Purling Road - the Complete Second Season: Episodes 1-10 (31 page)

“As soon as I can,” he said.

***

Soon, Jonathan and Ava found their way to the beach as well. They walked one way and saw the light of a fire in the sand.

“Looks like he did come after all,” Ava said, squinting in the dark.

“I figured he would.”

“Think they’ve worked things out?”

“I hope so. They’re on the road at least.” He took her hand and they turned around. “I think she understands now. It took losing everything to realize what she had.”

“That seems to be the theme with this bunch,” she said, glancing at him sidelong.

“The thing is, Caleb needed this as much as she did. It’s been rough on him, but they’ll be better for it.”

He didn’t need to explain. She understood perfectly. Jonathan with the crash, Aryl with opiates, Caleb with his wife. The course of their lives left them changed men. For the better, she realized, hearing Caleb’s light laugh behind them.

Passing the house again, they looked over and smiled at the music and voices. It was starting to get rowdy. “It’s a lovely party,” Ava said.

“It is.”

“So why are we out here on the beach?”

“Do you want to go back?”

“No. Not really.”

They walked along and the house grew smaller behind them. It was peaceful, the ocean sounds drowning out the party. A sliver of a moon provided a little light and they didn’t see Claire and Aryl until they’d nearly stumbled over them.

Aryl jumped up, startled, and Claire furiously began fixing her dress.

“We’re so sorry,” Ava said with a laugh. Aryl seemed relieved it was them and dropped back down in the sand.

“You scared me half to death,” he said, again swiping at hair that wasn’t there.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Jonathan said, teasing. “We’re just passing by. Be out of your way in a minute.”

After a few paces, Ava giggled.

“Looks like they’ve worked things out as well,” she whispered.

“I think they have. Right now, they’re just torturing themselves, though.”

“What do you mean?”

“Aryl’s decided to have a procedure done, so there won’t be any more children. He told me earlier after he secured the loan from Ruth. I think he got the idea from Caleb when we were camping.”

“Caleb’s having it done?”

“No, Caleb offered to do it.”

Ava laughed hard, leaning against his arm. “I’m really trying
not
to picture that in my mind. But it would be cheaper.”

Jonathan snickered and they walked a narrow strip of sand. Large rocks jutted out and they had to wait for a wave to recede before they could dart past. On the other side was a cove, isolated and dark.

“If we’re not careful, the tide will come in and we’ll get stuck out here,” Ava said.

“She’s on to me,”
Jonathan whispered and leaning against the rocks, pulled her against him.

“We get invited to the party of the year, and we’re all out here on the beach,” Ava said. “Why do you suppose that is?”

“Because what we have out here is more important than anything that’s going on in there.”

***

Peter groaned with a luxurious stretch. The open window brought a comforting, refreshing breeze. He pushed the sheet down to his waist and stuck one leg out. After a deep sigh, he reached onto the bedside and plucked a box of cigarettes from its place on top of the marriage certificate. He stopped to look at it for a moment.

“So where did you meet this guy?” he asked.

Muzzy sat up next to him, covering herself with the edge of the sheet.

“What guy?” she asked.

Peter lit the cigarette and then held up the marriage certificate.

“I get to know a lot of people. Some of them turn out to be handy.”

“Knowing people is good,” Peter said and stretched one arm over his head. “Especially when you need a believable marriage certificate forged.”

She turned cool eyes toward him. “Don’t remind me of
that
at a moment like
this
.” She looked at the rumpled bed sheets and the dress hanging from the hem on a piece of metal that served as a curtain rod. Looking the way she did at the party, she never stood a chance resisting him after they got home.

“Oh, you mean the fact that even though all of Rockport thinks you’re an honest woman now, you’re really more scandalous than ever?” He rolled and draped an arm over her waist. Looking up at her, he grinned. “I like it that you’re a rebel. That you don’t care. And that you finally admitted you love me.”

“I said I kind of like you if I remember correctly.”

“You’re being stubborn. At least you have to act like you love me in public. You sure acted like you loved me tonight. I’ll get you to admit what we both know eventually.”

She glared at him and plucked the cigarette from his hand.

He turned and laid his head on her stomach.

“How long do you think we can keep this up before people find out the truth?” she asked.

He laughed. “I don’t know. Hell…” He looked up at her. “I don’t even know your real name.”

Muzzy inhaled deeply and blew it out. “Lying. Forgery. Fornicating. I’m fairly certain we’re both going to hell.”

-MLG

The author and the characters thank you for following another season of Purling Road. Season Three is under consideration and if completed, will be announced on Facebook and via our newsletter.