Secrets in the Sand by Carolyn Brown

            “Hey, it’s all right, I promise.” Clancy shut the door of his Bronco and went around to open her door and gather up a load of luggage. “My mother doesn’t bite, you know. And besides, she and Tom are still honeymooners so they won’t even know we’re around most of the time.”

            “You should have called first. She can’t say no now.” Angel nervously tugged her red shorts down and smoothed the front of a matching sleeveless shirt.

            “Clancy!” Meredith Morgan, immaculately groomed as always, met them at the front door. “And Angela? Is that really you all grown up? Come in. Tom and I just got home this morning. We’ve been watching for you since you called yesterday morning.”

            “We thought we’d move into the guesthouse out by the pool if that’s all right,” Clancy said as he walked in the front door and set the bags down to hug his mother. “Angel’s still got the better part of two weeks’ vacation,” he explained.

            Angel looked around at the inside of the house. It hadn’t changed much since the last time she was there with her granny. The only thing new was the pool and guesthouse, which she could see through double glass sliding doors on the other side of the dining area.

            “Hello.” She stuck her hand out to Meredith when Clancy set the luggage down in the living room and went back for the rest.

            “Oh, don’t you offer me that hand, girl. Come here and give me a hug. I’m so sorry to hear about your grandmother’s passing.” Meredith wrapped her arms around Angel and patted her back. “She was a fine woman and a good friend. Now, tell me about that storm. I’m glad you got out in time. We were really worried until Clancy called us.”

            “We didn’t have service for hours and hours,” Angel answered. “I didn’t know if Clancy was going to drive us out or paddle us out for a while there, but we finally reached dry ground. Are you sure this is all right? I can get a motel room.”

            “This is fine. We’re glad to have you.” Meredith brushed away the idea with a flick of her hand. “That’s what the guesthouse was built for. The pool isn’t the ocean, but I bet the sun’s just as hot here, and you won’t have to worry about a storm.”

            “Thanks.” Angel nodded. “Clancy, honey, let me help you take our things out to the guesthouse.”

            “This way.” He nodded toward the doors about the same time Tom opened them from the outside.

            “Merrie,” he said, “those ferns have got to be watered every day, and we’re going to have to plant more… Oh, hello, Clancy. Glad you kids made it home.” He grinned. “Oh my goodness! Angel Conrad! Come here and give me a hug, child. Lord, it’s been ten years since I’ve seen you, and you’re more beautiful than ever. You’re a lucky man, Clancy!”

            “You’re still a giant.” She giggled, standing on her tiptoes to hug him.

            “And you haven’t grown an inch!” Tom grinned. “Are you stayin’ awhile with us?”

            “I guess so. The storm sent us back home, and Clancy says there’s room for me in the guesthouse.”

            “Room for you anywhere you want to hang your hat around here,” Tom said. “Let me carry those bags for you. We’ve got dinner reservations at some place over in Ardmore. You two have to go with us.” He skirted the pool and opened the west door of the guest cottage.

            Meredith was behind him, shaking her head. Tom couldn’t see it, but Clancy and Angel could.

            “Thanks, Tom,” Angel said. “But it’s been a long day, and all I want is a hamburger from the Dairy Queen. Then I want to come back here and sit in one of those lounge chairs by the pool until the stars come out. Airplanes were meant to get a person from one end of this country to the other, not automobiles!”

            “I heard that.” Tom set the suitcases inside the guesthouse and then backed out the door. “Y’all make yourselves at home. I’ll go on in the house and get ready to go, and you kids can fend for yourselves. And, Angel, it’s mighty good to have you back for a while. We missed you and your granny when you left.”

            “Thank you.” She flashed a bright, honest smile toward him.

            “Not that I don’t want you,” Meredith whispered, “but this is a special evening I had planned for the two of us…”