Wandering Heart (9781101561362) (31 page)

“We will,” Audrey replied, though she wondered if she would ever be able to keep that promise. She stood watching Mr. Broussard’s car drive off the farm. Millie looked out the window, her face in the wind, her ears flat against her head.

Audrey wondered if the dog knew what was happening. Maybe she did. She seemed so intuitive.

Rob stood beside her, and she turned into his comforting embrace and buried her head on his shoulder. “I know, honey,” he said. “I know it’s hard to see her go. But what could we do? Millie is his dog. We were just keeping her safe for a little while.”

Audrey couldn’t answer at first. She was crying so hard. Sobs shook her body. It felt like everything had been taken away, all possible hope and comfort. She was already feeling so weighed down about not having a baby and probably having to give up the farm. But at least she’d had Millie, an eighty-pound bundle of love and happy energy. A sweet, blithe spirit. Did she have to lose her, too?

“I know it’s his dog. But it doesn’t seem right, Rob. We love her, too.”

“I know,” he soothed her, patting her back. “Let’s try to remember how happy that old man was to see her again. He’s had some sadness, too. It sounds like he’s all alone and needs her just as much as we do, maybe even more.”

Audrey nodded and took a deep, calming breath. Mr. Broussard did need Millie. He had lost his wife and didn’t mention any children. At least she and Rob had each other. Still, it was going to be hard to get over this. Audrey knew she would miss that silly dog for a very long time.

“S
O
when is Daniel getting back? This weekend, right?” Audrey smiled at Liza as she poured them each a glass of lemonade.

“He was supposed to get back this Friday, for the holiday weekend. But now he says there have been delays getting materials. And they have to wait for the property owner to walk through and sign off on the job. That means he’ll probably be up there all of next week.” It was the Monday before Labor Day. Daniel had only been gone a few weeks, but somehow it seemed much longer.

Audrey’s expression was sympathetic. “That must be rough. I’m sure you miss him.”

“I do,” Liza said honestly. “We talk on the phone almost every night, but every time I get off the phone with him, I seem to miss him even more.”

They sat in the shade at the umbrella-covered table next to the farm shop. This final blast of August heat would have felt unbearable if it hadn’t come so close to Labor Day weekend, reminding
everyone they ought to savor the last warm days of the season; they would be chilly soon enough.

Liza had just finished cleaning up the inn after the weekend wave of guests and had wandered over to the farm for a quick visit with her friend. She took a sip of the cold, tart drink and met Audrey’s gaze. “I bet you miss Millie. It seems pretty quiet around here now.”

Audrey sighed and tried to smile. “The cats are happy about it. But I think they’re in the barnyard minority.”

She had told Liza the whole story over the phone last week, soon after Millie’s owner had taken her away. Liza knew that it had been very hard to give up the dog.

“It’s only been a week, and one day,” Audrey added. “I keep reminding myself that she was just a dog and worse things could happen, but it’s hard. I still keep finding things that remind me of her—a chewed sock or a dog toy.”

“I’m sorry.” Liza patted Audrey’s hand. “She wasn’t just a dog. She was a wonderful companion. Dogs give such unconditional, unlimited love. They never criticize us or think that we’ve said something dumb. Or disapprove of our outfits—or turn up their noses at our cooking. Of course you miss her.”

Liza didn’t know what else to say. It seemed dumb to suggest that Audrey and Rob get a new dog, not when their living arrangements were up in the air.

Audrey gave another halfhearted smile. “Yes, I know. I’m just trying to keep things in perspective. We definitely have some bigger fish to fry right now.”

“Have you made any decision about the farm?” Liza hated the idea that she might lose her good friends and neighbors, but she always tried to sound positive about their plans. She knew how much Audrey wanted a baby, even if they had to move off the island to
make that happen. Liza couldn’t imagine how hard that would be for them. She wanted to support them any way she could.

“Rob and I agreed to keep things status quo until the end of the summer, but it looks like that deadline is creeping up on us. I told Rob he could have a real estate agent come out and look at the place sometime next week. And I’ll see the new fertility doctor in Boston, on the ninth. So things are moving along on that front, I guess.”

“I would hate to see you guys leave here. I don’t even want to think about it. But it doesn’t have to be for good,” Liza reminded her. “You could come back and get another place in a few years. And you can definitely stay at the inn anytime. I’ll give you that big suite on the second floor and I have plenty of baby equipment—”

Audrey laughed. “You have it all planned out, don’t you?”

“I do. I’ll even babysit if you want to go into town for a movie.”

“Babysitting, too? Watch out, we might take you up on that.” Audrey finally smiled again. She sat back and fanned herself with a magazine. “Guess what? I got a special order for bath products from—hold on to your lemonade—Mrs. Nick Dempsey. It came by e-mail this morning.”

“That’s great! I hope she starts a trend on Rodeo Drive.”

“That makes two of us. Let’s face it, it’s been pretty dull around here since the movie people left. Did you see this article about Charlotte?” Audrey reached for a magazine that she had stashed beside the table. “I never buy these magazines, but I saw Charlotte’s photo on the cover and couldn’t resist.”

Liza picked it up and scanned the cover. The celebrity news magazines weren’t her cup of tea either, but she was eager for any news about Charlotte.

“She finished filming the movie they were working on here,
A Wandering Heart
. She was due to start another right away, but the
article says she’s gone home to visit her family for a while, instead … Here, I’ll read it to you,” Audrey offered, flipping to the right page. “‘A spokesperson for the actress has stated that Ms. Miller has returned to her hometown, Greenwood, Ohio, to visit her family. She has not told the press how long she plans to stay, but she has pushed back the start date for her next project by at least two months.’”

“I hope she’s taking a break,” Liza said. “From what I could see, she was really feeling the strain—of all the work, the crazy schedules, and the pressure of being famous. Like I said, I’d love the shopping sprees, but not necessarily the rest of it. Can I take this to show Claire?”

“Sure.” Audrey was quiet for a moment. Ice cubes tinkled in her glass. She glanced at Liza. “I wonder if Colin is wearing his hat. It must be cold out on the water this time of year. Where did he go again?”

Liza had told Audrey about the gift Charlotte had left for the fisherman, swearing her to secrecy. Not that Colin had asked her to do such a thing, but it only seemed polite.

“Up to Maine. I think he sailed out of Bar Harbor.”

Liza finished her drink and stood up. It was time to head back to the inn. “Thanks for the lemonade. Do you want to get together for dinner when Daniel gets back? We can do a big clambake on the beach. One last party before it gets too chilly?”

“That sounds great.” Audrey smiled but Liza could see a shadow of sadness and worry in her eyes. She had so much on her mind now.

“Okay, we’ll figure it out. But let me know what’s going on with you guys. Call me after you see the doctor next week, okay? What day did you say it was?”

“It’s a week from Friday, September ninth. They’ll probably just
poke and prod me a little more.” Audrey shook her head. “Can you believe it’s almost September?”

Audrey laughed but Liza knew the entire experience was grueling. “You’re such a trouper, Audrey. God bless you.” They shared a quick hug, and Liza headed across the meadow to the inn. She turned and waved to Audrey, then realized that she missed Millie, too. The dog would normally be lying at Audrey’s feet during their visits and then escort Liza across the meadow.

But Millie was gone. Just like that, no warning. The summer had been full of rain and surprises, Liza decided. And it wasn’t over yet.

When she got back to the inn, she found Claire sitting on the porch, shelling peas. They dropped into a metal bowl with a soft rhythmic sound.

Liza dropped a basket of vegetables on the top step then took a seat next to it. “Look what Audrey gave me. Her garden is overflowing.”

“My, what a bounty,” Claire said. “I could make a nice soup with all of that. What’s that on top, a magazine?”

“There’s an article about Charlotte in here. I brought it back to show you. It sounds as if she’s taking a little time off from making movies. She’s gone home to Ohio for a visit with her family.”

Claire peered down through her glasses and read the short article. “I’m glad for her. I think that’s just what she needs.”

Liza agreed. “I’m going to e-mail her and see how she’s doing. She may not answer, but I want her to know that we’re thinking of her.”

“And cheering her on from a distance,” Claire added. She picked up the peas again and finished the last few.

“From a great distance,” Liza said.

She was sure Charlotte had the best intentions, but truly doubted the movie star would ever return. Look at how hard it was for her to visit her own family. It had practically made headlines. But perhaps they would hear from her from time to time. She didn’t think Charlotte would forget this place—or the people she’d met here—that easily.

L
ABOR
Day weekend had come and gone, with a last wave of summer guests passing through. On Thursday afternoon, Liza was upstairs adding hand towels and some of Audrey’s goat’s milk and lavender soaps to each room. She worked unhurriedly. There were no bookings at the inn for this weekend at all, which was fine with Liza.

She heard Claire call from the hallway. “Liza? There’s someone here to see us.”

Liza quickly left her task and ran to the head of the stairs. A certain note in Claire’s voice made her suspect that the unexpected guest was Daniel, and he had come home early to surprise her. But the voice she heard mingled with Claire’s in the foyer was distinctly female and Liza’s heart sank.

She wandered down the steps, not caring much whom she might find. Then she nearly tripped down the last two when she saw who was standing there.

“Charlotte? What are you doing here?”

“I told you I’d come back to visit.” Charlotte smiled warmly at her.

“Yes, but … I didn’t expect you back this soon. It’s so good to see you. You look wonderful,” she said honestly.

Charlotte met Liza’s gaze and leaned over to give her a hug. Liza noticed a calm expression in her brilliant blue eyes.

“I saw your e-mail the other day. I’m sorry I didn’t answer. I was afraid that no matter what I said, I’d give away my surprise.”

“We read that you were in Ohio,” Claire said as she led them all into the front parlor.

“I went there right after the movie wrapped up. I needed to go home and sort out a few things with my family—things that have been on my mind a long time,” she added. “Coming here really affected me. I didn’t even understand how much at the time. But once I left, I felt very different. Changed, deep inside. I knew I had to change on the outside, too.”

Claire nodded and smiled softly, as if she’d been expecting this revelation. “That night when you asked me to tell you Angel Island’s legend, I had a feeling that you were beginning to see things differently.”

“Yes, I was. But it all really started on the first day I came here, when I nearly drowned. And met Colin,” she added.

“Getting to know him and just being in this place helped me face a problem I’ve been avoiding for a very long time. A problem that has really kept me from being truly happy,” Charlotte confessed. She seemed lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly looked up at them. “I want to tell you more. But I really need to talk to Colin first. Have you seen him lately? I hope he comes in early from fishing today.”

“Colin is away, dear,” Claire said gently. “He’s on a long fishing trip, up north. Off the coast of Maine, I think he said.”

Charlotte looked shocked. “He is? When did he leave?”

“Almost three weeks ago. A few days after you did,” Liza said. “I’m not sure when he’s coming back. It sounded like he could be gone a month or more.”

“I had no idea. I just assumed he would be here.” Charlotte
looked down and shook her head, clearly thrown by the news. “I guess I can try his cell phone. Or I could drive up to Maine and meet him somewhere … if he’ll see me.”

“Oh, I think he’ll see you,” Liza said. She had a feeling Colin would swim to shore if he knew Charlotte was waiting for him. “But his cell phone might not get coverage that far out on the water. We can try to find someone with a ship-to-shore radio. Let me think—”

“Marion and Walter Doyle, at the General Store,” Claire said. “They have that type of radio. I’m sure they’ll be happy to get in touch with their nephew.”

“That would be wonderful.” Charlotte sounded relieved. “If I just leave a message on his cell, I’ll have no idea of whether or not he ever got it.”

A few minutes later, they were sitting in the convertible Charlotte had rented at the airport and headed for the village center. Charlotte drove a little faster than necessary, sending gravel and dust flying. Liza couldn’t blame her. She had come all this way and was eager to hear Colin’s voice at the very least, even if she couldn’t get to see him.

Marion was behind the counter, reading a magazine. She looked up in surprise as the trio of women marched into the store. Then she did a complete double take when she realized who Liza and Claire’s companion was. “Mother of pearl, are you really Charlotte Miller?” Marion pressed her hand to her chest.

Charlotte smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“I was just reading about you.” Marion held up the magazine; its cover showed a photo of Charlotte in a red evening gown. “I thought I was hallucinating or something. I thought all of you movie people left here weeks ago.”