Even under the circumstances, Julianne was thrilled to travel to Friday Harbor, a one-square-mile, population-2,000 city on the island called San Juan, which offered what she missed most—shopping, restaurants and people. And knowing Jamey was going to help her get off the island meant she could just relax and go along with Zach’s demands.
They took care of the marriage license first. She didn’t put up a fight, which earned her both his thanks and a frown, which she hoped didn’t indicate that he knew what she was up to. Only the tiniest amount of guilt ran through her mind at her pretense. It wasn’t as if people who got marriage licenses had a legal obligation to use them, after all.
“Would you like to buy something new to wear for the wedding?” he asked as they walked through the tourist section.
“I don’t see why.”
“You already have something appropriate?”
What would he consider appropriate? A long gown with a train? A veil? How could she do that? That was part of her dream. She needed to hold onto that dream for when the right man—
Why did Zach seem like the right man? Why did a hot little ache settle in her heart every time she thought about marrying him. She wasn’t going to marry him. Period.
“I don’t need anything new,” she said for the sake of argument, not wanting to make anything too easy on him.
“It needs to look real. We’ll have pictures taken. They’ll be displayed. You should look like a bride.”
“Maybe I’ll wear my bikini.”
His hesitation lasted two beats. “Suit yourself.”
It wasn’t much fun trying to get a rise out of him when he was…unrisable. He probably knew she wasn’t about to miss out on the opportunity to shop. Was it a good thing that he knew her that well?
She let herself enjoy the temporary freedom. It felt wonderful being out, as if awakening from hibernation. She drank in the sights—people walking, saying hi to friends and acquaintances, laughing. Especially laughing.
She felt twenty pounds lighter as she and Zach ambled along. Then the front-window display of a shop caught her eye. Trendy clothes but not outrageous. She would buy something, after all. To keep him off track, to make him think she’d resigned herself to the wedding. She headed to the front door, then sensed him directly behind her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she asked, facing him.
“Coming with you.”
“I don’t need help shopping. In fact, the groom isn’t supposed to see the bride before the wedding.”
“As you keep pointing out, this isn’t a real wedding,” he said. “And if you think I’m giving you any opportunity to get away, when you’ve specifically told me you would try, you’re crazy.”
She did have a back-up plan, having decided she shouldn’t completely depend on Jamey to do something she should be doing herself. Nothing was finalized yet, but she knew she couldn’t get away from him on this island. She needed to get to the mainland. Anacordes.
“I can see from here that there’s a back door to the shop,” he added.
“Really, Zach, where would I go?”
“You’re resourceful.”
The compliment pleased her. “I promise I won’t run.”
He eyed her for several long seconds, as if challenging her promise as something he could believe in, then he held out his hand. “Your wallet.”
She sighed dramatically and passed him her purse.
He recoiled. “Just your wallet.”
She grinned. “Does it undermine your masculinity to hold my purse?”
He kept his hand out until she set her wallet there.
“Anyone tell you you’re too serious?” she queried, then was sorry when his eyes dulled, as if she’d insulted him.
“Yes.”
“Ever think about changing?”
“Never.”
The word came without hesitation. So, why did she think he wasn’t telling the truth? That he had, indeed, wanted to change. Something new lurked in his eyes, different from what she’d seen before. Not criticism or curiosity. Not exasperation or enjoyment. Not desire, either. Hope? A wish for himself?
Tenderness swamped her, unbidden and unwanted. “You have the power to do anything, Zach. To be different. To fulfill your dreams. What do you dream about?”
“I never dream.”
Worse than she expected.
“I’ll wait here for you,” he said, his voice cool.
“I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.”
She rejoined him an hour later, a dress bag in hand. They found a little market, bought some cheese and bread and apples, plus a bottle of Merlot and two glasses, then they sought out a park bench where they could watch the harbor as they shared the food.
They ate and talked and were quiet, too. Some gulls flew overhead, noisy and daring. Against Zach’s caution, Julianne tossed chunks of bread to them. The birds got braver. One swooped over the picnic table and pulled the heel of the loaf over the edge, too heavy to carry off. Several birds attacked the hunk then squawked at her when there was nothing left.
Zach raised his brows at her, saying he’d told her so without saying the words. She laughed.
They cleaned up their trash. She realized that she hadn’t had to pretend to have a good time with him. Because it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to do, she raised up on tiptoe and lightly touched her lips to his. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, deepening the kiss.
“Get a room!” someone shouted from a passing car.
They broke the kiss but didn’t move apart.
“We should get back to the Prom,” he said, his arm dropping away from her waist.
She nodded, thoughtful, wondering, not for the first time, if she was making a mistake running out on him. Maybe they could make something of the relationship beyond his need that a wife not testify against her husband. He just needed the right woman—
What was she thinking? She wanted to finish college, actually attend classes on campus. She wanted to be independent and carefree. And eventually she wanted to marry a man who loved her, adored her, cherished her. A man who kept no secrets.
That man was worth waiting for.
At home later, Zach lurked near the dining room, awaiting Julianne’s arrival for dinner. Their day in Friday Harbor had been long but surprisingly entertaining. She’d been in a good mood most of the time, had teased him, flirted with him, even kissed him once. He’d enjoyed her good spirits and the fact she didn’t argue with him.
That was about to change.
An hour ago Jamey had called just as they arrived back at the castle. She’d said a cheerful hello into her cell phone then the color leeched from her face. It was apparent that Jamey was telling her he wasn’t going to help her leave the island. Without a glance in Zach’s direction she’d hurried up the tower stairs. She hadn’t come out since.
“Should I tell her that dinner is ready?” Mrs. Moody asked, concern in her eyes.
“Yes, please.”
A few minutes later, Mrs. Moody returned. “She says she’s not hungry.”
He forced a smile. “That’s a first.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Moody.”
She nodded then left. Now what? Should he give Julianne time to accept the forthcoming marriage—something he didn’t believe she’d done, because she’d thought Jamey would help her leave the island. He’d gotten a taste today of life with her when she was happy, and he’d felt hope for the future, that at least they could live together peacefully until—
Until.
Now she would feel stuck. And everything would revert back to her initial reaction. She didn’t want to marry him, to be saddled with him, even though it was for her own protection.
Surely she could see that it was more of a benefit to her so that she didn’t have to go to court again, and admit to being associated with a criminal again. And this case would garner a whole lot more media attention than her brother’s had.
She didn’t see it that way, of course. He couldn’t really explain it to her, either. The less she knew, the more protected she was.
Or was that just an excuse?
He didn’t want to examine that idea, so he climbed the stairs to her room instead and knocked.
She opened the door. He’d expected her to be angry. Instead, she looked…worn out. Or maybe resigned.
“What?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“Mrs. Moody said you weren’t hungry. I was checking to see if you’re okay.”
“I’m tired.”
“It was a long day.”
“I’m going to bed early.”
At seven o’clock? “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“No, thank you.”
He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the granola bar he’d grabbed on his way through the kitchen. “Just in case,” he said, passing it to her.
Her eyes welled. What the hell? It was just a granola bar.
“I can’t let you win, Zach,” she whispered.
Ah. She wasn’t done fighting him, after all. What next? And would he admire her as much if she didn’t fight?
“This wasn’t part of your plan.”
She brushed at the tears that spilled down her cheeks. “Or my dreams.”
He decided he didn’t want her to explain that. “I’ll see you at breakfast?”
“Sure.”
“Good night.”
The door closed slowly behind him as he went down the stairs, as if she didn’t have enough strength to just shut it. He stopped in the kitchen. “I’ll have dinner now, Mrs. Moody.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And if you would, please take Julianne a mocha in a little while.”
“I’d be happy to. She’s doing better, then?”
“She’ll be fine.”
He had to keep a closer eye on her now. She had two days left to get out of the marriage. He was sure she would make the most of that time.
Julianne figured only one option remained for her. She had to find a way to leave the island by boat. She knew no resident would give her a ride, so her only hope was the man who brought the mail. However, since he pulled right up to the dock where Lil could see him from her store, Julianne’s chances of talking to him alone were slim.
But if she didn’t try, she wouldn’t forgive herself.
“I’m going to Lil’s,” she announced to Mrs. Moody after lunch. Mr. Moody and Zach had left on foot a while ago, heading toward where the helicopter always landed. “Do you need anything?”
“Nothing, thanks. Are you taking the Jeep?”
“That’s okay, isn’t it?”
“I don’t see why not.”
Mrs. Moody opened a cupboard door and chose a key ring with a single key on it. On the next hook was the boat key attached to a floating bobber. Could she? Did she dare?
No. Even if she stole the key and somehow started the motor, she didn’t know where to head, especially at night, which was her only hope—late at night, while everyone slept. She wasn’t foolish enough to think she could do that.
A while later she wandered into Lil’s, passed the time eating brownies and drinking coffee. Finally the mail boat came.
“Oh, I forgot a letter I brought with me,” Julianne said. “I’ll get it from the Jeep.”
She retrieved the letter and walked slowly to the dock, giving Lil and the man time to talk, hoping he would just take her letter and go. Lil lingered, laughing. Flirting? Julianne turned the envelope upside down and passed it to him.
Please don’t turn it over yet. But please look at it later. Please.
He tucked it in his bag then waved goodbye. Julianne took her first deep breath in minutes. She managed to smile at Lil but left right away. Julianne was taking a big risk, but it was her only shot.
Sometime tonight she would have her answer—if he sorted the mail himself and found her note. And if he was willing.
She checked her cell phone to make sure it was on.
Then she waited.
The call came just before dinner.
“Meet me at midnight at the dock,” he said in a raspy whisper, as if someone might overhear.
“I’ll be there.” She had already packed a bag, just one, traveling light.
Regret tried to push through the wall of relief she felt. She would leave the island at midnight. She would disappear for as long as she could stand it. She wouldn’t even let Jamey know where she was.
After a while Zach would forget all about her.
But she would never forget him.
Julianne saw the boat’s running lights just before midnight. She was crouched low but stood as the boat neared. She walked down the wood planks to the end of the dock, the darkness terrifying.
The boat’s motor decelerated. Her pulse pounded. Nausea made her light-headed. He tossed a line to her. She grabbed it and pulled him close. A canvas top protected him from a drizzle that had started an hour ago. She tossed her canvas bag into the back of the boat. The man stood, extended his hand.
“Going somewhere, Julianne?”
She stumbled back. Zach! How did he—Who told—Her shoulders slumped. She should’ve known. Everyone was loyal to him. Everyone.
She plopped onto the dock. He hopped out of the boat and sat beside her.
“That’s it,” she said, for some reason not angry or even disappointed. She’d given it her best shot. It just wasn’t good enough. She didn’t have his resources.
“Nice try,” he said lightly.
She smiled and shrugged. “Thanks.”
“As I said before, you’re resourceful. And daring.”
“And foolish, I suppose.”
He shook his head. “I admire you.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah.” He brushed her damp hair back from her face. “You’ve certainly made my life interesting.”
“I have, haven’t I?”
He nodded. “Ready to go home?”
“Ready.”
“No more attempts to escape?”
“I have one more day, Zach.”
He laughed, an exasperated sound. She realized she loved the sound, and that she was responsible for it.
“Did he call you?” she asked after they stood.
“On his way back to Anacordes.”
Something in his tone of voice alerted her. “You guessed I would approach him, didn’t you?”
“You didn’t have many options.”
She sighed. He didn’t have to worry. She was done attempting a getaway. Her fate was sealed. It helped that Jamey had insisted Zach was a good man. Did Jamey really know what Zach did?
It didn’t matter. None of it did. Because she was about to become Mrs. Zachary Keller. Nothing could stop it now.