Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
By the time we put away leftovers and talked to my parents using FaceTime so Rita could get to know them, I decided to postpone my walk to the beach until morning. Instead, Rita and I sat on the balcony to enjoy the beautiful sunset hues before calling it a night.
She pointed out the rising moon above the ocean’s horizon. “Do you ever wonder if the moon controls our emotions as it does the tides?”
“Not really,” I admitted. “Do you think it does?”
“Maybe, though I don’t really know. Long ago, when I was a first-grade teacher, we’d kid each other in the faculty lunchroom that the full moon was wreaking havoc. In other words, it seemed as if the children were bouncing off the walls.”
I thought about that for a second. “I do recall telling Tony that the full moon was affecting Chet. My husband reminded me about Halloween, and he attributed the goofiness to the amount of candy our son had eaten.”
“Was Tony pragmatic?” she asked.
“He was a cop, so everything was logical and matter-of-fact. I liked that about him.”
“Is Brad like that?” she questioned.
I paused to think. “Not quite the same, but similar.”
She nodded. “Good. He’s a suitable fit.”
“What does that have to do with the moon?” I asked.
She laughed. “I have no idea, but one thread led to another. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like you to walk me downstairs before it’s completely dark.”
I glanced at my watch. “Wow. It’s only seven-thirty. Do you remember when we’d sit out here until nine o’clock?”
“That was only a few times because I like to go to bed early, as you well know.” We laughed with the memories.
She took the steps slowly and we walked together to her kitchen stoop. “That was fun,” she said, pushing open her door. “Don’t forget to check on me in the morning, but not before eight.”
“Got it. Call me if you need anything.”
Upstairs, I made a cup of hot tea to take to the balcony. The sea breeze had intensified, yet I felt cozy waiting for Brad’s call. When the phone rang, I was surprised to see Heather’s name on the caller ID.
“Oh, my gosh,” I exclaimed. “What time is it in Morocco?”
She groaned. “One o’clock in the middle of the night, but I have to cut my trip short.”
My stomach lurched. “What happened? Are you sick?”
“No, but my daughter is, and it sounds serious.”
I knew Alicia had taken sides in her parents’ divorce. She believed her mother was at fault in the breakup of their marriage, which devastated Heather, then chose to study abroad which her father financed. She was in her last year at Oxford University.
“What happened?” I asked again.
“Apparently, Ali’s been having horrible headaches, and the doctor in London suspects a brain tumor.”
“Oh, my gosh!” I exclaimed.
“I know. Right? So, of course, her father reached out to me because he’s at a golf open in North Carolina.”
“And you’re in Morocco.”
“Right, but she’s my baby. My flight to London takes off in half an hour, then she and I will fly to Philadelphia.”
“What about Wyatt?” I asked.
“I don’t want to rock the boat,” she said, “so he’ll continue our itinerary as planned, and I’ll come home with Alicia.”
I could only imagine how that went over. “Do you want me to open your house or meet you in Philly?”
“Both, if you don’t mind. Jodie, I’m scared.”
“Of course you are, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”
If the roles had been reversed, I knew she’d have been there for me.
I finished my cup of tea, wondering all the while how Heather was able to hold up with such devastating news.
I’d never met Alicia, yet had heard so many stories of her childhood from her mother.
They’d often spend weeks at the shore during the summer, while the husband dallied with whomever in the interim. I didn’t have fond thoughts of him.
By nine-thirty, I closed up, locked the doors, and prepared for bed even though I didn’t typically retire so early. I had just put my phone on the charger when Brad called. “I’m so glad to hear from you,” I told him.
“You could have called me,” he teased.
“I was going to after I got in bed. How was your day?”
“Busy, but good. How’s Rita?”
“Her usual self,” I said with a chuckle. “We enjoyed dinner together upstairs after shopping for groceries, and she had fun.” I paused a moment before saying, “I just got a call from Heather.”
“Is she with Wyatt?” he joked.
“Yes, but she’s coming home tomorrow with her daughter who’s sick. I have to pick them up at the Philadelphia airport.”
“Do you want me to do that?” he asked.
My heart skipped with gratitude. “No, I need to go. I’m sure Rita will come with me, although I can’t ask her tonight. Heather’s plane arrives at four o’clock, and we’ll be back here by six or so.”
“How about if I meet you there?” he suggested.
“Don’t you have appointments?”
He sighed audibly. “Yes, but this sounds important.”
“It is for me,” I agreed. “She wouldn’t expect you to cancel business meetings.”
“I suppose not, although I would if you needed me.”
I knew why I’d fallen in love with Brad Davenport. “Thank you, honey. I’d like to do this for Heather. She’ll probably have to set up appointments with specialists, which she can handle from here, rather than Morocco.”
“Of course, as long as you’ll be fine getting to the airport.”
I got comfy on the bed, lying on my side. “I’ll use the GPS on my phone, and Rita will be my moral support.”
“Good,” he replied. “Have I told you yet how much I miss you?”
“I don’t think so, but it can’t be as much as I miss you.”
He chuckled in his relaxed, masculine way. “If you were here, I’d show you.” His soft words could seduce me.
I sighed, wanting to melt into his muscular arms. “Are you in bed yet?”
“Not yet. I have to email signed contracts to the clients who want plowing this winter.”
The sexy atmosphere vanished. “How many?” I asked.
“That new shopping center on route 724 and four private homes. I’m meeting the manager of those apartments on route 113 tomorrow, as well as a couple more residences.”
“That’s great, honey. You must be exhausted.”
“I am,” he admitted.
“Then, I’m going to say good-night and sweet dreams.”
“Okay. I’ll call you tomorrow night, but text me when you get home from the airport.”
“I will,” I promised.
After we disconnected, I kept the phone close to my heart, wishing my heartbeat could reach through the airwaves to mingle with Brad’s. When I felt myself drifting to sleep, I reached to turn off the light on the bedside table, knowing slumber would arrive shortly.
I could hardly wait for us to be together again.