Tides of Deception (Lantern Beach Romantic Suspense Book 1)

by Christy Barritt

  “I don’t know what else to say. I’m sorry, Skye.”

  She pulled the flannel shirt Austin had let her borrow closer around her neck as tumultuous thoughts rumbled inside her. Finally, she turned back to Ian. Before she chickened out, she blurted, “Is Briar our son, Ian?”

  Ian’s eyes widened, and then he laughed—a dismissive, surprised laugh. “What? Briar? Skye . . . I’m sorry. No. Why would you ask that?”

  Her cheeks heated. “He looks like me. And he looks like you.”

  “Maybe there are similarities, but that doesn’t mean anything, Skye. You’re just seeing what you want to see. He looks just like my sister. She and I have the same eyes. She has dark hair like you.”

  Was Ian right? Was Skye going crazy and letting her mind play tricks on her? “He’s the right age.”

  “You knew my sister and her husband wanted a baby. That was no secret. They were going through IVF.”

  “And did it work?” Skye watched his face for any sign of deceit.

  Ian’s expression remained unchanged. “It did. Briar was born about six months after we broke up.”

  Skye’s shoulders sagged. Maybe she had blown all of this out of proportion. Maybe she’d seen what she wanted to see. Was that it?

  “Hey . . .” Ian caught a lock of Skye’s hair and brushed it out of her face. “I know this is all a lot. But you just have to put the past behind you. What’s done is done.”

  She nodded, knowing his words were true.

  When she realized that his hand rested tangled in her hair, she stood. She couldn’t do this. Couldn’t go there again.

  “I should run,” she muttered. “It’s getting late.”

  Ian grabbed her hand as she took a step away. “Skye . . . you probably shouldn’t push this.” His voice held an edge of warning.

  “Push what?”

  “Briar. You should let it go.”

  She jerked her hand away, feeling betrayed. “What are you saying?”

  Ian pressed his lips together. “I’m just saying that my parents are a little prickly right now. Bringing this up will only irritate them.”

  Skye let his words settle, but only for a second before a fire lit in her. “Are you threatening me, Ian?”

  He shook his head. “Not at all. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

  He didn’t want to see her get hurt? Where was that knight in shining armor eight years ago when his parents paid her to leave? Had he fought for her then? No, he hadn’t.

  “If Briar is Emma’s child, then I don’t know why anyone would get hurt,” Skye finally said.

  Ian remained quiet. And that was all the answer Skye needed.

  Tears burned Skye’s eyes as she climbed into Austin’s truck. She wished she’d told him she’d just ride her bike home so she could burn off some emotional energy—she had plenty to burn. It felt like flares erupted inside her.

  Memories of that final conversation with Ginger replayed in her mind. You’re not cut out to be a mom. The baby will be better off without you. Some people just shouldn’t become parents.

  Earlier she’d wondered if she and Austin had a chance together. But lies mixed with truth inside her until it felt impossible to decipher one from the other.

  “Skye?” Austin said.

  “I’m sorry.” She waved a hand in front of her face. “I don’t want to be rude, but I don’t want to talk right now. I just need to process.”

  “That’s okay. You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to say.”

  Skye was grateful that Austin understood. She pulled her seatbelt on and crossed her arms as she stared out the window.

  The questions kept tumbling inside her until she almost felt sick to her stomach.

  Ian hadn’t answered her inquiry sufficiently. And she couldn’t let this go. Ian could be lying. She had to know if Briar really was her son.

  But Skye would need to think about how to proceed. She’d need to think about it very carefully.

  Skye would also need to think about whatever had almost transpired between her and Austin at the house.

  A sense of excitement filled her when she thought about the property he’d bought. At the thought of working as a team to fix it up. It was the first time Skye had become excited at the prospect of her future in a long time. She and Austin . . . they would make a good team.

  And maybe more.

  But Skye had to let Austin know what he was getting into before they took any kind of plunge together. If Austin was smart, he’d run away. And she would totally understand. She might even applaud him for it.

  But she couldn’t handle that conversation now. Not until she got her head on straight.

  Finally, Austin pulled into the campground where she lived. They passed by a family or group that was obviously partying. They weren’t full-timers. Most people around here weren’t.

  Another trailer had a man sitting outside drinking a beer. He raised it to them as she passed.

  Then they reached her RV. Austin climbed out and grabbed her bike, about to stow it next to Elsa, the ice cream truck her niece had purchased from Cassidy. But as he did, he froze.

  Austin grabbed Skye and pulled her against his solid chest. He crept backward until they were in the shadows.

  What . . .?

  As if reading her mind, he nodded toward her RV. She glanced over, desperate to figure out what was going on.

  She sucked in a breath when she saw what was out of place.

  Was that a light inside her camper?

  Not a normal light. No, it appeared to be a beam, like that from a flashlight bouncing in the darkness.

  Someone was in her RV.

  Chapter Ten

  Austin stared at Skye’s camper, hoping his eyes were deceiving him.

  But, sure enough, there was the beam again.

  Someone was inside Skye’s home.

  But why? And who?

  Skye drew closer to Austin, her hands clinging to his chest and back and her eyes fixated on the scene.

  Austin wouldn’t try to be the hero and go inside to confront the intruder. No, he remained in the darkness and waited. Watched.

  The light disappeared. A moment later, the door to her camper opened and someone wearing all black stepped out. The person glanced around before slipping behind her RV and out of sight.

  “Should we follow him?” Skye whispered.

  Austin shook his head. “No, he had a gun.”

  “What?”

  “It was in the holster at his belt. We should call Cassidy.”

  Carefully, cautiously, they slunk from beside the ice cream truck, trying to remain in the shadows.

  Austin desperately wanted a glimpse of who that had been. The dark clothing combined with the darkness outside made it impossible to see any details.

  They reached her trailer and slipped toward the corner.

  Just as they did, a vehicle roared to life.

  Austin peered around the other side just in time to see a dark SUV pull away.

  No license plates.

  But the bad feeling in Austin’s gut grew with every passing moment. He’d been right. Danger was in the air. And it was growing with every passing second.

  Skye turned to stare at Austin for a minute after Cassidy left. They stood on the small deck outside her RV, one that stretched across the length of the camper. At the corner, she’d even strung a colorful hammock next to her potted plants. A string of solar powered lanterns helped to define the space and create a cozy atmosphere.

  If only Skye felt cozy inside right now. But she felt far from that.

  Cassidy hadn’t found any evidence of anything stolen or disturbed inside her place.

  So why did someone bother to break in?

  Skye wasn’t sure. But she didn’t like this.

  “I don’t feel right leaving you here alone.” Austin stood in front of her, seeming to own the space. Then again, he’d been the one who’d built this deck, so maybe he did.

 
He was always taking care of her, wasn’t he?

  “I’ll be okay,” she insisted. “It’s like Cassidy said—nothing was taken or messed up.”

  “I don’t like this, Skye. Someone didn’t go into your place for no reason.”

  She saw the concern in his gaze—and she appreciated it more than he could ever know.

  “You need to go home and get your rest. You had a bad fall today, and the last thing you need is to babysit me.”

  He frowned. “Skye, you know that’s not how I look at it.”

  She gently rested a hand on his chest. “I know. But you’re so busy trying to look after me. Who’s going to look after you? Go home. Get some rest. I’ll be fine here.”

  “Okay,” Austin said after a moment of quiet. But he still looked unconvinced. “But I need to know you’re inside and that your door is locked.”

  “It’s a deal,” she murmured.

  Skye had the unreasonable urge to reach up and kiss him. She craved feeling his arms around her again—just as she had when he’d pulled her into the shadows. She wanted . . . she wanted more than friendship.

  Instead, she stepped back. Her throat ached as she said, “Good night, Austin.”

  “Good night, Skye.”

  She forced herself to go inside and lock the door. As she did, she saw Austin finally step away. She changed into some flannel pants and a stretchy T-shirt, but her spirit felt unsettled.

  As Skye lowered herself onto her bed, shivers overtook her. Maybe she was overreacting, but she felt violated. This space was hers, and no one else had the right to come inside without her permission.

  Why had someone broken in? It didn’t make sense. She had nothing of value.

  And that was the thought that really disturbed her.

  Skye pulled her legs into her bed and scooted backward toward her pillow. As she did, she glanced out the window, hoping for a glimpse of moonlight or twinkling stars to comfort her.

  Instead, she drew in a quick breath.

  Austin was lying in her hammock.

  What?

  And then Skye realized the truth. He was still protecting her, even if from a distance.

  She sucked on her bottom lip a moment. It was entirely too chilly for Austin to sleep out there. Though the days had been unseasonably warm, it was probably only fifty-some degrees out there right now.

  Skye stared at him, trying to figure out if she should run him off or . . . do something else. She wasn’t sure what.

  The moonlight hit him, illuminating his outline. His arms were folded behind his head, as if he were relaxing. She knew that was the last thing Austin was doing, though. No, he was on guard—listening and watching for any more signs of danger.

  What had she ever done to deserve someone like Austin in her life?

  Before Skye could overthink it, she threw her legs out of bed and grabbed an extra blanket. Quietly, she opened the door to her RV and tiptoed across the deck.

  She paused by the hammock and slipped the blanket over him.

  Though Austin hadn’t moved, his gaze was on her.

  “What are you doing?” His voice sounded low and husky.

  “I could ask you the same thing. I thought you might need to stay warm.”

  Skye wasn’t sure how it happened. Had Austin extended his arm as an invitation? Had she read too much into things?

  Somehow, Skye found herself slipping beside him on the hammock. She rested her head against his chest and pulled the blanket around their shoulders.

  Neither said anything.

  They didn’t need to.

  Austin gently kissed the top of her head. When he did, Skye closed her eyes, feeling safe for the first time in forever as she drifted to sleep.

  Chapter Eleven

  Austin hadn’t slept all night. No, partly he’d been awake, listening for signs of danger. The other part of him had relished the feeling of Skye being in his arms. They fit together, like two broken pieces had been put together to form a whole.

  He leaned into her, relishing the scent of honeysuckle and apples. He listened to her steady breathing as she rested. He felt the soft skin of her arms and hands. He could picture the two of them doing this . . . forever.

  He couldn’t deny that he was worried, though. Some kind of inner turmoil spun inside her. He could see it in her gaze. And then last night.

  Why had someone been in her camper? What wasn’t Skye telling him?

  Austin desperately wished that Skye would open up and share whatever it was that made her gaze so turbulent. But he had to wait for her timing.

  Until then, he would hold her. Watch over her. Try to give her the security she needed.

  As the sun came up, Skye flinched. Stretched. Yawned.

  Finally, her eyes fluttered open.

  She tensed and shot up, as if she’d forgotten all her worries for a minute, only to have them come crashing back with a vengeance.

  “Morning,” he said, a lazy, early morning twang to his voice.

  “Morning.” Skye touched her mouth and closed her eyes. Was that regret? Austin sure hoped it wasn’t. “You . . . you should have gone home last night. You’re going to be exhausted today.”

  “I’ll be fine, Skye.”

  She started to scramble from the hammock, but Austin caught her wrist. “Skye, you’re never an inconvenience.”

  Austin studied her as she processed his words. Skepticism crossed her gaze, then hope.

  Then . . . she took his hand into both of hers and closed her eyes.

  “Thank you, Austin.” Her voice could barely be heard, but the gratitude was evident in her body language.

  When she opened her eyes, their gazes caught.

  There it was again.

  That thing that passed between them. The attraction. The desire. The longing.

  He reached up and wiped the hair from her eyes. His hand remained cupping her cheek, and she leaned into his touch.

  Maybe a relationship between them wasn’t wishful thinking after all.

  “Skye, I—”

  Before he could finish, a loud voice cut through the air. “Hey, you two!”

  Skye jumped to her feet at the intrusion, nearly causing the hammock to flip. Austin jerked a leg onto the deck and stopped himself from toppling to the ground.

  When he turned, he saw Jimmy James standing behind them.

  Jimmy James was the local town troublemaker, yet somehow the man was still likable. He was a strange mix with his muscular, tattooed arms, and dopey expressions. The guy was nice enough; he just had no moral compass.

  “Hey, Jimmy James.” Austin sat up, an ache seizing him and reminding him that he could have died yesterday.

  “I thought I recognized your truck,” Jimmy James continued, oblivious to how awkward his appearance was.

  Maybe this was Austin’s opportunity to find out some information. “Hey, did you see anyone over here at Skye’s RV last night? Probably around eight o’clock.”

  Jimmy James grunted and shrugged. “Not really. Why?”

  “Just curious.”

  The man’s gaze flickered to Skye. “Someone giving you trouble, Skye? Because I’ll keep my eyes open. I like to look out for my friends.”

  “Thank you, Jimmy James,” Skye said. “If you see anyone over here, I’d appreciate it if you’d let me know.”

  “Of course I will. Us full-timers here at the campground need to stick together.”

  After he lumbered off, Austin turned to Skye. But before he could speak, she did.

  “Listen, I need to get to the produce stand, and then I have a few things to do,” she started. “I appreciate you keeping an eye on me last night. It means a lot to me, Austin.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t be alone today . . .”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll be safe. I promise. Besides, I know you have work to do as well.”

  He did have things he needed to get done. But he’d forget about all of it if Skye asked him to. Which she would never do. “I’d feel
better if you’d check in with me on occasion, at least.”

  “I can do that.”

  Austin nodded, knowing it was the best he was going to get from Skye right now. If he pushed it anymore, she might go running.

  And that was the last thing he wanted.

  Two hours later, Austin and Wes stared at the four-story house that had almost been the death of Austin yesterday.

  “So the scaffolding just collapsed?” Wes asked.

  Austin nodded, remembering the moment he’d toppled nearly forty feet from the top and hit the marsh waters. His life had flashed before his eyes, and he hadn’t been certain he’d live to see this day. “Apparently.”

  Wes picked up one of the metal pieces that still lay in the sand and examined it. “That doesn’t even sound right. I’ve worked with you. I know how particular you are about stuff like that, especially when you’re working four stories up.”

  “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to measure twice and cut once. I always double-check these things.” Austin trudged through some marsh grass and picked up another piece of the metal that had once been a part of the scaffolding. He squinted as he stared at it, his gut twisting with doubt.

  “What is it?” Wes joined him and stared at the piece.

  Austin held it out toward him. “Is it just me or does it look like this metal was cut?”

  Wes examined the pipe, his eyes narrowing in thought.

  “That’s a fresh cut. The metal hasn’t corroded yet—it’s still clean.” Wes looked up and met Austin’s gaze. “You think someone tampered with it?”

  Austin shrugged. “Why would they do that?”

  Wes shrugged. “I don’t have any great ideas. Didn’t a new contractor move into town last month?”

  “Jonathan Sanders? He seems like a stand-up guy. I can’t imagine he’d do this to sabotage my business. It would be drastic, to say the least.”

  “Maybe it’s a competing homeowner. People are desperate to have their weeks rented out, especially in homes as large as this one.”