by Gayle Roper
“Is that a compliment or a criticism?”
He just grinned.
“It reminded me of my mom’s funeral.”
“Ah.” He slid an arm around my shoulders and gave me a comforting squeeze as we reached the front door. He was very good at comforting squeezes. All those sisters probably.
We stood back as a man and woman entered. The man stopped when he saw Gray.
“Edwards.” Though he stuck out his hand, his manner was as friendly as a linebacker’s as he faced his opponent in the Super Bowl. “Such a sad thing. And to think you found her?”
“Reddick, how are you?” Gray’s manner was cool, too, and he ignored the question in the man’s voice.
“Have you met my wife?” Mr. Reddick asked. “Josie, this is Gray Edwards.”
“Hello.” Josie didn’t offer a hand, and she looked at Gray with barely concealed dislike. She was a tall, slim woman with a beautiful face marred by her cold, hostile expression. I expected arctic winds to start blowing despite the hot, humid temps.
After introducing me, Gray said, “Hal’s a builder too.”
Ah, Reddick Brothers, a name even I knew. Competitors. Cobidders on the downtown project. That explained the chilly demeanors. Reddick Brothers had lost. Edwards Inc. had won.
Hal looked toward the front of the room where Ken stood, momentarily alone. “I bought our last two cars from him, and she was a partner in the CPA firm that handles my business account.” He shook his head. “Her death feels so personal. Josie and I have felt like a black cloud has been hanging over us ever since we heard.”
Josie Reddick nodded agreement though no tears sat in her well made-up eyes. “We’ll miss her.”
Clearly about as much as I’d miss pneumonia.
“It’s going to be a bear for Windle, Boyes, Kepiro and Ryder to replace her.” Hal frowned. “She was so good at her job. Even looked over my stuff recently what with Bob Boyes struggling with chemo treatments.”
Another couple came in the door, and the Reddicks were forced to move on.
“Lovely folks,” I muttered as we again stood aside to let the newcomers in.
Gray raised an eyebrow at my sarcasm. “Insightful of you to peg them so quickly. Most people think they’re charming.”
“I’d say that he’s nicer than she is. He’s competitive like guys are, doing everything to win but moving on if he loses. While you’ll never be his good buddy, he doesn’t hate you. But Josie? Different story. She disliked me on sight simply because I’m with you. Going by that look in her eyes, she’s never going to forget that you beat Hal. Never.”
“So it’s a good thing that our paths rarely cross. Is that what you’re saying?” He sounded amused as he leaned past me to hold the door.
I turned to answer and found his face very near mine. I could smell his shaving lotion, a smooth evergreen fragrance. It made me think of tall trees and woodsmen, strong things, just like Gray. “J-just don’t let her find you in a dark, empty alley.” I looked over his shoulder at the Reddicks gladhanding everyone they passed. I looked back at Gray. “But I can tell that the best man definitely won.”
Gray grinned, his dark eyes warm and pleased. “Thanks, Anna. That means a lot.”
I gulped and hurried through the door. Talk about charm!
He took my elbow as we walked across the parking lot, and I liked the feel of his fingers on my skin. Since Glenn all those long years ago, I hadn’t let myself be so attracted to a man. Sure, I’d dated. Sure, I’d enjoyed conversation with men. In fact I liked men’s way of looking at life. But…
“You know, their house is my very favorite,” I said to get my mind back on mundane things. “Ever seen it?”
Gray shook his head.
“Big barn with an addition. Huge. Wonderful landscaping. And guess what? They have my window treatments in all their windows.”
“And Josie didn’t even recognize you?” Gray shook his head.
“She never met me. She only dealt with the interior designer, not the lowly seamstress.”
“I can’t say that surprises me.” He opened the passenger door for me. “But it was definitely her loss.”
The intensity of his gaze made my breath catch. I was grateful for the few moments that I sat in the truck alone as Gray walked to the driver’s side. By the time he climbed behind the wheel, I felt I had myself in hand. I sighed. I’d better, for the sake of my mental and emotional health.
We drove for a few minutes in silence. Gray seemed lost in his own thoughts, and I had no idea what they might be. It was a relief to reach home. Gray followed me in with the intent of checking out the house for intruders once again. He stripped off his tie and stuck it back in his pocket.
Rocky greeted us, delighted that I had come home. He wiggled so hard it was a wonder he didn’t dislocate something spinal. Tipsy lurked in the background, clearly still ticked at having to share his home with this interloper.
I leaned over Rocky, rubbing his ears and scratching his head. “Any visitors while we were gone?”
“I’m going to check the basement to be sure.” Gray rolled up his sleeves as he headed for the stairs. Rocky abandoned me without a second thought for the fun of accompanying Gray.
“You’re not supposed to go down there,” I told both of them.
“We won’t touch anything. Besides, there’s no other way to be certain there’s no one lurking,” he said, the very soul of reason.
I couldn’t argue with his logic. “I won’t turn you in to Poole unless it’s either you or me.” I grinned. “Then it’s you.”
I leaned down and lifted Tipsy so he wouldn’t feel totally left out. What an armload! At first he held himself stiffly, miffed that I’d loved on Rocky first. I kissed Tips on the top of his head. He turned, showed me his fangs, then melted against me.
I stared at him, struck by an unexpected thought. “Is all that fang-showing supposed to be a smile?”
Tips gave no answer, just settled more comfortably in my arms.
Gray came back upstairs, proclaiming all was well. Rocky ran over to me and Tipsy stiffened, the hair on his back rising. He hissed his displeasure and swatted at Rocky who by now had learned to duck. Tipsy pushed away from me with enough force to leave bruises, hit the floor, and headed for Lucy’s room at a run. Rocky loped after him, clearly delighted with the game of tag. I hurried after both of them and saw Rocky trying to wriggle under Lucy’s bed to join his new best friend. Since Lucy used under the bed for storing all her out-of-season clothes, I didn’t give the dog much chance. In truth, I found it amazing that Tipsy could find room under there.
I changed into something more comfortable for the trip to Seaside and was throwing the last of my toiletries in my duffel when Rocky joined me. “Couldn’t fit under, huh?” Fifteen minutes later, Rocky and I were seated in Gray’s truck, me in the passenger seat, Rocky in the second seat, all buckled into his restraint, clearly miffed at his lack of mobility. He wanted to sit in Gray’s lap.
Sorry, dog. I get first dibs.
“You’re sure you don’t mind him in your truck?” I asked Gray again.
“Anna, I work on a construction site. Compared to some of the things I have to cart around in this vehicle, a dog is nothing, even a lug like Rocky.”
I turned to the back seat. “He loves you, baby,” I said, rubbing Rocky’s ears again.
Gray snorted. “I don’t think that’s quite what I said.”
I grinned at him. “But it’s what you meant, I’m sure.”
Apparently Rocky thought so too because he leaned forward and rested his chin on Gray’s right shoulder.
We were well along the Atlantic City Expressway when Gray glanced at me, curiosity obvious in his eyes.
“What?” I asked.
“I’ve been dying to ask you this question ever since you fell on top of me the other night.”
“Don’t remind me!”
“I ought to warn you.” He pulled into the left lane to pass a
van stuffed to the gills with folding chairs, pillows, duffel bags, and kids. “I learned from my sisters that it’s always wise to have something embarrassing you can hold over the head of anyone you have a relationship with.”
We had a relationship? How cool was that! Of course, the fact that it was Rocky who rested his head on Gray’s shoulder, not me, said something about the depth of our liaison. “So what’s your question?”
“Why isn’t someone as beautiful as you married?”
Beautiful? Me? I almost swallowed my tongue in surprise.
“Or is there a guy out there that I don’t know anything about?”
“No guy.”
“Never?”
I felt Gray glance at me, but I stared resolutely out the front window. I never talked about Glenn. It was too painful, too humiliating. Even Lucy and Meg didn’t know about him.
“Mmm,” Gray said. “What was his name?”
“Glenn,” I answered before I could stop myself. “But I don’t talk about him.”
“That bad?” Gray’s voice was sympathetic.
“Worse.”
“He stood you up?”
“Is sending you a note as you’re waiting in your living room in your wedding gown, all ready to get in the limo for the ride to the church, standing you up?”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah.”
“Was there someone else, or did he just change his mind?”
“My maid of honor. They’ve been happily married for five years now.” I could no longer decide whether that fact made me happy for him or sad for me. I guess the fact that the I’m-going-to-die-it-hurts-so-badly feelings had eased into the-most-embarrassing-thing-that-ever-happened-to-me meant I had gotten on with life.
“You still miss him?”
I shook my head. “I miss what I thought I had with him, but not him. I’m not dumb enough to miss a guy who was an unfaithful wretch.” Honesty forced me to add, “Though it took me a while to get to this point.”
“Yeah, I would think so.” His voice was gentle, and it made me wonder.
“How about you? Is there some girl mad at me because you have to play bodyguard all weekend?”
“No, no one.”
“But there was.” I made it a statement.
He gave a little puff of bitter laughter. “There was.” He fell silent.
“Hey, I confessed my humiliating story. It’s your turn. What was her name?”
“Becky. She gave me my ring back about three years ago. ‘Here, Gray. I don’t want it any more.’”
“Because?” I prodded when it seemed that was all I was going to get.
“Because she said I spent all my time working.”
Now there was a surprise. “How long were you engaged?”
“Three years.”
I stared at him. “Three years? You’re kidding!”
“What’s wrong with that?” he asked defensively. “Is there a rule no one ever bothered to tell me about the accepted length of engagements?”
“For a man who grew up with four sisters, you didn’t learn much about women, did you?”
“Look, a man’s got to establish himself.”
“I say you didn’t love her enough, sort of like Glenn didn’t love me enough. He turned to Mae, you turned to work.”
“I thought your degree was in art, not psychology.”
“Well, you do like to work,” I said, ignoring the edge in his voice. “I see you sneaking peeks at your PDA and cell all the time. I should hide your laptop for the weekend and make you have fun.” I wished I had the courage to follow through on my threat.
Apparently he gave me more credit for guts than I gave myself. He turned to me, eyes flashing. “What is it with women, always knowing what’s right for everyone.”
I blinked, taken aback by his genuine anger. He saw my reaction, seemed to hear himself, and muttered, “Sorry.”
Talk about not meaning what you say. “Right.” I knew his reaction was as much or more about Becky than me, but it still stung.
We didn’t talk for some time. I fumed; he fumed. I knew we were being stupid, acting like a pair of six-year-olds. Besides, starting the weekend off mad at each other wouldn’t ruin it only for us, but for the others as well. I decided I would show Gray how I could be mature and magnanimous. Maybe he could learn from my example.
My cell phone rang while I sought just the right words.
“Anna? It’s Natalie Schumann. I’ve got good news!”
“I could use some good news,” I blurted, looking at Gray. His brows arched in question.
Natalie’s voice became muffled as she apparently covered the phone and called to someone near her, “Yeah, I’m coming, I’m coming.” Her voice came clearly again. “We’ve got him.”
“What? Him? Already?” I couldn’t believe it.
“They got the man in black?” Gray looked as surprised as I felt. “How? Where?”
I waved him quiet as Natalie continued, “They picked him up in his car just a couple of minutes ago.”
Through the phone I heard music swell and a voice call, “Natalie, you’re up.”
“I gotta go,” Natalie said unnecessarily. “It’s my turn to walk down the aisle with a bouquet of ribbons from one of the many showers. Corny but fun. Not that they need me. There are seven bridesmaids, can you believe it? And that’s not counting the maid of honor. But, man, do I partner with a gorgeous guy. Makes wearing the puce gown bearable. I just hope the marriage lasts as long as the wedding, though I have my doubts. See ya.”
“Wait, Nat—” But the line was already dead. With my head spinning slightly at this very different Natalie from the professional cop Natalie I’d previously known, I started smiling. “They got him!” My voice bounced around in the truck cab. Rocky barked his pleasure. “They got him!”
I looked at the ceiling and spread my hands. “Thank You, God. Thank You.”
Gray grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I am so glad for you!”
I felt light, as flyaway as a tuft of dandelion fluff floating on a warm breeze. Once again Skip Schumann was the worst thing to blight my life. I couldn’t stop smiling. Gray’s smile was as broad as mine.
We turned off the Garden State Parkway and drove through Somer’s Point and across the Ninth Street Causeway into Seaside. I glanced at Gray. By this time his smile had turned wry. “I guess my services aren’t needed after all, are they?”
Uh-oh. I’d been so busy rejoicing that I hadn’t thought about his original reluctance to come with me. Now he was trapped at the shore for the weekend with no purpose but to have fun, relax and lie in the sun. Poor man.
“Your services might not be needed,” I said carefully, “but you are.” I pointed at him and became the voice of a million TV giveaways. “You, Gray Edwards, are about to receive an all-expenses-paid vacation at the beautiful Jersey shore, courtesy of James Stoner, millionaire. Included in this exciting package are gourmet meals served on the deck of the millionaire’s beach-side mansion, exciting nights walking and shopping on the historic Seaside boardwalk, and unlimited use of the Atlantic Ocean and the wide sandy Seaside beaches as your own personal playground.”
He looked as pained as my father when he suffered acute indigestion.
I sighed. Such a party pooper. That Becky was one smart girl to run while the running was good, but idiot that I am, I didn’t want to run. I wanted to save him from himself. How delusional was that?
“At least spend the night, Gray.” I pointed to the dashboard clock that read five after ten. “It’s too late to drive all the way home now.” It wasn’t as if he really wanted to go, but I couldn’t think of any other argument.
He grunted, a noise I took for assent. My spirits rose, and I grinned.
“Wait until you see James’s house. It’s amazing, all glass and glorious views of the sea. There’s nothing like breakfast on the deck overlooking the beach and the water. Everything tastes like a gourmet restaurant. Turn right here.”
He turned. “I’m sure it’s lovely.”
Can you say noncommittal? At least he wasn’t negative. I thought that was hopeful.
“I don’t know who designed it—not Hal Reddick, I’m sure—but he did a wonderful job.”
“Hal’s not an architect. He’s a contractor.”
“See? I was right. He didn’t do it.”
We stopped at a traffic light and Gray turned to me. He was almost smiling. “You are something else.”
I fluttered my lashes at him. “Is that good or bad?”
“Neither. It just is,” he said as we drove the last block. We were smiling at each other when we pulled between the pilings onto the cement slab that was the parking area under James’s house.
We climbed out and gathered our stuff. Rocky pulled at my arm, determined to shed his leash and run. A couple of hours in the car had increased his already near-manic need for movement.
James, six feet, skinny, with the family’s red hair—though on him it was more a rust than a red—met us at the door. I could never decide if this streetside door was the front door or the back door since the house was built to focus toward the ocean. James gave me a quick hug and shook Gray’s hand, then stepped back to look Rocky over.
“Hey, handsome.” He held out a hand, and Rocky slobbered happily over it.
“I think you’re supposed to offer a paw, buddy,” Gray said.
Rocky grinned, clueless. I didn’t need a crystal ball to see canine obedience class in my future.
We walked down the hall toward the living room, a now-leashless Rocky galloping happily ahead. He ran right up to and into the floor-to-ceiling glass which looked out at the water. With a shake of his head to clear the effects of the collision, he sat and stared with longing at the stretch of beach that called his name.
The house, two rooms wide but quite deep, had six bedrooms and six baths on two floors, which were really the second and third floors since the first was the parking slab under the house. The open slab was designed for the sea to flow through if a hurricane or severe nor’easter hit. The theory was that the house itself would therefore escape damage. That premise had yet to be tested.
I hurried upstairs and dropped my things in the bedroom that was “mine”. Lucy and Meg had rooms across the hall. The ocean side of the top floor was a great office with more floor to ceiling glass and glorious views. James wrote and worked there, though I always wondered how he could concentrate on anything but the seething sea. Gray was given a room on the main floor across the hall from James’s.