Chapter fifty

After Sam stowed his provisions and tied down the dinghy on the forward deck, he fired up Angel’s engine. Unhooking his line from the mooring ball, he checked the current. At this speed, he’d make it back to Carolina Beach in time to catch a transient slip at his old marina.

The afternoon’s trip gave Sam time to think, time to plan. It was the first time in four years he had opened a chart book to plot his course to Norfolk. Seeing the contours of shoreline and depths charted on paper revived his hope of cruising.

Disappointed that Molly had so flatly turned down his invitation to go sailing, Sam paused when he realized it had been about as vague a proposition as he’d made in recent history. Molly was different. Something stirred inside when he thought about her and about what possibilities might be ahead for both of them. Sam actually thought about attempting a relationship—a good, solid one—with Molly…if she were interested, that is. So far, he couldn’t quite tell.

While tying Angel alongside a long unsheltered transient dock at the edge of the marina, Sam was pleased to see the docks were fairly empty. No sign of the squirt of a dockmaster anywhere, making sliding into the marina unnoticed (and unaccounted for) all that much sweeter.

Sam showered in the dockside bathhouse, reveling in the hot water that flowed over his tanned body. The past few months had been a time for answering far too many questions during the investigation. Yet he’d had enough time to take Angel out, including taking the boat on one “shakedown” run to Bald Head Island where he had walked to the top of the lighthouse for the fantastic view. Sam had rented a golf cart and toured the island—all of it. When it was over, he pondered what difference that simple ride might have made with his ex-wife. Maybe something, or maybe nothing at all. Either way, when he returned to a cold beer on his boat, he felt relieved to be free of that relationship so he could focus on something new…perhaps with Molly, he pondered.

When he was shaved and dressed, Sam walked the few blocks to Jenny’s condo in the sticky heat of August with a cooler in hand. In a few more weeks, all signs of visiting tourists would disappear. In a few more weeks, the humidity would disappear, too.

. . .

“I got some steaks for us, Hoops. And I’m bringing friends.” Sam spoke into his phone from the quiet of Jenny’s porch. A few roasted beach-goers lingered on the sand in the late afternoon sun.

“Great! You need a ride?”

“No, I’m set. You ready for company?”

“You bet, Sam-Man. Come anytime. I got a few guys here already, so we’ll have a nice crowd. I’ll fire up the grill and get the fixings.”

Sam, Jenny, and Molly took the Mustang to Hoops’ house two miles away in Kure Beach, a continuation of the spit of sand on which Carolina Beach sits. A dozen or so people milled around the sound-side patio, beers in hand. Sam noted a mix of Coasties and others there, and he wished he’d bought more food.

There was plenty, as it seemed to be a potluck affair. Sam chatted with almost everyone, then breezed toward a quiet Molly, sitting in a corner like a dejected high schooler at a dance.

“Everything all right?” Sam offered her a Yuengling.

“Fine.” Molly didn’t smile, but she took the beer. “Thanks.”

Sam plunged ahead. “What’s the plan?”

“Plan?”

“Where do we go from here?”

“We?” Molly brightened. “I thought you didn’t want a partner.”

“I didn’t think I did. But now I’m not so sure.” Sam gave Molly his best smile, hoping she’d get what he was trying to say.

“Well, when you figure it out, you let me know.” Molly got up and smoothed her skirt, one she borrowed from Jenny since all of her things were mud-encased or mildewed from Hullabaloo’s sinking. Now toe to toe with Sam, she whispered, “Partner.”

Sam stepped back, no longer sure of what he’d unleashed. “I just thought maybe we might go sailing or something. I’m heading up to Norfolk to see my son, and I thought when I come back—”

“I probably won’t be here,” Molly interrupted, realizing her blunder. “I’m heading to Florida to see Deloris and Emily. Hullabaloo is going to take some time to fix up, so I’ll probably spend the winter with them.”

“Oh. I see.” Now it was Sam’s turn to feel dejected. He wished he could decide what he wanted with Molly. The attraction was real, but he didn’t want to commit to anything long-term. Still, to be summarily rejected stung. Sam tried to cover his disappointment.

“Well, if you change your mind and want to convert from the dark side of powerboating, you let me know. We’ll go sailing.”

Molly glared at him. “Don’t bet on it. Powerboats rule. Hullabaloo got you out of more than one jam, as I recall, so don’t slander powerboats.”

“Mol, I didn’t mean anything by it.” Why was she so upset?

“Never mind. Thanks for the beer. Have a great visit with your son. And I really did mean every word of the blessing today. I hope you travel safely.” Her smile returned.

“Thanks. And I hope you get the boat back to where you had her before. She’s a great boat. Really.”

Sam watched for a flicker of the earlier attraction he’d recognized in Molly’s eyes. He wasn’t sure how to read her tonight. He watched her raise her hand in a tight salute before disappearing around the side of the house.

Sam pondered briefly about going after her. Before he could move, Jenny tapped him on the shoulder.

“Lovers’ quarrel?”

“We weren’t lovers, Jenny. I’m not sure what we were, or are, but I can assure you we weren’t lovers.”

“Too bad.” Jenny voiced Sam’s thoughts, then grabbed up his hand and dropped a key into it. It was the key to the Mustang.

“I want you to have it.” Jenny was beaming. “I’ll keep it safe until you return from your cruise. The key will stay in the conch shell near the garage.”

“I don’t know what to say, Jenny. That car is worth a good bit of money. You should keep it. Or sell it for cash.”

“I’ve made up my mind, Sam. I want you to have it. Lee would have wanted you to have it, too. Now, I won’t take no for an answer, and that’s final. I’ve already signed the title over to you.”

Sam hugged her. “Thank you, Jenny. I’ll treasure this gift. Not just the car, though it’s sweet, but the gift of knowing you think highly enough of me to give me something so precious. Thank you.”

“You are welcome. Thank you for finding out what happened to Lee. Now go get Molly.” Jenny pulled away from Sam’s embrace. “I’ll get a ride home.”

Sam nodded. He quickly made the rounds to his host and friends, then headed for the Mustang. He looked up and down the street, but he saw no sign of Molly.

Driving to Jenny’s, Sam thought of the many nights he’d spent hanging out there with Lee. Tonight, there were no lights on. Sam pulled into the darkened driveway. He hid the key in a conch shell by the garage door, then walked to the marina. He had hoped to see Molly once more. But then again, he wasn’t sure what he’d say to her if he did.