Snark & Sensibility

MEET ANDREA BOESHAAR

FLASH FICTION FRIDAY

MEET ME IN GALVESTON

Would he remember?

            A gust of mild, February sea air wafted across Jenny Wesphal's face. The tall palm tree in front of the Victorian bed-and-breakfast swayed. Jenny gripped the white, wooden porch rail and stared out over the lawn.

            Last year she and Tom Berwick met here on Galveston Island while on independent vacations. They seemed to have found something special. However, their relationship had to wait until Jenny finished earning her degree. Tom grudgingly agreed but made her promise to meet him in Galveston eight months later on Valentine's Day.

      And today was that day.

      The only problem was, Jenny hadn't heard from Tom in a while. Maybe coming here had been foolhardy, but Jenny had always been one to keep her promises.

      "Beautiful mornin’, isn’t it?"

      Hearing the deep, male voice, she swung around, half-expecting to see Tom. But instead a tall man with broad shoulders stared back at her from beneath a tan Stetson.

      He removed his hat. "Didn’t mean to startle you." His grin was captivating. "Name’s Cade McCoren." He stuck out his right hand.

      She took it. "Jenny Westphal."

      "Well, Miss Westphal...or is it Mrs.?"

      "Miss -- definitely miss."

      He smiled, glanced at the tips of his boots, then looked at her again. "Well, Miss Westphal, it's a pleasure to meet you. Have you stayed at this bed and breakfast before?"

      "No. How about you? Are you a regular?"

      "Might say so. My aunt Donna Gray owns and runs the B & B. I do the restoration and basic handyman stuff." He flicked a look at the house. "I actually came out here to tell you that my aunt's got breakfast ready."

      "Wonderful. Thank you." Jenny followed Cade into the dining room where a buffet awaited them. She took a plate and helped herself to the delicious-looking food. Cade politely held her chair while she sat down at the dark mission oak table. He offered to help his aunt, but she told him to enjoy his breakfast.

      Cade took the seat opposite Jenny. "So tell me about yourself, Miss Westphal."

      "It's Jenny, and there's not much to tell.  I work for a local accounting firm."

       "Are you in Galveston on business?"

      "No. I’m here hoping to be reacquainted with someone -- someone special. But I'm not sure he'll remember our agreement."

      "If it's meant to be, it'll happen." Cade gave her an encouraging grin. "Have some faith."

      More guests entered the dining room and sat down at the table. Light conversation ensued. Jenny finished eating and then excused herself. Upstairs, she collected her purse and sweatshirt before departing the B & B.

      Sunlight dappled the walk as she set off toward Murdoch's on Seawall Boulevard. The ocean view didn't get any better than from the historic bathhouse's veranda. She and Tom had agreed to meet there around noon and spend the rest of the day together.

      Jenny waited. But lunchtime came and went. From her cellular device, she checked messages, hoping to hear from Tom. Nothing. About mid-afternoon, she made her way to The Strand, Galveston's shopping district. Mom always said that when the going got tough, the tough went shopping.

            Hours later, Jenny sat down at a sidewalk café. Before she could order a cup of coffee, an older model, blue sedan slowed to a halt. Moments later, Cade McCoren appeared from the double-parked vehicle. He gave her a smile and nodded at her packages filling an adjacent white, wrought iron chair.

            "Looks like you had some fun. Want a lift back to the B & B?"

      "I’d appreciate it." Jenny's feet ached from all the walking she'd done.

      He gathered her purchases, and they walked to the restored 1974 Chevy Impala.

      "So…any sign of your special someone?"

      "Not yet."

      "Yet? The day’s almost done." Cade sent her a mischievous grin. "Are you giving this guy until sundown or what?"

      Jenny fastened her seatbelt. "I've had time to think, and I've decided that Tom and I aren't meant to be."

      "Are you OK?"

      She nodded. "Very OK."

      They rode in silence to the bed and breakfast. After Cade parked, Jenny crawled from his car. She collected her purchases then opened the back door.  

             "Here, let me help you before my aunt gives me a tongue-lashing for not acting like a proper gentleman."

      "Wouldn’t want that," Jenny teased.

      "Say…" Cade caught her hand. "Will you have dinner with me tonight? It is Valentine’s Day after all."

      "I don't want your pity, Cade."

      "I’m not offering you pity.” He arched a brow. “Fact is, I pity the guy who didn't show up today."

      "Thanks." Jenny felt the warmth emanating from Cade's palm. She'd come to Galveston to meet that special someone and perhaps she had. "I accept your dinner invitation." 

            Together she and Cade strolled toward the wide front porch of the bed and breakfast.

Vitae: Andrea Boeshaar

Andrea’s publishing career began in 1994 when her first novel was released by Heartsong Presents book club (Barbour Publishing). In 2007, Andrea earned her certification in Christian life coaching and she’ll soon earn her bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

Meanwhile, Andrea continues to write. Her latest novels include: Give Me Thine Heart, Love’s Guiding Light (Steeple View Publishing), and Her Hometown Heart (Pelican Book Group). In 2019, the long-awaited third installment in her Shenandoah Valley Saga will release.

For more information and to sign up for her newsletter, log on to her website. https://andreaboeshaar.com/

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