Page 46 of More Than A Boss

Saying goodbye to Zane felt devastating to Allie. She clung to him and it took sheer force of will to let him go. He held her tight as well and tried to stay upbeat for her sake, but she saw the sadness in his eyes mirroring her own. “So, you know I will try to get back here, Allie. I can’t make any promises, but I want it as badly as you do, and if I can make it happen I will.”

“I know you’ll try. I’m going to miss you. Thank you for this surprise trip. It means everything.” She smiled wistfully at him. “I guess I’m just greedy that I want more,” she confessed.

“Well, if that’s greed you’re in good company,” he replied.

Looking at his watch, he said, “I’ve got to get to the airport and my taxi is here. Be good! Why don’t you buy yourself a muumuu and throw away that horrible bikini you own?” he grinned. “It just isn’t your color!”

Allie laughed, watching her gorgeous man walk away, and said, “I’ll think about it. Bye, be careful!” she said, as he saluted her and hopped into the cab.

Allie quickly turned and went back to her condo. She jumped onto her bed, finally releasing the sobs as they wracked her body. Sometime later, Allie got up and splashed her face with cold water and wandered around in a slight daze, not quite sure what to do. She felt restless, but nothing appealed to her. It was a restless emptiness. A void that couldn’t be filled. She decided that a short jog on the beach could channel some of this agitation.

Slipping on athletic shoes, loose-fitting boxers, and a tank top, she headed for the beach. Jogging along parallel to the lapping waves, she quickly found her rhythm and gait, breath steady and sure. She became immersed in the runner’s zone.

She passed sandpipers running towards and away from the waves, seemingly in an endless game of tag with the water’s edge. There were countless pelicans diving like torpedoes into the ocean for the catch of the day. She noticed three dolphins fairly close to shore, almost as if they were swimming alongside with her. She jogged by children with buckets and shovels playing in the sand. She passed families sitting under bright umbrellas, young teenagers sunning themselves, a man throwing a Frisbee to his big Lab, who caught it easily. Passing a man with a pole stuck in the sand and his long fishing line in the water, she stopped, ready to turn back and head home.

“Catching anything?” Allie inquired curiously.

His face was lined and weathered from many years in the sun. He looked like he was completely in his element, one with the sea. He was slightly stooped and wore old and faded cargo shorts and a T-shirt with a local fish market’s logo. “Well, I’ve had a pretty good day so far. I’ve caught some snapper and redfish. Been a productive afternoon,” he said smiling.

“Where are you from?” he asked.

“Michigan,” she said. “Are you from here?” she asked.

“Born and raised!” he replied. “Must have done something right in a past life.”

“Yes, I would have to agree. This is pretty much paradise,” Allie said, smiling warmly.

“I’m Allie,” she said, offering her hand.

After scrubbing his hands against his cargo shorts, he reached for her proffered hand. “Ray. A pleasure to meet you, Allie.” He smiled.

“There’s live music tonight at the Island Time Bar and Grill. Me and a few old cronies play some light jazz during dinner hour, if you are interested,” he offered.

“I know that place. My friend and I dined there the other evening. That sounds perfect!” Allie smiled. “I knew I stopped here for a reason. That’s just what I need. I’ll definitely see you tonight. What time do you start playing?” she asked.

“From five to nine o’clock, with a half-hour break in there,” he said.

“Great! See you later!” she promised, stretching out her quads and hamstrings for her return jog back. “Bye, and thanks for the invite!” She turned and headed back to the condo, having successfully shaken off her melancholy mood.

—

Allie was dressing for dinner when she heard a knock at the door. Thinking it might be her “surprise,” flowers maybe, she smiled as she went to answer, but she paused before opening to call, “Who is it?”

“Open up!” A voice sounding uncannily like her mother’s, responded.

“Mom!?” Allie said through the closed door.

“Yes, Dear, it’s your mother.”

Unlocking the deadbolt and pulling the door open, she was flabbergasted to see Sarah and Pete standing there with big, satisfied grins on their faces. “Oh, Mom!” Allie said with a sob, rushing to throw her arms around her. “What … how … when … What’s going on?” she finally managed to squeak out.

“Oh, Sweetie, we’ve been so worried about you, and Casey and Zane came up with the idea that we could all tag team to help you settle in and get comfortable. That Zane is really something! You’d better hang on to that one,” Sarah said matter-of-factly. “Pete and I drove down. We took our time and stopped to visit a few places we had always wanted to see on our way here. Last night, we stayed in Savannah, Georgia. Loved it!” she exclaimed. “Pete, we loved it didn’t we?” she asked him, pulling his hand so he would be included.

“Yes, we sure did, Sarah,” Pete said, looking at her mom with an adoring gaze. He had such lovely and kind eyes, Allie thought. Laugh lines fanned out from his light blue eyes framed by thick dark lashes. A thick mop of once-dark curly hair, most of which had turned gray and dark brows highlighted his features. He was in good shape and handsome. She could definitely see why her mom was interested.

“Well, how long are you staying?” Allie asked.

“We can only stay for a few days before we have to head back. Pete has some appointments he has to keep and, with the holidays around the corner, all his children and grandchildren will be flying in, so he has a lot to do to prepare,” Sarah said.

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