Pelican Pointe Boxed Set Books 1 - 3 (A Pelican Pointe Novel)

by Vickie McKeehan

  And at the time no one in town bothered to give her a chance let alone the time of day. Plus, she knew if Nick hadn’t shown up when he did there would be no B and B now. “Try not to judge her too quickly, Ethan. That’s all I’m saying. If she is running from something, she probably has a good reason.”

  Jordan thought of her friend, Lilly Seybold, another newcomer who had divorced her husband after several incidences of domestic violence and was now in a relationship with Wally Pierce who owned the gas station and auto repair shop in town.

  Small towns were full of people with problems and their own secrets.

  “When people get to a new place, a new town, they need friends just like anyone else, a new start, not a bunch of intrusive questions and suspicions upfront.”

  Because Ethan knew how difficult life had been for Jordan living in Pelican Pointe since losing her first husband in Iraq, he held up his hands as if in surrender and said quietly, “When you’re right, you’re right. I know you and Nick are trying to recruit people to give Pelican Pointe a chance, to get fresh faces in here, some new blood and all that.”

  He remembered how badly the town had treated her up until last spring when Nick had shown up and shamed the whole town into helping her open up her B& B on time.

  Knowing that, he promised, “Okay. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to her being tired after a long day of driving. How’s that? Now, will I get my share of that roast beef I smell?”

  Jordan’s mouth curved. “You’re sweet, Ethan, now help me set the table.”

  By the time Hayden came back down, they were all waiting for her, gathered around the dining room table. Ethan had shed his rain slicker. He sat there with his longish jet black hair still glistening with rain and poking out of his collared uniform shirt while his soulful dark chocolate eyes seemed to watch her every move.

  Picking up her napkin, she realized he still looked as though she planned to abscond with the good silver first chance she got. So she decided to ignore him. And she was certain this particular man wasn’t used to being ignored by women, not with a face like Johnny Depp, that dimple in the chin, and a long lanky frame making him a good six-one. His prominent Native American features, the nose and dark eyes stood out on his face in a stubborn set, no one could mistake for genial.

  And all that exotic damp hair gave him the look of a fierce warrior who’d weathered the elements on his own and knew how to survive.

  She forced herself to look away and focused on the darling little blonde sprite who looked about two, and sat peacefully on her father’s lap eating a dish of vanilla ice cream covered in fudge sauce. She had the sticky stuff all over her mouth as she desperately tried to work the spoon.

  When Jordan saw Hayden staring at her daughter, she made the introductions. “This is our daughter, Hutton. She’s learning to use a spoon. And the dog’s name is Quake.”

  “Cake,” Hutton repeated, sending everyone a messy grin. Jordan interpreted the comment. “That’s what she calls Quake. It’s a step up from Dog, which is what she used to call him.”

  Hayden laughed out loud but couldn’t help notice again how Nick seemed to glow in the direction of his wife. “She’s adorable. How old?”

  “She’ll be two in December,” Nick answered like a proud father.

  Ethan tried not to stare at Hayden. But much to his dismay, he couldn’t help himself. She had the most brilliant shade of green eyes he’d ever seen. Probably contacts and as fake as her Nevada license, Ethan reasoned.

  But it looked as if she had been crying. Puffy, red-rimmed eyes, stood out of a too-pale face which made her look exhausted. Her black hair was now drier and sported a bit of a cowlick in back. She’d changed from jeans and shirt into a one piece, thick midnight blue colored dress that showed off her legs. And the woman had fine legs, Ethan decided, as he cut into his roast beef.

  Hayden concentrated on her plate as Jordan attempted to make conversation. “What a lovely woolen dress, Hayden. You didn’t have to dress up for dinner. We’re pretty casual around here,” Jordan commented, before adding, “How’s your room? Is everything okay?”

  Hayden didn’t want to admit to Jordan that her wardrobe was rather limited these days. The dress had been a gift from her friend, Kate, before she’d headed west. Nor did she want the woman to know that she desperately needed to do a load of laundry. “The room’s wonderful. Thanks. You have a beautiful home here.”

  And she couldn’t help but wonder whether or not she’d ever have anything or anyplace as nice to call home ever again. She sighed out loud, remembering her cute little condo and how much she missed the one thousand square feet of space. How long would she have to hide out, keep running?

  Her crying jag upstairs had only made her feel worse about her circumstances, about the decisions she’d made. But she couldn’t go back and erase the last five months or for that matter, four years of working for a sleazebag.

  She forced a few more bites of food down and thought glumly that she would have loved nothing better than to have stayed buried in her room for the rest of the evening to wait out the storm until morning, alone.

  But she had figured these people would be down here waiting for her to eat. And it looked as if Deputy Ethan Cody was chomping at the bit to interrogate her at the first available opportunity. Right now, Hayden just wanted to eat her meal in peace then spend some serious soak time in the tub upstairs before falling into bed.

  Lost in her reverie, Hayden realized every eye was on her. Manners had her straightening her spine and posture, remembering to tell her hostess how much she appreciated the meal. “You’re a very good cook. It tastes as good as my mom’s.”

  A slew of questions formed in Ethan’s brain. It was on the tip of his tongue to pursue that line of inquiry about her family. But as if sensing Jordan’s disapproval, he kept his mouth shut.

  When he saw the little smile form on Jordan’s face, he knew he’d done the right thing and was just about to comment on the food himself, when Hayden surprised him by adding, “I always wanted to learn to cook.”

  Jordan went into cheerleader mode. “It isn’t that hard really. You just have to take the time. Problem is, people are so busy with their jobs, commuting back and forth, raising families, they don’t have time to cook anything except what can be popped in the microwave. Or, they rely on fast food and take out. It’s the way of the world.”

  “I know I relied on speed dial and every takeout joint within a five block radius,” Nick added just as jovial as his wife.

  “That just about describes my life since college and why I haven’t bothered with learning how to do more than boil water.” There was something about these people and their friendly, upbeat nature that drew Hayden into conversation. “Although, I do make a mean chocolate chip cookie―and fudge nut brownies.”

  “Had a busy life, have you?” Ethan’s war with curiosity won. “Doing what?”

  While Jordan and Nick were the epitome of gracious, the Deputy on the other hand, was the antithesis. Hayden gave him a cool stare before she retorted, “Accounting. But I’m looking to change careers. It was a boring way to spend sixty hours a week inside a cubicle.” She’d had a corner office. And boring? Her job had been many things, but boring hadn’t been one of them, especially with the SEC and the feds to deal with, and certainly not with Jeremy wanting her dead and Saul Raymond already there.

  “I agree,” Jordan declared, “I could never spend eight hours in a cubicle.”

  “I tried that,” Nick agreed. “I got tired of the seventy hour work-weeks in L.A., the lengthy commute, the stress-filled day, the sleepless nights. Since I left all that behind, my stress level is almost nonexistent. Of course, marrying Jordan might have had something to do with that.”

  “They’re newlyweds,” Ethan explained with a nod of his head. “What’s it been three months now?”

  “Four,” Jordan said with a blissful little sigh. “Happiest four months I’ve spent here in Pe
lican Pointe.”

  “Well, that explains it,” Hayden said matter-of-factly. Although it didn’t explain how they had an almost two-year-old toddler.

  “Explains what?”

  “The goofy way you two look at each other.”

  Jordan blushed. “Oh that. Yeah, we’re still in the honeymoon stage.”

  “Thank God,” Nick said, as he leaned over and kissed his wife on the mouth, completely oblivious to their guests.

  Ethan decided to change the subject. “If you’re heading out to Santa Cruz, are you waiting for your stuff to catch up with you? Or do you still have your furniture in Nevada?”

  More questions. Hayden wanted to strangle the guy. She was relieved when Jordan patted him on the arm and said, “Ethan, don’t interrogate our guest. Hayden is entitled to her privacy and to enjoy her meal without being grilled. Can’t you see how tired she is?”

  “Sorry,” Ethan muttered and took another bite of meat. “Just making conversation.”

  Jordan stood up from her chair. “Now Ethan, you behave yourself while I get the apple cobbler. Nick, you and Hutton referee these two while I’m getting the pie.” She disappeared into the kitchen.

  Picking up the light conversation, Nick wanted to know, “How do you like your Mini?”

  Finally a safe topic, Hayden decided. “I love it! It’s on the small side, but hey, it’s just me. The gas mileage is incredible though. If I’d been driving anything else today, I would have run out of gas long before I ever left the 101.”

  “Running that low, huh? Well, don’t worry about it,” Nick assured her. “We’ll get you taken care of before you head out. If the storm is still with us tomorrow, you can always stay here another day.”

  “Oh. Well. Thanks. I…uh… What time exactly is check out?”

  Nick laughed. “We’re not that formal around here, Hayden. You check out when you check out. If that’s noon or three p.m. it’s no big deal.” Sensing she might have money worries, he added, “And the room rate is off season. At the moment we have no other guests, although we do have two couples scheduled to arrive Friday to stay the weekend. But if some other traveler happens our way tonight and needs a room, we have five other guest rooms.”

  “Thanks. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

  “It’s the lousy weather,” Ethan said. “Makes a person want to crawl into bed and snuggle up tight.”

  At that moment his radio crackled to life as another emergency call came through from dispatch, something about a one-car accident out on the 17. Hayden watched him stand up to leave, realizing for the first time how difficult his job must be on a night like tonight. “Well, it looks like I gotta head out. Nice meeting you Hayden Ryan. Good luck in Santa Cruz.” He turned to Nick. “Tell Jordan I’ll have to take a rain check on that cobbler.”

  Nick slapped Ethan on the back. “Next time then. I’ll get you a to-go cup for the coffee. And walk you out.”

  “Appreciate it, Nick.”

  With Hutton on his hip, Nick got up and headed out to the kitchen.

  Hayden wasn’t sure why after the hard time he’d given her, but she decided to say something nice. After all, she did have him to thank for not having to sleep in her car tonight.

  Because of him she had a soft bed waiting upstairs and a nice soak in a tub on her agenda. She lifted her cup of hot tea and gave him a little salute. “You stay safe out there, Deputy.”

  Before Ethan could respond, Nick came back carrying a large to-go coffee cup. “Black. Plenty of sugar, right?”

  “Right. Thanks.”

  As Ethan turned to go, Hayden added, “And thanks for rescuing me from the side of the road. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem. You be careful on your way to Santa Cruz. It’s a cruel world out there.”

  “Don’t I know it?” Hayden said miserably.

  Chapter 2 Book 2

  Yawning and stretching like a cat, Hayden woke to bright sunshine streaming through the double French doors. She looked around at the soft lavender painted walls with the beach-themed photographs hanging there, the stencils shaped like little sand dollar shells, hand painted along the border, and the old antique furniture. What had Nick and Jordan called it? The Sand Dollar Room? She’d been so tired when she’d gotten out of the tub last night she hadn’t really appreciated the décor. But now, the combination of old and new, the modern mixed with old-fashioned seemed to work. And she had to admit, for twelve hours the place had sheltered her like a silky cocoon.

  She hated like hell to have to leave it.

  Leaning over she picked up her watch off the nightstand. Nine-fifteen! She’d slept like the dead. Kicking off the covers, she crawled out of bed and wandered into the bathroom.

  A few minutes later she came out wearing a soft fuzzy white robe she’d found hanging on the back of the door.

  Curious about where she was, after not being able to see much of the area last night in the rain, she wandered to the balcony doors. Throwing both doors open, she strolled out onto a long wide deck. The view went on and on until the sea met up with the horizon.

  She’d finally done it. She’d reached the Pacific Ocean. After more than three thousand miles of traveling including all the detours she’d taken, she stared at the water. Ripples of surf glistened in the sun. It spread out before her like a vast, dark green emerald as it met a pale-blue cloudless sky. No storm clouds on the horizon today, she decided.

  The ocean air felt crisp and clean after the rain. Birds darted back and forth as if it were spring and not autumn. All kinds of fragrant smells filled her senses. Flowers, Hayden realized. Groups of pink and purple, red and yellow blooms dotted the landscape below the deck.

  She stretched her neck over the railing to get a better look at the grounds. An assortment of blossoms dotted the courtyard just beyond the deck where tables and chairs offered an outdoor eating area. There were winding paths meant for long walks and woods for exploring.

  Everywhere she looked the tops of cypress, magnolias and maple trees swayed in the breeze, their leaves already flushed golden with the ripe colors of fall, while abundant tall pines dropped their needles scattered every which a way on the lawn below.

  What a beautiful day, what a beautiful place.

  Was all of Pelican Pointe this gorgeous, she wondered? If so, maybe she could find a place to live in town. Even though small towns tended to be cliquish and filled with people who sometimes used any excuse to get into everyone’s business, she couldn’t deny the allure of living in one.

  Would Pelican Pointe be like living in Mayberry? Could she fall off the radar more effectively in a small town this size rather than a bigger place like Santa Cruz?

  But then, Deputy Cody’s words from last night came back to haunt her. My guess is Miss Ryan is probably looking for a bigger place to lose herself in than Pelican Pointe.

  What did he know about it anyway? Hayden thought bitterly. No, it would definitely be better if she got as far away from Pelican Pointe and Ethan Cody as possible.

  She reached for her clothes.

  As she dressed in the berry-colored turtleneck and jeans from last night she’d hung in the bathroom to dry, she wondered if Jordan would mind if she used her washer and dryer before she checked out.

  Remembering the mistrust she’d seen in Ethan Cody’s eyes had her changing her mind. She decided what she should do is get on the road to Santa Cruz as quickly as the road could take her south. The less time she lingered here the better.

  But first she’d eat breakfast and get directions to a gas station.

  She opened the door to her bedroom and ventured out into the hallway. The old Victorian seemed massive. She hadn’t wandered its rooms last night but now she was sorely tempted to do just that. If her stomach hadn’t rumbled she might have taken the time to look around.

  Hayden discovered the back staircase leading down to the kitchen where she found Jordan sitting at a long kitchen table thumbing through a newspaper while Hutton sat on the
floor trying to work the pieces of a giant toddler puzzle into place. Nick and the dog from last night were nowhere in sight.

  As soon as Jordan spotted Hayden though, she called out, “Good morning,” in that peppy, cheerleader voice of hers. “Did you sleep well?”

  “I’ll say. My head hit the pillow and I was gone. I’m sorry I missed breakfast. There was a schedule on the dresser upstairs that mentioned breakfast ended at nine-thirty…”

  Jordan didn’t let her finish. “Don’t be silly. Ethan practically dragged you here last night. By force. I’ll fix you bacon and eggs or sausage or whatever you like. Just name it.”

  Hayden shot her a grin. She picked up an upside-down mug from the counter and helped herself to a cup of caffeine from the coffeemaker on the counter. Jordan went to the fridge and took out a small pitcher of cream. Hayden poured in a generous amount before taking a long soothing drink of what smelled like a hazelnut blend.

  “It was no hardship, believe me. The bed was a lot more comfortable than my car. A muffin and this coffee will do me just fine.”

  “Are you sure? It’s no trouble to fix you a real breakfast.”

  “Thanks, but this muffin looks delicious, better than the stale donuts I’ve picked up from a convenience store.” She took her coffee to the bank of kitchen windows that looked out onto the courtyard. “It’s so beautiful here. I had no idea what I was missing in all that rain. You’re so lucky to be able to live here.”

  “Yes, I am,” she agreed wistfully, thankful she had Nick in her life now after two miserable years of living out here by herself.

  “You should take some time and see the cove before you decide to head out.” She hesitated before adding, “You know, Hayden, Nick and I were talking last night after you went to bed… If you are serious about putting down roots in a new place, why not give Pelican Pointe a chance instead?”