Love In Catalina Cove

“I remember her. She spent a few summers here visiting them,” Vashti said. Herb Smithfield had been a federal judge, and he and his wife, Lora, had been members of her church while growing up. She remembered them as a nice older couple.

“Well, she grew up and married Sawyer Grisham. When the Smithfields passed away they left their house to her, but she never moved here to live in it. Instead she had it rented out as one of those Airbnb places and was making pretty good money off it since it was always occupied by honeymooners. I guess Sawyer Grisham decided to put it to good use when the sheriff position came open.”

Vashti remembered the Smithfields’ house at the end of Meadowbrook Lane. It sat on three acres of land with a small portion of the cove in the back, and she could see how it would be a perfect honeymoon getaway.

“With Sawyer Grisham looking so good and all, I bet most of the single women in town are clamoring for his attention,” Vashti said.

“You wouldn’t believe how ridiculous they are,” Bryce said, grinning. “Although he’s friendly enough, he’s a private person and pretty much stays to himself. He and K-Gee are good friends, though. I guess their friendship became close since they’re both ex-marines who’d spent a lot of time in Afghanistan.”

“Does he date much?” She could see women standing in line to go out with him.

“So far he hasn’t dated any woman in town, and it hasn’t been for lack of trying on any of their parts, trust me. Like I said, things got downright ridiculous. You wouldn’t believe all the blueberry pies left at the police station for him and the mass of dinner invitations I heard he got. Even Rachel Libby tried catching his eyes.”

“Rachel Libby? You’ve got to be kidding me? Isn’t she a lot older than him? I would put his age to be at thirty-four or thirty-five.”

“He’s thirty-six and she is older, about ten years older to be exact. But she’s been acting the part of a cougar lately. An aggressive one at that. She began acting all crazy and wild ever since Mr. Libby died a few years back.”

“So he hasn’t dated anyone in town since moving here?”

“No, not a single feminine soul. Rumor has it that he’s involved with some woman living in New Orleans. I don’t know if that’s even true and if it is, I don’t know how serious it might be since he’s never brought her to town to attend any of the local events. All we know is that he is a good sheriff and a great father to Jade.”

Vashti took a drink of her tea. “How old is his daughter?”

“Jade turned sixteen earlier this month and is a real cutie and extremely friendly. She’s popular in town and well liked by all.”

So had she been at sixteen, Vashti thought. Until she’d gotten pregnant. Then all the townsfolk hadn’t wasted any time kicking her off that pedestal they’d placed her on. Being popular and well liked by all in Catalina Cove wasn’t all it was made out to be as far as she was concerned.

Not wanting to seem too interested in the sheriff, Vashti asked, “So why didn’t you mention K-Gee had moved back to town? And don’t hand me that BS about me not wanting to know what was going on in this town. Any news about K-Gee would have been an exception to the rule and you knew that.”

She watched Bryce stiffen and knew this was one subject she didn’t want to talk about, so Vashti asked, “Why, Bryce?”

Bryce set her glass of iced tea down and looked at her. “Because eventually that topic of conversation would have led to others about K-Gee that I wasn’t ready to talk about. I’m still not, Vashti.” She paused a moment and then said, “You’re not stupid. I’m sure you’ve figured out something happened between us during that time you were away in Arkansas. And it continued even after he left town. And by the way, he prefers going by Kaegan now. No nickname for him anymore.”

Vashti nodded. “Okay, I got that and I understand. A grown man still being called K-Gee is a bit much. So, what questions would I have asked that you didn’t want to answer? And you’re right, I’ve always suspected something went on between you two, but you didn’t talk about it and I didn’t push it. I had my own problems to deal with, but I hope you know I would have been there for you. You’re my best friend. So tell me, are the two of you seeing each other now?”

Bryce got up from the table and poured more iced tea into their glasses. “No. K-Gee hasn’t talked to me much since returning.”

“Why?”

Bryce sat back down in her chair and took a drink of her iced tea before saying, “Long story. And please don’t say that you have time to hear it because I don’t have time to tell it. Not only is it long, but it’s also draining and I don’t need to deal with that today.”

Vashti knew her friend well enough to know when to back off. Whatever the issue was, Bryce wasn’t ready to let her in on it...like before.

“Well, whatever the problem, I hope the two of you work it out. I love you both. It’s been years and there are some things that happen in the past, that are best left there. In the past.”

“You’re a fine one to talk. You haven’t left the things that happened here behind you, Vashti. Look how long you’ve been gone. The only reason you’re here is to sever one more tie by selling your aunt’s property.”

Vashti couldn’t dispute what Bryce had just said. That meant she was a fine one to think she could give anyone advice about letting go and moving on. “You’re right. Today is not a good time to talk about anything. I want to shower and take a nap. Then what can I do to talk you into preparing some of your crab bisque?”

Bryce smiled. “Consider it done.”

“Thanks. Since the zoning board meeting isn’t meeting until tomorrow evening, I think I’m going to get up in the morning and go visit Ms. Gertie. Then I’m going to Shelby by the Sea and check out the place.”

“Get prepared, Vash. Ms. Gertie has dementia pretty bad. Her family put her in that nursing home on Silas Lane after she kept wandering off. Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t recognize you or if she thinks you’re somebody else.”

Vashti didn’t want to see Ms. Gertie in that condition, but she had to see her before she left town. “Getting old sucks.”

“Yes, it does. By the way, I took the time off to spend tomorrow with you. We’ll take my car and I’ll do the driving.”

Vashti raised a brow. “Why?”

Bryce grinned over at her. “I’m trying to save you from getting another ticket while you’re here.”

* * *

“SO, DAD, WHAT do you think?”

Sawyer wondered if his child really wanted to know. He placed his fork beside his plate and glanced at her. Her smiling face showed she was in good spirits and he knew his words could be a setback and wipe that happy look right off her face. She was expecting positive feedback and this was where his “truth-time” habit had to be done in a way that wouldn’t hurt her feelings...at least he hoped not.

“It tastes different than the one Trudy makes.” It tastes a lot different.

“I know,” she said, smiling. “I changed the recipe.”

You most certainly did, he thought. “May I ask you why?” he asked standing to take his plate to the kitchen.

She followed him. “I thought it needed more than what was on the recipe.”

After placing his plate in the sink he turned and leaned against the counter. “Then why bother following a recipe? It’s no different than following a road map. If you want to get to New Orleans and I gave you directions as to how to get there, but you choose to change those directions, you might end up anywhere.”

Her smile faded. “Are you saying I should have followed the recipe?”

“I think when Trudy gave it to you she expected that you would and not experiment. How do you think she’s going to feel tomorrow when she asks me how the beef strudel turned out and I tell her you changed the recipe? She’ll think you thought the original recipe wasn’t good enough for you.”

“It was good, but...”

“But what, Jade?”

“I thought I could make it better.”

Evidently. “Well, I’m going to be honest with you, Jade. You didn’t. I’m not saying some good things can’t be improved on because they can, but it often takes a lot of work and trial and error.”

“I guess I blew it tonight, huh, Dad?”

He reached out to tweak her nose. Lord, how he loved this kid. Whenever he looked at her he was amazed that this incredible child was made by him and Johanna. “No, you didn’t blow it, but can I make a suggestion?”

“Yes.”

“Follow any recipe you get the way you should. Then if you think it can and should be improved try it, but know why you’re doing it. Ask yourself what’s your goal and what you’re trying to achieve.”