The small downtown area of Folly Beach was packed with weekend outdoor enthusiasts. The early September day was remarkably beautiful. Bright blue skies and a gentle breeze made it the perfect day for bike riding. With the low humidity, everyone was outside enjoying the glorious late summer Saturday.
“Oh my God, does this look like fun! I can’t believe how crowded it is here. I can’t wait to see the pier.”
He laughed, seeming to take pleasure in her happiness. “Yeah, this area is lovingly nicknamed the ‘Edge of America.’ The pier goes out one thousand forty-five feet into the Atlantic, and it’s the perfect fishing pier. Do you like to fish?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never done it. I’ll admit it does sound like fun.”
“Well, that’s something we can do out here at another time. I have a lot of fishing gear and would love to teach you how to fish. It’s a shame that the days and time allowed for dogs is limited, but I do understand since this is such a people place. Dogs aren’t allowed on the pier at all. I bring the girls out in the evening after work once in a while when it’s much less populated. I really like Folly Beach. James Island Dog Park is closer to my house, but there’s something about this place that just makes me smile.” Dan shielded his eyes from the sun as he scanned the busy streets. “The sunsets here are spectacular, too. People sit and wait for it, especially on weekends when it’s crowded like this. I like to compare the anticipation in the air at sunset to the Fourth of July fireworks. We should come out here together in the evening after work and watch the sun go down.”
“That sounds familiar. It’s the same way at White Point Garden. But, yes, coming out here at sunset sounds wonderful. I’d love to.”
“Okay, let’s walk for a while. Let me know if a certain restaurant pops out at you. That’s where we’ll eat. To be honest, they’re all really good. After lunch, I’ll show you the pier.”
Mel found the perfect restaurant right on the corner of East Ashley Avenue and Center Street. With its rooftop dining deck, the restaurant offered spectacular views no matter which direction they looked. Seafood was the specialty at the cool, funky restaurant. Most of the retail establishments on Center Street had a definite beach vibe with brightly painted storefronts and a fun, lighthearted atmosphere.
“Would you like to try the seafood sampler and a couple of salads?”
“That sounds great. We can walk off lunch at the pier then go bike riding.”
Dan caught the attention of the waitress who had just come up to the dining deck. “Ma’am,” Dan called out, “I think we’re ready to order. We’re going to go with the seafood sampler and two fresh mixed baby salads. Mel, what would you like to drink?”
“I’ll have a raspberry iced tea, please.”
“Make that two.”
Mel took in the view from their perfect perch. Downtown surrounded them, and the Atlantic was to their south. From the dining deck, they could see the pier beyond the hotel that blocked its view at street level.
“Wow, the pier is enormous! I can’t wait to get out there. There are so many people fishing, and the beach is huge and beautiful.”
“Now you know why I love Folly Beach, and you’ve never been here?”
“Now I’m embarrassed to admit it, but no, I haven’t. I know it’s crazy, being only a half hour from my house. I guess there’s a lot to see and do right in my own native state.”
The waitress dropped off their lunch and iced teas at the table and left to wait on another couple.
Mel placed the napkin on her lap and took a sip of tea. “Everything looks delicious. Thanks for inviting me to spend the day with you. I’m already having a great time.”
“It’s my pleasure. I usually spend the weekends alone after I take the dogs out for a run. When the water is calm, I like to kayak. Hiking is a nice pastime, too. Have you ever been on the Palmetto Trail?”
“I really feel like a city girl around you. It makes me wonder what I’ve done my entire life other than shop.” Mel laughed at her own lack of outdoor indulgences. “Do you take the dogs on hikes with you?”
“Definitely. They have a lot of energy.” As they talked, Dan handed Mel the platter of mussels.
“What kind of energy does Lucy have? I mean she’s so different from your dogs. She couldn’t possibly walk as far, could she?”
“I think Lucy would be good for about a mile. She’s small, so I don’t think I’d push her too hard. There are a few trails around the county park at James Island. Do you want to take the dogs out there tomorrow? I’ll even bring the kayak and give you your first lesson in calm water.”
“I’d love that, and I bet Lucy would, too.”
***
The salt air was fresh, and the breeze was light. Gulls overhead cried out as Mel and Dan walked the length of the pier and back. They held hands as they walked, each enjoying a rocky road ice cream cone. They stopped and chatted with people fishing, peeking into their buckets to see what they’d caught. Mel snapped picture after picture with her cell phone, including several selfies of Dan and her together, enjoying their cones.
The coaster bicycles were reserved for two hours of fun on the beach. They picked them up, along with two bottles of water, and took off, gliding along the water’s edge. The water sprayed up on their legs as they rode side by side. With six miles of beachfront riding available, they stopped to take a break about two miles down the beach.
“How’s this for a break area?” Dan asked. He stopped at a smooth, undisturbed sandy spot for them to relax on.
“It’s perfect.” She got off her bike and walked alongside it in the deep sand.
They laid the bicycles on their sides and fell down next to them.
“This feels good,” Mel said, a little out of breath. “The sand is so warm.”
“When was the last time you went bike riding, especially on a beach?”
“I rode a bike through town last summer, but never on a beach,” she replied with a smile. “I have a feeling I’m going to get really fit if I hang out with you.” Yeah, I remember your drop-dead sexy six-pack. You must do everything shirtless with that delicious tan you have.
“I have one more place to show you if you’re up for it. We have to head back through town, but it’s worth the ride.”
“Okay, just lead the way.”
They rode their bikes through town to the end of East Ashley Street where it dead-ended. From there, they followed the well-worn dirt path for about a quarter of a mile to the beach.
“Good thing we have coaster bikes,” Mel called out. “These bikes get through anything. Oh my God, this is so beautiful! I can’t believe I’ve never been here.”
They reached the clearing at the beach. Directly in front of them, standing just a few hundred feet from shore was the beautiful but defunct Morris Island lighthouse. The faded red-and-white-striped structure had seen better days, but it was still a beloved site among locals and tourists alike.
“Isn’t it awesome?” Dan said as they laid their bikes in the sand and stood arm in arm, staring out at the majestic lighthouse.
“It takes my breath away, but there’s a loneliness about it. It’s out there abandoned with just the waves washing up against it.”
“That’s true, but it’s a historic landmark and almost one hundred forty years old. Everyone loves the lighthouse, and it’s well cared for structurally. Should we sit for a while?”
Dan snuggled in close to Mel among the seagrass as they looked out at the waves. He took her hand in his. “Isn’t the ocean amazing? I could sit here all day and look out at the wonder of it. I love nature, Mel, but don’t get me wrong. I’m open to trying anything you want to do.” Dan kissed the back of her hand and brushed the stray hairs away from her face before kissing her cheek. He rested his face against hers. “You’re a beautiful woman, Melanie. I’d really like to spend more time with you if you’re interested.”
She looked into his Caribbean-blue eyes, his hair blowing slightly in the breeze, and softly kissed his lips. “I’d like that a lot. I’m already having the best time today. You’re such a gentleman, and considerate. I’m looking forward to knowing you better.”
They stood, and with his arms around her, Dan gave Mel a soft but passionate kiss. She felt the sincerity in the way he held her close against his chest. His heart beat against her cheek, making her feel safe and cared for.
I’ve never felt this good before with any man. He makes me feel so special. I feel alive in his arms, like I really matter to him.
With her fingers entwined around his neck, she pulled him in closer and kissed him again.
***
“Is there a Daniel DeLong story you’d like to share?” Mel asked after they returned the rental bikes and walked back to his SUV.
He opened the passenger door and helped her in. As they drove the twenty minutes back to his house, he shared a little more about his life up to that point. He told Mel that he’d been engaged between the ages of twenty-six and twenty-nine. His fiancée finally broke things off when she revealed that she’d been seeing her investment broker.
Dan laughed at the expression Mel wore when he mentioned that the ex-fiancée used to be his receptionist. “Why do you think Eileen works for me now? It’s much safer and a lot less drama to have a family member as my receptionist instead.”
“Humph…that explains everything.” She winked at him.
“Meaning?”
“For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out how someone as nice and handsome as you was still unattached. I guess it’s your own prerogative whether you’re in a relationship or not, and some people don’t want the drama, but now I understand.”
“Yeah, I was blindsided by her admission. I guess she’s married to the guy now, with a couple of kids. I think I needed a few years to really focus on my practice before I threw my hat back into the dating pool.”
“So… you’re in the dating pool?”
“Only if it’s a pool meant for two. How about you, Mel?”
“I’d like to be in that two-person pool with you. Before, it was just weeding out the people I wasn’t compatible with.”
“Good… that sounds really nice.” Dan pulled up to his gate and punched in the code. He drove the Range Rover through and parked. “Do you have time to hang out for a bit?”
“Sure. I told everyone at the house I’d be back before six to walk Lucy, so I still have an hour before I need to leave.”
“Everyone at the house? What does that mean?”
She laughed as she sat down in the garden next to the pool. “I’ll give you the condensed version since we’re sharing life stories.”
“Okay, but hold that thought for just a minute. I’ll get us some wine and let the girls out.”
Back outside and next to Mel at the table, Dan poured two glasses of wine and sat back to hear her story.
“My friend Abby owns the mansion on South Battery. She was left the home when her mother died last year with the stipulation in her will that Abby could never sell it. The upkeep and insurance on the home are around fifty thousand dollars a year. When Abby learned that, she decided, out of necessity more than anything else, to make it a boardinghouse. There are nine adults and a baby living there. It’s actually pretty wonderful, and you’ll understand what I mean when you meet everyone.”
“Wow… doesn’t it get pretty crazy around there?”
“Not really. We all love each other dearly, plus most of us work during the day. With tomorrow being Sunday, almost everyone will be at home. You’ve met Betsy already.”
“She lives there, too?”
“Uh-huh. When Abby’s mother, Charlotte, owned the house, Betsy was actually the maid. Now she’s the cook and second in charge when Abby isn’t available. How about coming to my place tomorrow, and I’ll introduce you to the clan?”
“Okay, I’m game. It sounds like fun.”