A Walk Along the Beach(82)

“Willa doesn’t want to see me…after I failed her. I was away during most of Harper’s illness. Willa is finding it hard to forgive me for that; frankly, I don’t blame her. Had I known…I’ve made a mess of this, Mr. Lakey; I need help.”

“It’s Stan,” he said.

“Like I said, I need your advice. Do you have any ideas on how I can win Willa back?” Life without her would be unimaginable. I was determined to make sure that didn’t happen.

“Like I said, I haven’t seen you around much.”

    “I’ve been here every day,” I argued. “She greets me like I’m a stranger.”

He took a deep swallow of his drink, as if he needed time to think. “Don’t suppose you know she walks along the beach every afternoon, usually around four. She seems to find solace there.”

“Thank you.” My heart throbbed with gratitude. I planned to take full advantage of running into her and had the perfect excuse. Bandit needed exercise. She couldn’t fault me if our paths just happened to cross.

Another thought came to mind of how I might be able to help. Willa would need to clear out Harper’s bedroom. I could only speculate how difficult that would be. “What’s happened to Harper’s things? Is there any way I could help with that?”

“It’s all been packed up. Willa couldn’t do it; she tried and found it too hard. Lucas and I took care of it.”

The thought of her dealing with all the memories and mementos caused my gut to clench.

“What’s she going to do about the apartment?” I suspected a two-bedroom place would be too expensive for her to maintain for long, especially since she was having financial difficulties. She’d had enough change in her life, losing her sister and best friend. Uprooting herself would only add to the upheaval.

“Willa and I are talking.” His eyes brightened for just a moment.

“Oh?” I hoped he would elaborate.

“There’s lots of temptation for me at the casino, if you know what I mean. I let my family down after I lost my wife, turning to the bottle instead of dealing with my grief.”

Alcoholic drinks flowed freely at the casino. Being around that wouldn’t be easy for him.

“I’ve been thinking long and hard on what I need to do. Years ago, I worked in the lumber business. Too old for anything that physical these days. A friend of mine mentioned the hardware store was looking for a sales associate. I used to be something of a handyman. Raising a family made it necessary to do a lot of projects around the house myself. I’m hoping they’ll be willing to hire me.”

    I could see the benefit of that for Stan. It would be good for Willa to have him close. She needed him and he needed her.

“If I’m fortunate enough to get the job in town, then I’ll move in with Willa.”

That would be even better.

He stood and pushed in his chair. “Nice talking to you, son. Don’t you give up on Willa. She’ll come around. Just give her some time.”

I sincerely hoped he was right.



* * *



—

That afternoon, I was at the beach at the time Stan suggested. The instant I opened the car door, Bandit bounded out, tugging at his leash. Scanning the area, I saw Willa. Her back was to me and a football field away. I released Bandit and watched him race toward her, his feet kicking up sand.

When she saw him, she got down on one knee, wrapped her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his fur. She was still on her knees when I approached, the wind billowing around us.

“Hey,” I said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world for us to meet.

She looked up, her eyes puffy and swollen, tears wet on her cheeks. It demanded all I had not to take her in my arms and comfort her.

She broke into sobs and buried her face in her hands. Her pain was so strong, her shoulders shook with the weight of her grief.

“Willa…”

“Go,” she sobbed.

“I can’t.”

    “Go away,” she said again, this time with more conviction.

Kneeling on the other side of Bandit, I reached out to her, placing my hand over hers, and experienced the same shot of warmth and rightness I felt each time we touched. She jerked her arm away.

“Please,” she begged. “Leave me alone.”

Her words cut me to the quick. I stood, loving her enough to give her what she needed, even though I wanted nothing more than to be the one to comfort her. “Bandit,” I ordered, “come.”

Although it was hard, I left Willa. Bandit raced back and forth between us as if seeking a way to bring us together. By the end of thirty minutes, he was exhausted and lay down on the sand, panting.

Just as I left the beach, it started to rain. Willa remained, walking in the drizzle as if unaware the heavens were weeping with her.



* * *



—

The following day, I returned at the same time. As soon as I undid his leash, Bandit took off, running to Willa. She greeted him again but didn’t look to see where I was. After a few minutes of giving Bandit love and attention, she continued walking. I didn’t approach her, although she had to know I was on the beach.

On the third and fourth day she didn’t show. I got the message. If I was going to invade this private time she took to grieve, then she planned to not come. My frustration mounted. This wasn’t working. If nothing else, I needed to let her know I’d stay away. She wanted that time alone, and I would give her that.