Bride on the Run--A Clean Romance

by Anna J. Stewart

  Herb blinked again as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him. “I suppose they wouldn’t.”

  “So we can just approach it that way,” Monty clarified.

  “Can’t do it.” Herb pointed behind him again. “Policy.”

  Sienna’s temper caught. “Now look—”

  “Excuse us a moment.” Monty strode toward the door and gestured for her to follow him. “Don’t alienate the only person who can get you what you want.”

  “Apparently he can’t because of ‘company policy.’” She made air quotes with her fingers. She looked out the window, saw the bookstore they’d just left. “Unless...wait here. Oh, do you have a dollar?”

  “Yeah, sure. What’s...?”

  She didn’t wait for him to finish his question. Sienna bolted from the phone store and returned with a copy of the San Diego newspaper, hurrying directly back to Herb.

  “It’s not an ID, but it’s me.” She slapped the paper down on the counter and pointed to her engagement photo staring up at them. The picture, she now realized, didn’t really look a thing like her. But the ring on her finger was definitely distinctive. “See?” She pointed to the ring in the photo, then her own, then stuck her face in Herb’s. “It’s me.”

  He didn’t look completely convinced. “That really you?”

  “It really is.”

  “Says you’re missing. You don’t look missing to me. How come you ran away like that?”

  “Long story,” Sienna summed up. “Look, I can give you all the information that’s on that computer,” she persisted. “Name, address, PIN number to my online account. Please. I really need that replacement phone.”

  “Well, I suppose it’s worth a try. What’s the phone number again?”

  Sienna recited it again, this time through gritted teeth.

  “See, honey?” Monty draped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. “I told you he’d take care of it for you.”

  Sienna glared up at him, then felt her cheeks warm at the smile he aimed at her. Oh...my. That look in his eye... She took a deep breath and instantly wished she hadn’t. He smelled like the fresh air when they had been on the open ocean, with a hint of citrus. The mixture was intoxicating; her reaction so...distracting. And one hundred percent inconvenient. She bit her lip, tried to remember what she was supposed to be focused on. “Thanks, honey. What would I do without you?” She fluttered her lashes and earned a quiet snort of amusement.

  “How’s it going, Herb?” Monty asked.

  “It’s going.” Herb leaned closer to the screen. “The system’s not stopping me from issuing you a new phone under the same plan, but...”

  “But what?” Getting national security clearance would probably be easier at this point.

  “I’m afraid we don’t have that same model in this store. As you can see, we’re pretty limited with our stock.”

  Sienna did see. The store wasn’t that much bigger than Monty’s boat and the display of phones lining the walls made her feel as if she’d entered another time warp to the pre-cell phone era. “Are there any I can sync with my backup in the cloud?”

  “Uh, sure. I think so. Let me check in the back.”

  “You get the feeling he doesn’t get many customers?” Monty asked when Herb disappeared through a door.

  “I’m beginning to think the universe is telling me to stay unplugged.”

  Monty shrugged. “Chances are whatever’s waiting for you isn’t going to be anything you want to hear.”

  “Maybe. But I’d still like to get in touch with my bank.” She didn’t like the idea of spending even more of Monty’s money.

  “Found one!” Herb emerged from a back room, a faded yellow box in his hands. He blew off a layer of dust before rubbing the box on his shirt. “No bells and whistles, but it’s got Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and cloud access.”

  “Perfect. Can you add that to my account?”

  “Can, but there’s a replacement fee. Two hundred.” He set the box on the counter but inched it away when she reached for it.

  “Two hundred dollars for an out-of-date phone?”

  “Yep.” Herb didn’t look the least distressed. In fact, he almost looked as if he was enjoying himself. “Sorry. Company—”

  “Policy, right. You know what?” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to take the hint. Let’s hit that internet café we passed on our walk here.” If she could log into her bank account she could see what her options were for ordering a new card so it would be waiting for her in Butterfly Harbor. She left the cell phone store and Herb behind, with Monty leading her to the café.

  The row of old computers inside the garishly painted building did not inspire confidence. “If it says ‘you’ve got mail’ in that creepy computer voice, I’m done,” she muttered and slid into one of the many free chairs. Behind the register, a pair of teenagers played video games on the large screens.

  Monty grabbed them two coffees, paid for an hour of time, then sat next to her and opened one of the romantic-suspense paperbacks she’d chosen. Sienna’s fingers froze over the keyboard as that rush of warmth she’d felt back in the cell store washed over once more. He really was unflappable.

  She found herself speculating how Richard might have reacted had he gone through the same past couple of hours with her. Before the wedding she’d have assumed everything would have rolled off his back; after yesterday and his creep-tastic appearance on Monty’s boat? That didn’t seem feasible.

  It was more confirmation that she’d made the right choice leaving him at the altar and in San Diego.

  She accessed her email quickly enough and sent the first one to the Realtor she and her father had been working with to put Nana’s house on the market. She included Monty’s cell number in case he needed to get in touch with her.

  Next up, she went to her bank’s website and attempted to log into her account. Denied.

  She tried again, more carefully this time. Denied.

  “What the...?” She typed slowly, repeating the letters to herself as she... Denied.

  “What’s wrong?” Monty leaned over.

  “It’s not letting me in. And now I’ve tried too many times from an unrecognized computer.” She sagged back in her chair. “I’m locked out.” Which meant trying to get on from an app on Monty’s phone wasn’t going to work, either.

  “Okay. So you can finally stop worrying about this paying-me issue and we can move on?”

  “Back to square one.” Darn it! Roadblocks everywhere she turned. “I guess I’ll just have to wait until we get to Butterfly Harbor.”

  He reached over and pulled her hand off the keyboard. “I’m not worried, so you can stop.”

  This whole thing—walking out on her wedding, hiding from her father and Richard, stowing away on Monty’s boat—had all been an effort to get a little distance and figure out where she went from here. She couldn’t do that as long as she was still anchored to her old life. It might seem silly to him, but Sienna didn’t like taking advantage of anyone’s generosity, and having Monty cover her expenses, as well as transporting her, was more than she could accept.

  Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe she should just let Monty go on and she’d find the means to head back to San Diego. “None of this feels right.” She didn’t realize she’d said that out loud until she felt his fingers brush the side of her cheek.

  She glanced up, found his face close to hers, felt the warmth of his breath against her skin. Sienna blinked, licked her lips and watched his pupils contract as he lowered his gaze to her mouth. Was he going to kiss her? Anticipation coiled hot and tight in her belly. Oh, she hoped so. She wanted him to. She had wanted him to ever since she’d first seen him in the closet doorway.

  “You’re worried about things you can’t control at the moment, Sienna. Reminds me of when I was a kid and I stole my dad’s boat when he wou
ldn’t take me. I got caught in a storm and I panicked. I wasn’t paying attention to the moment. That I had everything I needed to make it through.” He inclined his head, his mouth curving into a gentle smile. “You have all you need right now to make it through this storm.”

  “You’re right.” Emotion clogged her throat. “I have you.”

  He blinked, then pulled away from her. “We’ll grab something to eat, then head back to the boat. With any luck, we can get another few hours out of her today. The sooner we’re in Butterfly Harbor, the easier everything will be for both of us. You’ll get your account issues sorted and you can get on with your life. Sound good?”

  She nodded even as her throat tightened. “Yeah,” she croaked. “You’re right, of course.” Apparently she was the only one thinking about what a kiss between them would be like.

  “How do you feel about Mexican food? There’s a great little place on our way back to the boat. Want to give it a shot?”

  “Sure.” She managed a quick smile, then turned back to the computer, clearing the history and making sure to log out of her email. When she stood up, her fake smile was back in place. “Let’s go. I’m starved.”

  * * *

  MARTA’S COCINA WAS located at the end of the main thoroughfare of Plover Bay, nestled into a bungalow-style building under the thick foliage of palm trees and whimsical drooping peppertrees. They were seated in the shaded side patio in iron chairs painted in hues of pink, blue and green. Traditional Mexican artwork lined the exterior walls, from murals to tile work to metal sculptures and a rock-formed waterfall that made it feel as if they were in the middle of the rainforest.

  “Senor Monty.” The young woman seating them handed him a menu. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Thanks, Flora.” Monty gave their server a wide smile. He’d only been here a handful of times, but after the first they knew him by name. One of the many reasons he came back. “This is my friend Sienna.”

  “Welcome, Senorita Sienna.” Flora’s dark eyes crinkled when she offered her a menu. “Would you like to hear today’s specials?”

  “Please,” Sienna said.

  Monty only half listened as he took in the serene setting and half-filled restaurant. They were early for lunch; it was barely noon. In the distance, church bells chimed, announcing either the beginning or ending of services. He gave Marta’s another half hour before every table was filled with both customers and complimentary oil-hot salty tortilla chips.

  “The roasted-chicken-and-poblano tamales sound wonderful,” Sienna said. “I won’t even look at the menu.”

  “Si. My father is a wonder with tamales. Senor?” Flora turned her attention to Monty. “Your usual?”

  “Si, Flora, gracias. What would you like to drink?” he asked Sienna.

  She shrugged. “I’m open to anything, remember?” Her cheeks went pink almost instantly. “I mean—”

  “Cervezas—dos. And an order of your blue cheese guacamole.”

  “Squawk! Duchess pretty girl.”

  “Oh!” Sienna twisted in her chair and looked up into the trees. A green-as-grass parrot with huge black eyes blinked down at her. “Well, hello there.”

  “Shoo, Duchess,” Flora snapped and waved one of the menus at the bright green bird perched on a branch just beyond the gate of the restaurant. “I’m sorry. Poor thing belonged to the owner of the fitness center in town, but when it closed, Duchess got left behind.”

  “That’s horrible!” Sienna gaped. “Who could leave such a pretty creature behind? Oh, wait!” She held out her hand for Monty’s cell phone. “For Simon and Charlie.”

  “Is it my imagination,” Monty said slowly, “or is that bird posing?”

  “Guac,” Duchess sang. “Guaca-mooleeeee!”

  “She’s a fan, too?” Monty teased.

  “Unfortunately.” Flora frowned. “I’m afraid she’s a bit on the stubborn side. If you ignore her, she should go away. And no matter how much she asks, do not give her any guacamole. Avocados can be toxic to birds.”

  “Good to know,” Sienna said. “We’re probably encroaching on her space.”

  “If Duchess had her way, the entire town would be her space,” Flora said. “I’ll get your drinks. Please, relax and enjoy. Duchess! Silencio ahora!”

  “Guaca-mooleeeee! Drop and give me fifty!”

  Sienna laughed. She pushed back her chair, walked to the fence and lifted her hand. “I bet you miss your owner, don’t you, girl?”

  “Be careful,” Monty warned. “They’re known to bite.”

  “She just wants attention,” Sienna said quietly. “My goodness, you are beautiful. Look at those feathers. You’re like a flying rainbow.”

  “Senor Monty’s regular! Squawk.”

  Sienna giggled and now Monty felt his cheeks heat. “That’s just obnoxious. Go away, bird.”

  “Stop it,” Sienna ordered, stretching up higher and managing to stroke a finger down Duchess’s chest. “You aren’t a duchess, are you? You’re a queen.”

  “Queen Duchess! Pretty bird Queen. Four, three, two, one, pulse, pulse, pulse.”

  “Great. A workout with our lunch.” Monty offered Flora a mouthed apology when she returned with their drinks and the guacamole.

  Flora merely shook her head and laughed, her knee-length blue skirt bustling around her legs as she disappeared back into the cantina.

  “You going to wash your hands after that?” Monty asked when Sienna took her seat again.

  “I guess I should.” Sienna winced. “Be back in a second.” She darted off to the bathroom.

  “Duchess Queen! Squawk!”

  A flap of wings and a burst of air later and the parrot landed on the back of Sienna’s vacant chair.

  “Don’t even think about it, bird.” Sienna was absolutely right. Duchess was stunning. The majority of her body was covered in bright green feathers, but around her head, smatterings of yellow and red and blue accented her enormous eyes and beautifully curved beak. And those eyes were as dark as the deepest ocean.

  “Guaca-mooleeeee!”

  Monty sighed. Clearly Duchess had an agenda, if not a self-destructive one.

  “Sorry, Duchess. No can do.” Yesterday a stowaway bride and today a guacamole-obsessed parrot named Duchess. Life really was full of surprises. He tapped open his phone and scanned through the photos Sienna had taken the last few hours. A few seagulls, water shots that indicated fish near the surface. Lots of seaweed and a few dolphins keeping pace with Dream. He sent them, along with a few shots of Duchess, to Luke’s and Deputy Fletcher’s emails. “Well, I guess I’ve been replaced.” Sienna stopped beside the table and planted her hands on her hips. “Duchess, you’re in my seat.”

  “Squawk! Don’t be a slacker. Pedal to the metal. Spin, spin, spin.” Duchess tilted her head from side to side, blinked widely at the two of them, then launched off the chair and disappeared into the trees.

  “Typical,” Monty said. “Runs when she doesn’t get what she wants. You’re making friends everywhere we go, aren’t you?”

  “Ha, ha. Herb at the phone store would disagree.” Sienna retook her seat. She reached for a chip and dunked it nearly all the way into the guacamole. He waited, watching as she bit, for the explosion of happiness he knew was coming.

  “Oh, wow.” The chip broke and she caught the part that dropped in her palm as she licked the side of her hand. “Oh, wow, this is amazing!” She finished the first and went in for a second. “Who knew that combination would work. And no cilantro. Be still my heart.”

  “Not a fan?” He wasn’t sure what he was enjoying more, his own portion or watching Sienna thoroughly like hers.

  “Of cilantro? Yuck. Nuh-uh.” She ate, swallowed. “Tastes like soap to me. Do you like it?”

  “I can take it or leave it.” He resumed eating. “It’s a genetic thing, did you kno
w that?”

  “I did.” Sienna held up a chip. “Learned about it in my college biology class. We did testing to see who had a specific marker and how cilantro tasted to them. That’s just weird, isn’t it?” She squeezed and popped a wedge of lime into her beer bottle, then drank.

  “One of those things. Frankie’s like you with cilantro. Can’t stand it. Must be one of those mutations I got hit with that she didn’t.”

  When Flora brought their plates, once again Monty entertained himself by watching Sienna’s eyes go wider than the platters. “There’s enough here for three people,” she gasped once Flora had gone. “You should have warned me.”

  “You were too busy flirting with the bird,” he teased.

  “What did you order?” She leaned over to examine his plate.

  “Carnitas. Best I’ve ever had.”

  “Hmm.” Sienna didn’t look convinced. “San Diego’s got some pretty amazing Mexican food.”

  “I totally agree. This is better.”

  “Small town versus big city, I suppose?” Sienna challenged.

  He shrugged. “Just like us. Not everything is better because it’s popular. Sometimes what’s hidden away is the best treasure to be found.”

  Sienna grinned. “I will say the tamales are amazing, but it takes a special touch to get carnitas just right.”

  “Fine.” He pushed his plate over a bit. “Help yourself. Just don’t touch that corn. It’s mine.” He used his fork like a barrier, then refrained from saying “I told you so” when she sighed in culinary ecstasy. “Good thing I’m not one to say I told you so.”

  “No,” she said, and laughed. “Good thing.”

  Silence fell as they ate, which gave Monty time to think. Normally he preferred to make trips on his own; he liked the long stretches out on his boats. It gave him time to get to know the vessels, understand their quirks and foibles. One of the things he’d learned early on, during excursions he’d taken with his father, was that every boat was different and he had to pay attention if he was going to get what he needed out of it. Talking about his dad with Sienna earlier had brought up a whole lot of memories, memories that put a smile on his face. They might have missed out on having a mother in their lives, but he and Frankie had hit the father jackpot. For as long as they’d had him.