The bartender leaned over. “Might try Silver Valley or Pine Point, then. Them’s the next biggest towns around.”
“How far?”
“Silver Valley’s just over the mountain. Twenty miles or so. Pine Point’s between there and the Thruway. ’Bout an hour from here.” He scratched his belly and moved away.
Theo nodded without answering. Easy drive. Maybe he’d try it tomorrow or the next day, see what the places looked like.
The guy beside him was still talking. “Not much to see that way.” He burped. “Saratoga Springs, farther up the highway, that’s a place worth checking out. Horses, if you’re a betting man, or…” He drifted off as the bartender turned up the volume on the TV. A player in pinstripes rounded the bases.
“Not really into the horses, but thanks.” Perspiration broke out across Theo’s forehead. He grimaced and finished his second beer, tasting the bitter after-flavor of unclean tap pipes.
“’Kay, thanks, ’night,” he murmured as he pushed back his stool. The bartender grunted in return. No one else even looked his way.
Outside, pitch black greeted him as soon as the door swung shut. Theo turned around, trying to get his bearings. He could barely make out the treetops and mountain ridges against the ink of the sky. A tiny sliver of moon hung above him, and he tripped finding his way back to the car. Wasn’t used to countryside this back-asswards, that was for sure. Not even a damn streetlight out this far. He swore out loud as he tripped again. Fresh anger at his ex-wife mixed with his desire to see her again. She’d deliberately picked a quiet, dark place in which to hide. He knew it. Suburban Philadelphia wasn’t good enough, huh?
He wondered how Hannah would take to Baltimore because she was damn well coming back there with him. As soon as he found her, he was putting her and Dinah in his car and driving due south. They belonged together, no question about it. He frowned. But if she refused, he’d take Dinah and leave the bitch behind with her smart-ass son. Damian. Theo’s hands tightened into fists. Last time he’d tried to reason with Hannah, Damian had stepped between them and landed a few lucky punches. Theo would have to take them by surprise or wait for a time when Damian wasn’t there at all. He cracked his knuckles. He still had to find Hannah, and he still had to work out a plan, but it was coming together.
“Damn straight,” he muttered, echoing the bartender. “Damn straight.”
Chapter Eleven
“So I’m thinking of moving into the house.” Summer waved away the café’s teenage waitress and slurped the last of her piña colada. Despite the umbrella tilted above them, the sun burned down onto the back of her neck.
“What?” Rachael fished a French fry off her plate.
“I met with Sadie this morning, and we decided to list the house with the rental as a contingency. Means the Knights’ll get to stay there. But it means I’m staying a few more days too. Gotta get things finalized.”
Her friend’s voice went up an octave. “You’re staying? How long?”
“Another week.”
“Wow. Cool.”
Summer wasn’t sure it was cool at all, but too much nipped at her heels here in Pine Point to turn her back on it a second time.
“You know you could stay at my place, right? I mean, there’s an empty bedroom since Cat moved out.”
“I know. And I thought about asking you.” Summer shrugged. “But I think I’d rather be at the house in case…I don’t know. In case Mac and Damian have questions about things. Or in case I do.” She wondered how obvious her little white lie was.
“What about the museum? You don’t have to rush back?”
“I have great assistants, thank God. And I haven’t taken a vacation day in three years. Anyway, the bedroom on the first floor is almost finished, so I thought I’d ask Mac about it. I don’t want to keep paying for a motel room if I actually own a house.”
“Mm hmm.” Rachael lifted two fingers at the waitress and pointed to their empty glasses. She folded her arms on the table. “Now tell me the real reason you’re staying. And don’t tell me it’s because it’s gonna take you a week to get all the paperwork settled. You can list a house in two days. And you don’t need to be here in town to sell it.”
The waitress delivered fresh drinks in frosted glasses, and Summer took a long, deliberate sip.
“Are you staying so you can get back together with Gabe?”
“What? No.”
Rachael narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure? I heard you had dinner with him.”
“More than sure.” She and Gabe had ended things so long ago, there was nothing left between them but a faint buzz, a memory of a place where attraction used to hum. The emotions he’d stirred up at dinner had more to do with sorting through her brother’s death than any chemistry left after all this time.
So she was telling herself, anyway.
“I just—” She stopped and tried to think of how to explain. They’d never talked about the accident, she and Rachael. “I’m trying to remember what happened the night my brother died.”
Her friend’s mouth formed an O.
“Since I’ve been back, I’ve been having these weird flashbacks. I see parts of the night, parts of what happened. But not the whole thing.”
“You’re kidding.”
“The therapist I saw in college told me I probably wouldn’t ever remember.” She took another sip of piña colada. “So it’s weird, now, that I am.”
“You have amnesia? All this time?”
“Something like that.”
Rachael whistled. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“I don’t know. Does it make a difference?”
“I guess not.” But a funny expression skittered across Rachael’s face for a moment. “I’m just surprised, that’s all.”
Summer lifted her shoulders. “I had dinner with Gabe because I thought maybe he could fill in the blanks. He remembers, I think.”
The odd expression came back again. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure he does,” Rachael said.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Rachael paused. “You don’t know what happened to Gabe? After the accident?”
“No. No one ever talked about him. You didn’t.”
“You never asked.”
Rachael’s cell phone rang then, and Summer watched a pair of birds chase each other across the sidewalk while her friend made dinner plans with the boyfriend of the month.
“Sorry,” Rachael said when she hung up.
“It’s fine. What’s this guy’s name? Seth?”
“Sean. And he’s a nice guy, owns a shoe store over in Cedar Crest.”
“How long you been seeing him?”
“Three weeks.”
“Almost a record, huh?”
“Don’t see a ring on your finger either.”
“Touché.”
They both laughed.
“So what about Damian?” Rachael asked.
“What about him?” Summer felt her cheeks color. She could still taste him inside her mouth, could still feel his hands against the curve of her waist. She wanted to kiss him again. She wanted more than that, actually, and the warmth that grew between her thighs surprised her.
“He’s single. He told Cat he’s into you. And you just changed your flight so you can stay here.” Rachael sucked down half her drink. “If there’s nothing left between you and Gabe, then I don’t know what you’re waiting for. I would have been living on the bare floor of that house three days ago, sawdust and all, just to get a look at Damian first thing in the morning.”
Summer laughed. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculous, maybe, but with damn good taste.” Rachael stuck her sunglasses on top of her head and waved for the bill. “So when do we get you moved in?”
* * * * *
Damian�
�s Camaro, parked at its crooked angle near the shrubbery, was the first thing Summer saw when she arrived at the house after lunch. She glanced at the rubber-banded stack of papers on the seat beside her.
“Didn’t know there was so much to selling a house,” she’d said to Sadie that morning.
“It’s easier keeping one than selling one,” the real estate agent chuckled.
Summer picked up the bag of oatmeal raisin cookies she’d bought and brushed through the hedges. Well, I’m not keeping it. That was about the only thing she knew for certain. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t take advantage of owning it for a few days. Steeling her nerves, she detoured around a pile of paving stones stacked near the front stoop. Talking to Rachael had convinced her, and now she wanted to move in as soon as she could. She just hoped Mac wouldn’t laugh when she brought up her bright idea.
“Hello?” She circled the house and looked up. Scaffolding stood against the back balcony and fresh sawdust covered the lawn, but she saw no one. Had they left for a late lunch? She found her way through the kitchen and into the main hallway. Faint banging and grunts sounded somewhere beneath her feet. A minute later the grunts grew louder, coupled with heavy footsteps, and two dust-coated figures emerged from a door at the end of the hall.
“Hey, Summer.” Mac raised a hand in greeting. Sneezing, he sprayed a cloud of white into the air. Damian stood behind him and coughed.
“Where were you guys?”
“Basement.” Mac waved an arm toward the door behind him. “Supposed to rain later. We wanted to get most of the wood and the sheetrock indoors.”
“That’s the basement?”
Mac grinned. “Yup. Wouldn’t go down there, though. No working lights and plenty of dirt. Probably some rats, too.”
“What?”
Damian elbowed his boss. “Don’t listen to him. They won’t bother you.”
“But they’re down there?” She eyed the floorboards.
“Maybe one or two,” Damian answered. “Nothing to worry about. We put out some traps.”
Dust and dirt covered his face and neck, but something in her stomach stirred, and Rachael’s words rang in her ears. I would have been living on the bare floor of that house three days ago, sawdust and all, just to get a look at Damian first thing in the morning.
“I decided to sell the house with a contingency.” Summer said it quickly, before she lost her nerve and he turned away. “Whoever buys it will have to let you stay on and rent for as long as you want.”
He stared at her, and his eyes widened. She smiled, and in his gaze she saw herself reflected in the light that illuminated his eyes.
“You did that?”
“Seemed like the right thing to do.”
His cheeks colored a little and his voice turned gruff. “Thanks. ’Preciate it.”
Summer cleared her throat and held out the white paper bag she’d carried from the car. “I stopped at Lanie’s, got the first batch of cookies out of the oven.”
Mac had his hands on it before she finished the sentence. “Awesome! Thanks.” He reached in and stuffed two into his mouth. Crumbs fell onto his pant legs. Summer laughed. Damian took a couple, then Mac took another and offered her a crumbled one from the bottom, and before she knew it, the bag was empty.
“We’re about done here for today,” Mac said. “I’ve got to run over to Silver Valley, pick up a shipment.”
“Before you go—”
“Yeah?”
“I—uh—I wanted to ask you…do you think I can move in here?”
Mac frowned. “What do you mean? Into the house?”
“I can’t really afford to stay at the motel for another week.”
“Oh.” Mac folded his beefy arms and considered. “Well, not legally. You’re supposed to have a CO.”
“A what?”
“Certificate of Occupancy. Piece of paper that means it’s safe to live here.”
Summer’s hopes fell.
“But the building inspector lives in Silver Valley. Doesn’t make it over here too often.” He winked. “Think it wouldn’t be a problem, ’specially if it’s just for a few days. I sure as hell won’t say anything.”
“Really?”
“Sure. We’ll get you set up. Suppose we can find you a bed someplace, maybe a dresser or somethin’ too, if you need one. Doors are secure enough, and—”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Nothing much to steal here, anyway.”
“Still…” He headed into the kitchen.
“Thanks, Mac.” She stole a gaze at Damian, but she couldn’t read his face. Mac’s mention of a bed had turned her cheeks scarlet, and she thought her best move was to back away until she got herself under control. “Okay, well…” She tucked her purse over her shoulder and turned to leave.
“You don’t have to go,” Damian said from behind her. She turned around in time to see his cheeks redden too. “I mean, I could use the company, if you want to stick around and check out the room.”
Want pooled in her belly. “Okay. Guess I can see what I’m getting myself into.” She followed him through the foyer and into the bedroom.
Clouds scudded across the sky. In a matter of seconds the sun vanished and thunder grumbled through thick, heavy air. Damian flipped on a work light near the door and examined the trim along the baseboard.
“This room’s great. Huge, too.” He hammered and measured as he spoke. When he knelt, the muscles in the backs of his legs flexed, and his hair fell along the sides of his face.
“Everything you guys have done…” Summer tried to look away from him and couldn’t. “…it looks great.”
He stopped and glanced up at her, knuckling a tape measure. “I really appreciate you letting us stay in the farmhouse.”
“Well, Mac told me a little about your mom’s ex.”
Damian’s face darkened. “Yeah.”
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to bring it up.”
“’S alright.” He shook his head and drove three nails into the molding. “Thought you were heading back west.”
“Trying to get rid of me?” She cocked her head and leaned against the wall, a few feet away from him.
He looked up again. Bright blue eyes took her in and peeled away her outer layer with a single blink. “Nope.”
Oh, God. If Damian hadn’t been covered with sawdust right then, she would have reached down and touched his mouth, just to feel his lips move against her fingertips.
“I thought maybe—” she began, but a crack of thunder drowned her words. Outside, the sky turned from azure to pitch in a matter of seconds.
“Sorry?” He stood, took a step toward her and closed the distance between them. Two feet. Maybe less. “I didn’t hear—”
An instant before thunder drowned out his words, their shoulders brushed, and an electricity ricocheted around the room and landed somewhere close to Summer’s knees. The growing breezes tangled the branches; the trees outside appeared and disappeared in erratic rhythm as the wind grew. His breathing quickened. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Stillness. Hesitation.
Then Damian bent his head and caught her mouth with his. One hand stroked the curve of her chin, and she shivered. His tongue parted her lips, and one arm slipped around her waist. This kiss was stronger than the other night at the lake, more insistent. He pulled her close and lifted her onto her tiptoes. Her hands played over his biceps and she tasted his tongue, something sweet and bitter all at once, like leftover coffee and chocolate and desire. Her nipples tightened, and for a crazy moment she wanted nothing at all between them.
Someone knocked at the front door.
Summer’s breath caught in her throat as Damian’s hand moved to the swell of her breast. Please, no, she willed the unseen visitor. It was probably a deliveryman or Mac with both arms full. Please go away because I want this
man to take me right here, on this floor, with the rain pouring outside and—
She exhaled as Damian’s embrace loosened. He pulled back slightly and after another second dropped both arms and moved away. She stared at him. She tingled in places that hadn’t tingled in a long, long time.
The knock came again, louder and longer.
“You expecting someone?” His voice sounded ragged and he kept his eyes on her.
“I don’t think so.” No one even knew she was here.
“Damian?”
It was a female voice, one that Summer didn’t know. The hair on the back of her neck lifted. She straightened her shirt.
In a heartbeat Damian’s face changed and he hurried into the foyer. The front door stood open, with rain and wind blowing inside. A slight, attractive woman hovered on the threshold. With effort, she pulled the heavy door shut.
“What’s wrong?” He towered over her in protection.
“Nothing’s wrong. I just came by to see the place.” The woman turned to Summer and held out a thin, delicate hand. “I’m Damian’s mother, Hannah Knight. You must be Summer Thompson.”
The funny sense of jealousy that had risen up in Summer’s chest vanished. The hood of Hannah’s raincoat fell away, and immediately Summer noticed the resemblance between mother and son. Same blue eyes. Same strong jawline. Chiseled features that were beautiful—almost haunting—on her became startlingly attractive on him.
Summer wiped her hands on the back of her shorts and returned the handshake. “Hi, Mrs. Knight. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Not Mrs. Just Hannah. Please.” She pressed Summer’s hands between both of hers. “I ran into Sadie Rogers at the salon a little while ago, and she told me you’re letting us stay in the farmhouse.” Her eyes filled. “Thank you so much.”
“Oh, well…you’re welcome.” Summer felt embarrassed by the woman’s gratitude. She hadn’t done much of anything, just put her signature on a couple sheets of paper. “It’s really—I wanted to.”
Hannah lifted her gaze. She took in the grand foyer, the entrance to the formal front room, the half-open bedroom door. Her eyes widened as she looked at the circular staircase, and she nodded. “It’s beautiful. Beyond beautiful, really. I thought it would be, from the outside. When it’s all finished, well…”
Summer's Song: Pine Point, Book 1 Page 10