Lib Novel Page 52
Becca parked her car across from Powell Water Sports and crossed the street.
When she saw her father, she called out to him.
“Hey, Daddy.”
Crawford turned away from his customer and looked at his daughter. “Becca! What are you doing here?”
Becca laughed. “That’s a nice way to greet your only daughter. I take it you didn’t miss me?”
She hugged her father and didn’t want to let go when he pulled away. “Of course I missed you. I just wish you’d called. I could have picked you up from the airport.”
“No problem. I got a rental. I had to stop by the bridal shop to see what’s up with my dress.”
“And?”
“Turns out it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I guess I’m all set for the big day.”
Becca knew that her father usually could recognize her moods and hoped that he’d see her struggles before she said anything. This time, however, he didn’t appear to sense a thing, and so she smiled and acted like she didn’t have a care in the world.
“Hey, go down to the beach and surprise your brothers. They just left to help out at the inn. Last I heard they were working on the path from the inn to the beach where you and Beth will say your vows.”
The last place Becca wanted to be right now was either the beach or the Key Lime Garden Inn. She wasn’t ready to face the reality of the wedding, instead needing time alone to think.
She shook her head. “Nah, I’ll catch up with them later. I think I’ll just go up to my room, that is…if it’s still there.”
Crawford laughed. “Of course it’s still there. I have no intention of changing it, even after you’re married. I’m going to keep it just like it always was until I’m old and ready for the grave.”
“Dad, wouldn’t you agree that’s a bit excessive? I mean even for you?”
“What are you talking about? What if you leave Chris? You’ll need a place to stay when he acts like a jerk.”
Becca couldn’t laugh at her father’s joke. It hit too close to home right now.
“How is the groom by the way? Is he treating you well? You’ll tell me if he isn’t, right? If not, I’ll have to have a talk with that young man.”
“Chris is fine. We’re fine. Everyone is fine.”
Realizing her voice sounded annoyed, Becca changed the subject.
“On second thought, I think I’m going to take a walk. I want to see what the hurricane has done to the island. I’ll leave my car here.”
“Sure, are you going to be here for dinner or do you have plans?”
“No plans. I’ll be here.”
“Okay, honey. See you later.”
Becca walked out of the store and headed in the opposite direction from the water. Trees that she’d remembered for as long as she lived on the island had disappeared. Several buildings had their roofs partially torn and it seemed that people were everywhere cleaning, repairing and generally supporting one another.
Becca had always known that the islanders, people who were in her life since she was born, were kind and generous with their time and possessions. She wasn’t surprised by the activity all around her.
Gone were the crowds of tourists and vacationers, instead they were replaced with the noise of hammers, buzzsaws and equipment transporting materials to various locations on the island. It was all about neighbor helping neighbor, and Becca felt proud to have come from such good people.
Tonight, she’d sleep in her old bed and think about how far she’d come from the little girl who lived on the beach and never worried about the future. Becca’s fears had materialized from a place deep in her body and she needed to figure out why.
Spending a few days on Captiva Island was the only way she knew to get to the bottom of what ailed her. Although anxious to understand what was happening to her, she was afraid of what she would find. In her heart, she believed that one way or the other she and Chris would be stronger for her time on the island. That had to count for something.
CHAPTER 19