Free Salt Water Wounds (Oyster Cove #1) by Jennifer Foor

to.
    Maybe I should have listened, but when I scan the room and notice so much of his wife’s belongings still apparent, I freeze in place. A pink fuzzy robe hangs on a hook, and a pair of slippers sit underneath. The nightstand has a watch and some other jewelry on a tray, and a pile of women’s clothes are folded in a basket on the floor that look to have dust over them top. “Oh, Buck. Have you left her things like this since she’s been gone?”
    “Am I pathetic?”
    “No. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” I can feel tears welling in my eyes. My emotions are going nuts, as I consider the amount of love this man still holds for his wife. It’s something I’ve never witnessed before.
    Buck stumbles for words. “Really? You don’t think I’m crazy?”
    I shake my head and reach up to touch his cheek. There’s nothing intimate about this embrace. I’m simply comforting him as a friend. He places his hand over mine and then slowly pulls it away. Then Buck sits on the edge of his mattress and stares down at the floor. “She would have been forty six today. I miss her so damn much, and not just for everything she did to keep our family going. I miss her smile, and the way she would yell at me for snoring. I miss her bitching. It’s supposed to get easier, and even though in a lot of ways it has, I’m still suffering.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss, Buck. Cancer is a bitch. No one deserves that fate, but you have to know she’s not suffering. As much as you love her that has to help get you by.”
    He nods. “It does.” While his face remains calm, I can tell he’s hurting. I stand and watch him take a deep breath. “Let’s go watch this storm before it’s over.”
    Just like a switch turning on a light, he’s done with the conversation. I think it’s a man thing, but I can appreciate him giving me a few minutes to ask questions without it becoming awkward.
    Once we’re outside, we spray down with bug repellent and take two matching seats that look out at the water, the clouds, and the beautiful lightening striking down across the horizon.
    “I’d like to buy your bar, Perry. It’s time I start looking for a job that isn’t so physical. I need something to fall back on.”
    “Seriously? Do you have experience?”
    “Not a lick.”
    We both laugh. I bite down on my lip and look into his curious eyes. He’s such a beautiful man. It’s almost too hard to deny him anything when we’re alone like this. “Like I said before, I’ll have to think about it.” If he only knew what I’d have to do to be able to sell it to anyone.
    “You do that. Keep me posted. I think it’s something I’d enjoy.”
    “You hate talking to people. That’s a big part of the job.”
    “I hate people who think they can be in my business. I don’t mind listening to other people vent. It’s amusing to know I’m not the only screw up on the island.”
    “You have a point.” I’m quiet for a second. “I’ll think about it, if you agree to one thing first.”
    “What?”
    I wait for him to look at me before saying it. “Take me out on a date. Dinner. Something.”
    “I…That’s not a good idea.”
    “Buck, it’s time. I’m not asking for a promise ring, just a damn meal and conversation. We’ve done pretty good tonight so far.”
    He takes a few seconds to think about it. “Okay. I can agree to that.”
    “Good, because I wasn’t planning on taking no for an answer, not this time.”
    Just like that, in the midst of having the worst day in years, I’m smiling ear to ear. Buck Wallace is taking me on a date. He’s slowly opening up to me. Now all I have to do is make sure I say the right things, and prove to him that he can be happy again. I can make this happen. We both need this. We can be good together, if he’d let me have the chance to prove it to him.
     

Chapter 7

     
    I’m sitting next to someone I’m used to seeing at her place of business. Due to the situation she’s in,