I cracked a smile atAurora. “Askher yourself.”
8
AURORA
ONE MINUTE POST-MORTEM
Weathered eyes that had softened with age blinked at me in what could only be described as pure shock.
"Well,I’llbe damned,” he said as the burgers on the grill started to smoke.
Jack caught the man’s attention and pointed to the flat-top.
Blinking out of the stupor, he shuffled over and gave the patties a flip.Hedropped the spatula and wiped his hands on a towel. “It’slike lookin’ in a magic mirror.”Awry smile cropped up behind silver stubble. “IfIdidn’t know better,I’dsayIwas looking right atJune.”
“You knew my aunt?”
“Sure did.Iused to see her sitting up on the widow’s watch of her house.Ifmy boat came close enough to shore, she’d stand up and wave.”
Something pricked in the back of my mind. “Youwere a fisherman?”
“Forty-five years.Iloved the sea and the sea loved me.WhenIretired and opened up this place, your aunt would come in from time to time.”
But he loved the sea, and promised that the sea would love me, too.
Was the letter we had found under the floorboard about him?
“Were you two close?”Iprodded. “I’venever heard anyone call herJune.”
He chuckled. “Wewere ships in the night.Nevermade anything of it.Junewasn’t one to be tied down.Butmy stars, she was a force of nature.”Extendinghis hand to shake mine, he said, “ErnieBell.It’sa pleasure to meet you, sweetheart.Anykin ofJune’sis welcome any time."
I almost introduced myself asWander, then decided against it. “AuroraWhitlock.”
“Is this fella giving you a hard time,MissAurora?”Ernieasked, cocking his head towardJackas he pulled the burgers off the grill and slid them down to one of the other cooks to be dressed.
“Something like that,”Ijoked, glancing atJackout of the corner of my eye. “Ican’t seem to get rid of him.”
He was freshly showered and had changed out of his sweat-soaked workout clothes.Hishair was still damp, tucked under a backward baseball cap.Itwas an irresistible look on him.Hewas boyish and manly all in one.Amischievous gentleman.
“I’ll let you in on a secret,”Erniesaid. “He’sa hot commodity ‘round these parts.Soif he’s got his eye on you?—”
Jack sputtered. “That’senough, old man.Twochicken cheesesteaks.Onions, peppers, and provolone on mine.”Heglanced at me. “Youlike mushrooms or nah?”
“No mushrooms,”Isaid. “Butyou promised me hot potato chips.”
Ernie slid a steaming fry basket lined with checkered paper betweenJackand me.Curlypotato chips were piled high.Hegrabbed two plastic cups of dip and slid one in front of each of us.
“Sandwiches will be up in a minute, lovebirds,”Erniesaid. “Sittight.”
The minute his back was turned,Ispun in my chair. “OhmyGod.”
Jack lifted his eyebrows as he munched on a chip.
“The floor letter!”Ihissed. “Shewas waiting on the beach for her fisherman.”Ipointed toErnieas he diced up shaved chicken, peppers, and onions on the grill. “Hewas her fisherman!”
Jack grabbed another chip. “Okay.Justone question.Havewe figured out time travel yet?Becausethat’s the only way that would be possible.”
"Killjoy,"Igrumbled asIgrabbed a chip and dragged it through the ranch.Thefirst bite was heaven.Salty, greasy, crunchy, tangy, and creamy.
