To Promise, page 2
His sister’s not-so-subtle attempt to push him at Bree wasn’t enough to stop him from seeking the caffeine he desperately needed. Bracing himself, he went into the kitchen to find Jemma and Bree discussing a new recipe for rhubarb and walnut bread.
“Hi, Jake.” Jemma’s cheeks were pink from the heat of the stove. “What can I get for you?”
“Tea, if you don’t mind.” He noticed Bree avoided his direct gaze. She was beautiful when she wore her long, naturally curly dark hair loose around her shoulders, and this morning her blue eyes seemed incredibly bright. She still had the power to steal his breath. If he were a different kind of guy . . . but he wasn’t.
“I have the kettle on.” Jemma pushed a small wooden box full of different teas across the counter. “Take your pick, I’ll bring out some hot water for you shortly.”
“Thanks.” He chose the strongest black tea she had, along with a cup and saucer, then retreated back to the dining room.
Man, it was going to be a long drive to Kalamazoo.
Breakfast went by quickly, especially since Bree hid in the kitchen the entire time. When everyone had finished eating, and the kitchen was cleaned up to Bree and Jemma’s high standards, it was time to hit the road.
“I’ll be down in a minute.” Bree headed up to her room, returning with her small carry-on bag. He’d been impressed she hadn’t overpacked.
“Goodbye, Bree. Jake.” Jemma hugged them both. “I’ll call you soon, Bree.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” Bree responded.
Jake wanted to know what they were planning to discuss, then reminded himself it was none of his business. He carried his duffel out to Bree’s rental and stashed both of their bags in the trunk.
Bree held out the keys, her gaze hidden behind large sunglasses. “Would you mind driving? I was a wreck driving here on the wrong side of the road.”
“Hey, at least our roads are wide enough for two cars.” He flashed a quick grin as he plucked the keys from her hand, opened the passenger side door for her, then went around to slide in behind the wheel.
“We’ll need petrol.” Bree buckled her seat belt. “I managed to get lost, took a wrong turn out of the airport, and ended up in Battle Creek rather than McNally Bay.”
“Not a problem.” He was glad she didn’t seem to be super upset with him. Maybe the drive to Kalamazoo wouldn’t be as awful as he’d anticipated.
He headed into town, secretly amazed at the never-ending stream of tourists roaming around this late in August. A lot had changed in McNally Bay since the last time he’d spent the summer here, twelve years ago.
The gas station/convenience store wasn’t far. He pulled in next to the pump and began filling the tank.
“I’m going inside for a few minutes.” Bree didn’t wait for him to respond but left the car and disappeared inside the mini-mart.
When the tank was full, he paid for the gas via his credit card and waited for Bree. After a few minutes, he sighed and followed her into the building. Maybe she was loading up on snacks for the long plane trip back to Ireland.
He didn’t see her but figured she might be using the restroom. Perusing the shelves, he considered the snack options.
After pulling a bag of almonds from the rack, he froze when he heard a raspy voice behind him.
“That nosy family is looking for evidence.”
Jake’s mouth went dry, his pulse spiking with fear. It was a voice from the past. One he’d hoped to avoid, forever.
“They won’t find it,” a second nasally voice said.
“You’d better hope not.”
“It doesn’t matter, we’ll be fine as long as we keep our mouths shut.”
“You have more to lose than I do.”
The brief conversation ended when the two men rounded the corner and left the convenience store.
Jake slowly turned but couldn’t see the two men as they left, as they were hidden behind the post. By the time he’d made his way closer to the window, they were well out of sight. Still, he felt as if he’d stepped back through a time machine to twelve years ago.
To the summer that had changed him forever.
His breath hitched in his throat as a shiver of fear washed over him.
Everyone thought McNally Bay was a pretty little tourist town, harmless except for the occasional drug bust and other petty crime.
But Jake knew better.
McNally Bay had a dark underbelly. And the deeply buried secrets upon which the idyllic town had grown into a well-known tourist destination were exactly what had kept him far away all these years.
He couldn’t wait to get out of there, once and for all.
2
Jake remained stubbornly silent as they headed toward the Kalamazoo airport, his expression grim after they’d stopped for petrol in town.
“After picking up your things at the cottage, where are you off to next?” She kept her tone light as if it didn’t bother her in the least that he was moving on from Ireland.
He lifted a shoulder. “There’s a café and villa in Florence, Italy, I’d like to look at. From the photos online, it may be a good investment.”
Florence, Italy. She swallowed hard and forced a smile. “I hear it’s lovely there.” She hadn’t been to Italy; the only major trips she’d taken were the ferry to England related to horse racing and her two trips here to McNally Bay. The Murphy Farm’s finances hadn’t allowed for luxuries such as international travel. Her visit to McNally Bay in June had been her first overseas flight, and Jake had paid for that one out of his frequent flyer miles.
Why, oh, why had she come a second time?
Jake didn’t respond but kept his attention centered on the road. It seemed there was something more bothering him, but she squelched the urge to ask.
He wasn’t likely to confide in her now, not after being so bloody taciturn the past couple of days. The strain between them made her feel as if they were complete strangers instead of two people who’d spent weeks together laughing, joking, watching the races, and sharing meals while touring the hot spots in England and, of course, Ireland.
She’d taken him to all her favorite places. Had shared all her secret hopes and dreams.
Yet in the end, she’d been silly enough to think that a little Irish country mouse such as herself would be enough to attract a world traveler like Jake McNally.
She told herself she’d be better off once he headed for Italy.
After what seemed like forever, they reached the airport and turned over the keys to her rental car. She had a return ticket going through Chicago to Dublin, and of course, Jake had booked for the same flight. It didn’t surprise her to learn he had a seat in first class.
They sat in the terminal with a vacant spot between them, a gap that felt wider than the Irish Sea. In an effort to distract herself, she pulled out her tablet to read. She loved murder mysteries and did her best to ignore Jake, who was slouched in his seat with his head back and eyes closed.
No doubt pretending to be asleep so he wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.
Especially to her.
Fine. She didn’t want to talk to him either. So she’d made a mistake in following him to McNally Bay. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d made a bloody fool of herself.
But it would hopefully be the last. She’d learned her lesson and was done with American men.
Maybe all men. Truly now, they weren’t worth the heartache.
When the call came over the speakers announcing all first-class passengers could begin to board, Jake opened his eyes, stretched, and slowly rose to his feet.
“I have to go, but I’m sure I’ll see you later,” he said without smiling.
Not if I see you first. She forced a smile. “Yeah, maybe. Take care of yourself, Jake.”
There was a slight hesitation before he responded. “You, too, Brianna.”
It took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to stand and hug him one last time. And she couldn’t help but watch as he ambled over to take his place in the queue to board the airplane. When he disappeared from view, she let out a heavy sigh. If she’d had the funds, she’d have changed her ticket to a later time, but while their farm was currently running in the black, she couldn’t bring herself to squander quid as if it could be found in a pot at the end of a rainbow. Paying for the ticket to come here where she wasn’t wanted had proven frivolous enough.
Remorse hit hard. She closed her eyes, wishing she could turn back the clock, make a better, less impulsive decision.
Enough. The only way to get through the long journey home was to focus on seeing her family again. Her dad and Quinn would be glad to have her back.
They had Dark Rogue now and a future on their equestrian farm. She didn’t need anything more.
Glancing at her boarding pass, she remembered there was a two-hour layover in Chicago. Even though they were on the same flight, she remembered the airport being huge, so she hoped it wouldn’t be too difficult to avoid further contact with Jake.
And if her heart ached for him, it was her own fault for giving him the power to hurt her. For being foolish enough to think she had anything to offer the man who refused to put down roots.
She stood, slung her carry-on over her shoulder and moved closer to the gate to mingle with the other passengers who were also waiting to board. As she waited for her group to be called, her phone rang.
Frowning, she looked down at the screen, then quickly picked it up. “Jemma? What’s wrong?”
“Bree, I’m so glad you answered. Are you on the plane yet?”
The strain in Jemma’s voice filled her with concern. “No, why? What’s happened?”
“I tripped and fell over Goldie, you remember our Goldendoodle puppy? I’m afraid I may have broken my wrist. Would you mind coming back to the B and B? I hate to impose on you, Bree, but you’re the only one I can think of who can take my place cooking breakfast in the kitchen for our guests. Jazz, well, she’s okay with making eggs and such, but completely hopeless when it comes to baking. If you can’t come”—there was a catch in her voice—“we may lose our business.”
“Yes, of course, I’ll return to cook for you.” She glanced over to where passengers were slowly making their way on board the plane. “Jake’s already seated in first class, do you want me to let him know?”
“I tried his cell, but he didn’t answer.” Jemma’s voice sounded tense, as if she were gritting her teeth against the pain. “Don’t bother Jake, I’m pretty sure he won’t want to stick around anyway. But I would be grateful for your help, Bree. Please know I’ll repay the cost of your ticket and provide a salary for the time you spend cooking breakfast. I know that this is a huge imposition, but I don’t know what else to do. We have a wedding scheduled this weekend and the next one after that, and I can’t stand the idea of canceling on them.”
“Don’t be daft, you can’t cancel two weddings! I don’t mind lending a hand. It will take me a while to pick up another car and drive back into town.” She was grateful she only had a carry-on, there wouldn’t be an issue with her luggage flying to Dublin without her. “I’ll be back in McNally Bay as soon as possible.”
“Garth is taking me to the local clinic for X-rays, so if we’re not here when you arrive, make yourself at home.” Another pause, before Jemma added, “Thank you, Bree. I owe you big time.”
“No, it’s the other way around. See you soon.” After disconnecting from the call, she slid the phone into her bag. She felt bad for Jemma, but the abrupt turn of events made her feel at peace.
It felt good to turn her back on the gate. To walk away, leaving regret and shame behind.
The more distance she put between herself and Jake, the lighter her step. She’d have to call her dad and Quinn to let them know she was staying on in the states a while longer.
At least this time, she knew she wouldn’t have to put up with Jake being at the B&B, with his grumpy face and long brooding silence. It was time to put her life back on track, move on from her mistakes. Which would be easier to do being half the world away from Jake McNally and his new café and villa in Florence, Italy.
Especially since he’d made it clear he had no plans to return to McNally Bay anytime soon, if ever.
Despite his bone-weary exhaustion, Jake kept hearing the brief conversation between the two men in the gas station, feeling more and more certain that they were the same men he’d seen twelve years ago. Was he making a mistake leaving McNally Bay? Was it finally time to tell the police what he’d witnessed? When they’d mentioned that nosy family, had they meant the McNallys? It seemed likely. If he left, would they decide to go after his sisters?
The possibility made his gut clench with worry.
He watched the stream of passengers going past his seat, searching for Bree. He should have mentioned something about what he’d overheard during their drive but hadn’t. Now for some odd reason, he wanted her opinion. When the crowd dwindled and he didn’t see her, he frowned.
Had he missed her? He didn’t see how that was possible considering he was in the front row of the first-class seating and had a clear view of every person edging past him.
Moments later, he heard her name over the PA system.
“Passenger Brianna Murphy, please report to gate number twenty-three. Your flight is ready to depart.”
The knot in his gut tightened to the point he almost doubled over in pain. Where was she? Had something happened? Or had she simply taken a last stop in the restroom without realizing she might miss her flight?
Two flight attendants stood near the cockpit, whispering. Then one shrugged and reached out to close the door.
“No!” He leaped out of his seat. “Aren’t you going to wait for Brianna Murphy?”
The attendant eyed him warily. “Sir, I need you to return to your seat.”
Panic hit low and hard. “I just need to go out there to check on her. She isn’t a seasoned traveler, and I think she might just be in the restroom.”
The attendant lifted a brow. “And you’re going to go inside the ladies’ room to find her? I don’t think so. Now please sit down. The captain has given us the go-ahead to close the cabin door and prepare for takeoff.”
“You can’t do that, Bree isn’t on the plane, yet.” He knew he was behaving irrationally, but he couldn’t seem to shake it off.
“Sir, don’t make me call security.”
He scowled and pulled out his phone. He’d missed a call from Jemma, which was odd, but there wasn’t anything from Bree. He quickly called her, doing his best to stare down the flight attendant as he waited for Bree to pick up. “One more minute isn’t going to hurt.”
“Sir, I’m not going to ask you again.” The underlying note of steel in her tone convinced him that he wasn’t going to win this one.
Bree didn’t answer, his call going through to voice mail.
“Sir, please sit down!” The flight attendant was losing her patience with him.
He hesitated for just a moment, before grabbing his duffel out of the overhead bin and slinging it over his shoulder. “Fine, I’m out of here.”
“Wait! You can’t just leave . . .”
He ignored her sputtered protest, brushing past her to exit the plane. He was only halfway up the ramp when he heard the airplane door closing behind him with a soft snick.
Retracing his steps, Jake returned to the terminal gate area, which was now fairly empty. He raked his gaze over the few people standing around, searching for Brianna.
Where in the world was she?
He called her phone again, but she still didn’t answer. This time, he left a message. “Bree, it’s Jake. Where are you? You missed your flight, but I can help you get on a different one. Please call me back.”
He slid the phone into his pocket and headed over toward the closest pair of restrooms. He stood outside the women’s room until a young woman came out.
“Excuse me, could you please go back inside to find my—er—girlfriend? Her name is Brianna Murphy. I think she might be sick or something.”
“Oh, uh, sure.” The young woman looked concerned as she turned around to go back inside.
He waited for endless seconds for her to return with Brianna.
But the young lady returned alone.
“I’m sorry, but there’s no one named Brianna Murphy in there.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” The young woman was looking at him with an expression of compassion mixed with pity. “I’m sorry, but maybe your girlfriend decided to go—somewhere else.” Her subtle meaning wasn’t lost on him.
In other words, maybe Brianna had dumped him.
“Yeah. Thanks.” He turned away, his mind whirling. It just didn’t make any sense.
Unless—had Bree decided to take a different flight altogether? No denying they hadn’t spoken much on the drive to Kalamazoo. His fault, as he’d been preoccupied with the ghosts from his past.
Maybe she despised the thought of flying back through Chicago to Dublin on the same plane he was on to the point that she’d made a snap decision to change flights.
Not that he could entirely blame her.
But as he made his way back through the terminal, he realized it wasn’t like Bree to waste money. The entire Murphy family was frugal by nature. No matter what her personal feelings were toward him, she wouldn’t simply throw away a perfectly good plane ticket.
Worry morphed into downright concern. Missing her flight like this was totally out of character for her. Bree would never do something like this without a really good reason.
He tried her cell again, without success. Then he tried Jemma, but she didn’t answer either. Finally, he tried Jazz, without success.
It was as if Brianna had disappeared along with his family.
He crossed over to the closest desk manned by an attendant. “I need to know if Brianna Murphy is on another flight.”
The woman barely glanced at him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t give out passenger information.”
