Forever Hold Your Piece (The Becker Sisters Bridal Series Book 1)

by Elizabeth John

  Very gallant. Up until now, she believed those guys were extinct like the Dodo bird. Nice to know the species existed, but if Jake’s business plan got off track because of her, that would be troubling. Granted, she wanted the bait and tackle shop, but not this way. The shop was the sole livelihood of Jake and his dad. From the look of his pickup truck, he didn’t have much money. Now he was protecting her from harm and jeopardizing his family business.

  A man wheeled in the breakfast cart, came over to her bed with a toothy grin, and put a covered dish on a portable metal tray. Right behind him bustled in a nurse she hadn’t met yet. Must have changed shifts.

  “Hi, Lily, I’m Shannon. Your nurse today.” Shannon glanced at the machines and checked the IV bag. “Good news! You’re getting out of here today as soon as the doctor makes his rounds. It takes a while. Enjoy your breakfast and hang tight. Buzz me if you need anything.” Then she pivoted on her shoes and flew out.

  Lily released the breath she was holding, glad to learn she was getting out of there. “Jake, Leo needs to go out.”

  “Already taken care of. Daisy came back and stopped in a couple of hours ago while you were sleeping. I gave her the keys to my apartment, and she took Leo home with her. Nice lady. She even brought me coffee and a bagel. The chief’s a lucky guy.” He uncovered her breakfast and popped a fork out of its plastic wrap. “You’re stuck with me. Now eat up.”

  ~ ~ ~

  A week later, Lily paced her living room. “We need a break. Let’s go to your shop. I can help you clean and organize. You can make phone calls to contractors or whatever you have to do.”

  Nervous energy zinging through her body, she stopped every few seconds to watch Jake scroll the Internet on his laptop for background on Haley. “Anything?”

  He shook his head without looking up. She plopped into a recliner and picked at her nails. She and her sisters had closed the shop for the week. The shop’s website and front door stated there was a family emergency, but business was dead and they needed a plan.

  With nothing much to do but worry about Aunt Bee, and contemplating who was behind every bad thing that seemed to be happening, she played along with Jake and his amateur sleuthing. Neither the chief nor Jake had any leads. Haley and her cousin vanished. Nothing of substance turned up after the police processed Jake’s shop for the break in.

  Lily lost count of how many times she suggested he leave the detecting to the detectives. Then he’d give her a lopsided grin and stick his nose back into his laptop. Once a cop and all that, she understood, but he needed to be more serious about his new venture. She ceased attacking her cuticles. “You should see me with a mop. Those floors will sparkle. Come on, what do you say?”

  He shook his head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”

  “You didn’t. And I insist. The physical activity will help get my mind off everything. I’ll change into my oldest sweats and bring my own cleaning supplies.”

  When he hesitated, she frowned. If she were starting a new business, she’d be eager to get the place open and jump at someone’s offer to help. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”

  “You want me out of there. Why are you willing to spruce up the place?”

  She stood up and hunched over him. “Here’s how I see it. If you open up a bait and tackle store next to my shop, I want the place to smell as clean as possible. And if your plans fall through, my sisters and I are snatching that space up and I’ll have to clean it anyway. Win, win.”

  With raised eyebrows, he closed the lid on his laptop. “Okay, let’s go. I can’t find anything on Haley anyway.”

  An hour later, her sleeves pushed up, her hands gloved in heavy duty latex, Lily scrubbed the dirty countertop with all her might. Sweat trickled down her back and she welcomed the work. For the first time in days her mind went blank and her muscles took over. She could hear Jake in the back of the shop shifting papers around in the office. Then she heard him mumble to someone on the phone.

  She squeezed a sponge into a bucket of filthy water. Jake sauntered in, and she stood up straight, brushing a wisp of hair out of her eyes that had fallen from her ponytail. “Any luck with those contractors?”

  He grimaced and hooked his thumbs into his pockets. “No. They are either too swamped from all the work from the last storm, or they want way too much money. I’m going to do some of it myself. Like those broken shelves. My dad will come out soon and between the two of us, we can make this place look great.”

  Was he kidding? Lily knitted her brows together. The place needed a major overhaul, should be gutted. And what did he plan on doing with those tanks built into the wall?

  He held out his hand. “Here, let me get you fresh water. Then I’ll help you clean.”

  She gave him the bucket. “I can handle this. Why don’t you fix those shelves?”

  Once again, he avoided eye contact, and she got the distinct impression he’d rather be doing something else than fixing up his new venture. He was over his head with this endeavor. Was he too proud to admit that?

  “Yeah, I could do that. I don’t have the proper wood yet, but I could start prepping. Measuring.”

  “The lumberyard is ten minutes away. You could order the wood you need and they could deliver it.”

  “Yep, I could do that.”

  Lily put the sponge down on the counter. “Jake, what’s up? You don’t seem enthusiastic.”

  He put down the bucket and placed his arms on her shoulders. “I know you’re trying to help, but all I can think about is you right now. And your safety. And catching the creep that’s doing all this.”

  “But this place is your dream. And your father’s. If you don’t get moving on fixing up this place, you’ll never open in time for the season.” She peered around and surveyed years of neglect. He needed to hire a major crew. She and her sisters had planned to gut the place and renovate.

  “You’re right.”

  He picked up the bucket, brought her fresh water, and dug a measuring tape out of his toolbox.

  She’d hit a nerve and silence was his avoidance technique. Lily began to scrub again, sneaking glances at Jake. He measured walls, shelves, pulled a pencil from behind his ear, jotted down notes on a yellow legal pad, performing a show. For her? He took down the old shelves, moved them to a spot and began a pile.

  He scratched his head, his chin, his head again, studying the layout of the shop, and scribbling notes. He hammered in a couple of loose nails here and there.

  At one point, she sauntered over to peek at his notes, but he grasped the pad against his chest. He’s embarrassed to admit he doesn’t have a clue how to fix this place up.

  He was out of his element. An ex-cop forced to reinvent himself. Trying to build something for himself and his father. Suddenly, guilt with a side of sadness landed in her chest. Here he was protecting her while helping his father fulfill his dream. He must be mortified that he underestimated the workload.

  She wanted this place, but not at the expense of his happiness. “Jake, I need to ask you something. Promise not to get offended?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Is it your dream to own a bait and tackle shop or this particular one?”

  “What do you mean?”

  How could she put this tactfully? How could she tell him he wasn’t qualified for this kind of work? Most men would be insulted. After all he’d done for her, she couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings.

  “I’m no expert, and I’m sure you know more than me about construction, but what if you could find another place that was already set up? Wouldn’t that be easier? And cheaper?”

  “Is this your way of convincing me to give you this place?” He winked at her. “I thought you liked having me around.”

  She laughed. “No, I’m serious. Those tanks alone will cost a fortune to remov
e. What if I could find you a better place? Nearby? I could help you find something move in ready. Wouldn’t that be easier?”

  “Tell you what. I’ll talk to my dad.”

  Chapter 22

  Ping, ping. Jake rolled over in his sleep. The annoying noise jolted him awake on the next ping. At first, he had to get his bearings. Then, when he glazed over the pink walls and dainty flowers on the pillowcase, he remembered. He was bunking in Rose’s room until this case was solved. And he wasn’t the only one to take up residence at the Becker home.

  Monday, a little more than a week after the fire, Mrs. Bailey was released from the hospital and claimed Chrissy’s room. Loud snores permeated the wall between the two rooms, which proved at least one house guest was asleep.

  His eyes refused to open as he pawed through girly knickknacks on the night stand to locate his phone. When his fingers made contact, he dragged one eye open to take a glimpse. An alert from an alarm system jolted him awake.

  On a hunch, after Lily had helped him clean up the bait and tackle shop a bit, he searched the Internet and ordered an installable alarm system equipped with a video camera. Best of all, the system hooked up to his phone.

  He told no one about the device. Not even Lily. He also didn’t tell her that since the break in, some things, like the ladder, had been moved. She would have assumed contractors did that, but he knew that was impossible since there hadn’t been anyone besides himself there. He couldn’t inform the chief for the same reason.

  Now he watched as someone dressed head to toe in dark clothing snuck around his shop. By the person’s frame, Jake guessed the trespasser was a woman.

  He threw on his jeans and peeled his T-shirt over his head. Sweatshirt in hand, he snuck down the stairs. Leo scooted behind, tail wagging. Jake scooped up the dog so he wouldn’t bark. With each creak, he hoped Lily wouldn’t wake up. Normally, he wouldn’t leave Lily in the middle of the night, but there was an officer parked out front. The person in his shop could be the murderer. Jake had to nab the trespasser.

  He slipped Leo a couple of treats from a bag in the cabinet and held his finger to his lips. “Shush, little man.” Jake tossed a few more on the floor and slid out the front door.

  The officer stepped out of the car and frowned, his hand swinging to his gun holder. “Problem?”

  Jake tapped his palm against his forehead. “My bad. I forgot the meds at my apartment I need to take for my back. Been acting up. Keep my girls safe in there. And Leo too. I should be back soon.”

  The officer nodded. “I’ve been checking the perimeter every few minutes.”

  Jake hopped in his car and flew down to the shop. When he got there, he checked the front door. Locked. He looked at his phone. Nothing moved. She must have got in through the back. He jogged past the bridal shop, down the side street to the back alley before the dunes. From his vantage point, he could see the back door of his shop was propped open. He tore out his gun and entered.

  He moved about making sure the rooms were clear. Outside, past the dunes, a pop blasted. Gunshot. Even though he wanted to pursue the sound, he was no idiot. He called the chief and filled him in.

  “Send back up, Chief. I’m heading to the beach. Don’t worry. I won’t do anything stupid.”

  He jogged down the street and headed in the direction of the shot. No one was about. He scrambled up the hill of dunes that protected the beach from erosion. By the time he got to a point where he could view the area, he wished he had those pain killers for his back. He blocked the pain from his mind and scanned the area. A full moon cast some light on the black water. Wind whipped cold salty air at him.

  Something long and dark lay on the beach. Jake looked up and down the otherwise empty shoreline. He maneuvered closer, aware that someone could jump out from the protected dune area and attack him. His sneakers sank into wet sand, his moves slow and deliberate, gun poised and ready to shoot. As he got closer, he focused on the outline of a body.

  A woman.

  He aimed his gun and circled.

  Haley.

  A few steps in, he discovered she was dead. A bullet hole right between the eyes.

  Chapter 23

  Lily put the lace veil on top of a customer’s head. She fluffed up the long train of the headpiece along the woman’s dark tresses. The engaged woman teared up as she admired herself in the full-length mirror. “Now you look like a bride.”

  The bride nodded and cupped her hands to her mouth as she turned around to face her mother and rest of her entourage. A smile tugged at the corners of Lily’s mouth, and she glanced over at Denis who stood off to the side.

  “That matching veil completes the look,” he agreed. “As soon as you walked in, I said to myself, I know the dress for this bride.” He folded his hands in front of his gray tailored suit and beamed with pride.

  A little over a week had gone by since the fire, and life was returning to a somewhat normal state. To Lily’s amazement and delight, the phone had started ringing with customers again. Her sisters were coming home soon with the new designer, who they were able to convince to join them. Her sisters were happy Aunt Bee was recovering and staying at their house. They had plenty of room until they could figure out a different option.

  Even with all the good news, Lily was still on edge. Haley was the number one suspect in Sam’s death and the attack on Jake. She was the one they believed hid underneath her house too. The fire at Aunt Bee’s was listed as suspicious. And no one could find Haley.

  The door chimed, and both Lily and Denis turned to see who had walked into the shop. They had several appointments back to back. Had one of them arrived early? Leo yelped with excitement and wagged his tail.

  She locked eyes with Jake and he rushed over, never releasing their hold. He wore jeans, a T-shirt, and a thick, hooded sweatshirt. His usual attire. No jacket. They were opposites in that way. She had swapped out her fall coat from the spare closet last month and had been grateful for the extra layer of warmth against the biting sea winds.

  Tenderness infiltrated her heart. For some reason, she found his indifference to the changing seasons endearing. Her stomach fluttered, and she beamed with a sudden burst of happiness like the blushing bride in front of her.

  She wasn’t sure what she was getting into with Jake and hoped she wasn’t making a monumental mistake like she did with Sam. How she could have been wrong about Sam, she couldn’t figure out. She second guessed herself when she was around Jake.

  Jake scooped her into his arms, and all her insecurities disappeared. This was real. She wasn’t imagining these feelings and she couldn’t deny that she was falling in love with him. He made her feel loved and special, and was there for her when she needed him the most.

  Before he could speak, she asked, “Where have you been? When we got up this morning, you were gone.” She had assumed he got up early to work on his shop. Any man working in a bait and tackle shop for hours would reek of fish and sweat, and she’d have to pray he didn’t offend her bride, but he didn’t smell like fish at all. He smelled like Jake. Fresh, a slight wave of sandalwood.

  “Can we talk?” Definitely minty breath, but his expression, somber. He flicked a glance at the bride and her family.

  “Now? Can’t it wait?” She stepped back from the bride in confusion and faced him.

  He shook his head and said to all of them, “Sorry.”

  Lily looked to Denis to help, but he was already beside the bride with his hands clasped together and a huge smile plastered on his face. “You go on. It would be my pleasure to work with our beautiful bride here.”

  Lily picked up Leo, led Jake into her office, and closed the door. “What’s this about, Jake? Have you located Haley? Her cousin?”

  He held out her desk chair. “Lily, sit down.”

  Her heart began to pound. “
Is it Aunt Bee? Tell me.” The doctors said Aunt Bee’s health was good. Lily couldn’t bear to lose her dear old friend.

  He shook his head. “We found Haley.” Jake had crouched down and knelt in front of her.

  A thousand thoughts scrambled Lily’s brain. “That’s good, isn’t it? Has she confessed?”

  Jake took hold of her hands. “I’m sorry, Lily. She’s dead.”

  Lily leaped up. “What? How? When?”

  Leo picked up on her changed energy and yelped from his bed.

  Jake stood within inches of her as if he were afraid she was going to collapse or something.

  “This morning, on the beach. Right behind our shops. Haley was dressed in her workout clothes, like she was out for a morning run. Lily, she was shot. In the head. Like Sam.”

  “Oh my God.” After taking a few seconds to digest the news, Lily pressed her finger into the desk and squinted. A huge headache threatened, moving in like a storm. “That makes no sense. She wouldn’t go out for a run when she was guilty of unforgiveable crimes and the police were looking for her.”

  She ran her hands through her hair, closed her eyes, and fought against the pain. The ideas flooded her, relentless. “She must have come back to do more harm. Her cousin must have killed her. Why? Maybe she wanted to confess.” She forced her eyes open. “Or . . . Jake, she could have been innocent all along, but knew too much and was hiding from the real killer. Maybe the killer’s after her cousin too.”

  “Okay. Take a breath. That’s it. Breathe through your nose. Exhale.” He hugged her and she collapsed into his embrace. His voice vibrated across her shoulder as he explained more. “The chief doesn’t have the exact time of death yet, but he suspects she was killed a few hours ago. When I heard the gunshot.”

  “What?” She ripped away from him.