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“My family is here, and we have things to sort out over the next week,” Dee said. “But then I need to return to the office. I want to stay busy, and my mom was never one to stay idle for long for any reason, so I’ll be back at it.”
Dee then introduced Jenni to the members of her family standing in the vestibule. Jenni was about to ask her about her own work schedule when Dee suddenly added, “Jenni, you were great the past two days stepping up and taking care of things at the office in my absence. I’ve already told the board we’re both going to be away for a few days. You’ve certainly earned your break for the rest of this week. I’ll plan to see you on Monday.”
“Thanks, Dee,” she said with a sigh of relief that she hoped Dee did not notice.
The truth was, Jenni had no idea what she would have said to Barb, May Ellen, and Caitlin if she’d had to cancel her fishing trip. She knew they’d understand, but she didn’t want to disappoint them.
Now she didn’t have to, and for that, she was extremely grateful.
“When we both get back, we’ll have Giving Tuesday to look forward to and the end of the year,” Dee was saying as they walked into the very sunny and warm autumn morning. “So, this trip for you comes at a good time. You’ll be plenty busy in the weeks ahead.”
Jenni hugged her again and headed to her car.
When she checked her phone, she realized she would have time to drive to her apartment and change into something more comfortable for the drive to the Outer Banks. She’d also be arriving a little earlier than expected. She sent a quick text to Caitlin as a heads-up, promising to text again when she got to Whalebone Junction.
She took a moment to double-check the weather forecast but nothing had changed since the last time she’d looked. The entire state was experiencing an unseasonable but not unheard-of warm spell, and along the coast it would be in the mid to upper seventies.
She certainly wouldn’t need her hat or gloves, or those awful waders either. She changed into shorts and a T-shirt for the drive, knowing that in October it could just as easily have been raining, with cool temperatures bordering on cold. This would make fishing much more enjoyable. She might even be able to put her feet in the water.
This time on the drive east, she was aware that indeed, autumn was in full swing. Around Raleigh, trees were turning, and many were in their full glory. But the further east she drove, the fewer colorful trees she noticed.
There was such a tremendous difference in the landscape over a relatively short distance.
Jenni acknowledged to herself that she wasn’t at all certain she’d like living without a distinctive change of seasons. She was sure the island did change; it would probably just be different.
With the warmth, it almost felt like summer, but there was definitely less traffic than in July. Instead of families on summer vacation, she saw vehicle after vehicle adorned with fishing rods.
This tournament, the “Beat the Drum” event, was the sister tournament to the one in which she’d participated in the spring.
Who on earth comes up with these crazy names?
But at least this name gave her an indication of what she’d be fishing for. What was it Uncle Ron had said about catching drum? And did he say it was different if you fished for puppy drum instead of black drum?
She didn’t think so, but she’d ask Barb or May Ellen and follow their lead.
She thought about all she’d learned about fishing since her initiation into the sport back in April. She’d even gone ahead and ordered a few fishing books on her own, some with photos and drawings of fish, and others about the art of fishing.
At least this time around she was much more prepared, which was not hard to do, given in April she’d been absolutely unprepared.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jenni made sure to stop at the rest stop and information center at Whalebone to text Caitlin. As she drove toward the new bridge, her thoughts went back to how she’d first met Caleb.
Was it really six months ago?
She allowed herself to wonder if he’d be there with his “Cast of Thousands,” all staying at the aptly named “Tackle Box.” She had to face the fact that the answer to both those questions waslikely a yes. But that didn’t mean she would see him, and it was less likely that they would have any opportunity to speak.
She understood now that her tangle of feelings for him had a lot to do with her anger and resentment toward Compy.
Being able to separate the two had been a real breakthrough for her. Jenni knew that she was responsible for what had happened with Caleb, and while that was painful in a different way, at least she owned up to her part in what had happened.
Maybe at least she could say she was sorry if she had the chance. Then again, maybe it was best to keep the past in the past.
Mulling over all those thoughts took her the rest of the way down the island. She saw a number of birds already starting their migration journeys to points further south. The pelicans and the cormorants were species she knew, but obviously, there were others as well. The sea oats were golden in the softer October light as they swayed in the light breeze.
She decided that this was her favorite time of year on the island. Maybe it was all those things she was noticing that made up for the lack of spectacular color that occurred in other parts of the state.
As she approached the entrance to the little subdivision where “Mermaid’s Mansion” was located, she was shocked to see smoke rising from the area. She was even more shocked as she saw that a house just two doors away from the “Mansion” had been heavily damaged by what had to have been a very recent fire.
