Beach Rental(13)

She gave him credit for not forcing the conversation on the drive back. She stared out of the window, watching the rows of colorful homes with glimpses of dunes and ocean between them, past the beach stores and the marinas, then they crossed the bridge and were back in Morehead City.

Ben pulled into the parking lot they’d left not much more than an hour earlier.

“I’ll call you.” She tried to keep her voice even, not wanting him to try to read an answer in her inflection.

His lips moved. He wanted to speak, but didn’t. She exited his car and watched him drive away. She could walk home from here.

Her work apron was in the store. She’d shoved it under the counter. She should’ve taken it with her. It could use a washing.

She paused outside the glass doors. If she went inside they’d ask her to stay. She could use the hours, but wasn’t in the mood. The prospect of returning to the register caught her breath short. Made her feel trapped.

Any luster this job once had was gone and it was Ben’s fault.





Chapter Four



Juli held Ben’s hand self-consciously. She’d certainly done tougher, more embarrassing work in her life. Her part in this was simple and with the ocean breeze gently brushing her hair and toying with her skirt, the working conditions were exquisite.

She looked at the guests, at the pastor, and told herself this was merely another kind of temporary work. Juli focused on the silky coolness of the damp sand beneath her bare feet.

She’d take it one day at a time.

Ben’s friend, Maia, had given her a posy of daisies and baby’s breath to hold. Tiny green stems and leaves peeked from within the frothy white.

Juli was glad to have Maia at her side even if she was more of a stranger than Ben. At least, Maia was friendly. Luke Winters wasn’t. He was Ben’s cousin and closest friend. He was also the tall, aloof man at the party the night she’d met Ben. She’d recognized his arrogant face immediately.

Luke stood near Ben scowling like a bad omen personified. She’d been invisible to him at the party, but now, she was squarely in his sights. Ben’s hand was steady in her clasp and reassured her. If Ben was aware of the negative waves of emotions coming their way he chose not to acknowledge them.

Juli ignored Luke. She never deliberately tried to give offense, but neither would she beg for anyone’s approval.

The pastor’s voice brought her back to the task at hand.

“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

“Yes.” A gust of wind snatched the word away from her lips. She spoke again, more forcefully, defiantly, “yes.”

“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” He said it strongly not letting the wind or the roar of the ocean overpower his affirmation, as if denying reality the chance to diminish his happiness.

A short distance down the beach, with waves churning around their knees and thighs, two darkly tanned men worked together casting a large red net fastened to a frame. They hefted the straight ends together out of the water and it billowed, catching the wind before they bent in unison, dropping it back down into the rushing waves. She admired the grace of their actions in unison.

She squeezed Ben’s hand. Together was a new concept for her. Ben returned the squeeze and met her eyes. Today his skin was flushed. From the sun or from the nuptials? His face showed happiness with a hint of apprehension in the set of his lips.

The warmth of his touch pulled her from her thoughts. She gasped as Ben slipped the gold wedding band, then an engagement ring onto her finger. The engagement ring was unexpected.

The diamond glittered with captured light and the gold had a shiny, new sheen.

Juli heard, “I now pronounce…” and anxiety rushed through her, but there was no invitation to the groom to kiss his bride.

This was a tremendous leap for both of them, but what was the risk? The pre-nup was the safety net and time was on her side. She knew empathy wasn’t her strong point, but she could be kind to a dying man.

“Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Daniel Bradshaw.” The pastor extended his hand and they shook in turn.

Maia said, “Ben and Juli, stay where you are. Stand close together and smile.” She was grinning broadly and holding a camera in front of her face.

They obeyed as she snapped a few photos. Then the pastor took one of Ben and Juli with Maia and Luke on either side—the entire bridal party.

Ben’s sister, Adela, did not attend, but Luke represented the official family displeasure. He offered congratulations with a dour expression.