Night Waves (9 page)

“You’re right,” she admitted.

“So, the best way to keep you safe is to keep you close to me.”

“Look, I appreciate the gesture. But, I can…”

“You’re coming with me, Cali.” He took a step toward her.

“But…”

“Why resist? I’ll use my finesse on you until you agree.”

A faint smile sprang to her lips. “Very funny. But, I don’t like being somewhere I’m not wanted.”

“I do want you.” Nick cleared his throat, shifted his weight from one foot to the other and added, “To stay at my cottage. It’s the safest place for you.” But, he wanted her to stay close for more reasons than to protect her. “Pack your bags. You can ride with me.”

“What about my car?”

“I’ll make sure it gets to my cottage.”

“I can drive.”

He touched her hand. “You’re still shaking. Besides, I’m not going straight home. You can come with me, and I’ll get you settled in later.” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

“I had plans today.”

“Plans change. Get your stuff. I’m heading over to a friend’s house to check on her.”

“A friend?”

“Yeah. I believe you’ll like her.”

“She won’t mind?” Cali asked hesitantly.

“It’s not a date, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

He detected a flicker of relief cross her features before she agreed.

It only took Cali a few minutes to pack, and Nick helped her load her items into the backseat of his truck. He helped her into the passenger side, and then climbed in.

“You scared me when I couldn’t reach you on the phone. I called twice. Why didn’t you pick up?” He cranked the ignition and set the air conditioner to high, in hopes of combating the rising temperatures.

“I dropped my cell phone in the room when you told me to get out. I heard it ringing but was afraid to go back in and get it. I’m sorry I scared you.”

Nick blew out a breath and relaxed. He rolled his left shoulder, trying to ease the persistent ache. “It’s OK. You did right by not going back in there.”

He remembered the sting of jealousy when he had arrived and found Owen’s arm around Cali. He didn’t have the right to be jealous, but he was. “When did Deputy Owen arrive?”

“Right after I called you. He said he was having breakfast at a place nearby, and that’s how he got here so fast.” She hesitated and hugged her arms. “Nick, do you trust him?”

He shrugged. “Yes. With the things that matter.”

“Things that matter?”

“He can be presumptuous at times, and cocky. But when it comes to his job, he’s good at it. Why do you ask?”

“Never mind.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m just uncomfortable being alone with him.”

His protective instincts kicked in. “What did he do?”

“Nothing. Not really.”

“Cali, if he was inappropriate with you, I need to know.”

“He wasn’t. I just didn’t like being alone with him.”

The relief he felt shouldn’t have been so intense, but knowing Cali’s feelings toward Deputy Owen made Nick realize his bout with jealousy was over nothing. He backed out of the parking spot and pulled out onto the beach road heading north.

“I hadn’t planned on coming out this way today since I’m off duty. I was at home when you called. I got to you as soon as I could.”

“I know you did. I’m not blaming you for anything. Deputy Owen just happened to be closer than you at the time.”

He shook his head and tightened his grip on the wheel. “I should never have asked you to speak at the press conference. The stalker must have seen you. I put you in danger.” The responsibility for his rash decision weighed heavily on his shoulders.

“You don’t know that. The guy could have seen me somewhere else.”

“It’s possible. But I doubt it,” he argued.

“Don’t blame yourself, Nick. It won’t do any good. What’s done is done.”

“I’m surprised to hear you say that when you shoulder so much blame yourself.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked away.

He pulled the truck to a stop on the side of the road, cupped her chin and gently brought her focus back. “I’m talking about how you regret not coming with Serena. Isn’t that why you won’t leave the island and trust me to do my job?”

“I…” She took a deep breath. “I don’t know what I feel right now besides being scared from the break-in and scared for Serena. I hate not knowing what’s happening.”

“And, you blame yourself for her abduction.”

Cali pushed his hand away yet kept her simmering gaze on him. “So what if I do?”

“Then I’d say you have major control issues, and you need to learn your limitations.”

A blush rose up her cheeks, and she looked out the side window.

Guilt nudged him. “Cali, I didn’t mean to be so blunt. Sometimes I say things before…”

“You’ve talked about limitations before,” she interrupted. “You said you learned a long time ago you have them. What happened?”

Returning his gaze to the road, Nick contemplated the wisdom in revealing his past. He had wanted to tell her when they had disagreed on the beach to prove a point, but now second thoughts made him hesitate. He hadn’t told anyone about the incident in a long time and was not sure if he was prepared to do it now.

The silence stretched as he maneuvered the truck back onto the road and through the interior of the island. Weaving through the back roads, he took the shortest route to the west side. When they arrived at their destination, a small, one story cottage on the bay, he pulled into the driveway and cut the engine.

Cali looked at him. “It’s OK. You don’t have to tell me what happened.”

Nick glanced her way. “I haven’t told anyone about it in a long time.” He felt his resolve weakening when he met her eyes. “You really want to know?”

“Of course.”

“All right. Then I’ll show you.” Nick stepped out of the truck and came around to open the passenger side door. He knew he was risking becoming vulnerable by exposing his past, but he lifted his hand and helped her out anyway, preparing himself for her reaction.

Night Waves

Breathe. Cali stood, mesmerized by Nick’s bare chest, as she took in his tanned, muscular physique. She tried to adjust to the fact Nick had just stripped his navy blue T-shirt off right in front of her.

Then her gaze landed on the scar.

She reached for his left shoulder, to touch the jagged remains of what looked like it had been a gaping wound, but he shifted away.

“This,” Nick pointed to the scar, “is what reminds me every day I have limitations, and I cannot control every situation that comes my way.” He turned. The scar continued six inches down the back of his shoulder.

Cali took a hesitant step across the graveled drive. This time as she reached for him, he didn’t pull away. His skin felt warm to her fingertips as she traced the scar from beginning to end. Goose bumps broke out on his arms and across his back in spite of the warm day. He stilled as she pressed her palm against the worst of the scarring, and his firm muscles tensed beneath her touch.

“What happened?” Her voice cracked.

He covered her hand with his. “A few years ago, we got a call for a dispute at the Haven Inn. It’s a popular oceanfront hotel with a bar that stays open until 4:00 a.m. On occasion, we’ll be called in when someone’s gone over their drink limit and has gotten out of hand. That night, a group of college guys got into a fight over a girl. I was off duty at the time the call came in, but I was only two blocks away. So, I decided to go. Without backup. I thought I could handle it on my own. I was wrong.”

He stepped away. Cali’s hand fell to her side. She crossed her arms and prepared for what he might say next.

“I should’ve known better than to go in alone the moment I saw three guys in a fist fight.”

“What did you do?”

He shrugged. “I stepped into the middle of it.”

“And one of them had a knife?”

“Yep.”

She sucked in a breath. “Oh, Nick.”

“I had one guy cuffed and searched right away. I turned to break up the other two, but one of them pulled out a switchblade. He waved it around, threatening everyone close to him. The crowd scattered.” Nick closed his eyes as if recalling the scene in detail. “It wasn’t safe to pull my gun. I knew I couldn’t get a clean shot.” He shook his head and looked at her. “I should’ve waited for backup.”

“But you couldn’t have known one of them would have a knife. How many tourists walk around armed?”

“You’d be surprised.” Nick ran a hand over his face, stepped to the side, and then leaned against his truck. “I was born and raised here. I started my law enforcement career here, but I wanted to experience the big city life for awhile. I’d just come back from working in the Las Vegas P.D. for four years when this happened. I thought I’d seen everything. I thought I could handle anything that could possibly happen on Coral Isle on my own.”

“So you discovered your limitations.”

“That’s right. My pride took a hit, and I learned a little bit about humility.” He shrugged and pulled on his shirt. “And I realized God created us to need each other. We weren’t made to carry the load alone, Cali. We need help from God and each other.”

“So the guy with the knife came after you?”

“No. He went after the girl he couldn’t have.”

Cali gasped. “Oh, no.”

“I saw his intentions and pushed her out of the way.”

“Then he stabbed you instead,” she spoke her assumptions aloud.

Nick winced, as if recalling the initial pain.

“I don’t understand how people can do such things.” She shivered and glanced at his shoulder again. “Does it still hurt?”

“Every day.”

Cali wanted to help heal the emotional wounds that must remain along with the physical, but didn’t have a clue as to where to start or what to say. So, she said the first thing that came to mind. “That sucks.”

It startled her when Nick threw his head back and laughed, revealing a brilliant smile. “That’s a first. Most people come up with some sort of sappy condolence or a look of pity.”

She couldn’t help but smile back as her sullen mood instantly lifted. She shrugged and tilted her head. “What can I say? I tell it like it is. I guess it’s a side effect of being a reporter.”

“I guess so. But it’s a refreshing side effect.”

“That’s a roundabout compliment.”

“No. It’s a direct compliment.” His eyes sparkled as his smile widened.

She felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere, and it wasn’t due to the weather. She sucked in a little extra air with her next breath, trying to remain poised under his unexpected flattery.

Nick slowly drew his gaze away and looked toward the small, beige cottage. “We’d better go in. Mrs. Mayes is probably peeking out the window by now, wondering what we’re doing.”

“Mrs. Mayes?”

“She’s a widower. Her two sons live out of state, so I come by to check on her from time to time.”

“How did you meet her?”

“She’s a member of my church.” They stepped side-by-side onto the weathered porch. Nick turned. “Don’t be surprised if she thinks we’re together. She’s been after me for years to get hitched.”

Her face warmed at the thought of her and Nick as a couple. She fought to keep her voice calm. “A matchmaker, huh?”

“Very much so. And stubborn. It might be easier to go along with her assumptions.”

The front door opened before Cali had a chance to argue. She gathered her composure, and turned to the thin, elderly woman who stood at the door, leaning on a cane.

“Well, my lands! You’ve finally brought over a nice girl for me to meet, Sheriff!” The woman shuffled back, waving them inside. She mumbled under her breath, “It’s about time.”

Cali glanced at Nick in time to see him shrug, and mouth a silent, “I told you so.”

She hid a grin and followed Nick inside, catching the tempting aroma of something sweet baking in the kitchen. The woman turned her hazel eyes to Cali. “I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Mrs. Mayes.”

“Cali Stevens.”

“Oh, dear. I should’ve recognized you. You’re that friend of the missing girl aren’t you? I saw you up there on TV.” She waved a hand at the small television set in her living room. “I’m so sorry. You never know what people are thinking these days do you?” She placed a well-worn hand on Cali’s shoulder and patted her. She looked at Nick. “You find that missing girl, and when you catch the scoundrel who took her, you string him up by his toes and whup him!”

Cali bit her cheek to keep from smiling at the woman’s passionate words. “I’d like to see that, Mrs. Mayes.”

Nick stood straighter and stepped forward, appearing every part the dutiful sheriff. “Now, Mrs. Mayes. You know we have a justice system that takes care of the criminals we catch. We aren’t allowed to string up anyone by their toes.”

Cali had no idea how Nick had said those words with a straight face. But he had.

“But wouldn’t you like to? Just once?” Mrs. Mayes prodded.

His stern expression collapsed and he broke into a grin. “The thought has occurred to me a time or two.”

“I knew it.” Mrs. Mayes turned to make her way into the kitchen, but not before Cali caught the triumphant smile growing on her face. “Follow me. I have a cherry cobbler cooking. It should be about done now.”

Cali stepped into the brightly decorated kitchen with Nick right behind her. He placed his hand on her lower back and pulled a chair out at the table, and a tingling warmth spread up her spine. She wondered if Nick was being thoughtful again, or if he only wanted to play along with Mrs. Mayes’s matchmaking attempts. Either way, she liked how it felt to have someone looking out for her. Not someone, she corrected. Nick.

Mrs. Mayes opened a cupboard for a set of plates.

“I’ll get those for you.” Nick stepped over to help. He grabbed three small plates and set them on the table. Before Mrs. Mayes had a chance to take out the cobbler, he found an oven mitt and opened the door.

“You’ll make someone a fine husband one day, Nick. Course, I’ve been telling you that a long time. Are you married Ms. Stevens?”

Cali felt a full-blown blush heat her face. Nick plopped the cobbler on the stove and turned to face her. His mouth twitched into a grin.

“No ma’am.”

“Been courting anyone as of late?”

She hadn’t heard the term “courting” since her grandmother had used it years ago. “Um, I, no ma’am, I’m not dating anyone.”

Nick took the initiative to save her from further questions. “Have a seat, Mrs. Mayes. I’ll serve the cobbler, then get to that leaky faucet you need repaired.”

“You’re such a dear.” She scooted into a chair and set aside her cane, looking relieved to sit. “My George used to take care of the maintenance. The good Lord took him home eight years ago as of last month. I still miss him to this day.” She looked at the portion Nick set out on each of the plates. “Get more, Nick. You need to keep your strength up to catch that stalker dude.”

Cali choked on her first bite of cobbler. “Stalker dude?”

Mrs. Mayes cupped her hand to her cheek, as if to hide her answer from Nick. “My grandson keeps me up to date on all of the new terms the kids are using these days.”

Cali had to smother another grin. “Do you see him often?”

“No, he lives in Washington State. But he sends me e-mails all the time. Nick here is the one who looks after me now. I don’t know what I’d do without him.” Mrs. Mayes patted his arm and took a bite of cobbler. After swallowing she added, “Of course, I keep telling him he should have better things to do with his time than hang out with an old lady.”

Nick put an arm around Mrs. Mayes and tugged her close. “Now, Mrs. Mayes, you know I can’t resist being in the company of such a lovely woman.” He planted a quick kiss on her cheek.

Mrs. Mayes hid her mouth with a napkin as she giggled. “If only I were forty years younger.” She sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder and resting her hand over her heart.

Cali laughed at the woman’s theatrical flirtation.

Mrs. Mayes looked at Cali and added, “You know, he’s turned away every woman I’ve tossed his way. And let me tell you, there have been plenty of them. He’s a finicky one, I guarantee you that.”

Cali’s interest piqued and she turned her gaze to Nick.

“It’s not that I don’t appreciate your help, Mrs. Mayes.” Nick pulled his arm back, sat straight and took another mouthful of cobbler, finishing his plate.

When he didn’t give more information, Mrs. Mayes offered, “There’s more cobbler if you’d like.”

“I couldn’t eat another bite. Thanks.”

Disappointment hit Cali. She had hoped Nick would explain why he had turned away the women.

Mrs. Mayes sighed. “My George used to say he couldn’t eat another bite. Then after an hour I’d catch him sneaking another plateful.” Her smile faded and she admitted, “You know, it gets lonely around here sometimes. Everyone needs somebody.” Then she squared her shoulders, lifted her chin and added, “Right Nick?” She nudged him with her elbow.

He cleared his throat and gathered the dishes. “I’ll get to that faucet now. You said it’s the one in the bathtub?”

“That’s right. Every night I hear drip…drip…drop. It darn near drives me crazy. I can’t sleep ‘cause of it. Last night I tried stuffing a washcloth under the drip.”

“Did it work?” Cali asked.

“Nope. All it did was change the sound to a smack…smack…smack. I considered taking a hammer to the faucet, but remembered Nick had promised to come by, so I didn’t.”

Cali chuckled, liking the spirited woman more each minute they spent together.

Nick said, “I’ll take care of it for you. I’ll go get my tools from the truck.”

When he stepped outside, the screen door slapped shut behind him and Mrs. Mayes immediately spoke up. “You should know you’re the first girl he’s brought over here for me to meet.”

Although tempted to explain the real reason Nick had brought her here, Cali played along. “Is that right?”

“Yes. He’s a good man.”

“I’ve been told that before.” She remembered Helen’s kind words about Nick. Honest. Trustworthy. But, could she trust him to find Serena?

“He likes you.”

Cali shook her head. “He feels responsible for me.”

“Maybe so. But, take it from someone who’s been around the block a few times, he likes you.”

She warmed at the woman’s hopeful expression. “I like him, too.”

“I think he’s handsome, and a good catch.”

“I do, too.”

Mrs. Mayes slammed her fist on the table. “Ha! I knew it.” A gloating smile beamed on her thin lips.

“Knew what?” Nick asked from behind.

Cali wanted to slink under the table and hide, but she settled for shifting lower in her seat.

Mrs. Mayes looked at the ceiling, then at the walls. Her gaze finally landed on the table, and she wiped a few crumbs from the lacey tablecloth. “It’s nothing, dear. Just girl talk.”

“I see. If you don’t tell me now, Mrs. Mayes, I’ll get it out of Cali later. Apparently, I have a certain finesse that makes it hard for people to resist answering my questions.”

“You go on ahead and interrogate her later. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

Cali sucked in a breath and sank lower in her seat.

“Mrs. Mayes…” Nick scolded.

“What?” she asked innocently.

Cali would have argued, but knew deep down the woman was right. She liked Nick, more and more each day and she wouldn’t mind spending time alone with him. The realization struck her, and she bolted from the chair. “I see you have a lovely view of the bay. Mind if I take a peek outside?” She pretended to see a bit of the view from the kitchen window.

“Certainly. I’ll join you.”

Cali caught the grin on Nick’s face before he turned and headed to the bathroom. Mrs. Mayes stepped outside on the porch, using her cane for support, and Cali followed, trying to hide her intense reaction to Mrs. Mayes’s matchmaking attempts.

As they settled into a pair of pastel colored Adirondack chairs, Mrs. Mayes commented, “You said Nick feels responsible for you.”

“Yes, he does.”

“That’s not a bad thing you know.”

“I’ve always taken care of myself. I can handle…”

“Ah. I see.”

When she became quiet, Cali looked over at her. In the sunlight, Mrs. Mayes’s appearance took on a healthy, natural glow. Her wrinkles added to her charm, rather than taking away from it. Mrs. Mayes sat, picking imaginary fluff from her purple, cotton dress, as if debating what to say next.