Cottage at the Beach (The Off Season)

by Lee Tobin McClain

  But it looked like a few days of stewing had made Cochran madder, not calmer, and Trey needed to contain this. “Keep working,” he said to the kids, and jogged over. “Cochran. What do you want?”

  “You’re really asking me that?” Cochran looked just a little like Arnold Schwarzenegger in an old movie. “You took my dog.”

  “I took back my dog,” Trey corrected, “because you were abusing him.”

  “I was training him. Since you didn’t.”

  Anger burned in Trey’s belly and heated fast, threatening to engulf him. All the hours he and King had spent in specialized trainings, search and rescue, drug detection, taking down a perp. King’s multiple successes.

  Not only had he been trained, he’d been well trained. “He’s a very smart dog,” he forced himself to say mildly. “He doesn’t respond well to being screamed at and kicked.”

  There was a noise behind him, and he turned to see the kids he’d been working with in a small cluster. “You want us to get Miss Rowe?” Shane asked. “Or the principal?”

  “Not the principal, idiot,” Venus said. “Maybe Miss Rowe.”

  Nice that they had his back, and that some of them, at least, had some sense about who might be a help and who definitely wasn’t. “No, that’s okay. Mr. Cochran and I just need to have a conversation.”

  Cochran rattled the chain links. “You need to give me my dog back.”

  “Not happening.”

  “I have your chief, old Abe Lincoln, on speed dial.”

  Here was the consequence he didn’t want to face. But for King’s sake, he would. “Do what you want. I’m not giving you back my dog to mistreat.”

  “Your dog is vicious and needs to be taught a lesson. He bit me.”

  “After you provoked him. And that wasn’t a bite. That was a warning. If he’d really bitten you, you’d have needed serious medical attention.”

  He heard the school’s heavy doors clang and turned, and there was Erica—and, oh great, the principal—marching toward them.

  “What is the meaning of this disturbance?” Principal O’Neil asked.

  “What’s going on, Trey?” Erica asked.

  “Oh, so you work with your girlfriend?” Cochran sneered as he said it.

  “She’s not...” He stopped. It was true, she wasn’t his girlfriend, but he didn’t feel right denying it in front of her, because there was no doubt some feelings were growing between them.

  “Don’t try to cover it up. You were all over each other the other night at the beach.”

  Behind him, Erica sucked in her breath. The kids started murmuring and giggling.

  “What?” Principal O’Neil barked out, so much indignation in his voice that they all turned to look at him, students included. O’Neil faced Erica. “I’ll deal with what he’s saying about your relationship later, but you, sir—” he punched a finger at Cochran “—you need to back away from school property.”

  “Fine,” Cochran said, “if you don’t mind that you’re employing a thief and the owner of a dangerous animal.”

  “That’s ridiculous,” Erica said hotly, and Trey had to love that she defended him even though he could tell it wasn’t doing him—or her—any favors with O’Neil. “First of all, King isn’t dangerous. You’re the one who’s dangerous. Trey did the only thing he could in taking him away from you.”

  “You admit he took him.” Cochran’s voice was rich with triumph.

  Behind him, a squad car pulled up and stopped. Officer Greene got out. “I got a call that there was a problem here.”

  One of the kids must have called, and Trey didn’t know whether that was good or bad.

  “An accusation of theft has been made,” the principal said.

  Greene looked at all of them in turn. “Who made it?”

  “I did,” Cochran said.

  “If you have a formal report to make,” Greene said, “you’ll need to come to the station. I can run you over there.”

  “I have my own car,” Cochran said. “And I’m calling your chief.” He pointed at Trey, sneered again and started toward a sports car parked on the street.

  “I’ll meet you there in ten.” Greene waited until Cochran was out of earshot and then looked at the remaining three. “Anything else I can help you folks with?”

  “We’ve got it under control,” Trey said, although he didn’t feel that was the case.

  What kind of a report would Cochran file? What would his chief say when he knew?

  “I can’t say any of this surprises me,” O’Neil said. “It’s just another example of why I don’t want this program here.”

  The kids started murmuring, and Erica’s back stiffened. Trey shoved his hands in his pockets so the fact that they were clenched wouldn’t register with the rest of them. What kind of a school administrator started adult arguments in front of the kids he was supposed to be in charge of?

  “Are we going to have to go back to our own schools?” Rory asked. “Because...things weren’t going too well for me there.”

  “Me, either,” another kid said, and the rest of them started talking more loudly among themselves.

  Erica looked stricken.

  Shame licked at Trey’s insides. He’d put the academy at risk. Just when he was starting to realize how great it was for the kids.

  Not only that, but once Cochran had called his chief and put his slant on the story, Trey might not have a chance of being reinstated to the force.

  King, either.

  And worst case, they might take King away from him again.

  He wouldn’t allow the dog to be returned to Cochran, though. He’d go into hiding with King before he’d do that.

  This day was a disaster. “I’m sorry,” he muttered to Erica. “Come on, kids. Nothing more to see here.”

  They fell into place around him as if they were his rear guard. Which was sweet. If misguided. If ineffective.

  It would take more than a bunch of ragtag kids to get him out of this mess.

  * * *

  “SO O’NEIL BAWLED him out? Is he gonna have to quit?” Hannah took another bite of burrito and leaned forward. “We saw it all through the window, and then we heard the other kids talking. They said the support program might be cut!”

  Her niece’s words slashed through Erica, opening up a vision of all the potential consequences. The kids would lose the program that was keeping them out of worse trouble. Erica would lose the only job that paid enough to cover the rent here in Pleasant Shores. They’d have to move, which meant that Hannah would have to change schools again. Worst of all, Amber would lose a lifelong dream.

  But Erica couldn’t let her anxiety show in front of her sister and niece. “The program’s future has always been a little shaky,” Erica said, “but what happened today with Trey isn’t going to push it over the edge.”

  Hannah’s face broke into a relieved smile, and then her phone buzzed. “Oops, there’s my ride. See you guys tomorrow.” She’d convinced Amber to let her sleep over at a new friend’s house.

  “It’s still a school night,” Amber reminded her. “Go to bed early. Brush your teeth and wear your retainer.”

  “Mom! I’m seventeen!” She rolled her eyes, but leaned down and gave her mom a quick hug, and then another to Erica.

  As soon as Hannah and her friend had driven away, Amber stood and beckoned to Erica. “Come on, girl... We’re going out!”

  Erica raised an eyebrow. “We are?”

  “We are.” Amber couldn’t suppress a wide smile. “Because I got some more good news today.”

  Erica jumped up and rounded the table. “Your doctor called?”

  “Uh-huh. Scan results looked good.”

  “Oh, Amber, that’s wonderful!” She wrapped her arms around her sister and held her, eyes closing, whispering a prayer of thanks.r />
  Amber shook herself loose. “Put on your cutest skirt. I am. We’re going to an actual, grown-up bar and celebrate like the young babes we are!”

  An hour later, they were nursing margaritas on the deck of Pleasant Shores’ sole waterfront bar that remained open year-round. A local guitarist picked out oldies and the crowd was mixed, from the group of twentysomethings holding up drinks while they danced to eighty-year-old Henry Higbottom holding court at one end of the bar.

  Erica leaned back in her chair and regarded her sister, who had her feet propped up on another chair and was surveying the bar crowd, smiling. “So did the doctor say when you have to get another scan?”

  Amber put both hands over her ears and shook her head back and forth rapidly. “This scan was good, and I’m not thinking about the next one,” she said. “I’m here to have a good time.”

  “You’re right,” Erica said. She herself couldn’t help thinking about the future, worrying and obsessing about it, but she didn’t have to inflict her own anxieties on her sister, who was more carefree by personality. “You got a good report today, and that’s what matters. And you look like your old self.”

  “Only better,” Amber said. “I was never quite as skinny as I wanted to be. Now I’m a size four. And I for sure never had the long, curly red hair.” She flipped back her curls.

  “When did you get that wig?” Erica reached out and touched that natural-feeling hair. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “This afternoon, after I met with my oncologist. I wanted to celebrate, and this is how I did it. At least, this was the first step. Next, I’m going to dance.” She took a long draw on her margarita.

  “Okay. If you’re sure you’re feeling up to it.” Erica didn’t like the part of herself that questioned Amber’s good health and stamina, but she’d been around Amber too many bad mornings to feel comfortable with her sister having a wild night. “Remember, going to the ice cream parlor almost did you in.”

  “Stop being such a wet blanket.” But Amber wasn’t angry, not really, Erica could tell. “I feel great. And no matter what the future holds, I’ve realized I have to take advantage of every good hour. Every good moment.”

  “You’re right. It’s just the division of labor we’ve always had. You’re the wild one, and I’m the responsible one.”

  “Yeah, and I’m paying the price.” Amber’s mouth tightened for a moment. “But just for tonight, I want to forget about all that.”

  Erica’s heart lurched. “What do you mean, you’re paying the price?”

  “I should have gone to the doctor sooner. I should have drunk more green tea than wine coolers and eaten more vegetables than hamburgers. I should have read all the literature about cancer genetics the way you did.”

  Tears pushed at the backs of Erica’s eyes and she blinked to keep them from forming and falling. “Honey, this cancer is not your fault. It’s just a rotten twist of fate. Understand?”

  Amber waved a hand. “Whatever. What’s done is done.”

  Erica stood and motioned to the bartender. She held up two fingers for another round and then drew Amber to her feet. “Come on, sis,” she said. “Let’s dance.”

  For the length of two fast-paced country songs, they danced their hearts out, and it was like old times. Amber laughed and held her hands up and shook her hips with an abandon that Erica couldn’t ever seem to find. More patrons joined them, and as the sun sank out of view, tiny lights came on all around the low wall that surrounded the bar area.

  Finally, Erica and Amber headed back to the table, arms around each other’s shoulders, laughing. “Do you remember,” Erica said, and stopped to catch her breath. “Do you remember when you went to prom with Nelson Anderson and made him the most popular boy in the school?”

  “Aw, shucks,” Amber said, grinning. “I didn’t do that much, really.”

  “I think it was your acting ability. You made everyone think you were in love with him and that the two of you had been, well...”

  They sank into their seats and Amber chugged some ice water and then pointed at Erica. “You are still such a prude,” she said. “You can’t even say it, can you?”

  “Say what?” Erica said, even though she knew.

  “Say how I improved Nelson’s reputation as a stud,” Amber said. “Although I will admit, I never said a lie in that whole episode. I’m just good at making people believe things they want to believe, anyway.”

  Erica took a long draw of her margarita and giggled. “I’m telling you, that boy had the best senior year because of you. I think he dated six different girls.”

  “He was a great kid, if you got past the high-waisted doofus pants and the acne. I just helped everyone else to see that. And look at him now. I think he’s a neurologist or something.”

  “Probably with a beautiful wife and 2.6 kids,” Erica said.

  “Actually,” Amber said, “I looked him up on social media. He’s single.”

  “Is he, now?” She tilted her head, looking at Amber. “Just why were you looking up Nelson Anderson?”

  “In case you didn’t notice,” Amber said, “I’ve had a lot of time on my hands lately. Hey, isn’t that Trey?” She gestured toward the dance floor.

  Erica looked, and her heart skipped a couple of beats. It was Trey, and he was dancing. His movements were sedate, probably due to his back issues, but his wide smile said he was having a blast. It was the last thing she would’ve expected after all that had gone down today at the school. “Who’s that he’s dancing with? I can’t see her.”

  “Jealous?” Amber taunted.

  Maybe it was the second margarita, but Erica nodded, admitting the truth. “Yeah, maybe I am.” Because she’d have thought he would want to process, or forget about, the day with her, not with some other woman. It wasn’t like they had an agreement between them, but she hadn’t seen or heard of him dating anyone else.

  Which was stupid of her. They weren’t dating. She didn’t date.

  “Stop worrying,” Amber said. “He’s dancing with Julie White.”

  That was surprising enough that Erica half rose out of her chair to squint at the dance floor. Sure enough, Trey was rocking it out with Julie, who had to be almost twice his age. The woman definitely had some moves, though. As Erica watched, Trey took her hand and gave Julie a twirl, which she executed perfectly. He, on the other hand, winced a little, his hand going to his lower back.

  As the song ended, both Julie and Trey were laughing, and Julie reached up, kissed his cheek and whispered something into his ear. Then she headed over to the bar where another woman was sitting. Trey grinned and headed toward a table, alone.

  “I gotta admit, I like a guy who doesn’t limit himself to women who are twenty years younger than he is,” Erica said.

  “Same.” Amber nudged at her margarita, but took a big drink of ice water. “Why don’t you invite him to come over here and sit with us?”

  “No! I can’t do that. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

  “Do you hear my eyes rolling?” Amber stood, stabilizing herself with a hand on the back of her chair. “Hey, Trey! Come here!”

  Amber wavered a little bit, and Erica jumped to her feet to steady her. A moment later, Trey was there in front of them, gripping Amber’s arm. “Everything okay, you two?” he asked.

  “Think I’ll sit down.” Amber eased herself into her chair. Then she looked up at Erica and Trey and shook her finger. “No. Uh-uh. You’re not allowed to worry about me. I’m fine, just a little out of shape.” In her eyes was a plea: to be treated like a regular person, not a cancer patient.

  And Erica would do pretty much whatever Amber wanted, whatever made her happy. She sat down herself, patted her sister’s shoulder and then looked at Trey. “Join us?” she asked, nodding toward the empty chair at the table.

  “I’d be honored to sit with the two
most beautiful women under fifty in the place,” he said.

  “Hey, that’s a weird compliment... Oh, I get it,” Amber said. “You’re thinking about Julie.”

  “Gotta admit, I have a little bit of a crush on her. She’s a lot of fun. Sympathetic about my aching back. And she works at a bookstore, which makes her even more cool.” He smiled and spread his hands, palms up. “But she doesn’t take me seriously. She’s just hoping word will get back to her ex that she’s out dancing.”

  “Makes a certain amount of sense.” Erica met his gaze and looked away, not wanting him to see her relief. She wasn’t jealous of Julie, not really, but you never knew. Plenty of women dated men a lot younger than they were these days.

  “You like to read, do you?” Amber asked.

  Trey nodded. “Picked up the habit as a kid and never stopped. Nothing like a good thriller to take you away from your troubles.” He flushed, almost like he wasn’t used to sharing that about himself. “It was you two that inspired us to dance,” he said. “You guys were shaking it like it was going out of style.”

  “Lots to celebrate.” Amber clinked her water glass with Trey’s light beer. “Unfortunately, I don’t have much stamina for celebration yet.”

  “Give it time,” Trey said. “You look like a pro. I’m sure you’ll get back to it just fine pretty soon here.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears.” Amber settled back in her chair, ice water in her hand.

  “Hey, redhead. You with anybody?” A paunchy man in a cowboy hat had walked over toward the table, and now he knelt beside Amber. “Saw you dancing. You’re real pretty.”

  “Why, thank you, cowboy,” Amber said. “You’re quite a looker yourself.”

  Erica raised an eyebrow at Trey as Amber and the cowboy continued flirting. “You see what I’m dealing with here.”

  He grinned. “All in good fun.”

  She leaned forward. “Truthfully, I thought you’d be hiding out and planning your defense,” she said. “Any word about the whole King thing?”