Beach Rose Path, page 17
“I’ve missed you so much, Hamish. Thank you for everything,” she said gazing into his dark blue eyes. Hamish held her gaze, and then it hit her. Why Annabelle’s painting seemed so familiar—Annabelle’s eyes were the same color of summer blueberries, and with the black irises as round as pennies. Hamish’s cheeks also had the same fullness and roundness. His nose was small and slightly upturned and the cupid’s bow of his lips was exactly the same as the child’s. Hamish had the masculine face of Annabelle. But how could that be?
“Char, you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I think I have, she thought to herself.
A fierce knock on the front door caused Charlotte to jump.
“You sit there, Char. Finish up that toddy. I’ll get that.”
“Thanks, Hamish,” was all Charlotte could say, trying to disguise the shock at the resemblance of the little girl Annabelle to her old friend Hamish.
Hamish opened the door and Charlotte saw Duncan standing on the doorstep.
“I’m sorry, I’m looking for Charlotte.”
“Duncan, come on in,” Hamish greeted. He held his hand to Duncan and introduced himself.
“Hamish Falconer. Old friend of Charlotte’s. I suspect she may have told you I was planning on visiting.”
Hamish escorted Duncan into the living room. Charlotte knew she looked like a slobbering fright, but at the moment, she didn’t care.
“She did,” Duncan said, gripping Hamish’s hand.
“A good strong handshake, Duncan. You’re a man of great character. Charlotte, your Duncan is here.”
Duncan walked quickly toward Charlotte, and then stopped. She could feel her eyes begin to well up at the way Hamish said ‘your Duncan’.
Is he, Hamish? I don’t know anymore.
“Charlotte, what happened?” Duncan quietly asked, his hands flying to her cheeks in a gentle caress.
Hamish stood behind Duncan as Charlotte felt his arms sweep her into his embrace.
“I’m going to leave you to it,” Hamish said quietly.
“No, Hamish. What I need to say to Duncan can be said in your presence.” She pulled away from Duncan, rose from the couch, and stepped closer to Hamish, who had one foot out of the door.
“No, Char. This is between the two of you. Get it all sorted out. I’m sure it will all be fine.” He kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “It’s been so long since I’ve been in Lobster Claw, a nice walk down to that Beach Block will do me nicely. Might even stop for some of that ice cream you rave about.”
“All the shops are open late for the weekend, and I’m sure there’s plenty of ice cream for you.” Charlotte hugged Hamish. She watched him walk leisurely down the rickety wooden dock toward the Beach Block. Tomorrow she would talk to him about Annabelle. It was time to talk to Duncan now.
“It’s time for Lovey’s evening walk. We can talk on the beach.” She knew she sounded curt, but she couldn’t help it, as her feelings had been crushed by the letter.
“Charlotte, I don’t understand.” Charlotte heard the hurt in Duncan’s voice, but she was hurting too, and angry. She abruptly turned around and walked to the dining room table where she had tossed the letter after having read it to Hamish.
“Maybe this might jog your memory and help you understand,” Charlotte said, turning away from Duncan and grabbing Lovey’s collar and leash.
She looked at Duncan and saw his face redden with what she hoped was embarrassment.
“Of course I can explain this, but how did you get it?”
“Let’s walk. We have a lot to talk about.”
Charlotte heard a sigh of what she thought was exasperation escape from Duncan’s lungs, as the two headed out into the evening. She could feel his nearness and the pull of his being, and she wanted nothing more than to turn around and forgive him for any indiscretion because she knew at this moment, that she truly loved Duncan Kirk and wanted and needed him. But even though her feelings were intense and she knew without a doubt she had fallen in love with him, he still needed to prove to her that the letter, and his former fiancée, meant nothing to him, and she silently prayed that would be his explanation as they headed toward Sea Star Lighthouse.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Hamish strolled down the old wooden dock, watching the blinking light of Sea Star Lighthouse beam over the Atlantic Ocean. He hadn’t been out of the States for so long that he didn’t remember that the days ended earlier, and even though it was only 7:00, the sun was almost down as the dark purple horizon settled over the ocean.
He looked toward the Beach Block and immediately noticed that the buildings were brightly lit with the warm glow of lights emanating from the windows, and the streetlights radiated like lanterns in the evening. There were still plenty of people milling around the block, as outdoor seating was provided and families ambled about with ice cream cones and baked goods. He could see the first building—the blue one—was lighted, and from what he could tell, the front door was open.
“She must be there,” he said, walking toward the beckoning light of The Blue Hydrangea.
Hamish had no idea what he was walking into but he knew he had to see Tati, even if it was for one last time. It was no coincidence that he was here in Lobster Claw, as she was, and he was not going to let the opportunity to speak to her escape. No matter what had happened in their long lives and no matter the decades they had been apart, they were still, and would always be, bound by their daughter.
In the window of The Blue Hydrangea a slender silhouette appeared and Tatiana’s youthful beauty flashed before Hamish’s eyes, as he remembered the first time he had seen her so many years ago.
Hamish and Hannah were engaged to be married when he accepted the Castle Loch offer. Their plan was for Hamish to live and work in the States for one year, return to Scotland to marry and bring Hannah to America. Although he knew Hannah was not keen to move from her beloved Scotland, she had promised Hamish she would, once he had established himself professionally and financially.
“Please, Hannah, just come with me. You can stay with your aunt in South Boston. She’s already said she’d love nothing more than to have you.”
“Hamish, please, we’ve been over this. I will join you when we’re married. I’m not ready to leave, but once we are married, I will be, I promise.”
Hamish didn’t want to pressure Hannah, knowing she could be very obstinate, and he didn’t want to cause a case for any arguments before he left, so he said no more.
Hamish immersed himself as the Assistant General Manager at Castle Loch, never taking a moment off and always striving to be the best as he could possibly be at his job. He couldn’t wait to return to Scotland, marry Hannah and bring her back to Winchester, where they could live in the beautiful club’s housing and start their life in America together.
Soon, my darling, we shall be married and living in this beautiful country of America. As much as I miss Scotland (and you!!), I must tell you this was the best decision of my life. The opportunities are boundless, and I believe they will be for you as well. Besides, the course will remind you of the rolling green hills of home, as you can see from the photos I am enclosing.
It was a beautiful day at the end of July when Hamish signed off on his letter to Hannah.
I just hope she will love it here as much as I do, he thought as he slipped the envelope into the clubhouse’s mailbox.
“Hamish, this call’s for you,” said the clubhouse receptionist.
“Thank you,” Hamish said, taking the forest green receiver from the receptionist.
“Hame! Rory here. Violet has been relentless. She wants you to visit ASAP. What do you say? I’m sure the club can do without you for a weekend. You may not think so, but please, if not for me, then for Violet.”
Hamish heard the laugh in his old friend’s voice. Hamish was working every day and all day, but it didn’t even feel like work, as he loved it so much. He knew he had to be careful; too much of a good thing could quickly turn bad.
Hamish knew Rory was right. He was working non-stop, always making sure he was proving to Castle Loch and to himself that they had made the right decision in hiring him. But he sorely needed a break. He missed Hannah, and her letters seemed distant lately, and he was getting concerned, as each day that passed brought them closer to their wedding, and that meant Hannah leaving Scotland. He was beginning to fear she would not be able to leave. The pressures of working all the time and the nagging feeling that Hannah was unhappy were beginning to become of great concern to Hamish, and he had to agree with Rory that he needed a break—both physically and mentally.
“Well, you tell Violet I will definitely make some time for a visit.” He quickly calculated in his head that he was certainly due a few days off, and that his General Manager would not give him any problems about it whatsoever.
“Well, how about this weekend? You can drive up Thursday night, and leave on Monday—would that work?” asked Rory.
“I’ll make it work, Rory. And I’ll see you on Thursday night.”
“Wonderful! Violet will make you her famous shepherd’s pie, so bring an appetite. Oh, and your clubs!”
“See you soon, my friend,” said Hamish, realizing now that what he truly needed was an escape from the worries of his present everyday life.
When Hamish arrived, he was certainly ready for the promised meal.
“I think it’s high time you two get a move on outta here.”
Violet Ruskin wiped her hands on her apron. She had just finished cooking and baking food enough for a month, and now was headed back to the kitchen for the clean up.
“Why don’t you tell us how you really feel, Vi.” Rory got up from the dining room table and wrapped his arms around his wife. Violet was five months pregnant with their first child, but that didn’t stop her from not only cooking and cleaning, but with helping Rory run their souvenir business. She combed the beach several times a week for the most beautiful shells she could find so she could string them into garlands. She would insert small chimes within the shells, and when the wind blew through the shell garlands, it as was if a symphony of fairies dwelled within the shells, creating a musical and magical sound. The tinkling of the bells was soothing and calming and had a mystical effect on the customers who clamored to buy them every summer.
“I’m going to do my clean up, and put some food away for you, Hamish, to take back with you, and then I’m going to put my feet up and work on my shells. But I’d like to do that in peace and quiet, so you two, vamoose!” she laughed, shuttling the two men out the back door.
“Violet, I can’t thank you enough,” Hamish said, planting a friendly kiss on Violet’s chubby pink cheek.
“Oh, anything for you Hame,” she smiled. “But as for that other one…”
“You don’t know what you’d do without me, love,” said Rory, kissing his wife passionately on her rosy lips.
“Oh, get out of here,” Violet laughed, the blush rising higher on her cheeks as she headed back into the kitchen.
“Hamish, let’s head down to McGilvery’s. Sad to say it’s going to close next month. Seems like the town council of Lobster Claw wants to clean up the joint, make it more attractive to tourists.”
“What is this world coming to?” Hamish laughed as he and Rory hopped into Rory’s old truck to make the trek down to the block of buildings down at the other end of the driftwood dock.
“We could walk, Rory. Beautiful evening.”
“That we could, and that we should,” Rory said, as they got out of the truck and started to walk down the old dock.
“Might not be the best idea gettin’ behind the wheel of the truck after a pint or two.”
Hamish laughed. “Or three or four, knowing you, my friend.”
“T’is true, t’is true.”
The two men made their way down the dock as the sun began to set on Lobster Claw. McGilvery’s was the first building in a block of four—a bakery, hardware store, and a general store.
“Are all the buildings closing?” asked Hamish as they found a seat at the bar. “Seems a shame if they do.”
“Not quite sure. I only know about Arlan McEverett who runs the general store. He bought a place a few miles down on Sand Dollar Drive that has a storefront and one of those fake lighthouses attached to it. I think the bakery will stay and the hardware store’s been sold. Will be interesting to see what happens, but as long as it brings in the tourists, it’s okay with me.”
Hamish felt the ocean breeze blow through the restaurant’s open windows and the scent of the sea sailed in with it, as Hamish immediately felt the tight muscles in his body loosen. All the anxiety about Hannah and work vanished, and it was as if he was in another world, far away from the pressures of managing the golf club and a fiancée who was possibly getting cold feet.
The two men spent the next couple of hours reminiscing over pints of lager and sharing an order of McGilvery’s famous fish and chips.
“Can I get you two anything else?”
Both Hamish and Rory were knocked out of their laughter and conversation by the sound of a young woman’s voice.
Hamish turned toward the bar and for a moment forgot where he was, as he found himself staring into the bluest eyes of what he could only refer to as an angel. Her long blonde hair cascaded like honey dripping from a honeycomb upon her slender shoulders. Her cheeks were as pink as newly bloomed cherry blossoms, with full lips to match. Light blonde eyebrows were arched over her luminescent blue eyes and a black apron was tied around her graceful figure.
“One more round, Tatiana,” Rory answered. “Oh, where are my manners. Tatiana, pleased to introduce you to my old friend Hamish Falconer. Hamish, this is Tatiana. She’s McGilvery’s niece.”
“Good to see you, Rory.” Tatiana extended her delicate white hand toward Hamish. He shook it and it was as soft as the wings of an angel.
Hamish couldn’t believe that for the first time, he found himself tongue tied. Tatiana’s sweetness and beauty almost rendered Hamish mute. He then felt a sharp kick under the bar.
“Nice to meet you, Tatiana, is it?” Stupid sounding idiot he silently scolded himself.
Tatiana slowly pulled her hand away from Hamish’s.
“Yes.” Her smile was like starlight that illuminated the darkening restaurant.
“Tatiana, when you heading back to school?” asked Rory, as she pulled the levers behind the bar and filled two large glasses of the amber-colored lager.
“Chasing me away already, Rory?” Tatiana laughed as she placed the two mugs on the counter.
“Classes don’t start until the end of September. So you’re stuck with me. How’s Violet? I heard you are having a baby—that’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
Hamish heard no words that Rory spoke. He was so transfixed by not only Tatiana’s obvious beauty, but by her friendly and easy manner, which made her all the more enchanting. Her blonde wavy hair bounced with every step she took behind the bar, as her supple figure moved like a dancer, and he thought her absolutely breathtaking. Hamish found himself not wanting to leave, and as Tatiana became busy with other customers, he let his eyes wander to wherever her angelic presence was in the restaurant.
“Tatiana certainly is a beauty, but you’re taken, Hamish.” It was the truth in Rory’s words that brought Hamish back to his senses.
“You are correct on both counts, Rory,” Hamish whispered. He had not confided in his friend the issues he was having with Hannah and her refusal to join him in the States before they were married. Hamish was confident this would pass, but Hannah’s resistance was putting pressure on their relationship, and the words of her letters were just that—words. There was no loving feeling in them of late, no mention of missing him, just how things were going in the village they were from. He loved Hannah and wanted nothing more than to marry her, but her letters had cast doubts which concerned Hamish.
“Trouble in paradise, Hame?” Hamish heard the concern in his friend’s voice, but Hamish could not bring himself to confide in Rory. He saw how loving he and Violet were with each other, and it made Hamish envious and sad at the same time.
“No trouble, We’ll be married, and Hannah can’t wait to live in the States.” He hoped his white lie would suffice.
“Ready to head back?” Rory asked and Hamish nodded his head.
“Oh, this is on me,” Hamish said, taking the bill from Rory’s hands.
“I knew you were going to do that. You settle up. Just going to hop into the restroom.”
Hamish was grateful for the moment alone. He wanted one more chance to speak to Tatiana, and settling the tab was the perfect opportunity.
“All set for this evening?” Tatiana’s voice, like a choir of angels, hypnotized Hamish once again, albeit briefly.
“You can put your money away because my uncle says it’s on him tonight.”
“Oh, no I can’t do that. I’m here visiting up from Boston this weekend, and….”
“Boston! I live in Boston. I go to school at Art College of Boston. I’ll be graduating in May. Where in Boston do you live?”
“Well, technically not in Boston, but Winchester.”
“Oh, close enough,” said Tatiana, wiping down the counter. “I babysit for a family in Winchester every now and again. Do you work in Boston?”
Tatiana’s friendly demeanor no longer left Hamish tongue tied, and her amiable presence put him at ease. It was as if he had known her forever, as he began talking about Castle Loch and just coming from Scotland.
“Hamish, I’m going to head back, but feel free to lag behind if you like.” Hamish felt the grip of Rory’s strong hand on his shoulder.
“Just want to make sure Violet is okay, but like I said, it’s your vacation, so you don’t need to follow me back like a chick after a hen. Stay and enjoy your time off.”
As much as Hamish wanted to stay and talk with Tatiana, he knew he shouldn’t. He was engaged and was getting married, and to be in the presence of another woman was not how Hamish operated.
