13. Aaron

13

AARON

I sleep in Thursday morning, then head to the diner for lunch. I didn’t mean to miss time on the trail with Jack, but I hit Snooze on my alarm, which is always a dangerous game. It’s just as well that I don’t get too invested in him, or I’ll never want to leave. Obviously, that’s not an accurate statement, but I am enjoying the routine I’ve developed during my short nearly two-week stay in this town.

My phone buzzes with a text from Rocco.

Anything new?

Only my tan from the beach and toned legs from hikes.

Good for you. But that’s not what I was referring to.

I know. I frown at my cell. It’s not gonna happen. Now let me enjoy the last days of vacation. Bye.

June smiles when I step inside and slide into a seat at the counter. “What can I get you?”

“Surprise me,” I say because I’m feeling adventurous today.

She chuckles, then shrugs as she calls back to the cook, “Give me a BLT with avocados.”

I almost make a face but hold back. I asked for it, after all.

“You’ll love it.” She winks, then is off to take care of someone else.

By the time my order is placed in front of me, I’m famished, so I dig right in.

I get a second refill on my soda as I finish the last bite of my sandwich, and she was right, I loved it. It’s something you might find in a trendy diner in the city, but I appreciate the options here as well.

She cashes me out, and I leave the change on the counter as a tip.

I watch as she removes her apron, then reaches for her bag under the counter. “Where are you off to?”

“I’m running some errands if you want to tag along.”

“You sure?” When she nods enthusiastically, I stand and stretch. “I’d love to hang out.”

“Do you have anything to shop for?” she asks as I follow her onto the sidewalk.

“I was thinking of getting my mom a souvenir.”

I see the man with his cart again and wonder if I should throw some business his way, even if he is cashing in on the whole town-curse thing.

“What sort of things does your mom like?”

I’m about to respond when Beth greets us warmly outside her shop.

“Nice to see you again, Aaron.”

“You as well.”

“And you, June.” The women exchange nods. “How is the crystal working out for you?”

I fish inside my pocket and bring it out. “I like keeping it close.”

June raises an eyebrow as Beth asks, “Is it helping?”

“Maybe a little.” I don’t want to disappoint her. “I actually wanted to get something for my mom. She’s gotten into meditation and yoga, and she loves animals…well, dogs, really. She brings her Yorkie, Minnie, everywhere.” Thankfully, her fur is hypoallergenic.

“Is she small enough to fit in her pocket?” June muses.

“Practically.” We share a smile. “Anyway, she struggles with her health—due to asthma—and sometimes needs breathing treatments. Which is why she’s tried yoga to help with stamina and meditation for breathing.”

“Good ideas,” Beth replies. “Fresh mountain air might do her good as well.”

“Yeah, probably. She doesn’t travel a lot, but I thought maybe she’d enjoy a gift from Aqua Vista.”

“I have just the thing,” Beth says, and we follow her inside, where she heads to a shelf. “How about a clear quartz crystal and an amethyst? They have healing properties.”

“I like that.” Though I can’t see Mom keeping them in her pocket like I do. I consider all the jewelry Mom wears. “Too bad they don’t come in bracelet form.”

Her eyes light up. “I can certainly make one for you.”

“Seriously? That would be amazing.”

“Come back to the shop before you leave town, and it’ll be ready.”

Apparently, Beth is also a jack-of-all-trades. “Thank you.”

I turn to June, who’s grinning, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. In fact, I didn’t even hear any small talk between the women, so now I’m speculating.

“Will your shop be participating in the art fair?”

“Yes, I’ll be there with bells on.”

I smile. “I have no doubt.”

“Why? Do you plan on attending?” June asks in an excited tone.

“Not likely. I’ll be back home by then.”

Beth throws me a knowing look. “You never know. We might just see you there.”

Well, that’s odd. But she does claim to be intuitive, so maybe she knows something I don’t.

“I bet she’s fun at parties,” I say to June once we’re back outside. “Probably tells people all sorts of things.”

“Whether they want to hear them or not,” June mutters, and I’m taken aback. Beth seems perfectly lovely to me, but maybe she is slightly pushy.

“Has she ever…?” I motion with my hand, unsure of the proper description to use. “Used her intuition on you?”

“Sure. You can’t live in this town and not have some sort of interaction with Beth that involves hunches about things.” Her eyes are cloudy, and she shuts them briefly before they clear. “She means well. Though she might not always understand the impact of her words.”

I frown, wondering what she means. “Do you think she feels compelled to tell people stuff they might not want to hear?”

“Probably something like that. But like I said, she means well.”

“Has she ever been wrong?”

“Definitely,” she replies, effectively changing the subject as she pauses in front of Slice of Life. “Want to go inside?”

“I’d love to.” Especially since I promised the shop owner I would before heading out of town.

The place is busy, a line forming at the cash register, and I can see why. It smells divine, and given all the freshly baked offerings on shelves and pies behind the glass counter, I’d become a regular too if I lived here.

“What are these?” I point to the colorfully decorated cutout cookies like my mom used to make, except these are in the shape of bones and fire hydrants.

“Oh, she makes them special for dog lovers.” I notice the all-natural sticker affixed to the packaging.

“They’re probably more nutritious than the stuff we eat,” I remark, and June snickers. “I think I’ll get some.”

I grab a half dozen and wait my turn at the counter as I peruse the pies. No way I could eat one of those myself, so maybe I’ll ask if she offers them by the slice.

“Nice to see you again,” Mindy says as she rings me up. “Unfortunately, we ran out of banana cream pie.”

“That’s all right. I’m sure I’ll be back.”

She smiles as she takes my card. “Are you willing to donate a dollar to support the local dog sanctuary?”

“Absolutely.” Which gives me an idea. “I’ll donate two. And add more cookies.”

“Perfect!”

Once back outside, we stop to watch a kids’ chalk-drawing contest in front of a garden area and then an older gentleman on a park bench playing ukulele. “That’s Mr. Goodson. He plays for his wife.”

“His wife?” I look around. “Where is she?”

She points upward. “Apparently, in the clouds somewhere, looking down.”

That gives me pause. The sweetness of it and also the peculiarity. But given the mix of joy and melancholy on his face, he enjoys it, so why not.

And then there’s the lady trying to coax her hairless cat out of a tree. “Not again,” June says to the woman.

“I’m afraid so.” She produces a can of sardines from her pocket and opens it while cooing to the wily feline, who’s obviously not stuck because it jumps down immediately. I have to wonder if the cat only holds out for its favorite treats.

As we pass by the tourist stand on the corner, with its painted starfish and vials of beach glass for sale, I’m struck by how quaint and quirky Aqua Vista is. Like a sleepy, coastal Mayberry.

We head to the general store next, which is busier than the last time I was there. Aunt Dina is managing the cash register, and a handsome young guy is packing up someone’s purchases.

When June’s eyes light up, I notice the resemblance immediately.

“Let me introduce you to my son.”

She heads behind the counter and pecks his cheek. Looks like he also pitches in wherever he’s needed. The idea of keeping loved ones close makes my stomach warm. Maybe because it’s only ever been me and my mom, or because I know the heartbreak this family has endured.

“Nice to see you again,” Aunt Dina says. “How are the hiking shoes holding up?”

“Very well, thank you.”

Cain introduces himself, then disappears to the back room. Aunt Dina and June watch until the door shuts behind him, and then Dina says, “Did he tell you he qualified for the circuit?”

June nods. “Don’t remind me. I might not sleep all that week.”

That must be the surf competition, and as Dina pats her hand in sympathy, I can only imagine the panic and anxiety June likely experiences whenever he’s out there in the waves.

“Anyway, Aaron is keeping me company while I shop,” June explains to Dina.

She smiles. “I’m sure he’s good company.”

“He is.” June’s gaze swings to mine. “Hey, come to our family barbecue tonight.”

“What? No, I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You wouldn’t be. Besides, I’m dragging you to the grocery mart next to get ingredients for my famous potato salad.”

“It’s definitely the best,” Dina concurs. “You are more than welcome to come.”

“I’ll, uh, think about it, thanks.” I might’ve agreed right away if it wasn’t for Jack and not knowing how he’ll feel about my intrusion into his family tradition.

“Don’t let Jack scare you away,” June says as if reading my mind.

She and Dina share a look, and Dina says, “Besides, you can ask my husband your questions about property turnover around here.”

June grips my bicep. “Oooh, now you have to come.”

We say our goodbyes and head to the market next, where I grab a bottle of wine to bring, just in case. I want to ask June more about surfing, but I don’t want to worry her more than she already is.

By the time we’re finished, I’m all erranded out.

“Thanks for hanging out with me, Aaron. Hope to see you in a few hours.”

“Don’t count on it,” I reply, not wanting to be tied to the plan.

“Who else are you going to share that wine with?” She winks. “We happen to have a wine connoisseur in our family.”

Shit, is that why I chose a bottle to bring? To impress Jack?

Christ, I’m pathetic.