He looked surprised at her reply, but finally sighed and swept his dark brown hair back from his forehead. She smiled at the familiar gesture, remembering how crazy she had once been about him. Now she didn’t feel even a twinge of attraction.
“Well, you can’t blame a guy for trying. I must have been crazy when I let you go. But I do wish you the best. I hope we can meet again someday with no hard feelings?”
“No hard feelings,” she assured him.
“Thanks, Avery. I’m not sure I deserve that,” he admitted. “May I kiss you good-bye?”
Surprised by his request, Avery simply nodded. She expected a quick kiss on the cheek, but he leaned over and rested his hands on her shoulders then gently kissed her lips. Avery closed her eyes, and a bittersweet feeling rushed through her as she remembered the good times and the hopes she once had for their relationship. But she knew now that he was not the one for her, and she was finally able to say good-bye.
They had not quite parted when the kitchen doors swung open. Avery quickly turned to see who was walking in, though she still felt Paul holding her.
She expected Gena or Teresa, returning to the kitchen. Which would have been bad enough.
But it was Mike, his eyes wide with shock, his face turning nearly as white as his cooking jacket.
She jumped away from her ex-fiancé, sure that Mike had the totally wrong idea about what was going on. But she had no idea of what to do or say to correct that.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Mike quickly started to back away.
She took a few steps toward him, practically grabbing his jacket to stop him from leaving.
“Wait, don’t go . . . This is my friend, Paul. Let me introduce you . . .” Friend? The term was stretching it a bit, but Avery didn’t know what else to call him. “Paul just stopped by to say hello,” Avery continued in a rush. “He’s on his way back to Boston.” She turned to Paul. “Mike owns the Lazy Tuna down the street. He’s got an incredible following. The place is packed every night.”
“Well, that’s an accomplishment. I had a little place with Avery in the city. We were packed every night, too. Then business fell off and I had to close.” Paul walked around the table and stood by Avery. For some strange reason, he slipped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “We were just talking about that place, right, Avery?”
Avery forced a smile then quickly stepped away. “Yeah, we were. Well, you were,” she added.
Mike’s mouth twisted to one side. “It’s a tough business. Survival of the fittest . . . So you guys worked together? Is that the . . . connection?”
“Paul and I were partners at the Tulip Café. I told you about that,” Avery reminded him.
“Oh, right.” Mike nodded, and looked down a moment. She could tell he was silently fact-checking. Yes, she had told him about her partnership in a café somewhere in Boston that didn’t work out. And she had mentioned a diamond engagement ring she sold to raise money for the Peregrine. But she had not told him about Paul. Not really.
He seemed to be adding things up now. And she had a feeling the equation wasn’t coming out in her favor.
“Paul was just leaving,” she said quickly. “Weren’t you, Paul?”
But Mike spoke before Paul could. “That’s all right. I’ll catch you later, Avery.” Before she could reply, Mike turned and walked out the door. This time, Avery didn’t chase him. There seemed no point to it.
“Well, he seemed a little uptight,” Paul said as soon as Mike was out of earshot. “I noticed that fish shack down the street. Is that the place you were talking up? Looks like a fish and chips.”
“It’s actually very good. People love it.”
It occurred to Avery that she had never tasted Mike’s food, but somehow, she couldn’t let Paul criticize Mike’s restaurant.
“Well, maybe I’ll stop there for some take-out. Time to get back on the road, I guess.” He cast one more wistful glance her way, as if she might have second thoughts about letting him go this easily. Paul wasn’t used to rejection.
“I have to get back to my prep work. It’s almost time to reopen,” she said, glancing at her watch. “Have a safe drive back to the city.”
He stared at her a moment and nodded. “Thanks. Good luck again. I hope this all works out for you.”
“Thanks. Good luck to you, too, Paul,” she said sincerely. “I’m sure some opportunities will come your way soon.”
He smiled and left the kitchen, walking out the way he’d come in.
Avery watched him a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief. Paul Miller was the last person she expected to see today. If only Mike hadn’t walked in. Avery worried that he thought Paul was some long-lost love and now they were back together. She would have to find a moment to explain things to him, which would not be easy.
Life was so complicated. That’s why she loved cooking. You had a very clear recipe and a list of ingredients, and if you followed the instructions, nine times of ten, everything turned out fine.
She didn’t even have the time to figure this out now.
Don’t think, just cook, she coached herself, remembering another bit of Mike’s useful advice.
* * *
CLAIRE, Liza, and Jamie spent the rest of the day searching the entire inn for the watch, without success. Claire realized that hours had slipped by. She had never gone out to the beach. She hadn’t even stepped outside, except in the morning, when everyone was arguing on the porch.
There were only six guests left at the inn. Claire began cooking dinner around five while Liza set the dining room table for the guests and the table in the kitchen for herself, Claire, and Jamie. Jamie was still searching, going through the old barn where they kept the bicycles.
“I was so sure the watch would turn up somewhere today,” Claire said, thinking out loud. “I keep wondering if there’s someplace we still haven’t looked.”
“I was thinking about that, too,” Liza said wearily. “And wondering, well . . . if Jamie is really telling us the truth.”
Claire turned quickly to look at her. Her heart fell. “Do you doubt his story now, too, Liza?”
Liza took a breath. “I’m not saying I’m sure he’s guilty. But I have to admit, I wonder. I’m just trying to be honest with you, Claire. I want to believe he’s innocent, but I think we need to be . . . prepared.”
Prepared? Prepared for what? Claire didn’t like the sound of that word. She turned back to the stove, frantically stirring a pot of chowder. Liza had a right to her opinion. But she doesn’t know Jamie the way I do, Claire consoled herself. I still believe he’s entirely blameless and with the help of heaven, everyone will soon see that.
Liza’s cell phone rang and she checked the number. “It’s the police station,” she said quietly.
Claire felt frozen where she stood and said a silent prayer. God, please don’t let Jamie get in trouble over this. Please have mercy on this boy. Please protect him.
“Yes, Tucker, I understand. Thanks for letting me know. Yes, I will tell him,” she added. She ended the call and glanced at Claire. “The Rapps filed a report, and it will be passed to the district attorney. Tucker says the situation is drawing attention because the Rapps say the watch is so valuable, worth about five thousand dollars.”
“Five thousand? My goodness, I didn’t realize it was that valuable,” Claire said.
“Neither did I. Tucker says if someone was found guilty of stealing it, since the value is over two hundred and fifty dollars, it’s grand larceny and the penalty is up to five years in prison.”
Claire took in a sharp breath. “I don’t even want to think about that. There’s no evidence.”
“Not that we heard this morning,” Liza agreed.
Jamie walked into the kitchen then. Claire hadn’t even hea
rd steps in the hallway. “Do you need me in here yet?”
“Not quite,” Claire said. “The food won’t be ready for about twenty minutes.”
“I’m going out to start the recycling,” he said to Liza. “I’ll be back by then.”
One of his many jobs was taking care of the trash that needed to be recycled—newspapers, cardboard boxes, bottles, and cans. The recycled trash was kept out in the barn in different barrels, and Jamie had to get everything ready on Sunday night for the Monday morning collection.
After he’d gone out the back door, Liza glanced at Claire. “Do you think he heard us?” she asked.
“I’m not sure. But when he comes back we need to tell him what Tucker said. He needs to know what’s going on.”
“Yes, I will. I didn’t mean to keep it from him. He just breezed by so quickly.”
Claire nodded. She knew Liza had not hid the news intentionally. It would be better to talk about this over dinner anyway, when they could sit down together and have a reasonable discussion. Though it would be hard to talk about terms like larceny and prison in any reasonable way.
Claire’s stomach felt so jumpy as she finished cooking, she had absolutely no appetite. Liza had gone into her office but now returned. “Should I call the guests down to dinner?” she asked.
“I think so. It’s all ready. You had better get Jamie in here first. He needs to wash up before he serves and maybe change his clothes.”
“All right.” Liza turned toward the back door, but Jamie was walking in. He still wore the thick work gloves used for packing the trash and gardening. He was smiling very widely as he strode into the room, waving something in the air.
“Look what I just found . . . Mr. Rapp’s watch! I knew it had to be somewhere around.”
Liza walked over, wide-eyed, and Jamie handed her the elusive timepiece. “Thank heaven! There it is. Case closed,” Liza announced. She stared up at him. “Where in the world did you find it?”
“In a pile of newspapers. It slipped out while I was stacking them.”
“I took some newspapers out of the room when we were looking for the watch,” Liza said. “I just thought I would start cleaning up a bit. It must have been tucked in there all the while.”
Claire nodded, relief and gratitude flooding through her as she realized her prayers had been answered. “It’s amazing that you found it. It could have easily ended up in the dump.”
“Yeah, I guess it could have,” Jamie agreed.
Liza stared down at the watch again. “I’d better call Tucker. He can let the Rapps know.”
“Why don’t you call the Rapps directly, Liza?” Claire asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. I think Tucker should do that, since this whole business has gotten so . . . official.” She set the watch down on the table. “Besides, I don’t want to deal with Mr. Rapp. I’m sure he’ll say that it was found very conveniently, now that he got the police involved.”
Claire saw a look of offense flash across Jamie’s face. “I just picked up some newspapers and it fell out. I swear it.”
“I know that, Jamie. But you heard the way Mr. Rapp went on and on. He may make his own assumptions.”
“Liza wasn’t accusing you of anything,” Claire tried to clarify. But the suggestion had even gotten Claire wondering. Had Jamie found the watch too conveniently? He had been all alone out there. It would have been an ideal time to pull the watch out of hiding . . . if he had stolen it.
“Then why even say it? Why even bring it up?” His tone was sharp, wounded.
Liza seemed confused. “You heard the way Mr. Rapp was talking this morning. I’m just being realistic,” she tried to explain. “But now I am starting to wonder why you’re so . . . defensive.”
“Because you’re acting like you don’t believe me. I found it in the newspapers. The Rapps were reading stacks of them all weekend.”
“We believe you,” Claire insisted. Though the more he protested, the more unsure she began to feel about the story.
Liza held her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “It’s been a long, stressful day. I don’t want to argue about this anymore. I’m going to my office to call Tucker. When I get back, we’ll serve dinner.” She swept the watch off the table and left the kitchen.
Claire glanced at Jamie. “You ought to change and wash up. Then let the guests know dinner is ready.”
He nodded and left the room. She could see from his tight expression, he was still upset. There was nothing she could do about it now. She would try to talk to him later when everyone had cooled down.
At dinner Claire heard the guests in the dining room talking cheerfully, but there was not much conversation at the kitchen table. Liza complimented Claire’s dish, an herb-crusted cod fillet served over a warm lentil salad. Then she asked Jamie if he had much more to do in the barn, with the recycling.
“Not too much,” he said. “I can get it all out tonight.”
“I can help,” Liza offered. She was trying to make amends for their tense moment, Claire knew.
But Jamie was still sullen. “That’s all right. I can do it. I do it every week, don’t I? I’ll finish right after dinner.”
And so he did, without even waiting for dessert, which Claire thought was unusual. But it had been a difficult day, and maybe the physical work calmed him and helped him sort out his thoughts.
Claire went out to the porch with her knitting after dinner. When Liza came out a little while later, Claire asked if Jamie was done with the trash yet.
“He finished a while ago. He went right up to this room,” Liza reported.
Claire was surprised. He usually liked to watch TV at night. It was just as well, she decided. He needed his space right now. It would be better to talk to him about this tomorrow, when he would be calmer and in a better frame of mind.
Chapter Fifteen
WHEN Claire woke up the next morning, she felt a certain heaviness in her heart, a worried feeling, and didn’t immediately realize why. She’d had a bad dream, very upsetting, though she couldn’t recall what it was about. She remembered the tension of the day before, Jamie being accused of robbing Mr. Rapp. That must have been what had upset her, she realized. Even in her sleep. But it was all resolved now. Mr. Rapp probably knew by now that his watch was safe and sound. They could forget all about it and go on as if the ugly incident had never happened. She certainly would.
She paused before getting out of bed and said a silent prayer, thanking God for resolving the problem so quickly.
Thank you, Lord, for your help in this matter, and please help us get back on track and have a positive, productive day.
Perhaps she shouldn’t even bring it up to Jamie today, she thought as she got dressed. Even to apologize for sounding as if she’d doubted him. It was too upsetting, she decided. She wouldn’t talk about it unless he brought it up first.
She walked into the kitchen and filled the coffeemaker with water. The beans were already ground, and she poured the coffee into the basket and turned it on. She turned to the table, to fill the milk pitchers that were already set out on a tray. That’s when she saw it.
A white sheet of paper folded in half, right there, in the middle of the table where she wouldn’t miss it. Her name, written in careful block letters across one folded side.
She could see, even from some distance, that it wasn’t Liza’s handwriting, a note reminding her that some guest was lactose intolerant or had an allergy to nuts.
No, it was Jamie’s writing. She picked up the note and held it in her hand, then stared down at it. She felt that she already knew what was inside.
She drew in a sharp breath. Dear God, why would Jamie leave me a note so early in the morning? Please let it say he’s gone into town early or is just working outside already . . .
She fumbled
for her reading glasses then opened the sheet.
Dear Claire,
I decided to go. I’m sorry but I couldn’t wait to say good-bye. You were nice to give me this job. But I can see now things just won’t work out here. I tried hard to do everything you told me. I even studied for that diploma test. But it just didn’t seem to matter. Things just don’t work out for me.
Claire had to stop reading a moment and put the letter aside. Her eyes had filled with tears and they spilled down on to the page. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue and continued.
I was wrong to come here and look for you. Maybe if we had been together more when I was a kid that would have helped. But it’s too late for me now. Nothing can change me. Not even God. I think it’s better if I just go my own way. I have some savings and I’ll be all right. Please don’t worry. Maybe I’ll write you sometime.
Jamie
“Oh, Jamie . . .” Claire dropped into a chair and cried with her head on folded arms.
What had driven him away? Had she doubted him when he so conveniently found the watch? She had also spoken up for him when Mr. Rapp made all those wild accusations.
But it must have been very hard being accused that way, being the center of so much suspicion, even questioned by the police. Especially for someone with such little self-esteem. She should have been more sensitive to that, done something more to reassure him . . .
She felt a soft touch on her shoulder. “Claire, are you all right?” Liza asked. “What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
Claire lifted her head and forced herself to sit up. “It’s Jamie. He’s gone.”
Looking shocked, Liza quickly read the note. “Oh dear. It’s all my fault. I should never have mentioned what I thought Mr. Rapp would say. But Jamie took it so personally. He totally misunderstood. I was going to talk to him today, to try to explain again.”
Claire nodded. They had both planned to reassure him. But it was too late.
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