Chapter 18
CHAPTER 18
T he soft, predawn light barely illuminated the Key Lime Garden Inn as Maggie slipped out the back door of the carriage house. With Lexi trotting eagerly by her side, she made her way down the winding path towards the beach.
Even though it was far too early for her sister Kat to be awake she did her best not to make noise as she passed the cottage.
The scent of salt and blooming flowers mingled in the air, a comforting blend that always started her day on a perfect note. Paolo had taken such good care of the flower garden, just as he had the raised beds filled with an assortment of vegetables for the inn’s kitchen.
Maggie loved the feeling of mixing all of nature’s gifts. Her gardens, the koi pond, the bird bath and feeders kept both her and her husband connected to the land. But it was the ocean that fed Maggie’s soul.
She took her sandals off, and carrying them, she dug her toes into the sand. Cool and damp from the night’s tide, it cushioned her steps as she reached the shoreline.
As the sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the tranquil waters and untouched sands, hues of pink, orange, and gold covered everything in her path.
She scooped Lexi up in her arms and buried her face in the dog’s fur.
“I love you, little one. Do you see the sun over there? It’s going to be another wonderful day on Captiva Island. Do you know how lucky we both are to live here?”
Lexi licked Maggie’s face as if to answer her.
“So, what will it be today? Do you want to walk or ride?”
Lexi had snuggled deep into Maggie’s sweatshirt, a sign that she was there to stay.
“Ride it is then,” Maggie said.
They continued their walk and enjoyed the view with an occasional peek out from Maggie’s arms when the distant calls of seagulls caught Lexi’s attention.
This beach, just beyond the Key Lime Garden Inn, was her sanctuary, a place where the worries of the world seemed to melt away with the retreating tide.
She long ago accepted there would be events in her life that she’d have little control over. But, that didn’t mean she didn’t struggle now and then.
Even in this lovely piece of the world, her haven, she couldn’t escape the difficulties that life threw at her. It was a reminder that tranquility could be elusive even in the most serene of places.
Maggie and Lexi walked for almost an hour before heading back to the inn. As they approached the property line, which had now been opened so the cottage could face the water, she saw her sister, Kat, sitting in a rocking chair.
“Good morning!” Maggie yelled from the beach.
“Hey Maggie, nice time of day for a walk with Lexi.”
Maggie nodded. “My early morning walks help me with my perspective before the day starts. I think it’s the quiet, before the tourists, jet skis and boats pepper the landscape.”
“Pepper the landscape? That’s an interesting way to think of the humans that come here for vacation. I guess that means you and your family peppered the Captiva landscape every summer.”
Maggie laughed. “I guess so. What’s got you so sarcastic this early? Shouldn’t you be happy? You got what you wanted. You’re living here on Captiva Island, you’ve got a job. Wasn’t this your dream?”
Her tone changed, Kat shook her head. “I’m not sure what I was looking for. I guess a piece of what you’ve found. Is that so horrible?”
Maggie sighed. She’d been so frustrated with her sister for so long, she’d lost her ability to empathize with her situation. Now, seeing her sister quiet, sad and alone broke her heart.
“Kat, I only want you to be happy. I’m truly blessed to have Paolo and live where I feel most at peace, but I wouldn’t wish a cheating or deceased husband on anyone…and I had both with the same man. Before Captiva, I was not a healthy or whole person. I wasn’t truly myself because I didn’t even know who I was. The journey to Captiva Island was a long, painful one, but ultimately necessary to discover what I wanted for my life.”
Inside Maggie’s sweatshirt, a snoring Chihuahua slept, unaware of the seriousness of the conversation.
“I know that I’m not happy with things the way they are back home. I love Nolan. I’ve never loved or wanted anyone else in all these years, but something’s lost between us. It’s like he stopped seeing me, like I was invisible. I don’t know, maybe I became invisible…even to myself. Then, one day, I did something to get noticed…I came here.”
Maggie chuckled. “Well, Nolan noticed, that’s for sure.”
“You mean when the food ran out?”
Maggie shook her head. “No, I mean it. I heard his voice. He misses you…maybe he misses the same things you’re missing.”
A Great Dane ran past them, and Lexi noticed. She jumped out of Maggie’s sweatshirt and chased after the dog.
Maggie and Kat jumped off the porch and ran after Lexi.
“Lexi! Come back here!” Maggie screamed.
“Lexi! Come on, girl,” Kat yelled.
The Great Dane’s owner froze and called to her dog. “Bailey! Stop!”
Bailey stopped and Lexi ran around her several times, barking at her. Bailey seemed amused by the little dog and waited patiently for Lexi to stop circling.
Maggie and Kat caught up to them, and Maggie stomped on the leash to keep Lexi from going anywhere.
“I’m so sorry,” Maggie said. “She’s never done anything like this before. I think she wanted to play with your dog. I hope Lexi didn’t scare her.”
Bailey’s owner laughed. “It’s okay, Bailey is friendly. No problem.”
“Thank you so much. Have a nice day.”
Maggie picked Lexi up and held her close.
Kat looked at Maggie like she’d lost her mind.
“Scare her? You think this tiny thing scared the Great Dane?”
“It’s not the size that’s scary, it was all that barking. That poor dog didn’t look happy about Lexi yelling at her like that.”
Kat nodded. “I guess you have a point. I wonder what Lexi was saying with her barking?”
“Lexi was dreaming before the dog came by. She probably told the dog that this beach belongs to her, and if she wants to run on a beach like this, she’ll need to go find her own beach.”
Kat nodded and Maggie smiled, hoping her sister got the message.
Beth closed her suitcase and Gabriel lifted it off the bed. Along with the rest of the luggage, they carried it all out to the car, squeezing it beside the rest of the suitcases. Joining the rest of the family, it was almost time to say goodbye to Thomas.
“I’m going to miss you, Willow,” he said.
“Me too, Grandpa. When will you come visit?”
“Soon…very soon, I promise.”
No one said what was on everyone’s mind, but Gabriel couldn’t hold back.
“Dad, I know I promised not to keep talking about this, but I can’t see you staying here long-term.”
“Gabriel is right. At least keep an open mind on this. I understand your need to stay near Mom, but do you think that she’d want you to be here…so far from the rest of your family?”
Beth could see that Thomas was conflicted.
“You don’t have to commit to anything right now if you don’t want to, but maybe in time you’ll feel different,” Beth said.
“Something else to consider, Dad. Beth and I will need help with the orchard. We’re new to all this, but you and Mom started the whole thing. I know we could use your help.”
Thomas leaned against the kitchen counter. “I know, honey. I’ve thought about that too. Beth first needs to get this kidney transplant thing resolved. We’ve got time. I need time here on my own for a bit. I can promise you that I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t forget, you promised to come visit soon,” Willow added.
Thomas laughed and lifted Willow, holding her close. “I haven’t forgotten.”
He kissed her and put her down, letting her feet step on top of his. He held her close and they danced around the kitchen, Willow holding on to her grandfather’s hands.
“Honey, say goodbye to Grandpa. It’s time to go,” James said.
Willow wrapped her arms around Thomas’ legs. “Goodbye, Grandpa.”
“Come on, I’ll walk you all outside,” he said.
James and Gabriel hugged their father before getting in the car.
“We love you, Dad. You call us if you need anything at all,” Gabriel said.
“I will. Go on now. You’ll miss your plane if we keep this up.”
“Bye, Dad,” Beth said as she hugged him and quickly got into the backseat with Linda.
Everyone waved as they drove away.
“Leaving him alone feels so wrong,” Beth said.
Linda tapped Beth’s arm. “We all feel that way, but right now, he doesn’t think he is.”