Fish Perfume (Cozy Harbor Marina Series) (8 page)

Before I went to the office, I stopped by the Snack Shack. I wanted to tell Mo about Mac.

Big H was sitting at the counter having a cup of coffee with Mo. They looked up when I walked in and I said, “Hi, you guys. I’ve got some bad news.”

Mo told me, “We already heard about Mac. A couple of the firemen were in for breakfast and filled me in. How is he?”

I said, “I just went to the hospital. It turns out he just had some angina. They’re going to release him today.”

Mo sighed, “Well, thank the good Lord for that. I’m gonna make him up a couple of heart-healthy meals this afternoon. I’m pretty fond of that old coot.”

“That would be great. He’s being discharged around 11:00. I’m planning on going to see him after work. If you want, you can put the meals in my fridge, and I’ll take them to him. His nephew, Mike, is going to stay with him for a few days just to make sure he’s okay.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll make enough for two,” she said.

I sat at the counter next to Big H. “Could I get a cup of coffee, Mo?” I asked.

“Sure, honey. I guess you had a rough night.”

“Well, I felt really bad because you know how I care about him, and he took me clamming yesterday. Maybe it was too much for him.”

Big H turned to me and said, “Meggie, that old man goes clamming every day in the summer and has for years. He would have been out there whether you were with him or not, so don’t think for a minute that it was your fault. I guarantee you, Willard Scott will be putting his picture up on the
‘TODAY Show’
when he turns 100.”

I knew he was probably right, but I couldn’t help feeling a little responsible.

Mo put a cup of coffee and a slice of her apple coffee cake on the counter in front of me. I wasn’t going to turn down a piece of Mo’s specialty, so I dug in.

On purpose, since Big H was sitting there, I looked up at Mo and asked, “Mo, didn’t you have a date the other night with a new guy?”

She smiled and said, “I sure did. He was a sweet talker, too. He took me to dinner and then to a show at the Granite Theatre in Westerly.”

I asked, “What was the show?”

“It was
Gypsy
. It’s one of my favorites so he got special points for that. I had a great time. He’s a really nice guy. I think we’ll go out again soon.”

I took a quick peek at Big H’s face, and he didn’t look too happy. He put his coffee cup down and stood.

He said, “Well, ladies, I’ve gotta go change the oil in my boat. Meggie, give my regards to Mac.”

“I will, Big H,” I said.

As soon as he left, I said to Mo, “Well, he didn’t look too happy about your date. Maybe Big H will come around. It’s pretty obvious he likes you.”

“Yeah, but the Mo is gettin’ old. I’m not gonna be this gorgeous forever. Father Time is an asshole and he’s sneakin’ up on me.”

We both laughed.

I said, “Well, I’d better get back to the salt mines. See you later.”

“Sure thing, honey.”

I went back to work and around 5:00, Ian stopped by the office. I was filing some paperwork when he appeared at my office door. I looked up at his frame, which filled the doorway, the sun behind him outlining all his yummy features. As my eyes adjusted, I saw he had on a dirty T-shirt, dirty work pants, and he smelled like lobster bait. I’d never been more turned on in my life.

“How’s Mac?” he asked. His level of concern was written all over his face.

I updated him. “I went to see him this morning at the hospital and he looked good. They were going to release him around 11:00. Mo whipped him up a few meals, so I’m going to take them over after work.”

He suggested, “How about I run home and get cleaned up? Then, I’ll stop back, get you, and we’ll go together? I should be back here by 6:30?”

Trying not to sound too eager, I agreed. “That would be nice.”

He smiled. “Okay, see you then.”

He left and I plopped down in my chair. I thought to myself, Oh boy, I’ve got it bad. I hope I don’t make a fool of myself.

I ran home after I closed up the store and jumped in the shower. I was just finishing putting on some lip gloss when Ian knocked on the screen door. God, does he clean up good.

He asked, “Are you ready to go?”

I waved him in. “Let me just grab the food out of the fridge.”

I went into the kitchen to get the meals Mo made and put them in a bag. Ian followed me into the kitchen, took the bag from me, and we left. It only takes about three minutes to get to Mac’s house. When we arrived, we could see Mac through the screen door, sitting in a recliner. Ian knocked and Mac looked up and said, “Come in, you two.”

We went in and I went over and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Mac said, “Meggie, if you keep kissing me, all the young fellas are gonna be mad at me.”

We all laughed, and I blushed.

Ian held up the bag of food. “Mo made some meals for you and Mike.”

Mac grinned. “Oh, that was really nice of her. Mike and I had something to eat a little while ago, but we can have Mo’s good cooking tomorrow. Ian, can you just put it in the fridge?”

Ian went into the kitchen.

I asked Mac, “Where’s Mike?”

He said, “He went home to get some clothes and should be back in a little while. I feel bad taking him away from his family.”

“Well, I’m sure he’s glad to be here for you,” I said.

Ian walked back in the room and inquired, “How are you feeling, Mac? What did the doctors say today?”

Mac told us, “They gave me some medication and told me I had to get plenty of rest and lay low for a while. I’m feeling better already. I probably do too much sometimes. Once in a while, I guess I have to remind myself I’m eighty-eight years old.”

Mac looked at me and said, “Meggie, I want you to use my boat anytime you have a chance. You know where I hide the key. You can run that boat as well as I can. You should take your friend out clamming when she gets here.”

“I’ll take you up on it, Mac. When you feel better, maybe you can come down and I’ll take you both for a ride up the pond.”

Mac smiled and said, “That will give me something to look forward to.”

Mac asked Ian how the lobstering had been, and they talked about that in detail. After a while, Ian stood up and said, “Well, you should probably get some rest. We don’t want to wear you out.”

Mac asked, “Are you two going out to dinner?”

To my surprise, Ian immediately said, “Yes.”

Mac waved cheerfully. “Enjoy your dinner.”

When I bent down to give him a kiss goodbye, Mac winked at me. I knew exactly what my old friend was up to. I told him I would come by sometime tomorrow to check on him.

As we walked to the truck, Ian asked, “Where would you like to go, Meggie?”

I said, “Ian, Mac put you on the spot back there. If you have other plans, don’t worry about me.”

He said, “I would like to go to dinner and we both have to eat. Now where would you like to go?”

“This is your neck of the woods. You know more places than I do.”

“I know a great place. Are you sick of fish by now?”

“Are you kidding? I could eat fish every day of the week.”

“My kind of girl.”

The restaurant was pretty crowded, but they had a table for us. We ordered an appetizer of fried calamari to share, and we both ordered the seared sesame tuna with soy and wasabi for our entrées. The waitress opened the bottle of wine that Ian ordered and poured us both a glass.

We each took a sip.

Ian asked, “Do you like teaching?”

“I basically decided to be a teacher because I really didn’t have any idea of what I wanted to do. I’m not passionate about it like some of the other teachers I work with. I work with some amazing people. I’m not a bad teacher. I try and make the classes fun and informative for the girls, but my heart just really isn’t in it. The main draw to teaching for me was having the summers off. I thought a lot about changing careers this past year. To be perfectly honest, I’ve enjoyed working at the marina this past month more than I’ve enjoyed teaching these past few years. I love being by the water and not being stuck in a classroom all day.”

He said, “I know what you mean. When I got out of college, I went to work in a shipyard as an engineer. It was a good experience and I learned a lot, but I love being out on the water, and I like working for myself. When my dad decided to retire, I jumped at the chance to buy the business. I think it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to do that, but I felt I should have another work experience just to make sure. I also missed Rhode Island. Maine is beautiful, but it’s just not home.”

“You were very lucky to grow up here. I know my mother misses Rhode Island.”

“They say when you’re trying to figure out a career path, you should try and think of where you want to be in your life ten years down the road. I knew this is where I really want to be. What do you see yourself doing in ten years?”

I thought about it for a minute and said, “As far as a career, I don’t have a clue. I do hope that by that time, though, I’ll have a family of my own. I definitely want to have kids.”

“I was an only child. If I ever have kids, I’d want more than one. I would want them to have each other.”

“When I was a kid, I sometimes wished I were an only child. My brothers could drive me crazy; it was always two against one. I could bore you all night with tales of how they terrorized me. They were very creative and I never knew when they would strike. Those two were pretty slick.”

He laughed and said, “If you remember, I got in on a few of those when you were up here on vacation.”

“That’s right, you were. You should be extra nice to me to make up for it.”

He gave me that killer smile of his and said, “I’ll see what I can do.”

The waitress served the calamari, and we settled in to enjoy our meal. The calamari was tender and cooked to perfection. The tuna was even better. We talked about friends, our families, and places we’ve traveled to and would like to go. Ian told me he tries to take a couple of trips every winter.

I made a mental note to renew my passport, just in case.

Ian cleaned his plate and finished off my tuna for me. I was stuffed.

While we waited for the check, I said, “That was just too good. I’m definitely going to have to walk more at night. The food up here is unbelievable.”

“Would you like to go for a walk?”

“I’d love that.”

I offered to buy dinner, but he insisted on paying. We got back in his truck and drove over to Narragansett. We found a place to park up by the Wishing Well and crossed Ocean Road to the sea wall, which is a popular place year round to stroll and enjoy the views of Narragansett Bay. Before we crossed the street, Ian took my hand. My hand felt so small compared to his. He had a working man’s hands— strong, rough, sexy. As we walked along, I could smell the ocean and hear the surf pounding on the rocks. It was a beautiful evening with just a gentle breeze. We walked toward the Towers, two stone structures at either end of an enclosed bridge that crosses Ocean Road. The Towers were all that’s left of the Narragansett Casino, which burned down in a fire in 1900. Further down past the towers was the Narragansett Town Beach. It’s a nice walk with stunning scenery.

By the time we headed back toward Ian’s truck, it was starting to get dark. We walked along in companionable silence. I didn’t want to just babble and I didn’t feel I needed to. I was just enjoying being with him.

On the drive home, I said, “Ian, this was a nice evening. I’m so glad Mac is feeling better.”

“Me, too. I’ll be honest, when I saw that ambulance last night I thought the worst. I thought his color was good tonight though. I think he’s on the mend.”

At the cottage, he walked me to my door. He took my hand and pulled me close. My heart started to pound, and I got that warm feeling I always get when I’m close to him.

He lean down and kissed me, warmly and gently. I put my arms around his neck and kissed him back. He removed my hair clip and ran his fingers through my hair. We finally came up for air, he nibbled on my neck, worked his way up to my cheek and gave me a quick peck on the lips.

Ian then drew back and handed me my hair clip. He looked at me with sultry eyes and said in a husky voice, “You have the most beautiful hair I’ve ever seen. I just had to get my hands on it. It’s like silky fire.”

I blushed and whispered, “Would you like to come in?”

He smiled and said, “I think I’d better go.”

Disappointed, I said, “Thanks again for dinner.”

“My, pleasure.”

He turned and did his hundred-yard dash through the parking lot.

I went into the cottage a little sad but happy at the same time. I didn’t want the evening to end. It was a magic night. Mac is feeling better and I think Ian and I just had an unofficial date. I probably shouldn’t have asked him in, but I couldn’t help myself. The words just came out of my mouth. I hope he doesn’t think I’m easy now. He is so nice and handsome and sexy and sweet. I know I shouldn’t, but I’m falling fast.

I checked my e-mail before I went to bed. There was one from Helen, and one from my parents in New Zealand. I decided to read Helen’s first.

Hi, Meggie:

I’m planning on driving up on Sunday. Can’t wait. I got directions on the Net. I’m planning on getting up at 4:00 A.M. and hitting the road to beat the traffic. Do you want anything from Philly? If so, let me know. I need this vacation bad. Have you found anyone for me to play with?

Love, Hel

I answered back.

Hi Helen:

I can’t wait to see you. I just had an unofficial date with the perfect man and I’m in total like and lust. I only hope I’m not setting my self up for another heartbreak. My fragile heart can’t take another crack. I’ll fill you in when you get here. I’m sure you won’t have a hard time finding someone to play with while you’re here. You were the queen of the playground since first grade. See you Sunday.

Love, Meggie

I then read my mom’s e-mail.

Hi, Meggie:

We’re having a great time. Charlie keeps us really busy. Have you heard from your grandmother again? Hope things are going well at the marina.

Love, Mom

I guess it’s time to bite the bullet and call Gram. Because California is three hours behind, I figured it wasn’t too late to call.

I dialed the number she gave me. It rang a few times and a man answered in a cheerful voice, “Cal O’Callaghan.”

Did I have the wrong number? I tentatively asked, “Is Betty there?”

He said, “Is this Meggie?”

Surprised, I said, “Yes, it is.”

He said, “I’m Betty’s friend Cal O’Callaghan. I’ve heard all about you.”