WindSwept Narrows: #21 Charlotte Bell & Natalie Templeton

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Natalie Templeton.”

  “I’m not sure on the wording of that, though. You’re better at that than I am,” Tre talked in the void. “I just want it to be good. Nice. I’ll send you some email addresses for people to invite, including her parents and brothers. Especially them.”

  “I see. What is she a lieutenant of, Tremayne?”

  Tre grinned. He knew he could count on his mother.

  “Homicide. Local police attached to the new unit at the resort.”

  “Photo?”

  “Give me a minute,” he looked down at his phone and tapped, found and sent. “Check your inbox.”

  “I know the Templeton’s in the area,” Cecily Thorne brought her tongue around her lips, recalling what she knew and what she didn’t like. Which was most of it. “They’re snobs.”

  “Your honesty is what keeps our relationship on solid ground, mom,” Tre looked out toward the pool, Natalie now stretched, gleaming with oils and water and reading one of the mysteries she’d found at the book store. He had enjoyed the hour arguing styles and types of reading material with her. “Natalie isn’t like the rest of the family.”

  “Well, that was going to be my next comment, Tre. All I remembered were two young men and the parents. Mostly from gossip and various events around town. Really hard core right wing types. Very far from you.”

  “I’ve only met Craig, but from what Natalie says, yeah, I know you’re right. But I really don’t care about them. I plan to make up for what they don’t do to acknowledge their daughter and her accomplishments,” Tre said firmly, the determination in his voice nothing new to his mother. She’d heard it repeatedly through his life every time he discovered something new he wanted to explore.

  “That’s the rift? Her career choice? Because of the danger involved?”

  “You know…I could half accept that explanation,” Tre said with a little frown at the book in his hands. “But it’s because of what her career isn’t. It’s not prestigious enough for them. It’s not high paying enough. I get the feeling they’ve spent her career telling her why it’s all wrong.”

  “Hmm…I’m going to have to check with some friends and see what they know. Alright. Anything else?”

  “Chocolate cake,” he grinned like he had since he was smart enough to realize it got him what he wanted from the most important woman in his life.

  “Why do I see that delightful grin flashed at me,” Cecily laughed and jotted her notes on the pad before her. “That’s a given, darling. Send me your list of friends and all today, please. And if there’s nothing else, I have a party to plan.”

  “Thanks, mom. Seriously. And I’ll get you the list within the half hour. Talk to you later.”

  Tre spent fifteen minute gathering addresses and sending his mother the information she needed. Now he had to make sure the lieutenant was in attendance. And nothing like the present to begin his quest. He left the phone on the desk with the stacks of unsorted books, pulled his t-shirt over his head and went down into the sunshine.

  Natalie looked up from the book she had lying on the concrete. She lay on her stomach, staring down at the book and enjoying the wild start to the mystery she’d chosen. She watched him through her sunglasses, totally caught in the way he moved so smoothly, the muscles of his chest and shoulders harder and contoured nicely with the rest of his body. She felt a flush strike her cheeks when he met her eyes and flashed that delicious grin at her before diving head first into the deep end of the pool.

  Tre did several laps before gliding to the side of the pool, arms stretched along the tiles.

  “Good book?”

  “So far….definitely not boring,” Natalie closed the book and turned to face him. “Work all done?”

  “Not even close,” he laughed, hauling himself up onto the tiles and sweeping the hair back from his face. “I need a favor.”

  “You’re asking first…novel approach,” but it was still that damn boyish grin that had her insides warming.

  “We’ll pretend that didn’t happen,” he said cheerfully. “You know my mother is intent on this party idea to celebrate.”

  “And I think it’s a wonderful thing of her to do,” Natalie replied, her mouth opening and then closing again. “I think I see the thread. When?”

  “Friday. She’ll let me know where and what time. Evening, of course. I told her I wanted CD’s and a DJ so it would at least be danceable,” Tre watched the conflict playing in her eyes. “So you’ll come with me? Since you believe it’s such a grand idea.”

  “I don’t know why, but I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type to be embarrassed by this whole thing.”

  “It makes her happy,” he shrugged. “Not embarrassed, just don’t always get it, I guess. However, if you’re with me…and there’s music…I just see it as a win-win situation. I sent her a list of friends, so there will be people there you know. And chocolate cake.”

  Natalie laughed. “You’re a chocolate addict,” she sat upright, eyes wide behind her glasses at the hint of pink in his face. “You are. I thought it was just girls who got hooked on the creamy goodness.”

  “It was the first birthday I remember,” he told her with a laugh. “Simple vanilla ice cream over chocolate cake. It’s just never faded. So is that a yes? I’ll pick you up in the Jeep so you can wear a dress…if you want to, of course.”

  “Well, it would hardly be fair since I believe what your mother wants to do for her only son is sweet, that I abandon you in your hour of need.” Natalie lay back on the lounger, one knee raised and arms dangling off the sides.

  “Is that a yes?”

  “I haven’t had too many late nights at work on missing persons, so I’m pretty sure I can be available and I accept your invitation, although the whole parents things is a little…unnerving.”

  “I’m pretty sure they’re not like your folks, Natalie. Although I can’t guarantee she won’t ask questions that will embarrass us both. I learned honesty from my parents,” Tre watched the full lips tilt into a little smile. “While my father generally has better control on his curiosity, mom…not so much.”

  “She sounds fun.”

  “I learned to make potato stamps, finger painting on my father’s Mercedes and how to dance with abandon in the city center fountain,” he told her with a grin. “So, yeah, she is fun.”

  “I had private schools and nannies for the most part,” Natalie took her glasses off and closed her eyes, relaxing beneath the afternoon sun.

  “Somehow I pictured you running back alleys and parks,” Tre leaned back on his palms, stretching out on the tiles and watching her. “I can easily share the knowledge I’ve garnered. Somehow I don’t see it as a lose if I’m teaching you to dance in a fountain wearing a t-shirt and shorts.”

  “Oh, believe me, I learned escape techniques very early in life,” she laughed with him.

  “I had my share of private classes, but no nannies or private schools.”

  “Why private classes?”

  “Because you get nothing but grief when you’re seven and in high school classes and advanced studies. I must have drove my parents nuts with always wanting to add new things to a schedule with no room in it because there’s never enough hours in the day.”

  “Damn twenty-four hour clock,” she teased.

  “Yeah…hard to change the rotation of the planets and all, so I had to limit myself.”

  “Did you have a fascination with everything?”

  “Pretty much, at first. Curiosity and questions and a brain that never seemed to shut down. It all seems normal to you until people start looking at you like you’re a freak…then you end up pulling your mother out of the middle of a melee because of comments made about her son.”

  “I never asked your specialty…”

  “Specialty?”

  “At the hospital.”

  “Emergency room and clinic. You spend months in other areas for an overall training curriculum. There’s an incredible shortage of g
eneral practitioners in this country. People want to specialize for the money but the fascination and…variety…is in general medicine,” he shrugged mostly to himself. “At least I think so.”

  “The beauty of it is you’ll never stop learning,” Natalie rolled to her side and leaned up on one elbow to look at him.

  “I’m not nearly as bad as I was when I was a kid,” Tre met her smile, the sun was behind her now and sent a bright glimmering outline of her form in a burst of light from the early evening sun. “But classes are a big part of keeping your knowledge base up. Things change in medicine as fast as in technology these days.”

  “But you bought a couple books on alternative medicine at the store.” She had to admit, he was definitely different and diverse. He didn’t mind her talking about analyzing a crime scene or the terms she used without giving a thought that he wasn’t a cop. And he was far from boring. And there was the cuteness factor. She’d bet he learned to play that angle with his mother when he was little. Not that she could blame her.

  “I heard one of my instructors make the comment that more new doctors were open minded to old remedies helping without the side effects of medications,” he shrugged. “I guess I’m one of those. It’s pretty much hit and miss whether any given medication will work for every single person, just because we’re all a little different, intolerant to some, very susceptible to others. Even alternative medicines are changing because they’re trying old remedies for everything these days. I like to read,” he admitted with a grin.

  It amazed her how many topics they talked and laughed about, through another hour by the pool and then over a collection of leftovers from the day before. She saw the disapproval on his face when she told him she could find her own way home. But held up one finger of warning when he growled at her at the door to her car.

  “Careful…I’ll call animal control and have you leashed,” she teased, dropping her tote into the car and reaching for the door. Then her palm was gripped and she bounced against him, both hands blocking her against the car.

  “It’s the gentlemanly thing to do to escort you home.”

  “Because I’m fragile and helpless,” she chided, her fingers curling around the open edges of the shirt he had thrown on when they’d come inside.

  “I was going with adorable and cute.”

  “Hmm...not because I might weaken under that boy next door charm and invite you in for a nightcap?”

  “As much as I know I’d enjoy that, I’m not ready for that. And neither are you.”

  Natalie dropped her eyes to study his collarbone. “This could make me question my sex appeal.”

  “I don’t buy that for a minute. I saw that dance you did yesterday,” he met the instantly wide eyes. “Sex appeal you are not lacking, babe. Not at all. I just don’t want to be kicked to the curb and watch you brick that wall up again. I’m content to take it one brick at a time until it’s gone.”

  “Tre…” She swallowed hard. “There are things…I understand the need for honesty, god, do I ever…but I’m not sure I can ever talk about some things. And you might not be willing to settle for that.”

  “Only time will tell,” he lowered his head, his cheek brushing against the side of her face before his mouth whispered over hers.

  It was a slow, gentle kiss, his tongue stroking over her lip just before he nipped it. She met his kiss without hesitating, tongues twining and teasing and tasting before retreating and both of them inhaling deeply.

  “Good night, Natalie.” He kissed her forehead and opened the door for her, closing it firmly and standing to the side to watch her drive off.

  Tre pulled his phone from the pocket on his cargo shorts. He considered it a step forward when she offered her number. They’d argued about books; laughed over stupid movies and fought over the last egg roll. And he couldn’t remember the last time he felt so comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.

  He set the alarms and sat on the edge of his desk, scowling at the book shelf when his phone chimed. He read the text and smiled. She was home safe and sound.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Natalie was still shaking her head when she parked outside Bell’s Brews at eleven in the morning. She had the collection of papers and instructions from the prosecuting attorney. The idiots made it too easy for them.

  She smiled at the young girl at the counter, recognizing her from Friday.

  “Detective Templeton to speak with Charlotte Bell? I’ll wait over here,” she gestured to one of the empty tables and settled down, staring out into the still water in the distance. She stared but didn’t see the water. She saw an imaginary spreadsheet with two large columns. The logical side said she wasn’t to blame. The emotional side of her heard the words damaged goods over and over again.

  “Detective?”

  Natalie jumped visibly with a small gasp, catching hold of herself quickly.

  “Sorry. Lost in thought.”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you. How about some coffee?”

  “I would love some. Something with flavor and black, please.” Natalie opened the folder she’d brought with her and reached into her jacket for a pen. The smells in the coffee shop were almost magical, she thought, smiling at the tall cup placed on the table for her. “Thank you. What do I owe you?”

  “On the house. A new blend I made up this morning.”

  “Are you alright? I know your…” She hesitated. “I never know whether to call them boyfriends or what. It seems a little off considering their age.”

  “I think it’s cute,” Charlotte relaxed in the chair, her hands on the cup she’d brought over for herself. “I’m okay. I’m not sure I slept much and I know Jesse jumped at every sound around the house all weekend. I tried reassuring him that it takes a bit more than that to rattle you when you’ve been on the force before.”

  “I spoke to him this morning briefly,” Natalie winced. “I know he’s in your life, but I had to tell him that because there was no legal tie between you, I couldn’t really discuss your case with him without your permission. Guys don’t generally get that, so I’m going to apologize if he’s in a bad mood. It’s my fault.”

  “Absolutely not, Detective,” Charlotte laughed, ponytail moving as she shook her head. “Jesse worries and he’s used to being a boss. It humbles him now and then to find out the world isn’t at his feet. I understand we have friends in common. I spoke with Paige Andrews yesterday.”

  “You’re a friend of hers? It’s a small world,” she nodded and grinned. “I’ve bailed her out of a few situations over the years. I’m hoping with Sebastian’s influence, they’ll be few and far between in the future.” She gestured to the papers, explaining things quickly and offering her a pen, noting the highlighted spots where her signature was required. “To be honest, this morning it was a tie to see which of them could blame more on the other. The list of charges will put them both away for a while and the PA is glad it’ll be quick and cheap to deal with them.”

  “I never liked drawing out something like this. It always made the victim, and god how I hate that word, get punished over and over again,” Charlotte signed all the papers with a triumphant nod. “There. And thanks for coming out here.”

  “No problem. I needed coffee and some air,” Natalie stood up and offered her palm. “Despite the circumstances, it was nice meeting you.”

  “Same. I’m sure we’ll run into one another again.”

  Natalie went out to her car, her hand on the door.

  “If you throw away your friends, you’re truly alone,” she recalled from one of her first trainers when she joined the force. She’d tried locking herself away so they wouldn’t be hurt by anything she did, anything she saw. She’d tried, but she had the kind of friends who wouldn’t allow her to walk out of their lives.

  Natalie took out her phone and tapped in the number.

  “Got time for some lunch?”

  “I’d love some! I’ll meet you at the employee gate in…fifteen?”
Faith checked the clock on her computer and nodded at her guess.

  “Perfect. I’m almost there,” Natalie closed the phone and turned the key, listening absently to the engine response.

  She smiled as she watched Faith jog over the asphalt to the guard building. Her voice was perky and cheerful, and as much a part of her personality as the color of her hair. Which today was slightly, almost red.

  Faith greeted her at the back gate, clearing her through with a signature and a bright grin.

  “You can’t hit me. It’s in the friend by-laws,” she teased.

  “I knew it had to be you,” Natalie said with a rueful shake of her head.

  “He’s cute. And persistent,” Faith said as they walked through the cafeteria line, selecting things until their trays were full. She looked up from paying to see a tint on her friend’s cheeks. “You saw him again.”

  Natalie frowned, tried clearing her throat and tried lying. This wasn’t high school. You don’t go to your girlfriend and squeal and gush about a new boyfriend.

  “You remember when we were kids and used to follow the cute ones around the mall or at school?” Natalie took a forkful of salad. “Always giggling and thinking they didn’t know we were there? They knew.”

  “Of course they knew,” Faith laughed. “And we always compared notes and cried on each other’s shoulders when they hurt us. Tre isn’t like them, Nat.”

  “I think I know that,” she lifted the glass of water, gulping the cold liquid. She met the quiet eyes watching her. “You know. You…some of the others…you know what happened. I talked to you about it. All of it.”

  “Are you afraid to talk to him?” Faith could understand that fear, she thought of how she’d run from Dominic so long ago. “It’s a hard thing to have courage for.”

  “I did talk to him,” she answered, surprise in her voice. “I don’t know why.”

  “I could tell you, but I don’t think you’re ready to listen yet.” Faith bit into the large toasted sandwich.