by Pamela Fryer
“We’re talking about a would-be murderer.” Millie frowned and chuckled at the same time, shaking her head. “You’ve got moxie, I’ll give you that, kiddo.”
Geoffrey slipped out of the crowd. “Hey, you two, I turned around and you were gone.”
August breathed a sigh of relief. He was so handsome in his tux, she could drink him in for hours. With his short-trimmed, rusty-blond beard and wavy golden hair against the black tuxedo, he looked as though he’d stepped out of a James Bond movie.
“You’re not keeping a close enough eye on her, what with a killer running around,” his grandmother snapped. “And what’s this I hear about you making her dump her pain pills?”
At that moment, the microphone shrieked. The announcer took the podium and asked everyone to take their seats.
“Thank you, everyone. We know you’re all hungry and eager for this to begin, so we’re going to serve you dinner as our keynote speaker, James McTierney, begins with some announcements. Then we’ll move on to our very special awards.”
Millie carried August’s water glass as they made their way to their reserved table at the front. She took a seat facing the stage so that her back was to the rest of the room. One glance over her shoulder at the immense ballroom was enough to send her stomach jumping all over again.
“Here, take this with your food,” Millie said, passing her a pill. “It’s Tylenol with a low level of codeine.”
August was thankful dinner was easy-to-eat: ravioli with green salad and sliced baguettes. The keynote speaker stuttered and stumbled over his speech, and a mischievous part of August was glad someone else was more nervous than she. Fortunately, the man was spared by the sounds of dozens of servers putting out hundreds of meals, and the wind-chime like music of the guests’ forks and knives tinkling against their plates.
They were finishing a bland dessert of frozen-strawberry topped cheesecake as the poor man stammered over his conclusion.
Millie shook her fork at Geoffrey. “This tastes like paste. You need to speak to the operations manager about changing caterers for these events,” she teased. She leaned over and whispered in August’s ear. “You’ve got to try my triple chocolate layer cake; it’s decadent.”
All her discomfort vanished as Geoffrey was introduced. He rose amid thundering applause, climbed the stairs and moved across the stage elegantly, a striking vision in black and white. He accepted his award with a charming smile. August held her breath, wondering what kind of speaker he would be.
“He is such a handsome man.”
“He certainly is,” Millie agreed.
August hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud. She shot a look at Millie, afraid she’d made a huge blunder.
“It’s about time a decent woman recognized that. I can’t tell you how many worthless gold-diggers have come sniffing around my grandsons.”
Geoffrey began his speech humbly, as she knew he would.
“This is a great privilege I am honored to receive. I’m happy to say that as of September first, the burned acreage was completely re-seeded.”
A second boom of applause shook the ballroom. Geoffrey smiled proudly from the podium, waiting for the ruckus to die down.
Millie leaned closer. “All his life he’s trailed in his brothers’ footsteps without realizing what a great catch he is.”
August smiled. She could see how that was possible. Even Derek, with his grunge-rocker good looks, made a pretty picture. She’d only seen photos of Geoffrey’s other two brothers, but their handsome looks were extraordinary.
Justin, kneeling on a football field with his padded shoulders and flawless smile, was an all-star golden boy. David, regally posed with a beautiful date at a high school prom, fit the image of a confident ladies man. They made a picture-perfect family, but if anyone searching for a more meaningful relationship looked deeper, they would see that Geoffrey, with his earthy charm, gentle manner, and generous nature, was the premier catch in the family.
She believed Millie’s complaint that superficial women had pursued them for the family’s money. She pushed away an uneasy suspicion about herself—had she come from a wealthy family? If she learned that she hadn’t, would she still be able to yearn for a future with Geoffrey with a clear conscience?
Am I yearning for a future with him?
She watched the gorgeous man at the podium, admiring his poise and debonair style.
Yes, she realized with a tremor in her belly. I’m falling in love with him.
Chapter Eleven
The introductory speaker resumed the podium and concluded the ceremony before Geoffrey had reached his seat.
“Wow. I’m glad that’s over. Did I embarrass myself?”
Millie swatted at him with her napkin.
“Exactly the opposite,” August assured him. “You were incredible.”
The lights dimmed and soft music tinkled across the ballroom. Immediately the murmur of the crowd rose. While a few people made their way to the small dance floor in front of the stage, most of them milled about, socializing.
Geoffrey took a single bite of cheesecake, and then put his fork down and looked at his grandmother. “You’re right. That’s terrible.”
“Isn’t mine, that’s for sure.”
He glanced at August. “Ready to go?”
She did want to leave, but it would be selfish of her to go now. This is Geoffrey’s night. He deserves to enjoy it. She was feeling comfortable enough; so far no attackers had sprung out of the crowd.
“The night is just beginning. Dance with me?” She rose to her feet and reached for his hand before he could protest.
“I don’t dance very well,” he warned her.
“Perfect. Neither do I.”
They walked to the small dance floor and he took her gingerly around the waist. August slipped her hand around his neck and pulled him close, placing her broken arm between them.
“Doesn’t it hurt?” he asked as they slowly started moving.
She shook her head. “Gran Millie gave me a painkiller.”
He laughed. “That would explain the dreamy look in your eyes. She’s always got something good in that big bag of tricks of hers.”
“She’s a wonderful woman, your grandmother. I wonder if I have a grandmother.”
“We’ll find out. Soon.”
August wasn’t so sure she wanted to anymore. She pulled on his shoulder and instinctively Geoffrey drew her closer. She was dancing on air, safe and adored in Geoffrey’s strong embrace.
“Tomorrow we’ll drive down the coast. Mike gave me the addresses of the four burger joints still standing that match your description.”
She sighed. “All right.”
“You don’t have to worry. You’ll have all your answers soon. I won’t stop until you do.”
“I know.” She turned her head and rested her cheek on his shoulder, not wanting to talk about it anymore. She wanted this dance, and this wonderful night, to go on forever.
Would finding the answers mean the end to their time together? August almost didn’t want to find them. The whole idea scared the daylights out of her. Maybe it was cowardly, but she didn’t want to know anymore. She wanted to go forward, not back.
“August?”
“Hmmm?”
“The music has stopped.”
She kept her arm around his neck and Geoffrey didn’t let go. Before she could wonder if another slow song would play, bouncy modern rock began thumping through the speakers and people began dancing faster. Geoffrey stepped back and his arms slipped away from her waist.
They wove their way through the dwindling crowd and back to their table.
For the next few hours, Geoffrey and Millie visited with friends who stopped by their table. While most congratulated Geoffrey and talked about the wonderful accomplishments the volunteers had made, many of them chatted about other subjects, and August could see the Barthlow family had put down solid roots in Newport. The people were nice, and made a genuine
effort to include her in their conversations, but after a while she got tired of answering the same questions about her arm, over and over again.
A waiter made a final pass at their table. “Are you finished, ma’am?” he asked of Gran Millie’s dessert plate.
“Oh yeah,” she said emphatically.
“I’m finished, too,” August said.
Gran Millie collected her purse. “I know it’s almost midnight, but if you’re up for dessert you can actually eat, I’ve got a triple layer chocolate cake back at the Mermaid. It’ll put this to shame, if I do say so myself.”
Geoffrey glanced at August. “How about it?”
“I’d love some.” Like him, she’d taken a single bite of the cheesecake before putting down her fork.
They drove the four blocks to the Mirthful Mermaid in separate cars. As he drove, August picked up the plaque they’d awarded Geoffrey and ran her fingers over the inscription. Geoffrey Barthlow. Reading his name in bronze sent a warm, comfortable feeling rippling through her.
I am in love with this man, she thought. The idea both terrified her, and brought intense joy. I don’t know what lies in my past, but I’m certain I have never felt this way about anyone before.
Admitting as much lifted a great weight from her shoulders. What a wonderful feeling to finally be sure about something.
He parked the car next to his grandmother’s in a mostly empty parking lot. Gran Millie unlocked the door and led them inside the dark restaurant.
The Mirthful Mermaid had a different feel after hours. Quiet and dark, August breathed deeply of its aged, salty smell. She was grateful for something familiar. The restaurant was cozy, comfortable, and emitted the powerful essence of family.
After rummaging around in the kitchen, Millie emerged with three plates, each with a gigantic slice of chocolate cake. She sat beside August.
“Where’s my grandson?”
“In the restroom, washing up,” August said, taking a bite of the most delicious cake ever baked. “Mmmm. You weren’t lying.”
“That was nice, seeing you two dancing together tonight,” Millie said in a reserved voice. “You two look good together.”
“I like him,” August said, certain his grandmother’s statement was leading somewhere.
“Do ya, now?”
“A lot.”
“I don’t want to see him hurt again.”
Again. She wished she knew what had happened, so she could do something to make it better. Or at least make sure it never happened again. The idea of sweet Geoffrey in pain made her heart ache.
“I don’t want to hurt him. Believe me when I say that.” It would kill her to be the person to do it.
Millie patted August’s hand. “I know.” She took a bite of cake and chewed, deep in thought for a long moment. “It’s going to happen, though. You’re going to find out you’ve got another life somewhere, and then you’ll go back to it.”
August set down her fork. “I’m not so sure of that.”
The older woman’s eyebrows rose, but she remained silent.
“Someone went pretty far to get their point across. I’m not wanted there.”
“That doesn’t mean your whole life was people who hated you.”
“I’d like to think that if someone did do this to me on purpose, it was just one person. But if I did have a good life otherwise, wouldn’t I be yearning for it? Honestly, Gran Millie, I don’t feel it in here.” She placed her hand over her heart. “One thing I know, I’ve never met anyone like Geoffrey. And I’m sure my family wasn’t like yours. It will be terrible if I never remember, but staying here wouldn’t be so bad at all.”
“Do you say that because of what you think you didn’t have before, or because of what you’ve found here?”
Before she could answer, Geoffrey emerged from the restroom and crossed the empty dining room. “What have you two lovely ladies been talking about?”
“Girl stuff.” Gran Millie took a bite of cake and winked at August.
He glanced from one to the other. “Why does that make me nervous?”
* * *
Geoffrey hadn’t paid much attention to the dark-haired woman sitting alone at an unoccupied table in the back of the ballroom. But when a lone pair of headlights flashed on and the car began following them away from the Mirthful Mermaid, his wariness bristled.
He’d first noticed her when he took the podium. She’d caught his attention when she slipped into the ballroom and took a seat at an empty table in the back, looking like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit. She’d glanced around the room like a party-crasher waiting to get caught. Dressed in faded jeans and an even older-looking denim jacket, she certainly hadn’t come prepared for the banquet.
“You have a wonderful life,” August said quietly. She’d been so silent, with her head leaned back against the seat, that he thought she might have fallen asleep.
“I do?” He glanced over. Her blue eyes were pale in the dim light seeping into the SUV’s cabin.
“Take it from someone who doesn’t know anything about her own. I can only hope to find myself with such a great life. You have a loving family, a good job, a beautiful home. You’re well educated, respected by your community, lots of friends. These are good things. For all we know about me, I could have spent the last five years in jail.”
He laughed. “I seriously doubt that.”
“Why? It might very well be true.”
“You would have more tattoos.”
“I don’t have any tattoos!”
“There you go.”
She settled back into the seat, smiling. “It was nice tonight. It felt good. Dancing with you felt good.”
Geoffrey swallowed back a mouthful of regret. It almost seemed wrong that dancing with her had been so nice, when the single memory he had of dancing with his late wife, at their wedding, had been unpleasant. Christina had been half sloshed at the time, and had snapped at him when he suggested she ease up on the champagne. If she couldn’t celebrate at her own wedding, when could she?
Geoffrey glanced into the rearview mirror, but didn’t mention the woman from the ballroom. The car maintained a steady distance out onto the lonely ocean highway. His unease mounted, and Geoffrey bit down on a pang of guilt. Had taking August with him been a mistake?
“I’m glad I came,” August continued. “The cheesecake was gross, but your grandmother made up for it. I like her.”
“She likes you, too. Believe me, you’d know if she didn’t.”
Gran Millie hadn’t liked Christina. Even after she’d eventually warmed up to her, she had always remained slightly intolerant, and slow to forgive Christina’s many mistakes.
“It was nice getting out tonight. I’m glad I went.”
He turned onto Crestview Drive, watching as moments later the headlights appeared behind him on their narrow street. The car matched his slowed speed, following around the turns and bends that led to the house. He angled into the driveway and parked in his normal spot under the oleander tree. The car following them slowed as it passed the house. In the dark, he couldn’t see through its windows.
Of course, there was a sharp curve after their driveway. Anyone who lived in the neighborhood knew to slow down for it, or risk sliding into the tall dune on the outer bend. And he knew several of his neighbors, also volunteers on the project, had attended the awards tonight.
“It was almost like a date,” he said, watching the side mirror to see if the car made another pass. After he’d said it, he realized what he’d intimated. “I mean—”
“It was like a date,” August agreed.
Only the silvery light of the moon illuminated the SUV. He found her smiling, as if the idea pleased her. He wondered if she could see the heat filling his face.
“About this time on a date, I always start to wonder...not that I go on many dates.”
“Wonder about what?” She gave him a teasing smile, as though she already knew.
“Whether or not I shou
ld give you a good-night kiss.”
Still smiling, she bit her lower lip. She was bashful, too, he realized. How endearing. A warm feeling swirled in his stomach.
“Do you want to kiss me?” Her question came out in the barest whisper.
He glanced down at the keys in his hand. Just say it, idiot. Yes, I do.
He met her eyes. Before he could say anything, she leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.
It was a sweet, soft kiss, hardly more than a brush of lips really, but it ignited a spark inside him that immediately roared into flames.
She leaned away with a squeak from the leather seat, carefully adjusting her cast away from the center armrest.
Geoffrey leaned over and kissed her again, more deeply this time. She tilted her head to receive it, and parted her lips when he grew more intense. He breathed in lemons, flowers, and sunshine. She met his kiss with equal ardor, gently responding to the sweep of his tongue across hers.
She caught his lower lip between her teeth.
He groaned low in his chest. “God, August.” He cupped her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb.
At his age it felt silly, magnificently silly, making out in the car like a couple of teenagers.
She breathed his name on a soft moan between kisses pecked to the corners of his mouth. He cupped her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. When his lips found hers again, their kiss slowed and nearly stopped, so achingly tender it made his heart seize.
Geoffrey slid his hand across her thigh, leaving soft silk for even softer skin through the high slit in her dress.
August stiffened. “Geoffrey—”
He drew back. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She slid back into the cup of the leather seat. “It was my fault. I didn’t realize I was getting so carried away.”
He angled himself to face forward again and gripped the steering wheel. “You don’t have to worry. That won’t happen again.”
She twisted around, reaching over her cast to place her hand on his arm. “It was wonderful. You’re wonderful.” She smiled that pathetic, pitying smile that would soon be followed with a but.
“But until I know everything about me, I don’t think we should take it any further.”