Picking Up the Pieces

by Maryann Jordan

  “It sounds like me,” Jade smiled. “I go out almost every morning I can when school’s not in session.”

  “Bet you give some of it to Lance to use for his art.”

  Slipping Lance a sly grin at the memory of their first encounters, she replied, “I take it to my students. In fact, I’ve recently taken a bunch there for them to create sea glass picture frames for their art projects.”

  Nodding, Skip said, “My wife wasn’t artistic but she and George’s wife would save the glass in big jars.” Sobering for a moment, he added, “Hell, me and George ended up having more in common than we should have.” He twisted his head around as he explained, “My wife got cancer about the same time as Sylvia. Both good women, but the disease took its toll on all of us.”

  She reached out, resting her hand on his arm. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

  “George’s wife actually died first. My Anne lasted almost another year, but it was hard and she finally denied the last of the treatments. George was a good friend then, even though he was dealing with his own grief.”

  “I know you’ve already thought of all of this, but do you know of anyone who would want to harm George?” Lance asked.

  “That’s what makes no sense,” Skip said, leaning back suddenly, his voice harsher. “Old man…not much money…didn’t have the new, shiny boat or equipment…didn’t have a lot of business. Hell, there was nothing for anyone to be jealous of or want that he had.”

  “So, he didn’t have much money?” Lance prodded, carefully watching Skip’s response.

  Snorting, he looked at him, shaking his head. “I figure you’ve seen his house. Sylvia kept it so nice, but after her death, George lived in a mess. I don’t reckon he had much money to begin with, but in the past several years, he sure as hell didn’t earn a lot.”

  Nodding, he gave Jade’s shoulders a squeeze and said, “Thanks for keeping Jade company and answering my questions.”

  As they stood, they shook hands before Skip smiled at Jade. “Been a while since I had a pretty lady to just sit and enjoy the harbor with me. Thank you.”

  Smiling in return, she shifted into his embrace as they walked back to his vehicle. After settling her inside, he jogged around to the driver’s side, noting the huddle of helpers from the Taylor’s boat deep in conversation, before they turned and looked at him.

  Another tear fell, but was quickly wiped away with a tissue pressed into her hand by Lance. She peered up at him, grateful for his presence, as well as his understanding.

  The minister gave a beautiful, graveside service for George. The cemetery had placed chairs underneath a canopy for the townspeople to stand nearby, and Mayor Corwin Banks had taken his wife’s arm and led her to the front, until he saw George’s son sitting there. With a purple hue to his face, Corwin moved to the other side, sitting next to Silas Mills. After the minister’s service, he called for a few of George’s friends to speak.

  First Richard walked to the front, his anecdotes bringing smiles to the large gathering. “We started out together as teens, fishing on the weekends for old Mr. MacGreggor and, damn, if George didn’t fall into the fish tank the first time we went out by ourselves. It was raining and I was trying to figure out how to get him out. By the time we got back to the harbor, we had a few fish we’d caught, but stunk like ol’ seaweed.” He wiped his eyes at the memory, before heaving a sigh. “Hard to believe he’s gone, but for anyone who knew him, he was not just an old salt o’ the sea, but truly a good man.” Looking at the picture sitting on the coffin at the front, he said, “I’ll lift a glass to you in the pub, old friend.”

  Harold shook hands with Richard on his way to the pulpit, before facing the crowd. “When I think of George, I think of a man who loved his wife and son, and loved his job. For those of us who spend our lives out in the elements of the sea, we feel closer to God, out on the water, than anywhere else. George began to drift over the last few years, and I think that Sylvia was his anchor. So, George, my friend, you’re with her now.”

  Lance shot a glance to the front, seeing Anthony wiping tears from his eyes. He was wearing an ill-fitting suit, sitting next to a suited, prison guard. He found it impossible to not analyze the case, even when at the funeral.

  Who gained from George’s money? Obviously, Anthony, since George’s Will only listed his son as beneficiary. But did he know how much money his father had in the bank? And did he know how his father was getting the extra cash? And where did the money come from?

  An elbow in the side sent his gaze darting back to Jade. Blushing, he faced the front again, now interested in Thomas Fedor. He approached the front from his seat next to the mayor, his expensive suit and polished shoes in stark contrast to Richard and Harold’s clothing.

  “As most of you know, I’ve only been in town a couple of years, but I got to know George before I arrived. I was interested in the restaurant for sale, but knew I wanted fresh, local fish, so I hung out at the harbor for several months beforehand. Got to know all the good fishermen there and George was always willing to get what I needed…”

  He stopped listening as Thomas’ words hit him—always willing to get what I needed. He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the man in front of the gathering. Thomas is talking about seafood, but what if someone used George to get something off the ships in the harbor? Not smuggling for himself, but as a means to an end for someone who was using him?

  Another elbow jab brought his mind back to the funeral and he caught Jade’s lowered brow. “Sorry,” he mumbled, pulling her in closer. Thomas was still speaking, so he tuned in once more.

  “George will be missed and his place in the fishing community…as the whole community, will be hard to fill.” Stepping down, Thomas walked back to his seat next to Corwin Banks and his wife, a smile on his face.

  As the crowd dispersed, he kept his arm on Jade as they walked over the grassy terrain of the cemetery, making sure she did not fall. Assisting her into his SUV, he asked, “You want to go to the pub or go home, babe?”

  “The pub,” Jade replied without delay. Seeing his lifted eyebrow, she rushed, “I’m not tired, Lance. Well, I am…but that’s from the emotions of the last week, not from my injuries. My foot is much stronger and my wrist will be back to normal soon.” Placing her hand on his forearm, feeling the steel of muscles underneath, she added, “I’d like to spend some time with our friends for a little while. And I know the pub will be more of a celebration of George.”

  When they arrived, the pub was packed, Aiden and Brogan behind the bar pulling beers and keeping a practiced eye on the crowd. Katelyn assisted the servers as Gareth worked behind the bar as well. Ginny slid into the booth next to Grant and Jillian, facing Mitch, Tori, Jade, and Lance.

  His gaze traveled around the crowded room, staring at the faces but unable to discern anyone who might know what George was involved in.

  Jade eyed him and said, “I could see the wheels turning in your head all during the service.” Looking at the other officers, she asked, “I suppose it was the same with you all?”

  Ginny grinned, while shaking her head. “Yeah, it’s hard to turn it off.”

  “Can’t you talk about it a little?” Jillian said, tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear.

  “Babe,” Grant replied.

  Jillian rolled her eyes and looked at Tori and her. “I swear, he says babe, and it’s supposed to mean something different depending on how he says it. That was his you know I can’t talk about police business babe.” Smiling at Jade, she said, “Get used to it.”

  She nodded, happy that Lance seemed at ease with their friends and with his new police responsibilities.

  As though Jillian could read her mind, she said, “I have a feeling I just gave up one of my favorite artists, Lance.”

  “It’s my stress reliever, Jillian. I’m sure you’ll still get some work from me.”

  Before anyone could respond, a loud whistle sounded throughout the bar. Aiden stood on a chair to get the
crowd’s attention and said, “Richard wants to offer a toast to George, so if everyone could listen up.”

  Aiden hopped down from his perch and the crowd quieted as Richard stood in front of the bar. Looking down at his boots for a moment, he said, “George was a sailor…a fisherman…a member of this community…a good husband and father…and to me, a good friend.” Lifting his beer, he called out, “To George Caday.”

  The gathering lifted their glasses as well, repeating the toast as George’s name rang out in the bar.

  28

  “Are you going home for Thanksgiving?” Jade’s voice broke the peaceful silence.

  Lance had been dragging his hand along her arm in slow movements, but stilled at her words. They returned from the wake after enjoying time with their friends, settling on his deck with glasses of wine to watch the sunset. Neither of them spoke for a long time as the sun slipped into the horizon, streaking the sky with hues of blue and orange. She sat between his legs, her back warm against his chest.

  “Thanksgiving?”

  “It’s this week, you know. I…well, I wondered if you had plans?”

  Shaking his head as his hand continued to glide over her petal skin, “Nah. Mom would be delighted if I came home, but she’d see it as my deciding to leave this place and returning to the fold.”

  Sitting quietly, she did not reply.

  “What about you?”

  Her chest heaved as she sighed. “No, I’m not going home either. I have a five-day weekend, since school is out on Wednesday. I’ll try to visit my parents over the Christmas holiday, but I don’t want a repeat of last year.” Feeling a slight squeeze on her arm, she grinned at his nonverbal indication she should explain. “I went home last year for Thanksgiving, hoping to have a nice break from school, but all my parents did was bitch about me working in an impoverished area. They said they were embarrassed to tell their friends where I lived. So,” she shrugged, “I ended up leaving a day early because I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

  “So, what are your plans?” he asked, now curious as to how she was going to spend the days off work.

  “I guess it depends on you…”

  “Me?” he asked, his voice filled with surprise and pleasure.

  Grinning, she twisted her head around and said, “Yeah, you. If you’re going to be here, we could do our own Thanksgiving meal…something simple, and then maybe join some friends later in the afternoon.”

  Lance was quiet and Jade began to nervously fiddle with her wine glass. “Of course, we don’t have to—”

  “It’s been a long time since anyone wanted to spend a holiday with me,” he interrupted. “Or a long time since I wanted to spend it with someone else.”

  Her mouth opened but no words came forth, unable to think of what to say.

  He leaned around, staring into her wide eyes, and said, “Can’t think of anyone I’d rather be with on a day to give thanks.”

  Feeling a smile curve her lips, she faced forward once more, the ever-changing night sky filling her vision. Lance began rubbing her arm again, her soft skin smooth underneath his fingers.

  “Has it only been a few weeks?”

  “What’s only been a few weeks, sweetheart?” he mumbled into her silky hair.

  “Us knowing each other.”

  Smiling, he thought back to the first time he had seen her. Her beauty struck him, but he had forced himself to hang on to his irritation at her intrusion into his world. “I was an asshole when we first met,” he reminded.

  Snorting, she nodded, taking another sip. “Yeah, but I killed you with kindness…well, I tried.”

  “Such a pest,” he joked.

  Setting her wine glass down on the deck, she twisted in his arms, resting her hand on his chest, over his heart. Peering into his eyes, she said, “I have no idea what was going through my mind when I decided to return to sneak some sea glass onto your front porch. But, Lance…I’m so glad I did.” Leaning forward, she softly touched her lips to his.

  The kiss began slowly, the simple movement of silk against satin. Jade loved the feel of his lips. Strong, yet yielding. The rough stubble of his whiskers against her skin. His breath warm against her face, the scent of his masculinity mingling with the taste of the dark wine. Heady, yet addictive. Addictive. The thought that she needed him for more than protection, but for her heart too, settled into her mind as she allowed him to take over the kiss, falling under his spell.

  Lance felt the instant she yielded to him, her trust hit his heart, while her lips on his communicated her need as well as her desire. Cupping her face with his large hands, he angled her as he took the kiss deeper. Sliding his tongue into her warmth, he tasted, tangled, and triumphed as she melted into him.

  Shifting her body, he stood with her in his arms, their kiss proclaiming what their hearts silently acknowledged. Entering the house, he stalked toward the bedroom, their wine glasses forgotten on the deck.

  Wrapping his arms tighter around her, Lance watched Jade sleep. The blades of the ceiling fan twirled slowly, but no longer held his attention. Smiling, he stared at her face as the sun hinted at rising, the faint illumination coming through the blinds in his bedroom. Her eyelashes lay in crescents on her cheeks as her deep breath passed her lips, her mouth open slightly.

  Smiling, he thought of the previous evening and his cock, already awake and ready, nudged against her ass. She stirred, her eyelids fluttering before she stretched. Not wanting to wake her, he reluctantly moved back slightly but she grunted.

  “Uh uh,” she said, pushing her ass backward until his cock was once more pressed tightly against her.

  “I wanted you to sleep, babe,” he whispered, reluctant to move again.

  “Sleep is overrated,” she said, wiggling against his erection. “I’d rather have you.”

  Cupping her breast with the hand under her, he slid his free hand down her chest, over her tummy, chuckling as he skimmed over a ticklish spot and she wiggled more. His hand continued its path downward as she spread her legs, before sliding into her slick folds. Taking his time, he moved his fingers into her sex, the warmth holding him tight. She began to undulate as he gently plunged his fingers in and out, his thumb circling her clit. He felt her body stir to life, fine tuning a perfect instrument.

  Jade shifted onto her back, desperate to see Lance’s face in the morning light as his hands continued to work their magic. His face loomed over hers, filling her vision. Reaching up, she rubbed her fingers over his dark morning stubble, his eyes holding her captive. Emotions passed between them without words.

  Suddenly, her inner core tightened and she sucked in a quick breath as his fingers found the place they had been seeking. With pressure on her clit, she fell apart.

  Lance watched the blush rise from her tightly beaded nipples upward until her entire chest and face were a delectable, deep rose. Slowly withdrawing his fingers, he brought them upward, dragging them along her stomach and over her breasts, finally circling her lips.

  Jade tasted herself on him and her chest heaved in desire. Her lips curved in delight as he shifted over her, his weight welcome as she wrapped her arms around his neck, smoothing them down his shoulders.

  Lance’s cock, eager to play, nudged her entrance. The thought of protection kicked in, barely moving aside the desire to plunge immediately. Balancing his weight on one arm, he snagged a condom from the nightstand before pushing back on his knees. Holding her eyes, he palmed his cock, teasing her with the pearl of pre-cum on the end. Slowly rolling on the condom, he grinned as her breathing increased.

  “Want this, babe?”

  Her breath caught in her throat as her head jerked up and down. “More than you can imagine, Lance. I want you…with me. All of you with me…no pieces left behind.”

  The smile stayed firmly on his face as her words penetrated. Leaning closer, he entered her slowly, fighting the urge to plunge even though her heels were on his ass urging him on. Gliding into her sex, inch by inch, he watched as her he
ad pressed back against the pillow, her breasts pushing upward as her back arched. She bit her bottom lip and squeezed her eyes shut.

  “If you want all of me, babe, you gotta open your eyes,” he groaned, the sensation of her tight sex clutching his sensitive cock almost more than he could bear.

  Her eyes popped open, the wide green pupils staring back at him as her teeth let her bottom lip go, curving instead into a smile.

  Never taking their eyes off each other, he continued to thrust, slowly at first and then with more vigor, as the emotions collided with the physical need.

  Jade slid her hand over his shoulders and down his back, the play of his muscles underneath her fingertips capturing her fascination. The immense strength and power of his body as it moved over and into hers took her to new heights. “More,” she begged. “I want all of you.”

  Close to his release, Lance wanted her to come with him. Once more balancing on one arm, he slid his other hand over her curves, finding her clit, swollen and ready for him. Circling the nub, he watched as her eyes closed again. Just as he was about to remind her to keep them open, her green eyes landed on him as her body quivered, her sex clutching his cock. With a moan, his neck muscles tightened and his orgasm pulsed from his body into hers. His whole body shuddered, but he forced his eyes to stay on hers as well.

  As the last stream emptied from his cock, he fought to catch his breath, enjoying the rosy blush over her body again. Continuing to thrust gently as her orgasm milked him, he cupped her face. Falling forward slightly to the side so as to not crush her, with his cock still planted, his chest heaved in gasps.

  Powerful. That was the only word Jade could come up with at the moment, as her inner muscles continued to quake with the shared orgasm. The tingles slowly subsided and she felt his cock ease from her body. A sad groan protested from her lips at the loss of the connection.