Every Vow She Breaks (14 page)

Reaching across the table, he took her hand and linked their fingers. “Whatever they are, it isn’t my place to criticize men you once cared about, and hurting you was inexcusable. Some of the things you said about me bit a little deeper than I liked, but it was petty of me to lash out in response.”

Her grip tightened. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, either. It’s just that I’m starting to care about you…more than I should. It worries me.”

“Claire—”

“Can we not talk about it right now?” Her gaze dropped. “I should read the card he left. I can’t put it off forever.”

His lips firmed. After a moment, he let go of her hand and stood. “I’ll get it.” Stepping over Scoop, who lay close beside her feet, he grabbed the red envelope off the shelf.

She took the damned thing from him and ripped open the flap. Her hands shook as she pulled out the card to open it. The front photograph portrayed bare legs—male and female—entwined on red satin sheets.

He leaned down to read over her shoulder. “What does it say?”

She glanced up. Anger flickered in her eyes, darkening the blue depths. “It says,
Think hard. Remember your promise. I can’t wait for the honeymoon
.” Slapping the card shut, she threw it down on the table. “That’s disgusting.”

Jed drew in a deep breath and resisted the urge to put his fist through something. “Well, that’s a little more direct than the other notes.”

“I guess you were right about it being one of the men I dated. Still…” She pushed the card away from her. “It’s so unlike any of them to play these kinds of guessing games.”

“You said yourself Ian and Dallas have changed. We’ll look up Ross. Maybe he’s changed, too. Maybe he’s become the type of guy who gets his kicks out of tormenting women.”

“I guess anything’s possible. Obviously one of them either morphed into someone I don’t even recognize, or he did a hell of a job hiding his true personality back when we were together.” She swung her legs out from beneath the table and nudged Scoop out of the way. “Do you still want to leave this afternoon?”

Jed glanced at his watch. “It’s after two. By the time we eat a late lunch then pack up and get out of here, it’ll be too late to stop at the lawyer’s office. They’ll be closed when we reach Fort Bragg.”

“Let’s drive straight through to Sonoma then. We can camp somewhere around there tonight, check out Ross’s alibi tomorrow morning then hit the lawyer’s office on the way back. Whatever it takes to find out who’s doing this to me.”

“You think your ex-fiancé might be the one?”

She pushed a hand through her hair. “I don’t know what to think anymore. If it isn’t Ross sending these insane messages and gifts, I’ll confront both Ian and Dallas. I don’t care if they do think I’m crazy. I want this to stop!”

Reaching down, he pulled her up off the seat. When she leaned against his chest without protesting, he stroked the length of her back, rubbing along her spine. “We’ll find out who it is and end his game for good.”

Her head came up, and her smile was strained as she met his gaze. “As long as it isn’t for better or worse.”

He tilted her chin with one finger. “Good one. You still have your sense of humor. This lunatic can’t keep your spirits down for long.”

Her jaw clenched. “No, he can’t because I won’t let him.”

* * * *

The wipers slapped back and forth, brushing the drizzle from the windshield. Jed slowed as they entered the Sonoma Ridge Campground. Rain dripped from the trees. When a gust of wind rocked the motor home, Scoop pushed his nose against Claire’s leg and moaned.

“This is why I don’t have a tent.” She rubbed the fogged up window with the edge of her sleeve then peered out. “The weather was beautiful this morning.”

“Well, it’s miserable tonight. Sure you don’t want me to call Kane? They have a nice, dry house we could stay in, and it’s only about a half hour drive from here.”

“I’m sure. Your brother might not care, but his wife probably wouldn’t appreciate last-minute company on a school night. Didn’t you say they have three girls?”

“Yes, but Rachel would just go with the flow.”

Leaning back in her seat, Claire raised a brow. “Afraid to get wet in your leaky tent?”

“My tent doesn’t leak, and I’ve camped in worse conditions. Anyway, we can have a relaxing dinner in your wonderfully dry RV.” He grinned. “I’m not above making use of the amenities at hand.”

“In that case, you can pay for your comfort by walking Scoop in this downpour.”

He glanced her way. “Always working the angles.”

“You’re darn right. Stop. This looks like a good spot. The attendant said we could pick whichever one we want.”

“I can barely see through the rain.” He turned into the site and killed the engine. “Feels pretty level, at least.”

“Good enough for one night.” She unfastened her seatbelt and rose to her feet. “If you’ll go register us and take Scoop with you, I’ll cook. It’s getting late.”

“Sounds good. I’ll hook up the electrical while I’m out there, so we’ll have some light.” He stood and inched around her.

Claire backed out of his way, but his chest still brushed against her breasts in the tight quarters. A tingle ran through her, starting near her heart and heading south. She drew in a breath. “Is soup and sandwiches okay? I can make chicken salad from leftovers.”

“That’s why I always cook extra.” He rested a hand on her shoulder then squeezed. “Keep it simple. I know you’re tired.”

She nodded. “I’ve had better days.”

After shrugging into his jacket, Jed flipped up the hood. “We’ll both turn in early tonight. Let’s go, Scoop.”

Thunder rumbled as Claire pulled out a pan and set it on the stove. Searching through the cupboard, she chose a can of hardy minestrone and hoped Jed wouldn’t be starving again an hour after their meal. The man ate more than she and her dog combined. While the soup heated, she shredded the leftover chicken, chopped a green onion and some pecans then mixed it with a little mayonnaise. When the overhead vent rattled in the wind, she juggled the loaf of wheat bread and dropped it on the floor.

“Pull it together, Claire.” Her heart thudded in the silence. She bent to retrieve the bread then drew the curtain across the window over the tiny kitchen sink.

No one’s out there. My imagination is working overtime.

The internal pep talk didn’t help. She was one big nerve stretched to the breaking point.

When the door opened on a gust of wind, she dropped the bread again and swore. The RV rocked as Scoop leaped inside then shook. Jed followed.

Snatching up the bread, she tossed it on the counter before grabbing the dog towel off its hook to dry her soaking wet pet. “That was quick.”

“The minute Scoop peed, we came back.” After Jed hung his dripping jacket, he took the towel from her to mop the floor and glanced up as he rose to his feet. “He wasn’t any happier out there than I was.”

“Thanks for taking him. The soup’s hot, and your sandwich will be ready in a minute.”

“Excellent.” He made no move to take out a bowl, but stood inches away, his eyes filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”

She let out a breath. “That stupid nightgown got to me. I can’t seem to shake a bad case of heebie-jeebies.”

One big hand caressed her cheek. “No one’s here but us. Let yourself relax.”

“I’m trying. The good news is my ankle feels fine, so I can run away from any monsters.”

He snorted. “This guy isn’t a monster. More like a joke. A real man would come right out and face you. This lame-ass is so afraid of rejection he’s playing games instead, probably hoping you’ll be intrigued. I honest to God don’t think you have anything to fear from him. He’s too much of a wimp.”

“I hope you’re right.” She turned away to assemble the sandwiches. “Can we find something else to talk about? I don’t have much of an appetite as it is, and speculating about my stalker isn’t helping.”

“Suits me.” Filling two bowls with soup, he set them on the table then slid onto one seat. “Want to discuss the elephant in the room instead?”

Her lips tilted in a smile as she sat across from him then pushed the plate of sandwiches closer. “Are you calling my dog an elephant?”

He glanced at Scoop, sprawled in front of his empty food bowl. “This elephant is even bigger and more awkward. S-E-X.”

The spoon clattered in her bowl. She choked on the bite of soup and gasped for air. It was several long moments before she could respond. “You want to talk about sex while we eat?”

He calmly chewed and swallowed. Apparently imagining the two of them heating up the sheets didn’t twist his insides into knots the way it did hers.

“Might as well. We’re both thinking about it.” His gaze dropped from her face to her breasts and lingered. “At least I know I sure as hell am. I also know you have concerns, and I don’t want to screw things up between us. So, maybe we should set a few ground rules. That way we won’t have a repeat of our earlier—I don’t even know what to call it. Discussion. Fight. Pissing contest.”

She choked again and dropped her sandwich. Eating obviously wasn’t going to be an option just now. “Pissing contest?”

He shrugged. “We both made a few comments we regretted in order to score points. Problem is the only thing we accomplished was hurting each other when all I really want is to make you happy.”

“Goes both ways. Seems like you give and give and give—comfort, protection, advice. All I do in return is take. How lame does that make me?”

He frowned and set his sandwich back on the plate. “Is that the way you see our relationship?”

She nodded. “How else would I see it? You’re still here because of me, because some psycho is scaring me, and you’re too nice to leave me alone and frightened. I know I said your prime motivation in life is to have a good time, but you’re also a compassionate and giving man.”

“Oh, God, not the nice-guy label.”

“Why not? It’s true.”

“I wasn’t nice when I took a few verbal shots at your exes.”

She swallowed a spoonful of soup, her appetite returning. “No, you weren’t, but overall—”

“I’m a
nice
guy who likes to have
fun
.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Muscles flexed.

Her gaze scanned over his chest and arms before she looked away. “That about sums it up.”
A super-hot, nice guy who likes to have fun.
She forced the thought aside and took a bite of her sandwich.

“You are
so
off base. I’m not sticking around because I feel the burning need to protect you. That’s something my brother would do. Not me. Anyway, as I pointed out, I don’t think you’re in danger. When this guy finally sucks up the courage to face you, you’ll politely tell him to go away, and he’ll go. He’s shown no sign he’s the violent type. Wedding decorations aren’t exactly the tokens of choice left by a serial killer, though the nightie puts a slightly different spin on things.” When she opened her mouth, he held up a hand. “Since the whole situation is bothering you, I’m game to end it sooner rather than later by figuring out who the prankster is and confronting him. Anyway, my curiosity’s roused. My money’s still on Dallas, and I want to see if I’m right.”

Lettuce and chicken scattered as she dropped her sandwich. “So, you’re sticking around to solve
The Case of the Wimpy Wedding Stalker
?”

If her snarky remark angered him, he didn’t show it. “I’m staying because I enjoy spending time with you. Or I would if you’d stop worrying about what I want. I don’t want anything you aren’t fully ready to give. Which leads me back to the original topic. Sex.”

Confusion churned in her stomach. She pushed her bowl away and crossed her arms on the table. “What about it?”

“I think we’re both so busy waiting for the inevitable to happen we’ve created this big cloud of tension. Not surprisingly, the result is an occasional thunderous outburst. In a normal dating situation, we’d get reacquainted in a less intimate setting.” He waved an arm. “Spending so much time alone in close quarters…”

Her eyes narrowed. “You think because we’re brushing up against each other every time we turn around I’m dying to rip your clothes off?”

White teeth flashed in a broad smile. “Are you?”

She shrugged. “Occasionally, but I have incredible self-restraint.”

His shout of laughter roused Scoop from a deep slumber. Scrambling to his feet, the dog went into a barking fit.

Claire clamped both hands over her ears. “Scoop! Stop. You’re going to disturb any campers stupid enough to be out in this pouring rain.”

Jed glanced over when the dog finally quieted. “If I didn’t know you were kidding…”

Standing, she cleared the table then dumped the remains of her sandwich into the trash. The soup bowls clattered into the sink. “I’m not.”

“Huh?”

“Kidding. I’d be lying if I pretended I wasn’t attracted to you.”

“Claire…” When his voice came out in a rasp, he cleared his throat. “Are you saying—”

“No, I’m not. I don’t start relationships based on hormones alone. You’re right, though. This has been a rather intense reunion.” Her chin dropped, and she tightened her grip on the dishrag. “What should have been a couple days of camping and hiking together has turned into a marathon week of emotional upheaval, at least for me.”

He rose to his feet and rested his hands on her shoulders. With a deft movement, he spun her around to face him. She tossed the rag on the counter and met his gaze.

“If you’re uncomfortable having me around, I’ll leave. I never intended to push my way in where I wasn’t wanted. I just assumed you were having as much fun as I was getting to know each other again.”

Reaching up, she rubbed her thumb across the frown lines bracketing his mouth. “I’ve enjoyed our time together, probably more than I should have. I’m only uncomfortable because I know saying good-bye to you isn’t going to be easy. Maybe I should quit anticipating future heartache and simply live in the present.”

His clear blue gaze darkened. “That’s not who you are.”

“It’s who I want to be—just this once.”

“Claire…”

“I’m not going to send you out into the rain to put up a tent.”

“Then I’ll sleep on the floor.”