Beach Winds (21 page)

“
No thanks.”

He laughed.

She was confused. And annoyed. He was playing games, toying with her.

His phone rang. He looked at the screen and said,
“Excuse me.” He stepped a few feet away. “Yeah?” A pause as the listened. “At the apartment.”

Was she grateful or annoyed at the interruption? She waited, trying to figure it out.

Brian said, “Can’t you get a tow or a mechanic?” Then, “I see. But….” He finished with, “Got it. Hold on.” He put his hand over the phone speaker and asked, “Change of plans? Maia needs help. She’s stuck at the gallery with a flat.”

“
Sure. No problem. I can get myself home.”

“
About twenty minutes.” He spoke into the phone and then returned it to his pocket. “The problem is that this late on a Saturday she can’t get anyone else.”

“
I understand, totally. Everyone should have someone who’ll rescue them when needed.”

“
Come with me. You can keep Maia company while I change the tire, otherwise, she’ll talk me to death.” He grinned. “She could distract me. I could be injured.”

She laughed.
“All right. I’ll drive.”

She drove, but Brian ruled the car. He changed the station to country music and worked the invisible passenger side brake vigorously at every light. Her nerves were
nearly fried by the time they arrived at the gallery.

Brian guided her down the back alley. Maia
’s car was parked close to the rear of the building. Customer parking was across the street in lots fronting the marinas. Back here there was only enough space for two, maybe three, cars.

She must
’ve been watching for him. She came out the back door, saying, “Hi! Hey there, Frannie. How’d he talk you into coming along? Not only along, but driving him?”

She
smiled and waved hello, then slid her hands in her pockets. She should’ve brought her gloves, but then she’d expected to be home long before this. It seemed ages had passed since she’d run into Brian at the rehab home. This felt awkward.

Maia handed over her keys. Brian popped the trunk and Maia was right there telling him how to find the jack and going on about the spare and such. Brian was complaining that the way she
’d parked left little room for him to work. He added, “Take Fran inside. She’s freezing.”

Maia looked at him oddly.
“You just want me to get out of your way. Frannie. Come on in. Let’s have some hot chocolate.”

As soon as the door closed, Maia said,
“Well?”

“
What?”

“
Hah.” Maia put the water kettle on to heat and pulled out the mugs and the packets of hot cocoa mix. “I sense an interesting story here.”

“
Like what?”

“
Well, for one thing, Brian said he was at his apartment when I called him.”

Her
faced flamed. Maia’s insinuation mingled with the suspicions she’d had of Brian’s invitation to tour his apartment, and the house, like a couple of….

“
Uh oh. I guess I shouldn’t have asked?”

“
It’s nothing. We ran into each other while visiting Uncle Will.”

“
And?”

“
And we went out for a bite after.”

“
That’s nice.” Maia’s grin was aggravating and contagious. She turned her back to fix the hot chocolate and then brought the cups over to the table. She shrugged. “None of my business anyway.”

“
No, really. That’s all there was to it.” Frannie sat back. “Oh, I see. You’re joking.”

Maia laughed.
“I am. I’m sorry. I’m almost giddy. It’s so wonderful to see Brian interested in someone. And this time, it’s someone nice.”

“
Really, it was food.”

“
Maybe for you, but Brian doesn’t hang out with anyone whose company he doesn’t enjoy, not man or woman. You’ve got his attention.”

“
I didn’t ask for it.”

Maia tilted her head and looked at Frannie questioningly.
“Not the response I was expecting. Truly, I wasn’t suggesting you were chasing him. Heaven knows, he’s no catch. I mean, I’m his sister and I love him, but he’s way more trouble than he’s worth if someone’s only looking for a boyfriend or a good time.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “He’s had a rough few years.” After a pause, she added, “As I told you before, some of it’s my fault.”

Possible replies flitted through Frannie
’s brain—not your fault, people are responsible for their own decisions—seemed the best, but she didn’t give any of them voice. She decided to let the moment rest.

Maia sighed.
“I promised Brian not to interfere again. Yet, listen to me teasing you. I like the idea that you and he are getting along. It’s good for him. I hope it’s good for you.” She waved her hands. “And now I wash my hands of it. If I butt into your business again, you have my official permission to throw something at me.”

Frannie pictured herself throwing something at Maia, maybe a pillow, and broke into giggles.

Maia eyed her suspiciously, and said, “I’m thinking you look like a girl with a secret.”

She laughed. She laughed so hard, she clutched her middle and tears formed at the corner of her eyes. Maia laughed, too, and Frannie laughed at Maia laughing.

As the laughter wound down, she picked up her hot chocolate and raised the mug high, saying, “To secrets—every girl should have a few.”

Chapter Sixteen

He shouldn
’t have let his temper get the better of him. When Diane appeared and threw her special brand of poison around, he should’ve kept it cool, but Fran had been a good sport. He’d been enjoying testing her defenses until Diane interrupted. He wasn’t sure why he enjoyed teasing Fran. There was something about her that begged for….what?

Something in her eyes. And her kindness to Megan. And an attraction he felt for no good reason that showed how
bad his judgment was. First, Diane. A disaster. Now Fran, a woman who was as screwed up he was, but at least he knew she wouldn’t harm a flea. She’d be more likely to get eaten up by them and then blame herself for not wearing bug spray.

Out there at the house, he
’d almost kissed her. Instinct had pulled him back. What was it about her? His instinct had told him ‘not yet’. Maybe never. Two screwed up people weren’t likely to equal a whole.

He pushed up to his feet. His thigh has suffered from the kneeling and the cold. Not too bad, though. Curiosity helped him move along faster. The laughter was so loud it came right through the door. Sounded like he was missing a party.

Maia had better not repay his help with interference. Not only did he not want it, but when in full form, Maia’s matchmaking could be heavy-handed. It would scare off someone as skittish as Fran in a heartbeat.

Not sure why he cared. But he did.

He secured the jack in the trunk and rolled the flat around to the back of the car. He hoisted it into the trunk and then slammed the trunk closed with his elbow and headed toward the door. His hands were grimy.

As he entered he heard Maia say,
“Have you thought about looking for her?”

Fran said,
“I have. I don’t know where to begin. I thought about hiring a private investigator but I have so little to tell him. I don’t know if I should…or even if I want to.”

“
If you don’t, won’t you always be wondering if you should’ve?”

“
Enough, Maia.” He walked past, angry, and yanked the faucets to get the water running. He soaped up his hands. “Fran can handle her own business.”

The silence, aside from the sound of running water, was profound. He refused to turn around and look at their faces. As he
rinsed the soap from his hands, Fran spoke.

“
I told her about my mother situation. I can discuss this with anyone I want. It’s my choice. I want her opinion.”

He dried his hands and tossed the paper towel in the trash.
“Suit yourself.”

Maia
’s face was red and her eyes were downcast.

He almost felt guilty. Almost. But he knew very personally what could happen when people interfered in other people
’s business.

“
Fran. Ready to go?”

Fran ignored him
and walked around the table to give Maia a hug. Maia was tearing up. Anything to make him feel in the wrong. That’s what women did. He was sorry she was hurt, but he had to stand his ground.

She whispered,
“Thank you for changing the tire.”

He stopped and looked back.
“It’s the spare. Make sure you get that tire over to the shop tomorrow. Don’t drive on it more than absolutely necessary.”

“
Yes, sir.”

But she said it with a twist, as if there was some sort of irony in him telling her not to drive on the spare. But that was about safety. His sister
’s safety. Not about being bossy or intrusive. It wasn’t the same thing at all.

By then, Fran was already out and at the wheel. She was staring straight ahead with a stony expression on her face. He climbed into the passenger seat.

Icy, that’s what she projected. Fine. He put his head back and closed his eyes. He could play that game.

Chapter Seventeen

Trust
Brian to bring a lovely, promising day to a sour conclusion.

At least
he was a better passenger when he was asleep, even if he was pretending. He didn’t want to hear what she thought about his behavior, so she looked straight ahead, unwilling to make the situation worse or better. It was what it appeared to be—a standoff. Brian resented Maia for interfering between him and Diane, but this seemed more like a grudge. It was unbecoming in a grown man. And poor Maia. How could he talk to her that way? In front of her, Frannie? How humiliating for Maia and embarrassing for Frannie.

She was fortunate to see his true colors now.

The daylight was almost gone as she drove onto the estate and dropped Brian by the garage. With the loss of the sun, the air had grown cold. Winter had returned. It took everything she had to keep her lips sealed and to not say
goodbye
or
good riddance
. As soon as he shut the car door, she took off.

It was a short drive back to Will
’s house.

Frannie pushed her coat collar up around her neck and chin as she sat on the porch at
Captain’s Walk
.

The dead looking
weeds on the dunes moved slightly, whispering as the light breeze played through them.

Brian. Laurel. Both bullies at heart. Petty tyrants.

The house painting wasn’t done. Two bedrooms, the kitchen and hallway still needed to be painted. Would he show up to finish the job?

She kind of wanted him to. Why? So they could resume their argument? Stupid.

The rocker treads squeaked to the rhythm of
just as well, just as well
. It was a sad refrain. She couldn’t continue to use this as a hiding place indefinitely. At some point, she’d have to declare this job done and move on. On the other hand, she couldn’t declare anything done until she knew what Uncle Will’s final recovery would look like.

What was so wrong with a good hiding place? She laughed
out loud. The sound startled her, seeming brash as it broke the silence. It reminded her again that she was alone. There was no one here to laugh with. Was there ever? No matter where she was, she was alone.

There were lights far out on the horizon. Passing ships. The beach was empty. The water was deadly cold. Depressing. She wished for a change of heart.
Star light, star bright, grant the wish I wish tonight.
Like maybe
a heart that would see this as peaceful, not desolate. As an opportunity to relax and play, not as a place to hide away from things she wanted to avoid.

But that was up to her. No one could work that magic for her.

She remembered the verse that had fallen on the floor when Brian was moving stuff around.

Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

A new creature. A new person. The words suggested a change of heart was required, but if she hadn’t managed to fix herself in thirty-one years, it wasn’t likely to happen now.

****

On Sunday, she returned to Uncle Will’s church. Juli’s church. She and Juli and Luke might not be real friends yet, but they were friendly acquaintances and she could feel comfortable approaching them. They had it all. Looks, contentment, each other, and a successful business and gorgeous home. Aside from that moment in the nursery, she wasn’t jealous. They seemed like a rare species—a happy couple and loving family. She wished she knew how to emulate their success.