“His life behind bars? You mean the 12 hours or so he was held last night?”

  “Charlie's going to find him an agent and an editor, and he says Caleb can be the next hot paperback author.”

  “The next Brent Maxwell? I hope not,” I said.

  Aunt Sam laughed. “As long as he doesn't book a room here, I don't care!”

  “I still think someone should have given you credit for figuring out how the murders were committed. The sheriff was right when she said you were good at solving tough mysteries.”

  “Oh, I'm sure anyone could have worked it out if they'd thought about it.”

  “Not me.”

  “Don't sell yourself short, Teri. I couldn't have solved this mystery without you. The information you found out about our suspects made all the difference. I'd say we made quite a good team. I'd really like to keep you on the team, if you're open to the idea.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “I could use an assistant manager at the bed and breakfast,” Aunt Sam replied. “Dodie and I have been running this place by ourselves and we could really use another set of hands. The salary wouldn't be as much as you've been making as a teacher but you'd have free room and board and the cost of living here on the island is a lot cheaper than most places. Of course, if you'd rather go back to Ohio and take a teaching job, the choice is yours. In fact, your mother called this morning to ask if you could come back early because your father found a teaching position for you.”

  “A position teaching what?”

  “Shop.”

  “Shop? What makes her think I'm remotely qualified to teach Shop?”

  “She said your dad is willing to come in two afternoons a week and help out. Apparently he made some bird houses for your mother a few years ago, so he has experience.”

  I leaned back in my chair and groaned. “Did you ever have one of those times when it seems like your life is turning into a surrealist movie and you're not even sure why?”

  “More times that I like to think about,” Aunt Sam said, “but then I just stopped doing what other people expected me to do and started living the life I wanted to live. Your parents just want what's best for you, but only you really know what that truly is, and working a job you don't like to please others is still working a job you don't like. You only get one life and I see no reason to spend it being unhappy when happiness is there within reach.”

  I sat and thought about what Aunt Sam had said. I felt like saying “yes” to her offer right away, but was that really a good idea? I had made a lot of bad decisions in the past and I was afraid this could be another one. I also wondered what my parents would think if I didn't come back to Ohio, but then I wondered why I should care. At this stage of my life I should be choosing I wanted to do, not my parents. I needed to “adult” and it was about time I started. It may be a bad idea but teaching Shop was definitely a bad idea, and this would be a lot more fun. And besides, if I could handle the Brent Maxwell party, I could handle anything that happened at the bed and breakfast!

  “You've got a deal,” I said. “I think this island is good for me.”

  “And you're good for this island,” Aunt Sam said. “Now, you run along and tell Nick. I'm sure he'll want to know that you're staying.”

  I rolled my eyes. “In spite of what everyone thinks, Nick and I are not in a relationship,” I said. “We just met a few days ago and we barely know each other.”

  “If you say so,” Aunt Sam said with a smile.

  “I do say so. Now I think I'll turn in. It's been a tiring day,” I said, and got up and started for the beach to find Nick.

  When I got to the marina I was disappointed to see that Nick's boat wasn't there. I turned and walked slowly back down the beach, thinking about what Aunt Sam had said. What was my relationship with Nick? Did we even have a relationship? Sort of, maybe, but not really. I had only known him for a few days and he had proved to be Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Annoying; friendly and pleasant one minute, irritating and totally exasperating the next.

  I heard faint music wafting across the water and I looked out over the Gulf and saw a party boat sailing by. A disco ball was shining its multi-colored lights onto the water, people were dancing and a couple of them waved at me. I waved back and smiled.

  “Friends of yours?” called a voice from behind me. I turned and saw Nick crossing the sand toward me.

  “Where did you come from? I didn't see your boat anywhere,” I said.

  “I took it over to the shop when I got back so that Brody can give a tune up. I stopped by the B&B and your Aunt Sam told me you were out here looking for me, and you had something important to tell me.”

  “Apparently she knows exactly what I'm thinking. And did she tell you what I was going to say, too?”

  “Yes, of course. Congrats on adding one to Admiral Archibald Falls' permanent population. Welcome to the family!”

  “Oh, so we're a family now?” I laughed. “What does that make us, brother and sister?”

  “How about kissing cousins?” Nick said. He put his arms around me and kissed me. It was very good kiss, verging on the spectacular. I looked up at him and he said, “Not bad, right? Nine out of ten women say that I'm the greatest kisser of all times.”

  “What does the tenth woman say?”

  “She's still speechless.”

  I laughed. “I see. And who is this speechless woman number ten, by the way?”

  Nick pulled me closer. “I'm hoping it's you.” I didn't say anything. My heart was burning with the fiery passion of ten thousand suns.

  The End

 

 

  Quinn, Tracey, Sand, Surf and Slaughter

 

 

  Thank you for reading books on GrayCity.Net
Share this book with friends