Chapter 23

The lighthouse stood like a sentry, guarding the entrance to the harbor. Laurie sank her teeth into the last chunk of fish, dabbing at the grease dribbling from her chin. The wind lifted her hair, blowing it back from her face.

Samuel leaned back against the upholstered seat, stretching his arms upward. “That was amazing. I haven’t had fish that good in years.” He turned in the seat, his gaze traveling over Laurie. “You are being very quiet.”

She stared out at the water, mesmerized. “The water is so rhythmic. I always find myself drifting away when I watch it.”

“Drifting where?”

“Nowhere. Everywhere.”

He reached for her hand. “How can I bring you back here?”

His touch sent a shiver up her skin. She drew her hand away. “I think you just did.”

“So, have you thought about our conversation the other day?”

She rubbed a finger along the side seam of her dress. As if I could think about anything else. “Yes, but I don’t know that I have anything new to tell you.”

He slid his hand up and down along the white leather seat, mere inches from her leg. “I’ve been wondering about some of the men at the mill where your father works.”

Her throat tightened. “My father doesn’t talk about work much. And he doesn’t usually spend time with them after hours.”

Samuel tipped his head, tapping his left hand on the steering wheel. “He doesn’t go play cards with the boys or anything?”

“What are you implying?”

“Nothing unseemly. I just thought maybe he would have an idea of who is behind the bootlegging. I could come by and talk to him—”

“No.” Laurie twisted in her seat to face Samuel. “You don’t need to do that.” She slowed her breathing, forcing her knees to stop bouncing. “It would be better if I spoke to him about it.”

Samuel lifted his fingers from the seat and placed them on top of her hand. “If you think it’s best.”

She laced her fingers between his and maneuvered their hands to a safer location away from her knee. “I—I do. He’s very private.”

He rubbed a finger along her palm, sliding a few inches closer. “Does that trait run in your family?”

“I suppose.” His presence sent jolts of current across her skin. She shifted in her seat. “Tell me more about your evening. Did you see any likely suspects?”

He leaned back, creating a bubble of comfortable space between them. “Pretty typical stuff. Men playing cards, couples dancing, women serving drinks and food.”

“Drinks? Like hard liquor?”

“Those disappeared quickly after I arrived. Probably replaced by soft drinks and water.”

Laurie smiled as she imagined the frantic rearranging that must have taken place.

“I think I saw your brother there.”

His words were like a bucket of cold water. She opened her mouth and closed it again. “Johnny?” She retrieved her calm operator voice. “He sometimes likes to play cards, I suppose.”

A tiny twitch in Samuel’s forehead made her stomach churn. She’d revealed part of her hand.

“I only saw him briefly. He slipped out the back as soon as he spotted me.” Samuel lifted her hand and placed it on his leg, as if to draw her closer.

Sweat broke out on her skin.

“He didn’t seem to care for me when I met him that first time. Do you think he’d approve of us sitting here like this?” He ran his other hand up her arm.

Her thoughts raced. “No, I’m certain he wouldn’t approve.” She lifted her chin and forced herself not to pull away. “But that’s his problem.”

“Glad to hear it.” His hand continued up her arm until it reached her shoulder. He leaned close and nuzzled his nose along the side of her face. “You hair smells wonderful. Lavender.”

She held her breath. As his hand traveled up her neck and snaked into her hair, it felt like a real snake coiled in her belly. When his lips touched her ear, she jerked back, feeling his hand pull through the strands of her hair. “Samuel, don’t.”

A grim shadow flashed in his eyes. He released his grip, retreating to his own side of the seat.

She shivered with the tension of the moment, awaiting his angry outburst. “I’m sorry, it’s just—”

He held up his hand. “Don’t apologize, please.” He sat in silence for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the reddening sky.

She scooted closer and touched his arm with her fingertips. “Samuel . . . ”

“I’ll take you home.”

An oppressive silence and chill loomed in the automobile as they approached her house. He opened her door, his green eyes glittering with some unspoken emotion that she couldn’t decipher. She stopped him from following her to the door by placing a hand on his chest. “Let’s say good-night here.”

“If that’s what you want.” Samuel placed a hand over hers, pressing it to his chest.

Her mouth grew dry as she focused on the sensation of warmth radiating through his shirt, her feet suddenly unwilling to move.

Samuel locked his other hand behind her waist and hauled her close. Lowering his face, he pressed his lips to hers, a lingering kiss. His hand caressed the curve of her back. “That’s all I wanted,” he whispered.

She kept her eyes closed until his arm released her. She stepped back, her chest aching from holding her breath, her lips tingling.

“Can I see you again tomorrow?”

A moment passed before she trusted her voice. “Let’s make it Saturday.”

He smiled, touching a finger to the brim of his fedora. “Saturday, then. I’ll be counting the days.”

Laurie walked up the steps on rubbery knees, clinging to the doorpost for stability until Samuel got back into his automobile and drove away, a cloud of dust rising in the dim light. Her body trembled, whether from fear or attraction, she wasn’t certain. Laurie reached for the screen door, eager to collapse on her bed and hide under the covers.

“Have a nice evening?” The voice floated from shadows lingering in the far corner of the porch.