Sea of Love: A Bayberry Island Novel (19 page)

An audio recording of wind and thunder was cranked up high, and whoever was operating the spotlight added a bright flash for added suspense. Just then, a double layer of corrugated cardboard waves at the stage edge began to move back and forth in opposing directions, depicting the rough seas, and about a dozen cardboard mermaid tails popped up and disappeared again in unison. It occurred to Ash that he’d seen some of the stage set before, at the parade. The fishing boat was a stripped-down version of the vessel from Frasier Flynn’s float, and the waves were from Rowan’s. He had a feeling it wouldn’t be the last time he saw recycled festival-week decorations.

“Trim the sails!” one of the junior fishermen cried out.

“We’re taking on water!” called another.

Someone from offstage tossed a single bucketful of water onto the fishing boat, which prompted a ripple of laughter to move through the crowd. The special effect must have been Captain Rutherford Flynn’s cue to make his appearance, and a chubby boy bounded up onstage. With his fake beard askew, Ash thought he looked like a cross between C. Everett Koop and the cartoon fisherman from a package of Gorton’s Fish Sticks. Then he realized it was none other than his friend from the first day he arrived on the island, the boy who’d given orders to have Ash abducted from the dock and dragged to the mermaid fountain. Whoever this kid was, he sure enjoyed being in the public eye.

“Do not despair!” The junior-sized Captain Flynn pointed over the railing and into the water. “Look!”

“But I don’t see anything, Captain.”

“Look again. Right there. Don’t you see her?”

A mermaid girl in a long black wig appeared from the shoulders up, rising above the cardboard waves. She beckoned to the captain before she disappeared again. Seconds later, a dozen mermaids began to swim alongside the fishing boat in unison, as more thunder, wind, and lightning came from offstage. A second bucket of water was hurled toward the actors, missing the stage entirely this time.

Ash laughed out loud.

“Hello, Ashton.”

He jerked his head in surprise and encountered the smiling face of the nice lady from Mona Flynn’s tent. She was sporting a
SAVE OUR ISLAND
button.

“Oh.” Ash didn’t manage to hide his surprise.

“I don’t mean to disturb you.” Her voice was so soft that he could barely hear her. “They’re getting ready to change the set and take the drama to the inn, where Captain Flynn meets Serena, his heart-mate and one true love.”

“No, no. It’s fine.” Ash smiled. “Besides I think I know how the story ends.”

She laughed, holding out her hand. “You probably don’t remember my name, but I’m Darinda Darswell. I really apologize about the hubbub yesterday. You got caught in the crossfire, unfortunately.”

Ash shook her hand. “Ashton Wallace, and there’s no need to apologize, though it was the first time I’ve been poked in the eye by a fairy.”

Darinda laughed again, and Ash decided there was something sweet and earnest about this lady.

“Are you busy? Are you here with anyone?” Darinda examined him from shoes to hair. It didn’t feel like she was hitting on him, but she sure was curious. “Would you like to get a cup of coffee or something?”

“I’m not busy at all, and I’m here alone. I’d enjoy that.”

A few minutes later, the two of them were seated at a small café table under an umbrella. Ash had ordered an iced coffee and Darinda was sipping a frozen mocha latte. His initial impression of the woman had held true. She was gentle and kind, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this little excursion wasn’t as innocent—or random—as he’d first assumed. Darinda had just asked him about his line of work and how he came to visit the island, and he repeated his cover story. This time, however, his voice was so halting, he knew she didn’t believe him. He didn’t blame her. Once again, he knew he needed to get off this island before things got too tangled, too messy. He couldn’t wait to stop lying.

Darinda sipped from her straw and frowned. “Hmm. So you don’t plan to stay for the rest of the week?”

“No. As soon as my boat is fixed, I’m heading out.”

She cleared her throat and looked around the busy boardwalk, as if she were worried about eavesdropping. “Well, if your boat is with Deacon Sully, he’ll do a great job—that’s for sure.”

Ash had never wondered if the mechanic had a first name, but “Deacon” seemed an odd choice for one. “He’s a strange bird.”

Darinda laughed at that assessment. “We’ve got more than our fair share of strange birds around here, or haven’t you noticed?”

“Oh, I’ve noticed.” Ash smiled.

“So what did you think of the Man Grab?”

He rolled his eyes and casually draped an arm over the back of the small café chair. “I’d have to say it was one of the more excruciating experiences of my life.”

A smile trembled at Darinda’s mouth. “We mean well. It’s all part of our tradition. So.” She folded her hands on the table and looked serious. “Out of curiosity, did you feel differently after you kissed the Great Mermaid’s hand?”

He nearly spat out a mouthful of iced coffee. “Uh. No.”

“Sorry.” Darinda waved her hand as if to dismiss that question. “Anyway, so what did you do right after the Man Grab?”

Ash thought that was a peculiar question. He shrugged. “I had to find somewhere to stay.”

“Oh.”

“I read a brochure for a bed-and-breakfast at the dock and decided to go find it.”

Darinda’s body stiffened. “Really? Which one?”

“The Safe Haven. I understand it belongs to Mona’s family.”

Darinda’s eyebrows rose and her eyes got as big as hockey pucks. “You’re staying at the Safe Haven? But they’re always booked in advance.”

“They were, but the owner . . . I guess she’s Mona’s daughter, right?”

Darinda nodded, her eyes even bigger.

“She rented me her apartment until my boat gets fixed. It was very generous of her.”

The small woman looked down at her hands for a moment, as if she were pulling herself together. She looked up again. “So you’ve gotten to know Rowan?”

Uh-oh. Wait a minute. What was this woman getting at? So far her questions had focused on him, Rowan, and the mermaid.
What the fuck
?

“Some,” he said.

“I see. Well, I’ve enjoyed this, but I need to go. I’m helping Mona with the clambake tonight and I have a lot to do.” She stood and held out her hand again, more stiffly this time. “It was a pleasure to see you again. Enjoy the rest of your time on the island.”

Ash watched her scurry off like a woman with a mission. He shook his head, took another sip of his iced coffee, and decided it would be a relief to get back to Boston, where the crazy-to-sane ratio of the population seemed far more manageable.

*   *   *

Since Kathryn had decided that Jerrod Jessop could go to hell, she dialed the familiar number and waited. After five rings, Mona Flynn picked up, and Kathryn launched her well-rehearsed spiel. “Mrs. Flynn, this is Kathryn Hilsom from Jessop-Riley in Boston. Please don’t hang up. I am not calling to pressure you into anything.”

Silence.

Kathryn continued. “I hope you and your family are doing well and made it through the storm okay. I heard there were damaging winds and high waves.”

More silence.

“Mrs. Flynn?”

Mona blew out a long breath of air, then said, “You’ve got a lot of nerve, young lady. I’ve told you a hundred times that I will never give in to your company’s evil plot to destroy Bayberry Island.”

Kathryn rolled her eyes. “Well, now, that’s a little melodramatic, don’t you think? Everyone here at Jessop-Riley understands where you’re coming from, and we know your priority is your family’s happiness and financial security. And that’s what this is really about, Mrs. Flynn—we want Bayberry to experience an economic and cultural renaissance to carry it through the next hundred years, and we know the Mermaid Island Resort can be the lynchpin for such a rebirth.”

There was another moment of quiet; then Mona burst out laughing. Her laughter was so loud that Kathryn had to lower the volume on her speakerphone.

“Cultural? You people are unbelievable!” Mona laughed again. “Obviously, you think we’re nothing but a bunch of chowderheads out here, too dumb to figure out what you’re up to.”

“That is not true. We here at Jessop-Riley—”

“You there at Jessop-Riley can keep your slimy hands off our historic island! You are nothing but corporate criminals! Your project would destroy the fabric of life around here forever. And the only way you’ll get your hands on this land is if I’m dead and gone. Are we clear?”

Kathryn was stunned. She’d expected some resistance, but Mona Flynn sounded like a crazy woman. “We’re willing to do another environmental assessment. You can even be involved in the process if you’d like to ensure that it’s done fairly and impartially.” Mona Flynn was silent.

“Mrs. Flynn?”

Mona slammed the phone in her ear.

Kathryn slowly rose from her chair and began to spritz the plants lined up on her windowsill, a ritual that always seemed to clear her head a bit. As she did so, a thought occurred to her.

Maybe she shouldn’t have jumped the gun with Mona Flynn. Maybe she should’ve waited for Jerrod to give the go-ahead to close. What if he somehow found out and was angry that she’d walked right out of his office and ignored his decision? What if she’d just ruined her chance at a bonus? A vice presidency? Or her chance to make the big close that would launch her solo career?

She spritzed some more, staring out at the Back Bay Boston skyline. Kathryn told herself that this was no time to begin doubting herself. She would stay the course.

*   *   *

“Gather ’round, ye ’maids. Thank you for making time for this emergency meeting.”

Mona shoved the stacks of papers and magazines to the edge of her coffee table and collapsed into her regular spot on the semicircular sofa. Her heart hadn’t stopped pounding since Darinda showed up with the blockbuster news a half hour before.

“This had better be good. I was taking a bath.” Polly sighed as she took her usual seat, too.

“Is it about the clambake, Mona? Because you’ve already given us our assignments for tonight.” Abby Foster stared with annoyance at the three-ring binder by Mona’s side. “And, by the way, this is the third year in a row that you’ve got me manning the steam pots, and you know how my hair frizzes in humidity.”

Mona would have preferred to ignore their complaining, since it was completely off topic, but knew she couldn’t. “All of you are aware that the clambake won’t be a success without your help. Our family can still afford some of the costs of this event, but we rely on volunteers to make the whole thing work. As always, I’ve tried to spread the jobs around, so that everyone will have time to work and time to play.”

That seemed to calm them down, but several society members continued chatting by the front door. “Hurry up, everyone!” When they failed to move, Mona realized she had no patience left in her—the phone call from Boston had grated on her nerves. “This is serious shit, girls! Now sit the hell
down
.”

Everyone scurried into place.

“All right now.” Mona took a deep breath, putting the resort worries aside in order to concentrate on more important things. “Darinda has some startling news, and we need to act immediately. Darinda?” Mona gestured for her to speak.

She looked a bit skittish.

“It’s okay. Just tell everyone what happened.”

“All right. Well, I saw our Man Grab at the children’s play just a little while ago.”

“Oh Jesus. You dragged me out of the tub for this?”

“Polly!” Mona slapped her open palm on the table. No one dared move. “Go on,” Mona said to Darinda.

“Uh. Okay. Well, we chatted and I invited him for a cup of coffee.”

“You went on a
date
with him?” Izzy McCracken clutched at her chest. “Since when are you a cougar?”

“Oh, my flippin’ God,” Polly muttered.

Mona could not believe these women. Sandpipers had longer attention spans. “All right, that’s it! The next person to interrupt Darinda will get after-hours cleanup duty at the clambake.”

“Please go on, Darinda,” Izzy said demurely.

“All right, so Ashton Wallace is his name and he is a business consultant in Boston and his sailboat broke down Friday and that’s how he ended up on the dock and became this year’s Man Grab.” Darinda paused. Everyone was too scared to make a peep, so she went on. “Do you remember how I said that I sensed something special about him? That I thought when he left that he was headed toward his destiny?”

“Hey, Mona. Are we allowed to answer her?” Polly bobbled her head back and forth in challenge.

“Yes.”

“Then yeah, I remember.”

Everyone else agreed.

“Well, guess where he went right after he kissed the mermaid’s hand. Guess who he met immediately following the ceremony. And guess where he’s staying right now.”

Everyone looked to Polly, who shook her head. “I’m not even going there.”