BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (13 page)

“No I haven’t made any plans, do you have any menus
to look at?”

Terri returned with the guest information pack.

“Thanks, I will have a look later”

Carrie closed the book.  Glad that she had
persevered and finished reading it.  She couldn’t remember the last time
she had completed a book.  It was dark outside now and no other residents
occupied the parlour.  She stretched and picked up her things to return to
her room.  One of the staff passed her in the corridor and she gave a
smile in recognition.  Carrie had looked through the guest booklet and
picked an Italian restaurant to order a delivery from.  She would call
them to order some pasta but first time to call home.  It would be Sunday
lunchtime back home.  Claire and Ryan would be visiting around now. 
She made a coffee and settled on the sofa facing the fireplace in her
room.  The phone was answered on the 2
^nd
ring.  Her Dad’s
voice reassuring and although she had only been away a couple of days she felt
a pang of homesickness.

“Hi Dad”

“Carrie, how are you?” 

They spoke for a few minutes.  Carrie
describing the Inn and the surrounding area.

“It’s very pretty”

“That’s good. Your Mum wants a word before you go”

“’Bye Daddy” she heard the sound of the handset
changing.

“Hello Mum” She explained again how lovely and the
Cape was.  “I went walking earlier, grabbed a coffee,”

“When are you going to lighthouse so that you can
complete your wild goose chase and come home?” Her Mum interrupted.

“Well most things close on a Monday; I will go
Tuesday I guess”

“Oh Carrie, shouldn’t you have checked this before
you flew half way across the world?”

“Mum, I’m fine, I’m relaxing.  I even read a
book today!”

“But Carrie”

“I’m going now Mum, will call again in a few
days.  ‘Bye”

Yes, it was rude.

Yes, she should have waited until her Mum said
goodbye.

Yes, she should even has spoken with Claire

Behaving like a brat wasn’t common to Carrie but she
felt defensive, again, over her decision to travel after all the support her
family had given her.

Her appetite decreasing the last thing she felt like
doing was eating but she called the number of a local Italian and ordered some
spaghetti vongole.  The reception desk called her to advise her delivery
had arrived 30 minutes later.  She paid and tipped generously.

“Miss Davies,” the receptionist stopped her.

“Call me Carrie, please”

“Hold on and we can get you some tableware from the
kitchen.” 

“There’s no need to go to that trouble.”

“Not at all – won’t be long”

A couple of minutes later she returned with a tray,
the tableware and a glass of white wine.

“Terri said the wine was with our compliments”

Carrie thanked her for the gesture and carefully
walked upstairs.  Her guest room had a seated area and Carrie sat down to
enjoy the pasta in the rich sauce with clams.  Sipping the wine a perfect
accompaniment.  The restaurant had included some salad and bread rolls
too.  Hmm it was yum!  She ate with vigour trying to forget the
earlier call with home.  After finishing the meal she took her tray downstairs
not wanting to leave her remnants for the staff at the Inn to clear away from
the hallway.

“Oh Hi Terri,” she greeted the owner.  “Thanks
for the wine, it was lovely and the recommendation for dinner.  I am
full!”

“That’s what we are here for, satisfied
customers!  Let me take that tray from you.  Wait a sec, I won’t be a
minute”

“Okay”

“We might as well finish this, I’m off the clock
now, although running a business like this is 24/7 but I love it!”

Terri was holding the bottle of wine and two glasses. 
Carrie followed her though the door marked ‘staff only’ towards her rooms. The
room was decorated much in the same Victorian style as the inn but the sofa was
large and welcoming.  Modern influences with the lamps and pictures. 
A roaring fire with the logs crackling.

“I thought you could do with some company”

“I appreciate the offer, thanks.  It’s nice to
have a chat with someone other than myself!”

“So, what brings you to the Cape?  Most folks
have a reason I find.  For me I was in advertising but what’s that saying
when life gives you lemons you make lemonade, well life gave me an Inn so I
became an Inn keeper.  It was a family business, needed a little TLC and
somehow I agreed to help out.  That was about 10 years ago now!”

“It’s a lovely Inn.  There’s something about
this place that draws to you to it.  I can understand that.”

Carrie settled into the sofa.  “Is there a Mr
Terri or someone special in your life?”

“Ha not with a job like this! I think it’s called a
lifestyle choice.  So what’s your story Carrie?”

“I don’t know where to begin, so much has happened”

“Start at the beginning then, a good a place as any
to start”

Carrie questioned her sanity at sitting with a
stranger but it seemed right.  Terri was easy to talk to and Carrie began
at the beginning.  A sip of wine first.

“I met Rob at a works event.  I was 23, a
little spoilt, a little immature but the baby of the family.  He was 35,
played rugby – hmm a little like your American football, big and stocky, clear
blue blue eyes but he really wasn’t my type.  I usually went for a more
groomed and boy band type.  Ha!”

“Oh man trouble then Carrie??”

Carrie shook her head.

“No, not like that, yes he broke my heart but he
didn’t mean to.  I know he really didn’t mean to.  I fell for him
hard.  He wooed me and we finally got married a couple of years
later.  A big fairy tale wedding.  Lots of family and friends sharing
our day.  I was so happy to be his wife.”  Carries voice wobbled on
the last word.

Terri topped the glasses with more wine.

“Go on,” she prompted.

“We had lots of love and laughter together but no
babies.  We were going to try though; I finally got him to agree. 
There was always going to be another year that we would wait.  Trips to
take, places to see before our live would change and work was always manic for
Rob.  He had a lot of responsibility.  Babies would have completed
us.  He made me happy and safe.  Like nothing could harm us.  I
was content.  Content is such an old fashioned word – isn’t it?”

“Carrie, if it’s too painful we can talk another
time”

“No, let me finish.  It all changed.  I
said goodbye that morning, we had a discussion over cooking or eating out for
dinner.  Collecting the dry cleaning.  Normal stuff.   Then
a brief kiss and I left.  I had a spa day arranged with my Mum and Sister
– then it was all over – contentment shattered.”

“What happened? Did he leave you?”

Carrie nodded.

“The police arrived and my world was shattered, my
safe world would never be the same again.  A terrible, terrible car
accident and Rob was gone, forever.  I never got to say goodbye.” 
Tears slipped down her cheeks and she wiped them away.

“Sorry I didn’t mean to blub that all-out”

“Carrie, I’m sure you needed to talk it out. 
He sounds like he was a good man”

“He was Terri, but I can’t let go of the pain. I’ve
tried this last sixteen months to grieve and heal.  Too many memories,
everywhere I go at home, work and places we would visit together.”

Terri poured them another glass and the bottle was
finished.  Over the last glass she told Terri about her visit to Belles,
the psychic and finally the lighthouse book.

“Carrie you don’t seem the impulsive type to
me.  I can understand why your family are concerned.  This is out of
character for you.”

“Thanks for listening Terri”

“I have a better idea; let me help you with your
trips to the lighthouses.”

“I bow to your local knowledge; I will take you up
in that offer.  I’ve got a few more days of my trip left.”

“Sounds like a plan!  Let’s get together after
the morning rush tomorrow; things are kind of slow around here in the Cape on
Mondays”

Carrie returned to her room, declining the offer of anything
further to drink.  Terri was a lovely woman, easy to speak to.  She
had opened up more in the last couple of hours with a stranger – no not a
stranger – a new friend that she had in months.  It was dark when she
returned to her room; she turned on a few of the table lamps and curled up on
the sofa.  Her mobile flashing with text alerts.

“Carrie, what did you say to upset Mum?”

Two minutes later

“Carrie, answer me!”

Another one minute later – her sister getting
impatient now.

“I know you must be screening your texts but a reply
wouldn’t go a miss!!!!!”

Carrie took a bottle of water from the small fridge
in her room then typed a reply to her sister.

“Hi Sis, just saw your text left my phone in my
room.  Sorry if Mum was upset.  Not my intention.  Off to
bed.  Catch up with you tomorrow.  Kisses to Harry. Cx”

She finished the water and started preparing for
bed.  Her routine of cleansing and moisturising her face a ritual she
could do on autopilot.  Now where was that lip butter she bought
earlier.  The brown paper bag was filled with the goodies she had
purchased and found the little pot of scrub.  Mmm a fruity taste. 

Beep – a reply from her sister.

“Ok. Goodnight. Cx”

Oh well her sister must be in a huff with her now,
great.

After removing the mountain of cushions from the bed
she finally settled under the crisp white Egyptian cotton bedding.  Hoping
sleep would come quickly.  There at pride of place was ‘Rob’ the position
of the cylinder elevated above her on the bedside table, watching over her almost.

“Goodnight my darling”

Carrie fell into a deep sleep but it was soon
curtailed as she slipped into the familiar nightmare.  That breakfast
journey in the car travelling to work together.  Chatting, laughing, Rob
singing.  Then the bang of the car crashing and the blood.  So much
blood and glass everywhere.  Then she woke, her screams muffled into the
pillow.  Thankfully not loud enough to bring embarrassment to herself or
other guests.   She found her mobile to check the time 3.14am. 
Always the same dream and the same time that she woke.   

She went to the bathroom washed away the traces of
her tears.  Poured a little water to drink and returned to bed. 
Sleep claimed her for another couple of hours as she was exhausted.  The
emotional dream always drained her.  It was 5.30am when she woke
again.  Time for a walk to clear the cobwebs away and the lingering
remnants of the dream. 

She could see from the raised position of her room
the little road leading to the beach and rock pools. She dressed in dark blue
jeans, a soft light blue chambray shirt and a grey sweater for a bit of
warmth.  On her feet she wore her converse for comfort to complete her
outfit for the walking she was going to do.  After brushing her hair she
pulled a little from the side and braded a small section from the side of her
face leaving the rest of her hair loose.  Rubbed on a little of the lip
butter to keep her lips from drying out in the sea air.  She picked up her
mobile added it to the $20 in her pocket.  Emergency money if got lost and
needed a taxi back to the inn.  She locked the door and headed to
reception to hand her key in.

Charlie was behind the reception desk when she
handed over her key.  They had met the night before when she was returning
to her room after her chat with Terri.

“Good Morning Charlie, just going for a walk along
the beach”

“Good Morning Carrie, It’s a lovely day for
it.  Breakfast is 8.00 to 09.30am.  Just in case you didn’t know”

“Thanks for the reminder Charlie”

Within ten minutes she was walking along the
beach.  She couldn’t see anyone else at this early hour.  The sand
was hard beneath her feet the closer she got to the water’s edge.  The
waves lapping gently towards her.  To her right in the distance she could
see the distinctive white and red stripes of a lighthouse. 

To her left an impressive Cape Cod style shingle
style Victorian manor house.  The paintwork a sage green with white trim
with trees shielding the property from view from the beachfront.  Along with
some outbuildings.  It was partitioned off but still gave a generous area
of beach to walk through without intruding on the private property.  The
sand dune and grass offering a natural barrier.  She couldn’t see any
signs indicating it was a hotel.  It must be someone’s amazing home with
its own deck board path leading down to the beach.  But straight ahead
nothing but the sea – no boats on the landscape – just blue sea.  Sea and
miles and miles of beach.  The beach was made up of shingle, sand and seaweed
but was easy to walk through.  

“Whoosh” the air was knocked out of her in surprise
as there was a push to the back of her legs buckling her knees.  She
turned around not knowing what to expect – then looked down.

“Oh” A dog.  A big golden retriever dog which
was holding a large stick in its mouth which he promptly dropped at her feet.

“Hello boy” she patted is head – assuming he was a
boy – and rubbed his ears.  He had a beautiful golden coat and was
obviously well cared for.  A leather collar round his neck so he wasn’t a
stray with a red and white scarf round his neck. 

“Do you want to play? Eh?”

She picked up the stick and threw it as far as she
could.  The dog was friendly and eager to repeat the game.  The sound
of someone whistling interrupted the play.  The dog immediately
stopped.   

Carrie turned to follow the direction of the sound
of the whistle and where the dog her new playmate had gone.  The wind once
again knocked out her sails.

“Oh My” she said under her breath.

A tall man was walking towards her with the dog now
at his side.  He walked with an air of assurance and confidence.  The
closer he got the clearer his features became.  He was handsome.  Had
the kind of Hollywood good looks that took your breath away as hers just
did.  Dressed casually in jeans and a v-neck loose white t-shirt against
his olive skin.  His jet black hair a little long at his collar.  A
day’s growth on his face giving him a scruffy yet sexy look at this early
hour.   Sexy?  Where the hell did that come from?  She
couldn’t tell the colour of his eyes from the distance  – not
yet.   The dog ran ahead back to Carrie. 

“Hi, I see you’ve met my dog?” 

“Hello” she replied.  His eyes were brown, a
deep chocolate brown. 

The dog ran away and returned with another stick and
Carrie laughed.

“I think I’ve just made a new friend”

“A friend for life if you keep throwing that stick”

“I’m Nico” he introduced himself.  Carrie shook
his hand and then snatched it away.  Goosebumps.  She was close
enough to smell his aftershave, sharp and citrusy.   Yikes.

“I’m Carrie”

“And this guy is Beauregard the 3
^rd
–
Beau for short”

Carrie knelt in the sand and took the offered paw
and shook it.

“Nice to meet you too Beau!”

The dog nudged his head against Carries hand,
inviting her to rub and pet his ears again.

Sometime later she stood up, brushed the sand from
her knees.  Tucked a strand of hair behind her ear that the wind had blown
free.

“You’re not from around here, not with that accent”

“No, I’m not; I guess I’ve wandered a little far
from home.  Just another tourist visiting New England”

“Well traveller, where is home for you?”

“Home is Scotland, and you?”

“Born and raised here in the Cape”

“You are very lucky, what I’ve seen briefly it looks
like a charming place to live”

“It’s a great place to live, what part of Scotland
are you from?”

“Glasgow” it was generic enough a town to say.

She was rambling; oh this was strange, she had
spoken with a man before, just not this particular man.   “I’m proud
of my hometown and country,”

“Glasgow is where my grand-mother was originally
from.  She met my grand-father whilst he was travelling through Europe and
he swept her off her feet!  They both said it was love at first
sight.  By the end of the week they were engaged and two months later
living back in New York.  They were married for nearly forty five years. ”

“That’s very romantic.  Thanks for the
condensed version of how they met” she joked

“They had a great marriage but a very volatile mix of
Celtic and Italian blood.  I miss my pops though.  He passed away
nearly ten years ago now.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.  It’s always hard when
you are close and lose someone” this she said with honesty.

“Thanks, we were close.  He was a great
man.  One I can only hope to be one day,”

“And your grand-mother?  Are you close? 
Sorry I’m being nosey” 

“You are not being nosey, yes we are close but she
is very independent and has a great circle of friends who keep her
occupied.  We don’t spend nearly enough time together as a family.”

“I guess it’s the same for most families, everyone
has their own interests.”

Beau had returned with the stick in his mouth and
dropped it at Carries feet.

“So, you wanna play?  What ball or
stick?”  she held both and Beaus head eagerly followed her hand.  She
flung it again.   They continued to walk slowly along the beach.

Despite his casual look she was sure he was Nico
Devanti, her gossip magazine fodder and her aunt’s current employer.  Time
to go, time to go before she made a fool of herself and asked him if he really
was Nico Devanti.  Like some teenager with a boy-band crush.  Sexy
OMG why did that word keep popping into her head?  She just hoped she
didn’t blurt it out.  Like some sort of crazy lady behaviour. 

Cringe.  She checked her wristwatch it was
after seven.  Oh she needed to shower before breakfast finished as she was
a mess from rolling around with Beau on the sand.

“I’d better go” she bent down to pat Beau
again.  “’Bye Beau – oh and ‘Bye Nico”

“’Bye Carrie, enjoy your visit to the Cape”

She walked away, freaking out with herself at her
reaction to meeting the clichéd tall, dark, handsome stranger.  When they
shook hands she felt a frisson spark through her.  Distance that’s what
she needed; to put some distance between her and the handsome stranger. 
She walked up the deck boards towards the pathway.  A final look around
and Nico was still where she left him.  Beau was happily running around
his static figure, tail wagging.  He gave a wave which she returned and
practically broke into a sprint to get back to the safe haven of the Inn. 

What was wrong with her?  It wasn’t like it was
the first time she had spoken with a man before on her own.  She hoped she
didn’t drool like Beau all over him.  Now that would be
embarrassing.  He would think her a bumbling idiot. 

Time for a shower, maybe she should make it a cold
one!  She collected her room key and raced to the sanctuary of her
room.  Her jeans needed washed from kneeling in the sand as they were now
stained.  Her wardrobe was limited as she had only planned on staying for
two weeks at a maximum.  She would ask Terri about laundry facilities
later as she couldn’t find the usual laundry sack for the inn to
organise.  Hopefully Terri would still have time to help her plan the
lighthouse visits as she needed to re-focus on what she was here for.  She
had an eventful morning already but she was showered, dressed and seated for
breakfast at 08.30am.

The breakfast selection was expansive and tempting
but Carrie opted for orange juice, coffee and blueberry pancakes. 
Yum.  Newspapers were stacked but Carrie opted for the local newspaper,
and then returned to her table in the window nook.  Whenever she travelled
she always liked to know a little bit more about the area she was staying and
always found that the local paper told you everything.  The Cape News
latest edition was dominated by news of an electrical fire which had left
several residents homeless and some businesses closed.  The businesses had
insurance whilst more than a few residents had none.  Local residents were
helping those affected but they were appealing for any donations or help that
could be given. 

Her breakfast had arrived and she put the newspaper
aside to resume reading once she ate the delicious looking pancakes. 
Stacked high and drizzled with maple syrup.  A sweet treat to the start of
the day but not one she could indulge in every day.  Carries empty plate –
not a scrap left on it – was cleared quickly away.  She poured another cup
of coffee and returned to reading the newspaper.  The paper had an easy
flow to read and she now knew of an upcoming chamber of commerce charity
fundraiser that had been set up in the aftermath of the fire.  Tickets to
buy and details of raffle prizes to be won.  Even a craft fair at a local
elementary school listing the stalls available.  Details of this week’s
band practise and an upcoming parade. 

The article concluded with an interview with one of
the families displaced.  Monique Tremont and her three children were now
homeless as the fire had spread through to their apartment.  “We have
nothing, only the clothes we stand in.  My kids lost their toys,
everything!  But we are alive and thank the Lord no-one died” Kind-hearted
locals have entered into the community spirit.  A picture accompanied the
article showing donations that had been collected, blankets stacked high
against boxes of goods.  But the generosity was superseded by that of
benefactor and chamber of commerce member Nico Devanti.  Complete with
another plug for the charity fundraiser.  Carrie spat her coffee!  It
was him.  Her stranger from the beach
was
Nico Devanti. 

“When we heard the devastating news and plight of
local people and families we knew we had to step in.  It’s important that
we all unite in our community to help our friends and neighbours.  By
creating affordable housing we are taking those first steps together. ”

She wiped her mouth with the napkin and looked
around to see if anyone had witnessed her coffee spluttering.  Thankfully
no-one had.

“Our foundation is assisting with locating and
providing homes to those affected.”

The article concluded that a delighted Monique would
be re-homed but help was still needed with donations.  Volunteers were
painting and decorating homes.  “I thank the Lord that my children are
safe but I also thank the Lord that he has brought Mr Devanti into our lives.”

“Would you like anything else or some fresh coffee?”

“Some more coffee would be lovely, thanks Tansie”
she had read the name of her waitress embroidered on her uniform.

Tansie returned a few minutes later with a fresh pot
and cup.  She cleared away the used tableware and pointed to the open
newspaper.

“That’s my cousin, Monique – it was a real shock the
fire and all – she’s staying with my Aunt until the house is ready.  House
is fit to burst with all those children.  They are all used to having
their games and the internet.  The oldest boy Trey is lost without his
computer!”

“Where they in the house Tansie when the fire
started?  It didn’t say in the article.”

“No thank the Lord!  But we think that is why
they didn’t get a chance to save any of their things.  When they found out
and got home as quick as they could, the fire department wouldn’t let them in –
not safe – then pouf – it’s all gone!”

“That’s a shame Tansie, I’m only here for a few days
more but let me know if I can help”

“That’s very kind of you Carrie I will be sure to
let you know”