The Guestbook (8 page)

“I’m not interested in dating right now.”

“Wow, Lily, who said anything about dating? Not me.”

The front door chimed and Lily looked up. For a moment, she thought the tall redheaded woman had a glow around her.  She blinked and looked again. It was gone now. Must have been the sunlight hitting that radiant hair, only there was no sunlight today.

The lithe woman wandered over to the bar. Jude rose to greet her. Was there anyone Jude did not know?

The woman’s presence was startling. The model-thin body sculpted into old jeans and wrapped with a colorful coat looked like she belonged in a magazine. A deep purple scarf was wrapped around her elegant neck and glowed as if it were specked with moonlight.

Caught staring, Lily lowered her eyes and studied her coffee cup. The two women were heading in her direction.

“Lily,” Jude said, “I’d like you to meet a fellow entrepreneur here in town, Kyla.”

Kyla took Lily’s outreached hand and stared into her eyes. “You’re Lily.”

Lily wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement.

Jude went on, “Kyla owns
Tea & Comfort
in the cottage shop down the block. You must get over there and try some of her homemade brews and scented candles.”

Tea and herbal products sounded intriguing, but Lily wondered where the comfort part of the name came in. No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than Kyla spoke the answer to her unvoiced question.

“My homegrown remedies, teas, and scents bring well-being to many of my customers.”

“Not to mention the ambiance and those delicious licorice tea cakes,” Jude piped in.

“I would love to come by sometime,” Lily said.

Kyla’s emerald eyes twinkled, “Do come. I can brew up some transition tea for you.” With that, Kyla turned and headed for a table alone in the corner.

For a moment, Lily felt disoriented, and her appetite seemed to have vanished. Maybe she would pay this woman a visit sometime soon…or maybe not.

Jude rose to clear off the dishes and headed toward the kitchen. “I gotta get back to work before the dinner crowd comes in. Have a good day.”

And with that, Lily’s first successful sale was concluded.

Jude watched Lily walk out the café door. She was a bit worried about that girl and had a pretty good idea who’d sent the note. Lily’s father. Rumor had it the last ten years her dear old dad had been in and out of rehab and in jail for a bungled check fraud scam. The last thing Lily needed right now was for Jerold Parkins to waltz back into her life and demand his rights to the house. That girl had been through enough.

Jude went behind the bar and looked up Mike’s number, the attorney in town. The phone rang once before the gruff voice answered. He was all bark and no bite. That is, unless you crossed him.

“Hi, hope I’m not bothering you. It’s Jude. Can I interest you in coming down for a free bacon burger and a beer?” She knew he could never turn down that offer. “No, nothing is wrong,” she answered. “I just have some questions.”

Jude ordered the burger and pulled out a bottle of Pale Ale and a chilled glass. True to his word, Mike popped in the door a minute later wearing his favorite Mariners baseball hat.

“Right on time,” Jude said, motioning for him to follow her to a quiet booth in the corner. She set the bottle down on the table and slid into the seat opposite him.

“So what’s up that requires my immediate presence?” he asked.

His eyes looked concerned. He was the real deal when it came to a friend. “It’s not about me.”

“Okay,” he said. “So who?”

Jude sighed. “I think Jerold Perkins is back in town and looking to cause trouble.”

Mike scrunched his face, narrowing his eyes. “I’d heard he was calling lawyers around the island looking for representation for something. He knew better than to call me. After what he did to Maggie, I would have kicked his butt.”

“And he deserves it, if anyone does.”

Karen brought over the oversized bacon burger, oozing out the sides with cheese, and placed it before Mike. “Enjoy.”

He took a giant bite and rinsed it down with a gulp of ale. Between bites he asked, “So what makes you think he’s back?”

“Lily, Maggie’s granddaughter, stopped by this morning and told me she received an anonymous note telling her not to get too comfortable in her house because it didn’t belong to her. Who else would do something like that?”

“You’re probably right,” Mike said. “Jerold was most likely shopping for a lawyer to help break the will.”

“Damn him, can he get away with that?”

“Probably not, but that won’t stop him from trying. I’ll put some feelers out and see what I can do.”

Jude got up and hugged Mike. “I can’t thank you enough. Free lunches for a week.”

Mike waved her way. “Not necessary. I’m happy to do it.”

“Well at least have another Pale Ale and dessert, on me.”

Mike smiled and took another large bite from the burger.

Jude walked back to check what the customers at the bar wanted for lunch. As she worked, her mind drifted back to Lily. Mike would do all he could, she was sure of that. Just how far would Jerold go? She better call John McPherson, Lily’s neighbor, and tell him to keep an out for anyone suspicious hanging around. She liked Lily and wanted to see her succeed. Maggie would have been so proud to see her granddaughter here, baking in her kitchen. Jude secretly hoped Lily would stay and reopen the inn. She fit right in here on Madrona Island.

Lily leaned out the parlor window and watched Jason running in the field between their houses with Gretel. A flicker of joy caught her off guard. She had promised Jason a special snack and something for the dog, too. He’d probably like some of those chocolate chip cookies she’d baked this morning, and so would John. The pumpkin dog treats she’d experimented with could be tried out on Gretel. She could fix up a basket…why not? The memory of Ian’s sapphire eyes almost had her abandoning her plans. She should not encourage that attraction. But they were neighbors; she should be friendly. She selected a straw basket and lined it with a checkered linen napkin. The cookies were still warm, and the chocolate chunks still glistened under the light.

Parka on, she started across the slushy field toward John’s house. Jason must have gone inside, but she could see Gretel stop, lift her head and sniff the air, then race like the wind to greet her. Lily bent and stroked the shiny black fur,
fending off the wet kisses and trying to keep her balance.

“Down, girl,” Ian said with a clap of his hands, “let the poor lady stand up.”

Lily looked up to see Ian’s tall, lanky frame shadowing her. Grasping the basket, she stood. “It’s okay, she’s a real sweetheart.”

“That she is,” he said, patting the dog’s head affectionately. “Can I give you a hand with that basket?”

She hesitated. “Sure. These are for Jason and your Grandpa John. A little snack for Gretel, too.”

Ian lifted the napkin and inhaled. “And for me too, I hope.”

His lopsided grin unnerved her. “Of course, sure, for you too.”

“Jason’s inside, would you like to come in?”

“That would be nice.”

Ian held the door open for her and she hurried through, followed by Gretel. “We have a visitor,” he announced. “And she’s bearing gifts.”

Jason was at his father’s side in a flash, his hand in the basket, snatching a cookie. “Cookies,” he mumbled, mouth full, “and they’re still hot!”

Ian grabbed some napkins, placing them on the table. “Should I get the milk?  Make coffee?”

Everyone looked at Lily. “Well, I guess I could stay awhile.”

John rose from his easy chair. “It’s settled then,” he said, offering Lily a chair at the dining room table. “We can use some good company around here, especially such a lovely lady.”

John laid out some napkins and poured everyone a large glass of milk.

“These are great,” Jason said, wiping the oozing chocolate off his chin with his shirt sleeve.

“Use a napkin,” Ian said.

“Thanks, next time I’ll bring some of my scones for you all to try.”

John took a big drink of milk and picked up another cookie. “So, Lily, how are you
getting along over there in that big house?”

Lily wiped the sides of her lips, hoping to remove any of the melted chocolate in a dignified way. “I’m finding my way around, doing some baking for the Island Café.”

“Starting a little business, it sounds like,” Ian said.

“I’m considering calling it Grandma Maggie’s Baking Company. And if I ever find my grandmother’s famous brownie recipe, I can go mail order as well.”

“Ambitious. Let me know if I can help you with designing a label or something.” Ian leaned over the basket and lifted up the last cookie. “Who wants it?” he said, looking right at Jason. He dropped it in his son’s outstretched hand. “See how much I love you?”

It was obvious to Lily just how much love there was; the way any kid would want to be loved…or any adult, for that matter.

Lily picked up the basket. “Pretty fast work, boys. Next time I’ll bring more.”

John stood to walk her to the door. “Happy to have you over any time. Where you off to?”

“I think I’ll take a little walk along the water before the sun is gone. See you all later.”

Ian followed her outside. “Mind if I join you?”

She didn’t want to lead him on. After all, she wasn’t even divorced yet. But his look was so sincere, and some company would be nice. “Sure, I’ll go drop off the basket and meet you down by the beach in a few.”

✦✦✦✦

She walked into her bedroom and threw on a warmer turtleneck. At the hall closet, she added a scarf, gloves, and her down coat, then threw open the front door and headed briskly toward the beach. The air was crisp, and it froze the end of her nose. She tucked her hands into her jacket pockets and moved carefully over the large pieces of driftwood.

She found Ian waiting for her at the water’s edge, staring out over the vast Sound. He waved for her to join him.

She hurried her step to reach him. This company would be very nice.

“Tide’s out,” he said, “plenty of room to explore.”

They walked together, bracing against the wind. Although rocky in places, it was worth the effort to negotiate the jumble of stones to view this incredible scenery. Crescent Bay’s popular sandy area was just around the bend, where the bluffs reached the sand.

“Tide pools,” Ian said stepping up on some low exposed rocks.

Lily slipped off her gloves and put them in her pocket before picking up a smooth orange rock. She ran her finger back and forth over its surface.

“Looks like agate,” Ian said. “You can tell from the soapy feel.

He ran his finger over the rock and sliding it against the soft inner side of her hand. “See how it’s semi-transparent. It’s probably an Agate.”

Lily placed the stone in her jacket pocket and kept her hand there as she headed down the beach. Hidden in the minute puddles were some tiny shells still completely intact brought in on the ebbing tide.

Ian had a camera around his neck and he commented on the gentle winter light and the colors it evoked.

They continued down the beach, lost in the song of gulls, Lily gathering little
treasures, Ian stopping occasionally to get a shot of a bird in flight, or an angle of light reflecting off the trees. Even without conversing, she felt comfortable walking with him, content to let this beautiful day wash over them. When they rounded the next bend, the beach area narrowed as cascading cliffs came right down to the sand, infringing on the walking space. Patches of various grasses grew along the steep bank, and an occasional Madrona tree clung to the flimsy earth at cockeyed angles. Lily remembered her grandmother showing her the smooth, red bark of the Madronas. How their branches grew out like arms and legs in the middle of a dance, always seeking the sun.

She watched Ian taking pictures of the marvelous trees. His body moved with grace as he positioned himself to get just the right shot. “You know,” he said, “the Madrona tree is a Native American sacred tree.  Some even call it the tree of knowledge.”

“It is a special tree, for sure. No wonder this island was named after it.”

As far as she could see, they were alone on the beach.  There were hiking trails leading up the bluffs, but no one was in sight. A few clouds had blown in, bringing with them a light drizzle. Silver white sunrays burst through the clouds, pooling light on the ocean’s surface. A full rainbow perched across the sky, sparkling with color. Lily reached skyward and then twirled in the sand, relishing her freedom as the wind danced in her hair.

Ian moved around her, snapping pictures as she moved. Lowering the camera, he joined her dance.

Laughing, she finally collapsed on to the sand. Ian dropped beside her.

“Look,” he said, pointing out to sea.

A small brown head was bobbing up and down, seeming to look right at her. “It’s a seal,” she said, standing and brushing the sand off her pant legs before running down to the water to get a better look. The seal continued to dive and resurface, always coming back up and looking back at her on the shore. “Well, hello, my new friend,” she said.

Ian snapped shots as the seal played hide and seek in the water.

“This is such a magical place,” Lily said.

Ian took her hand. “That it is.”

His hand felt warm and steady and she did not want to let go.

Lily glanced back over her footprints. The house looked a long way away, and the tide seemed to be creeping up quite a lot closer now. “We’d better head back. The tide’s coming in, and I sure don’t want to have to hike out of here over those cliffs.”

“You’re right. I don’t even have my cell with me to call for our rescue.”

Hand in hand, they sprinted down the beach, trying to beat the incoming tide. When they reached Ian’s property, they clamored over the driftwood wall and back up on dry land until they reached his deck.

“I’m drenched,” Lily said. “But it was worth it.”

Ian wiped the raindrops off her forehead. “Do you want to come in and warm up?”

The thought of warming up by a fire with him at her side was alluring and unsettling at the same time. “Thanks,” she said, “but I think I better get home and get changed into something dry.”

“Are you still interested in going out to the local farms?” Ian asked.

Lily thought about delicious fresh produce, eggs, and cheeses, but remembered her dwindling funds. “I’ll let you know.”

Ian shrugged. “Okay.”

Lily turned to go before the chilling night penetrated her damp clothes any more.

“Thanks for the walk,” Ian yelled after her.

“Any time,” she called back.