Brenda Jackson - Love In Catalina Cove

“Now, Ms. Alcindor, you may continue.” Mr. Lacroix, smiling, passed the mike to her.

“Thank you, Mr. Lacroix. I truly appreciate that,” she said. And she truly meant it.

* * *

“VASHTI DEANNA ALCINDOR. It’s been a while.”

Vashti smiled at the man who engulfed her in a huge bear hug. She needed it as the prospect of getting ten million dollars from the sale of Shelby by the Sea was gone. She had said her piece, asking the zoning board to consider the advantages that bringing a tennis resort could bring to the cove, before introducing the developer. He’d done a great job explaining to everyone how the proposed tennis resort could benefit the town and the boost it would give to the local economy.

Everyone seemed to show interest and had even asked questions—more positive than negative. However, in the end, no matter how excited the residents of the town seemed, the decision belonged to the zoning board. In the end there were eight board members voting against the resort and only two for it: Kaegan and Sheriff Grisham.

“Kaegan, it’s so good to see you,” she said, when he finally released her. She stared into his face. He looked the same, just older. More mature. Still handsome as ever, even more so. And he still had more hair on his head than she did. “I understand you took over your family’s business. I was sorry to hear about your parents.”

“Thanks.”

“And you’re on the zoning board. I think that’s great and thanks for the yes vote.”

“For all it’s worth, I agree with that developer. A tennis resort coming here would boost the economy. But I don’t have to tell you some people are satisfied to let things stay as they are. Then they wonder why their kids grow up and move away. Only a few return.”

Vashti nodded again as she glanced around. “I was going to thank Sheriff Grisham. I’m surprised he voted yes.”

“I’m not,” Kaegan said. “Sawyer moved here from a progressive city. Besides, he has a teenage daughter and that resort’s perks, especially the free tennis lessons, were great. I just hate you’re losing the deal. I heard they had offered you a lot of money for the place.”

“They did. More than I had dreamed of getting, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

She glanced around again. “I don’t see Sheriff Grisham.”

“He left as soon as the meeting was over.”

“Oh, I see,” she said, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice. She had really wanted to thank him, like she’d thanked Kaegan. She was glad they had voted their conscience and not the way Reid Lacroix had wanted them to.

“Mr. Lacroix didn’t seem upset that you and the sheriff didn’t vote with him.”

Kaegan shrugged dismissively. “Lacroix is used to it. He knows both Sawyer and I will speak our minds and not sugarcoat anything either. I honestly believe he respects us for it.” Kaegan didn’t say anything for a moment and then he said, “To be fair to Reid Lacroix, he’s the one who encouraged me to join the board.”

“He did?”

“Yes. He’s changed, Vashti. For the better. I heard he hasn’t been the same since his wife and son passed away within six months of each other.”

Vashti looked away when memories she’d put to rest years ago suddenly surfaced. At that moment she felt pain. Real pain. And it was pain she didn’t want to feel.

“He sure did take a stand tonight where you were concerned.”

Vashti glanced back at Kaegan. “What do you mean?”

“That speech he gave to welcome you back to town. It will put an end to any negativity toward you while you’re here. Heck, you saw the crowd surrounding you after the meeting, following his lead and welcoming you back like the Great Oz had not only spoken, but had given his blessings on your return. I wonder why he did it.”

Vashti refused to look away again. Instead she looked at Kaegan and shrugged. “I have no idea. I guess he was being nice. And it really wasn’t necessary since I’m leaving town on Friday.”

“You just got here.”

“Yes, but I’ve stayed longer than I intended to do.”

He nodded. “Did you go by Shelby’s?”

“Yes. It brought back a lot of good memories.”

“Yet you were okay with that developer tearing the place down.”

It wasn’t a question but a statement and she heard the censure in his voice. “Yes, I need closure, Kaegan.”

He looked at her for a long moment before asking, “What are your plans for tomorrow night?”

“As far as I know I don’t have any. Why?”

“Tomorrow will mark the second anniversary of my return to the cove. I’ve invited a few friends over for beer, fried fish, crabs, oysters and shrimp. Sort of an old-fashioned seafood roast. How about dropping by my place around eight? I’m still at my parents’ home but building my own place next door. I’d love to show you what I’ve done so far.”

“And I’d love to see it.”

“So will you come?”

She looked down at the floor and then she looked back at him. “That invitation extends to Bryce, right?”

She watched his chin tighten. “Sure. Why not?”

“You tell me, Kaegan.”

“Why don’t you ask her?” he said gruffly.

“I did, but she won’t tell me anything.”

He chuckled derisively. “Funny. I remember a time when she would tell you everything. I learned that people have a tendency to change on you, in a blink of an eye.”

Vashti bristled at his words. If he was insinuating something against Bryce, then she would take offense to it. “What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing. So, will you come?”

“Only if Bryce agrees to come with me.”

He seemed to weigh her ultimatum, then said, “Fair enough. Now let me walk you to your car. I heard you got a ticket the other day.”

She started to say something flippant like was it possible for anyone to have any secrets in this town, but immediately she knew the answer. Yes, it was possible. Hadn’t she been harboring her one and only secret for years?

CHAPTER SEVEN

USING THE SPARE key Bryce had given her, Vashti entered Bryce’s home to find her sitting at the kitchen table drinking a glass of wine. “I can’t believe you left, Bryce.”

Bryce, who’d changed into a comfortable-looking sleeveless flowing caftan, shrugged, causing one to notice how the material rested perfectly against her to-die-for breasts. Vashti remembered how she and Bryce were ecstatic at the prospect of having breasts when they were preteens. They would often stand in front of a mirror to see whose were growing faster than the other. Bryce was always the winner. Even before their thirteenth birthdays it had become obvious that Bryce would have a perfect pair. It had taken Vashti’s pregnancy to show what she called major improvement to her breasts, which ended when her pregnancy did. Her girls were alright, and Scott had never complained, but she always thought compared to Bryce’s she was underdeveloped.

“You had your own transportation and I knew you were okay. Besides, after the meeting a crowd descended on you like the prodigal daughter, thanks to Reid Lacroix. What do you think that was about?”

Now it was Vashti who shrugged. “I don’t know but if you’re wondering about it, others will do the same.”

“They might, but even if they are, they won’t whisper those thoughts out loud for fear it will get back to Mr. Lacroix. For some reason you’re on his good side, even though you were trying to bring a developer into town. That alone should have placed you at the top of his shit list.”

Vashti nibbled on her bottom lip. “Do you think perhaps he found out?”

Bryce took another sip of her wine. “I honestly don’t know, Vash. If he did I would think his attitude toward you would be just the opposite and your name would not only head his shit list but would end it as well. But then I’d be the first to admit his attitude changed in a lot of ways after Julius and Mrs. Lacroix died.”