seasonssummerseasonings4thru7

Summer Seasonings

The House of Four Seasons

By Atonia Walpole

Part 4:

The funeral was at 2:00 the next day and when the service was over they walked out to the graveyard for the internment. Toni was beside her Auntie and Max with his brothers behind them.

It was a touching send off for a grand lady. That evening Jack took them out to dinner to a restaurant he’d been told about down in the bar. He decided to be Auntie’s escort for the evening and she was quite taken with him.

“You may have lost a season,” Max whispered in her ear.

Toni smiled, “I may have. He can be very charming.”

“There’s a little problem with the flights,” Max began. “Our flight was to go out tomorrow morning. However, when I booked Auntie’s the only seats were on the eleven fifteen flight and I thought that a bit late for her so I thought I’d change ours so we may fly back with her day after tomorrow.”

“Max, that’s the fifth day.”

“I understand that, Toni, but what would you have me do? We’ll make it love, one way or another. I thought you should know.”

Terry leaned over, “Is there a problem with the flight?”

Max repeated what he’d told Toni.

“Why don’t you take your flight tomorrow? I’ll see her home.”

“Terry, don’t you take any chances.”

“No worries, luv. I’ve no deadline to meet.”

“You’d better clear it with John and Jack,” Max advised.

Toni heard her Auntie’s laughter and smiled over at Jack, who must have told her something very funny.

Later that night Toni was getting some of her packing done and the men were talking.

“What time is the flight?” Jack asked.

“It leaves at 10:20 and arrives at around twelve. I don’t remember the exact time,” Max replied.

“I don’t think so, Terry. You’ll want to see her home. That’s cutting it too close, man.” John shook his head.

“I’ve got all day Friday, right?” Terry looked to Jack.

“Yes, actually you do but should there be a problem anywhere down the line you could be in trouble. As I understand it, these flights do not always take off or land on time.”

“That’s true, Jack. They might even get bumped.”

“Bumped? What is bumped, John?”

“You don’t get on your flight, get put off to the next one.”

“So I need a day. Somebody give me another day.”

“Toni is the only one that can do that, and she might need it herself. What if she gets…bumped?”

“We can’t transfer a day?” asked Max. “One of you?”

“Where’s the damn handbook?” John flopped down on the sofa.

“Handbook?”Max turned.

“Yeah, tells you how this magic works. We ought to have one.”

“I’m beginning to agree.” Max sat down beside him.

“Somebody has to leave tonight…right?” Terry asked, looking at Jack.

“I’ll go. I got nothing to do here.” John ran his hand over his face. “I’d rather Jack stay and see everybody gets off.”

“That’s good of you, mate.” Terry turned to him.

“Yeah, that’s me, the good guy. So how do we go about this?”

Jack smiled, “I like the way you figure things out between you. John, you give yours to Toni and she gives it to Terry. That should give you an extra day. Pray you don’t need it.”

Max sighed and closed his eyes. “I’ll be so glad to get home.”

Toni was standing in the doorway to the bedroom. “You’re all so sure this is going to work?”

“It should, my dear. John is going to leave tonight,” Jack answered her.

“Before anybody goes anywhere I want to say how much I appreciate what you’ve done, and the support and love you’ve given me. This has not been an easy time for me.”

“That’s what we’re here for, my pet. If you’re ready, John?”

“Not a moment to lose, right?” John got off the couch, glancing at Jack, who was suppressing a smile and with Terry moved over to Toni. “I love you, babe.” He kissed her and Terry moved her to his lips and collected all the magic there might have been there.

“See ya guys.” John walked out the door.

“Is that magic you’re feeling there, Terry, or something else?” Max asked.

“Oh, it’s magic…um, guess I get a real bed tonight.” He smiled and walked into the bedroom.

“I know you’ll be glad to get her home, Max. Be patient,” Jack advised.

“This is me being patient.” Max got off the sofa and followed Toni into their bedroom.

Jack wandered over to the windows that looked out over the city of Richmond. He felt for Max. This was a week out of his season that he was basically sharing. It had also been a good test to see how they worked together and got along. Max took care of details, Terry took responsibility and John sacrificed for the good of all. What had he done himself except to sit back and observe and advise?

Tomorrow Toni had an appointment with her grandmother’s attorney regarding the will and after that Max and Toni would be taken to the airport and put on a plane for Boston. He would stay with Terry until he was on a plane with Auntie and then his presence would no longer be needed.

As expected, her grandmother’s estate was left in its entirety to Toni. There was no time to go and see the house or to do anything. After leaving the attorney’s office, Terry drove them to the airport. They found it in an uproar. Max went over to talk to a ticket agent and came back with a serious look on his face.

“There was a bomb at Logan. All flights are cancelled.”

“All flights? Can’t we get in somewhere else, Max? Toni wanted to know.

“No, it’s suspected terrorism. We’re grounded.”

“For how long?” Terry asked.

“Until further notice…we’re in trouble.”

Part 5:

“We can drive. I’ve got a car.”

“Let’s get on the road.” Max picked up their luggage.

“What about Auntie? We can’t leave her.” Toni touched his arm.

“Oh, dear.” Max set the luggage down.

“We’ll go back for her,” Terry stated.

While Toni and Max were getting her Auntie packed up and Max made arrangements for her maid to go by bus and train to Boston, Terry had switched on the TV in their suite.

“What does this mean, Terry?” Jack came up to his side.

“The highways are blocked in and out of the Boston area. We ain’t gonna make it, mate.”

Jack ran his hand over his hair, dislodging more strands. “How far are we from the sea?”

“Couple of hours I think.”

“Get us there. You know yourself you were protected whilst on my ship. We’ll do it again. It's going to cause quite a stir amongst my men but it can’t be helped.”

“Yes, sir,” Terry replied. Jack put his hand on his shoulder.

“You would have made a good officer, Terry. Inform Max as to the change of plans and let us be away.”

On the way to Norfolk Toni tried as best she could explain to her Auntie what was about to take place. Miss Stanley didn’t quite catch all the details but she knew she was up for the adventure of a lifetime and she was excited.

“It’s going to be like one of those romance novels come to life, complete with a dashing captain!” Her eyes were alight.

Jack with his arm lying across the back of the front seat turned to her. “There will be dangers, Madam, for I command a ship at war. I shall endeavor to keep you safe from harm.”

Toni gazed at the back of his blond head in front of her and squeezed her Auntie’s hand.

It was an ancient dock that held the Surprise and walking toward it Toni knew it and they were invisible to the modern world. She felt the magic surround them and took a breath for now she would be in Jack’s world. She looked up at Max and he smiled, hugging her around the shoulders. “We will be safe.”

“I don’t doubt that, not for a moment.” She smiled up at him.

Once on deck Jack took back command of his ship from Captain Pullings, accommodations were made in his cabin for Toni and her Auntie. He apologized to Max but he would be put with the ships doctor and Terry with their officers. It was not a pleasure ship, he explained.

Killick actually managed something that might pass for a smile on seeing Jack leading Toni into his cabin. Miss Stanley was carried by Terry.

“This is where you were?” Toni spoke to Terry.

“I was right here all the time and frustrated because I couldn’t let you know.”

“If I’d known I wouldn’t have worried,” she smiled and walked over to the bank of windows. The ship was beginning to move. She could feel the change. A thrill of excitement ran through her but no fear of the unknown. With Jack, Max and Terry she knew she was protected.

Jack went up on deck with Terry and Max came into the cabin. “What a spacious stateroom you managed,” he smiled at Miss Stanley. Killick had brought her some tea.

“I know the Captain,” she quipped, sipping her tea.

“Hello, darling,” he whispered, arms around Toni’s waist. “I’m a bit out of my element here.”

“No…you are the wind in the sails that will take us home.”

“Home. Seems like we’ve been away forever.”

“It has been a long week in four days. I’ll be glad to get home, too.”

“Yes, remember the conversation we had about me not taking you anywhere?”

Toni laughed, “You should never have said anything.”

“Planes, ships and automobiles…”

“What happened to the trains?”

“Took care of that, too. Lettie is on Amtrak.”

“It’s not been a good season for you so far has it, Max?”

“I wouldn’t say that. I have you except I’m sleeping in a hammock with the good doctor about a foot away.”

“You could share mine.”

“You have a hammock too?”

“More of a swinging bed.”

“That could be fun…” Max smiled.

“It’s Jack’s bed…”

“Without Jack, of course.” His smile dwindled.

Jack came back in the cabin with several men, charts were spread and a glass laid down moving slowly over the coast. Jack bent over the map in concentration. “And it was in this area, Mr. Allen?”

“Aye, yes, sir, it were.”

“There was no crows nest, Sir,” spoke Pullings.

“A man of war?”

“ I couldn’t say, sir.”

“It were Mr. Blakeny, sir, that spotted her.”

“Set course nor’ nor’east to right here, I think.” Jack straightened up. “Mr. Mowett?”

“Yes, sir, nor nor’east.”

“We shall pay a visit.” Jack said to Pullings.

Jack turned, seeing Max with Toni sitting on the lockers. “To put you in the picture, Max, we are going after what I believe to be an American man of war.”

“What?”

“A frigate. You do understand, Max, we are at war.”

“With Americans?” Max’s voice broke. “Jack you were taking us home.”

“Indeed I am. This won’t take long. We’ll give chase and then we’ll see.”

“Jack…”

Jack looked at Toni. “You might want to come up on deck in a little while and watch the chase. I think you would find it…exhilarating.” He smiled slightly and turned to go back on deck.

“Bloody hell!” Max ran his hand through his hair.

“We’re in his world, Max. It’s not 2009 here. This is who he is, where he is when he’s not with me. I find it fascinating.”

“You would.”

“He won’t let anything happen to us. Let’s just enjoy the ride, okay?”

“For you, Toni, although I’m not ready to declare war on America and chase after American ships.”

“He’s also at war with the French, you know.”

“Oh, well, that makes it okay. I’ve got dual citizenship…I’m at war with myself.”

“Let’s go up and watch.”

Toni was overwhelmed when she reached the deck and had to be held by Max to keep her out of the way of the scurrying men.

“Where away?” called out Jack.

A voice somewhere high above replied, “Starboard side, hull up, close-hauled.”

She watched Jack up in the rigging now with his glass. “Hands to make sail. Top gallants and weather studdingsails,” he called loud and clear.

Toni could feel the ship leaping forward and she reached for a rail. Jack came down the ropes. “Ah, there you are!” He came and collected her and took her where she could see, handing her a glass. “Do you see her?”

“Yes, a lot of sails.”

“She’s tacking on.” Jack put a arm on either side of her to steady her non-seaworthy legs. She handed him back the glass and smiled, feeling the ship's movement beneath her feet. It was almost like a living thing to her.

“You love this, Jack.”

“Aye, I do. It is my life, but you know that.”

“What happened to Terry? I haven’t seen him since we came aboard?”

Jack looked up. “He’s there in the main crosstrees.”

“Oh!”

“I could make a sailor out of him. I’ve a mind to press him.”

“You wouldn’t…would you?”

“No, my pet. I would not take your Fall. Though I may borrow him should we take this man of war we’re chasing.”

“Jack, please don’t put him in danger. I know him well enough to know he would be in the thick of it.”

“He can take care of himself as can I. Now I think you might go below, and pray do not come out of the cabin until I come in.” He turned to Max who was behind him. “Did you hear?”

“Yes, Jack, I did. I suppose we’re going to shoot that ship?”

Jack laughed, “I do hope not, my friend. You would do well to stay with Toni and her Auntie.”

He instructed a shot be laid over their bow.

Toni jumped when the gun went off and hurried with Max down below decks.

“Are you all right, Auntie?” she asked when they entered Jack’s cabin.

“Oh, yes. I heard a cannon. Is there a battle?”

“Not yet, Auntie,” Max replied, “but I think we’re getting ready for one.”

There was indeed a battle but short lived. The ship was taken. It was not the Norfolk but an English ship taken by the Americans. Later on Jack and Terry both came into the cabin, Jack clearly pleased.

Part 6:

“You’re okay…both of you?”

“Of course my pet. Why should you think otherwise? And my brother here acquitted himself well.”

“Terry?”

“I’m fine, Toni…it was fun.”

Toni pressed her lips together and sat down on the lockers.

“Now that you’re through…and I take it you are…playing war, might you take us home?”

“As soon as we transfer the prisoners and put a crew on the brig I promise you I will take you home, Max.”

Killick had the ship's carpenter fashion two walking canes for Auntie so that she could make her way around the cabin. Jack carried her up on deck one day so that she might see it all. Toni wandered around the cabin and, not being nosy but it was there in plain sight, noticed a letter to Sophie, Jack’s wife. She’d forgotten he was married. How could he have married her? She was very confused about it all. This was Jack’s world and he was a married man, but he came to her in her world. She was kneeling on the lockers, resting her arms against the window sash, when Terry came into the cabin with a cup of coffee he’d gotten from Killick.

“What’s upsetting you?” he asked quietly behind her.

“Oh, Terry, sometimes I get so confused. I just saw a letter Jack’s been writing to his wife. I didn’t read it. I’d forgotten he’s married.”

“So is John.”

“I know in his world but not in mine, in the real world.”

“What’s real, Toni? Am I real?”

“What do you mean? Of course you are.”

“Are you real?”

Toni sat back on her heels and looked into his eyes. “Where are you going with this?”

“I don’t think any of us are real. We got on an imaginary ship in the middle of a busy naval yard. We were invisible, the house is invisible. We don’t really exist.”

“Terry, we just laid my grandmother to rest. We were all there. We talked to people. I know I had a grandmother. I have an Auntie up there right now with Jack. How can you say we don’t exist? We interact with other people.”

“Do we? I’m not so sure it’s not all an illusion.”

“I don’t like this, Terry. I’m not an illusion. I’m a real person.”

“Are you? When was the last time you cut your nails or had your hair trimmed?”

“It’s , it’s the magic, Terry…magic.”

“That’s what I mean, luv. That’s what we are now.”

“Terry,” she began tearing up.

He sat beside her and put his arms around her. “I’m sorry, Toni. I shouldn’t have said anything. Forget it.”

“No, no, I won’t forget it. Why are you saying these things?”

“You told me one time not to lie to you, that you might not want to hear what I say but that you’d rather know the truth.”

“Wha…when did this happen? It hasn’t always been this way.”

“No, it hasn’t, not when you first came here, but you bought into it and now you are it. You’re happy, aren’t you?”

“Yes…I am…I think at least I was…I wish you hadn’t told me.”

“Somebody needed to, luv. It doesn’t matter, does it? Nothing changes.”

“Nothing changes…are you sure about that?”

“Not until you want it to.”

Toni took his coffee from the locker and drank from his cup. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Come on, let’s go up where the air is fresh and the sun is shining.” He pulled her to her feet. “Toni, one thing does not change. I love you.”

She couldn’t look at him. It wasn’t his season. She couldn’t so she lay her head on his chest. “I love you, too, Terry. That’s never going to change.”

He moved away from her. “Come with me up on deck.”

She still had questions. They could wait.

“Hello, love. I wondered where you were?” Max, leaning on the railing, took her hand and pulled her over. Terry leaned on the other side of her.

“You should have come looking for me,” she said, staring down at the water.

Max looked over at Terry, who was also gazing at the water. “Something wrong?”

“No, nothing has changed,” Terry answered him.

Toni moved from between them and went over to where her Auntie was sitting talking to Dr Maturin.

“You bloody well told her, didn’t you?” Max said evenly.

“She needed to know, Max. Why let it hit her when the next thing comes, eh?”

“You could have waited until September.”

“I could have kept my mouth shut like the rest of you. You started it with the ring, Max.”

Max looked down. “I wanted her to be mine.”

“Yeah, what were you going to do…go back and throw your girl out of the chateau?”

“Pretty hard, aren’t you?”

“I’m a realist.”

“You’re a bloody Aussie.”

“That, too.”

It was late at night but Toni couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about what Terry had told her. She got out of the bed, went into the cabin and poured a glass of Jack’s port. She had on one of Jack’s nightshirts that came nearly to her ankles. The door opened quietly and she turned. It was Jack.

He spoke quietly so as not to wake her Auntie, who was sleeping in the dining alcove. “I thought you’d be abed. Why are you still up?” He also poured a glass of port.

“I couldn’t sleep. Can I talk to you?”

“Of course you can, my pet. What’s keeping you awake?”

“Why did you not tell me what I’ve become?”

Jack took a swallow of his drink. “Terry told you, I know. He told me he had. I didn’t want to tell you, Toni, because I think I may lose you.”

“Why, why would you think that?”

“Shall I tell you what he didn’t? Do you really want to know all of it?”

“I’m not sure I do…but, yes, I’d rather know what I am facing.”

“At a time of your choosing, you must make a choice. Nothing need change for a long time but eventually it will come or it can come tomorrow if you wish”

“What choice are you talking about?”

“You’ll have to choose between us, only one…and leave the house forever, taking him with you.”

“What…what was all this eternity we pledged?”

“It will be eternal, Toni. True love is eternal.”

“Leave the house…and the magic behind?”

“I’m afraid so, my dear. Out into the world as a mere mortal.”

“But not now…I don’t have to make this decision now…oh, God, how could I even…no…oh, no, Jack!”

“Are you happier now that you know? Wouldn’t it have been better to live without this knowledge until the time would come many years from now?”

“Not happier no, no…but this isn’t something I have do do now…I’m not going to think about it.”

Jack took another drink. “One will emerge above the rest…let it happen.”

Toni met his eyes here in his cabin, wearing his shirt, the unfamiliar scents surrounding her, the golden glow from the hanging lamp reflecting on his moist face. He held her eyes, she knowing the raw emotion and desire that must be in hers. She didn’t know who moved first but she was in his arms, her face against his neck, drinking in his scent. It hadn’t been that long, only been three weeks since they were together. His hands moved up and down her back and he kissed her. Hand on her breast, he picked her up and put her in his bed and backed against the wall of the sleeping alcove, breathing heavily.

He had himself under control. “I will send Max to you.” He left the cabin.

Toni curled into a ball and cried softly and that is how Max found her. He lay down with her and pulled her to him. “He didn’t, did he?”

“No,” came her muffled reply. Her nails dug into his arms. She felt as though she were about to split in two.

Max took her face in his hand,kissed her deeply and she melted against him. He finished what Jack had started.

“I’m feeling a bit ashamed, Max.”

“There is no shame for you, Toni. He’s one of your seasons.” Max kissed the top of her head. “Go to sleep now.”

Max was beginning to wonder if this voyage would ever end, would he ever get her home again. He would not leave her alone again. Hell with sleeping arrangements. She was his wife. It was his season although he felt it would never be quite the same again now that she knew the whole of it.

Part 7:

Another day went by and they were all on deck watching the bluff come closer as they sailed to shore.

“That’s a welcome sight,” Max stated, arm around Toni.

“Oh, it is, darling, it is! You do remember my jeep is at the airport in Boston? How are we to get Auntie home?”

Max thought about his little car and then he thought about the highway. “Oh dear, does it ever end?”

They were let down in a boat and rowed to shore. Jack and Terry came, too. Terry carried Auntie up the cliff path and set her down in a chair on the stone terrace.

“You know, Terrence, this has been the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me. It’s something I shall never forget. And this house, do you know Toni’s grandmother once sent me a card and inside she sketched this very spot. I didn’t realize this is where she lived for a time…I never knew and isn’t it fortunate that Toni found this very house?” she smiled up at Terry.

“Yes, mum, almost like magic, wouldn’t you say? He’s never been mentioned but could you tell me who your brother was, Toni’s grandfather?”

“Oh, he was very famous in his day. He didn’t use his real name, of course. My brother’s name was Dean Stanley. He kept his private life very private. He was killed shortly after Lise found out she was pregnant. He never remarried. His name? Oh, he went by James, James Dean.”

Terry smiled slightly. “Thank you for telling me that.”

“She never knew, her grandmother never told her who her husband was. He was only Dean Stanley.”

Terry turned as the rest of the party arrived on the terrace. Meeting Toni’s eyes briefly, he moved out into the grass.

Toni looked from him to her Auntie, wondering what they had been talking about. “Would you like some tea, Auntie?”

“Oh, I would, thank you.” She smiled pleasantly looking from one man to the other. A very good looking family Toni had married into.

Toni felt the comfort settle around her shoulders as she prepared a tea tray. The house was relieved and glad she was back. She noticed the fresh flowers on the kitchen table and the freshly-baked biscuit assortment she placed on a plate. She, in turn, loved the house. She was not ready…not yet.

As she carried the tray to the door she heard the front door open. “John, sweetheart, what are you doing here?”

“Hey, baby.” He kissed her cheek. “Let me carry that for you. I’ve come to take your Auntie home. Max couldn’t face driving his little buggy out on the highway and there was no way for you to get your car back.”

“That’s sweet of you. Thanks, John.”

After the tea was consumed, it was decided that Terry would go with John to take Auntie home and he’d bring Toni’s car back. Jack took his leave and after a quick kiss he walked down to the shore where his men waited with the boat. At last Toni and Max were on their own again. He took her hand and they walked down to the pond and to the gazebo.

“How are you, Toni, really?”

“I’m okay, Max, glad to be home, glad this ordeal is over.”

“Is it over? I’m beginning to wonder if things will ever be the same, knowing what you know now.”

“Between us…of course things are the same. Do you think my feelings for you have changed? They haven’t. I love you, Max, as I always have.”

He looked into her eyes. “I love you, Toni, as I always will.”

The next morning Toni found her keys in the dish on the hall table and opened the front door. Sometime in the night or early morning Terry had returned her jeep and left. Max came down the steps. “Your car back?”

“Yes, everything is back to normal. What would you like to do today? We could go down on the beach.”

Max leaned on the banister. “If it’s all right with you, love, nothing to do with water. I’ve had enough for a while.”

ON TO INTO FALL

BACK TO PART ONE OF SUMMER SEASONINGS

BACK TO ETERNAL SPRING

BACK TO THE HEART IN WINTER

BACK TO AUTUMN PASSIONS

BACK TO A YEAR OF SUMMER

BACK TO SPRING LOVE BLOSSOMS

BACK TO PART 1 OF WINTER SOLSTICE

BACK TO BONFIRE OF THE HEART

BACK TO WHITE ROSES IN SUMMER