Snowbird Season

by B J Phillips

  “Absolutely.” Andi looked back at Shawn. “I do love your books. Sometimes if I’ve been having a bad day or just feeling lonely I’ve pulled one of your books off the shelf and read about someone else’s romance and felt like there was a chance for me after all.”

  “Thanks for telling me,” Shawn said. “I’m glad they were there for you.”

  Carrie put her hand on Shawn’s thigh and patted it. “Believe me, I know how you feel. I’m also a huge fan of her books. Imagine how shocked I was when I realized who she was and that my favorite author was the woman living two doors down from me. I have to admit, though…" She took Shawn’s hand and kissed it. “It was a very pleasant shock.”

  Shawn put her arm around Carrie. “You know, I’ve spent a lot of time protecting my privacy here in Florida. I wanted to be loved for me. I think we were already falling for each other before she realized who I was. It scared me anyway.” Shawn’s hand caressed Carrie’s shoulder absently. “But we got it all straightened out. And we’ve got our own ‘happy ever after’ now, don’t we, honey?”

  “Yep. We do. I think the world would be a much nicer place if everyone had someone to love like this. We sure are happy.”

  “I can see that you are. I hope I find that, too.” Andi grinned at Kelly. “Never know where the right one will turn up, do you?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “SO, WHAT DID YOU think of Andi?” Shawn asked Carrie as they watched Kelly drive away with Andi into the darkening evening. “You spent a little one-on-one time with her in the kitchen.”

  “I think she’s very nice. I got the impression that she’s definitely a big city girl who’s fascinated with our comparatively small-town life here. She jumped right in with setting the table, so she’s definitely not some spoiled thing.”

  “I can hear a ‘but’ somewhere in there.”

  “But…well, I get the feeling she might be looking for the next thing for her gallery. You heard her talking about how those boxes would sell.”

  “I did. But I think she sounded like a businesswoman. She enjoys things then looks at them for their potential if they’re something her gallery might handle.” Shawn put her arm around Carrie’s waist as they turned and walked back to the porch.

  Carrie stopped on the porch. “Hmm…well, you could be right. I just hope Kelly isn’t too stuck on her and gets her heart broken. She isn’t staying, you know. She’s heading back to New York soon, back to her society friends and all, you can bet on it.” She opened the house door and they went inside.

  “And? I got the impression she really likes Kelly, from some of the things she said and how she acted around her.” Shawn pushed the door closed behind them.

  “Oh, I’m not saying she doesn’t like Kelly. I think she likes our Kelly a lot. But liking and more than that is a big step. I’m not sure she’s one to take that bigger step with Kelly when there are such big gaps between them…financial, not that that matters in the long run, and distance. Kelly’s not moving to New York City. Seriously. I could never see her living there.”

  “True. Andi could run back to New York and write off this period as a pleasant little vacation. She could enjoy hanging around with Kelly without truly caring for her.”

  Carrie thought for a second. “On the other hand, I think there could be something there.”

  “I thought you just said…” Shawn looked at her pointedly.

  “I did. But, and it’s a big but, I saw something between them this evening. There’s something there, whether they recognize it yet or not. “

  “I’m pretty sure I saw that, too. Kelly’s definitely taken with Andi, from what I heard listening to Kelly talk about her while you guys were in the kitchen.”

  “Well, I guess we’ll see how this plays out.” Carrie stopped and leaned against the front door. “As I said, I like Andi. She seems like a nice person, but I hope she doesn’t hurt Kelly. I’d hate to think something like that could happen. Either way, Kelly’s enjoying being around Andi and I think they’re good for each other…at least right now.”

  “I think so, too. I guess sometimes you have to take a chance and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts. It’s great to see Kelly with someone again.”

  “Yeah, it’s been a long time.” Shawn put her arm around Carrie. “You know, I think she’s looking for someone like you.”

  Carrie’s cheeks reddened. “Really? Well, Andi isn’t much like me, is she? Kelly does seem to have a thing for damsels in distress, though. She’s drawn to helping people and maybe that’s part of the allure. It’s the knight in shining armor thing that she has—and is very good at, by the way. Besides, we don’t look anything alike or…”

  Shawn cut her off. “I think it’s more like someone sweet and sexy and smart. Like you.”

  “You think she’s sexy, do you?” Carrie grinned and pulled Shawn closer.

  “Oh, honey, not nearly as sexy as you—” Shawn was cut off by Carrie’s lips on hers.

  Chapter Sixteen

  AS THEY WERE LEAVING Carrie and Shawn’s home, Andi reached over and planted a little kiss on Kelly’s cheek.

  “Well, thanks. But what was that for?” Kelly smiled.

  “I had a great time. Your friends are wonderful, Carrie’s a great cook, and we had an outstanding dinner. Lots of reasons. Most of all, thank you for letting me see what a great relationship looks like.”

  “Seriously? Don’t any of your friends have a relationship like that?” Kelly glanced at Andi, then returned her attention to the road.

  “No, they don’t. At least none that make it that obvious.”

  “Wow. I’m sorry. I guess I’m so used to them being like that, I assume that’s what it’s like when two people truly love each other.”

  “I sure hope so. That hasn’t happened to me yet, but I’d sure like it.”

  “Me, too. You know, Shawn went through a bad relationship or four before finding Carrie. I think Carrie scared her a little.”

  “Really? Why? She doesn’t seem scary to me. In fact, exactly the opposite. Carrie’s probably one of the most easy-to-be-around people I’ve ever met.”

  “She scared Shawn. She wasn’t used to someone loving her for herself. She was used to having women put on a show for her and tell her what she wanted to hear. She got used a lot before she found Carrie. Actually, I don’t know if they’d be together if Carrie hadn’t been so patient.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll tell you in a bit. First, though, if you don’t have anything else planned to do this evening, how would you like to drive down to the beach? There’s going to be a full moon tonight and it’s very pretty over the Gulf.”

  “Thanks, I’d love to. And no, I’ve nothing else planned that doesn’t involve you.”

  “Elise isn’t expecting you back at a certain time or anything?”

  “I’m not on a curfew, if that’s what you’re asking.” Andi laughed softly. “You’d think we were a couple of teenagers and Elise was my mom. I’m sure she won’t worry at all unless I don’t return home tonight. She knows I’m safe with you, though.”

  “Okay…Um…I wasn’t planning to keep you out all night, so I guess you won’t be in any trouble with Elise. Let’s run back to my house and let Piper out for a couple of minutes to do her thing. It won’t take long, then we’ll be on our way to the beach.”

  “And we’d better not forget to give her this doggie bag Carrie sent her.” Andi held up the plastic container holding some roast beef and gravy intended for Piper.

  “Oh, no. We can’t forget that.” Kelly laughed.

  It didn’t take long for Piper to take care of her business and have her ears scratched by both of them. With her treat from Aunt Carrie to chow down on, Piper wasn’t unhappy to let them leave again.

  A short time later, Kelly turned onto North Cleveland Avenue toward the bridge across the Caloosahatchee River. Andi patted Kelly’s thigh briefly, “You know, I’m not worried about you keeping me out all night
.” She grinned.

  Kelly swallowed hard, trying not to react to the touch of Andi’s hand on her thigh, brief as it was. “Well, then…I guess we’re good.” Kelly couldn’t look over at Andi. “We were talking about Shawn and Carrie, right?”

  “Right. You were telling me about how they might not have gotten together if Carrie hadn’t been so patient.”

  “That’s right. So anyway, Shawn kept getting gun-shy around Carrie. They went out. They kissed. Shawn would run off every time things got any more heated than that. She was so scared of making another mistake that she almost let Carrie get away.”

  “What was she so worried about?”

  “Mainly she was worried that if something went wrong, she’d have this ex-lover living two doors down, making it very uncomfortable.”

  “Wow, she was thinking ahead, but that sounds a bit paranoid.”

  “Oh, you don’t know what she went through with past relationships.” Kelly shook her head. “It’s not all that paranoid if you’ve been through what she has. Still, Carrie didn’t know who Shawn was when they met, just that she was some kind of writer. And she only knew that at first because her company was building on a writer’s retreat type office for Shawn’s house.”

  “Carrie mentioned that this evening. She said she was shocked finding out who Shawn was.”

  “Yeah, Shawn said the turning point was Carrie talking to her about her books, and finally figuring out who she was. Until then, it had been a low key, normal fun thing but after that, it became Shawn’s scary thing. She’s been pursued by a few fans who were sure they were in love with her because of her books. It wasn’t pretty.”

  “Well, I guess you don’t get chased down by crazed women very often for your woodworking skills?” Andi giggled.

  “Uh…no. Not even close.” Kelly grinned as she glanced briefly at Andi. She moved to the inside lane right before they reached the Caloosahatchee River Bridge.

  “By the way, Carrie did tell me something about you.”

  “Hmm…do I want to know what it was? I mean, you already know I love her cooking.”

  “I think you’ll like to hear this, since it was a sweet compliment. She said you were her Lancelot. Knight in shining armor. Rescuer of damsels in distress.”

  Kelly could tell without even looking that Andi was grinning again as she recited and laughed. “She did, did she? I suppose that’s somewhat true in her case. I did help a little getting them together finally, but I don’t think I actually rescued her from anything.”

  “She thinks you did and I think it’s sweet. Do you make a habit of coming to the aid of women in distress?”

  Kelly heard Andi giggle and felt her own face redden, grateful for the darkness. “Uh…I don’t know. Maybe. I hate to see someone upset if there’s something I can do to help. If that makes me a knight in shining armor, I guess that part’s true.”

  “You definitely came to my aid.” Andi reached over and patted Kelly’s thigh again lightly, starting a tingling rushing up Kelly’s leg. Kelly blinked and tried to ignore those distracting sensations. “I think you can add me to the list of damsels in distress that you’ve saved.”

  “You simply looked like you needed a friend. I knew from what your aunt said that you didn’t live here, so I thought you could use someone to talk to. That’s all. I guess I can’t resist beautiful women needing help.” She laughed a bit nervously.

  “You think I’m beautiful?” Andi asked softly.

  Kelly looked over at Andi for a second, then back at the road. “I think you are. Don’t you see that when you look in the mirror?”

  “At one time, I supposed I was pretty.” Andi let out a little sigh. “Now my mirror only shows me someone who’s no longer in her twenties, tired of running around being something she isn’t.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Maybe if you stopped trying to be what you aren’t, you’d see that lovely woman everyone else sees.”

  Andi sighed. “Thank you, Kelly. You do seem to know exactly what to say to make me feel better.”

  “That isn’t what I meant. I didn’t say what I did to make you feel better. I meant every word of it. You are a beautiful woman. Your smile lights up a room and when you let go, your laughter is wonderful to hear. I love seeing you happy.”

  They turned left onto San Carlos Boulevard, which led directly to the beach. Brightly lit signs shaped like fish and anchors announced seafood restaurants along the road. Beach shops and marinas shared the rest of the ride to the bridge leading to the island beach.

  Kelly broke the silence. “My mom told us there used to be a wooden bridge here. I can’t even imagine that.”

  “It’s great having history in a place, isn’t it? Your parents and grandparents being here before you and all. That’s very grounding.”

  “I guess it is, come to think of it. But your family’s from New York City, right? Don’t you have some of that there?”

  “I guess you’re right, but I hadn’t thought of it that way. We’ve gone to some of the same restaurants Aunt Elise says her parents took her and my dad. She took me to the Museum of Modern Art and the big public library, like her mom took her. That kind of thing. I hadn’t considered it in that way.”

  Kelly pulled into a parking lot overlooking Fort Myers Beach. The fat moon appeared to be only inches above the horizon, enough to make a lovely reflection on the water. She put the car window down a bit more to let in some of the gulf breeze, but not enough to chill them.

  She looked at Andi. “So, what do you think of that? Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Andi leaned back in her seat and sighed. “Gorgeous. Worth the drive, to be sure. And quite romantic.”

  Kelly released a sigh. “Yes, it is. I love this spot and thought you might enjoy it.”

  “There’s a bench over there. Want to sit outside and look at the water?”

  “Okay, if you don’t think you’ll be too chilly. There’s a bit of a breeze coming off the gulf.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I’ll be warm enough.”

  They got out of the Durango and walked the thirty-odd feet across the sugary white sand. They both let out another sigh and smiled as they settled on the bench. At first, they sat not quite touching. Andi moved slightly closer until Kelly could feel their thighs touching. Kelly put her arm across the back of the bench behind Andi, all the while not actually looking at her. The swooshing and lapping sounds of the waves were accompanied by palm fronds rustling above them from the gulf breeze, which also brought the beach smells of seaweed and saltwater.

  Kelly glanced over at Andi and the sight took her breath away. The moonlight on her face made her look like an angel. Her skin almost glowed. Her hair shone in the moonlight, small strands floating in puffs of air. Oh, no, I’m not going to fall for that. She looked quickly away, but couldn’t help looking back again. Suddenly neither the moon nor the waves had as much attraction for her. When Andi looked back at her, she couldn’t help gazing into those eyes.

  Kelly’s arm went around Andi, almost of its own accord, drawing her closer. Andi closed her eyes, inviting a kiss. She felt her lips meeting Andi’s, soft and sweet. Just a brief kiss—a simple, gentle touching of lips that only lasted a few seconds—then Andi smiled and snuggled into Kelly’s shoulder as Kelly’s arm tightened around her.

  Andi’s head fit perfectly into that spot where Kelly’s shoulder met her chest. As Andi snuggled in against Kelly’s side, Kelly could feel her heart racing, each beat seemingly so loud anyone on the beach could hear it. She hoped Andi couldn’t hear it though, giving away what she already knew—that she was feeling things for Andi she hadn’t planned on. They sat there for a while longer in silence, listening to the waves rhythmically lap at the shore as the tide came in.

  “We probably should head back,” Kelly whispered.

  Andi looked up at Kelly. “Yes, we probably should.”

  “I mean, you left your car at my place, so it’ll take a while to get there. Afterward, you have the drive ba
ck to Elise’s house...”

  “Oh, yeah. That’s right. I did leave my car there. I almost forgot.” Andi stood up. “Well, I guess we’d better go.”

  They walked back to the car in silence, Kelly opening the door for Andi. As soon as they were back in the car, but before she started the engine, Kelly turned to her. “I probably shouldn’t have kissed you. I’m sorry.”

  Andi looked down at her hands. “Don’t be sorry. I liked it.” She looked back up at Kelly. “It was nice. It was only a spur of the moment, moonlight kiss thing. No worries.”

  “Right. Exactly.” Kelly took a deep breath. Sure, it was. Now what? She started the engine and they drove back without saying much.

  After they returned to Kelly’s house, Andi went straight to her car and after unlocking it, tossed her bag into the passenger seat. She turned around and put her arms around Kelly’s waist.

  “You really are a knight in shining armor. I feel like you’ve rescued me from myself.”

  “How’s that?” Kelly could feel warmth creeping into her cheeks and elsewhere from the feel of Andi against her. Her arms went around Andi of their own accord and held her close.

  “I was letting myself believe that I was unlovable.” Andi’s voice was husky, her cheek against Kelly’s shoulder. “I assumed no one would want me around much without Jo. But you’ve let me see that I can have someone in my life that likes me for myself. Thank you for that.”

  “You’re much more than that, Andi. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman who’s fun to be with.”

  “Thank you for that, too. And for being my friend.” Andi looked up and planted a little kiss on Kelly’s cheek. “Thanks for the moonlit kiss, as well. I liked it. Maybe more than you did.”

  Before Kelly could reply, Andi released her. She got in her car quickly and started the engine. “Night, Kelly. I had a great time.” She waved and backed out of the driveway. In another few seconds, she was a pair of taillights in the dark.

  Kelly stood there watching those two red lights recede down the street as she softly stroked the place on her cheek where Andi had kissed her.