by KB Winters
She set down the tablet and leveled me with a firm stare.
“Go ahead,” I said begrudgingly.
“You need to get over yourself.”
I waited, ready for her next point, but she picked up her tablet again and then stood from the table.
“That’s it?” I asked as she breezed to the sink.
She rinsed her cup and put it into the dishwasher. “That’s it. Fresh towels are in the upstairs bathroom if you wanna grab a shower. Have a good day.”
Then she was gone.
I stared at the empty doorway for a long moment, marveling. Aaron had found himself his perfect match.
After showering, I shaved off all the overgrown scruff on my face, then kept on going and gave myself a close-cropped buzz cut. It was still longer than my early navy days, but fell in regulation. The face staring back at me in the steam-edged mirror was both familiar and strange.
Feeling like a new man, I got dressed and then went next door to the air museum. Aaron was in the hangar, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Nick, his lead mechanic, checking out an old Cessna. They both looked my way when I walked in and Aaron grinned. “There he is!”
“Nice haircut,” Nick added with a smirk. He’d tossed some shit my way the day before for my caveman chic look.
I gave him a sarcastic grin. “Don’t you have some bolts to tighten?”
Nick flipped me off—grinning widely—and then sauntered off to get back to work. Aaron laughed and slapped me on the shoulder. “Someone’s feeling better.”
I reached up and rubbed my neck. “I’d be better if you’d woken me up and let me sleep on the couch instead of the passenger seat of that damn Jeep.”
Aaron chuckled. “Like I said, Boomer, you’re getting fat.” He popped me in the stomach—which, for the record, was still flat and despite the excess drinking I’d been partaking in, was still segmented enough to show my six-pack.
“Fucker,” I growled.
Aaron waved a hand. “Come on. I got a lot of shit to do today.”
We went to his command center—a long table littered with papers and a laptop. He was midway through telling me about his expansion plans when a message broke through on the radio. A plane was ready to land.
I arched a brow. “You have a new pilot?”
Aaron nodded. “I figured you’d come back, but I couldn’t count on it. So I hired someone.”
“I’m not back, Aaron.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure. Anyway, her name’s Kourtney, and she’s fantastic. Very skilled pilot and great with the customers. Especially the, uh, gentlemen.”
I frowned, not quite sure what he meant, but the answer was obvious once the plane landed and the woman hopped out of the cockpit. She wore a pair of black slacks, a Rosen Air Museum polo shirt, but even in the casual attire, it was obvious she was concealing one hell of a body. She wore her long, dark hair pulled into a ponytail slung over her shoulder which she tossed behind her as she strutted into the hangar, a wide smile flashed in my direction when Aaron called her over.
“You’re Jack McGuire,” she said, joining us.
I was surprised by her statement but offered a smile. “That’s right.”
“Congratulations,” she said excitedly as we shook hands. “I followed your story. Medal of Honor. Bad ass fighter pilot. I’m surprised you don’t have Hollywood clamoring to turn your story into a movie. You’re a real American hero!”
Aaron laughed. “Now, now, Kourt. I’ve spent a lot of time deflating his ego, don’t make me have to start all over again.”
She blushed but still smiled up at me like I was made of bronze. “Sorry. I just—thank you, for what you did over there. When Aaron told me I’d be taking your position here at the museum, I have to say, I was a little intimidated.”
I laughed and slipped my hands into my pockets. “Looks like you’re doing just fine. That was a perfect landing. Military?”
She shook her head. “No. Pilot. My dad got me lessons when I was thirteen and I got my license as soon as I turned seventeen.”
“Impressive.”
“Not to interrupt,” Aaron said, clapping me on the back. “But I have a conference call with my real estate broker. Wanna do lunch?”
“Sure.” I nodded and he took off, leaving Kourtney and me alone.
“Listen, I have another flight in twenty minutes,” she said. “Unless you wanna take it?”
I held up a hand. “Oh, no, that’s all right. I’m just here for a few days then it’s back to New York. I’m doing charter flights over there.”
Kourtney smiled. “Yes, Aaron told me. Well, maybe I can borrow you sometime before you have to leave. I’d love to ask you all kinds of obnoxious questions.”
I laughed. “That sounds great. I’m always available for obnoxious questions. That is, unless you’re secretly planning to sell my story to some movie producer you’re dating.”
Her jade eyes brightened and a slow smile spread across her face. “No, I’m not gonna sell you out and I’m not dating anyone, anyway.”
The implication of my statement hit me and I started to correct it, but Lana called her away to greet her next tour group before getting her plane ready, so I swallowed and chuckled to myself and waved to her when she turned back to say goodbye.
Chapter Seven
Holly
After Jack’s impromptu visit, I spent a couple of days hidden away inside of my own head. I went to work and went home and straight to bed. I worried that I’d run into him if I went out around town. By the third day, I figured he’d be on his way back to New York and visiting my usual places was safe again. I started with stopping by The Siren on my way to work. It was busy as ever, but Carly pulled me aside when she handed over my order. She’d heard from Aaron that Jack had visited and wanted all the details.
“Wait, he still doesn’t know?” she asked when I finished my quick, in-a-nutshell version of the night.
I grimaced at the question. It was fair, but only added to the chorus in my head. I should have told him. I knew it at the time and especially once he left my house the other night. For all of my talk about moving on, making peace, and being happy for him in his new life, I lost all of my courage and chickened out.
“Holly…”
“I know. I know!” I sighed and raked my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. I wasn’t expecting him and then it was so awkward. By the time we seemed…I don’t know…normal, he was already leaving.”
Carly turned as the bell on the front door chimed. Margot was at the counter, helping fend off the morning rush, but the line was getting pretty thick.
I took my English tea and pastry bag from the counter. “I’ll tell him. I’ll call him tonight. I need to tell Noah as well.”
Carly snapped back around, eyebrow cocked, and shot me a dark look. “You’re telling Noah before you tell Jack?”
I dragged in another deep breath and exhaled. “He’s booking flights for a huge conference at the end of September. I need to make sure he doesn’t book one for me. I’ll be in my third trimester.”
“Holly…”
“I know! I know!” I gave her a quick embrace and hurried away. She needed to get back to work, and I needed to get away from the self-loathing her questions stirred up inside me. I messed up, I admitted it. I’d tossed and turned all night, trying to figure out how to tell Jack the truth.
I raced to work and found Noah already in my office when I arrived. “Good morning, Holly. Anything for me?” he asked, eying my pastry bag.
I laughed. “Afraid not.”
He grinned and slipped his hands into his pockets. “We still on for lunch today?”
I rounded my desk and set my purse and cup of tea beside the keyboard and slipped out of my coat. “Yes.”
“Great. I also wanted to ask you if you’d mind sitting in on the meeting I have this afternoon with Mr. Jensen. He’s worked up a proposal and I need your eyes to see if the things got legs.”
I sat down
in my chair and hit the power button on my computer. I looked up and nodded. “Sure.”
Noah hesitated at the door.
“Was there something else?” I asked, my hands frozen above the keyboard.
He smiled and then shook his head. “No, that was it. See you in a few hours.”
“Okay.”
Noah left and the feeling in the pit of my stomach told me he wanted more than just my input on a meeting—or even more than the weekly lunch meetings we’d fallen into. He hadn’t said anything directly, but I saw the looks from the other women in the office. They all noticed the special attention he gave me—and most of them would have probably clawed my eyes out if they thought it would help their case. Noah Scoville was an impressive man. Sure, he was handsome—okay, a smidge above handsome—but he was also kind, generous, and fair. He could tear ideas to shreds in a conference room but somehow everyone left even more motivated to get it right the next time instead of complaining about their boss shitting on their presentation. He had a way of speaking to people that made them feel important and listened to, even if he didn’t see their point of view or agree with their decisions.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure how he was still single. I didn’t dare ask, as that would likely be a one-way ticket into a conversation I wasn’t ready to have. But if some woman had let him get away in the past, she was probably still sitting around kicking herself for losing him.
I pushed aside the thoughts of Noah as my inbox started to light up, dozens of messages, each one more urgent than the last. As the emails continued to pour in, I grabbed my croissant from the bottom of the pastry bag and tore off a small corner. The flaky pastry melted in my mouth, and I continued munching on it as I dove into the most pressing emails of the day.
That was my favorite thing about my job—it kept me so busy that I didn’t have time to agonize over the details of my life. Distraction and busyness were the best cures for a broken heart. At least, temporarily.
****
Noah always chose the best restaurants for our lunch meetings, even if they were several miles from the office. He also had quite a reputation in Holiday Cove and the neighboring beach communities and without so much as a word, he secured the best tables and prompt service. Today was no exception, we were at a seaside bistro with a table on the deck, watching the waves roll against the golden sand as we noshed on artisan sandwiches.
We talked about business at first. Noah told me about the upcoming meeting and I took some notes in my phone. However, the lunch meetings were usually more social than business and I waited for an opening to give him the news. I had no idea how he’d take it. He’d been so good to me, I couldn’t imagine him responding with anything short of graciousness, but there was a small part of me that worried he’d replace me while I was on maternity leave or cut back my position. And being a single homeowner, I needed my job.
My opportunity came just as our food arrived. Noah rotated his plate to start with his salad. “Oh, by the way, Sharice is making the travel itineraries for that conference in September. The twenty-second and twenty-third. If I were you, I’d get her your information ASAP so you can request your seat preference.”
“Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you about. About that trip, I mean.”
Noah glanced up, a pepper shaker poised in his hand. “Don’t tell me someone’s swooped in and stolen you away from me.”
“Well, in a matter of speaking.”
Noah set the shaker down. “What’s going on, Holly?”
I drew in a deep breath. “I recently found out that I’m pregnant. I’m due in October. I won’t be able to fly in September because I’ll be right in the middle of my third trimester.”
Noah remained frozen in place for a half a beat and then smiled. “Wow! Congratulations, Holly. I uh—that’s really—that’s great!”
“Thanks, Noah.” I reached for my water. “It’s going to be an adjustment, obviously, but I’m going to figure it out and I’ll still be able to work, I just know that flying won’t be an option.”
Noah chuckled. “Don’t worry about that. We’ll figure it out. Due in October? Wow.”
“Yeah. It’ll be here fast.”
“And the…well, the father?” Noah ventured, his tone cautious and slow.
I looked down at my interlocked fingers and gave a slight shake of my head. “He’s not in the picture. At least not right now.”
Noah cleared his throat. “If you need anything, you let me know, okay? Time off for appointments, extra rest, whatever you need. And of course, there’s an allowance for maternity leave. Paid maternity leave.”
“Thank you, Noah. This job means a lot to me, and I really appreciate you being so understanding.”
“Sure.” He looked at me like there was something more he wanted to say, but after a moment, he buckled and went back to eating his lunch.
As we continued our lunch, Noah asked a few questions, mostly about my family and whether they knew or not. We talked a little bit about the renovations I was working to set up on the house and he offered to give me some numbers for painters and interior designers that worked on his many properties, personal and commercial.
Lunch wound down and while I was relieved at Noah’s understanding, I became more aware of the ticking clock in my head, telling me that while one hurdle had been conquered, there was an even bigger one coming up all too quickly. While Noah settled the check, I excused myself to the ladies room.
A woman was standing at the sink when I exited the stall. She glanced up and saw me in the mirror. “Holly?”
“Oh wow, hi, Tina!” I said, smiling at the dark-haired woman. She worked as a bartender at Harvey’s the area’s most popular little bar and grill. I hadn’t been there since coming back into town. “How are you?” I asked, joining her at the sinks.
“I’m good. Still at Harvey’s. I didn’t know you were in Holiday Cove.”
“Yeah, I’ve been back for nine, ten months now.”
Tina nodded. “Oh, I meant still…I thought after—” She stopped herself and quickly moved to dry her hands. “I just meant, after the breakup.”
“Oh.” I frowned down into the stream of water. “Well yeah, my job is here, so I’m staying. Jack’s the one who left.”
“Left? I just saw him last night.”
I glanced up. “You did?”
“He’s been at Harvey’s the last couple of nights.” Tina moved over and propped herself against the counter with one hip. “The first night he was in he was in rough shape. He got totally drunk and I had to call Aaron to get him.”
Drunk? That didn’t sound like Jack. I’d never even managed to get him tipsy before. “When was this?”
“Two—no—three nights ago.”
Hot guilt washed over me. That was the night he’d stopped over at the house.
“But he was in last night and…well…he was happier.” Tina’s eyes shifted away from me.
“Well, that’s good.” I forced a smile and moved to the door after drying off my own hands.
Tina followed me out of the bathroom. Noah was standing at the front and smiled when he caught sight of me. Tina whistled under her breath. “Wow. Is that your new boyfriend?”
I laughed. “No, that’s my boss.”
“Well, from the way he’s looking at you right now, I think there might be a little something more going on,” Tina said, her voice still low. “And after the way Jack treated you, I’d say go for it, girl.”
“Treated me?” I looked over at her, my eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Tina looked panicked. “He cheated on you, right?”
“No! Not at all!” I said a little too loudly.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Holly. That’s what everyone was saying.”
Anger rose up from my stomach and my knees shook. “Why would they say that?”
“The last two times he’s come in, he hasn’t been alone,” Tina said, avoiding my eyes for a moment. “He was
with that new pilot Aaron hired.”
I shook my head. “What? Who?”
Tina sighed. “I’m really sorry, Holly. I don’t even know her name. Most of the guys down at the bar call her Double D…”
I kept shaking my head. Jack wasn’t with someone else. He couldn’t be. Was that the real reason he’d come to the house? To tell me he’d moved on? It wasn’t that he didn’t want to accidentally run into me while in town. He wanted to give me a heads up before I ran into him and his new—and apparently well-endowed—girlfriend?
I didn’t know, but I was sure as hell going to find out.
Chapter Eight
Holly
I kept my shit together as long as I could. But after the next few hours staring at my computer screen, listening to Tina’s words on repeat, and conjuring up image after image of Jack with some other woman, I was wound tighter than a Jack-in-the-Box and by five o’clock, I stalked out of the office ready to blow. The fuck off attitude worked as a natural deterrent and no one stopped me on my way out to chat or ask if I wanted to tag along for happy hour. I jumped into my SUV, threw it in drive, and zoomed from the parking lot with one target in mind.
The Rosen Air Museum was perched high on the bluffs overlooking Holiday Cove, and I pressed the gas pedal to the floorboard as I roared up the hillside. The sharp curves were no match for my fury. Along the way, I’d debated whether or not it would be better to catch Jack in the act or not. Sure, there was some small voice telling me that we were broken up, that he could move on with his life, but the rest of my brain was fuming with anger and venom and drowned out the rational part within seconds.
The parking lot was nearly empty, as the museum closed at five and stopped flight tours at four. I whipped into a front row spot, threw the car into park, and stormed up to the hulking warehouse-style building that housed dozens of antique planes and artifacts from different time periods. I bypassed the front doors and snaked down the side of the building. The large bay doors on the hangar were always one of the last things to close down and I knew that my best shot at finding Jack—assuming he wasn’t off fucking his new gal pal—in the shop or with Aaron in his office.