“Hey, get up. Trevor will be here in ten minutes.” Jake grabbed Cheyenne’s foot and began dragging her to the end of the bed. She stretched, arms high overhead, and the sheet slipped dangerously low. He groaned. If he had a choice, he would spend his life in bed with her. She gave herself freely. She had brought laughter into his life at a time where he had reached his lowest and he didn’t know what he would do without her.
Then tell her, he lectured himself. You still have time. But did he? He knew enough about Cheyenne to know she had ethics among other lovely attributes. That and her sense of responsibility toward his uncle would mean in less than a week, he would have to make a decision.
“Come on, rise and shine.”
She brushed the hair out of her eyes. “We did not sleep the day and night away, did we?”
“No, it’s only three but I want to get into town before Doc closes up shop.”
She scrambled to the end of the bed and grabbed his hand. “Is it infected? Did it split open?” Her hair fell forward as she examined his palm and he gathered a clump with his free hand and gently raised her head.
“It’s fine.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I want to see how long the stitches should stay in.”
“Trevor didn’t exactly sew a straight line, did he?” She tenderly traced the jagged path of the gash with her finger.
It still amazed him how the prickly Miss Tucker had so completely disappeared, to be replaced by the compassionate and affectionate Cheyenne. Sometimes Jake wondered if the former had ever really existed.
“It’ll give me something to talk about over beer with the boys.”
“You are such a guy.” She shook her head, climbing out of bed and digging through her suitcase on the floor for clothes. He closed his eyes and groaned. Oblivious to what she was doing to him with her sassy ass in the air, she straightened, pulling on a pair of bikini briefs.
“We really need to do laundry.” She agilely hooked her bra and tugged on a top, then shorts.
He had never done laundry in his life. Her comment was so…ordinary. The fact that she hadn’t commented, discussed terms or made demands when he said she would stay with him was so…ordinary. Like two old married people planning their day. His mouth turned dry as he watched her pull her hair into a ponytail and don the mermaid hat he had bought her. Were all the planets in the solar system aligning in order to give him this one chance at happiness?
“Jake? I asked if you had a basket or something we can use to carry these clothes.”
“Are you trying to domesticate me?”
She sighed and gave him a look that was pure Miss Tucker. “I am trying to make sure you don’t smell.” She walked out of the room with an armful of clothes. “Strip the bed and grab the towels. We might as well do it all.”
He grinned. He didn’t mind at all that she was bossing him around. He knew exactly how to get back at her. He sneaked up behind and grabbed her, making her squeal. He turned her toward him, his head descending to kiss her when Trevor knocked and let himself in.
“Hey, buddy. How’s the hand?” He looked from one of them to the other and stood there grinning.
“Two fingers fell off last night, but other than that, fine.” Jake wished everyone would quit worrying about him. He was not a wuss. He had found himself quite capable these last months on the island and liked who he had become—his own man.
“Ignore him,” Cheyenne said. “He hasn’t been in a fight for over three days and he’s grouchy.”
“Ouch,” Trevor laughed.
They stuffed their laundry in all the available canvas grocery bags, loaded it in the back of the Jeep and headed to town, dropping Trevor back at the Ranger station. The summer heat had found its way to the island, and even with the breeze coming in off shore, the sun showed no mercy. As they drove past Inland Bay, the beach looked like a field of wildflowers – colored umbrellas, beach towels and sun bathers covered the sand. Swimmers bobbed in the shallows.
“Do you have a swim suit?”
Cheyenne had been looking out the window but now turned toward him. “I didn’t exactly come here on vacation.”
“Okay, no suit. I’ll simply have to find a place to take you swimming where you don’t need one.”
She reached over and slowly slid her hand up and caressed the back of his neck. As he put the Jeep in park in front of the jail, she tugged him toward her.
“I’d like that,” she whispered against his lips then kissed him. “A lot.”
She got out of the Jeep but Jake couldn’t move for several minutes, waiting for the discomfort to subside. Damn, she played dirty.
And he loved it.
Cheyenne was already talking to Sheriff Franklin when he entered the building. Seeing Jake, he waved him into the office.
“How’s the hand?”
“Don’t ask him that. He’s like that story about a lion with a sticker in his paw.” Cheyenne answered for him.
Sheriff cleared his throat before continuing. “You did a good job, according to Trevor. Given your former profession, I must say I’m impressed.”
Jake decided not to take the comment personally. There was always talk that anyone in the classical music industry, as versus rock bands and country music stars, was effeminate. Instead, he changed the subject.
“Have you found anything new about our chasers?”
The sheriff shook his head. “I check with Max every day and no strange man duo has rented his car since that one day. He can’t recall what they looked like. You two didn’t see them, so there’s not much to go on. The Prince Hotel is full, but I have no probable cause to get their guest list to run makes on all the guests.”
Jake sighed. Everything he said was true, but it didn’t sit right. There had to be a reason they were followed, and he had the feeling it wasn’t over. Whatever “it” was.
He stood, putting out his hand. “Thanks for looking out for us. You have my number if anything comes up.”
The sheriff walked out with them, commented on the heat, and left them at the door of the air conditioned building. The doctor’s office was close, so they walked quickly down the block.
Doctor Stephens was in his early seventies, and as spry as anyone in their fifties. He still practiced part time in Red Haven, but spent the rest of his time on island, helping whenever he was needed. His full head of white hair lifted when the nurse escorted them in and he stood from behind his desk with a smile.
“I hear Sycamore is trying to put me out of business,” he laughed as he shook Jake’s hand.
“I doubt that will happen, given how he mutilated me.”
“He did not.” Cheyenne immediately defended his friend.
“This is Cheyenne Tucker,” Jake said by way of introduction.
The doctor turned to her, curiosity then recognition lighting his blue eyes. “Ah, you’re the young woman I’ve been hearing about.”
“No,” Cheyenne said quickly. “That must be someone else.”
Jake shook his head. “She’s joking. She’s still getting used to being seen with me.”
The doctor shook his head. “I must be getting old. I don’t understand you young people anymore. Sit down and let me see what the damage is.”
Jake sat, pulling Cheyenne down in the chair beside him and held out his hand. While the doctor examined his stitches, he studied her. She was biting her bottom lip, one foot was tapping nervously on the floor which made her knee bounce, and she was twisting her fingers together. He reached over and put his hand over hers. When she looked up, he gave her his best smile.
“Ouch.” He turned back as the doctor probed the gash. Whatever Cheyenne’s problem, now wasn’t the time to talk about it.
“Still tender, hum? How long ago did this happen?”
“Four days,” Cheyenne answered, which was good because Jake was still a little fuzzy about time passage after the fire.
“Trevor did a credible job, given how jagged the tear was. Move your thumb and fingers for me.”
/> Jake did as asked, feeling a twinge and pull but no pain.
“It seems to be healing nicely but we’d better leave those stitches in another four, five days. How long has it been since you had a tetanus shot?”
“Probably the first week I was here when I stepped on a rusty can in the bay.”
“Oh, right. That’s good. I’ll give you some salve. Those stitches will begin to pull as it heals and the salve will keep the skin soft.”
He thanked the doctor, settled up with the receptionist and walked Cheyenne out into the heat. When she started toward the Jeep, he pulled her into the shade of a curbside tree.
“What’s going on?” He tilted back her hat so he could read her eyes. She started to bite her lip again but he put his thumb up to stop her. “I’m the only one who can bite those gorgeous lips.” His comment got a tentative smile.
“Jake, everyone knows you’re hanging out with me. Doesn’t that bother you?”
“No, why should it?”
“People know I’m not a resident, that I came here to find Joseph Donovan. It would be easy enough for anyone to figure out who I work for. What if someone puts two and two together and discovers you are Joseph Donovan? Your cover will be blown.”
He laughed and hugged her tight. “You are irresistible.” When she started to protest, he shushed her with a light kiss. “It’s not Mission: Impossible,” he said, then added, “Although I think I would prefer being James Bond.”
She tsked him. “You’re wrong about one thing. You are impossible.” She gave a sigh as though accepting her fate. “As long as we’re here, then, where’s the Laundromat?”
They parked the Jeep in the small lot behind the local Laundromat. When he started to stick everything in one washer, Cheyenne pushed him aside and told him to get change from the machine and buy some soap packets. There was something very intimate about watching her put his briefs in with her bras and panties.
“Now what?” he asked as she put the quarters for the last load into the receptacle.
“You honestly have never done laundry? How have you managed in the past two months?”
He was almost embarrassed to say. “Mrs. Gilbert over there,” he nodded his head, “was kind enough to do it for me after the first time I came in.”
“Most likely because you tried to dump it all together?”
“It all needed washed.”
The lady in question had trundled over to where they stood. “Hello, there, Jake, you dear boy.” Mrs. Gilbert had to be going on ninety, used a walker to help her get around but every day she came over from her house next door to monitor her business.
He bent to kiss her weathered cheek. “You are looking as lovely as ever, ma’am.”
“Don’t try and sweet talk me, I can see I’m being replaced.” She looked Cheyenne up and down. “Can’t say as I blame you. She’s as pretty as everyone’s been saying.”
Jake heard Cheyenne groan.
Mrs. Gilbert turned to Cheyenne. “I swear this boy didn’t know up from down the first time he came in. You’d think he’d grown up with servants, mixing his colors with whites, not knowing how to even properly fold a towel.”
Jake watched Cheyenne’s lips twitch and he slightly shook his head from behind the petite woman.
“Mrs. Gilbert, are you going to be here for awhile?” he asked.
“You know I will be. I have to keep an eye on those folks coming in with half the beach wrapped up in their towels. You just can’t imagine what sand does to these washers.” She shook her head in obvious dismay.
“Can I leave you some money to transfer our clothes to the dryers?”
“Well, now,” she hesitated.
“I’ll bring you some éclairs from the bakery.”
She gave a dramatic sigh. “I suppose, since you are no longer on the market, I’ll have to settle for something else sweet.”
Cheyenne had a sudden fit of coughing and headed for the front door.
“You’re a doll,” he told Mrs. Gilbert and rushed after her.
He found her doubled over laughing. She straightened up, caught sight of him and started all over again.
“It’s not that funny.” He frowned slightly.
“You are such a…a troll,” she exclaimed.
He wasn’t sure that was a good thing, until she cupped his cheeks with both hands and kissed him.
“Have you beguiled everyone in this town?” she asked.
“Only the pretty ones,” he replied with a smile. “Come on. We might as well eat since we have to wait for the sheets to dry and make the bed before I can beguile you.”
She hooked her arm in his to walk down the street. “Oh, believe me, I am already captivated by your charm.”
Chapter 16
Since the Laundromat was on Main Street, it didn’t surprise Cheyenne when Jake steered her in the direction of Brenda Kay’s.
“Hey, kiddos,” the friendly proprietor said as they came through the door. At this time of day, the place was almost empty but Jake still took a booth at the back. Brenda sat their water glasses on the table. “Haven’t seen the two of you in awhile. I heard there’d been some ruckus or the other out at the state park and from the looks of it,” she nodded at Jake’s hand, “I see the gossip was right.”
She turned to Cheyenne with a wink. “Can’t you keep him out of trouble?”
Cheyenne shook her head. “I’m afraid he’s beyond redemption.”
“I’m right here,” Jake said. “I can hear you.”
“Beer?” Brenda asked with a grin.
“Please,” Cheyenne replied.
“Make it two, along with fish and chips.”
“No,” Cheyenne countered. “I want a big juicy hamburger, medium rare.” At his look, she shrugged. “I need red meat.”
Brenda placed their order and brought back their beer and some napkins. “I’ve got to run in a few. Kenny, my grandson, is playing baseball tonight. Did you play as a kid, Jake?”
Jake pursed his lips for just a moment, but Cheyenne caught the hesitation. She reached over and laid her hand on his in support.
“Nope, never had the chance,” he said flippantly. “How old is Kenny?”
“Only seven,” Brenda replied. “You should see those little ones. They swing like they were chopping down a tree and their little legs get a-going when they run. They’re a hoot.”
The bell over the door rang and Brenda was off to seat a family of six. Cheyenne watched the merry band as they laughed and jostled each other and realized how much she missed her sister. Once this was over, and her heart twisted at that thought, she would make a trip to Sweetwater.
A movement past that family caught her eye and she noticed a man at a table by the door staring at her. She turned her head toward Jake and tried to look out of the corner of her eye but it didn’t work.
“Let me see your sunglasses,” she said and Jake passed them to her. She put them on, knowing the mirrored lenses would conceal her eye movements. Yes, one man was staring at her. When he spoke to his companion, that man also turned around and stared.
“It’s not exactly bright in here,” Jake said, a quizzical expression on his face.
She didn’t answer but turned her head this way and that so she could watch the two men without appearing to stare. The larger of the two appeared quite agitated, pointing to his phone as he shared something with the other.
As Brenda brought out their meals, Cheyenne returned his glasses, leaning across the table to whisper, “Don’t look, but there’s two men over by the door who keep staring at me.” When both Brenda and Jake started to turn their heads she hissed, “Don’t look!”
“What do they look like?” Jake asked, casually picking up his beer. Brenda stayed rooted in place, whether out of fear that something was about to happen or in anticipation of the same, Cheyenne didn’t know.
“One large, one small. Both have brown hair, dark shirts and pants, no hats. The small one has ears that seem to stick ou
t. It’s the bigger man who has a phone and keeps pointing at it while he’s staring our way.”
“They’re definitely tourists if they’re wearing dark clothes,” Brenda scoffed. “Nobody in their right minds would wear that when it’s ninety-five degrees out.”
Cheyenne watched Jake struggle not to turn around and return the men’s stares. From his expression, she knew he was thinking the same thing she was. These were the men who had followed them from the harbor restaurant days ago. Another quick glance their way and she had a very clear revelation. She gasped. “I’d swear they’re the same two I saw at the Gold Pelican the first time I met you.”
“We need to get out of here,” he said to her, then turned slightly to Brenda. “If you’ll create a diversion, we’ll slip out through the kitchen. Then call Sheriff Franklin and have him drop by and get a look at those two. They’re not doing anything wrong, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking about it.”
Brenda nodded, went and grabbed a water pitcher and headed for that table. Cheyenne and Jake barely got their food rewrapped before a yelp and childish laughter had them glancing toward the front before hurrying out of the booth and slipping into the kitchen. The larger of the men had jumped out of his seat and was wiping down his front with a napkin as Brenda mopped at the water all over the table.
Dusk was falling as they hurried along the alley. Jake shoved his meal at her. “Get to the Jeep, I’ll only be a minute.” Cheyenne didn’t question him, dropping into the seat as he appeared out a door with their canvas sacks of clothes. There was no back road out of town to the cottage, so they drove as fast as they dared once they got out of the city limits. Jake slowed down after the first mile when no one followed them.
Jake carried the clothes into the house and Cheyenne followed with their meals, for once happy that Brenda Kay served food wrapped up in brown paper instead of on a plate.
“Want another beer?” Jake said, head in the fridge.
“Sure. I need something to settle my nerves.” At that moment, thunder cracked and a streak of lightning flashed low across the bay. She jumped a foot. “Damn. Where did that come from?”
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