Summer at the Shore

by Carol Ross

  She thanked him and began cleaning up the packaging material from the camera. “So, what do you know about this kid Laney has been hanging around with?”

  He glanced up from the instruction manual he’d been studying. “Who? Elise?”

  “Um, no, not Elise. I’m talking about an eighteen-year-old pyromaniac with a giant tattoo of a sword and fire on his arm who goes by the name Flame.”

  “Flame?” He shook his head. “I don’t know any Flame.” He wasn’t worried. If Laney hadn’t mentioned him, then he wasn’t important to her.

  “On the day I met him he stared at his phone the entire time. Zero eye contact. In fact, his entire greeting consisted of ‘dude, it’s nice to meet you.’ When I asked where he lived he said ‘around.’ Plus, Charlotte says the kid is bad news.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s been in trouble with the police, busted a few times.”

  “For what?”

  “Vandalism, battery, trespassing. And this part is kind of gossipy, but I feel like I should tell you anyway...?” She trailed off with a question.

  “What?”

  “Rumor has it he got a girl pregnant.”

  “Rumor?”

  “Charlotte knows a friend of his aunt’s who lives over in Remington. That’s where she got this information.”

  “I don’t put much stock in gossip. Having been the object of more than my share for my entire life, I know that most of it is flatly untrue or blown out of proportion.”

  Mia gave a tentative nod. “That’s probably true. I agree. And this might not be any of my business, but have you considered getting Laney on some birth control?”

  He instantly felt defensive. “Birth control? She’s fifteen.”

  “She looks like she’s eighteen.”

  Jay sighed and leaned against the railing on the porch. The implication rankled him. He and Josie had both talked openly to the kids about being smart and making good choices. They had educated themselves about early symptoms that might indicate any inherited aspect of their mom’s condition. Mia was right, it wasn’t her business. And yet he knew she was only trying to look out for Laney. She didn’t know anything about their history. But he didn’t need someone telling him how to take care of his family. That’s what he did.

  “Look, Mia, I appreciate you trying to help, but Laney is a smart kid.”

  “Smart kids don’t get pregnant?”

  “Not ones in Laney’s situation, no.”

  Tossing to one side the trash she’d collected, she then faced him and asked, “What exactly is Laney’s situation? And Levi’s? And yours? And from what Laney tells me there’s six of you? Why are Levi and Laney living with you exactly? Do you guys have a father in your life? Where is your mom?”

  * * *

  MIA KNEW SHE’D gone too far. She could see him shutting down right before her eyes: jaw clenched, eyes averted, hands slipped into the back pockets of his jeans. Dang it. Things had been going so well. She hadn’t seen him for two weeks and she didn’t want to argue. Why had she brought this up? Because, she immediately answered, she cared about Laney and Levi. She didn’t know how to be a part of their lives without having some understanding of their circumstances—or his either, for that matter.

  With a tight smile, he said, “Please don’t take this personally, but it’s not a subject I want to talk about. It’s not you. I just don’t... Our situation is...unconventional. I know you’re only trying to help, but you don’t need to worry about it. Really, I’ve got it handled.”

  Mia knew she should shut up, but she’d gone this far. If Jay couldn’t see that Laney was heading for trouble, she needed to make him see it. “Are you sure?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Are you sure you’ve got it handled? I don’t mean to interfere and you’re right, I’m only trying to help. It’s obvious you guys don’t want to talk about your family, about your mom especially, but if there’s anything I can do, I want to do it, believe me. I’m worried about Laney and—”

  “Yes,” Jay interrupted, scrubbing a hand across his tense jaw. “I am sure I have it handled. Don’t try to help us. We don’t need help.”

  His words carried a bite and Mia waffled for a few seconds before speaking again. “But I care about you guys. I care about Levi and Laney. Something is bothering Laney. It’s in my nature to try to help people. And I...” She trailed off as she stared up at his icy expression.

  “Mia.” His tone was gentler as he reiterated, “Laney is fine. We’re fine, okay? I’ve got this handled. We don’t need your help or anyone else’s.”

  That stung. But she might have deserved it. He had warned her. She needed to be done with this conversation before she made a comment that really angered him.

  “Okay.” She held her hands out, palms down and out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I will do my best to mind my own business. Thank you for giving me a hand with the camera. I really appreciate it.” She turned to go inside the house, but he stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.

  “Wait, Mia... Don’t go, please. I’m sorry.”

  She faced him, wanting desperately to ask what could possibly be so bad that he couldn’t share it with her? But the look on his face stopped her: pain, sincerity, regret. And she was struck with the thought that maybe he wanted to share but that it was too painful or...something. Maybe, she realized, he’d tell her when he was ready. But what was she supposed to do in the meantime? It was like walking across a minefield. And it was difficult not to intervene where Laney was concerned.

  “I don’t know what you want from me, Jay.”

  He made a fist, placed it over his chest and rubbed a small circle as he looked toward the ocean. “I don’t know, either. I mean I do, but I can’t...”

  She waited.

  After a moment, he faced her again and in a rush of words said, “I do know that I can’t stop thinking about you. I am jealous of Levi and Laney because they see you and I don’t. I almost called you yesterday to say that Coastie wasn’t feeling well so I could bring her in for an appointment she doesn’t even need. How messed up is that? I know I want to spend time with you, but I’m scared. I’m scared because I already like you. And the more I’m around you the more I like you. But I can’t have a relationship, Mia. Not with anyone. I’m already maxed out—emotionally, financially, mentally and even physically lately. I’m not sleeping, and my appetite seems to have deserted me. Although the not-sleeping seems largely to be because I can’t stop thinking about you. I lie awake half the night staring at the ceiling with your image in my head.”

  Mia stared back at him, both warmed and shocked by his confession, her heart pounding away in her chest like a jackhammer.

  She didn’t know what his issues were, but she knew they involved his family and it was obvious they were deep. She saw it in Levi and Laney, too. She wished she could make him understand that whatever it was, it wouldn’t scare her. She had plenty of her own issues. What was killing her was the notion that she knew she could help but he wouldn’t even allow her to. Regardless of her own rule, in spite of the danger of getting her heart broken, she realized she had to try. She already cared about them all too much not to try.

  “Wow. Great speech. Apology accepted. Well, Mr. Tough Guy, I’ll have you know I’m scared, too. I’m afraid of getting attached to you. Because in addition to whatever you have going on in your life, my issues include the fact that I know you’ll leave eventually. I know you have less than two years until your assignment is up here. And I’m not going anywhere. I can’t. I also recognize that the military demands more of you than I’d be willing to share. But you know what? Maybe we can do this. Maybe, since we’re both determined not to get too close, we can. Spend time together, that is. You know, as friends or whatever.”

  He scoffed, his expres
sion clearly conveying his doubt. “You think you could do that? Just be buddies or whatever with me?”

  Rolling her eyes at his cocky response, she said wryly, “Um, yes. I’ll have you know that you’re actually not that great.”

  His lips twitched with laughter. “Really? I’m not great?”

  “No, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Thinks-Very-Highly-of-Himself.” She frowned and shook her head, feigning disappointment. “All I have to do is remember your faults and I’ll be fine.”

  He shook his head, but she was heartened by the smile playing on his lips. “What faults?”

  She began ticking items off on her hand. “Not only are you out of shape and ugly and useless as a handyman, you’re mean to animals and a terrible big brother.”

  He tipped his head back and laughed before meeting her gaze again. “When you put it like that, it’s really nice of you to bother with me at all.”

  “I know.” She shrugged a shoulder. “I do know that. I have a soft spot for the unfortunate and downtrodden. It’s who I am. Plus, I love your brother and sister, I need your help with Lucky Cats, and I am your dog’s doctor. Thus, I’m willing to overlook your huge stack of faults and give this a shot.”

  “Okay, but how am I supposed to do this when all I can think about is kissing you?”

  “Um, duh. Think about my faults.”

  He quirked a brow. “Which are?”

  She grinned. “Hmm. Aside from my overly philanthropic habits, my annoying tendency to chatter uncontrollably when I’m nervous and what Mom refers to as my ‘out of control’ sugar addiction? I’ll guess you’ll have to find out for yourself.”

  * * *

  MIA SPENT A long time that night second-guessing this truce she and Jay had reached. She was half-tempted to do some research and find out what the Johnston-Merrell family “situation” was on her own. It was obvious their financial state was tight. She’d begun to suspect that Jay was probably supporting them all. Why would he need to do that? she wondered. What was the big mystery here? His mom was in prison, she was a spy, she was ill, she was in the witness protection program? Whatever it was, Mia couldn’t think of a single reason why he felt he needed to keep it from her. But the fact was that he did feel that way. She could only hope that time and patience on her part would change that.

  Even though he believed things were “fine” where Laney was concerned, Mia knew she was struggling. The girl was a stunningly good actress, but Mia could tell. She knew because she’d spent her childhood acting like everything was fine, too.

  Then there was Levi who was so determined to do everything right. She wondered what would happen when his quest for perfection fell short. And it would. No one could be perfect all the time.

  Not even Jay.

  They all three needed her help and support. She didn’t believe by any means that she had all the answers, but she had some. She wanted to be a part of their lives and she knew Levi and Laney wanted to be a part of hers.

  Although Jay’s reaction did tell her something, she realized. It told her a lot, actually. No matter what he said, and in spite of what he probably believed, some part of Jay wanted her help, too. The notion sparked a kind of joy she hadn’t felt in a long time. Maybe forever. All of which left her terrified, because how close could she let herself get to this family and still help them without breaking her own heart?

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  MIA AND GEORGE headed into the clinic early as had become their routine with Dr. Anthony away. She unlocked the side door and George loped inside, heading toward the kennels. He seemed to feel it was his duty to spend some time each morning visiting any canine guests who had stayed overnight. Mia followed. Her first order of the day was to shadow George, checking the animals over and administering any meds or care they may need.

  She was surprised to find Dr. Anthony already making rounds. “Ted, I’m so glad you’re back. I bet McKenzie is thrilled to be home.”

  He turned to face her and Mia was relieved to see the smile lighting his face. In fact, she was encouraged to see that he looked better than he had in months, content and, if not quite rested, then not entirely exhausted, either. His dark hair had been trimmed and he was sporting a new tie.

  “Hey, Mia. It’s great to be here. Yes, she and Sara both are. McKenzie is doing much better after this last round of therapy. We’ve got a short break before the next round starts.”

  “That’s wonderful news. I’ll call Sara and set up a time when I can stop by and see her.”

  “She would love that. They both would. Seems as if you have things handled around here. And Levi has been great taking care of the cats and the house. He’s been watering all of Sara’s plants without even being asked. It totally slipped both of our minds, but he did it anyway. She’s ready to give him a medal.”

  She smiled. “He’s that kind of kid. We powered through your absence, barely. I’m sure you noticed the new cat room?”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, we should have anticipated that need, huh?”

  “Probably.”

  “I have some good news in that regard. I found a place in Portland and they’ve offered to take some of the cats from Lucky Cats.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. It’s a really special place. They’re doing wonderful things there. I’ve arranged for thirty of the hoarded cats to be moved there.”

  “Thanks to Charlotte putting the word out in the Pacific Cove community bulletin, some of them have already been adopted,” she said. Many of the cats were still at the clinics, while the rest were in foster homes waiting to be adopted. “But if you want to give Charlotte their contact information we’ll gather what we can and get it set up.”

  “Uh, actually, I volunteered to take some cats to them in a week or so when I head back for McKenzie’s next treatment. I’ll put them in the SUV and drop them off on my way. If it works out, then I’ll set up more for later.”

  “Okay.” That surprised her. It seemed like the last thing he’d want to do under the circumstances. But Ted was generous, and above anything save his family, he loved animals.

  * * *

  JAY WAS DRIVING home from the base when his cell phone rang. Recognizing the number, he pulled over and answered the call.

  “Minnie? Hi, it’s Jay.”

  “Jay? Hello, it’s Minnie.”

  Jay squelched a chuckle—same opening every time. In the last weeks, he and Minnie had spoken frequently. After camping out at her house on several occasions and catching only glimpses of Duke, he and Minnie had devised a plan. A few days a week when Minnie was home, Jay would come over and set up the box trap. They chose these days so that if they managed to catch the cat he wouldn’t have to stay in the trap for long. But they’d encountered problems with this plan, catching a variety of other creatures over numerous attempts, but not Duke.

  “What did we get this time? Squirrel or raccoon?”

  As soon as she started speaking again, Jay knew they’d finally succeeded. “We got him. We got the cat. He’s boiling mad and that paw of his looks infected. I’m sure that’s the only reason we got him. That paw is slowing him down.”

  “Hang tight, Minnie. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He clicked off his cell and detoured to her house.

  Minnie was waiting in the driveway when he pulled up.

  “Levi’s right. I think the cat is a demon.”

  Jay chuckled and followed her to the shed, where he discovered Minnie hadn’t been exaggerating the cat’s bad mood. The ball of scruffy tan fur huddled in the trap, that ungodly growl reverberating through him like a roll of thunder. It made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. But as he stared into the cat’s yellow-green eyes, a mix of sympathy and pity welled up within him. Poor cat. Jay knew that so much of his behavior was based in fear. He recognized this depth o
f terror, the kind that made you so defensive you’d take on an adversary many times your size. If anyone could relate to that feeling it was Jay.

  After promising he’d return the next day for a celebratory glass of lemonade and shortbread cookies, he loaded the cat in his car and headed to Pacific Cove Vet Clinic. Ten minutes later he was carting the cat inside. He saw Charlotte behind the counter.

  “Hey, Charlotte, is Mia here?”

  “Yep, she’s in her office. I’ll get her.”

  Charlotte disappeared into the back. Jay set the trap on the bench in the waiting room. He crouched to peer inside. He felt so sorry for the cat he could barely stand to look at him. But he did. Because he knew how that felt, too, to have someone pity you so much that they couldn’t even make eye contact.

  “Hey, buddy,” he said to the cat. “I’m sorry about this, but it will only be temporary, I promise. Dr. Frasier will get you fixed up and then we’ll find a place for you to live.”

  “Jay?” Mia appeared by his side. “What’s going on? Who is this?”

  “This is Duke,” he said, patting the cage. The cat let out a low growl as if protesting the mention of his name. “Minnie and I finally caught him.”

  Mia bent to take a look. “The one you tangled with?”

  “Yep. It is. Minnie and I have been on a mission the last few weeks.” Jay explained how he and Minnie had been trying to capture him and finally succeeded.

  Mia shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me you were trying to catch him?”

  He grinned. “I don’t know. It was just... I felt like it was something I needed to do.”

  “What have we got here?” Dr. Anthony asked as he stepped out into the reception area.

  “Jay trapped an elusive stray cat.”

  Dr. Anthony bent and took a good long look. “He’s got some bumps and bruises, doesn’t he? No overt sign of disease.” He stood upright and looked at them. “Good work, Jay. I’m between appointments. I’ll take him back.”