by Dana Moss
Resigning herself to being the third wheel, at least until they got to the resort, Taffy climbed into the back seat.
Before Finn started the car, he pulled out his phone and said, “I’ll text Ethan and tell him to meet us.”
Maria glanced over her shoulder, “Shouldn’t you be the one doing that?”
Taffy looked down at her phone and said, “I’ll tell Macy to save four seats.”
As they drove toward town, Taffy watched the dark outline of trees—so many trees—pass by the window. The air was mild still but beginning to carry the scent of end-of-summer. She had to admit she’d been happy here all summer. Ethan had lured her over to the natural side, and she’d actually learned to camp, now owned her own set of birding binoculars, and could pick out several constellations without the help of a phone app. But while she’d been in New York, she hadn’t minded seeing only pigeons and crows, and the bright city lights that blotted out the stars had made her heart kindle with excitement. The only camping she’d done was in front of the cosmetic counters at Nordstrom. Unlike Maria, she’d missed nothing about Oregon while she was away. In fact, she’d barely missed Ethan.
That wasn’t entirely true. She’d missed him—his touch, his laugh, his green eyes catching hers and not letting go—but she’d put him out of her mind as best she could because Ethan and New York just didn’t match up in her mind. And for a few days New York had felt like home again. And then Kyla had mentioned Luke… And Taffy had felt restless ever since.
CHAPTER THREE
Finn guided the Camry through the open gates of Castle Rock Resort.
Maria yawned widely. “We don’t have to stay long, do we?”
“My friends want to meet you, Maria. They told me so.”
“If they’re anything like Kyla, I’d tend to doubt their sincerity.”
“Give them a chance.”
Finn, the ever-optimistic lawyer, chimed in. “Everyone deserves a chance.”
Maria nodded and stifled another yawn.
They parked and went in through the main door.
Crossing the lobby to the dining room, Taffy picked out a group of people at a table by the tall windows overlooking the harbor. Macy jumped up. She was wearing a cropped top that revealed her bronzed midriff, with a flash of bling at her belly button, and very sheer harem-style pants. Her sleek, minx-brown hair was blown back from her face.
“Its soooo good to see youuuuu,” Macy gushed as she air-kissed Taffy’s cheeks. “And it’s good to be here,” she said, gazing around the dining room.
Cher appeared by Macy’s side and leaned in to greet Taffy. “It’s not the Ritz or the Plaza, but it’s quaint.”
Macy extended a hand to Maria. “And you must be Taffy’s brave policewoman friend.”
“Detective Salinas.” Maria shook Macy’s hand in a firm grip that had nothing to grasp when Macy bent her wrist and made her fingers go loose with her girly response to a proper handshake. “You can call me Maria. Any friend of Taffy’s is a friend of mine.”
Taffy smiled to see that Maria was at least making an effort.
“And this is Finn.” She turned to present him.
Finn’s eyes lifted from Macy’s belly-button piercing to her collagen-filled lips.
“Ditto what Maria said. Pleasure to meet you.” He cleared his throat and nodded to the others seated at the table as he pulled out a chair for Maria.
A handsome, tanned man with sun-streaked hair sidled up and wrapped his arms around Macy’s bare waist. “And what about me? Aren’t you going to introduce me?” He leaned his chin on Macy’s shoulder looking boyish and seductive.
“Blake Stanton Reese the third.” Macy twirled her hand in the air by way of introduction, and he reached for her fingers and kissed their tips. Cher looked away.
Blake’s teeth were large and blindingly white, and they stood out against his deep tan. His movie-star good looks were marred only by one eye being slightly larger than the other and a slightly receding hairline. He was clearly older than Macy, but Taffy couldn’t tell by how much. When he smiled, he radiated charm but not warmth. At least that’s what Taffy sensed. He had firm handshake though, and when he was introduced to her, he winked as if they shared a secret.
“Macy insisted we drop in on her best friend, Taffy,” he said. At that, Cher frowned. No doubt because she considered herself to be Macy’s best friend.
Blake gestured to them to take seats at the table, which was littered with the remains of their dinner. “Macy told me this crazy friend had traded in the glam of New York City for some tiny run-down town on the edge of Pacific-nowhere and some grizzly-bear man, and so I had to see for myself.”
“I didn’t call her crazy,” Macy said, looking a little embarrassed.
Blake reached for his drink and sucked the dregs through its ice cubes while waving his hand to the waiter. “Put some booze in it this time,” he said, smiling his toothy fake smile as he plopped back down in his chair.
“Order whatever you want,” Blake said.
Maria leaned toward Taffy and said, “Since when does the Castle Rock Resort serve sushi?”
Taffy shrugged. “Trying new things to please the tourists?”
Macy said, “And I didn’t say Abandon was run-down. Like Cher mentioned, it’s not the Ritz, but it’s got its own charm.” She gave Taffy an encouraging smile. “And whatever floats your boat, right?”
Introductions were made to include the other two at the table: the yacht’s captain, Lorne Shipley, an old prep-school friend of Blake’s, and Anya Kolya, chef and nutritionist, who Lorne had affectionately nicknamed “Mary Ann.”
“And that’s Einer over there,” Anya said, pointing to a wiry older man hunched over a small glass next to a tall bottle. “He’s our engineer.” He didn’t turn around.
“Not very sociable?” Taffy said.
“That’s an understatement,” Lorne said. “But he keeps our old maid running smoothly.”
“As do you,” Anya said to Lorne. He raised his glass to her and tossed back the remains, which were plentiful.
After Blake had ordered a round of drinks for everyone and droned on about his yacht and its many luxurious and custom features, Maria looked over Taffy’s shoulder and said. “Here’s Ethan.”
“The Ethan?” Macy glanced around curiously.
Cher raised an eyebrow and then smoothed it out with a smile. “Interesting.”
He arrived in his work boots and ranger jacket with a beard about three days old. Taffy had had a difficult time picturing him in New York, but now he also looked out of place here at the resort. Like a bear among foxes.
He strode across the room, nodding briefly at Finn and Maria, and then firmly fixed his gaze on Taffy. She smiled and waved but didn’t stand up to greet him. Ethan grabbed a chair from one of the other tables and wedged it next to Taffy.
“We’ve heard so much about you,” Macy said sweetly.
“No we haven’t,” Cher corrected.
Ethan just smiled his crooked smile. “Well, I’ve heard a fair share about you.” He ordered a beer from the waiter.
Macy giggled. “Naughty or nice?”
“Bit of both, wouldn’t you say?” He winked at Taffy.
“I have told them about you, just so you know,” Taffy whispered to Ethan.
He squeezed her knee. “I missed you while you were gone.”
Taffy didn’t feel the usual flutter in her gut from Ethan’s touch. She was happy to see him, but she was distracted, too, for some reason. He kissed her cheek and wound his fingers in hers until his beer appeared.
Blake was still going on about his yacht, and Ethan surprised Taffy by asking him about displacement, drafts, and nautical miles logged, which drew Lorne into the conversation and even elicited a glance from the reclusive Einer sitting solo at the bar. Blake ended up inviting everyone to come out for brunch and cocktails the next day. Ethan begged off saying he had to work, but Finn and Taffy readily agreed while Maria tried to
hide a yawn and said she also had to work. Taffy could tell she was not enjoying the company. Cher didn’t seem to be either.
“I really don’t know how you could settle for this, Taffy,” Cher said, leaning toward her. “Not after life in Manhattan.”
Taffy might have been more insulted had she not just had the juxtaposition of the two places so clearly revealed, but she still felt some loyalty to Abandon. And Ethan. Even so, she couldn’t help assessing her situation: New York socialite-turned-small town citizen experiencing two worlds colliding messily rather than seamlessly.
Trying to sound convincing, she said, “It’s not that bad once you get used to it.”
Ethan shifted in his seat.
Cher said to him, “Nothing personal, of course. But what do you all do for fun around here?”
Ethan said, “It’s a great place if you like the outdoors and a peaceful kind of life.”
Cher made a face. “For a weekend maybe. But a whole life?” She shook her head. “I couldn’t do it.”
Taffy knew she should say something to make it all seem worthwhile, but nothing came to her. Ethan seemed to notice.
“It might take some getting used to, but being part of a small community has its upside.”
“Like everyone knowing all your secrets?” Cher said sarcastically.
Ethan tipped back his beer. “Not all of them.”
Blake glanced around the resort’s dining room. “You have to admit it’s a bit shabby. But at least we’re only staying one night. I’ll survive.”
Taffy turned to Macy. “I wish you didn’t have to go so soon.”
“Me too.” She actually seemed to mean it.
The waiter appeared with an elegant dessert, which he placed in front of Macy, and a second Bloody Mary he set in front of Blake. Blake took a sip and frowned. “Why don’t you just bring me the bottle of vodka and the tomato juice, and I’ll make the damn drink myself.”
“Yes, sir.” The waiter scuttled away.
Cher frowned at Blake while Macy leaned over and whispered in his ear.
“Who thinks I’m being rude?” He glanced around the table. “Anyone? I just call it like I see it. So sue me.”
Lorne, who’d been keeping pace with Blake’s guzzling, said, “You’ve been a prick since prep school, Blake. Don’t know what you see in him, Macy.”
Blake’s face darkened for an instant, and then he burst out laughing. “Lorne, you bastard.” He pointed a finger at him. “You are the only one I let talk to me like that.”
“That’s because you can’t ass whip me like I can you. Like I said, I don’t know what you see in him, Macy. Honestly.”
Blake guffawed. “You know damned well what she sees in me, dickhead.” They clinked glasses and laughed some more. Macy seemed mortified. Her eyes sent Taffy a silent apology. Taffy just shrugged. She’d seen worse in college at frat parties, but these guys should have outgrown all that by now.
Blake’s hand had slipped below the table and Taffy saw Macy wiggle in her seat. Then Blake mumbled in her ear, a loud drunken whisper that Taffy could hear.
“Let’s go back to the boat, baby. I have something to help you float.” He gnawed at her neck.
Macy laughed lightly and tried to look like she didn’t mind his aggressive pawing. He stood up to go and nearly lost his balance.
“Cocktails on deck tomorrow!” He leaned on Macy for a minute and then grabbed her hand to pull her out of her chair.
“I’d like to stay and visit with my friends for a bit longer,” she said. “And finish my dessert.”
“No you don’t. You want to come with me and make me the happiest man at sea. I’m your dessert.”
His charming smile carried a slight edge. Macy shrugged, forced a smile, and moved her napkin from her lap to the table. She pushed the dessert over to Maria. “Why don’t you finish it?”
She followed Blake, who noticed Cher was gathering her things to get ready to leave with them. He said to her, “Why don’t you stay here a bit longer with the Captain and Mary Ann?”
Macy touched his arm. “It’s okay. She can come with us.”
Blake’s look darkened again. Then he turned and swayed toward the door. Macy gave an apologetic smile and caught up to Blake, who had woven his way over to Einer sitting at the bar. Blake said something to him and then took a shot from his glass. Macy took his arm and held him up through the door that led down to the dock.
“Is he always like this?” Taffy asked Cher as she started after them.
Cher sighed. “Always.”
Lorne stood up and said, “Duty calls. No one can be aboard without the captain.”
Taffy turned to Anya. “That’s not really a rule is it?”
“Lorne lives by his own rules. Makes them up as he goes along.”
“You coming, Mary Ann?”
She shook her head. “Staying ashore tonight.”
Lorne nodded and stumbled away, whistling tunelessly.
Anya turned to Taffy. “Since there’s no more cooking tonight, I’ll stay at the resort. Blake booked a couple of rooms here. Seafaring is great, but I’m a landlubber at heart. I’ll have plenty of time to prepare brunch in the morning.” She pulled out a hotel room key and yawned. “We had an early day coming up from Northern California so I think I’ll call it a night.”
“Good to meet you,” Ethan said, holding out his hand again. Anya shook it firmly and smiled.
“Nice little town you have here. One day I might settle down in a place like this.”
“Good to know someone here sees its good side. It’s always a pleasure to have visitors.”
Taffy whispered to him. “Sounds like the mayor has enlisted you as one of his tourism ambassadors.”
He shrugged. “I’m proud of our tiny neck of the woods. I realize it’s not for everybody though.” He let his words hang in the air and then turned to say something to Finn.
Did he sense her restlessness since her return? Seeing her friends here didn’t make it easier. Clearly they looked down on the place. As she looked around the resort dining room, which was beautiful in its own way, she had to agree with Cher, it was a far cry from the Ritz, but that was okay. Wasn’t it?
* * *
Ethan drove a tired Taffy back to the house and carried her bags inside.
Midnight, her black cat, perched panther-like on the top step. He meowed reproachfully at Taffy, lifted his tail, and trotted away across the porch.
“He’ll come around. He didn’t like that you were gone so long,” Ethan turned on the lights, set her bags down, and turned to gather Taffy up in his arms. “Neither did I.”
“It wasn’t that long really.”
“You had a good time?”
“It felt good to be home.”
Ethan pulled back so he could look in her eyes. “This is your home now, isn’t it?”
“Sure, of course.” She looked around the house, the improvements they’d made, the coziness, the fresh flowers—
“Flowers?” She walked over to smell the bouquet of lilies and roses.
“I thought you’d like those. I’d planned to bring them to the airport, but at the last minute, Ted needed some help down at the bar.”
What had Taffy thinking? Of course this was home. Her old life was a shiny toy she was tempted to chase after again, but here she had all she truly needed and more. After a deep inhale of the fragrant blooms she returned to Ethan’s arms with a more wholehearted hug.
“Wherever you are is home to me.”
He smiled. “You must be tired from traveling.”
“Not too tired.”
His lips moved closer to hers, and they fell into the wordless part of their reunion.
* * *
In the middle of the night Taffy’s phone rang. A voice on the other end shrieked hysterically.
“They’ve got Macy! They’re taking her away!”
“Cher? Is that you? What are you talking about? Where are you?”
Taf
fy heard the words dock, yacht, Blake, and dead through Cher’s sobs and the crackling of a bad line. She also heard the sound of sirens.
Taffy sat up, her heart racing. “I’m on my way.”
Then the line went dead.
Ethan rolled over. Taffy was already out of bed and pulling on clothes.
“What’s going on? Where are you going?”
“Something’s going on down at the yacht. Cher’s in a state. I have to check on her.”
Ethan groaned. “Those gals seem like some high-maintenance friends. Do you need me to come?”
“Stay here. I’ll call you when I know more.”
She hightailed it back down to the resort wondering what could have pushed Cher so far over the edge.
CHAPTER FOUR
The access to the dock area was blocked, but Taffy could see police officers on the yacht. Flashlights arced on decks and within the cabins.
Maria stood at the dock gate, which was outlined with crime-scene tape. Taffy strode over to her.
“What happened? Is Cher okay?”
Maria seemed surprised to see Taffy, “What are you doing here?”
“Cher phoned me.”
“Must have been before we took her phone way. We’re holding them both for questioning.”
“What for? What happened? Are they okay?”
“Oh, they’re fine. It’s your pal Blake who’s not doing so well.”
“He’s not my pal. You know that. He’s a bit of a prick if you ask me. Even Macy said as much though she pretended not to care.”
Maria couldn’t hide a small smile. “Yeah, well, he was a prick. Sadly, he’s been cured of all future prickishness. Literally and figuratively.”
“Could you please just tell me what’s going on?!”
Maria drew a finger across her throat.
Taffy’s eyes widened. “He’s dead? How?”
Maria drew a finger across her throat again. “Throat slit with a kitchen knife and—”
Her walkie-talkie crackled, and she brought it to her ear. She responded to a couple of police references that Taffy didn’t comprehend. She clipped the walkie back in place while Taffy’s gut churned and her heart raced with disbelief. “Macy must be shattered, so that’s why Cher was so—”
