Austin looked over and saw Cassidy Chambers, the new police chief in town and his best friend’s wife. She strode toward them, the wind tugging her blonde hair from its bun. She pivoted toward the scene, obviously only pausing by Austin and Skye long enough to check on them.
Austin nodded. “I think he’ll be okay too.”
“Did he get caught in a rip current?” Cassidy glanced over as paramedics slipped an oxygen mask on the boy.
“No idea. His parents didn’t get here until after I rescued the boy. I’m not sure of the details.”
Cassidy’s eyebrows flickered up. “I’ll reserve my judgment until I hear their side of the story.”
Austin ran a hand through his wet, salty hair and remembered just how strong the currents had been out there. They’d been more than strong—they’d been deadly. Red flags were flying across the beach, signaling that vacationers should stay out of the water for their safety. Why hadn’t this boy’s parents been supervising him?
“He shouldn’t have been out in this water,” Austin said. “That’s for sure.”
“Good work out there,” Cassidy said, before continuing to the scene.
The woman was the total opposite of the town’s last police chief, Alan Bozeman. Cassidy was competent, she cared about people, and she didn’t let anything slip past her. When Bozeman had left, one of his officers—Quinton—had stayed. But the other one had taken a new position in another town. Cassidy was shorthanded until she found someone else to hire.
Austin’s gaze went back to Skye. She still watched the scene, almost like a tragedy was playing out in front of her. She’d seen other rescues here on the island. Anyone who’d lived on Lantern Beach for long had. So what was it about this one that had Skye’s attention? That made her go pale? Was it because a little boy was involved? Incidents with children were always the worst.
Paramedics put the boy on a stretcher. They would take him to the town’s clinic to monitor his vitals. The three people who’d surrounded him—family, Austin assumed—followed after the rescue crew.
A couple minutes later, just as the crowds started to disperse, someone else jogged onto the scene.
Skye sucked in a breath and wobbled beside him. Austin slipped an arm around her waist, just in case her legs turned to jelly again. She didn’t push him away. She seemed too focused on the man who’d just shown up.
The man swung around, as if looking for the boy, before his gaze zeroed in on Cassidy. He darted toward her.
“You rescued a boy?” he rushed. “Is he okay? Where is he?”
“He appears to be fine,” Cassidy said. “Are you family?”
“Yes, I am. Where did he go? Are you sure he’s okay?”
“He’s on the way to the town clinic,” Cassidy said. “Your other family members are with him.”
The man’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you. I’ll meet them there.”
He turned to leave, but his gaze stopped on Skye. His blue eyes widened, and he detoured from his departure and jogged toward her instead.
“Skye?” The man’s voice was tinged with disbelief and familiarity. “Is that you?”
Skye stiffened beside him. “Ian . . . it’s been a long time.”
“Eight years.”
Wait . . . these two knew each other? A friendship seemed unlikely between someone free-spirited like Skye and someone who was obviously privileged like Ian. Austin was making a judgment. He knew he was. But Skye hated people who put up pretenses and acted better than others.
Skye glanced over at Austin, seeming to remember his presence, and she nearly startled when her eyes met his. “Austin, this is Ian. Ian, Austin. Ian is . . . an old friend.”
Austin didn’t bother to extend his hand. Instead, the two men almost seemed to size each other up.
“How long are you here?” Skye asked, not seeming to notice the tension.
“Two weeks,” Ian said. “The family . . . well, we have a lot going on. We figured Lantern Beach would be the perfect place to get away and not run into anyone we knew.”
“Surprise.” Skye’s words lacked enthusiasm.
“A good surprise. We should get together and catch up while I’m here. How about tonight? Can we do dinner?”
Say no, Austin mentally pleaded. He didn’t like the idea of anyone else being with Skye. Mostly because he wanted her for himself.
Skye hesitated before nodding. “Yeah, let’s do that.”
Disappointment bit Austin, but he tried not to show it. Skye was a grown woman and could make her own choices.
“Great,” Ian said. “I’ve got to get to the clinic. That was my nephew out there.”
“Your nephew?” Skye’s voice sounded unusually squeaky.
“Yeah, he slipped out of the house, I guess. He’s been chomping at the bit all day today to play in the water. I’m just glad he’s okay. I came as soon as I heard.”
“The clinic is just down the road,” Skye said.
Ian took a step away and paused there on the sand. “How can I find you later?”
“I run the produce stand down the street. It’s the only one on the island. Can’t miss it.”
“Yeah, I saw that on the way in. I’ll pick you up there. At seven?”
Skye nodded, but the action was marred with tension. “I’ll see you then.”
Austin’s jaw tightened. Dinner? He hated the idea of it. But as much as he might not like it, Skye was single and free to do what she wanted.
Austin had only hoped that what she wanted was him.
Skye’s chest ached as she watched Ian stride across the beach.
Why did he have to show up here of all places? In Lantern Beach? Of all the islands in the United States—in the world—he and his family had chosen this one?
“Skye?”
Austin touched her elbow again and jerked her from her thoughts. Her gaze wandered up to his, and she saw the questions in his eyes.
Did he think . . . did he think she was meeting Ian for a romantic get-together? Because nothing could be further from the truth. Skye didn’t want anything to do with Ian Winthrop.
She couldn’t spill her motives to Austin. It was too risky, and she feared leading him on. Feared opening up and making herself vulnerable.
Yet her heart wanted nothing more than to abandon all her anxieties and failures and explore what life would be like by Austin’s side.
Life by his side would be wonderful. She knew that.
But as soon as Austin learned about her past . . . he would change his mind about her.
Skye had known from the moment she met Austin that he deserved someone who was wholesome and innocuous.
That person wasn’t Skye. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Even though she knew God’s grace had made her a new person, not everyone would view her as God did. Nor did God’s grace exclude her from the penalties of her actions. Her decisions had consequences.
She swallowed hard and tried to formulate a response to the curiosity in Austin’s gaze. Her eyes met his, and Skye shoved the wind-driven hair from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I just feel like . . .”
“You’ve seen a ghost?”
She nodded, a bit unnerved at how easily the man could read her. “Yeah, like I’ve seen a ghost.”
His gaze flickered in the distance to where Ian had disappeared. “I take it that guy was more than a friend.”
How did Skye even answer that? The strong breeze gave her a good excuse to look away, to gather her thoughts, however briefly. “It’s . . . complicated.”
“I’m sure it is.” Austin’s voice sounded stiff.
Skye stole another glance at him. She wanted to put her hand on his chest. To explain everything. To somehow erase the multi-layered emotions in Austin’s eyes.
Jealousy? She wasn’t sure. But maybe something close to that.
Concern? Definitely.
Curiosity? No doubt.
She snapped back to her senses, realizing this wasn’t the time or place
to have this conversation. There were too many people. She felt too much pressure—even if it was all internal.
“Listen, I should go,” she started. “I need to check with my suppliers on a delivery of greens, and I know you need to keep patrolling the beach.”
His jaw stiffened. “You want me to drop you off?”
Skye shook her head, appreciating his offer but needing some time alone. “No, I’ll walk. I need to clear my head. But thank you.”
“If you insist.” Austin started to reach for her but stopped and dropped his hand. “By the way, thanks for keeping me company earlier.”
“My pleasure.” Skye licked her dry lips. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Later.”
Right now, her thoughts were so tumultuous that she could hardly think. Because that boy she’d seen looked familiar. In fact, he looked like Skye.
But she’d given her baby up for adoption. Ian’s family had helped.
Yet what if there was more to that story?
Chapter Three
Skye looked at herself in the small mirror over her mini bathroom sink one more time and frowned.
What was she thinking agreeing to meet Ian tonight? She should have told him no. But how could she? Especially when she wanted answers so badly. She had to know who that boy was. When she had some answers, maybe she could put to rest all the questions stabbing at her mind.
She turned away from her reflection, grabbed her purse and stepped out of the small RV she called home. It was a retro trailer, white with a teal stripe running down the side. Inside was enough space for a bed, mini-kitchen, and a dining room table that converted into a couch.
Skye had worked hard to make the place her own. She’d used stencils to put a black-and-white chevron design on the old vinyl floor. She’d painted the kitchen cabinets sea-glass blue, had created her own artwork from shells she’d found at the beach, and she’d stitched a quilt from fabric she’d purchased at a thrift store.
What would Ian think if he saw her home? He’d pity her, most likely. Living in a place like this screamed no social affluence.
And that was just one more reason why they could never be together. She liked this simple life she was living.
She climbed on an old, faded beach cruiser that she used sometimes to go back and forth to work and around the island. It was an easier and more cost-efficient way to travel these narrow, crowded roads, especially in the summer when one left turn could cause a ten-minute backup on the two-lane road.
The island was an old fishing community that had transformed into a tourist destination a few decades earlier. People came here for the isolation—and it didn’t get much more isolated than this place. From the Outer Banks of North Carolina, visitors had to take a ferry from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke. From Ocracoke Island, they caught another ferry here.
No one came to Lantern Beach by accident. No, the trip required planning and time and a whole lot of patience.
It was one of the reasons Skye had thought the island would be the perfect place to start a new life.
Ten minutes later, Skye spotted Happy Hippy Produce, the fruit and vegetable stand that was her lifeblood. She’d bought an old Chevy van, painted it turquoise also—her favorite color—and she’d had Austin build a pergola for it.
That was the first time the two of them had met, and she’d been smitten with the man from the start. Austin was so sure of himself—something she desperately lacked in herself. Nothing ever frazzled him.
He’d dated other women since they’d known each other, but Skye was certain he wasn’t a player. No, if Austin didn’t think a relationship would work, he’d cut the girl loose. Skye thought it was pretty respectable.
After Skye’s stand had opened, Austin had become a regular. Eventually, he’d invited her to Bible study and really helped change her life for the better. She wasn’t where she wanted to be, spiritually speaking, but she wasn’t anywhere near where she’d once been.
Over the past several months, Austin had become a great friend. He was always there for her, always patient, and he never pressured her to be someone she wasn’t.
When Skye coasted up to the stand on her bike, she studied the black Mercedes there. She pressed on her pedals to slow down before coming to a stop. Ian stepped out of his car and leaned against it with his arms crossed, wearing some blue shorts and a lush-looking pink T-shirt.
“Well, aren’t you a sight?” Ian smiled, his eyes showing his approval.
Skye knew she looked like the epitome of a beach girl. She didn’t try. It was just that this area and lifestyle agreed with her. The loose hair, sun-kissed cheeks in lieu of makeup, and casual clothing fit her personality to a T. She just hadn’t realized it until she’d come here and traded in her black clothes and heavy eyeliner for the all-natural look.
Skye parked her bike behind the stand and joined him. A rush of nerves hit her. “I can’t believe you’re here, Ian.”
Her heart didn’t stammer when she saw him like it used to. No, her relationship with Ian all those years ago had thrived on risk and rebellion. That wasn’t who she was anymore. But the man still had killer blue eyes that would melt any woman’s heart. Even though he was only five foot nine and lean, he carried himself like a giant—just as his father had taught him.
“And I can’t believe you’re here.” He ran his gaze over her again without apology, still smiling with satisfaction. “It’s good to see you. Really good.”
Skye shoved a lock of hair behind her ear. His compliments didn’t affect her anymore. No, she knew Ian’s character. He knew how to say just the right things to get what he wanted.
“Maybe we should go eat?” she suggested.
“Yes, let’s do that. You mind if I drive? I don’t think there’s room for both of us on your bike—unless you want to ride on the handlebars.”
“That would never work. You’d be the one riding on the handlebars.”
He laughed like he liked that idea. “You always did have that wicked sense of humor.”
“You can drive.” Despite her words, Skye hesitated for just a moment before climbing into his car. Something about getting into a vehicle with Ian felt unnerving, as if she might be traveling back in time.
Her thoughts went to Austin. She should have invited him to come.
But that would be awkward. And unnecessary. Skye could talk to Ian right now without the sort of security Austin brought with him. She just hadn’t realized how much she’d come to depend on it.
The inside of Ian’s vehicle smelled just like Skye expected it to. Like leather and expensive aftershave. Fancy water bottles littered the floor in the back, along with valet ticket stubs, and a couple parking tickets—even one from here in Lantern Beach.
“Anywhere you recommend around here?” Ian asked, pulling away a little too fast. Gravel flew behind them.
“I’m surprised you haven’t tried all the restaurants already.”
“We brought Francois with us. He’s our cook.”
“You have a cook named Francois?” She cast a disbelieving glance his way.
Ian smiled. “Well, his name is actually Frank, but I call him Francois because I think it fits him more.”
Skye should have figured. “I see. Let’s eat at the Crazy Chefette.”
She was certain the place wasn’t up to Ian’s standards, but she liked it there. Her friend Lisa Garth owned the restaurant, and she came up with insane food combinations that surprised the taste buds in a good way.
Part of Skye didn’t want to go there—didn’t want to run into Lisa and see the questions in her eyes. The other part of her wanted the security of the familiar. And the Crazy Chefette was definitely familiar.
She only hoped the rest of her friends weren’t there, and, if they were, that they didn’t try to interfere. No, this dinner would be awkward enough without any of them trying to figure out who Ian was.
She gave Ian directions, and they pulled up to the restaurant a few minutes later.
Since it was the off-season, they were seated right away. Lisa spotted her as soon as they took their seats and made her way over to them.
The petite blonde wore her signature lab coat and, as usual, it was splattered with food from her kitchen lab creations, as she called them. “Welcome!”
Lisa’s gaze fell on Ian, and a knot formed between her eyes. It was only there a second before her smile widened again. She gave Skye a questioning look, making it clear they needed to talk later.
“If you’re not sure what to order, I have this fantastic new meatloaf I made,” Lisa started. “It sounds weird, but it has ground chicken, Gouda, and apples. I serve it with a warm kale salad and jicama fries. What do you say?”
Ian’s lips turned down in a slight frown. “I’ll just start with a lemonade, please.”
“Would you like to try my peach lemonade with jalapeño?” Lisa batted her eyelashes—not in a fake way. No, she just got so excited over her edible creations.
“Do you just have regular lemonade?”
Lisa nodded. “I do. I also have a pickle slushy that’s to die for.”
Ian’s frown deepened. “Just regular lemonade would be great.”
“I’ll take a water,” Skye said.
As soon as Lisa walked away, Ian gave Skye a look that clearly showed he thought Lisa was nuts. “Interesting place.”
Skye’s defenses rose. Lisa was one of the nicest people Skye knew. “The food is really good. I promise. You’ll never forget eating here.”
“I bet I won’t.” He let out a chuckle.
They stared at each other a moment, and that’s when Skye felt the awkwardness set in—the awkwardness of lost years. Of having nothing in common anymore. Of being two different people. Of unspoken questions.
Maybe this meeting was a bad idea.
“Here are your drinks,” Lisa announced, making it back to their table in record time. She made no effort to leave. No, she took their orders, and, when she was done, her gaze turned to Ian. “So, where are you from?”
“Charlotte.”
“I see. You just here for the week?”
“A couple weeks, actually.”
Tides of Deception (Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense Book 1) Page 2
