Romance in Color

by Synithia Williams

  She’d discovered over the years that most people weren’t lost. They just didn’t want to be found. There were those who didn’t know they were lost but would never be the same after they were found.

  And then there were those who could never be found. Lost forever. Those were the cases that had ultimately destroyed her.

  “Hello?”

  Lost in thought, she hadn’t heard the front door open. She glanced at the clock, saw that it was thirty minutes to closing time, and stood as anxiety scratched her spine. She hated to be caught unaware, and not knowing that someone had approached made her unaware. The voice was deep and boisterous. A man’s voice.

  “One second,” she called. She returned Tabby to her cage and closed the door. Walking out, her footsteps faltered when she recognized Jake.

  He stood in the doorway, his broad frame filling the room with a sexy maleness she couldn’t afford to notice. His gaze raked over her with those deep blue eyes that hadn’t left her dreams.

  She tried to mask the frown on her face by scanning the room. “Can I help you?”

  “I just wanted to thank you for giving me the names of those PIs and tell you I’m sorry for being so surly. Unfortunately, I called them back and told them what you told me and they still insisted they couldn’t help.”

  “I don’t believe that.”

  Glowering, he grabbed his phone and handed it to her. “Call them yourselves.”

  “I believe I will.”

  She felt bad about last night. Regret had kept her restless and unable to sleep, but she couldn’t apologize. If her words made him angry enough to leave, all the better. He needed to realize he was wasting his time here. In different conditions, she would ask him out, but this situation was beyond repair.

  She found her contacts and hit send on Nathan’s name.

  “Yeah?” he chirped when he answered.

  “Hey, Nate, it’s Winona. How the hell are you?”

  “Winoney? Well I’ll be damned. I was just talking about you earlier.”

  “I hope it was good talk.”

  “Yeah. I should have called and told you to expect a guy by the name of, oh, let me find my paperwork. I feel like I should know him, he’s called so much. Plus he’s semi-famous. Like Michael Phelps famous. Well, maybe not quite that famous. Let me see, oh here it is. Jake Inman.”

  “Yes, that’s why I’m calling. He said you said I’d be his best bet.”

  “Yeah.”

  She reeled away from Jake, ignoring the smirk on his face.

  “Yeah, well, you know I’m not taking clients anymore.”

  “No, I didn’t know. I mean, yeah, you talked about it, but I thought for sure after a while you’d go back. And I believe you were always the best and would be the best for what this guy needs.”

  “Why is that? You know I don’t handle these cases anymore.” She tried to mask the desperation in her voice that rose with each thought of taking a case that involved a little girl who would probably never be found. Besides, Jake said this girl was probably with her mother. Maybe she was just fine. Maybe. One could believe and convince themselves that was the truth. Some days, that was the only way she survived.

  “Sorry, Winoney. I think you should listen to this guy’s story and give him a chance.”

  She closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, holding it before letting it out slowly and forcefully.

  “I think you would be best,” she said.

  “I can’t do it right now. Since you left, I’m overwhelmed with work. And you’re a better tracker. This case needs you. I can’t do it. I’m sorry, Winoney. I just think you should reconsider.”

  “You think I should go back to work.”

  “You know I never wanted you to quit.”

  “Okay. Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “That’s it?” Nathan’s voice rose, and she pictured his eyebrows notching up as well.

  “I’m really busy. I’ll call you later and we can chit-chat.” And she didn’t want to air the reasons why she wasn’t right for this case in front of Jake.

  She ended the call and pivoted around to Jake. His smirk shot ire to her stomach.

  “Well?” he asked.

  “You know what he said.”

  “You want to call the others?”

  “It won’t change my mind. I can’t take this case.” Winona turned and walked to the back to check on the cages and make sure everything was closed and all the animals were fed and watered. Jake followed. She bottled her fear as she loaded food in the empty canister so it’d be full for the help tomorrow.

  He watched her a moment. Silence spread between them like a chasm of water.

  “You help animals, but you won’t help a little girl.” His voice was straight and sterile.

  She dropped the sack of feed and faced him. Her heart, aching and breaking inside, opened to let hurtful words spew forth. “There’s nothing I can do for that little girl. If she has, in fact, been kidnapped and she’s with her mom, she’s fine. Otherwise, she’s probably already dead.”

  • • •

  Shock reeled through Jake. Not at what she said. He didn’t deny that possibility. But at the fact she didn’t mince words. He liked that about her and could understand why so many PIs had told him she was his best bet. If she’d take that fervor to the field and search for the little girl who meant the world to him, she’d find her. Jake knew it without a doubt. She’d find Amy whether she was dead or alive, and Jake had to know.

  “Maybe she is dead,” Jake said. “But at this point I don’t know that. Even if you do find her dead body, at least I can rest knowing I did everything I could to find her. Give her a proper burial.”

  Winona, who had continued to load the feed in bins, straightened and faced him. “You think you mean it now. But now, there’s a chance she’s still alive. If you lose that hope, if I were to destroy that hope, you won’t rest any easier.”

  “So you think I should spend the rest of my life wondering? Knowing I didn’t try hard enough? Have you ever known what it’s like not to know if someone you love is dead or alive?”

  Her eyes darkened, the center of her forehead furrowing. He’d forgotten about her search for her brother.

  “Yeah, I can relate,” she said, her tone icy.

  “What if you hadn’t tried hard enough to find Chayton? You wouldn’t be here now, would you? You would never have found your brother.”

  “That’s different.”

  “How is that different? Chayton’s life wasn’t at stake. Amy’s is. She’s a little girl. She’s all I have. Please.”

  Winona took a hard, obvious swallow and glanced at the feed bin. Her shoulders hunched. Jake saw her weakening. He didn’t know what had led her to quit investigating and it didn’t matter to him. He grieved too much to feel compassion for anybody else’s circumstances.

  “Let’s get together and talk later. Bring me everything you know about Amy and her mother, including pictures. Bring everything you know about what happened leading up to her disappearance. But you’ll have to give me time to make a decision.”

  “I don’t have time.”

  “I’ll do what I can to find others who can help, and I’ll contact the police to see what they’re doing and what they know. We need leads before we know where to search. But as far as getting out there and searching for her, I don’t know that I can do that.”

  • • •

  Jake roamed the outdoor market through waves of fresh fruit and vegetables. The smell of citrus and mint and mango infused the ambiance, and colorful swatches of squash and cucumber and tomato offered a perfect blend of summer. Jake bypassed the fish market and, a bag of fresh fruits and veggies in hand, entered the store in search for the rest of what he needed to make tonight’s meal.

  He and Winona were to meet at his hotel later that evening, but he planned to surprise her at her condo and cook his special dinner for her.

  He didn’t care if she didn’t like it. He need
ed an excuse to cook, and he was going to make her listen to him. He couldn’t stand to be in his B&B a minute longer, and her place would offer the place he needed to cook. He was pretty sure his boldness would pay off when she tasted his meal. Chicken baked in a creamy mushroom and onion sauce with squash, potatoes, and green beans. A bottle of sweet white wine to counteract the spice of the meal for her, and sparkling apple juice for him. A loaf of fresh jalapeno bread would top off a perfect meal. And a fresh cherry cheesecake for dessert.

  His mouth watered. He couldn’t wait. It’d been weeks since he’d enjoyed the stress relief of cooking a nice meal in a real kitchen.

  The thought of cooking made him feel like himself again, and he planned to be himself without all the grief wrapped around him. He’d charm, entice, and endear Winona instead of letting his fear and anger take over. Earlier, he’d taken a run through the mountains, enjoying the fresh air as it cleansed him. Then he’d sat in silence and meditation for a good twenty minutes, using the visualization techniques Brandon had urged him to use.

  It had worked somewhat, and he was going to do his best to pretend like nothing bad was happening in his life right now. He would do his best to convince Winona to take this job and find Amy.

  Bags in hand, he walked to her condo, praying she was home. If not, well, hell, maybe he’d knock on her brother’s door and offer to make him and Naomi a meal. He had to cook before he went crazy.

  He heard scrambling behind the door after he knocked, a muttered curse, and a “Just a minute.” His heart fluttered as he wondered what all the commotion was about. Had she just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed? He should have called, but he wanted to surprise her.

  Winona opened the door with green on her face and her hair wrapped in goo. She wore a pink, slinky robe tied tight around her, but it didn’t completely conceal her cleavage. His body responded, but he urged his lust to go away. Now was not the time.

  She eyed his grocery sacks. “What’s this?”

  “Dinner.” He pushed her aside and set the sacks on the bar. Removing the wine, he stored it in the fridge to chill. “What is that on your face?”

  “An avocado mask.”

  “What’s in it?”

  “Avocado.”

  He swiped his finger across her cheek and licked his finger. “Mmm. Pretty. I brought dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Excuse me? I thought we were meeting at your place later.”

  “I’ll go crazy if I don’t cook and my room doesn’t have a kitchen.” Jake unloaded the vegetables and set them out on the counter, hoping to entice her with the pretty colors and fresh smells. He stored the chicken in the refrigerator and washed his hands. “Do you mind if I use yours?”

  “You could have called first.”

  “And miss that green gunk on your face?” Jake stopped what he was doing and looked at her, grinning.

  God, she was beautiful, even with a green face and goo in her hair. His eyes trailed the length of her robe and he caught a glimpse of her leg as the robe sliced open. She was barefoot, save for a glimmer of silvery pink on her toenails.

  She set her hands on her hips and wrinkled her nose. “Fine. I’m going to take a shower. Help yourself to the kitchen and anything you need. And pour me a glass of wine.”

  “Yes, Ms. Boss.” He felt better already as he watched her sashay her hips down the hall to her bedroom.

  She paused at the door. “Wait a second.”

  “What?”

  “What are you doing with wine?”

  He hesitated. She’d called him a recovering alcoholic last night, her scornful voice still trolling through him. “It’s for you.” He held up the sparkling juice. “I’m not drinking.”

  “I’m not either.”

  He shrugged. “Your loss.”

  She tossed her head and stuck her tongue out at him, then disappeared into the room.

  Chuckling, he preheated the oven and set about preparing the marinade for the chicken. As it set, he cut up the veggies and prepared the sauce. While the chicken baked and the vegetables simmered, he prepared the cherry cheesecake and stewed over Winona.

  He’d never tried to hide his problem. It was all over the Internet. And she’d been right that it wouldn’t take long for the paparazzi to proclaim news of a relapse if someone saw him, recognized him, and called. His reputation would be ruined, possibly his career, especially because he was already in the spotlight with Brandon’s death.

  Winona emerged from her room while he was in the middle of mixing the cream cheese. He stopped what he was doing to look at her. She smelled of jasmine and roses. She’d dried her hair and it flowed down her back in soft waves. A natural beauty. He barely noticed her eye makeup. She wore a flirty summer dress that flared at her knees. Her eyes flickered when she met his gaze.

  “Is this a date?” he asked as he topped the cheesecake with cherries.

  “No,” she barked. “It’s a business meeting.”

  “Do you attend all your business meetings looking like a sex goddess?”

  She blushed, and fire shot straight to his loins. Frowning, she rolled her eyes and glared at him. Probably doing everything she could not to look like a sex goddess. It didn’t work.

  “Sorry,” he said. “You look really beautiful.”

  “Should I go change? Put that green gunk back on my face?”

  “I liked the green gunk,” he admitted.

  “Whatever you’re cooking, it smells good.” Winona eyed the table, which he hadn’t had a chance to set up yet. He finished adding the fresh cherries on top of the cheesecake and placed it in the fridge.

  “Can I help with anything?” she asked.

  He checked his veggies and the temperature on the chicken. He’d bought a meat thermometer at the store because he didn’t know if she’d have one. The secret to good chicken was the right temperature.

  “I just finished setting the table. Do you want to pick out music?”

  “Music? I’ve never had a business meeting with music.”

  “It doesn’t have to all be business,” he said. He already felt better after cooking, and Winona would be enjoyable company.

  “If you think this fancy dinner and charming table set up with soft music and candlelight is going to make me sleep with you, think again.”

  “If I wanted you to sleep with me, I wouldn’t go for dinner.” Jake carried plates and utensils to the table. Arranging a small arrangement of flowers he’d picked up at the market, he lit the array of candles beside it. “I do this for Amy all the time. She loves it. Cooking is my … I don’t know. It’s how I relax. I love it.”

  “So you’ve never done it to impress a woman?”

  “I never said that.”

  “What would you do?”

  “About what?”

  “If you wanted me to go to bed with you. What would you do? How would you play it?”

  The fire in Jake’s loins made camp, blasting his entire lower extremities with heat. He burned with the need to watch her squirm. Sweeping his gaze over her body, he grinned and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d start by kissing you. I’d slowly come in with my mouth.” Heart pounding, he swaggered slowly towards her, his smile wide and confidence at its peak.

  She impeded that confidence with a palm to his chest as he closed in.

  “Won’t work.”

  “Maybe not right now,” he drawled.

  “Maybe not ever. Don’t think I can be swayed with fancy food and feel-good kisses. I still don’t think I’m the girl to find your Amy.”

  His back stiffened. He remembered exactly what brought him here, and there was no escape. Turning, he checked the chicken and shut off the oven.

  “Jake.”

  “Dinner’s ready.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No worries,” he said lightly, brushing her off. She was right, and for a moment, he’d lost himself. He nodded to the table. “Sit down. I’ll bring you your food.”

&n
bsp; She sat while he arranged her food on the plate. Appearances were everything, after all. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed her fuss with her fork and shift her empty wine glass. He figured she probably wished it were full about right now.

  He opened the bottle of wine and brought it to her, pouring it into her glass.

  “I can’t drink this,” she said.

  He finished pouring and popped the lid back in, sitting in on the table near her. “Why not?”

  “Well,” she began. “Because you can’t.”

  “And I won’t. But to give the true taste of the meal, you should enjoy it with a glass of wine.”

  “What about you?”

  “Sparkling apple juice will suffice.”

  Chapter Five

  Winona was pretty sure she’d never had a meal this fantastic before. The tastes melded together as if designed to suit each other. Definitely an erotic meal that would have most women screaming for more—no matter what Jake said. Except for the fact they’d be too full to do anything but waddle to another chair.

  “This may be the best meal I’ve ever had.” Winona dabbed her lips with the napkin after taking a sip of the wine. He was right. The wine complemented the food and made the spices of the chicken burst in her mouth. She was sorry he couldn’t experience it.

  “Thanks. It’s one of my favorites.”

  “I’m still not convinced you’re not trying to seduce me,” she teased.

  He grinned and waggled his eyebrows for effect.

  An unexplained silence followed. Not awkward, but not comfortable or familiar or non-awkward. It didn’t feel like the right moment to ask about his family, considering all she knew was that his cousin had been murdered. But she had to broach the subject of why they were here together, eating.

  “Tell me about Amy,” she said.

  His eyes lit up a moment, a storm churning behind his electric blues, drawing her into an abyss. Fire shot through her and settled in her belly.

  “Amy is seven, going on twenty. She’s beautiful, smart, funny, and thinks she knows everything. I always feared her curiosity would get her in trouble.”