Джерри Хилл - Gulf Breeze

It happened so fast, she hadn't had time to analyze it. She had simply wanted to make Carol happy. But no matter how much she spent on her, how much she helped with her studies, it was never enough. Carol always wanted more. And Carly tired to give it to her. A house. A new car. She never stopped to consider her own wants and needs.

She should be thankful Carol had only used her for four years and then moved on. What if she had stuck around longer, continuing her affair on the side? Would Carly have ever known?

And now Pat was offering her something again. Friendship, love. It felt so different with Pat. And Carly admitted that it also felt right. Pat didn't want anything from her except friendship and love in return. There was no underlying agenda. She wasn't using her for personal gain. Pat just wanted…her. Nothing more. And Carly so wanted to give herself to Pat. But she was still afraid. She knew that she wouldn't survive if Pat ended up hurting her. If she gave herself to Pat, that would be it. There would be no going back. Could she trust Pat with her life?

"Yes."

"So, you didn't blow away?" Pat asked.

"About time you checked on your old aunt. I could have been blown to San Antonio by now."

"I've been busy," Pat said.

"Yes, I figured. Have you slept with her yet?"

"I can't believe you just asked me that! We were stranded. We barely survived the storm and you're thinking about sex."

"Does that mean yes?"

"I'm not going to answer you."

"That means yes. I'm so happy for you. About time you got laid."

"Aunt Rachel!"

"Oh, please. Give an old woman a little excitement."

"Okay. I'll give you details when I see you," Pat said with a smile. "Now, how are things at your place?"

"Only lost one tree. That old oak at the edge of the property. I'll have a better view of the bay now, at least."

"Do you need help? Or has Alice called your ‘crew' in again."

"Yes, they've already taken the shutters off and cut up the tree."

"I assume you're still without power?"

"Yes, but they've restored it on the north side. Alice is going to run out and pick up dinner. That is, if she can get in. There are only two restaurants open."

"Okay. Well, I guess I'm going to stay here again tonight," Pat said. "I'll make a run to the island in the morning."

"And how is everything there, Pat? No major damage?"

"No. Just trees."

"Very well. I hope you'll come by tomorrow when you're in town."

"I will. I'm sure I'll be starving by then. Let Alice know."

Pat tossed her cell phone down and stretched out on the sofa. Her face was throbbing and she'd swallowed a couple of ibuprofen. Hopefully that would help. No way was she taking a pain pill. Not when Carly had plans for her.

She grinned as her eyes closed. It had happened so fast, really. Her gentle courting had been rebuffed easily by Carly. At least on the outside. But Carly's eyes didn't lie. And the storm had thrown them together, giving them a chance to be alone. A chance to explore their feelings. She wondered if Carly had accepted what was happening between them yet. Physically, yes. That was obvious. But emotionally, she wondered if Carly was still trying to keep her distance.

"Doesn't matter," Pat murmured. "I can see it in her eyes."

And that was how Carly and Elsa found her later, stretched out on the sofa and sound asleep.

"Look at that, she's adorable," Elsa whispered.

"Yes, she is," Carly agreed. She let her eyes linger on the long legs that were crossed at the ankles. Then she moved to Pat's face, noting how peaceful she looked in sleep, even with the bruise.

They went into the kitchen and made sandwiches. Carly left Pat's on the table, wrapped in foil. The others, they took downstairs to join Martin. Carly grabbed one of the bags of chips on her way out.

"I should really feed the egrets," Carly said.

"Eat first," Elsa said. "You must be starving."

"So must they. Go on out. It'll just take me a minute."

She unwrapped the fish and turned her face away. It was already beginning to smell. She wished she had thought to ask them to bring some ice. But she was lucky she had even remembered the fish. The two birds were indeed starved. They took the fish easily from her hands and she knew she needed to get them outside soon. She couldn't just keep them in the box indefinitely. Maybe Martin could rig up some sort of cage for her.

Martin had pulled the lawn chairs back out and they sat under the oaks and ate. The sun had finally broken through the clouds and the day seemed almost normal.

"It's so nice out," Carly mused. "Hard to believe that yesterday a storm was raging."

"Yes. I can't believe the sun is out." Elsa said.

"I really appreciate you coming out today. It would have been a great day to stay inside and lounge around."

"Not without electricity and AC," Elsa said. "Besides, we've got to get this cleaned up sooner or later."

"Speaking of that, Martin, will you call around and see about getting the large limbs picked up? I know you said something about firewood."

"I'll call, but they will be swamped with offers. We may have to move it ourselves."

Carly shrugged. "Oh well. We can haul it out back for now. It won't hurt anything. I just don't want to spend a lot of time on that. We need to get the marsh drained and planted. And I'm sure it will be at least a week before it's dry enough for them to get their equipment back out."

"How will we drain the marsh?" Martin asked.

"I'll have to hire someone from one of the rigs. We'll pump it back into the bay," she said.

"And the cost?" Elsa asked.

"Outrageous. I don't even want to think about it. But it's got to be done."

They rested a bit longer, then went back to work. Carly swore her back would never be the same after bending over all day. The only thing that kept her spirits up was knowing that later, after a shower, she and Pat would be alone.

It was nearly four when Carly called a halt to their labor. They would be totally exhausted tomorrow if they didn't stop.

"Let's call it a day, guys," she said.

"I won't argue with that," Elsa said.

They were still working around the Visitor's Center but they had made good progress. Carly then saw a familiar figure walking towards them. And a freshly showered one, if the wet hair was any indication.

"Damn, you're a slave driver, Dr. Cambridge. I doubt they'll even come back tomorrow," Pat teased.

"I doubt I'll even be able to get out of bed in the morning," Elsa complained.

"And I doubt this will be the reason," Carly said with a smile. Elsa blushed, then looked at Martin, hoping he hadn't heard.

"How was your cold shower?" Carly asked Pat.

"Refreshing. You ought to try it."

"What are you saying?"

"I should have brought my camera out. This would make a great shot for the next brochure."

"I told you before, I will not be in the brochure."

"And I told you before, people want to know who is spending their money. In their mind, they see old Mrs. Davenport and they hesitate. But if they saw you, they'd think you were totally sexy and would open up their wallets."

"You are so full of shit," Carly said.

"It's true."

"I think it's a good idea," Elsa said.

"Oh, no. Not you, too? I will not be in the damn brochure."

"Can I still take your picture?" Pat asked.

"No, you may not. And you must be feeling better. Your mouth has not stopped moving since you've been out here."

Pat grinned. "Well, that's a good thing, right?"

Carly blushed and walked past Pat, playfully hitting her stomach as she passed.

"Do I even want to know what that was all about?" Elsa asked.

"No," Carly tossed over her shoulder.