Tara trudged through the sand, her feet kicking up a shower of tiny grains with every step. She’d hoped to have the beach all to herself. No such luck. On the far side of the cove, the stranger she’d spotted earlier worked his metal detector along the damp strip at the water line.
Had it really been this morning that she and Jason had stood above this very spot? With all that had happened since then, it seemed like a lifetime ago. She’d unraveled the truth behind the myth of Captain Thaddeus. Lent a hand to a bride in need and learned how much she enjoyed doing her part to make someone else’s dream come true. As if that hadn’t been enough, she’d polished off the morning by deleting the article she’d been sent here to write. The one that would have all but guaranteed the big promotion she’d spent the last two years trying to nail. Toss in Jason’s surprisingly bad attitude, and it was no wonder she’d needed a break.
Shallow waves rolled onto the shore. Bending, she plucked a small cone shell from the wet, gray sand. The tiny creature who lived inside didn’t have to worry about where it would lay its head next week. It carried its home with it wherever it went. Unlike her. Now that she’d decided to keep silent about Captain Thaddeus, she’d need to start packing as soon as she got back to New York. What came next was anybody’s guess.
Carefully, she returned the shell to the spot where she’d found it. The man with the metal detector had worked his way closer. Nearing, he planted the device in the sand and leaned his forearms on it.
She offered him a smile. “Did you find any buried treasure today?”
“Nah. Need a good storm to stir things up.” A strong Rhode Island accent muted the r’s in his words. “You from around he-ah, missy?”
“No, sir.” Tara brushed her hands.
“Tide’s comin’ in. It’s gonna get wicked deep in a few. You and I, we’d best be getting off this beach.”
He was right about the tide. She stood ankle-deep in water that had barely brushed over her toes five minutes earlier. “Thanks for the warning. I’ll move to higher ground.”
“Ground nothing. You need to be climbing them steps. Unless you like swimming with the fishes, that is.” With that, he hefted his metal detector over one shoulder and shuffled toward the rough staircase that led up to the bike path.
Shading one hand over her eyes, she squinted at the granite outcropping that formed the cove. On three sides, the cliff towered high above her head. Bits of seaweed clung to the jagged rocks about halfway up. “Hang on,” she called, eyeing the high tide mark. “I’ll walk with you.”
The man didn’t break stride. She thought he called, “Best keep movin’,” but the wind whipped his words. Another wave rushed ashore. This one splashed her thighs. She bolted from the water.
“I see you took my advice,” the man said when she fell in beside him. “I’m Walter. Used to own the Honeymoon Hotel on the north side of town.”
“I know the place. Nice little bungalows and a cute diner.” She’d stopped by one afternoon, looked at the rooms, and taken pictures for Weddings Today. She hadn’t seen Walter, or Wal-tah, as he said it, though. “I’m Tara, by the way.”
He nodded. “My son and his wife took over when I retired a few years back. These days, I comb the beach for lost earrings and bottle caps when I’m not playing with the grandkids. You know the best thing about being a grandparent?”
“No.”
“You get to send the little darlings home when you want to take a nap.”
She joined in when Walter laughed to himself. For someone who’d left retirement age in his rearview mirror, he amazed her by jogging up the steep steps.
“You sticking around for the pageant tomorrow?” he asked while they climbed.
“I was planning on it.” She was supposed to be in it, but for reasons she still didn’t understand, those plans had changed.
“It’s a good one.” Without pausing to look over his shoulder, he nodded toward the beach. “You know, Captain Thaddeus dropped anchor in that very cove each year before his wife’s birthday.”
“I’ve heard that.” She didn’t have the heart to tell him that part of the good captain’s legend was a lie.
Moments later, they stood by the railing at the top of the stairs while Tara gasped at the rushing tide. Below them, waves had gobbled up half the distance to the bottom step. “That beach was as pretty as a picture. Who would have thought it wasn’t safe?”
Walter shifted his metal detector from one shoulder to the other. “Aye-yup. Just goes to show, things aren’t always as they seem. You enjoy the rest of your stay, missy.”
“Thanks again for the warning.”
The portly gentleman whistled a happy tune as he headed toward the north side of town. Staring at the water that was quickly covering the last of the sand, she had to admit that Walter had been right...and not just about the tide. The opportunity to get ahead at Weddings Today hadn’t turned out like she’d thought it would. And, apparently, her relationship with Jason had hit an unforeseen bump. She’d gone over the abrupt conversation a dozen times, and she still didn’t understand why he’d turned taciturn and gruff. Whatever it was, she wished he’d talk to her about it. She wanted him to know he could trust in their love for one another. That whatever was bothering him, they could work it out together.
First, though, they had to talk. Something that was unlikely to happen while she stood here, looking out at the ocean. Determined to get to the bottom of their problem—whatever it was—she pushed away from the railing and headed back to the Captain’s Cottage.
But twenty-four hours and a half-dozen phone calls later, she was no closer to figuring out where things had gone wrong with Jason than she’d been in the dining room. Except, now at least, she knew for sure their relationship was in trouble. What other explanation could there be? No one spent a day and a half avoiding all contact with the woman he’d professed to love. Not unless there was a problem. A big one. She’d done all she could to reach out to him, to let him know that whatever it was, she was willing to work it out. To talk it over. To compromise.
But each time she called, Jason’s phone went straight to voice mail. She’d roamed through the Cottage looking for him without success. Finally, she’d swallowed her pride and climbed the stairs to the family living quarters where she’d knocked on the door of his suite. Another wasted effort.
Tears stung her eyes as she descended the stairs once more. She had no choice but to accept the truth. Though she didn’t understand why, she’d gotten his message loud and clear. He didn’t want to see or speak with her.
Her heart heavy, she retreated to her room. With nothing better to do, she spent a sleepless night working on her final presentation for Weddings Today. Though her heart was breaking, she poured her soul onto the page, crafting an article that sang the praises of Heart’s Landing. Starting with the hearts-and-flowers trim on buildings and ending with the magnificence of the Captain’s Cottage itself, she presented the strongest possible argument that the town should retain its standing as America’s Top Wedding Destination.
When she finished, she checked her phone for the umpteenth time. She’d turned the ringer all the way up to be sure she’d hear it if Jason called. He hadn’t. The screen remained dark, the icon for text messages empty.
Her heart sank even lower. She was willing to do her share of the work in resolving whatever problem Jason had with her. But she wasn’t a mind reader or a magician. She couldn’t fix things on her own. She’d given him plenty of time to come to his senses and talk to her. He obviously hadn’t. Given that he’d chosen to cut off all communication with her, she didn’t see much point in staying in Heart’s Landing a minute longer than necessary.
The decision to skip the pageant came easily enough. She swapped her return reservation for an earlier one with a single phone call. Retrieving Chuck’s business card from her purse, she arranged for the cab driver to pick her up in front of the Captain’s Cottage an hour before the departure time. The glint of afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows by the time she finished packing. All that remained was to return Mary’s diary to the library, power down her laptop, and leave.
A dull ache started at the center of her chest and spread outward as she lifted the thin book from the desk. Flipping through the pages one last time, she spotted the slip of paper she’d used as a bookmark. Idly, she passed the diary from one hand to another. Considering her own broken heart, learning more about Captain Thaddeus and Mary’s love was the last thing she felt like doing, but leaving without finishing the journal felt like too much unfinished business. With a sigh, she sank onto the chair and found the point where she’d left off. Her breath stalled on the next entry.
The homecoming celebration I planned for Thaddeus must wait. Word came by way of his steward that my husband left the Mary S in New York. He assumed command of the SS Pentaur, bound for North Carolina, after the ship’s captain suffered a grievous injury. God willing, the P shall drop anchor in Heart’s Cove by next week’s end.
Tara gasped. Clamping one hand over her mouth, she read the passage and several of the entries leading up to it again. Her own surprise about the captain’s delay matched Mary’s. Her fingers shaking, she turned to the next page.
This may be my last entry for several days. My heart trembles with fear for my husband. I received word today of a monstrous storm churning the waters to the south. Pray God that Thaddeus has learned of it as well and chosen to ride out the storm in safety. I have instructed the servants to watch over the children with all diligence while I remain on the lookout for the P.
Taking command of the Pentaur had no doubt delayed Captain Thaddeus in New York. It wouldn’t have taken much—a day or two—and he’d have sailed his new ship straight into the hurricane on his way to Heart’s Landing. Tara held her breath as she turned the page.
Oh glorious, glorious sight. Her sails tattered and torn, one mast broken, the P. nonetheless survived the storm and has at long last anchored in Heart’s Cove. Never has there been such a joyous celebration as when Thaddeus arrived home last evening. Repairs to the P will require at least two weeks, which shall make my birthday a grand affair indeed.
Tara slumped against the chair back. The legend of Captain Thaddeus was true. She tapped her finger against her chin. A heady joy bubbled up inside her. She couldn’t wait to tell Jason. She could practically picture his face when she gave him the news. He’d be thrilled.
She gulped.
The truth was, Jason wasn’t speaking to her. Even if he were, he’d never understand her excitement…unless she told him the whole story. Closing Mary’s diary, she bumped the laptop with her elbow. Her heart hammered as the screen sprang to life.
“Oh, no! The sleep mode.” The day she’d had so much trouble sending her report to Regina, she’d deleted the password protection.
Suddenly, Jason’s change-of-heart made a lot more sense. He must have stopped by her table while she was upstairs yesterday. A little nudge was all it would have taken, and he’d have been staring at the article she’d written for Weddings Today. The article that called the legend of Captain Thaddeus a sham.
Guilt tightened her throat.
Thank goodness she’d changed her mind before she’d sent that report. As for Jason, she had to make this right. Had to let him know she’d chosen love—for him and for Heart’s Landing—over her career.
Picking up her phone, she hit redial. In seconds, she’d arranged for Chuck to pick her up earlier and make an extra stop on the way to the train station. The pageant was due to start in an hour. Now that she knew the truth, she couldn’t leave without at least trying to speak to Jason. She crossed her fingers. Though her heart cried out to fix things between them, she didn’t dare hope for more than the chance to apologize.
The curtains on the temporary stage in Thaddeus Park rippled in the cool breeze that swept in from the ocean. Through a gap, Jason caught a glimpse of the gathering crowd. It was larger than he’d expected, much bigger than when they held the pageant in the fall. Today, most of the folding chairs had been filled by casually dressed couples who sat in neat rows. A few sipped icy beverages or snacked on items purchased from the food trucks that lined the nearby streets. Moms and dads had taken advantage of the summer weather to spread blankets on the grass, where they doled out animal crackers to toddlers who were eager for the show to start. Stragglers continued to arrive. Some carried lawn chairs. Others sat cross-legged wherever they could find a vacant spot.
Jason stuck one finger inside his stiff collar and tugged. Although he donned the replica of Captain Thaddeus’s uniform for a half-dozen appearances each month, today the fabric felt tight enough to choke him. The cape he wore around his shoulders weighed him down. His shoes pinched. His skin crawled.
“Argh!” He knew himself well enough to rule out stage fright as the cause. No, this was all Tara’s fault. Before she’d arrived in Heart’s Landing, he’d been content with his life. Things hadn’t worked out the way he’d thought they would with Clarissa, but he’d known that someday he’d find the girl of his dreams. Only, when he had, she’d ruined everything, broken his heart, and shaken his faith in the tales of his swashbuckling ancestor.
How was he supposed to go on stage, pretend to sail the Mary S through a hurricane, and declare his undying love for his “wife” when he questioned every word in the script?
From out of nowhere, Evelyn appeared at his side. “You have company.” She nodded toward the wings where the rest of the cast waited for their cues to go on stage.
Tara. It had to be. She was the last person he wanted to see right now. Groaning, he forced his attention in the opposite direction.
Evelyn squeezed his forearm. “You need to talk to her. Whatever’s going on between the two of you, you can’t simply ignore her and think the problem will go away.”
“It will, though,” he insisted. “She’s headed back to New York tomorrow.” After that, maybe his heart would begin to heal. Who knew—one day he might be able to walk along Procession Avenue without imagining her standing on every corner, without seeing her in every shop. Maybe someday he’d roam about the Captain’s Cottage without sensing her presence in every room.
“Don’t look now, but she’s headed over here.”
At Evelyn’s warning, he stiffened, but Tara’s insistent “Jason, we need to talk,” still punched him in the gut.
He wheeled on her. He thrust one arm toward the crowd that waited beyond the curtains. “I’m a little busy at the moment. Can’t it wait?”
“No. I’ve done enough of that already.” The sound of Tara’s foot striking the floorboards echoed through the back stage. “Why haven’t you returned any of my calls? I’ve left you a dozen messages.”
“Seven, actually.” He’d listened to every one of them. Her forlorn voice had torn him apart, but he couldn’t reply. Not without breaking down completely, and that was something he’d sworn he wouldn’t do. “I read your article.”
Beneath her summer tan, Tara paled. Her blue eyes watered. “I was afraid of that. I want you to know, I deleted it. That article will never appear in Weddings Today.”
Steeling himself against her tears, he shrugged. “It doesn’t matter whether you filed the report or not. You wrote it.”
“I did.” Tara hung her head. “But that was before I read the rest of Mary’s diary and learned the truth. Or realized I loved you more than anything. More than my job. More than my future at Weddings Today.”
He brushed invisible lint from his cape. “You expect me to believe that? How can I when you’ve been telling one lie after another from the moment you came here?”
Tara’s voice dropped to a dead calm. “I didn’t lie. I never lied.”
“Oh, no?” Heat built within his chest. He wanted to rail at her, to show her how badly she’d broken him. He needed her to feel his pain. “You said you were here to evaluate Heart’s Landing when, from the very beginning, your real goal was to ruin the reputation of Captain Thaddeus. You knew good and well what that would do to the town, how it would destroy any chance we had of retaining our standing as America’s Top Wedding Destination.”
His words struck home, and she gasped. Though he told himself he was only giving her what she deserved, payback didn’t feel nearly as good as he’d imagined.
“It was my job, Jason.” Her fingers splayed, she pushed the air between them as if she were trying to stem the tide of his words. “Regina threatened to fire me if I didn’t give her what she wanted.”
“And that’s supposed to make it all right?” He steeled himself and forced the words from his lips. “You betrayed me, Tara. You’ve been using me this whole time. Me and everyone else you met while you were here. Congratulations. I hope that promotion was worth it.”
Judging from the tears that gleamed wetly on her cheeks, he’d made his point. But his words had been a double-edged sword that hurt him as much as they hurt her. He’d expected to feel vindicated. Instead, he only wanted to take her in his arms. He swirled away from her.
On the other side of the stage, the pageant director lifted a megaphone. “Places, everyone!”
“I’ll tell you one thing,” he said, moving toward center stage. “You’ve got what it takes to make a name for yourself. You played me like a fool. I didn’t even see it coming.”
“You need to leave.” Evelyn grasped her elbow. With a thin, firm line replacing her usual, elfin smile, Jason’s cousin guided her to the edge of the stage.
“I’m so sorry,” Tara whispered. She reached into her purse and pulled out the leather-bound volume she’d intended to give Jason.
“What is this?” Evelyn backed away as if Tara was the wicked witch, trying to give her a poisoned apple.
At center stage, actors and actresses took their places for the opening act. She had seconds to say what needed to be said. “It’s Mary’s diary. I’ve marked the key entries. The bottom line is, the legend is true—Thaddeus did sail through a hurricane to reach Heart’s Landing before his wife’s birthday, only he wasn’t aboard the Mary Shelby.”
While the director issued the final call, Evelyn eyed the thin volume with outright skepticism. Long seconds passed before the redhead plucked the booklet from Tara’s outstretched palm. Without another word, she stashed the diary in a duffel bag and took her place on stage.
Tara breathed in a thready breath. Captain Thaddeus had been a true hero. To help a fellow seaman, he’d given up his berth on the Mary Shelby, a move that had forced him to battle a hurricane in order to keep a promise to his wife. The passages she’d marked, along with the research she’d left in the library, would put an end—once and for all—to the whispers and doubts that had swirled around the century-old legend.
Too bad she couldn’t sway Jason’s opinion as easily. No amount of research would ever change his mind about her. No matter how strongly she’d believed in their love or how much she’d sacrificed for it, she’d heard the death knell of their relationship in his bitter accusations. She’d seen it in his blank stare. She’d hoped to fix things between them, but it wasn’t possible. She saw that now.
Breath-stealing pain sliced through her chest. She pressed a hand over her heart. She’d had a chance at love, and she’d lost it, along with everything else she valued. Her job, her career, any chance of success—she’d risked it all on love and failed.
What little self-pride she had left helped her keep her tears at bay during the ride to the station. Once she boarded the train and found her seat, though, she couldn’t fight her tears any longer. Turning her back on the rest of the car, she pressed her forehead against the window and gave in to the heartbreak.