Seaside Surprises: A Sweet Romance (The Seaside Hunters)

by Claflin, Stacy

  Jake moved his finger down, but then stopped just before touching the screen. She hadn't called him. Maybe she didn't want him to call. Or maybe she was waiting for him to call first. He tapped the button before he could further talk himself out of it.

  It rang three times. He debated whether or not to leave a message.

  "Jake?"

  He nearly dropped the phone. She had actually answered. "Elena? Is everything okay? I've been trying to get a hold of you."

  "I know. I'm sorry. A lot has happened in the last few days."

  "Are you all right? You sound upset."

  She breathed heavily into the phone. "I can't explain it now. When do you get off work?"

  "As soon as you need me. I can call one of my brothers and have them take over." Jake had given Cruz the day off, but if Elena needed him, he would drag Cruz away from whatever he was doing.

  "Okay. Can you meet me at that beach where we chased each other?"

  "No problem. I can be there in an hour. Maybe sooner if Cruz is ready."

  "Thanks, Jake."

  The call ended.

  Twenty Eight

  Tiffany looked around from the tree. She couldn't see Trent, but that didn't mean anything. He could be nearby. Her pulse raced, rushing in her ears. When she'd arrived in the small airport and thought she saw Trent, she had to do a double-take. How would he know to find her there? As it turned out, it had been some other guy.

  Then after the taxi dropped her off at Bobby's auto shop, Tiffany thought she saw him again. Just like before, it was someone else. She was half-tempted to jump in her car and drive as far away as she could, but she had to see Jake one last time.

  Trent wouldn't actually be in Kittle Falls. He was still in Seattle. That was why her grandpa had been so eager to get her out of there. He wouldn't calm down until Vinny booked Tiffany's flight out.

  She barely had time to give Grandpa a tearful goodbye before Luisa drove her to the airport. Ever since leaving the hospital, Tiffany couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck would fall off soon from all the raising. She had probably been imagining it, but she hadn't imagined running into Josh.

  When she arrived in town, Tiffany found a cheap, rundown motel on the outskirts of town. If Trent did follow her, she wasn't going to stay in the same hotel as before. What if he already knew her new identity? He could know where she'd been staying—and where her car was.

  Tiffany hoped that hiding out in the smelly motel had been enough to throw Trent off her trail. She couldn't take anymore, and finally checked out. She couldn't see anyone suspicious, but then again what did she know? If someone was spying on her, they would be smart enough to blend in.

  She took a deep breath and went around the tree. No one appeared to pay any attention to her—not that she could see, anyway. She stayed as close to the beach as she could, away from the crowd. There were still a lot of people near the beach, and this area was less busy than the main part of town.

  The hairs on the back of her neck rose again, but she was so used to it, she didn't even slow down. Tiffany continued on her way, this time standing near a group of people. She tiptoed around them, and then jumped to the nearest crowd, pretending to be part of it.

  Tiffany kept that up for about fifteen minutes until she was sure, or at least hopeful, that she'd lost whoever might have been following her. She walked away from the crowd and headed for the non-touristy part of town. Relief swept over her the farther she got from the crowds.

  She kept looking back. No one stood out. Everyone appeared to be a part of something going on at the beach. She made a split-second decision to run. It may have been dumb, but she didn't care. The sneaking around made her crazy.

  Jake would be waiting for her, and she just wanted to see him. Tiffany would tell him everything—fill in the details she had left out before. Things like Elena not being her real name. He deserved the truth, even if he never wanted to see her again.

  Her heart constricted at the thought.

  Part of her—okay, most of her—hoped he'd suggest they run off together. But with his dad in the hospital, she knew how unlikely that was. Tiffany hadn't wanted to leave Grandpa, and the only reason she had was because he had insisted that she was in danger. She couldn't ask Jake to leave his family—or put himself in harm's way. Trent was dangerous, and Jake didn't deserve to deal with him.

  All of a sudden, she regretted refusing to learn how to use a gun. Grandpa had offered to teach her, but Tiffany was sure it wouldn't do any good. She'd heard that most victims had their guns used on them. Why give anyone that much power over her?

  The secret beach finally came into sight. Tiffany picked up her speed, and pushed through her fatigue. She was not only physically tired from traveling—and the bed in the motel was lumpy and it smelled weird—but she was also emotionally exhausted.

  Tiffany had to push through. Going back to Seattle had probably only served to alert Trent to her new location. Though they were careful with the flight reservations, it would likely take little digging to figure out where she had gone. She had taken on her grandma's name, after all.

  She scanned the beach, finding it empty. Movement from the far end caught her attention. At first, she thought it was seagulls flying around, but then she squinted her eyes and put her hand over her face to block then sun. It was Jake.

  Tiffany felt simultaneously relieved and energized. She picked up her pace, and ran toward him. He appeared to see her, too, and raced also.

  When she reached him, they rushed into each other's arms. Jake held her tightly, and she returned the squeeze. She never wanted to let go. She finally felt safe again. Her anxiety melted away in his arms. Everything was going to be okay. She didn't know how, but it would.

  "What happened?" he whispered into her ear. "Where were you?"

  "My grandpa was injured. He doesn't remember what happened, but I think Trent did it. Grandpa had been researching him, and somehow Trent must have found out. I don't really know anything, but he wouldn't let me stay there. Grandpa wanted me back here so he could know I was safe. I kept feeling like someone was watching me." Tiffany shivered.

  Jake held her closer. "Are you safe here? Do you think he followed you?"

  Tiffany rested her face on his shoulder. "I don't know."

  "Would he hurt you?"

  "I'm sure of it."

  He looked her in the eyes. "We've got to do something. You really don't know if you're being followed?"

  "I felt like I was being watched, but I haven't seen him."

  Jake frowned. "Maybe we should go to the police."

  "And tell them what? That the hairs on my neck won't stay down? We have no proof."

  "We could print out his picture and put it all over town. Say he's wanted and dangerous. Then everyone would be on the lookout for him."

  Tiffany thought about it. "What I need is a new car. He might know what I'm driving since he's been watching my grandpa. Do you think Bobby would trade a car with me?"

  Pain covered Jake's face. "I can't let you leave on your own. I'm going with you."

  Her eyes widened. "Are you sure? What about your dad? Isn't he still—?"

  "All my other relatives are here. No one's going to miss me. They'll understand."

  "But you—"

  "You're not going to talk me out of this, Elena. I can't send you away on your own."

  Tiffany felt tears threatening. "Thank you."

  "First, we need to—" Jake stopped, staring at something behind her.

  "What?" asked Tiffany.

  "What does Trent look like?"

  Tiffany turned around, and then gasped. She saw the tall, stocky figure in the distance. "No!"

  "It's him?"

  She turned back to Jake, knowing the look of dread in her face answered his question. Jake grabbed her hand, and ran in the opposite direction of Trent.

  Tiffany's feet stumbled in the sand, but she managed to get control of her footing, and kep
t up with Jake. She turned her head back, and saw Trent running after them. Her heart sank, but what else should she have expected? For him to turn around in defeat because they ran away? He'd followed her all the way from Washington to California. He wasn't going to give up without a fight.

  She felt light-headed at the thought. Would she have to actually fight him?

  Fear shot through her, but it was quickly replaced with anger. How dare Trent hurt someone Tiffany loved with all her heart? Was he jealous that he would never be half the man her grandpa was?

  Tiffany's ankle twisted underneath her, and she stumbled. Her knees hit the ground, sending sand in all directions.

  Jake stopped, and helped her up. When Tiffany stood, sharp pain shot out from her ankle. She cried out.

  "You can't walk?" Jake asked, looking behind her.

  She shook her head. "I hurt my ankle. Just go. I'll deal with Trent."

  "Are you kidding? I'm not leaving you here."

  "I can't let him hurt you like he did my grandpa."

  Jake looked disgusted. He reached down and scooped her up.

  "I'm only going to slow you down," Tiffany said.

  "When he catches up, I'll fight him off while you escape. Find a large piece of driftwood and use it for a crutch if you have to. Just get away."

  "Okay." Tiffany had no intention of running off while Jake, who hadn't done anything to Trent, fought him off. She wasn't going to tell him that, though. He would just insist she get away.

  Trent moved faster than them, closing the distance with each step.

  Tiffany looked on the ground for anything that could be used as a weapon. Like Jake mentioned, there was plenty of driftwood. She could hit Trent over the head with a piece, but it wouldn't do much considering he had such a thick head. She could throw sand in his face. That would buy a little time. Not much, though. It was something at least.

  What else was there? There were trees, but if she climbed one, Trent could also, and with more ease since Tiffany hurt her ankle. There were seashells closer to the water. Many were broken. Perhaps she could cut him with one. Were there any jellyfish in the water? She would love sticking some down his shorts to sting him where the sun doesn't shine.

  With a little creativity, she and Jake would have no problem getting away from Trent. There were two of them and only one of him.

  Trent was now close enough that Tiffany could hear the sand crunching under his feet.

  "Stop," Trent demanded.

  Jake kept going. Tiffany made the mistake of making eye contact with Trent. The look on his face was enough to make her stomach drop. She'd never seen him so angry—and that said something.

  Trent's lips were pursed together, his eyebrows furrowed, and the look in his eyes was pure fury. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. He reached for her, but was too far away. It was only a matter of minutes—if that—before he was close enough to reach them.

  "Hurry," Tiffany whispered in Jake's ear.

  "I'm doing my best."

  "I know."

  Trent reached out again, and this time his fingernails brushed against Tiffany's elbow. She let out a scream.

  Jake sped up, but so did Trent. He grabbed a handful of Tiffany's hair, yanking her toward him. She could feel Jake stumble. Tiffany wrapped her hands around Trent's, trying to free her hair. He pulled on her with his other hand, and somehow the three of them all fell to the ground. Jake's grip on her loosened, and Tiffany bounced across the ground, getting sand in her mouth and eyes.

  She wiped the sand away from her face, and spit out the pieces in her mouth.

  Trent grabbed Jake with one arm, and held his other fist up. "You'd better get out of here before I damage your pretty face, you stupid, little wimp."

  "Wimp?" Jake asked, shoving Trent. "You pick on women and old men. Are you afraid to go after someone your own size?"

  "Shut up. Did you know the woman you're with is married? No one would pity you if I beat the crap out of you. You're nothing other than a home-wrecker."

  Jake shook his head. "You're something else. You're an abuser—nobody's going to feel sorry for you. In fact, when you go to jail for what you did to Elena and her grandpa, you're going to become someone's b—"

  "Elena?" Trent asked, and then laughed. "Is that what she said her name is?"

  Tiffany's stomach twisted in knots, and she felt like her lunch was going to come up.

  Jake looked over at her, his face full of confusion and hurt.

  Twenty Nine

  Jake looked back and forth between Elena and Trent. Her eyes were wide and pleading.

  "Didn't see that coming, did you?" Trent laughed. "I wonder what else she lied to you about. Makes you doubt what she told you about me, doesn't it?"

  It hurt that he didn't know Elena's real name, but then again, she had told him that she was on the run. She probably had to start over with an entirely new identity to get away from the jerk grabbing his arm.

  Jake turned and glared at Trent, moving out of his grip. "Actually, no. Elena is her new name. She doesn't want her old one because it's associated with you, and all the pain you caused her."

  Trent rolled his eyes. "Isn't that cute? You believe her lies—and that's all they are. She has mental issues. You're aware of that, aren't you?" His spit landed on Jake's face.

  Jake wiped it off, not taking his eyes off Trent. "I find that hard to believe, given that you're stalking her. How else would you have found her?"

  "I found her because I know my way around technology far better than those old geezers attempting to keep her away from me. Once she came back to Seattle, it was easy to follow her out."

  "You do realize you're the one with issues?" Jake asked. "Any normal person would have let her go."

  "You know so much about me because…how? You've spent so much time with me? Or you've believed a liar?"

  "I'm not a liar!" She crawled closer to Jake.

  Trent turned to her. "Tiffany, you always have been, and you always will be. I'm the only one who accepts you the way you are. That's why you need to come back home with me." He jumped up and moved toward her.

  Jake grabbed Trent's arm. "Don't go near her."

  "Leave us alone. I need to deal with my wife." He shook free, and Jake scrambled to catch up. He shoved Trent, who turned around and glared at him. "I'll give you one last chance to walk away. Otherwise, you're going to regret ever meeting Tiffany."

  "I'll never feel that way. She's the best thing to ever happen to me."

  "Except that she's my wife. She promised to stay with me until death in front of hundreds of witnesses."

  Elena…Tiffany…glared at Trent. "We're only married because divorce papers take time."

  "That, and I'm never going to sign them."

  "There are ways around that." She punched him.

  Trent only laughed. "You think that hurts?" He turned to Jake. "Isn't she adorable?"

  "I told you to escape," Jake said to her. "I'll deal with him."

  She shook her head. "He's my problem, not yours." She turned to Trent. "I'm never going back with you. You're cruel, and I'm not putting up with it another moment. I hate you."

  "You think I'm mean? Wow, you're even more stupid than I thought possible. I'm pointing out reality so you can change. I'm helping you become a better person."

  Tears filled her eyes. "No, you're not. That's not how you help someone. Believing in them—that's how."

  The hurt in her face ripped Jake's heart apart. He wrapped his fingers around Trent's neck, and squeezed as hard as he could. "Get out of here before I have to hurt you."

  Trent grabbed his wrists and pulled Jake's hands away from his neck. "You? Hurt me?" He shook his head. "She needs me. Tiffany won't survive without me, and she knows it. That's why she was dumb enough to let me find her." He shoved Jake, and then grabbed Tiffany's arm.

  She let out a cry of pain.

  "Come on. We're going home, where you belong." He shoved her, forcing her to walk. Each time sh
e stepped on her bad leg, she limped and cried out again. "Shut up, Tiff." He slapped her.

  Anger tore through Jake. No wonder she was on the run—this guy needed to be stopped. He pulled out his phone and dialed 911. As soon as there was an answer, he interrupted the dispatcher. "My girlfriend and I are being attacked. Send help immediately." He explained which beach they were at, and then ended the call.

  Jake ran toward Trent at full speed, slamming into his back. The force caused him to let go of Tiffany. She stumbled to the ground, grasping her ankle. Trent turned around glared at Jake. "You're going to regret that, pansy boy."

  "You think I'm scared of you? All you are is a bully. You pick on someone that once loved you—you're weak."

  Trent's eyebrows came together. "Weak? You're the scrawny one, you scrawny—"

  Jake punched him across the face. Trent stared at him for a moment before grabbing Jake's shoulders. Trent shoved him to the ground, hitting Jake in the face. He moved to do it again, but Jake blocked his fist.

  "Stop," Tiffany cried.

  From the corner of his eye, Jake saw Trent's other fist coming at his face. Jake raised his leg, kneeing Trent in the crotch. Trent's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped his mouth. Jake moved away from Trent while he had the chance. He ran over to Tiffany, and helped her up. "We've got to get you out of here."

  "Your face." She rubbed a sore spot where Trent had punched him.

  "I'm fine. Come on." They took a few steps, and then Jake heard the sound of sand crunching from behind. Trent wasn't going to give up, was he? Jake thought he heard sirens in the distance. He turned around in time to see Trent's fist make contact with his nose. Warm liquid ran down his mouth.

  "Trent, stop!" Tiffany pleaded.

  Pain shot through Jake's jaw when Trent slammed his fist into it.

  "Only when you agree to come home where you belong," Trent said. "That's when I'll stop." He hit Jake again across the face, and Jake fell to the ground.

  "Okay. I'll go, Trent." Tiffany limped toward him.

  Jake turned toward her. "No! You can't. You won't survive."