“Claire?”
Taking two steps forward, she looked back over her shoulder. “What?”
“You don’t have to be afraid. Honest.”
She wondered if he was talking about the wedding stalker or the attraction simmering between them. Either way, she wasn’t sure she believed him.
“I’m not.” The lie slipped easily from her lips.
“Good. See you in the morning.”
* * * *
Jed forked another bite of pancake into his mouth, making inroads on the giant stack, and wondered if he’d died and gone to heaven. The only thing better than eating Ralph’s specialty pancakes was watching Claire savor them. With her eyes closed, she leaned back in the booth and chewed slowly before swallowing with a little moan of pleasure. Heat shot straight to his groin, and he shifted on the seat. He was more than a little surprised at how much he was enjoying her company—especially since she seemed determined not to sleep with him. Platonic relationships with women weren’t usually his thing.
“Oh, God, I’m so glad I let Augusta talk me into ordering these.”
With a smirk, he licked syrup from one finger. “And you said you don’t do sugar.”
“Rules were made to be broken.”
“You don’t have to break them if you don’t make any to begin with.”
She glanced at him and laughed. “I suppose not, but honestly, you sound like you’re still ten years old when you make those kinds of comments.”
“Nothing wrong with that. Ten-year-olds have it good.”
“Claire?”
The voice came from the direction of the entrance. Jed looked over his shoulder at a tall, thin woman with dark hair and tired amber eyes hovering near the taxidermy bear. The eyes brightened as Claire rose from the booth to rush toward her. The two women rocked together in a long embrace before pulling away.
“Oh, my God, you still look like you’re eighteen.”
“Hardly.” Claire grinned. “Wow, it’s so good to see you.”
The woman’s gaze darted toward Jed then back. “Uh, I don’t want to interrupt your breakfast. I didn’t realize you’d have company.”
“You aren’t interrupting. Join us.” Taking her arm, Claire tugged the newcomer toward the booth. “Theresa, this is an old friend of mine, Jed Lafferty. Jed, meet Theresa Wilson. We were best buds in high school.”
He shook her outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you, Theresa. You’re the one who gave Claire the heads-up about the Bigfoot story?”
She nodded. “For years we’ve been saying we should get together. This seemed like the perfect impetus.”
Claire slid into the booth and made room for her friend. “It’s a little odd being back here after all this time, but I’m enjoying it. How are you? How’s Shelby?” She squeezed Theresa’s hand, which was resting on the tabletop.
“Shelby’s wonderful and exasperating. Aren’t all thirteen-year-old girls? I’m good. It was tough for the first couple of years after we lost Roger, but I’m doing much better now.”
“I’m glad.” Claire’s voice held a soft sincerity that lightened as she picked up her fork. “Order some pancakes. They’ll make all your problems disappear. I haven’t had one negative thought since my first bite.”
Theresa smiled. “I’ve already eaten, but finish your breakfast. Maybe coffee…”
Augusta stopped beside the booth to set a mug on the table. After filling it from the carafe she carried, she topped off the other two cups without asking. “Can I get you anything else?”
“This is perfect.” Theresa reached for the metal pitcher containing cream. “Thanks, Augusta.”
“You bet.” The waitress smiled at Jed. “What about you, hon? Want me to have Ralph start a second stack?”
Jed shook his head and groaned. “As much as I’d like to, I’ll have to pass. I won’t be able to move if I eat any more.”
“Lightweight.” With a parting laugh, she walked away.
Claire kept up a steady stream of chatter while they finished eating. Jed’s attention drifted as the two women reminisced about old classmates—until Theresa mentioned Dallas Simms. His hand jerked, slopping coffee. Pulling a napkin from the dispenser, he mopped up the spill.
Creases marred Claire’s forehead. “I ran into Dallas at the market yesterday. He’s changed more than I expected.”
“Not where it counts. Inside, he’s still the same, good-hearted man you dated in high school. Having Mandy move his kids so far away has been a tough blow. I know he doesn’t see them as often as he’d like. If you ask me, the custody arrangement shafted him. His ex-wife made some allegations about his drinking, and the judge sided with her.”
“Were they true?” Claire pushed her cup away and crossed her arms on the table top.
“He has a bit of a problem, but it’s gotten worse since Mandy left. Still, he’d never do anything to endanger his kids.”
“I’m sorry he’s having such a battle. Divorce isn’t easy. Divorce with kids involved is worse. I’ve watched a couple of other friends go through it.”
Theresa sat up straighter. “He threw off some of his gloom and doom when I told him you’d be in town. I know he’s looking forward to seeing you again, catching up on old times.”
“He mentioned something to that effect.”
Theresa glanced at her watch. “Damn. I have to go. I’m showing a house in a half-hour. Can we get together again before you leave town?”
“Sure. I’d love to.”
She stood then turned back. “I almost forgot. Did some lawyer contact you? I gave him your work address.”
Claire frowned. “No, what lawyer?”
“He wouldn’t say, which is why I didn’t give him your cell number or e-mail. Sounded kind of fishy to me, and I didn’t want some shyster harassing you. He mentioned he’d been trying to track you for weeks, but the only addresses he had were your box number in Shady Bend and the apartment you rented in college. Apparently old Mrs. Evans at the post office offered my name and told him I might know where you were since we used to be friends. She isn’t above bending the rules.”
“That’s odd. Why would a lawyer have addresses that old?”
“He said he couldn’t discuss it. I didn’t want to give out your personal information, just in case he was a fraud or something.”
“I appreciate that. If he mailed me anything, I left the Bay Area before it arrived.”
Theresa glanced at her watch again. “Gotta go or my clients will beat me to the house. Bye, Claire. Nice to meet you, Jed.” She hurried away without waiting for a response, and the door slapped shut behind her.
“Is she a realtor?”
Claire nodded. “Theresa got her license after her husband died. I hope she really is doing all right like she said.”
“Your friend seems like a strong, self-sufficient woman.”
“She is.” Claire was silent for a moment as Augusta cleared their plates and left a bill on the table. After she moved to the next booth, Claire frowned and dabbed at a spot of syrup on the Formica surface with a napkin. “I wonder what the whole lawyer thing is about.”
“Can you have someone check your mailbox?”
“I could ask my editor, I suppose.” She shrugged. “It’s probably nothing. Shall we go?”
“If I can still walk after all those pancakes.”
Picking up the bill, he slid out of the booth. Grabbing her purse, Claire did, too. Once they’d paid, Jed held the door for her then followed her outside. Wind swirled, and he zipped his jacket.
Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a white puff. “Cold today, but at least the fog is beginning to clear.”
“Tell me again why you like the coast.”
She raised her head and laughed. “Because… Hey, that’s Preston’s van.” She pointed toward a heap of scrap metal in the parking lot.
“And I thought my SUV was ready for retirement. I’m drawin
g a blank here. Who’s Preston again?”
“My old buddy from Nature Exposed.” She glanced around. “I wonder where he is.”
As she finished speaking, the rear doors of the van creaked open, and a lanky redhead wearing a puffy, black jacket with a piece of duct tape covering one elbow, backed out. When he turned, his gaze zeroed in on Claire, and a wide smile split his face.
She raised a hand and waved then grabbed Jed’s arm to drag him forward. “Come meet Preston. You’ll like him. Everyone does.”
The guy looked like the amiable sort. Good natured if the broad grin was any indication. When their gazes met, the journalist’s held a touch of curiosity.
“Jed Lafferty meet Preston Meyer. It’s like a reunion around here, there’re so many familiar faces popping up.” She fisted her hands on her hips and glanced between the two men with a smile.
Preston’s brows shot up beneath his unruly hair as he straightened. “Are you another contender for the Bigfoot story?”
Claire spoke before Jed could answer. “No, he was my next-door neighbor when I was a kid. Haven’t seen him in twenty-five years.”
The man’s stiff posture eased into a slouch. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m having a hard enough time getting the inside scoop without more competition. That group sure is tight-lipped. I confronted an older woman in the woods yesterday afternoon and got the feeling she’d rather spit in my face than turn loose of any pertinent details.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Margaret Welsh. She wasn’t exactly warm and friendly with me, either.”
His easy smile returned. “No matter. I’m not giving up. I’ll get a photograph of Bigfoot if I have to settle here permanently to do it. I suppose there are worse places to be stuck for the foreseeable future.”
“Personally, I think it’s all a wild goose chase.” She stuck her hands in the pockets of her jacket and rocked back on her heels. “If nothing breaks in the next few days, I’ll write a lovely piece on the mystery and beauty of the redwoods to submit with my photos. You can have Bigfoot.”
Preston let out a boisterous laugh. “Thanks. I’ll take him.” The chuckles ceased, and resolve glowed in his eyes. “Getting this story will be the answer to all my problems.”
Reaching out, Claire squeezed his arm. “I hope you’re successful. Right now, though, we’d better get moving. We want to hike while the sun is shining, and it may be a brief window of opportunity.”
“Sure. I’m on my way to breakfast, anyway.”
Jed cleared his throat and stuck out his hand. “Order the pancakes. You won’t regret it.”
“Thanks for the tip.” The man grasped Jed’s palm in a firm shake then dipped his head in a nod. “See you around, Claire.”
After he walked away, Jed headed toward his SUV. “You’re right.”
She skipped a couple of steps to catch up. “I am?”
“I do like him. He seems like a nice guy. A little down on his luck, but determined to make something happen for himself. I’ve been in his shoes a few times.”
Claire glanced over her shoulder with a sigh. “Haven’t we all? Preston deserves a break, and I hope this is it.” Her pensive expression dissolved in a grin. “If there’s a Bigfoot or two lurking in those woods, however unlikely, I hope we both get the pictures to prove it.”
* * * *
With a few deft movements, he worked the lock, smiling in satisfaction when the mechanism clicked. Humming, he pulled open the motor home’s door and stepped inside. Chances were he had an hour or two before Claire returned. She’d taken the dog and her camera when she left with the two-bit bum who’d been attached to her like a friggin’ limpet since she had arrived in Shady Bend.
Except at night. Crouching in the trees, damp cold chilling his bones, relief had flooded through him when Claire retired to her motor home. Alone. Whatever the man was to her, she wasn’t sleeping with him. Yet. Hopefully another reminder of her promise would prevent her from even considering it.
He hadn’t waited and watched, kept tabs on her for all these years only to lose her now. He’d see she honored her vow…one way or the other. He’d accept nothing less than her willing cooperation. Surely with a few more jogs to her memory, she’d come around and see they were a perfect match.
Making his way through the tiny RV, he stopped beside the bed. Careful to keep his dirty boots off the spread, he lay down and turned his face into her pillow. Breathing deeply of the floral scent lingering there, his lips brushed over the fabric. His jeans tightened at the crotch. With a moan he sat upright. No time to waste. He couldn’t risk being caught.
Standing, he reached in his pocket for the package wrapped in silver tissue and tied with a gold bow. A small card dangled from the ribbon. Oh, how he’d labored over this message, wanting to get it just right. With a quick glance around, he pulled open a drawer opposite the bed. Sweaters filled it, packed in tight, leaving little space for his gift. Pushing it shut, he opened the drawer beside it. Silk and lace underwear and bras in every color imaginable tempted him. After lifting out a tiny pair of bikini panties, he pressed them to his cheek. Pulse pounding, he licked the strip of cotton lining before dropping them back in the drawer. His hand slid down the front of his pants for a few swift strokes. Perspiration broke across his upper lip.
Later.
Burying the package under a layer of underwear at the back, he closed the drawer and walked toward the front of the motor home. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door a crack and peered out. Not even a squirrel was around to witness his departure. Making sure to relock the door behind him, he hurried out of the campsite.
Sometime soon, Claire would find his gift and remember her promise. Once she did, he’d have all the time in the world to make love to her.
Together forever.
Chapter 6
Scoop leaped out of the SUV to tour the unfamiliar surroundings, nose to the ground working overtime, tail trying to keep up. Claire followed with a lot less enthusiasm, wondering if Ian always wore the scowl he had on now or if he donned the glower especially for her. As her ex approached at a fast clip, his gaze darted between the dog and Jed with ill-concealed annoyance.
“I thought you were bringing your girlfriend with you. Uh, Theresa wasn’t it?”
“Jed’s an even older friend—from my grade school years. We bumped into each other a couple of days ago.”
Her old friend rounded the front of the vehicle and stuck out his hand. After a moment, Ian shook it.
“How’re you doing? Hope you don’t mind I tagged along. I’m fascinated by your Bigfoot research. Claire tells me you document each step so there’ll be no doubt about the authenticity of your findings.”
Some of the tension around the other man’s mouth eased. “Sorry if I seemed unwelcoming. I was just a little surprised. Nice to meet a fellow enthusiast.”
Claire turned away, pressing her lips together to hide a grin. Jed’s wide-eyed innocent act was perfect for gaining Ian’s approval. He’d always loved having adoring disciples hanging on his every word.
She pointed toward Scoop, tail waving as he thrust his nose into a hole. “Is having my furry pal along going to be a problem? I can always leash him.”
The glower returned as Ian rolled his eyes. “You’re turning what’s supposed to be a routine hike into a freaking circus. We’re here to work, for Christ’s sake.”
“I suppose I can leave him in the car, but he’ll be miserable.” Her shoulders sagged.
With a snort, Ian turned away. “Bring him, but keep him under control.”
“Oh, I will. Where’s the rest of the group?”
“Lee and Margaret left a while ago. I waited for you. Bart is—”
“Right here.” The other scientist hurried out of the trees, smiling as he approached. “I had a few calls to make, and service out here is spotty at best. Good to see you again, Claire.”
“Likewise. This is a friend of mine, Jed Laffert
y. Jed, Bart Kelton.”
The men shook hands, eyeing one another up and down like two alpha dogs meeting for the first time. If they’d had fur, it would have bristled. With a whistle to Scoop, she followed Ian, leaving Jed to fend for himself.
“I hope you’re prepared for a fairly long hike. It’ll be close to ten miles, round trip.”
Claire patted her backpack. “I brought water and lunch along with my camera. Thanks for being a good sport about Scoop. I didn’t want to leave him tied up or stuck inside my motor home all day.”
Ian shrugged. “I guess he won’t be a problem.” His glance slid toward her then away as he held back a limb. “How’d you hook up with that Jed guy?”
“We were both at Ralph’s Diner the day I arrived. I almost fell off my seat when I realized he was the daredevil little boy who lived across the street from me when I was a kid, all grown up. We got to talking, and since he was interested in your project, I invited him along.”
“Oh.” The word fell hard and flat into the silence. With their footsteps muffled by a thick layer of needles, tree branches sowing in the breeze high overhead barely ruffled the stillness. Ian let out a breath. “If we don’t discover any new evidence of Bigfoot on our hike, will you leave?”
“I’m not sure. I may give it a couple more days. I took a lot of tree pictures yesterday after the fog lifted, just in case I need to change the focus of my story.”
“Typical Claire. Ready with a backup plan at a moment’s notice.”
She stopped and fisted her hands on her hips. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Just that you’re always prepared. When you didn’t want to be married to me after our ill-fated trip to the Elvis impersonator, you were damn quick to start annulment proceedings.”
“Because your father—the lawyer—told me exactly what steps to take.” Her voice rose. “Your parents weren’t any more thrilled about our marriage than mine were.”
“True. But how about us?” He shrugged. “Don’t answer that. It all worked out for the best. Right?”
“Right.”
“Hey, kids, no fighting.”
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