Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) Read online

  Copyright © Rita Garcia, 2012. All rights reserved

  KINDLE EDITION

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Scripture references are from the following sources:

  Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica Inc, ® Used by permission.

  All rights reserved worldwide.

  Author Bio Image by Joe Garcia

  Cover and book design by

  THE KILLION GROUP

  www.thekilliongroupinc.com

  Dedication

  .

  For my daughters ~

  A daughter is a joyful treasure of love,

  and more cherished with each passing year.

  I’m thankful to God for His mercy, grace and love.

  To my dear husband, whose love and encouragement keeps me writing. Love you.

  To my daughters and grandchildren, this mother and grandmother couldn’t be more blessed.

  To Marita Thelander, Barista Extraordinaire. Thank you for the names and flavors of the lattes for the Serenity Cove Series. The Chantilly Rose restaurant, located in the Sea Crest Inn, was named for the signature latte created by Marita.

  Titles by Rita Garcia

  Serenity Cove Series

  Kaleidoscope Summer

  Serenity Cove Novella

  Christmas Future

  “But those who hope in the Lord

  will renew their strength.

  They will soar on wings like eagles;

  they will run and not grow weary,

  they will walk and not be faint.”

  —Isaiah 40:31

  Chapter One

  Jezzica pushed her red polished toes into the grains and tilted her head back to allow the shimmering rays to bathe her face. She could almost allow herself to forget the horrors of the past, and bask in the hope of better times, but not quite. Revenge intercepted hope and flung it away as if nothing more than a Frisbee being tossed among the waves. With a shake of her head, she pushed herself off the mat, and refused to tolerate the uninvited inner voice taking her down that well-trodden path.

  Her towel flapped in the breeze as she shook off the sand. At the sound of her name, she used her book to shield her eyes, and spotted Detective Zack Johnston. Suppose I have to be polite. She called hello and waved, wishing he’d go away—no such luck.

  He trudged through the sand, smiling as he approached her. “Hi, Jezzica. Nice day to catch some sun.” It was obvious he appreciated more than the sun.

  She tied a sarong over her black one-piece that left little to the imagination. “I was just heading back to the cottage. What brings you here today?” Certainly wasn’t detective work.

  A mischievous smile sparkled in his eyes. “Spent the day moving into the Wilson’s cottage. Appears we’re neighbors.”

  Okay, definitely not the bright spot in my day. “Aren’t Audra and Steve Wheeler renting that cottage?”

  “They were, but they moved into their newly renovated home this past weekend.”

  “Welcome to the shore.” Her eyes held his longer than she’d intended. Without thinking, she placed her hand on her stomach to still the butterflies—the first time she’d reacted to the nearness of a man since her husband’s death. She stepped back, unwilling to betray her guarded memories.

  She glanced in the direction of her cottage, surprised by the sight of Catylen kicking off her flip-flops and traipsing toward her. “If you’ll excuse me, my sister is here and I’d like to spend time with her.” Glad for a reason to end their conversation, relief replaced the dancing butterflies.

  He nodded. “See you around—being we’re neighbors.”

  “Yeah, see you around.” Her eyes followed him as his pace grew to an easy jog along the water’s edge.

  “Wow. Now that’s one gorgeous male specimen.” Her sister had a penchant for declaring the obvious as though it were an obscure fact.

  “I’m not interested in dating anyone, definitely not a detective.” Her smirk revealed her irritation. “Suppose Mom sent you.”

  “Who said anything about dating? And we’re all concerned about you.”

  “Where are Mike and the kids?” She untwisted her sarong.

  Catylen took a visible deep breath, her grimaced expression filled with anxiety. “The girls are still at college—they’ll be on summer break soon. Mike—” Her words stopped as though she’d thrown on the brakes and swerved to avoid a cat in the road. Jezzica knew her sister well—she didn’t push.

  From a distance, the sisters could have been mistaken for twins, even though Catylen was older by eight years and three months. Their chocolate velvet hair was pulled back and large sunglasses covered more than just their brown eyes, the same rich brown as their hair. To most observers, it might have seemed the two sisters were simply out enjoying a delicious summer day. The hurt well hidden, they walked in silence toward the cottage.

  The seaside home held many magical memories of childhood summers. Set in a row of similar houses, it bore the telltale wrinkles of age. The blue that once gave it a presence as it overlooked the crashing waves had weathered to gray. The white strips bordering the windowpanes aged to a softer gray. Curiously, the gray on gray gave the cottage a perfect ambience, as though nature had held an opinion about the way it should look—now proven right by the passing of years.

  Jezzica climbed the wooden steps and paused to remove her shoes. Catylen mimicked the habit learned early in their childhood, once again kicking off the sandals she had reclaimed before clambering up the stairs.

  “There’s a jar of raspberry sun tea on the deck. I’m going to shower off this sunblock.” Jezzica didn’t linger for an answer. She needed the refuge of warm water to drown out the pain that longed for a place of solace. The spray mixed with her tears as she clutched her hands to the tiled wall to remain upright. Sobs escaped that she never even knew existed, before cold steel in a stranger’s hand altered her destiny. “God, why? Why Geoff? Why in such a brutal way?” The temperature of the water grew tepid. She wrapped a towel around her soaked, unwashed hair. Then grabbed her robe from the hook with every intention of going back downstairs, of being polite. In the bedroom, she burrowed her way under the covers and succumbed to the sweet embrace of sleep.

  The whine of the door forced her awake. “Hey, lady, wake up.” Catylen moved near the bed.

  Jezzica rubbed her eyes and blinked at the shadows casting an amber glow on the bedroom walls. “Seriously? I slept all afternoon?” She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn.

  “Try all afternoon and night. It’s morning.” Catylen chuckled. “Get up. I’ll make breakfast.” She softly closed the door behind her.

  Dressed, Jezzica pursued the aroma of fresh brew mixed with the sweetness of maple syrup. “I need caffeine.” She sloshed coffee into a mug and settled on a cushioned chair at the table. “I didn’t intend to desert you yesterday. Maybe knowing you’re here helped me rest.” No doubt Caty brought me comfort by being here. But the sleep had come on the heels of pure exhaustion.

  Catylen pushed a plate of fluffy pancakes in front of her sister, and had barely put her bottom in the chair across from Jezzica, when she sprung back up and retrieved the mug she’d left on the counter. “It might help you to get out a little. I mean other than days on the shore, lost in the view.”

  “I know Mom’s worried. To her, Serenity Cove isn’t a
town where one of us would live—it’s a summer place in her eyes.” She took a bite and the sweetness of maple caressed her taste buds. “Yum. You inherited Mom’s cooking gene, that’s for sure.”

  “You intend to live here?” She filled her mouth and blotted a drop of stickiness off her chin. “Either I’m hungry or these are really good.” Catylen sipped the dark liquid over the rim of her mug.

  Jezzica plopped her plate in the sink and refilled her colorful Fiestaware mug. “I sold the house in April Springs.” She held her breath, waiting for her sister’s retort.

  Catylen sat up, wide-eyed, as though unconvinced that she understood the language her sister spoke. “You sold your house? You loved that place. You supervised every minuscule detail when it was being built.”

  “I tried to stay there. I wanted to keep Geoff close—it only kept the wounds oozing like festering sores.” She pulled the band from her hair and let it tumble down her back. “I hope the new owners fill the house with children and laughter—that’s what I had envisioned.” She had even designed a matching playhouse that still sat in the backyard. The house had represented her hopes and dreams for a family—before destiny intervened. For reasons unknown to her, God chose different.

  Her sister went to the sink and began rinsing dishes. “I worry about you, here alone with only morbid thoughts for company.”

  “It’s not like that. Yesterday—there are days I descend into a dark abyss, and yeah, it’s difficult to climb out.” She scooted her chair back and handed her mug to her sister. “I’d like to show you something. I’ve been avoiding the guaranteed arguments once the family finds out.” Her parents liked to share their life experiences. They hadn’t understood that sometimes people, even your own children, had to find their own way.

  Catylen wiped the counter and dried her hands before leaving the towel neatly folded next to the sink. “Sounds mysterious. What is it?”

  Jezzica slung her denim bag over her shoulder. “Let’s take your car and I’ll show you.”

  Chapter Two

  The sisters blinked, shading their eyes at the brightness of the spring day with summer stealthily moving in. “Is it too far to walk?” Catylen looked around as though to figure out her sister’s secret.

  “You remember Main Street?” Jezzica slid on sunglasses.

  “Yeah, down the coastal road and around the bend.” Catylen matched her stride to her sister’s. “Do you have many days like yesterday?” The concern in her voice said more than her words.

  “Not many—not now.” She put on the hat she carried in her hands. “I’m not certain what triggered it.” It was her reaction to Zack—the physical response to another man had felt like betrayal.

  “I envy what you had with Geoff. And to have it ripped away—”

  “There are days my total focus is on revenge. Why haven’t the detectives captured the killers? They haven’t even turned up any suspects. Why don’t they just do their job?”

  “Vengeance is best left in God’s hands.” Catylen stopped and shook the sand out of her jeweled flip-flops.

  “God’s not a subject I’m real good at these days. I give myself a pep talk how life continues. Then I think about Geoff or I see a reminder of him, and I can’t find a reason to take another breath.”

  Catylen put her hand on her sister’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. Let’s talk about something else. Where are we headed?”

  “To show you my attempt at putting my life into forward motion.” If I can find life’s gear lever.

  “We’re almost to the shopping area.” Catylen slowed and pointed down the road.

  “Come on.” Jezzica tugged her sister’s hand. “It’s too warm to stand in the sun.”

  They followed the curve onto Main Street. It was lined with a row of shops on each side, mismatched homes turned into businesses. It gave the area a quaintness that appealed to the summer visitors and residents alike. Charming Small Town, USA.

  “Oh, the ice cream shop.” Catylen’s voice filled with joviality. In a way, it was reassuring that some things never changed—Catylen had always loved ice cream, and the summers they spent here as children, the shop on Main Street had always been her favorite.

  The sisters peered through the decorated windows, reflecting animated ice cream cones and sundaes dripping with fudge. The banana split, painted on the glass, made the taste buds want to cash in on the promise of gooey goodness. The lettering boasted the finest in handmade flavors.

  “It was closed down for a while. Her daughter Lindy reopened it a couple of months ago. You remember Lindy—we used to hang out with her and her brother Nathan.” Jezzica stepped off the curb, and led her sister across the street, then unlocked the door of the Sea Glass Bookshop.

  Catylen crinkled her forehead. “Why do you have a key to the bookshop?”

  “I own it.” Jezzica pushed the door open. “Everything is settled in April Springs and now I’m ready to open my new business.”

  “You’re right. Mom and Dad aren’t going to be thrilled. It’s dirty in here.” Catylen dragged a finger through the layer of grime on one of the shelves.

  Jezzica rolled her eyes at her sister stating the obvious, again. “It’s been closed for over a year. The soot and ash is from the fire that burned the field behind the shops last year.” Her eyes traveled around the shop and landed on the children’s corner. “Remember story time with Ms. Anne?”

  “I recall being too old for story time, but Mom forcing me to go with you anyway.” She paused a long moment. “Where’s Ms. Anne now?” Catylen picked up a book and blew the dust off the cover.

  “She died and left the shop to her daughter. Only—”

  “Her daughter didn’t want to own this bookshop?” Catylen raised her eyebrows as if expecting a prize for getting the answer correct.

  “Yeah. But it’s more complicated. Ms. Anne gave her daughter up for adoption, and she died before they had a chance to meet.”

  “That is sad.” Catylen rummaged through the shop. “You’re going to need one of those big dumpsters.”

  “It’s sitting out back. These books aren’t even salvageable enough to be donated anywhere. They’re tinged with smoke.” Jezzica picked up several books and inspected them one at a time.

  “Maybe recycle them.” Catylen joined in the scrutiny process.

  “I need to—”

  The sisters heard the door open and turned toward the front of the shop. “Samantha, you’re home. How was Paris?” Jezzica motioned for her sister.

  “Romantic and magical, but it’s good to be back in Serenity Cove.” Samantha’s smile lit up her eyes and a blush glowed on her cheeks.

  Jezzica touched her sister’s arm and made warm introductions all around.

  “I thought you might be sisters, you look so much alike.” Samantha reached down and rubbed the little Sheltie’s head, sitting at the end of the leash she held in her hand. “This is Goldie, my hearing dog.”

  Catylen ran her fingers through Goldie’s fur. “You lip read so well that I didn’t even realize you were deaf.”

  “Thanks to many hours of therapy.” Samantha’s eyes roamed the shop, returning to Jezzica. “What are your plans for the shop?”

  “Clearing it out and cleaning it up.” Jezzica took a deep breath. “I’m hoping to have everything ready for a grand reopening by mid-June.”

  “Maggie and Julia should have some extra boxes. And I’ll send you some muscle to load up the books. There’s a place in Mariner Bay that recycles books.” Samantha pointed to the wall that divided the bookshop from Julia’s Place. “Have time to go next door for coffee? I’ve been craving a mug of Julia’s brew and one of her tantalizing sweet rolls since we arrived home.”

  “I won’t complain about getting out of this dusty shop.” Catylen frowned as her eyes roved across the dusty surfaces.

  The three sat at an outside umbrella table. The outdoor eating area was a new addition that Julia had recently added to the coffee and pastry shop. The p
atio provided shelter from the midday heat, a place for shoppers to rest weary feet—or just simple people watching.

  Julia filled their upturned cups. “I’ll be right back with water for our li’l Goldie.” She paused and patted the dog on the head.

  “Thanks, Julia.” Samantha smiled at the two sisters. “Most of the shop owners keep treats for Goldie—they love to pamper her.”

  “I’ll make sure to lay in a big supply.” Jezzica smiled at the little dog.

  “Did Jezz tell you that as kids we vacationed here nearly every summer?” Catylen’s voice held a hint of nostalgia.

  “She did.” Samantha tucked her hair behind her ear. “Jezzica attended my wedding earlier this month. In fact, she caught my bouquet—so we’ll see how that one plays out.” Their laughter boomeranged around the patio.

  Jezzica attempted to smile. “A gorgeous wedding held on a bluff overlooking the sea—at sunset no less.” She didn’t share how difficult it had been to sit through the ceremony, listening to the same vows she and Geoff had exchanged. Five years next month. Instead of celebrating with Geoff, she’d be opening her bookshop and trying to repair the shambles of her life. Not much more than newlyweds when he— She shook her head, hoping it wasn’t visible. And with effort, tuned back in on the conversation.

  Samantha rolled her eyes. “I must admit it was a crazy ride getting to the altar. So much was going on in my life.”

  “I love a wild romance—tell us about it.” Catylen leaned her elbows on the table as though not wanting to miss a single word. The creases between her eyebrows suggested she was harboring a few struggles of her own.

  “It wasn’t so much the romance as trying to make sense of the madness that had invaded my life.” Samantha rubbed Goldie’s head. “Life is good at placing some pretty big obstacles in our path. The overcoming isn’t always easy, but definitely worth the battle.”