Becalmed: The Widow's Walk Trilogy, #2

By Robin Wainwright

On the outskirts of the seaside village of Crescent Bay stands an abandoned lighthouse station. For over half a century the lighthouse has been left in peace, but now the village has approved the lighthouse for restoration and a dangerous spirit has been awakened.

Michael Tuitt arrives in Crescent Bay to work as the construction supervisor on the lighthouse project. Michael lives for good food and beautiful women, so when he meets Sarah Gnome, he knows he has found the complete package.

Sarah is happy to flirt with Michael; after all, he is only playing. Sarah's past has shown her that men like Michael aren't interested in long-term relationships with women like her.

Now Michael is in a race to claim Sarah as his before her past, and the past of the lighthouse, catches up with them both.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purrfect Publishing
• Release date: Oct 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502244017

Robin Wainwright

As a child, Robin Wainwright's Irish mother filled Robin's active imagination with stories of magic and the wee people. Her days were filled with other worlds where magic and the paranormal were an accepted way of life. As soon as Robin learned how to write, she continued her mother's tradition of storytelling. She shared her stories with her mother, but no one else. In 2013, Robin decided to begin sharing her stories with a broader audience and so The Widow's Walk trilogy was born. Robin lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and two cats. She loves the rain, thunder, and lightning (although she doesn't see much of it where she lives) as well as chocolate, coffee, and Halloween. She continues to write (sometimes with the help of her cats) while sitting in her recliner, appearing to look out her window into her green yard, while in reality her vision is focused on other locales.

Book preview

1

When Michael Tuitt got the call from his friend Daniel, asking if he would like to work on a new project in California, his response was, Spend the summer in California? Hell yeah!

Michael loved his job, which consisted of traveling around the country turning pieces of forgotten history into modern day treasures. He also loved working for his good friend Daniel Bradford.

Daniel’s family owned 1906 Restoration, a construction company with a sterling reputation for restoring abandoned historical locations to their original glory.

He and Daniel had grown up together in Fincastle, a historic town in Virginia, where they had spent as much time on the basketball court as they had running wild in each other’s homes.

When Michael turned 16, Daniel’s father hired him to work at a construction site. That summer Michael fell in love with the restoration process. The process of turning something neglected into something beautiful and valued had spoken to his soul.

When Michael accepted the summer job he hadn’t been thinking long term. In fact, he’d only meant to make some extra pocket money to spend on the ladies.

Michael had always enjoyed the opposite sex. Not just the sex part, although once he’d achieved that part he had to admit that it was one of his favorites. But he loved the whole package. He loved the way women looked, the way they moved, the way they smelled, the sound of their voices, and the way they thought.

Michael was one of those rare men who had a lot of female friends, many of whom just happened to be ex-lovers.

Currently, Michael had no one special he was dating and he was looking forward to meeting some California babes.

As he came down the escalator at the airport, he searched the sea of anxious faces for Daniel. When he spotted him, he let out a loud whooping hello, and as soon as he could, he swept Daniel up in a hug, pounding him on his back in greeting.

Heather, Daniel’s girlfriend, smiled as she watched Daniel and Michael greet each other. Michael was a big bear of a man, 6’4" tall with shoulder length brown hair and dark brown eyes. Heather thought he looked like a young John Corbett.

When Michael released him, Daniel turned to Heather. Heather, I would like you to meet my old friend Michael Tuitt. Then he shot Michael a sharp glance and added, Michael this is Heather Moore.

Michael laughed, Got’cha. I’ll be on my best behavior. Michael put out his hand for Heather to shake, Hello Ms. Moore, it’s nice to meet you.

You too, but please call me Heather.

And you can call me Michael. Then grinning mischievously, he continued. Since I’m new to town maybe you could take some time to show me around.

Nope, Daniel said as he took Heather’s hand out of Michael’s.

Michael laughed loudly, Just checking. You can’t blame a guy for trying.

Daniel nodded his head, Do I need to ask if you’re hungry?

Michael’s bottomless stomach was an ongoing joke between the two friends. Michael really loved food and since he had hit puberty, it seemed like his stomach was never full.

When he planned his vacations, they were always culinary vacations. He’d been to New Orleans for the gumbo, Italy for the pasta, and Spain for the paella. He was saving for his next trip, France, to sample everything.

You know me so well. I’m starving.

Okay, let’s get some dinner before we head back to the village. The trailer isn’t installed yet so I’ve booked you a room at the local B&B. I’m staying there, too, until we get everything settled.

Michael nodded and they headed out to claim his luggage and get some dinner.

Daniel took them to a nice Italian restaurant, and when they’d settled in, Daniel began to fill Heather in on his and Michael’s history.

Michael smiled as Daniel’s words brought back memories of their childhood together, and he decided it was time to give his friend a hard time.

Don’t let Daniel fool you, he can weave some pretty dreams, but I’m the one who does the real magic.

Yeah, yeah, you may swing the hammer but it’s my vision you’re building. Without my vision you’d still be building salt boxes.

Michael reared back in mock indignation. Salt boxes! I’ll have you know those were post-modern apartments that sold for a lot of money.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, salt boxes.

You’re just jealous because I still own one of those salt boxes.

Are you kidding me? Who wants to live in a box?

Before Michael could think of a response, the waitress returned with their order and Michael’s mind went blank as he sang out, Food!

Michael finished his dinner and pushed himself away from the table. He patted his flat belly and said, Okay, that should hold me until we get to your village, as long as you drive fast.

Shaking his head Daniel turned to Heather, I’m pretty sure that I could pay him in restaurant gift cards, but legally I have to pay him money.

Michael nodded in agreement, An army marches on its stomach Daniel. But it doesn’t have to be restaurant food, good home cooking will do.

Well, we have a good restaurant in town called the Foghorn Tavern. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Michael looked at Heather, Have you met the cook?

Yes.

Is the cook heavy or thin?

Looking confused, Heather replied. I guess he’s a little heavy.

Good. I’ll share with you the one piece of wisdom my daddy passed on to me. Michael leaned forward to whisper in Heather’s ear, Never trust a skinny cook.

Michael grinned as Heather and Daniel starting laughing. They were still laughing as the headed out to the car and drove on to Crescent Bay.

In Crescent Bay they pulled up in front of a white three-story house with blue trim. The front yard was enclosed by a classic white picket fence and the yard was well kept with lush green grass, trees, shrubs, and benches that promised quiet afternoons spent reading good books.

Peeking out behind the various bushes and shrubs were gnomes and gargoyles.

The wooden sign swinging above the gate showed a smiling, chubby, gnome who was sound asleep in a hammock. Carved across the top of the sign were the words, Gnome’s Rest B&B.

Gnome’s Rest? Michael asked. Cute, but considering all the nautical named businesses we passed on the way here, I would have expected something different.

Daniel smiled, That’s because the B&B belongs to Sarah Gnome.

Michael let out a booming laugh.

In her third floor apartment above Gnome’s Rest, Sarah Gnome waited for Daniel and Sarah to return with Mr. Tuitt.

Mr. Tuitt was going to be the project coordinator for the lighthouse renovation project and Sarah was looking forward to working with him. She imagined Mr. Tuitt to be a serious older gentleman who was good at supervising employees and had a fine attention to details.

Sarah heard a car pull up to the curb in front of her house, and looking out of her window, she saw that it was Heather’s.

She was walking downstairs to greet her guests when she heard a booming laugh coming from her front yard, the joyful sound made her smile.

She was still smiling when Daniel opened the front door and ushered in Heather followed by someone Sarah could only assume was Mr. Tuitt.

Sarah froze and her only thought was, Damn! That is one fine looking man.

Daniel saw Heather on the staircase and smiling took care of the introductions. Michael this is the owner of Gnome’s Rest, the lovely Sarah Gnome.

Michael glanced up the staircase and saw a beautiful red head dressed in a flowing gown tie-dyed in shades of purple. The gown accentuated all her womanly curves and softness and it made his arms itch with a desire to pull her close so that he could feel all of her softness pressed against him. Grinning he shook off the images his desire had created in his mind, put down his luggage, and politely put out his hand.

Hello Ms. Gnome, I’m Michael Tuitt. I’m sorry if I was laughing too loud, I was just appreciating the name of your business.

Sarah forced herself to move down the stairs so that she could shake Michael’s hand. Each step she took emphasized how tall Michael was, and by the time she reached the bottom step she felt dwarfed, and almost delicate, before this handsome man. She reached out and took his hand. Mr. Tuitt, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Please call me Sarah.

Thank you Sarah and I’d appreciate it if you would call me Michael.

Michael and Sarah stood staring into each other eyes, appreciating the view, until Daniel cleared his throat breaking the spell.

Sorry, Sarah said blushing slightly. Michael, have you eaten?

Daniel groaned and Sarah looked at him in confusion.

Don’t ever ask Michael that, he is always hungry. Sarah, he will eat you out of house and home if you let him.

Sarah smiled up at Michael, I like a man who enjoys his food. Come on into the kitchen and I’ll see what we’ve got for ya.

As Michael walked by Daniel, he gave him a big smile and waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Michael loved Sarah’s kitchen. It was a mixture of top of the line cooking equipment and rustic charm.

The eat-in kitchen was large enough to hold a beautiful trestle table with eight chairs and still have plenty room for Sarah to bustle around.

Michael sat down at the table and enjoyed the view. He watched Sarah move from refrigerator, to microwave, to stove, to cabinet and back again. She continued to place bowls and plates of tempting delights in front of him on the table until it was full.

The smell made Michael moan in appreciation and Sarah stopped what she was doing to smile at him over her shoulder.

Thank you, she said. I do like it when people appreciate my cooking.

Ah my lady, if this food tastes as good as it smells you may consider me your eternal faithful servant.

Sarah giggled and slapped her hand over her mouth in surprise. She wasn’t a giggler. What had gotten into her?

Just then, the door to the kitchen opened and Daniel and Heather stepped in.

Daniel took one look at the table and stopped dead in his tracks.

Michael looked like a Viking warrior who had died and found himself seated at a feasting table in Valhalla where his every wish was being fulfilled. Sarah was smiling as she watched him eat with gusto.

Sorry to interrupt your gluttony, Daniel said, but we’re headed over to Heather’s and wanted to make sure that you were settled.

Grinning, Michael shot Sarah a look and then he turned to Daniel, Yep, it looks like I have everything I need.

Sarah? asked Heather.

Yep, we’re good. Go enjoy yourselves.

Daniel and Heather left the room and grinning happily Michael dove back in.

After he had eaten as much as he could Michael pushed away from the table and rubbed his full belly.

Lady Sarah, I am indeed your eternal faithful servant. That was a meal fit for royalty.

Grinning Sarah decided to play along, Lord Michael, it is my pleasure to have you at my table.

Let me help you clean this up and then I’m afraid I’m going to have to crash. A long day and a full belly make for a tired lord.

Sarah shook her head no. You are a guest at Gnome’s Rest, so no cleaning for you. Let’s collect your luggage and I’ll show you to your room.

Michael rose and followed Sarah back to the reception area and up to his room.

Much like the kitchen the bedroom was decorated in comfortable oversized furniture. Michael was pleased to see that the bed was a California King so that he wouldn’t have to curl up or let his feet hang off the edge of the mattress.

Between the nice accommodations and the beautiful, culinary talented, innkeeper this was shaping up to be a terrific trip.

He bid Sarah goodnight and settled in for a nice long sleep.

2

In the morning, Michael followed his nose downstairs to the kitchen.

Sarah, who was frying bacon at the stove, turned when Michael entered the kitchen and gave him a big smile. Morning.

Good morning Sarah.

How do you like your eggs?

Easy over, if you don’t mind.

I don’t mind at all, she said as she placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of him.

Lady Sarah, you are spoiling me.

Sarah just grinned and went back to the stove. How did you sleep?

Like a log. I feel ready to take on this new project.

Good, has Daniel talked to you about what the project entails?

Not yet, but if I know Daniel he has a big pile of paperwork for me to review, so I should be up to speed by nightfall. Between that and interviewing construction workers for our crew I doubt we’ll even have time to break for lunch.

Sarah laughed at the sad puppy dog eyes Michael shot in her direction.

Well, then I guess you need a second helping, she said as she refilled his plate.

When Daniel arrived to pick up Michael, Michael found one of Daniel’s lighthouse proposals waiting for him on the passenger-side seat.

Michael laughed as he picked up the thick proposal, and Daniel looked at him curiously, What?

I told Sarah that you’d have a pile of paperwork for me to go over.

Well, how else are you going to get up to speed?

How indeed, he said as he flipped open the proposal.

Michael might tease Daniel about his extreme attention to detail but in truth, he valued it because it made his own job much easier.

When they arrived at the job site, there was a large group of men and women waiting to be interviewed.

Daniel and Michael had done this dance many times before, and they moved together like a well-rehearsed team. They were looking for dependable, hardworking employees who took pride in their work.

They were both protective of 1906 Renovation’s good reputation and they wanted to produce work that would further that reputation, not tarnish it.

They worked hard all morning, and were thinking about breaking for lunch, when Michael heard another car pull into the parking lot. Michael frowned, thinking that his lunch would be delayed by another job applicant, but a big smile lit his face when he saw it was Sarah. She was carrying a large box and he rushed up the slope to take it out of her arms.

As the scent of food reached his nose, he groaned with happiness, Food! Sarah you are a Goddess, I am starving.

When aren’t you starving? Daniel asked.

When I’m sleeping, Michael replied making Sarah laugh out loud. Michael grinned and kissed her cheek. Let’s eat!

Sarah grinned back and wondered at the feel of Michael’s lips on her cheek. The kiss had been a spontaneous and innocent gesture, but it made her blood race and her body ache for more.

As she watched Michael tear into the box of goodies, she marveled at how happy her simple gift of food had made him.

Her mind drifted into dangerous territory as she wondered what she would have to cook in order for him to kiss her on her lips, or perhaps somewhere a little lower. Saving those images for a more private time, she refocused her attention and went to join the men for lunch.

After lunch was finished, and Sarah had packed up and headed home, Michael lay in the sun with a satisfied grin on his face.

Daniel stood above him shaking his head, I know you’re stuffed, but we have work to do.

I’m not sure I can move.

Daniel sat down on the grass next to Michael. While you’re working on it, I have something to discuss with you.

Go for it. As long as I don’t have to move.

Michael glanced over at Daniel, and when he saw how serious his friend looked, he sat up and gave him his full attention.

Whatever it is, I’ll help you if I can, Michael said.

Daniel smiled gently, It’s nothing like that. I just have a hard decision to make. You know that normally I’d be wrapping up my part of this project in the next week or two.

Yeah.

I think I’m going to see if I can stay here a while longer.

And why would you want to do that? Michael said grinning.

Why are you grinning like that?

I’m waiting to hear you admit that you want to stay because of Heather.

Is it that obvious?

Yep. So are you thinking long term?

Maybe. The problem is that Heather has no idea what she is going to do come October.

So what are you going to do?

For now, I’m going to go home and talk to the family about extending my stay. I think it could work. I already handle a lot of the client and project manager meetings via Skype. I could do that here just as easily as in Virginia.

True.

And if I need to travel to a site, I can travel just as easy from here as well.

It sounds like you’ve given this a lot of thought.

I have. Now I just need to see how the rest of the family feels about it.

You work your ass off for them. I’m sure they’ll support you. Plus, in typical Daniel fashion, you’ve already figured out all the details.

Daniel nodded, True. I’ve booked a flight out for tomorrow and I shouldn’t be gone for more than a couple of days. I figure you can hold down the fort here.

I can, but what are you going to tell Heather?

Since I don’t know what the outcome is going to be, I’ve decided that I’m going to tell her that I have to go home for a few days to handle some annoying details.

Michael grinned, A partial truth, but at least that way you won’t be spoiling any potential surprise.

That’s what I was thinking, plus this way if I can’t work it out she won’t feel any disappointment.

Well, I’ll cover for you here. Just fill me in on what’s coming in and so on.

Daniel spent the afternoon going over the construction schedule with Michael and by the end of the day, he felt comfortable leaving the project in Michael’s capable hands.

That evening, Daniel left to have dinner with Heather, and with his stomach growling, Michael headed to Gnome’s Rest.

Michael was looking forward to an evening of good food and even better company. He enjoyed playing with Sarah and making her smile, plus he couldn’t wait to see what was for dinner. And who knew, with Daniel out of the way for the evening, he might even get something extra special for desert.

Grinning lecherously, he walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks. He had expected to see Sarah standing at the stove cooking up something delectable; instead, she was sitting at the table talking to a young couple.

Everyone looked up when Michael entered the room and Sarah made introductions.

Michael Tuitt, I would like to introduce Stephanie and Robert Taylor. They’re on their honeymoon.

Michael smiled broadly, Congratulations.

Stephanie smiled back at him blushing prettily, Thank you. We’re on our way up to the wine country, but we thought we’d start our honeymoon here in your beautiful village.

I’ve just gotten here myself, so I haven’t had any time to sight see yet, but I think you’ll love it here.

Really? Are you a tourist too?

No, actually I’m working on the renovation of the lighthouse.

"We saw the lighthouse from