by Helen Lacey
“Please try,” he heard his mother say and it quickly got his thoughts back on track.
He drank some of the coffee she’d placed in front of him and smiled. “I will, Matka, I promise.”
A few hours later he was sitting on the wide timber deck of his double story, four bedroom, two living rooms, way too big to be practical house, a drink in front of him that he hadn’t touched. He’d purchased the half-acre block nine years ago and then designed and built the home, of which he only used about one quarter of the rooms.
It was cold out and he heard the sea crashing against the rocks. In the distance he could see the lights from a vessel in the shipping lane, most likely a tanker on its way to collect cargo from the port south of Bellandale. Locally grown sugar cane was shipped out by the ton and the big ships came by weekly during crushing season.
Cattle bellowed in the distance and the sound was oddly comforting. Living in the most northern end of Crystal Point, he had only one close neighbor—an elderly couple who lived in a small house across from his in the quiet cul-de-sac. Cameron liked the solitude and the view. With hundreds of acres of unspoiled pasture behind and the Pacific Ocean to the front, it was an idyllic location.
The dog at his feet yawned and rolled onto its back and it made him smile a bit. The big, goofy mutt had a way of doing that. But the smile on his face didn’t last long. His thoughts were full of Grace.
She’d been in a car crash? She could have died.
Life without Grace in it...
The idea made his bones ache. In just twenty-four hours she’d gotten so deep under his skin he could barely think about anything else. He wanted to call her, hear her voice. He stared at the telephone, then grabbed it and his drink and headed inside. Jed hunkered after him and when Cameron started flicking off lights the dog settled on his big mat by the back door.
Once the house was locked up he took a shower and then dropped into bed. The digital clock on the side table blinked ten-thirty at him. Late enough to sleep, he figured and switched off the lamp before he rolled onto his stomach.
Green eyes haunted him instantly.
He grabbed a pillow and punched it a couple of times.
Green eyes and perfectly straight almost black hair.
Cameron flipped onto his back with a groan, determined to not think about her, and failed miserably. Her unexpected vulnerability distracted him, made him forget she was the world’s number one ice princess. He shouldn’t want her. But he did.
She made him crazy. Still.
And her kisses were like something from out of this world....
The first time he’d kissed her was on her sixteenth birthday. He’d deliberately arrived late to her party to avoid his growing awareness of her whenever she came near. She was too young. Noah’s—his best friend’s—sister. And despite the odd time he’d catch her watching him when she thought he wasn’t looking, she’d barely give him the time of day. Until that night. A darkened doorway and the heady beat of some old song in the background had shifted her usual reserve. A few minutes alone and the temptation of a birthday kiss and he couldn’t help but claim her lips. If it hadn’t been for a strict voice in his head telling him she was off-limits for at least a couple more years, they might have done more than share a sweet, unforgettable kiss.
A year and a half later he asked her out for real. By then she’d finished school and he was settled into his career as a second-year officer, had wheels and was saving to buy some land where he’d eventually build a house he hoped she’d one day be proud to live in. He’d had plans, ideas, and every one had included Grace Preston. But three months into their relationship she’d said goodbye and headed to New York.
So what the hell am I thinking? Like I want to be on the receiving end of her rejection again.
Was it just sexual frustration that had him feeling like he did? He flipped back onto his stomach. If he kept thinking about how it felt to kiss her, touch her, stroke her beautiful skin, he’d never get to sleep.
Too late.
Cameron rolled again and stared at the ceiling.
He closed his eyes. A busy week loomed ahead. He had a pile of work on his desk, including a few court appearances. One to give evidence against a repeat DUI offender looking to avoid jail time and Cameron doubted the hard-line magistrate would be lenient. The other two involved breaches of domestic violence orders.
He took a deep breath and tried to relax. But when sleep finally came, his dreams were haunted by bright green eyes...
* * *
Because she prided herself on being action oriented, Grace had spent most of the afternoon and evening coming up with ways to pull herself from the uncharacteristic funk that had taken hold of her life.
And one thought kept coming back to her.
Cameron.
If he dared breathe a word to her family she would be completely outed.
And one thing Grace knew for certain—once they knew what had happened to her she would be enveloped in their care and compassion and her fraught nerves would surely fracture. She also knew she didn’t have the strength for it. It was easier to stay stoic and in control. Easier to act the role she’d played all her life—the supercool and tough-as-nails Grace who would return to New York without anyone guessing she was broken inside.
All she had to do was make sure Cameron kept his mouth shut.
Grace called him again the following morning and when the call went to voice mail, decided to take more action and see him in person. She took Evie’s Honda and drove past his house and since his car wasn’t there, figured he was at work. So she headed into town.
The police station was easy to find and she scored a parking spot outside. She’d dressed in a black skirt, matching jacket and collared red shirt. The black knee-high boots and patent bag added to the effect she wanted. All business. All control.
When she reached the reception desk, Grace took a deep breath and spoke to the young woman behind the counter. “I’d like to see Sergeant Jakowski.”
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No. But I’d appreciate it if you told him I was here.”
One name given, a telephone call and a few minutes wait and she had what she wanted. She took the lift to the second level and when she stepped out into the hall found him waiting.
“This is a surprise.”
Grace shrugged as she walked toward him. “I called your cell but you didn’t pick up.”
“So you decided to start stalking me.”
She stilled about five feet from him and waited until two uniformed officers passed before responding. “Yes, you look like you’re shaking in your boots.”
He smiled. “Speaking of boots,” he said and looked her over. “They do the job.”
“And what job is that?”
“The job of distracting me enough so you can get your own way.”
He liked her boots? “You think I’m that manipulative?” she inquired and stopped in front of him.
Cameron opened a door to his left. “I think you’re a woman who wants something.”
She did. His silence.
“I just came to talk.”
He ushered her into the room and closed the door. “So, talk.”
Grace looked at him. He filled out his uniform in a way that got her attention. The pale blue shirt fit him perfectly, highlighting his broad shoulders and lean waist. She quickly ignored her wavering thoughts. “I wanted to know if you’ll stand by your promise to keep my private business private.”
He came toward the desk and sat on the edge. “I’m not about to be a buffer between you and your family,” he said with a kind of irritated disbelief. “They’re your family, Grace. I don’t understand your reluctance to tell them about your accident.”
“No, you wouldn’t,” she
shot back. “But it’s my decision to make.”
He crossed his arms. “It’s not hard to let people in.”
“Now you sound like my therapist,” she said and let out a heavy sigh.
“You’re seeing a shrink?”
“Counselor,” she corrected and quickly realized she’d said too much. “Because the accident was work-related the company was obliged to supply grief counseling to—”
“Whoa,” Cameron held up a hand. “Back up a minute. You’re seeing a grief counselor. Explain that to me.”
Grace’s skin prickled. “It’s normal in these circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
She drew in a breath, steadying herself. “When someone has died.”
He took a second to respond. “Someone died? Who?”
“Richard Bennett,” she said quietly and felt the intensity of his stare through to her blood. “A work colleague. We were traveling together at the time of the accident.”
“Was anyone else in the car?”
“No,” she replied. “Richard was driving. We were on our way to meet with a client. But we crashed. It was no one’s fault.”
“So he died. And you survived?”
She nodded. Her counselor had explained survivor’s guilt several times. She’d brushed it off. Ignored it. “The therapist thought I should come home and be with my family for a while. My boss agreed.”
“That sounds like good advice.”
Grace shrugged. “But unnecessary. I have a job that I’m good at and a life in New York that suits me. I didn’t see the need to change that.”
“Obviously the people around you did. What about your friends in New York?”
She shrugged again. There were acquaintances and work colleagues. But friends? None who she was close to. The only person who’d visited her after the accident had been her boss, Jennifer. “You know me.”
He looked at her for the longest time before he spoke again. “I do,” he said quietly. “And I know your family. They’re kind, good people who care about you.”
“Precisely why I don’t want to alarm them.”
“Nice try. What’s the real reason?”
Grace got to her feet. “That is the reason. Does it seem impossible that I don’t want to worry them? And it’s not like I was seriously hurt. I’m fine. Just fine.”
His brows came up and he stood and rocked back a little on his heels. “You’re a lot of things, Grace...but I suspect fine isn’t one of them.”
Her annoyance spiked. “You don’t know anything about it, so I’d rather you didn’t try to psychoanalyze me. All I want is your word that you won’t say anything to my family, particularly my parents. I’ll tell them when I’m ready, and not before.”
“You know, I don’t think I quite believe you. You’re obviously in denial about an incredibly traumatic experience. The best thing you could do is come clean and talk about it.”
What a self-righteous jerk. He knew nothing about what was best for her.
“So you won’t keep your word, is that what you’re saying?”
He rubbed his chin. “I’m not sure keeping my word would be what’s best for you.”
She clutched her handbag to her side. “Since it’s obvious you don’t have the decency to respect my wishes and seem to think you have the right to an opinion about my life, I intend to keep as far away from you as possible while I’m back in Crystal Point.” She drew in a deep breath. “Or to put it another way—go to hell, Jakowski!”
Then she was out the door and down the corridor as quickly as her feet could carry her.
* * *
Of course, in a town as small as Crystal Point, staying away from Cameron was almost impossible.
When she pulled into the driveway in front of her brother’s home that evening and saw Cameron’s electric-blue sedan parked there, she immediately considered bailing. But she wouldn’t have been able to explain that to Noah. Her brother had dropped by the B and B that afternoon to repair a window lock and had invited her to share dinner with his family. Since she still had one guest to attend to, Grace declined dinner and agreed to a coffee visit instead.
Only she hadn’t anticipated seeing the one person she wanted to avoid.
She wondered if he’d wrangled an invitation just to irritate her or dropped in without one. It was her sister-in-law who answered the door and invited her inside.
“We’ve just finished dinner,” Callie said as she closed the door. “But I can get you something if you—”
“Oh, I’m fine,” Grace assured her. “I’ve already eaten.”
Her brother and Cameron were in the living room. “Grace,” Noah said and came around the sofa. He kissed her cheek. He knew she wasn’t the hugging type. “Great to see you. Everything okay?”
“Yes.” She glanced at Cameron, who was sitting on the sofa. In jeans and T-shirt he looked relaxed and handsome and possessed such an easygoing manner that when he smiled Grace couldn’t help but smile back. Stay on track. She rattled the bag she carried. “I brought something for the children, I hope you don’t mind?”
Noah grinned. “Not at all. I’ll round them up.”
Her brother left the room and once Callie disappeared to make coffee, Grace glared at him. “What are you doing here?”
“I was invited,” Cameron said, smiling as he looked at the bag she carried. “Gifts are a nice touch. I trust you remember the kids’ names?”
She frowned. “I’m not that out of the loop. I am their aunt, you know.”
“Nice outfit, by the way,” he said of her long denim skirt and pale green sweater.
“Spare me the compliments.”
He chuckled. “Very...aunt appropriate.”
“Are you suggesting I look like a spinster aunt now?”
He laughed again. “Hardly. There’s nothing the least bit spinsterish about you, Grace.”
“Other than the fact I’m not married?”
“You’ve still got time to change that.”
Grace shook her head slowly. She didn’t want to talk about marriage with him. Because despite the denials she knew would come, being around him made her think, imagine. And those kinds of thoughts were pointless. She had her life—it was set. “Marriage is not in my plans. A husband and kids wouldn’t mix with my work.”
“And you wouldn’t consider giving up your career?”
She placed her handbag by the fireplace and didn’t quite have the courage to meet his gaze until she’d inhaled a steadying breath. “My career comes first. I’m not the marriage-and-babies sort. I’ll leave that to women like Evie and Callie.”
He looked at her oddly. “You don’t think a woman can have both?”
She raised her shoulders a little. “I’ve worked with a few women trying to juggle career and family and they always complained how difficult it was. Better to do one, and do it well, than try to divide the time and become mediocre at both.”
“That’s a rather dim view of things,” he said. “What happens when you fall in love?”
“I won’t,” she said quickly and tried to breathe through the heat rising up her collarbone. “I mean, I’ve never felt that. I’m not sure I believe it exists.”
“I’m sure your brother and Callie would disagree. And Evie and Scott. Your parents have had a happy marriage, right? Mine, too.”
Grace managed a tight smile. “And yet you’ve managed to avoid it yourself?”
“But I believe in marriage,” he said and rested an arm along the back of the sofa.
“Oh, I thought you were too busy carving notches into your bedpost.”
He smiled in that sexy way and Grace harnessed all her resistance. “The fact you’ve been thinking about my bed leads me to believe there’s hope for you y
et, Princess.”
“I don’t know what—”
“Here we are!” Noah said as the kids rushed into the room. The twins, five-year-old Hayley and Matthew, raced toward her, while nine-year-old Jamie trailed behind. Noah’s youngest daughter wasn’t a child to be held back and she insisted on hugging Grace and then demanded to know what was in the bag. Grace spread the gifts around and made certain Jamie received his while the twins tore at wrapping paper. The books and DVDs were a clear winner. Once they’d said thank-you, the kids quickly disappeared to their rooms.
“Where’s Lily?” she asked of Noah’s teenage daughter.
“Studying at a friend’s,” Callie said as she came back into the room carrying a tray.
Grace shook the bag. “I’ll leave this for her.”
“It’s lovely of you to think about the kids like this,” Callie said and passed mugs around.
Grace glanced toward Cameron, and then quickly focused her thoughts. Chalk one up for the closed-off aunt. “My pleasure. I don’t get to see them often enough.”
“We don’t see you enough either,” Noah said as he took a spot on the other sofa and suggested she sit down.
She made her way around the sofa and sat beside Cameron. He didn’t move and his hand rested only an inch from her shoulder. But she could feel him. The connection and awareness was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Grace gripped her mug and drank the coffee. Noah watched her, Callie smiled and Cameron’s silence was suddenly deafening.
When he finally spoke she jumped a little. “So, Grace was telling me she’ll watch the kids for you next Tuesday.”
I was?
Noah looked surprised. “Really?”
“I think that would be great,” Callie said and squeezed her husband’s knee. “Your parents offered—but I know they’d like to be at the awards dinner.”
Awards dinner? She looked at Cameron. There was laughter and direct challenge in his eyes. Damn his sexy hide. He was deliberately trying to antagonize her. She managed a tight smile. “I’m more than happy to watch them.”
“It’s only the twins,” Callie explained. “Jamie and Lily want to be there to see their dad get his award.”
