A Tragic Wreck (7 page)

 
But she still wondered why she felt that Alexander was on the island.

A
LEXANDER
DECIDED
THAT
THE
best thing to do was to spend some time exploring the island and try to get a feel for the place Olivia now called home. At least until he knew where she lived.

After breakfast, he grabbed a rented Mercedes convertible and drove out of the hotel complex, passing by a golf course on his way toward the western part of the small island. He soon found himself driving in the downtown Fernandina Beach district. Large Victorian homes dotted the area, giving way to a marina that housed several shrimping boats.

He parked under an old moss tree and decided to get out to do a bit of exploring. As he strolled down the tree-lined street, he knew why Olivia came there to escape. It really was cute and quaint. The downtown district was just six short blocks. It almost reminded him of his boyhood home in Mystic.

And Olivia’s childhood home.

In the back of his mind, he wondered whether that had something to do with her decision to come there.

There were tourist shops lining the boulevard, as well as some beach boutique stores. And, of course, the one building that had a line out the door – an ice cream parlor. After walking around for a few hours, he made his way down one of the side streets and found a Mexican restaurant, thinking that maybe a few shots of tequila, some beer, and a little food would help him with the next step of his mission…finding Olivia.

Martin had a bunch of feelers out around the island, asking about a girl who had arrived in mid-October. On an island this small, he was confident someone knew her. It would only be a matter of time before Alexander found her. When he did, he was unsure of what to do, especially after seeing her running on the beach that morning. His face flashed red with anger when he remembered seeing some guy kiss her gently on the forehead. It made him raging mad to think that someone else was near her, touching her, enjoying her essence.

But, then again, he hadn’t remained faithful, either. Did he really expect that she wouldn’t meet someone else, as well? Maybe it wouldn’t hurt so much if he knew she hadn’t moved on. That was what hurt the most.

After ordering a shot of tequila and a beer, his cell phone rang. “Martin. What is it?”

“Are you ready for this?” Martin asked.

Alexander exhaled. “Shoot. I can handle it.”

“Okay, sir,” he said, then paused. “I have an address.”

Alexander’s heart began to race, knowing that he possibly could be seeing Olivia that day.

“It’s a cottage in Fernandina Beach on Ocean Avenue on the north end of the island. She’s been renting it for the past few weeks. Paid for six months up front. Owner is a Terry Robinson. Lives a mile or so inland from where the beach cottage is. He took cash in exchange for no paperwork being filed regarding the rental. You’re right that she had no intention of being found, sir.”

Alexander signaled the bartender for another shot after downing the one in front of him. “How did you find this out?” He was floored at Martin’s efficiency. He made a mental note to give him a raise and a bonus.

“When the search through property records turned up nothing, I started contacting beach rentals, mostly ones that were booked solid. I found one online that was booked through April with no availability whatsoever. Not even one day. So I made a phone call. Mr. Robinson was rather helpful. But I’m not sure you’re ready for that conversation yet, sir. With all due respect,” he said, not wanting to get into Mr. Robinson’s description of the empty woman who rolled up out of nowhere to rent his beach cottage.

Alexander downed his second shot of tequila. “You’re probably right about that. I’m having trouble processing the fact that we’ve actually found her. And I don’t need you to remind me that if we can find her, so can anyone else.”

“Yes, sir,” Martin replied. “So, how would you like me to proceed?”

Alexander thought for a moment. He wasn’t sure. He desperately wanted to see Olivia. To hold her in his arms. To convince her that she didn’t need to run, that he would never leave her. But then he recalled his sister’s words from the night before. What if she got scared and ran again? No. He needed to have a plan. He couldn’t risk her fleeing. Not when he was so close.

“Give me some time to process this. I’ll go over there soon.” He hung up and signaled the bartender to pour him another shot.

“E
VENING
,
BEAUTIFUL
,” C
AM
SAID
sweetly as Olivia opened the door. He nearly took her breath away with his smile and overall good looks. Stepping toward her, he kissed her softly on the cheek, lingering just a few seconds longer, shifting the kiss from friendly to affectionate.

Olivia closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of Cam's lips on her skin as she inhaled his delicious scent. It wasn’t the same as Alexander’s, but she reminded herself to stop comparing everything about Cam to Alexander. Cam was a breath of fresh air. He was easy-going and affectionate. He had a sense of humor. And, most of all, he didn’t pressure her into talking about anything that she didn’t want to.

He pulled back, beaming at her as he stood on her front deck, the ocean air blowing through his wayward sandy hair. His white linen shirt rippled as the wind picked up. “Ready to go?” he asked, extending his arm out to her.

“Yes. Thank you,” she responded, grabbing her clutch and slipping on her beige pumps.

“You look amazing, as always,” Cam said softly, gazing at her red halter dress. His eyes shifted to her chest and he hoped she didn’t notice.

Olivia blushed, taking his arm, and he led her out to his Lexus. A few short minutes later, they pulled up to the Ritz Carlton. “Where are we going?” she asked as they walked through the impressive lobby.

“Just a bar I really like. They have this fantastic five-diamond restaurant here, and the bar is killer. A nice change of pace from the normal ‘beachy’ southern bars that dot the rest of this little island,” he replied, leading her into a classy dimly lit lounge.

Olivia looked around, noticing the place appeared to be relatively busy for a hotel bar. “It seems quite popular,” she remarked.

“It is. It’s a little gem on this island. So, table or bar?”

Olivia thought about that. Normally, she would opt for a few stools at the bar, but something about that evening made her want a little bit more privacy. She wanted to get to know Cam. She wanted to begin to open up to him. It was the only way she could start moving past Alexander. “Let’s sit at a table.”

Cam beamed his brilliant white smile as he led her past a piano player, placing his hand on the small of her back and walking her to a secluded table with tea candles lit. He held out the chair for her, and Olivia’s brain rewound several months to that first night with Alexander. How he walked her from the elevator to her office in order to retrieve her things. How his simple touch sent fireworks through her entire body. And how, when Cam repeated the same gesture, her nerves didn’t stand on end.

Within a matter of moments, a server came over to take their drink order and returned rather quickly.
Points for quick service
, Olivia thought. She took a rather large gulp of her Manhattan as her eyes met Cam's. The way he looked at her, Olivia felt a little something stirring in her body. He seemed genuinely happy to just be with her, to spend time with her. He had said that he didn’t care where their relationship led. There were no expectations, which made Olivia feel comfortable with him when, normally, she wouldn’t want to open up to anyone.

“My parents died in a car accident when I was six,” she said out of nowhere, breaking the deafening silence.

Cam placed his beer on the table, shocked at Olivia’s sudden decision to share information about her past. “I’m sorry, Libby. That’s awful.”

She shrugged. “Yeah. I still dream about the crash nearly every night. I don’t really remember my parents all that much. After they died, I was shipped off to a private boarding school in Charleston. I stayed there until I went away to college. I had an uncle who was my guardian, but we weren’t really all that close so I pretty much had to raise myself.”

“Hmmm,” Cam said, thinking about her story. “I get it now.”

“What? What do you get?” Olivia asked, raising her voice slightly.

“Just why you seem so closed off. You didn’t have a parental figure in your life after your parents died. That could have stunted your emotional growth. It’s common. You see it all the time, especially after such a tragedy.”

“Wait a minute,” she snapped, holding out her hand. “How do you know all that shit?”

“I’m a psychiatrist when I’m not chasing a certain beautiful woman around the island, trying to get her to talk to me.” He winked. “But, please don’t hold that against me, Libby. I beg you,” he pleaded with her, seeing her demeanor change from one of calmness to one of anger. “I didn’t want to scare you off. I knew you were going through something and I was so worried that if I told you what I do for a living, you would bolt. I just couldn’t stand the thought of that.”

Olivia pushed her chair back, contemplating doing what she always did. She wanted to run as far away as she could.

“Don’t run, Libby. Please. I couldn’t bear the thought of you running again because of me. I want to give you some stability in your life.” He ran his hand through his hair, reminding her of Alexander yet again. “Yesterday, when you finally agreed to come to dinner with me, I couldn’t relax the rest of the day. I was so fucking excited to be able to spend some time with you.”

He reached across the table, grabbing both her hands, lowering his voice to just above a whisper. “When you opened the door, my heart fucking stopped, Libby. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, and I have a feeling you always will be. I like you. A lot. You’re the first thing I think about every morning. You have been since I first set eyes on you. I fall asleep with a smile on my face every night because, with nightfall, I’m that much closer to seeing you again the following morning. And I’m both scared and confused as to why and how I feel this way about a woman I barely fucking know. But, please, let me get to know you. Let me in. That’s all I ask.”

Olivia sat there, her heart racing as she listened to Cam's heartfelt plea. She knew she couldn’t keep running her entire life, but that’s all she had known up until that point. When things became too complicated or scary, she ran. She was tempted to run again, but the more she thought about it, the more she knew it wasn’t going to solve anything. She would end up in a new town or city where she would inevitably meet someone else, and she’d find herself in the same position all over again. No. For once, she wasn't going to run.

She took a deep breath and turned her eyes up to look at Cam. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

“Good,” Cam said, smiling. “Are you okay, though? And not with what I just told you. I’m worried about you, Libby,” he remarked, sincerity etched across his face. “Are you okay? I mean, really okay?”

Olivia looked out the window, her chin quivering as she gazed at the moonlit beach, honeymooning couples holding hands and strolling along the white sand paths.

“Hey, Libby,” Cam said, bringing her attention back to him. “It’s okay to admit that you’re not okay, but you need to at least realize that something is making you sad or upset or angry. Too many people walk around saying that everything’s fine when, in all reality, things aren’t fine. Sometimes we’re bruised, beaten, shattered, or destroyed. I just hope you’re not, but if you are, let me be the one to fix you. I’m not talking to you as someone who happens to be a therapist. I’m talking to you as someone who is so incredibly attracted to you that it hurts sometimes.”

A tear fell down Olivia’s cheek. “I’m not okay, Cam, but I want to be. Hopefully the more time that goes by, the more okay I’ll be.” She stood up. “I’m just going to go powder my nose. I’ll be right back.”

Cam eyed her suspiciously. “You’re not running, are you?”

Olivia took a deep breath. “No, Cam. For the first time in my life, I’m not going to run. I can’t run from things that scare me for the rest of my life so I may as well turn over a new leaf.”

Standing up, he snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his body. “Is this okay?” he asked quietly, a bit of huskiness in his voice.

Olivia gazed into his eyes and, unable to find her own voice, simply nodded.

He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. “Is this okay?” he asked, his lips still pressed lightly against hers.

She nodded again and could feel his mouth turn into a huge smile.

“Good because I can’t seem to get enough of your lips.” He pressed another gentle kiss on them before sending her on her way to the ladies’ room.

When she returned, their evening continued on a much lighter note, both sharing stories from their childhood.

“So, where in South Carolina did you grow up?” Olivia asked after they ordered their third round of drinks. The liquor helped her open up a bit, and Cam seemed to enjoy learning about her.

“Myrtle Beach, actually. And the answer is no, I absolutely do not golf,” he joked.

“That’s too bad,” she responded, placing her martini glass on the table. “I was just thinking how hot you’d look in some plaid pants.” She giggled.

It took Cam's breath away. “That’s quickly becoming one of my favorite sounds.”

Suddenly, it felt as if the floor fell out from under her. It was the second time in two days that Cam said something that reminded her of Alexander. She rewound back to that day she bumped into him running through Boston Common. He had told her the same thing.

“Libby, where did you go?” Cam asked, interrupting her memories. He looked at Olivia, her face paler than he had ever seen it before. He was concerned about the girl who sat in front of him. There was something, or someone, that she was running from, and certain words seemed to be triggers of very painful memories.