Chase the Blues Away (Summer Lake Seasons Book 4)

by SJ McCoy

  He rubbed the towel through his hair, then set it down on the countertop and leaned closer to the mirror. He should probably shave. He ran his hand over his cheek. Nope. It wasn’t too bad, and it was damned cold outside. He met his gaze in the mirror and smirked. What was he, some kind of pussy? He didn’t want to shave because his face might get cold on the ten-minute walk to the Boathouse? He shrugged.

  The real reason that he didn’t want to shave was a little deeper. It was one of the many minuscule forms of rebellion he allowed himself to indulge in. When he’d worked as Seymour Davenport’s chauffeur, he’d had to be clean-shaven at all times. He’d been on standby pretty much twenty-four-seven. He hadn’t minded that Mr. D could, and often did, call at any time of the day or night needing him to drive. What he had minded was that for a guy like him, it meant twice-daily shaving so that he always looked the part. Even before that, in his days in the military, shaving had been one of the many obligatory daily rituals. These days he had more freedom, and he liked to make the most of it. Of course, there had been what he now thought of as the lost years, the years when he’d lost his way and let himself go down a dark path.

  He shook his head and ran a comb through his hair. Those days were long behind him, and he knew that he’d never go back to that dark place. But they were the reason that he only ever allowed himself mini rebellions.

  The sound of his phone ringing downstairs brought his thoughts back to the present. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he hurried down to the kitchen to see who it was.

  He smiled when he saw Colt’s name on the display. “Evening, Deputy Stevens. What’s up?”

  “Hey, Ivan. Are you coming out tonight?”

  “I am. Are you going to be there?”

  “I sure am. I’m just kicking my heels killing time till I can go over there and not be way too early.”

  Ivan laughed. “I’m almost ready myself. Do you want to come over here first, and we can drink a beer before we go?”

  “That’d be great.”

  “Awesome. Come whenever you’re ready.”

  Colt laughed. “Is ten minutes too soon?”

  “Nah. You’re good. I’ll be ready by then, but the front door’s unlocked anyway … come straight in.”

  “Thanks. See you in a few.”

  Ivan hurried back upstairs to finish getting ready. He smiled at his reflection in the mirror and nodded. “Look at you. You’re settling right into small-town life. Best buds with the deputy sheriff and everything.”

  When he was ready, he ran back downstairs and looked around the house. The last time Colt had been over here, he’d teased Ivan about living in this place. He’d had a point too. It was a great house, but much bigger than he needed and fancier than he needed, too.

  He turned at the sound of a tap on the front door. “Come on in,” he called.

  Colt came in and grinned at him. “I see you still haven’t done anything about making this place look lived in.”

  Ivan made a face. “What do you want me to do? All my stuff’s here. I just don’t have much. The furniture came with the place. It’s not horrible—is it? I have no clue when it comes to that kind of thing.”

  “Horrible? It’s awesome! You know I’m only kidding with you. It tickles me, that’s all.”

  Ivan shrugged. “It makes me feel a little uncomfortable, if I’m honest. I mean, I’d feel more at home in one of the cabins at the resort. Mr. D set this place up for me. He said he wanted me to be able to make Summer Lake my home.”

  “I know. You’re lucky. It must be nice to have a boss who sets you up with a fancy house on the water like this. I’d say he’s done his part toward helping you make the lake your home. What makes me laugh is that you haven’t done a damned thing to make this house your home.”

  “What am I supposed to? I moved in. My clothes are in the closet. I filled the fridge. I bought a TV.”

  “You’ve never lived any place for long before, have you?”

  Ivan shrugged. “I guess not. I mean, in the years I’ve worked for Mr. D, I’ve lived in the guesthouse of his places. Before that, I was in the army.” Ivan took a deep breath. Colt was a new friend, but he was becoming a good one. They’d each shared a little about their paths through life to this point. “In the years in between, I just kind of drifted, you know?”

  Colt nodded, looking more serious. “Sorry. Yeah. To me, the way you live in this place is funny. I’ve lived in Summer Lake my whole life, apart from the academy. My house is full to overflowing with things I’ve collected over the years. Maybe after a few years here, you’ll be the same.”

  “Maybe. I’ve never had much use for things.”

  Colt smiled. “And maybe you never will. Maybe I’m a packrat, and you’re a neat freak. Or maybe, now that you’re going to be in one place, you’ll settle in and start collecting stuff.”

  “Nah. I’m not a collector.”

  Colt laughed. “Neither am I, but over time, stuff accumulates. At least, it does in my world. Anyway, you said you filled the fridge. Any cold beers waiting in there?”

  “Yep. Come on through.” Ivan led Colt to the kitchen, where he handed him a beer and popped the top off his own.

  “Cheers.” Colt raised his bottle.

  “Cheers,” replied Ivan. “I have to ask. Does the clutter at your place have anything to do with a woman?”

  “Nope. There’s no ex Mrs. Stevens who left me and left all her stuff behind. There’s not even an ex-girlfriend who left her things at my place. Well, there are a few ex-girlfriends, but none I ever lived with. My clutter is all my own doing. I like to travel when I can, I bring back souvenirs.” He frowned. “I dunno. I like art. I buy paintings. Up until now, I suppose I thought that everyone’s the same—that we just accumulate stuff over the years. Now, instead of laughing at you, I’m starting to wonder if I’m just a slob.”

  Ivan laughed. “Somehow, I doubt that. We’ve just lived different lives, that’s all. But now I’m settling into your world, and I don’t mind telling you, I like this way of life. I wasn’t sure if small-town living would suit me—but so far, I’m enjoying it.”

  “Good. I know it’s not for everyone, but I love Summer Lake. I love my life here. I can’t imagine living somewhere else. The only thing that’s not so great is the dating scene.”

  Ivan raised an eyebrow. “You surprise me. I’ve heard about this so-called Summer Lake bug where everyone who comes here couples up and settles down happily.”

  Colt made a face. “That seems to be true for the people who move here—so you might be okay. It hasn’t worked out that way for me, but it’s different since I’ve lived here my whole life. I know everyone—I’ve always known them. The dating pool is pretty small.” He chuckled. “And I wouldn’t say this to many folks, but it could use some chlorine.”

  Ivan laughed. “Yeah, but is that only because, in your line of work, you don’t get to deal with the nicest people in town?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” He took a slug of his beer. “Maybe my luck will change soon.”

  “Is your biological clock ticking?” asked Ivan with a laugh.

  Colt gave him a rueful smile. “Maybe it is. Or maybe it’s just been too long since I got laid.”

  “Well, it’s party night at the Boathouse. Who knows, maybe tonight’s your night?”

  “Probably not. But I’m not as much of a sad sack as I’m making myself out to be. I’m fine. I’m not desperate or anything.”

  Ivan grasped his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

  Colt laughed. “It’s hardly a secret. I think the whole town introduces me to any female visitor that comes to see them. They all have high hopes for me. Maybe I’m just too picky.”

  “Nothing wrong with being picky.”

  “What about you? Hasn’t anyone caught your eye?”

  Ivan shook his head slowly.

  “And you’re definitely not interested in Abbie?”

  Ivan didn’t want to li
e. Colt knew from previous conversations that he thought she was hot.

  “I know you think she’s all prim and proper, but she didn’t used to be.”

  Ivan let out a short laugh. “I ran into her earlier this week. We had a drink together after the gym. She told me a bit about herself—who she is now and who she used to be. I think she and I would have gotten along well before.”

  “Yeah, I can see that. But you’re not interested in the new, more sedate version?”

  “Doesn’t matter if I am or not. She’s not interested in me.”

  “Oh. Damn. Sorry.”

  Ivan laughed. “She didn’t shoot me down or anything. She told me that I’m not the right kind of guy for the kind of life she has to live now.”

  Colt rolled his eyes. “I understood it when she came back. She wanted to be here for her mom, but it’s been a long time now, and she’s still trying to be this perfect, dutiful daughter.”

  “She told me.”

  “She did?”

  “Yep.”

  “Wow! I’d guess she likes you more than she let on, then. Usually, all anyone gets out of her these days is a Stepford smile and inane conversation about nothing in particular.”

  “Yeah, well. All I really need to know is that she’s not interested. Though she did say, she might look me up when she needs a friend.”

  “With benefits?”

  Ivan’s heart raced in his chest at the thought, but he already knew better. “Nah. Just as someone to talk to when putting on the goody-two-shoes act wears thin.”

  Colt held his gaze for a moment. “Depending on what you're interested in, that could be a much better option.”

  “Yeah.” Ivan knew that much. If she’d wanted to sleep with him, he wouldn’t have said no, but the fact that she saw him as a kindred spirit she could turn to … that meant a whole lot more.

  ~ ~ ~

  Abbie sipped her water and smiled as she listened to the girls talk. Roxy had called her earlier and said that a few of them were going to have dinner together at the Boathouse and asked if she'd like to join them.

  Her mom had been urging her to go out, and she knew that Michael would give her a hard time on Monday if she didn't go.

  Maria turned to her with a smile. “How about you? You’re quiet.”

  Abbie smiled, and Jade answered before she could say anything.

  “Abbie’s always quiet.”

  Abbie shrugged, and Roxy, who was sitting beside her, nudged her with her elbow. “You’re not, are you?”

  “Not always, no.” She grinned at Jade. “I just don’t talk as much as some people.”

  “Touché!” Jade grinned back at her. “Do you have a sister by any chance?”

  “No. I’m an only child—is that what you’re getting at?”

  “No. I was thinking that usually when there are two sisters, one of them is quieter and one of them’s more outgoing. Like Amber and me, or Megan and Kenzie.”

  “I can see the theory, but that’s not my excuse. I guess I prefer to listen than to talk most of the time.”

  She didn’t miss the puzzled look that Cassie gave her. She and Cassie had gone to school together. And now they worked together. Abbie tended to avoid her as much as possible; mostly because that was the tactic she’d adopted with everyone who had known her growing up, and also partly because Cassie was such an obvious success, while she herself wasn’t.

  She was grateful that the conversation moved on when Roxy spotted some of the guys coming in. “Uh-oh. Looks like the girls-only part of the evening might be coming to an end here shortly.”

  Angel smiled and waved at her fiancé Luke who had come in with Zack and Logan.

  Maria looked around the table. “I don’t think any of us mind too much, do we?”

  Jade laughed. “I think that will depend on who you ask. Those of you whose guys just walked in won’t mind at all. The rest of us will either wish it was just a girls' night or be anxious to see which eligible single guys are out tonight.”

  “True,” answered Maria. “And which camp do you fall into?”

  Jade smiled. “The second one. You know that. I enjoy getting together with you ladies, but I always like to see which guys are out. Mostly just as eye candy, but you never know, one day, a tall dark handsome stranger might walk in and sweep me off my feet.”

  Amber laughed. “That’ll be the day. If any guy ever tried to sweep you off your feet, you’d probably punch him in the mouth for being so chauvinistic.”

  Jade laughed with her. “Probably. But you know what I mean.”

  “Isn’t there anyone local who’s caught your eye?” asked Cassie.

  “Sure. I think Ivan’s gorgeous. I mean, look at him.” Jade jerked her head toward the bar where Ivan and Colt had joined the other guys.

  Abbie’s heart raced. He was gorgeous. He was tall and dark, and tonight he had the kind of scruff on his face that wasn’t quite a beard. It made him even more attractive in her eyes. It made him look rougher—more her type than when he was clean-shaven and dressed in a suit. Worse than that, it set her imagination running wild. She could feel the roughness of that scruff against her skin. She pulled herself together.

  “He’s single, isn’t he?” asked Cassie. “Why don’t you ask him out?”

  Jade laughed. “Nah. He’s not my type. Looking is one thing, but … I dunno. He’s a nice enough guy, but he doesn’t do it for me.”

  Abbie shuddered. Ivan sure as hell did it for her.

  Roxy nudged her again. “I thought you liked him?”

  She shook her head rapidly. She couldn’t admit it, but she couldn’t make herself deny it. She shot a glance in his direction and noticed that another guy had joined him and Colt. “Who’s that?”

  Roxy and the others all looked.

  “That’s Neil,” said Cassie. “He’s a sweetheart. He’s an accountant.”

  “He looks nice.” Abbie watched him as he chatted with the other guys. He did seem nice—in a sensible, dependable kid of way.

  “I could introduce you if you like? He’s single.”

  Abbie turned to look back at Cassie. “Maybe later?” Her heart was racing again, though unfortunately it wasn’t at the thought of meeting Neil. It was more the thought of Cassie introducing them right under Ivan’s nose. She’d told him she wasn’t interested in him—and she wasn’t, he didn’t fit in with her life plan. Neil? He just might.

  “Of course,” Cassie said with a smile.

  It didn’t take long before half the table had emptied. It was only to be expected that the girls were eager to see their men. No doubt later, the table would fill up again as they came to sit down. For now, Abbie found herself sitting with Cassie and Amber.

  “So, did you grow up here as well?” Amber asked Cassie.

  “I did.”

  “But you two don’t know each other?”

  Cassie looked at Abbie. “I was a couple of years ahead of Abbie in school.”

  “Yeah, and we lived on opposite sides of town,” added Abbie. Cassandra Stevens had grown up in one of the big houses up on the north shore, while she had lived in the same little two-bedroom rancher in town where she still lived now.

  “Okay.” Amber looked puzzled. “And now you work together?”

  “Not really,” Abbie answered before she stopped to think about it. “Cassie’s the doctor, I’m just the receptionist.”

  Cassie gave her a puzzled look. “Wow! I’d have said yes, we do work together, and I couldn’t do my job without you.”

  Abbie pursed her lips. “Sorry. That wasn’t meant to be a dig at you.” She blew out a sigh. “I’m sorry. I’m not a bitch, really. I guess I’m a bit down on myself. You went off to train to become a doctor, and now you’re back here doing your part for the town. I went off and didn’t make anything of myself, and now I’m back trying to make up for the mess I left behind.” She bit her lip. She shouldn’t have said that much. Shouldn’t have been so honest.

  Cassie reached o
ut and touched her arm. “I’m sorry about your dad. That must be so hard.”

  Abbie had to swallow a couple of times before she spoke. “It is. But it’s no excuse for me to act like that. I’m sorry. I think you’re amazing. You’ve done so well for yourself, and I suppose I’m a bit jealous.”

  “There’s no need to apologize. And for what it’s worth, although I won’t deny that I’m proud of myself for my career, it well and truly screwed up my personal life. The grass is always greener, but we’re all struggling in our own ways.”

  Abbie nodded. She hadn’t known Cassie well in high school, but she’d always seemed like a kind person, a good person. “Yeah. I think sometimes I forget that I’m not the only one who’s struggling. I think I walk around under a dark cloud sometimes.”

  “How about I introduce you to Neil?” Cassie smiled. “Maybe dating a nice guy would help you chase the blues away?”

  Abbie glanced over at the bar. Neil was still there, talking to Austin, but Ivan was nowhere in sight. “Thanks, I’d like that.”

  As they made their way over to the bar, Cassie linked her arm through Abbie’s. “You know, I thought you had something against me since you came to work at the practice.”

  Abbie squeezed her arm. “I’m sorry. I don’t have anything against you. I think I have something against myself for screwing up my life so badly.”

  “You haven’t screwed anything up.”

  Abbie wasn’t about to start arguing. She knew the truth, and she didn’t need to convince Cassie or anyone else.

  “Hi, Neil. It’s nice to see you out.”

  “Hi, Cassie, it’s good to see you, too.” He smiled at Abbie. He had fair hair and blue eyes, not a look that had ever done it for her. But he did have a kind smile.

  “I’m sorry,” said Cassie. “This is Abbie. Abbie, this is Neil Donavan.”

  He held out his hand, and Abbie shook with him.

  “Nice to meet you.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine.” He smiled a little too eagerly.