Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Emma was sure her neighbor was watching her while she pretended to read. He had a stack of papers he kept moving back and forth. She had no clue what that meant, but it didn’t matter. She quickly went inside to refill her glass of water, and when she returned, her neighbor was nowhere in sight.

If she continued this crazy spying on her handsome neighbor, and if anyone caught on, she’d be kicked out of the community before she even had a chance to belong. Maybe she’d run into Marlena again. She would use her skills as an attorney to discover just who her sexy neighbor was. Subtlety had been her most potent skill when she’d gone up against corporate giants in the courtroom.

Deciding to get some work done, Emma unpacked the large boxes filled with her most prized artwork. For the next hour, she hung the paintings on the main living room wall. When she finished, she used her smartphone to list a few items she needed from the grocery store. She looked up Vittles’ address on a search engine, bookmarking it for tomorrow. Next on her list: She wanted to find a family doctor, just in case. Maybe Marlena could recommend one to her. Emma’s car was still under warranty, so she didn’t need a mechanic yet, but she noted it anyway. What if she had a flat tire? Emma knew she had a lot to learn about her new town. She would find a church of the faith she’d always practiced in Miami and continue here in Pink Pearl Cove. She made friends fast; what better place to make more friends? Tomorrow was Sunday. She clicked through a few websites before finding a branch of her church. She would attend the second service, as she’d done most of her life.

Emma dismantled the large boxes that had contained her artwork, placing them beside the door so she would remember to bring them to the recycling bin. Without anything further that required her attention, she returned to her book, which was now completely dry. The pages had puffed up and she knew a replacement was in order, but it wasn’t so damaged that she couldn’t read it.

Before settling back into her story, she made a cup of mint tea and took it to the living room. She sat in her favorite chair, a small table beside her, and started reading. She reread the parts she’d pretended to read earlier, while she’d watched her neighbor. She was so engrossed in her novel that she knocked over her tea when she heard the doorbell. It was odd, because no one had rung it before, or knocked on her door.

“Dang,” Emma said as she blotted the tea on her shorts with the hem of her shirt. She knew she looked untidy, but she didn’t care. This was who she was now, her true self. No longer the sleek, dressed-to-the-nines attorney.

“Coming,” Emma called a few seconds before opening the door.

“You left this at the pool,” said Marlena, holding out a bottle of sunscreen. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

For a second, Emma didn’t recognize her new friend. She had shoulder-length blond hair and a smile that lit up her hazel eyes. Emma towered over her.

“No, nothing to interrupt. Thanks for returning this.” She held up the bottle before tossing it on the counter behind her. “Do you have time for a glass of wine? I have a bottle I’ve been waiting to share with someone.” She laughed. “I’m not much of a drinker.”

“Wine? You bet,” Marlena said as she came inside. “I love what you’ve done with the place. Very modern.”

Emma searched through the kitchen drawers for her corkscrew. Finding it, she turned to face Marlena, who’d made herself comfortable on one of the three barstools.

“It is, but it wasn’t my doing. I bought it this way. Sight unseen. No, that’s not true. I just didn’t see it in person before I bought it. Did see photos from the real estate agent. So I had a good idea of what I was getting. I believe the previous owner was in some tech business.”

“I think so, though I never met him. He wasn’t here very long. Maybe six months?” Marlena said.

Emma uncorked the wine and poured a glass for both of them.

Marlena raised her glass. “Let’s make a toast.”

“Absolutely,” Emma agreed. “To new beginnings and new friends.”

Marlena repeated her words, and they clinked their glasses together.

“Let’s sit on the lanai; the sun is about to set,” Emma suggested to her guest.

Marlena trailed behind her. “You have one of the best views, being on this side of the condo.”

“I do?” Emma asked.

“Of course, the building opposite you has beachfront views. It’s strange, because their lanais face away from the beach. I believe the master bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows.”

“I guess waking up with a view of the Gulf of Mexico is appealing. I don’t mind taking a short walk to the beach. I grew up in Miami, so maybe I’m burned out on that part. Our house was actually on the beach.” She gave a short laugh. It was more like a castle than a house, but she wouldn’t reveal that. She didn’t want to come off as a braggart.

“I understand. I grew up in Maine and we also lived on the waterfront. I could never understand what the tourists got all worked up about. I do now, but when you’re a kid, you never really appreciate what you have until it’s gone.”

Emma detected a trace of sadness in her voice. “I agree. I’ve never been to Maine. I hear it’s gorgeous in the fall.” Her comment sounded lame, but it was all she could come up with. She didn’t want Marlena to think she was nosy. Even though she was, at least when it came to her neighbor across the way.

“It is. Walt and I go back in October every year. His family still lives there.”

Emma sipped her wine. “You don’t have family there?” So much for not being nosy.

“Not anymore,” Marlena said. “I have a stepbrother. He lives in town. We’re close, but that’s it.”

“So, I take it you were an only child for a while?” Emma realized she was asking questions the way she had in the courtroom. “I’m sorry—it’s none of my business. My excuse is that I am—was—an attorney. I gave it up to move here. I want to teach school.”

Marlena busted out laughing. “You did what?” She held up her hand to stop Emma. “You don’t have to explain.”

Emma set her wineglass on the table between them. “I should. I was in corporate law for ten years. I traveled the world fighting for corporations that wanted more of whatever they could get their hands on. One day—it was just a couple of months ago—I quit. I sold my old condo, hired my replacement, bought this place, and sent out my teaching résumé to several schools. I’ve subbed at the elementary school and fell in love with the kids. I think teaching is my true calling. My parents were attorneys and I just followed in their footsteps.”

“You’re too young to have a second career.”

“I started college at sixteen. I was a nerd, I admit. It was tough the first couple of years in college, but it was a breeze after that.”

“I take it your family approves?”

Emma shook her head. “They wouldn’t if they were alive. An only child, older parents—that’s me.”

“I see.” Marlena paused, as though she were contemplating her next words. “I had a sister once. She was two years older. We were best friends, even when she was in high school and I was in middle school. She always included me when she hung out with her friends. I was never that bratty little sister to her. She passed away during her first year of college.”

Emma didn’t know what to say. All the usual words meant nothing. She’d been a recipient of them when her mom and dad died.

“It’s okay, Emma. Nothing anyone says can change what happened.”

“I would tell you I’m sorry, but I know that doesn’t mean diddly-squat. But I am sad you lost your best friend. I never had a sister or a best friend. I was too busy either studying or working.”

“Yeah, well, for whatever it’s worth, I’m glad you moved here. I think you and I are going to be terrific friends.”

“Then let’s have another glass of wine to celebrate our new friendship,” Emma said. She hurried to the kitchen, returning with the bottle of wine. She refilled their glasses.

After her third glass of wine, Emma felt the false courage alcohol sometimes gave her. She pointed to the dark condo directly across from hers. “What about that guy?”

Marlena saw where Emma directed her gaze. “You won’t believe it, but he’s a teacher. Math, of all things. His little Penny is in labor right now. I guess that’s why he hasn’t been home all night. He usually sits on the lanai in the evening. I’m not sure if he’s scoping out the women at the pool or what. He’s very easy on the eyes.”

All Emma took from Marlena’s words was that Penny was in labor. “He was here. Before you came over.”

“So you two met?’ Marlena prompted.

“No. He was here. Not here, here, but on his lanai. I saw him. I think he was watching me.”

“I wonder if Penny delivered early? He promised he would let Walt and me see the puppies as soon as he brought them home.”

“What are you talking about?” Emma tried to clear her head. Penny was in labor. The neighbor promised puppies.

Once again, Marlena laughed. “Penny is Nash’s dachshund. She’s in labor at the vet clinic. He took her there so they could monitor the delivery because he was terrified at the prospect of caring for her alone.”

All Emma could do was nod. Nash. What kind of name was that?

“Tell me about him,” Emma said. She was half lit and didn’t care what she said at this stage. It was one of the reasons she rarely had more than one glass of wine.

“As I said, he’s a math teacher at the high school. As far as I know, he isn’t married and loves dogs.”

Emma pondered this. “How long has he lived there?” She nodded toward the condo.

“Maybe two years? He’s from around here, so I don’t think he will pick up and leave anytime soon,” Marlena said. “As much as I regret it, I need to go home. I have that little stinker to look after. He was asleep when I left, but my husband will need a break regardless.”

Emma stood up, a bit unsteady after three glasses of wine, but she managed to walk Marlena to the door and say good night.

As soon as she locked up, Emma changed into her pajamas and got ready for bed. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.