15. Caleb
FIFTEEN
Caleb
“ Y ou know there was a Sunfish that capsized yesterday? A kid from the mainland apparently. Heard he made it.”
I wandered down the staircase in time to overhear part of Margot’s conversation with Dean Waters. I had found an old T-shirt of Walt’s folded in the cubby closet. It smelled like faded laundry detergent, so I determined it was okay to wear, at least to make it to the first floor. I turned the corner just as Margot’s face went white.
“You know about that? You heard about that boy? And the Sunfish?” Her voice was quiet. It was like she was living through the shock all over again. I could see the movie reel had turned on in her head.
“Everyone was talking about it at Locals when I got my coffee this morning. It’s a big story here. I’m glad he’s okay. People don’t know much, though.”
“Everyone knows?” she gasped.
“Hey, Margot. What is it? What’s wrong?” Dean moved toward her, just as she grabbed the side of the counter.
I was beside her in an instant, cutting through the space Dean was about to invade. No. That wasn’t about to happen. Dean’s eyes bulged when I appeared and wrapped an arm around her.
He scowled. “Guess that explains the Coast Guard cutter in the slip. But what are you doing here, Caleb?” His questions were directed at me as if she was no longer standing between us.
“Are you okay?” I looked down at her.
“Yes. I’m fine.” She pushed away from both of us, drifting to the other side of the kitchen. She started rinsing out the coffee pot. “Coffee sounds good, right?”
I wanted to throttle Dean for making her think about the accident right now. And for interrupting us.
“I’ll take some coffee,” I volunteered.
“I’m so confused right now. I saw the books in the yard. There was a pile of trash out there. I thought something happened to you, Margot.” Dean wasn’t going to let it go. “I was worried. Now he’s here.”
“I’m fine. You can see I’m fine. I’ve been with Caleb.” She filled the pot to the top with water from the sink.
The recognition registered in his eyes. He was slow to put the pieces together, but he was getting it.
“Marina business with the Coast Guard?” he pushed. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Speaking of marina business, is that why you’re here, Dean?” She spun to face him. “More papers for me to sign?”
His lips pressed together. “I wanted to talk about a few options I came up with for you and the Blue Heron.”
“Oh?”
“Maybe when Caleb leaves, we can go over them together.”
I shook my head. I sat on one of the grubby bar stools. It wasn’t until just now that I was taking in the place. I guess I hadn’t paid attention the last few years Walt was alive and how quickly the Blue Heron was crumbling. The cottage was barely being held together by the plaster and nails in the walls. I saw a crack in the ceiling that ran the length of the kitchen and living room.
“We have breakfast plans. Sorry, man. Not leaving anytime soon.” I didn’t care if I sounded like I was staking out my territory.
I saw how Margot’s lips twitched as if she was about to smile. I winked at her from my side of the counter.
Dean rocked back on his business loafers. “Another time then.” He headed for the screen door. “Good seeing you, Caleb.”
I saluted him. “You too, man.”
“I’ll call you later to set up a meeting,” he added for Margot.
“That would be a good idea.”
“I could just come back here.” I didn’t like how intent he was on seeing her at the cottage. “I’ll call.”
The screen door squeaked and closed behind him just as Margot dropped a hot cup of coffee in front of me.
“I already know how you take your coffee.” She smiled.
“Does he usually do that?” I asked. Dean had gotten under my skin in the first five seconds I laid eyes on him.
“Do what?” She dumped in creamer and sugar.
“Drop by and walk in the house like that?” I pried.
“I guess.” She shrugged. “I’ve never been missing before. He has an excuse this time.”
“Why didn’t you want to tell him about Lucas?” I asked gently. “You saved him in more ways than one.”
Her eyelashes fluttered. “It’s too personal,” she explained. “I can’t talk about it. Yet.”
“You don’t have to. No one is rushing you.” I glanced at her.
“Besides, I wasn’t the one who got him to the hospital. That was you.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. Not on something this important.”
She shrugged slightly, tasting her coffee.
I wasn’t there when she pulled Lucas away from the Sunfish, but I knew it was still bothering her. The adrenaline-fueled the rescue, but now the other part was about to set in—she had swum around the edges of mortality. Some people fought it off and never let themselves think about it again. Other swimmers dwelled on it. Margot was going to dwell. I just couldn’t let her sink.