Bayside Promises

by Stacy Claflin

  Sullivan gave her a double-take. That wasn’t just any blonde—it was Haley. What was she doing there? Did she know—he checked his notes—Edward Marshall? Old friend of the family, maybe?

  He gathered his things and mentally prepared himself to answer any questions they had before stepping out of his car and walking up to them.

  Haley’s eyes widened as he approached. Why did she look surprised? Didn’t she know he was the local realtor, just as his dad had been? He realized he didn’t know her profession, so maybe in all their ‘catching up,’ the topic had never arisen.

  Sullivan smiled at Haley and then Edward. He extended his hand to the man and introduced himself.

  “Are you here to look at the house?” Haley asked.

  He shook his head. “Mr. Marshall has asked me to be his realtor.”

  Her mouth fell open, and she looked back and forth between the two men.

  “It looks as though there’s been a misunderstanding,” Edward said.

  Sullivan arched a brow. “Meaning?”

  “I didn’t hear back from you, and this lovely realtor called and offered to work with me, so I accepted.”

  It was Sullivan’s turn to be shocked. He gave Haley a double-take. “You’re a realtor?”

  She nodded. “I am.”

  He turned to Edward. “I tried calling you back, but it was busy. Consider getting a voicemail service.” And joining the twenty-first century.

  Edward chuckled. “I’m a bit on the old-fashioned side. Can’t turn on a computer, either. Anyway, I thank you for stopping by, but I won’t be in need of your services, Mr. Hunter.”

  Sullivan stared at them in disbelief.

  “Have a great rest of your day,” Edward said.

  Right. Sullivan gritted his teeth. “You, too.” He gave a quick nod to both of them and rushed to his car before his temper got the best of him. He drove away, his tires squealing as he pulled out from the spot.

  When, in the history of ever, had someone other than a Hunter not represented a client selling property here?

  His knuckles grew white from squeezing the steering wheel. He was too furious to return to work or stop for food—his appetite had completely disappeared.

  How could Haley have done that to him? Just stood there quietly and not even offer him a chance to take it? And to think Sullivan had thought they’d really hit it off—that their connection from high school had grown over the years they’d been apart.

  He drove around, fuming, until he came to the gym. He needed to burn off his anger before his afternoon appointments. Though he’d lost one client, he wasn’t about to lose any others.

  Thankfully, he’d left some clean workout clothes in his trunk. Sullivan grabbed his bag, went inside, flashing his membership card to Sylvia at the front desk, and he stormed to the changing room, muttering to himself as he changed into shorts and a tank. He prepped himself for a punching bag and hurried to the weight room. Two bags were in use, leaving him one.

  He adjusted his gloves, clenched his fists, pictured the enormous house he wouldn’t get to sell, and took all his fury out on the bag. He hit it again and again.

  How dare Edward Marshall not give him a chance?

  Smash.

  How could Haley take the client from him?

  Thud.

  She had to have known.

  Pound.

  Thwack.

  The Hunters have always been Enchantment Bay’s realtors.

  Whack.

  Slam.

  What if she’d known all along, and had been playing him?

  Punch.

  Smack.

  Pow.

  Crunch.

  Sullivan continued pummeling the bag until he was ready to slink to the floor. He pulled off the gloves and walked it off, taking deep breaths and wiping sweat from his brows and hairline.

  Was it possible that Haley had known all along about him being the town’s realtor? Had she snuggled close to his affections just to sucker punch him and take the client?

  He’d been hurt before, but this was a new low. Women used him—that was just the way it went. He had money and was well-known in town, and that was part of the deal. But he’d been stupid to think it would be any different with Haley.

  Seven

  Haley filled a bucket of soapy water and dropped the hose on the browning lawn. She stared at the house, adjusting the bandana that kept the hair out of her face. It was hard to know where to start. Every inch was covered with black grime, a mixture of dirt and who knew what else. Moss grew in some spots.

  She grabbed a soft scrub brush and started at the garage. Thankfully, the home was a rambler and she wouldn’t need a ladder, just Dad’s old step stool. It shone as though new.

  As she cleaned, her mind wandered back to Sullivan. It had been strange seeing him at Edward’s home that morning, and odder still how cold he’d been. It had really caught her off-guard and made it challenging to be friendly with her client. Sullivan seemed to have stormed off, and that reminded her of her dad and some of her exes.

  She scrubbed a particularly dirty spot with all her might. What was she to make of Sullivan? Was he the sweet, caring guy from the beach, or the rude one from that morning?

  Maybe he wasn’t being mean at all. That could have just been his professional face. Him being a little cranky didn’t mean he would be abusive. Sullivan was better than that. He probably didn’t realize how standoffish he came off, or maybe she’d grown used to how affectionate he was with her—she’d certainly re-lived his warm embrace, sweet kiss, and adoring gaze plenty of times in the last twenty-four hours. The mere thought of having dinner with him on Wednesday left her giddy until that morning’s interaction. No, she was reading too much into the whole thing. He was the sweet guy from the night before.

  After a while, her arms ached and her stomach growled. And where was Jensyn? She had to work for a few hours in the afternoon, but should have been home by now. Haley threw the scrub brush into a bucket, wiped some grime from her face, and dried her hands on her old shirt, one from high school that still fit like a glove.

  She pulled her phone from her pocket and texted her sister.

  Where are you?

  With friends. Don’t wait up.

  Nice try. Home by 10.

  Really?? Shocked and mad emojis danced on the screen.

  I have to get up early.

  So? I don’t. More emojis.

  Mom put me in charge, remember?

  Fine.

  Haley sighed. Had she been as difficult as this as a teen? Not that she could remember. On the plus side, at least dinner would be easy. She only had to throw together something for herself—after a shower.

  Thoughts of work kept her preoccupied, but Sullivan pushed them aside. She flopped onto the couch with a bowl of ice cream and a bottle of dessert wine, then she found a romantic comedy to watch. The tall, sexy hero of the movie reminded her of Sullivan.

  “I’m hopeless.” She took the last bite of ice cream. “But I don’t care.”

  When the movie was done, Haley rose from the couch and nearly fell over. She picked up the wine bottle. Empty. How had she drunk so much? She rarely had more than one glass. It had to be the stress of parenting a troubled teen. She stumbled to her room, got into her pajamas, and checked her email to see if anyone looking for a realtor in the area had responded to her ad.

  There were a couple inquiries, so she responded and checked the time. Five after ten.

  Muttering, she texted Jensyn. It took a few tries to get it right.

  10pm curfew

  Three long minutes without a response. By the time Haley sent her another text, her heart was racing.

  Where ru?

  Nothing. She waited until ten after and sent a last text.

  Don’t make me send a search party.

  Haley waited another two minutes before calling her.

  It rang and went to voicemail.

  She ended the call and paced, trying to decide
whether to be angry or worried. If she left a furious message, Jensyn would be even less likely to call back. Haley took a deep breath, considered her wording, and readied her phone.

  It rang in her hand. It was Jensyn.

  Haley’s worry was replaced with relief, but she was no less angry. She took a deep breath and accepted the call.

  “Jensyn?”

  “Haley! You have to help me.”

  Her heart dropped. “What’s going on?”

  Jensyn breathed heavily into the phone. “I’m lost. You have to come get me.”

  “You have a GPS. Have you tried that?”

  “It-it’s going crazy. It’s talking in different languages and the screen… I can’t even explain what it’s doing. It’s like it’s searching through every map.”

  “Wait. Where are you? There’s no way you’d get lost in Enchantment Bay.”

  “Uh, I went to an out-of-town party. They—”

  “You what?” Haley exclaimed. “You said nothing about any of that.”

  “I said I was with friends, and I was. We just went a few towns over to a party in a barn. Only it wasn’t like the parties I usually go to. Alcohol and weed weren’t the highlights. People barely paid attention to that stuff.”

  Haley’s heart pounded so fast, she thought she’d have a heart attack. “Once you’re safe and sound, we’re having a serious talk.”

  “Okay, okay. Just come and get me.”

  “I don’t know where you are!”

  “Um, there are no signs on this road.”

  Haley took a deep breath. Then another. “Then tell me where you last were.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Where were you headed?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Haley had never felt like hitting something more than she did at that moment. But she wouldn’t act like her father. “Well, call your friends and ask them.”

  “That’s the thing. I don’t have any of their numbers.”

  “Why not?” Haley yelled. “They’re your friends!”

  “I just met them.”

  Haley pulled on her hair.

  “Do you realize how much trouble you could get yourself into?”

  “I do now. This road freaks me out. Hurry, Hales.”

  “Then get out of there!”

  “The car broke down.”

  “And you didn’t think to tell me before this?” Haley exclaimed.

  “I think it’s just the battery again.”

  “Can’t you remember how to get some—wait. Your cell phone should have a GPS.”

  “It does?”

  Haley smacked her forehead. “Figure that out and call me. I need to get dressed.”

  “Okay. Just hurry. I’m scared.”

  “You should be,” Haley snapped. “Call me as soon as you figure out where you are.”

  Shaking, she ended the call. Sure, she’d done plenty of dumb things as a teen, but never anything like that. Not even close. As she got dressed, she went back and forth between muttering about her sister and offering prayers for her safety. Haley went out into the front room, waiting for her sister’s call.

  A picture of Dad caught her attention. Haley narrowed her eyes at his haughty expression. “This is your fault somehow. I know it is. She’s either acting out because of how you treated her or because she’s upset that you’re dead.”

  Haley paced and stared at her phone. Finally, she called her sister.

  “I’m on a road called… Highway seventy-seven. Do you know it?”

  “I’ll find it. Are you going to be okay? I don’t know how long it’s going to take me.”

  “Hurry. I’m scared. Shadows keep moving near the trees.”

  “Maybe I should call the cops. They not only could get there faster, but they can protect you better than I can.”

  “No! Don’t.”

  Haley took a deep breath. “And why not?”

  “There’s, uh, something in my car. I didn’t put it in here, but it’s here now. The cops can’t see it or I’ll go to jail.”

  “Have you lost your mind?” Haley exclaimed.

  “Look, ground me for the rest of the summer. Send me to Mom. I don’t care. Just get me out of here, and don’t get the cops involved.”

  “You’re serious?”

  “Please,” Jensyn begged. “I’ll do anything. You don’t want me going to jail, do you?”

  “Of course not. Are you really worried someone is out there, or is it just an overactive imagination?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Haley took a deep breath. “If someone does approach the car, call the cops. Your safety is more important than hiding whatever was planted there. Do you understand?”

  “Uh…”

  “You have to call them if someone heads your way. Tell me you will! We’ll deal with the other stuff later. It’s better than ending up dead or seriously injured.”

  Jensyn sighed. “Okay. If someone’s headed my way, I’ll call nine-one-one. Happy?”

  Haley snorted. “I’m the furthest thing from happy. Keep trying to start the car—just don’t get out.”

  “Don’t worry about that.”

  “Good.” Haley ended the call and tried to calm herself. The room spun around her from the wine. Her entire body shook. There was no way she could drive like this. She’d wreck her car, and then Jensyn would really be in trouble.

  She was tempted to call the cops, but she didn’t want her sister getting arrested. She needed to try to talk some sense into that girl. Hopefully being stranded would be the wake-up call she needed.

  Sullivan. He would help Haley. She found his number and called. It rang and rang until it went to voicemail. Maybe he was already asleep. She called him again, hoping he hadn’t silenced the phone. He didn’t answer.

  She texted him.

  Are you awake? I need help. Emergency.

  Haley hurried to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and swished a mouthwash. She texted him again.

  Please call me.

  The phone rang in her hand.

  “Sullivan?”

  “What’s the matter?”

  “My sister’s stranded in a dangerous place and I can’t drive right now.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Un-complicate it for me.”

  Haley stared at her shaking hands. “I’m way too shaken to drive. I’ll crash, guaranteed. I’m really sorry. Can you help us out?”

  “I’ll be right over.”

  Eight

  Sullivan clutched the steering wheel, staying focused on the narrow, winding road. There were so few streetlights that he had to rely solely on his headlights. Inside the car, the silence seemed to shout.

  He was still furious with Haley but hadn’t been able to say no to helping her. How could he, when she was so upset?

  “What is she doing so far out here?” Haley asked.

  “Being stupid,” Sullivan muttered. “The parties out this way are known for having the worst drugs.”

  Haley made a throaty noise, but didn’t say anything.

  “Maybe you should call her again. Make sure we’re still going in the right direction.”

  “She said they traveled east on this highway. We have to be getting close.”

  “Then call and make sure she’s still okay,” Sullivan snapped.

  She jumped, but made the call.

  He felt bad for snapping. With Jensyn in trouble, he should’ve been able to push aside his feelings until they rescued her. Then later, he could go back to being mad at Haley.

  Every time he looked at her, his anger melted. She seemed so helpless, trembling and with red, teary eyes. It was hard to believe she’d hurt him the way she had. But she had, and once they returned to Enchantment Bay, he was done with her. This would be the last time he spent any time with her. She’d need to find someone else to bail her sister out of trouble.

  “I described the road, and she thinks we’re getti
ng close.”

  “That’s good.” He squeezed the steering wheel.

  “You have jumper cables, right?”

  “Never leave home without them.”

  Haley sighed. “Oh, good.”

  Silence rested between them. It grew more deafening by the moment. He flipped on the radio. A top twenty song blared through the speakers. He turned the volume down.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine.”

  Two more songs played before a car appeared on the side of the road up ahead.

  “There she is!” Haley exclaimed. She got on her phone. “We’re here.”

  Sullivan slowed and maneuvered the car so it faced Jensyn’s.

  Haley jumped out of the car and ran to her sister. The two embraced. Sullivan’s heart skipped a beat, imagining how he’d feel if it was one of his sisters stranded on this road. He was sure if he looked up ‘middle of nowhere,’ there would be a picture of where they stood. Not only that, but the way the moon cast light on the forest was most menacing.

  He cut the engine, popped his hood open, climbed out of the car, and gestured for Jensyn to raise her hood. Then he went to his trunk and dug around for his jumper cables. In a matter of minutes, the little beater roared to life.

  Haley threw her arms around Sullivan. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “No problem.” He stepped back.

  “Sorry if I woke you.”

  “It’s fine.” He hadn’t been sleeping—just avoiding her calls. “Look, you ride with her, and I’ll follow to make sure you get home safely.”

  “Thank you.” She grabbed her purse from Sullivan’s car and stopped in front of Jensyn’s. “Wait. What are we going to do about the stuff you mentioned?”

  Sullivan arched a brow.

  Jensyn scowled. “Some kids at that party stuck it in there when they heard the cops were on their way.”

  “What?” Haley exclaimed. “The cops were going to the party?”

  “I left before they got there.”

  “Maybe you should stick to local parties,” Sullivan suggested. “Let’s head back. It’s not getting any earlier.”

  “What are we supposed to do with that stuff?” Haley asked.