Page 2 of Waves of Hope

CHAPTER ONE

CHARLOTTE

Charlotte Bradford told herself not to stomp back to her office at the North Public Relations company in New York City, but it took every bit of will power to keep from doing it. Rand Michaels, her co-worker, had once again attempted to take credit for work she had done for a client. Rather than be called out for it, their boss had praised Rand for adding to Charlotte’s campaign, though neither couldn’t deny that the idea had been Charlotte’s to begin with.

She went into her office and closed the door before taking a seat at her desk and staring out at the scenery below. Charlotte knew she was excellent at her job. Clients loved her and her work, but she was tired of constantly fighting for the recognition she deserved. She knew damn well that Rand Michaels would be made partner before her. That wasn’t fair.

The six o’clock traffic below had created a scene that reminded her of the movement in an ant farm she’d owned as a child. Cars moved as best they could in the streets and the sidewalks filled with people moving faster than they. Was she like an ant working hard but going nowhere?

She sighed. It was time for a change but she didn’t know how, when, or where.

###

“I’ll be there as soon as I can, Gran. Thanks.”

Charlotte Bradford ended the call with her grandmother and impulsively danced around her room. An extended visit with Gran was just what she needed. She hated her job, knew she didn’t want to stay in New York, and needed to do something that resonated with her. Not something that pleased her mother.

Charlotte felt she’d been a disappointment to her mother from a young age, that she could never measure up to her brother, David, who’d died in a drowning accident when he was just three years old. Two years younger, she’d never really known him though her mother talked about him frequently. By the time Charlotte came to understand what had happened to him and why she’d never have another sibling, he was already on a pedestal she could never climb.

Her parents divorced a year or so after David died. Her father kept his commitment to Charlotte with financial support and the occasional visit, but he’d moved to California and had a busy, happy life with his new family, one she wasn’t a part of. Shortly after her divorce, her mother married Walter Van Pelt and he provided her with an upscale lifestyle that was more suited to her.

Charlotte had plenty of friends, but in her restlessness, she was ready to move on and away from their expectations of what life should be like in their high-society circle. She especially wanted to get away from Jeremy Probst, the man her mother wanted her to marry. Her mother and Jeremy’s mother had planned this romance for years, but it was never going to work. There was no physical attraction, and though she’d never discussed it in depth with anyone else, she was pretty sure Jeremy was gay. She knew he’d be much happier after he had the courage to come out. And if she ever were to meet a man whom she’d consider marrying, Charlotte had to feel she couldn’t live without him. He had to be someone she could trust to love her for herself.

The next day, Charlotte went into work and gleefully gave her resignation letter to her boss. In the competitive marketing company where she constantly had to fight for recognition, Charlotte had no real regret about leaving.

Later, at home, Charlotte was busy sorting through her things at the apartment she shared with a roommate when her mother called. “I understand you’re moving to Florida for the summer. When did this happen, and why wasn’t I told? I had to hear it from Marjorie Probst, of all people. She said Jeremy is devastated that you broke it off with him.”

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Charlotte sank onto her bed. “I was going to tell you when we met for lunch this weekend. And, I don’t believe Jeremy is the least bit upset. We both know it wasn’t going to work. My stay with Gran is for an unspecified amount of time. I’m just trying to figure things out. You know I didn’t like my job.”

“You shouldn’t have to be worried about a job. There are opportunities for you to get involved in various volunteer positions and plenty of other suitable young men for you to consider. You’re a beautiful woman, Charlotte. And being Walter’s step-daughter is a big plus.”

“Mother! Do you realize how archaic you sound?”

“The reality is that you could have a nice life going forward, Charlotte. Don’t waste the opportunity to meet new people.”

“You mean here in New York,” Charlotte said. “I need to get away, and being with Gran for a while is the perfect solution. She’s always been honest with me.”

“She’s never appreciated all I’ve done for you, my charity work, or the life I’ve made,” said her mother with an edge to her voice.

“I’m not sure that’s true,” said Charlotte. “But she knows I want something different.”

“Well, try not to burn too many bridges. Life has a lot of surprising twists and turns. Some of them are heartbreaking.”

Charlotte knew her mother was talking about David and said softly, “I know.”

“Well, I hope you know what you’re doing. I suppose there’s no way I can get you to change your mind.”

“No, Mother,” said Charlotte. Thinking of the future she’d have if she’d decided to turn Gran down. Her spirits lifted at the thought of leaving that life behind.

###

Several days later, Charlotte drove her BMW convertible down Interstate 95, intent on getting to Sanderling Cove as quickly as she could. She had stuffed the trunk of her car and the backseat with suitcases and bags full of shoes and things she wanted in her new life. She’d left most of her dressy clothes behind at her mother’s house. She knew from earlier visits she wouldn’t need them. A pleasant thought.

When at last, after a couple of days of hard driving, she saw the sign for The Sanderling Cove Inn off to the side of Gulf Drive, she filled with excitement. She’d always felt Gran’s love and acceptance. Her unwavering devotion meant the world to her.

She turned into the driveway and pulled up to the main building. The white clapboard siding of the building was trimmed in turquoise, a nod to some of the colorful homes and buildings in this area of the Gulf Coast of Florida.

A man wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap came out to the front entrance to greet her.

---