Before Love Had a Name: Book 3: Before Love, #3

By Joyce DeBacco

In Book 3 of Before Love Had a Name, Cam delays his return to college to help Lee and Nina clear the wreckage from the hurricane and rebuild; construction of Noble Palms continues, threatening the survival of Lee's cottages; and Robbie gives in to temptation.

 

Disclaimer: Before Love Had a Name is presented in serial format with the main storyline in each book continuing into the next one. Series is complete at four books.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joyce DeBacco
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393049548

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Hand in hand, they picked their way cautiously up the battered and debris-strewn beach. They came upon the pool area first. Although a chain link fence and gate once surrounded it, both were severely mangled from trees that had fallen across them. The pool itself looked much like the Noble pool with lawn furniture and pool equipment scattered in and around it. Robbie’s shoulders slumped as she surveyed the damage.

Then something half-buried in the sand caught her eye. What’s this? It looks like . . . She tugged the framed piece out of the sand and lovingly brushed sand, seaweed, and dirt from its linen surface.

Cam peered over her shoulder. What is it?

It’s the wall hanging my grandmother made before I was born. She read the familiar words aloud. "Before love had a name, it was called . . ." She ran her finger over each word that followed. This is how the cottages got their names. It’s been hanging on my dad’s bedroom wall for as long as I can remember. How did it get out here?

Awareness slowly seeped in, and she clutched the treasured family heirloom to her chest. Oh, no, she whimpered. No, no, no! Eyes brimming, she ran around the downed trees that blocked her view of the cottages.

My house! Oh, my God, Cam, where’s my house?

She rushed to the mountain of rubble she once called home. One of her father’s favorite shade trees had fallen on the roof and walls, reducing her home since birth to a pile of concrete blocks and shingles; clothing, furniture, and building material littered the beach; and the new porch deck her dad and Nina had built was little more than a pile of splintered timbers.

Oh, Robbie, I’m so sorry, Cam said, putting his arm around her.

Robbie’s tear-filled gaze drifted to the other cottages, each with similar damage. How can we ever come back from this? My dad doesn’t have the money to rebuild. And the pier, oh, Cam, the pier is gone too. And your dad’s boat!

Cam visually searched the area. No, he said glumly. There it is, upside down on one of the cottages.

Dazed, the teens picked gingerly through what once was Decker’s by the Sea, salvaging whatever small items they could find. Oddly enough, the storage shed adjacent to the cottage remained standing—somewhat. Do you want to put your wall hanging in here for safekeeping? Cam asked.

Robbie stroked its soiled surface. No. I want to keep it at your house until—until we have a wall to hang it on again.

Cam forced the shed door open to reveal rods, reels, a small bait fridge, and her father’s tools. At least you won’t have to buy new fishing equipment. Swinging the fridge door open, he quickly closed it. Whew, that was a mistake.

Robbie lifted a hammer off the floor and hung it back on a peg, trying in vain to bring order to chaos. As she looked around, numb, she realized the futility of her actions and started to cry.

I wish my dad was here. I need to tell him how much I love him and Nina.

Honey, they know that. And if they could be here for you, they would. But no one will be allowed back on the island until the power is restored and the roads have been cleared of downed wires and trees.

When will that be? It’s already been three days, and no one’s come to do anything.

I don’t know, babe. But we’ll get through this. And I’ll stay and help your dad rebuild. He’s been good to me, and I want to repay him in some small way.

What about school?

He pursed his lips in thought. I can take off a semester. I want to help, babe.

You’re already helping. I don’t know how I would ever have gotten through this without you.

His face darkened. You’re forgetting that I’m the one who got us into this mess in the first place. If I’d checked the forecast again in the morning, we would’ve evacuated along with everyone else. You know it, I know it, and I’m sure your dad knows it too.

She burrowed into his arms. My dad won’t hold that against you. He’s a forgiving man.

Maybe. But I can’t forgive myself. I should’ve checked again before we went out.

As they stood staring at the ruins of Decker’s by the Sea, a distant buzz sounded. Pulling apart, they listened intently.

Those are chainsaws, Cam said, eyes wide.

Clutching her father’s precious heirloom to her chest, Robbie took off running. Cam soon overtook her. Dodging downed wires and trees, they made their way a half-mile down the road before they came upon the power and light trucks. They waved their arms and called out to the crew.

You don’t know how glad we are to see you guys, Robbie said, laughing.

How soon before we have power? Cam asked.

The foreman of the crew shook his fist at them. What the hell are you kids doing here? It’s too dangerous. You’re gonna get yourself killed.

We made it through the storm, Cam yelled back. I think we can take care of ourselves. But it would be nice to see our folks again. How soon do you think people will be allowed back?

At least a few more days, the man said. Maybe even a few weeks. It all depends how fast we can replace the poles and string new wires.

Can you get a message to our parents? Robbie asked.

Sure. Where are they?

Probably at the shelter.

Okay, give my man here their names, and we’ll let them know you’re safe.

One of the men came over and jotted their names on his clipboard. Now you kids get out of here, he said. You were lucky to survive the storm, but if you step on a live wire, you’re toast.

We’ll be careful, Robbie said. And thank you. Thank you so much.

Okay, guys, Cam said, leading Robbie away. We don’t want to hold you up.

Yeah, we’re going. Now get back to work, Robbie said with a giddy laugh.

* * *

Long, idle days in the high school gymnasium had Lee crawling up the walls. Authorities claimed to be working non-stop to restore power both to the mainland and the island, but Lee saw little evidence of that at the shelter. Powerful generators running twenty-four hours a day kept shelter residents comfortable and safe during the height of the storm. Days later, however, the evacuees’ patience had worn thin. From the scant information he was able to glean from TV, power was being restored piecemeal, with hospitals and services crucial to the recovery given top priority. While his rational mind understood that, it did nothing to alleviate his anxiety. He needed to know if he still had a business. Of greater importance, he needed to know if his daughter was still alive.

When Georgie and the other guests unlucky enough to have scheduled their vacations that week decided to fly home, Lee offered to refund their unused days. To a person, each refused, aware that he stood to lose much more than they.

As soon as the main roads were clear, Lee drove Georgie and his other guests to the airport. It would be their first look at the storm damage in the area, and what they saw was eye opening. Huge piles of vegetation lined both sides of the road, resulting in a single narrow lane down the middle. Devastation was everywhere; the usual scenic view they’d come to expect on the ride was non-existent.

He’d just returned to the shelter and his little corner of the gym when a member of the power and light crew walked through calling his name. Both he and Nina looked up in alarm.

Lee, Nina said, grabbing his arm.

Lee stood. I’m Lee Decker, he said nervously.

Mr. Decker, the man said, striding forward with hand outstretched. Pleased to meet you, sir. I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting your daughter.

Robbie? he whispered. You have news about my daughter?

Yes, sir, I do. She wanted me to tell you she’s fine and is eagerly awaiting your return.

Arlene stood. And my son?

If you’re Mrs. Noble, then yes, your boy is fine too.

A group sigh ensued as Lee pumped the man’s hand. Thank you so much. You can’t imagine how worried we were.

Oh, I think I can. I have kids around their age.

How soon do you think we can return?

We still have a lot of work to do. There was a six foot storm surge that left widespread flooding in low lying areas. And there are wires down all over the place. But we’re working as fast as we can to get you guys home.

And I can’t thank you enough. I know you’ve probably had a long day and just want to go home to your own family, so I appreciate you taking the time to find us and let us know about our kids.

No problem. Take care now.

The man hurried out, and Lee released a huge sigh. Blinking rapidly, he wrapped his arms around Nina and Arlene, and all three wept with relief.

* * *

A week after Robbie and Cam ran out of fresh food from the fridge, they also ran out of canned goods. They considered raiding the shelves of the general store, then decided to return to the cottages instead. Ever since they discovered the place in shambles, neither had wanted to go back.

But hunger was a powerful motivator. And so they returned with bags and boxes for any canned goods they might find among the ruins. Stepping cautiously among the rubble, Robbie pounced on a can buried beneath a pile of trash.

I found a can of carrots, she said, adding it to the can of peas in her bag.

You’re doing better than I am, Cam said. All I found was a soggy box of corn flakes. He tossed the box aside.

There should be more around here someplace. I think we’re in the kitchen.

Yeah, Cam agreed. That mangled mess looks like it used to be your kitchen table.

The teens retrieved a few more undamaged cans before moving on to the next cottage. There they added beans and corn to their stash. As they moved on to the next pile of rubbish, they saw vultures circling overhead.

Look at those ugly things, Robbie said. They’re waiting to pick our bones clean.

I don’t think so, babe. I think they already found their dinner and are zeroing in on it now. The wildlife didn’t fare any better in the storm than we did.

Robbie shuddered. Eww. Let’s finish up here and go back to your place and eat. I hope you have a can opener.

Yeah, there’s one on the counter.

She let out a giggle. Cam, your house is all electric. We need one of those old-fashioned doohickeys.

Oops, he said sheepishly. You’re right. I think we have one in a drawer somewhere. My mom has a thing for kitchen gadgets even though she doesn’t cook much.

When they reached the house, Robbie gasped. Cam, look! They took away that tree blocking your driveway. I wonder if they have the electric back yet.

Running upstairs ahead of him, she flicked a wall switch, her face falling when nothing happened. Well, maybe tomorrow, she said, frowning at the thought of having to endure another steamy night without air conditioning.

Although the night air was considerably cooler, it was still suffocatingly hot. It made for some fun showers with Cam, but as soon as they toweled off, they were dripping wet again.

Okay, let’s find that can opener, Cam said, setting down his canned goods. I’m hungry.

As he dug through a kitchen drawer, he came upon a wheel of pills. What’s this? he said, holding it up.

Robbie’s eyes opened wide. I think those are your mom’s birth control pills.

Why would she need these? She and my dad have been divorced for years.

Maybe she has a boyfriend. Your mom isn’t exactly an old hag.

He scoffed at her words. Nah. I would’ve known if she had a boyfriend.

Would you? How many times did your mom take a mini-vacation in the last few years? And how would you know who she has over when you and Chris are at school?

He cocked his head. I guess I don’t know for sure. I just never thought of her as . . .

As a sexual being?

No! That’s not what I meant.

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

"Okay,