Love on the Sound

by Matthews, Jamie

“I’ve come for your husband.” Amy pointed at Tom. “There’s a hole in my roof, and you aren’t answering your phone.”

  Hannah turned on Tom, hands on her hips. “Is your phone on? Is it? My God,” she rolled on without giving Tom a chance to reply. “It’s the morning after the first storm of the season, and you have your phone off. You need an assistant.” She marched over and drilled a hole in his chest, and Tom, all 6’5” of him, cowered slightly. “And, it will not, I repeat, not be me.” She stuck her hand down his jeans pocket.

  “Hey,” Tom protested, but she’d already grabbed his phone and waved it in his face.

  “It’s off!” She shoved it into his hand, rolling her eyes. She turned the full wattage of her smile onto Ben. “What can I get you, handsome?”

  Amy hid a smile while Tom sheepishly waited for his phone to boot up. She’d seen some variation of the same scene at least a dozen times. Either Tom lost his phone, didn’t turn it on, or somehow, Hannah claimed in exasperation, made it spontaneously combust just by looking at it.

  “Wow. Seven new voicemails. Oops.” Tom cleared his throat and avoided his wife’s eyes. “Well, you’ve got me here in person, Amy, so you’re first on the list.”

  Amy explained what had happened.

  “I think I’ve got some shingles to match yours in the shop.” Tom checked his watch. “Probably the flashing will need to be repaired.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Ben agreed, joining them. “The gutter’s dented, too.”

  He handed Amy a scone while he ate his huckleberry muffin, making appreciative noises. Tom stepped aside to check his voicemails, looking more and more pained.

  “Ah, okay, Amy,” he said as he rejoined them, checking his watch again as if hoping more time had magically appeared. “I’ve got several other folks with the same thing, roof damage, windows broken. But, like I said, you got to me first, so I’ll stop by On the Sound—if I don’t have the materials I need, I’ll at least make sure it’s secure enough that no leaks will get through.”

  “Need a hand?” Ben asked.

  Tom looked taken aback, and Amy could practically see the wheels turning as he tried to think of a polite way to decline.

  “I worked construction in the summers all through high school and college,” Ben clarified with a knowing smile. “I won’t hold you back. I wouldn’t mind getting out there and swinging a hammer. Better than being cooped up inside all day.”

  “Great idea!” Hannah grabbed Ben’s empty plate and beamed at him. “I’m always telling Tom he really needs to have someone with him when he’s doing roof work—it’s slippery up there! And, since he can’t be bothered to turn his phone on…” She arched her brow at her husband.

  She practically pushed them both out the door, chattering the whole way.

  “I guess we’re leaving now.” Ben shot Amy a rueful grin and waved as Hannah kissed Tom quickly and shut the door firmly behind them.

  “I thought they’d never leave.” She steered Amy to the fireplace where Nell sat, then headed back to the counter for coffee and tea.

  “They were here for five minutes,” Nell laughed. “You’re the nosiest person ever.”

  “Well, God, can you blame me?” Hannah returned with their drinks and pushed Amy down into one of the cushy armchairs. “Bliss, I’m on break!”

  The teenager nodded abstractedly, her nose buried in a thick book.

  “Pause.” Nell held up a hand before Hannah could start. She lowered her voice. “Is Bliss really reading the Ultimate Survival Manual: 333 Skills that Will Get You Out Alive?”

  Amy shot a look at where the petite blonde sat behind the counter, her big, dark blue eyes serious behind thick black framed glasses. “She is,” Amy confirmed.

  “Don’t even get me started.” Hannah leaned close, her eyes troubled. “I don’t know what’s going on with that girl. One minute she’s going to college next year to UW, planning to study marine biology, the next, she’s dropping out, going to community college and enrolling in a survivalist course.”

  “A what?” Amy grabbed the cup of tea Hannah had brought her. “Why?”

  “I have no idea. I asked her parents, and they didn’t look happy about it but said it was something she felt she had to do.”

  “Maybe it’s a phase,” Amy offered, curling up her feet underneath her. The warmth of the fire seeped into her bones, and she felt her tired body start to relax.

  Nell stared over at Bliss, her expression thoughtful. “I don’t think so. Anyway,” she turned back to Amy. “I didn’t mean to distract us from the dirt we’re about to get from Amy. Sooooo, is he good in bed?”

  “Nell!” Hannah shoved her. “You don’t know that they’ve slept together.” She paused, then grinned wickedly. “So, is he?”

  Amy rolled her eyes. “We haven’t slept together. I don’t sleep with guests, that’s the rule.”

  “Mmmmhmmmmm.” Hannah shook her head. “Honey, that rule is meant to be broken.”

  “Yeah, I agree.” Nell chimed in.

  “Big surprise,” Amy shot back. Nell made no secret of the fact that she enjoyed the occasional—perhaps more than occasional—one night stands. Seemingly not insulted, Nell just grinned at her. Amy sighed. “Okay…you guys. He is the best kisser. I mean….God.”

  “Now we’re talking!” Hannah rubbed her hands together, eyes alight with anticipation. “Give me the deets.”

  “Welllll.” Amy took a quick look around the café to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “Last night, we started making out in the kitchen. He lifted me up on the counter, and I had my shirt off…” She trailed off and fanned herself. “Whew.”

  Nell threw her head back and laughed. “Amy, Amy, Amy. You’re just full of surprises. Let me guess, you were going to give him the green light, and he turned all gentleman on you.”

  “How did you know that?” Amy stared at her, then turned to Hannah. “How did she do that?”

  Hannah shook her head. “She has a sex-precognitive superpower or something.”

  “I just know men. That one, he may act like a playboy, but he’s a gentleman through and through.” Nell reached for the giant cookie she’d left on the coffee table and took a bite. “Once he meets ‘the one’ he’ll settle down quick as you can say pre-nup.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Amy said. “But, I do know, my brain pretty much completely shut down. I’ve never had a one night stand before.”

  “Never?” Nell stared at her, the cookie halfway to her mouth. “Never?”

  “Lots of people haven’t,” Amy defended herself. She turned to Hannah.

  “I’m sure that’s true. I’m not one of them, though.” Hannah smiled smugly. “But the real issue, honey, is this isn’t a one night stand in the true sense of the word. You’re basically living together.”

  “It’s a fling,” conceded Nell. She eyed Amy, doubtful. “Have you had one of those?”

  “Not really.” Amy shook her head. “I mean, I’ve dated guys and slept with them on the second date, and then not had it turn into anything. But, I never went into it with the mindset that it was just sex, or just fun, or both.” She considered for a moment. “That sounds fun.”

  “Good girl goes bad!” cheered Nell. “Come over to the dark side with us, Amy.”

  Hannah patted her hand. “You’re a grown up now. Sex can just be sex. And, man oh man, did you ever pick the right guy to start having fun with.”

  “Seriously.” Nell pouted. “I may hate you. I mean, really? You never have a fling, but here comes Mr. Handsome Movie Star and you’re all, ‘Maybe I’ll have sex with the hot, sexy man who makes my toes curl and that millions of women drool over.’” She pointed an accusing finger. “It’s every woman’s fantasy! You are obligated to do it and then tell us allllll about it.”

  “Spare no details,” added Hannah. “We’ll bring the wine….”

  “You bring the sexy details,” finished Nell. She let out a sigh. “God, just imagine seeing Ben naked.�
��

  Amy looked at her friends, who now both wore dreamy expressions. “You guys are kind of creeping me out. This whole thing is weird. It’s true, millions of women have imagined him naked.”

  “But, do you think of that when you’re with him?” Hannah wondered. “I don’t talk to him nearly as much but when I have, sometimes I forget that he’s a movie star.”

  “He’s pretty down to earth,” Amy agreed. “But, still.”

  Nell smiled slowly. “Somehow, when the man gets you naked…I don’t think you’ll be thinking about other women or anything else at all but his hot body.”

  Amy blew out a breath. “Damn. Yeah. You’re right. I didn’t sleep at all last night, I was so turned on. Until the tree fell on the roof.”

  “Don’t worry about that, Tom will fix it.”

  “Ben could fix it too,” Nell said. “And I’m not talking about the roof.”

  Amy rolled her eyes when both her friends giggled. “Yeah, I cracked your code.”

  “Look, Amy,” Nell leaned forward, turning serious. “You’re going to see him every day until he leaves. He’s not going to get any less sexy. The chemistry between you—we can all see that. It’s not going to diminish. You’re going to sleep with him. It’s inevitable.”

  “You’re probably right,” Amy sighed. “It’s a good rule, though. To not sleep with guests.”

  “It is,” Nell agreed. “But what I’m saying is, it’s going to happen. So, stop feeling guilty or worried or insecure or whatever it is that’s holding you back. A hot, interesting man wants to have sex with you. Celebrate. Enjoy it.”

  “She’s right,” Hannah said. “You of all people know that life is short. Grab onto him with both hands…and rip his clothes off.”

  “I’m going to crotchet that on a pillow,” Amy laughed. “Life is short…rip his clothes off.”

  “It might just be my new personal mantra,” Nell said, grinning.

  “All right. Thanks for the girl talk.” Amy stood up, checking her phone. “Tom texted me about the roof. I’m going to go fork over some money…think of me when you get to buy a new pair of shoes,” she said to Hannah.

  “Thanks, cutie!” she said cheerfully. “We appreciate your business.”

  “Don’t forget,” Nell called as she walked out. “Alllllll the details.”

  “Take notes if you need to!” Hannah echoed.

  Chuckling, Amy got into her truck and headed back to On the Sound. Who would have thought prickly Nell would end up with the wisest advice? She did know all too well—life was short. She didn’t know where this ride with Ben would take her, but she would sit back, relax…and just maybe rip the man’s clothes off.

  Chapter 16

  A breeze carrying the salty tang of the sea ruffled the curtains of his room, while seagulls squawked and swooped over the lawn. But, for Ben, hunched over his laptop, the birds were quiet in the midnight darkness that blanketed the island, as Liam slipped from tree to tree, deep in the shadows. He had to know—was it his former archrival Gabriel that he’d spotted at the farmers market that morning?

  Cut to Gabriel in his cabin, an elaborate security camera system monitor catching his eye—he sees movement on the edge of one of the screens. With the quick, emotionless precision of a deadly predator, he kills the lights, pulls his gun from his ankle holster and exits out of the cabin into the night.

  Cut to Liam, circling around to the cabin that is suddenly plunged into darkness. Immediately, he goes into a crouch, pulls out his own gun. A twig cracks behind him. He whirls—

  “Ben?”

  Ben let out a yelp—a distinctly unmanly yelp—the abstract part of his mind noted with dismay, and swiveled around to find Amy holding up both hands in surrender.

  “I’m so sorry!” Clearly struggling not to smile, she backed up a step. “I knocked but you didn’t answer, so I came on in…”

  Ben ran a hand through his hair, which was already standing up in spikes. “No, it’s okay. You took ten years off my life, but it’s okay.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I get a little wrapped up when I’m writing.”

  “I don’t want to interrupt, but…” She shrugged, held up the phone she held in one hand. “A guy named Jonah called? The drama teacher over on Friday Harbor.”

  Ben dragged his mind out of his screenplay and into reality. “Right, right.”

  “He was pretty wound up, told me he’d gotten your friend Steve’s number, and he called Steve, who told him you were staying here…”

  “Yeah, that sounds about right,” Ben said, rolling his eyes. “Steve’s a sucker. So what’s he want?”

  “His mom had a stroke and is in the hospital in Denver, where she lives,” Amy explained. “He flew out yesterday, and it sounds like she’ll be okay, but she’s got a long road in front of her. I think he wants you to take over for him and run the kids’ play. I’ve got his number here on my phone—do you want to call him back? Or, do you want me to run interference?”

  Ben let out a deep sigh. “No, if I don’t call him, Steve will have my ass. Teacher solidarity and all that.”

  “All right. I’ll be in the garden—just bring my phone back when you’re done.”

  He saved his work and resignedly closed the lid to his laptop. Jonah picked up on the first ring. Ben cut through the man’s apologies about bothering him, and after telling him he was glad his mother was okay, cut to the chase.

  “There must be someone else that can cover for you,” he suggested. “Another teacher, maybe? Someone who already knows these kids.”

  “But, not someone who knows the craft,” persisted Jonah. “The kids have worked so hard. I know it’s just a community theater, and they’re just kids. But to them, this play is their world right now. You know?”

  Ben did know, remembered the feeling all too clearly. “Look, man, I’ve never taught kids in my life. I’m not a director. And, there’s probably rules and stuff about…I don’t know. Juice and snacks. Kid stuff.”

  Jonah’s laugh carried loud and clear through the phone. “I think you can handle juice and snacks. Listen, I can absolutely have one of my colleagues attend the first few rehearsals if that’d make you feel more comfortable. But, from what I saw when you visited, you’re a natural.”

  “I don’t even know how long I’m staying,” hedged Ben, looking out the window, down to the garden where Amy weeded.

  “The play debuts right before Thanksgiving—just a month or so away. Then you’re off the hook. Mom should be on the mend enough by then; we’ve already gotten her started in rehab so she can relearn to walk, use her left side again.”

  Ben closed his eyes, feeling like an absolute shit. Here he was, equivocating about helping out a bunch of kids, for God’s sake, because it might interfere with his vacation or whatever this interlude was, while this man dealt with his mom almost dying.

  “Okay.” Ben grabbed a notepad and repeated with more conviction. “Okay. I’ll do it. Tell me what I need to know.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Ben hung up the phone, dazed. Jonah seemed like an easy going, laid back guy but when it came to those kids, he had an iron will. Not only did he have a to-do list as long as his arm, Ben had promised to attend his first rehearsal in—he checked his watch and groaned—one hour.

  Resigned, he pulled on his shoes, took a quick look in the mirror—unshaven, hair a bit wild, but presentable enough—and headed out to the garden.

  Amy turned when she heard him crunch through the leaves. She sported a blue baseball cap with a black Orca whale, the text reading, “Orca Hugger!” A smudge of dirt was smeared across her forehead. He wanted to grab her and cuddle her, she was so damn cute—and then he wanted to carry her back inside, lay her down on any available horizontal surface and make her orgasm for the next several hours.

  Ben sighed all the way from his toes. “Fucking teachers. Sneaky bastards every one of them.”

  Amy’s lips curved. “I knew you’d cave.”

  “Oh really? For your in
formation, this is highly unlike me. I don’t do charity work. I write the checks. I don’t get my hands dirty—”

  “Cry me a river,” Amy snorted, turned her back to him and began raking the leaves into a pile. “I’ve got your number, Mr. Morrison. You can try that jaded act all you want, but you’re a big softie.”

  Ben gave into the urge and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulled her gently back against him, nuzzling her neck. “Words no man wants to hear from a woman he’s trying to seduce.”

  “There, there. I can attest you don’t have any issues in that area.”

  “I’ve got your number, Ms. Malone. You can try that sassy act on me, but you’re melting like butter in my hands.” Ben grinned when she abruptly straightened and pushed him off, all business now.

  “Go. I have work to do. And,” she smirked, “so do you.”

  Ben drove down to the ferry, left his car in a nearby lot and walked onto the boat. Dark gray clouds had slid over the weak sunlight in the last hour, and the wind churned the waves against the ferry’s hull. A fitful, cold, drizzle wasn’t enough, Ben had quickly learned, to merit an umbrella amongst the natives, nor was it enough to drive them inside. But, not all the southern California in his blood had acclimated yet, so he joined the tourists inside the ferry, took a seat by the window, and studied his notes from Jonah. He’d copied Jonah’s number into his phone, so as he thought of questions, he fired off a few texts, pleased when Jonah replied within moments.

  At Friday Harbor, he hunched his shoulders in his light jacket while he walked to the theater—definitely needed to pick up some heavier sweaters while he was here. Preferably hoodies. Ben looked across the street and almost laughed when he spied the blue hoodie in the window, a giant Orca whale across the chest. And, next door—a coffee shop. He was disappointed that the hoodie didn’t say “Orca Hugger!” on the back, but decided beggars couldn’t be choosers. Slightly warmer, with coffee in hand, Ben shook his head when he found the theater key right where Jonah had said it would be—under the doormat.

  Inside, he flipped on the lights and hunted down the thermostat, cranking it up. He winced when the furnace belched out ominous groans, clangs and shudders that he could hear all the way from the basement. Since it would be chilly and drafty for a while yet, he considered a physical warm up for the kids—a way to break the ice and get their blood moving.