Love at First Light (Lost Harbor, Alaska Book 6)

by Jennifer Bernard

  What shift? What was he talking about? Why did McGee know more about his life than he did?

  He scrolled back to the last call from Charley.

  “Since you’ve been ignoring my calls all day, I scheduled an emergency session with Dr. McGee. He’s helped me realize that this marriage is not a good idea. If you can’t even summon the bare minimum of excitement about my mentor, we’re simply not suited to each other. Somehow I don’t think you’ll mind that I’m breaking things off before we go any further. Maybe you should think things through a little more the next time you propose. I bear some responsibility too, of course. Not even a life coach always gets it right. Goodbye, Ethan. I wish you nothing but good things.”

  He laughed out loud in the empty room. The sound startled a raven that had landed on a willow branch outside his window. It lifted both its wings, ready to fly off, then cocked a beady eye at him and settled back down.

  “The next time I propose? Not making that mistake again,” he told the raven. “And just for the record, she’s absolutely right. I don’t mind.”

  That did it—apparently the raven wasn’t enjoying the conversation. He took off in a whir of black feathers.

  He shouldn’t be talking to birds anyway. He was a cynical detective.

  Ethan didn’t listen to the other messages from Charley. If their relationship could be derailed by one misplaced cell phone, they’d never had much chance anyway. And if getting dumped left him feeling like this—so relieved he could sing—they really didn’t stand a chance.

  That would teach him to pay attention to “visions.” It had all been a lie. The meadow, the bride, the handholding—all a bunch of crap.

  What an idiot he’d been. He didn’t even want to marry Charley. He never had—or he wouldn’t be feeling so free right now.

  On the other hand, now there was nothing stopping him from sticking around Lost Harbor and finishing what he’d started.

  He’d tell Jessica the good news over whatever freshly baked pastries were filling his room with that incredible mouthwatering aroma.

  Maya texted Jessica with the news that Harris’ surgery had gone well, but that they’d be in Anchorage for at least another week.

  Don’t forget to tell S.G. how sorry I am.

  I got you covered, she texted back. Don’t worry about anything here. You take care of Harris.

  She texted Denaina to set up a meeting with S.G. Denaina told her that S.G. was so busy with the peony harvest at Petal to the Metal that she rarely had time for anything other than work, eat, and sleep.

  Well, she could definitely help with the eating part. And maybe she could ask S.G. a few questions while she was at it.

  Whether or not Ethan joined in, she was doing this.

  She packed her largest-size bakery box with enough walnut-cinnamon rolls and scones and muffins to feed the entire Petal to the Metal crew, including Kate Robinson.

  She hadn’t seen much of Kate since she’d come back to Lost Harbor. She popped in an extra raspberry brownie just for her. Kate loved anything with chocolate.

  Balancing the box on one hip, she was headed for the side exit door when she nearly collided with Ethan, who was trotting down the stairs from the guest quarters. Freshly shaven, wearing a blue Henley that made his hazel eyes look extra clear and penetrating, he made her breath hitch.

  “Good morning.”

  Something was different about him. She didn’t know what it was, but it gave her an awkward feeling. Or maybe that was from last night and those surprising new sparks she’d noticed.

  “Good morning,” he answered politely enough. Still, her intuition told her something was up.

  “What’s wrong?”

  One eyebrow lifted. “What makes you think something’s wrong?”

  “Something’s definitely wrong if you can’t answer the question.”

  He snorted. “Fine. Charley just dumped me. My fiancée. Ex.”

  Something perked up inside her, but she stomped it down. He was probably crushed and heartbroken. Grieving. Wondering what had gone wrong. At least that was how she always reacted to a breakup.

  “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Ethan folded his arms across his chest, looking impassive. He didn’t seem to want any sympathy, at least not from her. But he could probably use some coffee.

  “Help yourself to whatever you like from the bakery cases. It’s all included in your stay. The coffee is Zimbabwe Dark Roast this morning. Highly recommended.”

  He didn’t budge. “Where are you off to?”

  “Taking some treats to some hardworking farmers.”

  “You’re going to see S.G.” He didn’t say it as a question.

  “Goodness, you really are a good investigator.” She tried to step around him, but he blocked her.

  “I want to come with you.”

  “This is more of a personal visit.” A step to her left got her nowhere. The guy moved quickly.

  “I don’t believe you. I think you’re planning to investigate on your own. You’re using baked goods to pave the way, just like you did at the jail.”

  “Very insightful. You might even say intuitive.”

  “It’s just logic. Let me come with you.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Does that mean you’ve come to an official decision?”

  “It might.”

  Exasperating man.

  That mental comment must have showed on her face, because he gave in with a jaunty smile. “I decided yes, that I’ll continue the investigation without Maya.”

  “And with me?”

  “We’ll see. We have to discuss parameters. I don’t want you to be in any danger. You’re not trained for it.”

  “Did you learn nothing from last night?” She lifted her right arm and showed off her biceps. Her sleeve fell back from her flesh, which felt oddly intimate under his gaze. “Turns out that kneading dough for two decades makes some pretty strong muscles.”

  “There’s a lot more to it than that,” he said gravely. “It’s about being alert and prepared for anything. Do you know how many times I’ve been physically attacked while pursuing a case? I know for damn sure that Maya wouldn’t want you to get hurt. I don’t either.”

  She regarded him for a long moment, testing his seriousness. Every line of his face showed how strongly he felt about this particular issue.

  Personally, she thought he was being too cautious, since this was Lost Harbor and she knew many of the people in town, even those who’d committed crimes. She didn’t believe that either of them would be in any danger. They weren’t trying to apprehend drug dealers or hardened criminals. They’d just be trying to find answers for S.G.

  But if they were going to work together, she had to acknowledge that he had more experience than she did. Reading the entire Nancy Drew series in middle school didn’t really count.

  “Fine. Grab yourself some coffee and we’ll discuss parameters on the way to the farm.”

  “Excellent plan.” He finally stepped out of her way and headed for the counter.

  “Maybe you should grab those notes so you can fill me in,” she called after him.

  “No need.” He tapped the side of his head. “It’s all in here.”

  She sighed as she watched him chat with her morning server, Annie from Louisiana. One of the many twenty-somethings who drifted through Lost Harbor seeking adventure. Just like Mom had done, thirty years ago.

  He said something that made Annie laugh. Ethan could be so charming when he wanted to be. So far he hadn’t bothered with her. He’d been mostly pretty grumpy.

  Not that it mattered in the least, since he was heading back to LA as soon as they wrapped up this case. Or maybe even before—he hadn’t committed to any kind of timeframe.

  Anyway, she didn’t need him to be charming. She just needed him to share the information and knowledge that he possessed. That was all he was to her. A kind of guide to investigating and being “boots on the ground.” Nothing more.<
br />
  It would be smart of her to keep that in mind and stop noticing things like the strong line of his back as he bent over her bakery case.

  Chapter Eleven

  The peony farm was a glorious sea of color, from vibrant scarlet to delicate oyster-pink, with dashes of sunny lemon and pure cream. And the fragrance! Carried by the light breeze coming over the bay, up the bluffs and across the peony fields—it teased her senses and tugged a smile to her lips. Bliss. Sheer bliss.

  Ethan kept sniffing like a wolf, inhaling the air as if it was water. “This is incredible. They ought to bottle this up and sell it.”

  “I thought you were the tough hard-boiled investigator,” she teased. “Since when are you so into fragrance?”

  He shrugged. “Just a tool in the toolbox.” He shaded his eyes and scanned the fields. “Do you see S.G.?”

  Next to one of the long Typar-covered beds of peony bushes, Kate straightened up and waved to them. With a bag slung over her shoulder and clippers in one hand, she was collecting the stems of the still unopened buds. Jessica knew they were destined for a cooler, where they’d be kept from blooming until they could be shipped out to the distributors who supplied florists around the world. This time of year, midsummer, the only source for peonies was right here in Alaska.

  The other blooms would be sold at the farmers market or be used to fill local orders.

  “Is that a raspberry brownie I smell?” Kate called.

  Jessica laughed as she stepped across the mown grass toward the edge of the peony field. “How can you smell anything over these peonies? It’s like heaven here.”

  “To me that’s like white noise by now. Chocolate on the other hand…” She set down her clippers and gave Jessica a brief hug. Then she cocked her head at Ethan. “Please tell me you aren’t looking for me again.”

  Ethan grinned. “Depends. Are you staying out of trouble?”

  “Always. I mean, never.”

  Jessica snorted, since Kate was always getting into one kind of trouble or another.

  “We’re actually here to talk to S.G. Is she around?”

  “Somewhere. She might be feeding the chickens.” Kate waved toward the old homestead farmhouse where her grandmother lived.

  “Thanks. Mind if we go up?”

  “A bribe might help.”

  Smirking, Jessica opened the bakery box and offered Kate her pick of pastries. Truly it was amazing how she was always welcomed whenever she brought breakfast. It was like a magic skeleton key into every locked space.

  “Welcome back to Lost Harbor, Ethan,” Kate called as they headed for the farmhouse. “I knew you’d be back.”

  “Why does everyone keep saying that?” Ethan murmured to Jessica as they walked. “Also, I need that cinnamon roll recipe of yours. Works like a charm. I want to try it out next time I’m buttering up a cop for information.”

  “‘Butter’ them up?” With an exaggerated wink, she held up a croissant that had so much butter the paper was greasy.

  “Cute.”

  She smiled sassily at him, half-wishing that “cute” referred to her.

  This attraction was so very inconvenient.

  S.G. came skipping over to them from the enclosed pen where chickens pecked at the ground and squabbled. “Something smells so good!”

  Jessica waved the croissant at her. “Could be this, or it could be the gigantic walnut-cinnamon roll I also brought. Or both,” she added, as S.G. plucked the croissant from her hands. “Take all you want.”

  In mid-bite, S.G. froze as she noticed Ethan. “Why is he here?”

  “It’s annoying, isn’t it?” She shared a complicit smile with S.G. “But there’s actually something we wanted to talk to you about.”

  “Him too? He tried to give me fish.”

  “Well, he’s not the brightest bulb in the pack, is he?” She winked at Ethan, enjoying the chance to get in a dig at him. “But he’s harmless.”

  “He’s not harmless,” the girl said through her last mouthful of croissant.

  Jessica paused in surprise. What did S.G. have against Ethan, other than the fish incident? “Do you think he’s dangerous? I really don’t think so. I’ve gotten to know him a little and I think he’s fine.”

  S.G. swept him up and down with her pale eyes. Jessica wondered what she was picking up on. Even though her education had been lacking in a lot of ways, she was very sharp about certain things. Mostly they involved wilderness survival skills, but you never knew what else might pop up.

  “He can fight,” she finally declared.

  Ethan flung up both his hands in a no-threat-here gesture. “I’m not here to fight. Besides, have you seen Jessica arm-wrestle? She might have the edge on me.”

  “Arm-wrestle?” Curious gray eyes swung her way.

  “I’ll show you some time.” Jessica dug around for the stickiest, most caramel-drenched walnut-cinnamon roll in the bunch. “How about we take this somewhere and sit down and talk?”

  “I still have to feed the chickens.” But she happily took the sweet roll and in one hand while she used the other to grab another handful of chicken feed from her sling.

  Jessica and Ethan exchanged a glance. Apparently Ethan was in—or enough “in” so that they could discuss the situation with her.

  “Maya had to go to Anchorage and she wanted me to tell you that she has to pause her investigation into your family origins.”

  S.G.’s shoulders slumped as she tossed feed into the pen. “Okay.”

  The fatalistic tone in her voice broke Jessica’s heart a little. That was the voice of someone who rarely got what she wanted. Someone who always had to defer her own wishes.

  “But Ethan and I had an idea.” She ignored Ethan’s soft snort at the suggestion that it wasn’t just her idea. “How would you feel if we took over the case until Maya gets back? Ethan is a private investigator, in fact Maya asked him to come help. And I’d like to do what I can too.”

  “What can you do?”

  Another soft snort from Ethan.

  “Good question. I can…talk to people. I know just about everyone, and I’ve even met some trappers who have come through here. I’ve spent time in Lost Souls Wilderness. Did you know that I own a part-share in a float plane?”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, some friends and I went in on it together. We used to spend weeks every summer hiking around Lost Souls. I know some people there who might know something. Connections, it’s called.” She made a little face at Ethan, since that sounded like more of a big-city term than something anyone used in Lost Harbor. Here, almost everyone was connected some way or other.

  “Also, there’s my biggest strength.”

  “What?”

  “I know a little bit about how you feel. I have no idea where my father is. He isn’t in touch with me.”

  “Why not?”

  Ugh, now that she’d brought it up, she should explain the entire story. “When I was eight, my father showed up here with a sailboat. He wanted me to live with him on it. He was going to sail from here to Hawaii, then live in the islands, maybe sail to Tahiti. He thought it would be a great adventure for me. My mom left it up to me, and I chose to stay here. I guess that hurt his feelings. I only heard from him a few times after that. I don’t even know where he lives anymore.”

  She caught herself as all the old guilt and confusion rolled over her. She rarely thought about that time anymore. But it had been terrible, having to make that choice.

  “That’s sad.” A marmalade hen pecked at the ground by S.G.’s feet, making her jump.

  “Yes. Anyway, I know it’s not the same as for you, but I understand why you want to find out about your parents.”

  S.G. scattered the last of her feed, then wiped her hand on the bag. “Maybe Ethan can help you find your dad.”

  “Hm.” She shrugged, but that wasn’t in the cards. If her father wanted to make contact, he knew where she lived. “Maybe if he does a good job with your case, I will.”r />
  S.G. nodded her agreement. “Okay.”

  Now she looked Ethan’s way. They shared a cautious glance. “Do you mean you’re okay with us continuing the investigation?”

  “Yes. Every night I have a dream about it.” She fiddled with her sling. “In the dream my parents are drowning. Someone keeps pushing them down. They’re going to die if I don’t find them.”

  “Sweetie.” Jessica touched her on the hand. “It’s just a nightmare. It doesn’t mean they’re actually drowning.” Or even alive, but she didn’t say that. S.G. understood perfectly well that her family might be dead.

  But Ethan took a different tack. He took out his phone and opened a recording app. “S.G., would you mind telling the entire dream to my phone? It could be just a dream, but it’s also possible you remember something on a subconscious level.”

  S.G. sent a cautious glance in Jessica’s direction. She nodded encouragingly. “That’s a great idea.”

  The girl took the phone from Ethan’s hand and spoke into it. “My parents are drowning and someone keeps pushing them down.”

  She tried to hand it back to Ethan, but he refused to take it. The corner of his mouth quivered with repressed laughter. “Can you see what they look like?”

  “No. They’re under water. Wait. Yes, my mother has long hair. I think it’s blond.”

  “And your father?”

  She screwed up her face. “He’s almost bald.”

  “And what about the water they’re in? Is it a lake? A river? The ocean?”

  She thought for a while, then shook her head. “Not a river. It’s not moving like a river.”

  “Big waves, like the ocean?”

  “No.”

  “And where are you in the dream? Are you in a boat? Or watching from the shore?”

  Her eyes, so light they were almost ethereal, lit with respect. “These are very good questions.”

  “Thank you,” he said gravely. “I appreciate that.”

  And just like that, Ethan had won her over.

  Jessica wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Ethan might decide he didn’t need her anymore and continue the investigate on his own. She had to find a way to prove that she could contribute.