B00CZBQ63C EBOK (22 page)

Chapter
38

D
aniel sat on the stool, leaning his back against the counter. His
eyes wandered across the drugstore to the artwork his grandfather had displayed on the brick wall. Words spun through his head, but none traveled as far as his mouth.

Laurie’s spoon clinked against the sides of her coffee cup, the only sound in the quiet store. She lifted her head, her eyes like two round pools glistening in the morning sunlight streaming in through the front window. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”

He exhaled, his anger streaming away before he could catch hold of it. “Laurie—”

“I won’t see Samuel again.” She touched the sleeve of his jacket with her tender fingers. “I just . . . ” She bit her lip. “I’m not sure what he’ll do when he finds out.”

Daniel set his jaw. “Let me take care of that.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” A pinched line formed between her brows.

“I’m glad you didn’t go along with Johnny’s scheme.”

She sighed. “I just hope he’s all right. I thought my heart would stop when I saw Samuel parked on the side of the road.” She took a sip of coffee. “I could have led him straight to them.”

Daniel frowned. “Do you think Brown is following you?”

“Either me or my father.” She rubbed her arms. “I’d like to think that information would be enough to make Johnny stop, but he’s so obsessed with this debt business, I don’t think anything is going to convince him.”

“And . . . ”

She sighed for a second time. “I’m not responsible for his choices.”

“Do you want me to talk to Johnny?” He sat forward and touched her arm.

She placed her fingers over his hand. “I don’t think it would do any good.”

He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed. “Then can I interest you in another sunset drive tonight?”

A smile crossed her face—the first he’d seen that morning. “I’d love that.”

Since the store was still empty, he brushed a kiss across her forehead before she left, breathing in the lavender scent of her hair. That whiff would have to hold him until this evening.

Laurie smiled as she walked to the exchange, pushing away thoughts of her family in exchange for anticipation of another evening with Daniel.

The exchange door opened as she arrived, Samuel’s wide shoulders filling the doorway. He stepped out onto the sidewalk, a smile lifting one corner of his mouth. “Hello, Beautiful. Fancy meeting you here on this lovely morning.”

Her throat suddenly dry, she swallowed hard. “What are you doing here?”

Samuel squinted as the morning sun topped the foothills and scattered out over the town. “Just having a little chat with your boss. Trying to follow up on some possible leads.”

Her heart quickened. “My boss?”

Samuel lifted his hat and settled it on his head, running his fingers along the brim. “Rumrunners use telephones, too, don’t they?”

Laurie’s mind raced. Is that how he’d known last night? Was he listening in on calls? On
her
calls? “I suppose they do. I wouldn’t know.”

He reached out his hand and ran his fingers up her arm, causing gooseflesh to race across her skin. “Of course not. You are the picture of innocence.” He cocked one eyebrow. “So, we have a date tonight?”

She stepped back, squeezing her arms around her midsection. “I’m afraid that’s out of the question.”

He let his hand drop to his side and then tucked it into his jacket pocket, pulling out his gold watch and checking the time. “I thought we had an understanding.”

Laurie moistened her lips and folded her hands in front of her for confidence. “I’m afraid I made that agreement before I had all the facts about you, Mr. Brown. Under duress, shall we say?”

His brows shot upward. “Duress?” He stepped closer, causing her to back up against the brick building. “You showed up at my home in the middle of the night. I didn’t see any concern then.” He shook his head. “It would be a shame if that little story got around.”

Sweat broke out across her skin, bathing her in a clammy chill

His gaze lingered, locking on her face for a long moment before traveling the length of her frame. “I suppose it gives me more time to focus on this case.” He stepped back. “I believe I’m getting very close to a breakthrough.”

Laurie’s throat tightened, like a noose closing. “I need to get to work.”

Samuel stepped to the side with a gallant sweep of his hand. “Please, do not let me distract you. I know how important is to focus on one’s job.”

Daniel glanced up from his work just in time to see Johnny saunter past the drugstore window. “Marcie, I’ll be right back.” He grabbed his hat and headed for the door.

Daniel quickened his pace, calling out to his friend.

Johnny lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the bright sun.

A storm brewed in Daniel’s chest. “Laurie told me what you put her up to last night.”

Johnny pulled the tweed cap from his head, clenching it in his hand. “That girl talks too much.”

“You said you didn’t want her involved. Now you’re going to drag her into it?”

“She didn’t even show up. I guess I should have figured as much. She used to have some spunk, but she’s been all ‘good girl,’ lately.”

Daniel struggled against the desire to grab Johnny’s shirt collar and shake him. “What kind of brother puts his little sister into that sort of position?”

Johnny’s eyes blazed. “The kind of brother who’s trying to keep a roof over her head.”

“I offered to help with that.”

Johnny’s face grew mottled. “Yeah, just what she needs, one more man to be beholden to. What kind of demands would you make on her?”

A growl rose in Daniel’s throat. Grabbing Johnny’s shirt, he yanked him close. “I seem to remember you cold-cocking me for saying something like that. Should I return the favor?”

Johnny’s hand flew up, clamping on Daniel’s wrist. “I’d like to see you try.”

Laurie’s face filled Daniel’s mind. He shoved Johnny, sending him stumbling backward. “For your sister’s sake, I’ll restrain myself.”

After regaining his balance, Johnny splayed his feet, jaw jutting forward. “We ain’t borrowing any more money. Not from you, not from anyone.”

“What if I gave it to you?”

Johnny snorted. “No.”

“You’d rather break the law—maybe end up in jail—than take money from me?”

“I ain’t taking money from anybody.”

“Then you’re a fool.” The words tumbled from his mouth. “You don’t really care about protecting Laurie. If you did, you’d find a way to raise the money without turning to rumrunning.”

Johnny’s brow furrowed. “We don’t all have your fortunes, college boy. Some of us got to make our own luck.”

“Keep Laurie out of it. You can go to prison if you choose, but leave her be.”

With a scowl, Johnny shoved his cap back onto his head and turned away.

Daniel crossed his arms. “Did you know Brown is following her?”

His words had the desired effect. Johnny turned, eyes dark.

“She spotted him last night. Can you imagine how she’d have felt if she’d led him straight to you? Do you think Brown is above arresting her, too?”

“For what?”

Daniel pushed his hat to the back of his head. “You can’t be that stupid.”

Johnny stalked off.

“Leave her out of it,” Daniel called.

Johnny swung his hand dismissively.

Daniel glowered at Johnny’s retreating form, sickened by the confident swagger in his walk.

Daniel rested against his automobile, a storm raging in his heart. He took a deep breath, blowing out the tension as best as he could manage. This evening needed to be an escape for Laurie, a diversion from the tension of the past few days. It would be his gift to her. If he could keep his mouth shut.

Laurie stepped out of the exchange, her blue flowered dress fluttering in the breeze, a smile bringing light to her face.

Daniel swallowed and reached for the Buick’s door, a rushing sensation in his chest. If a simple smile from this beautiful girl made him weak, he was a goner.

The door jammed. Frowning, he rattled it and tried a second time. Not exactly the suave moment he’d envisioned.

“Is there a problem, Mr. Shepherd?” Her lilting voice crossed the space between them.

He reached over the door and jiggled the inner handle with a groan. “Just a moment, I’ll get it.” He put his shoulder into it and yanked. The door remained stuck fast. “My automobile seems to have a mind of its own sometimes.”

Laurie hurried around to the driver’s door with a gleam in her eye. “If it thinks it can keep me out that easily, it doesn’t know me very well.” She slipped behind the wheel. “Are you going to join me?” She slid across the seat, bouncing the springs in her child-like enthusiasm.

Daniel walked around the car, the tension easing from his shoulders as he anticipated the evening ahead.

“Is that fish I smell?” She glanced over the back of the seat.

“I stopped at McCurry’s and picked us up some dinner. It’ll be cold by the time we get there, I hope you don’t mind.”

She breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of the greasy fried fish. “My hero.”

They pulled up at Crescent Beach just as the sun dipped on the horizon. Laurie grabbed the basket from the back seat.

Daniel stepped out of the Buick and held out his hand to her.

Laurie grasped his fingers, sliding across the seat toward the driver’s door. As she stepped out, an odd sensation rushed through her.
This is good.
It had been a long road, from that first night on the bluff to now. A shiver raced through her gut.
Too good.

They walked down the trail, fingers laced together. Daniel carried the basket while Laurie kept a hand planted on her hat to keep it from loosening in the breeze. Her heart jumped around in her chest. She didn’t deserve such a good man. How long would it be until he figured that out?

The beach was edged with massive logs. Daniel gestured toward a large one. “Is that a good spot?”

Laurie surveyed the colossal tree and laughed. “I don’t think I could get up there.”

“Allow me.” His eyes gleamed as he handed her the basket and scrambled up the sand-encrusted log. Crouching, he reached for the hamper.