by Tara Randel
After a few more minutes, he lowered the camera. They moved back into the kitchen. “I think I have enough. Anything else for me to see?”
She desperately tried to think of some way to stall. Her gaze fell on the freezer. “You know, there is. I remember you loved my recipe for chicken and dumplings. I made some for a party this weekend. The tray is in the freezer.”
A smug grin curved his lips. “Lead on.”
Jenna’s heart raced. She pulled the screwdriver from the latch and placed it on the nearby shelf. Opening the door, she asked, “Can you help me? The tray is pretty big.”
“Sure.” He loosened the camera strap, laid his priceless possession on the prep table, but kept the gun in his hand.
Jenna pushed aside the vinyl curtain to lead him inside. “Over there.”
When Rod came to her side, she pointed to the tray. “That’s the one.”
“Doesn’t look heavy. You pick it up.”
Jenna bit her lip and bent over to lift the tray, but at the last minute, she grabbed the side of the shelf and tugged. The whole unit toppled, hitting Rod in the shoulder, causing him to stagger and drop the gun. Before he could right himself and pick up the weapon, Jenna raced to the door and jumped outside, slamming it shut. Grabbing the screwdriver, she jammed it in the lock. Rod banged on the door from the inside, bellowing to be let out. She fell back against the cold steel, heart pounding as she tried to steady her jagged breathing.
* * *
WYATT JUMPED FROM the bow onto the dock when his cell rang. He glanced at the screen, frowning when he saw Jenna’s number.
“Everyone okay?”
At first he heard rapid breathing, then a small voice. “Mr. Wyatt?”
His chest seized. “Bridget?”
“You gotta save Jenna.”
“Bridget, what happened?”
“That mean guy with the camera came here. To our house. Took Jenna.”
“Do you know where he took her?”
He heard soft voices speaking. “We think to the catering kitchen.”
“Are you two okay?”
“Yes. Just scared.”
“I’ll call my mom to come over and stay with you, okay? Lock the doors until she gets there. Right now I’m going for Jenna.”
“Hurry,” she whispered.
Wyatt ran down the pier to the parking lot. His chest tight and his mind racing, he hit the button to speed dial his mother.
“Wyatt. Calling on a workday? I—”
“Mom. I need your help.” He explained the situation.
“I’ll drop everything and head straight to Jenna’s.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
He tossed the phone on the passenger seat as he jumped into the truck, peeling out of the marina at top speed. He didn’t have far to go, but it seemed to take an eternity.
He’d known in his bones this morning that something wasn’t right. Couldn’t put his finger on it, so he brushed off the feeling. He never should have let Jenna insist he leave without making sure she and the girls got off safely first. If anything happened... He wouldn’t fall into worst-case-scenario mode. Jenna was smart. Had dealt with this guy before. She could take care of herself.
But if he lost her? He couldn’t begin to fathom what that would be like. She’d given him a reason to tackle his grief and move forward to a tentative peace. Why hadn’t he told her how much she meant to him instead of arguing with her? He’d never wanted to live through this kind of fear again, yet here he was, tightly holding the dread at bay.
As he raced down Main Street, he slammed on the brakes to avoid the police car angled at the curb in front of the catering office. Double parking, he jumped from the car just as Jenna burst through the door to the catering business, the chief fast on her heels with Rod in handcuffs. Once she saw Wyatt, she ran to him, falling into his arms.
“Take me to the girls. They’re alone. I have to make sure—”
“Jenna, listen. I called my mother. She’s almost there now.”
“But, how did you know?”
“Bridget called.”
She sagged against him.
“Are you okay?” he said against her soft hair.
Her breath came in short bursts, but she nodded.
He held her away from him, searching for signs of injury. When he couldn’t spot any, he framed her pale face in his hands. “What happened?”
In stops and starts, Jenna related what had transpired. Wyatt listened, shocked at the lengths the reporter had gone to get Jenna alone, appalled that she had to live through the experience. The fear that had taken hold since Bridget’s call intensified with each word.
“But you aren’t hurt?”
“Shook up, but not hurt.”
He rested his forehead against hers, thankful for her safety. When he could finally speak, he said, “I can’t believe I left you this morning.”
“I didn’t give you much choice.”
“I take off and you get yourself into all kinds of trouble.”
She hiccupped a laugh.
He pulled back. Searched her face. “I wasn’t there for you.”
“No, but you came up with the idea of the screwdriver to lock the freezer door. Once I lured Rod inside, I escaped and trapped him in.”
He blinked. “You’re amazing.’
“So are you.”
He couldn’t wait any longer. He kissed her hard, mainly to assure himself she was really here, really okay. She returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around him as if she’d never let go. But with the kiss came reality.
He could have lost her.
He broke the kiss and took a step back. The fear dissipated, followed by wanting. He’d let her down big-time, which he’d have to live with. What he didn’t know was if he could live with the worry that came from loving another person again. He’d gone through the agony of losing Jamie. His world had collapsed when his son died. How could he give himself to Jenna when there was a chance he could lose her? Or the girls?
“I have to get to the twins,” she whispered, her eyes moist. “They need me.”
In his haste to hold Jenna, he’d almost forgotten about the girls. “Of course. C’mon. My truck is parked by the curb.”
Doing everything he could to keep to the speed limit, Wyatt got her home quickly. He remained silent as he drove, his mind working overtime. The wall that had begun to crumble around his heart in the past weeks reassembled. He allowed the welcome shell of numbness to surround him as the reality of their situation struck home. He couldn’t do this again. No matter how much he’d come to love Jenna. It had taken him this long to figure it out, but the honest truth was before him.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
IN THE DAYS that followed, all of Jenna’s friends, now her extended family, stopped by to visit, bringing food and comfort. The chief had arrested Rod, charging him with multiple felony offenses that would keep him out of the picture for a long time. While she should have been relieved that the nightmare was over, Wyatt’s glaring absence didn’t go unnoticed.
She had sensed his withdrawal as soon as he’d dropped her at the end of the driveway after the fateful morning with Rod. Wyatt had given her the excuse that she needed time alone with the girls, to reassure them everything would be fine now.
She would have welcomed him by her side as she explained to Bridget and Abby what had happened with Rod and listened as Bridget told her how she kept pushing against the closet door until the chair locking her in fell over and she got free. He’d been with them when they needed him most, so why wouldn’t he want to be here now?
Bridget asked for him, crestfallen when Jenna didn’t know his whereabouts or why he hadn’t come to see them. She needed to know what was going on with him as much as the girls.
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Unable to take the suspense any longer, she arranged for Nealy to watch the girls for a few hours while she went in search of answers. If Wyatt wouldn’t come to her, she’d go to him. She’d learned he had a charter today and planned on meeting him when he got back. They were overdue for this conversation.
By the time she got to the marina, the sun hung high in the sky, the temperatures hovering in the high eighties. She’d dressed in a simple yellow tank top with denim shorts, sunglasses protecting her eyes, her flip-flops slapping the wooden dock as she strode to his boat. She passed a group of laughing, sunburned men, probably Wyatt’s clients. Good, it meant Wyatt was free to talk to her.
He’d just jumped from the bow to the pier when Jenna approached. His ball cap cast shadows over his face, but she savored the sight of him in his work T-shirt and cargo shorts. When he saw her, he visibly tensed.
Wonderful. She stopped before him, trying for a relaxed pose, though she felt anything but. “So, the girls and I were wondering where you’ve been. Last week we couldn’t get rid of you. Now you’re like the invisible man.”
“I had some catching up to do.”
“Really. All day and night? You couldn’t fit us in?”
He took the cap from his head and slapped it against his thigh. Gazed out over the water. Long moments passed. “I haven’t been by on purpose.”
“I figured.”
“Look, I think it’s best if we take a breather. Not spend time together.”
Her stomach knotted. She’d secretly expected this, but the reality hurt. “And why would that be?”
“After all the drama the other day, it was like the accident with Jamie all over again. I knew I never should have agreed to leave you that morning. I knew you were in danger from the reporter and I walked away. It was reckless and—”
“Wyatt, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Just like Jamie’s death wasn’t my fault? His death shattered my illusion that I could control anything. Protect anyone. Life is fragile, Jenna. I don’t know if I can risk my heart by loving someone again. When Bridget called and told me Rod had you...” He stopped. Gathered himself before continuing. “I flashed to the same scared, helpless feeling I experienced when Jamie was swept off the boat. I don’t want to live like that again.”
“But we’re safe now.”
“Until something else happens.”
“Yes, stuff happens, Wyatt, but we can weather anything. Together.” She stepped forward, taking a bracing breath. She either told him her feelings now or walked away forever with the words unsaid. “I love you.”
He recoiled. She tried not to let his response wound her, but it did.
“The girls love you, too. I think we have the start of something good here.”
He went still. Closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I can’t do this. I can’t take the chance.”
Jenna’s heart shattered. She’d hoped Wyatt could love her, hoped he could overcome the hold his son’s death had over him. But she was wrong. Oh so very wrong.
Without any further words, Jenna turned to walk back to her car. Wyatt had made up his mind. The past had too tight a grip on him. Didn’t matter that Jenna loved him. He wasn’t willing to fight for them and she couldn’t compel him to do otherwise. He’d chosen to live with the fear instead of living with her love.
Once she got to the parking lot, she decided she couldn’t go home yet. How was she going to explain to the girls that Wyatt no longer wanted to be a part of their family? How would Bridget react to another person she loved disappearing from her life?
Knowing she didn’t have the answers, and pretty broken up herself, she went toward the beach. Head spinning, she kicked off her flip-flops and ambled through the warm surf, aimlessly tromping along the water’s edge. The hot sun baked her shoulders. A fine sheen of perspiration bathed her face. When a seagull dive-bombed for a piece of food near her, she didn’t jump away.
No, all she focused on was the fact Wyatt didn’t want her. Would it have been different if they’d met under other circumstances? If he’d been further along in his grief process? Or did he simply not love Jenna? It made sense, really. He’d come so far, yet her troubles had set him back. How could he love her?
In her short time in Cypress Pointe, she’d almost gotten the life she’d longed for. A family made up of good friends, if not blood relatives. Raising the girls in a happy environment. She’d fallen heart and soul for a good man. And still, the dream was just out of her reach. At this rate, she’d probably never attain it. Now, she wouldn’t bother trying.
“Oh, Carrie,” she whispered, missing her late friend so much it increased the ache surrounding her heart. “What do I do now? How do I get through this?”
She needed answers, but received silence instead. Carrie would have had the right advice, would probably tell Jenna to cut her losses. Find a different man, start a new relationship.
But in her heart, Jenna knew there was no better guy for her than Wyatt.
Okay, so he didn’t love her. She’d make do. She always did. She’d throw herself into work and loving the girls. They needed her and she certainly needed them. Carrie had entrusted the girls with her. From now on, they had her full and total attention. If Wyatt didn’t want to be a part of their life, it was his loss.
* * *
THREE WEEKS. THREE long weeks without seeing them.
Wyatt missed the girls. All of them.
He missed Jenna’s sunny smile and sense of humor. Her kisses made him come alive. He missed the way she looked at him, a combination of empathy and kindness. Missed their conversations as well as their arguments. Mostly, Wyatt missed her strength and her quiet conviction that he was indeed a whole man.
He missed Bridget hanging on to his every word, as well as her small, trusting hand in his. He missed Abby’s shy insistence that he join them in whatever adventure they embarked on, sure he’d watch their backs.
If he’d been able to tackle his fears, he wouldn’t be missing the family they’d almost become. But that hadn’t happened, and he’d now lost something very dear to him. Hope for the future.
Trudging from the marina, he felt a weariness dogging his steps. Lately, all he did was work on the boat, barely slept or ate. Loss gnawed at him every waking hour. Was this what he had in store for the remainder of his years? Nothing but sorrow? Always asking what if?
While his decision to stay away from Jenna had been a needed separation at first, lately he wondered if his stubbornness was ruining his life. Could he take a chance? Start again with Jenna? Bridget? Abby? Just when he thought maybe he could handle a future with them, the ever-present grief would come rushing in like a mighty wave, the emotional undertow dragging away all his good intentions.
He unlocked the door to the cottage, dodging an antsy Cruiser as he entered. He took the dog out for a brief run then returned, heading straight to the bathroom. A long, hot shower would remove the sticky saltwater residue and sweat on his skin, along with any emotion he had left. He’d made his decision, now he had to live with the consequences.
Fifteen minutes later, he donned a clean T-shirt and shorts. He got a glass of cold water and wandered into the den. Froze at the sight before him.
Scattered about the couch and table were tangible reminders of what he’d closed the door on. Jenna’s favorite sweater, the one she insisted on wearing when they went out to eat because the restaurant air-conditioning was too cold. She’d left it here the last time they were together. He picked it up to run his fingers over the cotton, stirring up the scent of her floral perfume.
Bridget’s notebook, open to a page of neatly lined numbers. On closer inspection, he remembered the day she’d needed help with multiplication tables. He’d taught her a neat trick to remember the order of the numbers.
His gaze moved from the notebook to
settle on Abby’s favorite princess doll. She’d perched right on this couch, making up a fanciful story about a prince’s honor when it came to his lady love. He’d laughed at the time, only now realizing Abby had meant for him to be the prince, Jenna his lady love. He’d sure destroyed that fairy tale.
He needed to get these things back to them. As he gathered up the belongings, he noticed a small blanket folded neatly on the back of the couch. Jamie’s blanket.
His eyes began to water. How had this happened? His past and his future, mixed up together. He brought the blanket to his face, inhaling. The little boy scent he always associated with Jamie was gone. Just like his hopes and dreams of a future raising his son.
Cruiser lay at his feet, softly whining. Wyatt crouched down, absently rubbing his head. “What am I gonna do, boy?”
When Cruiser remained silent, Wyatt finally set the blanket down with the rest of the treasures he’d collected. He stared for a long time, until slowly, the heaviness lifted from his chest. He imagined his son, smiling at him, telling him to let go. I’m fine, dad, he would have said. And for the first time, Wyatt believed.
* * *
AFTER DINNER, JENNA and the girls had just finished rearranging the living room furniture when the doorbell rang. “Are we expecting anyone?”
“Nope,” Abby answered.
Bridget shrugged.
Tousling Bridget’s hair as she passed by, Jenna couldn’t help but consider the girls’ well-being again.
The past few weeks had been tough emotionally. She’d been incredibly relieved to have Nealy’s friendship. Their late-night girl talk had never been more necessary.
With additional catering events booked, and Max and Lilli’s upcoming wedding, she kept her mind busy. In a surprising move, the cable network had come up with the idea of filming her catering business as a limited-run reality show. Barbara was in negotiations now. Her career was in full swing again.
Too bad her personal life stunk.
She opened the door, her smile slipping when she glimpsed Wyatt standing on the porch.
