Chapter 6
Where was Charley when she needed him?
As Devyn pulled into a parking spot on Dockside Drive, she cast a dismayed glance at the shuttered taco stand.
Shoot.
After her frustrating Saturday morning at the hospital, she could use a sympathetic ear.
Leaning back in her seat, she tapped a finger on the wheel.
What was she going to do about Lauren?
While her sister’s condition had improved dramatically, she was also being difficult. Despite Dr. Sherman’s strong recommendation that she accept the offer of in-home assistance from a family member, she was balking.
Not surprising in light of her resentment during their first real conversation after she’d awakened from the coma—not to mention the vitriolic comments that had spewed from her during the post-traumatic amnesia phase of her recovery.
Logically, however, she should accept the offer, at least for a couple of weeks while she regained her strength.
Lauren, however, continued to resist—even after the neurologist told her that without home help, a rehab center could be in her future for a week or two.
Her antipathy must run deep and strong if she preferred an impersonal facility over living in her own home with on-site care from a family member.
How discouraging was that?
Sighing, Devyn considered her options.
She could go back to New York, of course. Chill until the fall season began, as she’d planned to do. A stretch of downtime would be welcome.
Yet if she let this opportunity to reconnect with Lauren slip by, the rift between them might never be breached.
Convincing her sister to get with the program, however, was proving to be more of a challenge than learning the intricate choreography for the demanding double role of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake.
With one last glance at Charley’s stand, she prepared to put the car in reverse.
As if on cue, the window on the permanently parked taco trailer began to roll up.
Yes!
Grabbing her purse from the seat beside her with one hand, she opened the door with the other and swung her legs out.
Best to move fast before a line formed and other customers cut into her one-on-one time with the taco chef and town sage.
She set off at a jog for the stand, arriving as Charley set a napkin dispenser on the counter.
When she drew close, he paused and gave her one of the dazzling smiles he bestowed on everyone who crossed his path. “My first customer of the day. Welcome.”
Her lips curved up at his characteristic friendliness.
The man’s welcoming manner hadn’t changed since her last visit here for Dad’s funeral.
Nor had his appearance. Laugh lines were still embedded in the weathered skin at the corners of his eyes, and his long gray hair was pulled back into a ponytail and crowned with a green Oregon Ducks cap.
She, however, had matured. Besides, while she’d been born in Hope Harbor, she’d spent so little time here after the age of twelve that it would be unrealistic to expect him to remember her from those days—or from her one visit to his stand thirteen years ago.
As she opened her mouth to respond to his greeting and reintroduce herself, his face lit up in recognition. “Devyn Lee! Is that you, all grown up and now a famous ballerina?”
Her jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you remember me.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You were a memorable child.
Serious and dedicated and conscientious.
” The fan of lines beside his eyes deepened.
“I imagine all of those attributes still apply, given your success in the competitive world of ballet.” He leaned down, his countenance growing more serious as he rested his forearms on the serving counter to put himself at eye level.
“I was sorry to hear about Lauren’s accident. How is she doing?”
“Improving.” She gave him a quick recap of the prognosis. “I think she may be released early next week.”
“That’s wonderful news. Will you be able to stay with her awhile?”
“Yes—if she wants me to.” She gave the area a quick sweep. No one was yet making a beeline for the stand. That gave her a perfect opportunity to offer a couple of comments and see if they prompted any insights from Charley. “Lauren and I aren’t very close. We haven’t stayed in regular touch.”
He nodded, empathy radiating from him. “That can happen in families—and the longer the gap, the wider it becomes.”
“I know. And I don’t have a clue how to bridge it at this point.”
“The fact that you came out here on a moment’s notice sends a powerful message.”
“If someone is receptive.”
“Maybe she just needs time. A head injury can take a lot out of a person—and it can mess with the brain’s ability to process information. Plus, she has other challenges weighing on her mind.”
He must be referring to Lauren’s separation from Dennis. In a town the size of Hope Harbor, it would be impossible to keep that kind of news secret.
Perhaps a general remark might elicit a bit more information on that subject than Lauren had shared. “I know she and her husband have issues.”
“It’s always sad when a marriage crumbles.”
That was all he offered.
Disappointing, but not surprising. Charley had always been known as the soul of discretion.
“Lauren hasn’t told me much about that yet.” Like nothing. “To be honest, I didn’t even know she’d separated from Dennis until I called to tell her office she’d been injured. They mentioned it in passing.”
“I imagine she has her reasons for being reticent. But if you stick around, she may open up to you.”
“I don’t know.” Devyn played with the pull tab on the zipper of her jacket. “She has a lot of resentment.”
Charley offered her a gentle smile. “It’s hard to live in the shadow of someone who’s achieved their dream—especially if you feel like your own dreams took second place.”
She frowned.
Did her sister have dreams she’d never shared? Ones she felt she’d been forced to sacrifice in order to give her younger sister a shot at success?
If so, Lauren had never mentioned them.
But she might have if that younger sister had ever managed to engage her in a discussion about the rift between them.
A moot point now.
Nevertheless, if Charley’s take was accurate, unfulfilled aspirations—along with her bitterness over the sacrifices Dad had made that she’d intimated had led to a premature death—could be fueling Lauren’s resentment.
Devyn’s temples began to throb.
“You know, worrying about the past doesn’t change it.”
At Charley’s gentle comment, she refocused on him. “I know.”
“It seems to me that the best way to overcome the past is to put our energy into creating a better future.”
“That sounds reasonable in theory, but both parties would have to cooperate.”
“May I offer a piece of advice?”
“Please.”
“Give your sister a chance to adjust to your presence. Until she does, show her you care. Love is a powerful force that can soften hearts—and work miracles.”
She shook her head. “It may take a miracle for the two of us to reconnect.”
“They do happen.” Charley straightened up. “Hang in, Devyn. Persistence pays—as you know from your career.” He looked past her. “Speaking of persistence . . .”
She turned, but the wharf was deserted.
When she angled back toward Charley, he grinned. “I guess Floyd and Gladys weren’t around on your last visit. They’re my seagull buddies.”
Once again, she swiveled around.
Ten feet away, two gulls landed in a flutter of wings and cuddled up beside each other.
Lips twitching, she transferred her attention back to Charley. “You have interesting friends.”
“I do indeed. Those two are quite a pair. Seagulls mate for life, you know, and after Floyd lost his wife a while back, he was devastated. But then Gladys came along. At first Floyd wasn’t interested, but she persisted.
And lo and behold, in the end, she gave him a new lease on life. Now the two of them are inseparable.”
“Nice story.”
“Yes, it is. I like happy endings.” He opened a cooler and pulled out two fish fillets. Held them up. “Can I make you an order of tacos? Halibut’s in season.”
“Absolutely. I dream about your fish tacos.”
“Music to a taco maker’s ears.”
While he put the fish on the grill, counted out three corn tortillas, and began chopping red onion, he kept the conversation flowing, interspersing his questions about her life in New York with news about all the changes in Hope Harbor since her last visit.
As he wrapped the three overstuffed tacos in white paper and slid them into a brown bag, she pulled out her wallet. “I see you haven’t yet entered the electronic age.” She pointed to the “cash only” sign in the window.
“Why complicate a simple transaction?” He set the bag on the counter.
“I can give you a bottle of water, but if you have a few minutes to spare, may I recommend that you take your tacos to The Perfect Blend and get a coffee to go with them? The shop’s one of the newer businesses in town, and the atmosphere is very relaxing. ”
Relaxing fit the bill.
“Sold.”
“You won’t regret it. The shop is at the corner of Harbor and Main. Enjoy.”
“How much do I owe you?” She opened her wallet.
“Consider this a welcome home present. It’s wonderful to have you back.”
“But I’m only visiting.”
“You’re here. That’s what matters. Enjoy the tacos.”
She kept her wallet in hand. “Please let me pay, Charley. It doesn’t feel right to take your food for free.”
“You can pay on your next visit—assuming you’ll be back for more.”
“Count on it.”
After giving her a thumbs-up, he looked over her shoulder and lifted a hand in greeting. “Be with you in a minute, folks.”
Devyn turned.
Half a dozen people stood in line.
Whoops.
She picked up her bag. “Sorry I kept your other customers waiting.”
“No worries. No one in Hope Harbor gets bent out of shape at small delays. Take care, and stop by again soon.”
As Charley greeted the next person in line, Devyn walked over to Dockside Drive, crossed to the other side, and headed up Harbor Street, taking inventory as she strolled along.