Sands of Time Read online

  Sands of Time

  H. D’Agostino

  Copyright © May 2019 by Heather D’Agostino

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. All characters and storylines are the property of the author and your support and respect is appreciated. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. The following story contains mature themes, profanity, and sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers.

  Cover Design by Pink Ink Designs

  Editing by Kellie Montgomery

  Photography by Shauna Kruse @Kruse Images

  Cover Model: Ryan Harmon

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Epilogue

  Sands of Time Playlist

  Other Works by H. D’Agostino

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  5 years ago…

  Kaitlyn

  TIMING IS EVERYTHING. It affects every choice we make in our lives. It impacts our relationships, and the future depends on it. We don’t realize it when it’s happening, but every choice, every moment, every feeling comes back to something we said or did sometimes years before.

  Leaving Crescent Moon Beach was one of the hardest things I had ever done, but I think coming back now is even harder. I met Eli Baker in French class. His seat was behind mine, and he used his lack of understanding as a tool to talk to me. We bonded in a way no one really understood at the age of sixteen. It didn’t take long before our friendship turned into something else, and I destroyed it.

  On graduation day as my classmates and I were putting on our caps and gowns, Eli was busy telling me about how great our summer was going to be before college. What he didn’t know was I wasn’t spending the summer at home. I’d been given the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to study culinary arts in Paris, and I was going to take it.

  That afternoon as we sat on the beach in our spot, I broke his heart for the first time. I stared straight at the water as I let my confession flow from my lips. I was leaving at the end of the week. I was sorry, and I’d be back in a couple years, but I needed to take this chance because I wasn’t sure I’d ever have another one. This was my moment, a moment to shine.

  “I don’t know why this is so hard,” I muttered under my breath. I hated flying. I hated it so much that I usually took a Xanax before I climbed on a plane. Not today though, and I’m cursing myself every time this tin can hits a small pocket of air. I’d been sitting here for almost eleven hours, and I was counting the minutes until we touched down.

  “Please fasten your seatbelts,” the airline attendant’s voice came over the speaker. “We’re making our descent now and should be on the ground shortly.” I sighed as I leaned back into my seat. My hands were white knuckled on the armrest, and I think the woman beside me was just as ready to get away from me as I was to get off.

  When the plane touched down, I released a deep breath. I was home. This was the first time I’d set foot on American soil in five years. My parents had come to Europe several times, I’d never had the time to come visit them until now. Christmas was my favorite time of year. I loved the smells as much as the sights. Part of what got me interested in cooking were the pastries that this little bakery down the road put in their window at Christmas. Eli and I would stop in and pick out one to share every time we walked by.

  Eli… I wondered what he was doing. When I left, I had promised to come back, but one thing led to another, and I ended up staying in France. I’d always dreamed of running my own kitchen and learning from some of the best chefs in the industry was a dream come true. We’d kept in touch for the first year, sending letters to each other, but as time passed the letters became fewer and the time between them grew. I’d finally given up when he sent me a ‘Dear John’ letter. I never thought my heart would break while I was doing what I loved, but I was wrong. Eli had always been a part of me. He was my first real boyfriend, my first kiss, my first everything. Even though we’d been apart for months, it still hurt.

  As I stood in line at customs, I wondered what he was doing now. Did he open his own place like we’d always talked about? Was he married yet? Was he even still in Crescent Moon Beach? “Miss?” The man behind the counter jostled me out of my memory. I handed over my passport as I rambled off my reason for visiting and waited for the stamp of approval. I’d planned to visit for a week, and then I had to go back. My boss had been generous with the week off. It was very busy this time of year with the holiday and working as his sous chef had been no easy feat.

  “Enjoy your stay.” He handed me back my passport, and I grabbed my carry on as I made my way to baggage claim. After picking up my luggage, and checking in to get my rental, I began the drive to my parents’ house. It was evening and as the highway turned into the narrow beach road that led to my childhood home, I began to feel those comforting feelings wrap me in their familiarity. It didn’t matter how far you went or how long you were gone, home would always be home and I was finally back.

  “KATIE GIRL!” MY dad called as I stepped out of my car and took a big whiff of sea air.

  “Hey Dad.” I smiled. I popped the trunk to get my bags and was rounding the car when Mom appeared.

  “Kait,” she sighed as if it were a relief that I was home.

  “Hey Mom.” I grinned as I heaved the suitcase onto the ground. Dad rushed over to grab it, but I swung my arms around his neck before he could. “I missed you guys. Phone calls just aren’t enough.” I buried my nose in the crook of my dad’s neck and sniffed. His aftershave was the same as I remembered. It was familiar, and that small piece of the past made everything better. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life, but I miss my past too.

  “Let’s get you inside,” Mom chided from a few steps away. “I have the kettle on. We can have some tea.”

  “Sounds good.” I smiled as I followed them up the stairs of my childhood home.

  When I stepped through the door, I couldn’t help but grin. In the corner, was the biggest tree I’d ever seen. It was covered in lights from top to bottom, but no ornaments adorned it.

  “We were waiting for you.” My dad leaned in. “We haven’t been able to do this with you in so long.”

  I pressed my lips together to keep from tearing up. I missed these traditions too. I missed so much, but you don’t realize it when you’re away. “Thanks.” I sniffed as I turned to take in the rest of the room. My nutcracker collection was still lining the mantel, and the nativity that Mom and I painted when I was little was set up on a small table in the corner. “I can’t believe you still put all this out.” I turned to look at where Mom was pouring tea into three Santa mugs.

  “Why? Just because you left, we didn’t change.” She offered a small smile.

  “I know, but don’t you want something more… I don’t know, grown up?” I tipped my head to the side.

  “I like things just like they are,” Dad echoed Mom’s sentiment.
“Not much has changed around here.” He lifted a shoulder as he lowered himself into the same brown chair he’s had for as long as I can remember.

  “What do you mean?” I took the Santa mug from my mom when she offered it and blew gently on the steam.

  “We’re still hosting our Christmas party.” She grinned at me.

  “Really?” I was a little too excited for being twenty-three. You would have thought that I was still twelve.

  “Yep. We put it off to a later date this year because we knew you were coming. Your mom was hoping that you’d do the cooking.” Dad winked.

  “Is that why you wanted me to come? So you could get free catering?” I laughed as I sipped my tea.

  “You figured us out.” Mom laughed as she moved over beside the tree and pulled a box from behind it. “Now come help me.” She nudged the box to the side as she moved over to the stereo and flicked it on. Christmas music filled the air, and my heart swelled. This was what I’d been missing for the last five years. I’d had a tree. I’d had the music, and the food, and the parties, but I hadn’t had them. Henri had done his best to give me a Crescent Moon Christmas each year, but nothing compared to having my mom and dad with me to celebrate and I had no idea how I was going to go back home in a week.

  We spent the rest of the night decorating the tree and reminiscing about Christmases past. I told them about Paris during the holidays, and they filled me in on how nothing’s really changed. Their big news was the Walmart that went in a few months ago, and the restoration of the wooden coaster down at the amusement park. I heard about who had a baby, and who got married. They told me about anything and everything except Eli. I didn’t ask because it didn’t really matter. I had Henri, and nothing going on with Eli was going to change that.

  When we finally went to sleep, the sun was starting to rise. I’d assured them I’d be ok, but I knew the jetlag was going to get to me too soon. I crashed with the promise that I’d cook them a real French meal as soon as I woke up and went to the store. I didn’t know it then, but the consequences of this trip had already been set in motion, and it was just a matter of time before everything came crashing together… literally.

  Kaitlyn

  WHEN I FINALLY dragged myself out of bed the next morning, it wasn’t really morning. The sun was on it’s way down, and I realized I’d slept most of the day away. I felt terrible that I’d wasted one of my days sleeping, but my body didn’t care. It was tired. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes as I made my way from my room out to the kitchen.

  “Afternoon sunshine.” Mom smiled as she busied herself in the kitchen. There was flour everywhere and the smell of cinnamon, lemon, and cherries filled the air. “I didn’t want to wake you. Did you sleep ok?”

  “Yeah.” I glanced around at the kitchen. “What are you making?”

  “My famous tarts.” She leaned down and pulled a pan from the oven. “A few different cookies, and then a pie.”

  “I could have helped, you know.” I reached for the coffee pot.

  “I know, but I wanted to let you sleep. You cook for work every day. This is your vacation.” She swatted my hand as I tried to reach for a scrap of dough that was near the edge of the counter.

  “That’s different. I like helping you.” I poured my coffee and moved to the side opposite her. As I pulled out a chair, my phone chimed with a message.

  Henri: Glad you got in ok. Have a great time. Sorry I couldn’t join you.

  Me: Thanks. I understand.

  “If you really want to help, you could make a run to the store.” Mom smiled sheepishly.

  “I can do that.” I nodded as sipped my coffee. “Just make me a list. I’ll go throw some clothes on real quick.” I hopped down and headed back to my room with my coffee in hand. The least I could do is run a few errands. This would also give me a chance to grab what I needed to cook for them. I wanted to cook something nice for dinner. I needed to show them what I’d been perfecting all these years away.

  I quickly changed into some jeans and a sweater before pulling my hair up into a messy bun and slipping on a pair of boots. After swiping on a little gloss and some mascara, I grabbed my purse, and made my way back out to where my mom was pulling another tray of tarts from the oven.

  “Here ya go.” She handed the list over. “Take your time. I don’t need that stuff until tomorrow’s baking adventure.”

  “Be back in a little bit.” I waved before slipping into my coat and heading outside. The breeze blowing off the ocean was crisp, but it was great to be back.

  Eli

  “WHY AM I always the one to buy the food?” I glared over at my best friend, Jackson. I’d invited him over to my place again for dinner. It had become a regular thing over the last year. When he’d lost his wife and daughter, I’d tried to help out as much as I could. He threw himself into the restaurant we co-owned though and pretty much ignored the pain. The last couple of months seem to be getting better though. He’s started to smile again, and we’ve been having guys’ night after we close at least once a week.

  “Because you’re the one who cooks,” he called out somewhere in the back. I was getting out early tonight. It was slow, and the chef I’d hired was working out great. I was finally able to cut my hours back. Jackson never cut back. He had a cot in his office where he slept on more than one occasion. Sometimes I wondered if he even left to shower.

  “Just because I cook doesn’t mean I have to buy,” I grumbled.

  “I’ll bring the beer.” He leaned his head out from where he was hiding.

  “Fine.” I rolled my eyes. “Steaks will be ready about six, I think.”

  “See you then.” He waved before ducking back to what he was doing.

  I grumbled some more as I made my way out to my car. The sun was setting just over the water, and the winter breeze whipped my hair around as I pulled my coat tighter. The drive to the store was quick, and when I pulled in, the lot was almost full. It figured that it would be busy. Christmas was just a week away, and everyone had waited until the last minute to get what they needed for their parties and dinners.

  I shook my head in annoyance as I climbed from my car and made my way inside. The store was bustling with patrons grabbing baskets and pushing half-filled carts down the near bare aisles. I ducked around a family arguing over turkeys, a few kids begging for candy, and made my way to the meat counter. I had planned to grill steaks. It was kinda our thing, mine and Jackson’s. We’d sit on my deck and drink beer while we talked about our nonexistent dating life. Don’t get me wrong, there have been women, just no one to write home about.

  I stopped by the strip steaks and began my search just as I was jostled by the person next to me.

  “Oh, excuse me!” came a startled voice. I jerked my gaze to where the offender had bumped into me only to see a set of wide startled eyes blinking up. I’m sure I mirrored her expression as the last person I ever expected to see stared back at me.

  “Kait?” I blinked a few times just to make sure I wasn’t seeing things.

  “Eli.” It came out as a whisper as the basket she had on her arm fell to the ground. “Oh no!” she yelped.

  I leaned down and grabbed it, handing it back to her. “What are you doing here?” I had so many questions, and of course the stupidest one was what came out.

  She smiled that wicked smile that had tempted me to do so much in the past before laughing and dipping her chin toward her basket. “Shopping.”

  “That was dumb.” I shook my head. “I mean, what are you doing here, in Crescent Moon again?” I began searching the area with my eyes. I had to be getting ‘punked’. I hadn’t seen this woman in five years. The last time we were in the same room, she was telling me she was leaving for culinary school. The last communication I’d gotten was her boasting about studying under a French chef.

  “I’m visiting my parents,” her voice dipped. It wavered a little before she bit down on her lip and blinked up at me. A myriad of emotions played over her face.
br />   “Wow!” I breathed out. “This is just…wow.”

  “How have you been?” She shifted the weight of the basket.

  “Good. I’ve been good.” I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket at that moment, and it made me remember what I’d come here to do. “One sec.” I held up my finger as I pulled my cell from my pocket and typed out a quick text to Jackson cancelling our plans. “Sorry.” I grimaced as I slipped it back into place. “You wanna get a drink somewhere, and talk?” I glanced around. I did not want to let this woman out of my sight. The years seem to stretch the more I thought about them, and I didn’t know how much time I had before she slipped away again.

  “Sure.” She shrugged. “I have a few more things to grab, and then I’ll meet you in the parking lot?” She tipped her head to the side.

  “Sounds good.” I smiled as I grabbed a pack of steaks, not even caring if they were good ones or not.

  After paying for my groceries, I made my way outside. I tossed my bags into the trunk of my car just as Kaitlyn was coming out the door. “I’ll follow you,” she called out as she clicked a key fob that caused a set of taillights a few spaces down from me to flash. I waved in acknowledgment as I climbed in and cranked the engine. The logical thing would be to take her to Anchor Bay. I mean, I own it but I wasn’t ready to share her yet. Instead, I began to drive to this little dive bar a few blocks from my house. The Silver Crane was tucked away and only a few locals frequented it.

  “This looks interesting.” Kaitlyn laughed as she climbed from her car. I missed that laugh. It shot right to my heart.

  “It’s better on the inside.” I chuckled as I made my way to the door. The old wood creaked as I pulled it open and stepped aside. There was a long bar that ran along one side. Small tables filled one end, and a pool table and dart board were at the other. It was dark inside with neon beer signs providing the light. Kaitlyn smiled back at me as she meandered between the tables, stopping at one in the far corner.