B07D56N64C (F)

by Katlyn Duncan

  Jessie joined the men. ‘Pearl,’ she said, her breaths coming quickly.

  Pearl pulled out of their grip and walked over to Rose. She lifted her hands to cup Rose’s cheeks. Her wrinkly fingers smudged the tears into Rose’s skin, whisking them away.

  She gripped her Mom’s arms. She wanted to scream at her; demand to know what she was thinking. Instead, Pearl pulled her close, just as she had when she was a kid and needed her mother. Pearl wasn’t as active as she used to be, but she was strong enough right then, and just what Rose needed.

  ‘We need to check her out,’ Jessie said.

  Pearl turned to Jessie, and the two aides stood on either side, helping her navigate the sandy terrain, back to The Cottage.

  Rose stumbled after them, desperate to leave the paralyzing numbness behind and find out how Mom got to the water without anyone knowing.

  She was relieved that the threat was over. Pearl was safe. But she could have sworn for one second that Pearl was about to say her name. She hadn’t seen that light in her mother’s eyes for a long time. She wondered what it was about today that gave her that clarity, and whether she would ever see it again.

  Chapter 9

  The incident at the Whinding House overshadowed Rose’s excitement about the upcoming party. Instead of allowing her to sit with Pearl, the administrator tried to appease Rose in the small office in the main house. While heat coursed through her veins, all she wanted to do was make sure Pearl was okay and to re-create the clarity in her eyes.

  Once he apologized to her for the millionth time and promised recourse for those involved, she went to see Pearl. They’d already taken her taken back to her room, and the staff had checked her out to be sure she wasn’t hurt. She’d been asleep for some time, and Rose didn’t have the heart to wake her up, no matter how much she wanted to see her mother in those eyes again.

  At the very least, she had some faith that her Mom might show up again sometime. Rose wasn’t giving up, no matter how long it took.

  Retelling the story to Missy of what went on at the Whinding House took most of her shift. The Siren was busier than it had been lately. As the festival was in full swing, a mermaid-themed restaurant was high on the list of stops for the newcomers in town to make. Rose was happy enough to dig herself into work and give her mind the opportunity to sift through the day and her plans for the next.

  With each new customer, Rose couldn’t help checking to see if Shane was one of them. She wondered if someone might mention the party to him, ruining the surprise.

  By the end of the night, she hadn’t seen him. Disappointment pinched at her chest, but she was unsure why. Of course, he’d be busy with the case after they’d found the shoes. Since his arrival in town, her mind had shifted to him often. She wondered if she was simply attracted to a newcomer or if what she felt was real. Shane seemed indifferent to her, so she wondered if that underlying spark was something she’d made up completely.

  It wasn’t until closing time that Rose allowed herself a break and sat down in one of the booths. She groaned with the release of weight from her feet.

  The newer staff members were busy cleaning tables and the kitchen so that Rose and Missy could enjoy a few minutes’ rest. Between training new servers and dealing with the patrons, they deserved it.

  Missy joined her a few minutes later.

  ‘If you’re too tired, we can set up tomorrow,’ Rose suggested.

  ‘Hell, no. Let’s get this over with, so I can sleep in. I have a feeling tomorrow will be another late night.’

  ‘It’s a good thing you got yer sea legs,’ Rose said with a terrible pirate accent.

  ‘Don’t ever do that again,’ Missy said, leaning back against the booth.

  Rose laughed all the way into the back office, grabbing the bag of decorations she’d picked up right before her shift. Missy would cover plates and utensils, so Rose bought paper lanterns to hang from the ceiling, thick rolls of crepe paper streamers, and a banner. Taking them out into the dining area, she realized she hadn’t gotten as much as she wanted. There would be just enough to fill the interior of the dining room, but not much for the patio. While she was at the store, her mind had wandered to thoughts of Pearl, and she’d underestimated.

  ‘I don’t think I have enough,’ Rose said, plopping the bag onto the table.

  ‘Do you think a man cares that much about decorations? If you said there wasn’t any alcohol, I’d say there was a problem.’

  ‘You took care of the liquor, right?’ Rose asked.

  ‘Brody is on it.’

  ‘Not sure if that’s a good thing or not.’

  ‘He’s already on my bad side, so he’s going to be on top of it. Trust me.’

  No one wanted to be on Missy’s bad side. There were several girls from their junior class who had pranked her during Field Day, and she hadn’t even blinked in their direction since.

  Donnie pushed through the double doors, wheeling a mop into the dining room toward Missy.

  Missy stood up. ‘How are you doing with everything from today?’

  Rose stood on a chair and wound the crepe streamers around one of the columns. ‘I can’t believe they lost sight of her for that long. The CNA, Jessie, claimed that she’d only let her out of her sight for a minute, but we both know how slowly Mom moves now. And the fence like that?’ Heat flashed behind her eyes. ‘I can’t even think of what would have happened if I wasn’t there.’

  Missy pressed her lips together into a thin line. ‘Me neither. That’s scary.’

  ‘Yeah. It was.’

  ‘And you’re not going to contact Reen about it?’

  ‘Why should I? She didn’t want Mom there to begin with. There’s no reason for her to hate me even more.’

  Missy rolled her eyes as she plopped the drenched mop onto the floor, moving it around in a figure eight. ‘She doesn’t hate you.’

  ‘If she doesn’t, then she’s sending me mixed signals,’ Rose said. ‘She barely messages me back. I doubt she’d even get back to me for something important.’

  ‘If it were important, she’d get back to you.’

  Important to her. Rose wasn’t going to argue about this with Missy. As much as her friend knew about the issues between Rose and Reen, she knew how special sibling relationships were, even though Brody got on her nerves more than anyone. Family was important, but they were also supposed to be there for each other.

  ‘I think the balloons will fill in the rest,’ Rose said, ending the Reen-focused conversation. She’d ordered a lot of balloons from the local party shop, and if she placed them strategically enough, then the room might look a little more festive.

  Surprisingly, they got out of The Siren around one o’clock, and Rose was in bed by half past one. It was much later than usual, but after the events of the day, it took less than a minute for her to drift off to sleep.

  The ghost of the girl attached to each of her dreams didn’t do much for her already sleep-deprived state. A splitting headache radiated through her head; even her hair hurt. It was worse than a hangover. She grabbed some extra-strength aspirin and prayed the pain disappeared soon.

  After stopping at the party store, she arrived at The Siren after ten. Bouquets of balloons swirled around Rose in her short trek from the car to the back door of the restaurant. She breezed through, tugging the bright ribbons so that she wouldn’t risk losing any to the whipping wind. The sizzling sound from the grill and the scent of a myriad of different foods flooded her senses.

  ‘Hello,’ she called into the kitchen.

  Brody lifted his spatula in greeting. ‘You want something to eat? I’m making breakfast.’

  Her mouth watered. In the time it took to stop at the florist, party shop, and bakery her breakfast had burned off.

  ‘Sure, whatever you’re making.’

  ‘You’re much easier to deal with than the other women in my life.’

  ‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’

  ‘You should,’ h
e said.

  Missy was outside on the patio opening extra folding chairs donated by the local fire department. The party wasn’t until one, but Rose felt pressure pushing her shoulders downward. What if Shane hated it? Would her plan to get closer to him effectively push him away? She chewed on her lip until she drew blood.

  There was nothing she could do. The town had already committed by donating items to the party. Hundreds of people were going to come into The Siren throughout the day to meet the new Chief of Police. There wouldn’t be another party until Patrick’s retirement.

  Tossing away doubt, she focused on her work. Rock music spilled from the speakers above, giving them a soundtrack to their work.

  Brody came in a little while later with three plates topped with eggs, toast, and bacon. They ate. Rose was quiet while Brody and Missy went over the details of the party.

  Brody would oversee service of appetizers and tending the small bar set up in the corner of the room. The Siren served only wine and beer, but Karl, his boss at Burrow’s Brews, covered a temporary liquor license and other libations. Missy prepped and cooked all the food while Rose handled decorations and service. Donnie and a few of his friends volunteered to pass around the appetizers and help clean up. With everyone at their stations, they were as prepared as they could be.

  Rose seemed to be the only person worried about it. She’d stood in front of one of the air conditioners for five straight minutes, trying to stay cool.

  By the time one o’clock rolled around, they all waited for the guests to arrive. Rose chewed on her thumbnail as the clock ticked past the party start time. If Shane showed up and no one was there, Rose would never get her opportunity to get closer to him.

  It took five more minutes, and a sore thumb, before the first set of guests arrived. And another twenty-five minutes until the guest of honor came with Patrick by his side.

  Rose was at the back of the room when Shane walked in. She pushed through the throbbing crowd to greet him and Patrick. But when she got within talking distance, several of the older local women surrounded him like vultures.

  A hard smile crossed his lips as they peppered him with questions about issues within The Burrow that they wanted to discuss. Patrick tried to move away, but Shane gripped his arm and pulled him back. The questions quickly turned personal as the women mentioned their single daughters or nieces.

  Rose barely held her smile as Shane’s eyes darted around the room. To anyone else, he appeared polite and engaged in the conversation, but Rose knew well enough that he was uncomfortable.

  Instead of adding to that, she worked the crowd, making sure everyone had a drink in their hand and had tried at least one appetizer. Due to the years working with Missy and Brody, they were able to carry out events without more than a few words to each other. They were in harmony, and the party went off without a hitch.

  Rose enjoyed talking to locals she hadn’t seen in some time. While she avoided elaborating about Pearl, she noticed herself relaxing for once, and returning to the comfortable and familiar way she used to move around town before her Mom went into the home.

  From the laughter and the way all the guests cleared the food, everyone had a fun time. They were all eager to speak with Shane. It took him two hours to cross the room, but Rose made sure Donnie kept Shane well fed in the process. Even though she was busy, she had a sixth sense about where Shane was most of the time. She wanted to talk to him about the case, but each time he was alone, she barely took two steps before someone else approached him.

  It wasn’t until he excused himself to go to the restroom that he finally disappeared from her view.

  For a brief and ridiculous moment, she thought about following him and ‘bumping into him’ as he came out. But she didn’t want to have a conversation in the hallway to the bathroom. Their meeting should be as organic as possible. That was how she’d gain his trust. She needed his guard down.

  Around four o’clock, many of the guests cleared out of The Siren in favor of a heartier meal. Most of the tourists had headed out of town after the festival ended earlier that day, but a few remained, wanting dinner on their way out, keeping Donnie and Missy busy with actual orders.

  As she cleared one of the tables on the outdoor patio, the breeze from the ocean lifted Rose’s hair, tickling the back of her neck. When she turned, she nearly collided with Shane.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said, gripping the small, and very breakable plates.

  ‘Thanks for leaving me with them,’ Shane said.

  She glanced inside at the diminishing crowd. ‘Who?’

  ‘The self-appointed town council. I don’t think I had that many questions for my polygraph.’

  Rose laughed. ‘You saw me?’

  ‘I saw you.’

  Her cheeks burned. ‘I didn’t want to interrupt.’

  ‘Ah, it’s fine. Not sure why Patrick thought he had to go through with all of this, though.’

  ‘Patrick?’

  ‘Yeah, he’d asked about a party when I first got here, and I refused. People like to overstep boundaries here.’

  She avoided his eyes. He had no idea she’d been the one to plan the party. ‘You should get used to it.’

  ‘Well, I had a good time, I guess.’

  ‘You guess?’

  He shrugged. ‘Parties aren’t my thing.’

  ‘You seem like a loner.’ Rose flinched. ‘No, that’s not what I meant.’

  Shane crossed his arms and tilted his head, staring at her. ‘What did you mean?’

  She cleared her throat, giving herself a second to collect her thoughts. ‘In the time I’ve known you, it seems that you like to be and work alone.’

  ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘I like to work alone. But that doesn’t mean I like to be alone.’

  Rose pushed a breath out through her teeth. ‘I should get this inside.’

  ‘I’ll help,’ he said, taking the plates from her. His rough hands brushed over hers. She drew in a sharp breath and quickly turned away to get more.

  On their way to the kitchen, the remaining guests glanced at Shane and Rose. Their gazes made the hairs on her neck stand on end.

  Pushing through the double doors, she held it open for Shane as he passed through. ‘Over here.’ A plastic bucket sat near the sink.

  Shane lumbered to her side and placed his plates next to hers. Their eyes met for a moment, and a crooked smile crossed his lips.

  ‘You don’t have to do this,’ she said, feeling Missy’s eyes on the back of her head. For once in your life, keep your mouth shut, Missy. ‘You’re the guest of honor.’

  ‘This guest of honor needs a little break from the attention,’ Shane said.

  The air shifted between them. Before she could put her finger on why, Missy was at her side, jutting her hand toward Shane. ‘Hi, there. I’m Missy. Rosie’s best bud. I own this place.’

  Shane shook her hand. ‘Nice to meet you.’

  Missy flashed a smile. ‘Are you married?’

  Rose’s chin dipped down to her chest. Missy shifted away from Rose, still staring at Shane.

  Shane coughed out a laugh. ‘No, not married. Are you?’

  ‘Happily,’ Missy said bumping into Rose’s hip.

  Rose wished the laws of physics could fail her and she could sink into the floor.

  ‘That all you wanted to know?’ Shane asked Missy.

  ‘It’s all that matters around here,’ Missy said, grabbing the basket of fries from the fryer.

  Rose turned away from Shane, wondering how to start up another conversation with him after that. Missy had probably been dying to ask him all day, and now she was left with the fallout.

  ‘Do you want to go back out there?’ Shane asked. It was as if he sensed her discomfort.

  ‘I could use a drink,’ she said, turning away, and heading toward the door.

  Shane was close behind her, and she was aware of him so much more than she wanted to be.

  They approached the small bar that Brod
y had set up, featuring several types of liquor on the table behind it.

  ‘I was wondering when you’d make it over here,’ Brody said to Rose. ‘What can I get you?’

  Rose’s skin prickled as Shane leaned on the counter next to her, waiting for her to respond. ‘Red wine. Whatever you have.’

  Brody grabbed the bottle of Cabernet and poured a glass for her.

  Brody tossed a look at Shane. ‘And for you?’

  ‘Seltzer water,’ Shane said.

  ‘You don’t drink?’ Rose asked.

  ‘Not tonight,’ he responded.

  Brody locked eyes with Rose before handing over the glass of seltzer to Shane.

  ‘Have you two met?’ Rose asked Shane, trying to get him to look anywhere else than at her.

  ‘Yeah,’ Brody said. ‘Earlier.’

  Rose pressed her lips together and gripped her glass.

  ‘How about we go outside for a little while?’ Shane asked. ‘It’s getting a little too warm in here for me.’

  A strong breeze skittered across the fabric awning, keeping the other customers inside for their dinners. It was Rose’s opportunity to get more information about the case, but why couldn’t she force her legs to move? She sipped from the glass and pushed forward, hoping Shane didn’t notice the wobble in her step.

  Once outside, the air cooled her skin. It was refreshing and she was happy for the reprieve. She’d been alone with Shane before and wondered why now she felt awkward about it.

  Was it the fact that she’d planned this entire party for him and had yet to get to the real meat of what she wanted?

  She took another swig of the wine before asking, ‘How’s the case going?’

  Shane shrugged. ‘It’s going.’

  That wasn’t good enough. She’d planned a party for this guy. Missy had embarrassed the hell out of her; she was getting something from him.

  ‘You find anything else about the girl?’ she asked.

  He nodded and shifted his gaze to the rest of the room.

  ‘I won’t say anything,’ she said. ‘As you know, I’m invested in the case. I want to help if I can.’