The Reunion: Emma's Vacation (The Starting Over Series) (4 page)

As Emma rode the ferry onto Naughton Island off the Georgia coast, she could feel a sense of peace and tranquility that she had not felt in years. The last few years of her marriage to Henry had not been pleasant. She had an inkling of his infidelity not long after they married, but she ignored it. He was a flirt, for sure, but she figured that he must have married her for a reason.

No one had ever been able to catch the long time bachelor, Henry. He was known as a playboy in the medical world, but his well known surgical skills caused everyone to overlook his moral shortcomings, including Emma. Once Samuel was born, she knew that she couldn
’
t leave. She had come from a broken home with no father around, and she didn
’
t want to do that to Samuel. Even the cheating didn
’
t cause her to leave; it was Henry who chose to take off with his little harlot. Now, Samuel was growing up without a father around because his Dad was too focused on sex with this younger woman.

Emma let out a big sigh trying desperately to leave all of that behind her. She planned to leave Naughton Island with a renewed sense of strength and determination to make good on her promise to her three friends. She said she would focus on her love life, and she planned to do that once she returned to Atlanta. Maybe this time away would let her clear her head once and for all.

Stepping off the ferry, Emma asked around for a taxi to get to Lorraine
’
s cottage. She loaded her bags into the cab and watched as Naughton Island passed by the window. She saw small shops with people milling about. She could see the white, sandy beach where she planned to read lots of books during her stay. She could also see the big red and white lighthouse that stood out on the island.

“
Here we are
…”
she taxi driver said as they pulled up the short gravel driveway of Lorraine
’
s cottage. It was white with green shutters and a wrap around front porch. She paid the driver and took her bags up to the front door. Keying the lock, she realized that she could not get inside. Noticing that the key appeared to be bent, she looked back to get help from the driver but he was already down the street.

“
Just great
…”
she mumbled as she dropped her bags and looked around. The hot Georgia sun was beating down on her already, even on the porch. She needed to get inside and take a cool shower after the long ferry ride.

Emma walked down the steps and started looking for help. Carrying the key and her purse with her, she found the nearest house which was just about thirty feet from the edge of Lorraine
’
s property. It was a baby blue cottage style home with an architectural roof and stunning gardens. She could see a couple of bicycles and a restored Mustang in the driveway, so she decided to knock on the door.

“
Yes?
”
A handsome man with jet black hair and copper colored eyes answered the door wearing nothing but a white towel around his waist. Emma averted her eyes quickly, wishing she had never knocked on the door.

“
So
…
sorry
…”
she said backing up and nearly falling off the porch.

“
It
’
s okay
…
Don
’
t go. Can I help you?
”
he asked with a Southern drawl that would rival any Hollywood actor.

“
I
…
um
…
My name is Emma. I am staying at Lorraine
’
s house next door. I couldn
’
t get in
…
the lock
…”
Emma was embarrassed that her words seemed to be failing her.

“
Okay, you are going to have to slow down
…
I am a simple country man,
”
he said with a wink when she finally looked him in the eye. She was afraid to look any lower.

“
You
’
re wearing a towel,
”
she finally said sharply to remind him of his attire.

“
Yes, ma
’
m, I am,
”
he said as he yanked the towel from his waist. She gasped and covered her eyes only to hear him chuckle. When she peeked through her fingers, she could see his swim trunks.

“
Oh
…”
she said with her eyes darting around in embarrassment.

“
You thought I was naked under the towel, didn
’
t you?
”
he asked with a smile.

“
Listen, I just came to ask for some help with the key. It
’
s bent,
”
she said holding it up.

“
Sure. I am glad to help. Lorraine is a good friend of mine,
”
he said as he closed the front door behind him.
“
Let
’
s walk over to the garage. I can straighten it out in there.
”

Emma followed the man to the garage. He had tools of every kind lining the walls. He took the key to his work bench and started straightening it out with another tool she couldn
’
t identify.

“
Are you a contractor?
”
Emma asked.

“
Yes, I am. I just did some work on Lorraine
’
s kitchen, in fact.
”

“
Have you known her a long time?
”
Emma asked, intrigued by this handsome man that Lorraine never mentioned.

“
I
’
ve known her and her husband for about ten years. I inherited this place from my grandmother when she died,
”
he said looking up from his work. His copper colored eyes were enough to make her swoon.

“
What
’
s your name? Sorry, I forgot to ask
…”
she said.

“
Gaven Sinclair. You were a little preoccupied with my towel. I understand,
”
he said smiling smugly. She turned to avert her eyes from his.
“
So, have you ever been to Naughton Island?
”

“
No. This is my first time. It
’
s a lovely little hidden gem, though,
”
she said looking out at the coastline.

“
Yes, it is. It
’
s like a little piece of paradise. Are you from Atlanta?
”

“
Yes. I am a neonatal nurse there,
”
she said.

“
Oh wow. My daughter was a preemie, so I spent a lot of time in that unit when she was born,
”
he said.

“
Your daughter?
”
Emma felt a little heartsick at the thought of this man being married, but she didn
’
t know why.

“
She
’
s eighteen now. Off at college in Athens. Her mother and I split up when she was five years old,
”
he said as if he was reading her mind.

“
I see.
”

“
Are you married? Kids?
”

“
One son, Samuel. He
’
s eight. He is staying with his grandparents for a month so Lorraine let me have the place
…”

“
You avoided the marriage question, Emma,
”
he said with a wink.

“
Oh. I
’
m newly divorced. I guess I am not used to that question yet,
”
she said with a slight smile.

“
How newly divorced are you?
”
he asked.

“
You are just full of questions, aren
’
t you?
”
she said smiling.
“
I
’
ve been divorced for almost a year.
”

“
Well, then let me welcome you to the world of being single,
”
he said with a laugh.

“
You
’
ve been single a long time?
”
Emma asked.

“
I have. I didn
’
t even date for about five years after my divorce, actually. Then I met a woman. Thought she was the one
…”
he mumbled before he trailed off.
“
This is as straight as I can get it.
”
He held out the key to her. She was waiting for him to finish his story, but it was apparent that he was done talking about it.

“
Oh. Thanks
…
I really do appreciate the help,
”
she said. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she felt a flicker of electricity run through her. His eyes looked inviting for a moment, but then they almost looked sad before he finally looked away. What was that about?

“
I hope you enjoy your stay here,
”
he said holding out his hand to shake hers.

“
I am sure I will,
”
she responded touching his hand. Again, she felt a strong attraction.

As Emma turned to walk back to the cottage, she could hear her three friends screaming in her head to go for it. Could she have the courage to ask him out on a date? Her mother had always taught her that ladies did not ask men out on dates, but wasn
’
t it the twenty first century?

“
Hey, Gaven
…”
she said as she turned around.

“
Yes?
”

Emma paused for a moment.
“
Thanks again
…”
With that, she walked into the cottage knowing that she just couldn
’
t be that forward that soon.

Emma closed the door behind her and leaned against it. She couldn
’
t believe that she had chickened out on asking Gaven for a date. What would he think of her? Before she could take her bags to the bedroom, her cell phone rang. It was Lorraine.

“
Hi, Lorraine!
”
Emma said in her happiest voice.

“
Hi
…
Did you get into the cottage okay?
”

“
Well, the key was a bit bent, so it wouldn
’
t unlock the door. Thankfully, a neighbor of yours helped me out by straightening it for me,
”
Emma said.

“
So you met Gaven, huh?
”
Lorraine said with a chuckle.
“
Not bad on the eyes, is he?
”

“
Not at all. He is very nice too
…”
Emma said acting like she didn
’
t care.

“
I bet you want to know his story, don
’
t you?
”
Lorraine said. She knew Emma very well, but that is how hairdressers typically are, right?