Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) Page 18

  Goldie followed me to the truck. I opened the driver’s door and waited as she climbed in, leaving a trail of dusty paw prints across my seat. She settled into the passenger side as though securing her position of co-pilot. I amused myself on the drive, thinking of Thelma’s response when I showed up with a dog. I swung a left into the hospital parking facility and slipped into the assigned spot for the SCPD. I picked Goldie up, hiding most of her vest. “Let’s go annoy Thelma.”

  We pushed through the glass doors and came face to face with her. “Logan Edward Delatorre, just what do you think you’re doing? This is a hospital.” Thelma stood to her full five-foot stature, glared over the rims of her glasses and leveled a stare at me—the same one she had used when her son and I were teenagers. “And what’s with that smirk on your face?”

  “Goldie—say hello.” I eased her paw out toward Thelma. “She belongs to the woman we brought in last night.” With a chuckle, I pointed to the dog’s vest.

  Thelma let out an annoyed huff as I scooted down the hallway. I marched into the room with my arms full of dog. The patient shifted her gaze from the window toward us, as though she had sensed our arrival. Her eyes danced with excitement as she reached for the dog. “Come here, you.”

  The animal wiggled from my grasp and leaped onto the bed. Samantha cuddled the Sheltie, rubbing her face against the dog’s fur. “Baby, you’re here.” Her voice held little of the deaf accent I had expected.

  “The way her tail’s thumping, she seems excited to see you, too.” I grinned at the happy reunion.

  “Evelyn said you would find her. Thank you so much,” she said, blinking back tears. “I’m Samantha Forrester.” She extended her hand.

  When our hands clasped, a bit of static crackled through the room. “Logan Delatorre. My pleasure.” Her eyes were as blue as the sea roaring along our coast. I took a quick step back. “I’ll go see about a snack for Goldie.” Thelma came in balancing a tray with food and water for the dog, before I could make my escape.

  “On the floor okay? Or maybe you’re going to fix the dog up in the other bed.” Thelma directed an ornery glance my way, as she blithely ignored my best turn-on-the-charm smile.

  Samantha cast a questioning glance from me to Thelma. “Thank you. On the floor is fine.” She removed the dog’s vest and nodded to me. “Will you set her next to the food?”

  We watched as the dog lapped up the entire bowl of water in less than a minute. Thelma smiled at Samantha. “I’ll be back later to take her for a walk.” She exited the room, tossing me an over-the-shoulder glance. I winked at her, knowing Goldie would be well cared for.

  Samantha laid back, her golden hair draped over the edge of the pillow, looking the way I suspected an angel might. I dragged a chair over next to the bed. “I need a statement from you about what happened out at the cove.” I realized I’d glanced toward the window and reminded myself to face Samantha as I spoke so she could lip-read.

  Her smile said she understood, a multi-watt smile that shot a surge of adrenaline through my veins. Taking a deep breath I repeated the question.

  “Sure. Although there’s no great mystery involved.” She shrugged.

  I pulled a notebook from my pocket. “Just need to complete my report. Start with your name and address, then tell me how you fell.”

  She relayed the information and paused until my pen stilled. “Arriving at night wasn’t real smart—and not part of my original plan. I was running late, and when we reached Serenity Cove, it was already dark. We had scarcely passed the city limit sign when Goldie pawed my leg, letting me know she needed a pit stop. When we reached the cove, it looked like a good place, so I pulled over. I followed Goldie along the dirt path. Near the bottom, I lost my footing.” She winced as she pressed on her ribs, taking a moment before continuing. “Not one of my brighter ideas, going down a rocky trail in high-heeled boots. At any rate, I tumbled and slid down the embankment to the water’s edge. The next thing I remember, I was in the back of an ambulance with sirens blaring.”

  “You’re positive it was an accident? You didn’t see anyone around the area before you fell?”

  “Absolutely sure. If Goldie could talk, she’d confirm my story.” A shy smile crossed her face. “Not my finest performance—makes me a contender for the klutz-of-the-year award.”

  “You’re not the first person to plummet down that footway.” I shoved the notebook into my pocket. “I’m relieved you weren’t attacked. I’d hate to think we had a criminal on the loose. I’ll need a copy of your driver’s license for identification purposes.”

  I was surprised to see her open the drawer of the bedside table and pull out a small wallet.

  “Being I was traveling, I had it in the pocket of my jeans.” Had she read the questioning look on my face?

  Evelyn breezed into the room, set a tray with meds on the over-bed table, and motioned toward the door. “Our patient needs to rest now.”

  “I’ll drop by tomorrow.” I nodded to Samantha and patted the top of Goldie’s head. Next, I went in search of Doc—I’d neglected to call him.

  He was leaning against the front desk, talking with Thelma. “Hey, Logan. I hear you found baby.” He chuckled with a smug grin on his face.

  I raised an eyebrow at Thelma. She shrugged and smiled.

  I had no reason to question Samantha’s story, but I had to do my job. “The patient claims the fall was an accident.” I eyed Doc closely to gauge his take on the situation.

  “Nothing to make me doubt her story.” Doc tugged on his graying beard. “No reason to think anything else. If she had a place to stay, I would release her in the morning. But being she doesn’t want to inconvenience anyone to come all the way from Stone Valley, she’ll be spending a few days here. Can’t take any chances.”

  “How about her parents?”

  “According to Samantha, they’re both deceased. Her only family is an elderly aunt in Stone Valley. Her ribs will be painful for a while, but she won’t be down long.”

  I turned to Thelma. “I need a copy of the patient’s ID.” I handed her the license Samantha had given me.

  She slid it in the copier behind her, and handed me the printout. I folded the paper and slid it into my pocket. “Thanks. Would you return her license?”

  “Will do. You get some rest.” Always the caretaker. I still appreciated how she’d helped out after my mother died. I’d never pitched a baseball game without Thelma sitting in the stands beside my grandparents.

  I slapped the edge of the desk. “I’m out of here. Let me know if there’s any change.”

  I put the truck into gear and headed toward Main Street. I’d learned early in my career not to get personally involved. Yet, Samantha had connected with the protective side of my nature. I ignored common sense and followed the streets to my sister’s shop.

  Chapter Two

  For almost thirty years, I’d perceived my emotional house to be built of brick. Sadly, not unlike the story of The Three Little Pigs, when the wolf showed up at my door and commenced to huff and puff, my house came tumbling down—the bricks nothing more than mere straw. ~ Journal entry

  Life had turned chaotic with no input from me, long before the accident. Nothing in my experiences prepared me for this calamitous turn of events. Prayers for guidance were met with only silence. Insecurity raged, leaving my emotions shredded, like climbing a steep mountain without a rope and ending up gripping rock with bare hands.

  Goldie brushed her paw against my knee—her way of alerting me someone had entered the room. I glanced up as the physician’s assistant strode through the door. A scent of efficiency followed her.

  “Good morning. Glad to see you’re up and sitting in a chair.” Evelyn flipped open my chart and removed a pen from the pocket of her lab coat, her legs bare down to her stylish high heel shoes. My toes clinched at the thought of how her feet must throb by the end of the day.

  “Incredible view.” I nodded toward the window. Could there be a better
location for a hospital room? Watching the waves tease the shore earlier, I had faded into my own thoughts. Logan had invaded those musings. I resisted the inclination to fantasize. There wasn’t room in my life for a man until I found me. Besides, I was in Serenity Cove to wrap up my birth mother’s estate.

  Reflections were forgotten as Evelyn secured the blood pressure cuff around my arm. “The hospital has a great patio. It’s a pretty spot for lunch or to relax with a good book. There’s usually staff or other patients to keep you company. Although, I see you have an adorable companion.” She pulled a treat from her pocket and offered it to Goldie. “Compliments of Thelma.”

  She smiled and took my temperature with an ear thermometer. I thought back to when I was a teenager, when I’d hoped and prayed the device held some kind of magical healing properties.

  “Temperature’s normal—good. Any dizziness or nausea?”

  “None. Other than the sharp pain in my ribs, I feel great.”

  “Doc wants to monitor your concussion for a couple of days. You don’t want to be alone and have a problem.” She stopped making notations on the chart and glanced toward the door. I followed her gaze to a woman, the hem of her soft, paisley sundress swirling about her ankles. I watched, waiting for her to speak. Did she have the wrong room?

  “Good morning.” Her lips stretched as she punctuated morning with an open smile—a cheerful greeting must have chimed through the room. Her copper-colored curls bounced as she waltzed on in. She reached between the handles of the bag she carried and plopped the contents on the bed. “I hope these are the right size. I asked Logan, but you know men.” She rolled her eyes.

  She greeted Evelyn with a quick hug and moved closer to my chair. The gilded specks in her intense ly green eyes lit with a sparkle. “I’m Maggie Delatorre, Logan’s sister. He says…place…few days.”

  I accepted her outstretched hand, returning her smile. “I’m Samantha Forrester—my friends call me Sam.” I already adored her flamboyant personality. “I’m deaf, but if you speak a little slower I can lip-read.”

  “Will do.” She made eye contact. “Logan says you need a place to stay for a few days.”

  Evelyn finished making notations on my chart and flipped it closed. “I’ll be back in few. If you need anything let me know.”

  It took a minute after Evelyn left the room before I could string together words in response to Maggie’s suggestion. I hadn’t made the connection when Logan told me his name, but Maggie had been mentioned in several of the emails I’d received from Anne Makenna, my birth mother. My head felt swimmy—from the concussion or confusion, I wasn’t sure.

  According to Anne, Maggie’s family was a part of the history here, with ancestors who played a role in Serenity Cove becoming what it is today. How would they react when they learned I was Anne’s daughter? By a force of will, I focused my attention back to Maggie to quiet the words churning in my head. “I don’t want to impose. I’m fine right here.”

  “No imposition—we’re going to be great friends. You’re as pretty and sweet as Logan said.” She unfolded the garments. “I’ll go chat with Thelma while you get dressed.” I nodded and she was gone as quickly as she had arrived.

  So, Logan thought I was pretty and sweet. Strange—I felt God’s peace. Sure hoped it was His peace and not a free pass to go direct to disaster.

  The checkout process went more quickly than I could have anticipated. I love these small towns. Soon after, we cruised along a stretch of coastal road, which according to the sign was called Shoreview Drive. Maggie suddenly pulled onto the shoulder of the road and pushed a button, allowing the canvas top on her red convertible to disappear into the trunk. With the top down, the scenery was even more serene and inviting.

  I checked on Goldie in the back seat, though I knew she would never jump from an open car. Judging by the look on her little canine face, she was enjoying the wind whipping through the car as much as I was. The bright sun sparkling on the crystal-capped waves caught my attention. I whispered a silent thankfulness, though apprehension still nagged my insides. How would the next few hours unfold?

  Maggie touched my arm, gesturing to a house facing the sea. The wind blew her coppery curls forward, making it difficult to catch her words. She tucked her hair behind her ear. “There’s home. See the Victorian lady?” She pointed. “She’s graced that hill for many years. Christened Lady in White by my great-grandmother.”

  The house overlooking the water seemed surreal, like a beautiful painting of an era that had relinquished its crown to make way for the new, modern and contemporary. Enchantment captured my breath, as though we’d time-traveled to the past. Living in a place like the Lady in White was the stuff of dreams, at least my dreams.

  Maggie gently took the car over the skirt of a brick driveway—the craftsmanship of the herringbone pattern was a sight in itself. The front of the house faced the vast azure water as if paying homage to the sea. I followed Maggie up to the wrap-around porch. The opened screen revealed a decorative door with a beveled glass insert. Inside, cream silk swags adorned paned windows. “Maggie, I’m in awe.”

  Delight glowed on her face. “My great-grandparents on my mother’s side built this house. Logan lives in our paternal great-grandparents’ home—where we lived growing up. He gave me the choice between the two, and I chose this one. Each day when I come home, it welcomes me with warmth.”

  “The other one can’t compare with this one.” My eyes roamed over every surface, taking in the details.

  “It’s a magnificent Queen Anne home, with chandeliers and a winding staircase—it’s grand. I love it, too. But similar to having two suitors—this one won my heart.” Two lines hastened between her brows. “I promised Doc to make sure you didn’t exert yourself. And here I am droning on and on. You feel up to having a cuppa on the front porch?”

  “Cuppa?”

  “Short for a cup of tea.” Her contagious smile reached her eyes.

  Tempted to pinch myself, I laughed. “Teatime on the front porch of this splendid house? Heavenly.” Merriment filled Maggie’s face—I wanted to hear her soft laughter. Vibrations from an earlier era filled my imagination. Pictures formed in my mind of a family gathered around the dinner table within these welcoming walls. Exactly what I longed for—a husband and children chatting about all that had transpired in their day. Maggie’s hand on my arm brought me back to my reality.

  “Make yourself comfortable, while I conjure up some refreshments.” Enamored with the charm of the interior, I thought to follow her to the kitchen to see more, except the pain screamed go sit, letting me know it was time for more pain meds. I pressed a hand against the tape covering my ribs and retraced my steps across the dark cherry wood floor.

  A fabric sampler graced the wall near the front hall. Floss, faded by time, spelled out the Lord’s Prayer in elegant stitches. Thanks to my nanny, Miss Emmy, I had learned the prayer early in my childhood. Every Sunday morning, she helped me pick out a dress and added ribbons to my hair. After my Sunday school class ended, she would tuck me right next to her as we listened to the sermon in the main chapel. We’d stayed in touch, but hadn’t seen each other for several years. A longing whispered through me. With a sigh, I pushed on the screen door and strolled outside.

  A soft spring afternoon, the kind that embraced the coming season, set the porch aglow. Two chairs with a table between looked like the perfect place for a cuppa. I smiled at the new word, carefully easing myself onto one of the white wicker chairs.

  From what Anne had written in her emails, she cherished Maggie’s friendship, and now I understood why. Lord, I don’t want to disappoint Maggie and Logan. Goldie, who had been taking a break on the warm planks of wood, nudged me. I offered to help Maggie with the tray, although getting up again wasn’t going to be easy.

  “I got it—you stay right there.” She breezed over to the table, like fresh air sweeping across the waves. “I picked up pastries from Julia at the coffee shop this morning.” I
smiled at the way she seemed to think I would know who Julia was. She covered the table with a splash of lace, adorning it with two rose buds she took from the tray. From the porcelain teapot, she poured a stream of golden liquid into the matching floral cups. We sat there for a minute, stirring our tea, though neither of us had put anything into it. The ocean waves curled down into little lines of foam. “Did Logan pick up your car keys?” she asked, turning back to me.

  “He did. But he forgot mention you were coming to the hospital.” I smiled, wanting her to know I was glad she had. Could there be a more serene place to recuperate?

  “He’s having your car dropped off this afternoon.” She bit into a pastry and raspberry jam oozed from the flaky crust.

  “When you invited me, I never imagined ending up in paradise.”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to—both of you.” She glanced down at Goldie.

  “We won’t put you out too long, I promise.”

  “You’re not putting me out at all. Logan didn’t say where you were headed before your accident.”

  “Here. To Serenity Cove.” Had Anne told anyone about me or was I about to unleash her deepest secrets?

  “I got the impression you weren’t acquainted with anyone here.”

  “My birth mother owned the Sea Glass Bookshop.” I inhaled deeply, waiting for her response.

  “You’re Anne’s daughter—our Anne’s daughter?” Her face lit up. “She told me all about you. And you’re here—you’re finally here.” She jumped up and threw her arms around me. That might have been awkward except for her sincerity. A yelp escaped unbidden from my pressed lungs, and she quickly drew back. “I’m sorry. I forgot about your ribs. It’s amazing to meet you, at last.”