Chapter Eighteen
To Do:
Pick up extra copies of the paper
Pay bills
Pinch myself again
Celeste and Vanita left Tuesday morning, Vanita needing to get back to work the following day and Celeste anxious to get ready for her trip with her new man. Sabrina watched them go with a frown.
“I could have gone back with Aunt Celeste and Grandma or Daddy would have brought me back,” she said to Jenna, her tone accusing.
Of course it was Jenna’s fault that this latest plan had fallen through. “We’ll get back. Don’t worry.”
“We won’t,” Sabrina predicted. “We’re gonna be stuck here forever.”
“Yes, they’ll find our sun-bleached bones on Moonlight Beach.”
Her daughter saw no humor in that remark and flounced back into the house, probably to eat more of Aunt Edie’s coffee cake.
Jenna sighed. She didn’t blame Sabrina for getting impatient. This was getting ridiculous.
What was she waiting for, darn it all? She’d get the roofers started and then she and Sabrina would go back to Lynwood for a visit. And if Damien wanted his next check he could come pick it up...from his daughter.
She pulled out her phone, looked up the number for Top Dog Roofing and gave Herbie a call. “How soon can you start?”
“A couple of weeks,” said Mr. Top Dog.
“That long?” Somehow, she’d envisioned him and his crew coming right over with their nails and shingles.
“We’re busy in the summer. Everybody wants to get their roofs fixed before winter sets in. Don’t worry, though. We’ll make sure you get the Driftwood watertight before the next big storm,” he promised.
Okay, roof repair scheduled. She gave herself permission to take a break. She’d surprise Sabrina and take her back home for the Fourth of July. They could leave early in the morning and stay clear through the weekend. After that afternoon, she didn’t have any massages lined up for the rest of the week, anyway. She smiled at the thought. Come morning she’d be Good Mommy, the best mom in the world.
Until the next time her daughter was mad at her.
She did some bookwork, made some calls. Once she finally came in for lunch it was to find her daughter long gone. “She said she was going over to Caroline’s,” Aunt Edie reported.
“At least she’s telling people where she’s going now,” Jenna said. “I hope she can find some other friends to hang out with soon, though.”
“Yes, I agree,” said Aunt Edie. “That one’s a little...”
“Yes,” said Jenna.
“Nora’s girls were so sweet. This next generation, they’re all rude and spoiled. Not Sabrina, though,” she quickly added.
“No, she only wants to be spoiled,” Jenna said. “Oh, well. At least she’s got something to do today. I think, if you don’t mind, tomorrow I’m going to run her back to Lynwood so she can see her dad and her best friend. And the new boy in the old neighborhood, which is probably another reason she wants to go back.”
“Boys, they are a powerful magnet,” Aunt Edie said.
“Yes, they are,” Jenna said, remembering Johnny Milton, the boy of her dreams when she was twelve. Johnny had been Sabrina’s age, tall and scrawny with sea-blue eyes and blond hair like Brody’s. Maybe that was part of Brody’s attraction. He was like a grown-up, filled-out Johnny Milton. “Anyway, I think a visit will do us both good.” Jenna was ready for some mommy time of her own.
“It will. You’ve been working awfully hard.”
Yes, the more Jenna thought about it, the better she liked the idea of taking a break. Meanwhile, though, she had massages scheduled and a dinner date.
Patricia Whiteside was her first client, and she came bearing a copy of the paper with the article featuring Jenna, Aunt Edie and the Driftwood. “I thought Edie would want an extra copy,” she explained. “I’m so happy for you,” she continued after Jenna had thanked her, conveniently neglecting to share that she’d already picked up half a dozen copies herself. “It’s been a struggle for Edie these past few years and I’m glad to see the cavalry has arrived.”
Jenna smiled as she laid a warm towel on Patricia’s back.
“Oh, that feels good. I’m liking this already. You know, I’ve never in my life had a massage.”
“Then I’d say it’s past time,” Jenna told her. “Your body will thank you for it.”
Patricia’s body did thank her, and she, in turn, thanked Jenna by giving her a generous tip on top of her fee.
“You don’t need to do that,” Jenna protested.
“I know. Now that you’ve won all that money, you’re feeling very rich. But trust me, it goes quickly when you’re in the hospitality business. You can always use extra cash.”
Jenna would use this little chunk of change to gas up her car for her trip home.
Her next client was Laurel, the hostess from the Porthole, who had called out of the blue that morning. “Standing on my feet all day kills my back,” she’d explained. “Although now that you’ve won all that money maybe you won’t be in business anymore.”
It seemed that everyone in town read the Beach Times. “All that money has to be invested in the motel,” Jenna explained. “I’ll still be doing massage.” She had bills to pay. Besides, she liked doing massage, loved helping people feel better.
As Laurel lay on the table, Jenna working on her legs and back, the real reason she’d come leaked out. “It was nice of Brody to bring you into the restaurant the other day. How do you know him?”
Of course. Checking out the competition. “We met by accident.”
“He’s the president of the chamber of commerce,” Laurel explained. “He likes to get new people involved.”
And he liked to get involved with new people.
“Brody and I have gone out off and on for the last year,” Laurel continued.
It looked like they were currently off.
“We took a little break.”
Uh-huh. Little being the operative word. “Sometimes that’s a good idea,” Jenna said, and hoped Laurel wasn’t working a nightshift at the Porthole that night. Maybe they’d go to Sandy’s.
“I think we’re going to be getting back together, though.”
Definitely they’d go to Sandy’s. Judging from Brody’s behavior, only one of them was thinking of getting back together, and it wasn’t him.
“So, tell me, how long have you lived here?” Jenna asked, hoping to move the conversation in a new direction.
“Three years. I’d been in a long-term relationship and I was pretty broken up when it ended. Brody saved my sanity.”
Back to Brody again.
“I hear you’re divorced,” Laurel added casually.
Underlying question: And in need of having your sanity saved? Jenna could feel the woman’s muscles tightening under her hands.
“Pretty recently. I’m in no hurry to jump into anything.”
Laurel relaxed. “That’s smart.”
But when Frank, Officer Mushroom, came in for a late-afternoon massage and asked her to go out with him afterward for some fish and chips she gave him a different story. “I’m sorry, Frank. I’m seeing someone.”
“Oh.” He took a moment to digest that. “Who?”
“Brody Green.”
Frank gave a disgusted grunt. “The guy’s got bucks to throw around. No point trying to compete with him.”
“Honestly, I’m not interested in dating anyone seriously,” she said, lest word suddenly get back to Laurel.
“Yeah, I get it. Love’s a crap shoot. Hey, speaking of craps, I heard you won big at the casino.”
By now everyone in town seemed to know, whether they’d read the paper or not. “I did.”
“Pretty cool,” he said. “You oughta do something fun with the money. I mean, I know the article said you want to fix up your aunt’s place, but you oughta save out some—take a trip, buy a car. Something.”
“By the time we put a roof on the place, that will eat up most of the money,” Jenna said.
“Eighty K for a roof? Man, that’s grim.”
“Not quite, but close. Plus I do have to pay taxes on all that money.”
“Yeah, good old Uncle Sam. Oh, well. I’m glad you won. The money will be going to a good cause. Your aunt’s lucky to have you here.”
“And I’m lucky to be in such a great town,” she said. “Everyone here is so nice.”
How nice would Laurel be once she learned Jenna and Brody had gone out to dinner? She’d probably hear of it somehow, no matter where they went. That was how small towns worked.
Once Jenna got Frank out the door, she got herself ready to go. “Is Sabrina still over at Nora’s with Caroline?” she asked her aunt.
“She must be,” Aunt Edie said. “I haven’t seen hide nor hair of her. If she calls and asks to stay to dinner what should I say?”
“Say yes. I’ll pick her up on my way back.” And give her the good news about going to Mom’s.
Seth was power washing the motel when she walked out to her car. She waved at him and he turned off his machine and sauntered over.
“You look good,” he said, taking in her little black dress and sandals.
He looked pretty darned good himself, standing there in jeans and flip-flops. Considerate of him to lose his shirt. So many men shaved their chest, but not Seth, and that tasteful amount of dark chest hair was like frosting on a cake.
“Thanks,” she said, and restrained herself from saying anything lustful and tacky.
“Going out to dinner?”
As if he didn’t know. “It’s a thank-you dinner.”
“Looked like you were already thanking him pretty good last night.”
“Are you jealous?” she teased.
“I don’t do jealous.”
“There’s nothing to be jealous of, anyway,” she said with a shrug. “This is just dinner. He gave me some gambling money and this is payback.”
“Generous of him. So, out gambling together, huh?”
“My sister and Vanita and I were going. He invited himself along. He wouldn’t take any of my winnings, so this was the least I could do. I owe him.”
“You don’t owe that guy anything,” Seth informed her. “And he’s not after a free dinner.”
She knew what Brody was after but she played dumb. “Oh, and what would that be?”
“You know,” Seth said with a frown. “Just because he gave you a few bucks it doesn’t mean you have to sleep with him.”
Could he have put it any more bluntly? “That would make me, what? Oh, yeah. A hooker.” She frowned at him.
His cheeks flushed. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Well, I’d love to stand around and try to figure out what you meant, but I need to go,” she said, giving his arm a condescending pat. “Thanks for the insight.”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to insult you,” he said as she walked away.
The only reply she gave him was a wave of her hand. But he did get her thinking. It was hard to be friends with men, especially good-looking ones like Brody. He obviously wanted more.
What if she gave him more? Then what? Brody was divorced, probably not in the market to get married again. Neither was she, but if they got involved, well, she’d get involved. She’d invest her heart and then when the love market crashed, there she’d be, jumping off the Moonlight Harbor pier.
“Keep your boundaries,” she told herself as she drove to the address he’d given her.
Brody’s house was a two-story dream right on the beach, painted a dark gray with white trim; it had a crenelated roof and a wraparound porch.
“Nice house,” she said as he climbed into her trusty old car. It was hardly the same as his slick ride but she’d insisted on picking him up as well as paying for dinner.
“It’ll do,” he said.
“Fake modesty,” she teased.
“Yeah, it’s a great house. We always hold the Beach Dreams summer party in it. Good view from the balcony. I’ll have to show you later.”
“I’ve seen the ocean.”
“Not from my house,” he said with a smile. “You know, you didn’t have to do this.”
“Just like you didn’t have to turn down my offer to share my winnings. Are you okay with Sandy’s? I know it’s not as expensive as the Porthole, but I figured it was safer.”
“Safer?”
“If Laurel’s working tonight she might grab a steak knife and stab one of us. Preferably you.”
“Ah. So, you think there’s something between Laurel and me.”
“Laurel thinks there’s something between Laurel and you. She came in for a massage today. I guess you two used to be an item?”
“For a while.”
“She’s under the impression that you’re getting back together again.”
“We’re not.”
“I wonder where she got that idea?” Jenna mused.
“We went out a couple of times before you came to town.” He turned in his seat. “Look, Jenna, I’ve lived here a few years. I’ve dated people. But there’s no one I’m serious with, and there’s only one woman I’m seriously interested in.”
“Laurel will be glad to hear that.”
“And it’s not her.”
“Don’t make it me, either, Brody, okay? I’ve had enough hurt to last a lifetime.”
“I have no intention of hurting you,” he said softly.
“Sometimes people get hurt whether you intend it or not.”
“I’m not like your ex. I never cheated on my wife.”
“What did happen?”
“She got tired of me working so much. So I worked less, and then I made less, and then she got tired of that. Then she got tired of me. Found herself a man who’d already made his fortune.”
“She dumped you for another man.”
He shrugged. “She dumped me first, then found another man. It’s a small distinction but an important one. I came here to the beach, slowed down a little and lived a little more. Dated some nice women and proved to myself that the problem in the marriage hadn’t been me.”
“Now that you’ve decided that, what’s next?”
“Whatever happens,” he said. “I’m open to the possibilities. I hope, at some point, you will be, too.”
“I tell you what I’m open to,” she said. “I’m open to proving to my ex that I matter, that I’m not something you use and then throw away. I’m open to making life better than it was six months ago.”
Brody smiled. “I’d say you’ve made a good start on that.”
She smiled, too, thinking of her plump bank account. “I’d say so, too.”
Dinner was pleasant—steamed clams and salad for her and prime rib for him. He had wine; she stuck with water.
“I’m driving,” she said.
“That’s just your excuse. You don’t want to get tipsy and find yourself in my arms under a full moon,” he said with a wink.
She could think of worse places to be, for sure.
“Don’t you want to come in for dessert?” he offered once they got back to his place.
“You bake?”
“No, but I’ve got ice cream. And a nice, comfy couch.”
To stretch out on.
“What do you say?” He slipped a hand up and gave her neck a friendly little rub.
“I say you should take up massage therapy. You’re pretty good.”
“I’m good with my hands.”
Oh, yes, he was. And he was just getting warmed up. “Not interested. Remember?” But he was sure making it hard for her to remember.
“Yet. You forgot to add yet. Did I mention I’m irresistible?”
“You didn’t need to. But I really do need to get going. I’m taking Sabrina to see my mom tomorrow and I’ve got a few things to do.”
“Gotcha. Well, then, thanks for the meal.”
“Thanks for making me rich, even if it’s only temporary.”
“Glad to help.” His hand still on her neck, he nudged her toward him. “A lot of guys don’t kiss on the first date but I’m not one of them.”
What the heck. What was a kiss or two between friends?
She let him kiss her. And kiss her again. And play with her hair. Boundaries, Jenna. Boundaries.
That was the only body part he was going to get to play with. Even though what they were doing was way better than ice cream, she pulled away. Forced herself not to lick her lips.
“You’re easy,” she teased.
“I can be easier.”
“I bet you can. Good night.”
He chuckled and tapped her on the nose. “I can also be patient. Good night.”
Once he was out of the car, she allowed herself to touch her fingers to her lips in an effort to recreate those kisses. Brody Green knew how to kiss a woman.
He probably knew how to do all kinds of things. Sigh.
She was still buzzing when she pulled up in front of Nora’s house. Her husband, Bill, answered the door. She could hear the TV in the background.
“I just stopped by to pick up Sabrina,” she said.
He looked puzzled. “She’s not here.”
“Oh. Did Nora take her home already?”
“I guess. Caroline was the only one here when I got home at five.”
“But I left at five and Sabrina was here. Aunt Edie said she came over this afternoon.”
“Let’s ask Nora. Nora!”
A moment later Nora came out of the living room, looking relaxed in shorts and a top, a glass of lemonade in her hand. “Oh, hi, Jenna. This is a nice surprise.”
“I actually was looking for Sabrina.”
“She went home hours ago,” Nora said. “The girls were in for ice cream and then Sabrina was going to go back...” Her words fell away right along with every ounce of blood from Jenna’s face.
“She didn’t come home?” Bill guessed.
Jenna shook her head. She suddenly couldn’t breathe.
“She’s probably home right now,” Nora said. “Let’s call and check with Edie.”
“You’d better come in and sit down,” said Bill.
Jenna felt suddenly light-headed. She staggered into the living room and fell onto the couch and watched as Nora called her aunt.
“Hi, Edie. Is Sabrina there?”
Jenna knew by the expression on her friend’s face what the answer was. Terror gripped her. “Oh, no.”
“Don’t worry,” Bill told her, and went to the kitchen.
“No, we’re just trying to figure out where she is. Don’t worry,” Nora said into her phone. “Jenna? She’s here with me. Don’t you worry. We’ll get this sorted out.”
Jenna bit her lip hard, trying not to cry. Bill returned with a glass of water and handed it to her. She thanked him and set it aside.
“Don’t panic yet,” Nora said. “Let’s see what Caroline knows.”
Caroline was summoned to the living room, and from the smirk on her face it was evident she knew something. “I haven’t seen her since this afternoon. She wasn’t happy,” Caroline informed Jenna.
“What did she say?” Nora asked sharply.
Caroline shrugged. “Just that her mom’s mean.”
“Was she running away?” Jenna asked. She could hardly get the words out without choking.
Here came another shrug. “I would.”
“If you know something you need to tell us,” said her grandfather.
“Why would I know something?” the girl hedged.
“Caroline Anne, you tell us right now what you know or I’m calling your mother to come get you.”
“Fine with me. It’s boring here.”
“Yeah, ice cream, free play on the arcade games and the bumper cars,” Bill said in disgust.
“Mom’s taking me to Disneyland,” Caroline retorted.
“She needs to take you to juvie,” Bill growled. “Get on up to your room.”
Caroline treated them to one final shrug and left.
“Where could she be?” Jenna cried, tears running down her cheeks.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find her,” Nora said. She grabbed her phone and made another call.
Ten minutes later, a policeman was at the door. This was a new one Jenna hadn’t met and he introduced himself as Officer Fleming. A fatherly looking man with salt-and-pepper hair, he was kind and reassuring but Jenna wasn’t fooled. She knew what happened when young girls disappeared.
“When did you last see her?” he asked.
“This morning,” Jenna said, and burst into sobs. Now maybe she’d never see her daughter again. If only she’d let her stay behind with Mom. If only she could turn back time. If only, if only.
“Okay. Any other place she could possibly be?”
At seven-thirty at night? She should have been home, playing cards with Aunt Edie or scribbling in her journal. Her journal! Maybe that held a clue.
Jenna gave the officer the picture she had of Sabrina in her wallet and an Amber alert was put out. Then she broke the sound barrier getting back to the house.
“Did you find her?” Aunt Edie called as Jenna raced up the stairs.
“Not yet,” Jenna called back. Please, God, let us find her. Let her be okay.
Sabrina had left behind her journal. There it sat on her dresser. Jenna had never been one to snoop through her daughter’s things. Maybe she should have.
She turned to the last page and read.
My mom is the most selfish person in the universe. She could have let me go back with Aunt Celeste and then come and gotten me later whenever she wanted. Grandma wouldn’t care how long I stayed. I know Aunt Celeste would have taken me. She was just afraid to say yes cuz of Mom. It’s not fair. I want to go see Marigold. I want to see Daddy. Caroline says I shouldn’t sit around and feel sorry for myself. I should do something. I’m going to.
Oh, Lord. Jenna bolted off the bed and ran back down the stairs.
“Where are you going?” Aunt Edie called.
“To find Sabrina. Don’t worry!” As if telling someone not to worry ever worked. Especially when a child’s safety was at stake.
A few moments later she was back at Nora’s house. Nora answered the door. “Did you find her?”
“No, but I have a strong suspicion of where she’s gone. I need to talk to Caroline again.”
Caroline was called back down. The smirk was gone now and she was looking sullen. Jenna guessed the threatened phone call had been made and the child was getting shipped off. Good. Even if she weren’t, there would be no more Caroline encounters at the beach for Sabrina. Ever.
If Jenna could find her.
She fought back a wave of nausea and forced herself to be patient. She sat on the sofa and beckoned Caroline over.
The girl sat on the edge of the sofa and looked at her warily.
“Caroline, I know you don’t want to rat out Sabrina, but I need to make sure she’s safe,” Jenna said, forcing herself to sound calm. “Can you just tell me, did she go back to her dad?”
The sullen look was now replaced with something akin to pity. “She misses him. She wanted to go back.”
“I know. I was actually going to surprise her and take her tomorrow.”
“You were?”
“I was. Did you girls by any chance walk down to the bus stop toward the end of town?”
Caroline bit her lip.
It was all the answer Jenna needed. She reached out and touched the girl’s arm. “It’s okay. You kept her secret. But you know what would have been even better? To tell me what she was planning. Now we don’t know if she’s safe.”
Caroline’s eyes filled with tears and she nodded. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. Then she turned and ran back up the stairs to her room.
“Good,” Nora said, watching her go. “Maybe she’s learned a valuable lesson today.”
Jenna knew she had. She should have done a better job of meeting her daughter’s needs.
Her phone rang. “Bad Boys,” Damien’s ringtone. She didn’t give him time to say anything. “Is Sabrina with you?”
“Yeah, we’re driving to your mom’s place right now. What the hell were you thinking, Jenna?” he demanded.
“She ran away. Didn’t she tell you that?”
“What? Sabrina, were you out of your mind?”
“She missed you and she wanted to see you,” Jenna said. “I’ve been making excuses for you and she finally got tired of being put off. I should have told her the truth. She’d never have run away if she’d known what a selfish shit you are, that you don’t want to see her.”
“I never said that. Don’t put words in my mouth.”
“Let me talk to her,” Jenna demanded.
“I don’t think so. She’s upset.”
“What do you know or care about our daughter’s feelings?” Jenna yelled. But no one was there to yell at. He’d ended the call.
“Is she okay?” Nora asked.
“Yeah. My ex has got her. They’re on their way to my mom’s.” Jenna let out her breath and allowed her heart to slow down. She felt a million years old. She called her aunt to let her know Jenna had been found; then, after thanking Nora for her support, returned to the house.
Aunt Edie looked like she, too, had aged in just one hour. “Thank God nothing happened to her,” she said after Jenna had filled her in.
“I swear, I’d put her on restriction for life if I didn’t feel so guilty,” Jenna said.
“Young girls don’t always think things through,” Aunt Edie said in Sabrina’s defense. “Their brains are still developing.”
“And while her brain is developing I’m developing an ulcer,” Jenna said, leaning back against the sofa cushions.
An hour later her mother called. “I wanted you to know that our girl is now in bed, recovering from her big adventure.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever recover,” Jenna said.
“I guess she had one harrowing moment. It certainly scared me hearing about it. Some old guy tried to pick her up in Quinault where she had to change buses, but a woman took her under her wing and helped her transfer to the right one to get back to Seattle. She called Damien and you know the rest.”
“All except for where she got the money. I never gave it to her.”
“I’m afraid you won’t like this part. She stole it out of Aunt Edie’s purse.”
Once again, Jenna felt ill. “Oh, no.”
“We already had a talk about that. And about how worried you had to have been. She’s sorry she upset you and she promises to write Aunt Edie a note and ask her forgiveness.”
“Yeah, well, she’ll be doing more than that. She’ll be babysitting and mowing lawns until she’s paid Aunt Edie back every penny.”
“A good idea,” Mel approved. “Why don’t you let her stay with me for a while and I’ll supervise her rehabilitation.”
“What, reward her for her bad behavior?”
“No, just let the dust settle.”
“You know what’s so sad about all this? I was planning to surprise her and you and bring her for a visit tomorrow.”
“Maybe I’ll lay on the guilt and mention that. We’ll have another talk in the morning. And now it gets worse.”
How could it?
“She told her father that she knows you’ll pay Aunt Edie back since you won all that money at the casino and now you’re rich.”
Another wave of nausea hit. Damien knew about the money. If he knew how much Jenna won she’d be hearing from his lawyer. That revocable settlement had sounded like such a good idea at the time. “This way, if your income takes a dip you can renegotiate,” her lawyer had told her. There’d be some renegotiating, all right.
But maybe... “Did she tell him how much?”
“I’m afraid she did.”
“Oh, boy.”
“Maybe he won’t do anything.”
And maybe Jenna would wake up in the morning and discover she’d turned into a mermaid. “I’ve got to go, Mom.”
“Of course. You probably need to process all this.”
“No, I need to go throw up.”