Beach Winds (19 page)

Frannie shook her head.
“Not me.”

“
Did Anna find you? She wanted to speak with you before she left.”

“
She did. She told me how she happened to meet my uncle. She gives art lessons?”

“
Yes, indeed. I’ve studied with Anna myself. I was there, you know. That day when he came by? That’s how I met him. He was very sweet. Very gentlemanly.”

“
When was that?”

“
Well, let me think. I was expecting Danny. About a year ago.”

Juli gently repositioned Danny in her arms and stood. She laid him in the crib and wrapped the blanket more tightly around him. She touched his cheek and he stayed silent.

She motioned toward the door and the two women slipped quietly out into the hallway. Juli eased the door closed.

“
I hope you’re having a good time.”

“
I am.”

They paused as they reached the large open area. The people she didn
’t know were moving around or standing in small groups chatting, but those she did—Brian, Maia, Joel and Megan—were huddled together at the end of the dining room table. Plates of food were being enjoyed and the conversation seemed lively.

Megan looked up as they approached.
“Is Danny okay?”

Juli paused and leaned over to put an arm around Megan
’s shoulders. “He’s fine. Back in bed and sound asleep.”

“
I’m sorry I didn’t know what to do.”

“
You did exactly the right thing.” She placed a light kiss on Megan’s forehead.

Megan glowed.

Brian looked pleased and proud.

Joel said,
“Hey, Frannie. Brian has promised to show me some prime fishing spots.”

“
You fish?”

“
Not in a long time.” Joel jumped up and pulled another chair up close. “Have a seat.”

Frannie put her hands on the back of the chair. Both Brian and Joel were watching her.

“I’ll be back. I’ll get a plate of food first.”

“
Have a seat and I’ll fetch whatever you want.”

“
I’ll take care of it. I’m not sure what I want.”

Maia said,
“I’ll go with you, Fran. I need to check out the dessert table.” She looked at Juli. “You’ve outdone yourself.”

“
I couldn’t do it without Luke.” She laughed as Luke joined her. “And neither of us could do it without Esther.”

Frannie asked Maia as they walked away,
“Who’s Esther?”

“
She’s the housekeeper, but more importantly, she’s the keeper of the recipes. Wait until you try her fudge.”

“
You
are
a chocolate fiend, aren’t you?”

“
Guilty.” She handed Frannie a dessert plate. “I like your Joel.”

“
My Joel? He’s a friend. I’ve known him most of my life.”

“
Sometimes those relationships lead to more.”

“
Not for Joel and me.”

“
What about Brian?”

Frannie
fumbled her plate. It fell to the floor and the food scattered.

“
Oh, no. Look what I’ve done.”

“
It’s not a big deal.” Maia helped retrieve the bits of fudge from the floor.

“
I’m sorry. So sorry.” She trembled inside. She’d lost her armor or maybe it had been knocked askew. Either way, she panicked.

“
Frannie.” She touched her shoulder. “It’s nothing. Really. I mean it.”

The
rush of tension had nearly swamped her. She drew a deep breath. The words came out on their own.

“
I always screw stuff up.”

“
What?” Maia looked incredulous.

And so, yes, she
’d done it again. Her face grew hot and she felt queasy.

“
Hang in there.” Maia dug her fingers into Frannie’s upper arm. “Come with me.”

She led her out to the deck. The cold air hit her like a life preserver.

“Is this better? You turned so red. For what? For nothing. A piece of dropped fudge? You scared me.”

“
It was warm in there. It kind of hit me wrong.”

“
Okay, take another deep breath. I apologize for asking personal questions. I confess I have an ulterior motive.”

Ulterior motive? She knew about those. Laurel had taught her well. She simply looked at Maia and didn
’t answer.

Maia leaned against the deck rail.
The thick clouds had parted, and behind her the moon was fully round and surreal. It was impossible to look at Maia and miss that moon and the stars spreading out, filling the dark skies.

“
About Brian, I mean.”

“
Brian?”

“
He and I have been on the outs recently. I think I told you.”

“
You mentioned something.” Not about her, then.

“
He’s angry with me, and not without reason.” Maia hugged her arms. “I interfered between him and his ex, Diane. I convinced him to try again for Megan’s sake. It was a mistake. I should’ve stayed out of it.”

“
Probably. But you’re his sister. You did what you thought was best, right?”

“
Good intentions. What’s the saying?”

“
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

“
Yikes. Well, I don’t think I’m on
that
road.” She touched Frannie’s arm. “I want to thank you, though. You and Joel. I think Brian’s warming up to me. He’s been more himself this evening.” She dabbed at her eyes.

“
Don’t cry out here, you’ll have icicles hanging from your lashes.”

Maia giggled.
“It is pretty cold out here. I guess we’d better get back inside.”

As they reached the door, Frannie said,
“Thank you.”

“
For what?”

“
For being a friend.”

****

Shortly after Brian ushered a sleepy Megan out the door, Frannie told Joel it was time to go. She thanked Juli and Luke for a lovely time. Joel helped her on with her coat, and Maia told them goodnight. When they pulled into the driveway at
Captain’s Walk
, Joel spoke.

“
Can we talk for a moment?”

“
Sure.” Now what?

“
The party was nice. I enjoyed meeting your friends.”

“
Friends? Maybe. Certainly, they are friendly. I had a good time, too.”

“
I need to ask you something. It’s awkward, but it’s important.”

S
he couldn’t say no, so she nodded and waited.

“
How do you feel about me?”

“
What do you mean?”

“
How do you feel about me? You’re always kind and friendly. A friend. Is there more or is that all?”

A
wkward, but in true Joel fashion, he was dignified and gentle.

“
You are a friend.” Frannie shook her head. “I’m sorry if I gave the impression there was more. I don’t play with people’s feelings.”

Joel stared straight ahead for a full minute before answering.
“I see. Your mother suggested you felt more. She encouraged me to contact you. She said, well, that doesn’t matter. Maybe she had it in her head that we’d make a nice couple.” He met her eyes. “I think so, too, but that’s only good if it goes both ways.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Thank you for being honest with me.”

“
Joel, thank you for being you.” Her eyes felt misty. “I’m sorry.”

“
Don’t be. I’ll walk you to the door.”

“
No need. Take care, Joel.” She slid from the car.

Joel sat with the headlights on while she climbed the stairs and unlocked the door. She paused and waved. His car didn
’t move right away, so she went inside.

Laurel. She should
’ve realized Laurel wouldn’t be content to stay out of it. What had she said to him? What mischief had she attempted?

Joel
’s gift was sitting on the coffee table. Oh. A twinge of guilt. She went over and picked it up, opening the bag gingerly.

Tea. One of her favorite blends.
Plus a box of the little bags for making one’s own teabags.

She sagged back against the sofa, dissatisfied. It wasn
’t that she didn’t appreciate the thought, plus it was nice that people were aware she enjoyed tea—as if they could miss it. But if gift-givers didn’t know what else to get her, then maybe she was hiding herself too well.

****

She picked out a couple of items, a framed photo and a tiny ship in a bottle, to take to the rehab. It would be a little piece of home for Uncle Will.

She went straight to his room. He wasn
’t there. She situated the frame and ship on the windowsill, which was more eye level than the top of the bureau. The small room seemed so empty, so anonymous, without him. Too restless to sit and wait, she wandered down the hallway in the direction of the dining room and the physical therapy room. She was bound to find him in one place or the other. Both were down the hall and to the left.

As she reached the corner, she almost crashed
into a couple of people—or they nearly rolled into her.

Seeing the wheelchair, she tried to reverse direction too fast and stumbled
, catching herself against the wall.

Was he laughing? One
frail hand was raised as if he might’ve attempted to catch her if she’d fallen in his direction, but the grin was broad, and yes, the noises coming from him sounded a lot like laughter. Uncle Will. And pushing the chair? Brian.

Brian flew around from behind the wheelchair and grabbed her arm.
“Steady now?”

Frannie looked back and forth between them
and then settled on Brian.

“
What are you doing here?”

“
Visiting?” He released her.

“
Uncle Will, were you laughing?” She asked in mock horror, now that her heart had slowed. “You two were hot-rodding it down the hallway and nearly ran over me.”

He pointed at her.
“Fran.” A breath. “Okay?”

“
Uncle Will!” Her eyes stung. “Yes, I’m fine.”

“
Will was doing his PT.”

“
On Saturday? Isn’t that during the week?”

“
Yeah, but we do a little low-level workout on the weekend.”

“
Really? How do you know what to do?”

“
No worries. I’ve worked it out with the therapist.”

“
I wasn’t worried, but…oh, here’s lunch.”

“
We’d better get back.”

Brian wheeled him into the room
and then positioned the adjustable table over his legs.

“
Where’s Janet?” Frannie asked.

“
Running an errand. I told her I’d handle lunch.”

“
But he has trouble eating.”

“
We’ll take it slow and easy. Is that right, Will?”

She let Brian take the
vinyl-covered chair and she perched on the foot of the bed. Brian spoon-fed her uncle, but without any of the cutesy or condescending stuff. Man to man. If Will tried to say something. Brian would ask him to wait or slow down. He was so patient. Such patience wasn’t in her. She knew it wasn’t.

“
Well, hello, there! I see I missed lunch.” Janet came walking in, unbuttoning her coat at the same time.

“
Hello, Will. Hi, there, Brian. And Fran. Looks like a small party is happening here. Are y’all having fun without me?” She hung her coat in the narrow closet. “How’d the workout go?”

Uncle Will raised one hand and wagged his index finger up and down.

“Very funny. I hope you got more done than that.”

****

“How is it that you haven’t mentioned these visits?”

“
Was I supposed to?”

“
I get the feeling that this is a regular thing.”

“
I try to be here every weekend. Sometimes Saturday. Sometimes Sunday. We do simple movements. Goof around some.”

“
I had no idea.”

“
What is it, Fran? Was I supposed to clear it with you?”