Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) (12 page)

“Yeah, but it’s so good. Aw, here come my elusive girls.”

Tasha dropped down on the sand beside her mom. “Hey, great. Okay if we invite a few friends?”

“Sure,” Jezzica said. She and Catylen moved, giving the group room to crowd around the pit. “Tasha, there’s more marshmallows at the cottage if you need them.”

“Thanks, Aunt Jezz.” Tasha traipsed through the sand and one of the young men jumped up and followed with an offer to help.

Catylen raised her eyebrows at her sister. “I wanted to tell them no. But I’m not with them when they’re at college.”

“Yep, can’t keep them tied to your apron. But Harrison isn’t a problem. He’s one of the guys that found Samantha when she fell at the cove last year. She also recommended him if I needed help at the shop.”

“How’s the shop coming along? I’ve haven’t been in since the girls arrived.” Sincere interest reflected in Catylen’s eyes.

“It’s almost ready, thanks to Zack—he’s been a big help.”

“And how is that hunk?” Catylen chuckled.

Jezzica took a deep breath. “He’s a real dilemma. Every time I see him, it creates a problem.”

“Give it time.” Catylen’s words held a tone of confidence—as thought she thought Jezzica and Zack were destined to be together.

“I haven’t seen him since the day he uncovered the hearth. One minute I was excited and the next I practically threw him out of the shop. He’s most likely had enough of my hysterics. I’ve never been one for drama and now—” She quietly groaned as the subject of her conversation trudged toward her.

Zack nodded hello to Catylen and turned to Jezzica. “Sorry for the intrusion. We need to talk.”

Jezzica leaped up and brushed the sand off her shorts. She wanted to introduce her nieces, but they were deep in laughter, having fun with the group they’d invited. “I’ll be back in a few, Caty.”

Jezzica noticed the brilliance of the stars and the soft breeze coming in off the sea. “I’m glad you stopped by. I want to apologize. You must think I qualify for a good psychiatric evaluation.”

“No, I think you’re dealing with the aftermath of a horrid situation.”

She hadn’t been around him five minutes and already she was dabbing at her eyes. “That doesn’t excuse for my abruptness with you.”

“There’s some news I need to share with you. You’re aware the florist was burglarized and about Maggie’s ordeal with the criminals.”

The ominous tone of his voice caught her attention. “Yeah, poor Maggie, that was awful the way they treated her.”

Zack shook his head. “Now that we know who they are, the only surprise is that she’s still alive.”

“You know—”

“Wait.” He interrupted her, “there’s more. I ordered the file for the carjacking from Stone Valley. The composite sketches you helped the police come up with were in the files. Jezz, we caught the killers—they matched the sketches.”

“You caught Geoff’s killers?”

He grimaced and shook his head. “No, we didn’t exactly catch—”

“I should have known. How did they get away?”

“Trust me. You don’t want to know.”

She frowned and shook her head. “I don’t understand. It’s like these criminals have some shield of protection around them.”

“We’ll get them. I promise.” He placed a hand on her shoulder.

She backed away from his touch, and jogged across the sand as frustration knotted her stomach and angry tears blurred her vision.

She continued past her sister. “Jezz? Wait up.”

Jezzica bent over and gripped her knees. Catylen stopped beside her. “What happened? What’s wrong?”

“The killers got away, again. Only Geoff’s still gone—he’s never coming back.”

“Come on.” Catylen led her to the cottage. Upstairs, Jezzica crawled under the covers and Catylen tucked them in around her.

“There’s no starting over. There is no moving forward.” The despair in Jezzica’s voice cast a shadow over her face.

“Try to rest.” Catylen sat with her for a few minutes before tiptoeing out of the room.

Jezzica awoke to a soft tap on her door. She blinked her eyes open and checked the clock beside her bed. “Come in.”

She scooted up and leaned against the headboard as Lauren entered and timidly moved closer to the bed. “Aunt Jezz, I need to talk to you.”

The same words she’d heard from Zack not more than two hours ago. Jezzica patted a spot on the covers next to her.

Lauren sat on the edge of the bed as tears made uneven tracks on her face. Jezzica reached and brushed her golden hair back from her face. “What is it, baby girl?”

“I don’t know how to tell Mom.”

Jezzica leaned forward. “Tell me and we’ll figure out what to do, together.”

“It’s Dad.” She paused and nibbled on her lower lip. “I came home from college a day early. He was there with—he wasn’t alone. A woman came out of the bedroom, wearing one of Mom’s robes. I hate him—I hate my dad. How do I tell Mom?”

“Oh, Lauren.” She pulled her into her arms. “You don’t need to tell her. I’ll handle it.”

She laid her head on her aunt’s shoulder and Jezzica rubbed her back. “Come on, I’ll go tuck you in.”

Jezzica settled Lauren in bed, and then returned to her room. She found the place under her covers that was still warm and pulled the blanket around her. How could she tell her sister what Lauren had seen? Left without a choice, she had to be the one to tell Catylen—the pain and anguish was something Lauren didn’t need to witness. How could he bring the other woman right into their home? The conversation with Lauren replayed in her mind until she drifted into a fitful sleep.

Near dawn, she gave up the battle, pushed out of bed and threw on her running clothes. Her feet pounded the sand to her mantra of
I can’t do it
. Like the story of the phoenix, Catylen had been fighting to rise up out of the ashes. And now Jezzica was the one who had the task of rekindling the flame and pulling her back into the ash pit. She sunk down into the sand and hid her face in the circle of her arms resting on her knees.

“Jezzica?” She looked up as her sister dropped down beside her and put her hand on her back. “Want to talk?”

Jezzica whooshed out an audible breath. “Oh, Caty, I’d give anything not to do this to you.”

“You’re scaring me. Is it one of the girls?”

She shook her head. “It’s about Mike.” Jezzica reached for her hand and told her what Lauren had seen when she’d arrived home unexpectedly, skipping the robe—it wasn’t a visual she wanted to plant in her sister’s mind.

“I knew something was bothering Lauren. Of all the scenarios I imagined and fretted over, this wasn’t one. How could Mike have stooped that low?”

“You know you have a place here for as long as you want.”

“I love you, too. At least I’m no longer at a crossroads as what to do. Whether to try again or file for a divorce—he settled that dilemma.”

“I thought you would fall apart when I told you.”

“Oh, I probably will at some point—right now I’m numb, and livid that he did this to Lauren.” Catylen shrugged.

“It’s deeper than that. You seem to have peace, as though this was the outcome you were seeking all along.”

“No. It’s not the way I wanted my marriage to end. I’ve been praying for a sign, something that would help me make a decision. I trust God.”

“You think God wanted you to end your marriage?” A frown lined Jezzica’s brow.

“Mike made the choice to end our marriage, not God. The life I’ve known for the past twenty-five years being over saddens me. But I do have peace.”

Jezzica hugged her sister. “I meant what I said—you have a home here for as long as you want to stay. I’d like it if you stayed here permanently.”

Catylen returned her sister’s embrace. “It means so much to me being here with you. It would seem we’re both facing difficult conversations with Mom and Dad.”

“I’ve been thinking about that one. I’d like to tell them about the bookshop and invite them for the grand opening.” Jezzica wasn’t at all convinced she could handle her parents.

“Does that have anything to do with there being safety in numbers—inviting them while their granddaughters are here?”

“Should have known I couldn’t get that one past you.” Jezzica jumped up. “Race you back to the cottage. The loser gets to call Mom and Dad.”

“No fair. You got a head start.” Sand flew as the two sisters raced. Catylen caught up with her sister, and after tackling her, she leaped up and took the lead.

“Caty! Watch out!”

Catylen froze at the sound of her sister’s voice as Jezzica flashed by and tromped up the wooden stairs leading to their deck, where she pumped her fists in the air, claiming her win.

Catylen wrapped her hands around her mouth. “You still have to break the news that you’re living here now and own the bookshop. The phone call is the easy part.”

Chapter Nineteen
 

At Rubi’s, Zack settled into a booth across from Logan. He flipped the thick china mug right side up and Tiffani filled it with the strong, dark liquid he needed.

Logan slapped his hand on the table. “I should fire the whole department—nothing but a bunch of incompetent fools. An embarrassment to the force.”

“That may be, but we need a plan of action.” He paused long enough to give the waitress his order.

Logan rubbed his jaw. “Why do you suppose they targeted Maggie?”

“A mistake. Jezz is the one they’re after. The only reason they didn’t kill Maggie is because they intend to finish the job they came to do.” Zack drained his mug and signaled for a refill.

Logan nodded. “The roadblock failed, so they must still be in Serenity. How do we keep Jezzica safe?”

“They could have left afterward, but I doubt it. I say we use Nicole as a decoy. Have her spend time in the bookshop for a few days instead of Jezzica.” Zack leaned back as Tiffani set their plates on the table. The smell of bacon, eggs, and hash browns hit his stomach, and sent a reminder he’d skipped dinner the night before.

“Might work. Ted can hide in the upstairs area of the shop. Everyone will be working double shifts for a few days.” Logan broke the yolk and smeared it over the white of his eggs. “You talk to Jezzica and I’ll take care of Nicole and Ted.”

“These killers won’t wait long to make their move.” Zack forked a bite of the steamy potatoes, then speared a piece of crisp bacon. “I swear this town has the best food on the planet.”

“Long as you stay away from the burritos at Mick’s Bar.” Logan cringed, as though he’d had personal experience with Mick’s food.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Zack pushed back his plate and drained the last of the coffee from his cup. “I’m out of here. I’ll go tackle talking to Jezz.”

“Good luck. She isn’t going to be easy to convince.” Logan tossed his napkin onto his plate and slid out of the booth.

They climbed into their trucks and turned opposite directions onto Shoreview Drive. Zack parked in the driveway of his cottage, went around back and walked the few feet to Jezzica’s back stairs. A heron perched on a piece of driftwood and in one swift motion, spread his magnificent blue tip wings and took flight over the roaring waves.

The sisters were sitting on the deck with empty dishes spread out on the table. “Have a seat.” Catylen scooted over, leaving an open chair for Zack.

“Coffee?” Jezzica offered.

“Thanks, but I just finished breakfast with Logan. That’s what I came to talk to you about.”

“Oh. What’s going on?” Curiosity filled her expression.

Zack delivered the detailed plan and fire flamed in Jezzica’s eyes. “No. I’ll be the one to lure them in. They know what I look like and I’m the one they want.”

Zack clenched his jaw.
Women.
“Not a good idea. These guys mean business.”

“And so do I. I’ve had enough of their miserable lowlife ways.” She set her cup down and sloshed coffee onto the table. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going for a short run before I head to the shop.”

“Hold up. I’ll join you—we need to finish this discussion.”

She practically smirked at him. “Go square things with Logan. I’ll meet you at the bookshop around noon.”