your name is Courtney?”
She nodded. Why hadn’t she thought to change her name? Well, that wouldn’t have worked because she needed identification to cash her paycheck and… it was all so complicated.
“I’ll have a sweet tea for now. Give me a minute to figure out what I want to eat.”
“Sure.” Courtney turned and fled, feeling the sheriff’s eyes on her back, burning into her.
Or maybe she imagined it.
Or maybe she hadn’t.
Tereza cornered her in the kitchen. “Okay, something is going on. I know it. When Sheriff Dave comes in, you turn as pale as a bleached-out sand dollar. Is there some reason you want to avoid him?”
Courtney fought back the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. “I…”
“Okay, look. I’ll take his table. But after lunch, when it’s not busy, you’re going to talk to me. Got it?” Tereza commanded in a no-nonsense voice. “Just maybe, I can help you.”
“I don’t think anyone can help me.” Courtney’s voice trailed off.
* * *
Tally hurried onto the deck at the restaurant, trying to collect her thoughts. The lunch crowd was in full swing. She should have been back here half an hour ago. She stopped by a table to say hi to Paul and Josephine. Her friend was all smiles and held his wife’s hand in his. It was clear to see all was right with his world.
“You okay, Tally? You look all flushed.” Paul questioned her.
“I’m fine. Just a bit of heat from the sunshine.”
Paul didn’t look like he believed her, but she smiled and quickly walked back into the kitchen.
“Tereza, I’m sorry I took so long.”
“No problem. Everything
is fine.”
The restaurant was bustling, but it really did look like Tereza had things under control, in the crazy busy way they got sometimes.
“Hand me that tray you have. What table is it going to?”
“Table three. Sheriff Dave.”
“Got it.” Tally pushed back out onto the deck and crossed over to the sheriff’s table with his fried grouper sandwich.
“Hi, Dave. Good to see you.”
Sheriff Dave looked up. “Hey, Tally.”
She set his food on the table.
“That new waitress of yours? Courtney? Do you know where she’s from?” Sheriff Dave’s face was creased in thought.
“All over, I think.”
“So she’s brand new to the island?”
“Yes.”
“She’s got a kid that Dorothy’s niece is watching?”
“Yep.”
“Hm.”
Tally wanted to ask why he had so many questions, but another large group of customers came in, so she hurried off to seat them.
She couldn’t stop the nagging feeling that arose from his questions. Courtney was a skittish thing. An unexpected sense of overprotectiveness crept over her.
* * *
Tereza and Courtney sat on the small deck outside the storage building after they finished their shift. Courtney had tried to escape unnoticed, but Tereza had nailed her with a wait-a-minute glare.
“Now, why don’t you tell me what’s going on.” Tereza swayed slowly back and forth on the rocker.
“Nothing’s going on.”
“Don’t ever play poker. You’ll lose.” Tereza shot her a wry grin.
“I… I just need to not be found for a while.”
“You in trouble with the law?”
“Not exactly. I don’t think so.” She sighed. “Well, maybe. To be honest, I didn’t stay around long enough to find out.”
Tereza frowned. “Tally doesn’t need any trouble.”
“Oh, I know. She’s been so kind. Bobby and I should probably just leave.”
“Now, I didn’t say that.” Tereza leaned forward. “You didn’t kill someone, or rob somebody, or some felony like that, right?”
Courtney gave her new friend a weak smile. “No, nothing like that.” Though, kidnapping was probably a felony…
“You going to tell me what’s going on?”
Courtney shoved her hair behind her ear. “I… all I feel comfortable saying is that there is someone who… who I don’t want to find me.”
“Or find Bobby?” Tereza raised an eyebrow.
“Or find Bobby.” Her pulse raced. Especially find Bobby.
Tereza reached over and squeezed her hand. “Okay, then. If you don’t want to be found, we’ll make sure you aren’t found. I’m sure you have a good reason.”
Courtney didn’t know if she felt better or worse for telling Tereza that tiny bit of truth.
Chapter 15
Mary and Tally strolled down the beach with Stormy and Bobby. The boy and puppy ran up and down the beach in front of them but never got far. Courtney had warned him before they left that he needed to stay close.
“Bobby sure loves that pup of yours.” Tally laughed when Bobby got tangled up in the leash and spun in circles to unwind.
“Stormy has brought a lot of joy to my life. Makes me focus on something else than… well, than my disease. He makes me just appreciate all the little extraordinary moments I do have now.” Mary put a hand above her eyes and shielded her view from the sun.
“Mary, you have a remarkable attitude. I admire you so much. You are very brave.” Tally studied the woman beside her.
“Oh, I’m not brave. Sometimes I’m scared to death of what’s happening. But, I just take it one day at a time. Enjoy what I have.”
“I still think you’re one of the bravest people I know.” Tally watched as Bobby threw a stick and then he and Stormy raced to get it.
Tally watched as Bobby and Stormy plowed into Camille Montgomery. Camille went down with a thud. “Uh, oh.”
Tally and Mary hurried up to her. “Are you okay, Camille?” She offered the woman her hand.
“I am not okay. Who let this boy and this beast run loose on the beach with no supervision?” Camille snapped.
Tally took her hand back. Camille could crawl up by herself. “They were playing. And we were watching them.”
“I’m sorry lady. I got tangled up in the leash. That always happens when I walk Stormy.”
Delbert Hamilton hurried across the sandy expanse in front of Camille’s beach house. “Are you okay, hon? You took quite a tumble.” He reached down and effortlessly pulled Camille to her feet.
Camille’s carefully pressed slacks had a streak of dirt on them. She swiped at it ineffectually. “No, I’m not okay. This is outrageous. A person should be able to walk on their own beach without being attacked.”
“I’m not sure this qualifies as an attack.” Delbert grinned at Bobby. “I think it was more of an accident.”
“It was. I didn’t mean to knock the lady down. I told her I was sorry… but she didn’t say it was okay… I think she’s mad at me.”
“Camille, tell the boy you’re fine.”
“I’m not fine. Look at these slacks.”
“I’m sure the dry cleaners can get that stain out.” Delbert turned back to Bobby. “So, have you found any more starfish?”
“Nope. Not a one. Momma says there are some at the point though. We’re gonna go look there when she has time off from work. She works all the time.”
“Grownups do that,” Delbert said gravely.
“That’s no fun.”
“I guess it depends on whether you like your job or not.”
Camille brushed more sand from her slacks. “Well, I’m going in to change. It’s a good thing we’re going to rent this house if this is what it’s like on the beach now.”
Camille spun around and stalked across the beach toward her house. She lost her balance at one point but caught herself before she went down again.
“Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine.” Delbert ruffled Bobby’s hair. “You just keep walking that pup and tire him out.”
“I don’t think Stormy ever tires out.” With that, Bobby went racing down to the waves. He came dashing back a moment later. “Will you tell that lady I’m sorry again?”
“I will, son.”
Bobby smiled in relief and rushed back toward the water with Stormy at his side.
“I hope Camille is okay.” Tally did hope she was okay even if she was perturbed at how Camille had spoken to Bobby. You’d think the woman had never had a speck of dirt on her clothing before.
“I’m sure she’s fine, but I better go in and check on her.” Mr. Hamilton turned and started up toward the house.
“That Camille needs a lesson in manners.” Mary shook her head. “Bobby was just being a boy. And he apologized. She could have accepted his apology.”
“That’s just Camille being Camille.” Tally turned and locked arms with Mary. “Let's head back before it gets too late.”
* * *
Later that day Tally stood at the edge of the sand, watching Courtney romp around the beach with Bobby. He’d created some elaborate game involving pirates and aliens as far as Tally could tell. Courtney was playing along as commanded by the boy. She waved a palm frond to hold off the imaginary pirates. A smile tugged at the corners of Tally’s mouth as she watched the scene.
Eddie came walking up the beach and lifted a hand in a wave. Tally wasn’t sure she liked the way her heart fluttered when he simply walked into her view. She wasn’t that young school girl anymore. She was a grown woman for goodness’ sake.
Eddie came and stood beside her, looking at her like he was taking in a long swig of a much-needed drink. Without saying a word, he placed his hand on hers resting on the railing.
Her heart did another traitorous flip in her chest.
Courtney glanced up from their game and waved. Bobby loo
ked up and called out. “Hey, Miss Tally, come play. You can be a space guy or a pirate.”
“I bet you’ve always wanted to be a pirate.” Eddie winked at her.
“Always.” Tally slipped her hand out from under his—reluctantly—and crossed down to the sand. She was aware of Eddie just steps behind her. She walked up to Courtney and Bobby and introduced Eddie to them. “Courtney, Bobby, this is Eddie—Edward.”
“Eddie is fine. Nice to meet both of you.” He turned to Bobby. “So, young man, if Miss Tally here gets to be a pirate, what do I get to be?”
Bobby screwed up his face and looked at Eddie carefully, eyeing him up and down. “I think you might be okay for the space guy. He’s a good guy. The pirates are bad guys.”
“Well, thank you. I’ve always thought I was the good guy kind of man.” Eddie winked at Tally and crossed over to where Bobby told him to hide in the spaceship. The spaceship that looked amazingly like a couple of lounge chairs flipped on their side.
They all played Bobby’s elaborate game until Courtney dropped to the sand in exhaustion. “You win, Bobby.”
The boy strutted up to them. “I’m always the good guy. I always win.”
“It’s nice for the good guys to win.” Tally sank onto the sand beside Courtney. She leaned closer to the girl. “I think good guys have more energy than bad guys.”
Courtney laughed. “I think they do.”
Bobby raced down toward the waves and Eddie jogged after him. They both started running back and forth, letting the waves chase them up the beach. Eddie picked up Bobby, swung him high, and pretended like he was going to toss him into the ocean. Bobby shrieked with laughter. When Eddie put him down, Bobby raced down the beach.
“Bobby, that’s too far.” Courtney jumped up and started after him.
Eddie waved to her and headed after the boy, motioning him to come back. Eddie met him halfway and they paused, looking at something on the sand.
“Looks like Bobby found a new friend.” Courtney settled back down next to Tally.