by Debby Giusti
Wide smile. Warm eyes.
“Joel Cowan.” He stretched out his hand.
The photographer? Had fate brought her face-to-face with the man who might know something about her husband? Or had her prayers for help finally been answered? Hard to believe the Almighty would be giving her a break.
No matter who or what deserved the credit, Lydia returned the handshake.
“I stopped by the Davenports just as Luke and his boy came home from the beach,” the photographer said.
Tyler stepped forward. “Did Chase say we won the sand castle contest?”
Joel nodded. “Matter of fact, he did.”
“Really?” Her son’s eyes bugged open. “We won? Did you hear that, Mom?”
“Chase said Bobby has your prize.”
Tyler yanked on Lydia’s arm. “Come on, Mom. Let’s go get it!”
Before she had a chance to answer, Tyler started backtracking along the beach.
“Tyler, wait—”
He stopped. “Mom, hurry!”
She held up her finger. “In a minute.”
Lydia turned back to Joel. “I saw your photographs on the bulletin board at the Community Center.”
Joel beamed with pride. “Hobby of mine, but people seem to enjoy my work. I’d love to take a few shots of you and your son. Water in the background.” He glanced down at the wedding ring on Lydia’s left hand. “Nice gift for your husband.”
“I’m widowed, Mr. Cowan.”
“Sorry to hear that. And it’s Joel.”
She nodded. “In my opinion, Joel, you’ve got talent. Those photos captured island life—the water, wildlife. I especially liked the shot of the seagulls.”
“Down by the marina?”
“I’m not sure where it was taken. The man in the background looked familiar. Hard to tell with only a small snapshot.”
“I’ve got the negative. Be glad to print an enlargement for you.”
“That’s very kind. Thank you, Joel.”
“Come on, Mom,” Tyler called.
“Mind if I walk with you?” Joel asked.
“Well, I—”
He smiled, good-naturedly. “A little exercise will do me good.”
As much as Lydia didn’t want company, civility might be the best tactic. She didn’t want to insult one of Katherine’s neighbors and she needed to find out more about the photo. Joel seemed like a gregarious type of guy. Hopefully, she’d learn more about Sonny’s secret trip to Sanctuary.
Tyler dashed ahead, tossing his Frisbee as he ran, while she and Joel followed at a more leisurely pace.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know your aunt,” Joel said. “Katherine moved here a few months after I did. Isn’t she visiting a relative in Ireland?”
“Her sister-in-law had a hip replacement. Katherine wanted to help out.”
Joel’s face broke into a smirk. “When she gets back, I’ll give her a hard time for never mentioning her attractive niece.”
Lydia pretended she didn’t hear his comment.
He pulled in a deep breath. “Quite a storm we had Friday night.”
An understatement to say the least. Lydia had driven through high winds, torrential rain and lightning that lit up the sky.
“The men at the picnic said the Bay Road almost flooded. Any danger we’d be stranded on the island?” she asked.
Joel shrugged. “You never know. Most folks keep a boat at the marina on the north end of Sanctuary just in case. If the road floods, they boat over to the mainland. Rob Jackson’s got a beauty—thirty-six-foot Stingray.”
“Bobby’s dad?”
Joel nodded, then pointed to the Jackson home directly ahead. “There’s Bobby now.”
The boy was playing on the climber. When he saw Tyler, he waved and raced down to the beach.
“Guess what?” Bobby yelled. “We won! First place for our age group.” He pulled fluorescent green goggles from his pocket and handed them to Tyler. “We each got a prize. I got yours.”
“Thanks!” Tyler turned to Lydia. “Can Bobby come over to our house?”
“Of course.” Lydia looked at the redhead. “Why don’t you tell your mom and dad where you’re going, Bobby?”
“Here, use my phone.” Joel handed his cell to the boy, who quickly punched in the numbers and talked to his mother before returning it to Joel.
“Mom said I can play for an hour, Mrs. Sloan.”
Tyler nudged his new friend. “Race you to the door.” The boys took off.
Joel glanced toward the house. “Katherine told me she had her deck refinished. I’ve been thinking about doing the same to mine. Mind if I take a look?”
After Katherine’s generosity, how could Lydia refuse a neighbor’s request? “Of course, Joel.”
As they neared the house, Lydia pulled the key from her pocket.
“Can I do the alarm?” Tyler asked.
She turned the key and shoved the door open. “Remember the code?”
“Sure.”
“Mr. Cowan and I will be on the deck. Why don’t you show Bobby the toys Katherine sent you?”
The buzz of the security alarm being disabled drifted into the backyard.
Joel spent the next few minutes inspecting the deck.
“Looks like the contractor did a good job. I’ll give him a call.” Joel sat on one of the Adirondack lawn chairs across from Lydia.
“What line of business are you in?” she asked, breathing in the warm salt air and enjoying the view of the water.
“Actually, Lydia, I’m a lawyer by trade. I owned a rather large firm in Jacksonville until I got tired of the daily grind.” He crossed his legs and chuckled. “Checked my bank balance and decided I didn’t have to work.”
Wealth had its privileges, and Joel seemed eager to talk about his good fortune. Keeping an ego in check must be difficult surrounded by the lavish trappings of island life.
Although, Katherine never spoke of money or the status it sometimes bought.
Lydia thought of Matt Lawson playing with the children. He didn’t seem the type to be swayed by money or power, either.
“Don’t listen to the women on the island.” Joel winked. “They’re taking bets as to when I’ll get married. Everyone’s a matchmaker these days.”
Lydia forced a smile, but her thoughts remained on the security chief. She hadn’t noticed a wedding ring on his left hand. Not that she had been looking, of course.
“Doubt a woman would put up with me,” Joel rambled. “I spend my days sailing. Entertain friends most weekends with gourmet meals or parties that are the talk of the island. Travel whenever wanderlust hits.”
Joel checked his watch and rubbed his hands together.
“Listen, I’ve overstayed my welcome. Promise me you’ll stop by whenever you’re on my end of the beach. In fact, I’m having a few friends over for a party next Saturday. I’d be honored if you’d join us. I could enlarge that picture you’re interested in seeing and have it for you that night.”
Dating and parties were the last thing on her mind. She’d arrange to pick up the photo some other time. “Thanks, but—”
Footsteps sounded behind her.
Joel glanced up. His eyes bugged open. “What the—”
Lydia turned and gasped.
Matt Lawson rounded the corner of the house.
“What are you doing here?” Lydia pushed out of her chair, the hair on the back of her neck rising in protest.
Matt held a gun in his hand, and it appeared to be aimed at her.
FIVE
Lowering his weapon, Matt glared first at the lawyer and then at Lydia.
“Put that gun away this instant,” she demanded, her eyes stern, her face drained of color. “Children are in the house.”
Joel jumped to his feet and held up his hands, palms out. “Look, old boy, no need to go ballistic.”
Matt holstered his weapon and stepped onto the deck. He wasn’t interested in anything Joel had to say.
“Sorry to scare you, Lydia. Your alarm went off. It’s silent on your end. A protective feature, in case there’s trouble.” Matt glanced at Joel. “Is there trouble?”
Joel took a step forward. “I’ve had enough of this, Lawson. Ever since I moved to Sanctuary, you’ve been giving me a hard time.”
“I do a basic background check on all residents before we install a security system. No reason to be upset, sir, unless you’ve got something to hide.”
The lawyer pointed a finger at Matt. “That does it. I’m calling Luke Davenport.”
“Please,” Lydia said. “Sit down so I can talk to the chief.”
Joel stepped back to the deck chair but remained standing.
“Tyler must have tripped the alarm,” Lydia said to Matt. “We took a walk on the beach and met Joel. When we got back to the house, Tyler and Bobby wanted to play inside. I’m sure Tyler wasn’t aware he hit the wrong buttons.”
“Mind if I talk to him?” Matt asked.
“You don’t believe me?”
He raked his free hand through his hair and sighed. The woman got under his skin.
“I’d like to explain the alarm system. To both of you. So you’ll know how it works in case you ever have a problem.”
She opened the sliding-glass door and called Tyler. The boys appeared almost immediately.
“Bobby and I are hungry, Mom.”
“Say hello to Chief Lawson.”
“Hey, Chief.” Tyler stepped onto the deck, then dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out the goggles. “Bobby gave me my prize. Thanks.”
Matt smiled. The kid got to him, too, but in a good way. “Tyler, your mom said you disarmed the security alarm today.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Yes, sir.”
“You touched a couple of buttons that activate a special alarm. I’ll explain it to you and your mom.” Matt didn’t want to frighten the child, but it was important he understood the feature.
“Like if there’s a bad guy walking around outside?” Tyler asked.
Matt glanced momentarily at Joel. “Bad guy? That’s right, Tyler. If you want me to come protect you, but don’t want the bad person to know, you can tap in the special code.”
“Cool.”
“It’s not something to play with. You understand that, don’t you?”
Bobby stuck his head out the door. “It was an accident, Chief Lawson. Tyler’s hand slipped. We’ve got the same system at my house.”
Bobby turned to Lydia. “Mrs. Sloan, I forgot my mom said to remind you Tyler’s invited to my sleepover next Saturday night. Can Tyler come? Please?”
“I’ll call her tomorrow. Why don’t you two get some cookies and milk?”
The boys hustled into the kitchen. Cabinets banged and plates clattered as they helped themselves to the snack.
“Let’s talk in the house,” Matt told Lydia, then peered at Joel. “Privately.”
Lydia hesitated for half a second before turning to her guest. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”
The lawyer bowed his head. “Of course, my dear.”
Cowan knew how to turn on the charm. Surely Ms. O’Connor wouldn’t want Lydia involved with the conniving playboy. In deference to the older woman, Matt felt obliged to set Lydia straight.
“Bobby, finish your cookies and milk while Chief Lawson talks to Tyler and me for a few minutes.” Lydia led the way through the kitchen.
Bobby nodded before he shoved another cookie into his open mouth.
Wiping the back of his hand over his lips, Tyler hopped from his chair and followed Lydia and Matt toward the alarm keypad at the entrance to the house.
She leaned against the wall while Matt explained the system. He spoke slowly, detailing the features so her son could understand.
Although appreciative of his patience with Tyler, she was troubled by another thought. Why did the security chief keep appearing at the most unexpected times? Was he merely doing his job? Or was there another reason?
Until she knew for sure, she’d watch her step.
“Push these two buttons and the signal will sound in my office,” he explained to Tyler.
“And what if you’re in your truck?” Lydia interrupted.
“Don’t worry.” Matt looked deep into her eyes. “I’ll get the message.”
Tyler pretended to tap in the special code. Satisfied he understood the system, he raced back to the kitchen for more cookies.
Matt stepped toward Lydia.
She tilted her head and looked up at him. The fresh lime scent of his aftershave tickled her nose. Too close for comfort, she crossed her arms over her chest and moved back. After all, the guy had come calling with a gun.
“I always seem a step off,” he said, looking ill at ease. “But I like that little guy of yours. Reminds me of a boy back in Miami.”
Lydia remembered seeing the picture on the wall in his office. Was that who he was talking about?
“And I like Ms. O’Connor,” Matt continued. “She’s a good Christian woman.”
Lydia stared back at him. Where was he headed? By the looks of his body language, he appeared almost apologetic.
“But I’ve got to tell you. That man on your deck is bad news.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“You don’t want him hanging around.”
She dropped her hands and squared her shoulders.
“Mr. Cowan seems like a very nice man.” Lydia feigned a cordial tone of voice. Inside, she was fuming. The chief was taking this whole security role way too far. First, he acted like Robo Cop with the drawn gun, and now he was giving advice like Dr. Phil.
“Seems money’s a little too easy to come by for a guy who’s unemployed,” Matt said.
“He was a lawyer in Jacksonville. He sold his business to have more free time.”
“He told you that? A lawyer in Jacksonville?”
“Joel stopped working to have more time to entertain his friends.” The explanation seemed lame even to her ears.
“Now that’s a good one.” Matt laughed. Then he wiped the smirk from his face and pointed a finger at her. “You want my advice? Don’t get involved with him.”
She stuck out her jaw and glared at Matt. “But then, I didn’t ask for your advice, did I, Chief Lawson?”
She stared at him for half a minute, hoping he got the message that telling her what to do was the wrong tactic. Then turning about-face, she strode toward the sliding-glass door.
Joel stood when she stepped onto the deck.
“You mentioned something about next Saturday?” Lydia made her voice sweet as iced tea doused with sugar. She wasn’t interested in going to a party, but at least, she’d be able to view the enlarged photo. Plus, Matt needed to be taught a lesson.
Joel nodded. “I hope you’ll join me.”
Matt came up beside her. She slanted a look at his face, pleased to see it pulled tight with frustration.
Smiling coyly, she added a bit of a Southern drawl to her reply. “Why, Joel, how nice. I’d love to spend the evening with you.”
Matt’s neck turned red as he growled with displeasure. “Looks like I’m finished here,” he said before turning on his heels and leaving the deck the way he had entered.
As he stomped away, an immediate sense of loss overwhelmed Lydia. She’d made a point of letting Matt know he’d overstepped his bounds. So why did she feel so mixed-up inside?
On the drive back to his office, the cool air from the open window helped clear Matt’s mind and soothe his temper.
Lydia didn’t seem like a party girl who allowed money to twist her heart. If she wanted to carouse around with Joel Cowan, Matt sure couldn’t stop her.
Just so Tyler wouldn’t be caught in the middle.
Like Enrico.
Give me a second chance, Lord.
Once at his desk, Matt couldn’t work. He stared at the photo on the wall. Enrico was fatherless because Matt had made a bad decision. Guilt still ate at him.
He checked his desk calendar. His partner’s son had turned eight the beginning of last month. Matt had been too busy to call. Or so he told himself. Truth was, he didn’t want to open old wounds.
Pain he could take. Self-condemnation was harder to handle.
Sucking in a deep breath, he reached for the phone and dialed Miami. Connie Rodriquez answered on the second ring.
“It’s Matt.”
“Long time since we’ve heard your voice,” she said. “Enrico misses you.”
Regret tore at Matt’s heart. “How’s he doing?”
“Better. You know kids, they adapt.”
“Wish him a belated happy birthday for me.”
“He got the catcher’s mitt you sent.”
Matt smiled. “How’s his team?”
“Four-and-0.”
“Pete would have been proud,” Matt said.
“That’s what I keep telling Enrico.”
Matt hesitated for a moment before asking, “What about you, Connie?”
“Me?”
He could envision her shrugging her slender shoulders, remembering the way her life had been when she had a husband.
“Life goes on. God called one of us home. He left me behind to take care of our son. It’s enough for now.”
Matt’s throat thickened. He tried to swallow the lump that formed. “I’m…I’m sorry.”
“I told you before, Matt, I don’t blame you. You didn’t kill my Pedro.”
“Yeah, but—”
“No, buts. It happened, for whatever reason. We have to go on. That means you, too, before the guilt eats a hole in your heart.”
“Redemption doesn’t come easy.”
“I’ll pray for you, Matt, that you can earn your redemption.”
Matt hung up, burdened with all that had happened. A long jog would clear his head, chase away the memories. At least for a while.
Picking up the phone again, he called the dispatcher. “Eunice, put me through to Jason.”
“Yeah, boss?” the kid answered.
“I’ll be out of the office for about an hour. Head over to the marina and make sure the area’s secure. I’ll have Eunice patch any calls to your cell.”
“Roger. Out.”
Matt changed into shorts and a T-shirt, laced up his running shoes and headed for the beach.