“Well then, keep it down in here from now on.” Gerry turned to Addie, “Morning, sunshine.” He threw a dirty rag in the hamper by the door and grabbed a clean one before leaving the kitchen.
“Good morning ... I think.” Addie grabbed her apron and gave Jared a sympathetic look. She wanted to ask him what was going on but if she didn’t get behind the bar, Gerry would soon be ranting at her. She touched Jared’s shoulder and then left the kitchen.
***
Darcy had to force herself to stay at work. She wasn’t quite sure how to react to Jared anymore. She grabbed her pad, stuffed it in her apron, and gathered up her tray. As she headed to a table occupied by a young couple her own age, she thought about Jared and wished things had turned out differently. They could have settled down, gotten married, and had kids. It was what she really wanted. It’d been a year since they’d been together. He had no right to tell her what to do, especially regarding men.
She knew Tim was a creep, but she could handle him. He had a Harley and she had always wanted to ride on one. She would dump him right after he took her for a smooth long ride on his shiny bike. Jared was just going to have to suck it up because when she was finished with Tim, she was setting her sights on Lieutenant Whelan.
***
The lunch hour went by quickly and Addie was a jangle of nerves, her stomach a jumble of knots as her thoughts turned to spending an afternoon with Cael. But when he entered the bar at two o'clock looking just as handsome and rugged as he did yesterday, she was glad she had said yes.
“Hello, Addison. Are you ready?”
She smiled as the knot in her stomach unraveled and fluttered. “Yes, just give me a second.”
Addie poked her head in the kitchen. Gerry looked up from where he was plowing through the sink full of dishes. Addie smiled. “I’m leaving. I’ll be back at five.”
Gerry nodded and went back to his mountain of dirty plates and cups.
Addie pulled on her coat and they walked out. “Your car or mine?”
“Yours, I don’t have one.”
“How can you not have a car?”
He shrugged. “I never needed one, I guess.”
“Hmmm.” Weird, she mused. “Well, how do you get around?”
“I manage.”
Addie grimaced, not quite understanding how anyone could get along without a car, especially out here on the west coast. Public transit was a bitch.
For once, the sun was out and the cab of the truck warm. Cael rolled down his window.
“So, where do you really live, permanently, I mean?”
“New York. I’m here on business and I don’t know how long it will take. The hotel is okay short term, but I need a place with a kitchen.”
“You cook?”
“Doesn’t every good-looking single guy?”
“You certainly are full of yourself, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “It was either learn to cook or starve to death. I do okay. I’m no Emeril Lagasse, but I can grill a pretty juicy steak.”
“A lot of guys cook; Jared’s pretty good.”
“Jared ... a boyfriend?” He raised an eyebrow.
“No, he’s just the cook at the Cliff Hanger and a friend.”
“This is it.” Cael pointed to the building on the left. “Just pull in here.”
She turned into a winding cobblestoned driveway heading toward the beach before dead-ending at a small two-story building. She glanced down at the keys in the ignition and grabbed them. When she turned to get out, she looked up, and to her amazement, he stood by her door, holding it open with his hand out for her. “Come on, the door should be unlocked.”
The house sat on a grassy hill about fifty feet from the cliff edge. The door was located on the other side, facing the ocean. He tried the knob, smiled at her, and opened the door.
She stood, looking out at the ocean. “Nice view.”
“Yes, it is … let’s see how it is from inside. Ladies first,” he said, sweeping his hand in front of him, pointing the way as he held the door open with the other.
“Wow, you’re going to rent a whole furnished house?” Addie asked as they entered the small but beautifully decorated home. They walked into a living room done in earth tones. A comfortable-looking sofa covered in a rich deep red leather was flanked by two chairs—one a rocker—and a marble-topped coffee table, all positioned to provide an inviting conversation area in front of a large, rustic rock fireplace. The other side of the room had a massive window spanning the entire wall, providing a breathtaking view of the ocean.
She walked over to the window and Cael stepped up beside her. “The view is gorgeous,” Addie muttered. “I wonder what the upstairs looks like.”
“Let’s find out.” Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him as he raced up the stairs.
“Hey, wait a minute,” Addie protested, but it was too late. They were already halfway up. Addie gasped as she took in the spacious loft-style area. The whole upstairs consisted of one large room with another gigantic picture window overlooking the ocean, and a bathroom the size of her entire apartment—with the most inviting-looking bathtub—sporting its own window with another picturesque view of the sea.
“This place is spectacular,” Addie said.
They stood, still holding hands, facing a magnificent view as they watched the ocean crash against the side of the cliff that jetted out to a point. A long stretch of white sandy beach sprawled impressively to the side of it, and in the other direction, there was a small cove with a long staircase leading down the side of the rocks to the water, the whole scene just begging for explorers.
As they stood mesmerized by the view, Cael’s fingers tightened around her hand. Heat rose in her chest and she wondered if he was going to kiss her.
“Beautiful, isn’t it? The voice came from somewhere by the top of the stairs, jerking them both out of their trance. They turned around to see who could be disturbing their magnificent moment of tranquility and saw a short man with sandy colored hair and a broad smile on his face standing by the top of the staircase.
“They say if you stand out at the edge of the cape you can hear the dead whisper. Perhaps that's why they named this town Whisper Cape. I'm Tom Willits. You must be Cael.”
“Cael Sheridan.”
He shook Cael's hand then turned to Addie, “And this beautiful creature is?”
“Addison.” Cael pulled her closer to him.
He stuck his hand out to Addie. “Yes, yes, I recognize you from the Cliff Hanger. Nice to meet you both. How do you like the place?”
“Looks great.”
“Have you seen the kitchen yet?”
“Not yet, but if it’s as great as the rest, then you’ve got a deal.”
Tom Willits smiled. “Well then, when would you like to move in?”
Cael shrugged. “No time like the present.”
Addie tried to hide her amazement. She had to admit, Cael was impressive. He hadn’t even asked how much the place would cost. Who was this man, anyway? Most certainly, she’d like to find out.
***
While Cael signed all the necessary paperwork, he left Addison in the living room gazing out the huge picture window.
“You come with good references. This is a small town and everyone knows just about everyone. Here are the keys. You two have a nice evening, now.” Addison turned toward the two men as Tom glanced in her direction and she blushed as she smiled back. Cael thought she looked radiant.
Cael closed the door and strolled toward her. “So, Addison, welcome to my temporary home.” He stretched out his arms with his palms up, wanting to resume where they’d left off upstairs.
She held up her hand and bent to grab her purse from the table, pulling her jacket tight. “I should go.”
As she started for the door, he caught her arm, bringing her in close to him. He held her, gazed into her soft golden brown eyes. God, how he wanted her—there was no denying it. He put his hand
under her chin—tilting her face up to his—his mouth just inches from hers. Searching her eyes, he remembered there was a great possibility she was Ristéard’s daughter and he slowly eased away from her.
“Sorry, you’re right. You should go.”
She almost stumbled as he let go of her. “Right … it would probably be the best thing.”
He noted the disappointment in her voice and he walked her to the door, fully intending to open it, but instead he grabbed her again, pulling her close. This time he didn’t hesitate as he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. Her lips were warm and tender; he pulled back and stared at her, then covered her mouth with his again, losing himself when she slid her hands up his back and her lips parted. His tongue slid slowly over hers as he heard a soft moan escape from the back of her throat, the desire flooding his body unbearable.
Addison lowered her arms from his back and gently pushed away, ending the kiss.
His heart pounding, he sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I mean, it was just a kiss.”
She blushed and he was amused at her attempt to sound casual.
He wanted to make love to her right there, but his sudden desire to protect her took over. He wanted to question her about the telekinetic ability he’d witnessed her using at the cliff, but didn’t think she trusted him enough to confide in him yet. He figured she would never share her secret with him if she didn’t trust him. Wanting to be cautious in his approach, he gently placed his hands on her shoulders and asked, “Addison, have you experienced anything strange lately? You know, out of the ordinary.”
There was hesitation in her eyes before she darted them away. “No, why? I’m not sure what you mean.”
He frowned, studying her face—her lips still inflamed from the kiss. She was lying, but he also knew she thought it necessary to protect herself from exposure to the wrong people. It would require time for her to trust him enough.
“Well, be careful, especially when you’re out alone taking pictures or anything else, okay?”
He wanted to stay with her, protect her, and thought of telling her who he really was and why he was there, but realized it was too soon.
“Addison, will you let me cook you dinner, you know, for helping me today?”
“That’s really not necessary, I hardly did anything. I’m not even sure I gave you my opinion.”
“Oh, yes you did, upstairs—you said this place was spectacular.”
Her smile brightened the room. “Yes, I guess I did ... you want to cook me dinner?”
“Yes, I would like that very much. Besides, I need help breaking in the kitchen.”
“Well, okay.”
“When is your next night off?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Good, then I’ll come by for you. Will you be at the bar or at home?”
“I have the whole day off, so I’ll be at home, but you don’t have a car. How will you get there?”
“I’ll manage.” He smiled as he held the door open for her and they walked to her truck.
He wanted to take her in his arms again, but he knew if he did, he wouldn’t be able to control the desire to drag her back inside, rip her clothes off, and kiss every inch of her soft curves.
He cupped her chin in his hand and ran his thumb over her lips. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” he said as he opened her truck door and helped her in.
Chapter 13
It was still the lull before the dinner crowd when Addie entered the bar and grill. Maia sat at the bar chatting with Gerry. Addie was close to being late so she waved to her aunt and quickly headed into the kitchen to grab her apron. Maia walked over to Addie’s section and sat.
“Addie,” she said. “How did the campfire go?”
“It was okay, I met some new people,” Addie lied—well, not really lied—she had met one new person.
“Gerry told me about the cliff incident. You must have been terrified.”
“It was stupid, really. I just wasn’t looking where I was stepping and slipped. A man saved me, no big deal.”
“What man?”
“Just a man.” A mysterious and very difficult to figure out man. Although his kiss certainly didn’t require any translating and Addie felt a flutter in her chest as she remembered it.
“So tell me what happened.”
“Nothing. He grabbed me and pulled me up. He came in here afterwards to give me my camera he somehow rescued.”
“What's he like?”
“Well, Darcy says he's polite, so I guess he is.”
Maia stood, placed her hands on her hips. “Addie, what's he like?”
Addie snorted. “Well, he's tall, has dark wavy hair that sort of hangs over his ears, but not too long. And he's handsome. I'm having dinner with him tomorrow night.”
“What's his name?”
“Cael.”
“Cael?” Maia stared at Addie.
“What?”
“Nothing, sweetie.” She turned. “Hmmm ...” she said almost to herself as she picked up a rag and headed over to clear off a table in the corner. Looking back over her shoulder, she said, “I think it’s great you’ve met someone and I’m looking forward to meeting him. Maybe you could bring him to our house for dinner. How’s Monday night sound?”
Addie felt there was something her aunt wasn’t saying, but let it go. “Oh, well, I hardly know him and I’m not sure if he’ll even be around by Monday. Just because he rescued me and I'm having dinner with him doesn’t mean we’re involved or anything.”
“Sure, I know.” Maia picked up glasses and plates from the table and then wiped it down.
“Well, he’s not from around here. I think he’s just here on business.”
“Well, if he is still around, bring him by. I’d still like to meet him.”
“Maia, I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. I’m not even sure I want to see him again, you know, because of the nightmares and stuff. What if he thinks I’m crazy?”
Maia shrugged and headed to the kitchen with the tray of dirty glasses and plates. As she rounded the corner of the bar on her way, she paused. “Give me a minute.”
Maia returned and sat at the bar in front of Addie. It was between the dinner rush and the nighttime crowd, there were only a few customers, and Gerry was in the back.
Maia folded her hands and placed them on the bar. “Addie, your father loved you very much. So much, he wanted to protect you from everything. I’m sure these nightmares are just your mind’s way of coping with the idea something horrible happened to your father. Something no one can explain. And I believe when something is unexplainable, your mind conjures up all sorts of scenarios. Have you thought about what these nightmares might mean?”
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking.”
“Well, your mind manifests a variety of possible circumstances of your father’s death. I believe everyone has certain abilities and maybe these nightmares are trying to tell you something.”
“I thought so, too, but they aren’t very clear. What do you think they mean?”
“Honey, I don’t know, you haven't really ever wanted to talk about them before. When my mom and dad died, I didn’t think I could go on. I was eleven years old and was suddenly swept into a world of adulthood, and much like you, I was very bitter.”
“I’m sorry, sometimes I forget about what you went through at such a young age.”
“Well, I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself and one day your dad told me I needed to accept what had happened, but that I should never forget our parents and what they stood for. They loved me and I needed to find the little girl deep inside me they would want me to be. At first, I wanted to hit and swear at your dad. I told him it wasn’t fair because he had them while he was growing up but I didn’t. I was very resentful. He told me everything happens for a reason and I should search deep within myself and find that reason. Well, considering I was only eleven at the time, it was quite a bit of ru
bbish as far as I was concerned.”
Addie moved a rag in circles on the bar, listening. Maia smiled and scooted closer, placing her hand over Addie's, stopping the motion.
“But one day, years later, I think you were about seven years old, I overheard you arguing with another little girl at the playground. She was a mean one and told you to go away. She said you couldn’t play with her and her friends because you came from a broken family, because you didn’t have a mother. Her mother told her little girls who grew up without mothers turned out to be whores.”
“I remember. I punched her in the face.”
Maia laughed. “Then you told her you might not have a mother who’d given birth to you, but you had something better than a mother. You had an aunt who loved you and took care of you, not because she had to but because she chose to and you wouldn’t trade her for all the mothers in the world.”
“I didn’t know you heard that, but I meant every word.”
“That day, I found the reason your father told me about. I loved you as if you were my own daughter. You’ve brought such joy to my life. The point I’m getting at here is, your dad wouldn’t want you agonizing over his death, and I’m sure the nightmares you’re experiencing stem from not knowing what happened. If you open up and maybe focus your energies on love instead of hate, your nightmares might lead to some sort of discovery. You may have some hidden abilities coming through in your dreams that may help bring some closure.”
“Abilities?” Just what did Maia know?
“Well, yes. I believe everyone has hidden abilities and I think if you dig deep enough into your soul, you might just find talents there you never thought possible. So, instead of looking for the negatives about ... what did you say his name was?”
“Cael.”
“Yes, Cael. Instead of looking at the negatives of starting a relationship, focus on the adventure. If you like the man, even a little, then there is something to explore. And maybe, just maybe, by focusing on him, your nightmares will subside.”
Whisper Cape Page 9
