by Carol Ross
“Do you want to go out there?”
“I’d love to,” Harper answered flatly.
“I’ll turn around.”
She scoffed. “I wish.”
“Let’s not wish, let’s do,” Kyle said almost cheerfully, trying to coax her back into good spirits. He should be glad that she’d finally switched to subdued mode. But he wasn’t. Not at all.
Harper gave him a suspicious frown. He couldn’t blame her. His hot and cold behavior would irritate him, too, if he were on the receiving end of it.
“I can turn around?” Kyle offered.
“It won’t do any good,” Harper said, her tone resigned. “This guy owns the entire headland there. More than two hundred acres of oceanfront, wilderness, historical amazingness, but he doesn’t allow anyone on his property.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. The gray whales come very close to the shore off that point. Rumor has it, it is the best place to view them on the entire coast. There’s also an old decommissioned lighthouse and a World War II bunker.”
“Why doesn’t he allow anyone there?”
“Nobody seems to know for sure. I’ve heard different explanations.”
“Who is he?”
“His name is Rhys McGrath. The property belonged to his grandfather, who died several years ago. Rhys inherited, but it’s been closed to the public for decades.”
“Have you asked him if you can tour the place?”
“I’ve tried. I couldn’t find a phone number. I’ve stopped at the gate at the end of the drive, but no one answers. And I’ve emailed him. Three times.”
“Did you get a response?”
“Immediately. The same canned one every single time, like the response is on auto-send. It reads something like, ‘Thank you for your inquiry, but Mr. McGrath is not available for consultation at this time. The lighthouse and grounds are closed to the public and will remain so indefinitely.’”
“That’s too bad. I mean, it’s his right, for sure. Everyone deserves their privacy.” Kyle glanced over at Harper, waiting for her retort, but she was busy staring out the window behind him.
Kyle reminded himself it was better this way even as he fought off the urge to apologize, to explain, to...to what? To try and snap her out of this funk by laughing and joking around with her and getting himself even more tangled up in her than he already felt? There was no solution, no way forward, beyond keeping her at arm’s length. Except, he didn’t think he could keep it up.
When they arrived back at her place, they went inside where Harper informed him she’d be in her office. Kyle took the opportunity to head to his cottage, locking her door and setting the security system behind him.
Despite calling several times over the last couple of days, he still hadn’t talked to Josh about the text he’d sent. Pulling out his cell, he tapped on Josh’s number, the fourth one down on his contact list. It was just under Owen’s, whose contact he couldn’t bring himself to delete. Circumstances being what they were, Harper had taken over the top spot above his mom.
His friend picked up. Finally. “Kyle, hey! Sorry I’ve missed your calls. I was on a plane to Nairobi and then getting settled in here.”
“No problem, but I gotta say, your message rattled me. Can you talk? What’s up?”
“Yeah, I’m in my room now. Listen, here’s the thing. Travis called me into the office before I left, the day I called you.” Travis was Josh’s boss, soon to be Kyle’s, too, when he officially signed on with Dahlia. “It’s Dahlia’s standard operating procedure to investigate every death of an employee whether they were on the clock at the time or not. Because, as we both know, you’re always on the clock with Dahlia.” Josh added a laugh.
Kyle knew this to be true. The company operated even more strictly than the military where employee behavior was concerned. It was of paramount importance for them to keep a stellar reputation in the international community. “They call it an inquiry and Owen’s has been delayed.”
“What does that mean?”
“There are some issues.” Before Kyle could ask what that had to do with him, Josh said, “One of them has to do with Harper Jansen.”
“Harper?”
“Yep. So, Travis asked me if I knew Harper. I said no, but I mentioned that you happened to be doing security work for her right now.”
“Yeah, and?” Kyle prodded, unable to make sense of what he was hearing.
“Travis got excited and... Long story short, he wants you to gather intel about Harper on the QT. Find out what she knows about what Owen was doing in Africa.”
Kyle felt his blood go cold. Dahlia wanted him to spy on Harper? Harper’s question that first day came rushing back to him, if he’d known about Owen’s “time” in Africa. Kyle thought she’d been talking about her and Owen’s relationship. “Why does he think she knows anything at all?”
“Owen had a notebook, like a journal or a calendar, but not super personal. Most of it is in some sort of shorthand or code, but he also wrote a few things about Harper. I guess something in there makes the investigators think she might have information that could be helpful. I guess they had a fight and broke up right before he died.”
“They did. He called me afterward. Harper confirmed that with me, too.”
“I don’t know how to say this, but I got the feeling from Travis that they think Owen might have been involved in something...”
“Something what, Josh?” Anxiety pressed against Kyle’s lungs, making it hard to breathe. He forced himself to stay calm.
Josh let out a sound, a frustrated groan, and Kyle could hear the fear, the unease in his tone, even nine thousand miles away. “Not good, Kyle. Shady was the term Travis used. They’re not sure what he was up to exactly. But I guess some of these notes reference Harper and suggest she might know something. Listen, buddy, I know this is a lot to dump on you right now.”
A lot? Under different circumstances, Kyle would have laughed at the understatement. But there was absolutely nothing funny about his future employer asking him to spy on his current one. The answer would be an unequivocal no if they weren’t talking about Owen. The idea of his best friend involved in anything shady was ludicrous. If there was something he could do to clear Owen’s name, he had to try.
Kyle didn’t immediately respond. Josh stayed quiet. Kyle appreciated that Josh was giving him a moment to work all this out.
Then, in typical Josh fashion, he attempted to lighten the mood. “I mean, you must be working your charm on her by now anyway, huh?”
“I’m just her bodyguard,” Kyle snapped and could hear the defensive edge in his tone.
Josh muttered a soft curse. “I’m sorry, Kyle. That was totally insensitive. Not surprising coming from me. I’m not exactly known for my subtlety, am I? Of course, you’re not making moves on your best friend’s fiancée.”
“No, it’s fine. I know what you meant. This is just a lot to take in. I don’t believe Owen was—”
“Don’t even say it,” Josh interrupted. “Of course, he wasn’t. Obviously, there’s an explanation. Dahlia is looking for it. That’s what you’re going to prove, or at least help prove. And Travis said he’d put you on the clock for this, bill it as part of the inquiry.”
Kyle squeezed his eyes shut and brought one hand up to grip the back of his neck. Could this situation with Harper get any worse? Keeping his distance had been difficult enough, now someone was going to pay him to get close? So he could get information from her about his best friend?
Josh reminded him that it could, in fact, be worse. “Whatever was going on, Travis wanted me to reiterate that possibly Harper was involved, too. Or maybe she was the one who exposed Owen to a dangerous situation somehow. She knows people in Africa. And her dad is a billionaire hotshot with tons of connections. So, you have to be discreet. You can’t tell her anything ab
out this.”
* * *
“I’M GOING TO CLASS,” Harper announced after changing into workout clothes. She’d spent the afternoon editing photos, but her mind wasn’t on the task. Especially when she’d loaded the photos she’d taken and seen Kyle scowling at her from her oversize monitor. As if his regular-size scowl wasn’t bad enough. Yep, the object of her distraction was right here in her own living room relaxing in the easy chair by the fireplace. Feet up, coffee mug in hand, he was all kicked back and reading a book like he wasn’t trying to annoy her by now appearing concerned. Biting back her curiosity, she refused to ask the title even though she’d noticed and appreciated that he liked to read.
Kyle lowered the book and looked her up and down. “Class? What kind of class? Where?” If Harper didn’t know better, she’d think there was a hint of appreciation in his perusal. But she did know better. He was probably planning on how to get access to the studio’s schematics so he could properly secure all the exits and then quiz her on the proper escape protocol.
“Yoga.”
“You do yoga?” He emphasized the word like she’d just told him she was into swallowing hot coals or juggling knives.
It was on the tip of her tongue to defend her exercise of choice, but suddenly it occurred to her that a break from him would be a really good idea.
“Yep,” she said, trying to keep her expression neutral while reveling in her brilliance. She should have predicted that Mr. Uptight would sneer at yoga. This was perfect! He could wait outside while she enjoyed an hour of physical activity and let go of some of this gnawing anger. She needed to make peace with the reality unfolding before her: he didn’t like her.
“What kind of yoga?”
“Um, the stretch-like-a-pretzel, meditate, workout kind. You know...” She paused to gesture at her tank top, which read “When in doubt, plank it out.” “This particular class is called yoga fit, and it’s a combination of yoga and body-weight strength training. I go to this awesome little studio in Pacific Cove called Vela, right across the street from the health food store.”
“Yoga fit,” he repeated with a little grimace. Good sign. Maybe she’d stay for a double class. He glanced at his watch. “And you’re going to this class at Vela Studio right now?”
“I’m leaving in ten minutes.”
Sighing, he scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “All right. Let me get changed.”
“Wait.” Harper felt a little surge of panic. “You don’t need to go to class with me. I mean, you can just wait outside in the car or...wherever. There’s a coffee shop across the street, right next to the health food store.”
Kyle studied her carefully, and Harper had the feeling he was making some sort of decision that was much larger than where he would be waiting while she was in child’s pose.
“No, it’s fine. I’ll go with you.”
“You’re going to do yoga?”
“Yeah, sure, why not?”
Yes, Harper, why not? “Umm, okay, but just so you know—it’s mostly women. And it’s not easy. I know you work out and everything, but this is a whole different type of physical activity than you’re probably used to. I could barely walk for days after my first class.”
Kyle’s assessing stare made her feel fidgety and silly. The silence stretched between them until he finally asked in a tone that sounded almost teasing, “Harper, are you trying to discourage me from attending yoga fit class with you?”
Harper felt her cheeks go warm as she realized how obvious she’d been. Which only irritated her more. “Of course not,” she lied. It had been too much to hope for that a room full of women would deter him. She doubted the man was intimidated by anything. “It’ll be good to supplement your...normal exercise routine.” A routine that Harper knew took place long before she ever stirred in the morning. He usually checked in on her while he was still in his workout clothes or came running up the stairs from the beach while it was still dark out. “I just thought... Never mind, just go change. I don’t want to be late.”
* * *
AFTER CHECKING IN at Vela Studio’s reception desk, Kyle followed Harper inside the door of the studio classroom where they deposited their belongings in a set of cubbies situated neatly off to one side. Kyle removed his shoes and watched Harper choose a spot front and center of the large square room. No chance of getting lost in the back row.
Muttering under her breath, she set her water bottle down and gave her mat an almost violent fling, kicking it into place with one bare foot. Clearly, she’d been trying to dissuade him from participating. What was up with that? Was she afraid he’d embarrass her? Little did she know he was the one with the problem if he had the timing right, or wrong as the case might be.
He didn’t see anyone milling around who looked like they could be an instructor. The walls were painted a calming yellow-beige and bare of decor. Planks of honey-colored oak covered the floor. The lighting was soft, and candles were burning in two corners. Subtle scents of lavender and other unidentifiable spices floated on the air. Lavender was not a good sign.
The room was filling fast, and he needed to figure out how he was going to handle this conceivable encounter. A tall, fit man wearing snug black pants hustled into the room. His tank top bore the studio’s logo, and he scanned the crowd like he was doing a mental tally. Definite instructor behavior. Kyle began to relax a bit. Maybe he was in the clear after all.
A petite blonde woman in bright purple-and-orange leggings stood next to Harper. She waved at the guy in black, and said, “Hey, Coby.”
“Hi, Tina,” he said, gesturing at her legs. “How are you? Cute leggings.” Then he retrieved a water bottle, called out greetings to a few more students and strolled out again. Kyle felt his hopes plummet as he then paused in the doorway to converse with someone, someone whose cheerful voice carried across the space and whose tone was unmistakable to Kyle.
He was still trying to figure out a way to handle this encounter when Nora glided into the room as only his mom could, on a cloud of happiness and positive energy. He loved his mom, and under normal circumstances, he’d enjoy surprising her in this way. Why hadn’t he thought about doing this on his own? By himself. This situation with Harper was already difficult enough, he didn’t want to complicate it further by introducing her to his family.
Like he was wearing a homing device, Nora’s gaze latched on to him immediately. Stopping abruptly, she called out, “Kyle, honey!”
Eyes wide, Harper spun toward him.
“Hey, Mom.”
With a slow blink, Harper whispered, “Mom?”
Then Nora was upon them and wrapping him in a tight hug. “I’m so excited that you’re here.” She stepped away, and keeping one hand on his shoulder, pivoted and announced to the entire room, “Everyone, most of you already know my daughter, Mia. This is my son, Kyle.”
Kyle felt his neck go warm as waves and greetings of “Hey, Kyle” surrounded him. He smiled and waved and felt like a doofus. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Harper’s curious glare was singeing his skin.
And Nora wasn’t finished, not even close. “He’s been living overseas for years, and I’m beyond thrilled to have my baby boy home.”
“Okay, Mom,” he said good-naturedly, slipping an arm around her shoulders and squeezing. “I think they get the picture.”
Laughter ensued, and people went back to preparing for class and visiting amongst themselves.
Nora said, “Your sister is going to be here tonight, too. Those two mats in the back corner are for her and Laney. For some reason, she always makes me save a place for her in the back row.”
“That’s because she’s terrible.”
Nora winced. “Poor thing is incredibly inflexible, isn’t she? But she’s improved! And I’m proud of her for trying. The meditation is good for her. She worries too much.” Then Nora seemed to notice Harper standing beside him,
closer than a stranger might, and watching their interplay with more intensity than was socially acceptable. She said, “Harper, hi! Nice to see you back again.”
“Hi, Nora. Thank you. It’s good to be here.”
“This is my son, Kyle. Kyle, this is Harper.”
“We’ve met, Mom. And even if we hadn’t, the entire room is now aware that I’m your son.”
“Well, can you blame me? I’m proud of you.”
Kyle couldn’t help but chuckle. “Thanks, Mom. Harper is um, she’s the friend I told you about. The one I’m helping out.”
Nora went hands on hips and smiled widely, her gaze bouncing from Kyle to Harper and back again. “Really? That’s so great. Did Laney text you about dinner this weekend?”
“Uh, no.”
“Well, she’s going to—dinner on Saturday at four. Lanes is grilling salmon, wild caught. It’s early so we can play on the beach after.” She looked at Harper. “You’re invited, too, Harper. You can meet everyone.”
“Oh, Mom, I don’t think—”
“I’d love to, Nora.” Harper beamed at her and then at Kyle. “Thank you. I can’t wait to meet...” Harper added a helpless shrug “...everyone.”
“Great! I’m going to borrow him for just a sec.” Nora placed her hand on Kyle’s elbow and ushered him away.
CHAPTER SEVEN
HARPER BARELY HAD time to register that the lovely Nora was Kyle’s mom when a smiling woman, black hair piled into a messy bun on top of her head, stopped before her. She was wearing black leggings and a baggy tank top with a picture of a sleeping cat that read, I’d Rather Be Cat-napping. Harper liked her instantly.
“Hi, you’re Harper, right?” She gestured to where Nora and Kyle were now chatting with two older women nearby. “Mom just told us you’re a friend of Kyle’s?”
A willowy, blonde, stunningly beautiful young woman joined them.
“Yes, hi. Harper.”
“I’m Mia, Kyle’s sister, and this is Laney. Laney is my sister-in-law but also like my stepdaughter, which makes her sort of Kyle’s niece.”
