Trapped in Tourist Town

by Jennifer DeCuir

  That is, if she knew about what went down during that meeting with his father in New York. He’d meant to tell her by now. It just hadn’t come up. And the longer he sat on it, the worse he felt. He’d talk to her today. Right after he signed those loan papers.

  The meeting with his editor had gone much smoother than the one with his father. Meredith must have heard Burke’s story a lot, someone writing for a magazine but dreaming of making it on their own. She was nice about it, offered him her best wishes and thanked him for his years of hard work. He’d stayed up all night last night, finishing up the last few articles for submission, and after a last cup of coffee, sent them off first thing this morning. It was done. He was staying in Scallop Shores.

  There was nothing left for him in New York. Burke had turned his back on his family, his past. He belonged to a new town now. He had new friends. Granted, he didn’t feel close enough to anyone but Cady to reveal his connections to Sanders Resorts—yet. Sure, he’d get razzed for it, especially by Cady’s older brother. But these were good people and he knew that he could trust them.

  After he left the Realtor and the house that was now his, Burke headed toward town. Cady would be closing up the bakery about now and if he sneaked in, she’d have to talk to him. He wanted to celebrate. He wanted to share his good news with her. He was officially unemployed and was about to purchase his first home. Yeah, she’d think him insane. He’d need to come up with a different way to break this to her.

  Taking a left at the Civil War monument, he drove toward the cottage instead. He was going to miss the tiny place with a peek at the ocean. Hell, he’d even miss his little bandit-friend. Though, now that he’d be living in such a densely forested part of town, Burke imagined he’d discover lots of new woodland creatures traipsing through his yard. He wasn’t sure if he should be thrilled or terrified.

  Dusty dirt crunched under the tires as he pulled into the rental’s short driveway. He parked under a tall pine, peering up at the small porch that led to his front door. For the last few days Burke had spotted a small dog running around his property and the surrounding rental cottages. He’d assumed that it belonged to a family vacationing nearby. Today the furry guy lay on his porch, head on his paws, looking like he’d lost his best friend.

  Not wanting to startle the poor pooch, Burke slipped out of the car and edged up toward the stairs, holding his hand out in front of him. The little dog had longish black fur that stuck up in all directions. His snout was short and piggish. He didn’t know anything about dogs, never having so much as a goldfish when he was growing up, so he couldn’t tell what breed it was. Judging by the look of him, he was a mixture of several. Purebred mutt.

  “Come for a visit, have you, buddy?” Burke sat down on the top step and was welcomed with the steady thumping of a shaggy tail.

  He reached out and stroked the silky head. The little dog stood up, stretched, and rubbed up against Burke’s side. Cute little guy.

  “What’s your name, huh, fella?” He was surprised to find that the dog wasn’t even wearing a collar.

  Who did he belong to? Would the vet have a way of finding the owners? Impulsively, Burke picked up the dog and pulled him close. He laughed as the dog bathed his cheek in doggy kisses.

  This poor little guy needed a champion and suddenly Burke couldn’t think of anything more important to do with the rest of his afternoon than help his new friend. Carrying the furry mutt to his car, Burke drove to the vet clinic that he’d seen in town. He hoped they wouldn’t mind taking a walk-in.

  A couple of hours later they were back home. The vet had searched for a microchip that would help them locate the dog’s owners. Unable to find one, and based on the fact that the dog also had no collar, the vet had come to the conclusion that the dog had been left behind. He said this sad occurrence happened several times over the course of the summer, families abandoning their pets like garbage left behind at camp sites.

  Horrified that anyone could be so cruel to someone so helpless, Burke had decided then and there that he would give the dog a home. The scrappy thing was so small that no one had given him a hard time when he’d brought him inside the grocery store, setting him in the top of the cart usually reserved for babies and small toddlers. Burke had bought enough food and toys for several dogs. He’d bought a collar and a leash at the vet.

  When he got into the house he took a pillow off the bed and the threadbare green blanket off the couch to fashion a dog bed on the floor. The dog walked cautiously through the cottage, as though he were unsure what to make of all this kindness. Burke didn’t blame the little guy for finding trust a little hard to come by.

  “We’ve got a lot in common, you and me.” He sat down on the couch and patted his lap, encouraging the dog to hop up. After a moment’s hesitation, he did.

  The vet had told Burke that the dog appeared to be about a year old. He guessed that the family had gotten him as a puppy, and now that the cute stage was over, the idea of dog ownership had begun to bore them.

  “Well, I have no idea what you were called before, but I figure you’re young enough that I can give you a new name and you can adapt.” Burke ruffled the dog’s fluffy ears as he pondered.

  Chuckling, he thought of his little midnight visitor and the first time he met Chase Eaton. As embarrassing as that night was, it was also the moment he began to feel as though he were a part of the community. Burke grinned down at the hairy little beast who was fast worming its way into his heart.

  “I think I’m going to call you Bandit. What do you think? Bandit?”

  Placing his paws on Burke’s chest, Bandit stretched up to lick his new master’s chin.

  “Bandit it is, then.”

  They sat together on the couch for a long time, Burke scratching the dog between the ears. He’d said goodbye to his old life and his job. He’d bought a house and been adopted by a dog. Life was good and he really had no right to be asking for more. But what the hell? He’d come this far. The only thing missing was Cady.

  “Wait until you meet her, Bandit. You’re going to love her.” Just like I do. Burke sighed. It probably shouldn’t have come as such a surprise that he would fall for the one woman in town determined to leave it.

  Chapter 16

  Old Man Feeney was the last customer out of the bakery that afternoon and it was all Cady could do to keep from slamming the door behind him. She flipped the sign to Closed with more force than necessary and watched to see if it would fly off its hook. When it stopped swinging, she had half a mind to tear it off the door and throw it across the room.

  Taking a deep breath and blowing it out as slowly as possible, Cady tried to shake off her funk. She rubbed at the back of her neck as she slipped behind the counter, grabbed a Diet Coke out of the cooler, and carried it to the table in the corner. Swinging the chair around, she straddled it, cracked open her can of soda, and took a deep swallow.

  Oh, how she loved the smell of her precious espresso beans, but there was just something about Diet Coke that calmed her soul. Another swig and she settled down to the mundane task of reordering napkins, to-go cups, and plastic cutlery. She flipped through the pages of the catalog, familiar enough with the contents that she knew exactly where to find everything she needed.

  It meant less browsing and more efficient work time. She could send off her order, finish the day’s paperwork, and enjoy the rest of her day guilt-free. What she would do with that day, she hadn’t the foggiest. Everyone was busy with their own lives. She may as well have left Scallop Shores already. Cady winced at the sound of paper tearing as she turned the page a little too aggressively. Guess that funk hadn’t quite gone away.

  Smoothing down the glossy page, she did what she told herself she wasn’t going to do—she browsed. Whenever she ordered for the bakery, she did it on Mr. Logan’s dime. She sought out the best deals, found items on clearance, and bought the most generic, boring supplies that were offered. But there were some really cool things in here. She scrambled
up from her chair, sent a covert glance toward the plate glass window before racing behind the counter for the bakery supply catalog. A sneaking thrill raced down her spine as she began to peruse the pages, not for Logan’s Bakery supplies, but for items—for her own place.

  Firstly, it wouldn’t be a bakery, but a coffee shop. After all, it was the coffee that brought her regular customers in at seven a.m. every day, and free refills that kept them in their seats for the better part of the morning. Cady looked around the bakery, mentally rearranging the glass display cases and adding furniture like cozy armchairs and a scattering of bistro-style tables. Oh, and a fireplace! Old Man Feeney could warm himself by the fire instead of sitting on a hard stool at the counter, with no support for his back.

  Cady blinked. Only this fictitious coffee shop wouldn’t be in Scallop Shores. It would be in New York City. Right now it was just a fantastic, exciting dream. Feeling a little like a deflated balloon, she pushed the order forms aside and rested her elbows on the table. She was going to miss this place. She’d been a part of Logan’s Bakery since she turned sixteen and needed spending money for books, music, and new clothes.

  Had it really been more than ten years since she’d started as a part-time cashier? Cady had waited far too long to start saving for her eventual move to Manhattan. In the Eaton household, if you wanted something badly enough, you saved up for it. That was how she earned her first phone, and the TV in her bedroom. She’d saved up and paid her own way through college courses at the local community college in Port Kitt.

  This glaring reminder of the passage of time did nothing to make her feel nostalgic. Instead, it fueled her determination. She had been talking the talk long enough. Ripping the top page off the notebook she’d brought to the table, Cady began to pen her resignation letter. She was giving Mr. Logan one month to find her replacement. It meant he’d have to stick around long enough to actually make a decision or two regarding his own business. She wasn’t sure he was up to the task. But he didn’t have a choice. She was leaving.

  It wasn’t like anyone was asking her to stay. Amanda and Chase were so excited getting ready for the baby that they’d ceased giving her the guilt treatment. Her parents equally so. Their worlds revolved around the newest Eaton-to-be. And Cady didn’t begrudge them this special time at all. Okay, not much. But Burke.

  She didn’t have to look at her blurry reflection in the napkin dispenser to know she was pouting like a spoiled child. She’d expected him to fight for her to stay, especially after their incredible night at his apartment. Had she read too much into that evening? Hell, that whole weekend! Was it too much to hope that he’d want to continue their relationship? Enjoy more—nights? She blew out a sigh that lifted her long bangs off her forehead and away from her eyes.

  A light tap on the door elicited a grouchy groan. She was closed. Hello? She was also in a snit and if they valued their lives, they would turn and walk away. Another rap with a knuckle, this one on the window, caused Cady to look up with a sneer. Perfect. Speak of the devil. Burke peered through the window, waving once he knew he’d been spotted.

  Cady took her time getting out of her chair, taking another leisurely sip of Diet Coke and meandering toward the door to let him in. She knocked into the closed sign, setting it swinging and hoping it would catch Burke’s eye.

  “Hey, I’ve missed you.” He leaned into the doorway and kissed her softly on the lips, but made no attempt to cross the threshold.

  “I’ve been right here.” She held the door open and gave him a pointed look.

  “Would it be okay if ...?”

  Burke looked down and Cady gasped when she realized he wasn’t alone. Attached to a leash was the craziest-looking mutt she’d ever seen. The dog had a wicked overbite. And his fur couldn’t seem to decide which direction it wanted to grow in. But if dogs could smile, this one had the biggest, happiest grin in the world. The damned thing was so ugly he was cute.

  “Oh my goodness!” She squealed, snatching the leash from Burke’s hand and dragging them both into the bakery.

  “Are you sure he can be in here?”

  “Just don’t report me to the health inspector.”

  Settling on the floor, Cady chuckled to see the dog needed no encouragement. He jumped into her lap, snuffling, sneezing, and lapping her silly. She stroked his ears and kissed his little pug nose.

  “What is your name, sweetness?”

  “Bandit.”

  “Ah, like your little midnight visitor.” Cady laughed to see that Burke seemed pleased she understood the source of his new pet’s name.

  “You got it. And besides, this guy’s kind of a thief in his own right. He stole my heart and he looks like he’s well on his way to getting yours too.”

  “I haven’t had a dog since I was a kid.” Cady sighed, ruffling Bandit’s perky ears and losing herself in his adoring brown eyes.

  “Well, this is a first for me.” Burke’s voice was quiet, contemplative.

  Joining her on the floor, he reached out to pet the dog. Their hands knocked against one another and he reached for hers, clasping it warmly. Cady was finding it very difficult to hold onto her nasty mood.

  “So, I bought a house.”

  “Yep. I heard.”

  “Of course you did. Word travels fast in a small town.”

  “New house. New dog. Did you get a new car yet? Gotta give back the rental sometime, right?” She frowned when Burke looked guiltily toward the big window. He had all his bases covered.

  “I guess you’re all settled into your new life then.” She tried to tug her hand away and refused to meet his eyes when he tightened his grip.

  “I promised to tell you about what happened when I met with my father in New York. That explanation is long overdue. I need to explain to you why I’ve been so anxious to start over here, to find my own place, my own way.”

  Cady paused. She honestly hadn’t made the connection. All she’d thought about was that Burke was so eager to be accepted in Scallop Shores. It had never occurred to her that this gung-ho attitude was prompted by his visit to his father.

  He’d been so upset that day. She’d tried to get him to talk about it and he’d refused. Clearly something had bothered him, but since they’d been back, she thought he was happier. Maybe not so much happy as—determined, she realized. And she’d completely dropped the ball, been so focused on herself and the fact that he wasn’t asking her to stay in Scallop Shores. What kind of girlfriend did that make her?

  Wait—girlfriend? Had she really just assigned herself that role? Cady peeked through long lashes. For the first time since they’d returned, she noticed the hard set to Burke’s jaw, the way his hesitant smile didn’t quite meet his eyes. He was hurting. If Bandit hadn’t claimed the spot already, she would have curled into his lap, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing away his pain.

  “Cady!” The bell over the door jangled harshly as Chase stuck his head in, still in uniform.

  “Down here.” She knew he couldn’t see them there on the floor and scrambled up to meet her brother in the doorway.

  “You weren’t answering your phone.” He frowned.

  “I must have left it upstairs. What’s the matter? Amanda’s in labor?”

  “No. It’s Dad. Mom took him in with chest pains. They’re at the ER. I’m headed over there now.”

  “Oh my God. What can I do?”

  “Get the house ready. Swing by and pick up Amanda, so I know all my girls are taken care of.”

  “Chase. Tell him I love him.” Cady wrung her hands.

  “He knows that, baby. He knows.” Chase gathered her against his broad chest, smooshing her cheek against the cold metal of his badge. He kissed the top of her head and set her aside gently. Nodding toward Burke, he ducked back out the door.

  “You okay?” Burke was already behind her, squeezing her shoulder.

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She took a shuddering breath and swallowed hard to keep from losing it. Her eyelid
s stung where the tears hid behind them, trapped because she refused to let them fall.

  “What did he mean, ‘Get the house ready’?”

  “He meant that we’re about to be inundated with well-wishers, neighbors, and townsfolk. Someone needs to be there to receive them.”

  She twisted her fingers together, staring out the bakery window, though her brother had already driven away. She should be there too. Burke hooked an arm around her waist and drew her back against him.

  “Amanda and I’ve got this. You go be with your dad. He needs you right now.”

  He slipped behind the counter and came up with a coffee urn. God, she loved this man! And if she wasn’t such an emotional basket case right now, she’d tell him. But he didn’t deserve to wonder if she was sincere, or if the stress of the moment led her to say something she didn’t truly mean. He captured her lips in a brief kiss, ushered the dog out ahead of him, and slipped through the door.

  • • •

  By the time Cady had spoken to someone in the ER, her father had been admitted to a private room upstairs. Her sneakers squeaked on the gleaming linoleum, sounding obnoxiously loud as she put more distance between herself and the crying babies, coughing, and general chaos that was the Emergency Room waiting area. Chase would be upset that she hadn’t followed his orders. But Chase could stuff it, for all she cared.

  She swore the elevator was moving in slow motion. It didn’t help that nervous energy had her practically hopping in place. By the time the little ding sounded for the eighth floor, Cady stood with her nose to the doors, prying them open the very second she could get a finger hold. They didn’t have any information for her downstairs, and no news was—well, it was no news. She wouldn’t be happy until she saw her father with her own eyes.

  “Wallace Eaton, please.” She leaned over the counter at the nurses’ station, not feeling the least bit guilty that she was interrupting what must have been a darned good romance novel.