Gooseberry Island (17 page)

He smiled. “What do you think about Capriccio’s, then maybe a movie at the Footlights Theater?”

“Ummm, that sounds good, but I was thinking we could get a dozen clam cakes from the Bayside, then take a long walk on the beach.”

“Even better,” he said. “Tomorrow night at eight o’clock?”

She shook her head. “I can’t. I have to help my dad with something. If I said Friday night, would you still be interested?”

“I’d be interested no matter what you said.”

“Friday then, and seven would work better,” she said, smiling.

“Then seven it is. Where should I pick you up?”

“One Twenty-Three Reed Road. Just beep and I’ll…”

“I’ll see you at your door tomorrow at seven,” he graciously interrupted.

“Great,” she whispered. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me too,” David said. “You have no idea.”

They kissed one last time; this time, it was much less gentle. It was hungry. It took them forever to say good night.

It was nearly dusk when David pulled up to Lindsey’s house in his mother’s car
. With flowers in hand, he approached her door.

“Hi beautiful,” he said, his eyes locked onto her. “You ready to go?”

She smiled brilliantly. “I’ve been ready for months.”

He’d forgotten she had the voice of an angel and his chest felt warm.

At Bayside Seafood Shack, a nineteen-pound lobster called “Big Boy” peered out of his massive tank. No matter how much money folks offered to buy him, and the bids went well into the hundreds, the owners never sold.

David scanned the menu, which offered scrod. He laughed.
There’s no such fish
.

While Lindsey ordered clam cakes and chowder, he ordered a fisherman’s platter with fried clams, shrimp, scallops, and fish. “And give us one boiled lobster on the side,” he told the girl behind the counter.

Lindsey laughed. “I remember someone telling me that he’d live a happy life if he never ate seafood again.”

David laughed. “During the war, I actually dreamed about boiled lobster in drawn butter.”

“I wish I’d known that,” she said. “I would have…”

“This isn’t our last meal together, is it?” he asked.

“It better not be,” she said and reached for her wallet to pay for their meal.

David pushed her money back into her wallet and paid for the food, as well as two cold sodas. “I just got a job working at The Rocking Horse Pub,” he said. “After I pay off my court fees, I’m going to get the Mustang fixed up.”

“Good for you,” Lindsey said, “That car must mean a lot to you.”

He shook his head. “Just as soon as it’s repaired I’m giving it to Craig.” He smiled. “Doing what he did for me is what means a lot.”

She smiled. “There may be hope for you yet, David McClain,” she teased.

Juggling all the food, they clasped hands and started their walk down to the beach, where they ended up on their park bench.

He turned to her and shrugged. “I told you I’d meet you back on this bench,” he said.

She smiled. “Yes, you did.”

“I’m sorry I’m late, Lindsey,” he whispered.

She wrapped her arms around him. “The only thing that matters is that you finally made it.”

They hugged for a long while.

As they ate, a young boy and his dad were flying a kite in the distance. David was hypnotized by this, a smile plastered across his face. Lindsey shared the smile.

“I once promised myself I’d never buy you jewelry made of shells…” he started to say after they’d finished eating.

“Why?” she asked, grinning. “I love seashell jewelry.”

“Good,” he said and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a shell bracelet and handed it to her. “I’ve started to reassess a lot of things I once said.”

She put the bracelet on and admired it for a moment before falling into his arms. “It’s so beautiful, David. Thank you.”

“No,” he said. “
You’re
beautiful.”

The night covered them like a warm blanket while they picked periwinkles in the moonlight. She kicked water at him. He took chase. At one point, they even lay on a patch of beach grass, staring up at the stars. “I cast many wishes up there while you were gone,” she said.

He smiled. “I hope they all come true.”

“Things are definitely looking up,” she whispered and blushed when she said it.

He smiled, placed his hand in hers and looked back toward the sky. “There you are,” he said excitedly, pointing toward the North Star.

“Did you think of me when you saw it over there?” she asked.

He turned to her, his face turning serious. “It kept me alive, Lindsey,” he whispered.

He couldn’t hold back any longer and kissed her—getting lost in the kiss.

When their lips finally parted she whispered, “It’s about time.”

He chuckled and kissed her again.

And again, she returned the passion. This time she whispered, “Welcome home, handsome.” It was the first time she’d said it.

They sat together in silence for a very long time, his arm wrapped around her soft shoulder. There was no need for words; they only needed to share the same space.

Finally, she pointed at the lighthouse’s searching eye and told him, “Whenever you feel lost, David, and there will still be times when you do, just come back here. It’ll guide you home, back to me.”

His eyes filled, and he tightened his grip on her shoulder. “I still wouldn’t mind living there,” he said, referring to the lighthouse.

“All by yourself?” she asked surprised.

He shook his head. “Absolutely not! I’d only live there if you were right there with me.”

They kissed again before nodding off to the rhythm of the surf and each other’s relaxed breathing.

The sun was just breaking the horizon when they awoke and realized they’d spent the entire night together—again.

“What time did you say your curfew was?” David teased, stifling a yawn.

“I didn’t,” she replied with a mischievous grin. “I pretty much have forever.”

That morning, Lindsey still went to work, a glow illuminating her face.

Courtney sauntered over. “That smile is going to make me sick,” she joked.

Lindsey giggled. “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

“Does David really make you that happy?”

Lindsey was spellbound. “I’ve dreamed about falling in love my whole life and I knew it would be wonderful, but…” She sighed.

“Oh, please,” Courtney said and walked away.

An hour later, the phone rang. “Community Art Center,” Lindsey answered.

“Lindsey Wood, please?”

“David?” Lindsey asked excitedly and then switched to a whisper. “I was hoping you’d call.”

“Miss me yet?” he asked in a similar tone.

“Not at all,” she said.

“Good. Me neither,” he said. “When can I see you again?”

“Tomorrow night. And I pick the place this time.”

“I thought you picked it last night.”

She giggled.

“Okay. But should I be scared?”

“No,” she whispered. “I’m going to take you to my favorite place in the whole world.”

“Can’t wait to see it. I’ll be at your house at seven.”

“See you then,” she said and hung up. As she placed the telephone in its cradle, she buried her giant smile into her shoulder, wondering whether its glow might give away her overwhelming joy to her co-workers.

¤ ¤ ¤ ¤

The following afternoon, Lindsey approached her car after work and discovered a folded paper stuck between her windshield and wiper blades.
This better not be from Walter,
she thought. She plucked the paper free, unfolded it and read:

Beauty

for Lindsey

She radiates with the light of a thousand candles, while her movements have the energy of a lightning storm.

The sweetest aroma lures even the strong,

though it is the scent of confidence that takes the kill.

With the giggle of an innocent child, her tone is soft and gentle—almost heavenly.

She expects nothing, but her silence demands the best.

Her forgiving heart beats in the ears of all men, yet it is her untamed spirit that screams out loudest.

Like a beacon in the darkest night, her comfort is safety.

Rarely revealing her deepest thoughts, her words remain simple, for she is a mystery.

Her tender touch can be soothing or sensual
, as she is unconditional love—both maternal and passionate.

In a word, she is beauty—

and you should see her on the outside.

David

That night, Lindsey drove while David pretended to be a frightened passenger. They laughed and held hands. Music played softly in the background. The sun was just going down for the night when she pulled into the marina near North Beach. It was the same place they’d met, the same place they’d had their first date. Captain Eli was aboard
Serendipity,
and he was smiling.

Though David was confused about the location of their date, he waved to Captain Eli and gestured for Lindsey to meet his old friend. “Captain,” David announced. “I’d like you to meet my friend, Lindsey Wood.”

Lindsey smiled. “Friend?” she teased under her breath.

Captain Eli climbed down from his boat and extended his hand. “Well, hello Lindsey Wood. Nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too, Captain. I hope you don’t mind me saying…” She waited until he nodded. “I love your accent. It sounds familiar, but I can’t seem to place it. You’re not from around here, are you?”

Captain Eli smiled. “I suppose we all came from somewhere.” He searched her eyes. “But home for me isn’t so far from here.” He looked out onto the water. “Gooseberry Island is as good a place as any, though.”

“I agree. I absolutely love it here.”

Captain Eli nodded again. “I hope you’re staying close to our friend, David. We wouldn’t want him to get lost again.”

David’s face turned bright red.

The old sea captain laughed. “Don’t be so serious, David,” he said, “it’s only life.”

David’s skin prickled.

Lindsey nodded. “And life is better than good,” she added grinning.

David nodded, realizing that he wasn’t being judged. They were obviously both thrilled that he was finding his way back.

Captain Eli winked at them both and gestured toward the horizon. “I don’t suppose you two want to spend such a beautiful sunset talking to an old seadog, now, do ya?”

David and Lindsey looked at each other and smiled. Lindsey turned back to Captain Eli and offered the same smile. “Again, it was nice meeting you. I hope we’ll see each other soon.”

“I’m always here.”

Lindsey nodded, looked at David, and then started running for the beach. “Come on slowpoke,” she called over her shoulder.

David waved to Captain Eli and took chase.

A few hundred yards up the beach, Lindsey stopped short and turned to meet David in the sand. He nearly ran into her. She opened her arms for a hug. “Well, here it is,” she said, gesturing around with her hand, “my favorite place in the whole world.”

It’s the exact location where we met,
David thought, and then it hit him. He grabbed her face with both hands. After staring into each other’s eyes, they kissed for a long while.

She broke away first, anxious to speak. “At the risk of scaring you away,” she said, “I…I need to tell you something.”

He nodded nervously.

“I feel safe and comfortable and excited…” she babbled. “I feel everything when I’m with you, and I never stop thinking about you.” She quieted her tone. “I know this is going to sound strange since we’ve only just reunited, but you’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of, David. And you’re going to think I’m crazy, but…”

He gently placed his finger over her lips and grabbed her hand.

Lindsey collapsed onto the sand and pulled him to her. Passionate kisses were shared throughout the night.

While a choir of crickets sang and the elephant grass danced in the sea wind to the rhythm of a gentle tide, David announced, “I have big plans for you next weekend. In fact, I’m told I need a suit for this place, so you’ll have to wear a nice dress…”

“Where are you taking me?” she asked excitedly.

“You’ll see next weekend,” he said, and kissed her into silence again.

During the week, even though David was trying to stay positive, he found himself slipping into the darkness again.

Lindsey sat on the phone with him, doing all she could to make him feel the sunshine. “Listen to me, David, you’re doing great and getting better all the time now. But like Dr. Weiss told you, it’s going to be a lifelong effort.”

“Sure,” he said, “but there are no guarantees that I’ll ever completely stop feeling depressed.”

“Wow, you’ve really become a glass half-empty kind of guy, huh?” she said, teasing him.

“I’m just a realist.”

“Mmmm, I’ve always thought that reality is what we believe it to be.”

He grinned slightly at her positive attitude. “I just need to find peace again,” he said.

“I know and I have an idea,” Lindsey said. “How ’bout we go on a whale watch?”

“You’re kidding me, right?” he said.

“Nope. I’m not. We’re going.”

As the boat left the dock, David took note of the bustling traffic in the harbor. Besides the commercial fishing vessels, a large number of private sail and powerboats navigated the water.

“Look!” Lindsey said and pointed out their lighthouse.

As they made their way out of the mouth of the harbor, David asked the boat’s naturalist, Jenna, “What happens if we don’t see a whale?”

“In all our trips, there’ve only been a handful of times we haven’t seen whales. If we don’t see a whale today, we’ll give you a pass to come again for free. Okay?”

David nodded. “You have a chow hall where we can get food?” he asked.

Jenna nodded. “It’s called a galley and yes, we serve hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and other goodies on board.”

“What if it rains?” David fired at her, trying to make Lindsey laugh with his relentless questioning.

“The boat has an enclosed cabin out of the weather, but even if it starts to rain I like to throw on a jacket and still look at the whales outside.”

David was impressed with the woman’s patience. “What kind of whales will we see?” he asked.

Lindsey laughed. “Stop, David,” she said under her breath. “Leave the poor girl alone.”

“Every trip is different,” Jenna said, remaining professional, “but we could see humpbacks, finbacks, minke whales, and maybe even a northern right whale. There’s also a chance we’ll spot dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, ocean sunfish, tuna, and sharks.”

“Sharks?” Lindsey squeaked.

“Sharks,” Jenna repeated and smiled right along with David, who wrapped his arms around Lindsey’s waist.