“I’m thinking of retiring.”
She sat up straight. “From biking?”
“If not this year, next.”
“But...you love it, don’t you?”
“I can’t compete forever. I’ll be thirty-four soon. It’s sad when fifteen-, sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds are starting to give you competition.” He wiped the water from his face. “Some of them are amazing.”
“What would you do if you retired?”
“Run my store. What else?”
“You wouldn’t sell out? Leave Whiskey Creek?”
“And go where? This is my home. I like it here.” He saw a wife and kids in his future, but he didn’t add that. He didn’t want her to think he was being presumptuous.
He let the silence linger for a few minutes. Then he said, “Do you really have to sell Just Like Mom’s? I mean...why not stay and run it? What’s in Davis that’s drawing you back?”
“I have friends there.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “You could always visit them.”
“I’ve just never seen myself settling here.”
“Why not?”
She got up. “I have to go.”
He watched her, gilded in moonlight, as she climbed the steps. “Will you still be talking to me in the morning?” he asked.
She must’ve heard the teasing note in his voice because she cast a smile over one shoulder. “Yes.”
“I’ll take that on faith. But, if it’s all the same to you, this time I’ll get your number.”
“That’s fine.” She laughed, then sobered. “Just...I’d rather no one else knew...if we see each other again.”
He got out, too, and handed her one of the towels he stored in a cupboard. “If?”
“What we do is no one’s business.”
He didn’t like the sound of that. “Things don’t really work that way in Whiskey Creek. We wouldn’t be able to go anywhere if we want to keep this private. Why the big secret?”
“I’d feel more comfortable. At least at first.”
“You’re a mystery to me.” He kissed her forehead as he said it. He decided they’d just take what they felt for each other one day at a time. He had no idea what might or might not develop.
But he soon figured out one possible reason she was so hesitant to let others know about their relationship. He went out to start her car while she dried her hair, so the heater would be on since it had begun to rain, and found a piece of paper stuck under her windshield wiper.
There was only one line of typed text. It was smeared because of the rain. But he could read it.
Stay away from Noah or that mine will be your burial place, too!
22
Noah didn’t mention the note to Addy. He folded it up and shoved it in the pocket of his zippered sweatshirt before she could come out. Only after he’d kissed her good-night, warned her to be careful and followed her home in his own vehicle to make sure she got in safely did he take it out and read it again. Then he drove slowly up and down her street as well as his to see if someone was around—following her, watching her.
What was going on? Who would leave such a note? And why?
The tone sounded like that of a jealous woman. But he hadn’t been with anyone else in months, except Lisa, and he doubted she’d bother driving out to Whiskey Creek from the Bay Area, where she lived, just to torment whatever woman he was dating—not now that she thought he was gay. She didn’t even know about Cody, would have no reason to refer to the mine.
No, considering that and the fact that Addy had been abducted, he didn’t think it was Lisa or any other woman. Something else was going on. He couldn’t guess what, exactly, but he knew one thing for sure. Whoever had put that note on her windshield had to be keeping a close eye on her. They hadn’t left the party until midnight, so there wasn’t a lot of traffic when they drove home. And his house was tucked back behind the store. Her SUV couldn’t easily be seen from the street.
Someone knew where she was and what she was doing, and that worried him, because if she was being intimidated, her abduction and beating wasn’t an isolated incident. She said if she kept her mouth shut, it would be over. But it seemed to him that someone was harassing her in an ongoing, well-orchestrated and targeted campaign.
When Noah parked in his driveway, he sat there for a few minutes, waiting to see if he’d notice anyone lurking about. He’d been so caught up in the fallout of Baxter’s revelation and decision to move, and coping with Addy’s initial rejection, that he’d simply pushed on with his own life, treating her abduction with curiosity but no commitment, as if it were none of his business. That was how she treated it. She’d let him know in no uncertain terms that she didn’t want him getting involved.
But whatever was going on felt very much a part of his business now. How dare anyone tell her she couldn’t see him? And, if she was still having trouble, why hadn’t she gone to the police?
He should’ve tried harder to find out the name of her ex. Whatever was happening, it had to stem from her life in Davis. She hadn’t been in Whiskey Creek for thirteen years, so there was no way it could’ve started here.
Or...this was a long shot, but maybe Kevin Colbert had something to do with what was going on. He seemed to have a strange effect on her. There was that moment outside the coffee shop, when she dropped her drink and ran to her car. And before she arrived at the party last night, Ted had mentioned that he’d seen Kevin at Just Like Mom’s. He said Kevin and Addy had been in the middle of an argument, after which Kevin had given back her cell phone.
What would they have to argue about? As far as he could tell, she barely knew Kevin. She’d asked about him that first night, when they were driving home from the mine. But she’d also asked about Tom Gibby and other people.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his cell phone and called her.
“Hello?”
He smiled at the husky sound of her voice. Even the way she talked was sexy. “You okay?”
There was a slight pause. “Of course. Why?”
He just needed to be sure. He’d watched her walk into Milly’s and close the door behind her, and yet...he was unsettled and a little angry that he didn’t know, couldn’t guess, what she was up against.
“I had a nice time tonight,” he said.
“So did I.”
“When can I see you again?”
She laughed. “I’ve only been home for fifteen minutes.”
But the way she’d acted before, and what he’d read in that note, made him nervous. “See what you do to me?”
“You’re coming to dinner tomorrow night, right?”
He’d forgotten about that. “Right.”
“So I’ll see you then.”
She was about to hang up, but he stopped her. “Have you heard from Chief Stacy lately?”
“About the mine incident? No. I don’t think he’s too pleased with me.” She chuckled. “He so desperately wanted it to be Aaron. Case closed.”
Noah tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “You’re not scared, are you?”
“That...”
“Whoever kidnapped you will hurt you again?”
There was a brief silence before she said, “It should be okay.”
He combed his fingers through his hair, which was stiff with chlorine from the hot tub. “Kevin Colbert hasn’t been giving you any trouble...?”
“No, why would you think that?”
“Ted said he was with you at Just Like Mom’s the other night, that the two of you were having an argument.”
“He was complaining about his meal. That’s all. I comped his dinner and that was the end of it.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“So why would he have your phone?”
“I’d left it sitting on a nearby table. He thought someone had lost it.”
“I...see.”
Silence fell. Then he said, “Are you ever going to trust me enough to
tell me what’s going on, Addy?”
Another long pause. “Let’s just enjoy the time we’ve got, okay?” she said.
As soon as he started getting close, she backed away. “Until...”
“I leave or you do.”
That would be a while, so he didn’t see any reason not to agree. But he stared at the note he’d found on her car long after they’d hung up. Why would anyone care if they got together? Especially Kevin Colbert? He was married and had three kids....
* * *
Raised voices dragged Addy from a deep sleep.
“I didn’t call because I wanted to surprise you! What’s wrong with that?”
“I needed to talk to you. I told you it was important. I left at least three messages.”
“I’ve been busy. But I’m here now. So talk.”
Their voices dimmed briefly. Then Addy heard, “If she got through it, if she’s fine, what’s the big deal?”
With a groan, Addy rolled out of bed. This could be none other than her dear mother. She missed the next part of the conversation, but then she heard Gran say, “So where’s your latest husband? You didn’t bring him?”
“Latest? You had to add that?”
“What else am I supposed to say? You switch so often I’ve lost track. I don’t even bother learning their names anymore.”
“And you wonder why I don’t call as often as you think I should.”
“As often as I think you should? I don’t ever hear from you—unless you need something. And I was trying to reach you about your daughter!”
“Who hasn’t called me, either—not in ages. So you might as well get off your high horse.”
“How dare you blame her!”
“Who else am I supposed to blame? She has a phone. She knows my number.”
“Isn’t it obvious, Mom?” Addy whispered. “You. We both blame you.”
“She checks in with me regularly.” Gran, forever her defender. “Always has.”
“Don’t rub my nose in that, Mother. She checks in with you because you spoil her.”
“Lower your voice. She got into bed late last night, needs her sleep.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, she’s not a child anymore! I think she can handle a short night here and there. What about me? I drove for ten hours straight to get here.”
“Why? That’s the question.”
Addy had the same question—together with one other. How long was her mother planning to stay? If she’d split up with her husband, which usually precipitated these unexpected visits, she could be staying for a few weeks. Until she met someone else or came up with another way to escape the town she grew up in without actually having to support herself.
With so much going on in her life, Addy didn’t think she could handle a prolonged visit from Helen. She’d slept with Noah last night. That was the stupidest thing she could’ve done, but she couldn’t pretend she regretted it, or that she wouldn’t do it again.
“I wanted to see you, to come home!” her mother cried.
“Because...” Gran was skeptical and had every right to be.
“You just can’t take it at face value, can you?”
“I’ve learned from past experience to be wary. Did you get in a fight with your husband? Are you filing for divorce? I’m too old for surprises, Helen. If there’s bad news, I’d prefer to hear it up front.”
“There’s no bad news! Neal had to go out of town on business and I didn’t see any reason why I should sit home, twiddling my thumbs.”
A short pause ensued, during which Addy put on her slippers. When Helen spoke again, her voice sounded petulant.
“I don’t have to stay if you don’t want me here. I could go back.”
“Don’t talk like that. Of course we want you here.” Gran had already given up the fight. She’d never understood Helen, never been able to completely overlook her self-absorption, but she loved her. That meant Helen won every time.
Love makes you weak, Addy thought. She’d always believed it. The person who loved was the person who suffered. Helen had taught her and Gran all about that. But Addy mustered a smile as she smoothed her hair down and shuffled into the living room. “Mom, I thought that was you.”
“Hi, baby! How are you?”
“Great.”
“Is it good to be home?”
Addy loved Whiskey Creek as much as anyone, but her homecoming was getting more complicated every day. “Of course.”
Helen grasped her chin and studied her face, like she might do to a child. “This is what some bastard did to you?”
Although most of her injuries had healed, the bruise on her cheek lingered as a subtle greenish discoloration about the size of a quarter. Addy could cover it with makeup when she went out. She hardly noticed it anymore. But she wasn’t wearing any makeup at the moment and the morning sun shone brightly through the windows.
She shot an exasperated look at Gran. He’d done a lot more than give her a small bruise. But what was the point of telling her mother everything that had happened? Or even some of it... Addy had heard her careless response of a few seconds ago: If she got through it, if she’s fine, what’s the big deal? “It’s almost gone, nothing to worry about. So...how long can you stay?”
Her mother dropped her hand. “For a few days, at least.”
That was more than the weekend her husband was supposed to be out of town. Addy suspected there was trouble in paradise again.
“How’s the restaurant?” Helen asked. “In good shape?”
Addy thought of Darlene but glossed over her problems with Gran’s manager, too. “Fine. As always.”
“And your love life? Did you leave anyone special in Davis?”
“No.”
“You should never have let Clyde get away. That man was hot, wasn’t he?”
Adelaide ground her teeth. “He cheated on me, Mom.”
She shrugged. “Most men cheat. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you.”
With such low expectations, her mother could settle for just about anyone, as long as he had money. To her, that was more of a prerequisite than fidelity.
Eager to change the subject, Addy gave Helen an appraising once-over. “You look beautiful.”
She flipped her hair, dyed jet-black, over one shoulder. “How do you like my nails? I just got them done.” She flashed long, acrylic zebra stripes at them. “These are real diamonds,” she said, indicating the gems embedded in her pinky nails.
It was a good thing her mother was beautiful, because Addy couldn’t find many other redeeming qualities. “Aren’t you afraid they might fall out?”
“They’re not going anywhere. And if they did, it wouldn’t be a huge loss. They came out of a pair of hundred-dollar studs. No biggie.”
“They’re nice.” So were her expensive bag and shoes. And the obvious Botox treatments. Her mother hated aging. It impeded her ability to attract the men she wanted. “They expect us to look seventeen forever,” she often complained.
Helen cocked her head. “Have you had a boob job?”
Addy blinked in surprise. “Me? No! Trust me, I’m not one to volunteer for pain.”
“But you’re bigger than you used to be.”
“I’m the same as I was the last time you saw me.”
“I don’t believe you. Let me feel them.”
Fortunately, the doorbell rang, giving her a good excuse to swat her mother’s hands away. “I’ll get it.”
Addy wasn’t prepared for company. She’d just rolled out of bed but anything was a welcome distraction when her mother started acting like this. She loved to embarrass Addy. She always had, probably because nothing embarrassed her.
A deliveryman stood at the door with a giant bouquet of flowers. “Delivery for Adelaide Davies,” he said.
Addy felt her eyebrows go up. “I’m Adelaide Davies.”
He hefted the vase to one side, resting it against one hip so he could have her sign his clipboard. “Enjoy your flowers.”
Addy shook her head, allowing Helen to take the flowers while she removed the card herself.
“‘I can’t stop thinking about you,’” she read.
Gran pressed close. “Who can’t stop thinking about you?”
Noah had signed his name, so it wasn’t as though she could lie. “They’re from Noah. He was—” she cleared her throat “—he was at the party last night.” So much for being discreet. She’d told him she didn’t want anyone to know they were dating.
“Noah who?” her mother asked.
“Rackham!” Gran supplied as if she’d really caught a big one this time.
Helen stepped back. “You’re already seeing someone here?”
“Not really,” Addy mumbled, but she doubted her mother heard because Gran spoke over her.
“Not just anyone, Helen. The mayor’s son! And he’s a lot cuter than that Clyde she was with before. I personally never cared for Clyde. He had beady eyes.”
“He had wandering eyes,” Addy said. “Anyway, Noah and I are not officially seeing each other.”
Her mother’s laugh sounded more like a cackle. “Honey, who cares whether it’s official? A man doesn’t send a woman roses unless he’s seriously interested. Those must’ve cost him a hundred bucks.”
Addy scrambled to rein in their excitement. Noah wasn’t the type to be seriously interested in anyone, not the way her mother and grandmother seemed to believe. They were enjoying each other, and they felt an attraction. That was all. “He’s just being nice, Mom, probably because he’s coming to dinner tonight. This is...his contribution to the meal.”
“‘I can’t stop thinking about you’? Ha! Don’t kid yourself.” Eyes alight with prurient interest, Helen clapped her hands. “Well! We can’t let him down.”
Addy narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “What do you mean?”
“If we’re going to have a special guest for dinner, we’ve work to do in order to be ready. I’m taking you to a day spa in Sacramento.”
“No, that’s okay.” She’d been hoping to go by Stephen’s, to finally get a good look at that white Chevy.
“Come on! You’ll get a full Brazilian, maybe do a little tanning and splurge on one of those chemical peels that don’t actually peel.”
Brenda Novak Page 24
