Clearwater Romance

by Marissa Dobson

  Even with the tension in the air, she couldn’t help but smile. Most of the local shops closed on weekends, and during nasty weather. He was out of luck, if he didn’t eat what she offered.

  “The diner will be closed. No one will go out in this weather. If you want something to eat, it’s here or starve.” When he didn’t take the tray, she nodded to him. “Have it your way.”

  She carried the food back down the stairs. If the stranger wanted to be a jerk, he could starve. Allowing him to stay was as far out of her way as she planned to go—especially with his attitude.

  * * *

  What is wrong with her? Doesn’t she realize I’m dangerous? That I can snap her like a twig? He paced the small bedroom. He didn’t want to hurt her—he didn’t want to hurt anyone. His training drove him—his body reacted, and his mind shut down. It shouldn’t work that way, but it did and he didn’t always know where he was or what he was doing. Running proved to be the best solution. He needed to get away, far away from people.

  The sexy redhead’s bed and breakfast didn’t qualify as far from people.

  Why did the car have to break down here? Where a delicious woman with a hot temper to match drilled holes in his reserve and cracked the shell around his heart.

  The sheriff made his objections loud and clear. He heard the stress in the man’s voice from the top of the stairs. He hadn’t planned to eavesdrop and retreated before the Sheriff left the kitchen. Too bad the man hadn’t dragged him out of here in cuffs. Then he wouldn’t be anywhere near Chloe—even her name beckoned him. But he was here and the least he could do was stay in the room. Starving didn’t bother him.

  If things were only different, like before the war. He stared out the window, hands drumming against his knees. The world hadn’t changed…

  …I have.

  * * *

  Chloe settled at the dining room table with her mystery guest’s unwanted sandwich and coffee. She still didn’t know his name and she didn’t care. Storm prep took hours and exhaustion nibbled at her. Smothering a yawn, she stretched her legs. Eat first, nap later. Ryan would be back soon if the pending storm didn’t delay him.

  Despite her irritation, her thoughts returned to the man upstairs. Pain flickered in the depths of his furious eyes. Pain—and something more. Something rattled him, deep inside. Like a cornered animal, he lashed out, and snarled at the world.

  Seriously? Maybe he’s just tired and cold and doesn’t like strangers…

  But what if there was more? She didn’t usually indulge whimsy or imagination, but he reminded her of the kids in school who ran as far and as fast as they could from the problems in their life. Not that it ever worked. Problems chased a person and sooner or later, when a body stopped running—those problems caught up.

  The sound of a truck door slamming brought Chloe out of her thoughts.

  Ryan’s back. She rose from her chair and headed for the front door, anxious to meet Goldie.

  “Chloe?” Ryan called.

  “In here.”

  “Go get her.” Ryan whispered.

  She barely turned into the foyer when a beautiful golden retriever sprinted across the wooden floors. Kneeling, she held out her hand to the beauty. Snow crystals glittered against the downy fur—giving her a blinged out look.

  Ryan stepped into the living room as Goldie sniffed her. “Chloe, meet Goldie. She is fully trained and will protect you.”

  “She’s adorable. How old is she?”

  “She’s four. She was trained to be a Seeing Eye dog and knows how to look after her people. The owner died a month ago. Her daughter and I went through the police academy together and she asked if I knew anyone who needed a good dog. I thought of you. Goldie has been with me for a little over a week. I was waiting for the perfect time to bring it up, and since you were closed and dealing with your grandmother passing, I didn’t want to rush you. But with a guest staying here, I want Goldie here.”

  “Ryan, you worry too much. This isn’t my first rodeo, I’ve been looking after Winterbloom for years.” She ran her fingers through Goldie’s coat. “Hello beautiful.”

  He nodded, but looked undeterred. “Yes, but Granny was here with you.”

  She was so busy, she'd buried her loneliness without Granny. Trying to cover with a fake smile never worked but she wouldn’t give up. “It doesn’t mean I can’t do it on my own.”

  “I know that, but Goldie will be good for you. Give it a try, for me.”

  She nodded, and returned her attention to the dog. “I don’t have anything for her.”

  “Don’t worry. I brought her food and stuff.”

  Of course, he did. Ryan headed back out into the snow and Chloe looked at Goldie. “You’re more than welcome sweetie…I just have to give him a hard time.” The retriever gave her a slurp.

  Ryan returned with supplies and cornered her in the kitchen. “I put her dog bed in your room, and here’s her food. Where’s your guest?”

  “In his room. He’s tired.” The lie escaped before she had time to rein it in. She sat on the floor petting Goldie and ignored his glare. She could tell he wasn’t pleased, but she held onto her patience. “He’s a guest Ryan. In a few weeks this place will be full with them again and you’ll have to get used to it. Now stop worrying. I can protect myself.”

  His radio crackled and interrupted them. “Sheriff, 11-81 in front of Express Ohh’s.”

  “ETA five minutes.”

  Chloe spent enough time with him she knew most of the police codes. An 11-81 was an accident with minor injuries. She jumped to her feet. “Jennifer?”

  “Stay, you don’t need to be out in this. You run a bed and breakfast, remember? You’ll get in an accident and I can’t be in two places at once. Stay here. I’m sure she’s fine. I’ll call you once I know.” Ryan gave her a quick hug before hurrying out the door. “Stay inside.”

  She knew he was right, but Jennifer was her best friend. They’d been friends since they were in diapers and went to school together and were inseparable. From cradle to grave… If something happened to Jennifer, she wanted to be there.

  Sinking back down, she comforted herself by petting her new dog. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there. Time seemed to stop until Goldie nudged her hand. “Oh girl, I’ll bet you're hungry. Ryan said you might be. Come on, let’s get your food.”

  Rising, she examined a large box with toys, bowls and anything else you needed for a dog. Sitting beside the counter was a large bag of food. “Looks like he came prepared.”

  As she set the bowl of food down, the phone rang. Her heart was beating rapidly against her ribcage. She reached for the phone but her hand froze in midair. What if it’s bad news?

  “Hello?”

  “Chloe, Jennifer’s fine. Someone hit her car.”

  Sighing, the tension in her shoulders relaxed. Her stomach stopped doing flip-flops.

  On the other end of the phone, he spoke to someone. “Jennifer’s trying to steal my phone. See, I told you she was fine.”

  She could hear Jennifer arguing with Ryan but she couldn’t make out what she was saying. Ryan shushed her and was trying his best to keep her from getting her hands on the phone. Jen’s voice came on the line. “Chloe, I’m fine. I should beat your ass. Ryan said you tried to storm out of the house when the call came over the radio.”

  “Sorry Jen, I was just worried about you.” Her friend didn’t sound upset, only concerned. It made her feel guilty for trying to rush out in the blizzard.

  “Wait for the call next time. Don’t rush out in a blizzard.”

  “Yes, Mom.” She teased. “I’m sorry. But after losing Granny, I couldn’t bear to lose you, too.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. Ryan needs his phone, but call me later. After this storm passes, I’m coming out to meet your new dog. Got to go.”

  “Bye.” She managed before Ryan came back on the line.

  “Now, are you satisfied? You won’t do anything crazy like getting in your car?” The
authority in his voice carried across the line. She had a vision of him putting her in the slammer to teach her a lesson. He would do it, too. Ryan was like the older brother she never wanted.

  “I’m just going to stay here with Goldie. Thank you for calling me.”

  “No problem, Chloe. Call if you need anything. I’m on call until the storm passes, so I’ll be available.”

  “Thanks, Ryan.”

  Chapter Three

  Outside the snow came down heavily, making it impossible to see further than a few feet. The wind beat against the house, as though nature wanted inside. Dinner baked in the oven, and Chloe curled up by the fire with a new murder mystery that Alyssa talked her into during her last trip to Happy Ever After Books. Goldie slept at her feet. A quiet evening at home, with a good book in front of the fire. There was nothing better in her mind, until the creaking of the steps. Still smarting from his earlier attitude, she didn’t look up from her book.

  “Excuse me.” He paused behind her.

  She looked up and studied him via the mirror over the fireplace. He wore jeans and a blue tee shirt that pulled tight over his chest. It was a well-built chest, a wall of solid muscle. Goldie lifted her head, watching him intently. Goldie doesn’t see him as a threat. I told Ryan he had nothing to worry about.

  “I wondered if I could take you up on that sandwich now.” His rich voice teased her like a piece of delicious chocolate.

  His attempt at making nice earned him a pass. “I have a roast in the oven. It should be done in an hour if you want to wait. You could grab something to tide you over if you want.”

  For the first time since he walked through her door, a smile softened the dour expression on his face. “Roast sounds great. It has been a long time since I had a home-cooked meal.”

  Laying her book aside, she rose and Goldie followed closely on her heels. “Come on, I have the perfect thing.” She really didn’t want to leave the coziness of the fireplace, but if he could make an effort, then so could she.

  In the kitchen, she placed a small veggie tray on the counter. “A few weeks ago, my Grandmother passed away. Since then, the residents of Clearwater continue to bring food over. Most of the ladies around here said they had extra and thought I would like it, so I didn’t have to cook just for myself. Yesterday, Sarah and John Kelly brought over this veggie tray. John owns the hardware store in town. She said the grocery store messed up on their order and gave them two of the same tray for the school’s party. I know she ordered two so she could bring one to me with an excuse, but what could I do. Tell her no?” She knew she rambled.

  His initial attitude was as frosty as the storm but there was something to him hidden under the hard shell. She only glimpsed it, but wanted to explore. There was a pain in his eyes she didn’t understand, but wanted to erase.

  “That was nice of them. I always hated cooking for myself.” He moved to the kitchen counter and the plates she sat out for dinner.

  “Me too. I can’t wait to reopen Winterbloom and have guests to cook for. I had to close while the paperwork was transferred into my name. It was fine, because we had some work going on in three of the rooms upstairs, and that just finished last week. I hope to draw up plans for the other two rooms and cabins. Then I can get a construction team in here.” She hated the fact that she was over sharing, especially when she didn’t even know his name. But it eased the earlier tension. “What would you like to drink?”

  “Do you have beer?”

  “I do.” Pulling open the fridge, she grabbed one off the top shelf and handed it to him, choosing a bottle of water for herself. “It seems that since we are having dinner together, I should at least know your name.”

  “Oh sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m Gunnery Sergeant…” He shook his head. “Sorry, Jordan Sheppard.”

  “Marines?”

  “Yes. I was just discharged. I’m so used to having that be a part of me. It feels different just being Jordan Sheppard.”

  “It will always be a part of who you are. Just because you retired, doesn’t mean that you stopped being who you are. How long were you in the Marines?”

  “Fifteen years.” His lightness fled leaving only a cold and lonely man.

  “Jordan, if it meant so much to you, why did you give it up?”

  “I didn’t have a choice.” He took another swig of his beer, and she waited to see if he would explain, but his eyes shuttered, closing her out. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  The rest of the evening he seemed to be tense and withdrawn. She tried to start a conversation throughout dinner, but all she received were grunts and short answers. Finally, she gave up trying and they ate in silence.

  She cleaned up and he excused himself back to his room. She loaded the dishwasher, and wiped off the counter before moving towards the door to let Goldie out.

  The snow had been blown against the house and fell onto the kitchen floor. She grabbed the broom and tried to brush it out before it melted as Goldie slipped out in the whiteness. “Stay close, girl.”

  Chapter Four

  Screaming woke her. She looked at the bedside clock, one o’clock in the morning, before dashing up the stairs to check on her guest. Goldie rushed ahead of her.

  “Come on James, stay with me. Don’t you dare die on me!” Pain laced through his shouts.

  Tears welled in her eyes. Climbing the stairs two at a time, she didn’t bother knocking and pushed open the door. Jordan lay in a tangle of sheets. He reminded her of a lost little boy, curled in a ball, but ready to spring to action.

  She went to him warily, Goldie following close on her heels.

  “Jordan.” She raised her voice as she neared, but he didn’t wake. His screams drowned out her voice. “Jordan, come on, wake up.”

  Uncertainty warred with the desire to help. She touched his arm. That woke him. His hand shot up and wrapped around her throat. Her throat constricted and she fought to breath. Goldie barked like mad, and growled at him.

  “Who are you?” His grip loosened, but his hand stayed firmly in place.

  “Jordan, it’s Chloe.” She wheezed the words. “Winterbloom’s owner.”

  His hand dropped to his side and his head fell in despair. “Chloe…what are you doing here?”

  She retreated, putting distance and Goldie between them. Heart hammering, she coughed and tried to catch her breath. “I heard you scream. You were having a nightmare.”

  “It wasn’t a nightmare. It happened.” He ran his hand over this face. “Get out.”

  * * *

  It was late, but her body was on edge. Sleep wouldn’t be coming. She curled up on the couch in her quarters, a hot cup of tea in hand and Goldie stretched out beside her. Uninterested in reading, she set aside her earlier book. The television was out, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

  What happened to cause him so much pain? Who was James and what happened to him? The questions nagged at her. She set the tea aside, and scooted down on the couch. Resting her head on one of the throw pillow, she tried to think of a way to help him.

  A gentle knock woke her. Rubbing her eyes the bedside clock came into view. Three. It’s going to be a long night.

  She slipped the afghan around her shoulders to ward off the chill creeping up her back and padded towards the door. Exhaustion burned in her eyes, stealing herself, she hoped he wasn’t back to his surly attitude again. He was hardly her first unpleasant guest, but she always did her best. For some reason, Jordan got under her skin.

  He stood in the hallway with his hands tucked into the pockets of the lounge pants. A black t-shirt pulled tight over his muscles. Shadows darkened his eyes. He was hurt and the need to help him tugged her past her impatience.

  Goldie barked a warning.

  “Shh, girl. It’s okay.” The dog quieted, but didn’t leave her guarding position.

  “I came down for a drink and saw your light still on. I wanted to apologize for what happened. I didn’t mean to attack you.”
<
br />   “It’s fine. I shouldn’t have gotten close to you to wake you, but I didn’t know what else to do. You were crying out for James.”

  “I shouldn’t have stayed here.” He ran his hand over the stubble on his face.

  “You didn’t have much choice. Your car broke down. There isn’t another hotel in miles. What were you going to do, stay out in the blizzard?”

  The weight of his gaze gave her an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “It’s better than risking someone’s life—your life. I’m unsafe for people to be around.”

  “I’m sorry.” It didn’t seem like enough, but there was nothing else she could say. “Have you sought help?”

  “Yes, I went to a shrink, but it didn’t help. They discharged me because of it. They train you for years to fight, to kill. But when it’s your best friend, a guy who’s like a brother to you, the guy who went through boot camp and all the training with you, they tell you to forget about it. You can’t forget it, and go on like nothing happened. I was there, I should have done something more.” His anger turned into pity and remorse.

  “Jordan, if there was something you could have done, I am sure you did it. I know this isn’t going to help, but maybe it was his time.”

  “His time?” Anger surged through his voice. “His time? How can you say that? He had a wife and a baby on the way. One he never saw born. It wasn’t his time.”

  “You can’t blame yourself.”

  “Oh yes, I can. It should have been me.” He whispered. “I was supposed to be on that watch, but he switched with me because I was sick. He took my shift…he died in my place.”

  There were no words that could make this better for him. He had to find the forgiveness in himself. She could tell him over and over it wasn’t his fault, but until he came to accept the facts, nothing she said would ease his guilt.

  She wrapped an arm around him. “Come on, I think you could use a drink.”

  * * *

  She handed him a beer. “I’m sorry I don’t have anything stronger.”

  “It’s fine.” He said, keeping his gaze on the fireplace.