Wherever Girl

Chapter 1

Spring took its time coming that year. When it finally did arrive, summer was already hot on its heels. Good thing too, because the preceding winter had just about sapped Sara Darling of all that was left of her heart and soul. In fact, the past three years of her young life had been nothing short of a nightmare, having witnessed both her beloved parents deteriorate before her eyes.

First, her father passed away after a brief yet devastating battle with cancer. Shortly thereafter, her mother’s health took a turn for the worst. The doctors couldn’t really pinpoint what had happened to her mother except to call it stress related. Sara believed it was heartache that ultimately stopped her mother’s heart.

Her parents had one of those rare relationships that lasted decades and would have lasted much longer had death not been the thief that it was.

Left behind to look after their estate, Sara, their only child, barely made it through the fog of emotions. To this day, she hadn’t given herself the proper time to mourn her loss.

Unwilling to stay in her parents’ home alone, surrounded by memories, Sara resolved to sell up and get out. When the sale finally went through, the realization of not having to stay in Chicago finally hit her. It’s not like she had a job to answer to. She’d handed in her resignation a while back in order to look after her mother in her weakened state of health, during the last six months of her life.

Not having any particular final destination in mind, Sara figured she’d escape to a warmer climate, somewhere far away from all the sadness, somewhere temporary until she could make a better decision as to what to do with her life. So what she couldn’t sell, she had put into storage, and picked the first place that sounded promising.

The next thing she knew, Sara was on a plane headed for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She’d read about the place in a surfing magazine while sitting in her real estate agent’s office. It seemed perfect at the time. The article read of pristine beaches, ocean waves, peace, and quiet. Just what she needed most.

She went home that very night and did a quick search on the internet. She singled out a few places to stay, rental homes mostly, but they were all too big for just her. The thought of renting out an entire house for herself seemed silly. She found a few bed & breakfasts and narrowed it down to three. The first two were all booked up. The third, a smaller more rustic looking beach house in the town of Avon, was the only one that had a room available for the week she’d requested.

What she hadn’t banked on was the inconvenient shuttle bus she’d have to take from the nearest airport to get there. It wasn’t so bad really, but for the fact that it only took her as far as Kitty Hawk. From the designated hotel stop there, she’d have to make her own way down to Avon. By the time she arrived at the hotel she was exhausted and ready for a nap.

Reaching into her purse, she found her cell phone and called the number of the bed & breakfast where she’d be staying to let them know that she’d be a while longer. She would have to get a taxi the rest of the way. The hotel clerk told her there would probably be at least a half hour wait for the next available ride. It was the start of the high season and from the looks of the crowded hotel lobby, he wasn’t kidding.

There had only been a half a dozen emails back and forth from her host. Mostly involving standard details like length of stay, type of payment, specific meal requirements but no direct communication between Sara and Skylar Dawn.

The phone rang a few times and she figured she’d just leave a message. After the fourth ring, a male voice answered, catching her off guard. You’ve reached Skylar Dawn’s B&B, Skylar speaking. May I help you?

Wait a minute… Was Skylar Dawn a man? Right up until that moment, Sara had been under the distinct impression that Skylar was a woman’s name!

Momentarily taken aback, her mind swirled before she returned to her senses. Never mind. Why should it matter if Skylar is a man? As long as the place was comfortable and quiet, that’s all that really concerned her.

Hello… um, this is Sara Darling. I have a reservation at your B&B this week? She paused. I’m up in Kitty Hawk waiting for a taxi. I should be there in a couple of hours, she said, checking her watch.

Sara Darling, I’ve been expecting you, Skylar said with a smile. Truth was, Sara would be his very first houseguest. He’d just turned his beach house into a B&B that spring, hoping to bring in a little extra money. He hadn’t had much luck getting bookings thus far, though. Not many people seemed interested in staying in his humble little seafront B&B, especially with all the sprawling luxury rental homes, and fancy Inns around.

Oh good, so you haven’t forgotten me, she said, relieved. For some unknown reason, even with all the confirmations, she had feared that she’d get there, only to have her reservations mixed up.

Now how could I forget you? He chuckled. How could he indeed? He had only spent the last week painting and getting the place ready in a hurry. In fact, he’d only just yesterday gotten the guest bedroom set up properly. At least, he hoped he’d done a good enough job. He was just a dude, after all, with very little experience in the decorating department. He’d taken the easy way out, using white paint and hanging a few pictures of lighthouses, and seashells around the place.

Yes, so, I’m just waiting for the next available taxi, she explained.

Hey now, why don’t I just come get you? Skylar offered.

Oh? she said, surprised. But... I don’t mean to inconvenience you.

It’s no problem, he insisted. I need to pick up a few supplies anyway, he said, checking the cupboards. A few things indeed, like pancake mix, syrup, eggs… yikes, he really was unprepared, he realized.

Um, sure okay. She shrugged. I’m at the Mermaid Hotel.

Perfect, I’ll see you in twenty minutes, he confirmed.

Great, I’ll wait outside, she said, hanging up.

Sara then quickly canceled her taxi and asked if she could leave her luggage behind the front desk while she freshened up in the ladies room. The clerk was more than willing to help, even though he was overwhelmed with irate patrons waiting on their rooms. She nodded in appreciation and said a silent prayer of thanks that she hadn’t booked in at the busy hotel. Peace and quiet were nowhere to be found in this place, she thought with a sigh. The last thing she needed was to be around all these vacationing families.

Sara splashed some water on her face and did her best to look alive. Had it really been that long since she’d cut her hair? Having worn it in a ponytail for convenience sake these last couple of years, she hadn’t really noticed it had grown down to her waist. Whatever, she thought with a shrug. Looking after her parents had been way more important than looking after herself. She’d worry about her hair later. That and everything else, she thought, suddenly self-conscious of her overall appearance. She looked tired and worn out, pale and drawn. Not exactly the way she would have envisioned herself to look at twenty-six years of age.

Retrieving her luggage, Sara made her way outside and found a shady bench. He should be there soon, she thought, checking her watch. While she waited, she figured she’d go over the details of the B&B again. She wondered who else would be there with her. It didn’t really say how many rooms were available. From the looks of the place, there couldn’t be many. The one thing that she really liked was the fact that the words peace and quiet were used over and over in the description. That and the fact that transportation to and from various attractions would be provided if required. Not that she’d be interested in a lot of sightseeing but she would probably need a ride now and then to a restaurant. The thought of eating alone in a restaurant wasn’t high on her list, but what else could she do? She was now in every aspect of the word, alone.

It was so hot and steamy. Sara wiped the perspiration from her brow. It had been rather cool in Chicago when she left that morning. She had worn jeans, a three-quarter length t-shirt, and running shoes. Even in the shade of the hotel awning, she felt like she would soon melt. The constant wind wasn’t helping much either since it too, was on the warm side.

She didn’t know what to think of the Outer Banks so far. On the ride into Kitty Hawk, she’d been a little disappointed to see all the kitschy souvenir shops and restaurant chains. She hadn’t even seen evidence of the ocean yet, having come in from the highway. So far it wasn’t quite the paradise that she’d imagined from all the positive write ups on the internet site. Hopefully, Avon would prove to be a lot better.

Sara closed her eyes a moment, trying to shut out the traffic noise from the busy road in front of the hotel. Hopefully, her ride would be there soon. She was weary, hungry and in desperate need of a shower.

***

"Sara Darling… Oh my Darling," Skylar sang to himself as he drove into the Mermaid Hotel parking lot. He had no idea who he’d find waiting for him. All he knew of Sara Darling was that she was from Chicago and that she had paid in full, right up front. Hopefully, she wouldn’t be too disappointed with her accommodations. Sara Darling, could that be you? he sang, spotting the little waif sitting on the bench. Oh, let it be you…

Sara? he called out from his jeep.

Huh? Oh… she startled. Skylar Dawn? she said questioningly. He was not exactly who she was expecting, she thought, watching as he smiled and hopped out of his open-air jeep. Although, he did look a lot like the guys in the pictures in the Outer Banks magazine, the surfers anyway, with his shoulder length, sun-kissed blonde hair and sky blue eyes. He wore dark cargo style shorts and a white t-shirt with the words, Outer Banks Boy, across his chest.

"That’s ruheet, Skylar Dawn, at your service," he said with a wink and a smile. How’d I get so lucky? He couldn’t help but give her the once over. His first guest, so cute and so apparently nervous. He couldn’t help but notice her big brown eyes and sweet smile, her long chestnut hair. He wondered what it would look like if she were to set it free, down over her shoulders.

Hi, I’m Sara Darling, she said, standing up and holding out her hand. From Chicago?

Of course, you are, he said with a welcoming smile as he politely shook her hand. Are these yours? He gestured toward her luggage.

Um, yes… I like your accent, she said nervously.

My accent? he asked, reaching for her things. "You mean my Banker Speech, my Hoi Toider Brogue?"

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything…

It’s all right, we get that all the time from you inlanders, he said with an easy smile. Speaking of accents, that Chicago twang of yours is quite interesting.

Right, I guess I too have an accent, she said, taking a deep breath, watching him place her luggage in the jeep. She couldn’t help but stare as he flexed his well-defined biceps.

All right then, Miss Darling, shall we? he asked, holding the door for her.

Um yeah, sure, she said, stepping forward into the jeep. I am a little tired.

We’ll have you good and rested in no time, he said, getting in and driving away.

Is it always this busy around here? she asked somewhat disillusioned by all the traffic, the hotels, motels and cheesy shops along the main street.

"Well, this is high season, he said. If you had come down a few weeks ago, you’d have seen only a handful of vacationers."

What about Avon? What’s it like?

Don’t you worry. Avon’s always quiet. That’s why I like it best, he said, turning off the main road. See most people stay up here in Kitty Hawk because it’s closer to everything.

Oh, good, she said with a sigh of relief. I was hoping for quiet.

That, you’ll get since it’ll just be the two of us, he said, raising an eyebrow.

Oh, wow, really? You mean no one else is booked in except me? she asked awkwardly.

Nope, you’re it. Actually, I only have the one guest room, he explained, biting his bottom lip. I hope you’ll be all right with that.

Uh, sure… she said apprehensively.

Just who was this guy? She couldn’t help but wonder. What kind of B&B did he run? She frowned while kicking herself for not having checked for references.

Hey now, don’t look at me that way, he said, glancing sideways at her.

What way?

Like I’m some kind of serial killer or something. He chuckled. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.

I seriously hope not, she said, losing her sense of humor.

Mind if we make a quick stop along the way? he asked after a few moments of awkward silence. I have to pick up a few things at the market.

Oh, right… sure whatever, she said, having gotten lost in thought while staring out into the dunes. Thankfully they’d left the touristy area behind and, for the most part, Sara could see nothing but sand and the ocean peeking in behind the grassy mounds.

Hopefully, she wasn’t regretting her choice already, Skylar thought to himself. She’d been awfully quiet so far. Was it something he’d said?

Her mother would have loved it here, she thought wistfully. The beach was her favorite place to go for vacations, mostly around Lake Michigan though. Her dad, on the other hand, wasn’t a big fan of the sun and sand, preferring the backyard for his relaxation.

Coming in? he asked, pulling into the grocery store parking lot.

Um, okay, she said hesitantly. She didn’t really want to go in, but the alternative was to sit and wait in the heat, not exactly what she had in mind for the start of her vacation.

She followed him around aimlessly up and down the aisles and watched as he filled his cart with all sorts of things from his list. Pancake mix, eggs, bacon, milk, toilet paper, etc. She couldn’t help but feel as though all this was for her.

Could he not have prepared ahead of time? Did he not realize how unprofessional this all seemed? Wasn’t he worried that she might give him a bad review on a website or something?

What do you think? he asked, holding up two bottles of wine for her to choose.

Um, I don’t really care, she said, having had enough. Do you mind if we could just get to the B&B soon?

Oh, yikes, sorry, he said, placing them both in the cart. I’ll get you home real soon. Without further hesitation, he made his way over to the checkout counter.

***

My apologies, I should have been better prepared, he said as they continued down the two-lane highway.

It’s just… I’m… oh never mind, she said, closing her eyes and resting her head back. The truth was she didn’t know why, but just being in that grocery store, brought back so many memories of her parents. It was like a tidal wave of emotion washing over her. Even now with her eyes closed, she could see them clear as day. She remembered happier times, she as a child following her parents around their local greengrocer.

We’re almost there, Skylar said encouragingly. Just a few more miles down the road.

A few more miles? she asked wearily, admiring the large oceanside homes along the highway.

"Yeah, we’re just