He would be keeping up with old friends in any instance, but as the new Police Chief it would be beneficial to make sure he stayed abreast of comings and goings. Thinking that a stop at the diner for breakfast might be the perfect chance to see and be seen, he finished his coffee quickly.
Walking back into the bedroom, he headed into the bathroom for a shower. While inside the tiny stall, bumping his elbows on the walls several times, he wondered about the feasibility of adding on to the old structure as opposed to renting a new place. Time to think about that later.
He dressed in a royal blue shirt and dark slacks, then locked the front door behind him as he jogged down the front step. Climbing into his jeep, he drove the few miles to Main Street.
The oldest part of Baytown was built on a square grid, with Main Street on one side, closer to the small harbor. Another side faced the Chesapeake Bay where the public beach enticed townspeople and visitors, and a park sat in the middle of town. About fifteen years prior, a developer built a golf course community on a large farm and it was annexed into the city as well. On the other side, another developer built large vacation rental homes as well as a marina and a seafood restaurant.
Formerly plantations, the land was purchased in the late 1800s by a man intent on running the Pennsylvania Railroad down to the end of the Eastern Shore of Virginia where a harbor would allow goods and passengers to travel by water to Virginia Beach or Norfolk. By 1885, Baytown was already bustling with commercial and residential buildings.
As Mitch observed the view as he drove, he knew this epicenter of North Heron county took a nose dive during World War II, when trucks and highways took over much of the carrying of goods after the Bay Bridge and Tunnels were built. Now, Baytown resembled more of a sleepy village until the warm weather vacationers came through.
Parking outside of Stuart’s Pharmacy and diner, he strolled in, his gaze wandering around the familiar interior. The restaurant resembled an old-fashioned drugstore and soda shop. The tourist items were in the front, while the drugstore sundry items for sale were on the right with the pharmacy in the back. To the left was a long counter with rotating stools and a small seating area filled with plastic covered booths. The kitchen was behind the counter and the smells of a greasy breakfast called to him.
Katelyn MacFarlane, serving platters of eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns to a group of fishermen, looked up as he walked in. Her long black hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and the pink and white blouse she wore with her name embroidered across the chest pocket did nothing to hide her lush figure. Her face registered surprise for only a second before she stood, her hands on her hips, and grinned. As usual her smile filled the room, with her white teeth and adorable dimples.
He observed a couple of fishermen ogling her as she stood, but no one would mess with her or they would face the wrath of her two brothers.
“Well, if it isn’t the long lost Baytown Boy, returning as the new Police Chief!” she exclaimed before rushing into his arms.
Once her arms were around him in a tight embrace, she whispered, “So sorry about your dad, Mitch. But really glad you came home.”
She pulled back before he could respond and he watched as she twisted around to the diner’s patrons and shouted, “Boys, be on your best behavior now! The new Police Chief is in town!” Giggling as he shot her a pretend glare, she ushered him to the counter and slapped her hand on the smooth surface. “Anything he wants. On the house!” With that, she squeezed his shoulder and hustled back to finish pouring the coffee for the others.
The girl behind the counter looked at him in awe, her eyes large in her small face. The teenager stood rooted to the floor as an older woman came from the kitchen, wearing the same white and pink blouse as Katelyn and the teen. Her face, still smooth in her sixties, had a few more crinkles on the outsides of her eyes, a tribute to the many laughs she shared with her patrons over the years. Her hair, now more gray than blonde, was still teased out and piled on top of her head.
“Betty?” Mitch called out, recognizing the woman who had been with the diner for as long as he could remember. She used to serve him and the other guys when they came in after high school football practice.
“Lord, have mercy!” Betty called out, a smile on her face matching Katelyn’s. “I knew you were going to be back here for us, but didn’t expect to see you so soon.”
“Thought nothing would be better than starting off my first day with your breakfast in me!”
Betty noticed the blank expression on the teen waitress and snapped her fingers in front of her face. “Juleen, get a move on. The new Police Chief needs his breakfast and he ain’t gonna get it with you standing here gawking at him.”
The teen blushed and grabbed her pad and pencil, ready to take his order. She scribbled as he ordered scrambled eggs, a stack of pancakes, sausage, and hashbrowns along with coffee and a tall orange juice.
“Lordy, that’s a lot,” she said, her eyes wide once more.
“I like to eat,” Mitch grinned, seeing Katelyn walking back in as Juleen hustled to the back.
Katelyn finished pouring the fishermen their coffee before settling on the stool next to him. “Jillian called me last night, so I was hoping to see you. Glad you came in.”
“I figured I needed to reconnect with the town as soon as possible,” he replied, his eyes lighting up as the food was placed in front of him. “And, figured between you and Jillian, I’ll learn the latest town gossip.”
Throwing her head back in laughter, she nodded her agreement. “Yep, I guess between her coffee shop, the diner here, and the bar, we keep up on everything.”
They were quiet while he began to shovel in the food, knowing he would need to run a few extra miles to work off the calories. She moved to refill coffees and then took care of the fishermen who walked to the counter to pay.
Giving them a wave goodbye, she returned to the stool. Looking thoughtful for a second, she said, “I honestly don’t know a ton of new gossip, Mitch. Baytown’s got some new vacation houses that have gone up near the marina. That great new seafood restaurant built near the harbor pulls in a big crowd. Of course, the bar brings in mostly locals all year and vacationers during the tourist season, but even that’s not too exciting.”
“I saw some new businesses on Main Street,” he commented.
“We’ve got some nice new shops that have come in and the shop owners seem to get along well with the established businesses. The nursing home on the outskirts of town has expanded which has brought in some new employees. Still have the newer hotel and a couple of bed and breakfast places scattered around. The schools got a grant for more teachers since the state test scores sucked, so some new, young, fresh blood is in town.”
Grinning at her description, he asked, “Anything you can think of that I’ll need to know before I head over to the Department building?”
She scrunched her face into a frown as she thought. “Some bar fights. Some shoplifting during vacation season. Some vandalism, probably by teenagers.” Giving a look of distaste, she said, “Some domestic violence.” Holding his gaze, she admitted, “Mitch, I think you’ll be bored!”
Pushing his empty plate back, he smiled at her. “Thanks for the breakfast and news. Tell your brothers I’ll be over as soon as I can.”
“I only work here for breakfast and then I work the bar in the afternoons, so I’ll be with them in a couple of hours. Don’t be a stranger!” She moved over to take the order from some other customers who came in as he sipped his coffee.
The bell over the door sounded and his gaze automatically slid to the left, watching to see who was coming in next. A young couple. Another trio of fishermen. And behind them, all he could see at first was a mass of red hair. Long, reddish-blonde hair hung in a thick sheet.
The woman was bending over from the waist, hopping on one foot as she struggled with a strap on her sandal. Slipping it into place she stood, blushing as she realized the fisherman in front of her had been hold
ing the door open for her to enter.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” she gushed, tripping as she hurried into the diner.
By now, Mitch was mesmerized. Not only by the striking hair color and long, tanned legs showcased in khaki cuffed shorts, but also her noticeable curves in a hunter green, ribbed tank top. Unfortunately, her face was turned so he was unable to discern her features.
Swiveling on his stool, his coffee forgotten, he tracked her as she wandered into the store. Once inside, she searched the area before moving toward the drug store items, disappearing between the shelves. As she popped out the other end with a bottle of Calamine Lotion held up in front of her face as she perused the bottle’s label, she glanced his way.
As his gaze viewed part of her face, he began to smile, hoping for an introduction. He watched in surprise as she ducked back into the aisle. Dumbstruck, he wondered what sent her scurrying.
Something familiar about her hair niggled at the recesses of his memory; of a long ago child playmate he used to spend his summers teasing and the beautiful teen she had become. Tori Bradford. She had crossed his mind many times over the years, but he had never tried to contact her after high school. She’s long gone by now. An incoming alert from his phone had him checking the time. Damn, I’ve got to go. Downing the last of his coffee, he slid off the stool, waving at Katelyn just coming from the back with more food to serve, his eyes traveling once more over the aisles, wondering where the beauty slipped off to.
Even though she had told him breakfast was on the house, he tossed money on the counter—plenty to pay for the meal and a decent tip for the teen. Slipping on his sunglasses, he headed out into the sun. Time to get to work.
*
Mitch Evans! Dammit, I would have to run into him on his first day on the job. Not that I was paying any attention to when his first day was. Dropping her chin to her chest, her unruly hair offered a curtain to her red face. Who am I kidding? Of course I would be keeping up with the town’s Golden Boy coming home to be the new Police Chief.
Victoria Bradford, known as Tori to her friends, had only been in town a couple of months…two months, one week, and three days to be exact. She knew exactly how long considering she had moved in one week to the day before her beloved grandmother had died.
Standing slowly, barely peeking over the drugstore shelves, she watched as Mitch walked out of the diner and toward his jeep. Whew…coast is clear. Tucking a wayward strand of hair behind her ear, she turned and almost ran into Katelyn standing right behind her, a twinkle in her eyes.
“Uh…are you okay, Tori?”
Face blazing once again, Tori stammered, “Yes! Um…yes. I was just…um…getting lotion.” She held up the Calamine lotion gripped tightly in her hand as though needing proof that she had not been hiding from someone. “I…um…found some poison ivy when I was clearing off the back yard.”
“Mmmm,” Katelyn murmured noncommittally, a wide smile spreading across her beautiful face as her gaze moved from Tori’s to the door. “You know, I seem to remember way back in high school, you had a crush on—”
“Oh, water under the bridge,” Tori gushed. “My goodness, Katelyn, we all hung out with each other.”
“Yes, but when we went to games, it was always Mitch you cheered for the loudest.”
“Well, who wouldn’t? He was the Golden Boy, you know!” Glad she was not Pinocchio for fear her nose would elongate with more lies, she rushed to say, “Anyway, my summers here at Baytown were mostly enjoying you and Jillian and my grandmother.”
Katelyn’s expression quickly changed to one of sympathy as she reached her hand out and placed it on Tori’s arm. “I’m so sorry about your grandmother, Tori. She was loved by the whole town.”
Blinking back tears she thought had long since left, she smiled in return.
“How are you doing with everything? It seems like you’ve had a steady stream of guests this month.”
“It’s going fine. So far, I haven’t changed anything and grandma already had these reservations. I thought maybe in the off-season, I would upgrade the Inn a bit. No major changes,” she added. “Just a few things that I think some of the younger guests would appreciate.”
“Well, I…in fact, the whole town is pleased as punch that your grandmother left the Sea Glass Inn to you. I think she knew you would love it as much as she did and not just sell it to someone who wanted to tear it down and build a million dollar condo!”
“Oh, I could never!” Tori exclaimed.
Betty called out an order and Katelyn belted, “Be right up!” Turning back, Katelyn patted Tori’s arm again and said, “It’s always good to see you. Make sure to come in often and we’ll get the girl gang together soon!”
As Tori made her way to the front to pay, Katelyn glanced to the door Mitch just left from and then stared at Tori’s back, a slow smile creeping across her face. Katelyn knew Tori was lying…Mitch Evans had been her friend’s obsession.
Chapter 3
Walking into the Baytown Municipal building, Mitch headed to the Mayor’s office first. The Police Headquarters’ entrance was on the side of the building with it’s own lobby, receptionist—who also served as the dispatcher—a larger room with desks, conference room and what would be his office. But first, time to meet the mayor, so he entered on the other side.
He visited the building a month before when talking to the Mayor and Town Council and noticed the building had not changed much since the time his grandfather had worked here. The vinyl tile gleamed just as bright, if not a little yellowed on the edges. The painted cinderblock walls stood as straight. The garish florescent light fixtures still made the slight buzzing sound. Strangely, Mitch found comfort in the old building that was so familiar.
Before he made it to the receptionist’s desk, she was already on the phone announcing his arrival. As he stepped forward, she stood, her hand stretched out to take his in a firm handshake.
“Chief Evans, good to officially meet you! You probably don’t remember me, but I’ve been here so long, I was just starting when your grandfather was Chief, and then your dad.”
“Mrs. Marten, I remember you very well,” he greeted, her handshake warm and welcoming.
Still smiling, she nodded her head down the hall that passed by her desk and said, “The Mayor will see you now. You can go on back.” Then, lifting her eyebrow, she leaned forward whispering conspiratorially, “Watch out for his new secretary.”
His brow furrowed in question but it only took a few steps down the short hall to discover what her warning was about—a young woman, with more makeup than a theatrical actress, wearing what could only be described as one of the tightest, shortest dresses Mitch had ever seen, and that included clubbing in a big city.
The woman’s head, full of sexed-out and cement-sprayed hair, turned his way and she eagle-eyed him as he made it to her desk. Her blood red lips matched her long painted fingernails and she quickly stood, leaning over the desk.
“You must be the new Police Chief,” she breathed, affecting what he assumed was her sexy voice but made her sound asthmatic.
“Yes, I’m here to see Mayor Banks,” he replied, adopting a formal approach, afraid anything friendlier might cause her to jump over her desk toward him and he was not sure her miniature dress would withstand the leap.
Slowly smoothing her hands down her hips in an effort to draw his attention, she pouted when his eyes moved to the Mayor’s office, the door already open.
“Since, he’s expecting me, I’ll go on in.”
Teetering on her heels, she rushed around the desk, her long talons grasping his arm. “I’m supposed to announce you,” she purred, giving his bicep a squeeze. “Ooh, you’re big aren’t you?”
Her eyes dropped to his crotch and Mitch, afraid she was going to grab him there, pulled away from her grip, slipping by her. “I figure the Mayor and I’ll need to see each other quite often. I won’t expect you to announce me every time,” he said, hurrying into the office and shutting t
he door behind him.
Elected as mayor almost fifteen years ago, Corwin Banks took his role very seriously. As small as Baytown was, he enjoyed a large office, very different from the stark utilitarianism of the rest of the building. Dark paneled wood covered three walls with floor to ceiling bookcases taking up the wall behind his large, ostentatious desk. Heavy chairs, the padding covered in navy leather, stood in front of his desk.
Mitch had first been in the office the month prior when he had been offered the job his father had to vacate. Recognizing the attempt to be a big fish in a very small pond, Mitch stifled a grin.
Corwin had at one time been a handsome man, marrying the town fair’s beauty queen, but the years had not been kind to him. Struggling to stand, he heaved his girth from his chair. “Mitch, good to see you. Can’t tell you how happy the town is to snag you away from the FBI and have you come back home.”
Before Mitch had a chance to speak, Corwin nodded for him to have a seat while he plopped heavily back in his chair. “Yes, yes, indeed. Me snagging you for our Police Chief might make the next election go very easily for me,” he chuckled.
Itching to start work, Mitch said, “Yes, sir. I’d like to meet with my staff this morning, but wanted to come by first to say hello.”
The door opened and a slender man walked quickly in the room. Thrusting his hand out toward Mitch, he clipped, “Silas Mills. City Manager. Wasn’t here when you came last time. Vacation. Just got back.”
The man’s short delivery of pertinent information seemed odd in a small town full of residents who loved to talk. Mitch shook his hand, not surprised to find the city manager’s handshake was like his communication. Short and quick.
Coming Home: Baytown Boys Series Page 2