As Bright as the Stars Read online

  “It sure was, but I don’t think they had a choice. It was that or flashlights, but it really worked out great. We were only here for a couple days for the resort ground-breaking that I really didn’t get to test it.”

  “Well, we’ll have a chance now.”

  “We will,” Megan said as she pulled into Playa Luna and just being this close to the sea had her breathing easier already. “Cassie and Alex are coming over tonight, so I can thank them again.”

  “Great,” Felicia said as she rolled down her window and stuck her head out, the wind blowing her short, blonde hair all around. “I can make my world famous nachos for them.”

  Megan laughed—Felicia’s nachos weren’t world famous but they were pretty much the only thing her friend knew how to make, and she would be grateful to have them.

  They pulled into camp and savored the sights and smells. As they pulled up to the yellow house that Felicia and her kids had started the prior year, Megan glanced to the other side of the dirt road, the pull strong.

  “You and Kyle okay here?” she asked, as they stretched after the long drive.

  “No problem. I’ve got help.” She pointed at Kyle and gestured across the road. “Go on and head over. Holler if you need anything. Kyle and I will unload. I’ll be over in an hour or so.”

  She was happy to see her ladrillo brick house across the road intact, inviting her to stay and rest for a while.

  3

  Megan gazed down the dune and over to Sea of Cortez, the sparkling water inviting. As she headed through the sand, her memory suddenly got the best of her, and she shook her head with worry, wondering how she’d ever sort things out with the business. Memories of the girls’ ranch slipped in, and the familiar knot of anxiety gripped her stomach. It had been more constant than not the last few years, and she hoped some time in her most cherished place would ease it a bit, and bring some clarity.

  Lost in her thoughts, she crossed the road between the houses, anxious to stand on the bluff and breathe in the soft ocean air. If anything could clear the cobwebs out of her head and maybe leave enough room for solutions to come in, it would be the view from the cliff.

  She jingled the keychain with the fish bottle opener on it, the key to the house painted with daisies. She’d picked out that key especially when she had new ones made for her beach house purchase. Daisies, and a leopard print for the garage. Her smile grew as she remembered the happy times she’d spent here. It was the one place where she felt she could even try to be carefree. Happy. That’s all she wanted to be. Happy.

  The cool ocean breeze whipped through the open doors facing the cliff. Pulling back the curtains, the serenity of the house enveloped her. Peaceful, she thought, the sun shining into the house, casting light on the beautiful ladrillo bricks the house was built with.

  I’ve been away far too long, she thought, giving her house a good once-over. The blue marble of the bath reflected the incoming sunlight, warm and inviting. She cherished time with lots of friends, but the trip down for the ground-breaking had been quick. She hadn’t had time alone, and she was looking forward to some of that. “We have a date tonight, you and I,” she said, running her hands over the cool stone. Opening the drawer under the ceramic floral sink, she pulled out candles and bubble bath, setting them on the counter for later. Stepping out onto the arch-covered patio, she inhaled the cool sea breeze, the air not quite reaching her soul.

  Her heart and body begged her to rest, but she had work to do. Houses off the grid were a little bit more work than others, but the routine of opening up the house was familiar, and she knew it like the back of her hand. She flipped on the water pump, turned the spigot on the propane tanks and quickly lit the water heater and refrigerator. She looked around, confident she wasn’t missing anything, and unloaded the car. It didn’t take long as she hadn’t brought much, and since Felicia wouldn’t be over for a bit longer, she took her time and unpacked her clothes, thinking how nice it felt to be staying for a chunk of time.

  She gave the counters a wipe and the furniture a quick dusting, and finally sat down in the Adirondack chair shaped like a dolphin on the patio, enjoying the breeze through her hair.

  Her father’s face flashed quickly before her, and she smiled, silently thanking him for teaching her to be self-sufficient. It had helped her all this time as a single woman. She was proud she could do this all on her own, and had always taken care of herself since her first waitressing job at fourteen. It had been invaluable when her husband had died when Cassie was little, and she was glad she’d taught Cassie the same, shaking her head slowly at how things had turned out for her only daughter.

  She was incredibly proud of Cassie and as a mother, she couldn’t have hoped for more. Her daughter was happy, confident, self-sufficient, passionate and kind. Had it been naive of her and Annie to think they could offer so many troubled teenager girls an equal opportunity to have a good start in life?

  Shaking her head to shove the thoughts away, she leaned back in the chair and took in a deep breath. The smell of the sea washed through her, the salty air reaching her toes. She let the sensation take hold and closed her eyes, intending only to rest for a moment.

  Her head jerked up at the sound of Felicia’s voice from across the road, saying she’d be over in a few minutes.

  She stretched her legs and reached her arms over her head, breathing deeply. She took off her dusty travel clothes and stretched again. Slipping into jeans and a t-shirt, she wrapped a jacket around her waist and slid into her flip-flops. On the way out the door, she grabbed a visor and pulled her shoulder-length, blonde hair into a pony-tail, ready for whatever adventure was next.

  4

  “Hello,” Felicia called through the screen door, Russell in her arms and her quad idling on the road. “You ready to go for a quad ride?”

  Megan secured her visor in place and grabbed her sunglasses.

  “Sure. I’ve been dying to see what’s for sale in the other campos. We should be able to see the ‘for sale’ signs if we ride along the beach.” She wasn’t sure why, exactly, she wanted to see what was for sale. Felicia always said it was just fun to look at what other people had done to their houses as there was a wide range of “tastes” around.

  Hopping on her quad, she turned the key, fingers crossed that it would start. It had been sitting in the garage for too long.

  “Ah, perfect,” she said over her shoulder, as the quad started on the first try. Felicia dropped Russell into the milk crate that was attached to the back of her quad and Megan laughed as the Jack Russell sat quietly, ready for his ride. She followed her friend and the short road to the beach disappeared behind her. The wind in her hair and sun on her skin buoyed her mood, and she felt herself smiling.

  They rounded a turn on the beach, heading into a campo north of Playa Luna, following the directions of a ‘for sale’ sign posted on the beach.

  Felicia pulled up short at one of the houses she’d wanted to see. “Let’s check this one out,” Felicia said, walking toward the beach house. “I think the gate’s open.”

  “We can’t do that. It’s not like they’re having an open house. What if somebody sees us?” Megan asked, not budging an inch off her quad.

  “Come on. You’re such a wimp. Nobody’s here,” Felicia replied, already walking toward the vacant house.

  Megan glanced both ways, up and down the dirt road. She’d always been the good kid, never ditched school, and following rules was part of her make-up. Her hands starting to sweat as she slowly followed her friend toward the house, entering the gate feeling like a thief.

  “What is wrong with you? Group home directors are supposed to be brave.” Felicia laughed as she peeked in every window of the house.

  “I don’t know. It’s a life-long affliction. I’m a rule-follower,” Megan said, inching toward one of the windows.

  “Get over it. There’s nobody here, anyway. Look at that tile in the kitchen. It’s beautiful,” she said, pressing her nose and han
ds against the glass window.

  Her desire to see the house got the better of her, and she wiped enough dust off the window to see inside. “Wow, that’s beautiful. I love the way they did the ceramic tile on the counter, and that sink is gorgeous,” she said, peering into the house.

  “They have those sinks in town,” Felicia said. “The ones with the iguanas and parrots. I like the ones with the fish, those blue and white ones,” Felicia said. “I think I’m going to get one for the new house. We can put it in together.”

  “It wouldn’t be that hard, I don’t think. We could probably do it,” Megan said as her mind turned to that potential project.

  “What exactly are you two up to?” a voice called out behind them.

  Megan heard herself gasp, and her hands involuntarily came off the glass and raised in the air.

  “Put your hands down,” Felicia muttered to her friend. “You look ridiculous. What is this, COPS?” She turned toward the voice, smiling.

  The man standing on the balcony next door waved toward them. His accent—was it British?—didn’t make Megan feel less in trouble, but the twinkle in his eye made her a little less worried.

  “Hello, ladies,” he said as he leaned on the second-story railing of a neighboring house, staring in their direction.

  Megan felt her face redden, its heat creeping all the way to her scalp, and turned around. The man standing on the balcony continued to wave, his wide smile infectious.

  “Well, hello,” Felicia said, walking toward him. “We’re just looking at the house. It’s lovely,”

  “Yes, it is lovely. They’re friends of mine, but they’re not here now. I can give you their contact information if you want,” he said, taking in Megan’s obvious discomfort, his blue eyes filled with laughter.

  “Oh, we’re not interested. We’re just looking,” Megan blurted, wishing she could get back to her quad and leave.

  “My name’s James.” He started toward them, climbing down the stairs of the balcony.

  “Felicia, let’s get out of here,” Megan whispered, trying to pull her friend toward the quads. Her hands were sweating with embarrassment, and she knew her face was still flushed. I can’t believe I’m embarrassed, she thought to herself.

  “Jeez, how old are you? Ten?” Felicia shot back with a grin, clearly enjoying Megan’s discomfort.

  “I wasn’t any braver when I was ten,” she muttered, her head down.

  “Hang on a minute. He’s cute.”

  “You’re dating somebody, remember?”

  “Yes, I remember. But you’re not. Remember?” Felicia said, her voice dripping with glee.

  Horrified, Megan followed her friend toward the stranger, screwing up the courage from somewhere.

  “What campo are you ladies from? I think maybe I saw you in my camp earlier. Playa Luna,” he said, his eyes resting a moment on Megan as he crossed the sand between them.

  “Yes, we’re in Playa Luna,” Felicia said, extending her hand as they met between the houses. “We really haven’t met too many people in our camp. Nice to meet you. I’m Felicia, and this is my friend, Megan.”

  He turned toward Megan, his hand extended and his eyes curious.

  She felt her friend’s stare boring into her as she lifted her eyes to meet his. Her hand tingled as he took it in hers, and she almost gasped at the crystal blue of his eyes. He looked much too young to have the striking white hair and beard, and she found herself curious about him. She pulled her hand back quickly, still embarrassed about being caught at the house.

  “Would you like a beer?” He held up a Tecate bottle, his thumb gesturing to the house next door. “I’m helping a friend put in some cabinets, but we have cold ones in the ice chest.” His eyes stayed on Megan, and he clearly was trying to suppress a laugh.

  Feeling like a kid caught with her hand in a cookie jar, Megan grabbed her friend and pulled her toward the gate. “No, thank you. We have to go...do something,” she said over her shoulder, Felicia’s elbow securely in her hands as they got to their quads.

  “Something? Okay. Sounds like an emergency,” he said, turning back toward his project. “Nice to meet you.”

  Megan hopped on her quad and started off down the road. As soon as Felicia had Russell in his milk crate, she caught up.

  “What was that about?” Felicia asked, her laugh louder than the roar of the quad.

  “Shhh,” Megan hissed, her finger to her mouth as she tweaked her head in his direction.

  They sped off, Megan in the lead as she tried to get some distance between them and the embarrassing event. Felicia motioned for Megan to stop as they headed down toward the beach.

  “Are you okay?” she said, her eyes dancing. “We have to do something? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. What happened to you?”

  “I don’t know,” Megan said, doubling over with laughter. “I can’t believe I did that. I get so nervous when I’m doing things I’m not supposed to. It makes me feel like a teenager who’s going to get in trouble,” she said, wiping away the tears. “I must have looked like a complete and total idiot.”

  “You think?” Felicia said, her laughter ringing. “Too bad for you. He looked just like Sean Connery, and had the accent to boot. You’re single, don’t forget.”

  Megan took a look back over her shoulder. “That’s the last thing on my mind, friend. Bigger fish to fry with the ranch. I didn’t even notice.” Her own lie caught her off guard, as she never lied, not even little white ones.

  “Well, he was really handsome. I thought that’s what made you turn into a moron.”

  “I didn’t even really see him. Just wanted to get out of there. Old habits die hard, I guess,” she said, continuing to laugh. “I was never even brave enough to ditch school. Never.”

  “Is that why you get so weird when I want to take Russell in restaurants?”

  “Yes, it’s just something I can’t control. I’m afraid I’m going to get in trouble, even taking the dog in a place that says it’s okay.”

  “Wow, you’ve got to lighten up,” Felicia said with a laugh. “Maybe a margarita will help.”

  “Yeah, maybe. I can’t handle any more excitement today, anyway.”

  “Oh, brother. Whatever you want, friend,” Felicia said as she started her quad and headed toward home.

  5

  Felicia’s house was in complete disarray when they returned, the contents of the Excursion spilled out into the house and patio. Rugs, dishes, curtains and assorted supplies were everywhere as Kyle had set things in the nearest empty space as he unloaded.

  “What are those boxes?” Megan asked, pointing to a stack of cardboard lying in the corner.

  “Patio furniture, but we have to put it together.”

  “You didn’t tell me that, Mom,” Kyle groaned, rolling his eyes. “What else are we going to do? You’d better warn me now.”

  “Oh, just a few things. You’ll be fine. I think I want to go into town tomorrow and get a sink, like that cool one we saw today. I think I need the one with the fish on it,” she said, glancing in her unfinished bathroom. “It would go great with the shower curtain I just brought down.”

  “Well, whatever. I have to go visit the doctor, anyway, and see if he’ll let me volunteer. Make a list and we can tackle it tomorrow,” Kyle said over his shoulder as he headed down to the beach with a fishing rod in his hand. “I’m going to try to catch dinner.”

  “Jeez, remember bringing him down here when he was two? Seems so strange to bring him all grown up and almost a doctor, and have him go off on his own,” Megan said, watching Kyle head down to the waves.

  “It sure does. And the funny thing is he’ll probably bring them home and cook dinner. Fun when they grow up.” She smiled as she took some new pots and pans out of boxes and laid them on the counter. “He can use these,” she said. “Got a perfect pot to steam clams in. Want to go get some?”

  “Absolutely. Let’s take an ice chest and some margaritas. We can have some w
hile we’re digging. You get that, and I’ll go get the forks and the basket.”

  She started down the small sand dune toward her house, trying her best to keep the thoughts at bay. They seemed to haunt her constantly, her need to make a decision an ever-present ball of worry. Shaking her head, she hurried through the sand and over the dirt road to her house, the reds and yellows of the ladrillo brick catching her eye in contrast with the blue of the water beyond. It really was a beautiful place to be, and if you had to think a problem through, there wasn’t anywhere better.

  She grabbed the clam basket, the digging forks and an empty five-gallon water bottle to fill up with salt water.

  “Perfect timing,” she said as Felicia pulled up in the Jeep. Throwing the supplies in the back next to the thermos of frosty margaritas, she hopped in.

  “Yum, that’s going to be great. Too bad they won’t be cleaned out enough to have later when Cassie comes. Let’s get a lot, and we can have them tomorrow for an appetizer and maybe even make clam linguini.” She was excited to be down on the rock point again, and she could almost taste the sweet butter clams just thinking about them.

  “You know I don’t cook. I’ll dig as many clams as you want, but you have to do something with them,” Felicia said.

  “I don’t know how you raised Taylor and Kyle without ever cooking.”

  “Yes, you do. You did it for me. When you weren’t cooking, it was noodles and broccoli at my house,” Felicia said, reminding her friend that they had gotten through raising their toddlers together.

  “Or nachos,” Megan said, fondly remembering the kids, so close in age, and how much time they’d all spent together then. She had been a stay-at-home mom then, and Felicia was working. Megan had all the kids during the day, and they’d grown up like brothers and sisters. They were still all very close, Cassie and Taylor both living and working in San Diego, and fishing together with Kyle at any opportunity.