lady,” he said, eyes twinkling, ?since you are wearing that cap, I have no choice but to politely ask you to leave.?
Ivy laughed and thanked him for his help. It was noon by the time she arrived back at the inn. With just a few guests, the work for the day was done, and Kelsey and Dhanya were wearing their bikinis. Dhanya threw her towel on the swing and rubbed sunscreen on her legs. Beth, in shorts and a halter top, sat on the cottage steps.
?We?re going to Chatham,? Kelsey said, shaking her keys.
?Lighthouse Beach?? Ivy asked. ?Even better,? Kelsey replied, ?a private beach, I was personally invited, and I?m allowing Dhanya to freeload on my hard work at Sunday night?s party. You can come too, if you hurry.?
?Maybe another time. I have a hot date with my shopaholic mother.?
?Well, if Mom supplies the credit card, that?s not such a bad date,? Kelsey observed.
When she and Dhanya had departed, Beth turned to Ivy. ?You?re not going with Will??
?He?s kayaking with Philip.? ?That?s what I meant. I thought you were going Too.”
?No.? Ivy felt defensive about her choice. ?Mom?s leaving tomorrow. I want to spend some time with her.? Ivy sat on the yard swing and beckoned for her friend to do the same. ?Beth, there?s something I need to ask you. After the accident, when you looked at me, did you think I was dead?”
Beth?s eyes locked on to Ivy?s. For a moment she didn’t answer. ?Why are you asking that?? ?Did you?? Ivy persisted. ?Yes, but I was wrong,? Beth said.
?Obviously.? ?I remember telling you we had to get out of the car. You acted as if you couldn?t hear me, and when I tried to reach for you, my hand passed through yours.?
Beth didn?t take her eyes from Ivy?s. ?Then I felt myself floating upward. I remember looking down on you and me, and seeing my body crumpled against the car?s frame.?
?An out?of?body experience,? Beth said, her eyes wide with interest. ?People who flatline and are resuscitated sometimes report having them.?
Ivy leaned toward her friend. ?Did you see anyone resuscitate me?? Beth shut her eyes for a moment, then rubbed her forehead. ?I?I didn?t see anyone. I think I blacked out for a few minutes. I remember opening my eyes and seeing a flashing light, and someone leaning over me. I tried to tell them about you, but they told me to stay still. I was being put in an ambulance. I didn?t know where you were. They must have been resuscitating you then.?
?No …no.? Ivy laid her hand on her heart, remembering the moment she felt its wild beating. She couldn?t keep her voice from trembling. ?It was Tristan.?
?What?!? Beth exclaimed. ?I think Tristan saved me.? Beth frowned. ?You mean because you called to him, he sent the paramedics—?
?No, I mean
?Oh, Ivy,? Beth said, resting her hands on Ivy?s. ?He couldn?t have. He fulfilled his mission and left you after you were safe from Gregory. The night Suzanne and I spent with you, just before dawn, he said good?bye. You told me that/?
?I?m telling you now he was there for me.? Beth shook her head. ?If s how your mind has interpreted the experience. Or perhaps you were given a dream of Tristan to comfort you. ?It was him/? Ivy insisted. ?Ivy, don?t make it harder for yourself! Tristan is dead and gone.?
Ivy pulled her hands away. ?I?I think it?s just the anniversary that’ s affecting you like this,? Beth said, in a quieter voice. ?It will be easier once it has passed.
But right now, be careful what you say to Will. He told me that— well, just don?t hurt him, Ivy. This anniversary and the way it is making you think of Tristan is very hard on Will.? Unexpected anger flared up in Ivy. She didn?t need Beth to remind her about Will?s feelings. As if she didn?t already feel like a traitor!
Ivy turned away, feeling the way she did the weeks following Tristan?s death, when people were giving her advice about how to get over him, none of them understanding how painful it was to remember — and how painful it was not to.
?Ivy,? her mother called from the back steps of the inn. ?You ready? Beth, come with us — girls? day out! I?d love to buy you something pretty.”
?Thank you, no,? Beth called back. ?My headache?s back,? she said to Ivy without meeting her eyes, then gave a small shrug and retreated to the cottage.
?Ahoy!? It was Philip?s voice. ?Why, shiver me timbers!? Ivy replied. ?Where are you, Bluebeard?? ?Uh… ?
There was a discussion at the other end with some squawking seagulls in the background, then Will got on the phone and gave Ivy directions to the beach on Pleasant Bay where he and Philip were boating. ?Can you come?? ?Just have to change into my suit,? Ivy replied. Arriving at the beach with towels, a bag of cookies, and a thermos, Ivy spotted Will and Philip next to the long green kayak that Aunt Cindy had lent them. They were building a castle, both of them wearing red pirate bandanas on their heads and strings of bright Mardi Gras beads around their necks. Intent on their digging and piling of sand, neither of them saw her?—or the camp of girls who were admiring Will.
Tan, his muscles glistening with sweat as he worked, Will?s artist hands quickly shaped ramparts and towers. He looked up suddenly, his deep brown eyes shining with pleasure.
?Why, here?s a lass!? he said. ?Avast ye, Bluebeard.?
Bluebeard looked up. ?She?s a scallywag.? ?Be nice, you scurvy dog,? Ivy said to Philip, ?or I won?t share my chocolate chip booty.?
?Chocolate chips? Ahoy, me hearty!? Will responded. ?Let me spread that towel for you.? He took her bundles from her, and standing close, bent his head, resting his forehead against hers. ?If s good to see you,? he said softly. Ivy took off her sunglasses and looked into his eyes. ?Pirates don?t do mushy stuff,? Philip said.
?Shore leave,? Will replied, then kissed Ivy. They spread the towels next to the castle and shared the cookies. Opening a ziplock bag, Will took out a sketch pad and flipped through to a blank page. Pencil in hand, he worked quickly, easily, his eyes moving from paper to Ivy, paper to Ivy.
?I don?t really have to look,? he said, smiling. ?I?ve got you memorized.?
In five minutes he had a sketch of two pirates with a treasure chest between them, a short Bluebeard lifting up a jeweled goblet, a girl pirate lifting up a robe with a feathery hem and collar. Ivy laughed.
?Do you think Lacey and Ella could meet pirates on one of their angel adventures?? Philip asked.
?I?ll have to talk to the author, but I think we can arrange that.?
Will moved to a fresh page and started drawing more slowly a cluster of trees to their right, working the pattern of their branches against the deep sweep and curve of the bay. He hummed as he drew. His happiness, his joy in that moment, made Ivy ache.
?Philip, want to take a walk?? she asked. Her little brother jumped to his feet.
?Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!? he cried. ?Whoa! Where did you get that line?? ?Will.? Will looked up and smiled. ?Don?t get lost, matey.?
Philip looked left and right, then said to Ivy. ?That way!? She was glad that he pointed left, toward the spit of sand that pushed out into the bay, creating behind its trees a secluded cove. She walked silently, while Philip, still young enough to talk out his fantasies, strutted and gave orders to his pirate crew. He found rubies and doubloons at the edge of the water. From time to time, he raised his spyglass and saw danger on the horizon.
When they had rounded the point, they came upon a deposit of sea stones, shiny?wet and glittering in the late afternoon sun. They knelt down to pick through them. ?Philip,? Ivy said, trying to sound casual, ?you told someone in the hospital to pray to Tristan. Do you still pray to him??
?Of course.?
?And does he answer??
?You mean, do I hear him??
?Yes.?
