Up to the Challenge (An Anchor Island Novel)

by Osburn, Terri

  “You think she needs protection from me?”

  “You giving any thought to moving back to this island?” she asked.

  He sat forward. “I have no intention of ever moving back to this island.”

  “Then all I’m asking is that you watch your step with Sid. She’s not as tough as she likes people to think.”

  That declaration was becoming a recurring theme with these people. How could anyone question Sid’s toughness? The woman could rebuild an engine, blindfolded, while barely breaking a sweat. If the ease with which she’d left him behind today didn’t prove she was in no danger from their little summer escapade, then her single-minded determination to turn that dilapidated old dust trap into a working business did.

  Sid would likely come out of this fling in better shape than he would.

  “I need to get to the restaurant before the rain gets heavier.” Reaching down beside the chair, Lucas grabbed his tool belt and rose to his feet. “As I’ve said, what happens between me and Sid is our business. And of the two people standing on this porch, I’m not the one with a history of hurting people. Careful where you cast stones, Elizabeth.”

  He moved to step around her but she blocked his way. “The guilt trips are going to end now,” Beth said. “We both know I was never the love of your life. I didn’t break your heart, I just delayed this perfect future you’ve envisioned for yourself. A partnership in the firm, lots of prestige and money, and the perfect hostess slash wife to round out the image. Two months ago you came to grips pretty quick with my change of heart, and had a direct hand in how things turned out.”

  Lucas would have defended himself if her little rant hadn’t been so damn accurate. Not that she gave him a second to plead his case.

  “I get that the problems at the firm landed another blow to your ego, but maybe it’s time you stop blaming your brother and me for everything you don’t currently like about your life.”

  Blinking, he tried to form a response. Which he needed to do quickly considering the look on Beth’s face practically demanded one. “You’re right,” he said, for lack of a better answer.

  “Excuse me?” Her shoulders dropped as her eyebrows shot up. “Did you say I’m right?”

  The concession already tasted bitter on his tongue. The least she could do was accept his acquiescence and go. “Yes. Are we done now?”

  It was Beth’s turn to blink. “I guess so.” She began to move aside, then stopped. “Wait a minute. How do I know this change of attitude is going to stick? I want a permanent peace between you and Joe, not a temporary one. Your moods of late seem to be subject to change without warning.”

  She made him sound like a hormonal woman. The epiphany she’d just thrust out of his brain needed examining. Something he could do while running power tools and barking orders, not arguing with her on this porch.

  “What do you want from me, Elizabeth? You were one person and now you’re another. I’m trying to deal with that, but all of a sudden it feels like I’m not the same person either. So if I’m not that guy winning cases and making partner, who am I?”

  Where the hell had that question come from? Damn it, if she’d just let him deal with this crap on his own. Lucas ran a hand through his hair, smacked a porch beam, then paced the length of the hardwoods.

  “Lucas, there was always more to you than that job.”

  He didn’t feel like more than a job. Ten years chasing a dream, focusing all his energy on the big prize. Even his hobbies were about schmoozing his way to the top. What the hell had he become?

  “I can’t deal with this right now. I need to get to the restaurant.”

  “You’re not going without me,” came a voice from inside the house. Lucas turned to find his father standing behind the screen door. Just what he needed.

  “What are you talking about? You can’t help take the boards down.”

  “No,” Tom said, stepping tenuously onto the porch as if the wrong movement could have painful consequences. “But there’s stuff I can do in the office. Payroll checks need signing. Some other paperwork.”

  Lucas hated seeing his father so frail, but he did look better than he had a week ago. More color in his cheeks. Shoulders not so rounded. Maybe a little distraction from the pain and meds would do him good.

  “Did you run this by Patty?” Beth asked.

  Tom tilted his head. “I don’t need permission to go to my own damn restaurant. Now if you two are done yelling at each other, we’ve got shit to do.”

  Lucas remembered what his mom had said about the cranky-ass behavior. Maybe she deserved a break as well. “Hold on and I’ll help you down the stairs.”

  “I’m not an invalid. I can walk by myself.”

  Beth caught Lucas’s eye with raised brows, only this time they conveyed a better you than me sentiment.

  “Think about what I said, Lucas,” Beth whispered. “You’re more than a law degree and a corner office.” She went up on tiptoe and placed a kiss on his cheek, then smiled and headed back to the house next door.

  If her moods always shifted that fast, perhaps he’d dodged a bullet after all. He’d feel sympathy for Joe, but knew his brother was no dream to live with either. For the first time since the night he’d learned his fiancée had fallen for his brother, Lucas felt happy for the couple.

  A knot in his chest loosened, as if someone pulled the thread that would let it all go. Maybe there was hope for him yet.

  “You coming or do I have to drive myself?” Tom asked, jerking Lucas from his thoughts.

  “Right,” he said. “I’m coming.” Pulling his keys from his pocket, Lucas trudged down the stairs. “You did at least tell mom you were leaving, right?”

  Tom lowered himself into the BMW with a curse and a moan. “She knows. This was her idea.”

  The fact his mother had kicked his ailing, irritable father out of the house didn’t surprise Lucas one bit. Nor did he blame her. This was going to be a long day.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Jesus, Sidney Ann, you’re supposed to be helping, not trying to put me in the hospital.”

  Randy always had been a drama queen.

  “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, you whiner. I’ve got it now.” Though she wouldn’t have nearly dropped her end of the plywood if the activities of the night before hadn’t been flitting through her mind nonstop. Soreness danced along places long neglected and some Sid didn’t know she had.

  Too bad they couldn’t implement a mind-blowing sex class at the fitness center. Would be one hell of a workout, and she’d bet the class would be booked full every week.

  Then again, the two other men she’d been with had not been nearly as skilled as Lucas. Since there would be no “Sex with Lucas Dempsey” class offered, she scrubbed the whole idea.

  “Last screw!” Randy yelled, which for a second made Sid think he could read her thoughts and was making a prediction. Then the full weight of the plywood pressed against her shoulder and she realized the statement was a warning, not a prediction.

  She stepped back to balance the board and keep it from slamming through the plate-glass window it had been protecting. “Grab your side, smart ass, or you’re going to lose the window after all.”

  The board shifted away from her, making it possible for Sid to see her brother. He held the board with one hand, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Too heavy for the little girl?”

  Sid dropped her end, forcing Randy to use two hands. “I didn’t have to come over here and help you. There are a lot of other people on this island who would appreciate another set of hands.”

  As she lifted her end again, Sid wondered for the umpteenth time if she could make it to the restaurant before the work was done. Stupid pride had kept her from following Lucas over there. She’d wanted to stay with him all day, but gluing herself to his ass like some desperate psycho was not the way to show she could maintain the casual agreement.

  “Other people with the name Dempsey?” Randy asked.

/>   Sid stopped, driving the edge of the plywood into her shin. “Shit,” she growled. “If you’re trying to shove this thing down my throat, you’re doing a damn good job.”

  Randy shrugged. “I’m not the one who stopped. And you’re ignoring my question.”

  “Yes,” she conceded. “I’ve been helping out the Dempsey family, and I’m sure they would appreciate another hand at the restaurant to get things back in order.”

  A deep chuckle floated from across the board. “I wasn’t talking about the whole family.”

  “You’re about as subtle as a freight train, muscle head. If you have something to say, just say it.” She hoped he couldn’t see the blush she felt crawling up her neck.

  “Drove by your house early this morning to make sure you were okay. BMW was in the driveway.”

  Well hell.

  “Lucas helped me get the boards on the house, and we got caught in the storm.” Her voice sounded confident. Matter of fact. She hoped. “He couldn’t exactly drive home in the middle of a hurricane.”

  “None of my business who you spend the night with,” her brother said. “But—”

  “No buts, Randy. You’re right. It’s none of your business.”

  Sid backed into the storage room at the rear of the fitness center and lowered her end of the plywood to the floor. Randy did the same, then leaned an elbow on the top of the board. “He’s only here for the summer, Sidney. You think it’s a good idea to get involved?”

  Her arms hurt, her legs hurt, and if this conversation kept up, her head would hurt next. Tucking a wayward strand behind her ear, she met Randy’s level gaze, spotting concern more than a nosy interest. “We’re not getting involved. It’s just a … thing. For the summer.”

  “A thing?”

  “Yeah. A thing. Casual.” She was starting to hate that word.

  His lips quirked as he shook his head. “Since when do you do casual? Doesn’t seem like your style.”

  “Not sure I have a style when it comes to this sort of thing.” This sort of thing being pretending she wasn’t half in love with the man sharing her bed. The consequences would suck eventually, but she’d deal when the time came. “Just trust me, okay?”

  After a long pause, Randy nodded. “Your life, sis. But let me know if I need to kick his ass and it’s done.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ve never even been in a fight, Randy. Even the drunkest idiot has enough sense not to take you on.” Following him out of the building, she caught up and walked beside him.

  “Shows what you know.” He ruffled her hair. “Lucas breaks your heart and he’ll have me to deal with. Whether you like it or not.”

  “You’re full of bullshit today.” Sid laughed, knowing Randy wouldn’t squash a bug, never mind kick her lover’s ass.

  Her lover. Weird.

  “Why don’t you worry about your own love life?” she asked. “When was the last time you had a little overnight company?”

  “Nice try, chica. A gentleman does not kiss and tell.”

  Sid laughed. “If you did any kissing, the gossip lines on this island would tell long before you had the chance. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

  Her brother’s last relationship had been at least six years ago. Hard to forget the crazy bitch who’d tried to run him over with her riding lawn mower. He’d understandably been a confirmed bachelor ever since. A fact that drove the female population of Anchor Island damn near batty.

  When he’d opened the fitness center eight years before, his personal training services had been in high demand, with clients often suggesting he do personal home visits. When a client chased him into the men’s locker room wearing nothing but a towel and a smile, he finally turned the female clientele over to another trainer. A female one.

  A collective estrogen-laced sigh of disappointment had echoed island-wide.

  “I’m waiting for Miss Right,” Randy said, holding the fitness center door open for her to pass through.

  “Do you think she’s just going to burst through this door?” Sid asked, stopping at the front counter.

  A mischievous smile split his tanned face. “You never know.”

  “Is Sid in here?” Will bellowed as she flew through the entrance as if on cue. Upon seeing Randy, she stepped back, causing the door to hit her in the ass as it closed, sending her sprawling forward again. Will never seemed to be comfortable around Sid’s brother. When pressed, she’d once tossed off a comment about a bad experience with some other muscle-bound guy.

  “What’s wrong?” Sid asked, breaking the deer-in-the-headlights look Will was shooting at Randy. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” Will whispered, eyes darting back to Sid’s brother. If she’d been trying to smile his way, she failed miserably. Her lip curled in a bad Elvis impersonation. “I mean no. Can we go outside and talk?”

  “Sure,” Sid answered.

  “You guys stay up here,” Randy said, his voice gentle, as if trying not to spook Will further. “I’ll be in the office if you need me.”

  Sid watched Will as her brother walked off. “If you’re trying to freak me out, it’s working. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “It’s the garage,” Will blurted.

  “What about it? Is the thing on fire or something?” Her stomach turned queasy at the thought. If the garage burned down, her dream was over. At least as she imagined it. She should have checked the electrical system, but she knew Fisher had all the utilities turned off.

  “It’s not on fire but there’s someone else interested in buying it.” Will pulled a mass of dark brown hair over her right shoulder. “I was helping the real estate office field calls from tourists canceling because of Ingrid, and took the call. Some woman up in Richmond wanted to speak directly to Fisher. Said she was calling on someone else’s behalf, and wouldn’t give me a name.”

  Sid tried to process the influx of information. Someone else wanted her garage. Someone who didn’t live on Anchor. But …

  “Who would want that old garage? And how would anyone in Richmond even know about it?” She paced the length of the counter. “This doesn’t make any sense.” Breathing became difficult so she bent over, rubbing her palms down her thighs.

  “I asked in the office and Fisher’s been advertising the place on websites. No one responded before now. This lady sounded legit, Sid. The phones were so nuts, I couldn’t get away to tell you until now.”

  Blood pounded in her temples, making it hard to think. “This could be nothing. I mean, once someone gets a look at that building, they’ll never buy the thing. Right?” She shot the question at Will like tossing a hot potato.

  “Right,” Will said, nodding her head in agreement. “The place is a dump. Who would want it?” Sid jerked around, and Will rephrased. “I mean no one could have the vision that you have.” Stepping up to the counter, she added, “Why don’t you go to your brother now? He could help you with the down payment, and then you can pay him back.”

  “No,” Sid said. She would get that garage on her own or not at all. “Did you give the chick Fisher’s number?”

  Will shook her head. “I wouldn’t give out his information, but I took hers and said I’d pass it along.”

  “Then that’s it. The message is accidentally lost in the hurricane chaos, and the buyer thinks Fisher isn’t interested in talking. Problem solved.”

  The knot in Sid’s chest loosened until she noticed the pained expression on Will’s face.

  “You didn’t.”

  “I had to give the message to Denise,” Will declared. “I’d asked too many questions about the property and she wanted to know why.” Will’s shoulders fell. “She sent the message off right away.”

  An image rose in Sid’s mind. A bonfire on the beach with all her hopes and dreams going up in smoke. There were no other buildings on Anchor that would serve her purposes as well as Fisher’s garage. She’d have to build from scratch. Saving for that would take another ten years at t
he rate she was going.

  “Don’t give up yet,” Will said, startling Sid out of her pity party. “You’re right about the building. What if Fisher wasn’t honest in the ad? What if this buyer doesn’t realize what he’d be getting?” Will’s voice floated up an octave. “What if Fisher is asking too much?”

  She had a point. Fisher wasn’t the easiest man to negotiate with. Sid should know. She’d been trying for months.

  “The place is pretty run down.” Maybe all was not lost. Sid leaned on the counter. “What would someone do with it besides put in a boat shop?” She shot upright again. “Shit. What if that’s what this is about?”

  “We are not buying trouble.” Will took Sid by the shoulders and hunched until their noses nearly touched. “This is one phone call. An inquiry. That’s all. Let’s stay focused here.” With a shake that stirred the bangle bracelets lining her wrist, she added. “We will not panic.”

  Interesting coming from the woman who had burst through the door as if the hounds of hell were on her ass. “You’re the one who got me all riled up. Why didn’t you just tell the lady the place is already sold?”

  Will jerked back. “Because that would have been lying.” She scuffed a foot across the floor. “And to be honest, I was so surprised it didn’t occur to me. But I still say this is nothing to worry about.”

  Sid wanted to believe that. Needed to, or she might as well take the proverbial long walk off a short pier. “Right. Nothing to worry about.”

  Nothing but her entire freaking future.

  Lucas Dempsey, I need to hire you.”

  Not again. He turned to see the Ledbetters charging up the front steps of the restaurant.

  “I told you, I’m not for hire.”

  “You can tell her that all you want,” Mr. Ledbetter said, following his wife—ex-wife rather—who looked much more put out this time. “She don’t listen worth a flip, and no matter what she tells you, she doesn’t have a case anyway.”

  “Let my lawyer be the judge of that.” Gladys’s blue eyes were not dancing this time, and her brown hair looked as windblown as the trees covering the island. “This good-for-nothing’s hammock is up on my roof, and he won’t get it off. I told him to tie it down, but as usual, he wouldn’t listen.”