Backrush

by Jana DeLeon

  She released him and he smiled down at her.

  “You’re worth it,” he said.

  Mateo’s cell phone signaled the call he’d been expecting ever since he’d seen the news. He grabbed it.

  “Is it him?” he asked.

  “Yeah,” the client said.

  “So you got the information?”

  “No.” The reply was short, and Mateo could feel the tension through the phone.

  “What happened?”

  “My associates got careless. Patterson managed to get loose from the handcuffs and grabbed one of their guns.”

  “He shot one of your associates?” Mateo was beyond surprised. He’d never figured Patterson had it in him.

  “No. He shot himself.”

  Mateo blew out a breath. “So how do I proceed? Our previous plan isn’t going to work. The neighbor is not only sticking close, but he spent the day with a buddy installing a security system and a ton of cameras. The stealth option is no longer viable. I say I proceed with elimination of the man and get what we want from the woman.”

  “Not yet. There’s one last thing I want to try.”

  “How long?”

  “Forty-eight hours. No more.”

  “And if it doesn’t work?”

  “Then you can proceed with your methods.”

  Mateo placed the phone on the table and smiled. From his slot in the marina, he could see the tiny dots of light from homes on the shore and knew that inside Alayna’s cottage, there was probably a celebration going on.

  Enjoy yourself now. It will all be over soon.

  Bea practically danced into the bookstore the next morning, surprised to find Nelly already making coffee. Nelly was a great friend, but mornings weren’t usually her strong suit. And after the amount of wine and food Nelly had consumed the night before, Bea had figured she wouldn’t come rushing through the door until opening time. And that wasn’t for another hour.

  Nelly looked over when she heard the door and gave Bea a huge smile.

  “I started to bring champagne,” she said, “but then I thought that was morbid. I mean, celebrating a man’s murder, even though he did it all to himself. But I’ve never been as relieved as I was this morning when I saw it on the news. I’d gotten up to take some aspirin for my hangover and Harold had the news on. I dropped the entire bottle down the drain. Harold’s having to fish it out now and was cussing a blue streak when I left. But it cleared my hangover right up.”

  Bea gave her friend a hug and smiled. “I felt the same way when Alayna called last night. Lord knows, I was so wiped out I’m surprised I heard the phone. And then when I saw her name in the display, my pulse shot right into the stratosphere. Then she told me it was all over and my whole body collapsed. It was like I didn’t even have bones anymore. I think I slept harder last night than I have in the last ten years.”

  “I bet you did. So what else did Alayna say? Did she talk to that FBI contact of hers?”

  Bea nodded. “He said she’s off the hook. There’s no testifying against a dead man, and Alayna didn’t know anything about his business or any of his associates so she’s no use against Rivera.”

  “Oh, Bea! This is the best news ever.”

  Bea grinned. “Bet we don’t have crowds of people in here today.”

  “No. The drama is over. Almost before it began, thank God. Now that girl can get on with her life. Bad enough to be starting over after all her hard work, but having all that still on her shoulders was making it next to impossible to move forward.”

  “I’m really hoping that she’ll give my restaurant idea serious consideration now. I could see the wheels turning when she looked at the space. She knows I’m right. The location is perfect. The building is perfect. And if anyone can come up with a menu that has people flocking to the island, it’s Alayna.”

  Nelly held up her hands with her fingers crossed. “Your mouth to God’s ears. I am dying for a high-class meal. One that Harold has to dig out his slacks for. The only time the man dresses up is for a wedding or a funeral, and since I’m not a fan of either, I don’t get much enjoyment out of it.”

  Bea poured herself a cup of coffee and took a sip. “I don’t need to be drinking this. I’m already so amped up I’m ready to bounce off the walls.”

  “Why don’t you shut down today and go spend some time with Alayna?”

  “No. When Alayna called last night, Luke was still there, and I got the impression that he’d intended to stay the night.”

  Nelly’s eyes widened. “Do you think…”

  Bea shook her head. “No. Alayna is really careful right now with her feelings, and I imagine that goes double for any with romantic inclinations. But I’m hoping, now that this is over, that those two can do some regular stuff like normal young people. If I show up, I’ll be right in the middle.”

  Nelly nodded. “Cockblocking.”

  Bea spit out her coffee. “What in the world? Good Lord, Nelly. What a term.”

  “I heard it on the MTV. I thought I was going to have to buy some pearls for Harold to clutch.”

  Bea started laughing and once she got going, she had to put her coffee cup down and drop into a chair, she was shaking so hard. But she couldn’t stop the visual of Harold, sitting on the couch with his hand wrapped around a string of pearls. Finally, she sucked in a couple deep breaths and some of the heat began to leave her face. Nelly had just stood there grinning the entire time.

  “It’s good to hear you laugh,” Nelly said.

  “You keep watching the MTV and it could be a regular comedy show in here. Or I’ll need oxygen.”

  “Have you seen the new paramedic?” Nelly fanned herself. “Worth passing out for.”

  “Uh-huh. And how old is he?”

  Nelly waved a hand in dismissal. “That doesn’t matter when you’re window shopping.”

  “True. So I think the first part of your idea—shutting down the store today—has merit. But since you were planning to be here all day with me anyway, then I say the two of us get up to some trouble. What do you say?”

  “I say we head to New Orleans—gambling, great food, interesting people…”

  “That’s a four-hour drive. If we go there, Harold won’t get his dinner on time.”

  “He can eat a sandwich. Besides, I was thinking we could make it an overnighter. No sense going to NOLA if we’re not going to have a Hurricane or two.”

  “So drive back tomorrow afternoon hungover and then open up the store on Friday?” Bea grinned. “Best idea ever.”

  Alayna placed her cell phone on the table next to the chaise and smiled. It was a glorious day. She’d had a few hours of dreamless, restful sleep—the first in a long time—and then she’d fixed breakfast and headed outside to the deck where she’d been enjoying the sun and the smell and sound of the surf. Luke had stayed up with her for hours the night before, talking about everything that had happened. It felt good to finally get it all out and she’d never wanted to burden Bea with the details, knowing it would just make her aunt angry and heartbroken for Alayna all over again. It was a little strange talking to a man she was attracted to about the man she’d recently been in a relationship with, but Luke was a great listener and a sympathetic one as well. She’d never felt uncomfortable with the conversation.

  She’d finally talked him into going back to his place around 2:00 a.m. While she appreciated his offer to stay, she knew they would both benefit from a comfortable bed and some quiet. And even though she had no intention of making a move on her attraction, and she didn’t think Luke did either, she knew that just having him in the house would be a distraction.

  Despite getting to bed so late, she was still up early enough to see the sunrise. It wasn’t enough rest, but she awakened so energized that she knew it would be impossible to go back to sleep. Once the adrenaline wore off, she’d be able to put in more hours. Maybe catch up on all the sleep she’d lost the past five months.

  Movement in front of her caught her atte
ntion and she looked up as Luke stepped through the marsh grass. He was wearing blue shorts, a white tee, and no shoes, and he looked gorgeous with his tanned, muscled skin.

  “You look refreshed,” he said. “You been up for a while?”

  She nodded. “Couldn’t sleep anymore. Too wired, I guess, but I feel good.”

  He smiled and took a seat at the patio table. “That’s great. I will admit that I had a good round myself. Slept right past my usual waking hour and had two cups of coffee standing in the kitchen. Then I did some laundry and other household chores I’d been putting off.”

  Alayna smiled. “We wouldn’t want you running out of boxers. You might need to apprehend another patio furniture thief.”

  He grinned. “I guess if that’s the worst story people can tell about me, I can’t really complain. Have you talked to Bea this morning?”

  “Oh yes. She called as soon as she got up, talking about a thousand miles an hour.”

  “She’s excited and relieved. I can appreciate that.”

  Alayna nodded. “I just got off the phone with her again before you walked up. I’m on Shakespeare duty today.”

  “Shakespeare duty?”

  “Her adopted cat. He lives at the bookstore. Aunt Bea decided to close for the day, and she and Nelly are headed to New Orleans for a day and night of debauchery.”

  “Maybe we should call New Orleans and warn them.”

  Alayna raised one eyebrow. “Have you ever been to New Orleans?”

  “No.”

  “Let me just say that Bea and Nelly are so boring by New Orleans standards, no one will even notice they’re there.”

  He laughed. “Maybe I need to plan a trip then.”

  “It’s a wonderful city. So full of culture, and the food…such awesome food.”

  “Then I definitely need to go. If I have a chef of your caliber raving about the food, then it’s a must. Maybe you could show me around.”

  She felt heat run up her neck. It was as if he’d read her mind. As soon as he’d said he’d like to go, she could picture the two of them there, dining on the best food the city had to offer. Then strolling through Jackson Square to see the artists. Taking in the many sights and creative endeavors that Bourbon Street had to offer. And then at night…

  Hence the blush.

  “I guess we’ll have to see how long you’re here,” she said, not really asking the question she wanted to ask but hoping he’d divulge the information anyway.

  “Yeah. Pete’s been nagging me to check in. I’m pretty sure he’s going to clear me for restricted duty.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m no longer a SEAL and I have a decision to make. I have a couple of options—all keep me stateside and out of the action—or I can leave when my time is up in about three months.”

  “If you left, what would you do?”

  “I’m not sure. My buddy that I got the security system from offered me a job. He has a branch that offers personal security—you know, escorting famous people, politicians, rich people, and the like. I have to admit the salary surprised me. I wouldn’t make that much in the navy even if I stayed until retirement.”

  “So is that something you’re interested in?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. I mean, the pay is great and I don’t think the security part of the job would be that difficult. But when I think of the clientele I’d be dealing with… Let’s just say I was on a mission once where we rescued a diplomat, and I was less than impressed.”

  “I can imagine that the personal element might be hard to handle. I hated when the big food critics came into my restaurant. Not because of the food. I knew I offered a good product and they either loved it or they didn’t, but I hated trying to chat with them after the meal. They all want some personal tidbit and I’m just not that kind of outgoing. I didn’t even have a picture of myself on the restaurant website.”

  “You should have. It probably would have gotten you even more business.”

  She laughed. “I doubt that, but it’s a nice thing to say.”

  “So now that this is over, are you going to try again?”

  “It’s funny you should ask that. The other day, Bea asked me to meet her at the bookstore. She owns the building, and the top level has been leased to an attorney for as long as I can remember. Well, apparently, he expanded his practice and moved it to the mainland, so the space is up for grabs. But she never listed it. We took a look and she told me she wants me to open a fine dining restaurant there.”

  “That’s a great idea. I bet you’d pull in a ton of regular business from islanders and the mainland. And that’s not even counting tourist season. Once word gets out about your cooking, you’ll be taking reservations for the next twenty years.”

  She felt heat creep up her neck. “Thank you. I have to admit, it sounded lovely when she pitched it but there was no way I could let her gamble her money on me. Not with all that hanging over my head. And I was afraid the situation would keep me from being successful and I don’t want to cost her part of her retirement.”

  “But now?”

  “I’ll confess that I never really put the idea away completely. That was what all the notes I was making yesterday were about. I needed something to occupy my racing mind and thinking about food and the business was the only thing I could ever concentrate 100 percent on.”

  He smiled. “So you’re going to do it.”

  “I, well…I want to look into it anyway.”

  “Excellent! That’s great, Alayna. So how does one go about opening a restaurant? I assume you build out the space first, then what?”

  “Actually, you do a whole lot at the same time. When I opened my place in New York, I found the space, then sourced my kitchen equipment. That dictated the layout and design for the kitchen, then the contractors went to work. While they were working, I sourced the furniture, light fixtures, and decor, designed the menu, and scouted for potential sous-chefs and a solid dessert person.”

  “Sounds like a lot of work.”

  “That doesn’t even include all the cooking. You have to prepare the dishes over and over again to get the ingredients just right. You can’t expect another chef to prepare your food without instructions.”

  His eyes widened. “So you have to cook all the things that you’re going to put on the menu? Multiple times?”

  “It’s the only way to be certain.”

  “And when does that part start?”

  She laughed. “As soon as I make a run to the grocery store, butcher, and fish market on the mainland.”

  “Do you need a lift?”

  “Not just yet. I don’t have the proper equipment to cook with. I have my chef’s knives, of course. Bea gave them to me after I graduated from culinary school. And I brought my good kitchen appliances, cookware, and bakeware with me from New York, but I didn’t have a lot. Limited space, you know? And once I got the restaurant up and running, I mostly tried out new recipes there. Ultimately, I never stocked my home kitchen as well as it needs to be to create a menu from scratch.”

  “So we’re going shopping for pots and pans today?”

  “Oh! I guess we could, but surely you’d rather spend the time off that you have left doing something fun.”

  “Hanging out with you is fun. And seeing you smile like this makes me happy and gives me hope that I can find a way to restart my life as well and be better than just content.”

  “Obviously you have a lot of talent or you wouldn’t be a SEAL. I have no doubt you’ll figure out what to do with all that ability so that you’re challenged and fulfilled.”

  “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”

  She stared down at her feet for a moment, then looked back at him. “And I probably shouldn’t say this, but I hope whatever you decide to do keeps you here.”

  He stared at her for what seemed like forever, and her heart pounded furiously in her chest. Then he cupped her face with his hands and lowered his lips to her
s in a kiss so soft, so sweet, that it took her breath away. Even the slightest touch from Luke created a rush of emotion she’d never felt before, and she was still surprised to be feeling so much now. So soon after…

  She pushed those negative thoughts to the back of her mind. They had no right to dwell there anymore. That was the past, and it was finally laid to rest. From this day forward, everything was new.

  “We’d better get to shopping,” he said, his voice low. “Or I’m not going to want to leave.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Alayna started to tell Luke she didn’t want to leave either, but then her stomach clenched and she hesitated. Was she really ready? She was in the clear to move on with her life in every way possible but that wasn’t a small step in the romance direction—it was a gigantic leap. And there was no point in leaping too soon. She had time. Maybe. If Luke didn’t leave.

  “Let me put on some tennis shoes,” she said.

  “Yeah, I suppose I should do that myself,” he said. “I’ll meet you out front. We can take my truck, in case you run across bargains you can’t refuse and need the hauling space.”

  She laughed. “I don’t think my credit limit will fill the back of your truck.”

  “Still, it’s the least I can do since I’m going to be your menu test subject.”

  He gave her a grin and hurried back across the dune. Alayna went inside and grabbed her newest pair of tennis shoes, just in case they did a lot of walking, then stuffed her wallet and cell phone into a small cross-body purse. When she got to the front door, she paused. Did she set the alarm? She felt more than a little guilty that Luke and Pete had spent their entire day installing the system and now it wasn’t even necessary.

  And yet.

  She bit her lower lip and stared at the alarm panel. Plenty of people had home alarms, she reasoned with herself. It was a smart thing for a single woman to have. The house wasn’t like her apartment in New York that had restricted entry. Anyone could walk up to her front door or for that matter, her back deck. And Bea said she’d been meaning to install a system because the island was getting more crowded every year with vacationers and minor issues were starting to crop up, especially when houses stood empty. The cameras were recording no matter what, but if she was leaving for a while, she should turn on the alarm. It wasn’t a step back. It was just a normal thing that people did every day.