Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) (7 page)

A man ducked between two of the shops. Zack sprinted in pursuit. But no one was in sight. He investigated behind the buildings and found nothing.
Why did he disappear so quickly?
He hated distressing Jezzica even more—but there was no other choice. He made his way back to the bookshop.

Jezzica opened the door with a smile. “Forget something?”

“I need you and Catylen to stay at the inn until the security equipment is installed.” He explained about seeing someone duck between the shops. “We can’t take any risks.”

“What choice do we have? Staying at the cottage isn’t an option.” No longer smiling, she went to the stairway and called her sister.

“I’ll follow you home, and after you pack a bag, I’ll drive you to the inn. We’ll leave your sister’s car at the cottage, to give the appearance someone is home. If the criminals show up, our surveillance team will be ready.”

Chapter Ten
 

Jezzica and Catylen lounged on the balcony of the oceanfront suite, the one Abby had insisted they stay in, and according to the inn’s owner, the same one Samantha had used as she prepared to wed the town’s chief of police.
The rooms spoke of a bygone era of unhurried, gracious living. Adorned with flowing silk and lace, the décor gave the ambiance of an age with charm and romance.

Catylen sipped her mocha cappuccino. “I could become accustomed to living in the luxury of this suite. Makes me want to dress in long soft gowns, with a three-ruffle crinoline petticoat underneath.”

“The caffeine in that drink has gone to your head. Imagine trying to maneuver the stairway in such a gown.” She smiled at
Rusty stretched out on his back, enjoying the sun.

“Just imagine it. Dancing with the man of my dreams in the ballroom.” The sparkle in Catylen’s eyes suddenly dimmed as a veil of sadness settled on her face. Apparently, all images of silk and lace had slipped right out of her mind. “I wonder how Mike is doing?” She blotted the corners of her eyes.

Jezzica wanted to smack Mike for hurting her sister, but obviously Caty still loved the scoundrel. “Shouldn’t the two of you talk?”

Catylen went into a full-blown cry. Besides being heartbreaking, it wasn’t a pretty sight. It was so unlike Catylen to lose control. “Wha…what could h..he pos..sibly say?”

“You’ve been married to the man for twenty-five years—doesn’t that at least warrant a conversation?”

Catylen took a swallow of her coffee and composed herself. “He didn’t consult me before his little fling. I’m not interested in what he has to say now. How could his words make the pain go away? How could his words heal my broken heart? How could his words turn the world right side up again?”

“I’m going to break a confidence. You’re my sister and you come first. Mike called me.”

“He called
you
?” Anger flared in her eyes, replacing the shadow of sadness.

“Hang on a minute.”

“I can’t…” Catylen started to interrupt again.

Jezzica sat up straighter in her chair and reached across and touched her sister’s hand. “My concern is for you. If you decide to divorce Mike, I’ll be sitting right next to you in court. Mike doesn’t claim to be innocent. He claims to love you and want you back. Isn’t a marriage worth one conversation before you make your decision final?”

Catylen took the tissues Jezzica offered. “Samantha mentioned a Christian counselor, Dr. Ellie Clarimonde. I’ve been thinking about calling her—would you go with me?”

“Of course. I don’t share your views on God—but I’ll always be by your side supporting you—that’s what sisters do. Maybe she’ll come here?” Jezzica sipped her latte, which had cooled a little too much.

“I’ll call her right now.” Catylen jumped up with a new determination.

“Now you seem more like my sister—a woman of action.” Jezzica nodded as the French doors closed behind her sister.

Catylen waltzed back out on the deck, and her smile once again reached her eyes. “Dr. Ellie is on her way over. I told her we would order sandwiches for an early dinner.”

Jezzica hoped Caty wasn’t expecting more than Dr. Ellie could deliver. She acted as though she expected Dr. Ellie to arrive with a
Mary Poppins’s
style bag—filled with miracles. “If you decide you want to talk in private, I’ll go into the bedroom and read.”

“Seriously? I don’t think so. But I’m going to change.” Catylen brushed at the cat fur on her sweats.

With the cat curled next to her on the sofa, Jezzica thumbed through a pamphlet citing places to visit and things to do in Serenity Cove. A knock sounded, and she opened the door for room service.

The server set up a table and arranged a grouping of finger sandwiches along with a fruit plate, complete with a bone china tea service. The delicate cups were graced with a thin gold band and petite roses in reds and yellows surrounded by tiny green leaves.

Catylen waltzed back into the room and smiled at her sister. She’d replaced the sweats she had on earlier with slacks and a shell top. “Wow, look at this spread.”

Jezzica signed the receipt and clicked the lock behind the server. “You’re right—we need silk gowns to wear.”

The doorbell chimed and the smile left Catylen’s face. “What am I going to tell her? I don’t know what to say. Why did I call her?”

“Be yourself. Dr. Ellie will guide the conversation—that’s her job.” Jezzica motioned toward the door. “Might be a good idea to let her in.” She wanted to make the pain in her sister’s eyes go away.
What if Geoff had lived and he’d ever betrayed their marriage vows
? Her
mind wouldn’t go there—wouldn’t believe it to be a possibility.
If only he’d lived
. She closed her eyes against the tears threatening the back of her eyes. This was her sister’s crisis—she had to pull herself together. With a deep intake of air, she blew out the
what ifs
and focused on the problem at hand.

Dr. Ellie stepped into the room, and both of the sisters responded with a surprised look of recognition. Only when they had known her, she hadn’t been Dr. Ellie—she’d been Ricky, Robbie, and Ronnie’s mom, and they’d spent the summers in a cottage near theirs.

“We used to hang out with your sons on the beach and when we were small all of us went to story time with Miss Anne.” Catylen related the memories, her voice filled with warmth.

A smile brightened Dr. Ellie’s face. “Yes, I remember you two. You looked so much alike—except for size, you could’ve been mistaken for twins.”

Jezzica noticed her Aussie accent had survived over the years. “Dr. Ellie, how long have you lived in the United States?”

“My father uprooted the family from Sydney and we moved here when I was fifteen.” She rubbed her fingertips across her mouth. “It wasn’t easy at the time, but now—it’s home.”

They each filled a plate. Dr. Ellie and Catylen sat facing each other on the sofa. Jezzica chose the tufted chaise lounger, giving her sister space but remaining close in case she needed her. Without an invitation, Rusty followed and curled up next to her, as though they had been together forever.

Catylen propped her feet on the edge of the table in front of the sofa. “Do you live in Serenity Cove now?”

“Gerald and I moved here from Mariner Bay the beginning of this year. We’ve taken up residence in the cottage year round and are loving every minute of it.” She finished a small bite of her sandwich and continued. “That’s enough about me. I want to hear about the two of you.” Concern filled her eyes. “Jezzica, I heard about your husband. Grief often takes you down some dark roads—if you need to talk, please don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Thanks, but I’m pulling it all together.” She wasn’t interested in counseling—especially a Christian counselor. “You’ve probably heard I’m the new owner of the Sea Glass Bookshop. Catylen is helping me get it ready for the grand opening.”

“Yes. I’m thrilled our bookshop is going to reopen.” She turned to Catylen. “Ready to get started?” She paused, and when Catylen nodded, she continued. “I’d like to open our session with prayer.”

Catylen bowed her head and Dr. Ellie continued. “Father, we invite you to be with us today as we search for answers. Bless us with the light of Your loving peace. Amen.”

“First, I’d like to know what prompted you to call me?” Dr. Ellie held a teacup as though warming hands.

Catylen visibly cringed—her stomach had probably knotted about the time “amen” echoed around the room. “My husband had, or is having, an affair.” Catylen closed her eyes and shook her head. “That’s not true. Mike had an affair. I don’t know the details, but I believe he ended it.”

“Tell me about your marriage. How long were you married? Do you have children? Have there always been conflicts?”

“Almost twenty-five years, and we have two delightful daughters. My daughters are only fourteen months apart, and both in college now.” She chewed her bottom lip, glancing at the floor as though searching for answers. “Our marriage seemed solid.” She shrugged. “It wasn’t the same as when we were first married and couldn’t keep our hands off each other. But I still found Mike attractive and desirable. When he walked into the room, my heart still responded to his voice, to his touch, to the smell of his aftershave.” Quiet tears slipped down her face and dripped onto her blouse. “I need to know what I did wrong. What made him need to do what he did?”

“When a spouse cheats, it isn’t about the other person. You’re not responsible for Mike’s decisions. That much I can tell you. The rest of the answer needs to come from Mike.” Dr. Ellie softened her voice.

Catylen pushed the hair back from her face and tucked it behind her ears. “I wish I could believe that.”

“One of the goals of our sessions is to help you define your role in your marriage, as well as Mike’s responsibility for his own actions. The ideal way to proceed with these sessions would be to invite Mike to be a part of them. Not to necessarily repair the marriage—although that is possible. The main purpose would be to bring resolution to both sides—and for you to listen to each other.”

“I’m not ready to talk to him face to face. He wants to work things out. I don’t know if I do.” Catylen leaned her head back on the buttery velvet sofa.

“Why don’t we continue with a few more sessions and see how it goes.” She reached into her bag and removed a packet and a book. “I have some material for you. A few articles for you to read that will help you through this initial stage.”

Catylen reached out and accepted the materials. “I would like to continue the sessions—I need to either let go and proceed legally or decide if I have the strength to take him back.”

“I’ve been a counselor for many years. I’ve worked with couples where one or both still chose to dissolve their marriage. I’ve also witnessed relationships that were salvaged. I have had women tell me that at the end of the day, their marriages were better and stronger than before.” Dr. Ellie grimaced. “I’m sure they would have preferred getting to that point an easier way. But it is possible to find each other again, if you and Mike both decide it’s what you want.” She closed the session with prayer.

Catylen walked Dr. Ellie downstairs. Jezzica remained in the suite. She had never listened to a counseling session before. There were no
you should
or
should nots
being tossed around. She had pondered the benefits that counseling might deliver. But first she needed to know who was attempting to wreak havoc with her life—were they intent on killing her, too? She recalled her father’s words—fear has the power to either paralyze you, or motivate you to action.
I am not ready to cower. I intend to stand and fight. Geoff deserves for his killers to be brought to justice.
Would Zack succeed in capturing the killers? Succeed where others had failed?

Chapter Eleven