The Trouble With Love

by Beth Ciotta

  Devlin laughed. “Leave it to you to compare my family to food.”

  “At least it’s one less layer between us,” she said, playfully tugging up his shirt, then sliding her hand down his sweats.

  “Are you trying to distract me with sex?”

  “Is it working?”

  “Hell, yeah.” He rolled on top of her, sliding his hands over her curves, then framing her face and seducing her with a scorching kiss. “I love you, Chloe.”

  Her heart pounded and her soul sang. “I love you, Devlin.” She quirked a gentle, teasing smile. “So are you going to introduce me to your parents, or what?”

  “One stipulation.”

  She braced for a proposal.

  “Pack a bikini.”

  Chloe blinked, then laughed. “You’re such a guy.”

  “You’re quite the girl. My girl.”

  He kissed her again, infusing her with love and hope and a sense of family.

  Their family.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Day by day, little by little, Jayce was making peace with his dysfunctional childhood or at least with the house he’d grown up in. Living within these rooms, rooms Rocky had miraculously transformed with eclectic art and furnishings, infusing the space with the positive interactions between warm, caring people, not to mention an affectionate, animated dog, worked wonders in obliterating any lingering negativity. Facing Jayce’s demons head-on had been a wise move, although he’d yet to slay the biggest monster. He’d wrestled with confiding in Rocky regarding the night his parents died—maybe verbalizing his guilt would exorcise that ghost. Although he’d purged his soul to Dev’s dad plenty that night and had only felt worse. Bottom line, Jayce didn’t want to talk about it. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

  Just now he had bigger worries: Rocky’s stalker.

  To Jayce’s amazement, she wasn’t concerned or was doing a damned good job of pretending not to be concerned. The night before, she’d talked about anything but—the cupcake video shoot, the news that Chloe was pregnant, and her fear that Monica was heading toward a total meltdown. This morning Rocky had kicked off their morning with a round of hot sex followed by a run with Brewster. The sex had been amazing. Jogging through the woods that ran behind Jayce’s house would’ve been more enjoyable if he hadn’t had one eye peeled for a thong-stealing bully. Throughout the run Jayce had been primed to spy some nut job hiding behind a tree. Worse, he imagined the bastard making a grab for Rocky or taking a potshot or … Christ, the possibilities were endless and troublesome.

  But the run had been uneventful, as had, in truth, the past couple of days.

  There’d been no more threats, no evidence of anyone lurking outside Jayce’s house. And the whole of Sugar Creek knew Rocky had moved in with him, at least temporarily. Jayce had made sure of it. All it took was a casual mention to Marvin, Vince Redding’s son and the acting manager of Oslow’s General Store, when Jayce and Rocky had dropped in for groceries. And another mention when he’d visited the hardware store to pick up supplies enabling him to rig the Red Clover with security.

  Sugar Creek was a small town with small-town sensibilities. News spread fast and stories tended to mushroom as gossip rolled from one person to the next. Even though Rocky kept telling those who commented that this living arrangement was temporary, just until construction was complete at the inn, most folks already had them married off. Fine by Jayce. Not so fine with Rocky. As much as he admired her independent streak, it irritated him at the same time. Two strong personalities vying for control. The only time and place Jayce truly dominated was whenever and wherever they were having sex. He understood that compromise was the key to any successful relationship, but when the subject of their battle was Rocky’s welfare he had a hard time bending. So did she. As much as he loved Brewster and as obedient and loyal as the dog was, Jayce worried he’d instilled Rocky with a false sense of security. As if nothing could touch or harm her with that dog by her side.

  Jayce glanced in his rearview mirror as he backed his car onto the road. “You’re obsessed, Bello.” To the point of pushing her away. He knew it and was trying to get a damned handle on it, but given his past experiences on the force and as a PI working the city, he couldn’t dismiss his deep-rooted concerns. That damned note attached to her thong had sent him over the edge. She kept playing it down, but he couldn’t. His latest clash with Rocky had happened over breakfast when he’d tried to convince her to allow him to download an app to her phone that would allow him to track her location via GPS.

  What, so you’d know when I was in the bathroom or having a beer at the Shack?

  It isn’t a camera, Rocky. It’s a locator. And not so specific as to know what room you’re in.

  You’re smothering me, Jayce.

  And with that he allowed her to drive off to Maple Molly’s with Brewster but no tracking app. Now Jayce was on his way to J.T. Monroe’s Department Store to speak with Dev. Jayce needed some help, and in this instance his friend was the best source.

  Pulling into Sugar Creek, Jayce noted more traffic—foot and vehicle. Traditionally, the town always buzzed more on the weekends, but especially during special events such as the Spookytown Spectacular. Honeysuckle Street had been blocked off. Instead of cars, carnival rides took up the length of that road. Food and artisan booths of various sizes crowded the sidewalks of both Honeysuckle and Main Street. Business owners all over town had decked out storefronts with Halloween decorations and, just as they did every year, Sugar Creek Elementary School had converted their gymnasium into the always popular Spookytown Haunted Hall.

  On the one hand, Jayce looked forward to this weekend. As a kid he’d always loved the Spookytown Spectacular. The corners of his mouth twitched as memorable “scares” via Haunted Hall flitted through his mind.

  On the other hand, it would be harder to protect Rocky during an event that attracted hundreds of people. Yes, she’d be working the Creepy Cupcake booth, but not all the time. Just like most everyone in Sugar Creek, she wanted to enjoy the many festive aspects of the Spectacular. Jayce couldn’t deny her that, and he’d stay with her as much as possible. The chaotic crowds just made it harder for him to spot trouble.

  By the time he parked and made his way into J.T.’s, Jayce was pretty worked up. He was heading for Dev’s office when a text came in from Rocky.

  BREW & I AT MOLLY’S. GOOD 2 GO.

  Jayce blew out a breath. At least she wasn’t too pissed to check in. He thumbed in a reply, resisting anything that might make her feel smothered. Instead of I love you he typed: Have fun.

  Which earned him a smiley face.

  That was something.

  He knocked on Dev’s door, poked in his head. “You busy?”

  “Always. Come on in, stranger.” Dev swung away from his laptop and motioned Jayce to sit. “Coffee?”

  “No thanks.”

  “Problem?”

  “Couple of concerns.” Jayce took a seat and absorbed his friend’s easy manner. Hell, Dev almost seemed relaxed. Not his normal aura, especially during working hours. Jayce smiled. “Let’s backtrack. Congratulations.”

  Dev smiled back. “I figured Rocky would tell you. By the time I learned Chloe had spilled the beans, it was a little late in the night and we were preoccupied.”

  “I can imagine. So you’re happy about the baby?”

  “Thrilled. Once Chloe agrees to marry me, I’ll be the happiest man on earth.”

  “Did you ask her?”

  “She won’t let me.” Dev waved off the topic. “It’s complicated.”

  “Speaking of complications.”

  Dev raised a brow.

  “Stone called. He heard a rumor about me running for sheriff, asked if there was any truth to it. I said no, and the conversation was short-lived. Regardless, I figured I better address this with Daisy. Took your advice and texted her: Not running for sheriff. Stop pushing, gorgeous.”

  “Flirtatious compliment. Nice touch.”

  “N
ot that it helped. Got two more thumbs-up and promised votes at the hardware store.”

  Dev’s lip twitched. “‘I’ll have a talk with her.”

  Jayce would have seen the humor in Daisy’s bulldog campaign if he hadn’t been hampered by that monster of a secret. “Candidates typically dig for dirt in hopes of sullying the reputation of the competition,” he said, wanting to shed greater light on his concern. “Granted, I told Stone I wasn’t running, but if the rumors persist, he may think I’m plotting some sort of last-minute bid. I’m not keen on Stone rooting in my past, Dev. If he finds out about the cover-up regarding my parents’ accident…” Jayce blew out a breath, blew off the guilt. “I can take the heat, but I’m worried about your dad.”

  Dev’s face clouded. “What the hell’s gotten into Gram? First Chloe. Now you. Did you tell Rocky?”

  Jayce frowned. “Tell Rocky what?”

  “About Dad’s illness.”

  “Jerry’s sick?”

  “When you said you were worried about Dad, I assumed … Damn.” Dev rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. Dad’s been ill. He didn’t want the family to know, didn’t want us to worry or to hover or show pity. You know Dad.”

  “Strong and proud.” Jayce’s heart swelled and cramped as he mentally ticked off numerous other admirable qualities regarding the man who’d treated Jayce like a son. “Thought there was something going on with you,” Jayce said. “Are you the only one aside from your mom who knows?”

  “I had to pry it out of Mom,” Dev said. “Gram pried it out of me and then the other day she slipped to Chloe. I thought maybe she slipped to you as well.”

  Jayce shook his head. “But now that I know, can’t say that I feel right about Rocky and Luke being in the dark. How bad is it?”

  “Bad, but getting better. Early retirement was a ruse. Mom and Dad relocated to Florida so he could undergo radical treatment with specialists. Thank God, he’s beating this thing. Should be home by Christmas. Maybe sooner.”

  “So he’s going to spring the news on the family over the holidays? Brush it under the rug and never bring it up? Not for anything,” Jayce said. “But both of those options suck.”

  “I know. I’m going to have a talk with him. Do me a favor and sit on this. I want to tell Rocky and Luke myself.”

  Jayce eyed his friend. “Heavy load you’ve been carrying. And Jerry … Even more reason to keep anyone from rooting in my past. Looking back, I wish I wouldn’t have allowed your dad to use his influence—”

  “He did what he thought was right, Jayce, and Sheriff Crawford, rest his soul, didn’t fight him on it.”

  “Still—”

  “Let it go.” Declaring the subject closed, Dev switched focus. “You said concerns. Plural. What else?”

  Jayce tried to shake off the past, tried to adjust to the knowledge that Jerome Monroe was currently fighting some serious ailment. He rolled back his shoulders and focused on the present. “Your sister.”

  Dev quirked a brow. “Let me guess. You’ve only been living together for two days and Rocky’s already driving you crazy.”

  “First of all, if she was here, Rocky would remind you we’re not living together, she’s just staying with me until renovations are complete on the Clover.”

  “But if you had your way…”

  “We’d be married.”

  Dev grinned, a genuine smile that eased the tension in the room. “Have you broached the topic?”

  “She’s not ready. And besides, knowing her, she’d spin it as a ‘dutiful’ proposal. My way of protecting her.”

  The smile faltered. “From?”

  “I need to talk to you about something and I need you not to freak out.”

  “Well, when you lead with an intro like that … Hell, Jayce.”

  “Sorry. Especially since I’m about to heap on your already-existing worry, but here’s the thing. Someone’s bullying Rocky.”

  Dev blinked. “What, like cyberbullying? Sending her rude e-mails or messages on Facebook?’

  “I almost wish. That I could track. No. It’s more elusive than that. I’ve got three incidents and two suspects.”

  Without dramatizing, Jayce relayed the events the night Billy pulled Rocky over for the broken taillight. The same night he warned her to watch her ass. Next, the night Rocky heard a car outside the house but saw no headlights. The night she’d called Jayce because she’d been certain she was being watched. Last, and the most concrete of threats, her thong and the damned note promising to crush her life.

  To Dev’s credit, he didn’t raise his voice. “Why am I just now hearing about this?”

  “Until Tuesday’s note, I wasn’t totally convinced there was a serious threat. Rocky’s still not convinced. She thinks it’s a prank. Or at least, that’s what she wants to think. She asked me to try to identify the culprit, which I would’ve done anyway.”

  Dev stood and walked to the beverage bar. He poured coffee, then added a splash of whisky. “Want a hit?”

  Jayce shook his head, rolled back his shoulders. He didn’t blame his friend for needing liquid fortification. By nature, Dev was overprotective of family. Knowing someone meant his sister harm had to be tying his guts in knots. Jayce knew the feeling.

  “Obviously Billy is the natural suspect. He’s always been a bastard and there’s the longtime feud between the Burkes and Monroes.”

  “He’s also tight with Tasha,” Jayce said, “and you know how Tasha feels about Rocky. It added up until this latest incident. The message: You crushed my life, now I’ll crush yours. How has Rocky crushed Billy’s life? She can’t think of anything. Can you?”

  Dev shook his head.

  “And the thong. That’s intimate, Dev.”

  “No shit.”

  “As in personal. What’s the significance of Rocky’s underwear unless…”

  “A past boyfriend? Rocky’s never been one for relationships. Nothing serious anyway. I’m trying to think who…” He glanced at Jayce and frowned. “Adam Brody?”

  Jayce shrugged.

  “Can’t see it.”

  “What do you know about him?”

  “Probably as much as you. Grew up in Sugar Creek. Moved away. Moved back. Successful sports instructor.” He raised a brow. “Good friend of Luke’s.” Dev sat and sipped his spiked coffee. “I assume you did a background check.”

  “Nothing suspicious or nefarious while living in Sugar Creek. Information on the years he spent in Alaska is sketchy.”

  “From what I remember, when he was younger Adam was a bit of a geek.”

  “He’s not a geek now.” And he’d been Rocky’s freaking “friend with benefits.” It was just about sex. Christ. “His social-networking accounts were pretty innocuous. Mostly posts about sports.”

  “You hacked into his social networks?”

  “His Twitter feed is public and his security settings on Facebook are low. Hey, we’re talking about your sister’s safety.”

  Dev blew out a breath. “What about Billy?”

  “No social networking.”

  “E-mails?”

  Tougher to crack, but doable. “A lot of racy notes to Tasha.”

  “His dad’s wife. Could be a new low for Billy. She reply?”

  “History shows some flirty responses. They taper off, though. No recent replies.”

  Dev grunted. “So she got bored and blew him off.”

  “Or wised up and laid off traceable e-mails.”

  “Think they’re having an affair?”

  “Haven’t found any proof.”

  Dev leaned back in his chair, absorbed. “Think about everything you’ve told me today, Jayce. All signs—including his questionable character—point to Billy.”

  “I’d agree except for that note. Do me a favor and talk to Luke about Adam.”

  “Accuse one of his best friends of terrorizing his sister? That’ll go over well.”

  “Don’t accuse Adam of anything. Manipulate the conversation so Luke offers
an opinion on his friend’s state of mind.”

  “And I’m doing this instead of you because?”

  Jayce dragged a hand down his jaw. “Luke’s aware of some hostility between Adam and me. Not to mention your brother doesn’t hold me in the highest regards.”

  “Since when? Since you took up with Rocky? He didn’t say anything to suggest he had a problem with you two dating.”

  “Pretty sure he’s holding a grudge regarding the off-limits topic of the past. Trust me when I say Luke will be more open with you than me.”

  Dev shook his head. “Fine. But I don’t think it’s Adam.”

  “Jealousy can drive a man to crazy things,” Jayce said while pushing out of his chair. “I’ve seen it. Meanwhile just help me keep tabs on Rocky this weekend. As best you can without being obvious. We need to keep this low-key for several reasons.”

  Dev stood and followed him to the door. “This is hard to take in, Jayce. You realize that, right? We’re talking Sugar Creek. Probably the lowest crime rate in all of Vermont. Any chance the underwear and note could’ve been a warped prank, something unconnected to Billy’s taunt or the fact Rocky got spooked one night?”

  “Rocky wondered the same thing.”

  “Considering where you lived, all you’ve seen and experienced … Any chance you’re blowing this out of proportion?”

  Jayce paused on the threshold and turned. “If you’re asking me if I’m paranoid about losing the woman I love, then, yeah, it’s possible.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  From the time she’d been a little girl, Rocky had been a sucker for the Spookytown Spectacular. She was a sucker for all holidays, especially Christmas, but there was something special about Halloween or, more specifically, the way Sugar Creek celebrated Halloween.

  It was always the last weekend of October. A three-day event that officially kicked off on Friday night with food and craft vendors, carnival rides, and Haunted Hall. Saturday and Sunday featured more of the same but with special events like the costume parade, scary storytelling, pumpkin carving and decorating, and horse-drawn hayrides. Family fun and spooky sensations. Something for everyone.