Page 10 of Sound and Deception

“I know you do. You both mean the world to me.”

“But I feel like you practically consider yourself an indentured servant here.”

Horror shoved cold splinters through me, shame following the same path. “Gram, that’s not—”

“Growing up here wasn’tthatbad, was it?” She stared up at me, her expression willing me to tell the truth, but fearful of hearing it.

I let my gaze fall to my boots for a moment before bringing it back to Gram. “No. Of course not. I guess I just enjoy being on the move and seeing new places. The island just feels too small most of the time.” She hadn’t asked if I’d gone to the cemetery yet, but I figured it was coming soon. I’d filled my head with so many new responsibilities that old responsibilities had been sidelined.

She nodded, a tiny sigh escaping. “I know you do. You’ve always had the soul of a nomad. Is there anywhere you haven’t been yet?”

“I avoid places that consider women pieces of property, so, yeah, there are some places I haven’t gone and won’t.” Since I left the island, I’d managed to take a trip or two every year, mostly on the cheap, but it was better than not going at all. The past year included a trip to Japan, and one to the finger countries with Iceland as a bonus.

“Have you found what you’re looking for yet?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that, so I didn’t. I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek instead. “Um, I probably won’t be too late.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

Chapter Ten

Salty’z was a 50-something year old institution nestled into a corner of the tiny tourist square in town, sharing its space with gift shops, candy stores, art galleries, Mrs. Plumkett‘s Book Alley, and a kayak rental place closed for the season. The restaurant fronted the coastline with a large patio overlooking the beach. A dozen tables lay exposed, their guardian umbrellas folded like inverted tulips.

I pulled Corinne into a parking space on the north side of the building and sat for a moment, engine and heat running. Early evening had manifested itself into a deep blue-black with dots of human induced light attempting push back with limited success. If I opted to bypass the restaurant and walk up the beach, I’d be swallowed by darkness within moments.

Shaking myself out of sudden melancholy, I climbed from my Honda and headed toward the door. I didn’t expect much would have changed, and I wasn’t disappointed. The same ancient, battered wooden bar stretched along the east wall, the kitchen just catty-corner off the end. Booths pressed against the glass windows opposite, with several small tables sandwiched in between. At the far side, a huge rock fireplace hogged the wall, flames warming the entire restaurant. The décor immortalized typical shanty themes, with nets, fake sea creatures, and plenty of photos of the ocean, lighthouses, and old timers on deck of their respective boats, legs splayed to hold their balance. An old jukebox hugged the wall just to my left, Blue Oyster Cult seeping out to add a timeless feel. I doubted the playlist had been updated since 1980. The aroma of fried fish hung heavy, almost tangible, and I expected I’d probably leave the restaurant smelling like salmon, too.

A tiny woman with slivers of blonde hair peeking out from the confines of a tie-dyed hoodoo rag, approached me. She waved a menu, before stopping short and staring at me for a full sixty seconds. Her eyes widened. “Youbitch!”

Startled, I stared back, lost in another moment, before a huge smile split my face. Danielle, aka, Dani Whiting had been my best, not-quite-best friend throughout my childhood. Her folks would play cards with Gram and Sunny, which threw us together more often than we might have chosen. We still always had a good time, though. Genuine pleasure coursed through me. “Right back at you, babe.”

She stood before me, hands balled at her hips, the menu still sticking out between her knuckles, looking as fake-angry as someone less than 5-foot could look. I’d forgotten how tall she made me feel, which, at 5’3”, was a rare feeling. After only a moment’s hesitation, Dani dove at me and grabbed me tight before I could sidestep. “Why haven’t you called me?”

“Um…” I inwardly berated myself. I should have come armed with excuses. Grimacing, I looked past her, noting an upper middle-aged woman behind the bar, blunt copper hair tipped with black. She did not look happy. I threw a smile her way. “Oh, I know this lunatic.Pleasedon’t fire her.”

“Oh, she’s not going to fire me. My old man got hitched again, and Ms. Sparkling Personality over there is the result. You do remember this is my Granddad’s place, right?”

I’d forgotten, but I nodded. The older woman allowed one more lingering glower before turning away and busying herself with beer spigots.

“Anyway, my sister spoke to Mr. Mullen who spoke to your Gram, but apparently, she wouldn’t say much, other than you’re single-minded as always.”

“Guilty as charged.” I tried to remember her sister’s name and couldn’t. I did remember Mr. Mullen was the pharmacist, so I counted that as a score.

“… and just as stubborn.”

“Oh.” I blinked. Gram must have beenreallyirritated with me that day. “Well, I don’t think being stubborn has anything to do with it. I just have a lot to do while Gram is less than 100%. Time gets away, you know?”

“Lame excuse, but I’ll let it go.” She pulled me along, before pushing me down into a chair opposite Noah in the corner. “I presume this is the right table. Figure out what you guys want and I’ll be right back.”

He got to his feet, stretching himself upward with a smooth grace that used to be lacking. He’d traded his usual flannel and jeans for a button up, tie, and khakis. His hair looked recently trimmed, face shaved smooth, and I caught a lingering clean, woodsy scent. He looked and smelled delicious. “A tie?”

Noah looked down at himself and reached up to poke at it with one finger. “Yeah. I guess I wanted to make a good first impression.”

“Noah, I’ve seen you around town, and at one time we used to be almost superglued together.”

“Better late than never.” His smile warmed his entire face and eyes. That little fluttery feeling whispered low in my belly again and I took a slow breath.

“So, why have you been avoiding me? I mean, other than that thing I did, or, rather, didn’t do when we were barely old enough to drive.” He took his seat and leaned forward, gaze intent. He seemed to be looking for some kind of break in my armor.

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