CHAPTER TEN
Rosemary, Allison, Faith, Sasha, Lisa, and I stepped off the plane in Raleigh, North Carolina. After finding luggage claim and retrieving all our suitcases, we made our way to the rental car counter. With the keys in hand, suitcases in tow, and the female energy and excitement off the charts, we loaded into the minivan and headed to our destination.
The drive from the airport to the rental was four hours, but it felt like two with as much talking as we did. At times, the radio was cranked, and we sang at the top of our lungs. Rosemary and I took turns driving, and once we reached Nag's Head, I turned south and started along the highway that would lead us to Frisco, where our Airbnb was awaiting us. It was amazing driving with the ocean on both sides of us at times. The sun was setting, and the colors in the sky were astounding.
I followed the GPS on my phone and turned down a small road to an even smaller street. Hearing my phone say, "You have arrived at your destination," got all of us fired up once more. It was dark now, so we couldn't see everything, but the location appeared to be stunning, with the canal just off the back of the house. We lugged our suitcases up the tall flight of stairs – all the homes are on stilts on the islands – and I wished Jack was there to help us.
Rosemary and I picked out our room, Sasha and Lisa chose theirs, and Faith and Allison took the third. We had stopped at a grocery store on our way, and once we had settled in, we got cozy in the front room with glasses of wine. I hadn't laughed so hard in my life as I did that evening. Rosemary seemed to have forgotten her troubles as well. Even if it was just temporary, she at least got a reprieve from her divorce issues back home.
As everyone went to bed, I stepped out onto the screened porch that overlooked the canal and called Jack. It was very late, but I knew he'd be waiting for me to call.
"Hello, Baby."
"Hi, Jack. Did I wake you?"
"No. Just waiting for your call. Are you having fun?"
"Yes, so much. Thank you."
"Nothing to thank me for. I'm just glad you guys are enjoying yourselves. Is it nice there?"
"What we could see it is. It was dark by the time we reached the house. But the moonlight is shining on the canal below me, and it's gorgeous. I'll send you a picture when we get off the phone."
"Okay."
"How's Max and Alex?"
"They're fine. Anxious for the last of school to get here."
"I'm sure. Just a few more days."
"Do you remember what we promised them?"
"Yes."
"You know they won't let us forget, right?"
"I know."
"Want to start looking when you get back?"
"Sure."
"Good."
"I think you're just as excited as they are."
"Oh, maybe." I knew he was grinning, and I closed my eyes and imagined his dimples.
"Are you thinking about my dimples again?"
How the hell does he do that? "What makes you say that?"
"Because I know you, Baby. I pay attention."
"Yes, you do."
"You didn't answer me."
"Oh, look at the time. I should probably be going."
"Beth?"
"Yes, Jack. I was thinking about your dimples."
"I knew it."
That man can be so exasperating...but I loved him so much. "Always the cop."
"Yes, ma'am. Do you miss me?"
"Absolutely. We could have used you to help carry our luggage up the twenty steps that led to the house."
"Oh, so you just want me as your bellhop?"
"Hmm...I could think of a few other things to do with you."
"Like what?"
"Well, I'm currently sitting outside on the porch. Everyone else is in bed, and there's not a soul outside that I can see. The moon is shining just enough that I would be able to see every ridge of your muscles."
"Oh, you like my muscles."
"Hmm mmm."
"What would you do with me?"
"I would strip you naked, push you back into this chair I'm sitting in, straddle you, and make sweet love to you in the moonlight."
"Oh, Beth. You know how to get me all hot and bothered."
"Right back at ya, officer."
"What are you guys doing tomorrow?"
"Finding the closest beach and catching some sun."
"Did you take that little red bikini that I like?"
"Yes."
"Hmmm," Jack growled, causing me to giggle. "I don't think you should be wearing that out in public."
"Why not?"
"Because you make it very difficult for me to function when you have that on, as I'm sure every other man would agree."
"Well, I'll be with my girls, so no worries."
"I know. I'm not worried about you. Just jealous that other people will get to look at your gorgeous body, but I can't."
"I'll send you a picture."
"Oh, sure. Make it even rougher on me not having you here."
"Are you having a tough time without me?"
"I always do. But I'll survive and count the days and the hours until you return to me."
Wow...this man has a way with words!
"You should get your sleep so you can keep up with Rosie tomorrow."
"Yes, that is true. I love you, Jack."
"Love you, too, Baby. Sweet dreams."
"Only if you're in them."
"I better be."
"I'm sure you will."
"Goodbye, Beth."
I stepped back into the house, locked the door, and quietly entered the room. Rosemary was already in bed, so I quietly slipped in, closed my eyes, and drifted off to enjoy some time with Jack in my dreams.
...
I woke to the sound of crying coming from the bathroom and slipped out of bed to check. Rosemary was sitting on the closed toilet, her head in her hands and a trash can full of Kleenexes beside her.
I knelt in front of her and placed my hands on her knees. "Rosie, did something happen?"
She lifted her red, swollen eyes and shook her head.
"Just stuff hitting you again?"
"Yeah, I guess. I had another dream, too."
I sat on the floor and leaned against the wall. "About you and Rhett?"
"Yes. We were so happy, and we, ummm, well, we were..."
"I understand." And I did, all too well. Those first few months after Maxwell had died, I had many dreams of us making love. I pulled a Kleenex from the box on the floor and handed it to her. "I think we should get our day started and get your mind on other things."
"I agree. I'm so tired of thinking about him. And it makes me sick imagining what he's been doing behind my back."
"Then, let's go make some amazing memories for you to think about instead."
Rosie stood, took my hands, pulled me to my feet, and then we started about our day. Once showered and dressed, I found my way around the kitchen and made breakfast. The smell of French toast filled the house, and everyone slowly began to emerge from their rooms. We sat around the table, enjoyed the food, and planned our day.
Just as I was closing and locking the door behind us, my phone notification sounded, and I looked to find a text from Jack. A photo loaded when I opened it, and Jack, Max, and Alex were all smiling at me.
We miss you, Baby. Have fun with the girls today!
I quickly composed a reply and hit send. I miss all of you, too. Going to the beach today.
I hurried down the steps to the van, jumped into the passenger seat, and gave Rosemary directions. We drove around Hatteras Island, stopping first at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. After a few dozen photos were taken, we rushed back to the van and started toward the beach access area.
After a couple of hours lying in the sun and getting sand in places we'll never get out, we packed our towels, coolers, and chairs and headed back to the house to change. It was to be a day of exploring, and we wanted to see as many of the islands as we could.
We went south, caught the ferry to Ocracoke Island, and stood along the railing during the one-hour ride. It was great to see Rosemary relaxed and enjoying herself. Her smile had returned, and she appeared to genuinely be having fun. The ferry ride was amazing. The views were breathtaking, and being out in the fresh air was exactly what we all needed. Once at the island, we piled back into the van and started down the road.
Once back on Hatteras, we drove through a more residential area and admired all the gorgeous homes. They were amazing. A rainbow of pastels lined every street, and every house was on stilts. They varied in size a bit, but all of them were huge and looked like what a beach house should look like. Each had multiple levels, a deck on every floor, and most had a dumbwaiter that started at the parking spaces to bring the groceries and other items up into the homes. Every one of us wished our rental had come with one.
A strip mall was located near the ferry, so after we finished gawking at the homes none of us would ever be able to afford, we decided to shop for cheaper items. We walked out of the stores with our arms loaded with bags, and I was excited to have found souvenirs for Max, Alex, and Jack, plus a few items for myself.
"We need more wine," Lisa shouted from the back seat.
"We went through that whole bottle?" Rosie asked.
"Um, yeah. There's six of us," Sasha laughed. "We need two or three bottles for tonight."
"Okay, someone look up the closest grocery or liquor store," I said as I pulled onto the highway.
Three bottles of wine, ingredients to make Jell-O shots and daiquiris, two pies, chips and dip, and four frozen pizzas later, and we were headed back to the house.
"We should get the kayaks out," Faith said as we pulled into the drive.
"That sounds like fun," Allison agreed.
"I think there's only four," Rosemary informed everyone.
"We can check," Allison said.
Once the van was unloaded and everything was put away, we ran downstairs to check out the kayak situation. Rosemary was right, there were only four, but Faith had noticed a few at the neighbor's house and asked if we could borrow two. They happily agreed, and shortly after, we were all in the canal.
My phone rang, and I dug it out of my pocket while trying not to tip over, and Jack was video-calling me.
"Hey, Jack."
"What are you doing?"
"We just got out on the kayaks. Look at this." I held my phone up and panned across the narrow canal and to the house. "There's our rental."
"That's amazing. It looks like a great place."
"That's awesome, Mom."
I flipped my phone around and saw three smiling faces. "Oh, I miss you guys. Are you behaving for Jack?"
"Of course, Mom. We got our homework done and helped him with supper."
"Wow, really?"
"That's right. We made homemade pizzas, and the kids were in charge of the toppings."
"That sounds delicious."
"It was, Beth. Max and I put a ton of pepperoni on ours."
"Oh, that's the best."
"What else have you done?" Max asked.
"Well, we rode a ferry, went to the beach, and saw a couple of lighthouses."
"You've done a lot in one day," Jack remarked.
"And we're not finished yet," I grinned.
"Fun plans for tonight?" Jack asked as the kids stared at the screen.
"Oh yes. The stay-at-home kind."
"Don't forget the hair of the dog in the morning," he winked.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"What? You have a dog there?" Alex asked.
Jack and I laughed, and I let him explain his way out of that one.
"I have to catch up with everyone," I said as I turned the phone to face down the canal, then returned it to me. "I love all of you and miss you so much."
"Love you, too, Mom."
"Love you, too, Beth."
Alex and Max ran off as Jack stayed. "You look amazing."
I ran my fingers through my windblown hair. "I look like a mess right now."
"That's when you look the best. It reminds me of first thing in the morning when you wake. What an amazing sight to see every day."
"Jack, do you take all your lines from a movie or a romance novel?" I teased.
"All from the heart, Baby. All from the heart." Jack flashed his smile that brought his dimples out, then glanced over his shoulder to see where the kids went. "The things I'm going to do to you when you get home...mmmm," he said, grinning and shaking his head.
"What would they be?"
"I'll show you when you get back."
"Well, now I might have to come home early."
"No. You have fun with the girls, and I'll have fun with the kids. I'm taking them out in the Jeep tomorrow."
"They will love that."
"I love you, Baby."
"I love you, too."
"Beth! Come on!" Rosie shouted.
"Don't keep Rosie waiting," Jack grinned again.
"Can't do that."
I tucked my phone in my pocket, picked up my oar, and paddled as fast as I could to catch up with everyone. Within a few minutes, I zoomed past Rosemary and splashed water on her.
"Elizabeth Anne!"
"Gotta catch me."
I knew Rosemary couldn't catch me. But what I didn't know is that Allison could and did. By the time we returned to the house, the back of my hair was drenched. Serves me right.
When we reached the house, pulled the Kayaks from the water, and returned the borrowed ones, Faith had the wine out and poured six glasses before Rosie and I made it inside.
"Let's toast," she said as she held her glass in the air.
"What are we toasting to?" Lisa asked as she picked up her glass.
"To Rosie. May you find love with a man that doesn't resemble a barnyard animal with a snout. To Beth. We hate you because you snatched the man we all dream about. But we love you just the same. To Allison. You found your Romeo and were blessed with a beautiful baby. We kind of hate you, too. To Sasha. May you find your soulmate and know well enough to keep him. To Lisa. Oh, sweet Lisa. You need to find the right man and hold onto him. No more of those whiney, belly-aching losers you seem to be able to find."
"To Faith!" Allison shouted. "May you finally get over the loser that dumped you a year ago and find a man you deserve."
"Hear, hear," everyone shouted amongst their laughter.
"Shall we throw a couple of pizzas in the oven or just go straight to the pie?" Sasha asked.
"Both," I answered. "Throw the pizzas in and eat pie while we wait."
"I like the way you think, Cooper," Sasha remarked.
So, that's what we did. Chocolate pie, apple pie, mixed drinks, pizza, and wine-filled our evening, along with many laughs. Allison had found a closet with several games and grabbed one for us to try.
Most of us have been friends since college. Lisa joined our pack a few years later, but she fit in like she'd always been a part of it. We had spent many weekend nights forgetting one boy or another, and when I lost Max, Rosie had called in the troops to rally around me. I was pregnant, so there were no crazy drink-until-you-forget parties, but they did what they could to keep my mind on other things. Unfortunately, during that period of my life, it hadn't helped. I asked to be alone and crawled back into my bed.
"What game did you pick?" Rosemary asked.
"Cards Against Humanity."
"That game is a blast," Lisa informed us.
"How do you play?" I asked.
"There are black cards and white cards. Everyone draws five white cards, and then one person draws a black card. They will read the black one, which will be a question or fill-in-the-blank. Your white cards are the answers you must choose from. The goal is to have the most outrageous answer and for the person reading the black card to pick yours. When someone reaches five of their answers chosen, they win. Each person takes a turn reading the black card," Allison explained.
Okay, if you've never played this game, you should try it, especially after a few drinks. I thought we laughed hard last night; this was a whole new level. My face, my ribs, and my gut hurt, as I am sure everyone else's did, too.
"Okay, my turn," Faith stated and picked up a black card. "I got 99 problems, but blank isn't one of them."
I glanced through my cards, trying to find the most shocking one to fill in the blank, then slid it across the table to Faith. Once she had everyone's answer cards, she shuffled them, then read them out loud.
"Sharks with legs," Faith said as she read the first answer and giggled. "Vigorous Jazz Hands." A few more chuckles filled the room. When reading the third card to herself, Faith began laughing before she could share the answer with everyone else.
"What is it?" Allison asked.
"The female orgasm," she read and started laughing harder.
Everyone joined in, including me, as I tried to mask the fact that the card was mine. I'm a bit competitive and if she picked that one as the best answer, then I would win the game.
Having two more to read, Faith sucked in a deep breath and continued. "Not wearing pants." And as she had done with my card, she burst out laughing at the last one. "This liquid in my mouth."
And once again, everyone lost it. I'm sure our high-pitched screeches could be heard four doors down, but that didn't stop us from having a good time. But damn it! That card might beat mine.
"Oh, this is a tough one. I need to read these two with the sentence," Faith started. "I got 99 problems, but the female orgasm isn't one of them."
"That one's awesome!" Rosemary exclaimed.
"I got 99 problems, but this liquid in my mouth isn't one of them."
"Tough choice," Lisa said between giggles.
After thinking for a moment, Faith held up the winning card. "I have to go with the female orgasm."
"Yes!" I shouted and jumped from my seat.
"Oh, I should have picked the other one," Faith said, grinning.
"Too late. You picked mine."
"How did you wind up with that card?" Rosemary asked, giving me a sideways glance.
I shared everything with Rosemary. Eve-ry-thing. She knew what Jack did to me, so her question sent me into another bout of laughter.
"I take it this is a true statement for you, Miss Thang," Allison stated. "Do tell."
"What's there to tell?" I asked with a sly grin.
"Does Jack make your toes curl?" Sasha asked as she rested her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands.
"Oh, maybe, from time to time."
"From time to time?" Rosie asked loudly. "That man does things to this girl I haven't even dreamed of."
"Okay, we're going to need a tad bit more information to go on than that," Lisa added.
"Well, he is a cop." I leaned back in my chair and let that statement sink in with everyone.
After a brief moment, Faith's eyes widened to an insane size. "Are you trying to tell us...that he has...used some tools of the trade?"
I grinned.
"What are you talk...OH!" Allison shouted and shook her arms in the air.
"Oh, what?" Lisa asked.
"Honey," Faith said as she turned to her friend, "tools of the trade. What do cops use?"
Lisa's expression moved into confusion. "He used a gun?"
"Oh, my God. No!" I shouted. "That's gross." I stuck my arms out with my wrists together. "Arrest me, officer."
I thought everyone was going to fall out of their chairs; a couple almost did as they exploded in laughter.
"He can arrest me any day," Faith stated.
"Faith!" Rosemary shouted.
"Well, he can. He's hot!"
Everyone's attention was on me as I shared a few of my new experiences with them. I kept most of Jack's and my private life...private but gave them a few nibbles of what it was like in bed with that magnificent man.
"You are so lucky," Lisa stated with a sigh. "All I can seem to find are men on a mission to 'wham bam, thank you, ma'am' and move on."
"You are clearly searching in all the wrong places," Allison said. "Let us help you find someone."
"I'm game for anything right now. I want someone who will stick around longer than a couple of months."
"Get that, girls? When we get home, we are all tasked with the job to find this girl a good man."
We all agreed, then began another round of the game. It was close to 2 in the morning by the time we retired to our rooms, and we had to get up in a few hours.
...
Some locals had told us to try the Apple Uglies at Orange Blossom Bakery, but we had to be there when they opened at 6:30 in the morning. So, we dragged ourselves out of bed, threw our hair up, and piled into the van. It was so worth it when we finally got our warm, frosted, cinnamon bit of goodness. With chunks of apples wrapped in dough, they were mind-blowingly delicious. We took our treat-filled bags and cups of coffee to a table on their porch and watched other tourists pass by while we ate.
The rest of the day and into the next was filled with more sightseeing, beaches, and food. We found the house used in the movie The Nights of Rodanthe and stopped to take a ton of photos, walked to the end of a long pier and watched people fish and surf, saw the wild horses on the beaches near Corolla, scaled the sand dunes of Jockey's Ridge, and found as many lighthouses as we could.
While walking along the boardwalk at the Bodie Island lighthouse, I noticed several carvings of names and initials on the wooden handrails. At the end of the path was a shelter, as while following the rails and reading all the engravings, I came across one that stopped me. J+E was etched into the wood, and it had been there for a while as the letters were a weathered black. I pulled my phone from my pocket, took a picture, and texted it to Jack.
My phone rang right away, and I looked down to see Jack's face. He was video-calling me again, and at the sight of him, my heart skipped a beat.
"Hey there, gorgeous."
"Hi, handsome."
"That was really cool. Where are you now?"
I turned the phone and showed Jack the lighthouse in the distance. We talked for a few minutes as I showed him the boardwalk and shelter, along with several of the carvings.
Before we ended the call, Sasha snuck up behind me and peered over my shoulder, grinning.
"Hi, Sasha," Jack said when he spotted her.
"Hello, officer," she replied with a wink.
I shoved my elbow into her and quickly moved to the corner with my back facing the swamp.
"What was that about?" Jack asked with a sideways look.
"Oh, nothing." I am terrible at hiding a grin.
"What exactly have you gals been talking about over there?"
"Uhhhh...girl things."
"Uh-huh. Would those 'girl things,'" he said with air quotes, "happen to include, umm, I don't know, handcuffs?"
Busted! And he knew it by the fifty shades of red that flashed across my cheeks.
"You do know I'll never be able to look your friends in the eyes again, don't you?" Jack teased.
"Sorry." I swear, I thought my cheeks were literally on fire.
"It's okay, Beth. I don't care if the world knows how much I love you and how I show you," he winked. "And I'll show you as soon as you get home. I've arranged for the kids to be at my parent's house until late on Sunday."
"Man with a plan."
"Absolutely."
Finally prying my eyes away from Jack's lips, I noticed he was in uniform. "Oh, are you working right now?"
"Yes. It's been a slow day, and I'm just sitting in my patrol unit on the edge of town."
"Let me see?"
"See what?"
"Pull the phone out further so I can see your uniform."
"Okay?" He stretched his arm out.
"Mmmm...thank you."
"You like what you see?"
"Oh, very much."
Jack laughed and moved the phone back where it was. "Let me know the next time you're on the beach in your bikini so I can video call you."
"Okay," I said and chuckled. "I think we're going tomorrow morning."
"Perfect. I'll be home with the kids, but I can lock myself in our room for a minute...or three."
"That's all you need? Three minutes?" I joked.
"Baby, you know I last much longer than that."
And, there go my cheeks again. Damn it! I can't hide a single emotion from this man.
"Why are you blushing again?"
"Thoughts of you running rampant through my mind."
"Hmmm...what am I doing?"
"Curling my toes," I giggled.
Jack narrowed his eyes and grinned. "More girl talk."
"Yep." I looked up just as Rosie was waving at me to come. They were already near the end of the walk, and I hadn't noticed they'd even left. "Oh, the girls are headed back to the car. I need to go."
"Okay. You look great, by the way. Like you've been having a lot of fun and relaxing."
"We have been. Rosie seems good, too."
"Good. Love you, Baby."
"Love you, too."
I ran across the boardwalk toward the lighthouse, finally catching up with them just before the parking lot.
"Oh, young love," Allison commented as I neared them. "I remember those times."
"Very funny," I said. "I'm the same age as you."
"Yes, but your love is young and fresh and exciting."
I couldn't argue with her about that. It was all those things and then some.
...
Our final full day there was primarily spent on the beach. I video-called Jack as he asked, and he went into the bedroom and closed the door.
"Okay, let me see you in that sexy bikini."
"Here, Rosie. Can you hold this?" I handed her my phone as we'd planned, then I ran out into the water as it rolled in across the sand.
"What?" I could hear Jack call out.
I was wearing a beige sweater over my suit and jogged back to the phone, laughing.
"Where's the bikini?"
"Here," I said as I lifted my sweater. "It's chilly out right now, so I put this on until it warmed up."
"Well, I feel jipped."
"I can show you at home."
"Oh, okay. I guess that would be better. Then I can take it off of you."
"Jack, you know we can hear you, right?" Rosie called out.
"Yes, sweetheart. I do know that. I also know Beth here has been an open book, so there are no secrets. Right?"
I had turned the phone, so that the girls could see him, and he winked and gave them a wave. And, of course, a huge smile that showed off his dimples.
"Alright, I'm going now," I told him. "I'll call you later."
"Love you, Baby."
"Love you, Baby," all five women sang out.
That caused Jack to laugh, and he shook his head and ended the call.
"That is one smokin' officer," Lisa exclaimed.
I didn't mind when they talked about Jack in that way. I knew he was amazingly sexy, and I also knew I was the one he came home to every day. So, it didn't bother me when other women noticed him.
...
On our last day, we packed our suitcases, carried our trash out, and loaded the van. We took our time leaving the Outer Banks, driving along the shorelines one last time. We had plenty of time before our flight, so we stopped for a bite to eat and one last souvenir shop before driving across the bridge that would take us back to the mainland.
The four-hour drive to the airport went quickly once again. We must have sung a hundred songs along the way, laughed a thousand tears, and shared a dozen stories each. It had been a fantastic trip, definitely one for the books and certainly one we would never forget.
My car was in long-term parking, and I ran Rosemary home before going to my own. As I pulled into the garage, Jack came out and opened my door as I put it in park. I wasn't even fully standing when his lips met mine. God, I had missed those lips. Those soft, sensual, pleasure-driving lips.
"Welcome home, Baby."
And that voice. I was already melting in his arms, and he knew it. He scooped me up and carried me into the house. Stopping in the front room, Jack lowered me onto the couch, then proceeded to slowly undress me. I just lay there, my gaze locked with his, as he prepared me for his magnificent loving. He pulled his shirt over his head, eased his pants over his hips, and lowered his body onto mine.
What a difference being away for a few days made. I honestly didn't think it would, but good Lord, it was mind-blowing. He made up for each day I was gone in that hour we spent on the couch. Yes, four times! And one more for the day I returned. I will have to make it up for him later since, you know, a man can't recover that quickly. But, thank the Lord, a woman can!
I was utterly spent by the time he was finished with me. I don't think my body could have handled it one more time. I won't lie; I was more than willing to try – you know, for science. But we lay together on the floor, his arms tightly around me, my leg laying across his, and he hummed to me as he did so often. God, I loved it when he did that. So, I closed my eyes, listened to the sweet melody, and fell asleep in his arms.