Hidden Secrets

by Jannine Gallant

  “I’m downstairs.”

  “I’ll be right there. Well, as soon as I feed Leo.”

  “No rush.” He tucked his phone into the pocket of his smoke-gray suit jacket and turned to gaze down the street. All the storefronts were illuminated with Christmas lights similar to the ones reflecting off Paige’s painted windows. At the end of each block, wires had been hung across the street with wreaths placed in the center, and the light posts were wrapped with gold and silver garlands. Siren Cove was definitely decked out for the holiday season.

  Street traffic was heavy this Saturday night with the influx of tourists attending the Winter Ball. He appreciated the boost to the local economy, but he could do without the hoopla. Especially since he’d be front and center, strutting his stuff for the highest bidder.

  When the door opened behind him, he turned and stared. Paige wore a form-fitting dress in bright red with a plunging neckline that more than hinted at the curves beneath. The hem stopped a few inches above her knee, displaying shapely legs. His gaze lowered to her high black heels, and he couldn’t help wondering how the hell she could walk in those things. Instead of a coat, she had a black, fake-fur scarf draped over her shoulders. Her hair was piled on her head in a series of twists and curls that had probably taken her forever to achieve. Whatever effort she’d expended had been well worth her time.

  “You look extremely hot.” Sliding an arm around her waist, he bent to kiss her.

  “So do you.” She was breathless when he released her. “I hope I have enough cash in my account.”

  “What are you talking about?” After she locked up, he strolled to the passenger side of the Jag and opened the car door.

  She slid onto the leather seat. “My guess is the winning bid for you will be extremely high. After tonight, I may not be able to afford to buy you a Christmas present.”

  He couldn’t help grinning. “Hey, it’s for a good cause, right?”

  “Right.”

  He ran around the front of the car, climbed in, then started the engine and turned out onto the street. They headed through town toward the country club where the Winter Ball would be held. As he drove, he snuck glances at the spectacular neckline of her dress, which did nothing but make him want to turn around and go back to her place. Gripping the wheel, he searched for something to say that wouldn’t make him hornier than he already was.

  “Uh, is this the first time you’ve left Leo alone for any length of time?”

  “Yep. He looked sad as I was leaving, but I trust he won’t destroy the place while I’m gone. He’s a good boy.”

  The subject of the dog exhausted, he gave up on the mundane and took one hand off the wheel to rest it on her thigh where the dress had slid up. “I can’t believe how amazing you look. Was I blind all these years, or just stupid?”

  “Do you really want me to answer that?” Her voice held a hint of humor.

  “Probably not. Okay, we’ll talk about something guaranteed to cool my libido. Have you heard whether they’ve identified those bones yet?”

  She gathered the wrap closer around her and shivered, despite the heat blasting through the vents. “I think they’re running DNA tests. Chris said he’d let me know what he could, but somehow, I don’t think we’ll be privy to all the details of the investigation. Honestly, I’m not sure I want to know.”

  “Okay, I’ll shut up, then. There’s no reason to think about anything depressing tonight. I just want us to have a good time. I’d also prefer not to look stupid while I’m being auctioned off like a side of beef. Those are my two main goals for the evening.”

  She turned to face him, and the dashboard light illuminated her smile. “You won’t look stupid. But if you lose the jacket and tie, and undo a few buttons on your shirt, you’ll probably fetch a heftier price.”

  “How about if I just do a striptease on the stage?” Sarcasm rang in his voice.

  “Take a page from the Magic Mike playbook.” Her soft laughter filled the warm interior. “Then I really wouldn’t be able to afford you.”

  He pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. In the darkness, he ran his hand farther up her thigh. “I think I’ll save any stripping strictly for you.”

  She unsnapped her seatbelt and leaned in for a kiss. “I like that idea.”

  He would have been happy to make out in the car for a whole lot longer, but she pulled back and reached for the door handle.

  “We’re already fashionably late, if the number of cars in the lot is any indication. We’d better go inside.”

  He reluctantly released her. “Sure. It should be a fun party.”

  After Quentin locked the Jag, he took her hand and ushered her toward the lighted building. Inside, music and the din of conversation echoed through the lobby decorated with a giant fir tree. They turned in their tickets at the door and greeted acquaintances as they made slow progress through the crowd. The dining room was set up with a buffet, and servers roamed among the attendees, offering appetizers. He snagged a shrimp wrapped in prosciutto and took a bite. “Not bad.”

  “Not bad? These things are awesome. I could eat a dozen.” Paige wiped her fingers on a napkin after finishing her own shrimp. “Do you want to eat first or dance? Sounds like the band is in full swing in the other room.”

  “I could be persuaded to show you off on the dance floor.”

  “Sounds good, just as soon as I say hello to my parents.” She pointed toward a large table in the center of the dining room. “They’re over there with some of their friends.”

  “Sure. I haven’t seen your mom and dad since Leah and Ryan’s wedding last summer.”

  He followed Paige through the crowd and stopped behind her when she reached the table. Ava Shephard jumped up from her seat to hug her daughter. The woman was small and blond and spunky, like Paige. Quentin had spent as much time in Ava’s kitchen as he had in his own during his early years before his family moved to Seattle. Paige’s father was slower to rise to his feet, but his smile was warm and his grip firm as he shook Quentin’s hand.

  “How are you, Son? It’s been a while.”

  “Too long. It’s good to see you, Sheldon.” He clapped him on the back before swooping in to hug Paige’s mom. “I’ve missed you both.”

  “I was thrilled to hear you’re opening up the Poseidon Grill again.” Ava gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek before stepping back. “I guess you’ll be in town more often now.”

  “I certainly plan to be.”

  Paige leaned against her dad after he gave her a quick hug. “It’s like old times . . .” She met Quentin’s eyes. “Sort of. Anyway, we just wanted to say hello. We’ll let you get back to your meal.”

  “The dinner is excellent,” Sheldon said. “Make sure you eat before they clear away the buffet.”

  Paige laughed as she took a couple steps backward. “Have you ever known me to turn down good food? We’ll eat after we check in with a few people.”

  “Go. Have fun.” Her mom waved them away. “I know you don’t want to hang out with us old folks.”

  “You’ll never be old, Ava.” Quentin slipped his arm around Paige. “You’re young at heart.”

  “You bet I am.” Her mother’s laughter followed them as he guided Paige away from the table.

  “Way to score points with my mom. They both love you, even though she thinks you scare away men who might want to marry me and produce grandchildren.”

  He stopped in his tracks. “She said that?”

  “Pretty much. I didn’t tell her we’re . . . uh . . . hooking up. I figured that information is on a need-to-know basis, and my parents don’t need to know.”

  Quentin pulled her in closer as they edged around a group of new arrivals on the way to the ballroom. He wasn’t sure how he felt about Paige keeping her parents in the dark regarding their dating status. Almost like she was ashamed of him. Or maybe she simply doesn’t trust what we have will last. Completely his fault, if that was the case. He opened his m
outh to say something—anything—reassuring, and struggled for the right words.

  “Oops, excuse me.” Paige paused, as the blond man she’d brushed up against turned. “Oh, hello, Baird. How’s your mom settling into her new home?”

  The man, probably in his mid-forties, wore an Italian suit that Quentin was pretty sure cost five times the price of his off-the-rack model. A tall woman with long, blond hair and a wary expression clung to his arm. He wasn’t sure if she was the guy’s wife, his date, or his daughter.

  “She’s happy living closer to my sister,” he answered abruptly. “Enjoy your evening.” Propelling the woman with a hand on her back, the two walked away.

  “Who was that?” Quentin asked.

  “Baird Copeland. I bought a bunch of furniture from his mother. He’s a lawyer here in town, and he was irritated with me because he left some stuff in one of the drawers. Like that was my fault.” Her voice held indignation.

  “And the woman?”

  Paige rolled her eyes. “Trophy wife. Hey, Ryan and Nina are over at the bar. Let’s go hang out with them.”

  The moment to tell Paige how he felt was gone. Now obviously wasn’t the right time to have a serious conversation. He wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed.

  As they approached the bar, Leah set down her wineglass, slid off the stool, and gathered Paige in for a quick hug. “Oh, my God, you look gorgeous.”

  “So, do you. That emerald shade does amazing things for your coloring.”

  Leah did look beautiful, and it wasn’t just the shimmering green dress that left her back bare. Her brown eyes glowed with happiness as she drew Ryan over next to her and tucked her hand through his arm. There was an air of confidence about her, the look of a woman who knew she was loved.

  By contrast, a subtle tension filled Paige. She smiled and chatted happily with Leah while Quentin ordered drinks, but the sense of peace surrounding the other woman was missing as Paige fidgeted with the napkin the bartender laid in front of her.

  Guilt ate at him.

  “How’re the renovations going?”

  Quentin tore his attention away from Paige and glanced over at Ryan. “Better than I’d hoped. How was your trip to Sisters?”

  Quentin paid for the drinks while Ryan made an amusing tale out of a climbing misadventure. “I was literally stuck between a rock and a hard place—for two hours. Luckily I didn’t break something getting out.”

  “Was Leah freaking out?”

  Ryan gave him a self-deprecating grin. “Thankfully, she was Christmas shopping and didn’t even realize I was late.” He took a swallow of his beer. “Congrats. I hear you and Paige are, uh . . .”

  “Yeah, we are.”

  “I guess Teague wins our bet. He swore you two would get together before the year ended. Nina and Leah and I told him if it hadn’t happened by now . . .”

  “Apparently, I’m a little slow.” Quentin looked toward the entry. “Here come Teague and Nina now.”

  Paige broke off her conversation to turn around on the bar stool. “And I thought we looked amazing. Nina throws on a little black dress I swear she’s had for the last ten years, slaps on some smoky eyeshadow, and puts supermodels to shame.”

  Leah laughed. “Completely unfair, I agree.”

  “We’re finally here.” Nina squeezed past Quentin and Ryan and plopped down on the empty barstool next to Paige. “Babysitter issues. Stella’s out of town for the holidays, and the high school girl we hired to watch Keely was late.” She smiled at the bartender when he gave her an enquiring look. “Just a sparkling water for me. I plan to be the designated driver tonight. Teague?”

  He rested a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Any decent draft beer. Surprise me.”

  “You’ve got it.” The man moved away to fill their order.

  After a few minutes of casual talk, Quentin pressed a hand to Paige’s back as the band struck up a slow Eric Clapton tune. “We were planning to dance. Shall we?”

  She nodded. “I love this song.”

  Taking her hand, Quentin led her through the crowd. Once they reached the dance floor, he pulled her into his arms, determined to make her feel as special as she was. “The song is appropriate because you’re definitely beautiful tonight.”

  “Thank you.” She leaned her head against his shoulder as they swayed to the slow music. “This is nice. Especially after the break-ins in my shop and finding those bones . . .” She shivered and tightened her grip on him. “It feels good to relax and enjoy myself.”

  “You always go full speed ahead.” He rested his cheek on her hair and breathed in the light scent of honeysuckle. “Do you ever take a day off just to chill?”

  “Not in recent memory.” She pulled back a few inches from him. “Do you?”

  “Not exactly. I guess neither of us is big on down time. My schedule used to piss off . . .” His voice trailed away as his gaze landed on a woman with her back to him on the other side of the room. Even in the duskiness created by colored strobe lights flashing across the vaulted ceiling, he was pretty sure he couldn’t mistake that mane of red hair.

  “Who?”

  He looked down into Paige’s inquiring eyes. When he glanced up again, the woman was gone. “Never mind. I think we both should take some time off to do something fun.”

  Surely that wasn’t Blaze . . .

  Paige’s fingers teased the back of his neck as they danced. “After the holidays, maybe we could get out of town for a few days before the restaurant is ready to open.”

  “Somewhere tropical to escape from the January rain and gloom.”

  “God, that sounds wonderful.”

  “I’ll look into it.” He cupped the side of her face in his palm and kissed her as the song ended. After a second kiss, he pulled back. “Since making out on the dance floor would probably be frowned upon, maybe we should go eat dinner before the auction starts.”

  “Fatten you up for the bidding war.”

  “I was thinking more along the lines of needing all the strength I can muster.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about. I fully intend to win that date.”

  He slid his arm around her and guided her through the other couples. “Good, because I’m counting on it.”

  * * *

  Paige stood in the crowd with Nina, Teague, and Ryan while the price on a date with the town’s new surgeon rose. He was handsome in a boy-next-door sort of way that obviously appealed to the single women in the room. A month before, Paige probably would have bid on the man.

  “Sold to the lady in the silver dress!” Their state senator, Mason LaPine, was acting as the MC for the auction, in addition to promoting his run for governor every chance he got. The man oozed charisma, and his voice rang out as his gavel hit the podium. “Leah Alexander will collect your winning bid at the table in the back. Let’s have a big round of applause for Dr. Brandon Tate.”

  The lucky woman with the winning bid was a good friend of Paige’s who owned the dress shop in town. The crowd clapped and cheered, along with a few catcalls, as the doctor took a bow and Regan headed toward the far end of the room to pay for her date.

  “Yay, Regan! You go girl,” she called out as her friend breezed past.

  Regan flashed a broad smile. “It’s not often Siren Cove has a new, eligible bachelor in town. Nina snapped up the last one before the rest of us got a chance.”

  “Isn’t that the truth.” Ryan slapped Teague on the shoulder. “Quentin and I don’t count, since we’re old faces making a comeback.”

  “I knew if I didn’t act fast, someone else would make a move on my future husband.” Nina touched Paige’s arm. “Doctor Tate was bachelor number four. When does Quentin get auctioned off?”

  “I think Jonas Stillwater is next. Then Quentin.” Paige pointed toward the stage. “Yep, there’s Jonas. The guy is good looking, but he was a total jerk about the antiques his grandpa sold me.”

  “His brother Justin is over at the bar. The guy worked o
n my car last month when I had problems with the transmission,” Nina said. “He treated me like I wasn’t quite bright just because I asked a few questions.”

  Teague slid his arm around her. “Let’s face it, babe, when it comes to cars, you’re—”

  “Don’t say it! Well, not unless you want to sleep on the couch.”

  “I’ll shut up.” He kissed his wife.

  “Stillwater isn’t getting as much interest as the surgeon.” Ryan said. “I guess a date with a doctor is more exciting than one with an investment advisor. Who’s the pretty brunette bidding on him?”

  Paige turned to follow the direction of his eyes. “That’s Clea Merrick. Her aunt is a good customer of mine. She bid on Chris Long, too, but his sister’s old college roommate scooped him up.”

  “Well, it looks like Clea just dropped out of the bidding again,” Nina said.

  “Sold to the woman in blue!” The senator’s gavel struck the podium. “Congratulations on your purchase, young lady.”

  “Young?” Teague snorted. “LaPine really is shopping for votes. That woman looks like she’s in her sixties.”

  “Let’s give Jonas a round of applause,” the senator called.

  Paige clapped as Jonas Stillwater left the stage. “He didn’t look super thrilled.”

  “Karma’s a bitch. That’s what he gets for thinking you’d cheat his grandpa.” Nina clutched Paige’s arm a little tighter. “Here comes Quentin. Are you bidding on him?”

  “Of course. Oh, damn.”

  “What’s wrong?” Ryan asked.

  “Does he have to smile and look so freaking hot?” She groaned. “This is going to cost me a fortune.”

  From the stage, Quentin searched the crowd until he saw her. He gave her a quick grin as LaPine went through his spiel.

  “Opening bid starts at a hundred bucks. Okay, ladies, who wants a date with our executive chef and restauranteur?”

  Paige held up her hand and waved. On the other side of the room, a voice called out, “Two hundred.”