Surf, Sand and Skeletons by Angela K Ryan

Author:Angela K Ryan [Ryan, Angela K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780998157573
Publisher: John Paul Publishing
Published: 2019-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

The 11:00 Sunday Mass was jam-packed with tourists and snowbirds, still lingering in Sapphire Beach, but Connie spotted Zach right away, seated toward the back. He turned around as if he had been looking for her. When they made eye contact, he smiled and motioned that he had been saving a seat.

They didn't have a chance to say much, since Mass was beginning, but Zach handed her a copy of the bulletin, which he had opened to Connie's ad for the grand opening.

Connie felt a surge of pride at the half-page ad, prominently placed, containing a collage of photos of the storefront and a selection of jewelry pieces, along with text noting that Connie was a parishioner and briefly describing the concept for Just Jewelry. Ready or not, the grand opening was happening in less than a week.

After Mass, Zach walked Connie to her car, and they arranged to meet at Connie's condo in a half-hour. They each needed to go home to pick up their bathing suits for their lunch and parasailing date.

Zach arrived right on time, and they headed straight to a restaurant on the beach, close to Sapphire Beach Boat Rentals, where Zach had made reservations for parasailing, and got a table on the deck outside. The temperature had climbed into the mid-eighties, with the sun strong in the sky, so they requested a table in the shade and ordered two lemonades.

After they placed their order, Connie caught Zach up on her first two weeks as a resident of Sapphire Beach.

"Sounds like you're keeping busy. Even with settling into your new home, preparing for the grand opening, and purchasing a paddleboard, I hear you've still had time to ask around about Natasha's disappearance," Zach said. "You just can't stay away from a good mystery, can you?"

She was relieved that his tone was more playful than accusing. A stern lecture would not be the best way to start a first date.

"I can't help but feel a sense of connection with Natasha. We both had a dream that led us to the same shop," Connie said.

"That's an interesting way of looking at it. I suppose I should discourage you, but I doubt you'd listen. Besides, your attitude is refreshing. Most people don't want to get involved in other people's business. You know, 'I'm not my brother's keeper' and all."

"I never thought of it that way," Connie said.

"That's one of the things I admire about you." His gaze was intense, as if he was studying her. "It's probably what drew you into humanitarian work. You take others' concerns upon yourself as if they are your own."

Connie chuckled. He had her number.

"Some call it concern for neighbor," she said, "and others call it meddling."

He laughed. "I guess it's a matter of perspective. But I admire that you spent time volunteering after college, and that you were so moved by what you saw that you dedicated your life to serving others."

Connie had forgotten that she had shared so much with him when they had taken a walk together back in January.

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