by Ava Miles
“There was a lot of stuff to do at home.”
“How about we have some lunch at Don’t Soy with Me?” Mac interjected. “Jill’s there today.”
Abbie turned in her seat. “What do you say, Dustin? I’ll buy.”
“Fine. But I’m getting the tallest coffee they’ve got.”
Mac rolled his eyes. “Okay, then.”
He scanned Main Street. Wasn’t it his luck that the only open space was the one by the infamous fire hydrant? He wasn’t going to risk another ticket. He sped by.
“Hey!” Dustin cried, grabbing his mom’s shoulder rest. “What are you doing? Are you going blind? There was a parking space right there.”
“That one’s defective,” he replied. “Trust me.”
“No need to cover for your failing vision, Uncle Mac. We know you’re getting up there in years.”
Even Mac could hear the glee in his voice. Abbie muffled her laughter.
“Keep hoping, kiddo. I can see everything you do just fine. Maybe you’re the one who’s afraid to walk a block.”
“In your dreams.”
“Yeah.”
The banter felt good. He rolled the window down to enjoy the breeze. His family was finally here permanently, and wasn’t that a relief. He’d missed them, but he and Abbie had decided it would be best for Dustin to finish out the school year in Arizona. Forming an office in Colorado had involved a lot of travel, but he’d tried to keep it down to only a few nights a week. And when the project had reached its later stages, and the hotel renovations were well underway, he’d moved to Dare full–time, flying down to Arizona every few weeks to see Abbie and Dustin.
He angled into a place down the block, and the three of them headed for Jill’s shop. A sheriff’s car cruised by. He turned his head slightly to see if it were Peggy. Almost looked back to see if there was anything illegal about his parking job.
“That’s the second time you’ve gotten weird when we’ve passed a cop. Is something going on?” Abbie peered down her tortoise–shell sunglasses at him. “That female deputy isn’t stirring up more trouble, is she?”
Thank God for his poker face. His sister could be pretty intuitive. She didn’t need to know he had a thing for the very woman who had revealed their personal business to the whole town.
“Of course not.”
His sister raised a brow. “I don’t believe you.”
“A bicycle co–op,” Dustin exclaimed as they walked by. “Sweet. I can’t wait to tear up the trails around here. Mom, you remembered to enroll me in the summer soccer league, right?”
Abbie put an arm around him. “I’m sorry. I don’t recall my son liking soccer.”
He bumped her. “Hello. I’ve played since I was four, Mom. Maybe you’re getting old like Uncle Mac.” He jogged backwards as Mac made a grab for him.
“No doubt. Yes, you’re all signed up. Starts tomorrow.”
“Sweet. At least there’s a few things to do here. Can I drive the Ferrari?”
“No,” they both replied in unison.
He punched the air. “Why not? I have my license. Seriously, it’s just another car.”
“Then you can drive mine,” Abbie said, meeting Mac’s gaze.
“Yours so blows, Mom.”
“Thank you,” she replied primly as Mac opened the door to Don’t Soy with Me.
“Why can’t I drive the Ferrari?”
“We’ve covered this, Dustin,” Mac replied, waving to people as they walked to the counter.
“Come on. I promise I’ll be careful.”
“No way.”
“But—”
“We’re done with this, Dustin,” Mac informed him. “You’re beating a dead horse.”
“It isn’t dead yet,” he replied mulishly, hunching over.
Mac caught sight of flaming curls behind the counter. “Excuse me, miss, but aren’t you supposed to be sitting down?”
Jill looked over her shoulder. “I’m trying to find the almond milk. I’m craving it.”
Dustin gagged. “Milk comes from cows, not nuts.”
“And hello to you too, Dustin.”
“Hey, Jill. Gosh, you’ve gotten big.” His eyes zeroed in on her stomach.
“What can I say?” She gripped the counter to stand up. “Babies grow.”
“Where’s Margie?” Mac asked, circling the counter to help her.
“I sent her to the post office since we’re a little slow right now. I didn’t want to walk that far. And Rachel’s out sick, so I’m filling in. What would you like? Hey, Abbie.”
“Hi, Jill. You’re looking radiant.”
“Spoken like someone who’s cooked a kid. Mothers are usually so much nicer than…pesky teenagers.”
“What the heck does ‘pesky’ mean?”
“Annoying,” Mac supplied, bumping Dustin.
He lunged for him, and they wrestled for a moment. Mac couldn’t hide his grin. The kid would come around. He always did. Being together is where they belonged.
***
Abbie rested an arm on the counter and watched them grapple as Jill made their drinks. It was good to see them play. When Mac and Dustin fought, her stomach churned up so much she was sure her acid reflux would land her in the hospital. She and Mac hadn’t really fought growing up. She hadn’t always appreciated his protectiveness, but they’d never gone toe–to–toe over anything.
Now her favorite men were grappling all the time.
She realized her shoulders had hiked up to her ears, so she rolled them down.
“They’re a pair, aren’t they?” Jill asked, setting down her caramel macchiato.
“Yes. How have you been?”
Her hand patted her expanding tummy. “Well, we’re having twin girls. I’ll have some shopping buddies besides my sister. I’m psyched.”
“Congratulations. I love Dustin, but a shopping companion would be lovely.”
She and Jill had spent time together on Abbie’s previous visit to Dare, and they’d spoken over the phone frequently about the plans for the hotel. Fortunately, Skype worked like a dream.
“And I love working at the hotel. I can’t wait to see what everyone thinks! I know I’m partial, but it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever been involved in. It’s like shining up a penny, but on a bigger scale.”
Abbie took a sip and almost sighed. “Well, one thing I don’t have to worry about is having bad coffee here. This is so good… I can’t wait to see the hotel now that it’s finished. I’ve seen the pictures and the layout, but the real deal is always different. This project holds a pretty special place in Mac’s heart, I can tell.”
Jill leaned against the counter and brushed back her curls. “Well, he holds one in mine. I’m so glad he came here. He’s just the right person to stir things up.”
Abbie withdrew a twenty for the drinks. “Once the poker crowd arrives, things will definitely be stirred up around here. Mac told me we have record numbers for the grand opening. Here, why don’t you sit down until someone needs a drink?”
She spied an empty circular table and gestured toward it. Mac had told her people packed Jill’s place from dawn until midnight, savoring the good food and coffee. The bold red–and–yellow color scheme would certainly keep people awake. That and the funky chartreuse and black brand on the napkins and cups appealed to Abbie. She also liked the local artists’ paintings on the walls.
Jill circled the counter and fell into the empty chair. “No, I’ll be okay. I might not be able to get up again if I sit. Boys, try not to knock over my new display of local candies and cookies. Your drinks are up, by the way. And please put that money away, Abbie. First round is on the house.”
The bill slid back in her wallet. “Thanks. Dustin, your deluxe coffee is ready.”
“Sweet!” He lunged for Mac and then picked up the coffee. “Hah! Can’t get me now without spilling this all over you.”
Mac ruffled his hair. “Well, you’d better watch your back. I’ll strike when
you least expect it.”
Jill clapped her hands. “So, we’re having a family dinner at Peggy’s tomorrow night. We’d love to welcome you guys.”
“Stop meddling,” Mac said.
Abbie met her brother’s gaze and saw his jaw clench. So, the infamous deputy sheriff was going to be there. She was the last person Abbie wanted to run into. “Jill, really, I’m sorry we can’t make it, but Dustin has soccer practice.”
Jill put her hands on her hips. “Is this because of Peggy? Mac, I told you she’ll come around, but the only way that will happen is if you two interact more.”
Her brother went over and gently laid his hands on Jill’s shoulders. “We can talk about this later, but I’m not the only one here now.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh!”
“Yes,” Mac replied.
Acid poured into Abbie’s gut. Thanks to Peggy, the whole town knew a man had taken advantage of her so badly that Mac had beaten him up. Thank God, they didn’t know the whole story. She glanced at her son. Neither did Dustin. How could she ever tell her son the truth about his father?
“I’m sorry,” Jill murmured, grasping her arm. “Peggy wouldn’t have said anything if she’d known. Really, she’s a great person once you get to know her.”
Abbie clutched her purse, unable to reply, remembering that horrible phone call from Mac. She’d been waiting for him to tell her how the city council had voted. Instead, he’d asked her if she was okay with him revealing the reason he’d beaten Richard Wentworth III within an inch of his life. Deputy Sheriff Peggy McBride had called his reputation into question. The future of the hotel was in jeopardy. Abbie hadn’t liked the idea of sharing the truth—even without the details—but she’d consented because Mac’s business was hers. Still, she wasn’t planning on getting chummy with some female deputy who was out to boot her brother from town.
Mac kissed Jill on the cheek. “We need to head up to the house and settle in. I’ll see you tomorrow. Stay off your feet.”
Jill stood awkwardly and made a move to hug Dustin, but he danced out of reach, blushing like he was eight. “Ah, no offense, but hugging a pregnant chick could ruin my rep.”
She wagged a finger at him. “God, don’t make me cry. I used to be cute.”
Abbie wrapped her arm around her shoulder. “You are! My son has forgotten his manners. We’ll see you soon. Maybe we can have lunch at the hotel tomorrow and talk about the opening.”
“I’d love that. Dustin, don’t think you’re off the hook.”
He took a step further back, causing everyone to laugh. “Give me a break, Jill,” he said.
They left Don’t Soy With Me after Mac introduced them to a few more people on the way out. When they returned to the car, Abbie pulled out her notepad and wrote down the names of the people she’d met.
“Okay, tell me more about who I need to remember,” she told Mac.
Dustin blew a raspberry. “Man, Mom, do you always have to write everyone up? Wouldn’t it be easier to ask the FBI for their backgrounds?”
She turned in her seat. “I know you hate remembering people’s names, Dustin, but it’s good business for the hotel.”
“Well, I don’t plan on being part of the business, so I’m not studying any dumb names.”
Mac’s fingers clenched on the wheel. Before he could respond, she put a hand on his arm. “You’re free to be anything you want,” she said to her son. “You know that. We only hope you’ll be your normal friendly self.”
Mac’s snort made her look over. “When did you start doing that? ”
“Jill always snorts when the situation calls for it. I realized it conveys my feelings quite accurately without me needing to say a word.”
“Cool! Can I do it too?” Dustin gave a shockingly good imitation of a pig.
“No! It’s not polite.”
“But Uncle Mac—”
“Is not my son.” She narrowed her eyes at Dustin.
He yanked on his seat belt. “I don’t get to have any fun.”
“No, you have it so bad.”
She resumed writing in her makeshift Name Book while Mac peppered her with information about local people and associations. The car climbed, but she didn’t look out the window. She made her notations with people’s descriptions.
“We’re here,” Mac announced, parking the car.
Stowing her notepad in her purse, she opened the door. Dustin’s foot kicked a rock. She put her arm around him when she noticed he wasn’t even looking at the house.
As she’d told Dustin earlier, the weather wasn’t the only difference from Arizona. The architecture here had a mountain theme. She’d been to this house before. The rustic log–frame and rock house was two stories, flanked by gray–stone chimneys, with massive bay windows providing a luxurious view of Dare Valley. The front porch already had a table and chairs set up. Mac knew how much she loved to have coffee outside in the morning. He’d also had the flowers she’d selected planted. She looked back and gave him a smile. He winked. He never missed a step.
“It looks different in summertime, doesn’t it, Dustin?”
Her son just shrugged. “Whatever.”
She let him go when he pulled away. Mac joined her.
“He’ll come around,” she said, trying to reassure herself as much as her brother.
“Funny, Jill said that about someone else recently. I’m not sure that will come true, either.” Mac inserted the key in the lock and swept the door open with an exaggerated bow. “Your new abode, ma’am. Sir.”
Abbie laughed. Dustin rolled his eyes.
The open floor plan suited her. The den, dining room, and kitchen were cordoned off with log–frame posts, but each floor had been done in a different hardwood. They flowed into each other like hot caramel into butterscotch. The plush rugs she’d bought in Santa Fe added to the rustic feel.
“You can shift the furniture as much as you want. I did the best I could with the movers.”
She hugged him. “You did a great job! I’ll barely have to do anything.”
Dustin headed up the white birch staircase, turning when he reached the top. She braced herself. His brow was pinched, just like it had when he was a newborn about ready to squall.
“I hate this place! I wanna go home.”
His shout closed off her throat.
“You’re a pro at this, Dustin,” Mac reasoned in a gentle voice, rubbing Abbie’s back to calm her. “You know it’s hard in the beginning, but you always find your footing.”
“I’m tired of starting over! Why can’t you get that?” He launched himself down the hall and slammed the door of his third bedroom in six years
“It’s going to be a long summer,” Mac observed, drawing her close.
Guilt rose over moving Dustin again. Still, they would all find a way to make it work.
They had to if they were to going to stay together as a family—and that was something she’d never let unravel.
Chapter 5
Hot–rodding drivers usually pissed Peggy off with their squealing tires and menace to public safety. Yet, the silver Ferrari streaking down Main Street like its tail was on fire made her day. Her mouth stretched from its usual “I’m on duty expression” into a full–out grin.
“You son of a bitch. I knew you’d show your true colors!”
Her mind conjured up Maven’s ink–black hair and green eyes.
This was what she’d been waiting for.
The thought of pressing that tall, hard frame against his purring, sexy car and cuffing him made an unprofessional ball of lust skyrocket through her. It was embarrassing, yes, but worse, it made her weak. If she could shoot her subconscious, she’d do it—right between the eyes.
She hit her sirens, the sound as delightful as a train whistle to a kid at Christmastime. She longed to see that gorgeous face as he rolled down his window, looking down his nose at her from behind those pricy, reflective sunglasses.
But he didn’t reduce his speed. Ins
tead, the car shot several lengths ahead. Surprise tore through her. She gripped the steering wheel.
“So you want to race. Let’s see who wins this time, bozo.”
She stepped on the gas, mindful of Dare’s pedestrian traffic as she cruised down Main Street, which was all decked out in red, white, and blue. Soon the charming shops and restaurants would be hosting hordes of cash–flush, sycophantic poker players. Like pilgrims to that Dali Lama guy, they would come from near and far to play in a tourney against the legend.
“Not if he’s in jail,” she sang, eyeing the speedometer. She hit fifty when he turned onto the main highway to the canyon. Route 98 had treacherous curves even when snow didn’t coat the two–laner. She knew the turns and increased her speed to keep up with the Ferrari. She couldn’t catch him head–to–head, but she knew where he was headed. Her car handled, but she might as well be a turtle chasing a jack rabbit.
She called dispatch and gave a terse report of the situation. “Possible suspicious vehicle. Am following. Will advise on cover.”
Having four cop cars swarm his hotel with sirens blazing would put his knickers in a wad, but it’d take away from her singular triumph in cuffing his fine ass and hauling him off to jail.
His car continued to zoom down the highway. “You gotta stop sometime. Then, you and I are going to have it out.” She judged his speed to be around one–twenty. Like he was on that freakin’ road in Germany everyone always talked about. What was it? Oh, the Autobahn.
She dug into the pedal for more speed and crested to one–hundred. She was glad there weren’t any cars on the highway. Weaving through them on a two–laner at this speed would be stupidly dangerous. Keith came to mind. She always tried not to put herself into dicey situations like some rookie. She was all her son had, and she wasn’t going anywhere.
Dispatch asked for an update on her radio. “Still following. Will advise.”
Her grin faded. That damn jerk was putting her life at risk. When he fishtailed onto the newly paved hotel road, tires squealing, she followed.
“I’m going to kick your ass. I thought you were smarter than this. I’ve got your plates, make, and model. Plus, you’re heading to your own hotel. You’d better not be jerking my chain ‘cause this cop jerks back. If you want payback for that ticket, this is a stupid way to get it.” She crested the hill between the line of trees.