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

“I picked up the island shuttle boat in Long Beach. We’re pulling into Avalon. Meet me at the pier in about fifteen minutes, if you can. I’ll wait for you there.”

Dick spotted the familiar figure strolling along the waterfront, only moments later. He couldn’t believe his luck. Sam was halfway down the pier, running to greet him, long tan legs grabbing his attention. She was even more attractive than he remembered. She pointed to a table near the railing.

He waited until she walked up and kissed him lightly on his cheek. “Thanks for inviting me into your private life, Samantha. I’ll be on my best behavior, promise.”

She picked up his hand and led him to a stool at the pier bar. “We’ve a lot of ground to cover, big guy. Might as well make it fun. Let’s have a beer and go back to my place. I’m a very private person.”

Dick dropped his carry-on bag and looked over the comfortably decorated casual room, facing the beach, as if he’d never been there before. “Did I tell you how much I enjoyed seeing this wonderful view on my way through? My butt’s sore from sitting in a cramped space, talking with the skipper on the crossing from Long Beach. Do you mind if we walk down to the beach and back?”

She looked down at his shoes. “Would you care to change into something more comfortable? The shine on those shoes will get ruined by the rocky walkway down and all that beach sand. I’ll grab a couple of beers.”

He saw Sam kick off her sandals and step into the sand. He did the same, leaving his running shoes next to hers on a stone paver. She dropped the blanket near a boulder and grabbed his hand. “Watch out for jellyfish, this is the season for the annoying little buggers. I was glad when you texted your intention to visit, Dick. I won’t be coy with you. For some unknown reason, it’s important to be open and above board from the beginning. There are things about me that you may not be able to accept. I’d like to get that out of the way first and see where we go from there.”

He stopped, pulled her around to face him. “We’re not in a fairy land where everyone and everything is perfect, Sam. Even the best possible relationships between men and women have to overcome obstacles along the way. Unless you’re about to tell me that you have some dreaded disease, I’m sure it won’t matter.”

She pulled away and started walking. “It’s not anything like that. You’re exposing yourself to someone with an abnormal childhood and different upbringing from that of, so-called, normal people. She stopped and let him grasp her shoulders and pull her in close. “Should I continue, or would you rather look at this as a brief overnight thrill and be on your way again early tomorrow?”

“I must say, you’re making me nervous, Sam. You don’t have to continue if it hurts to talk about your childhood, or whatever’s bothering you. Have you discussed this with Steven, Doctor Peyton?”

“God no. I’ve never felt there was good enough reason to air my secrets with anyone, much less Steven. I’ve just received some puzzling news and it has me nervous. Forgive me for my outburst.”

He tilted her chin up for eye contact. “I’m capable of handling most anything that doesn’t kill me instantly. Why don’t you unburden yourself and let’s see if I drop dead? I’m flattered that you’re willing to share this personal burden with me, rather than Steven.”

Samantha looked at him and smiled. “It was not my intention to become emotional with you. Hold me for a moment while I compose myself.” She wiped her cheek with the heel of her hand. She glanced back toward her cottage. “Something new has developed since we first met and I’m a little frightened right now. The sheriff just told me the man who murdered my mother was released from prison. You’ll understand more in a few moments. I need to go back to my childhood briefly.” She was obviously having trouble.

“Just breathe slow and easy for a while,” he said. “Let’s go back to the blanket and relax.”

She sat down and pulled her legs up, crossing her ankles. “I might as well get this over with. I’ve never really shared my life story with anyone. My mother was a well- known anchor person on the evening news in San Francisco. She was shot to death by an intruder after my step-father left her. I was only four years old, in bed with Mom at the time.”

“Good Lord! Were you harmed?”

She hesitated. “I don’t know. Everything’s blank in my memory for the next few years, and nothing before she died. My earliest memory, now, is living with Aunt Clara in Santa Monica. I can’t even remember my mother.”

“What about your real father? Wasn’t he considered in the matter?”

“I never met him. He and my mother were living together when she became pregnant. He and another man were killed in a horrible accident on an overpass bridge before I was born. Aunt Clara told me Mom died believing he left to avoid responsibility for the child coming.”

She sat there and thought for a while. “My mom panicked and married another man who had been pursuing her. He became my step-father, yet I have very little memory of the man. None of it endearing. She was divorced from him when she died. According to Aunt Clara, my step-father had no interest in children. He felt the child would be better off with her and agreed to that in court. She was a wonderful mother to me.” She stood up and looked down at Dick. She could see he was deep in thought. “Now do you see why I