by Jo Leigh
“All right already,” Vern yelled back. All the ships at sea probably heard the man, but when he faced Wyatt again, he was smiling. The guy was old. Really old, but his lungs sure worked fine.
Before he got another word out, Cricket whistled. Also very loudly. Maybe that was a thing about Rhodies he didn’t know? “Wyatt, I need you, please.”
“Excuse me, Vern. The lady calls.”
Vern nodded, then got busy settling into a canvas chair.
Of course, Wyatt was given a thorough head-to-toe examination as he joined Cricket. Lila could learn a thing or two from these women about discomfiting a man. He felt as though he was being graded like tuna. Only not as highly. The fact that the three women decided to walk with him didn’t surprise him at all.
“She’s got four fillets all ready for the grill,” Cricket said. “But she’s also got some bass, if you prefer it.”
“No, I want to try out that recipe you mentioned.”
Rita Mae nodded. “In other words, he wants you to do the work.”
“Don’t you fret,” Cricket said. “He’ll have plenty to do tonight. Count on it.”
All four of them laughed. He wasn’t quite sure how to take that. Good thing he was used to rowdy women.
Another gust, this one stronger, made all the tarps in the market flap like crazy, and blew several signs off the tables. The only thing that didn’t get swept up seemed to be Hetty’s hat.
“Is that why hardly anyone’s here?” Cricket asked. “Is everybody getting stocked up for the storm?”
“I’ve still got to go,” the only woman Wyatt didn’t recognize said. “But before you leave, I need to talk to you about something of a legal nature.”
The woman looked as if she’d lived a tough life, too, weathered and strong as the women sailors he’d worked with, but older. Not Vern old, but Wyatt would guess in her late sixties.
“What’s on your mind, Penny? You know I can’t practice in Rhode Island. I only have a license in Illinois.”
“Well, I wish you’d hurry up and get one here.” She glanced around at the others, scrambling to pick up things scattered by the wind. “This isn’t the time or place, but I’ll tell you this much—the resort is trying to buy up beachfront land, and the way they’re after the older folks has me worried. I’m not sure these elderly fishmongers know what they’re reading, or worse, signing.”
“Oh, no. I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, but I’ll give you a call after Ronny’s home and the storm passes. We’ll talk, and if you can get your hands on any paperwork or contracts they’re pushing, that would help.”
“That’d be great, honey. We’d all appreciate it. The lawyers in town want an arm and a leg just to look at a piece of paper.”
Cricket patted the woman’s tanned arm. “Don’t worry about it, Penny. And you say hey to your family for me.”
“I will.”
Wyatt had paid Rita Mae for the fish and was about to move on when Penny gave him a curious look. “You’re the Wyatt that goes out to help the coast guard, aren’t you?”
“That’s right,” he said, not unaware of Cricket’s obvious curiosity.
“You found Tom and his son back in November,” Hetty said.
He nodded, holding the fish in one hand, his toolbox in the other. “Hate to rush you,” he said to Cricket, “but we’ve got a lot to do.”
Thank God she got the hint. “Oh, my lord, how did it get this late?” She started backing up. “Great to see you all. I’ll be able to chat more the next time I’m here. And thanks for the fish, Rita Mae.”
By the time their feet hit sand, she’d taken the fish from him so they could hold hands again. Wyatt grinned all the way back to Ronny’s.
Chapter Seventeen
WHILE THE SUN was still above the horizon, Wyatt had gone out to do a full inspection of all the repairs that needed to be done on the shack. Cricket, meanwhile, had put the fish in the citrus and white wine marinade, set up the coals in the outside barbecue and found enough veggies to make a tantalizing salad.
The door swung open and Wyatt came in, his hair making it look as if he’d jumped out of a blender. “Is it that windy outside?”
“I may have crawled under the shack.”
“When will you know for sure?”
His nose scrunched up adorably. “Fine. I was looking for storm supplies.”
“You could have asked me. I would have told you.”
“But would you have known how low on water he is?”
“No, but I would have told you that he’s also got a closet by his bedroom where he’s got most of the water stored, plus batteries, flashlights, a portable stove, even a large bag of wet wipes and toilet paper, and some excellent rum.”
“Rum?”
“He finds that’s the best beverage for hurricanes and tropical storms. Personally, I can’t argue with that.”
“Huh.” Wyatt studied her as if she were a code he hadn’t cracked. “You’re a lot like that Treasure Trove.”
She laughed but it took her a second to realize he meant that teaser puzzle they’d started last night. The compliment was actually nicer than she’d first thought. “Well, thank you.”
“I meant impossible to put together when there’s anyone else around.”
“And when we’re alone?”
“Ah, that’s when I want to make you come apart.”
She inhaled deeply and pulled him into a searing kiss. Whatever he’d been holding fell to the floor with a whoosh and a clunk, and then his hands were all over her back, and the heat around them rose at least five degrees. When he groaned, a deep guttural sound that made all the right parts clench, she ran a hand underneath his T-shirt across his smooth, slick back.
Then the timer went off.
Wyatt leaned back just enough to speak. “Is that critical?”
“Only if we want to eat before leaving.”
He gave her one last, far too chaste kiss and stepped away.
“I’m not even hungry, though,” she said, wincing at how whiny she sounded.
“You need to eat and so do I. Didn’t you tell me you wanted help with your bedroom?”
Sighing as she walked back to the kitchen to turn off the annoying timer, she had to say yes. “I’d planned to get to it today, but we can wait till morning.”
“I don’t know, there’s been some chatter about the storm coming earlier than predicted, I wouldn’t advise putting off anything important.”
“My room isn’t important.”
“Getting your father home is. And besides, I have to go check on the bar after we eat, while you go take your dad his things.”
“Okay, but then I’ll meet you at the bar, and if you can get away, which you don’t have to, we’ll come back here. It won’t take very long. I just need to get into the closet. Since I have no clue how long I’ll be here, with the exception of one sundress, I’ve only got fancy clothes with me. And I can’t keep borrowing his cargo shorts. These are the only ones that fit me.”
“Why don’t we get the chores completely out of the way, then discuss what we’ll do later.”
“Are you suggesting the meal I’ve slaved over is going to be a chore to eat?”
He smiled. “You’re not going to trick me into another kiss, you know.”
She lowered her head. “Bet you I could.”
He closed his eyes. “Fine. You could. But now ask yourself. Should you?”
Instead of going to the fridge, she jumped on him. Luckily, he caught her just fine, his big hands cupping her bottom as she attacked him with kisses. “I’m a grown-up,” she said, between smooches. “I can do what I want.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, although it was mostly two grunts, as he started walking to the back of the house.
Unfortunately, he opened the wrong door.
It was Ronny’s bedroom, and that skeeved her out a little. She held his face between her hands as she stared into his gorgeous gray eyes. “Okay. Put me down. I’ll put the fish on the grill, and you can make the salad dressing.”
“Me?” He let her slide down his body.
She realized that was probably to make a point...seemed she’d stirred him up more than was nice. “It’s not possible you don’t know how to make salad dressing.”
“What kind?”
“Whatever. I’m not picky.”
“All right, but if you don’t like it, don’t blame me.”
“Oh, don’t even try to pull that guy crap. I know you better than that.”
“Hey, that’s not—”
“Don’t make me call the girls.”
“Hell, I’m outnumbered. I’m going to wash up. Then I’ll make the best damn salad dressing you’ve ever had.”
She watched him walk to the bathroom, his butt a thing of wonder. Then she got busy with the grill.
* * *
THEY HAD JUST finished eating, with many compliments to his salad dressing, and to her exceptional fish, and he was tackling the dishes as Cricket went over the list of repairs. The list was long, and some of them she could handle, but some were way past her skill set. It was great that Wyatt had offered to help, but he had his own business to take care of. He might like Ronny, but he wasn’t indebted to him, or for that matter, to her.
The water turned off and Wyatt grabbed a dish towel, while staring at her. “Everything okay?”
She nodded. “Have you heard anything about the resort owners trying to buy up beach property?”
“Yeah. They tried to buy the bar from Sam, but he didn’t like them and refused to sell. That didn’t stop him from using the leverage to raise the price on me, however. Not that I could blame him.”
“They didn’t try to pursue you?”
“Oh, yeah. But when I told them no, they backed off.”
“Of course they did.” The thought of a bunch of suits trying to strong-arm him made her smile, if only for a second. “What I’m worried about is them pressuring the older folks. I hate to think they’re being taken advantage of. Not all of them had a lot of schooling.”
“I couldn’t help hearing your conversation with Penny. Can’t say it surprises me.” He studied her a moment, then hung the towel. “Is that really what’s bothering you?”
“Mostly,” she said. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
He joined her at the table. “I may not have answers, but as you mentioned, I’m hella good at listening.”
“Hella good, huh?”
He put his hand on hers. “For what it’s worth I don’t think you have to worry about Ronny. He’s a tough old dude.”
“I know.”
“But...?”
She looked at their hands, liking the way he’d threaded his fingers through hers. “It’s all jumbled together. I’d be surprised if he has good health insurance.”
“Don’t you think he’s saved some money? His charter business is one of the busiest in the area.”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t like to worry me, so of course, that worries me. I mean, obviously I’m going to make sure he has everything he needs regardless of his coverage. I’m lucky that I earn a good salary.”
For now at least.
She kept the thought to herself, refusing to sound like she was complaining, or worse, making excuses for why she might need to swallow her pride and do what the partners wanted. God, it made her seem so weak and pathetic. She cleared her throat, as if that could keep the sudden nausea at bay.
“Look,” Wyatt said, “bad enough you’re faced with a life-changing decision, but now you feel cornered and helpless because your future depends on people who don’t share the same values as you. It’s a damn tough place to be. I understand because I’ve been there.”
She swallowed around the lump in her throat. Maybe he really did get it. She wondered if it had anything to do with his decision to leave the military. Her thoughts bounced back to his purchase of the bar. It couldn’t have been cheap. The land alone was worth a small fortune. Plus Sam had gotten an even higher price out of him. “Do you ever regret leaving the service?”
“Not for a second.”
“What did Penny mean about you helping the coast guard?”
“I can fly a helicopter.” He shrugged. “I’ve gone up to look for boats that lose communication, or when the sea turns rough and guys are late. That’s all.”
“That’s all?” Cricket smiled. “Wait. Rough seas? Does that mean you go up during storms?”
“I have,” he said slowly. “But only when it was safe to do so.”
She let silence lapse, sensing his reluctance to talk about it. She couldn’t help wondering if that had anything to do with him missing his old life.
Wyatt inhaled. Leaned back without pulling his grip away from hers. “Like I said, no regrets. And believe me, the decision wasn’t an easy one. My whole family has been military. Great grandfather, grandfather, father, brother, uncles, all career military. I went to Annapolis, not just because it was expected of me, but because I wanted to. I wanted that life. Navy all the way. After a while, I got recruited into special ops, which was something else I’d wanted. I was doing what I was good at, and I didn’t see an end in sight.”
Cricket didn’t have to say a word. She just watched his face as he mentally deliberated what to tell her next.
“After fifteen years of being part of a close extended family, which is what it is when you’re in that kind of work, things changed for me. The job no longer fit. I couldn’t do it anymore. Even when I knew without reservation that I needed to leave the service, it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever faced. My family still doesn’t understand.”
Adam.
It was the first thing that popped into her mind. If she didn’t think it would hurt Wyatt, she’d have asked if his friend had anything to do with his decision. “Was it anything in particular that happened?”
His prolonged hesitation made her wish she hadn’t asked the question.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Not really.”
“A mission went south, Cricket. Lives were lost. I know it happens. It’s war. I’ve seen a lot of hard things. But this one hit different and there wasn’t any other choice but to get out.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thank you for telling me,” she said, holding his gaze for several seconds, but unable to read him. Stricken by the awful feeling he might be reliving that horrible part of his past, she picked up the list. “Are there any urgent repairs that should be tackled sooner rather than later?”
“A couple, but watch the time. Didn’t you say visiting hours are over at eight thirty?”
She nodded. “By the way, thanks for the list, but you’re not on the hook for anything. I’ve got it all covered, although helping me out with my room tonight would be great.”
“Okay. But what if I insist on helping after that?”
“It depends.”
“On?”
“If I get to watch.”
He flexed his back as if shrugging off a weight, and she was relieved to see the humor return to his eyes. When she stood up, so did he. Only he didn’t pick up a hammer. Instead, he pulled her into a kiss that made her toes curl.
She kissed him back, but when he switched to nibbling on her neck, she wanted to drag him straight to her bedroom. They’d gone through this already, and if she didn’t stop things right now, the whole plan would go to pot.
“Maybe,” she whispered, “we could save some less critical chores for when Ronny’s out with a charter. That would free up a little of our evening.”
“Now you’re talking. I have a whole list of things we could do.”
“I’ve seen it.”
He p
ulled away from her neck, and she wanted him back, right where he’d left off. “I wasn’t talking about repairs—”
She laughed. She couldn’t help it. “I really hate that I like you so much.”
“We’re even then. I hate that I like you, too.” As he reached for her, his cell phone went off. “Speak of the devil...” He frowned at the screen. “My dad never calls,” he muttered, as he put the phone up to his ear. “Good evening, Admiral, what can I do for you?”
* * *
“ARE YOU STILL in Rhode Island?”
Clearly the old man hadn’t changed in the months since they’d last spoken. “Yep. Still own the bar, too.” He could just imagine his father’s twinge at that.
“I’ve heard there’s a storm headed your way. A pretty bad one, according to the weather forecasts.”
That stopped Wyatt cold. It wasn’t like his father to worry about the weather. Either he was getting soft, or he was up to something. Or else... “How’s Mom? Is she okay?”
“She’s fine. Sends her best. She’ll call you soon. I assume you’ve got things under control?”
“I do. Thanks for asking.”
The admiral hesitated.
A weird feeling sent a chill down Wyatt’s spine. “Everything all right with you?” Was it his brother? “Is Nelson okay?”
“I believe so. At least, I haven’t heard otherwise. Everyone’s fine.”
“Good.”
“Well, I won’t keep you.”
His father hung up, just like always. No goodbye, no sentiment at all, which was why Wyatt was confused.
“Your father’s an admiral?”
He turned to Cricket. “Yep.”
“Wow.”
“To make things even worse, he’s with the Pentagon.”
“Huh,” she said, obviously impressed, but she also looked thoughtful. “So, in other words, he’s a pencil pusher.”
Wyatt’s laugh burst out of him like a shot.
“Was he special ops, too?”
“The admiral? No.”
She put a hand on his hip. “What about the rest of your family?”
“No, just me.”
