Beach Rental(95)
He’d forgiven Helen. Was he still angry at God?
He shook inside. Without a word, he rose to leave. Gently touching Juli’s hand was the most he could manage. He felt emotions rising to swamp him and he didn’t want to be here when it happened.
****
Maia complained he was being gloomy again. “One look at you and the customers will go elsewhere.”
“Fine. Hang these yourself. I’ll be in the office.” But he didn’t go to his office; instead, he went to stand at the plate glass windows. Beyond the window and across the street was the marina and a variety of small boats were pulled into the little harbor. The owners were securing them, if they hadn’t already done so, preparing for dark. “It’s so quiet in here.”
“Next week it’s supposed to be warmer. We’ll have more folks in town.” Maia lined up another painting to hang. “Ms. Harper did a nice job with these. We may want to highlight them. They’re bold enough to carry it off.”
Luke was silent and staring out into the coming night.
Maia sighed. “I spoke to Hal today. They’ve done brisk business down in Charleston. Some convention. When are you leaving to go down?”
He kept his back to her. “I’m not. I’ve decided to put off the trip. I don’t want to go out of town right now.”
Maia set the painting down carefully. “Why? She’s not due for a couple of months and Charleston’s not so far away.”
“The distance has nothing to do with it.”
“Sure.” She added the hanging clip to the back of the painting. “Did you tell her about the Christmas present?”
He swung around. Did he see a smirk on her face before she turned away? He said, “It’s not a big deal. Don’t make it into more than it is. Ben wanted her to have those things. For Christmas? I don’t know. But he wouldn’t have ordered a robe and sweater and had them delivered here if he didn’t intend them as a surprise for her. I carried out Ben’s wishes. As his executor and friend.”
“Without a card or word of explanation.”
Luke walked back to stand beside Maia. He picked up the painting and settled it on the hook. “Your point?”
“Well, a lady likes to know who’s giving her gifts.”
“What about secret admirers?”
“Is that what you are?”
“Enough. My private life is no longer a topic for conversation. I’ll say one last thing. I didn’t intend to fool her or play games with her. It seemed wrong not to give Ben’s gift to her, but to receive a gift from your deceased husband at Christmas? It might make her sad. Better to have her wonder who.”
Maia sniffed and blinked. “You might be right. You know, in thinking about it, this might be the kind of special story you save and share many years from now, like on your tenth wedding anniversary.”
“Subject closed.” He walked away.
“If you’d like to attend the baby shower next month, let me know. We’ll be happy to have you, but remember, it’s a surprise!”
He shut the office door, softly, but firmly. For a change, he welcomed the work that would keep him busy.
****
About a week later, Brendan stuck his head through the open doorway and motioned to get Luke’s attention. “Mr. Winters, there’s a call for you.”
Luke, with the phone receiver already to his ear, shrugged as if to say ‘so? I’m already on the phone,’ but Brendan persisted, “I think it’s important.”
“Excuse me, I have to go. I’m very sorry to break off like this. Can I call you back later?” He hung up the phone. “What’s up?”
“On the other line.”
Luke punched line two. “Hello?”
“Luke? It’s Pat.”
Pat was a professional. If she was calling, then it could be an emergency.
“What’s up?” Luke asked, reaching for his coat.
“Not Frankie. It’s a woman. Her name’s Adela. Your cousin’s sister?”
Luke stopped cold. “Adela?”
“Yes, I intercepted her in the parking area. One minute, ma’am. Please. Luke, she wants to speak with you.”
“Where are you now?”
“In the house. Juli’s out.”
“Okay, put her on.” A pause and then he heard her voice saying his name. He interrupted. “Adela? What are you doing in town? You didn’t tell—”
“I don’t need anyone’s permission to come here.”
“Adela, listen carefully. I’m on my way over. Until I get there you stay in the house with Pat O’Brien. Understand?”
“I didn’t come to see you. I’m here to see Juli.”