FOR THE FIRST TIME, Tessa was having trouble focusing on Poppy Gold. Part of it was the sense of being in limbo until Rob and his executives returned. But it was mostly Gabe.
She’d been determined not to sleep with him again, only to give in with barely a murmur.
Tessa swallowed at the memory and pushed her grocery cart down the supermarket aisle in Stockton. She’d actually left Poppy Gold on a Friday afternoon, just to go shopping. It had felt as if she was escaping.
Working fewer hours gave Tessa a faint sense of panic, as if things were spinning out of control. Yet in many ways it was better. But it was Gabe who was giving her the biggest headache.
His protectiveness would be endearing if it wasn’t so frustrating. Did he really believe that seeing terrible things should close him off from love and warmth? Her father had witnessed his share of horrors and had still been able to fall in love and believe in people again.
Not fair, Tessa’s conscience screamed. She’d never experienced any of the things Gabe had. How could she criticize the way he dealt with his memories if it helped him survive?
Of course, there was one thing she knew for certain—it didn’t matter how wary you were of falling for the wrong man. When you fell, you fell. The heart made decisions the brain knew were insane.
Depressed, she stared at a display of barbecue supplies. Fun in the Sun declared the cheerful banner hanging from the ceiling. There were beach balls and elaborate barbecue tools, myriad bottles of sunscreen lotions, more kinds of charcoal briquettes than she’d ever thought existed, along with grills, skewers, sauces and seasonings of every type.
And right in the middle was a book titled Barbecuing for Beginners.
A gremlin in Tessa made her put it into the cart.
She could imagine what Gabe would say if he saw the extravagant display. Despite growing up with wealth, he was a no-frills guy. If he’d ever barbecued, it was probably to survive in some distant part of the world. But for her, barbecues meant family gatherings and community fund-raisers, teenage trips to the beach with the church youth group and picnics along the meandering creek that the town had been named after.
“Which one do you think is best?” asked a voice, startling Tessa from her reverie.
“Excuse me?”
“My husband told me to get charcoal, and I don’t know what kind he uses.” It was a mother with a toddler belted into her cart, a small boy holding her hand and a significant bulge in her midsection.
Tessa picked up the book she’d put in her own cart and displayed the title. “I have no idea.”
The woman laughed and the little boy next to her laughed, too, though he probably didn’t know what was amusing.
“That’s the one my dad used to get.” Tessa gestured to the brand her father had bought before getting a gas grill.
“Looks good to me.” The young mother reached for the bag, but Tessa insisted on loading it for her. “Gosh, thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Tessa watched the three make their way down the grocery aisle, her throat tightening painfully.
Did Gabe’s warnings mean he was starting to care about her? Her own heart was committed, but she didn’t expect him to change his mind about having children. He truly believed it was wrong to bring kids into a society with so many problems, unable to see that every child offered the chance to solve those problems.
And just as important...could she spend a lifetime with someone who had such a different outlook on the world, no matter how much she loved him?
Tessa finished her shopping and loaded everything into her car, unable to get Gabe out of her head. They were different, but her mom had also fallen for a former soldier, the son of a business mogul. Her parents’ marriage hadn’t been perfect, but it had been extraordinarily happy for the time they’d shared.
If only...
The familiar grief rose through Tessa at the memory of losing her mother. She was on the little highway that led toward Glimmer Creek, and when her eyes began watering too much to be safe, she pulled off the road.
Stop, she ordered.
Yet the waves of pain didn’t stop, and she finally turned off the engine. With the need to put up a brave front with Pop, it seemed harder than ever to stop thinking about her mother and how unfair her death had been.
She’d wanted to be strong for her father, but Gabe was right. She was hurting, too. Finally Tessa closed her eyes, letting memories and tears flood through her in a way she hadn’t allowed since the week of the funeral.
* * *
LANCE DECIDED TO work on the rock wall for a few minutes after his shift. He’d gotten more of the quick-setting concrete and was trying to make it as nice-looking as possible.
He hadn’t said anything more to Jamie about the navy, but he knew she was thinking about it. She got a faraway look in her eyes and was even quieter than him most of the time.
Finally he gave the apple trees extra water and trudged back to Maintenance.
Gabe was still in the locker room when he got there. “Hey, Lance.”
“Hey.” Lance put away his gloves and started to leave, then turned around. “Uh, Gabe...?”
“Yes?”
Lance shuffled his feet. “Jamie is worried I could get killed in the navy. I’m not scared, but what happens if you have a family and you die?”
Gabe closed his locker. “A recruiter can tell you more about family benefits than I can.” He seemed to hesitate. “But somehow I don’t think that’s what bothers Jamie. She doesn’t want to lose you, any more than you want to lose her.”
Lance nodded and walked home to shower before meeting Jamie. He rounded the corner and sucked in a breath. She was waiting in front of his cottage.
“Hey.”
“Hey. May I come in?”
“Uh, sure.” Lance fumbled as he stuck the key in the lock and opened the door. “It isn’t like your place,” he said uncomfortably. Even though the studio was nicer than anywhere he’d lived before, it couldn’t compare to the Fullertons’ big house.
“Is that why you haven’t wanted me to come here?”
He shrugged. “Partly. It also didn’t seem right, you know, because you’re a preacher’s daughter.”
“I told you, being a PK doesn’t make me any different from other girls.”
“Don’t get mad. You are different.”
She crossed her arms and looked mad anyhow. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. But it’s mostly...well, because I haven’t cared that much about any other girl.”
He must have said the right thing because Jamie smiled. “That’s how I feel about you. I mean, that I haven’t cared about any other boys the way I love you. But we have to talk about real things, Lance, not just something that might happen someday. No secrets. I’m going to love you no matter what, but if we don’t trust each other, then I don’t know how we can make anything work.”
Lance sighed. Maybe he hadn’t trusted her enough to love him if she knew the truth.
“I’ll go first,” she said, her cheeks turning pink. “My mom says women don’t have to wait to be asked out, but deep down I felt funny about it—as if I’d broken a rule or forced you to go out with me because you were too nice to say no.”
“But I liked it,” he said, astonished. “Only the popular guys in school got asked out by girls.”
“Maybe, but Glimmer Creek is old-fashioned. Anyhow, I think it made me feel better when you gave me presents or talked about taking care of me because it seemed to prove it wasn’t important that I’d made the first move. It was dumb and selfish, and I’m sorry.”
Though Jamie’s confession was small in comparison, Lance could see that she’d hated admitting it.
He let out a breath. “Okay, my turn. That stuff I told you about my family wasn’t true. My father went to prison for killing someone when my mom was pregnant, and she died when I was born, so I never even met them. But I heard she was in trouble before that. I grew up in foster homes. Most of them were okay, but the last two were lousy and I got knocked around a bunch,” he continued hurriedly.
“Oh, Lance, I’m sorry.” Jamie started to reach for him, but he held up a hand to stop her. He needed to get through the rest of his confession.
“Anyhow, I left the Stantons’ a year ago when I turned eighteen. But my old foster sister was still there, and I talked to her sometimes. In December, she called and said she was hiding in the basement because Stanton was drunk and looking for her.”
“So you went over to help.”
“Well, yeah. Maggie is just a little squirt, and she was crying, sure he’d kill her this time. But when I got there Stanton called the cops and claimed I’d broken in.”
“What a jerk.”
Lance had called Denny Stanton much nastier things. “Anyhow, the cops arrested me, but they let me go when Stanton didn’t come in to sign a complaint. I didn’t hear more about it, and Maggie got moved to a new home right away, so I left Sacramento and ended up in Glimmer Creek.”
“Why did you keep it a secret, Lance? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Nobody believes a foster kid, especially when their dad is in prison. My old boss even fired me when he found out, so I didn’t think the navy would want me with that on my record.”
“I believe you. And I bet Gabe did, too.”
Lance was startled. “How do you know I told him?”
“Isn’t that why you talked to him first about enlisting?”
A huge weight seemed to roll from Lance’s chest, and he hugged her. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I should have told you, but I was afraid it would ruin everything.”
* * *
JAMIE TRIED NOT to cry.
“Lance, you don’t have to go in the navy for me. Is it something you really want to do?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “It seems like a good way to take care of you, and getting to be a flier would mean I could make a bunch of money after I got out.”
Jamie hesitated. “I’m not trying to change your mind, but...uh, Aunt Jessica’s first husband died flying a navy jet in a stupid training flight. So it re...really scares me to think about you doing that.”
“Jeez, Jamie. I forgot about that.”
She looked at him, feeling more grown-up than she’d ever felt before. “If you enlist, it has to be what you want, not because you think it’s best for us.”
“But I promised to take care—”
“I know,” she interrupted quietly. “But isn’t it all right if we take care of each other?”
* * *
LANCE BLINKED, REALIZING Jamie was right. He could count on her; it didn’t have to be all up to him. It sounded stupid, but it was like a door had opened, and all he had to do was step inside.
“Okay.”
Jamie’s smile was brighter than he’d ever seen it, and he hugged her close. He still didn’t know how her parents would react; he just knew she’d feel the same way about him, no matter what.
* * *
AS TESSA DROVE back into Glimmer Creek, she hesitated about going home immediately. The town’s private animal rescue group had called that morning to say they had a cat newly available for adoption. They kept an eye out for potential VC residents, and Poppy Gold reciprocated by referring guests who wanted to adopt.
She decided to stop at the shelter. Inside she was introduced to Rocky, a long-haired brown tabby who’d been found abandoned on the highway near Glimmer Creek.
“Whoa, he’s enormous,” she exclaimed. “Part Maine coon?” she asked the attendant.
“The veterinarian wrote Maine coon crossbreed on his chart, but that’s just a guess based on his size.”
Rocky settled in her arms, purring madly and looking up with apparent adoration. While his fur had the faintly sticky, dull texture that came from living in a kennel, it was long and thick.
The volunteer looked at the file again. “Rocky has been in the medical section for the usual shots and tests, et cetera. This says he’s around two years old and quite mellow.”
Tessa scratched behind the feline’s ears, his purr doubling in volume as he arched against her chest. “I’ll take him,” she said, already in love.
“Shall I put the adoption fee on Poppy Gold’s account?”
“No, I may keep him for myself.” She shifted Rocky to one arm and pulled a handful of twenties from her purse. “Keep the rest as a donation.”
The attendant filled out the adoption request and she signed it. He brought out a cardboard carrier, which Rocky regarded dubiously.
“Come on, buddy. I know it’s small, but you only have to stay in there a little while.”
Rocky barely fit in the carrier and meowed until she got into the car with him. At the parking area closest to the VC, she decided to take him to her apartment before dealing with the groceries.
Though it was late afternoon, Pop wasn’t home when she went over to his apartment, so she unpacked the supplies she bought for him and returned with her own bags to the Victorian Cat. Inside Tessa found Rocky had already discovered the broad windowsill in the kitchen. He sat, his plush tail waving gently, as she put everything away, but the instant she’d folded the last sack, he leaped down and demanded affection.
It seemed selfish to keep him, but none of the VC cats were ready for retirement, and he’d be company when Gabe left. Her stomach went hollow at the thought. Almost as a distraction, she opened the file of ominous notes Rob McKinley had been sent. He’d received only one since her accident on the staircase. It was mostly the same as the others, though much longer.
Whoever had authored the letter was meticulous. It would have taken hours to cut out enough letters to create several paragraphs of vitriolic hate. Nevertheless, like the others, it stopped short of threatening physical harm.
Her knowledge was vague on the legalities of anonymous mail, but apparently the FBI had pointed out to Rob that while the tone was menacing, no actual threat had been made.
“Tessa?”
It was Gabe’s voice from outside the door.
“Come in,” she called.
He was frowning as he stepped inside. “You should always lock. Oh, I see you have another furry visitor.”
“This is Rocky. I just got him from the animal shelter.”
“I didn’t realize the VC needed another cat.”
“It doesn’t. He’s mine.”
* * *
NATURALLY, GABE THOUGHT WRYLY.
There were shadows under Tessa’s eyes, and he frowned. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. What’s up?”
“I thought we should go over everything again before sending the file to Rob tonight,” he explained.
“All right.”
They worked steadily, coming up with a few last-minute ideas to incorporate into their trap. Tessa sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the sofa table, leaving the couch to Rocky, who lay there, stretched out on his back as if he’d lived with her for years. Every now and then, Gabe reached over and petted him, impressed with the animal’s mellow temperament.
He could almost see himself becoming a cat person, but when he offered Rocky some of the catnip, the feline turned up his nose at it.
“I don’t understand. Tiny Tim loves this stuff.”
“Cats require a specific gene to respond to catnip, which apparently Rocky doesn’t have. Try the tuna cat treats.”
Sure enough, Rocky ecstatically gobbled down a handful. Gabe wiped his hand, feeling slightly ridiculous, but Tessa wasn’t watching. She was looking again at the collection of letters.
“Still can’t let it go?” he asked.
“I just...” She frowned suddenly. “I’ll be right back.”
Tessa went up the stairs and returned a few minutes later with a thick accordion file. She sorted through the contents and pulled out a brochure, then began comparing it with one of the photocopied notes under a magnifying glass.
“Look at the edges of the darker areas around the P,” she said. “They match up to the California poppy logo on the brochure.”
Gabe took the magnifying glass and compared the letters. She was right. “How in hell did you spot that?”
“Because this is the original brochure I designed to promote Poppy Gold Inns as a conference center. The words Poppy Gold were overlaid on the logo, but I redesigned the whole thing a year ago.”
“That means that at least some of the letters used are from your original brochure.”
“Yes, and possibly other promotional material for Gold Country attractions. They’d be easy enough to collect and probably wouldn’t be as easily tracked as something from a magazine or newspaper.”
“We have to get this evidence to Milt,” Gabe said. “It’s the first reasonable proof that the author is linked to Glimmer Creek. He can contact the FBI and do whatever else is needed.”
Tessa immediately picked up her phone and dialed her great-uncle. She quickly explained her discovery, and Milt whistled.
“Great eyes, Tessa. Email me the file and I’ll contact the FBI. Is there anything else?”
Tessa glanced at Gabe, but he shook his head.
“No, that’s all for now.”
While Tessa went upstairs to email the information to Milt, Gabe ran out to pick up food from the Hong Kong Palace. When he got back, he discovered she’d changed into a pair of her skimpy shorts and a T-shirt, sending his blood pressure soaring.
“Uh, is your grandfather on board for next week?” he asked hoarsely.
“He’ll stay in his office and wait for any calls. I noticed KJ arrived yesterday.”
“He has another guy coming on Sunday, too. It’s fortunate you had enough cancellations.”
Tessa forked a serving of lo mein onto her plate and took two more cartons from the bag. “He called me when they couldn’t get reservations, so I released a couple of the rooms we keep available for emergencies. Oh, good, you got orange chicken.”
Gabe let out a frustrated breath.
He didn’t know if she was being deliberately provocative, but his body didn’t care. It was as if he was addicted to her, and not just physically. Her bright smiles and energy were as much a part of the attraction as her figure.
He was in serious trouble. His head knew the right thing to do, but his gut wanted something different entirely. Except it wasn’t just his gut. He wanted everything with Tessa. Even a family.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Food was a poor substitute, but he sat down. “Have you found the wontons?”
She handed him a container. “Obviously Uncle Milt will be on alert next week. But Pop is going to be extra distracted, so I doubt he’ll notice anything we’re doing.”
“Because of his wedding anniversary? I know it’s a week from Sunday.”
“Yeah.” Her mouth wobbled. “I suggested going to San Francisco or up to Tahoe for the weekend, but he wants to stay here.”
“He’d be better off getting away.”
“Maybe, but you can’t escape memories.” Tessa drew a deep breath and cocked her head. “I wouldn’t even want to. My mother was an amazing woman.”
Gabe wished he knew what to say, but he was the last person to offer comfort, so he dipped a wonton in sweet-and-sour sauce and tossed it in his mouth.
“Are you going to eat all of those?” Tessa asked, breaking into his thoughts.
“Nope.” He handed back the container.
They ate the rest of the meal in companionable silence and returned to looking at their documents. Tessa made a few adjustments and saved them on the computer.
“I don’t know what else we can do,” she said, standing up to stretch and yawn.
Gabe’s mouth went dry. His tastes had always run to tall, generously built women, but Tessa had changed that. After all, a man didn’t need more than a handful, and she certainly provided a very nice handful.
He was crazy about Tessa and wanted her to be crazy about him, but it would be like entrusting a bulldog with a priceless piece of art. How could he take the chance of damaging the very thing that had made him feel truly alive for the first time?