A Summer of Surprises
CHAPTER ONE
Jillian Conroy listened to her sister, Cristal’s, voice on her cellphone and took a deep breath. A call from her sister was always a surprise.
“So, start all over again, Cristal, and tell me exactly what it is you want me to do.”
“It’s easy, Jill. My friend, Hope Thomason, now owns the Seashell Cottage on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and she just needs someone to live at the cottage for the summer while we do our European tour, the one we’ve been talking about for years.”
“That’s it?” It didn’t sound like something difficult. In fact, it sounded like a great way to escape the memories of the past, thought Jill. School would be out in another week, and she didn’t have any exciting plans for her summer break from teaching. Maybe some extended time on the Gulf Coast would do her good. But every time she tried to do something for her sister, it cost her emotionally, and often, financially. A requested lunch date would end up with Jill paying for it. What was supposed to be a fun event of shopping turned into a nightmare when Cristal pouted that the dress Jill bought was the one she wanted. Their relationship had always bordered on the toxic.
“There’s one more thing. A friend of Hope’s family, Greg Campbell, is an older man who’s agreed to do some work on the cottage. He’s staying in one of the guest rooms for a few weeks until the work is done.”
“An older man, you say?”
“Yes. He and Hope’s father are friends. They’re the same age.”
Jill let out a sigh of relief. Too many friends had been pushing her to start dating again. She had no interest in doing so. Not after Jay’s death two years ago.
“Think about it. I’ll call you tonight for your answer.” Cristal cut off the call before Jill could ask any more questions.
Jill sat in a chair and stared out the window of the kitchen inside the small bungalow she called home in Ellenton, a small town in upstate New York. She should’ve sold it months ago. The memories she held of her life in the house weren’t pleasant. She’d thought by clearing Jay’s things out of the house following his automobile accident, she’d be able to chase away the unhappiness she’d known with him. But now the space just seemed empty. And lonely.
Her thoughts settled on her sister. Three years older than she, Cristal was the beauty of the family. Their mother had declared to anyone who would listen that Cristal got her beautiful features, naturally blonde hair, and bright blue eyes from a relative of hers, while Jillian looked like the Davis side of the family. The comparison was painful. Without the highlights she had to add every few months, Jillian’s hair was a dishwater tan. Her hazel eyes held no trace of blue. Worst of all, Cristal’s tall, willowy figure seemed to taunt Jill’s shorter, curvy shape. It was a bad match-up all around. If it weren’t so much like a well-known storybook scenario, it would be almost comical.
Restless, Jill got up and paced the kitchen. It wasn’t their different looks that had made her relationship with Cristal so difficult. It was Cristal’s tendency to manipulate others in order to get her own way. Jill knew how foolish it was to keep old wounds stored inside, but every once in a while, one poked through the shell she kept around herself. How could she forget that Cristal stole her date in college, the one guy she’d dreamed would be hers forever? It was just one of the ways Cristal had hurt her through the years. A snort of disgust left Jill’s mouth. She might not have even paid attention to Jay except Cristal thought he was a hottie. How was that for stupid rivalry?
Before she could go any deeper with that thought, the phone rang. Jill knew who it was before she even checked Caller ID. Her mother, Valerie Davis, had a nose for trouble. No doubt Cristal had phoned her for support.
“Hello, Mom,” Jill said without enthusiasm.
“Hi, honey. Cristal called to tell me that she’s arranged for you to have a very nice summer break. She’s so thoughtful that way.”
“She asked me to do her a favor so she and her friend can travel to Europe,” Jill said calmly, still uncertain as to whether she should go ahead with the idea or even what it entailed.
“Well, if you don’t do it, I’m sure they can find someone else to stay at the cottage. It sounds lovely. You should be grateful to Cristal for thinking of you,” chided her mother. “A whole summer to relax.”
It would be useless to argue. “Maybe you’re right,” said Jill. “I could use the break to get away.” The idea suddenly appealed to her. This change in her normal routine might give her the opportunity to think things through, make some major decisions about her life, give her a fresh start. God knew she’d been in an emotional rut even before Jay had been killed.
“Splendid,” her mother said with satisfaction. “I’m glad you’ll help your sister out. It would mean so much to her. She and Hope have been planning this summer tour for a long time, and poor Cristal has been working very hard.”
“You mean as a hostess at the club in Miami?”
“Now, Jillian, she does the best she can, and with her looks, she doesn’t need to spend her time teaching school.”
“Oh? Because I teach school …” Jill stopped herself. She didn’t like the person she became when dealing with her family. Only her father had accepted her for who she was, and he’d died several years ago.
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Jillian,” her mother said with a note of apology.
“Look, I have to go,” Jill said. “I’ll let you know what I decide.”
“Please do. I care about both of you and hope that someday you girls will get along.”
Jill sighed. “Goodbye, Mom.” Though the day was ruined by the familiar routine with her mother, the idea of escaping to a place far away became tantalizing.
Later, while looking up information online about the Seashell Cottage, Jill filled with excitement. The pictures of it were lovely. It was not simply a cottage; it was a beautiful, three-bedroom, three-bath house that sat overlooking a wide, sandy beach. The house even had a screened-in pool.
Before she could change her mind or overwork the thought that something must be wrong if her sister was involved, Jill punched in Cristal’s cell number and, when prompted, left a message.
“Hi, Cristal. Jill here. I’ve decided to stay at Seashell Cottage for the summer so you and Hope can travel. At the end of next week, when school is out, I’ll drive down to Florida. I should be there by June 8th and can stay until late August. Let me know if those dates work with you and Hope.” Hating confrontation, she paused and took a deep breath. “And, Cristal, thanks for thinking of me.”
That evening Cristal called. The noise of music and partying in the background made it difficult to hear, but the message did get through that Cristal was thrilled Jill would stay at the cottage. “You’ll see. This summer is going to be good for you, Jilly. For both of us, really.”
“I hope so,” said Jill honestly. She was more than ready for a change.
###
Ten days later, Jill pulled up to the Seashell Cottage and felt tears of gratitude sting her eyes. It was beautiful. When she stepped out of her car, the salty air filled her nostrils. Without waiting to explore the house, Jill ran onto the beach holding her arms in the air as if to embrace this new existence. The sand, warm from the sun, caressed her skin through her open-toe sandals. She removed her shoes and tossed them into the air. It was going to be a carefree, barefoot summer.
Walking up to the water’s edge, Jill stuck her foot into the lacy froth and sighed. The water was delightful. The cries of seagulls above her drew her gaze to the sky, and she watched as a trio of pelicans skimmed the surface of the water looking for food.
Jill clasped her hands together and let out a satisfied sigh. She’d been so right to come here. Already, she felt as if some of her old, silent secrets were itching to break free. This summer, she wasn’t going to be Jay’s widow, Cristal’s younger sister, a kindergarten teacher, or a reliable volunteer at the library. She was going to find the person who hid inside her—the one that had been broken.
“Hello. You must be Jillian Conroy,” said a deep voice behind her.
Jill whipped around to face a pleasant, red-cheeked, older man, wearing jeans and a gray T-shirt with “Smith’s Hardware Store” printed across the chest. She smiled. “And you must be Greg Campbell, the handyman Hope hired for the summer.”
“That I am,” he said, returning her smile. “You’re just in time. I’ve been here for a week and have left some things for you to do.”
“Oh?” Jill managed to say while hiding her surprise. Cristal hadn’t mentioned any tasks.
“Yep, the laundry is piled up, and I’m tired of fixing the same old meal night after night. I heard you were a great cook.”
Jill gripped her fingers together and mentally watched her plans shatter and fall to the ground like pieces of broken shells. “And what else have you been told about me?”
“That you were excellent at taking care of people, that in exchange for being here, you’re going to cook and clean for me and my nephew, Brody.”
“Your nephew?”
“Yep. He’s arriving tomorrow.” He bobbed his head. “I’m happy to help you with your luggage.”
“Thank you, that would be nice.” Jill used years of training to maintain her composure when what she wanted to do was reach across space and shake Cristal silly. This set-up was so typical of her sister. The offer of a Florida vacation was a ruse. Apparently, she was to cook and clean for the work crew. She should’ve known better.
Once they got her bags settled in one of the bedrooms, Jill had a chance to look around. She realized though everything was attractive, the pictures shown online were outdated. The walls and wooden trim needed a fresh coat of paint, along with other refinishing touches throughout the interior. That was the reason, no doubt, Hope had hired Greg and his nephew for the summer. It was a wise time to do it. Jill guessed the cottage was booked for most of the rest of the year.
In the laundry room, a pile of dirty clothes sat on the floor near a front-load washing machine. Hiding her displeasure, Jill sorted through them and put a load of dark things into the machine, using the last of an almost-empty bottle of detergent. She drew a deep breath. A trip to the grocery store was in order. She wondered what other discoveries awaited her.
Sure enough, when she checked the refrigerator, she found a half-empty six-pack of coke, a hunk of cheese, and not much else. Her stomach rumbled. Even though she was tired from the drive, she gamely set about listing groceries she’d need to purchase. She’d passed a Publix supermarket not far from the cottage.
Greg had retreated to one of the bathrooms and was working on new grouting when Jill approached him.
“I’m going to the supermarket. Anything you need? Anything you’re allergic to?”
Greg got to his feet and faced her. “No need for anything special for me, thanks. As I said, I’m glad you decided to take this job.”
At his warm smile, Jill’s irritation fled. Though Cristal had made it sound like a vacation, not a job, she wasn’t about to blame him. He seemed like a nice man. “I’ll do my best. I’m used to cooking for only myself.”
“Not married?” Below a thatch of gray hair, Greg’s blue-eyed gaze settled on her.
“Widowed. For two years.”
“I’m sorry. Such a shame. My Annie’s been gone for five years now. Life isn’t the same without her. Brody, my nephew, is alone too. Divorced.”
Jill simply nodded. If Jay were still alive, maybe she would’ve gathered her courage and she’d be divorced too.
###
On her way to the store, Jill called her sister.
Cristal answered with a cheery, “Hi, there! You in Florida?”
“Yes,” Jill said carefully. “I had no idea I was hired to cook and clean for Greg Campbell. His nephew is going to be staying at the cottage too. Did you know that?”
“I did hear something about him coming, but I figured it was no big deal for you to take care of them. After all, you have to buy food and cook for yourself. How’s the cottage? As pretty as the pictures?”
“Seashell Cottage is lovely. Right now, Greg is working on refreshing the interior and will be busy this summer doing other things. Still, it’s a wonderful property, and the location is superb.”
“That’s all that matters. Enjoy. Hope and I are at the airport, ready to fly out. Can’t wait!”
Hearing the click of the phone in her ear, Jill drew a deep, steadying breath. It wasn’t worth being irritated. What was done, was done. She’d move forward and have the best summer ever. She’d loaded her iPad with lots of books and would enjoy a few weeks away from kids. She loved her young pupils, but a break from them sounded fabulous.
###
Back at the cottage, Greg eagerly helped her unload the groceries. “Looks like we’re going to have some tasty meals,” he said happily. “That’s good because Brody just phoned. He and Kacy are coming in tonight instead of tomorrow. They should be here within a half hour.”
Without crushing its contents in her hands, Jill carefully set down the carton holding a dozen eggs “Who’s Kacy?”
Greg gave her an apologetic look. “She’s Brody’s eight-year-old daughter. A bit of a handful, which is why Brody has her for the entire summer. His ex needs a break.”
She heard a tinge of sarcasm in his voice and sank down onto the nearest kitchen chair. Her summer wasn’t going to be anything like she’d envisioned. It had just gone from bad to worse.
###
Jill was in the kitchen browning onions, sausage, and hamburger for spaghetti sauce when she heard a vehicle pulling into the driveway. She removed the pan from the burner and went to check on the arrivals.
Following Greg out of the house, she watched with interest as a striking young man climbed out of a black truck, gave a wave, and went around the front to open the door for his daughter.
A pink-sneakered foot hung in the air before the girl jumped down onto the ground, landing with a thud. Dressed in a pink-flowered sundress, she reminded Jill of a little doll with her light-colored curls and bright-eyed, full-cheeked face.
“Here we are,” said the man to his daughter. “It’s going to be a great summer. I promise.”
“Doughnuts every morning, like you said?” The little girl, who showed the physical signs of eating too many sweets, gave her father a sly smile.
He shrugged as he answered, “We’ll discuss it. Now, let’s go say hello. You remember Uncle Greg, don’t you? And this is …” He stopped talking as he met Jill’s gaze.
She couldn’t help staring at his coffee-colored hair, classic features, and the smile that crossed his face above a slight cleft in his strong chin. A shiver crossed Jill’s shoulders as they continued to stare at one another. This man’s green eyes drew her in as if they were old friends, not people meeting for the first time.
“Hello. I’m Jillian Conroy,” she finally said, feeling a bit foolish for the length of time that’d had passed between them.
“I hate the name Jillian,” Kacy announced, crossing her arms in front of her body and glancing from her father to Jill.
“That’s rude, Kacy,” admonished her father, giving her a warning look. He turned to Jill with a smile. “Hi, I’m Brody. Brody Campbell, and this is my daughter, Kacy. She’s staying with me for the summer.”
“So, I’ve been told,” Jill answered calmly, watching Kacy grab hold of one of her father’s hands with both of hers. Recognizing the girl’s claim on her father, Jill gave her an encouraging smile. “Hi, Kacy. I think you’re going to have fun here. Wait until you see the beach.”
Kacy made a face at Jill as Brody turned to his uncle and clasped him in a bear hug. “Hi, Greg. Great to see you again. Glad we can work together here for the next couple of weeks. I think it’ll be helpful for Kacy.”
“No! I already hate it here,” said Kacy, her lower lip protruding into a classic pout that she obviously knew very well.
“Aw, honey. We’re going to try our best. Remember?” Brody said quietly.
Observing the interplay between the two of them, Jill clamped her teeth together. The summer was bound to be even worse than she’d initially thought. The idea of packing up and leaving was tempting, but she’d somehow make things work. This was her own fault. She should’ve known better than to trust her sister.
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