Sweet Kiss (7 page)

“I’ll walk you to the door,” he said. He could hear the distress in her voice. She had to be wondering whether she’d find a surprise on this porch as well. “Hey, don’t worry. We’ll find out who made the mess at Fay’s.” His hand snaked along the top of the seat to pick up a silky lock of hair. He rubbed it between his fingers. “So, are you going to keep the house in town or are you planning to move out to the old homestead?”

“I’d like to own the homestead,” she admitted, “but I don’t have the money. And Violet wants to sell. My relationship with Violet is a mess.”

“I heard she’s going through some rough times.”

“Some of it was poor decision-making,” Kate agreed, then changed the subject. “Jim said you’re living over the marina.”

“Yes, temporarily, until I can decide where I’d like to settle down. Why don’t you stop by when you get a minute and see it?” He had installed a hot water heater and had renovated the space so there was now a small kitchen flowing into a living area, a bath, and bedroom. “Mom and Dad have a large condo on the beach and keep inviting me to live with them, but I love the peace and quiet of the marina after hours and the sunsets on the backwaters. But my favorite spot has always been out by our homesteads.”

As they walked up the steps onto the porch, she said, “Remember the tree house in the live oaks?”

He smiled. How could he forget it? It was where they used to sneak out to at night and read with flashlights. It was where they caught fireflies in canning jars. It was where they hung out on a rainy day playing cards or chess. It was where they devoured candy hearts, laughing at the witty sayings and feeding them to each other. It was where they shared their first sweet kiss. And he could see from the tender faraway look softening her whole demeanor that she was remembering it as well.

Tappe took the keys from her hands and unlocked the door. Before she turned to go in, he took her face and held it gently. He moved his mouth over hers, relishing its softness. When he pulled away, he whispered, “Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Yes, of course,” she whispered back and disappeared into the house.

Chapter Six

It was early morning. Melanie and Kate stood at the counter of the coffee shop, heads bent over a catalog of party favors, discussing the decorations for Valentine’s Day and the Festival starting on Sunday. Beside them were twenty-five jars of strawberry jam, each of them tied with a pretty pink bow around the band. Kate had picked them up earlier in the morning from the homestead. Melanie and she had decided to have a drawing each day with the winning coffee shop customer receiving a jar of jam and a half dozen strawberry scones.

“Let’s make it simple, but fun,” Melanie suggested. “Let’s order some baby pink and white roses from the florist and put them in vases on the tables, and use pink napkins instead of white.”

“And how about placing a small dish of candy hearts on each table with a spoon and a small note to take one?”

“What a terrific idea.” Melanie leaned on the counter, scribbling notes on a scrap of paper. “Kids love to read those candy heart sayings.”

“Kids? Adults still like to read them. They now have ones with computer lingo.” Kate put a fist under her chin, looking around the room in thought. “Better yet,” she added, “we’ll put them in clear plastic heart candy dishes so they’re easily visible. Along with the strawberry heart scones we’re using as our special treat, it will be perfect. Easy, attractive…and tasteful.”

“Don’t forget economical, which leaves us more advertising dollars and money for renovations. I’ll get right on it.” Melanie pushed herself upright just as Eva May Poole came sauntering into the coffee shop.

“You’re an early bird today, Eva May.” Despite her annoyance, Kate clenched her teeth and pasted on a bright face and warm demeanor. She tied on her pink and white striped apron and stepped up to the counter. “What can I do for you?”

“Places to go, people to meet,” Eva May said with a breezy tone. She was all dolled up with enough makeup to make Avon proud. “I want to pick up a couple cups of coffee and take them down to the docks before I start my shift at the post office. Tappe and I’ve become quite the item, you know.”

Kate’s face reddened, remembering the enticing kisses they exchanged last night.
Quite the item?
She could only wonder what Tappe would think when Eva May showed up bearing a cup of morning coffee. “What a nice thing to do.” She cocked her head and forced a customer-friendly smile at Eva May. “I suppose he’s expecting you?”

“But of course. Like I said, we’ve become really close lately. I make sure he gets his mail.”

It’s your job. For heaven’s sake, you’re the postmistress.
You’re supposed to be sure the entire town gets their mail.
Kate bit back any thoughts from exiting her mouth. She turned in time to see Melanie rolling her eyes at the ceiling.

“Hey, Eva May, did you know there’s a legend of how Valentine’s Day came about? It’s credited to St. Valentine of Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius was unable to get soldiers to join his army and thought the reason was because men did not want to leave their wives and families so he cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. A romantic at heart, a priest of Rome, Saint Valentine, defied Claudius’s unjustified order. Along with Saint Marius, St. Valentine secretly married the couples.”

“Is he still doing it?” Eva May asked.

Kate closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She heard Melanie mutter, “Tell her,
yes
. What the heck? 270 AD until now? What’s a couple of years?”

Kate choked back a laugh. “Could you do me a favor, Eva May?” She used every ounce of stamina to keep a straight face while changing the subject. “Can you take two jars of jam to Tappe? One is for him and the other is for his parents. He doesn’t keep his phone with him, so tell him I can meet him around four this afternoon at the Shrimp Shack to go over the plans for Children’s Day during the town festival. I’m looking for more volunteers. Would you like to help?”

Eva May had pulled out a compact and was checking her hair and makeup. She squinted into the round mirror and batted her heavily mascara-ringed eyes. “Afraid not. I have other plans for that day. And scruffy kids with sticky hands and dirty faces really aren’t my thing.”

Scruffy?
Sticky? Dirty?
The town’s young people were half the reason they planned the celebration. Eyes wide in disbelief, Kate stared at Eva May and seriously thought about going postal on the postmistress. She resisted the urge to grab her by her light blue uniform collar and toss her out of the coffee shop.

Eva May snapped the compact shut. “I just heard a great new song on the radio the other day by a girl group called The Saturdays. It’s called ‘Please Mr. Postman’.” She began humming the song, then broke out in song with, “
You gotta wait a minute, wait a minute, Mr. Postman
.”

“Actually, it’s not new,” Melanie interrupted her. “My mom has it on some of her CDs. It’s been recorded by the Marvelettes, the Supremes, the Beatles and other groups.”

“Well, I think it’s a fabulous song whether it’s by the Marvelous Supremes or The Saturdays.” Eva May giggled and gathered up her bags on the counter. “Tootles. Gotta run before the coffee gets cold.” She made a beeline for the door just as Jim Foster was coming in. He held it for her.

“Beautiful day, maybe a little rain. What do you think, Eva May?” he asked as she sailed past him.

“Ah, well. Rain makes the world go round, doesn’t it?” She flew onward without waiting for a reply.

He stepped up to the counter, his eyebrows knitted and face screwed into a confused, shocked look. “Did she just say
rain
instead of
love
?”

“Ah, poor Eva May.” Melanie shook her head in despair. “She could lose a debate with a doorknob. I think our postmistress is on a mission.”

“And that would be?” Jim coaxed.

“Trying to catch Tappe Vanderberg.” She backed away and headed toward the storeroom. “Excuse me, but I have to get some supplies.”

“Tappe’s not stupid.” Jim smiled and looked over at Kate, who was transferring the strawberry jam to the back counter and wiping down the area beside the cash register. “We all know who has always been his first and only love. It was very considerate of him to help your sister.”

Blushing, Kate looked up abruptly, the last remark catching her by surprise. A warning voice whispered in her head. Tappe helped her sister?
How
had Tappe helped her sister? She forced a smile she didn’t feel. “Why yes, it was. What can I get for you today, Jim? Our coffee flavor of the day is hazelnut, but we have a few new ones like raspberry chocolate. And we have some very delicious cinnamon streusel muffins made fresh this morning.”

****

Kate had spent the morning agonizing over her options. It didn’t take the brain of a scientist to figure out Violet had somehow found a way to get Tappe to help her with her bills. Like everyone else around town, she knew if Violet was given money, it would soon vanish. Donald, like always, would be around the corner waiting to dive in and take a share. Surely Tappe knew that as well—or did he? Why was he helping her sister?

Violet was working on her computer, her back half-turned to the door when Kate, abandoning Melanie to handle the coffee shop alone, entered the real estate office. She placed a white bag of chocolate-covered donuts on her sister’s desk and plopped down in the chair in front of it.

Violet whirled, eyeing the bag suspiciously. “What did I do to earn a special visit from my dear sister bearing treats?”

“You tell me.” Kate took a deep breath and stared at her sister, who glared back at her with an equally aloof manner. “Let’s start with Tappe Vanderberg.”

Violet stiffened. “My association with Tappe is none of your business.”

“It is, if you’re trying to fleece him to get out of debt. How could you?” Kate’ eyes filled with tears of frustration and she blinked to keep them from sliding down her face and showing her vulnerability. “Tappe has been a part of our family since we were children. He’s like a brother to you.”

“Though it’s none of your business, he offered to help me get back on my feet,” Violet huffed. “If you would stop being so selfish and sell the house, we could both be more comfortable, living a less stressful life. I, for one, hate having bill collectors rapping at my door or calling at all hours of the day and night.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I
really
want the place, Violet? Do you understand it’s the only home we’ve ever known since Mother died? The only happy memories we have are wrapped up in the walls of that old house. It’s where we felt safe and warm. Where we ran to when we were hurt or our spirits were broken. Where we gathered with our friends, ate pizza, played flashlight tag at night, and canoed together. Do you think she only left the insurance policy to help us pay the inheritance and taxes, and to help defray costs? Have you even given any thought to the idea Aunt Fay wanted us to hold on to it and keep it in the family instead of having strangers own it?”

“Oh, let’s not have a pity party here! Fay was a sentimental, silly old fool,” Violet spat back. “There’s land out there that can be used for other purposes. The house is in need of repairs. Someone with more money could fix it up and enjoy it. Why won’t you sell? You have a comfortable little place in town.” She was angry now, seething with barely bridled rage.

Little was the key word, Kate thought. Her bungalow was like living in a refrigerator box with its tiny sitting area, kitchen with only one counter, bedroom, and windowless bath. She dreamed of returning to the outskirts of town. She loved the big house, the wide open spaces, the fifty acres of land, the thriving orange trees, blueberry bushes, and live oaks. From the windows on the second floor, brilliant sunrises and vivid sunsets could melt a person’s heart with their unrivaled beauty. Even the wooded winding path leading to the river on the backwaters had a rustic charm.

“How do you plan to pay Tappe back?” Kate tried to keep the hostility from her voice. Swallowing the lump that was clogging her throat, she was growing resentful of Violet and her silly antics and her disregard for the feelings of others.

“He said not to worry about it, just do the best I can when I get some money.” Violet sneered. “Stay out of my business.”

They stared at each other through a chilly black silence.

“That’s unfair, Violet.”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. What’s unfair is you holding me hostage to Fay’s decrepit house! What’s unfair is your selfishness. What’s unfair is keeping Tappe from—” Violet’s mouth snapped shut.

“From what?”

“Never mind. Get out!” Violet turned her back on her sister and stared at her computer screen.

Fuming, Kate rose as a knot formed in her stomach. She went out into the street, stopped, and sucked in a deep breath as a wave of apprehension swept over her. She found a nearby bench and collapsed, willing herself to hold back any tears of disappointment. Without much introspection, it suddenly all came together like a person emerging from a foggy walk into bright daylight. Tappe had given Violet money in hopes her sister would convince her to sell the family homestead. Good old Saint Tappe was saving her sister while throwing her under the bus and tossing her dreams into the wind!
How dare he? How dare he come waltzing into town like a white knight and interfering in her life?
Kate straightened her shoulders and shook her head to clear it. Dinner tonight at the Shrimp Shack was going to be more than just a simple exchange of ideas about the town’s festival. Kate trudged back to the coffee shop, her heart cold and heavy, but her temper boiling.

****

It was exactly 4 p.m. when Kate arrived at the Shrimp Shack on the intercoastal waters to wait for Tappe. A warm breeze blew and rattled the open umbrellas shading the tables, so she chose a seat outdoors and ordered a glass of cola, hoping to catch sight of a few dolphins known to hang around the area.