CHAPTER TWO

      “I DON’T SEE why you have to rent this apartment when you can live at home.” Anna lifted a box from the family SUV and handed it to Luci.

      “Mom, we’ve been over and over this issue.” Luci took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I want my own place. Simple as that. I’m only a couple miles away from you and Dad.”

      As much as Luci loved her parents, she needed her own apartment. Besides, she’d been living away from home for the past four years.

      Before her mother could say more, Luci followed the stone walkway to unit six, where she set her box on the doorstep and unlocked the door. The aroma of fresh paint rushed to greet her. She picked up her box and stepped over the threshold. Her mother followed.

      “Isn’t this a cute place?” Luci set her load on an end table and made a sweeping gesture. “This is the living-dining room. That alcove is the kitchen, and there’s the door to the bedroom and en suite bathroom.”

      Her mother set a box next to Luci’s. “More like a motel than an apartment.”

      “It was a motel, Mom. Now, it’s been remodeled and expanded into apartments. This will be my work space,” she continued, indicating a large, rectangular table between the living area and the kitchen. “I’ll put a file cabinet next to the table, and those cupboards underneath the counter will hold all my writing stuff.”

      “We have a real office you could use at home,” Anna said.

      Ignoring her mother’s pointed comment, Luci crossed the room and opened the sliding glass door. “Come look at the patio.”

      Anna joined her, and they stepped onto a slab of cement furnished with two lawn chairs, a small, wrought-iron table and chairs, and several rectangular planter boxes. Cement walls on either side provided privacy from the neighbors.

      “See how close I am to the ocean?” Luci nodded to a path leading through the dunes to the shore. “I can take my daily walks, same as at home.”

      “Our house is closer to the beach and much more private. And what’s in those planters? Looks like weeds.” She walked over to inspect one box.

      “You have my permission to plant something else.”

      “I’ll see if I can spare something from my garden.”

      They finished unloading the SUV and Luci’s car. Anna consulted her wristwatch. “I have a meeting with the garden club in fifteen minutes.”

      “Thanks for all your help today.” Luci gave her mother a hug.

      A smile softened Anna’s tight lips. “You’re so welcome, honey.” She stepped back and snapped her fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot.”

      “What?”

      “You’ll see.”

      Anna dug into one of the boxes and pulled out a bowl Luci recognized. “For me? But that’s your favorite bowl for your roses.”

      “I know, but you’ve always admired it and now it’s yours.”

      “Oh, Mom.” Luci’s eyes misted as she ran her fingers over the bowl’s yellow enameled surface. “Are you sure?”

      “I am. It’s a housewarming present. Or should I say ‘apartment-warming’?”

      “I’m honored. I’ll put it here so I can admire it every day.” She centered the bowl on the coffee table and gave her mother another hug. “Love you, Mom.”

      “Love you, too, darlin’. You’ll have to excuse me today. It’s hard to let go.” Anna pulled a tissue from a pocket and dabbed at her eyes.

      “I know. Me, too.”

      “Got to run now. Be sure to call if you need anything. And don’t forget family Sunday.”

      “Of course not. I wouldn’t miss dinner for anything.”

      Family Sunday had been a tradition for as long as Luci could remember. Once the kids started growing up and spending time away from home, her parents were adamant about maintaining the event. “We don’t want you to forget you’re part of this family,” Ervin told them.

      When Luci was away at university, they hadn’t expected her to attend, but now that she was back in Willow Beach, there would be no excuse.

      Not that she’d ever offer one. Family was the main reason she’d come back to Willow Beach. As the youngest child, she’d had the love of her parents and her older brother and sister. Of course, they’d experienced the usual sibling rivalry, but underneath was a strong bond that kept them all together. And now that Don and Francine were married with children, there was an extended family. Luci looked forward to having her own family someday, knowing they would be welcomed and loved as much as she was.

      After her mom left, Luci looked at the boxes and then at the open patio door. The door won. She could unpack later. Rummaging in her boxes of clothing, she located her favorite wide-brimmed hat. She put it on and tied the strings under her chin. Then she headed along the path through the dunes to the beach.

      Once there, Luci tucked her hands in her sweater pockets and kept going. The beach was busy today. Some people were walking, like she was, while others jogged. Kids and dogs played in the surf, and on the hard-packed sand near the shore an occasional car or truck rumbled by.

      A gull swooped down and landed in a large tide pool. Several more followed. The birds splashed and high stepped, poking their heads in and out of the water. It wasn’t long—a few minutes at the most—before the leader spread its wings and flew into the sky. The others followed. Soon they were mere dots against the blue backdrop.

      The birds reminded her of Cody. He never stayed in one place, either. Before long he swept off on a new adventure.

      They were so different. He needed to keep moving, and she needed to stay still. Good thing they’d never gotten together. A relationship wouldn’t work. Not then and not now.

      * * *

      MONDAY MORNING, JUST short of nine o’clock, Luci went through the glass double doors of the two-story Stafford Building, on the corner of Main and Seaview. Her heart fluttering, she followed the brightly lit, high-ceilinged hallway to the office of the chamber of commerce.

      With her major in journalism, Luci could have applied for any number of positions. However, Willow Beach was a small town, and the opportunities were limited. Even the Willow Beach Herald had no openings. So she felt lucky to have found this job with the chamber of commerce.

      Luci took a deep breath, then greeted the receptionist, Marge Delano.

      Marge looked up from a desk piled with folders. “Luci, glad you’re here. This mess belongs to you.” She scooped up the folders and thrust them at Luci.

      “Okay, but—” Luci juggled the folders to keep them anchored in her arms.

      Marge made a dismissive wave. “Glen can explain. I’ll let him know you’re here.”