Beneath the Scars (2 page)

I smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Thank you, but I’m fine. I’m going to take my stuff in, then Dixie and I will go for a quick walk and have a quiet night.”

“Don’t go far. As you can see, the woods are pretty thick and it’s easy to get lost.”

“No, we’ll just have a short jaunt on the beach.” I stepped back from her car. “Good night, Mrs. Cooper.”

“Okay. Take the flashlight on the counter with you on your walk. I made sure Mr. C put fresh batteries in it. You have my number. Call me if you need something, dear.”

With a smile and a wave she was gone and I was alone.

A sharp bark made me smile and I scooped up Dixie, laughing as her rough tongue met my cheek. I stroked her head in return and carried her up to the porch, grateful all the keys were labeled on the ring. Opening the back door, I took her inside; wanting to make sure she was settled prior to unloading the car for the night. I walked through into the front of the house, scanned the comfortable looking room, and stopped dead at the sight that met my eyes, my breath catching in my throat.

Setting Dixie down, I stepped forward, never taking my eyes off the large front windows. The sun had almost set, the last of the evening light casting rays over the water. I was transfixed by the beautiful scene laid out in front of me. The house was set back, somewhat elevated from the beach below; close enough I could see the waves breaking on the rocky shore. I could also hear the sounds of the surf even through the window. Beside me, Dixie was up on her hind legs, looking through the glass, tail wagging with excitement. I smiled down at her, scratching her ears gently. “The car can wait, Dixie. Let’s go for a walk!”

Ensuring her lead was secure, I picked up the flashlight, and we made our way to the beach. The air was fresh and sharp, the salty tang filling my lungs. The wind was cold on my face, and as we got closer to the water I could feel the icy spray as the sea crashed against the rocks. The vast expanse of water and sky caused my throat to tighten. The sheer beauty—the only sounds around me, of wind and water—brought unexpected tears to my eyes. I wrapped my arms around my torso, as a long, shaky breath left my chest. I was glad I came today. Dixie ran around as far as her lead would allow, sniffing and barking happily. After another deep breath, I wiped the damp from my cheeks, and we walked the shore, both of us enjoying the openness around us. I clutched my jacket tighter around me and stood with my back to the water, looking at the house where I would be staying.

The front was all glass, allowing the beautiful view that had drawn me out to the beach to be seen with ease. Edged with rugged stonework, the house had a large deck, but it wasn’t as large a place as I’d have thought, knowing Karen’s taste. I had to smile—that was obviously her husband, Chris’s, influence. The lines were simple and clean, almost sparse. He came to Cliff’s Edge a lot, Karen only staying for short time periods. The town was too small for her liking—no nightclubs, huge shops or spas to keep her entertained. Whereas Chris, like me, would be perfectly content with a book, a cup of coffee, and the panoramic view; for Karen, it would wear thin pretty fast.

My gaze drifted to the only other two houses on the very private stretch of water. There was one, just up off the beach, somewhat larger than Karen and Chris’s, then at the end, high up on the bluff, was the one house Karen told me was occupied year-round. I could see muted lights in the windows. I felt a small sense of comfort knowing there was another person around the deserted beach—even if, as Karen told me, he was intensely private and not very approachable. All three houses backed onto the dense forest, but faced the ocean in front. As I found out, the road leading up to the houses was difficult to find and not something you would stumble upon without great effort, thereby ensuring privacy for homeowners. Even though I hadn’t listened to her, I understood now why Karen told me to drive here in the daylight. I was grateful Mrs. Cooper had been in her store when I stopped to pick up the keys and had insisted on driving ahead of me so I didn’t get lost.

A bright light caught my eye. I glanced back at the house on the bluff, thinking how spectacular the views must be from those windows, given how lovely the scene was before me. The largest house of them all, it was three stories high and light was spilling out from the top floor. It was the most secluded, set back from the water and nestled close to the forest behind it.

Dixie pulled at her lead, and I shook myself out of my thoughts. “Come on, girl. Let’s go inside. We can unpack and make some popcorn and cocoa! That huge sofa I saw is calling our names, and I have a book I can’t wait to start reading.” I sighed, feeling content—my idea of a perfect evening would now be enhanced with the muted sound of the ocean crashing on the sand and rocks. As we made our way toward the house I heard a distant, eerie howl, deep within the forest. A shiver, icier than the sea, ran through me as I bent down and scooped up Dixie, remembering Karen’s warnings of wild animals in the forest.

“You, my girl, are staying on your lead while we’re here.” I nuzzled the top of her head, grinning as she turned and licked my face affectionately. “You’d make a tasty snack for one of those coyotes or wolves—whatever they are.” Another long, mournful howl had me shuddering as I hurried inside, putting Dixie in the guest room and shutting the door, so she was safe. Then, even though the howls were far in the distance, just to be safe, I turned on every outside light while I unpacked the car, grateful when it was done and I could shut the back door firmly behind me.

CHAPTER TWO

The next morning, smiling and feeling less stressed, I swung my arms widely as I walked on the beach, marveling at the beauty stretched before me. It was still cold enough the sand was packed hard beneath my feet. Ahead of me, Dixie was running, stopping often to sniff and bark at whatever inanimate object drew her displeasure, making me laugh with the simple joy of watching her. It was early, the sun having come up a short time ago, the light casting multi-colored hues across the water and highlighting the sand. The sheer relief of last night had settled, leaving only elation behind. Lifting my arms, I twirled around, spinning until I was dizzy, and had to drop to the damp sand, amused at my own antics. Dixie jumped on top of me, licking my face, and I sat up, hugging her close. The wind lifted my hair away from my face and I tilted my head back, enjoying the sensation.

I closed my eyes and inhaled deep lungfuls of fresh air, listening to the sound of waves beating on the shoreline, the crying of gulls flying overhead and feeling the spray kicked up by the wind on my face.

Here, I hoped, I could find my calm. Surely I could find it in me to write again, to put aside the past few weeks of terrible hurt and embarrassment—to find my feet and to continue forward. I opened my eyes and looked out over the vast expanse of water. There were no distractions here. No cameras or intruding phone calls prying into my once-private life, no threats from my ex-boyfriend, and no one telling me how disappointed they were with my betrayal. Standing up, I brushed off my pants and turned around. I looked back at the house, its clean lines even more evident in the light. Here I could work. Recover. Find my balance.

A distant bark had me turning my head. From the other end of the beach I spotted a dog, charging toward us. I picked up Dixie, unsure of the large creature lurching our way. As he got closer, I could see it was a golden retriever, his face friendly, tail wagging in excitement. I extended my hand, which was sniffed then licked before he turned a couple times, barking and whining in the back of his throat. I kneeled down while he and Dixie sniffed each other cautiously. Once I was sure he meant her no harm, I sat her back on the sand, where the two of them explored each other. I had to smile at them; one so large and excited, the other small and wary. He was very gentle with her, nudging her playfully with his great nose, licking her head. She looked at me as if to say “What?” then sat down between his great paws, letting him shower her with attention. I chuckled watching them—two instant friends.

I was startled as a whistle cut through the air from the end of the beach. A man was standing partway down on the stairs, which led to the beach from the house on the bluff, a dark overcoat billowing out behind him in the stiff breeze. The dog stood up right away and started running toward his master, who made no move in our direction. I raised my hand in a wave, thinking it would be a good time to go and introduce myself. There was no return salutation; he remained motionless on the stairs. I stepped forward a couple of feet, wondering if he hadn’t seen me, and waved again.

Finally, his hand lifted in a brief wave. I looked down at Dixie, smiling, taking it as an invitation. “Let’s go meet our neighbor, girl.” Looking up, my steps faltered. He had retreated and was already at the top of the stairs, his large dog right behind him. It was obvious; he had no desire to meet me.

“Unfriendly,” Karen had said. “Closed off.”

“Private,” Chris had insisted. “Reserved.”

I watched him disappear and assumed he went inside. His house was even larger and more imposing in the daylight; built in stone and cedar, high above the water, set amongst the trees, a fortress unto itself. Private and closed off—much like the man himself.

I sighed—unfriendly, indeed. Rude was more like it. I had wanted to introduce myself—nothing more. Our dogs had already met and become friends. I shook my head, deciding it didn’t matter. I wasn’t here to meet new people or make friends. I was here to find some peace and solace, then get back on track with my life.

Rude neighbor or not!

“You find everything all right, dear?”

I smiled at Mrs. Cooper. “Everything was great. Thank you for the extra things you left. I never even thought of some bread for toast. The butter I bought was for my popcorn.”

“Not a problem. Are you heading right back to the house?”

“I thought I’d look around a little, actually.”

“Excellent. The gallery down the street is lovely. I’ll have Mr. Cooper load up your car, while you wander around. Not everything is open this time of year. But, if you’re hungry the café makes a great lunch.”

“Thanks. I’ll check it out.”

“Where’s that little dog of yours?” Mrs. Cooper grinned as she looked behind me.

I chuckled. “I left her at home, sleeping. She had a big walk on the beach this morning.” I paused. “We met another dog while we were walking—a golden retriever. Very friendly.”

“That would be Elliott. Zachary’s dog.”

Ah, the neighbor had a name. It was only then I realized Karen had never mentioned it and I had never thought to ask. “I didn’t meet him. He never came down to the beach.”

For the first time since I met her, Mrs. Cooper looked sad. “Zachary is very, ah, private. He pretty much keeps to himself.” I was sure I heard her utter “poor man,” but it was so quiet I could have been mistaken.

“I waved at him.”

She smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Did he wave back?”

I shrugged. “After a fashion. I got the feeling he wasn’t interested in meeting me.”

“Don’t take it personally, dear. A wave is more than most people in town have had the entire time he’s been living here. As I said, he keeps to himself.”

Her tone told me she had nothing more to say about my private neighbor. So, I smiled, thanked her again and told her I would see her in a few days.

Once outside, I looked up and down the rather deserted streets. I could imagine, during the warm, summer season, the sidewalks would be full of people—tourists checking out the local wares and eating in the restaurants—but right now it was like a ghost town except for locals. A grim smile curved my lips; it was exactly what I needed.