Return to Pelican Inn (Love by Design)

by Dana Mentink

She waited, breath held, wishing he would close the gap between them and kiss her. She was able only to nod, her body a cascade of ricocheting sensations.

  He leaned in another fraction of an inch and inhaled. “You smell like hot chocolate.”

  She forced out a breath. “I spilled some on my shirt.” Her brain screamed for clarity. “And you smell like a campfire. Maybe the lightning grazed you after all.”

  He blinked. “I don’t think that’s scientifically possible. To be grazed by lightning.”

  “At least you’re okay.”

  He seemed to realize the intimacy of their position and he eased back, shaking his head. “Why was I up on the ladder in the first place?”

  She could hardly believe what had transpired in the last few minutes. Perhaps her brain had been addled by her proximity to the lightning. But it was not her brain that was pulsing with waves of feeling that left her virtually incoherent. Every cell in her body was quivering. Get a grip, Rosa. She sat up, head spinning. “You went up onto the roof to help my father down.”

  He frowned. “Why would I risk my own safety for a man I despise?”

  She searched his face, the strong chin and thick brows, the slight frown as he considered what he’d done. Then out it came. “Because you are a better man than you realize.”

  A tiny echo of a smile danced on his lips. “You almost make me believe it.” He took her hand.

  Sanity reasserted itself.

  “Pike, we need to get you inside, and then to a doctor. You’re soaking wet and I think you hit your head.”

  They retrieved his jacket, shoes and socks, and together they squelched through the yard and into the house where they found Manny wrapped in a blanket, snoring peacefully on the settee. He’d changed into dry clothes, she was happy to note.

  They tiptoed to the kitchen and turned on the light. Rosa got a good look at her father’s rescuer.

  Pike’s suit coat was torn and stained with mud. The dress shirt underneath had not fared any better, and his slacks were oozing dirty water onto his bare feet. His upper lip was scratched and there was a twig caught in his hair.

  “Oh, Pike,” Rosa said. “I’m so sorry about your suit. I think it’s toast.”

  He looked over the wreck of his clothing. “I think you’re right. I’ll go home and bury it.”

  “Wait.” She reached out and disentangled the twig from his hair. Her fingers wanted to stay there, to twine themselves in the wet strands and feel the back of his neck, the line of his jaw, the pulse beating along his throat. Bad fingers, she scolded. “I just wanted to thank you, for what you did for Dad.”

  “Don’t thank me, Rosa. I don’t like him.”

  “But you rescued him anyway.”

  “You would have done it if I hadn’t.”

  She would have, but that wasn’t the point. Somehow, the fact that he’d gone to the trouble to save an enemy warmed her inside with a flame that still had not died away. His eyes were locked on hers. “Uh, anyway, that’s it. Are you sure you don’t want to see a doctor?”

  He nodded, a hand on the kitchen doorknob. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He had not yet fully opened the door when a keening wail echoed through the kitchen.

  Rosa froze, the hair on the back of her neck prickling in spite of her damp condition. “What was that?” she gasped.

  “No idea.”

  They stood frozen, eyes locked on the ceiling, waiting. There was nothing but silence.

  “A bird, maybe?” She remembered that a screech owl flew over the old inn on a regular basis, splitting the night with an eerie call.

  Pike cocked his head. “I don’t know.”

  Rosa shook her discomfort away and urged him to the door. “You must be cold. I’ll...”

  The cry came again, mournful, protracted, filled with misery.

  If Rosa was the type that believed in ghosts, she would be fleeing into the storm. As it was, she swallowed hard. Even Pike looked nonplussed as the noise came again, soft and filled with terror.

  “It’s coming from upstairs.” He pointed a finger toward the attic.

  Her brain filled in the gaps. “Oh, my gosh,” she said, sprinting for the back of the house.

  Pike didn’t ask questions. He jogged after her and together they pounded up the steps.

  She only stumbled once. Pike fared less well, stubbing his toe and unleashing a stream of angry exclamations. Surging forward, Rosa slammed into the attic. Baggy’s bed was empty.

  “Baggy?” she yelled. The otherworldly whines could only be coming from an animal as unearthly as Baggy. The little dog was not under the bed or wrapped in the sheets. She checked under Cy’s bunk and even pawed through her duffel bag. No Baggy.

  “Baggy!” Pike thundered at such a volume that Rosa leaped. This time, the wails turned into pitiful, answering yips. Pike turned on his heel trying to pinpoint the dog’s location. “Where is he?”

  Rosa dropped to her knees at the small hole in the Sheetrock where Rocky had begun excavations to remove the beehive. She saw the untidy heap of white powder. “Baggy must have panicked when he heard the thunder.” She peered into the gap. “He got through, but something fell across the hole and he can’t get back.”

  Pike heaved in a breath, hands on soggy hips. “So, what you’re telling me is that Baggy has burrowed his way into Captain’s Nest.”

  Rosa got to her feet and brushed at the white powder that had adhered to her wet pants.

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  THEY STARED AT each other until Rosa made for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Pike demanded.

  “I saw bolt cutters in the shed. I’m cutting off the padlock and getting him out.”

  “Rosa...”

  She rounded on him so quickly her hair splattered water across his face. “Pike, don’t you dare tell me we’re going to wait for Rocky or call Bitsy to ask for permission. Baggy is in there and he’s scared. I know he’s weird and ugly and not what people think a dog should be, but I love him.” She forced the words through a clog in her throat. “I’m not going to let him be terrified and alone, wondering why I’m not coming for him, why I’m not taking care of him.” She was shouting now. “Do you know what that feels like to wonder why someone isn’t coming back? Well, I do, and it’s the worst feeling ever.”

  Pike raised his hands in a placating gesture, but she was beyond soothing. The past rose up sharp and clear, as it always had, as she knew it always would. Her father’s departure had etched an insecurity inside that would remain. Perhaps it was even the reason why she protected herself from Pike, despite the thrilling feelings he encouraged deep inside. Past was past, but none of it would be silenced now that Baggy was suffering in the dark, all alone.

  She sucked in a deep breath. “I don’t care what you think, because I’m going in that room even if it’s filled with bees and snakes and trunks of body parts because I’m. Getting. My. Dog!” She finished with a shriek. “Do you understand me?”

  He smiled. “I was going to say I would get the bolt cutters so you could stay here and try to calm him down.”

  She sniffed, swiping at her runny nose with her sleeve. “Oh.”

  He reached out two fingers and gently lifted her chin, wiping away a trail of tears that she hadn’t realized were still falling. “Rosa Franco, you are a better woman than you realize.” When the tears were dried, he kissed her tenderly on her forehead and went to retrieve the bolt cutters.

  She stood in the empty room, scared, elated, grieving and everything in between. Was she a better woman than she realized? Or that same abandoned girl who would never be able to recover from her past?

  Pike returned in a few moments, still wearing a grin. They hurried thr
ough the hallway to Captain’s Nest.

  “Trunks full of body parts?” he said over his shoulder as he maneuvered the bolt cutters at the door.

  “My imagination might have run a little wild.” She called to Baggy, reassuring him that they were coming. “Can’t you hurry?”

  “It’s a good padlock and I’m sentimental about my fingers.” With a snap, the bolt cutters snapped shut and the lock gave way. Pike pushed the door, which opened with a chilling squeal. Cold air, heavy with the odor of mold, struck at them. A swath of dim light played over boxes and objects draped with sheets. Pike groped the wall for a switch. He finally located one and flipped it on, activating an ugly overhead lamp that put out a surprising amount of light for something so hideous.

  She blinked as her eyes adjusted. “Baggy?”

  Something wriggled out from underneath a sheet and Baggy bulleted into her arms. The little creature licked her all over and she cried again, rocking him. “You’re safe now, sweetie.” His heart beat like machine-gun fire as his whines subsided in volume. She pressed her face to Baggy’s ill-proportioned head, kissing his dusty fur. “I was scared, Baggy. You, too? Maybe digging through the wall wasn’t such a good idea. I’m sorry I left you for so long.”

  The dog still shuddered, but his panic seemed to be on the wane. Rosa pattered on for a while until she realized Pike had not commented since before he’d broken through the lock.

  She shifted Baggy to a more comfortable position and joined him. Pike was fixated on the sheet from under which Baggy had emerged. Slowly, he pulled the cloth away from the object it covered.

  It was a map—an old map, Cy would no doubt concur—with proper fold lines and other authentic features.

  She moved closer, certain she was mistaken.

  “Pike?”

  “Yes, Rosa?”

  “This is the map that was stolen from the bakery years ago.”

  “I see.” He went to another sheet-draped object and pulled away the shroud. “And this looks to be the antique portrait of Harold Herzberg that was stolen from the Tumbledown Bank, don’t you think?”

  “Yes.” She did a slow circle, taking in the numerous portraits and antique maps that crowded the room. “There are a half dozen maps here, along with the portrait. How did these things get into Captain’s Nest?”

  Pike exhaled, long and low. “Years ago, back when I was a kid, I heard my mom and dad talking about Uncle Leo. They stopped when I came into the room, but I heard enough to know that Leo had been in trouble, way back when. Gone to jail, even.”

  “For what?”

  “A word I didn’t understand at the time. I kind of forgot about it, actually, until this moment.”

  “What word?”

  “Kleptomania.”

  Her mouth dropped open and Baggy wriggled, wondering if there was cause for alarm. “You’re saying Uncle Leo stole all these things and hid them up here?”

  “I think Bitsy had a hand in the hiding part.”

  The truth rained down on Rosa. “She knew all these things were up here. That’s why she wanted to keep us out all these years, so we wouldn’t find out Leo was a thief.” Rosa sat heavily on the edge of a crate, stroking Baggy absently. “What are we going to do?”

  Pike didn’t appear to be listening. He’d picked up a clear plastic bag. In it was a packet of photos, partially obscured by the dusty plastic. “Odd that this would be here. Not something worth stealing,” he said as he extracted the photo packet.

  “Put that down, Pike,” came a voice from the door.

  Bitsy stood there, her ankle hidden in a bulky cast, supporting herself with crutches. Cy’s hand rested on her shoulder. Rocky stood next to her, chewing his lower lip.

  “She got sprung early,” Cy said, eyes roving the mess. “Why’d you come in here?”

  Rosa raised her chin. “Baggy clawed through the wall. We had no choice.”

  Bitsy nodded. “I was getting up a good head of steam as we climbed the stairs, but I know you had to have a good reason for violating my privacy.”

  “We did.” Rosa snuggled Baggy. “I apologize, but he was trapped. I am truly sorry, Bitsy. I would never want to disrespect your wishes.”

  Her aunt’s face puckered. “I never wanted you to know.”

  “About Leo?” Rosa said gently.

  “And other things.”

  “I am sorry.” Rosa took her hand. “We’ve caused you pain by coming in here.”

  “Skeletons can’t stay in the closet forever. I’m relieved, actually. Now there’s no reason to keep the room off-limits.” She held out a palm. “Give me those pictures, Pike, and let’s go downstairs so we can talk this out.”

  Pike stared at the photo packet and then shifted his gaze to Bitsy.

  “Give them to me, Pike. There’s nothing there for you.”

  Pike appeared to consider the statement with all the seriousness of a legal brief. He handed them over and Rosa wondered at his odd, calculating look.

  Bitsy looked him over. “You’re all wet. What happened?”

  He shrugged. “Long story.”

  She put the photos in the pocket of her jacket and the silent five made their way downstairs, where Manny was standing, hands on hips. “Oh. You’re all here. Hey, Bits. Back on your feet again? That’s my girl.” He kissed her cheek.

  She gave him a weary smile. “Barely. Let’s have some cocoa and sit at the table. First off, I want to hear why my nephew and Rosa look like they’ve been swimming with their clothes on.”

  Rosa explained as tactfully as she could while she fixed the cocoa. Manny’s expression was incredulous. “Pike Matthews got me off the roof? I can’t believe that.”

  Pike didn’t respond, which worried Rosa. She could practically see the thoughts barreling through his mind like thunderclouds, but she did not understand what worried him.

  “Anyway, it’s true, Dad, and you should thank Pike. He ruined his suit getting you down from there.”

  Manny harrumphed, arms folded. “I’m sure he’s got plenty of them.” Still, she noticed her dad kept sneaking looks at Pike. Perhaps he, too, was wondering why Pike remained mute.

  Bitsy sipped her cocoa, drumming the fingers of her free hand on the kitchen table. “I need you all to know that Leo was a good man. He had a compulsion, a sickness, to take things.”

  “Kleptomania?” Rosa suggested.

  “No, that’s not it. He did have a compulsion to steal, but he was very deliberate about it. He took things he felt belonged to this house and the Herzberg legacy. He never sold them or did anything for personal gain. He just felt those things belonged here and it was a thrill for him, a game, really, to figure out how to steal the things and return them to the Pelican. He could break any lock or combination. It was a source of endless fascination. I begged him not to, I pleaded with him and he tried to stop, he really did.” Her cheeks blushed crimson. “I never wanted anyone to know, to have his name besmirched because he had a disorder.”

  Manny took her hand. “We all have something.”

  “You knew.” Rosa goggled. “Dad, you knew Leo stole those things, didn’t you?”

  “Only the portrait. I happened to see it one time when I was here visiting. Got lost on my way to the attic and ended up in the Captain’s Nest. The door was unlocked and I couldn’t resist the temptation.”

  Rosa could not understand. “But you didn’t tell anyone. Why not? You were an insurance investigator.”

  “Wanted to protect Bitsy. She didn’t deserve any shame.”

  “Yet,” Pike said, each syllable clipped and taut, “you had no qualms at all about going after my father. Leo deserved protection, but Bitsy’s brother did not. Why is that, Manny?”

  He rolled his head, neck cracking. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
r />   “You don’t have to answer because I already know.” Pike stood, his chair legs squeaking against the wood floor. “It’s because you love her, you always have, and you wanted to protect her reputation. But that love didn’t extend as far as her brother.”

  Manny glared. “You run your mouth a lot.”

  Pike ignored the barb. “But it’s true. Everyone sitting here can see it on both your faces. You were in love and you still are.”

  Rosa could not believe she hadn’t seen the truth before. As much as she didn’t want to credit Pike’s accusation, she knew he was right. It was written in the silent conversation that flowed between Manny and Bitsy. What she’d mistaken for fondness was actually much deeper.

  “Stop it, Pike.” Cy rapped his knuckles on the table once, his eyes glittering. “I don’t like your innuendo. My dad was faithful to Mom.”

  “Was he?”

  Now Cy was on his feet, his chair toppled over. “Shut up, Pike.”

  Bitsy cried out. “Both of you, stop. Manny and I have loved each other for years, but we never acted on it, not for one moment. He had Katy and I had Leo, and that was that. We are both people of integrity, Pike, but that doesn’t mean our emotions don’t do their own thing sometimes.”

  “And your brother knew it, didn’t he?” Pike’s cheeks were streaked with color.

  “Yes.” Her eyes blazed. “And rather than trust in me, he did everything he could to discredit the Francos, spreading rumors, talking about Katy’s drinking. Your father started a campaign to drive them out of town.”

  “Which is why, when I was given the chance to investigate the sinking of the boat, I jumped at it.” Manny’s brows knitted. “I’m only sorry I didn’t prove both of you guilty.”

  Pike’s laugh was harsh. “Then you could have sent my dad to jail and done whatever you wanted with Bitsy. Leo was out of town a lot, wasn’t he? Who would know?”

  It was too much for Cy. He launched himself forward and shot a fist into the side of Pike’s face. Pike reeled, but did not topple, grabbing Cy in a chokehold. They fell to the floor, arms and legs flying.

  “Stop,” Bitsy screamed. “Oh, stop it!”