Reclaiming Love

by Shirleen Davies

  Adam stepped out into the bright sunlight. He’d forgotten how beautiful summer mornings were in Peregrine Bay. Growing up, he’d spent as many Saturday mornings fishing as he could—at least those when he hadn’t had baseball practice. Sometimes he even squeezed in a couple of hours on Sundays before church. Julia had come with him many times, becoming darn good at catching the elusive, yet beautiful, golden trout that inhabited their section of Lake Bountiful. They’d sit around, cleaning their catch and laughing, often ending up in a water fight. His chest squeezed at the memory. He shook his head, knowing all he could do now was move forward and hope he could find some way to get Julia to move forward with him.

  He settled his hat on his head and started down the sidewalk, stopping to introduce himself to business owners he hadn’t met. The owner of the jewelry store, Mr. Jost, swept the sidewalk outside his store, waved and motioned for Adam to come over.

  “Good morning, Adam. Congratulations on the new job.” Jost shook his hand, then resumed sweeping as he spoke. “It’s good to have you home.”

  “Thanks. Is Mrs. Jost inside?” He glanced through the door, seeing no one through the glass insert.

  “You’ve been gone a long time, Adam. My wife passed a couple of years ago.”

  Adam’s gaze shifted back to the elderly man. He’d known them long before the day he’d walked in to buy the birthstone ring for Julia. “I’m sorry. I never heard about it.”

  Jost set the broom aside and looked toward the shop. “She was helping a customer when she grabbed her chest and collapsed. Never woke up.” He let out a sigh, then glanced at Adam and shook his head. “Doc says she had no pain. Gone just like that.” He snapped his fingers before gripping the broom handle with both hands. “Julia Kerrigan stopped by a couple days ago.”

  Adam pursed his lips, not certain how to respond.

  “Have you seen her?” Jost asked.

  “Uh…yes. I contacted them when I first accepted the job. I’m working with Selena to buy a house.”

  “You should’ve married that girl.” He stopped sweeping long enough to cast a glance at Adam, putting a hand on his hip. “Looks like you have a second chance.”

  Adam smiled at the man’s ramblings, wishing it were as simple as Jost made it seem. “She’s seeing someone.”

  He let out a snort. “Mark Walters? I figure that boy will last a few weeks, month tops, now that you’re back.”

  “Maybe so. Julia and I haven’t talked much.”

  He leaned on the broom, fixing Adam with an incredulous look. “You married?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Engaged?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Same with Julia and there’s a reason for that.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s time I ate lunch. You think about what I said.”

  Adam watched, his mouth slightly open, a smile curving up the corners of his mouth as Mr. Jost disappeared inside. The old man had always been direct and a firm believer he and Julia were meant to be together. He’d almost thrown Adam out of his shop the summer after they’d broken up. Instead, he’d told Adam not to come back around until he got his head out of his ass.

  He turned toward the street, his eyes settling on the flower shop as a familiar figure stepped inside. Adam dashed across the street and into the small store, standing to the side, watching as Julia talked with the owner.

  “You’re certain these aren’t from here?” he heard Julia ask.

  “I am. We have white, red, gold, and silver boxes. Nothing in blue. You may want to check the other shop.” Her gaze lifted from the counter to see Adam. “Well, the new Police Chief.”

  “Good morning.” He took off his hat as he walked forward.

  “Congratulations on your new position.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He shot a glance at Julia, noting the box of yellow roses. “Nice flowers. I’m guessing they’re from Mark Walters.”

  “How do you know about Mark?”

  He chuckled. “Not much has changed, Julia. You stand on the street corner for thirty minutes and learn everything important about the town. It’s my first stop each day.” He looked out the front window. “That corner bus stop over there. Perfect for catching gossip.”

  A laugh escaped the shop owner’s lips before she looked at Julia, who narrowed her eyes at him.

  “If that’s your story, fine. And who they’re from is none of your business.” She replaced the top, scooped up the box and headed for the door.

  “Julia, wait. I do have a question for you.”

  “What is it, Chief Monroe?” She turned toward him, trying not to look at the t-shirt which stretched across his taut chest.

  “I’d rather you call me Adam.”

  She tilted her head, focusing on him while growing impatient as the heat in the small shop began to rise. He seemed taller and more rugged than she remembered, with what appeared to be a permanent tan which matched the caramel highlights in his eyes. Faint crow’s feet appeared at the corners of each eye when he grinned, as he did now, causing a sharp pain to slice through her.

  “Julia, you all right?”

  “Uh…yes. Sorry.”

  “About Sunday’s reception. I assume you want me to wear my uniform.” He stared at her, standing less than a foot away, and wondered where her mind had drifted off to.

  “That would be fine. Well, I’d better go.” She grabbed the door handle as his hand settled on her arm.

  “Do you have plans for lunch?”

  She glanced down then up at his face, moistening her lips, having no idea the affect this small movement had on Adam. “No, I mean, yes. What I mean is, I have a long list of things to get done and won’t have time for lunch.” She turned toward the door then glanced over her shoulder. “I’ll see you Sunday.”

  ******

  Julia tapped her foot on the ground as she waited for Mark’s assistant to get back on the line. She’d blown through her errands, finishing in time to grab a deli sandwich and soda, before locating a vacant picnic table at the park by the water.

  “Ms. Kerrigan?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Mr. Walters said he’s sorry he can’t pick up the call, but he didn’t send you anything. Is there some problem?”

  Julia’s mind went blank. She had no idea who, except Mark, would send her roses—and twice within twenty-four hours. “No, there’s no problem. Thanks for checking.”

  She watched the sun disappear behind the western mountains, knowing there was just one other person who might have sent them. He’d done it several times during high school and college. Somehow, it didn’t make sense he’d send them now, not after all these years and for no apparent reason. Well, she’d still confront Adam, making it clear she wanted nothing from him and certainly not flowers.

  Julia started the engine as her phone rang. “Hello.”

  “It’s Mark. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing really. Someone sent me flowers and I thought it must have been you.” He didn’t respond right away, although she could hear his faint breathing on the other end.

  “A secret suitor, Julia?” His tone told Julia he didn’t find it at all amusing. “Or, perhaps the new police chief. Are you seeing him?”

  He hadn’t brought up Adam before, even though he knew their history.

  “Of course not. That ended years ago.” She pursed her lips, not wanting to get into a discussion about Adam.

  “I can’t help you. I guess this is something you’ll need to figure out on your own. I’ve a client waiting.” He hung up without another word, indicating the level of irritation he felt over her inability to attend his events this weekend, and now, the flowers.

  Julia dropped the phone into her purse and gripped the steering wheel. She needed to call it off with Mark, and soon.

  ~~~~~

  Chapter Five

  “Eighteen, nineteen, twenty. That’s good, Julia. Let’s move to the next machine.”

  Her personal trainer, Troy Layman, and hi
s wife, Kelly, owned the popular gym in the center Julia’s father owned and Calypso managed. Julia had appointments twice during the week and every Saturday.

  “Have you seen Adam?” Troy asked as he set up the weights at the next machine. The four had known each other since grade school, double dating many times in high school before they left for college. The difference was, Troy and Kelly had made it—she and Adam hadn’t. Their shared past had never come up, until now.

  “Yes, a couple of times. Selena is helping him buy a house.” She positioned herself as he indicated and began the routine.

  “He bought a membership at the gym. Kelly gave him our friends and family discount.” He flashed her a grin.

  “Free?” she huffed as he held up a hand to stop her.

  “Darn close. Okay, wait a minute and do another rep, then repeat once more. I’m going to check on a new member.”

  She relaxed, closing her eyes while remembering a day the summer between their junior and senior years in high school when the four of them attended the state fair. They’d eaten hot dogs, turkey legs, onion rings, milk shakes, and funnel cakes, then rode each ride at least twice. The concert had been standing room only, but no one cared. Adam had pulled into her parents’ driveway at two in the morning, earning him a stern reprimand from Joshua Kerrigan, and Julia three days of being allowed no calls from him. The consequences were negligible compared to the memories and good times.

  “Are you finished?” a familiar, deep voice asked.

  Julia let her eyes flutter open to see Adam standing next to her in his workout clothes, a towel in his hand. For an instant she smiled, forgetting it wasn’t twelve years before and they weren’t in high school. She cleared her throat as the smile disappeared from her face.

  “Give me a few minutes and you can have the machine.”

  “I can spot for—”

  “No…I can handle it.” She completed two more reps, grabbed her towel, and walked past him, not making eye contact. “It’s yours.”

  “Julia, hold up.”

  She didn’t turn, but did stop, allowing him to catch up with her.

  “Look, I know this isn’t the time or place, but we’ve got to work something out. You run a successful business and I’m the police chief. We are going to be seeing each other whether you want to or not.” He ran a hand through his hair, glancing around to be sure no one overheard them. “Can’t we find some neutral ground?”

  She took a breath and swiped the towel across her face to erase the moisture. “You’re right. We need to talk. How about tomorrow after the reception?”

  “Great. We could grab dinner, or…”

  “Coffee would be fine. We can pick a place when we’re ready to leave.”

  Once again she left him standing alone. This time, however, he felt as if he’d won a small victory. One step at a time, he told himself as he adjusted the weights and continued his workout.

  ******

  “You look stunning.” Selena walked around Julia, admiring the way the royal blue silk top and ivory silk pants clung to all the right places on her sister’s trim figure. “Are you dressing to impress someone today?”

  “Of course not. There’s no one I care to impress.”

  “Not even Adam?”

  “Especially not Adam. All I have to do is introduce him, then I’m free to enjoy my afternoon.” Julia made one more turn in front of the mirror. “How about dinner afterwards?”

  “Aren’t you forgetting your bet with Calypso? You know, spending ten minutes with him, alone in conversation.”

  “Ten minutes won’t be a problem.”

  “Alone.”

  Julia crossed her arms, glaring at her sister. “I can do alone just fine. We’ll talk about his new house.” She dropped her arms to her side. “He did get his loan approved, right?”

  “A quick approval. He’s making a big down payment and has impeccable credit. Now he just needs to approve the inspection later this week. He may be able to move in early. I—”

  They both turned at the sound of Julia’s doorbell.

  “Are you expecting anyone?” Selena asked.

  “Maybe Calypso decided to ride with us.” Julia opened the front door to see an empty porch. She stepped outside and almost tripped over a box leaning against the door jamb. “What the…”

  “Who is it?”

  “No one. Whoever it was left another flower box.” Lifting the top off exposed a dozen lavender roses and another note, again, not signed.

  “Well?” Selena glanced at the flowers before casting an expectant look at Julia.

  “It says, To a remarkable woman. I’d like to know you better. That’s it.” Julia tossed the note back into the box and walked to the door, peering out one more time, seeing nothing. “This is beginning to irritate me.”

  Selena picked up the note, reading it through. “Well, it definitely isn’t Mark, and probably not Adam—both already know you pretty well. Anyone else who’s shown an interest in you?”

  “No one.”

  “What about the developer you’re working with. Didn’t you say he asked you to dinner?”

  “A business dinner, not a date. Besides, he wears a wedding ring.” Julia pursed her lips, her brows knitting into a frown. “I hate not knowing who’s sending me the flowers. Something seems so wrong about it.”

  Selena scooped up the flowers, grabbed a vase, and filled it with water. “Where do you want these?”

  Julia looked at a vase filled with yellow roses and another with pink, irritation flowing through her once more. “Why don’t you take them home? I really don’t want another bouquet of anonymous flowers haunting me.”

  “If you’re sure…”

  “Definitely,” she said as she checked the time. “We’d better get going.”

  ******

  “I heard from Selena Kerrigan you’ve found a house on the lake.” Mayor Timmons glanced behind Adam, his eyes scanning the room as all politicians seemed born to do. “I told you those sisters are the best in town.”

  “Yes, sir, you did.” Adam shifted from one foot to the other, wanting nothing more than to get this reception behind him so he and Julia could have the talk they’d agreed to. He’d been thinking of what he planned to say since he’d seen her in the gym.

  Nine years had passed since making the biggest mistake of his life—he had to find a way to correct it. He’d replayed their Christmas Eve conversation so many times he knew it by heart. There was so much he’d change about that night if he had it to do over again. Unfortunately, being young and stupid didn’t count for anything when you’d broken someone’s heart.

  “Hello, Thomas. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Timmons reached a hand out to Thomas Harten, the newest member of the City Council. “You know Adam Monroe.”

  “Of course. We went to high school together. Congratulations on the new job.” Tom grasped Adam’s hand. “I heard Julia will be making the introduction. Seems appropriate.” His voice held a surprising amount of censure.

  Adam tilted his head to the side, narrowing his gaze on Tom. “In what way?”

  “Well, she is the president of a successful business and a force in town. She’s come a long way since you dumped her.”

  Timmons’s eyes darted from Tom to Adam, startled by the obvious contempt. “Now, Tom, that was a long time ago. Adam and Julia were young, still in their teens, as I recall. No need to bring it up now.”

  “Of course you’re right, Mayor. Regardless, it must be quite a change for you to come back, no longer the hometown hero.” Tom swallowed the last of his drink, glancing at the door. “Well, there’s Julia now. Excuse me.” He slipped past Adam, heading straight toward Julia.

  Timmons clasped Adam on the shoulder. “Best to ignore him. His mouth always has been bigger than his ability to control it.”

  “No worries,” Adam replied, keeping his focus on Julia. The sight of her had punched the air right out of his lungs. “Besides, everything he said is true.” />
  “Hell, Monroe. You were kids. She may not have liked your decision, and perhaps you regret it yourself, but you can’t change the past. Both of you have moved on and become successful.” He waved at someone across the room. “Well, I guess I’d better work the crowd before the introductions start.”

  Adam watched him walk away, still aware of Julia’s presence not twenty feet away. They’d moved on all right, in directions quite different than either had anticipated when they’d first left for college.

  Everyone, including him, had been sure he’d excel as a pitcher in college, securing a major league deal, and spending years continuing to do what he loved since he’d first held a baseball. Julia pursued a degree in nursing, anticipating the need for a high demand job when Adam was traded between teams. They’d talked about it since their senior year in high school, planned it out the first two years of college, then he’d delivered the bomb which changed it all.

  He’d heard she didn’t return to college after Christmas, choosing to take a job with her father and getting a real estate license. She’d returned to school the following semester, switched her major to the business school, and never looked back.

  “Now, let me bring up Julia Kerrigan, the president of our Chamber, who will make the introduction.” Mayor Timmons stepped aside, letting Julia take her spot at the podium.

  Adam shook his head, driving away the memories that consumed him since she arrived. It was time for him to focus on the present.

  “First, I want to thank everyone for coming on a Sunday afternoon to greet our new police chief.” She glanced at her notes, never making eye contact with Adam. “Many of you already know him as he was born and grew up in Peregrine Bay. He excelled as a pitcher on our state championship baseball team, then went on to obtain a degree in criminology at WSU. He’s been in law enforcement since graduating, advancing through the ranks to become the youngest senior detective in Spokane’s history. We are very privileged to have him back.” She folded her notes and set them aside. “Without taking any more of your time, please welcome Adam Monroe, the new Police Chief of Peregrine Bay.”