"Don't know." Eydis eyes rolled back in her head, then closed.

"Wake up!" Evelina shook her again. Ghost Ray barbs were tiny. They could search for hours and never find the thing.

They had to get her to Proteus!

Fast!

Chapter Fourteen.

The apothecary bustled with customers.

The place smelled of earth and wind and foliage, like a fresh spring day blown under the door.

Evelina followed Udora to the counter of the little shop, anxious to hear any news of Eydis.

The diminutive man behind the counter peered over his bifocals and blinked. His scalp went pink between the tufts of white hair atop his head. Then, his face lit with a huge smile.

Udora inclined her head. "Good morning, Mr. Turtlemoon."

"Good morning!" He continued to stare, then seemed to remember himself. "This is Evelina Crimm, is it not?" He hustled around the counter. "Well, well, well, it's a pleasure to meet you, young lady." He gave her hand two vigorous pumps. "A pleasure, indeed! You saved our Eydis. She's alive and doing well thanks to you. We're forever grateful. Yes, indeed."

Evelina smiled back in relief, returning his vigorous hand shake. "You're welcome."

"What can we do for you? Anything!" He shuffled back behind the counter just as quick. "It's on the house. The least we can do. Yes, indeed."

Udora produced a list from her pocket. "Just a few things." She set her basket on the counter. "Oh! And a small bottle of morning dew, if you please."

"Never good to let it run low." Mr. Turtlemoon nodded briskly. "You can go through it fast."

Evelina browsed around the shop, marvelling at the ceiling-high shelves filled with every shape and color of bottle imaginable.

A beautiful blue bottle on the tall shelf by the window caught her eye.

She lifted it up to read the faint writing on the label.

The gla.s.s stopper jiggled and a blue b.u.t.terfly flew out.

She made a grab for it, but missed.

It fluttered to the bra.s.s doork.n.o.b, then over to the front window.

When she leaned over the capture it, she spotted Frankie outside the shop speaking to Eydis Turtlemoon.

Something sank in her belly.

"Problem?"

She turned to find Udora there. "No!" She put her hand out and the b.u.t.terfly danced onto her palm. "Got it."

It stuck out its long orange tongue like a birthday blower.

The bells on the door jingled.

"Evelina!" Eydis glided toward them across the polished wood floor. "I'm so glad you're here. I didn't get the chance to thank you."

Evelina's flesh went hot. It was difficult not to feel guilty around Eydis, considering the way she felt about Frankie. "No problem." She handed Eydis the b.u.t.terfly.

"Are you going to the party at the surf shack?"

"Maybe."

"Good! I'll see you there." She gave a little wave, then hurried off to help a customer.

Evelina groaned inwardly. Eydis was so sweet. Why did she have to be so sweet? It was all the more difficult to dislike her. Or, come up with more reasons why Frankie shouldn't marry her-despite the obvious.

But it was Christmas Eve. There was no time to dwell on what couldn't be. There were cookies to be baked and presents to wrap.

The day flew by.

The next morning, Evelina couldn't stop smiling.

It was the best Christmas ever.

At least, in a very long time.

She was opening presents under a Christmas tree with a real family again, and determined to enjoy every minute.

The little pink cottage smelled of pine from the magnificent potted Norway decorated with seash.e.l.ls, strings of pearls and polished green gla.s.s.

Evelina's heart swelled at the collection of art supplies under it, she'd just unwrapped.

The aunties couldn't have given her a better present.

"I love it!" Mrs. Segal pranced from the kitchen table to the Christmas tree, modeling her red silk housecoat. "I'll wear it every morning."

"It's lovely!" Udora smiled, running her hand over the azure flowered silk housecoat in her lap. "I'll save it for good."

"Nonsense! Put it on!" Mrs. Segal urged. "We both want to see it. Don't we, Evelina?"

A knock sounded against the door.

"I wonder who that is?" Mrs. Segal appeared pleased and amazed all at once.

Evelina rose to her feet. "I'll go." But when she opened the door no one was there. She stepped out on the porch to peer up and down the beach, but spied no one. Then, just as she turned to go inside she spotted a small white box with a floppy pink bow sitting on the rail. She gazed around again, then strode over to examine it. A small card on a string read, Merry Christmas, Evelina.

When she pulled the satin bow the lid popped open. The bottom rose like an elevator. She found herself staring at a silver sand dollar, dangling from her mother's gold necklace-the one she'd been searching for.

She slipped it over her head, running her thumb and finger over the cool surface of the sand dollar.

An image of Frankie sprang to mind.

Had he found it? But why put the sand dollar on it?

She pulled it off over her head again.

No.

It couldn't be from him.

He was betrothed.

She turned it over in her hand, examining every inch of it. The workmanship was impressive. But, she couldn't find a maker's mark.

Hmmm... if it wasn't from Frankie, who could have sent it?

Maybe it was a trick, or a joke.

Or-something more sinister.

She gazed up and down the beach again, hoping someone or something might materialize to clear up the matter, but apart from a few joggers there was no one in sight.

Even if Frankie had sent it.

She didn't dare wear it.

It wouldn't be right.

She scooped the box up, then stuffed it in her pocket.

"Of course he sent it," Abby declared stoutly when Evelina mentioned it at the Coconut Shack the next morning. "Who else would send something like that to you?"

She had a point, but Evelina couldn't help reminding her, "He's betrothed, remember?"

"For now."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you never know." Abby shrugged. "Stuff happens."

"Maybe she'll fall in love with someone else," Tally piped in.

"It happens." Abby flashed a wide-eyed look that didn't look all that innocent.

What was she up to?

Evelina was about to warn her to stay out of it when they were mobbed by a family of eight. It took a good ten minutes to serve them. By then another family loaded down with pails and shovels swarmed in. And the day rolled away. Who knew so many people went to the beach on Boxing Day.

The next few days proved just as busy.

Lucky for them.

Sales were climbing fast.

Unfortunately it seemed just as busy at the h.e.l.l Hut.

Friday came and their board read 960 sold.

The Coconut Shack had 959.

The showdown was on.

Evelina and Abby took turns wearing the sandwich board up and down the beach. They gave out free samples. They even offered free face painting with every ice cone.

Sales took off.

Evelina had never worked so hard in her life.

It was a mad race.

Time flew.

Before she knew it the clock read five minutes to eight-closing time.

Wendell Barnes and the Dirty Diaper Gang sidled up to the h.e.l.l Hut to order ten hotdogs.

"No problem!" Judy Cheetum gave a loud cackle of laughter. "Coming right up!"

Susie Cheetum danced over to change the tally on their board.

They were up five.

"d.a.m.n!" Abby expelled. "Where's a knight in shining armor when you need one?"

"I'd like to help, ladies." Wendell sauntered over. "But a guy can only choke down so much at once." His gaze slid over Evelina. "Sorry. And you were so close."

Tally wrinkled her sweaty nose in a look of disgust. "You don't sound sorry."

"You're right." A satisfied smile split Wendell's face. "I'm not, really."

"Jerk," Abby said out of the corner of her mouth.

Frankie and Cliff roared up in their patrol jeep loaded with pa.s.sengers-most of them bikini-clad girls.