Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri Dulong Page B

drift more toward being spiritual rather than religious. My grandmother used to go every single day, rain or shine, down to Derby Wharf. She’d sit on one of the benches there overlooking the water and claim that was her church .”
    Saxton smiled. “Your grandmother sounds like a wise woman.”
    â€œShe was,” I said as a strong feeling of nostalgia washed over me.
    Saxton glanced at his watch and took the last sip of his coffee. “I really hate to leave, but I’m afraid I have to get home to take Lola out. I very much enjoyed this evening, Berkley. Very much. You’re not only special; I think you have a bit of mystery that I’ve yet to discover.”
    I laughed as I walked him to the door. “Oh, I’m not sure about that.”
    He placed his hands on each side of my face and kissed me. As I reached up to encircle his neck I knew he was every bit as special as he thought I was.

12
    I was putting the last of the items into the picnic basket when Chloe knocked on the door.
    â€œCome on in,” I hollered as I placed potato salad and coleslaw on top of the fried chicken, biscuits, and blondies.
    I looked up when I heard her laughing. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œGood Lord. We’re only going out to Atsena Otie for lunch, aren’t we? Looks like you have enough food there to last a week.” She held up her own picnic basket. “And along with the food I’m bringing, we could probably survive longer.”
    I joined her laughter. “Well, I know Saxton has a healthy appetite and maybe Doyle does too. So we don’t want to run out of food.”
    Chloe settled her basket on the table. “I don’t think there’s any chance of that. Anything I can help you with?”
    I looked around the kitchen. “Nope, I think I’m all set.”
    â€œGreat. Let’s get this stuff loaded on the golf cart and head over to the marina.”
    Â 
    I spotted Saxton on the pontoon boat as soon as Chloe pulled into the parking lot. We grabbed our picnic baskets and headed down the walkway to the slip.
    â€œHey there,” he hollered, reaching over to give us a hand. “Welcome aboard.”
    â€œGood morning,” Doyle said, standing up from the cooler where he’d been arranging water bottles and cans of soda. “Great day for a boat ride. Thought I’d take you gals up around North Key, out toward the airport, and then we’d head back to Atsena Otie for lunch.”
    â€œSounds great,” I told him as I settled myself on the leather seating beneath the bimini.
    â€œIt sure does,” Chloe said. “And thanks so much for inviting me.”
    Chloe sat beside me as Saxton untied the ropes tethering the boat to the slip. Doyle sat behind the wheel and started up the motor. He expertly put the boat in reverse and positioned it to head toward the channel.
    He was right. It was a perfect day for a boat ride. As we cruised under the bridge toward the channel the wind teased my hair as the sun warmed my skin.
    Picking up speed, Doyle headed out, and I glanced across the water toward my hometown.
    â€œLooks different from this perspective, doesn’t it?” Saxton said.
    I nodded as I saw his house on First Street, and we curved around where the Beachfront Motel now stood empty. Another example of the poor economy our country was experiencing. Guests at the Faraway Inn sat in the pavilion and waved to us as we cruised past.
    Doyle shifted in his seat to face us. “There’s a nice beach at North Key. We’ll stop there for a bit.”
    I looked over to my left. “Isn’t that Seahorse Key?” I asked. “Could we make a stop there too?”
    Doyle shook his head. “No, I’m afraid not. It’s a wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. There’s a three-hundred-foot buffer zone around the island and it’s closed to the public from March first through June thirtieth. That