Beach Rental (25 page)

Chapter Thirty-One

Luke welcomed the retired nurse into his office. He signaled to Brendan he’d be tied up for a while, then closed the door.

“Mrs. O’Brien. Thank you for coming.”

“No problem at all. I needed to come over this way to pick up some things from my house anyway. Please call me Pat.”

“Maia is with Juli?”

“Yes, I watched them leave together. Maia is going with her to the OB appointment.”

Luke nodded.

“But I’m not altogether happy about leaving the
Glory
unprotected, so to speak. Sorry, Juli has gotten me into the habit of calling it that.”

“So, she’s talking to you? She seems okay?”

“We’ve walked the beach together a few times. I’ve seen a man who fits the description you gave me, but the description is so general I can’t be certain.”

“I see.”

“Would you reconsider calling the police?”

Luke shook his head. “He hasn’t done anything threatening, or that would even seem mildly threatening, if reported to the police.”

“You could tell them he’s suspected of theft. You said you’d threatened to do tell the police before and it kept him away for a while. I checked with a friend in the department and he said Frank Bowman spent a few weeks in jail recently for some old tickets and a fresh DUI. He won’t want to go back.”

Luke stood and stared out of the window. “If I say something about the theft now, after so much time has passed, it will look strange. If the authorities do check into it, he’ll implicate Juli.” In fact, when Luke had warned him off before, Frankie boasted he and Juli had worked a lot of parties together and had never gotten caught.

“Before, you were shielding your friend, your cousin. Now, you’re trying to protect his widow. I think you’ll find she’s a lot tougher and stronger than you think.”

“I can’t take the chance. First, she loses Ben. Now, she’s dealing with the pregnancy. And alone.”

“Not so alone thanks to you.”

“I want her kept safe and sound.”

Pat’s scrutiny made him uncomfortable. He turned away and spoke to the window. “Can you do that, Pat? Are you still comfortable keeping a watch over her?”

“Yes, but I don’t know how well I can protect her. There are two points of entry, one is totally outside my view and the house’s soundproofing is good. She could have a party over there and I might not hear a thing, but I’ll do what I can.”

“She’s more at risk living there alone with no one nearby. There would be a limit to what you could do anyway. In no way should you put yourself at risk.”

“I know my limitations.” Pat shifted in her seat. “What does he want, anyway? Frankie, I mean. I’ve been around enough criminals to know they usually have a reason for what they do, especially if they’re risking exposure.”

“She has money now. Maybe he thinks he can benefit from it.”

“Or—” She stopped mid-sentence deliberately.

“Go ahead.”

“Well, the Hammond party theft was only days before Juli married Ben. Suppose she did have a connection to the theft. Perhaps she has something Frankie wants back.”

When Luke had asked around looking for someone to keep an eye on Juli, Pat had come highly recommended. She was a nurse who’d never worked a typical shift in a typical hospital. She’d worked emergency services, corrections facilities, and, as she told it, at one crazy point in her life she joined the army and served a stint in the military police. She retired following a bad event she declined to discuss. Luke liked her style and respected her opinion, but he disagreed with the suggestion Juli could’ve been involved.

“She has all she needs and more. I don’t believe she’s done anything dishonest, but if she did have something Frankie wanted and she believed he would take it and go away, she’d give it to him.”

“Luke, I’m not as young as I used to be, but I hope I’ve gained in experience. I know to trust my instincts. I don’t think Juli would be in any real danger under normal circumstances, but living alone at the beach and very isolated this time of year, combine that with being a pregnant widow and she’s very vulnerable. I repeat, I’m not sure I would know something was wrong unless it happened right out front on the crossover in broad daylight.”

“She should leave the beach house.”

“And go where? She feels closer to the baby’s father where she is now. From what you’ve told me about her, this is the closest thing to a home she’s ever had.” Pat shook her head. “You talked to that man before and he stayed away. Maybe it’s time to talk to him again or talk to the police. Right now you’re trying to orchestrate a ring of protection around her. Don’t let your feelings for her cloud your judgment.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Luke showed up on her doorstep. He was more subdued than she’d ever seen him. He must have looked a lot like that at Ben’s funeral, but she couldn’t remember seeing anyone—not
really
seeing anyone—that day, except the pastor whose face she’d focused on like a lifeline. Luke seemed to carry a heavy weight. His head was slightly bowed and his shoulders slumped.

She stood aside to let him enter. He cast one quick sidelong glance at her five-month belly, then walked past. He moved self-consciously. Juli was almost alarmed. She put a hand to her abdomen.

“Is there a problem?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I didn’t know how you’d feel about me.”

“Pardon?”

“If I’d be welcome here, I mean.” He turned to face her. “Have you forgiven me? You must know it was surprise speaking—not doubt about your character.”

“I do.” She motioned to a chair. “Take off your coat and have a seat. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

He stood for a moment, and then nodded. “That would be good.”

“You like one sugar and one cream, right?”

“Good memory. It’s been how long?”

“Only a couple of months.” She put water on to boil and got the cup and saucer ready. “That question you asked? I put it aside long ago. In fact, I was too quick to flare up. I think I was looking for a way to escape something I wasn’t ready for.”

“The pregnancy?”

“No,” she shook her head, “a new relationship. When you were helping me after Ben died, we were getting too close, too fast. When I found out about the baby….”

He gave her that sidelong look again, then focused on her face as if determined to avoid seeing the bulge, which, Juli acknowledged, grew more impressive every day.

She poured herself a glass of fruit juice. She set it on the table and then went back to finish fixing Luke’s coffee. “Here you go.”

She was glad to see him sitting there. She’d missed him.

“You’re doing okay here?”

“I’m wonderful.”

He looked surprised.

“I mean it. I miss Ben, but he left me so much. I don’t mean money and a house. He left me ideas. Dreams. The ability to hope for better and have a reasonable chance to achieve them.”

His expression softened. “Ben was a special guy. He had a good heart. Are you having any problems? Like being here alone? Or with Frank Bowman?”

Had he heard something? From Maia, maybe? “I’m okay. Really.”

“Have you considered talking to the police?”

“About Frankie? He’s annoying, but he hasn’t done anything. I feel vulnerable now because of the pregnancy; otherwise, I don’t think I’d be worried.”

Luke said, “I’ve been thinking. I’m not sure of your feelings, of how you feel about me, but in the interest of your safety and well-being, I want to say this. I’ve given it a lot of—”

She interrupted, “Luke, stop.” She wanted to reach out and touch his face, his hair. She wanted to encourage him. But as Ben had been between them before, now Ben’s child was there, not only visibly, but emotionally.

“Come stay at my house. There’s plenty of room and you’ll be safe there.”

Her disappointment surprised her. She hadn’t wanted him to propose marriage, but she hadn’t considered he might simply invite her to move in with him. A roomie? So much for romance. But she didn’t want that, right? And Luke had never expressed an interest in romance. Important to remember.

“I’m fine here.” Never mind disappointment. In fact, she was relieved he hadn’t made a more personal proposal, and she was glad she hadn’t said more, hadn’t made herself look foolish.

He started to speak again and she raised her hand. “Please. I don’t want to argue about it. Thank you for your concern. It’s kind of you, but I’m good.”

“Is it because this was Ben’s house? You feel closer to him here?”

A lot of words passed through her head, but she kept her lips together until she found the right ones. “I’m staying here because this is my home.”

He pulled his wallet from his jacket pocket and withdrew a business card. He placed the card on the table. “All of my contact numbers are here. I know you already have them, but I want you to keep them handy. Please call me if you have any trouble. Or about anything.”

She shook her head after he left. What was that about? Maybe, like her, he’d felt badly about how their last meeting had ended. Perhaps he wanted closure.

Juli climbed the stairs and stood in the middle of the nursery. The yellow was cheerful, but the room was almost empty. Maybe it was time to choose the new furniture. Maia would be thrilled.

****

The phone rang two weeks later and Luke asked, “Would you go with me to the Chocolate Festival?”

She knew about the Carolina Chocolate Festival. It was an annual event on the Crystal Coast, held conveniently a week or two before Valentine’s Day, for local fundraising.

“Go with you?”

“On a date, Juli. I’m asking you out. Will you go with me tomorrow?”

Juli rubbed her belly. She was more than six months along. Should she go? The baby kicked as if it had six legs—bump, bump, bump around her belly. Enthusiastic was the only way she could interpret the movement.

“What time will you pick me up?”

There was a tiny pause and when Luke spoke, his voice was lighter, more energetic.

“The Civic Center in Morehead City opens at nine a.m., but there’s no need to be out so early. We could go about noon, then have an early supper after.”

****

She couldn’t blame anyone for looking at the two of them—Luke, tall, handsome, with a light in his eyes and a lilt in his voice, a protective arm sometimes around her, sometimes entwined in her own arm—no one could blame anyone for thinking they were together and in love. Everyone, and every chocolatier at every booth, looked at them, then looked at her belly, and smiled as if they knew their secret and were happy for them.

The tempting scent of chocolate was everywhere.

They stopped at a chocolate fountain and Luke handed her a chocolate-dipped strawberry on a red plate with a heart-shaped napkin.

Suddenly, she was warm again. She tugged at her scarf, pulling it away from her neck. She’d worn the cashmere sweater. Layered with a shirt, the sweater, and her coat, it was no wonder she was roasting.

“Are you ill?”

His tone was solicitous, even eager. The moment reminded her of Ben. Luke welcomed the chance to be gallant, too. Unlike Ben’s gentler gaze, Luke’s stare was straightforward and intense.

A lesser woman might have gotten weak-kneed under the intensity of his gaze. Juli wouldn’t, but the air in the building was hot and stuffy. “I need to sit down for a minute. It’s warm in here.” She tried to shrug off her coat and he was there instantly, helping her out of it. His gesture, as ordinary as it was, touched her heart. She looked down, hoping he wouldn’t see the truth in her eyes.

The woman behind the booth, wearing a pink frilly hat dotted with candy-shaped objects, was kind. “Come right over here, honey. I’ve got what you need.”

A small table and folding chairs were set up outside the booth, but partly behind the booth drapery, probably intended as a break area for the vendors. Juli found herself seated there with Luke while the chocolatier brought fresh lemonade and more chocolate.

“Chocolate heals all.”

Luke waited until they were alone, or as alone as they were going to be on the edge of the crowd at the Civic Center. “Better?”

Juli nodded. “I’m fine now.”

He seemed to be staring at her, somewhere in the vicinity of where her red shirt pushed aside the edges of the white sweater. She became self-conscious. “Is there something on my sweater?” She pretended to brush at it, hoping he’d take the hint and stop staring.

“No. You look beautiful.”

No words for that.

“The sweater is perfect for you.”

The sweater. Was he the giver? Was she supposed to ask? Maybe he’d intended to include a card and wondered why she was so negligent about thanking him? But if she thanked him, and he wasn’t the giver…the flush was rising again, warming her cheeks.

“Would you like to get some fresh air? It’s cold outside.”

“Thank you. I’m better now. I’ll finish the lemonade and we can keep walking.” Change the subject. “I never imagined seeing and smelling so much chocolate in one place.”

“You live in the area. You’ve never been here before?”

“No.”

He escorted her back onto the main floor. They waved their thanks to the kind woman with the silly hat and marvelous chocolate and continued down the row of booths. Juli stopped to view the delicacies laid out on a table and said, “I’ve heard just smelling and thinking about chocolate can increase the—” She broke off as Luke tightened his arm around her and pulled her close to his side.

“Careful!” he called out.

Two boys chased past paying no attention.

“That was close,” Luke said.

“Kids will be kids. I’m fine.”

The baby kicked and Luke jumped. Her belly was pressed up against him and he must’ve felt the soft thump. He loosened his hold upon her and stepped back. “Was that—?”

“Who else?”

He held her arm again, but didn’t draw her close. A bit of shininess seemed to have rubbed off of his mood. He was still attentive and considerate, but not quite so cozy.

They went to the Port of Call for an early supper served with a wide view of Bogue Sound. They were well ahead of the supper crowd and the restaurant was peaceful.

“The big party—the Chocolate Festival grand finale—is tonight. I was concerned it might be too much for you right now. I don’t have experience with, you know, pregnancy.”

“You thought correctly. I can feel my feet swelling.”

“Do they hurt? Should we leave?”

He was so anxious. She hid her amusement. “I’m fine. I’ve enjoyed myself and it was fun to get out. Thank you for asking me.”

“I’m glad, I wasn’t sure.”

Juli reached across the table and took his hand. His skin was warm and her hand on his felt right, but more than that, the feel of him had the power to move her almost beyond good sense. She indulged herself a bit and lingered for a moment before taking her hand away. He didn’t seem to mind.

“It’s okay, Luke, I understand. This whole pregnancy thing….”

“No, I don’t think you do. It’s not the pregnancy. Not about Ben either. It’s like some kind of battle is going on in my head. Think about it, Juli. You have no husband. No father. Not even a brother or a cousin.”

She frowned. “I don’t need a man to protect me. I can take care of myself.”

“That was true before and will be true again, but right now—and it’s not male protectors I’m talking about—right now you’re very vulnerable. Both you and the child you’re carrying.”

“It means I have to be extra careful. I don’t want anyone’s pity. Be my friend. If I need a bodyguard, I’ll hire one.”

“Juli—”

“Shh.”

“Juli, I don’t want to be your friend. No, I
do
want to be your friend, but I want more.”

His intensity breached her self-control. Her breathing quickened and the flush felt like it was rushing back. Could he mean—was he trying to say—? No, she reminded herself, he hadn’t said anything with the word
love
in it.

“Let’s wait and discuss this at the house? This isn’t the place.”

He met her eyes steadily. “Agreed.”

****

Luke gestured toward the kitchen. “Mind if I fix myself a cup of coffee? Would you like something?”

“Water with lemon.” She fit perfectly into the swivel rocker. She kicked off her shoes thinking this pair, these instruments of torture, weren’t going back on her feet for a long time. She put her feet up on the ottoman. They were puffy and the red indentations looked awful. Once upon a time, she would have been more discreet, but this was Luke and she had this six-month-plus belly that somehow made her feel less concerned about pretense.

The emotion laced throughout their dinner conversation had diminished. Juli was grateful. Luke’s demeanor had relaxed during the ride home and now he was content to fetch refreshments, so he probably felt the same.

“Here you go.” He handed her the glass of water, then sat on the sofa. “Do you feel like talking?”

“If
you
do. Why did you invite me out?” She’d asked the same question of Ben a long time ago. Not so long. Not even a year.

“You know I have feelings for you. How could you not know?” Despite the calm voice, he betrayed his tension in the grip of his hands, the white knuckles.

“When you invited me to move in with you, for my safety, I thought…well, I believed you didn’t…you were being kind, closing out the time of our lives when we had Ben in common.”

“Ben’s gone. We’re still here.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“It means this is about you and me” He stood and paced with agitation across the room and back. “It doesn’t make sense. I’ve lived happily for the last fifteen years, but nothing works right anymore. It hasn’t in a long time.”