Free Falling For Zoe (The Camerons of Tide's Way #1) by Skye Taylor Page B

gently. He drew her hand firmly into the crook of his arm and steered her in the direction of the old oak tree. “Why don’t you sit in the chair under the tree where it’s shady. There’s a nice breeze, and you’ll be comfortable there.”
    Celia looked up into Jake’s face with a beaming smile. “You are such a dear boy. I do think that would be nice. Thank you.”
    Jake didn’t even bother to glance at his aunt. He didn’t want to see the patronizing impatience on her face. He settled Celia in an old Adirondack chair, asked if she would like a glass of sweet tea, and when she declined, left her there while he dealt with whatever his aunt had come to discuss. What Zoe must be thinking about all this , flashed through Jake’s mind, but he didn’t have time to dwell on it at the moment.
    Zoe overheard the conversation going on below her with a mixture of distaste toward the unseen woman, pity for Celia, and sympathy for Jake. She’d caught a brief glimpse of the woman as Jake dropped to the ground and recognized her as the woman in the photo on Jake’s mantle.
    What was wrong with Jake’s aunt that she didn’t understand that Celia couldn’t help her failing memory? For that matter, how could she treat her grown nephew with so little respect? Not that Zoe’s father was any better. I guess Jake and I have something in common after all , she thought as she accepted another cup of tepid chamomile tea from Lori and a cookie from the plate that Lynn held out.
    Zoe was still thinking about Jake and his aunt when she climbed the steps to her own porch twenty minutes later and found Celia sitting in one of her rockers.
    “Celia.” Zoe dropped into the other rocker. “I’m so glad you’ve come for a visit.” Does Jake know she’s here? “May I get you something to drink?”
    “I believe I would like a glass of sweet tea if it isn’t too much trouble.” Celia rocked gently, her gaze drifting from Zoe to the yard beyond.
    “Yes, ma’am. Coming right up.” Zoe hurried inside and grabbed the phone. She dialed Jake’s number while reaching for a glass and then waited impatiently for him to answer.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, Jake. Did you know Celia’s sitting on my porch?”
    Zoe heard Jake sigh. “I thought she was still under the tree. Can she stay with you for a few minutes longer? I need to get my aunt taken care of, then I’ll be over.” The sound of Jake’s voice, even over the phone, sent a lovely warm feeling tingling through her. But she heard frustration and maybe a hint of sadness in his tone. She could relate to that. That was how she felt every time she had to listen to one of her father’s harangues.
    “Sure. No need to hurry. I wasn’t going anywhere anyway.”
    Quickly she hung up and filled the glass from the pitcher in the fridge, then headed back to the porch. “Here you are,” Zoe said, pressing the tall glass into the older woman’s hands.
    Celia brought her gaze back to Zoe. “Have you seen Martin yet?”
    “Martin?” Zoe felt her eyes widen in surprise at the suddenly clear and intense tone of Celia’s question. Zoe had never heard of anyone named Martin and had no idea to whom Celia might be referring.
    Celia leaned forward to whisper confidentially. “Martin grew up here.”
    Well, that explained not having met the man. He was another memory from Celia’s past.
    “Martin’s great-great-grandfather built this house, you know.”
    Zoe hadn’t known. But who was Martin? Other than another Jolee family member?
    “Martin was a soldier,” Celia went on, as if reading Zoe’s mind. “He went off to fight in Korea. He never had a proper funeral because his body never came home. But his spirit did, and he sometimes appears around people he likes. This is the only home he ever knew, so I guess it’s natural he’d want to be here.”
    “How do you know all this?” Zoe felt more curiosity than alarm at the idea that the ghost of a young soldier might be skulking about her