The View from Coral Cove, page 1
Dedication
For my super-awesome husband, Joe, with love and appreciation. Here’s to the summer we met and our wonderful memories of driving around Sandbridge Beach and taking day trips to the Outer Banks. When I think of the beach, I remember some of our happiest times. I love you and this amazing life we’ve built together!
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Discussion Questions
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Praise for Amy Clipston
Other Books by Amy Clipston
Copyright
Prologue
Maya giggled as she raced down the beach to the ocean waves, breathing in the salty air and enjoying the feel of hot sand between her toes. Oh how she loved spending summers with her great-aunt in Coral Cove. This was her favorite time of year.
“Maya! Slow down!” Mom called from behind her.
But Maya simply threw her hands up into the air and ran faster. “Last one in is a rotten egg!”
When she reached the water, she jumped in with both feet and yelped with delight. Then, facing her mother and Aunt CeCe, she plopped onto her stomach and stared up at them. They were both standing where the sea barely touched their toes. What were they waiting for?
“Look! I’m a mermaid!” Maya announced as she splashed around. “My tail magically appears in salty water.”
Aunt CeCe chuckled as she turned toward Mom. “Don’t you love the imagination of an eight-year-old?”
“I wish I could bottle her energy,” Mom said, shaking her head.
Glad she had energy, Maya screeched as a wave rumbled toward her, then carried her toward the beach. She was floating! When she sank to the bottom again, she laughed, then popped to her feet, spun in the water, and pretended to be a pinwheel. Once she stopped spinning, she dizzily stumbled backward and dropped onto the sand, flat on her back.
Looking up at her two favorite people in the whole world, Maya grinned. Oh, she didn’t have a father, and sometimes that made her feel bad, but Mom told her what really counted. You have a wonderful family, Maya. That’s because Aunt CeCe and I both love you so very much. We’ll always want the best for you, and we’ll always be here for you. No matter what.
“Come into the water with me!” She bounced up, then took her aunt’s hand in hers and gave it a gentle tug. “Let’s go!”
“Okay, but I can’t run and jump like you do.” She touched Maya’s nose. “I’m not so old for a great-aunt, but my knees are beginning to complain about their age.”
“I promise I’ll just walk, then.”
Maya grasped her mother’s hand next. “You come too, Mom.”
Her mother smiled down at her. “Of course I will.”
Maya guided them into the North Carolina–coast water, and another wave of happiness washed over her as though it were the summer-warmed ocean itself. When she looked up to see seagulls fluttering above them in the bright blue sky, the sun’s rays kissed her cheeks. That’s how Mom always said it—“Kissed.”
Maya gave her mother’s and Aunt CeCe’s hands a squeeze. “Isn’t this the best time?”
“Yes, it is, sweet girl.” Her aunt smiled. “I love playing with you, honey.”
“Can we visit the dolls in your store after we swim for a while?”
“Of course.” Aunt CeCe looked at Mom. “What do you think about pizza tonight, Vickie? I’ll order it from our favorite place.”
Mom’s face lit up. She was so pretty! “Oh yes! That sounds delicious.”
“Yay!” Maya sang as she released their hands. “I love pizza! But for now, let’s swim like mermaids!”
This is my special place, she thought as she dove under the water. I hope we come here forever—even when I’m a grown-up. I never ever want to stop spending summers in Coral Cove.
Chapter 1
Twenty-one years later
The June sunlight streaming in through the windshield seemed to mock Maya’s somber mood as she steered her bright metallic blue Toyota 4Runner onto Fourth Avenue, then passed some of the quaint little stores lining the streets of her favorite place in the world. She’d never tire of Coral Cove. It was her favorite place in all of North Carolina.
She tried to concentrate on the pop music serenading her through the vehicle’s speakers, but her mind kept spinning with the reality of what just happened—she’d buried her beloved great-aunt CeCe, her last living relative.
As Maya’s eyes filled with tears again, she tried to dismiss them. She was strong. She would pick herself up and move on. Besides, what choice did she have?
When her phone rang through the speakers, she saw her best friend’s number on the screen. She hit the answer button on the steering wheel as she slowed to a stop at a red light.
“Hi, Kiana.” Maya peered out the window. Saturday shoppers moved in and out of the flea market, clothing store, and gift shop in this section of the block.
“How’d it go, My?”
“The service at Aunt CeCe’s church was beautiful, and the words the pastor spoke at the gravesite were especially meaningful. Then a group of her church friends hosted a really nice potluck lunch. There was so much food, Key. You wouldn’t have believed it. Anyway, I got through it better than I expected.”
The light turned green, and Maya accelerated through the intersection, passing Coral Cove’s single movie theater and her favorite ice cream parlor. She loved this little town that had been her great-aunt’s home and Maya’s special place to visit every summer.
“I’m glad, My.” Kiana sighed. “But I’m also sorry. I wanted to drive down and be there for you. If only I could have switched with one of the other nurses today, but none of them were available. I would have rather been there to hold your hand than working here in Charlotte. You know that, right?”
“It’s okay. I already told you I didn’t expect you to come all the way down here for the funeral.”
“But I could’ve helped you finish unpacking and making sure the store is ready to reopen on Monday.”
Maya merged onto Laskin Road and then turned left onto Third Avenue. As she motored past the Best Friends Pet Shop, she spotted a big white tent near the store’s side parking lot. Quite the crowd had congregated there.
She focused her eyes out the windshield again as CeCe’s Toy Chest came into view across the street. A fresh wave of emotion pummeled her chest. Gayle, her great-aunt’s best friend, had called her just over a week ago to tell her CeCe had suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. Gayle found her when she arrived at the store for work that morning.
Not even waiting until after the funeral, Maya had immediately packed up everything she owned, found movers who fortunately had a slot in their schedule, and given the keys to her apartment to the landlord. Then she headed down to Coral Cove to run Aunt CeCe’s store and start a new life. As she knew she would, she’d inherited not only the business but the whole building, which included her aunt’s apartment on the second floor. Its rooms weren’t especially large, but it did have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, more than enough space for one person.
“I promise you I’m fine, Key. And you’re always there for me. In fact, you’re the only person I can count on, especially after . . . well, you know.” Maya couldn’t bring herself to say her former fiancé’s name. Today had been painful enough.
“Don’t even mention He-Who-Shall-Remain-Nameless. He’s not worth your breath. I’m glad he’s in Europe and out of your life. You deserve so much better.”
Maya frowned. If only she could get Kyle out of her mind!
She steered her SUV into the driveway that led to the small parking lot behind the two-story brick building that had housed the toy store since before Maya was born, nearly thirty years ago.
She parked by the back door. “Thanks, Key. I’m really tired. It’s been a long day, and I’m finally home. I just want to get out of these clothes and put up my feet. I’m going to let you go, okay?”
“Of course. I just wanted to check on you. Love you.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
Maya disconnected the call and stared at the back door that led not only to the store but to the stairs up to the apartment her aunt CeCe had lived in for so long. Maya and her mother had lived there, too, until they’d moved to Charlotte when Maya was four. Then Maya had spent her summers there throughout most of her childhood.
But now this whole place was hers—the store, the apartment, the entire building plus a garage. Aunt CeCe had even left her some money. And with Kyle breaking their engagement and moving an ocean away, she’d quickly decided starting fresh in Coral Cove was the best thing to do. Kiana and a few other friends lived in Charlotte, but other than that, no ties kept her there.
She climbed out of the driver’s seat, then found her purse and the huge shopping bag bulging with disposable containers of leftover food. She had no idea what she was supposed to do with it all.
Once inside, she mounted the steep steps up to the apartment, wondering how her seventy-six-year-old aunt had managed them, especially with an armload of groceries. But CeCe had been strong, hardworking, and independent, which she’d proved daily by running her own business with only Gayle’s part-time help.
Maya walked through the family room to the kitchen and stowed the leftovers. Then she moved to the master bedroom and surveyed the boxes and bags she’d already filled with CeCe’s clothes and most of her accessories. She’d donate them sometime next week.
She stripped off her short-sleeved black dress and black pumps before stepping into a pair of jean shorts, a yellow T-shirt, and her favorite pink Birkenstocks.
Now that the funeral was over, she could ease into her new life in Coral Cove. But she couldn’t shake this newest grief that followed her like a shadow. She’d always been close to her great-aunt, but after she’d lost her mother three years ago, CeCe had become even more important to her.
And now they were both gone.
Maya trudged back into the kitchen and found a can of Diet Coke in the refrigerator. Then she stood in the doorway to the second bedroom, always ready for guests. She hoped Kiana would visit often—and soon.
This room had been her and her mother’s when they lived there. It was also where Maya had stayed as an adult when she visited her precious aunt every summer. They worked together in the store during the day, and Maya spent the evenings writing.
She moved to the smaller, third bedroom. Like CeCe had, she’d use it as an office, but it would take some work. Leaning on the doorjamb, she scanned the rolls of wrapping paper, containers of yarn and ribbon, piles of old quilts, and boxes of books, magazines, photo albums, and mementos Aunt CeCe had collected over the years. And then there were the books and office supplies Maya had brought with her. She’d never be able to concentrate with so much clutter staring at her!
She swallowed a groan as she considered the romance novel she’d yet to fully plot. Its deadline loomed over her like a dark cloud.
When Kyle told her he’d accepted the job of a lifetime overseas, he also said she couldn’t go with him and not to wait for him. She was about to suggest they simply postpone their wedding if that was what he needed when he asked for his ring back. That request relieved her of any notions of romance right then and there.
Thankfully, her editor agreed to extend her deadline to July. Since then, Maya had only tinkered with the general outline. She hadn’t managed to come up with any ideas to flesh it out. At least not any good ideas.
Then when Aunt CeCe passed away a week ago, she’d been dragged into a new undertow of shock, grief, and confusion. Her patient editor agreed to extend the deadline again—until mid-September. That still didn’t seem like enough time, but she had to make it work. After all, writing was a career she loved. At least she had loved it before her own love life was destroyed.
She’d decide what to donate, toss, or move to the attic, then bring in a bookcase from the garage and organize what was left. Surely that and a new start in Coral Cove would help.
Maya turned toward the family room. The truth was, she had her first case of writer’s block, and she had no idea how to overcome it. Her novels had always come fairly easily. For one thing, Kyle had inspired a lot of the creativity she needed to fuel her sweet romances. But now where would she get inspiration?
She’d worry about finding it later. After burying her dear aunt today, she was too emotionally distraught to think about the office. She just wanted to lose herself in memories—joyful memories. And so many of them were made in her great-aunt’s store.
As she walked through the family room, her eyes scanned the cluster of family photos on a large table behind the sofa. They featured CeCe, Maya’s mother, the maternal grandparents she’d never known, and Maya herself. Then she moved past the wall of photos of her from kindergarten to braces to high school and college graduations. She was grinning in every one of them.
She sprinted down the stairs, then opened the back door, allowing the comforting scent of the ocean to calm her battered heart. Memories of playing on the beach with her aunt and mother filled her mind, making her smile.
The ocean breeze reminded her she much preferred the sticky summer humidity to the cold, unrelenting hum of central air. Since the store was closed until Monday morning, she could enjoy the quiet with the back door open and the air conditioning turned off.
Maya walked down the short hall, past the two storerooms, a breakroom with a kitchenette, and a small bathroom. Then she opened the door leading into the large, cheerful toy store where she’d played as a child. She slipped behind the counter and picked up the framed photo of Aunt CeCe, Mom, and her taken five years ago, two years before her mother succumbed to complications from kidney failure.
Maya ran her fingers over the glass, tracing her mother’s beautiful face. Maya stood between the two women on the boardwalk, and as the waves rolled onto the shore behind them, their smiles were nearly as bright as the afternoon sun.
Maya desperately ached for her family, the only family she’d ever known.
“I miss you both,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Maya set the photo back on the counter and then ambled up and down the aisles, running her fingers along the displays of baby dolls, doll clothes, board games, stuffed animals, trains, cars, and action figures.
When she came to the aisle filled with Barbie dolls, she recalled the summers she and Aunt CeCe spent hours playing with Barbies and making up stories about them. That had inspired her love of writing.
Her eyes stung, and she sucked in a breath. She had to keep her mind busy to stop those pesky tears.
Maya snapped her fingers when she remembered the large box behind the counter. When she’d opened it yesterday, she’d found it full of Barbie clothes, shoes, purses, and other tiny items. Stocking the Barbie accessory display was exactly what she needed to keep her mind occupied on this quiet Saturday afternoon. Then before returning to the apartment, she’d look for anything else that needed to be done.
She pulled both a stool and the box from behind the counter and over to the display, then sat down and began hanging the accessory packs. She smiled as she took in one with a pink dress, matching pumps, and a purse. She hung another packet with a purple blouse, a coordinating skirt and headband, and fun shoes. She worked in silence for several minutes, then considered some musical company. Aunt CeCe had an old turntable on a wall shelf behind the counter so she could play some of her priceless vinyl records as she worked. Listening to some of her later Beatles music would certainly bring back memories.
But just as Maya reached into the box and lifted the last accessory packet, a strange noise sounded from nearby. She froze and listened, taking in a whining or squeaking that seemed to be coming closer.
She turned just as a calico kitten raced toward her and then jumped into her lap. Laughing as she dipped her chin, Maya said, “Why, hello there, little one.”
The kitten rubbed its nose on hers.
“Aww,” Maya cooed. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
The kitten meowed as it plopped down on her lap. Noting it was a girl, Maya touched her head and took in her pretty little face. Golden eyes sparkled in the light of the fluorescents above them, and her fur was an adorable combination of orange, brown, and white with some tabby stripes mixed in. Stripes also rimmed her eyes, reminding Maya of Cleopatra makeup. They made her gorgeous golden orbs even more prominent.
“Are you lost?” she asked the feline as she rubbed her head.
The kitten responded with a loud purr reminiscent of a small engine.
“Aren’t you the sweetest? I’m sorry, but I don’t sell kitty toys here. I think you meant to go to the pet store across the street.” Maya rubbed the cat’s chin, and the purring grew louder.
“Here, kitty, kitty!” a child’s voice suddenly called. “Hello? Is anyone here? I lost a kitten.” The voice sounded as if it were only an aisle or two away.
