“Well, ah… Miss Swenson? Let me show you around.”
“Call me Nell. Everyone does. And it’s Mrs., although my husband died many years ago. Look at this huge kitchen. What a joy this will be.” She smiled at Tom, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
Another happy soul. Must be the sea air. Seemed like all the locals were happy. Maybe it’d rub off on Tom. “Glad you approve. Trust me, for the next few weeks, you’ll be very pleased you have this much space. My sister, Cassie, loves to cook, too, so she will no doubt be in here shadowing your every move.” Tom turned. Joe was coming up the back steps.
“Hey, Nell,” Joe said. “I see you’ve met Tom.” Joe entered the kitchen carrying a box of Nell’s spices. “I’ll set these here on the counter. Be right back, gonna get the other bags of stuff from Nell’s car. Morning, Tom. You look pretty chipper this morning. Hope the sea air is starting to work its magic.”
“Something like that, Joe. Can you show Nell around? I need to make a couple of calls, then I’ll be back.”
“Glad to.”
Later that afternoon, as it was getting dark, Tom called Sara and asked her to meet him at the bottom of the beach stairs. He waited for a while, throwing stones into the choppy water.
Tom thought he heard someone call his name. He looked around, but saw no one. Picking up another stone, he hurled it far out into the water, watched it splash as it hit. A few minutes later Sara came running down the long stretch of sand toward him. They hugged. Sara was shivering from the cold sea air. They huddled for a few moments, finding warmth in each other’s arms. Tom had brought a blanket and a thermos of hot cider. They gathered driftwood and built a small fire. They sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts. Tom held Sara’s hands in his large ones until they were finally warm.
“What are you thinking about, Sara?”
She didn’t look at Tom when she answered. “About your sister. I hope she’ll understand about us. I mean, you came here to get over one relationship, and now here I am. I want her to like me. I know she’s very important to you. Maybe it’s best if we keep our relationship quiet for the time being.
“No! You’re wrong. Cassie will love you because I love you. Trust me, Sara. I know Cassie. When she sees how happy I am, she’ll love you, too. Now stop worrying.”
Sara turned to Tom, smiling. “Okay, you’re probably right. I want everything to go well. I’m so happy, Tom.” Sara stood up. The moon spread a golden aura across the ocean. The evening was still, the only sound that of the breaking waves.
Tom pulled her to him, kissed her upturned face. “Oh, yes. I’m a very happy man. Come on. Let’s go for a walk. When you meet Cassie, you’ll see how ridiculous it is to worry about her.” He pulled her by the hand. Laughing, they raced along the beach trying to stave off the cold wind blowing in from the east.
Chapter 26
In the half-light of twilight, the softening dusk of evening transformed the harsh landscape, metamorphosing harsh rocky cliffs into orange-tinged velvet walls. Shadowy crevices turned to rich earth-brown pallets lush with moss. Sparkling water-diamonds shimmered above the beach as the tiny droplets flew into the air, tossed high from the crashing waves pounding the shore.
Transfixed, Elise watched Tom skipping stones into the high water. Even from this distance, she heard his carefree laughter echoing off the cliffs as he retreated hastily from the crashing, ice-cold waves, running backwards—almost, but never quite—falling and getting pounded by the frigid swells.
***
To the casual observer, one would think this lovely young woman, standing too close to the cliff’s edge, was enjoying the scene below. Surely she was watching her lover or her husband with a proud and joyous heart. This lovely young woman, pale blonde curls blowing carelessly in the wind, teeth glistening like pearls in the last light before dark, must be smiling and full of life—like the man she watches. But, one would only be imagining this. Because, in fact, this creature has a heart of stone. If one could look into her soulless, wicked eyes, one would probably turn and run for his very life.
***
Elise, furious beyond reason, suddenly calmed. Something amazing happened. In this collision of day and night, this wonderful twilight time, she found strength, felt a power rising, pressing hard into her throat—at first almost choking her, and then flowing easily through her whole being. A power she had never before experienced. On this glorious night she had found a way to make all her plans move ahead. She knew how to find strength. Twilight.
“Tom,” she shouted, then quickly silenced her voice. Now was not the time. She’d deal with him later. There was somewhere else she needed to go now. She laughed silently as Tom searched the cliff’s edge to see who had called him.
Chapter 27
Peering out the living room window, Vivian noticed Billy walking along the beach. At his side was a woman. Vivian couldn’t tell from this distance who she was. Maybe it was one of the Larson’s daughters, here for the winter break.
Actually the woman with Billy looked too old to be one of the Larson girls though, even from this distance. Something about her movements—the way she was leading Billy, showed more self-assurance and control than that of one of the Larson girls. She’d talk to him later, she thought, as the doorbell chimed. Right now she had more important things to take care of.
Vivian looked forward to her appointment with the masseur her friend Mila was sending over. Mila had booked the session with Kenneth weeks ago. He was in great demand, and as Vivian opened the door to greet him, she knew why. Oh, yes, this would be a lovely evening.
“Hi! You must be Kenneth. I’m Vivian. Come in.” She took his arm and led him up the stairs to her room. Yes, she’d talk to Billy later. She had more important things on her mind right now.
***
On the shore, the young woman walked slowly beside Billy. She led him away from the water’s edge toward the cliff. He followed without hesitation.
“So you know Mr. Gardner?” Billy asked. “That’s funny. He moved here a couple of weeks ago, too.”
“Small world. He and I crossed paths once—for a while. He was very interested in me. It wasn’t mutual. The relationship didn’t go well. It’s really an odd coincidence that he’s here. I hope you’ll let this be our little secret. I’m here to get away from just about everyone and everything. Tom Gardner can’t know I’m here,” the beautiful young woman said with a sweet smile. She took Billy’s hand and brought it to her cheek. “I fear for my safety if he finds out. No one can know about me. Only you. Okay, Billy? Promise?”
“Sure, no problem. I get it,” he agreed, feeling his face flush as she squeezed his hand. He managed a weak smile, trying to hide his embarrassment. He was so happy to have her holding his hand. There was no way would he do anything to jeopardize this friendship. Who knew where this might lead?
Elise dropped his hand, running ahead of him up the beach. She disappeared behind a rocky cliff jutting out into the sandy shore. Billy raced after her. How did she get there so fast?
Chapter 28
From the stairway leading to the beach, Jimmy watched Billy, glad to be rid of his annoying big brother. Smiling, he hopped off the landing into the soft sand and headed to Mr. Gardner’s house. He had another piano lesson tonight. His mom had plans this evening, so he and Tom were fitting in an extra session. Now he didn’t have to worry about Billy following him. Further down the beach he saw Mr. Gardner with his cousin Sara. Waving, Jimmy ran to meet them.
Sara said, “Tom, I think I’ll take this opportunity to spend some time with Mary. She’s helping Nell. I’m sure Nell would like to get home before it gets too late.