She closed her eyes. Gary pressed his mouth against hers and kissed her gently, long and slow. His hands pressed into her back pulling her tightly against him. A thrill raced up Erin’s spine. He eased away and said, “The trip was brutal. I’ve got to get into another line of work.” He pressed his lips against her hair. “It’s good to see you.”
Erin nodded, took him by the hand, and led him out the back door. The breeze felt cold even with the sunshine on her face, and the scent of lilacs lingered in the garden. She led him down the path, across the rocky beach to the sand bar, and took off her sandals.
“Take off your shoes,” she said.
He hesitated but did as she asked. She bent down and rolled up his pant legs to his knees, then said, “Come on. When I’ve had a rough day this always helps.”
She took his hand and ran with him over the beach. Their feet sank into the deep, soft sand as they ran, and the clams, disturbed by the pounding of their feet, squirted water out their holes as they dug themselves deeper. Water shot into the sky like a fountain, and Gary stopped just as a clam sent up a spray from directly beneath him. He jumped into the air; his pants were soaked.
“What the hell,” he shouted. Erin turned around and laughed. She’d been squirted in the face. She grabbed his hand again and they ran on toward the water. Erin waded into the little waves, and water splashed up around her, soaking her to the waist. Gary stopped with his feet barely in the water. He laughed.
“You’re crazy! You’re getting soaked.”
She laughed and kicked at the water, splashing him. “You’re almost as wet as I am.”
“I don’t think so. You’ve got mud in your hair.”
She felt her hair and pulled out the clump of mud. Then she sloshed back out of the cold water and grabbed Gary’s hand again. “Playing on the beach always makes things feel better.”
His smile dropped from his face. His face hardened, and he looked out beyond the waves to the south.
Erin looked at him with concern. “What is this about?”
He shrugged. “It’s just been a difficult few days.”
“Tell me about it?”
They walked back toward the house, weaving their way around the clam holes. They picked up their shoes and sat down on the rocky beach, leaning against a large driftwood log, their bare feet stretched out in front. Erin waited for him to answer.
He shrugged his shoulders and watched a seagull fly overhead. It dropped a clam on the rocks, swooped down and started pecking at it. Erin tucked her knees up close to her body, wrapped her arms around her legs, and watched him. He took a deep breath.
“I went to New York to try to clear up a problem with some investors. It didn’t go well.” He watched her face intently and went on. “I’m sure the problems will be cleared up, but they’re dragging on.”
“What kind of problems?” Erin asked.
Gary shook his head. “You don’t want to hear about this.”
“Sure. You can talk to me about it.”
He rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. “A whole shipment disappeared.”
Erin’s eyes opened wide. “Really? A shipment of what?”
Gary leaned his head back and looked at the sky. He laughed. “Oh, just some trade goods. But they’ll deteriorate if we don’t find them soon. Investors don’t like that.”
Erin turned to him and touched his arm. “Gary, this isn’t something illegal, is it?”
He laughed. “No, baby. I’m not a drug dealer. I’m sure it’ll turn up. I just hope it’s soon. Henry—my partner—he’s working on it.” He leaned over and kissed her.
She broke away slowly and leaned back against the log. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed like this, you know.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Oh, you can tell?” She looked at Gary with a smile dancing in her eyes.
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Yeah, sure,” she said. She stood up. “We’ve got to get cleaned up. It’s already six-thirty. Let’s go back inside.”
Erin gave him a towel to wrap around himself while she tossed his pants into the dryer, then she went into her room to clean up and change clothes. She stood looking in the closet, trying to decide what to wear, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She wasn’t sure what it was about him, but her defenses dropped when he was around. She wanted to look her best for him tonight. Riffling through the clothes in her closet, she pulled out a shimmery blue dress with spaghetti straps that would show off the line of her throat and shoulders. She hadn’t worn it in a long time—not since William had been alive. A sob rose in her throat and she put the dress back. Aleesha’s voice came to her mind, “Don’t overthink this, darling. Just have some fun and see where it goes. Spread your wings a little.” She pulled the dress back out.
As she walked downstairs, Gary looked up from his seat on the couch.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said.
“Thanks,” Erin said.
She brought Gary’s pants back from the dryer, and he stood up and tossed the towel onto the couch. She turned away while he pulled his pants on and pretended to get something from the kitchen. When she returned, he was fully dressed, tying his shoes.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
The evening was warm and fragrant. Gary opened the door of his car for her, and Erin slid in. He jumped into the driver’s seat and they rumbled out of the driveway and headed to the restaurant.
Chapter 23
Gary drove the car smoothly over the winding roads into Anacortes, keeping his eyes focused ahead, appearing to be lost in thought. Erin could see how distracted he was. She looked out the window and watched the scenery fly by.
They walked into the restaurant and were seated at a window table with a view of the harbor. The hostess lit the candle on their table, and Gary ordered a bottle of wine. He watched Erin for a few minutes.
“I’m sure your shipment will turn up soon. Is there anything I can do?” she asked.
The corners of his mouth slowly turned up into a grin, and his dimples deepened as he shook his head. “Thanks, but I really can’t think of anything.”
The waitress brought their wine, poured two glasses, and took their dinner orders.
“Do you really run across the clam beds when you’ve had a rough day?” Gary asked.
“I’ve done that on occasion.”
He kept his eyes fixed on her as he sipped his wine.
“What other kinds of things do you do when you’ve had a bad day?”
She thought a moment. “Mostly I play the piano. Or I throw rocks into the Sound.”
He shook his head. “You are so different. I’ve been with a lot of women over the years, and you’re not like any of them. You live in the middle of nowhere, in a little house that smells like cinnamon and flowers, and you give piano lessons. And you haven’t pulled me into your bed, not even after I spent all day with you and your kids.”
Erin gulped her wine and coughed. “Was I supposed to?”
He leaned his head back and laughed. “No, but I’ve kind of come to expect it.”
“You’re kidding. That’s not how I am.”
The waitress brought their food, and they sat back silently looking at each other until she left. Then Gary leaned forward.
“I know you’re not like that. I was afraid you were going to be boring. You’re not boring, but you’re definitely different.” He kept his eyes on her as he put a bite of steak into his mouth.
Erin picked up a roll from the basket on the table, tore it in half, and nibbled at it. “I don’t want to have a casual sexual relationship.”
“I know, I know. I don’t either.”
She smiled. “Good.”
They ate a few more bites of dinner in silence.
“So, how long until it’s not casual?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I’d have to fall in love with you.”
“And you aren’t already?”
Erin smiled. “I like you. Are you in love with me?”
“I’m getting closer every minute.”
Gary’s light blue eyes were so bright Erin loved to look at them. They ate for a few more minutes in silence, Erin looking out the window at the water, the sky, and the seagulls, until Gary asked, “Did you say your grandparents left you your house?”
“Yes. They built it years ago, and when I was a child they decided that I would inherit it. My sister wasn’t left out though. She inherited a large chunk of land on the Oregon coast.”
“What about your parents?”
“They both died a long time ago. I was in college. First Dad had a heart attack and died, and then Mom died just a year later. That was a hard time.” She shook her head and looked at her plate. “But I had William with me then, and he was very good throughout it all.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up such painful memories.”
“I know—it’s all right. It was a difficult time, and I still think of them every day. But somehow I’m able to function as a fairly normal person in spite of everything.” She grinned. “Running over the clam beds is a terrific way to cope, you know.”
He gave her a quick smile. “And did William leave you well provided for?”
“Oh, he had a little life insurance. I’m saving it for the kids’ college.”
Gary’s cell phone rang. He looked at the number. “I should take this call.”
Erin watched his face as he answered his call. His eyes grew icy as he listened, and he glanced around the restaurant.
“I hear you. I’m in Anacortes now. I’ll be back later tonight. Yeah, I’ll be at the meeting,” he said, then listened another minute, shaking his head. “What else did Kenneth tell them?” Gary’s face became a frozen frown, his eyes squinting as he listened for a few more minutes. “Like I said, I’ll be there tomorrow. Make sure Kenneth is there, too.”
He disconnected and put the phone back into his pocket.
“Sorry.”
“Kenneth from the art gallery? I didn’t know he was involved with your business,” she said.
Gary shook his head. “He’s not. Only once in a while.”
“I hope everything’s all right.”
“It’ll be fine. Dessert?” he asked.
“No, thanks.” Erin wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Coffee?”
Gary caught the waitress’s attention and ordered them both Irish coffees. After they finished, he paid the bill and they sped back to Erin’s house.
The sky was dark with the first stars shining overhead when they pulled into her driveway. She faced him. “Thanks for dinner. Do you want to come in?”
“I should get back—it’s a long drive. Henry reminded me I have an early meeting tomorrow,” he said.
“Okay.”
He got out of the car and walked around to open her door. She stepped out and put her hand on his arm.
“Be careful,” she said.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He smelled like fresh laundry, and she wondered why she had told him to be careful. He seemed like he could take care of himself.
“I’ve gotta run,” he whispered into her hair. “Next time I’ll stay longer.” He lifted her chin with his hand and kissed her again.
He let her go and walked around to the other side of the car, paused, and looked back. Then he climbed into his car and left.
She watched him drive down the road, then she turned and looked into the trees on either side of her driveway. The branches rustled in the wind, and a crow landed in a nearby tree, but other than that all was quiet.
Chapter 24
The glow from a streetlight overhead shone on the wet street in the darkness. A constant drizzle created ghost shapes of mist against the tall, blackened buildings lining the roads. A few derelict cars were parked next to the sidewalks, but no life stirred on the streets: no one, nothing.
Erin stood pressed against a cold brick building in an alley, listening. The drizzle had soaked through her jacket, and her hair hung damp and limp around her shoulders. She thought she’d heard a sound a moment before. It might have been a bird, or it might have been a scream. She reached with her mind again to try to make contact with her dreamer, but she still felt nothing. A crow landed in the street outside her alley, turned its head in Erin’s direction, and then flew off again. She brushed her hair from her face and followed it.
It landed on the wrought iron frame of a sign hanging above a narrow door in one of the dark brick buildings. The crow cawed, bobbed its head, and flew away. Erin crept close to the sign, difficult to read in the gloom. Nocte Intempesta. Dead of Night. Her mouth curled in a dry smile. She turned the doorknob and slipped inside.
A bit of flickering light from above cast a dim and shaky glow over the bleak entry. The concrete hall led to a narrow wooden staircase; the right side went up, and the left went down. Both ways were silent.
Erin pulled her sword from its sheath and ascended the stairs. Her boots made no noise, and her passing barely disturbed the dust on the floor. Light from the third floor shone down, but when Erin reached the second floor, she left the staircase and crept down the hall. It was darker away from the stairs, so she moved slowly and listened. The wood floors of the hall were worn and scratched, and there were no pictures on the walls. She came to the first door and pressed her ear against it for a moment. Her heart pounded, and her forehead was damp with sweat. She turned the doorknob and slowly pushed the warped door open. Erin held her breath. All she saw inside the room was a threadbare rug covering the floor. She moved down the hall.
She looked behind the four doors that lined the hallway, and each room was empty. The final door at the end of the hall was different. Made of unfinished wood, it appeared new. Erin turned the knob and pushed hard, but it was locked. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve and listened with her ear pressed to the door but heard only silence. The ceiling above creaked, so she turned and hastened down the hall to the staircase.
The light was still flickering, and Erin stopped to listen again when she reached the stairs. She heard nothing and climbed to the third floor. Taking a deep breath at the top, she crept down the hall to the room where the light glowed. A thick yellow candle rested on the floor, burned nearly all the way down, but nothing else was there. Erin sighed. The floor squeaked nearby.
Holding her sword in front of her, she tiptoed so lightly she nearly floated to the next room. She grasped the doorknob, but the door flew open, and an icy, black shape knocked her over as it raced past. She hit the ground hard, and her shoulder hurt with burning cold from its touch. A man dressed in black raced after it, jumping over her as he ran. Erin was on her feet and after them in an instant. They careened down the stairs, two black figures moving like the wind, and ran down the hall on the floor below. The shadow touched the locked door and it opened. It pushed its way inside, but before the door closed, the man slipped inside as well. The door slammed shut. Erin skidded to a stop and turned the knob. Locked. She heard muted sounds of scuffling and blows from beyond the door, then silence.
Erin retraced her steps to the third floor and went back to the door. A tall woman stood in the doorway, leaning heavily against the wall, dressed in white. Her long black hair tumbled down and obscured most of her face, but Erin knew her at once. It was Franny.
Franny collapsed to the floor. Erin sheathed her sword and dropped to her knees, lifting Franny’s head to her lap. She moaned and tried to push Erin away. “I don’t know what you want.”
“It’s all right. It’s Erin. Franny, it’s me. Look at me.”
Recognition lit up Franny’s face. “What happened?” She looked around, her eyes wild and wide. “What happened to that monster?”
“It ran away. It’s gone.” Erin looked in the direction of the stairs and wondered what did happen to it? And what happened to that man?
“Think for a minute. Tell me what happen
ed.”
Franny began to cry. “No, I don’t know. It was horrible. That thing was so cold, and it hates me. It said it could hurt me forever. It said it had Momma, and it was hurting her. It doesn’t have Momma, does it? Did I let Momma go just to have that thing get her?”
Erin hugged her and said, “No, no. Your mother is safe. She is beyond its reach forever now—it can’t touch her. It’s full of lies. Don’t believe what it tells you.” Erin smoothed Franny’s hair from her face. “Don’t be afraid. You’re stronger than they are.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you are. If another tries to hurt you, tell it to be gone. Don’t believe what it tells you.”
Franny looked at Erin’s face. She nodded and closed her eyes. Erin held her, cradling her head in her arms until Franny finally faded away from her dream.
Chapter 25
Erin helped a customer in the store as two more waited. Ed was late coming in, and she hoped he’d get there soon—she was supposed to give a piano lesson in thirty minutes. The store had been busy all morning, but Erin had been distracted, thinking about Gary’s distressing phone call the night before and hoping his meeting had gone well. She wondered what Kenneth had to do with Gary’s business.
After the last customer made her purchase and walked out the door, she heard her cell phone ring and ran to her studio to answer it. “Hello?”
“Hi, Erin. It’s Aleesha. Come to lunch with me today.”
Erin looked out the window. The morning was cool but clear with the promise of becoming a beautiful day.
“I’d love to, but I’ve got to give a lesson soon. And Ed hasn’t even gotten here yet. It’s been a busy morning. I don’t think I can get away.”
“Nonsense. You’ve got to eat. You’ll work even harder if you don’t have low blood sugar, darling. We’ll keep it short. I’ll meet you at Marina Cafe after your lesson—say at noon?”
Erin laughed. “All right. See you then.”
Erin put her phone back, turned around and gasped. Michael Woodward was leaning against the doorframe watching her.
Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) Page 13