Coming Home (Vista Falls #4)

by Cheryl Douglas

  “I do take this job seriously. I give everything I have and then some.” She curled her hands around the wooden armrests of her swivel chair. “But don’t I deserve to have a life outside these four walls? Don’t I deserve to have someone in my life who loves me?”

  He paled before rocking back on his heels. “Love? Just how long have you been seeing this con artist?”

  She hadn’t meant to imply that Zeke could love her, but she didn’t want to believe it was outside of the realm of possibility given more time. She bit her lip. “Not long. But I like him. A lot.”

  “I’ll ask again,” he said through clenched teeth. “Why him? Why a goddamn murderer when you could have any man you wanted?”

  Juliette blanched. “He loved his family. What happened was an accident. You’d know that if you’d ever taken the time to get to know him instead of condemning him like you were the judge, jury, and executioner.”

  “Need I remind you I was the mayor?” he asked, flattening his palm against his chest. “With that comes the responsibility of making sure the people of this town are safe.”

  “Funny, I thought that was the chief of police’s job.”

  “How could they have been safe if we’d let someone like that run free? Some stupid kid who played with guns, did drugs—”

  “You don’t know anything about who Zeke was then, and you sure as hell don’t know him now. Did you know he’s an app developer now? That he’s made millions?” She watched her father’s eyes narrow, as though he was trying to decide whether to believe her. “He’s very successful and well-respected in his field.”

  “Is that why he changed his name?” he asked, rolling his eyes. “To try to cover up his crimes?”

  “You say that like he has a record as long as your arm.” She clenched her teeth, curling her hands into fists. “It was one incident years ago. One sad, unfortunate incident that, believe me, left Zeke scarred for the rest of his life.”

  “Really?” he asked, looking smug as he folded his arms. “I heard he’s been living it up, hardly mourning the loss of his poor brother.”

  So her father did know about his life back in LA. She shouldn’t have been surprised. As soon as he’d found out they were seeing each other, he’d probably conducted in his own little investigation into Zeke’s life, starting with a Google search.

  “You can’t spend your entire life in mourning. I’m sure that’s not what his brother would have wanted for him. And for the record, I think it was incredibly brave of him to come back here and face the likes of you and your cronies.”

  Her father raised an eyebrow, looking suitably insulted. “Don’t think just because I no longer hold this office that I can’t still find ways to make your boyfriend’s life a living hell—because I can.”

  Her father had always had a distorted image of his own self-importance. He thought being a small-town mayor made him lord and ruler of his own corner of the world instead of looking at the job the way Juliette did—a chance to serve people she cared about.

  “You have such a Napoleon complex.” She reached for her phone when it buzzed, knowing that would irritate her father. He always expected her undivided attention. Juliette smiled as she read the text from Zeke telling her that he missed her already.

  Me too, she responded with a heart before setting the phone back down on her desk.

  “If you’re finished lecturing me about Zeke, I really do have a ton of work to plow through this afternoon.”

  “Why? So you can see him again tonight?”

  With any luck. “Again, none of your business.” She didn’t enjoy butting heads with her father, but he made it impossible not to, especially when he told her how to do her job or who she should or shouldn’t be dating.

  A soft tap on the door made Juliette cheer inwardly. She had an obvious excuse to end this inane conversation before it got even uglier. “Come in.”

  “Hi, Juliette.”

  “Lee!” Juliette got up and rounded the desk, enveloping her old friend in a warm hug. “Oh my God, it’s so good to see you. Why didn’t you call me when you got back to town?” She gripped Leeanna’s shoulders as she held her at arm’s length. “We could have gone to lunch, you know, to catch up.”

  She knew her father was watching their exchange, so her enthusiasm was as much for his benefit as it was for Lee’s. She was happy to see her old friend, but she was even happier to have an excuse to be rid of her meddling father.

  “Um, I would have…” Leeanna bit her lip as she gave Carl a sidelong glance out of the corner of her eye. “But I know how busy you are. Speaking of busy, I can come back if this isn’t a good time.”

  “It’s the perfect time,” Juliette said, taking Lee’s hand and leading her toward the small sitting area in the corner of her office. “My father was just leaving.”

  “I thought you had so much work to do,” he grumbled.

  “Nice to see you again, Mr. Keyes,” Leeanna said, obviously trying to be polite. “Are you enjoying your retirement?”

  “It’s okay,” he said, making his way to the door. “Juliette”—he pointed at her—“we’ll finish our discussion later.”

  “Don’t count on it.” Juliette smiled sweetly, knowing how much he hated to be dismissed. “Give Mom my love. Tell her I’ll call her later.”

  He slammed the door with enough force to make Leeanna cringe. “What was that all about?”

  “You don’t want to know.” Juliette sighed as she sank into the leather chair across from her friend.

  “I think I have some idea,” Leeanna said, seeming hesitant. “That’s kind of what I’m here to talk to you about actually.”

  “You heard about me and Zeke?” She shouldn’t have been surprised since Branson had evidently been seeing Lee ever since he arrived in town. “From Branson?”

  “Yeah.” She winced. “I hope you don’t mind that he told me? I promised him I wouldn’t say anything to anyone.”

  “Don’t worry.” She laughed, though she saw no humor in her situation. “It’s the worst-kept secret in town.”

  “So that’s what your father was so upset about?”

  Juliette shrugged. “Today it was Zeke. Tomorrow it’ll be something else. You know how he is. It’s no wonder he has all of these health problems. I swear if he could just learn to relax and let everyone live their own lives, we’d all be a lot better off.”

  “I don’t know Zeke personally,” Leeanna said, obviously choosing her words carefully as she tucked a lock of long dark hair behind her ear. “But I know his story. Are you sure you want to get mixed up in his drama, Jules?” Leeanna placed her hand on her friend’s knee. “I know I’ve been gone a long time, but I remember how hard you campaigned for this job, how much you wanted it.”

  Leeanna had been a couple of years behind them in school, but anyone living in Vista Falls at the time of Zeke’s brother’s death had an opinion about it. It had been the only thing anyone could talk about for months it seemed, so Juliette wasn’t surprised all of her friends were questioning her sanity for getting involved with Zeke. Her father was right about one thing: the residents of her hometown didn’t forget or forgive easily.

  “I like him,” Juliette said, questioning whether she should issue her own friendly warning to Lee. Branson had made it clear to Juliette he was only looking for a good time, but she couldn’t be sure her friend had the same impression. “We’re getting to know each other, but that doesn’t mean I have any false impressions about where this could go. I know his life is in LA. That’s where his job and friends are… same as Branson.”

  Lee smiled. “Is that your not-so-subtle way of warning me to be careful?” She raised her hand before Juliette could respond. “Don’t worry. You don’t have to. I’ve got his number.”

  “You do?”

  “Sure. I know he’s just looking for a little fun. And I’m okay with that.” She sighed. “I didn’t tell anyone this, but while I was living in San Francisco, I was pretty serious abou
t this guy. He all but moved into my apartment.”

  “What happened?”

  Lee winced. “Let’s just say it didn’t take long to figure out he was looking for a mother, not a girlfriend.”

  Juliette had known plenty of guys like that over the years. It was part of the reason she was still single. “How so?”

  “You know how it is. He expected me to cook and clean up after him, do his laundry, grocery shopping—oh, and work to support him. Around my classes, of course.”

  “Sounds like a jerk.”

  “That’s an understatement.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t like that in the beginning. He lost his job, and it wasn’t until I realized he wasn’t all that interested in finding another one that the problems really started.”

  “So you never told your family about him?” Juliette couldn’t blame her. If she’d lived far away from her family, she probably wouldn’t have confided in them about her personal life either, but Leeanna had always been close with her mother and brothers. They were understanding and supportive, unlike Juliette’s parents.

  “I was going to if things progressed.” She rolled her eyes. “But you know how overprotective my brothers can be. I was worried they’d be on the first plane out there if they heard I was shacking up with some guy they didn’t know.”

  “Speaking of your overprotective brothers…” Juliette bit her lip. “Do they know about you and Branson?” He definitely would not be the kind of guy either Rush or Wes would handpick for their baby sister.

  “No, we’ve been pretty discreet. I insisted. I don’t want to take any flack from them.”

  Juliette didn’t know how they’d kept their relationship a secret if they were meeting at the one and only watering hole in town. A place both of her brothers and their friends frequented. “I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but I just want you to be careful.” Juliette took her friend’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I like Branson, but I have no doubt he’s broken a lot of hearts. I don’t want yours to be one of them.”

  “Same goes for you,” Leeanna said, looking concerned. “That’s why I had to stop by. Branson says Zeke is—”

  “A womanizer?” Juliette laughed. “A partier? I know. He gave me the same impression.”

  “Did you talk to Zeke about it?”

  “Yeah, I did.”

  “And?”

  “I don’t have any unrealistic expectations where he’s concerned. Believe me.” A little voice in her head mocked her because, in spite of her claims, Zeke’s words rang in her ears. He’d said she was special, and she really wanted to believe him.

  “Are you sure?”

  “You don’t look convinced,” Juliette said, sinking back against the cushions. “What do I have to say or do so you won’t worry about me?”

  “Stop seeing him, maybe?”

  “Uh…” That wasn’t gonna happen. No matter the risk, she was all in.

  “I knew it,” Leeanna said, snapping her fingers. “You’re falling for him, aren’t you?”

  “No.” She blushed when Leeanna laughed at her obvious lie. “Okay, maybe I am, but that doesn’t mean I expect it to go anywhere. It can’t. I know that.”

  “Here you know that,” Leeanna said, tapping her index finger against her temple. “But how about here?” She laid her hand over her chest. “Does your heart know you can’t have him?”

  Juliette’s heart swelled every time he held her or whispered in her ear that he couldn’t get enough of her. She didn’t think it had gotten the memo this was a temporary diversion. “I just wanted a distraction, you know? It seemed like all I was doing was working morning ‘til night, seven days a week. Then I meet this guy who reminds me how good it feels to let go, have fun, and forget about my responsibilities for a while. It was just supposed to be a one-night stand. I was so sure I could handle that.”

  “How about now?” Leeanna asked, frowning. “Can you handle whatever’s going on between you now?”

  “I keep telling myself I can.” But for the first time, she wondered whether she was deluding herself. Was it possible she really was falling for a guy who’d once warned her he wasn’t relationship material? “But honestly? I don’t know.”

  “Then maybe you should take a break,” Leeanna said gently. “Try to gain a little perspective before this goes any further.”

  “You might be right.” If her father had suggested the same, Juliette would have shot him down out of spite, but the fact that Lee was suggesting it out of love and concern made Juliette question everything.

  Chapter Nine

  Zeke was pissed when half a dozen of his closest friends showed up on his doorstep with beautiful girls in tow ready to party. They’d said they wanted to surprise him, but when he thought about how he’d explain this to Juliette, he was more upset than surprised. He wanted to gain her trust, and he knew that wasn’t the way to do it.

  “What the hell’s with you?” his friend Jake asked, elbowing Zeke in the ribs. “You’ve been nursing that same beer all night.”

  “I’m just tired, I guess.” Zeke swiped a hand over his face, trying to clear the cobwebs. “You know how it is, man.”

  “And you’ve barely spoken to the little honey we brought along for you.” He grinned at the curvy blonde eyeing Zeke with a coy smile. “What’s up with that?”

  He turned his back on “his date” and faced Jake. “I’ve kind of been seeing someone.”

  “You?” Jake threw his head back and laughed before checking his watch. “That should last what… another minute? Maybe two?”

  Zeke couldn’t blame his friend for assuming that. That was kind of his MO. Here today, gone tomorrow. “This one’s different.”

  Jake frowned at Zeke, obviously trying to decide whether to take him seriously. “Different how?”

  “She’s the last person I ever expected to be involved with when I came to town, but I don’t know…” He shrugged. “We work somehow.”

  “What’s she like?”

  “Beautiful. Smart. Ambitious.” Zeke grinned as he brought the longneck to his lips. “Sexy as hell.”

  “Beautiful and sexy I get,” Jake said with a half smile. “That’s your type, for sure. But, uh, ambitious and smart? What’s that all about?”

  “She’s the mayor.” When Jake choked on a mouthful of beer and started coughing while his eyes watered, Zeke laughed. “I know, I know. Crazy, right?”

  “You’re not serious.”

  “I’m afraid so.” Zeke always seemed to end up with waitresses and bartenders who were only interested in making enough money to keep a roof over their heads until they met a guy with enough money to set them up.

  The doorbell rang, and Branson jogged to answer it, beer in hand. Zeke groaned when he saw him hug Juliette. She’d called earlier, but he hadn’t wanted to try to explain the situation to her with what would undoubtedly sound like a frat party in the background. He’d planned to wait until everyone passed out to call her.

  “Is that her?” Jake asked, giving Juliette a thorough once-over.

  She was still wearing the sexy heels and tight black dress she’d worn to work. Zeke couldn’t blame his friend for salivating at the sight of her. He’d reacted the same way. It had taken all of his willpower not to lock her office door and take her on the desk. “Uh, yeah.”

  His heart battered his chest as he watched her take in the scene. There were empty beer bottles everywhere. One couple was making out on the couch, another against a wall. Music was blaring. There were empty pizza boxes and chip bags littering the tables. To her, it must have looked like a college frat house.

  She was backing away from the door when Branson grabbed her wrist, trying to convince her to stay.

  “I’ll be right back,” Zeke muttered to Jake. When he got to Branson’s side, he said, “I can take it from here.” Zeke smiled at Juliette. “Hey, beautiful.” He moved in closer, dipping his head as he brushed his lips across her neck. “This is a nice surprise.”

&nb
sp; “I shouldn’t have come.” She flattened her palm against his chest while he wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company. I just wanted to talk and—”

  He cut her off with a kiss. He suspected he wasn’t going to like what she had to say. In fact, he’d been dreading her call all day. After the scene with her father, he was worried the old man had convinced her to cut him loose.

  “I wasn’t expecting company tonight.” He tipped his head, gesturing to the crowd behind them. “At least not these guys. I would have been happy with your company.”

  Zeke cringed when a pair of slim arms wrapped around his waist from behind accompanied by a giggle. “Hey, what’s with that kiss, handsome? I thought you were mine.”

  Zeke had barely exchanged a word with the blonde all night. While still holding his beer, he tried to break the contact, but she wasn’t letting go without a fight.

  “You thought wrong,” he said through clenched teeth, watching the color drain from Juliette’s face as she curled her hand around the doorknob behind her.

  “It looks like you’ve got your hands full,” Juliette said, looking like one of those cartoon characters with steam coming out of their ears. “I’ll get out of your way.”

  “No, don’t go!” When he was finally able to break free, he turned on the girl who’d only added to his problems. “Look, I don’t know what my buddies promised you when they brought you here, but you and me, that’s not happening.”

  “Don’t blow her off on my account,” Juliette said, her voice low as though she was struggling to keep herself together. “I’m only here to tell you face-to-face this thing between us…”

  He slowly turned to face her, fearing her next words. He didn’t want it to be over. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cared so much, but the thought of never seeing her again hurt like hell. “Yeah?”

  He knew she didn’t want to say it. There was hesitancy in the way her eyes darted over his face before she squared her shoulders as though she was preparing to do battle.

  Aware of the woman still standing behind him, she said, “Is there somewhere we could talk?”