by Carol Ross
“Yep. You did.”
Even after the conversation about their parents, where she’d told him he shouldn’t make decisions about her life without consulting her, he hadn’t really understood. Sure, he’d come to realize that’s exactly what he’d done in that situation. And it had been easy to say he wouldn’t do it again. But when the time had come for him to make a similar decision—this one about her safety—he’d plunged head-on right into the same mistake. No, not the same. This one was even worse.
“I have to get her back, Gale. How can I convince her to give me another chance?”
Gale pointed at the table. “This seems like a pretty good start.”
“I hope so,” he said with absolutely no conviction. Because he felt none. His shopping trip, the hard work, the tree, seemed paltry now when weighed against the magnitude of his screw-up.
Gale let out a chuckle. “Listen, you can’t give up.” He moved around the table, taking a seat across from Eli. “Yes, you royally messed this up. But it’s not a lost cause. I’ve seen the way she looks at you, the way she talks to you. She gets all soft around the edges. She doesn’t talk to anyone else like that. Except her sisters, and they don’t count because they’re women and related.”
“Thank you for the pep talk, coach. But I need some specifics.”
“What I’m saying is, it might take more than one tree, so to speak, but the main thing is to show her that you respect her. That you have faith in her intelligence and judgment. And that you believe in her skills. Just like you would with a colleague. One that you don’t want to...well, you know, always keep safe or whatever.”
She’d said that, too. Of course he had faith in her skills. He always had. He thought she was the most amazing person in the world; intelligent, courageous, strong, athletic, kind, funny... He felt lucky to even know her. Her very existence on this planet ensured his happiness. That was obvious. Wasn’t it? Why else would he try so hard to protect her?
“I’m guessing that you guys aren’t going to the Christmas Eve party?”
“I’m still going. Dad wants to go. Nina isn’t up to it so Aubrey is going to spend the night with her out at her place.”
“Speaking of Nina... If you want to stop feeling sorry for yourself, I’ll give you my news now? It might cheer you up.”
Eli picked up the hot glue weapon and waved him on.
“You’re not going to believe this, but the pickup Nina was driving? She bought it from Alex.”
His focus returned to Gale. “No way.”
“Yep. Don’t you think it’s odd that in all this time, and in all the conversations we’ve been having, this hasn’t come up?”
The implications were obvious, but could it be that simple? Could someone have been after Alex instead of Nina? It made sense. If he’d lost not one but two drug shipments to the sea, that could conceivably anger someone awaiting drugs or payment. The windows were tinted on the pickup. It would be an easy mistake to make.
Another pressing question occurred to him. “Why hasn’t Nina mentioned it?”
“I have no idea. But I think we should ask her, don’t you?”
“I do.” He glanced at his watch. “You have time to run out to the farm before the party.”
Gale winced. “I was afraid you were going to suggest that.”
“You don’t want to do it?”
“I do. It’s just that Nina...she is...”
“Well,” Eli said, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest. “This is a first. And after all your sage advice about women.”
“Yeah, believe me, I know. But... Nina is different. She doesn’t like me.”
“What do you mean she doesn’t like you?”
“It seemed like I was making progress before the accident, but now it seems worse. We’ve been going backward.”
Eli belted out a laugh. “Now you are cheering me up. A woman who doesn’t like you?”
Gale was shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter what I do or say, she just gives me this steely look and says, ‘Stop trying to charm me, Kohen. Your pretty words won’t work on me.’ Then I don’t know what to say... I’ve never been tongue-tied in my life, but somehow she manages it. She, uh, she intimidates the hell out of me.”
“Well, you know her ex was a first-rate charmer who turned out to be an abuser, right? And from what the doctors say, this ordeal seems to have caused some of that old trauma to resurface. That might explain some of her, um, reluctance.”
He watched the play of emotions on his friend’s face and thought, Uh-oh. He wouldn’t want to be Nina’s ex and run into Gale in a dark alley. “I knew she went through a bad divorce, but I didn’t realize...”
“I didn’t, either. Aubrey told me a bit about it when we were up in the cabin.”
Gale went to change and returned a few minutes later wearing a suit and a grim expression. He picked up his keys. “I’ll meet you at the party. We are a pair, aren’t we? Going on about our business just fine for years and now both of us suddenly and totally distracted by the women in our lives?”
* * *
“AT LEAST IT’S NOT Rocky Road and peppermint schnapps.” Aubrey handed Nina a plate containing a sourdough bowl filled with steaming-hot seafood chowder. Apple slices and a chunk of Nina’s favorite sharp cheddar from Cove Aged Cheeses rested on the side.
“Lucky for me, Lily is open on Christmas Eve, huh?”
“Hey, I could have fixed something. Granted, it wouldn’t have been nearly this good, but I could have done it.”
“You’re missing the party and midnight mass. I feel terrible.”
“Please don’t feel bad. I don’t want to go to the party anyway.” She really didn’t. She wasn’t ready to see Eli. The thought of spending Christmas Eve at the St. Johns’ where they’d shared their first kiss just depressed her further. “And don’t worry, I can go to mass with Mom and Dad tomorrow night.”
They both turned toward the front of the house as a thumping sounded from the porch. Marion leaped to her feet and let out a woof.
“Good girl,” Aubrey encouraged. “Do you think Gale forgot something?” Gale had been leaving just as Aubrey arrived.
She got up to check it out, but the door opened before she could get there.
“Merry Christmas Eve!” Camile came in and stood on the entry rug, soaking wet, blond curls dripping. She removed her jacket and hung it on a peg by the door. “It’s really coming down out there.”
“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at the party?” Nina asked.
“Because my sisters are here. I didn’t really want to go anyway. And after I realized Mom didn’t really care if I went with them, it was a no-brainer. Is that seafood chowder from Tabbie’s? Please tell me there’s more?”
“Yes and yes. We’re so excited you’re here.”
Aubrey went into the kitchen, fixed another plate and brought it into the living room. She handed it to Camile.
“Thank you. Is Eli coming? I’m not eating his food, am I?”
“Um, no-oo,” Aubrey drawled, settling herself on the other end of the sofa. Nina was in the recliner; the only place she could manage to sit somewhat comfortably with her cracked ribs.
Aubrey looked up to find both of her sisters staring expectantly at her.
“Oh, I thought you two were, um, you know...?” Camile scooped up a bite of chowder and blew on it.
She sighed, knowing it was pointless to avoid the subject. These were her sisters, after all. The two people who knew her better than anyone else. Eli not included because...because he didn’t know her like she thought he did.
“I don’t know. Maybe we were there for a second. But it won’t work. He’s just... We’re just... We’re better off just being friends.”
Nina set down her glass of tea. “He’s just what?”
“He’s...controlling.”
“Controlling? Eli?” Nina returned doubtfully.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.”
Camile tore a piece of sourdough from the edge of her bowl and dunked it in her soup. “What manner is that?”
Aubrey thought of a way to explain without explaining. “He’s always done this thing where he saves me and protects me. He tries to swoop in and help me when I don’t need it. He thinks he knows what’s best for me, so he sort of makes decisions on my behalf and...”
Her sisters remained still, waiting, confusion on their faces as they no doubt wondered what in the world she was getting at.
“You guys, he removed me from duty because he thought I might be in danger.”
“Were you?” the ever-intuitive Nina demanded. “Are you in some kind of danger?”
She shrugged. “My job is dangerous. You guys know that. He thought he had reason to believe that there might be some...extra danger involved. So he had me removed from the schedule.”
Camile let out a gasp. “How dare he?” she asked in a sarcastic tone. “How dare he care about you in that extreme manner? Unacceptable. It’s almost as if he loves you or something.”
“Camile, it’s not that simple.”
She winked at her and slipped a chunk of bread to Marion who was sitting politely at her feet. “I’m sure it’s not to you, Aubrey, but it sounds pretty simple to me. All I know is that you’ve got yourself a man like Eli and he cares that much about you. I would love to have that.”
* * *
“WHAT DID SHE SAY?” Eli asked Gale after he arrived at the party.
“She said it didn’t occur to her to mention it.”
“In her state I think I can buy that. But what about Alex? Why hasn’t he mentioned it?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“If you’re guilty of something, I can see how this would be a tough one. Saying something could arouse suspicion while not volunteering the information does the same.”
“If it were me, I’d take my chances and not mention it. And it almost worked. The police didn’t even ask her where she bought it or how long she’d owned it.”
Eli’s gaze found his dad across the room where he was deep in conversation with Alex. This was such a nightmare. Having to bust his best friend. Alex was good to his dad, too, just like he was to everyone else. Even visiting him in Florida a few times. From three thousand miles away, he’d helped his dad find the best boat for his charter business for the best price.
His dad turned and Eli saw a flicker of that old sadness on his face. He met Eli’s gaze and smiled—and just as fast it was gone, leaving him to wonder if he’d imagined it.
He shook his head. “Poor Nina. I feel like the police have been convinced from the beginning that these juvenile delinquents out fooling around wrecked her on accident. One of the officers told me he’s just waiting for the tip to come in, for one of the boys involved to get a case of the guilts and tell a friend or a girlfriend and someone makes an anonymous call.”
Gale added a sigh. “And the holidays just complicate things even more. The DEA guys told me it’s so quiet on Alex’s property, it’s like no one is even working there.”
“They’re not. His business is shut down until after the new year. He mentioned that earlier tonight. I’m still hoping we’ll get lucky and someone will show up at his warehouse or his shop and lead us somewhere else.”
“So what do we do? Do we ask him about the pickup? Tell the police?”
“Let’s tell Yeats and see how he wants to handle it. This might be enough for a warrant.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHRISTMAS MORNING, AUBREY checked her phone as she let herself into her house. Plenty of time to run an errand at the base, go for a quick swim, come back home to shower and change and get over to her parents’ for the afternoon. She’d spent a lovely morning with her sisters. Camile had fixed breakfast and they’d chatted about life as they lingered over coffee. And she’d tried to decide how she was going to handle Christmas dinner with Eli and his dad in attendance.
Talking with her sisters had made her think. Made her wonder if maybe she was being too hard on Eli. Sure, when she said it out loud, it did sound simple. His extremely protective nature, for lack of a better term, could be viewed as less controlling, more selfless, perhaps even romantic by some standards.
Except, she had worked so incredibly hard for her career success; harder, maybe even, than some of her peers, because she was a woman. Respect from within her profession, from her peers, meant everything to her. She couldn’t have Eli, or anyone else, undermining that. Just the thought of her teammates finding out what he’d done made her go cold with terror.
But, on the other hand, when she thought about why he’d done it... As Camile had pointed out, the thought that he cared about her—loved her—that much and...
And why were there lights twinkling in the corner of her living room? A Christmas tree? A blast of happiness shot through her. Her first thought was Nina, but there was no way her sister could have pulled this off in her condition. Her mom? But as she stepped closer and took in the ornaments adorning the branches, she knew it could only have been Eli.
Colorful mermaids were interspersed with shiny silver knights; mermaids with flowing hair and sparkling tails. Knights, one with a coat of armor, another on horseback wielding a lance and shield. Where in the world had he found them? The mermaids she could understand. They lived in a beach town and were surrounded by beach towns. Every shop on Mission Street probably had a mermaid of some sort for sale. But the knights...?
Her eye was drawn to one knight on bended knee, his helmet in hand, a flower in the other. He seemed to be offering it to a smiling blond-haired mermaid lounging across the branch above. She reached out to touch it and that’s when she realized the fastener had been glued on.
She removed a knight on horseback and examined it closely. Gobs of glue and fuzz were sticking here and there. She turned it over and realized he’d turned game pieces into Christmas ornaments. She placed a finger on the tip of the tiny lance he held and felt it pierce her heart.
Impulsively she slipped the ornament into her pocket. If only it was this easy to constrain Eli’s protective nature, she thought. How nice it would be to simply put it in her pocket and take it out as needed.
* * *
THE BASE WAS quiet on Christmas, just like she knew it would be. Men and women were at their posts, of course, because people and boats didn’t stay out of the water just because it was Christmas. But training missions were halted for the day and lighter than normal duties were assigned.
She let herself into the records room and headed for a group of file cabinets in the far corner. Personnel files were always locked, but she had a key. She knew she could probably get into trouble for what she was about to do, but she had to know.
A quick perusal and she found herself standing in front of the drawers where last names starting with P were housed. After unlocking the cabinet, she quickly located the file she was seeking: Pelletier, Timothy J. She pulled out the thick packet of papers, opened it up and began to read.
* * *
THREE HOURS LATER, her morning tasks accomplished, Aubrey walked through the door of her parents’ house. Her mom met her in the entryway.
“Merry Christmas, Mom.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart. Let me take those for you.” She relieved her of the platter of sliced vegetables and yogurt dip she’d brought.
“I’m early, but I thought I’d give you a hand. I know the kitchen is usually Nina’s domain, but since she’s out of commission, I thought I could fill in. Where’s Camile?”
“How thoughtful. Thank you. I would love some help. Camile is upstairs wrapping gifts. Nina will be here in an hour or so with Gale—bless that man’s heart—he has been so good to your sister. He and Alex both. Your father is in the den watching football. And Eli and Tim aren’t here yet.”
Perfect, Aubrey thought. She had time to ask her mom some questions. She followed her into the kitchen. “What can I do?” She pointed at the sink full of potatoes. “Peel?”
“Yes, that would be wonderful.”
They chatted while they worked. Aubrey tried to decide how to formulate her questions without giving too much away. “Mom, do you remember when Tim Pelletier got transferred?”
If she hadn’t been watching from the corner of her eye, she would have missed the slight pause as her mom sprinkled salt over the now peeled-and-chopped potatoes resting in the large pot of water. “Yes?”
She lowered her voice. “He was the man you fell in love with, wasn’t he?”
“Yes. But we never acted on it. I want you to know that.”
Aubrey smiled at her mom. In an effort not to spread her black-and-white opinions around quite so freely, she said, “You mentioned that before and I believe you. And it wouldn’t be my business if you had. I’m sorry to get so personal. There’s a good reason I’m asking, I promise.”
“Well, that’s okay. I’m the one who opened this can of worms, aren’t I?”
“I think it was time for the lid to come off anyway. Believe it or not, this all affects Eli and me, too.”
Susannah nodded slowly and Aubrey could see she was trying to make sense of that. “You have to understand, honey, I was very unhappy there for a while. You girls were getting older and busy with friends and activities. As you should have been, but I was alone a lot. Your dad was...working all the time. He was never home and I was terribly lonely.
“I think if I hadn’t fallen for Tim, it would have been someone else. He just happened to be around a lot. The feelings I had seem rather silly now. Tim was going through a tough time, too, and needed someone to talk to. I think he knew in his heart that what we felt wasn’t real. I mean, he’d seen your father and I when we were happy. And those two were best friends.”
She understood. Along with her and Eli, most military people felt that way; friendship was a bond, a brotherhood or sisterhood that could feel as strong as family. Like the way she felt about Alex. And Eli, too, for that matter. Right now, and in light of what she’d learned on base this morning, Aubrey was wondering just how tight it had been between her dad and Tim? Why hadn’t her father been home?