Sweet Caroline (35 page)

“Daddy, I’ll call the moment I arrive, I promise.”

He squeezes my shoulder. “All right, then. I won’t worry. Too much.”

Posey takes his hand. “Let’s give her a minute. Caroline, we’re going to the newsstand to buy goodies for your trip. Magazines, chocolate, whatever fun things we can find.”

“Remember, I’m only allowed two carry-ons.” I wink.

With a weak exhale, I slump down in my chair and try to picture what the next few weeks will be like, but my mental landscape is blank. I have no idea what challenges and surprises wait for me in Barcelona. I picture angular, freckled, auburn-haired Hazel, with her energy and bright smile.

The Café good-byes were hard and tearful. Dupree arrived late for breakfast the first time in twenty years and handed me a card with his and Helen’s picture.

“Don’t want you to forget me. I’ll e-mail you my bathroom stories.”

I sniffed, laughing. “Please. I’ll miss them.”

Pastor Winnie prayed a blessing.

Mostly we tried to act like it was an ordinary workday. Andy spouted running updates on inventory, asking what I thought about trying a new vendor for fresh fish. Mercy Bea complained about the schedule—until I reminded her she took over the task last week. Luke avoided me most of the day. But at four, no one wanted to leave. This good-bye was a permanent good-bye.

“It’s empty in here without the lamp and your things.” Luke’s face appeared in the office door.

“Andy will fix it up.”

“Won’t be right without you around.” He cleared his throat, not bothering to hide his tears. “I love you, Caroline, like you was my own.”

“You’re one of the most honorable men I know.”

So, we cried and hugged, then Mercy Bea busted in. One thing led to another, and the whole crew was wrapped around me, crying.

“Lost in thought?”

An unexpected voice shoots me out of my chair. “Mitch.” There he stands, three feet behind me, handsome in a dark turtleneck and leather jacket. His eyes watch me with blue intensity.

“Hey, Caroline.”

I don’t care what he’s doing here or why. I run into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He scoops me up so tight it’s hard to draw a deep breath. “I’m sorry I was such a jerk. I knew how much Barcelona meant to you . . .” He cradles my face in his hands and lowers his lips to mine. “I’ve missed you so much it hurt. How could I let you go to Barcelona without telling you one last time? I love you.”

I cling to him, the heat of his confession melting the chill of our sepa-ration. “How’d you know when I was leaving?”

“Your dad called.”

I smooth my hand over his chest. “He’s turning into a softy.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready to begin boarding Flight 801 to Barcelona.”

Mitch’s eyes search mine. “Maybe we’ll never be lovers, but a life without your friendship is just too empty.” He reaches inside his jacket.
“Merry Christmas.”

“Mitch.” The box is small and velvety. “No, I can’t—”

“Open it.”

My fingers tremble as I pry open the blue lid. Inside is a beautiful, thin diamond band. “Oh, Mitch, it’s beautiful. And really, too much.”

He slides the ring onto my pinky finger. “When I was on
Oprah
, I noticed she had a ring like this. I liked it. Whenever you wear it, remember your best friend loves you. No promises or strings attached. I just wanted you to have something from me.”

I didn’t want to cry today. “I don’t have anything for you.”

He grins, then kisses my forehead so softly. “Friends?”

“Friends. Yes. Best friends.”

The horizon beyond my small oval airplane window is like one of Elle’s lowcountry paintings—wild with color and light. Gold and red mixed with the fading blue sky, reaching down to the dark line that is earth.

The power of the jet’s engine makes my muscles rumble. When we lift off, I feel like I’m floating. I’m doing it. Leaving on a jet plane, as Daddy said, singing some old Peter, Paul and Mary tune.

Mitch stayed with me, Dad, and Posey until I walked down the Jet-way. He promised to e-mail, perhaps see if he could get a gig in Spain this summer. Posey already has Dad saving for a spring visit.

When I paused and looked back before disappearing inside the jet, Mitch smiled, raising his hand to wave. That’s when a new “
suddenly”
hit me.

Maybe we’re not as over as I thought.

My life changed the day a man died. Seven months ago, I left a man’s funeral, wondering what would be next for me. Because Jones died, a bunch of scary, yet wonderful things happened.

If I’d have known I would inherit the Frogmore Café, race the Marines in the Water Festival, deal with electrical and plumbing problems, and part with Matilda to pay for it, I would’ve run screaming against traffic down Robert Smalls Parkway.

If I’d known about J. D. and Mitch, I’d . . . well, do it all over again.

I saw Matilda the other day. Henry pointed her out. Wayne gave her a beautiful makeover. Then decided to keep her for himself.

Being home, stuck in Beaufort, tending Jones’s legacy brought the best gift of all. Meeting Jesus. The God I hoped was real every time I climbed my live oak sanctuary, is. Sometimes I catch a whiff of His perfume.

With a freeing breath, I close my eyes and lean into the turn of the banking plane.

Acknowledgments

Every story requires a mountain of support. I’m very grateful to all who have shined their light on the journey of writing Caroline’s story. Thank you to:

Catherine Hipp at the Beaufort, South Carolina, Chamber of Commerce. Thank you for showing me around your beautiful city.

Connie Hipp for being my quick and wonderful Beaufort and low-country resource. I so appreciate all your help. I couldn’t have done this without you. All mistakes are mine.

Charles Gay, Gay Fish Co, for the pluff mud and shrimping stories.

Aaron Hinman and Jason Flores, for the great talk one afternoon at Luther’s, and for standing on the wall to watch over our freedoms.
Semper Fidelis
.

A big thanks to the other Beaufortonians who lent their expertise:

Sherry Little for Water Festival information and the raft race idea. Bernie Kole for rewiring and plumbing expertise. William Winn for Beaufort hurricane details. Lisa Estes for will, probate, and other legal help. Anne Schumacher for insight into the life of a restaurateur, and Nicole Seitz.

Terry Dunham for writing a song about the Praise House, going on an adventure to Beaufort, and showing us your brief movie, which inspired the setting for this story.

Also, thanks to:

Jess Dang, Chris Cox, Bart Black, Chef Rob, the crew at La Patina’s, Melbourne, FL.

Thank you to:

Leslie Peterson, for weeding through this manuscript with expertise, pointing out the holes, and asking me to go deeper. You make me a bet-ter writer. Thank you!

Ami McConnell, my editor and friend, for believing in me. And to Allen Arnold, Jennifer Deshler, and the great staff at Thomas Nelson.

Karen Solem, my agent, for encouragement and all-around expertise.

Christine Lynxwiler. What a gift and blessing from God you have been to me this year. You’ve encouraged me, prayed for me, brain-stormed, and made me laugh. Thank you so very much. I can’t imagine what I’d have done without you.

Susie Warren, superwoman! Thank you so much for jumping into the quagmire when I was sinking. You were an instrument of God that dark night. Thank you for brainstorming at the drop of a hat, praying, and shoving me forward. You are a blessing.

Colleen Coble, for being a friend and mentor. Thank you for being on the other end of the phone to encourage me. You are a gift from God to me and so many others.

Ellen Tarver, for reading this manuscript in its early stages and offer-ing ideas.

My mom, grandma, sister, and Aunt Betty for praying and believing in me. I love you.

Tony, the best husband ever. Each book is fragrant with your heart for me and Jesus. Thank you for allowing me the freedom to pursue this calling and dream.

Anna Marie, Ted, Lin, Chelle, and the many others who listened and prayed. Your reward in heaven is great!

Jesus, my friend, Lord, Savior, inspiration. You are the core of me, thus the core of each story. I long to write about You in a way that is pleasing to all of heaven. Thank You for being with me even when I don’t sense it.
You
are faithful. I love You.

Reading Group Guide

1. In the first chapters of the book, we discover how Caroline has fallen into a pattern of giving up her wants to help others. Discuss a time in your life when you gave up your goals and dreams to serve others. What was the outcome?

2. Raised with a troubled mother, Caroline fell into the role of caring for her Dad and brother, bearing an emotional burden. How can we bear one another’s burdens while each one carrying their own weight? Do you carry burdens that are not yours?

3. Caroline’s friend Hazel offers her an amazing opportunity. Did it come at the right time? Does Caroline make the right decision?

4. Country star Mitch O’Neal wrote a song about cruising over the “yellow line.” What picture is he painting? What yellow lines have you crossed and how did you respond?

5. Caroline decides to give J. D. a chance. Discuss her motivation and hope in this.

6. What personal value did Caroline learn from her daddy? Discuss the importance of setting values early in our lives. Can it ever be too late?

7. The first time Caroline goes to church, God touches her. Discuss a time when you felt distant from God and He reached out to you in mercy and love.

8. Giving inspires giving. While Hazel is touting Caroline’s virtue to her boss Carlos, what does Caroline discover about the café and the cook, Andy Castleton?

9. Caroline makes a gutsy decision to turn down Mitch’s proposal. Why does she do this? How did you respond to her decision?

10. This story is about inheritance. Caroline inherits things from her Mama, Jones, and Jesus. Discuss her tangible and intangible inheritances.

11. Caroline muses about how her life changed the day a man died. Discuss the double-meaning of her insight.