by Rula Sinara
“That’s not how the quote goes and you haven’t even watched one episode of Game of Thrones,” Damon said.
“Some of us don’t have time for shows.”
“Is this going to turn into another Turtleback Water Rescue versus the Sheriff’s Department challenge? We all know who won that one.” Jordan patted his chest.
“You tricked us,” Damon quipped.
“No, I didn’t. I used psychology. Technically, your own mind tricked you.”
Carlos took another drink to mask his amusement.
“And here I thought the party was by the fire,” Gray said, joining the group. They fist bumped him one by one. Laddie and Pepper started sniffing each other and touching noses. “Looks like it’s a night for the dogs, too. Happy Heart Day to my bros.”
“Love you, man, but you’re sounding mushier than a roasted marshmallow,” Damon said.
“I’m trying.” Gray toasted with his cocoa.
“Emphasis on the roasted. That’s what marriage will do to you. I bet you broke the bank buying jewelry,” Jordan said.
“Nope. Mandi’s not like that. I mean she likes jewelry, usually the locally made artisan type, though. But it happens to be our six-month wedding anniversary, so I wanted to do something special. I dedicated the side wing at the clinic to her grandmother. That’s where we keep and treat any injured wildlife that’s brought in until we can get them to the right refuge. Rescuing wildlife—especially the sea turtles and nesting grounds along this beach—meant the world to Nana. She brought us together even after she’d passed on, so it seemed right. She meant a lot to me too. She was like family. I had a plaque made that says ‘Nana’s Critters’ followed by her name and a memorial. Don’t say anything. Mandi hasn’t seen it yet. I’m taking her by the clinic after we spend a little time here.”
Carlos, Jordan and Damon just stared at him for a moment.
“Man, you’re good,” Jordan finally said.
“Careful. This might be contagious. I’m going to get more to eat before I catch it,” Damon said. He smirked and gave them a thumbs-up as he walked off to mingle. Carlos noticed he went to the opposite side of the gathering from Suzie. So maybe the guy really wasn’t interested.
“There you are. All bunched over here like you’re outside the window looking in.” Eve practically skipped over to them. How anyone skipped on sand beat him, but either she’d had too much sugar or she was floating. She reached into a woven bag she’d slung over her shoulder and handed them each a card with their name on it. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
“Thanks, Eve.” Carlos reached over and gave her a quick hug. “Everything okay?” he whispered. He knew she’d know what she meant.
“Yup. Under control.” She motioned with her eyes toward the crowd. He couldn’t see Faye. Apparently, she was here. Gavin, one of the vet techs, and his fiancée were in the crowd. He also spotted Darla, who’d supplied a boatload of cookies for the event, with Nora, Gray’s other veterinary assistant. But not Faye. Someone had to be blocking his view.
“Gray, I gave yours to Mandi. I made it out to the both of you. She’s somewhere over there gushing over Nim.”
“Now babies are contagious, I hear.” Carlos chuckled. Gray paled and excused himself to go find her.
Eve had a good heart. Did this every year without fail. Brenda at the post office told him in confidence that Eve had brought in a box full of them to be sent to troops overseas. Yet, he wasn’t sure if she ever got a Valentine herself. She wasn’t dating. He was certain Jordan had never made a move.
She handed one to Jordan. It was way smaller than anyone else’s. He simply pressed his lips together and nodded his thanks. No hug. Nothing verbal. Very smooth. He needed a few lessons from Gray.
“Okay. I have more to hand out. You guys need to make like moths and head toward the fire. You’ll stand out less if that’s the intention.” She sneezed. “It’s the smoke. I’m sure.”
Carlos waited until she was out of earshot.
“She handed you a card and you froze?” Carlos let out an exaggerated sigh.
“I didn’t freeze.”
“Popsicle. Iceberg. Glacier. You name it.”
“I get the idea. But it’s not true. I was being civilized.”
“Civilized? You didn’t even say thank you. I think you hurt her feelings.”
“No, I didn’t. Look at her. She’s laughing over there. She gives these to everyone. It’s not like she was only giving one to me. It’s nothing special. And, I’ll point out, mine’s like a quarter the size of yours and the others.”
Carlos pointed a finger at him.
“Every card she makes is special. Don’t take it for granted. She’s a good person. Don’t take her for granted either. She’s not like—”
Jordan held up his palm.
“Don’t go there. Eve gives out cards. I can tell you, mine says Happy V Day and that’s it. You give a person a small card when you don’t want to have to write a lot in it. Strategy, man. It’s not like she’s passing me a love note in class. Maybe you should watch more TV for entertainment. Temper that imagination of yours.”
“It’s the gesture that counts. Anyway. Maybe she wrote more in yours this year.”
“She didn’t.”
“You haven’t opened it.”
“I get the same card every year.”
Interesting. Eve was known for going all out with each card, but she kept Jordan’s simple. She didn’t know what to say to him. Just like he clammed up around her.
“I think she wrote something different this year.”
“How would you know?”
“I drink hot chocolate and I know things.” Carlos couldn’t stifle his grin.
“You are too much. You’re lucky I think of you as a brother, else I’d tell Chanda to kick you to the curb.”
“Not a chance. You’re too nice. And you like having your job.”
A flicker of red had him stopping his cup halfway to his mouth.
“I see how it is,” Jordan said. “She’s nice. Pretty. Has. A. Kid.”
“Now it’s your imagination gone wild. I thought I saw the flames getting too high.”
“You weren’t looking at the fire. Well, that fiery hair, maybe. Go talk to her before she thinks you’re just staring. That’s creepy.”
“I’m not staring. I’m keeping an eye on things. On the bonfire gathering,” he added, before Jordan twisted his words.
“On her.”
“She’s new in town. If I’ve spoken to her, it was to be welcoming.”
“You’re not the mayor.”
“The mayor’s out of town.”
“Pepper. Help your poor human out,” Jordan said.
Someone called out, asking him to bring his puppy over for them to see. He saluted Carlos, picked up Shamu and left him standing alone.
Faye caught his gaze and the heat of the fire seemed to take to her cheeks. She had Nim on her hip. Several people were talking to her and cooing over the kid. The dark liner around her blue eyes only made them sparkle more in the fire. Mysterious. Exotic. Beautiful. Embers popped and danced up between them, then faded into the night like fireworks in midsummer.
A single mother, he reminded himself.
She was like family. Gray’s words about Nana echoed in his mind. Family. His friend was right. Family wasn’t about who you were born to, though Carlos was lucky to have had a loving mother. It was about the people who cared about you, who stood by you through tough times and celebrated the good ones. Chanda and Jordan had become his family when he had no blood family left. Nana and Mandi had become Gray’s when he’d landed in town under the witness protection program and couldn’t tell anyone who he really was. He scanned all the faces gathered around for the Valentine’s celebration. Heck. He knew every one of them. They all knew each other. Most o
f them did, at least. Everyone here formed a family. Turtleback Beach was their home. Eve was right when it came to handing out those cards. Today wasn’t just about celebrating romance. It was about love. Family. People who mattered.
What didn’t count as family was anyone who caused others to suffer abuse, verbal or otherwise. Whomever Faye had been married to didn’t count as family. He didn’t deserve one. It killed him to imagine what Faye must have endured. The thought that Nim, at her innocent age, might have witnessed or overheard whatever went on gouged him out. It was so wrong it was beyond words. No one deserved that. He could see the constant fear in Faye’s eyes. He wanted to erase it. To let her know she’d be safe here. He’d make sure of it.
He crumpled his cup, tossed it in a bin for recycling and clicked his tongue to get Pepper to stand back up. Eve wanted him to join the crowd? Make like a moth, she’d said? Fine. He’d go mingle a little. He’d talk to Faye. But for some reason, his gut was telling him that he wasn’t just heading toward the fire. He was going to get burned.
* * *
FAYE TRIED TO stop chewing the inside of her cheek, but catching Carlos Ryker watching her made her incredibly nervous. This time there was something different in his eyes. Not the serious, focused look he’d worn earlier, but...she wasn’t sure...kindness? She didn’t know, but she had to stop herself from looking back at him. It had been hard not to. He wasn’t in uniform. He looked really good in jeans, a pullover sweater and bomber jacket. Ruggedly good.
She whipped the beanie off her head and stuffed it into her jacket pocket. It was getting awfully warm. She wasn’t standing that close to the fire and temps were cool out. She ruffled her hair so she wouldn’t have a hat-head, excused herself and moved a few feet back from the fire so that she could set Nim down safely. Her arm ached. Her back ached. Her—
“Enjoying the celebration?”
Her nerves ached.
She looked up, then straightened as much as she could without letting go of Nim’s little hand.
“Sheriff. I haven’t been here long, but it’s nice.”
“Please, call me Carlos. Everyone here does unless there’s something official going on. This—” he motioned around “—isn’t work. People here are like family. And friends.”
So, he considered her a friend? She was so confused.
“Carlos, then.”
“There’s popcorn, hot dogs, marshmallows and drinks over there.” He pointed toward a foldout table covered in a red cloth. “Your hands are empty. The hot chocolate’s good.”
“My hands were full a second ago,” she explained, tilting her head toward Nim. “I’m okay. Honestly. We ate plenty at Eve’s earlier.” Truth be told, she didn’t have much of an appetite at dinner, despite all that walking, but Nim had eaten well.
“Are you sure? You’ve got to try one of Darla’s cookies, at least. Consider it dessert. Here, come with me.”
The touch of his hand on her shoulder, gently guiding her, felt warm and safe. But that wasn’t right, was it? He wasn’t to be trusted. Or was he? Why did a part of her want to tell him the truth and have faith that he’d make things right? That he wouldn’t end up being like the cops Jim “knew”? Because Eve said she could? Her friend couldn’t make that call. Not given that she didn’t know the whole story.
He walked slowly alongside her and Nim, letting her “daughter” set the pace. Nim had her free hand on Pepper’s back and the dog looked like she was smiling and happy to guide the little one. They worked their way toward the refreshment table and Darla, whom Faye recognized from the bakery, waved them over. Eve was there as well, handing Darla and another young woman with dark hair and a pretty face their cards.
“Hey, guys. Come try these cookies. She won’t tell me her secret ingredient, but it’s so good. Marzipan?” Eve guessed.
“Nope, but close,” Darla said. “No more guessing. I’m not telling.”
“Darla, I think you met Faye and Nim,” Carlos said, turning to the other woman. “Faye, this is Nora Nazari. She’s one of Gray’s vet techs.”
Nora shook Faye’s hand.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you already. Word at the clinic is that you are magical. Chanda said she’s never seen Casanova not acting spastic on a leash.”
Faye chuckled.
“I seem to have a way with dogs...that I didn’t know about,” she added. “But it really was all about cheese and that Laddie. Good herding instincts and he knows how to give the pack that look only parents and principals are masters of.”
“Are you two enjoying the party? Or too busy organizing the food?” Carlos asked.
“Best night ever,” Nora said, eyeing Darla. She raised her brows slightly. “Should we tell them?”
“Tell us what?” Eve asked. “The secret ingredient?”
“You wish,” Darla laughed. “The real secret ingredient in everything here tonight is love. That said...” She put her arm around Nora’s waist and Nora reciprocated. “We just got engaged.”
“No kidding!” Eve squealed. “Congratulations! Next year I’ll get to make one card for both of you, instead of two. Hugs!” She ran around the table and gave them both hugs.
“Come here, you two. Congrats. I’m happy for you.” Carlos gave hugs, as well. The man was a hugger. Who knew the sheriff who looked so serious in uniform, had a soft spot?
Faye couldn’t stop grinning. The joy was viral.
“Congrats from me too,” she said. She held back, wanting to join in but feeling like an outsider at the same time.
“Oh, come here. Hugs for all today,” Darla teased. Darla came around and gave her a big squeeze, then squatted and gave Nim a gentle one. Then Nora followed suit.
“Thank you. We hope you’re liking Turtleback and if you visit again in the summer, consider yourself invited to the wedding. On the beach like Gray and Mandi’s. They inspired us,” Nora said.
“It sounds lovely.” She had no clue where she’d be by next summer. With Clara? Nim? In jail? Or worse. The hugs felt good. She didn’t realize how desperately she needed to be held. To feel that kind of comfort.
Carlos took two cookies from the table and handed her one, which she accepted because she didn’t want to be rude. He took a bite out of the other.
“Can she have any?” he asked, regarding Nim.
“Caca!” Nim called out, earning a few laughs. She made a break for the table but lost her footing in the sand. Faye righted her up.
“Sweetheart, if only you knew what caca really means. We’ll get you a cookie. Just one,” she told Nim. “I was hoping to actually sleep tonight. I’ve found that sugar wires her up, but I don’t have the heart to say no with all these on display.”
“It’s a party. Let her enjoy it. There’s always tomorrow for sleep,” Carlos said.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed.
Someone switched the music to something slow and nostalgic and several people strolled away from the fire to the cool sand closer to the shoreline and began dancing.
“Can I join in? Is this the free-hug table?” Jordan asked.
“You bet,” Nora said, opening her arms.
“I overheard. Congrats to you both.” Jordan held Shamu with one arm and hugged the happy couple.
“We love this song. You guys help yourselves,” Darla said, heading off to the designated dance area.
Dancing with sand beneath your feet and stars above and the sizzling sound from both fire and surf filling the air. Incredible.
“It’s a good song,” Jordan hedged, glancing over at Eve. “Did—”
“We can leave whenever you want,” Eve said, looking at Faye. “I’ve passed out all of my cards.” She rubbed her temples. “I want to stay longer but have a headache coming on.”
Ouch. Poor Jordan. He pulled back visibly.
“Yeah. I was about to sa
y the same thing. I need to get Shamu home. I’m Chanda’s ride, as well. You all enjoy yourselves.” He waved and headed toward the wooden path that cut through the sand near the boardwalk and led to the main street.
Eve sneezed again.
“I hope I’m not getting sick.”
“So do I. You just hugged how many people?” Faye said.
“But hugs are good for the immune system. They cancel out the virus.” Eve tugged her jacket tighter around her.
“That’s not how it works when it comes to spreading germs,” Faye said.
“I know. I know. Don’t make me feel guilty. Carlos, use your powers and send out a town memo to take extra vitamins.”
“You just go home and rest,” he said. “I can make sure Faye gets back safely if she wants to stay longer.”
Was he trying to spend time with her? Like...time with her? If she lingered longer, would they end up dancing like everyone else? No. How could she let her mind go there? He was holding on to Pepper’s leash and she was holding on to her niece. Daughter.
“Oh. Um, I need to get Nim back and I’m feeling rather tired. But thanks.” She finished off the cookie, then rubbed the small of her back with her free hand.
“Alright, then. Do you need a ride?” he asked, directing the question at both Eve and Faye, but he looked pointedly at Eve.
“We’ll be fine. It’s not that long of a walk,” Eve said.
“You’re not feeling well and Faye would have to carry Nim the whole way. Plus, it’s dark and cold out. I’ll drop you off. I’m taking Pepper home, then I’ll swing back around here to make sure no one needs anything. I insist.”
With that, he handed Faye Pepper’s leash—which she took without realizing why he’d given it to her—then he picked Nim up for her. He was listening. Noticing. Your backache. She was at a loss for words. Nim patted his cheeks and didn’t freak out. Didn’t they say the two best judges of character were dogs and kids? Maybe that’s why her track record with guys was so bad. She needed a dog or kid to screen them for her.
Eve looked between the two of them. Faye hoped she could hear her telepathically screaming that nothing was going on here.
