Beauty and the Beach (2 page)

Adam’s foolish heart picked up speed. “So that’s a yes, then?”

Her lips tilted up. “Yes. Yes, it is. Just not right now. I’m hoping to have some things worked out by the end of the summer so, maybe when they are, it’ll be a yes.”

“Things?”

She chuckled and finally glanced up at him. The impact of her green-eyed gaze had his heart thumping harder. “I’m planning on moving into my own place. When I do, I’ll have more time to do things like date.”

He should just leave it at that, before she changed her mind, but, idiot that he was, he couldn’t. He had visions of her living with a boyfriend, wanting to move and unable to, and the tension built in his body again. The nurses had assured him there wasn’t anyone in her life, but he had to ask. “Who are you living with now?”

“My dad and my sister.”

The tension left him in a rush. He was a fool for this girl and the weird thing was he barely knew her.

“Do you need some help moving? I could help, and I could round up a bunch of my Marine buddies.”

She looked up and seemed to really see him for the first time, her beautiful green eyes taking in every part of him before she finally smiled. “I’m not quite ready to move yet, but when I am, maybe I could give you a call?”

He grinned back at her. “Then we could go out?”

She smiled at him. “Yes. Then we could go out.”

“I’ll hold you to that. Can I get your phone number?”

She shook her head. “If we get along, I’ll give it to you after our first date.”

“Let me give you mine then, so you can call me when you need some help.”

“It’s in your file. I’ll just let you get dressed now.” She quickly ducked her head, and left the room. But not before he saw her smile.

~~~

“Hold up, Isabelle.”

As Isabelle headed toward the exit, she heard Pete Anderson call out her name and wondered for a second if she was in trouble for the extra time she’d stayed. She stopped in the hallway and he hurried over to join her, his tall, lanky frame easily crossing the distance between them.

“Hey,” said Pete. “Thanks for waiting.”

“Sure. What’s up?”

Pete shoved graying bangs to one side as he looked at his ever-present iPad, and Izzy couldn’t help a small smile. The hospital administrator always had a slightly unkempt air about him, though his wife tried to counterbalance his appearance with silk ties and designer clothes that inevitably ended up rumpled before noon.

“I need to talk to you about something. You’re doing a great job. Really great. You’re happy in your work?”

“Yes. I love working here. I’ve never been in the military, but my mother’s father was in the Navy. I love working with veterans.”

“Good. That’s good.”

She took a breath. “I just wish I could pick up some more hours, hint, hint.”

Pete chuckled.

She looked at him expectantly. “Any chance?”

“I’ve been very impressed by the way you’ve been willing to come into work when someone else calls in sick. I also noticed you haven’t called in once yourself.”

“I’m very healthy,” she was quick to insert.

He chuckled again. “Good. That’s good. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that something might be available soon, and when it is, if you’re still interested, you’re at the top of my list.”

Isabelle grinned and was proud of herself for holding in a squeal. “Thanks, Pete. Just let me know when and I’ll be ready to start.”

He nodded. “Okay, then.” He glanced at his watch. “And remember, no more working extra time.”

“Yes, sir.”

She turned and walked out the front door, tripping lightly down the stairs. Everything seemed to be coming together. Her sister was about to graduate from high school and would be attending college in the fall on a full-ride academic scholarship. Dad had a great job managing a jewelry store and loved dressing in a suit every day and charming the ladies. He was on the wagon and dating a wonderful woman he’d met at AA. And now this good news.

If the VA hospital hired her full time, she’d be able to move into her own place for sure, and freedom would soon be hers. Things were just going so incredibly well. Almost as soon as the thought occurred to her, she superstitiously crossed her fingers. She didn’t want to jinx herself. She didn’t want to say, do, or even think anything that might mess up her plans.

~~~

The next evening, Isabelle straightened the hem of Courtney’s dress, then stood back to admire her sister. “Oh, Courtney, you look incredible.”

Courtney twirled and the turquoise dress swirled around her body, the shiny fabric catching the bedroom light as the material tightened around Courtney’s hips and then settled back into place with a swishing motion. “I still can’t believe you found this at a thrift store, Izzy. It’s so gorgeous.”

“I can’t, either. It was meant to be yours.”

Courtney giggled and leaned forward to check her makeup before tightening the scarf around her neck. “I love this scarf. Mom wears stuff like this in the photo albums, remember?”

“I do.”

“I wish she was here.”

“I know. Me, too.”

“I wish I could remember her. She looked a lot like you with white-blonde hair, but that’s all I really remember. And sometimes I wonder if I really remember that, or if it’s just because I’ve seen pictures of her and think I remember, you know?”

“I know, Sweetie. But I promise you this. If she could have been here to see you now, she’d be so proud of you, so happy with how smart and pretty you are.”

Courtney turned and unexpectedly hugged Isabelle. “I’m going to miss you when I go to school. I missed you so much the year you left. And now I’m leaving you.”

Guilt stung Isabelle’s eyes as she hugged her sister, both for the year that she’d deserted Courtney when her sister was twelve, and for the fact that, as much as she loved her sister, she was excited that Courtney was grown up and leaving home so Isabelle could do the same. The sense of freedom she felt every time she thought about getting her own place was guilt-inducing and heady at the same time.

There was a knock at the door. “Is this a private party or can anyone join in?”

Courtney giggled. “Come in, Dad.”

The door opened and their father, Stephen Kenna, stood in the doorway and studied Courtney. Sudden tears glistened in his eyes. “Wow. You look fantastic.”

Courtney touched the elaborate hairstyle, half her light-brown hair anchored in an updo, the rest curling around her neck and down her back. “I could never do this on my own. Izzy did my hair and makeup.”

Isabelle smiled. “Practice makes perfect.”

Dad chuckled and wiped his eyes. “It’s handy to have a genuine beauty queen in the family, isn’t it?”

Isabelle leaned over to pick up a shirt and a pair of jeans from the floor. “That was five years ago, Dad. I’m not sure I qualify any more.”

“Once a beauty queen, always a beauty queen,” he corrected, but he was looking at Courtney. “I have something for you, little girl.” He pulled out a black jeweler’s box and handed it to her. “But I don’t want you to get too excited, because it’s only on loan. If you aren’t home at midnight, then this will turn you into a pumpkin.”

“Glass slippers?” teased Courtney as she plucked the box from his hands, growing excitement on her face. “Izzy, oh my gosh, it’s from Wilder’s!” She cautiously opened the box and gasped. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She glanced up. “Dad, how did you get this? It’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life! Izzy, look at this!” She turned the box around, cradling it like something precious.

Isabelle saw why. Her own breath caught, even as her stomach sank as she gazed at the beautiful necklace. The golden, star-shaped pendant glittered with oblong rubies, teardrop diamonds, and square cut sapphires.

Dad was grinning. “It’s called The Starfire.”

“The Starfire,” Courtney said reverently as she turned the box slowly. The light from above caught the jewels and the entire piece seemed to sparkle and shine, a live thing showing off for its audience. Courtney’s mouth curved into a smile. “I’ll be the most blinged-out girl at the prom.”

Isabelle wished she could share her sister’s excitement, but her stomach was starting to ache. “Dad, are you allowed to borrow jewelry from your store?”

He shrugged. “I’m the manager now, so it’s fine. We’ll have it back first thing in the morning and no one will be the wiser.”

“But--”

“Don’t worry, Izzy. I like being able to provide pretty things for my girls. Even if they are only just for one night.”

“Dad, hurry.” Courtney handed him the box. “Help me put this on before Daniel gets here.” She took off the scarf she’d admired earlier and let it flutter to the floor as Dad took the necklace out of the box, lifted it over Courtney’s head, and clasped it around her neck.

Courtney moved to stare into the mirror, mesmerized, and Isabelle couldn’t blame her. The necklace was amazing, shimmering against Courtney’s skin, the brilliant stones glowing with life.

In a fast movement, Courtney turned and threw her arms around Dad’s neck. “It’s fantastic, Dad. Just fantastic. Thank you.”

Isabelle wanted to protest, but with her sister so excited, with the two of them hugging and, for once, showing some solidarity, she just couldn’t get herself to do it. That didn’t mean she wasn’t worried. Courtney might be a genius at schoolwork, but she certainly wasn’t known for her common sense. To let her out of the house wearing what looked like a fortune in jewels scared Isabelle half to death.

There were so many warnings Isabelle longed to give, but instead she said, “Just don’t lose it.”

Courtney rolled her eyes and placed her fingers against the jewels. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”

Isabelle turned away, unable to look at the necklace for another moment. “Come on, let’s go outside and get some pictures before your date gets here.”

On the front lawn, Courtney posed in the sunshine as Isabelle snapped pictures, both of Courtney alone, and also with Dad.

“Wow, you look like a princess.”

Isabelle turned to see Rosie, the eight-year-old girl who lived two doors down, her eyes wide as she studied Courtney.

“Thanks, Rosie.” Courtney dipped into a curtsy.

“My cat just had babies.”

“Really?” said Isabelle. “I’ll have to come over and see them sometime.”

“Me, too,” said Courtney.

“Okay. But Queenie is sort of a meanie around her kittens, so you’ll have to be careful so she doesn’t scratch you.”

“I’m going back inside,” said Courtney. “I don’t want to get caught posing when Daniel gets here. See you, Rosie.”

A few minutes later, Isabelle waved goodbye to Rosie. “Tell your mother I said hello.” She made her way back to the bedroom she shared with Courtney. She watched as her sister positioned her curls around her neck and admired herself, and the necklace, in the mirror.

The doorbell rang.

“He’s here. You guys answer the door and then call me like I’m still getting ready or something. Then I’ll come out in a few minutes, okay?”

“All right.” With one last concerned look at the necklace, Isabelle moved down the short hall and into the living room. She did a quick check to make sure the apartment looked presentable. It did. They might still be renting after all these years, and many of their possessions came from thrift stores, but things had been looking up for them for a while now. She’d managed to add a few nice touches: nice furniture, throw pillows, family photos, and decorations. Their place was pretty and homey. She stood behind Dad as he opened the front door.

“Hello, you must be Daniel.” As always her father had impeccable manners, a trait that made him a good salesman, and even when he used to be drunk all the time, he’d never quite lost his charm.

“Yes, sir.” The boy, blond, buff, and a little on the pretty side, was all smiles. “Is Courtney ready yet?”

“Izzy, will you go tell Courtney her date is here? Come on in, Daniel. Tell me about yourself.”

Izzy headed down the hall and knocked lightly on the door. Her sister opened it and waved her inside, her eyes sparkling. “Do you think I’ve waited long enough?”

Isabelle smiled at her sister’s dramatics. “Yes.”

“Okay. How do I look?”

“Gorgeous.”

“What did you think of Daniel?”

“He’s a cutie.”

“He is, isn’t he?” Courtney took a breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Isabelle followed behind Courtney as she made her grand entrance and watched the two kids greet each other, exchange the corsage for the boutonniere, then pose for the pictures Dad took. They looked beautiful and carefree and, after they left, Isabelle finally acknowledged that, until they returned with the necklace intact, she wasn’t going to be able to completely relax.

“Do you want to watch a movie?” she asked her father.

“Sure. Erin’s coming over soon. Is Hondo okay?”

Isabelle chuckled. She would have preferred a romance, but Erin and Dad both loved western movies and anything starring John Wayne made the top of the list. “Sounds good.” At this point, anything that would take her mind off the necklace was a good thing.