“Do you think…do you think I’m putting Padric in danger by spending time with him?”
“In danger from baking soda? Yeah. Flour, too, and tomato sauce.”
Zoe couldn’t quite manage a laugh. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. Since we don’t know what’s going on yet, it’s hard to say. There’s just as good a chance that Padric is putting you in danger.”
“That’s not exactly reassuring, Officer Badger.” Zoe attempted a smile that went wrong somewhere around the middle.
“Yeah well, it’s the truth. I’m not here to sugarcoat anything. You both need to be watchful and keep your eyes open and call me if something seems off.” Maya tucked away her notebook and swung toward the door. “Notice that I said to call me, not Nate. He’s not your personal 911 service. Call him too often and he’ll get a big head.” Her wry smile was the last Zoe saw of her as she slipped out the door.
She must have intercepted Padric somewhere between the laundry room and the suite, because it took another half an hour for him to get back. In the meantime, Zoe paced around the suite in her crop top and leopard-print undies and tried to sort out what to do.
Screwing up her nerve, she called Reese. He’d changed his number when he’d moved to Dillingham and his lawsuit got thrown out of court, but he’d called her a few times—always hanging up when she answered. She’d kept the number just in case she needed to report him to the police.
He answered right away.
“Reese? It’s Zoe.”
Dead silence, then a very confused, “Zoe Bellini?”
His reaction put her conviction that he wasn’t involved at about eighty-five percent.
“Yes. It’s…uh…someone said they saw you here the other day.”
“In Lost Harbor? Not me. I’m in Hawaii working on some rich guy’s boat.”
That sounded sketchy. “Some rich guy? You don’t even know his name?”
“I know his name. But you don’t need to know it. What are you calling about, Zoe? We’re dead as a skunk.”
“The phrase is ‘drunk as a skunk.’”
“We’re dead as a dead skunk,” he clarified.
Sweet Jesus, what had she ever seen in him, beyond those strong mechanic hands and arm muscles? Had she really been that shallow?
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have called. I was just…if you come to Lost Harbor, it’d be nice to get a heads up, that’s all. No hard feelings. I’ll even give you a slice of Surf ’n’ Turf pizza. I’d just like to be prepared.”
“You can keep your freaking pizza. I’m not going near Lost Harbor. No need. I got a new life in Dillingham, a hot new lady, and we’re thinking of moving to Hawaii permanently.”
“Wow, that’s good, Reese. Congratulations.”
“Whatever,” he muttered. “Don’t call again, my girlfriend wouldn’t like it.”
“I won’t. Bye, Reese.”
Well, that settled it. At least one of her exes had nothing to do with sending white powder to Padric. Should she test the other two?
She was just gearing up for another excruciating phone call when Padric finally came back. He carried a pile of folded laundry in his arms.
“The chambermaid finished the laundry while Maya interrogated the life out of me,” he told her. “Sorry it took so long.” He set her clothes on the armchair and opened his arms to her.
She flew across the room and launched herself against him. “I missed you,” she murmured against his chest.
“Longest half hour of my life,” he agreed, laughing.
“Not that. The fifteen years before that.”
They held each other so close that she felt his heartbeat vibrating through her own chest cavity. Desire hummed between them. Would it always be like this, instant lust as soon as they touched? Or were they making up for those lost fifteen years?
And it struck her then—why she’d gotten involved with Reese and the others.
She’d known in her heart that no one would ever compare to Padric. So she’d grasped at whatever other possibilities came her way.
Being with him now—the joy was over the top. But so was her fear.
They drew apart and their eyes met. In his, she saw the same worries she’d been grappling with. “I don’t want to put you in danger,” he said soberly.
“I don’t want to put you in danger.”
He frowned briefly. “What are you talking about? That powder was meant for me. I told her about another incident, too. Someone threw a bottle at me outside the Olde Salt. This is about me, not you.”
“Maya said they’re looking at all possibilities. But anyway, that’s not the point.”
He took both her hands in his. “What do you mean?”
“Have you noticed the pattern? It’s a little hard to miss.”
“Spell it out for me.”
She pulled away from him and crossed to the pile of her clean clothes. “The first time we went across the bay and kissed, it was a total disaster. The Scandal and everything that came after.”
She stripped off the crop top and put on her bra. As she was fumbling to fasten it, Padric came to her aid, his fingers light and clever with the hooks.
“Then we went across the bay again. We kissed again. And what happened? A plane crashed. Then we came back here and you got a death threat. What if…”
“What? What’s your point?”
She pulled on her clean thermal top and turned to face him. His eyes had darkened to a stormy deep blue. “Everyone knows I have bad luck. But maybe the combination of the two of us is even worse. What if we’re…I don’t know, cursed? Or just very, very unlucky? What if we’re bad for each other?”
“Do you know how ridiculous that sounds?”
“Well, I got my superstitious side from my mother. She always believed the ‘strange things in Lost Souls’ stuff. But she’s not always wrong.”
He snagged her arm so she faced him. “What are you saying, Zoe? That we should stay away from each other because occasionally bad things happen? Don’t bad things happen anyway?”
Under the intense focus of his blue gaze, her worries vaporized and all that mattered was being here with him. “Of course they do. I don’t know what I’m saying. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
“You know what would hurt me more? If you ended this before it’s ready to end.”
Ready to end. That phrase sank through Zoe’s soul like a lead weight. Of course things would end between them. They had to, since their lives were so very different.
But being ready to end it…what would that mean? Who would decide? Was another enormous rejection headed her way—bigger and more devastating than any of the others?
“And what about this, Zoe—what if we’re never ready to end it? What if this is it for us? Do you really want to walk away already?”
Her lips parted as she absorbed his words. Was Padric saying he wanted a future?
Maybe a future together wasn’t out of the question. Maybe a rock star and a pizza maker could find a way.
“No,” she whispered. “I don’t want to walk away. I don’t even know if I can.”
He hauled her against him. Heat instantly ignited deep in her belly. Her inner thighs trembled and her nipples tingled.
“I know I can’t,” he said firmly. “But I can’t decide for you. All I can do is try to make the risk worth it.”
And in his arms, everything else faded away and lost all meaning. The only thing that existed was this feeling, right here. The feeling of being with Padric, her heart beating so close to his. Nothing else would ever compare.
Chapter Twenty-One
Once Padric had told Maya about the PJ parties and the incident at the Olde Salt, she had agreed there was very likely a connection. They’d scheduled a more thorough interview for later in the week.
By the time his meeting with the detective rolled around, Padric knew what he had to do. To keep Zoe out of danger, he had two choices. Not see her anymore, or f
ind out who was behind the attacks.
Clearly, option one was off the table. He wanted to be with her all the time. He wanted more Zoe, not less.
That made option two all the more urgent. He needed to draw the guy out. Lure him into a trap. Stop him before he caused real harm. He came up with a plan, which he ran by Zoe first during a quick phone call.
“If I do this, your mom might find out that I’m in town.”
“I guess it was inevitable.” She whooshed out a breath. He could picture her balancing the phone between her ear and her shoulder. “I can’t decide if it’s better coming from me or from the grapevine.”
“Do you want me to wait?”
“No, do what you have to do. I’ll find the right moment to tell Mama. I should have told her by now anyway.”
When he arrived at Maya’s office, he found Nate lounging in the single chair facing her desk. Maya looked ruffled, of all things.
He knocked lightly on the doorjamb. “Should I come back later?”
Nate didn’t look happy about the interruption, but Maya beckoned him in. “No, no. Come in. Nate was just leaving.”
“Actually, it might help to have Nate here.”
“No,” Maya said firmly. “It rarely helps to have Nate here.” She made a shooing gesture at the lanky guy in the chair. Nate narrowed his gray eyes at her, but did her bidding and loped out of the room.
Padric settled into the chair Nate had just vacated. “I came up with a plan.”
“A plan? This is supposed to be a follow-up interview.”
“We don’t need all that. I want to catch this idiot, and I think the best way is to set a trap for him.”
Maya sat back and pinched the skin between her eyebrows. “Lord help me.”
“It’s a good plan. Just…listen. I think I should do an interview on KLHW.” Most people in town listened to the local segments on Lost Souls radio. “I’ll talk about how welcoming the town has been. I won’t mention the powder. It’ll be like it never happened. Guaranteed to drive him crazy. Then I’ll talk about the auction for the volunteer fire department, and how I’m going to be there, and I’m offering up a private serenade. I’ll bet you anything the dude will be there.”
“That’s a big leap.”
“Think about it. He’s gotta know that he can’t try anything at the hotel again. I’m not exactly predictable in my schedule, except for the training shifts at the fire station. There’s no way he’d try anything in a place full of first responders.”
“All those same first responders will be at the Olde Salt for the auction.”
“Yes, but so will lots of other people. It’ll be easier for him to do something without being noticed. He won’t know that we’re watching for him.”
Maya fiddled with a pen. “You also buy a lot of pizza.”
“I see your investigation is well underway,” he said dryly.
“Some things don’t need a lot of investigating. I worry about the Last Chance. I need you to stay away from there. Too many people in the line of fire, if you know what I mean.”
He nodded slowly. That made sense. “So what about the auction?”
“It makes me nervous. It’s always a good crowd, especially if you’re giving away a performance. I gotta think about this, Padric. My first priority is public safety.”
“Like you said, it’ll be packed with first responders.”
She cocked her head, considering. “True. We can all be there monitoring the crowd, and it will look like we’re just helping at the auction.”
Was she actually leaning towards his plan? “Exactly. That’s why it’s such a good idea.”
“My sense is that he’s focused on you and isn’t trying to hurt anyone else. But things can always change with these crazies, and we need to be prepared.”
“Okay, well, let me know your decision. I’m willing to do anything and everything.”
“Well, there’s one thing you won’t do. Leave,” she said wryly.
His jaw tightened. “You think I should leave?”
“Didn’t say that. Just making an observation. How long are you planning to stick around here?”
“At least until the beach festival. I’m considering performing a song there.” He hadn’t actually given another thought to that, but it popped into his mind as a good reason to stay.
Maya gave a heavy sigh. “You just live to make my life difficult, don’t you? That festival is already giving me a stomachache.”
He raised another idea that had been percolating in his mind. “How about I bring in private security? I know you guys are spread pretty thin.”
She gave a reluctant nod. “That might be helpful for the auction and the festival. We have very limited man and woman power.”
“Done. I know just the guy. He’ll stay low-key, I promise.”
“Gavin Strike?” she asked dryly.
He laughed. “No, not him. Someone else I’ve worked with.”
“Okay, then let’s move forward with this plan. The auction’s this weekend. Pretty good timing. Our perp will be paying close attention.”
“Thanks.” He stood up and reached over the desk to shake her hand. “Sorry for causing so much trouble. It’s not what I wanted.”
“Don’t blame yourself too much.”
He took those words with him as he left her office and headed one block over to the volunteer fire station. Don’t blame yourself too much. That was easier to do when the issue was baking soda instead of kids hurting themselves.
But it seemed like something he should take to heart. Maya was one smart cookie, after all.
The local radio station jumped at the chance to interview the hometown boy made good. He played his part perfectly, raving about how much love he’d been getting from the town. He talked about wanting to give back to Lost Harbor by contributing to the annual volunteer fire department auction. He made no reference at all to mysterious white powders or envelopes.
Hopefully the suspect was gritting his teeth in frustration.
He kept up the act at the Olde Salt—which rivaled the radio station in terms of spreading news. He enlisted Lucas Holt in the effort, after filling him in on the situation.
Lucas had recently sold his family’s boat, the Jack Hammer, and assumed the position of head of the harbor commission. More importantly, he was head over heels for his new fiancée, Zoe’s friend Megan.
“You should start saving your pennies for the auction, Lucas. I bet Megan would love a romantic love song. Or maybe Ruby needs a lullaby. I’m versatile.”
“I might do that.” As always, Lucas’ dark eyes warmed at the mention of his new fiancée. He signaled to Toni for another beer. “Toni, did you hear that? Celebrity drop-in at the volunteer auction.”
Good thinking, to rope the bartender into the conversation. That was how news got spread the fastest.
“Heard about it on the radio. Any chance we’ll get a sample during the auction?” She handed each of them another bottle of IPA.
“Maybe, maybe. Spread the word.”
Eyes alight with that juicy tidbit, she slung a bar towel over her shoulder and moved on to another customer.
“That ought to do it,” Lucas said under his breath. “Nice one.”
“Don’t tell my manager. I’m supposed to be resting my voice.”
“No problem. Listen, you’re being careful, right? If anything happens to Zoe this town will never recover.”
Padric pretended to be offended. “Just Zoe? Not your old friend Padric?”
“Zoe has the pizza. And besides, she’s Zoe. Mistress of the helping hand, queen of the withering stare. She’s always there for people around here. She gets a lot of sympathy for all the bad luck she’s had.”
“You’re saying I’m more bad luck for her?”
“Fuck no. I hope you’re the opposite. Sometimes I think she’s been waiting for you to get back. I’m just saying, take that seriously. No matter what happens, this town will take her side.”
/> “Hey, you can back off now,” Padric warned. “I’m not trying to hurt Zoe. I’m trying not to hurt her. That’s why I’m doing this.”
“I’m not referring to her physical safety, hotshot.”
He got it. Of course he did. But why did everyone assume that things weren’t going to work out between them?
“What if Zoe decides she wants to leave Lost Harbor and come with me?” He hadn’t even dared to voice that thought until now—with a few beers in him. “Is everyone going to hate me for stealing her away?”
Lucas looked at him strangely. “Is that your plan? Good luck.”
“What do you mean?”
“You don’t know? Zoe can’t leave. She made a deal with her mom.”
“What deal?” Padric’s heart sank. Zoe had never mentioned anything about this. She’d hinted at her intention to stay in Lost Harbor, but hadn’t explained why.
“After her husband died, Mrs. Bellini signed the house and the Last Chance over to Zoe on the condition that Zoe take care of her until she died. Mrs. Bellini gets to approve the ‘care.’ For instance, she can’t be forced to go into a nursing home if she doesn’t want to. So as long as she insists she needs Zoe, she’s got her.”
Jesus. No wonder Zoe hadn’t mentioned that. She was bound up with her family just as much as when she was a kid.
“So Zoe’s stuck here until her mother…what, dies? That seems insane.”
“Or until her mother lets her go. But that’s not likely. You know how she is. Anyway, Zoe loves it here. Her business is doing great and she’s riding herd on the twins. She was happy until you showed up. Now…” Lucas shrugged. “Just watch your step. Anyone who messes with our Zoe might have to move to Dillingham, like Reese the Greaseball.”
“Don’t worry, your pizza queen can make her own decisions,” Padric grumbled. “What do you think I’m going to do, kidnap her?”
Lucas laughed and drained his beer. “I dare you to try. Lost Harbor is not about to let that happen. Have you tried the Surf ’n’ Turf pizza? Enough said.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Yours Since Yesterday Page 16
