Finding Home Again (Catalina Cove)

by Brenda Jackson

  She gave him a pointed look. “How do you know?”

  “Trust me, I know. So will you let me try to win back your heart, Bryce?”

  * * *

  BRYCE NIBBLED ON her bottom lip again. Could she risk it? No one, not even Vashti, knew the pain she’d gone through, and it was pain she had survived only because she had made a promise to herself never to put herself in that position again. But when she thought about the time they’d spent together last weekend, and now in Boston, she felt sensuously giddy inside.

  Kaegan had shown her that he had respect for her profession and had even allowed her to handle things in that meeting. And then a few hours ago, when her body had all but demanded its desire for him, she had conceded with no regrets. What she hadn’t counted on either time was her body’s need for him and only him. It was a deep, vicious physical thing that she wasn’t able to control.

  Could they try again to regain what they’d lost? Did she want to even try? He had made a mistake but should she hold it against him forever when she claimed she had forgiven him? Forgiving didn’t necessarily mean reconciliation. Should she change her way of thinking for him? For them?

  She studied his features—grown-up features that were more mature and intense, but as handsome as ever. The same features that she had gazed at while they’d made love. He’d always been able to take foreplay to a whole other level, but now he was so skilled at it. Just thinking about some of the ways he’d gotten her prepared filled her with immense heat.

  And nothing they did was brief. The kisses or the lovemaking. He had a way of prolonging things and getting the most out of them. He gave multiple orgasms like there was nothing to them.

  “Bryce?”

  Hearing him say her name made her realize she hadn’t answered his question. “Are you sure you want to win back my heart, Kaegan?”

  He brushed his lips across her chin. “My life won’t be complete until I do.”

  She bit her lower lip again while thinking about just what winning her back could entail. Catalina Cove was a small town, where some people made it their business to know everything. “If we get back together people are going to talk.”

  He pulled back and lifted her chin so she could look into his eyes. “Will that bother you?”

  Seeing the intense look in his eyes, she understood why he was asking. “No. Being your girl didn’t bother me and it wouldn’t bother me now, Kaegan. It’s not the talk I’m worried about, but my heart. Your father took joy in spreading the word that you’d dumped me, although he’d kept them guessing as to why.”

  “Now those same people will see me busting my ass off to get you back. They’ll realize whatever the reason that tore us apart was me and not you and I’m trying hard to get my act together.”

  She didn’t say anything for a minute, knowing more than anything she would like things between them to be like they used to be. No issues with trust. “Okay, Kaegan.”

  “Does that mean you understand that I want more from you than spending time in my bed? That I want you back in my life? That in winning you back I intend to make sure you know, that you will always know, that you’re the only woman I want? The only woman I need?”

  More than anything, she wanted to believe all that he’d just said. “I want to believe you, Kaegan,” she said, fighting to keep her voice from breaking when emotions tried to consume her.

  “Neither of us can change the past, Bryce, although more than anything I wish that I could. I wish there was a rewind button where we could return to that night when I’d come home unexpectedly to surprise you. But we can’t rewind. We can’t go back. All we can do is move forward. Will you let me work hard to earn your love and trust again? Will you give me that chance?”

  Bryce drew in a deep breath, no longer able to deny his request. She was taking a chance with him, this man who’d been her best friend, lover, confidant and protector. However, more important, she was taking a chance with her heart. “Yes, I’ll give that to you.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  KAEGAN GLANCED UP at the man who walked into his office. Brody Dorsett had graduated from Catalina Cove High School the same year he had. Brody, who was parts French, African and Spanish, had also been born and raised in the bayou. His ancestors had been known as Bayou Creoles. Like others, Brody had left the cove to go to college and had taken a job elsewhere. He’d lived in Memphis, where he’d been a fire captain for a number of years.

  Brody had returned to the cove last year to take over as fire chief investigator when Brody’s father and Catalina Cove’s longtime fire chief investigator retired early due to illness. Brody’s father had passed away nine months ago. Kaegan always liked Brody and knew he was well respected in the cove and many were glad he’d returned.

  “You got something for me, Brody?” he asked, offering him a chair. He’d known that Brody and his team arrived early that morning to check out the damage on the ship.

  “Yes, Kaegan. It was arson.”

  Kaegan went still for a minute. “Arson?”

  “Yes. I suspected it Saturday night but wanted to wait until I did a thorough inspection to be sure.”

  Kaegan was dumbfounded. “Who would want to deliberately start a fire on my ship?”

  Brody shrugged. “I don’t know. The perpetrator was sloppy, or he didn’t care if it was discovered the fire was caused by arson. He was quick and tossed one of those lighter-fluid containers in a ball filled with heat with the intent for it to catch fire. It did. I guess they hadn’t counted on Elton being on board that night. It’s a good thing he was, otherwise there would have been more damage.”

  Kaegan nodded, still perplexed. He had arrived back in Catalina Cove yesterday evening after having shared a wonderful time in Boston with Bryce. “What happens next?”

  Brody stood. “Now I work with Sawyer to bring the person to justice. A copy of my report will be filed with your insurance carrier and a copy will be given to Sawyer. More than likely the two of us will be meeting with you sometime this week. When will be a good time?”

  “Whenever it’s best for you guys. I’ll make time.”

  After Brody left, Kaegan went to the window and looked out at the impaired ship. Sawyer had been right about the damage being minor. However, knowing the fire had been deliberately set was a game changer. Who would do such a thing? Why?

  Kaegan knew there’d been a rash of arson-related fires in several parishes in Louisiana over the past year, but none in Catalina Cove. Churches, vacant homes and warehouses had been torched, but this was the first time he’d heard of a fire deliberately being set on a boat or ship.

  He needed to call his office staff together and let them know. With small-town gossip the way it was, it wouldn’t be long before news spread. He would rather they hear it from him. Moving to his desk, he pushed a button on the intercom.

  “Yes, Kaegan?”

  “Willa, please get everyone together for a meeting in my office.”

  “Okay.”

  Ten minutes later his office was filled with the members of his office staff—Willa, Faith and Toby. He rarely called these types of gatherings in his office unless it was to announce big news. Just that morning he’d gotten them together to announce the expansion and they’d been all excited about it. Now this.

  “Brody just left here with the findings of the fire that happened Saturday night. It was the result of arson.”

  Willa sucked in a shocked breath. “Arson?”

  “Yes, so there will be a full investigation by both Brody and Sawyer. I have confidence in their abilities and believe the person or persons responsible will be caught. More than likely during their investigation all of us will be questioned.”

  “Why would we be questioned when the fire happened when the office was closed?” Toby asked.

  “Just standard investigation procedures to see if perhaps you n
oticed anything during the hours the office was opened. They will probably want to know if any of you recall seeing some strange person hanging near the boats or anything. And, Willa, knowing Sawyer, he’s going to want a complete list of everyone who volunteered for that oyster netting two weeks ago.”

  “Okay.”

  He then glanced around at everyone and said, “Thanks and that will be all.”

  * * *

  KAEGAN PULLED INTO the parking lot of Bryce’s real-estate office. He’d gone to the café, hoping to see her there, only to be told by Duke she hadn’t come in today because she needed to catch up with some things at her office. So here he was, with the food her mother had asked him to deliver. Ms. Debbie figured Bryce had probably gotten busy and missed both lunch and dinner.

  Getting out of his truck, he looked around, liking how well lit the area where Bryce’s office was. Although the other businesses around here had closed for the day, there were still a number of cars in several parking lots, which meant Bryce wasn’t the only person working late.

  Holding tight to the bags, he walked up to the door and rang the bell. She opened it, saw him and smiled, and then stepped aside. “Mom called to let me know you were coming over with food.”

  He entered, remembering the one and only other time he’d been here. That had been when he’d come to apologize to her again. “She sent enough for two,” he said, grinning.

  Bryce chuckled. “Of course she did. You can come this way. I need a break.” She led him down a hall to where he knew her office was located. They also passed a room with a long table and several chairs that he figured was used as a conference room.

  They entered a huge area that appeared to double as a kitchen and break room. “We can sit there and eat,” she said, pointing to a large round table. “I heard Cajun pork chops are in that bag.”

  “I hadn’t checked.” He tried not to stare at her too much. She was wearing a pullover sweater and a pair of dark slacks. Both looked good on her. “How did your day go?” he asked her.

  She’d been pulling the containers out of the bag and now paused. “I should be asking you that question. Mom said Brody suspects the fire on your ship was due to arson.”

  “Yes, although I find it hard to believe someone would do such a thing.”

  “People are crazy, Kaegan, and it’s probably nobody from around here. Chances are it was a drifter passing through. Either way, I believe with Brody and Sawyer working together the person will get caught.”

  He knew she was right. Sawyer was ex-FBI, and when it came to investigations of any sort, he put 100 percent into it. Kaegan knew Sawyer still had contacts at the Bureau when an investigation went out of his scope. “Although what you said is true, I can’t help but feel angry about it.”

  “And you should.”

  “The damage wasn’t too bad, but dealing with the insurance company is a nightmare. They are sending their own people out this week, as well. I’ve taken precautions by asking Isaac if he would install the same type of high-tech security devices he did for me on Eagle Bend Inlet to where my ships are docked. That way I will be alerted if it happens again, which I’m hoping it won’t. I’ve also hired a security guard to make periodic rounds.”

  Wanting to change the subject, he asked if she’d talked to Vashti.

  She chuckled. “Are you kidding me? My phone was ringing the moment I walked into my house last night. She and Sawyer figured there was a reason we extended our time in Boston. I told her that you’d been kind enough to enjoy the city with me since it had been my first visit there.”

  He looked at her. “Did that satisfy her?”

  “Of course it didn’t, so I ended up telling her that you and I are trying to work things out. She was glad about it, Kaegan.” She paused a minute and then said, “Mom and Dad asked me about us, as well. I told them the same thing.”

  Kaegan nodded as he held her gaze. He loved her and knew it would take time and was glad she was giving them a chance to rebuild what they’d had before. In the meantime, he would continue to prove to her that he was worthy of her love and that he wanted forever with her.

  They talked about other things while they ate, and when they finished, he helped clear the table. “How much longer do you plan to be here tonight?” he asked after placing the garbage in the trash.

  “Probably another hour. Why?”

  “Mind if I hang around? I want to escort you home.”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “Escort me home?”

  “Yes. I’ll follow behind you in my truck. You’re my girl again and I want to be there for you.” When she didn’t say anything, he crossed the room to stand in front of her. “Do you have a problem with me doing that?”

  She released a deep sigh. “Yes and no. I haven’t been anyone’s girl for a long time, Kaegan. I’ve gotten used to my space. Having anyone inside it will take some getting used to.”

  “I understand.” And he did. Bryce was now fiercely independent. He could appreciate that, but when it came to her, he’d always been just as fiercely protective. “What about a compromise?”

  “What sort of a compromise?”

  “It’s been a while since we’ve been together and in the same town. At least not since high school. You were away at college and I was in the military. Having a steady girl living in the same town is something I have to get used to, as well. That means I’m going to need for you to let me know when you think I’m invading too much of your space. Then I’ll back up. Agreed?”

  She nodded, and he saw relief on her face. “Agreed. I guess this time around will be both different and challenging for us.”

  He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Yes, but I’m determined to win back your heart, Bryce. For me there has never been another woman. You’re it.” He leaned in and kissed her.

  * * *

  JEREMY WAS UPSET as he paced his hotel room in New Orleans. That fire hadn’t gotten Bryce and her boyfriend back to town any sooner and the thought of that annoyed the hell out of him. He’d honestly liked her, but like the others, she needed to be taught a lesson. He wouldn’t allow her to play another man for a fool.

  He’d read the news article about the fire and the fire department’s ruling of arson. However, he wasn’t worried about getting connected to the fire in any way. He’d checked out the place the day before and hadn’t spotted any video cameras, which was a foolish and costly mistake on Kaegan Chambray’s part.

  Jeremy’s only regret was that more damage hadn’t been done due to some old man who’d been on the boat at the time. He hadn’t seen the old man, and according to the newspaper article, the old man claimed not to have seen anything.

  Now all Jeremy had to do was figure out a plan to take care of Bryce. He would teach her a lesson she wouldn’t forget.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  WEDNESDAY MORNING, KAEGAN walked into the Witherspoon Café and joined Sawyer and Ray. As he slid into his seat he saw Bryce serving a customer. “Good morning, fellas.”

  “Morning,” both Ray and Sawyer replied simultaneously.

  “So what’s going on?” he asked them.

  Ray took a sip of his coffee and then said, “First for the good news. Bryce might have found someone interested in leasing out my house.”

  Kaegan smiled. “That is good news. What’s the bad news?”

  “I guess it’s not really bad news,” Ray said solemnly. “I got a call last night that the authorities finally ID’d the guy they thought was me in the car that went off the bridge. You know, the hitchhiker I picked up that day that pistol-whipped me and left me for dead before hijacking my car.”

  Kaegan lifted an eyebrow. “How were they able to identify him?”

  “By traffic cameras along the interstate. Since I was able to recall the exact location where I picked him up, they reviewed footage from that day taken alon
g there. They sent photos of several hitchhikers caught on the traffic cam and I was able to pick out the guy. It took them only a few weeks to discover his identity.”

  “Who was he?” Kaegan asked. He figured the reason Sawyer wasn’t asking any questions was because he already had all the details.

  “He was a man by the name of Freddie Monroe. According to the FBI, he was also wanted for murder in another state. That of a woman in Gary, Indiana.”

  “Well, I’m glad that mystery is solved,” Kaegan said, hoping that would give closure to Ray.

  “Thank God for video cameras,” Sawyer said. “I know some people think of them as an invasion of their privacy, but you wouldn’t believe the number of crimes that are solved after we’ve gone back and pulled video footage for businesses. Too bad there weren’t any on the docks,” he said to Kaegan. “Had there been, we would have possibly gotten an image of the person who started that fire on your ship.”

  “Well, I’m not waiting for the city zoning board to approve video cameras along the pier. I’ve already hired Isaac to install my own. I hate pulling him out of retirement again, but he agreed to set up the same kind of security system around my ships that I have on Eagle Bend Inlet.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Ray said.

  “Good morning, Kaegan. Would you like the usual?”

  Kaegan glanced up at Bryce. She was smiling and he smiled back. “Yes, the usual is fine.” She nodded and walked off, and his gaze followed her until she was no longer in sight.

  “This is going to take some getting used to,” Ray said, grinning.

  Kaegan lifted an eyebrow. “What?”

  “You and Bryce being nice to each other.”

  Kaegan smiled. “Yes, but you might as well get used to it because that’s how things will be from here on out.” He switched his gaze to Sawyer. “Any leads on the fire?”

  Sawyer shook his head. “So far, none.”