WindSwept Narrows: #21 Charlotte Bell & Natalie Templeton

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  The photo had been physically accurate, to an extent.

  She’d lost a few pounds. Now that the cap wasn’t on her head, the long red-gold hair easily curled to the middle of her back.

  What are you running from, Erika Vincent?

  He was on his heels when the pale red lashes fluttered and opened lazily.

  “Hi,” Erika frowned, finding a place in her memory for the rugged face now staring at her. “You have pretty eyes.”

  “I was thinking the same thing of you.”

  “Oh…I must have been really tired.”

  “I pulled your laundry from the dryer. Interested in going to a party with me tonight? I could use a date,” Zee listened to his own words and winced.

  “Somehow you being dateless seems a little improbable, Zee,” she frowned and pushed herself up, too aware of the thick quilt she’d wrapped herself in. She kept it gathered close and raked a set of slim fingers through her hair. “What is your real name? That seems like a handle someone gave you when you surfed.”

  Erika watched the corner of his mouth lift, a cute sun drenched smile that fit the tanned, rugged features.

  “Xavier Moore,” he said after a long minute, his head tipping forward slightly. “I saw the little black dress in your collection. And I’d bet you have shoes in that giant bag you carry around.”

  “A few basic necessities every girl should have,” she admitted carefully. “What kind of party?”

  “Congratulations for a good friend. He finished his physician training,” he liked the pretty smile, the full lips tipped a little. “So will you come with me? I know Cecily, his mother and she’ll have great food and knowing Tre, some decent music.”

  “I’m not in the guest room, am I?”

  “My room. But it’s okay. I put your clothes in the other room and I’ll turn around while you…wrap up and head down the hall.” Zee stood up and stepped back. “I can go in the other room if it would help.”

  “I saw your wall. You were in the military. You’re much thinner without all the gear,” she said quietly, sliding to the edge and standing up, gathering the quilt around her to keep from tripping. “I think I might like a party, thank you. Won’t take me a few minutes, I promise,” Erika managed to get behind the bedroom door before letting the quilt fall, collecting it carefully and laying it on the bed.

  He’d laid out her clothes in nice, neat piles. All folded and stacked.

  She’d stuffed her huge carpet bag as full as she could before she disappeared.

  And now all of it was laid out on the double bed in an apartment of a man she just met. Erika found what she wanted, dressing quickly and adjusting the sleeveless, square neckline of the little black dress and zipping the back with a quick turn in the mirror.

  Not as snug as it used to be, she thought, finding the few pieces of make-up from inside her pack and applying a light pink lipstick, some highlight around her eyes and some concealer for the circles beneath them. She sighed and nodded before slipping the four inch heels on and buckling the very slender straps around her ankles.

  Xavier Moore felt the brick wall slam into his psyche the instant she stepped from the room at the end of the hall. She was about five-ten, long legged and slender. The black dress stopped just above her knees, the strappy heels open toed and showing off sparkling pink toes. She looked up and smiled, striding toward him and stopping in front of him.

  “Much different than the tee shirt and jeans,” she told him brightly, fingers up and straightening the silver-blue tie he’d knotted over the pale blue silk shirt. The dark blue jacket and fitted slacks were nicely filled out, she thought. All the way to the very shiny shoes.

  Zee stared down into the wide blue eyes. She had a rounded chin, small nose, sweetly contoured cheeks and a high forehead. The bangs he’d seen were brushed to the side and the long hair twisted and pinned in a long soft braid against the back of her head. And he felt like he was suddenly on his way to the homecoming dance. With the girl every guy wanted on his arm.

  And he’d convinced her to go with him.

  “Zee? You’re staring,” Erika bit her lip and stepped back. She looked down and back up, frowning. “Did I forget something?” She used one finger and pulled her bodice out. “Nope…everything bottled up.”

  “Sorry, Erika, don’t mind me,” Zee inhaled and stepped to the side. “After you. I think I was caught in some kind of time lock there for a minute and the fact that you’re incredibly beautiful made my brain shut down. What are you doing hiding under those clothes way too big for you and a hat that made you look like you belonged on fishing boat on the coast of Greece?”

  Erika listened and held onto the rail as she went to the street and waited.

  “Are you always like this?” She moved forward when his palm came around her and settled on her hip, guiding her past the parking lot to the garage behind the building.

  “Like what? Curious?”

  “Nosy?”

  “We’re friends. Friends are curious.”

  “Friends?” Erika dragged her tongue around her lips. “Friends protect one another, even when they don’t realize they need it.”

  “A mystery woman,” he clicked the keys in his hand and went to open the door for her, the low sports car chirping at his command.

  “A sandwich shop owner with a jaguar,” Erika raised one pale brow and slid into the very comfortable contoured seat.

  “Guess we both have past lives that made us what we are today,” he said simply, backing the car out and closing the garage. He glanced over as he drove, guiding the car along the coastal rode to the resort. “Maybe I could help, Erika.”

  “I’m thirty-one years old. Independent and self-sufficient,” she intoned cheerfully.

  Zee listened to the words that sounded like she repeated them regularly to herself.

  “Tell me about Erika Vincent,” Zee suggested calmly, the hand he placed on her wrist easily catching the sharp jump in her pulse.

  “She minds her own business and doesn’t endanger her friends,” Erika slid her hand carefully from his and lifted his wrist with two fingers, carrying it to his thigh and dropping it there. “I blame the moon. I’m not generally careless and going to a party is definitely not one of my brighter moves right now.”

  “You’re not growing furry, so I’m assuming it’s not a lycan thing,” Zee grinned at her, pulling up to the valet and turning the car off. He was out and around the front in time to offer his arm. “Shall we, Miss Vincent? I think the evening promises to be filled with unforgettable adventures.”

  “Why is a special forces security expert running a delicious sandwich shop?” Erika asked as they entered the large, open area of the foyer to the WindSwept Narrows Resort and Casino.

  “It’s calming and creative,” he told her without missing a beat. “Are you going to make me investigate Erika Vincent to find the story behind the lady?”

  “I seriously doubt anyone could make you do anything, Xavier,” she returned sweetly, facing the front of the elevator when they entered and not looking back over her shoulder.

  “Very cool and collected,” he murmured softly, his palms settling at her waist and his mouth moving next to her ear. “And you aren’t running. Why did I believe you would run?”

  “It’s what I do. It’s cleaner, easier,” she answered, swallowing hard and refusing to move or react.

  “I think uncovering your secrets would take a lifetime. But I never would have thought you were a coward,” Zee inhaled the fresh, simple scents of shampoo and soap and Erika Vincent. “What’s scared you enough to run?”

  “You should consider a career change. I don’t think you’re being stimulated enough owning a shop,” Erika strode forward the instant the elevator opened, her head up and feet crossing as she walked that sexy model walk down the hallway.

  “Zee! I was hoping you’d make it,” Tre Thorne stepped forward, Natalie at his side wearing a simple cocktail dress in silver and lavender. “Natalie, a
n old friend of mine, Zee Moore. I don’t know your date,” he offered his palm. “Tre Thorne.”

  “Mr. Moore, what a surprise,” Natalie pursed her lips and looked at the blonde beside him. “Natalie Templeton,” she offered her palm, listening to the man whispering in her ear. “Natalie Thorne.”

  “Erika…nice to meet you,” she said, applying a smile.

  “Help yourselves. Plenty of food,” Tre walked with them into the large ballroom, two banners adorning the room, one of each end of the room.

  “Looks like all kinds of congratulations are in order,” Zee read the banners and looked at Natalie, trying to determine her thoughts. And how much he should apologize for. “I think we’ll track down some food, Tre…Natalie.”

  “We have a quiet table over in the corner,” Tre gestured toward the far side. “Join us, please.”

  “I’d like that,” Erika said quietly, meeting the expression on Natalie’s face with a nod.

  “Do you know the detective?” Zee asked when they were walking along the buffet, his plate filling and hers, less so. “Not hungry?”

  “I think I should go,” Erika hated the quiver in her voice. She wasn’t too fond of the idea of leaving, either. She didn’t quite understand why, but she enjoyed the sharp banter with Xavier Moore. His precise, handsome features, short clipped hair and teasing voice made her forget for a while.

  “Whatever it is, Erika, let me help,” he began putting food on the plate she held as they walked, even as she looked around her. He could see the quick little pulsing at the side of her throat.

  “You can’t help, Xavier, he’ll crush you,” she whispered hoarsely.

  “Who?” He kept his body close to hers, guiding her along the line and toward the far corner where Tre and Natalie sat waiting. “I’ll snag us some wine and be right back.”

  Erika hesitated, her gaze sweeping around the room nervously.

  “I might be able to help if you let me try, Erika,” Natalie tucked a long strand of dark hair behind one ear, her fingers tight in Tre’s hand on the table.

  She shook her head and sat down, wanting to chalk the discomfort up to general nerves. She’d been gone four days. She left a note apologizing to Adam; telling him simply that she didn’t love him and wouldn’t go through with the wedding.

  She didn’t offer an excuse. Didn’t bother telling him that she had seen him with someone else. She had thought all this time he was being a gentleman. Polite, even chaste kisses from the good looking high level vice-president in one of her father’s companies. It was like kissing a stone.

  She’d felt more sexual, more electricity the last hour with Xavier than she had in four months with Adam Wayne. But it wouldn’t have been possible to continue rising in the company if they knew the truth, so he pretended interest in her.

  And six days before the wedding, she saw and heard the huge fight between Adam and Ross Carson. On the grounds of her father’s house out on the island. She felt the oxygen leaving her; felt the color draining from her face and almost went to her knees. He wasn’t interested in her. He was marrying her to stop the rumors about his sexuality and his boyfriend.

  What could possibly have been worse than that?

  Her parents knew and approved because he had an excellent pedigree.

  “Erika?” Zee had come up at the instant that last thought struck her, the cold glass of wine in his hand held to her lips. “Drink this…what the hell…”

  She shook her head, her hand taking the glass and setting it down. She wiped the damp fingers over her cheek.

  “I’m alright,” she said with a jagged breath. “I…just lost in thought.”

  “Didn’t look like a happy thought,” Tre commented, concern at the pale features. Natalie had filled him in while they were getting food. “We got chocolate cake,” he said, looking for a distraction.

  “I’m not sure facts can count as happy thoughts. They’re just…thoughts,” Erika picked at the food on the plate, her stomach churning.

  “Maybe if you shared, we could brainstorm a solution for you,” Zee bit into the stuffed mushroom.

  When the sharp light struck their table, Erika realized she hadn’t run far enough from Seattle. She felt Zee’s hand settle on her shoulder when she jumped, the familiar voice of a reporter seeping through the sudden onset of fog.

  “Dr. Thorne…Stacy Brock with the Times,” she was smiling down at them, her breath catching when her gaze landed on Erika. “Miss Vincent…Erika Vincent.”

  “I think you’ve made a mistake,” Erika tried to push to the side, heart thumping and ready to make an escape.

  “No, no, I haven’t…we’ve been running your photo for three days. You parents reported you missing and the feared that perhaps you’d…”

  “I am not missing. I am not…” she closed her eyes and swallowed the shudder.

  “Have you been in touch with your family? Your fiancé?”

  “Please go away,” she whispered.

  “Your wedding is scheduled for tomorrow…”

  “I sincerely doubt she’ll be there since we were married two days ago,” Xavier Moore said coolly, looking up at the reporter with a feral grin. “I’d be a little put out if my wife changed her mind now.”

  A reporter shouldn’t be at a loss for words but she stared for a long minute.

  “It was a nice ceremony,” Tre said casually. “One of those simple things at a judge’s chambers. A double ceremony,” he told the woman with a grin, carrying Natalie’s palm to his lips.

  “You’ve married, Dr. Thorne? It’s been quite a week,” the reporter finally managed, regrouping and half listening to a commentary in her earpiece.

  “Natalie and I were the other couple, Ms. Brock. Who said Erika was missing?”

  She looked pointedly at Natalie. “She was reported as a missing person in Seattle and then in Tacoma when she was sighted in the area. Obviously there’s been a misunderstanding.”

  “Perhaps you don’t have the complete story, Ms. Brock,” Natalie said casually, smiling brightly and freezing in place. “The night just keeps getting better and better.”

  “I seem to be missing a lot of facts on this story,” Stacy admitted with a smile, stepping to the side and allowing the older couple through. She knew her social calendar and recognized them immediately. Better and better, she repeated. “Mr. and Mrs. Templeton…” Then the names registered. “Your parents.”

  Natalie smiled brightly, unconsciously moving next to Tre. But only for a moment.

  “If you’ll excuse us, Erika needs some cold water and a little air,” Natalie was up and taking Erika’s palm, the other woman coming from the seat quickly and following at her side.

  “Is there an escape hatch here?” Erika asked hoarsely.

  “I think running isn’t working, Erika,” Natalie reached the large, gleaming restroom and caught their reflection in the wall length mirrors. “For either of us. I have a feeling your parents have mucked up your life as much as mine have. As much as I’ve allowed mine to,” she corrected firmly.

  Erika turned the cold water on, her wrists beneath the stream and her eyes closed, her forehead resting on the cold granite counter.

  “No, running was working until I let myself think they’d accepted my decision,” she straightened slowly, striding to the wall and tapping the warm air to dry her hands.

  “Why are you on my missing person’s list, Erika?” Natalie leaned against the counter, hoping Tre was alright.

  “I left a note,” she looked at the other woman. “I told Adam I was calling off the wedding. I left him his ring. And I left. I am not missing and it was wrong of them to…to use police resources like that. The only thing I can think of is they wanted some kind of…of story to avoid being humiliated.”

  “Alright. I can accept that. But…” she sighed. She avoided her parents like the plague. She knew she wasn’t the only one with dysfunctional parents. “I think I need to rescue Tre. He doesn’t deserve my parents,” Natalie
looped her arm with Erika’s. “I don’t know why you had to run, but I do know you’ve got a guy willing to stand up to the demons with you, if you give him a chance.”

  “Xavier? I only met the man this morning,” Erika told her in a hoarse whisper. “I had to ditch my car because my father was having me followed and…oh, god, what a mess.”

  Natalie laughed. “I learned that time isn’t what matters. Not at all,” she said positively, smiling brightly at Tre when he stood up and held out his palm.

  Erika tried to ignore the newly added camera. And the reporter. Watching.

  Natalie’s words echoed in her head at the same time she felt warm and protected, a palm out and twining with hers until he had her close enough to circle. The band of his arms circled her when he positioned her in front of him, his mouth moving next to her ear.

  “Smile and never let them see your fears, Erika.”

  It wasn’t so difficult to do as he said, half listening to the older couple.

  “You cannot be serious, Natalie,” Geofrey Templeton demanded, his voice laced with disbelief. “You only just divorced!”

  “That was over two years ago, Father,” Natalie leaned into Tre. “In case you forgot, this is my life, my choice. Wish me luck and please don’t cause a scene. Excuse us…Tre promised me a dance or three.”

  With Tre taking the lead, she exhaled and continued on to the dance floor without looking back. Her life was now and with Tre. She loved him and knew it wouldn’t be ending anytime in the distant future.