by J. A. Coffey
"I didn't know you could see the ocean from the backside of the house." Chloe stood next to him. The beauty of it was overwhelming. The sky, pink with sunset, ran into the blue of the ocean. It could have been a picture.
"I didn't want to spoil the surprise. I thought you would have explored by now and found it yourself. It's beautiful. Sunset has always been my favorite." Jayden reached for the potatoes in Chloe's hands and paused as his hands grazed hers. The heat from their touch radiated up Chloe's arms. Her eyes locked with his. Time stood still for a moment as they looked at each other, each lost in their own thoughts.
Chloe broke her gaze first and handed the potatoes to him. She turned back to the sunset and hoped he couldn't hear the beating of her heart.
She listened to Jayden get the potatoes on the grill and closed the cover. She felt his presence as he stood close, yet she kept her eyes glued on the water.
"The colors are amazing," he whispered.
"They are." Her soft answer sounded husky to her and she cleared her throat. "So do your parents still live in town?" She moved away to the table off in the corner and sat in the chair.
"Mom is still here. Dad passed away a few years ago. He used to be the police chief."
"I'm so sorry." Chloe's eyes filled with tears as the loss her own parents flashed before her..
"It's okay. He had been sick for quite a while with cancer. Mom's a trooper though. She took care of him right up until the end. Now she volunteers at the hospital in the children's ward."
"Wow. Sounds like she didn't slow down much after your father passed."
"No, not at all. She thinks she still has a lot to give. She is one remarkable woman." Jayden stood and checked the doneness of the potatoes. "I'm going to get the steaks ready. Enjoy the sunset. I'll be back out in a second."
Chloe watched him walk inside and wondered how she'd get through the evening. She felt so comfortable with him, she just wanted to open up and tell him everything, but in the past she had been too open, too naïve, for her own good. Look where it had got her.
She took in the sunset and let her mind wander to memories of her parents. They had been gone now for nine years and she still missed them terribly. Her heart ached remembering the news of the car accident. They had been killed when a drunk driver ran a red light. Tears glistened on her eyelashes. She blinked furiously to clear her vision before Jayden came back outside.
She stood and leaned over the railing. Chloe knew in her gut that this town could be a very positive place to raise a child. She wished she could hide here forever, but didn't have the courage to stay put anywhere for a long time. She couldn't put down roots and just rely on hope that Tony wouldn't find her. Tony wouldn't let her go without a fight...it was the one thing Chloe was sure of. She sighed and hugged her arms around herself.
"Cold?" Jayden slipped up behind her and placed his jacket around her.
She pulled it close. "Thanks. I'm okay."
"Have you had a chance to talk to Carla yet?"
"No. She said she would stop by later to discuss work. Of course, I slept all afternoon. I should see if she is home yet." Chloe made no effort to move.
"We can walk over there after we eat. Relax for now." Jayden smiled, his eyes searching her face.
Chloe, feeling self-conscious, averted her eyes. She needed to pull herself together and keep her defenses up. She looked up and his gaze pulled her closer.
"I don't know how long I will be staying. At least to make a little money while I help Carla, but I can't stay long." She tried to smile, but the emptiness she felt saying those words out loud hit her. She already was sad at the thought of leaving Arden.
"Let's get those steaks on." Jayden turned toward the grill, his mind whirling with the possibilities of what made Chloe so sad and so afraid.
"I'll prepare the salad." Chloe escaped to the kitchen and looked out the window. Jayden turn his back to the house and gazed at the sunset. She pulled his coat closer and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply and took in the scent of him. Her heartbeat increased at the smell. She didn't want to lie to him.
Shaking her head, she slipped the jacket off her shoulders and laid it over a dining room chair. She ran a hand over it to smooth it out. Sighing, she turned to the salad. After throwing the it together, Chloe set the table. She had just finished when Jayden walked back in through the door with the steak and potatoes.
"Is eating in here okay?" Chloe fiddled with the silverware next to the plate.
"Absolutely fine. It gets a little chilly on the deck when the sun goes down."
They sat at the table and filled their plates. Chloe ate with enthusiasm realizing just how hungry she was. She looked up to meet Jayden's eyes.
"It's delicious." She grinned.
"I see that." He chuckled as he took a bite.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude."
"You weren't. I just have never seen a female put away food ike you can. Okay...maybe my sister."
"You have a sister?" Chloe's fork paused. She was once again hit with a pang of loneliness.
"Yes. She's a couple of years older and protective as anything of her ‘little brother'."
"It must be nice to have a sibling. I'm an only child and used to dream I had a brother, or a sister." Chloe dropped her eyes, wishing she hadn't revealed so much about herself.
"Where are your parents?" Jayden's voice was soft.
"They were killed in a car accident years ago by a drunk driver."
"I'm so sorry, Chloe." Jayden's sympathy, so evident in his voice, was almost the undoing of her. She blinked to hold the tears back.
"Tell me about growing up in Arden." She changed the subject.
Jayden let it go. "It was great growing up here. But it is a small town and everyone knows everybody, and everybody talks. Everyone will know you're here by the end of the day."
"I hope not." Chloe's blue eyes flashed terror before she masked them again.
"It's okay, Chloe."
"I'm not used to being the talk of the town, and would prefer not to be."
"Are you hiding?" Jayden was blunt. "I can protect you. But, you'd have to tell me what's going on."
"I'm not hiding. I just don't like to be the center of attention." Chloe played with her fork, avoiding eye contact with Jayden. "I just want to be someplace that I can just blend into the background and live a quiet life."
"You'll find a quiet life here, that's for sure. Although, for the first few days, you'll be the new topic of conversation, and then they will move on to the next thing that catches their eye." He sat back in his chair. His inquisitive stare made her feel so vulnerable and her valiant attempt to hide it was failing.
"Dinner was great. I owe you now for two meals." Chloe stood and collected the dirty dishes. Setting them on the counter, she turned the facet on to fill the sink. Her stomach churned and protested the dinner she had consumed. She closed her eyes and willed herself not to be sick. She didn't want to have to explain to Jayden.
"You okay?" Jayden shut off the water. She felt his hand on the small of her back.
"Yeah. Apparently I ate too fast."
"You're white. Come sit in the living room. I'll do the dishes."
"No. I'm okay. I can do them. Please, Jayden, you have done enough for me today." Chloe turned to face him. "Really, you must have other duties besides watching over the new girl in town. Thanks for dinner."
"Okay. I know when I'm being pushed out the door." Jayden smiled. "Get some rest. I'm sure I'll see you at the diner."
Chloe stood against the counter, watching him slip into his jacket. His eyes lingered on her face before he turned slowly and let himself out.
Turning back to the dishes, Chloe washed them as her mind replayed dinner. She felt a calmness about her when Jayden was close, but she couldn't forget that she had to keep her guard up at all times. It would be difficult to stay here because she relaxed too much. She must never allow herself to let down her guard and stop looking over he
r shoulder. Tony could not know where she was. She owed that much to herself and to the baby.
Chapter Five
A soft rap on the door brought Chloe's attention back to the present. She dried her hands on the blue dishtowel from one of the drawers and started towards the door. She peeked out the window, and saw Carla with her back to the door.
Pulling the door open, Chloe barely had time to step back when Carla turned and stepped through the door in one fluid motion it seemed. "Glad you're home. Wasn't sure if you had run out to explore or not." Carla glanced around the room.
"I haven't ventured out yet." Chloe wrapped the towel around her hand.
She moved towards the chair as Carla curled up on the couch. "Let's get to know each other." Carla grinned. "I loved to know all the news in town before anyone else."
"News? I'm not much news. Just a passerby who will work a few weeks to get some extra money." Chloe pulled her legs up in the chair.
Carla's soft eyes searched Chloe's face. "I understand. You don't know me. But I do hope to change that as you work for me."
"Anything special I need to wear?" Chloe hoped the change of conversation would go smoothly.
"No, whatever you're comfortable with. I have an extra apron at the diner that you can use."
"Thank you."
"I will let you get back to settling in. How about we ride together in the morning? No sense both of us taking cars."
"Sounds good." Chloe started for the door.
Carla pulled her into an impulsive hug. "See you tomorrow, five a.m."
"Okay." Chloe warmed with the afterglow of the hug. She hadn't had any girlfriends and certainly no acquaintances that would have just be impulsive like that.
*****
Carla glanced back as she started down the stairs. Chloe had been quiet and very closed mouth about her past. Carla mentally berated herself for being too pushy. The poor girl had looked scared to death. She was skin and bones.
Jayden must've spent quite a bit of time here today. She had called the station to talk to him, and Betty informed her he was with the "new girl". For as long as Carla knew Jayden, he never had taken in interest so quickly in someone. Strolling across the lawn to the side door, Carla stopped here and there to deadhead the flowers in the flowerbeds along the house.
She threw the dry flower tops aside before swinging open the unlocked door. She had lived here her whole life, and her parents before her, and never once had she felt the need to lock up the house while they were gone.
Phone in hand, Carla punched out Jayden's home number. After four rings, she sighed and hung up. Where could he be? He had had dinner with Chloe.
Carla had a soft heart for anyone in trouble. She volunteered as much as she could at a home for battered women in the next town. She knew about living life in fear like those women did. She had seen fear flicker through Chloe's eyes though it was gone as quick as it was there. She knew there was more to the story and only hoped Chloe would trust her and Jayden to help with it.
Settling into the dark living room with a glass of wine, Carla closed her eyes and listened to the strains of Mozart fill the room. It was the way she relaxed every evening. It reminded her of the time she sat here, pregnant, waiting for her child to be born. Every night the ritual would take place for the baby to hear the music. Now it calmed her. She would need to go visit the grave of her baby daughter. Alive only a brief couple of hours, Carla had known the pain of losing half her heart when the baby's heart stopped beating. Nothing they could do. The doctors had been surprised the baby had even lived through the birth.
She sipped her wine. Tears rolled down her cheek unchecked with the memories assaulting her, the feel of the baby's tiny body in her arms. It wasn't healthy to sit here night after night with her pain. She knew that, but still couldn't resist the urge to put on the Mozart and listen. It was painful, yet calming.
Chapter Six
Chloe tossed and turned all night. She was anxious about being at the diner tomorrow, interacting with so many strangers. Thoughts of being found out twisted through her mind. The need for safety plagued her. She needed to think of the baby before settling down--be sure Tony couldn't find her. Carla had brought to the surface feelings of family warmth that she had been missing for so many years.
At four a.m. she rose and showered. The water rain over her as her thoughts trailed off to Tony. She shivered despite the warmth of the water. He could find her if he wanted to. He had numerous resources at his disposal. She had shut off her cell phone with hopes that he couldn't trace her that way. She needed to trade it in for a new number. The question of how to hide her name around the cell phone swap plagued her.
As Chloe shut the water off, she reached for a towel with her free hand. Wrapped in terry, she wiped the moisture off the mirror. Big eyes stared back at her with dark circles encompassing them. She sighed and headed to the bedroom to find some make-up to conceal them. Dressed carefully in leggings and a long t-shirt, Chloe pulled her hair back in a ponytail. She slipped into a pair of light blue sneakers.
She turned in front of the full-length mirror. Her stature was thin, yet she wondered how long it would be before the pregnancy bump would show. She needed to leave before then. She couldn't tell Jayden of her situation. The thought of disappointing him overwhelmed her. Chloe couldn't afford to think of another man at this point in her life.
She slipped out the door. From the top step, she took in every car parked on the street. Nothing out of the ordinary.
"You're ready."
From below, Carla smiled up at her. Chloe hurried down the stairs with a wave. "Still getting used to the quietness."
"After you have been here a while you don't even notice it. More just take it for granted." Carla gestured towards her car. "I typically drive just because I'm exhausted by the time I close up."
"How long of a walk is it?" Chloe questioned out loud, although more to herself.
"About five minutes. Head toward the end of the street and turn right. The diner is a few blocks down."
"Do you mind if I walk?" Chloe moved a step from the car. The thought of checking out a bit of the town without anyone up and about was too enticing.
Carla shook her head. "Of course not. I'll see you there."
Chloe watched Carla's car round the corner and then started walking. The sound of the ocean was relaxing. Near the corner, the ocean spread out in front of her with mist rising. Her nerves calmed by the pounding waves and confidence increased with each step towards the diner. Tony wouldn't think to look in a small town for her. Her love for city life she had echoed more than once.
The bell over the door announced her arrival. The place was empty. The small diner was cozy. Following the long counter towards the back of the building, Chloe found Carla sifting through aprons.
"Voila! This one will be perfect for you." Carla pulled a small, bright blue one from the pile.
Chloe tied the apron behind her back while Carla reached for a fresh order pad. "Ever done this before?"
"Never." Chloe's voice trembled.
"Nothing to it. You write down what they want, and give it to Glenn, the cook in the kitchen. You keep the copy so you know what table the food goes to." Carla brushed off Chloe's apparent apprehension. "You'll be a pro in no time, and besides you will get to know the regulars."
Chloe jumped when the bell announced an arrival. Jayden ambled towards the bar. She slipped behind it, reaching for the coffeepot.
"Coffee?"
"Absolutely." Jayden glanced around at the empty diner. "Everyone decide to not show up this morning and take it easy on the new girl, Carla."
"Give her a break and behave yourself." Carla shook a finger at him.
"How's the slave driver?" Jayden turned his attention to Chloe who was fumbling to put the pot back.
"You're the first in, so it hasn't been bad yet."
Jayden winked. "You're in luck since I typically just have coffee in the morning." He drained half his cup
before setting it down.
Chloe observed Carla filling sugar packets on each table. Glancing around she familiarized herself with the diner and where things were located.
"Need a refill, chief?" Chloe grabbed the coffeepot and waited for Jayden.
"Chief? That sounds a little formal." He held out his cup to be filled. "Please, call me Jayden."
She nodded as she put the pot back, needing some breathing room as heat coursed through her. The man filled out a uniform better than anyone she had seen before. Chloe had let her guard slip last night with the overwhelming comfortableness. With a sigh, she grabbed a couple of coffee cups and the pot again.
The diner filled up and the morning passed quickly. Chloe enjoyed the banter and comfortable conversation. Allowing herself to join in some of the joking, she was surprised when Carla told her to take a break before the lunch crowd hit.
Glenn placed a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of her. "I can't possibly,." Chloe said.
"Consider it a perk of working hard. Breakfast is on me." Carla waved the protest away. "Besides, you look like you're fading away to nothing."
Chloe couldn't deny the rumble coming from her stomach any longer. She drizzled maple syrup over the pancakes and dug in. The food disappeared quickly. Satisfied she wouldn't faint from hunger, Carla gave her the thumbs-up for getting back to work. Chloe kept pace well and was surprised when Carla told her to head for home at three p.m.
Pleased with herself for making it through the day, Chloe realized how tired she was. Without a protest, she headed to the door. The dazzle of the ocean across the street beckoned.
She stepped onto the beach and slipped off her sneakers. With her toes curled into the warm sand, Chloe closed her eyes and let the pounding waves take her away. Tension slipped from her shoulders as she realized how much she had been on edge. Allowing herself freedom to do something for herself, she made her way to the water's edge. The freezing temperature, although end of summer, stopped her from stepping into it. Maine's coastline never seemed to warm up.