Every Vow She Breaks (18 page)

“I’m not at home. I’m still on the coast up in the redwoods.”

“Oh? I thought you headed north weeks ago.”

“I did. Then I ran into an old friend and decided there really wasn’t a pressing reason to hurry home.”

“Let me guess.” Humor laced his brother’s words. “An old
female
friend.”

“Well, duh. Why would I stay for a dude? Actually, she asked about you. Do you remember Claire Templeton?”

“Doesn’t ring a bell. Wait. The little girl who lived across the street from us when we were kids? That Claire?”

“She grew up feisty and hot. Getting reacquainted has been great.”

“Hmm.”

“What? Jesus, you sound like your wife when you do that.”

“Nothing. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” There was a brief silence before Kane spoke again. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do for work after the winter is over?”

“That’s months from now. I’ll figure out something.”

Even over the noise of waves slapping against the sand, he could hear his brother’s teeth grinding.

“It wouldn’t kill you to plan ahead once in a while.”

“I don’t know. It might.”

“You’re in rare form. What the hell’s wrong with you? I’m the one who got shot today.”

Taking a deep breath, Jed let it out slowly. “I spent the morning up to my eyeballs in masking tape and paint. Helping out a friend for a few days is fine, but it’s not what I want out of life.”

“Who said it should be?”

After picking up the stick Scoop dropped, he chucked it into the water then swore as the mutt launched into the waves. Terrific. Now he’d have a wet dog on his hands.

“No one. I don’t know. I guess I’m feeling pressured.”

The seconds ticked by. “Jed, is this about Claire?”

“No. Yes.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maybe. I care about her, but she isn’t interested in a bum like me.”

“You’re not a bum. Exactly.”

He rolled his eyes. “Gee, thanks.”

“Back when I was still working in San Francisco, I can’t even count the number of times I wished I had your life. Then I found Rachel and made some major adjustments.”

“I’m glad. You were miserable, but I’m not. I love the way I live.”

“It’s been fine up until now, but your circumstances have changed. Don’t you think maybe you should change with them?”

Scoop dropped the chunk of driftwood on his foot then shook. Icy drops of water sprayed Jed’s face. He winced and swore. The dog was a royal pain in the ass.

“Jed, what’s going on?”

His brother’s voice intruded on his thoughts.

“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Look, I appreciate the advice, but I am who I am. I can’t change for a woman.”

“I guess not. Look, I have to go. Are you going to be okay?”

“I always am.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.”

The phone went dead. With a snort, Jed stuffed it back into his pocket. Kane thought he was so smart just because he had his life together. Maybe he envied his brother’s happiness a little, but that didn’t mean he wanted what Kane had.

Did it?

* * * *

“It’s okay, Bart. Honestly. I know work comes first.” Pressing the phone to her ear with her shoulder, Claire sprayed the paint roller with the hose and eyed the SUV bumping along the driveway.

“I said I’d help, and I meant it. Maybe tomorrow…” His smooth voice trailed off.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be painting tomorrow. I have a call in to my editor about a new story idea, and I may need to follow up on that. How about if I contact you?”

“Sure. We should be here for a few more days at least to wrap things up and take down the camp. I’d like to get together again.”

The man was nothing if not persistent. “Thanks, Bart. I need to go, but I’ll be in touch.” She pocketed the cell, dropped the roller into the pan then braced herself as Scoop leaped from the now stationary SUV to race across the weedy lawn. His greeting knocked her on her butt.

“Sorry about that.”

She shoved the dog off her and glanced up into Jed’s sparkling eyes. “You don’t look sorry.”

He held out a hand. When she grasped it, he hauled her to her feet. “Shouldn’t you call him a bad boy for jumping on you?”

“I tried that for six months. All it did was make both of us miserable, but not miserable enough for Scoop to change his habits.” She stood on her tiptoes to give him a kiss that lasted longer than she’d intended. She drew in a ragged breath as she stepped away.

“I guess you can’t teach an old dog—or a stubborn, young one—new tricks.”

“Looks that way, doesn’t it. You were gone quite a while.”

“Did you miss me?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and squeezed.

She leaned into his side, letting his warmth take away the chill of the encroaching fog. “Theresa kept me company, but yes, I did miss you. With your height, painting the ceiling in the master bedroom would have been a whole lot easier.”

He pressed a hand to his chest but couldn’t hide a grin. “I’m wounded.”

“I bet.” Her nose wrinkled. “What’s that smell?”

“Probably me. Your dog rolled on a dead fish at the beach, and it was quite a tussle getting him washed off. He still needs a bath, and I need a shower.”

“Lucky for you the hose is already out. I’ll get you some dog shampoo.”

“Oh, joy.”

“I’m not the one who took him to the beach instead of painting.” She smiled up at him. “Just to show what a good sport I am, I’ll make dinner while you get cleaned up. Right after I put away the painting supplies.”

“All right. Deal.”

Claire took two steps then stopped and turned. “Is everything okay?”

“Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. You seem kind of quiet. I expected more of an argument over giving Scoop a bath.”

“I don’t mind.”

Little lines radiated from his eyes, and the smile curving his lips seemed strained.

“Look, you don’t have to help me paint if you don’t want to. This is your vacation, after all. You should spend it having fun.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ll survive a few days of painting.”

She took another step then hesitated. “I’m not trying to domesticate you. I’m fully aware it would be a colossal waste of time.”

“So, you’re not even going to make an attempt?”

Her brows pinched. “Do you want me to?”

“No.” He let out a breath. “Don’t mind me. I’m in a mood. Kane called a while ago to tell me he was shot.”

“What?” Turning, she rushed back to lay a hand on his arm. “Oh, my God, is he okay?”

“Just a flesh wound. Still, it cemented my long held belief that life’s short. We should do our best to enjoy the time we have.”

Dread filled her, and her stomach clenched. Something in his eyes…she swallowed and forced herself to speak. “What are you trying to say?”

“I don’t know. Nothing.” He clasped her cheeks between his palms then bent to kiss her. A quick brush of the lips. “I’m no philosopher. Get me that shampoo, and I’ll go wash the dog.”

The breath left her in a whoosh. Maybe she was imagining problems where none existed. Maybe Jed wasn’t regretting that they were still together, or thinking about ending it. One thing was certain, she would ignore Theresa’s well-intentioned advice. Now wasn’t the time to tell him how she was really feeling because she was pretty certain a declaration of love—or a strong leaning toward that overrated emotion—would push him right over the edge and out of her life.

“Claire?”

“Huh? Oh, right, dog shampoo. I’m going.”

She practically ran to the motor home. Anything to escape a possible confession that would surely break her heart.

“I have to drive down to San Francisco.” Claire set her phone on the table next to her half-eaten breakfast and frowned. “My editor wants to discuss the proposal I e-mailed her.”

Jed swallowed the toast he’d just bitten into. “Seems like she did plenty of talking while your eggs got cold.”

“We discussed the fact that my last piece was about redwoods instead of Bigfoot. Louise is bummed I didn’t get the photo of a lifetime.” She picked up her fork. “Not half as bummed as I am. Still, we haven’t had a face-to-face conversation in months, and she has some concerns about the scope of the new story. I don’t mind a quick trip to the city.”

“What exactly is this new project?”

“Creatures from the sea.” She pointed out the motor home window toward the gray expanse of ocean. “The view from here inspired me.”

“Are we talking seals or mermaids?” Jed took another bite, his eyes bright with curiosity. Leaning back, he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

She tore her gaze away from mobile lips—
damn the man was kissable
—and cleared her throat. “Uh, sea lions, walruses, sea otters…normal sea animals.”

“Mermaids would be more interesting.”

“Not to mention harder to photograph. I’ve been down that road once already, and I’m not going back.”

“You’re no fun.”

“That’s not what you said last night.”

The blue of his eyes deepened. “Those types of comments will get you nothing but trouble.”

Heat crept up her neck. “We don’t have time for any more
trouble
. I have to hit the road.”

“Can I come with you?”

“You’d rather drive than paint?”

He snorted. “No contest. Anyway, the trip doesn’t have to be all about work. We can have an evening out after your meeting. I could go for something a little more glamorous than Ralph’s Diner for a change.”

She glanced up from poking at rubbery eggs. “You mean I get to dress up?”

“Sure. I may have packed something other than jeans and T-shirts.”

Standing, she dumped her plate into the sink. “A real date. Imagine that. Go do whatever it is you need to do so I can get ready. Now I’m excited.”

He rose to his feet and paused beside the door. “Let’s take my car and spend the night in a hotel. It’ll be a nice break from the motor home.”

Turning, she grabbed him by the shoulders and stretched up to place a smacking kiss on his lips. “Better watch out or I’ll start thinking you’re civilized.”

When barking erupted in the yard, he glanced out the window. “Your dog must have treed another squirrel.”

She slapped her forehead. “Well, damn. What’re we going to do with Scoop? Hotels don’t usually want dogs his size.”

“Would your friend take him overnight?”

“Maybe. I’ll call her. Go. I need to dress and pack.”

His expression turned serious as he ran a thumb across her cheek. “You deserve to be treated like a queen. It’s about time I stepped up.” Backing away, he opened the door. “I’ll go take the mutt for a run. See you in a few.”

When Theresa didn’t answer her cell, Claire called her home phone and spoke to her teenage daughter who assured her she would love to watch Scoop. Hoping her friend would be half as enthusiastic about the arrangement, she promised to drop him off on the way out of town. After cleaning up the breakfast dishes, she packed, then dressed in a pair of slim-fitting pants and a lilac blouse, added a dash of makeup and smiled at her reflection in the mirror on the back of the closet door. Cool and professional for the meeting with her editor who’d agreed to come in on the weekend, but still comfortable for the drive.

The smile faded. As much as she appreciated Jed’s efforts to plan an evening out, something felt a little off. Almost as if he were creating a few special memories to soften the blow when he walked away. She gave herself a mental shake, determined not to second guess his every move. She’d simply enjoy the day and the company.

The door squeaked open as the man she couldn’t get out of her thoughts poked his head inside. After a slow perusal, he smiled. “You look really nice. Ready to go?”

Nice?
With an eye roll, she turned back to the mirror. “Just about.”

“I unloaded all the camping equipment and put it in the house. What about the dog?”

“We’ll leave him with Theresa.”

“Great. I locked up after dumping my gear. I’m ready whenever you are.”

Knowing Jed’s penchant for driving with the windows down, she took another moment to secure her hair in a gold clip then grabbed her purse, computer case and overnight bag before locking the door behind her. She tossed the luggage in the back of the SUV beside Scoop and moaned. “Damn, I forgot his food and bowl.”

“I got them while you were messing with your face. The leash, too.”

She hitched herself up onto the seat and slammed the door. “You really are handy to have around. Thanks.”

“I do have my uses.” He started the engine, lowered the gear shift, and they bumped down the driveway.

“One more expense. Filling in the pot holes. Turn left at the highway. Theresa lives on Elm Street just this side of town.” They rode for several minutes in companionable silence. When Scoop pushed his head between the seats, Claire reached up to stroke his ears. “Shelby promised to take him for a walk after she gets home from volleyball practice. I hope he won’t miss us too much.”

“I think the dog will survive. Is that the right street?”

“Yep, it’s the fifth house on the left, the green one with the fenced yard.”

Jed pulled into the driveway. While she let Scoop out of the car and opened the gate, he retrieved the food and bowl. “Where should I put this stuff?”

“I guess by the door. Theresa must be working since her car isn’t here.” Claire gave the dog a hug and was rewarded with a slobbery lick. “Be a good boy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When the latch clicked into place, Scoop barked and lunged against the fence.

She bit her lip. “Maybe—”

“He’ll be fine. Let’s go.”

With a final backward glance, she climbed into the vehicle. “He’d better stop barking, or the neighbors are going to complain.”

“They’ll get over it.” Reaching across the center console, he squeezed the hand clenched on top of her thigh. “Sit back and relax. Today is about enjoying ourselves.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” She smiled. “I promise not to stress over my dog.”

Once they were back on the highway, he turned the radio on low and picked up speed. “Classic rock okay with you?”