A Stranger in the Cove

by Rachel Brimble

  “We have to talk to her.” Kate held Mac’s gaze. “Maybe she’s never gotten over giving up your father. When Jilly died, did you feel like running away, starting over somewhere new?”

  His jaw tightened. “Running away was the last thing I wanted. I cherish my memories of Jilly. I cherish the time we spent together. I wouldn’t change that for anything. Her death...” He swallowed. “Her death nearly killed me, but it didn’t taint the good times we had.”

  Regret swept through her, and Kate’s eyes stung with shame. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I only asked because when Dean cheated on me, I wanted to forget the entire year I was with him. For me, there were no good times to hold on to, just the glaring memory of finding him in my bed with my sister.”

  The pain left his eyes and was replaced with empathy. “I get that, too. You’ve got nothing to apologize for, remember?”

  She nodded, her thoughts turning to Marian once more. “You know, Marian’s back the day after tomorrow, and there’s only one other person who could possibly know what happened ten years ago.”

  “Who?”

  “Her husband. George.”

  He frowned. “But we can’t ask him without him alerting his wife. Especially if they’re as close as you’ve said they are.”

  “You certainly couldn’t ask him, but I could.” She inched closer to him. “If you lie low for a couple of days, I’ll try to test the waters with George and gauge what Marian’s reaction to you will be.”

  He studied her uncertainly. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

  “Mac, trust me.” She smiled. “George is kind, lovely and a complete softie with the ladies. If there’s anything to find out, I’ll find it without raising his suspicions. I’m good with people. Surely you know that much about me. I can do this and arm us with something to at least approach Marian with when you’re ready. What do you say?”

  He took a long breath, a hint of a smile on his lips. “I can’t speak for a man I’ve never met, but if you look at George the way you’re looking at me right now, he’ll be putty in your hands.”

  She grinned. “Is that a yes?”

  “It’s a yes.”

  Kate leaned forward and kissed him before slowly drawing back. “Great. Then leave everything to me.”

  Chapter Ten

  “THAT’S GREAT, Iz.” Kate marched into the ladies’ bathroom at the Teenage Support center, her phone to her ear. “If Jay’s confirmed George is there, I can go see him this morning. Jay won’t be there, right?”

  “Right.” Izzy sighed. “But I still don’t see what you’re trying to achieve by going to see George. You know how he and Marian feel about each other. I can’t imagine George easily talking about her past with you. He won’t betray her trust for anyone.”

  “He won’t have to.” Kate pushed a couple of the stall doors open. The last thing she wanted was anyone overhearing this conversation. Satisfied she was alone, she leaned against one of the sinks. “I just want to test the waters a little before she meets the grandson she didn’t know she had. Then I’ll do what I can to support Mac, but the rest will be up to him, not me.”

  “You seem to really like this guy...and I’m happy for you, but don’t you think you’re getting a little too involved?”

  Ignoring the way her thoughts echoed her friend’s, Kate pushed her hair back from her face. “He’s hurting, Iz. That tough exterior hides a good man with a good heart.”

  “So, what’s happened to change your mind about him?”

  Everything. Kate forced some breeziness into her voice. “Oh, you know. I just know him a little better, I guess. I understand his need to get closure for himself and his family. It’s important he gets that, Iz. Trust me. I know what it’s like when people are left flailing after a tragedy.”

  “Mac’s had a tragedy?”

  “Yes, but it’s not my place to talk about it. Will you just trust I’m doing the right thing by him?”

  “And Marian? Are you doing the right thing by her?”

  “Yes, which is exactly why I want an idea of her reaction before Mac talks to her. We’re doing this as a team. I speak with people who are emotional or grieving all the time. I can help ease the shock for Marian and help Mac speak with her.”

  “But it isn’t your place to do either of those things. You know that.”

  Even though Kate would never get her baby back, she could at least help Marian reunite with her grandson and his family. But how could she explain that to Izzy? “Mac asked for my help. I didn’t thrust myself on him...” She tried to lighten her tone. “Not that I don’t want to thrust myself on him in other ways.”

  “Hmm. And how are those other ways going? Have you slept with him yet?”

  “Of course not. I’m playing it nice and cool. I’m in the driver’s seat, believe me. We’ve kissed, but that’s it.”

  “And why are you so sure you’re in the driver’s seat and not Mac?”

  “Because, ye of such little faith, I could’ve easily led him into my bedroom the other night and I didn’t. See? Driver’s seat.”

  “Well, you must really like this guy if you’re willing to risk Marian’s wrath. Once she finds out you knew about her grandson way before she did, she’s going to go mad, and rightly so.”

  Despite her bravado, trepidation gripped Kate’s stomach. She waved her hand. “She’ll be fine. Once she meets Mac and they’ve talked a while, she’ll thank me for greasing the wheels a little. Look, I appreciate you letting me know George is at Jay’s. I’ll let you know how things go.”

  “Sure, if you’re alive the next time I see you.”

  The line went dead, and Kate glared at her phone. “I’ll show you, Izzy Cooper. I’ll show you good and proper.”

  Kate stalked to her desk and grabbed her purse, along with a couple of envelopes that needed to be mailed. She glanced at Nancy, who worked at the opposite desk. “I need to run a couple of errands. I should only be an hour or so, but I have my phone if there are any emergencies.”

  Nancy waved distractedly. “Sure. See you later.”

  Glad of the easy escape, Kate hurried into the street and to her car. Clover Point, here I come.

  George Cohen had worked as a handyman for Jay Garrett, the Cove’s millionaire entrepreneur, for years and many more for Jay’s father before him. Izzy had not only confirmed George would be working at Jay’s log cabin–style mansion at the top of Clover Point, but also that Jay was away for a few nights with his wife and little girl. Kate gripped the wheel. There was no reason why she and George should be interrupted, and she was confident now about how to approach him.

  Her sole mission was to establish Marian’s acceptance of Mac while also ensuring the safety of her dear friend’s heart. If she kept her exploratory questions to a minimum, there was no reason George should go racing to Marian. She exhaled shakily. She just needed to stay calm and not blow her subterfuge sky-high.

  Marian’s past wasn’t Kate’s to uncover, but she understood Mac’s desire to learn about his roots. She would do all she could to help him puzzle out his ancestry.

  Fifteen minutes later, Kate pulled into Jay’s mammoth gravel driveway and parked next to George’s car out front. She sat back and drew her gaze over the front of the huge log cabin. Its golden-brown exterior stretched to God only knew how many feet, its many windows glinting in the sunshine, and two chimneys released columns of puffy gray-white smoke, making the mansion look like something from a fairy tale.

  Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car and strode to the front door, lifting the knocker and stepping back as sudden nerves somersaulted in her stomach.

  The door swung open.

  George’s mouth broke into a wide smile. “Kate! Fancy seeing you here.”

  She smiled, her shoulders immediately relaxing. “Hi, George. How was the holiday?”
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  “Oh, fabulous. Just fabulous. You know my Marian, up to one thing after another. Jay isn’t here right now, but is there something I can do for you?”

  She grimaced, hating the way she was deceiving him. “Oh, that’s a shame. I came to thank him for his generous donation to the fund-raiser the other weekend and to give him news of the grand total.”

  “I’m sure he’d love to hear all about it when he gets back. He’ll be gone another couple of days.”

  She battled the weight of her pretense. “I can always catch up with him then. I, um...would love to hear more about your holiday if you have time for a quick cup of tea?”

  He grinned. “Well, that sounds like a great idea. I was thinking of putting the kettle on.” He opened the door wide. “Come on in.”

  Kate stepped over the threshold and basked in the glory of a millionaire’s hallway. It wasn’t the first time she’d been in the Garretts’ home, thanks to Jay’s generosity to the center and his wife’s role as the town’s detective inspector. Kate’s work meant the three of them had come in contact often enough that they were on a first-name basis, but that didn’t lessen the awesomeness of the Garretts’ home.

  “Let’s go through to the kitchen.” George ambled along the hallway. “Marian sent me off with some fresh muffins this morning, so we can have one with our tea.”

  “Great.” Kate followed him toward the open kitchen door. “So, she’s back to the bakery?”

  “Oh, yes. She couldn’t wait to get to work as soon as we got back from the airport. I managed to persuade her there was no sense going in yesterday, but she was there bright and early this morning.”

  “I’ve yet to learn of anything slowing Marian down.” Kate laid her purse on the black granite top of the enormous central island and slid on to one of the chrome breakfast stools. “Did she run you ragged while you were away? I hope you found some time to relax.”

  “We sure did.” He filled the kettle and chuckled as he put it on top of the stove. Taking some matches from the shelf beside him, he lit the burner. “We swam, ate, shopped and found plenty of time for a few rounds of golf, too. Pure bliss.”

  Kate raised her eyebrows. “Marian plays golf? I had no idea.”

  He turned and smiled, tapping the side of his nose. “There are a lot of things you don’t know about my Marian. She’s a dark horse, but she’s my horse.”

  Her stomach knotted with anticipation. What might he reveal about the woman Kate wasn’t sure she knew anymore? “What do you mean a dark horse? Marian’s one of the most open people in the Cove.”

  “Ah, but also one who knows how to keep a secret. When have you known her to blab about someone else’s business? She takes on the problems of the whole community and would never betray a soul. Not one.”

  Shame pressed down on Kate, warming her cheeks. “You’re right. She’s a rock to a lot of people in the Cove. Most of all to me.”

  “Hey, now.” George frowned. “None of that, Kate Harrington. Me and Marian were just supporters in your time of need. The hard stuff you handled yourself.” He smiled. “And look at you now. You’re a strong, beautiful girl and we’re very proud of you.” He walked to a side cupboard and removed a couple of mugs. “Sugar?”

  Humbled, Kate released a shaky breath. “No, thanks.”

  She stared around the peach-and-cream kitchen, her mind racing. George had so firmly, if unwittingly, reminded her of Marian’s love and devotion, not only to Kate, but many others in the Cove, too. She just needed to be sure news of Mac wouldn’t damage her friend irreparably. If Kate suspected for one minute Mac’s arrival would distress Marian, she would make Mac leave...regardless of her growing feelings for him. After everything Marian had done for her, Kate could at least protect her.

  George slid a cup of tea toward her along with a blueberry muffin on a small plate. “Here we go.”

  Kate smiled. “Yum.”

  “Yum, indeed. I was the most blessed man on God’s earth when that woman agreed to marry me. I thank my lucky stars no one snapped her up first.”

  Kate sipped her tea, a way into her questioning unexpectedly landing in her lap. “She wasn’t married before? You’re her one and only husband.”

  “The one and only.”

  She took a sip of tea, carefully watching him from beneath her lowered lashes. “Doesn’t she ever wish she’d had kids? She’d make a wonderful mum.”

  Melancholy glazed his eyes. “Oh, of course she would have, but she didn’t meet me until it was too late, did she?” His eyes twinkled with fondness. “That woman loves kids, you know that, but she’s also passionate about them having a stable and loving home, parents who love one another.”

  “And she only found that love in you.” Her heart squeezed. “I love you both so much, you know.”

  “And we love you.” His focus drifted to the window. “And I wish I could’ve given her the family she deserves.”

  Her heart pounding, Kate picked up her muffin and slowly peeled back its wrapper. “Maybe her family is already here. In the Cove.”

  He met her eyes. “In Templeton’s community, you mean? Yes, I suppose it is, but she would love to have some blood family, too. Not that she’d ever admit it.”

  Hope twisted inside Kate, and she touched his hand. “She loves you so much, George. You know that, right?”

  He smiled softly. “Of course I do. I just never want to be without her.”

  “You won’t be.”

  As he turned away and lifted his mug to his lips, Kate stared at his profile. An undeniable sorrow permeated the room, caused by one man’s deep, unwavering love for a woman. A woman, Kate surmised, who must have been incredibly unhappy before her knight in shining armor rescued her and brought her to live in the most beautiful cove in the whole of southwest England.

  She took a bite of her muffin distractedly. George hummed as he stared into the depths of his tea and Kate watched him, wondering what he was thinking.

  He looked up and smiled. “Yep, no one on earth like my Marian.”

  “We all love her, George.”

  “Aye, I know you do. That’s why I’ve never got to worry about my beautiful lady being upset. Certainly not by anyone around here.”

  Kate took a sip of her tea...her part in what could unfold, heavier than ever, mixing with the worry that George was wily enough that he had seen straight through her ruse and guessed she was there fishing for information about the woman he loved.

  * * *

  MAC NARROWED HIS eyes and studied Marian, who stood behind the bakery counter. She was plumper than he’d imagined, with steel-gray curls that peeked from beneath a white trilby hat, and her hands routinely left the counter to slap her apron-covered bosom as she chatted and laughed with customers. He couldn’t deny the speed and efficiency with which she worked, nor her popularity.

  Customers didn’t just place their orders and leave. They seemed to linger, as though talking with Marian was the only thing they had to look forward to that day.

  Dragging his study from her, Mac stared into his half-empty cup of coffee, indecision and doubt swirling deep in his gut. Kate’s insistence that her first priority was Marian’s well-being, no matter the circumstances, prodded at his conscience. Now he’d seen his grandmother, his impatience to introduce himself grew stronger with each passing minute.

  Despite Mac’s need to move past the pain that continued to darken his heart, Marian Ball was still the woman who’d given up his father for adoption. Sure, people gave up their children for a better life than they could provide, but didn’t Marian know how lucky she’d been to have the chance to be a parent?

  His jaw tightened. Whereas his chance to be a father had been ripped away from him.

  Glancing at Marian again, his heart stumbled.

  Her curious gaze zeroed in on him as she stepped out from behind the counter, an
d panic gripped him. Slowly, her eyes softened, and her round face lit with her magnetic smile as she came toward him, an empty tray in her hand.

  His mouth dried and his hands turned clammy.

  “Well, good afternoon to you, young man.” She thrust her hand toward him. “Marian Cohen. Nice to meet you.”

  Mac stared into eyes as kind as his father’s, the same shade of brown and the same crinkles at the sides when she smiled. His heart slowed as his confidence returned. He clasped her warm hand in his. “Mac Orman.”

  “Now that’s a proper man’s name. Mac Orman.” She rolled his name around her tongue as though savoring it. She released his hand and frowned. “You’re not the musician I heard stood in and saved the day at the fund-raiser last week, by any chance?”

  Mac lifted his coffee cup. “Yep. That was me.”

  “Glad to hear it. I admire anyone willing to do what they can for charity. There’s always a time when any of us might need a helping hand. Pay your dues while you can, and you’ll get back what you deserve. That’s my motto, anyway.” She grinned, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Mind you, I do have more than one. A lot more.” She nodded toward his coffee cup. “Can I get you another?”

  Questions burned on his tongue, and Mac abruptly stood, forcing her to take a step back. “Thanks, but I’ve got to go.” He slipped a five-pound note from his wallet and put it on to the table. “Keep the change.”

  He moved to brush past her, and she gently touched his arm. “Are you all right?” Her brown eyes filled with concern. “I won’t bother you if you want to be left alone.”

  Slowly easing his arm from her gentle grasp, Mac shook his head. “I just have somewhere I need to be. Excuse me.”

  He walked toward the door, feeling her gaze burning into his back right along with the curious stares of others as he passed them. As soon as he was outside, Mac breathed deep. God, he’d just spoken with his grandmother. Turning left, he marched along the street, willing the tightness from his chest.