by Danni Roan
“Yes, and yes.” James said. “I ended up living in Springtown when I was about thirteen.” He said jiggling a foot nervously.
“Did your parents move there?”
James shook his head carefully replacing the stemmed glass on the table.
“No, I was in foster care, and that was the last home I went to.”
Brittany could see the emotion in the big man’s eyes and her heart moved toward him, as her eyes begged him to explain.
“I really can’t remember anything but foster care. I moved from place to place as most kids do then I was placed with the Williams in Springtown and no matter how cold I was, they were determined to keep me.”
James lifted the glass again and took a sip as Brittany reached across the table and took his hand.
Putting the drink back James continued. “I was at school and these two girls came and sat at the table I’d chosen as far from everyone as I could get. They just never left,” he laughed lifting his shoulders in a shrug.
“So how did you get into the business?” Brittany asked moving away from more painful subjects. She could see the affection James had for his friends.
James chuckled. “I think Audrey always had the skills to be a party planner. She was always organizing things and was on all the committees at school. You know dances, parties, fund raisers.”
“And you?” Brittany smiled suspecting that once he’d found two friends he tagged along to everything.
“Whatever Audrey and Lisa did I pretty much tagged along,” James admitted. “Audrey started giving me jobs to do and things just continued from there.”
“Sounds like things just came together,” Brittany said. “You like it?”
James’ smile was slow but sincere. “I really do. Christmas always takes its toll, but I really do love the job.”
Brittany turned back to her breakfast letting go of James’ hand with regret.
“What about you?” James asked. “How’d you get into this?”
“My grandparents ran a little bed and breakfast in Minnesota, and some of my favorite memories were of visiting them and helping around the place. I guess it’s in the genes.” She giggled and the sound washed over James like the sparkle of sunlight off the water.
For several moments they sat there in companionable silence.
James found he was more comfortable with Brittany than he’d been with anyone but his two misfit compadres Lisa and Audrey.
“What are you doing tonight?” Brittany finally asked as she finished her colorful dish.
“Nothing that I know of. I think they have a big seafood buffet tonight at the hotel, so I’ll probably do that for dinner, otherwise just hangout and soak up some sun.”
“You like seafood?” Brittany sat up a little straighter, her gray eyes sparkling with delight.
“Yes, and trust me you don’t get great seafood in Colorado.”
“That’s where you’re from?”
“Oh, yeah.” James blushed. “I guess I didn’t mention that. I landed in Colorado as a skinny teen and never left.”
“How would you like to go for some really good seafood then?” Brittany asked her smile dazzling. “I know the best place on the island.”
James leaned over the table. “Is it a big secret?”
“No,” Brittany laughed. She really liked this guy. He was so easy to talk to, and for some reason she wanted to keep touching him all the time. “It’s just a place that the locals go and it is to die for.”
“Do tell,” James teased.
“I’ll do better than that,” Brittany said. “Meet me in the lobby again tonight, and I’ll take you there.”
James leaned back taking in the slim figure, classic good looks and glowing gray eyes. Brittany was elegant, pretty, and attractive. What was she doing hanging out with him?
“I think I’d like that,” he found himself saying his voice sounded an octave too deep in his chest.
“Good it’s a date then,” Brittany said with a grin as she took their empty plates. “See you tonight,” she added as she rose and headed back to work.
James watched Brittany carry their dishes away, her jaunty steps carrying her across the sand and out of site.
She was a beautiful woman, and he wondered if she might even like him a little bit. More than likely she was simply being nice to him since they had a shared interest, but for now that was enough.
Chapter 9
Brittany ruffled though her line of dresses preparing for her date. There was nothing else to call it, she was determined it was a date.
The night before had been lovely, and the more time she spent with James, the more time she wanted to spend with him.
It was so easy to talk to him, and they could joke about all the things they saw at any little get together.
No matter how hard he had tried, she had seen James’ eyes wondering over the event the night before and cataloging details.
Some women might have been upset or offended, but she understood. She did the same thing, sometimes to the point where her friends thought she was being critical.
Standing in front of her closet, Brittany shook her head she couldn’t remember a time when she had found it so hard to pick something to wear. Why did she want, so badly, to make James notice her?
She smiled thinking about their walk along the beach at the end of last night. She’d made him notice her then.
Closing her eyes she reached in and pulled out a dress, shaking her head but stripping it off the hanger anyway.
Pink had never been her favorite color but this deep coral had called to her. It was a simple dress with a high waist and white filigree patterns across the bodice and skirt that ended just above her knees.
Shrugging she pulled off her usual black swimsuit and skirt like wrap and pulled the dress over her head. The bright color was a soft contrast to her sun bronzed skin, and the silky fabric felt like a caress.
Finding a pair of large silver hoop earrings she popped them on, and ran a bright smear of lipstick into place.
Stopping to look in the mirror as she headed out Brittany wondered why she was so into James. She’d known him exactly two days and was trying hard to impress him.
Over the past few years she’d barely had any time for any sort of romance. She’d been busy getting her education and working to pay for it.
Yesterday she had been content for a holiday romance, but today her heart was longing for more.
She was tired of being alone, tired of working long hours only to come home to an empty apartment.
Even her parents struggled to understand her long hours and days of endless work to realize her dream.
James seemed like the type who would understand.
Slipping into her sandals she hurried out the door toward the hotel anxious to show James just what the island had to offer.
***
James looked under the bed, then in the closet again. He couldn’t find his other boat shoe anywhere. Leaning into the closet a little further he craned his neck looking for any hint of tan leather.
Shaking his head he stepped back bumping his head on the closet frame, growling at the impact.
As he rubbed the bump on his head he checked his watch. If he didn’t get a move on he would be late.
Dropping to his knees he looked under the bed one more time trying to find the missing shoe.
A soft knock on his door surprised him and he hurried to it pushing it open while still rubbing his head.
“I didn’t see you in the lobby, so I came to fetch you,” Brittany said biting her lip to keep from laughing.
James had one hand on his head and was holding a tan boat shoe in his other while holding the door open.
“Come on in,” he said. “Sorry I’m running late, I can’t find my shoe.”
Brittany looked around the neat space. A laptop sat on the tiny table across from a two burner hot plate and a microwave.
“You mean this one?” Brittany asked dropping do
wn and fishing the shoe out from under the little sofa.
James shook his head as he looked at the shoe suspended at the end of her slender finger.
“Good grief,” James moaned taking the shoe and slipping his bare feet into the now matched pair.
“What’s this?” Brittany asked turning and looking at the little pineapple suspended by a window.
She couldn’t seem to resist reaching out and cupping the shimmering little gem in her hand.
It felt warm from the sun and glowed with a light that seemed to pulsate in her hand.
“Oh, that’s a Christmas ornament one of the Ls gave me,” James replied. “The Ls are Audrey’s four aunts who took her in after her parents disappeared. They’re a little odd but pretty wonderful too.”
“The Ls?” Brittany asked turning her head curiously at James.
“Linda, Lydia, Lois, and Louisa,” James ticked them off his fingers with a smile. “The Alberton sisters own and run a funky little farm in Springtown. You know that kitchy stuff that people buy like handmade hats and scarves made from spun wool, or goat’s milk soaps and lotions.”
“You’re kidding?”
“Nope, they can also cook like nobody’s business and have bailed Audrey and me out a time or two by stepping in when we had catering issues.”
Brittany laughed. Did people really still do that stuff?
“They even got a catering license, so Audrey always has legal cover as well.”
“And they gave this to you?” she released the little pineapple watching it swing back and forth on its ribbon catching fire from the sun and splashing it across the room.
“Lou, Louisa to be exact,” James replied. “She marched up to me at Lisa’s wedding and gave it to me telling me that it had sat on her mantel long enough.”
“Did they make it? The Ls I mean?”
“No, they didn’t even admit it was from them,” James said brushing the ornament. “It was signed from Mrs. Claus.” He grinned at the silly antics.
“Maybe you should ask that couple that is staying here if they sent it,” Brittany giggled. “They fit the bill.”
James laughed as well. “Don’t tempt me.”
Once more Brittany flicked the little pineapple making it spin, sparkling like a miniature nova.
“You ready?” she asked, turning to look at James in his black polo and gray shorts.
“After you,” James said opening the door and ushering her outside.
***
James was surprised when as he followed Brittany around the hotel’s main building, he found a little car waiting.
“It’s not far, but since I’m allowed to use one of the staff cars, I’m taking advantage.” Brittany said in explanation. “Besides, I’m hungry,” she added with a little laugh as she walked around to the driver’s side of the little white car.
James eased his long legs into the short vehicle, folding double and ducking his head to fit. Once inside, he had plenty of room but climbing in was always a bit of a hassle.
Fastening his seatbelt he grabbed the door handle and hoped that Brittany didn’t drive like his friend Lisa.
Brittany pulled onto the main road carefully then accelerated smoothly along the main strip, and James eased his grip on the door handle.
“Nervous passenger?” Brittany asked with a grin.
“No, just never sure if anyone else drives like my friend Lisa. She seems to think that she’s driving a stagecoach and needs to urge on the horses to top speed.”
Brittany’s laugh was the tinkling of wind chimes by the sea.
“Growing up I used to spend summers with my grandmother, and she drove as if the car was always trying to get off the road. I thought you had to jiggle the wheel to be able to drive.” She gave a little wiggle of the steering wheel making James laugh.
For a few minutes they drove, the road running parallel to the coast and giving them glimpses of the sun drenched beach.
James found it easy just being in Brittany’s company. She didn’t seem to need to fill every minute with chatter.
As they whizzed along the route James noted the little brightly colored houses, swaying palms and road side stands selling produce and trinkets. It was a beautiful place but it wasn’t Colorado.
For the first time since he’d escaped the frigid weather and mad escapades of the winter season, he felt a tinge of homesickness.
Moments later they were pulling into the gravel parking lot of a shabby looking building painted in fading shades of blue. A large lopsided sign over the roof announced SEAFOOD in large yellow letters and beckoned diners with wooden sea creatures dangling in an unused fishing net.
“Looks great,” James said skeptically.
“Trust me, if you like seafood you are in for a treat,” Brittany replied confidently as she put the car in park and turned the key.
Together they walked around to the front of the building over a walkway that couldn’t seem to remember if it was paving or beach only to see other groups and couples lounging on benches, or tipping back on high backed chairs.
“Drat,” Brittany pronounced taking James’ arm. “I’d hoped we’d be early, but the crowd is already gathering.”
James scanned the small crowd as they made their way to a sign at the front door and gave their names to a waitress who was plotting out seating arrangements.
“It will be about a thirty minute wait,” she said stacking neatly wrapped cutlery in a plastic bin.
“That’ll be fine,” Brittany said. “I’ll get a text when my table is ready, right?”
“Yes, just let me get that set up,” the waitress stated.
“Come on,” Brittany said as she dragged James out onto the beach. “We might as well enjoy the time we have.”
Sliding his hand down her arm James let Brittany’s fingers twine in his convinced that at any moment she would release him and disappear, but she simply squeezed his hand gently as she led them to the water line.
Kicking off her sandals Brittany buried her toes in the wet sand and lifted her face to the rapidly sinking sun.
“I love the sea,” Brittany said letting the waves lap around her ankles. She was wearing a shorter dress tonight and the rosy glow of the setting sun seemed to dance across the white patterns in the coral colored dress.
James smiled liking the way she looked standing there, her face aglow. He couldn’t believe this lovely creature was standing on the beach holding his hand.
“It is beautiful,” he replied still gazing at her.
Brittany smiled opening her eyes and turning to look at James. The evening breeze was toying with his dark hair teasing it into waves and peaks like a storm tossed sea.
Leaning forward she waited until he picked up his clue and kissed her; a sweet soft tentative kiss full of uncertainty and hope.
When James pulled back and the breeze off of the water cut between them Brittany shivered. She didn’t want him to pull away, and she felt alone as he stepped back.
Her phone buzzed in her small handbag and she checked the screen. “Looks like we’re ready,” she said still holding his hand as they turned back to the restaurant.
A short walk across the beach and James found himself seated at a tiny table in a far corner of the restaurant next to an open window that let in the sea breeze.
He breathed deeply of the scents of shrimp, lobster, and fish. The long building had a rustic feel, as if it had sat on this stretch of beach for millennia happily serving those who entered in anticipation of good eats.
“Cute isn’t it?” Brittany said. “Just what you’d expect from a sea side shanty.”
“The decor is certainly authentic,” James mused looking around, “quaint, kitschy, and relaxed.”
“I’ve always thought it was rather romantic,” Brittany said biting her lip and looking into James’ serious eyes. She was pleased when the man’s cheeks flushed.
“Drinks?” A busy waiter arrived, note pad in hand and soon Brittany and James were b
usy ordering.
As the waiter disappeared behind a swinging door, James wondered what it would be like sitting across from Brittany for years to come, seeking out romantic hideaways and cozy eateries across the country or even the world.
It was a silly notion, but he’d never felt himself drawn to anyone the way he was to Brittany. She was smart, funny, interesting, and understood the madness of a life in the service industry.
As their seafood platters arrived he watched her pick at her food and wondered if something was wrong.
“Not hungry?” he asked placing his fork back on the table.
Brittany shook her head then lifted troubled gray eyes to his. “I was just thinking that in a few days you’ll be headed back to Colorado, and that you’ll forget all about me,” she mused toying with a succulent piece of shrimp.
James reached across the table taking her hand. “I don’t think I could ever forget you,” he said. “I’ve never found it easy to open up to people, but with you I don’t feel like I can be anyone but myself.”
Brittany’s bright smile shot straight to his heart and he grinned in return. “I’m glad I met you James,” she said smoothing her napkin and tucking in to her dinner.
Across the room a little man in a bright red shirt covered in white heart outlines mopped his brow. These two were kind of tough.
“Hey you,” the little man called waving over a waitress. “Get me another iced tea, heavy on the ice,” he grinned his dark eyes once more drawn to the couple by the window.
The big galoot with the long shanks and oversized shoes didn’t think anyone could like him unless he could do something for them, and the girl was so coiled up with ambition, determination, and dreams it was a wonder she could see the man in front of her face.
“Pineapples,” Q hissed, shaking his head as the waitress appeared once more a tall glass of refreshing tea in one hand and a plate of pineapples in the other.
Q planted his head in his palm and groaned. The prickly yellow fruit was everywhere.
Chapter 10
After a fabulous dinner of some of the best seafood James had ever had, he wanted nothing more than to take Brittany’s hand for the long stroll back down the beach.