WindSwept Narrows: #21 Charlotte Bell & Natalie Templeton

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “I still want to pound something.”

  “I know. Believe me, I know,” he sighed and loosened his arms. “We have the painting finished outside. The glass will take about half an hour more he said. Is the security still working?”

  “It’s fine,” she shrugged and moved to make sure things were ready for the morning rush. Monday morning people seemed to be very desperate for that jolt to get them launched into the week. “I can make my claim online and email them the photos with a copy of the police report. If you’ll excuse me,” she took his hand and squeezed before drifting back to her office.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Is she alright?” Jenna came behind the counter, her hand out to loop through his arm.

  “She will be,” Jesse walked with her to the front of the shop when Jamie gestured for them. “A problem?”

  “Jasmine is in the parking lot,” he looked over his shoulder, his voice low and features drawn. “She was speaking to the police. They verified her alibi. She asked me to tell you she wants to talk to you.”

  Jesse pulled the keys from his pocket and handed them to Jamie. “Go back to the resort. I’ll get a ride with Charlotte.”

  “Are you going out there?” Jenna hugged her father and lifted the small purse she carried.

  “No,” he walked with them to the door, watching them cross the parking lot to the SUV. Jasmine looked at him but didn’t come close to the shop. He nodded at the twins as they drove away, his hand turning the lock and pulling the blind down. The new glass was in place and all Charlotte had to do was have the name of the shop put back on the front. He looked at Jasmine and shook his head, turning away and striding to the office where Charlotte worked.

  “Online stuff just makes all things so incredibly easy at times,” Charlotte looked up after pressing send and immediately felt her stomach clench. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. The glass is finished and I sent the kids back to the resort in the SUV,” Jesse was too disturbed to sit and paced to the window. “Are you finished?”

  “Yes. Jenna helped me get things set up for morning. Monday’s can be nuts around here,” Charlotte exhaled deeply. “I’m sorry about before. I’m not used to someone stepping in and…and helping.”

  Jesse stared at her, gauging his next statement cautiously.

  “Will you stay at the resort tonight?” He knew the answer the instant he asked the question, her eyes shifting to the stairs that led up to her apartment. “I didn’t think so. What do you think you can do here alone if the person returns, Charlotte?”

  “This is my place, Jesse. I don’t know that I can do anything. I probably won’t sleep much, but I’ll be here,” she returned vehemently. “I can give you a ride back to the resort if you want. Or you can just take my car. I don’t need it until tomorrow.”

  “And I’m not invited to spend the night?”

  Charlotte leaned against the heavy newel post at the bottom of the stairs, her head bent and eyes closed.

  “I get the feeling a couple minutes more and we’ll be snapping at each other, Jesse and I don’t want that. I’m hungry,” she held out her hand to him. “Come upstairs and let’s fix something to eat. I think unless and until one of us ends this, the invitation is open to us spending the night together. Either here or at the resort. How does that sound?”

  “We’ll be moving into our house Wednesday,” he stood up and crossed to take her hand. “So amend that statement to our home and you have a deal, Miss Bell.”

  Charlotte turned to face him, taking a step higher, she let his hand fall and raised a finger.

  “First off…I’m not crazy about you leaving the kids alone. Tomorrow’s their first day of college and it’s important to them,” she held the finger a little higher when he went to speak. “Second, I don’t keep condoms in the apartment,” she watched him mentally swear to himself. “Third, we both have jobs in the morning.”

  Jesse took a step higher.

  “First off…I spoke with the police and they’ll be adding a patrol to keep an eye on things here,” he watched her expression, bouncing between being amused and being angry at the need for a patrol. “Second…I understand that this is your property. I get that this is your business and very important to you. But there’s nothing you can do if the person returns. IF you hear them; IF you catch them and get a call out to the police, it’ll be because you’re not sleeping which means come five-thirty, you’re a wreck, taking it out on your customers and employees.”

  “Whether at the resort or here, I probably won’t sleep,” she protested, gritting her teeth as she moved another step higher toward the apartment.

  “Third, I bought condoms when I was out yesterday. Now, as for the kids,” he sighed as they cleared the door and she turned to head into the kitchen. “I’d like to be there. I guess just because it’s another first for them, I know they don’t need me to get them moving or wish them luck,” Jesse sighed and sat back on one of the high breakfast barstools.

  “Wasn’t supposed to be this complicated,” Charlotte said quietly, laying out things in front of him for sandwiches. She had plates and two large glasses of ice water before pulling a stool over and making her sandwich. “You bought a house?” Something finally registered in her mind as she took a bite of the completed sandwich.

  Jesse squeezed mustard over the bread. “Did you think we’d be living in the resort forever?”

  “I…to be honest, I’m not sure I gave it much thought. I figured the company you worked for was putting you up until you found a place,” she shrugged. “Where is it?”

  “Defiance Point,” he glanced around for directional guidance and nodded toward the rise of hills in front of her business. “Plenty of homes for sale up there. We found one to fit us. They’ve been pulling up old carpeting and lay down a bamboo flooring. It’ll be finished tomorrow.” He met the interest in her eyes. “How about…we finish eating, I go back to the resort with you and collect things for tomorrow. Talk to the kids. And I’ll take you by and show you the house.”

  Charlotte swallowed quickly to avoid choking, her head shaking.

  “That’s alright. I mean…you can use my car,” she amended, wincing at the sound of her own words.

  “Charlotte, you can’t hole up here watching the place twenty-four seven,” Jesse watched her eyes widen and then narrow slightly. “Alright, you could. But it wouldn’t be healthy for you or me.”

  “I’ve never been the kind of person who…who sat around waiting for bad things to happen,” she said after a quiet few seconds chewing and thinking. “Seriously. I haven’t. I always believed you accepted what came and worked from there. Of course you can do things to avoid stupid outcomes like drugs and all but this is…I know I shouldn’t. I know that, Jesse.”

  “So you’ll come on a drive with me,” he wasn’t entirely sure what the outcome of her rattle was, so he took a wild – in his favor – guess.

  “I’ve got a lot of things to do,” she began hastily, avoiding looking at him as she started cleaning up. “Oh…do you want another sandwich? Sorry, I’ll leave this out for a little…eeep!” Charlotte felt the strong fingers around her wrist at the same time she was pulled hard against him, her head bouncing back. “Jesse!”

  “Let’s talk, Charlotte,” Jesse kept his hands behind her, resting on her ass, his arms refusing to budge when she tried pushing against his chest.

  “Well, we were talking…it’s a little…could you back up just…hey!” Her eyes went wide when his mouth came down on her neck, biting along the column. “No, Jesse…we were talking and I have to stay here. I’m going downstairs and finishing some prep work…” She lost her place in the sentence, her eyes closing against the marauding sensations his biting was sending through to the apex between her thighs.

  “You know I can’t leave you here alone. Neither of us would get any sleep.”

  “I am not leaving my shop unprotected,” she knew her teeth were clenched, that soft panting sound she hea
rd. Coming from her, she realized with a little groan.

  “I’ll assign one of my security people for the night, Charlotte,” Jesse inhaled, a sharp need growing in him he hadn’t known was possible. He slid one palm along her ribs, cupping her breast and teasing the nipple. Each groan, each wiggle made him harder and harder and damned glad he’d stuck a couple packets into his jeans before leaving the suite.

  “I…I can’t allow you to…I don’t know what something like that costs,” Charlotte put her palms against his chest and drew in a deep breath. “You are not playing fair,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “She targeted you because of me,” he said without pulling punches, giving her the space she wanted. He leaned against the counter, watching her pace and sliding his phone from the front pocket of his jeans. He scrolled through the directory and tapped the number he wanted. “Terry, it’s Jesse Hunter. I need one of your guards for a few nights. Nothing complex. I need someone willing to keep watch for someone defacing and breaking windows in a shop along Ruston Way. Yes…a couple miles north of the resort.” He listened to the questions, ignoring the glare from Charlotte. “They can play games on the computer, read, watch movies…don’t care. Just so long as they’re alert and aware of people near the building. Yes, they can be inside or out. From now until about five-thirty in the morning. Let’s say for a week,” he held up his free hand at the wide eyes and opening mouth Charlotte presented. “Yes, we’ll be here,” he gave the man on the other end the address. “Thanks. I’ll wait for him in the parking lot.”

  Charlotte had stopped pacing, her arms up and crossing over her chest. One leg was angled out, her foot tapping on the hardwood floor.

  “Pissed?”

  Pale lashes narrowed, the taut bow of her lips pursed.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Jesse said with a chuckle. “How about you pack some stuff and we wait downstairs? This way I can spend time with you and be there in the morning for the kids. Please, Charlotte. You have to know I’d spend the night pacing and worried about you here alone.”

  Jesse watched her turn, grab her pack off the sofa and head into the bedroom, the door slamming behind her. He figured she just needed that for effect and chuckled, his hands in his pockets as he moved to stare down at the parking lot, the remnants of the police tape fluttering in the breeze.

  He wondered how many times in his life he had he asked himself what he’d change if he could go back. Would he give up meeting Charlotte because he knew Jasmine was going to hurt her?

  He’d been in the hospital with Jamie and a broken arm from climbing too high in a tree when he had first asked himself that question. They spent several hours and a lot of tears but he wouldn’t have given up his children for all the peace the world could offer him.

  And he wouldn’t lose Charlotte, either. He’d just have to find ways to keep her safe until Jasmine Billings was dealt with.

  “You do know I am not happy about this,” Charlotte announced when she came out of the bedroom, standing by the door that led into the coffee shop.

  “I’m guessing the door slamming was a clue,” Jesse commented casually. “You own the building, don’t you?”

  “I…”

  He didn’t think it was possible but her scowl deepened a little more.

  “Yes. I own the building. Why?”

  “And you have a security company? Monitoring system?”

  “Of course. That’s how the police knew the windows had been shattered,” she answered petulantly, dragging her feet when he took her palm and guided her down the wide stairs. “It was my fault for not having my phone on me. I would have known last night…or this morning…”

  “And you wouldn’t have been able to stop it, Charlotte,” Jesse turned one of her chairs around in the main dining area and straddled it, facing the parking lot.

  She caught the sharp retort that it wasn’t the point!

  She wanted to shout. She wanted to stamp her foot.

  Her mother would be smacking her upside the head about now. Suddenly all the air went out of her and she slid her pack over the floor and stormed into the kitchen.

  Jesse heard metal against metal. Cabinets opened and closed and now and then a burst of mumbling greeted him. He saw the small pickup pull into the lot and park off to the side, a familiar face on the younger man stepping from inside. He carried a backpack, waving and accepting the hold signal from Jesse.

  “I need the codes for the alarm and a key to the front door, Charlotte,” Jesse took a deep breath of the sugar and spice mix, his stomach growling. They’d missed most of breakfast and lunch. The sandwich had been good, but just not enough. He was still being glared at as she slapped a spare key into his palm. She pulled a notepad from her back pocket and wrote across the surface, slapping the paper into the outstretched hand. “I’m not the enemy, Charlotte.”

  She turned away, wrapped the large tray with plastic and slid it into the fridge shelf. Her back went against the smooth stainless door and she slid to the floor, her head between her knees and arms over her head.

  Jesse returned to the shop, moving quietly into the kitchen. She didn’t look up. Didn’t move from the spot on the floor. He sighed and crossed the room, dropping to his heels and bending his head a little lower, one finger tapping on her head.

  “I know you’re there,” she said flatly.

  “I’m hungry. Let’s go find some food,” Jesse took both her hands and stood up, pulling her with him. “How about some big sandwiches and a park near the water?”

  Charlotte pulled her fingers free and went to the front door, her pack up and on her shoulder, the keys lifted from the hook at the side.

  “You have to talk to me eventually,” Jesse winked at the young man sitting by the main window, a laptop open and his fingers on the keys. “This is Charlotte Bell, Danny Tyler. She’s the owner and will be here to open up at five-thirty.”

  “Miss Bell,” Danny offered his palm. “I’ll keep an eye out, don’t worry.”

  “Thank you,” Charlotte pulled a smile from somewhere and nodded. “Thank you. Please, be careful. I…I don’t want anyone to be hurt.”

  “I’m good at my job, Miss Bell. I’ll be careful,” he promised. “I’m glad I got some work that fits my class schedule. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” she knew the voice talking was hers even if it was barely heard. “Good night.”

  Jesse was quiet, watching her open the SUV and slide behind the wheel. Her knuckles were tight on the wheel, her head down. She started the car and raised her head, glancing around the Sunday mid-afternoon traffic and heading them towards the large park at the far end of the peninsula.

  “This is a really good little place,” Charlotte said as she pulled the car behind a small building, the smells of fresh baking bread and meats reaching anyone in the area. “I think you’ll like it.”

  “I have my very own local area expert,” Jesse crossed in front of the car, his palm out to slide his fingers with hers. “Done being pissed at me?”

  “Probably,” she returned sullenly. “For now.”

  “Is it because you’re hungry or you realize accepting my help isn’t really that painful,” he laughed at the scowl that returned. “Guess I’ll just take what I can get for the moment. What would you like? You snag us a table and I’ll order. We’ll share the responsibility.”

  Charlotte gave in and laughed with him, her head bumping his shoulder.

  “I’m wearing you down,” Jesse whispered, leaning in and kissing her. “How do you feel about PDA’s?”

  “A PDA? I thought they were pretty much extinct since smart phones came out,” she blinked up at him, his laughter deep and lips brushing her forehead.

  “Not that kind of PDA, Charlotte,” he stood with her in the line. “Jenna made me stop the PDA’s when she was twelve and decided dad’s shouldn’t be seen hugging or kissing their kids on school property.” He watched his words sink in, a flush of pink tinting her cheeks. “Which, of c
ourse, made me all that much more affectionate.”

  “Poor kid,” she mumbled, her head shaking. “I’m pretty sure I can survive you in public, Jesse.”

  “Good. The guy behind the register is eyeing you so I wanted him to know you were spoken for,” he teased.

  “That’s Zee…we grew up together,” she raised a palm and waved to him. “It’s his shop. He was like another brother.”

  “And he was content with that role?” Jesse raised an eyebrow, his head shaking at her naiveté.

  “He’s a friend,” she frowned at him. “I never asked. He hung out with my brothers. I’ll take the veggie eight inch with balsamic vinegar and extra sprouts. And a large water. I’ll scout us a table.”

  Jesse watched her wander around the tables, his head shaking as he approached the front of the line. He met the bright blue eyes of the man about his age with a half grin.

  “She’s clueless about guys sometimes,” Jesse commented, his palm extended. “Jesse Hunter.”

  “On that I’ll agree,” came the polite answer with a small laugh, his hand out with a firm shake. “Charlie never paid much attention to stuff like that. She had a plan. Zee Moore. I know what she wants,” he repeated Charlotte’s order verbatim, his head shaking. “Always the same for the last five years.”

  “You know her well,” Jesse gave him his selection and dropped a twenty on the counter.

  “I forgot we’re going down to the park. Hi, Zee,” Charlotte grinned at her friend. “How’s business?”

  “Hopping, as always. Hang by the door and I’ll bring your sandwiches to you,” he told them. “Nice seeing you, Charlie. And nice meeting you, Jesse. Take care of her.”

  “You have no idea how hard that is, Zee,” Jesse chuckled and moved with Charlotte toward the take out line. “Why the letter Z?”

  “He told us he didn’t like his name when we were kids so he just went by Zee,” Charlotte shrugged, looking back at the tall, rugged looking man. “He spent a lot of time on the surf circuit, hence the surfboards all over the shop.”