Map of dreams, p.11
Map of Dreams, page 11
She followed Holland to the car and watched as the driver loaded her luggage before climbing into the backseat behind her sister.
"You two all set in there?" the driver asked, hunching down to see them.
"Yes."
Carolina inhaled. "Yes."
The driver shut the door, and in seconds, they backed out and were on their way to the airport.
"Looks like there's been an accident up ahead. I'll have to go another way."
"That's fine. We have a time buffer," Holland said, looking down at her phone.
Carolina stared out the window at the passing scenery, and with every block, the vise on her chest tightened. She pulled off her hat and used it to fan her hot face, then tossed it aside and grabbed her phone to check her list one more time. Passport, cash, debit card, ID, address for the house—
A chime sounded and an alert box appeared. Lucy's presentation. It was time for it to begin. "Go faster."
"Pardon?" the driver asked.
"Caro? You okay?"
"No. Go faster. T-take a right. Go around the lake. To the school. Go!"
"Yes, ma'am."
The driver gunned the engine and the car shot forward. He slowed at the stop signs but didn't stop, and she forced herself not to yell at the man because he wasn't doing sixty in a twenty-five. Go, go, go!
She couldn't look at Holland. Didn't know what she was doing, planning to do once she got there. She just knew she had to—
"It's blocked. They're doing construction. I can only turn left."
Carolina sucked in a sharp breath and opened the door.
"Miss!"
"Caro, the car's moving—"
The driver slammed on the brakes.
She jumped out of the car and ran, toward the school a block away. She had one more street to cross. The school was up ahead, kids, parents, and staff mingling at the door. She wasn't too—
Brakes squealed, the sound jerking her out of the panicked haze.
"Lady, I almost hit— Carolina?"
Carolina gulped when she felt the heat of the large truck because it was so close. She'd been so focused on getting to the school she'd run right out into the road without looking.
"Carolina?"
Silas's angry voice jarred her, but his hands settling on her arms and shoulders brought her the rest of the way to awareness.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
She stared up at him, teary-eyed and laughing and shaking her head at her crazy self. "I love you."
He blinked.
"What?"
"I love you," she said again. "I-I should've told you sooner but I didn't and then you got so angry and left. But… I love you. You and Lucy."
Silas looked as though he wanted to strangle her and smile at the same time, and she hated that she was the reason he was so torn.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting on a plane? What about Thailand?"
Yeah, what about Thailand? Was she really going to give it up? She swallowed hard, fear and hope and sheer determination filling her eyes with tears at the thought of him rejecting her and walking away again. "Holland said she's never moved away because her heart is here and I realized… mine is, too. You and Lucy and my family. I want to travel but I can't just up and leave. You. Them. My jobs. I-if I can get the company to give me another assignment later in the year, would you go with me? Not now. But when you and Lucy are able. H-holidays or winter months— Whenever we could go together. Would you consider it?"
Silas's hands tightened on her arms, and he tugged her closer, up onto her tiptoes, all the while lowering his head slowly until their breaths mingled and she could see the wariness and the hope in his eyes.
"The things you'll do to get my attention," he murmured, his eyes narrowed. "Stealing my parking space, jumping out in front of my truck—"
"Falling in love with you," she added, breathless.
"That, too."
He brushed his lips over hers, and the moment her lips parted, he lifted her off her feet and deepened the kiss. Cars honked and she vaguely heard catcalls and whistles from the adults at the school, but she didn't care. She held on to her heart and kissed him with all of the love bursting inside of her. Compromise was a thing. And sometimes it was everything.
"I love you, sweetheart."
Carolina hugged Silas tight and focused on the moment. The scent of him, the sight of him. The love she felt in his strength. Her new map of dreams would have a new pin, a special pin.
One that marked home with all of the love that held her here.
THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES CONTINUES WITH WORTH THE RISK. KEEP READING FOR A SHORT EXCERPT:
* * *
"Frankie?"
She shook her dark head, an incredulous huff leaving her chest as she shoved a box toward him. He dropped his wallet in his effort to secure the box and stared, pulse racing in his veins as she turned without a word and headed toward the stairs. "Frankie, wait. Frankie!"
He tossed the box onto the closest outdoor chair and chased after her, grasping her arm gently to stop her.
A dog began barking and jumped out of an old Jeep, racing toward them.
"You wanna keep that hand, you'd better let go."
He released her immediately and stepped back from the growling dog at her side. "Just… wait a second, okay? Who's your friend?"
"Tank. And why should I wait? The wifey-poo not home to see you flirting with me, so you feel safe?"
He bit back a curse and fought to control his temper. She wouldn't listen a year and a half ago either, but this time… "No, she's—"
"You're unbelievable."
The dog's growls got louder, but it didn't move from its spot at her side, even when she lowered her hand to its head.
"She's dead, Frankie." Maybe it was a cheap shot by way of insensitivity, but he had to say something to slow her down before she disappeared like she had last time.
He held her gaze, flummoxed like he always was every time he came into contact with her. She was thinner than he remembered but just as beautiful as ever. Her dark brown hair was pulled back from her face in a pony, and unlike earlier today when he'd seen her—if it had been her—she now wore standard-issue olive green shorts and a camo T-shirt.
"Should I give my condolences or congratulate you? I'm a little confused."
And angry. He tilted his head toward the door. "Want to come in?"
"No."
"Will you come in?" he asked next. "I'd like to talk to you and I'd rather not have this discussion in front of my neighbors."
"What are you doing here, Grayson?"
A smile pulled at the corners of his lips despite the seriousness of her expression. He shook his head and glanced at the box she'd brought with her. Wait, was that his— "I could ask you the same thing. Where did you get that?"
"Apparently a kid brought it to my garage today to sell. Said his dad was a sick vet with cancer and needed the money."
Christopher. Grayson fisted his hands and his anger must have radiated off of him, because Tank released another warning growl.
"Your dog has issues."
"He's a retired WMD and he doesn't like it when people yell at me."
"I didn't yell at you."
"I guess he just doesn’t like you then."
"What did the kid look like?" It was a stupid question since he was pretty sure those types of parts weren't just lying around in garages at the beach, but asking the question bought him some time.
"I didn't see him. One of my mechanics made the deal. Got it for less than half price, so I figured something was fishy. He'd overlooked a packing slip inside. So is it true?"
He blinked at her, not following.
"Do you have cancer?"
Would she care if he did? "No. What I have is apparently a kid who can't seem to stay out of trouble."
Frankie's expression didn't reveal much, but he knew her well enough to know she was as blown away by their reunion as he was. "It's a little weird how we keep winding up together, isn't it?"
A low huff left her ample chest.
"We're not together. And you didn't answer my question. What are you doing here?"
"I'm out. I’m a full-time dad working at a local doctor's office and clinic as their PA."
He watched her close her eyes and fist her hands. Apparently she'd hoped he was just visiting? "Frankie—"
"You knew I lived here. I was honest and told you about my life. About my home, my family. Where I lived. You didn't think we'd run into each other? That it'd be a problem for you to be here?"
He ignored the shot at his character, because it was deserved, and took a step closer. "Wilmington isn't some Podunk town, Frankie. Toss in the population of the beaches… Okay, yeah, I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind that I might see you at some point, but we also could've lived here all of our lives and never run into each other."
"How long have you been here?"
He inhaled. "Since April." And it had taken everything inside of him not to track her down any way he possibly could. Through buddies still in the military, through the internet. But given their history, starting a new job, and his rocky relationship with Christopher, Gray knew he'd needed time to settle in. Get his life on an even keel before anything else.
An exasperated huff left her again.
"Frankie… come inside. Please. Let's talk. Let me finally explain."
She squared her shoulders, lifted her chin, one-hundred-percent pissed female ready to do battle. Her expression changed and he kicked himself for the millionth time for not being honest with her from the beginning.
"There's nothing you can say to explain away the lies," she said before purposefully moving down the stairs like insurgents were hot on her heels.
He took a step, going to follow her, but Tank went up on all fours and growled again. "You and I are gonna have to come to terms," he said to the dog.
"Not happening," Frankie called over her shoulder as she reached the bottom step. "But I am glad you don't have cancer."
He watched her go, taking in every sway of her hips and every bounce of her pony. The long, tanned length of her legs and the proud tilt of her head. She got into an old Jeep that gave off an impressive roar when she twisted the key.
Now that his master was safe, Tank took off down the stairs and leaped into the Jeep beside her, sitting tall and proud on the passenger seat.
Grayson couldn't help the small smile that pulled at his lips at the image they made, all rough and tough and protective of one another. But he knew both had a softer side. He'd seen Frankie's and wanted to see it again.
She might hate him, but she was glad he didn't have cancer.
It was a start and he'd take it. And now that she'd made contact and he knew how to find her… he had some making up to do.
THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
THE LAST GOODBYE
LATTES AND LULLABYES
MAP OF DREAMS
WORTH THE RISK
LOST LOVE FOUND
TAMING THE TULANES SERIES:
SMALL TOWN SCANDAL
THEIR SECRET BARGAIN
CROSSING THE LINE
THE NANNY’S SECRET
SOMEONE TO TRUST
THE STONE RIVER SERIES:
WORTH THE WAIT
NOT BY SIGHT
THROUGH THE VALLEY
LEAD ME NOT
CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY WOOD
THEIR CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
SECOND CHANCES
MONTANA SECRETS SERIES
HEALING HER COWBOY
IT HAD TO BE YOU
HERS TO KEEP
MILLION DOLLAR STANDOFF
HIS CHRISTMAS WISH
THEIR SECRET SON
SMALL TOWN SCANDALS SERIES
BRODY’S REDEMPTION
FALLING FOR HER BOSS
WITH THIS MAN
SECRET SANTA SERIES:
SECRET SANTA
SECRET SANTA II: A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
For more information about Kay Lyons, please visit her website at www.kaylyonsauthor.com. You can also find her at the following:
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About the Author
Kay Lyons always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when she copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because she didn’t like the plot. Through the years her stories have changed but one characteristic stayed true— they were all romances.
Published in 2005 with Harlequin Enterprises, Kay’s first release was a national bestseller. Kay has also been a HOLT Medallion, Book Buyers Best and RITA Award nominee. Look for her most recent novels with Kindred Spirits Publishing.
For more information regarding her work, please visit Kay at the following:
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FAQ
FAQ ABOUT THE SEASIDE SISTERS SERIES:
* * *
Is Carolina Cove a real place?
Carolina Cove is purely fictional; however, it is loosely based on one of my favorite places—Kure Beach, North Carolina. Kure Beach is home to a wonderful pier, a pavilion for special events, swings facing the Atlantic, pelicans Pete and George, coffee shops, restaurants, and more. It’s also close to the North Carolina Aquarium, Carolina Beach, and Wilmington.
* * *
What about the other places mentioned in the series?
Carolina Cove is fictionally located near Carolina Beach, just like Kure Beach. Also featured in the stories are: Wilmington, Bald Head Island, Southport, Wrightsville Beach, and areas in and around Wilmington, North Carolina.
* * *
Can I stay at the Carolina Cove Inn?
While Carolina Cove and the Carolina Cove Inn are purely fictional, there are plenty of motels and rentals in the area to enjoy.
* * *
But the pier is real?
Yes! And it has quite a history. Be sure to check out the Kure Beach Pier Cam for a view of Kure Beach and the Atlantic. And story note: much of the series was written while sitting in my car parked near the pavilion facing the pier. What can I say? There’s just something about the beach, right?
* * *
What about the restaurants and coffee shops and places you’ve mentioned in the series?
London’s Lattes is based on two of my favorite local coffee shops in Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. Are there more? Yes, plenty. But those two shops I know well because I’ve visited fairly often while writing these stories. Neither of them on their own was perfect for what I had in mind for London’s, however, so I basically combined the two and ta-da! London’s Lattes was born. But, no, if you go into either of them, you won’t find London’s exact business. Isn’t fiction wonderful?
* * *
Where is Frankie’s/Ace’s Garage located?
Once again, fiction. :) There is no garage by the ballfields in Kure Beach.
* * *
Why make up a city? Why not use Kure Beach?
One of the best things about writing fiction is that when a story appears a certain way, you can write it just that way. Carolina Cove and the Cohen family appeared to me in story form and while Kure Beach IS one of my favorite places, I had to change some things to better fit my series as well as steer far away from any real-life persons/families for obvious reasons. Doing so, that meant also changing the name of the city, etc. But, that said, you will find a slew of similarities in the fictional city and the real one. :)
* * *
Doesn’t the pier house at Kure Beach close over the winter?
Yes, it does. But in Carolina Cove the pier house needed to stay open a weeeee bit longer so I adjusted the fictional closing date to accommodate the story. It’s the magic of writing!
* * *
Where is the dream catcher mailbox?
Unfortunately the dream catcher mailbox is pure fiction and an idea taken from a “beach mailbox” I visited once many years ago.
* * *
Did you go to Bald Head Island?
Yes! Bald Head Island is a beautiful place to explore and I can’t wait to go again. Hint: it might be the setting used for Holland’s story. Time will tell!
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Kay Stockham, Map of Dreams
