“The chickadee was plum tuckered out. She went to bed a while ago.”
“Then if all is fine, I’ll be going.” Activating his window, it whined as it rose, separating him from the men who had yet to take their eyes off him. They continued to watch as he made a U-turn and headed for the main road.
Driving through the quiet streets of Whispering Cove only one thing was on his mind. Who is Tempest Sky?
Chapter Four
The skies had cleared. The morning brought a new sense of direction for Sky. There wasn’t any reason why she couldn’t make the best of a bad situation. With Harold by her side she entered the courthouse, which wasn’t much larger than the police station they had driven past. Brick and glass should have emitted cold and impersonal, instead it almost felt homey. The lobby contained a large, comfy couch and a couple matching chairs before a fireplace that flickered with orange and red flames. The scent of burning wood filled the space.
Across the room a gray-haired woman behind a desk showed a mouthful of teeth. “Morning, Harold.” The friendliness in her tone and face dissolved when she gave Sky a head-to-toe assessment.
Maybe tight, black leather pants, a low, scooped shirt, and ankle boots weren’t Sky’s best choice of attire, but it kept up with her façade and she looked good. God had been generous with her assets even if she was a little thinner than her perfect weight. Stella had told her being slightly underweight made her look willowy, taller.
“Top o’ the morning, Berta. We be in need of a business license.”
The woman picked up a clipboard and extended her arm. “Please fill this out in its entirety, Miss Sky.”
Startled, Sky jerked her gaze to Harold’s. Berta knew who she was. How?
He shrugged. “It be a small town.”
And noisy, by the way rumors flew through it.
Moving across the room to a chair close by the fire, she realized she would have to watch her p’s and q’s.
While Harold chatted with Berta, Sky began to read. Unease skittered across her nerve-endings. The invasive questions were the exact reason she stayed away from legal documents and anything that could be traced. Yet life had her over a barrel. Without Stella she was on her own. Business licenses were a necessary evil if she wanted to continue to make a living. The last line of the application made what remained of her good mood vanished.
“This is ridiculous.” Both Berta and Harold looked her way as she jumped to her feet. “A business license takes a week to process.”
“No problem, Miss Sky. Leo—I mean Officer Caan has requested that it be expedited. I will have it for you by close of business today.”
The news should have made Sky happy. Instead she felt the heat of anger surge across her face. Taking her ire out on her gum, she chewed faster.
Of all the—
“That be great. Huh, lassie?”
She forced a smile and approached the couple. “Yeah. Great.” Setting the clipboard in front of Berta, she reached in her unzipped bomber jacket and counted the cost of the license. “Will there be an expediting fee?”
“No. It’s been taken care of.”
Of course it has.
That damn strawberry-blond policeman would be the death of her. Clearly he wanted her gone at any cost, even his own. Wouldn’t he be glad to know that she planned to oblige him as soon as possible?
Harold weaved his arm through hers. “Let’s be going. We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
“Work?”
“I own a store front down by Fisherman’s Market. Gets lots of traffic. You can use it while you’re in town.”
“Really?” The animosity eating at her took a backseat to Harold’s generous offer.
He nodded before stepping forward to open the doors and allow her to exit. A chill hung in the air forcing her to zip her jacket clear to her throat, or was it the memories that came out of nowhere to squeeze her chest?
Night after night she and Stella would sit up late and exchange dreams of owning their own store—to quit their vagabond lifestyle—settle down. Yet the opportunity had never materialized. Now one was dropping into her lap, well at least for a couple of weeks, and she would take advantage of the man’s generosity.
A white compact car drove by and Harold waved, the woman inside reciprocated. As they continued toward his vehicle, a couple and a child intercepted them. The young girl, about ten or twelve, ran to Harold and he smothered her with a bear hug before releasing her.
“Morning.” The big man shook hands with Harold.
Sky couldn’t help noticing the man’s features marked him of Scandinavian heritage. In fact, he and the child had identical blonde hair, light blue eyes and rounded faces. Unlike the woman next to them, they were fairer then most of the townsfolk who, judging by their deep, rich tans enjoyed working and playing in the sun.
The petite woman with immaculately groomed fingernails, makeup and a stylish haircut gazed at Sky with interested. “So you’re Tempest Sky. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Her companion frowned and gave her a nudge.
“What?” The innocence in her voice appeared contradictory to her inquisitive gaze. “You know I hear all.”
He slung a strong arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “My wife is the local hair dresser and rumormonger.”
She released an unladylike huff. “You mean rumor-nista or newsmonger. And, a stranger in town is news, especially when she’s living at Harold’s.”
The woman didn’t mince words. She reminded Sky a lot of Stella.
“This be Hauk, Victoria and Sophie Michaelsen. Hauk is the proprietor of Seaside Pub.”
“Call me Vic. You’ll have to come see me. I just received a shipment of bright pink and lime green hair extensions.”
So this sleepy little town did have some flare.
Harold ruffled Sophie’s hair. “And why aren’t you in school?”
“It’s Christmas vacation.”
“It’s Christmas?” Harold’s mouth opened in feigned surprise. “Well I’ll be.”
Her girlish giggle warmed Sky’s heart. When she leaned against her father’s leg and he reached down, bringing her closer like he had his wife, a knot formed in Sky’s throat. They formed the perfect family picture. Her own father would have never shown affection outside the house. Hey, wait. He had never shown affection inside the house.
“Has the lassie been good this year?” Harold asked.
Pride shone in Hauk’s eyes as he looked upon his daughter.
Vic reached over and tweaked Sophie’s nose. “She is the perfect daughter. It’s such a beautiful day we thought we’d do a little shopping, and then have lunch at the Seafarer. Would you like to join us?”
“Appreciate the offer, but we have a full day ahead of us. Don’t we, lassie?”
“Yes.” Sky was eager to take a look at his storefront. The only thing was she wished Stella were here to share in her good fortune.
Good-byes were exchanged before they continued toward the car.
“The shop be a little dirty.” He activated the remote control and the locks of his sedan clicked. He peered across the roof of the vehicle at her. “It’ll need some elbow grease. Are you afraid of hard work?”
“No.” Sky slipped her hand into a pocket and fingered the remaining money in her possession. “I don’t know if I can afford to rent your storefront.”
“We’ll work something out. Let’s get you settled first and talk specifics later.”
It didn’t take any time to get to anywhere within this small town. In no time they were parked in a large vacant lot behind a long string of shops. The corner one was Harold’s.
Entering, he tried the light switch and nothing happened. “Blasted. I’ll run down to the electric company and see what the hold up is. I’ll leave the door ajar so more light comes into the shop.”
Whatever. The large display window emitted plenty of light in the immediate area, but she didn’t comment, because she was thankful to
be alone to enjoy the moment. Yet she wasn’t really by herself. Stella was there with her—if not in body, then in spirit.
Emotion swelled behind her eyelids. “Stella, look at this place,” she whispered.
Sky couldn’t remember feeling this much excitement in such a long time. It literally crawled across her skin raising goose bumps as she slowly turned around in a circle. The large room was perfect.
“Our ovens can go there.” She pointed toward the long wall next to the window. Watching a glass blower at work intrigued people and encouraged them to purchase merchandize right off the pipe. She walked over to the west wall, deciding that a workbench would fit right there. In the middle of the room she could show her wares from the wrought iron stands she had in her RV. Oak shelves instead of tables would look nice against the other wall to show her larger pieces.
Strolling across the waxed cement floor, she opened a door to discover a small bathroom that included a shower. To the left was another door. She peered into the darkness, waited for her eyes to adjust and then stepped inside.
“Ten-twenty-five in progress,” the radio squawked.
Leo shook his head. Of all places for some idiot to break in, the sheriff’s grandfather-in-law’s storefront. The burglar would be surprised when he found nothing of value—just empty space.
Slowing the squad car to crawl, he approached from behind the store. The back door was ajar. No vehicle in sight. It was a good thing Errol had called in the report instead of contacting Harold. The old man would have surely taken things in his own hands and intercepted the subject. Hell, he’d probably invite the criminal for lunch the way he was acting these days. Leo pulled the car to a stop and cautiously got out.
As he approached the open door, he heard a shuffling noise. Not taking any chances, he unholstered his weapon and stepped inside. Sweeping his gaze across the room, he found no one in sight. Then something shattering beyond an opened door drew his attention. Adrenaline raced through his veins. Removing his flashlight from his utility belt, he aligned it beneath his hand holding the pistol and moved slowing toward the scuffling.
When the brilliant glow from his flashlight flooded the room, the perpetrator screamed and fell backward, taking the ladder she held down with her to the floor. An “umph” was followed by a clanging crash.
“Don’t move a muscle,” he growled. Directing both light and gun to the direction of the racket.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the familiar voice moaned.
Which were his sentiments to a T. Bathed in the radiance of light was the woman who had haunted his dreams last night. Instead of her naked silhouette moving seductively behind a screen, she was sprawled upon the floor trapped beneath an old ladder.
“Are you trying to kill me?” She squinted and gave a little wiggle before she grunted. Then a soft curse slipped from her lips and she added, “Or blind me?”
He jerked the light off her face, draping her in shadows as he holstered his weapon. A strained push resulted in the ladder scraping against the floor but not releasing her.
“Are you going to stand there or help me?” she snapped.
“Are you breaking and entering or do you have permission to be here?”
“Now what do you think?” Her snarky tone answered his question.
Stepping closer, he could see her face more clearly and she wasn’t smiling. When he lifted the ladder, she scrambled from beneath it and got to her feet with a moan.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes.” She scurried out of the room as if she was dying to get away from him.
But when he followed her into the main section of the shop, he noticed blood gushing from a wound on her forehead. “You’re hurt.”
“No I’m not.” Even as she began to argue with him, she reached up and wiped, her hand coming away crimson red. “Oh, my God.” As the substance flowed into her eye, she rubbed again. The result left a streak of black mascara and eyeliner across her face.
Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he placed it against her injury. “Apply pressure,” he ordered as he rushed toward the bathroom. The pipes groaned as he turned the water on. Tearing several paper towels from the roll hanging on the wall, he pushed them beneath the faucet, wringing them out before he returned.
“Let me see.” He reached for his handkerchief, but she dodged his grasp.
“I’ll be fine.” But when she swayed he knew it wasn’t true.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Since she made no attempt to comply with his request, he stepped forward. “Let me see,” he repeated firmly.
She lowered her hand. When he dabbed at the blood with the paper towels, she inhaled a sharp breath.
“Sorry.”
The wound looked deep. Yet it was her big, ocean-deep eyes gazing up at him that made his heart go ka-plomp. He’d never seen such expressive or beautiful eyes before. Even her gaudy makeup couldn’t detract from them.
“I think you’ll need a stitch or two.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need a Band-Aid.”
He lightly swabbed at the oozing blood and took another look at the angry wound. “I don’t think a Band-Aid will fix this.”
“It’ll be all right,” she insisted.
He started to argue and then stopped. She probably couldn’t afford the medical bill. “I’ll pay the doctor,’” slipped out of his mouth, surprising both him and her.
That stubborn chin of hers rose defiantly. “I don’t want anything from you.”
And who could blame her?
She had been in town less than twenty-four hours and had been handcuffed and now injured, all at his hands. Well, maybe not deliberately, but if he hadn’t scared her, the incident probably wouldn’t have happened. A slamming door jerked his attention toward the back, where Harold stood.
The elderly man frowned. “What’s going on here?” When he noticed the bloody handkerchief, her dusty clothing and disarrayed hair, he shot Leo a scowl. “What did you do?”
“Nothing. I—I mean—” Guilt tied Leo’s tongue into knots. “Well, Errol said—”
“Said what?”
So flustered, Leo hadn’t seen nor heard the elderly man enter with Byron right behind him. “You called in a ten-twenty-five.”
Errol frowned. “Ten-twenty-five?” His cane tapped an uneven staccato on the cement floor as he limped toward them. “I notified the police that Harold’s backdoor was opened and it looked as if someone was inside. I didn’t expect you to come in gun drawn and attack the girl.”
“What?” Leo hadn’t attacked the woman. Yet it wasn’t worth arguing with the man. It was what it was, and now Tempest needed medical assistance. “I’ll take her to see Dr. Dani.”
“No! I don’t need a doctor.” She nearly tripped in her attempt to put distance between them.
Her reaction bothered him, but not half as bad as the blood that started to ooze from her forehead. Dammit. She needed him even if she wouldn’t admit it. He stepped forward, raising his hand to dab the wound once more. When she slapped his hand away, his eyes widened. He cocked a brow, which was returned with a steely glare.
“I can do it,” she said between clenched teeth. Returning the handkerchief to her forehead, she cringed.
“Tsk. Tsk. Now don’t be stubborn, lassie. Let Leo take you to the doctor.”
“Listen to him, chickadee. You don’t want that pretty face of yours scarred.”
“Can one of you take me?”
Leo didn’t miss the hint of desperation in her voice. Clearly she didn’t want him to take her to the doctor, much less anywhere else.
“Uhm.” Harold glanced quickly from Errol to Byron.
“He can’t,” Byron blurted and then paused. “Heeee…promised Andie to pick up milk for the boys. You know boys, especially around naptime. When they want something they want it now.” Byron chuckled, but the laugh sounded forced. “And Errol and I have already promised to go shopping at the fish market for Katy. Right Errol?”
The shiftiness in the three men’s eyes as they exchanged glances sent Leo’s spidey senses whirling. They were up to something. The question was what? These three were always up to something. Still, it was true Brody was on a call outside the city limits, so he couldn’t oblige his wife and children. And Errol had gone shopping for Katy numerous times. However, the matter remained. Someone had to take Tempest to the doctor.
“Tempest, allow me to escort you to Dr. Dani’s. Afterward I’ll drop you off here or at Harold’s.”
The wariness in her eyes filled him with guilt. He had treated her like a criminal from the get-go, but then again, it came with the territory. A stranger, especially one who deliberately dressed to stand out, would always garner attention from the police.
“Harold, I found a mop and broom in the back. I’d like to clean up a little bit when I return. Okay?”
“That be fine, lassie. I’ll pick you up later. And, Leo?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Dr. Dani will surely give her an antibiotic. She needs to eat. Take care of it.”
Once again the distrust in her eyes returned, but she didn’t argue. Instead she pushed past him and headed toward the door. Her tight-fitting leather pants drew his attention like a lodestone. The sway of her hips, her well-shaped bottom… Well, they left him speechless.
“Boy?”
Leo turned to find Errol grinning.
“If you don’t want her to leave without you, you better get.”
Great. He’d just been caught checking her ass out.
When Leo stepped outside, he pulled to an abrupt stop. Tempest was in his cruiser, but in the backseat. He walked up to her door and opened it. “You can sit in the front.”
“I’m fine right here,” she said, staring straight ahead.
Stubborn woman.
But if that was the way she wanted to play it, so be it. He shut the door, went around the car and got in. As he pulled the vehicle out of the parking area, he saw Harold and his cronies watching them. By the frown on the man’s face he wasn’t happy.
Just his luck. Dr. Dani stood before the door of the small medical office she used when she wasn’t at the hospital, chatting with Tabby. When he pulled to a stop before them, they both gave him a look of disapproval.
Stockings (Whispering Cove) Page 5