by D G Barnes
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there,” the girl said, pushing the hair back over her shoulder.
“Apparently.” Dana took the items out of the basket.
As the girl rang in the items, she kept glancing at her as if she were studying her. Dana couldn’t help but notice the girl’s eyes; she had never seen eyes so green before.
“You have very pretty eyes.”
The corners of the girl’s mouth curled upward. “Thanks. Had them all my life,” she said, then batted them at her.
She laughed. “And a sense of humor. I bet you’re the class clown.”
“Nah. Not really. My teachers won’t put up with any shit like that during class.”
“Mind your tongue, lass!” A distinctively Scottish voice boomed, seemingly from nowhere, giving the girl and Dana a start.
The disembodied voice had come from the office behind the counter. Both Dana and the girl glanced at the door as a man in his 60s emerged. He wore pressed grey pants with a crisply pressed, short-sleeved shirt. His hair was thin and grey, and the small, round-framed glasses he wore sat at the end of his pointed nose. He peered over them at the girl, his expression stern. But Dana could see the corners of his mouth twitch upward, threatening a smile as he glanced over at her and gave her a wink.
“Sorry, Papa.” The girl cast her gaze to the floor.
The man stepped forward, tousled her hair, an amused expression on his face as he looked back to Dana. “Please excuse my granddaughter’s wayward tongue. Sometimes Ellie forgets herself.”
“No harm done,” Dana said.
“Did you find everything you were looking for, lass?”
“Yes. Thank you, sir.”
The man laughed. “Please, my name is Joseph. But folks around here call me Old Joe. Or just Joe if you want.” He extended his hand toward Dana.
She took the man’s hand and winced at the firmness of his grip. “Dana,” she said. “Pleased to meet you, Joe. And a pleasure to meet you too, Ellie.” She offered her sore hand to the young girl.
Ellie took it and said, “You look familiar. Do I know you?” She stared intently, her head cocked slightly to the left.
Dana cringed. The last thing she wanted was a fangirl during her vacation. Maybe she should have gone to someplace where no one had heard of Dana Lawson. Siberia for instance. She shook her head. She was a child. She wouldn’t have read her books. Would she have?
“I don’t think so.”
Ellie shrugged and withdrew her hand. “That will be twenty-seven forty-five, please.”
“Are you in town on vacation?” Old Joe asked as Dana pulled her debit card from her wallet.
“Yes, you could say that. My friend is letting me use her summer house for the season.”
“Must be Jenny’s place then.” Joe leaned against the counter.
“Yes, it is,” she said hesitantly, eyeing him.
Old Joe chuckled. “Lass, I know everyone who has a summer home here. Jenny’s is the only place still empty this time of year.”
“Yes, of course.”
“You’re here for the summer then?” Joe asked as he helped Ellie bag the groceries.
“Yes. A long-needed vacation.”
“Will Jenny be around?” Ellie asked.
“She’s traveling a lot this summer, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she made her way here at some point.”
“Well if you’re going to be in town for the summer, make sure you visit The Rusty Anchor. Best seafood in the province. Ask for Mac and say Old Joe sent you.” He puffed out his chest.
“I will certainly do that.” She took the brochure Joe offered.
“And tonight is ladies’ night.” Ellie giggled.
“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.” She raised an eyebrow at the girl, then picked up the bags of groceries and headed for the door. “Have a nice day.”
Her stomach growled again, and she decided unpacking could wait. She would take Old Joe up on his suggestion and grab lunch at The Rusty Anchor instead of making her own.
It took only a minute to drive the short distance to The Rusty Anchor. Stepping inside, she took in the spacious room. Padded booths lined one wall, and a long bar ran the length of the opposite wall. Several tables that could seat four dotted the remaining space. At the far end was a small dance floor with a DJ booth in one corner. Large flat-screen TVs hung from the ceiling in various locations displaying some sort of sport she didn’t care about. She stepped forward as a young woman approached her from around the bar. She was a bubbly brunette who smiled sweetly at her.
“Hi, I’m Sara. Sit wherever you like. Can I get you a menu?”
“Please.” Dana moved toward a small table near the back of the room. As she waited, she took in the details of the tavern. It was warm and friendly, and she considered coming back later in the evening for a drink. Ellie had said it was ladies’ night tonight. Sara was soon back with a menu and a napkin-wrapped set of utensils.
“Thanks,” Dana said.
“No problem. I’ll give you a few minutes.” Sara turned to leave.
“Is Mac around?” she asked, for no other reason than because Old Joe had suggested it.
Sara paused. “I think so. Let me check.” And then she was gone.
Dana looked at the menu and perused the choices. When it came to seafood, she was a glutton for fish and chips. She loved fish and chips. Her favorite childhood memory of the yummy meal was when she visited Scotland with her parents. They had stopped into what her father had called a ‘hole in the wall’ fish place. The battered fish and chips had come in a large cone of newspaper. For a girl of ten, this was so strange yet so cool.
As Dana studied the other choices on the menu, she saw a figure stop to her left. Thinking it was Sara returning to take her order, she looked up. Except it wasn’t the waitress.
“I understand you were looking for me. I’m Mac.”
Dana stared at the newcomer. Surprised it wasn’t Sara but more so because a beautiful woman stood there. She had mistakenly assumed Mac was a man. She met the woman’s gaze, and brilliant emerald green eyes looked back at her. Her complexion was fair, with a light dusting of freckles on her cheeks and forehead. She was a redhead, and the hues of burnt orange reminded her of a sunset. Her hair framed her face and hung in loose, gentle waves over her strong shoulders. But, oh my god, those eyes were captivating, and Dana found it difficult not to lose herself in them. The woman cleared her throat as she looked at her quizzically, head cocked to one side.
“Um, yes. Sorry. Hi. I’m Dana.” Realizing she was staring, heat crept up her face.
The woman remained still.
“Joe. Old Joe. He sent me. Said I should mention his name to you,” she stammered. Damn it all. What was the matter with her?
Mac’s lips curled into a smile, and her eyes sparkled brighter if that was possible. “Old Joe, eh? Well, if he sees fit to give you his name to throw around, then you must be good people. Hi. I’m Taylor Mackenzie. My friends call me Mac.” The woman held out her hand.
Dana released a breath, not realizing she had been holding it. She took her hand and a spark of excitement ran through her at the touch, causing her to shiver. The visceral reaction surprised her. She had shaken lots of hands, many of them belonging to very attractive women. But none of them ever elicited this kind of response from her. Gail hadn’t managed to evoke feelings like this in her either when they had first met. Setting the thought aside for later study, she spoke. “Hi again. You work here then?”
Mac laughed. “You could say that. This is my place.” She pulled a chair out from the table and spun it around, straddling it as she sat, her arms resting on the back. “So, Dana, are you in town for a while or just passing through?”
“The summer.” Dana swallowed hard. She couldn’t take her eyes off the woman, and she was sure the woman’s eyes had done a bit of wandering of their own. Mac was gorgeous, probably the same height as her, and it was evident she took care of herself. The
red short-sleeve polo she wore gave testimony to that fact, showcasing her flat abdomen and toned arms.
“Oh, Yeah? Renting a place on the beach then?” Mac asked, pushing a strand of red hair behind her ear.
Dana followed her hand as it moved over her ear and down the column of her neck, admiring the flawless skin. She nodded. “Kinda. My best friend Jenny is letting me use her place for the summer while she’s off galivanting around the world.”
“Would that be Jenny Chatsworth?” Mac’s eyes widened as she spoke.
She nodded. “Yes, it is.”
“Nice. So how is Jenny?” Mac gently touched Dana’s hand.
“She’s good.” Another shiver ran through her. She wanted to pull her hand away but didn’t. Fortunately, or not, the touch lasted for only a moment. “So, you two are friends?” She wondered why Jenny had never mentioned Mac before. She and Jenny shared everything. There were no secrets between them. Well, at least she thought there weren’t.
“I like to think so. But, acquaintances would probably be a better description.” Mac glanced up at the ceiling, then back to Dana. “She stops by and says hello when she’s in town. We hang out for a bit, have a few drinks, shoot the shit. That’s about it.”
Mac had a faraway look and the corner of her mouth pulled up as if she was remembering something pleasant. Dana couldn’t help but wonder if she might be leaving something out. She watched her further, smiling to herself as she admired Mac’s beauty. She opened her mouth to speak as Sara returned to her table.
“Ready to order?”
Mac stood and turned the chair back around. “I’ll leave you in peace and let you order. It was nice meeting you, Dana. Don’t be a stranger.” She held her gaze, briefly touching her hand again as she had earlier, and she instantly missed the sensation when Mac turned to leave.
She paused and looked back at Dana. “Ladies’ night tonight if you’re interested, and ten percent off your meal because Old Joe sent you.”
“Thanks. I might try and stop by.” Mac nodded and gave her a little wave. She watched her walk away, her hips swaying gently in the tight blue jeans she wore. Damn.
She ordered the fish and chips and devoured them with zeal. Her meal was as scrumptious as Old Joe said it would be and then some. While she ate, she found herself glancing at the bar or the doors leading to the back of the tavern, hoping to catch sight of Mac, but the sexy tavern owner never made an appearance. She sighed as she paid her bill and left The Rusty Anchor. She wasn’t looking for a relationship or a one-night stand for that matter. But the thought of Mac pulled at her in a way she hadn’t felt for a long time. Maybe she would come back for happy hour. Just for one drink and perhaps a peek at the sexy redhead. There was no harm in that. Right?
Chapter Three
Taylor Mackenzie didn’t stop walking until she found herself in the back room of the tavern. She stared at the cases of beer sitting on the floor, stacked neatly against the far wall. She didn’t see them though. Nor did she see Ricky who stood nearby, clipboard in hand, checking off each item on the purchase order against the shipment of beer, wine, and spirits that arrived moments ago from their supplier. Her mind was still on the stunning brunette with the deep brown eyes she talked with a moment ago.
“Mac? Are you okay?” he asked.
Mac jerked her head toward him. “Damn, Ricky! You startled me.” She crossed her arms over her chest and turned toward him. He was a tall man with broad shoulders and kind eyes. He kept his black hair buzzed and wore a goatee. She had known Ricky for many years. In fact, he had been there since the day her brother, Jack, had opened the place. After the accident that had taken Jack and his wife, Melissa, from them, Ricky had been there for her. He was her rock, taking the reins and ensuring the continued smooth operation of The Rusty Anchor during the rough months which followed. That was four years ago, and he was still there for her, a true and loyal friend. To honor her brother and help keep his memory alive, Mac had vowed to keep the place open and had asked Ricky to stay on, helping her as he had done for her brother.
“I’m sorry, Ricky. What did you say?”
“I asked if you were okay.”
“Yeah, sure. Why wouldn’t I be?” She glanced away, feeling heat in her face.
Ricky moved to a stack of rum boxes and counted them before checking it off his list. “You burst in here, then stop and stare into space. That’s a perfectly normal thing for someone to do. Right?”
“I guess my mind was elsewhere.” Her mouth moved into a wide grin.
Raising an eyebrow at her, he moved to the door she had come through and peered out the small window. Scanning the tavern his own smile grew, and he turned back toward her. “Was that elsewhere you mentioned possibly the table with a very attractive brunette sitting at it?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Maybe my ass.” He leaned against the wall and gave her a devilish grin. “So, did you ask her out?”
“No!” Her brow furrowed at the question. Though the thought had crossed her mind. The woman, Dana was it?, was attractive, and she did mention she was here for the summer. A fling might be fun, no strings of course. A serious relationship would be out of the question, as they always were. With the tavern and her niece to worry about, there wasn’t room in her life for a romance.
“Why not? She looks like your type.” He walked over to count the cases of beer by the loading door.
“My type! How do you know she’s my type? From a two second glance through a dirty window, you figured that out?” Mac placed her hands on her hips as she stared at him.
Ricky laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “Okay, boss. I guess I don’t know. But I do know that grin I saw on your face, and you think she’s hot.” He waggled his eyebrows for effect.
Mac couldn’t help but smile back. “She is hot, and she is in town for the summer.” She leaned her back against the wall and bent her knee, bracing a foot on it also. “I may have mentioned it was ladies’ night tonight.”
“Ah ha!” Ricky pointed an accusing finger at her. “I knew it!” He took another look in the direction of the dirty window and shook his head. “Poor girl. She doesn’t stand a chance.”
“Don’t you have work to do?” she asked with mock irritation, then straightened and headed to her office.
“Yes, boss,” Ricky said with a chuckle.
It was a couple minutes after five when Mac looked up from her paperwork. She tossed the pen onto the desk and stretched. Her niece Ellie would be home from her part-time job at the General Store by now, and Mac needed to get supper made for them. She also wanted to spend some time with her before heading back downstairs to start her shift behind the bar before business picked up later in the evening. Maybe, if the fates where on her side, Dana would make an appearance too.
Conveniently, home was a charming loft apartment above The Rusty Anchor with a spectacular view of the bay. The loft was spacious, lovingly decorated, and soundproofed from the loud bass of the Friday night DJs below. It used to be her brother’s place, and Ellie still slept in the same bedroom she had since the day Jack and Melissa had brought her home from the hospital almost fifteen years ago. Ellie had taken the loss of her parents hard. The tavern, the loft apartment, and her bedroom were all she had left of them. Mac knew this and giving up her own apartment and moving into the loft was the right thing to do for both of them. It helped with the healing, having a bit of normalcy for her niece in an otherwise upside-down period in their lives.
Mac shut down the computer and pulled the door closed as she left. She stopped long enough to say goodnight to Ricky, who was getting ready to head out himself. The evening shift was already there, and Ricky had finished ensuring everything was prepared for them.
Unlocking the door to the apartment, she called out for Ellie. There was no answer. Figuring the girl had her earbuds in and the music cranked on her iPhone, she tossed her keys and phone onto a table by the door and checked Ellie’s bedroom. Empty. Mac r
etrieved her phone and was about to fire off a text when typhoon Ellie burst through the door. Mac jumped and stared bewildered at her niece.
Panting, Ellie held up a hand indicating she needed a minute to catch her breath as she dropped the bag containing a sketch pad and pencils, laptop, and phone, along with numerous other sundry items only a 14-year-old girl would find necessary. Moving deeper into the apartment, she collapsed onto the sofa and kicked off her sneakers. “Sorry I’m late,” she said between huffs. “I was at Birchwood and lost track of time.”
Mac studied her for a moment. The girl’s face was red from her run, and she grinned up at her. “Did you run all the way home?”
Ellie nodded.
“You could’ve sent me a text. No need for a marathon.” Mac picked up the discarded bag from the floor and handing it to Ellie. “Not where this belongs, and neither are your shoes.”
Taking the bag, she smiled meekly. “Sorry.”
“Tell me about your day,” Mac said as she entered the kitchen.
“It was good. A lot of customers. Mostly tourists.” She kicked her sneakers haphazardly until they were somewhat closer to where they were supposed to be. “Have you ever seen someone that you think you recognized but have no idea who they are?” She set her bag beside the desk she used for homework and her drawings.
“Yeah, I’ve had that happen. Why?”
“It was strange.” She pulled her phone from the bag and stuck it in her back pocket. “A woman came into the store around lunchtime. She looked so familiar, but I have no idea who she is. Papa didn’t know either. It’s been bugging me all day.” She joined Mac in the kitchen. “Can I help?”
“First you can give me a hug, then you can set the table, please.” She embraced her niece and kissed her forehead. “I’m sure it will come to you. So, other than your mystery lady, anything else exciting happen?”
“Nope. I finished up at the store early and went to Birchwood to do some writing. It was very peaceful and quiet there today. I can think when I’m there without any distractions.”
