Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series)

by Rita Garcia

  Jezzica smiled at her niece. “Trying a new flavor?”

  “I’m thinking tropical and beachy. Something with coconut and pineapple.” She sashayed into the cottage.

  “The hard part is telling the girls. It’s difficult failing in front of your children.” Catylen dabbed at the tears that slipped down her cheeks. “So what did you decide about seeing Dr. Ellie?”

  “Still considering it.” Jezzica put her feet over the side of the chair and sat up. Her heart hurt for Catylen. Her sister had always put the needs of Mike and girls ahead of her own—she was a terrific wife and mother.

  “Go for it. She’s awesome.”

  Jezzica stood and walked to the railing. “Are you going to continue seeing her?”

  “With the decision about the divorce made, I think it would help.” Catylen focused on her sister.

  Tasha returned with a tray and set it on a table between the loungers. “Thank you, sweetie.” Catylen pick up a mug.

  “The pineapple smells heavenly.” Jezzica picked up a cup and sipped a little foam off the top.

  “I have a thermos. I’m going to take it down to the beach. It’s actually cool down on the sand.” Tasha retraced her steps and quickly reappeared, toting a large beach bag and headed down to the shore.

  “Think I’ll get my shower.” Jezzica moved toward the door.

  “Okay. I’m going to walk down and visit with the girls.” Catylen stood and straightened her skirt that had shifted around. “Let’s order in pizza.”

  Jezzica nodded. “Good idea. No cooking and little cleanup.”

  “Hurry, you’ll miss the sunset.” She heard her sister’s final words and smiled.

  By the time Jezzica rushed upstairs, and then returned, Catylen and the girls had lit candles and set the table. Jezzica loved having her nieces visit. They were young and full of vibrant energy. Oh, how she remembered being that age. A longing to experience being carefree again settled in her stomach so forcefully it became an ache. What a difference the past few years had made—they had stolen her whole world. “I’m sorry. Did you say something, Lauren?”

  “I offered you the last piece of pizza for your thoughts.” Lauren tossed her hair back over her shoulder and smiled at her aunt.

  When had her nieces grown into perceptive young women? “Sweetie, my thoughts wouldn’t even rate a pepperoni.” Jezzica pushed back from the table. “If the three of you don’t mind cleaning up, I’m going for a walk.” She zipped down the steps, ignoring her sister’s protests that walking alone wasn’t a good idea.

  The sky was filled with shades of crimson. Jezzica’s leisurely walk soon turned into a slow jog—too full to allow herself to pick up much speed. The cool wind on her face filled her with a sense of freedom. She came to the old weathered wooden bench and collapsed on it. She wasn’t surprised when Zack called her name, and braced herself for a full-blown lecture.

  “Hey, Jezz.” Zack sat next to her. “What’s so interesting?” He followed her gaze.

  “What do you see in the stars?” She tossed him a mischievous smile.

  “The stars appear hazy tonight—reminds me of an astronomy course from college. In summer, the sky looks toward the Milky Way galaxy, which creates a dusty glow from the billions of stars.” He reached over and covered her hand with his.

  “And in winter?” Jezzica tilted her head and roved her eyes over the evening sky.

  “In winter, we gaze into the galaxy that houses the sun. The stars are closer to earth during the winter months. There are also a few enormous stars that reside in the direction of the sun. Fewer stars appear in a winter sky, but they have a greater intensity of brightness.”

  “So on a chilly winter night, the stars shine brighter than on a warm summer evening?”

  “That about sums it up. I could use your help writing my reports. I have a tendency to be on the wordy side.”

  “Is everything arranged for tomorrow?”

  “Ted’s going to be upstairs in the bookshop and he’ll be watching you every minute.”

  “What if they don’t show up?”

  “Oh, they’ll show up. They should be about ready to make their move. Come on and I’ll walk you back.”

  “You forgot to be upset with me for being out here.” She shot him a teasing smile.

  “Would it do any good?” He chuckled. “Seriously, it isn’t a good idea.”

  “Yeah, I get that.”

  He put his arm over her shoulder as they trudged through the sand. “This will soon all be over and you’ll be able to return to normal.”

  Will I? If only— They continued along the sandy path until they reached the plank steps leading to her cottage. “Thanks for everything.” She rose onto her toes and kissed his cheek. He crushed her into his arms and found the fullness of her mouth. She ran her fingers through his hair and deepened the kiss. With a heavy sigh, he moved his lips against her hair.

  “See you tomorrow,” he whispered, his voice hoarse with passion. He gently traced the outline of her mouth before turning away. She placed her fingertips to her lips as tears clung to her face.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “I disagree with having Jezz sitting in the bookshop waiting to be attacked.” Zack paced in front of Logan’s desk. “Nicole is trained.”

  “Stop running in circles and set the plan in motion.” Logan moved the mouse and his computer lit up. “We had a delivery truck pull up to the back door of Jezzica’s shop and move several boxes and crates into her back room. Ted was hiding in a large crate. He’s upstairs in the bookshop and we need you on lookout duty, now.” He nodded toward the open doorway.

  Dismissed, Zack stormed out of Logan’s office. He drove to Main Street and positioned himself inside Rubi’s Diner. Shaded by the café curtains hanging in the window, he could still watch the happenings at the Sea Glass Bookshop. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind, and stared across the street.

  “Coffee?” Tiffani held the pot, ready to pour.

  He flipped the thick brown mug right side up. “Thanks.”

  “It’s Friday. We have a great clam chowder simmering—it’ll be ready in time for lunch.”

  “Works for me.” He studied the bubbly petite blond as she sashayed back behind the counter. Pretty, though he wouldn’t have classified her has a classic beauty. From the way she chatted with the customers, she was a people person.

  He opened a folder, scanning the contents. Several shoppers went in and out of Magnolia’s Antiques and a few of the other shops, but otherwise the street was quiet. He was on the second folder when Tiffani brought his chowder.

  She waited while he scooted the paperwork out of the way. “Here you go. If you need anything else, let me know.” She placed a basket with an assortment of crackers in the center of the table. Zack ate while continuing to watch the bookshop. Nothing.

  Jezzica stepped outside her shop. The way the lady filled out a pair of jeans made his breathing almost stop. She crossed over and came into the diner, sliding into the booth, facing Zack. She touched the papers lying on the table. “You’ve been here all day?”

  He nodded at the window. “Playing lookout.”

  “It’s been super quiet. I’m so anxious I haven’t accomplished anything except pacing back and forth like a caged animal.” She lowered her eyes. “About last night—”

  “Need to back up and take it slow.” He reached for her hand.

  “Something like that.” She pulled her hand away as Tiffani brought her the white paper bag with her to-go order.

  “Mom said there’s no charge today. Either of you want anything else?”

  Jezzica ran her fingers across the fold at the top of the bag. “This will do it. Tell Rubi thanks.”

  “I’m good.” Zack nodded and Tiffani moved on to another customer.

  “I better get back. Ted’s waiting on lunch.” She took a couple of steps and turned back. “Is it a problem if I go home in a few minutes?”

  “Go about your day
naturally as possible. We don’t want to raise any suspicions.”

  With a resigned expression, she nodded and left, crossing the street to the bookshop. He waited until Jezzica locked up and drove away before making his escape through the kitchen of the diner, the same way he had entered. He cruised Main Street, using the observation skills that he had learned at the academy, and practiced over the past ten years. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He checked out the alleyway behind the shops and found not so much as a cat lurking around—which brought a smile to his face, remembering finding Rusty. Jezzica doted on that silly cat. He made a left onto Shoreview Drive and drove the short distance to his cottage.

  At home, he changed into his sweats and pulled out the files he’d been working on earlier. He finished the last one as the sun began its descent, and on impulse he called Jezzica and invited her for an evening run.

  From his cottage he saw her sitting on her steps. Her dark hair pulled into a ponytail made her eyes seem even more mysterious. She wore shorts and a tank top. Zack couldn’t recall a woman ever affecting him like this one managed to. Not only was she stunning, he admired her strength of character—the way she cared about her family and even her loyalty to her dead husband.

  He trekked through the sand to where she waited. “Hey.”

  “Hey, yourself.” She grinned up at him.

  They began outlining the shore with footprints and chatting. With a lull in words, he reached for her hand.

  “Maybe we could start by having dinner and see what develops.”

  “I want to. That isn’t the dilemma.” She stopped and faced him. “I find myself thinking about you when you’re not around. My attraction to you, on a scale of one to ten—it’s off the charts.”

  “Then it turns into a three-way relationship. You, me, and Geoff.” He held on to her hand, wanting her to find the strength to say what she needed to say.

  “That’s the problem. For two years, I’ve felt as though the killers destroyed my soul. When I’m with you, I can almost feel again. Until I get this overwhelming guilt telling me I’m being unfaithful to Geoff.” She brushed away the moisture on her face.

  He pulled her into his arms. “We deserve a chance at loving again, both of us.”

  She looked into his eyes. He lowered his head and brushed his lips softly across the sweetness of her lush mouth. He heard a low moan as he parted her lips with his.

  With a step back, she placed her hands on his arms. “This gamble at loving again—taking it a little slower would be good.”

  “Dinner on Saturday work for you?” He slid the tips of his fingers down her arm.

  “Sounds good.” She raised her eyebrows. “Didn’t you invite me for a run?”

  “Let’s go.” He winked at her.

  They started a slow rhythmic jog. A flock of pelicans flew overhead, dipped down, skimmed the water and then took flight once again.

  They’d gone a distance when Zack pointed to an odd-shaped rock covered with kelp and algae—the marker he used to gauge his distance. “That’s three miles. Ready to turn back?”

  Jezzica nodded and they turned in unison to retrace their steps. Silence intruded as they wove their way back to the cottages. He observed the sharp, bright stars lighting the sky.

  Jezzica rested her foot on the first wooden rung of her steps. “Thanks for calling me tonight. I enjoyed our run.” A smile showered her face and she continued up the stairs.

  His eyes remained riveted on her. At the door, she twirled around and touched her fingers to her lips before using them to wave goodnight. Sheer routine helped him lift his feet and make his way to his place. He glanced over his shoulder and she was still standing there. She casually lifted her hand and waved once more.

  Would she take a chance on loving again? What if she decided, like Susan had, that she didn’t want to be involved with someone in law enforcement? Having his heart pricked again wasn’t a pain he wanted to revisit.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Jezzica found a note on the kitchen counter. Catylen and the girls had decided to take in a movie. She grabbed a bottle of water and sat at the table. Rusty rubbed his head against her leg. She picked him up and settled him in her lap. “Looks like we’re on our own.” The quiet was nice, but idleness wasn’t her style. Good time to dust and vacuum.

  She clicked on some music, and Nora Jones’s sultry voice followed her as she grabbed the supplies and went to work. Furniture polish and a dust cloth in one hand, she leaned down to retrieve a paperback that had fallen behind a chair. She rose back up as a sweaty hand clamped over her mouth. Her adrenalin surged as she morphed into panic mode.

  “No reason to be afraid. You’re so concerned about your husband? I hold your one-way ticket to go visit him.” He looked her up and down with a sneer on his face. “You’re sure a pretty thing. We could have a little fun first.”

  With her foot, she nudged the small table next to the chair, knocking the lamp onto the floor where she’d just retrieved the book. Either Ted or Nicole was out there watching her cottage and she hoped the falling light would signal them.

  He spun her around and landed a slap hard across her face. “Don’t move unless I tell you to move.” He ripped her shirt. She recognized him. He had come around to her side of the car, the night of her husband’s murder.

  Her hands were shaking as she still clutched the Lemon Pledge. In one swift move, she directed it toward his eyes and sprayed.

  Jezzica freed from his grip as he covered his face with one hand and wildly waved his gun with the other one. He squeezed off a shot, leaving her ears ringing. She heard the mirror shatter on the wall behind her and cringed.

  She recalled something her father had always told her and took action. With her bare foot, she kicked him right where her dad had said it would hurt the most. Her would-be attacker grabbed his groin—the sound he emitted was pure agony, more animal than man. She heard two gunshots in quick succession and froze—the explosions had come from outside.

  Jezzica limped to the back deck, her big toe throbbing. The face of the man stretched out on the wooden planks had been forever etched in her memory. Geoff’s killer stared up at her, blood soaking through his shirt. A hand reached out and grabbed her. She screamed, fighting to remain upright.

  “You’re okay. It’s over.” Zack tried to soothe her. “Stay here.”

  Zack stormed into the cottage with his gun drawn. Terrified, she followed him.

  Nicole had apparently entered from the front, and was aiming her gun at Jezzica’s attacker. “Down on the floor. NOW.” He dropped to the ground. Zack pulled the man’s hands behind his back and snapped on handcuffs.

  “Alec has their buddy out front in the patrol car.” Nicole holstered her gun.

  Numbness filled Jezzica as she stared out the front door. The EMTs hustled around the side of the cottage and returned with Geoff’s killer on a stretcher. Inside the emergency vehicle, one of the techs began working on him. Nicole climbed in, closed the door, and they sped away.

  Jezzica turned back and found Zack opening and closing his fist, standing over the guy still on the floor. Logan rushed in and pulled Zack away. “Come on, man. Alec and I will escort these cretins to the station. You stay here with Jezzica.” Logan pulled the suspect onto his feet.

  “She blinded me.” The criminal’s reddened eyes still watered as the tears washed down his face. Logan propelled him out the door.

  Zack crushed Jezzica to him. “It’s over.” He rubbed her back. She pulled away, still clutching the can of polish.

  “This is what you sprayed into his eyes?” He took the container from her and looked at the label. “Never heard of using Lemon Pledge as a weapon before.” His chuckle faded as he wiped a tear from her cheek before it joined the others falling onto her torn shirt. “It’s over, baby. It’s really over.” He put his arm around her and she pushed him away.

  “Need air,” Jezzica managed to choke out between her sobs. Zack followed her out the back
door and down the steps onto the sand. She ran along the shore. The trembling in her body took over, and a gut-wrenching cry emanated from so deep that except for the pain in her throat, she wasn’t sure it had come from her. Her legs weakened and no longer had the strength to hold her upright. Zack grabbed her, eased her onto the sand, and fell beside her. He wrapped her in his arms until she was able to pull air into her lungs once more.

  She quieted and buried her face into his chest, soaking his shirt with her tears. She pulled away and wanted to tell him so much, but all she could see was Geoff’s face. She couldn’t betray Geoff—not now, not ever.

  Hearing her name, she sat up and looked toward the cottage. Even in the darkness, she recognized the two familiar figures tromping awkwardly through the sand.

  “It’s my parents.” She eased up, grabbed Zack by the hand and rushed toward them. “Mom. Dad. I’m so glad you’re here.” She ran straight into her mother’s arms.

  Her father took one look at her, and then glared at Zack. “What’s going on here?” He stepped forward, his reddened face within inches of Zack’s.

  “Wait, Dad. It’s not what you think.” She fought her way between the two and threw her hands against her father’s chest. “Dad. Zack didn’t hurt me. He saved me from being killed.”

  Her mother moved behind Zack and began pounding him with her oversized purse. Jezzica swung around. “Mom. Stop.” She grabbed her mother’s arm. “It wasn’t him.”

  Jezzica looked back and forth between her parents to make certain they weren’t going to come unglued and launch a new attack. “This is Zack Johnston. Zack’s a detective with the Serenity Cove Police Department.” Her parents simply stared at Zack. She tried again. “Zack, these are my parents, George and Beverly Michelson.”

  Zack reach his hand toward her father. “Good to meet you, sir.” Her father reluctantly accepted his hand. Zack turned to her mother. “You, too, ma’am.”

  With a heavy sigh, Jezzica took hold of Zack’s arm and looked at her parents. “Let’s go home and I’ll explain.”