A Brambleberry Summer

by RaeAnne Thayne

  “You can really say that after that kiss?”

  “Sharing a few kisses does not make us lovers, Wyatt. Surely you see this.”

  He wasn’t sure why she was so upset but she was all but wringing her hands.

  “This thing between us is not exactly your average friendship, either. You have to admit that. I have lots of friends and I don’t stay up nights thinking about kissing them.”

  She made a small, upset sound and reached for her dog’s leash.

  “We cannot do this anymore, Wyatt. You must see that. I was wrong to let you kiss me. To—to kiss you back. I should have stopped you.”

  She started moving toward the house. He gazed after her, hurt at her abrupt dismissal of what had felt like an emotional, beautiful moment between them.

  He knew she had felt it, as well. Rosa was not the sort of woman who would kiss someone with so much sweetness and eagerness without at least some feeling behind it.

  He quickly caught up with her just as she pushed open the beach gate and walked into the Brambleberry House gardens.

  “Why are you so determined to push me away? What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing. I told you before—I am not looking for this in my life right now.”

  “I wasn’t, either, but I think it’s found us. I care about you, Rosa. Very much. For the first time since Tori died, I want to spend time with a woman. And I might be crazy but I suspect you wouldn’t kiss me if you didn’t have similar feelings for me. Am I wrong?”

  She was silent for a moment. When she faced him, her chin was up again and her eyes seemed without expression.

  “Yes. You are wrong,” she said, her voice muted. “I do not have feelings for you. It is impossible. You are the brother of my friend and you are my tenant who will be leaving soon. That is all you are to me, Wyatt. I... You must not kiss me again. Ever. Do you understand this? No matter what, you must not.”

  She turned and hurried for the house, leaving him staring after her, hurt and confusion and rejection tumbling through him.

  She sounded so very certain that he could not question her conviction. Apparently he had misunderstood everything. All this time, he had been falling for her, but the feeling apparently was not mutual.

  She had told him they should stay away from each other. Why had he not listened?

  He knew the answer to that. His feelings were growing so strong that he couldn’t believe they could possibly be one-sided.

  Lord, he was an idiot. No different than Jenna’s cop, who couldn’t accept rejection even after it slapped him in the face.

  He should have kept his mouth shut. She had told him over and over that she was not interested in a relationship with him, but he’d been too stubborn to listen.

  Now he just had to figure out how he was going to go on without her.

  * * *

  Rosa sat in her darkened apartment a short time later, window open to the ocean and Fiona at her feet. Usually she found solace in the sound of the waves but not now.

  This night, it seemed to echo through Brambleberry House, accentuating how very alone she felt.

  What had she done? With all her heart, she wished she could go downstairs, knock on his door and tell Wyatt she was the one lying now.

  I do not have feelings for you. It is impossible. You are the brother of my friend and you are my tenant who will be leaving soon. That is all you are to me, Wyatt.

  None of those words were true, of course. Or at least not the whole truth. She cared about Wyatt, more than any man she had ever known. She was falling in love with him. Here in the quiet solitude of her apartment, she could admit the truth.

  She realized now that she had started to fall for him the first time she met Carrie’s brother with the sad eyes and the adorable little boy.

  How could she not love him? He was everything good and kind she admired in a man. He was a loving father, a loyal brother, a dedicated detective. An honorable man.

  That was the very reason she had no choice but to push him away. Wyatt deserved a woman with no demons. Someone courageous and good.

  If he knew the truth about her and her choices, he would quickly see how wrong he was about her.

  The walls of the house did not embrace her with comfort, as they usually did.

  Somehow, it felt cold and even sad. For some ridiculous reason, Rosa felt as if she had faced some sort of test and she had failed spectacularly.

  It was a silly feeling, she knew. Houses could not be sad.

  Fiona lifted her head suddenly and gazed off at nothing, then whimpered for no reason. Rosa frowned. There was no such thing as ghosts, either. And absolutely no reason for her to feel guilty, as if she had failed Abigail somehow.

  “I had to push him away,” she said aloud, though she wasn’t sure just who she was trying to convince. Fiona, Abigail or herself. “Someday he will see that I was right. He will be glad I at least could see that we cannot be together.”

  Fiona huffed out a breath while Abigail said nothing, of course.

  As for Rosa, her heart felt as if it was going to crack apart. She knew it would not. She had been through hard things before—she would figure out a way to survive this.

  In a short time, he and his son would be moving out of Brambleberry House and back to their own home. As before, she would only see them occasionally. Maybe on the street, maybe at some town celebration. Maybe even at a party with Joe and Carrie. She could be polite and even friendly.

  Wyatt did not ever need to know about these cracks in her heart, or how hard she found it to think about moving forward with her life without him, and without Logan.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Somehow, she wasn’t sure exactly how, Rosa made it through most of the next week without seeing either Logan or Wyatt.

  They seemed to leave early in the morning and come back late at night. She could only guess they were hard at work on the part of renovations Wyatt was handling on their house and getting it ready for their move back.

  This guess was confirmed when she came home for lunch one day and found a note tucked into her door.

  Repairs to the house are done, the note said in bold, scrawling handwriting. We will be moving out tomorrow. Wyatt.

  Rosa had to catch her breath as pain sliced through her at the brusque, clipped note and at the message it contained.

  Tomorrow. A week earlier than he had planned. He must have spent every available moment trying to finish things in his eagerness to get out of her house and her life.

  She returned to the store with a heavy heart but a sense of relief, as well. She could not begin to put back together the pieces of her life when he was living two floors below her.

  Even when she did not see him or Logan, she was still constantly aware they were both so close and yet completely out of her reach.

  When she walked into the store, she found Jen laughing at something with a customer. The change in her friend was remarkable. She looked bright and pretty and happy, a far cry from the withdrawn, frightened woman she had been when she first came to Cannon Beach.

  Jen finished ringing up the customer with a genuine smile Rosa once had feared she would not see again.

  “You are in a good mood,” she said.

  “Yes. I heard from the online graduate program I’ve been in touch with. I’ve been accepted for fall semester and they’re offering a financial-aid package that will cover almost the whole tuition.”

  “That’s terrific! Oh, Jen. I’m so happy for you. How will you juggle teaching, graduate school and Addie at the same time?”

  “It’s going to be tricky but I think I can handle it, especially now that she’s starting first grade. I can do the coursework at night after she’s in bed. It will take me a few years, but when I’m done, it will open up other career doors for me.”

  “Oh, I am so
happy for you.”

  Jen beamed at her. “It’s all because of you. I never would have had the courage to even apply if you hadn’t been in my corner, pushing me out of my comfort zone.”

  Rosa might not have a happily-ever-after with the man she was falling in love with. But she had good friends and wanted to think she was making a difference in their lives, a little bit at a time.

  “We should celebrate tonight,” Rosa said.

  “You don’t have a hot date?”

  She made a face. “Not me. I have no date, hot or otherwise.”

  “What about our sexy neighbor?” Jen teased.

  That terse note of his flashed through her mind again and her chest gave a sharp spasm.

  “He will not be our neighbor long. Wyatt and Logan are moving out in the morning.”

  Jen’s smile slid away. “Oh, no! Addie will miss having them around. She has really enjoyed playing with Logan in the evenings. I thought they wouldn’t be moving for a few more weeks.”

  “Apparently, their house is finished. Wyatt left me a note on the door when I went home for lunch and to bring back Fiona.”

  Jen gave her a sharp look that Rosa pretended not to see.

  “My evening is totally free,” she said, “and I would love nothing more than to celebrate with you. Do you want to go somewhere?”

  Jen gazed out the window. “It looks like it’s going to be another beautiful night. I would be just as happy taking Fiona for a walk on the beach and then grabbing dinner at the taco truck. I think Addie would be all over that, too.”

  Rosa was not sure she would ever be able to eat at the taco truck without remembering that delightful evening with Logan and Wyatt, but for the sake of her friend, she would do her best.

  “Done.”

  The store was busy with customers the rest of the afternoon. Rosa preferred it that way. Having something to do gave her less time to think.

  Jen’s shift was supposed to end at five, but during a lull in the hectic pace about a half hour before that, Rosa pulled her aside. “Your shift is almost over and Paula and Juan will be here soon for the evening shift. Why don’t you go pick up Addie from her day care and I will meet you at home?”

  “Sounds great.”

  Jen took off her apron, then hung it on the hook in the back room and quickly left.

  Rosa was going to miss having her around when school started, not just because she was a good worker, but Rosa enjoyed her company. They made a good team.

  She finished ringing up two more customers, then spent a few more moments talking to the married older couple who helped her out a few nights a week during busy summer months.

  Finally, she and Fiona walked out into a lovely July evening. The dog was eager for a walk and Rosa was, too. She was looking forward to the evening with Addie and Jen. Tacos and good friends. What was not to enjoy?

  When she neared the house, she didn’t see Wyatt’s SUV. Rosa told herself she was glad.

  Perhaps she wouldn’t have to see him at all before he moved out the next day.

  Fiona went immediately to the backyard. When Rosa followed her, she found Jen and Addie on the tree swing. Addie’s legs were stretched out as she tried to pump and she looked so filled with joy, Rosa had to smile.

  “Look at me!” Addie called. “I’m flying!”

  “You are doing so well at swinging,” Rosa exclaimed.

  “I know. I never went so high before.”

  She almost told her to be careful but caught herself. She wanted all little girls to soar as high as they dared.

  “We got home about a half hour ago and haven’t even been inside yet,” Jen said with a laugh. “Addie insisted she had to swing first.”

  “It is very fun,” Rosa agreed. Addie’s excitement and Jen’s good mood went a long way to cheering her up.

  She might not have everything she wanted but her life could still be rich and beautiful. She had to remember that.

  “I noticed the handsome detective isn’t home yet. I was going to see if he wanted to come with us to the taco truck.”

  Jen spoke so casually that Rosa almost missed the mischievous look in her eyes.

  Rosa avoided her gaze. “He is probably at his house making sure things are ready for him and Logan to return home tomorrow.”

  “I’ll miss them.”

  Rosa wasn’t sure she liked that pensive note in her friend’s voice. Was Jen interested in Wyatt, as well?

  Why wouldn’t she be? He was a wonderful man and Jen was exactly the sort of woman who could make him happy. The two of them would be very good together, even though the idea of it made Rosa’s chest hurt.

  “When you are ready to date again, maybe you should think about dating Wyatt. You both have a lot in common.”

  Jen gave her a shocked, rather appalled look that Rosa thought was out of proportion to her mild suggestion. “Besides being single parents, I don’t think so.”

  “He’s a widower, you’re a widow,” she pointed out.

  “True. And that’s the only thing we have in common. Don’t get me wrong. I like Wyatt a lot. He seems very nice. But I don’t think he would be interested in me. His interests appear to lie...elsewhere.”

  Jen gave her such a significant look that Rosa could feel her face heat.

  I care about you, Rosa. Very much. For the first time since Tori died, I want to spend time with a woman. And I might be crazy but I suspect you wouldn’t kiss me if you didn’t have similar feelings for me.

  Wyatt would soon forget her and any wild idea he had that he might have feelings for her.

  Before she could answer, she heard a noise and saw someone walk around the side of the house to where they were.

  For a moment, with the setting sun shining on his face, she thought it might be Wyatt. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt foolish, hoping he hadn’t heard their conversation.

  Jen suddenly gasped, her features going instantly pale, and Rosa realized her mistake.

  This was not Wyatt. It was a man she didn’t recognize.

  This man was big, solid, with wide shoulders and a rather thick neck. He had close-cropped brown hair and blue eyes that should have been attractive but were somehow cold.

  Fiona, at her feet, instantly rose and growled a little, moving protectively in front of the two of them. That didn’t seem to stop the man, who continued walking until he was only a few feet away.

  “Jenna,” he said, gazing at her friend with an odd, intense, almost possessive look. “Here you are. It is you. It took me forever to track you down.”

  Rosa knew instantly who this was. Who else could it be? Aaron Barker, the police officer who was stalking Jen and had driven her from her Utah home to Cannon Beach. She should have realized it the moment the color leached away from Jen’s features.

  Jenna stood frozen for a moment as if she couldn’t remember how to move, then she quickly moved to the side and stopped the swing, pulling Addie off and into her arms.

  “Hey!” the girl exclaimed. “I’m not done swinging.”

  Addie started to complain but something of her mother’s tension seemed to trickle to the girl. She fell silent, eying the adults around her with sudden wariness.

  “What do you want?” Jen asked. Her voice shook slightly.

  “I’ve missed you so much, baby. Aren’t you happy to see me?” He took another step forward as if to embrace her. Jen quickly stepped back.

  Rosa didn’t know what to do. They were on the side of the house without an entrance. The only way to get inside to safety was through the front door. To get there, they would have to go around this man.

  Aaron Barker was dangerous. She recognized the fierce, violent look in his eyes. She had seen that before...

  Old, long-suppressed panic started to bubble up inside her, those demons she thought she had vanq
uished long ago.

  Rosa drew in a harsh breath and then another, suddenly desperate to escape.

  No. She had to protect her friend. She wouldn’t let her be hurt again.

  “What do you want?” Jen asked again. She took a sideways step, Addie in her arms, and Rosa realized she was edging closer to the front door.

  “Just to talk. That’s all.”

  Jenna shuffled to the side another step and Rosa moved, as well, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

  “I don’t want to talk to you. I tried that before and you wouldn’t listen. Please. Just leave me alone.”

  He moved as if to come closer but Fiona growled. She wasn’t particularly fierce-looking with her long, soft fur and her sweet eyes, but she did have sharp teeth.

  The dog’s show of courage gave Rosa strength to draw upon her own.

  “You heard her.”

  Jen took another sideways step and Rosa did, too. The front porch was still so very far away.

  “This is private property,” she went on. “You are trespassing. Please leave.”

  “I’m not leaving without talking to Jenna.” When he spoke, she caught a definite whiff of alcohol on his breath. He had been drinking and he already had to be unstable to put Jenna through long months of torture. Rosa knew this was not a good combination.

  “She clearly does not want to talk to you.”

  “She has to.”

  “No. She does not.” Hoping to distract him further from realizing she and Jenna had maneuvered so that they were now closer to the door than he was, Rosa reached into her pocket for her cell phone. “I must ask you again to leave or I will have to call nine-one-one.”

  “You think that worries me? I’m a police officer.”

  “Not here,” she said firmly. “The police here do not stand by while someone hurts a woman, even if he is also a police officer.”

  She had to hope that was true of all officers in the Cannon Beach Police Department and not only Wyatt.

  “Now. I am asking you for the final time to leave or I will call the police.”

  Now Jenna was backing toward the door and Rosa did the same, with Fiona still standing protectively in front of them.