And He Called It Research

After that Mac was only about half aware of what was being said by Gray Hair or anybody else for that matter. He read the top page and then tried to read it again, but he couldn't seem to understand what was in front of him. He looked up just as Gray Hair said, "One of the primary reasons that Melvin insisted that we gather here was because he wanted to be certain that all you met and became acquainted with each other. Now..." and Earl leaned over to Mac and whispered to him and smiled. Mac looked at him for a second and then he smiled and nodded as Gray Hair said, "So for dinner..."

Mac stood up and said, "Excuse me, but I'd like to say something that relates to dinner". Earl had whispered the arrangements to him, so Mac continued with, "But with your permission I'd like to extend an invitation to visit what Melvin considered the crown of his possessions, Serenity Island...Melvin's island. I've made arrangements for a short ferry ride to the island and then we'll have lunch at the Bistro. I can promise you a wonderful dining experience and we have some of Melvin's favorite private stock wines to share with all of you. Melvin would be bursting with happiness right now knowing that all of you will get a taste of what he considered his own Eden." Mac was laying it on pretty thick, but he smiled and made damn sure he made good eye contact with each of them for a brief moment.

Gray Hair smiled and said, "Very generous of you Mr. Patterson, and I feel safe in saying that we all eagerly accept your invitation."

"Wonderful. If you'll excuse me I'll just go and see that the ferry is ready for us."

Earl stood and added, "I'll just have a word with Mac and then I'll be back to escort all of you to the boat."

As soon as they were out of the conference room Mac closed the door and quickly asked Earl, "Are you sure they know about this and they can be ready?"

Earl smiled and said, "Yes, I text messaged Kate while we were listening to him blathering on, and she called your Taylor. That put the wheels in motion and your team took care of the rest."

"Right, my team," but Mac didn't know what he was talking about. "So the ferry really is there and waiting."

"Yes and Cletus is there and he made sure they pulled the large electric car out of storage so that's ready for us as well."

Mac smiled and clapped Earl's back and said, "Damn I do owe you one Earl."

"I was in on enough of the preparations for this little show that I had time to think about all of this. I'm just sorry I didn't put it all together until the last second."

"Well whatever, thanks again."

"My pleasure. Now go to the ferry and practice your smile and your string of chatter and I'll take my time about getting them down to the dock."

"I'm on my way," and Mac turned on his heel and ran out of the building with his file tucked under his arm and as Kate and Sissy watched him go.

By the time Mac's guests had seen a little of the island and Journey's End and had lunch, Mac was on first name basis with all of them, and he had their cards tucked in his pocket It didn't hurt when at lunch, Earl stood up and said, "Gentlemen I do want to make one correction. This was Melvin's island just as Mac said, but this is Mac's island. He just has this habit of calling it Melvin's because they had been such close friends for so long and it really was Melvin's favorite place to escape to when he could." Earl still liked to spin lies on the fly and he could still make his audience believe him totally.

Chapter One Hundred Six

Back at the dock Mac whispered to Earl, and then as they boarded the ferry for the mainland, Earl said he was going to stay behind and talk with Mac. Then waving to the group, they watched as Cletus brought the ferry about and set course for their destination.

Mac and Earl went back to Mac's and he handed his file to Earl and said, "You read this and tell me what the hell it means. I've scanned it twice and I must be missing something."

Earl smiled and picked up the file. He scanned the top page, flipped it and continued. "I can see why you might be confused, but keep reading it Mac and it will become much more clear to you."

"But according to that I own this damn place from east to west and all that is connected with Serenity Island."

"That's right. Mac, Melvin could never sell this island in today's market and get anything close to it's real worth. On top of that, he wanted to think that you would continue with the resort and keep everything in good shape. You didn't lie when you talked about how much Melvin loved this place. Oh you exaggerated of course, and I always thought it strange that for something that he so dearly loved, he rarely set foot out here. Anyway, the records show you paid him a million and a half bucks some six months ago. So it is indeed yours including the bank accounts connected with this place. Go see Troy Salinski in the states. He's the accountant that handles everything relating to the island and the resort. All of the information you need about where he is and so forth is at the end of this file. I know because I helped put this together."

"So you knew this all along?"

"Yes, I knew. I didn't know much about the others, but I did know this story."

"I have to pick up Liz at the airport soon or I'd sit here and get just drunk enough that I just might be able to accept this bit of news."

"I'll catch the next ferry, but I'd suggest you forego the urge to get drunk. I've not met your Liz, but you need to see to her comfort and happiness, and at the same time keep your head on straight. Mac, you have one hell of a responsibility on your shoulders now. It's up to you whether the resort succeeds or fails. I don't know the numbers, but I do know that are some funds to provide you a cushion, but make this place pay for itself or one day you'll find yourself in dire straits."

"That thought is already spinning through my head."

Earl shook Mac's hand and found his own way to the dock where he contentedly waited for the next boat to the mainland.

Mac still had a couple of hours before Liz would arrive, so he called Didi at work and asked that she call him later when she had a few minutes to talk. Then he read his file from front to back and then read it again as he underlined different sentences. He called Troy Salinski and requested some information, and talked about them meeting in the states in the near future. But that was as far as his mind would take him at the moment. Liz was on his mind too much to focus on other issues. So much so in fact that he was at the airport an hour before she was to arrive.

They smiled as she came up the ramp to the main concourse, and he opened his arms to her. They shared a warm embrace and a light kiss before she said she had a bag to retrieve. Then with that dragging behind Mac, they made their way out as he told her, "The occasion is somber, but damn it's good to see you again Liz."

She smiled and admitted, "It's good to see you too Mac, I still miss having you next door to me."

"How are your new neighbors?"

"Stu and Lena Scott. They're very nice. I've had coffee with them a couple of times, but I've been too busy to be a very good neighbor I'm afraid. Allie even knows them better than I do. She thinks Stu is pretty cool. Tell me what's going on in your life."

"Liz I have so much to tell you and to talk to you about, but I'm going to save it until we're home and free of distractions."

"But you're doing okay?"

"I think so, and the reason for that soft answer will be part of what I have to share with you."

"What about your meeting yesterday, how did that go?"

"Fine. The reason for that gathering is a little silly, but it's what Melvin wanted. One good thing came out of it though, I met several of Melvin's partners and had lunch with them at the Bistro. They were all very impressed with the island and the resort."

"That exposure certainly can't hurt the business."

"I know. How are Allie and Martin by the way?"

"Doing fine. They've been pretty busy too, but we've managed to see each other."

"I hope so. Liz if you need a few days off just let me know and take them. I certainly don't expect you to devote your life to that job."

"Thanks, but I'm doing okay."

They settled down and conversation slowed as Mac weaved through the light traffic. At the dock he handed the car keys to the dock man and they jumped into the runabout. "This is new."

"This was Melvin's."

"So now it's yours?"

"That's right. Part of the story I have to share with you." They eased away from the dock and then Mac slowly coaxed the throttle forward until it would go no farther, and Liz smiled as the boat bumped over the low waves and it seemed to her that they just might take wing and fly.

At the island, Henry was there to tie them off, and gave Liz a timid hug before he welcomed her back. As the electric car bumped over the sandy little lane back to Mac's, Liz said, "It's so nice how the staff welcomed me and remembered my name."

"I have great people that's for sure."

At the house he grabbed her bag and followed her inside where he abandoned the bag and took her in his arms again. She held him and he said, "It's been too long honey. I'm so glad you're here."

"I can only stay a couple of days though Mac."

"Hey, I'm the boss."

"Not for long. Serene Gardens has been sold and I may be out of a job."

"Oh shit. Because Melvin died and..."

"I was told the sale took place just days before he died so that's why I hadn't been informed. I'm still employed, but they will bring in their own people and who knows what will happen with the development after that."

He loosened his hold on her but kept his hands on her hips as he said, "But just a couple of days?"

"Mac, I'm sorry, but that's all. Don't let me forget to leave my company credit card with you."

"Hang on to it for now. If it becomes invalid just chop it up. Okay, go put on a bikini and we'll go for a walk while I tell you everything."

She sighed and smiled and said, "I'm glad you don't expect me to be naked. I just can't do that right now."

"Honey, you do what you can handle."

"I'll change and then we'll go."

Chapter One Hundred Seven

Mac waited until they had reached the beach before he put his arm around her again and steered her to the right. "It's great to be here again Mac. It's as beautiful as I remembered it," and then she smiled and admitted, "But warmer than I remembered it."

"We'll go until we get too warm and then we'll hide in the shade and talk."

"Okay, tell me everything Mac."

He stopped and turned her toward him as he said, "Before I get into a lot of very surprising and scary news, I want to tell you again how happy I am to have you here again. Liz, I've missed you and I mean that. I think about all of those days and hours we spent together working our asses off and dreaming things up together. Damn we were good together."

She smiled and agreed saying, "We were good together. We didn't set any records at anything we did, but we certainly didn't embarrass ourselves or each other either. Well I embarrassed myself about Beth, but that's another story. How did that go by the way?"

"Fine. She had a blast and went home with a killer all over tan and she could hardly wait to get home and share her stories with her best friend."

"You're glazing over a whole week though."

"Less than a week because of Melvin getting sick and then..."

"Oh of course. I'm sorry let's get back to what you were saying."

"I was telling you how much I've missed you."

"Mac, I've missed you too. I've worked hard to keep you in the back of my mind though because...well I just have to do that."

"What's wrong Liz?"

"Wrong? Nothing is wrong," but she looked away from him as she said that.

"We can come back to that later. Liz, at that meeting I was given a file. Not a really thick one, but several...well maybe a couple of dozen pages of information. But to boil it all down, I now own the island." She stared at him like she was waiting for a punch line, or at least a reasonable explanation, but he just smiled at her.

"Mac you're making this up."

"It's real. I'll show you the file later, but I own this whole damn island and everything connected to it. The water frontage where the mainland dock is, the bank accounts and...hell I'm still figuring out just what the hell I do own."

"But how...oh hell I can't even come up with an intelligent question."

"I know what you mean."

"They can't have read the will this soon."

"You're right, that won't happen for a few weeks at least. Melvin had the paper work done for this before he died."

"So...I still don't get it. But it's all legal and done?"

"A little paper work to be done, but yes, according to the lawyers it is legal. I have to fly up to Pennsylvania soon and meet with my accountant too."

"You're accountant is back home? I mean up..."

"Right. I don't know, but I'll guess it's the same accounting firm that handled Serene Gardens. There's one thing more Liz. I want you to come down here and be with me. Be on the island and work with me."

"My god, but Mac..."

"Yes damn it I know you're married, but I just had to ask. I need to be able to turn to you and ask you what you think of this or that, or have you tell me that I'm an ass once in awhile. I need you to laugh at my silly remarks and I need to be able to put my arms around you every so often."

"Oh damn it Mac, you have no idea what you're doing to me."

"Doing to you? I don't understand."

He watched her as she blinked back the tears and looked over his shoulder before she pulled him against her. "Damn it Mac, I'm trying so hard to keep our relationship more platonic and now you come along and say all of those things."

"Our relationship has never been just platonic. Not from the day I met you. We clicked and we've been closer than many married couples ever since."

"But damn it Mac, I don't know anything about resorts."

"I don't either and that's why I have that covered. I'll be interviewing them in a matter of days from now."

"But what about Sissy or that other...Kate, or...I don't know even Didi."

"No, I want you here honey."

"You shouldn't even be calling me honey."

He turned her head so she had to look at him as he smiled and told her, "Of course I can because I love you."

Then she cried and mumbled, "No Mac, don't say that. It just isn't funny anymore."

"Damn it Liz you're not telling me something. Something very important. What the hell is going on?"

"Okay you're right, but I just can't talk about it Mac. I'll get things straightened out. We'll go to the funeral tomorrow and I'll stay one more day, but then I'm headed home."

"Shit," he mumbled and they walked on in silence until they turned around.

"Mac, what about Tropic Treat, what will you do with that?"

"Another reason I need your help. That's ready for guests of the paying kind too. I have a group of people that might want to rent it for a week. That means working out the details for food and housekeeping and all manner of things. What will they do for fun? What will make them want to come back again, or at least tell their friends good things about us?"

"A large group for a week, wouldn't that be pretty expensive for them?"

"Very expensive, but not as much as it would be at Journey's End. The booze wouldn't be top shelf and the food would be a little less showy and expensive. The staff would be smaller and...well you get the idea. Pay less get less, but even at that, for a week the guests could have a great time and we'd come out with a fair profit. And that's very important because now this island has to pay for itself."

"Of course it does."

"I'm sorry Liz, I'm not thinking straight. Of course you can't be here for me. You have Darren and you can't just walk away from him or your new house or your friends. I'm being selfish and unrealistic. I've just missed you and I've missed working...oh hell I've missed you and that's the heart of it."

"Let's focus on now and enjoy our time together as much as we can. I'm so glad to be back here with you and to be on this wonderful island. In fact," and she removed her top and handed it to him. "I'll compromise okay?"

He smiled and kissed her cheek and said, "Thank you honey."

Chapter One Hundred Eight

Emma pulled up at Mac's old house, and with a smile that she couldn't get rid of went to the door and pushed the button. "May I help you?" Stu said.

"Oh my. I'm...oh...well I was expecting Mac to answer the door."

Stu smiled and said, "Mac has been gone for some time assuming you're referring to the previous owner."

"Yes I...I'm so disappointed. He and I didn't know each other long, but in one visit we developed such a nice friendship. I was away for a time, so I guess..."

"I'm being rude, come in."

"Thank you," and she stepped in as she said, "I'm Emma by the way. Emma Potter."

"Nice to meet you Emma, I'm Stu and...oh, and this is my wife Patty."

"Hi Patty. I'm sorry to interrupt your day and all because I'm so disorganized and caught a little off guard."

"That's fine," Stu said and then he told Patty what was going on.

"I'm sorry you missed him."

"Thank you. We sat out on your patio and talked for a long time over a wonderful drink that he served us."

"Well we don't have anything but iced tea, but let's go to the patio."

"You are being so very understanding. So you never got to meet Mac?"

"No. We've heard his name mentioned someplace, but knowing he lived here is new to us."

"He's a wonderful man. Like you actually. He was so cordial and even funny and so very sexy."

Patty said, "Oh really," and she smiled at Stu.

"This is a little embarrassing, but before I left I was sunning naked with him can you believe that? I've never done anything like that in my life, and there I was showing my bits to Mac the first day that we met. Of course I got to see his too," and she made a point of looking at Patty.

"You two really did bond quickly then."

"I'm still in awe of how that afternoon went. I went home and told my husband that...oh we live in that white house way up the mountain. You can see it from here," and she made a production of pointing up to her house.

"You're kidding," Stu said. "I've looked up that way many times because I drool when I think about the view you must have up there."

"It really is wonderful. I'll have to have you two up for coffee and show you what it's really like up there."

"I'd love that Emma."

"I'll get the tea," and Patty disappeared for a minute.

"Are you sure I'm not spoiling your day Stu?"

"Of course not, and I want to hear more about your house. Well let's wait until Patty comes back. So you and Mac really did sunbathe naked out here?"

"We did, isn't that sinful?'

"Oh Patty and I do that a lot. I mean that's what this new neighborhood is for and what they encourage us to enjoy."

"I'm glad you can enjoy life as it should be enjoyed. I'm naked a lot when I'm home too, but I don't have a very nice place to sun. So many trees you see."

"Yes, I can see that, and your back...is that a large porch?"

"Yes, a covered porch so again no sunning."

"Kind of a mixed blessing I guess."

"That's right, and of course when it's in the nineties down here we're much more comfortable up there because of the breezes and the shade."

"I'm sure that's true."

"What about your husband? I mean I see you wear a wedding band."

"Yes, Louie is my husband. He's an electrician and he gets so tied up in things that I just give up and go off on my own sometimes."

"I see."

Patty returned and they touched glasses before Emma made a show of tasting the tea and complimenting Patty. "We're not exactly in the south here, but tea is very popular. I just could never get used to sweet tea. I like it just like this," she said and took another taste. Of course had that been sweet tea she would have extolled the virtues of true southern sweet tea.