Dakota Trask swallowed her apprehension and checked her hair in the mirror one more time. Then she paused to give herself a firm look. “Remember his mother set this up and he’s obviously interested in Marie. So don’t make a fool of yourself. Just go and have fun and enjoy a meal cooked by someone other than you. And for heaven’s sake”—she tapped a finger to her mirror nose—“try not to talk to yourself when anyone else is around.” She rolled her eyes at her silliness, grabbed up her purse, the still-warm rolls, and her keys, and locked her apartment door behind her.
When she pulled into Serenity Shores, there was a motorbike—a huge red motorbike—sitting in the driveway. Her heart dropped. Please, God…don’t tell me Reece bought that thing. She climbed out of the car and pulled the rolls she’d made from the passenger seat. One of the points on her red handkerchief-hem skirt was flipped up. She studied the bike as she bent down to smooth her skirt into place.
A BMW logo emblazoned the fuel tank. And plush leather seats stretched the length of the huge machine. She shuddered and averted her gaze, unwilling to take in any more details.
But it was too late to prevent the flashback to a dark rainy night, the contrasting feel of cool air against the backs of her hands and the warmth of Jason’s leather jacket against her palms as she’d held tight to him. Their laughter as they sped along the coastal highway. Blinding headlights. Squealing breaks. Gouging gravel. Darkness and pain. So much pain.
She pushed away another shudder. It didn’t matter if Reece was only interested in Marie. He was still her friend, and if he’d bought that thing, she was going to kill him. She pressed the doorbell.
Mrs. Cahill answered and waved her in. “You don’t have to ring the bell, dear. You are welcome here anytime. You just come right in. Oh, and you brought rolls. Aren’t you just a sweetheart.” She grabbed the towel-wrapped basket from Dakota and shooed her toward the dining room. “Reece is already waiting in there. You just go on in, and I’ll be right there.” Reece’s mom bustled off in the direction of the kitchen.
Dakota checked her reflection quickly in the entryway mirror, smoothing her hands over the black lace vest she’d paired with a white blouse and the gypsy skirt. She didn’t know why she was so nervous about tonight except she planned to tell Reece she was sorry his mother kept trying to throw them together when he was obviously not interested, and she felt okay with that. It was bound to be a bit awkward, yet freeing, she hoped, too, to their friendship. She’d left her hair down and straight tonight because she’d been determined not to look like she was trying too hard.
“Get moving,” she whispered to her reflection. Okay, fine. She looked good enough to tell a guy she didn’t mind if he wanted to be with someone else. She poked her head into the dining room.
Reece was stretched into a chair. His chin rested in one hand, and he was staring off into nothingness. A big frown creased his forehead. Poor guy looked like the weight of the world was resting on him.
“Hey,” she said softly.
“Dakota.” He rose to his feet and smiled, but it appeared to take some effort.
Compassion pinched her chest. His dad must not be doing so good. She gave him a sisterly hug and then leaned back. “Your dad doing worse?”
Reece sighed. “He wasn’t really lucid each time I checked on him today.”
“I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do. Your dad is an amazing man.”
“I know you do, and yeah, he is. It’s…really hard to lose him. I know you understand.”
Yes, she did. And on that note, it was time to address her concern. “Which reminds me…please tell me you didn’t buy that red death trap sitting in your driveway!”
Reece chuckled. “No, that would be—”
“Mine.”
Dakota spun toward the new masculine voice. The man was tall. Close-cropped blond hair that was a little mussed on top drew her attention to an angular jaw which hadn’t seen a razor for a couple days at least, and a pair of piercing blue eyes that seemed to drill right through her. Broad shoulders stretched tight a blue T-shirt, and even from across the room she could tell the man was nothing but muscle—lots of muscle. Enough muscle to sear all the moisture right out of her mouth.
Holy hot hunks, Batman!
Hands clasped behind his back, he assessed her casually, and one blond brow quirked as he took in the jagged hem of her skirt. Humor touched the crinkles at the corners of his eyes.
Military probably, since he looked so comfortable standing that way. Former military? Or was he on leave? And was he laughing at her? Her eyes narrowed. It wasn’t the first time her eccentric style had given someone cause for humor. But he didn’t have to be so obvious in his disapproval. She lifted her chin and met him gaze for gaze to let him know his disapproval meant nothing to her.
In her peripheral vision, she saw Reece glance back and forth between them. He cleared his throat and broke the silence that had fallen. “Dakota, this is Justus, my former boss and good friend. Justus, this is my friend Dakota.”
Justus stepped forward and held out one hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
His handshake was firm and warm and lingered a little longer than she’d anticipated, which sent a ripple of awareness through her that settled into tingles along the back of her neck. “You too.” She tugged for the release of her hand and hoped the crazy mix of emotions she was feeling wasn’t as obvious to everyone else in the room.
“Please, guys, have a seat. Mom should be right here.”
Reece motioned Dakota into a chair and Justus into the one directly across the table from her. She tucked her napkin into her lap and almost wished Justus had been seated next to her, because that way she wouldn’t have to keep looking into those amazingly blue eyes that seemed able to see to the depths of her very soul.
Darlene bustled in with the bread rolls Dakota had brought and set them on the table. “There, Dakota, dear. I’ve fixed these rolls right up for you.” They were now in a silver serving dish instead of the basket and kitchen towel Dakota had put them in before leaving her apartment.
Dakota pressed her lips together. Of course she should have thought about the presentation. She’d never seen anything but silver, crystal, and the very best of china on the Cahills’ dining table.
Reece caught her attention and must have figured out what had happened, because he gave her a subtle shake of his head and a quick wink to tell her not to worry about it.
“Well, Reece, let’s not keep our guests waiting. Say the prayer, would you?”
Everything was delicious and the meal progressed smoothly. After the meal was over and Mrs. Cahill stood to clear the table, Dakota offered to help, but the woman waved her off. “You and Reece take a walk along the beach. Justus will be glad to help me in the kitchen, won’t you, dear?”
Justus’s lips twitched, but he immediately schooled his features and stood to help. “Certainly.”
Dakota checked the admiration that rose up inside her before it had time to grow too high. Any guy who drove a machine like the one parked in the driveway probably lived only to leap from one thrill to another.
Besides, this walk would give her just the time she’d hoped for with Reece. She slid her hand into the crook of Reece’s arm. “Shall we, then?”
“Sure.”
The view on the walk down the hill from the house couldn’t be surpassed. The path was well maintained and bordered on the drop-off side by a split-rail fence. But it was the cloud-clothed sun, sinking low into the pastel horizon where ocean met sky, that made her catch her breath. “This place is so beautiful.”
Reece nodded. He’d pulled away from her as soon as they’d left the house, which had made her feel a bit self-conscious. Touching was just what she did. It didn’t mean she was attracted to him just because she’d touched him. But of course he couldn’t really know that, could he?
“Listen, Reece. I wanted to talk to you—”
“Dakota, I’m very attracted to Mari
e.”
She laughed. “Yes. I know. I was about to say I’m sorry your mother keeps trying to throw us together, and that I wish you and Marie only the best.”
His cheeks puffed out, and he loosed a chuckle of relief. “I’m so glad to hear you say that. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” His eyes widened. “Not that I thought you were so into”—he waved a finger back and forth between them—“this.”
Another bubble of laughter burst free. “I know what you mean. I’ve been debating all day how to approach this. I knew you were attracted to Marie, and wasn’t quite sure how to tell you I’m totally fine with that without making it sound like you were a scourge.”
“The next time my mother intrudes, feel free to tell her you are busy or just not interested in her scoundrel of a son.” He winked.
“I’ll do that.” She turned toward the beach. “You must have been busy since the storm yesterday?”
He nodded. “Yeah, Justus helped me, or it wouldn’t look nearly so good.”
Justus. Her curiosity got the best of her. “You said he was your boss?”
“Yeah. I worked for a program called Deschutes Rejuvenation. He’s the founder and owner. It’s a program to help troubled youth—those in the court system—learn to deal with the junk life’s handed them, and keeps some of them out of jail.”
“Sounds interesting. What inspired him to start a business like that?”
“He was in the system himself. Served a few years. I think he had no one in his corner at the time, and he wants to be there for other kids struggling like he did.”
So Justus had served time. Of course he had. Because every interesting man in her life was either already attracted to someone else, a felon, or…dead. Forcing herself back to the present, she rolled her neck to ease some tension. Yes, even if he wasn’t a convict, his bike was an even bigger strike against him.
Despite the drawbacks, Dakota wanted to learn more but decided her questions had taken her far enough.
They stood studying the water together for a few more minutes, and then she excused herself and thanked Reece for his friendship, adding her best wishes for him and Marie to work things out. He walked her through the house to the front door. “Good night. And thanks again. Glad we had this talk.”
She nodded and gave him a hug, then realized how he might take it and quick-stepped back. “Sorry. I’m just…touchy.”
He laughed. “Good night, Dakota.”
“Night.” Relief was the only emotion she felt as she took the stairs off the front porch and headed for the driveway. “Thank You, Lord, that You helped me get through that! Onward to the man really meant for me, yes? Too bad Reece’s sidekick, Mr. oh-so-hot-in-a-calendar-worthy-way, is obviously an irresponsible daredevil.” She rounded the corner to find Justus eyeing her from where he leaned over the small trunk at the back of his bike.
Humor danced in his blue eyes.
An explosion of lava erupted in every pore of her face. Pretending great interest in finding her keys, she honed her focus into the bottom of her purse. How much had he heard? Calendar worthy? Had she really said that out loud? Please, God, don’t let him have heard.
She should say something to him. But what did one say after a moment like that? When would she ever learn to quit talking to herself out loud?
She was nearly abreast of him. She couldn’t just walk by without at least saying good-bye and “nice to meet you.” Be casual. She froze and looked over, one hand still buried in the depths of her purse.
He still watched her. A quizzical amusement still danced in his eyes.
“It was nice to meet you, Justus.”
He nodded, his lips twitching as though he might like to laugh out loud but was restraining himself. “Likewise.”
“Good night.”
“Here, let me get your door for you.” He stepped around her and reached for the driver’s side handle.
But she hadn’t found her keys yet. Mostly because her focus hadn’t really been on keys but on the admittedly uberlicious man and his red death trap on wheels. She dug more frantically. “Let me just find my keys.”
He waited patiently, his hand on her Honda’s handle.
The key ring was huge with a large piece of marble in the shape of Africa dangling from it. How was it possible she couldn’t find it? She grumbled a complaint under her breath and plunked the large silk bag on the hood of her car. She pulled out her wallet and a handful of receipts from the pharmacy where she’d picked up her malarial meds the other day, and plopped them in a heap. Next followed her water bottle, which started to roll as soon as she set it down and had her scrambling to catch it before it fell. That scattered the receipts, one of which caught in the breeze, scuttled across her hood, and wafted toward the lawn on a current of air.
Justus jogged after it.
Oh boy, she was a mess. Her bottle of Chloroquine was next. Hand sanitizer. Lotion. Tylenol. Small hairbrush. Compact. And then triumph! She pulled the huge wad of keys from a very bottom corner where they’d lodged under a couple bottles of fingernail polish. “Found them!” She held the set aloft.
One of his eyebrows quirked up. “You were having trouble finding those?”
Her face heated again. “Yes. I have a lot of junk in here.”
He held out the receipt and eyed the assortment of things on the hood. “I can see that.”
Hurriedly, she stuffed everything back into the depths of her purse and clicked the unlock button on the fob.
He beat her to the door and pulled it open for her. When was the last time a guy had held a door for her? Much less went out of his way to open one? “Thank you,” she said as she sank into her seat and swept her skirt in after her.
He dipped his head. “It’s the least I could do.” He bent down and made sure he had eye contact before adding, “Especially since you called me calendar worthy.”
She gasped and felt flames wicking up her cheeks.
He gave her a quick wink, tapped the roof a couple of times, and then pushed her door shut. As it clicked into place, it blocked out the sound of his soft chuckles.
Chapter 12
Nerves had Marie’s hands trembling as she smoothed the fabric of her sapphire-blue sheath sundress for the umpteenth time. She angled this way and that in front of the mirror. Was it too much? He’d said Fisherman’s Wharf, which was one of the nicest restaurants in town. She rolled her eyes at herself and turned away from the mirror, grabbing up her dangly cubic zirconium earrings. “Alyssa! Are you ready? We need to leave in just a couple minutes.”
The bell rang at that precise moment.
She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly. Was she really going through with this? Was it selfishness on her part? Pressing a hand to her stomach, she hurried toward the door. The answers to those questions were yes and yes. But, so help her, she hadn’t been able to bring herself to reverse her answer once she’d given it. And maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she feared. Maybe Reece was right. She believed the Truths Reece had read to her from the Bible that said she was a new creation. She just didn’t have much faith in the kindness of other Christians to accept them.
She breezed past Alyssa in the living room and snapped her fingers. “Alyssa. TV off, sweetie. And grab your jacket.”
She swung the door open.
Reece wore a dark brown suit with a forest-green necktie nestled against a lighter green shirt. The combo made his eyes even more vivid and attractive.
She swallowed.
His gaze waltzed over her, and a sparkle lit his features. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks. You too.” She cleared her throat and glanced over her shoulder. Alyssa still hadn’t moved. “Come in. I just need to grab Alyssa. Taysia is going to meet us in the parking lot at Fisherman’s Wharf to pick her up. I hope that’s okay?”
“Of course.”
She felt the soothing comfort of his presence at her back as she stepped over and turned off the TV.
“Mom! I’m watchin
g that!”
Marie’s eyebrows jumped up. “And I told you to turn it off and get your jacket. You get to go to Uncle Kylen and Aunt Taysia’s tonight.”
“I don’t want to go!”
Teeth pressed together, Marie tossed Reece an apologetic look and moved to pull Alyssa’s jacket from one of the pegs by the door. “I’m sorry. You don’t have a choice tonight. I told you that.”
“Mom!” Alyssa kicked out her feet and flopped back on the couch, stiff as a driftwood log.
Marie pinched the bridge of her nose. Alyssa had been grumpy and contentious since Marie had told her Dan wouldn’t be coming back to see them anymore. She’d made sure to point out it was an issue between Dan and her and not any issue he had with Alyssa, but still the battles had raged all week.
Any moment the stiff-as-a-board pose was going to morph into all-out kicking and screaming. Marie blinked hard. This was not the way she’d wanted to start her evening, nor the way she wanted Taysia and Kylen to have to spend theirs.
Reece stood quietly by the door, hands clasped behind his back in that casual pose of his, watching her, a soft expression on his face.
“I’m sorry,” she mouthed.
He shook his head in a don’t-worry-about-it manner and then pointed from himself to Alyssa with a raised brow. Asking her permission to step in.
Relief coursed through her and took some of the stiffness from her spine. She was most definitely willing to let someone else try to deal with the stubbornness of her tyke. Heaven knew nothing she’d tried all week had made any difference.
Reece strode over to the couch and stood over Alyssa with his arms folded. He gave her a stern look. “I believe your mother asked you to do something. Get up and go get your coat on. Now.”
Alyssa looked shocked. She sat up, her little feet dangling over the edge of the couch. Then she bit her lip, a touch of embarrassment pinking her cheeks. But after only a moment, her little chin lifted and she fisted her hands. She assessed Reece as though sizing up just what consequences she might face if she rejected his order. “I. Don’t. Want. To.” Challenge glittered in her brown eyes.
Caught in the Current (Pacific Shores Book 2) Page 11