Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rosemary woke to the smell of bacon, and as nice as it was, it sent her straight to her feet, disoriented for a moment.
Laughter, the most precious and infectious sound, rose from downstairs.
She smiled and stretched, realizing where she was. Sunday had been a miraculously special day. Church, the time with Tug, Amanda and Paul’s engagement, and playing with the children into the wee hours, including the wildest game of crazy eights followed by a talent show that went on for an hour. Tug had a job getting the kids to slow down enough to close their eyes. Exhausting but wonderful.
She didn’t know what time it was, but she’d slept like a rock.
She stretched again, a little sore from the hula dancing, but a spark of vitality had fired up inside her.
The last twenty-four hours may have been the most fulfilling she’d experienced in years.
She quickly got dressed and went downstairs.
Everyone was there, including Amanda and Paul.
“Good morning,” Rosemary said. “I’m sorry. I must’ve overslept.”
“They’ll wear ya out,” Amanda said.
“Let me get you some coffee,” Tug offered.
“Thanks.” Rosemary walked over and hugged Jesse and Hailey. “I loved every single second of last night.”
“Mom, we had so much fun,” Hailey said.
“I’m sure you did. I’m glad,” Amanda said. “Rosemary and Tug, thank you so much for your nice little engagement gift to Paul and me. We danced under the stars and talked about wedding plans.” She blushed, leaning against Paul’s chest. “I still feel like someone needs to pinch me.”
Jesse leaped to her service.
Amanda wiggled away. “No. Jesse, I was joking.” But it was too late because Hailey was in on it and now Paul was tickling her.
“Young love,” Tug said, sliding a cup of coffee toward Rosemary.
“You read my mind,” Rosemary said.
He winked. “They seem even closer. I don’t even know how that’s possible, but it will continue to grow and last forever, right in front of our eyes.”
“It’s so nice to be a teensy-weensy part of something so precious,” she said.
“Hey, Tug. Amanda and I were talking about the space at Paws last night too. Why don’t y’all come over later and check it out?”
“Why would you be talking about that when you had celebrating to do?” Tug looked at him like he was crazy.
“It’s part of our future,” Paul said, then seemed to realize what Tug was hinting at. “Well, it wasn’t the first thing on our agenda.” With a tilt of his head, he and Tug moved to the side to talk.
Rosemary’s phone buzzed just as she took a sip of her coffee. She grabbed it from the table. It was Nina. She got up and slid out of the room so she could speak privately.
“Hello.”
“Mom? Thank goodness. I was starting to get worried.”
“I’m fine,” Rosemary said.
“I know, I know. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“I’m on top of the world.” She didn’t even mind the interruption. “I’m doing great. It’s been really nice to be busy and help others.”
“You’re not bored down there?”
“Bored. No. Oh gosh, far from it. It’s a great little town full of wonderful people.” Rosemary stood in front of the sliding doors overlooking the beach. The sun twinkled on the water, and the waves swept over the sand slowly this morning. It was so calming.
Tug and Paul walked through the room, talking, before they realized she was on the phone. “Sorry,” Tug said as he led Paul out onto the deck.
“Who was that?” Nina asked.
“Friends.”
“ Boy friends?”
Rosemary didn’t appreciate Nina’s tone. “Uh, no. They are not boys. Those were men.”
“Mother!”
“What?”
“Are you having some sort of midlife crisis?”
“No, I am not. I’m way past midlife, but I’m not dead either. I’m enjoying my time here at the beach with friends. Did you call for a reason?”
“I don’t like this one bit. You have to be careful. Dating isn’t like it was back when you were dating. Oh gosh, Mom, that was like fifty years ago. There are all kinds of scams a woman has to be careful of that didn’t exist back then.”
“I’m not dating,” she shot back, her feathers ruffled. “But I certainly can if I want to.” Do I want to?
“Mom, what if he’s after you for your money?”
“Number one, I do not share my balance sheet with people. Please show me some respect. And number two, why are you all in a twist over this?”
“I don’t know. Mom, I’m just worried about you. It’s crazy out there.”
“Well, I’m sure it’s worse for you, but I’m pretty sure dating at my age isn’t nearly as dangerous as you’re making it out to be.”
“I’m glad to know you keep your finances private. Maybe I’m overreacting, but it’s hard to imagine you dating.”
“It’s hard for me to imagine as well.”
“You have me so worried with leaving town and not knowing where you are.” Nina let out a sigh. “Don’t you think it’s time you came back home? I could use your help. I think you need mine too. And you’re a grandmother. You should be doing grandmother things.”
“There is more to me than just being a grandmother. I can take care of myself. I recommend you remember that. You know, I’m the one who taught you every cautionary tale.”
“Well, I’m not sure you’re acting like that woman right now. Frankly, I’m not sure you are capable of being on your own. You’re acting reckless.”
“I’m not listening to this. Nina, you need to calm down. I’ll call you later.” Rosemary jammed her finger on the button and shook the phone, trying to hold back a growling grimace. There was absolutely zero release in hanging up on someone on a cellphone. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to balance her emotions.
She let out a breath and opened her eyes. Tug stood there looking surprised.
“What was that?” he asked.
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. It’s my daughter.”
Jesse ran into the room. “Want to play crazy—” He stopped in his tracks. “Maybe later.” He darted back into the kitchen.
Amanda came out of the kitchen, looking concerned. “Is everything okay?”
Rosemary’s face heated. “I’m sorry. It’s my mess. I’m so sorry it nose-dived smack-dab in the middle of your celebratory morning. Please forgive me.” But she wasn’t okay, and tears were threatening to fall. “I’m just going to take a minute.”
She rushed upstairs, trying with all her might not to cry in front of them. In the bathroom, she pressed a cold cloth to her face, but there was no stopping the hot tears.
A light tap came at the door.
“Just a minute.” Rosemary tried to sound like she was fine.
“Can I come in?” Amanda asked softly.
There wasn’t an ounce of holding back left in her. She turned the handle, and Amanda walked into the room and pulled her into her arms. “Oh, Rosemary. What happened? Tug and Paul didn’t really catch what was going on. They just knew you were upset.”
“My daughter. She’s all in a twist about things.”
“Why?”
“She thinks I’m an old fool, not capable of taking care of myself.”
“Well, that is not true. I’ve been with you over several days here, and you are not only capable, but you’re helpful and kind and smart. Is she crazy?”
They laughed, and Rosemary dabbed at the tears.
“Rosemary, I know you’ve been feeling a little lost. Maybe she’s sensing that and is just worried about you.”
“She’s not worried. She’s controlling. I’m so sorry. Her comments just struck me so wrong. She ordered me home.” Rosemary started laughing again. “Who does she think she is?”
“Wow, yeah. Can’t say my mom would take it too well if I gave her a what for like that either.” They went into the bedroom, and Amanda sat on the edge of the bed. “Come sit. Let’s just talk it out.”
And they did. They talked and cried and laughed, and Amanda threatened to call Nina and give her a piece of her mind or write a note for her absence like she did for the kids’ school.
Rosemary sighed. “I’m fine now. Embarrassed but fine. You are so sweet to come and talk me down. Thank you.” She got to her feet. “I hope they aren’t holding breakfast for us.”
“Don’t worry about that. Tug will keep ours warm for us.”
Rosemary stopped at the door. “Maybe I should just go back to Kathleen’s. I’ve already put a big damper on everything. I can walk back.”
“No, you can not walk back. I mean, you’re clearly capable—not saying you’re not.”
“Stop that. I know what you meant. I’m not that sensitive.”
“I’m teasing, but it’s too far to walk. Enjoy breakfast. We’ll get you home afterward.”
Rosemary ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m a mess, aren’t I?”
“No, actually, I think you must be the only girlfriend I have who looks prettier after she cries. Your eyes look so blue right now.”
“Well, that’s something.”
They went downstairs, and Paul and Tug acted like nothing happened. Amanda and Rosemary shared a thankful glance. Men would do anything, even give an Emmy Award–winning performance, not to have to deal with conflict and emotions.
Everyone finished eating, and Paul rounded up the clan to head back to Amanda’s.
“Rosemary,” Amanda asked, “would you like us to give you a ride back to your friend’s house?”
“No,” Tug said. “I’ll take her back. I mean, is that okay with you?”
“Yes, that’s fine. Thank you so much for the offer, Amanda, and for your friendship. Congratulations on the engagement.”
Paul gave her a hug. “Well, I don’t know how long you plan to be in town, but as soon as we set a date, you’re going to have to get back down here. You can’t be part of the proposal and not be part of the wedding. I think that’s probably bad luck right up there with seeing my gal in her wedding dress.”
“You can count on me. I’ll even help! I’m a great coordinator.”
“That would be awesome. I’m counting on you,” Amanda said.
After they left, Tug walked over to the couch and collapsed. “Holy cow. Any time you think you’re young, you should rent a set of kids to remind yourself you’re old and tired.”
“How early did they get you up?”
“Sunrise.” He sat up. “They saw dolphins swimming on the coast here. I’ve lived here my whole life. I have names for those dolphins. I did not need to be woken up to see them again.”
“What? I missed dolphins?”
“No, you got to sleep. I think that’s a win.”
“Yeah, it was nice, but dolphins ?”
“They play along this stretch all the time. You’ll see them soon enough.” He rested his arms on his knees. “You going to tell me what’s going on with that phone call?”
“My daughter.”
“I sort of gathered that much.”
“She didn’t like the idea of men being in my presence.”
“Oh? She heard us talking in the background. Sorry.”
“No. You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m a grown woman. She’s a grown woman. I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”
“The thing is, we are getting older, and we need to use our time wisely. I’ve been thinking about what you said and what the pastor said in church too.”
“Me too. It’s a choice every day what we focus on,” Rosemary said. “We can worry or not. We can be grateful or not.”
“We can have fun or not,” Tug said.
“Exactly. We can make that bucket list.” She jumped up and grabbed the notebook out of her purse. “I meant to start this yesterday.”
“Or not?” He was teasing.
“No! Because it will help you know what you want to be when you grow up.”
“Oh goody! I’ve been meaning to do that.”
“Grow up?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, it might not be that powerful, but it will help you kind of figure out what you want to focus on. Another diner or not. All that.”
“Tell you what. Why don’t I fix a picnic lunch and we work on that on the beach? It’s gorgeous out there. It’s only in the mid-seventies, and the humidity isn’t even that bad today. We don’t get days like this at the end of August often.”
“Works for me. Take me back to Kathleen’s so I can shower and change. Want me to make something for the picnic?”
“Not a single thing. I want to do this for you.”
“Are you doing this to spite my daughter for me?”
“If that’ll make you happy.”
“Wow, you are a superhero.”
“No, what is it you said to me yesterday? I liked it. Oh yeah. ‘Don’t tempt me with a good time.’?”
“Ha. Kai used to say it all the time. I’m okay. You don’t have to try to prop me up. Nina will get over it, and so will I. This is nothing compared to everything you’ve got on your plate.”
“I want to. We’re propping each other up.”
“It was the best twenty-four hours I’ve had in I can’t even tell you how long.” She paused, hesitant to say the words, then blurted them out. “You were the light in my day yesterday.”
“I like getting to know you. And the last twenty-four hours were pretty nice for me too. I’m not doing this just for you. It’s for me too.”
“That’s so sweet of you to say.”
“Okay, let’s get you to your home base. I’ll drop you off so you can change and visit with the cat. Then I’ll come back and fix the picnic, and I can pick you back up if you want.”
Rosemary found herself already nodding. “I want to. Definitely.”
They walked down the stairs and across the truck stepping stone, then shuffled down the rest of the sand hill, which was becoming more of a slide than it was even just yesterday.
“I think the kids may have played on this while we weren’t looking.”
“I think you’re right.” She welcomed his arm, bracing to balance the last few steps down. “We could have taken the other stairs.”
“I know, but this has been fun,” Tug said. “I might have to forgo the Ford truck stepping stone idea, though.”
They got into the Paws minivan and took off toward town. He slowed as they drove by the pier, eyeing the spot where the diner once stood.
“Stop here,” she said. “Do you think you’d like to look through that stuff and see if there is anything with any sentimental value you’d like to recover?”
Tugs lips puckered in thought. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his eyes still on the debris.
“Too soon?” she asked gently.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Fair enough. I’m game for whatever you decide.”
“Okay.” He shifted the minivan back into gear and pulled onto the road. They rode the rest of the way in silence to Kathleen’s. “I’ll see you back here in an hour.”
“Sounds good,” she said, unbuckling her seatbelt. “Should we synchronize our watches?”
“Only if that sounds fun.” He lifted his arm, ready to do it.
“Just call me when you’re ready to come back,” she said, grinning. “If it’s an hour, fine. If you take longer, just let me know.”
“Okay. No need to sync the watches, then?”
“No.” She was laughing. “You’re a goofball.”
“I kind of feel goofy when I’m with you,” he admitted. “In a good way. It’s nice.”
She watched him leave. Very nice.