Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida (33 page)

They all sat down at formally set tables in the garden-themed dining room. With no assigned seating, many of them vied for a place with the newcomers, but the largest tables had only eight chairs.

Rosemary and Harold enjoyed a multicourse meal with fruit salad, roast beef, and flan for dessert. After dinner, they were invited to join the others in the evening activity, but Rosemary shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but we still have a few things to do tonight. Perhaps another time.”

Norma nodded her understanding. “That’s fine. Just holler if you need any help. There’s a directory in your apartment with everyone’s phone numbers and a book by the elevator on each floor with people’s pictures, in case you can’t remember names.”

After Rosemary and Harold got back to their apartment, Harold flopped down on the sofa. “Those people nearly wore me out.”

“But aren’t they nice?”

He hesitated then nodded as he smiled. “Very nice. In fact, they’re nicer than anyone I’ve ever met. You did a fine job of picking us out a place to live, Rosie.”

Rosemary swallowed hard. She didn’t tell Harold that the main reason she’d picked Tropical Gardens Village was the fact that they had an assisted-living wing as well as a nursing home attached. If anything happened to either of them and they needed a higher level of care, they wouldn’t have to look elsewhere.

“I don’t know about you, but all I want to do tonight is watch a little TV and then turn in.” Harold lifted his legs and propped his feet on the coffee table.

“Take off your shoes, Harold.”

He snickered as he removed his shoes. “Some things never change.”

“That’s right, and don’t ever forget that.”

Brad dropped Timmy off early and left with Lacy to grab a quick bite for dinner before their counseling session. Timmy had his lunch pail in hand, but after his dad left, he turned to Amanda.

“Daddy packed a bologna sandwich and an apple.”

“Mmm. That sounds good.” Amanda put her hand on Timmy’s shoulder and led him to the kitchen.

“I hate bologna. What are you having for supper?”

Amanda pushed back her annoyance toward Brad for arriving early and not giving her any notice. She forced a smile at Timmy. “Macaroni and cheese. Want some?”

His face lit up. “I love macaroni and cheese!”

As Amanda cooked, Timmy chattered nonstop about how he’d started collecting things and his daddy had a train set. Suddenly he stopped talking, which got Amanda’s attention.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“When will Gramps be back?”

Amanda was torn about what to do. She would have loved to be able to make him happy by saying that Gramps now lived in Florida and could come over anytime he felt like it, but she wasn’t sure if she should say anything yet. Since Jerry was coming over in a little while, she decided to leave it up to him.

“Why don’t you ask Jerry?”

Timmy tilted his head with a puzzled look on his face. “How can I ask Jerry when he’s not here?”

Amanda glanced up at the kitchen clock. “He should be here in a little while.”

“I thought he went to ‘lanta.”

“He did, but he missed Florida so much that he came back here.”

Timmy grinned. “Is Jerry your boyfriend?”

“No, of course not.”

“Daddy said you like Jerry like he likes—”

The doorbell interrupted Timmy. Without waiting for her, he hopped down off the chair, ran full-speed into the living room, and opened the front door. Amanda needed to talk to Brad about that. In today’s world, it was dangerous for a little boy to fling open the door without knowing who was behind it.

“Amanda!” Timmy hollered. “Jerry’s here.”

“Invite him in,” Amanda said, before she turned and found both Jerry and Timmy standing in the kitchen. “Oh, hi. Want some macaroni and cheese?”

“If you have enough, sure. It sounds good.”

“It’s from a box. If we run out, there’s more in the pantry. I’m afraid it’s one of about three things my sister can cook.”

Timmy tugged on Jerry’s hand and led him to the table. “Where’s Gramps?”

Amanda stilled as she listened to Jerry’s answer. “He’s at home.”

She glanced over her shoulder in time to see Timmy’s crestfallen expression. “Oh, I thought he was in Florida with you.”

“Gramps lives in Florida now, Timmy.” Jerry looked up at Amanda and winked before turning his attention back to the little boy.

Timmy’s eyebrows shot up. “He does? Can I see him?”

“I’m afraid that he and my mother are very tired after the long trip from Atlanta. They’re resting in their new apartment.”

“Can I call him?”

Jerry reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Sure. Let me get him on the phone for you, and you can talk to him.”

Less than a minute later, Timmy was happily chattering with Harold. Jerry got up and offered to help with the food. She opened the flatware drawer and pointed. By the time they got the food on the table, Timmy was finished talking to Gramps. He put the phone down on the table.

“He’s coming to see me tomorrow,” Timmy announced proudly. “And we’re going treasure hunting.”

Jerry laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”

Between bites, Timmy told them all about pirates who stole from the rich people’s boats and buried their treasure all over Treasure Island. Amanda made a face.

“I don’t like the idea of hunting for stolen treasure.”

Timmy held out his hands and shrugged. “Someone’s gonna find it. Might as well be us.”

Neither Amanda nor Jerry could hold back the laughter at his sincerity. Timmy was so cute at the moment, it was hard to imagine him giving her sister trouble in class.

After they ate, the three of them went for a walk around the block, with Timmy in the middle holding both their hands. Amanda felt way too cozy for comfort as she thought about how they must look like a family.

Timmy was tired, so they made one circle around the block before heading back inside. Amanda wasn’t sure what to do next with Timmy. She hadn’t been around children much. But she didn’t need to worry. Brad and Lacy came home just a few minutes after the three of them got back. After Brad and Timmy left, Jerry asked her to step outside.

Her heart pumped hard as she stepped out onto the sidewalk with Jerry. He took her by the hand and pulled her to his side. “I’ve really missed you.”

She looked up into his eyes and saw the reflection from the moonlight. Her heart seemed to pause. “I missed you, too.”

As Jerry lowered his head for a kiss, Amanda felt like nothing could ever go wrong in her life now. The pain Eric had inflicted when he left her at the altar didn’t matter anymore, now that Jerry was by her side.

After the kiss, Jerry gently touched her cheek then lifted her chin to face him. “I could easily fall in love with you.” He pulled her close once again.

This time the kiss was deeper. More intense. Amanda was in love, and she wasn’t about to deny it.

He promised to call the next day before walking to his car. She closed the door and turned to Lacy, who stood behind her rubbing her temples. “Headache?”

Lacy nodded. “It’s so intense. Who knew being a Christian was so hard?”

“You just have to trust God, Lacy. Let Him be in charge. Let’s go sit down and talk about it.” She hadn’t planned to be nosy, but Lacy’s comment concerned her.

Once she leaned back on the love seat, Lacy stared up at the ceiling as she started talking. “Pastor Zach talked about forgiveness and how God paid the ultimate price with Jesus.”

“That’s pretty straightforward. What’s the difficult part?” Amanda leaned forward so she could hear Amanda.

“That’s just it,” Lacy said as she turned toward Amanda. “What’s the deal with the cross? That was so long ago, I don’t get why it matters now.”

Frustration took over as Amanda tried to think of a way to remind Lacy of all she’d been taught in Sunday school. Hadn’t anything sunk in? She didn’t want to make it complicated, but Lacy seemed so overwhelmed that even the simplest concept might be confusing to her at the moment.

“It matters now,” Amanda began slowly, “because when Jesus died on the cross, He did it for all people who believed in Him. For the rest of time.”

“Yeah,” Lacy said, shaking her head, “that just blows me away. Why would He do that?”

“God did it because He loved us. He did it for our salvation.”

“You have to admit, that’s pretty extreme.”

Amanda nodded. “Yes, it certainly is. And that’s why I’ll always hold my faith in Jesus close to my heart.”

Lacy slowly sat up. “I want to be more like you, but right now I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”

After Lacy left the room, Amanda bowed her head and prayed for her. That was all she could do now.

She went into the kitchen and was finishing cleaning up when the phone rang. It was Rosemary.

“Harold wants to see Timmy tomorrow, and we wanted to ask if we could meet at your shop before he calls Brad.”

“Sure,” Amanda said, “that’s fine. Timmy really loves Gramps.”

“Yes, and Gramps loves Timmy. In fact, before and after dinner tonight, we were surrounded by some of our new neighbors, and we had a hard time getting away. When we got back to our apartment, he said he needed a Timmy fix.”

Amanda laughed. “That’s cute. Sure, go ahead and call Brad and make arrangements to meet him at the shop.”

“One more thing before we hang up.” Rosemary’s voice cracked.

“What’s that?”

“Jerry didn’t hesitate to leave Atlanta once he knew we were serious about relocating here.”

“That’s nice.” Amanda knew there was more.

“We think it might have something to do with being near you.”

Amanda’s heart hammered in her chest. This was what she’d hoped for. “Did he tell you that?”

“Well…no, not in so many words.”

Amanda felt crestfallen. “It probably had more to do with the climate and proximity to the beach.”

“Maybe just a little, but we really do believe he’s falling for you. I hope you don’t break his heart.”

Amanda began to let out a nervous laugh but caught herself. “Jerry hasn’t said how he feels, but I think we’re just very good friends.” She wasn’t about to mention
the kiss
.

Rosemary cleared her throat. “We’ll see about that. Would you like for me to call you back and let you know what Brad says about tomorrow?”

“It’s not necessary,” Amanda replied. “I’ll be there all day, and I always welcome friends to the store.”

“Very well, then. Hopefully we’ll see you tomorrow.”

The next morning, Amanda awoke with Jerry on her mind. She hopped out of bed, showered, and dressed in her best work clothes—black athletic pants and a coral tank top. She played with her hair and worked it into a style. She polished her look with a coat of mascara and a light smear of tinted lip gloss. After a quick look in the mirror, she headed for the coffeepot in the kitchen. Lacy stood there staring at the pot as coffee dripped into it.

“You look nice,” Lacy mumbled. “Is Jerry coming to see you today?”

Amanda tried to be coy, but she couldn’t hide her enthusiasm. “Rosemary called last night and said she thinks Jerry came here partly for me.”

Lacy let out a grunt. “Yeah. Anyone with eyes can see the guy has a thing for you. Wake up, Amanda.”

“I’m not going to assume anything.” She tried to keep the happy lilt out of her voice, but it didn’t work. She felt on top of the world about the possibility of seeing Jerry.

Amanda pulled two mugs out of the cupboard and set them in front of the coffeepot. Then she fixed herself a bowl of Cheerios.

After the coffee finished brewing, Lacy poured some for both of them and carried the mugs to the table. “I almost forgot to ask if you’d mind keeping an eye on Timmy for about an hour this morning.”

“You know I’m working,” Amanda reminded her.

“Yeah, but since you own the place, I figured it would be okay.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

“Brad wants me to go look at a boat he’s thinking about buying.” She traced her finger around the rim of her cup then looked Amanda in the eyes. “I’m in love with Brad, and I think he loves me. He said that if I want him to start going to church, he will because he wants me to be happy.”