Dirty Summer: A small town romance serial (A Dirty Summer Episode Book 1) Read online

  Dirty Summer

  Episode 1

  Violet Paige

  Copyright © 2020 by Violet Paige

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Also by Violet Paige

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Keep in touch with Violet

  Also by Violet Paige

  Cold Love Hockey Series

  Cold As Puck

  Cold As Hell

  Cold As Ice

  Football Romance

  Turn Over

  Sidelined

  Dirty Play

  Double Score

  Royal Romance

  Tempting the Crown

  Risking the Crown

  Loving the Crown

  Billionaire Romance

  Don’t Go

  Not Husband Material

  Not Daddy Material

  The Dirtiest Deal

  The Hottest Deal

  Military Romance

  Don’t Tell

  Don’t Lie

  Don’t Promise

  Ranger’s Baby Surprise

  Delta’s Baby Surprise

  Sweet Satisfaction

  Suspense

  Resist

  Surrender

  Hart Pursuit Trilogy

  Damaged Hart

  Shattered Hart

  Stolen Hart

  Prologue

  This was the last place she should be. The absolute last place. She woke up this morning in hot and dusty Dallas, and now she was standing outside of the Dock House while boats rocked in their slips.

  Her heel made a hollow sound as it hit the parking lot pavement. She slammed the car door behind her and inhaled, taking in this place and all the memories they had made.

  The wind whipped through her hair. She hesitated. This was all wrong. She shouldn’t be here, but she had to know. She had to see him again.

  She pushed open the door, her heart in her throat, her palms dewy with perspiration, her breath fevered.

  Was any of it real, or was it all just a flash of summer heat?

  One

  Blair

  “You have got to be kidding me. This is it? This?” Blair glared at the mound of land sprawling in front of them. From the small peak at the top of the bridge, the island didn’t look like much.

  Maggie grinned. “Yes. This is it.”

  “An entire summer here?” Blair maneuvered the car onto the thin strip of island road. “There’s nothing here.”

  “That’s the point. Remember? We’re trying out simplicity.”

  Blair knew they had agreed to spend one last summer together before they started work in the fall, but Harkers Island seemed different in her imagination from reality.

  “Oh my God. Is that the post office? It looks like a mall kiosk.” Blair slowed the car in front of a tiny brick building. The American flag flying out front was bigger than the only window.

  Maggie leaned against her door, her nose almost touching the glass. “It’s quaint. It’s exactly what we wanted. Since we graduated last month, we’ve been rushed with interviews and packing. We need this.”

  As the car meandered farther into the depths of the island, Blair pointed across the street. “Could that be the grocery store? Is says supermarket and it’s smaller than most convenient stores. Where is the gym? What about a coffee shop?” She didn’t like quaint and she didn’t like remote. Why in the hell did she let Maggie talk her into this?

  Maggie sighed, adjusting her sunglasses. The glistening light off the water was blinding. “We don’t need coffee shops and we can run every day and do yoga at home. We’re going to make this fun. It doesn’t matter how big the grocery store is. We need this break before we start working. You’ll be in Dallas at the TV station. I’ll be in Charleston at my PR job. I know we think we’ll see each other, but it’s never going to be the same again. This is our last summer together.”

  “Don’t be so melodramatic. It’s not going to be the last summer,” Blair huffed. She turned her blond head in Maggie’s direction. “I can’t believe you talked me into this. We could be cruising the Caribbean, sipping wine in France, or partying in South Beach. Instead, we’re stuck in the middle of nowhere.” She looked down at the phone in the console. “Will we even get cell service out here?” What if she couldn’t text or get Snapchat?

  Maggie laughed. “We didn’t time travel.”

  They might as well have. Blair gripped the steering wheel and stared out the windshield, searching for civilization. White clapboard houses aged by salt winds dotted the sides of the roads. It was starting to feel more like a nightmare and less like a tranquil vacation spot. Wasn’t there a horror movie that started out like this?

  “Ok, so where is this place?” Blair couldn’t imagine there was much more road ahead of them. The island wasn’t more than two miles wide and five miles long. They had been creeping along at thirty-five for a while now.

  “When I talked to Mrs. Buttons this morning, she said it was near the end of the island on the right. White with a wraparound porch, swing, and marigolds in the flower boxes.”

  “See? No GPS here. You had to get caveman directions.” Blair reined in her instinct to groan.

  “You can’t argue with free. We get the house in exchange for utilities and looking after the place. How bad can that be?” Maggie was way too chipper and excited.

  Blair tapped on the brakes as she turned onto a gravel drive. “Ok maybe I’ll reconsider my earlier statements.” She looked up at the house towering over them.

  Maggie beamed. “I knew you’d love it.”

  If there was one thing Blair appreciated, it was style, and this waterfront house was oozing with it.

  They hopped out of the car and climbed the front porch steps. Maggie rang the doorbell, and they waited for Gladys Buttons to open the door.

  A short woman with bright white hair greeted them. “Hello, girls.” She smiled before ushering them over the threshold. “Hope you didn’t have any trouble with the directions.”

  “No, ma’am, I don’t think we could ever get lost around here,” Blair replied as she rolled her eyes.

  Maggie jabbed her in the ribs. “Blair just means it was an especially scenic drive for us.”

  Mrs. Buttons stopped in the hallway and turned to face them. “Well, I’m glad to hear it. Let me show you around, and then I’ll be on my way. I know you’re anxious to unpack and settle in. How long did it take you from Chapel Hill?”

  After the elbow to the side, Blair decided to let Maggie do the chatting.

  Her petite, brunette friend piped in. “I think a little over three hours. It wasn’t a bad drive.”

  “I’m sure you’re thirsty. How about we have some sun tea?” Mrs. Buttons suggested.

  “That sounds delicious.” Maggie was practically giggling. Blair thought the last time she’d seen her this giddy was when she got the call from the Charleston tourism group offering her a job.

  The girls followed her into a white-tiled kitchen. Mrs. Buttons pulled out three glasses and a pitcher, and started pouring on the kitchen’s island, floating in the heart of the kitchen. Whoever designed this place had killer taste.

&
nbsp; The ice crackled under the stream of tea. Blair took in the great room where they stood. The windows climbed from the floor to the ceiling, and on the opposite end of the room was a monstrous fireplace that stretched the entire length of the living room wall.

  Blair took a sip. “This house is amazing.”

  “Thank you.” The older woman surveyed the living space. “It’s been in my family for over a hundred years. The islanders said my father was crazy when he built it. Said it wouldn’t withstand a hurricane or even a nor’easter, but as you can tell, she’s still doing fine.” She settled on one of the open bar stools and sighed. “You know I grew up in this house, but now it belongs to my son and his wife. They’ve done a lot of remodeling.” She took her time telling the history of the house.

  Blair realized it wasn’t the best time to throw in a compliment on the wainscoting or the light fixtures.

  “I never thought it would look like this, but it’s his now and he told me to find someone to take care of it. He and Sally are touring Australia this summer. I know you two will take real good care of it.”

  Blair thought there might be tears in the woman’s eyes.

  “Do they live here year-round?” Blair asked.

  The island native shook her head. “Heavens no. They’ve got a place in Raleigh and one in the mountains. This is their third home.”

  “Oh.” Blair didn’t know what else to say.

  “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

  The duo placed their glasses on the counter and followed Mrs. Buttons up the winding staircase.

  “Margaret, this will be your room.” Mrs. Buttons pushed open the white paneled door.

  Maggie stepped forward. Blair peeked around her friend to get a look at the cherry sleigh bed and the stone fireplace in the corner.

  “Nice digs, G.” She smiled.

  Maggie giggled.

  Mrs. Buttons walked across the room. “I really think you’ll like your closet.” She flung the door open to reveal a huge walk-in space.

  “Oh my God. I think this is bigger than any dorm room I had at Carolina.” Maggie looked stunned.

  Blair didn’t want to push, but she was ready to see her room. If it were half this beautiful, maybe her summer wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  “Blair, follow me. Your room is right across the hall. You two share a balcony and a bathroom.”

  Blair stopped in the doorway. It was like a Cottage Living magazine spread. Hardwood floors, French doors, and a four-poster bed.

  “It’s perfect.” She walked to the end of the bed and looked out the window. The winds on the sound were picking up.

  “Oh good. If it hadn’t been for you girls answering my ad, I would have to close the house up for the summer. It’s just too much for me to take care of with my other house. It’s hard enough getting up these stairs.” She smiled and walked toward the hallway. “And it’s not good to shut it down like that. I tried to tell Daniel you can’t close her down, but he hasn’t been here in so long, I think he’s lost the love for the place.” Her eyes were definitely misting over this time. “Daniel and Sally can be sort of dull some times. It will be nice to have some life in the house. It sorely needs it.”

  Blair cut a glance to Maggie. They weren’t about to let her know they originally thought her ad was a scam. Really, who placed ads for summer house sitters in student papers anymore? Blair remembered the day Maggie showed it to her during final exam week. It seemed too good to be true.

  Mrs. Buttons extended a delicate hand to them. “Here is a key for each of you. The code for the alarm system Daniel installed is in the kitchen drawer. There’s no crime or law on the island, so you can leave the house unlocked during the day unless you travel to the mainland. That alarm was a waste of money in my opinion.” She held up another keychain. “And here’s a key to the shed in the backyard. There are beach supplies and bikes in there if you want to explore. I live only one house past Easterd’s store, so come get me if you need anything.”

  “Why don’t you just give us your cell number?” Blair suggested. She wasn’t terribly interested in searching the island for her if there was a maintenance emergency.

  “Cell phone? Oh, I don’t need one of those. I’m one house past Easterd’s,” she repeated her location to the girls. “I’ve gotta go now. I have a quilting circle meeting in an hour.”

  They watched as she hobbled off the back porch and disappeared around the corner.

  Maggie turned toward Blair, a bright smile on her face. “Aren’t you excited? Isn’t it amazing? Come on, you have to be happy we’re here.”

  Blair nodded hesitantly. “Ok, I’ll give you the fact that the house is amazing, but I’m still not sold on the island. I’m already having Starbucks withdrawal.”

  Maggie rushed out the screen door.

  “G, where are you going?”

  “To unpack the car. Let’s get this summer started.”

  Blair pulled her sunglasses over her eyes and followed her friend. This summer had disaster written all over it.

  Two

  One Month Later

  Maggie

  The late afternoon sun beat on Maggie’s shoulders as she lowered herself down the seawall onto the smattering of sandy beach below. She wiped the back of her hand across her forehead. Whew! It was hot. As she glanced across the sound toward the faraway beacon that was Cape Lookout Lighthouse, she longed for any bit of breeze she could find. But there was none.

  It was too hot. She was tired of the heat, and tired of Blair’s complaining. And she hated to admit it, but she was even getting a little bored. After a month on the island, the long, hot summer days were beginning to meld together, and she sometimes found herself counting the days until fall.

  She continued to walk down the narrow beach that the low tide had graciously left. That was another thing. The beaches on this island weren’t necessarily luxurious, sandy, or even large. It was mostly marshy and only at times like this, extremely low tide, did one get to sink her toes into the sand. Being on the island was definitely a first for her. She grew up near the lakes around Charlotte and loved the water, but something about the salt changed the whole experience.

  Maggie sighed. She would never admit to Blair that even she, the eternal optimist, was getting a bit stir crazy. Maybe her dad’s summer offer to work in the marketing department at Z Power Boats wasn’t such a bad idea. There were perks to being the boss’s daughter, and her portfolio would have grown three-fold. Whether she was Denny Zeal’s daughter or not, she couldn’t accept the handout. She was out of college and determined to set her own course. That meant finding a way to salvage the rest of the summer.

  At least Blair had focus. She was spending her time on the island preparing for her career in Dallas. Maggie observed her friend writing news stories she found online. It was all part of keeping her writing sharp, Blair explained. She could be overly dramatic at times, but at least she had something to think about. Blair was never lacking in drive.

  As for Maggie, she was excited about her new job in Charleston, but deep down, she was a little sad that her four years at Carolina had ended without having a serious relationship. She was twenty-two, and she had never truly fallen in love. Of course, there had been boyfriends. None of them had lasted long. Lately, she had begun to wonder if her standards were too high.

  She felt a warm splash of water. The tide was coming in. She had this need to dive into the water, but had a feeling it would offer no relief from this sweltering heat.

  Unsure of where she was going, but intrigued by the sea life, she continued to walk down the shoreline. Broken oyster shells and scallop shells lined the beach area. She could hear the high-pitched squawking of the gulls as she looked out across the horizon.

  She almost tripped on a large rock filled with sharp barnacles before she caught herself. When she looked up, she saw him.

  The first thing Maggie spotted was a beautiful, tanned back where the muscles seemed to dance in the sunlight. S
he could almost count them. He was bending down in a white wooden boat just right of the shoreline. The faint sounds of the Embers’ music filled the air. She listened as he quietly sang with a somewhat off-key voice. She thought she recognized the words of I Love Beach Music.

  Maggie smiled as he stood once again. She ducked behind one of the large gray rocks on the beach so she could continue to watch him without being noticed. He turned and she could see his profile as he whistled to the music. His tan was deep and even. It covered his massive shoulders. His dark, somewhat unruly hair was damp with sweat and in a state of disarray. She watched with interest as he ran a hand through it so he could brush an errant strand off his forehead. Dark sunglasses hid his eyes, but his lips were full and stretched into a concentrated line as he worked.

  Maggie sighed. The heat must be getting to me. Did I conjure this perfect image from my dreams? This tall, dark stranger was like a mirage.

  The sound of sandpaper scratching against wood broke her reverie. She watched as he skillfully smoothed the wooden boat. A Harkers Island boat.

  She had heard and read about the Harkers Island boat builders. They were talented craftsmen.

  This tall, tan boat builder appeared to be almost finished with his masterpiece. Soon, he would add the engine, powered to go fast across the open waters.

  He looked up, and Maggie crouched farther behind the protection of the rock. She wasn’t sure why, but she didn’t want him to see her. She liked watching and being an observer of his world. There was something about the way his large hands worked so delicately with the wood. If he saw her now, it would break the spell.

  She felt water hit her ankles and she let out a small yelp. The tide was coming in quickly now, and soon, there would be no beach left. She had to escape before the water completely engulfed her.