Christmas Haven

by Hope White

  Climbing the stairs to the second-floor office, he realized the possibility of a present-day relationship with Jules had worked its way from dream to reality. But could he leave his post as police chief and follow her into the city?

  He shut the office door and stared into the mirror above the dresser. “You’re nuts,” he said. He had no reason to think she was opening her heart to him again.

  No reason except for that amazing kiss. Gripping the wooden dresser, he remembered the feel of her soft lips; their sweet taste had haunted him all night. It was a kiss of thanks, mixed with desperation. Suddenly the taste grew bitter in his mouth. He didn’t want her kissing him out of gratitude or fear.

  Did he want her kissing him at all? Wasn’t that just another open door to disaster? Undoubtedly. He wasn’t a foolish man, but Anna had pegged it: although he’d dated Anna, his heart still belonged to another woman.

  Morgan and Julie’s connection hadn’t died completely, and he knew after a few more days, she’d feel it, too, if she hadn’t already.

  “Stay focused on the case,” he scolded, unbuttoning his uniform shirt. He’d just given her the lecture on emotions clogging a person’s judgment. He’d better take his own advice and shelve these runaway thoughts until they found the perps who were after her.

  Then, after everything died down, perhaps he’d test the waters and get a sense of whether there was a future for them. If he spotted red flags along the way, he’d let it go once and for all.

  But he needed to try one more time, or he’d always wonder.

  A few days passed with no word from Ethan. Julie used the lull to cajole Morgan to take her to see William in Seattle, but he wasn’t giving in. When Julie called, William had been discharged from the hospital, so his injuries weren’t as serious as Helen let on.

  She wasn’t leaving Port Whisper until this case was resolved and he knew she’d be safe. There was no arguing with him.

  By Wednesday, she was losing her mind. She’d read all the cozy mysteries Caroline had brought over and refused to watch daytime television. Mom still wouldn’t let Julie help with the remodeling or meal prep.

  Julie was an active person by nature, always running from one place to another, checking on kids, collecting and bringing them supplies. All this sitting around with nothing to do only fueled her anxiety over what was happening with the stalker, with Andy and Dane. She had to shift her energy toward something productive.

  Morgan stopped by at lunchtime. As he leaned against the counter drinking a hot cup of cocoa, Julie broached the subject.

  “I need a change of scenery,” she announced.

  “We’ll take a drive,” he offered.

  “I don’t want to get you in more trouble with your boss. Lana could use help at work.”

  “Not a good idea.”

  “Morgan, I feel like a caged animal.”

  “It’ll be over soon.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “You can’t—”

  “I have to. Sitting here doing nothing only reminds me how much this crazy person is ruling my life. I decided not to be afraid anymore and not to let him control me. There has to be a way to find a balance here, Morgan.”

  He sighed and placed his cup on the counter. “Lana’s business is too isolated. When she’s not giving tours, it’s just her and Ashley in the office. What if I got you a temporary job helping out at the Turnstyle?”

  “As a server? Perfect.”

  “A dishwasher.” He winked. “I don’t want you exposed too much. At least you’ll feel like you’re contributing, and they could certainly use the help. Jimmy Jakes recently came down with mono and he’s out for three weeks. If you promise to stay in back, out of sight…”

  “I do.” She put up a three-fingered Scout’s Honor salute. As long as she got out around people, she could take her mind off her utter helplessness.

  “Okay, let me give Lew a call. He’ll have to run it by his staff.”

  Meaning Anna. Would she discourage Lew from bringing Julie on because of Anna’s feelings for Morgan?

  “Will it make Anna uncomfortable if I’m there?” she asked.

  “Why would it?” He pulled out his cell and dialed.

  “Because you and she…”

  He glanced at her. “We’re friends, nothing more.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Hey, Lew? It’s Chief Wright. Listen, I have a favor. My friend Julie… Yes, that’s her. She’s looking for work and I thought… Right. Immediately?” He eyed Julie.

  She nodded enthusiastically.

  “Good, how about an hour?” Morgan said. “And that shift ends? Great, I’ll pick her up at four. Thanks.”

  He pocketed his phone. “You’re all set. But the ground rules are no floating around the restaurant—”

  “When have I ever floated?”

  “You stay in back and listen to your instincts. If the hairs rise on the back of your neck, trouble’s close. You call me, got it?”

  “Promise.”

  “You’d better eat something before we go. They get pretty busy and I doubt you’ll have time for a break.”

  Morgan wasn’t kidding. Three hours and a gazillion dishes later Julie was barely keeping up and hadn’t had time for a breather. Helping out a local business was hard, but good work, and it distracted her from thinking about her stalker.

  “We’re running short on coffee mugs,” Anna said, breezing into the kitchen.

  “Okay, I, uh…” Julie reached for a handful of mugs, and knocked over a pitcher, sending it crashing to the floor. “Rats. I’ll pay for it.”

  “Hey, relax, it’s not a crisis,” Anna said.

  But it felt like one. Julie couldn’t keep up and she hated feeling like a failure, much like she felt when she lost another boy to drug abuse.

  She bent down to scoop up the big pieces and Anna got the broom.

  “Go ahead and wash some mugs,” Anna said. “I’ll clean up.”

  “Thanks.” Julie went back to the dishes.

  “We really appreciate you coming in today,” Anna said, sweeping shards of glass into the dustpan. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Yeah, give me enough time and I’ll break all your dishes,” she joked.

  Anna finished sweeping up the mess and hesitated. “Listen, I’m sorry about what’s happening to you. If there’s anything I can do…”

  “Just letting me work here has been a great distraction. Although—” she took a breath “—I’m sorry if my presence here has interfered with…well, with you and Morgan.”

  “We’re just good friends.”

  Yet Julie sensed the first time she met Anna that the woman had hoped for more.

  “That’s too bad. You seem like you’d make a great couple,” Julie offered, and she meant it. Anna was smart and cute, with a bubbly personality.

  “I won’t lie,” Anna said, refilling a jam holder. “At one point I thought it could be more.”

  “But…?”

  “His heart is spoken for.” She winked.

  Julie shook her head. “That was a long time ago.”

  “What are you afraid of?” Anna pressed.

  “Excuse me?”

  “It’s obvious how you two feel about each other. Some people go through life and never find that kind of love. You guys had it once, and I still see it in both your and Morgan’s eyes.”

  “You don’t know me that well,” Julie said, sounding rude, which wasn’t her intent, but she got edgy whenever someone broached the subject of her and Morgan being in love again.

  “True, but you’re not that hard to read,” Anna said. “I just hope when your situation is resolved, that you’ll give him a chance. This whole star-crossed lovers thing is too painful to watch.”

  Anna went to the order counter, slid plates onto a tray and carried it into the restaurant.

  Her words echoed in Julie’s mind. Is that what she and Morgan were? Star-crossed lovers?

 
; The back door opened and Morgan stepped into the kitchen. Instead of greeting Julie, he went to speak with the owner and cook, Lew Potter.

  “You need to keep this door locked, Lew.”

  “Sorry, Chief. But then you wouldn’t be able to wander in and flirt with your girlfriend,” he joked.

  Morgan sighed and shook his head as if surrendering to the town gossip. “Just keep it locked, okay?”

  “No problem.”

  Morgan wandered over to Julie, who furiously washed mugs, rinsed them, dipped them in the sanitizing sink and put them on the drying rack.

  “They keeping you busy?” he said.

  “Yep.” She couldn’t look at him, not yet. The whole star-crossed lovers comment was still swirling in her brain.

  “What’s wrong?” he said.

  “Multitasking was never my strong suit. Runs in the family.”

  “You have plenty of others.”

  “Gee, thanks, Chief.” She winked, trying to lighten the moment. It was getting harder to keep any distance between them. Old habits were easy to fall into, like old shoes. They always felt comfortable. Even if they were worn out.

  “You ready to go?” Morgan said.

  “My shift isn’t over until four.” She leaned over to eye the clock. “I’ve got another hour.”

  “I thought you might have had enough.”

  “Oh, you think I’m that kind of employee, do you?” She realized this was the first time since they’d reunited that she didn’t feel awkward or scrutinized. Thanks to dual focus on the dishes and the conversation, she couldn’t overanalyze every word spoken, or every look they shared.

  She glanced up and caught him eyeing her.

  “What?” she said.

  “Nothing. They scheduled a Community Cares meeting at Evergreen Church tonight at seven.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “I’ll be back in an hour. I’ll knock four times on the back door. Lew?”

  “Yeah, Chief?”

  “Four knocks is me. No one else gets back here as long as Julie’s working for you.”

  “Got it.”

  Morgan headed to the door but stopped. “Hey, Julie?”

  “Yeah?” She glanced up.

  “I don’t want to upset you by saying this, but it is really good to have you back.” He shrugged. “Even if it’s just temporary.”

  The door closed behind him and she stared at it for a second. Oddly enough, he didn’t upset her with his words. As she redirected her attention to the dishes, she thought about the past week, being cared for by her mom and Caroline, watched over by Morgan and generally welcomed back by community friends.

  Small towns offered something that cities never could: connection. City life felt so anonymous and detached at times. Julie didn’t mind since her job was her main focus. But now, seeing how everyone helped each other out—Community Cares calling a meeting, and Lew letting her work in his kitchen—melancholy washed over her.

  “Yikes!” Anna cried, as she skidded on the floor. A tray of dishes went flying.

  Julie rushed over to her. “You okay?”

  “Nothing broken but my ego. And here you thought you were a klutz.”

  Julie grabbed a bus tub and picked up broken pieces of plates.

  “Hey, I’m not going to make you clean up my mess,” Anna said.

  “Looks like you spilled coffee on your uniform.” Julie motioned to a stain on Anna’s shirt. “You got another one?”

  “Yeah, and a pair of spare jeans.” She stood.

  “Go on, I got this.”

  “If Henry Fritz comes looking for his pie, tell him to hold his horses.”

  “Will do.”

  Anna stood up and brushed herself off. “That’s why I was in a hurry, because I kept forgetting his cherry pie. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today.”

  Julie stacked unbroken plates and mugs in the tub.

  “Be back in a jiff.” Anna ducked into the bathroom.

  As Julie wiped up spilled coffee, a tall, elderly gentleman approached. “Miss? I saw Anna slip. Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine. She’ll be right out. Are you Mr. Fritz?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll get your pie out to you in a sec, okay?”

  “Thank you.” He turned and went back to his table.

  Julie finished cleaning up and asked Lew for a slice of cherry pie à la mode with extra whipped cream. She delivered it to Mr. Fritz and as she rushed back to the kitchen, another customer snagged her and asked for fresh coffee, then a third stopped her to ask about his French fries. As she jotted down the table number and “fries,” a customer’s voice drifted to her from the counter.

  A familiar voice.

  “Not yet, but I’m close. I’ll find her and finish this in a day or two.”

  She glanced up.

  At the back of the man from the ferry.

  ELEVEN

  I’ll find her and finish this in a day or two.

  He was talking about Julie. He had to be. What were the chances that the very man who’d followed her on the ferry to give her her change had just happened to visit Port Whisper?

  Snapping her gaze from the man, she forced a smile on her face as she passed a young family crowding a booth. Act calm, pleasant, normal, she reminded herself.

  She wasn’t going to let fear paralyze her. The man couldn’t do anything in a crowded restaurant, and besides, he hadn’t even seen her.

  As she turned the corner to the kitchen, she bumped into Anna.

  “Hey, you’re not supposed to be out there.”

  “The booth up front needs coffee, the table with the lumber-jack guy needs fries and I need to make a call.”

  “You okay?”

  “Sure, sure.” She waved her off and went into the storage closet for privacy. She pressed one on her phone and waited.

  “Chief Wright.”

  “It’s Julie. The guy from the ferry, he’s sitting at the counter.”

  “Where are you right now?”

  “In the storage closet.”

  “Did he see you?”

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “And you’re sure it’s him?”

  “Yes. I overheard his phone conversation. He said he’d find her and he’d finish it in a day or two. I think he was talking about me.” Her pulse quickened as she repeated the words. Was he the man hired to find and perhaps kill her?

  “How many people are in the restaurant?”

  “It’s nearly full. Morgan, you don’t think—”

  The door whipped open and Morgan reached out his hand, ending the call. “I’m calling Deputy Chief Finnegan to take you to Dad’s. In the meantime, stay back here. You can come out of the closet, but don’t leave this kitchen, got it?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s going to be okay.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb.

  It was a gentle touch, a calming touch. With a nod, he walked away. He glanced around the corner, shot Julie a comforting smile and disappeared into the dining room.

  Placing her hand to her cheek where his thumb had warmed her skin, she sensed it was a goodbye touch. The threat was sitting not fifty feet away. Once Morgan took the man in for questioning, they would all have answers to who was stalking Julie and why. The ferry man would lead them to the source of this nightmare, they’d hopefully find Dane and this would be over.

  Julie would get her life back.

  A life without Morgan.

  She paced the kitchen, careful not to expose herself to the customers out front. Anxiety skittered across her nerve endings. Would Ferry Man make a scene? Fight Morgan? Did Morgan at least wait for backup?

  Heck, girl, this is a small town. There isn’t any backup.

  She paced, fisted her hand. She stared at the clock, watching the second hand tick away.

  Anna came into the back with an order ticket in hand.

  “What’s happening out there?” Julie asked Anna.

  “You mean M
organ?”

  Julie nodded.

  “I just saw him and Scott escort a guy to Morgan’s Jeep, why? Is he a bad guy from Seattle?”

  “Yes—no—I don’t know for sure. He didn’t give Morgan any trouble?”

  “Nope. Very polite guy. Left me a twenty-two-percent tip.”

  “Great, good. Okay.”

  Deputy Chief Finnegan came into the back. “Julie, I’m supposed to take you home.”

  “Okay, yeah, wait. I have another forty-five minutes.”

  “Stop, we’ll be fine,” Anna said. “High-school kids are coming in for the dinner shift. They can finish all this.” She motioned to the sink of dishes.

  “You sure?”

  “Go home,” Lew called across the grill. “And thanks.”

  Scott escorted Julie out the back and got into his squad car.

  “How was he, the ferry guy? Did he give you any trouble?” she asked.

  “None at all. He was almost too polite.”

  “After you drop me off you’ll go back to the station to check on Morgan, right?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good.”

  The dream she’d had about Morgan, the one where he was shot and bleeding to death, twisted her insides into knots. She reminded herself that Morgan was a cop, the top cop of Port Whisper. She had faith in his abilities.

  And then, a different kind of faith eased its way into her heart.

  God, if You’re listening…

  The man from the ferry, Rick McDonald, sat across the table from Morgan in a conference room, wearing a stone-cold expression on his angular face. Rick didn’t like being questioned. He probably figured he’d been cooperative, given Morgan his driver’s license, showed him his P.I card. Rick had surrendered his firearm. Morgan’s neck muscles tightened at the thought of him carrying it when he’d followed Julie onto the ferry.

  If the guy wanted to be released anytime soon, he’d have to share the identity of his employer and purpose of this investigation.

  “Why are you looking for Julie Burns?” Morgan said.

  “Confidential.”