“Your home is stunning,” she whispered. More than stunning. It was perfect. “I’m sorry,” she said at Mrs. Yamishimi’s inquisitive look. “I was thinking about a trip I took to Japan with my grandmother. There was a village on the coast. About the size of Butterfly Harbor, I think. The entire shoreline was filled with homes just like this beside the ocean. Not quite as many windows, but the feel...” She pressed a hand against her chest. “I’d forgotten about that trip. Thank you for the memory.”
“You are most welcome.” Mrs. Yamishimi led her to a table. “I have many memories, too. My husband and I raised three children in this house. They’ve all moved on. Have homes and families of their own.” Where Sienna expected sadness she found only joy on the older woman’s wrinkled face. “Lives are for living, are they not?”
Sienna nodded. “Yes, I’ve come to understand that.”
Tea was poured. The paper bag Mrs. Yamishimi was carrying was opened and cookies were put on plates retrieved from the cabinet. “Gale makes me special tea biscuits once a week. We will share.”
Touched, Sienna smiled. “Thank you.” She opened her takeaway box from the diner and offered the same. “Where do your children live now?”
“My youngest is in Seattle. In a house not too dissimilar to this one. He and my daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby in June.”
“That’s wonderful.” Growing up, she’d been one of those girls who had an entire nursery filled with baby dolls. Probably because she’d been so lonely as an only child. She wanted kids. At least, she thought she did. Did Monty want them?
The image of him leaped to her mind. Monty. That lump in her throat was back; the one that had formed while she’d been on the phone with the bank. It had only been a day since she’d left him out on the boat, but she missed him so much she ached. “How long were you married?”
“Forty-three years.” The misty expression in Mrs. Yamishimi’s eyes had Sienna swallowing hard. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss him. He is a part of me.” She tapped a hand against her chest. “I knew, from the moment we met, that he was for me.”
“I thought that only happened in storybooks,” Sienna said softly.
Mrs. Yamishimi smiled. “When you know, you know. Life gives us signs. They lead us where we need to be at just the right moment. My Henry.” She shook her head. “We did not have enough time together. But maybe...” She looked around her home, a smile curving her lips. “I think perhaps I’ve been given another sign. Thank you, Sienna.”
“You know who I am?” She set down her half sandwich and reached for her tea. “How?”
“Small town,” Mrs. Yamishimi laughed. “It will take you time to get used to it, but soon all will settle down. Yes.” She lifted her sandwich. “All will settle down for you very soon.”
* * *
THE SOLITUDE OF Mrs. Yamishimi’s houseboat almost had Sienna forgetting there was a world outside. Few places had ever brought her as much peace; the only other being her nana’s beach house in San Diego.
At Mrs. Yamishimi’s urging, she’d accepted another cup of tea, and brought out her wedding-planning notebook on the deck, where she now sat surrounded by a forest of planted fauna that reminded her of the cantina in Plover Bay. The water lapped gently and beneath the scent of the ocean, she inhaled the calming aromas of jasmine and lavender.
Reorganizing and updating her notes for Frankie’s wedding, Sienna found herself feeling quite at home in the little town. Whatever effort or stress she felt over the meetings and details faded away, and she found she was truly enjoying the prospect of bringing Frankie and Roman’s nuptials to fruition. Problems were a challenge, not an obstacle, and she liked the idea of rising to them.
“You look at home here.”
Sienna glanced up as Mrs. Yamishimi joined her. “I feel at home. The tea is delicious.”
“Would you like more?”
“No, thank you.” Sienna closed her binder and sat back, gazing at the calm ocean. “I don’t know how you don’t just sit here all day. It’s lovely.”
“This was Henry’s and my favorite place in all of Butterfly Harbor.” She offered a sad smile. “And it was just for the two of us. Tell me something.” Mrs. Yamishimi sat in the chair beside her. “What do you see out there?”
Sienna smiled. “Endless possibilities.”
Tears glistened in the older woman’s eyes. She reached over and laid her hand over Sienna’s. Not so far away, the blare of a police siren broke the peace.
“Well, that doesn’t happen very often.” Mrs. Yamishimi rose and peered toward the marina’s entrance. “And that’s not any of our sirens.”
“Maybe the sheriff or fire department has a new vehicle?”
“Doubtful. That would cost a fair amount of money,” Mrs. Yamishimi said with a twist of her mouth. “Our mayor isn’t exactly generous when it comes to things like that. You’ve heard about our mayor, Gil Hamilton, I suppose?”
“Monty mentioned him.” And she’d gotten an earful just from smatterings of conversations she’d overheard at the diner. “He seems popular, but for the wrong reasons.”
“I always thought he had promise. With all these shenanigans lately, I’m not so sure anymore. I voted for him. Believed he got a raw deal because of who his father was. But now, with this horrible collapse at the sanctuary building site and the recall election, I don’t know what to think.”
“There’s someone running against him in the recall election, isn’t there?”
“Leah Ellis, yes.” Mrs. Yamishimi sat up, but the frown was still in place. “She’s a terrific young woman. Lawyer, who took over her uncle’s practice a couple of years ago. Do you know, she helped me rewrite my will? Barely charged me enough for the ink in her printer. She’s got that mayor of ours in her sights. And I don’t mean for anything good. She wants him gone just as much as the rest of us.”
“Too bad you have to wait until November to vote.”
“Oh, it’s all but decided. Gil knows it. He’s just pretending he doesn’t. That’s not to say he hasn’t done some good for the town. He has. But he’s also added to the damage his father did. Hamilton Senior had his hand in more tills in this town than the tax man. Dozens of families had to walk away from their homes because of him calling in loans and refusing to refinance when the housing market began to tank. Just turned a blind eye. Nasty business that was.”
“But the town’s doing better now, isn’t it? Monty said a lot more businesses are open and homes are selling again. Surely some credit has to go to Gil?”
“I suppose.” Mrs. Yamishimi didn’t look convinced. “Have you met him yet? The mayor?”
“I’ve not had the pleasure.”
“Well, you make certain not to let him charm you too much, Sienna. That boy.” She shook her head. “The sooner he’s out of office, the better, if you ask me. Now, look there. There’s a new one.” Mrs. Yamishimi shielded her eyes and turned her attention to the horizon. “She’s a beauty, isn’t she?”
Sienna’s heart skipped a beat as she followed her new friend’s gaze to Nana’s Dream making her way slowly toward the marina. Inching out from behind the cliffs to the Flutterby, the gleaming, polished white wood looked like history moving across the water. “That’s Monty’s new boat. He’s back.”
“Well, don’t just sit there. Go welcome him home. Go on. It’s time for my afternoon nap, anyway. Just promise you’ll come back and see me again.”
Sienna stood. “I promise. Thank you for inviting me into your home. It’s beautiful. And so are you.” She bent down and kissed the old woman’s cheek.
She retrieved her shoes, then quickly made her way up the dock and along Monarch Lane to the commercial area of the marina. She stood there and watched as Monty steered Dream into an empty slip at the far end. A group of men headed directly toward him, some she didn’t recognize.
Her stomach dropped. She twisted around and saw a state police vehicle parked askew, lights still spinning. No one was inside.
Because two officers were standing ready. Their hands on their weapons.
Just as Sienna moved to follow them, an SUV with Butterfly Harbor Sheriff’s Department written on the side stopped and parked far more carefully. The two men who stepped out were tall and impressive, and had all-business expressions that sent more warning bells off in Sienna’s brain.
“Excuse me, what’s going on?” Sienna asked as she hurried over to greet them.
The taller of the two men pushed up his baseball cap that had BHPD embroidered on the front. “Nothing dangerous, ma’am. Just responding to a request for jurisdictional assistance with regard to one of our residents.”
Sienna looked over to Dream. “You don’t mean Monty Bettencourt, do you?”
The other officer leaned against the SUV and folded his arms. “Do you know Monty?”
“I do. And you do, too. You’re Holly’s husband, Sheriff Saxon, aren’t you?” She addressed the man in the baseball cap. “I’m Sienna Fairchild.”
“Sienna Fairchild.” He offered his hand even as he grinned. “I’d heard you were in town. I can’t tell you how good it is to meet you. And to see you. Deputy Fletcher Bradley, this is Sienna Fairchild.”
Bright blue eyes sparkled when Fletcher smiled. Sienna blinked quickly. Goodness. The men in this town were certainly... She blew out a breath. Well, they were all something to look at, that was for sure.
“I’ve never seen a kidnapping victim look so good,” Deputy Bradley said. “Or so free. You have perfect timing, ma’am. I’m pleased to meet you.”
What on earth were they talking about? “What’s going on?” Sienna asked again.
“Well, normally I’d say I couldn’t talk about it, but seeing as you’re involved with all this, I can. It’s best you come with us. After you, ma’am.”
“Sienna, please, Sheriff.”
The sheriff nodded. “And you can call me Luke. Now, let’s go see what mess Monty’s gotten himself into.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE—”
“Stop the clock, Duchess.” Monty felt Dream knock gently against the dock and breathed a sigh of relief. He was home. After wiping the back of his arm across his brow, he turned off the engine and jumped off to tie down the boat. Duchess followed, hopping from railing to railing and, of all things, humming to herself in much the same way Sienna did.
Sienna. He’d missed her. Missed talking with her, laughing with her. He missed looking at her. Not long ago, he’d treasured his time alone out on the sea, just him and the ocean tangling together as he rode the waves. But the last day of this trip had definitely felt...well, empty without her. Maybe he’d been wrong to push her away. Or maybe he was simply anxious to see how she’d settled into his little town.
Could she be happy with him? With the life and business he already had mapped out for himself? Couples should have shared dreams, couples like Frankie and Roman. But Sienna loved the ocean and being on the water. Maybe that was enough?
Footsteps pounded on the dock. Half expecting Sebastian or Roman, he shielded his eyes and stood up. Finding Vincent Fairchild and Richard Somersby flanked by two uniformed officers immediately darkened his homecoming. “Gentlemen. I’m getting a sense of déjà vu.” Monty moved back onto the boat, but stepped forward to greet them. “Get that court order did you, Richard?”
“Mr. Bettencourt, if you’d please join us on the dock?” One of the state patrol officers gestured to him. “We have a warrant for your arrest.”
Monty almost laughed. Until he saw the second officer’s hand resting on the butt of his sidearm. He did as was requested, but not silently. “What’s going on? What’s the charge?”
“Kidnapping, to start with,” Richard said with a smug expression of satisfaction. “I’m betting we can come up with a few more charges yet.”
“You have got to be kidding me.” Monty sighed. “Seriously? Oh, no, come on.” Monty’s temper flared as the click of handcuffs echoed in his ears as the metal cinched around his wrists. Duchess squawked loud enough for Monty to wince. “I’ve got friends and neighbors watching this, not to mention customers.” Sure enough, he could see people streaming out of shops and the diner and heading for the dock. Forget the charges. With the way the Butterfly Harbor rumor mill ran, he’d be the topic of discussion for the next decade.
“Sergeant O’Brien.”
Monty wanted to cheer at the sound of Sheriff Luke Saxon’s voice. “Luke, you gotta tell these guys what a crock this is. I didn’t kidnap anyone.”
“Of course, you didn’t.” The female voice snapped through the air and had Monty alternately thankful yet groaning silently. “Take those cuffs off him.”
“Sienna...”
“Don’t ‘Sienna’ me,” she growled, pushing herself between Luke and Sergeant O’Brien. “There’s been no kidnapping.”
“Sienna! You’re all right.” Richard lunged for her and wrapped his arms around her to the point that she almost disappeared. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
Sienna stood stiff in her fiancé’s arms, her gaze flicking to Monty first and then to her father. “I saw your concern splashed all over the local papers. Your concern, too, Dad.”
“Sienna.” The flash of relief in Vincent Fairchild’s eyes took Monty by surprise. He must have really thought Sienna was in danger. “I’m glad to see you are unharmed.”
“Certainly, I’m unharmed. I can look after myself.” She wedged her hands against Richard’s shoulders. “Wasn’t it clear that I wanted a break? I didn’t attend my own wedding! Let go of me, Richard. I’m perfectly fine.” She shoved him away. “I went with Mr. Bettencourt on my own volition. If anything, he has a case against me for hijacking his boat.”
“Sienna,” Monty warned. “This isn’t a joke. Don’t make this worse.”
“I told you to take those cuffs off him,” Sienna ordered. “Luke, they have no right—”
“Begging your pardon, ma’am, but we have an arrest warrant right here.” The second state officer faced Butterfly Harbor’s sheriff. He held out a piece of paper.
“I don’t care what that says,” Sienna said. “I wasn’t kidnapped. And if the supposed victim isn’t willing to press charges, how can someone else?”
“Can we maybe do this someplace a little less public?” Monty asked from between gritted teeth. “Luke?”
Luke’s lips twitched as he glanced over his shoulder and eyed the crowd that was gathering. “Since you probably don’t want to be perp-walked through Butterfly Harbor, I think we can settle this now. Sienna, you are denying the charges that have been made against Mr. Bettencourt?”
“I am,” she replied.
“You don’t have to protect this man, Sienna. You’re safe now,” Richard urged and ran a hand down her hair as if trying to soothe her. “I’m sure Bettencourt had it all planned. Kidnap an heiress and make some fast cash. It all makes sense. Why else would you have disappeared before the wedding?”
“Get your hands off her, Richard.”
The cool restraint in Monty’s voice spoke to Sienna, who finally felt free of whatever obligation she might have been holding toward her fiancé.
“I ran away because I didn’t want to marry you, Richard.” Sienna lifted her hand and tugged at the ring on her finger, but it merely spun and didn’t budge. “I ran away because I don’t love you. I don’t want a life with you. Heck, I don’t even like you. I know I should have said something sooner, and I am sorry about that. But I...” She looked to Monty. “But I wasn’t brave enough then. Now I am.” She grimaced and pulled harder on the emerald. “Oh, for crying out loud. Anyone have something to cut my finger off with?”
Monty chortled. Luke and Fletcher both grinned. The out-of-town off
icers looked...confused while Richard sputtered. Sienna’s father, on the other hand, hadn’t even blinked.
“That can’t be right,” Richard protested, his pale cheeks going drunk red. “You’ve let this man twist your feelings and thoughts, Sienna. Your father told me about what happened all those years ago, how fragile you are. Easily manipulated. Let’s get you somewhere where you can think more clearly, away from other...influences.”
Monty had never wanted to deck someone more in his entire life. “She’s the least fragile person I’ve ever met!” Monty declared and earned a glance of appreciation from Sienna. Easily manipulated? Please. She might not know what direction she was headed, but she was certainly capable of figuring out how to get there. Richard was a fool. He didn’t have the first clue about the woman he was supposed to have been marrying.
“Sienna, listen to reason.” Vincent Fairchild’s voice took on that placating, gentle tone Monty often associated with parents who were trying to hold on to their patience. “Richard and I only want—”
“I don’t care what Richard wants,” Sienna said, but Monty could see the hurt and disappointment in her eyes as she addressed her father. “I’m sorry, Dad. I know you needed this marriage to happen to save your business. I’d give anything not to throw you a curve any more than I always have, but you’re asking me to give up my future to save a business. I can’t—I won’t marry Richard. Not ever. You just have to accept that.”
Sienna shifted her attention to the state officers who had accompanied her so-called rescuers. “For the last time, get those handcuffs off Mr. Bettencourt,” Sienna demanded, her glare sharpening as she stared at Sergeant O’Brien. “I’m the only one who can file a complaint and I won’t. No harm was done to me. He was helping me get away from a difficult situation. If anything, he saved my life. Now let him go.”
Bride on the Run--A Clean Romance Page 18