Her Summer Crush, page 9
“A good coincidence, then, that we were able to put the pictures to use.”
He threw up his hands. “Have you ever heard of being spontaneous?”
“I don’t call it spontaneity. I call it being disorganized.”
“I give up,” Cody said. “You’ll never understand.”
She sighed. “Probably not.”
Later that afternoon, after Cody had left, Glen came by. He looked over her shoulder as she sat at the table proofreading the newsletter. “Ah, I see you’ve got that done. Good.”
“Would you like to take a look?”
He waved a hand. “No, I’ll wait. I’ve got a mountain of stuff to do.”
Luci pictured Glen’s shiny, bare desk and wondered where a “mountain” of work might be hiding. But perhaps he was a neat person who kept his work in desk drawers and files. Seeing Glen’s gaze fastened on the mess on her worktable, she said, “I’m making headway, don’t worry.”
“You are? Doesn’t look like it.” He picked up a file folder and opened it, idly flipping through the contents. “Some of this could probably be tossed. But the minute we do that, someone will want it.”
He replaced the file, cleared his throat and said, “Are you sure this job isn’t too much for you, Luci?”
Luci tensed. “Why, no, not at all.”
How could he say that, after all the praise he’d heaped on her at the chamber luncheon today? Was that only for her father’s benefit?
“Never mind. Just asking. Want to be sure all my folks are happy here.”
When he was gone, Luci sagged against the back of her chair. She didn’t need more pressure, however subtle. And as far as being happy, she was. Even if Cody drove her crazy sometimes, and she was a little behind in her projects. Yes, she was happy.
Of course she was.
* * *
CODY GRABBED A duffel bag and stuffed it with a sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, socks and underwear. In his bathroom, he took a smaller bag already filled with toothbrush, toothpaste and other grooming necessities, and added it to the duffel. He pulled out his sleeping bag and case of extra lenses, film and a couple more cameras. While a pot of coffee brewed, he bagged up some crackers and apples and oranges. Cody was used to throwing things together for a spur-of-the-moment trip. He’d done it often enough.
His short visit to the tide pools, while refreshing, had only whetted his appetite for a longer getaway. He’d decided to take advantage of the upcoming weekend to do what he loved best: go on a picture hunt.
Twenty minutes later, he was traveling north along the highway. Once he’d left Willow Beach behind, he took a deep, relaxing breath and lightened his grip on the wheel. This was where he belonged.
His destination was a campground about three hours away, so he’d reach the front gate well before it was locked for the night. The grounds included a bluff overlooking the ocean and lots of wildlife. He might see some deer, even. There was a diner on the way where he could get takeout for his dinner. Later on, he’d haul his sleeping bag down to the beach, build a fire and watch the sun go down.
His thoughts turned to the chamber of commerce lunch. He really hadn’t meant to be late, but neither was he particularly eager to attend. Not just because of the tide pools, but because Luci’s father would be there. And, sure enough, he was. Cody had intended to avoid him, but he couldn’t say no when Erv asked him to photograph him and his kids. Then, when Erv pulled him aside, Cody had braced himself for a remark about the scene in the diner, but Erv spoke only of the pictures Cody had just taken and how many copies he wanted.
Why was he so concerned, anyway? What Erv did was none of his business. Yet, he knew why: because of Luci. Because he cared about her, and because she had such a high regard for her family, especially for her father. He didn’t want to see her disappointed.
There was still a chance he might be wrong...
His instincts told him he wasn’t wrong.
Something was going on between the woman in the diner and Ervin Monroe.
* * *
THE TANGY SMELL of barbecue drifted through the house along with the sounds of talking and children’s laughter. Luci smiled as she shut the door to her parents’ house. This was how family Sundays should be, with everyone happy and having a good time. Last Sunday’s disaster had been a fluke.
Luci continued down the hallway to the screened-in porch. The door was open and everyone was outside. That was to be expected, given today was barbecue day and her father was doing the honors. He loved to barbecue and had even created a recipe for his own sauce.
In one corner of the yard, Will tossed the Frisbee with his daughter, Betsy, and Don and Arliss’s children, Spencer and Hannah. Betsy’s younger sister, Megan, sat on the grass, watching. Arliss and Anna were arranging plates and silverware on the patio table, the paper tablecloth flapping in the stiff breeze. Don and Erv stood over the built-in barbecue pit, where smoke curled into the air. No Francine, but it was early yet. She’d be along.
As Luci approached Arliss and Anna, to see what she could do to help, she overheard her father say to Don, “You’re not getting the loan, so quit asking.”
Don folded his arms across his chest. “But I’m the loan officer.”
“And I am the president of the bank, and I have the last word!”
“You give all your buddies a loan and not your own son?”
“Not for that broken-down piece of junk you call a boat. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking there are better things to do with my time than shuffle around your bank!” Don turned and stomped across the patio.
“Don, wait!” Luci called out. “What’s going on?”
“Ask him.” He pointed to Erv and then said to Arliss, “Come on, get the kids. We’re outa here.”
Arliss wrinkled her brow. “Don, simmer down, okay?”
He set his jaw. “So you side with them. Figures. Okay, I’m leaving.” He turned and headed into the house.
Luci stared after him, unable to believe what was happening. In all the years of family Sundays, no one had ever walked out in anger. She turned to Arliss. “Why are they fighting?”
“Don wants to buy Ole Swenson’s charter boat,” Arliss said. She clutched her handful of silverware, her task forgotten. “But we need a loan to do it.”
“Why does he want Ole’s boat?”
Arliss shrugged. “He wants to run the charter business.”
“I didn’t send him to school to become a fisherman.” Erv flipped a piece of chicken on the barbecue, and sparks shot into the air.
“What do you want him to do, Arliss?” Luci asked.
Arliss shrugged. “He does pretty much what he wants these days. But if he starts chartering, he’ll be gone a lot.”
Luci turned to Will, who had stepped onto the patio to pull a can of soda from the cooler. “You work at the marina. What do you think of Ole’s boat?”
Will snapped the soda open and took a sip. “Haven’t had a look at its engine. Couldn’t say.”
Luci and Arliss helped Anna bring out the salad and rolls and a tray of fresh vegetables and dip, and Will took Don’s place as Erv’s helper with the barbecue. Maybe they could salvage the day, after all.
But, when the chicken was done, Erv pulled a chair up to the end of the patio and sat by himself. Anna chose a seat at the table. Will took his plate inside and sat in front of the TV. Arliss beckoned the children to a blanket she’d spread on the grass.
Seeing Megan lag behind, Luci grabbed her hand. “Let’s eat together, okay?” She pointed to a wrought-iron table and two chairs.
“Okay.” Megan looked glum, but she trotted obediently along with Luci.
Luci fixed their plates and, when they were settled at the table, she asked, “Are you having fun this summer?”
Megan poked her fork at a piece of chicken. “Sometimes. ’Cept when the others won’t let me play. They say I’m too little.”
“I’m sorry,” Luci said. “Tell you what. When we’re done eating, let’s you and I play checkers. I hear you’re hard to beat.”
That brought a smile to Megan’s lips.
But when dinner was over, before Luci could take out the checkerboard, Will said, “Time for me and the girls to split. Got stuff to do at home.”
They’d barely left when Don phoned Arliss on her cell and said he was out front to pick up her and the kids. “I need to help clean up,” she told him.
Anna shook her head and said, “I can handle it. You go on home.”
After Arliss and the children left, Erv scrubbed the barbecue and then disappeared into his study. Anna told Luci she didn’t have to help in the kitchen, but Luci insisted.
They worked in silence while Luci loaded the dishwasher and Anna put away the leftovers. Presently, Anna said, “Don’t worry about your brother and dad. They’ll work it out.”
“I don’t know... I’ve never seen Don so angry. I thought he liked being a banker.”
Anna spooned the leftover salad into a smaller bowl and clamped on the plastic lid. “The trouble between Don and your dad has been brewing for a long time. You’ve been away and haven’t been aware that Don wanted to change his profession. You can’t blame Dad for being disappointed. He put a lot of effort into getting all you kids established.”
“I know, and I’m glad Francine’s doing well, but she’s married to her job. She never even showed up today. How long is Will going to put up with her being gone so much?” Luci took the empty salad bowl and added it to the dishwasher.
“I’m sure he’s proud of her and her success.”
“Maybe so, but—”
“Just like I’m proud of you. And so is your dad. He’s so pleased that you’re with the chamber.”
“Me, too. But, Mom, our family—”
“Will be fine, honey. Just fine.” She was smiling, but as she turned away, her smile faded.
* * *
LATER, AS LUCI stepped inside her apartment, she breathed a sigh of relief. Once again, family Sunday had been a time of discord rather than harmony. Her family had always provided a refuge, a place where she felt safe and protected. Where she belonged. Tonight, she couldn’t wait to escape.
Maybe a walk on the beach would help. She grabbed a hooded sweater and went outside.
Luci stood on her patio a moment, watching the dune grasses sway in the breeze like dancers in perfect unison. The sun sat on the horizon amid a few puffy clouds. A gull cawed, sounding forlorn. Luci sighed. She knew she shouldn’t feel sorry for herself, but she couldn’t help it.
She started along the path through the dunes, head down, hands buried in her sweater pockets. Maybe she shouldn’t have come back to Willow Beach. Maybe she didn’t belong here, after all. She’d so looked forward to being here, to taking her place in the family, in the community. But her job wasn’t what she’d thought it would be, and now it appeared the family wasn’t, either.
But if she didn’t belong here, where did she belong?
She reached the sand and plowed through the soft part to the hard-packed shore, where walking was easier. Luci passed a few other people she didn’t know, but she exchanged smiles and hellos anyway. In the distance, the lighthouse’s rotating beacon brightened the darkening sky.
Gradually, her taut nerves began to unwind and she felt better. Not great, but better. She turned around and started back to her apartment. Stars popped out as the sky faded from blue to black. Her front door came into view.
Not quite ready to go in, she stopped at the path leading to her patio and sat in the still-warm sand with her back against a log. The peaceful evening began to work its magic, as she knew it would. The only thing missing was someone to share these moments. She’d dated a few men while at the U, but no one who lasted. And Ben Shapiro wasn’t the one, not that she wanted him to be.
Cody’s image popped into her mind. No, he wasn’t her type, either. Yet, she’d had a crush on him. That just proved how irrational crushes were. They were part of growing up, something you got over when you were older.
“Hey, Luci.”
Cody? She peered into the semidarkness. Sure enough, there he was, loping along the path to her apartment. What was he doing here?
She made a move to rise, but he put out a hand.
“Don’t get up. I’ll join you—if that’s okay.”
“All right. Have a seat.” She settled back against the log and patted the sand beside her. “Did you come on a mission?”
Cody sat and folded his long legs, clasping his arms around his knees. “No, just passing by on my way home, saw your car and decided to say hello. When you didn’t answer the bell, I figured you were out here on the beach.”
“On your way home?”
“Yeah. I took another trip, a longer one. I headed off on Friday, after I left the chamber office. I needed to get out of town for a while.”
“Where’d you go?”
“Up the coast to the campground.”
“Get some good pictures? Silly question, huh?”
He grinned. “Yeah, but I don’t mind you asking. I’ll show them to you later.”
“When you’re out on an assignment, where do you usually stay?”
“Wherever I can. When we were in Canada to catch the snow geese, we stayed in a motel. If the weather is good enough, we might camp out. Like I did last night.”
She wondered if “we” meant women, too, but didn’t want to ask. She couldn’t imagine life as a constant campout.
They watched a pair of gulls circle and fly away, and then he said, “So, how’s the family? Did you have your usual Sunday dinner?”
“We did.” She sobered at the memory.
“You don’t sound happy about it. Is everyone okay?”
“If you mean is anyone sick, the answer is no.”
“Then what?”
She twisted her fingers together, debating whether or not to confide in him. Finally, she said, “Oh, there were the usual arguments among the kids. The older ones pick on Megan. I guess kids arguing is to be expected, though.”
“Not having any brothers or sisters, I don’t know. Did you and Don and Francine argue when you were growing up?”
“Yes, we fought, sometimes. But on the whole, we got along.”
“One big happy family.”
When she remained silent, he said, “You are, aren’t you?”
“Sure, we are.” Her voice sounded hollow, even to her own ears.
He studied her. “Luci, are you okay?”
“Yes... No.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
“I don’t know. I’ve always been taught not to tell family business. But you’re...” She almost said practically family but stopped herself in time and instead finished with “Don’s friend.”
“Yep. We’ve been friends for a long time. Does what you’re concerned about have to do with him?”
“Partly. Don and Dad had a horrible argument today. Don wants a bank loan to buy Ole Swensen’s charter boat, and Dad refuses. Did you know about Don and this boat?”
“Yeah, he mentioned it one day.”
“I can’t believe he’d seriously consider quitting his job at the bank to operate a charter fishing boat. What do you think?”
Cody unclasped his knees and leaned back against the log. “I’m a bad one to ask, Luci, because I believe you’re supposed to find what you love to do in life and then do it.”
“Even if it affects other people? Like a wife and children? Your parents?”
“That’s the part I haven’t figured out yet. Probably because I don’t have a wife and children. I have Mom, of course. And, yeah, she’s sad when I leave, and she nags me about getting married.”
“She does?”
“Uh-huh, even though she knows it won’t do any good.”
“You’ll never marry? How can you say that? Maybe someone will come along and you’ll fall madly in love. Maybe you’ll even make sacrifices for her and the children.”
Cody threw back his head and laughed. “At this point, I hardly know what I’m doing tomorrow. And, besides, we were talking about your family, not my nonexistent one.”
“I know. I’m not sure why I’m telling you all this, anyway.”
“Because we’re friends, and we’ve known each other for a long time. And I’m hoping Don and Arliss will work out all their problems.”
“I suppose every relationship, every marriage hits some bumps now and then.”
He was silent a moment and then cast her a sideways glance. “But Erv and Anna, they’re still tight, aren’t they?”
Something in his voice put her on alert. She tried to meet his gaze, but he was looking down, poking a stick into the sand. “Yes,” she said, “they’re fine. They’ve always been great role models for us. But why do you ask?”
He gave a dismissive wave. “Just throwing that into the pot. For discussion’s sake.”
Afterward, when Cody had gone and she was putting on her pajamas, Luci thought about his question regarding her parents. She was thankful they were okay. If something were to threaten their solid relationship, there’d probably be no hope for any of them.
* * *
CODY PULLED HIS duffel and sleeping bags from the SUV and carried them into his apartment. Hard to believe his getaway was over already. But here he was back in Willow Beach. However short, the trip had been a good one, and he’d taken some awesome pictures.
As he unpacked, his thoughts settled on his visit to Luci. His stopping by hadn’t been quite as impromptu as he’d wanted her to believe. Something had happened on his way home that reinforced his concerns about Erv Monroe.
When he’d reached Oceanside, he’d stopped to grab a coffee and stretch his legs. He’d walked by the amusement park, which had a mini–Ferris wheel and a train that ran around the perimeter. Music blasted from elevated loudspeakers, and the aromas of cotton candy and popcorn floated along the airwaves.
