The curve ahead was sharp, the guardrail offering flimsy protection against a speeding vehicle.
Demi clutched the door and held on while her heart thumped in terror. She held the phone to her ear with effort. The operator came on. “We’re on Lighthouse Lane headed toward the beach! Someone is trying to run us off the road!”
Tires squealed as Charles took the curve. Her seat belt cut into her shoulder. From the side mirror she could see the car following behind.
And then they were on a straighter part of the road.
With another curve just ahead.
From a side road, Demi could see flashing blue lights.
Brakes squealed from behind them and she saw the car backing off. It did a quick three-point turn then sped back the way they’d just come.
Charles slowed the truck. Sweat dripped from his forehead and his face had lost color, as he pulled to the side of the road and stopped.
From the back, Demi heard a giggle. She turned to see Brianne gripping the front of her car seat. “Do it again, Daddy.”
Aaron’s eyes were wide, but he’d stopped crying. When he saw Brianne smiling, he chuckled.
Charles let out a breath and leaned his forehead on the steering wheel.
Demi swallowed hard. “You did a good job, Charles.”
“Thanks.” He paused. “You okay?”
“Yes. We’re all okay.”
A Fitzgerald Bay cruiser pulled up beside them. Charles rolled down his window to greet his sister Keira who exited her vehicle, walked to the window and demanded, “What happened? I saw that guy trying to run you off the road.” Her anger with the man was a visible thing. “He could have killed you!” She looked in the backseat and paled. “And the kids are with you.”
“We were on the way to the beach. He kind of came out of nowhere.” Charles shook his head. “Did you get a plate?”
“A partial. He went flying past me. By the time I turned around, he’d disappeared. I called it in for someone to see if they could chase him down so I could make sure you all were okay.”
Charles swallowed. “Someone really has it in for me, don’t they?”
“Unfortunately, it looks like it, yeah.” She pursed her lips. “Who was Olivia so close to that her death would drive someone to want to hurt you, to get revenge?”
Charles shrugged. “I have no idea. She didn’t talk about her life that much. I did a background check and she was clean. She took care of the kids and pretty much kept to herself so I’m not sure who she was close to.”
“What about her cousin, Meghan?” Keira asked.
Charles gave a slow nod. “She was really upset about Olivia’s death, but I can’t see her coming after me like this.”
Keira shrugged. “You never know. I’ll make a note for Owen and Ryan to check her out.” On a small flip-top notebook, she wrote something then slid it back into her front pocket. “Be careful, Charles. It looks like someone isn’t very happy with you.”
* * *
After consulting with Keira, Charles and Demi decided not to let the incident ruin their day.
And while Demi couldn’t say she was relaxed, at least the person who had nearly run them off the road was gone for now.
But a shiver ran through her as the thought occurred to her that he would be back. Somehow, deep in her gut, she felt that it wasn’t over. When they’d decided to keep their appointment with the beach, Keira promised to drive past the area often. “If whoever tried to run you off the road is watching, he’ll see the cruiser keeping an eye on you.”
“I don’t know if that’s necessary, Keira.”
She shrugged. “I don’t, either, but it can’t hurt.”
“Guess not.” Charles looked at Demi and she offered him a reassuring smile.
Now at the beach, Demi climbed from the truck and while Charles unbuckled Brianne, she went ahead and released Aaron from his car seat.
Then the four of them headed down the pier. Brianne seemed to have forgotten about her demand for ice cream since the incident with the car.
Charles limped slightly and again, Demi wondered what happened. Before she could be nosy again, his brows pulled tight into a frown as he gazed at the cliffs and rocks under the lighthouse.
Wondering at the expression, Demi looked where he did. The white lighthouse with the red roof matched the building next to it. Charles’s home. It sat at the top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Just yesterday, she’d stood at the window and stared at the view. She’d been in awe of such beauty. “What a great place to raise kids.”
“I think so.” He shot her another smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes and the frown between his brows seemed even more pronounced. “The path to the beach is this way. Be careful, there are a lot of rocks.”
Demi held on to Aaron and followed Charles, noticing that he carried a picnic basket in one hand while holding tight to Brianne’s small hand.
Once on the beach, Charles opened the large basket, pulled out two towels and handed one to Demi. “I decided not to bring the chairs. We can use these. We won’t stay very long. I’ll have to get the twins back to the house for their nap.”
The wind whipped her ponytail around her face and tugged at the towels. Demi followed his example and planted herself on one. He’d placed them close together so that her shoulder nearly touched his.
As her gaze scanned the area, she caught sight of the cruiser sitting at the top of the rock. Keira stood looking down at them. Peace settled on Demi’s shoulders for the first time since finding the note this morning.
His musky cologne wafted to her and she inhaled, deciding she could get used to that smell. “It’s chilly for May, isn’t it?”
“Chilly and windy.”
Brianne and Aaron each grabbed a bucket and shovel from the basket. “Daddy, you help me?” Brianne asked. “I want a castle for a princess.”
Charles shook his head. “In a minute, Bri. I want to talk to Ms. Demi, okay?”
Brianne cocked her head and turned her shy smile on Demi. “You come help me?”
She would have been happy to dig in the sand with the little ones, but took her cue from Charles. “Why don’t you get started and I’ll help you in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Brianne joined her brother and the two started digging and flinging the sand.
Demi watched the little ones as she waited for Charles to say something. When he remained silent, she turned to look at him. His eyes were on his children, but even only knowing him such a short time, she could tell his thoughts were elsewhere. “What are you thinking?”
He blinked. “Nothing much.”
She didn’t believe it, but didn’t feel it was her place to push him. The hair on the back of her neck lifted and she shifted. Uneasiness shivered through her and she looked toward the cliffs again. That feeling of being watched just wouldn’t leave her.
Keira was still there, now perched on the hood of her cruiser, talking on the phone. Her presence offered comfort. So where was Demi’s edginess coming from? Someone after her? Or were these incidents all related to Charles, and she was just caught in the middle?
The latter, more likely. That’s what everyone seemed to think with the incident at his house or the one on the road just now. But what about the break-in at her apartment?
Something just wasn’t right, but Demi couldn’t figure out exactly what it was that was making her so uneasy.
If someone was watching Charles right now, he didn’t seem to notice.
He handed her a sandwich, breaking her train of thought. “Do you like ham and cheese?”
“Love it. Thanks.” She unwrapped it and took a bite as she watched the kids. Even though she had her eyes on the children, she was extremely aware of the man b
eside her—and the fact that her back was exposed to a number of hiding places in the rocks behind her.
“This is the first time we’ve been down here this year,” he said suddenly.
His quiet words surprised her. She heard the strain behind them. “Really? Why?”
He turned his gaze to her. “Because of what happened to Olivia, of course.”
“Oh.” She looked around again. “Is this where it happened?”
“Not exactly, but pretty close. She fell—or was pushed—over the cliffs. She was found down there on the rocks below our house and the lighthouse. They found a rock with blood on it and are running tests to see if they can find any DNA on it. We’re waiting for those tests to come back.”
“I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time.”
His eyes softened and he lifted a hand as though to reach out to her. Then must have decided against it as he snagged a bottle of water. “Thanks.”
Demi wondered if now would be good time to say something about the note in her coffee can. Opening her mouth to do that, she was interrupted by Charles’s phone ringing. “Just a sec.” He found the device and said, “Hello?” She watched him listen. Then he said, “That’s fine, we’re not staying much longer anyway.”
He hung up and told her, “Keira needs to leave in a few minutes.” His lips quirked in a small smile. “She said she’d feel better if we’d leave when she did.”
“We can if you like.”
“Not yet. The children are loving this.” His gaze met hers. “And so am I.”
Demi flushed as she caught his unspoken message. She decided to change the subject. “So what’s your family like?”
His smile widened. She hadn’t fooled him one bit. “You’ve already met a few of them. Fiona, your landlady, is my sister, and Victoria, who owns the Sugar Plum Café, is my sister-in-law-to-be. Probably one day soon. She’s engaged to Owen, a detective. The rest of the crew are also with the Fitzgerald Bay Police Department as you found out last night. My mother died a few years ago and Dad’s the chief of police and running for mayor against the oh-so-subtle Burke Hennessy. My granddad, Ian Fitzgerald, is the current mayor, and is stepping down. I have three brothers and two sisters.”
Demi sighed. “I’m envious. I have no idea if I have any family anywhere.” She looked at the cliffs where Olivia died. Clouds moved in and hovered, obscuring the sun. Demi shivered.
“Are you cold?”
“A bit.”
“Daddy! Come play!” Brianne insisted.
Charles quirked another smile at her. “I guess we can warm up while we help them dig that hole to China.” He looked up as Keira’s cruiser pulled away. “Then I guess we’d better head home and let two little ones get some shut-eye.”
Demi grabbed a shovel and sank beside Aaron. He grinned up at her and said, “Dig.”
“Say please, Aaron,” Charles reminded his son.
“Puleeeeeze,” Aaron said with a grin.
But even as she sank the shovel into the soft sand, she couldn’t help watching behind her. Talking with Charles and spending time with his family had been a wonderful diversion from her less-than-pleasant thoughts. However, the feeling of being watched never fully left her.
The cliffs were steep, the rocks sharp and dangerous. She felt a deep pang of sympathy for the woman who’d died there. Turning, she concentrated on digging.
The sound of a low growl snapped up her head. A dog stood on the rocks watching them. “Charles?” she whispered.
He turned and she heard his indrawn breath.
“It’s a German shepherd.” He kept his voice low and she heard the tension running through it.
“He—or she—doesn’t look very friendly.” Demi gripped the toy shovel as though she would be able to use it as a weapon. Slowly, her eyes never leaving the dog, she moved between it and the children.
The animal bared its teeth once more and Charles reached for a piece of driftwood. He flung it toward the dog with a harsh, “Get!”
The dog flinched, tucked her tail and ran off.
Demi let out her breath in a huff as she wilted on the sand. “I wonder if she has puppies around here.”
“You’re amazing.”
“What?” Demi gaped at him. Why would he say that?
He nodded, his eyes serious and intense. “Your first instinct was to protect the children with no thought of yourself. I’ve never met…I mean other than family…I don’t know of anyone that would have done that.”
“Daddy, play!” Brianne called, oblivious to the danger she could have just been in. Charles gazed into her eyes a moment longer then turned to pay attention to his daughter.
Speechless and surprised at his praise, Demi still shivered at the feeling of trepidation that swept over her. Especially when she thought about that note in the coffee can.
She swallowed hard and hoped that by being vigilant and watchful, she wouldn’t be the next victim the cliffs would claim.
SIX
Sunday morning, Demi woke early, tossed and turned until she heaved a sigh of frustration. Climbing from the bed, she decided to head to the beach for a walk. She’d so enjoyed the time with Charles and the kids yesterday that she wanted to feel the wind in her face and the sand beneath her feet before she had to get ready for church.
Within minutes, she was out the door on the bike that Fiona had said she could use anytime. It was a long ride, but she didn’t care. Being outside was chilly, but exhilarating. Already she felt lighter, like her burdens were sliding from her shoulders.
At the end of the wooden boardwalk that led to the beach, she slipped off her sandals and dug her toes into the cool sand.
For a moment she just stood there, watching the waves crash against the shore.
To her left, she saw another person walking her way. Squinting, pushing up her glasses as though that would help bring the individual into focus, she watched.
A man with a gray hoodie.
Spinning on the sand, she headed back the way she’d come. Who was he? Had he somehow followed her?
Demi shivered and shot a glance over her shoulder. The man was closing in.
She considered turning around and confronting him, but the thought of Olivia Henry, and the fact that her murderer still roamed free, spurred her faster toward the walkway.
True, the man could be harmless.
Or, he could have a weapon.
No sense in finding out the hard way.
She hurried along, but couldn’t help one more glance over her shoulder.
The man had stopped following and just stood there watching her walk away.
She wished she could get a good look at his face, but with the hood pulled up and low, it was impossible. However, she thought she saw him lift his hand in a small wave.
Demi gulped and continued her hurried pace along the walkway that would lead her to her bicycle. Another glance back told her that the man had started walking again, but at a leisurely pace, seeming in no hurry to catch up.
Would he come up to the walkway, as well?
No. Demi adjusted her glasses a little higher on her nose. He looked like he was leaving. She watched him turn and head back down the beach. Her pulse slowed slightly.
But she desperately wanted to know who he was. If he was the one who’d broken into her apartment and put the message in her coffee can, she wanted to know why.
But she’d never seen him anywhere other than the alley behind The Reading Nook and now. If it was even the same person.
Grasping the handlebars, she swung her leg over the bike and placed her foot on the pedal.
Only now she felt a shiver go through her at the idea of riding to her apartment all alone.
* * *
Safely back home, Demi dressed for church. Shoving aside the creepy encounter with the stranger on the beach, she allowed herself a small measure of joy. Yesterday she’d managed to put aside the note in her coffee can and just as she’d hoped, the day had been lovely—except for almost being run off the road and the dog scare on the beach.
However, she’d take what she could get at this point.
Spending time with Charles and the children had filled a void she hadn’t been consciously aware of until she’d had to leave them and come home.
Worry bit at her. Would she feel this way if she had her memories intact? Or was she using them to make up for what she lacked in her life?
Unsure of the answer, she decided there was nothing she could do about it right now.
As she pulled the brush through her hair one last time, she gave herself a quick check in the mirror. The flower-print dress made her feel pretty and feminine and she wondered what Charles would think. She flushed and turned from the mirror. She didn’t bother trying to tell herself she shouldn’t care what Charles thought. She was attracted to the man and that was that.
And he’d invited her to church. She’d agreed and told him that she would meet him there. When he’d offered to pick her up, she’d hesitated then said no. She’d confused him, she could tell, but with all the rumors flying around about Charles, she didn’t want to add fuel to the fire by being seen walking into church with him after having already spent yesterday with him.
She had a feeling she was only prolonging the moment, though. Word was already out that Charles had a new nanny and she figured the wagging tongues were going triple time. And if she sat with him in church this morning…she might as well have let him come get her.
But she couldn’t concern herself with that. Or listen to gossip. She was going to go to church and enjoy it.
She’d passed the Fitzgerald Bay Community Church located just off Main Street during her explorations of the town, and had given some thought to stepping inside, wondering if she would find God there.
Now was the time to find out.
“Demi? You ready?”
The Black Sheep's Redemption Page 5
