by Jana DeLeon
Bea pressed the buttons on the slot machine and watched as the reels whirled with rainbows and unicorns and some puffy purple thing that she hadn’t quite identified yet. Nelly was on a stool next to her, feeding credits into a slot with magical cats. The sounds coming out of them sounded like a frantic Disney movie.
“You know,” Bea said. “I really miss putting actual quarters in and just having cherries and the like spin around.”
Nelly nodded. “That’s because we’re getting old. Pretty soon we’ll be yelling at kids to get off our lawns.”
“I’ve been doing that for forty years,” Bea said. “I don’t spend weeks planting and caring for all those tropical plants only for kids to trample them when the beach is only a couple blocks away. They can throw balls and run in the sand where they only annoy the tourists.”
Nelly laughed. “Definitely old. But I understand. We’ve been in a lull, if you think about it. When Alayna came to live with you, there were more kids on the island, but those kids have grown up and left while their parents remained.”
“So you’re saying the entire island is getting old?”
“In a way it is. Or was. Some kids never left and now grandkids are starting to pop up. And some younger people have been relocating to the island in the past couple years. Mark bought the surf shop, and Alayna’s back. And I heard Gary’s grandson is going to come here and help him with the motel.”
“Really? I know his daughter’s husband is stationed overseas. I guess I figured after all that world travel, none of his family would be coming back.”
“The scoop is the grandson went to school for hotel management but loves to surf. This way, he gets to indulge both his degree and his passion and hopefully, Gary gets someone who can help take some of the weight off.”
Bea nodded. “That’s great. Ever since Marie passed, he’s been trying to do the work of two people.”
“More like three since Marie did the work of two.”
“True. I’ve been trying to convince him to hire someone forever, but he only gets some help in the summer and even then, it’s not enough.”
“Well, let’s just pray that Seth, the grandson, is as smart as Gary says he is. That might be the answer to his problems. I know it’s only been a day of freedom, but has Alayna said anything about the restaurant idea?”
“No, but I know that super-talented mind was thinking hard on it. As soon as we get home, I’m planning on revisiting it. Just have to wait for the right moment. I don’t want to be too pushy and have her start considering other options.”
“You don’t think she was planning on leaving again when the trial was over, do you?”
“I honestly don’t think she was planning anything at all a week ago other than getting the hell out of New York.”
“And now?”
“Now, I just don’t know. All this stuff with Warren has been super stressful. I hate to say it, but his escaping and dying was probably the best possible outcome for her. But with the trial no longer an issue and Warren no longer a threat, I was thinking she might decide to stick her toes in deeper water again. There’s only so much she can do with a restaurant on Tempest Island, even a great one.”
“I suppose it doesn’t really compare to being a top chef in Manhattan.”
“No. But I’m hoping being home reminds her of the differences in lifestyle and that sand and flip-flops win out.”
Nelly held up her hands with both sets of fingers crossed. “And I’m really hoping that new future involves a fancy restaurant above the bookstore.”
“You and me both.”
Bea punched a button and watched the reel spin. Then it stopped on three rainbows and the whole thing set off with flashing lights and blaring music.
Nelly grabbed her arm. “You won the grand prize!”
“I did?” Bea stared at the machine. “What is it?”
Nelly started to laugh. “A week’s paid vacation for two to their sister casino in Vegas.”
Bea grinned. “Really? Looks like another road trip is coming.”
Luke dropped his fork on the plate and slumped back in the patio chair with a groan. Alayna looked at him and smiled. Score another point for her cooking.
“That was incredible,” he said. “I might not move for a week. What was that sauce on the pasta? It was awesome.”
“It’s a secret,” Alayna said. “A very decadent, fattening, and scrumptious secret.”
“I don’t even care how fattening it is. If you cooked that every day, I’d just spend the rest of the day jogging to make up for it.”
“Because you could get up and jog now?”
“Good point. Maybe jog all day, then have it for dinner.”
“I’m really glad you enjoyed it.”
“How could I not? I can’t wait for you to get up and running and let everyone else in on this. I feel guilty being the only one who knows. Well, me and Bea.”
“And Pete.”
“That’s right. Pete got in on it too. He was really impressed.”
“Maybe you could invite him over again for dinner. Just dinner this time. No manual labor.”
“He’d love that.”
“I take it you guys are good friends?”
“As good as we could be. Pete was the medic for my team on two of our tours, but we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in the same place. He’s a fantastic doctor and a really good guy. The Navy is fortunate to have him. He could be making a mint in private practice.”
“Some people find their calling and the money doesn’t matter. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s awesome when you can have both, but if you can do what you love and still make it work financially, then maybe more people should be happy with that.”
“So what you’re saying is money doesn’t fix everything.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I have firsthand experience with that one. Warren had a huge trust fund and access to family properties in multiple countries. And my understanding from the FBI was that his legitimate business was very successful. Why he risked all of that to get involved with a drug cartel is at the top of the list of the things I don’t understand. And apparently, I never will as he can’t explain.”
“All I can guess is that something was missing, and no one can say what except Warren. But the whole thing certainly seems like a waste. Still, I have trouble working up even an ounce of sympathy for him because of what it did to you. If he had even a bit of feelings for you, he should have never gotten involved.”
She sighed. “Agent Davies said that people like Warren never think they’ll be caught, so they don’t consider the fallout their actions will have on other people.”
“That makes sense, but it doesn’t return your restaurant, your reputation, or your money invested.”
“Oh, understanding doesn’t mean I forgive him. I mean, I guess I need to at some point for myself. But it would never be about him.”
He nodded. “I understand the sentiment. There are some people in my past who really set me back.”
“Ah, do I sense a problem with a woman or two?” Something in his tone had her wondering.
“Just one. I guess you could say a second never got the opportunity.”
“What happened?”
He frowned. “It’s not a nice story.”
“It can’t be worse than being hauled out of your boyfriend’s apartment in handcuffs by the FBI.”
“No. It definitely wasn’t that bad, although at the time, I’m sure I would have felt it was. It’s a short and often-told story—I was a young SEAL, finally confident that I’d found my path, and that’s when Serena appeared.” He shook his head. “She was beautiful and charming and a complete fraud.”
“What do you mean?”
“It was her thing—to pick out a young soldier, convince them she was their dreams in the flesh, then drain them for every dime she could get. I fell for her line of bullshit, even though my commanding officer had warned me about her. It was my own fault. I had lim
ited experience with women and was just a little full of myself, and women like Serena could spot those characteristics as if they were lit up in neon.”
“Predators know how to pick their prey. But you shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Like you said, you were young and had limited experience. And God knows, I’m preaching to you about things I have to remind myself of. People like to say that I have to forgive Warren in order to put this in the past, but I think what was really important is that I forgave myself.”
He nodded. “I made peace with myself years ago, but I will admit, the entire situation combined with all the travel the Navy required has kept me from pursuing anything serious with someone else. I won’t say I’ve forgiven Serena, because honestly, she’s never asked and I don’t believe she ever will. You have to be sorry to ask for forgiveness. But I’ve moved on. It’s locked in a drawer in my past and simply no longer matters.”
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. “I think that’s a really good way of doing things. Then you’re not forcing yourself to feel conciliatory when you’re not. You’re allowing that your feelings are valid, but they don’t have to be part of your everyday life. I like that. Thank you.”
He smiled. “Anything I can do to help.”
“You’ve helped me tremendously.”
He reached over and took her hand. “I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but I feel a strong connection with you—like we’ve always known each other. It’s a little off-putting because I’ve never had that before, but mostly it’s exciting.”
“And scary?”
“Yeah, I guess I can admit to that even though most men wouldn’t.”
“I know. I feel the same way. And it really scares me because I just made the worst choice ever and I’m still paying for it. So now I’m second-, third-, and fourth-guessing every move I make, every emotion I feel.”
“Do me a favor,” he said and leaned close to her. “Don’t think about this.”
He pressed his lips to hers and kissed her softly, lifting his hands to cup her face. His lips brushed hers so lightly but with so much passion that her entire body tingled. Without breaking the kiss, he rose and pulled her up with him, wrapping his arms around her and pressing his body into hers as he deepened the kiss. She moaned as he moved from her lips to her neck, trailing kisses along the sensitive nape then down to her chest, stopping at the collar of her T-shirt.
“I’d love nothing more than to take you inside,” he said, his voice low. “But only if you’re ready.”
She nodded. For the first time in a long time, she was absolutely certain.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Luke eased his arm under Alayna, and she tucked her head in between his shoulder and chest. His heart was pounding in his chest and he wasn’t breathing properly…and none of that had to do with physical conditioning. It had everything to do with the naked woman pressed against him. Never in his life had he felt so much in a single moment. It was overwhelming, exciting, and yeah, scary.
But one thing was certain—he was going to do everything possible to make Alayna Scott part of his future.
“I think I pulled a calf muscle,” she said, and grinned up at him.
“You know how you fix that?”
“How?”
“More practice.”
She laughed. “I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day. I’m thirsty. Do you want something to drink?”
“Just water would be great.”
She slid out of bed and his body instantly ached to have her warmth back against it. He watched as she exited the bedroom, not even bothering to don clothes or a robe. She was a goddess. He was convinced.
His cell phone rang, and he groaned. Whoever it was would have to wait until tomorrow. He wasn’t about to do anything to ruin this moment. Alayna walked back into the bedroom and handed him the water before plopping onto the bed.
“You gonna get that?” she asked.
“I was thinking no.”
“What if it’s important? You should at least check and see who it is.”
He sighed and reached over the side of the bed to retrieve his shorts and dig his cell phone out of the pocket. It had stopped ringing, so he checked the incoming call list.
“It was just Pete,” he said. “Probably wanting to set up a time to get together. I’ll call him back tomorrow.”
Then his phone signaled an incoming text from Pete.
Got an emergency. If you’re around, please call!
Luke frowned. Pete wasn’t the dramatic sort. If anything, he was the opposite of drama. He showed Alayna the message before he called.
“Luke, man,” Pete said as soon as he answered. “I got a situation here and I need some help. You’re not with Alayna by any chance, are you?”
“Yeah, she’s right here.”
“Good. Put me on speaker.”
Luke was confused as to what was going on with his friend, but switched the phone over to speaker as requested and told Alayna that Pete wanted to speak to both of them.
“So I went for my usual walk this evening,” Pete said. “Today I walked west on the protected seashore and ended up way past your cottage. Well, I come up on this tidal pool and there’s an old guy sitting in it with a scrub brush and soap and not wearing a lick of clothes. In fact, there’s no clothes in sight so I don’t even want to think about how he got here. He’s insisting he’s in a hot spring at someone’s private ranch in Arkansas.”
Alayna started giggling and covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry. Ask him if he’s Mr. Franklin.”
“Give me a second,” Pete said. “I walked off a bit because that’s just not something a person wants to get a long view of, even a doctor.”
They heard some muffled shouting, then Pete came back on the line.
“He says that’s right. He’s Mr. Franklin.”
“Hold tight,” Alayna said, and ran into the kitchen for her phone. She scrolled through her address book.
“I’m calling his son, Young Franklin,” she said and dialed, then put it on speaker.
“Hello,” Young Franklin answered.
“This is Alayna Scott, Bea’s niece.”
“Yes, of course. Bea said you were moving back. Is there something I can help you with? I hope nothing is wrong.”
“There is something you can help with,” Alayna said and explained the situation.
There was dead silence for several seconds.
“I don’t even know what to say,” Young Franklin said. “My father…well, you know my father. He wasn’t the most reliable before you moved away and recently, he’s gotten to be not only unreliable but quite, uh, colorful, shall we say. I hate to do this, but can you please ask your friend to keep an eye on him until I can get there? I don’t want him wandering off into the surf, especially so close to dusk.”
“I’ll do better than that,” Alayna said. “I’ll head out there right now with a towel and a blanket. Maybe your father will remember me.”
“That would be a huge relief,” Young Franklin said. “I’m driving back from the mainland now, but it will be at least ten or fifteen minutes before I can get there.”
“I’m on my way,” she said. “Don’t worry. My friend is a doctor. He’s in excellent hands.”
“Did you get all of that, Pete?” Luke asked as Alayna hung up.
“Mostly, and please hurry,” Pete said. “He’s saying something about ballroom dancing. I just can’t…”
The call dropped and Luke stared at Alayna. “Is there some island information on this man that I need to know?”
“I’ll tell you on the way,” she said as she pulled on her clothes, then ran out of the room.
Luke got dressed and hurried into the living room where she was exiting the laundry room with a beach towel and a blanket. They locked up and armed the house and headed off, Alayna directing him to the beach path that she thought the man had used. As he drove, Alayna filled him in.
“So Old
Franklin is Young Franklin’s father,” she said.
“No one uses their first names?”
“It’s not really required. You see, Young Franklin is the island pastor and he followed in his father’s footsteps. So they’ve always been Pastor Franklin. Locals just refer to them as ‘Young’ and ‘Old’ when talking to each other so that we know which one they’re talking about.”
Luke stared at her in dismay. “A pastor is bathing naked in a tidal pool on a public beach?”
She laughed. “He’s either reached that age where nothing fazes him anymore and all sense of propriety has fled the building, or he’s got more serious issues going on.”
She relayed a story Bea had told her about Old Franklin losing his bathing suit and flashing the entire beach the week before.
“Exactly how old is this guy?” Luke asked.
“Ninety if he’s a day.”
A visual of his buddy on the beach with an almost century-old naked dude flashed through Luke’s mind, and he started to chuckle. “I guess when I’m ninety I won’t care either. But that means Young Franklin can’t be all that young.”
“In his late sixties, I think.”
“Is there a Younger Young Franklin?”
She shook her head. “He had two daughters. One is the secretary at the church and married a congregation member, had three kids, and does needlepoint. The other had a falling-out with her father and I don’t think they’ve spoken in decades.”
“I’m almost afraid to ask why.”
“She converted to Catholicism.”
“Well, good Lord, that just means she goes to a different church. How is that a problem?”
Alayna grinned. “She’s a nun.”
“Oh. Well…I guess that’s a bit different than spending eleven till noon on Sunday in different buildings.”
“Just a bit. Pull off over here. There’s a walking trail that leads to the beach. Tidal pools used to form a lot here, so hopefully this is where they are.”
Luke parked, then grabbed the towel and blanket and headed down the path after Alayna, thinking this was the strangest follow-up to a romantic moment that he’d ever encountered. Naked was fine, but only if it was Alayna. A ninety-year-old man treating the beach like a bathhouse was well outside of things he ever wanted to experience.