Safe With You, page 3
She rushed away and headed back toward Main Street. She had to find some sort of work. Waiting tables, hosting, washing dishes — anything. She needed money to get moving on, because if everyone in this town ended up being as nosy as that guy, she’d never be able to hide here.
She hit the Country Store first, standing in line, pretending to look at the candy shelf next to the check out.
“Did you find everything okay?” a woman asked behind the register.
“Yes, thanks. I wondered if you were looking for any help?” Rachael asked.
The woman’s happy demeanor showed pity as she shook her head. “Honestly? I think you’re going to have hard time finding something this time of year.”
Rachael’s hopes fell to the floor.
“Can I help you find anything else?”
Rachael flew out of the store as fast as her emotions came over her. What was she going to do?
The rest of her day went the same. Most places were closed for the season. The diner took her information, but wished her good luck. Like a compass directing her north, by midafternoon, she stood in front of the tavern. It looked the same as it had all those years ago.
She opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the darkness inside. It took a second to realize she was the only one in the whole place.
“Hello?” she called out, looking around. There were about a dozen tables in the middle of the room. In the corner, a woodstove sat dark. The place looked like the inside of a ship, with brass portholes hanging on the walls.
She recognized him as soon as he walked out from the back. He appeared surprised to see someone standing there. He had aged quite a bit since the last time she had seen him, but there was no mistaking him.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“Are you open?” She didn’t know where to start.
“Did the sign say otherwise?” He sounded a bit irritated by her question.
“I guess not.”
“Can I get you something?”
She could see the resemblance in his eyes. The dark stone color. “I would love a drink.”
He looked at the clock, then back at her, and shrugged. She wasn’t sure if he noticed her eye or not, but she could tell he was trying to figure her out. “Well?”
“Well, what?”
“What do you want to drink?”
“Oh, right.” She didn’t really want a drink, but she was in a tavern. Would it seem strange to order water? “I’ll have a Coke.”
“One Coke, coming up.” He picked up a glass and shoved it into a sink of ice. “You from around here?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Huh, you look familiar.” He filled her glass and slid it across to her. “You been here before, then?”
She almost came out with it right then, but took a sip of the soda instead, chickening out. “My grandfather lives around here.”
“That’s probably it.” The old man grabbed a towel and wiped down the counter next to her. “Who’s your grandfather, then?”
She pushed her glass aside and looked up. She took a deep breath, then said, “Finnegan McCabe.”
He stopped wiping and looked up at her. He didn’t say anything.
“Hi Pops, it’s me, Rachael.” She sat up straighter. “I came up to visit.”
“I see that.” He crossed his arms, his body rigid. “I have a feeling you’re here for more than just a visit.”
She swallowed. “It’s been a long time.”
“A really long time.” He glanced at her bruise. “I haven’t spoken to you or your mother since you last were here.”
She nodded, not knowing what to say. It had been more than twenty years. As a little girl, the time they lived with Finn was magical. He brought her to the beach, got her candy and ice cream at night, everything was perfect until her dad came back. He took her mom and her that night back to Rhode Island. Rachael cried the whole way back, and her parents never talked about it.
“I’m no charity center, so if you’re looking for a handout, then you should just keep looking.” His voice was gruffer than before. “You’d be better off finding that loser father of yours.”
His words stung. “I was just swinging through town, that’s all.” She stood up from her stool, placing a five on the bar. “Thanks for the drink.”
When she walked toward the door, she heard him say, “How long are you in town?”
She stopped and turned toward him, shrugging. “I’m not sure yet.”
He nodded, as though he understood. “Well, why don’t you take a seat and I’ll get you something to eat.”
JACK THOUGHT ABOUT Rachael taking off down the road, leaving him in the dust, or really the morning sun. She walked with purpose. The most intriguing woman he’d ever met and she practically ran away from him for the second time in less than twelve hours. Definitely a new low for him.
He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since she stepped inside the restaurant the previous night, dripping from head to toe. What was she doing all alone in Camden Cove at this time of year? Did that bruise have anything to do with it?
Just as well. He didn’t have time to get involved with anyone right now. Not with all the work he wanted to do on the restaurant. Not to mention, he’d already dealt with enough needy women in his lifetime. He hardly needed another one.
As the day wore on, though, his mind kept returning to Rachael who showed up at his door. Well, the restaurant’s door, but close enough. And what was her deal today? He had been nothing but kind and generous to her.
It was what he was thinking in the market when he ran into his realtor, Colleen Connolly, who seemed pleased to see him. That was what usually happened with women. He drew them in, not repelled them.
“Well, well, well, Jack Williams, it’s been too long.” She leaned against the carriage’s handle, her cleavage deepening as her arms squeezed her chest. “I didn’t know you had a dog.”
“Good afternoon, Colleen.” He smiled back, looking at the can of dog food in his hands. “I don’t.”
One eyebrow lifted as she tilted her head to the side.
“There’s a stray down by the beach.” He threw the can into his basket. “I caught it eating out of my dumpsters.”
“Jack Williams, you are a gentleman.” She leaned harder on her cart. “If you’re not busy, you should come by, and we could talk about your rental property.”
He smiled as she winked after her offer, but shook his head. “I have to get back to the restaurant.”
“You work too hard.” She pushed her cart a bit closer to him. “So, I heard you met the new girl in town.”
He suspected she was referring to Rachael. It figured the whole town would be talking about the beautiful stranger, this time of year. He nodded. “I have.”
“Christine Winters told me she crashed your sister’s wedding last night.” He had a feeling Colleen was bringing this up because she hadn’t been included in the celebration.
“She came to eat at the restaurant, she didn’t know it was closed for an event.” he said simply. Something bothered him by the way she fished for information about Rachael.
“I heard she’s looking to stay around,” she continued. “She was asking for work all over town.”
“What?” This surprised him. She was looking to stay? “Where?”
“I saw her talking to Louis over at the diner this morning, then I heard she was in here, earlier.” Colleen clicked her tongue a few times. “That black eye says she’ll bring nothing but trouble, if you ask me.”
A sudden surge of protectiveness came over him. “She’s not trouble.”
She waved at him, dismissing it. “Well, I should probably head out to my next showing. See you later, gorgeous.”
She pushed around him and down the aisle.
Jack was left standing, trying to register what it meant that Rachael was looking for work. Her accent certainly wasn’t local, more like Boston or Rhode Island. And at this time of year? Nobody came up at this time of year. Unless they were trying to get away from something.
Or someone.
He shook his head. She could’ve fallen or gotten into an accident. Why did he suspect something terrible had happened to her?
Because of the way she flinched when he grabbed her, as she slipped in the restaurant. The fear in her eyes as he helped her to her feet. Whatever made her come up here, he hoped would never find her.
He picked up the rest of his items and got out of there. For the rest of the day, his mind continued to spin about Rachael, and soon he stood in the same spot outside the restaurant, remembering his encounter with her that morning as he locked up. He set off, walking up the street to meet his brother at Finn’s. After the past few days, with his sister’s wedding, sitting back with a good, stiff drink sounded perfect.
He pulled up the collar of his jacket as he walked up Harbor Lane. The autumn night sky had swallowed up any warmth from the day. Smoke from a nearby woodstove wafted in the air. Winter would soon be approaching. The crunching of leaves under his feet proved it. The winter season brought a solace to the town of Camden Cove. The tourists stayed away. Residents took refuge indoors and slowed down. Those who lived off the water welcomed the forced respite. People were grateful for another successful season, and taking time to prepare for the new one yet to come.
He rubbed his hands together as he stepped inside, looking around for his brother. As soon as he caught sight of the bar, he noticed Rachael standing behind the counter with the owner, Finn. She set two glasses on an already full tray of a dozen or more drinks. She grabbed the tray and balanced it on her hand like a seasoned server as she walked out from behind the bar. She placed the drinks on a table on the other side of the room, then turned to the next table, where Matt was sitting. Jack practically pushed Bill Garneau over, trying to get there.
“What can I get for you tonight?” he heard her ask.
Matt waved as soon as he saw Jack approaching. “I’ll take two boilermakers.” He nodded at Jack. “One for me and one for my brother, here.”
She turned around and her mouth immediately dropped open.
“Hey, Rachael. Twice in one day.” He caught his breath from his dash across the tavern. “You working here?”
“Hey.” Her eyes widened as she stood frozen, a look of actual pain on her face. She then ignored him, returning her attention to Matt. “Two boilermakers, coming up.”
Matt watched him as she raced away for the bar. “You really have a way with women.”
Jack peeked behind him, pulling the stool underneath him as he sat down. “She’s the woman who came in from the rain last night.”
Matt took another look, and Jack followed his gaze. Dang, she was good-looking, especially as she poured the shots of his favorite whiskey. Her hair was different, falling along her shoulders in soft waves. She didn’t dress fancy, just in a t-shirt and jeans which accented her curves more than he wished to admit.
Heaven help him.
“Looks like you might be a bit smitten.”
“She’s gorgeous.” Jack wouldn’t deny it. Nothing wrong with being attracted to a beautiful woman. Yet, something told him that the way the electric current ran through his body every time he looked at her, meant he was more than just smitten.
“She doesn’t seem your type.”
“What’s my type?” Jack pushed off his elbows and sat up, slightly defensive. First Colleen Connolly and now Matt, what was getting into him?
“Well, she obviously comes with a bit of baggage, wouldn’t you say?”
“Where’s your wife, again?” Jack didn’t mean to be a jerk, but his younger brother didn’t get it.
“Don’t change the subject,” Matt said. “Just ‘cause you have the hots—”
“Didn’t Justine want you home early, tonight?” Jack laid on the sarcasm, but smiled as Rachael returned to the table.
“Actually, she’s out with her friends.”
Rachael set their drinks on the table, making no eye contact. The electric current raced through to his toes, even though she avoided him.
“Can I get you anything else?” She directed the question to Matt, her eyes skipping over Jack, making the current rev up even more.
“I heard you might be staying in town.” Jack avoided his brother’s eyes. “We’re always looking for some more help at the restaurant.”
“No. Thanks.”
Just as he opened his mouth to try to make her reconsider she walked away, taking his ego with her and leaving a sweet smell of jasmine... or was it rose? Jack leaned back, catching his breath. Was it hot in there?
Matt shook his head as he quietly laughed to himself. He raised his eyebrows. “I don’t think she likes you.”
Jack shrugged as he pulled at his collar, letting in some air. With his other hand, he held up his shot glass toward his brother. “She’ll like me.”
Matt tapped his glass against Jack’s. “I think you’ve got this one wrong.”
Jack let out a huff. “I’m not usually the one who’s chasing.”
Matt held his shot of whiskey above his beer. “A hundred says she won’t give you the time of day.”
“Double that, and I’ll have her chasing after me.” Jack dropped his shot of whiskey.
Matt laughed as they drank the beer down. “You might as well pay me now.”
Jack made a face, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off Rachael as she poured more drinks.
“Look who’s decided to drag themselves out from the bowels of humanity.” Matt groaned behind his beer as Freddy Harrington and his cronies stepped inside Finn’s. “The biggest donkey of them all.”
Freddy sat on the other side of the tavern, far enough that their view was obscured by the rest of the patrons, but close enough that Freddy’s irritating voice could be heard over the crowd.
Jack kept his eye on Rachael as she walked up to Freddy. He instantly did his thing, leaning close and showing off in front of her. Even from across the room, he could hear the obnoxious laugh. He had probably already told her who his father was by now.
“I haven’t seen you here before.” Freddy’s voice carried across the room. He played with his expensive watch for her to see. “You must be new.”
Jack leaned to the side to get a better view, but he could only see Rachael from behind. He couldn’t hear what she had said back, but Freddy kept his donkey smile on his face. From below, Jack noticed Freddy’s hand suddenly reach over toward Rachael, but someone walked by, blocking his view, and he couldn’t see where it ended up. Did Freddy just grab her?
With the way Freddy smirked, Jack slid off his chair to see if Rachael was okay, but when she turned around, her expression appeared the same as before. He must not have seen what he thought.
“Did you see that?” Jack pointed at Freddy as Matt gave him a face.
“What’s with you? Freddy’s always a jerk.”
Bad blood had always run between the two families, even before his sister Lauren started dating the youngest of the three Harrington brothers. Jack cringed at the thought of his sweet baby sister with a Harrington.
His focus stayed on Rachael even after she left Freddy’s table. Behind the bar, she didn’t look frazzled or even the slightest bit uncomfortable. No doubt she had been a waitress before. A good waitress, too. She carried the full tray to Freddy and his friends with ease. Her wrist didn’t quiver under its weight. No drink even wavered. She leaned over, handing each of the men their order. When she reached Freddy, her wrist suddenly bent and the tray wobbled to the right, spilling the glass and sending the full drink into Freddy’s crotch before she grabbed the glass.
“What the—” Freddy jumped up out of his chair, wiping the liquid off his pants, but it was too late. His whole lap was soaked.
Rachael tucked the tray under her arm. “Let me know if I can get you anything else.”
“What the kind of waitress are you?!” Freddy grabbed a handful of napkins. His friends all laughed as he scrubbed the wetness off his pants.
She wiped away the splatter from the beer off the table’s surface. “Enjoy.”
Without looking back, she walked away as Freddy had a meltdown in the middle of the tavern.
“Looks like he did do something,” Matt whispered, laughing.
“She purposely spilled that drink on me!” Freddy pushed back his chair. He pounded toward the bar as Rachael set the tray on the counter, stepping behind it and staring Freddy down. She looked like a jaguar about to pounce.
Before Jack could change his mind, he jumped out of his chair and moved in front of Freddy.
“What are you doing, Williams?” Freddy pushed his hands against Jack’s chest, but he didn’t budge.
“Why don’t you cool down?” Jack pushed Freddy back. He stumbled backwards a bit.
Freddy scowled. “Finn, you going to do something about your new waitress?”
“Maybe keep your hands where they belong, and you wouldn’t have to worry about the service.” Jack purposely spoke loud enough that others could hear.
“Really, Williams?” Freddy puffed out his chest. Jack smirked at the confidence Freddy exuded, especially with Matt suddenly standing behind him. Both Williamses easily stood four inches taller than Freddy.
Rachael untied the apron’s strings and pulled it over her head. She walked over to Finn and handed it to him. “I dropped the drink in his lap.”
“That won’t be necessary, Rachael.” Finn pushed back her apron and crossed his arms. “Freddy, you can take your business somewhere else.”
Jack smirked as Freddy’s face fell in shock. He pulled out his wallet and threw twenties on the bar. “Don’t worry about the tab.”
Freddy huffed and put his hands on his hips. “Are you kidding me? Do you know what kind of business I bring in here?”
Finn folded his arms across his chest. Thirty years his senior, he could probably still take a pretty boy like Freddy. “Not the kind of business I want.”
Jack smiled at Finn. He probably would take a hit, but the old man did the right thing. Jack watched as Freddy slithered back to his friends, glowering.
