Just a Wish Away

by Barbara Freethy

  "I'm a little impressed with myself," she admitted. "I didn't know I could really talk to him like an equal until I did it. Anyway, at some point in the discussion I asked him flat out if he'd had an affair with Shayla. He blustered that it wasn't any of my business, but I didn't let him off the hook, and finally he admitted that he'd known her."

  "I'm more impressed."

  "He insisted they were just friends, but he did say that he'd been at a birthday party for her, and that probably was his lighter that I saw in the photograph. He also asked me for the pictures, but I said I didn't have them, and he seemed very disturbed by that. I told him you have them, and he asked if I could get them back and bring them to breakfast tomorrow."

  "You're having breakfast with him?"

  She nodded. "It's been a long time since he asked me to do anything with him. I couldn't say no. And it might be a good opportunity to ask him more questions about Shayla."

  "I gave the photos to Drew."

  "Oh, well, that was probably a good idea."

  "I didn't say anything about the lighter possibly belonging to your dad."

  It touched her that Braden's first instinct was to protect her. "I appreciate that."

  "Drew thinks we're out of our minds by the way."

  She smiled. "Some days I think that, too."

  "I also checked in with my sister, and you might be interested to know that Daniel Stone rented the house for Shayla or for himself. Who knows? Maybe she was his guest."

  "That's interesting," she said.

  "Shayla's name was on the rental the year before… so I don't know why that changed."

  "I guess we need to talk to Mr. Stone. Shayla would be about the same age as Daniel if she'd lived. It makes more sense that they would have been involved with each other, than that she was involved with Jack. And when you think about it, Daniel is really the only one of our suspects who would be motivated to cover up the past. My dad doesn't have anything to lose by the revelation of an affair. And he could have just asked my aunt to let him in the shop if he wanted to look through the boxes."

  "I do think your father is a long shot," Braden agreed. "At least for the break-in and for whatever happened to Shayla. He wasn't in town when she died, and as you say, he didn't need to break into his sister's store. Daniel, on the other hand, could be concerned that his relationship with Shayla might somehow come back to haunt him."

  "Like if she was in love with him and killed herself. He might not want anyone to know that." She paused. "If she left a note or a journal or something in the Wellbourne house, maybe Jack hung on to it. Perhaps Daniel or one of his people decided to make sure nothing was suddenly coming to light."

  Braden smiled.

  "What?" she asked suspiciously.

  "You look like a kid at Christmas. Maybe you should change careers and become a detective."

  "We're working on finding you a new job, not me."

  "We'll see," he said.

  Now that they'd finished comparing notes, a silence lengthened between them, turning a little tense and uncomfortable. There was nothing else to focus on besides themselves.

  She cleared her throat. "So…"

  "So…" Braden echoed.

  "Do you want to talk about what happened earlier?"

  "No. You?"

  "I could let it be for now," she said, not sure she would be able to speak clearly and definitively about what she thought or what she wanted. Her mind was too muddled.

  "Then, we'll let it be. What are you doing for dinner?"

  "I haven’t made any plans."

  "I'm meeting my mother and sister at Rocco's."

  "Is that place still around? I loved their pizza."

  "It's still around. You should come."

  "I wouldn't want to intrude."

  "Actually, it would probably be good for me if you were there. Then they won't be able to hound me about my life choices. Carey has worked up a plan for me to be a realtor with her."

  She smiled as he rolled his eyes. "You need something with a little more action."

  "What I need is for people to let me figure it out."

  "Hey, my ideas were more creative. And you didn't even let me get to my latest idea that you should be a pilot."

  "I was in the Army not the Air Force."

  "I know, but you have that cool, calm, I can get this plane down safely kind of demeanor."

  "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, but I suspect most passengers would like experience over demeanor. And you cannot come to dinner unless you promise to drop the career talk."

  "Are you sure they won't mind if I'm there?"

  "They'll be thrilled."

  "My coming might raise more questions for you, Braden. People seem to be very interested in the fact that we're working together."

  "Whatever they ask about you will be better than the questions I've been getting on Kinley."

  "Did they like her?"

  "My mom really tried, but she and Kinley didn't click. They're just too different."

  "So, you want me to come and be your buffer. I think that's just about the nicest invitation I've ever gotten," she mocked.

  He laughed. "I'll let you put vegetables on the pizza," he said, reminding her of the many times he'd made her eat a plain cheese pizza, because he didn't like all the "green stuff".

  "Sold," she said, as she grabbed her purse and followed him out the door.

  Chapter Eleven

  Rocco's Pizza Palace was a landmark in Sand Harbor and had been owned and operated by various members of the Domenici family for almost fifty years. As Braden held open the door to the old-fashioned pizza parlor, Alexa felt like she was stepping back in time, not only because the décor in the restaurant was old, but because this restaurant had been one of her favorites as a kid. She'd eaten here with her own family and also with Braden's.

  Braden's mother and sister were at a table in the center of the room, and Alexa had no problem recognizing Kathy Elliott. She was still blonde and petite, with warm brown eyes and a soft smile. Kathy jumped to her feet and enveloped Alexa in a warm hug before she even had a chance to say hello.

  "Oh, my goodness, Alexa. I'd recognize you anywhere. It's wonderful to see you again," Kathy said with a broad smile as she stepped back and gave her a long look. "You're beautiful."

  She flushed at the compliment. "Thank you. You look good, too. And Carey, wow!" She gave Braden's sister an admiring smile. "You're all grown up. In my mind, you're still ten."

  "And you're twelve," Carey said, also giving her a hug.

  The women in the Elliott family had always been huggers, a trait that did not extend to Braden.

  "You didn't mention you were bringing Alexa," Carey said, giving her big brother a curious look.

  "It was a spur of the moment thing," he said, pulling out a chair for Alexa.

  "I hope you don't mind," Alexa said as they all sat down.

  "No, it's great," Kathy replied. "I was thrilled when Carey said Braden was actually willing to have a meal with us. And I'm even happier now that you're here. I heard about your aunt. It's just terrible what happened to her. How is she doing?"

  "Really well. They anticipate a full recovery."

  "That's a blessing," Kathy said. "I don’t know what Sand Harbor is coming to. We never used to have any crime at all."

  "Why don't I get us some drinks?" Braden suggested. "And do you know what kind of pizza you want?"

  "Not plain cheese," Carey said with a pointed look in Braden's direction.

  "I already promised Alexa she could order vegetables," he retorted. "Although I don't know what's wrong with cheese and tomato sauce."

  "It's boring. Just like the vanilla ice cream you insist on eating."

  Alexa smiled at the warm teasing conversation between Braden and Carey. The two had always been close, and their relationship had made her wish for a sibling on more than one occasion. "Actually, vanilla ice cream is my favorite, too," she said, deciding to give Braden a litt
le help. "We'll have to get some later."

  He grinned back at her. "As long as you don't douse it in hot fudge."

  "Killjoy."

  "Why don't you get us an extra-large pizza, half veggie, half meat," Carrie suggested. "And some diet soda."

  "Because God knows you should save the calories for all that pizza," he said dryly.

  "Exactly," his sister replied with a smile.

  As Braden left, Carey said, "He seems almost normal tonight."

  Kathy nodded, turning to Alexa. "Braden has been keeping to himself a lot since he got out of the service. We've been worried about him. He's been in such a funk. I couldn't talk to him about anything without him snapping my head off."

  "It sounds like he's had a rough time," Alexa said. She was very curious to learn more about Braden's past, but she doubted he'd appreciate the fact that they were talking about him.

  "Did he tell you he's getting divorced?" Carey asked.

  "He mentioned it."

  "Did he tell you why?"

  "No, and he said he didn't plan to, either," she replied.

  "Well, at least Braden has been talking a little," Carey murmured, sitting back in her chair with a thoughtful look. "He rarely speaks about Kinley. I haven't been able to get more than two words out of him. I know that she cheated on him. Did he tell you that?"

  "He did mention something about that."

  "Maybe he'll tell you more," Carey said. "He needs to talk to someone."

  "I don't think it will be me," Alexa replied. "We're practically strangers now."

  "It doesn't really seem that way," Kathy said softly. "When the two of you walked in together, it felt so right. I remember thinking when you were both kids that you had a very special connection. Braden looked forward to the summer so much. Once you arrived, I barely saw him. He'd take off on his bike in the morning and not come back until dinner time."

  "Those were the good old days," Alexa said. "I don't think I appreciated how good they were at the time. But it was a long time ago. We've lived a lot of years apart. We're different now."

  "But you're not married?" Carrie ventured.

  She shook her head. "Nope, I'm single."

  "Interesting," Carey said, her gaze moving from Alexa to Braden and then back again.

  Thankfully, Alexa didn't have to say more as Braden returned to the table with a pitcher of soda and a bottle of beer. As he took his seat, a frown turned down his lips. "Gossiping about me?" he asked suspiciously.

  "It's not always about you, Braden," Carey retorted. "We're just getting to know Alexa again. What kind of job do you do?" she added, turning to Alexa.

  "I'm an accountant," she said.

  "I'll bet you're glad April 15th has passed," Kathy said. "I don’t know how you do it, Alexa. I cringe every time I have to go back through my old receipts. Every year I swear I'm going to get more organized, and every year it's the same mess."

  "You're not alone, trust me, I've had people bring me receipts in shoe boxes and shopping bags. One guy kept them in a pillow case."

  Braden smiled.

  "What's so funny?" she asked.

  "Just thinking that those shopping bags full of receipts probably seem a little like a treasure hunt to you."

  "Sometimes," she admitted. "It can be a challenge to piece together someone's financial history. It's amazing that people who look successful and polished on the outside sometimes have the most chaotic organizational system. I've learned not to pre-judge."

  "I feel the same way about the people who come to my real estate office," Carey said. "I've only been a realtor for a year, but I'm still amazed at what people think they can afford based on their actual income. Not that there isn't a lot of wealth in town. Those houses along the beach just keep going up in value." She paused. "You and Braden are trying to hunt down information on the Wellbourne house, right?"

  "We're curious about the woman who stayed there the last summer I was in town," Alexa said. "Shayla Cummings."

  Kathy started. "Who are you talking about?"

  "The woman who drowned," Alexa said. "Braden and I saw a fight between Shayla and someone the night before I left, and then she died under mysterious circumstances, so we're curious."

  Kathy shook her head, her lips tightening. "You shouldn't be digging into that old history."

  Braden straightened at his mother's tone. "Why not?" he asked.

  "That young woman was trouble. The wives in town were worried whenever she came to town. She got a lot of male attention."

  "Anyone in particular?" Braden asked.

  Kathy shot Alexa a quick look and then turned to her son. "I don't like to spread gossip."

  "I already know that my father knew Shayla," Alexa said. "He told me they were friends."

  "Yes, she had a lot of friends," Kathy said, a pointed note in her voice.

  "You make her sound like a slut, Mom," Carey interjected.

  "Well, I don't like to use that word, but she didn't have a good reputation."

  "Was she involved with Daniel Stone?" Braden asked. "Carey looked up the rental records for the Wellbourne house, and Daniel Stone's name was on the lease for the month of August."

  "Daniel was wild as a young man, as were the Wellbourne boys. They were always having big parties on their parents' yachts. I'm sure they all knew Shayla. And not just the sons, but their fathers, too." Kathy clapped a hand to her mouth. "I can't believe I just said that out loud."

  "Well, you did," Braden said quickly. "Was Jack Wellbourne having an affair with Shayla?"

  "There were some rumors to that effect," Kathy admitted. "The Wellbournes were always traveling or splitting time between here and their other homes, so no one ever knew where they were. But Jack seemed to be showing up a lot more often that summer to check up on his investments."

  "There was a big age gap between Jack and Shayla," Alexa put in.

  "Rich, older men don't usually have a problem finding eager, young, beautiful women," Kathy said.

  "Did you know Roberta Wellbourne, Mom?" Braden asked.

  "Not well," Kathy replied. "She was also younger than Jack, and she was always about money. She used to encourage Jack to raise the rents in town, sometimes driving people out of their businesses. I didn't like her at all. I can't believe she's back now and running Daniel Stone's campaign. She may think she's an asset, because of her past in Sand Harbor, but she's wrong. People around here have long memories, and I almost feel sorry for Daniel that he's aligned himself with her." Kathy paused. "Let's talk about something else."

  "In a minute," Braden said.

  "He's not going to stop, Mom," Carey interrupted, sipping on her diet coke. "You know how Braden is when he gets that stubborn look in his eyes."

  "Thanks for the help, Carey," Braden said.

  "Any time."

  "What can you tell me about Edwin Hayes and Jack Wellbourne?" Braden asked his mom.

  "Why?" Kathy asked with a sigh.

  "The police investigation into Shayla's death seemed a little short," he said.

  "Braden, I don't want you involved in this. You've had enough trouble in your life, why look for more?" Kathy asked.

  "Because of that fight Alexa and I saw. It makes us both curious."

  "You, too, Alexa?"

  Alexa gave an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, but yes. Maybe it's because I'm revisiting my past that I'm so interested in Shayla. I always thought of her as this cool, beautiful woman in this big, dreamy house, and to learn that she died shortly after I saw her was unsettling, especially since no one seems to know what really happened to her."

  "You never told me about a fight, Braden," Kathy said.

  "I wasn't paying attention to the news."

  "Or to much of anything. You were moping because Alexa was gone," Carey said with a teasing smile.

  He shot his sister a dark look. "What do you know about it? You were ten."

  "I was old enough to know you had a big crush on her."

  Alexa smiled at
the warmth that spread across Braden's cheeks.

  "We're not talking about that," he said.

  "Did you know that Braden wrote a song for you, Alexa?" Carey asked. "He used to play it on his guitar for hours on end."

  "Where's that pizza?' Braden muttered, looking toward the counter for a much needed interruption.

  Alexa was surprised. "I had no idea. You were just learning the guitar when I left."

  "It was stupid. I could barely play," Braden said. "It was just something I made up."

  "He was better than he's saying," Carey told her. "In high school he got really good. He played in a band, and half of my friends were in love with him.

  "Carey, will you just shut up," Braden ordered.

  "What? Am I embarrassing you?" she asked unapologetically. "Every girl would love to have a guy write a song for her."

  "It is pretty cool," Alexa said. Braden was avoiding her gaze so she turned to Carey. "I had a mad crush on your brother, too."

  "I figured," Carey said with a smile. "And now you two have finally met up again. It's so romantic."

  "Alexa is leaving in a few days. She has a life far from here," Braden said sharply. "She always did." He got up from his seat. "I'm going to check on the pizza."

  "Now, I've pissed him off," Carey said with a sigh. "I can't say much of anything right these days. I hope you know I was only teasing, Alexa."

  "I know," she replied, her gaze following Braden. "It's complicated between us."

  "Of course it is," Kathy said. "You're both afraid to ruin what you're just getting back – your friendship."

  "I did miss Braden terribly," Alexa admitted.

  "And he missed you," Kathy replied, giving her a warm smile. "Whatever he says, don't ever doubt that."

  Braden returned with two large pizzas and for the next ten minutes all they did was eat. Then the conversation turned to neutral topics like Carey's latest online dating adventure. Braden let his mom and sister do most of the talking, although he occasionally teased Carey for her pickiness when it came to men.

  Alexa enjoyed watching him with his mom and his sister. It reminded her of when she was a kid and she'd hung out with his family. She'd only met his dad once when he was home for a weekend visit. But the rest of the time it had just been Braden, his mom, his sister, and his brother. It was clear how much love there was in the group. And it made her a little sad that she'd missed having this kind of family connection growing up. If she'd had a sibling to ease the burden of her mother's depression, life would have been a little easier.