Beachfront Embrace Page 5

  “Yeah, sure. We do need to catch up at some point. How about later this evening to at least say goodnight, and maybe sketch out a few plans?”

  “Sure,” he replied.

  Again, he gave her a quick peck, this time on the lips, leaving the scent of fresh mint lingering behind. She watched him roll his hand truck out the door, feeling sorry for the missed time, the interrupted plans, and wishing she could be alone with him once more.

  “Ms. Mae, we need to talk,” Clara said, abruptly interrupting her second round of coffee.

  “Well, good morning to you, too, sweetheart. I have ten minutes before I have to get ready to crank up the boat. What’s on your mind?” she asked.

  “I overheard part of your conversation with Mike this morning, and I desperately need to know everything Mike shared with you.”

  Mae carefully placed her mug down on the table.

  “No, ma’am. You will not get me caught in the middle of this. Anything you want to know has to come from the source himself.”

  She continued taking a couple of sips before chucking the rest down the sink, feeling somewhat caught off guard.

  “After all I’ve done to help you and Jonathan when you were at your worst?” Clara asked.

  “That’s not fair. Nobody asked you for your help. You offered. This is different. Mike confided in me, and I’m not sure how much you heard, but it does no good to go snooping around. Someone is always bound to get hurt while relying upon partial information.” Mae argued.

  “That’s why I’m coming to you. I overheard him say he wants to know more about my life in New York. The least you could do is fill me in on the rest.”

  “No… no… and more no. Maybe next time you’ll think twice before you withhold information from me,” Mae said.

  “When did I ever withhold information from you?” Clara asked, realizing as soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, Mae was upset that she wasn’t included in the conversation with Mackenzie at the café.

  “How soon we forget…” Mae replied.

  Mae ran into the bathroom like a two-year-old and slammed the door behind her.

  “Ms. Mae, seriously?” Clara tried to plea with her on the other side of the door.

  “I’d appreciate a little privacy so I can use the restroom in peace, please.”

  Clara distanced herself, but she didn’t go far. As soon as Mae reemerged, she picked up where she left off.

  “Ms. Mae, please. It’s important to me.”

  Mae returned to the front, where they could watch for customers.

  “Have a seat… relax your nerves for a moment.” She directed Clara toward her chair. Once she confirmed the coast was clear, she began speaking.

  “I will not repeat what he said verbatim. I’ll leave the details up to Mike. However, what I can tell you is he’s pretty serious about you. He loves you and wants to be as close as he can to you. I think it concerns him when you’re going through something and you don’t let him in. You know Mike… he wants to be a part of your world, and he can’t do that if you won’t communicate with him.”

  Clara released a sigh.

  “My suggestion is whatever you’re going through, open up and share it with him.” Then, she leaned in closer, giving Clara a directive more so than advice.

  “If you love that man, and you want him to be around for the long haul, then you’re going to have to get rid of that attitude of yours that believes you can solve all your problems on your own. Open up, Clara. Regardless of how good or bad it is, Mike can handle it.”

  Clara nodded.

  “You’re right. I’m just so ashamed of opening up and letting him see all of who I really am. Please, take that the right way… I’m referring to my past more than anything else. A few months back when Keith showed up, I felt so exposed. I didn’t ask him to come here, yet everyone in town got a first-hand experience of the dark man from my past. A man that I once referred to as my husband. Now, my sister is here… and man, did she show up with a duffle bag full of drama. I feel like all of it is such a negative reflection on me. What a way to get to know Clara Covington. I feel so embarrassed.” She admitted.

  “Honey, that’s a very tainted point of view. The way I see it… you got rid of the ex and as for family… you can’t help who you’re related to. Anybody who cares about you will see through that and look at your heart. That’s what matters most.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “I know I am. Now, pat your eyes dry and make plans to spend a little time with Mike. Take the day off, head to the beach, plan an evening out… do something. That way the two of you can talk and have some much-needed alone time. As for me, if I don’t get my fanny out back, I’m going to be late receiving my customers for my next tour. Next time I see you, I’d like to hear an update.” Mae demanded. She was always willing to offer support and a good kick in the pants when needed.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m going to get back to work as well. This office can’t run itself,” Clara said, patting her eyes and returning to her computer. Before working on her to do list for the morning, she sent a message to Mike that read you haven’t been gone long and I already miss you. Maybe we could talk tonight in person? Dinner for two on the beach? Love you.”

  With a full day of work behind her, Clara laid the ginger ale and crackers down on the counter, listening for movement around the house from Agnes. She glanced over at the sink, filled with dirty dishes, and noticed an assortment of seasonings displayed on the counter and out of place.

  “Agnes?”

  “I’m downstairs,” she yelled faintly from the basement.

  Yeah, well, you need to be upstairs cleaning up after yourself, she thought to herself.

  She threw her hair up in a bun and went down to check on her.

  “The kitchen looks like an absolute disaster area. I hope that means you’re better,” Clara said.

  Agnes laid stretched out over the couch, staring at the evening news.

  “Don’t lift a fork. I’ll get to it as soon as I can find the strength. I don’t know what’s gotten into me today. I’m feeling a little off today,” she said.

  “Well, here’s your crackers and ginger ale. Whatever you have I sure don’t want it. I’m ordering take out tonight for Mike and me. I’ll order something for you as well if you’d like.”

  “Thanks, but don’t worry about me. I’ll stay out of sight so you two can enjoy a peaceful evening,” she said.

  “Okay. Well, holler for me… no, better yet, call my cell if you need me.”

  “Yeah… about that. They cut my cell service off today. I tried making a call after we spoke, and it wouldn’t go through. I guess my pre-paid account needs to be replenished,” Agnes said.

  Clara stopped talking for a moment, closed her eyes, and silently exhaled.

  “You can use the landline if you need to make a call. We’ll figure out the rest later on. We’ll be down by the beach if you need anything.”

  She left the basement with mixed feelings of disappointment, and downright aggravation that her sister had now become her dependent. Everything continuously flowed through her mind. But tonight, she was determined to focus on herself and pulling it together for Mike.

  As Clara sat next to Mike, in the sand, she considered how to tell him about what was going on. After a meal and nearly an hour passed, she figured the best thing to do was to just come out with it.

  “I’m sure you’ve been wondering what’s going on, Mike. I’ve been mortified to go into the details, but, none of this is my fault, so I’m just going to share. My sister is here because she and Keith broke up and she has nowhere to go,” she said.

  “Keith? As in your ex? The guy I met a while back?”

  “Yes,” she said, turning away and looking toward the water.

  “What the heck? Wow, that’s a lot to digest. Did she explain how this all came about? And, how are you doing with all this? How are you able to cope with her being under the same roof?” he a
sked.

  “It beats me. It’s the classic we ran into each other and hit it off kind of story. She says they were desperate… lonely… and from the sound of things, broke. So, basically, they needed each other. That is… until he decided he had enough of her and found a new woman. She showed up at my door with a bruise on her face, Mike. What was I supposed to do?”

  “That’s a tough situation,” he said.

  “It sure is. I can hear my mother’s voice in the back of my mind, reminding me we share the same blood. Look out for your sister, she would say.”

  “Even after she didn’t talk to you for several years and dated your ex? I have to say, that’s loyalty. I don’t know that I could do it,” he replied.

  “Thanks,” Clara said in a short tone, grabbing a soda out of the cooler.

  “Clara, you know what I mean. I’m frustrated for you, that’s all. You’ve been through enough lately.”

  She looked at him and relaxed, knowing ultimately that he cared.

  “It’s like I inherited an added liability, yet she’s my sister. I have to figure something out. In the meantime, I just wanted to let you know that I’m trying to be as transparent as possible. It’s difficult putting my life on display like this. I left my sister and all the bad portions of my life behind a long time ago, but it’s all coming back to haunt me, right here on Solomons Island. Everything is unfolding right before my very eyes,” she said.

  “Clara, I think you’re being a little tough on yourself. Besides, how can we ever get married and live as one if you don’t share these kinds of things with me?”

  She continued gazing out into the water.

  “I’m working on it. Try to put yourself in my shoes for just a minute, Mike. Your life is so squeaky clean. You’d be married today if it wasn’t for your fiancé’s accident, and you have amazing parents.”

  “Yeah, amazing parents who just moved to Ft. Lauderdale, and I haven’t even been down there to visit yet. You haven’t even met them yet… why? Because I’m too busy with my head buried in the sand trying to keep my new business venture up and running. I’m always too busy trying to keep the business afloat… do you think I’m proud to share that side of me?” he asked.

  “Okay, so that’s an easy fix. We can make plans to go see your parents. Book a flight… problem solved. My life is a tad bit more complicated.”

  “This is not your everyday life. Taking her in is a temporary setback. Your life is far better off than your sister’s will ever be. All I wanted you to know tonight is that I’m here for you… I’m ready to focus on so much more than just business. I see great things in store for our future.”

  “So do I,” she said.

  “I won’t lie. This week has shown me there’s so much more I need to get to know about you. I want to go to New York and see where you grew up and learn every single little thing about your past. And, I want you to come to Florida and meet my parents, look through albums, and hear stories of what I was like as a kid. But, ultimately… I have a vision for us, Clara. I can see us together for the long haul. It’s just a matter of when you’ll be free to focus on that vision with me.”

  “I am free,” she whispered.

  “Emotionally free, Clara. Take the necessary time to sort things out with your sister first,” he said, rubbing her back.

  He repositioned himself to sit behind her and massaged her shoulders.

  “It’s obvious this thing has been weighing you down.”

  “Mike.”

  “Yes?”

  “Tonight, I want to forget about everything, except for you and me. If only for a little while, let’s just lie together under the stars.”

  “But, what about Agnes?”

  “I’ll go check on her in a little while. Please. Hold me, Mike.”

  He laid back on their blanket, opening his arms to make room for her next to him. A huge smile spread across his face as he pointed up toward a shooting star.

  “Look, babe. Make a wish,” he said.

  Clara squeezed her eyes tight and then opened them, kissing him on the cheek.

  “Thank you. Did I mention how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “Well, you do. You look radiant as always.” He added.

  She brushed her hair off her shoulder.

  “Why, thank you, handsome.”

  Clara returned from the beach to the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine and headed downstairs to briefly check on Agnes. She walked softly, just in case she’d fallen asleep, hoping not to disturb her.

  When she reached the bottom of the stairwell to the basement, she paused, realizing Agnes was on the house phone. She could overhear her conversation.

  “Don’t you think it’s a little too late to be concerned with where I am or who I’m with? I’m so angry with you, I don’t know what to do with myself, Keith,” she said.

  Clara continued listening.

  “The only reason I’m calling you is because I can’t stop throwing up, and I haven’t had my menstrual cycle in over a month. If you thought you had problems before, then you better get ready to face the music if I turn out to be pregnant,” Agnes said, speaking in a low and angry tone.

  Clara dropped the wine in her hand, causing glass to shatter everywhere. She immediately dissolved any thoughts of returning to the beach for a romantic evening with Mike.

  Chapter 6

  Clara sped up route four, having flashbacks to the moment she grabbed her wallet and her keys, barely yelling something out to Mike, letting him know she had to leave. With the wind in her hair and the sound of her engine purring, she didn’t know where she was going, but she knew she needed an evening drive.

  “Oh, come on… not now,” she said, banging the steering wheel, noticing the gas gauge was touching on empty.

  “Of all the days to forget to fill up the tank. What else could go wrong tonight?”

  She pulled into the parking lot of a hardware store where the lights were still on, giving her a small ounce of hope that the place could possibly be open.

  She shifted the gear in park, noticing the needle resting comfortably on E, and the red-light indicator was steady.

  “Great. What was I thinking? Single woman runs out of gas after nine p.m. in an empty parking lot without a cell phone. Real smart, Clara, real smart,” she said.

  She ran to the front door, noticing an older couple and a young teenager arranging items on a shelf.

  “Hello,” Clara called out, peering through the door, hoping not to startle them.

  “Hello there. I’m sorry, we’re closed for the evening. I guess one of us forgot to lock the door,” the older lady said as she hobbled toward to the front. She was relying on her good foot for the most part.

  “Fran, what did I tell you about applying too much pressure on your foot? I can handle the door. You sit down and rest.” The older gentleman complained.

  “Oh, I’m fine. I can’t sit down all day, Jeffrey.” She hobbled a little closer.

  “We normally close around six. But, tonight we’re getting caught up on a few things. What’s a pretty lady like yourself doing out here alone… are you lost?”

  “No, I’m not lost. I ran out of gas and, unfortunately, I don’t have a cell phone to call for help. I’m Clara, by the way,” she said, extending her hand.

  “Well, Miss Clara, you picked the wrong time of day to run out of gas. It’s so quiet and desolate here in these neck of the woods after a certain hour. You’re lucky we stayed later than usual. How far are you away from home?” she asked.

  “About forty minutes, give or take. It could’ve been worse, I guess. I could’ve ended up next to a farm or corn field out here somewhere. It seems like as soon as you leave the island it’s nothing but farm country for several miles,” Clara said.

  “Yes, my point exactly. You’re one lucky lady. I suppose you’ll want to use the telephone to call one of your family members to come pick you up?” Fran asked.

  Clara w
asn’t certain who she should call, given that she ran out frantically, leaving Mike stranded and Agnes stunned.

  “Yeah,” she responded.

  “What’s the matter, honey? Don’t you have anyone to call?”

  “Sure. I do, thank you,” she said, accepting the phone to dial Mike’s number.

  The phone rang several times before he picked up.

  “Hello.”

  “Mike…”

  “Thank God. Clara, where are you? You ran out of here so fast I didn’t have a chance to ask where you were going,” he said.

  “I know. I needed to clear my head.”

  She noticed Fran standing nearby, taking in every word. Her husband also made his way to the front counter, listening in.

  “I hate to do this…but I ran out of gas, and I need a ride back home. Kind of ironic… I guess that’s what I get for running off and not paying attention to what I was doing,” she said.

  “It’s not a problem, and you don’t have to explain yourself, I completely understand. Your sister told me what happened. It was too much to take in. I get it,” he said.

  Nobody really gets it until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes, Clara thought to herself.

  “I’m in Huntingtown at the hardware store right off route four.”

  “Okay, do you feel safe?” he asked.

  “Completely. The owners of the store were kind enough to let me come in and use their phone.”

  “That’s good. It’s raining here in Solomons, but I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “Thank you, Mike,” she said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

  “Hey, Clara.”

  In the background, she could hear him slamming the door and cranking up the engine of his jeep.

  “Yes.”

  “Never mind. I’m going to stop briefly at a gas station and fill my gas can up with enough to get you up and running again. We’ll talk more when we see each other.”

  “Okay, see you soon.”

  She hung up, facing a party of three who appeared to be really curious about her.