by Beth Flynn
She threw herself into her studies and even considered accepting some casual invitations from schoolmates to socialize but decided it would be counterproductive. Other than being too busy with the additional classes she was taking, she’d be moving to Atlanta in January. And once there and settled in her new job, she would make a concerted effort to not just make new friends but maybe even let herself date. She knew how harsh Jonas’ words were at the end, but she also knew he didn’t mean them. He’d told her more than once she was beautiful. Despite his rebuff, for the first time she was allowing herself to believe it. Yes, there would be other men in her future. Just not the one she wanted.
Although one man was currently trying. She looked at her watch at the precise moment her doorbell rang. If anything, her neighbor, Brad, was punctual. She’d had high hopes of introducing the widowed accountant to her mother but recently had the feeling he’d set his sights closer to home. Lucy had tried hinting about an upcoming visit from her mother, but Brad had seemed disinterested. It was a shame because he was the nicest, most polite human being Lucy had ever encountered. Two days after returning from her supposed cruise, they’d crossed paths at her mailbox. He’d picked up on her despondency and assuming she was coming down off a vacation high, invited her to a casual dinner. When he’d noticed her hesitancy, he insisted it would only be dinner between two friends. She agreed, convincing herself she had nothing to lose.
In retrospect, she was glad she’d gone. Brad was extremely likable and easy to talk to. He finally got her to admit that she was mending from a broken heart. But, instead of coming clean about the murderous biker who’d tricked her into spending a month with him in the Everglades, Lucy pretended a man she’d met on her phantom cruise was responsible. And so, a comfortable friendship developed between Lucy and her older neighbor. That is, until Lucy realized he’d not only skirted around the hints about meeting her mother, but he actually started spending more time with Lucy by offering to help with the necessary home repairs before she could put her house on the market. After sharing her news with her family and knowing her brother still didn’t want to live in their childhood home, her mother made the decision to sell the house.
“You are the most punctual person I’ve ever met,” Lucy said with a grin as she closed the door behind him.
Brad held up his toolbox and said, “I’ve never installed a garbage disposal but figured it couldn’t be worse than any other appliance.”
Lucy smiled and with a shrug of her shoulders, said, “I told you I could call a plumber for this one, Brad. And maybe I should. The old disposal is an antique. It broke when I was a kid and my mother never replaced it. There’s no telling what you’ll find under the kitchen sink.”
“Let me at least give it a shot, Lucy,” he countered.
Lucy absentmindedly tucked away a stray tendril of hair that had loosened itself from the bun on her head. She cleared her throat and said, “There’s something else I’d like to talk to you about, Brad.”
Brad was making his way to the kitchen when he stopped and turned around. “This sounds serious. Is everything okay?”
Lucy nodded. “I think it’s okay. Or rather will be okay. I guess I just feel uncomfortable saying it.”
Brad looked concerned but encouraged her to spit it out.
“Brad, I appreciate everything you’ve been doing to help me get the house in shape to sell it.”
“You’re not going to insist on paying me again, I hope,” Brad interrupted. “I told you, Lucy, I’m happy to help with the things I can.”
She shook her head. “It’s not that. Although I would feel better if you would take something for your time.” She paused and chewed on her lip. “What I’m trying to say is, I hope I’m not giving you the wrong impression by spending so much time with you.” She looked at him, her forehead creased in worry. “I don’t want you to misconstrue our friendship as something else.”
It took a minute for Brad to recognize what she was saying. “Oh!” He laid down the toolbox and held up both hands. “Oh no! I see what you’re thinking and why you’re thinking it. And if I’ve done anything to indicate I’m interested in something more than just a friendship, I apologize, Lucy.”
It was Lucy’s turn to put him at ease. “You haven’t done anything, Brad. Except be the perfect gentleman. You’ve never given me any indication that you’re interested in me.” She let out a sigh. “It’s just that you’ve invested so much time in me and my house. Even when I’m not here. Like last week.” She slapped a hand against her thigh. “You waited for the tile guy and let him in to replace a few tiles in the master bath. You hauled off all the donation boxes I left in the garage. You’ve just gone so out of your way to be kind.” She looked at the ground. “And every time I’ve mentioned you meeting my mother, you avoid the subject. I’m not trying to flatter myself, but you’re a single man and I’m alone, and I guess I wanted to make sure that you weren’t looking for anything other than a friendship.”
She looked up and saw that Brad was fidgeting. He stuck his hands in his pockets and looked around the room before returning his eyes to Lucy. “I’m old enough to be your father.”
“I know,” Lucy answered a little too quickly.
“Which is probably why you thought I’d be a good match for your mother.”
Her answer was a nod.
“I’m not interested in you like that, Lucy. I’m sure your mother is a lovely woman. But I can tell you that I wouldn’t be interested in her either.”
Lucy tilted her head to one side. “And how could you know this without meeting her?”
“I’ve not been completely honest with you.” Brad shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I’m not a widower. I’ve never been married. And I’ve never been married because I’m not interested in women. Never have been.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “Are you trying to tell me you’re gay?”
“Yes, and I’m sorry for not telling you before. I came out at my last job and lost every friend I had. It’s why I moved here. I was hoping things would be different but discovered my new job is also full of homophobes. I quit after a month and work from home now. I’m actually starting to build a decent clientele.” His face drooped. “It’s why I have so much time on my hands. I’m no longer traveling for my firm, so I don’t have a set schedule I need to adhere to.” A moment passed before he added, “And I also don’t have many…” Brad looked at the ground, unable to finish his sentence.
Lucy’s voice was as soft as a whisper. “Friends. You don’t have many friends.”
Brad looked away, embarrassed. He removed his glasses and scrubbed his hand down his face. “Just me and Bella,” he admitted, referring to his little white fluffy dog. “I’ve not let myself get close to anyone. I guess I’ve just been burned too many times.”
Lucy looked at him with a half-smile. “And you probably won’t get close to anyone if you spend all your free time with me. Or taking care of my to-do list when I’m not around.”
The pain in his expression was obvious. “So you’re saying you would rather I didn’t come around anymore?” he asked.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. What I’m saying is that you don’t need to buy my friendship, Brad. I’m more than happy to be your friend without you doing all the things you’ve been doing for me. I’d rather you spend your free time as my friend, not my handyman. And when I’m at school, instead of picking up supplies for my next project or offering to stand over the tile man to make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to do, you should be investing your time in making more friends.”
Brad’s smile was so wide it threatened to crack his face. “Do you have to study tonight?”
Lucy shook her head. “No, I’m actually caught up.”
“Will you let me take you to dinner tonight? Someplace really nice and fancy?”
“Absolutely!” Lucy replied with a laugh.
“I have a caveat,” he added. “After I finish installin
g your garbage disposal, you have to let me tighten up the ceiling fan over your bed. I know it’s still on your list and it’s something super easy I can knock out quickly.” He paused before adding, “And can I give you a hug, Lucy?”
After their hug, Brad whistled his way to the kitchen while Lucy headed for Lenny’s old bedroom to tackle the closet. Lenny had never been one to accumulate much, and their mother had taken advantage of his minimalism by loading his closet up with boxes full of her garage sale finds.
“Mom,” Lucy said out loud. “You’ve been a secret hoarder.”
An hour later, Lucy took a break to check on Brad. He was only visible from the chest down as he lay on the floor, his head buried beneath the cabinet.
“This is harder than putting socks on a rooster,” he grumbled. He hit his head when Lucy laughed. Pulling himself out from under the sink, he looked at her, defeat in his eyes. “I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this one. You were right. Your disposal was so old the new one doesn’t match. A plumber would know how to make it work but not an accountant.”
Lucy offered Brad her hand and helped pull him to a standing position. “Have you had occasion to put socks on a rooster?” she asked with a giggle.
He bent over and brushed off the front of his pants. Laughing, he told her, “Can’t say that I have. I’ll clean up under the sink and then take a look at your ceiling fan.”
“I’ll be in Lenny’s old room tackling boxes filled with everything from outdated clothes to a bazillion casserole dishes my mother didn’t need. Not to mention at least a dozen salt and pepper shakers and lids for pots we don’t have.” She put her hands on her hips and said, “I’ve never been in your house, Brad. Is there anything you might need? You’re welcome to anything before it gets donated.”
He shook his head. “No, ma’am. I’m renting and it came fully furnished and stocked. It’s only temporary. I have a storage unit filled with all my stuff but didn’t see the sense in unpacking until I made a determination as to whether or not to make Naples my permanent home.”
“And have you rethought that recently?” Lucy wanted to know.
His answer was a smile followed by, “I’m still not sure. I’ve heard there’s a lot of opportunity in Atlanta.” His last comment was followed by a wink that caught her off guard. She was flattered that he thought their friendship worthy of another move. But that wasn’t what made her heart flutter in her chest. It was a memory. Jonas used to wink at her. She slapped on a fake smile and headed back to Lenny’s room.
Brad was still cleaning up the mess he’d made under the kitchen sink when someone started banging loudly on the front door.
“Brad!” Lucy shouted from the back bedroom. “Do you mind getting that? I have a painter coming to give me an estimate. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“No problem, Lucy,” Brad called back as he strolled toward the front door.
Lucy heard it open and couldn’t be sure, but thought maybe Brad gave a startled gasp. She almost dropped the delicate set of china teacups she was balancing when she heard the deep rumble of a very familiar voice ask in an irritated and gruff tone, “Who the fuck are you?” Followed by, “And that better be your piece of shit station wagon in the driveway.”
Chapter 40
Lucy had left Jonas in a literal cloud of dust as she drove away from the cabin. He’d stood in stunned fascination at what she’d just told him. She’d had her car key for weeks. She’d known how to get back to the highway. And she’d made the deliberate choice to stay with him. He’d never felt shittier in his life. And speaking of shitty, he couldn’t suppress the admiring chuckle at what she’d done with his keys. However, his laugh was fleeting when he remembered the brutality with which he’d chased her away. It took him only a few minutes to hot-wire his truck. He easily followed her tracks out of the Everglades and didn’t return to the cabin until he was certain she was back on the highway and headed for home. It didn’t take him long to load up his personal belongings and motorcycle. He would pay Shasta and her sister another visit and offer them double to drive out to the cabin and erase any evidence of his and Lucy’s recent stay. The air reeked of Lucy’s essence and he couldn’t wait to escape the guilt that filled up his lungs with every breath.
Jonas had never set down roots, and for years he’d bounced between the basement at the bait shop, the dormitory cabins at Camp Sawgrass, and the welcoming beds of too many women to count. None of those choices held any appeal, so his first stop was a real estate office that specialized in rentals. He carried his meager belongings into a furnished one-bedroom apartment near the beach, threw them down on the couch, and headed back out to take care of business. He still didn’t like the idea of Lucy driving around Naples in a death trap, so he hired a man who could make the theft of her old car and the delivery of a newer, safer vehicle seamless. He stopped in to make sure Officer Miller would be around to take the call when Lucy reported her car stolen.
His next stop was a visit to Shasta. She was out, but Shay readily agreed to close up the cabin for him. He told her to look for the ribbons he’d used as markers and reminded her to take them when she left.
Less than a week later, he visited Native Touch Landscaping where he found Anthony Bear screaming at someone on the telephone. Brooks plopped himself down in a chair.
“Just the man I wanted to see,” Anthony said after slamming down the telephone. “Are you back for good or just checking in?”
“I’m back for good, Bear. Why do you want to see me?”
Anthony leaned forward and planted both elbows on his desk. “I’ve got two bookies who are past due. I need X for something else or I’d have him do it. The guy who’s covering for you isn’t getting it done. He’s not aggressive enough.”
Brooks stood and cracked his knuckles. “Say no more, boss. I’m in the mood to crack some skulls.”
Anthony stood too and said, “Don’t take it too far, Brooks. Men with cracked skulls don’t remember where they hide their money. They need to be messed up, but not so much they can’t pay.”
“I know what to do,” Brooks reminded him. “Consider it done.”
Anthony told him the names and the amount of their debts and added, “It’s already obvious something has been gnawing at you, and I have a guess as to what it might be.”
Brooks had walked to the door and stopped to turn around.
“Don’t let it interfere with what I pay you to do.” There was a pause as the two men stared at each other, the muscle in Brooks’ jaw tightening. “Just remember, Brooks, dead men don’t pay their debts.”
Less than three hours later, Brooks dumped a bloodied pile of cash on Anthony Bear’s desk, along with a deed to a piece of property and two car titles. “They’re not dead, boss, but they’re also not in a position to be borrowing from you any time soon.”
Anthony stood up and counted out a large wad of cash. Handing it to Brooks, he told him, “Welcome back.”
“Keep the money, Bear.”
Anthony’s reply was a raised eyebrow.
“I know you have contacts that can dig deeper than the guy I use. Do you think you can have your people run down some information for me?”
Anthony sat back down in his chair and leaned back. Steepling his fingers in front of him, he said, “Go on.”
“A guy went missing eighteen years ago. His name is Melton Renquest. He was declared dead. The police never turned up anything.”
“Lucy’s father,” Anthony interrupted. It wasn’t a question but rather a statement.
Brooks wasn’t surprised that Anthony knew where he’d been the past month. He was certain that X had informed him of what transpired at the restaurant.
As if reading his mind, Anthony continued, “X told me he wrote her license plate on your hand at the restaurant several weeks ago.”
“I didn’t hurt her,” Brooks added.
Anthony remained silent for a moment. “I didn’t think you would. Especially after you
announced to the crew at the theater on Tamiami Trail that she was your woman. Wanna tell me what this is all about?”
Brooks spent the next few minutes telling Anthony about the time they’d spent at the cabin. Of course he left out the details concerning his reading lessons, the dead hunters, and how he’d ended things with Lucy.
“So, that’s it?” Anthony asked with narrowed eyes. “You had a month together in your family’s cabin playing house and afterwards you both went on your merry ways?”
Brooks nodded. “That’s all it was. If you need to drop by her place and check on her, you’ll see she’s back and she’s perfectly fine. You’ll also see she’s driving a brand new BMW.”
Anthony sat up. “A parting gift, I take it? Payment for time well spent?”
Without meeting Anthony’s eyes, Brooks answered, “I guess you could call it that.”
“You’re a horrible liar, Brooks. But, if you tell me no harm came to the girl—keeping in mind that she’s a friend of Christy’s—then I believe you.” Before giving Brooks a chance to reply, Anthony tossed him a pager. “It’s time to swap out pagers. Your new number is on the back of it. Same rules. Don’t give it out to too many people. The codes I’ve always used with you still apply.”
Brooks caught the pager one-handed and headed out the door.
He spent the following week in an agitated state. Anthony didn’t have enough dirty work to keep Brooks busy, so he decided to follow up on the guy with the Doberman who’d been a prick to Lucy. He’d contacted the same person he’d used to track down Lucy’s address. This time he was only able to give the man a partial plate. But with the car’s description and the approximate height, age, and weight of the person who drove it, he was able to find him easily enough.
