Postcards from Cedar Key (22 page)

Read Postcards from Cedar Key Online

Authors: Terri DuLong

BOOK: Postcards from Cedar Key
7.18Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
33
I
thought I would go crazy with the impatience of waiting to get on that flight from Tampa to Maine. But all of the holiday activities managed to keep me busy. Christmas in Cedar Key brought an extra amount of tourists to the island, and all of them seemed to find their way to my chocolate shop. Handmade chocolates make a special Christmas gift. I had to put in increased orders with Angell and Phelps to make sure I had plenty on hand. And I was busy in my own kitchen making up double batches of my signature chocolate clams.
Saxton and I attended the Christmas party that the Historical Society sponsored, along with other parties that various merchants held. But the big party I was looking forward to was the one that Dora was having at her home a few evenings before Christmas.
I normally had lunch with Saxton most days, but today was his day to be at the school for the reading program with Lola. So I decided rather than go upstairs to my apartment, I'd hop across the street to the coffee café and just get a baked good for lunch.
I was happy to walk in and see Grace sitting with Chloe. She jumped up to give me a huge hug.
“I was beginning to think you really hadn't come back from Paris at all,” I told her. “Are you feeling better now?”
Grace laughed. “I know. I'm so sorry I couldn't make the knitting group, but I'll be there tonight. I promise.”
“And you're finally going to share some news? Tell us all about your trip and everything?”
“Absolutely.”
“And of course you can't give me a hint now, right?”
Chloe laughed. “Hey, you've waited years for information about your mother. You can wait till tonight to hear from Grace.”
“That's right,” Grace said. “Chloe filled me in about Doyle and your mother. And now you have to go to Brunswick?”
“Thanks, Suellen,” I said as she placed my usual coffee in front of me. “And can I get a blueberry muffin too? Yup, we have a flight to Boston on New Year's Day. Then we'll rent a car and drive to Jill's place in North Yarmouth for a night before heading up the coast to Brunswick.”
Grace shook her head. “Amazing story so far. You never knew anything about Doyle?”
“Nothing. But then, I knew very little about any of that summer.”
“Tell her about the painting,” Chloe said.
“Doyle did a gorgeous painting of my mother. On his boat. Actually, he'd taken a snapshot, and then when she left the island he had the picture to refer to. I was blown away by it. Not only the talent, but how he captured a mother I never knew. She looked so carefree and happy in the painting. Something I didn't see much of when I was growing up.”
“Such a shame,” Grace said. “It's so sad that they never got together again permanently. I wonder why not. They were obviously very much in love.”
“Well, I'm hoping to find that answer too after I go to Maine. My mother said in her letter to get with Doyle after I return and he'll give me the details.”
“At least they did see each other once more before she died. Call me sentimental, but that makes me feel good.”
I nodded. “Actually, it makes me feel good too.”
I arrived early at the yarn shop and walked in to find only Dora there.
“Hey,” she said, coming to give me a hug. “Glad you could make it.”
“Are you kidding? Tonight's the night Grace has some news for us.”
“That's right. She's been under the weather since she got back. I think she caught that bug going around the island. I just hope she's not going to tell us that she and Lucas are moving to France permanently.”
I poured myself a cup of coffee from the newly brewed pot. “Oh, no. I didn't even think of that. Gosh, I hope not. I like Grace a lot. I'd hate to see her leave.”
“And I've heard all about your news on your mother, Berkley. I'm so happy for you. That you're beginning to find some answers.”
“Yeah, it's taken a long time, but things are finally getting pieced together. I just hope whatever I find in Maine won't be too devastating. My mother said she hoped I'd be able to forgive her, so it might be something I'd rather not know after all.”
“Oh, I don't know about that.” I saw a faraway look in Dora's eyes. “I've always felt it's better to know. No matter how difficult, I think we're better off knowing. It's the worst thing in the world to always wonder. To never have answers as to why something happened.”
I didn't miss the wistful tone to her voice, but before I could question her, four of the knitting ladies walked in. Grace arrived a little while later. All knitting projects got put in our laps as we all leaned forward and said, “Well?”
Flora piped up with, “Yeah, I heard you have some news for us, and inquiring minds want to know.”
Grace laughed and set aside the cabled beige afghan she was working on to stand up. Clapping her hands together, she said, “Well, actually it's Lucas and I both that have this news to share with you.”
“Oh, no!” I blurted out. “You're not moving to France, are you?”
She waved her hand in the air. “No. Definitely not, because . . . Lucas and I are having a baby.”
Stunned silence filled the room for a few seconds, and then everybody began talking at once.
“Oh, my God. You're pregnant?”
“And you thought at thirty-seven your chances were gone.”
“Well, that's a sexy Frenchman for ya.”
“When are you due? How do you feel?”
Grace held both hands in the air as she joined our laughter.
“I know. Isn't it amazing? I really did think that at thirty-seven my chances were pretty slim. I'm due in April and . . .”
“April?” Dora said. “You don't even look pregnant!”
“Oh, but I do,” she said, lifting the loose-fitting sweater she was wearing to reveal a medium size bump in her tummy. “I've just been trying to hide it till I could tell all of you. The only ones who have known were Chloe and Aunt Maude.”
“And lemme tell ya, it's been damn hard not slipping and saying something,” Chloe said.
Maude laughed. “I have to agree.”
“Congratulations,” I told her. “And you're feeling okay?”
“I had some morning sickness while we were still in France, and I was feeling better till I caught something right after Thanksgiving. But much better now and . . . it's a girl! We're having a daughter.”
This news brought whoops and more laughter.
“Well, I'll be,” Flora said. “That just proves, never say never. I'm so happy for both of you.”
“So the island will have two new residents come spring,” Ava said. “My baby boy is due in March and you're April.”
“And they can both come to my day care center when they're a bit older,” Leigh said.
Monica jumped up to give Grace a hug. “I'm just thrilled for you, but don't go trying to up me by having quadruplets.”
Grace laughed. “No chance of that. I'm only carrying one baby girl.”
“Any names picked out yet?” I asked as I resumed knitting on my lace socks.
“We've chosen Solange . . . Solange Genevieve, after Lucas's daughter.”
“What a beautiful name,” Dora said. “Solange Trudeau. Very nice, and I like that you chose Genevieve in memory of her sister. Lucas must be over the moon about all of this.”
“Oh, he is. He's waiting on me hand and foot. I'm sure he's thrilled I'm finally telling you tonight, because he's been chomping at the bit to tell his own friends he's going to be a father.”
“Enjoy the pampering,” Monica said. “Once the baby gets here, that'll slow down a bit. Although I do have to say, Adam is really incredible with the triplets. He knows they're a lot of work and is always trying to pitch in.”
I looked around the room and felt the joy and happiness all of us were sharing. Which made me wonder why my mother had never returned to Doyle. Had she done so, I could have finished my growing up years right here on Cedar Key. But she had chosen otherwise. And I was getting more and more anxious to find out the reason.
After more baby talk, the conversation switched to Dora's upcoming party and who would bring which covered dish, dessert, or snacks. After that was figured out, Maude said, “Raylene, how are the wedding plans coming?”
We had held a mini-shower for her a few nights before, and she had been like a blushing bride when she opened some of the frilly and sexy nightwear, but it was all in good fun and we knew that Raylene had appreciated it.
“Very well,” she said. “And . . . I asked Corabeth to stand up for me, and she agreed.”
All heads swiveled toward Corabeth. The woman who wrote erotica? The author whose books Raylene at one time wanted banned?
“Yup,” Corabeth said, obvious pride in her voice. “I'm to be a bridesmaid. Can you imagine? And Mr. Carl insists it's all due to Berkley's chocolates.”
Everyone laughed, but for once, I wondered . . . was there any truth that my chocolates did in fact bring about good changes in people? I'd probably never know for sure, but it gave me a good feeling that I might possibly have given something back to this island I was growing to love more and more.
34
D
uring the holidays, with all the events going on, it gave one a chance to dress a little more formally than usual. I had decided to wear my long black velvet dress with black strappy heels. Just as I had sprayed Chanel No 5 on my neck, I heard Saxton at the door.
“Oh, my,” he said, pulling me into an embrace. “Berkley, you look stunning.”
I took in his tan sport jacket, white shirt, and chocolate slacks and said, “You look pretty good yourself.” And he did. I loved to see a man with a shirt and sport jacket, and Saxton carried it off exceptionally well. I realized that this was the first time either of us had been out together so formally dressed.
“If you'll take the cake plate, I'll get the spinach pie,” I told him. Pistachio cake with green frosting and my grandmother's spinach pie recipe was my contribution for Dora's party.
We arrived at Dora's house to find Christmas lights blazing outside and in. My first Christmas in Cedar Key, and I loved how the light displays in Florida rivaled any in the northeast. Dora's bushes, pine trees, and walkway sparkled with multicolored lights.
We entered her spacious living room to find a crowd had already gathered. In the corner was a tree touching the ceiling, complete with white lights, red bows, and assorted ornaments.
“Welcome, welcome,” Dora greeted us. “Come on in.”
“Your outside lights and tree look beautiful,” I told her.
“Thank you. All due to my grandsons' efforts. I don't know what I'd do without them this time of year. They always come to help me decorate. You can put that in the kitchen, straight through the house to the back, and then I'll introduce you to my daughter and grandsons.”
Saxton followed behind me as we wove our way through groups of people chatting and laughing, nodding and smiling as we went.
“Ah, more food,” Sydney said. “We'll find a spot here on the counter.”
I saw casseroles, sliced ham and turkey, various salads, and a separate table for desserts filling the kitchen.
“Thanks,” Sydney told me. “The bar is outside on the patio, so go help yourselves to a drink.”
I followed Saxton out the French doors to a large flagstone patio where more couples and groups milled around. We made our way to the bar, and Saxton poured us each a glass of red wine.
“Here's to our first Christmas together,” he said, touching my glass.
“Cheers,” I replied, and looked around. I spied Chloe, Grace, Lucas, and Maude in one group and headed toward them.
“I think congratulations are in order for the father-to-be,” I told Lucas, holding up my glass.
“Yes, I must say, I think fatherhood will agree with you,” Saxton said, and I saw the embarrassed look on his face as he quickly realized this would not be Lucas's first time becoming a father.
But Lucas brushed it off, accepting Saxton's handshake. “Yes, I think we have an exciting time ahead,” he said, placing a kiss on Grace's cheek.
Strains of Christmas carols drifted out from the house where a group had gathered around Dora's piano, and I saw her heading toward us followed by a woman and two young men who appeared to be early to midtwenties.
“Berkley, I want you to meet my daughter, Marin, and her sons, Jason and John. And all of you know Saxton.”
Marin extended her hand to greet me with a smile. “Oh, yes. We're all quite familiar with Cedar Key's popular author. And I've heard all about your chocolate shop, Berkley. I'm anxious to get down there tomorrow.”
Dora's grandsons extended their greetings and then excused themselves.
“I'd love to have you stop by,” I told her. Marin looked to be in her late fifties, and I saw a striking resemblance between her and her cousin, Sydney. I recalled the story that Grace had told me about Sydney finding her biological mother a few years before. Sybile Bowden was Dora's sister, and Sydney and Monica had welcomed the newfound family that had come into their lives. I briefly wondered if this was the sort of thing I might discover in Brunswick. Did I have extended family that I wasn't aware of?
“Is your husband here?” I asked.
Marin shook her head. “No, I'm afraid Andrew has been under the weather. He really hated to miss this gathering.”
 
“Be right back,” Saxton said. “There's Rob, and I want to speak with him about the reading program with the dogs.”
I saw Suellen talking to a group and wandered over to join them.
“Hey,” she said. “I don't think you've met Mitchell. This is my friend, Mitchell Thomas.”
I shook hands with a tall, distinguished-looking man about Suellen's age. We chatted for a few minutes before being joined by Chloe, holding the hand of a man who looked vaguely familiar.
“This is Cameron. He owns the jewelry shop downtown, but I'm not sure you've ever met.”
“No,” I said. “But I've heard about you from Chloe. Nice to meet you.”
Conversation flowed, and I saw that Saxton was now chatting with another group near the French doors. That was when I spotted Doyle. Standing by himself at the end of the patio, looking out toward the water.
I walked over to join him. “Can I intrude?” I asked.
“Berkley,” he said, a smile lighting up his face. “You look great.”
Doyle wasn't as formal as Saxton and a few of the other men, but gone were his normal cutoffs and tee shirt. He was wearing a black turtleneck and dress slacks, and with his silver ponytail he looked more bohemian than hippie.
“Thanks. Nice party.”
He nodded. “I take it you're not upset with me?”
“For being with my mother one entire summer or for not telling me before now?”
He chuckled before saying, “Both.”
“No, how could I be upset with you? I'm glad that my mother had somebody like you in her life, even if it was only briefly. And as far as not telling me—well, you promised that you wouldn't. But I still have a few more questions that you
can
answer. That night that you first met me at the Black Dog—did you know I was Jeanette's daughter?”
“I had a pretty good idea when I first saw you, yes. You may not see it, but there's a definite resemblance to Jenna. And when you told me you were from Salem and owned a chocolate shop, then I knew for sure.”
“And yet you waited months before telling me there was a connection? Why?”
Doyle let out a deep sigh and then took a sip of wine. “It was one of the things that Jenna and I had discussed last year before she passed away. She felt pretty certain that somehow you would make your way here. But she wanted to be sure that you were ready to begin getting your answers. So she told me to wait awhile, get to know you, see if maybe you'd give up trying to piece together why she came here. Although I've never been a father, she said she trusted that when I felt the time was right, she wanted me to tell you about us and to give you the letter.”
“What made you think the time was right now?”
“When you reconnected with your aunt. Having her come here. You were still searching for those answers. You hadn't given up at all, and I knew you weren't going to. So I did what Jenna asked. When you showed me those photos, I knew the time had come for you to learn the entire story.”
“And yet, you can't tell it to me now?”
“I can't,” he said softly. “Saxton told me you have a flight booked to New England on New Year's Day. You'll have your answers soon enough, Berkley.”
“And after I do, will you answer any further questions that I might have?”
“I will.”
We were both silent for a few minutes, gazing out at the water as the night air filled with the scent of lantana.
“My mother liked it here, didn't she?”
“Very much. I think when she came here, it was the one time in her life she felt complete.”
I glanced up at him. “And you loved her very much, didn't you?”
Doyle nodded.
“Then why did you let her go?”
“Sometimes loving somebody means that you have to let go. When you fall in love with that one special person, there are no guarantees, Berkley. Sometimes the circumstances just won't allow it. It doesn't mean you ever stop loving them. It just means you're not able to be together.”
I felt his sadness. Sadness for what never was.
Saxton came up behind me, slipping his arm around my waist. “Hey, sweetheart, I wondered where you disappeared to. How're you doing, Doyle?”
Doyle nodded. “Fine. I'm okay,” he said, and I watched him walk back toward the house alone.
In that moment, I felt a surge of love for Saxton. For the person that he was to me. For the person I was when I was with him. But most of all, because not only had we found each other, we were able to be together and share that love. Unlike my mother and Doyle.

Other books

SoulQuest by Percival Constantine
Playing in Shadow by Lesley Davis
Identity Unknown by Terri Reed
The Storyteller by Michaelis, Antonia
Warheart by Terry Goodkind
All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke
Sculpting Rose by Renee, Marie
The Golden Ocean by Patrick O'Brian