Ten
“Rex, thank God you’re here.” Breathless, Heather swung the door open after several failed attempts to slide the dead bolt between her shaking fingers.
“Are you all right?” Tall and powerful, he regarded her with a mixture of fear and relief before sweeping her into his arms. “I was afraid something like this might happen, so I came back. Stupid me, I should have kept the key. I’ve called Jackson. He’s on the way.”
She sagged against him, relishing the fold of his embrace. “It was Tanya. She’s responsible for everything bad that’s happened.” Heather gestured inside. “The power is out. I gather Tanya flipped the circuits.”
He took a few paces into the foyer. “Where is she?”
Heather drew a shuddering breath, pressing a hand to her chest. Her heart still raced. “Just over there. She’s passed out, but—” Her jaw dropped as she strode farther into the house. “That’s impossible. Where did she go?”
From down the street, sirens sounded. The clamor mixed with urgent voices as men from the production crew rushed through the front door.
“Did you see Tanya?” someone yelled. “She was heading for the lake. She can’t take that old rowboat out in the dark. It leaks, and she isn’t a strong swimmer.”
Rex directed the police to chase the producer toward the lake while a crewman headed for the circuit breaker. Remaining behind, Rex rubbed Heather’s neck.
“I couldn’t leave you,” he said, while her heart leaped. “At least until I knew you were safe. Will you be all right?”
“Y-yes.” What was he saying?
“I guess this is good-bye, then.”
The lights snapped on. She looked into his eyes, hoping for any sign of doubt or regret, but couldn’t read his feelings.
“You can’t go. It’s late,” she said, trying not to beg. Was she misconstruing his words? Did he return only to insure her safety, not caring enough to stay?
“Tomorrow is your big day,” he said, his mouth tightening into a firm line. “It’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?”
She detected a note of wistful inquiry in his tone. “That’s right. But you don’t have to—”
“You need to establish your foothold here. I’d only get in the way. Besides, I have my own agenda, remember?” His lips twisted in self-mockery.
“Of course, and I wish you the best.” So he would pursue his dream after all and sail into the sunset.
Meanwhile, this house was hers. She could set down roots here and have everything she’d always wanted. Almost.
“Thanks for coming back,” she said stiffly. “Good luck when you discuss things with your dad. He’ll rally around, you’ll see.”
“Yeah, right.” His eyes glowed a deep aqua blue as he gave her a last scrutinizing glance. He looked maddeningly handsome in his V-necked sweater and jeans. “Well, enjoy the house.”
“I will.” She gave a tight smile. “Enjoy your boat. I know you’ll get the one you showed me.”
He left, and he took her heart with him.
It was the hardest decision she’d ever made, but there had been no other choice if she meant to fill the emptiness Rex had left behind. September rolled around before she approached the town Rex called home. Davie’s rural origins were evident in the western-style architecture of its shops, his father’s furniture repair store among them.
Pulling her blue pearl Honda Accord into a metered parking space, Heather got out and plunked quarters into the slot. The afternoon sun beat waves of heat onto the pavement. Thunder rumbled in the distance, while a spicy scent tickled her nostrils. Storm clouds funneled from the Everglades in the west, roiling like the emotions inside her. If she’d made a mistake, she’d be sorry for the rest of her life, but she had to try.
Swinging her leather handbag over one shoulder, she smoothed her white capri pants and turquoise top. Turquoise and silver earrings dangled from her ears, a gift from one of her friends to celebrate the inn’s grand opening. Bitter dregs of regret filled her mouth. Don’t think about it. Go see if your sacrifice means anything.
Mustering her courage, she pushed open the shop’s door and entered. Chests of drawers, side tables, headboards, and dining room chairs stood in disarray, while from the far back, she heard a steady grinding noise. The smell of sawdust and lemon oil permeated the place.
An older man looked up from the counter where he’d been punching keys on a calculator. She recognized his face from the TV interview. In real life, he appeared more imposing, his large body and massive shoulders suitable to a life of labor. Crinkles around his eyes showed that he smiled often. His gray hair still held traces of coal black, the color his son had inherited.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Hello, Mr. Gerard. Is Rex here?” She heard her tremulous tone and hoped he couldn’t detect her anxiety.
“He’s in the back, ma’am. Who should I tell him is calling?” He squinted. “Sorry, don’t I know you?”
“I’m Heather Payne.”
“Oh, you’re that gal from the reality show. Rex has been busy with Dorothy since he’s come home.”
His matter-of-fact tone took her aback. Was this the old gent’s way of telling her that Rex’s attentions had strayed?
“Maybe I shouldn’t bother him, then.”
“He’ll be glad to tell you about her. The boy is obsessed. If you’re hoping to hook him, you’ll be competing with that lady of his.”
Heather’s cheeks warmed. Oh, golly, I’ve made a dreadful mistake. Rex hadn’t taken long to get over her if he already had another girlfriend. Despite his assurances otherwise, their time together must have meant nothing to him except for a brief, passionate fling.
Mortified, she backed toward the entrance. “Perhaps I’ll just—”
“He owes you a big debt.” Giving a conspiratorial wink, Mr. Gerard lowered his voice. “If it wasn’t for you, he’d never have been able to go after what he wanted. The boy was afraid he’d hurt my feelings, but I know a man’s gotta follow his heart. He’s been yearning for Dorothy all his life.”
Heather suppressed a sob. Rex had never mentioned a former flame, but there were probably a lot of things she didn’t know about him. Dorothy might have seen him on TV and returned to stake her claim.
“Suggesting he get a loan was the best thing you could have done for him,” Mr. Gerard said. “It’s good when a young ’un takes responsibility and strikes out on his own.”
“He got a loan?” Heather stared at him.
“That’s right,” Rex said, sauntering into view. She inhaled sharply. He leaned against the door jamb, his jeans riding low on his hips, a tattered T-shirt covered with sawdust. Corded muscles ribboned his arms. Even grimy, he looked smashing.
“Hi,” she said, her heart beating a rapid march.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” His aqua eyes, warm and welcoming, eased her nervousness.
“Excuse me, folks,” his dad said, giving them a bemused glance, “I need to finish that sanding job in the back.”
As the elder man scuttled away, Rex raised his eyebrows. “So, what gives, Heather?” Hooking his thumbs into his belt, he waited.
She felt the heat radiating from him. “Your father said you got a loan.”
“I put a down payment on Dorothy.” He must have seen her befuddled expression, because he added, “My boat. I named her after Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, because it took me a while to realize my heart’s desire.”
“That’s great.” She felt as though she’d been broadsided. Was this good or bad, that Dorothy was his boat rather than another woman? Either way, she’d lost him to his dream. Speech evaded her, and she sought words to continue.
“How’s the B&B?” he asked. “Have you had a busy season so far?”
She bit her lip. “I, uh, decided I didn’t like the location. Too closed in for Florida, you know? I mean, Winter Park is a terrific town, but it’s not near the ocean.”
Fortifying herself with a deep breath, she plunged on. “So I sold it and bought a smaller B&B near a marina.”
“You did what?” His jaw dropped.
She never thought she’d feel so nervous talking to someone. Being live on camera for the reality show hadn’t been this bad. Her heart raced, and her fingertips felt icy. But she had to take the chance.
“Rex, tell me if I’m wrong, but I thought we had something between us. This way, you can have a slip for your boat, and I can have my house, and we can be together. I even have money left over. It’s yours if you need it.”
He looked as though he’d been hit by a truck. “I thought you wanted the place. It was the only reason I left. I didn’t want to spoil your dream.”
She stepped closer. “You taught me that sometimes sacrifices are necessary to get what you want. I realized that my house was empty without you. I’ve fallen in love with you, Rex.”
His expression ignited as he clasped her shoulders. “I love you, too. You’ve given me a start on a goal I never thought I’d reach. Heck, I wasn’t going to live on my boat. I’d decided to leave it at the nearest dock and come back to you, maybe offer your guests fishing charters on the lake. Whatever it took for you to have me.”
“I’ll have you just the way you are, Rex Gerard.” She smiled. “I’ve reserved a private room for you at my new inn. When would you like to come?” She fluttered her lashes, letting him know the wicked direction of her thoughts.
“How about yesterday?”
His fierce kiss obliterated her rational mind, and she sank into an ocean of pleasure. Later, in her motel room, he showed her just how far they could sail together. Their dreams blended, strengthened by their union. And when they reached the horizon, she cried out in ecstasy, riding waves of delight.
Oh, yes, rocking on the sea with Rex could be fun, she thought, her fingers sifting through his soft strands of hair while he nibbled at a tender spot on her neck. And so would playing house on land. They’d have the best of both worlds.
In that respect, they had both won the prize.
Dear Reader:
Three Men and a Body was inspired by a stay at The Inn at Oakmont during the Annual Festival of Mystery sponsored by Mystery Lovers Bookshop in Pennsylvania. We had such a delightful time at this beautiful bed & breakfast that it inspired me to write this story. While my fictional reality show got a little too real, I hope you enjoyed the trials Heather and Rex experienced as they grew closer together.
For more reading pleasure, I hope you’ll look for current and upcoming titles in my Bad Hair Day mystery series featuring sassy hairstylist Marla Shore. Elements of romance and humor blend with fast-paced action to keep you turning pages. Now available are Killer Knots and Perish by Pedicure. Next in the series is Shear Murder, where Marla is a bridesmaid at a wedding that turns deadly.
I love to hear from readers. Write to me at: P.O. Box 17756, Plantation, FL 33318. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped #10 business-size envelope for a personal reply. Email: nancy.j.cohen@comcast. net. Web site: www.nancyjcohen.com.