The Siren's Call (Last Chance Motel Book 3) (11 page)

“I thought I could get to the house and get back before Eva noticed. Then when I found Snowball I just gave him a big hug. He started purring and we cuddled and I fell asleep.”

“That’s not true, Jenny.”

“What?”

“You’re telling a big fib.”

“No, I’m not.”

Mary smiled sadly. “Jenny, I know when a child is not telling the truth. You knew you wouldn’t get back, and that your little prank would upset Eva. I want to know why you would do such a cruel thing to a person who has been good to you like Eva.”

Jenny shrugged and wouldn’t look at her grandmother.

“Sometimes, children get angry or frustrated about things, and they don’t understand why because they don’t know how to put their feelings into words. Let me help you.”

Jenny put down the picture of her mother and clutched Snowball.

Mary smiled and rested a hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “Here’s what I think.”

Jenny looked hopefully at her grandmother.

“I think a couple of things were going on. I think you were upset that you were not going to Orlando during the summer months. It meant you would be here in the Keys when the storms came, and that scared you.

“Since your dad and Eva love the water so much, you knew they would be out in the boat a lot, and you wouldn’t get to go with them unless you got over your fear of the ocean, so you tried the kayaking since you were familiar with it.”

Jenny brushed a tear from her cheek, but her eyes brightened.

“All these feelings got you confused. You were angry about not going to Orlando, but excited when you discovered that you could go out in the kayak. You also realized that you felt safe around Eva, but you were still scared your mother might be mad at you for loving Eva, so you wanted to punish Eva.”

“Golly, that’s what Mr. Egan said.”

“Really?” Mary raised her eyebrows in surprise. She hadn’t thought River was so perceptive.

“Close. He said my mother wouldn’t mind me loving Eva, and Daddy said so too, but I’m not so sure.”

“Oh, Jenny, how can we convince you that loving Eva is the right thing to do? Your mommy would be so happy.”

“Are you sure?”

“I knew your mother longer than you did–many years before you were born–Beth was such a fine person. She would only want what’s best for you.”

“Oh, Grandma, I feel so bad. I guess I really hurt Eva.”

“And you should feel bad, but if you apologize to Eva, I bet that by this time next week, your little act of defiance will be forgotten.”

“Really? You think so?”

Mary smiled and nodded. “Yep, I think so. Eva is outside if you want to talk with her.”

Jenny climbed off the bed still clutching Snowball. “Is it okay if I take Snowball with me?”

“Sure. Just don’t blame falling asleep on that poor cat. Come clean with Eva. You’ll find that she is a very understanding person.”

Jenny gave Mary a huge smile and ran out of the room.

Mary smiled to herself, sure that everything would be all right now in her little world.

But Mary was wrong.

T
he doorbell rang.

Mary opened the door after wiping her hands on apron. She had been cutting up potatoes for the pot roast she was cooking.

There stood River holding a large bouquet of flowers and a box of candy.

“River, you’re early. I’m not even dressed.”

“I wanted to talk with you before the others came.”

“Come in,” Mary said reluctantly as she moved aside. She noticed that River was wearing a new shirt and a brand new pair of shorts, and when he handed her the flowers, she noticed that it looked as though he must have had a professional manicure. “Recent haircut?” she mentioned.

River waved his hand over his new do. “You like it?”

Mary cocked her head from side to side. “It’s very becoming. Makes you look like a CEO of some big company.”

Grinning, River thrust the box of candy at Mary.

“My goodness, candy too? I only fixed pot roast.”

“It’s not for dinner. Flowers and candy signal a man’s intention to officially court a woman,” River announced as he bent down and lightly kissed Mary’s hand.

“You want to go steady with me?”

“Yeah, that’s funny. Mary, we’re not getting any younger. I don’t want to waste any time. I like you. I think you like me. Let’s spend some serious time together and see where it might lead.”

“Where it might lead?”

“I just said that.”

Mary was visibly flummoxed as she stood holding the candy and flowers. “Just exactly where do you want it to lead?”

“Maybe living together. Maybe marriage.”

Mary walked into the kitchen and placed the candy and flowers on the kitchen island. She thought for a moment and turned to face him. “River, I’m very flattered, but I will never ever live with a man, and I seriously doubt that I’ll ever get married again.”

“Why wouldn’t you live with a man?”

“Because I would share in all the negatives of a man’s life, but have none of the safety nets and rights that a married woman has. The woman always gets the short end of the stick when just living together, unless she has lots of money on her own, which I don’t.”

“And marriage?”

Mary didn’t answer, but shook her head, looking away.

River’s face fell. “Oh. So where does that leave us?”

“Why can’t we be friends?”

“I have friends, lots of them. What I don’t have is a female companion.”

“I am sorry to disappoint you, but the only thing I can offer is friendship.”

“You won’t even consider taking a chance on me?”

Mary shook her head again. “Out of the question. I only want to be friends.”

“All right then, Mary Bishop. You can look me up when you finally realize that babysitting Jenny and taking care of this house are not enough for you.” River turned to leave.

“Where are you going? Aren’t you staying for dinner?”

“This is supposed to be a family dinner, isn’t it?”

“Yes, my family will be here.”

“Then I’m sure I won’t be welcome, since I’m not part of your family.” River strode out the front door and closed it quietly.

After the door closed, Mary quietly called River’s name and took the first step to run after him, but stopped herself. This was crazy. All she had wanted was to have dinner for her family and a few friends.

She certainly didn’t anticipate a fight with River. Mary shoved her concern deep inside.

Mary was certain River would eventually realize they were too old for anything besides friendship and would come to his senses. She just had to wait.

E
va and Jenny offered to clean up the kitchen after eating Mary’s pot roast and chocolate cake. Glad someone else offered to clear the table, Mary and Lillian adjourned to the back patio.

They looked east at the brilliant night sky while Mike and Jim were having a beer in the study while watching an evening baseball game–the Cincinnati Reds versus the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Lillian and Mary could hear them cheering occasionally.

Mary turned so she could look through the back glass windows to check on Eva and Jenny. The two were laughing and chattering while they washed and put away the dishes. Lately it seemed things were going well there. Mary sighed with relief.

“You’re awfully quiet, Mary,” commented Lillian.

“Oh, I suppose it’s the heat. It wears me down in the summer,” Mary said, watching the boats settle for the night out on the ocean.

“Really? I thought it might have to do with River not being here tonight. I noticed a box of candy and a vase full of flowers in the laundry room. Care to enlighten me?”

“River did come and then he left in a huff.”

“What on earth happened?”

“He’s got some silly notion that he wants more than friendship with me. The candy and the flowers were his way of saying ‘let’s get it on, babe!’”

“I think that’s sweet in this day and age.”

“Sweet, huh? I think it’s crazy! What do I want with a man at my age?”

“My goodness, Mary, you sound like you’re ready for the boneyard. You have many good years left. Do you want to spend them alone?”

“I’ve got Mike and Jenny. Now Eva, too. That’s plenty for me.”

“Listen, Mary. I love my daughter and grandson, but I don’t want to build my life around them–the same way I didn’t want my mother-in-law or my mother to weave their lives around my family. They gave me space and plenty of it.”

“Are you saying I’m a burden to Mike and Eva?” asked Mary, aghast.

“I am saying that you are attractive, in good health, and have your own money. Let yourself live a little. Let Mike and Eva share their triumphs and their lumps without you hovering over them.”

“Oh, my gosh! Has Eva said something to you about me?”

“Heavens, no. Eva adores you. I’m just saying let them come to you. Don’t pay so much attention to them unless they ask. They’ll appreciate you much more that way.”

“In other words, don’t get in their way.”

Lillian smiled at Mary and took a sip of her wine.

Mary sniped, “That’s easy for you to say, Lillian. You’re younger than me. You’ve got time to get a new man. I’m too set in my ways for that foolishness now.”

“So you want your last years to be about babysitting Jenny? Once she hits twelve, she won’t even acknowledge knowing you. All teenagers are horrible animals. I don’t think they are human beings again until they can write a thank-you note without being reminded.”

Mary started to doubt her decision. “Lillian, I simply don’t know what to think anymore.”

“Spend some time with River. Cut loose a little. What’s the worst thing that can happen?”

“We could bomb as a couple.”

“So.”

“So?”

Lillian scooted her chair a little closer and patted Mary’s hands. “That’s what life is about. Taking chances and failing. Picking yourself up again and maybe succeeding a second time.”

“I don’t want the drama that goes with failing.”

“You’re halfway to success. You already have a man on the hook who is interested. I got to know River at the motel, and he’s lots of fun. He’s manly, and good-looking, if I may say so–I’ve given him the once over. He sincerely loved his wife, but he doesn’t talk about her every second of the day. He’s living in the present, and so should you. Just go out and have fun with him.”

“I think he wants more than that. I think he wants a commitment of some kind.”

“Wow, a commitment? How is that so terrible? Most men hightail it in the opposite direction at the mere mention of the word. You’ve got one who thinks you are hot and wants to see where dating will lead. I bleed for you, Mary.”

Mary playfully nudged Lillian with her hip and they both giggled while watching a pod of dolphins swim through a path cast by the moon’s light reflecting upon the ocean.

Lillian had given Mary something to think about. Maybe she was being foolish and throwing away a last chance for happiness.

F
or the next several weeks Mary busied herself working at the Pink Flamingo after having offered to take several of Eva’s shifts so she could spend more time with Jenny. When not at the motel, Mary cleaned her house, got her hair done, did the grocery shopping, had her car detailed, and did the laundry.

She no longer stopped over at Mike and Eva’s house unless invited, and didn’t talk to Jenny unless her granddaughter called.

During this time Mary noticed several things.

Eva seemed calmer and her relationship with Jenny was going in the right direction.

And Mary was clean. Very clean! She had clean clothes, a clean house, and a very clean car. Everything was as neat and tidy as it could be. What she did not have was companionship.

Mary realized she was lonely.

She also realized another thing.

River had never called, nor did he stop by–not once.

Mary thought he must be really mad. She kept mulling over what Lillian had said. But Lillian was in her forties while Mary was in her early sixties.

She looked in the mirror, really scrutinizing her face. Mary had to admit she looked younger than most sixty-some-year olds. And she was in very good health. Maybe she was being too hasty to throw in the towel as far as romance was concerned.

Mary did what she often did when she was truly stressed. She cooked her way through the problem. She made her signature mac ’n cheese casserole with fresh tomatoes and bacon. When it was done, she carefully pulled it from the oven and then put it in an insulated casserole carrier.

It would be the icebreaker she needed to ask River if they could talk and tell him she was sorry for being so hasty in her decision.

What man could resist macaroni and cheese? “Well, old gal, here goes nothing,” Mary said as she headed out the door with the casserole.

It took her several minutes to drive to his trailer park since she drove slowly to avoid spilling the casserole. Pulling into his carport, she noticed River’s trailer had an unoccupied look about it. No lawn chairs were out front and the drapes were pulled.

Mary got out and, holding her casserole in one hand, knocked on the trailer door.

No one answered.

Mary began to have a sinking feeling in her stomach. “River!” she called as she knocked again. She peeked into the nearest window, but couldn’t see a thing.

The man next door had been watering his plants when he peeked around his trailer. “You looking for River Egan?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, you just missed him. He said Florida hadn’t panned out like he had hoped and was going back home. He caught a cab to take him to the airport shuttle. If you hurry, you might catch up with him.”

“Thank you very much.”

Mary hurried back into her car and threw the casserole in the back. She had to think about where he would go to meet the shuttle. Probably at one of the big hotel chains in the area. She thought of where the closest hotel was located and gunned her car in its direction.

M
ary screeched to a halt in front of the hotel. Lowering her car window, she asked the valet if the airport shuttle had left.