Straight, No Chaser, page 3
Except Kenzie and Sarah. They’d become friends—true, legit friends she would’ve done anything for. Until the choice had come down to her friends or her family.
It had been an agonizing decision, and not a day went by that she didn’t hate herself a little for what she’d done to Sarah and Ian.
The little comfort she took from it was knowing that her brother had been able to stay at home with her. That he hadn’t been separated again from his big sister—the only person he trusted and loved. Though, some days, she questioned whether it had really been all that much of a good thing.
An hour passed where she did her best to join the animated discussions of her coworkers and friends. But it was hard. Forced. Not only because she was so tired, but because of shielding the constant death glare Colin was shooting her way.
“I’m heading out.”
She vaguely heard someone at the end of the table make the announcement and her ears perked up. Another nurse who worked the occasional day shift with her.
“Are you going back to Mount Vernon now?” Hailey called out.
The other lady nodded and winced. “Yeah, I’ve got to be at work by 0700 tomorrow, so I need to crash.”
“Can I grab a ride back with you? I’m exhausted.”
“Of course. Not a problem.”
Hailey filled Tanesha in on the change of plans, then grabbed her purse. Getting the hell out of the pub was priority number one.
She ignored the weight of Colin’s gaze and quickly slipped out the door after her coworker.
Chapter Three
It was a good thing she’d left the pub. Colin pushed aside the rest of his drink and sighed.
“Okay, someone want to fill me in on who that was?” Delonna, the pretty blonde bartender working alongside Aleck, meandered down the counter toward Colin. She lifted an eyebrow. “Because all you McLaughlins are sporting Club Scowl membership cards right now.”
“Hailey Alexander.” Aleck grabbed the pint from Colin and dumped the remaining beverage. “She was a high school friend of Kenzie’s.”
“Was being the key word,” Colin muttered, watching his sister as she took an order from the group of navy guys. “But she turned out to be a brilliant backstabber.”
“Backstabber?” Nose wrinkling, Delonna murmured, “Huh. Well she looked nice enough. What’d she do?”
Aleck shook his head. “Enough with the gossip, you two; it’s in the past.”
“Aye, but it’s quite the story.” Colin leaned forward, placing both palms on the bar. “I’ll tell you what she did, Delonna.”
Her gaze lit up. She leaned in. “Do it. Tell me.”
“At a party in high school, she climbed into bed with Ian. Had everyone convinced—including Ian and, most importantly, Sarah—that they’d slept together.”
“Wait. Had them convinced? Is that why they broke up? You mean it didn’t happen?” She glanced from Aleck back to Colin.
“Aye, that’d be why their relationship ended. And, no, Hailey and Ian never actually slept together,” Aleck said firmly. “She staged it. Which we’ve only just learned about, you see. And it seems the girl had her reasons—”
“Reasons?” Colin laughed without humor. “Everyone has their fuckin’ reasons. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my job, it’s that everyone has a bloody excuse. But, sometimes, it’s not enough. It can’t justify the fact it kept Sarah and Ian apart for eleven years.”
Aleck’s eyes narrowed. “Sarah and Ian have chosen to move on, Colin. You should give it a try as well.”
“I am not quite as willing to forgive and forget.”
“Well, nobody’s asking you to take her to dinner or anything, right?” Delonna teased, her laugh uneasy. “You were just...it’s weird, Colin. You’re not mean to people, and yet I sensed you were giving off mean vibes, so I’m pretty sure she caught a whiff of them too.”
And Delonna hadn’t even been outside for the exchange when he’d really been an arse.
“Fookin’ pointless waste of energy, if you ask me.” Aleck shook his head and walked down to the other end of the counter to check on a couple customers.
“Aye, maybe, though nobody asked you,” Colin muttered. “He’s too damn nice sometimes.”
“Mmm. He is. And cute too.”
Well now, what was this? Colin arched a brow. “Sporting a bit of a crush on the boss, Delonna?”
“Please. I know better than to get charmed by a McLaughlin.” She made a soft snort, but he saw the hint of a blush on her cheeks, and her lashes swept down to hide the impish look in her blue-green eyes. “And, actually, I have a date once I get out of here tonight.”
Interested but denying it? Colin watched her, wondering if that last bit was a lie.
“A date, you say?” Kenzie approached the cash register to ring up a bill. “And with who?”
“His name is James and he has a cabin on the island. Apparently he’ll be here through the end of summer.” She grinned. “He’s ridiculously hot.”
So the date wasn’t a lie.
“Mmm hmm. Your usual type? Tattoos and a beard?”
“Absolutely.”
Kenzie giggled and ran the card. “You’re so predictable.”
“Dude, seriously. Beards and tats get me so hot.”
Colin winced and stood up. “And I’m so out of here.”
“I’m sticking around.” Aleck joined them, casting Delonna an inquisitive glance. “What was this I heard about you getting hot?”
Colin forced a cough. “Sexual harassment.” Then coughed again.
“Bollocks.” Aleck leaned against the counter and gave her a wide smile. “I’m not harassing you, am I, luv?”
Delonna laughed again. “Ah, I should be so lucky, boss boy.”
Seeing the astonished expression on his brother’s face, Colin couldn’t help but laugh.
Aleck had better watch himself, or he’d be tripping all over his feet before he realized he was developing a crush on the young, flirty bartender.
“I’ll catch you all tomorrow.” Colin nodded to the group. “And I’ll bring Emily in for a bit of lunch before we go to the beach.”
“Sounds good.”
Halfway to the door, he paused to let a group of sailors go inside first. But one lagged behind and made his way over to Kenzie. Always protective of his younger sister, Colin hung back for a moment.
“I just wanted to apologize for my friend.” The sailor looked about mid-thirties, with a Southern accent tinting his words. “He’s wasted. I know he got a little aggressive with that nurse back there.”
Was he referring to the sailor who’d hit on Hailey? It certainly sounded about right.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Kenzie answered briskly. “I assume you’ll be driving tonight and are the designated?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. Have a lovely night, then.”
“I plan on it.” The sailor almost turned to leave, and then hesitated. “Hey, at least tell me your name, beautiful?”
Colin grimaced, ready to intervene at any moment if the sailor got too forward. He knew Kenzie’s bad experience in the past made her wary of men. But his sister didn’t even seem fazed as she rang up the sailor’s tab.
“It’s Kenzie.” She took the twenty-dollar bill from him and tilted her head. “I’m assuming I can keep the change as a tip?”
“For one beer?” The sailor looked stunned, but then a slow grin spread and he backed away. “You know what? Yeah, you keep it. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon, Kenzie.”
“Oh, I’m quite certain you will.”
Seeing his sister’s lips quirk, Colin knew she’d be just fine. Even still, he waited until the sailor had left before calling out, “Have Aleck walk you to your car tonight, Kenz.”
She winked and pocketed the tip. “Always do. Goodnight, dear brother.”
Pulling his keys out, he waved to the rest of the group and then headed out the door.
Interesting night, really. Flirting going on just about between everyone and anyone, while he, on the other hand, had been feeling anything but flirtatious. Then again, the only woman he’d really talked to had been Hailey. And flirting with Hailey was about as likely to happen as him pulling a spoon from his arse.
Not that he was opposed to flirting or being in a relationship—when it was the right woman. Actually, out of the four McLaughlin children, everyone had assumed he’d be most likely to be married by now. And until Ian had gotten engaged, Colin had been the closest one to walking down the aisle.
Though technically he’d made the walk; it was his bride who hadn’t. Dismissing that unpleasant memory, he climbed into his truck and made the half-hour drive home.
“Now, you’re sure you’re okay taking her?”
Colin shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced around Sarah’s house, grinning at the couple hovering near the door.
“You can’t be serious. Emily’s a ten-year-old lass. How much trouble can she be, aye?”
Sarah and Ian exchanged a glance, before Sarah gave a soft laugh. “You say that now, but I don’t think you’ve spent more than five minutes alone with her.”
“Ah, well, Kenzie has, and she says she’s very well behaved.”
Ian just winked and slapped his shoulder. “Very well then. We’ll just be off to Seattle for the day. You can give us a call if anything goes wrong.”
“Nothing will go wrong,” he assured them.
Sarah nodded, and cast a glance out the window to where Emily was doing flips on the lawn. “We’ll plan on catching the ten o’clock ferry back to the island and should be home probably by ten thirty.”
“Lovely. And we’ll be here waiting. Shall I have her tucked into bed at a certain time?”
Ian scowled. “No, she’s still got a little bit of summer vacation left. Let her stay up.”
“Ian.” Sarah elbowed him in the side. “I thought we decided on a nine thirty summer bedtime.”
“Flexibility, doll.” He leaned down to place a quick kiss against the protest that rose from her lips. “Besides, let her enjoy a bit of extra time with her uncle.”
Envying their loving relationship a bit more than he cared to acknowledge, Colin turned his attention to the window to watch Emily. She seemed to do quite well playing by herself—he could see her chatting aloud though nobody was around—as she did cartwheels.
Though it probably wouldn’t be long before Emily was no longer an only child. Not with Sarah and Ian being the shining example of lovers given a second chance.
“All right then. We’ll just be heading out.” Ian gave his shoulder another light slap. “Thanks again.”
“Thanks, Colin.” Sarah stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “You’re the best.”
As they disappeared out the door, Emily rushed inside.
“Uncle Colin! When did you get here? I’m so excited we’re hanging out today. What are we going to do?” She barely paused to take a breath as she gripped his hand in an impressive grasp. “You’re the only uncle who hasn’t babysat me.”
He grimaced. “And I do apologize. My work keeps me busy.”
“You’re a police officer. You catch the bad guys, which is so cool. I wanna be a cop too when I grow up.”
“Do you now?” He couldn’t help but be charmed by her. “Well, maybe when you’re a bit older you can come on a ride-along.”
“If that means riding shotgun in your car, I’m so doing it.”
He didn’t doubt it for a minute. “So, Emily, what do you think about some lunch and then heading to the beach?”
“I say hell yeah.”
Colin couldn’t even reply for a moment, just stared down at her with a gaping mouth. Finally: “Where did you learn—”
“My dad.” She leaned forward and whispered, “Your brother. He’s got a total potty mouth, Mom says. So don’t tell him I just swore or he’ll get grounded.”
“Ah, well we wouldn’t want that.” He hid a laugh and led her toward the door. “Are you hungry?”
“Oh, Uncle Colin, you have so much to learn.” She heaved an overly dramatic sigh. “I’m a tween. I’m always hungry...”
Days off. As much as she loved her job, she appreciated—and direly needed—some downtime.
Hailey checked her rearview mirror as she headed to the island. Part of her regretted not stopping by work, even though she’d called from home this morning to see how her patient Randy was doing.
After she’d been assured his health was improving, she still made the promise to drop by later, after she returned from the island, to say hello. Kids were her weakness. They’d always been her weakness. Which was why she loved it when her job as float nurse put her on the pediatric medical floor.
Almost a half hour later, as she drove over Deception Pass Bridge, she had to wonder if she was stupid to even be coming to the island. But as her gaze drank in the view far below—the glittering blue water and the trees of the park—she ignored the clenching of her stomach.
It was a huge island. The chances of her running into a McLaughlin again were slim to none. Especially being that it was a weekday and most people would be, well, working.
Once on Whidbey, she drove into Deception Pass State Park and found a spot near the beach to park. The trail from the parking lot was just a couple minutes’ walk to the rocky northwest shoreline.
She found a quiet spot and slid her tote bag off her shoulder. Plucking a blanket from it, she spread it on the sandier part of the beach and then sat down.
Next, she grabbed a diet soda, her lunch and her Kindle, and set them beside her.
It was pretty much her summer ritual for her days off. Come out to Deception Pass and enjoy a bit of sunshine—if the weather was cooperating—drink in the stunning views and just relax.
The beach wasn’t overly crowded, maybe twenty people in the area she’d picked. Mostly families likely camping on vacation and a handful of fisherman hoping for salmon.
It was peaceful. Beautiful. You couldn’t hear the traffic whizzing by on the bridge that was 180 feet in the air. Instead, you listened to the waves lightly splashing onto the beach. Then there were the cries of the seagulls—almost white noise—as they flew by overhead. And, occasionally, the exciting roar of the navy jets from NAS Whidbey, which wasn’t too far away.
She unwrapped her lunch and began to eat, enjoying the mild flavor of a turkey sandwich with wheat bread, and juicy mandarin oranges.
The crisp, salty air she breathed in just added to the simplicity and serenity of the moment. Unfortunately, the view only distracted her for a while and then her thoughts began to shift back to last night and the family that had been such a big part of her world.
The McLaughlins.
Seeing Kenzie had put a knot of regret in her throat. It wasn’t that Kenzie had been mean while serving her, not in the least. She’d been polite. Friendly in the waitress way. She’d, for all intents and purposes, acted as if they were strangers.
And maybe they were now. It was probably the best she could hope for. Still, it didn’t stop the stab of longing for the friendship they’d once had.
And then there was another McLaughlin lingering in her mind. Colin. A Scottish-accented, handsome deputy in uniform, whom everyone loved. About whom no one spoke a mean word. She was clearly the anomaly by having the urge to junk punch him.
Sure, he was probably all charm and sunshine when you were on his good side, but when you were on his bad, watch out.
The fact that he slipped unwanted into her thoughts so frequently was flat-out irritating. Which was souring her mood at the moment, now that he was once again making a cameo in her mind.
Determined to distract herself, she picked up her Kindle and lay on the blanket. Reading was a good escape. It had never failed to be a diversion when she was a child. She only hoped it would work its magic now.
Fortunately it did. The sounds of children playing and waves slapping became white noise. The world around her faded while she became engrossed in the latest thriller novel by her favorite author.
Who knows how much time had passed when a sharp scream of pain pulled her from the book. Just like that, her mind switched into medical mode. She scanned the beach, looking for the victim.
A few hundred feet away she found her, sitting at the edge of the small cliffs and clutching her arm as she wailed. The dad came sprinting over from a few feet away and scooped her up, looking left and right as if seeking help.
Setting her ereader down, Hailey rose to her feet and approached, ready to offer any knowledge she might have. But a few steps in had her stumbling as the pair came into focus. Maybe on first glance she might have assumed the man was Ian holding his daughter, but now that she grew closer, she could see the beard and a few other telltale signs that distinguished Colin from his twin.
Colin’s gaze swept straight ahead just then and landed on her. Disbelief shone in his eyes and he shook his head, before his jaw hardened and he strode her way with purpose.
“You. You’re a nurse, right?”
Definitely no pleasantries with this one. She gave a terse nod and glanced at the little girl.
“What happened?”
Guilt flickered across the girl’s face and she ducked her head.
“Emily decided it would be fun sport to try and climb that small cliff over there while I took a phone call.”
Hailey ignored the disapproval in Colin’s glowering tone and kept her focus on Emily. Besides, clearly fabulous Uncle Colin should’ve been watching his niece a little closer.
“Poor thing. Yes, those cliffs can be dangerous to climb,” she murmured gently and glanced down at her arm. “Can you tell me where it hurts?”
The darling girl with the brilliant green McLaughlin eyes started crying again as she pointed to her right arm.
“Can you straighten your arm at all, Emily?”
“No. It hurts too much.” She choked on a sob. “I want my mom.”
“I know you do, but your mom is in Seattle, lass. You’ll be all right. I’m here with you.”
