by Carol Henry
“Not to change the subject, but I believe your new employer is headed this way.”
Along with an older couple, Gavin and his sister Bethany were making their way in her direction.
“Gotta go get the boys. Good luck. Call me later. Better yet, stop over for a barbeque this evening. Brad’s ribs are to die for.” Jackie waved her hand over her shoulder as she disappeared through the throng milling around the gazebo. She puzzled at her friend’s quick exit.
Bethany was the first to speak.
“Congratulations, Nora. A huge kudo from Eugenia McClintock goes a long way in Lobster Cove. Her nod is sure to boost Gavin’s connection with them.”
“I can assure you, it wasn’t my intent. It has nothing to do with your brother’s company. That money was earmarked over a year ago.”
“Nevertheless,” Gavin interjected, “it was an honorable thing to do. Thank you. I see we have a mutual interest. Your donation will go a long way to help our local vets and their families.”
He extended his hand, and she complied as his hand swallowed hers. The hold, firm and warm, unnerved her and had the strangest sensations coursing through her insides to the point she had difficulty breathing. He continued to hold her hand as he returned her gaze. She steeled herself not to show how much his touch affected her equilibrium, and how it knocked her off-kilter.
“I should be congratulating you, as well,” she said. “Thank you. And thank you for your service.”
“My pleasure.” He released her hand and stepped to the side. “May I introduce my mother and her husband, Jonathan and Sylvia Norton. And of course, you know Beth.”
“It’s so nice to finally meet you, my dear,” Mrs. Norton said, extending her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you from both Beth and Gavin. Seems you’re quite capable of dealing with both of my headstrong and outspoken children. It’s rather refreshing.”
It wasn’t hard to imagine what Bethany had shared with her mother after the conversation they’d exchanged the first day they’d met. On the other hand, she had no idea what Gavin would have told his mother.
“It’s nice to meet you both.” Nora shook hands with Sylvia and Jonathan and let the matter drop. Gavin’s family, Bethany aside, appeared to be friendly enough.
“I see your friend deserted you. Why not join us for lunch?” Gavin invited. “We’re heading over to the Love Caters All truck next to the library.” His look challenged her to accept.
“Why, what a lovely idea, Gavin,” his mother encouraged. “Of course she’ll join us.”
“Mother, Nora might have other plans,” Bethany chimed in. “Don’t push.”
Not missing Bethany’s knowing smile, she found herself agreeing to join them.
“I’d love to join you for lunch. Thank you for inviting me.” Since Jackie had deserted her, it was better than eating alone.
“No need to thank us. You deserve a treat as much as my son does. So instead of fighting off the crowd here, I suggest we go to Mariner’s Fish Fry and sit out back on the deck overlooking the bay,” Sylvia suggested. “It’s such a lovely day. It will be much more relaxing, don’t you think?”
She caught Gavin’s raised eyebrows as if asking if eating at Mariner’s was going to be a problem. At this point, having already eaten there with him two weeks ago, and Eugenia’s bombshell minutes ago, she was confident she could handle it. That was, unless Katelyn and Mark Logan showed up. But dealing with Gavin’s entire family all at once was a daunting proposition on its own. Bethany’s less-than-enthusiastic demeanor didn’t help. But the challenging gleam in Gavin’s eyes proved her undoing.
“I’d like that. Thank you,” she heard herself say, aware Bethany’s smile was less than heartfelt. Her stomach lurched. She hoped like hell she could handle it.
“Great. You can ride with Gavin. We’ll meet you there,” Sylvia said, taking her husband’s arm, ready to leave.
“Not necessary. My car is parked next to the library. No need to backtrack to the park afterward.”
“Suit yourself. Gavin, would you like to ride with us?”
“Thanks, Mom, but I’ll drive my own car, as well. Give us a few minutes, and we’ll join you shortly.”
“We’ll claim a table on the deck and wait for you there. Don’t be too long. We had a light breakfast.”
Jonathan hooked his hand on his wife’s arm and led her around the gazebo, through the crowded grounds, and out of the park. Nora didn’t miss the sly smirk on Bethany’s face, as Gavin’s sister hung back for several, long, drawn-out seconds before turning and following her mother.
“I hope you’re not about to let Beth’s behavior change your mind. You’re perfectly safe.”
“I didn’t know I had anything to worry about in regards to Bethany. I can assure you, she has nothing to worry about in regards to me.”
“She’s overly protective.”
“Hard to believe, seeing as she’s trying to set you up with anyone who comes along in a skirt.”
“Not anyone. Why do you think she’d been vetting my hired help? She doesn’t want me to fall into the wrong hands.”
“Then she doesn’t have to be concerned about me. As you and I discussed the other day, lessons learned.”
“Exactly. So why don’t you relax and enjoy the afternoon with us? My mother isn’t one to pry into other people’s business. She’ll keep Beth in check.”
“I’m not convinced anyone can keep Beth in check. Despite her strong personality, I do like her. She is open and forthcoming. At least one knows where they stand with her.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to ride with me?”
“Thanks, but I do want to stop for gas at Jay’s before I go home later. It’s on the way. I won’t be long.”
Gavin smiled. “Your organizational skills are one of the things I like about you, Nora. I’ll wait for you in front of Mariner’s.”
He leaned over, and without warning, kissed her cheek. For what seemed like long seconds, he stared into her eyes, a smile on his face, before slipping his sunglasses in place and turning to make his way through the crowd and out of the town square.
A slight chill swam through her, a chill that had nothing to do with the breeze coming off Frenchman Bay. She reflected on their encounter in the cemetery the other afternoon when he’d covered her cold hands with his warm ones. He hadn’t been his domineering self then. He’d been compassionate, caring. She had wanted to reach out to him and hold him then. She had wanted him to hold her. After his brief kiss on her cheek, she was beginning to long for something she knew wasn’t a good idea. For sure, it wasn’t a good idea to see him outside of the workplace. People would get the wrong impression. Family or no family, she refused to get entangled romantically with Gavin Redmond.
She made her way to the library parking lot next to Love Caters All’s mobile van. Maya Cruz’s grill master, Mickey Ruggiero, was already busy grilling meat. Mixed with the mouth-watering aroma of onions, peppers, and French fries, the odors swirled around the park, making her stomach rumble. Unlike Gavin’s mother, she had skipped breakfast. She unlocked her car, slipped inside, pressed the ignition, and sat staring straight ahead in a trance. No. She refused to grow too fond of Gavin Redmond or his family. If she was smart, she’d drive straight home and bypass Mariner’s. She’d look for another job and skip town altogether. There was nothing holding her here in Lobster Cove.
Nothing at all.
Well, except for the house she had just bought.
Chapter Eight
Startled by a knock on her car window, Nora snapped her head around to find Jackie’s smiling face pressed against the pane. She lowered the window, raised her brow in question, and looked at her friend’s inquisitive face.
“So you met the family?” Jackie’s grin grew wider.
“Jackie? What the hell are you doing here? Weren’t you going out on a whale-watching adventure with the kids?”
“We stopped to buy a picnic lunch to take with us. We were
heading to the car when I saw you get in yours. So tell me, girlfriend. What’s up?”
“What do you mean what’s up? Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Really? The way I saw it, something was going on. A kiss?”
“How could you see from way over here? You’re digging for morsels where there are none.”
“Okay, but from your reaction to his kiss and that dreamy look on your face as you sit here contemplating heaven only knows what, I’m assuming you weren’t immune to his advances.”
“I’m having lunch with them at Mariner’s as soon as you get out of my face so I can get underway. The kiss meant nothing, I can assure you. If you must know, it was a simple thank you. Gavin also donates to the local wounded vets program.”
“Lunch with the family? A mutual interest? Oh, snap! I knew something was going on between you two. Enjoy your lunch with the parents.”
“Jackie. Stop. Right. There. Nothing is going on. It was a kind offer to help celebrate our common interest in the wounded vets program. Nothing more.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll step aside. But we will talk later. Dinner at my place. Tonight. Don’t be late. I want details.”
Jackie reached in, wrapped her arms around her neck, kissed her cheek, and disappeared around the rear of the car. Nora sucked in a deep breath, let it whoosh out, and then backed the car out of the parking lot. And smiled. Jackie was a great friend. A bit wacky at times, but a great friend. Without a doubt she’d be on the phone later tonight wanting to know all about her luncheon with Gavin and his family if she didn’t show up for Brad’s famous barbeque.
Fortunately, there would be nothing to tell.
****
As promised, Gavin was waiting for her next to the entrance of Mariner’s Fish Fry. She’d always been a sucker for a man in uniform, and Gavin Redmond was a sharp, prime example of “be all you can be” as he leaned against the building, hat in hand. The sun shone overhead in a cloudless sky, highlighting his sexy good looks. She wished she could see his eyes hiding behind those sunglasses, so she could determine what he was thinking. Sitting on the back deck would be a welcome relief, hopefully it would turn out to be a less stressful informal setting with his family.
Hopefully.
“I thought you might change your mind and not show.” Gavin removed his sunglasses and raised his brows in question.
“How perceptive. However, your mother seemed sincere in her invitation. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
“My mother’s made of sterner stuff. She doesn’t get upset over people turning her invitations down. Although I must admit, I’m glad you decided to show. I get the notion you don’t get out much these days, and instead keep yourself hidden from the community. I hope Eugenia McClintock’s recognition of your generous donation put a dent in your armor.”
“It did take me by surprise. Although I wish she hadn’t done it in front of the entire community.” Gavin had no idea the money hadn’t been hers to begin with, or the circumstances behind her giving it away.
He opened the door, ushered her past the reception area, through the busy restaurant, and in between fully occupied tables of happy diners, their plates piled high with fresh seafood. The smell of the ocean, along with the savory aroma of boiled clams, lobster, and buttered corn on the cob swirling around the diner as they made their way to the back deck entrance, teased her nose as they passed table after table filled with baskets of shrimp and lobster bowls.
As they approached the open doors leading to the deck, Gavin placed his hand on her shoulder, turned her toward him, and stared into her eyes. Several heartbeats later, he smiled, his eyes seeming to seek an answer from an unknown question. Her pulse raced in anticipation. He opened his mouth to speak, but Bethany stepped through the entrance.
“There you are. Mom was about to have Ed send out an APB on you two. He was able to call in off-duty and join us for lunch.”
“Edward is Bethany’s husband, by the way,” Gavin informed her. “Glad he could make it, sis.”
With that, Gavin ushered her out onto the deck, leaving her to wonder what he’d been about to say.
Sylvia stood as they stepped on the back deck. She waved them over to their table.
“Jon has already ordered a fried shrimp basket and champagne to celebrate. Come join us.”
Gavin introduced Bethany’s husband, Edward, a local cop, in uniform, tall, lanky, short dark hair, and handsome features with an engaging smile. He and Bethany made an adorable couple. Despite Bethany’s usual hardnosed demeanor, she acted like a schoolgirl with a crush on the captain of the football team and didn’t leave her husband’s side during the entire meal. It gave Nora an entirely different perspective of Gavin’s sister. Not having been intimidated by Bethany to begin with, she witnessed a caring side to Bethany she was sure most people probably didn’t see. It was obvious why Bethany was searching for someone special for her brother. She wanted Gavin to have the same kind of love and happiness she had.
Bethany had nothing to fear from her in regards to Gavin. Gavin might be handsome as sin, but she wasn’t about to get entangled in a relationship with her boss. Besides, she could tell from their talk at the cemetery he was still in love with his wife. She’d had enough of being second best, even if it was competing with a deceased spouse. Yet she wondered what the look was Gavin had given her right before Bethany had interrupted them. What had he been about to say?
The picnic tables on the back deck were situated so everyone had a bird’s eye view of the bay. The harbor activity added to the colorful surroundings—a couple of speed boats kicked up waves, and in the distance, a tall sailboat and a cruise ship the size of an eleven-story building covering at least three city blocks were anchored for the day.
Gavin pulled a chair out for her and waited while she sat before he settled in next to her. Bethany and Edward sat on his left, and Sylvia and Jonathan on her right. She felt surrounded but warmed by the happy family atmosphere. She folded her hands in her lap and pasted a smile on her face. Other than Jackie’s family, and not counting caring for her grandmother over the years, she hadn’t been included in a family gathering like this in a long time.
“So a toast,” Jonathan said as he poured the bubbly. He lifted his champagne flute, the sun sparkling off the liquid. “To our honorees and all the unsung heroes.”
She lifted her glass along with the others and then sipped. The carbonated liquid burst into her mouth and caught her by surprise. She set the flute back on the table, gulped, and quietly tried to clear her throat. She didn’t drink champagne as a rule, so the first sip of the carbonated bubbly was always an eye-opener when she did. Thankfully, the waitress came to take their orders so the others were distracted and didn’t notice her minor dilemma. Or so she thought. Gavin reached behind and gently patted her back between her shoulder blades. His touch unnerved her, his kindness unexpected. Her skin tingled.
“Thank you. I’m fine.” Drinking on an empty stomach could be embarrassing. The last thing she wanted to be in front of her employer, and his family, was an inebriated guest. She took a tiny sip of her celebratory drink, making sure not to overindulge until their meal arrived.
For the life of her, she didn’t know what entrée she ordered, but the waitress left, and the conversation caught her attention.
“Did you know Gavin was wounded while serving in the military?” Bethany said and then sipped her champagne, looking over the rim, obviously waiting for Nora’s stunned reaction.
“Beth. It’s not important,” Gavin chided. “A minor incident, nothing more. Hardly life threatening.”
“But you did receive a Purple Heart. And you were a hero, saving all those men’s lives.”
“Just doing my job. Let it go.”
“Still, Gavin,” his mother interjected, “you are a hero and were honored for your heroic service. You should be recognized for the work you do with wounded vets and their families here at home.”
“There are many others w
ho earned the name hero and lost their lives. A bit of shrapnel in the leg is nothing to brag about. Ed knows what I’m talking about. In his line of work, he’s seen the same.”
“Like you, Gavin, it’s all in the line of work,” Ed chimed in, lifting his glass in toast again before taking another hearty sip.
She had no idea Gavin had suffered a leg injury, not to mention having received a Purple Heart. He certainly carried himself as if he hadn’t sustained a leg wound. Wow! A Purple Heart. Her opinion of him ratcheted up a notch. She never would have suspected it of him. He might be forthcoming and confident and a bit overbearing at times, but then she could see him persevering in battle and saving others. A caring side hidden deep inside she’d recently had the opportunity to witness first hand. He was an honorable and compassionate man and helped coach a bunch of rowdy boys’ soccer team, too.
“So, Gavin, how did your meeting with Coleman Baker go?” Jonathan asked, breaking into the tense conversation and her lingering thoughts. “Have you found any leads in the case?”
“He thinks it might have something to do with a string of nets being harvested before they’re pulled in,” Gavin said. “Although I haven’t noticed any of his nets being cut, I’ve checked with other lobstermen in the area. Many of their catches have been lower than usual, as well.”
“I understand there’s a new lobster franchise situated up along the Canadian coast,” Ed informed him, leaning back in his chair. “The Lobster Cove PD has been keeping an eye on them. Daryl Johnson says their licenses are in order. It’s a young group. Apparently they all check out.”
“I’ve contacted the Coast Guard and talked to Sinclair Bennson. Asked him to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity in the area,” Gavin said. “I’ll contact Daryl and share what we know. Something certainly looks fishy.”
“Speaking of fishy,” Sylvia interjected, “here comes our meal. No more business talk. Let’s enjoy the sunshine, good food, and wonderful company.”
“Here, here.” Jonathan raised his glass. “I’ll drink to that.”
Other than a brief moment discussing the investigation into the McClintock’s lobster decline, making her hold her breath, hoping Bethany wouldn’t mention her affair with Sebastian McClintock, the meal passed quickly without incident. She thoroughly enjoyed Sylvia and Jonathan’s company. And even Bethany’s demeanor was bright and cheery today. Still Nora was relieved when the meal came to an end, and Ed had to get back to work, which broke up the gathering. She was about to say her goodbyes when Gavin placed his hand on her shoulder and waylaid her. She found the thoughtful look on his face puzzling and once again felt a faint tingling at his touch.