Safe With You, page 11
Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.
“Hey.” He stood behind her, his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. His face was pink from being out in the cold. His eyebrow lifted. A bit of mischief flickered across his face as he stood waiting for her to respond.
“Hey.” Classy. She wanted to smack her forehead.
“So... how’s your night?” He rolled a bit back on his heels.
“Good, busy.”
The place had been filled with regulars.
“The storm.” Jack looked around. “Last night for Finn’s brew.”
“We’ve never been busier.” She laughed, thinking about how on a Sunday night, the place was mobbed.
“No one has anywhere to go, once it hits.” He stepped closer, and she could smell his musky scent. “Are you working the whole night?”
She looked at the clock. It was just past nine. “Until closing.”
He had that look again. Just as he was about say something else, the bell rang against the door, catching his attention. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Rachael turned to see Freddy walking inside.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Matt push his stool back and stand, like a wolf ready to strike its prey.
Freddy made no secret that he saw Matt, too. He gave his buddy a pat on the stomach and the two of them laughed as they walked to a table across the room. “We’re here to celebrate!”
“Oh, no.”
Matt charged across the room toward Freddy. Jack thrust his drink into her hand and ran toward the commotion. Freddy almost didn’t seem to care that Matt, now a speeding bull, raged toward his table. Matt didn’t slow down as he reached Freddy. His arm swung back before Jack could grab it, and he punched Freddy square in the jaw. Freddy stumbled back, his hands grabbing for his face. All of Freddy’s friends jumped up out of their seats and pounced Matt, just as Jack dove between them.
Rachael froze. Her knees locked, and she couldn’t move from where she stood. She had been around plenty of fights in the past. So, this shouldn’t have been a thing, but her heart raced. She shook in place as she watched the men yelling and pushing each other. Her breath got stuck inside her chest as others moved around her, bumping into her. The whole room felt unsteady. Jack’s glass slipped out of her hand and fell to the floor almost in slow motion, smashing against the wood, spraying every surrounding surface.
She didn’t look back as she left the floor. Walking past Finn, she said, “I’m taking ten.” But she didn’t even wait for him to say anything before she left out the back door.
The cool night air hit her as she stepped outside. She shook out her hands as she walked in a circle in the back alley by the garbage dumpster. Her heart pounded in her ears. She understood Matt’s reaction. His anger had nothing to do with her. Why was she freaking out this way?
If she concentrated hard enough, she could hear the pounding rhythm of the waves against the coast. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to focus on the water, pacing.
She didn’t know how long she had been outside, when Jack stepped out. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She held her arms against her chest, not sure what to say. “I just needed some air.”
He nodded, but his eyebrows creased together. “Freddy’s gone, you can go back inside.”
She let out a deep breath and nodded, but she could feel her heart racing still.
“Everyone should be cooled down by now,” Jack said, almost as though he read her mind. “I’m taking Matt home.”
“Oh.” Her chest was still tight.
“Do you want me to come back and bring you home after closing?”
She shook her head. “No, but thanks. I’ll be okay.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and then smiled. “I know you’ll be okay. I’d just like to. There’s a difference.”
She knew he was only being nice. The sensible thing would be to say yes, since she really didn’t want to walk home alone.
“Thanks, but I’m good.”
He smiled again but shook his head. “At least ask Finn to drive you home, okay?”
She watched him walk back inside, finally taking in a deep breath of the cold air.
After closing, she ended up asking Finn to drop her off. She checked around the apartment. All the lights were left on, even in the closet. Nothing had been moved around. Everything was folded and in the same place, just the way she left it that morning.
Nothing was wrong. Nick wasn’t coming. She kept telling herself that.
She had nothing to worry about.
Nothing.
Ten
Jack didn’t feel right about snooping, but something told him that Rachael was in trouble. A kind of trouble that she couldn’t handle on her own. That woman’s pride was bigger than his, which was saying something. He should have just ignored what his instincts were telling him, but there he was, standing in Camden Cove’s police station, pretending to be “stopping by” to visit his buddy Alex.
“What are you doing here?” Alex said, surprised to see him.
Jack shrugged before giving him a combination handshake and bro hug. “I was in the area and wondered if you could do me a favor.”
His friend narrowed his eyes. “What are you up to, Williams?”
Jack made sure no one else was listening. “I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the woman who’s renting the apartment above the restaurant.”
Alex’s left eyebrow lifted. “You mean the very attractive woman who just came to town?”
“Who I think is in trouble.”
“You do know that’s what the internet is for these days.” Alex patted Jack on the back. “Ask Alexa.”
“Yes, but then why have a best friend who’s a police officer?”
Alex shook his head. “Why do I do the things I do for you and your brother?”
“My brother?”
Alex rubbed his chin. “Freddy wanted to press charges last night.”
Jack could feel his blood pressure start to rise. “Freddy wants to press charges?”
“Don’t worry, I calmed him down.” Alex walked through the station to his office. “Lucky, too, because your brother’s right hook did some good damage to his face.”
“The knuckle punch.” Their father had taught them that move as kids.
“Wish I could’ve seen it.” Alex smiled as they walked into his office.
“It was quite a sight.” Jack shut the door behind them. “So, can you help me?”
“I might, but...”
“What?”
Alex shrugged. “I always find when someone isn’t willing to talk about their past, it’s usually because they’re hiding something.” He let out a deep breath and tapped his pen against his desk. “I’ll get to it, if I get to it. This isn’t really what my job is about.”
“Thanks, man. I just want to make sure she’s going to be okay.”
When Jack left Alex’s office, the sky above him swirled as the storm rolled into town. Whitecaps foamed at the top of the waves. He didn’t bother going to the restaurant. No need, since none of his workers could even make it in to work. Nor would there be anyone willing to eat out. Even Finn closed the tavern, and he barely closed on a holy day.
He turned the television on as soon as he got home.
“There’s going to be a lot of precipitation with this storm,” the meteorologist said to the screen. “Expect major flooding conditions. Don’t drive through any moving water. There could be flash flooding, and you do not want to get swept up without warning.”
Jack felt like a prisoner in his own house with all the storm shutters on, covering up any light that penetrated the clouds. The rain had already started, blowing in from the water, smacking against the house. They’d lose power most likely. He worried most about the wind doing damage.
As the daylight faded and the rain fell even harder, he decided he’d be better off at his parents’ house. Matt had already packed up and headed over. Maybe he should hit up his sister’s place, stop in to check on how they were doing. It wouldn’t hurt to make sure everyone was alright.
When he arrived, however, Elizabeth had no shame when she answered the door.
“Look who’s here!” The wide smile plastered on her face, along with her loud announcement of his presence, made everyone stop what they were doing and look at him. He should’ve known Elizabeth would see through his kindness.
Rachael was in mid-step, carrying a bowl of spaghetti from the kitchen. He felt like a teenager who had a girl over at the house, which he tried not to do because of exactly what Elizabeth was doing.
“Did you know that Rachael can cook really good Italian food?” Elizabeth said. Then, covering the side of her mouth with her hand, she said, “Like mom.”
She winked at Jack before turning to Rachael. He rolled his eyes, but his jaw dropped as she stood there, holding the heaping bowl of pasta. He felt a serious Freudian complex as the room heated up as he looked at her in an apron.
Rumbling down the back staircase, Lucy, Elizabeth’s stepdaughter, ran up to him and gave him a hug. “Uncle Jack, did you meet Rachael?”
“Yes, I have.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Would you like to join us for dinner, Romeo?”
“Um... only if that’s okay with everybody?” he asked, but looked only at Rachael.
She placed the bowl on the table and her hands on her hips. He waited for her to say no. “That sounds great.”
Was Rachael finally warming up to him? Or just learning to deal with him?
Adam walked over and gave Jack a handshake. “Want something to drink?”
“Nah, man, I’m good.” Jack looked for the dog. “Where’s Captain?”
Rachael nodded toward the woodstove on the other side of the kitchen. Captain was sprawled out, lying between Elizabeth’s other two dogs, as though it had been his spot forever.
“He looks right at home.” He walked over to the dog, whose tail wagged as he approached him. “How’s he doing?”
Lucy crouched down beside him, scratching her little fingers on Captain’s forehead. “He’s doing great, but he’s trying to walk around on his leg.”
“I gave him a little something to calm him down.” Elizabeth walked over with a beer in her hand and passed it over to him. “He took to the farm, let’s just say.”
Elizabeth and Adam’s eighteenth-century colonial sat on over thirty acres of pastures and woods filled with trails. A dream for any dog.
Jack held up his hand to Elizabeth. “No, thanks, I’m headed to mom and dad’s afterwards. I just wanted to check in to see if you needed anything.”
Elizabeth gave it to him anyways. “Sit down.”
“Join us,” Rachael said from across the room.
Jack almost fell over as Rachael said it, but got up and followed Lucy to the table. He decided to change the subject. “I can’t believe you got another person to cook for you,” he teased his sister. Elizabeth had somehow gone through life without ever having to cook a meal for herself.
“Ha, ha.” Elizabeth said, sitting in her chair. “Rachael kindly offered.”
“I was happy to cook.” Rachael picked up the bread basket and handed it over to Elizabeth.
“Rachael, relax,” Elizabeth said.
She looked down at her hands, holding the basket. “Oh, sorry.” She set the basket down.
Adam set a bowl of grated cheese in the middle of the table, then said, “Let’s eat!”
Elizabeth smiled and held up her water glass. “To Captain.”
Adam raised his own, while Lucy used her chocolate milk. Jack held up his beer to Rachael’s wine glass. “To Captain.”
SHE WISHED SHE HADN’T thought about what it would be like to kiss him after her glass of wine. Now, as he sat in front of her with the power out and all of Elizabeth’s candles lit, it was all she could think about. How very luscious his lips looked.
“I should probably head to Mom and Dad’s.” He got up from the kitchen table. They had been talking for a couple of hours, through dinner and dessert. Elizabeth poured Rachael another glass of wine.
“You can stay on the couch.” Elizabeth held out another beer from the fridge. “It’s not safe to drive out there.”
A wave of disappointment washed over Rachael as he shook his head. She didn’t want him to leave. She was enjoying herself with him there, with Captain and Elizabeth’s family. Lucy had shown her the barn and all the animals as Adam and Jack checked on the Red Sox. Now they all sat at the table again around with the woodstove glowing in the background.
“Yes, stay,” she said. Both Jack and Elizabeth stopped and looked at her.
“She’s right. Stay!” Lucy jumped up. “It’s like a big sleepover!”
Jack looked from Elizabeth to Rachael to Adam, who shrugged. “Fine, I’ll stay on the couch.”
“Good, you can help with Captain. He’ll need to go out soon.” Elizabeth stood up and walked into the kitchen, yawning.
A buzz floated inside Rachael’s body. She enjoyed every part of the night. She loved listening to Camden Cove stories and legends from the sea. She even joined in razzing Jack with Elizabeth. Mostly, she liked how he kept looking at her with that smile, and how safe she felt, sitting across from him. Captain even took to Jack, crawling under the table to lie across his feet.
The night had been perfect.
It was Elizabeth who announced going to bed. “Well, I better get some rest There’s sure to be someone who’ll need help with an animal.”
Adam walked over to Lucy, who lay with the dogs on the floor, reading a book. “It’s time for bed, little lady.”
“Just one more chapter?” she pleaded.
Adam shook his head. “You may not have school tomorrow, but you have plenty of chores. Let’s go.” He picked up the blanket that covered her, and she stood without looking up from the book.
Lucy muttered something under her breath as she got up from the floor. She kissed all three dogs and pounded toward the table.
“Say goodnight to everyone,” Elizabeth instructed her daughter.
“Good night.” Jack held out his arms and she hugged him.
“Night, Uncle Jack.” She squeezed his stomach.
He pretended she had hurt him, and groaned. “Sleep well.”
Lucy ran up the stairs with Adam behind her
Elizabeth walked around, picking up a few things from the table.
“I’ll clean up.” Rachael stood up, clearing the glasses off the table.
“Thanks.” Elizabeth yawned again. “I’m going to help with bedtime.”
“Go, we can clean up.” Jack picked up some leftover napkins and glasses and followed Rachael into the kitchen.
“Joan!” Elizabeth called for her cat from the staircase. She’d been hiding since Captain came inside the house.
Rachael set the glasses in the dishwasher, then faced him. “Well, good night, Jack.” She sounded more formal than she meant to.
“Stay up with me.” He pointed to the clock. “I mean, it’s not even nine o’clock. Do you play cards?”
“Like... Go Fish?” When was the last time she had?
He made a face and laughed a little. “Well, if that’s all you know. But I was thinking more like five-card draw, or gin rummy?”
“I know how to play cards.” She rolled her eyes at him, suddenly feeling extra comfortable. She followed him into the living room and sat down on the couch as he opened a cabinet. Inside, there were all different types of board games stacked on top of each other. Through a small crevice, he pulled out a worn deck of cards.
“She stole these from my parents!” His mouth opened wide, as though he was upset. “I can’t believe she was the one.”
Jack sat on the floor next to the coffee table and shuffled the deck, gliding the cards into a bridge and tossing them like a dealer. “Rummy?”
“Seven cards.” Rachael began to sort her hand. She raised her eyebrow as high as Jack’s, as they each examined the cards.
“So you know more than goldfish,” he teased, lining the deck.
“My grandfather liked to have friendly games together.” For a second she almost told him about Finn, told him about their relationship, but was interrupted when he threw down three fives.
“Bam!”
She smiled behind her cards, but kept a poker face as she drew a card from the pile. Then she threw down a run from nine to queen. Then she discarded. He picked up a card, but kept his eyes on her. The game didn’t last more than five rounds, with Rachael putting down the rest of the run along with three aces.
Jack watched as she shuffled the deck.
“What?” she laughed.
“You’re good at cards.”
She shrugged. “A little.”
Nick had admired her skill in playing cards. When they first got married, they had game night once a month with his friends. He loved the way she gathered the cards together, shuffling and sorting, and tossing the cards out to the players. He’d brag to his friends about how well she played.
She shook the thoughts of Nick away and directed her attention back to Jack. “Does your family always get along so well?”
“Not when we all lived under one roof, but yes, for the most part, we get along.”
She nodded as she dealt out the cards.
“How about you?” he asked. “You come from a big family?”
She shook her head. “No, just me and my mom, really.”
She thought about Finn, probably sitting in his recliner, watching the news. Then she thought about her mom. Should she call her? Nick would have gone to her place by now.
“Finn tells me you’re from Rhode Island.”
“I lived outside of Providence, in a little town called Scituate.”
“That’s a nice city, Providence. I went to school at Johnson and Wales. My roommate was from Cranston.”
“You’re kidding?” She couldn’t believe Jack had practically lived down the road. “I waited tables at Piccadilly’s.”
“I know that place.” Jack smiled again, which made every part of her body tingle. “I definitely spent a couple evenings there.”
“What made you come to Camden Cove?” he asked, as she sorted out his cards.
