Penny Serenade (15 page)

Her aunt reached forward and patted her hand. “You always were determined. If you set your mind on something, you went after it.”

“Not with everything,” she said regretfully. “I wish I’d gone to college. I lacked both drive and ambition at the time.”

“You didn’t know what you wanted to do. We all feel that way at some point in our life. What matters is that you’ve worked hard to get where you are. Are you enjoying yourself?”

Audrey nodded. “Yes, I am. I feel my life is starting to go in the right direction. Oh, you know what? I brought a catalog with me of all the things I sell in my shop that I’d love to show you. It’s out in the car, but I’ll bring it in when we have lunch.”

“Wonderful. I’d love to see it.” Her aunt stood and moved with grace to the stove. When she opened the lid of the pot to stir, the aroma of clam chowder wafted her direction. She closed her eyes and inhaled.
Pure heaven.

“So, do you have a man in your life?”

Her eyes flashed open, pulled out of the magical moment. She thought of Dominic’s charming smile, and frowned. “I haven’t had much time or luck in that area of my life.”

“Maybe taking more time off will help you achieve that. What do you think?”

“I don’t know.” She didn’t want to talk about Dominic, not because she didn’t want her aunt to know about him, but she wanted to keep thoughts of him separate from her time here. This place was about her past.
About moving on from the effects of her childhood.
She didn’t want him to be a memory here too. “The dating scene isn’t a priority in my life right now.”

“What do you do to occupy your time? When you’re not working?”

“Um.
I haven’t taken time for anything other than my business.” Her aunt turned to her, her lips pressed firm. “I know, it’s sad,” she said, “but other than my garden I’m usually working.”

“I see.”

Audrey groaned. “I can tell you have a ton of speeches you want to give me about relationships.”

“A little advice maybe, but I promise no speeches.”

“Well, I wouldn’t mind a little advice.”

Her aunt tapped the spoon against the pot and faced her, arms folded. “Don’t make the mistake I did. Find someone to share your time with, and build happiness together.”

Now she felt really bad. All the time she’d been with her aunt, there hadn’t been any suitors to take her out. “There’s still time to meet a nice man,” she said.

“I’m too old now,” her aunt said.
“Too used to living alone.
There’s still hope for you, child.”

Audrey raised and lowered her shoulders. “I thought that maybe there was someone I could spend time with, but I messed it up before it ever got started.”

“There will be others. You’re still young.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready to be with someone.”

Her aunt smiled. “You have your whole life, but don’t wait too long. The years pass by fast. Speaking of which, I have something that I meant to send you last week. Now that you’re here, I might as well give it to you.”

Colleen left the room and came back with a yellow envelope in her hand. “I found it while clearing out clothes in the old dresser you used to have in your room. I can’t believe all the stuff I’ve accumulated over the years.”

“What is it?” Audrey reached out and took the envelope from her aunt.

“I’m not sure you even want it, seeing how it has been such a long time, but I wanted to leave that up to you.”

She smoothed her fingers beneath the flap and opened the envelope. Slowly she removed the card.
A birthday card from her father.
It would’ve been for her tenth birthday. The lobster on the front reminded her of Charlie, her stuffed animal. Inside was a standard birthday greeting, but beneath it her father had written a message himself.

My darling girl,

How the time has flown by. I’ve enjoyed each and every minute of it with you, and look forward to many more years together. I know you often believe that the sea means more to me, but it doesn’t, in fact it doesn’t even come close. You’re my greatest treasure.

Happy Birthday!

Love and pennies forever, Dad

Taped at the bottom was a bright shiny penny. She pocketed the coin and closed the card, staring at the lobster as if it were a picture of him.

Her aunt cleared her throat. “The last time we spoke on the phone I meant to say something about it. My mind isn’t as sharp as it used to be.”

“No, it’s okay. Thanks for saving it for me.”

“You’re welcome. I’ve also got a couple boxes of your old stuff, mostly from when you were younger. I doubt you’ll want any of it, but I thought you could check it out before I give them away.”

“Sure, I’ll go through them in the morning.”

“No rush. You’re welcome to stick around here longer. I don’t mind.”

She didn’t mind either and was sorry the stay would be short. “You know, now that I’m here I wish I could. At the time I made the reservations I figured even a day spent here would be too painful.”

“So then you’re glad to be here?”

“I’m not sure what I feel. It’s all a bit surreal. Part of me expects to find dad in another room putting on his gear to go out fishing. What did you do with dad’s old room?”

“Turned it into a sewing room.
There are still some of his things in the closet in there. If you want to rummage through any of it, be my guest.”

“Nah, I’m good. Thanks anyway.”

Her aunt went to the stove and stirred the black pot. “Chowder looks ready. Hungry?”

“You better believe it. I’ve been dying to have your chowder. I’ve tried about fifteen different restaurants and none of them comes close in comparison.”

“You’re too kind.”

“It’s the truth. I don’t know what your secret ingredient is, and no one else seems to know either, but it’s the best in the entire world.”

“I’m going to heat up some bread I made last night, while the chowder cools a bit. Don’t want to burn your tongue.”

It would take great restraint to keep from gobbling it down. She thought of a way to help pass the time. “I’m going to grab my shop catalog out of the car. Be right back.”

She slipped on her sneakers and sprinted out to her car. Not remembering which bag she’d put it in she looked through all three, finding it in the last one. Magazine in hand, she went back inside and set it on the table.

In front of her sat a large piping hot bowl of clam chowder. Her mouth salivated as she inhaled the aroma. A dish of warm bread and butter sat between them. Audrey dunked in her spoon and blew for several minutes before putting it in her mouth. The chowder trickled down her throat and she swooned.

“Oh my word this is delicious. It’s even better than I remembered.” She moaned in ecstasy with each bite. Who needed sex when you ate something this rich and luxurious? “Seriously, this is delish. You could make a fortune selling it.”

“I think I’d tire of making it,” said her aunt, flipping open the catalog. “Wow, this is the inside of your store?”

“Mm hmm.”

“It’s gorgeous, and I love the color on the walls. It’s so classy, so professional. I’m proud of you.”

Audrey’s ears burned from the attention. “Thanks.”

Her aunt leaned in and tousled her hair, just like the old days. “Good job you. Where do you find all the beautiful things to fill it with?”

“I order a few things from other catalogs. But many of my things in there are made by local artists.
Especially Betsy and Heidi.”

“I’m impressed. Oh I like these,” she tapped her finger on the two page spread of the Thoughtful Pennies. “Whoever makes these is very talented. What a clever idea.”

Audrey cleared her throat. Should she share her secret?
Yeah, why not.
Maybe it was time to let other people know she made them. “I do.”

“Makes perfect sense with the pennies and all.
Oh I love them. Your father would adore them, too. You’ve got a wonderful gift, child.”

Her cheeks burned. “Thanks. They were inspired by him.”

“So, I hope I don’t sound nosey, but what are your plans while you’re here?”

“I want to go to the dock and watch the boats. Walk around some of the places dad and I went to. I don’t know, just sort of be here, you know? I don’t have specific plans or any real agenda other than to find some sense of closure. Try and figure out what I’m holding onto.”

“Sounds like a great plan. It’s been storming a bit here the past few evenings. I haven’t checked today’s weather, but be sure to dress warm enough just in case. I have an extra rain slicker if you need to borrow one.”

“I’ll do that.”

The phone interrupted their conversation and her aunt disappeared into the other room to answer. Audrey finished up every last drop of chowder, cherishing each bite, saddened to know it would be a long time before she’d ever have it again. Even if she convinced Colleen to give her the recipe, she couldn’t cook to save her life.

Her aunt returned and pulled out a paper sack from the refrigerator. “I packed you a light lunch in case you get hungry. Hope it will be enough.”

“I’m sure it will, you didn’t have to, but I appreciate it.”

“I’ve missed packing you lunches.
Oh,
and here’s some bottled water.” She placed them on the table, her eyes darting around the kitchen. “You know, I have a backpack in the entryway too, a gray one, real easy on the shoulders in case you didn’t bring one.”

“You think of everything, you know that? That will be fantastic.”

“I try, though I feel a little out of practice.”

Audrey got to her feet and wrapped her arms around her aunt. “Thanks again for the chowder. I mean it when I say that it’s the best.”

“You’re more than welcome. I guess I’ll see you later?”

She grabbed the sack lunch and water and headed out of the kitchen. “Yeah, but don’t wait up for me,” she said and put the sack into the backpack.
 

“Of course not.
You’re a grown woman. You do whatever you need to do. Okay?”

“Okay.”

She tied her sneakers and wrapped her aunt’s rain slicker around her waist.

“Bye for now.”

“You be careful.”

“Will do,” she hollered over her shoulder.

Audrey headed out toward the dock just as the sun started to peek out from the clouds.

Chapter Seven

Dominic paced along the sidewalk between Caramel Springs Café and Audrey’s shop for close to half an hour, trying to gather the nerve to see her. At least to ask how she’d been. He’d get halfway there only to freeze up. What would he say? How would she respond to him interrupting her day without calling first? What if she never wanted to see him again? He didn’t expect some hero’s welcome, but at the same time he didn’t want her to think he was some kind of jerk who walked away and ignored her for an eternity. The longer he waited, the harder it would get, and the less genuine he’d appear.

Screw it, he thought. He’d pop in, say hi, ask how she was, and then go. It would satisfy his need to see her and alleviate the guilt for letting the silence go on for this long. If she wanted to talk, he’d wing it.

Dominic pushed open the door and noticed a petite reddish-brown haired woman standing behind the counter. She looked up at him with a kind smile.

“Afternoon.
Welcome to Tokens of the Heart.”

“Uh, thanks.
Afternoon.”
He shifted his weight. He hadn’t figured someone else in the shop into his scenario. “Would Audrey happen to be here?”

“She won’t be in today,” the woman replied, her tone sounding somewhat guarded.

It was probably for the best she wasn’t around. He didn’t know what the hell he’d say to her. “Oh. Okay.”

“Do you know if she’ll be in tomorrow?”