Authors: Terri DuLong

Postcards from Cedar Key (23 page)

I
awoke Christmas morning, turned over, saw Saxton's face, and smiled. We had decided to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at his house because he had more room for a small tree and our wrapped presents.

Almost as if he felt my gaze on him, he opened his eyes. A smile covered his face as he said, “Good morning, beautiful. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you,” I said, snuggling into the crook of his arm.

“So have you been a good girl? Think Santa was good to you?”

I laughed. “Oh, I'm not sure about that. I have a tendency toward being naughty.”

I felt Saxton's hand slip down my body. “I like it when you're naughty.”

“That was delicious,” Saxton said as he took another sip of coffee.

“I'm glad you enjoyed it. I thought omelets and grits would hold us till dinner later at the Island Hotel. I'm glad you booked there for us, rather than cook here.”

“I thought it might be a good idea since you want to drive around visiting and dropping off your chocolate.”

I had put together my signature clams in gold boxes tied with red ribbon and bows. Just a little gesture for my friends.

“Now, let me help you clear this table and we'll go inside to see what Santa's left for us under the tree.”

It was a fun time and brought back memories of my childhood Christmases. The excitement and surprise with each gift unwrapped.

Saxton was pleased with the books and hand-knit sweater, scarf, and hat that I'd made for him. He had also gotten me newly released novels that he thought I'd enjoy, along with a new bottle of Chanel No 5 and some wonderfully fragranced shower gel and lotion.

I jumped to give him a kiss. “Thank you so much. You've made Christmas very special.”

“Well, it's not over yet,” he said, producing a small box wrapped in silver paper with a red bow on top.

My surprise must have shown on my face as I reached for it.

“Go ahead,” he told me. “Open it.”

My heart skipped a beat because I knew it was a ring box. I loved Saxton. I did. But engaged? An engagement led to marriage. Marriage was great for some people, but Saxton knew my feelings on this topic.

I removed the paper and flipped open the blue velvet box to see an incredible ring staring back at me. An oval-shaped garnet stone, surrounded by diamonds in an antique setting.

“My birthstone,” I whispered with surprise. “It's gorgeous.”

“You like it?”

“I love it, Saxton. Thank you so much.”

He removed the ring from the box and reached for my left hand. “I'd like to think this is a promise ring. Wearing it will mean that we've made a promise to each other to always be together. The ring makes it official.”

He slipped it onto my third finger, and I held my hand out in front of me to admire the beauty.

“I accept,” I said, as I felt moisture stinging my eyes. “I absolutely accept. I love you, Saxton, and I'll always love you.” But even more important than the ring was the fact that he
did
know me. Really know me.

He pulled me into an embrace as his lips found mine. “And I will love you all the days of my life.”

After we had showered and dressed I was placing my candy boxes into a shopping bag when Saxton came up behind me. He placed a kiss on my neck.

“Are we about ready to begin our Santa run?”

“Yup, I'm all set. We'll hit Monica's house first. I have another bag with gifts for the kids, and then we'll head to Maude's house. Next stop will be Dora's, and then on to the Lighthouse to drop off chocolates for Sydney and Noah. Oh, and we need to make a stop at Doyle's house too. I have chocolates for him.”

“Oh, we're definitely stopping at Doyle's, but we'll make his place our last stop.”

I saw a twinkle in his eye and laughed. “What's this about? I have a feeling it's more than me just dropping off chocolate.”

“Be patient,” he told me, a grin covering his face. “You'll see.”

Monica's home was the epitome of Christmas afternoon with children. Cardboard boxes were strewn about, with wrapping paper, ribbons, multiple toys, and in the midst of it were Monica and Adam looking happier than I'd ever seen them.

Adam laughed and said, “If you can make your way through, come on in. As you can see, mayhem descended here this morning.”

The triplets were tottering around grabbing toys from each other, laughing and displaying the excitement and delight of Christmas.

Monica looked up from the sofa where she was sitting beside Clarissa Jo. “Ah, welcome to the madhouse. Merry Christmas.”

I laughed and shook my head. “My goodness, it looks like Santa was very good to this house.”

Clarissa ran over to me, opening a tote bag for me to peek inside. “He was. Look at the new circular needles and yarn he brought me.”

I fingered the various fibers and colors. “Oh, I think you'll be quite busy over the next year with such a great stash.”

Adam brought a tray of coffee, and we managed to find a seat not occupied by toys or gift wrap.

“Oh, what's that?” Monica said, jumping up to come over and grab my hand. “It's gorgeous, Berkley.”

“Thank you. It's a promise ring from Saxton. It seals a promise that we'll always be together.”

“How romantic. Congratulations,” she said.

After we finished our coffee, we were on our way to Maude's house. Everybody was gathered in her kitchen when we walked in. I distributed my candy and then Saxton and I joined them for a glass of wine.

Chloe was the first to spy my ring, and I received more congratulations.

“I'm so happy for both of you,” Grace said. “And thank you so much for the chocolate. It seems since I got pregnant, I crave it even more.”

“You're booked for dinner at the Hotel, right?” Maude asked.

“Yes, four o'clock, so we'd better get going. We have a few more stops to make.”

We arrived at Dora's to find Maybelle, Marin, and Dora's grandsons. I was surprised that Marin's husband wasn't there.

“I hope your husband is feeling better,” I told her.

A worried expression crossed her face. “No, he really isn't. He's scheduled for some tests next week.”

After coffee and one of Dora's delicious blueberry scones we were on our way to Sydney's.

“No more food for me,” I told Saxton as we drove down Rye Key Drive. “I won't be able to eat dinner later.”

The Lighthouse came into view and I marveled, as I always did, at the unique structure. Built from the plans of the Hooper Strait Lighthouse in Chesapeake Bay, it stood majestically against a background of sky and water. The house sat atop stilts with a full set of stairs leading to the deck that surrounded it, enclosed with a railing.

Saxton pulled the golf cart into the gravel drive, and as we climbed the stairs, I stopped halfway to admire the view over the water, with sandbars peeking out and pelicans swooping to grab their daily rations.

“Merry Christmas,” Sydney greeted us.

“Hey, good to see you guys,” Noah said, joining Sydney.

“It's such a gorgeous day,” she said. “Why don't we sit out here on the deck. Can I get you something to eat or drink?”

I put my hand in the air and laughed. “Thanks, but no thank you. I think we've just eaten and drunk our way around the island, and we're due at the Hotel for dinner at four. I just wanted to drop off some chocolate for you.”

“Oh, that was so nice. You know I'm addicted to it,” Sydney said. “Yeah, we're due at Dora's for dinner at three.”

“And don't you leave a week from today for Maine?” Noah asked.

“Yes.” I nodded. “I'm just not sure what I'll find when I get there.”

“My story of finding Sybile was astonishing, but yours is proving to be quite a mystery. Any ideas why your mother came here?”

“Nope. And Doyle is sworn to secrecy for the rest of the story until I go up to Maine and check those newspaper microfilms. I can't even imagine what I'll find out.”

“Nervous?” Sydney asked.

“I am.” I let out a deep sigh. “I mean, of course I want to know... but . . .”

I felt Saxton's hand on my knee.

“Right,” Sydney said. “Fear of the unknown.”

After chatting awhile longer, we made our way to Doyle's house. He opened the door with a huge smile on his face. “Come on in.” We followed him into the living room, where I saw a crate in the corner containing the most adorable puppy I'd ever seen.

Rushing over to it, I knelt down and stuck my finger between the wire bars. “Oh! Doyle! You got a puppy for Christmas?”

Saxton laughed as he came over, opened the door of the crate, and said, “No.
You
got a puppy for Christmas.” He picked up the little black fur ball and put it in my arms as he leaned over to place a kiss on my lips. “Merry Christmas, Berkley. I hope you'll like her.”

I looked down into the most soulful dark eyes and then up at Saxton. “Really? For me?”

He nodded. “Yes, for you. I know how you like Lola, and you had hinted that you might like a dog. We know Sigmund gets along fine with my dog. So I wanted you to have your own.”

My eyes filled with tears as I snuggled her close to me. “It's a girl?”

“Yes. I got her at the Levy County Humane Society. She's only about ten pounds but is full grown, and she's eight months old. She's part poodle, part Maltese and God knows what else. A sad storyâher owner passed away and the niece brought her to the pound.”

“Aww, you lost your owner?” I kissed her forehead and cuddled her tighter. “Well, I'll be your new mama. Oh, Saxton, thank you so much.”

“We have to thank Doyle too. He's the one that helped me by hiding her for a couple days here at his house.”

I walked over and placed a kiss on his cheek. “That's going above and beyond friendship,” I said. “Thank you for keeping her here.”

“If you didn't come soon, I was thinking about keeping her myself,” he joked.

“Any names in mind for her?” Saxton came over to pat her.

“Yes,” I said. “Yes. I'm going to call her Brit. For British. Your heritage.”

He put his arm around me. “I like that. Very much.”

I held her away from me so I could see her better. “She's such a pretty pup. And she seems like a good girl.”

“Oh, she is,” Doyle said. “Sleeps well. All housebroken. I think you'll enjoy her a lot.”

“And Uncle Doyle here has even offered to keep her while we're in Maine.”

“That's really nice of you,” I told him. “Where're you going for dinner today?”

“Dora invited me. I think she's a little concerned about her son-in-law, so I'll see if I can cheer her and Marin up a bit.”

“Yeah, Marin mentioned he's been sick. I hope it isn't anything serious.”

Doyle nodded.

“Well, thank you for keeping the surprise,” Saxton said. “But I think we need to get Brit here home and settled before we leave for the Hotel and dinner.”

W
e got back to my apartment following dinner to find Brit sleeping away in her crate. As soon as she heard our voices, her eyes popped open and her little tail began wagging. I reached down to scoop her up.

“Aren't you just the best girl,” I cooed to her. “I'm sure she has to go out. Feel like a walk?”

“Definitely,” Saxton said. “I could stand to walk off that great dinner.”

“I know.” I attached the pink leash to Brit's pink collar. “Wasn't that heart of palm salad just delicious?”

“All of it was. All set?”

I followed him down the stairs, and just as we turned onto Second Street Saxton's cell phone rang. I could tell by the smile on his face and his voice that it was Resa.

“Merry Christmas to you too, darlin',” he said, and I looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, she was pretty surprised. We're walking the pup now. Berkley named her Brit.”

My smile increased as I realized he had shared my surprise with his daughter. That made me feel good. They continued talking as we strolled over to City Park.

He hung up and said, “As you know, that was Resa and she said to be sure and wish you a Merry Christmas too.”

“You have a great daughter, Saxton. I like her a lot.”

“I'm glad because I know she likes you.”

We walked around the park and then back to my place.

“Tomorrow I'll come over with Lola so she and Brit can get to know each other. I'm pretty sure they'll be fast friends.”

As we walked into my apartment the phone was ringing, and I answered to hear Jill.

“Merry Christmas, girlfriend. I hope it was a good one.”

“The best,” I said, and went on to tell her about my ring and Brit.

“I'm so happy for you,” Jill said. “And I really hate to burst your bubble, but . . . I take it you haven't caught the news or any weather updates today?”

“Hmm, no. Why? What's up?”

“Well, they're predicting a blizzard up here midweek. It's not looking so good that you'll be flying into Boston a week from today.”

“Oh, no. Geez. How bad?”

“Pretty bad. They're saying over a foot of snow New Year's Eve into the next day.”

“Well, we might not have a choice. We'll probably have to reschedule.”

“Yeah, I'm really sorry. I know how anxious you are to get up here and figure out the rest of your story.”

True. I was. But part of me was a tiny bit relieved too. I was beginning to feel more and more uneasy about what those newspapers might contain.

When I hung up, I filled Saxton in on the news.

“Gee, that's a shame,” he said, going to flip on my TV to The Weather Channel.

We heard pretty much what Jill had just relayed to me.

“Well, let's give it another day or so, keep up with the forecast, and take it from there,” Saxton said. “I can always cancel the hotel and we can rebook the flight for whenever you want.”

“Sounds good,” I said.

By the time my aunt arrived three days later, our trip had been canceled. The New England area was getting belted with a good old-fashioned nor'easter.

“That's such a shame,” my aunt said as we sat sipping tea in her cottage at the Faraway.

“Yeah, looks like Mother Nature had other plans for me.”

Saxton sat beside me with Brit in his lap. “I told Berkley that whenever she wants to go up there will be fine. We're going to reschedule.”

“Oh, good,” Stella said. “Now that you've come this far with your inquiring, you have to get the rest of the story. Imagine . . . Doyle and my sister.” She shook her head. “I feel bad, though, that the relationship never had a chance to grow.”

“I know. It really is sad.”

“And I can't even begin to imagine what newspaper articles might tell you. What on earth could that have to do with you and your mother?”

I shook my head. “I'm as stumped as you are.”

Addi came over to sniff Brit, and I smiled.

“I think they like each other.”

“Oh, Addi is very dog friendly. I think she feels like the big sister,” Stella said, as Saxton placed Brit on the floor.

“I think you're right,” I told her as I watched both dogs chasing each other around the table.

“She's just adorable. I'm really glad you have a dog, Berkley. Addi is my best friend. I just don't know what I'd do without her.”

Saxton nodded. “I feel the same way about my Lola. Dogs are remarkable with the joy and unconditional love they give us.”

“Are you going to get her into that reading with the children at school like Saxton does?”

“I thought about it. Saxton said we can go to Gainesville for the obedience classes. Brit seems pretty bright, so I think she'll do well.”

“That's such a great program,” my aunt said. “I should really look into that in my area. I suppose I could squeeze out a few more days of my week for another activity.”

I laughed. “I can't believe what a social butterfly you are.”

“Hey, life is for the living,” she told me. “May as well take advantage of it and live life to the fullest.”

“Ditto on that,” I said, thinking my mother was gone much too soon. Before she had a chance to really enjoy itâwith Doyle.

My aunt got up to open the windows in the sitting area. “Such a beautiful day. It has to be in the seventies. Hard to believe a blizzard is going to hit New England. Are all the plans in place for the wedding?”

“As far as I know. It'll be held at four o'clock on the beach at City Park and then a reception following at the Community Center. There should be quite a crowd.”

“I think it's just great that a couple pushing eighty is taking a leap with marriage. Not that it's unheard of today, mind you. I just recently read somewhere that a couple in their nineties decided to get married in the nursing home where they resided.”

“And the thing is, more people are living longer today, so why not?” I said, even though such an official and legal exchange wasn't something I wanted or needed in my life.

Saxton reached over and squeezed my hand. “There's no age limit on love.”

Precisely,
I thought,
and that's what our relationship is all about. The love we share.

The love that was displayed as Mr. Carl and Miss Raylene stood on the beach proved what Saxton had said. They positively glowed. It was almost embarrassing to see the way they looked into each other's eyes as they repeated their traditional vows.

Raylene had chosen an ankle-length dress of soft lavender. She was barefoot, with a purple hibiscus flower clipped to her white hair. Carl, wearing a tan dress shirt and dark brown slacks, was also barefoot. They had chosen the marriage lady of Cedar Key to perform the ceremony.

I stood beside Saxton and glanced around. Neither Carl nor Raylene had had children, but the large crowd that was gathered was very obviously
family
to them.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife” was followed by hooting, cheering, and laughter. Somebody had brought a dozen white balloons, and these were now released up into the sky over Cedar Key while the crowd clapped.

It seemed like most of the island had turned out for the event, and all of us went the short distance to the Community Center to help Carl and Raylene celebrate.

When everyone arrived and a glass of champagne had been placed in each hand, Carl tapped his glass with a fork for attention.

Holding his glass up, he said, “I want to thank all of you for coming today to see us become man and wife.” Looking in my direction, he said, “And I want to especially thank Miss Berkley for those magical chocolates that she makes.”

I knew my face was turning crimson as laughter and clapping filled the room, but if Mr. Carl thought it was the chocolates, it was fine with me.

A wonderful wedding buffet was set up, and after filling our plates we found a table where my aunt and Doyle joined us.

“This was such a nice wedding,” my aunt said. “I'm very happy to be here.”

“I'm glad you could come too,” Doyle said.

Call me a hopeless romantic, but something in the way he said that caused me to look at Saxton with raised eyebrows. He shrugged, but gave me a smile. Was something going on here that I wasn't aware of?

After the meal, the band began playing music. From some of the dance steps on the floor, it was difficult to think so many of the couples were over seventy.

“Care to dance?” I heard Doyle say to my aunt.

“I never refuse an offer from a handsome gentleman,” she said.

My God! My aunt was flirting with Doyle Summers.

I sat and watched him lead her onto the dance floor, where they proceeded to glide around, perfectly in sync, to a waltz.

“Well,” I said. “That's interesting.”

Saxton laughed. “You're not being a prude, are you?”

“Of course not. I just didn't realize . . . I didn't know there was an interest there.”

“I didn't want to say anything to you after your aunt's Thanksgiving visit here, but Doyle had questioned me about her. If she was single or seeing anybody.”

“No! And you didn't tell me. What else did he say?”

“He said he thought she was an extremely attractive woman. And I didn't tell you because there wasn't
anything
to tell.”

I nudged him on the arm. “Men! Of course there was something to tell me. That's very significant, you know. That he finds her attractive.”

Saxton threw his head back laughing. “You are such a romantic.”

We both shut up as my aunt and Doyle returned to the table. The next song was a cha-cha, and before I could blink, Doyle had her back up on the dance floor.

“He's quite the Fred Astaire, isn't he?” I said.

“I believe he's found his Ginger Rogers. I heard that Doyle has always been quite the dancer.”

“Well, I'll be darn.”

“I'm no Fred Astaire, but care to join me on the floor?”

I lifted my hand in the air and, with an exaggerated tone, said, “But, of course, my handsome man.”

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