In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

was never far from Dick McGowin. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake, agreeing that she and Dick take some time to iron out a few kinks in each’s personal life. She felt closer to the darn guy than anyone she’d ever met. She’d spent the night on the sofa with him, both fully clothed, until he left at four a.m. Neither had slept until she cried herself to sleep an hour before her alarm went off. She’d fallen for him way too quickly. She wondered what Aunt Clara would say. Her advice had always been solid. She missed her aunt and tended to think about she and her birth mother, at times like this.

The popular ocean-front hangout was packed with all types, from fishermen, visiting boaters from the harbor, to a few casually dressed professionals. Nothing takes the edge off like happy-hour.

She walked through the crowd, waiting to be seated. The island was flooded with tourists this time of year. She looked over the large horseshoe bar, then her eyes settled on the new host approaching from the dining area.

“Hi, Sam,” he said, “it’s a mad house tonight. Are you meeting someone?”

“No, but I have friends standing at the far end of the bar. I would like to join them. Your name’s Grant, right?”

He nodded. “Go ahead, if a table opens up, I’ll seat you with your friends. They’ve requested seating on the waterside deck. It’s nice outside this evening.”

She greeted her friends and stood with her oldest friend, Kathy, until their table on deck opened up. She realized happy hour was halfway over and she was barely into her second glass of cab. Some of the early arrivals from boats in the harbor were already staggering to their feet after their attitude adjustment. Her single friends all settled back and ordered another round for her. None were eager to leave. The wine kicked in and she started paying attention to the endless chatter coming from the group. Her girlfriends were all island-bred singles, some with male friends and some without, all with some kind of relationship problem. She’d missed out on the half-priced food, ordered a burger and finally relaxed.

Kathy, an assistant in the City Assessor’s Office, rambled on about her surfer boyfriend of three months. She never liked Steven and always tried to talk Sam into dating some of the men she met. Kathy attracted men easily. None ever lasted more than a few months. She suspected Kathy was about to pin the tail on her latest donkey. Their friend, Brenda, had just fallen for a local attorney. Sam watched them from the other end of the table. They appeared to be a good match, things were going well. She was happy for Brenda.

Sam grabbed her purse, tapped Kathy on the shoulder, and leaned down. “I’ve got to pee, let’s go.” Should I tell her about Dick? No. Why push the envelope? It may not work out. She mumbled, “Be right back.” Sam led Kathy down a narrow hallway to the ladies’ room.

Kathy said, “I told you he was good looking.”

“I know, you made sure I saw his picture. Damn it, Kat, I’m in a relationship, you know that.” She really had to pee, now. She elbowed Kat aside and went into the stall. “There’s something you don’t know. I’ve met someone who’s giving me second thoughts about my relationship with Steven. I really don’t want to talk about him until I’m sure where it’s going.”

“Well, thank God. At least you’re realizing there are more men out there than just that stuffy egomaniac. If you married that guy, the marriage wouldn’t last as long as my relationship with Greg. Doctor Peyton’s not the only successful man on the island. You have way more to offer.”

They returned to their table on deck. Samantha was shocked to see Dick McGowin standing near their table, talking with Grant, the restaurant host.

She grabbed Kathy’s arm. “Speak of the devil and he will appear. That’s my new friend talking with the host.”

“No, it can’t be. That’s the navy pilot rescued from the ocean. I saw his picture in the paper. He was all over the news a while back.” She spun Samantha around. “He’s the best-looking man I’ve ever seen. How did you meet him so soon?”

Dick was dressed in a tan knit t-shirt, athletic shorts, and running shoes. He towered over everyone else. He could have been modeling men’s clothing. All their friends sat with their mouths open, waiting for his story.

Dick spun around for a quick glance at Samantha. She walked in his direction, and smiled. She knew then, he’d returned to give her support. Was he really that thoughtful and considerate?

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I couldn’t leave town with you facing the problem alone, not knowing the outcome. I turned around and drove back to make sure you were OK. Is everything all right?”

Chapter 13

She reached up and kissed him lightly on the corner of his mouth. “This is my friend, Lieutenant Commander Dick McGowin. Some of you will recognize him as the navy pilot who ditched his jet in the ocean nearby and paddled his boat onto our island.” Sam stepped back and looked Dick up and down. “If looks mean anything, he may be a danger to all of us single women, so, don’t be too friendly until I’ve checked him out more thoroughly.”

Dick thought, I’m going to have fun with this. He instantly, became the centerpiece of conversation. Before he could finish his second beer, Samantha explained their need for privacy and excused them from her lively group of friends. He had a quick glance around the table and thanked them for the beer.

Once outside, he wrapped her in his arms and kissed her on the lips. “I’m sorry if this tiny bit of affection causes you more trouble, I couldn’t