Chapter 11

Not again.

Daniel ground the pestle against the quinine sulphate, trying not to look at the couple perched on the two stools closest to the pharmacy counter. He leaned into the work, pushing with his shoulder.

“Hey Daniel, take it easy.” Granddad peered around the corner. “I’ve had that mortar for fifty years. I’d like them to survive the summer.”

Laurie’s head tilted toward Brown, a smile flitting across her face. The man’s voice carried across the store, grinding against Daniel’s nerves like the pestle. What does she see in him? She’s from a family of rumrunners; he’s an overzealous Prohibition agent.

And why do I care?

Daniel measured out the powder and poured it into a small bottle. Adding the label, his eyes wandered back to the Romeo and Juliet story playing out in front of him.

“Looks like you waited too long.” His grandfather spoke in a hushed tone, just behind Daniel’s shoulder.

Daniel turned. “Mr. McCurry won’t pick this up for an hour, yet.”

Crinkles appeared around his granddad’s eyes as he smiled. “That’s not what I’m talking about.” He tipped his head in Laurie’s direction. “Time to change that show globe to a new color, I’m thinking. Looks like blue might be taken.”

He turned back toward his work rather than rise to his grandfather’s teasing. The image of Laurie standing in the rain haunted him. Oysters. He shook his head. Rumrunner or no, something about this woman had captured him since he first laid eyes on her.

Granddad was right. He’d moved too slowly.

He braced himself on the counter, trying to ignore Laurie and her date as they laughed and talked over ice cream sodas, the pressure growing in his chest like the carbonation in the soda water. If he didn’t get out of here, he might just bubble over.

Unbuttoning his white coat, Daniel strode to the back room, ignoring the amused look on his grandfather’s face.

Laurie laughed again. “And what happened when you got to the warehouse?”

It hadn’t taken much effort to keep Samuel talking. But keeping her focus locked on him instead of the attractive man at the pharmacy counter—that took concentration.

Samuel wrapped his hand around the tall frost-lined glass, lifting the last spoonful of ice cream to his mouth before answering her question. “By that time, they knew we were coming. They had the entire place cleaned out, top to bottom. We didn’t find as much as a cork to sniff. The entire operation had been moved in a matter of hours.” He wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Keep your eyes on him.

“We were just getting ready to leave when one of their guys comes waltzing in. His eyes were as round as pie pans when he saw us.” He laughed. “Apparently, he’d been sick that morning and hadn’t gotten the tip we were coming. Lucky thing for us, though, because he squealed like a pig on the way to the butcher shop. Told us all about their other cold house locations, and we were able to get the stash after all.” He sat back, smug.

Laurie ran a finger along her jaw, fascinated by how Samuel’s eyes followed her hands. “So you got them after all? That’s remarkable.”

“Sure did. But, man, it was a long day.”

Laurie pulled her soda close to the edge of the counter and peered down into the recesses in an attempt to hide a discreet glance over her shoulder.

Mr. Shepherd had disappeared. Probably off to report to Big Jerry.

She returned her focus to Samuel, noting his arm draped casually along the counter, mere inches from her hand. He’d spent the last hour regaling her with tales of busting up bootlegging gangs in Seattle and smashing backwater stills—each story more thrilling than the last—but her attention remained divided.

Now that her distraction had left, a hollow ache took up residence in her chest. If only the men in her family could be on the right side of the law.

Samuel reached over and placed a hand on her knee. “Penny for your thoughts.”

His touch burned against her leg. She swiveled to the side, out of his reach. “I—I was just thinking how much I was enjoying this.”

A grin crossed his face. “Well, that’s a relief. You looked a million miles away. I thought perhaps I was boring you. Or you were thinking of some other fellow.”

She stifled a laugh. “No, there’s no one else.”

He slid a few coins onto the counter to pay for their drinks. “Can I drive you home?”

The amusement of the moment vanished. And meet her father?

A familiar voice cut in over her shoulder. “That won’t be necessary.” Johnny stood behind her, his feet planted and his eyes like steel. “I’ll be taking her home.”

Samuel stood. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

Laurie swallowed. “Samuel, this is my brother—”

Johnny crossed both arms over his chest. “We’re leaving. Now.”

Samuel’s shoulders rose a few inches. “Laurie, is there a problem?”

Laurie slid off the stool and put what she hoped would be a calming hand on her brother’s arm, shooting him a pleading glance. “Johnny, give us minute. I’ll meet you out front, directly.”

Johnny stood like a scowling soldier for a moment longer before stalking out the door.

A moment of silence followed as Samuel turned to her with a questioning look.

Laurie took a deep breath. “I apologize for my brother. He’s very”—she fought to keep the edge out of her voice—“very protective. Ever since my mother passed away, he’s turned into a guard dog of sorts.”

Samuel touched her arm, his fingers stroking her sleeve. “I’m sorry to hear about your mother. I lost mine also, about a year ago.”

An unexpected rush of compassion trickled through her. “That must have been difficult. Mine was many years ago. I barely remember her.”

He walked over to retrieve her sweater and his hat. “I hope I can make a better impression on your brother the next time we meet.” He held the garment for Laurie as she slipped her arms into it.

She took her time fastening the buttons while she searched for a response. “I think you need to give him time.” She cocked her head and offered him what she hoped was an alluring smile. “Lots of time. And space.”

Samuel leaned closer. “Time, eh? I have time.” He put on his hat and grinned at Laurie. “I’m a patient man. I believe I can wait him out—as long as I still get to see you in the meantime.”