She picked up a glass and sipped the wine. "Sounds like my brother. I remember him getting into trouble for sticking up for his friends. Or anyone who didn't deserve to get into trouble. Does he spend a lot of time in your station?"
"Fairly regularly. We bring plenty of people in for questioning, and nearly everyone lawyers up before saying a word. Innocent or not."
"Can't say I blame them."
"Me, neither. Just makes my job more of a pain. Sometimes we just want to ask a few questions, but then we have to wait for the attorney to get there. Enough about my job. Tell me about your work."
She toyed with a strand of her hair. "Not much to talk about, really. I just pose for the camera."
"That's probably fun, isn't it? I imagine the camera likes you." He held her gaze.
"It isn't as glamorous as it seems. The advertisers want the perfect shot, and if one tiny detail is off…" She sighed. "Sometimes we can take hundreds of shots and still not have anything usable."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Wish I was exaggerating." She handed him his wine glass. "Looks like the sun is setting. Want to go back on the deck? It's a great view from there."
"Let's see it." They got up and headed out to the back deck. Nico put his dish in the kitchen and opened the door for her.
"A gentleman." She seemed surprised.
He closed the door behind them. The cold closed around them. "We should have brought our coats."
"It won't be long. Not this time of year." She leaned against the railing.
Nico stood next to Freya and studied the scenery. Off to the left, the bay was in sight. The sky was getting darker, except for the pinks and oranges slowly covering the horizon. He glanced over at Freya. "Beautiful."
"It sure is." She shivered.
He reached his arm out to put it around her, but then paused. Would she think him too forward? Freya shivered again. He put his arm around her shoulders. She moved closer to him pressing her back against him. He held her tighter, trying to keep her exposed back from the freezing air. He really should have insisted on coats, but he wasn't about to complain about this.
"I love the colors," she said. "I swear, the sunsets in New York are never as colorful."
"It's the city lights. They block out the stars, too."
"That's true. And it helps me appreciate what we have here at home."
"That it does. I never knew what I was missing until I moved here."
Freya shivered again.
"Maybe we should go inside."
"And leave this? No way. We can warm up in front of the fireplace later."
Nico smiled at the thought of her in his arms next to a crackling fire. "If you're sure."
"I'm not missing this."
He rested his head against hers. She didn't move away. Freya smelled sweet, like a mixture of flowers and candy.
Her phone rang.
"Are you going to get that?" he asked.
"Nope. Whoever it is can wait."
The ringing stopped. Nico wasn't sure he'd have the self-control to ignore his ringing cell phone, but he was glad she did. As cold as he was, he didn't want the moment to end.
Her phone rang again. She didn't reach for it.
"Sure you want to keep ignoring it?" he asked.
"Yep. I don't receive life or death calls like you do."
The colors in the sky disappeared and gave way to a plethora of bright stars.
The phone rang again. "Maybe it's important."
She pulled it out and groaned. "Shale."
Five
Freya held her phone and gave Nico her most apologetic expression. "I'm going to tell my brother to back off, and then I'll meet you inside. Fireplace?"
"Sure, no problem. Just don't stay out long."
Her teeth chattered. "I won't."
Nico went inside and Freya called Shale back, annoyance running through every inch of her freezing body.
"Finally. Where have you been?" His words slurred together.
Freya shook her head. "I'm busy. I'll call you back."
"Come get me." His words were slurring worse with each one spoken. "I know you have Dad's car."
She clenched her fists. "I thought your truck came in with all your stuff today."
"It did, but I'm at Jesse's Bar. Drunk."
"That much is clear." Freya threw her head back. "It's barely dinnertime, Shale."
"Don't judge."
"Call Mom and Dad."
"I don't want them to see me like this."
"Then don't get drunk. Hail a cab. I'm busy."
"Freya—"
"Call Sullivan. Get a cab. Walk. I'm not bailing you out this time." Not when things were going so well with Nico. "And you'd better pull yourself together. Mom and Dad want us all to come over later for desserts and a family game night."
"Crap. I forgot all about that. Freya, you've got to help me. You're the only one who knows everything."
"And I promise to keep it that way. But right now is for me."
"What's so important?" Shale demanded.
"I'm on a date." Well, it wasn't technically a date, but hopefully it would lead to one before she had to hop on a plane.
"You're leaving me hanging because of a date? Really, sis?"
"Yeah, and you've got it backwards. How dare you expect me to drop this because you decided to get drunk?"
"Fine. I'll drive myself. Got my truck, anyway."
Her grip tightened around the phone. "You wouldn't."
"Why not? It's a short drive. I can make it."
Drunk Shale was a real piece of work.
"Liar."
"Wanna bet? What do I have to lose? My family's already gone."
"We're your family. Mom, Dad, two sisters, and two brothers. We've been there for you since day one."
"Then do this one thing for me, Freya. I gotta get out of here and sleep."
"Will you wait for me?" she demanded. "Eat something. Drink some coffee."
"Yeah." He sighed dramatically.
"Let me at least say goodbye to my date. Then I'll get you." And then slap some sense into his thick skull.
"Sure. Thanks. You don't know how much this means."
"It better. What did you do when I wasn't around to bail you out of trouble?"
"I drank at home. Alone."
Freya rolled her eyes. "Have you turned into an alcoholic?"
"I've got it all under control."
"Obviously." She shivered. "Sit tight. And drink something other than alcohol."
"Sure."
She ended the call and went inside, seething. How dare Shale do this to her? Just because they were twins didn't mean that she was available for him at all hours.
Hopefully waiting while she spent a bit more time with Nico would drive that point home. What did Shale expect to do once she went back to New York? If he was going to get drunk, he needed to find someone else to bail him out—and quickly.
Freya shivered and went over to the living room. Nico wasn't anywhere in sight, much less in front of the fireplace. Had he disappeared again—before she could get his number? Her heart sank. She wandered in and out of the various rooms on the level, finally finding Nico sitting in front of a fireplace in Logan's study.
He sat in the darkened room with the firelight casting a glow on him as he gazed up at one of Logan's paintings. He was even more gorgeous—mysterious, even. And warm.
She hurried into the room and he turned to her, his face breaking out into a wide smile. "There you are. I was about to send a search party."
"To the deck?" Freya teased. She sat, scooting as close to him as possible. He was extra warm from sitting so close to the fire. Nico put his arm around her. Chills ran down her back, this time warming her.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
"It's just my brother. He's back home, and falling into old routines."
"I hope he's all right."
"He will be once he gets past losing his wife. I ju
st need to make sure my siblings keep an eye out for him when I go back to New York."
"How many of you are there? I knew about Sullivan, who helped him get this house. Then you've got your twin and your sister. What was her name again?"
"Dakota."
"That's right. So, five of you?"
"The Hunters like big families. We've got clans all around the country. The closest one is down in Kittle Falls, five brothers and a sister." Although Sophia had passed away. Freya didn't want to talk about death anymore, not after Chase's funeral and how crazy Shale was acting after losing his family. It was a good thing the Hunters also tended to stick close together. Freya needed to depend on that if her twin was going to act like an idiot.
"Are you close to your cousins?" Nico asked.
"Yeah," Freya said. "Well, I was closer when I didn't live clear across the country. One of them did live there for a while, but he's a writer, and as you can imagine, our paths didn't cross unless we made it happen."
"That's the city for you."
Freya's phone buzzed, alerting her to a text. Would Shale give it up? He'd gotten himself in the mess, he could wait a few minutes for her to pick him up. But what if he didn't want to wait? If he climbed into his truck…
She picked up her phone to check the text. "Sorry."
"Hey, no problem."
Her brother was just asking where she was. She texted him back that she wouldn't be much longer.
"You sure everything's okay?"
Freya frowned. "I might have to go check on him."
"Want me to go with?"
She held in a laugh. A cop checking on her intoxicated brother. Not a chance. "You should stay and enjoy the party. Logan hasn't stopped talking about how you were the key to winning the case."
"I really wasn't."
"But I'd like to get your number. Maybe we can see each other before I catch my plane."
"Definitely." He told her his number and Freya called him. He slid his finger around the screen. "Got it. And I would love to get together. When's good for you?"
"Tomorrow. I fly out early the day after."
Nico looked disappointed. "Just a short trip? Do you want to do dinner and a movie? Assuming I don't get called into work."
"I'd love that. Do you get called in often?"
"Lately, I have been, but it really depends. If the Lieutenant can't come in, then I definitely have to."
"Bummer." Freya's mind wandered back to Shale. She pictured him getting fed up with waiting and climbing into his truck. Then crashing into something.
"Did you hear me?" Nico asked.
Freya shook her head. "Sorry. Jet lag. I'm getting tired."
He didn't appear to believe her. But then again, why would he? His job was to see through people's lies. He could probably sense a fib a mile away.
She forced a yawn to prove her point. "I should probably check on Shale. Make sure he's all right. He's having a hard time."
"He lost a wife, you said?"
Freya nodded. "And he isn't taking it well."
Nico rose and helped her up. "You should check on him and then go to bed."
"Can you say goodbye to Logan for me?" If she did that herself, Logan and Dakota were likely to see she was worried and start asking questions.
"No problem."
They walked to the door. Nico opened the coat closet. "Tell me you at least brought a jacket."
"I did." She reached for it and slid it on.
He grabbed a black leather jacket and put it on.
"Are you leaving, too?"
"I'm going to walk you to the car."
Freya smiled. "Thank you, though Enchantment Bay is hardly dangerous."
"Not this section," Nico muttered. He held the front door open and gestured for her to go through.
"Oh?" She stepped into the biting cold.
He closed the door behind them. "Yeah, the edge of town on the west side keeps getting worse."
"I thought that was just the low-income area."
"That too, but drugs have been brought into the community, and along with them, everything they bring."
Freya frowned. "That's really too bad."
"It is, but on the other hand, it's job security for me. So, which car is yours?"
She pointed to the golden sedan by the curb.
"Huh. I pictured you driving something a little more…"
Freya snickered, waiting to see what he would say. Dad's ride definitely wasn't her style.
"… sporty."
"It's my dad's. I had to sell my car when I moved away. Nothing was going to stop me from modeling."
Nico laughed. "I didn't want to say you were driving a granny car, but I guess you really are."
"Thanks, but don't tell that to my parents."
He nodded. "I'll call you tomorrow afternoon and we can figure out the details for tomorrow night."
"And if you get called in?" she asked.
"I know a couple guys who owe me a favor."
"Nice. I'll see you tomorrow." She climbed into the car and started it. Ice was already forming on the windows. She let it idle and turned on the defrost.
Shale texted her again.
Almost there. Stop being so impatient. I can't text and drive.
Freya waved to Nico and pulled into the street, headed for the bar which was almost in the west side of town. Of course Shale would pick that place. No one they knew would see him.
It was time for a serious talk. He needed to realize it was time to grow up. If he wanted healing from the past—real healing, not getting smashed—then he needed to open up to the rest of their family, and not just Freya. It was too much for her, and she would only be in town another day, anyway.
How had he managed for the last year, away from everyone? If he had drunk as much as it was beginning to sound like, how had he kept his job? The last thing anyone needed was a plastered firefighter.
And how dare he put her in this position? Shale Hunter was going to get a piece of her mind. He was the one who had insisted she pick him up. It was his choice to be Freya's captive audience.
She pulled into the lot at the bar. Shale's pickup was near the back, tucked out of sight from the main road. He had to be used to hiding his habit. Anger burned inside. And now he was using her. Guilting her away from a date. This would be the last time.
Freya pulled out her phone and called him.
"How much longer?" he barked.
"I'm here now. In the parking lot. Get out here—I'm not going in."
"Oh, come on Freya. You told me to have something to drink while I waited. Let me finish it." His voice slurred worse than it had earlier.
"Are you kidding?" she exclaimed. "What are you drinking?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes! I told you to have some water or coffee."
"Did you? Guess I missed that part while I was waiting for you to finally get here."
Freya ended the call and stormed out of the car. She went inside to find Shale sitting at the bar, sipping from a beer bottle. She glared at the bartender. "How dare you give him more?" she demanded. "It's obvious he's off his rocker."
"He's not that bad." The bartender turned to Shale. "Who's this? Your wife?"
Freya's nostrils flared. She marched over to her brother, grabbed the bottle from his hand, and smacked his arm. "We're leaving."
The bartender folded his arms and grinned. "Your wife's even hotter when she's angry. You should drink more often, man."
She narrowed her eyes. "Don't encourage him."
"Feisty. If you ever decide you don't want him, I'm available."
Freya shook her head and bit her tongue. She grabbed Shale's shirt and pulled him off the barstool. "We're leaving. Now."
"You'd better listen to her."
"And you should have your license revoked," Freya snapped.
"Hey," Shale said. "My jacket."
"You can get it when you come back for your truck."
Shale turned to the ba
rtender. "You won't have me towed, will you?"
"Not if you come back for more drinks."
Freya glared at him. "Watch it. I'm friends with Sergeant Valentin."
The bartender flinched. "Really?"
"Dead serious. And if you encourage my brother, here, to get drunk again, you're going to have to explain that to the Sergeant."
"Brother, huh? Does that mean you're available?"
Freya spun around and yanked Shale out of the bar.
Six
"So now you know that cop?" Shale grumbled.
"Buckle up," Freya snapped. "What are we going to do with you? I can't bring you to Mom and Dad's like this. What were you thinking?"
"That I needed a drink."
"A drink?" She glared at him.
"Don't judge me. You don't know what I've been through."
"None of us does. You've shut us out."
"I was all alone out there. With you in New York and everyone else here."
"Have you heard of a thing called a phone? Of course you have. You used one to ruin my date. What are you going to do when I fly back?"
"You're really not staying?" he asked.
"No. My life is back there."
"But I need you, Freya."
"We have an entire family. You should talk to Logan or Sullivan." Maybe one of them could knock some sense into Shale. She obviously couldn't.
He shook his head. "They already think I'm a screw-up."
"No, they don't."
"You don't see it because you're the baby girl. I'm a guy. No grace for me."
Freya rolled her eyes. "Well, you happen to be in need of some tough love. What's your plan once I leave?" She saw her breath. It was already getting cold in there. She turned on the car and cranked the heater.
"Won't you stay?" he asked.
"For the lucrative modeling industry of Enchantment Bay?"
"I'm sure there are modeling jobs nearby. We're not too far from Portland. You could drive up there."
"Nice try. Not happening. All the big names are back home."
"This is home."
Freya twisted her ponytail. She was getting nowhere with him. "We'll talk about it when you're sober. Do you want to crash at Dakota's with me? She has plenty of room. I wouldn't recommend Logan's place. It's crawling with cops and attorneys right now."
Bayside Wishes Page 4
