Every Vow She Breaks (7 page)

The bright speculation in his eyes dissolved, leaving only concern. “You aren’t frightened, are you? I thought you were more annoyed than worried. It’s not like the guy left something dead on your windshield.”

“Eww. Don’t even say that!”

She tugged against his hold, but he didn’t let her go. Instead, he wrapped both arms around her. With the solid warmth of his chest behind her, some of her anxiety faded.

“I’m not afraid…exactly. More like unnerved. I’d almost prefer it if the person who left the bells was someone I know rather than a crazy stranger with a possible fixation on me.”

“Well, you can start with the direct approach and ask each of your old boyfriends straight out if he’s the one leaving you messages. Maybe whoever set this up was just trying to be funny.”

“I hope so. Still…” She bit her lip. “I can’t ask either of them a question like that. What am I supposed to say? ‘Um, Ian, have you been harboring a secret obsession with me over the last decade and a half? Since I insisted we have our marriage annulled?’”

His chin came down to rest on top of her head. A little quiver shot through her as his arms tightened.

“So, you think it’s Ian?”

“No, I don’t think it’s Ian. I don’t think it’s Dallas, either. This whole theory of yours is ridiculous.”

“Do you have a better one?”

She let out a sigh. “No. Maybe if I ignore the bells the way I did the champagne glass, whoever left them will get tired of waiting for a reaction and quit bothering me.”

“I guess it’s worth a try. It’s not like he actually threatened you. I’d be more concerned if the messages contained direct warnings.”

“The vagueness is part of what makes it so creepy.”

He turned her in his arms. Light and shadow from the flickering flames danced across his face, but his gaze remained locked on hers.

“You don’t have to worry about it, Claire. No one is going to harm you while I’m around, and I’m not going anywhere.”

For a moment, she relaxed against him then stiffened. “You said you were only staying in the area for a couple of days.”

He shrugged. “Plans change. I’m not on a set schedule, and there’s nowhere I have to be until snow flies in the mountains. That’s two months from now at the earliest.”

“Still, you shouldn’t have to rearrange your life because of me, though I’m grateful for the offer.” Her voice came out a little breathless as his big hands squeezed her waist.

“I do what I want. Right now I
want
to hang out with you. Unless you don’t—want me I mean?”

“I want you.”

When heat shimmered in his eyes, her cheeks burned. She glanced down, wanting to kick herself for the thoughtless remark. “You know what I mean.”

His lips twitched. “I know what you mean. More’s the pity.” One hand left her waist to cup her chin, forcing her gaze upward again. “I’m serious, Claire. No one will hurt you while I’m around. I promise.”

She tried to speak, but emotion clogged her throat. When was the last time anyone put her needs before their own? “Thank you.”

“You bet.”

As much as she was enjoying the hard arms wrapped around her, after the kiss they’d shared in the woods, this type of closeness would only lead to…trouble. Getting involved with Jed would surely be right up there with rollercoasters when it came to fun and excitement, but she wasn’t ready to risk the plummet back to reality. He was the ultimate good time, no strings attached, type of guy. Hadn’t he warned her he’d never had a serious relationship in his life? Alarm bells clanged a raucous tune in her head.

“It’s been a long day. I should go to bed.”

His head dipped, and warm breath fanned her cheeks. “Do you always do what you should?”

She swallowed. “Yes.”

“That’s the difference between us.”

“Oh?” Her stomach fluttered.

“We covered this already. I do what I want.”

He closed the distance, and his lips caressed hers in a kiss so sweet she ached with wanting more. His arms tightened for a moment before pulling away. When she stepped back, he released her completely. Already she missed the contact.

He frowned. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” She fought to bring her breathing under control. “Good night, Jed.”

“Claire?”

Taking two steps forward, she looked back over her shoulder. “What?”

“You don’t have to be afraid. Honest.”

She wondered if he was talking about the wedding stalker or the attraction simmering between them. Either way, she wasn’t sure she believed him.

“I’m not.” The lie slipped easily from her lips.

“Good. See you in the morning.”

* * * *

Jed forked another bite of pancake into his mouth, making inroads on the giant stack, and wondered if he’d died and gone to heaven. The only thing better than eating Ralph’s specialty pancakes was watching Claire savor them. With her eyes closed, she leaned back in the booth and chewed slowly before swallowing with a little moan of pleasure. Heat shot straight to his groin, and he shifted on the seat. He was more than a little surprised at how much he was enjoying her company—especially since she seemed determined not to sleep with him. Platonic relationships with women weren’t usually his thing.

“Oh, God, I’m so glad I let Augusta talk me into ordering these.”

With a smirk, he licked syrup from one finger. “And you said you don’t do sugar.”

“Rules were made to be broken.”

“You don’t have to break them if you don’t make any to begin with.”

She glanced at him and laughed. “I suppose not, but honestly, you sound like you’re still ten years old when you make those kinds of comments.”

“Nothing wrong with that. Ten-year-olds have it good.”

“Claire?”

The voice came from the direction of the entrance. Jed looked over his shoulder at a tall, thin woman with dark hair and tired amber eyes hovering near the taxidermy bear. The eyes brightened as Claire rose from the booth to rush toward her. The two women rocked together in a long embrace before pulling away.

“Oh, my God, you still look like you’re eighteen.”

“Hardly.” Claire grinned. “Wow, it’s so good to see you.”

The woman’s gaze darted toward Jed then back. “Uh, I don’t want to interrupt your breakfast. I didn’t realize you’d have company.”

“You aren’t interrupting. Join us.” Taking her arm, Claire tugged the newcomer toward the booth. “Theresa, this is an old friend of mine, Jed Lafferty. Jed, meet Theresa Wilson. We were best buds in high school.”

He shook her outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you, Theresa. You’re the one who gave Claire the heads-up about the Bigfoot story?”

She nodded. “For years we’ve been saying we should get together. This seemed like the perfect impetus.”

Claire slid into the booth and made room for her friend. “It’s a little odd being back here after all this time, but I’m enjoying it. How are you? How’s Shelby?” She squeezed Theresa’s hand, which was resting on the tabletop.

“Shelby’s wonderful and exasperating. Aren’t all thirteen-year-old girls? I’m good. It was tough for the first couple of years after we lost Roger, but I’m doing much better now.”

“I’m glad.” Claire’s voice held a soft sincerity that lightened as she picked up her fork. “Order some pancakes. They’ll make all your problems disappear. I haven’t had one negative thought since my first bite.”

Theresa smiled. “I’ve already eaten, but finish your breakfast. Maybe coffee…”

Augusta stopped beside the booth to set a mug on the table. After filling it from the carafe she carried, she topped off the other two cups without asking. “Can I get you anything else?”

“This is perfect.” Theresa reached for the metal pitcher containing cream. “Thanks, Augusta.”

“You bet.” The waitress smiled at Jed. “What about you, hon? Want me to have Ralph start a second stack?”

Jed shook his head and groaned. “As much as I’d like to, I’ll have to pass. I won’t be able to move if I eat any more.”

“Lightweight.” With a parting laugh, she walked away.

Claire kept up a steady stream of chatter while they finished eating. Jed’s attention drifted as the two women reminisced about old classmates—until Theresa mentioned Dallas Simms. His hand jerked, slopping coffee. Pulling a napkin from the dispenser, he mopped up the spill.

Creases marred Claire’s forehead. “I ran into Dallas at the market yesterday. He’s changed more than I expected.”

“Not where it counts. Inside, he’s still the same, good-hearted man you dated in high school. Having Mandy move his kids so far away has been a tough blow. I know he doesn’t see them as often as he’d like. If you ask me, the custody arrangement shafted him. His ex-wife made some allegations about his drinking, and the judge sided with her.”

“Were they true?” Claire pushed her cup away and crossed her arms on the table top.

“He has a bit of a problem, but it’s gotten worse since Mandy left. Still, he’d never do anything to endanger his kids.”

“I’m sorry he’s having such a battle. Divorce isn’t easy. Divorce with kids involved is worse. I’ve watched a couple of other friends go through it.”

Theresa sat up straighter. “He threw off some of his gloom and doom when I told him you’d be in town. I know he’s looking forward to seeing you again, catching up on old times.”

“He mentioned something to that effect.”

Theresa glanced at her watch. “Damn. I have to go. I’m showing a house in a half-hour. Can we get together again before you leave town?”

“Sure. I’d love to.”

She stood then turned back. “I almost forgot. Did some lawyer contact you? I gave him your work address.”

Claire frowned. “No, what lawyer?”

“He wouldn’t say, which is why I didn’t give him your cell number or e-mail. Sounded kind of fishy to me, and I didn’t want some shyster harassing you. He mentioned he’d been trying to track you for weeks, but the only addresses he had were your box number in Shady Bend and the apartment you rented in college. Apparently old Mrs. Evans at the post office offered my name and told him I might know where you were since we used to be friends. She isn’t above bending the rules.”

“That’s odd. Why would a lawyer have addresses that old?”

“He said he couldn’t discuss it. I didn’t want to give out your personal information, just in case he was a fraud or something.”

“I appreciate that. If he mailed me anything, I left the Bay Area before it arrived.”

Theresa glanced at her watch again. “Gotta go or my clients will beat me to the house. Bye, Claire. Nice to meet you, Jed.” She hurried away without waiting for a response, and the door slapped shut behind her.

“Is she a realtor?”

Claire nodded. “Theresa got her license after her husband died. I hope she really is doing all right like she said.”

“Your friend seems like a strong, self-sufficient woman.”

“She is.” Claire was silent for a moment as Augusta cleared their plates and left a bill on the table. After she moved to the next booth, Claire frowned and dabbed at a spot of syrup on the Formica surface with a napkin. “I wonder what the whole lawyer thing is about.”

“Can you have someone check your mailbox?”

“I could ask my editor, I suppose.” She shrugged. “It’s probably nothing. Shall we go?”

“If I can still walk after all those pancakes.”

Picking up the bill, he slid out of the booth. Grabbing her purse, Claire did, too. Once they’d paid, Jed held the door for her then followed her outside. Wind swirled, and he zipped his jacket.

Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a white puff. “Cold today, but at least the fog is beginning to clear.”

“Tell me again why you like the coast.”

She raised her head and laughed. “Because… Hey, that’s Preston’s van.” She pointed toward a heap of scrap metal in the parking lot.

“And I thought my SUV was ready for retirement. I’m drawing a blank here. Who’s Preston again?”

“My old buddy from
Nature Exposed
.” She glanced around. “I wonder where he is.”

As she finished speaking, the rear doors of the van creaked open, and a lanky redhead wearing a puffy, black jacket with a piece of duct tape covering one elbow, backed out. When he turned, his gaze zeroed in on Claire, and a wide smile split his face.

She raised a hand and waved then grabbed Jed’s arm to drag him forward. “Come meet Preston. You’ll like him. Everyone does.”

The guy looked like the amiable sort. Good natured if the broad grin was any indication. When their gazes met, the journalist’s held a touch of curiosity.

“Jed Lafferty meet Preston Meyer. It’s like a reunion around here, there’re so many familiar faces popping up.” She fisted her hands on her hips and glanced between the two men with a smile.

Preston’s brows shot up beneath his unruly hair as he straightened. “Are you another contender for the Bigfoot story?”

Claire spoke before Jed could answer. “No, he was my next-door neighbor when I was a kid. Haven’t seen him in twenty-five years.”

The man’s stiff posture eased into a slouch. “Well, that’s a relief. I’m having a hard enough time getting the inside scoop without more competition. That group sure is tight-lipped. I confronted an older woman in the woods yesterday afternoon and got the feeling she’d rather spit in my face than turn loose of any pertinent details.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “Margaret Welsh. She wasn’t exactly warm and friendly with me, either.”

His easy smile returned. “No matter. I’m not giving up. I’ll get a photograph of Bigfoot if I have to settle here permanently to do it. I suppose there are worse places to be stuck for the foreseeable future.”

“Personally, I think it’s all a wild goose chase.” She stuck her hands in the pockets of her jacket and rocked back on her heels. “If nothing breaks in the next few days, I’ll write a lovely piece on the mystery and beauty of the redwoods to submit with my photos. You can have Bigfoot.”

Preston let out a boisterous laugh. “Thanks. I’ll take him.” The chuckles ceased, and resolve glowed in his eyes. “Getting this story will be the answer to all my problems.”

Reaching out, Claire squeezed his arm. “I hope you’re successful. Right now, though, we’d better get moving. We want to hike while the sun is shining, and it may be a brief window of opportunity.”