Vendetta

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  Blair rubbed a hand over his face and drained his coffee. As he got to his feet and started toward the cottage, he caught sight of Courtney on her upper balcony, watering her plants. She was wearing some sort of long, opaque gown that revealed the outline of her body in the rays of sunlight spilling across the railing. Her hair fell long and loose in a mass of tangles.

  Another reason, he thought, to be grateful for that damn inner clock. He wouldn’t have missed this view for the world. He might not have any long-term plans for Courtney Brennan, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the thrill of the chase. Especially when the prey was as smart as she was beautiful. That only made the hunt that much more exciting.

  “Good morning.” At Blair’s knock Courtney opened the door and stepped outside carrying her sea bag and wearing a long silk skirt and matching top in sea-foam green. Her hair was plaited in a fat braid that fell over one breast.

  Blair took a moment to drink in the sight of her. “I hope brunch isn’t formal.”

  “Not at all. You look fine.” And he did, in charcoal pants and a lighter gray silk tee. His hair, she noted, was still damp from the shower.

  He gave her another long, steady look. “And you’re gorgeous.”

  His unexpected compliment had her pulse jumping as he held the door to his car. Or maybe it was the possessive brush of his hand along her arm. Whatever the reason, she took several calming breaths and had her heartbeat settled down to its normal rhythm by the time he’d turned the key in the ignition.

  He glanced over as they headed along the street. “Did you alert your family to what happened last night?”

  She shook her head. “It would only cause them all to lose sleep. I am hoping, though, to speak with Poppie, whenever I can get him alone.”

  “You don’t think he’ll worry?”

  “He will. That can’t be helped. But he has a wonderfully logical mind that might be able to see what the authorities are missing.” She turned to study Blair’s profile. “If he wants to talk to you, would you mind?”

  “Of course not. I’ll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this. When it happened once, I was willing to accept teen vandals. But twice?”

  He frowned. “That’s pushing it.”

  Courtney expelled the breath she hadn’t even been aware she was holding. “I’m glad you feel that way. Because it’s what bothered me all night.”

  He touched a hand to hers. Just a touch, but she felt the warmth of it all the way up her arm. “I’m really sorry, Courtney. I don’t know what’s happening, but somehow I feel responsible.”

  “It isn’t your fault.”

  He glanced over. “You said yourself that this never happened before I moved in.”

  “That doesn’t mean it’s your fault. You certainly didn’t invite the trouble.”

  He grinned. “Did I just hear you defend me?”

  She arched a brow. “A momentary lapse. I’m sure I’ll recover my senses any minute now.”

  “Admit it. I’m starting to get to you.”

  “So are the mosquitoes. That’s why I brought along my repellant.”

  “So that’s what you’ve been using? Man repellant?”

  “Is it working?”

  He shot her a sidelong glance. “What do you think?”

  They were both laughing as he drove up the long curving driveway of The Willows, where several other cars were already parked. As they walked around to the patio, they could hear the quiet hum of voices, and the high, shrill laughter of Danny and T.J.

  The two little boys were picking tomatoes from Poppie’s garden, under the watchful eye of Hannah, who was holding a basket to collect their treasures. Ethan and Jason were standing by the grill with Frank, who was wielding his tongs like a Samurai as he flipped chunks of beef and ham and turkey.

  Sidney was arranging lush flowers and foliage in crystal vases, while Emily and Bert were busy setting out place mats on the glass-topped table.

  Charley stepped out of the kitchen with a pitcher of juice. “Oh, good, Courtney. We were hoping you’d finish setting the table. You always make it so much prettier than any of us.”

  “Uh-huh.” Courtney nudged Blair. “In Brennan language that means they’re running late this morning and hope I’ll pitch in.”

  He grinned. “I’ll help. Just tell me where everything is.”

  “Dishes, flatware and such in the kitchen. Trudy’s domain,” she said under her breath. “Come on. Might as well get it over with. Then we can feast.”

  Inside, Trudy looked up from the oven, where she was removing a pan of rolls. “About time you got here. We need you to…”

  “…set the table,” Courtney finished for her. “Blair said he’ll help.”

  “He’d better, if he wants to eat.” Trudy set down the pan and reached for a second one.

  As she did, Blair walked over and breathed in the perfume of cinnamon. “This smells heavenly.”

  “That’s what they all say.” Trudy broke off a steaming piece of biscuit and handed it to him. “Men have been known to beg me to marry them, just so they can have my recipe.”

  Blair chewed, swallowed, then dropped on one knee in front of the old woman. “Very smart men. But not nearly worthy of you, Trudy. I, on the other hand, will treat you like the queen of the kitchen you obviously are, if you’ll do me the honor.”

  “Save it, honey.” She gave a throaty laugh. “Better men than you have tried and failed. But since you went to all that trouble, I’ll s get an extra cinnamon roll with brunch.”

  “You’re an angel of mercy.” He straightened and picked up the armload of dishes Courtney was holding out to him.

  “I should have warned you. Trudy has her own man repellant.”

  “Yeah. I noticed. But the old Colby charm can break through.”

  “Don’t hold your breath, Prince Charming.” She led the way to the patio.

  Once outside, Blair was soon caught up in the weekly ritual. This was, he realized, much more than a meal. Each member of the Brennan family seemed to have a part to play, each using a particular skill that added to the overall charm of the event. Hannah and the little boys sliced fresh tomatoes from the garden onto a lovely white platter. Then Danny and T.J. carried it ever so carefully to the table, where they stood beaming with pride. Emily was busy mixing equal parts of champagne and orange juice like a chemist. Sidney and Courtney fussed over the table arrangements, moving vases of flowers until they were exactly to their liking, before adding pretty cushions to the surrounding chairs and chaises. Charley assisted Trudy, rolling out a cart of breads and rolls from the kitchen, while Bert, her cap of white curls dancing in the breeze, moved among them like a military general.

  Seeing that Blair’s chore was successfully completed, Bert caught his arm. “Now that you’ve helped with the table, why don’t you snag two of those mimosas and join me on the glider.”

  He picked up two long-stemmed tulip glasses of frothy orange juice and champagne and handed one to her before sitting down beside her, enjoying the gentle motion of the glider.

  “Thank you for inviting me to join your family, Mrs. Brennan.”

  “It’s Bert. And I hope you don’t find us too overwhelming.”

  “I suppose I did at first glance. But now I’ve managed to sort you all out.”

  “Good. That’s the hardest part. Now I hope you’ll just relax and enjoy the show.” She nodded toward her husband, who was beginning to remove the meats from the grill onto a platter. “Frank loves his Sunday brunch with the family.”

  “I can see why.”

  She turned to study him. “Do you have brothers or sisters?”

  He shook his head. “I’m an only.”

  “So was our Christopher.”

  Blair tried to hide his surprise at her statement. “It must have been hard to lose your son.”

  “It was. But look at the lovely legacy he left us.” She sipped her drink. “I knew your aunt Sarah.”

  He laughe
d. “I guess just about everybody in Devil’s Cove knew her.”

  Bert nodded. “I remember you, too, from your summers with her. Not well, of course. But I recall seeing you with her a time or two.”

  “I suppose you were wondering how a stern old spinster like Sarah Colby could cope with her brother

  Bert smiled. “Not at all. After fifty years of teaching, I learned that none of us is what we seem on the outside. I always thought that Sarah’s stern demeanor hid a tender heart. One that was probably broken by cruelty or carelessness. I thought perhaps the sad little boy who spent his summers with her was here to heal as much as to be healed.”

  “You thought I was sad?”

  She smiled. “Weren’t you?”

  He nodded. “Very. But I guess I wasn’t aware that it showed.”

  Frank strolled over to the glider. “You’ve had Bert’s attention entirely too long, my boy. Now it’s my turn.” He helped his wife to her feet and tucked her arm through his.

  As they walked away, looking for all the world like young lovers, Blair trailed slowly behind, mulling the older woman’s words. He’d never before considered the fact that his presence here each summer might have comforted a lonely old woman, but he hoped it was so.

  At the table Blair held Courtney’s chair before taking the seat beside her.

  She leaned close. “You and my grandmother looked cozy.”

  “She’s a remarkable woman.”

  Courtney smiled. “You don’t know the half of it.”

  From her position at the end of the table, Bert watched her granddaughter lost in quiet conversation with Blair Colby and gave a little cat smile of satisfaction.

  Chapter 8

  “Goodbye, Aunt Courtney.” Danny locked his chubby arms around her neck and gave her a sticky kiss, which she warmly returned, before doing the same with his little brother, T.J.

  After a leisurely brunch, following by a raucous game of croquet on the rolling lawn, in which everyone participated, there had been a second, lighter meal and plenty of time for family conversation. Now the little boys and their parents were heading home, which signaled the end of the entertaining Sunday for the entire family.

  Courtney and Blair walked with her sisters and their husbands to their cars.

  Seeing Jason Cooper climbing behind the wheel of Blair’s car, Courtney turned to him with a look of surprise. “Where is he going?”

  “Back to my place. Emily offered to follow him there and take him home after he delivers my car in the driveway.”

  “How are you planning on getting back?”

  He shot her a wicked grin. “With you. Aboard your sailboat. I think it’s time I brush up on my sailing skills.” Seeing the way her lips pursed, he couldn’t help adding, “Are you pouting because I didn’t ask you first?”

  “I’m not pouting. I never pout. But I do think you could have asked before assuming you could ride along in my bo

  “Fair’s fair. I took you home in my car last night, didn’t I?”

  “That’s different. You had no choice. It was storming.”

  He pointed to the clear, cloudless sky. “Looks like a perfect night to sail home. And if you decide you don’t want to go straight home, and we anchor in some romantic little cove for a midnight swim, I promise not to complain or charge you with harassment.”

  “You’re too good to be true.”

  “That’s me.” His smile went straight to her heart. “Practically a saint.”

  Beside them her grandparents chuckled at the good-natured banter between these two, and waved until the rest of their family was out of sight.

  When they turned toward the house, Bert tucked an arm through her husband’s. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll walk off some of that fine food along the shore. Maybe you could take Courtney and Blair inside where it’s cooler.”

  Frank kissed his wife’s cheek and watched her walk away before inviting the two inside.

  As they stepped into the kitchen, Trudy fished a pack of cigarettes from her apron pocket and ducked out onto the patio. Knowing how much the judge disapproved of her habit, she passed him without a word. He did the same as he led Courtney and Blair through the kitchen, where the dishwasher was humming, and along the cool, tiled hallway until they reached his office. Once inside he settled himself at his desk and waited until they’d chosen adjoining chairs before speaking.

  “You wanted to tell me something, Courtney.”

  She nodded. “How did Bert know?”

  He merely smiled. “After a lifetime together, people generally read each other’s minds and moods. She sensed that you two young people wanted some time alone with me.” He clasped his hands on the desktop, steepling his fingers. “My time is yours.”

  As simply as possible Courtney told him about the break-ins.

  When she was finished the judge asked, “What does Chief Thompson think?”

  “He assumed the first break-in was teen vandals. Now he’s not so sure. Mostly, he seemed insulted that someone could get away with such a thing in his town not once, but twice. Mayor Bentley seemed to share his reaction, and wondered whether someone might be looking for something specific.”

  “The mayor? When did you talk to him?”

  “He arrived right behind the police chief. He was kind enough to take us out for coffee while the police finished their investigation.” Courtney glanced at Blair. “We didn’t want to worry you, Poppie. But I told Blair that I needed to have your take on this. You’ve sat in on enough trials to have a handle on the criminal mind. Are we missing something here?”

  The older man tapped a finger on the desktop. “I’m inclined to agree with the chief that a single incident could be random, but a second one can’t be treated as cavalierly.” He turned to Blair. “Do you have any enemies

  Blair shook his head. “None that I know of.”

  “Any idea what this could be about?”

  Blair gave an exasperated sigh. “The more I think about it, the more questions I have. My aunt was a simple woman who lived a simple life. Besides, the vandals had ample time to search the cottage before I moved in. Why would they need a second break-in?”

  “If they’re actually searching for something specific, and didn’t find it earlier, they could believe you had possession of it and may have brought it with you when you moved in.”

  Blair sighed. “That’s pretty much what the mayor hinted. But after my aunt’s death, I was notified by her law firm that they were in possession of all her legal documents. I didn’t go over them myself, but the firm seemed to think they were the usual things. Birth certificate. Proof of purchase of the land where she lived, as well as old tax records. I’m certain they would have notified me if they’d found anything out of the ordinary. So far the law firm hasn’t reported anything unusual. I can assure you that the only things I brought with me were clothes and a few bath and bed linens. Certainly nothing worth trashing the cottage for.”

  Courtney interrupted. “And what of my apartment, Poppie? Why would someone target my place?”

  “Proximity to Blair, I suspect.” He smiled gently at his granddaughter. “This is a small town, Courtney. Once you and Blair are seen together, there are some who may believe that you’re sharing more than a sailboat ride.”

  “I resent that.”

  “You may resent it, but it’s a fact of life here in Devil’s Cove.” He held up a hand to still her protest. “What may be nothing more than an innocent good-night kiss between the two of you could be misconstrued as much more by someone watching under the cover of darkness.”

  The words she’d been about to speak died on her lips. The mere thought of someone watching them, stalking them, left her chilled.

  Her grandfather came around the desk and took her hands in his. “I’d like you to consider coming back to The Willows for a few weeks. Just until the police find out what’s going on.”

  She was already shaking her head. “I can’t come running home every time I he
ar bumps in the night.”

  “This is a lot more than mere bumps, sweet heart. You have to know that this is serious.”

  “I do, Poppie. But I won’t be forced out of my own place by vandals. Besides, if, as you suggest, we’re being watched, it’s pretty obvious that our stalkers prefer striking when we’re away.”

  “That’s true. For now. But if they were to be come bolder, they might decide to strike while you’re there.”

  She took a deep breath. “I won’t deny that I’m afraid. But I won’t be driven away by fear.”

  He squeezed her hands. “I guess I expected that from you. I don’t want you to be alarmed, Courtney, but you can’t afford to take any chances. Until this is resolved, you must remain aware and alert at all times.”

  She nodded. “I will, Poppie. Promise.”

  “Good girl.” He drew her up and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Now go and find your grandmother and tell her it’s safe to come inside. We’re done with our discussion.”

  As Blair got to his feet and started to follow her, Frank Brennan placed a hand on his arm, holding him back. When they were alone, his manner turned grave. “I intend to speak with Chief Thompson first thing in the morning. Until then, I hope you’ll find a way to see that my granddaughter isn’t alone.”

  When the meaning of those words struck him, Blair shot the old man an incredulous look. “If you’re asking me to spend the night with Courtney, I think I’d better warn you that your granddaughter has a mind of her own. And that mind is very resistant to any sort of relationship with me.”

  “I’m not surprised.” The old man chuckled. “She’s just like her grandmother. It took all my powers of persuasion to win that woman’s heart. But it was certainly worth the effort. From what I’ve observed, you’re not immune to my granddaughter’s charms. Nor she to yours.”