The chief cleared his throat. “Before you do, Jake, I need to speak with you.” He waved off Lily and Denis. “You two go on.”
Lily didn’t appreciate being dismissed, in her own shop no less, but needed the caffeine more than to appease her bruised ego, so she and Denis complied with the chief’s orders. All of them demonstrated concern for her and her shop and she embraced their strength. The success of her family business rested on her shoulders and right now without her sisters to rely on, she had to turn to others for assistance.
Denis could always be counted on, but ironically Jake had somehow ingrained himself into her life. When she had last spoken to her sisters, she had glossed over her odd relationship with the man who had stolen the bait and tackle shop lease. Would they understand that Lily was developing feelings for him? He had somehow stolen a piece of her heart. Over the years, she had steady high school, then college boyfriends, even got engaged to Sam, but the relationship that was budding with Jake was different. Their connection was instant, but felt right, natural. Somehow, they just clicked.
In the kitchen reserved for the staff, she had made a pot of coffee. Although, Denis had brought her favorite caramel flavored brew from the local shop, Lily suspected she would needs lots of caffeine to get through the day.
Jake soon came in and offered nothing about what he and the chief had discussed. For a few moments, the three of them sat at one of the tables, sipped their coffee, and ate croissants in odd silence. As she nibbled the flaky crust, her mind turned to plans of salvaging her family business.
“You’re right, I’m in love.” Jake toasted Denis with his borrowed mug, and Denis beamed with pride as Jake took another bite. “So what’s on the agenda today?”
Lily glanced at the clock on the wall. “Haley should be here soon after her run. She jogs on the beach every morning. When she gets here, I’d like to form a plan of action.”
They chatted about the unpredictable seasonal weather pattern, the new shipment of dresses, everything but the huge white elephant in the room, namely the tragedy of Sam’s murder and the negative impact on the business.
That is, until Haley peeked her head in, her damp hair sleeked back in a ponytail. “Here you are. Ooh, coffee!”
Haley found a mug, fixed her coffee, and joined them. Denis held out the bakery bag, and she smiled when she peered in and spotted the treats.
She bit into one. “Yum!” A speck of chocolate remained on the corner of her mouth, and Lily offered her a napkin. “This is delicious! What is it?”
Denis took the liberty to explain the French confection and how he stopped at the year-round bakery, as he does each morning, to buy coffee and a breakfast treat for Lily and himself. The idea was to start their day off sweet and support a local business at the same time.
Earlier, Lily was annoyed that Haley was inefficient, but the poor girl wasn’t as cultured as she claimed. How did she work in New York City and never have a chocolate croissant? Or at least recognize one?
A pang of guilt threatened to strangle Lily as Haley savored her breakfast. Lily thought of her staff. Most came in a few minutes before opening time, but from now on, they’d buy enough treats for the whole staff to enjoy no matter what time they started their day.
“Speaking of supporting local businesses,” Lily said, “This Saturday is the community bonfire, Fall into Your Local Business.”
“What is that?” Jake asked.
Another surprise. Since he was a local business, or soon to be one, Jake should have been aware of the opportunity to promote his new venture. “You should have gotten a flyer in the mail. The event has been promoted all over town for weeks. Advertisements are in the local newspaper.”
He shrugged. “Guess I missed those.”
How could he be blasé about the event? Lily explained how local businesses opened year-round needed support from the community during the off-season. The Chamber of Commerce invited businesses to hold a community event at the lighthouse. “Businesses have booths to sell their wares, give away freebies, customers win prizes. There’s food, music, games, face painting, lots of fun things. The event starts at noon, and when the sunsets, there’s a bonfire and a night climb up the lighthouse. We have to plan our attendance this year.”
Denis tossed his empty coffee cup into the trash. “Last year’s was great. Except . . .”
Lily sucked in her breath and gazed at Denis.
“I’m sorry, Lily.” Denis came over and put his arm around her shoulder in an awkward hug. “How thoughtless.”
She patted his hand and managed to get out of her chair without bumping him. “No worries.”
She turned away and chewed on her pastry, ignoring the wretched pain in her stomach, not wanting to relive one of the worst days of her life.
Chapter 12
“Except what?” Haley asked, crumpling up a napkin and tossing out her garbage.
The pastry lodged in Lily’s throat. She forced the clump down. “I didn’t attend. My sisters and the rest of the staff did. I was too mortified to face anyone. The event was too soon after Sam left me at the altar, and people were still gossiping.”
“Oh.” Haley refreshed her coffee. “Any more news on his murder? Have they found his belongings? Have they figured out what he was doing back here? Or why he was in a gown? Crazy, right? Not that he didn’t deserve it after what he did to you, Lily.”
Everyone stared at Haley. “How did you know about the dress? The chief was withholding that information.” Lily heard the accusation in her own voice.
Color drained from Haley’s face. “I-I heard it from someone at the station. When I was there giving my statement.”
Jake glared at her and squeezed his forehead together. “Who? The chief would want to know.”
Haley stiffened, giving Lily the impression Haley would have disappeared into the floor if that was possible. Then the poor girl began to shake. But Jake was right. The chief wouldn’t be happy with loose lips in his own station. “You have to tell us, Haley.”
“I don’t remember who,” Haley whispered. “I mentioned it because Sam was a jerk. From what I’ve heard.”
Not sure if Haley’s insensitivity about Sam being murdered was because of her lack of people skills, but Lily couldn’t respond. No one deserved to die like that. Not even Sam. Thankfully, she didn’t have to say anything because Jake came to her rescue.
“Seems you’ve heard a lot of things. But no, nothing new from the chief. He doesn’t want the detail about the dress leaked. If reporters get wind of that tidbit, the murder will make world news.”
Haley nodded. “Yes, I understand. They’re vultures,” she spat out.
When all eyes turned back at her, stunned at the harshness, she said, “The way they’ve been harassing all of us. Not cool.”
Lily’s hand flew to her throat, surprised at Haley’s lack of social skills and the expressions she blurted out. The more Lily got to know Haley, the more sheltered Haley appeared. Lily couldn’t understand how that was possible when Haley had lived and worked in a big city the last few years. “They’ve been harassing you?”
Haley nodded into her coffee mug. “Ah-huh. They came to my apartment yesterday and knocked on my door. I wouldn’t answer. This morning they followed me as I jogged, and threw questions at me when I went back to my apartment to shower. Creeped me out. Why are they doing that? I don’t have anything to say. I should have called the police.”
“Why didn’t you?” asked Jake.
When she shook her head, Denis chimed in, “Yeah, why not? If they scared you, they have no right to do that. Lily, we should let the chief know.”
Haley shot up her hand in a stop motion. “No, that’s okay. I don’t want to cause him any more work. They’ve been following and calling you too, haven’t they, Lily?” The scared, de
sperate tone of Haley’s voice resonated throughout the room.
“Yes, but I own the place. It makes sense they’d set up camp at my house and here. They want gossip from you. It’s not like you were there and know anything more than the rest of us.” Lily tried to comfort Haley and coax her to sit back down, but she remained frozen.
“You don’t know anything, do you, Haley?” Jake asked.
Haley sent him a confused look. “No. What could I tell them? I didn’t even know that Sam left Lily at the altar. Fact is, an evil man was murdered. He must have been wicked to have done what he’d done. Sorry, Lily.”
Conversation stalled and an awkward silence floated about the kitchen. Everyone waited for Lily to respond, but she didn’t know what more she could say. Yes, what he did was horrible. And now he’s dead. Lily stared at them. Their silence spoke volumes.
They don’t know how to make the situation better for me. Lily couldn’t blame them. What do you say to someone who’s been left at the altar? And not just any bride, but a bridal shop owner? And then the ex turns up murdered in her shop wearing one of her gowns?
Denis cleared his throat and the silence. “We need to plan for Saturday. Come on, Haley. We’ve got lots of work to do.”
After they left, Lily collapsed into a chair. Everyone around her was on edge or acting strangely. Haley was frightened, Denis seemed as suspicious of Haley as Lily was, and Jake didn’t seem interested in his own business, but invested in hers. If only her sisters were here to help and share observations.
“You okay?” Jake reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, giving her strained muscles a little squeeze.
“Yeah, I guess.” No, not okay. My ex has been murdered, my business is about to crash, and when you look at me like that, it’s hard for me to remember you’re part of the problem. “I need my sisters right now.”
“Tell me what you need. Maybe there’s something I can do.”
She gulped. Wow, that was a loaded statement. She could think of lots of things she’d like him to do and none of them had anything to do with her failing business. “I must deal with all these unhappy clients. Rose is going to freak when I tell her how much business we’re losing. She’s our accountant and takes care of the finances. I have to figure out a way to spin this around for the future of my shop, and plan for the event on Saturday. Which is what you should be doing too.”
He reached out and took her coffee away. “You need a change of scenery to clear your mind.” After placing her cup in the sink, he took her hand. “Grab your jacket. I’m taking you for a walk on the beach.”
Once again the intimate touch caught her off guard for a moment. His warm hand covering hers seemed natural, easy, like they had known each other a long time. Only they hadn’t. They just met. And he was a major obstacle to the success of her family’s business. She allowed the simple, reassuring touch. Needed to. Good Lord, what was she doing?
He stroked her hand with his thumb, and she didn’t need more coffee to warm her insides. His intimate attention stirred a fire she had extinguished when Sam dumped her. She shouldn’t be having these feelings right now. Sam had crushed her. She had been gullible, and she had known him only months before they got engaged. Look where that got her.
“Come on. You can tell me all about Saturday. We can plan together.”
She studied him and wasn’t fooled by his attempt to charm her with his smile and subtle dimple. Although the chief trusted him, Lily knew something wasn’t adding up. Either he was an awful businessman, because a good businessman would have leaped at the chance of promoting his grand opening when he learned of the event on Saturday, or he was hiding something. But what and why? And that troubled her.
Maybe she was being paranoid. But how did all the ads about Saturday slip by him? If that was the case, he was out of his league, and if he wanted to learn how to run a business, she would help him, as long as he opened up a place elsewhere. But what if he had another agenda? Sam had burned her. She wouldn’t miss the signs this time. She’d never let herself be that vulnerable again.
Jake released her hand, and she gasped a protest. The smile disappeared and disappointment flashed on his handsome face. “We could stay here. If that’s what you want.”
A walk on the beach parallel to the crashing waves would help drown her worries, temporarily. “The reporters?”
His face brightened once he figured he’d won after all. “You have any other clothes here? They’ll recognize you right away in that dress.”
The way his gaze roamed up and down her attire told her he appreciated the view. Heat rushed to her face at the unspoken compliment, once again throwing her off guard. But he was right, she was sure to be recognized in her signature black.
She changed into workout clothes stored in her office and with the help of an officer, they slipped out the back, unnoticed. Heads covered by their hoodies, they jogged toward the beach.
Her sneakers pounded the damp, hard sand nearest the water. Her hood flew off as she jogged, the brisk salt air pelted against her face, and she took in a deep strong breath. Jake kept up beside her, a silent, welcomed companion. They passed other joggers, weaved around surfcasters, and smiled at the occasional dog owner and frolicking pup, but didn’t stop.
Jake followed her lead and surprisingly, she didn’t want to stop. Keep running. The farther she ran, the more her worries moved to the back of her mind.
When she noticed their location, she was surprised to see the water tower of the next town. Lily slowed, then came to a complete stop and stared at the crashing waves.
She stretched out her hamstrings, something she should have done earlier. “Wow, I forgot how great I feel after a run. Exhilarated!”
Jake, on the other hand, had turned a shade of green and was kneading his lower back.
“Are you okay? I forgot about your back. Why didn’t you stop me?”
Between gritted teeth and gasps of air, he said, “No, I’m fine. Need a minute.”
“You don’t look fine. You should have said something.”
“You were enjoying yourself. Was worth it. To see you smile.”
She had been smiling, up until the point when she noted Jake bowled over in pain. He masked his back problems well. She had forgotten he had to leave his job because of his disability. Now he had aggravated his injury because she was enjoying herself.
Feeling guilty that she caused his pain, she said, “Let’s walk this time.”
They wandered back, and out of habit, she scoured the surface of the sand for anything that glittered. She bent down to pick up what she hoped was a sliver of blue beach glass. Brushing off loose sand, she sucked in a breath at discovering the tiny gift. The glass pieces were becoming harder to find these days. She squeezed the stone tight, and as she did, memories of time spent with her father at the beach flooded back. Lily slipped the treasure in her pocket. A tear escaped and she wiped the drop away.
“Hey now, no worries. I can’t push myself like that anymore. My fault. Should’ve known better, but I’ll be fine.”
She rubbed her fingers across the glass using the precious find like a worry stone. The waterworks didn’t slip past him, only their meaning. Since he was being sweet, she didn’t have the heart to correct him and let him know she was sad over something else entirely. After Sam left, she had closed her heart off to any happiness, and now, Jake, through sincere kindness tenderized that hardened piece of her. “I hope that drunk that knocked into you is serving time.”
“He is. Won’t see freedom for a while.”
She stopped and studied him long and hard when she heard the bitter tone of his statement.
“He smashed into me, killed a pedestrian when he fled the scene. Poor woman, reminded me of my grandma. Ran her straight over. Never even hit his brakes.”
“Wow.
” Lily turned and stared at the crashing waves. The soothing sound couldn’t erase the picture of what she imagined. She knew all too well how precious life was and how quickly the cycle could end. Her dad was gone in a blink of an eye and her mother soon after. The unfortunate elderly victim could have been her grandma too, whom she missed terribly. Or Aunt Bee.
“Tell me about your sisters.”
Her stomach clenched, and she twisted around. “Why?”
He shrugged and sent her a smile. “Why not? We’re going to be neighbors, aren’t we? Hey don’t look suspicious. Can’t a guy want to be briefed before he meets them? They have a preconceived notion of me because of the bait shop.”
“Yep. They hate you.”
He laughed, and she melted a little.
“That’s what I’m talking about. They already don’t like me, but once they meet me, I want them to change their minds,” he admitted.
“Why do you care what they think?”
“We’re going to see each other every day, and I don’t want to be on negative terms. Besides, I like their sister.” Jake reached out and ran a finger down her cheek.
She smiled inwardly but put on a straight face. “They would love you, if you’d give up the shop.” When he laughed again, but remained quiet, she shrugged and gestured for them to start walking back. Maybe if she told him more about her sisters and family, he’d have a change of heart and agree to give up the shop.
“My sister Rose is two years younger than me and way more serious. At least she has been ever since she went away to college in Texas and majored in accounting. She runs the financial end of our business. Chrissy is three years younger than Rose and is a lot like my mom. Mom loved flowers. Chrissy is the gardener, loves plants. When we expand, she’s going to run the florist.”
“You and Rose have flower names. Ironic that Chrissy doesn’t.”
Forever Hold Your Piece (The Becker Sisters Bridal Series Book 1) Page 11
