Sisters by the Sea, page 29
James climbed the steps of the tower, grabbed his binoculars, and sat in the lifeguard chair under the blue umbrella. It felt good to get into shade.
“The beach is pretty quiet for a Friday afternoon.” Paige joined him on the deck.
“Yeah, it is,” he agreed.
“Want me to put some sunscreen on your back? You’re looking a little red.”
“Nah, I’m good. It’s my turn to watch from the tower, so I’ll stay under the umbrella until my next patrol. Thanks, though,” he said, scanning the shoreline with his binoculars.
“What are you doing after work?” Paige asked.
“Hadn’t really thought about it.”
“Some of the young adults from church are having a game night. I was thinking about going. Do you want to come?”
“Sounds like fun, but I work tomorrow at Manasota. I’d better not. Maybe some other time.”
“Sure.” Paige turned away from James, leaned against the deck rail, and hung her head.
“Brian and I are planning on going to the cook-off the young adult pastor is hosting Sunday evening.”
Paige spun around quickly, giving James a wide smile. “Great, me too! Are you entering the competition?”
“Maybe, if I have time to put something together.” He methodically scanned the beach.
“I guess my break’s about over. My radio’s on.” She grabbed her rescue tube and hip bag. “When my patrol is over, you can take your break.”
James watched Paige as she moved down the beach. I hope I didn’t hurt her feelings when I said no about tonight. Maybe I’ll catch the sunset before I head home. I think it will be a spectacular show.
Siesta Key Village
Alana turned the sign over so that it read CLOSED and locked the front door of the shop. She strolled up and down each aisle, double checking that everything was in order and the display lights were turned off. She glanced at her watch. Good, I have some time before the sunset.
She’d kept her eye on the sky all day. Tonight’s sunset was going to be perfect for capturing on canvas. I just need to lock the back door on my way out. Then I’ll grab my art supplies and walk to Sunset Pier.
Alana was thankful her foot was nearly healed. She could walk easily on it now, especially if she wore supportive shoes. Sunset Pier was several blocks away, but Alana was sure she was healed enough to handle the distance.
She opened the screen door to the covered porch and found Patti sitting in a wicker rocking chair.
Patti greeted her with a warm smile. “I made tea. Want some?”
“Thanks, but I’m going to gather my art supplies and walk to the pier to paint the sunset.” Alana turned to enter the house.
“Are you ready for that long of a stroll?” Patti followed Alana inside.
“I think so. Guess there’s only one way to find out. I’m not going to walk out in the sand, though. I’ll set my easel up where the pavement ends and the beach begins.”
“I don’t mind driving you down to the beach,” Patti said.
“I’m grateful, but I need to test my endurance. I’d better hurry or I’ll miss the start of the sunset.”
In her room, Alana rummaged around for the acrylic colors she’d need, along with an assortment of brushes. She grabbed a palette and an eight-by-ten canvas and dropped them into an oversized beach tote. Then she picked up the portable easel, slung it over her shoulder, and hurried out of the cottage.
James parked in front of a small cottage several blocks from the beach access. As was often the case around this time of day, parking was difficult to find. People were coming in to have dinner and watch the sunset.
He jumped out of his rig and proceeded down the street toward the old pier. He could already see the sky beginning to change as the sun sank toward the horizon. I’d better hustle so I can soak it all in.
As he grew closer to the pier, he noticed a crowd forming. The sunset must be something else—so many people are gathering to see it.
The crowd shifted, revealing a petite young woman standing in front of an easel, capturing the sunset as it happened. His heart sped up. That’s Alana! Edging closer, he stood to the side and watched her work.
Finally, the crowd thinned out. Several people stopped to compliment Alana on her art. He watched her smile as she thanked them.
“I’d like to purchase your painting.” James moved to stand behind her.
Alana kept her eyes on her work. “I’m sorry, this isn’t for sale.”
“Not even for a friend?”
Alana whipped around. “James! What are you doing here?” Her cheeks looked flushed, and her eyes seemed to sparkle.
“I came to watch the sunset. I had no idea that I’d be doubly blessed and get to watch you capture it so expertly. Wow, Alana, you’re a very talented artist.”
“Thanks, James. The real artist is God, though. What a splendid work of art the sunset was tonight.”
“For sure. God is at work tonight, bringing us to the same beach to watch the same beautiful sunset. I prayed and asked Him to bring our paths together again if it was His will.”
Alana began cleaning her art supplies. “You prayed you’d see me again?”
He nodded.
“Really? Why?”
“I wanted to apologize for the way I acted when I dropped you off at your sister’s last Friday. But I didn’t have your number or know where you worked. I thought we hit it off on the beach in Venice, and I wanted to get to know you better.” He looked directly into her eyes.
Alana dropped her gaze, and her cheeks turned pink again. “I thought so too,” she whispered.
“Do you want to join me for a bite to eat?”
“I’d like that. Let me gather my things. I need to be careful with the painting because it’s still wet.”
“I’ll help you carry something. How were you planning to get all this back to your sister’s house?” He cocked his eyebrow.
“I’m living here now. I was planning to carry it back to the cottage.”
“How ‘bout I carry your bag and easel, and you carry the painting?”
Alana nodded. “Thanks.”
As they walked back to the cottage, Alana told James how her boss had offered her a room at the quaint cottage she owned behind the gift shop. “It’s been a blessing. I don’t have to feel like an imposition to my sister and her new husband, and it’s helped me stay off my foot as it healed.”
“Speaking of your foot”—James pointed to it as they walked—“how is it?”
“I get my stitches out on Monday. The walk to the pier and back tonight is the most I’ve been on it since I cut it. I’d probably better get off it soon.”
“We can take my Jeep to find a place to eat if you’d like. Or I can just carry you again,” he said with a chuckle.
“Your Jeep will be fine, and look”—she pointed ahead of them—“you’re parked right in front of the cottage where I’m living.”
“No way! God has such a sense of humor, doesn’t He?” James laughed as the two climbed the steps to the porch.
Alana sat back in her chair and pushed her plate away. “That was delicious, but I’m stuffed!”
“Me too.” James picked up his cola and took a drink. “Alana, I just realized that I haven’t actually apologized to you. I’m so sorry for the way I left things last week.”
“It’s okay, James. I did think it was odd that you left in such a hurry, but since I was in a lot of pain, I thought I was probably misreading the situation.”
“I’d like to explain. I was shocked when I realized your brother-in-law is Amish. I figured you must be too, and if I were to express an interest in getting to know you, you’d probably turn me down.”
“Why did you think that?” Alana tipped her head.
“Well if you’re Amish, you’re not going to be interested in getting to know an outsider, right?”
“James, the Amish often have friendships with people outside of our faith. I did grow up Amish, but I haven’t joined the church yet and don’t know if I will.”
“Really? Why’s that?” James wiped the condensation from his glass.
“For a lot of reasons. For now, let’s just say that I’m here to figure out what I’m going to do with my life.” Alana tossed her braid over her shoulder.
James reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I want to get to know you better. You’re easy to talk to, and I feel so comfortable around you.” He gave her fingers a tender squeeze.
“I’d like that. I feel the same way.” She squeezed his fingers back and let go gently.
As James paid the bill, Alana stood by, trying to calm the butterflies she’d felt when he’d held her hand. As they exited the restaurant, he placed his hand on her back, guiding her to his Jeep.
“Do you have plans on Sunday evening?” James asked as they began the short trip back to the cottage.
“Not so far. Why?”
“Our young adult pastor is hosting a cook-off, and I’d like to invite you to come. You can bring a favorite summertime dish to enter in the competition if you want. There’ll be prizes, as well as a ton of food to eat, backyard games, and great fellowship.” He pulled in front of the cottage.
Alana felt breathless at the thought of spending more time with James. “I’d love to come.”
James grinned. “Awesome. I’ll pick you up at four.”
“That’s perfect. See you then.” She put her hand on the door handle, preparing to exit the Jeep.
“Wait there. I’ll get your door and walk you to the house.”
He’s such a gentleman, Alana thought as she waited for him to come around.
He took her hand and helped her down. Keeping a firm hold of her hand, James guided Alana up the porch steps. Her heartbeat increased as they grew closer to the front door. Will he kiss me?
James turned to face her. He cleared his throat, shuffled his feet, and ran his other hand through his hair. “Okay, then. Good night.” He released her hand and practically leapt off the porch.
Alana felt puzzled as she turned to enter the house.
“Wait! I forgot to get your number.” James bounded back up the steps, handing her his phone. Alana giggled as she added her number to his contact list.
“I’ll text you tomorrow.” He leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, then darted off the porch and into his Jeep.
Alana touched her cheek as he drove off. That’s not how I thought this day would end!
Chapter 9
Sunday morning, Alana jumped out of bed, put on her robe, and headed to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. She glanced out the window while she filled the pot with water. “Oh, no. It looks like a storm is coming.”
“What was that?” asked a groggy voice.
“Good morning, Patti.” Alana turned, greeting her with a smile. “Don’t mind me. I was talking to myself.”
“The weatherman said we’d be in for periodic showers and lightning this morning,” Patti mumbled, covering a yawn. She shuffled to the table and eased herself into a chair.
Alana watched her, trying hard not to giggle. Patti was not a morning person. Her hair stuck up wildly on one side of her head, and her eyes looked puffy from sleep. This had become the routine over the past week since Alana moved in. Each morning, Alana bounced out of bed wide awake and ready to face the day. Patti, on the other hand, took a while to wake up enough to do anything. Alana was so grateful to Patti for offering her a room that she happily took on the responsibility of starting the coffee each morning.
She took out two mugs and poured the first cup for Patti, then carefully delivered it to her at the table. “There you go, Patti. The cream and sugar are out too.”
“Thanks, sweetie. I don’t know how I functioned in the morning before you moved in.” Patti took a sip of coffee and sighed. “That’s delicious. I guess I need to get myself moving if we’re going to get to church on time.”
“Thanks for inviting me to your church. I’ve never attended a church service that wasn’t Amish before. I’m a little nervous.”
“I’m sure it will be different than what you’re used to, but we love the Lord and want to share His love with the community around us. We’re a small but growing church—not only in numbers, but more importantly we’re growing in our faith.”
“That’s good. I feel like my faith has become stagnant. I don’t know what my purpose is, and I’m not sure what path to take.”
Patti reached across the table and gave Alana’s hand a gentle squeeze. “God will show you what He has in store for you. Have faith and remember what He said in Jeremiah 29:11.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”
“Thanks, Patti. That verse has never spoken to me like it just did. It sounds so different in German. What version of the Bible was that?”
“I memorized it from the New Living Translation. It’s the version we often use at church,” Patti explained.
“Well, let’s get moving. I can’t wait to attend church!”
After church Alana bustled about the kitchen preparing a dish to take to the cook-off. She could hardly contain her excitement about seeing James in a couple of hours. She smiled, thinking about their conversation the night before. He’d texted her Saturday during her lunch break and then called her, just as he said he would. They’d talked for over an hour before they were interrupted by Brian.
She’d overheard Brian in the background teasing James about talking to “that Plain girl from the beach.” James had told Brian to get lost and apologized to Alana for Brian’s snide remark. He’d gone on to say what a good friend Brian had been to him at college and how he considered him to be his brother. Since James didn’t have any siblings, he felt blessed to have Brian in his life, even though sometimes he acted immature. Alana told James she understood and shared a little about her relationship with her sisters.
She replayed the conversation in her mind:
“I love my sisters so much. They’re always therefor me. I’m very close with my oldest sister, Leora. But my second-oldest sister, Francine, and I clash sometimes. Still, I know she’d be there for me if I needed her.”
“You mentioned you had a younger sister as well, right?” he asked.
“Yes, Violet. She lives in Sarasota too. In fact, she’s the one who’s taking me to get my stitches out Monday morning.
“Taking you? Do you mean she’s going with you?”
Alana furrowed her brows, puzzled by James’ question.
“No, I mean taking me. Violet has a car.”
“But isn’t she Amish?” James’ voice seemed to raise a notch.
“No, she’s not.”
“I’m surprised. I know you said that you haven’t joined the church yet, but I figured your whole family is Amish. That’s unusual, isn’t it?”
“Not really. It’s more common these days, I think,” Alana explained.
“That’s interesting. And your family accepted your sister’s decision?”
“Yes, of course. My parents hoped we’d all join the church and settle near them, but more importantly, they want us to follow the path God has for us, even if it means living differently than them or taking us far away,” she said, fighting off a yawn.
“It’s late. I’ll let you go. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” he said before hanging up.
Alana pulled her mind back to the present, checked the time on the stove, finished mixing the ingredients for Marie’s Homesteader Beans in the slow cooker, and set it to low before moving over to the sink to wash the dishes. I need to clean up and start thinking about what to wear.
Three hours later, Alana laughed as the wind whipped through her hair. James had arrived promptly at four. He’d removed the Jeep’s hardtop, and now they traveled down the road toward Bradenton. Thankfully, the morning storms had cleared, and the sun shone brightly.
“Having fun?” James asked as they slowed for a red light.
“Yes! I’ve never ridden in a Jeep with the top off before. My hair must be a mess, though.” She reached up to tuck her long locks behind her ear.
“Your hair looks nice like that,” James said as he gazed into her eyes.
“Thank you.”
He jerked at the loud blast of a car horn behind him. “Whoops!” James stepped on the gas. “I didn’t notice the light change.” He felt the heat of embarrassment creep up his neck. Alana didn’t seem to notice. She was busy trying to keep the hair out of her eyes.
At the next red light, James reached under his seat, pulled out a baseball cap and handed it to Alana. “This will keep your hair out of your face.”
Alana smiled as she placed it on her head. “How do I look?”
“Beautiful,” James whispered.
“Uh, James? The light’s green.” Alana snickered as James accelerated through the intersection.
James and Alana carried their food into the house, following the sound of voices coming from the kitchen.
“James!” a pretty, brunette girl called as she came through the open patio doors and made her way toward him.
“Hi, Paige.” James turned to the side as she moved to give him a hug. “Let me introduce you to Alana.”
“I’m Paige. Cute hat.” She pointed at it then turned to James. “I didn’t know you were bringing a friend.”
“Speaking of friends… Have you seen Brian?” James asked.
“Yeah, he’s on the lanai filling the cooler with soda and water,” Paige replied.
“Let’s put our food on the table and find him, Alana. Then I’ll introduce you to some others. I think a few people you met in Venice are here too.” James smiled encouragingly as he guided Alana toward the food table. He wondered if she was bothered by the interaction between him and Paige. He watched as she shifted from one foot to the other.
