Callan let Alan go first, content to look over the wares before making a decision.
“What do you think of these?” The police officer held up a pair of gold and garnet earrings.
“Yer wife will be most pleased.”
Alan nodded and had the man wrap the gift. When he finished paying, he turned to Callan.
“I’m going to pick up my lunch order. We’ll meet you at the car when you’re ready. It’s quiet today, so take your time.”
“I willna be long.” He nodded to the shopkeeper, then laid the bracelet with the charms he had procured thus far on the counter.
“I am in need of a charm to add to my lady’s bracelet. To remind her of our road trip.”
The man picked up the bracelet, looking at each charm. “Very thoughtful. You have some lovely selections.”
He bent down, bringing out a flat black tray laden with gold, silver, and enamel charms. There were miniature lighthouses, seashells, animals, and flowers. But ’twas the sand dollar, the man called it, that caught his eye.
The star reminded him of the stars in the night sky and all the nights they had spent together getting to know each other, falling in love though he had not yet said the words. Until he knew if he could go back or stay in this time, he did not want to make promises to Daisy that he could not keep.
“That one,” he said, pointing to the sand dollar. “’Tis verra pretty.”
The merchant nodded. “A fine choice. The sand dollar is a symbol of good fortune, and it’s often found on our beautiful beaches here in North Carolina.”
Callan turned the gold charm over in his hand, appreciating the craftsmanship. “We will look for these sand dollars while we are here.”
“If they are a brownish color and covered with what feels like spiky fur, that means the animal is alive, so don’t take them from the beach.”
“Fur?” Callan blinked.
“Yes. That’s how the sand dollars move across the sea beds where they live. If they are white, they are dead and you can take one to remember our lovely beaches.” The man paused, thinking. “Look for them at low tide, especially after a storm. They are fragile. Make sure you rinse them in water and then soak them in a bleach water solution for around fifteen minutes.”
The man attached the charm to the bracelet while he talked. Daisy was going to be so surprised when he gave her the gift.
Outside, the two police officers who had given him a ride were parked by the curb, eating hamburgers. Officer Jenkins, a burly man with a thick mustache, lifted a bag.
“We grabbed you lunch.”
“I thank ye.” The fries were still warm as he shoved a handful in his mouth.
When they were finished, the men gave him a ride back across the bridge.
As they pulled up to the campground’s laundry facilities, Callan thanked the officers again. “Thank ye for driving me.”
“No problem,” Alan replied. “Enjoy your vacation.”
Callan waved as they drove off, then turned to the laundry facilities to gather up the clothes. A young lass had offered to finish washing, drying, and folding all the clothing for ten dollars. He agreed ’twas a fair price if she swore not to tell Daisy that he had gone to pick up her present. Delighted to be in on a secret, the girl nodded.
As he walked back to the camper van, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of Daisy, a commotion by the road in front of the campground caught his attention. A car sped off, leaving behind a small dog, trembling and disoriented in the middle of the road. Callan’s heart clenched at the sight. Without a second thought, he dashed into the street, waving his arms to stop the oncoming traffic.
He scooped up the frightened animal before one of the metal beasts ran over the dog. Just then, a man on a motorcycle pulled up beside him, shouting over the engine’s roar, “I got the license plate. I’m going to turn them in, the jerks.”
Callan nodded his thanks, grateful for the stranger’s help. Looking down at the wee dog in his arms, he knew he couldn’t just leave it there.
“Dinna fash, lad,” he reassured the pup, heading towards the camper. But before he’d taken a few steps, the dog let out a yelp, holding up its front paw.
A lady walking by stopped, so angry she was shaking. “I saw that man toss him out of the window of his car like the poor thing was garbage.” She patted the dog on the head.
“He looks hurt. There’s a vet across the bridge. We had to take our dog last summer when he ate a package of yarn. Do you want me to take him?”
